Less than 8% Indian engineers fit for core engg roles

Bengaluru, May 12: In a scathing attack on the ruling BJP in Karnataka and warning the Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa government against any move to amend the Labour laws and APMC through an ordinance, former chief minister and JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday asked Mr Yediyurappa to work in the interest of the people and not to budge under any pressure from the Centre or to please party bosses.

Speaking to media here on Tuesday he questioned the urgency to bring forward such ordinances on important subjects and asked the government to have a public debate on it and also discuss it in the assembly.

“I'm warning the government… I have been watching everything silently till now, I have not caused any embarrassment to the government. I want to tell the government, don’t push us to do it,” Kumaraswamy said

New Delhi, Jul 3: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in Karnataka have emerged as a "crucial pillar in the state's success" in combating Covid-19, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

Acknowledging and praising their work, the ministry said they have been actively participating in household surveys in the state, screening inter-state passengers, migrant workers and others in the community for symptoms of the infection,

“Around 42,000 ASHAs have emerged as a crucial pillar in the state's success” in combating Covid-19, the ministry said.

"Recognizing the increased vulnerability of certain population groups to Covid-19, in a one-time survey to identify households with the elderly, persons with co-morbidities, and immune-compromised individuals, about 1.59 crore households were covered," the ministry said in a statement.

ASHAs regularly monitor such high-risk groups in their area with a periodicity of follow-up visits varying from once a day in the containment zones to once every 15 days in other areas, it said.

They also visit the houses of persons complaining influenza-like-illness (ILI) symptoms and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), besides high-risk individuals who have called the state health department helpline numbers, the ministry said.

ASHAs are a part of the Rural Task Force, headed by Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) at the Gram Panchayat level, for addressing public grievances on both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 related services.

ASHAs are trained female community health activists selected from the village itself and accountable to it. They are trained to work as an interface between the community and the public health system.

In the urban areas too, they have been at the forefront of dissemination of various awareness activities in fever clinics and swab collection centres in urban areas.

They have also actively screened cases of ILI and SARI in urban areas. They are also part of the screening teams at international and interstate check-posts.

Karnataka has reported 272 Covid-19 deaths and 18,016 cases, according to the health ministry data updated at 8 AM.

She is one of a few beauty queens who give equal importance to both modelling and academic growth. Within months after completing her MBA in Finance and HR, Shifali Saldanha won Miss India Continent 2019 first runner-up and Miss Glory of International 2019 held in Mumbai.

An alumna of St Aloysius College (AIMIT), this 23-year-old Mangalurean is now a much sought after budding model. “I am enjoying the moment and would like to go with the flow,” says the much-loved daughter of Stephen Saldanha and late Anupama Saldanha.

Over the course of past two years, Ms Saldanha has experienced various nerve-wracking moments. She was shattered when her beloved mother lost battle with cancer and bid adieu to the world a couple of years ago. Yet, she serenely braved all the challenges. Her ‘never give up’ attitude helped her to scale new heights amidst misfortunes and pains.

Speaking to coastaldigest.com about her success in Miss India Continent 2019, which was organised by Dr Mahesh Yadav of Aman Gandhi Film Productions, Ms Saldanha said 15 contestants from different parts of the country were shortlisted for the finale, which had five diverse rounds. 

“The meet and greet session was my favourite phase in the competition as it was an opportunity to interact with the participants from different parts of the country,” recalls the multi-talented, who dreams big. 

The leggy lass’ success wasn’t accidental one. A trained singer and multilingual anchor, Ms Saldanha was already a known figure in coastal Karnataka. She had won the titles Miss Karnataka International- Multimedia 2018, and Miss Beautiful Eyes Mangaluru 2018.

Being a moderate feminist, who carries a go-getter attitude, Ms Saldanha calls upon every woman to be optimistic, challenging and goal-focused.