Former railway minister Jaffer Sharief passes away at 85

News Network
November 25, 2018

Bengaluru, Nov 25: Veteran politician Challakere Kareem Jaffer Sharief passed away in Bengaluru on Sunday. The 85 year old former union minister was hospitalised a few days back. 

Born on November 3, 1933, in Chitradurga of erstwhile Mysore Kingdom, Sharief was best known for his tenure as the Railways Minister (1991-95) in the P V Narasimha Rao Cabinet.

He brought several railway projects to Bengaluru and is credited for handling the broad gauge conversion of the railway tracks across the country. Sherief represented the Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency without a break between 1977 and 1996.

Sharief, many times, wanted to enter the state politics and even cherished the dream of becoming chief minister. During his last days, Sharief fell out with the Congress as he felt he was being sidelined.

According to his close associate Mr. Sharief had been stressed out as he was busy preparing for the release of the Urdu translation of Moulana Abul Kalam Azad’s ‘India Wins Freedom’. “He had invited former President Pranab Mukherjee for the book release that was scheduled to be held at Palace Grounds on November 28,” he said.

Born in Challakere in Chitradurga district of Karnataka on November 3, 1933, Mr. Sharief was the Railway Minister in the Narasimha Rao government (1991-95).  He represented the Bengaluru North Constituency.

A seven-time Member of Parliament, Mr. Sharief began his political career in the Congress under guidance of the former Chief Minister of Karnataka, the late S Nijalingappa. After the Congress split in 1969, he joined the Congress led by Indira Gandhi.

He became a member of the Lok Sabha in the elections held soon after Emergency in 1977. He was a member of the 6th, 7th, 8th , 9th, 10th , 12th and 13th Lok Sabhas.

His last Lok Sabha election was in 2009, in which he was defeated by BJP’s  D.B. Chandre Gowda in the Bengaluru North constituency.

As the Railway Minister, he was instrumental in gauge conversion (meter gauge to broad gauge) of railways in Karnataka. He played a vital role in getting the Wheel and Axle Plant in Bengaluru.

Congress leaders across the State have condoled the death of the senior leader of the party.

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News Network
July 27,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 27: The Karnataka government on Sunday directed the Director General of Police Praveen Sood to submit a detailed report on the internal security following the United Nations' observation that international terror outfit IS was active in the state.

The UN report stated that Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent, which reportedly has between 150 and 200 members from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, was reportedly planning attacks in the region.

It also warned that there were 'significant numbers' of ISIS operatives in Karnataka and Kerala. Reacting to the UN report, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the state government has taken a serious note of the report on the activities of IS in the state.

The state government is in touch with the Centre and the neighbouring states to keep a close watch on the activities of suspicious people and their supporters.

"In this context, it has been decided to strengthen the internal security of the state. The Director General of Police has been asked to submit a detailed report," Bommai said in a release.

The state is also keeping a strict vigil on all those entering Bengaluru from other states, the Minister said. He recalled that the state police had arrested several members of Al-Hind organisation in January last and Jamaat- ul-Mujahideen from Bangladesh in 2018 and 2019. He added that the National Investigation Agency is investigating the case of JMB.

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coastaldigest.com news network
June 6,2020

Mangaluru, Jun 6: As buses in Karnataka are operating following precautionary measures issued by the government to combat COVID-19, a few bus conductors were seen working wearing protective gears resembling personal protective equipment (PPE) on Saturday.

The Karnataka government had allowed resumption of bus services in the state during the fourth phase of COVID-19 lockdown, which ended on May 31.

The private buses were also equipped with hand sanitiser for the passengers. All the passengers were seen wearing face masks and maintaining distance from each other.

One of the bus conductors, en route State bank to Shaktinagar in Mangaluru was, was seen fully covered with protective suit.  

Sudarshan, a private bus conductor, also covered his face with a face shield. "PPE kit is for our protection and it is a must to keep ourselves and our passengers safe from COVID-19. All necessary equipment, including sanitisers and masks to fight COVID-19 have been provided by our bus owner to us," Sudarshan said.

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coastaldigest.com news network
August 7,2020

Mangaluru, Aug 7: A youth died on the spot in a ghastly road mishap on Netravati Bridge near Thokkottu on the outskirts of the city today evening.

Police sources said that the face of the youth, who was riding a motorbike, has been damaged beyond recognition. He died on the spot. 

More details about the mishap are yet to be known. A case has been registered at Mangaluru Traffic police station.

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