KCCI Unveils ‘Elevate Brand Mangaluru’: A Bold Vision to Put the City on the Global Map

News Network
August 26, 2025

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Mangaluru, Aug 26: The Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) officially unveiled its flagship focus for the year, ‘Elevate Brand Mangaluru’ on August 23.

This multi-phase initiative is aimed at showcasing Mangaluru’s immense potential to a global audience. With its strategic location, vibrant industries, diverse culture, and unmatched hospitality, Mangaluru is well-positioned to claim its rightful place on the world stage, and KCCI is committed to making that a reality. 

Anand G Pai, president, KCCI welcomed the gathering and set the tone for the launch event.

A Vision for Global Recognition

The core of the initiative lies in presenting Mangaluru in a positive and authentic light, highlighting its strengths in industry, commerce, culture, trade, recreation, sports, cuisine, and tourism. KCCI envisions a collective effort where creators, industry leaders, government bodies, and citizens come together to build a strong and compelling brand identity.

This united approach also seeks to consolidate and amplify ongoing branding initiatives such as Bolpu, the Silicon Beach Program, Visit Mangaluru, and several government projects, ensuring continuity and greater visibility.

M Athmika Amin, director and chairperson for Elevate Brand Mangaluru, KCCI digitally launched phase 1 of Elevate Brand Mangaluru.

Phase 1 – Building the Foundation

The launch marks the beginning of Phase 1, which introduces four key projects designed to lay the groundwork for Mangaluru’s branding journey:

The Kudla Podcast - Mangaluru Unboxed: This series will feature engaging conversations with entrepreneurs, professionals, artists, and community leaders. Each episode will explore different aspects of the city, from business and technology to food, culture, sports, and heritage. By capturing personal stories and local insights, the podcast aims to present an authentic picture of Mangaluru while also connecting with a global audience. Teaser of episode one of The Kudla Podcast was released on the launch day.

Mangaluru Unfolded - Tourism Brochure: Comprehensive tourism brochures, available in both standard and pocket-sized editions, will showcase the city’s unique blend of tradition and modernity. These brochures will highlight iconic landmarks, cultural experiences, culinary delights, and hidden gems that make Mangaluru special. Designed to be visually appealing and informative, they will serve as practical guides for tourists while also positioning the city as a must-visit destination. The video and downloadable options are available on the KCCI website.

Souvenir Collection: A thoughtfully curated line of souvenirs inspired by Mangaluru’s culture, history, and natural beauty will be created. These keepsakes will be made accessible at airports, railway stations, hotels, tour operators, and select retail outlets. By offering high-quality, locally crafted products, this initiative not only strengthens the city’s identity but also provides opportunities for local artisans and entrepreneurs. A downloadable option is available on the KCCI website.

Hospitality Enhancement in Homestays: Recognizing the growing demand for authentic and comfortable travel experiences, KCCI plans to support and enhance the city’s homestay sector. The focus will be on improving guest services, maintaining consistency in quality, and equipping hosts with the knowledge and tools needed to meet international hospitality standards. This initiative seeks to ensure that visitors leave Mangaluru with memorable experiences that encourage repeat visits and positive word-of- mouth promotion.

A Grand Launch Event

The inaugural event brought together leading dignitaries, including the Speaker of the state assembly, U T Khader, and Member of Parliament Capt Brijesh Chowta, who shared their perspectives on positioning Mangaluru for global recognition. A dialogue session with the Member of Parliament further highlighted policy support for the mission.

A panel discussion on celebrating the resilience of Mangaluru Ecosytem, featured leaders from tourism – Prashanth Aroor, education & health care – Vishal Hegde, IT & startup – Rohith Bhat, investments – Sandeep Shenoy, and the film industry - Vijay Kumar Kodialbail guided by an experienced moderator – Johnson Tellis, the conversation focused on how each sector could contribute to strengthening Mangaluru’s brand identity.

To add a personal touch, the Experience Centre invited attendees to view sample souvenirs and write postcards to friends and family. KCCI undertook the thoughtful task of mailing these postcards, extending warm invitations for recipients to visit Mangaluru. A customised Photobooth with each delegate obtaining an article of the launch along with the QR code to the website which is a platform for all initiatives towards Elevating Brand Managluru.

‘Elevate Brand Mangaluru’ is more than a launch event. It marks the beginning of a long- term journey. Future phases will introduce new projects and enhancements across tourism, industry, culture, and community engagement. The vision is clear: to create a united and sustained branding effort that positions Mangaluru as a city of opportunity, culture, and world-class experiences.
Darshan H V, IAS, deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada sent his support and best wishes via video byte for the launch of Elevate Brand Mangaluru. KCCI team had met the DC under the same capacity and he has assured them of his fullest support.

The event concluded with KCCI vice president, P B Mudassar with closing marks and calling all stakeholders to come forward and collectively raise Mangaluru beyond local recognition and establish a lasting presence on the global map.

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News Network
November 24,2025

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Israel has launched a new act of aggression on a residential neighborhood in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, killing and injuring about two dozen civilians.

The Israeli regime's military said in a statement that its forces carried out a so-called precise strike in a residential apartment in Dahiyeh in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday.

The aggression targeted residential areas, killing at least five people and injuring more than 28 people, Lebanon's Health Ministry said. 

Hezbollah announced the martyrdom of senior Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Tabatabai and four resistance fighters.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun condemned the airstrike, calling it a clear demonstration of Tel Aviv’s disregard for repeated international calls to halt violations on Lebanese soil.

“Israel refuses to implement international resolutions and all efforts aimed at ending the escalation and restoring stability,” Aoun said, urging the international community to take action to prevent further aggression.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement also condemned the attack, holding the international community accountable. 

“The international community bears responsibility and continues to provide cover for these attacks as long as it does not restrain the occupiers,” said Ali Abu Shahin, a member of the group’s political bureau.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the Israeli army carried out a strike “in the heart of Beirut."

Netanyahu reportedly approved the operation following recommendations from top Israeli security officials.

Two senior US officials commented on the Israeli strike.

The first official said that Israel did not notify Americans in advance about the attack. "We were informed immediately after the strike was carried out."

The second senior official said that the "US knew for several days that Israel was planning to escalate its strikes in Lebanon, but did not know in advance the timing, location, or target of the strike."

Speaking from the site of the Israeli strike, Lebanese MP Ali Ammar condemned the attack as part of a broader campaign of aggression that has targeted "all of Lebanon since the Washington-sponsored ceasefire."

He stated that "any attack on Lebanon is a violation of red lines; this aggression is part and parcel of the entity that targets Lebanon's dignity, sovereignty, and security of citizens."

Ammar went on to say the resistance is responding with "utmost wisdom, patience, and will confront the enemy at the appropriate time."

"Unfortunately, the enemy is emboldened to commit its aggression by voices within Lebanon that have turned themselves into tools that support its aggression," he added.

The Israeli attack on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital is the latest blatant violation of the ceasefire Israel signed with Hezbollah in November 2024, which was intended to end hostilities that had escalated into full-scale war.

An Israeli strike on the Ain al-Hilweh camp near Sidon in southern Lebanon late Tuesday killed at least 14 people. It wounded several others, including young students, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

The military claimed the attack targeted “a Hamas training compound” used to plan and carry out attacks against the regime -- a claim that has frequently been made without evidence.

Hamas rejected the allegations as “a blatant lie aimed at justifying the massacre,” stating it had “no military installations in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon” and that the targeted site was merely “an open sports field.”

According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli attacks have killed approximately 4,000 people and displaced more than 1.2 million residents across the country since October 2023.

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Mangaluru, Nov 30: A 22-year-old college student succumbed to her injuries at a private hospital in Mangaluru today, days after she was hit by a goods tempo while crossing a road in Padubidri.

The deceased has been identified as Preksha, a resident of Nadsalu Billitota in Padubidri. The fatal incident occurred as Preksha, who was returning home after completing her examination, attempted to cross the service road towards Mangaluru. She was struck by a goods tempo approaching from the Udupi side, causing her to fall and sustain a severe head injury.

Prompt action from local residents ensured she received immediate first aid before being rushed to a hospital in Mangaluru for specialised treatment. Despite medical efforts, she passed away while undergoing care.

Preksha was a student at Karavali College, Vamanjoor on the outskirts of Mangaluru city. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that she belonged to a financially vulnerable family, having previously lost her father. She is survived by her mother and brother.

A case related to the accident has been registered at the Padubidri police station, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the collision. The incident highlights the growing concerns over road safety, particularly on busy service roads, and serves as a tragic reminder of the human cost of traffic accidents.

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News Network
November 28,2025

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Mangaluru, Nov 28: Karnataka Health Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday handed over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the severe distress faced by farmers due to crashing crop prices.

PM Modi arrived at the Mangaluru International Airport en route to Udupi, where Gundu Rao welcomed him and submitted the letter. The chief minister’s message stressed that farmers are suffering heavy losses because maize and green gram are being bought far below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The state urged the Centre to immediately begin procurement at MSP.

According to the letter, Karnataka has a bumper harvest this year—over 54.74 lakh metric tons of maize and 1.98 lakh metric tons of green gram—yet farmers are unable to secure fair prices. Against the MSP of ₹2,400/MT for maize and ₹8,768/MT for green gram, market rates have plunged to ₹1,600–₹1,800 and ₹5,400 respectively.

The chief minister has requested the Centre to:

• Direct NAFED, FCI and NCCF to start MSP procurement immediately.
• Ensure ethanol units purchase maize directly from farmers or FPOs.
• Increase Karnataka’s ethanol allocation, citing high production capacity.
• Stop maize imports, which have depressed domestic prices.
• Relax quality norms for green gram, allowing up to 10% discoloration due to rains.

The letter stresses that MSP is crucial for farmer dignity and income stability and calls for swift central intervention to prevent a deepening crisis.

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