Image make-over for Mangalore is J R Lobo's priority

[email protected] (CD Network)
May 10, 2013

MLALOBO

Mangalore, May 10: Newly elected MLA of Mangalore South constituency, J R Lobo has already set his priority list and the jubilant new entrant to the Assembly says that strengthening law and order system in Mangalore in order to repair the dented image of the city is one of his top priorities.

Addressing his maiden news conference as MLA in Mangalore on Thursday, Mr. Lobo said that incidents of communal disturbances and moral policing have tarnished the image of Mangalore at national and international levels. Ensuring a proper law and order situation will help Mangalore redeem itself, he said.

“The youth have voted against the BJP. When you have incidents of moral policing and communal disturbances, the capital inflow in a region stops and students from different parts of the country start looking elsewhere for education. Drug menace is also something our city has been affected by. Law and order in our city needs to be strengthened. We have enough police force to tackle moral policing and maintain communal harmony. Political will is what is required and our government is committed in this regard”, Mr. Lobo said.

Speaking about his plans for the city, Mr. Lobo said that he will take up completion of pending projects such as the 'Rangamandira', Thumbe vented dam, road completion works, footpath creation, besides setting up restructured market places, bus stands, and development of fisheries ports. A think tank team would be created which would collect suggestions and opinions from various stakeholders including leaders of opposition parties in order to chalk out a proper plan for the city's development, Mr. Lobo said.

Stating that since his constituency encompasses the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC), the former municipal Commissioner said that he will keep an eye on implementation of the promises made by the party in its manifesto during the MCC elections held recently. A committee would be formed to keep track of implementation of election manifesto promises, which would meet every four months and carry out introspection.

On a query on viability of Congress' promise that property and water tax will not be increased by the MCC in the next five years, Mr. Lobo said that if effective collection and utilization of resources is done, the Corporation can easily function without increasing tax at least for the next five years. The to-be formed Congress government will consider amending the sub-clause in the Municipal Corporation Act according to which tax has to be increased every third year, so that this objective is achieved, he said.

The CDP also has several loopholes and needs a relook, Mr. Lobo said, adding that the matter would be brought to the notice of the party and the government.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. 

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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News Network
December 7,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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