Politicians who rush during elections have now forgotten us
Victims’ cries go unheard at Napoklu Kottammudi
Madikeri: “The politicians, who rush to us even by crossing hills to seek votes during elections, are not remembering us now. No representatives or top officials visited and consoled us when we lost everything, including our homes, in the natural disaster. Nobody is listening to our cries,” lamented victims who have taken shelter at a Madrasa in Napoklu village in the Taluk.
The natural disaster remarkably hit Maade village in Madikeri's Yeradane Monnangeri town. The 83 members of 22 families, who lost their lands and homes, are housed in a camp at Darul Uloom Sunni Madrasa, located at Kottammudi Old Juma Masjid in Napoklu Hodavada village. No politicians or officers, including the Taluk Panchayat, Zilla Panchayat members, Chairman, Local MLAs, and MPs have visited this center.
"We've been in this camp for eleven days. The local Jamaat Committee and everyone in this area has cooperated with us. They have shifted the Madras classes elsewhere so as to provide us with accommodation here. They have provided all the necessary arrangements to us. The district administration has provided health care and police security. But the most disappointing thing is that neither the members of the taluk panchayat, Zilla panchayat nor public representatives are willing to visit us to ask our difficulties. The politicians, who remember us well when elections come, have now forgotten us. They even have no time to find out where we are and what we are up to. We lost homes and lands and became destitute. Redressal of our grievances quickly and permanently is our only request," said Noor Jahan, a victim in the camp.
We believed in the hills and lived. But now our hills, gardens, and homes have gone underground due to a natural disaster. The ISRO officials visited the place, where the hills were cracked and could collapse at any time. It is no longer a habitable area. Now we are in a grave situation as we very much depend on agriculture. The government must provide a permanent solution by providing homes to all the families living here,” MB Fayaz, a student at the rescue camp, urged the government.
Saleem quit the job in Kuwait and returned
My wife called and informed me about the natural disaster on August 17 when I was working in Kuwait. Our family members were all looking for a safe shelter after our house was collapsed. My wife and two children were only available at my home at that time. After learning this situation, my heart did not allow me to be there. Even though I appealed, our Kafeel (boss) did not give me a vacation to come to town. I returned to the city with the assistance of my friends. The Kafeel had asked me to return on August 27. But I do not know how to go leaving my family in this situation. Now we are living in the camp without any work, Saleem told 'Varthabharathi.'
We shelved Madrasa and sheltered victims
We have provided shelter to 83 flood victims in Madrasa. Consequently, the Madrasa classes have been shifted to a makeshift elsewhere. But no politician or government officer have visited to check these victims conditions. No top official consoled them yet. There was no assistance from the government for the initial three days. At that time, they were fed with the cooperation of the locals. Finally, when we sent a message through WhatsApp, the authorities provided health care and police protection to the victims. But how long can they live here? We urge the district administration to provide permanent settlement to these victims,” Hasan and Muhammad, secretary and joint secretary of the Old Juma Masjid of Kottammudi, said.
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Dhyan Chand lifetime award to be replaced by Arjuna lifetime
New Delhi, Oct 24: The sports ministry on Thursday announced the discontinuation of the Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement from this year onwards and the introduction of the Arjuna Award Lifetime in its place in a bid to "rationalise" the various sporting honours of the country.
Instituted in 2002, the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Award, named after hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand, is given to individuals in disciplines that are part of the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, among others.
In 2023, the award was given to former shuttler Manjusha Kanwar, ex-hockey exponent Vineet Kumar and kabaddi player Kavitha Selvaraj.
"The various schemes for sports awards have been rationalised wherein Arjuna Award (Lifetime) has been introduced in place of Dhyan Chand Award. To recognise the efforts of coaches at grassroots/development level, they are now eligible for the Dronacharya Award," said a ministry statement.
"The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) has been introduced and will be given for life time contribution to sports development.
"Further, to recognize the Khelo India scheme, the Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy will be given to the University for Overall Top Performance in Khelo India University Games," it added.
The last date for applying for the national sports awards for 2024 is November 14.
