Probe ordered over ritual to ‘purify’ place where Parrikar’s body was kept
PANAJI: Goa has ordered a probe into claims on social media that the site where late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's body was kept in the government-run Kala Academy for public to pay last respects was "purified".
In a Facebook post, Goa's Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude said that the Kala Acedemy, which functions under the aegis of his ministry, does not promote unscientific activities.
"I have taken a strong note of some activities carried out in the Kala Academy premises as rituals today. I have ordered an inquiry into it. We cannot promote or patronise unscientific activities inside government buildings," Mr Gaude said.
Gurudas Pilernekar, member secretary of the state's premier Arts and Culture centre, told news agency IANS that while a probe had been ordered by the institution, it appears that four Hindu priests had been called by an academy staffer for chanting of the 'Om' mantra.
He, however, did not explain why the chanting exercise had been conducted.
"It appears that what rites the four pandits had performed was not a purification ceremony, but chanting of the Om mantra," Mr Pilernekar said.
Mr Parrikar died on March 17, after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer.
courtesy: ndtv.com
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.
Injured Phil Salt returns home for scans
New Delhi (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener Phil Salt has returned to England for scans on a finger injury sustained last month.
The injury has kept Salt out of RCB's last three matches, with compatriot Jacob Bethell stepping in at the top of the order.
The 29-year-old is reported to have "damaged a finger on his left hand" while diving to save a boundary at deep backward square leg during RCB's defeat to Delhi Capitals at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18.
"Salt, who is centrally contracted by the ECB, has since returned home at the request of England's management and has undergone scans on his finger," ESPNCricinfo reported.
According to the report, both RCB and Salt are hopeful of a speedy recovery and the opener can return to India later this month.
Salt had enjoyed a strong start to the season, amassing 202 runs in six innings at an impressive strike rate of 168.33.
RCB are currently second on the points table behind Punjab Kings. They take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Thursday next.
