Central Hajj Committee Chairman informs why M'luru Airport was removed as embarkation point for Hajj
Here's what he said
Mangaluru: The Muslim Central Committee Dakshina Kannada, Udupi districts on Thursday submitted a memorandum to A. P. Abdullakutty, the Chairman of the Hajj Committee of India after the Mangaluru International Airport was removed from the embarkation point for the Hajj pilgrims for the year 2023.
The memorandum urged Abdullakutty to consider granting the embarkation point status again adding that removing it from the list has caused inconveniences to people from Dakshina Kannada and other neighboring districts who had chosen Mangaluru Airport as their embarkation point for their pilgrimage.
Speaking after accepting the memorandum, A. P. Abdullakutty noted that the Mangaluru International Airport was initially considered by the Central Hajj Committee as an embarkation point for Hajj this year but due to the lesser number of pilgrims choosing it as their embarkation point, it was removed from the list.
“There were less than 300 applications that selected the Mangaluru International Airport, so when the international tender was sent to air carriers Mangaluru was removed from the list. It is not controlled by the Centre or the Hajj Committee,” Abdullakutty told Vartha Bharati.
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When asked about the inconveniences being faced by the pilgrims who had selected Mangaluru Airport as their embarkation point, Abdullakutty said the Hajj Committee will discuss the issue and come out with a solution for the pilgrims. He also assured that the pilgrims will be facilitated their embarkation either from Kannur or from Bengaluru.
When asked if Mangaluru Airport will be further considered as an embarkation point in the future, Abdullakutty added that the Hajj Committee would consider it if more pilgrims opt for it as their favored embarkation point next year.
Earlier, Mangaluru International Airport was removed as an embarkation point, prompting social media debates and concerns adding that the people of Coastal Karnataka were being caused inconvenience due to the move.
In 2019, pilgrims from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Shivamogga, and other districts embarked on the Hajj pilgrimage from Mangaluru International Airport. In 2020, and 2021 owing to the Pandemic the pilgrimage was not facilitated while in 2022 the majority of the passengers from these districts embarked on the pilgrimage from Bengaluru Airport. After Mangaluru airport not being included in the embarkation point this year, the pilgrims have expressed confusion and dissent over urging the Hajj Committee to intervene and include Mangaluru as one of the embarkation points for Hajj 2023.
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
