Mangaluru: Bike-borne miscreants stab two Muslim youths near Konaje

As the year draws to a close, Mount Kenya witnessed a remarkable achievement by Ayaan Mendon, an eleven-year-old mountaineer from Mangaluru, who successfully summited the peak, adding another milestone to his growing list of high-altitude accomplishments.

Despite his young age, Ayaan has already completed climbs that many seasoned trekkers aspire to. His mountaineering journey includes Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Elbrus, Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, and an attempted ascent of Aconcagua. Having begun his climbing pursuits at the age of six, Ayaan continues to progress steadily, guided by careful planning, training, and required permissions.

Ayaan’s journey is driven by passion rather than pressure. He undergoes regular physical training and approaches mountaineering with discipline and quiet determination. Outside the mountains, he leads a balanced childhood—enjoying outdoor activities, sports, and nature, while also indulging in age-appropriate interests such as gaming and learning new skills. His routine reflects a balance between ambition and a healthy childhood.

Family support has played a key role in shaping his journey. Speaking about his inspiration, Ayaan says his parents motivate him to challenge himself while remaining grounded. Their encouragement has helped instill discipline, resilience, and respect for nature—qualities that define his approach to climbing.

More than a physical feat, Ayaan’s ascent of Mount Kenya stands as an example of perseverance and focus. His achievement highlights what consistent effort, guidance, and self-belief can accomplish, even at a young age, and places Mangaluru on the global mountaineering map once again.

Mangaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a clear majority in the Bajpe and Kinnigoli town panchayat elections in Dakshina Kannada district. Vote counting was held on Wednesday.

The town panchayat elections were conducted for the first time on December 21, four years after the upgradation of the Bajpe and Kinnigoli gram panchayats.

In Bajpe, elections were held for 19 seats. The BJP won 11 seats, while the Congress secured four seats. The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) won three seats, and one seat was won by an independent candidate. A total of 59 candidates were in the fray. The counting of votes took place at the Mangaluru Mini Vidhana Soudha.

Bajpe Town Panchayat was formed in 2021 by merging the Bajpe and Malavoor gram panchayats.

In Kinnigoli, the BJP won 10 seats, while the Congress secured eight seats. A total of 42 candidates contested the election. The vote counting was held at the Kinnigoli Town Panchayat office. The Kinnigoli Town Panchayat was formed by merging the Kinnigoli, Mennabettu and Kateel gram panchayats.

BJP workers celebrated the party’s victory in both Bajpe and Kinnigoli. Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, district BJP president Sathish Kumpala and other party leaders were present.

As part of her European tour, Karnataka Legislative Council Member and Vice Chairperson of the Karnataka NRI Forum, Dr. Arathi Krishna, met Michela Favaro, Deputy Mayor of Turin, to discuss key aspects of strengthening relations between Karnataka and Italy.

Dr. Arathi Krishna held the meeting along with Hemegowda, President of the Italy Kannada Association, and Mohamed Irshath, General Secretary for Europe of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC).

The discussions focused on opportunities for the recruitment of Indian healthcare professionals in Italy, European–Italian language training programmes for Indian students, and broader avenues for academic and professional collaboration between the two countries.

The meeting was also attended by Simone Fissolo, President of the Moderati Council, along with Maria Bottoglieri and Francesco Tortorella, highlighting the growing institutional engagement aimed at fostering deeper bilateral cooperation.