Dr Santosh T Soans elected founding president of IAP medical education chapter

Media Release
February 7, 2021

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Mangaluru, Feb 7: Dr. Santosh T. Soans of Mangalore has been elected as the Founding President of the newly constituted Medical Education Chapter of Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP-MEC). He will assume office during the official installation of Office Bearers at the national conference of IAP on February 6, 2021 at Mumbai. He has also been elected for a two year term as a member of the Governing Council of Indian College of Pediatrics.

Medical education sector has undergone exponential growth during the last two decades. Today the country has 542 medical colleges and 64 stand alone PG Institutes whose qualifications are recognized by MCI. There are numerous institutions offering DNB and other courses too. Large numbers of people study or teach at these institutions. The post-Covid scenario has ushered in radical transformation of education. Online teaching and hybrid interactions have replaced the traditional classroom tutorial format of education. The need for social distancing has reconfigured doctor-patient relationships. The surge of digitalization is sweeping all sectors of public life.  Hence Indian Academy of Pediatrics has instituted a Medical Education Chapter to address the challenges faced in pediatric medical education and help to improve the standards and elevate it to world class. With nearly 10,000 IAP members being directly or indirectly associated with academics, IAP-MEC is poised to emerge as the largest chapter of IAP.

A pioneer in Pediatric Intensive Care in this region, Dr Santosh Soans is an experienced academician and practicing pediatrician. He is an alumnus of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore and Manipal. He is presently serving at AJ Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore as Professor and Head of the Department of Pediatrics as well as the Chief of NICU / PICU. He has earlier served as faculty at Father Muller Medical College too. Over the last two decades he has groomed innumerable undergraduates and postgraduates students.

“It is my privilege to lead this fledgling organization as its Founding President. I have always believed that academic advancement and scientific accomplishments are the bedrock of evidence based medicine. This new academic wing of IAP will enable thousands of pediatric medical educators across the country to keep pace with the latest developments in medical education and meet their professional development goals,” said Dr. Santosh T. Soans.

Dr. Santosh Soans has been actively involved with Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) for nearly three decades and served as its National President in 2018. He has also served as the National Vice President (2010), National Chairman, Intensive Care Chapter (2013) and Karnataka State President (2015). He was conferred with the ‘Outstanding Asian Pediatrician Award 2018’ by the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association and is a recipient of ‘IMA Doctors Day Award 2019’. He is a much sought after speaker for national and international medical conferences. He has authored two books, contributed chapters to several medical text books and published articles in various medical journals. 

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News Network
November 19,2024

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The Karnataka Police’s Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) achieved a major breakthrough on Monday night by eliminating Vikram Gowda, one of Karnataka’s most wanted Naxal leaders for over two decades. The encounter occurred in the dense Kabbinale forest of Udupi district, marking a significant victory against Naxal insurgency in the region.

Who Was Vikram Gowda?

Hailing from Hebri in Udupi, Vikram Gowda, 44, was a prominent figure in the Naxal movement. He went underground in 2002, initially serving as a courier and fund collector before rising to lead a breakaway Naxal group. Despite having only a fourth-grade education, he was a staunch advocate for tribal rights and a key player in the movement’s survival in Karnataka.

Bounty: ₹3 lakh from Karnataka and ₹50,000 from Kerala.

Legacy: The last major Naxal leader in Karnataka after the 2021 arrest of B G Krishnamurthy.

The Encounter

Police revealed that Gowda and his team visited Kabbinale village to collect groceries on Monday night. Acting on a tip-off, ANF ambushed the group. When the Naxals opened fire, ANF responded, leading to Gowda's death.

Escapees: Three Naxals fled, including prominent members Latha (aka Mundgaru Latha) and Raju.

Significance: This was the first Naxal casualty in Karnataka in over two decades.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed the operation, stating, “Gowda was elusive for 20 years, escaping multiple encounters. His death is a critical step in dismantling Naxal operations in the region.”

The Decline of Naxal Activity in Karnataka

Karnataka's Naxal movement has been dwindling, with members seeking refuge in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The group’s strength had reduced to just 19 members by 2018, but recent sightings indicate attempts at revival:

2023 Activity: Reports of Gowda-led movements in the Kodagu and Hassan districts reignited concerns.

Political Heat: The BJP criticised the Congress government, alleging it created a “safe haven” for Naxals.

A Glimpse into Gowda’s Past

Personal Life: Gowda’s ex-wife, Savitri (alias Rajita), was arrested in 2021. She was a senior Naxal commander involved in insurgency since 2004.
Rehabilitation Efforts: Since 2013, Karnataka’s rehabilitation policy has seen 14 Naxals surrender and reintegrate into mainstream society.

A Milestone in Karnataka’s Fight Against Insurgency

The operation signifies a decisive blow to Naxal resurgence in the Western Ghats. While the ANF continues its search for escapees, the Karnataka government reaffirmed its commitment to offering rehabilitation to those willing to surrender.

As Karnataka celebrates this triumph, the message is clear: there is no room for insurgency in the state.

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News Network
November 11,2024

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Udupi, Nov 11: The Karkala town police in Udupi have arrested Krishna Naik, the sculptor responsible for installing a 33-foot Parashurama statue at Umikkal Hill in Bailur, Karkala taluk. 

Naik, the owner of Krish Art World and a resident of Bengaluru's Visvesvaraya Layout, was apprehended in Mahe, part of the Union Territory of Puducherry, for allegedly substituting a look-alike statue in place of a genuine bronze figure at the Parashurama Theme Park in Karkala.

Udupi Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun K confirmed the arrest, stating that Naik faces charges under Sections 420 (cheating) and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code. 

This legal action followed a complaint lodged in June by Krishna Shetty, a resident of Nallur village, Karkala. Shetty claimed that Naik had received a payment of ₹1,25,50,000 from Udupi Nirmithi Kendra for the installation of a bronze Parashurama statue. However, Naik allegedly deceived the government by installing a replica instead.

The statue was unveiled on January 27, 2023, by then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has since ordered a CID investigation to probe deeper into the alleged fraud surrounding the statue's installation at the theme park.

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