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Two youths from Mysuru have rescued an injured tortoise, repaired its severely damaged shell, and released it back into its natural habitat after nursing it back to health. The incident took place near Mallipura village in Nanjangud taluk, where canal repair work was underway a week ago. During the excavation, the tortoise was trapped in the iron bucket teeth of a JCB machine, breaking the upper portion of its shell. The reptile was first noticed by Ravi Shastri of Yuva Brigade, who saw some people attempting to take the injured animal away. Realising the seriousness of the situation, he rescued the tortoise and immediately contacted his friend Chandrashekhar, sharing photographs and details of the injury through WhatsApp. The duo then approached local veterinarians in Nanjangud. However, doctors told them that its survival chances were slim as the shell had split into two parts. Refusing to give up, Chandrashekhar decided to make an attempt to save the animal. Using a unique restoration method, he carefully drilled small holes on both sides of the broken shell and joined them together with rust-resistant wire. The shattered upper fragments were then woven together in a mesh-like pattern and secured firmly. To provide additional protection, an artificial outer layer was created using M-Seal, effectively sealing the damaged portion of the shell. Following the procedure, the tortoise was kept under observation in a water tank at Chandrashekhar’s residence for five days. Initially unable to move properly, the reptile gradually showed signs of recovery. It soon began walking, swimming and consuming food normally. The repaired shell also adapted well, functioning much like its natural protective covering. Once the youths were convinced that the tortoise had recovered sufficiently and was no longer in danger, they released it into the Kapila River in Nanjangud taluk. Witnesses said the tortoise immediately swam away swiftly into the river, drawing appreciation from local residents who lauded the efforts of the two wildlife lovers.

Speaking about the rescue, Chandrashekhar said veterinarians had warned that the tortoise could die if released in its injured condition, as fish and other aquatic creatures could enter the broken shell and cause fatal damage. Determined to save its life, he and Ravi Shastri devised a way to reconstruct the shell and monitor its recovery before returning it safely to the wild. The inspiring rescue has earned widespread praise, with many hailing the youths’ dedication as an example of how timely intervention and compassion can help protect wildlife.

The Mysuru district has recorded 78 farmer suicide cases over the past 12 months, with Periyapatna taluk reporting the highest number at 34 cases, where tobacco and ginger cultivation are among the dominant commercial crops. Despite various awareness initiatives undertaken by the government, incidents of farmer suicides continue to be reported from different parts of the district, raising concerns about the effectiveness of intervention measures.

Agriculture officials said the district recorded 77 farmer suicide cases in 2023-24 and 81 cases in 2024-25. In the last three years, Mysuru district registered 236 farmer suicide cases, and compensation of Rs 5 lakh has been approved for 176 cases, while in 60 cases it was rejected, officials said. Among the total 78 farmer suicide cases reported in 2025-26, the district-level committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner has approved compensation of Rs 5 lakh in 59 cases and rejected compensation in 14 cases. The district administration has distributed compensation in 40 of the 59 approved cases so far, officials said.

Family members of the deceased farmers must submit the application within three months of death to a district-level committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner. The committee will study whether the application is fit for compensation, verify RTC, bank loan, police report and other records, and recommend the release of compensation to the deputy commissioner. Joint director of agriculture K Ravi said that apart from providing compensation, the government also takes care of the education of victims’ children, grants widow pension and houses, and provides other help for such families as per the procedures.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene state unit chief Badagalapura Nagendra urged the government to release compensation on compassionate grounds in such cases, as most of the farmers took the extreme step over crop failure and other vagaries of nature. There are cases where mounting debt due to crop loss has led to suicide, he stated. Nagendra asked the government to simplify the process of distribution of compensation. According to agriculture department sources, among the 78 farmers who committed suicide in the district last year, the highest number of cases was reported from Periyapatna taluk, followed by Hunsur, KR Nagar, Saligrama, HD Kote, Mysuru taluk, and Saragur. However, T Narasipura and Nanjangud taluks have not reported such cases in 2025-26.

Mysuru, known as the yoga capital of the world, is gearing up for the 12th International Yoga Day, which will be celebrated with the theme of ‘Yoga for healthy aging’ this Sunday. The district administration and yoga organisations will host mass yoga sessions at the Palace grounds and 120 locations across the city, with more than 1.2 lakh participants expected to join. As many as 8000 people will perform mass yoga at Mysuru Palace premises, at an event organised by the Mysuru district administration and Department of Ayush in association with yoga institutes.

District Ayush Officer, Dr C Renukadevi, informed that the session near the Palace will be held from 6am to 8am. Dasoha Bhavan of Chamundi Hill will provide breakfast for 6000 people, and participants are required to bring their own yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes. Besides yoga enthusiasts, students of government schools, colleges, hostels of social welfare, minority and backward class departments, Ayurvedic Medical Institutes, scouts, guides, NSS, NCC cadets, and special kids from AIISH and visually challenged kids will also participate. A mass yoga session was held at Palace premises on May 31, at Ramakrishna VidyaShala on June 7, and at Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram on June 14, as a prelude to the main event.

D Srihari, leader of the Yoga Federation of Mysuru, stated that there are more than 700 small and big yoga institutes or schools and more than 1000 yoga instructors in Mysuru, with at least 200 foreigners learning yoga in the city. The annual International Yoga event at Mysuru Palace premises is restricted to about 10,000 people, and to expand participation, the Yoga Federation of Mysore has taken the initiative to host mass yoga sessions via 120 organisations at 120 different locations, including private schools, colleges, apartments, industries, religious places, and marriage halls. All 35 institutions of JSS Mahavidyapeeta, all institutions of Adi Chunchangiri Mutt, and other institutions are hosting these sessions. Mysuru previously entered the Guinness book of world records for the largest yoga lesson in a single venue, with 55,506 participants in 2017, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the yoga day event held at Mysuru Palace premises in 2022.

As many as 11 patients undergoing treatment at the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Mysuru branch, died between Tuesday 8 am and Wednesday 8 am, leading to panic among admitted patients and their family members at the Institute. The average number of deaths at the Institute is about 6, which is also an internationally accepted figure. Institute Medical Superintendent Dr. K.S. Sadananda confirmed to reporters at a press conference that the deaths were unusual and unfortunate, attributing the reason to patients being very sick. Since this is a tertiary Institute, most patients are admitted in very serious condition, and the condition of the patient is communicated to their family members while assuring to offer the best care. Dr. Sadananda added that among the 11 who died at the Institute, some were in the age group of 70 years and were in serious condition, and not a single case involved a healthy person dying at the Institute.

Divulging details, Dr. Sadananda said the Institute reported 1,245 deaths out of 21,500 admissions from January to December 2025, which accounts for about 5.7 percent deaths. In June this year, he noted that on some days, no deaths were reported, and on other days, there were reports of 2 or 4 deaths at the Institute. The Medical Superintendent stated that the Institute is burdened by a huge number of patients in the Outpatient Department (OPD), which comes to about 1,000, and about 6-7 doctors attend to them. He mentioned that the staff is working overtime and beyond their capacities. Regarding the deaths on Tuesday, Dr. Sadananda said Srinidhi, a senior consultant cardiologist, was present at the Institute and spoke to one of the deceased’s family members about the patient’s condition. He also stated that the Institute has CCTV footage of the incident and that doctors and staff at the Institute stay alert and attend to a patient within 2-3 minutes. Dr. Sadananda emphasized that the Institute needs more junior doctors to meet the growing number of patients.

At least 30 trees have been chopped along the railway track near Kukkarahalli Lake in Mysuru, according to Range Forest Officer and Mysuru Tree Officer, Mohammed Zeeshan. He stated that the trees appear to have been cut two days ago, and the Forest Department will issue a notice to Railway officials to determine the exact number of trees cut and the purpose behind it. Once a response is received, they will obtain permission from the Judge and file a First Information Report. Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mysuru Territorial division, K Paramesha, said that based on a complaint from environmentalists, the Range Forest Officer has visited the site and found that the trees were cut without permission, despite being on Railway property.

Railway officials claimed that the trees were cut as a precautionary measure ahead of the South West Monsoon to ensure rail and public safety, citing the electrification of the track and the potential disruption to the entire Mysuru division if a tree were to fall. However, environmentalist Shailajesha alleged that around 100 trees and branches of several trees were cut along the railway lane near Kukkarahalli Lake. Parashuramegowda of Parisarakkaagi Naavu stated that they will visit the site to assess the number of trees chopped, their age, and species, and then formally lodge a complaint with the Forest Department.

The Mysuru City Corporation’s water supply to the city from the Melapura and Rammanahalli plants will be disrupted due to a power supply shutdown on June 17. As a result, the water supply will be affected on June 17 and 18. The areas that will be affected include Ward Nos. 9 to 16, 28 to 39, 52, and 53, as well as areas such as Kesare, Rajendranagar, Subhashnagar, N.R. Mohalla, Gandhinagar, Udayagiri, Rajivnagar 1, 2, and 3rd stage, Shantinagar, Kalyanagiri, Dr. Rajkumar Road, and surrounding areas like Yelahanahalli, Siddartha Layout, Alanahalli, Nandini Layout, Giridarshini Layout, Gousianagar, and Kyathamaranahalli. The Executive Engineer of the Water Supply and Underground Drainage East Division has announced that the water supply will be affected in these areas.

On Chamundibetta, near Mysuru, the Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority has taken steps to implement a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to maintain cleanliness in the temple premises, following concerns over plastic waste and other trash affecting devotees. The authority has increased the number of sanitation staff and ensured that the temple premises, the steps leading to it, and the roads used by devotees are cleaned regularly. This move comes after Regional Commissioner Nitesh Patil directed the authority to take strict measures to maintain cleanliness, as the current state of affairs was giving a bad impression to tourists visiting from outside the state and even from abroad. Secretary of the Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority, M.J. Roopa, stated that the new SOP will include the forest area and will ensure that cleanliness is maintained daily, with a new batch of staff assigned for night shifts. The authority aims to prevent the ‘use and throw’ attitude among devotees and ensure that the area is clean, especially during peak seasons like Ashada, when lakhs of devotees visit the temple.

Mysuru: Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Odeyar has urged the central government to provide a permanent solution to the increasing elephant-human conflict in Kodagu district and to implement the Nagaravani (City Forest) project at Tippayyanakere Lake in Mysuru. He submitted a memorandum to Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav in New Delhi. According to Yaduveer, incidents of elephants entering agricultural lands and human settlements in various parts of Kodagu district are on the rise, causing significant problems for the people, especially farmers, plantation workers, and laborers living in villages on the forest fringes. To mitigate elephant-human conflict and devise a long-term strategy, central assistance is necessary, including strengthening elephant barriers, installing solar fencing, scientific monitoring of elephant movement, early warning systems, improvement of forest habitats, and providing adequate compensation to farmers. Yaduveer also requested the development of Tippayyanakere Lake under the Nagaravani project, which is a significant environmental and biodiversity spot, and sought technical and financial assistance for the project. The minister has assured that the matter will be considered positively and necessary action will be taken after discussing with officials.

On KRS Road in Mysore, 62 people have died at the Jayadeva Heart Hospital from June 1 to June 16. During this period, 12,273 people received treatment as outpatients, while 1,037 people were admitted as inpatients, according to Dr. K.S. Sadananda, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent. From January to the end of May this year, 499 people have died, with a mortality rate of 5.37%. In 2025, from January to December, 2,39,941 people received treatment as outpatients, and 21,577 people were admitted, with 1,245 deaths reported, resulting in a mortality rate of 5.77%.

The University of Mysore and Indian Institute of Astrophysics have taken a significant step towards transforming Mysuru into a major centre for astronomy education, research and public outreach by signing an amendment to their existing memorandum of understanding for the COSMOS-Mysuru Centre (Cosmology Education and Research Training Centre). The amended agreement was signed by Annapurni Subramaniam and MK Savitha, University of Mysore registrar, on the university campus in the presence of senior officials, faculty members and representatives from both institutions.

The revised memorandum of understanding is expected to strengthen collaboration in science education, outreach programmes and joint scientific initiatives through the COSMOS-Mysuru Centre. Officials said the centre is expected to become operational as a field station of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics soon, opening new avenues for research, academic engagement and public participation in astronomy and space sciences. COSMOS-Mysuru will feature a state-of-the-art planetarium alongside a data analysis training and resource centre for students and teachers. The facility will be among the world’s first LED dome planetariums, equipped with an 8K-resolution tilted dome to offer an immersive experience and advanced data visualisation capabilities. According to Savitha, the facility will enable students and researchers to analyse data from Indian and international telescopes while developing skills in emerging scientific technologies.