Karnataka to showcase startup prowess at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

[email protected] (Asha Krishnaswamy, DHNS)

January 1, 2017

Bengaluru, Jan 1: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, to be held in?Bengaluru from January 7-9, is an opportunity for Karnataka to showcase the rapid strides made by startups here, to the delegates, mostly non-resident Indians (NRIs).

The state government, during the three-day event, will focus on exhibiting the state's strengths in the industrial sector to attract investments.

As many as 10 plenary sessions on various subjects will be held over two days. The first session will be on “Fueling growth through disruptive innovations startup ecosystem in Karnataka” while the second session is on “Invest Karnataka: Innovate, Invent and Invest in Karnataka.”

Major Industries Minister R?V?Deshpande, who is coordinating between the state and the Centre for holding this mega event, said, “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is definitely not an occasion to sign agreements for attracting investments. But we have decided to exhibit the strengths of Karnataka to NRIs and foreigners. We want to drive home a point that Karnataka is the best destination to invest. Bengaluru has grown into Silicon Hill, and it is no more Silicon Valley.”

Nearly 3,000 delegates, including 1,700 NRIs, would be participating. Countries which are participating include Australia, Canada, UK, USA, France, the Netherlands and West Asian nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive here on January 7 evening to inaugurate PBD the next day. Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa will be the chief guest for the inaugural session.

On January 9, President Pranab Mukherjee will present PBD Samman awards to 30 individuals who have excelled in their chosen profession. Karnataka has recommended six individuals for the awards.

However, the three-day event will begin a day before the inauguration by the prime minister. On January 7, Surinam Vice President Michael Ashwin Adhin will inaugurate the Youth PBD. The 36-year-old Adhin will address the gathering, comprising largely overseas young Indians.

Chief ministers of seven states have confirmed their participation.
The minister said beautification of select areas of Bengaluru has been taken up as many VIPs would be staying for three days, around the venue — Bangalore International Exhibition?Centre, Tumakuru Road.

The repair and asphalting of the roads leading from the airport to the venue and the surrounding areas have been taken up.

“We are ensuring that there are no traffic bottlenecks from the airport to the venue besides in Jalahalli. Even roads leading to Vidhana Soudha are getting repaired. There will be special buses for taking the invitees from hotels to the venue.”

Jai ho

The department of Kannada and Culture has lined up a series of cultural programmes in the evenings to enthrall the delegates for all the three days.

Vijay Prakash, singer and music composer, will present a music show for 30 minutes in the evening on January 7. He will present his signature songJai Ho.' Cultural troupes of other states too will be putting up shows.

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Mangaluru’s public transport revolution: 100 new govt electric buses to end private ‘trip-cutting’

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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Mangaluru’s ₹1,200 crore fix: Massive sewage overhaul to end city’s drainage woes

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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