Mangaluru, July 13: The Congress government's ambitious Indira Canteen project is about to complete one year of its journey. In the Dakshina Kannada canteens, high-quality food is being provided at the lowest price. With this, the canteens in the districts have become a model for the state.

While there have been complaints regarding the delay in the launching of the project and supply of poor quality food at various places in the state, the five Indira canteens of Dakshina Kannada, located at Lady Goshen near State Bank, Urwa Store near Mangaluru Urban Development Authority, Kavuru, Thokkottu, and Surathkal; are giving high performance.

Indira Canteen Project successful

If the quality of food, cleanliness, and staff in these five canteens is observed; there is no doubt that these canteens have a distinguishing factor compared to others in the state.

In the canteens across the state, food is being provided as per the respective food culture of the particular regions. Even in the coastal region, Kuchalakki (Parboiled rice) is being served especially. White rice is also being supplied.

More than 7,000 people are visiting the five canteens in the district daily to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Since there are many government offices, hospitals and markets in Lady Goshen; a large number of people are visiting the canteen there. However, in contrast to this, the number of beneficiaries at Thokkottu canteen is meager.

Massive ‘Mother Kitchen’ at Urwa Store

A massive 'Mother Kitchen' has been established at Indira Canteen at Urwa store near Muda. The food is being transported from here to remaining four canteens for three times in a day. Around 29 staff members are working in the mother kitchen. The contract of the food supply has been given to Sai Hospitality Services.

No health officer is appointed to check the food safety at the canteens. However, a health officer voluntarily visits the canteens and examines the quality of food.

Soon to begin at Pumpwell

The canteen constructed in Pumpwell will soon be inaugurated. The inauguration was withheld in the view of election code of conduct. ‘The canteen will begin to serve people from next week,’ the DC has replied to an MMC letter.

The Indira Canteen built in Pumpwell will soon be inaugurated.

- Mohammad Nazeer, Commissioner, MMC

I come for dinner at Urwa Store Indira Canteen every day. The quality of food is high here.

Suresh, beneficiary

Fast food shops face no problem by the supply of food at Indira Canteens. It is helpful for many. We have our customers.

-Nagaraj, owner of a fast food shop at State Bank

More people are visiting Indira canteen day by day. Indira Canteens are already functioning in Thokkottu, Lady Goshen, Urwa Store, Surathkal, and Kavoor. Soon, an Indira Canteen will be opened at Pumpwell.

- Prabhakar Shetty, Managing Director of Sai Hospitality Services



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Belthangady: In a shocking incident, a wild elephant attacked a man and his two children while they were on their way to school on a bike in Shishila village on Wednesday morning. The attack left the trio injured and their bike completely destroyed.

The victim, Vasantha Gowda, a resident of Kallaje in Shishila, was riding his bike to drop his children, Lavya and Advith, at Perla School in Shibaje village. The incident occurred around 8:30 AM when a lone elephant suddenly emerged on a curve in the road.

Startled by the sudden appearance of the animal, Vasantha Gowda braked abruptly, causing the bike to topple. All three fell to the ground, sustaining injuries to their arms and legs. As the elephant advanced, they managed to escape the scene, leaving their bike behind.

The elephant then approached the fallen bike, smashed it with its trunk, and completely crushed it underfoot.

The attack has heightened concerns among residents of Belthangady taluk, where incidents of human-elephant conflict have been rising. Locals have called on the Forest Department to take measures to prevent such encounters and ensure the safety of residents.