Robin Uthappa looks to soar and score

Sports, Uncategorized

Once branded as a limited-overs specialist, Robin Uthappa, nick-named the ‘Walking Assassin’, for that gumptious stroll down the pitch, has changed tracks, picking solid instead of swashbuckling. He now flaunts a controlled approach, improved technique, tailor-made for the longer version of the game.

Uthappa, who after missing six of the nine Ranji Trophy matches this season due to a ruptured hamstring tendon, cracked a crucial 100 in Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy quarterfinal win over Uttar Pradesh last week.

His four-hour stand and a century-run partnership with Karun Nair propelled Karnataka from a humiliating 15 for three to a position of dominance.

After scoring oodles of runs including a triple hundred in the Shafi Darashah, he struck a century for India ‘A’ against New Zealand ‘A’ in Vizag in September last year.

Uthappa then battled crippling cramps to score 86 against Vidharbha in his first Ranji Trophy match of the season. He followed that up with a 33, batting for two hours, against Orissa.

The 29-year-old took tough decisions, changing his attitude and lifestyle in a bid to give fresh life to his career. The Kodava moved out of his parents’ home – father Venu Uthappa, a hockey referee, and mother Roselyn – to live on his own and focus on his game. He also hired a personal coach Praveen Amre, a former India Test cricketer, to help him tighten his technique.

“I isolated myself from the people I knew, I worked on my fitness and lost 20 kilos. With Amre I went through an unlearning and learning process, to me, that is quite an achievement,” Uthappa said.

The 28-year-old Air India employee made Mumbai his training base. He has even rented out a flat in the suburbs to aide his training regimen.

He pays Rs 15,000-a day to train at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s indoor academy in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).

His stroll to stardom was however full of hurdles. As a kid, Uthappa had to overcome epilepsy, the medications for which made him overweight. Despite the baggage he was a prolific scorer at the inter-school level, playing for St Joseph’s Boys High School.

Uthappa made a memorable ODI debut with a stroke-full 86 against England in Indore. The following year, he played a stellar role in India’s World T20 triumph, becoming India’s first half-centurion in T20 when he made 39-ball 50 against Pakistan at Durban.

Thereafter, the Bangalorean, the forgotten man of Indian cricket, continued to state his case in the shorter versions of the game. He was then bought for a whopping $2.1 million by the now-defunct IPL team Pune Warriors. His last international appearance was in the rain-affected T20 game in South Africa in March 2012.

The stylish Bangalorean is looking to return to the national team. “I believe I’m close to getting a national call-up,” said Uthappa, who has also started a food and garments business, “I think everyone has seen the change in me, attitude and approach.”

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Interviews> Air India / by Sunil Subbaiah, TNN / January 20th, 2014

India to celebrate international coffee festival at Bangalore

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), World Opinion

India is known to be one of the top coffee bean producing country and it is exported to Italy, Russia and Germany. With the prices for arabica bean falling, Indian indigenous arabica coffee which constitute 1/3 of the total coffee production face stiff competition.

RNA Research & Archives
RNA Research & Archives

India is known to be one of the top coffee bean producing country and exports to Italy, Russia and Germany. With the prices for Arabica bean falling, Indian indigenous arabica coffee which constitute 1/3 of the total coffee production face stiff competition in terms of revenues.

One way to beat this would be taking popularity of Indian beans to an international platform and the Indian Coffee board plans to exactly achieve this by announcing a coffee festival in Bangalore.

One can expect an array of events to promote the coffee bean. From the basic strong scented ‘Kaapi’ to the extravagant Cappuchino, India will promote its diverse beverage at the platform.

This will be held between 21st to 25th January and around 12,000 visitors are expected to participate in the event.

“Indian coffee, grown under tree shade, is very popular in the international markets,” said Jawaid Akhtar, chairman of the government-run Coffee Board of India as quoted in a BBC report.

In 2013, India’s coffee exports rose marginally by nearly 3% to 3.14 lakh tonnes in 2013 on the back of sharp jump in re-export of instant coffee, despite sluggish global prices, according to the Coffee Board report presented to the media.

The country had exported 3.05 lakh tonnes of coffee in the previous calender year and this opportunity will help India improve its standing in the global market.

The oldest coffee chain in India is Cafe Coffee day while the latest entrant is Starbucks-Tata alliance and Indian coffee-mongers are definitely lapping up the options and variety.
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What to expect at the event:

The event will focus on issues of health aspects of coffee and innovative and alternate channels of coffee delivery to consumers.

There will be workshops on processing, brewing, roasting, espresso making, cooking with coffee, art on silk and coffee entrepreneurship.

A trip to Coorg, called ‘Coffee Trail to Coorg,’ will be conducted at the end of the festival as per the Coffee board website.

The first three editions of the festival were held in Bangalore, the traditional coffee capital of the country, whereas the fourth edition was organised in Delhi.

So, book your entries and head to Bangalore for some hot cup of coffee.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Money / by Vishal Manve / Sunday – January 19th, 2014

Kodagu should be eco-sensitive zone: Wildlife society

About Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Bangalore :

Kodagu district qualifies to be an eco-sensitive zone with its picturesque landscapes, coffee plantations, and more importantly as it is the principal catchment of Cauvery river, said members of Coorg Wildlife Society here on Thurdsay. The catchment area provides almost 50% of the total water flow into the river.

“It’s in national interest that the district gets the tag,” the members said. Its environment and ecology are under serious threat due to development projects for Kerala, urbanization and invasive tourism.

Tourism is flourishing in Kodagu but the need of the hour is a set of strong regulations, officials pointed out. “Tourist resorts are mushrooming here without proper clearances. They occupy pristine landscapes and consume massive amounts of water. There should be a cap on further licences for resorts until there is a proper evaluation on the carrying capacity for tourism in the district,” said Col C P Muthanna, president, Coorg Wildlife Society.

Land conversion and urbanization are other major threats to Kodagu. Plantations and agricultural lands are increasingly being converted for commercial purposes, affecting the landscape. “Kodagu is one lung space which is increasingly being clouded,” said Suresh Heblikar of Eco Watch, Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development. “Do not overexploit Kodagu in the name of development,” said Heblikar, urging the government to take care of all aspects while thinking of economic development of the region.

Main demands

* A stretch of 55 km through Kodagu has been earmarked for Mysore-Kozhikode power line. At least 2000 trees have been felled along the 5-km stretch of reserve forests. There is another 50-km stretch, of which 30km is coffee plantations, which has to be cleared for this power line. That calls for cutting of 50,000 more trees. This area, close to Nagarahole National Park, could now more instances of man-animal (elephant) conflict. Significantly, this area of South Kodagu is also the catchment of Lakshmantheerta river which is the primary water source for Mysore and an important tributary of the Cauvery. Ongoing work for this power line needs to be suspended with immediate effect.

* There are plans to connect Mattanur airport to Mysore and Bangalore through Kodagu with a four-lane highway, which again will involve massive tree-felling operations.

*A rail link between Kushalnagar and Kerala is being planned through Kodagu, for which funds have been sanctioned. The line may be extended once work is over on the announced stretch, which will destroy the landscape and affect indigenous communities of Kodagu.

* MoUs signed during the Global Investors Meet in 2012 needs to be reviewed and permission granted only to the projects which will benefit Kodagu without damaging its ecology.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Power Line / TNN / January 17th, 2014

115th birth anniversary of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa celebrated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

KariappaKF03feb2014
Govt. urged to expedite construction of War Memorial in city

Mysore :
Kodava Samaja, Mysore, had organised a function to celebrate the 115th Birth Anniversary of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa at the Circle named after him here this morning.

Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) C.K. Karumbaya, SM, paid glowing tributes to the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army and urged the Government of Karnataka to expedite the construction of the War Memorial near the DC office in city. Capt. Sharma urged to include the life story of the Field Marshal in the school curriculum.

Earlier, the gathering offered floral tributes to the portrait of the Field Marshal.

Samaja President M.M. Karumbaiah welcomed. Samaja Hon. Secretary K.M. Belliappa, former Presidents of the Samaja Dr. A.A. Kuttappa, K.A. Kariappa and P.S. Ganapathy, Chairman of Cauvery Educational Institutions Prof. K.C. Belliappa, Sri Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha Hon. Secretary P. Lovely Appaiah, Kavya Kuttappa, office-bearers and members of the Samaja and also of the Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club were present at the programme along with some public. On the occasion, sweets were distributed.

It may be recalled, VeKare Ex-Servicemen Trust, Mysore, headed by M.N. Subramani as its President, was the first Ex-Servicemen NGO to propose a War Memorial in city way back in the year 2000 and the same was accepted by the district administration which earmarked a plot in front of ncc Gp hqs behind dc office. The NGO, which pursued the matter till 2007, had also suggested installing a statue of the Field Marshal at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 28th, 2014

Kodagu should be eco-sensitive zone: Wildlife society

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Bangalore :

Kodagu district qualifies to be an eco-sensitive zone with its picturesque landscapes, coffee plantations, and more importantly as it is the principal catchment of Cauvery river, said members of Coorg Wildlife Society here on Thurdsay. The catchment area provides almost 50% of the total water flow into the river.

“It’s in national interest that the district gets the tag,” the members said. Its environment and ecology are under serious threat due to development projects for Kerala, urbanization and invasive tourism.

Tourism is flourishing in Kodagu but the need of the hour is a set of strong regulations, officials pointed out. “Tourist resorts are mushrooming here without proper clearances. They occupy pristine landscapes and consume massive amounts of water. There should be a cap on further licences for resorts until there is a proper evaluation on the carrying capacity for tourism in the district,” said Col C P Muthanna, president, Coorg Wildlife Society.

Land conversion and urbanization are other major threats to Kodagu. Plantations and agricultural lands are increasingly being converted for commercial purposes, affecting the landscape. “Kodagu is one lung space which is increasingly being clouded,” said Suresh Heblikar of Eco Watch, Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development. “Do not overexploit Kodagu in the name of development,” said Heblikar, urging the government to take care of all aspects while thinking of economic development of the region.

Main demands

* A stretch of 55 km through Kodagu has been earmarked for Mysore-Kozhikode power line. At least 2000 trees have been felled along the 5-km stretch of reserve forests. There is another 50-km stretch, of which 30km is coffee plantations, which has to be cleared for this power line. That calls for cutting of 50,000 more trees. This area, close to Nagarahole National Park, could now more instances of man-animal (elephant) conflict. Significantly, this area of South Kodagu is also the catchment of Lakshmantheerta river which is the primary water source for Mysore and an important tributary of the Cauvery. Ongoing work for this power line needs to be suspended with immediate effect.

* There are plans to connect Mattanur airport to Mysore and Bangalore through Kodagu with a four-lane highway, which again will involve massive tree-felling operations.

*A rail link between Kushalnagar and Kerala is being planned through Kodagu, for which funds have been sanctioned. The line may be extended once work is over on the announced stretch, which will destroy the landscape and affect indigenous communities of Kodagu.

* MoUs signed during the Global Investors Meet in 2012 needs to be reviewed and permission granted only to the projects which will benefit Kodagu without damaging its ecology.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Power Line / TNN / January 17th, 2014

Gun licence exemption for Kodavas to continue : Home Minister K.J. George

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence

GeorgeKF01feb2014
Madikeri :

Home Minister K.J. George, who is also In-Charge of Kodagu district, said that he would discuss with the district administration about continuing the provision of possessing guns without licenses, as per the exemption provided under the Indian Arms Act, exclusively for Kodavas by race and Jamma land holders of the district.

He was speaking to press persons after landing at the helipad in Mercara Towns Golf Course here on Saturday.

Referring to a question on the delay in issuing exemption certificate (EC) to the eligible persons in Kodagu, George said the earlier practice would be continued and that the State government had not given any instructions to the district administration in this regard. He also assured to discuss the issue with the officials concerned.

When pointed out that the incidents of crime in the borders of Kodagu were on the rise, mostly involving criminal elements from the neighbouring Kerala State, the Minister said that the State government will deal sternly with persons indulging in anti-social activities and vitiating peace in society.

“Not only Kodagu but the entire State faced shortage of Police personnel,” said the Minister and added that in order to fill up the vacancies, the process for appointing 8,500 Police personnel and 500 Sub-Inspectors had commenced.

Regarding the Opposition parties’ allegations that the law and order situation in the State has deteriorated (following the incident of the attempt to murder Kodagu BJP President Suja Kushalappa), Home Minister George said that those who are making such allegations have been given a befitting reply during the last Assembly elections. He claimed that the law and order situation in State is normal and there is no need for anxiety.

In reply to another query, George said his political career started from Kodagu and he was pleased to serve the district as the in-charge Minister.

District Congress President B.T. Pradeep, spokesperson B.S. Thammaiah, former Minister M.M. Nanaiah and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 27th, 2014

3-day Flower show at Balyatri Estate near Madikeri from tomorrow

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All

BalaytreEstateMPos31jan2014
Madikeri :

An eye-catching flower show has been organised from Jan. 26 to Jan. 28 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Yousuf Ali Khan memorial flower garden at the premises of Balyatri Coffee Estate near Boikeri on Madikeri-Suntikoppa Road in Kodagu.

The estate belongs to former Rajya Sabha member F.M. Khan. Briefing the press on the annual flower show, Khan said that “over 90 varieties of flowers and fruits have been grown in the garden which is the only private flower garden in the country. The garden took shape about 50 years ago and for the last 15 years the flower show is being organised annually for the public. The garden houses Philia, Lorsper, Khel, kelen chus, cactus, dahlia, daisy, roses, pinks, kupia and other exotic varieties including bonsais.

He said that horticulture was bifurcated from agriculture when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister to boost the growth of horticulture which has not happened to the desired level yet. Continuing, he opined that Congress needed young leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka.

However he felt that Rahul should address more public rallies instead of closed-door meetings to reach the masses.

source:http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 25th, 2014

‘Pratibha Karanji, the best stage for students’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Events like Pratibha Karanji provide the best stage for students to unveil their talents, said Zilla Panchayat Vice President Biddanda Usha Devamma.
PrathibaKaranjiKF30jan2014
She was speaking after inaugurating the district-level Pratibha Karanji competitions organised by the Zilla Panchayat and Department of Public Instructions at St Joseph’s School on Thursday.

Students may improve their thinking by taking part in competitions related to art and literature, which will also develop creativity in them, she said.

Noting that ample grants are being provided to the department of Public Instructions by the Government, ZP Vice President called upon the children to utilise the programmes implemented under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, to their best potential.

‘Nali-Kali’ programme for primary students is being successfully implemented and the moral education provided in schools plays a vital role in forming students to be the best civilians, she added.

Deputy Director of Public Instructions Kantharaju, Block Education Officer Aras, DIET Senior Professor Vedamurthy and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Madikeri, January 16th, 2014

Sports for Kodava Sanghas

Sports

Mysore :

The Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Vijayanagar, will be conducting annual sports meet for various Kodava Sanghas located in the city and the schedule is as follows:

Adenganda Seethamma Memorial Throwball Tournament for ladies will be held on Feb. 2 at Sree Cauvery Educational Institution, Adichunchanagiri Road, Kuvempunagar.

On the same day, tug-of-war and shot put events will also be held. The shot put event will be held both for men and women in the following categories: For women- below 20 years and above 20 years and for men- below 20 years, between 20 & 50 years and above 50 years. Interested may send in their entries to the Club before Jan. 30.

For details, contact Club Secretary Kuttimada D. Muthappa on Mob: 94498-15155, according to a press release.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / January 24th, 2014

Coffee Board of India reconstituted

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

coffeeindiabboadKF30jan2014
After a slight delay of two months, the Coffee Board of India has been reconstituted in a reshuffle that occurs once every three years.

Many new faces have been added into the group that will oversee all aspects of coffee production from the world’s fifth biggest provider.

The board is set to consist of more than fifty people a notice from The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated in a notice to local press that was released earlier on in the week. The changes in personnel will be in effect until January 2016.

The divisions of the board are to be revised, with the addition of many specialist representatives to work with certain sectors of the nation’s coffee industry. These include;

Large growers – to ensure that the needs and interests of major farms and coffee growing regions are overseen, to protect and invest in future production.

Traders – to focus upon current, topical events such as financial trends, climate change and other variable aspects of business.

Labour – to maintain a strong and skilled workforce in the field, ensuring that labourers’ interests are maintained in line with the increased competition from technological industries. To continue to offer a fair and reasonable working wage.

Consumer – to keep an eye on finances and to try and direct the growers, providers and businesses into receiving the best price for their produce.

Instant coffee – a much small area of concern, but to look after the interest of manufacturers in the Indian instant coffee market.

The Coffee Board of India appear to have meticulously planned it’s structure for the coming years and with coffee gradually becoming an influential commodity in the southern area of the country, the time spent pouring over the structure should, hopefully, pay dividends.

The Coffee Board of India is an autonomous body, functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The Board serves as a friend, philosopher and a guide to the entire coffee industry in the nation. Set up under an Act of the Parliament in 1942, the Board focuses on research, development, extension, quality, progress, market information, and the domestic and external promotion of the coffees produced and grown in India.

source: http://www.worldcoffeepress.com / World Coffee Press / Home / by Steve / Thursday – January 16th, 2014