MANGALORE
Kudroli to Host Grand Narayana Guru Convention on February 21, 2026
Mangaluru: A grand convention of followers of Brahmashri Narayana Guru will be held at Kudroli on February 21, 2026 the very date on which Narayana Guru had consecrated the Sri Gokarnanatha Kshetra in 1912. The announcement was made by R. Padmaraj, Treasurer of the Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Kshetra Administrative Committee, during a press conference held at the temple premises.
Padmaraj said that Narayana Guru, who gave the world the message of “One Caste, One Religion, One God”, worked tirelessly to empower the oppressed sections of society. “His ideology needs to reach more people. This convention aims to inspire everyone to adopt his principles and philosophy in their lives,” he said.
He further explained that 276 organizations belonging to the Billava community will take part in the event, with participation expected not only from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, but also from various parts of Karnataka, India, and abroad. “This is not an event restricted to one community or religion. The teachings and messages of Narayana Guru are universal and relevant even today. Our aim is to spread his thoughts far and wide,” Padmaraj added, noting that the detailed program schedule will be announced in the coming months.
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The press meet was attended by Jayaraj H. Somasundaram (President, Kudroli Kshetra Administrative Committee), Naveen Chandra D. Suvarna (President, All India Billava Union), Suryakant J. Suvarna (President, Billava Mahamandala and Bharat Co-operative Bank, Mumbai), Manjunath Poojary (President, Narayana Guru Nigama), Chittaranjan Garodi (President, Kankanady Garodi Kshetra), Chandrashekar (President, Sri Gokarnanatha Bank), Ashok Kumar (President, Kundapura Billava Sangha), Shankar Poojary (Vice President, Billava Mahamandala), Satish (President, Puttur Taluk Billava Sangha), Uday Poojary Ballalbagh (Founder President, Biruver Kudla Organization), Lokesh Kulur (President, Yuvavahini Organization), Ravi Poojary Chilimbi (President, Gejje Giri Kshetra), Chittaranjan (President, Atma Shakti Multi-purpose Co-operative Society), Santosh J. Poojary (Trustee and son of temple guide Janardhana Poojary), Padmanabha Kotyan (former member, State Religious Council), Bhuvanesh (President, Bantwal Billava Sangha), Leelaksha Karkera (Development Committee Member and Director, Namma Kudla Channel), Yogish Kotyan (Treasurer, Mahamandala), Neelayya, Ravi Poojary Chilimbi, and Ratnakar Poojary, among others.
The organizers expressed confidence that the 2026 convention will be a historic and unifying event, reflecting Narayana Guru’s timeless vision of equality, harmony, and spiritual enlightenment.
Mangaluru: Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda visited the residence of international athlete M.R. Poovamma in Mangaluru and felicitated her for her remarkable achievement at the Asian Games.
Poovamma, who hails from Kodagu, won a gold medal for India at the Asian Games. Her achievement has brought pride to the country as well as Karnataka.
Dr. Mantar Gowda congratulated Poovamma and appreciated her contribution to Indian athletics. He praised her for making Kodagu proud through her outstanding performance in sports.
“Poovamma is a daughter of Kodagu who has achieved great success in the field of sports. Her accomplishment is a matter of pride for the entire region,” the MLA said.
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During the visit, Dr. Mantar Gowda also extended a special invitation to Poovamma to attend the famous Madikeri Dasara celebrations as the chief guest.
The MLA wished her continued success in her sporting career.
Mangaluru: Asian Games gold medallist M.R. Poovamma was felicitated by the Dakshina Kannada district administration at her residence in Urwa Stores, Mangaluru.
District In-charge Minister U.T. Khader honoured Poovamma for her outstanding achievements in athletics. She had won a gold medal in the women’s 400-metre relay and a silver medal in the 400-metre mixed relay at the Asian Games.
Speaking on the occasion, Khader said Poovamma, who originally hails from Kodagu, pursued her education at SDM College in Mangaluru and brought great recognition to India and Karnataka through her achievements in international athletics.
He said her success was a matter of pride for the entire region. Her dedication, hard work and determination to win another gold medal for the country would continue to inspire students and young athletes, he added.
Khader also stressed the need for greater government support for Poovamma. He said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also congratulated her for her achievement.
He further said sports personalities would be felicitated by the people at an event in front of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on October 6. The government is also expected to announce further support for sports and athletes on the occasion.
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Poovamma’s coach, Dinesh Kunder, was also felicitated during the programme.
Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V., Zilla Panchayat CEO Vinayak Karbari, MUDA Chairman Santosh Kumar, Congress district president Padmaraj, and Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports Pradeep D. Soma were among those present.
Mangaluru: The family of Manish Karkada, a resident of Haleyangadi who died in the MRPL unit accident on September 30, will receive compensation of up to ₹1.20 crore. One member of the deceased worker’s family will also be provided employment, Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta said.
Speaking to reporters, Chowta said local elected representatives and community leaders stood by the family after the accident and during the funeral. Mulki-Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotyan, Mangaluru City North MLA Dr. Y. Bharath Shetty, gram panchayat leaders, MRPL employees’ unions, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and Karmachari Sangha representatives extended their support to the family.
Chowta thanked the MRPL management, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, senior officials of the Petroleum Ministry and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their support following the incident.
He said the government had taken steps to provide immediate assistance to the affected family and demonstrate its support during the difficult period.
Health Insurance for Contract Workers
Chowta also said that a long-pending demand to provide health insurance to MRPL’s secondary workforce, including contract workers and their dependants, has reached its final stage.
Discussions on the proposal began in February 2025. MRPL officials, employee unions, BMS, Karmachari Sangha representatives and elected representatives have been involved in the discussions.
Since MRPL is associated with ONGC, major policy decisions require approval from the ONGC Board. Chowta said he had taken up the matter with ONGC Chairman Arun Kumar Singh and officials of the Petroleum Ministry to speed up the process.
“MRPL officials have assured us that a policy will be formulated and announced within the next one month,” Chowta said.
He added that a meeting had already been held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Another meeting will be held next week to discuss the technical aspects and framework of the proposed policy. The proposal will subsequently be placed before the ONGC Board for approval.
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Chowta thanked the MRPL Employees Union, BMS and Karmachari Sangha for consistently pursuing the demand for health insurance coverage.
He said the continued efforts of employee organisations, elected representatives and officials had helped move the proposal towards the final stage.
Chowta assured MRPL’s contract workforce that efforts would continue to ensure the proposed health insurance scheme is implemented at the earliest.
Kodagu MLA Visits Athlete Poovamma’s Residence in Mangaluru
Kuwait Returnee Dies of Heart Attack at Bengaluru Airport
Asian Games Gold Medallist M.R. Poovamma Felicitated by Dakshina Kannada Administration
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