Centre yields to Karnataka’s pressure: Aero India 2019 not to be shifted out of Bengaluru

News Network

September 8, 2018

Bengaluru, Sept 8: Yielding to Karnataka’s pressure, the Centre has finally turned down Uttar Pradesh’s proposal to shift Aero India show to north India.

The Asia's largest military aviation exhibition will be held in Karnataka’s capital from February 20 to 24 in 2019, confirmed Ministry of Defence on Saturday. “The government has decided to hold Aero India 2019 in Bengaluru from February 20-24, 2019. This five-day event will combine a major trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries with public air shows,” the ministry stated.

Besides global leaders and big investors from the aerospace industry, the show will see participation by think tanks from across the world as well.

“The show will provide a unique opportunity for exchange of information, ideas and new developments in the aviation industry. Besides giving a fillip to the domestic aviation industry, it would further the cause of Make in India,” the ministry further stated.

The declaration comes months after reports that the MoD was contemplating shifting the show to Bakshi ki Talab Air Force Station in Lucknow.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath openly pitched for the show last month while Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was non-committal over Bengaluru hosting the show.

Several politicians from Karnataka, including Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, wrote to Nirmala, a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, requesting her to continue with the air show in Bengaluru.

The city's airport authorities, too, came out in support of the show, making it clear that its operation would not be hampered by the flying of fighter aircraft from Yelahanka.

While the IAF and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) were asked to scope out the Bakshi ki Talab IAF station in Lucknow, the MoD received several representations from politicians, foreign nations and defence manufacturing companies with a request to not shift the show from Bengaluru at the last moment and not to advance it to November 2018, as reported in a section of the media.

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Major facelift for Mangaluru's sporting heart: Mangala Stadium set for 2-month closure to upgrade synthetic track

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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