Moodbidri: Alvas Group organises 22nd grand iftar koota
Moodbidri: The 22nd annual grand ‘Alvas Iftar Koota 2025’ hosted by the Alva's Education Foundation here was held at the Krishi Siri Vedike on Saturday, March 15.
Speaking on the occasion, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind State Secretary and Shanti Prakashan Manager Mohammad Kunhi emphasized the importance of spreading love over hatred in today's world. He praised the Alva’s Education Foundation, under the leadership of Dr. Mohan Alva, for organizing the event and fostering a spirit of inclusivity.
“It is impossible to overcome evil with evil. It should be overcome with a message of goodness and love. This Iftar gathering is a symbol of unity that delivers a powerful message to society," he added.
He also highlighted the importance of Ramadan stating that, “Ramadan is a worship that cleanses the mind of man. It is a worship that invites man from evil to good and leads him with good and curbs evil.”
Stressing the need for more such events, he added, "The pollution of the world is a result of the pollution of the human mind, and programs like these play a vital role in fostering friendship and understanding."
Dr. Abdul Qadeer, Chairman of Shaheen Educational Institutions, Bidar, graced the event as the chief guest and extended his wishes.
Dr. Mohan Alva, Bharat Mustafa, Vivek Alva, and others were present during the ceremony.
The program was compered by Abul Ala Puttige, and arrangements for Namaz were made after Iftar. The Iftar feast included fruits, samosas, sharbat, mutton biryani, chicken masala, chicken kebabs, and salads. Additionally, a separate space was arranged for women attendees.
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Indian-origin man among 4 killed in temple collapse in South Africa
Johannesburg (PTI): A 52-year-old Indian-origin man is among four people killed after a four-storey Hindu temple under construction collapsed in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, officials have said.
The New Ahobilam Temple of Protection, situated on a steep hill in Redcliffe in north of eThekwini (formerly Durban), was being expanded when a section of the building gave way on Friday while workers were on site.
The exact number of workers and temple officials believed to be trapped beneath tonnes of rubble is unknown.
While two people, a construction worker and a devotee, were confirmed dead on Friday, the death toll rose to four on Saturday after rescue teams recovered more bodies.
Of the four deceased, one has been identified as Vickey Jairaj Panday, an executive member of the temple trust and manager of the construction project, local media reported, quoting officials.
Panday had been deeply involved in the development of the temple since its inception nearly two years ago, the reports said.
Sanvir Maharaj, director of Food for Love, a charity affiliated to the temple, also confirmed that Panday was among those who had died.
Rescue workers, who spent two days trying to recover a fifth body that had been located, had to suspend operations on Saturday afternoon due to inclement weather, Reaction Unit South Africa spokesperson Prem Balram told local media.
“At this stage, it cannot be confirmed whether additional individuals remain trapped beneath the rubble,” he said.
The temple was designed to resemble a cave, using rocks brought from India and excavated on site, and the family building the structure had claimed that it would house one of the world's largest deities of Lord Nrsimhadeva.
The eThekwini municipality, in a statement, said no building plans had been approved for the project, suggesting the construction was illegal.
Initial rescue efforts had been guided by cellphone calls from one of the trapped persons, but communications ceased late Friday evening, officials said.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thulasizwe Buthelezi visited the site on Saturday and pledged that rescue operations would continue for as long as necessary, even as experts noted that there was little hope of finding more survivors.
Buthelezi expressed gratitude to the combined government and private teams involved in the search and rescue operation, including a special dog unit from the Western Cape.
