Mangalorean Michael Saldana Commands Air India's Vande Bharat Mission flight
Mangaluru: In what has come as a proud moment for Karavalians one of Captain-Flight Commander, Michael Saldana, of the Vande Bharat Mission's Air India flight is a Mangalorean, which, on the first day, brought back the Non-Residential Indians who were stranded abroad due to the corona-lockdown.
He was the commander of an Air India flight that carried 177 passengers from Dubai at 5:30 pm on May 7 and landed at Kallikote airport at 10:30 pm.
Meanwhile, pilot Sarfaraz of the flight that brought medical equipments from Singapore, is also a Mangalorian. Both of them are being widely praised on social networking sites.
Michael Saldana, a resident of Valencia in the city, is an alumni of Milagres and St .Aloysius College. He had also secured the first rank in RV Engineering College, Bengaluru. After completing engineering, he had joined Air India and is currently employed with the it.
Known for his wide range of aircraft flying skills, Michael has the ability to handle aircrats on tabletop airports like Mangalore, which is very complex.
Currently, he is working as a base manager in Mangaluru and is training 30 pilots under him. His grandfather, Colonel JW Soares had fought in World War II. Colonel JW Soares had also participated in the 1962 China War.
Speaking to 'Varthabharati', Michael Saldana reflected on why he decided to fly the aircraft as a part of the mission and asserted how he was feeling lucky and proud after successfully completing the task assigned to him of bringing the stranded Indians safely to India.
"It is a matter of pride to bring Indians back home, who are stranded abroad due to Corona. This is why I voluntarily agreed to airlift them. I have the satisfaction of bringing them safely. I am always ready to bring back people of the country," he said.
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
