Rotary Club International (RCI) district 3180 – Right to Information Act Committee district president B Pundalika Marate Shirva offered motion for an awareness campaign on transparency in governance that was held at Madikeri Rotary auditorium, organized by RCI Misty Hills, here on Sunday March 23.
Pundalika also released a Kannada book – Governance by the people, for the people, authored by Harish Poovayya Kodagu, advisor of corruption-free governance for social service organizations functioning in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Zambia and Kirgizstan, on the same occasion.
RCI zone 6 assistant governor Ravindra Rai, RCI – Misty Hills president Dr Prashant, RTI activist Harish Poovayya, RCI secretary G R Ravishankar, office bearers of RCI, Lions Club International and heads of social service organizations were also present.
source: http://www.bellevision.com / Bellevision.com / Home / by Pundalika Marate, Bellevision Media Network / Madikeri – March 24th, 2014
Funds will be utilised for renovation and electrification The State government has released Rs 20 lakh for the renovation of Rajara Gadduge, one of the historical tourist spot near Banni Mantapa in Madikeri.
The State government has earmarked the funds for the renovation work in the last budget and has handed it over to archeological department.
The responsibility of the conservation of the Gadduge has been handed over to the archeological department. The department is getting ready to renovate three mausoleums. The funds have been deposited to the account of the department last month.
Tender was invited for the renovation work. However, no bidder had come forward to take up the work. Now, the department is thinking of taking up the work on its own or call for a re-tender. The decision on the same will be taken up after the Lok Sabha polls, said Archeological department Assistant Officer Sathish.
In the released amount, the work on electrification, painting and renovation of mausoleum of Raja Purohith Rudrappa situated on the left hand side of mausoleums of Chikkarajendra and his wife will be taken up, he said.
The Madikeri Urban Development Authority had laid a park at the Gadduge two years ago. However, owing to lack of maintenance, the park is crying for attention.
Visitors said “the park should be maintained well. Information boards should be installed at strategic locations in and around Madikeri city to furnish details on the Gadduge.”
On Gadduge
Rajara Gadduge is the mausoleum of the former kings of Kodagu namely Doddaveerarajendra, Lingarajendra and Rajaguru Rudrappa. Gadduge has two identical square structures, which are the tombs of the king Doddaveerarajendra and his queen.
They are close to each other, built in Indo-Sarcanic style, flaunting domes and pillars. There is tomb of Lingarajendra which was built by his son Chikkaveerarajendra in 1820. There is a tomb of Purohith Rudrappa which was built in 1834.
There are tombs of commander-in-chief Biddanda Bopu and his son Biddanda Somaiah, who were killed in their fight against Mysore Emeperor Tippu Sulthan.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri – March 23rd, 2014
Between defence and aggression./ Photo: Bhagya Prakash K. / The Hindu
Robin Uthappa has found the midpoint between aggression and composure and the rewards in terms of runs, has been phenomenal.
The metamorphosis of Robin Uthappa has perhaps been the most riveting tale in Karnataka cricket in the recent past. Just like the many languages he speaks, Uthappa the cricketer has embraced multiple roles over the last decade and aptly his whatsapp status is: “I’m different, get over it.”
Uthappa has donned many avatars in his evolution as an aggressive opener: a slightly over-weight kid who donned the wicket-keeping gloves and biffed with his bat; a brash teenager who smote the ball hard and drew the appreciation of former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar; the youngster who turned out for India, sparkled briefly and then was resigned to be on the sidelines; the man who asked for the Karnataka captaincy because he believed he could deliver; and now an elder statesman though he is just 28, scoring runs by the ton, lending whole-hearted support to captain Vinay Kumar and also dreaming about wresting back the India cap.
It is an exhaustive list but the varied experiences have shaped Uthappa well. There is a sense of calm and a whole lot of perspective in the way he approaches the game and his life and all that has helped him individually besides lending stability to Karnataka’s batting. It is a point that has caught his State coach J. Arunkumar’s eye. “Robin is very composed now. Even when he talks, he thinks a lot before he says anything. Earlier, he wasn’t like that, he could snap. Now he is in a good space personally and that shows in his batting. To be honest, he is batting the best in the State and he is ready to play for India again, especially in the shorter formats,” Arunkumar says. During Karnataka’s recent Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph, Uthappa’s tons (133 vs Jharkhand and 132 n.o., vs Gujarat) helped Vinay Kumar’s men to extend their good form that has already yielded the Ranji Trophy and the Irani Cup. Uthappa’s merger of aggression with remarkable consistency, has been a work in progress.
Last season, he roped in former India batsman Pravin Amre as his personal coach. And in a lovely tandem that tided past egos and focussed on the larger goal of good cricket, Amre and Arunkumar, worked out an easy understanding between themselves which helped the player improve rapidly. “Pravin has led me when I played for India ‘A’ and I have a lot of respect for him. There are no egos here and it is all about helping a player become better as well as help his team,” Arunkumar says.
To Uthappa’s credit, he found a mid-point between his innate aggression, while also adapting to Amre’s Bombay school of batsmanship that paid its traditional respects to defensive batting. Arunkumar, who was an aggressive opener in his heydays, says: “I believe that if a ball is short and wide, you should cut it, no point in leaving it. I tell that to Robin and the others, the situation might be 30 for three but you should be alert to scoring runs. Yes, he did get a bit too defensive when the last season began and then I had a chat with both Robin and Pravin. Now the good thing is that he is neither too aggressive nor too defensive. He has found his balance.”
Many years ago, when asked about the defining influences in his life, Uthappa spoke about Him. The Him was none other than Jesus Christ and Uthappa’s spiritual leanings, which continues to this day, his strong sense of self-esteem that has not lapsed into arrogance.
The easy camaraderie he shares with his team-mates and his constant instrospection about his game, have helped him find his feet. Having played for India in the past, Uthappa has reiterated his credentials again. May be it is a matter of time before he joins the ‘Men in Blue.’
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by K.C. Vijaya Kumari / Bangalore – March 23rd, 2014
Lt. Col. Kuppanda M. Muthanna (centre), who brought an old copy of a group photograph of 1956-57, is seen sharing it with yours truly and Dr. A.A. Kuttappa, at the venue — kids we were !
Last Sunday, I went to my alma mater Government First Grade College, Mercara, now rechristened as Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College, Madikeri in Kodagu district, my native place.
That visit was to participate and get myself felicitated by the Alumni Association which was started a few years ago at the initiative of a planter couple Mr. and Mrs. K.S. Devaya of Lakshmijala Estate, who happen to be the alumnae of this College and could take interest and spare time to form the Association. Since then, I am told, the alumnae have been holding the annual get-together without fail. Soon the idea of felicitating those who are considered achievers among them in their given field of activity was introduced. This year, I was their choice for such recognition along with Dr. Kodira A. Kushalappa, IFS, retired Chief Conservator of Forests and Mr. Kolibailu A. Belliappa, retired IAS officer.
Though I had become the member when it was first started, I had not attended any of the annual get-togethers. This time I was cornered by a couple of members from City who said I must accept this honour. It was more in deference to the wishes of these well-meaning members that I condescended and went to Madikeri. And I was very happy and pleased to make that journey — a kind of pilgrimage. The presence of the College Principal Dr. A.A. Parvathy was as it should be and I thought, was in keeping with the protocol for such functions.
Dr. Kanjithanda Sunil Muddaiah, Managing Trustee of the Coorg Institute of Dental Studies, located, for appearance, rather precariously on the slopes of a hill in Virajpet and the only dental college in Kodagu, the land of hills and valleys, was the chief guest. An unassuming gentle person, an youngster, also an achiever in his own right considering the way he has built this college and carried it to the heights of excellence in his own way. He does this not for accumulating more money, which in any case he has inherited, coming from a rich, nay wealthy, family of coffee planters, but for passion, a purpose in life. I guess, at the end, the secret of success of all successful persons in life is their passion for what they do rather than mere hard work, which every money-hungry person does. Let it be.
The office-bearers, specially the President Mr. Nandineravanda A. Appaya, took great care in welcoming the alumni with great warmth and then affording them an opportunity to meet each other, recognise each other and then go nostalgic of the old days… in my case, of the days 58 years ago. Time and labour had taken toll of the health and appearance of many, just as in my case. Yet, once recognised, there was bonhomie and good cheer. It was like suddenly finding a long-lost brother or sister. Many were heard asking, “Mr. So and So I presume?” There were embarrassing moments for me as I failed to remember some who were classmates and also hostel mates.
For sure, with age, memories fade and the physical appearance along with mannerisms too change, compared to what I had seen 58 years ago. Naturally, it is hard to recognise a person immediately. It was gracious on their part that no one mistook each other.
I learn, though the Alumni Association was started in 1998 by Konganda S. Devaya with a small number of members, it was dormant till 2013, last year, when N.A. Appaya took over as President. I hope Appaya’s efforts will continue with a new road map for the Alumni Association with increased membership. [Those interested in becoming members of the Association may contact M.K. Kuttappa (Sachi) on Mob: 98454-73965]
In the mixed group of alumnae I found, among ladies and gentlemen, some in good health and some in poor health; some financially well placed, some not so well placed; some retired as government officers with high positions, some simply as government officers; some big coffee planters, some small coffee planters; some with problems connected to the family and hitha shatrus [beloved enemies as children are sometimes called for the trouble they give to their parents], some with their children settled in the US and feeling proud. I too have such issues and problems but overcame them listening to the wiser counsel of wise people. We need not despair. I would like to share here with my readers three such positive, life-sustaining words of solace:
Life is a game of Bridge. We did not invent the game nor design the cards; we did not frame the rules and we cannot control the dealing. The cards are dealt out to us whether they be good or bad. But, we can play the game well or play it badly. A skilful player may have a poor hand and yet win the game. A bad player may have a good hand and yet make a mess of it.
Our life is a mixture of necessity and freedom, chance and choice. We may not change events, but we can change our approach to events.
— Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
I came and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift; nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, not yet favour to men of skill but time and chance happens to them all.
— Old Testament
Begin each day by telling yourself: Today I shall be meeting with interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill-will and selfishness — all of them due to the offenders’ ignorance of what is good or evil.
— ‘Meditations’ by
Marcus Aurelius
Tail-piece: As I strolled around the inner corridors of the college [architecturally a perfect college building which should be a model to those who build colleges] and the galleried classrooms, my thoughts went back to the days I spent there. Boys came with bell-bottom pants while girls came wearing lungis or mundus in coloured checks of Sri Lankan origin. Then there were mini skirts and drain-pipe pants. Lecturers used to come immaculately dressed — suit with tie, closed-collar coats. Nowadays I see them in casuals, wearing bathroom chappals.
No wonder, in many cases, students have no respect for teachers and in turn, teachers have no concern for students.
e-mail kbg@starofmysore.com
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Abracadabra….Abracadabra / by K.B. Ganapathy / March 25th, 2014
There are several laws to protect the interest of women. Women should make use of the available laws to lead a dignified life, said First Additional District and Sessions Judge M V Jadara.
Speaking at women’s day programme organised by the State Women’s Commission, Kodagu district administration, zilla panchayat, Legal Services Authority and woman and child welfare department here Saturday, he said that women are successful in each and every field. Zilla Panchayat CEO P I Srividya said that women should be empowered economically. DySP Prasanna V Raju, Backward Classes and Minority Welfare officer K V Suresh, Women and Child welfare Deputy Director Mumthaz among others were present.
In a separate programme organised by the district legal services authority, Mahilodaya Mahila Okkuta and Bar Association, Additional Civil Judge S Siddaraju said that education helps in the progress of a country. Women should focus on education.
Ashok of ODP said that a society can progress only when they are empowered. There is a need to improve condition of women in rural areas. Child marriage, evils of dowry system should be eradicated from the society. Widows should be honoured and respected.
CMC Commissioner B B Pushpavathi read out an oath.
Mudigere
Women should engage themselves in productive works during their free time, said Ujire Church Priest Vincent.
Speaking at women’s day programme organised by Kapuchin Krishi Seva Kendra and Banakal Vimukthi SHG Federation, he said that mother mould the personality of her children.
Banakal Vimukthi SHG Federation President Prema said that the Federation has been emphasising on cleanliness. About 460 members of the Federation were given loan of Rs 5,000 each without interest to construct toilets in their houses. Women are encouraged to take up pisciculture, vermi compost and dairy farming to empower themselves financially. Women should develop leadership qualities in them and come to the mainstream of the society, said Banakal church priest Vinod.
Shubra Aiyappa, a self-confessed travel junkie, is addicted to belly dancing these days and she’s hoping to take it to a whole new level. “I have travelled a lot over the past few years and I try my best to go on a holiday at least once every five months. During one of my recent trips,when I went to Istanbul, I just fell in love with belly dancing.
Almost every cafe in Istanbul had a belly dancer and it was mesmerising to watch them perform. So, I decided to learn belly dancing as soon as I came back to Mumbai. It’s almost like a crazy workout,which is a big bonus for me and it’s really tough, although the professional belly dancers make it all seem very effortless,” Shubra says.
She reveals that she has just completed a-month-and-a-half course in belly dancing. “I have always loved dancing and I am hoping to show off my belly dancing skills in one of my films in the near future,” she says. The actress will soon be seen in Nara Rohit starrer Prathinidhi and she’s also part of another untitled Telugu film, where she is paired opposite Arvind Krishna. “I am in love with Telugu film industry and I feel at home every time I am in Hyderabad,” she says signing off.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Telugu> Movies / by Hemanth Kumar, TNN / March 20th, 2014
Tata Starbucks currently has presence in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore and has its coffee plantations in the Coorg area of Karnataka. | AP
With 40 stores in 17 months of its operations, India is the fastest growing market in the history of the Seattle-based iconic American coffee chain Starbucks, according to a company statement.
The US-based coffee chain, which had sewed up an equal joint venture with Tata Global Beverages, opened its first outlet in Mumbai in October 2012.
“With 40 stores in four cities (in 17 months) and nearly 1,000 partners, India is the fastest growing market in Starbucks history,” Tata-Starbucks chief executive Avani Davda was quoted as telling Starbucks annual shareholders meet.
Tata Starbucks currently has presence in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore and has its coffee plantations in the Coorg area of Karnataka.
Starbucks globally operates over 20,000 stores across 64 countries, serving over 70 million customers per week.
Starbucks chairman, president and chief executive Howard Schultz told shareholders that the company would continue to reinforce the ongoing investments in 200,000 Starbucks partners (employees), including USD 250 million in their healthcare benefits and USD 234 million in bean stock in fiscal 2013.
He said the company recorded record revenue of USD 14.9 billion, up 12 per cent and record earnings per share of USD 2.261, up 26 per cent, taking its net profit to USD 2.5 billion, a rise of 23 per cent in fiscal 2013.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Business> News / by PTI – Mumbai / March 20th, 2014
Industry experts say that it was to be expected — the minute Kannada actress Harshika Poonacha dropped her bubbly girl-next-door image, meatier roles would come her way.
Harshika, whose last release B-3 saw her in a more sensuous avatar, has now bagged her first heroine-centric film. The Kannada film, which has been titled The Gulaabi Street, will be directed by debutant BS Pradeep Varma.
“I am very excited about this film, as I will be playing the main character. For the first time in my career, I am the hero in a film,” says the actress.
Heroine-centric films are still like a needle in a haystack and, not considered very commercially viable in Sandalwood. Does Harshika still think she can do justice to the role and carry a film on her shoulders?
“Yes, I believe that the character is just right for me. This film is about a girl who will love you if you love her, but rub her the wrong way and she will retaliate with equal force,” she says.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Kannada> Movies / by Prathibha Joy, TNN / March 24th, 2014
In India, the Wings for Life World Run will kick off from Rai Sports Complex, Sonipat and is expected to end at Karnal. The run is being organized under the aegis of the Haryana Olympics Association.
New Delhi:
Seoul Olympics silver-medallist hurdler Colin Jackson, cricketer Gautam Gambhir and ace shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa on Wednesday came together to launch the India edition of the ‘Wings For Life World Run’ aimed at raising funds for spinal cord research.
Former 110m hurdles world record holder Jackson is the global race director for the event set to take place on May 4 in Sonipat, Haryana simultaneously along with across 34 countries, starting at 1530 IST or 1000 UTC.
Along with the two-time world champion Jackson, were the Indian ambassadors of the race, Gambhir and Ponnappa. Also present at the event to support the cause were some of Haryana Olympic Association’s top athletes Vijender Singh, Sandeep Singh, Yogeshwar Dutt, Jai Bhagwan Singh, Dinesh Kumar and Raju Godara.
“The Wings for Life World Run is not just an exceptional sports event, but also a completely new endurance format for everybody, everywhere. Moreover, 100 per cent of the funds gathered from the race will go towards the Wings for Life – a foundation that funds research into finding a cure for spinal cord injury,” Jackson said.
Starting at 11 am in London, 2 am in Los Angeles, 6 pm in Australia, and 3:30 pm in India – this one-of-its-kind race will take place simultaneously across 40 different locations worldwide. Over 150,000 runners will race at exactly the same time – regardless of whether it’s day or night.
With no finish line to end the run, the runners will be chased by a catcher car, which marks the end of the race for a runner as it passes him/her. The catcher car takes off 30 min after the run begins and once it goes past a runner, his/her race is over and he/she is given the final world rank.
As the race progresses, the cars will eliminate competitors as they pass them, until there’s a single man and woman left running – who are then crowned the Global Champions of the Wings for Life World Run.
Additionally, there will be country winners; as well as recognition for the last man and woman left on the track in each country.
In India, the Wings for Life World Run will kick off from Rai Sports Complex, Sonipat and is expected to end at Karnal. The run is being organized under the aegis of the Haryana Olympics Association.
Competing in the Wings for Life World Run will be professional athletes, passionate amateurs, medal-winning Olympians, charity ambassadors, and everyone who chooses to participate. Expected to last for six hours, this is a race for runners of all levels.
Gambhir, however, would not be running at the event due to his participation in the Indian Premier League as the skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders.
source: http://www.sports.ndtv.com / NDTV Sports / Sports Home> Cricket> News / Press Trust of India / Wednesday – March 19th, 2014
Cafe Coffee Day, Kuvempunagar, has organised Coffee Festival to learn the fine art of coffee making and many interesting facets of coffee art from Coffee Evangelist Merlin Raj (National Barista Champion of 2012.
Represented India at World Barista Championship in Vienna, Awarded for best signature beverage in Indian Barista championship) tomorrow at 12 noon.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Brief / March 19th, 2014
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