A pourakarmika rests between her work day at Adugodi in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
1. Survey reveals reduced lung function in Bengaluru’s frontline workers
A three-year long study in Bengaluru of over 10,000 frontline workers has brought to light reduced lung function among BMTC bus drivers, traffic police, pourakarmikas and construction workers — sections most exposed to polluted air. The study, done by the VAAYU Occupational & Environmental Respiratory Illness Clinic (VOERIC), screened 4,517 BMTC drivers, 3,285 traffic police personnel, 2,169 construction workers and 379 pourakarmikas.
All the groups that were screened showed higher-than-normal prevalence of early lung-function abnormalities. Among them, pourakarmikas were found to have the highest proportion of workers, around 45%, with the PRISm pattern, an indication of reduced lung capacity. BMTC workers and traffic police followed, with 29.5% and 28%, respectively, showing reduced lung function. Among construction workers, 15% showed a PRISm pattern.
2. Yathindra Siddaramaiah rejects Pramoda Devi’s Jamboo Savari suggestion, says government ready to address grievances
Minister in-charge of Mysuru district Yathindra Siddaramaiah rejected a suggestion by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the erstwhile royal family of Mysuru to hold the Jamboo Savari on the day of Rathothsava instead of Vijayadashami, even as he said the government of Karnataka is ready to address the royal family’s grievances over the conduct of Dasara festivities.
Mr. Yathindra said it would not be possible to shift the Jamboo Savari to the day of the Rathothsava (chariot festival), to keep the palace premises free for the erstwhile royals to perform Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadashami rituals without external interference. He rejected Ms. Wadiyar’s suggestion to restrict cultural programmes at the palace to the first seven days of Dasara festivities.
3. All stakeholders need to find solutions to issues of sugarcane growers, says Karnataka CM
Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar struck a conciliatory tone during a meeting with sugar industry representatives and legislators in Belagavi on October 26. “All the stakeholders need to jointly find solutions to the problems of sugarcane growers and the sugar industry. Nothing will be achieved by blaming anyone,” he said in his introductory remarks at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
“When the earlier government led by Siddaramaiah tried to fulfil the demands of farmers by increasing the State Advised Price of sugarcane to ₹3,300, it was met with questions. Though nearly 80% of factories paid up, some did not… The government had taken these decisions respecting the concerns of farmers. It is clear that sugar factory owners have failed to win the trust of farmers,” he said.
4. Yadgir student sets mehndi record in Karnataka
In a rare blend of artistic passion and technical discipline, 20-year-old Keerthi Ninganna Hosamani, a Computer Science engineering student from Satyampet village in Shorapur taluk of Yadgir district, has etched her name in both the India Book of Records (IBR) and the Karnataka Book of Records (KBR) for creating an extraordinary 150-foot-long mehndi design.
Demonstrating exceptional patience and artistic dexterity, Ms. Keerthi achieved the feat by working continuously for 15 hours and 45 minutes across September 4 and 5. Her record-setting creation featured a rich tapestry of styles, including traditional Mandala art, free-hand patterns, and modern Arabic designs.
Published – October 26, 2026 06:41 pm IST
