Man held at Mangalore Airport for evading duty on saffron

May 27, 2012

Mangalore, May 26: A passenger was arrested at the Mangalore Airport on Friday for evading duty on saffron.

33-year-old Abdul Saram, son of Andumai Mangool, from Kanhangad in Kasargod district, was returning from Dubai on Air India Express flight IX 384, when the officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Regional Unit, Mangalore (DRI) found undeclared items in his luggage.

The accused had passed immigration clearance, collected his checked in baggage from the conveyor belt and opted to come out through Customs Green Channel, i.e. the Channel used for passengers without any dutiable items and proceeded towards the exit point of the arrival hall of the Airport.

At this juncture the officers of DRI intercepted the man and obtained his passport. He had three pieces of baggage and one plastic carry bag with him. One baggage was a blue coloured suitcase. The other two pieces of baggage were card board carton boxes. A plastic carry bag was also in his possession without any tag.

The officers opened all the three baggage and examined in detail. The examination of the card board carton boxes revealed the concealment of 498 packets each weighing 25 gms of Iranian Saffron of brand “Behrang Saffron”. The total weight of these 498 packets of saffron was found to be 12,450 grams.

Upon enquiry with the accused revealed that he chose to bring the said saffron in his accompanied baggage by way of concealment for the lure of money. He could not produce any valid document for the licit possession of the same. The total value of the said 12,450 grams of saffron is about Rs. 12,45,000 at the rate of Rs. 1 lakh per kg, in accordance with the present market. The saffron packets were later seized by the officers.

The accused was produced before the Principal Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mangalore, who was remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days. Asha Nayak, Special Public Prosecutor appeared for DRI.

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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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Screen silence: Karnataka’s bold ‘switch-off’ strategy to boost SSLC scores

News Network

February 5,2026

In an era where digital distractions are the primary rival to academic excellence, the Karnataka Education Department is taking the fight directly to the living room. As the SSLC (Class 10) annual examinations loom, officials have launched a localized "digital strike" to ensure students aren't losing their competitive edge to scrolling or soap operas.

The 7-to-9 Lockdown

The department has issued a formal directive urging—and in some cases, enforcing via home visits—a total blackout of mobile phones and television sets between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. This two-hour window is being designated as "sacred study time" across the state until the examinations conclude on April 2.

Key Pillars of the Initiative:

• Doorstep Advocacy: Teachers are transitioning from classrooms to living rooms, meeting parents to explain the psychological benefits of a distraction-free environment.

• Parental Accountability: The campaign shifts the burden of discipline from the student to the household, asking parents to lead by example and switch off their own devices.

• The Timeline: The focus remains sharp on the upcoming exam block, scheduled from March 18 to April 2.

"The objective is simple: uninterrupted focus. We are reclaiming the evening hours for the students, ensuring their environment is as prepared as their minds," stated a senior department official.

Student vs. Reality

While the student community has largely welcomed the "forced focus"—with many admitting they lack the willpower to ignore notifications—the move has sparked a debate on enforceability. Without a "TV Police," the success of this initiative rests entirely on the shoulders of parents and the persuasive power of visiting educators.

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