Bengaluru all set for biggest Pravasi Divas; Over 6,000 delegates expected

January 6, 2017

Bengaluru, Jan 6: Bengaluru will witness the biggest-ever Pravasi Bharatiya Divas with the total number of registrations to the three-day event commencing from January 7 crossing 6,000.

In the last 14 editions of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the previous highest number of delegates registered was in Gandhinagar in 2015 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the event to his home state of Gujarat.

Karnataka Industries Minister R?V?Deshpande said the total number of registrations this time has touched 6,346 including 1,500 non-resident Indians (NRIs) from 70 countries. He was briefing reporters after inspecting the preparations for the event with officials of various departments on Thursday.

There have been registrations from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. The higher number of overseas registrations is from the US, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia,?South Africa and Mauritius.

The event, scheduled to be held at BIEC, will commence with Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas which will have a session on “Problems faced by NRI students in India and Indian students abroad”.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was scheduled to deliver the inaugural address. But, she is unlikely to attend the event on the advice of her doctors as she underwent kidney transplant recently.

The concluding day will witness President Pranab Mukherjee presenting Bharatiya Samman Awards to 30 NRIs in recognition of their services for the development of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Bengaluru on January 7 night and stay overnight at a star hotel near HAL?airport. He will heli-hop directly to the venue the next day, according to official sources. Modi will deliver the key-note address at 9.35 am and also interact with the NRIs. He will leave Bengaluru on January 8. As many as nine sessions have been lined up during the three days.

Helipads ready

Security officials have literally left no stone unturned to ensure an incident-free Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held at Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC).

Every inch of the four helipads and their surroundings was scanned using ground metal detectors. At one point during the check, the metal detector beeped and the security officials asked the ground staff to dig the particular spot. However, no suspicious material was found.

Customs pavilion

Indian Customs pavilion at the venue will showcase to Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) the efforts and measures initiated by Indian Customs to enhance passenger facilitation at airport arrival terminals.

The pavilion will highlight the recently developed multi-lingual mobile app, Indian Customs– Guide to International Passengers, Customs' achievements in anti-smuggling activities, prevention of narcotics and drugs trafficking, checking of illegal trade in wildlife and endangered species and other aspects.

Mobile ATMs at venue

The organisers do not want the visiting delegates especially those from abroad to face the after effect of demonetisation, cash crunch. As many as four mobile ATM vehicles will be parked at BIEC. Besides, two foreign exchange counters will be open on all the three days at the venue. HDFC, Axis and Canara banks have come forward to instal the ATMs, Deshpande said.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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SMR Public School’s ‘EXCELLENTIA’ highlights academic excellence and holistic growth

News Network

December 16,2025

Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

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