Kʼtaka health officials bust prenatal sex determination racket in inter-state decoy operation:Report
Bengaluru: In a first for the Karnataka health department, a team of officials conducted an interstate decoy operation with the help of their Andhra Pradesh counterparts and uncovered a racket involved in prenatal sex determination.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Thursday, the investigation began after a pregnant woman from Mandya district revealed during a routine health check-up that she had learned the sex of her unborn child during a visit to Guntakal in Andhra Pradesh. Disturbingly, she also admitted to discontinuing her medication after discovering she was carrying a girl child.
Asha workers in Malavalli, who noticed the woman’s deteriorating health, alerted senior health officials after learning about the illegal procedure. The woman and her husband reportedly obtained the sex determination test through a contact whose identity was initially unknown.
Following this, Dr Vivek Dorai, state nodal officer, Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT), planned a decoy operation in coordination with Dr K.V.N.S. Anil Kumar, his counterpart in Andhra Pradesh.
As part of the operation, the same Mandya couple was asked to reconnect with the original agent. Karnataka officials provided the couple with Rs 9,000 in cash after marking the serial number of the notes. The couple contacted the agent again, expressing interest in another sex determination test.
The agent accepted Rs 7,500 and facilitated contact with a medical officer to carry out the test. She later informed the couple that the foetus was female and reportedly revealed that a medical termination of pregnancy could be arranged through one Dr Baby, a registered medical practitioner based in Guntakal. She even shared a contact number for the procedure.
Later, the officials checked the cash in the hands of the agent and confirmed that she had the currency with the pre-recorded serial numbers, the report added.
The Karnataka health department has since handed over all findings to the Andhra Pradesh officials for further investigation and possible legal action.
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Mangaluru’s Karavali Utsava is back; Cultural, beach events lined up, here’s the complete schedule
Mangaluru: This year’s Karavali Utsava will commence on December 20, with a wide range of cultural, adventure, and tourism-focused programs planned across Mangaluru and other parts of the Dakshina Kannada district, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V. said.
He was speaking while presiding over a Karavali Utsava preparedness review meeting held at the District Commissioner’s office.
The main event will be held at the Karavali Utsava grounds in the city. In an effort to promote beach tourism, special programs will be organised at six beaches across the district, which include Panambur, Ullal, Someshwara, Sasihitlu, Tannirbhavi, and the Blue Flag Beach.
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Outlining the schedule, the Deputy Commissioner said adventure sports will be held at Sasihitlu Beach, while a wine, cheese, and cake festival will take place at the Tannirbhavi Blue Flag Beach.
A music festival and triathlon are planned at Tannirbhavi Beach. Football, volleyball and other sports events will be organised at Ullal Beach, cultural programs at Panambur Beach, and a music evening and yoga program at Someshwara Beach.
In addition, food festivals featuring a variety of local and regional cuisines will be held at all beaches. The Kala Parba program and a flower and floriculture exhibition will be organised at Kadri Park, while a film festival is also planned in Mangaluru city.
A football tournament will be held at Nehru Maidan on December 27 and 28, and special programs will be organised at Pilikula Nisargadhama. To attract tourists, helicopter joyrides have also been arranged, the Deputy Commissioner said.
The review meeting was attended by Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Narvade Vinayak Karbari, Mangaluru Deputy Divisional Officer Meenakshi Arya, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mithun H.N., Deputy Conservator of Forests Antony Mariappa, and other officials.
