Rich tributes paid to late Ahmed Bhai Patel in Jeddah

News Network
December 1, 2020

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On 26th November 2020 Intellectual Council of Gulbarga Jeddah chapter, a group of Gulbarga NRIs, based in Jeddah who are basically Congressmen gathered at the residence of Sajid Shaikh, under the leadership of Syed Nasir Khurshid, who also the member of the All India Overseas Cultural Congress, Jeddah in order to pay tribute to their beloved leader, late Ahmed Bhai Patel.

Syed Nasir Khurshid welcomed all the attendees and expressed his views with heavy heart and said, Congress party and India has lost a great leader, who was secular in his nature and character and was treating everyone with respect irrespective of his caste, creed and background.  Shri Ahmed Patel enjoyed a greater role and power in the Congress party, and he was a political advisor to the Sonia Gandhi for a longer time and he acquired this position on the merit basis. He gave a brief political career details of Shri Ahmed Bhai Patel, that Mr. Patel was first time elected to the Lok Sabah at the age of 26 years in the year 1977. While concluding his speech he said we have very prominent personality Mr. Saleem Khaleefa with us, vice chairman, Intellectual council of Gulbarga who is also a loyal congressman, affiliated with congress party from his student life, on the policies, program and secular characters of the party, let’s hear his views.

 Saleem Khaleefa expressed his deep sorrow on the sudden demise of Ahmed Bhai Patel. He explained that Shri Ahmed Patel was a brilliant political leader he had acquired a lot of natural abilities to be called a progressive leader. He was a bridge between all congressmen and the High Command and had an ample respect in the eyes of Sonia Gandhi and all members of Congress Working Committee. He also had good friends in all political parties.

He was one of the most important pillars of the Congress party and was a very loyal and he was never a power monger. He refused to become a cabinet member in UPA I and UPA II, he was very keen to improve the organizational skills of the party and focused his whole life in strengthening the party across the India.  He was a very sensible leader and he got the titles of Chanakya and Sankat Mochak of the party and he proved his abilities on many difficult occasions and recently he played a Chanakya role when he convinced the Congress High Command to extend the support and form the government with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, in order to keep the BJP out of power. For me who can replace Ahmed bhai Patil in congress is our Karnataka Congress President Shri D.K. Sivakumar, who has showed his abilities of being a junior Chanakya, CWC should take a decision to give him more powers to take decisions for party at Central level. He was elected three times to Lok Sabah and 5 times to Rajya Sabah. He also served as the president of Pradesh Congress Committee of Gujarat. On his untimely demise, all political leaders, irrespective of their affiliation, including Prime Minister, Modiji expressed deep grief. He ended his speech by saying that, Congress has lost a great leader and it seems very difficult to find a replacement of Mr. Patel in the Congress party. Sonia Gandhi and former prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed their deep sorrow and grief on the demise of Ahmed bhai Patel. Both acknowledged that he was the most sincere and loyal leader of the congress party, both lost their best friend also.

Sajid Shaikh expressed his deep grief and said, he was an honest leader of the congress party, who always kept himself at low profile, who focused on work only and he was away from the limelight. He had very good relations with media persons and used to meet and greet with respect even to an ordinary person. For him Party was everything he always wanted to remain in the party organization hierarchy. He served party with different capacity for more than 45 years and got the title from the party presidents the most loyal and faithful congress leader in the recent history of the party. He worked with Smt. Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi with his topmost honesty and dedication.

He played a very significant role during UPAI & UPA II, he was one of the policy makers of the government during the Congress government at the center.

Other prominent members who attended this tribute meeting and paid their deep tribute to Mr. Patel, were Abdul Waheed, Syed Hazrath Khadri, Salim Khan, Mohammed Afsar, and Rayyan Khaleefa, while speaking they paid their gratitude, respect, affection and admiration to the departure soul. Meeting ended with the supplication that Allah Almighty forgive his sins and grant him a higher rank in Jannah.

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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 2,2025

A major upgrade in safety and monitoring is planned for Haj 2026, with every Indian pilgrim set to receive a Haj Suvidha smart wristband linked to the official Haj Suvidha mobile app. The initiative aims to support pilgrims—especially senior citizens—who may struggle with smartphones during the 45-day journey.

What the Smart Wristband Will Do

Officials said the device will come with:
•    Location tracking
•    Pedometer
•    SOS emergency button
•    Qibla compass
•    Prayer timings
•    Basic health monitoring

SP Tiwari, secretary of the UP State Haj Committee, said the goal is to make the pilgrimage safer and more comfortable.

“Most Hajis are elderly and not comfortable with mobile apps,” he said. “The smartwatch will help locate pilgrims who forget their way or cannot communicate their location.”

The wristbands will be monitored by the Consulate General of India in Saudi Arabia, similar to mobile tracking via the Haj Suvidha App.

Free Distribution and Training

•    Smart wristbands will be given free of cost.
•    Training for pilgrims will be conducted between January and February 2026.
•    Sample units will reach state Haj committees soon.
•    Final devices will be distributed as pilgrims begin their journey.

New Rules for Accommodation

Two major decisions have also been finalised for Haj 2026:
1.    Separate rooms for men and women – including married couples. They may stay on the same floor but must occupy different rooms, following stricter Saudi guidelines.
2.    Cooking banned – gas cylinders will not be allowed; all meals will be provided through official catering services arranged by the Haj Committee of India.

These decisions were finalised during a meeting of the Haj Committee of India and state representatives in Mumbai.

Haj Suvidha App Launched Earlier

The government launched the Haj Suvidha App in 2024, offering:

•    Training modules
•    Accommodation and flight details
•    Baggage information
•    SOS and translation tools
•    Grievance redressal

Haj 2026 Quota and Key States

•    India’s total Haj quota for 2026: 1,75,025 pilgrims
•    70% (1,25,000) allotted to the Haj Committee of India
•    30% (around 50,000) reserved for Haj Group Organisers

Uttar Pradesh has the largest allocation (around 30,000 seats), though approximately 18,000 pilgrims are expected to go this year. States with high pilgrim numbers include Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Dates of Haj 2026

The pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from 24 May to 29 May, 2026 (tentative).
Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for Muslims who meet the required conditions.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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