Dammam: A chartered flight arranged by SAQCO Contracting Company in Saudi Arabia, took off from Dammam International Airport with stranded Kannadigas who were stuck in Saudi Arabia due to COVID-19 lockdown. The flight is expected to touchdown at the Mangaluru International Airport on Wednesday.

The flight with 175 passengers took off from the Dammam International Airport at 5:40 pm (KSA time).

SAQCO’s Directors Althaf Ullal and Basheer Sagar informed Vartha Bharati that all the legal procedures were carried out smoothly before the flight took off from Dammam for Mangaluru.

The duo also informed that no staff or official of SAQCO were traveling on the chartered flight and that it was arranged only for the stranded Kannadigas. The cost of traveling, institutional quarantine, and COVID-19 tests will be borne by the SAQCO Company.

SAQCO had established a desk to finalize the list of passengers who will be traveling on the flight to Mangaluru on Wednesday. The company added priority was given to pregnant women, the senior citizens who had come to the kingdom on visit visas, people with medical emergencies, people who had lost jobs, and those who had reported deaths in their families.

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Bengaluru (PTI): The KMF on Tuesday announced that its brand Nandini has partnered with RCB for the 2026 edition of the IPL T-20 cricket, which is scheduled to begin from March 28.

Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) is the state's leading dairy cooperative brand and second-largest dairy co-operative in India.

"KMF-Nandini is partnering with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League T-20 cricket, which is scheduled to begin from 28 March-2026. RCB, the defending champions of the tournament, are one of the league's most popular franchises with a worldwide fan presence," KMF said in a statement.

Speaking about the association, B Shivaswamy, Managing Director, KMF said, "KMF and RCB represent the coming together of two great national brands rooted in Karnataka and we are looking forward to interacting with the passionate fans of RCB during the league this season."

According to him, KMF-Nandini has been designated as the "Official Dairy Partner' of this League and will be entitled to various activations as part of the association.

"We are delighted to be partnering with the RCB team. It is a reiteration of our continued support of sport," it added.

Rajesh Menon, Chief Operating Officer, RCB, said: "We are delighted to partner with KMF (Nandini) for this season. As two iconic brands rooted in Karnataka, this partnership is built on shared values of excellence, trust and a deep connection with our community. Nandini's legacy and household presence across the state make this association truly special, and we look forward to creating meaningful moments for fans together throughout the season."