B.R. Shetty, B.M. Hegde among five feted by Corp Bank on foundation day

March 13, 2012

Mangalore, March 13: Five individuals were given the Lifetime Achievement Award by Corporation Bank in the city on Monday.

The recognition was part of the celebrations to mark the 107th Foundation Day of the Mangalore-based public sector bank. The bank was founded in Udupi by Khan Bahadur Haji Abdullah Haji Kasim Saheb Bahadur in 1906.

Individuals who received the awards were B.M. Hegde, physician and the former Vice-Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Deemed University) Manipal, Kadri Gopalnath, saxophone artiste, B.R. Shetty, entrepreneur, CEO and MD, New Medical Centre Group of Companies, Abu Dhabi, Ramana Rao, cardiologist and physician, and Ela Bhatt, founder, Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA). Ms. Bhatt was absent and was represented by another person from SEWA.

Dr. Hegde said that everyone's work matters in a bank. On victories and defeats, he said that one should treat triumphs and disasters equally as “imposters”. “The best pillow is a clear conscience,” he said.

Mr. Shetty said that he would help if Corporation Bank could take up the cause of refurbishing a hospital in Udupi. On the occasion, Ajai Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director, Corporation Bank, launched an application for Android tablets and smart phones. The application, once downloaded, will be able to inform the phone user about nearby branches and ATMs of the bank with a map.

Playback singer Krishnakumar Kunnath (KK) sang on the occasion.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

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.

Comments