Five ways to help underprivileged people affected by the lockdown in Bengaluru

Coronavirus

The Chief Minister has also sought support and donations through the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Alithea Stephanie Mounika

Courtesy: Pexels

Several non-government organisations (NGOs) have been seeking donations to help the underprivileged during the coronavirus pandemic. While a majority of people are able to go out and buy groceries and other essentials, daily-wage workers and homeless people who live a hand-to-mouth existence are left in the lurch, as supplies are uncertain. Across India, migrant labourers can be seen walking to their hometowns due to lack of transportation and because they have run out of money to buy food. Since many have felt that the government is simply not doing enough, local NGOs and social upliftment organisations have stepped in to provide basic support — food packets, monetary aid, cooked meals — to marginalised people, including senior citizens, people with disabilities and widows, to ensure nobody goes hungry. Here are five ways in which you can contribute to these Bengaluru-based organisations: Maarga This NGO that works with the marginalised in Bengaluru is organising a drive to protect the families of daily wage earners and marginalised communities like domestic workers, drivers, construction workers, hospital and school workers, hotel workers and other low paid unorganised community families. In the first phase, Maarga is distributing dry rations worth Rs 1,000 to 1,000 families in Koramangala slum clusters, such as Rajendranagar, Shastri Nagar, Geethanjali Slum, Ambedkar, Samatha Nagar and LR Nagar. You can support by direct cash transfer to Maarga or giving in kind. There are on-field volunteers who will ensure the contribution reaches the people who need it the most. You can send your contributions to the Maarga’s savings bank account. Canara Bank Branch: Sampangiramanagar Account number: 1175101051216 IFSC code: CNRB0001175 UPI ID: 9449820566@ybl You can also support by volunteering. For this, write to Maarga at maargakarnataka@gmail.com or call 86186 97826 or 94498 20566 Ondede This organisation, led by activist led by Akkai Padmashali, works for the rights of the transgender community. Akkai is not receiving funds directly but is coordinating and connecting those who have a need with people who want to donate. Contact Akkai at 99800 42532. Global Concerns India This organisation is looking for donations and volunteers to distribute rations to the urban poor. They are accepting donations in the form of flour (atta), rice, dal/lentils, cooking oil, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, eggs, and commodities. A family of six people gets 6 kgs rice, 2 kgs dal, 1 litre of cooking oil, 500 grams of sugar, 250 grams of tea leaves, 2 kg atta, potatoes, onions and tomatoes per week. One can also donate money; 80G receipts will be extended for amounts Rs 500 and above. Send your full name and PAN card number to Global Concerns India. Donate money to: State Bank of India Branch: St Mark’s Road Current Account No. 37212110862 IFSC: SBIN0000813 MIRC: 560002057 To volunteer, contact Brinda Adige on 9845518138 or email: brindaadige@gmail.com Namma Bengaluru Foundation This organisation, which works on civic issues, is now distributing food to slum dwellers and homeless people. They are looking for volunteers to help with the distribution. Contact: Usha Dhanaraj on 9591143888/ 9591985287 or Harish Kumar on 6362642704. Karnataka Chief Minister’s Relief Fund The Chief Minister of Karnataka sent an appeal to the general public and to industrialists, “to provide an advanced medical support system and to donate voluntarily on humanitarian grounds for the noble cause of providing health services”. Contributions to this Relief Fund are exempted under section 80G (2) of Income Tax Act. Please use PAN as AAAGC1692P or GGGGG0000G while submitting returns. Interested people can transfer funds online to the following account. Account Name: Chief Minister Relief Fund Covid-19 State Bank of India Branch: Vidhana Soudha Account Number: 39234923151 IFSC Code : SBIN0040277 MICR: 560002419 Cheques and Demand Draft may be posted to: No. 235/A, 2nd floor, CMRF Section, Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore-560001. UPI ID: cmrfcovid19@sbi For information for more verified organisations that are looking for donations, visit the COVID-19 Relief website: www.covid-relief.in   Here's a call for action given that the government is still very much silent when it comes to relief measures for the needy. So, how can we extend our support to others during this time of uncertainty and desperation? A compilation of suggestions. (thread) — Ishu (@DimpledJalebi) March 24, 2020  

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Run out of pet food, due for vaccination? What pet owners can do during lockdown

Coronavirus

Veterinarians suggest keeping cats and dogs, especially kittens and puppies, indoors if they are not vaccinated.

Shiba Kurian

Pixabay

Pets across the globe are happy and having fun — the quarantine and lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic means their owners too are cooped up at home and spend more time with them. But apart from worrying about groceries and other essentials for oneself, pet owners have to worry about  food and the well-being of their pets too. Running out of food? Fortunately, animal fodder is included as an essential item during the 21-day lockdown period. Many pet stores in Bengaluru received a special pass from the police and have opened a few branches, with restrictions in timings. However, customers have to go to the outlets and pick up pet feed and litter bags as these stores have suspended home delivery services. This poses a challenge to several pet owners primarily due to the restrictions in the movement of vehicles on the road due to the lockdown. Some pet owners also do not have private vehicles, and cab services are not fully functional. Besides, scores of urban pet owners depend on packet food. With the lockdown, the existing reserve of pet food is dwindling by the day. In such a scenario, what can pet owners do? Sheetal Bhambri, an animal lover who runs Tiny Paws homestay for pets in Bengaluru, recommends home-cooked food for dogs and cats. "Curd rice, boiled vegetables, uttapam (a type of dosa made with onions and tomatoes) and rotis are some of the options. Use less salt in these dishes. Ensure not to feed them sweets and chocolates,” said Sheetal, who is currently feeding 34 dogs (mostly foster dogs) with home-cooked food. Dr Amar, a Bengaluru-based veterinarian surgeon, suggests chicken with rice. “There is a lot of confusion over bird flu and hence people are reluctant to buy it. But these cases are not in and around Bengaluru. However, it is important to cook the chicken thoroughly before feeding the pets,” he told TNM. Some owners who have been feeding their pets home-cooked food, on the other hand, have switched to packaged food. For example, due to the lack of chicken in Bengaluru, Kamakshi stocked up on pet food. “But I have not completely switched to the packet food. I still feed my dog rice and vegetables and one meal of packet food,” she said. Dr Amar, who runs a pet clinic in Indiranagar, said in order to help senior citizens who own pets, he delivers food to their houses in case of emergency. An employee carries a special prescription that can be produced if stopped by the police.  In case of a shortage of cat litter, sand and newspapers are some of the alternatives that many pet owners suggested. Routine check-ups, vaccinations on hold Vaccination, de-worming and routine check-ups are due for many pets. However, with the lockdown in place, can these be put on hold? “If cats are indoors and not exposed to other cats or COVID-19 patients, the vaccination can be postponed. If dogs are vaccinated and dewormed, they can be taken out for a walk. If they are exposed to other dogs or strays before the vaccination, the walk outside should be avoided, especially for puppies who are susceptible to infections,” explained Dr Amar. In case of emergency Many pet clinics in the city are still open, albeit with reduced timings and limited veterinarians. “When I visited a pet clinic as my dog had a skin infection, there were only two doctors. One doctor was cleaning the surgery room and doubling as the receptionist as well. They were swamped with calls from pet owners, too,” said Kamakshi. Some pet clinics have suspended consultation services and take only emergency surgeries. Visiting the clinic comes with certain guidelines for the pet owners. “Only one person per pet is allowed to enter the clinic. The owner must wear a mask. Hand sanitisers and hand wash are available at the clinic,” said a staff at the Cessna Lifeline Veterinary Hospital. In case of emergency consultation, some veterinarian doctors are willing to discuss the case with pet owners over the phone. “Some pets that underwent surgeries last week are being brought in for dressing and further treatment. Besides, there is a small outbreak of canine parvovirus infection, which can affect kittens and puppies. Such pets are also brought in for regular drips,” said Dr Amar, adding that those who do not have their own vehicle can seek help from friends. When reports surfaced that one could contract the virus from animals, some decided to abandon their pets on the streets. However, experts have told TNM that there is no evidence to say that pets transmit coronavirus to humans. “Such rumours could add to the challenges for a pet owner, who may face warnings or harassment from people who dislike pets,” added Dr Amar.  Read: Want to feed stray animals during lockdown? You can get animal feeder passes Feeding after sunset: How Kerala is taking care of strays during lockdown Tamil Nadu fire and rescue service personnel feed stray animals These Bengaluru residents are making sure strays don’t go hungry amid the lockdown   Can citizen caregivers be the key to solving stray dog attacks? Can citizen caregivers be the key to solving stray dog attacks? Posted by TheNewsMinute on Tuesday, July 23, 2019  

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Open Karnataka borders for essentials: Kerala CM Pinarayi writes to PM Modi

Coronavirus

“It has also been reported today that in the Mangaluru border near Thalappady, the movement of an ambulance carrying a critical patient was blocked and the patient died,” the CM wrote.

TNM Staff

Courtesy: PTI

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Modi for the second time in three days, seeking his intervention in convincing Karnataka to open its borders with Kerala for the movement of essential commodities. The Chief Minister had raised the blocking of the Thalassery-Coorg State Highway 30 by the Karnataka police on March 27, and wrote another letter on Sunday stressing on the importance of keeping the borders open during the national lockdown to fight COVID-19. “This road has been a lifeline for transportation of essential commodities across the border for a long time,” Pinarayi Vijayan wrote. “While the Government of Kerala has no dispute on the fact that movement of people in a routine manner across the border during the period of National lock down should be prevented, the transportation of essential commodities should be ensured without any obstruction,” the Chief Minister stressed in his letter. “It has come to notice that in the correspondence at the official level from the Government of Karnataka, justifications have been given for blocking this road. One of the reasons stated is, "Kerala has identified 176 cases of COVID-19 as on 28/03/2020, of which majority are from these bordering districts. Further 7000 persons are reported to be quarantined in these districts. Any opening of this route will lead to possibilities of this virulent infection reaching Kodagu district."” Debunking this claim in official communication in Karnataka, the Kerala CM said, “It may kindly be noted that this is totally contrary to the facts and ground realities. The incidence of COVID-19 in Kerala and border districts is mainly noticed in people returning from abroad. The Government of Kerala has taken effective measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 to social contacts. We have put our machinery in full swing. It is totally incorrect to portray certain districts in Kerala as being highly affected by COVID-19.” “A large number of people are kept in isolation and observation as a precautionary measure. It is not that all of them are positive for COVID-19,” he said. Read: After Karnataka lockdown, Kerala patients on state border struggle to get treatment The blockade raised by the Karnataka Police in the border area on Thalassery-Coorg State Highway-30 goes against facilitating movement of essential commodities across the country, Pinarayi Vijayan said, calling the action totally unacceptable. “I hope you will appreciate the fact that in this hour when the Nation faces an unprecedented crisis, local and partisan vested interests should not prevail over National interest,” he said. Further, the Chief Minister also spoke about the border with Mangaluru which has also been closed. “It has also been reported today that in the Mangaluru border near Thalappady, the  movement of an ambulance carrying a critical patient was blocked and the patient died,” the CM said, “Considering the above facts and circumstances, I request your goodself to intervene in the matter and see to it that no route across the border of Kerala and Karnataka remains closed during the period of National lockdown so that movement of goods vehicles carrying essential commodities are not obstructed.” Also read: Migrant workers in Kerala forced to walk to Karnataka border, sheltered in Kodagu

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Racism in Mysuru: Supermarket blocks students from north east

Racism

The incident of racial discrimination took place in a More Supermarket Outlet in Mysuru city around 6.30 pm on Saturday.

TNM Staff

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, several instances of racism faced by people from the north eastern states in the rest of the country have emerged. In the latest instance, two young men were blocked from entering a supermarket in Mysuru. The students from Nagaland were told they couldn't enter to buy groceries as they were 'foreigners'. The incident was recorded in a video captured by one of them. The incident of racial discrimination took place in the More Supermarket Outlet located near Chamundipuram on JLB Road Branch in Mysuru city around 6.30 pm on Saturday.           View this post on Instagram                   PLEASE READ.THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WITH US IN MYSURU, KARNATAKA.This is a proof vid of more stores who didnt accept us as an Indian.Me and my friend went to nearest more store this evening for groceries,we were in a queue for almost 25mins ,as our turns arrive we went to doors for entry and there were securities and they didn't allowed us to enter,so we talk them nicely like why can't we enter? We don't have any symptoms,or you can check us as well. And the securities said 'Coz you are not INDIAN', me n my friend were immediately offended with their response,but without any further argument we showed them our proof as an Indian (Aadhaar Card)and told them 'we are from Northeast India and a college students ', but still they said 'we don't accept foreigners'. We were arguing to proof ourselves as an Indian (for 5-10mins) in our own Nation. We went back home without groceries. Guys,the world is fighting this pandemic together, nobody should sleep without food. Stop this Racism coz of this #covid-19. If the owner don't feed his dog during this lockdown for the greed of his family the dog cannot survive, likewise,if the stores can't allow us to even purchase we humans can't survive. Whether it be Indian, foreigners or northeastern or whatever , remember we are Humans first and underneath every skin colours or face runs the same blood ie 'RED'. "STOP RACISM" ,"SAY NO TO RACISM". Make this vid n post go viral. #shame#mysuru#karnataka #covid-19 #racist#racism #coronavirus @dimapur24_7 @dimapur24_7 @dimapurtoday @dimapurtoday @nagas_today @nagas_today @dimapur24_7 @spmys @spmys . A post shared by maniachunter (@maniac_hunterland) on Mar 28, 2020 at 7:12am PDT   The video seems to have been posted first by one of the men in the video on Instagram on Saturday. And since then the video has got viral on many social media and personal messaging platforms. The video shows one of the men telling an attendant,  “You guys don’t accept us? You don’t know North East is in India. We too are Indians, we also need groceries like you. We too are humans and we need groceries just like you guys.” Another man is heard saying, “Why are you discriminating (against) us? We have an Aadhaar card.” The video ends with one of the attendants at the store threatening the person shooting the video to stop recording and the person recording the video saying he will call the police. The video of the incident has been shared widely on social media with many criticising the discriminatory attitude of the store.   Students from the North-East who went to a super market were denied entry in Mysuru This is the effect of using racist de-humanising terms like 'Chinese Virus' Citizens from NE will face further discrimination. Strict action should be taken to stop this.pic.twitter.com/lftM6jQOQy — Happening Now (@HappeningNow__) March 29, 2020   NIE students from North east were not allowed to enter MORE super market (one near NIE college)even after showing Aadhar also ..@DCMysuru pic.twitter.com/tMBGmgfjPO — Mysuru Memes (@MysuruMemes) March 29, 2020 Students from the North-East who went to a super market were denied entry in Mysuru This is the effect of using racist de-humanising terms like 'Chinese Virus' Citizens from NE will face further discrimination. Strict action should be taken to stop this.pic.twitter.com/1KEgnA7dJS — Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) March 29, 2020   In the Instagram post, the person who shot the video has written that he and his friend were denied entry even after waiting at the store for almost 25 minutes in the queue. It said that they were called foreigners and even when they showed their Aadhaar cards they were not accepted. They were forced to return home without groceries. He also said, “Guys, the world is fighting this epidemic together, nobody should sleep without food. Stop this Racism coz of this #covid-19.” (sic) The text of the post has been reproduced in full below Incidentally, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner also tweeted, “Some misguided persons have made unwanted Covid 19 remarks against our brethren from NorthEastern States. These misguided will be dealt with very sternly.Brothers & Sisters from NorthEast, you are secure here, approach nearest Policestation or Me directly Live Fearless.”   Some misguided persons have made unwanted Covid 19 remarks against our brethren from NorthEastern States. These misguided will be dealt with very sternly.Brothers & Sisters from NorthEast, you are secure here, approach nearest Policestation or Me directly Live Fearless. — Bhaskar Rao IPS (@deepolice12) March 29, 2020   TEXT of the Instagram post “PLEASE READ.THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WITH US IN MYSURU, KARNATAKA.This is a proof of more stores who didn't accept us as an Indian. Me and my friend went to nearest more store this evening for groceries,we were in a queue for almost 25mins ,as our turns arrive we went to doors for entry and there were securities and they didn't allowed us to enter,so we talk them nicely like why can't we enter? We don't have any symptoms,or you can check us as well. And the securities said 'Coz you are not INDIAN', me n my friend were immediately offended with their response,but without any further argument we showed them our proof as an Indian (Aadhaar Card)and told them 'we are from Northeast India and a college students ', but still they said 'we don't accept foreigners'. We were arguing to proof ourselves as an Indian (for 5-10mins) in our own Nation. We went back home without groceries. Guys,the world is fighting this pandemic together, nobody should sleep without food. Stop this Racism coz of this #covid-19. If the owner don't feed his dog during this lockdown for the greed of his family the dog cannot survive, likewise,if the stores can't allow us to even purchase we humans can't survive. Whether it be Indian, foreigners or northeastern or whatever , remember we are Humans first and underneath every skin colours or face runs the same blood ie 'RED'. "STOP RACISM" ,"SAY NO TO RACISM". Make this vid n post go viral.  

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Bengaluru civic body identifies 17 hotels as COVID-19 quarantine centres

Coronavirus

All these hotels will not have air-conditioning facilities, as recommended by health professionals.

TNM Staff

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike BBMP) has identified 17 hotels in the city where people kept under observation or advised to go in quarantine for COVID-19 surveillance can stay. All these hotels will have no air-condition facilities as recommended by health professionals. These hotels include Sabarwal Residency in Sudhama Nagar, Emirates Hotel in Madiwala, Empire Hotel and Silicrest in Koramangala, OYO Amethyst in Jayanagar, Ramakrishna Lodge in Gandhinagar, Hotel Citadel in Anand Rao Circle, Likith International near Freedom Park, Fortune Park JP Celestial on Race Course Road, Arafa Inn in Gandhinagar, Lemon Tree Premier in Ulsoor, Keys Select Hosur Road in Singasandra, Chalukya Hotel, OYO Town on Kensington Road, Sri Lakshmi PG in Domlur, Key Select Whitefield and Trinity Wood Hotel on Swami Vivekananda Road. These facilities will be used by the Health Department as and when deemed required based on the occupancy levels. Till date, a total of 14,115 persons were enrolled for observation since the pandemic started and a total of 182 persons have been put in designated health facilities in the state spread across the district. Among them, 3076 people have been tested and 2763 persons have reported negative. A total of 81 patients in Karnataka have contracted the COVID-19 disease and among them, 41 are from Bengaluru city. Among the others, eight are from Chikkaballapura and Mysuru districts each, while Dakshina and Uttara Kannada districts have seven patients each.  Five of them, all from Bengaluru, have been discharged following their recovery and three patients have died as of Sunday. Kodagu, Dharwad, Udupi and Tumakuru have one case each while Kalaburgai and Davangere both have three cases each. Meanwhile, the Health Department said they are considering to acquire rapid testing kits. Speaking to reporters, Additional Chief Secretary Health and Family Welfare department Jawaid Akhtar, said the government was in the process of finalising the order for one lakh rapid testing kits for COVID-19 testing, which will give results quickly. "We are also looking at aspects relating to accuracy, before finalising the order," he said in response to a question.

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Part of Bengaluru’s KR market shifted to new location, closed down after crowd gathers

Coronavirus

BJP's Bengaluru (South) MP Tejasvi Surya had inspected KR market and had requested that a part of the market be shifted to National College Grounds.

TNM Staff

File image

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's (BBMP) initiative to shift a part of the operations of KR Market in Bengaluru to National College Grounds in Basavanagudi appears to have backfired after the market at the grounds was closed down within a day due to large crowds gathering in the area. Videos taken at National College Grounds show that there was very little physical distancing followed as customers thronged to the grounds to buy grocery.  BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who represents Bengaluru (South) constituency inspected KR Market, a popular market dealing in commodities, on Friday before requesting the police and BBMP officials to shift part of the market's operations to National College Grounds. Similarly, the Sarakki Market in JP Nagar was proposed to operate from Jaraganahalli Grounds.  However, within a day, it became clear that the step taken to increase physical distancing between hawkers and among customers was not working as expected.   It's horrible at National college grounds Basavanagudi in @NammaBengaluroo. today. As portion of the market shifted for public convenience, situation went out of control. People senslesly crowded to buy vegetables #COVID19Bangalore @timesofindia @Ananthaforu @petleepeter pic.twitter.com/hBUPP4BwCW — Chethan Shivakumar (@chethan18) March 28, 2020 Politicians must resist PR stunts and symbolism during such pandemic. Bengaluru south MP @Tejasvi_Surya tries to set up a make shift vegetable market at National College grounds. Social distancing goes for a toss. Locals object, market closed now. pic.twitter.com/UGkqWtLJXV — Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) March 28, 2020 Whoa, so this is national college grounds in Bangalore where markets were set up today. Zero regard to social distancing. @BBMPCOMM @BBMP_MAYOR Something needs to be done here. pic.twitter.com/ucen99kbWg — Swathy R Iyer (@swathyriyerTOI) March 28, 2020   The market at the grounds was closed down on Saturday and it was decided on Saturday that the market will operate out of APS College Grounds instead. Officials hope to implement measures so that people do not crowd in the newly designated market area.  The NR Colony vegetable market which was causing a lot of crowding in one place is shifted to APS College Grounds, Basavanagudi to ensure better physical distancing. An example for other places too! pic.twitter.com/pSjlZ31lUY— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) March 28, 2020

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Five employees of pharma company in Mysuru test positive for COVID-19

Coronavirus

While four of them are residents of Nanjangud Town, the other is from Mysuru city. All are contacts of a COVID-19 patient.

TNM Staff

Representational image/PTI

Five more persons have tested positive from Mysuru district in Karnataka late on Saturday evening. This is in addition to the 76 cases confirmed earlier by the latest bulletin released by the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department on Saturday evening. Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G Sekhar confirmed that all the five new cases are employees of Jubilant, a pharmaceutical company which has a unit in Nanjangud Town, and are contacts of P53 in the state. Four of them are residents of Chamundi Pura Extension, Ramaswamy Layout, Govind Raj Layout in Nanjangud Town, the other person is a resident of  Yaraganahalli New Extension in Mysuru city. This has led to district authorities treat the development as a cluster case and vehicles moving in and out of the town are being monitored closely.  It may be recalled that on Thursday, the state government had declared that P53 (third case from Mysuru) — a 35-year-old man in the district with no relevant foreign travel or contact history, was found to be positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Health department officials also said that he was in contact with several healthcare professionals and he was working in the Quality Assurance department of the pharma company. The Karnataka State Health Department bulletin had then said that a detailed investigation is under process and seven of his primary contacts have been already traced. The other two cases of Mysuru are both returnees from Dubai. As earlier stated, these five cases were confirmed after the Health Department had earlier confirmed 12 new positive cases of coronavirus in Karnataka, taking the total number of the affected in the state to 76, as of Saturday. According to the department, the 12 new cases detected since last evening to this afternoon, eleven are contacts of patients who have already tested positive and are undergoing treatment for COVID-19. In total among the 82 positive cases in Karnataka as of Sunday morning, 41 has been reported from Bengaluru, eight from Chikkaballapura, seven from Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada, three each from Kalaburgai and Davangere, and one each from Kodagu, Dharwad, Udupi and Tumakuru. Eight cases have been detected from Mysuru. All the five discharged patients are from Bengaluru; while one death each was reported in Kalaburagi, Bengaluru and Tumakuru. (PTI inputs)

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