Media must support moderate voices: Mahesh Bhatt at 'Vartha Bharati' decennial celebration

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar )
September 14, 2012

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Mangalore, September 14: It is the media's job to support moderate voices in the society and not act as slaves of power centres, said Mahesh Bhatt, popular filmmaker and activist.

 

He was speaking after inaugurating the readers' convention of 'Vartha Bharathi' Kannada daily newspaper organised to mark its decennial year celebration in Mangalore on Friday.

 

“The media is a watchdog. It should not turn into a lapdog of power holders. Unfortunately today media goes with the idea that what is in the interest of the nation does not sell but what interests the nation sells. The media must not take sides of extremist forces but support the moderate voices in the society which in fact are very few in number”, Mr. Bhatt said.

 

Stating that secularism is still alive in India, Mr. Bhatt said that irrespective of whether unrests take place in Assam, Mangalore or Bangalore, it is the duty of every citizen to condemn such acts. In Assam, although there is some infiltration, it is wrong to paint all in the same brush and generate hatred, he said.

 

Prof. U R Ananthamurthy, Jnanpeeth Awardee, expressed his appreciation for the daily and said that there was an immediate need to eliminate all kind of stereotypes in the society.

 

Lamenting that there is widespread manufacturing of consent not just in media circles but also in day to day conversations in people spreading hatred against certain communities, Prof. Ananthamurthy said that it is high time people stopped generalizing things. Certain media, especially television news channels are wrongly subjecting every other topic to discussion. “Certain fundamental issues such as democracy and communalism are beyond discussions. They are out and out crimes and there is no need to discuss them”, he said.

 

Coming down hard on Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister, Prof. Ananthamurthy said that people must not allow the BJP heavyweight to become the country's Prime Minister. “Even the likes of Tatas stand by his side. Don't they see the criminal in him?” he asked. The media must also not speak extensively about Mr. Modi, he said. “The media talks about him so often that it makes him a big man. He must not be given attention. He should be treated like an untouchable”, he said.

 

B M Basheer, News Editor, Vartha Bharati, delivered the keynote address. Abdussalam Putthige, Editor-in-Chief, Vartha Bharati, delivered the Presidential address. Yaseen Malpe, Director, Madhyama Communications Ltd. Mangalore, welcomed. Aga Sultan, Former Member, AICTE, VTU and Bangalore University, H M Afroz Assadi, Director, Madhyama Communications Ltd, Mangalore, Syed Abdul Kader Bashu, Managing Trustee, Green Valley National School and PU College, Shiruru, were the guests of honour.

 

The Special Issue chronicling the journey of the daily over the last 10 years, was released on the occasion by Prof. Ananthamurthy. Selected readers also shared their views and suggestions on the occasion.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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News Network
December 3,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 3: A group of Congress workers gathered at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday to welcome AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, but the reception quickly turned into a display of support for Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Venugopal arrived in the city to participate in the centenary commemoration of the historic dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and Narayana Guru. The event, organised by the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, in association with the Mangalore University Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair, is being held on the university’s Konaje campus.

KPCC general secretary Mithun Rai and several party workers had assembled at the airport to receive Venugopal. However, the moment he stepped out, workers began raising slogans backing Shivakumar.

The university programme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

This show of support comes just a day after Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar would lead the government “when the high command decides.” The chief minister made the comment after a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar’s residence—another public display of camaraderie between the two leaders amid ongoing attempts by the party high command to downplay their leadership rivalry.

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