Scribes may not ink their finger due to busy work schedule

[email protected] (CD Network)
May 4, 2013
Mangalore, May 4: Come May 5, the people of Karnataka will be lining up at the booths to exercise their franchise in favour of their favourite candidate in each Assembly constituency. This time, the key focus is on ensuring maximum participation. The state as well as the district administration is keen on encouraging and registering maximum number of voters, so as to ensure a participative electoral process.

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With many education and awareness programmes to encourage citizens to vote, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has left no stone upturned to reach out to the plethora of voters. The days leading up to the Election Day saw several novel methods in the district to reach out to all sections of people. From para-gliding over cities and towns to mime shows, each programme was organised to educate sections of people on the importance of voting.

With media being a powerful tool, its potential was tapped to a great extent by the Election Commission to make its voice heard among the masses. It is the time of elections that media houses are abuzz with activity, presenting news on political parties, candidates and the role of voters in the electoral process. Even busier are mediapersons who have to gather and analyse every bit of information and present it to the people in an unbiased manner without inclination towards any political party or ideology.

Toiling all day to give the readers the ground reality of the situation before and during elections, most are a busy lot who have to forgo their votes due to the demands of the profession. Writing stories on the importance of voting, it is ironic that journalists are themselves unable to vote as they are busy on the beat.

Among those working in Dakshina Kannada, few have to skip their votes these elections as they are unable to visit the cities their names are listed under.

A journalist working in Mangalore, Aditya Gowda (name changed) says that he was not particular about casting his vote in any election as he had never come across any good candidate in the constituency he belonged to. “Being a journalist, I wanted to exercise my vote in the Assembly elections tomorrow. However, I cannot vote in my hometown this time as I do not have leave to visit there,” he said.

Another journalist working in Mangalore, Clinton (name changed) says that there was nothing one could do about the situation. “This time would be my second time after the 2008 Assembly polls. But, looking at the candidate list in my constituency, I do not feel bad about not being able to vote. Last time, I had voted for an independent candidate as the rest were bad,” he says, adding that in these elections as well, the options did not look good.

A journalist from Mangalore posted in another city Kumaran (name changed) opines that the entire electoral process was unfair. “In one way, we feel proud of being journalists and creating awareness about the importance of voting. But, I am unable to exercise my vote this time since I am unable to visit Mangalore on the day of elections. It is the duty of the Election Commission to ensure that maximum voters cast their votes. Rather than depending on the postal system, the potential of technology needs to be tapped to ensure maximum participation,” he said.

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News Network
May 7,2024

Mangaluru: Former MLC Ivan D’Souza on Monday led a delegation to the Passport Seva Kendra in Mangaluru, urging the authorities to provide basic facilities for applicants. D’Souza addressed the media, highlighting the lack of essential amenities at the Mangaluru PSK. “I have requested the authorities to provide basic facilities for people visiting the PSK.

There are no chairs for the convenience of people who arrive at the PSK. They are forced to sit or stand by the side of the road or on footpaths. Additionally, there is no parking facility, no washrooms, and water has not been provided for the public,” the Congress leader stated.

An average of 500 to 600 people from various parts of the state visit the PSK. They have to wait in the scorching heat of the sun, D’Souza mentioned, urging the govt to address these issues promptly. “Officials have agreed to find solutions to the problems faced by the people. Meanwhile, we have also demanded that the PSK be relocated to a more convenient space. We have suggested that the PSK could be moved to the old DC’s office, where there is sufficient space. If our demands are not met, we will hold a protest,” D’Souza explained.

Ashraf Kinara, vice-president of the Dakshina Kannada Waqf Advisory Committee, echoed the sentiment, stating that the authorities should either provide all basic facilities for passport applicants at the PSK or relocate the centre to a better location.

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News Network
May 8,2024

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru North police have apprehended a minor in connection with alleged voyeurism incident reported in a private medical college in Mangaluru. 

DCP (Law and order) Sidharth Goyal said that the minor was produced before JJ Board as per due procedure. The incident came to light when a mobile phone was found in women's washroom in the college. 

The mobile-phone was discovered as it was ringing even when no one was in the toilet by the security guard of the college. 

Investigations revealed that the mobile phone had been strategically placed in the restroom. As a result, a case has been registered under north police station.

Further scrutiny into the matter uncovered the identity of the accused, a minor male aged 17, who had gained access to the college premises under the guise of being a patient. Following his apprehension, the accused was presented before the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Board in adherence to legal protocols.

The phone has been seized and a case has been booked under IPC section 354 (C), said the DCP.

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News Network
May 10,2024

Mangaluru: A teenage boy from a remote village in Dakshina Kannada district, who was undergoing treatment for stomach pain for past few days, breathed his last after hospitalization. 

The deceased has been identified as Nithin Kumar, 19, who had completed PUC and was attending computer classes. 

According to police, on May 4, when he informed his family that he had been suffering from a stomach-ache for the past 4-5 days, his family members took him to a clinic in Kaniyoor.

The doctors who examined him advised him to undergo scanning. He was informed about a kidney stone and later, they returned home. That same night, he suffered from stomach-ache again and was rushed to a private hospital in Puttur.

On May 7, as per doctors’ advice, he was discharged around 12:45pm. However, when he came home around 2:30pm, he again suffered from stomach-ache and was taken to another private hospital in Puttur, where doctors conducted a surgery.

On Wednesday, as per doctors’ advice, he was asked to be shifted to Mangaluru for better treatment.

He visited a private hospital in Derakatte, where doctors suggested that he be shifted to government Wenlock Hospital.

The doctors who examined him at the Wenlock Hospital declared him dead. A case has been registered at the Bellare police station, and an investigation is on.

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