Amidst the State Government’s denial of reports claiming the closure of Kodagu University at Chikka Aluvara, the institution has introduced an attractive new emblem.
Designed by Sullimada Darshan Poovappa from Nalkeri in Kodagu and Prasanna Udayakumar Gaonkar from Yellapur, Sirsi in Uttara Kannada District, both are former students of Chamarajendra Government College of Visual Arts (CAVA), Mysuru and are currently working as visual designers in Bengaluru.
The emblem captures the essence of Kodagu’s rich nature and heritage and gives a Western touch to classical form. It is a visual interplay of six iconic elements representing Kodagu’s culture and natural splendour: The sun, coffee beans, an elephant, a book, River Cauvery and Talacauvery — the River’s birthplace.
The sun symbolises wisdom, while the book represents the pursuit of knowledge, reflecting the core values Kodagu University strives to uphold. The coffee beans highlight Kodagu’s significance as India’s largest coffee-producing region, while the elephant embodies the area’s diverse wildlife. Talacauvery, revered as the river’s origin, symbolises Kodagu’s spiritual roots.
The emblem’s colour scheme also carries meaning:
Orange signifies enthusiasm, confidence and rejuvenation, while blue evokes trust and peace. Together, these elements form a striking emblem that reflects the University’s guiding principle: ‘Work is Worship.’
For the Emblem design, Darshan and Prasanna were felicitated recently at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College, Madikeri, by the Science and Technology and Kodagu District Minister N.S. Boseraju.
Kodagu University Vice- Chancellor Prof. Ashok Sangappa Alura lauded the designers for their unique and creative work that artistically represents the ethos of the University.
Virajpet MLA and CM’s Legal Advisor A.S. Ponnanna, MLCs Suja Kushalappa, S.L. Bhojegowda, Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja, Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 03rd, 2025
The new coffee project has been planned with a budget of over ₹1,000 crore, considering the success of the earlier ₹526 crore coffee development project launched in 2015, which is scheduled to end in 2024–25.
The project will involve not only cultivating coffee but also planting silver oak trees across 75,000 acres to provide shade for the coffee plants.— Internet
Visakhapatnam :
AP government has approved a new coffee development project under which coffee plantations will be raised over one lakh acres in the Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district.
The new project is aimed at socio-economic uplift of tee tribal communities. According to Coffee Board of India additional director G. Appala Naidu, the project will help approximately 150,000 tribal farmers grow coffee over the next seven years.
The project will involve not only cultivating coffee but also planting silver oak trees across 75,000 acres to provide shade for the coffee plants.
The new coffee project has been planned with a budget of over ₹1,000 crore, considering the success of the earlier ₹526 crore coffee development project launched in 2015, which is scheduled to end in 2024–25.
“Raising over ₹1,000 crore for the new project poses challenges. We are making adjustments to raise the necessary resources,” ITDA project officer Abhishek Goud told Deccan Chronicle in an interview.
Since its introduction in 1989, coffee cultivation has been transforming tribal areas, helping curb deforestation and practises like shifting cultivation. Over the years, the combined efforts of state and central governments have resulted in coffee plantations coming up over 242,021 acres, benefiting 236,618 tribal farmers. With ancestral farmers cultivating coffee over approximately 30,000 acres, the tribal region boasts of having 272,000 acres under coffee cultivation.
Each acre generates an annual income of ₹50,000 to ₹60,000, making coffee farming a lucrative and sustainable livelihood option. Moreover, the organic nature of the coffee produced in the region has sparked both domestic and international demand, boosting the region’s economy.
During the recent Collectors’ Conference in Amaravati, ASR district collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar presented detailed insights into this initiative. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, present at the conference, approved the coffee area expansion plan. A detailed project report (DPR) is currently under preparation to ensure a smooth rollout of the programme.
With this expansion, the state government aims to solidify the tribal region’s reputation as a hub for producing high-quality organic coffee. Tribal farmers have welcomed the new project, expressing optimism about the continued government support.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Southern States> Andhra Pradesh / by Aruna / April 05th, 2025
Raja Seat is one of the prime attractions for tourists in Madikeri. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO
Kodagu continues to be one of the top tourist destinations in the State, drawing 45.72 lakh visitors in 2024, surpassing its record in 2023, which drew 43.99 lakh tourists.
The increase of two lakh visitors highlights the district’s growing appeal, particularly as a hub for coffee tourism.
Deputy Director of Tourism Anita Bhaskarremarked, “It appears to be a golden era for tourism, with a surge in visitors seeking to experience Kodagu’s landscapes. The district remains a preferred getaway, as seen in the footfall in the last two years.”
During an interaction with reporters on Thursday, Ms. Bhaskar said that steps are being taken to successfully implement the Tourism Police 2029, keeping the focus on increasing footfall and understanding the tourism potential of Kodagu.
The post of the Deputy Director for Tourism in Madikeri was vacant for many years, and it was filled about a year ago, with the district being an important tourist destination.
She said 23 tourist sites in Kodagu have been identified for development under various schemes. Steps have been taken to appoint nine guides in various tourist sites. Ten more “Pravasi Mitras” will be appointed for other sites in the coming days, she added.
One district,one destination
Ms. Bhaskar said Mandalapatti hill station has been identified under the “One District, One Destination” programme, and facilities will be provided to tourists at the popular site, which attracts a large number of adventure enthusiasts.
For the first time, Kodagu is being included under a tourist circuit, the details of which will be announced soon.
Steps have also been taken for developing “Coorg Village” near Raja Seat in Madikeri. The department has joined hands with the orange growers cooperative society in Gonikoppal for popularising Kodagu oranges among tourists.
Thanks to the efforts of Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja for promoting Kodagu tourism, a lot of tourists are visiting Kodagu to explore the coffee land’s beauty, and one of the reasons for the rise in footfall is the social media promotion of “Coorg tourism”, she said.
Ms. Bhaskar said a sum of ₹1 crore has been sanctioned for the development of Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls, and Malatirike Hills in Virajpet due to the efforts of MLA A.S. Ponnanna.
Ms. Bhaskar urged the owners of homestays, hotels, and lodges to put up signages on their premises, stating the ban on single-use plastics in the hill station, where several steps had been taken to make the place “trash-free”. The effort will impact tourists, and they shall be discouraged from littering to establish eco-friendly tourism.
She suggested transportation facilities to some key destinations, including sites of adventure tourism.
During the interaction, suggestions came for reintroducing toy trains at Raja Seat and also organising Pravasi Utsava in Kodagu to boost footfall, besides restricting traffic at Raja Seat to ensure that it will not cause inconvenience to locals.
B.G. Ananthashayana said steps must be taken to crack down on low-quality wines, chocolates, and spices that are being sold to tourists. This will affect the brand Kodagu. Kodagu journalists’ association president H.T. Anil presided over the interaction. The deputy director was felicitated on the occasion.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / April 04th, 2025
‘Rising Sons’ takes us a hundred years back in time to a small village in the southern part of the country.
pix: penguin.co.in
Book: RISING SONS: A NOVEL
Published by: Penguin /Price: Rs 599 / Author: Kavery Nambisan
Kavery Nambisan, a surgeon by profession, has also achieved significant accolades for her writings. She began her career as a children’s author and steadily moved ahead, penning novels like The Scent of Pepper and The Story That Must Not Be Told that have gained her recognition. Rising Sons is her eighth novel. It takes us a hundred years back in time to a small village in the southern part of the country. It is a story that is immersed in the history that shaped our nation.
The general plot seems deceptively simple. It maps the lives of Devaraya’s family members, including his own, and would seem, on the surface, to be a basic coming-of-age story. Devaraya’s statement, “I have two boys and one-and-a-half girls”, opens the narrative and after a few pages it is revealed that the “half girl” is his adopted daughter, Chinni. His wife, Gowru, whom he collected from the Bhoodevi Anatha Ashram in Mysore, had been “orphaned” along with Bhagya when both their fathers were charged with theft and subsequently imprisoned. Their mothers followed their husbands, leaving the bewildered young girls alone. Chinni was Bhagya’s daughter. Devaraya, priding himself in his high Brahmin ancestry, scorned Bhagya who married the Malayali, Dharma, from the fishing community. He took a high-handed pleasure in arranging an abode for Bhagya in his village, Kesarugattu, where he had established himself as an honourable miller and a fair moneylender. He also held a proud position at a Mysore bank and visited his home fortnightly. Devaraya’s other children, the eldest, a boy named Nanju, another boy, Anna, and a daughter, Bhavani, were all overcome by the “darkness” Devaraya brought with him when he visited. The small village strictly adhered to the boundaries set by caste and Chinni’s inclusion in the Brahmin household after the unfortunate fate that befell her parents wagged tongues and incensed minds.
Devaraya was resolute in the education of his boys. Nanju was dutifully sent to the Putter Government High School (for boys) to complete his matriculation. Growing into a deeply thoughtful and keen young man, Nanju seemed to offer to his family a steadfast reputation. But the evils of caste divisions found the family. The revelation of the bitter truth of Devaraya’s childhood and his struggle to find a place for himself in the cruel rural society affected Nanju profoundly. Unable to bear the burden of his caste’s truth, he disappears from the pages of the book. Anna is more stoic in his handling of the shame. Beginning to trace his brother’s footsteps into higher education, Anna found himself getting involved in the struggle for national freedom. Inspired by the ideas of swaraj and the iron determination of the frail Gandhi, Anna and his friends rise above the aspersions of caste and delve into the newly-emerging political scenario. Anna becomes a successful Congressman and finds a life of glamour befitting his new role. Bhavani has long since been married off and is dismissed from the predominant plot line.
What of Chinni, then? Chinni retains the zeal and the sharpness of her rebellious parents. She reads and avidly follows the swadeshi movement. The little hints in the narrative about her relationship with Anna get buried under stories of sermons, speeches, rebellion and illegal pamphlets. Ironically, it is Devaraya’s “half” daughter who ultimately assumes full responsibility for him and his ageing wife.
Nambisan’s own childhood experiences in the warmth of her home colour the pages. Memories of home-cooked food, midnight adventures, and lasting friendships fill the lives of the growing children. The language lovingly encases the softness of these tender moments, moments that fleetingly haunt the characters in their busy adulthood.
In order to rise, one must fall. The novel is more about the poignant falls of fathers and brothers and sisters than about the consequent rise of sons and brothers. Nambisan deftly spins a tale that rushes us through the fast-changing nation at the brink of independence. In the rush, the author does not neglect her characters or her story. Rising Sons rises from amidst the bitter fall of its characters as an epic saga. The tale sits in the history of the country like a glowing ember, a showcase of how lives are changed, or remain unchanged, through the passage of time.
source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> Books / by Tayana Chaterjee / pix: by penguin.co.in / April 04th, 2025
16-year-old Geetha, a plantation labourer from the Paniya Yerava Adivasi community in Kodagu, is still grieving the loss of her husband, Paniyeravara Ponnanna. 18-year-old Ponnanna, also a Paniya Yerava Adivasi and coffee plantation worker, was shot dead on 27 December 2024 in Chembebellur village of Virajpet Taluk by Porukonda Chinnappa, a Kodava, while plucking jackfruit.
Kodagu, a southwestern district in Karnataka, is known for its coffee plantations, which are primarily owned by the Kodavas, the region’s socially, politically, and economically dominant community.
Fifty-seven-year-old Porukonda Chinnappa, an ex-serviceman working as a guard at the State Bank of India in Virajpet, and the uncle of Ponnanna’s employer, hurled casteist abuses before shooting Ponnanna with his gun in front of Geetha.
A Class 8 dropout, Geetha, who had been married to Ponnanna in May 2023 at the age of 15, shared the harrowing ordeal.
“I craved jackfruit and asked Ponnanna for the same around 5:30 pm. He climbed the tree inside the plantation while I was on the phone with my mother. He asked me to keep a distance from the tree, citing safety.”
Seeing Ponnanna on the tree, Chinnappa, who came armed with his gun and dog, shouted, “Ponnu, you son of a Yerava bastard. You come to my farm and pluck jackfruits; I am going to kill you.”
“Chinnappa fired, and Ponnanna fell instantly. He fired again but hit the jackfruit. I ran to a crying Ponnanna, who begged to be taken to the hospital. By then, Chinnappa had left with his dog. I saw him shoot my husband dead.”
Ponnanna was taken to a hospital in Virajpet, where he was declared dead.
A complaint was filed on the same day by Geetha at Virajpet Rural Police Station, and Chinnappa, who is now in jail, was arrested under Sections 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 3(2)(v) (offence against an SC/ST person) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and Sections 3 (carrying a firearm without a licence) and 25 (punishment for offences related to arms and ammunition) of the Indian Arms Act.
Ponnanna, a Class 9 dropout, was working for a mere ₹350 per day at the plantation owned by the Porukonda family. Ponnanna wasn’t called ‘Ponnu’ out of affection. Kodavas avoided calling him ‘Ponnanna’ as it was a Kodava name.
Geetha shared past instances of an attempted attack by Chinnappa, who let his dog loose on Ponnanna. “We were warned not to walk in front of their house and would get shot dead.”
The couple didn’t complain to their employer since Chinnappa was their uncle.
Geetha told Maktoob that Chinnappa should receive capital punishment. Expressing fear as the sole witness to the murder, she said, “If Chinnappa gets bail, something may happen to me.”
Ponnanna is survived by his 42-year-old father, Thammu, 37-year-old mother, Sumi, and 10-year-old brother.
Thammu, a plantation labourer, said that their demands include ₹20 lakh compensation for the family, a job for Geetha, a house for the family, and government support for the educational expenses of their youngest son.
Sumi, also a labourer, struggled to speak as her eyes filled with tears. She said, “Our son was supposed to take care of us when we grew old. The government should take the necessary legal action to support us and ensure the murderer is punished.”
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On 15 January 2025, Geetha, Thammu, and Sumi, along with hundreds of Adivasi labourers led by the Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha, a feeder organisation of CPI (ML) Liberation, marched from Virajpet Clock Tower to the Taluk office to protest Ponnanna’s murder. They also highlighted the harsh living conditions of Adivasi labourers, who lack basic amenities, education, healthcare, and decent employment.
Virajpet Taluk Tahsildar Ramachandra Mathanadi assured them of justice. Venkat Raj, IAS, the district collector of Kodagu, told Maktoob that an atrocity case has been registered under the relevant act in connection with the murder case, and the social welfare department is actively following up on the matter.
Sekar, Social Welfare Department Deputy Director, told Maktoob that ₹8,25,000 has been sanctioned for Geetha and Ponnanna’s parents. Sekar said, “Already ₹4,12,500 has been deposited, a monthly pension of ₹6,431 has been granted for his mother, and a permanent job under Group D post will be given to Geetha once she attains 18 years.”
The dark history of Kodagu
CPI (ML) Liberation Kodagu district secretary Mohan, who is assisting the family, chuckled and said, “India may be independent, but the Paniya Yeravas are not. They are almost entirely dependent on the local landlords and coffee planters, particularly the Kodavas. Bonded labour and slavery are still here in Kodagu.” He emphasised, “The killing of Ponnanna is not only class violence but also caste violence against Paniya Adivasis by feudal plantation owners of Kodagu.”
Yeravas are Paniya Adivasis whose ancestors migrated from Wayanad in Kerala to Kodagu in search of work. The majority of Paniyas in South India, who also have their own language, inhabit Wayanad. ‘Pani’ means work, and ‘Paniya’ means labourers. Traditionally, they were agricultural labourers of upper-caste landlords. However, the Kodavas referred to Paniyas as Yeravas. In the Kodava language, the word ‘era’ means ‘beg’, giving the term Yerava a racist connotation—’beggar’—visibly reflecting historical discrimination.
In Wayanad, Paniyas were purchased as bonded labourers by landlords during the Valliyoorkavu temple festival until the late 1970s. Landlords would select labourers, make them work under inhumane conditions, and trade them to the next landlord the following year.
Mohan states that there is no true democracy in Kodagu for Adivasis; democracy exists only for the Kodavas, who trace their disputed lineage to superior genes. The Kodavas consider themselves a tribe instead of Hindus, though they are presently governed under Hindu laws. One of the demands of the Adivasis is regarding the disarmament of the Kodava community, who consider themselves a martial clan traditionally associated with swords, daggers, and guns.
Many Kodavas serve in the Indian Armed Forces, with their ancestors having served in the British Indian Army. Since 1861, this landowning community has been exempt from firearm licences, a privilege granted to “Coorg by race” individuals and native landholders. The Union government reaffirmed this exemption in 1963 under the Indian Arms Act, 1959. A petition challenging the caste-based exemption was filed in the Karnataka High Court.
In 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs extended the provision until 31 October 2029. The Adivasis who spoke with Maktoob said that every Kodava household has at least one gun, with every family member being trained to use it.
Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha Kodagu district secretary and plantation labourer Gouri PM, a Paniya Adivasi, told Maktoob, “Adivasi plantation labourers are having a life of slaves in Kodagu. The Kodavas don’t want us to be educated. They confiscate our identity cards and Aadhaar and want us, including our children, to live as their slaves. Even if we wear good clothes, buy a bike, or use a phone, the Kodavas cannot tolerate it due to racism.”
Though the present generation of Paniya Adivasis attends school, many still drop out to work as plantation labourers.
Gouri, whose wages were ₹80 per day in 2016, claims that Adivasis who reacted even slightly against the Kodavas were taken away in their vehicles and physically assaulted. She also added that Adivasis were even caged along with dogs, who would bite them. Gouri also added that Adivasi girls are forced to do household work and that sexual violence is perpetrated by the Kodavas against girls and women. When asked why the atrocities go unreported, Gouri said, “Most workplace assaults and sexual harassment cases aren’t reported to the police because survivors fear the Kodavas, feel ashamed to complain, know the police are acquainted with Kodavas, and have no alternative job options.”
Gouri elaborated, “We are scared to react against Kodavas or report the atrocities to the outside world. They are armed and will retaliate. They won’t even let us walk on the road if we resist. If we talk in groups or if they find out about this interaction with a journalist like you, it might even endanger us.”
‘Our blood and sweat is your coffee’
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Kodagu is the largest coffee-producing district in India. According to the district administration, coffee is grown on 1,06,921 hectares, covering 44% of Karnataka’s coffee area. Kodagu produces 1,10,730 MT of coffee annually, contributing 50% to the state and 35% to the country. As a labour-intensive crop, coffee cultivation generates 51% of employment in the district.
The coffee harvest season in Kodagu begins in November and lasts until March, requiring a large number of labourers for picking and processing cherries. During the off-season, which constitutes the majority of the year, labourers are tasked with weed control, pruning, planting, and fertilising.
Unlike the off-season, during the harvest season, wages are based on the kilograms of coffee cherries labourers pick, not the hours of work.
Twenty-five-year-old Savitha, Ponnanna’s cousin, told Maktoob that the cheap labour pool of Adivasis in Kodagu is filling the pockets of coffee plantation owners, while consumers remain unaware of the violence behind it.
“The coffee you are drinking is our sweat and blood,” said Savitha, who does not know that Kodagu is called the Scotland of India. Savitha highlighted the wage disparity, including differences based on gender.
“The wage per kilogram for contractual labourers varies from ₹5 to ₹7, depending on the employer. We are paid ₹7 per kilogram, and we pick almost 100 kilograms a day. But labourers living in line houses are paid less—they receive less than ₹5 per kilogram.”
“During the off-season, labourers living in line houses are paid between ₹200 and ₹350 per day. However, we, as contractual plantation labourers, earn more than ₹500,” she added.
She continued, “There is, however, a gender pay disparity—men are paid ₹600, while women receive only ₹500 for the same work. Even for line labourers, there is a deduction of ₹100 for women.”
“We want fixed wages during the harvest season as well because not every day yields enough kilograms to earn a decent amount, especially with the prices of basic commodities skyrocketing,” Savitha said.
Living in a line house, 23-year-old YA Manju, Geetha’s brother, who earns ₹400 per day, said that he buys his gumboots and gloves since the employer provides none. A Class 9 dropout, he has been working for five years and is unaware of his entitlements, including bonuses, allowances, and paid leave.
The plantation labourers are protected under the Karnataka Plantation Labour Act, which is an extension of the Plantations Labour Act, 1951. It is supposed to govern the welfare and working conditions of plantation workers.
When Madikeri Labour Officer Kaveri T told the reporter that she was not aware of unequal wages being paid on a gender basis, Labour Inspector Nikhil Chandra stated that the minimum wage fixed by the government for laborers, regardless of whether they live in line houses, is the same.
Nikhil added, “Any wages below the government-prescribed minimum wage of ₹426 constitute a violation of labor rights. However, unless the laborers submit a written complaint with evidence, no action can be taken against the employers.”
According to the Coorg Planters Association (CPA), a planters’ body in Kodagu with 800 members, the minimum wage for plantation workers is ₹451.22. This includes a basic wage of ₹425 and a variable dearness allowance of ₹26.22.
“The current minimum wage was decided after discussions between labour unions, coffee growers, and planters,” Velliappa, secretary of CPA, told Maktoob.
“No one will work for ₹350,” added Velliappa, who also stated that it is untrue that line laborers are paid less than the prescribed wages.
Dismissing CPA, HM Somappa, the Kodagu district president of the Communist Party of India (CPI)-affiliated All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and leader of the United Plantation Workers’ Union, acknowledged to Maktoob that labourers in line houses are paid less than the minimum wage, and bonus allowances, gratuity and provident fund and other benefits are not being provided.
Somappa, who was the CPI candidate for the 2023 assembly elections from the Madikeri constituency, said, “Labourers can’t survive on the wages provided by local planters. In contrast, private limited companies offer decent wages and better facilities for labourers.”
Landless, marginalised
To improve mental health and fearing for her safety, Geetha moved in with Gauri PM. Gauri’s family lives in Kedamallur, a village where 59 Adivasi plantation laborer families, including Savitha, who all formerly lived in line houses, live in sheds. The sheds in Kedamallur reflect the hardships of laborers who have been waiting for rehabilitation for eight years, despite government promises of permanent housing and land.
According to Gauri’s husband, Tholar, in 2017, 135 Adivasi families, supported by CPI(ML) Liberation, encroached on over 20 acres of land in Heggala and built sheds, demanding permanent rehabilitation. However, the police evicted them after five days, claiming the land was private. The families were then relocated to a government building in Thithimathi.
The government promised them land, but bureaucratic delays forced them back to their line houses. Days later, they returned to Heggala, only to be evicted again by the police on June 15, 2017, and moved to Kedamallur’s 7.5-acre vacant government land. Now allotted to ITDP, the promised houses remain unfinished.
The Adivasis cleared the hilly terrain, making it suitable for makeshift sheds. They faced threats from Kodavas, who protested against giving them land.
In Kedamullur, the government provided only six common Indian-style toilet cabins for 250 people. Five are unusable, leaving one for women, while men defecate in the open.
With no electricity connection provided by the government, each family was given two small solar panels that power one or two bulbs. During the rainy season, energy production drops, and the tarpaulin sheets get damaged by strong winds. The heat in the days is unbearable, making it difficult to stay inside.
“Politicians visit us during election campaigns, make promises, and then disappear, only to return with the same promises during the next election cycle,” criticised Tholar.
Savitha sees her generation as doomed. She said, “The government must end the exploitative ‘line housing’ system by providing land for housing and farming, along with access to healthcare, education, and jobs.”
Gouri added, “Laborers with independent homes can choose work and negotiate wages, unlike those in line houses, who remain bonded to employers.”
S. Honnegowda, Project Coordinator of ITDP, told the reporter that 129 houses will be built in Kedamullur for 59 families, and other laborers living in line houses will be relocated there.
He said, “Construction of 60 houses has already started. The delay in construction is due to technical reasons. It will be completed as soon as possible with electrification, sanitation, and water tanks.” He also added that the Chief Minister is aware of the general issues in Kedamullur. Commenting on the settlement, he stated that the people living in Kedamullur had forcibly settled there.
Differing with the usage of terms ‘forced settlement’ and ‘encroachment’, Adv. Clifton D’Rozario, Karnataka state secretary of CPI(ML) Liberation, told Maktoob, “All government land is people’s land. If people are not given what is due to people, they are going to take what is due to them”. He also highlighted the mass encroachment of government lands by dominant communities in Kodagu.
In February 2024, Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna appealed to the government to sanction encroached land for small-scale coffee growers and provide land on lease to large coffee growers.
Last year, Madikeri Deputy Conservator of Forests Bhaskar told the media that a total of 3,410 forest encroachment cases, covering 5,551 acres, were pending in the courts.
In December 2024, in the Legislative Council, Karnataka State Minister of Forest, Ecology and Environment, Eshwar Khandre stated that nine plantation companies owe the government ₹1,492 crore in lease rentals, including six from Kodagu district, among them the TATA company.
Clifton added that the generational history of subjugation has made the laborers submissive to violence and unaware of their rights.
Agreeing that the constitution has failed the Paniyas, he said, “Paniya people are a community that has lived here for centuries, yet they hardly own any material resources—not even land. The absence of government employees from this community reflects their harsh social reality. These are the communities for whom the government should take special interest.”
“Land reforms are happening in this country, but in reverse. Land is being consolidated more in the hands of landlords. The only option we have is to find some vacant government land and settle there. Then we will have to face whatever comes with it.”
CPI(M) Kodagu district secretary Ramesh HB stated, “Wages are lowest, and violence against laborers is highest in South Kodagu, especially in the Srimangala-Kutta regions of Ponnampet Taluk.”
“Employers even confiscate the laborers’ ration cards. Using these, they collect the free 20 kg of rice provided by the government from PDS ration shops and sell it back to the laborers for ₹30. These helpless workers are deceived and exploited.”
On January 17, CPI(M) and AHSS joined a joint protest in Madikeri under the banner of the Anti-Land Leasing Committee, demanding the withdrawal of the ‘Land Lease Act,’ which grants government land on lease to encroachers.
“According to government reports, over 4,600 line house laborers in Kodagu district lack their own homes and basic amenities. However, the actual numbers are even higher. The encroached land should be reclaimed and distributed to exploited families, including landless laborers.”
“We demand agricultural land of at least five acres for laborers. We have been advocating for a minimum wage of ₹36,000 per month and fixed wages during the coffee season,” added Ramesh.
Criticizing the state government, he said, “To defeat our biggest enemy, the BJP, we supported Congress. The land leasing act was implemented by the former BJP government in Karnataka, but now Congress is carrying it forward. Both parties are two sides of the same coin when it comes to policies against the poor.”
He also criticized Kodavas for demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, stating, “If Kodavas are granted ST status, it will fuel violence against laborers and provide impunity to an already armed community.”
Organiser, the mouthpiece of the RSS, reported that the Kodava community is on the verge of extinction due to the rise of inter-caste marriages, migration, and modern lifestyles.
According to the report published in November 2024, Kodava societies are offering financial incentives to encourage families to have more children, aiming to boost the community’s population.
Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek is an independent journalist based in Kerala.
source: http://www.maktoobmedia.com / Maktoob Media / Home> India / by Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek / April 02nd, 2025
The Codava National Council (CNC) organised a human chain demonstration in Birunani on Monday, urging the Union Government to address their long-standing demands.
Madikeri :
The Codava National Council (CNC) organised a human chain demonstration in Birunani on Monday, urging the Union Government to address their long-standing demands. The primary demand is the creation of exclusive Codava constituencies for the Assembly and Parliament to ensure adequate representation of the community within their traditional homeland.
The CNC expressed concerns that the ongoing delimitation process may overlook the interests of the Codava community. Leaders fear that political influences could result in the merging of Codavaland with neighbouring areas, undermining the representation of the indigenous Codavas.
The CNC has put forward two proposals: carving out dedicated Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Codavaland and creating exclusive representative bodies for the Codava community, similar to the Sangha Constituency for the Buddhist monastic community in Sikkim.
The CNC also reiterated its demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status under the Indian Constitution, highlighting the community’s distinct identity, culture, and history. The demand is anchored in Articles 244 and 371, along with provisions in the Sixth and Eighth Schedules, which recognise and protect tribal communities and languages.
The CNC argues that this misrepresentation has led to a gradual erosion of the community’s identity, describing it as a violation of international conventions on indigenous rights.
A writ petition filed by former Member of Parliament Dr. Subramanian Swamy in the Karnataka High Court seeks adjudication of the Codavas’ demands. The CNC is also advocating for recognition of Codavas under international frameworks such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The CNC has called for the restitution of ancestral lands that were taken over by various rulers, including the Keladi dynasty, British authorities, and subsequent governments.
The CNC remains firm in its demand for recognition as a distinct indigenous community and continues to engage with constitutional and legal avenues to secure their rights. The human chain event at Birunani marked the latest step in the community’s long-standing struggle for recognition and justice.
Is Sullia being pitched to be an assembly segment of Mysuru-Kodagu LS constituency?
In another development, DV Sadananda Gowda (former MP) and Shobha Karandlaje, representing Bengaluru North LS constituency, have been alleged to have brought pressure on the central government to annexe Sullia Assembly constituency, which is currently one of the eight assembly segments in Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, to be a part of the Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency. The Codavas point out that this move will further strengthen the Vokkaliga dominance in the Kodagu district and will worsen the Codava community’s representation in the Karnataka assembly. “This is in a preliminary stage, and in the coming days we will further investigate the effects of the inclusion of the Sullia Assembly constituency into the Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency.”
source: http://www/thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by The Hans India, Hans News Service / March 31t, 2025
Virajpet MLA AS Ponanna said, on Kodava’s gun rights, that they do not need a license to possess guns as the gun culture has been passed on from generations.
Awards were honoured to several achievers from the community and the fest witnessed participation from several dignitaries. Photo | Express
Madikeri :
The two-day ‘Kodava Ballya Namme’ festival organised by the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy at the Ammathi Kodava Samaja highlighted the need to protect Kodava culture and rituals. The event emphasised the need to protect the Kodava language, rights and livelihood.
The Kodava Samaja wore a festive look as hundreds from the community, dressed in the traditional Kodava attire, took part in the event. The programme began with a ritualistic procession.
The formal function was inaugurated by Virajpet MLA AS Ponanna. “It is commendable that the Kodava Sahitya Academy has contributed to the development of Kodava language and literature by organising the ‘Ballya Namme’. Efforts will be made to provide government support to promote the Academy. The contribution made by the Kodava community to the country is immense. In this regard, it is imperative to work hard for the survival of the community and everyone should be responsible for the protection of the language, country and race,” opined Ponanna.
He explained that using a gun as part of the festivities is the community’s culture. “We do not need a license to possess guns as the gun culture has been passed on from generations,” he added. He called on the community to promote the culture without hating other communities or cultures.
The need to promote the Kodava language for the preservation of the community’s culture was highlighted by K Subramani, the president of the Federation of the Kodava Samajas.
During the cultural seminar hosted as part of the fest, speaker M Rekha Prakash said that the increased influence from the west is affecting the culture of the community. She called on the parents to instill respect for the culture and language among the children.
The close relation between Kodava culture and agriculture was explained by progressive farmer S Ganesh Thimmaiah. He urged the growers and farmers to implement organic farming and avoid chemical fertilisers to help lead a healthy living. He highlighted the need to take up animal husbandry, bee keeping and fishery to earn good profits. He urged the parents to take children to the farmlands and introduce paddy cultivation to them.
Several programmes that promoted the community’s culture were hosted as part of the event. Awards were honoured to several achievers from the community and the fest witnessed participation from several dignitaries.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / March 31st, 2025
We are planning to sell coffee online to popularise and promote GI-tagged coffee and make them accessible to consumers across the country, says Coffee Board Secretary and CEO K.G. Jagadeesha.
The GI-tagged coffee drip bags are designed for simplicity and effortless brewing, says the Coffee Board. | Photo Credit: special arrangement
The Coffee Board on Friday (March 29, 2025) introduced premium GI-tagged single-serve coffee drip bags to strengthen the domestic consumption of pure coffee in the country.
These GI-tagged coffee drip bags are designed for simplicity and effortless brewing and require just hot water and no equipment, said Coffee Board Secretary and CEO K.G. Jagadeesha at a media conference. “Only boiled water and a mug are required to brew a quality cup of pure black coffee,” he said.
Each drip coffee pouch contains five GI-tagged Arabica coffee varieties: Coorg Arabica, Chikmagalur Arabica, Bababudangiri Arabica, Araku Valley Arabica and the Monsooned Malabar Arabica coffee.
According to Mr. Jagadeesha, the drip bags being marketed under the India Coffee brand will be made available across all e-commerce platforms. “We are planning to sell coffee online to popularise and promote GI-tagged coffee and make them accessible to consumers across the country,’‘ he added.
Coffee Board also simultaneously launched Indian speciality coffee like GI-tagged Monsooned Malabar Arabica Coffee and Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold Arabica Coffee. Monsoon Malabar, he said, is the only monsoon coffee (where harvested coffee seeds are exposed to the monsoon rain and winds) in the world, Mr. Jagasheesha added.
Coffee culture
Coffee Board chairman M.J. Dinesh said the Board has been taking initiatives such as Kaapi Shastra, Barista Skills training, and participation in domestic exhibitions to promote coffee culture and thereby drive pure coffee consumption.
“Coffee farmers and entrepreneurs are getting training from the conception stage to the product stage. Even private coffee players can benefit from this training and start focusing on promoting GI-tagged pure coffees of India,’‘ said Coffee Board officials.
Under Atal Innovation Vision, the Coffee Board has been offering training to various coffee farmers and coffee entrepreneurs. Some 68 coffee startups, including over 20 start-ups in Karnataka, have come up under this scheme.
As per CRISIL estimates, India’s current coffee consumption is estimated at 95,000 tonnes.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities > Bengaluru / by The Hindu Bureau / March 29th, 2025
Bengaluru’s coffee production outlook, global prices, and the importance of value addition in the industry discussed by Coffee Board officials.
Coffee Board Secretary and CEO KG Jagadeesha said nature played a critical role in coffee farming and if plantations get 6-7 months without a dry spell, next year’s yield would be substantially higher than the last two years. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Bengaluru India’s coffee production for the crop year ending in March 2025 is likely to be 3.52 lakh metric tonnes, while the yield for next year is expected to be much higher than last two years’ yield as most plantations have already received adequate blossom showers helping a healthy berry setting, said Coffee Board CEO and Secretary, K.G Jagadeesha.
However, he said, nature played a critical role in coffee farming and if plantations get 6-7 months without a dry spell, next year’s yield would be substantially higher than the last two years.
He further said the board was currently in the process of wrapping up harvest (which just concluded) volumes data for the current year and preparing a production outlook for next year based on post blossom-shower assessment conducted on plantations across the country.
Global coffee prices to remain high for a year: ICO
Quoting International Coffee Organisation (ICO), Mr. Jagadeesha said, global coffee prices were likely to remain high for one more year as most major producing countries were facing drastic climatic changes.
“The current coffee prices may hold for one more year with marginal growth, however may not double or treble as they did a couple of years ago for arabica and robusta, respectively. I just attended the ICO meeting and this is the sense I am getting regarding prices,” he said.
Globally, coffee prices remained too low for 10 years, before they started climbing last two years ago.
India should focus on premiumisation in coffee
Highlighting the importance of value addition in coffee, Mr. Jagadeesha said, some 70% of Indian coffee were exported as green beans which meant the country has been losing out on premiums.
“We are producing the best quality coffee in the world and selling it as green beans in the global markets and someone else is blending, value adding and forking out premiums. This situation has to change by increasing our focus on value addition to fetch premium prices in the global markets. Some of our growers have already started focusing on value add and premiumisation, but the trend has to become industry-wide,’‘ he insisted.
According to Mr. Jagdeesha, post covid, there is a spurt in coffee consumption globally and this trend has been quite evident in India as well.
Coffee Board Chairman M.J. Dinesh said additional strengthening of the domestic market was required to protect coffee growers in the wake of any international price fluctuations.
“A robust domestic market will provide a shield to the coffee growers against the volatile international coffee prices. It will also encourage entrepreneurship and boost employment opportunities and bring in overall improvement in the coffee value chain. Such a scenario will act as a buffer for Indian coffee,” he added.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Business / by MIni Tejaswi / March 29th, 2025
Kodava Sahitya Akademi to host ‘Kodava Balya Namme’ at Ammathi on Mar. 29, 30
The Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Akademi in association with Kannada and Culture Department and Ammathi Kodava Samaja will be hosting the ‘Kodava Balya Namme,’ a lively celebration that highlights the rich heritage of Kodava folk music and dance at the Kodava Samaja premises in Ammathi on Mar. 29 and 30.
Parade of Colours and Tradition
The event will kick off with a colourful parade, featuring ceremonial attire, vaalaga and dudikott music and dance. The tone for a weekend of excitement and cultural revelry will be set by this procession.
Stage for Folk Artistes
The ‘Kodava Balya Namme’ will feature a range of cultural competitions, including folk singing and dancing. Talented troupes of folk singers and dancers from across Karnataka will come together for the Namme, to display their talents and vie with one another for top honours on a shared platform. The Akademi’s dedication to preserving and promoting Kodava culture is demonstrated by this event.
Literary Delights
Book lovers will be excited to know that the festival will also include book releases, showcasing the literary accomplishments of Kodava authors. Also, poetry recitations will provide the celebrations with cultural elegance and refinement.
Exhibition and Seminary Sessions
An exhibition of heritage artefacts will provide a glimpse into Kodava history and customs. There will be discussion sessions, featuring expert panels and thought-provoking themes pertaining to the Kodava culture and identity, as well.
Celebrating Successes
Additionally, the Akademi will honour the achievements of successful individuals who have made significant impacts in their respective domains. These deserving people will get honorary prizes in recognition of their contributions.
Music and Dance Extravaganza
The strains of folk music and the vivid colours of ceremonial attire will fill the Samaja over the course of two days. A variety of acts, such as folk songs, dances and other cultural presentations, will be included in the competitions.
Cultural Events and Performances
The initial parade will be inaugurated in the morning on the 29th of March in Ammathi and will be from Hosur junction to the Kodava Samaja. Later, there will be a release of newly published books. Various song and dance competitions will be inaugurated the same day. That day there will also be a heritage items exhibition, a discussion session and a poetry recitation session.
The next morning there will be another discussion session. The final event of the second day is the distribution of the Akademi’s honorary prizes to achievers and for new books.
Join the Festivities
Various dignitaries, such as State Ministers, the Mysuru-Kodagu MP, MLAs and MLC and the DC, and accomplished individuals have been invited as guests. Former Presidents of the Kodava Sahitya Akademi, the Presidents of the various Kodava Samajas and the Kodava Bhasika (speakers) organisations have also been invited.
Regardless of whether you are a culture enthusiast, a music lover, or simply looking for a unique experience, this event is sure to be a memorable celebration of Kodava heritage.
The ‘Kodava Balya Namme’ promises to be unforgettable with music, dance, literature and cultural richness. Mark your calendars for March 29th and 30th and immerse yourself in the celebrations at Ammathi Kodava Samaja in Kodagu. Kodava Sahitya Akademi to host ‘Kodava Balya Namme’ at Ammathi on Mar. 29, 30.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by Mookonda Nitin Kushalappa / March 28th, 2025
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