Bengaluru student saves 28 patients in earthquake hit Nepal

April 27, 2015

Bengaluru, Apr 27: If one were to be hit by an earthquake, his foremost concern would be to escape unhurt and come out alive. However, this student from the City, placed the lives of 28 patients of Down Syndrome before his own.

city student
Chirag Charles, a degree student from St Joseph’s College of Arts and Science, who was stranded in Kathmandu when the deadly quake hit Nepal on Saturday, has managed to save the lives of Down Syndrome patients.

Charles, who is pursuing Master of Social Work (MSW), is in Kathmandu since April 9 to take part in a 45-day block placement project as a part of the academic curriculum. He was interning in Kathmandu-based NGO, National Down Syndrome Society.

As recounted by Charles’ father, on the day of the earthquake, his son was on the second floor of the building. He felt tremors and saw people running helter-skelter. Sensing something wrong, he rushed to the ground floor. When he realised what was happening, he ran back and forth, carrying each of the 28 patients to safety.

Charles’ father Hubert, a retired Deputy Conservator of Forest, told Deccan Herald: “From Saturday, the moment I got the news about the earthquake, I was worried about my son’s safety. Later, in the evening the news channels reported that more than 1,000 people were killed and it was shocking. I tried contacting him and those at the NGO but in vain. I spoke to officials from Karnataka and Delhi and they assured me that they will provide us with information at the earliest.”

It was a great relief for the family on Sunday, when they received a call from Charles telling them he was safe. He narrated to his father how he had rescued the 28 patients. “He called me on Sunday evening to say that he reached Nepal International Airport.”

Charles told his father that his food and shelter was being taken care by the NGO. “I’m glad that he saved lives of such innocent people. We are in constant touch with the officials. He told me that the situation is bad. New Kathmandu, the place where they are residing is not hit as badly as Old Kathmandu. The latest news is that Charles has reached Nepal International airport but the weather as turned bad with heavy rains and wind,” Hubert added.

Along with Charles, his classmate Sumedha Panja was also interning at the NGO. Kiran Jeevan, HoD of MSW Department, said: “We were worried about our students who had gone on a project. We tried to get in touch with them. But on Sunday morning, Sumedha managed to call me to say that they were safe. But she is terrified and is not being able to come to terms with the disaster. We have asked them to come back to the City at the earliest and constant efforts are being made to make sure that they return safely.”

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News Network
December 3,2025

arrival.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 3: A group of Congress workers gathered at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday to welcome AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, but the reception quickly turned into a display of support for Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Venugopal arrived in the city to participate in the centenary commemoration of the historic dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and Narayana Guru. The event, organised by the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, in association with the Mangalore University Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair, is being held on the university’s Konaje campus.

KPCC general secretary Mithun Rai and several party workers had assembled at the airport to receive Venugopal. However, the moment he stepped out, workers began raising slogans backing Shivakumar.

The university programme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

This show of support comes just a day after Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar would lead the government “when the high command decides.” The chief minister made the comment after a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar’s residence—another public display of camaraderie between the two leaders amid ongoing attempts by the party high command to downplay their leadership rivalry.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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