SMSes in English and Kannada by public sector oil marketing companies created a flutter in Mangaluru.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader inaugurating the valedictory programme of ‘Equinox 2026- Sandhya Manthan,’ a management and cultural fest, in Mangaluru on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Calling upon students to pursue engineering courses at government colleges, Principal of Karnataka Polytechnic, Mangaluru, Harisha Shetty, said that the government colleges were providing quality technical education at affordable cost to students.

He was speaking at The Hindu EducationPlus Career Counselling Fair 2026 held at the Sri Sudhindra Auditorium of Canara High School, Dongarkery, in Mangaluru on Saturday.

Speaking about seat selection process conducted by Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), Mr. Shetty said seat allocation for medicine courses is done by the KEA based on ranking provided by NEET. “Seats in Medicine are offered only on basis of NEET ranking. Do not fall to agents who seek money by offering medicine seats of different institutes,” he said.

There were enough engineering seats on offer. Aspirants can get seats by taking part in the seat selection process conducted by KEA, after announcement of ranks by taking into consideration 50% of marks each in the 2nd year Pre University and the Common Entrance Test. Aspirants can get seats in the courses they want to pursue. Over 13,000 engineering seats remained unfilled after completion of seat selection process in 2025.

On the question of parents booking seats for their wards by paying advance amount in different private engineering colleges before the start of seat selection process, Mr. Shetty said parents were doing this seeing the prospects of companies coming to college to offer jobs for students.

“The companies now look for individual skill of candidates, which can be gained by students by studying in any of the engineering colleges. Students from the coastal region can consider pursuing engineering from Government Engineering College in Kushalnagar of Madikeri district and in Government Polytechnic in Karwar of Uttara Kannada district, which provide quality education at affordable cost,” he said.

Career in medicine

Medical Superintendent of Government Lady Goschen Hospital,Mangaluru, M.R. Durgraprasad, said students should pursue career in medicine only if they have heart to understand the pain of patients. Dr. Durgaprasad spoke about various facilities provided at the Lady Goschen Hospital for lactating mothers, new born babies and their care givers.

R.G.Dsouza, Dean, Faculty of Engineeing and Technology, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, spoke about engineering courses.

Chartered Accountants Ramya Rao and Vinayaka Pai spoke about career prospects of chartered accountants. Career counsellor Syed Sadath Pasha, spoke on different degree courses and about selection exams conducted by KPSC, UPSC and Defense Services.

The following are sponsors of the event

Platinum Sponsors: The Institute Chartered Accountants of India, Presidency University, Reva University.

Gold Sponsor: CMR University, Chanakya University, East Point Group of Institutions, Hindustan Group of Institutions, Chennai, Ramaiah College of Law.

Silver Sponsorship: ACS College of Engineering, Alliance University, Adichunchanagiri University, B.G. Nagar, BLDE Association, Vijayapura, Bheemanna Khandre Institute of Technology (BKIT), Balki, Bidar, Credila, IIBS, IDP, JSS Science & Technology University, Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru, Khaja Bandanawaz University, Kammavaari Sangham Group of Institutions, Karnataka Bank, KLE Technological University, Hubballi, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Rajarajeswari College of Engineering, Shri Madhava Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management, Soundarya Institute of Management & Science, SDM Educational Society (R), Ujire, Shanthivana Trust, Dharmasthala, Sharn Basva University, Kalaburagi, Shaheen Group of Institutions, Bidar, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysuru, Navkis College of Engineering, Hassan.

Associate Sponsors: Hyderabad Karnataka Education Society, Kalaburagi, Azim Premji University, ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Mahindra University, MS College of Engineering, VTU Visveswaraya Technological University, Belagavi, Canara Engineering College, Mangaluru.

Regional Sponsors: Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), Royal College of Management Studies.

Published – May 09, 2026 10:03 pm IST

The 24th edition of The Hindu EducationPlus Career Counselling is under way in the State. Organised by The Hindu, this landmark event continues its legacy of guiding students and parents in making well-informed academic and career decisions.

Designed as a one-stop platform for academic and career counselling, the event brings together renowned educationists, career experts, and top institutions to provide personalised guidance on UPSC exam preparation and CET and NEET counselling, conducted by officials from the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA). Attendees will receive insights into career opportunities across a wide range of fields, including Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Management, Engineering, Medicine, Chartered Accountancy, Cost Management, Fashion Designing, Animation, Performing Arts, Journalism, Architecture, and more. Whether students are exploring conventional paths or emerging career trends, this forum will offer the clarity, direction, and expert advice they need.

When and where

The event is at Sri Sudhindra Auditorium, Canara High School Main Campus, Kodialbail, Mangaluru.

Registration starts from 9 a.m. The programme is from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Entry is free and open to all students and parents. Contact: 9448160126 / 9731400992 for more information or check the link: https://newsth.- live/CET2026ED

The chief guest for the programme is Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Commissioner of Police, Mangaluru city. Specialists will be speaking on career options in various streams.

Platinum Sponsors: The Institute Chartered Accountants of India, Presidency University, Reva University.

Gold Sponsor: CMR University, Chanakya University, East Point Group of Institutions, Hindustan Group of Institutions, Chennai, Ramaiah College of Law.

Silver Sponsorship: ACS College of Engineering, Alliance University, Adichunchanagiri University, B.G. Nagar, BLDE Association, Vijayapura, Bheemanna Khandre Institute of Technology (BKIT), Balki, Bidar, Credila, IIBS, IDP, JSS Science & Technology University, Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru, Khaja Bandanawaz University, Kammavaari Sangham Group of Institutions, Karnataka Bank, KLE Technological University, Hubballi, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Rajarajeswari College of Engineering, Shri Madhava Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management, Soundarya Institute of Management & Science, SDM Educational Society (R), Ujire, Shanthivana Trust, Dharmasthala, Sharn Basva University, Kalaburagi, Shaheen Group of Institutions, Bidar, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysuru, Navkis College of Engineering, Hassan.

Associate Sponsors: Hyderabad Karnataka Education Society, Kalaburagi, Azim Premji University, ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Mahindra University, MS College of Engineering, VTU Visveswaraya Technological University, Belagavi, Canara Engineering College, Mangaluru.

Regional Sponsors: Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), Royal College of Management Studies.

Published – May 08, 2026 09:48 pm IST

Guests at the ‘Kanaka Smruti’ programme’ organised by the Centre for Research on Kanakadasa at Mangalore University on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A special ward that has been created at Government Wenlock Hospital for heatstroke victims.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The bowstring girder assembled on the coffer bund built on the Phalguni.
| Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goel makes a point to Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta during their meeting in New Delhi on February 6, 2025.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chowta urged Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to establish a satellite office of the Coffee Board in Mangaluru to strengthen coffee cultivation in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.

Meeting Mr. Goyal in New Delhi on February 6, Capt. Chowta highlighted the need to promote coffee cultivation in Dakshina Kannada, following up on his recent Unstarred Question No. 352 in the Lok Sabha. He requested an update on the Coffee Board’s survey assessing the feasibility of coffee cultivation in the district, and urged the Ministry to outline the next steps in supporting the initiative.

The satellite office, Capt. Chowta said, would provide technical support, conduct awareness programmes and equip farmers with essential knowledge and skills to enhance coffee cultivation and improve their incomes.

Protect arecanut growers

The MP drew Mr. Goyal’s attention to another critical issue, unfair competition being faced by arecanut growers in the region. He told the Minister about the distress faced by arecanut growers due to the influx of imported arecanut, which has led to unpredictable price drops and financial instability for thousands of growers.

Capt. Chowta urged the Minister to set up a special task force to study the factors behind price fluctuations and quality differences while also exploring measures to protect domestic farmers from the adverse impact of imported arecanut.

The MP said, “The farmers of Dakshina Kannada form the backbone of our local economy. It is imperative that we take strong measures to safeguard their livelihood. I am confident that the Hon’ble Minister will take these concerns seriously and work towards viable solutions to support our farmers.”

Mr. Goyal assured Capt. Chowta that the Ministry would examine these concerns and explore appropriate interventions to address the challenges faced by arecanut and coffee growers in Dakshina Kannada.

Probing the gender of a King Cobra at Pilikula Biological Park, in Mangaluru.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Pilikula Biological Park in Mangaluru, one of the major zoos in India, has taken up tagging of select species of wild animals under captivity by implanting microchips.

At present, microchipping of King Cobras selected for captive breeding is in progress. Other select species of animals will be tagged with microchips shortly, according to park Director H. Jayaprakash Bhandary.

The park has more than 1,200 wild animals, including mammals, birds and reptiles. In addition to King Cobras, many other animals and birds have been breeding at the park. The main objectives of the zoo are conservation, education and scientific research of wild animals, he said.

Why implant microchips

Since most animals of a species look identical, microchipping helps identify them. During captive breeding, he said, avoiding in-breeding is important. Implanting microchips helps prevent in-breeding through identification of individuals during breeding, Mr. Bhandary explained.

A microchip is a tiny electronic device implanted under the subcutaneous layer of skin. Microchips have a separate receiver, which consists of a hand-held scanner. Name of each animal and transponder numbers are recorded in a stud book, the Director said.

Tagging of tigers, lions

He said that tigers, lions, and panthers will be implanted with microchips next. Other species selected for tagging include Stripped hyena, Wild dog, Indian grey wolf, Sloth bear and crocodiles of Gharial and Nile species.

While taking up the implanting process, gender of King Cobras and other animals is identified. The length, weight and height of animals will also be recorded.

DNA testing is done to determine the sex of birds, Mr. Bhandary said.

The park is using imported microchips. The microchipping of all animals will be completed in a month.

“Scientific procedure of implanting microchips is carried out in the veterinary hospital of the zoo. Implanted microchips can last till the life-time of an animal,” he said.

Captive breeding of King Cobras

Pilikula Biological Park is the only one in India to get permission from the Central Zoo Authority for captive breeding of King Cobras. The captive breeding project was first sanctioned in 2010-11. They got permission for the second time in 2021-22, Mr. Bhandary told The Hindu.

The captive breeding, or conservative breeding, process comprises creating an artificial condition for mating, gestation and incubation periods, as well as hatching and rearing the neonates till about a year.

The park has facilitated the birth of hundreds of baby King Cobras in captivity in the Western Ghats in the interest of conservation.