Slain Bahseer’s aggrieved brother urges people not to disrupt peace

The United States of America has bought almost the entire world's supply of remdesivir, one of just two drugs proven to treat COVID-19. 

“President Trump has struck an amazing deal to ensure Americans have access to the first authorised therapeutic for Covid-19,” said the US health and human services secretary, Alex Azar. 

“To the extent possible, we want to ensure that any American patient who needs remdesivir can get it. The Trump administration is doing everything in our power to learn more about life-saving therapeutics for Covid-19 and secure access to these options for the American people.”

The announcement implies that no other country in the world will be able to buy remdesivir for next three months at least.

The anti-viral drug patented by the US-based Gilead biotech firm is the only one approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to treat patients with the novel coronavirus.

The Trump administration has already shown that it is prepared to outbid and outmanoeuvre all other countries to secure the medical supplies it needs for the US.

“They’ve got access to most of the drug supply [of remdesivir], so there’s nothing for Europe,” said Dr Andrew Hill, senior visiting research fellow at Liverpool University.

Remdesivir, the first drug approved by licensing authorities in the US to treat Covid-19, is made by Gilead and has been shown to help people recover faster from the disease. 

The first 140,000 doses, supplied to drug trials around the world, have been used up. The Trump administration has now bought more than 500,000 doses, which is all of Gilead’s production for July and 90% of August and September.

Kalaburagi, Feb 16: Fourteen years of life in jail has not deterred Subhash Patil from fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor.

The 40-year-old man from Afzalpura in Karnataka's Kalaburagi was put behind bars in a murder case while doing MBBS in 1997.

Speaking to media, Patil said, "I joined MBBS in 1997. But, I was jailed in a murder case in 2002. I worked at the jail's OPD and was released in 2016 for good conduct. I completed my MBBS in 2019."

Earlier this month, Patil completed a one-year mandatory internship for getting the MBBS course degree.

Police arrested Patil in 2002 in a murder case when he was in his third year of MBBS course. A court sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2006.

He was put behind bars but he did not give up his childhood dream of becoming a doctor.

In 2016, police released Patil on Independence day for his good conduct.

Mangaluru, Jan 19: ‘Ride For Rotary’ convoy of motor vehicles was flagged off from Hotel Ocean Pearl Inn at Bejai-Kapikad, Mangaluru on Sunday, 19th January, 2020 at 9.00 a.m. Rotary district governor Joseph Mathew flagged off the event along with Assistant Governors Sumith S. Rao, Geethanand Pai and Ritesh Baliga. The riders headed for Puttur after topping up their fuel tanks at Lady Hill Petrol Pump.

2019-20 Ride For Rotary includes 28 motorbikes and 5 cars. 38 Rotarians from 14 countries are participating, in this, the fourth edition of the event. They will traverse through Madikeri, Mysore, Wayanad, Ooty, Coimbatore, Munnar, Thekkady and Allepey before terminating at Kochi on 29th of January, 2020. The participating nationalities are India, Norway, Sweden, Canada, France, Germany, USA, UK, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Poland and Belgium. They belong to ages 21 to 78, with 78-year old Otto Rieve from Canada being the senior most enthusiast. Swiss national of Indian origin Raj Patholi and Mangalorean Abraham Zacharias are among the riders. 

Mangalore was chosen as the starting point for the convoy route this year which will cover Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. On the eve of the event, the organizers hosted a gala dinner for the riders at Citi Beech, Bolar. The riders were given a glimpse of the traditional dance forms and were treated to some wonderful songs in Tulu and Kannada along with local coastal cuisine.

They were also given a glimpse of the major service projects undertaken in our district by Rotary, such as the Rotary Blood Bank on Wheels, the Physiotherapy Clinic at Wenlock Hospital, the Schools adopted by Rotary and the Ashrams and Villages that are being served by Rotary. The idea behind this is to see that riders carry these memories and think of helping Rotarians in India through their matching contributions for future service projects.

‘Ride For Rotary’

Ride for Rotary is a charity event conceived by Rotary District 3181 which comprises of the revenue districts of Mysore, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Chamarajanagar covering 85 Rotary Clubs in 9 zones. Rotarians from across the world will come together for twelve exhilarating days. They will traverse through the meticulously arranged routes, enjoy the natural beauty of the places and experience the varied cultures and cuisines of the region. Ride for Rotary connects people and places like no other - Rotary Connects the World.

The proceeds from the event go to The Rotary Foundation, a charitable organisation that works tirelessly for the upliftment of the society.