Moodbidri: Puthige Convention Center inaugurated
Moodbidri: The newly constructed Puthige Convention Center, built by the Puthige Kadalakere Noorani Masjid, was officially inaugurated on Thursday, December 12.
The convention center was inaugurated by Dr. M. Mohan Alva, President of Alva's Education Foundation. Speaking later, he said, "We are all fortunate to be born in this country. India is an ideal country in the world. Despite having the largest population, it is not limited to one caste, caste, religion, or language. Moodbidri is a land of harmony. It should continue like this."
“We need to deeply understand the caste, religion, and language that our ancestors have created and incorporate them into our lives. It is possible to live as a human being only if we have culture. It is a sign of harmony to fully understand one's own caste and religion and to view other castes and religions with respect and brotherhood,” added Alva.
Rev. Fr. Melwyn Noronha, Parish Priest of Holy Rosary Church, Alangar, who graced the event as the chief guest, said that Moodbidri is still a place full of harmony. The Noorani Masjid here is a symbol of harmony and the programs that everyone is doing together, setting aside the barriers of caste and religion.
Abul Ala Puthige, President of Puthige Noorani Masjid, who presided over the ceremony, said that the true picture of harmony is evident in the program held at the inauguration of Puthige Convention Center. He said, “This is the specialty of our Moodbidri.”
The ceremony included the distribution of financial assistance to over 10 families from various religions who are struggling with ill health and financial difficulties. Several individuals, including sportsperson Amrin, health worker Vimala K., academic workers Riza Sheikh Riaz, Aisha Amna Sheikh, Riya Rafique, and businesswoman Nazma, were felicitated for their contributions.
On this occasion, Padma Shri Harekala Hajabba was felicitated by Puthige Convention Center and Noorani Welfare Trust.
Former Minister K. Abhayachandra Jain, Vice President of Puthige Noorani Masjid Shaikh Basheer, General Secretary Mohammed Khayyum, Puthige Grama Panchayat Member Mohammed Shareef, female entrepreneur Sara Abbas and others were present during the program.
Meanwhile, a 20% discount on bookings for the Convention Center is being offered for events booked by the end of December, and the income generated from the center will be used for supporting the poor, assisting the sick, and educating underprivileged students, as announced by Abul Ala Puthige during the inauguration.
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'Go back to your own country': Indian-origin taxi driver attacked in Dublin
London, Aug 5 (PTI): An Indian-origin taxi driver based in Ireland for over 23 years has become the latest to be targeted in an unprovoked attack in the capital Dublin, with local police (Gardai) launching an investigation into the violent assault.
Lakhvir Singh, in his 40s, told local media that he picked up two young men in their 20s on Friday night and dropped them at Poppintree, in the Ballymun suburb of Dublin.
Upon arriving at the destination, the men are said to have opened the vehicle door and struck him twice on the head with a bottle. As the suspects fled, they reportedly shouted: "Go back to your own country".
"In 10 years I've never seen anything like this happen," Singh told ‘Dublin Live’.
"I'm really scared now and I'm off the road at the moment. It will be very hard to go back. My children are really scared," he said.
A Dublin police spokesperson said Singh was taken to the city's Beaumont Hospital with injuries determined as not life-threatening.
"Gardaí are investigating an assault reported to have occurred in Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 11 at approximately 11:45 pm on Friday, 1st August 2025. A man, aged in his 40s, was brought to Beaumont Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injury. Investigations are ongoing," the spokesperson said.
The incident followed an Indian Embassy advisory, also issued on Friday, expressing safety concerns following recent attacks in and around the capital Dublin and urging Indian citizens to take safety precautions.
"There has been an increase in the instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently,” states the advisory.
“The embassy is in touch with the authorities concerned in Ireland in this regard. At the same time, all Indian citizens in Ireland are advised to take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially at odd hours," the statement reads, adding emergency embassy contact details as 0899423734 and cons.dublin@mea.gov.in.
It came in the wake of a brutal attack on a 40-year-old Indian man at Parkhill Road in the Tallaght suburb of Dublin on July 19, described as “mindless, racist violence” by locals.
The Gardai had opened an investigation into the case and Indian Ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra was among those who took to social media to express shock over the attack.
“Regarding the recent incident of physical attack on an Indian national that happened in Tallaght, Dublin, the embassy is in touch with the victim and his family. All the requisite assistance is being offered. The embassy is also in touch with the relevant Irish authorities in this regard,” the embassy said in a social media post days after the incident.
A Stand Against Racism protest was also held by the local community in condemnation of what was described as a "vicious racist attack" and to express solidarity with migrants.
Last week, Dr Santosh Yadav took to LinkedIn to post details of a “brutal, unprovoked racist attack”.
The entrepreneur and AI expert stressed that it was not an isolated incident and called for “concrete measures” from the governments of Ireland and India to ensure Indians feel safe to walk the streets of Dublin.
His post revealed that a group of six teenagers attacked him from behind as he walked to his apartment in Dublin.
“This is not an isolated incident. Racist attacks on Indian men and other minorities are surging across Dublin — on buses, in housing estates, and on public streets. Yet, the government is silent. There is no action being taken against these perpetrators. They run free and are emboldened to attack again,” reads Yadav's post.
Fine Gael party Councillor for Tallaght South, Baby Pereppadan, was among those who expressed concern following last month’s attack.
“People need to understand that many Indian people moving to Ireland are here on work permits, to study and work in the healthcare sector or in IT and so on, providing critical skills,” he said.
Another violent anti-Indian attack in Ireland
— Journalist V (@OnTheNewsBeat) August 5, 2025
Taxi driver Lakhvir Singh was attacked with glass bottles while doing his job pic.twitter.com/mtkwhLWISx
