Madikeri: Girls Top District-level Debate Competition Held at Ponnampet

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

Madikeri:

A district-level debate competition was conducted by Sri Sai Shankar School, Ponnampet for PU and degree students on the topic ‘Harassment of girls in educational institutions’.

The first prize was won by Pragathi of 2nd PUC, St Joseph’s PU College, Madikeri while the second prize was won by K C Thanvi Thangamma of 1st PUC, Vidyaniketan PU College, Gonikoppa, Kodagu.

Thanvi Thangamma is the daughter of Kallichanda Suresh Chengappa and Kavitha Kaveramma Kallichanda, residents of Balele in south Kodagu.

source: http://www.mangalorean.com / Mangalorean.com / Home / by Special Correspondent with inputs from Mohan Devaiah / August 21st, 2014

Coffee Board blends co-op subsidies into coffee kettle

Agriculture, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

In an effort to enhance the production of robusta and arabica coffees, the Coffee Board has proposed higher allocation for replanting and expansion, Coffee Board Chairman Jawaid Akhtar said on Thursday.

Under the 12th Plan subsidy rates have been proposed at 40 per cent for up to 2 hectares, 30 per cent for 2-10 hectares and 25 per cent for holdings of above 10 hectares.

Inaugurating the United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI) and Karnataka Planters Association (KPA) coffee conference on Thursday, Akhtar said, “Coffee Board has proposed to increase the unit cost by 75 per cent to Rs 1,75,000 per hectare.”
For the first time, the Board has included corporates and co-operatives to avail of the subsidy.

Besides, the Board has also introduced subsidy for eco-certification at 50 per cent of the certification cost at a ceiling of Rs 50,000 per beneficiary. It has also enhanced subsidy for quality upgradation to Rs 2.50 lakh for up to 20 hectares.

UPASI President Vijayan Rajes said the coffee committee of UPASI will submit a proposal to the Coffee Board to forward it to the Centre to release funds for producing two new robusta clones and one robusta seedling. This will be in collaboration with Incaper, Brazil’s premium research organisation for conillon robusta.

“We are planning to have a new proposal to get India-specific arabica plants with know-how from Brazil,” Rajes added. “This will help us have 10 million clones supplied to coffee growers in the first four years; and, from the fifth year, the share of Indian robusta will be increased by 50 per cent,” Rajes said.

B M Mahesh Kumar, a coffee planter from Hosathota Estate, Ballupet, spoke on ‘Achieving High Productivity of Black Pepper through Water, Shade and Nutrition Management’. He said, “Disease control can be effected by following judicious Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).”

“Many people are taking up mono pepper cultivation at the cost of arabica coffee which is not a good sign,” Kumar said, adding that farmers should adopt innovative methods to multiply pepper vines for higher production.

Indian Vanilla Enterprise Pvt Ltd and Indian Vanilla Initiative Pvt Ltd, Pollachi, Chairman R Mahendran speaking on ‘Cocoa Cultivation, Processing and Management’, said that the opportunity of cultivating cocoa as another inter-crop for coconut, arecanut and oil palm in select regions of Karnataka holds promise.

Ease of cultivation and management make cocoa an attractive income generator, Mahendran added.

UPASI-TRF (Tea Research Foundation) Valparai, Quality Assurance Assistant Director N Palani stressed the importance of maintaining organic matter in the soil for preserving the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil.

Palani added that since the top soil is rich in humus, it has to be safeguarded from erosion for which soild and water conservation measures, depending on the slope of the terrain, must be taken.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Business / DHNS – Bengaluru, November 14th, 2014

Teaming up with Ivanov helping my game: Ashwini Ponnappa

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Ponnappa says finding the right mixed doubles partner is a tough task. (TOI Photo)
Ponnappa says finding the right mixed doubles partner is a tough task. (TOI Photo)

Pune :

For a Sania Mirza or Leander Paes, combining with a foreign partner is a part and parcel of the game. But the trend isn’t very popular in badminton.

Though it started as an experiment for doubles specialist Ashwini Ponnappa, the Karnataka shuttler is hopeful of her newly-formed partnership with Russian men’s player Vladmir Ivanov.

Playing with Ivanov will not only add another dimension to her perspective, but also help do better in women’s doubles with Jwala Gutta.

“With Ivanov, I will learn new training methods, techniques, which are followed in that part of the world. It will also help me do well with Jwala in women’s doubles, which is my pet event,” said the 2011 World Championship bronze winner.

Ponnappa, who has played with Ivanov in three tournaments so far, says finding the right mixed doubles partner is a tough task.

“It is a trial-and-error thing until you find the right partner,” said the 25-year-old player, who has previously partnered compatriot Tarun Kona.

For Ponnappa, the idea struck after her stint in the Indian Badminton League (IBL) last year. “You can say that the IBL experience of playing with Joachim Fischer has been the best for me so far. I learnt a lot while playing with Joachim. It made me open up to the idea of having a foreign partner for international meets,” the Bangalorean said.

With Ivanov, Ponnappa is aiming to improve her mixed doubles world ranking. “I have played three tournaments together with Ivanov and hopefully we will participate in more, next year. Improving on the mixed doubles rankings would be priority,” she said.

Though the association is allowed in Super Series, World Championships and other open championships, she will not be able to carry it to the Olympics or the Asian Games.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Badminton / by Tushar Dutt, TNN / November 15th, 2014

Coffee Board targets 400,000 tonnes production in 5 years

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

Enhances subsidy rates and extends assistance to corporates & co-operatives in 12th Plan period

The Coffee Board has set a target of achieving 400,000 tonnes of bean production through more of planting and productivity in the next five to 10 years, about 30 per cent growth over current output.

In 2013-14, production was 304,500 tonnes, a level it has roughly stayed at in recent years.

“Coffee production has stagnated. We have chalked out several programmes like area expansion in non-traditional areas and replanting in traditional areas, along with productivity enhancement,” Board chairman Jawaid Akhtar told planters here on Thursday.

A package has been readied for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Plantations in the former’s Araku valley were hit by the recent Hudhud cyclone; about 1,000 tonnes of damage is estimated. Tribals in the region had grown around 6,700 tonnes, spread over 58,000 hectares, Akhtar said. As part of the area expansion, he told the annual coffee conference organised by Karnataka Planters’ Association and United Planters’ Association of Southern India, the aim is to have the Araku valley produce around 25,000 tonnes in the next five years. The Board has proposed to provide Rs 10 per kg subsidy to tribals for marketing it, he said.

The Board has also proposed to continue its replantation and expansion subsidy for growers. The modalities to implement new schemes are likely to be approved next week, Akhtar said. It wishes to retain the replantation or expansion subsidy rates at 40 per cent for areas up to two hectares, 30 per cent for two to 10 ha and 25 per cent for holdings above 10 ha for the 12th Plan period. In addition, it has proposed to raise the unit cost calculation by 75 per cent to Rs 175,000 a ha. For the first time, it has proposed to have corporate groups and co-operatives be eligible for the subsidy.

Also for the first time, the Board has introduced a subsidy for eco-certification, at half the certification cost, with a ceiling of Rs 50,000 a beneficiary. It has also raised the subsidy for quality upgradation to Rs 2.5 lakh up to 20 ha.

The Board has also continued a subsidy scheme for pollution abatement measures and made corporate and cooperative growers’ bodies eligible. The rate of subsidy is to be doubled to 40 per cent, with a ceiling of Rs 5 lakh for a beneficiary.

It has also proposed to enhance the rainfall insurance premiums for small growers and reimburse them up to 75 per cent of the premium. For the first time, it has proposed a support of Rs 4 a kg of clean coffee to small grower collectives, self-help groups and other cooperatives.

The incentive for export of value-added coffee in retail packs as India brands has been enhanced by 50 per cent to Rs 3 a kg. Plus a doubling of the incentive for export of high value coffee to high value markets, to Rs 2 a kg.

Also for the first time, a 25 per cent subsidy on the cost of machinery for curing units, to a ceiling of Rs 50 lakh each.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Markets> Commodities> Other Commodities / by Mahesh Kulkarni / Bengaluru – November 13th, 2014

Robusta surge expected to brew up higher coffee output

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

India’s coffee production is forecast to increase by 1 lakh bags to 5.1 million on higher robusta output in Karnataka, the largest coffee producing state, according to the Karnataka Planters Association (KPA) Chairman D Govindappa Jayaram.

Briefing reporters on Wednesday, Jayaram said arabica production is forecast modestly lower as it enters the off-year of the biennial production cycle. Forecast for bean exports is unchanged at 3.7 million. The Coffee Board’s final estimate for 2013-14 is 3,04,500 lakh metric tonnes comprising 1,02,200 metric tonnes of arabica and 2,02,300 metric tonnes of robusta.

The final estimate for Karnataka is 2,11,100 tonnes with 78,440 tonnes of arabica and 1,32,600 tonnes of robusta. Post-blossom forecast for 2014-15 is placed at 3,44,750 metric tonnes comprising 1,05,500 tonnes of arabica and 2,39,250 tonnes of robusta.“We, however, estimate that production will decline 20-30 per cent during 2013-14 and the estimate of the Coffee Board during 2014-15 will not be reached, in particular, arabica coffee which has seen severe incidence of white stem borer,” Jayaram said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Business / Bengaluru – DHNS, November 12th, 2014

State-level co-operative week from November 14

Business & Economy

CooperativeKF23nov2014

The 61st All India Cooperative week will be observed in the state at Raitha Bhavan in Kushalnagar from November 14. All preparations have been made for the success of the programme, said Kodagu district Central Cooperative Bank President B D Manjunath.

Addressing mediapersons in Madikeri on Wednesday, he said that a jatha will be carried out from Primary school at 10 am. The jatha, comprising art troupes will reach Raitha Bhavan at 11 am, followed by the stage function.

District in-charge minister K J George will hoist the organisation flag. Minister for Cooperation H S Mahadevaprasad will inaugurate, Excise minister V Srinivas Prasad will felicitate senior leaders from cooperation sector.

MLA MP Appachu Ranjan will inaugurate a book ‘Sahakarigalondige Samalochane’ on the occasion. MLA K G Bopaiah will unviel the portrait of Cooperative movement pioneer Kuradanagowda P Doddaiah. MP Prathap Simha will inaugurate an exhibition. Senior leader of the cooperative sector M C Nanaiah will be felicitated on the occasion. Cooperative Union President G T Devegowda will preside over.

The entrance archs will of the venue will be named after Dr Varghese Kurian, Siddannagowda, Sannaramanagowda Patil, Kuradanagowda Doddiah and S R Varadaraju Shetty. The 61st All India Cooperative week will be observed with the coordination of State Cooperative Union, State credit cooperative association union and District Central Cooperative Banks.

Kodagu district Cooperative Union President M P Muthappa said that special lectures will be organised for students.

Cooperative Union Deputy Registrar G R Vijay Kumar, DCC Bank General Manager Muthanna, Kodagu district Cooperative Union CEO Yogendra Nayak and others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS, November 13th, 2014

Star this Week : Ekalavya Awardee Navaneetha

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

NavaneethaBF22nov204

Basketball is a very popular sport in the International sporting scene and it’s a game which demands speed, ability and stamina. Our city’s women’s basketball player P.U. Navaneetha has been a outstanding performer for Karnataka in the senior and junior levels. She has represented India in the FIBA Asia Youth Cup and has also attended the Indian Junior camp. She was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Ekalavya Award’ for her feats in the sport at a grand function held at Vidhana Soudha last week. She is our ‘Star This Week.’

Navaneetha, 20, is the daughter of P.P. Udhay Kumar and P.U. Girija, residents of Suntikoppa, Kodagu. A 1st year MA student at Teresian College for Women, Mysuru, and a product of the Department of Youth & Empowerment Services (DYES, Mysuru), Navaneetha has been performing consistently in National and State basketball scene.

Encouraged by her parents, she joined Sports School, Vidyanagar and later on joined Sports Hostel, Mysuru, in 2006. Initially she was coached by B.S. Girish, SAK Basketball coach and presently she is being trained by DYES & SAK Basketball coach M.B. Patil at DYES, Mysuru.

A forward, Navaneetha is an attacking player and impresses with her skilful play. She began her career by representing Karnataka in the School Nationals held at Punjab in 2008 and from then on has never looked back. She has represented the State in the women’s Nationals, Youth Nationals in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, she represented the State in the Senior and Junior Nationals in Delhi.

She represented the Mysore University in the Inter-University Championships in 2011-12 at Kannur and has been a regular in the team from then on.

In 2009-10, her excellent play in the Nationals earned her the Indian cap when she donned Indian colours in the 1st FIBA Asia U-16 Championships held at Pune. She also took part in the NBA All India Tournament held at Delhi in 2001-12.

She took part in the Junior Indian and Youth Indian camp held at Deli and Tamil Nadu respectively. She represented Karnataka in the Federation Cup held at Gujarat in 2013-14.

Encouraged by her parents, coaches, DYES, Teresian College and the Mysore University, Navaneetha intends to work hard and represent the country in the senior level

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Sunday , November 16th, 2014

‘Submit report on ESAs by Nov 24’

About Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

MadkeriKF22nov2014

The High level Working Group of Western Ghats (HLWG) has identified 1,576 villages in Karnataka as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA). Of which, 53 villages have been included in Kodagu district. Additional DC Abhiram G Shankar and DCF Manikanta have directed the officials from Forest and Revenue departments to submit the report on ESAs after conducting a survey by November 24.

Speaking at a training for the officials on Monday, the Additional DC said that the officials should visit the identified villages and submit a report. After compiling the reports submitted by the officials, a detailed report will be sent to the State government.

Teams have been constituted to identify natural landscapes. The district level committee will have DC and forest officials as its members, while the village level committee will have officials from revenue, forest and gram panchayat president as its members. The public and NGOs can give their representation on ESAs to the district level committee.

The Additional DC said, if need be, the survey would be undertaken after consulting Horticulture and Agriculture departments.

Villages
The villages identified as ESAs are Ayyangeri, Bettathooru, Bhagamandala, Chelavara, Cherangala, Galibeedu, Hammiyala, Kalooru, Karada, Karike, Kolagadalu, Kopatti, Kundachery, Made, Melchembu, Monnangeri, Mukkodlu, Naladi, Peroor, Sampaje, Sannapolikotu, Tannimani and Yavakapady in Madikeri taluk; Aanekadu, Athoor forest, Bageri forest, Jainkalabetta, Yadavanadu, Jainkalabetta 2, Kattepura, Kumaralli, Maralli, Malambi, Mavinahalla, Mulluru, Nidta, Soorlabbu and Yadavanadu forest -2 in Somwarpet taluk and Arekeri forest-1, Arekere forest-3, Badaga, Badagarakeri, Chennayana Kote, Devamacchi forest, Devanooru Hathugattu, Teggalli, Karadigodu, Kedamullur, Kurchi, Kutta, Kuttandi, Maldare, Manchalli, Nalakeri forest, Palangala forest, Parakattageri and Badaga in Virajpet taluk.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS, November 11th, 2014

India’s forgotten track and field athlete – Ashwini Nachappa

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Ashwini Nachappa
Ashwini Nachappa

Ashwini Nachappa was one of the most promising Indian athletes during the 1980s. She came into the limelight after she beat P.T Usha on two occasions. She was referred as India’s FloJo due to her agility on the track.

Ashwini represented India in three South Asian Federation games – Nepal,1984(she won two silver medals), Bangladesh,1986(she won two silver medals) and Pakistan, 1988 (she won three gold medals). She won a silver in the 4 X 100m relay at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. She was also part of the Indian contingent for the World Championships in 1987 in Rome and 1991 in Tokyo.

Ashwini received the prestigious Arjuna award for her contribution to Indian athletics. The Karnataka girl forayed into films and won Nandi award for best debut actress for the film Aswani, her own story. However, her achievements on the track are not known to many.

She is a social worker, educationist and has also built a school. She is currently the president of the Bangalore Urban District Athletics Association.

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / Sports Keeda / Home> Athletics> Analysis / by Jai Prakash / November 10th, 2014

Birthday special: Lesser known facts about Robin Uthappa

Records, All, Sports

Indian wicket-keeper batsman Robin Uthappa turns 29 today. We bring to you some interesting facts about the Karnataka player on his birthday.

Robin Uthappa. Pic/ AFP
Robin Uthappa. Pic/ AFP

Robin Uthappa scored 86 runs on his ODI debut against England in 2006. It was the highest score by an Indian player on a debut in ODIs.

He is nicknamed ‘The Walking Assassin’.

Uthappa became the first Indian player to score a half-century in a T20I match. He scored 50 runs against Pakistan to take the team total to 141. The match ended in a draw.

Robin Uthappa was the costliest player, behind Gautam Gambhir, to be purchased during the IPL 2011 season. He was bought by Pune Warriors India for USD 2.1 million.
He won the Orange cap (top scorer of the tournament) in the IPL 7 season with 660 runs scored for Kolkata Knight Riders.

He holds the record for most consecutive 40+ scores in 8 games consecutively.
He broke Matthew Hayden’s record of most 40+ scores in a single season by scoring so 11 times.

His impressive performance during the IPL 7 season saw him selected as captain of the India A team touring Australia.

In all he played for four Indian Premier League teams – Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India and Kolkata Knight Riders.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day / Home> Sports News> Cricket News / by A Correspondent / November 11th, 2014