A medic collects swab sample of a man for COVID-19 test at BMTC bus stand in Bengaluru. (PTI Photo)Bengaluru News: Highlights: Karnataka reported 48,905 new Covid-19 cases along with 39 deaths today. The state also witnessed 41,699 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The test positivity rate dipped to 22.51 per cent from 26.70 per cent on Tuesday. Of the new cases, Bengaluru Urban reported 22,427 infections
Meanwhile, Karnataka celebrated the nation’s 73 Republic day in a restrained fashion at the Manekshaw Parade Ground due to the Covid-19 situation in the state. Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot unfurled the national flag and addressed the state. The general public was not allowed to attend the event.
The state on Wednesday took part in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, with its tableau showcasing the diversity of handicrafts in the state. Themed ‘Karnataka, the cradle of traditional handicrafts,’ the tableau was one of the 12 states that participated in this year’s parade and the only one from southern India.
The Congress on Wednesday appointed former Rajya Sabha member B K Hariprasad as the party's leader in the Karnataka Legislative Council.
It also appointed Prakash Rathod as the chief whip and K Govindraj as the Congress Deputy Leader of Legislative Council in the state.An official statement said Congress president Sonia Gandhi appointed Hariprasad as the Leader of Legislative Council, along with making other appointments. (PTI)
An ICMR study has demonstrated that individuals infected with Omicron have significant immune response which could neutralise not only the Omicron, but also other variants of concern, including the most prevalent Delta variant. It suggests that the immune response induced by the Omicron could effectively neutralise the Delta variant, making the re-infection with Delta variant less likely, thereby displacing the Delta as dominant strain, the study said emphasising upon the need for Omicron-specific vaccine strategy. For more updates, follow Covid-19 Live Updates.
A candlelight vigil in support of the ITI workers' struggle was held in Bangalore. Today is the 57th day of the protest of Indian Telephone Industries Ltd (ITI) workers against their management. Rihanna, a member of the Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum, pledged to fight for the rights of the workers including their reinstatement.
The workers and those present pledged to uphold the Constitution and exercise their fundamental rights, including that of equality, right to life, and right to collectivise.
BBMP chief commissioner Gaurav Gupta instructed the revenue officials to achieve the tax collection targets in the civic body limits.
"Property tax collection target must be reached efficiently in BBMP limits and for that, necessary steps should be taken to make use of any advanced methods if necessary," the BBMP chief said,
Zone wise property tax collection details as on 25-1-2022 (in crores)
1. Yelahanka - 265.98
2. Mahadevapura - 683.07
3. Dasarahalli - 73.78
4. R R Nagar - 182.00
5. Bommanahalli - 285.04
6. West - 272.11
7. South - 398.54
8. East - 507.26
Total : 2667.77 crores
Karnataka reported 48,905 new Covid-19 cases along with 39 deaths today. The state also witnessed 41,699 recoveries in the last 24 hours. The test positivity rate dipped to 22.51 per cent from 26.70 per cent on Tuesday. Of the new cases, Bengaluru Urban reported 22,427 infections.
Bengaluru Central Lok Sabha member P C Mohan on Wednesday requested Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to rename government institutions and public spaces in his constituency having colonial inheritance, after freedom fighters from the state.
The BJP MP has written a letter to Bommai in this regard. (PTI)
The Airport and Air Cargo Commissionerate at the Kempegowda International Airport here on Tuesday said it has arrested a 59-year-old Bengaluru resident on charges of smuggling a heroin consignment worth Rs 5.3 crore.
The officials refrained from sharing the name of the accused as the probe was still in progress. They said that the commissionerate intercepted a courier shipment on Sunday based on inputs from the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU). A total of 754 gram of heroin was seized during the raid. The importer of the said consignment was arrested with the help of officers from Bengaluru City Customs (Preventive). Read More
JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday indicated his party would have a crucial role to play in Karnataka after the 2023 Assembly polls as he claimed that no one can do anything without the party.
The former Chief Minister said defections have become a common phenomenon in all parties ahead of elections these days as ideology has no buyers. (PTI)
Five eminent personalities from Karnataka were chosen for Padma Shri as the Union government on Tuesday announced Padma awards ahead of Republic Day.
Dalit activist and poet Siddalingaiah has been honoured with Padma Shri posthumously under the literature category. HR Keshavamurthy, Subbanna Ayyappan, Abdul Khader Nadakattin, and Amai Mahalinga Naik are the other Padma Shri awardees from the state. A brief introduction of the winners. Read More
Karnataka Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai today virtually launched the 'Grama One' programme, a service that aims to provide various services in one platform in rural areas.
The Karnataka government has set up a committee to decide on the dress code as six girls continue to protest demanding hijab inside the classroom at the Women’s Pre-University College, Udupi. The committee will study rulings of the apex court in several states and come out with guidelines. Until then, the government has decided to maintain the status quo related to dress code.
Karnataka celebrated the nation's 73 Republic day in a restrained fashion at the Manekshaw Parade Ground due to the Covid-19 situation in the state. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot unfurled the national flag and addressed the state. The general public was not allowed to attend the event. See pics by our photographer Jithendra M.
Cautioning about the third wave of COVID-19, Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot on Wednesday, called on the citizens to handle the situation with "total seriousness" and said there should be no room for negligence.
Delivering his address after unfurling the national flag on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day here, he complimented the state government for succeeding in reducing the effect of COVID-19 efficiently. "We are now facing the 3rd wave of COVID-19. We should handle this situation with total seriousness and negligence has no room now. We must continue to observe the SMS mantra of - Social Distancing, Masking and Sanitization for the sake of everybody's health," the Governor said. PTI
Ecological Experts have pointed out that the Karnataka forest department should concentrate more on plantations in dry regions than in notified forest areas in the Western Ghats. Dry regions like Vijayapura, Raichur, Gadag, and Koppal have less than 5 per cent green cover and plantations there would contribute more to carbon sequestration (the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate global warming), said experts.
Former principal chief conservator of forest BK Singh said: “Annually the forest department has been taking up plantations of 50,000 hectares in the state of Karnataka. There is a greater focus on planting in Western Ghats areas than in dry areas. The growth in Western Ghats areas is on average 30 cubic metres per hectare per year, while that in dry areas is three cubic metres per hectare per year. But the problem is that the Western Ghats areas are fully saturated and newly planted trees do not record good growth. I would advise that the focus is shifted to dry areas that will generate more overall biomass in the state, which will have more carbon sequestration potential.” (Read more)
From skillfully made pots, carefully sculpted sandalwood miniatures to hand-woven sarees, Karnataka's rich tradition of handicraft was on grand display at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Here are the key points on the display:
? A massive Asiatic elephant sculpted out of Mysuru rosewood with ivory inlay carvings, eye-catching Bidriware, bronze statues and lacquerware toys from Channapatna were the highlight of the tableau
?The tableau also featured Kamaladevi Chhatopadhyay, the acclaimed freedom fighter from Karnataka, who is also hailed as the 'mother of traditional handicrafts in India'. She is seen offering 'baagina' that includes a sandal box, peacock shaped lamp pots, banana fibre bags from Sandur among others.
? Terracota, sandalwood carving and the art of ivory carving is unique to Karnataka and the state government was making special efforts to ensure that the 55,000 artisans in the state get access to markets in this digital age, officials said.
? The tableau showcased 16 traditional handicraft products that have received the Geographical Indicator tag.
? The coastal traditions of the state also found a place on the tableau in the form of Yakshagana models and bronze face masks used in 'bhootha aradhane' (devil worship).
? The tableau has been designed by a team of 100 artists led by art director Shashidhar Adapa. A minute-long special song eulogising the state's folk arts and craft has been composed by music director Praveen Rao. (PTI)
Karnataka's tableau for the 73rd Republic Day celebrations was themed ‘Karnataka, the cradle of traditional handicrafts.’
Health Minister K Sudhakar took part in R-Day celebrations in Bengaluru.
Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra sought a detailed enquiry report from officials of the Bengaluru Parappana Agrahara Central Prison following allegations of illegal activities and special treatment for VIPs there.
In a video, which has gone viral, a history-sheeter currently out on bail is seen discussing with another prisoner about how they can access special facilities at the prison if certain jail officials are bribed. A source at the prison said he has no idea how or why this video emerged at the moment as the exact date or time when it was shot has not been ascertained. (Read more)
Former chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday hoisted the national flag at Bengaluru.
Five persons from Karnataka have been selected for the prestigious Padma awards. The men are being recognised for their contributions in diverse fields, including arts, agriculture and poetry.
→ Padma Shri for Subbanna Ayyappan, Director-General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, for his contributions in the field of science and engineering
→ Padma Shri for Gamaka exponent H R Keshavamurthy for his contributions to art
→ Padma Shri for Abdul Khader Nadakattin for his grassroots innovation in agriculture
→ Padma Shri for Amai Mahalinga Naik for his contributions to agriculture
→ Posthumous award for Dalit poet Siddhalingaiah for his contributions to the fields of literature and education
Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot extended his greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of the 73rd Republic Day. He dedicated the celebrations to the "undying human spirit to triumph in the face of adversity."
Bangalore Development Authority chairman and MLA S R Vishwanath hoisted the national flag at the BDA office on Wednesday as a part of the Republic Day celebrations.
Bengaluru city is likely to see a maximum temperature of 29 degree Celsius and a minimum temperature of 27.5 degree Celsius, according to an 8.30 am update from the Meteorological Centre in Bengaluru. The humidity is set to be 76%. No rainfall has been predicted.
Here's the local forecast:
For 24 hrs.: Partly cloudy sky. Light rain likely in some areas. Fog/Mist very likely during early morning hours in some areas. Maximum and minimum temperatures very likely to be around 29 and 18 degrees Celsius respectively.
For 48 hrs.: Partly cloudy sky. Fog/Mist very likely during early morning hours in some areas. Maximum and minimum temperatures very likely to be around 29 and 17 degrees Celsius respectively.
On this Republic Day, get an Indian Express premium subscription for 63% off. Click here to know more.
BBMP Chief commissioner Gaurav Gupta has been tested positive for Covid-19.
He is suffering from mild symptoms and is under home isolation as per medical advice. He has requested all those who came in contact with him recently to remain watchful and test if needed.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday wished the people on India's 73rd Republic Day.
Karnataka's tableau at the R-Day parade in New Delhi is themed 'Karnataka, the cradle of traditional handicrafts.'
This is the 13th time in a row that Karnataka's tableau has been selected. Additionally, it is the only South Indian state whose tableau will be showcases at the parade. According to the Karnataka government, the music and lyrics of the tableau has been done by Praveen D Rao.
?New cases in State: 41,400 (?? from 46,426)
?New cases in B'lore: 19,105 (?? from 21,569)
?Positivity rate in State: 26.70% (?? from 32.95%)
?Active cases State: 3,50,742 (?? from 3,62,487)
?Deaths: 52 (?? from 32)
?Tests: 1,55,054 (?? from 1,40,884)
The city-headquartered Karnataka Bank has launched mobile banking facility to its NRI customers through its existing mobile banking application 'KBL MobilePlus' app.
A bank release here said on Tuesday that with this facility, NRI customers can access a whole range of banking facilities at their fingertips including fund transfer, bill payments, recharge, credit card payments and deposit opening and closing. (PTI)
With the Congress leadership in Karnataka claiming that some legislators and leaders from the ruling BJP are in touch with them, a saffron party MLA on Tuesday claimed that at least 16 legislators from the grand old party are in contact with him and may jump ship, ahead of assembly polls, if the high command approves.
The claims and counter claims between the ruling and the principal opposition party in the state has gained momentum, even as the assembly polls in the state are more than a year away. (PTI)
Indicating rampant corruption in the Bangalore Development Authority, 14 first information reports have been registered against the staff and touts operating there in connection with rigging the 'foolproof' online auction of residential plots and frauds related to the registration of property in BDA layouts.
Sources in the BDA said the special task force and vigilance wing had put up plots for auction at Arkavathi Layout, Anjanapura, Banashankari, JP Nagar, newly-formed Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, Nagarabhavi, HBR Layout and Sir M Visvesvaraya Layout.
The investors were convinced that the portal eproc.karnataka.gov.in was tamper-proof for bidding online. However, it emerged later that the BDA staff in connivance with fake property buyers showed a bogus payment through a bank challan. (PTI)
The Indian Air Force and Doordarshan have tied up to bring in a new feature for the Republic Day celebrations broadcast. For the first time, there will be a live feed from cameras, providing the pilot’s view and cockpit’s view, in some of the 75 aircraft from the three services that will participate in the largest flypast this year.
You can catch the live coverage on all channels of Doordarshan across India, starting from 9.15 am on January 26 till the end of events at Rajpath. Live coverage will also be available on DD National, DD News YouTube channels and on NewsOnAir app and website. (More updates on our R-Day live blog)
Small buses are ideal for public transport in city limits and so priority should be on inducting more mini buses for city service, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has opined.
Speaking at a meeting to review the performance of the transport department, he instructed the officials to provide buses from the department to the organisation which has come forward to convert them into CNG buses.
Referring to 30 online services of the department being provided for the general public, the chief minister wanted the officials to launch an intensive publicity campaign to spread awareness about it among the public.
Demand for buses is high in rural areas, Bommai said and instructed the officials to review the number of buses being operated in existing routes. Induct more buses where the demand is high. He also asked the officials to submit a report on expenditure being incurred on repair of the buses.
Transport minister B Sriramulu, Chief Secretary P Ravikumar and other senior officials participated in the meeting.
The Bengaluru police on Monday arrested a 32-year-old businessman for allegedly kidnapping his 20-year-old sister-in-law after she had refused to continue her alleged affair with him or marry him. Incidentally, he had kidnapped the woman once previously too.
The arrested are identified as Devaraj, a Tumakuru native, and his associates Naveen and Kumar. The trio on Saturday kidnapped Devaraj’s sister-in-law around 11 pm when she was returning from work with a friend on a two-wheeler. The accused came in a car and assaulted the woman’s friend and kidnapped her. Read More
A seven-month-old baby, Vijayendra, in Bengaluru is suffering from the life-threatening BENTA disease – a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder caused by mutations in the ‘CARD11’ gene. Doctors treating the baby have claimed that only 14 persons in the world till now have been diagnosed with this condition and the only hope for survival for the baby is a blood stem cell transplant.
Owing to the minimal therapeutic intervention available for the BENTA disease, the treatment given to Vijayendra is experimental and based on his reactions to previous treatments, said doctors. At present, the baby is being treated under Dr Stalin Ramprakash, Consultant – Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and BMT, Aster CMI Hospital. Read More
Nearly three dozen eminent personalities wrote a joint open letter to Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai expressing their concern over the ‘frequent violence against religious minorities’ in the state.
The letter was signed by 34 eminent personalities from the state including historians Ramachandra Guha, Prof. Janaki Nair, scientists Prof. Sharadchandra Lele, Prof. Vinod Gaur and Prof. Vidyanand Nanjundiah; sociologists A. R. Vasavi and Prof. Satish Deshpande, Kannada writers Vivek Shanbhag, Purushottam Bilimale and K. P. Suresha, and activist Bezwada Wilson. Read More
Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar launched the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative, a first-of-its-kind plan in India undertaken by NIMHANS in association with Niti Aayog. Under this programme, doctors will be trained in screening and treating mental health patients.
Speaking at the virtual launch program, Sudhakar said that the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative is being rolled out in Bengaluru, Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts on a pilot basis. Read More
Karnataka on Tuesday reported 41,400 new Covid-19 cases along with 52 deaths. The state also recorded 53,093 recoveries in the past 24 hours. State health minister K Sudhakar said that this is the first time since third wave began, recoveries exceeded new infections. The test positivity rate dipped to 26.70% from the 32.95% on Monday. Among the new cases, 19,105 were reported from Bengaluru.
Medical students under the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) in Karnataka on Tuesday staged an online protest led by the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) demanding postponement of their final-year exams.
In a press statement Tuesday, AIDSO said, “In the background of increasing cases of Covid that affected the entire academic schedule, the medical classes were conducted only 7 months instead of 12 months for final year medical students. Read More
An elderly couple was found murdered inside their house in Karnataka’s Davangere district on Tuesday.
The deceased have been identified as Gurusiddaiah (82) and his wife Sarojamma (70) of Elebetur village. The couple had three married daughters who were living with their families elsewhere, said the police. Read More
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized assets worth Rs 26.59 crore after carrying out search operations for three days at the business premises and bank lockers of M/s Atlas Jewelry India Limited (AJIL) in Bengaluru, New Delhi and Mumbai under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The ED in its press release said that the money laundering investigation was initiated based on the FIR registered by the Kerala Police against M/s Atlas Jewellery, MM Ramachandran and Indira Ramachandran under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code for cheating South Indian Bank, Round South Branch, Thrissur, Kerala. The accused had presented forged documents to the bank and availed a loan of Rs 242.40 crore between 21 March, 2013 and 26 September, 2018, and did not repay the amount, officials said. Read More
With the Congress leadership in Karnataka lacking a face from the dominant Lingayat community, former minister and community leader M B Patil was appointed the chairman of the party’s campaign committee for assembly elections to be held in 2023 by the AICC on Tuesday.
“The Congress president has approved the proposal of appointment of Dr M B Patil as the chairman of the campaign committee with immediate effect,” said All India Congress Committee general secretary K C Venugopal. Read More
The India Meteorologocal Centre in Bengaluru has predicted that dry weather conditions will prevail over the state for the next 24 hours. However, rainfall with thundershowers is likely to occur at isolated places over south interior Karnataka in the next 48 hours. Coastal Karnataka and north interior Karnataka are to experience dry weather.
In case of Bengaluru for the next 24 hours, the city will witness clear sky. Fog/mist very likely during early morning hours in some areas. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 29 and 16 degree Celsius respectively. Light rain is likely to occur in 48 hours.
Belagavi Airport has recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 9.1 degree Celsius in the state.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said there is no discontent among his cabinet colleagues following the appointment of district in-charge Ministers, and that he has spoken to all of them before and after carrying out the exercise.
The Chief Minister's statement came even as few Ministers stopped short of openly expressing their displeasures over them not being assigned their home districts.
"I have spoken to everyone (Ministers) before appointing them as district in-charge Ministers and after that as well. It is our party's national policy that Ministers should be made in-charge of other districts, not their own," Bommai said. (PTI)
Karnataka has released a list of officials who have been conferred with the President's Police Medal for distinguished and meritorious service on Republic Day.
State Forest Minister Umesh Katti agreed to submit a proposal at the next wildlife board meeting to declare the more than 5,000 acre of the Hesaraghatta open land as a conservation reserve.
During a webinar on the need to conserve grasslands, catchments and waterways, the minister agreed to a request made by the member of the state wildlife board, Siddharth Goenka, to bring the issue back to the wildlife board so that it could be debated and discussed.
“We are happy about this development and hope that the proposal will be accepted this time. The minister has agreed to bring the issue up at the next wildlife board meeting. The safeguarding of the Hesaraghatta grasslands is imperative for the ecosystem,” Goenka told The Indian Express. (Read more)
Despite the ongoing pandemic, Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport has recorded a 22% increase in domestic passenger traffic compared to 2020. However, the international passenger traffic has declined by 15.5%, the airport authority said in a release on its website.
BLR Airport has been able to recover 48.0% of the pre-Covid level traffic of 33.65 million passengers handled in CY 2019, it said. It said that the airport saw its highest-ever cargo tonnage of 406,688 Metric Tonnes in 2021, recording a 28.6% increase compared to 2021.
The airport said that it hopes to increase the frequency of the Bengaluru-Tokyo Narita flights on Japan Airlines as soon as curbs on international travel are relaxed. "United Airlines and American Airlines are expected to commence operations in 2022 to San Francisco and Seattle, respectively," it added.
Congress has appointed M B Patil as the chairman of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee's campaign committee.
Patil has been a minister in the state Cabinet twice before. He is also the party’s face of the Lingayat movement for separate religion statu in Karnataka.
Can a candidate score 89 marks out of 70 in an examination? Apparently, the answer is yes in Bangalore University. In the BCom results announced on Monday, many students were shocked to see that they got more marks than the total.
The peculiar situation was faced by BA/BCom students at the university who had opted for the subject Tourism Agency and Tour Operator Organisations. A student, who scored 76 in the exam, said, “Some of my friends have scored 89, 73,75. This shows the lack of quality in evaluation of students’ answer scripts.” (Read more)
Air India has opposed a move by three Mauritius-based investors in startup firm Devas Multimedia to be identified as new entities registered in the United States to enforce compensation awards made in favour of the investors, and Devas Multimedia, by multiple international arbitration courts.
The Air India move comes in the wake of three foreign investors in Devas Multimedia — CC/Devas (Mauritius) Limited., Telecom Devas Mauritius Limited, and Devas Employees Mauritius Private Limited — seeking to be identified as CCDM Holdings, LLC, Telcom Devas, LLC, and Devas Employees Fund US, LLC. This is to continue proceedings to attach assets of Air India for recovery of nearly $1.2 billion in compensation awarded over the cancellation of 2005 satellite deal signed by Devas with Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Antrix Corporation. (Read more)
“Never judge a book by its cover,” is one adage we have heard for ages now. However, seems like a customer executive in a car showroom in Karnataka forgot all about it. A farmer said he went to buy a vehicle at the showroom and was told by the executive he wouldn’t be able to afford it.
In the video, the farmer says he was insulted at a Mahindra showroom in Tumkur after he went there to choose a pick-up truck. The farmer claims he was mocked over his appearance.
“He said I wouldn’t even have Rs 10, let alone Rs 10 lakh to buy the car,” the farmer is heard saying in Kannada in the video, which has irked netizens and triggered a serious debate about the company’s etiquette. However, it was the farmer’s comeback that won everyone online as he returned to the showroom with Rs 10 lakh in cash within an hour. (Read more)
A West Bengal native who was living in Bengaluru fell to death from the top of coconut tree on Monday.
Former Union minister B Janardhana Poojary of the Congress has announced a procession on January 26 in Mangaluru to condemn the central government’s rejection of the tableau of the Kerala social reformer Sree Narayana Guru from the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
While the protest call has drawn support not only from the Opposition Congress and the CPI(M) but also the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the ruling BJP appeared worried over its implications in the twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, where people from Poojary’s Billava community are outraged at the exclusion of the tableau. The saffron party has a strong presence in these districts with considerable Billava populations. (Read more)
Bengaluru city is likely to see a maximum temperature of 30.2 degree Celsius and a minimum temperature of 16.2 degree Celsius, according to an 8.30 am update from the Meteorological Centre in Bengaluru. The humidity is set to be 68%. No rainfall has been predicted.
Here's the local forecast:
For 24 hrs.: Mainly clear sky. Fog/Mist very likely during early morning hours in some areas. Maximum and Minimum temperatures very likely to be around 30 and 16 degrees Celsius respectively
For 48 hrs.: Mainly clear sky. Fog/Mist very likely during early morning hours in some areas. Maximum and Minimum temperatures very likely to be around 29 and 17 degrees Celsius respectively
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In case you missed it, here are the key figures from Karnataka's latest Covid update compared to that of the update from Jan 23.
?New cases in State: 46,426 (?? from 50,210)
?New cases in B'lore: 21,569 (?? from 26,299)
?Positivity rate in State: 32.95% (?? from 22.77%)
?Active cases State: 3,62,487 (?? from 3,57,796)
?Deaths:32 (?? from 19)
?Tests: 1,40,884 (?? from 2,20,459)
For over a month, seven students of a government college in Udupi, Karnataka, have not been allowed to attend classes because they wear the hijab. The college authorities argue that wearing head-scarves violates the dress code, even though the young women turned up for classes in the college uniform. The Karnataka education minister has called it an act of “indiscipline”, arguing that there is no place for religion in an educational institution. The principal of the college has said that “uniformity” does not allow him to make exceptions.
Both are flimsy arguments given the penalty they wish to justify — shutting the doors of education to students. They are particularly indefensible given how both Indian law and cultural common sense deal with the diversity of religious expression. (Read more)
Karnataka’s outgoing Lokayukta chief, Justice P Vishwanath Shetty, has said that public interest demands the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which has investigative powers, be brought under the independent watchdog.
“Previously Lokayukta had the powers to investigate cases under the Anti-Corruption Act, but later the ACB was established. It would be better if the ACB is with the Lokayukta and not under the state government. A writ petition is pending before the high court and it is sad news that it is yet to be disposed of,” Justice Shetty said on Monday. He will complete his term on Thursday. (Read more)
The administration of a government school at Mulbagal town in the district is incurring the ire of parents, alumni and Hindu outfits for allegedly allowing Muslim students to offer Friday Namaaz on the school premises.
The Hindu organisations led the parents of other students and alumni of the school in staging a protest inside the Balechangappa Government Karnataka Model Secondary School at Someshwarapalya for setting a 'new precedence' of allowing Friday prayers. According to a video that has gone viral on social media, the Muslim students, a few of them wearing skull caps, offered Friday prayer inside a classroom in the afternoon. (PTI)
Remona Evette Pereira, a first PUC student at Padua PU college in Nanthoor here has received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for her outstanding achievements in the field of art and culture.
Remona is the only child to win the national award from Karnataka this year. A total of 21 children from across the country were awarded in six fields--innovation, scholastic achievement, sports, arts and culture, social service and bravery.
The award was presented at a virtual interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. The certificate was awarded digitally using blockchain technology.
The function was held virtually at the zilla panchayat meeting hall here. Remona was accompanied by her mother Gladis Celine and brother Ronaldo Rockson. Zilla panchayat CEO Dr Kumar was also present.