Expectations high in Dakshina Kannada as SSLC exams begin

Mangaluru, Apr 12: Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary on Saturday, April 11, welcomed the State government’s decision to permit fishing during the lockdown that’s now extended till April 30.

“We welcome the Centre’s decision to permit fishing during the lockdown. This directive comes as a huge relief for the fishing community,” Poojary told newsmen here.

Poojary informed that 14,000 boats will be deployed for fishing. Keeping the need for social distancing in mind only five crew members will be allowed on a boat. The boats can set sail in the morning and should return by evening.

Udupli, Jun 10: A promising Kabaddi player and young businessman allegedly committed suicide inside his father’s boat today at Malpe fishing port as he had suffered heavy loss in business due to covid lockdown. 

The deceased has been identified as Bhagyaraj (27), a resident of Pavanjigudde in Badanidiyoor, Bailakere. He was working as writer for two boats owned by his father. He was a well-known Kabaddi player in Udupi district. 

It is said that he had raised a huge loan to build a house and also acquired a fishing boat. However, he suffered heavy losses in business due to lockdown. Fish famine added to his woes. 

Upset by these developments, Bhagyaraj hanged himself inside his boat that was anchored at the port. A case was registered at Malpe police station. Investigations are on.

Dubai, Apr 14: Around 2,500 Indians have approached Indian missions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) seeking help to be flown home during the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, top diplomats have said.

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai together have received requests from "a little more than 1,000 individuals" while the latter has received an additional request from an employer who has laid-off around 1,000 Indian workers, reports Gulf News on Monday.

According to the Indian Ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor, the missions have not been bombarded with mass requests from the people who wish to take an immediate flight home unlike widespread reports on social media.

Most of the individuals who have expressed their interest to return home are visitors and those who lost their jobs, he told Gulf News.

Consul General of India in Dubai, Vipul said his mission had received nearly 1000 requests via email and phone from people who want to return home.

"A majority of them are visit visa holders. On Sunday, we got information about another large group of around 1,000 Indian workers who have lost jobs. The employer has got in touch to know the options to send them back home as early as possible," he told Gulf News.

However, the diplomatic heads refuted unverified reports that claim tens of thousands of Indians were scrambling to fly home during the pandemic.

They added that the missions have been aiding hundreds of workers, who have been left in the lurch by their employers, with provisions.

The Indian government had said that flight services cannot be resumed during the lockdown period, which has now been extended till May 3.