Karnataka sees sharp rise in snakebite incidents in 2024 with 13,235 cases, 101 deaths: Report
Bengaluru: Karnataka has witnessed an alarming increase in snakebite incidents and fatalities, with recorded cases rising from 6,596 and 19 deaths in 2023 to 13,235 cases and 101 deaths in 2024.
According to data from the state's Health Department, as cited by The Hindu, there have already been 415 snakebite cases and three deaths between January 1 and 18 this year.
As per data from the state’s Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal, as cited by the news outlet, Hassan recorded the highest number of snakebite cases in Karnataka in 2024, with 850 incidents, followed by Chickballapur and Mysuru, which reported 813 and 790 cases, respectively. The highest number of snakebite deaths occurred in Tumakuru, with nine fatalities, followed by Koppal and Kalaburagi, each reporting eight deaths, and Bagalkot and Shivamogga, which had six deaths each.
The state declared snakebite deaths and cases as notifiable under the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, 2020, in February 2024. As a result, the Health Department in the state mandated that all hospitals, including private facilities, and medical colleges enter all snakebite cases and deaths on the IHIP portal.
Ansar Ahmed, state Project Director of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, stated that making snakebites notifiable had led to better surveillance. “It has resulted in better monitoring, response, and mitigating the effects of snakebites, which have long posed a severe public health concern, especially in the tribal and rural areas,” Ahmed told The Hindu.
He also assured that the state has an adequate stock of anti-venom, with 60,000 vials available across health facilities, adding that it should ideally be administered within six hours of the bite.
Ahmed also mentioned that ANMs and ASHA workers have been trained in the proper handling of snakebite cases, ensuring that patients are quickly shifted to the nearest health facility for treatment. Furthermore, the doctor highlighted that they have intensified their public awareness, information, education, and communication campaign.
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Sanskrit scientific language, NASA has written papers on it: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta
New Delhi, May 4 (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday claimed that Sanskrit is a "scientific" language and even NASA has acknowledged it as such – a claim that has often been made with little evidence in support.
Gupta made the remark addressing the closing ceremony of a 10-day Sanskrit learning initiative in the capital.
"Even NASA scientists have written papers on Sanskrit and have confirmed that it is a scientific language. Coding can be done in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is the most computer-friendly language," she said.
Her assertion was most likely based on a 1985 paper – and subsequent glorification of it with little follow-up – published in AI magazine.
The paper, titled Knowledge Representation in Sanskrit and Artificial Intelligence, was authored by Rick Briggs, a researcher associated with NASA Ames Research Centre, who sought to prove that a "natural language can serve as an artificial language also."
Briggs, about whom little else is known, cited in the paper ancient Sanskrit grammarians who "accomplished" a method for "paraphrasing Sanskrit in a manner that is identical not only in essence but in form with current work in Artificial Intelligence."
Meanwhile, Gupta said that it is societal bias that views fluency in foreign languages as a sign of intelligence, while often dismissing Sanskrit.
"If our children speak French, German or English fluently, then we consider that child very bright and take pride in that. But when a child can speak Sanskrit with the same fluency, it is not considered a big deal," she said.
Gupta argued that Sanskrit is not only foundational to Indian culture but also integral to many Indian languages.
"Every state has a mother tongue, but in reality, Sanskrit is our mother tongue as every language has descended from Sanskrit. Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Sindhi, Malayalam -- these are all branches of Sanskrit," she said.
The BJP leader added, "If we want to be 'Vishva Guru' (world leader), then we have to gain more knowledge by the means of Sanskrit."
She also said that the Delhi government will work to make the language more accessible, especially through government schools.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra also attended the event.
The Delhi government, in collaboration with the NGO Samskrita Bharati, conducted free Sanskrit classes from April 23 at 1,008 locations across the city schools, colleges, and temples, with daily two-hour sessions focusing on the basics of the language.
Gupta said such efforts are part of a broader push to restore Sanskrit's place in everyday life and education.
