MLA Ranjan inaugurates sports hostel in Madikeri

July 11, 2016Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sportsadmin

The long-pending demand for a sports hostel in Madikeri turned a reality on Saturday. MLA Appachu Ranjan dedicated the facility, at the district stadium complex, to the young sporting talent in the district.

Addressing the gathering, Ranjan a former a minister of Sports and Youth Empowerment said, “The authorities should spot the sporting talent, nurture them and make them battle-ready for big stage competitions.”

.The MLA called upon the budding sportspersons to make use of the facilities and carve a niche for themselves at national and international level.

Ranjan said, there was a demand for sports hostel in Madikeri on the lines of Koodige and Ponnampet, which has been realised now.

The legislator said that, as a Sports minister he had sanctioned Rs 15 crore towards the development of sporting infrastructure in Kodagu district. An estimated Rs three crore was spent on building a swimming pool and indoor stadium, besides astroturfs were laid at Ponnampet and Somwarpet hockey stadiums.

Ranjan said, during his stint as sports minister, he made sincere efforts to introduce guidelines for sports awards in order to eliminate lobbying and other wrong means to get awards and ensure the deserving get rewards for their achievements and feats, he said.

International hockey player Arjun Halappa said “Youth should make the most of sporting infrastructure and opportunities available in the district”.

P E Kalaiah, one of the members of world cup winning Indian Hockey team, Assistant Director of Department of Sports and Youth Empowerment Jayalakshmi Bai among others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Madikeri, July 10th, 2016

39% of India’s coffee is from Kodagu

July 10, 2016Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)admin

Madikeri :

Kodagu contributed 39% of India’s total coffee production with 1.37 metric tonnes (MTs) during 2015-16, according to post-monsoon estimates by the Coffee Board. The total area of coffee production in the district includes 76,953 hectares of robusta cultivation and 27,969 hectares of Arabica.

The estimates also revealed that coffee production in Karnataka touched 2.53 lakh MT, which is 72% of the country’s total production. Chikkmagaluru contributed 83,810 MT and Hassan 31,825 MT.

According to sources from the board, India’s coffee production during the period was 3.5 lakh MT, an increase of 7% from the previous year. Production of Arabica variety rose by 10% (9,800 MT), while the Robusta variety saw an increase of 5.76% (13,200 MT).

Contributions from other states include Kerala – 68,650 MT, Tamil Nadu – 18,125 MT, Andhra Pradesh – 9,100 MT; Odisha – 600 MT and north eastern states – 185 MT.

The total area of coffee cultivation in the country stands at 4.23 lakh hectares, of which 2.30 lakh hectares is in Karnataka.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mysore / TNN / July 09th, 2016

All was solemn at Rangasamudra

July 9, 2016Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, Alladmin

Bidding farewell:A large crowd outside the residence of M.K. Ganapathy at Rangasamudra village in Kodagu district on Friday.— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

The last rites of Dy.SP M.K. Ganapathy was held with full police honours in his native village of Rangasamudra in Kodagu on Friday.

The Last Post was played and the firing of three rounds in the air, followed by wreaths laid by senior police officers completed the solemn ceremony. They then went along with family members to the farm for the final rituals held amid an incessant drizzle.

M.K. Ganapathy’s grieving mother and other relatives at his native village in Kodagu on Friday.— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

The poignant rituals was punctuated by an occasional sob by family members. Gapanapthy’s wife, Pavana, and their children Nehal, studying engineering, and Sahil, who is in school, were stoic while trying to come to terms with the tragedy.

Ganapathy’s brothers M.K. Thammaiah, a Dy.SP in Ramanagaram, and Machaiah, a planter, were dazed throughout the ceremony, which concluded late in the evening.

“It was Ganapathy who inspired me and brought me the applications to write the exam to get into the police service,” recalled Mr. Thammaiah. Though he was depressed and under treatment, we did not expect him to resort to the extreme step.”

Earlier in the day, there was a steady stream of friends, relatives, former colleagues, and well-wishers to the farmhouse to pay their last respects.

The post-mortem of the body was conducted at the Government Hospital in Madikeri on Friday morning, and later handed over to the family.

Scores of BJP activists staged a dharna and blocked the road in Madikeri. They dispersed once the body was shifted to Rangasamudra. A large posse of policemen were deployed to prevent any untoward incident and to ensure smooth conduct of the last rites.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by R. Krishna Kumar / Rangasamudra(Kodagu District) / July 09th, 2016

Rohan Bopanna gives into wife’s obsession for Beyonce

July 8, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sportsadmin

Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna apparently can never say no to his wife Supriya Annaiah.

Supriya’s favourite artist is Beyonce and her concert ‘Formation’ is currently running in London and she could not miss it.

Surprisingly, Rohan Bopanna is witnessing the concert for the second time and posted a cool picture of him and his wife as well as Beyonce in the middle of her act in another frame.

Rohan Bopanna wrote: ‘Witnessing Beyoncé in concert second time around … Courtesy the wife’s obsession with her. #Beyonce #FormationWT’

Beyonce’s Formation world tour has a 2-day schedule in London.

Bopanna is currently playing at the 2016 Wimbledon in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles categories.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day / Home> Sports News> Tennis News / by mid-day offline correspondent / July 04th, 2016

Kodagu banks surpass SME target

July 8, 2016Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

Under the Prime Minister's Jana Dhan Yojna, Kodagu has achieved 100% target — Under the Prime Minister’s Jana Dhan Yojna, Kodagu has achieved 100% target

Madikeri:

In the sector of small and medium bu siness enterprises, Kodagu district has surpassed its target by registering more transactions compared to previous year.

As against the target of transactions worth Rs 20,000 lakh, the banks have achieved Rs 25,655 lakh, registering a growth of 128%, explained Kodagu lead bank manager K A Devaiah. He announced this at the district-level annual review meeting attended by MP Prathap Simha and MLC Sunil Subramani here recently.

The advances given to farming and other sectors stood at Rs 3,41,948 lakh, which is 10% more compared to figures in financial year 2015. With agriculture loans receiving a priority, advances of up to Rs 2,46,211 lakh was extended, which is 30% more compared to previous year. The deposits have also increased, with the aggregate standing at Rs 5,06,625 lakh (16% more compared to 2015).

Kodagu district has 16,851 self-help groups (SHGs) with an enrolment of 98,450 women, including 12,846 SC/ STs. The savings of these SHGs stand at Rs 2,480 lakh. Under the Prime Minister’s Jana Dhan Yojna, Kodagu has achieved 100% target.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mysore / TNN / July 07th, 2016

TripTease : The Kopatty Climb

July 6, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Sportsadmin

Hill slopes blanketed with coffee estates, foggy climate, and fairly adamant rains are what Kodava Nadu welcomes you with during the monsoons.

The Kodagu region’s salubrious weather makes it an ideal getaway for weekend treks, and the Kopatty trail comes highly recommended. One of the lesser known trails of the region, Kopatty takes you through coffee plantations, forest areas, and a massive grassland before taking you to the summit. This entire trek takes about three hours to complete.

Typically a day trek, it’s best to start your journey towards Kopatty early in the morning, closer to the sunrise, but during the rains it’s quite difficult to see one, so you could start as per your convenience as long as you keep track of time.

Reaching Kopatty is easy; get to Madikeri a day ahead. From there take a bus to Bhagamandala or to Tala-Cauvery and get off at Charambane village. It takes about an hour to reach the village from Madikeri. Many people make a stop at Tala-Cauvery to see the origins of the Cauvery rive, but at this time you can’t really see much thanks to the rains. Having said that, the thick fog and continuous rains can be an extraordinary experience. From Charambane Village, head towards the Bhagamandala route for another kilometre, and you will reach Kopatty Temple, which is where the trail begins.

Charambane is nestled between thick forest cover; it’s a small village with light population, and a few shops selling food and beverages for the trekkers. This is also last place where you’ll see any human settlement before you start your trek. Pick up some essentials from the stores here if you’ve missed carrying anything.

The walk into the forest begins at Kopatty Temple. You can meet the locals, or even guides at the base of the hill who help you into the trail. There are also jeeps available in case you want a ride all the way to the top. But there’s not much fun in that is there?

The start of the trail is a tarred road, with paddy fields on either side. The muddy path for jeeps begin soon after, as do the coffee plantations. The road is fairly flat for a few kilometres till you reach a small stream, the first one on the trail. After that the steep climb through the forest begins. It will lead you to a ‘Y’ junction; take the left from there as the trail narrows down, and you’ll find two abandoned houses. Take a right from the houses, and you will be inside the forest. Hereon, the trails gets very little natural light, thanks to the canopied trees, and you need to focus on where you’re going. Also be aware of bugs and leeches. Hold branches to move ahead, but don’t lean against the trees because they’re usually crawling with large ants.

After a while you will spot the second stream on the trail; it’s a small one, and you can rest here for a while before moving forward. You can even drink this water.

As you move forward, you will leave the forest area and be in the middle of a beautiful meadow. On your right will be the dense forest area, and on your left will be the beautiful valleys of the region. And if you look ahead, you can see the Kopatty peak in front of you. The path from here is literally like walking on a carpet. It should take you about 10 minutes to reach the peak, which is said to be at a height of 4,500 feet above sea level. From here you get a magnificent view of the Western Ghats as well.

The descent will have you walk towards Kallugundi across the Kopatty ridge and you will head towards the valley on the left. It will lead you back to the forest from where the climb down is steep, with lots of slippery paths, and dried leaves.

GETTING THERE

Kopatty Village is around 296 kilometres from Bangalore. It can be reached by either bus or a private transport. There are buses from Bangalore to Madikeri too.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Columns> Others / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / by Kumaran P / July 05th, 2016

Joshna Chinappa breaks Top10 barrier

July 5, 2016Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, World Opinionadmin

New Delhi :

Top squash player Joshna Chinappa on Friday rose to a career high 10th position in the latest PSA world rankings, becoming the second Indian to break the top-10 barrier after longtime India teammate Dipika Pallikal.

Chinappa, who has been in fine form in the last six months, moved a place to be 10th in the standings. Pallikal, who broke the top-10 barrier in December 2012, is ranked 19th in the latest rankings.

Chinappa had reached her biggest ever final at the HKFC International in Hong Kong in May.

She is now getting ready to defend her title in the National Championship, to be held in Mumbai from July 12.

Pallikal, who was 18th last month, dropped a place in the rankings. She was a quarterfinalist at the HKFC International.

The only other Indian in the top 20, Saurav Ghosal, remained on 17. Ghosal had been off action for a while nursing an ankle injury and is due to return to active squash at the Nationals in Mumbai.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / July 04th, 2016

Kodagu palace brings alive fading memories

July 4, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, Alladmin

Madikeri :

The Nalkunadu palace in Yuvakapadi, 30 km from Madikeri, was built in the late 18th century by Doddaveera Rajendra, a king of the Haleri dynasty. The last king who lived there, Chikaveera Rajendra, was immortalised in fiction by the celebrated Kannada writer Masti Venkatesa Iyengar. The palace is also called Nalnad aremane in Kodava parlance.

The palace is now attracting a huge number of tourists. Its unique features include a mantap where marriages were solemnised. The palace stands atop a hillock next to Tandiyandamol, the highest peak of district. (This breathtaking expanse is drawing bigger numbers after it was featured as Mugilupete in the hit Kannada film Gaalipata).

Built in brick and mortar, the palace is about 65 feet wide, and has a spacious verandah. The ground floor has a wooden roof with carvings, depicting flowers, vines, dancing girls, musicians, and a king and queen. The style is Indo-Saracenic. A 6×10 ft mural depicts the king in a procession, but it is damaged. Four dark rooms at the back, historians say, were used as a prison.

A spacious darbar hall, several baths and chambers for the king and queen are still in evidence. In 1796, king Doddaveera Rajendra married Mahadevammaji, his second wife, at the mantap here.

Some walls have lime carvings of the two-head mythical bird Gandabherunda, elephants, and lions. Artists from Rajasthan and Mysore were brought in for the special carvings, some of which have been ravaged by time. Similar architecture is seen at the Madikeri Omkareshwara temple.

Surrounded by lush greenery, the palace had a copper kalasha (cupola) on its roof which, elderly people say, is now obscured.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Coovercolly Indresh / July 03rd, 2016

Brewing coffee from jackfruit seeds

July 4, 2016Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Natureadmin

Healthy:Maithraye Shenoy displaying the ‘Jaffe powder’ made of jackfruit seeds.— Photo: H.S. Manjunath

Can powdered jackfruit seed taste like light coffee without adding any other ingredient to it?

If you cannot believe it, you ought to taste the “health drink” made by Shivanna from Sakharayapatna, of Parivarthana, a non-government organisation, in Chikkamagaluru district.

“My product is very near to coffee; it can become a substitute for coffee,” said Shivanna, who was at the jackfruit mela here on Sunday. He told The Hindu that the processed seed powder was the result of his one-year research and it was free from any stimulant like caffeine.

He said that three cups of the “health drink” could be prepared from one spoon of his new product. Shivanna has sent the sample to the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru, for analysis of carbohydrate, fibre, fat and calorie contents. “You can drink this product like you drink coffee by making its decoction,” he said.

‘Jaffe powder’

Maithraye Shenoy, a homemaker from Pandeshwara in Mangaluru, has also made a “health drink” from jackfruit seed. She has named it “jaffe powder”, which can be mixed with milk. “It was the result of a two-month research. I roast the jackfruit seed before making the product,” she said.

Meanwhile, Artocarpus Foods Pvt. Ltd., at Taliparamb, near Kannur, is already marketing jack seed powder. It can be used to make chapattis, dosas, cakes, and bread. It also makes a product from the seed as masala for chicken curry, said Shree Padre, executive editor, Adike Pathrike, a farm monthly and a crusader for jackfruit and its value-added products.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / Raviprasad Kamila / Mangaluru – July 04th, 2016

Joshna Chinappa Breaks Into World’s Top-10

July 2, 2016Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, World Opinionadmin

Joshna Chinappa is now the second Indian squash player after Dipika Pallikal to enter the top-10 ranking. Dipika is currently ranked 19th.

Joshna Chinappa entered final at the HKFC International in Hong Kong in May. / @ AFP — Joshna Chinappa entered final at the HKFC International in Hong Kong in May.
/ @ AFP

New Delhi:

Joshna Chinappa, top squash player, on Friday rose to a career high 10th position in the latest PSA world rankings, becoming the second Indian to break the top-10 barrier after Dipika Pallikal.