PM gave central agencies 15 names to file fake cases: Manish Sisodia

Bengaluru: Starting March, households in Karnataka will feel the pinch as the price of Nandini milk is set to increase by ₹5 per litre. The hike, which will take effect after the state budget on March 7, will also see a reduction in milk packet quantity from 1,050 ml to 1 litre. With this revision, the cost of a litre of Nandini toned milk will rise to ₹47.

This marks the latest price revision by the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) in the past three years. In 2022, milk prices increased by ₹3 per litre, while in 2024, KMF raised prices by ₹2 per packet but increased the quantity by 50 ml. However, KMF insists that last year’s change was not a price hike, as it involved a proportional increase in milk volume.

The increase in milk prices comes amid multiple price hikes across essential commodities and services. The Coffee Brewers Association has announced a ₹200 per kg hike in coffee powder rates by March, while BMTC bus and Namma Metro ticket fares have also been increased. Additionally, the state government is considering a rise in water tariffs, and electricity supply companies (Escoms) have sought approval for a 67-paise hike per unit from the Karnataka Electricity Commission.

According to KMF Managing Director B. Shivaswamy, the hike follows demands from farmers for a ₹5 per litre increase. "Earlier, we procured 85-89 lakh litres of milk per day, sometimes even 99 lakh litres. Now, the supply has dropped to 79-81 lakh litres per day, so the additional milk provided to consumers will stop," he explained.

Despite the price increase, Shivaswamy emphasized that Nandini milk will still be more affordable than other brands in Karnataka and other states, including those sold online. KMF is currently in discussions with farmer unions, milk unions, employee associations, and other stakeholders to determine how the increased revenue will be allocated.

"Ideally, the additional cost should benefit farmers. However, concerns raised by employee unions over financial matters, including 7th Pay Commission wages and pensions, also need to be factored in," said a KMF official on the condition of anonymity.

The final decision on the milk price hike now rests with the Karnataka Chief Minister, with an official announcement expected post-budget.

Sahebaan UAE, an organization representing the Urdu-speaking Muslim community from the twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, hosted a spectacular family gathering at the Amity School grounds in Al Qusais, Dubai, on Saturday, February 15, 2025. The event brought together over a thousand members of the Sahebaan community from across the UAE, neighboring GCC countries, and India for an evening of celebration, recognition, and togetherness.

The event commenced with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Master Mohammad Faiz and Fazil Rahil Ali. Althaf M.S. welcomed the gathering, emphasizing that Sahebaan UAE serves as a platform for community members to connect, foster unity, and celebrate their shared identity.

Honoring Community Patrons

The esteemed patrons of the Sahebaan Community—Janab Hidayathullah Abbas, K.S. Nissar Ahmed, and Afroz Assadi—were honored for their remarkable humanitarian efforts, charitable contributions, and unwavering support for Sahebaan UAE. The felicitation ceremony was led by Janab Suhail Kudroli, Altaf Khalife, and Samiullah M.H.

Sahebaan Excellence Awards

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the prestigious ‘Sahebaan Excellence Awards’ to individuals who have excelled in various fields. The awards were conferred by the community patrons.

Business Excellence Award: Mohammad Akram, Founder and Chairman of Abu Dhabi-based Al Sitara Contracting, was recognized for his contributions to the business sector.

Sports Excellence Award: International Superbike racing champion and DSBK Superbike Racing Company owner, Nasir Syed of Karkala, was honored for his achievements in motorsports.

Academic Excellence Award (Posthumous): The late Professor Muzaffar Hussain Assadi, a distinguished scholar and thinker, was posthumously awarded. His brother, Sajjad Assadi, accepted the honor on his behalf.

Literary Excellence Award: Writer and poet Irshad Moodbidri was recognized for his contributions to literature. His son, Nihad, accepted the award.

Community Service Excellence Award: Abu Dhabi-based businessmen Mohammad Asif and Sahar Mohammad Asif were acknowledged for their dedication to social causes. Their son, Abdul Ahad, accepted the award.

Distinguished Guests

The function was graced by prominent community members, including Janab Mohammed Muslim Koppa, Director of Vartha Bharathi, along with overseas Sahebaan representatives Janab Safiuddin Mohammed, Mumtaz Hussain, Niyamathulla Asadi, and Mohammed Hussain.

Recognizing Academic Achievements

Students who excelled academically were felicitated with the ‘Sahebaan Merit Award.’ Those who achieved above 90% in their examinations were celebrated, including:

SSLC Achievers from UAE: Faiz Anam, Mohammad Rayaan, and Mohammad Umair Suvaid Khan.

Pre-University Excellence: Muskan Fatima, recognized as the Gulf topper in the commerce stream, alongside high scorers Juveria Firoz, Siham Akbar Ali, Mohammad Rafaan, and Hiba Altaf Salah.

Celebrating Young Sporting Talent

Young achievers in sports were also honored, including Mohammad Aiman, who excelled in the 4x4 100-meter relay, and Mohammad Aiz, associated with the DOFA Football Association.

A Night of Culture and Celebration

Beyond awards and recognition, the evening was filled with cultural performances and activities, particularly for children. The ‘Prince and Princess’ dress-up competition for kids under ten was a major attraction. The event also featured:

Indian Patriotic Dance

Traditional Arabic Dance

Beautiful Dua Recitation by Children

A short documentary about Sahebaan was screened on a large LED display, offering insights into the community’s history, values, and achievements.

Event Hosts and Coordinators

The event was skillfully hosted by Hisrar Tallani, who flew in from Mangalore for the occasion, engaging the audience with his humor and interactive activities.

Children’s programs were coordinated by:

Prince and Princess Competition: Reeha Althaf

Indian Patriotic Dance: Heena Kausar

Arabic Dance: Fauzia Rahil

Dua Segment: Fauzia Shah

Ajmal Mohammed delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all contributors.

Acknowledgment of Organizing Committee

The event’s success was attributed to the tireless efforts of the organizing committee members:

Core Team: Afroze Assadi, Althaf M.S., Ajmal Mohammad, Altaf Khalife, Samiullah M.H., Suhail Kudroli, Asif Mohammad Hussain, Sameer Sharif, Nayeem Khan, Abdul Ahed, and Faizan Khateeb.

Women Organizers: Parveen Assadi, Sahara Asif, and Reena Althaf.

The Sahebaan UAE Family Get-Together was a remarkable celebration of unity, talent, and tradition, leaving attendees with cherished memories and a strengthened sense of community spirit.

A group of nearly 300 migrants, including Indians deported from the United States under President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, are currently held in a hotel in Panama's Darien jungle region. These migrants hail primarily from Asian countries such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China.

The migrants are not permitted to leave the hotel as the Panamanian government awaits international authorities to arrange their return to their home countries. According to a report, Panama's Security Minister Frank Abrego stated that the migrants are receiving medical attention and food as per an agreement between the United States and Panama.

However, a report from The New York Times quoted Artemis Ghasemzadeh, 27, an Iranian deportee, who said, "It looks like a zoo; there are fenced cages. They gave us a stale piece of bread. We are sitting on the floor."

Deputy Foreign Minister of Panama, Carlos Ruiz-Hernandez, confirmed that 97 people were transferred to the camp. He emphasized that the migrants were not "detainees" but rather in a migrant camp where they will be taken care of, not a detention camp.

Migrants in the hotel rooms displayed messages on the windows reading "Help" and "We are not safe in our country." According to the report, 40% of the migrants are refusing to return to their home countries voluntarily.

Panama serves as a transit country due to the challenges the US faces in deporting individuals directly to some countries. While Panama acts as a "bridge," the US government bears the cost of these arrangements. This agreement between the two countries was announced following the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Panama. The threat of retaking control of the Panama Canal by Trump is mounting pressure on Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.

Costa Rica is also expected to receive a group of deportees on Wednesday.

Abrego stated that 171 of the 299 deportees had agreed to return to their home countries with the assistance of the UN Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration. The remaining 128 migrants are still being processed, with efforts being made to find alternative locations for them. While individuals who refuse to return to their home countries will be detained in a facility in the remote province of Darien for a while, one deported Irish individual has already returned home.