Holistic Wellbeing Fitness Project inaugurated in Udupi
Udupi: Holistic Wellbeing was inaugurated on Sunday, 29th August 2021 on the 4th floor of City Center, a prominent commercial building in the heart of Udupi City. The event was inaugurated by Maulana Sadiq Qasmi, Imam of the Manipal Masjid.
The event was presided by Sheikh Abdul Lateef Madani, One of the founders of Holistic Wellbeing, while Rizwan Abdul Rahman, the Certified Trainer and Fitness Coach gave an overview of the purpose, need and nature of this Fitness Project in detail.
Many prominent personalities such as Dr. Roshan Shetty - Director of Youth Empowerment and Sports of Udupi District, Dr. Kishan - Assistant Professor from the Dept. of Speech and Hearing KMC Manipal were invited as the chief guest for the event who addressed the event on the importance of health.
Other prominent guests included the President of Salihat Educational Institute- Dr. Shahnawaz, Proprietor of Goan Fisheries Mr. Suhail and the Owner of Udupi City Centre Mr. Jamaluddin Abbas.
“Holistic Wellbeing is an initiative taken by prominent personalities of the Udupi district such
as Shaikh Abdul Lateef Madani- Managing Director of Sammaan Family Counseling Centre, Certified Fitness Trainers- Rizwan Abdul Rahman and Fayaz to guide and assist men of all ages towards a healthier lifestyle. It helps in tackling many of the common issues faced by the current generation by designing a personalized workout and meal plan by certified trainers” an official release from organisers stated..
The press statement also added that the location for the project was chosen “keeping the accessibility of the community members in mind”.
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People must do politics; elected representatives must work, says Actor Prakash Raj
Kalaburagi: Actor and activist Prakash Raj has said that in a democracy, politics must be done by the people, while elected representatives are meant to work and serve after winning elections.
Speaking at the launch of Vartha Bharati's Kalyana Karnataka edition in Kalaburagi on Saturday, Prakash Raj said that once representatives are elected, their only responsibility is service. “This is our tax, our country. Service is the only job of people’s representatives. They come to seek votes every five years; the people do not,” he said.
Releasing the newspaper’s special issue at the event, he asserted that the distinction between people and politicians must never be reversed. “This is our country. Citizens must continuously engage in politics, and politicians must continuously work. Never change this order. Politics belongs to the people,” he said.
ALSO READ: Kalaburagi: ‘Vartha Bharati’ Kalyana Karnataka edition launched
Quoting writer P. Lankesh, Prakash Raj said newspapers, media, artists, and citizens must act as a permanent opposition. “They must be the voice of the people without seeking the patronage of the ruling party. Only then can they work fearlessly,” he said. He stressed the need to clearly tell today’s society who must engage in politics.
Referring to regional imbalance, he said Karnataka has become Bengaluru-centric and confined largely to southern Karnataka. With Vartha Bharati entering the Kalyana Karnataka region, he said the newspaper must contribute to the region’s development by consistently reporting its issues with a strong voice.
Prakash Raj also spoke about the role of independent media, saying that anyone can be swept away in a flood, including dead fish, but to swim against the current requires life. “Independent media have that life. Ravish Kumar, The Wire, and Vartha Bharati have the courage to swim against the flood,” he said.
He warned that fear strengthens authoritarianism. “If we are not afraid, they will be afraid,” he said, alleging that institutions such as the police, Election Commission, courts, and media are being pressured, silenced, and manipulated for political benefit. Expressing concern over the denial of bail to Umar Khalid, he said there is a visible lack of conscience in institutions meant to deliver justice to the people.
Recalling the early years after Independence, Prakash Raj said there was once fear of the police but also faith in the judiciary. “There was confidence that injustice would be addressed in court. Today, that faith no longer exists,” he said. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party are responsible for the present situation.
Using a metaphor, he said India is like a pond disturbed by a demon within it. “A lotus blooms on the surface, that is the BJP. We are fighting the lotus, but the real fight should be against the RSS, the root power beneath,” he said.
Drawing parallels with past global authoritarian regimes, he said leaders like Hitler and Mussolini headed political parties and could be defeated electorally. “The RSS is not a political party. Defeating the BJP alone is not enough. The roots must be uprooted,” he said, adding that despite changes in appearance, the ideological growth remains unchanged.
Prakash Raj also raised concerns over Hindi imposition, delimitation, and what he described as political oppression of southern states such as Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh in the name of elections. He said people must recognise who is responsible for this oppression and understand the role of newspapers like Vartha Bharati in identifying and exposing it.
The event also marked the formal launch of Vartha Bharati's Kalyana Karnataka edition in Kalaburagi.
