With launch of COP27, bicycle rally held in Mangaluru for awareness on climate change
Mangaluru: The Karavali Karnataka Janabhivriddhi Vedike (KKJV) initiated an awareness campaign in the city on Sunday, even as the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) kick started in Egypt.
The launch of the campaign coincided with the international convention for the organizers to spread awareness on the gravity of the climate crisis and the urgency to undertake bold, ambitious, just and equitable climate solutions in the interest of the planet and the people. The campaign in Mangaluru was also a part of a series of coordinated bike actions in cities and countries in Asia, led by the Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD).
The bicycle rally in Mangaluru was flagged off by Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ, principal of St Aloysius College, and Dr Smitha Hegde, professor at Nitte University, Centre for Science Education and Research, along with Mr. K. Shashidhara Hegde, who has cycled to work and back 8 km for four and a half years. The race started at St Aloysius College (Autonomous) at 8 am on Sunday, and traversed the arterial roads of the city, before culminating at Kadri Park at around 9:30 am.
Dr Martis, speaking on theme of the rally, ‘Reparations for the Climate Crisis’, said, “We are a part of a group of enlightened citizens and would like to strive for climate justice. All of us should really take part in it, bring others onboard and also fight for it as it is our right as also our future generations’.”
Dr Smitha Hegde lauded the participants, saying that the secret was in youth-led ‘self-start’. “The power is in you, you can definitely make the change,” she stressed.
At Kadri Park, the bicyclists, who reached just after 9 am, were welcomed by citizens with cheers and claps for their effort. After refreshments, the finish line commenced with young organizer Sandipa Nath briefing the participants on the event’s agenda.
Chief guest Dr Smitha Hegde spoke on damage to climate and ecosystems because of temperature rise, urging the participants to contribute to prevention of climate change, referring to pay ‘Prithvi Runa’ – debt to Mother Earth – before leaving the earth.
Social activist Vidya Dinker speaking on the objectives of the bicycle ride, said that youngsters were needed to assert the repairs to climate action from those who bear greater responsibility for the crisis. “Our pressure must be exerted at all levels, holding authorities accountable,” she said and cited the example of hazardous fossil fuels industries expanding in Mangaluru.
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Integrity of electoral process severely compromised, Cong to soon launch movement: CWC
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress Working Committee met here on Friday and adopted a resolution alleging the integrity of the entire electoral process was being severely compromised against which the party would soon launch a movement.
In the resolution of the top body of the Congress, the party said free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that was being called into "serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission".
The CWC, which met amid the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, said the session has been a washout so far because of the Narendra Modi government's "stubborn refusal" to have an immediate discussion on three pressing national issues -- "the recent revelations regarding corruption by a business group, and the violence in Manipur and Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal".
Asked why the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution does not name the business group, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "The answer is the Adani group".
"The CWC believes the integrity of the entire electoral process is being severely compromised. Free and fair elections is a Constitutional mandate that is being called into serious question by the partisan functioning of the Election Commission.
"Increasing sections of society are becoming frustrated and deeply apprehensive. The Congress will take these up these public concerns as a national movement," the resolution stated.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Ramesh and Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, party general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal said the party discussed the political situation in the country for four-and-half hours and adopted the resolution.
He said the CWC has decided to constitute internal committees to look into electoral performance and organisational matters.
About the Assembly polls results in Maharashtra, Venugopal said the electoral outcome in the state was "beyond normal understanding and it appears to be a clear case of targeted manipulation".
