WGSHA starts Christmas celebration

December 13, 2011

Manipal, December 12: Christmas is fast approaching and hence the preparation for the festival of fun and gaiety has already begun. The Fruit Mixing Ceremony for Christmas cake and pudding held at the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA), reminded everyone of the Christmas celebrations.

The school had created the right ambience for the Fruit Mixing Ceremony.

Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration along with Fortune Inn Valley View ushered in the Yuletide season in Manipal with cake mixing, an event that is enjoyed by the young and the old.

The families of officials, faculty and friends assembled at the hotel to mix dry fruits with brandy and rum for the Christmas pudding.

In the process of mixing it all, the hunt for tiny little charms— gold and silver coins made it all the more interesting. With Christmas songs in the background and a nicely decorated tree gave the feeling that it's festival time again. Though there was no Santa, but there were gifts for the children.

“It is a centuries old custom to soak dry fruits in brandy and rum. The fruits when soaked in alcohol develop a rich and exciting flavour,” said Vasanthan Sigamany, Associate Professor, Bakery of WGSHA.

The principal of WGSHA, Parvadhavardhini Gopalakrishnan and GM of FIVV, Gopi Mohan Nair said it is an event to bring the families together for an event with a difference. “And, for the students, it is part of their learning process,” they said. The mix will be left for a week or so before the pudding is made.

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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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