Mangalore This Week: Jan 28 - Feb 3
By Anisa Fathima - Daijiworld.com Mangalore
The week was packed with happenings of all kinds – from celebrations to murder, we witnessed everything. Beginning with the much-debated Hindu Samajotsava which, to the relief of all, went on peacefully, thanks to the tight security of police and cooperation of the public, to the beginning of Mahamastakabhisheka at Dharmasthala, we had all reasons to celebrate. But the sad news were as many – a man who stabbed his wife to death in broad daylight, two kids who drowned in the river while playing, and the office of Karavali Ale vandalised by miscreants, which once again revealed the dark side of fearless journalism.
Beltangady: Exhibition at Dharmasthala Attracts Big Crowd - Pics
Mangalore: Rampage at 'Karavali Ale' Office - Update with Pics
Mangalore: Viraat Hindu Samajotsava Held Under Tight Security
Mangalore: Bodies of Drowned Boys Found at Tandolige
Mangalore: Husband Stabs Wife to Death in Broad Daylight
The growing number of complaints regarding the problems faced by women commuters on buses from their male counterparts has made the RTA bring in a rule that requires men to board the buses from the rear entrance only.
The rule had been put in to force twice before, and both times, it had to be revoked as no one including the bus staff cooperated. The RTA has given the responsibility of implementing the rule in the hands of bus staff members, that is, the driver, cleaner and the conductors. Given the hurry that bus drivers and conductors are always in, it doesn’t look like they will have the patience to ensure that people follow the guideline. Women have had to face lots of problems from their male counterparts while alighting and boarding the buses. It is high time something is done to look after their safety. Though the authorities have imposed a fine on violators, men can still be seen boarding from the front entrance, with neither the conductor nor the driver bothered to penalise them.
Mangalore: Bus Front Entrance Reserved for Women
After several delays and a number of blame games, the first phase of work on the doubling and concreting of Hampankatta - Jyothi stretch of road finally began this week.
Owing to the works, the road has been closed for traffic and alternate routes were chalked out for a period of two months.
Though the stipulated time to finish the works has been set as two months, it will be interesting to see whether the deadline would be really met. The concreting of MG road, that two-lane, took more than a year. This stretch of road will not only be concreted, but also made into a four lane; so we can imagine how long the administration will ‘stretch’ it to! In the meantime, commuters will have to go thru the daily grind of traffic jams and prolonged travelling time. But as they say, no pain no gain. The end result will be something all Mangaloreans will be proud of, and hence a little patience and sacrifice from our part will not be too much to ask for.
Mangalore: First Phase of Concreting Work from Feb 1 – Routes Altered
Recently there seems to be a sudden rise in thefts, especially in the owners’ prolonged absence. I had happened the week before last, and now it has happened yet again, not once, but twice in a single week. While the first theft resulted in loss of Rs 3 lac, the other one amounted to Rs 4.5 lac.
The incidents do provide some food for thought. Is there a gang of thieves operating in the city, watching every move of house owners and waiting to throw the bait as soon as the coast is clear? The surprising part is one of the thefts took place in broad daylight. What were the police doing? How is that the neighbours did not notice anything, though the thieves decamped with ornaments and cash worth 4.5 lac? The thieves, therefore seem to be professionals and very good at their trade. The police must look in to the incidents and not only try to trace the culprits, but also be alert to similar incidents in the future.
Puttur: Theft of Rs 3-lac-plus from Businessman's House
Moodbidri: Ornaments worth Rs 4.5 Lac Stolen from Advocate's House
The news that gladdened the hearts of many, especially NRIs was that of the prospect of Bajpe Airport getting e-payment facility in a couple of months. The icing on the cake was the airport winning the national ‘Best Fire Station Award.’
With the increase in passenger traffic and the imminent introduction of Abu Dhabi-Muscat-Mangalore flight, e-payment facility has become a necessity. Many of the passengers are regular commuters for whom e-payment will not only be convenient, but also time-saving. The award is another testimony to the airports capability to handle passengers and its advanced safety measures. Though there is still a long way to go, the airport is expected to see a lot of development in the next one year. The entry of hospitality and IT sectors also necessitates its development in to a world class airport.
Mangalore: Bajpe Airport to have e-payment Facility Soon
Temperatures were at the usual boiling point on the political front with the No Confidence Motion being passed against ZP vice-president Dharanendra Kumar. Just some time ago, a similar motion was also taken against former ZP president Mamata Gatti.
While the Congress was left seeking answers to the move, the BJP-JDS had a gala time dethroning both the ZP chiefs, one after the other in short succession. There seemed to be no good answer to the reason for the move, and Congress has been insisting that Kumar was voted against despite good track record. The politicians are enjoying games they are so good at, while the common people are suffering to no end with the ruling party’s apathy towards roads, development works, and many more. Contrary to the outburst by Kumar after he was dethroned, democracy may still be alive, but with politicians who are busy playing games, it is pathetic to know that we are the ones responsible for their positions of power.
Mangalore: No Confidence Motion Compels ZP Vice-President to Step Down
To give an example to the last sentence in the above news, the MCC showed the heights of its apathy when as many as 600 families in district had to go without water for 15 days, all because of the delay in shifting the pipeline to accommodate widening of the national highway.
Though the NHAI had asked the MCC to shift the pipeline as many as three months ago, lack of action on the part of the officials caused so much delay that it was only in mid-January that the pipeline was shifted, which in turn necessitated the disconnection of water supply. Three months ago, that is, in November, we were still getting plenty of rainfall and adjusting would have been an easier task. Now, when water shortage is on the threshold of becoming a major problem, the MCC has suddenly woken up to its task. Widening roads is indeed a step in the right direction and will be a boon to the district, but doing so at the cost of the residents, is not so welcome. True, inconveniences are bound to happen and people need to cooperate, but the administration too should also show some kind of empathy towards the commoners.
Mangalore: 600 Families go Without Water for 15 Days
The week, therefore, was a mixture of happenings of different nature. It will be interesting to know the MCC will handle the road-widening works on national highway and in the city during the next few days. There will be plenty more happenings, so watch out for this column next week.
Anisa Fathima
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Anisa Fathima - from 'Exclusive Archives'