Dr J Vijayalakshmi's debut novel hits bookstore shelves

[email protected] (CD Network)
May 1, 2014
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Mangalore, May 1: City based lecturer and promising author Dr J Vijayalakshmi's debut novel Quest for God- An Epiphany, has hit the bookstore shelves in Bangalore and Mangalore.

The novel is set in the rich background of India with its multi-faceted pattern of incredible surroundings. The novel is a search for the truth and the real meaning of life. How is life sweet' and fragrant'?  Is it devoid of worries, errors and such consumption? Does it consist only of happy endings like an Indian feature film? The only goal of a life of a human being is to diminish the “I” in “Him”.

The central character of the story is Meenakshi Chaturvedi who has her roots in London. The rich unsung Indian tradition and culture is portrayed in the novel. The metaphorical signification of pongal', the trip to Metukadai changes her life forever. She is caught in a circle of viciousness. Meena feels that a marriage is similar to battle where there are so many struggles, hardships and a choice of best deals to make. In the trip to Sri Kalahasthi, Meena realizes the sacredness of the place where god Shiva has granted salvation to Sri-spider, Kala-Serpent and Hasthi-elephant. She understands a new amalgamation or a search:

A Quest, A metaphorical signification which

Tunes the one' to the other'- the final truth,

Yet,

The rhetoric with its gaps and silences,

Essences the Declaration of the Truth.

The trip to Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, the greatness of the goddess, the visit to Tiruchendur fascinates Meena that god is many' but one'. When the groom is decided, the preparations for a grand Indian wedding begin. Suddenly, Meena realizes the goal of life with sudden twists and turns. She realizes that a man is not gauged according to the riches/the scholarliness/fame but he is measured by the truth which exists in every individual as god. Meena has attained peace, but there are millions who miss the smile of everyday life.

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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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News Network
December 7,2025

SHRIMP.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
December 5,2025

Mangaluru: In a significant step to curb online hate and intimidation, Mangaluru City Police have registered a suo motu case against multiple Instagram accounts accused of circulating alleged provocative and threatening content.

While monitoring social media activity on Tuesday, Kankanady Town PSI Anitha Nikkam identified the Instagram handle ‘team_targetttt_900’ for posting a hate message alongside images of lethal weapons. Another account, ‘team_nagara_900’, allegedly shared a threatening post targeting activist Bharath Kumdelu, tagging additional pages such as KARAVALI-OFFICIAL.

Several other accounts — including ‘immu_bhai.fan’, ‘target_boy_900’, ‘kings_of_manglore’, ‘team_target_boys.900’, ‘arshad_mangalore’, ‘target_ka19_ullal’, ‘team_target__’, ‘troll_tigersz_900’, ‘tr_group_900’, and ‘team_target_900’ — are also under scrutiny for spreading similar inflammatory material, police said.

Authorities have urged citizens, especially young social media users, to report suspicious pages and avoid engaging with groups that glorify violence or threaten individuals. Online hate can quickly escalate into real-world harm, and police stress that sharing or promoting such content can attract legal consequences.

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