Hockey hero Sunil Acharya feted at Temple

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

March 10, 2012

Mangalore, March 10: The Kalikamba Vinayaka Temple Trust which is celebrating its 'Yugadi Mahotsava' felicitated a sports hero of the nation.

The recipient of this honour was Sunil Acharya, member of the Indian National Hockey team.

He was felicitated with a shawl, citation and fruits in the presence of Shree Kalahasthendra Saraswathi Mahaswamiji and Aremadanahalli Shiva Sujnana Murthy Swami and Sadananda Shetty, the president of the Shree Devi Education Trust.

Responding to the honour he said: “I am really moved by the warmth shown by all the people here. I have worked really hard and without the encouragement of my elders it was not possible to reach this level. I am excited about playing for the nation at the Olympic Games and will surely try to win gold for India. I hope all of you pray that I become successful in my venture”

Sunil Kumar, a local lad who is representing India at the forthcoming Olympics, has made his mark in sports, in a very hard way. He hails from a small village where there was no option of playing hockey. Thus he used to use branches from coconut trees and use it as a hockey stick to practice the game.

Eventually he moved to Belgaum and got selected for the Army regiment and became the part of the junior hockey team of India. This is where he was trained well and began shaping up as a hockey player. He is in the Indian team since five years and has been showing consistent performance.

In 2007 he won the Asian cup gold, in 2009 he won the gold medal at Malaysia, In 2010 he won the gold at the India-Canada hockey tournament and in 2011 he won the gold medal at the India-South Africa invitation cup.

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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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