Liberian, German tie nuptial knot in desi style

[email protected] (News Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar )

October 28, 2011

Mangalore, October 28: Panambur beach which otherwise echoes innocent laughters, silent walks and waves kissing the shores, on Thursday echoed vedic chants as Jecintha Essling Wintzer (37), a native of Bong Town in Liberia and Wolfram Essling Wintzer (37) of Moers city in Germany entered wedlock here.

The two entered the new phase of their life in a typical Hindu traditional wedding wherein the groom tied the 'Mangalsutra' around the bride's neck and the two walked the seven steps of marriage-'Sapthapadi' uttering the seven oaths of togetherness in front of the 'Agnikunda' during the auspicious 'Godhooli lagna'.

When the tunes of the percussions penetrated the air, the roaring ocean too seemed celebrating the union of the couple who had been in love for the last 10 years.

Hundreds of tourists who thronged at Panambur beach from various locations to enjoy their holiday had a surprise wedding to attend in their loose track suits and T-Shirts.

Jecintha and Wolfram are archaelogists and the two had supposedly decided to culminate their courtship into marriage right on their first date. While the two were committed to enter wedlock, the only thing they had decided to leave it to destiny was the date of their wedding.

The close acquaintance of the couple, Dr Anjanadevi and Harish Parala, the couple hailing from Dakshina Kannada but settled in Germany suggested Jecintha and Wolfram to marry in Hindu tradition. Taking the suggestion seriously, the two came down to India and gave shape to the plan.

“The very idea of Indian marriages is very fascinating. It is full of colours and flavours. I was excited about the plan when my friends Anjana and Harish told me about Indian marriages. Hence, we decided to marry according to Hindu tradition,” Wolfram said.

Though Wolfram had never seen any Indian wedding in the past, he opted to directly experience it himself.

“It is something very nice and I love to be a part of the beautiful culture of this land,” said Jecintha.

In fact, the couple had registered their marriage in Germany on October 8. A total of 30 people, including the couple's parents, relatives and friends from Germany and Australia were present to solemnise the traditional wedding.

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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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