88 airports to be functional under UDAN, says minister

Bengaluru, Apr 18: Private unaided schools in the state that were demanding fees from parents in the name of online classes and taking online admissions will face action under Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, the Karnataka government said.

The Department of Public Instructions has warned school management of action against such educational institutes if they violate the rules. Following complaints from several parents and also from private school management associations, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education S Suresh Kumar discussed the issue with officials from the department during a recent meeting and directed them to initiate action against such academies.

In a guideline issued on Saturday, the department said, "Schools can conduct online classes. But are not permitted to collect the fee from parents until further orders from the department."

St. Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, which is celebrating its centenary year, celebrated 99th college day and merit programme of the academic year 2019-20 in P.U College Auditorium on February 11.

Ms. Philomina Lobo, Retired Director, Secondary Education department of public instructions, Government of India was the chief guest of the programme. The programme began by evoking the blessings of God. Sr Dr M Jeswina A.C, Principal, St Agnes College, Sr Dr M Maria Roopa A.C, the Joint Secretary, Mr. Ronald Pereira PTA Vice President, Mr Charles Pais the Controller of Examinations ,Dr Subha Rao were  present.

Ms. Seemanthini, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Applications presented the annual college report digitally, highlighting the achievements of the institution, staff and students for the academic year.

Addressing the students, Ms Philomina Lobo advised, “You have knowledge and intelligence but you need to pray for wisdom. Use your talents in the right way.” She also mentioned that the companies today are looking forward for skilful youngsters and asked the students to “be skilful” in order to achieve success in life.

Students received Principal's role of honour, various scholarships and merit certificates for their excellence in academics. The cabinet members of the current academic year were also awarded on the occasion. The Principal gave a token of gratitude to Ms Philomena Lobo, who is also an alumna of the college. Mrs Meera, HOD, Department of History proposed the vote of thanks.

Mangaluru, May 22: An elderly cardiac patient from Dakshina Kannada, who was stranded in Saudi Arabia due to covid-19 lock-down, has finally reached his homeland thanks to the timely intervention by Humanity Forum Jubail and Indian Social Forum.

The elderly man hailing from Kadaba area of Dakshina Kannada was admitted to a hospital in Madinah. However, his condition continued to worsen due to lack of proper treatment. The efforts by his family members to bring him back home had not yielded results.

Meanwhile, one of the relatives of the patient, Ansari Suratkal, who happens to be a DKSC activist, brought the issue to the notice of the Karnataka unit of the Indian Social Forum in Dammam. ISF contacted Humanity Forum president Zakariya Jokatte, who helped the patient to speak directly union minister D V Sadananda Gowda in a video conference organised by coastaldigest.com.

Humanity Forum also persuaded the Indian Embassy to allow the stranded cardiac patient to fly back to India through Dammam-Bengaluru repatriation flight on May 20. 

However, it was not easy for the patient to travel from Madinah to Dammam International Airport due to lock-down and curfew. ISF not only obtained travel permission for him but also arranged vehicle. Jeddah and Riyadh units of ISF helped in obtaining permission letter in their respective places in spite of travel ban imposed by the police. Madinah unit of ISF arranged vehicle for transportation. Zakariya Jokatte bore the air ticket and other expenses of the patient.