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2 women enter Sabarimala; temple shuts for ‘purification’ ritual

Agencies
January 2, 2019

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 2: Two women below 50 walked into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala before daybreak on Wednesday, becoming the first to do so since the Supreme Court ordered the end of a decades-old ban on women of menstrual age entering the shrine. The temple has been shut for ritual "purification".

Bindu and Kanaka Durga, both in their early 40s, entered the hilltop shrine early this morning around 3.45 am. A video shows the women hurrying into the shrine, dressed in all-black and escorted by the police. A group of protesters also appear to be at the spot.

Confirming their visit, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said: "It is a fact that the women entered the shrine. Police are bound to offer protection to anyone wanting to worship at the shrine."

The women started the uphill trek to the temple around midnight, reached a little before 4 am and left after praying to Lord Ayyappa. There was no media glare and very few devotees were around at the time, which apparently facilitated the "sneak"visit.

The women were protected by small group of policemen, both in uniform and plainclothes.

"I don't think it is true...They might have done that in absolute secrecy. Once we know, we will take appropriate action," said Rahul Easwar, activist and leader of the Ayyappa Dharma Sena.

Bindu, 44, is a college lecturer and CPI(ML) activist, according to the Press Trust of India. Kanakadurga, 42, is a civil supplies employee who had come to Sabarimala on December 24 after 11 women activists of a Chennai-based outfit trying to reach the shrine were chased away by devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras.

Both women had tried to visit Sabarimala in the last week of December, but had been blocked by massive protests. The temple reopened on December 30 for the Makaravilakku festival and there has been a heavy rush of pilgrims since then.

Priests and many devotees strongly believe that the ban on women between 10 and 50 years should stay as the deity Lord Ayyappa is celibate.

Since the Supreme Court overturned the ban on September 28, upholding the constitutional right of every individual to practice their faith, protesters had ensured that women below 50 were unable to enter the shrine. Over a dozen women tried but were stopped by a wall of protesters less than a km from the temple's entrance.

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News Network
April 27,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 27: Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Monday demanded that the Karnataka government announce a special package for farmers who are on the verge of quitting agriculture as their profession following losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Please announce special package for the farmers to bail them out of the loss due to the lockdown.

Drop many of the schemes in the budget but don't leave the farmers in distress," Gowda said in his letter to Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

The JD(S) supremo said the way relief has been announced for the milk producers by procuring the unsold milk and distributing it to the slum dwellers, the same assistance should be provided to the farmers of the state.

"If you don't come forward to assist the farmers, then they will be forced to sell their land," Gowda cautioned the Chief Minister.

The former prime minister said the farmers are on the verge of falling in the debt trap and may be compelled to take the extreme step of suicide due to the losses.

Gowda said the farmers are unable to sell their crop because they are not getting proper price for their produce and are selling their crop at a throwaway price to minimise their losses.

"In just one month farmers reached the brink of bankruptcy as they are unable to sell the standing crops in lakhs of acres of land," Gowda said.

The JD(S) supremo has been championing the cause of farmers in the state and highlighting their sufferings.

On April 3 Gowda has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to look into the plight of farmers, labourers and the middle class people due to the lockdown.

"In such times of crisis, we should see to it that there is no disruption in farming activities by ensuring proper marketing channels to agricultural produce, especially perishables.

Only then we can sustain our long battle against this pandemic," Gowda said in a tweet.

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Media Release
March 10,2020

Mangaluru, Mar 10:  Country’s economic condition is not permanent. All young entrepreneurs can be forward looking persons, because all bad times are followed by good times. In fact, it is good time to start your own industry, said Nitte Deemed to be University Chancellor Dr. N Vinaya Hegde. 

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating a three-day entrepreneurship symposium organized by Mangalore University and Department of M. Com and MBA, University Evening College at University College Mangalore here on Monday, he said that entrepreneurship is something you enjoy. You should belief that there is something in you to achieve your area of choice. You should get pleasure out of it. 

Ex-MLC Capt. Ganesh Karnik believed that our population is definitely a resource, but symposiums are needed to convert ideas to implementation. Coastal Karnataka is best example for successful entrepreneurship in health, education sector, he added. 

Presiding over the function, Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof. P Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya said that students should be universally compassionate before being an entrepreneur. There will be challenges, failures in entrepreneurship. One should trust himself, and should have courage and confidence to be innovative. One should have aspiration and passion for excellence, he added.

Young scientist, international awardee Swasthik Padma was felicitated on the occasion. Evening college Principal Dr. Ramakrishna B M, Coordinator  Dr. Yathish Kumar were present among others. Kavya P Hegde mastered the ceremony, Venkatesh Nayak presented vote of thanks.

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News Network
August 3,2020

Bengaluru, Aug 3: All those who met Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who has tested positive for Covid-19, in the last three-four days will have to be quarantined, Medical Education Minister Sudhakar K said on Monday.

He also said those who came in contact with Yediyurappa in a couple of programmes in the past week are being traced.

Sudhakar, a medical doctor himself, said Yediyurappa has "very mild cough and his chest is clear."

"I think eight to ten days," he told news agency when asked how long the Chief Minister would have to remain in hospital.

Sudhakar said he is also getting himself tested as a few of his office staff had tested positive.

"All those who met the Chief Minister in the last 3-4 days...ideally they should be quarantined till they receive their results/report. Those who came in contact with him in a couple of programmes will have to isolate themselves and subject themselves for testing," the Minister said.

On the Chief Minister meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala, along with Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai last Friday, Sudhakar said as a result "They also become primary contacts. Ideally, they should also be quarantined and tested."

Yediyurappa who was hospitalised on Sunday night after testing positive for Covid-19 was "doing well" and is "clinically stable", the hospital treating him said.

The 77-year old leader is being monitored by a team of doctors at the Manipal hospital here.

"He is doing well, is clinically stable and will be monitored closely by our team," the hospital said in a statement late last night.

"I have tested positive for coronavirus. Whilst I am fine, I am being hospitalised as a precaution on the recommendation of doctors. I request those who have come in contact with me recently to be observant and exercise self-quarantine," Yediyurappa had said in his tweet.

Yediyurappa was in home quarantine a couple of weeks ago, after some staff members in his home office were found infected with the virus. Subsequently, he tested negative for Covid-19.

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