Mangaluru, September 9: Preparation for the Bharat Bandh called by the Congress, JDS, CPI, CPM and various other like minded organizations against fuel price hike and condemning the anti-people’s policies of the BJP-led NDA government at the centre, on September 10 is almost complete.

Various units of the Congress have been holding meetings, appealing the shopkeepers to support the bandh. Amidst this, many other organizations have also extended their support to the bandh.

No forceful bandh

Congress leaders said that there will be no forceful bandh on September 10. Daily life of a common people hit hard with the fuel price hike. Condemning this development, everyone needs to conduct voluntary bandh. Party workers have been strictly directed not to affect the supply and service of the milK, newspapers, hospitals and medical shops, they said.

KSRTC bus service may hit

As the AITUC led KSRTC Employees Union has informed their higher officers that they would extend the bandh, the bandh may hit the bus service. As the Canara private bus owners and autorickshaw drivers association, backed by the Left parties, have extended their support to the bandh, bandh in the district could be successful.

Congress appeals for bandh success

Congress leaders and party workers have visited Kadri market, City Centre Mall and other business areas and appealed the businessmen and shop-keepers and people to support the bandh on Monday. People were disappointed against the BJP government at the centre. Common people could not lead their life due to fuel price hike. So, people need to support for the bandh to warn the central government, they said.

Former MLA JR Lobo, KPCC general secretary PV Mohan, District Youth Congress President Mithun Rai, Block Presidents Vishwas Kumar Das, Abdul Saleem, Leaders Praveen Chandra Alva, Vinay Raj, Meril Rego, Shashiraj Ambhat, TK Sudhir, Ramananda Poojary, Haneef Muhammad, Honnaiah, Namitha Rao, Rajesh Bale Kallu, Appi, Jacintha Alfred, Bilal Modin, Asif Bengare, Hussain Bolar, Sadashiva Amin, Durgaprasad, Sunil Shetty, Benet D’Mello, Umesh Devadiga, Hemanth Garodi and others were present.

Appeal to close schools and colleges

All Colleges Students Union convener Mithun Rai appealed all the managements and the Mangalore University to close their educational institutions in the district and coming under the university and to support the bandh.

CPI support

Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts units of CPI extended their full support to the bandh to be held on September 10, said district secretary V Kukyan.

Muslim Merchants Association

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised of bringing back the black money by introducing demonetisation. Now, it has been playing with the lives of common people by increasing the fuel prices. Condemning this anti-people policy of the central government, the Muslim Merchants Association and Meat Merchants Association, District Minority Auto Owners and Drivers Association have extended their support to the bandh, said Ali Hasan.

To support the bandh, the slaughter house at Kudroli would be closed on September 10, Contractor J Abdul Khader said.

Prathibha Karanji to be Postponed

The Education Department has postponed all the cultural activities of Prathibha Karanji and Kalolsava programme scheduled on September 10 for one day in the district. The high school section programmes scheduled for September 10 would be held on September 11 and the primary school section programme slated for September 11 would be held on September 12, according to a press release.

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New Delhi (PTI): When Sanjiv Suryavanshi sold his farm land to fund his 10-year-old son Vaibhav's cricketing aspirations, little did he know that within three years the boy would be scripting history.

During the second and final day of the IPL mega auction in Jeddah, Vaibhav, at 13 years and eight months, became the youngest cricketer ever to be picked by a franchise as Rajasthan Royals bought him for Rs 1.10 crore.

Sanjiv, who owned farm land in his native Motipur village which is 15kms from Samastipur town in Bihar, was lost for words.

"Woh ab sirf humra bituwa nahi pura Bihar ka bituwa hai (He is not just my son now but entire Bihar's son)," Sanjiv told PTI over phone as his son is currently in Dubai for the U-19 Asia Cup.

"My son has worked hard. At the age of 8 years, he excelled at U-16 district trials. I would take him for his cricket coaching to Samastipur and then take him back," he recalled the days of hardships.

So were his finances in place as cricket is an investment?

"Not just investment, it's big investment. Aapko kya bataye humne toh apna zameen tak bech diya. Abhi bhi halat pura sudhra nahi (I have sold my land. Financial issues are still there)."

When asked about the controversies regarding Vaibhav's actual age which many believe is 15 years, the father was quick to clarify.

"When he was 8 and half years old he first appeared for BCCI bone test. He has already played India U-19. We don't fear anyone. He can again undergo age test," he sounded defiant.

Sanjiv said that Bihar Cricket Association president Rakesh Tiwary's "blessings" have always helped Vaibhav in his journey.

"Rakesh ji ka ashirwaad raha hai bahoot (Rakesh ji's blessings are there)."

His base price in the auction was Rs. 30 lakh and Delhi Capitals made the opening bid. RR entered the fray at Rs. 35 lakh and eventually got the better of DC to get the player on board.

So how did this bidding war happened?

"Rajasthan Royals had called him for trials in Nagpur. Vikram Rathour sir (batting coach) gave a match situation where he had to score 17 in an over. Bituwa ne 3 chakka mara. Trials mein aat chakka aur char chauwaa mara (He smashed three sixes. At trials, he hit eight sixes and four fours)," the father claimed proudly.

For a 13-year-old, it can be very difficult to understand what it means to earn a crore. So how does he plan to keep his young son away from monetary discussions?

"He just wants to play cricket and nothing else. A few years back he loved Doremon, not anymore," Sanjiv said.


BCA lauds selection

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BCA president Tiwary was all praise for the prodigy after his 1.10 crore bid for RR.

"Vaibhav Suryavanshi's incredible achievement at such a young age fills us with immense pride," Tiwary said in a statement.

"His journey from Bihar to the IPL is a reflection of his talent, hard work, and determination. The Bihar Cricket Association has always believed in nurturing young talent, and Vaibhav's success highlights the cricketing potential in our state.

"We are confident he will continue to shine and inspire aspiring cricketers across Bihar and beyond. I congratulate Vaibhav and his family."