The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Siddaganga seer taken ill

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Siddaganga seer taken ill

Staff Reporter

Doctors say there is no cause for worry

BANGALORE: Karnataka Ratna and centenarian Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math, Tumkur, was admitted to a private hospital here Tuesday noon after he complained of fever.

Doctors attending on him said there was no cause for worry, and the swamiji would be fine if he underwent treatment for a week.

However, what is worrying the doctors is his insistence on performing his ritual puja at the math. In that case, the hospital would offer all assistance for him to be taken to the math as well as at the math, said Nagendra Swamy, group director, Medical Services, Manipal Hospital.

Dr. Swamy told presspersons that the swamiji had developed a lung infection leading to pneumonia and was on antibiotics. “Considering his age, any small infection might lead to serious health problems, and we have been urging him to stay back at the hospital for at least a week,” he said.

As he takes food only once in the morning after performing the daily puja, he is insisting on going back to the math and will return to the hospital in the morning, if necessary.

Isaac Mathew, consultant pulmonologist, who is looking after the swamiji, said both his lungs were infected and, if not aggressively treated, it may spread to other parts of the body, creating major health problems. The swamiji is presently on IV fluid and is active, he said.

According to R.D. Holla, physician, the swamiji does not have any chronic illness, such as high blood pressure or problems associated with the kidneys.

Visitors

A host of dignitaries, including Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Suttur Math Seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji, Minister for Health R. Ashok and a host of religious leaders called on the Siddaganga swamiji at the hospital. Mr. Kumaraswamy and Mr. Deve Gowda stayed for a long time.

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