NRI from Mangaluru killed in car-truck collision in Saudi Arabia

Mangaluru, Mar 20: A youth who immolated himself succumbed to the injuries sustained, at Muchilakodi under the limits of Konaje police station limits on the outskirts of the city on Sunday.

The deceased has been identified as Harish (33), son of Babu Shettigar of Vittal Kanyana. He was working as a gardener at Infosys campus at Mudipu.

Harish had married a young woman from Siddakatte Sangabettu last year. His wife is now said to be seven months pregnant. Harish had even planned to hold a baby shower function for his wife. 

However, his wife reportedly started avoiding Harish for past couple of months. 

On March 12, Harish had called his cousin Ramesh Shettigar of Konaje and had said he found ash and iron piece in his bag and suspected black magic by someone. Ramesh had then told Harish that he would talk about it on March 19. 

Accordingly, Harish had visited Ramesh’s house on Sunday, March 19. Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Kumar R Jain said that Harish reportedly poured petrol over himself and also on his wife. He had suffered 75 per cent burn injuries. As his wife had come aside when he poured petrol, she is safe.

Immediately the police were informed and Harish was rushed to the hospital in ambulance but he breathed his last before reaching the hospital. It is learnt, despite suffering burn injuries, Harish had himself boarded the ambulance.

Mangaluru, Mar 18: A male passenger who had arrived by an international flight was caught smuggling gold by concealing it in the diaper of his 21-month old daughter at the Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) in a recent incident, a customs release here said on Saturday.

The gold, in the form of paste, was kept in pouches inside the diaper. However, it was detected by officials during checking.

In another incident, a male passenger had hidden the gold in paste form and tied it across his waist like a belt. Another person hid gold in paste form in his rectum.

In all, customs officials at the MIA have seized 1,606 gm of gold worth Rs 90.67 lakh from March 1 to 15 this year, the release said. All the three passengers have been arrested and further investigations are on.

Mangaluru, Mar 15: For the first time in the country, a historic decision has been taken in Karnataka to bring higher education textbooks in Kannada at the earliest. Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot said that the aim is to speed up the development of the country with the local language. 

Presiding over the 41st convocation of Mangalore University held at Mangala Auditorium on Wednesday, he said that the decision was taken in the meeting of vice chancellors of all the universities, union government officials and education experts on Tuesday. It is the matter of pride that Karnataka is the first state in India to implement National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which gives priority to education in local language. "The role of the youth is necessary to make ‘Aathma Nirbhara Bharat’ a ‘Vishwa Guru’ once again by strengthening the economy as well. Conservation of our water, air and forest is an urgent need. Being active in public life, we should develop a spirit of caring for one another,” he opined.

Director of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) Prof. S. C. Sharma, in his convocation address said that the NEP 2020 helps us to rethink the concept of university education. It should increase our multitasking ability. Selfless concern towards the environment should develop within us. It requires humanity and study of liberal arts education. Awareness of our ancient wisdom, richness of our culture, and good aspects of Western culture will help us. Our studies should be practical, connected with the larger outside world, he said.

Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof. P Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya welcomed the guests explaining the achievements and goals of the university. Registrar Prof. Kishore Kumar CK, Registrar (Evaluation) Prof. Raju Krishna Chalannavar, University Syndicate Members, Academic Council Members, Deans of various departments, Principals of various colleges and hundreds of dignitaries were present. Dr. Dhananjaya Kumble and Dr. Preethi Keerthi D'Souza mastered the ceremony. 

This time 115 researchers including 7 foreigners were awarded with Ph.D. 55 students awarded with gold medals and 57 with cash prizes. Out of 199 rank holders, 71 first rankers were given certificates by the Governor.