Govt urged to appoint IAS officer to oversee coastal tourism

September 24, 2011

Mangalore, September 24: A seminar-cum-interaction meet on 'Future of Coastal Tourism' was organised on the eve of World Tourism Day 2011; jointly by the State Dept. of Tourism, DK Zilla Panchayat, Mangalore Association of Coastal Tourism and Pananmbur Beach Tourism Dev. Organisation in the presence of senior officials of the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and Deputy Speaker N Yogish Bhat at Hotel Moti Mahal, Falnir here on Saturday.

Dr. Sundar Naik IFS, MD KSTDC informed the select gathering that they were doing a lot of work in the coastal belt with ample help from State Govt. There were tour packages with tour buses plying between Bangalore and Mangalore via Subrahmanya - a tourist hotspot, accommodation at Dharmasthala, Kukke Subrahmanya temples etc. Land is leased out at Kadri, Malpe all for tourist infrastructure as part of tourism initiative. “Sky is the limit that is the kind of work we are proposing to do,” he declared.

According to Dr. Naik interaction and communication is crucial so that tourism dept. could make a note of several projects in the offing. He said his dept. is open to criticism and exhorted the audience to discuss an all-inclusive tourism strategy for the development of the region. There are many issues pertaining to hospitality which needs to be tackled urgently in order to make the coastal belt of Karnataka a popular destination for tourists, he added

The interactive meet threw up several vital suggestions from the stake-holders as also representatives of the tourism industry in the audience. Some of the highpoints to boost tourism were as follows: Operation of cruise ships between Mangalore and Lakshadweep, promotion of water sports and deep-sea diving by Govt., branding Mangalore city on the lines of Mysore and Hampi as also from Kerala. Others urged for proper sanitation facilities, better transportation and logistics, hospitality and transparency in dealing by localities, adequate policing at beaches. Promotion of tourist spots in DK on virtual websites and boards in cities to be both in English and Kannada.

Other proposals were promotion of aqua-marine tourism, home-stays, up-gradation of health tourism, eco-friendly measures in form of proper waste management, setting up of information desks/centers - 'Kiosks,' attractively designed brochures and detailed maps for tourists. One of the most important suggestions made was to have an IAS officer to oversee coastal tourism, as a single-window clearance to give proper direction to all tourism related initiatives. Erold a 92.7 FM RJ suggested an open bus to take tourists on sight-seeing tours as also trekking adventures.

Mr Yogish Bhat in his speech declared that the audience had given very important suggestions. He said he would definitely consider the suggestion for an IAS officer overseeing tourism, seriously and first try it out in three districts. With regard to all problems cited by the members he said his govt. would look into the same and come up with solutions. According to him builders, contractors, architects, general public all need to apply their minds together and take responsibility for developing tourism in the state.

Bhat then went on to reel out the amounts sanctioned by the State Govt. with regard to infrastructure and tourism related projects totaling to Rs. 24.30 Crores. He also spoke about night-safari, cruise tourism, health tourism and about the world-class golf course coming-up at Tannir Bhavi with Private Public Participation (PPP) and side by side an international cricket stadium. Bhat concluded with the optimistic words on tourism in State “Future is brilliant and this prediction is very true”

Others present at the meet were Yathish Baikampady, Manohar Shetty, Lekshmi Kumaran, Prakash (Assistant Director – KSTDC) and others.

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News Network
April 19,2020

Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) Chaiman Dr Sam Pitroda held video conference with senior IOC office bearers across Middle Eastern countries on 14th April 2020 to review the impact of COVID-19 pandemic among Indians residing in the region. Almost all speakers appreciated the efforts initiated and  implemented by  respective governments to contain spread of the deadly virus as well as measures taken towards welfare of the people affected by the lockdown. 

IOC Presidents, Mohammed Mansour - Bahrain, Abdullah Manjeri - Saudi Arabia, Dr J Ratan kunar - Oman and Girish kumar - Qatar, highlighted the quality treatment of patients and finacial aid provided by governments and other authorities. Bahrain IOC president Mansour , also  apprised about the 'Food for Needy' drive in Association with KHK Heroes foundation, initiated by HH Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and quality treatments as well as financial aid to local and expat residents.

Anura Mathai, IOC  Global Event Coordinator, spoke about certain problems of Indians in the UAE. IOC Middle East Convener, Mansoor Palloor, emphasised and requested IOC Chairman to urge Indian government to arrange immediate repatriation of indians stranded in Gulf countries. AICC Secretary, Himanshu Vyas, IOC Secretary Dr Arathi Krishna, Dr Arshi Malik (Abha), Mohiuddin Sirajudeen (Jeddah), Advocate Joseph Palathara (Dammam) Prasad Kodru, Jayati Maitra Ziyad Ahmed (Qatar) and Khursheed Alam (Gen Secretary- Bahrain) also apprised the participants about various issues relevant to the pandemic and suggested further initiatives to be undertaken. 

Dr Sam Pitroda briefed about sustained and consolidated efforts by all IOC members  during this unprecedented situation facing the world and assured that he would convey IOC  concerns to the government and try his best to ensure all possible help is made available to all needy Indians.

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News Network
March 31,2020

Kottayam, Mar 31: A 91-year-old and 88-year-old senior citizen couple were discharged from the isolation ward of government medical college after getting treated from COVID-19 on Monday.

"It is a testimony to the dedication and expertise of the medical staff as well as the strength of the Kerala public health system. We shall overcome," Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac tweeted as he praised the healthcare services for treating the elderly couple considered as highly vulnerable to the contagious virus.

Apart from the two senior citizens, five others suffering from COVID-19 have also been treated and discharged from the hospital.
Thomas, 91, and his wife Mariyamma, 88, who were under treatment at the Kottayam Medical College were already suffering from various age-related problems. The 91-year-old had a heart attack and severe breathing trouble when he was under treatment.

"The aged couple based in Ranni in Pathanamthitta district had got infected with the virus after coming into contact with their son, wife and grandson who had arrived from Italy. COVID-19 was confirmed in them on March 8. They were admitted to Pathanamthitta hospital. However, they were shifted to the Medical College in Kottayam the very next day as their condition was critical," the Kerala government said.

The family will have to remain in home-quarantine for 14 more days.

The Union Health Ministry said the death toll due to COVID-19 has risen to 32 and the number of total coronavirus cases to 1,251 as on Monday. 

There are 1117 active cases in the country with the state of Kerala contributing the highest number of cases which stands at 202.

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News Network
July 17,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 17: Karnataka Minister for Health and Family Welfare B Sriramulu on Thursday clarified that his remarks have been misinterpreted, wherein he apparently said that ''only God can save people from Covid''.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader slammed KPCC President D K Shivakumar for spreading false information and said that my words were not meant to cause panic among the masses.

''Respected Shivakumar, this is a clarification regarding my words that have been misinterpreted and misunderstood.

While responding to claims of the opposition that the government’s negligence, irresponsibility and the lack of coordination among ministers are responsible for the rise in cases in the state, I stated that ‘these accusations are far from the truth. People need to be aware and cautious to avoid the spread of the virus. This plays a vital role in controlling the pandemic. If we fail at this crucial step the situation can get complicated. And if things go worse, then only God can save us'', Mr Sriramulu said in a series of posts on Twitter

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