Israel woos Kerala tourists; two direct flights planned

coastaldigest.com news network
November 16, 2018

Kasaragod, Nov 16: Israel has stepped up efforts to woo more Indians, especially Keralites the “Holy Land”, leisure and agro-tourism spots. Meanwhile Israeli airliner Arkia is drawing up plans to introduce two direct flights per week to Kerala.

Keralites constitute 20% of the total number of Indians visiting Israel. A total of 39,500 Indians visited Israel in 2015 and this would increase to 80,000 by this year end.

“We can even open a visa centre in Kerala if more Keralites visit Israel so that people need not depend on the Bengaluru centre,” said Hassan Madah, Director, Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT - India and Philippines), told media here on Thursday.

Agro-tourism is one of Israel’s niche sectors, wherein the emphasis is on increasing yield from limited land. Israel’s dairy sector, biopesticides, etc., have much to offer to Indian farmers. States like Maharashtra have been giving subsidies to their farmers to visit Israel and garner expertise in modern farming methods. Israel has been hosting Agrirtech 2018 expo every three years, which brings people from around the world, he said.

The introduction of Arkia flights will in turn also bring more Israel tourists to Kerala. Israelis love the State’s greenery, the backwaters, beaches, hill stations and Ayurveda. At present, there are direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Israel. Over the years, visa procedures have been simplified and fees reduced, Mr Madah said.

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News Network
March 19,2024

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Bengaluru, Mar 19: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said that the Congress will split in three months after the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and its impact will be visible on the Siddaramaiah-led state government.

"Due to internal squabbles, the state government will not last long," the BJP leader said.

Talking to reporters on Monday, he said the sitting MP from the Gadag-Haveri constituency, Shivakumar Udasi, has done a lot of development work and implemented the Central government's schemes effectively.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will surely become the PM for the third time. The overall response has been good in the Gadag-Haveri Lok Sabha constituency," the former Karnataka chief minister said.

Asked if he was contesting the election in a half-hearted manner in the Gadag-Haveri seat, Bommai said "such a question does not arise when the party's high command gives instructions".

He said he would respect his opponent and not take anyone lightly. 

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News Network
March 27,2024

Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday launched simultaneous raids in multiple places, including Bengaluru and Shivamogga.

Reports suggested that the ongoing raids are in connection with the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe on March 1. The blast had injured at least ten people as per the police report.

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) had launched an investigation alongside the NIA, and the trail of the suspect led them to Tumakuru first and subsequently to Ballari. Investigators believe that the bomb was planted by Mussavir Hussain Shazib, a handler of the Islamic State’s Shivamogga module who was aided by another IS handler called Ahmed Taahaa.

Sources in the know said that Shazib and Taahaa had stayed in Chennai for about a month between January and February using fake credentials. The names of the suspects were identified after they traced the cap worn by Shazib to a shop in a mall in Chennai. The cap, which was abandoned by the bomber in Bengaluru after the blast, was reportedly bought by Taahaa, around January-end.

As per the NIA, Shazib hails from Masjid Road in Thirthahalli, Shivamogga district, and Taahaa from Fish Market Road, Soppu Gude, Thirthahalli Rural. Both "wanted" suspects have been termed "absconders" by the NIA.

The NIA has questioned seven jailed terror suspects so far in connection with the blast. The investigation agency had also obtained seven-day custody of a jailed terror suspect named Maaz Muneer Ahmed.

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News Network
March 28,2024

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Mangaluru, Mar 28: A fish meal factory in the Baikampady Industrial area in Mangaluru was gutted in a fire incident on Thursday, officials said.

The factory is owned by the company 'Shihar Enterprises', they said.

According to the locals, the fire was first noticed at 4.45 am today, which was immediately reported to the fire department.

The fire engines reached the spot and tried to douse the fire, but it had already spread to other parts of the factory. After almost four hours of fire-fighting operation, the blaze was completely doused, officials.

The reason for the blaze is still being probed, the fire department officials said, adding that they suspect an electric short circuit could have triggered it.

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