Book on Basel Missionaries' role in the lives of Billavas released

February 28, 2012

Mangalore, February 28: The Karnataka Theological College and Diocesan Chair in Christianity of Mangalore Universty jointly conducted a seminar on 'Suffering Children' at the Bishop Jathana Hall in the city on Tuesday.

Prof Dr Reinhold Mokrosch from Germany, who was the guest speaker on the occasion, delivered a talk focused on his observations with children, especially those who suffered and what they think about god.

On the occasion, a book dealing with the relationship between Billavas and Basel Mission was also released.

The Kannada book titled 'Billavaru Mathu Basel Mission-Ondu Adhyayana' (Billavas and Basel Mission-A study), is authored by city based businessman Ramanath Kotekar.

The book, which speaks of the various activities of the Basel Missionaries, takes a peep into the age when caste system was still rigid and the suppression of people on the basis of birth was rampant. It also taps the emotions of the Billava Community (who largely embraced Protestantism) of the region, their search for equality, their aspiration for better status in the society, their quest to break open the tentacles of caste system and finally all of these leading them to embrace a religion, which stood contradictory to the religion that they were born in.

Rt Rev Dr C L Furtado , former Bishop CSI-KSD , Rev Dr Honey Cabral, Principal Karnataka Theological College and Secretary KACES, Rev Dr J B Saldanha, Professor and Head Chair in Christianity, Mangalore University were present among others.

The seminar was attended by theological students and sisters from some churches.

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Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

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