Bhatkal, Oct 18: Those who want to become journalists must primarily learn how to read. How many papers, magazines, and books you read; that much good writer you will become. It is not possible to become a journalist without reading.

He was addressing after taking part at the concluding ceremony of the 'Journalism Workshop for Students' organized by the Majlis E Islah-w-Tanzeem Institute of Bhatkal in collaboration with the Media Center of Mangaluru.

"I do not completely agree that Muslims should come to the mainstream. Non-Muslims need to come to mainstream along with Muslims. If we take 100 prominent writers and litterateurs of Kannada, we would get at least 10 - 15 Muslims. There will be about 25 Dalits, 25 to 30 belonging to backward castes. But if we make a list of journalists, we would get only 10 - 15 journalists belonging to Ahinda classes. There are just one community members out there. We must understand that why the talented people of the Ahinda classes, who is capable of being a writer, poet, and litterateurs; cannot become journalists. The Ahinda class has to get the key to that field.

Today young writers are not writing much. We need to think seriously about this. When journalists question and write objectively regarding the issues prevailing within the community, then that community must accept and encourage.

Siasat Urdu daily's Managing Editor Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, former bureau chief of Khaleej Times and Gulf News Sayyed Khamar Hasan, Maulana Abdul Aleem Khatib of Bhatkal Jamia Masjid, and Editor-In-Chief of Vartha Bharati Abdussalam Puthige also spoke on the occasion.

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Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has received complaints against 719 employees for allegedly using fake disability certificates to avail benefits under various schemes, Minister Atul Save informed the legislative assembly on Tuesday.

The divyang welfare minister said that verification of disability certificates has been made mandatory following directions issued by the Centre and the state department, and strict action will be taken in case of irregularities.

"The government has received complaints against as many as 719 government employees for allegedly using fake disability certificates to avail benefits under various schemes," he said while responding to a question raised by NCP (SP) MLA Bapu Pathare.

Save said that complaints were filed against 78 employees in Satara, 46 in Pune and 26 in Latur.

"In Pune district, 21 employees have been suspended from their posts for submitting fake certificates, and two were removed in Nandurbar," he informed the House.

As per government instructions, employees whose certificates are found to be fake or whose disability is assessed at less than 40 per cent will face action under Section 11 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, along with disciplinary proceedings.

The minister said that a government resolution issued on October 9 directed all departments to complete verification of disability certificates and submit detailed reports within three months, by January 8, 2026.

So far, complaints related to fake UDID certificates have been received against 719 employees, and the concerned departments have been instructed to verify the cases and initiate action as per rules, he said.

Only those with benchmark disabilities of 40 per cent or more are eligible to avail benefits such as reservation in government jobs, promotions and other schemes, the minister added.