Save the secular India Gandhi, Azad dreamt of: Farooq Abdullah at JD(S) minorities’ convention

News Network

December 10, 2017

Tumakuru, Dec 10: Former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Farooq Abdullah has called upon the Indians to protect the secular India that Mahatma Gandhi and Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad had dreamt of.

Speaking at the JD(S) state-level minorities' convention in Tumakuru on Sunday, the veteran politician alleged that political parties were seeding differences among people in the name of temple and masjid.

"Only parties such as JD(S) are trying to imbibe secular strength. You should choose secularism," he advised.

When temples were washed out during the floods in Jammu and Kashmir, there are many instances of Muslims helping Hindus to rebuild those temples. This is an example of our secular nature, Abdullah added.

"Don't look on Kashmiris with a suspicious eye. Kashmir is not Pakistan. Many Kashmiris have sacrificed their lives to gain independence for India," the former CM said.

"Even today, if a war breaks out between India and Pakistan, a majority of the people killed will be Kashmiris. Under such circumstances, we are trying to strengthen secularism in the country," Abdullah said.

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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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