Udupi, August 30, 2025: Vidhushi Deeksha V of Udupi has created a new world record by performing Bharatnatyam continuously for 216 hours, surpassing the previous record of 170 hours.
The marathon performance began on August 21 at 3:30 pm and continued non-stop for nine days, completing 216 hours.
A native of Mundinjiddu in Brahmavar taluk, Deeksha had always aspired to achieve great heights in the field of Bharatnatyam. With this dream in mind, she set out to perform continuously for 216 hours.
On Thursday, August 28, at 5:30 pm, she completed 170 hours, breaking the earlier record set by Remona Evette Pereira of Mangaluru, who had performed for 170 hours and entered the Golden Book of World Records.
The record-breaking attempt was supported by Ratna Sanjeeva Kalamandala, Manipal, under the leadership of Mahesh Thakur, with guidance from former Udupi MLA K Raghupati Bhat.
Kundapura, August 30, 2025:The body of Bengaluru-based woman, Vasudha Chakravarthy (46), who had gone missing after being swept away in the Sowparnika river, was found today near Mavinakaru.
A resident of Tyagarajanagar in Bengaluru, Vasudha had been a frequent visitor to the Kollur temple. On August 27, she reportedly slipped while near the river and was dragged away by the strong current. A rescue team led by expert diver Eshwar Malpe and personnel from the fire department had been conducting searches, but the strong river flow had hampered operations.
After two days of continuous search, the body was finally recovered today near Mavinakaru. Kollur police, fire service personnel, Eshwar Malpe, and locals including Pradeep Bhat Sampre took part in the operation. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination.
Brahmavara, August 30, 2025: The Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Sugar Factory, Brahmavar, elected Sateesh Kini Belve as its new president and Sampigedi Sanjeeva Shetty as vice-president unopposed during a board meeting on Friday, August 29, 2025. The election process was conducted by Sunil Kumar C.M., Assistant Development Officer from the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
The event was attended by board directors including Bhujanga Shetty (Brahmavar), Kedooru Sadananda Shetty, H. Hariprasad Shetty, Manjunath Giliyaru, Uday Kumar Shetty (Adikekodlu), Ranganayaka, Shivaram Haladi, Bhoja Kulal (Belanje), Chaitra Adapa, and Girija Poojarthi (Amasebailu). The unopposed election follows a recent board election where the Udupi District Farmers’ Association-backed group secured a full majority, strengthening their influence in the cooperative’s governance.
Udupi, August 29, 2025 – Vidhushi Deeksha V., a resident of Mundkinajaddu, Brahmavar taluk, achieved a historic milestone by performing Bharatanatyam for over 170 hours, surpassing the previous Golden Book of World Records mark set by Mangaluru’s Remona Evette Pereira. The marathon performance, titled “Navarasa Deepa Vaibhavam,” began at 3:30 PM on August 21, 2025, at the PG auditorium of Dr. G. Shankar Women’s College, Ajjarkad, Udupi. Deeksha crossed the 170-hour threshold on Thursday, August 28, at 5:30 PM, and aims to complete 216 hours (9 days) by August 30, 2025.
Supported by Manipal’s Ratna Sanjeev Kala Mandala, Deeksha’s performance showcases exceptional endurance and dedication to the classical art form. The previous record of 170 hours by Remona Evette Pereira, also from Karnataka, was a significant benchmark in the Golden Book of World Records. Deeksha’s ongoing effort, which emphasizes the nine rasas (emotions) of Bharatanatyam, has drawn attention for its cultural and physical feat, echoing similar record-breaking attempts in India’s performing arts scene.
Udupi, August 29, 2025 – The Dalit Rights Committee, led by district president Sanjeeva Balkoor, lodged a complaint with Udupi District Collector Swarupa T.K., accusing the Udupi Tahsildar of serious dereliction of duty. The issue pertains to confirmed encroachments on a government road in Pithrodi, Udyavara village, which restricts access to a Dalit family’s home. Despite a survey report with maps verifying the encroachment, the Tahsildar failed to clear the obstruction, allegedly enabling Dalit atrocities. The committee demanded strict action against the official for violating constitutional responsibilities.
Additionally, Sanjeeva Balkoor urged the administration to address the plight of Dalit families in Nada village, Byndoor taluk, who have been denied government land grants for decades, causing significant hardship. He further demanded that 50% of available government land across Udupi district’s villages be reserved for Dalit communities to ensure equitable access.
The complaint was supported by CITU Udupi District Secretary Kaviraj, Byndoor Zone Construction Workers’ Union President Rajeev Padukone, Dalit Rights Committee leaders Nagarathna Nada, Ranganatha Korangarapadi, Nagarathna R., and landless Dalit women from Nada village, who were present during the submission.
Udupi, August 29, 2025 – Two distinct cyber fraud cases have surfaced in Udupi district, highlighting the growing prevalence of online scams.
Manipal Case (Crime No. 154/2025)
On August 20, 2025, a 75-year-old resident sent a check request slip to Mumbai via speed post, which did not reach its destination by August 26. Upon contacting the speed post office online at 2:00 PM on August 26, the complainant was instructed to pay an additional ₹5 online for delivery. After complying, ₹1,50,000 was fraudulently withdrawn from their bank account without their knowledge. The case was registered at Manipal Police Station under Sections 66(c) and 66(d) of the IT Act, 2000 (identity theft and cheating by impersonation), and Section 316(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 (cheating), carrying penalties up to seven years imprisonment and fines.
Malpe Case (Crime No. 94/2025)
On August 24, 2025, a 25-year-old received a Telegram message from an account named “Poonam,” promising high earnings for online tasks. After sharing personal and bank details, the complainant completed tasks, receiving small payments (₹900, ₹9,100, and ₹800) to gain trust. Between August 24 and 27, 2025, the fraudsters, using names like Rujani and Krishna, manipulated the complainant into transferring ₹5,70,000 through multiple transactions via provided links, promising higher returns. The case was registered at Malpe Police Station under Sections 316(2) (cheating), 318(4) (cheating with knowledge of wrongful loss), and 112 (organized crime) of BNS 2023, and Sections 66(c) and 66(d) of the IT Act, 2000, with penalties up to seven years imprisonment and fines.
Malpe, August 27, 2025 : A fishing boat owned by local resident Jeevan capsized near Thottam, Malpe, on the morning of August 27, 2025, after being caught in turbulent waves triggered by continuous heavy rainfall. The four fishermen on board narrowly escaped danger, thanks to a swift rescue operation.
Local residents alerted a diving expert team led by Eshwar Malpe, who, along with fishermen Praveen and Uday, reached the site promptly. The team entered the water, provided life jackets to the stranded fishermen, and successfully rescued all four. No injuries were reported, but the incident highlighted the risks posed by rough seas during the monsoon.
The Eshwar Malpe team appealed to fishermen to mandatorily wear life jackets while venturing into the sea, citing the turbulent conditions caused by ongoing heavy rains.
Kundapur, August 28, 2025: At a meeting of the Kundapur Taluk Guarantee Implementation Committee held at the Taluk Panchayat Hall, President H. Hariprasad Shetty reported robust progress in Karnataka’s Panch Guarantee Schemes. By July 2025, Kundapur taluk received ₹15,94,82,613, including ₹7,04,26,000 for Gruha Lakshmi, ₹4,37,45,109 for Gruha Jyothi, ₹2,55,27,659 for Shakti, and ₹1,97,83,845 for Annabhagya, contributing to a cumulative total of ₹3,96,70,81,852. These schemes provide financial aid, free electricity, free bus travel for women, and food security.
Shetty announced that applications for new ration cards and member additions will open in September, with a formal request to be submitted to the government. He instructed MESCOM officials to consult senior authorities on issuing temporary electricity permits for new house constructions and to resolve eKYC and Aadhaar seeding issues.
Committee member Zahir Ahmed Nakhuda urged KSRTC to introduce direct bus connectivity from Gangolli to Byndoor, citing demands from two educational institutions, and requested a new transformer for Kadihitlu village in Gujjadi to address power supply issues.
Shetty noted delays in temporary bus permits for Nada and Badakere due to the District Collector’s transfer but assured resolution within 15 days. He also directed KSRTC to consider extending the Mysuru-Kollur (Hunsur depot) bus service beyond Mangaluru to Kollur or introducing a separate Kundapur-Kollur route. Members Chandra Kanchan and Arun Hakladi emphasized timely electricity bill issuance to avoid confusion, warning that delays cause beneficiary inconvenience.
The committee addressed Gruha Lakshmi’s eKYC and Aadhaar seeding issues, noting that IT and GST-related discrepancies have been resolved at the government level. Eligible beneficiaries yet to receive funds were advised to submit details through anganwadi workers
Zahir Ahmed Nakhuda raised concerns about elderly individuals facing difficulties with fingerprint verification, as repeated visits to ration shops pose challenges, particularly in single-member elderly households. He urged the government to formulate relaxed rules for such cases. Members also demanded subsidized rice for APL families and opportunities for new ration cards and member additions.
Attendees included Vasundhara Hegde, Chandra Kanchan, Abhijit Poojari, Vani R. Shetty, Asha Carvalho, Narayana Achar, Ganesh, Savita Poojari, Manju Kothari, and Zahir Ahmed Nakhuda. Taluk Panchayat Manager Ramachandra Mayya delivered the vote of thanks.
Kundapura, August 28, 2025 – During a patrol for Ganesha festival arrangements on August 27, 2025, at 12:15 PM, PSI Bhimashankar Sinnur Sanganna of Kundapur Rural Police Station, along with 112 patrol staff, acted on a tip-off about illegal liquor sales behind Sanvi Poultry Farm in Heskathooru village, Kundapur taluk. They apprehended Sheshadri (43) from Korgi village, who was found with four cardboard boxes containing 273 tetra packs of liquor: 72 packs of Haywards Cheers Whisky (90 ml), 117 packs of Original Choice (90 ml), and 84 packs of Mysore Lancer (90 ml), valued at ₹13,650 (₹50 per pack). Additionally, ₹280 in cash from liquor sales was seized.
The seizure occurred despite a district-wide liquor sale ban ordered by the Udupi District Collector for the Ganesha festival (August 27, 29, and 31, 2025). Sheshadri, lacking any permit, was charged with illegal liquor storage and sale for personal profit, violating the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965. A case was registered at Kundapur Rural Police Station under Crime No. 56/2025, citing Sections 32 (unauthorized sale) and 34 (possession for sale) of the Karnataka Excise Act, which carry penalties of up to three years imprisonment and fines. The police confiscated the liquor and cash as evidence.
Udupi, August 27, 2025: In response to incessant rainfall over the past two days and the forecast of increasing intensity, the Udupi District Collector has announced a holiday for all educational institutions, including anganwadis, government, aided, and private primary and high schools, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and pre-university colleges, on August 28, 2025, as a precautionary measure to ensure student safety.
The order does not extend to degree, postgraduate, diploma, or engineering colleges, which will continue to function.
