Mangaluru, Apr 30: The Mangaluru International Airport has implemented a new policy regarding passenger announcements, shifting away from using the public address (PA) system for such notifications, airport officials said on Tuesday.

This change aims to cultivate a quieter environment for travellers, allowing them to utilise their time at the airport for various activities such as reading, conversing with loved ones, or attending to work commitments, they said.

According to officials, instead of PA announcements, passengers will now rely on the Flight Information Display System (FIDS) for updates regarding their flights, including gate changes and delays.

The FIDS screens are strategically placed both inside and outside the airport terminal, providing real-time information on arrivals and departures. Additionally, prominent display boards within the departure and arrival areas offer timely updates.

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Airport staff, including those at the 'May I Help You' Desk, customer service representatives, guest relations executives, and Pranaam staff, will be available to assist passengers with any inquiries.

Flight information will also be accessible at airline check-in counters and boarding gates. Airlines will notify passengers of any changes via SMS to their registered email and mobile numbers, ensuring a smooth travel experience.

According to the airport spokesperson, this initiative aims to enhance the overall travel experience for passengers, with full cooperation from airline partners. Passengers seeking further information can visit the airport terminal manager's office or contact their respective airlines. PA announcements will now be reserved for emergencies only.

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Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka has accused the Congress government of using the hijab issue to placate what he described as discontent among minority voters after the Davanagere by-election.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Ashoka alleged that the state government, instead of addressing issues such as price rise, corruption, farmers’ distress and law and order, was attempting to retain its minority vote base by reviving the hijab issue.

Referring to the 2022 dress code introduced by the BJP government, which prohibited hijab in schools and colleges, Ashoka said the Karnataka High Court had upheld the policy and emphasised the importance of discipline in educational institutions.

He questioned the Congress government’s move to revisit the issue and asked whether setting aside the court-backed policy to benefit one community could be described as secularism.

Ashoka further alleged that while the government was willing to permit hijab, it continued to prohibit saffron shawls.

He accused the government of dividing students on religious lines rather than treating schools and colleges as spaces of equality.

Drawing a comparison with Mamata Banerjee’s government in West Bengal, Ashoka claimed that excessive appeasement politics had harmed the state and warned that the Congress in Karnataka could face a similar political response.

He said voters in Karnataka would teach the Congress a lesson for what he termed “vote-bank politics” and for compromising constitutional and judicial principles.