Mangaluru: Mohammed Ashik, a 24-year-old entrepreneur from Mangaluru, has clinched victory in the eighth season of MasterChef India, a renowned culinary competition aired on Sony Liv. This historic win not only brings immense pride to Mangaluru but also marks a groundbreaking moment as Ashik becomes the first South Indian to secure the prestigious title in the tough culinary competition, judged by internationally acclaimed chefs.

Facing financial challenges earlier in his career, Ashik redirected his path by venturing into entrepreneurship. He established Kulki Hub, a juice shop, where he showcased his creativity by inventing unique and enticing recipes. Despite facing hurdles in the previous season, Ashik returned to the MasterChef India kitchen with newfound determination.

In celebration of this momentous achievement, Mohammed Ashik Fans Kudla, a community of culinary enthusiasts, well-wishers, and friends, has announced a grand welcome for the culinary hero. Ashik is scheduled to arrive at Mangaluru Airport on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 2 p.m. The enthusiastic reception will feature traditional Mangalurean garlands and the rhythmic beats of chande drums.

The welcome ceremony at the airport will be followed by a procession through the city, extending from the Airport to Forum Nexus Mall in Pandeshwar, Mangaluru. Mohammed Ashik Fans Kudla invites all Mangalureans and well-wishers to join this celebration and extend a warm welcome to Mohammed Ashik.

Expressing their joy, a release from Mohammed Ashik Fans Kudla stated, "Mohammed Ashik's victory is a moment of pride for every Mangalurean. His culinary journey and this remarkable achievement display the indomitable spirit of our city. Let's come together to celebrate his success and welcome him with open hearts."

Mohammed Ashik Fans Kudla urged everyone to participate in this historic celebration, showcasing solidarity and admiration for the culinary hero who has brought glory to Mangaluru.

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London, Aug 5 (PTI): An Indian-origin taxi driver based in Ireland for over 23 years has become the latest to be targeted in an unprovoked attack in the capital Dublin, with local police (Gardai) launching an investigation into the violent assault.

Lakhvir Singh, in his 40s, told local media that he picked up two young men in their 20s on Friday night and dropped them at Poppintree, in the Ballymun suburb of Dublin.

Upon arriving at the destination, the men are said to have opened the vehicle door and struck him twice on the head with a bottle. As the suspects fled, they reportedly shouted: "Go back to your own country".

"In 10 years I've never seen anything like this happen," Singh told ‘Dublin Live’.

"I'm really scared now and I'm off the road at the moment. It will be very hard to go back. My children are really scared," he said.

A Dublin police spokesperson said Singh was taken to the city's Beaumont Hospital with injuries determined as not life-threatening.

"Gardaí are investigating an assault reported to have occurred in Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 11 at approximately 11:45 pm on Friday, 1st August 2025. A man, aged in his 40s, was brought to Beaumont Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injury. Investigations are ongoing," the spokesperson said.

The incident followed an Indian Embassy advisory, also issued on Friday, expressing safety concerns following recent attacks in and around the capital Dublin and urging Indian citizens to take safety precautions.

"There has been an increase in the instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently,” states the advisory.

“The embassy is in touch with the authorities concerned in Ireland in this regard. At the same time, all Indian citizens in Ireland are advised to take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially at odd hours," the statement reads, adding emergency embassy contact details as 0899423734 and cons.dublin@mea.gov.in.

It came in the wake of a brutal attack on a 40-year-old Indian man at Parkhill Road in the Tallaght suburb of Dublin on July 19, described as “mindless, racist violence” by locals.

The Gardai had opened an investigation into the case and Indian Ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra was among those who took to social media to express shock over the attack.

“Regarding the recent incident of physical attack on an Indian national that happened in Tallaght, Dublin, the embassy is in touch with the victim and his family. All the requisite assistance is being offered. The embassy is also in touch with the relevant Irish authorities in this regard,” the embassy said in a social media post days after the incident.

A Stand Against Racism protest was also held by the local community in condemnation of what was described as a "vicious racist attack" and to express solidarity with migrants.

Last week, Dr Santosh Yadav took to LinkedIn to post details of a “brutal, unprovoked racist attack”.

The entrepreneur and AI expert stressed that it was not an isolated incident and called for “concrete measures” from the governments of Ireland and India to ensure Indians feel safe to walk the streets of Dublin.

His post revealed that a group of six teenagers attacked him from behind as he walked to his apartment in Dublin.

“This is not an isolated incident. Racist attacks on Indian men and other minorities are surging across Dublin — on buses, in housing estates, and on public streets. Yet, the government is silent. There is no action being taken against these perpetrators. They run free and are emboldened to attack again,” reads Yadav's post.

Fine Gael party Councillor for Tallaght South, Baby Pereppadan, was among those who expressed concern following last month’s attack.

“People need to understand that many Indian people moving to Ireland are here on work permits, to study and work in the healthcare sector or in IT and so on, providing critical skills,” he said.