International Astronomy Olympiad: Mangaluru’s CFAL student wins Silver for India

Media Release
November 13, 2018

Mangaluru, Nov 13: City-based Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL) student Prathyush P Poduval has won the silver medal for the country in the International Olympiad in Astronomy & Astrophysics (IOAA- 2018).

The 2018 Olympiad was held from Nov 3 to 11 in Beijing, China. There were 214 students competing including students from countries highly advanced in Astrophysics, Astronomy and Space sciences such as U.S., Russia and China. Around 40 countries participated in the Olympiad. Overall India bagged 3 silver and 2 bronze medals.

Prathysh P Poduval, son of Sunitha P Poduval and Prasanth P Poduval is a motivated student who looks for challenges beyond the school curriculum.  He is a self-directed learner and his interests include astronomy, physics and mathematics. His teachers at CFAL have mentored him over the years in solving physics and mathematical puzzles and in developing deep love for the subjects.

Prathyush, who studied Advanced Sciences and Mathematics at CFAL from his 8th grade, presently pursueing his studies at Indian Institute of Science, (IISc) Bengaluru, the premier institute for pure sciences in the country. Prathyush is the Karnataka state topper in KVPY 2017-18 who is benefitingthe KVPY scholarship of Rs. 84,000/- per annum during his studies at IISc in Bengaluru. In NSEP 2017 (1st stage of International Physics Olympiad) Prathyush secured first rank from Karnataka state.

While many private entities conduct different Olympiads, there is only one Olympiad that is recognized by the Government of India and alsorecognized internationally (Like the Olympics for sport). Homi Bhabha Centre for Science education and Research, Mumbai is the nodal centre of the country for Olympiad programs.  The International Olympiads in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Astronomy and Junior Science is an annual event, which is held every yearin different countries.

Prathyush had attended Ross Math Camp, which was held in Ohio state university, USA in the months of June and July, 2018. He was one among the very few students selected from all over the world to attend this completely sponsored Math camp.

In 2018, four students from Mangaluru had qualified for the selection camp of the International Olympiads. All these students are/were studying at CFAL Mangaluru. These students were selected to the prestigious Third stage Olympiad programs i.e. orientation cum Selection Camps 2018. - Mathematics (Aneesh & Aditya), Biology (Shreyas), and Astronomy (Pratyush). Among them Pratyush was selected in the five-memberIndian team in IOAA.  He was the only student selected from South Indiain the team.

In 2017, CFAL student Aditya Prakash was one among the six students who represented India in the International Math Olympiad held in Brazil.  This representation was after a period of 21 years from Karnataka and is a great achievement for a student from Mangaluru.

In 2014, CFAL student Sumith (Physics and Chemistry) and in 2013, CFAL student Sunil Simha (Astronomy) were among the 35 students in the country to reach the prestigious third stage and had an opportunity to attend the orientation cum selection camp at HomiBhabha Centre for Science education, Mumbai.

At CFAL Mangaluru, the focus of learning is not only on marks, but in developing a strong foundation, passion and excellence in STEM subjects. From the coastal region of Karnataka, the students of CFAL have consistently achieved the best results in different scholarship and entrance exams.

National level exams like Olympiads,KVPY and JEE Advanced help motivate students to strive for better and deeper understanding of scientific facts and data. It helps them to enhance their reasoning, analytical and problem-solving skills.Participating in Olympiad exams, representing one’s state or country at national and international level,and above all winning a medal is a matter of great joy and pride.

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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 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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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

•    Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

•    STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

•    Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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