Saudi Arabia: Zakaria Bajpe, Sheikh Karnire, Sathish Kumar Bajal get Vishwa Manya Award 2024
In a ceremony held on February 10 in Saudi Arabia, notable figures Zakaria Bajpe, CEO of Almuzain Gulf Saudi Contracting Co, K A Sheikh Karnire, director of operation at Expertise Contracting Co Ltd, and entrepreneur-social worker Sathish Kumar Anchan Bajal were honored with the Vishwa Manya 2024 award. The recognition was part of the 17th World Kannada Convention, spearheaded by Sathish Kumar on February 8.
Zakaria, Sheikh Karnire, Rafeeq Soorinje, along with numerous workers, played pivotal roles in ensuring the success of the convention. Sathish Anchan, hailing from Pakkaladka Bajal Anchan’s House Kankanady, has been a compassionate figure, extending support to numerous financially disadvantaged families.
Born to the late Chandrashekhar Kundar Kodialbail and the late Sharada Anchan, Sathish faced early challenges, losing his mother at the age of three and being raised by his grandmother and uncle Raghava Anchan.
Sathish's educational journey included primary schooling at St Joseph’s Higher Primary School in Bajal, secondary education at Rosario High School, PU at St Aloysius College, and a degree from St Aloysius Evening College.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Elderly Dalit woman cremated on road after family denied access to village cremation ground in Bihar
Vaishali: An elderly Dalit woman was cremated on a public road in Bihar’s Vaishali district after her family was allegedly prevented from using the village cremation ground, triggering outrage and tension in the area, The Observer Post reported.
The incident occurred on Thursday at Sontho Andhari village under the Goraul police station limits. The deceased, identified as Jhapki Devi (95), belonged to a Mahadalit family. According to locals and police, when her family tried to take her body to the cremation ground, some people blocked the route, leaving the family with no option but to perform the last rites on the road.
Family members and residents said the obstruction has been a long-standing issue. “Every time we take a body for cremation, the way is blocked. This has happened earlier too, but no permanent solution was given,” said a local resident from Manjhi Tola, expressing anger over repeated denial of access.
As tensions rose, the funeral procession stopped at Andhari Gachi Chowk, where the body was placed on a pyre in front of a Shiva temple and cremated on the road. Villagers alleged that the pathway connecting the main road to the cremation ground had been encroached upon by local landowners.
Police and administrative officials later reached the spot. A fire brigade vehicle was deployed to extinguish the pyre, and the road was cleaned after the cremation. Public representatives who arrived at the scene were reportedly chased away by protesting villagers, who accused the administration of ignoring their complaints for years.
Vaishali Superintendent of Police Vikram Sihag said the issue arose due to the absence of a clear path. “Earlier, there was a route to the cremation ground, but some people built a temple on that path. Due to the lack of access, the family carried out the cremation on the road,” he said. He added that discussions were held with local officials and that arrangements would be made to restore access to the cremation ground. “The situation is currently under control,” the SP said.
Block Development Officer Pankaj Kumar Nigam and Circle Officer Divya Chanchal said the area had been cleared and an inquiry was under way. “All aspects will be examined, and steps will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” they said.
