Qatar: KMCA celebrates Karnataka Rajyotsava

Media Release
November 13, 2017

Doha, Nov 13: Karnataka Muslim Cultural  Association (KMCA), celebrated  the   62nd Karnataka Rajyotsava  with full fanfare on November 10 at the Indian Cultural Centre,  Ashoka hall. The programme was laced with entertainment, comedy, patriotic fervor and perfect blend of art and music. 

The evening commenced with the Qiraat, recited by Master  Faakhir Fayaz Ahmed and translated by Master Bilal Ahmed Assadi.  Mr Zakir Ahamed and Mr Hasan Nihal, as the MC for the evening, explained the schedule of events for the  evening  and  handed  over the stage to Standup Comedian, , Ajay Sarapure, from Belagavi.  Ajay also known as  Hasya Ratna, has been a student of Karnataka’s Comedy King Mr. Gangavati Pranesh.  

The young multitalented Tejaswi Ananth stunned the audience by his mesmerizing LED poi acts, juggling and hand shadow act. His LED poi act was the highlight of the evening that received a thunderous applause, and at a mere 19 years of age, Tejaswi, is a true variety entertainer. His gimmicks, and vibrant personality had the audience asking for more. Jeevansab Walikar Binnala was the next performer of the evening. Jeevan Sab, also a standup comedian, famously known as Janapada Hasya Kalavida, from North Karnataka is a multi-talented artist. He started his performance with a melodious folk song and went on to entertain the audience with his comedy where he brought out the subtle day-to-day life experience in his own style. 

KMCA should be lauded for recognizing upcoming talents from the native land and providing them an international platform for a larger exposure. KMCA has started a trend that they live up to, at every community event they conduct. The Guest of Honour of the evening, Haji SM Rashid, Chairman of SMR builders and Promoters, had flown in from Mangalore to be part of KMCA celebrations. During the formal function, he was escorted to the dais by President Abdulla Monu and Vice President Aisha Rafique. The Chief Guest for the evening, Syed Abdul Hye, Founder Member of KMCA was escorted by General Secretary Saquib Raza Khan. Living up to the arabic culture, dates were presented to Chief Guest & Guest of Honor. KMCA president Abdulla Monu welcomed all the dignitaries, members and all attendees to the event. He also explained the importance of Rajyotsava, an event that brings all the Kannadigas together with a bond of friendship and plays a significant role in rebuilding relationships and harmony within all of us. Saquib Raza Khan read the profile of Haji SM Rashid, after which Haji SM Rashid was felicitated by the executive committee members of KMCA. Haji SM Rashid addressed the gathering and expressed his gratitude on being a part of this spectacular event. 

Dignitaries from different Karnataka-based organizations namely, Ravi Shetty Sanjay Kudri, H K Madhu, Arvind Patil, Navaneet Shetty, Deepak Shetty, Nazeer Pasha, Anil Boloor, Nagesh Rao, Seetharam Shetty, Ramchandra Shetty, Subramanya, Mahesh Gowda, Iqbal Manna, Manjunath, Anil Boloor, Veeresh Mannangi, Ilyas Beary, Diwakar Poojary, Asmath Ali and Habibun Nabi were also present at the event.

KMCA annual souvenir, the 5th edition of Pragati, was released on the occasion by the Chief Guest. 

KMCA has been conferring special award every year, on people who are the silent heroes of the community. This year’s recipients were Cajetan Nery Alphonso, Marketing Manager of Ali bin Ali group, Ligorio Francis Estrocio, Employee of Ministry of Interior and Richard Jurnis. Their voluntary, selfless service to the communities is praise worthy and inspiring. Executive committee members of KMCA honored them for their valuable contribution to the society. KMCA Excom and Presidents of affiliated Karnataka Associations also honored the performing artist. Ruksana Begum then proposed the Vote of thanks.

Soon after, the stage was again set for the artists to enthral the audience. Jeewansab Walikar, the folk artist, sung a patriotic song in memory of Tipu Sultan as, November 10th is also the birthday of The Tiger of Mysore – Tipu Sultan. The day is celebrated as Tipu Jayanti by Government of Karnataka. The folk routine was again followed by another mesmerizing LED poi act by Tejaswi, that had the crowd cheering with immense joy, on the images of Qatar and India, and various images of Tamim Al-Majd.

The magical part of the evening was Basavaraj Umarani, from Belgaum. A Maths Magician, he is renowned as The Blind Walking Computer. Completely blind since birth Basavaraj has never glimpsed the external world, but his mind sees and interprets things that no normal person could ever perceive. He is gifted with a brain of unparalleled capacity, immense memory, unbelievable levels of perception, mathematical and analytical skills that could challenge the greatest brains in the country. His mind-blowing cricket commentary of a random match, 9 digit calculations carried out mentally, were the highlight of the evening. Interacting with the audience with his inspiring words, he quoted that nothing is impossible when the word itself states “I’m possible”. His sheer talent, simplicity and words of immense wisdom received a standing ovation. The final icing of the evening was yet again Tejaswi Ananth, who stunned the audience with the Hand Shadow Act and concluded the celebrations for the evening. An evening that promised to deliver entertainment and lived up to its promise.

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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.

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coastaldigest.com news network
January 19,2026

badriya.jpg

Mangaluru: The Phase I project of Badria Vision 2028 was formally launched at a ceremony held at the Badria Campus on January 17, marking an important step in the institution’s long-term development roadmap.

The programme was attended by P.B. Abdul Hameed, Secretary of the MEA, and P.C. Hasir, Correspondent of the MEA, who presided over the event and underscored the institution’s commitment to growth and academic excellence.

Office-bearers of the Badria Alumni Association were present in large numbers, including A.K. Sajid (President), Shamsuddin and S.M. Farooq (Vice-Presidents), Shaheed (General Secretary), and Khaleel (Treasurer), reflecting strong alumni engagement in the initiative.

The gathering was blessed by Sayyid Shamsuddeen Basith Thangal Kukkaje, Qateeb of Zeenat Yatheem Bakshi, who led a special dua seeking divine guidance and success for the project.

The ceremony also witnessed the participation of prominent alumnus and local corporate professional Abdul Latheef, along with alumni members Naushad, Kalandar, Safwan, members of the core committee, and several other former students.

A key moment of the event was the formal handover of a cheque to Ameen Woodland Architect, signalling the immediate commencement of construction work under Phase I of the project.

Organisers said the launch of Phase I reflects a shared vision, institutional unity, and collective resolve to realise the objectives of Badria Vision 2028.

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News Network
January 23,2026

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot read only three lines from the 122-paragraph address prepared by the Congress-led state government while addressing the joint session of the Legislature on Thursday, effectively bypassing large sections critical of the BJP-led Union government.

The omitted portions of the customary Governor’s address outlined what the state government described as a “suppressive situation in economic and policy matters” under India’s federal framework. The speech also sharply criticised the Centre’s move to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, commonly referred to as the VB-GRAM (G) Act.

Governor Gehlot had earlier conveyed his objection to several paragraphs that were explicitly critical of the Union government. On Thursday, he confined himself to the opening lines — “I extend a warm welcome to all of you to the joint session of the State legislature. I am extremely pleased to address this august House” — before jumping directly to the concluding sentence of the final paragraph.

He ended the address by reading the last line of paragraph 122: “Overall, my government is firmly committed to doubling the pace of the State’s economic, social and physical development. Jai Hind — Jai Karnataka.”

According to the prepared speech, the Karnataka government demanded the scrapping of the VB-GRAM (G) Act, describing it as “contractor-centric” and detrimental to rural livelihoods, and called for the full restoration of MGNREGA. The state government argued that the new law undermines decentralisation, weakens labour protections, and centralises decision-making in violation of constitutional norms.

Key points from the unread sections of the speech:

•    Karnataka facing a “suppressive” economic and policy environment within the federal system

•    Repeal of MGNREGA described as a blow to rural livelihoods

•    VB-GRAM (G) Act accused of protecting corporate and contractor interests

•    New law alleged to weaken decentralised governance

•    Decision-making said to be imposed by the Centre without consulting states

•    Rights of Adivasis, women, backward classes and agrarian communities curtailed

•    Labourers allegedly placed under contractor control

•    States facing mounting fiscal stress due to central policies

•    VB-GRAM (G) Act accused of enabling large-scale corruption

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