CM aspirant Yeddyurappa, 74, worried about infighting in Karnataka BJP

Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh), May 19: Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband has issued a fatwa asking Muslims to offer their Eid prayers this time at home, instead of congregating at mosques.

The directive comes amid a nationwide lockdown to slow down the spread of coronavirus.

Despite the relaxations announced in the lockdown, religious and other large gatherings are still banned.

The fatwa was issued in response to a query put to the seminary, its spokesman Ashraf Usmani said.

The fatwa said the Eid namaz can be offered in the same manner that the Friday prayers are now being read at home.

It said not holding the namaz in the usual manner is pardonable in circumstances such as these.

Mangaluru, Jan 3: S Cube Art Gallery has successfully concluded its prestigious assignment from Airports Authority of India (AAI) to beautify Mangaluru Airport with artistic works. AAI had invited tenders for various jobs to be executed in the airport premises. S Cube Art Gallery had made a competitive bid which was subsequently followed up with presentation before selection panel and award of contract. S Cube Art Gallery bagged the contract for six works in two sectors out of the total four sectors for which the tender had been called.

The themes presented by S Cube Art Gallery showcase the Tulu culture and heritage of the people of Coastal Karnataka. The six themes selected are:

1. ‘Human Hand Flying Paper Plane’ – fibre glass and steel sculpture work installed in the circle in the outer precincts of the airport. This is a larger than life sculpture signifying the dreams and aspirations of the air travelers. Artist: Harish Kodialbail, Mangalore

2. ‘Kambala’ – fibre glass sculpture installed at the exit area of the airport. This sculpture is meant to introduce ‘Kambala’, the iconic folk sport of the region to the visitors and tourists. Artist: Harish Kodialbail, Mangalore

3. ‘Fisherman with Boat’ - fibre glass and steel sculpture installed at the entrance to departures lounge of the airport. It symbolizes the fishing culture of the coastal region depicting the soaring aspirations, life of courage and adventure as well as the daily struggles of the fisher folk. Artist: Harish Kodialbail, Mangalore

4. ‘Tiger Dance’ - fibre glass and steel sculpture installed at the arrivals lounge of the airport. This work depicts the world famous ‘Mangalore Pilivesha’ showing tiger dancers in various typical postures to the visiting tourists. Artist: Harish Kodialbail, Mangalore

5. ‘Folk Art Forms’ – six individual terracotta sculptures with Tulunadu cultural themes installed alongside the domestic and international corridors of the airport. Artist: Venki Palimaru, Udupi

6. ‘Jain Miniature Paintings’ – Jain miniature paintings (18x6 feet) – Two works of acrylic on canvas displayed on the wall on either sides of the exit area. The work was conceived after referring to authentic traditional Jain paintings in Moodbidri Jain Mutt and Shravanabelagola Mutt. Artist: Reshma S. Shetty, Mangalore

The total value of the contract was Rs. 56 lakhs. The work was completed over a period of six months and concluded in the month of July, 2019.  S Cube Art Gallery is grateful to the Airports Authority of India for giving the opportunity to participate in this project and showcase the artistic talents of the region.

Bengaluru, Apr 26: Two businessmen brothers, Tajammul Pasha and Muzammil Pasha, in Karnataka's Kolar district have set out to help people in need amid the lockdown over the COVID-19 pandemic by selling their land for Rs 25 lakh.

On seeing daily wage labourers and their families in Kolar suffer during the lockdown, the brothers said they decided to sell their land and use the money to buy essentials and food grain for a large number of poor people.

The brothers also bought oil and cereals with the money. Then they set up a tent next to their house and started a community kitchen to make food for labourers and homeless people.

"Our parents died early. When we shifted to our maternal grandmother's place at  Kolar, people from communities, Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims helped us survive without any religious bias," said Tajammul Pasha, visibly emotional.

The Pasha brothers are into banana cultivation and real estate. Tajammul was five and his sibling Muzammil was three when they lost their parents. They had to move from Chickbalapor to Kollar, where their grandmother lived.

"We were brought up in poverty. We survived because of the support of people of all communities and religions. We have signed the society agreement bond and handed it over to our friend who purchased our site and gave the money," the brothers said.

Once the lockdown ends and the land registrar's office opens, the remaining steps to transfer the land will be completed, they said.

So far the two brothers have supplied food grain, oil, sugar and other essentials to over 3,000 families. They have also given hand sanitizers and masks to the poor.

The Kolar administration has issued passes to their volunteers so that they can help in this difficult time.

The number of coronavirus cases in India has increased to 24,506, including 775 deaths, the Home Ministry said today, adding that 1,429 cases and 57 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

Amid a countrywide lockdown to check the spread of the highly contagious illness, which began on March 25, the government last night issued an order to allow neighbourhood shops to remain open with conditions; malls across India continue to remain shut.