Kasargod: CPI (M) leader caught robbing NRI's house!

Vijayapura, June 18: Shoukat Ali Sumbad, a local farmer, has donated land for the construction of Chennamma memorial, modelled on the Kittur fort, at Sindagi town in Vijayapura to celebrate the town's connect with the valorous Lingayat queen who fought the British in 1824.

Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swamiji of Lingayat Panchamasali Peetha Kudala Sangam said Shoukat Ali came forward to donate his land adjacent to the state highway when local authorities failed to provide land for the memorial. 

"The committee led by Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swamiji sought a 15x10 plot but when I went through their plan of constructing a model of Kittur fort, I decided to donate 425 sq ft," said the 61-year-old farmer. 

"Rani Chennamma is the pride of every Indian, irrespective of caste and creed, and my contribution is nothing compared to her sacrifice for the nation," he added.

Shoukat Ali, who lives in the neighbouring town of Almel, said he is a man of modest means but proud to make the contribution. "I own nine acres of land in Almel. I have six sons and two daughters. Two of my sons run small businesses in Mumbai. Ten of us live in a small house in Almel," he said.

“I also work as a broker to sell or buy sites. I had bought 15 guntas of land in Sindagi for my children some 15 years ago. When our MLA MC Managuli and Swamiji sought land for the memorial, my entire family agreed wholeheartedly” Shoukat Ali said.

“As Chennamma’s history is linked to Sindagi, there has been a demand for a memorial here since 2008, but the town municipal council failed to provide land due to political and technical reasons,” said Swamiji. 

“There were plans to observe a Sindagi bandh in the first week of June to protest the indifference of authorities. But then Sumbad gave us his land. We have formed a committee to construct a model of Kittur fort and a bronze statue of Chennamma at a cost of Rs 28 lakh,” he added.

Dubai, May 9: The wholehearted and collective effort of Karnataka NRI Forum, UAE and its president Mr. Praveen Shetty made it possible to have the first repatriation flight to Mangaluru – Karnataka from UAE. The Union Minister of India Mr. Sadananda Gowda tweeted on May 8th that the evacuation flight will fly from Dubai on May 12th with stranded citizen of India in UAE.

The whole world is under the impact of pandemic Covid 19. Government of India has announced the flights to repatriate its stranded citizens from all over the world. Sadly, the first batch of the announced flights had no mention of any flights from Gulf countries to Karnataka.

In Gulf countries, especially in UAE, thousands of Kannadigas are working for their livelihood. In this population major part is shared by coastal Karnataka people who belong to Mangalore, Udupi and other nearby districts. This lack of consideration of Mangaloreans for repatriation was made whole Kannadiga’s in deep sadness, where as many Kannadiga’s were waiting for flights to obtain urgent medical assistance and other medical support back in their home country.

Once after obtaining the news of not having flights to Karnataka from UAE, Mr. Praveen Shetty immediately actioned and wrote letter to concerned departments and ministers under the banner of KNRI. Mr. Praveen Shetty was in continuous follow up with Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Dr. Ashwath Narayan, Mr C.T. Ravi Minister for Tourism of Karnataka, Union Minister of India Mr. Sadananda Gowda, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (India) Mr. Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Railways of India (Minister of State) Mr. Suresh Angadi and officials of Aviation ministry along with other concerned departments.

The efforts have now given the result and finally the confirmation has been obtained from Mr. Sadananda Gowda about consideration of repatriation flights to Mangalore from Dubai on May 14th. It is expected that Aviation ministry will officially announce the flight arrangement and other operational information shortly.

Speaking to media, Mr. Praveen Shetty said, Karnataka NRI Forum is always committed to serve  Kannadigas and the collective effort of core committee members, ministers of Karnataka & Govt of India including the Aviation & other concerned ministries made possible the most important and much awaited flight to Mangalore from UAE to repatriate expats who are in need. I thank each and everyone who joined their hands to make this possible.

Mr. Praveen Shetty is a well-known businessman in UAE who manages Fortune Group of Hotels in UAE & Georgia. He selflessly given his 3-star hotel to UAE ministry to operate as Quarantine facility to people who are under observation with Covid 19. Also, he joined his hands with organizations in UAE who are extending their helping hand to needy people in UAE.

With the help of likeminded businessmen and professionals, the KNRI forum under the leadership of Mr. Praveen Shetty along with ‘Dubai Anivasi Kannadigaru’ started a helpline called “Kannadigas Helpline” through which they received around 3000 requests for food, medical, legal and other assistance. They aided many Covid infected people with quarantine and isolation by the help of Dubai Health Authority, Ministry of Health, Dubai Police and Consulate General of India under the guidelines of Dubai Govt.

Mr. Praveen Shetty expressed his gratitude to Dubai Health Authority, Ministry of Health, Dubai Police and Consulate General of India for their professional guidance and help to Kannadigas during the pandemic Covid 19 situation.

Air India has pre-scheduled the Special Evacuation Flight from Dubai to Mangalore on 14/5/2020 to 12/5/2020 after constant persuade.

New Schedule:

Flight no - IX 0384

Timing:
Dubai - 16:10
Mangalore - 21:10

*All timings local @airindiain @PIB_India @PIBBengaluru

— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) May 9, 2020

Bengaluru, Jun 7: Suspense over JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda contesting the Rajya Sabha polls from Karnataka with Congress' support continues as KPCC president D K Shivakumar on Saturday said the party has fielded one candidate and the high command will decide on what do with surplus votes.

Mr Shivakumar also said his official takeover as party state unit president is likely to take place on June 14.

"Whatever our national leadership will decide... For now we are fielding only one candidate, regarding surplus votes whatever our high command says, we will abide by it," he said in response to a question about supporting Deve Gowda.

Polls for four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka is scheduled for June 19.

The Congress, which can win one seat with its strength in the assembly, has fielded veteran party leader Mallikarjun Kharge as the candidate, while the BJP is yet to decide on candidates for two seats it can win.

The JD(S), which has 34 seats in the assembly, is not in a position to win a seat in Rajya Sabha on its own, and will need support from one of the national parties with their surplus votes for this.

Minimum 44 votes are required for candidates to win.

Speculation is rife that congress is likely to support JD(S) with its surplus votes if the regional party fields Mr Gowda, and in return may seek favour during legislative council polls slated later this month.

Though JD(S) legislators are of the unanimous opinion that Mr Gowda should contest Rajya Sabha polls, the 87-year-old leader is said to be undecided and weighing options.

If he contests and wins, this will be the second Rajya Sabha entry for him, the first time being in 1996 as Prime Minister.

June 9 is the last date for filing nominations.

Stating that on June 8, Mallikarjun Kharge will file his nomination for Rajya Sabha polls, DK Shivakumar requested party workers not to come to Congress office or Vidhana Soudha, where the nomination will be filed, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Let your love and affection continue, but let's not create problems by gathering here. After the election is over, and once he (Kharge) wins, you can greet and congratulate him. Let's not bring a bad name to his seniority for not maintaining social distancing by gathering," he said.