Photos: Three cheetahs arrive in Mysuru Zoo from South Africa, put in quarantine

Animals

Zoo officials stated that one male and two female cheetahs were acquired by the zoo from the Ann Van Dyke Cheetah Centre in South Africa.

TNM Staff

Officials at the Mysuru Zoo confirmed on Tuesday that three African hunting cheetahs have arrived at the zoo. Ajit Kulkarni, Executive Director of the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysuru, stated that one male and two female cheetahs were acquired by the zoo from the Ann Van Dyke Cheetah Centre in South Africa. The animals reportedly flew to India via Singapore and are in quarantine.  They arrived in Mysuru on Sunday. This means that the zoo in Mysuru is among only two zoos in India to have cheetahs, Ajit Kulkarni said.  "Earlier Mysuru Zoo housed cheetahs from 2011 to 2019. This acquisition provides an opportunity to the zoo visitors to see these endangered African Cat Species. Mysuru Zoo houses five species of big cats including cheetah," Ajit Kulkarni added.  The Mysuru zoo earlier received African hunting cheetahs from Germany in 2011. The mammal will be open to public visitors after the pandemic subsides and the zoo is open to visitors. It is widely considered as the fastest terrestrial animal. Cheetahs once resided in India but their numbers diminished due to poaching and man-animal conflict. The United Nations estimates there are 7100 cheetahs in the world and almost all of them are in Africa. In Asia, cheetahs are found in isolated pockets of central Iran. The big cat is listed as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The zoo in Mysuru is one of the oldest in India and a popular tourist attraction in the city. The zoo traces its origins to the private collection of animals held by the former ruler of the Mysore Kingdom Chamaraja Wodeyar in 1892. It is known to house elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, tigers, white rhinoceroses, and baboons.

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Bengaluru records more recoveries than new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday

Coronavirus

The BBMP War Room bulletin showed no new containment zones being added on August 18.

TNM Staff

Image for representation/PTI

Bengaluru, which has been seeing over 2,000 COVID-19 cases being recorded frequently over the past few weeks, reported more recoveries than persons testing positive on Tuesday. The city reported 2,242 new coronavirus cases, 3,520 recoveries on August 18. This takes the total active cases in the city to 33,081. While the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike War Room bulletin for Tuesday did not show any new containment zones being added – either active or total – this could be a result of the numbers not being updated as well. So, the total active containment zones remains the same as on Monday – 14,480. However, all of the eight zones in Bengaluru recorded more recoveries than new cases in the last 24 hours, as this graphic from the bulletin shows. Bengaluru west zone reported 34% of the new cases reported on Tuesday, followed by east (16%) and south (13%) zones. Mahadevapura accounted for 10% of the new cases, followed by Bommanahalli (8%), Dasarahalli (6%) and Yelahanka (5%). A majority of the new patients were men between the ages of 30 and 39, followed by women in the same age group. The 20 to 29 age group reported the second highest number of patients on Tuesday, followed by men between 50 to 59, and then between 40 to 49. The 30 to 39 age group reported the highest recoveries on Tuesday too, followed by the 20 to 29 age group. Of the 49 deaths reported on Tuesday, an equal number of men and women lost their lives to COVID-19 in the 60 to 69 age group – the highest overall. Since the beginning of the coronavirus in Bengaluru, the 30 to 39 age group has reported the most number of patients as well as recoveries. Among Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, Bengaluru has reported the fourth highest number of COVID-19 patients till date (94,106), as well as recoveries (59,492), and deaths (1,533). The coronavirus positivity rate in the city is 16.87%, while the active rate is 35%. The recovery rate, as of Tuesday, is at 65%.

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Siddaramiah alleges RSS faction in BJP trying to topple BSY govt over Bengaluru riots

Politics

Siddaramaiah alleged that the ruling party leaders were using SDPI as a pawn for political reasons to divide Muslim votes.

PTI

File image

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday alleged that a faction of the state BJP closer to the RSS was trying to take advantage of the recent Bengaluru violence to topple Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa’s government. “BJP Karnataka is clearly divided into 2 factions. One that is closer to RSS is trying to take the advantage of Kaval Byrasandra incident to topple BS Yediyurappa’s position,” said the Congress leader in a series of tweets.  Alleging failure in preventing the violence, the Leader of Opposition said the investigation must begin with the intelligence department. “If this incident, according to @BJP4Karnataka, is pre-planned then why did this not come to the notice of intelligence dept? What was the reason for the delay in filing case against Naveen?” asked Siddaramaiah.  He also alleged that the ruling party leaders were using SDPI as a pawn for political reasons to divide Muslim votes. Accusing the state government and its ministers of trying to mislead the people over the violence, he said that the BJP leaders, instead of identifying the actual culprits, were more interested in targeting the Congress. Asking BJP to punish SDPI if it is involved, Siddaramaiah alleged that BJP leaders are using SDPI as pawns for political reasons to divide Muslim votes. Charging the government with trying to mislead the investigation, he said, "BJP ministers and MLAs are giving conflicting opinions. They initially blamed SDPI, then Congress and now claims it to be an act by terrorists.” “What are they trying to hide?" "Instead of identifying the actual culprits, @BJP4Karnataka leaders are more interested in targeting Congress party. They see politics in all crisis," he tweeted. The violence in DJ Halli and adjoining areas in east Bengaluru on August 11 night was unleashed by hundreds of people over an inflammatory social media post allegedly put out by P Naveen, a relative of Pulakeshinagar Congress MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy. His residence and a police station at D J Halli were torched by rioters, who also set many police and private vehicles ablaze and looted the belongings of the MLA and his sister. Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai had recently said that local level "political differences", especially within the Congress, and SDPI's larger conspiracy to disturb law and order were among the reasons behind the violence.

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Ganesha festival celebrations to be allowed in Karnataka with restrictions, says CM

Ganesha festival

Idols not more than 4 feet tall can be installed in open spaces like playgrounds to celebrate with limited (20) public participation.

IANS

Representational image

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday allowed celebration of the Ganesha festival in public places on August 22 even as the city's idol-makers are not finding very many customers due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The state had earlier banned celebration of the festival in public under "decorated pandals" (makeshift tents) in residential and commercial areas to prevent the COVID-19 spread, restricting it to temples and homes. However, under the revised guidelines, people can install only 4 feet tall Ganesha idols in pandals and regulate the movement of devotees to ensure physical distancing. "A Ganesha idol not more than 4 feet tall can be installed in open spaces like playgrounds to celebrate the Hindu God's festival with limited (20) public participation to ensure social distancing," CM Yediyurappa said in a statement. "The Ganeshotsava committees (mandals) celebrating the festival should take permission from the local civic office for installing only one idol in each locality," said the statement, adding that devotees would be allowed to worship the deity by keeping a six feet distance between themselves. The ban on taking the idol in a procession for immersion in a lake, pond, or water tank will remain to avoid crowding in public places. "The height of the Ganesha idol made of mud and to be worshipped at home by families should be 2 feet and has to be immersed in a tub or bucket in the house only,"  the Chief Minister’s statement said. "As per the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs, cultural events, including music concerts and singing together, will not be allowed during the 10-day fest," said the statement. The 4-feet tall idols will have to be immersed in mobile tanks that the city civic body will arrange in each of the 198 wards across the city or in nearby ponds. For the first time in many years, the pandemic restrictions have dampened the sale of Ganesha or Vinayaka idols across the city. "In view of the COVID-19 restrictions on celebrating the festival in public, even orders placed earlier for large-sized idols have been cancelled by many religious and cultural organisations and temples," lamented Kumbara Sangha Secretary Anand in the city's Pottery Town. As one of the popular Hindu festivals, Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated every year on the fourth day of the new moon to mark the arrival of the Elephant God on earth from Kailash Parvat (heavenly abode) with his mother, Goddess Parvathi or Gowri. Though hundreds of potters across the city begin making huge Ganesha and Goddess Durga's idols since March, many on orders placed by various organisations, the extended lockdown and its stringent curbs on religious and social gatherings have forced them to make deities of small sizes. "We are forced to make Ganesha idols of 2 to 4 feet height only with mud and lime as per the guidelines. Due to the ban on celebrating the festival in a grand manner, we are not making thematic idols, as there are no buyers for them," added Anand.

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IISc Bengaluru student takes his own life allegedly over coronavirus fears

Death

The IISc condoled the death of the student and said that mental wellbeing of its students, faculty and staff was of serious concern.

PTI

File image of IISc

A postgraduate student of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) In Bengaluru reportedly died by suicide, according to police. An investigating police officer told PTI that the victim Sandeep Kumar had coronavirus symptoms and he feared that he has contracted the infection. According to the officer, the M.Tech student from Chhattisgarh, had earlier sent text messages about his condition to some of his friends. The IISc condoled the death of the student and said the mental wellbeing of its students, faculty and staff was of serious concern and it has provided facilities and wellness resources for those in need. "We express our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the student, who was pursuing an M.Tech degree at the Department of Computational and Data Sciences," it said in a statement. The premier science institute added it has provided facilities and wellness resources which include round-the-clock emergency call service for anyone needing to talk to a mental health professional, online counselling and support, and one-on-one counselling with counsellors and psychiatrists on campus besides other resources and links hosted by IISc's Wellness Centre. Deaths by suicide have been reported from COVID-19 designated hospitals as well, in Bengaluru, with the first such case reported in April. Karnataka has so far recorded 2.33 lakh positive cases, including 4,062 deaths, and 16 infected people have died of "non-COVID reasons", according to the health department. Of the 16, several people had taken their own lives due to depression and fear. If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.  Tamil Nadu State health department's suicide helpline: 104 Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu) Andhra Pradesh Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930 Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584 Karnataka Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222 Kerala Maithri: 0484 2540530 Chaithram: 0484 2361161 Both are 24-hour helpline numbers Telangana State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104 Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200 SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm) Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.     24x7 Helpline: 9820466726  Click here for working helplines across India.

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Bengaluru violence: 2 Congress corporators including former Mayor quizzed by CCB

Politics

While Home Minister Bommai claimed that internal differences within the Congress fuelled fire, Cong state president DK Shivakumar has refuted his claims.

IANS

ANI/ Twitter

Two Congress corporators in Bengaluru, including former Mayor R Sampath Raj and Pulikeshi Nagar ward corporator Abdul Zakir, were questioned by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in connection with the August 11 riots.  "Raj and Zakir were summoned to the CCB office in the city and questioned about the riots in DJ Halli and KJ Halli areas in the suburb on August 11, in which Congress MLA from Pulakeshinagar segment Akhanda Srinivas Murthy's house was burnt in protest against a derogatory post by his nephew in the social media,” a police official told reporters. Sampath Raj, who was the city mayor in 2017-18, is the city's councillor from the DJ Halli ward. He lost in the May 2018 assembly elections from the CV Raman Nagar segment in the city's eastern suburb. About 350 people, including a dozen activists of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), a political outfit, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the riots in which a part of the DJ Halli police station and scores of vehicles were also burnt and public property in the area damaged. Three youths died when the police opened fire on the fateful night to control the situation and quell the unruly mob. "Both were asked about the reported internal differences in the party between Murthy and the party's corporators in his assembly segment ahead of the elections to the city civic body later this year," said the official. In the CCTV video footage of the area during the mayhem, some of the culprits known to Sampath Raj were seen indulging in arson, looting and destroying public and private property, police alleged. "Zakir was questioned for reportedly forwarding a few offensive messages in the WhatsApp groups, which made about 500 miscreants descend in the area and indulge in frenzied mob violence," said the official. State Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters on Monday that rift in the opposition (Congress) party and many of its members aspiring for a ticket to contest in the upcoming civic body elections, sparked the riots in a show of oneupmanship and an attempt to settle scores. Refuting Bommai's statement, Congress state unit president DK Shivakumar countered that the BJP government was trying to cover up its failure to prevent the violence by giving misleading statements. "Though our members have nothing to do with the riots caused by mob frenzy, the ruling party was blaming them instead of admitting to delay in acting against the accused (Naveen) and failing to disperse the unruly mob," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi, where he is camping to meet the party high command and apprise the top leadership of the situation in the city. In a related development, police detained political activist Wajid Pasha from the area for allegedly instigating the mob to attack the MLA's house and the police station. Pasha had set up the Karnataka Tipu Sultan Tiger Arfath Trust to serve the needy in the area.

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Bengaluru reports 2242 new COVID-19 cases, 49 fatalities

Coronavirus

The day also saw recoveries overtaking the number of new positive cases statewide, with 8,387 patients getting discharged.

PTI

Representational image/PTI

Karnataka on Tuesday reported 7,665 new cases of COVID-19, of which 2,242 cases were from Bengaluru Urban alone. Statewide, 139 related fatalities were recorded for the day, while for Bengaluru alone it was 49. This took the total number of infections to 2,40,948 and death toll to 4,201 in the whole state. The day also saw recoveries overtaking the number of new positive cases, with 8,387 patients getting discharged. As of August 18 evening, cumulatively 2,40,948 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which include 4,201 deaths and 1,56,949 discharges, the health department said in its bulletin. Of 79,782 active cases, 79,085 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and stable, while 697 are in ICU. The bulletin said 49 out of 139 deaths reported on Tuesday are from Bengaluru Urban, followed by Dharwad (10), Ballari and Dakshina Kannada (9), Bidar (8), Belagavi and Hassan (7), Mysuru (6), Raichur and Tumkur (4), Bengaluru Rural, Haveri, Shivamogga, Vijayapura and Yadgir (3), Gadag, Kalaburagi and Mandya (2), and Bagalkote, Chamarajanagara, Davangere, Koppal and Uttara Kannada (1). Most of the dead are either with a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) or Influenza-like illness (ILI). Among the districts where the new cases were reported, Bengaluru Urban accounted for 2,242, Ballari 673, Udupi 421, Belagavi 395, Mysuru 357, Davangere 332, followed by other districts. Bengaluru Urban tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 94,106 infections, followed by the districts of Ballari 15,180 and Mysuru 11,489. Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban tops the list with 59,492 discharges, followed by Ballari 9,054 and Kalaburagi 7,131. A total of 21,34,174 samples were tested so far, of which 59,088 were tested on Tuesday alone. Among the samples tested today, 28,867 were rapid antigen tests.

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