M Friends' celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr with HIV positive people

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Suresh)

July 30, 2014

Mangalore, Jul 39: M Friends' a group of Mangaloreans on Whatsapp messenger celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr at Sneha Deepa', a home for HIV positive children and children of HIV positive parents in Mangalore here on Saturday.

The group also donated Rs 25, 000 for the home.

The group consisting of 51 members, including 16 non-resident Indians, from varied professions – lawyers, doctors, engineers, journalists, social activists and U T Khader, Minister of Health and Family Welfare gathered and shared the joy of Eid with the children

For the children, the festivities brought a cheer, a smile and a grand feast. “This is the first time someone is celebrating Eid at the home,” said Tabassum, who founded the centre three years ago.

Twelve children – all aged between eight and 17 and a majority from Haveri and Bijapur districts – stay at the centre, which provides them with free lodging, stay, logistics for education and treatment. Five of them are HIV positive and undergo anti-retroviral treatment at Government Wenlock Hospital.

“We try to ensure they get as normal as an upbringing as possible. Some of them are children of HIV positive parents, and will not get easy access to education and health in their villages,” said Mr Tabassum, who along with two others, take care of the children.

With the upkeep running to Rs. 45,000 a month, she said every contribution goes a long way in bringing up the children.

For the group, the festivities give an opportunity to be a model of a “good Muslim” who displays piety through social work and not just through prayers, said Umar U.H., convenor of the group. He said they would concentrate on tackling the problems of kidney and heart diseases, cancer and mental retardation.

“Over the past year, more than Rs. 5 lakh has been collected and donated. The group has adopted a village, reimbursed hospital bills and recently, celebrated iftar with endosulfan victims at Koyla village,” said Rashid Vitla, Group Admin of M Friends'.

The group also donated Rs. 25,000 cumulatively to three persons who were unable to pay hospital bills.

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Mangaluru’s public transport revolution: 100 new govt electric buses to end private ‘trip-cutting’

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

• Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

• State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

• Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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