1. ‘God who Walked’ Passes Away
One of Karnataka’s most revered and influential spiritual leaders, Sri Shivakumara Swami of Siddaganga Mutt, passed away at the age of 111 on Monday morning, 21 January. While he earned the sobriquet of ‘Nadedaaduva Devaru’ or ‘Walking God’ for his pioneering social, educational and philanthropic activities spread over 80 years, it was the political influence he wielded that made leaders from all parties flock to his mutt, 70 km from Bengaluru, to seek his support and advice over the past few decades.
Though the head of a powerful Lingayat mutt, he never openly associated himself with any political party, a reason why he was popular with Congress, BJP and JD(S) leaders. His impartial stance meant he gave balanced guidance to all the leaders who visited him, said sources.
(Source: The Times of India)
2. Eight Dead in Karwar Boat Accident in Karnataka
Eight people drowned after a boat ferrying devotees to the mainland from an island temple capsized off the Karwar coast on Monday, 21 January.
The incident occurred at around 3 pm when the devotees were returning after participating in ‘Koormagad Narasmiha Jatre’ held at Koormagad island, around 3 km from Karwar. According to the Indian Navy, there were 26 persons on the boat of whom 17 were immediately rescued by civilian boats. Search is on for a missing person.
Indian Navy's Western Naval Command said that it was alerted about the incident at around 4.45 pm and has despatched two Chetak Helicopters and two fast interceptor crafts to the area for search and rescue. Diving teams from Karwar Naval Area have also been deployed in the area.
(Source: The Hindu)
3. After Murder Bid Charge, Congress Suspends MLA Ganesh
As if the ongoing strife wasn’t enough, the Congress had more trouble on its plate on Monday, 21 January, when it was forced to suspend Kampli MLA JN Ganesh after police registered a case of attempt to murder against him for assaulting his colleague, Anand Singh, at a resort in Bidadi on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
Police, who were accused by the BJP of trying to cover up the case, registered a first information report (FIR) after recording Singh’s statement at a hospital in Bengaluru where he is being treated for injuries suffered during a brawl at the resort.
AICC President Rahul Gandhi is said to have taken a serious view of the incident and reportedly told senior leaders that “party workers should be given tickets in elections, not party-hoppers”. Ganesh and Singh joined the Congress from the BJP before the 2018 Assembly polls.
(Source: The Times of India)
4. Bengaluru Airport to Be Partially Shut For 10 Days in February
The Bengaluru airport will be partially closed for commercial operations for over 10 days next month owing to the five-day long Aero India Show being held in the Karnataka capital, aerodrome operator BIAL said on Monday, 21 January.
The air show is scheduled to be held at the Yelahanka air base in the southern city from February 20.
In view of the show, the Kempegowda International Airport will be out of bound for commercial flights during particular hours from 14 February to 24 February, which includes practice days, full dress rehearsal, inauguration ceremony and air display, among others, said Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) in a statement
(Source: NDTV)
5. City Warm, But Not the End of Winter, say Meteorologists
The city may have gotten warmer over the last few days, but it is not yet the end of winter, say meteorologists, adding that the onset of summer will take place only after a month.
Residents of Bengaluru will have to deal with a rise in temperatures for the next two to three days. Summer is expected to set in only in February, and temperatures are expected to be more than normal.
SSM Gavaskar from Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) said, “There is cloudy weather and the sky is not clear. Wind speed is normal as on Monday (21 January). On the wee hours of Monday, there was a formation of clouds due to which some heat is getting trapped. That is why we have been feeling a bit hot.”
(Source: The Hindu)
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