Sara Aboobaker's 'Hotthu Kanthuva Munna' released

February 19, 2011

Mangalore, February 19: An autobiography of senior Kannada writer Nadoja Sara Aboobaker “Hotthu Kanthuva Munna”, roughly translated as “Before Dusk” was released on Saturday at the auditorium of Karavali Lekhakiyara, Vachakiyara Sangha in Urwa here.

Speaking after releasing the book Dr Varadaraj Chandragiri, Principal, First Grade College Bettampady said the autobiography of Sara Aboobaker can be viewed in three dimensions. “It can be defined as “a document of struggle for humanity”, “a manuscript of the transformation in the lives of Muslim women in coastal region” or “a rare and special documentary of a feminist struggle” he said.

He said in her autobiography Sara has explicitly narrated how Islamic fundamentalists have crept in Muslim community during 1970's when a large number of South Indian Muslims headed towards gulf countries.

He also described Sara as “Inventor of true religion”

Mr Chandragiri said, in a sense each work of a litterateur is an autobiography with a creative touch.

Sara Aboobaker expressed her concern over what she described as “Pathetic condition of Muslim women and the atrocities committed against them in the name of religion.”

Condemning the action of people who prayed in Mosques, temples and churches for the victory of Team India in the current Cricket World Cup, she said that it would be better if they would have prayed for the release of District Collector who was abducted by Maoists in Orissa.

Sabiha Bhoomigowda, Professor, Kannada Department, Mangalore University presided over the programme.

Roopashri Nagaraj, Vice President, Karavali Lekhakiyara, Vachakiyara Sangha delivered introductory remarks.

“Hotthu Kanthuva Munna”, which bears a face value of Rs 150, has been published by her own publishing house “Chandragiri Prakashana”.

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Mangaluru’s KPT becomes India’s first autonomous govt polytechnic

News Network

January 23,2026

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has achieved autonomous status from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), becoming the first government polytechnic in the country to receive such recognition in its 78-year history. The status was granted by AICTE, New Delhi, and subsequently approved by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

Officials said the autonomy was conferred a few months ago. Until recently, AICTE extended autonomous status only to engineering colleges, excluding diploma institutions. However, with a renewed national focus on skill development, several government polytechnics across India have now been granted autonomy.

KPT, the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka, was established in 1946 with four branches and has since expanded to offer eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The institution is spread across a 19-acre campus.

Ravindra M Keni, the first dean of the institution, told The Times of India that AICTE had proposed autonomous status for polytechnic institutions that are over 25 years old. “Many colleges applied. In the first round, 100 institutions were shortlisted, which was further narrowed down to 15 in the second round. We have already completed one semester after becoming an autonomous institution,” he said. He added that nearly 500 students are admitted annually across eight three-year diploma courses.

Explaining the factors that helped KPT secure autonomy, Keni said the institution has consistently recorded 100 per cent admissions and placements for its graduates. He also noted its strong performance in sports, with the college emerging champions for 12 consecutive years, along with active student participation in NCC and NSS activities.

Autonomous status allows KPT to design industry-oriented curricula, conduct examinations, prepare question papers, and manage academic documentation independently. The institution can also directly collaborate with industries and receive priority funding from AICTE or the Ministry of Education. While academic autonomy has been granted, financial control will continue to rest with the state government.

“There will be separate committees for examinations, question paper setting, boards of studies, and boards of examiners. The institution will now have the freedom to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards,” Keni said, adding that new academic initiatives would be planned after a year of functioning under the autonomous framework.

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