AYUSH to introduce Panchakarma treatment in villages

As more number of people are switching over to Ayurveda for treatment of chronic ailments, the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and homeopathy (AYUSH) is gearing up to provide better services by recruiting personnel trained in Ayurvedic treatments as well as extending Panchakarma Chikitsa at 20 Ayurvedic dispensaries situated in various Taluks of the Mysore district.


Considered to be very ancient, Panchakarma treatment is offered in urban areas and has not yet reached the interiors, especially villages. Through the introduce of programme, villagers are benefited in large number, as the treatment is made easily available in their places.


Presently there are 38 Ayurvedic dispensaries in Mysore district, of which AYUSH will be introducing Panchakarma Chiktsa in 20 dispensaries by next month. AYUSH District Officer Dr Nagesh said that among 20 dispensaries, the infrastructure facilities at Hunsur, KR Nagar and HD Kote dispensaries are in good condition and the fund allocated by government will be used for the betterment of other dispensaries in a phased manner.


“Strengthening the staff and improving basic facilities at ten hospitals will be taken in first phase and 16 qualified trainers will be recruited for providing specialised treatment. The State Government has already sanctioned Rs 7 lakh for the project and in the second phase the programme will be extended to the remaining hospitals,” he added.


“Panchakarma treatment is a boon for treatment of chronic ailments like back-pain, joint-pain, knee-pain amongst others and usually doctors advise to undergo Panchakarma treatment,” said Chennamma who has got rid of ailment through Panchakarma.


Ayush doctors say though the relief from pain in people consuming allopathic medicines is temporary, it recurs as soon as the medication is discontinued, as a result more number of people are turning towards Ayurveda in the hope of seeking a permanent relief.


Explaining the process Dr Nagesh said first body will be detoxified and later treatment will be given for ailments. Through Panchakarma internal, external treatment, steaming, removal of toxins, oleation (oil massage), medicated enemas and nasal administration and following treatments will be provided.


Shortage of doctors
Ayush is also facing shortage of doctors. Among 134 posts, only 75 posts are filled and 59 vacant. An average of 7 staff is needed in every dispensaries, but at present there are only 1-2 staff. 16 multi-purpose workers will be recruited by this month end, on account of launch of the Panchakarma programme.
The response of Ayurveda dispensaries in 1997 was 38,000. Whereas since 2008 an average of 1,40,000 are visiting Ayurveda dispensaries. 

Incredible achievements of a women

Meet this women, who is relentlessly serving society for the past four decades. 56-year-old Dr B Nirmala is the woman, who has bagged several awards for her outstanding individual achievements in the field of health, education and social service making one mesmerise.

She has been educating rural women on matters related to health and legal issues, food hygiene, HIV/AIDS, drug abuse by conducting rallies, camps. Since 1997 she is actively involved in creating awareness among people about eye donation, body and blood donation. Because of her relentless efforts she has been successful in registering around 6000 people for eye pledging.

With the vision 'Tree Planting is part of life', she has motivated several people to plant at least one or two trees in their life-time. She has taken initiative to plant around 9850 saplings during the camp activities and other social service programmes organised by various NGO's. She has to her credit of donating more than 1.5 lakh books for needy people.

She has so far conducted more than 30 camps across State, of which she has organised 11 camps from Maharani's Science College, where she has rendered service as NSS officer for more than 15 years. At present she is serving as Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Hindi in the same college.

Another interesting feature of Nirmala is she is a national level cricket player. She has played for Karnataka and Rajasthan in 1989 and 1980 respectively. She represented Karnataka as one of the organisers in-charge of pitch during one day women's world cup cricket.

Over the past 45 years she has been conferred with state, national and international awards. She has bagged more than 700 awards and prizes, 32 medals of honour. Some notable ones being Mother Therasa Gold Medal Award, Mahatma Gandhi Gold Medal Award, Best NSS Officer Award from Karnataka Government, Shining Image of India Gold Medal Award, National Vocational Excellence award and Environmental Award. She has also excelled in literary field composing poems for over 200 Hindi movies and has penned several articles.

She said her parents late Mallamma and GM Battimallappa, retd DAG of GoK, IAAS have played major role in her life and motivated her lot in every step. "Since a child I was interested to do social service. While I was in fourth standard, I carried a medical kit along with me to school to treat if someone got injured," she said smilingly.

“Women should be bold and develop an attitude of positive thinking. Should learn to face problems courageously, and not to give up at any stage of life,” is her motivation words.

Ranks to her credit

Dr.Nirmala, a Doctorate degree holder has bagged first rank in BA (Hons) Sociology, fourth rank in MA Sociology from Rajasthan University, first rank in MA Hindi with four gold medals and second rank in M.Phil from Bangalore University.

  

1,800-year-old temple a boon for childless couples

It is natural for humans to seek solace from God when all other efforts fail. Sri Santhana Venugopala Swamy Temple (Huchappa Gopala) at Hemmaragala Grama, Nanjangud taluk in Mysore district is where devotees, especially childless couples, go to overcome their problems.

The temple which is said to be 1,800 years old, was built during the reign of the Cholas and Gangas. There is a stick (danda) in the temple which is said to have belonged to Koundinya Maharshi, a saint from the pre Buddha era. Before relinquishing his body, he is said to have transferred all his spiritual powers to the stick which is believed to cure any ailment, the priests say.

Couples without children from across the country come here to worship. The ceiling is adorned with small silver cradles as a testimony to the number of couples who were blessed.

Several couples have written in the temple records that they were blessed with children after offering prayers here. Some even recovered from serious ailments. Devotees offer pooja to the Santhana Sudharshana Chakra placed inside the sanctum sanctorum. There is a Nagarkallu in the temple’s backyard.

People believe that by worshiping it, their supposed ‘sarpa dosha’ will be removed. “Since the time of our ancestors, we have been visiting this temple and I believe that there is a supreme power here. The deity is very powerful and we have been cured of all ailments,” says Seenappa, a villager.


A couple who had travelled all the way from Hyderabad said it was their second visit. They had prayed for a child three years earlier and were finally blessed. Though the temple comes under the Muzrai Department, all the developmental works are taken up by devotees. On Saturdays and Sundays, thousands of devotees offer prayers as the temple which is 14 km from Nanjangud.

‘Huchappa Gopala’

The presiding deity is also known as ‘Huchappa Gopala.’ According to priest N Veeraraghavan, one of the Chola kings had only girl children and prayed to Lord Gopala to bless him with a boy. When his 12th child was also a girl, he left the baby at the temple for a day out of anger.

However, when he came to pick up the child the next day, it was a boy. Since then, the deity has been addressed as ‘Huchappa Gopala’.

Science on Wheels, for enhancement of science knowledge

Learning on the move: Science on Wheels Project (Mobile van) for enhancement of science knowledge for the Rural Government High School Students.

Larsen ad Toubro, Engineering and construction company, under educational development activities is launching a project called 'Science on Wheels' (Mobile Labs) in association with Agastya International Foundation, Bangalore and Public Education Department.

The inauguration of the project will be held on June 12 at Hinkal High School at 10.30 am. During the financial year, L&T aims to provided full equipped science lab for 20 selected government high schools of Mysore Rural Block.

'Science on wheels' is an initiative for 8th to 10th class students. A Van equipped with specially designed science models and accompanied by trained local instructors, goes to various schools to conduct workshops for the underprivileged students.

Unique models and methodology followed in the workshops helps in improving students understanding of science subjects.

Mobile science labs vehicles manned by a driver and two trained instructors carries experiments and capable of traveling long distances even to remote schools to exhibit concepts and involve children and teachers in hands-on science. The instructors teach scientific concepts through simple and innovative experiments. The sessions emphasise interaction and questioning. The lab has complete working models of the entire solar system.

Speaking to Express, Programme in-charge officer Santhosh Shetty said that most experiments are simple in nature and used materials are commonly available.

“Children are able to relate better to concepts explained through interactive demonstrations rather than through rote learning. They learn about astral bodies, rotation and revolution, effect of gravitation eclipses and how the brain deciphers signals through innovative models developed by Agastya’s resource partners,” he added.

Informal women’s achievement through Nari Adalat

Nari Adalat Arbitrators Sannathayamma (Hunsur), Basamma (Nanjangud), Lakshmma (Hunsur), Kamalamma (Nanjangud) were in Mysore on Tuesday, on a meeting. 

'Nari Adalat' (Women Court) is doing wonders in district, specially being voice of the voiceless women. The judges, rather the arbitrators at the Adalat are all women who have never been to any law school.

In spite of being illiterate and not having any formal education the women sympathize with the problems faced by other women in their villages. Over the decade these women are relentlessly raising voice against all forms of violence meted out to women, solving thousands of cases cases every year. Serious cases will be refereed to Police and they will followup the developments of the case.

Majority of cases come in Adalat are dowry harassment, domestic violence, extra-marital affairs, alcohol abuse, divorce, child marriage, suspect of virginity, removal of female foetus, gender discrimination and inordinate behaviour from spouse, women beaten up and abused by husbands who are alcoholic, property dispute and much more.

The women solve the disputes amicably through mediation, sometimes even counseling the couple on options like going for adoption instead of remarriage. The women have even take up cases and fight against social injustices in the taluk.

'Nari Adalat' has been working effectively for the past ten years as an alternate legal body in five taluks of districts, such as Nanjangud, Periyapatna, Hunsur, KR Nagar and HD Kote.

The 20 women members meet every month in their respective taluks and discuss the developments of case. They even travel neighbouring villages and solve cases. This programme was initiated by Mahila Samakhya organisation, to help women who scare to go to police and courts.

65-year-old Basamma of Shettahalli Grama, Hulhalli Hobli in Nanjangud Taluk says: “We are not educated. But, we have developed courage to question the wrong-doings and raise voice against injustice.

Basamma from last ten years has solved thousands of cases in Taluk.

55-year-old Sannathayamma of Hunsur Taluk says: “Without any education we are happy for striving for the betterment of the families. Women courageously come in front of Nari Adalat and seek protection.”

After hearing arguments from both the sides the women leaders of the Adalats solve their problems. They say even few men have approached adalat following misunderstanding with partner.

  

Transgenders, homosexuals to stage play

Members of Ashodaya Samithi, a society involved in the welfare and rehabilitation of sex workers, has chosen a platform to showcase their talent and inform people they are no different than other members of the society.

As many as 25 transgenders, homosexuals and sex workers have come together to stage a mythological play in Mysore, cultural capital of Karnataka. All of them have been relentlessly practicing for the past one month to give their best for the event which will become a trend-setter in the days to come.

The one hour play titled 'Samrat Soudhana' involves such characters like Bhishma, Shikandi, Shakuni, Duryodhana, Gandhari, Vidura, Karna, Krishna amongst several others. Music and songs for the play are being composed by the troupe members themselves. The play will be staged at Rangayana at the end of this month.

Raghu who is doing the role of Dhuradhana said: “The experience and joy is unsharable. It is a great opportunity for us to come to reach out to the general public who always look down upon us. Through play we can bring out our feelings, pain and agony in front of society and inform we to are party of society."

Director of the play G Chandra Praba, is proud of his novel attempt.

Earlier, he has credit of directing plays for blinds and orphans children, factory workers, deaf and dumb children since 2009.

He says being in theater field from last seven years his motto is to provide equal opportunity for needy people, and bring them to the main stream of society.

Assistant Director Ningaraju said some artistes are equal to professional performers in singing, dancing and dialogue delivery. He says, through staging play the artistes gets courage to face the ups and downs of life.

He requested Kannada and Culture department to provide a platform for artistes to showcase their talent during Bahuroopi theater festival, summer camps and other events.

Rainy season harrowing time for vegetable vendors and hawkers

 Though the continuous downpour has brought relief to people reeling under severe water shortage, including farmers who depended on rains for sowing crops, it has caused lot of problems for small section of the society, that is the vegetable vendors and roadside hawkers.

Vendors of vegetables and other perishable products like fruits and flowers, who sell in open have to proceed hurriedly for save place to escape from the lashing rain water.

Even vendors selling vegetables and fruits carrying on push-carts not venture out in fear of rain. They trudge long distances covering every locality and extension in the city. But the sudden rains has forced them to return home earlier, causing a huge loss to their daily earnings.

The worst affected are the vendors selling in front of the Devaraja Market, Central Jail, Portion of Sub Urban Bustand and those in the wholesale market situated on MG Road. Rain water accumulates on roads for long time here, worsening the situation more. With earned little money it has become challenging task for them to lead life.

If water soaks the vegetables especially onions, garlic, potatoes and flowers rot very soon says Pushcart vendor G Raju, who has faced loss in business due the rain.

Naganhalli Geethamma who sells groundnut in front of central jail says,

“we bring products borrowing money from the lender. When heavy rain lashes we have to run for nearby shops seeking shelter to keep products and accommodate ourselves. This has affected our business severely.”

Greens Seller Nanjamma, who has three daughters says, she is exhausted to lead life. “With earned 100-150 profit have to take care of three children. When rains lashes foot falls of people declines and has become difficult to lead life with earned money. Corporation has not bothered to provide shelter,” she regretted.

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Several farmers in Mysore are giving up tobacco cultivation

In a good move, farmers of Periyapatna, Hunsur, KR Nagar have given up tobacco cultivation and have switched over for growing horticulture crops since last year. According to Horticulture officials, farmers in the region are cultivating Banana, Papaya, Rose, stretching across more than 150 acres of land where once tobacco was grown, a commercial crop in great demand. 

Thanks to the persistent efforts of Horticulture Department who were to able to convince farmers to take up growing alternative crops in place of tobacco, under Comprehensive Horticulture Development programme.
While, some farmers have given up tobacco cultivation completely considering the health hazardous. Some are switching over after the imposition of ban by the Central Government which has set a target to reduce 50 per cent of tobacco cultivation by 2020.

Of the 33 villages coming under Saligrama Hobli in KR Nagar, five villages namely, Pashupathi, Mavanoor, Gummanahalli, Kedaga, and Shigavalu farmers have switched over up to 90 per cent for alternate crop Banana. Saligrama is spread over a geographical area of 1109.49 hectares of which dry land comprises of 308 hectares, where banana cultivation has been taken up in more than 35 acres. Even at Hunsur and Peiryapatna the farmers are growing papaya in 35-36 acres of land respectively.

Farmer Somegowda who has grown bananas said the margin of profit per acre of land is around Rs 2 lakh per annum which was not the case with tobacco. “Tobacco requires lot of investment and profit margins are less with just around Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh per acre. It is also labour intensive right from nursing to marketing” he added.

KR Nagar Taluk Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture CT Krishnakumar said there is more willingness from farming community to switch over to alternative crops, considering the profit and subsidy provided under several schemes.

Hunsur Horticulture Senior Assistant Director Somaiah said by switching over to alternative crop farmers can avail benefits under various schemes such as RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana), NHM (National Horticulture Mission) and NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act). Anti-Tobaco Forum Vasanthkumar Mysoremath welcomed the move of farmers, but said still many of them are growing tobacco illegally and urged strict action against those farmers.