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
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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News Network
November 22,2025

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The Israeli regime’s forces have killed two Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip every day since the ceasefire began in early October, UNICEF has warned.

The UN children’s agency said on Friday that Israeli forces continue to attack Palestinians in Gaza even though the agreement was meant to stop the killing.

“Since 11 October, while the ceasefire has been in effect, at least 67 children have been killed in conflict-related incidents in the Gaza Strip. Dozens more have been injured. That is an average of almost two children killed every day since the ceasefire took effect,” UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires said in Geneva, reminding that each number in the statistics represents a child whose life had ended violently.

“These are not statistics,” he said. “Each child had a story, a family, and a future that was stolen from them.”

Data from Palestinian factions, human rights groups, and government bodies recorded since the US-brokered ceasefire deal went into effect on October 10 show that Israeli forces have carried out numerous attacks, each constituting a separate ceasefire violation.

UNICEF teams say they repeatedly continue to witness heart-wrenching scenes of fearful Palestinian children sleeping outdoors with amputated limbs, while others live as orphans in flooded, makeshift shelters.

“I saw this myself in August. There is no safe place for them. The world cannot normalize their suffering,” Pires said, lamenting that the UN could “do a lot more if the aid that is really needed was entering faster.”

The UNICEF spokesperson warned that with the advent of winter, the risks for hundreds of thousands of displaced children will increase.

He warned, “The stakes are incredibly high” for children as winter acts as a threat multiplier, where children have no heating, no insulation, and few blankets. He said respiratory infections rise.

“Too many children have already paid the highest price,” Pires said. “Too many are still paying it, even under a ceasefire. The world promised them it would stop and that we would protect them.”

“Now we must act like it,” the UNICEF spokesperson added.

Since the Israeli regime launched its genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza in October 2023, it has killed nearly 70,000 people in the territory, most of them women and children, and injured over 170,000 more, while reducing most of the structures in the enclave to rubble.

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News Network
November 27,2025

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Authorities at Pakistan’s high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday dismissed speculation about the condition of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, rejecting rumours that he had been moved out of the facility or was in danger. Officials said Khan was in “good health” and described the viral death claims as “baseless.”

“There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala Jail,” the Rawalpindi prison administration said in a statement, according to Geo News. “He is fully healthy and receiving complete medical attention.”

Amid swirling rumours on social media, Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urged the federal government to issue an official clarification and demanded that authorities allow his family to meet him immediately, Dawn reported.

The frenzy began after Khan’s three sisters called for an impartial probe into what they described as a “brutal” police assault on them and other PTI supporters outside Adiala Jail last week. Soon after, several social media handles circulated unverified claims alleging that Khan had been “killed” inside the prison.

The rumours intensified when a handle named “Afghanistan Times” claimed that “credible sources” had confirmed Khan’s “murder” and that his body had been moved out of the jail — allegations that have not been verified by any credible agency.

Imran Khan, PTI’s patron-in-chief, has been lodged in the Rawalpindi prison since August 2023 in multiple cases. For over a month, an undeclared restriction has prevented family members and senior PTI leaders from meeting him. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has reportedly been denied access despite making seven attempts.

In a letter to Punjab Police Chief Usman Anwar, Khan’s sisters — Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr. Uzma Khan — said they were “peacefully protesting” outside the jail when police allegedly launched an unprovoked assault after streetlights were switched off.

“At 71, I was seized by my hair, thrown to the ground and dragged across the road,” Noreen Niazi said, alleging that other women present were also slapped and manhandled.

Adiala Jail officials reiterated that speculation over Imran Khan’s health was unfounded and insisted that his well-being was being ensured, Geo News reported.

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