Month: February 2023

Nine achievers, including an institution, were presented with the State-level ‘Sandesha Awards 2023’, in recognition of their achievements in different fields here on Tuesday.

The awards were presented in a programme attended by, among others, Sandesha Institute chairman and Ballari Bishop Henry D’Souza, Alva’s Education Foundation Chairman M. Mohan Alva, Bishops of Mangaluru and Udupi Diocese Peter Paul Saldanha and Gerald Isaac Lobo respectively, Sandesha Director Sudeep Paul, and others.

The literature awards, Kannada, Konkani and Tulu were presented to Raghavendra Patil, Andrew L. D’Cunha, and Chinnappa Gowda respectively; the media award to Shivaji Ganeshan, the Konkani music award to Joyce Ozario; the art award to M.S. Murthy; the education award to Kotiganahalli Ramaiah; the special award to Prerana Resource Centre, and the best teacher award was presented to Sabiha Bhoomigowda.

Mr. Alva in his address said: “Our cultural, religious and social life and values are compromised amid the growing worldly life and technological advancement. It is unfortunate that we miss many of those persons who nurture the socio-cultural values through their life. The real joy of living a virtuous life is when we work tirelessly and selflessly for society.”

“Human being is a spirit in the world who constantly strives to explore and grow the inner spiritual powers for the betterment of the society. Sandesha awards has displayed and honoured those who have selflessly contributed their resources and inner powers,” said Bishop Rev. Saldanha.

Bishop D’Souza said: “Today we are living in a world where environment, harmony, health, unity, sensitivity, relationship and cooperation are great matters of concern. Let us aspire to build a society without hatred, division and violence.”

thehindu.com

CM said his focus was on city’s infrastructure, health and education.

Ahead of elections, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who is also in charge of Bengaluru Urban Development, inaugurated a slew of projects in the city on Tuesday, including 108 Namma Clinics, one of the biggest promises made in the previous budget but had not taken off so far.

After inaugurating the building of Atal Bihari Vajpayee High School in Vrushabhavatinagara, the Chief Minister inaugurated buildings of BBMP referral hospital, a high school and college in Kamalanagar. In BHEL Layout, he inaugurated another school building in Marappanahalli in the constituency. Later, in the evening he inaugurated more projects in Padmanabhanagar constituency.

Focus on health

Speaking after inaugurating the 108 Namma Clinics, the CM said his government has given utmost preference to education, infrastructure development and health. “Along with the common ailments like cough and fever, the Namma Clinics will also have a diagnostic laboratory facility for diabetes and other ailments. Telemedicine system has been arranged through which necessary treatment will be given for patients with serious ailments through teleconsultation with experts. This has further strengthened the common people’s healthcare. The promise made in last year’s budget has been fulfilled now,” he said.

Stating that his government is “hyper-sensitive” and committed towards attending to people’s health needs, Mr. Bommai said apart from free dialysis and chemotherapy, free eye-testing is done for senior citizens and spectacles are being distributed free of cost. Besides, 100 Primary Health Centres  have been upgraded to Community Health Centres and organ transplantation has been given importance.

Master plan for UGD

Given that flooding in Bengaluru last year had acutely embarrassed the government, the Chief Minister said that a special master plan is being prepared for upgrading the city’s underground drainage system based on the reports of IISC and other agencies.

He said the adequate grants have been sanctioned for development of roads and primary, secondary and tertiary drains. “We are in the process of finding technically resolving the major problem of flooding in some areas. To ensure there are no rain damages this year, we have initiated measures to set up a new Rajakaluve at a cost of ₹2,000 crore,” he said.

thehindu.com