With launch of COP27, bicycle rally held in Mangaluru for awareness on climate change
Mangaluru: The Karavali Karnataka Janabhivriddhi Vedike (KKJV) initiated an awareness campaign in the city on Sunday, even as the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) kick started in Egypt.
The launch of the campaign coincided with the international convention for the organizers to spread awareness on the gravity of the climate crisis and the urgency to undertake bold, ambitious, just and equitable climate solutions in the interest of the planet and the people. The campaign in Mangaluru was also a part of a series of coordinated bike actions in cities and countries in Asia, led by the Asian Peoples Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD).
The bicycle rally in Mangaluru was flagged off by Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ, principal of St Aloysius College, and Dr Smitha Hegde, professor at Nitte University, Centre for Science Education and Research, along with Mr. K. Shashidhara Hegde, who has cycled to work and back 8 km for four and a half years. The race started at St Aloysius College (Autonomous) at 8 am on Sunday, and traversed the arterial roads of the city, before culminating at Kadri Park at around 9:30 am.
Dr Martis, speaking on theme of the rally, ‘Reparations for the Climate Crisis’, said, “We are a part of a group of enlightened citizens and would like to strive for climate justice. All of us should really take part in it, bring others onboard and also fight for it as it is our right as also our future generations’.”
Dr Smitha Hegde lauded the participants, saying that the secret was in youth-led ‘self-start’. “The power is in you, you can definitely make the change,” she stressed.
At Kadri Park, the bicyclists, who reached just after 9 am, were welcomed by citizens with cheers and claps for their effort. After refreshments, the finish line commenced with young organizer Sandipa Nath briefing the participants on the event’s agenda.
Chief guest Dr Smitha Hegde spoke on damage to climate and ecosystems because of temperature rise, urging the participants to contribute to prevention of climate change, referring to pay ‘Prithvi Runa’ – debt to Mother Earth – before leaving the earth.
Social activist Vidya Dinker speaking on the objectives of the bicycle ride, said that youngsters were needed to assert the repairs to climate action from those who bear greater responsibility for the crisis. “Our pressure must be exerted at all levels, holding authorities accountable,” she said and cited the example of hazardous fossil fuels industries expanding in Mangaluru.
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.
Death toll in Mundathikode fireworks explosion rises to 16
Thrissur (Kerala) (PTI): One more person who had been hospitalised following the Mundathikode fireworks explosion died at Thrissur Medical College on Sunday, police said.
With this, the death toll in the incident has risen to 16.
According to Thrissur Medical College police, the deceased has been identified as Unnikrishnan from Edappal, who was among the 38 persons present at the fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathikode where the explosions occurred on April 21.
Police said Unnikrishnan had suffered over 80 per cent burns and had remained in critical condition.
The condition of the two other injured persons remains critical, police said.
Of the 38 persons present at the site, 16 have died, while four remain missing.
The fireworks were being manufactured for Thiruvambady Devaswom as part of the Thrissur Pooram festivities.
The licensee of the unit had also suffered burn injuries and had died earlier.
