MRPL observes 70th Kannada Rajyotsava with cultural programmes
Mangaluru: Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) observed the 70th Kannada Rajyotsava on 22 November 2025 at MERC in the MRPL Township with a series of cultural and formal programmes.
The event began with a procession of Goddess Bhuvaneswari, followed by traditional folk presentations including Dollu Kunitha, Veeragase, Huli Vesha and Gombe Kunitha. A brief stage programme opened with tributes to Captain Pranjal M V and Padma Shri awardee Salumarada Thimmakka.
Renowned academician and historian Dr. Pundikay Ganapayya Bhat attended the programme as Chief Guest. Senior officials present included Nanda Kumar V Pillai, Director (Refinery); Devendra Kumar, Director (Finance); and Krishna Hegde Miyar, GGM–HR, who presided over the function. Employees and their family members were also in attendance.
As part of the programme, MRPL felicitated five retired Kannada teachers for their contribution to the language and to cultural education. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Bhat spoke about the cultural relevance of Kannada and acknowledged MRPL’s efforts to support local linguistic heritage. In his presidential remarks, Krishna Hegde Miyar noted MRPL’s ongoing support to Government Kannada Medium Schools, including infrastructure improvements, provision of basic equipment and sanitation facilities, and said the company would continue these activities.
Prizes were distributed to winners of competitions held in connection with Rajyotsava. The programme concluded with a cultural performance by the Arehole team. B. Prashanth Baliga, CGM–Admin, welcomed the gathering, and Manoj Kumar A, CGM–HR, delivered the vote of thanks.
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Court orders FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand under POCSO ACT
Prayagraj (UP) (PTI): A special POCSO court here on Saturday ordered the Jhunsi Police Station SHO to register an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati to investigate allegations of sexual abuse of boys.
Last week, the court of Special Judge (POCSO Act) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia reserved its decision on an application filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj and others under Section 173(4) of the BNS after examining the evidence and recording the statements of the victimised 'batooks', the boys, as they are called at the ashram, Vidya Math.
The petitioner had filed the application seeking direction for an FIR against Avimukteshwaranand under sections 69, 74, 75, 76, 79, and 109 (all related to sexual assault) of the BNS, as well as sections 3/5/9 and 17 of the POCSO Act.
The court accepted the petition and ordered the police to conduct an investigation.
"Now we will get justice," Ashutosh Brahmachari said.
"Starting today, we are organising a Sanatan Yatra from here to Vidya Math (Varanasi). We will demonstrate how children are sexually abused on the fifth floor of Vidya Math. There is ample evidence of child abuse there. We have presented all the evidence to the court and will also provide it to the police," he said.
Avimukteshwarananda has been in the headlines for his confrontation with the organisers of the Magh Mela in Prayagraj. He accused the administration he was prevented from bathing on Mauni Amavasya.
