Mangaluru, Aug 02: Van Mahotsav, a festival of tree plantation was organized at BIT (Bearys Institute of Technology & BEADS (Bearys Enviro Architecture Design School) under the banner of  ‘Leave My Mark’ on 1st August 2018, in an attempt to lend a green touch to the institutional environment and sensitize the students about their role in conserving it.

The program began with the invocation of the Almighty. The Principal of BEADS, Prof. Ashok LP, delivered the inaugural address. In his address, he spoke about the use of paper bags and the initiative of saving earth by preserving its resources such as water and electricity.

The Principal of BIT, Dr. Antony A.J, spoke about social responsibility of the students towards safeguarding trees and forests.

The presidential remarks were made by the chairman of Bearys group, Mr. Syed Mohammed Beary. He stressed on forming a personal connect between the students and trees through a process of experience and reflection. He also cautioned the effect of depleting number of trees.

The inaugural program came to an end with the National anthem. Then about 200 plants were planted by the Staff and students of BIT-BEADS in association with the Forest department. While concluding the program, Dean - Academics Dr. Mahabaleswarappa made the students pledge ‘Green campus, clean campus’.

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Mangaluru: A 57-year-old man has allegedly been cheated of Rs 10.55 lakh by online fraudsters who lured him into investing in a so-called digital gold trading platform through Instagram, Deccan Herald reported on Tuesday.

According to the complaint, the victim was browsing Instagram at his residence on November 12, 2025, when he received a message from an account named “Suhani Patel.” The accused initiated a friendly conversation and later persuaded him to invest in the “digital gold market,” promising high returns.

The accused subsequently shared a mobile number and sent a link via WhatsApp, asking the complainant to install an application called “Kanak Daam Exchange.” Following the instructions, the victim downloaded the app and registered.

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The accused told the complainant that all transactions would be handled through the app’s customer service. Following their instructions, the complainant contacted the customer service through the app and sent a message requesting US dollars in exchange for Indian rupees. He was then directed to transfer money to specific bank accounts provided by the accused.

Trusting the claims, the complainant transferred Rs 1,50,000, Rs 3,45,000 and Rs 5,60,000 in multiple transactions, amounting to a total of Rs 10,55,000.

Subsequently, the app displayed that his total investment had grown to Rs 60 lakh. However, when he attempted to withdraw the amount due to personal financial needs, the request was denied. On contacting customer service, he was informed that he would have to pay 30 per cent of the total amount as “tax” before any withdrawal could be processed.

Growing suspicious, the complainant reportedly consulted officials at Canara Bank, who advised him that it was a fraud and warned him not to transfer any more money. When he confronted the accused, the amount displayed in the app was allegedly reduced to zero, and he was blocked from further communication.

Despite further attempts to contact “Suhani Patel,” the accused allegedly continued to assure him that the lost money would be returned, before eventually blocking him.

The complainant stated that he was cheated between November 12, 2025 and February 27, 2026, and has urged police to take action against the fraudsters.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.