Clinic on wheels here to spread health awareness

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Suresh Vamanjoor)
March 25, 2013
Mangalore, Mar 25: A mobile blood donation clinic which has been operational in the city of Bangalore from almost a year, reached the city on Mangalore from Kundapur on Sunday, to spread awareness among people on the facilities available in the clinic.

After conducting a blood donation camp in Kundapur today where a total of 112 units of blood was collected, the bus which is operational only in the city of Bangalore, travelled to Mangalore for the first time. This clinic conducts a blood camp almost every day in Bangalore, after which the donated blood is transferred to the Central Blood Bank belonging to Indian Red Cross Society, Bangalore.

Manufactured at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore, the mobile clinic on wheels was launched by National Aids Control Organisation and is being run by the Bangalore branch of Indian Red Cross Society. The fully air-conditioned bus is equipped with facilities of a blood bank such as donor cots, collection monitor, refrigerators for storage of blood units, a rest room and a temperature control monitor.

Describing how the mobile clinic works, medical officer from IRCS Bangalore Dr Nagaraj E said that a blood donor first has to fill a registration form along with a questionnaire prior to donating blood, and has to be medically examined to certify if the person is qualified to donate.

“Since the clinic is equipped with four donor cots, four people can easily donate blood at a given point of time. After collection, the blood units are sealed in the collection bags and kept in the refrigerator for storage,” he said, adding that a total of 240 units of blood could be stored in the mobile clinic at a time.

“Usually, all the blood units are delivered to blood banks at a specified government or private hospital for a nominal fee within 6-8 hours of collection. The screening for the units of blood is done in blood banks, to check for abnormalities, or to separate whole blood into components such as red blood cells (RBC), white cells and plasma. Whole blood and RBCs should be stored for 35-40 days between 2 degree and 6 degree celsius, while plasma can be stored upto a year between minus 40 and minus 80 degree celsius,” he said.

The clinic has a medical team of 18 members, including a medical officer, when it is operational. Only disposable syringes and needles are used for blood donation, and rest of the materials and instruments are sterilised, said Ashok, technical supervisor of Indian Red Cross Society Blood Bank.

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News Network
December 2,2025

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Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district. 

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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