Mangalore gears up to 'celebrate Diversity in Unity'

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)
January 10, 2012

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Mangalore, January 10: The coastal city is wearing a bridal look to host the 17th National Youth Festival from January 12 to January 16, being organised jointly by the Union government, Karnataka government, Nehru Yuva Kendra and National Service Scheme, under the theme, 'Celebrating Diversity in Unity'

City roads, medians and boundary walls are being given fresh coats of colours while major landmarks have been made spotless.

“Thousands of talented youths from all over the country and abroad would assemble in the city for major national festival. When they would return to their respective places, they should carry the impression that Mangalore is one of the beautiful cities of India,” said Mangalore Mayor Praveen Anchan.

Civic body employees and police have been given orientation as to how they should conduct themselves while huge gatherings were expected in the city.

With just one day to go, the final preparations for the historical event are on as each and every department and the district administration are giving its best to host the event successfully.

The Mangala Stadium, where the Chief Minister D V Sadanada Gowda would inaugurate the Youth Festival, is awaiting delegates from across the country. Workers are giving finishing touches to the main dais erected on a five-foot tall platform that is 160 feet long and 65 feet across.

The spacious dais, erected by Raja Enterprises, Bangalore, gives audience unrestricted view of the proceedings on the dais, says M Mohan Alva, chairman, Alva's Education Foundation, who has been vested with the responsibility of the stage, the opening and valedictory functions and the cultural procession prior to the inaugural.

Yakshagana and local folk traditions will provide the backdrop for the stage that is being constructed on the chavadi concept, Mohan Alva said. "Around 25,000 people including the delegates, officials and VVIPs can view the onstage events from seating arrangements in front of the dais as well as the neatly spruced up galleries," Mohan said adding that spacious green rooms and VVIP rooms too have been incorporated on either flanks of the stage.

Over 5,000 participants from 35 States and Union Territories and five SAARC nations are expected to take part in the 18 events during the five-day fest. Teams from different states have already begun to arrive in the city.

All the cultural events will begin from January 13. Cultural dance events of Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Oddissi will be held at Sri Gokarnatheshwara temple hall. Town Hall will host mono act, musical events will be held at SDM Law college hall and folk music events will be held at Koragappa Kalyana mantap in Sri Gokarnanatheshwara temple.

The participants will have to assemble at T M A Pai Convention Centre from their places of accommodation. Here a total of 80 buses including 32 KSRTC buses and 48 buses from reputed educational institutions have been arranged.

Apart from this, 35 mini buses have been arranged for commuting. Both South Indian and North Indian food will be served to the participants. Accommodations have been arranged for the participants at 22 educational institutions.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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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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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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