'Tour de difference' to help underprivileged

Bengaluru, Aug 3: A building of Bengaluru's civic body, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), on Broadway Road in Shivajinagar, is being developed into a COVID dedicated hospital with 200 beds, Karnataka Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said on Sunday.

The hospital will be functional in two weeks, said Sudhakar.

"BBMP building in Broadway Road is converted into Covid hospital. Setting up of infrastructure like beds, ventilators, oxygen etc is underway.

All necessary staff for this hospital including doctors, nurses and paramedical staff have been already deployed and the work is on fast track," Sudhakar tweeted.

He also thanked Infosys foundation and it's Chairperson Sudha Murthy for immediately responding to government's request and providing infrastructure for this hospital.

In a tweet, Sudhakar thanked the doctors for their service to combat COVID-19 in the state.
"These doctors have extended helping hand in these corona times without any expectations. I salute their spirit of service and professionalism," Minister said in a tweet.

According to the Union Health Ministry, there are 1,34,819 COVID-19 cases in the state. 

Bengaluru, Aug 4: With preparations underway for conducting exams for the final semester/ year students in the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan on Monday directed the respective universities to conduct exams for the backlog papers as well.

"In the wake of COVID-19, it has been decided to hold exams only for the students of final semester/year courses. It has come to our notice that some universities have decided against conducting exams for final year students who have a backlog to clear from previous semesters. This is unpardonable," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

"Our intention is to see that the final year students finish their course. In the present situation, conducting only final semester exams won't help. We have to help the students in clearing their backlogs," added Ashwathnarayan, directing all universities to compulsorily conduct these exams.

Meanwhile, Ashwathnarayan thanked the staff and officials of various government departments who were responsible for successfully conducting the CET exams even amidst the difficult situation in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

"In all, 1,94,419 students had registered for the CET exams, of which 1,75,428 wrote the exams. The percentage of students who took up the exams this year was equivalent to that of the previous years, in normal times," the DCM informed.

"After we successfully conducted the exams, Arunachal Pradesh is going to conduct the Public Service Commission exams on the lines of how we successfully conducted the exams. Likewise, even our KPSC has said it will conduct the exams. We must appreciate the good work of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), which has set an example for others," Ashwathnarayan said.

The deputy chief minister said that 33 colleges in various districts across the state faced shortage of land and that it is the responsibility of the District Commissioners (DCs) to get the lands sanctioned for all these colleges.
In Bagalkot district alone land has not been sanctioned for six degree colleges, he said.

Reacting to this, Bagalkot DC Captain Rajendra assured to look into the matter as soon as he receives the proposal from department officials.

"Similarly, there is shortage of land for five Diploma colleges and 28 ITI colleges in different parts of the state. The DCs must immediately pay attention to this. Once they get the land, buildings will come up within no time," the Karnataka deputy chief minister said.