Mangalore, November 7: As many as 25 magicians will display their talents in magic at a unique magic show, 'kann-kat,' to be held under the auspices of Mangala Magic Circle, an organisation of about 40 magicians, including Rev. Prof. Ivan Madtha, Bible Magician, on November 10 at Town Hall here.  The Mangala Magic Circle, founded in 1993, primarily to encourage young magicians and to create and interest and awareness about the wonderful art of magic among the public, has played a significant role in educating people on social and other problems and issues like ADIS, pulse polio and the evils of alcoholism through magic show, said Suresh Mali and Swarana Sundert at a press conference.

The Magici Circle had also performed at orphanages, old age homes and hospitals, they said. An event titled 'Marana Thottialli Manntrika ' (Mantrik in a death tub) by Suresh Mali will be special attraction of the November 9 magic show at Nehru Maidan, they said.  Magic, as commonly believed, is not only to entertain children, but grown-ups too have many lessons to learn from it, they said. Suresh Mali performed some tricks for the press persons.

 

George will receive his prestigious Konkani award

 

Manipal, November 6: Mr. George Fernandes, Defence Minister of India will visit Manipal on November 11 to receive his prestigious Konkani Award of 2001.  Last year he was busy while giving away these awards to selected Konkans for their service and achievements in various fields.  On November 11, there will be a special programme to honour Mr. Fernandes at Hotel Valley View, Manipal.

Forum for removal of ban against sharks
 

Mangalore, November 6: The national vehicle campaign of Action Forum against Ban on Sharks and 60 other fish varieties arrived here on Sunday and in a release urged the withdrawal of the ban completely at the earliest.  It demanded inclusion of fisher folks and traders in the study committee and urged the concerned to publish a status paper clearly showing details of shark species endangered or vulnerable to over exploitation and showing fish catch data.

They demanded formulation of a national management plan for shark fishery so as to ensure a livelihood for local fishing community and conservation of marine life. The vehicle campaign from Goa led by Vincent Jain, National Convenor, was given a warm welcome by fish merchants and fish workers under the leadership of N. Abubaker.

The vehicle campaign started on October 19 from Thoothoorin, Kanyakumari district and covered the East Coast cities – Rameshwaram, Chennai, Kainada, Puri and reached Delhi on October 26. According to the campaign press release, petitions from fisher folks were collected from the above mentioned cities and submitted to Union Ministers T. R. Balu and Rama Naik.
 

Task force welcomes decision on property tax
 

Mangalore, November 6: The NGO Task Force has thanked the Mangalore Mayor and Corporators of all political parties for unanimously decided to continue the hold system if taxation for the time being.  Task Force Convener Harsha D’Souza in his press release said, “A lot of hard-work put in by members of the technical committee, legal committee and action committee of the NGO Task Force has resulted in this step taken by the City Corporation Council at its recent monthly meeting.

This was relieved the citizens of Mangalore City who would otherwise have to bear the burden of increase in taxes by 200 per cent, especially people living in tiled and old houses would have been affected. The release added that the decision to retain the old system of taxation of Mangalore City.  However, the Task Force release said the issue was solved only temporarily by the decision as the issue of SAS (Self-Assessment tax system) would come up t a later date.