Karnataka will urge Modi govt to ban SDPI: CT Ravi

Mangaluru, Mar 29: Mosques across Karnataka are now turning into centers to create awareness against deadly coronavirus that cause Covid-19. 

The state government's board of auqaf has issued a notification to the administrations of all mosques to use their loud speakers to create awareness against the virus. 

All the mosques in the state have already suspended congregational prayers to prevent the spread of the virus.

As per the decision of the state board of auqaf, now all mosques have to play the audio clips that creates awareness against the virus in three languages. 

The clips will be played at 10 a.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. everyday.

Mangaluru, Apr 6: City Police Commissioner Dr P S Harsha has directed coastal security personnel to block the boat service near Talapady after reports of Kasarogod people using boats to cross over to Dakshina Kannada via Talapady river emerged, Dakshina Kannada District in-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary said here on Monday.

Following the rise in Coronavirus cases in the neighbouring Kasargod district, District Commissioner Sindhu Roopesh ordered closure of borders with Kerala and totally suspended vehicular movement, including for medical emergencies.

However, now the people living in Talapady and surrounding areas allege that the government has failed to monitor people using boats to cross over to Dakshina Kannada via Talapady river.

Mar 11: The Karnataka government on Wednesday started a campaign called 'Namaste over Handshake' that encourages people to greet in the traditional Indian style, to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

The campaign also includes health advice on how people can protect themselves from the infection by adopting hygiene practices such as regularly washing hands to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As part of the campaign, the state health and family welfare department has uploaded a poster on the social media, featuring a 'Bharatnatyam' dancer draped in a red saree saying 'Namaste'.

"Use Namasthe to greet others, fight against corona" read a message on the poster online.

The poster has health helpline numbers (104 and 011- 23978046) for public queries on the viral disease, which has claimed 4,251 lives worldwide.

A health department official told PTI that as part of the campaign, posters have been uploaded on social media and it would be printed and despatched to different districts to be put up at important junctions.

"We had been working on this idea. Kerala has already done it. They are using Kathakali dancers whereas we are using a Bharatanatyam dancer as our model," the official said.

Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar too had insisted that people should adopt 'Namasthe' or 'Namaskara' to greet people instead of handshakes or hugs.