Metal Falcon's dream flight comes true on April 3

naeem@coastaldigest.com (CD Network)
April 2, 2013
airindiaexpress
Mangalore, Apr 2: Amidst the fears about a reported imminent exodus of thousands of Indian expatriates from Saudi Arabia following the Nitaqat implementation, a long pending dream of these hard working people is all set to come true, finally.

Milestone

When the Air India Express' first direct flight from Mangalore to Saudi Arabia takes off on Wednesday, April 3, it will be an important milestone in the growth trajectory of more than six decades old airport, and of Mangalore.

As per schedule, from April 3, Air India Express will operate flights twice a week from Mangalore to Dammam, the capital of Eastern province of Saudi Arabia - on Wednesday and Saturday and the return flight leaving Dammam - on Thursday and Sunday.

Schedule

The flight IX 385 on Wednesdays and Saturdays will arrive at Mangalore International Airport at 4:00 p.m. local time and depart at 5:00 p.m. It will reach at Dammam at 7:10 p.m. local time. The return flight IX 386 will depart from Dammam at 8:30 p.m. local time and arrive at Mangalore at 3:20 a.m. local time on Thursdays and Sundays.

Significance

Establishment of direct aviation link between this portal city and the kingdom has been a long-felt need, frequently expressed by thousands of expatriates from Southwest coast of India scattered across the oil-rich nation. Since its inception, Coastaldigest.com had campaigned for the fulfillment of this long pending dream.

This aviation route not only beneficial for mere Mangaloreans, but also would help over two lakh expatriates from entire Costal Karnataka, North Kerala and a part of Western Ghat region, for whom Mangalore is the nearest Airport to access.

Passenger estimation

A survey conducted by Coastaldigest.com, has found out that around 60% of these expatriates travel once in a year to their home land. About 25% of them (businessmen and executives) are frequent travellers. About 15% of them travel at least once in two years. Besides, hundreds of families from South West Coast of India often visit their relatives in Saudi Arabia. Children of NRI parents students studying in India to visit their parents in Saudi Arabia every year. A large number of students from Saudi Arabia are pursuing their higher education in various prestigious educational institutions in Mangalore, Udupi and other cities of South West Coast of India.

The number of passengers travelling between Saudi Arabia and Southwest Coast of India for the purpose of tourism and health has been increasing with every passing year. Moreover, thousands of Muslims from Southwest Coast of India undertake pilgrimage to Saudi Arabian city of Makkah every year.

All these factors highlight the importance of Mangalore-Saudi air connection.

Revenue

So far the nearest international airport for the people of this region to reach Saudi Arabia was at Kozhikode in the South, Bangalore in the East, and Mumbai or Delhi in the North.

According to experts, the new connection would not only contribute to the air traffic growth at Mangalore International Airport, but also would enhance the airline's revenue.

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News Network
May 8,2025

SofiaQuraishi.jpg

Belagavi: Colonel Sofia Qureshi who along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh presented the details of ‘Operation Sindoor’ is being hailed as the daughter-in-law of Karnataka’s Belagavi.

Qureshi's husband Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi is from Konnur town in Gokak taluk. He has been serving as a colonel in the Indian Army. They were married in 2015.

Qureshi is a native of Baroda in Gujarat, being married to Tajuddin has made her the daughter-in-law of Belagavi.

During a media meet at New Delhi on Wednesday, Qureshi had shared the details of the success of Operation Sindoor which was conducted in retaliation to the terror attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir.

Qureshi has also served in the UN peacekeeping force at Kangola. She has received great appreciation from General Officer Commanding for her work along the borders of Punjab and during the floods in North-East.

Presently Sofia has been posted at Jammu while her husband Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi at Jhanshi.

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 15,2025

Bengaluru, May 15: The Karnataka Lokayukta police on Thursday conducted simultaneous raids across multiple districts, including Bengaluru and Mangaluru, targeting government officials suspected of possessing disproportionate assets (DA).

According to Lokayukta police, the raids were carried out on properties linked to seven government officials in Bengaluru city, Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru, Yadgir, Mangaluru, and Vijayapura districts.

The officials under the scanner are:

Murali T.V., Additional Director, Directorate of Urban and Rural Planning

H.R. Nataraj, Inspector, Legal Metrology, Bengaluru

Anant Kumar, Second Division Assistant, Taluk Office, Hoskote (Bengaluru Rural)

Rajshekar, Project Director, Nirmiti Kendra, Tumakuru

Manjunath, Survey Supervisor, Dakshina Kannada (Mangaluru)

Renuka Satarle, Officer, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Abhivrudhi Nigama, Vijayapura

Umakanth, Officer, Shahpur Taluk, Yadgir district

Raids were conducted at 12 locations in Bengaluru city, eight in Bengaluru Rural, seven in Tumakuru, five in Yadgir, four in Mangaluru, and four in Vijayapura.

The raids followed complaints alleging corruption and accumulation of assets disproportionate to known sources of income. A preliminary investigation was carried out into the assets of the officials, their families, and close relatives, after which separate DA cases were registered at respective Lokayukta police stations.

The coordinated operation began at 6 a.m. and was conducted under the supervision of superintendents of police from the respective districts. Deputy superintendents, police inspectors, and other staff were also involved in the raids.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the details of movable and immovable assets seized during the operation. Further information is expected following the completion of assessments at the raided sites.

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News Network
May 15,2025

Udupi, May 15: A routine surgery turned tragic at a private hospital in Udupi’s Karkala on Wednesday evening when a 54-year-old woman died during a procedure to remove a suspected abdominal lump. 

The incident triggered immediate outrage from the deceased’s family, leading to a protest outside the hospital premises.

The deceased has been identified as Zubaida, a resident of Sanur, who had been living in a rented house near the hospital. She was admitted after complaining of severe abdominal pain, and doctors advised surgical intervention to remove a lump believed to be the cause of her discomfort.

However, Zubaida reportedly passed away mid-surgery, sparking anger and grief among her relatives and local residents. A crowd soon gathered outside the hospital, demanding an explanation from the medical staff and questioning the circumstances surrounding her death.

As tensions rose, police personnel from the Karkala Town Station were called in to pacify the situation and prevent further escalation. Authorities managed to restore calm and are reportedly investigating the incident.

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