Congress is frustrated; PoK part of India: Javadekar

Agencies

August 14, 2019

New Delhi, Aug 14: The Congress is speaking in different voices on the special status of Jammu and Kashmir because of its "frustration, despair and directionless politics", Union minister Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday. He added that PoK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) is a part of India and a seat will be left for it in the assembly.

The minister also accused Congress leader P Chidambaram of communalising the issue and said people of Jammu and Kashmir were happy with the decision to revoke the state's special status under Article 370.

Chidambaram on Monday alleged that the BJP scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as the region is "dominated" by Muslims, a remark condemned by the ruling party as "provocative and irresponsible".

The former union finance minister also alleged that the BJP-led NDA government would not have taken the bold decision had Jammu and Kashmir been a "Hindu-dominated" state.

"This is Congress' frustration, despair, and directionless politics. Karan Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Milind Deora, R P N Singh, and other leaders are talking one thing and Chidambaram, Mani Shankar Aiyar saying another thing. The party is in perennial confusion. They never had a clear stand," Javadekar told reporters.

The union minister of Information and Broadcasting and Environment also said the people of Jammu and Kashmir celebrated Eid happily.

"Let me say that after Article 370 people of Kashmir will progress and will get the rights that have been denied to them in the last 70 years. That is why they are happy. People tried and even expected disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The way that the people celebrated and how they came out shows that they are happy. Kashmir will get normal very soon. But if some people see Palestine in Kashmir then it is their negative thought. Chidambaram is only trying to communalise the issue and it is dirty politics," said Javadekar.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

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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