JD(S) leaders on Lanka junket to dissect poll defeat

June 11, 2014

Bangalore, Jun 11: Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs, MLCs and senior leaders will go on a four-day junket to Sri Lanka, in what will be an exercise in finding the causes for the party 's dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

JDS leaders
The group will leave Bangalore on the evening of June 15 and be closeted in a resort near Colombo before returning to the City on June 19. The JD(S) party floor leader, H?D?Kumaraswamy, will have one-on-one talks with the leaders and get their feedback about his leadership.

Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday evening, “Heading to Sri Lanka was my idea as I needed all our MLAs at one location away from distractions. Besides, it is cheaper to go to Sri Lanka than Delhi.”

Kumaraswamy said the primary objective of the trip was to rebuild the party after the drubbing it got in the general elections. “After our dismal performance, rumours are going about the future of the JD(S). Some said we have been decimated, others have dared to predict that a section of the JD(S)?MLAs will join the Congress. We need to dispel these rumours and take the party in a new direction,” he explained.

The former chief minister also said some MLAs of his party believed he was inaccessible to them, and hence he needed to ensure they could vent their frustration on him in the open rather than behind his back. “While we will spend two days in Colombo, another day and night will be spent in a nearby resort which is in the middle of a national forest,” said Kumaraswamy.

Apart from the MLAs, the JD(S)?may take along its senior MLCs and candidates who lost the last Assembly elections in 2013. But he denied it was a “jolly” trip.

Kumaraswamy may be busy making plans to take the party in a new direction, but his senior MLAs are dreaming of lazing around on the seashores of the island nation.

According to one MLA, the party legislators had been “bored” with the day-to-day political rigmarole and needed a break. Being a small party, a four-day junket will not hurt anyone, the MLA said.

Another senior MLA said Kumaraswamy had made personal phone calls to several of them, asking them to join him on this “holiday” trip. The total number of JD(S)?leaders who will go to Sri Lanka is likely to be close to 60.

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News Network
December 20,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 20: The Mangaluru City Police have issued a detailed traffic advisory ahead of the inaugural ceremony of Karavali Utsava, which will be held at the Karavali Utsava Ground on Saturday.

The festival will be inaugurated at 6:00 pm by Dakshina Kannada District Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. Cultural and public programmes will be held at the venue every evening and will continue until January 2.

According to City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, parking of vehicles is strictly prohibited on both sides of the road from Lalbagh to Karavali Utsava Ground. Visitors are requested to park their vehicles only at designated parking areas.

To help the public, traffic signboards and parking guidance flex boards have been installed along the routes leading to the venue. The police have urged commuters and visitors to follow these instructions to ensure smooth traffic movement.

Designated Parking Locations

•    Urwa Market Ground – Cars
•    Gandhinagar Government School (near Press Club) – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Ladyhill Church parking area – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Canara School Ground, Mannagudda – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Thimmappa Hotel premises – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Scout and Guide Bhavana premises (behind Karavali Utsava Grounds) – Two-wheelers
•    Urwa Market Road – Two-wheelers
•    Hat Hill Road – Two-wheelers

The police have appealed to the public to cooperate by following traffic rules and parking guidelines to avoid inconvenience during the festival.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. 

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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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