Metal Falcon's dream flight comes true on April 3

April 2, 2013

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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Modi govt asks HC to direct Karnataka govt to vacate madrasa in Srirangapatna Jama Masjid

News Network

November 14,2024

Bengaluru: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi led union government has requested the Karnataka High Court to direct the Mandya district administration and the state government to clear a madrasa operating within the premises of the historic Jama Masjid in Srirangapatna.

The Waqf Board, opposing this move, has claimed the mosque as its property and defended the right to conduct madrasa activities there.

The matter was brought before a division bench headed by Chief Justice N V Anjaria following a public interest litigation filed by a person named Abhishek Gowda from Kabbalu village in Kanakapura taluk. The petition alleged “unauthorised madrasa activities” within the mosque.

Representing the Central government, Additional Solicitor General of India for High Court of Karnataka, K Arvind Kamath argued that the Jama Masjid was designated as a protected monument in 1951, yet unauthorised madrasa operations continue there.

He noted that concerns over potential law and order issues have so far prevented any intervention. Kamath urged the court to direct the Mandya district administration to take action and vacate the madrasa from the mosque.

In defence, lawyers for the state government and the Waqf Board contested this request, stating that the Waqf Board had been recognised as the owner of the property since 1963 and, thus, conducting madrasa activities there is lawful.

After hearing both sides, the bench adjourned the case for further arguments, scheduling the next hearing for November 20.

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3 arrested in Mangaluru for defrauding individuals in 'digital arrest' and share trade scams

News Network

November 16,2024

Mangaluru: The Kavoor police in Mangaluru, Karnataka, have arrested three individuals from Kerala in connection with two separate cybercrime cases, including one involving extortion under the guise of a "digital arrest."

City Commissioner of Police Anupam Agrawal reported that one of the arrested individuals, Nisar, a resident of Ernakulam district, posed as a CBI officer. He allegedly threatened the complainant with arrest and extorted Rs 68 lakh. A case has been filed under sections 66 (C) and 66 (D) of the IT Act, and sections 308 (2) and 381 (4) of BNS.

In another case, the Kavoor police arrested two men, Sahil K P of Thiruvannur, Kozhikode, and Muhammad Nashath of Mappila Koyilandy, Kerala, in connection with a share trade fraud. The accused are alleged to have deceived the complainant by promising substantial profits from an investment in the stock market. Trusting the fraudsters, the complainant invested Rs 90 lakh, which was subsequently lost. A case has been registered under sections 66 (C) and 66 (D) of the IT Act, and sections 318 (4) and 3 (5) of BNS.

The accused were arrested in Koyilandi and presented before the court. The operation was carried out under the guidance of City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, led by Mangaluru North Sub-Division ACP Srikanth K, Kavoor Inspector Raghavendra Byndoor, Kavoor PSI Mallikarjuna Biradara, and staff members Ramanna Shetty, Bhuvaneshwari, Rajappa Kashibai, Praveen N, and Malatesh.

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