Exporters' convention in city on February 13

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

February 8, 2012

Mangalore, February 8: Federation of Indian export organizations (Southern Region) set up by ministry of commerce, Government of India, will be organizing 'Karnataka: Export Vision-2020', an exporters' convention on February 13 from 10am to 6pm at Dr. T.M.A. Pai International Convention Centre in the city.

The convention will be inaugurated by Union Minister for Corporate affairs M Veerappa Moily, while State Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries Murugesh Nirani will preside over. Union Minister of State for commerce and Industries Anand Sharma will be the chief guest. Keynote address will be delivered by DGFT, Government of India Dr. Anup K Pujari.

Announcing about the convention at a press meet here on Wednesday, Mr Moily said that the meet would be held in association with FKCCI Bangalore, KCCI Mangalore, UCCI Udupi, NKCCI Karwar and all other trade bodies of state of Karnataka and the main feature of the meet is the collaboration of the Union Ministry for Corporate Affairs.

Chairman, FIEO (Southern region) convener, organizing committee Walter D'Souza said that the convention is the brain child of Minister and technical sessions in the convention would be on foreign trade policy, shipping, corporate affairs, banking and infrastructure.

Chairman, NMPT Mangalore Convention Promoter P Tamil Vanan, Coordinator, Organizing Committee K Thejomaya, President of UCCI, Udupi Prasad Raj Kanchan among others were present in the press meet.

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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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