They oppose government authorities not allowing cultural events to run beyond 10 p.m. in DK, Udupi districts
Another drug peddler nabbed in Mangaluru using QR code tip-off
They seize 1.16 kg of cannabis worth 25,000, 4,740 cash, a mobile phone, a smoking device, an electronic weighing machine from the accused
No need for NIA probe in Dharmasthala case: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Replying to questions from the media during his visit to Mangaluru on Sunday, Rao said the SIT constituted by the Karnataka government is working to bring out the truth in this issue
This techies robot awaits first in India tag in Karnataka
MANGALURU: Sushanth Sujeer Kumar, a 22-year-old graduate from Srinivas Institute of Technology, Mangaluru, has developed Friday, which according to him, is Indias first self-learning humanoid robot. The project, inspired by Marvels Iron Man, is now undergoing tests for the first in India tag. A resident of Uppala in Kerala, Sushanth completed his degree in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning this year. His passion for robotics began in childhood, sparked by fictional hero Tony Stark. Watching Iron Mans advanced suits made me imagine what it would be like to bring such machines to real life. I also got fascinated by Elon Musk and Marc Raibert, thats where my journey started, he said. Sushanth began dismantling toys to build drones and planes before creating advanced robots. His key projects include Friday, an InMoov based humanoid powered with Large Language Models (LLMs) to interact and learn continuously; Lumia, a robot using SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) technology that combines autonomous navigation with emotional communication; and Genie, an educational robot being developed to help students learn robotics. He believes they are Indias firsts with their own features. Friday will always be close to my heart because it was my breakthrough, Sushanth said, adding that building the humanoid took nearly three years of designing, 3D printing, assembly, and programming.The young innovator relies on 3D-printed parts, sensors, motors, and advanced boards such as Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano, with Robot Operating System as the software backbone. He is now exploring how Large Language Models can be embedded locally in robots to enable independent learning and decision-making without relying on cloud servers. Sushanth said much of his expertise came through formal education and self-learning. For coding, I started with ROS through online courses and a lot of trial and error. Back then, ChatGPT wasnt available. So I had to figure things out the hard way. Later, with ChatGPT, it became easier to clarify doubts and accelerate my learning, he said. His foundation in electronics came while doing PCME (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Electronics) PU course at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru, before deepening further during his B.Tech course at Srinivas Institute of Technology. But his journey has not been without hurdles. Ive burnt boards, damaged motors, and had robots behave unpredictably due to sensor errors. Those failures taught me valuable lessons in power management, wiring, and safe coding, he said. He has been honoured with awards for his science working models at Sasthramela and other state-level events. Sushanth faced many challenges in managing projects where there were limited resources and references. When I built Friday, I used a Raspberry Pi and integrated a large language model, which made it unique. But I had to figure out many things on my own. Not to mention the extensive trial and error 3D printing cycles, constant design modifications. But all these experiences taught me to be resourceful, patient and innovative, he said. On how long it will take to create a robot, Sushanth said, Simple robots might take a few weeks. But for advanced ones such as humanoid or companion robots, it takes several months. It is a long process of research, designing, 3D printing, assembling, building hardware and finally integrating them and coding. Since I often experiment with ROS and new APIs, debugging also takes a good amount of time, he said. My robots are designed not just for experiments, but for education, research and exploring how machines can connect with people. Every robot I build is not just a project, but a long journey of learning, he said.
Mangaluru police arrest drug peddler
Dharmasthala case: Complainant questioned thrice, seeks to withdraw case
Mangaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala case questioned one of the complainants, Sujata Bhat, for the third consecutive day on Friday, August 30. According to sources, Sujata Bhat, who had previously alleged that her daughter Ananya disappeared from the Dharmasthala temple premises in 2003, reportedly expressed her desire to withdraw the complaint Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Bengaluru court orders removal of defamatory content against Dharmasthala temple
A Mangaluru court has ordered the removal of defamatory content targeting the Dharmasthala temple, its head D Veerendra Heggade, and his family, related to a mass burial case. The ruling follows Supreme Court directions after D Harshendra Kumar, Heggade's brother, filed a defamation suit against individuals allegedly linked to the 'Burude Gang'.
Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Vande Bharat may get more coaches by Onam: Kerala BJP chief
15th graduation day ceremony at NMIT-Bengaluru on August 30
N.V. Hegde, president of Nitte Education Trust and Chancellor of Nitte University, Mangaluru, will preside over the ceremony
Railways to upgrade Vande Bharat trains: More coaches on 7 routes amid rising demand
The Railway Board has decided to augment Vande Bharat trains on seven routes, including Mangaluru CentralThiruvananthapuram Central and SecunderabadTirupati, due to high passenger occupancy. Three 16-car trains will be upgraded to 20-car, and four 8-car trains will be increased to 16-car. Released trains will be deployed on new routes, with additional 20-car trains prepared for launch.
Karnataka: Six Die, Two Injured in Road Accident Talapady Cross
According to sources, two victims died on the spot, while four others succumbed to injuries at a private hospital in Deralakatte, Karnataka. The injured are undergoing treatment in Mangaluru.
Vande Bharat trains to be upgraded with more coaches on 7 routes
These seven routes are Mangaluru Central-Thiruvananthapuram Central, Secunderabad-Tirupati, Chennai Egmore-Tirunelveli, Madurai-Bengaluru Cantt, Deoghar-Varanasi, Howrah-Rourkela and Indore-Nagpur
The government will invest 60 crore to put the system in place and that security will be the top priority, says Khader
The three metre-tall and 800 kg elephant is gifted by actors Raveena Tandon and Rasha Thadani, PETA India
ED questions Mangaluru cooker blast case accused
Different cryptocurrency dealers deposited a total of 2.8 lakh in mule accounts, and 41,680 was collected in cash from PoS agents, which was used to purchase items online to assemble the IED, hire hideouts and conduct recces, finds probe
KCCI launches Elevate Brand Mangaluru initiative
Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Mangaluru, has unveiled its flagship focus for the year, Elevate Brand Mangaluru, a multi-phase initiative aimed at showcasing Mangalurus immense potential to a global audience
Kannada Actor-Art Director Dinesh Mangaluru Dies at 55
Known for his roles in Aa Dinagalu and KGF, Dinesh was celebrated for his craft as both an art director and actor
Kannada actor Dinesh Mangaluru, known for playing Bombay Don in KGF, dies
As per reports, Dinesh had suffered a stroke while shooting for Kantara. Although he recovered after treatment in Bengaluru, his health declined last week.
According to the research team, the new technique analyses the unique, surface-specific characteristics of stains, enabling experts to confirm whether blood found on clothing, bedding, or other materials in a crime scene is menstrual or non-menstrual.
Corruption almost nil in Kerala, most taxpayers are honest
Shaik Khader Rahman, chief commissioner of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Customs, Kerala, has been successful in increasing GST revenue and reducing litigations in the state. An IRS officer with 32 years of service, he has won accolades by reducing smuggling and developing IT architecture for tax officers, besides serving as a defence counsel in the Tax Tribunal. In an interaction with TNIE, he shares his thoughts on a wide range of issues connected to commerce in Kerala. Excerpts Whats your first impression of working in Kerala? Keralas work culture is slightly different from the rest of India. People here are very intelligent and knowledgeable. The work culture, its different from that of Mumbai. The same Malayalis who are working in Mumbai are the best in the country (laughs). Here, it took me a month to understand the ethos. Peoples attitudes are also good, just that you have to understand them. The north Indian feudal system wont work here. I didnt have any difficulty in gelling with the people here. What problems do you find here in terms of tax collection? The revenue growth in Kerala from 2023-24 to 2024-25 is only 5%. If you look at the last three years, the total revenue collected from excise taxes is around Rs 26,000 crore. But the entire GST in this state is only Rs 18,000 crore. I have around 1.67 lakh taxpayers. I get 60% of the revenue, which is Rs 18,000 crore, while the Kerala government -- which has 2.16 lakh taxpayers -- gets below Rs 15,000 crore. So, the first task I focused on with my team was to increase revenue. T he GST regime was expected to benefit Kerala, a consumer state. But tax collection was not robust... The number of industries in Kerala is low. We only have services here. Of the Rs 18,000 crore GST revenue, nearly 75% comes from services. Since there are only a few industries, the revenue from the supply of goods is lower. For tourism and hotel purposes, the place of service is the place where the hotel is located. If a Delhi-based company conducts an event here, they may engage an event manager, and the CGST, IGST invoice is issued to that company. Thus the money goes out. How does the Centre distribute money? The SGST revenue goes to the state. But the IGST money is deposited in the consolidated fund of India and 60% of the revenue comes back to the state. The GST Council has a formula. Every three to four months, they distribute IGST. The central government takes time to distribute. What should Kerala do to increase GST revenue? Kerala has some great positives. The states land records are very good and the people are educated. Kerala has won awards for fastest GST registration and settling disputes. The lawyers here are very good and disputes are resolved faster. We managed to resolve most disputes within 3-4 months. However, there is no growth in GST registrations. My concern is how to expand the tax base. Weve dispelled the fears of those in the informal sectors through interactions and trade facilitation meetings. Kerala has commodities like spices, coir, seafood, and cashew. We are planning to approach traders through commodity boards, listen to them, and solve their problems. Around 40% of the problems can be resolved through negotiations. We dont file a case against them, but nudge them to take GST registration. Another great thing about Kerala is that corruption is almost nil in the state. Once the tax base widens, believe me, Kerala will undergo a transformation. At least from the point of view of indirect tax, it will become Kerala 2.0. We expect a 20% increase in GST registration in the next three months. Whats the indirect collection for the state in value terms? We have set a target of Rs 53,610 crore for the departments of customs, central excise, and GST. Last year, the GST collection was Rs 18,371.25 crore and the target for the GST department this year is Rs 20,940 crore. The GST collection in 2024-25 was Rs 17,773 crore, and the growth rate was only 3.4%. Now, for the first four months, my growth rate is 15.7%. The GST growth rate in north Kerala is 20% and that of south Kerala is 27%. However, the growth in central Kerala is only 5%. If I can maintain a growth rate, the GST collection for the year will be Rs 21,126 crore. Why is there such a drastic difference in GST collection? North Kerala has a lot of potential but remains untapped. There are well-established industries in south Kerala. Though central Kerala is known as the financial capital of Kerala, it doesnt have the tax base. Where are the industries and the taxpayers? The only industries are BPCL, which is giving central excise revenue, and Cochin Shipyard. Does it mean the industries in central Kerala are non-compliant? No, they are complying. Around 85% of the taxpayers in Kerala are honest. None of them intentionally avoid tax. I have worked in many states, and compared to my experience in those states, I can confidently say that intentional evasion of tax is very low in Kerala. It is not that the taxpayers in central Kerala are not paying. The revenue from BPCL goes to the central excise department. Does the state receive a share of the central excise revenue? The state receives a share of the central government revenue through the Finance Commission. The state receives the entire amount collected through state GST and 60% of IGST. Apart from that, a share of central GST also comes to the state. What are Keralas strengths and weaknesses in GST? People in Kerala tend to litigate a bit. I tell chartered accountants and cost accountants that, in case of a dispute, they can pay the disputed tax along with interest and 15% of the disputed amount as penalty. No show cause notice will be issued. As they are not attempting to avoid tax intentionally, there wont be any penalty. Im trying to make people understand, Lets not litigate. Is litigation high here? No. Im bringing pending litigation to zero. Litigations, per se, are not high in Kerala. I went to the Thrissur Chamber of Commerce and they said it was the first time a chief commissioner had come to talk to them. I also visited the Kozhikode Chamber of Commerce and held discussions. People understand that when the department is coming two steps forward to shake hands, (it is best to) seize the opportunity. Where does the 20% increase in GST revenue come from? During the first five months, the additional revenue came from existing taxpayers. Ive only sown the seeds to increase the number of taxpayers and Im sure it will grow within the next three months. Which sectors are you targeting? Tourism, rental properties, hotels, restaurants, etc. Rs 20 lakh per year is not a big amount and every restaurant is earning more than this amount. Theres huge potential in the rental sector. Have you carried out any study in that regard? No. Im meeting representatives of the coir sector in Alappuzha, rubber sector in Kottayam and the cashew sector in Kollam. I tell them: We will facilitate your exports by putting up a fast-track channel. The exporters can seal the cargo at their factory. Its a one-time permission, valid lifelong. And then you can move the container to whichever customs station you want. In the customs sector, we get a revenue of hardly Rs 4,000 crore because revenue comes from imports, not exports. But Kerala is also one of the worlds biggest exporters of spices and cashew. Cashew was once the pride of Kerala. But today, Vietnam is number one. And Keralites who have shifted to Vietnam are running the business there. They moved out due to inadequate care and support. Exports can move through courier, post, or regular cargo. The director general of foreign trade (DGFT) has set an exports target of Rs 300 billion in the coming years, of which Rs 200 billion should come via e-commerce. Kerala, especially north Kerala, is ideally placed for this. Handloom, agriculture, handicrafts, artefacts... everything can be displayed online. Kerala has four international airports and two-thirds of its passenger traffic is international. You also have four notified minor ports: Azhikkal, Beypore, Kollam, and, of course, Cochin (Kochi). And now Vizhinjam. So, the exporters can use the nearest customs station to file the shipping bill, complete customs clearance, and then move the cargo to the major port. But there are reports that many exporters in Kerala are depending on the Mangaluru port? True. Exporters told me Kochi is too far and too costly for them, so they prefer Mangaluru. In fact, footwear exporters from Kozhikode are even sending cargo via Mumbai! Which means Kerala is losing revenue. Thats why I have been pushing for the use of minor ports. Whether or not a major shipping line calls there, our customs stations are available. Unfortunately, customs preventive units are only focused on anti-smuggling. Smuggling by boat from Dubai is history now, but our staff mindset hasnt changed. We are now training and re-orienting them. I told my officers: Your role is not just preventive. You can multitask. At Beypore, Azhikkal, Kollam... you can process shipping bills, allow clearance, and connect to the central server. Exporters dont need to go to Kochi every time. What are the advantages of Vizhinjam? Once Vizhinjam port becomes fully operational, south Kerala will transform into a true blue economy. Logistics operators, marine services, and shipping stakeholders will come. Our customs office was ready well ahead of the inauguration, and it is the second biggest after Kochi. But the import and export of cargo hasnt started. Operators say they dont have road connectivity. I told them they can move goods by barges to the nearest port, like Kollam. Im sure this is going to happen in the next three months. Vizhinjam port is strategically located and well get connectivity to the Far East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the US. The freight charges are expected to decrease by 40%. Is Vizhinjam port a game changer? It is a game changer. Blue economy will rule south Kerala. My vision is that my customs stations should be ready to provide service. If you dont want customs clearance for your cargo at Vizhinjam, you can take it to Kollam by availing Sub Manifest Transhipment Permit (SMTP). The importer can produce the bill of entry and pay the duty to take the cargo. Who carries it to Beypore, Im not sure. The problem with Beypore is that the draft is low. Any study on exporters shift to Mangaluru? I have the data on exporters from Kozhikode and Kannur going to Mangaluru. I interacted with those in Kozhikode. They used to import dates through Beypore and palm oil through Azhikkal port. I told them, If you kill the trade in Kerala, other states will flourish. From Kochi, people are going to Mumbai. Exporters complain that labour cost and turnaround time are high in Kochi. Cant these problems pose challenges to Vizhinjam too? Vizhinjam can overcome that as it can handle a huge number of transshipments. How will the opening of Vizhinjam affect the Vallarpadam terminal? Vallarpadam is fighting for survival and will have to cut costs heavily. They have already decided to expand their business. I have offered them all support. We have worked out a plan with them too. And how to manage the draft problems at Azhikkal and Beypore are issues the state government has to address. I interacted with the chief secretary and other officials on these issues. Im very happy with the way the state government is cooperating to solve GST issues. Kozhikode airport was infamous as a gold-smuggling hub. Whats the status now? (Laughs) Now, there is no gold smuggling. I agree Kozhikode had a bad reputation. But the number of cases has come down recently. After March 24, we havent witnessed any gold smuggling at Kochi, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, or Kannur airports. The cases have come down at all airports. We havent seen any gold smuggling rackets or institutional arrangements for smuggling. There are sporadic incidents. It isnt profitable to smuggle gold now, at this rate. Which airport has the largest number of cases? As per the earlier data, it is Kozhikode. Still, I want to defend Kozhikode. The perception has to change. There are allegations that customs officers are involved in gold smuggling... I know there were some disputes between the customs and the police in the past. Because some people managed to escape without being caught by the customs department, does it mean that we are supporting smuggling? We cannot perform 100% checking. Can police say that customs knowingly allowed a person to escape? We have a good relationship with the police, why do you want to spoil it? Whats the economics behind gold smuggling? Is it only to evade tax? I dont know about Kerala. But in Mumbai, there are some people who buy gold abroad and send it through carriers, who are mostly genuine passengers. They send 10 consignments. The rate at which it is available is Rs 100. If I land in India, the rate will be Rs 124. Bringing gold in huge quantities was profitable due to the huge difference in duty. Now, the rate of profit is very low because the rate of duty has come down. If I catch them, I will get a 20% reward from the government. And the punishment for smuggling? One is that the entire gold goes to absolute confiscation. A penalty is imposed. Then we launch prosecution. There are two kinds of proceedings. One is quasi-judicial proceedings, where we adjudicate, and the entire gold is taken over. The other is criminal proceedings. He (the carrier) may be sentenced to three years imprisonment. He will be jailed and will have to pay a penalty. Is there no provision to pay the duty and get the gold back? No. We dont have the option to release the gold on payment of duty. In the airport, we dont collect revenue. You are allowed to take baggage and jewellery. If you are bringing 10 laptops, it will be considered a commercial trade. Hence, we will confiscate, impose duty, and clear them. In the case of gold, generally, absolute confiscation is done. If you have something to declare, you can. What happens to the confiscated gold? We had a huge stash of gold. Thanks to an initiative by the finance minister, theres no gold in customs warehouses now. As per the new procedure, we can dispose of the gold. The SPMCIL (Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited) picks up the gold from our godowns, values it, and converts it into gold bars. It is delivered to the Reserve Bank of India for sale at market rate. Has there been any increase in drug trafficking through the sea? There hasnt been any report of smuggling at seaports. It isnt profitable. Whats your opinion on the customs department in Kerala? Many people have a wrong perception about the customs department. My experience is that Kerala customs is the best. There is absolutely no corruption. In Delhi and Mumbai, the officers have political and other pressure. Here, when I ask them to serve at the airport, they refuse. I couldnt understand why. After one month, I realised there is no corruption here, which is why people dont want to go to the airport. They are reasonably honest. Will GST rationalisation affect Keralas lottery income? The state government is the biggest taxpayer in Kerala. The lottery system here is state-run, and hence, the government pays a huge amount in GST. The rate of duty for the state-run and private lotteries is fixed. Earlier, there used to be a huge difference in the tax for the public sector and private sector. Of course, the rate of duty is high. And because of this, the state government has been listed as a taxpayer with the central government. It pays huge GST to the central government. Hence, lotteries are a huge revenue source for the GST department. Kerala is one of the largest consumers of jewellery. The annual consumption is around 750 tonnes. But GST collection is below Rs 1,500 crore. Many say there is a huge underlisting. Have you investigated that? Invoices are raised for business-to-business transactions. We have e-invoices. Thats done systematically. Business-to-customers is one area where some revenue leakage might happen because the customer wants cost reduction. The government launched a campaign emphasising on the need to obtain a bill for every purchase. Some economists say the consumption in white goods is not reflected in the tax... I partially agree with that. Considering the level of wealth in Kerala, there could be some leakage here and there. The DGGI needs to be alerted and sensitised about this. The more trade facilitation you do, you know its like a balance. Before we search any office or shop, we have to obtain permission from senior officers. What about the proposal to have an e-way bill to transport gold? Kerala was the first state to ask the GST council for it... The e-way bill was not applicable for jewellery and gold ornaments in India, but Kerala asked for it and it has been implemented. It is mandatory only in Kerala. The state government is responsible for it and we dont make e-way bill cases. The GST for banana fritters is 18% while other sweets and savouries are charged just 5%... The rate issues are political decisions. It is to be streamlined, rationalised, or corrected by the GST Council. You have to approach the finance minister of the state who attends the GST council. Food items, per se, are sensitive issues. TNIE team: Cithara Paul, Rajesh Abraham, Rajesh Ravi, Manoj Viswanathan, Harikrishna B T P Sooraj (photos) Pranav V P (video)
Karnataka Home Minister holds meeting with senior police officials in Mangaluru
Ganesha festival: Special Trains to Hubballi, Mangaluru
Dharmasthala case: Police summon YouTuber after court grants bail
YouTuber M D Sameer is under investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) regarding content related to the Dharmasthala case. Police have issued a notice for him to appear before the investigating officer on August 24, following a Mangaluru court granting him anticipatory bail.
SIT arrests complainant in Dharmasthala case for false claims
Mangaluru: In a major development, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested the unidentified complainant, also referred to as the mask man, in connection with the Dharmasthala case, sources confirmed on Saturday. However, an official statement from the SIT regarding the arrest is yet to be released. The sources stated that the complainant was arrested Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
SWR to run two round trips of special trains between Bengaluru and Mangaluru
R Systems acquires Mangaluru-based Novigo for 400 crore
RPF busts gangs snatching phones in Thiruvananthapuram
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Railway Protection Force (RPF), Thiruvananthapuram Division, has made a major breakthrough against phone-snatching gangs on trains, cracking three cases in August. Senior railway officials said the coordinated operations with the Government Railway Police (GRP) and local police led to multiple arrests and recovery of stolen property, strengthening passenger security under Operation Yatri Suraksha. According to RPF, the first case was reported on August 10 when a passenger on the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Malabar Express was attacked and robbed near Aluva. Six persons were arrested within 18 hours, and the stolen items were recovered. The second case occurred on August 11 on the Netravati Express near Aluva, where a passengers phone was snatched from outside the train. A minor was arrested the same day, and two others, along with a shop owner, were later held, leading to the recovery of five stolen phones, including an iPhone 14 Pro. The third case was reported on August 16 from the Secunderabad-Thiruvananthapuram Sabari Express near Ernakulam. Three persons were arrested, and the stolen phone was recovered, officials said. Senior Divisional Security Commissioner (RPF), Muhammed Haneef, said the quick detection of the cases showed the strong coordination between RPF and GRP.
SWR to run special trains from Bengaluru to Karwar and Hubballi to Mangaluru for Ganesha festival
The South Western Railway (SWR) will operate a special train between Bengaluru and Karwar to clear extra rush of passengers during the Ganesha Chaturthi
Special train from Hubballi to Mangaluru Central on August 26
South Western Railway is running the service to clear the extra rush of passengers during the festival
Police should continue booking suo-motu cases for derogatory statements, inflammatory posts
Just like suo motu cases were booked for inflammatory speeches following the recent lynching and two murders, the Dakshina Kannada police should use the same action now to prevent efforts to denigrate Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara temple, said Dakshina Kannada district BJP president Satish Kumpala in Mangaluru on Tuesday.
Five persons involved in abduction of Kerala jewellery store owner arrested in Pune
The Mangaluru city police have arrested in Pune five persons allegedly involved in the abduction of a jewellery store owner from Kanhangad in Kerala and stealing 350 g of gold biscuits, worth 35 lakh, from him
300 counterfeit sports items seized after police raid two shops in Mangaluru
The Mangaluru city police have raided two sports shops in Ullal and Bunder and seized 300 counterfeit items
Mangaluru city buses to operate from newly-built Mangaladevi terminal soon
Transport Department and Mangaluru City Traffic Police recently conducted a joint survey to finalise the route
KSRTC seeks permits for 31 more routes in and around Mangaluru
There has been an increase in demand for more services after the launch of Shakti scheme, says KSRTC Senior Divisional Controller
Building owners arrested for violating safety norms in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: Halasuru Gate police arrested two building owners in connection with the death of five people, including a couple and their two children, in Saturdays fire mishap. The owners had allegedly constructing a four-storey building unscientifically, in violation of fire and other safety norms. The accused are Balakrishnayya Shetty and Sandeep Shetty, both friends and natives of Mangaluru. The fire broke out in a building located on Rajanna Lane, Nagarathpet, around 3am Saturday. At least 12 people managed to escape, while Madan Kumar Purohit and Suresh Kumar were found charred to death on the ground and second floors of the building. Madans wife Sangeeta Kanwar, and their two children Mitesh and Vihan, were trapped on the third floor as Madan had locked the house from outside. After nearly 12 hours of operation, Fire and Emergency Services personnel and State Disaster Response Force recovered the three bodies. Police said the two owners were arrested on Saturday night, based on a complaint filed against the duo by Madans elder brother. During the probe, it was revealed that the owners had obtained permission only for a G+2 structure, but had built two more floors illegally. They had also violated fire safety norms and failed to obtain mandatory certificates from BBMP and Bescom. Forensic Science Laboratory and Bescom teams visited the spot on Sunday and collected evidence. Further action will be taken after receiving reports from the Fire and other departments. The fire is suspected to have been caused by a short-circuit, police said, adding that the duo is remanded in judicial custody. They were booked under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and other sections of the BNS.
Independence Day rush spurs rise in rail footfall; calls grow for special trains for Onam
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Major railway stations across the Thiruvananthapuram Division recorded close to a 20% spike in passenger footfall during the Independence Day weekend. The rush, which began on Thursday evening, was managed effectively with the operation of special trains and the addition of extra coaches, said senior railway officials. The surge in passenger numbers is expected to continue until Monday morning. Since Independence Day fell on Friday this year, Southern Railway introduced special services to manage the crowd, including the Mangaluru Junction-Thiruvananthapuram North Special on August 14 and 16, along with return services from Thiruvananthapuram North-Mangaluru Junction on August 15 and 17. Officials said these measures offered much relief to passengers at busy stations. Senior officials of Southern Railway said that the rush is only a precursor to the heavier traffic during Onam. Sources said the passenger footfall is projected to rise by over 40% between September 4 and 7. With this in mind, passengers have urged the Southern Railway to consider deploying additional Vande Bharat Express services for the festive season.
No power supply to areas in Mangaluru, Udupi district on August 19
Three killed, seven injured as KSRTC bus hits truck in Karnataka
YELLAPUR (UTTARA KANNADA) : Three people were killed and seven were seriously injured in an accident that occured in the early hours of Saturday in Yellapur taluk in Uttara Kannada district. The incident occurred at Mavalli Cross about seven kms away from Yellapur on Hubballi- Yellapur Highway when a KSRTC bus heading towards Mangaluru rammed into a truck parked along the roadside. The speeding bus hit the truck with such force that the front portion of the bus was damaged badly killing three people on the spot while 7 people were seriously injured. The two deceased have been identified as Neelavva Haradolli of Guledgudda village in Bagalkot and Agirajavva Badanur from Jalihal village, while one person has not been identified yet. The injured are identified as Chidanand Ramesh Kittali from Hunagund, Malappa Yamunappa Katti from Amingad, Manjula Galeppa Halabar, Mallikarjun Fakirappa Andali, Devaki Hanumanth Belli, Sameera Begum Imamsaab Hosamani from Giddanayakanal, Haneefa Mohammed Ali Begum from Rakkasangi. The injured have been shifted to KIMS Hubballi for treatment. Yamunappa Magi, the driver of the bus has been booked for reckless driving and causing the accident which led to several deaths and injuries. According to the police, the incident occured when the driver of the bus, who was speeding, tried to overtake a vehicle. In the process he rammed into the truck parked along the roadside.
Construction workers to protest in Mangaluru on August 18
Federation to urge the State government to allow environment-friendly extraction of sand and laterite stones required by the construction sector
Nipah survivor from Mangaluru in coma at Kozhikode hospital to get 17 lakh from CMDRF
He had initially contracted the infection while attending to a patient during the 2023 outbreak in Kozhikode
One-way unreserved special train to service from Mangaluru Central to Shoranur on Aug. 14
Two-day Krishna Janmastami celebrations at ISKCON Mangaluru from Aug. 15
Vijayapura-Mangaluru Central Special to run as regular service from Sept. 1
Two-day seminar on life and works of V.J.P. Saldanha in Mangaluru
Capt. Chowta urges MeitY to make Mangaluru a hub for large-scale data centres
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informs Lok Sabha that Hassan-Mangalore Rail Development Corporation will bear cost of station development
Mangaluru: Private bus operators warned of permit cancellation if found flouting norms
Transport Department asks private bus operators as well as KSRTC to operate services via Padil, where the new District Office Complex has come up
MANGALURU: The Ministry of Tourism, in response to a query in the Rajya Sabha, released comprehensive data showing trends in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) to India and Indian Nationals' Departures (INDs) for tourism from 2019 to 2024. The figures, provided by Minister of Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, reveal a strong rebound in both inbound and outbound travel following the COVID-19 slump. India received 99.5 lakh foreign tourists in 2024, a significant increase from 64.4 lakh in 2022 and approaching the pre-pandemic high of 1.09 crore in 2019. Meanwhile, Indian outbound tourism has surged, with 3.08 crore Indians travelling abroad in 2024, up from 2.78 crore in 2023, and surpassing the 2019 figure of 2.69 crore. Among the top contributors to India's tourism in 2024 were the United States with 18.04 lakh tourists, followed by Bangladesh (17.5 lakh) and the United Kingdom (10.2 lakh). Other notable countries showing strong arrival numbers included Australia (5.18 lakh), Canada (4.76 lakh), and Sri Lanka (2.81 lakh). A few countries showed substantial recovery and even growth post-pandemic, such as Japan (1.94 lakh) and Germany (2.56 lakh). On the other hand, Indian nationals traveling abroad reached new highs. The UAE remained the top destination in 2024 with 77.8 lakh Indian travellers, followed by Saudi Arabia (34.2 lakh) and the United States (21.4 lakh). Malaysian tourism department says over half of country's tourists hail from South India Thailand (19.1 lakh) and Singapore (15.3 lakh) also saw considerable traffic, indicating the growing popularity of Southeast Asia among Indian tourists. The data reveals that in 2024, foreign tourists arrived in India from over 65 countries, showcasing the global appeal of India as a travel destination. Similarly, Indian nationals travelled to more than 65 international destinations during the same year, reflecting the growing aspiration and mobility of Indian tourists. Destinations like Vietnam, Australia, and Indonesia showed impressive year-on-year growth in attracting Indian tourists, with Vietnam growing from 1.23 lakh in 2022 to nearly 4 lakh in 2024, and Australia increasing from 4.89 lakh to 6.61 lakh in the same period. The data reflects a clear recovery trajectory for global travel involving India, with a positive outlook for both inbound tourism and outbound travel by Indian citizens. While several markets have regained momentum, others are still catching up, likely influenced by geopolitical and economic factors. Interestingly, a few countries continued to lag behind pre-pandemic levels. China, which sent 3.39 lakh tourists to India in 2019, registered just 38,960 in 2024. Similarly, Afghanistan, which once contributed over a lakh visitors in 2019, saw a drastic drop to just over 1,200 in 2024.
A retired woman in Mangaluru was defrauded of Rs 3.09 crore in a sophisticated digital arrest scam. Cybercriminals posing as law enforcement officials convinced her that a parcel in her name contained drugs. They coerced her into transferring her pension savings over several months, promising to resolve the fabricated case, before she realised the deception.
A run through historical places in Bunder area of Mangaluru
Mangalore Runner Club organised an 8-km Heritage Run for the participants to get a glimpse of the rich past of the citys Bunder and adjoining areas
HomeComing platform launched to help experienced professionals find work in Coastal Karnataka
Capt. Brijesh Chowta says that recently Mangaluru is declared as the safest city. More Mangaloreans should come back to their native place and work for the growth of the region
Recently, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly about the absence of nightlife to entertain youth in Mangaluru
Special trains between Mangaluru Junction and Thiruvananthapuram North to meet festive rush
Canara Engineering College of Mangaluru gets autonomous status
The college is managed by 134-year-old Canara High School Assocation of Mangaluru. The autonomy is valid till 2034-35.
It also asks Palakkad Division to expedite construction of a Railway Over Bridge at Pandeshwar Level Crossing to avoid frequent traffic jams
ED attaches cash in the account of prime accused in 2022 Mangaluru blast case
YouTubers attacked near Dharmasthala, four hospitalised
Mangaluru: Four men, representing three YouTube channels, including a cameraman, were attacked by a large mob near Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district on Wednesday evening, when they were interviewing a person, amid an ongoing probe by SIT into the alleged mass burial case, police said. The incident occurred close to the residence of a college-goer, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
2002 Mangaluru cooker bomb blast case: ED attaches Rs 29K bank deposit
New Delhi: Funds worth Rs 29,176 kept in the bank account of an accused in the ISIS-inspired 2022 Mangaluru cooker bomb blast have been attached under the anti-money laundering law, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Wednesday, August 6. The blast took place in an auto rickshaw at the outskirts of Mangaluru on November 19, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
MP urges Railway Minister to introduce Vande Bharat Sleeper between Mangaluru and Bengaluru
The Mangaluru-Bengaluru route sees consistently high passenger demand from students, working professionals, tourists, and traders alike, the MP tells Vaishnaw
Merchant Shipping Bill will positively impact maritime sector in Mangaluru: Capt. Chowta
The landmark legislation will modernise Indias maritime sector and significantly boost trade, employment, and coastal security in Mangaluru and the wider Dakshina Kannada region, the MP says
Team Mangaluru, a group of kite flyers, will showcase its new kites Tulunadu chariot and water is life at the Dieppe International Kite Festival to be held in France from September 13 to 21
Poshan Tracker data shows persistent malnutrition among children; central, eastern states worst hit
MANGALURU: As of June 2025, 5.46% of children under five in India were found to be wasted (low weight for height), and 15.93% were underweight (low weight for age), according to the latest Poshan Tracker data. Among children aged 06 years, 16.50% were recorded as underweight, indicating that malnutrition continues to pose a significant public health challenge across the country. The figures expose stark disparities among states. Bihar reported 20.98% underweight and 9.31% wasting rates, among the highest in India, followed closely by Madhya Pradesh (24.82% underweight, 8.19% wasting) and Jharkhand (19.13% underweight, 6.68% wasting). Other high-burden states include Tripura, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, with underweight prevalence ranging from 17% to nearly 20%. In the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, wasting reached 11.62%the highest in the countrywhile 22.54% of children there were underweight. Despite a national push to improve nutrition through Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, the data reveals uneven outcomes. Many states, particularly in central and eastern India, continue to grapple with persistently high malnutrition rates. However, there are clear examples of improvement and effective intervention. Some states have managed to keep both wasting and underweight figures impressively low. Goa reported only 0.78% wasting and 1.96% underweight children. Sikkim (1.95% wasting, 1.69% underweight), Manipur (0.67%, 2.69%), and Himachal Pradesh (2.41%, 6.88%) also performed strongly. Southern states showed moderate success, though with some variations. Tamil Nadu emerged as a top performer in the region, with 3.54% wasting and 6.29% underweight, well below national averages. Kerala reported similarly low wasting (3.20%) but had a higher proportion of underweight children (10.18%). Karnatakas data showed 3.18% wasting, but a relatively high 16.50% underweight. Andhra Pradesh reported 4.97% wasting and 7.68% underweight, while Telangana lagged slightly behind, with 5.93% wasting and 17.00% underweight. These figures suggest that while southern states have managed to contain acute malnutrition to an extent, chronic undernutrition remains a concern, particularly in Karnataka and Telangana. According to data presented in the Lok Sabha, the government's nutrition monitoring system has evolved significantly with the implementation of the Poshan Tracker, launched in March 2021. The tool captures real-time data on growth metrics, daily attendance at Anganwadi centres, and distribution of supplementary nutrition. The integration of facial recognition for Take-Home Ration (THR) distribution and the introduction of dashboard analytics have further improved targeting and transparency. Compared to NFHS-5 (201921), which reported 32.1% underweight and 19.3% wasting among children under five, the current data reflects progress. However, the gap between the projected population of children under six (16.1 crore) and those enrolled in Anganwadi services (8.61 crore) signals the need for expanded coverage and deeper outreach.
Call to strengthen Kannur-Mangaluru rail connectivity gains momentum
Railways to operate special trains from Mangaluru for Onam
250 CISF personnel from Mangaluru make use of mental health support services
The programme was started in November 2024, and so far 75,181 CISF personnel and their family members have utilised its services
NIA searches over 10 places in Mangaluru
The search was carried out in connection with the killing of murder-accused and former Bajrang Dal activist Suhas Shetty
NIA Raids 14 Locations In Karnataka In Hindu Activist Suhas Shetty Murder Case
The sleuths of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are conducting simultaneous raids at 14 locations on Saturday across Mangaluru district in connection with Hindu activist and rowdy sheeter Sushas Shetty murder case.
International travels script Indias aviation growth story
NEW DELHI: The desire for international travel among Indians is triggering aviation boom, says the Airports Authority of India. And smaller airports, compared to those in capital cities, have picked up patronage. The AAI Air Traffic Data for the first three quarters of this financial year shows nearly two crore flyers went abroad this year, marking a 7% rise in international travel. The overall passenger growth stands at 5.6% with 105.15 million flyers taking to the skies in April-June 2025 over the 99.54 million of April-June 2024. The domestic growth figure is 5.3% with 85.32 million travelling this quarter as compared to 81 million in the corresponding period last year. As expected, following the Pahalgam attack and air spaceclosure, Srinagar airport has taken a massive hit. Bhopals Raja Bhoj airport, whose international destinations cover West Asia and South East Asia, has recorded an 80% growth figure over the past year, the maximum among all airports in the country. It is followed by Pune airport, which has recorded a 76.7% growth, and Bagdogra with 72.4% growth. Coimbatore, Surat, Mangaluru, and Guwahati have all recorded growth figures of over 33%. The hubs of international travel, IGIA and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport are inching along with a 3% (52,40,482 passengers) and 4.5% (38,96,278) increase, respectively, in international patronage. Post the opening of the second terminal, the growth of Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport appears unstoppable with 17,33,432 international travellers. It has recorded the maximum surge among the big airports.
Bones Found From Sixth Site In Dharmasthala Mass Burial Case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has recovered bones during the excavation of the sixth burial site at a Hindu pilgrimage centre in Mangaluru district of Karnataka, sources confirmed on Thursday.
Dharmasthala mass grave case: SIT recovers human bones on third day
Mangaluru: In a major development in connection with the mass grave allegation case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has recovered human bones during the excavation of the sixth burial site on the third day along the premises of Dharmasthala in Karnataka, sources confirmed on Thursday, July 31. SIT suspect male bones Two human bones, suspected Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
459 waiting for organs in Mangaluru zone
So far, there have been 41 cadaver donations of organs in Dakshina Kannada
170 Hours In A Week: Mangaluru Student's Bharatnatyam World Record
A Mangaluru student has set a new world record by performing Bharatanatyam continuously for 170 hours, over seven days.
Nagara Panchami celebrated with pomp and gaiety in coastal belt
Devotees thronged Kukke Subrahmanya temple in Kadaba taluk in Dakshina Kannada and Kudupu Ananthapadmanabha temple in Mangaluru, well known places for serpent worship, in large numbers
Plastic Park project at Ganjimutt in Mangaluru attains only 61% progress, says Anupriya Patel
Ganjimutt is among 10 places in the country where the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has approved Plastic Park project
Mangaluru Press Club to honour rice conservationist B.K. Deva Rao on July 31
Mangaluru, Udupi get Union governments daycare cancer centres
The unit cost for establishing a centre is estimated to be up to 1.49 crore
Mangaluru Girl Dances Into History With 170-Hour Bharatanatyam Feat
Dancing 170 hours without sleep, while maintaining balance of mind and body, is divine. She has created a record that brings pride to Tulu Nadu and India itself: Dr. Shrividya Muralidhar
Siddappa Kambali Law College signs MoU with Mangaluru firm to provide exposure to students
Karnatak University Sir Siddappa Kambali Law College (KUSSK), Dharwad signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SCLRSEA, VDMS Private Limited, Mangaluru
Intensive drives under way against traffic violations: Mangaluru City Traffic Police
Mentally challenged man killed in Mangaluru had 35 external injuries: Autopsy
The postmortem of a mentally challenged man from Kerala who was allegedly brutally murdered by members of the Hindu rightwing, April, in Mangaluru has revealed that he suffered 35 external injuries. It is to be noted that the man was beaten to death for allegedly raising Pakistan Zindabad slogans. While the police claim that it Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Vicar accused of sexually abusing minor surrender before Kasaragod court
The police launched a State-wide search forming three special investigation teams that traced his possible moments to Chennai, Mangaluru and Mumbai
Skeletons of Past Tumble out of Dharmasthala's Valley
The SIT team has already started the preliminary works in Mangaluru. The Whistleblowers statement, spot visit and other works are likely to be conducted in the next few weeks after following due process.
Mangaluru International Airport gets Level 4 accreditation in customer experience
The ACI Airport Customer Experience Accreditation programme is the first global initiative focused on advancing customer experience management within the airport industry
Madgaon-Mangaluru MEMU Express gets additional stops at Shiroor, Padubidri
Mangaluru International Airport Earns ACI Level 4 Accreditation
The accreditation, awarded on July 16, 2025, is valid for one year and follows the airport's attainment of Level 3 accreditation in February 2024, they said
Five new Volvo Airavat Club Class 2.0 buses flagged off
According to KSRTC, these new-generation buses, a continuation of the 20 flagged off by the Chief Minister in December 2024, will operate on the Bengaluru-Tirupati (one bus), Mangaluru-Bengaluru (two buses), and Mysuru-Mantralaya (two buses) routes
HR cost in Mangaluru is 30-35% lower than tier 1 cities
Karnataka rain: Heavy rains across coastal districts on July 24
On July 24, schools and colleges were closed in Mangaluru, Mulky, Moodbidri, Bantwal, Ullal and Kadaba taluks of Dakshina Kannada district
International air travel sees 5 per cent surge in May 2025; Domestic traffic also grow
NEW DELHI: Air passenger traffic in the country continues its growth trajectory month-on-month, with a 3 per cent increase in overall passengers in May 2025 compared to May 2024. Data released by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) reveals a higher demand for international travel, with a 5% increase recorded during the same period. The Air Traffic Report for May, made public by AAI, reveals that 6.76 million passengers flew abroad compared to 6.44 million last year. They form part of the 35.38 million who travelled in May 2025, compared to 34.34 million in May 2024. Air Traffic Movements (flight arrivals and departures) recorded a 5.9 per cent increase, with 2.78 crore movements in May this year compared to 2.63 crore in May last year. A total of 67,62,343 people opted to fly abroad in May 2025, versus 64,41,392 during the same month last year. Relatively smaller airports, compared to the top five, are showing a significant surge in demand for international travel. Goa recorded a nearly 300 per cent surge in international flyers, with 26,211 passengers in May 2025 compared to May 2024. In terms of percentage, Pune followed with a high growth of 85 per cent (34,388 flyers) during the same period. Coimbatore Airport, with 28,809 flyers, registered a 48.4 per cent increase in patronage over the previous year. Mangaluru and Surat saw a 35.1 per cent increase, with 62,159 and 18,790 flyers respectively in May this year. Similarly, Kannur Airport, with 1,00,993 international flyers, and Nagpur, with 10,471 flyers, each recorded a 20.7 per cent increase over their previous figures. The boom in international travel from Bengalurus Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) continued, with 6,05,742 flyers in May this year, up by a significant 25 per cent over the same month last year. In comparison, other major airports like Mumbai (13,42,584 flyers) and Delhi (17,04,549 flyers) recorded single-digit growths of 2.6 per cent and 1.2 per cent, respectively, over their May 2024 figures. Hyderabad recorded a healthy 11.2 per cent increase with 4,52,243 flyers. Domestic front data On the domestic front as well, relatively smaller airports showed strong growth in May 2025 over May 2024. Jharsuguda recorded 40,808 flyers (a 92.2% increase), Jabalpur 46,924 flyers (90.3%), Gorakhpur 1,00,404 flyers (87.5%), Shivamogga 14,104 flyers (80.6%), Agra 22,521 flyers (77.2%), Kanpur 35,720 flyers (58%), Tirupati 1,06,200 flyers (a 53.7% increase), Rajahmundry 54,963 flyers (50.5%), Tiruchirappalli 74,343 flyers (46.5%), Kannur 46,923 flyers (49.6%), Patna 4,07,993 flyers (34.6%), and Bhuj 18,861 flyers (30.8%).
