SIO bats for modernization of Madrasas in Karnataka, promotion of Arabic

[email protected] (CD Network)
November 23, 2014

Bengaluru, Nov 23: The Karnataka zone of the Student Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) has come up with various recommendations in order to upgrade Madrasa education system and promote Arabic language in the region.

The survey report recently released by the SIO after conducting survey of 55 Madrasas from different parts of the state, recommends few action points for the community leaders, Madrasa managements as well as state government.

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The report also expresses concern over the malign campaign against Madrasa. “Madrasa in Arabic means school. Today Madrasa is the most maligned term. There may be many reasons for it. However Madrasa was the cradle of new inventions nay new civilization during the middle ages. In India the contribution of Madrasa towards educational and political revival cannot be denied. It was the springboard of freedom movement. It was the abode of intellectuals, poets, writers and revolutionaries,” the report says.

In the past Madrasas were places of new initiatives and harbingers of inventions. However today they are confined to religious education, it said.

As per the records of Karnataka Government there are more than 960 Madrasas in the State. The government might have counted only Maktabs (Madrasa meant for small children) and excluded Pallidars attached to Masjids, says the report questioning the accuracy of the government's survey.

The recommendations are as follows:

1. To establish a non-governmental Madarasa regulating body constituting all schools of thoughts.

2. A committee to study the infrastructure requirements of Madarasas has to be established.

3. To appoint physical education teachers, providing sports equipments and to ensure sufficient play grounds has to be given prominence. Inter Madrasa sports must be encouraged.

4. Arabic learning must be encouraged. Students must be encouraged to speak and converse in Arabic within the campus.

5. As Arabic attains prominence even in terms of the geo-political situation of Middle Eastern and African countries including all Muslim countries, the Government must make provision to include Arabic second and third slots of language selections.

6. Arabic studies Chair has to be opened in all the Universities. All the Universities in Karnataka should commence BA in Arabic courses. Madarasa students must be made eligible to join these courses. MA courses must be commenced as a follow up for these courses.

7. The teaching of mathematics, science, social studies, Kannada and computer education must be made compulsory in Madarasas.

8. There must be provision to hold social and cultural functions at Madarasas.

9. Teaching of Kannada and English language to be made compulsory.

10. Graduate trained teachers who are having Religious degrees may be appointed as faculty.

11. Prathibha Karanji programmes organized by the Government of Karnataka at the state level may be extended to the Madarasas.

12. Time duration has to be fixed for the graduation course (aleemiyath), like all other educational institutions.

13. To fix a salary of minimum Rs 15,000 for the teachers.

Six model Madrasas honoured

During the course of the two-phase survey, the SIO team also recognized six model Madrasas out of 55 targeted Madrasas. The six among 55 Madrasas are in relatively good status maintaining quality, diversity and creativity in education with holistic approaches. In order to recognize these efforts and motivate other Madrasas to initiate healthy discussions and initiatives on this subject SIO Karnataka Zone honoured these six model Madrasas at a programme recently held in Bengaluru.

Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader formally felicitated the representative of these Madarasa and lauded their efforts. Educationist Dr. Neeranjan Aradhya, Scholar Muhammed Kunni, Convenor of Majlis ul-Ulema Karnataka Maulana Waheeduddin Khan Umri, Mahaz Secretary SM Iqbal, SIO Zonal President Thouseef MY and others were present on the occasion.

The six model Madrasas are: Madarasa Baithul Uloom, Sindagi, Madarasa Ziya-ul-Uloom, Kandlur, Iqra Arabic School, Mangalore, Houze- Ilmiya-Baqirul-Uloom, Alipur, Jamiya Islamiya, Bhatkal, Darul Umoor (Tipu Sulthan Study and Research Center).

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district. 

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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coastaldigest.com news network
December 2,2025

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Udupi, Dec 2: A wave of regional pride is sweeping through Udupi district as Shagun S Verma Hegde, a talented Class 9 student from Christ King English Medium High School, Karkala, has been named the captain of the Indian National Team for the Under-15 Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

Shagun holds the unique distinction of being the sole player from Karnataka selected to represent the country in the prestigious international tournament. The championship, organized by the School Games Federation, is scheduled to take place in Shangluo, China, from December 3 to 13, where Shagun will lead the national squad.

A Remarkable Journey to the Top

Shagun’s selection is a testament to her dedication and exceptional skill on the court. Her journey included several rigorous rounds of selection:

•    She was the only player from Udupi district to qualify for the state-level selection camp.

•    Out of eight players from Karnataka who advanced to the national selection camp in Pune, Maharashtra, Shagun was the only one to secure a place in the final national squad.

•    The national camp saw participation from approximately 200 players, which was shortlisted to 23. Shagun not only made the final cut but was also ranked as the second-best player overall, solidifying her leadership role.

Shagun, who is the daughter of Sandesh Verma and Shruthiraj of Kallotte, Karkala, has trained under experienced coaches Santosh D’Souza, Jeevan D’Silva, Jairaj Poojary, and Ramesh. Her selection as the team captain has brought profound honour to her family, school, the Udupi district, and the entire state of Karnataka.

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News Network
December 7,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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