From Zameer Ahmed’s pocket: Rs 1 lakh each for 4 Bajrang Dal activists; Umrah for 12 Muslims

coastaldigest.com web desk
October 11, 2018

Mangaluru, Oct 11: Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Zameer Ahmed Khan, who was in the city on Thursday to attend an official programme, raised many eyebrows by exhibiting his generosity.

He pulled out Rs 4 lakh from his pockets and distributed Rs 1 lakh each to four Bajrang Dal activists from Sullia taluk – identified as Bipin Kallugundi, Manohar Kalive, Vijaya Nidinji and Dinesh Kallugundi – for their selfless service during natural calamity at Jodupala village in Kodagu bordering Dakshina Kannada.

The four youths were part of 16 bravehearts who rescued nearly 200 people stranded in Jodupala village which was devastated by floods and landslides in August this year.

“The heroic deed of these 16 youths is praise worthy. All of them are poor and lower middle class people. They had endangered their lives to rescue others,” said Mr Khan.

He said during this recent visit to Sullia, he had met 12 of the 16 youths and all of them were Muslims. “I wanted gift something from my side. They expressed their desire for pilgrimage. I happily agreed to sponsor their journey to Makkah and Madinah to perform Umrah.”

“The four others are these Bajrang Dal activists. They can’t go to Umrah. Hence, I promised them to sponsor a pilgrimage to a temple of their choice in India or any other part of the world. They told me that they would go on pilgrimage along with family members and sought for financial help. Hence I gave them Rs 1 lakh each. They deserve it,” he said.

Cash distribution spree

Earlier this month, during his visit to Tekkil English Medium School, Mr Khan had surprised four winners by pulling out cash from his pocket along with school's trophies. He gave Rs 26,000 each to two students and Rs 10,000 each to two others. Besides, he also announced Rs 8 lakh donation to the school and handed over Rs 5 lakh cash on the spot.

At another event at Peradka, an elderly man, who was affected by floods and landslides in Jodupala, requested help and Mr Khan handed him a bundle of notes amounting to Rs 50,000.

He also promised an ambulance to an organisation which sought for assistance. The handouts did not end there. The minister also gave Rs 20,000 cash to Rinsha Mariam who won gold in the South Asian ITF championship held in Nepal. Later, he attended a function at Mohiuddin Jumma Masjid in Peradka where he announced that he will pay Rs 70 lakh for road work, Rs 10 lakh for laying of interlocking tiles and Rs 25 lakh for development work in a colony where poor people live.

Comments

Mahesh
 - 
Thursday, 11 Oct 2018

Zameer bhai very well done. this is just initiative made by wonderfull politician like u. all rich politician should come forward to donate their money for some other good cause like this, really we should all appreciate zameer bhai for his wonderful and clear mindset work..

Sur Dubai
 - 
Thursday, 11 Oct 2018

The most generous Khan I have ever seen. God bless him.

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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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News Network
December 3,2025

arrival.jpg

Mangaluru, Dec 3: A group of Congress workers gathered at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday to welcome AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, but the reception quickly turned into a display of support for Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Venugopal arrived in the city to participate in the centenary commemoration of the historic dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and Narayana Guru. The event, organised by the Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, in association with the Mangalore University Sri Narayana Guru Study Chair, is being held on the university’s Konaje campus.

KPCC general secretary Mithun Rai and several party workers had assembled at the airport to receive Venugopal. However, the moment he stepped out, workers began raising slogans backing Shivakumar.

The university programme will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

This show of support comes just a day after Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar would lead the government “when the high command decides.” The chief minister made the comment after a breakfast meeting at Shivakumar’s residence—another public display of camaraderie between the two leaders amid ongoing attempts by the party high command to downplay their leadership rivalry.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

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