Indian fans erupt in celebration after two films win at Oscars

Hyderabad: Former Indian cricket captain and senior Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin was sworn in as a minister in the Telangana cabinet on Friday. Governor Jishnu Dev Verma administered the oath of office at Raj Bhavan this morning.

Azharuddin’s induction fills a long-pending vacancy and marks the first Muslim representation in the current Congress-led cabinet.

The move has, however, drawn political reactions. The Opposition has termed it an electoral strategy ahead of the November 11 bypoll in the Jubilee Hills constituency, which has nearly 30% Muslim voters.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) objected to the timing, claiming that the appointment violates the Model Code of Conduct. BJP leaders wrote to the Chief Electoral Officer, alleging that inducting a minister who had recently sought a ticket from the same constituency amounts to an attempt to influence voters.

Defending the decision, Telangana Congress chief Mahesh Goud said the government was merely fulfilling its commitment to social justice and minority inclusion.

“The Congress had promised cabinet representation for minorities. Even in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, governments always included a minority face. We are simply correcting a long-overdue imbalance,” he said.

Azharuddin, who is not yet a member of either the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council, has been nominated to the Council under the Governor’s quota. However, the nomination is still awaiting the Governor’s approval. He must secure membership in the legislature within six months to continue as a minister.

Taking a dig at the BJP, Goud pointed out that the party had once appointed a Rajasthan election candidate as minister who later lost to the Congress in the polls.

Coastal Digest is thrilled to announce its official association as a Media Partner for the Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025. This flagship event by the Government of Karnataka’s Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood (SDEL) is set to be the largest, most influential platform dedicated to crafting India's future-ready workforce.

From November 4th to 6th, the Summit will bring together the top minds in policy, industry, and academia to co-design strategies that will future-proof the state's talent for the next decade.

Why This Summit Matters: Workforce 2030

The world of work is rapidly changing due to AI, green technologies, and Industry 4.0. This summit is Karnataka's proactive response, focusing on Scale, Systems, and Synergy to ensure its youth are equipped with globally competitive skills, moving beyond traditional education models.

As your trusted news partner, Coastal Digest will be providing comprehensive coverage, bringing you direct access to the policy shifts, innovative models, and key announcements that will shape employment and entrepreneurial opportunities across the region.

Key Highlights & Essential Information
This is your opportunity to connect directly with the forces driving Karnataka's economic and talent strategy.

Participants:    3,000+ Delegates 
Speakers:    100+ Visionary Leaders and Policymakers
Exhibitors:    100+ Showcasing cutting-edge Skilling Technologies

Focus: Emerging Skills (AI, Green Jobs), Innovation, Global Mobility, and Inclusive Skilling

•    Inaugural Ceremony (By Invite Only): 4 November 2025

•    Summit Open to All: 5–6 November 2025 (Two full days of sessions and exhibition)

•    Venue: The Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru

Coastal Digest encourages all stakeholders—students, entrepreneurs, educators, and working professionals—to attend and be part of this massive movement for skill development!

Don't miss the chance to engage, network, and gain insights that will define the future of careers in India's technology and knowledge capital. 

Also Read: Future-Ready Karnataka: Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025 to Address Workforce 2030 Challenges

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.