Udupi couple tell of Libya nightmare after safe return

March 6, 2011

CL11

Udupi, March 6: “It's a war like situation indeed…We had to simply evacuate behind everything we earned…” This is how Dr Giridhar Kamath and his wife Dr Vrinda Kamath, the professor couple, who returned their home in Udupi safely, last Saturday from conflict-torn Libya expressed their frustration and helplessness.

The couple had been to Libya along with their only daughter Ashwini, who is now a four year old cute girl.

The husband and wife were serving as professors of Prostodontics and Forensic Medicine respectively at the Sebha University Medical College, in Sebha, a semi urban area loyal to Libyan Strongman Muammar Qadafi, since October 2009.

“The situation there was literally terrifying. Even the small boys were made to handle the light machine guns with live cartridges. Truckloads of armed men were on a route march firing in air”, said Dr Vrinda.

“While coming back, we were forced to cough up four times, for Libyan Dinar to US currency conversion”, she said.

Dr Giridhar said: “Last week Indian Embassy asked us to get ready to leave Libya. In a hurry we could not get the official channels for money conversion. We were forced to do that in a black market. In the process we lost all that we earned in the last one and a half year”

He said, “In fact pro Qadafi men are ruling the Sebha. They are supplied with guns to shoot at sight the traitors or anti Qadafi citizens. They are conducting routine night checks and surprise checks on the houses”.

The Libian government announced an incentive of 500 Libyan Dinar per head, to the Libian citizens working for the government. Likewise, their home rentals (government provides homes to government servants on rental basis) were also waived off. Government's that move scared us and we decided to leave, he added.

Dr Giridhar also said that they do not have plans to return to Libya, even if the situation returns to normal, as they were on a two years contract.

Replying a question Vrinda also said that Dr Shanawaz Manippadi and Dr Abdul Sattar from Mangalore were also living in Sebha.

“Shanavaz had come back home on a vacation and as soon as the violence erupted we informed him not to return to Libya. Abdul Sattar returned to India in the same flight we returned”, she added.

6giridha

CL12

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coastaldigest.com news network
June 17,2020

Mangaluru, June 17: As many as 47 buses have been arranged by the district administration to transport 1,043 II PU students from the border areas of Kerala to the respective examination centres in Dakshina Kannada.

The II PU English examination, which was postponed in Karnataka due to covid lockdown, will be held on June 18. A total of 26,942 students are expected to appear for the examination across the district. Among them 6322 students have chosen to write their exam in the centres near to their hometown, following the COVID-19 pandemic. As many as 1,043 students are expected to come from Kerala.

22 KSRTC buses and 11 schools buses have been arranged from Talapady toll gate near Mariyashrama Church, 2 each KSRTC buses from Punyakoti Nagara in Mudipu, Bayar and Anekal in Vittal border, 1 KSRTC bus from Pathur in Kurnadu border, 3 KSRTC buses from Saradka in Vittal border, school buses from Kayar Padav in Puttur border, Panjikallu in Sullia border, Karike in Sullia border and Alatti Baddadka have been arranged.

The students have been asked to be present at a designated place to board the bus at 7 am and have to get their hall ticket and identity card, said DC Sindhu B Rupesh.

All the students should mandatorily wear masks and use sanitisers before entering the examination centres. The principals of colleges, where students from Kerala, are studying have been asked to deploy staff to make arrangements to ensure that students reach the examination centres on time and get back home after the exam.

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coastaldigest.com news network
July 26,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 26: The government of Karnataka has urged the Muslims to celebrate Eid al-Adha in a simple manner and follow all guidelines amid mounting cases of covid-19.

The festival, also known as Bakrid, will be celebrated on July 31 in coastal districts of Karnataka and on August 1 in other parts of Karnataka. 

In an order, A B Ibrahim, secretary of the department of minority welfare, Hajj and Waqf has prohibited offering Eid prayers in open grounds (Eidgahs) in the wake of pandemic.

Eid prayers can be offered in mosques by following all the necessary precautionary measures including maintaining physical distance. The congregation should not exceed 50 worshippers. If they number exceeds, they should be divided into three groups. 

However, except for mosques, no other places should be used for offering congregational prayer. 

Besides, all those who attend Eid prayers at mosque should compulsorily wear face masks. Entry is banned for people who are above the age of 60 years and below the age of 10. At least six feet distance needs to be maintained while offering prayer.

Thermal scanning needs to be done before entering the mosque. Hands need to be washed in soap or sanitizer. No one should touch the holy books in the mosque. Hand shaking and embracing to greet will also not be allowed. If any strangers are seen, their movement should be monitored.

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News Network
April 29,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 29: Karnataka government on Tuesday ordered organisations and NGOs in the state to distribute food to people in plastic boxes and not in polythene bags.

"The state government has ordered the distribution of food and meals in plastic boxes instead of in polythene bags," said the Information and Public Relations Department of the state government.

According to the government, during Covid-19, not only government departments and agencies but also various organisations and NGOs are providing meals to workers in polythene covers.

"However, in order to protect the health of the workers, the government has ordered the supply of food or meals in plastic boxes instead of polythene covers," it added.

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