It was unforgettable musical experience'- revelers leave 'Spring Zouk' with fond memories

February 6, 2012

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Malpe, February 6: Music admirers and party revellers could not have asked for anything more. Three-day camp party 'Spring Zouk,' a unique event of its kind, had all the ingredients required to suit the taste buds of those who love head-banging and the sound of metals. It was a three-day event from 3rd feb to 4th feb at St. Mary's island, Malpe, Mangalore and was an amalgamation of various genres of music, cuisine and culture under one umbrella.

As many as 20 national and international music bands battled it out at the island to win the hearts of fans amid some high voltage performances by Juno reactor and Highlight tribe. Students of Manipal University also did not seem to be regretting for missing their date with studies. Foreign tourists and visitors from nearby places too thronged in large numbers, which only added to the electrifying atmosphere.

For those who were eager to explore and experience the local culture, folk arts like 'Gorava Kunita', 'Veeragase', 'Kangeelu Nritya', 'jogate Kunita', 'Gollu Kunita' and others were performed.

Nick, a 22 year-old youth from Leeds, United Kingdom said that he was holidaying in Goa when he came to know about the event.“I am fanatic when it comes to music and hence could not resist myself from attending this event. Will never forget the musical and cultural experience I had in the land of temples,” he added beamingly.

Visitors were seemingly pleased with the organizers who had taken all-out efforts to ensure that any laxity on their part doesn't play the spoilsport. Facilities ranging from tent-houses to mobile ATMs, everything was available near the sea-shore. Major international brands like Kingfisher, Vladivar, VH1, Kyazoonga.com and many others had chipped in to support the event.

When contacted, one of the organizers said, “Right from the publicity stage to the actual event-management process, we kept in mind the taste and convenience of music and culture lovers. We are feeling overwhelmed by the response we got from the people of India and abroad.”

“Such events should be held more frequently as it gives a fillip to the tourism sector,” he added.

And with Chief Minister D V Sadanand Gowda seemingly in full agreement with his statement, one can only expect to revel in sand more often. Recently the CM had taken strong stand against the criticisms that the event was an open rave party stating “Such events with the fusion of music will help develop the tourism potential in the region and the state may be able to give competition to Kerala tourism.”

MLA Raghupathy Bhat had also shared the same view.

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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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