Monthly Archives: May 2020

International powerlifter from Udupi digs well for water needs

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Akshatha’s brothers Arun, Ashok and Aravind started digging the well. Akshatha’s job was to remove the soil from the pit.

Akshatha Poojary hard at work digging a well in Karkala taluk | Express
Akshatha Poojary hard at work digging a well in Karkala taluk | Express

Udupi :

She isn’t well-versed in it: of digging a well. But this 33-year-old achiever dug a 25-foot deep well along with her brothers and nephews and ensured that there will be no scarcity of water during this summer for her family.

For international powerlifter Akshatha Poojary Bola in Karkala taluk, who has won several gold medals in international championships, the lockdown turned into an occasion to work out to maintain her fitness.
Akshatha used to trek for about 10 minutes to bring water from a nearby site during the peak summer months.

Akshatha Poojary (not in pic) was helped by her brothers and nephews to dig the well in Udupi
Akshatha Poojary (not in pic) was helped by her brothers and nephews to dig the well in Udupi

Her nephew Sumith, who is in 9th standard, triggered the project to dig a well near their house by drawing a circle and motivated the family to take up the task. Akshatha’s brothers Arun, Ashok and Aravind started digging the well. Akshatha’s job was to remove the soil from the pit. This work began on April 18 and the water sprung in the well on April 24 evening.

We dug for 10 hrs every day: Udupi’s powerlifter 

As Akshatha Poojary could not continue her practice at Veeramaruthi Vyayama Shaale, Kinnigoli, due to lockdown, this work involving manual labour made her happy. Akshatha told TNIE that they engaged in digging the well from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm with half an hour lunch break. ‘’There was a tree which gave us some shade, so we did not get too tired. My nephew, 20-year-old Sushanth, also joined our venture and finally we have a well of our own now,’’ she said.

After completing her post-graduation in Human Resource Development (MHRD) from Alva’s College, Moodbidri, in 2010, her dream of getting a job in Indian Railways (under sports quota) did not materialise. However, she managed to get a job as a data entry operator (on contract basis) at NMPT, Mangaluru.
Akshatha said that the well will be dug a little deeper next week as soft mud has collapsed a bit.

“We have decided to contract the job of placing pre-cast concrete rings in the well to an outsider, so that this well will continue to help us in the future,’’ she said. Akshatha, has been investing all her time in powerlifting since 2008, is waiting to participate in the state-level powerlifting championship scheduled to be held in August.

GOLDEN GIRL

  • Ekalavya award in 2014
  • 8 gold medals at London Commonwealth Games in 2011
  • 2 gold medals in International Open Power Lifting Championship in the US in 2014
  • 2 gold medals in the Asian Bench Press Championships in Dubai in 2018

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / by Prakash Samaga / Express News Service / May 02nd, 2020

Hubballi students develop automatic sanitiser dispenser

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology
Students of KLE Technological University handing over an automatic sanitiser dispenser to KIMS Director Ramalinga Antaratani. | Photo Credit: Kiran Bakale
Students of KLE Technological University handing over an automatic sanitiser dispenser to KIMS Director Ramalinga Antaratani. | Photo Credit: Kiran Bakale

At a time when the use of sanitisers has become crucial, Hubballi-based engineering students have developed an automatic sanitiser dispenser unit to help those engaged in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authorities emphasise using masks and social distancing to help fight the infection, but equally important is the use of sanitisers regularly.

However as holding the bottle of sanitiser itself has become a bit risky, the engineering students from KLE Technological University, Hubballi, have devised a simple technique to make it automatic.

Karthik V.R., Abhilash G., Vinayak, Praveen, Santosh and Abilash K. have designed the automatic sanitiser dispenser unit which is sensor-based.

The students said that as it would be difficult for doctors and nurses, serving in isolation wards to use the sanitiser without touching the bottle, they thought of developing an automatich dispenser.

As the new unit operates on sensor, the doctors and nurses will not have to touch or press it. They place their hand below the nozzle and the unit will automatically dispense a stipulated amount of the sanitiser, they said.

The students were guided by Ravi Guttal of KLE Technological University and S.V. Mulkimath of KIMS.

The students recently handed over the sanitiser unit to Director of KIMS Ramalingappa Antaratani for use at the KIMS isolation ward. Minister for Large and Medium Industries Jagadish Shettar and Deputy Commisioner of Dharwad Deepa M. have lauded the students’ innovation.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Hubbali – May 02nd, 2020

Bengaluru-based doc invited to help UK manage corona crisis

Science & Technology, Uncategorized, World Opinion

An MBBS graduate from Bangalore Medical College, she went to the UK in 2002 for her post-graduate degree and has lived there for 15 years.

DrRoopaBF01may2020

Bengaluru :

A Bengaluru-based doctor is getting ready to leave for the UK after the government of that country gave a call for doctors to help the nation manage the COVID crisis and also sent a personal email to her. Dr Roopa Venkatesh, who has a UK residence permit and the licence to practice as a general practitioner there, is making plans to leave for the UK with her 13-year-old son Skanda, who wants to work there as a volunteer.

The Regional Passport Office is viewing this as a special case and is renewing her passport in a very short period. She will travel via any of the special flights that the UK government is organising. Roopa has been living in Bengaluru since July 2016 and has plans to open her own clinic. She lives in Rajarajeshwari Nagar with her husband Venkatesh, also a doctor with a license to practise in the UK. The couple has another son who is eight years old and a three-year-old daughter.

An MBBS graduate from Bangalore Medical College, she went to the UK in 2002 for her post-graduate degree and has lived there for 15 years. “With my years of experience as a frontline staffer in UK hospitals, I really think I can contribute much right now. So I have taken this tough decision to leave. I will not be recklessly risking myself though.

There is a huge demand for experienced staff on the teleconsultation front too and I have decided to opt for that role. It will not involve face to face meeting with patients,” Dr Roopa told The New Indian Express.
She has treated countless swine flu patients as well as victims of chemical warfare during the Iran-Iraq war in the UK. The UK wants her to work there until September at least.

Regional Passport Officer Bharat Kumar Kuthati said, “Her passport was to expire in July. She submitted her completed application on Monday. Though we are not dealing with public requests, we are doing it for her as a special case bearing in mind the emergency involved in her trip. It will be given to her in a day or two.”

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