Yogesh Prabhu K is the new president of India Social & Cultural Centre

The coastal city of Mangaluru is gearing up for a major sporting milestone with the launch of a Golf Excellence Academy at the Pilikula Golf Club (PGC), scheduled to open on May 31. The initiative aims to position Mangaluru firmly on India’s national golfing map.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday during PGC’s first-ever floodlit Pro-Am tournament, club captain Manoj Kumar Shetty said the project is being funded by UAE-based philanthropist Michael D’Souza and is currently in the design phase. Experts from leading golf academies across the country are expected to visit Mangaluru to help shape the training programme and infrastructure.

The academy will train 20 young golfers at a time, with a long-term vision of producing national-level players from the region. Until now, PGC relied on an in-house coach, but the recent renovation of the course and the introduction of floodlights have opened new possibilities for expanding the sport.

Shetty said discussions are underway with two reputed coaching academies, whose heads are expected to visit PGC shortly. “A dormitory for trainers is already under construction. We are inviting academies to assess the facilities and suggest changes so we can build a truly world-class Golf Excellence Academy,” he said.

Professional golfer Aryan Roopa Anand noted that the floodlit course would be a game-changer for young players. “Students can now practise after school hours, even up to 8 or 9 pm, without compromising on academics,” he said.

Mangaluru: Urban local bodies and gram panchayats should make the use of Kannada on signboards mandatory while issuing trade licences to commercial establishments, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV said. He also called for regular inspections to ensure compliance.

Presiding over the District Kannada Awareness Committee meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office, Darshan said the city corporation would be directed to ensure that shops operating in malls prominently display their names in Kannada. “All commercial establishments, including shops, companies, offices and hotels, must mandatorily display their names in Kannada on signboards,” he said.

The deputy commissioner added that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would be instructed to include Kannada on signboards along national highways. Banks, he said, would be directed through committee meetings to provide application forms in Kannada.

“Even if English-medium schools and colleges impart education in English, their signboards must display the institution’s name in Kannada. Steps will also be taken to ensure that private buses display place names in Kannada,” Darshan said.

During the meeting, committee members raised concerns over the closure of Kannada-medium schools in rural areas due to a shortage of teachers and stressed the need for immediate corrective measures. They also pointed out that several industries employ workers from other states while overlooking local candidates.

Members further demanded that nationalised banks provide deposit and withdrawal slips in Kannada. It was brought to the deputy commissioner’s notice that the presence of staff without knowledge of Kannada in rural branches of nationalised banks is causing hardship to local customers.

Meanwhile, MP Srinath, president of the District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, urged the district administration to allot land for the construction of a district Kannada Bhavana in Mangaluru.

Kolar / Dammam / Riyadh: An Indian civil engineer from Karnataka, who had gone missing from his workplace in Saudi Arabia, has been freed from jail and safely reunited with his family after three months, bringing immense relief to his relatives and well-wishers.

Mr. Byreddy Chennakeshappa, a native of Kolar district, was working as a site engineer with a construction company in Dammam. In September 2025, he suddenly became unreachable, with his mobile phone switched off and no communication with family members or friends, triggering serious concern back home.

With no clear information available, the family sought help through community networks in the Gulf. The matter was eventually brought to the attention of Riyadh-based social worker and pro bono lawyer P. A. Hameed Padubidri through Rafiq Kundanda, a Dubai-based Kannadiga, and his friend Mr. Varun Kolar (Dubai).

Efforts to Trace His Whereabouts

Following coordinated efforts and inquiries with the concerned company and authorities, it was confirmed that Mr. Byreddy was in Dammam and undergoing legal procedures related to a workplace matter.

Mr. Byreddy has been associated with the same company for several years. He had earlier worked there for nearly nine years, rejoined after a brief gap, and had been working continuously for over two years at the time of the incident.

Support from Official Channels

Dr. P. A. Hameed extended full support and assistance to the family by coordinating with the company, approaching relevant official channels, and seeking the intervention of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), Dammam.

An authorisation letter from the Indian Embassy was also obtained to facilitate communication and legal representation with the concerned authorities, ensuring that the matter was followed up in accordance with local laws.

Positive Outcome After Follow-ups

After sustained follow-ups and coordination with all stakeholders, the issue was resolved. Mr. Byreddy was released and permitted to reunite with his family. He is now safe and back home with his loved ones.

Family Expresses Gratitude

Mr. Byreddy’s brother-in-law, Mr. Naveen (Bengaluru), along with Mr. Varun Kolar (Dubai), expressed their sincere gratitude to Dr. P. A. Hameed for his guidance and unwavering support during the difficult period.

They also acknowledged the cooperation extended by the Human Rights Commission, Dammam, and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, noting that timely assistance and effective coordination played a crucial role in resolving the matter.

Community Support Matters

The incident underscores the importance of community support systems, social workers, and diplomatic channels in assisting Indian nationals abroad during challenging situations.

What began as a period of uncertainty and anxiety has ended on a reassuring note, offering comfort to the family and renewed faith in collective humanitarian efforts and the Saudi legal system.