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 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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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

•    Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

•    State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

•    Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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