Ati Amavasya gives birth to 'Aid without Religion Trust'

safia@coastaldigest.com (CD Network)
July 30, 2011

Mangalore, July 30: Many times we rationalist have wanted to help people who are less privileged than us but have found short comings in that most of such charitable activity is carried out by religious institutions and those promoting superstitious practices and beliefs.


So, it was decided to first register one and we have been on the lookout for a very inauspicious day for it. The Ati Amavasya is supposed to be one of the most inauspicious days in this part of India and this falls on the 30th July, that too on a Saturday, which is considered to be very inauspicious day.

A new moon on Amavasya falling on a Saturday is a boon for scaremongers and a bonanza for those who perform rituals to ward off the evil effects of such deadly combinations of unlucky events! The registration was done at Rahu Kalam a time of the day which is the most inauspicious- so it was a double rather a triple whammy, a Saturday, new moon day that too in the month of Ati which is considered to be the most unlucky time and at Rahu Kalam! The trust has been named as-the Aid without Religion Trust with the motto- make AWR not WAR.

The aims and objectives of the Trust are to collect funds for helping people and institutions where there are no religious rituals, superstitious practices, unscientific systems of medicine and such supernatural nonsense. We aim to also help individuals and also conduct activities to spread rational thinking among people. The Trust has also decided not to accept any donations or aid from institutions following such practices.

We are starting with one trustee and small donation from his personal funds but aim to collect from many of our like-minded people and use that for purposes mentioned above. With the most inauspicious time and day for its registration the trust will start its activities with inauguration on another such day at a very bad time to challenge such superstitions among our people.

*The writer is the President of Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations.

narendra

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News Network
March 6,2020

Udupi, Mar 6: District Health Officer Sudheer Chandra said that health department had compiled a list of foreigners visiting the Temple town Udupi and ensure that they are not infected with Coronavirus.

Addressing media persons at District Government Hospital in Ajjarkad on Friday, he said the Isolation Unit set up with five beds to treat the new Coronavirus infection includes two beds with Ventilator facility. Isolation wards with three beds were set up in Kundapur and Karkala taluks to treat the affected.

In order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, Committees were formed at District and Taluk level, he added.

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News Network
April 29,2020

Udupi, Apr 29: Udupi Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha on Wednesday said that though the district was in the green zone in connection with COVID-19, there would not be any further relaxations and the lockdown would continue till May 3.

According to a statement, he said that no fresh Covid-19 cases have been reported for the past month. However, the district is not immune to the threat of the infection. Thus, the lockdown would continue till May 3 with minimum relaxation.

The district has already initiated relaxations and mandatory guidelines have to be implemented, he further said.

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News Network
August 4,2020

Bengaluru, Aug 4: With preparations underway for conducting exams for the final semester/ year students in the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan on Monday directed the respective universities to conduct exams for the backlog papers as well.

"In the wake of COVID-19, it has been decided to hold exams only for the students of final semester/year courses. It has come to our notice that some universities have decided against conducting exams for final year students who have a backlog to clear from previous semesters. This is unpardonable," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

"Our intention is to see that the final year students finish their course. In the present situation, conducting only final semester exams won't help. We have to help the students in clearing their backlogs," added Ashwathnarayan, directing all universities to compulsorily conduct these exams.

Meanwhile, Ashwathnarayan thanked the staff and officials of various government departments who were responsible for successfully conducting the CET exams even amidst the difficult situation in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

"In all, 1,94,419 students had registered for the CET exams, of which 1,75,428 wrote the exams. The percentage of students who took up the exams this year was equivalent to that of the previous years, in normal times," the DCM informed.

"After we successfully conducted the exams, Arunachal Pradesh is going to conduct the Public Service Commission exams on the lines of how we successfully conducted the exams. Likewise, even our KPSC has said it will conduct the exams. We must appreciate the good work of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), which has set an example for others," Ashwathnarayan said.

The deputy chief minister said that 33 colleges in various districts across the state faced shortage of land and that it is the responsibility of the District Commissioners (DCs) to get the lands sanctioned for all these colleges.
In Bagalkot district alone land has not been sanctioned for six degree colleges, he said.

Reacting to this, Bagalkot DC Captain Rajendra assured to look into the matter as soon as he receives the proposal from department officials.

"Similarly, there is shortage of land for five Diploma colleges and 28 ITI colleges in different parts of the state. The DCs must immediately pay attention to this. Once they get the land, buildings will come up within no time," the Karnataka deputy chief minister said.

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