Bhatkal community distributed over 1.2 lakh kilos of rice to needy families ahead of Eid
Bhatkal: Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, residents of Bhatkal and surrounding areas had distributed over 1.2 lakh kilograms of rice to economically disadvantaged families. The distribution formed part of the annual Fitra initiative coordinated by the Central Fitra Committee, which has been overseeing this programme for the past four decades.
In 2025, the campaign covered 1,859 families across towns and villages including Bhatkal, Honnavar, Kumta, Ankola, and Shirur. According to Maulana Mohammed Ilyas Jakati Nadwi, convener of the committee, 58 distribution zones were established to manage the process efficiently.
The initiative was supported by contributions from the Bhatkali diaspora in Gulf countries, who have regularly sent Fitra donations during Ramadan.
Most families received approximately 50 kilograms of rice, while larger households and those with disabled members were provided up to 100 kilograms. For the fourth year, the distribution included five kilograms of Basmati rice per family.
The campaign also reached the Sharavathi region, covering villages such as Gersuppa, Herangadi, and Saralgi, which have been included in recent years.
Local volunteers, youth groups, and religious organisations facilitated the distribution, which aimed to address essential needs and encourage community support.
Following the distribution, a review meeting was held at Mohkama Shariah Hall, organised by Cosmos Sports Center. The meeting was attended by representatives from Gulf-based Bhatkali Jamaats, local NGOs, scholars, and members of religious and educational institutions. Discussions focused on improving logistics, expanding outreach, and maintaining transparency in future campaigns.
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At least 4 people killed in one of largest Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia
Kyiv, May (AP): At least four people, including three near Moscow, died in one of the largest Ukrainian overnight attacks against Russia since the start of the war, according to Russian local authorities.
A woman was killed after a drone hit her home in Khimki, a city just northwest of Moscow, and two men died in the village of Pogorelki 10 km north of the capital, according to local Gov. Andrei Vorobyev.
In social media updates, Vorobyev said Ukrainian drones had also damaged unspecified “infrastructure” and several high-rises.
In Moscow itself, at least 12 people were wounded in the nighttime strike, mostly near the entrance to the city's oil refinery, mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported. Sobyanin reported the “technology” of the refinery has not been damaged.
Russian defences shot down 81 drones headed for Moscow overnight, state agency Tass reported, citing Sobyanin, marking one of the largest attacks on the Russian capital since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
One man was also killed as a drone struck a lorry in the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, according to local authorities.
Russian air defences destroyed 556 drones over Russia overnight, the country's defence ministry said Sunday morning. Shortly after midday local time, it reported that over 1,000 had been shot down or jammed in the previous 24 hours.
Russia's largest airport — Moscow's Sheremetyevo — said drone debris had fallen on its premises without causing damage.
Russia attacked Ukraine with 287 drones overnight on Sunday, 279 of which were shot down or jammed, the Ukrainian air force reported.
According to Ukraine's estate emergency service, the strikes injured 8 people in Ukraine's central Dnipropetrovsk region: three in the regional capital of Dnipro, four in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih, and one in the district of Synelkove.
Residential buildings were damaged in all three locations, the service said.
