‘Udupi Helpline’ to transport excess food from wedding halls to the needy

New Delhi, Apr 15:  Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday said that both Maharashtra and Karnataka are in a bit of trouble due to spike in COVID-19 cases.

"Bihar is not in so much trouble right now, but definitely, Maharashtra is in a bit of trouble, particularly Mumbai and as well as Karnataka," said Vardhan in a video conference meeting while speaking about surge in COVID-19 tally in the country.

"But I was happy to see the confidence of 3 secretaries more particularly when Maharashtra Secretary said with confidence 'we will take care of it'," he said.

According to the ministry, Maharashtra is the worst-affected state with 2,687 cases of which 259 patients have recovered/discharged while 178 patients have lost their lives due to the virus.

Karnataka has confirmed 277 positive COVID-19 cases, including 75 cured and discharged and 11 deaths.

India's tally of coronavirus cases has risen to 11,933, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.

Out of the total tally, 10197 cases are active while 1344 patients have been cured/discharged and migrated and 392 people have succumbed to the virus.

Dubai, May 9: The wholehearted and collective effort of Karnataka NRI Forum, UAE and its president Mr. Praveen Shetty made it possible to have the first repatriation flight to Mangaluru – Karnataka from UAE. The Union Minister of India Mr. Sadananda Gowda tweeted on May 8th that the evacuation flight will fly from Dubai on May 12th with stranded citizen of India in UAE.

The whole world is under the impact of pandemic Covid 19. Government of India has announced the flights to repatriate its stranded citizens from all over the world. Sadly, the first batch of the announced flights had no mention of any flights from Gulf countries to Karnataka.

In Gulf countries, especially in UAE, thousands of Kannadigas are working for their livelihood. In this population major part is shared by coastal Karnataka people who belong to Mangalore, Udupi and other nearby districts. This lack of consideration of Mangaloreans for repatriation was made whole Kannadiga’s in deep sadness, where as many Kannadiga’s were waiting for flights to obtain urgent medical assistance and other medical support back in their home country.

Once after obtaining the news of not having flights to Karnataka from UAE, Mr. Praveen Shetty immediately actioned and wrote letter to concerned departments and ministers under the banner of KNRI. Mr. Praveen Shetty was in continuous follow up with Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Dr. Ashwath Narayan, Mr C.T. Ravi Minister for Tourism of Karnataka, Union Minister of India Mr. Sadananda Gowda, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (India) Mr. Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Railways of India (Minister of State) Mr. Suresh Angadi and officials of Aviation ministry along with other concerned departments.

The efforts have now given the result and finally the confirmation has been obtained from Mr. Sadananda Gowda about consideration of repatriation flights to Mangalore from Dubai on May 14th. It is expected that Aviation ministry will officially announce the flight arrangement and other operational information shortly.

Speaking to media, Mr. Praveen Shetty said, Karnataka NRI Forum is always committed to serve  Kannadigas and the collective effort of core committee members, ministers of Karnataka & Govt of India including the Aviation & other concerned ministries made possible the most important and much awaited flight to Mangalore from UAE to repatriate expats who are in need. I thank each and everyone who joined their hands to make this possible.

Mr. Praveen Shetty is a well-known businessman in UAE who manages Fortune Group of Hotels in UAE & Georgia. He selflessly given his 3-star hotel to UAE ministry to operate as Quarantine facility to people who are under observation with Covid 19. Also, he joined his hands with organizations in UAE who are extending their helping hand to needy people in UAE.

With the help of likeminded businessmen and professionals, the KNRI forum under the leadership of Mr. Praveen Shetty along with ‘Dubai Anivasi Kannadigaru’ started a helpline called “Kannadigas Helpline” through which they received around 3000 requests for food, medical, legal and other assistance. They aided many Covid infected people with quarantine and isolation by the help of Dubai Health Authority, Ministry of Health, Dubai Police and Consulate General of India under the guidelines of Dubai Govt.

Mr. Praveen Shetty expressed his gratitude to Dubai Health Authority, Ministry of Health, Dubai Police and Consulate General of India for their professional guidance and help to Kannadigas during the pandemic Covid 19 situation.

Air India has pre-scheduled the Special Evacuation Flight from Dubai to Mangalore on 14/5/2020 to 12/5/2020 after constant persuade.

New Schedule:

Flight no - IX 0384

Timing:
Dubai - 16:10
Mangalore - 21:10

*All timings local @airindiain @PIB_India @PIBBengaluru

— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) May 9, 2020

Mysuru, Jan 19: The 'City of Palaces', for the first time in history, got a Muslim woman as its first citizen, on Saturday.

Tasneem, a JD(S) Corporator, is elected as the 22nd Mayor of Mysuru. The 34-year-old Tasneem is a second-time corporator, representing Ward number, 26. She defeated BJP candidate Geetha Yogananda, representing Ward no 65 of Srirampura, by a margin of 24 votes. Out of 70 members, who were present during the election, 47 voted for Tasneem, 23 for Geetha Yogananda.

Tasneem thanking the party leaders said the JD(S) gave her an opportunity to serve the city and its people. JD(S) gives more priority for minorities. The party facilitated the first Muslim Mayor, Arif Hussian, in 1996. Later, Congress corporator Ayub Khan served as mayor in 2008.

Women from different communities had served as mayor of the city, but, Tasneem is the first Muslim woman to be elected as Mayor of Mysuru.

Tasneem, a BA Graduate from Maharani's College, was proud for being the first citizen and thanked party supremo H D Deve Gowda, leaders H D Kumaraswamy, MLAs Sa Ra Mahesh, G T Devegowda, K S Rangappa, and her colleagues in the Mysuru City Corporation. Tasneem extended her gratitude to her voters, who voted her for the second time.  

'Mysuru is known for cleanliness. Thus, my first priority is to maintain cleanliness and I will work towards retaining the 'Clean city' tag. The city is facing issues related to street lights among others for many days. I will make prompt attempts to resolve them,' she said.

JD(S) city president K T Cheluvegowda said the party nominated Tasneem for mayor's post as per the suggestion from the party supremo H D Deve Gowda and other leaders. There were other aspirants, but, they were convinced and nominated Tasneem, he said.