Latest news with #Veeresh


New Indian Express
6 days ago
- New Indian Express
After 32 years, man reunites with family in Andhra
KURNOOL: In a story reminiscent of the film Lion, a man who went missing as a toddler was reunited with his family after 32 years in Adoni, Kurnool district. K Veeresh Janardhan, now 35, was only three years old when he accidentally boarded a train while playing near Adoni railway station in 1992. The train took him to Chennai, Tamil Nadu, where Railway Police placed him in a local orphanage. Unable to communicate his identity, he was later shifted to Mumbai, where he grew up and built a life, all the while searching for his roots. On June 27, Veeresh returned to Adoni in search of his family. With the help of local authorities and a social media appeal, he was identified by his uncle, Kakarla Jagadeesh, who confirmed Veeresh's identity. Jagadeesh recalled that Veeresh's parents, Janardhan and Padma, had died of illness when Veeresh was still a toddler living with his grandmother. After his disappearance, the family lost all hope despite a prolonged search. Veeresh was taken to Sudireddipalle village on the outskirts of Kurnool city, where Jagadeesh lives with his family. Though Veeresh now speaks only Hindi and English and has forgotten Telugu, the emotional reunion with relatives transcended language. He said he was overwhelmed upon seeing photographs of his parents and grandmother. Now based in Navi Mumbai, Veeresh runs a catering business with his wife and has two daughters. He plans to return briefly to Mumbai and later visit again with his family to reconnect with his roots. Relatives from Gangavathi, Ballari, Hubballi, and Hospet have also welcomed him back into the family. 'This is not just my story,' said Veeresh. 'It's about hope, love, and finding your way home.'


The Hindu
30-06-2025
- The Hindu
Chamundi Hills: KSRTC operates over 1,300 trips during Ashada weekend
The rush of devotees to the Chamundi Hills in Mysuru on the first Friday of the Ashada season was unprecedented, with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) handling the massive passenger load by operating nearly 1,336 trips over the weekend. Since private vehicles have been banned on Ashada Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to ease traffic congestion on hilltop, the KSRTC has to ferry devotees during this period. Officials of the Mysuru Urban Division of the KSRTC ensured smooth operations from both the city bus stand (CBS) and the makeshift bus stand at the foothills near Lalitha Mahal. The ride to Chamundi Hill on the first Friday was free for men, while women availed themselves of free travel under the Shakti scheme. On Friday alone, the corporation operated 580 trips, deploying 98 buses, including eight Volvo buses. On Saturday and Sunday, 336 and 420 trips were operated respectively, with 49 buses on Saturday and 47 on Sunday pressed into service. This year, devotees purchasing ₹300 and ₹2,000 tickets were transported separately. On Friday, 310 buses carried devotees who purchased ₹300 tickets, while 63 Volvo buses transported ₹2,000 ticket holders. The premium ₹2,000 ticket holders were ferried in Multiaxle Airavatha Club Class AC buses, as the KSRTC has phased out older AC buses that were earlier operated on city routes. Nearly 400 staff were on duty on Friday to ensure seamless operations amid the heavy rush. From CBS alone, the KSRTC operated 541 trips, ferrying passengers boarding en route to the hills. KSRTC Divisional Controller (Mysuru urban) Veeresh said operations were conducted successfully without any complaints. 'Though the rush was slightly less on Saturday compared to the usual trend during Ashada weekends, we will continue to deploy as many buses as possible. We do not want to take chances considering the rush witnessed all these years,' he said. The officials said that the same strategy would continue for the upcoming Fridays and weekends as the rush is expected to increase in the coming weeks. This is perhaps the biggest single-day operation the KSRTC undertakes annually on a single route in Mysuru. Even during Dasara, while the overall city rush is high, the Chamundi Hills remains one of the busiest destinations.


News18
30-05-2025
- General
- News18
Monsoon Is Here: Bengaluru Civic Body Allocates Rs 65 Lakh For Flood Relief Equipment
Last Updated: While the BBMP will continue to collaborate with other departments, officials believe the new equipment will prove valuable during emergencies. As the rainy season approaches, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has initiated last-minute preparations for heavy rainfall, acknowledging the limitations of its infrastructure in managing such events. The civic body plans to procure flood-relief equipment, including inflatable boats, life jackets, centrifugal pumps, and other emergency gear, anticipating potential flooding. This follows severe flooding in areas such as Sai Layout, ST Bed, and HBR Layout, and indicates the BBMP's recognition that this year's monsoon could pose similar, if not greater, challenges. The BBMP has allocated approximately Rs 65 lakh from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund to acquire nine types of flood-response equipment. This includes four inflatable boats equipped with outboard motors (each with a capacity of 12 passengers), 48 life jackets, 16 centrifugal pumps for draining stagnant water, chainsaws for clearing fallen trees, bolt cutters, ropes, and handheld torches. For the first time, the BBMP is independently procuring flood-management equipment, marking a departure from its previous reliance on State and National Disaster Response Forces (SDRF/NDRF) and Fire Department personnel for rescue and relief operations during floods. While the BBMP will continue to collaborate with other departments, officials believe the new equipment will prove valuable during emergencies. A senior BBMP official explained that previously, they had to improvise, using earthmovers to deliver food and tractors to evacuate residents in areas like Sai Layout. However, this move has attracted criticism, with some describing it as a reactive measure that fails to address the underlying causes of flooding. RTI activist BH Veeresh criticised the BBMP, stating that the civic body had ample opportunity to address fundamental issues such as desilting stormwater drains, removing encroachments, and promoting rainwater harvesting, rather than simply preparing for the consequences. 'Instead of tackling these fundamental problems, the BBMP is preparing only for damage control," he said. Veeresh also highlighted alleged irregularities in the Storm Water Drain (SWD) division, which he claims remain uninvestigated. First Published: May 30, 2025, 14:50 IST


Hans India
17-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Blood donation camp for children with thalassemia
Devanakonda(Kurnool district): A mega blood donation camp was organized in Devanakonda on Friday under the aegis of ARD a social welfare organization, with the aim of extending support to children suffering from Thalassemia. The event took place at the local Gram Panchayat office and saw overwhelming participation, with over 161 individuals stepping forward to donate blood on Friday. According to the organizers — Veeresh, Jagadeesh, Chidambaran Goud, and Sai, the camp was conducted to address the critical and ongoing need for blood among Thalassemia patients, especially children who require transfusions every 21 days to survive. They said the collected blood would be channeled to medical facilities treating such patients. Medical professionals who participated in the event, including Dr. Sreekanth Reddy, Ram Babu, Suresh, and Pratap, spoke on the urgent need to create awareness about Thalassemia and the lifesaving impact of regular blood donations. 'Every drop of blood donated helps extend the life of a Thalassemia child. This is not just a donation — it's a gift of life,' said Dr. Reddy. The doctors and volunteers urged citizens to make blood donation a regular practice and contribute to the well-being of those battling chronic illnesses. They emphasized that blood donation is safe, simple, and has the potential to save multiple lives. The camp witnessed enthusiastic support from the local community, reflecting a growing sense of social responsibility and compassion. Organizers praised the donors and volunteers for their dedication and expressed hope that such events would inspire many more to join the cause. ARD officials noted that the organization will continue to hold similar blood donation drives across the region to ensure that Thalassemia patients never face a shortage of blood. They also encouraged people to learn more about Thalassemia and support affected families in any way possible. This initiative stands as a testament to the power of community-driven efforts in addressing critical healthcare challenges and improving lives through collective action.