Hovercraft continues to fascinate crowds at Panambur beach

February 16, 2014
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Mangalore, Feb 16: For most people strolling at Panambur beach on Saturday evening, it was an unexpected surprise when a fully-functional hovercraft belonging to the Indian Coast Guard sped over waves around the coast towards the shore and whisked across the sand, leaving the visitors spellbound.

It was the first time that locals had seen a hovercraft from close quarters, since Karnataka so far did not have that kind of a hybrid vessel in the coast guard.

Much to the delight of those witnessing its arrival, the craft drifted over to the sandy shore and made its way over to a spot on the beach, sending a sudden blast of sand on the onlookers. As it came to a standstill on the beach, a large number of people gathered to take a closer look at the craft while its 'skirt' (air cushion) slowly deflated.

No sooner than the crew stepped outside from the craft, they were besieged with an array of questions from bystanders and the officers in charge of the hovercraft patiently answered each one of them.

Speaking to Coastaldigest.com, Commandant of the hovercraft H-194 Sandeep Safaya said that the hovercraft was one of the first to be commissioned by the Indian Coast Guard for increased surveillance along the coast of India. It will be used basically for patrolling, search-and-rescue operations and prevention of smuggling activities along the coast. It is also capable of rendering assistance to small boats or vessels in distress at sea and will help increase the security along the coast, he informed.

He said that the craft had been deployed on a preliminary test-basis to survey the coastline of Karnataka state. The H-194 hovercraft will be identifying and mapping beaches in the state where hovercrafts could land, he said.

Uttam Adhikari S Upadhyay said that the H-194 was one among the total 18 hovercrafts that would be stationed along the coast of the country. The hovercraft has a crew of two officers and 11 enrolled personnel. It can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots, he said.

He said that the H-194 was equipped with better navigation equipment that most vessels in the coast guard, and also weaponry such as anti-aircraft weapons, light machine guns (LMGs) and infantry arms as part of INSAS (Indian National Small Arms System).

Few Mangaloreans such as Havish and Deepak had arrived at Panambur specifically to catch a glimpse of the hovercraft. It will be open for public viewing for the next two days before returning to Mumbai.

Related: Coast Guard hovercraft ACV lands on Panambur beach

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December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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December 2,2025

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Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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