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Siddaramaiah says that his government’s guarantee schemes are ‘transforming the trajectory of Karnataka’s development’.

Amid criticism by the Opposition BJP and JD(S) that guarantee schemes had rendered Karnataka ‘bankrupt’, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sought to argue in his Independence Day address that the State’s economy was robust, bolstered by its welfare schemes. This, he underlined, was despite ‘facing discrimination in distribution of resources from the Centre’.

Delivering the Independence Day address at the Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw Parade Ground in Bengaluru on Friday, the Chief Minister said the State ranks first in the country in per capita income. Over the past decade, the State has achieved a growth of 101% in this indicator, from ₹1,01,858 at constant prices in 2013–14 to ₹2,04,605 in 2024–25.

Countering the argument that capital expenditure had taken a back seat owing to guarantees, he said, “This year, we have allocated ₹83,200 crore for capital expenditure. Karnataka is among the leading States, with 20.1% of its budget dedicated to infrastructure development.”

Impact of good rains

The Chief Minister sought to argue that Karnataka focused on both agriculture and industry. He said that bountiful rains this year had particularly helped in augmenting agricultural and horticultural production. “Compared to previous years, in 2024–25, we have broken all previous records in agricultural and horticultural output,” he said.

Independence Day 2025 celebrations in Karnataka

Pointing out that the previous government sought to privatise APMCs, handing over farmers’ livelihoods to corporate capitalists, Mr. Siddaramaiah said, “In contrast, our government strengthened APMCs, resulting in record arrivals of 164 lakh tonnes of agricultural products in 2024–25, a remarkable increase of 447%. This is the highest in the history of Karnataka’s APMC.”

The government has allocated ₹51,339 crore for the agriculture sector in the 2025–26 Budget, an increase of 52.34% compared to 2022–23.

Listing out measures for the industrial and tourism sectors, the Chief Minister said 18 industrial areas covering 44,166 acres have been declared Special Investment Regions. “Investors have expressed interest in bringing in over ₹10 lakh crore in investments. Out of this, 48% has already been processed under Single Window IT Platform. Karnataka remains among the nation’s leading industrial States, with the manufacturing sector contributing 23.6% to the State’s GSDP, and our State ranks second nationally in foreign direct investment,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.

On the other hand, he said that his government’s guarantee schemes are ‘transforming the trajectory of Karnataka’s development’.

For better distribution

“Surveys by leading national institutions reveal a stark truth: the wealthiest 10% of our population hold 80% of the nation’s wealth, yet they contribute only about 3% of the GST collected. The remaining 90% ordinary people, who work daily for food and clothing, shoulder nearly 97% of GST payments. How can any economy sustain itself under such circumstances? It is with the intention of finding answers to these very questions that we launched the guarantee schemes and other welfare programmes. Our government is spending more than ₹1.12 lakh crore on welfare measures, including guarantee schemes, subsidies, incentives, scholarships, social security pensions, and other social programmes,” he said.

“The ideology of Manuvad asserts that only the powerful should thrive while the rest remain as labourers and subordinates, an idea similar to Social Darwinism. In contrast, our Constitution stands firmly for Samvidhanvad, the principle that the weakest and most vulnerable must receive priority,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.

‘Committed to caste census, internal quota’

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the decision to conduct a social and educational survey of the backward classes (popularly called caste census) through the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission was taken to understand people’s living conditions.

“Only accurate data can shape policies that transform lives and future schemes, which can provide special representation and targeted justice. To ignore this would be to betray both our Constitution and our freedom struggle. Hence, our government is serious about internal reservation within the Scheduled Castes and conducting a socio-educational survey of the backward classes,” he said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Bannerughatta Biological Park, Bengaluru, on Thursday, August 14, celebrated World Elephant Day 2025, in collaboration with India Post, the Post Crossing Welfare Society of India, Rotaract District 3191, Rotaract Atria Institute of Technology, and the Rotaract Club of Bangalore Jayanagar. 

Centered on Human-Elephant Coexistence, the event highlighted the roles of mahouts, kawadis, and night watchers in elephant care. A veterinary officer spoke on the deep bond between elephants and their mahouts, followed by a biologist sharing insights on a recent elephant translocation to Japan. 

A special set of elephant-themed postcards was launched by Chief Guest K. Prakash, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, and A.V. Surya Sen, Executive Director of BBP. Retired mahouts Mota and Bhaskar were honored for their service, and solar-powered lamps were distributed to night watchers by members of the Rotary Club. The day ended with a thoughtful discussion on elephant welfare between park officials and mahouts.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

An official said the train carrying PM Modi would be operated by a woman loco pilot; school children will also be on board and Mr. Modi is expected to interact with them, the official said.

Bengaluru’s long wait for the Yellow Line of Namma Metro finally ended on Sunday, August 10, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 19.15-km corridor linking R.V. Road to Bommasandra. The Prime Minister also flagged off the Vande Bharat Express between Bengaluru and Belagavi, along with two other Vande Bharat services launched virtually.

The Yellow Line, a key metro link connecting the city’s IT hub in Electronics City and expected to significantly ease traffic congestion at notorious bottlenecks like the Silk Board junction, has been plagued by delays since construction began in 2017. Originally envisioned in the 2011 Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the project was initially scheduled for completion by December 2021. However, setbacks including protracted land acquisition, disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and delays in rolling stock supply from Chinese manufacturer CRRC Nanjing pushed the timeline by nearly four years.

A packed schedule for the Prime Minister

Mr. Modi arrived in Bengaluru on Sunday morning at HAL Airport and then travelled by helicopter to the Indian Air Force Training Command in the city, where he was received by Governor Thawarchand Gehlot and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. His first stop was the Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station in Majestic, where he flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains — the KSR Bengaluru–Belagavi service, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra–Amritsar service, and the Nagpur (Ajni)–Pune service, the latter two launched virtually.

Following the railway event, the Prime Minister proceeded to Ragigudda Metro Station to inaugurate the Yellow Line. There, he flagged off the inaugural service, tried out the QR code-enabled ticket vending machines, and boarded the metro to Electronic City. Speaking to The Hindu, a Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) official said the train was piloted by a woman loco pilot. “Schoolchildren, metro officials and some members of the public were also on board, and Mr. Modi interacted with them during the journey,” the official said while adding the commercial operation to be starting from August 11.

At the end of his metro ride to Infosys Foundation Konappana Agrahara Metro Station, the Prime Minister moved to the IIIT Auditorium in Electronics City Phase 1. There, he laid the foundation stone for Namma Metro’s Phase 3, also known as the Orange Line, and addressed a gathering.

Phase 3 to expand network to 222 km

Phase 3 will be fully elevated and is planned to serve underserved areas along Magadi Road and the western portion of the Outer Ring Road (ORR). Once completed in 2029, it is projected to accommodate 7.85 lakh daily commuters and will extend Bengaluru’s metro network to 222.2 km, according to BMRCL officials. The project has cleared all mandatory hurdles, receiving Union Cabinet approval in August 2024.

Political slugfest ahead of the launch

The inauguration also became a stage for political one-upmanship. At Ragigudda Metro Station, Congress supporters raised slogans in favour of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Hours before the inauguration, Mr. Shivakumar accused the BJP-led Central government of contributing only 20% towards the cost of the Yellow Line, claiming the State government bore the remaining 80%. In certain cases, he said, the Centre’s contribution was as low as 11%.

Speaking to reporters, he urged the Prime Minister to sanction at least ₹1 lakh crore for Bengaluru’s development, stating that the State government had funded the entire land acquisition despite the Centre being expected to share 50% of the cost. “Even though Bengaluru is the country’s second-highest tax-paying city, the grants we receive are minimal,” he said, adding that Ahmedabad receives a 20% share of tax allocations compared to Bengaluru’s 10%. “We should be treated like other major cities and considered alongside the national capital.”

Mr. Shivakumar also criticised BJP MPs from Karnataka, alleging they had failed to secure meaningful grants for the State. “Posting on X and appearing in photos is not an achievement. BJP MPs should focus on bringing funds instead of playing politics,” he said.

A vital corridor

Built at a cost of ₹7,610 crore, the Yellow Line adds 16 stations to Namma Metro’s network, expanding the operational length to 96 km. The fully elevated line incorporates the city’s first driverless train technology, though services will initially be operated by loco pilots.

BMRCL officials expect the Yellow Line to carry over 2.5 lakh passengers daily once the full fleet of trains is delivered and operational. The corridor integrates with major metro lines at key junctions: R.V. Road (Green Line), Jayadeva Hospital (Pink Line), and Central Silk Board (Blue Line, Phases 2A & 2B).

Another notable feature is its integration with the city’s first double-decker flyover between Silk Board Junction and Ragigudda Metro Station, designed to ease one of Bengaluru’s most congested stretches.

The Yellow Line is expected to bring much-needed relief to thousands of employees working in Electronic City, a major IT cluster hosting several multinational companies. By offering a direct metro connection from the southern residential areas to the IT hub, the line could significantly cut commuting times, reduce dependence on private vehicles, and ease pressure on the city’s overburdened road network.

Delayed project

When construction began in 2017, expectations were high that the Yellow Line would be operational within four years. However, the project encountered several roadblocks. Land acquisition delays slowed initial progress, while the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted labour supply, construction schedules, and logistics.

A major blow came from delays in receiving rolling stock from CRRC Nanjing, the Chinese manufacturer contracted to supply the train. In 2019, CCRRC was awarded a ₹1,578-crore contract to supply 216 metro coaches, with the condition that it establish a manufacturing facility in India, a commitment the company failed to meet.

This non-compliance significantly slowed the project, prompting the BMRCL to issue multiple notices to CRRC and even consider invoking a ₹372-crore bank guarantee. To break the deadlock, CRRC entered into a partnership with Kolkata-based Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, which allowed train deliveries to resume.

At present, the Yellow Line has only three train sets in operation. A fourth set is en route from the Titagarh facility and is expected to be delivered to Bengaluru Metro by mid-August, officials said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Mangaluru-born swimmer Neil Sherwin Noronha, son of Roland Nyzil Noronha and Dr Sujatha D’Costa from Siddakatte, has been selected to represent Antigua and Barbuda at the Junior World Swimming Championships in Bucharest, Romania, from August 16 to 24.

Neil began swimming at the age of six and now lives with his family in Antigua, where he trains under Coach Wayne Mitchell at the Vipers Swim Club. Despite living overseas, he maintains strong ties to his Indian roots and family heritage in Karnataka.

Alongside his sporting pursuits, Neil has excelled academically, earning consistent high honors for his dedication to both studies and sport.

His competitive career has shown steady progress. In 2022, he won two bronze medals in relay events at the OECS Swimming Championships in St Lucia. The following year, he reached the finals at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships in the Bahamas. His breakthrough came in 2024 at the 32nd OECS Championships in St Vincent, where he clinched two gold and two bronze medals in individual events, earning the title of Outstanding Swimmer of the Year from the Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation (ABSF).

The Junior Worlds, organised by World Aquatics (formerly FINA), will bring together top junior swimmers from around the globe, serving as a stepping stone to Olympic and elite international competition.

“We are thrilled by Neil’s achievement,” his parents said in a joint statement. “This is the result of years of hard work and perseverance. We hope the people of Mangalore, Siddakatte, and beyond will join us in cheering him on as he represents Antigua and Barbuda while honoring his Indian heritage.”

Neil expressed gratitude to his parents, coach, Vipers Swim Club, the ABSF, and his extended network of teachers, mentors, and well-wishers in both India and Antigua.

As he heads to Romania, communities in Antigua and India stand proudly behind him, hailing his discipline, determination, and humility as an inspiration to young athletes.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Dr Eregowda took voluntary retirement from government service to establish the Jeevith Education Trust.

Gangasamudra, a small village in Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka, may seem an unlikely starting point for a transformative figure in education and social work. Yet, it is here that Dr Eregowda GB, born to uneducated parents Bhadragowda and Nengamma, began a journey that would not only defy his circumstances but also reshape the educational landscape for thousands of students.

Eregowda’s early life was shaped by struggle. “Until the 10th grade, we didn’t even have slippers to wear,” he recalled, recalling the challenges he faced while growing up. His parents, though unable to provide material wealth, offered unwavering support for his education, supplying books and clothes until he completed his Pre-University Course (PUC). His elder brother also played a pivotal role, ensuring the family remained close-knit despite financial constraints.

At a young age, Eregowda found a guiding light in Adichunchanagiri Mutt, where he spent 15 years under the mentorship of Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji. Life at the mutt was austere –two meals a day – but it instilled discipline and purpose. “The guidance of Swamiji kept us motivated,” he said.

Eregowda’s academic journey took a decisive turn when he chose to pursue chemistry, a subject in which he initially struggled. A challenge from his chemistry lecturer sparked a transformation. “He told me to prove myself in chemistry if I respected him,” Eregowda recounted. This ignited a fire within him, spurring him to top chemistry in his class during BSc, get a distinction in Master’s, and a PhD funded by the central government.

“My connection with chemistry grew so profound that, even today, I cannot sleep without reading the subject for hours. That incident changed my perspective, and I developed a deep connection with chemistry,” he said.

In 1997, Eregowda cracked a test conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) and was selected as a chemistry lecturer in a government pre-university college. Over the next 28 years, he served in various colleges, including as acting principal, with a mission to increase the number of students from Karnataka passing national-level entrance exams like NEET and JEE.

His tenure began in Battalahalli, Chintamani Taluk, where he turned around a college with zero admissions by personally enrolling 80 science students. “We built the college from scratch, with no chairs or boards initially,” he recalled. His longest stint was at Yelahanka Government Pre-University College, where he served for 18 years, maintaining an annual enrolment of 3,000 students. His efforts ensured students secured free MBBS seats without needing additional tuition, proving the potential of government institutions. “Poor families have bright students who can’t afford private colleges,” he noted.

Spurred by a colleague’s remark that lecturers in Bengaluru merely taught from others’ books, he embarked on a mission to write his own. “That comment hurt me, and I decided to write a book,” he said. Despite initial financial losses, his family’s support, particularly from his wife, kept him going. “My wife would stay up late with me, taking care of our child while I wrote,” he shared. Today, his chemistry books are used by over a lakh students and lecturers annually across Karnataka.

In a bold move, Eregowda took voluntary retirement from government service to establish the Jeevith Education Trust, named after his son, to share his knowledge more widely. His institution achieved a remarkable 50 per cent success rate in its first batch, with 16 out of 32 students securing free medical seats.

Eregowda’s contributions to research are equally talked about. His work on cancer drugs, conducted under Professor K N Thimmaiah, led to the discovery of 21 new organic compounds and seven international publications. “The drugs we developed worked better than existing ones, but they had too many side effects,” he said. Despite setbacks, including a costly experiment that failed, his passion for research persisted. Appointed as a scientific officer at Adichunchanagiri Cancer Research Center, he continued to contribute to medical advancements while balancing his teaching career.

Eregowda’s institution emphasizes discipline and application-based learning through NCERT books. He counsels parents against pressuring students into fields like medicine for prestige, advocating for alignment with students’ capabilities. “We assess students’ capacity first,” he said, citing an example of guiding a student toward an IAS career via a medical degree.

In 2016, he received the State-Level Best Lecturer Award, followed by the Aryabhata International Award, Sangama Ratna Award, Siddaganga Shri Award, Dr Abdul Kalam Lifetime Achievement Award, and the VK and BM Education Excellence Award, presented by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Looking ahead, Eregowda plans to write a book on the current education scenario, drawing on extensive research and student input.

“Research isn’t limited to labs; I do it through teaching,” he said, emphasizing his ongoing commitment to education. His institution, now three years old, continues to grow under his wife’s and son’s leadership, serving as a beacon for students from underprivileged backgrounds.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

The project is expected to be completed and fully functional by the beginning of 2028.

IndiGo on Tuesday commenced the construction of its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.

The airline said the project is expected to be completed and fully functional by the beginning of 2028.

IndiGo said it will be one of India’s largest MROs built on 31 acres of land recently allotted by the Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL).

This facility will be three times bigger compared to the combined capacity of IndiGo’s MROs in Delhi and Bengaluru. IndiGo already has one MRO facility each in Delhi and Bengaluru.

The new MRO facility will have a capacity of up to 12 bays and the capability to handle both, narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, helping IndiGo to advance further in its aspiration to become a global aviation player by 2030.

IndiGo had signed the MOU with BIAL for the allotment of land in May 2025.

The airline said this facility will also create over a thousand jobs across engineers, technicians and several more, further contributing towards nation building.

“We are very excited as we commence the project to build this grand MRO facility in Bengaluru. This also strengthens our operational presence in Bengaluru which is one of our largest bases with over 200 daily flights. This is also an important step towards shaping the future of Indian aviation by developing a holistic aviation ecosystem in the nation,” Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said.

IndiGo added that the development of the MRO facility will help strengthen the aerospace and defence ecosystem in Karnataka.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

• Over 100 varieties of rice on display, sale at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry
• Rajamudi, Ratnachudi to Burma Black: Rare, medicinal varieties of desi rice on display

A two-day Desi Akki (Rice) Mela, showcasing over 100 traditional rice varieties from different States, began this morning at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry. Rare types such as red rice, aromatic rice, black rice, medicinal rice and bold-grained rice, along with a range of value-added rice products, are on display.

Organised by ‘Sahaja Samrudha’ and the ‘Save Our Rice Campaign,’ the Mela features paddy conservators from across the State selling their desi rice directly. Seeds of popular varieties like Rajamudi, Burma Black, Sidda Sanna, Ratnachudi, Navara, Govind Bhog, HMT and Sindhoor Madhusale are also available.

In addition to rice, the Mela offers millets, vegetable seeds, tubers, organic products, pickles and fruit saplings. The event was inaugurated by Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI) Director Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, who also unveiled medicinal rice varieties.

“Traditional varieties are rich in nutrients. Black and red rice, in particular, has medicinal properties. By including them in their diet, consumers can safeguard their health,” CFTRI Director Dr. Sridevi Annapurna said.

B.P. Ravishankar, a seed conservator from Hudoor in Ponnampet, who has preserved 57 desi rice varieties, noted that paddy cultivation is becoming increasingly expensive. Rise of commercial crops, he said, has pushed traditional paddy varieties to the margins. He urged the Govt. to extend support to bring these varieties back into active cultivation.

Suresh Kanna of ‘Save Our Rice Campaign,’ Tamil Nadu, said, “In the last decade, the Movement initiated by Nammalwar and Nel Jayaraman, has revived hundreds of paddy varieties that were on the verge of extinction.”

Prema Lokkundi of Renuka Mahila Sangha; Bibi Jan of Bibi Fathima Mahila Sangha, Teertha village, Kundagol, Dharwad; G. Krishna Prasad of Sahaja Samrudha and C. Shanthakumar, Co-ordinator of Save Our Rice Campaign were present.

To promote traditional cooking, a rice cooking contest has been organised, while a painting contest on ‘The World of Paddy – As I See It’ has been arranged for children aged below 15 years to spark their interest in paddy cultivation.

Make rice without fire

The Komal Chawal variety from Assam can be prepared without lighting a stove — simply soak it in warm or boiling water for ten minutes, and it’s ready to eat. This ‘Magic Rice’ drew crowds of curious visitors at the Mela. While sprouting paddy grains is widely known, the event also introduced a Thai technique of sprouting de-husked rice itself for cooking. Farmers from Tamil Nadu showcased Mapillai Samba, a medicinal rice traditionally consumed by grooms. According to custom, regular consumption of this variety is believed to build such strength that one could lift heavy stone weights with ease.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

The new Operation Sindoor sarees also fall in this variety, being made from pure cotton, with a silk border.

Operation Sindoor , the military action India launched against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, has inspired a line of popular sarees in Gadag district.

The idea to honour Operation Sindoor on a saree is the brainchild of Tejappa Chinnur, a weaver from Gajendragad, and today, many are making a beeline to his address, yearning for the garment. The saree is aesthetically designed, with “Operation Sindoor” printed in bold English against a dark background, with three fighter jets depicting the Tricolour embroidered on its silk border. All this, apart from patterns of ocean waves, are woven using knot technology in the weft.

Historically, Gajendragad is known for its striped-edge sarees, derived from pure cotton yarn, which also earned a GI tag this year. Currently, there are about 400 handlooms here, of which about 200 are involved in producing striped-edge sarees.

The new Operation Sindoor sarees also fall in this variety, being made from pure cotton, with a silk border. “In order to strengthen one side of the saree, the threads are hand-picked (piecing) and the warp is prepared and traditional designs are created in the solid saree using traditional knot technology.

Another feature is the word “Kannada”, inscribed in the Kannada language, woven by twisting,” Ashok Ladwa, another weaver, said. The striped-edge silk sarees are priced between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000, while the Operation Sindoor sarees particularly start from Rs 4,000, going upwards to Rs 10,000, depending on quality.

For 40 years, Chinnur has carried on the art of handloom weaving, also founding The Gajendragad Weavers Cooperative Producers Association. He will be presented a prize of Rs 20,000 and a memento during the 11th National Handloom Day celebrations in Bengaluru on Thursday.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

In a proud moment for the coastal city, Mangaluru has secured the 49th position among the safest cities in the world and ranked first in India.

This recognition comes from the mid-year 2025 list released by ‘Numbeo’, an independent global database of user-contributed data.

The list includes a total of 393 cities worldwide in the ‘Safest Cities’ category, with 23 cities from India making it to the rankings.

Among them, Mangaluru has achieved the highest position with a safety index score of 74.2, followed by Vadodara at 85th and Ahmedabad at 93rd place.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Revenue officials said the faceless system will make every application go outside the local area, reducing the influence of local intermediaries.

To bring in transparency and address corruption, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) issued a notification on Tuesday, implementing an online and faceless e-khata system based on the principle of First In First Out (FIFO), to ensure the service without any delay.

Under this, a citizen will not know to which officer or authority his application has gone. But the decision will be made within a stipulated time (according to FIFO). This faceless system will help control middlemen, the BBMP stated.

The system is designed in such a way that the e-khata and fresh khata applications are distributed in a random round-robin manner among all officers. This will ensure an equal number of applications reach all officers.

Revenue officials said the faceless system will make every application go outside the local area, reducing the influence of local intermediaries.

“This system will be based on documents and information submitted by citizens, as per prevailing rules. Initially, 50 applications per official will be assigned as per the quantity of available applications such as e-khata, new khata and other accounting and tax-related services. Every time applications are disposed of, an equal number of new applications are allocated in the system,” said a senior officer. Every officer should process the application within three days from the date of their login. If even one application is delayed, other applications in the login will be removed and allotted to others in a random round-robin method, he added.

The BBMP revenue department stated that the saff should process at least one application within 36 hours of their login. If this deadline is exceeded, that application will also be withdrawn, and no application will be allotted to him/her unless special approval is obtained from the zonal joint commissioner.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)