Senior journalist, music critic A. Eswaraiah passes away
Udupi, Dec 30: Senior journalist and critic of music and photography A Eswaraiah on Sunday passed away at his residence at Lakshmindra Nagar in the city. He was 78. He is survived by wife, son and two daughters.
He had worked as editor of literary magazine ‘Tushara’ for more than two decades and he introduced hundreds of young and talented writers and litterateurs through his magazine. He has first introduced novels, short stories and poems of various writers through ‘Tushara’ and ‘Karvalo’ of Poornachandra Tejaswi was the best example.
Through his magazine, he has started a new column ‘photo article’ in order to give importance to best photos. This has encouraged writer Poornachandra Tejaswi in exposing the photography talent. He has special knowledge about photography and he was writing column about photography. But he was not happy about the excess usage of digital camera and mobile phone cameras as it has ‘killed’ creativity.
He was born to landlord and Patel of Ananthapura, Ananthapura Narayanaiah on August 12, 1940. After being graduated from MGM College of Udupi in English language, he entered journalism and worked till his retirement as the editor.
During his primary education, he had studied music and could able to play flute and other instruments. He was a multifaceted personality. Besides being a good journalist and giving priority to music, yakshagana and fine art forms, he was also a good photographer. Not only as a writer and short story writer, but Eswaraiah also talented in criticism. His column ‘Sarasa’, being written in ‘Tushara’ got much popularity and it came out in the form of book.
As a music lover, he established ‘Ragadhwani’ organization in Udupi and became the editor of a monthly magazine on music. He has got Karnataka State Media Academy award, State-level Sandesha award, Polya Yakshagana award, Vyasa Sahitya award, Moodabidri Nudisiri award and others. Sources said that his cremation would be held on Monday morning.
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Karnataka procured 16 lakh expired RT-PCR kits during Covid wave: D’Cunha commission
Bengaluru: Justice John Michael D’Cunha’s committee has uncovered significant irregularities in the procurement of medical supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing that more than 16 lakh RT-PCR test kits purchased by Karnataka in 2022 under the BJP-led government were either expired or close to their expiry dates.
After irregularities in PPE kit purchases, ventilators have also come under the scanner, with the report highlighting discrepancies amounting to Rs 173.26 crore in purchases made by the Medical Education Department.
The commission has also found that the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd. (KSMSCL) that cancelled a supply order for one lakh Rapid Antigen (RAT) kits placed with a Singapore-based company in March 2020 — for delay in supplying — has not recovered the Rs 6.99 crore paid to the company towards the order, as reported by The Hindu on Thursday.
According to the 279-page report on procurements made by the KSMSCL that is compiled in part IV of the report, a payment of Rs 148.84 crore was made by KSMSCL to various suppliers and firms towards procurement of RT-PCR kits from 2020 to 2022.
The Commission’s report, as cited by the publication, stated that there were records indicating procurement of RT-PCR kits, RNA extraction kits and Viral transport media (VTM) of a total value of Rs 106.25 crore during the pandemic in Karnataka. However, according to the report, this procurement was made without administrative approval.
“Since the KSMSCL has failed to discharge its obligation and responsibility, the loss caused to the State exchequer to this extent is required to be replenished by the erring officers and/or officials of the KSMSCL as well as the officers and/or officials of the consignee designated laboratories who received the consignment,” the report said, pegging the losses due to expired kits supplied by companies at Rs 3.11 crore.
In response to the report’s findings, state Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao criticised the saffron party for profiting from the pandemic. He promised accountability for the irregularities involving PPE kits and ventilators, stating that those responsible would face punishment.
