APD to monitor air quality in Mangaluru during Diwali

coastaldigest.com news network
October 17, 2017

Mangaluru, Oct 17: City based NGO Anti-Pollution Drive (APD) Foundation has set up four stations across Mangaluru to monitor air quality before and during Diwali festival.

Under the ‘Shuddha Gaali’ project, the Foundation has set up air quality assessment stations at four places. The assessment of air quality started on Monday. “We will assess the air quality on Tuesday and again on Thursday and Friday (during the festival),” said Abdullah A Rehman, the founder of APD Foundation.

“Of late, many people are celebrating Diwali without firecrackers considering the ill effects crackers cause on the environment and health of the people. To motivate people to continue this trend, the foundation has planned three projects for the people. Firstly an Eco-Friendly Diwali celebration along with Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) that was held at Bearys Public School on Monday,” he said.

The second project is to assess the air quality to show the impact of firecrackers on environment. “This project will be supported by St George’s Homeopathy. We will be testing the air quality levels in four residential locations for two days starting Monday. Later, on Thursday and Friday, air quality will be again tested at the same locations,” he said adding that report of the air quality assessment will be submitted to the district administration, Mangaluru City Corporation and Department of forest and environment.

In addition, the APD Foundation will also conduct an advocacy drive, he said. “We will be submitting a memorandum to the district commissioner appealing him to take five problems (child labour, untoward incidents, air and noise pollution, effect on mental health and improper disposal) that are caused by fireworks into consideration and take appropriate steps.

The APD Foundation was set up in view of the fact that there is an apparent awareness, information and data deficit amongst the citizens of our country regarding environmental issues. Their key instruments towards obtaining their objective would be through holistic information, data sharing & advocacy campaign where they sensitise the people about the ill effects of pollution and drive the citizenry towards taking a more involved role in sustainable and responsible living.

Comments

A P
 - 
Thursday, 19 Oct 2017

We should encourage these kind of projects  and aim for a green Diwali, hence a cleaner environment.

 

Hope they also come up with a project to measure noise pollution 5 times a day, all 365 days in a year.

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News Network
May 12,2020

Dubai, May 12: Free tickets are being offered by philanthropists and businessmen based in the UAE for deserving Indians who want to fly home.

Repatriation ticket prices have been set at around Dh700 to Dh750 per person depending on the destination. But there are many in UAE who cannot afford it, especially people who have lost their jobs or have medical concerns.

Malayalam Communications Ltd and its Malayalam stations (Kairali TV & Kairali News) are giving away 1,000 tickets free. Those who wish to apply can submit their application to [email protected].

Indian businessman Dhananjay Datar, chairman & managing director of Al Adil Trading Company, is also giving away 300 tickets. He is liasing with the Consulate General of India (CGI) for the names. “This is the time we need to rise as a community,” he said.

Besides taking care of airfares, Datar will also bear the cost of COVID-19 testing fees for Indians from the UAE.

“The repatriation efforts undertaken by the government of India is one of the largest initiatives. I am just doing a small bit to help the community. There are many people who are not in a position to meet the airfare and COVID testing costs as they have lost jobs. I will be coordinating with authorised entities handing this to lend my support,” he said.

Pravasi India Forum, a welfare organisation in UAE, is giving away 100 tickets. The NGO on Monday, May 11, uploaded a registration form where people can provide their details. “Tickets will be given to those approved by CGI and for those who are in financial distress,” said Abulaise, president of Pravasi Welfare Forum.

Punnakan Mohammed Ali, general secretary Incas UAE committee, said it is also ready to give away hundreds of free tickets but only to genuine candidates. “We will evaluate each individual and only if they are approved by the consulate, we will give the tickets. But we are ready to help.”

Those who want to register can get more details on www.pravasiwelfareforum.com.They can also call 055-1025611.

Need for more flights

The gesture notwithstanding, many Indians are still waiting to get news on their repatration.

Social worker Shukoorali Kallangal, President, Abu Dhabi Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), urged the government of India to add more flights to accommodate more passengers.

“Emergency repatriation services are the need of the hour. There are several expats with medical, financial distress. For those who came with the hope of a job – that too is a thing of the past now. Right now all they want is to go home and start something afresh there.”

Kallangal said: “Take the case of pregnant women. In many cases, their husbands have lost jobs or have been asked to go on unpaid leave. They are living hand to mouth and cannot afford medical costs. Due consideration should be given to them.”

Sreedharan Prasad, another social worker based in Ras Al Khaimah, said he is currently dealing with several emergency medical cases.

Consul General of India Vipul said plans are afoot to add more flights in the next phase of Indian repatriation. “The number of flights are being decided by India in consultation with state governments. This is not a normal situation we all are in. We are in the middle of a pandemic situation.”

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News Network
June 21,2020

Mangaluru, June 21: A gang of miscreants intercepted a goods auto-rickshaw which was legally transporting beef from an abattoir to market and attacked its driver in heart of the city this morning. 

The attack comes exactly a week after a gang of Bajrang Dal miscreants thrashed a cattle trader at Urwa while legally transporting four buffalos to Kudroli abattoir on June 13.

Today, a person identified as Abdul Rasheed was transporting around 200 kilograms of beef from Kudroli abattoir to Kankanady market.

Meanwhile, miscreants began to chase beef laden vehicle and managed to waylay it near Highland Hospital. They thrashed Abdul Rasheed and poured kerosene on the beef besides damaging the vehicle. 

The miscreants fled in their car and motorbikes after passersby began to gather. 

Comments

Gopitha
 - 
Monday, 22 Jun 2020

one day snake must come out from rat hole...that day we will wait

abdullah
 - 
Sunday, 21 Jun 2020

Dear DC Dr. Harsha, we want to know if you will take strict action on these anti nationals / rowdis / day robbers / terrorists who ransacked auto + beaten the auto driwer and stolen Rs. 10,000 from him though he was legally transporting the meat.   They same terrorists are involved in transporting live animals to beef export houses in Gujrat owned by Brahmins / Jains.   Will you be loyal to your duty and promise.   We will see how you will handle the issue failing which you will lose our respect and we will consider you as a dramabaz and phenku.   You should follow the law and treat everyone equally.  There should not be any pity on goondas/ terrorists belonging to sangh parivar.   The terrorists who thrashed the auto driver and damaged the auto and burnt the meat by pouring kerosene are not human beings and should be treated as anti nationals + terrorists.    We hope you will discharge your duty as per the oath taken by you while accepting your post.  

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News Network
January 22,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 22: Three alleged Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in India were apprehended in Karnataka's Bengaluru district, police said on Wednesday.

The arrested are identified as Mohammed Lokman (55), his wife Jasmin Begun (35) and son Raasel (22) are natives of Boresel village in Pirojpur district in Bangladesh.

According to police, they were staying at a camp at Munnekolala village.

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