Creating healthy society is our goal: U T Khader

July 11, 2013

Mangalore, Jul 11: “Creating healthy society is our goal. Not just physical health, but also having sound mind and round health of the society that contributes to nation building,” said Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader.

Addressing members of Mangalore Branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) as chief guest on the occasion of Doctor's Day recently at Dr. A.V. Rao Conference Hall, IMA House, Mangalore, he said health department should cover every sector of society.

“Protecting people from bad habits is important for good health. In this regard our first step was to ban gutka products in the state,” he said.

Applauding the doctors present at the programme he said, everyone wants to become a doctor, but very few succeed in achieving their dream.

Continuing in a lighter vein, he said: “I hail from a family filled with doctors. Both of my brothers are doctors and many of my cousins too. My parents wanted me to become a doctor and admitted me to Science course during PUC. Within one month of struggling through theorems and whatnot, I realized this field is not for me and switched over to Arts with the hope of getting rid of the burden forever. As fate would have it, now God has made me the health minister and once more I have to face the subject!”

He said that shortage of doctors continues to be a major problem in government sector. “Though we are offering high salaries on contract basis, such as Rs. 40,000 for MBBS graduates and Rs. 65,000 for postgraduates, which is more than what many private hospitals offer, the response continues to be poor. Fine imposed for avoiding one-year compulsory rural service for doctors is also not effective. Hence we are considering raising the fine to Rs. 10 lakh,” he said.

On the occasion, Mr Khadar felicitated three senior doctors - Dr. Ganesh S. Pai, dermatologist and cosmetologist; Dr. M. Vijay Kumar, Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Dr. Gayatri Ramani, Obstetrician and Gynecologist - for their professional excellence, service to IMA and service to society.

This was followed by felicitation of Mr Khadar by Dr. C.P. Habeeb Rehman, Chairman of Unity Health Complex and Dr. Sathish Kumar Bhandary, Dean of K. S. Hegde Medical Academy on behalf of IMA Mangalore Branch.

The minister handed over prizes to three children, Ms. Rachana, Ms. Neha Mallya and Master Arush for being adjudged the 'Best Dressed Kids' as part of Doctors' Day.

IMA Mangalore Branch president Dr. Manjunath Shenoy welcomed the gathering. IMA Trust President Dr K. Bhasker Shetty made the introductory address. Dr. Animesh Jain, IMA Treasurer paid rich tributes to Dr. B.C. Roy in whose honour Doctor's Day is observed and proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. Annayya Kulal compered the programme.

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Mangaluru’s ₹1,200 crore fix: Massive sewage overhaul to end city’s drainage woes

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

• Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

• STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

• Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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