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
“The facility will have 15 beds with pipelined oxygen, five beds with oxygen concentrators and 10 beds with Bipap machines (a type of ventilator),” said Venkat Chekuri, joint secretary of Karuna Trust.
The COVID care centre in Kodagu (Photo | Special arrangement)
Madikeri :
A 30-bed Dedicated Covid Healthcare Centre (DCHC) will be inaugurated at a private hospital in Gonikoppal to provide improved treatment to COVID patients free of cost. The DCHC has been established following efforts by the Karuna Trust – a charitable trust that has enabled integrated rural development.
The facility will start functioning from May 15 at Lopamudra Private Hospital in Gonikoppal. “The facility will have 15 beds with pipelined oxygen, five beds with oxygen concentrators and 10 beds with Bipap machines (a type of ventilator),” explained Venkat Chekuri, joint secretary of Karuna Trust.
He explained that the facility has seen the light of day following efforts from Kodava Koota members in the US, Concerned Citizens of Coorg organization members and members of Kodava Samaj who have raised funds alongside Karuna Turst to establish the DCHC. The centre will have a pharmacy and lab facility and will be a high dependency unit.
“The centre will treat moderate COVID patients who will be referred by the district administration. The centre will provide free treatment to the patients alongside three meals a day and snacks. The administration of Kodagu alongside DC Charulata Somal has offered complete support and the ambulance facility to the centre is being provided by the district administration. The administration has also assured to provide hassle-free oxygen supply to the centre from Mysuru,” explained Venkat. He further added that a 200-litre oxygen unit will shortly be installed at the centre by the trust.
The trust will bear the rent charges for the place provided at the private hospital and will have doctors and nurses appointed by the trust itself. “Dr Sudarshan, the founding member of the trust, is guiding the entire project. Also, Dr Gautham Subbaiah, assistant professor at the University of Florida – who has treated over 1000 COVID patients in the US – will guide local doctors in treating the patients. Experts from the University of Florida will review the ground work at the centre,” added Venkat.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / May 14th, 2021
M.B. Gappanna of Kavadi village in Ammathi, Virajpet taluk, Kodagu, has been nominated as Syndicate Member of University of Mysore by the Chancellor, who is also the Governor of Karnataka.
As per the notification issued from the Office of the Governor, the term of office shall be for a period of three years with effect from Oct. 3, 2020.
A MBA graduate from Mangalore University, Machimanda Gappanna has been an activist working for progressive causes and was the President of All College Students Union of Mangalore University.
He has the experience of working in the corporate world in various capacities and has been associated with several service organisations like Rotary, where he has been the Director of Youth Service. He is passionate about helping people at the grassroot level and interested in finding innovative solutions to support rural employment.
Gappanna is involved with several NGOs motivating youth for self employment and skill development.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 06th, 2021
Kodagu District in-Charge Minister V. Somanna said that all measures will be taken for increasing oxygen bed capacity in the district in the wake of rising COVID cases.
He was presiding over a review meeting on COVID Control and treatment measures at the ZP Hall here on Thursday.
Pointing out that there are plans to increase the number of oxygen beds in the district by 250, including 50 in Somwarpet, 20 in Pollibetta, 20 in Kutta and a good number in Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital, Somanna said that all Corona warriors and persons aged over 45 years should get compulsorily vaccinated for their own health and well-being.
Noting that several organisations such as Rotary, Lions and Chamber of Commerce have come forward for joining hands with the District Administration, he directed the authorities to take measures for refilling the 13 KL Oxygen tank at the District COVID Hospital. He also asked the authorities to ensure timely vaccine and oxygen supplies to the district in accordance with the demand.
Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan expressed concern over rising number of COVID deaths in the district. Noting that there are complaints that Doctors and Nursing Staff were complacent in taking care of patients, he urged the authorities to ensure proper food and boiled drinking water to all patients at COVID Hospital.
Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah wanted the authorities to ensure that people above 60 years of age are vaccinated in the district. He also asked them to ensure that second dose is given to all the vaccinated.
MLC Veena Achaiah suggested to install CCTV cameras at ICU wards of COVID Hospital.
Another MLC Sunil Subramani said that the staff of Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) were doing a good job and they should continue with their good work, without giving scope for any complacency.
MP Pratap Simha said that the District has been provided with a 13 KL oxygen tank and the authorities should submit daily updates of oxygen requirement and use. Instructing the authorities to ensure that there is no oxygen shortage at any point of time, he said that there is every possibility that the deadly virus may peak in the coming days and the authorities should brace up themselves by augmenting oxygen capacity and number of oxygen beds.
Kodagu District in-Charge Secretary V. Anbukumar told the meeting that the oxygen bed capacity at the Medical College Hospital will be increased to 150 in phases.
DC Charulatha Somal said that 130 oxygen cylinders have been handed over to the DHO through the Tahsildars of three taluks in the district. Also, measures have been taken to take custody of all oxygen cylinders available at Kushalnagar Industrial Area after discussing with the owners of industries, she added.
KIMS Director Dr. Cariappa, Superintendent Dr. Lokesh, RCH Officer Dr. Gopinath and Dr. Anand spoke about the measures taken for COVID management and control in the district.
SP Kshama Mishra, Additional DC Raju Mogaveera, In-Charge Assistant Commissioner Srinivas and other officials were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News /May 08th, 2021
The year gone by will not be forgotten for a long time to come. A year that turned the world upside down. Travel and hospitality sectors which provide most employment were crippled beyond belief. The pandemic has changed the very nature of tourism and travel for ever. Their worlds will never be the same again. Words like hybrid and virtual have come in to the lexicon of tourism. This is the new reality.
Monuments, cultural heritage sites and famous museums across the world have gone ‘hybrid’ to provide online guided tours through their sites and galleries to millions who are unable to travel anymore. In India, Government has announced that many of the country’s UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites and major museums will prepare to provide online access.
Technology not only makes this possible but has opened the magical doors to the creation of virtual museums that are only limited by imagination!
In this brave new world, India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) — www.indiaifa.org — has come forward to invite proposals from multi-disciplinary teams for the creation of a Virtual Museum to showcase Kodava Heritage and Culture. The virtual museum will be an interactive online space for the rich and thriving heritage of Kodavas offering a glimpse into their history, customs and cultural practices. IFA has an enviable record of supporting path-breaking initiatives in the field of art and culture.
The exciting prospect of this museum of cultural heritage of a proud warrior people has become possible by a CSR grant from Recaero India Pvt. Ltd., which is a pioneer in the field of aerospace engineering. This grant will clearly need to be supplemented with generous donations as the project progresses.
For a project of this kind to be successful, we need to access tangible resources like photographs, video clips of marriages, folk dances and observance of rituals, jewellery and objects which are unique to the Kodava way of life. The design team would also require to reach out to members of the community for intangible resources like accounts of social rituals and customs of Kodavas that may have been lost in antiquity. We, therefore, request members of the community to volunteer to provide the resource requirement and any other support.
The Project Coordinator in IFA Darshana can be reached at: darshana@indiaifa.org. I can be reached on: rathicodanda.kodavaheritage@gmail.com
— Rathi Vinay Jha, Chair, India Foundation for the Arts (IFA)
Bengaluru
29.4.2021
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / May 05th, 2021
She was the first woman referee from India to officiate in 88 international hockey matches
The first Indian woman umpire who started her international career in 2004 and the first woman referee from India to officiate in 88 international hockey matches Mundanda (Puchimanda) Anupama, wife of Mundanda Mithun Mandanna of Nelaji village in Kodagu, passed away in Bengaluru this morning. She was 41.
She was selected by the Federation of International Hockey as one of the youngest umpires among ten men and women in the world. She had a passion for sports when she was nine and since then she never looked back. She was the first woman referee from India to officiate in 88 international hockey matches, junior world cup and three Commonwealth Games.
Born to Puchimanda Shivappa and Shanthi Shivappa (Achhandira) at Bittangala, Anupama was awarded the Best Umpire (Women) India by Sardar Gyan Singh Memorial Hockey Society in 2007. Anupama represented India in the umpires seminar held at Singapore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Chandigarh and New Delhi and represented Karnataka as a player in the sub-junior and senior women’s National Hockey Championships. She officiated as the umpire in the four-nation tournament held at Singapore in 2007 and refereed the finals between Australia Vs Malaysia.
She was the umpire in the three-nation tournament held at Italy and also umpired the Central American and Caribbean games, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 2006. In 2008, Anupama officiated as the umpire for two four-nation tournament at Rotterdam in Holland and also at Bremen in Germany. Anupama umpired the Junior Asia Cup held at Malaysia in and was the umpire in the youth Olympic Games held at Australia in 2009.
She started her sports career at the age of nine as an amateur athlete at Sports School Kudige in Kodagu. At 13, she joined the Sports Authority of India, Madikeri, where she got into hockey. She represented the State in sub-junior and senior national championships several times. She has also officiated in events in Asia, Africa, and America and European continents.
She had a passion for umpiring and she cleared the umpiring exam in 2001 and first officiated as an umpire at Cheppudira Family Hockey Tournament in Kodagu and went onto make international name and fame. Anupama’s goal was to be an Olympics umpire. “I am happy I chose this profession. This motivates me to focus more on the job and I will be happy if one day I get to officiate in the Olympics,” she had stated in one of her interviews.
Recently Anupama was selected as Executive Council Member by Karnataka State Hockey Association.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / April 18th, 2021
Rev. Fr. John Francis Texeira (72), Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Churchat Naganahalli, passed away yesterday at a private hospital in city following brief illness.
Funeral was held today afternoon at the Catholic Cemetery in Belawadi Parish, Mysuru and the Requiem Holy Mass was held at 3 pm today at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in city, according to the communication from the Bishop’s House.
Rev. Fr. John Texiera was born in Virajpet, Kodagu district on June 4, 1949 to Paul Texiera and Hilda Vaz couple. He was the eldest among three sons. After completing his primary education at Virajpet, Rev. Fr. John joined St. Marys Minor Seminary in Mysuru. He completed his High School education at St. Philomena’s High School, PUC at St. Philomena’s College and later completed his Philosophy and Theology studies at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bengaluru.
Fr. John completed Master Degree in Catechetics at Vishwadeep, Bengaluru. He also served as the Director of Catholic Centre in Mysuru for six years and was also the Dean of Hunsur Deanery. He was ordained a Priest on June 24, 1975 at Siddapura, Kodagu district by the then Bishop of Mysuru Most Rev. Dr. Mathias Fernandes.
After serving for a few years as an assistant Parish Priest at St. Joseph‘s Cathedral in Mysuru, Fr. John was appointed as the Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Church in Yadavagiri. He later served as the Parish Priest at Pandavapura, Kamagere, Siddapura, Shantipura, Nanjangud and was serving as the Parish Priest of the Sacred Heart Church, Naganahalli since last June.
Bishop of Mysuru Most Rev. Dr. K. A. William, Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Vazhapilly and Priests of the Diocese have condoled the demise of Rev. Fr. John F. Texiera.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 19th, 2021
K.B. Harshavardhan (45), Vice-President of Virajpet Town Panchayat and a prominent BJP leader of Kodagu district, passed away following a heart attack on Monday morning.
Harshavardhan, who suffered a heart attack, was immediately rushed to a hospital in Virajpet, where he breathed his last.
Harshavardhan was elected from Meenpet Ward in the Town Panchayat. He leaves behind his mother, wife Divya, two children and a host of relatives and friends.
Harshavardhan had also served as the President of Kodagu District Hindu Malayali Association.
Virajpet TP Office, shops and other business establishments in the town were shut for two hours in the afternoon as a mark of respect for the departed leader.
Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah and a host of other BJP leaders were among those who paid their last respects. Last rites were performed yesterday evening, according to sources.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 20th, 2021
Artist B R Sathish in the Kunchagayana in Virajpet.
To create awareness about the ill effects of narcotic drugs, artist B R Sathish conducted a Kunchagayana programme on social media.
Speaking on the occasion, Kodagu Press Club president Ajjamada Ramesh Kuttappa said that there is a need to fight against the drug menace. Everyone should join hands to create a drug-free Kodagu.
In the Kunchagayana, T D Mohan sang songs while artist B R Sathish made drawings to create awareness.
Janapada Parishat district president Ananthashayana and others were present.
