George Fernandes memorial inaugurated at Bejai church
Mangaluru: A memorial erected for late union minister and socialist leader George Fernandes at the Bejai Church cemetery here was inaugurated on Sunday.
The memorial, built on his mortal remains as per his religious customs, was inaugurated by Mangaluru bishop Peter Paul Saldanha. Speaking after blessing the memorial, Saldanha said the late leader always stood for the working class and fulfilled their dreams.
A son of Mangaluru, he moved to Mumbai and then to the national capital to work for different sections of people in the country, the bishop said.
He said Fernandes, a former Defence and Railway minister, had the extraordinary ability to dream big which resulted in the establishment of Konkan Railway project.
He knew the power of democracy and the pulse of the people, thereby earning powerful positions at the Centre.
Fernandes brother Micheal Fernandes, who also spoke, thanked the church and all others for erecting the memorial and urged the people to carry the late leaders work forward.
Church officials, former MLA J R Lobo and corporators were among those present on the occasion. Fernandes, who was born in Bejai in 1930, had an eventful career in national politics spanning decades.
He was elected to the Lok Sabha nine times and once to the Rajya Sabha. He died of Alzheimer's disease in 2019.
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.
Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
