Category Archives: Amazing Feats

Loco Pilot in Bengaluru digs deep into his pockets, feeds hungry amid lockdown

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Cooking begins here at 9 am and by 12.30 pm, the packets are ready for distribution.

Ravi and his family prepares food for the hungry. (Photo| EPS)
Ravi and his family prepares food for the hungry. (Photo| EPS)

Bengaluru :

Upset over witnessing the rise of starving people around him following the nationwide lockdown, a loco-pilot and his friend decided to pool in their own resources to help others in whatever way they could. Loco pilot B Ravi and S Somashekhar have been cooking and distributing an average of 120 food packets to the needy for the last five days and plan to continue doing so as long as they can sustain it.

Ravi, with 20 years of experience as an express driver, was choked with emotion when narrating his experience to The New Indian Express on Wednesday. “Public are overwhelmed with gratitude and bless us. I cannot put into words how overwhelmed with emotion I am personally to be able to help people like this,” he said.

His wife, Anu Surya, a homemaker, and daughters Deepika and Keerthana are helping out in whatever way they can in their house in BEML Layout, Basaveshvaranagar. “We carried out the distribution of 120 packets of tomato rice on Ring Road on Tuesday afternoon to passersby who were in need. On Wednesday afternoon, we made 130 vegetable rice packets and distributed them at on the same road as well as at a slum in Kamakshipalaya,” Ravi said.

When asked what pushed him to take the step, the loco pilot said that the unprecedented situation faced by the world due to the coronavirus was the main motivation.

It costs nearly Rs 3,000 a day to feed the poor. “Somashekhar, my friend who works in the private sector and I are managing the cost as of now by pooling in from our pockets. We began doing it on April 7 and plan to continue until we are able to sustain it. Neighbours have now started chipping in with rice, vegetables and other essentials to help us out.  They are also now helping us in cutting vegetables and taking turns in doing the cooking. Two other friends Nagaraj and T Swami are also helping out,” he added.

Cooking begins here at 9 am and by 12.30 pm, the packets are ready for distribution.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by S. Lalitha / Express News Service / April 12th, 2020

Veteran writer Chandrakanth Kusnoor passes away in Belagavi

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Chandrakanth Kusnoor. | Photo Credit: P.K. Badiger
Chandrakanth Kusnoor. | Photo Credit: P.K. Badiger

Veteran writer and translator Chandrakanth Kusnoor died of age-related illnesses in Belagavi on Saturday night. He was 90. His last rites were conducted in the early hours of Sunday.

A multi-faceted personality, he earned fame as a writer, translator, novelist, poet, playwright, painter, art critic, and institution builder. He was among the few artistes to have won awards from the Karnataka Nataka Academy, Karnataka Lalitha Kala Academy, and Karnataka Sahitya Academy.

A polyglot, he worked as a cross-translator between Kannada, Marathi, Hindi, and Urdu. His translations of the works of U.R. Ananthamurthy and Srikrishna Alanahalli into Hindi were well-received.

He is hailed by literary historians as the first person to introduce the Haiku format of poetry into Kannada.

He was also among the pioneering abstract writers in Kannada. His plays such as Dindi, Vidushaka, Ratto Ratto Rayara Magale, and Ani Bantu Ondu Ani were widely performed. His biographical novel Gohar Jan chronicles the growth of professional theatre music tradition.

He was also an abstract painter and had converted his home in Channamma Nagar into a mini-art gallery. He continued to paint till the very end, said artist Balu Sadalage. He hailed from Kalaburagi, where he worked as a college professor for some years. He settled in Belagavi after his retirement as the Deputy Director of Kannada and Culture.

Along with friends, he founded the Ranga Madhyama in Kalaburagi and the Gulmohar Belgaum Arts Group in Belagavi.

The State government honoured him with the Karnataka Rajyotsava award.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Belagavi – April 19th, 2020

This doctor from Karnataka working in US has successfully treated five coronavirus patient

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Dr Arun Ranganath says the best supportive care on a ventilator with the pulmonologist, anaesthetist and intensive intervention is the key for early recovery.

Dr Arun Ranganath
Dr Arun Ranganath

Tumakuru :

“No one has died from COVID-19 under my care. One patient had cancer and he died of cancer,” asserted Dr Arun Ranganath, who has been treating the intubated patients in the ICU of Maine General Medical Centre, Augusta, USA.

The physician who hails from here has treated five patients aged between 63-80 successfully and they have been discharged with one more person still getting treatment under his supervision

The expert doctor, who has had stints at hospitals in the UK, at Safdarjang in New Delhi, has been in Maine Centre for eleven years. For four years, he has been the director of the ICU and is triple board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care.

Speaking with The New Indian Express, the shy doctor shared his experience as he has been working for over 14 hours daily at the 200-bed hospital. The young doctor says the best supportive care on a ventilator – with the pulmonologist, anaesthetist and intensive intervening at the right time – will make a difference as the rate of patient recovery will be high.

“We have also treated with some steroids, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin but I am not sure if it made a huge difference. I am not sure about their efficacy but at least they don’t hurt as some of the studies done in France show a mortality benefit,” he explained.

Interestingly, the doctor’s wife Nagaveni Thimmappa also works as a data analyst with the hospital as his colleague and the couple have risked their lives, leaving their little daughters aged twelve and seven years under the care of a nanny.

Hailing from Sira town, which witnessed a death due to COVID-19 and a positive case, Arun did his MBBS at Mysuru Medical College. Sadly, he lost both his parents Ranganath and Shivakumari in his childhood.

“My aunt, father’s sister, Dr Jayalakshmi, working at the government hospital at Challakere in Chitradurga district motivated me to become a doctor. My paternal uncle Panduranga educated me,” he informed.

He suggested that the shared responsibility is the need of the hour as the entire community including the doctors, the staff at the hospital and the public, in general, are at the risk of contracting the virus.

“There are definitely risks involved in the process. I can’t imagine any other better person than the physician to take that risk. On the same note, they have to protect themselves with appropriate masks and hand hygiene. They have to take care of themselves first to take care of others but that doesn’t mean that they should shy away from the responsibilities,” he advised.

He also suggested that in a country like India, the general duty doctors at the hospital should also be trained in handling critical care including the ICU as soon as possible.

“India can just not relax as the cases detected are less but should keep in mind that there might be ten times more asymptomatic carriers and the latter should be subjected to diagnosis and kept in quarantine. Early detection is the key,” he warned.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News  / by Devaraj B. Hirehalli / Express News Service / April 15th, 2020

Freedom fighter Mohan Desai passes away

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He joined movement at the age of 16

Freedom fighter, Khadi promoter and senior journalist Mohan B. Yamakanamaradi Desai passed away here on Monday. He was 99.

Known as M.B. Desai, he joined the freedom movement at the age of 16.

He also participated in the Hyderabad Karnataka Liberation movement in the 1940s.

He started Lok Darshan, a Kannada weekly, in Belagavi in 1956. He turned it into a daily by 1963.

His final rites were conducted at Hudali village in the evening on Monday.

Only a few of his family members were present, as others were unable to travel due to the lockdown.

Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi has expressed condolences on the passing away of the freedom fighter.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Belagavi – April 14th, 2020

Coronavirus | Karnataka’s first ‘sanitiser bus’ rolls out of scrap yard

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One of the old KSRTC buses converted as a ‘sanitizer bus’ in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: V. Sreenivasa Murthy
One of the old KSRTC buses converted as a ‘sanitizer bus’ in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

It will be used to disinfect people offering essential services

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is converting its old buses that were slated to be scrapped into ‘sanitizer buses’ to disinfect people in public places. On Saturday, one such bus was launched in the city.

KSRTC Managing Director Shivayogi C. Kalasad said the sanitizer buses branded as ‘Sarige Sanjeevini’ will be operated in the city limits for the benefit of police personnel, health workers, pourakarmikas and others who are carrying out essential services during the lockdown.

“There are various measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, this is one among them. We can’t say that the sanitizer buses will completely disinfect people. They have to follow other measures such as maintaining personal hygiene, washing hands, etc. This is one of the proactive measures taken by the corporation,” said Mr. Kalasad.

The bus was modified at the Central Workshop of KSRTC at a cost of ₹20,000. Modifications include installation of sprinklers. People need to enter from the front door and exit via the rear end to get disinfected.

“In districts such as Mysuru, Mangaluru, Chikkaballapur and others where COVID-19 positive cases have been reported, the KSRTC is planning to operate sanitizer buses. We may convert 18 to 20 buses for the time being.”

In Karnataka, in several districts such as Ramanagar, Mandya and others disinfectant tunnels have already been launched at markets where farmers and wholesalers gather in large numbers.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / April 11th, 2020

Physically challenged tailor prepares free masks for villagers in K.R. Pet

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Physically challenged tailor N. Manjunath of Bommenahalli in K.R. Pet taluk of Mandya district. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Physically challenged tailor N. Manjunath of Bommenahalli in K.R. Pet taluk of Mandya district. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A physically challenged tailor in K.R. Pet taluk of Mandya district has shown that with a strong will and commitment, everyone can do their bit in helping society prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Fondly called by his neighbours as a “real corona warrior”, the 30-year-old N. Manjunath of Bommenahalli has been working day and night for over 10 days now stitching and supplying reusable masks for free.

“Preventing community transmission of virus is the need of the hour. Sellers should not exploit people by demanding exorbitant charges for masks,” Mr. Manjunath told The Hindu.

The public service-minded tailor was born without his right leg and walks with the help of an artificial limb. He has an old sewing machine and pedals it day and night to prepare masks by using locally available cloth. He has already prepared and gifted several hundreds of masks to people in his vicinity. According to him, while many collect masks for free, some have forcibly paid him money while leaving his tiny house, lauding his social service. “I was just 12 when I learnt tailoring. I know that the face masks I am offering are not on a par with the scientifically prepared ones [N95 and three-layered surgical masks] and personal protection gears. But they prevent droplets reaching others when people cough and sneeze,” he said.

He explained that reports of some shopkeepers financially exploiting people while selling masks and the non-availability of masks prompted him to start making them himself.

As his father, Nagaraje Gowda, abandoned their home about 25 years ago, Mr. Manjunath takes care of his mother, Sakamma, 58, and grandmother, Boramma, 82. He depends entirely on tailoring to earn a livelihood as he does not have any property. “But the financial constraints have not marred my enthusiasm [in offering free masks to people],” he said.

Srinivas Sajjan, a friend of the young tailor, stressed the need for authorities to utilise the services of people like Mr. Manjunath. “He is capable of preparing hundreds of masks a day and interested persons can help him by placing orders. His masks can be used for several days with proper wash,” he said. Mr. Manjunath can be contacted on 96323 61864.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by M.T. Shiva Kumar / Mandya – April 07th, 2020

Low-cost indigenous swab for coronavirus testing developed

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Representative image/iStock
Representative image/iStock

A team of researchers has developed a low-cost indigenous prototype of polymer swab which can be used for collection of samples for coronavirus testing.

If it is approved for production, the country will not need to depend on imported swabs, said Dr Milind Kulkarni, a senior polymer scientist with Pune-based Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) on Saturday.

“We import testing kits and polymer swabs primarily from Italy, Germany and the United States. But due to import restrictions and international lockdown, we could soon face a shortage of these kits,” said Kulkarni, who led the project.

It was a joint project of C-MET (which comes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), SRI Research FOR Tissue Engineering Private, Rangadore Hospital, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and Additive Manufacturing Society of India, he said.

As per the guidelines of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, polymer swab is used for collection of a sample from the upper respiratory tract of a patient.

To develop prototype of the swab, the researchers used a speciality polymer from polyester family and a rod made up of Polypropylene, Kulkarni said.

“Prototype samples are ready to go for further sterilization and clinical trial and testing,” he added.

Dr K N Shridhar, urologist from Rangadore Hospital in Bangaluru, had given the responsibility to develop the polymer swab to CMET, Kulkarni said.

“Dr Shridhar will conduct testing of the swabs by tying up with a lab which is approved by the Indian Council for Medical Research in Bengaluru,” he added.

CMET has developed two types of swabs which are required to collect samples, he said.

One is nasopharyngeal swab (NP swab) which is used for collecting nasal secretions and other is Oropharyngeal swab which is used for collecting throat samples, he said.

Once samples are taken, the swab is inserted into a tube of Universal Transport Media (UTM). Kulkarni said that as it is a one-time use kit, India will need millions of such swabs to collect samples in the days to come.

The swabs developed by his team could cost a third of the price of imported swabs, he said.

“Using a special automated machine, 1000 to 2000 swabs can be made in one minute,” he claimed.

The number of coronavirus infection cases in the country had crossed 3,250 as of Saturday late afternoon.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Science & Environment / by PTI, Pune / April 04th, 2020

Giving back during crisis

About Bangalore(Bengaluru) / Karnataka, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All

The initiative which started on March 27 aims to provide 3 lakh meals by the end of the lockdown period in Bengaluru and has already provided close to 23,000 meals.

The initiative aims to provide 3 lakh meals by the end of the lockdown
The initiative aims to provide 3 lakh meals by the end of the lockdown

Bengaluru :

With the ongoing lockdown leaving scores of daily wage workers and the underprivileged without food and shelter, three Bengalurean businessmen have come together aiming to put a halt to the starvation. Venkat K Narayana, CEO, Prestige Group, Juggy Marwaha, executive MD, JLL India and K Ganesh, co-founder, Big Basket have launched the initiative ‘Feed My Bangalore’ with a plan to serve 10,000 – 15,000 meals every day to daily wagers, underprivileged and homeless children and frontline workers.

The initiative which started on March 27 aims to provide 3 lakh meals by the end of the lockdown period in Bengaluru and has already provided close to 23,000 meals. Adding to this, Narayana said, “India is overpopulated with 269 million people still living below the poverty line. Given the density of population, social distancing is a luxury for most.

The government is doing the best they can, but it’s not going to be enough. We as conscious citizens need to do our bit too. As I keep hearing my two-year old son reiterate at home, ‘Sharing is caring’ and that has to be our motto for this crisis.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / April 01st, 2020

Looking beyond their own needs in the time of lockdown

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Helping hand: Members of an NGO distributing food in Bengaluru on Friday. | Photo Credit: V. Sreenivasa Murthy
Helping hand: Members of an NGO distributing food in Bengaluru on Friday. | Photo Credit: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

NGOs and even individuals are reaching out to the needy

With the entire State in lockdown, thousands of daily wage workers trapped in the city and the homeless are struggling to survive and get two square meals a day. Most of them are relying on non-governmental organisations and unions that have stepped up to support them and provide temporary assistance to labourers and their families. There have also been spontaneous offers of help from citizens.

Nalini Shekar, co-founder of Hasiru Dala, an NGO that works with waste-pickers, said they are trying to provide aid to 1,000 families and have sought donations. They plan to give families of waste-pickers five kg of rice/wheat, two kg of lentils, and two bars of soap, costing ₹550. This amount includes transportation to their homes. “We have chosen families who don’t have a ration card as the government is already giving two months’ supply to such families. These supplies will last the families for about 12 days,” said Ms. Shekar. Within a day of circulating the messages on social media, Hasiru Dala received donations that would help around 200 families.

Anand N.R., a freelance driver, said an NGO, CAPS Foundation, got his family groceries worth ₹2,000. “It is a desperate situation as the number of bookings have reduced to a large extent. One of my customers told the NGO about my situation and the help extended was timely,” he said.

In film industry

Meanwhile, with shooting and all other aspects of film production coming to a halt, members of the Kannada film industry too are stepping up to offer support to colleagues, including technicians, drivers, stuntmen, and those part of the production team. Film-maker Pawan Kumar started this initiative last Sunday. “I wanted to tell everyone that at a time when we are all at home, we can do something constructive for people in our fraternity,” he told The Hindu. As of Friday, he has collected ₹5.81 lakh. Actor Chetan Kumar, who is in touch with many of the unions, has also decided to help Mr. Pawan Kumar in identifying people who may be in dire need.

Volunteers needed

Naavu Bharateeyaru, a platform of various civil society groups which came together in November last year to oppose NPR and NRC, is now focussing on fighting the pandemic by ensuring food security and emergency medical relief. “While doing so, we will take utmost care to ensure that our volunteers are safe,” said a note from members of the platform. The platform needs volunteers for several tasks, including rapid assessment of needs and procuring relief material.

In several areas, police personnel on patrol duty are distributing food to the homeless and those from lower economic background as a majority of the hotels and eateries are closed. However, a few hotels in the city are distributing food boxes to migrant workers and labourers.

Several residents are doing their bit to help out, too. Sujaya M., a homemaker who lives at Rajajinagar, for instance, is cooking lunch for five homeless people in her locality. “It is during these testing times that we need to help each other. I may not be able to help a large number of people, but I decided to do the best I could,” she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Tanu Kulkarni / Bengaluru – March 28th, 2020

Tackling pandemic fear with funds

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Among the worst-affected sectors, daily wage workers are undoubtedly the biggest sufferers during the pandemic.

MonikaBF28mar2020

Bengaluru :

Among the worst-affected sectors, daily wage workers are undoubtedly the biggest sufferers during the pandemic. To handle this issue, city-based non-profit organisation Give Foundation is currently running a campaign where the members have collected more than Rs 30 lakh within a span of three days, which will be used towards creating hygiene kits for underprivileged people and extend support to blue-collar workers who have lost jobs due to the lockdown.

“We started this campaign on Sunday and reached out to different donors from all over the country. The amount will be used to pay two months’ salary to people who have blue-collar jobs,” says Somdutta Chatterjee, head of corporate partnerships in GiveIndia Foundation. She added that apart from the existing list of affected people that they have, the foundation is also reaching out to various other NGOs to gather more lists. They will reach out to people directly after doing a background verification of the affected persons. “A part of the collected fund will also be used to provide a hygiene kit to the underprivileged. The kit will consist of protective mask, hand sanitiser, antiseptic soap, antiseptic lotion, phenol and thermometers,” adds Chatterjee.

Apart from organisations, others are also trying to do their bit for the good of the society. Champaca, a book store and café in the city, has appealed to people to buy an annual voucher from the store to support those who work at the bookstore.

Recently, director Pavan Kumar started a fund raiser campaign to support daily wage workers of the Kannada film industry, like makeup artistes, lightman, drivers, carpenters and more. Till now, he has collected more than Rs 3.5 lakh and will be handing it over to different workers’ unions.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Monika Monalisa / Express News Service / March 25th, 2020