Latest news with #Chowta
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
MP urges Centre for Rani Abbakka Maritime University
Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, on Tuesday, met the secretary of the ministry of ports and shipping, TK Ramachandran, and urged the establishment of a Maritime University in Mangaluru. He proposed that the university be named after Rani Abbakka as a tribute to the warrior queen who fought valiantly in safeguarding the coast of Bharat. "The Rani Abbakka Maritime University will both pay homage to an iconic national figure and create a future-ready workforce trained in marine engineering, maritime law, port and terminal management, and maritime informatics," said Captain Chowta. In a letter seeking the same, he highlighted that the establishment of the university aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision and the nation's strategic goal to emerge as a global maritime hub. Drawing attention to Mangaluru's geographic advantages, historical significance, and proximity to major ports and educational institutions, Captain Chowta said it would make it an ideal location for such an institution. Chowta also met Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi on Wednesday to formally request the establishment of a National Maritime University in Mangaluru and proposed to name it after Rani Abbakka. He proposed that the university offer a wide range of programmes, including BTech, BSc, BBA, MTech, MBA, MSc, and diplomas, catering to the skill development, research, and policy innovation needs of India's maritime advancement. The proposal also seeks the active participation of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), which is celebrating its golden jubilee this year, in commissioning a detailed project report (DPR). Some of the requests made to the ministry are the constitution of an expert committee to develop the university framework and the initiation of inter-ministerial consultations for stakeholder alignment.
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
MP pitches national maritime university in Mangaluru
Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta met Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in Delhi on Wednesday and appealed to set up a national maritime university in Mangaluru and name it after Rani Abbakka, the legendary Tuluva queen who fought against foreign rule. The meeting follows detailed discussion Capt. Chowta had with the Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways T.K. Ramachandran in Delhi on Tuesday during which the MP had strongly pitched for Mangaluru to house the university proposed by him. According to Capt. Chowta, the university proposed aims to serve as a world-class centre for maritime education, research, and innovation, while commemorating the legacy of Rani Abbakka, a naval warrior. In a letter submitted to the Minister the MP said that Mangaluru offers ideal conditions for hosting a national-level maritime university. The Western coast's importance in trade, national security and the blue economy further reinforces the strategic merit of the location, that is Mangaluru. '...I request to constitute an expert committee to explore and recommend a framework for the university, ask New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) to prepare a detailed project report and initiate an inter-Ministerial and stakeholder consultations as appropriate...,' the letter said. Capt. Chowta said: '...India's maritime sector is undergoing a transformational phase – transitioning towards cleaner fuels like LNG and methanol, integrating AI-based technologies for vessel and cargo management, and expanding deep draft and trans shipment port capacities. This dynamic environment requires a future-ready workforce trained in disciplines such as marine engineering, maritime law, port and terminal management and maritime informatics...' The MP said that if the university came up it will cater to the needs mentioned by him through a comprehensive academic portfolio including BBA, MBA, and diploma programmes. 'It will serve as a critical institutional anchor to nurture skilled professionals, foster innovation and research and support policy development for India's maritime advancement.' Capt. Chowta said that setting up the university will be timely now as 2025 marks the 500th birth anniversary of Rani Abbakka and coincides with the golden jubilee of NMPA.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
MP wants Karnataka to submit proposal to Centre seeking SC tag for Kudubi community
Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MP for Dakshina Kannada, on Tuesday, urged the State government to take immediate steps to recommend to the Central government that the Kudubi community be included in the Scheduled Castes list. Capt. Chowta, in a release, stated that the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramadas Athawale, replied to his unstarred question on the subject in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the Ministry has not received any recommendation from the Karnataka government to include the Kudubi community in the SC list. The Minister told the MP that the Scheduled Castes are notified under the provisions of Article 341 of the Constitution of India. The first list of Scheduled Castes in relation to a State or Union Territory is by a notified Order of the President. Any subsequent modification therein can be made only by an Act of Parliament. For inclusion, exclusion or other modifications in the lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, a complete proposal with an ethnographic study is to be initiated by the concerned State/Union Territory. 'No recommendation has been received from the Government of Karnataka for inclusion of Kudubi Samaja community in the list of Scheduled Castes,' the reply stated. Capt. Chowta, in his statement, said that the Kudubi community, with an over 70,000 population in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district, has remained economically, socially, and academically backwards for years. The community has lost its constitutional right to get a reservation, and it was therefore necessary to extend the SC tag to Kudubi Samaja, he demanded.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Centre approves repair of 11 govt schools under Samagra Shiksha in DK: MP
Mangaluru: In response to an unstarred question raised by Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, in the Lok Sabha on Monday, the ministry of education confirmed central support for infrastructure repair in govt schools affected by monsoon-related damage in Dakshina Kannada. The MP sought details regarding reports of damage to over 290 schools due to heavy rains and urgent central assistance to address the same. He also urged for a fast-track mechanism to enable the reconstruction of school infrastructure in disaster-prone areas of coastal Karnataka. In a reply to his question, the ministry conveyed that 11 govt schools in DK were approved for major repair works under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS) during 2023–24 and 2024–25, as per the PRABANDH portal. The ministry of education reiterated that SSS provides flexibility to states to prioritise such interventions and seek central support based on need and urgency. The ministry also issued guidelines and advisories, in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), to promote disaster-resilient school infrastructure and ensure prompt restoration in affected areas, the MP stated in a release. "The Centre's approval of repair works under Samagra Shiksha is a welcome step, but this is only a beginning. With over 290 schools damaged, I will continue to press for expanded support and accelerated approval for all affected schools in Dakshina Kannada," Chowta stated. He also assured to raise the matter with the ministry to ensure that the Centre expands the scope of assistance and expedites repairs for damaged schools across DK.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MP launches initiative to nurture startups
1 2 Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta on Saturday launched 'Bolpu – A Dawn of Opportunities', a flagship initiative aimed at nurturing startups, empowering budding entrepreneurs, and accelerating early-stage ventures in the region. The initiative is designed to offer a comprehensive support ecosystem, including funding, mentorship, market access, and continuous advisory on govt schemes to help founders build, launch, and scale innovative businesses rooted in local strengths but with national and global potential. Ten promising enterprises will be shortlisted each year. Through eight-week sprints, startups will receive expert guidance to ideate, build, test, and launch. Aligned with PM Narendra Modi's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat by 2047, Capt Chowta said the initiative draws inspiration from his election manifesto task sheet titled 'Nava Yuga Nava Patha', aimed at reigniting the spirit of entrepreneurship in coastal Karnataka. "After returning from the Army, I wanted to contribute to India's transformative journey. Many second-generation entrepreneurs in this region end up in tech jobs in Bengaluru and metros due to lack of support here. Bolpu hopes to change that," he said. The MP stressed that Bolpu will lay special focus on women entrepreneurs and aims to create at least 50 success stories in the next five years. "At a time when Mangaluru is often in the headlines for the wrong reasons, we need to present models of success that reflect our true potential," he said. 92% Mangalureans open to returning home: MP About 92% of Mangalureans working outside the region and around the globe expressed a strong desire to return home and work in the region if suitable opportunities are available, Chowta said, citing findings from the recent 'Come Home Tiger' survey conducted by Rohith Bhat, founder of TiE Mangaluru, as part of the Silicon Beach programme. The survey aimed to gauge interest among professionals from the region who are currently employed outside the region in relocating back to their hometowns. Johnson Tellis, Co-founder and CEO of Inunity, said, "When companies are built and nurtured by the people of Mangaluru, they carry with them a deep-rooted sense of responsibility to give back. The initiative to support at least 10 ideas or ventures every year is not just about startups, but about leadership. Each of those ventures represents a seed of leadership that will shape future cohorts." He said that the focus is on bringing together key entities: ecosystem enablers, thought leaders who reshape business thinking, and the globally spread Mangaluru diaspora.
