Mangaluru: Renowned educationist of Dakshina Kannada and founder of the Nitte Education Trust, Dr. N Vinay Hegde, died on Thursday morning. He was 86.
The son of former Lok Sabha Speaker, late Justice KS Hegde, Dr. Hegde completed his graduation from St. Aloysius College in Mangaluru.
He played a major role in introducing revolutionary changes in education and health sectors in coastal Karnataka, by founding the ‘Nitte Education Trust’ in 1979, to fulfill his father’s dream. Currently, the Trust has more than 40 educational institutions related to medical, engineering, dental science, pharmaceutical science and management, among other fields, working in Mangaluru, Bengaluru and Nitte under it.
Dr. Hegde, an educationist, industrialist and philanthropist, was also the founder-chairman of the Lemina Group of Companies, including Lemina Suspension Private Limited, which is a leading manufacturer of automobile components. He was also active in several state committees, industrial unions and social as well as cultural organizations.
He was honoured with the Kannada Rajyotsava Award and an honorary doctorate for his social service.
Karnataka Assembly Speaker UT Khader has expressed deep condolence at the death of Dr. Hegde.
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Bengaluru: The Karnataka Transport Department has suspended 5,947 driving licences (DLs) across the state in 2025 so far, with Bengaluru Urban accounting for the highest number at 4,479 cases, officials said.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express, of the total suspensions, 4,735 licences were cancelled for drunk driving (DD), making it the single largest cause of action. Officials said 1,512 cases, involving rash and negligent driving and other traffic violations, are still pending with Regional Transport Offices (RTOs).
"Drinking and driving will not only harm them, but also puts at risk the lives of pedestrians and others. To bring in discipline, the department suspends DL in the very first offence for DD," TNIE quoted Transport Minister R Ramalinga Reddy as saying.
Joint Commissioner of Transport Department, Bengaluru Urban Division, M Shobha said after receiving reports from the traffic department, they are sent to the regional transport offices concerned, and action is taken.
Meanwhile, Joint Commissioner of Traffic (Bengaluru City) Karthik Reddy said standing instructions have been issued to all 53 traffic police stations to intensify checks, especially during weekends.
"There is zero tolerance towards DD cases. Once caught, the license is referred to the transport department for suspension with immediate effect," he said.
Officials said licences can be suspended for three to six months. "The hearing is held in some cases, and based on the replies from motorists and reports from the traffic department, further steps taken," he said.
As per the report, the transport department on the eve of New Year on Dec-31 has announced that emission validity for new vehicles will extend for one year, unlike in the past, which was for five months only. New vehicles do not require an emission test for 1 year; after that, emission tests are mandatory at regular intervals.
