Facebook post helps stranded Kalladka youth in Saudi Arabia return home safe

coastaldigest.com news network
March 26, 2018

Mangaluru, Mar 26: After three months of ordeal in Saudi Arabia, a youth from Bantwal taluk of Dakhsina Kannada district today reached home safe thanks to a Facebook post which spurred a few Good Samaritans to help him.

Sukumar Shettigar, a resident of Bondala near Kalladka, a communally sensitive town in Bantwal taluk, had flown to Saudi Arabia three months ago after he was promised a driver’s job with an attractive salary.

After reaching the Arabian kingdom Sukumar realised that his job was to drive heavy trailer truck 14 hours a day in an industrial area in south-western city of Khamis Mushait.

Though Sukumar tried to convince his sponsor that driving a heavy trailer was not easy for him, the latter forced him to do the same work. He also reportedly thrashed Sukumar for refusing to sign some papers. Later, Sukumar informed his situation to his family members and friends in his home town.

Shaakir Haqq Nelyadi, a social activist, who came to know the issue, wrote a paragraph on his Facebook wall explaining the helpless expatriate’s ordeal. The post grabbed the attention of SDPI Batnwal constituency candidate Riyaz Farangipete, who in turn reportedly requested the activists of Indian Social Forum in the oil-rich Kingdom to look into the matter.

On March 17, a team of ISF activists contacted Sukumar and offered him legal, medical and financial aid. They also helped him lodge a complaint against the sponsor with the Indian embassy. The sponsor finally agreed to free Sukumar and returned his passport and other documents.

When ISF activists realised that Sukumar had no money to return home, they raised funds and bought air ticket for him. He reached Mangaluru International Airport on Monday morning via Mumbai. SDPI activists Ismaeel Bava, Ismaeel Engineer, ISF activist Siddeeq Ullal, Sukumar Shettigar’s brother Shankar Shettigar and others were present at the airport to welcome him.

Both Sukumar and Shankar thanked ISF and SDPI activists for their timely support. “We will always be grateful to Riyaz Farangipete for his timely help. He came to our rescue when we were helpless,” said Shankar. “I am grateful to the NRI Muslim brothers, especially ISF activists, who helped me when I was really in need,” said Sukumar.

Comments

D. S.
 - 
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2018

He must be so relieved, as if he returned from hell.

zahoor ahmed
 - 
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2018

Thanks SDPI for your help. But don't spoil secular vote in forthcoming election please, Particularly Bantwal. 

Jalal
 - 
Monday, 26 Mar 2018

A wonderful job done by Riyaz Farangipete, the next MLA of Bantwal and district in-charge minister of DK. 

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News Network
February 17,2020

Bengaluru, Feb 17: Days after 10 MLAs were inducted in the Cabinet, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is likely to expand his Cabinet again as some BJP MLAs are unhappy, said BJP sources.

Several leaders including Umesh Katti, CP Yogeshwar, Raju Gowda and MP Renukacharya are miffed over the recent cabinet expansion, claim sources.

On February 6, ST Somashekar, Ramesh Laxmanrao Jarkiholi, Anand Singh, K Sudhakar, BA (Byrathi) Basavaraj, Arabail Hebbar Shivaram, Hasavanagowda C Patil, K Gopalaiah, Narayana Gowda and Shrimant Balasaheb Patil took oath as ministers.

It should be noted that many MLAs had won the by-polls on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket in December last year after switching loyalties from the Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) and Congress.

In the December 5 by-polls held in 15 Assembly constituencies, the BJP had won 12, while Congress managed to bag only two. One seat was won by an Independent candidate while the JDS drew a blank.

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News Network
July 5,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 5: Day after a Covid-19 patient died on a road near his home waiting for an ambulance for nearly two hours, Bengaluru civic body commissioner on Saturday offered his unconditional apology for the tragic incident.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) Commissioner BH Anil Kumar met the family of the 55-year-old Covid-19 victim who died unattended on the roadside on Friday and apologised on behalf of the BBMP.

BH Anil Kumar also appealed to citizens to not stigmatise coronavirus patients and their families.

"Met the family of the Covid victim in Gavipuram who was left unattended on the roadside. Offered an unconditional apology on behalf of the BBMP as our staff could have handled the situation in a better manner. Appeal to citizens not to stigmatise Covid-19 patients & families," BH Anil Kumar said in a tweet.

In one of the pictures tweeted by BH Anil Kumar, he can be seen standing with folded hands in front of the deceased Covid patient's family.

The 55-year-old man was getting treatment at his house after he developed breathing issues. However, his condition worsened after his Covid-19 report came positive. His wife then informed the hospital and requested an ambulance.

His family members decided to take him to the hospital by an autorickshaw as the ambulance was getting late. However, the man collapsed on the street as soon as he stepped out of his house.

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coastaldigest.com news network
July 18,2020

Mangaluru, July 18: The Dakshina Kannada district administration is likely to earmark a common burial ground in the wake of growing resistance from residents of various localities in Mangaluru against burial of Covid-19 victims in their vicinity.

Recently, following protests by residents on Bolar, the body of a Covid-19 victim remained in the ambulance for hours together. The residents refused to allow the victim to be laid to rest at a burial ground attached to a mosque. The victim, who had been a resident of Idya in Surathkal, was subsequently laid to rest after DC’s intervention.

In a bid to avoid such instances in the future, the district administration has identified a burial ground on the outskirts of Mangaluru. 

Former minister and incumbent Mangaluru MLA UT Khader said that he had discussed the problem at length with the officials of the Dakshina Kannada district administration, and had suggested they look for a relatively isolated space on the outskirts of Mangaluru city in order to avoid confrontation with the public.

“A parcel of land at Badaga Yekkuru, some 20km from the city has been identified as being suitable for the burial ground, but the district administration is yet to take a final decision,” Khader said.

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