Mangaluru: Pilgrims leave for Hajj in five batches

coastaldigest.com web desk

July 17, 2019

Mangaluru, Jul 17: The flight carrying the first batch of Hajj pilgrims from the undivided Dakshina Kannada district left Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday.

While the first flight carried 150 pilgrims, a total of 747 pilgrims from Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Kodagu and Udupi districts will leave for Hajj. On Thursday, two batches with a total of 299 pilgrims will leave. On Friday, two more batches with 298 pilgrims will leave Mangaluru Airport.

The Hajj pilgrimage this year will include 610 people from Dakshina Kannada, 20 from Hassan, six from Chikkamagaluru, 39 from Kodagu and 72 from Udupi.

District In-charge Minister U T Khader, who addressed the programme held by the Mangaluru Haj Camp organising committee, appealed to the pilgrims to pray for peace and harmony in the country.

Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan has sponsored the travel of 11 Ulemas from Dakshina Kannada. Dakshina Kannada Khazi Al Haj Twakha Ahmmed Musliyar blessed the occasion.

Karnataka State Haj Committee member K M Aboobakar Siddiq said that 8,739 pilgrims are leaving from Hajj from all over the country this year.

In a press release, Customs Additional Commissioner Imamuddin Ahmad has said that prominent boards have been displayed at the Mangaluru Airport to ensure that each pilgrim makes use of the customs facilities provided in the Rules, Procedures and Regulations. A special mention of the Citizen Charter of CBIC is also displayed prominently so that every passenger knows his enshrined Rights and Duties by the CBIC.

“In case of any doubts or issues regarding Customs formalities, the passenger should directly contact the Departure Superintendent for quick redressal. Mangalore Customs is committed to address any/all issues so as to ensure that every passenger is fully appraised and compliance maintained by each citizen. The team leader and assistant commissioner on duty are also available for help and guidance wherever required,” he has said.

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PM Modi vows to strengthen India-Maldives ties, inks currency swap deal with President Muizzu

News Network

October 7,2024

New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

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