Visually challenged students exhibit their talents

January 5, 2012

Mangalore, January 5: The Roman and Catherine School for the Blind celebrated its annual day on Wednesday at the school premises in the city.

The programme also marked the 202nd birth centenary of Louis Braille, the father of the braille language for the blind.

Speaking on the occasion Shivanand Bhandary, Senior manager of Canara Bank Founder's branch said, we feel like this school is like any other normal school and we cannot make out it is for the blind.

He lauded the efforts of management committee of the school which started with only two students and now has 28 students. He promised the full co-operation from the bank.

Presenting the annual report of the school, principal Calistus D Souza said that the Government of Karnataka has given permission to extend the school up to Standard 10 this year.

Recalling the effort of Louis Braille in making a script popular for blind,s she said it was a a remarkable contribution to the world. In the 19th century the condition of the visually impaired was very bad, she said.

Carmin Bosseni Lobo, Chairman of the trust was also present.

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Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

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