Bengaluru: Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar has announced that he is cancer-free following a successful surgery at the Miami Cancer Institute (MCI) in the United States. The actor underwent treatment for bladder cancer on December 24, 2024. Sharing the news in an Instagram video, he expressed gratitude to his fans and well-wishers for their prayers and support.
In the video, Geetha Shiva Rajkumar, his wife, stated, "Because of your prayers, all of Dr Shiva Rajkumar’s reports have turned negative. Even the pathology reports are negative, and he is now officially cancer-free."
The actor also opened up about his journey, acknowledging the emotional challenges he faced. Speaking about the days leading up to his surgery, he said, “I was a little emotional while leaving for the US, but my fans, family, and friends instilled courage in me.”
Shiva Rajkumar revealed that he continued working during his treatment, including shooting the climax sequence of his upcoming film, 45, while undergoing chemotherapy. Despite his health struggles, he promoted his last release, Bhairathi Ranagal, which hit the screens on November 15, 2024.
Expressing deep gratitude to his wife Geetha and daughter Niveditha for their unwavering support, the actor remarked, “Without Geetha, there is no Shivanna.” He also thanked his medical team for their care throughout the process.
Clarifying the nature of his surgery, Shiva Rajkumar said, “It was not a kidney transplant but the removal of the urinary bladder with an artificial replacement.” He explained that the decision to withhold detailed information earlier was to avoid causing worry.
The actor is set to return to work gradually, with doctors advising him to resume full-fledged activities from March. “I’ll be back with twice the energy. With your blessings, I’ll always be full of power,” he assured fans.
Shiva Rajkumar is currently working on multiple projects, including Uttarakaanda, 45, Bhairavana Kone Paata, and Ram Charan’s RC 16. He is expected to return to India on January 26.
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Gorakhpur (UP) (PTI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday that purifying water using natural methods will not only ensure river cleanliness but also result in savings of crores of rupees.
According to an official statement, the chief minister inaugurated a municipal corporation project worth Rs 2.70 crore to purify wastewater entering the Rapti River using the natural method of phytoremediation.
Addressing the gathering at the event, Adityanath said, "Water purification through natural methods will clean the rivers and also save crores of rupees. There will be no electricity costs or maintenance expenses involved in this method."
During the ceremony held at Takia Ghat, the chief minister praised the initiative, saying, "The efforts made by the municipal corporation to keep the Rapti River in Gorakhpur clean, continuous, and beautiful are commendable. This is a significant step taken to preserve fertility and life."
He emphasised the importance of clean water, stating, "Great people have always considered water as life. From 1977 to 2017, around 50,000 innocent children in Gorakhpur and Eastern Uttar Pradesh lost their lives to encephalitis and vector-borne diseases caused by contaminated water."
Adityanath said contaminated water and filth were the primary causes of deaths due to viral diseases. He highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, the Swachh Bharat Mission was implemented nationwide.
Urban areas witnessed the implementation of the Amrit Mission for clean drinking water, while rural areas benefitted from the Jal Jeevan Mission, he said.
Through the 'Har Ghar Nal' scheme, clean drinking water is now being supplied to every household, he said.
"Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts to preserve the river culture began with the Namami Gange project. Today, as a result, the world's largest religious and spiritual gathering, the Maha Kumbh, will be held on Uttar Pradesh's soil, at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati in Prayagraj, from January 13 to February 26," the chief minister said.
"Gorakhpur is situated along the banks of the Rapti and Rohini rivers. Efforts are being made to purify these rivers, which are the origin of our civilization and culture," he said.
He noted that earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had been imposing penalties on the municipal corporation due to the discharge of polluted water into the Rapti River.
"The municipal corporation had proposed constructing an STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) at a cost of Rs 110 crore. We suggested adopting a natural method of water purification instead. Today, the positive results are for everyone to see," he said.
The chief minister said that following natural water purification, the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) has reached a pure state, with the BOD level at the discharge point recorded at 22.
"If all drains and sewers connected to drainage systems are managed similarly, we can use this natural model to achieve better outcomes at lower costs and ensure the purity of water, which is essential for life," he added.