Manipal student explores Antarctica second time

DHNS
April 27, 2018

Udupi, Apr 27: Avani Awasthee, has successfully completed her second expedition to Antarctica in February 2018, when she visited as the mentor for the new group.

Avani Awasthee, is a second-year mass communication student studying in School of Communication, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE).

Awasthe said that she is a founder of ‘The Recycle Army,’ an initiative which focusses on environmental awareness. She has been the youngest Indian girl to embark on an expedition to Antarctica and in February 2018, she visited again as a mentor, as a part of the 2014 Foundation.

She chose environmental awareness to quench her thirst. She was 14 years old when she made a two-minute video on saving Antarctica and guess what? She not only stood third in the competition initiated by The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), but was crowned as one of the 26 ambassadors for the Swedish food packaging giant, TETRA PAK.

Eager to contribute more, Avani continued to be a part of TERI as an environmental crusader and she also went on to adapt the eco-lifestyle by making changes to her home, which soon turned out to be environmental-friendly.

Not just that, she also started an initiative called, ‘The Recycle Army’, through which she managed to pull out a crowd of people, who cycled to places and created awareness about recycling. Thanks to her ideologies, she went on to run some successful campaigns like waterless Holi, crackerless Diwali and cleaning the tiny hilltops.

Well, her idea of cycling to value recycling was not just successful, but also garnered a great amount of attention from the mainstream media and yes, also from Robert Swan, the only human who covered the North Pole and the South Pole on foot and has also relentlessly worked all his life to voice against the environmental crisis.

Her dream of getting things done was nearing reality, as she was handpicked by Robert Swan after seeing her interest in the subject, which he is been involved for years.

She was pre-selected for the ‘Leadership of the Edge’ expedition and her trip was partially funded by Robert Swan’s Foundation. She joined the team of 143 participants hailing from 30 different nations and embarked on a trip to Antarctica.

Right from climate change, sustainability, effective use of renewable energy to how Antarctica can be protected, Avani’s 15-day trip gave her all the insights about the same and she was also part of the leadership lectures that hoarded the topics such as wildlife, history, geography and the threats faced by the Antarctic ice conflict.

Not only did she gain a massive amount of insight on the subject, but also got an opportunity to visit again for the second time as a mentor.

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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 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 7,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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