Category: Udupi

Udupi, August 18, 2025: In response to persistent heavy rainfall and a red alert issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre, Bengaluru, the Udupi district administration has announced a holiday for all anganwadis, primary and high schools, pre-university colleges, and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) on August 19, 2025. The red alert, effective from August 18 to August 19, warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds (40-50 kmph) and high sea waves in the Arabian Sea, posing risks of flooding and landslides in coastal areas.

The IMD forecast indicates heavy rainfall across Karnataka’s coastal regions, including Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada, for the next five days, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers expected on August 20. The District Disaster Management Authority has issued the following precautionary guidelines:

• Public Safety: Residents, tourists, and fishermen are urged to avoid rivers, water bodies, and the sea. During heavy rain, winds, or lightning, people, especially children and workers, should seek shelter in safe buildings and refrain from outdoor activities.
• Avoid Hazardous Areas: Stay away from weak or old buildings, trees, power poles, and severed electrical wires to prevent accidents.
• Landslide Precautions: In areas prone to landslides, residents should contact the nearest Tahsildar’s office or Gram Panchayat and relocate to relief centers in advance.
• General Advisory: For the next seven days, avoid unnecessary travel due to expected heavy rain and winds. Those in vulnerable buildings should move to nearby relief centers.

For assistance, contact the District Disaster Management Control Room or respective Taluk Tahsildar offices. District and taluk officials, nodal officers, and local disaster management committee members are directed to remain stationed and actively manage potential crises.

This decision follows multiple school closures in Udupi due to heavy rainfall earlier this year, with measures like full-day Saturday classes introduced to compensate for lost instructional time. The administration is on high alert, with emergency services ready to respond to any incidents caused by the severe weather conditions.

Gangolli fishermen preparing to fish | Photo Credit: Waqqas Kazi

Udupi, August 18, 2025 – Vidushi Deeksha V, a young and accomplished Bharatanatyam artist from Munkinjaddu, Brahmavar, is gearing up to attempt a historic 216-hour continuous Bharatanatyam performance to secure an entry in the Golden Book of World Records. The marathon event, titled Navarasa Deeksha Vaibhavam, will take place from August 21 to August 30, 2025, at the Dr. G. Shankar Women’s First Degree and Postgraduate Studies Centre, Ajjarkad, Udupi. The performance, organized under the banner of Ratna Sanjeeva Kalamandala, Manipal, aims to celebrate the nine emotions (Navarasa) of Bharatanatyam while showcasing Deeksha’s dedication to the classical dance form.

Speaking at a press conference on August 17, Deeksha shared her journey and inspiration, crediting her mentor, Vidwan Sridhar Rao, for guiding her. “Initially, I was unsure of what to do, but my teacher advised me to complete my Vidwath and then pursue this goal. I was inspired by Vidwan Yashwanth M G’s 24-hour singing record, which motivated me to attempt a world record in Bharatanatyam,” she said. Deeksha, who began learning the dance at age two and has trained rigorously since age four, emphasized her extensive preparation, including nutritional guidance and a disciplined regimen. She will perform following the Marga Paddhati, taking a 15-minute break every three hours as per the rules.

The event, supported by former Udupi MLA K. Raghupathi Bhat and led by Mahesh Thakur of Ratna Sanjeeva Kalamandala, will commence on August 21 at 2:00 PM with an inauguration, followed by the performance starting at 3:30 PM. It will conclude with a valedictory function on August 30. Deeksha, an alumna of Little Rock Indian School, Amrutha Bharathi PU College, and Dr. G. Shankar Women’s College, is currently pursuing a B.Ed. at Dr. TMA Pai College of Education, Kunjibettu. Her multifaceted talents extend to Yakshagana, Veena, Chende, Maddale, and painting.

The press conference was attended by Vidwan Sridhar Rao, Vidushi Usha Hebbar, and Ashwini Mahesh Thakur, who expressed their support for Deeksha’s ambitious endeavor. If successful, this nine-day performance will mark a significant milestone, surpassing the recent 170-hour Bharatanatyam record set by Remona Evette Pereira in Mangaluru, and will bring global recognition to Udupi’s cultural heritage.

Udupi, August 18, 2025: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) initiated an indefinite protest outside the Udupi District Collector’s office, led by the Udupi District Building and Other Construction Workers’ Coordination Committee, to address the acute shortage of red stones (laterite) and sand, which has severely affected poor households and construction workers. CITU State Vice-President Balakrishna Shetty, inaugurating the protest, stated that the district administration’s policies have made it impossible for the poor to afford building homes with red stones, a cost-effective alternative to pillars. This has also led to unemployment among construction workers, with the looming sand shortage expected to worsen the crisis. He called for a fierce struggle to resolve these issues.

CITU District General Secretary Suresh Kallagar highlighted that the 147 locations identified by the district administration for red stone quarrying lack quality stones, leading to a supply shortage against high demand. He accused the administration of enabling inflated prices, burdening the poor. Kallagar demanded legal permits for quarrying quality stones, adoption of Kerala’s royalty model (₹76 per ton), and a joint meeting with the District Collector, mining officials, and labor leaders to resolve the crisis.

Key Demands

1. Legal Permits for Quarrying: Issue licenses for safe laterite quarrying sites to ensure adequate supply.
2. Kerala Royalty Model: Reduce royalty to ₹76 per ton and eliminate additional taxes to make red stones affordable.
3. Annual License Renewal: Shift from six-monthly to yearly license renewals to curb illegal activities.
4. No Restrictions on Imports: Allow red stones from Dakshina Kannada quarries without restrictions due to limited local availability.
5. Price Regulation: Take action against those selling red stones at exorbitant rates, ensuring prices align with previous rates.
6. Joint Meeting: Schedule a meeting chaired by the District Collector with mining officials and labor leaders to address the red stone and sand crisis.

The protest reflects growing frustration among Udupi’s residents and workers, who rely on red stones for affordable housing. The CITU and coordination committee urged immediate action to alleviate the economic strain and unemployment caused by the shortage.