Gill wins Rally of Arunachal; Mangalureans Dean Mascarenhas, Ashwin Naik finish second, third

Agencies
December 29, 2017

Team Mahindra Adventures Gaurav Gill took another measured step towards his fifth MRF FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship, adding the Rally of Arunachal to his conquests here today.

The three-time APRC champion and his co-driver Musa Sherif were in a class of their own, scorching the two night stages on Friday and winning two out of the four stages on Saturday to the delight of awe-struck fans here in picturesque Ziro.

"They were the fastest and most technical stages that I have seen in the INRC in many, many years," Gill said, immediately after his victory.

"We had a great car, wonderful setup and tyres and we really enjoyed this win," he added.

Dean Mascarenhas consolidated his position in the INRC 3 class by finishing second in the overall category. In the bargain, he posted his fourth straight victory in as many rounds in his class to virtually seal the title.

Gills Mahindra Adventure teammate Amittrajit Ghosh and Ashwin Naik took the third place by keeping pace with the winners in each and every stage. They were just 11.8 seconds behind Dean and 43.2 seconds behind Gills final tally of 58:50.4 minutes in the six stages.

The INRC 2 division was claimed by Younus Ilyas and Harish Kumar as they pipped table toppers Rahul Kanthraj and Vivek Y Bhatt, gaining a 19.3 second advantage in the opening stage.

Defending champion Karna Kadur and top contender Arjun Raos cars stalled just after the start and blocked the road, forcing the organisers to cancel the stage. Both withdrew from the rally, giving a free run to the rest of the field.

The four drivers ahead of them finished the stage while all others were given the same scratch time of 14 seconds. Rahul Kanthraj, who was among the finishers, could muster only 14:19.3 minutes which eventually hurt him in the final count. He, however, took the second place (fifth overall) to stay ahead in the race for the INRC 2 title.

Gill was calm personified as he built a solid lead of over 50 seconds in the first three stages itself. He took his foot off the pedal in the fourth stage, allowing Dean and Amittrajit to fight it out for honours here.

He reasserted himself in the next stage to ensure that the Rally of Arunachal was safe in his pocket. He is ahead with 75 points from three starts, despite missing Round 4 in Chikmagalur, and simply needs to drive smart in the final round in Bengaluru.

Dean Mascarenhas, with 63 points, has to be reckoned with though as an upset victory can still set him up for the 2017 championship.

Comments

Zahoor
 - 
Friday, 29 Dec 2017

Proper support from KN govt may helps to achieve more

Danish
 - 
Friday, 29 Dec 2017

Wow.. Congrats.. I saw him. He used to drive like race in NH also

Kumar
 - 
Friday, 29 Dec 2017

Congrats.. Great achievement

Ganesh
 - 
Friday, 29 Dec 2017

Very young energetic guy

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News Network
June 8,2020

Shivamogga, Jun 8: Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari in Shivamogga re-opened on Monday at 9 am.

Zoo authorities said that they are ensuring that all standard operating procedures are being followed, including ensuring social distancing and wearing of masks by visitors.

It is being ensured that pairs of birds are being kept inside enclosures.

Regular sweeping and spraying on the premises are also being taken care of, authorities said.

Floor markings have been made at the ticket counter to maintain social distancing.

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 31,2020

Mangaluru, May 31:  Even as the worst locust attack on India in recent years raised concerns over its impact on crops, swarms of locusts have triggered panic in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada too. 

Farmers in the coastal district were taken aback when they found the swarms of locusts, which they feared as the arrival of desert locusts in the region.

According to reports, Renjalady village under the limits of Nuji Baltila Gramp Panchayats in Kadaba taluk and Shirlalu village in Belthangady taluk witnessed locust attacks in last couple of days. 

“Locust swarms were seen in many areas. We have also alerted agriculture department. Already insects have destroyed crops of many farmers,” said a farmer in Shirlalu village.  

Joint director of Dakshina Kannada district agriculture department MC Seetha confirmed that officials have received information from villagers about the locust scare and entemologists have already visited the place to collect more information.

Not Desert Locusts?

“We contacted entemologists and forwarded the pictures that farmers sent to us. Looking at the picture, entemologists have opined that it may be calotropis locust or colour grasshopper. Desert locusts usually arrive in lakhs,” said Ms Seetha. Desert locusts that are destroying crops in other parts of India may not come to Dakshina Kannada, she added.

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News Network
February 21,2020

Mysuru, Feb 21: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said Amulya Leona, who raised pro-Pakistan slogans, had links with Naxalites.

Yediyurappa said that Amulya's links with Naxalites have been proved in an investigation. "She must be punished and action will be taken against the people behind it," he said.

"Bail should not be given to Amulya. Her father has also said he won't protect her. Its proved now that she had contacts with Naxals. Proper punishment should be given," he added.

While speaking to reporters at Mysuru Airport, the chief minister said unless actions are taken against the organisations who provoke them to make such comments, it is not possible to control them.

Yediyurappa suspects that the incident was a conspiracy to disturb peace and harmony in the state.

Minister B C Patil said that such incidents should not repeat. "It appears that youths are misused for such anti-national activities, he said.

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