A section of students, mainly girls, of St. Agnes College, an autonomous institution under Mangalore University, staged a snap protest in front of the college on Monday (October 12), in opposition to it holding odd-semester undergraduate examinations during Dasara.

They boycotted the examinations which started Monday and demanded postponement. The protesting students were supported by the ABVP, and said that the college has scheduled the examinations till October 28.

The students maintained that they had appealed to the college to reschedule the examinations, but the college did not consider this.

They questioned the college for holding the examinations during Dasara while declaring a holiday during Christmas.

The girls waylaid a police vehicle when the police took into custody some ABVP activists, mainly boys. They continued their protest even after police shifted some ABVP activists from the spot.

College Registrar and Controller of Examinations Shubharekha arrived at the protest spot and announced that the semester examinations, scheduled for October 19 and 22, would be postponed. She said that rescheduling the examinations would be difficult because of internships and a 10-day National Service Scheme (NSS) camp of the college, scheduled to begin on November 2. She said that the college did not receive any objections from students to the timetable of examinations during the time given to file objections.

The students withdrew the protest later.

College clarifies

Meanwhile, college principal M. Venissa said in a statement that the draft examination timetable was circulated to all students on September 11, 2026, providing them with 15 days to raise objections, seek clarifications, or suggest necessary changes. Subsequently, the final timetable was published on September 26, 2026, as no objections or requests for change of dates had been received from the students. The examination schedule was also prepared with due consideration for the academic commitments of students undertaking internships and projects already planned as part of their curriculum.

“The examinations were scheduled in accordance with the approved academic calendar, ensuring that no examinations were scheduled on gazetted public holidays,” she said.

“After considering the concerns expressed by the students and in the larger interest of maintaining a harmonious academic environment, the college administration has decided to reschedule the examinations originally scheduled for October 19 and 22. The revised dates will be communicated to the students through official channels,” the statement said.

The principal said that although the protest involved only a limited section of students, the college has responded to their concerns in a spirit of dialogue, understanding, and goodwill. This decision reflects the institution’s commitment to addressing genuine student concerns while safeguarding academic interests and maintaining institutional stability.

“The college makes it clear that any further incidents of indiscipline, obstruction of academic activities, or disturbance of campus peace will be viewed seriously and dealt with in accordance with the applicable institutional regulations,” she said.

Deputy Director of U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru, C.S. Madhusudhan said on Wednesday that students should be encouraged to develop a scientific temperament by cultivating the habit of questioning, examining and thinking based on evidence.

Speaking after inaugurating the two-day World Space Week – 2026 programme at Pilikula Regional Science Centre he said that technology should be used logically and that students should apply the knowledge gained from books in their daily lives.

He said that the programme, organised by Pilikula Development Authority in association with URSC and ISRO, provided a valuable platform for the interaction of students and teachers.

Speaking on the occasion, G. Srinikethan. a retired professor of National Institute of Technology-Surathkal, said that continuous research and innovative developments in rocket technology have opened up new possibilities in the field of space exploration.

He encouraged students to make the best use of the valuable opportunity to interact with ISRO scientists, expand their knowledge and contribute to enhancing the country’s reputation in the field of space science and technology.

N. Arun Kumar Shetty, commissioner, Pilikula Development Authority, said that innovative ideas, technology and collaboration should be given greater importance in building a developed India.

Mr. Shetty encouraged students to develop new ideas with the aim of improving people’s lives and contribute to the development of the nation.

There was display of ISRO space science models and exhibits in the gallery adjacent to the Swami Vivekananda Planetarium. A special 2D show titled ‘The Moon’ was also organised for the students at the planetarium.

A satellite model making competition was organised on the occasion.

Around 750 students and teachers from various high schools, pre-university colleges and diploma colleges from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts participated in the programme.

A 139-year-old historical building, Sushanthi Nilaya, at Mercara Hill in the city, has been restored and converted into a public community hall.

Originally constructed in the late 19th century under the Basel Mission, the building served as a school, a place of worship, and a clergy residence. After falling out of regular use in recent decades, the structure underwent a complete restoration this year. The restoration was sponsored by Jonas Petro Products Private Limited to preserve its heritage and revitalise it for community use, a release said.

The building was restored by the family of Sunil Jonas in memory of S. Eliya Jonas and V. Sulochani Jonas.

Dexter S. Maben, Head of C.S.I. David Memorial Church, Bengaluru, was present at the inauguration recently.

Mr. Maben said that Mr. Sunil contributed generously to the restoration without expecting anything in return.

He said that the original motto of the Basel Mission was to reach out to the community through community service. The mission introduced tile making, weaving, agriculture, and several other local industries.

Amba Maheshwari Seva Trust undertook traffic management around Mangaladevi Temple and cleanliness drive around Gujjarkere in Jeppu under its “Awake Kudla” initiative on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on Friday.

Trust volunteers helped the traffic police in regulating traffic on Mangaladevi Car Street between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. as there was a huge influx of devotees on a Friday.

They ensured cars and two wheelers were parked in an orderly manner, on the centre line of the road while leaving the sides of the road for unobstructed movement of vehicles. The trust has been carrying out this work for the past many weeks to ensure traffic orderliness on Fridays and other festival days. Inspired by the volunteers, a few local residents too joined hands in regulating traffic.

In the evening, trust volunteers and residents of Gujjarkere area undertook a mega cleanliness drive around the lake. They cleaned the surroundings, removed plastic waste and trimmed grass and other vegetation. The volunteers also created awareness among residents and visitors about maintaining the area clean, while educating them to segregate waste at source in homes. The trust has been undertaking regular cleanliness and maintenance work of Gujjarkere area for the past three years.

The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Keralam, under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is set to conduct the first field trial of tissue-cultured dwarf arecanut plants developed by it.

According to K. Balachandra Hebbar, director, CPCRI, about 100 hardened tissue-cultured dwarf plants, each one year old, are ready for planting.

The first batch of 20 plants will be planted on the premises of CPCRI’s Regional Station at Vitla in Dakshina Kannada on October 5, he told The Hindu. The remaining plants will be planted in phases later this year at the same station.

“It will take about two-and-a-half to three years to know the results of the field trial,” Mr. Hebbar said.

He said the tissue-cultured dwarf plants are expected to start yielding within two years of planting. Each plant is expected to yield 2 kg to 2.5 kg of chali nuts, compared with 3 kg to 3.5 kg from tall varieties.

Difference between hybrid dwarf and tissue cultured dwarf

CPCRI had earlier released two hybrid dwarf arecanut varieties in 2007, VTLAH-1 (HD x Sumangala) and VTLAH-2 (HD x Mohitnagar).

Their field trials revealed variations in yield. “There was no uniformity in yielding,” Mr. Hebbar said, adding that predicting output became difficult as plants yielded differently.

The director said uniform yields are expected from tissue-cultured dwarf plants. More tissue-cultured dwarf plants can also be accommodated in a field compared to other arecanut varieties.

Mr. Hebbar said that plantations of dwarf arecanut varieties would make harvesting and spraying easier for farmers. “Plant protection measures in plantations with dwarf plants will also be easier when compared to tall varieties,” he said.

The Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL) has said that the level crossing gate at Haleyangadi on the Haleyangadi-Pakshikere Road will remain closed from 8 p.m. on October 1 to 8 a.m. on October 2.

The closure is being undertaken to improve the road surface by laying rubberised pavers for the convenience of road users, KRCL said in a statement.

A Congress MLA writing to Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on corruption in Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) office in Dakshina Kannada has exposed the high level of corruption in the State government led by the Congress, MLA for Mangaluru City North Y. Bharat Shetty said on Tuesday.

In his August 25 letter to Mr. Shivakumar, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai had alleged that two engineers, including an Executive Engineer and a Junior Engineer, of KRIDL office in Mangaluru have demanded “7% more money” as “KRIDL charge” from contractors. The letter also talked about engineers collecting money, claiming that they have to make monthly payments to the district in-charge minister and minister in-charge of KRIDL.

Addressing presspersons Dr. Shetty said that the KPSC scam, excise department scam had also exposed the government. “In none of the scams involving corruption the government is conducting serious investigation and taking the probe to the logical end,” the MLA said.

“What is the outcome?” he asked.

“Corruption is another guarantee of the Congress led government,” Dr. Shetty alleged.

The MLA claimed that earlier Upa Lokayukta B. Veerappa went on record that 63% of people in Karnataka had to pay bribe to get their works done in government offices. “Payment quota Ministers and officials have begun looting people,” he alleged.

Dr. Shetty said that earlier Congress charged the BJP government with “40 % commission”. But it could not substantiate and prove it. The MLA demanded that in each of the cases involving corruption the government should hold a judicial inquiry.

MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur was present.

Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said that legal action will be taken against persons who have shared and published audio clips related to a man claiming to be underworld operative Hemanth Poojary. The clips were found in a mobile phone belonging to Raju, an assailant arrested in connection with the murder of former Mudarangadi Gram Panchayat president David D’Souza in Udupi district on August 7.

The man in the clip, claiming to be Hemanth, made a phone call to Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) officials, asking them to award his brother Kishore Ram Poojary, and not D’Souza, a contract to lay a pipeline for a desalination plant at UPCL. He had also made calls to assailants and the other accused.

Mr. Shankar’s statement has come after a digital news portal posted a news story on YouTube and Instagram on Wednesday (August 26), airing the audio clips found in Raju’s phone. He is among 10 persons the Udupi police have arrested so far.

The Udupi SP said, “I will take legal action against whoever has shared as well as published this. It includes those from my department, who have leaked these (audio clips).” A few minutes after Mr. Shankar’s statement was shared, the news portal removed the story from both platforms.

The murder

Raju attacked D’Souza when the latter was about to board his jeep parked in front of his office ‘Prince Enterprises’, near St. Francis Xavier Church in Pilar, on August 7. With the help of the Uttara Kannada police, Raju and two other assailants, Anmol Rastogi and Ziaul Vazul Sheikh alias Deepak, were arrested.

The investigation revealed that Kishore held a grudge against D’Souza after he lost the contract to the latter. Kishore was found to have hired three assailants for ₹10 lakh. The police arrested him, Mohammed Irshad, Chiraj Poojary, and Sadananada Devadiga, who gave the money to the assailants. The police also arrested Suraj Kumar and Anuj Patil, both from Bihar, and Lokesh Tej Kottari of Yedtare village in Byndoor Taluk, who were links between Kishore and the three assailants.

“The person (claiming to be Hemanth) looks like the key conspirator in the murder. We are not sure whether the audio is indeed of that of Hemanth or not,” Mr. Shankar said.

Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) Karnataka president Abdul Majeed on Tuesday urged the State government to immediately scrap the ₹32,000 annual income limit set for social security pensions, including old age, widow, disability, and others.

The income limit should be fixed at least at ₹3 lakh per annum, he said. Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Majeed quoted the recent statement of Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa wherein the Minister had said the government was considering revising the income limit for below poverty line (BPL) cards from ₹1.2 lakh to ₹3 lakh per annum.

Prescribing ₹32,000 income for social pensions speaks about the government’s dual policy. No other State has such a low income limit for social security schemes. The elderly, widows and the disabled have to stand in queues and bribe officials even for small certificates, he said alleging the revenue department has become a hotbed of corruption. There should be a single, simple and transparent standard for all social security and welfare schemes in the State.

Warranty expires

Stating that the ‘warranty’ of the ‘guarantee schemes’ of the Congress government has expired, Mr. Majeed regretted that the government was harassing people in the name of documents to reduce the number of beneficiaries.

The Congress that had said everything was free to all was now making people go to Nadakacheri, Tahsildar’s office, Gram One and Karnataka One to submit PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, income certificates and ration cards for various schemes.

Fourth largest

The SDPI president said people were disillusioned with the governance of various parties and were looking for an alternative, which was why the SDPI emerged as the fourth alternative.

The party has established its presence in all the districts. It stands with the common man and participates in the forefront of the struggle and therefore has the morality of asking for votes. He said that it would actively participate in all the elections, from the upcoming Gram Panchayat to the Greater Bengaluru Authority.

State General Secretary Riyaz Kadambu, Mangaluru City District President Ashraf Addur and General Secretary Jamal Jokatte were present.

Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader would inaugurate the 16th edition of Alva’s Pragati-2026, the mega job fair, in the presence of Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta and others in Moodbidri on August 7, said Alva’s Education Foundation chairman M. Mohan Alva.

Speaking to reporters at Moodbidri on Wednesday, Mr. Alva said MLA for Moodbidri Umanath Kotian would preside over the programme at Dr. V.S. Acharya Auditorium, Vidyagiri at 9.30 a.m. Elected representatives of the undivided Dakshina Kannada are likely to attend the programme.

He said the programme stage would be named after late A.K. Mahesh Sheka, proprietor of Mahesh Motors, as a tribute to his support for the mega fair since its inception.

The occasion will also see the felicitation of five achievers from the coast who have excelled in entrepreneurship, job creation and social service. They are K.N. Janardhana, managing director of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Siri Gramodyoga Samsthe, Matrushri Industrial Park, Belthangady; K. Prakash Shetty, founder and chairman of MRG Group; Kusumodara D. Shetty, founder and chairman of Bhavani Group; Vincent Cutinha, managing director of Provit Foods and Mohammed Ashfaq, co-founder of Expertise Contracting Company.

26,300 openings

Mr. Alva said over 26,300 jobs would be on offer at the fair, to be extended by over 350 participating companies. Openings are available in various sectors including IT, ITES, manufacturing, banking, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, retail, media, education, etc.

Registration is free, but mandatory. Candidates have to register at https://alvaspragati.com/candidate-registration. Information on companies participating in the fair can be found at www.alvaspragati.com.

For more information contact: 9611750531/ 9741440490/ 9008907716/ 7975223865.