Muammar Gaddafi: Charming but cruel, recalls Kasargod doctor

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October 21, 2011

gaddu

Kasargod, October 21: The world knew him as an impulsive tyrant but Dr Mundol Abdulla's first impression of Gadaffi was of a friendly, charming man and cooperative patient.

The 70-year-old doctor from Kasargod, Kerala, revised his opinion only after seeing the bodies of dissidents and students hanging in public places.

In 1973, Dr Abdulla was appointed by Tripoli to run a clinic at Abu Hadhi near Sirte. Two months later, Gaddafi visited the clinic, complaining of a headache. Dr Abdulla prescribed Aspirin tablets, which apparently worked since Gadaffi praised him to his wife, saying the Indian doctor had solved his problem. Col was a gracious host, says Indian doc

Dr Mundol Abdulla, a doctor from Kerala who was among the 17 physicians appointed by the Libyan government, says Muammar Gaddafi would visit his clinic in Sirte regularly, though the exact date and time of his visit would never be revealed in advance due to security reasons.

On several occasions, he also invited Dr Abdulla and his wife to his residence in Sirte. "He was a gracious host, personally serving tea and snacks," recalls Dr Abdulla.

However, Gaddafi always feared assassination and never hesitated to take brutal action against any perceived threat, recalls the doctor. "Once, bodies of university students were kept hanging on the campus for a week as an example to others," he recalls with a shudder. Of course, Dr Abdulla made sure to not reveal his opinion to his unpredictable patient.

Eventually, Gadaffi's growing paranoia brought an end to his visits and the Abdulla lost touch with him. They returned to India in 1980, but almost 30 years on, pictures of a bloodied corpse on TV revived old memories for the family.

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News Network
April 7,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 7: Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Siddaramaiah on Monday urged Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to announce a special package to help farmers, agriculture labourers and also working class in various sectors who are affected by the lockdown.

Mr Siddaramaiah put forth his demands during a telephonic conversation and the Chief Minister positively responding to it informed that he will formulate a programme keeping in mind the suggestions made by the Opposition, a statement from the LoP's office said.

It said, the Chief Minister also spoke to Mr Siddaramaiah regarding the government's decision to stop supply of free food for poor and needy through Indira Canteens.

Mr Siddaramaiah on Saturday had written to Yediyurappa urging him to utilise Indira Canteens efficiently and provide food for poor and needy until the coronavirus crisis and lockdown is over.

The former Chief Minister's letter had come a day after the state government had decided not to provide free food at Indira Canteens as concerns were raised about the quality and misuse that was happening.

It had, however, decided to continue to provide subsidised food- breakfast at Rs 5 and lunch and dinner at Rs 10, as usual.

Mr Yediyurappa during the phone conversation on Monday appraised Siddaramaiah that the decision to supply food by fixing a price was taken to stop misuse that was happening.

Mr Siddaramaiah, however, insisted the government should provide food free of cost to the poor and needy, by taking care that misuse doesn't happen.

The senior Congress leader asked the Chief Minister to take action against errant officials who allowed misuse to happen, the statement said, adding that Yediyurappa has promised to look into it.

Initially, the government last month had decided that the state subsidised Indira Canteens would provide food packets free of cost to the poor and needy in the wake of the lockdown.

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News Network
April 7,2020

Mysuru, Apr 7 Following a tiger at Bronx Zoo in the US, testing positive for COVID-19, Mysuru Zoo authorities here have taken measures to contain the spread of the dreaded disease as per the directions of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

The Zoo is on alert and the animal keepers are not allowed to enter the enclosures without safety gear. It is mandatory for the personnel to undergo thermal screening before entering the Zoo. The personnel are provided with safety gears such as masks, gloves and Sanitisers. The CZA has directed to spray disinfectants near the enclosures of the animals and has also directed to monitor the animals’ behavior.

Zoo Authority of Karnataka Member Secretary B P Ravi said, "COVID-19 was detected in a domestic cat two weeks back in Hong Kong. Due to the outbreak of bird flu in Mysuru, we have taken all precautionary measures to combat COVID-19."

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News Network
July 30,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 30: Karnataka reported 83 deaths and 6,128 new cases in the state on Thursday. With this, the total number of cases in the state stood at 1,18,632, the state health ministry said.

Currently, there are 69,700 active cases, while a total of 2,230 people have lost their lives due to the pandemic till now.

There are 15,83,792 confirmed cases across the country. Of them, 5,28,242 cases remain active. While 10,20,582 have recovered, 34,968 patients have lost their lives due to the pandemic.

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