Beary couple to take bike ride from Mangaluru to Kargil, spread awareness on blood donation
The ride also aims to clear notions about Hijab
Mangaluru: Motivational speaker and life coach, Saif Sultan, along with his wife, Adeela Farheen, is embarking on a remarkable mission to raise awareness about the vital importance of blood donation. The dynamic couple will undertake an arduous 4,000-kilometer motorcycle ride from Mangaluru to Kargil, aiming to spread the message of patriotism, dispel misconceptions about hijab, and highlight the significance of donating blood.
The journey is set to commence on July 29, 2023, at 7:30 am, from Nehru Maida in Mangaluru, under the auspices of esteemed dignitaries, including MLA and State Speaker U T Khader, and Mangaluru Police Commissioner Kuldeep Kumar R Jain. In preparation for their ride, a blood donation camp will be organized on July 28, in collaboration with the Blood Helpline Karnataka and the Red Cross Blood Bank. This initiative not only showcases the couple's dedication but also encourages others to contribute to this noble cause.
Riding on the BMW GS 310, the couple has made modifications to suit their travel needs before embarking on their journey. Over the course of 19 days, Saif and Adeela will traverse multiple cities, including Honnavar, Belagavi, Pune, Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Jaipur, Delhi, Amritsar, Jammu, and Srinagar, before reaching their destination in Kargil on August 15. Covering an average distance of 300 kilometers per day, they plan to engage with the public, promoting the importance of blood donation and distributing souvenirs and chocolates to create awareness and foster community participation.
Saif Sultan expressed, "Our primary objective is to raise awareness about blood donation. However, I also hope to dispel misconceptions surrounding the hijab and demonstrate that it is not a symbol of oppression. By showcasing my wife, Adeela, wearing the hijab during our ride, we want to emphasize that Muslim women are educated, empowered, and free to pursue their aspirations within the framework of their faith."
Reflecting on the inception of their journey, Saif shared, "Originally, I had planned a solo ride to Kargil and was preparing for a 300-kilometer ride to Karwar. But when my wife expressed her interest in joining me, I welcomed the idea with open arms. Our previous trip to Karwar was a transformative experience, allowing us to strengthen our bond and subsequently inspired us to embark on this extraordinary journey together. Our children, Hoodh, 8, and Safa, 6, are also thrilled and supportive of our adventure."
In addition to raising awareness about blood donation, the couple's expedition aims to serve as a testament to India's safety and cultural diversity. Along the way, they will document their experiences through daily blog posts, sharing their insights and encounters with the public. On reaching Kargil, the couple plans to organize a blood donation camp, where Saif will proudly donate blood for the 20th time, and Adeela will contribute for the first time.
As a symbol of solidarity and gratitude, the Indian Army personnel will witness the hoisting of flags, including the flags presented by dignitaries in Mangaluru, along with the Kannada flag on August 15. This gesture honors the memory of the late Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar, with whom Saif had the privilege of meeting on three separate occasions.
This exceptional endeavor by Saif Sultan and Adeela Farheen not only promotes blood donation awareness but also sheds light on the global blood shortage crisis, which affects both low- and middle-income countries, including India. Access to safe and sufficient blood for all those in need remains a challenge worldwide. By encouraging voluntary, unpaid blood donations and fostering active community participation, we can ensure a stable blood supply, particularly during emergencies and disasters.
The couple's forthcoming plans of touring Thailand next year and Europe the following year reflect their unwavering commitment to exploring the world while advocating for noble causes.
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Karnataka Minister directs officials to expedite integration of 28 services in various depts
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil on Thursday directed officials to expedite the integration of the remaining 28 services in various departments under the SWS.
The direction was issued at a review meeting on EoDB and Single Window Committees held at Vidhana Soudha, attended by senior officials from various departments.
In a statement, Patil said, "We face intense competition from neighbouring states. We have studied their policies and regulations and are determined to establish a system that is even more efficient and industry-friendly," he said.
Under the Single Window System, 115 services across 20 departments have already been integrated, the minister said, adding the remaining 28 services have been prioritised for time-bound implementation.
Patil said Revenue, Forest, Home, Environment, Primary Education, Fire Services and Energy departments are among the services.
According to the minister, the goal is to ensure that investors do not lose valuable time and are encouraged to invest in Karnataka.
He sought cooperation of all the government departments to make it happen.
Referring to emerging challenges, he said Karnataka has long been a frontrunner in the IT sector but the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has introduced new uncertainties.
He stressed that all departments, including KIADB, must ensure swift approvals for industrial projects.
Patil underlined that entrepreneurs should not be subjected to "unnecessary delays," he said, adding that clearances for electricity connections, Fire Department NOCs and Pollution Control Board approvals must be issued promptly.
Detailing the reforms, the minister said the time limit for Fire Department NOCs has been reduced from 60 days to 21 days, while electricity connection approvals have been cut from 25 days to 10 days. Permission for lift and escalator operations has been brought down from 40 days to 20 days, and new water connection approvals from 42 days to 30 days, he said.
The Labour Department will now issue industrial licences and boiler registrations within 14 days instead of 30 days, he said, noting that necessary notifications have already been issued.
"These amendments will soon be placed before the Cabinet and formalised through legislation on a fast-track basis," Patil said.
He further stated that timelines at the State Pollution Control Board have been significantly reduced.
Change-of-land-use permission within Bengaluru city limits, which earlier took up to 120 days, will now be granted within 45 days.
With 32 data centres currently operating in the state, Patil underscored the importance of uninterrupted power supply and called for the development of dedicated data centre clusters with exclusive power lines.
A ministerial-level meeting will soon be convened to identify suitable locations and ensure essential infrastructure, including power connectivity, he said.
