Mangaluru youth stranded in Saudi Arabia returns home; family thanks Indian Social Forum

The webinar addressed key topics essential for enhancing employability and adapting to the current job market. It was organized by Gulbarga welfare society Riyadh chapter, among speakers Syed Nasir Khursheed, Mohammed Saleem Khaleefa, Mohammed Imdad Ali and Obaid gotori addressed, while it was presided by Mukhtarullah Jagirdar.

The major highlight of the webinar was focused on
1.    Free Visa Considerations
2.    Resume Preparation and Interview Techniques
3.    Current Job Market Trends
4.    Emerging Technologies and the Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The speakers provided valuable insights to newcomers already in Saudi Arabia and those planning to migrate on job or free visas.

Syed Nasir Khursheed, a social activist and Advisor to the Gulbarga Welfare Society, shared valuable insights into today’s competitive job market. He highlighted the need for young professionals to be not just skilled but also smart and well-prepared to secure and maintain good jobs. He encouraged students to think beyond traditional paths and explore exciting fields like Finance, Logistics, Public Relations, Events Management, Sales, and Marketing. Addressing a common misconception, he reassured them that jobs aren’t just about knowing the right people merit and hard work always comes first.

Nasir Khursheed also underscored the importance of good communication skills, soft skills, and earning professional certifications, which he described as essential tools for standing out in a crowded job market. His message was clear: with the right skills and mindset, success is within reach for everyone.

Mohammed Saleem Khaleefa, an educational and political activist from Jeddah, Advisor GWS – focused on resume preparation and interview techniques. He stressed that resumes should be concise, ideally two pages, and free from errors. Candidates should highlight their professional brand, value-added contributions, and competitive edge. He urged attendees to avoid exaggerations and ensured all necessary information, such as degrees, certifications, and dates, is accurately provided. Saleem also underscored the importance of eliminating the label of backwardness in the community through quality education and skill development.

Mohammed Imad Ali, President of GWS Saudi Arabia and a planning manager – While speaking. elaborated on the practical implications of coming to Saudi Arabia on a free visa. Highlighting the financial commitments, he explained that candidates need to plan for at least 5 to 6 months of living expenses, amounting to approximately 15,000 Saudi Riyals. He emphasized that freshers face significant challenges in securing jobs, while even experienced candidates require considerable time to find employment. His presentation provided a clear and realistic perspective for potential free visa candidates.

Obaid Gotori, an IT engineer, highlighted the rapid emergence of AI and the need for professionals to stay updated with technological advancements. He emphasized the importance of smartness, adaptability, and continuous learning to thrive in the competitive IT sector.

President, Mukhtarullah Jagirdar delivered presidential speech, while speaking he said, today's webinar is designed to provide valuable insights to students and their parents, helping them understand the options available and guiding them to make the best decisions for their futures. Through this platform, we aspire to assist them in exploring various career paths,

The Q&A session, masterfully moderated by Adil Ali, stood out as a highlight of the event. Adil adeptly summarized the audience's questions and facilitated a lively, insightful discussion, creating an interactive and enriching experience for all attendees.

The webinar was professionally conducted by Vice President Tameemul Hasan and General Secretary Mohammed Azharuddin, whose seamless anchoring added a touch of excellence to the event. Their meticulous planning was evident in the well-timed display of topic-related slides and their innovative approach to keeping the audience actively engaged through polls and interactive participation.

Their dynamic and charismatic hosting ensured a smooth flow of sessions, maintaining the audience's attention and enthusiasm throughout. This combination of strategic planning and engaging presentation elevated the webinar to a highly professional standard, making it a memorable and impactful experience for all participants.

The program began with a soulful recitation of the Holy Quran by Hafiz Aquil Ali, setting a serene and uplifting tone for the event. This was followed by a warm welcome address from the Coordinator, Mohammed Hisamuddin. In his speech, he shared highlights from the past five sessions, reflecting on the diverse and impactful topics that have aimed to empower and guide the community. He emphasized that today’s session is dedicated to career guidance for job seekers—an especially timely and relevant subject in these dynamic and ever-changing times.

The event ended on a heartfelt note with Treasurer Abu Arif Shazli delivering a warm vote of thanks. He sincerely appreciated the distinguished speakers for their inspiring insights, the global audience for their enthusiastic participation, and the dedicated organizing team whose hard work turned the event into such a success. He also thanked Mirza Wajid Baig for live-streaming the event through Gulbarga Live, making it accessible to an even broader community.

Mangaluru: The Tannirbhavi beach stretch up to the forest department's Tree Park is on the brink of a remarkable transformation under the ‘One Beach, One Destination’ initiative. This ambitious project aims to elevate the beach into a top-tier tourist hotspot through comprehensive upgrades and strategic developments.

Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP shared updates during a press briefing on Tuesday, revealing that fresh tenders have been floated for maintaining the main beach. The technical evaluation of tenders for the Tannir Bhavi Blue Flag Beach is nearing completion, with the financial bids set to open shortly. “We are pleased to see major players participating in the tender process,” the DC remarked.

For the main beach, the maintenance contract will span 10 years. Meanwhile, the Blue Flag Beach’s successful bidder will face a progressive financial model—starting with a Rs 50 lakh payment in the first year, escalating to Rs 2 crore by the 10th year, alongside a minimum 5% revenue share for the administration. “Upon completion of the development, the beach will feature continuous activities to enhance its appeal,” he added.

Approximately 90% of the beach’s development work is already complete. Eco-friendly initiatives such as waste management systems and solar installations are operational at the Blue Flag Beach. While entrance work by Mangaluru Smart City Limited is ongoing, the beach remains accessible to the public. Entry fees, set in accordance with Blue Flag guidelines, aim to support sustainable maintenance efforts.

The ‘Blue Flag’ certification represents a global standard in eco-tourism, ensuring clean bathing water, state-of-the-art amenities, safety measures, and sustainable development. Karnataka’s Padubidri and Kasarkod beaches are among the few in India to hold this prestigious certification.

Mangaluru Smart City Limited is spearheading the development of the 1.8-acre area, with an investment of approximately Rs 16 crore. Once completed, the Tannirbhavi Beach is expected to stand out as a vibrant and eco-friendly destination, drawing tourists and locals alike.

From shocking sex scandals to high-profile scams and intense factional power struggles, Karnataka's political landscape in 2024 played out like a gripping thriller. The state's three dominant parties—Congress, BJP, and JD(S)—found themselves entangled in controversies, scandals, and unexpected alliances, keeping the political stage turbulent throughout the year.

Shocking Hassan Sex Scandal Hits JD(S)
The JD(S) faced a monumental crisis with the Hassan sex scandal involving its MP Prajwal Revanna. Allegations of sexual exploitation surfaced through pen drives containing incriminating videos, sending shockwaves across the nation. Revanna fled the country but was arrested on May 31 upon his return. The scandal not only embarrassed the JD(S) but also led to the party losing its stronghold in Hassan, a seat it had held since 1999.

Congress' Struggles with Scams and Infighting
The Congress, riding high after its 2023 Assembly poll victory, faced a series of setbacks. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s reputation as “Mr. Clean” was tarnished by allegations in the MUDA site-allotment scam, for which he is under court-ordered investigation. The Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited scam also led to the resignation and arrest of Minister B Nagendra.

Adding to the Congress' woes, the BJP spotlighted a controversial marking of farmers' lands as Waqf properties, further intensifying the political storm. However, the Congress bounced back by sweeping three critical by-elections in Channapatna, Shiggaon, and Sandur, silencing critics and bolstering support for its flagship guarantee schemes.

BJP-JD(S) Alliance: A Rocky Path
The BJP and JD(S), forced into an alliance after 16 years, saw relative success in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. While the BJP won 17 of the 25 seats it contested, the JD(S) secured two seats, enabling its state president H D Kumaraswamy to join the Modi 3.0 Cabinet.

However, the BJP faced its own internal strife, with factional tensions erupting after the appointment of B Y Vijayendra, son of B S Yediyurappa, as the state party president. MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal openly criticized Vijayendra’s leadership, earning a show-cause notice. Adding to the BJP’s troubles were sexual assault allegations against Yediyurappa and MLA Munirathna, which tarnished the party's image.

Power Tussle within Congress
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s ambitions for the top post grabbed headlines after a controversial interview where he hinted at an "agreement" for chief ministership. While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah denied such an arrangement, Shivakumar’s comments reignited debates about factionalism within the Congress.

Legislative Drama and Bitter Exchanges
The year ended with heated debates in the Belagavi session. The BJP cornered the Congress on the Waqf land issue, while Congress countered with statistical defenses. Tensions flared when Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar accused BJP leader C T Ravi of using derogatory language against her, leading to Ravi's arrest and subsequent bail.

Karnataka in 2024 was a year of intense political drama, marked by scandals, power struggles, and shifting alliances—offering a preview of the state's evolving political dynamics in the years to come.