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Bengaluru, Oct 31: Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC), in collaboration with the Karnataka Skill Development Authority (KSDA), Knowledge Partner — Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), and Country Partner — Germany, is set to host the inaugural Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025 from November 4–6 at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru. The summit aims to position Karnataka as a global hub for workforce innovation and skilling excellence.

The event will be inaugurated on November 4 by Shri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, in the august presence of Shri D. K. Shivakumar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, and Dr. Sharanaprakash R. Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, and Medical Education, Government of Karnataka.

Special invitees include The Hon. Muhammad Reza Cassam Uteem, Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations, Republic of Mauritius; H.E. Dr. Philipp Ackermann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to India; and Mr. Ashutosh Gupta, Managing Director – India and Asia Pacific, Coursera, along with other distinguished dignitaries.

The theme for this year’s summit — “Workforce 2030: Scale, Systems, Synergy” — underscores the focus on expanding opportunities at scale, strengthening systems for quality and relevance, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

The summit will host 3,000+ attendees, including policymakers, corporate leaders, academic experts, and innovators; 100+ speakers, including ministers, global leaders, and academic pioneers; and 50+ exhibitors and partners.

Notable speakers include Mr. Subroto Bagchi (Co-founder, Mindtree; Former Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority), Mr. Ravi Venkatesan (Chairman, Global Energy Alliance; Former Chairman, Microsoft India & Bank of Baroda), Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari (IAS, Former Secretary, Government of India), Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam (CEO, NITI Aayog), Mr. Naveen Narayanan (Global Head – HR, Biocon Biologics), Ms. Saraswathi Ramachandra (MD & Country Head, Lightcast.io), Gi Soon Song (Director, South Asia, Asian Development Bank), and Mish Eastman (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Vocational Education, RMIT University, Australia), among others.

An exclusive ministerial panel is scheduled for November 5, on the plenary stage, titled “Convergence of Education, Skills & Industry for a Trillion USD Economy by 2032.” The session will feature key ministers from the Government of Karnataka —

Dr. Sharanaprakash Rudrappa Patil, M. B. Patil, Priyank Kharge, and Dr. M. C. Sudhakar — and will be moderated by Madan Padaki, Managing Trustee, Head Held High Foundation. The discussion will focus on aligning education, skilling, and industrial priorities to accelerate India’s journey toward a trillion-dollar economy through innovation, employability, and sustainable growth.

The summit welcomes participation from diverse sectors including Aerospace & Defence, AgriTech, Automotive, Real Estate, Banking & Finance, Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Media, Retail, Software, Telecommunications, and Hospitality. It aims to establish Karnataka as a global skilling hub, fostering collaboration to build a future-ready workforce.

Delegates will have opportunities to explore emerging skilling innovations, network with leaders, participate in live showcases and policy dialogues, and discover new career and partnership avenues.

Key highlights include:

•    Skillathon 2025, a national innovation challenge for college students to design creative solutions for the future of work.
•    Kaushalya Karnataka Awards, recognizing excellence in corporate and institutional skilling practices.
•    Skill Expo Pavilion, showcasing the latest training technologies and EdTech solutions.
•    Karnataka Vaibhava, a grand cultural showcase celebrating the state’s rich heritage and traditions.

The summit will also feature masterclasses, policy roundtables, deep-dive sessions, and a Youth Zone connecting students and professionals with career opportunities. Focus areas include:

• Fresh ideas in skilling
• Inclusive skilling for women, youth, and gig workers
• Global skills for international employability
• Preparing for the future — AI, green jobs, and digital transformation

Dr. Sharanaprakash Rudrappa Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood and Medical Education, said:

“The Bengaluru Skill Summit reflects Karnataka’s determination to lead India into the next era of workforce development. Our priority is to build a skilling framework that is inclusive, industry-aligned, and globally benchmarked — empowering young people to shape the future economy as skilled professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs.”

Echoing this vision, Dr. Gayathri Vasudevan, Chairperson, LabourNet Services India Pvt. Ltd. and Trustee, Sambhav Foundation, added: “The intent of the Bengaluru Skill Summit is to bring together innovations in technology and people development to explore how skill-building can truly translate into employability and meaningful employment for young people.”

Participants are invited to join this transformative movement shaping India’s future workforce, from November 4–6, 2025, at The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru.

For registration and details, visit www.bengaluruskillsummit.com

Mangaluru, Oct 27. The School Education and Literacy Department in Dakshina Kannada is implementing a rigorous plan to recover approximately 20 lost working days this academic year. Following time lost due to heavy monsoons and the recent extension of Dasara holidays for the socio-economic census, schools will soon see mandatory extra classes and classes scheduled even on certain government holidays.

The district’s Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), G. S. Shashidhar, confirmed that a target of 244 working days must be met in every academic year. "We are now charting out detailed plans to compensate for the significant loss of days," he stated.

The compensatory measures, for which an official circular is expected shortly, will involve extending the school day by one hour for both primary and high school students across the district.

Furthermore, the DDPI mentioned that there is a proposal to conduct classes on certain government holidays, particularly those marking 'Jayantis' (birth anniversaries). However, he clarified that Sundays will remain holidays to ensure adequate rest for both students and teachers. Full-day classes on Saturdays have already been implemented as part of the initial strategy.

The move has been largely welcomed by school administrators, who see it as a necessary step to ensure the comprehensive coverage of the syllabus. A government high school headmistress pointed out, "Post-Dasara, many academic days are dedicated to co-curricular activities like sports meets and Prathibha Karanji events. These extra classes will significantly help us to complete the curriculum on time."

The practice of holding special classes is not new to the region; several government and aided schools had already begun conducting extra classes for SSLC students on holidays even before the Dasara break. These new, district-wide measures aim to systematize the recovery process, ensuring all students catch up on lost instructional time and maintain academic momentum.

NRI entrepreneur Zakariya Jokatte, founder of Saudi Arabia’s Al Muzain Company, has been named one of the recipients of the 2025–26 Karnataka Rajyotsava Awards.

The award, announced by the Department of Kannada and Culture, recognises him under the Non-Resident Kannadiga (NRI) category for his business achievements and social work.

Expressing surprise over the award Zakariya said: “I never applied for it. Some friends must have nominated me quietly. I grew up in poverty, so I know what it means to struggle. Helping others has always been my way of giving back.”

“This honour is both a joy and a reminder of my responsibility to society,” he added.

Born in 1958 in Thokur near Mangaluru, Zakariya is the eldest of five children. He left school early and began working small jobs, including selling jaggery and welding, before moving abroad for labour work. He recalls carrying cement up 28 floors during his early years in the Gulf.

In 2008, he founded Al Muzain Manpower Company in Jubail with his son and three employees. The firm now employs more than 8,000 workers, with plans to expand to 10,000 by 2027.

Over the years, Zakariya has diversified his business interests across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, London and India. He has also invested in education, establishing an international school in Al Khobar in partnership with Yenepoya Institutions, and plans to launch a hospital and medical college.

Based in Bolar, Mangaluru, Zakariya is also known for his philanthropic work. Through the M Friends Charitable Trust, Hidaya Foundation and Zara Family Charity Trust, he supports welfare projects for disadvantaged communities.