Humanitarian gesture: Mangalorean Muslim philanthropists in Saudi donate Rs 22 lakh to the family of departed Christian expatriate

[email protected] (Cyril Sylvester D'souza, Riyadh)

February 12, 2014

Jubail: Even as the coastal city of Mangalore is in the news for wrong reasons thanks to recent communal unrest in Ullal region, a few Mangaloreans in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have once again exhibited the real spirit of humanity and communal harmony.

In a humanitarian gesture, a group of NRI philanthropists have donated over Rs 22 lakh to the family members of a Mangalore based expatriate worker who died in Kingdom last week.

47-year-old Antony Barboza, a Catholic from Kulashekhar in Mangalore, who was working as the Jubail branch manager of Areed, a heavy equipment company, had died of cardiac arrest in his office on February 6. The mortal remains of Barboza is expected to arrive at Mangalore Airport on Thursday.

Interestingly, the one who initiated the fundraising to support the family members of Barboza and all those who donated are Muslims. According to the expatriate workers who knew Barboza closely, it was the benevolent nature of Barboza that encouraged Muslim philanthropists to support his family. “He was a very helpful person and supported many people using his capacity as Jubail branch manager of Areed,” said an expat from Mangalore.

When the paper work was in progress to repatriate the mortal remains, Shaikh of Expertise initiated the fundraising to support the family members of the Barboza. Shaikh donated Saudi Riyal 28,000. Zakariya of Muzain (Saudi Riyal 25,000), Sharief of Whitestone (Saudi Riyal 15,000), Javed of Nexus (Saudi Riyal 10,000), Althaf of Saad Qahtani (Saudi Riyal 12,000) and Al-Areedh (Saudi Riyal 10,000) donated. Amaco Group of Companies, the patron of Coastaldigest.com donated Indian Rupees 5 lakh. A total of Rs 22 lakh have been handed over to the aggrieved family members.

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‘Profit’ trap: Mangaluru trader duped of ₹33.1 lakh in online App scam

News Network

December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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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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