Sole for a cause

December 6, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Sportsadmin

Most of us think of ways to reconnect with the world — go on adventure trips, explore the offbeat locations of the City and more — but ever considered going barefoot for all your expeditions? As part of the ‘Coorg Reconnect Festival’, the Coorg Wellness Foundation, the Coorg Wildlife Society and the United Sisters Foundation are jointly organising the first barefoot marathon.

Milind Soman and Nikki Ponappa are the face of the event and are hoping to meet barefoot runners from across the country to share their stories.

“This is going to be the first barefoot marathon in the world, so you can image how excited we are about it. Barefoot running in general is becoming popular around the world and to be able to do it in a beautiful place like Coorg is a plus point,” says Milind.

Much has been spoken and lots has been heard and read. But this time, one can take the time to reconnect with the earth and be their innermost being. With the initiative called ‘Reconnect’, the organisers are inviting people from around the country to participate in the marathon.

“We have been getting a lot of entries from around the country. People from North East, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and even Delhi have registered. We didn’t think it would generate such a huge response, but we’re thrilled to start the first of many in a grand way,” shares Nikki.

But it’s not just the barefoot running marathon that’s the primary focus. The focus is also on supporting rehabilitation of elephants in Coorg and on afforestation. Milind says, “The whole idea of running barefoot was to feel connected with the world. When we go to holy places, we take off our shoes and that makes sense because we’re trying to be one with the world. There are also many rural communities who walk around without shoes and live in harmony with the environment. So this marathon is symbolic to the that kind of emotion.”

And what’s the one piece of advice the ironman wants to share with the runners? “Have fun. Don’t do anything that you don’t want to do. The most important thing about running a marathon is to train yourself. If you’re running too fast and you can’t talk, you’re doing it wrong. So just have fun and everything else will fall in place,” he says.

But when asked what he thinks will be some of the challenges he might face during this marathon, he laughs and says, “I won’t be running this marathon. But the challenges I have right now is being the organiser. It’s a lot of work getting everything in place and also to make sure that the runners are comfortable during the run.”

However, he runs on a regular basis and does not let anything stop him. “I make sure that I run whenever I can. I don’t set any goals for myself; I run till I have a meeting to attend. Running for me is a way to de-stress and get energised for the day, not exhausted. So I’m always up for a run!”

The marathon will take place on December 5 in Coorg and December 6 in Bengaluru. For more details, log on to www.thebarefootmarathon.com

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / DHNS – December 02nd, 2015

Finally, a dormitory after four years of sleeping in classroom

December 5, 2015Educationadmin

In neglect:The Girijana Ashram School in Nagarahole has only three classrooms, one staff room, and one permanent teacher.

Students of ashram school in Nagarahole don’t have access to even basic facilities

Students of the ashram school for tribals in Nagarahole — who were forced to study as well as eat and sleep in their classrooms for the last four years — can now look forward to having their own dormitory soon.

Although the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat had decided to construct a new hostel with additional rooms, the officials realised that a clearance from the National Board for Wildlife, New Delhi, was necessary for any construction in tiger reserve areas.

Ever since the dilapidated hostel building was demolished four years ago, students of classes 1 to 7 have been experiencing a harrowing time.

“The number of students in the residential school also witnessed a gradual decline over the years,” said Prakash, who represents the Karnataka Forest-based Tribal Communities’ Federation. Recently, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) took up the matter with Forest Minister B. Ramanath Rai.

In the interest of the students, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Ravi Ralph has given permission for reconstruction of the hostel, said KSCPCR chairperson Kripa Amar Alva. Kantharaju, Chief Conservator of Forests, Nagarahole, said the building has to be constructed on the same plot of land. “There cannot be any extension,” he said.

Satish Kumar, the Integrated Tribal Development Programme officer of Kodagu, said the proposal to construct the dormitory was cleared by the zilla panchayat several years ago and funds were also sanctioned. “If permission has been given, construction can start soon,” he said.

Of 47 students, about 40 attended regularly. In view of the absence of hostel facilities, nearly 20 of them return home to their tribal hamlets nearby every evening. The remaining sleep in the classroom, Mr. Kumar said.

The school has only three classrooms and one staff room. “Students of two classes are made to sit in one room because of the shortage of classrooms,” an official said. Also, the school has only one permanent teacher, while the rest are outsourced.

Mr. Praksh found fault with the government policies towards tribal children, which was leading to closure of ashram schools. “The number of ashram schools dipped from 121 three years ago to 116 now,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Laiqh A. Khan / Mysuru – December 04th, 2015

Run, raft or cycle: ‘Tropical Rush’ for adventure buffs in Kodagu

December 4, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sportsadmin

Mixing Kodagu’s rugged landscape with a triple-edged obstacle race, a unique first-of-its-kind endurance challenge has been thrown at adventure buffs.

Next weekend, on December 12 and 13, the race dubbed ‘Tropical Rush’ will unfold, beckoning contestants to run, trek, raft and cycle through some of Karnataka’s breathtaking yet daunting wilderness hotspots. The emphasis, clearly, is on finishing and not the best time. That settles it.

Participants needn’t be super-competitive gym junkies.

Designed for teamwork, most races could get friends gang up to surmount challenges. Conceptualised by Coorgexpress, the contest is multi-pronged.

The Obstacle Race is an intense 5-10 kilometre course in length, featuring 15 signature Indian Army inspired obstacles. In the Corporate Mud Battle (men and women), contestants could team up in fives. The Tropical Rush 5k Challenge, open for both genders, tests the skills of participants with a 15 obstacle course built on the paddy fields and remote woodlands of South Kodagu.

This event is open to athletes of all levels, without any formal entry requirements. The open wave will start every 15 minutes and the team with the best timing wins.

Hiking challenge
The Tropical Hike Challenge will beckon trekkers to the Brahmagiri hill range in the Western Ghats, a protected sanctuary.

The trek will traverse through tropical rainforest (Shola) forest, grasslands, small streams and rivers and the famous Irupu falls.

“We have created this Challenge to encourage individuals to step outside their comfort zone,” explained Ricky Monnappa, the brains behind Tropical Rush.

Forest guards will accompany participants at all times.

Designed for bikers, the Tropical 20-kilometre Off Road Cycling event will test their skills along the unexplored trails of South Kodagu.

The Votecad Nature Camp will be the kickoff point, before the ride traverses through coffee plantations, villages and streams to finally enter the green pastures of Brahmagiri foothills.

The ride back will be along the Barapole river.

Details
For more on the competition, rules, venue and timings, check the portal www.tropicalrush.in or email: info@tropicalrush.in or call Ph: 9632338111.
In Bengaluru, the contact site is 136, 2nd Cross, 8th B Main, Jakkasandra Block, Koramangala 3rd Block.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by Rasheed Kappan, Bengaluru / DHNS – December 04th, 2015

Barefoot in the park

December 3, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sportsadmin

Connect with the earth Milind Soman Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Milind Soman says there is no special regime to follow to run that extra mile

Model, actor and now an active runner, Milind Soman has come a long way. He has been in the news for his vigorous promotion of marathons. Off on a barefoot marathon in Coorg, he talks about the importance and benefits of running. Excerpts.

Can you describe your journey from being a model to a marathon runner?

It has been fun. The two worlds are as different as you want it to be. I like to be myself and have been running for years. It comes naturally to me. I can now run and run.

Which is a better way to connect to people — as a celebrity or a runner?

Both have different rapports. As a marathon runner it is more personal. The connection, sometimes, is superficial when it happens through the media.

When were you bitten by the fitness bug?

It all started when I was 10. I was keen on fitness as a model and actor.

Why did you choose marathons?

I was always into running. My work has been noticed because of social media. Running is easy and everyone can do it. I want people to explore themselves and their challenges.

Who can run a marathon?

Running is easy. It is a misconception that it is tough. We have been doing the Pinkathon. Today 62,000 women are running with us, which shows that given an opportunity, women will take part in it. The good thing is that they have realised they too need to exercise. In India, health is the last priority.

How does one train for a run?

You start with three km walk and then go on to running half a marathon. You should decide on your level depending on capability and fitness.

How does a success of a marathon make you feel?

It feels good that I am able to create an opportunity. It also depends on the people. We have people undergoing chemotherapy who run.

What is the secret to good health?

It starts in your mind. Remove negative thoughts. You do not have to start with push ups and biceps. You should eat the right kind of food. Once your mind and body is healthy, it creates a freedom that helps you enjoy life. Being fit does not mean restrictions. Your body and mind can deal with much more.

Are there diet restrictions?

You can eat anything and everything. You don’t have to starve to look good. I am against refined white sugar. I can eat anything from an oily biriyani to sabudana khichdi. What makes you fat is sugar and sedentary lifestyle.

What are the benefits of barefoot running?

It is the best and keeps your body alive. Your efficiency improves, your technique improves. For me barefoot running, has minimised my injuries. It creates a nice balance, when you are connection with the earth. It makes me enjoy running.

Milind will be running with prominent runners from Coorg and Bengaluru for the Barefoot Marathon. The run is dedicated to the conservation and well-being of the environment and is organised in partnership with Coorg Wildlife Society. The venue will be the Main Gate, Tata Coffee Estate, Pollibetta, Coorg,on December 5. For details, log on to coorgwellnessfoundation .com.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Shilpa Sebastian R / Bengaluru – December 02nd, 2015

Joshna Chinappa now India’s top-ranked squash player

December 2, 2015Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sportsadmin

Chinappa has pipped former Indian No. 1 Dipika Pallikal to the title

Chennai :

India’s national champion Joshna Chinappa has become the highest ranked Indian in the world professional squash circuit. As per the latest rankings released on Tuesday Chinappa has jumped from 17th to 13th in the latest rankings.

Dipika Pallikal, who till now held this honour, has slipped to 16th from 14th, while the best among the male players in India, national champion Saurav Ghosal has dropped a rung to 18.

Joshna’s phenomenal show in the Qatar Classic in Doha last month had stood her in good stead. More than the quarter final finish there her beating of world number one Raneem El Welily of Egypt in the first round had helped her to this happy tidings. The Indian star is now getting set to play her first round in the Hong Kong Open, a prestigious event prior to the World women championship scheduled in Malaysia.

As for the others, Mahesh Mangaonkar is on 62, Harinderpal Sandhu is placed on 66 and Kush Kumar on 97. In the women’s section Sachika Ingle is on 87.

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / Sports Keeda / Home> Badminton> News / Press Release / December 01st, 2015

Tata Global launches instant coffee brand to compete with Nescafe, Bru

December 2, 2015Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), World Opinionadmin

Tata Coffee Grand was jointly developed by Tata Global Beverages and group firm Tata Coffee , which manufactures the product, TGBL said.

Mumbai :

India’s second largest tea maker Tata Global Beverages has forayed into instant coffee business in the country by launching Tata Coffee Grand, which will compete with Nestle’s Nescafe and Hindustan Unilever’s Bru.

The instant coffee brand was jointly developed by Tata Global Beverages (TGBL) and group firm Tata Coffee, which manufactures the product, TGBL said on Monday.

The coffee beans will be primarily sourced from Tata Coffee’s plantations in South India, popular for producing Arabica and Robusta blends.

At present, the maker of Tata Tea and Tetley brands earns over 70% of its sales from tea brands while coffee business accounts for 20% through brands like Eight o’clock and Grand outside India.

source: http://www.retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com / ETRetail.com / Home> Food & Entertainment / ET Bureau / November 30th, 2015

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November 30, 2015Uncategorizedadmin

Springs of life

November 29, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

Springheads, the point where springs emerge, are to be treated carefully so that people using the waters do not cause pollution or damage.
by S. Vishwanath

This part of the beautiful Sahyadri or the Western Ghats is lush green, thanks to a long spell of rain. Talacauvery is an hour’s drive from Madikeri in Kodagu district. Here the beautiful river Cauvery rises. On the day celebrated as Sankranti, the waters appear here in a small pool. It then disappears to reappear at Bhagamandala as a stream, meeting the Kannika and the unseen Sujyoti.

What appears in Talacauvery is a spring. On the upper reaches of the hills of the Brahmagiri, rainwater infiltrates and percolates into the ground. Filling up the aquifers, it forms the groundwater in the space.

Groundwater which emerges naturally onto the surface is called a spring. As Himanshu Kulkarni, a leading hydro-geologist, would say, springs are best treated and understood as groundwater.

In India springs have long suffered neglect in terms of research. Though they have been the lifeline for many communities, especially in the hilly regions of the Himalayas, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, not much effort has been put in to understand and model them better. Dr. Kulkarni points out many typologies for springs. In one particular case he shows how the recharge zone, where the water enters the aquifer, is on the other side of the hill from where the spring emerges.

The traditional watershed approach would fail to recharge the aquifer of this typology of springs because it would be addressing water flows and recharge in the same side of the hill without understanding the nature of the geology at the place. Instead of a ridge to valley approach to manage water, a valley to valley approach would have to be envisaged for such spring management.’ In simple language there is a recharge zone for a spring and the spring itself is in the discharge zone. Understanding, mapping and managing recharge zones is crucial to the health of the springs. For long Indians have trekked to the source of rivers and paid homage to the life-giver. They have in actuality been worshipping springs. It is time that we understood this source of water better and managed them better. That would be water wisdom.

zenrainman@gmail.com

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by S. Vishwanath / November 28th, 2015

4 City designers to present Khadi creations in Jaipur

November 29, 2015Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

Four designers from Bengaluru will present their Khadi creations in Jaipur at the first edition of the Rajasthan Heritage Week, which was launched in the City on Friday.

The event, intended to promote traditional textiles, is being organised by Bengaluru-based Prasad Bidappa Associates, the Government of Rajasthan and the Khadi Board. It will be held from December 3 to 5 in Jaipur.

Pavithra Muddaya, Tara Aslam, Manish Saksena, Jason and Anshu are the Bengaluru-based designers who took part in the ‘Handmade in Rajasthan’ project. Along with designers from other parts of the country and abroad, they worked closely with traditional handloom weavers in interior villages in Rajasthan.

What started as a pilot project with Bangladeshi designer Bibi Russell was taken forward on a larger scale after the Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje was impressed with the collection she created. At the event on Friday, models showcased Russell’s colourful and fresh creations.

“The intention of the project is to revive our country’s traditional fabric and make it more appealing to the younger generation and for a foreign audience,” Prasad Bidappa, the organiser and chief creative director of the project, said. “Through this initiative, eight national award-winning weavers have been elevated to the status of designers with their creations being exhibited at the Rajasthan Heritage Week. That, according to me, is our biggest achievement,” he added.

Pavitra Muddaya, who runs Vimor, along with her mother Chimi Nanjappa, talked about the challenges she faced in the project. “My Hindi is very poor so communicating with the weavers was a problem.”

Muddaya has been working as a textile revivalist, documenting techniques and providing training to traditional weavers. “The way they work there, the processes, the terminology is very different from how it is in South India. It was an eye-opener for me though I have been working in this field for 40 years,” she added.

“In the past I have worked with Pethanis and Maheshwaris but this was the first time that I worked with something from Rajasthan,” said Manish Saksena who worked with traditional weavers in Kaithoon village in Rajasthan’s Kota district to create 18 sarees.

Produced entirely by hand, it took him and the weavers two months to complete them.

“Two of the people I collaborated with were master craftsmen and it was very humbling to work with them.” he added. His sarees will be sold for Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 a piece.

Tara Aslam, who has a Khadi store in Bengaluru called Nature Alley, created designs for modern travellers inspired by the tribes of Rajasthan, and Jason & Anshu of the label ‘smallshop’ designed eclectic menswear and womenswear.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> City / DHNS – Bengaluru, November 28th, 2015

Mysuru Kodava Samaja and Kodagu Gowda Samaja Celebrate Huthari Festival

November 27, 2015Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainmentadmin

Mysuru :

Huthri, the harvest festival of Kodagu, was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in city yesterday by Mysuru Kodava Samaja and Kodagu Gowda Samaja respectively.

The Kodavas, who had gathered in large numbers at Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions premises in Kuvempunagar here, worshipped Goddess Lakshmi and welcomed her in the form of grains by reaping the new paddy crop. They sang the harvest (putthari) song and danced merrily.

Dressed in traditional costumes, the Kodava men and women, young and old, performed their dances like Kolaat, Bolkaat, Kathiyaat, Kappeyaat, Pareyakali and Ummathaat.

They worshipped Lord Igguthappa and Goddess Cauvery before reaping the new paddy crop amidst chanting of ‘Poli Polio Deva,’ firing three times in the air and bursting of crackers to celebrate the occasion. The festival is observed either in the month of November or December on full moon day of Rohini Nakshatra.

The Samaja had made arrangements to distribute the new paddy and thambittu prasadam to all those present.

Kodava Samaja President Moovera K. Kuttappa welcomed and spoke about the significance of the festival. Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah compered. Samaja Vice-President Ballyamanda M. Nanaiah, Hon. Secretary Mandira P. Kalaiah, Joint Secretary Chottekalapanda Prema Uthaiah and other office-bearers of the Samaja were present. The office-bearers of various other Kodava Associations in city too took active part in making the celebrations a grand success.

Meanwhile, the members of Kodagu Gowda Samaja too celebrated Huthri in a similar manner at the Samaja premises in Vijayanagar here.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Friday – November 27th, 2015

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