It's a boy for Meghana Raj and late actor Chiranjeevi Sarja

Human Interest

35-year-old Chiranjeevi Sarja tragically passed away in June this year after suffering from a cardiac arrest.

TNM Staff

Actor Meghana Raj, wife of deceased Sandalwood actor Chiranjeevi Sarja, gave birth to a baby boy on Thursday. The baby’s uncle, actor Dhruva Sarja posted news of the baby’s birth on Instagram. The baby was born at 11.07 am on Thursday at a private hospital in South Bengaluru.  “Baby boy, Jai Hanuman,” Dhruva Sarja posted on his Instagram Story. 35-year-old Chiranjeevi Sarja tragically passed away in June this year after suffering from a cardiac arrest. “I am so happy. It feels like I am seeing Chiranjeevi again. We have been in such grief all these days and it’s such a happy day. Today is also the day Meghana and Chiranjeevi got engaged,” Chiranjeevi Sarja’s mother told the media on Thursday.  Pictures of Meghana’s family members holding the baby boy were posted on social media by Chiranjeevi Sarja’s fans. On Wednesday, Dhruva Sarja bought a silver cradle for the baby worth Rs 10 lakh. Dhruva is Chiranjeevi’s elder brother and over the last few months, he had posted several messages in support of his sister-in-law Meghana after his brother’s death. Dhruva Sarja rushed to the hospital after the baby’s birth and distributed sweets to fans and the people walking by outside the hospital.  “I am so happy today. It was my brother’s wish to have a silver cradle for his baby. I bought it to fulfill his wish. We have not decided what to name the baby yet. My sister-in-law will decide,” Dhruva Sarja said.  Last week, Dhruva Sarja hosted a baby shower for Meghana, where a few friends and family members were invited. Pictures of the baby shower went viral on social media.  In a video uploaded recently, Meghana Raj shared her grief on social media about the loss of Chiranjeevi Sarja in June. In the video, Meghana is seen going through a scrapbook which has pictures of Chiranjeevi. "My spell with you, my darling Chiru, is undeniably among my most cherished moments in life. All those memories come to me to inspire me every day," the actor said.         View this post on Instagram                   @chirusarja @megsraj @arjunsarjaa @shankar.prerana @surajsarjaofficial @aishwaryaarjun @anj204 @classycaptures_official jai hanuman A post shared by Dhruva Sarja (@dhruva_sarjaa) on Oct 15, 2020 at 10:34pm PDT

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Recoveries continue to exceed new COVID-19 cases in Karnataka

COVID-19

Bengaluru also reported 3,844 discharges in a single day (Wednesday), taking its recoveries to 2,48,584 till date.

TNM Staff

Image for representation | PTI

For the third consecutive day, Karnataka showed more recoveries than new COVID-19 cases, with 9,289 patients recovering from the virus and 5,872 new COVID-19 cases recorded on Wednesday. The infection, however, claimed 88 lives, taking the state’s death toll to 10,696 since the virus broke in the state on March 8. “With 9,289 discharged from hospitals across the state, recoveries shot up to 6,71,618 so far, while the COVID-19 tally increased to 7,82,773, with 5,872 new cases on Tuesday and active cases at 1,00,440 till date,” said the state health bulletin here on Thursday. Bengaluru also reported 3,844 discharges in a single day (Wednesday), taking its recoveries to 2,48,584 till date, while 2,717 fresh cases led to the COVID-19 tally going up to 3,15,559, including 63,343 active cases. Experts believe that Bengaluru has witnessed a dip of 40% of new cases being reported in the last seven days. While ICUs across the city are still full, there are beds vacant in a few COVID-19 centres run by government, experts say. Mysuru, which has the second highest number of virus cases at 45,864, has reported 1,147 recoveries as against 220 fresh cases. With 53 patients succumbing to the virus on a day, the city’s death toll has gone up to 3,631 till date. In airports across Karnataka, a total of 856 people were screened in the last 24 hours. Of the 947 patients in intensive care units (ICUs) across the state, 78 are in Bengaluru, 67 in Ballari and Dharwad, 44 in Hassan, 43 in Chamarajanagara and 29 in Kolar. Out of 1,08,241 swab tests conducted on Tuesday, 21,673 were through rapid antigen detection and 86,618 through RT-PCR. “The state’s COVID-19 positive rate for the day declined to 5.42% while the case fatality rate was 1.47%,” the bulletin added.

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Karnataka HC halts drilling work inside Sharavathi LTM sanctuary till Nov 4

Environment

The survey work was being conducted for the proposed Sharavathi Project which aims to pump water from downstream reservoirs of the Sharavathi river to generate electricity.

TNM Staff

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday said that the survey work inside the Sharavathi Valley Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM) Sanctuary in Karnataka will not restart until November 4. The survey work was being conducted by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited  (KPCL) for the proposed Sharavathi Project, a 2000-MW hydroelectric project which aims to pump water from downstream reservoirs of the Sharavathi river to generate electricity.  KPCL had earlier told the High Court on October 16 that it will halt the survey work and geotechnical studies, which involves drilling boreholes in the sanctuary, till October 19. The same has now been extended by two weeks, till November 4. The High Court was hearing a petition filed by Edward Santosh Martin who opposed the project stating that it violates multiple environmental laws and poses an imminent threat to the endangered Lion-tailed Macaque found in the sanctuary. The state government had permitted the drilling of 12 boreholes (2x2 inches diameter) inside the sanctuary for the hydroelectric project. Even though the permission was granted at the end of May, the Chief of Wildlife had stated that drilling work should not be held during the monsoon period which began at the start of June. Subsequently, after a week of drilling work was completed, it was stopped when the monsoon season began. The drilling work was later restarted before it was halted again on October 16, after KPCL gave assurances to the court.  The Sharavathi River, which originates in the central Western Ghats region, flows westward through Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada districts of Karnataka before joining the Arabian Sea. The Sharavathi Project aims to pump water from downstream reservoirs - Talakalale and Gerusoppa - to generate electricity. Environmentalists have opposed the project since it proposes to build transmission lines, staff quarters and access roads in pristine forest areas. The sanctuary is home to the lion-tailed macaque and the petitioner pointed out that the population of LTM's in the sanctuary will be under threat due to the project. In a response to the court, KPCL stated that there are no lion-tailed macaques in the project area and claimed that the survey work was 'unobtrusive and harmless'. The forests in the Sharavathi valley are also known for Myristica swamps, an ancient evergreen forest system. Myristica swamps are freshwater swamps which are home to a number of reptiles, birds and amphibians. They are found in only two locations in India - in Uttara Kannada district and in southern Kerala.

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Post-COVID anxiety? Seek early help, mental health experts urge

COVID-19

Experts said prolonged stress can trigger complex and compounding issues of anxiety and depression which can be prevented with timely intervention.

Soumya Chatterjee

Representational image

Thirty-year-old Manish* had just recovered from COVID-19 more than two months ago. Even though he had to remain in hospital for a few days and was only mildly symptomatic, he was unable to go to work even after his mandated two weeks’ quarantine period was over. “He said he was feeling low and afraid. He did not feel like working. He had initially developed a mix of anxiety and depression. Later he went into severe depression and stopped going to work altogether,” Dr Rajani P, Deputy Director, Mental Health, Karnataka Department of Health and Family Welfare, told TNM. Manish is not alone. Several persons who have fully recovered from COVID-19 still experience anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues post their recovery.  “A lot of them have developed anxiety and depression even though previously they did not have any mental health issues,” she said. Dr Rajani explained that Manish, a low-mid income group professional, faced chronic stress over taking care of his children as he was the sole breadwinner for the family. “Often we see chronic stress can lead to reduction of serotonin levels and this can lead to biological depression and anxiety. So these people have to seek professional help. Maybe only 30% of people recovering from COVID-19 who face mental health issues may need to seek out professional help and there should not be any stigma surrounding this,” she emphasised. “While for Manish, the reason was apparent, there is no definite pattern for us to detect vulnerable patients. I have interacted with many patients myself and especially youngsters who have recovered from COVID-19 but even though they were not severely affected physically, they went into severe depression or developed chronic anxiety,” Dr Rajani noted. Unlike Manish, Dr Ranjani said Venkat* a 33-year-old man who had a stable white collar job and was admitted in a reputed private hospital developed severe post-traumatic stress disorder. “For him the issue was he would unconsciously remember vivid details of his time in the hospital, even though there was no specialised procedure required to treat him. He would remember his time in the hospital where he would check his blood oxygen saturation himself and feared if he would require artificial oxygen supply. And now, he fears getting reinfected and whether he will be able to survive,” Dr Ranjani added. Multiple health experts have pointed out that the chances of reinfection are very rare.  Post-COVID-19 mental health illness is a common pattern emerging now say experts as we near nine months into the pandemic. Early into the pandemic the Karnataka government had set up mental health helpline and counselling protocols for all COVID-19 patients admitted in all government hospitals. Dr Ranjani urged patients to seek mental health help at the slightest instance given that prolonged stress can trigger complex and compounding issues of anxiety and depression which can be prevented with timely intervention. She said people in general should seek help as soon as they feel suicidal, anxious, have recurrent negative thoughts or feel their efficiency has suddenly reduced. While persons who can afford treatment can choose to go to both private and public healthcare setups, she said low-income group populations should walk into any government hospital for free mental healthcare. ‘It’s okay not to feel okay’ “If anybody feels uncomfortable to walk into hospitals, they can call 104 and press 4. The state government has also started the esanjevani platform where people can seek professional help. This is an unprecedented situation, it is important to seek help and it. It is absolutely okay not to feel okay,” she said. Dr Ranjani said for most patients counselling alone works as a remedy while few may need mild doses of medicine. Both Venkat and Manish are back to leading their normal lives within two weeks after professional intervention. Dr H Chandrashekahar, Head of Department of Psychiatry, Victoria Hospital, said at a single time at least 30 individuals among the 500+ COVID-19 patients will need some help with addiction issues and other mental health issues like anxiety, depression and delirium state. “A state of confusion, low confidence, insomnia, panic  is common among patients of the post-40 age group after their recovery. On the other hand, anxiety and  depression is common among young patients,” he told TNM. He said for most of these patients we have to continue video counselling post their discharge as we want to minimise contacts owing to the pandeic.   Another challenge that mental health care professionals are addressing in this pandemic are issues related to substance addiction among COVID-19 patients. “We had a patient who had suddenly stopped taking alcohol post his recovery and he started experiencing fits as part of his withdrawal symptoms. So we had to start him on anti-craving medicines and his liver condition also had to be managed. But we were able send him home within three days,” Dr Chandrsekhar recounted. Dr Chandrasekhar said for these patients the treatment follows the usual protocol of counselling and medication as and when required. (*name changed)

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Watch: Giant manta ray weighing 750 kg caught by fisherman off Karnataka coast

Fishing

The large catch had attracted the attention of many and locals gathered in the port area to witness the giant fishes.

TNM Staff

In a big haul, two giant manta rays weighing 750 kg and 250 kg were caught by a fisherman who went for deep sea fishing in Mangaluru off the Malpe port on Wednesday. The fisherman, Subhash Sailan, had got on his boat Nagasiddhi on Tuesday. After he returned to the shore, a crane had to be brought in to put them in a pick up truck. The large catch had attracted the attention of many and locals gathered in the port area to witness the giant fishes. Images and videos of the same had gone viral on social media and personal messaging groups. Speaking to TNM, Yathish Baikampady, former President of the Fishermen's Association in coastal Karnataka, said, “This big catch is not too common nor is it too rare. The size may vary but they are caught fairly regularly. This happened in Malpe and not in a remote area where it would not be reported. But due to a large crowd in Malpe and due to social media, it has gone viral. The fish will be exported and is expected to fetch a handsome price. This is also the first such large haul in the port of Malpe after deep sea fishing has recently resumed post-lockdown.  According to the the NOAA Fisheries, a United States federal agency responsible for the stewardship of national marine resources, the giant manta ray is endangered. "The giant manta ray is the world’s largest ray with a wingspan of up to 29 feet. They are filter feeders and eat large quantities of zooplankton. Giant manta rays are slow-growing, migratory animals with small, highly fragmented populations that are sparsely distributed across the world. The main threat to the giant manta ray is commercial fishing, with the species both targeted and caught as bycatch in a number of global fisheries throughout its range," NOAA says. Earlier in May, 2019, a deep sea fishing boat had caught a 1200 kg stingray after spending 10 days in the sea off the same Malpe port. Stingrays are considered a delicacy among sea food connoisseurs. In Bengaluru, the fish is sold at around Rs 400 per kg. Stingrays are part of the shark family and are also cartilaginous fish meaning they don’t have any truebones. While there are known 220 varieties of stingrays but many of them are on the verge of extinction due to unregulated deep sea fishing with 45 of them categorised as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Watch the video

Body 2: 

Watch the video:

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NIA arrests auto-driver in connection with east Bengaluru riots

Crime

The investigators said that the accused, Setu, is a close associate of Muzzamil Pasha of the SDPI.

TNM Staff

File image/PTI

Officials of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing two cases in connection with the August 11 east Bengaluru riots, arrested a 34-year-old auto driver based in the city on Tuesday. This is the second arrest made by the NIA. The accused, Setu, had allegedly been absconding since the day of the riot and the Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths of Bengaluru police had also been trying to nab him, the NIA said. According to the NIA, Setu is one of the prime accused in the case. He was caught when he returned to his DJ Halli residence on Wednesday. The investigators said that Setu is a close associate of Muzzamil Pasha of the SDPI. They said by nabbing him, the probe agency can get hold of other accused who are absconding till now. Earlier, just a day after taking over the probe, the national agency had arrested a 44-year-old accused who was working as a recovery agent for a bank. Earlier in a statement, the NIA had said that a team, headed by an officer of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) rank, will be in charge of the probe. The NIA had taken up two cases in connection with the riots after the police had registered cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UAPA]. As widely reported, the mob violence on August 11 had begun outside DJ Halli police station and later spread to areas within the neighbouring KG Halli police station limits. Three persons were killed as police resorted to firing to contain the escalating violence. Another person, who was taken into custody, also died in the hospital due to a pre-existing health condition. The mob had gathered over a provocative and communally-charged social media post by Naveen, the nephew of local MLA Akhanda Srinivas Murthy. The MLA’s house was set on fire and the DJ Halli police station was partially gutted. Many vehicles were burnt, among other damage to property. The police have since arrested over 300 persons, including political functionaries of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and aides of Congress corporators. Incidentally, former Mayor Sampath Raj is among those who have been mentioned in the chargesheet.

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Karnataka CM conducts aerial survey of flood-hit districts, assures more aid

Floods

The state government had released Rs 86 crore last week for rescue and relief operations in about 12 districts.

IANS

CMO Karnataka

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Wednesday conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit districts in the state's northern region and assured the affected people of more funds. "The chief minister undertook aerial survey of Kalaburagi, Yadgir and Raichur in the state's northern region and Belagavi, Bagalkote and Vijayapura in the northwest region and assured the affected people of releasing more funds for their relief and rehabilitation," an official told IANS. The state government released Rs 86 crore last week for rescue and relief operations in about dozen districts, which were battered by heavy rains and flash floods, resulting in huge loss of houses, crops and infrastructure. "As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured the state of all help, including financial aid to rehabilitate the affected people, more funds will soon be released to compensate them for losses they suffered," the official asserted. State Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Chauhan and State Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Manoj Rajan accompanied the CM in the aerial survey of the worst-hit districts. The affected districts are Bagalkot, Ballari, Belagavi, Bidar, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Kodagu, Koppal, Raichur, Yadgir, Vijayapura and Udupi across the state's north, northwest, coastal and southern regions. Besides torrential rain, flash floods were caused due to discharge of excess water from the dams in neighbouring Maharashtra into Krishna and Bheema rivers in the state. "The excess water turned the rivers into spate and inundated villages and towns in Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Bagalkot and Vijayapura districts. Normal life was disrupted as roads and bridges were submerged and power lines were snapped due to strong surface winds," the official said. "A central team will soon visit the affected districts and assess the damage caused to crops, houses and public infrastructure to prepare a report and for releasing financial aid from the national disaster relief fund," said the official. Incessant rains and flooding have damaged the red gram (tur dal) crops in hundreds of hectares in Kalaburagi, Bidar and Yadgir districts before they could be harvested in October and November. According to the state’s red gram growers' association, the loss from the damaged pulses crop is estimated to be about Rs 500 crore for kharif season. The state agriculture department is surveying the rain-affected crop areas to assess the damage for compensation and insurance claims. As the southwest monsoon was timely and excess in the region, sowing was undertaken in 7.6-lakh hectares of agricultural lands for growing cash crops such as a variety of pulses, cotton, jowar, bajra, maize, sunflower, sugarcane and groundnuts since July. "Excess rains and flash floods have damaged about 50 per cent of the standing crops in the affected districts, resulting in heavy loss to farmers," added the official. About 37,600 farmers have insured their crops this year, while the area insured is over 51,500 hectares in the northern districts.

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