Koraga community gets first Rajyotsava award
Centenary Dolu artiste Guruva Koraga proves his mettle
Udupi, November 28: Folklore artiste centenarian Guruva Koraga who has been introducing the infinity of folk culture through beating Dolu, has got the Kannada Rajyotsava award this time and thus, he has brought the first Rajyotsava award to Koraga community.
He has brought laurels to the Tulunadu and the Koraga community by getting state level recognition to the folk culture of the Tulunadu. Guruva Koraga, aged 102 years, belongs to Koraga tribal community and a resident of Balkodi of Guddeangadi in Hiriyadka. As the son of Dolu artiste Hiriyadka Thoma and Thumbe couple, Guruva Koraga has started beating Dolu in his 12th year. Now, he has been leading a simple life with his children and grandchildren.
Though he has crossed hundred years, he has not lost his interest in beating the Dolu. The beating sound of his Dolu would bring luster during Hiriyadka, Kanajaru jatra mahotsav, Garadi utsav, Kola and Kambala. Along with Guruva Koraga, his son-in-law and four-five others would join him and beat the Dolu.
Guruva Koraga depends on Rs 500 old age pension. Apart from this, he leads his life with the honorarium he gets during the Jatra, Kambala and other celebrations. But he does not have any other source of income for his livelihood.
Considering his service in promoting the Dolu culture of Tulunadu, Karnataka Janapada Academy has given its honorary award in 2017. He has also got various other awards. In last March, his birth centenary programme was conducted in Udupi.
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Fire tragedy: Goa govt steps up action against club chain; 2 properties sealed
Panaji (PTI): The Goa government has intensified its crackdown on the controversial Romeo Lane club chain after a deadly fire at one of its outlets claimed 25 lives, officials said on Monday.
Two other properties of the hospitality company in Goa have been sealed, they said.
A state police team also left for Delhi on Sunday to search for the property promoters -- Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra -- against whom a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered, they said.
Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub at Arpora in North Goa, caught fire late Saturday night, killing 25 persons, the majority of whom were their staffers, they said.
The Anjuna police in Goa have arrested the club's chief general manager, Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, and gate manager Riyanshu Thakur.
The North Goa district administration has sealed a beach shack and another club, both part of the Romeo Lane chain, located at Vagator and Assagao, respectively, an official said.
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Action has been initiated against both properties as they were involved in disputes, the official said.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday said that a team of state police had left for Delhi in search of the Luthras.
Both the promoters would be arrested as an FIR has been registered against them in connection with the blaze, he added.
Fireworks emerged as the likely cause of the blaze at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub at Arpora, located 25 km from Panaji, officials said on Sunday, adding that the facility allegedly did not possess even a fire department NOC.
The deceased included 20 employees of the nightclub and five tourists, including four from Delhi.
Most of the deaths were caused by suffocation, as the victims got trapped on the ground floor and in the kitchen, said a fire brigade official.
As per initial information, the nightclub had not adhered to fire safety norms, CM Sawant said on Sunday.
A preliminary inquiry indicated that "electric firecrackers" were set off inside, which started the blaze at 11.45 pm on Saturday, Sawant said.
The CM has directed Chief Secretary V Candavelou and DGP Alok Kumar to identify and act against the government officials who allowed the club to operate even though it violated safety rules.
