Bengaluru study shows high lung risk for outdoor workers, while Mysuru Dasara schedule stays fixed

A three-year study in Bengaluru involving over 10,000 frontline workers reveals reduced lung function among BMTC bus drivers, traffic police, pourakarmikas, and construction workers. The study by the VAAYU Occupational & Environmental Respiratory Illness Clinic screened 4,517 BMTC drivers, 3,285 traffic police personnel, 2,169 construction workers, and 379 pourakarmikas. All screened groups show a higher-than-normal rate of early lung-function issues. Pourakarmikas have the highest proportion at around 45% showing the PRISm pattern of reduced lung capacity, followed by BMTC workers at 29.5%, traffic police at 28%, and construction workers at 15%.

Mysuru Dasara and Sugar Industry

Mysuru District In-charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah rejected a suggestion by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the erstwhile royal family to hold the Jamboo Savari on the day of Rathothsava instead of Vijayadashami. He stated the government is ready to address the royal family's grievances over Dasara festivities, but shifting the procession is not possible to keep palace premises free for royal rituals. Meanwhile, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar urged stakeholders in Belagavi to jointly solve problems for sugarcane growers and the sugar industry without playing blame games. He noted that while an earlier government increased the State Advised Price of sugarcane to ₹3,300, and nearly 80% of factories paid up, some did not, showing that factory owners have failed to win farmer trust.

Record Mehndi Art

Twenty-year-old Keerthi Ninganna Hosamani, a computer science engineering student from Satyampet village in Yadgir district, entered the India Book of Records and Karnataka Book of Records for a 150-foot-long mehndi design. She worked continuously for 15 hours and 45 minutes across September 4 and 5, using traditional Mandala art, free-hand patterns, and modern Arabic designs.

Context

Frontline city workers face constant exposure to vehicle emissions and dust, which makes them vulnerable to chronic respiratory issues over time. Cultural festivals like Dasara involve complex coordination between state authorities and traditional local stakeholders regarding venue access and schedules.