'Saptapadi' postponed in Karnataka due to lockdown

Mangaluru, May 6: The Karnataka NRI Forum - UAE has collected the details of those seeking to return to Karnataka amidst coronavirus lockdown.

Of these, 121 of these expats are pregnant women, 27 are senior citizens, 157 are in urgent medical need, 522 are unemployed, 377 are in the UAE on visit visa, 109 are in the UAE on expired residency visa, 30 are students and 566 others.

On Tuesday, May 5, the Government of India released a list of flight schedules for the repatriation of Indians who are stranded abroad. "...sadly we do not see any flights going from UAE to Karnataka," the KNRI said in a letter to Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers D V Sadananda Gowda, who is also a Kannadiga.

"We, Dubai Anivasi Kannadigaru and KNRI have collected the information of those who are in dire condition and would like to travel immediately. We would like to bring to your attention that in this list there are pregnant women and senior citizens who are in critical conditions and are waiting to travel," the KNRI wrote, urging the Union Minister to start at least one flight to Mangaluru as the majority are from this coastal city and not from Bengaluru.

Additionally, in order to help these struggling Kannadigas, the KNRI has notified the Government of India and Government of Karnataka several times through letters and conference calls, along with the Kannadiga's helpline, UAE.

With the help of likeminded businessmen and professionals, the KNRI Forum and Dubai Anivasi Kannadigaru have opened a helpline called "Kannadigas Helpline" through which they have received around 2,500 requests for food, medical, legal and other assistance.

Mangaluru/Udupi, May 20: Islamic scholars belonging to different schools of thoughts including two prominent Qadis have issued special guidelines asking all Muslims in the region to offer prayers and celebrate Eid al-Fitr at home this year in keeping with the extended covid-19 lockdown.

Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan is rather a ‘humanitarian event’ than a fiesta. This year Eid is likely to be observed in coastal Karnataka on May 23 or May 24 depending on sighting of the new moon.  

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Muslims are preparing for — and reconciling itself to — a most unusual Eid bereft of all the usual trappings like huge prayer congregations, ceaseless shopping, social visits and the inviting warmth of an Eid Mubarak embrace.

In their separate messages, Udupi Qadi Bekal Ibrahim Musliyar and Mangaluru Qadi Twaqa Ahmed Musliyar have urged Muslims to refrain from all kinds of public gatherings during Eid. Noting that Muslims in the region have followed all the advisories in issued by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus in the blessed month of Ramadan, they have urged them to follow the guidelines during Eid too.

On social media groups, messages like “no new clothes, just wear your best clothes” are being circulated among family and friends, urging people to fill the festive void with the spirit of giving. The suggestions range from paying a needy child’s school fee or someone’s rent to helping a lockdown-hit trader revive his business.

Following guidelines are issued by the top clerics ahead Eid

1) There will be no Eid prayer in mosques or Eid-gahs. Hence, Muslims should offer Eid al-Fitr prayer in their homes with family members.

2) Distributing Zakat al-Fitr among needy is mandatory. However necessary safety measures should be taken while going out such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance. As there is lockdown from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. every day, Zakat al-Fitr can be distributed a day before Eid or on the day of Eid before evening. 

3) Women, children and elderly people should not step out of the houses.

4) Avoid visiting graveyards or other places.

5) All mosques are closed due to lockdown. Hence, observe Eid in a simple way and set an example for the society. 

6) Strictly follow all the guidelines issued by the state and central governments

New Delhi, Jul 3: The aviation regulator DGCA said on Friday it was extending the suspension of scheduled international passenger flights in the country till July 31 but added that some international scheduled services on selected routes may be permitted on a case to case basis.

Scheduled international passenger flights were suspended in India on March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Modifying its June 26 circular that stated that scheduled international passenger flights will remain suspended till July 15, 2020, the regulator stated on Friday it has decided to extend the deadline to July 31, 2020.

However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case to case basis,” said the circular by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Air India and other private domestic airlines have been operating unscheduled international repatriation flights under the Vande Bharat Mission, which was started on May 6 by the Central government.

India resumed scheduled domestic passenger flights on May 25, after a gap of two months.