LAST RITE TO A COBRA PERFORMED;

Madikeri October 7, 2006

A cobra was given a fitting last rite yesterday at Bhagamandala.

The residents of Bhagamandala where the confluence of Cauvery, Kannike and Sujyothi takes place had a traumatic feeling as a cobra tucked inside steel loaded in a lorry fell, writhing in pain. The steel was brought for the renovation of the holy place. Fearing that injuring a cobra in a holy place will bring curse, the lorry loaders killed it.

The residents said that unless the last rite is performed, the temple town cannot be rid of curse from the cobra, worshipped in India.

A priest Surya was called. Flowers and other materials were brought. The last rite according to the scriptures was performed on the banks of Cauvery. The snake had a ritualistic end in the presence of residents, a rare opportunity indeed for a reptile!

ROSEWOOD WORTH RUPEES TEN LAKH SEIZED;

The district crime branch has seized rosewood worth rupees ten lakh dressed for illegal transportation at Sulugodu village in Virajpet taluk.

According to police, three trees were cut and turned into 33 logs for illegal transportation in the land belonging ton avikumar.

Case has been booked against Savikumar, K.Suresh and four others. All the accused are said to be absconding. The rosewood is valued at rupees ten lakh. The case was handed over to Ponnampet police.

DC BOMBARDS SURGEON;

The Deputy Commissioner yesterday paid a surprise visit to Virajpet hospital and lambasted the surgeon Dr.Shivram for irregularities.

DC Subodh Yadav was upset as the surgeon was not making use of the funds available to improve the condition of the hospital. The hospital is in a dilapidated condition with doors and window panes broken in condition. Even the X ray room is not in tact.

DC questioned why repairs are not being done. He said that the district administration was insisting on repairs since a year and nothing was done so far.

DC pointed out that the hospital has rupees 22 lakh in common fund for utilization and the surgeon was aware of it. The PWD engineer Sudhir Kumar who was present disclosed that a plan of rupees 2.5 lakh for the repair was already sanctioned and the surgeon had to approve it. DC also noticed that the 68.5 kv generator of the hospital is not functioning. The surgeon disclosed that the local MLA Basavaraju has asked the surgeon not to repair it till May next. DC cautioned the surgeon against delay in showing progress and insisted on taking up works immediately.