Bomb blast threat, pro-Pak slogan video: Young Hindutva activist from Udupi arrested

Mangaluru, Jul 13: Air India Express flight brought around 170 passengers from Bahrain to Mangaluru under Vande Bharat Mission yesterday. 

This is the first VBM flight from Bahrain to Mangaluru. The flight took off from Bahrain at 10 am on Sunday and landed at Mangaluru International airport at 4.45 pm. 

Even though thousands of Indian expatriates from other gulf countries were brought to Mangaluru in past few weeks, no flight was arranged from Bahrain so far. Hence, several Mangalureans including senior citizens, women and patients were stranded in Bahrain for months together.

Local entrepreneur and president of Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) Mohammed Mansoor, who saw the plight of the hapless Indian expatriates in Bahrain had discussions with the Indian embassy in Bahrain and convinced it to arrange a special Air India Express flight under the Vande Bharat Mission. 

IOC, along with the cooperation of ‘KHK Heroes’ had arranged meal kits for passengers during their flight to Mangaluru. IOC had also contacted all the Mangaluru-based NRIs who wanted to fly back to India and made a list with the help of Indian embassy to avoid any untoward incidents.

IOC had also given details of hotels to be quarantined in Mangaluru and Udupi, names of nodal officers to be contacted and emergency telephone numbers. The passengers were given a warm farewell by the office bearers of IOC from Bahrain international airport.

The effort taken by Mohammed Mansoor, president of IOC is lauded by all. All the passengers who travelled by the flight have thanked IOC and its office bearers whole heartedly.

Dammam, May 29: A woman hailing from Mangaluru, who was waiting for repatriation amidst coronavirus lockdown in Saudi Arabia, passed away yesterday after a brief illness.

The deceased has been identified as Lateefa (55), wife of Abdul Azeez, a resident of Angaragundi near Baikampady on the outskirts of the city.

She had flown to Saudi Arabia in November 2019 along with her husband to spend some time with their NRI son in Dammam. They were supposed to return in April this year.

After the sudden cancellation of regular flights due to lockdown, they were waiting for the repatriation flights from Dammam to Mangaluru or Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, Lateefa’s health condition worsened and she was hospitalised. She passed away on Thursday without responding to any treatment. Last rites are expected to take place in Dammam.

Bengaluru, May 20: Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) had to confront an unprecedented situation as there was a commotion at bus stands in various parts of the state due to the mad rush of passengers.

Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who is in charge of the transport department, admitted that there were some shortcomings in the arrangements. He, however, was confident that things would improve from Wednesday.

As against the dearth of passengers in the bus stands in Bengaluru a day ago, Wednesday witnessed an overwhelming crowd blaming BMTC authorities for not providing enough buses for all the destinations on time.

Some of the employees who were asked to report to duty before certain time were facing difficulty in reaching the office in the absence of bus despite having daily pass and arriving at the stand well in advance.

Authorities were finding it difficult to convince the public as a bus could ferry only 35 passengers at a time which was way less than the demand.