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
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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
Prior to joining Netflix, he was with Uber and has also worked for Google and Infosys
Streaming giant Netflix has announced the appointment of Nanjappa Palekanda as Vice President, Experience and Operations.
With 18 years of experience, Nanjappa has worked with big names, including Infosys, Uber and Google. His expertise lies in HR Service Delivery, M&A, Risk & Compliance and Portfolio Management for the People function.
On his appointment, he wrote, “I am grateful for the incredible professionals and amazing well-wishers I have come across throughout my career – Infosys, Google and Uber.
I now head into an exciting new adventure at Netflix, with the same drive to work with amazing people.
During this special personal moment, I would like to urge all my well-wishers to spare a positive thought/action in support of all those in India (or those who have loved ones in India), who are braving the heart-breaking situation brought upon by the pandemic.
There’s loss and suffering for sure, but there are also numerous everyday heroes, going out of their way to support others, many of whom they have never met before.”
source: http://www.exchange4media.com / Exchange4Media / Home> Internet Announcement News / by exchange4media.com Staff / May 20th, 2021
Through his four-year-old ‘Bhuvanam Foundation’ and initiative ‘Feed Karnataka’, Bhuvan with support from actress Harshika Poonacha handed over 200 food kits to the Municipal Council Commissioner.
Food kits were distributed in Madikeri Mann’s Compound Ground on Tuesday (Photo | Special arrangement)
Madikeri :
It is not common for an actor to share his mobile number across social media. But Bhuvan Ponnanna, the Sandalwood actor and native of Kodagu, has done just that even as he is working relentlessly to extend a helping hand to the needy during the pandemic.
Through his four-year-old ‘Bhuvanam Foundation’ and initiative ‘Feed Karnataka’, Bhuvan with support from actress Harshika Poonacha on Tuesday handed over 200 food kits to the Madikeri City Municipal Council Commissioner Ramdas. These kits will be handed over to needy families across the city. Further, the home guards, police and a few journalists also received food kits from the foundation.
The actor has also taken a unique initiative where food kits and medicines will be home delivered to needy residents across Kodagu. Two vehicles equipped with food kits and medicines will start doing the rounds across Madikeri, Gonikoppal and Virajpet areas from May 26 and the needy can avail food kits from the foundation following verification. The medicines will be supplied with display of prescriptions only. To avail the services, the eligible beneficiaries can contact the helpline number 9945008004.
Also, the initiative helps local farmers by buying vegetables from them and distributing it to the needy along with the food kits. Many donors including doctors have donated to the foundation and the organisation has so far distributed over 2000 food kits to the poor across Karnataka.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Pragna GR, Express News Service / May 25th, 2021
A Bengaluru organisation is building a multimedia archive of tribal music in Karnataka, starting with the Kudiyas of Kodagu.
Still from the video: Who are these Kudiyas?
Bengaluru :
A life without songs sung to the beats of drums is probably unimaginable for the Kudiya people of the Western Ghats. “We sing about the plants and trees in the forests, the roots, stones, snakes, and elephants… There is a rhythm to each song, and we play the drum to that rhythm,” Kudiya musician Sharada Somaiah says in an interview with Bengaluru-based Gobal Kulture, which is taking the first steps towards building an archive of tribal music in Karnataka.
On April 13, Global Kulture released a 2.50-minute video titled “Hidden Sounds: Who are these Kudiyas?” on its YouTube channel. They’ve started with the Kudiya community, but Arun Sivag, percussionist and founder of Global Kulture, says the idea is to collect audio and video recordings of songs, interviews and dances of artistes from 40 communities (the state government lists 50 Scheduled Tribes), and compile it into the Budakattu Music Archive, a partial multimedia ethnography of tribal music and culture.
“It took one-and-a-half years of research to figure out how to go about this,” says Arun. This includes conversations with several people – including playback singer and co-founder of Global Kulture, Sangeetha Ravindranath, and Sumanto Mondal, who is editorial and communications partner at the organisation. However, the idea of the archive comes from Arun’s own experiences, and thoughts about music and musicians. “I always saw musicians on the street, and wondered why they weren’t on stage. Folk artistes are not given a stage, but they are the torch-bearers of music,” says the 29-year-old.
pic: a shot
In 2019, he began visiting government offices looking for a list of tribal musicians, and realised that the government didn’t really have one. But the idea stuck, and he came in contact with folk and tribal art expert Srinivas Murthy, who worked with Sharada’s father decades ago. With the little footage they collected in February at Sharada’s house in Tora village (Virajpet, Kodagu), they know they’ve barely scratched the surface. “One would need a whole life to understand their music. We are doing what the government is supposed to do,” says Arun.
The Kudiyas’ culture is oral — their songs and stories are the historical record of their existence. “They sing songs while working, after getting back from work, when there is a birth or a death, during festivals… They even have a song about the daughters of the tribe and how they wish the best for them,” says Sangeetha, who is working on translating the songs from Kodava to English.
The archive will also have interviews of the artistes, such as the one in which Sharada talks about the community’s origin story, and why they call themselves Kudiyas, says Mondal, who is translating her interviews from Kannada to English. They are looking for institutional funding that will allow them to retain creative independence. But for now, they are using their own resources to fund the project. Arun put in the stipend he got from OneBeat, a US government fellowship.
A part of that was used as honorarium for the artistes. “We are artists too. We want to pay them for their work. Right now, the only opportunities they have are annual performances at Vidhana Soudha and Ravindra Kalakshetra (auditorium in Bengaluru). When the government calls, these are the people who get the peanuts,” Arun says. Sharada’s earnings are paltry and not steady, like many artistes.
She pretty much kept the music of her community alive by teaching younger generations, but knows survival is at stake without economic opportunity. In the trailer, Sharada talks about her “biggest dream”. “…If our art is to survive, the government and other organisations must help us get a good platform, give us respect. Only if this happens will our music become a livelihood for us and for our children, and only this way will our art survive.”
Arun too has big dreams. He eventually wants tribal musicians to get the recognition and remuneration they deserve. “We want to build a not-for-profit artist management system for them. They should be treated just like any other artiste.”
Preserving history Global Kulture aims to collect audio and video recordings of songs, interviews and dances of artists from 40 communities and compile it into the Budakattu Music Archive.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Anisha Sheth, Express News Service / May 23rd, 2021
Medical help is pouring in for Kodagu, not just locally but also from overseas, for its fight against COVID-19.
With medical oxygen becoming vital for saving the lives of those battling the infection, Chottera Shobha Tuttu, a psychiatrist of Kodagu origin who is settled in New Jersey, and the United States’ gofundme.org have joined hands to support the battle against the virus in the district.
The 5-litre and 10-litre oxygen concentrators donated by Dr. Tuttu and gofundme.org were handed over to the district COVID-19 hospital in Madikeri on Sunday. Cariappa, Dean of Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Sunnavunda Kaverappa of Napoklu village, and doctors from the institute were present when KIMS received the equipment.
It was thanks to the efforts of retired IAS officer K. Monnappa that Dr. Tuttu, who belongs to Guyya village in Siddapura, offered help to Kodagu.
In a note released by the Information Department, Madikeri, Dr. Kaverappa said doctors in the U.S., including Dr. Tuttu, had created a WhatsApp group and discussed with the Kodagu Deputy Commissioner ways to help the district. Accordingly, the oxygen concentrators were donated.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – May 23rd, 2021
The 30-bed dedicated free COVID healthcare centre established by Lopamudra Medical Centre (LMC) and Karuna Trust at Gonikoppal in South Kodagu has been receiving donations in kind from donors and philanthropists.
Mysuru-based Skanray Technologies has donated critical high-tech equipment to treat virus-infected patients at all the 30 beds of the hospital. Managing Director of Skanray Vishwaprasad Alva got to know about the noble cause and has voluntarily come forward with donations and has been a pillar of strength for this zero-billing facility, said Dr. Mukkatira Amrit Nanaiah, Head of Lopamudra Medical Centre.
The Puthari Farmer Producer Company Limited has come forward to offer free food to the patients till their stay in the hospital.
The food will include three meals a day and snacks. “They have agreed to provide all the materials required to supply healthy and nutritious meals to patients and have also offered to provide their vehicle for our use till the pandemic lasts. These contributions made by the company President Subaiah, Board of Directors, CEO and team are worth emulating,” Dr. Amrit Nanaiah added.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 17th, 2021
Lopamudra Medical Centre, Karuna Trust, donors and volunteers make the much-needed facility a reality
Mysore/Mysuru:
A 30-bed dedicated COVID Healthcare Centre has begun functioning at Lopamudra Medical Centre (LMC) at Gonikoppal in South Kodagu. COVID patients will be treated here free of cost. This Hospital will prove a boon to patients in South Kodagu who were earlier forced to travel either to Mysuru or Bengaluru that are already under pressure due to mounting infections.
The facility was inaugurated last evening by Kodagu District Minister V. Somanna who holds the Housing portfolio. He assured the Hospital authorities that he would take measures to give 30 oxygen cylinders to 30 beds and an additional stock of 60 cylinders as a back-up.
The COVID Healthcare Centre has been established by Karuna Trust, a Charitable Trust that has enabled integrated rural development and empowered the masses, Kodava Koota in the US, Kodava Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Kodava Samajas and a dedicated team of volunteers, donors and various organisations, who have spared no efforts in making the COVID Centre a reality.
Businessman Jammada Aiyanna, Dr. Kalyatanda Gautham Subbaiah from University of Florida, Brigadier (Retd.) Maletira Devaiah, Kokkanda Pavan Aiyappa, Cheppudira Geetha Chengappa, Karuna Trust Joint Secretary Venkat Chekuri, Ponnampet Kodava Samaja President Chottekmada Rajeev Bopaiah and several others have made invaluable contribution to the facility.
They have raised funds alongside the Karuna Trust for infrastructure and also equipment and even many residents of Kodagu have contributed to the noble cause. The centre officially began functioning on May 15 under the leadership of Mukkatira Amrit Nanaiah, Consultant Physician and Diabetologist, and is located on the third floor of the LMC at Athur village, two kilometres from Gonikoppal.
Minister Somanna, MLA K.G. Bopaiah, Dr. Amrit Nanaiah, Dr. Sudarshan and hospital staff during the inauguration last evening.
Apart from Madikeri District Hospital and the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences there is no hospital in Kodagu to treat COVID patients. Thanks to the negligence of the Government and elected representatives who did not bother all these years to set up an advanced hospital. In this direction, the COVID Healthcare Centre at LMC will help save lives at the time of crisis.
The COVID Healthcare Centre will have 15 beds with piped oxygen, five beds with oxygen concentrators and 10 beds with BiPAP machines, a sort of a ventilator that is used to treat chronic conditions that affect breathing. The centre will have a pharmacy and lab facility and will be a high dependency unit. Separate entrances have been made to facilitate the entry of COVID patients so that other patients who come to the LMC are not affected in any way.
The LMC administration and the Karuna Trust will take care of providing doctors and nurses including consultations from doctors who are working in foreign shores. Donors are contributing to purchase oxygen, medicines including life-saving ones and also free food to the patients. On an average, a COVID patient has to spend lakhs of rupees for treatment and this healthcare centre provides free treatment and quality care.
The centre will treat moderate COVID patients, who will be referred by the Kodagu District Administration and Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal has assured full support. The authorities are providing ambulance facility to the centre and the administration has assured to provide hassle-free oxygen supply from Mysuru.
A 200 Kilo Litre oxygen unit will be installed at the LMC facility by Karuna Trust. Well-known social worker and tribal activist recognised for his work with the Soligas in B.R. Hills Dr. H. Sudarshan is a guiding force behind the COVID Healthcare Centre and he is also the founder and Honorary Secretary of the Karuna Trust.
Dr. Mukkatira Amrit Nanaiah
‘Committed to treat patients’
The hospital has become a reality, thanks to the efforts of Karuna Trust. We have an aim to provide the finest care and are committed to treat patients in complete transparency and the centre is a zero-billing facility. Our intention is to come to the rescue of patients who are in need of medical care. The COVID Healthcare Centre has been created in such a way that it is bifurcated from the other treatment units of the hospital.
Dr. Kalyatanda Gautham Subbaiah, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, who has treated over 1,000 COVID patients in the US, will guide doctors at the facility.— Dr. Mukkatira Amrit Nanaiah, head of Lopamudra Medical Centre
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 16th, 2021
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