Tourists from 150 countries will get e-visas: Union minister

September 7, 2015

Bengaluru: Sep 7: India is committed to making it easier for tourists and has introduced several facilities for them, said Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Tourism and Culture.

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Tourists from 113 countries are being issued e-visas. Travellers from 37 more nations would be covered soon. Besides, tourists are being given welcome cards, he said at the inauguration of the 38th Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart, 2015, at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre here on Sunday. PATA is a not-for profit association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.

The government has also introduced a helpline, 1363, for tourists in Hindi and English. Tourists can call the helpline to lodge any complaint or grievance round-the-clock from anywhere in India. The helpline will soon be introduced in 12 more Indian languages.

Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said that the national tourism policy would be unveiled soon, which was aimed at creating tourist facilities and fully using technology to improve the sector.

PATA Chairman Kevin Murphy spoke about a symposium held by the nonprofit at Christ University here on Friday, that was attended by young entrepreneurs. “We have had internal meetings with the Karnataka Tourism Department on how to strengthen destinations and iron out issues. An investment forum will also be held to strengthen economy. Through the buyer and seller meet, the aim is to ensure there is a lot of exchange for better economy.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted how Karnataka had seen a 300 per cent increase in the number of tourists in the last 10 years, from 24 million to 85 million. “We aim to put Karnataka in the list of top international destinations. This is the first technological and investment forum for the State and we want to ensure this helps boost economy,” he said.

The opening ceremony was a visual treat for 1,100 delegates from 61 countries who are attending the two-day conference.

With the theme of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (the guest is equivalent to God), the opening ceremony focused on Hampi, a Unesco world heritage site. From the musical pillars of Hampi to rhythms of India and all popular dance forms of the nation, the ceremony had a colourful presentation.

The grand Mysore Dasara Jumboo Savari was welcomed with an applause and standing ovation. It was led by Dollu Kunita, Yakshagana, Bha-ratanatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri and Kuchipudi artistes.

Also present on the occasion were ministers R V Deshpande, Ramalinga Reddy, K J George, legislators D K Suresh, S R Vishwanath and S Muniraju, Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee, Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) Pradeep Singh Kharola and Tourism director G Satyavathi.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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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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