If You are Sick Stay at Home

Doctors say that seasonal viruses are multiplying because of dampness in the air. There is 25% increase in patients with viral infections.It is because people are moving in clusters or not maintaining hygiene. The people with the infection don’t stay at home and therefore the infection spreads faster. However, the number of patients with H1N1 influenza is on the decline.

People should ensure their houses are well ventilated. Because of the cold, they usually keep windows and doors closed but that helps virus breed easily. Also, they don’t wash hands frequently. Children touch objects handled by infected people and this helps the virus spread. The infection starts as a general viral infection but turns into a secondary bacterial infection because the local immunity comes down and that’s when doctors prescribe antibiotics.

Asthmatic patients need to take special care in this season. They should continue with preventive medicine, don’t do strenuous exercise in the morning and protect their faces from the cold wind. The cold weather irritates their windpipes so they suffer more.

DOCTOR’S ADVICE

• Keep yourself warm
• Drink warm liquids, eat warm food
• Avoid frozen food or stale food
• Avoid exposure to people with infection
• Wash hands frequently
• Close mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing
• If You are Sick Stay at Home. This prevents spreading of infection

Times of India

Demolition operation by BDA sends panic waves

The demolition operation by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to recover its 2 acre-2 gunta-lands on survey number 27 sends panic waves in residents. The operation began on the small sheds on vacant sites and suddenly abandoned by noon. But residents, who are mostly senior citizens, fear the worst. The contradicting replies by the officials there also increased their fears. Even their corporator Kodanda Reddy who was on the spot could do nothing.


On rough estimates, there are at least 15 houses and eight vacant sites on this survey number. Majority of the property owners are senior citizens who invested all their savings on the houses. One of the resident asks that how can the BDA say it is theirs when they have documents of property which included a CMC khata, khata extract, plan sanction by then village panchayat, encumbrance certificate and receipts proving the regular property tax payments to the BBMP till the present block period.

However, the local MLA K J George intervened and halts the demolition `for now'. Not happy with this temporary relief, the residents want to seal this issue with the BDA commissioner and their MLA.

Read more: BDA's demolition drive sends panic waves - The Times of India

Sandalwood industry will come to a grinding halt in the state from December 1

The production and release of movies in the Sandalwood industry will come to a grinding halt in the state from December 1 in protest against non-Kannada movie distributors and exhibitors for screening films other than Kannada.
According to a KCNS member, Umesh Banakar, the less number of screens for exhibiting Kannada movies is becoming a major problem for producers, who end up losing what they have invested into the making of these films.

According to the chamber, violation of its norms would be detrimental to the interests of Kannada films which would find it difficult to get screens.

Sandalwood to halt the production and release of movies in the state from December 1. A decision to this effect was taken by members of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and the Kannada Chalanachitra Nirmapakara Sangha (KCNS), who argue that due to the attitude of some distributors and exhibitors, Kannada movies are not getting maximum number of screens across the state.

BANGALORE > DNA India Report

Pakistan cyber army threats Indian cyberspace

Pakistan cyber army hacked the liquor baron and Rajya Sabha member, Vijay Mallya's parliamentary website and threatened to make Indian cyberspace into hell. It also claimed that to all Pakistani internet users that they can now do their work in peace because it has back on his work.

"The Pak cyber army was only sleeping, not dead. This is a payback from Pak cyber army in retaliation to the defacement of Pakistani sites! You are playing with fire," stated the Pakistan cyber army. “All Pakistani internet users and website owners, sleep tight, ‘coz PCA [Pakistan Cyber Army] is waking!!! PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!!!” it said on Facebook.

Since 2007, the Pakistan Cyber Army has hacked several Indian websites including that of India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation. Recently on its Facebook account, Pakistan cyber army claimed that Indian hackers had been playing havoc with Pakistani cyber communities and websites for a long time. The Pakistan Cyber Army alleged that HMG, a group of Indian web hackers, had hacked Pakistan’s official and important websites in the past, and its recent spate of hacking of Indian websites is to show the world that Pakistanis were no lesser than Indians in the field of cyberspace.

The Bangalore-based liquor baron and Rajya Sabha member Vijay Mallya found to his shock that his website, www.mallyainparliament.com, was not only hacked into, but also carried warnings of turning “Indian cyberspace into hell”. Mallya has lodged a complaint with the Delhi cyber police.

Statistics from the Computer Emergency Response Team, an official Indian government organisation which looks into computer security in the country, reveals that more than 4,300 Indian websites have been hacked from January to June, 2010.

Tax-payers have started filing their income tax returns

Tax-payers throng Palace Grounds Bangalore for filing their income tax returns at the stalls specially put up by the Income Tax Department. The Department has set up 40 help desk counters. Ten counters have been set to cater only for those who will file bulk IT returns. There are nearly 90 counters with 160 staff including Assistant Commissioners, Income Tax officers, Inspectors and Tax assistants at the counters.

Citizens will have to bring a copy of their pan card and Form 16 to file their returns. For people interested in the Central government’s ‘Tax Returns Preparer scheme’, the IT department has set up 10 separate counters to help citizens.

Counters of National Securities Depository Limited and Axis Bank, stationery stores and food courts have also been set up.The citizen can also apply for new pan cards here. The stalls function from 9 30 am to 5 30 pm.

Turn your vacant land to parking lot

Until yesterday, a vacant plot may have become garbage dumping places, houses for rats & other dangerous creatures & becoming mosquito hub. Today, a site owner in Jayanagar has turned his vacant residential plot into a parking lot. Interestingly, he is earning more money from the vacant plot than he could have after constructing a building there.

Vishwanath had left his residential plot vacant on 7th Main Road in 5th Block Jayanagar for more than ten years. His neighbors often complained that his site had become a hangout for people looking to carry out illicit acts. Vishwanath was also tired of receiving complaints for a crime he never committed. Recently, he turned his vacant residential plot into a parking lot sensing so much value for his plot.

Vishwanath was tired of receiving complaints from neighbors. Recently, a textile dealer approached him seeking permission to use his vacant plot as a parking lot. At a time when the negotiation was under way, one more businessman, who deals in gold ornaments, contacted him for the same reason. Sensing so much value for his plot, Vishwanath cleaned it up, removed the undergrowth, heightened the compound wall and installed wide gates for the vehicles to pass through.

Finally, he has now signed a rent agreement with a promise of earning Rs. 25,000 a month a huge sum in the neighborhood where many houses have long fallen vacant for lack of tenants. Vishwanath's is believed to be the first private parking lot in the whole of Jayanagar.

Source: Jagran CityPlus

BAS Amateur Astronomy Workshop July 2010

Bangalore Astronomical Society (BAS) is organizing an Amateur Astronomy Workshop. People at some point in their lives had a fascination to learn about Outer-Space and the night sky . This enthusiasm and interest is very easily lost and is buried .People generally tend to lose interest because they don’t get the correct answers and solutions to questions like “What Do I Do Learn More?” ”Which Telescope Should I Use?” “How Do I Explore The Sky And See The Celestial Objects?”

BAS is organizing an Amateur Astronomy Workshop on the 24th and 25th of July 2010. The workshop will be conducted by very experienced Amateur Astronomers ,Astro-Photography experts and Instrumentation specialists from the Organization.

The Workshop is open to all above the age of 15. Registrations for the Workshop have begun and they end on the 22nd of July 2010. The mode and details of Registration are as under:

The registration process is a Two Step Process
In Step 1 you will fill in a form with all the necessary details
In Step, 2 you will make payment for the Registration fee in accordance with the fee structures specified below:

Registration fee for BAS Student members* = Rs. 200
Registration fee for BAS regular members* = Rs.300.00
Registration fee for BAS family members *=Rs. 200 (if the family member is a student) else Rs. 300.00
Registration fee for Students who are not members of the Bangalore Astronomical Society =Rs. 250.00
Registration fee for non members= Rs. 400.00

* members of BAS are to be registered mambers of the society , members of the google group are not considered members

BAS Amateur Astronomy Workshop

Date:24th &25th July,2010
Venue:National College,Jayanagar,Bangalore
Time: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on both days

(The Workshop is open to all above the age of 15.BAS will not arrange for Transport/food/stay for the participants)

• Fill in your registration information
  

Lok Ayukta a role model for the younger generation resigned

Expressing displeasure over Government's non-cooperation in the investigations against corrupt officials, Karnataka's Lok Ayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde on Wednesday resigned from his post. Justice Hegde alleged that the government is trying to fix him politically to overcome the bad name they are getting following his resignation from the office of Lok Ayukta. Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde is a person who is well on his way to becoming a role model for the younger generation.

Justice Hegde has also expressed displeasure over government's order to appoint tainted officials in key positions. "The government’s decision to suspend an honest official who exposed a scam worth several crores at the Belikere port in Ankola district made me think. I have to protect officers whom I direct to do certain critical work. was thinking that if I cannot protect an officer who acted on my direction, it was time for me to pack up and go." said Santosh Hegde.

He sincerely wanted to put down corruption at all levels.He has held various positions throughout his working career that have brought him prestige and honour. Justice Hegde, viewed by many persons as nightmare for corrupt officials.Santosh Hegde is a role model for the younger generation.“The chief minister can pay visits to those involved in illegal mining and sex scandals, why cannot he request such a clean man to continue? What a shame!”, said a II year MBA student.

Cobra bit teenager 31 times and ends his life

Fifteen year-old Mahadev Prasad was down with high fever and sleeping when a cobra bit him 31 times and ends his life. Mahadev Prasad's dreams of becoming a doctor met a venomous end, last Wednesday. Prasad hails from a family of agriculturists in Magadi and his parents were proud of their boy.

He scored 86 per cent in his SSLC exam this year and dreamt of becoming a doctor. He had recently enrolled in PU I science at a private college in Bangalore.His sister recalls how he loved football and cricket. Though he was sick in the past one week, he never missed watching matches in the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Last Wednesday was no different. He was watching a football match despite having fever. After some time he felt restless, switched off the TV and went to sleep. His sister was sleeping beside him.

The doctor who examined Prasad and declared him dead told, "I was really shocked to see the way the snake attacked him. As he was suffering from high fever he may not even have reacted to the bites. I have not seen an incident like this. When a snake bites, it's poison is exhausted in its initial bites. I am surprised how this particular snake bit him 31 times."

Last Wednesday Prasad was watching a football match. He felt restless, switched off the TV and went to sleep. Next morning, he did not respond to his mother's attempts to wake him up. The latter thought he was in deep sleep. His parents then noticed his whole body had turned blue. He was not breathing. Prasad's sister too was suffering with a lot of pain.They then took the daughter to the hospital. A doctor who came to their house and examined Prasad, declared him dead.

Prasad's dreams of becoming a doctor met a venomous end when a cobra bit him 31 times. When a snake bites, it's poison is exhausted in its initial bites. But surprisingly this particular snake bit him 31 times and ends his life.

Teen kills self after failed to get admission

M Yashaswini killed herself by consuming poison on Tuesday night after she failed to get admission in the college of her choice. She had an argument with her parents who said they could not afford an education at the college due to financial constraints. Yashaswini a 16-year-old girl had passed her SSLC with distinction and wanted to join the Jyoti Nivas College at Koramangala.

She had an argument with her parents who said they could not afford an education at the college due to financial constraints.Yashaswini was speaking to her friend over phone at an STD booth, which her mother didn't approve of. She scolded her and said she would deal with her after returning from work in the evening. Yashaswini consumed Metacid the same evening and was rushed to the Bowring hospital by her brother with help from the neighbours. She died at 2:00 am on Wednesday morning.

The girl's father works as a chef in a small hotel and her mother is an employee at a garment factory. They got her admitted to the Adugodi Government College but Yashaswini wanted to join the Jyoti Nivas College at Koramangala, a college many of her friends attended. She had an argument with her parents who said they could not afford an education at the college due to financial constraints. "We had only one daughter and loved her very much. We are poor but provided her with all that she needed. She wanted to join Jyoti Nivas College but we couldn't afford it. The greatest tragedy in my life is that she died before me," said the girl's father, Manjunath.

Bangalore kids will participate in 44th International Children's Games

The International Children’s Games take place under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee, and are held in a different city each year, taking the form of Children’s Olympics.It is for the second time that the Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation (BSSF) team will represent the city in the international competition, conducted by the Olympic committee.

The BSSF was established in 2007 by two former athletes Elvis Joseph and Lionel Johnas. The members of soccer team are from various schools including Mallya Aditi International School, Ebenezer International School, National Academy for Learning, Indus International School, Vidyaniketan Public School, National Public School, Bangalore International School, St Joseph’s Boys High School and Jain Heritage School.

The team members are meeting the expenses of the trip. “We approached many people for sponsorship. But the moment, you mention it’s for children, they backed out from helping us,” says Elvis.

This year the team from Bangalore is going to represent India in soccer, at the age group of under-15 in Manama. Last year there were three schools from which the players were selected, but this year there are children from 10 schools.The event is being supported by the Sports Minister of Karnataka, Gulahathi Shekhar. He will be accompanying the team to Bahrain.This platform will help the BSSF in long term to propose International Olympic Committee (IOC) to be held in India.

The team from Bangalore is going to represent India in soccer and Kids were very much excited about the game and they are working very hard to win the match in Bahrain.The team will fly soon to Bahrain to participate in the international event to be held from June 28 to July 3.

Join BJP and save your encroachment

BJP worker Narayan Reddy pointing to the multi-storey houses built by Nagaraju on the storm water drain.

Last year, a Congressman named C Nagaraj joined the BJP with his supporters in Limbavali’s presence and saved as many as six buildings he built by encroaching a storm water drain in Channasandra, Whitefield. In fact, BBMP Joint Commissioner (Mahadevpur Sub-Division) Heera Nayak inspected the encroached buildings for demolition on October 24, last year. Portions of these structures were marked and notices were pasted. That very same day, Nagaraju joined BJP in the presence of Minister Limbavali and ensured his buildings were not razed.

Before Nagaraju joined the BJP, Limbavali took great interest in preparing the sketch of storm water drain and getting the order from the local tahsildar to raze all buildings belonging to Nagaraju. Nagaraju joined BJP in the presence of Minister Limbavali and ensured his buildings were not razed. Now, Minister Limbavali is guarding encroachments.

Local BJP politician Narayan Reddy alleges, “The huge storm water drain (about 50 feet wide) was filled with sand at night and buildings were constructed in a short span. Due to encroachment by Nagaraju, drain water is changing course and flowing into houses. When I obtained orders to demolish these structures Nagaraju joined our party. Since then, BBMP officials are giving one or the other excuse and not going ahead with demolition. Their latest excuse is that there are many encroachments on the storm water drain and public are opposing any attempt to tear down the illegal structures. Actually, Nagaraju is the only encroacher on the storm water drain.”

These houses are on a storm water drain which passes through survey numbers 124, 128, 129, 130, 131 and 132. These survey numbers are government property. Nagaraju not only built these houses, he has also sold them. When Reddy refused to stay quiet, Limbavali reportedly came to his house and asked him not to make an issue as Nagaraju had now become a party worker.The minister’s U-turn forced Reddy to complain to the Lokayukta and the chief minister’s office (CMO) about BBMP’s refusal to raze encroachments. Lokayukta has already started an investigation and the CMO has directed the BBMP to look into the matter.

Nagaraju is the only encroacher on the storm water drain. He not only built these houses by encroaching a storm water drain but also sold them. Reddy alleges due to encroachment by Nagaraju, drain water is changing course and flowing into houses. Now Limbavali is guarding encroachments and BBMP officials are giving one or the other excuse and not going ahead with demolition.

Courtesy: bangaloremirror.com

A Prank Call Sent the City Police into a Panic

A prank call to the police control room on Sunday afternoon sent the city police into a panic and caused a scare in the area. The police control room received a call by an unidentified boy, sounding eight to 10 years old, on Sunday afternoon that a bomb would explode in the upscale M G Road. Though the control room operator felt the caller's voice seemed to be that of a young boy, he alerted the Cubbon Park police station for preventive action.

"The police control room received a call at around 2 pm from a coin box phone in Shivajinagar area informing that a bomb had been placed at a construction site on M G Road and it would explode soon. The caller's voice was that of an 8-10 year boy who dialled 100 number. We rushed a bomb detection squad and a dog squad to inspect the one km long M G Road, especially the stretch where the Bangalore metro rail project work is on. A thorough search of the area by the squads and our beat constables proved the call to be a hoax. We are trying to locate or identify the missing boy as no one noticed him calling the control room in the busy Shivajinagar on a Sunday afternoon. If we succeed in identifying the caller, we will register a case against the boy under section 506 and 182 IPC (Indian Penal Code) for criminal intimidation and false information with intent to cause damage or panic," said Cubbon Park police station inspector Jagdish.

As the prank (hoax) call was from a public booth, the control room and the police could not trace the caller. During the hour-long search operation, the anxious crowds on the popular M G Road were kept at bay. If the caller is identified, the caller will be charged under section 506 and 182 IPC (Indian Penal Code) for criminal intimidation and false information with intent to cause damage or panic. The prank call is made from a coin box phone in Shivajinagar area and the caller's voice was that of an 8-10 year boy.

Extension of the deadline for late-night party

The state government is finalizing the extension of the deadline by two hours from the present midnight cut-off for star hotels and clubs in the city. The excise ministry has already given an in-principle nod for the extension of the deadline and is now awaiting the completion of formalities before the extension becomes a reality. Bangalore’s nightlife deadline was restricted to 11.30pm in 2008 by the police which later extended to 12 Am.

If the deadline is extended by two hours, star hotels and clubs will remain open till 2am. The decision is being finalized following pressure from the star hotels in the city who were not happy with the midnight deadline. Besides, the restriction was posing inconveniences to the thousands of employees working in call centers and IT firms, who finish work late in the night and struggle for a quick bite or drink.

The excise ministry has given its in-principle approval. But before finalizing discussion on pros and cons of extending the night life in the city will be conveyed with home department and tourism department officials. However, the extension will not apply to the thousands of wine stores and bar and restaurants in Bangalore. The city police have enforced shutting these down by 11.30pm, in some sensitive areas even by 11pm with an eye on curtailing night-time crime in the city.

3rd Anniversary for maxHeap Teachnologies

maxHeap Technologies Private Limited celebrates its 3rd Anniversary on June 5, 2010. maxHeap technologies offers products and service CommonFloor. CommonFloor.com is the largest online group of apartment owners and association members comprising more than 20,000 apartment societies across 70 cities in India.It provides advanced communication to the residents, Apartment Owners, Resident Welfare Association (RWA) and easy management tools to the apartment owner associations.

It's a one stop online destination for all apartment related needs including important Articles, Services and tools including Issue Tracker, Maintenance Dues, SMS Alerts, Residents Database, etc. Last year at this point of time CommonFloor served 8 cities in India and around 3000 communities, now CommonFloor serves over 70 cities in India, over 20,000 apartment communities and 4 more countries US, UK, UAE & Singapore. CommonFloor has young and dynamic team consisting three co-founders Lalit Mangal,Sumit Jain, and Vikas Malpani, two Business Heads Manoj Kumar Singh and Rahul Gupta and more than 25 members.

Avoid Mekhri Circle for Two Days

Global Investors Meet, is being held in Bangalore on the 3rd and 4th of June 2010. The meet will be inaugurated at 10.30am on the 3rd of June, marking the beginning of the 2-day event. The morning session on Day 2 will commence at 10.00am, and the afternoon sessions on both days will commence at 2.30pm. With the Karnataka government holding its ambitious Global Investors Meet (GIM) at Palace Grounds on Thursday and Friday, traffic around Mekhri Circle is bound to be thrown out of gear on these two days.

Since the vehicle flow will be high in these parts, the police have requested regular commuters to avoid Ramana Maharshi Road, Jayamahal Road, Palace cross road, Palace Road, Millers Road and Vasanthnagar Road on these two days. The traffic police, who are expecting a huge crowd, anticipate over 10,000 cars of VIPs, ministers and bureaucrats alone for the two-day extravaganza.The Traffic Police have detailed some directions for people coming to the meet.

Coming from the international airport: VIPs and VVIPs coming from the international airport are scheduled to take Ramana Maharshi Road and take a left near Palace cross flyover on service road and continue on Palace cross road to reach Vasanthnagar railway underbridge, and take a left to reach the main entrance of the meet.

Coming from Tumkur and Bellary: Vehicles coming from Tumkur side to Mekhri Circle are to continue on Jayamahal Road and take a right turn in front of JC Nagar police station to enter Palace Grounds through Mavinakayi Mandi entrance. Vehicles coming from Bellary Road through Mekhri Circle are to continue on Jayamahal Road and take a right turn in front of JC Nagar police station to enter Palace Grounds through Mavinakayi Mandi entrance.

Vehicles coming from Hosur Road, Kanakapura Road, Mysore Road and Bangalore South: Vehicles coming from Hosur Road, Kanakapura Road, Mysore Road and Bangalore South are to take Palace Road, Cunningham Road and reach Cantonment railway station underbridge and reach Jayamahal Road, then take a left at JC Nagar police station junction and enter through Mavinakayi Mandi entrance. Vehicles coming from Cantonment area are to take Cunningham Road, Millers Road and Cantonment Station railway underbridge to reach Jayamahal Road to reach the grounds.

Since the vehicle flow will be high in these parts,the police have requested regular commuters to avoid Ramana Maharshi Road, Jayamahal Road, Palace cross road, Palace Road, Millers Road and Vasanthnagar Road on these two days. Vehicles parked at Shahrukh Khan grounds are scheduled to leave through Mavinakayi Mandi entrance to reach Jayamahal Road.

Adugodi traffic police inspector Jeep adds Traffic woes

Around noon on Tuesday, traffic on the 100-ft inner ring road in Koramangala was completely thrown out of gear for nearly 45 minutes. This was because of traffic police jeep parked in the middle of the road. The 100-ft road near BDA complex in Koramangala already has a traffic problem due to ongoing construction work of an underpass near the Kendriya Sadan complex and traffic diversion of Vehicles moving from Silkboard and electronic city towards Water tank in Koramangala.

“Doesn’t she know that leaving her vehicle in the midst of a busy road would also cause traffic problems? If the traffic cops themselves create this kind of chaos, then only god can protect the city’s traffic,” said a commuter in Koramangala.

Onlookers and motorists initially thought that the jeep had suffered a breakdown. There was also no sign of a breakdown. On her part, Inspector Susheela seemed unperturbed by the chaos she had created. “Yes, I parked my jeep on the road as there was no space around. It was important for me to attend to the traffic jam on the adjoining road in the interest of the public. Why don’t you understand that I did not go there for my personal work,” she retorted.

“I initially did not know what the reason was. But when I got down from my car to see what was happening, I saw a police jeep without any driver parked in the middle of the road. This is certainly not the way in which a public servant should act,” said Alok Kumar Varma, a software employee at a reputed firm in Electronics City, who was struck in the traffic jam for more than half an hour.

Colleges are getting ready to welcome their new students

Colleges across the city are bustling with energy that marks the memorable opening day. Most colleges have scheduled the induction programme on the first day, at which students will be briefed on the college rules and regulations. Various colleges are laying out the red carpet differently. For instance, G R Group of Educational Institutions is going traditional, with a Saraswati pooja and rangoli. “We want to make it eco-friendly. We won’t allow any decorations with paper or plastic,” founder-director Geetha Ramanujam said.

Students need not fear ragging at all, assure college officials. “We don’t need to specifically talk about it but on our campus, we don’t allow ragging. The new students can feel completely safe,” said SBMJ College principal B T Venkatesh. Some colleges are also figuring out dress codes. While most want students to “dress appropriately”, others are putting codes in place. “MES students must follow the code designed by the college, which consists of formal outfits for boys and salwaar-kameez with dupatta for girls,” said principal Prabhavati B G.

Colleges are getting ready to welcome their new students with a colourful rangoli at the entrance, a huge banner saying ‘Welcome to College’, sugar candy for new comers. New Comers may not see familiar faces, but don’t worry. There are many like you who feel the same way. So cheer up, make the first move in extending the hand of friendship.Be punctual and regular to class as many colleges insist on more than 75% attendance. Don’t bunk class, kep your ID card safely and follow the college handbook carefully. Be yourself. Be confident and speak your mind with peers.

Over 100 surgeons gathered to witness surgery

Complex knee-replacement operations are rare in India. The need for such a surgery arises when too much of stress is put on the artificial joint, causing it to losen or break. Only 2% of primary knee-replacement patients need revision surgery. On Sunday, over 100 orthopedic surgeons from Bangalore and other cities gathered at Hosmat Hospital to witness a complex knee-replacement surgery. The surgery was telcast live with the patient’s consent.



The Surgery was conducted by Australian orthopedic surgeon Ray Randle, Hosmat Hospital chairman and senior joint replacement surgeon Dr Thomas A Chandy. Visiting surgeons were given the chance to understand the intricacies of such a surgery. Over 100 surgeons from different hospitals and surgeons from other cities gathered at Hosmat Hospital to witness and understand the intricacies of such a surgery.

Only 2% of primary knee-replacement patients need revision surgery. This type of surgery is rare in India and surgery was telcast live with the patient’s consent.

Higher cut-off percentages for Bangalore girls

Gender discrimination in cut-off percentages has been a practice in some reputed Bangalore pre-university (PU) colleges, which keep the cutoff for girls higher than that for boys. Girls have consistently beaten boys to the top ranks in Class X board exams, but their diligence is proving to be a curse. In some Bangalore pre-university colleges, Std XI cut-off percentages for girls is higher than boys.

MES Pre-University College Senior assistant, Purushotham , said that the physics, chemistry, maths and biology (PCMB) cut-off for boys is 594, while it is 599 for girls. The commerce cut-off is 553 for boys and 580 for girls. Colleges claim boys find it difficult to get admission to such courses. “We’d like to have an equal number of boys and girls in a class. As girls score higher, we have to bring down the cut-off percentage for boys.’’ said Purushotham.

At National PU College, officials have been segregating cut-offs based on gender for four years. The RBANMS degree college, however, gives priority to girls who stay within a 5-km radius. There is no separate cut-off for boys and girls for SSLC board students.