Israeli consulate commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Bengaluru

News Network

January 28, 2021

Bengaluru, Jan 28: The International Holocaust Remembrance Day was commemorated by the Consulate General of Israel to South India (Bengaluru) on Wednesday in the presence of heads of diplomatic missions and clergy.

According to an official release, the Consulate General hosted a ceremony commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day with the participation of government officials, foreign diplomats, and clergy at the Bengaluru International Center, Domlur. The hybrid ceremony was attended both physically and online.

Heads of diplomatic missions from the U.S., the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Japan, Netherlands, and Canada, as well as clergy from various religious communities - Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Bahai, Sikh, Zoroastrian, and Jewish - also lit memorial candles, either physically at the event or over video conference call. The Jewish Rabbi offered a prayer for the souls of those who perished.

"The Holocaust was a painful chapter in the history of humankind. Centuries of antisemitism, hatred, and racism paved way for such gruesome acts that shook the very foundation of modern civilization, resulting in crisis and a widespread catastrophe for humanity. Its unprecedented character and horror will always hold universal meaning," the release said.

"In 2005, The UN declared 27 January as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops in 1945. On this day, the international community pays tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to counter antisemitism, racism, and other forms of intolerance that may lead to group-targeted violence," the release further stated.

The theme chosen by the UN this year is: "Facing the Aftermath: Recovery and Reconstitution after the Holocaust" - focusing, among other things, on the importance of education and remembrance of Holocaust in a world of rising antisemitism and increasing levels of disinformation and hate speech, and the development of a historical literacy to counter repeated attempts to deny and distort the history of the Holocaust.

Consul General of Israel to South India, Jonathan Zadka, said: "We all gathered here today to commemorate those who were murdered in the Holocaust and also raise awareness of the atrocities that can happen if we, as a community, do not fight hatred and racism. It warms my heart to see the broad attendance from government, diplomatic missions, and clergy, showing that we are all here to fight for a better future together."

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Mangaluru’s KPT becomes India’s first autonomous govt polytechnic

News Network

January 23,2026

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has achieved autonomous status from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), becoming the first government polytechnic in the country to receive such recognition in its 78-year history. The status was granted by AICTE, New Delhi, and subsequently approved by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

Officials said the autonomy was conferred a few months ago. Until recently, AICTE extended autonomous status only to engineering colleges, excluding diploma institutions. However, with a renewed national focus on skill development, several government polytechnics across India have now been granted autonomy.

KPT, the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka, was established in 1946 with four branches and has since expanded to offer eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The institution is spread across a 19-acre campus.

Ravindra M Keni, the first dean of the institution, told The Times of India that AICTE had proposed autonomous status for polytechnic institutions that are over 25 years old. “Many colleges applied. In the first round, 100 institutions were shortlisted, which was further narrowed down to 15 in the second round. We have already completed one semester after becoming an autonomous institution,” he said. He added that nearly 500 students are admitted annually across eight three-year diploma courses.

Explaining the factors that helped KPT secure autonomy, Keni said the institution has consistently recorded 100 per cent admissions and placements for its graduates. He also noted its strong performance in sports, with the college emerging champions for 12 consecutive years, along with active student participation in NCC and NSS activities.

Autonomous status allows KPT to design industry-oriented curricula, conduct examinations, prepare question papers, and manage academic documentation independently. The institution can also directly collaborate with industries and receive priority funding from AICTE or the Ministry of Education. While academic autonomy has been granted, financial control will continue to rest with the state government.

“There will be separate committees for examinations, question paper setting, boards of studies, and boards of examiners. The institution will now have the freedom to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards,” Keni said, adding that new academic initiatives would be planned after a year of functioning under the autonomous framework.

Comments