Mount Carmel Parents-Teachers’ Association wants Illegal Auto Garage near School Shifted, in view of the safety of the school children.
“A physically challenged person has been running this auto repair garage and eking out his livelihood since two decades. He is a harmless man and has not created any problem to anyone whatsoever. MCC has responded to many requests made by the school management and we have done many developments in and around the school. But relocating this garage at the moment is not possible” – as said by MCC Mayor Kavitha Sanil to the reporter of a National newspaper. It is also learnt that the Mayor is also the parent of this school, whose daughter studies there.
Mangaluru: Mangaluru is known for illegal street vendors, illegal mobile canteens, illegal petty shops, and added to that we see a bunch of Illegal Roadside Vehicle Repair Shops which pose Safety Hazard to Kids and Adults- and one such shop located adjacent to a school wall which is creating inconveniences to the school children has been brought to the notice of the concerned city authorities to take action immediately through a massive signature campaign by the PTA, since their pleas/requests/efforts about the same issue to the past/present mayors, MLA’s and other district authorities in the past couple of years have been in vain.
With no intention of directly hurting the livelihood of the person who has set up a petty vehicle repair shop very adjacent to the school wall, the management and also a few concerned parents had brought to the notice of Team Mangalorean few weeks ago stating that – “Even in spite of many complaints in the past and present to the MCC Mayors, local area corporators, and other district authorities about the safety concerns caused by this two-wheeler repair shop towards the school children and also their parents, till now no one has taken any action. Also, the area around the garage is filled with filth, rusty vehicle parts, rods, including liquor bottles- which raises more concerns, as to what’s going there. The school management and parents would appreciate if the concerned authorities, including MCC, look into this issue and find a permanent solution.” -and the report was published in Mangalorean.com on September 14, 2017 (Ref: https://www.mangalorean.com/illegal-roadside-vehicle-repair-shops-pose-safety-hazard-kids-adults/)
Establishments such as the above abound in smaller streets that have no pedestrian pavements or identifiable walkways. These occur in residential localities, and many have been allowed to operate with impunity for years. They create great hazards to pedestrians and need to be removed. But that will not be easy, because the owners are likely to be residents of the locality, and might have acquired ‘muscle’ – social, economic and physical – over time. These will be hard nuts to crack. The rate of vehicle ownership is rising rapidly, so a good percentage of the local residents may be making use of these establishments. And there is also some vested interest in this case too, it looks like.
Not happy with the statement made by the Mayor Kavitha Sanil to a print media where she had stated, “A physically challenged person has been running this auto repair garage and eking out his livelihood since two decades. He is a harmless man and has not created any problem to anyone whatsoever. MCC has responded to many requests made by the school management and we have done many developments in and around the school. But relocating this garage at the moment is not possible” – the Principal, Administrator of the School and a few members of the PTA met the Police Commissioner TR Suresh in his chamber on Friday, 13 October and submitted a petition attached to the signature campaign sheets, and also briefed the PC about the ongoing issue.
In reply PC T R Suresh said, “Regarding evicting or shifting the illegal garage he has no rights, while it has to be done by the Mayor and MCC. But if you have any illegal activities or the school children being harassed or anything of that sort, you can call me or lodge a complaint and I will depute police constables to take care of the problem. Since you are all saying that MCC has been reluctant in solving this issue, then your only choice is to solve this issue by other means. I also suggest that you meet MCC Commissioner and discuss the matter with him and go from there. I will do my best whatever I can under my capacity”. Taking the advice from the Police Commissioner, the PTA team have decided to meet the MCC Commissioner and also the Mayor on Monday or so.
In the meantime, Sandeep D’Souza- the Vice President of PTA speaking to Team Mangalorean said, “One of the local national newspaper dated 12 October has rightly expressed the fears and the anxiety of the parents of Mount Carmel School about the safety of our wards after the Gurgaon murder case and the other incidents that are taking place everywhere in our country. The PTA has taken the cognition of the fact that the people taking shelter around this garage as a major threat to our wards, especially the growing up girl students, hence had arranged for a signature campaign of all the parents for safety and prevention measures.
“It is from 2011, this garage is functioning adjacent to the school compound and the person running the petty garage for the past 2 decades as mentioned in the Newspaper by the Mayor is a factual error. The school has written records of appealing to the concerned authorities to relocate it, which has been given a deaf ear. Nevertheless, we believe that the delay is never a denial. There are lots of rusted metal parts lying scattered around, which could cause physical harm to the children and passersby. The rusted sheets used to construct the garage, spare parts of the vehicles and old non-functional two-wheelers parked around inhibit the free movement of children. There are instances where children walk and run through this mess putting them into a dangerous situation. Additionally, the oil, grease and rusted metal parts do no good to the surroundings and environment – especially when it is in such close proximity to the school gate.” added D’Souza.
He further said, “Now the media and we, the parents have come forward to support the cause of safety and prevention measures for our children which is a priority. Besides, the government itself is enforcing safety measures in and around the school campus and holding the schools responsible for any unfortunate event. We the parents will take a united stand to fight tooth and nail to see to the safety of our wards and also request the Corporation to give a suitable site for relocation of this garage. We do believe in sincere governance. The earliest action by the concerned authorities, lesser will be our battle. We humbly request the MCC and other concerned authorities to look into the matter and give a safe environment for our wards. The positive action taken by them will speak louder about the safety of our nation’s asset – our children.”
We are so used to reactive actions that when a preventive action is proposed people do not respond And discreetly imply that let something happen first then we shall see. How many more tragedies have to happen before we are shaken out of our slumber.
Kudos to Mangalorean and some other media platforms for taking a proactive stance.
All parents should join in the constructive actions. .. We must not be under the false belief that it only happens to others!!!
Congratulations to Alfie & team for again raking up this issue. It is now out on the domain for the civic authorities to initiate action against unauthorized dwellings/businesses. A preemptive action needs to be undertaken before any further damage can be done in terms of safety & security of children.
Rightly expressed by Neville. A preemptive measures should be taken especially near schools & colleges. Such illegal set ups can cause a greater fallout of events. The civic body should take the right measures to evict possible offenders if not more will add up . Mangalore being an educational hub, needs to indeed prioritize security & safety of all students coming to the state .
With due respect to the physically challenged person earning his daily bread with this garage, I feel this is not the right place for him. I am sure the Government has schemes to help the physically challenged.
We humbly request the civic authorities not to wait for something to go wrong but take preemptive action against this unauthorized business.
Kudos to Alfie for bringing this issue to lime light. Prevention is always better than cure. Well done PTA of Mount Carmel for thinking on this line. Hope Mayor will also realise this and just do not go on supporting the illegal garage. It is sad to know that Children’s safety is not the priority of the 1st citizen of Mangaluru, who otherwise raids so many shops etc… Why is this attitude from this daring lady? Really questionable??? Hope corporation authorities realise their responsibilities and shift this petty garage and safeguard the children from any mishaps.
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
We do read in newspapers and watch forwards received through various social media or other channels, Televisions of what is happening in and around us.
Dear daring Mayor Mrs Kavitha , a humble request let us not wait for something to to go wrong,request you to kindly look into this matter and we the parents ,assure you of our support .
Let us work towards the safeguard of our children and not regret for what we could have controlled.
We humbly request civic body should take the right measures for the safety of the students coming to this school.
Thank you Alfie for the coverage. I do agree with Ryan on Mangalore being an educational hub, needs to indeed prioritize security & safety of all students coming to the state. Request the concerned authorities to take up the right measure for the welfare of our children. Their safety is our priority.