Hold uroos from March 20: DC

Chikmagalur, March 15: Brushing aside the request made by Bababudangiri Inam Dattatreya Peeta traditional head Syed Gous Mohiyuddin Shakhadri, Deputy Commissioner N S Channappa Gowda has asserted that the Uroos festival will be held at the Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Darga on the very next day of the Holi festival.

Shakhadri had requested the district administration to postpone the Uroos festival date. However, the DC has sent a letter declaring his stand of holding Uroos festival on March 20, 21 and 22 to Syed Shakhadri on Monday.

Reacting to the decision of the DC, Shakhadri told Deccan Herald that he will challenge the decision of the DC in the Supreme Court. “I will declare the future course of action only after holding discussion with my lawyer. My decision to challenge DC's move is final,” he asserted. Meanwhile, a split in Muslim community is a subject for debate in the society. The suspension of Hazrath Dada Hayath Meer Khalandar In-charge Committee President Aurangzeb in the presence of Azam Masjid Muthuvalli Dastageer Beig was welcomed by the Muslim Minority Committee. Shakhadri has fixed March 26 as the date for all Fakirs in the nation to reach the Peeta after they will be informed about the Supreme Court directive.

The DC had clarified in the letter that Shakhadri's request to postpone the Uroos festival to March 26 has been rejected in the wake of the directive of the State government dated March 6, 2010. “As per Government of Karnataka letter, the date of this year's Uroos has already been fixed during previous year's Uroos and therefore, the Uroos cannot been celebrated from March 26 to 28. Hence, your repreentation is rejected,” the DC stated in the letter.

The Uroos festival should be held on the next day of Holi festival as per the traditions, orders of Civil, High Court and the Supreme Court.

The district administration had invited Shakhadri for a discussion with regard to the request for postponement of Uroos festival to March 26 and 28, but the latter did not attend the meet. Members of the Uroos Committee too have raised objection to the proposal of postponing the festival date, the DC said adding “you are welcome to give your valuable suggestions and associate with the local Muzrai officers in celebrating Uroos from March 20 to 22.”

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Clean and Green on Wheels: Mangaluru’s Push for Electric Public Transport

News Network

November 13,2024

In the heart of Mangaluru, where rising air pollution is spurring public health worries, voices are calling for a greener, cleaner shift in the city’s public transport. Leading this call is APD Foundation, a Mangaluru-based environmental NGO, which has urged Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre to mandate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in public transport.

Abdullah A Rehman, CEO of APD Foundation, emphasized in a formal letter to the minister that Mangaluru’s public transportation system—efficient and organized with both government and private players—could transition smoothly to EVs in stages. He suggested that government-backed financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental groups could streamline the switch.

Rehman stressed the potential of EVs to cut down emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce noise levels, noting the quieter operation of electric buses. He confirmed that a copy of his letter was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner as well.

However, Dilraj Alva from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association noted potential challenges, explaining that the shift might take up to two years due to infrastructure and budget hurdles. Most EV buses, he explained, are procured through aggregators, not directly by individual operators. The addition of charging stations and other essential infrastructure further complicates the transition.

Alva also raised the economic concern: while diesel buses are priced between ₹30-40 lakh, electric buses can cost up to ₹1 crore. Reflecting on recent meetings with companies, including one in Manipal, he questioned the assumption that EVs are an absolute solution to pollution. “EVs aren’t entirely eco-friendly, especially when considering battery disposal,” he cautioned.

Comments