Nine trekkers from Karnataka lost their lives in Uttarakhand due to extreme weather conditions, officials said on Wednesday.

A 22-member trekking team was sent by Himalayan View Trekking Agency, Maneri, on May 29 on a 35-km long trek from Uttarkashi.

The team constituted 18 trekkers from Karnataka and one from Maharashtra, besides three local guides, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Meharban Singh Bisht said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday instructed the officials concerned to take necessary action for safe rescue of trekkers and to bring the bodies of the deceased to the state immediately.

Earlier in the day, the Principal Secretary in the Revenue Department, Rashmi Mahesh, told PTI that four trekkers from Karnataka died while rescue operations were on to save the others trapped at Sahasratal in Uttarakhand. The District Magistrate of Garhwal was monitoring the rescue operation.

However, later, the death toll rose to nine.

Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda left for Dehradun to monitor and coordinate the rescue operation.

In a statement released by his office, the minister said that a team of trekkers from Karnataka started their trek on Tuesday morning in the high altitude area of Shastratal Mayali in Uttarakhand. After reaching the destination, the team tried to return to the camp again. However, on the way back, the weather turned completely bad at 2 pm due to a blizzard and they were stranded.

“Last night, we came to know that trekkers from Karnataka are in danger due to adverse weather conditions. As soon as we came to know the matter, the Uttarakhand government, Mountaineering Federation of India and the Home Department of the Central Government were contacted through the district administration. With their help, the rescue operation is being carried out,” he said.

According to Gowda, emergency rescue operations started on Tuesday evening with the help of locally available helicopters. Also, an Indian Air Force helicopter reached Uttarkashi at 9 am on Wednesday to rescue the trekkers, and a disaster management team started moving towards the camp by land route this morning.

Some trekkers have been rescued and were sent to a safe place in Dehradun.

“I spoke to one of the trekkers and gathered accurate information about the current situation there. The work to rescue the rest is in progress and the Government of Karnataka has already started all its efforts to rescue the trekkers. I left for Dehradun on Wednesday afternoon to assist in this operation,” he said.

“Unfortunately, there have also been reports of some trekkers dying, which we are trying to reconfirm with local authorities and private agencies. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has instructed us to make all efforts to retrieve the bodies of the deceased trekkers. We are in touch with the Uttarakhand government and are going to work in this regard,” he added.

Later in the evening, a statement released by the Chief Minister’s Office said that bodies of those who had gone on a trek to Shastratal Mayali in Uttarakhand and died due to inclement weather would be handed over to their families and the rest of the trekkers who were rescued would be brought safely to the state.

In this regard, the Chief Minister has spoken to the Revenue Minister as well as the rescued trekkers in Dehradun over phone.

“It is very painful to know that the death toll has risen to nine. I pray for the departed souls to rest in peace. All those rescued should be safely brought home without any disturbance. Instructions have been given to Minister Krishna Byre Gowda that all the necessary procedures should be carried out immediately in order to handover the bodies to the families,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

Speaking to the trekkers who were rescued and brought to a safe place, the Chief Minister assured that all efforts are being made at the level of the government to bring everyone safely.

“Those who have already been rescued through the rescue operation have been brought back to a safe area and some trekkers are yet to be rescued. Adverse weather is severely hampering rescue operations and our government is trying its best to bring everyone to safety,” the Chief Minister added.

Bengaluru: To bring more awareness about snakebite prevention as well as to prevent snake persecution, a first-of-its-kind WhatsApp chatbot has been launched in Mysuru.

Incidentally, in February, Karnataka also became the first state in India to declare snakebite as a notifiable disease.

The chatbot, launched by Humane Society International (HSI) India in collaboration with The Liana Trust, an organisation that engages in conservation efforts by educating people, provides easily accessible information about snake species found in Mysuru.

They also provide lifesaving snakebite first-aid, snakebite prevention tips, and myth-busting around misinformation about snakes that can lead to acts of cruelty.

“Snakebite is a mass problem which requires a mass solution. As per our survey in the Mysuru district, WhatsApp is one of the most used digital apps. Hence, this is an easy platform to reach many people with vital information that could save human lives and prevent snake persecution. Just as preventing a bite from occurring is important, knowing the right first aid once a bite occurs is crucial too,” said Vinod Krishnan, Human-wildlife Coexistence Manager at HSI India.

According to Krishnan, people have an innate fear of snakes mostly due to lack of information about them. This often leads to snakes being killed or relocated to alien habitats where they have little chance of survival. The chatbot is meant to address this information vacuum and empower local communities to take swift and informed action when snakes are encountered.

The automated chatbot, accessed via a QR code or messaging ‘Hi’ to +91 9154190472 disseminates engaging visual content in English or Kannada, making it easy to understand.

The aim is to reach at least one lakh users by this year to foster coexistence with snakes, added Krishnan.

India witnesses 10 lakh snakebites a year leading to nearly 58,000 human snakebite-related deaths annually and nearly 2 lakh cases of morbidity. Karnataka alone reported 6,500 snakebites in 2023, stated a press release issued by HSI India.

It is also a neglected tropical disease classified by the World Health Organisation, taking a devastating toll on the socioeconomics of households and the mental health of those affected, according to the statement.

Gerry Martin, founder of The Liana Trust, said the chatbot will also aid policymakers. “The chatbot is a great way to have a continuous dialogue with the community, assess the information they are accessing the most, and add further layers to this such as information on the nearest hospital, ambulance services, and so on in the future.”

Incidentally, India launched the National Action Plan for prevention of snakebite envenoming — a potentially life-threatening disease caused by toxins in the bite of a venomous snake, according to the WHO — on March 12, which directed states to draw up their plans to halve deaths and disabilities due to snakebites by 2030.

Bengaluru: The arrest of Prajwal Revanna will not impact the Janata Dal (Secular) [JDS], asserted G.T. Devegowda, President of the JDS core committee, on Friday. Devegowda expressed the party’s support for the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) probe into the sexual assault case involving Prajwal, emphasizing the importance of punishing wrongdoers.

Devegowda addressed the media after a meeting at a private hotel in Bengaluru, which was convened in the context of the Legislative Council elections for the South Teachers Constituency.

Regarding Prajwal Revanna’s arrest, Devegowda stated, “We have suspended Prajwal from our party. An investigation is underway, and there is public outrage over the lack of action against those who shared the video. We will not interfere in the investigation. It must be impartial and just. Our demand is for an unbiased investigation.”

He further emphasized that the party stands firm on ensuring justice for the victims. “If Prajwal has done something wrong, he must be punished. His arrest does not affect our party,” GT Devegowda reiterated.

GT Devegowda also commented on the suicide case of Chandrasekhara, Superintendent of the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Development Corporation, who left a death note implicating the minister. “There is a demand for the minister’s resignation. The minister should have resigned in light of the death note. Now, the public is demanding his resignation,” he said.

When questioned about Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s allegation of witchcraft against the JDS, Devegowda responded, “D.K. Shivakumar knows what he is talking about. He should explain it. Kumaraswamy is in Madikeri and has nothing to do with it. Kumaraswamy has stated he would never engage in such activities.”

The press conference was attended by MLA C.N. Balakrishna, H.P. Swaroop Prakash, former MLA K.S. Lingesh, H.K. Kumaraswamy, JDS leader N.R. Santosh, and media spokesperson Hongere Raghu, among others.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, facing allegations of sexually abusing several women, was arrested after completing due process, and further legal procedures will follow.

He said the arrest will help the Special Investigation Team formed by the state government to probe cases against the Hassan MP.

Prajwal was arrested at the early hours of Friday by the SIT, minutes after he arrived from Germany.

“Prajwal Revanna landed around 12.40 am -12:50 am from Germany’s Munich. As there was an arrest warrant against him, SIT accordingly arrested him and took him into custody and further legal procedures they will follow today. I’m yet to discuss with our officials,” Parameshwara said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “As of now, the only information is that he (Prajwal) has come. He has been arrested and according to law, what action should be taken, like — medical examination, presenting him before the judiciary. All those procedures will follow, including questioning him.”

“…naturally he should have cooperated to the arrest. His immigration papers were cleared and he was brought out (of airport). As he had a diplomatic passport, things happened easily, after completing all the due process, he was arrested,” he added.

Asked if the government will appeal to more victims to come forward, now that Prajwal has been arrested, Parameshwara said, “We have already said, those who have faced trouble from him to come forward and give complaints to SIT and police, and we will provide them all kind of protection. We will have to wait and see further developments.”

To a question about reports that Prajwal had destroyed evidence in his phone and is claiming that he has lost the phone, the minister said that he was not aware of it and hadn’t heard from SIT on the same.

Responding to a question about whether the arrest was delayed, the Home Minister said, if Prajwal was in the country or in the state, a team could have been sent to secure him, but as he was abroad there were certain procedures to be followed.

“So through CBI, Interpol was informed and a Blue Corner Notice was issued against him. Those procedures were followed. Knowing all those things and thinking that in case, the Lok Sabha poll results go against him, the diplomatic passport would be withdrawn, and he will have to come back, he had issued a video statement that he would surrender on May 31. He has come now. It will help SIT in the investigation,” he added.

The 33-year-old Prajwal, grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and the BJP-JD(S) alliance candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, is facing charges sexually abusing many women. He has been so far booked in three cases of sexual assault. There are also charges of rape against him.

He had left for Germany on April 27, a day after Hassan went to polls. A ‘Blue Corner Notice’ seeking information on his whereabouts was issued by the Interpol earlier, following a request by the SIT via the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A Blue Corner Notice is issued by the international police cooperation body to collect additional information from its member countries about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a crime.

A Special Court for Elected Representatives issued an arrest warrant on May 18 against Prajwal, following an application moved by the SIT. The Congress-led Karnataka government has urged the Centre to cancel his diplomatic passport.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has served a show-cause notice to Prajwal asking why his diplomatic passport should not be cancelled as sought by the Karnataka government in view of allegations of sexual abuse against him.

Prajwal Revanna

Bengaluru: Suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, facing allegations of sexually abusing several women, was taken to hospital for medical examination under tight security on Friday, police said.

Escorted by female police officials, he was taken to Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital here.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the allegations against Prajwal arrested him as soon as he landed at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru in the wee hours of Friday.

The 33 year-old MP, who arrived from Germany’s Munich, was taken to the CID office for interrogation, sources in the SIT said.

The SIT is also contemplating a potency test on Prajwal.

A potency test is done to ascertain that a rape accused is capable of committing sexual assault on victims.

Prajwal, grandson of Deve Gowda and the BJP-JD(S) alliance candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, is facing charges of sexually abusing many women. He has been so far booked in three cases of sexual assault.

BY: Dr Rizwana Iqbal

Infertility has become a major health issue in recent years. It is estimated that 1 in 15 couples are suffering from infertility which is defined as failure to achieve a pregnancy after trying at least for 1 year.we find that 1/3 of the causes for not conceiving is due to problems in female and 1/3 due to male factor problems and 1/3 due to both. Delay in conceiving can lead to many social problems like; unhappiness, anxiety,depression, suicidal tendencies,family disharmony,arguments, social boycotting,nick naming generally females and in extreme cases domestic violence and divorce. Therefore, couples need to come forward and get themselves investigated so that treatment can be initiated early.

We at prime-care hospital provide a targeted counselling and investigate both the male and female partners. We have a full setup for diagnosis and treatment available under one roof and we offer only self egg- self sperm for treatment as it is shariah based fertility centre. Even in patients whose husbands have no sperms there is treatment available in which sperms are aspirated or extracted by a procedure called TESA/PESA or TESE from the male testis or epididymis.The sperm can then be used to fertilize the female egg that has been retrieved from the ovary after giving her hormonal injections, thus creating an embryo in the IVF Lab. As far as female factors are concerned poly cystic ovaries, hormonal disturbance,endometriosis, Fallopian tube blockages, uterine factor (fibroids and polyps etc). need to be thoroughly investigated and treated accordingly.

Infertility should be considered as a shared problem of couples and the close family members and friends should provide all the social support and encouragement rather then being the cause of stress which can cause a negative impact on treatment.

Bengaluru: Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge has criticized the much-touted Gujarat model championed by BJP leaders, calling it a “fake model.” In a post on the social media platform X on Friday, Kharge highlighted the rejection of Uttar Pradesh (UP) as a model state due to its focus on divisiveness, contrasting it with Karnataka’s development-oriented approach.

Kharge emphasized that the “Karnataka Model” is now emerging as a genuine example of development. He pointed out that a delegation of transport officials from Uttar Pradesh recently visited the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) to study the efficient functioning of Karnataka’s transport system and learn about the innovative practices adopted by the state’s transport department.

“The term ‘guarantee’ that others have borrowed reflects how the Karnataka model has inspired not just various states across the country but also the central government and Prime Minister Modi himself,” Kharge stated.

Kharge also highlighted Karnataka’s leading positions in several sectors, asserting, “We are already No. 1 in the fields of IT, BT, public transport systems, financial systems, and tax collection. Our government is making sincere efforts to position Karnataka as a model state for the country in many areas.”

Bengaluru: Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda has issued a “stern warning” to his grandson Prajwal Revanna, who is currently accused in a sex scandal and is reportedly absconding from India. In a letter shared on his X handle, Gowda expressed his anguish and called for Prajwal to surrender to the authorities immediately.

Gowda shared the emotional and personal turmoil he and his family have endured since the scandal broke. “It took me some time to recover from the shock and pain Prajwal has inflicted on me, my entire family, my colleagues, friends, and party workers,” he said. Gowda reiterated his stance on the matter, stating unequivocally that if found guilty, Prajwal should face the harshest punishment under the law. This sentiment has been echoed by his son and former Karnataka Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy.

Acknowledging the harsh criticisms directed at him and his family in recent weeks, Gowda chose not to retaliate or seek to silence his detractors. “People have used the harshest words against me and my family. I am aware of it. I do not wish to stop them or criticize them. I will not try to argue that they should have waited until all the facts were known,” he stated.

Gowda addressed the public skepticism regarding his knowledge of Prajwal’s activities and movements, including his alleged foreign trip. “I also cannot convince people that I was unaware of Prajwal’s activities, that I have no desire to shield him, or that I was not aware of his foreign trip. I believe in answering to my conscience and to God, who knows the truth,” he asserted.

Choosing not to delve into what he described as political conspiracies, exaggerations, provocations, and falsehoods that have emerged in recent weeks, Gowda expressed his faith that those spreading such misinformation would eventually face divine justice. “I am very sure people who have done it will have to answer to God and pay for it heavily one day. I place my truth and my burdens at the feet of the Lord,” he said.

The core of Gowda’s message, however, was his direct warning to Prajwal. “At this juncture, I can do only one thing. I can issue a stern warning to Prajwal and ask him to return from wherever he is and surrender before the police. He should subject himself to the legal process. This is not an appeal; it is a warning,” Gowda declared. He stressed the consequences of not heeding this warning, highlighting the potential for total isolation from the family. “If he does not heed this warning, he will have to face my anger and the anger of all his family members. The law will take care of the accusations against him, but not listening to the family will ensure his total isolation. If he has any respect left for me, he has to return immediately.”

Gowda also emphasized his commitment to ensuring a fair investigation, free from any interference by him or his family. “I wish to make it clear that I will ensure there will be no interference in the inquiry against him from me or my family members. There is no emotion in this regard in my mind whatsoever, only the cause of justice for those who have suffered as a result of his alleged actions and misdeeds,” he said.

“It is of utmost importance to me to earn back the trust of the people. They have stood by me for over sixty years of my political life, and I am deeply indebted to them. As long as I am alive, I will never let them down,” he concluded.

Bengaluru : Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said the state government has written to the Ministry of External Affairs to cancel the diplomatic passport of Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing charges of sexual abuse, on the basis of an arrest warrant issued against him by a court.

The 33-year-old Prajwal, who is the grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and is the NDA’s candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, is facing charges of multiple instances of sexually abusing women.

Prajwal reportedly left for Germany on April 27, a day after Hassan went to polls, and is still at large.

“CM (Chief Minister) has already written to the Prime Minister, but the department (Home) writing it in accordance with law is different. Warrant has been issued now, on the basis of the warrant, a letter has been written stating that — warrant has been issued and the diplomatic passport has to be cancelled,” Parameshwara said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said if the passport is cancelled, it will be impossible for Prajwal to stay anymore in the foreign country, and he will have to come back.

“We have written to the Ministry of External Affairs as matters related to passports come under them, they will have to respond to it,” he added.

A Special Court for Elected Representatives issued an arrest warrant on Saturday against Prajwal Revanna, following an application moved by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the state government to probe the serial sex abuse charges against the MP.

Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had on May 1 written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to move the Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs to take swift action to cancel the diplomatic passport of Prajwal Revanna.

A ‘Blue Corner Notice’ seeking information on Prajwal’s whereabouts has already been issued by Interpol, following a request by the SIT via the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Responding to a question on JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy requesting Prajwal Revanna, who is also his nephew, to return to India and face the probe, Parameshwara said, “I have seen it in the media, it is their family’s internal matter, let him (Prajwal) come and face the law.”

Regarding Kumaraswamy alleging that 40 phones including his own and those of his family members and supporters are being tapped, the Home Minister said, “I have already said that the government has not tapped the phones of Kumaraswamy or 40 people that he has claimed. If he has accurate information that it has been done, let him give the information, we will get it investigated as to who has done it and why.”

Asked whether the purported audio of alleged conversation between Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and BJP leader Devaraje Gowda about the leak of explicit videos allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna, that has surfaced will also be probed by the SIT, Parameshwara said, “they (SIT) will decide it, at every level the government will not instruct about the investigation, we have nothing to do with it. SIT has been given total freedom to investigate and they will investigate as per their mandate.”

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: A group of litterateurs and academics of Karnataka have written to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanding the immediate arrest of Hassan JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing charges of sexually abusing several women but has gone abroad, “absconding” from the law.

The state government has constituted a Special Investigation Team headed by Additional Director General of Police B K Singh to probe multiple instances of sexual abuse and related cases involving Prajwal Revanna, and the Interpol has issued a Blue Corner Notice against the Hassan MP, who reportedly left the country on April 27.

Prajwal is the son of MLA and former Minister H D Revanna, who too has been accused in a case of molestation and another case of abduction, and grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda.

Condemning the alleged sexual abuse of women by Prajwal, as many as 107 intellectuals comprising litterateurs, academics, playwrights, singers and social activists have written to Siddaramaiah demanding his immediate arrest.

In their letter, they said the incident shows the feudal mindset of a powerful family, whose members hold key positions in Parliament, the legislative assembly, the legislative council, panchayats and municipal bodies.

They said it is a big crime that the victims of sexual exploitation were allegedly threatened and kidnapped in order to “cover up a crime which has been happening for many years.”

The group highlighted the threat to the lives of the victims and the trauma their families are going through after the scandal broke out.

They said that some women after suffering ignominy attempted suicide while many stigmatised families migrated from Hassan.

The group said a fearless atmosphere should be created for victims to come forward and lodge complaints. They also sought a brake on trading of charges by political parties, and the completion of the SIT probe within a time-frame.

Reacting to the letter, state Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said the government would take it seriously.

“We will take their letter seriously because they are the ones who have concern for the society. They take note of the issues around them,” he said.