Former India cricketer, coach Anshuman Gaekwad passes away at 71
Vadodara: Former India batter and head coach Anshuman Gaekwad passed away in Gujarat’s Vadodara on Wednesday after a prolonged battle with blood cancer.
The 71-year-old was undergoing treatment in London before returning to India last month. Facing financial challenges, he received support from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which released Rs 1 crore for his treatment following requests from Kapil Dev and Sandeep Patil.
In an international career spanning 12 years, the gutsy opening batter represented India in 40 Test matches and 15 One Day Internationals (ODIs). After his playing career, he served as a selector and later became the head coach of the Indian team. One of his most memorable moments as a coach was during a Test match in New Delhi when Anil Kumble scripted history and took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and offered condolences and stated that Gaekwad will be remembered for his contribution to the sport. “He was a gifted player and an outstanding coach," Modi added.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
