U T Khader assures to expedite efforts for Mangaluru-Riyadh direct flight

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 14: Amid Covid-19 lockdown,

Keralites celebrated a low key "Vishu" ,the Malayalam new year, on Tuesday, hoping that days of plenty, prosperity and peace will return.

People woke up in the early hours to see the auspicious "Vishu kani", symbolising hope, promise and fine prospects they wish to have in the year ahead.

The ritual comprises arranging on platters auspicious articles like seasonal fruits, vegetables, flower, gold and clothes which together form the first sight when the family members wake up on the Vishu day.

Normally, Keralites dressed in their traditional attire throng temples across the state.

However, this year due to the lockdown restrictions, temple visits were given a go by.

The famed Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayur and the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala witnesses heavy rush of devotees during the vishu day.

But pilgrims were not allowed inside and only temple officials and security personnel were present for the"Vishu kani".

Rehaman, a small time trader, said very few people have come out for vishu purchases due to the restricitons.

It is fine as it is for a good cause, while Radha, a young woman said she could not celebrate the festival.

"We have no money, no job. With whatever little we have, we are celebrating the festival", she said.

87-year-old Vilasini Nambiar, a retired college professor, said vishu has visited the state during a most bewildering time.

"It should however remind us that every mountain must have its valley, desert its oasis, every storm cloud its rainbow, every night its day.

We are prepared to believe that we will overcome this misfortune", she said.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Home minister, Amit Shah, Kerala Governor, Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, were among those who greeted people on the occasion of Vishu.

Udupi, Apr 5: Excise Department has formed a special patrol teams to check the illegal sale of liquor in the district during the lockdown period.

All liquor stores are closed till April 14 in view of the lockdown to contain Covid-19 spread. However, reports of liquor being sold illegally have come to the notice of the Excise Department.

In a stern warning, the department has stated that officials will verify the closing and opening stock at the liqour stores and if any discrepancy is found the violators will be penalised. The department has received over 20-30 calls regarding the illegal sales.

Mangaluru, Jun 14: In a fresh case of vigilante attack, a cattle trader was tied to a buffalo-laden vehicle and thrashed by the miscreants belonging to Bajrang Dal in the city today. 

The victim has been identified as Mohammad Haneef Guddemane (34), a resident of Jokatte village on the outskirts of the city. 

The attack took place in the early morning near Infosys office at Urva, when Haneef was transporting his four buffalos to Kudroli slaughter house. 

The miscreants continued to thrash him until the local police reached spot. Based on the complaint of ‘illegal cattle transportation’ by the Bajrang Dal, the police took the victim to custody and also seized the buffalos. 

The police also took the victim to hospital and subjected him to covid test before producing him before a local judge.

While the Bajrang Dal members lodged complaint of illegal transpiration against the victim, the victim showed all the records of the cattle and lodged a counter complaint against the attackers.

It is learnt that Haneef had purchased 10 cattle from Haveri district and sold six among them. He was transporting remaining four buffalos to Kudroli slaughter house.