Bottled neera to hit market soon

September 27, 2014

Mysore, Sep 27: Based on the technology developed by the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), a co-operative association expects to market'neera' (alcohol-free toddy) across the globe

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Representatives of the Kerala-based Palakkad Coconut Producer Company Limited (PCPCL), which signed a memorandum of understanding with the CFTRI on Friday, say farmers can get up to Rs 30 for every litre of neera harvested from coconut trees.

PCPCL chairman Vinodkumar P said the company was forming federations of farmers in various villages in Kerala and coastal Karnataka so that farmers can extract neera and send it for processing. Large-scale processing of the drink was possible due to the technology developed by the CFTRI.

œWhile a neera processing unit is operational at Thumbe in Dakshina Kannada district, another unit will also be operational soon,  he said.

PCPCL, which currently processes about 5,000 litres of neera every day at its Thumbe unit, can increase the production capacity to one lakh litres per day by the end of the fiscal year, said Vinodkumar.

Distinguishing between neera and toddy, he said toddy was fermented neera with alcohol content. Neera, however, was healthy and contained essential nutrients.

œIndonesia is the largest producer of neera in the world. With the growth in processing of neera, the income of farmers who supply the drink to the processing units increased by fourteen fold. A large number of farmers have decided to switch from copra cultivation to extraction of neera,  he said.

Satish Kumar from PCPCL said only 10 per cent of the coconut trees of any farmer would be used for extraction of neera. œNeera can be extracted only six months in a year. That can generate an income of up to Rs three lakh per year for a farmer who has coconut trees in about two acres of land,  he said. While farmers can get Rs 30 per litre of neera, labourers can get Rs 25 per litre, he said.

Launch

Vinodkumar said the sale of bottled neera will be launched in Mangalore from October. The health drink will be available in 200ml bottles at Rs 25. A litre will cost Rs 125.

œAfter Kerala and coastal Karnataka, we are planning to sell processed neera in Arab nations. This will benefit farmers from the coastal areas where coconut is one of the major cash crops,  he added.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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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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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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