H1N1 positive in 7 persons at Thirthahalli, vigilance squad deputed

Vartha Bharati | 26-09-2018 | 00:24:00 IST

Shivamogga, September 25: Suspected H1N1 cases are found in some villages in Thirthahalli taluk in the district. District Health department has confirmed that seven patients were tested positive to the H1N1 fever.

DHO Dr BC Venkatesh confirmed this news that the blood samples of the suspected patients were collected and sent to Virology Institute in Shivamogga. Among the samples, seven samples are tested positive, he said.

Treatment facility was made for the patients at the JC Hospital in Thirthahalli town and all of them were recuperating. Separate wards were also set up in the hospital for those patients. For those who have been getting the treatment at private hospitals, the department has been distributing the tablets, he said.

The suspected H1N1 cases were reported from Kuruvalli, Shirajapura, Mahishi and Harogoppa villages in the taluk. In those villages, the department has deputed vigilance squads which will check up the health of the villagers and provide treatment. Awareness was also being created among people on the spread of H1N1 syndrome. But currently, the situation was under control, the DHO said.

As the rain is receded, the mercury level was increased in the taluk. Amidst this, the contagious diseases are also increasing. Hundreds of people in the taluk have been suffering from fever.

ZP member visits hospital

Zilla Panchayat member Kasaravalli Srinivas visited the taluk government hospital and enquired the health condition of the patients. He also held discussion with the doctors and staff of the hospital and asked the doctors to give suitable treatment to the patients.

No death is reported

“H1N1 is not the reason for the death of a person from Hodala Aralapura village in Manipal hospital. The medical report of the Manipal hospital has never mentioned about H1N1 virus. There is no need to be panic over this issue”.

-          Dr. B.C. Venkatesh, DHO

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First-ever life-size Vivekananda statue in US unveiled in Seattle

12-04-2026 ¦ 12-04-2026 IST

Photo: PTI

New York (PTI): The first-ever life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda in the US was unveiled in Seattle, honouring the renowned Indian philosopher and spiritual leader.

The life-size bronze statue, installed at the busy Westlake Square in downtown Seattle, is the first such installation hosted by a city government anywhere in the US, officials said.

Sculpted by Indian artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat, it was jointly unveiled on Saturday by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta.

"From Chicago 1893 to Seattle 2026! Seattle's skyline has a new Indian icon: Swami Vivekananda! City of Seattle becomes the first city government to host the Swami Vivekananda Monument in the heart of downtown Seattle," the Consulate General of India in Seattle said in a social media post.

Addressing the event, Wilson said the monument reflects Seattle's inclusive spirit and strengthens cultural ties between India and the diverse metropolitan tech hub in the US Pacific Northwest.

The statue has been gifted by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) to the City of Seattle in recognition of its "in recognition of the city’s rich multicultural character and spirit of inclusivity", the Indian mission in Seattle said in a statement.

The unveiling of the statue was held on the occasion of the celebration of ICCR Day and is part of India's broader cultural diplomacy initiatives aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties between India and the US Pacific Northwest, the Consulate said.

Located at the bustling Westlake Square, which sees over 400,000 visitors daily, the monument stands near prominent landmarks including the Amazon headquarters ‘Spheres’, the Seattle Convention Centre and the Seattle Centre Monorail.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by several local leaders, including mayors from cities in the Greater Seattle area, community representatives and members of the Indian-American diaspora.

Swami Vivekananda had delivered his historic address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, introducing Hindu philosophy to a global audience.