Endosulfan: Mothers' agitation gains momentum

April 30, 2012

Kasargod, April 30: The agitation by mothers of hapless endosulfan victims in Kasargod district appears to be picking up momentum with more and more organisations coming forward to express their solidarity with the aggrieved persons.

They have accused the State government of having failed to fulfil its assurances on an enhanced relief and rehabilitation package in a time-bound manner.

Most of the assurances by successive governments have remained on paper, driving the victims and their families to frustration, said office-bearers of the Kasaragod People's Forum and leading cultural activists, addressing the mothers of the victims as the strike entered the 10th day on Sunday.

The agitation is sponsored by the Endosulfan Satyagraha Samithi. It was decided at a meeting to launch a massive campaign on May 3 and submit a detailed memorandum enlisting the unfulfilled promises to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy during his visit here on May 10, said forum president M. K. Radhakrishnan, presiding over the fast near the collectorate premises here on Sunday.

Forum activists V. Gopinathan, V.V. Prabhakaran, V.D. Joseph, M. Padmakshan, E. Chandrasekharan Nair, besides social and cultural activists Subaida Neeleswaram, Narayanan Periya, among others, addressed the fasting mothers.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India will observe a day-long hartal on May 5 in areas falling under the worst affected 11 panchayat, where the victims are leading a life of agony and trauma in the aftermath of indiscriminate aerial spraying of endosulfan in the cashew estates of the State-owned Plantation Corporation of Kerala.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishath Kasaragod district unit at Vellikoth in Kanhangad on Sunday expressed solidarity with the mothers' agitation, and demanded that the State government initiate steps to solve the problems faced by their families.

In a resolution at the close of the two-day meeting, the parishath urged the government to meet the mothers' demands. Implementation of relief and rehabilitation packages should get top priority.

The parishath criticised the Health Ministry's stand of overruling a study done by the Government Medical College, Kozhikode, on the health hazards posed by endosulfan.

The study report had been submitted before the Supreme Court.

The organisation demanded that the huge stock of endosulfan kept in the godowns of the Plantation Corporation of Kerala in the district be destroyed. Steps should be taken to promote organic farming to supplement the efforts of the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra. It demanded that the district administration conserve rivers with the participation of people to address water scarcity.

T.K. Devarajan was elected president of the parishath's district unit and B.S. Babu Secretary.

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11th Late Mrs Naseema Fareed Memorial Lecture Held at Kanachur

News Network

February 3,2026

Mangaluru, Feb 3: Kanachur College of Physiotherapy and Kanachur Hospital & Research Centre, in association with U.T. Fareed Foundation (R), organised the 11th Late Mrs. Naseema Fareed Memorial Lecture on Tuesday.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Subramanyam K, Head of the Department and Professor, Department of Cardiology, Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Mangaluru. In his inaugural address, Dr. Subramanyam delivered an insightful talk highlighting the vital role of physiotherapy in modern medical care, particularly in cardiac rehabilitation, patient recovery, and improving overall quality of life through a multidisciplinary healthcare approach.

The presidential address was delivered by Dr. Haji U.K. Monu, Chairman, KIET. The keynote address was presented by Dr. Mohammed Ismail Hejamady, who spoke on the evolving scope and significance of physiotherapy.

The event was held in the presence of Mr. Abdul Rahiman, Director, Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangaluru; Dr. Vaishali Sreejith, Senate Member, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru; Dr. Sudhan S.G., Professor and Principal, Krupanidhi College of Physiotherapy, Bengaluru; Dr. Shanavaz Manipady, Dean, Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangaluru; and Dr. Venkat Rai Prabhu, Member, Kanachur Health Science Advisory Council, Kanachur Hospital & Research Centre.

Dr. Mohammad Suhail, Dean, Kanachur College of Physiotherapy, welcomed the guests and delegates.

As part of the programme, a two-day free workshop was organised on the following topics:

• Art of Practice in Cardiopulmonary Conditions by Dr. Sudhan S.G., Principal, Krupanidhi College of Physiotherapy

• The Gift of Life – Organ Donation by Dr. Rohan Monis, Chief Administrative Medical Officer

• Chest X-ray Interpretation by Dr. Hemanth, Department of Radiology, KIMS

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation by Dr. Vijaya Kumar, Department of Respiratory Medicine, KIMS

Organisers noted that the memorial lecture series has been conducted continuously for the 11th year, benefiting interns and postgraduate students from various colleges across Mangaluru. A total of 130 delegates attended the workshop.

Dr. Reshma, Vice Principal, Kanachur College of Physiotherapy, Mangaluru, delivered the vote of thanks.

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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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