Family members of homestay attack accused claim their innocence, demand release

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.

Mangaluru: Emphasising the importance of integrating cultural awareness with formal education, former Mangaluru North MLA and noted community leader Moidin Bawa said such an approach is vital for the holistic development of children and helps shape responsible, confident future citizens. He was speaking as the chief guest at the Prep Graduation Ceremony of Barakah International School and College.

The young graduates enthralled the audience with a vibrant mix of performances, including skits, action songs, short plays, and other engaging cultural programmes that showcased the creativity and confidence nurtured by the institution.

The event was graced by several prominent personalities, including Abdul Naser “Lucky Star”, President of the Wakf Advisory Committee; Dr Mohammed Nohman, Orthopaedic Surgeon; S. A. Khaleel, Chairman of the Bolar Islamic Centre; Naufal Kokkada, President of the SKSM Youth Wing; Suhail Kandak, Chairman of the Make a Change Foundation; and Mohammad Ashraf Badriya, President of Muslim Aikyata Vedike, among others.

The programme began with a warm welcome by Principal Sharfuddin B.S., who highlighted Barakah’s distinctive educational philosophy that blends academic excellence with strong moral and cultural values.

Ayan Ashraf, Director of Barakah, conveyed the Chairman’s message and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to value-based education.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Mohammed Haneef, Principal of Islamic Studies.

Barakah International School and College is a reputed educational institution in Mangaluru, offering quality education from nursery to degree level. The institution is known for its holistic education model that harmoniously integrates cultural values with academic excellence, ensuring the all-round development of students.

Bengaluru: Following reports of fresh Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal and heightened vigilance across parts of Southeast Asia, the Karnataka Health Department has placed the state on high alert and activated emergency preparedness protocols.

Health officials said enhanced surveillance measures have been initiated after two healthcare workers in Barasat, West Bengal, tested positive for the virus earlier this month. While no cases have been reported in Karnataka so far, authorities said the state’s past exposure to Nipah outbreaks and high inter-state mobility warranted preventive action.

Officials have directed district health teams to intensify monitoring, particularly at hospitals and points of entry, and to ensure early detection and isolation of suspected cases.

High Mortality Virus with Multiple Transmission Routes

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and has a reported fatality rate ranging between 60 and 75 per cent. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoirs of the virus and can transmit it by contaminating food sources with saliva or urine.

Known modes of transmission include:

•    Contaminated food: Consumption of fruits partially eaten by bats or raw date-palm sap
•    Animal contact: Exposure to infected pigs or other animals
•    Human-to-human transmission: Close contact with body fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings

Symptoms and Disease Progression

The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, though delayed onset has also been reported. Early symptoms often resemble common viral infections, making prompt clinical suspicion critical.

•    Initial symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, sore throat
•    Progressive symptoms: Drowsiness, disorientation, altered mental state
•    Severe stage: Seizures, neck stiffness and acute encephalitis, which can rapidly progress to coma

Public Health Advisory

The Health Department has issued precautionary guidelines urging the public to adopt risk-avoidance practices to prevent any local spillover.

Do’s
•    Wash fruits thoroughly before consumption
•    Drink boiled and cooled water
•    Use protective equipment while handling livestock
•    Maintain strict hand hygiene

Don’ts
•    Avoid fruits found on the ground or showing bite marks
•    Do not consume beverages made from raw tree sap, including toddy
•    Avoid areas with dense bat populations
•    Do not handle sick or dead animals

Preparedness Measures

Officials confirmed that isolation wards are being readied in major government hospitals and that medical staff are being sensitised to identify early warning signs.

“There is no cause for panic, but there is a need for heightened vigilance,” a senior health official said, adding that there is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah, and care remains largely supportive.