Facebook post helps stranded Kalladka youth in Saudi Arabia return home safe

coastaldigest.com news network
March 26, 2018

Mangaluru, Mar 26: After three months of ordeal in Saudi Arabia, a youth from Bantwal taluk of Dakhsina Kannada district today reached home safe thanks to a Facebook post which spurred a few Good Samaritans to help him.

Sukumar Shettigar, a resident of Bondala near Kalladka, a communally sensitive town in Bantwal taluk, had flown to Saudi Arabia three months ago after he was promised a driver’s job with an attractive salary.

After reaching the Arabian kingdom Sukumar realised that his job was to drive heavy trailer truck 14 hours a day in an industrial area in south-western city of Khamis Mushait.

Though Sukumar tried to convince his sponsor that driving a heavy trailer was not easy for him, the latter forced him to do the same work. He also reportedly thrashed Sukumar for refusing to sign some papers. Later, Sukumar informed his situation to his family members and friends in his home town.

Shaakir Haqq Nelyadi, a social activist, who came to know the issue, wrote a paragraph on his Facebook wall explaining the helpless expatriate’s ordeal. The post grabbed the attention of SDPI Batnwal constituency candidate Riyaz Farangipete, who in turn reportedly requested the activists of Indian Social Forum in the oil-rich Kingdom to look into the matter.

On March 17, a team of ISF activists contacted Sukumar and offered him legal, medical and financial aid. They also helped him lodge a complaint against the sponsor with the Indian embassy. The sponsor finally agreed to free Sukumar and returned his passport and other documents.

When ISF activists realised that Sukumar had no money to return home, they raised funds and bought air ticket for him. He reached Mangaluru International Airport on Monday morning via Mumbai. SDPI activists Ismaeel Bava, Ismaeel Engineer, ISF activist Siddeeq Ullal, Sukumar Shettigar’s brother Shankar Shettigar and others were present at the airport to welcome him.

Both Sukumar and Shankar thanked ISF and SDPI activists for their timely support. “We will always be grateful to Riyaz Farangipete for his timely help. He came to our rescue when we were helpless,” said Shankar. “I am grateful to the NRI Muslim brothers, especially ISF activists, who helped me when I was really in need,” said Sukumar.

Comments

D. S.
 - 
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2018

He must be so relieved, as if he returned from hell.

zahoor ahmed
 - 
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2018

Thanks SDPI for your help. But don't spoil secular vote in forthcoming election please, Particularly Bantwal. 

Jalal
 - 
Monday, 26 Mar 2018

A wonderful job done by Riyaz Farangipete, the next MLA of Bantwal and district in-charge minister of DK. 

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News Network
June 4,2020

Jun 4: Belur Mutt, the global headquarters of Ramakrishna Mutt and Ramakrishna Mission, has decided to throw open its gates to the devotees from June 15 after putting in place all safety measures required to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The gates of the sprawling premises of the mutt set up by Swami Vivekananada at Belur near here was closed since the lockdown was announced in March by the Centre. The Mutt has devotees from across the globe.

The secretary of Belur Mutt Ramakrishna Mutt and Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Suvirananda said in a statement that as the easing down of lockdown measures announced by the Centre and the state did not indicate the threat caused by COVID-19 pandemic is over, the authorities thought it prudent to put in place all the measures required before opening the gates of the Mutt and all RKM centres in the country for the scores of devotees.

The statement was issued on June 1, the day religious places of worship were thrown open by the West Bengal government.

"We had to think about both aspects - the issue of public health and also the wish of our devotees for having a darshan of the shrines of Swami Vivekananda, Sri Sarada Maa and Ramamrishna Paramahansa. But we believe spirituality and sceintific temparament must go hand in hand," he told reporters on Thursday.

"Therefore it is imperative for us to consult experts and put in place adequate arrangement and infrastructure" before opening the (Belur Mutt) gates," he said.

The senior monk said the timing of the opening and closure of the shrine and all other details conforming the health protocol and guidelines will be announced before opening date.

The Mutt complex had become totally out of bound for visitors from March 24 when the lockdown was clamped. There was restricted entry to it since May 16.

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News Network
February 15,2020

Bengaluru, Feb 15: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has decided to set aside two days - March 2 and 3 - for a special discussion over the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act continues across the country.

Assembly Speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri told media persons here today that the Assembly would act as a platform for legislators to speak about the relevance of the Constitution and its contributions for the last seven decades. He had already held a round of discussions with senior legislators and all have expressed their willingness to participate in the debate. More details of the discussion would be worked out in the next few days after a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the House on February 18.

Asked whether it would be possible to have discussions rising above partisan politics in the present scenario, Mr. Kageri said “I have appealed to members to discuss the Constitution beyond the political prism.” Each member would be asked to speak on a specific topic of the Constitution.

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News Network
May 1,2020

Bengaluru, May 1: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Thursday announced Rs 30 lakhs compensation for corona warriors, in case they lose lives while carrying out their duties.

"Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has announced Rs 30 lakhs compensation for Anganwadi workers & assistants, civil workers, and police personnel who die after getting infected by COVID-19 while carrying out their duties," State Chief Minister's Office said in a statement.

According to Union Health Ministry website, a total of 557 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state so far including 223 cured and 21 deaths.

Meanwhile, With 1,823 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the last 24 hours and 67 deaths, India's total count of coronavirus cases has gone up to 33,610, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday.

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