Category: Kundapura

Delhi, September 23, 2025 – Nishali Kundar from Kundapur has won the prestigious Miss India – Pride of India 2025 title, organized by the renowned DK Pageant in Delhi. Competing against 44 state-level finalists, Nishali’s victory has brought pride and joy to Karnataka.

Nishali, daughter of Umesh Kundar, Managing Director of Srinidhi Corporation (state awardee), and Janaki, has been preparing for six months. In the talent round, she captivated the audience with a Yakshagana performance, showcasing Karnataka’s cultural heritage.

Nazmi Sayeed and Dr. Jimmy Garima Kumari crowned Nishali. The grand jury—Margaret Chorei, Nazmi Sayeed, Sonal Gosalia, and Manisha Subba—praised her talent from the dais.

Pursuing MA Journalism at St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru, Nishali shared, “This journey from Barekatte in Kundapur to Delhi is a dream come true.”

Kundapura, September 23, 2025 – Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary hailed the recent GST Council meeting in Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a historic tax reduction, stating it will significantly benefit the poor and middle class.

The celebration, held at Shastri Circle, saw BJP workers bursting crackers and distributing snacks purchased from the Nandini KMF outlet to the public. Kundapura MLA A. Kiran Kumar Kodgi expressed joy, noting the tax cut as a “wonderful gift” to the nation on the auspicious Navratri day, particularly for the poor and middle class.

The event was led by Kundapura Mandal BJP President Suresh Shetty Gopadi. Participants included General Secretary Satish Poojary Vakwadi, Sudhir K.S., Municipal Council President Mohan Das Shenoy, Vice-President Vanitha Billava, Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar V., mandal office bearers, various morcha leaders, municipal and constituency representatives, and Modi supporters, all joining in the joyous celebration.

Kundapur, September 22, 2025 – Officials are neglecting government bus services to various rural areas in the taluk, with the Transport Department and Authority delaying permissions despite KSRTC requests, allegedly due to a powerful lobby favoring private operators, accused Ganesh Kumbashi at the Taluk Guarantee Implementation Committee meeting on Monday.

Presided over by Hariprasad Shetty Kalmakki at the Taluk Panchayat auditorium, the meeting saw Ganesh Kumbashi state, “KSRTC wrote for permission to start buses to Angalli via Sangam, serving 3,500 residents, but the department and authority withhold approval. There’s a big lobby and private influence behind this.” Abhijit Poojari highlighted the lack of public transport in Angalli, while Narayan Acharya Koni noted the complete absence of services.

Kumbashi lamented the Badakere route being stalled by court order despite temporary approvals, and Arun mentioned the Halkadi bus halting despite permits. Zaheer Ahmed echoed the unfulfilled Gangolli-Byndoor demand.

On BPL card cancellations, Hariprasad Shetty Chandrakant and Asha Carvalho raised public doubts. The Food Department Deputy Tahsildar clarified that of 7,000 reviewed cards, 618 were processed: 570 shifted to APL for tax payers, retaining 48 BPL for non-payers. Cards exceeding Rs 1.2 lakh income convert to APL.

New Gruhajyothi applications are approved, but rejections due to prior limits don’t reflect new meter readings (using 2022-23 calculations), causing issues, explained Mescom AE Guruprasad Shankar Narayan. Zaheer demanded a new TC for Gujjadi. Panchayat members complained about streetlights burning during the day; EE Vijay Kumar Shetty assured action on unnecessary poles. CDPO Umesh Kotyan detailed Gruhalakshmi, with Ganesh Kumbashi urging measures to prevent funds going to deceased accounts.

Gruhalakshmi and Yuvanidhi funds not released in August. Total disbursals: Gruhajyothi Rs 4.33 crore, Anna Bhagy Rs 3.21 crore, Shakti Rs 2.68 crore—totaling Rs 10.22 crore. Rs 409 crore released so far, said President Hariprasad Shetty Kalmakki.

Taluk Panchayat Manager Ramachandra Mayya welcomed guests.

Kundapura, September 20, 2025 – Hundreds of elderly construction workers took to the streets in a statewide protest demanding approval for their pension applications rejected due to age mismatches between Aadhaar records and registration certificates. The demonstration, led by the Taluk Building and Other Construction Workers Union (CITU), highlighted the plight of marginalized laborers who have been denied benefits for 3-4 years.

The workers, many visually impaired, hearing-impaired, or mobility-challenged, marched to draw attention to their grievances. Union President Suresh Kallagar criticized the Labor Welfare Board for ignoring repeated memorandums and appeals to departments. “Despite submitting applications with doctor-estimated ages and consent forms before Aadhaar’s advent, the board’s software flags discrepancies, leading to rejections. This forces vulnerable seniors to protest, which is inhumane,” Kallagar said.

He noted that despite appeals to District In-Charge Minister Rohini Sindhuri, the District Collector, and elected representatives, no resolution has been achieved. “The board promises meetings but shows no progress, pushing the elderly to the brink.”

The protest was led by Pensioners’ Union President Chikka Mogaveer Gangolli, Secretary Krishna Poojari Hangaluru, Taluk General Secretary Santosh Hemmadi, and district CITU leader Balkees, among others.

Kundapur, September 20, 2025 – A fishing boat suffered extensive damage after crashing into the shore due to an engine failure near Hangarakatte, resulting in losses exceeding Rs 10 lakh, though all five crew members escaped unharmed.

The boat, named Mahakali and owned by Prakash Kundar from Kodibengre, departed from Kodibengre Fishing Harbor on September 17 morning for a fishing expedition. In the afternoon, while operating near Hangarakatte Harbor, the engine suddenly stalled due to a technical issue. Despite repeated attempts to restart it, the engine failed to respond.

Caught in strong winds and waves, the boat drifted towards the shore and crashed into the coast near Kodya Kanyana village in Kody Seaside. The five fishermen on board managed to escape safely, but the boat and its equipment were severely damaged, leading to significant financial losses estimated at over Rs 10 lakh.

Kundapur, September 18, 2025: In a raid on an illegal gambling den, Kundapur Rural Police Station arrested four individuals caught playing cards in Gulwadi village on September 17. Several other gamblers fled the scene upon spotting the police.

The arrested are Samarth (27) from Karkala, Kishan (45) from Tagarse in Byndoor, Pradeep (42) from Mangalore, and Nisar Shekh (42) from Gulwadi. Police seized Rs 11,620 in cash used for the game, along with gambling paraphernalia and a car.

A case has been registered at Kundapur Rural Police Station, with investigations ongoing.

Atradi, September 17, 2025 – On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday celebrations, BJP workers in Atradi honored auto driver Gopal Krishna Acharya, a veteran party activist from the Jan Sangh roots, for his unwavering dedication. For the past five years, Acharya has been operating his auto-rickshaw with a banner of PM Modi affixed to it, symbolizing his support for the leader.

The felicitation was led by Udupi District BJP President Kuttyaru Navin Shetty, who draped a shawl over Acharya in a ceremonial gesture at a local event. The program is part of the extended birthday observances from September 17 to October 2, aligning with Modi’s birth anniversary and Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy.

The event saw participation from prominent figures, including District BJP Office Secretary Satyananda Naik (Atradi), District Executive Member Pravin Poojari, Panchayat President Harish Shetty, Vice President Sharada Shettigar, former Panchayat Presidents Ratnakara Shetty and Prameela Shettigar, members Gangadhara Prabhu Jadd, Harini Shetty, Ayyappa Seva Samiti President Sadhu Poojari, Cheni Betta Naga Brahma Sthana Moktesar Vasanth Shetty (Cheni Betta), Balakrishna Hegde (Beerbetta), Muralidhara Halobi, Devendra E. Kamath, Sadasiva Naik, Harish Medical, Devadas Naik, Devendra Naik Madaga, Shridhara Shettigar, Umesh Acharya, Jai Hanuman Sangha President Uday Naik, Satish Naik, Puneet Parik, Naveen Poojari Parik, Ramesh Hegde, Hari Mam, auto driver Kamalax Kamaath, Gurudath Malya Madaga, Gopal Naik (Atradi), and others.

Kundapura, September 15, 2025: The Kundapura Mandal BJP Yuva Morcha, led by President Kiran Poojary Tekkatte, has submitted a petition to the Kundapur Police Station authorities demanding the registration of a case against Udupi District Congress Social Media Convener Roshan Shetty. The complaint accuses Shetty of engaging in seditious propaganda on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

The petition claims that Shetty shared a satirical image resembling the BJP flag and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with rioting crowds, accompanied by messages that allegedly threaten India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity. This is described as an act of treasonous propagation intended to incite unrest.

The delegation urged the police to take immediate action under relevant sections of the law to curb such anti-national activities. The submission was made at Kundapur Police Station, where the team pressed for a formal FIR to be filed.

The event saw the presence of several BJP leaders, including Kundapur Mandal President Suresh Shetty Gopadi, former President Shankar Ankadakatte, General Secretary Satish Poojari Vakwadi, Sudhir K.S., District Yuva Morcha Vice President Prasad Billava, Mandal Yuva Morcha General Secretary Chetan Kharvi, Mandal Vice President Sunil Shetty Herikudru, BJP OBC Morcha President Surendra Kanchan, Sangam Mandal Yuva Morcha Secretary Ranjit Devadiga, and Councilors Raghavendra Kharvi and Girish Devadiga. Prominent members such as Divakar Kadgi and Nagaraj Kanchan were also in attendance.