Exercising freedom of speech only reason behind attack: Rahim Uchil

April 19, 2012

Mangalore, April 19: Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy President Rahim Uchil, who has been slowly recovering from multiple stab injuries at a private hospital in city, has stated that exercising the freedom of speech to the fullest extent and being an active member of Bharatiya Janata Party were the only reason for the brutal attack on him.

In a media release issued by him from the hospital bed on Thursday, Mr Uchil has indirectly held a minority dominant political party responsible for March 15 attack, without naming it.

“Representatives and activists from different political parties including BJP, Congress, JD(S), CPI(M) and Muslim League have visited me in the hospital and wished a speedy recovery. However, no one from the political arm of an organization, that hatched a plot to murder me, visited me so far. This has strengthened my suspicion”, says the release that bears a thumbprint of Mr Uchil indicating that he is still not in a position to put his signature.

Mr Uchil has appreciated the process of police inquiry into the murder bid case, saying that City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, Inspector Thilakchandra and other officers have been putting forth their honest effort to nab the culprits.

“One of the main accused in the case has already been arrested and base on his revelations police have listed the names of all the accused. Those names have been kept secret as part of investigation norms. The police have also alerted the airport authorities about any possible attempt by them to flee the country” he said.

Appealing his supporters not to lose patience, Mr Uchil said only the real culprits should be arrested no matter how much time it would take.

“I don't take revenge against those who attacked me. I have forgiven them wholeheartedly. I hope that God will give them suitable punishment for their crime. I also have faith in the law”, he added.

Giving a vivid picture of the brutal attack, Mr Uchil said that the miscreants attacked with the sword exactly twelve times on his head, neck and hands. “They might have thought that I was dead. Now, I have become a living example for the fact that no one can take the life of a person if God wishes otherwise. According to neurologists, a broken bone in my head had miraculously blocked a broken nerve connecting the brain and heart, thereby stopping severs bleeding. This miracle saved my life. My doctors have given a reshape to my mutilated hands. However, during the attack I have permanently lost a finger from the right hand”, he said.

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From malls to highways, Kannada signboards to be enforced in Dakshina Kannada

News Network

February 4,2026

Mangaluru: Urban local bodies and gram panchayats should make the use of Kannada on signboards mandatory while issuing trade licences to commercial establishments, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV said. He also called for regular inspections to ensure compliance.

Presiding over the District Kannada Awareness Committee meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office, Darshan said the city corporation would be directed to ensure that shops operating in malls prominently display their names in Kannada. “All commercial establishments, including shops, companies, offices and hotels, must mandatorily display their names in Kannada on signboards,” he said.

The deputy commissioner added that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would be instructed to include Kannada on signboards along national highways. Banks, he said, would be directed through committee meetings to provide application forms in Kannada.

“Even if English-medium schools and colleges impart education in English, their signboards must display the institution’s name in Kannada. Steps will also be taken to ensure that private buses display place names in Kannada,” Darshan said.

During the meeting, committee members raised concerns over the closure of Kannada-medium schools in rural areas due to a shortage of teachers and stressed the need for immediate corrective measures. They also pointed out that several industries employ workers from other states while overlooking local candidates.

Members further demanded that nationalised banks provide deposit and withdrawal slips in Kannada. It was brought to the deputy commissioner’s notice that the presence of staff without knowledge of Kannada in rural branches of nationalised banks is causing hardship to local customers.

Meanwhile, MP Srinath, president of the District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, urged the district administration to allot land for the construction of a district Kannada Bhavana in Mangaluru.

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Mangaluru Tees Off Big: Golf Excellence Academy to Open at Pilikula

News Network

February 1,2026

The coastal city of Mangaluru is gearing up for a major sporting milestone with the launch of a Golf Excellence Academy at the Pilikula Golf Club (PGC), scheduled to open on May 31. The initiative aims to position Mangaluru firmly on India’s national golfing map.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday during PGC’s first-ever floodlit Pro-Am tournament, club captain Manoj Kumar Shetty said the project is being funded by UAE-based philanthropist Michael D’Souza and is currently in the design phase. Experts from leading golf academies across the country are expected to visit Mangaluru to help shape the training programme and infrastructure.

The academy will train 20 young golfers at a time, with a long-term vision of producing national-level players from the region. Until now, PGC relied on an in-house coach, but the recent renovation of the course and the introduction of floodlights have opened new possibilities for expanding the sport.

Shetty said discussions are underway with two reputed coaching academies, whose heads are expected to visit PGC shortly. “A dormitory for trainers is already under construction. We are inviting academies to assess the facilities and suggest changes so we can build a truly world-class Golf Excellence Academy,” he said.

Professional golfer Aryan Roopa Anand noted that the floodlit course would be a game-changer for young players. “Students can now practise after school hours, even up to 8 or 9 pm, without compromising on academics,” he said.

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