Niloufer Hospital nearing full capacity
The Hindu
Children suffering from seasonal diseases, respiratory issues admitted
The 1400-bed Niloufer Hospital here is almost 90% full with children suffering from viral fevers, bronchitis, pneumonia, dengue, and other illnesses or diseases getting admitted at the State-run tertiary care facility.
Doctors said every monsoon, the hospital sees almost 100% bed occupancy. They, however, point out that many who do not have severe infections or diseases are also referred to the hospital dedicated for children.
“Children from faraway districts are also referred to our hospital. We admit everyone who comes here even after reaching full capacity. But some private hospitals refer children even if they do not have a serious form of infection. Besides, anxious parents rush their child to hospital when the platelets count drop below 1 lakh, suspecting dengue,” says a paediatrician at the hospital.
Hampi, the UNESCO-recognised historical site, was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire from 1336 to 1565. Foreign travellers from Persia, Europe and other parts of the world have chronicled the wealth of the place and the unique cultural mores of this kingdom built on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. There are fine descriptions to be found of its temples, farms, markets and trading links, remnants of which one can see in the ruins now. The Literature, architecture of this era continue inspire awe.
Unfurling the zine handed to us at the start of the walk, we use brightly-coloured markers to draw squiggly cables across the page, starting from a sepia-toned vintage photograph of the telegraph office. Iz, who goes by the pronouns they/them, explains, “This building is still standing, though it shut down in 2013,” they say, pointing out that telegraphy, which started in Bengaluru in 1854, was an instrument of colonial power and control. “The British colonised lands via telegraph cables, something known as the All Red Line.”
The festival in Bengaluru is happening at various locations, including ATREE in Jakkur, Bangalore Creative Circus in Yeshwantpur, Courtyard Koota in Kengeri, and Medai the Stage in Koramangala. The festival will also take place in various cities across Karnataka including Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Mandya, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru.