He is an active legend, although sometimes it is difficult for us to locate these stars in the stunt circuit.
The Indian tennis player, who reached the quarterfinals at this last Roland Garros with Franko Skugor, left Paris with a special record: 400 wins in modality.
Another step in the legendary career of the 38-year-old tennis player.
This week, in the grass of Halle, he already had time to add the 401.
source: http://www.explica.com / Explica.co / Home> Tennis / by Explica.co / June 15th, 2021
Journalists turn active partners in servicing Covid affected people
HIGHLIGHTS
Journalists in this hill district have proved that they can go beyond their call of duty and serve society actively.
Madikeri:
Journalists in this hill district have proved that they can go beyond their call of duty and serve society actively.
The Kodagu district Press Club president Ramesh Kuttappa has formed ‘Madhyama Spandana’ to reach out to the poor, disabled and Covid patients after the pandemic broke out in the country over a year ago.
The team supplies food and medicines to coronavirus patients with the money raised from donors. As the district is hilly terrain, no public transport is available for the poor to buy medicines. The team comprising 50 journalists have supported poor families by paying school fees of their children.
The State government has declared journalists as Covid warriors keeping in view their exposure to the danger of getting infected with coronavirus while covering news. Some journalists have proved true to the distinction conferred on them by the government by volunteering to serve Covid patients in their leisure time. In one instance, the team of journalists arranged a vehicle to ferry five patients to Mysuru hospital for a medical emergency.
Amid lockdown rural people, in particular, are facing much trouble in seeking medical help. But a phone call to ‘Madhyama Spandana’ is enough. A team of journalists readily help them reach hospital. If needed, medicines are delivered at their doorstep. The team also distributed free food kits to the poor.
On May 16, when volunteers were unavailable, ‘Madhyama Spandana’ team stepped in to perform the final rites of an 85-year-old resident of Balamuri village near Madikeri. The family of the deceased, who had also tested positive for Covid, wanted to cremate him at an estate located half a km away from their residence.
But as they were Covid positive, none of the villagers came forward to help them. The son of the deceased man then turned to volunteers of ‘Madhyama Spandana’ who cremated the body. The team has provided a laptop to a poor college student in another case.
Speaking to The Hans India on Saturday, Press Club president Ramesh Kuttappa said his team was doing a humble service in their own small way. “Everyday, we hear tragic stories of deaths, hunger and disease. These are all depressing. Instead of merely reporting daily miseries, we have planned to support the poor and needy.”
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Coovercolly Indresh, Hans News Service / June 13th, 2021
BM Pushpavathi, an Anganwadi teacher from rural Kodagu, has donned multiple hats during the pandemic.
BM Pushpavathi
Madikeri :
BM Pushpavathi, an Anganwadi teacher from rural Kodagu, has donned multiple hats during the pandemic. Her job as school teacher might have taken a backseat, but her responsibilities have trebled, as she shuffles her roles as healthcare worker, inspector, motivator and nurse.
“Anganwadis across the district shut their doors on March 14 last year. Since then, we are on the field, fighting the pandemic,” said Pushpavathi.
She is from Bettageri village in Madikeri taluk, and has so far visited 120 houses in the area to check on residents who have tested Covid-19 positive.
“I, alongwith an ASHA worker and healthcare assistant, visit houses of patients in my area and ensure that they stay indoors for 14 days. We also ensure that no one enters containment zones. During the first wave of the pandemic, we faced a lot of hostility as our visit exposed residents who had tested positive. But we pushed through and created awareness among people to fight the infection,” she explained.
Her responsibility as Anganwadi worker also has to be fulfilled, and she follows up on the health of pregnant women and toddlers in her area.
“Even during the pandemic, we did not shirk our responsibilities,” she said proudly.
“My job demands that I check the health of pregnant women and children aged 0-6 years. We have to ensure that pregnant women follow an ideal diet, and after delivery, we follow up on how they breastfeed babies. We create awareness on health.”
With online classes due to start soon for toddlers, she has kept ready materials that are to be shared with parents.
“I am in charge of nearly 260 families in Bettageri area and our team walks up to estates to keep track of residents’ health. However, not many know that Anganawadi teachers are involved in fighting Covid, and that sometimes makes me sad,” she said.
And all this warrior has got until now from the panchayat is free masks, and no special benefits.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prajna G R, Express News Service / June 13th, 2021
In a move to draw more tourists to the Scotland of Karnataka, the Forest Department and local administration have created a walk-in exotic bird aviary in Kodagu
The walk-in aviary created at Cauvery Nisargadhama, Kodagu district | EXPRESS
Bengaluru :
In a move to draw more tourists to the Scotland of Karnataka, the Forest Department and local administration have created a walk-in exotic bird aviary in Kodagu. Though it was inaugurated by Housing Minister V Sommanna on Friday, it will be opened to the public only after a month.
The aviary has been created in Cauvery Nisargadhama, where a dedicated area of around 2,000 sqft for an enclosure has been created. Visitors can walk in and feed the birds. Shivaram Babu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Kodagu told The New Sunday Express that a metal structure has been erected with mesh so that peopl e and birds are not inconvenienced.
The list of birds being procured to be housed include, budgies, African lovebirds, cockatiel, Conure varieties, African grey parrot, macaw, pheasant, turkeys, geese and ducks.
A Koi fish pond and fish spa, housing Gurra rufa (doctor fish), is also being created, he said.
The concept is very popular in foreign countries, especially the island nations. Some conservationists and activists have questioned the need for such a project in Kodagu. “The area is known for its lush green forest patches, vegetation, biodiversity and wildlife. There is no need to bring in exotic birds and have such an aviary. Instead, a bird-watching site can be created,” an activist said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / June 13th, 2021
Most of the 19.88-acre land encroached Survey ordered by High Court
Madikeri:
Following a directive from the Karnataka High Court to Madikeri Tahsildar to conduct a survey of 19.88 acres of the area where Raja’s Tomb (Rajara Gaddige) is situated at Mahadevpet near Madikeri, the officer began the survey yesterday along with his team and amidst tight Police security.
The survey was carried out under the leadership of Tahsildar Mahesh. In March this year, a Division Bench, headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by J.S. Virupakshaiah, a former State Information Commissioner, had ordered the Tahsildar to conduct a detailed survey for the Government to reclaim the encroached land.
Virupakshaiah had alleged that there are several encroachments in the historical tomb area. Initially, the Gaddige had 19.88 acres of land. However, most of the land has been encroached and some have even built houses on the encroached land. Even a Government building has come up on the Gaddige land.
The PIL brought to the notice of the Court about 31 families residing in the encroached land. In spite of having no land documents, the Panchayat has provided water, electricity, road and other basic facilities, Virupakshaiah had said in the PIL.
Now the survey has begun with tight Police security. The Court will hear the PIL again on June 17 and the District Administration has to submit a report on the original land, encroached part and other details.
Before the survey team began work, Town Panchayat members Amin Mohisin, Basheer and Mansoor urged the Tahsildar to first demarcate the borders of the Gaddige as they said it is not possible to determine encroachment unless the borders are marked.
Speaking to reporters, Tahsildar Mahesh said that during the last hearing, the Bench had given six weeks for the submission of the report. “Due to COVID and Town Panchayat polls, the survey could not be taken up so far. Now the survey is being carried out as per the Court directions. The exact border of the Gaddige will be identified and demarcated. The land has been listed under the Archaeological Survey of India Survey Number 30/1 and there is 19.88 acres. The Bench has also directed us to prepare a sketch of the entire land and pin-point encroachments. We are trying to bring out the truth regarding encroachments,” Mahesh said.
There are three tombs built for the royal dynasty. The central tomb which is the largest among the three is of Kodava king Doddaveerarajendra and his wife Mahadeviamma. The right tomb is built by Chikkaveerarajendra for his father Lingarajendra in 1820.
The left tomb belongs to Veerarajendra’s guru Rudrappa built in 1834. Closer to the tombs is the burial place of the two brave royal officials Biddanda Bopu — Bopu Dandanayaka — and his son Biddanda Somaiah, who sacrificed their life fighting with Tipu Sultan. In fact, Doddaveerarajendra had erected a plaque in the memory his soldiers in 1779.
Encroachers have political clout
Rajara Gaddige is one of the tourist attractions in Kodagu and tourists who visit Abbey Falls will pass Rajara Gaddige en route. However, it is in deplorable condition owing to the negligence of the Government and encroachment of land by local residents and vested interests.
The Gaddige land became is controversial as the people who have encroached have the blessings of certain politicians who have consistently opposed any move of eviction and also development. Last year too, the Kodagu District Administration had attempted to conduct a survey of the land to determine the encroachment but the survey was withdrawn after protests from encroachers.
Years back Madikeri Urban Development Authority had tried to develop the Gaddige into a tourist attraction. But it could only reclaim 3.5 acres and the rest of the land remained with the encroachers who opposed any move to evict them. Surprisingly, with their clout, the encroachers have managed to obtain all municipal facilities including water, power and roads.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 06th, 2021
Once completed, free flow of oxygen supply is likely to be enabled to nearly 100 beds to treat COVID patients.
Virajpet Government Hospital
Madikeri :
Kodagu has become the first district in Karnataka to be sanctioned an oxygen converter plant. The plant is currently being installed at Virajpet Government Hospital. An oxygen converter generates oxygen from natural air.
The 1-tonne capacity oxygen converter plant is expected to be ready in the next 15 days. Once completed, there will be uninterrupted oxygen supply to nearly 100 beds to treat Covid patients. While the Madikeri Covid-19 Hospital was the only centre in the district that treated severe and moderate Covid patients, the administration opened dedicated Covid care centres (CCCs) in Virajpet and Somwarpet taluks.
However, due to shortage of availability of jumbo oxygen cylinders, the 50-bed capacity CCC in Virajpet Hospital remained shut. “The plant is being set up at a cost of Rs 1 crore. This is the first of its kind in the state and once installed, we do not have to worry about oxygen shortage,” said Dr Yatiraj, Virajpet taluk Health Officer. “We had placed a proposal for jumbo cylinders.
However, with the oxygen converter plant, we will not require any such cylinders,” Dr Yatiraj further said.
Meanwhile, the current 50 beds with oxygen units are now being expanded to 98 beds which will be connected to the oxygen converter plant. “Currently, no Covid-19 patient is being treated at the centre due to lack of oxygen cylinders. However, once the plant is ready, there will be no hurdle in treating patients,” he added.
US Surgeon Gen’s foundation donates supplies
Madikeri:
The Scope Foundation, headed by United States Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy, has donated medical supplies worth Rs 70 lakh to Kodagu. The supplies were handed over to Deputy Commissioner Charulatha Somal by senior advocate HS Chandramouli on Sunday.
Many advanced medical supplies, including 70 oxygen converters, 70 medical transformers, 5,000 face shields, Rs 1.30 lakh worth N95 masks, 50 oxygen tubes and 25 oximeters, were donated by Scope Foundation. Dr Vivek is a native of Mandya district.
The support from the foundation to Kodagu was made possible after Chandramauli, a native of the district, contacted Dr Vivek’s father Lakshmi Narasimha Murthy. The foundation has also donated similar supplies across Karnataka, including Mandya.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / June 06th, 2021
BV Prashanth, An auto driver from Kodagu, in Karnataka came forward and took the responsibility of transporting residents who had tested positive for the virus in the pandemic
________________________________
BV Prashanth, An auto driver from Kodagu, in Karnataka came forward and took the responsibility of transporting residents who had tested positive for the virus in the pandemic.
He has so far assisted in the transport of 55 COVID patients and will continue to do so till the lockdown is lifted.
Prashanth, a resident of Suntikoppa, has become a COVID warrior. Parvathy (65), his mother, was diagnosed with COVID-19 about a month ago. Her health was critical, and she was sent to the COVID Hospital in Madikeri, where she was placed on a ventilator. After a successful treatment, she returned to her home.
Prashanth saw the helplessness of many COVID sufferers during the pandemic. He had witnessed a lot of people deteriorating their situations as not being able to reach hospitals in the essential time. Many COVID patients, he noted, were hampered by the lack of transportation options.
A school teacher and her entire family, who live close to his home, also tested positive for COVID. No one offered to drive them to the COVID Hospital in Madikeri, which is about 15 kilometers distant. Prashanth recalls that he took the risk and dropped them off at the hospital. After that, he shared his phone number with WhatsApp groups and began his service on April 30.
He asked permission from the panchayat and obtained the ID card and the pass required to run the auto during the curfew in the pandemic.
He also mentioned the people whom he had carried to the hospital and lost their lives due to the disease.
Jeevan, a doctor at Suntikoppa Hospital, gives Prashanth personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard his safety. Sunil, a panchayat member, Rakesh, a social worker, and members of the Suntikoppa Rakshana Vedike are also supporting the project by assisting with fuel arrangements.
His initiative also includes an HIV-positive pregnant woman whom he had carried to the Madikeri Hospital. He says his work brings him great pleasure. At first, his family was concerned about his safety. However, they are now proud of her accomplishments.
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Susmita Modak, Hans News Service / June 01st, 2021
United States surgeon general Dr Vivek Murthy has donated Covid related medical equipment to small hospitals in Mandya and Kodagu districts.
Murthy a native of Hallegere in Mandya district contributing through his Scope Foundation.
Madikeri:
United States surgeon general Dr Vivek Murthy has donated Covid related medical equipment to small hospitals in Mandya and Kodagu districts. Murthy a native of Hallegere in Mandya district contributing through his Scope Foundation.
Vivek’s father Lakshmi Narasimha Murthy told reporters on Monday that shipment of medical equipments worth Rs 1.40 crores already despatched to 12 hospitals in two districts which facing a shortage of equipments. He said taluk hospitals and two PHCs were selected for this.
He said consignment contains 70 oxygen concentrators with adapter, 25 digital oral thermometers, 1,96,000 K95 face masks, 5000 full-face shields, 5000 forehead foam, 300 surgical earlobe masks, 1200 medical face shields, 400 nitrile powder-free gloves, 50 oxygen cannula and five voltage transformers.
The foundation also plans to build a Covid ward at the cost of Rs one crore.
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> States>Karnataka / by Hans News Service / June 01st, 2021
Giving a dignified closure to unclaimed, untouched bodies
Kushalnagar:
COVID-19 is a lonely disease where last rites have become a tragic, solitary affair. At times, families who have lost their loved ones to the contagion are reluctant to perform the final rites and even refuse to claim the bodies of their kin.
That’s where volunteers of the Seva Bharati organisation in Kushalnagar, Kodagu, come in, treating these unclaimed bodies as more than a name tag, a body bag or a cadaver and giving them a dignified farewell. The worst of times have brought out the best among people, as these unsung heroes quietly perform last rites without compromising on rituals, such as the faith of the deceased.
The pandemic has wreaked havoc on Kodagu and given the spread of the virus, family members are wary of performing the last rites of their loved ones, and are relying on the kindness of these volunteers. Every day, around 18 volunteers are busy performing the last rites of those who succumbed to COVID-19. Kodagu has seen over 204 deaths so far due to the virus.
“A man had died after contracting COVID-19 last year and his family was not aware of the protocol. Those were the early days when the caseload was manageable. “Nobody came forward to do the final rites of the deceased person. It was then that we decided to step in and perform the last rites ourselves. This is where we have started and we have been continuing this work even now, during the second wave where the death rate has spiked,” said advocate from Harangi Bharat Machaiah, who leads the Seva Bharati team.
58 bodies cremated so far
“We have so far cremated 58 bodies in the second wave alone and the numbers keep growing by the day. It is heart-breaking as families refuse to perform the last rites of their loved one who has passed away. We have performed the last rites of people belonging to all communities with the sole intention of giving them a dignified send-off,” he said.
The volunteers do not charge a single rupee from the family of the deceased and perform all the tasks free of cost. Their contact numbers are circulating across the hospitals and crematoriums and they are continuously getting calls from families. Hospital and crematoriums are also approaching them.
The Seva Bharati volunteers have been carrying out the last rites as per the religious practices of the deceased, by following all precautionary measures suggested by the Government and World Health Organisation and they get their PPE kits from the Government.
Alert round-the-clock
The team of dedicated workers is on alert round-the-clock and as soon as they receive information on the need to perform last rites, they reach the spot and begin preparations. Not only Madikeri, the team goes anywhere in the district if they get a call and perform the last rites — distance and terrain do not matter here. Before conducting the rituals, the deceased’s family members are consulted to know about the rituals as per their religion and caste.
Along with Bharat Machaiah, the other team members who are doing this noble deed are Navneeth Ponnetti, Rajiv, Dinesh, K.K. Janardhan, Ranjit, P.K. Raghu, Tanmay, Sandeep, Roopesh, Prashanth, Nuthan, Nandan, Akshay, Manjunath, Vinu and Shivaram. “Some relatives do not come even for immersion of ashes. They are scared despite we all knowing that the virus dies in fire. We also perform the last rituals like immersion of ashes where rivers meet after the body is burnt,” Bharat Machaiah said.
“Cremating the dead while wearing PPE suits is difficult especially when the temperatures are rising but the courage and inspiration to offer service comes from within and there is a supernatural power guiding us,” said a volunteer. “We have had to face quite a bit of opposition from our families initially. We have had a hard time making them understand that we are taking all precautions. Even our families are worried about our safety. Now they have started recognising our work and they appreciate our tireless service,” he said.
Journalists also pitch in
Apart from doing their routine job in media, a group of journalists performed the last rites of an elderly man who died of COVID-19. Reporters associated with ‘Madhyama Spandana’ that was formed for COVID relief works got a call from a remote village near Parane as local villagers were reluctant to help the victim’s family perform the last rites.
The team comprising Rejith Kumar Guyya, Pappu Thimmaiah, Praveen and Anish and another person Shareen rushed to the village after collecting PPE kits from Siddapura Panchayat and performed the last rites as per the family tradition.
The house was located at a hilly terrain and this did not deter the journalists.
The reporters said that they helped poor people get beds in hospitals and supplied food kits, medicines and other essentials to the needy after spending from their own pockets.
This is for the first time that they performed the last rites of a COVID victim.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 20th, 2021
A Kodagu origin Psychiatrist, settled in New Jersey, USA and gofundme.org have jointly donated medical equipment to Kodagu District COVID Hospital.
The Psychiatrist, Dr. Chottera Shobha Tuttu, a native of Guyya village near Siddapura and America’s gofundme.org have donated 53 Oxygen Concentrators (5 lts. and 10 lts. capacity) to the District COVID Hospital, which was received by Dean of Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences Dr. K.B. Cariappa in the presence of Dr. Sannuvanda Kaverappa of Napoklu, Dr. Vishal Kumar, Dr. Manjunath, Dr. Roopesh and others.
Dr. Kaverappa said that the doctors in the US had created a WhatsApp group and discussed with Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Charulatha Somal on helping the district and accordingly, 53 Oxygen Concentrators were donated by them, which was handed over to the Hospital.
He also said that because of the efforts of retired IAS Officer Avaremadanda K. Monnappa, the medical equipment was received from the US and Dr. Tuttu has sent these equipment for the benefit of COVID positive patients, who are undergoing treatment.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 27th, 2021
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