Expose students to turf cricket and technology: Javagal Srinath

September 25, 2011

Mangalore, September 25: Former fast bowler for the Indian cricket team Javagal Srinath advice the cricket-loving boys to keep at cricket until the age of around 20, as that is the time their fitness would be at the best.

Interacting with media persons in the city on Sunday, the 'Mysore Express' Srinath said that even if boys are not chosen to play in under-15 tournaments they should not lose heart, as it is around the age of 19 years that most boys go through a “growth spurt”, which would make their body extremely fit for the game.“Boys should give an “honest try” to the game until the age of about 20 years”, he said.

There was a need to expose students to turf cricket and technology so that their talent is utilised efficiently. Otherwise, they would practice on the field and not be able to perform as well on a turf pitch, Mr. Srinath said.

The goal was to bring international practices to the mofussil level and provide basic infrastructure, he added.

The Cricket Academy, an arm of the State Association, should continue to function throughout the year except during the exams and provide training to children. The aim should be providing training to around 150 children over a period of two years.

Mr. Srinath said that the association had seen two privately held potential sites for cricket grounds, but nothing had yet come of it. He said that in Raichur, Mysore, Shimoga the State cricket association, had set up grounds where children could play, and Mangalore was the odd man out. Bangalore had three grounds, he added.

It would have been ideal if the Nehru Maidan was available, but since it was not, around two acres of land that were close to the city would be necessary, he said.

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No cases yet, but vigilance high: Karnataka braces for Nipah threat

News Network

February 3,2026

Bengaluru: Following reports of fresh Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal and heightened vigilance across parts of Southeast Asia, the Karnataka Health Department has placed the state on high alert and activated emergency preparedness protocols.

Health officials said enhanced surveillance measures have been initiated after two healthcare workers in Barasat, West Bengal, tested positive for the virus earlier this month. While no cases have been reported in Karnataka so far, authorities said the state’s past exposure to Nipah outbreaks and high inter-state mobility warranted preventive action.

Officials have directed district health teams to intensify monitoring, particularly at hospitals and points of entry, and to ensure early detection and isolation of suspected cases.

High Mortality Virus with Multiple Transmission Routes

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and has a reported fatality rate ranging between 60 and 75 per cent. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoirs of the virus and can transmit it by contaminating food sources with saliva or urine.

Known modes of transmission include:

•   Contaminated food: Consumption of fruits partially eaten by bats or raw date-palm sap
•   Animal contact: Exposure to infected pigs or other animals
•   Human-to-human transmission: Close contact with body fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings

Symptoms and Disease Progression

The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, though delayed onset has also been reported. Early symptoms often resemble common viral infections, making prompt clinical suspicion critical.

•   Initial symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, sore throat
•   Progressive symptoms: Drowsiness, disorientation, altered mental state
•   Severe stage: Seizures, neck stiffness and acute encephalitis, which can rapidly progress to coma

Public Health Advisory

The Health Department has issued precautionary guidelines urging the public to adopt risk-avoidance practices to prevent any local spillover.

Do’s
•   Wash fruits thoroughly before consumption
•   Drink boiled and cooled water
•   Use protective equipment while handling livestock
•   Maintain strict hand hygiene

Don’ts
•   Avoid fruits found on the ground or showing bite marks
•   Do not consume beverages made from raw tree sap, including toddy
•   Avoid areas with dense bat populations
•   Do not handle sick or dead animals

Preparedness Measures

Officials confirmed that isolation wards are being readied in major government hospitals and that medical staff are being sensitised to identify early warning signs.

“There is no cause for panic, but there is a need for heightened vigilance,” a senior health official said, adding that there is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah, and care remains largely supportive.

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