NITK gears up for 27th national convention of SPIC-MACAY

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

December 3, 2011

Mangalore, December 3: National Institute of Technology - Karnataka, Surathkal here will be hosting the 27th national convention of Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC-MACAY) from May 30 to June 3, 2012.

Announcing this at a press meet here on Saturday, Prof Sandeep Sancheti, the Director In Charge, NIT-K said that the Mangalore chapter of SPIC-MACAY is organising a 'Mohan Veena' concert by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt at Sharada Vidyalaya here as a curtain raiser to national convention on December 5.

He said, national convention of SPIC-MACAY is a week-long mega event which will be attended by nearly 1500 students from more than 200 chapters spread over India and abroad. Maestros of various classical and folk art forms will be invited to perform in this event.

The unique feature of this event is the crafts village, with 20 craftsmen from all over the country. There will also be 30 workshops/intensives by renowned artists in the area of classical dance, folk dance and classical music. The intensives are planned to give students an opportunity to experience traditional Guru-Shishya type of learning. Ten renowned craftsmen and ten intensives will be devoted to Karnataka and coastal region. Yakshagana makeup and puppetry will be introduced in the intensives and few more popular folk forms of Karnataka like Dollu kunitha will also be presented, he said and added “We will also have live webcast of the entire event”

Prof Sancheti said, this national Convention is proposed to be all 'Karnataka Convention' as it aims to invite participants from each and every district of Karnataka and provide opportunities for traditional folk arts and craftsmen from the state.

He also revealed that the Mangalore Chapter of SPIC-MACAY has been recognised as the best student chapter in the country. Started in 1987, it has successfully spread awareness about Indian Music and culture among the youth for 25 years uninterruptedly. NITK (KREC) has helped to organize over 1500 concerts in more than 250 institutions across coastal Karnataka and Malnad district. To celebrate the 'Silver Jubilee' of Mangalore chapter, it has been given the honour of organising the 27th national convention. Previously Mangalore chapter has hosted the national convention 1990.

He said, NITK has organised major conferences during its golden jubilee year and this is yet another mega event. The institution has sufficient infrastructural facilities like the Silver Jubilee Auditorium, Mega Hostel complex etc.

SPIC-MACAY has been awarded with the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Puraskaar in 2011 for its outstanding contribution towards promotion of communal harmony, national integration and peace. The Founder and Chairperson of SPIC-MACAY, Dr. Kiran Seth received the Padma Shri award from the Government of India for his distinguished contribution to arts.

The success of this event has to be a joint effort of NITK, the hosting institute, other educational institutions, government, media, industries and philanthropists of this region, said Prof Sancheti.

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Respiratory illnesses rise in Karnataka’s capital as air quality deteriorates

News Network

February 5,2026

Bengaluru: As air quality continues to worsen across several parts of the city, hospitals in Bengaluru are reporting a steady rise in patients suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), health officials and doctors said.

Data from the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) shows that 3,891 patients received treatment for respiratory ailments between April and November 2024. The figure rose to 4,187 during the same period in 2025.

Private hospitals, too, are witnessing a 10–15 per cent year-on-year increase in such cases.

While doctors caution that the rise cannot be attributed solely to air pollution, a significant number of patients are non-smokers with no prior history of respiratory disease.

“Nearly 70 per cent of the patients we see are non-smokers with no previous respiratory issues. When other causes are ruled out, air pollution emerges as the most likely factor,” said Dr Manjunath PH, consultant interventional pulmonologist at a hospital in Kengeri.

Doctors noted that patient footfall spikes during the winter months and around Deepavali, when air quality typically worsens.

“There is a clear correlation between poor air quality and the rise in cases. People commonly present with persistent cough, breathlessness and irritation of the respiratory tract, indicating the impact of polluted air on their health,” said Dr Sheetal Chaurasia, consultant in pulmonary medicine at a private hospital in Whitefield.

Dr Chaurasia added that respiratory tract infections are also on the rise.

“Poor air quality leads to chronic airway inflammation, making the airways more vulnerable to infections. We are seeing an increase in both upper and lower respiratory tract infections,” she said.

Patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions remain the worst affected.

“For those already diagnosed with respiratory illnesses, deteriorating air quality significantly worsens the condition. Both the frequency and severity of attacks increase sharply,” said Dr Vandana P, a pulmonologist at a hospital on Bannerghatta Road.

Doctors also flagged a worrying trend of rising respiratory problems among younger adults and children.

To reduce exposure, they advised people to wear masks while travelling on two-wheelers or autos and ensure adequate ventilation at home to minimise indoor air pollution.

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