National Barista championship

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

Coffee Board of India will organise the National Barista Championship from January 16 to 18 in the city to identify technically skilled and best Baristas in the profession.

According to a release from the Coffee Board of India, the competition will focus on promoting professional excellence in coffee value chain, strengthen and encourage skill development and also promote the Café Culture in India. The event is being conducted also because there are many café chains coming up in the city and this is becoming another profession option for youngsters. The event will be hosted at Mantri Square, Sampige Road, Malleswaram.

The final round of the championship will be held on January 24, during the India International Coffee Festival 2014 at Hotel Lalit Ashok here. The event will be conducted as per the rules and regulations of World Barista Championship.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / Bangalore, DHNS – January 14th, 2014

Coffee land beckons as district admn all set to promote tourism

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

Even as Madikeri city is getting ready like a bride for the 80th Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, which is only a week away, the tourist destinations in Kodagu district too are inviting the visitors for the Sammelana.

The district administration too is gearing up to promote tourism and attract more number of tourists to visit the tourism places, on the occasion of literary convention. The KSRTC has made arrangements for providing special bus facilities to the selected tourism destinations during these days.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat district unit has initiated the process of printing 10,000 booklets providing information about various tourism spots in the district and surrounding regions. These booklets will be distributed to the representatives who arrive at the convention, said Booklet Committee President H T Anil.

Madikeri, which is the headquarter of Kodagu district is located 1,170 metres above the sea level. The district is known for its picturesque greenery, dense forests, soothing weather, hills and ranges, waterfall and coffee plantations. No tourist can ever forget the beauty of Kodagu when it is covered with mist offering an amazing experience. If one stands in the spots like Rajaseat and Stewert Hill, one can see the best view of sun set and sun rise.

Tourism destinations

The fort built by Mudduraj Urs who ruled Kodagu in 1681 and the church in the fort premises (which has now been converted as museum) attract tourists for their historical significance. Antiques, documents, materials and costumes belonging to Field Marshal Kariappa.

Rajaseat garden, Omkareshwara temple built by Lingarajendra-II, Rajara Gadduge are some of the important tourism destinations in Madikeri city. Other tourism places that are well known among tourists are Talacauvery which is 44 km from Madikeri, Bhagamanadala (39 km from the city) mountainous range Mandalpatti which is at a distance of 18 km from Madikeri, Tibetan colony at Bailukuppe (34 km from the city), Harangi reservoir (39 km from Madikeri), Dubare elephant camp (42 km from Madikeri), Nalkunadu palace (40 km from Madikeri) and waterfalls like Abbi, Irpu, Mallalli and Chelavara. However, waterfalls now do not offer as beautiful view as they offer during monsoon.

Be cautious

Tourists will have to be cautious while travelling in areas like Anekadu near Kushalnagar, Dubare, Virajpet and Gonikoppa due to wild elephants which often wander here.

Presence of tigers is felt in Thithimathi and Srimangala which are adjacent to Nagarahole reserve forest. Tourists should be careful while travelling in these regions, especially in the morning and evening.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Shrikanth Kallammanavar Madikeri / DHNS – January 02nd, 2014

K.J. George is new district minister for Kodagu

About Kodagu / Coorg, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders

Madikeri :

Home Minister K.J. George has been appointed as the In-Charge for Kodagu district by CM Siddharamaiah with immediate affect.

He is to take over from PWD Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, who also is the District In-Charge Minister for Hassan.

Kodagu District Congress President B.T. Pradeep has welcomed the change while district BJP spokesperson Manu Muthappa has flayed it saying it would not bring in any change in the district. He opined that since the new District in-Charge Minister holds the Home portfolio, he must bring in a sea change in the Police Department to strengthen the administration.

Manu Muthappa also said that the previous District Minister Dr. Mahadevappa had not shown any interest in the development of Kodagu.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 18th, 2014

After 32 Years, Kodagu Hosts Literary Meet

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Preparations on for the 80th Kannada Sahithya Sammelan that will begin in Madikeri on Tuesday | Express photo
Preparations on for the 80th Kannada Sahithya Sammelan that will begin in Madikeri on Tuesday | Express photo

After 32 years, Kodagu is all set host Kannada Sahithya Sammelan for three days from today.

The 8oth edition of the Kannada literary carnival will be held at the Bharathi Sutha and Kodagina Gowramma stages in Field Marshal K M Cariappa College Ground.

T P Ramesh, general secretary of the Sammalen and Kodagu Kannada Sahitya Parishat president, and B A Shamshuddin, general secretary of the Kodagu Parishat, told Express that as of now, 8,000 delegates have registered their names from 30 districts for the event.

If one counts officials, the public from Kodagu and the Parishat members, more than 10,000 people will take part in the procession, they added.

Ramesh said the procession will start from Gandhi Maidan and go along the main road, Indira Gandhi Circle, College Road and Convent Junction. As many as 25 folk troupes from across the state will participate in the procession.

Around 2,000 volunteers will help the public with parking and directions. Around six government buses have been arranged to take people around as movement of vehicles on the main road has been restricted for the three days that the event takes place. As many as 28 sub-committees have been formed for the meet. To commemorate the event, a souvenir named ‘Cauvery Siri’ will be unveiled.

Out of 50 books published by the KSP, 25 are authored by writers from Kodagu, Ramesh added.

Shamshuddin said all the events and cultural programmes will be conducted on stages at Bharathi Sutha and Kodagina Gowramma.

As many as 73 cultural teams from across the state, including Kodagu artistes, will perform during the three days of the Sammelan starting on Tuesday, he said. In 1932 and 1981 Kannada Sammalens were held under the chairmanship of DVG and Sham Bha Joshi, respectively, Shamshuddin recalled.

Though Kodagu is a small district and there may be some inconveniences, the public should cooperate in the interest of Kannada culture and literature, he said.

CM Siddaramaiah To Inaugurate Sammelan Today

Madikeri: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the Sammelan on Tuesday.

Sree Siddarama Mahaswamy of the Sree Naganoor Rudraskhi Mutt, Belgaum and Sree Shanthamallikurjuna Swamiji of the Aremeri Kalancheri Mutt will be present. District Minister H C Mahadevappa will deliver the welcome address and an introductory talk will be given by Pundalika Halambi. Ko Chennabasappa, a previous president of the Sammelan, will address the function. Minister for Environment M Veerappa Moily will release the souvenir. Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundu Rao will also take part in the inaugural function.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by B C Dinesh – Madikeri / January 07th, 2014

Coorg Butterflies Make their Annual Tour to Silent Valley

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Aralam Wild Life Sanctuary, one of the most precious evergreen forests in the state, is witnessing the breath-taking annual migration of butterflies from the Coorg hills. The wintering butterflies, mostly of Albatross species, breeze by the rivulets in the forests like gentle patch of yellow clouds, making their way to Nilambur forests and to Silent Valley, apparently guided by an unknown collective memory passed on to generations.

The amazing migration of the butterflies is better seen in the morning and when the sun gets hot by noon, they stop moving. As many as 40,000 Common Albatross butterflies can be seen in a single flock in the morning, says V C Balakrishnan of Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS) and a regular visitor at Aralam during this season. The Great Orange Tip, Lesser Gull and Plain Pussin butterflies can also be seen following the Albatross migration, he said. Many varieties of butterflies of Daniane sub species were seen congregating in the Aralam Sanctuary in the season. Lakhs of butterflies roosting on trees in the forests is a sight of a lifetime, Balakrishnan said.

Experts say that the butterfly migration through this stretch of Western Ghats is known to start from the evergreen forests in Coorg where these butterflies generally lay eggs on a particular tree locally known as Choota Maram or Asthi Maram (Drypetes Venusta). The butterflies fly through Aralam to Nilambur and to Silent Valley forests. “However, not much is known about when these butterflies would return to Coorg,” Balakrishnan said.

A group of nature lovers and butterfly enthusiasts would annually visit the sanctuary to witness the wonderful natural phenomenon every January. The Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department conducts joint explorations with MNHS during the season to survey butterflies. Many new species have been identified during these explorations. “We have been regularly conducting butterfly surveys during the season for the past eight years,” said Harikrishnan Nair, Wildlife Warden, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary.

A total of 242 species of butterflies were spotted at Aralam, the highest among the forests in the state. This makes a big share of the total of 320 butterfly species found in the entire state. “The thick evergreen forests and the rich diverse flora at Aralam make perfect home for the butterflies. However, the maximum number of butterfly species is recorded here because we conduct regular surveys and scientifically categorise it,” the Wildlife Warden explains.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service – Kannur / January 13th, 2014

Uthappa, Nair lead Karnataka fightback

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Bangalore :

Uttar Pradesh’s despondent body language was a dead giveaway on a day when their hopes evaporated as swiftly as the moisture on the KSCA pitch. At 15 for three within 40 minutes of play hosts Karnataka looked dead and buried. Yet by the end of the first day’s play in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal, it was UP that looked broken and disjointed.

Ranji Trophy Tracker

("The plan was to just hang…)
(“The plan was to just hang…)

Karnataka, powered by two brilliant centuries by Robin Uthappa and Karun Nair and a rollicking unbeaten 89 by CM Gautham, dramatically turned the tables in one of the finest fightbacks seen on this venue. At close, the hosts were 297/5.

UP, who opted to bowl first on a green top laden with moisture were over the moon when they plucked out Karnataka’s three heavy run-getters, KL Rahul, R Samarth and Manish Pandey, all without opening their account. That brought the in-form Karun Nair, who had opened the batting against Delhi and made a century in challenging circumstances, to join forces with an unusually circumspect Uthappa.

Amit Mishra, the pick of the three-pronged medium-pace attack, was getting the ball to move disconcertingly. The alternate strips of grass and bald pitch challenged the batsmen. Deliveries that hit the turf seamed and skidded through while the rest went at a different velocity.

“The plan was to just hang in there. We were not concerned with the scoring but sought to see off the new ball and the moisture on the pitch,” explained Uthappa as Karnataka took all of 23 overs to crawl to 50.

Uthappa, though, was the more assertive partner. He eschewed risks, but still came up with some spanking drives and leg glances while Karun got his eye in and made it count. The pair added 120 runs for the fourth wicket.

Brief scores: Karnataka 297-5 (Robin Uthappa 100, Karun Nair 100, Gautham 89*, Amit Mishra 2-70, Ali Murtuza 2-87)

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Domestic Cricket> Amit Mishra / by Vedam Jaishankar, TNN / January 09th, 2014

Kodagu homestays come of environmental age

Business & Economy

Kodagu district which was one of the first districts in South India to find the home stay business an alternative to the traditional ways of tourism, has now threaded another path and quite astute one at that. Most home-stays are now compatible with environmental rules delighting users from high value catchment areas like Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai.

Most importantly, tussles between Home stays and resorts with various panchayats, district administration and villagers about environmental hazards have found a logical conclusion. People in eco-sensitive areas in Kodagu district, specially close to Madikeri, harboured antipathy to home-stays and resorts for environmental reasons.

“It had to happen, Kodagu thrives on its natural attributes, its orange, coffee and spice gardens, misty mountains and perennial water streams. If these attributes were polluted that is the end of the district as well as the business of homestays. So we asked our members to strengthen their environmental compliance levels. We have been working on these lines for over an year and now we have 90% compliance in over 65% of home stays and few more were on the way to higher compliance,” Nalini Achchaih of the Kodagu district Home Stay association told dna.

There are about 200 homestays in Kodagu district and over 50% of them are in and around Madikeri. About 45% of them are registered while many of them are in the process of doing so. “Many of our members were suffering due to delay in registering their home stays due to the strict environmental and administrative standards, but they have worked diligently towards it and have achieved high level of compliance,” Nalini said.

“The home-stays in Madikeri are such good stress busters. Many of us go there once in every other month, I and some of my friends used to go only to the few registered home-stays, but now we have so many registered establishments and even environmental-compliant,” said Ajit Shetty, a techie from Bangalore.

Madikeri also hosts some corporate home-stays like Tamara Resorts. “The standards we impose on ourselves are stringent. Our new-gen guests patronize only establishments that are legal and environmental-friendly. There were some teething problems initially, but we have rectified them, specially the needs of the villages situated around us. We have opened up new road for them and installed a waste management system,” Senthil Kumar N, chief executive officer of Tamara Resorts, said.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Bangalore> Report / by M Raghuram / Place:Madikeri, Agency:DNA / Wednesday – January 15th, 2014

Coffee Board reconstituted

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

Bangalore :

The Coffee Board has been reconstituted after a two-month delay.

Many new faces figure in the revamp, which happens once in three years.

The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry through a Gazette Notification dated January 6 has announced the revamped board that will be in place till three years from January 6 to January 5, 2016.

According to the notification, N.K. Pradeep, Shri Nandi Estate, Chekanahally Belur Taluk, Hassan, Karnataka; Anil Kumar Bhandari, Suntikoppa, Kodagu, Karnataka; Immanuel T. Rampuram, Chatnahalli Estate, Siddapura South Kodagu, Karnataka will represent large growers.

Jabir Asghar, Bangalore, Karnataka; B.S. Jayaram, Bidarahalli Post, Mudigere Taluk, Chikmaglur, Karnataka; D.M. Vijay, Hangaravalli Post Aldur, Chikmagalur, Karnataka; A. Thara Aiyamma, Neela Estate, Balele, Kodagu, Karnataka; Vijay Jagirdar, Bangalore, Karnataka; Vasantha Lakshmi Narayana, Near Andhra Bank, Pitapuram Colony, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh; C.P. Varghese, Chittemalil, Malankara, Nenmeni, Sultan Bathery, Wayanad will be small growers’ representatives.

Representatives of coffee trade interests are D. M. Purnesh, Classic Coffee & Spices Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, Karnataka. Dr. S. M. Kaverappa, Haletaluk, Napoklu, Kodagu, Karnataka. Ramesh Rajah, M/s. Ramesh Exports Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, Karnataka.

Representatives of curing establishment: A. N. Devraj, Avaathi Post, Chikmagalur, Karnataka. K. A. Ibrahim, Suntikoppa, Madikere Kodagu, Karnataka.

Representatives of labour interests: G. Bhaskar, Jeyammal Street, Ayyavvo colony, Aminjikarai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. N. M. Adyanthaya, President INTUC, Karnataka & Vice President National INTUC, Nagi Towers, Kadri Hills, Mangalore, Karnataka. Prof. K. P. Thomas, Kakkathottathil House, Kottayad Road, Sultanbethery, Wayanad, Kerala. R. Chandrasekharan, President INTUC, Kerla Branch, Ayikkumathu House, Sooranad North, Sooranad Kollam Kerala.

Representatives of coffee growing States other than principal coffee growing States: K. V. Satyanarayana, Additional Chief Secretary, the Secretary in-charge of the Agriculture Department, Government of Tripura. Rajesh Prasad, Commissioner Industries & Commerce, Assam.

Representatives of consumer’s interest Uma I. B. Shankar, Hosmane Extension, Chikmagalur, Karnataka. Iftekhan Khan, 28, New Ashonknagar, Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

Representatives of instant coffee manufacturers: C. Rajendra Prasad, Chairman & Managing Director, CCL Products (India), Ameerpet, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

Eminent Personality in the field of research /marketing/ management/ promotion of coffee: Peter Mathias, Kelagur Estate, Sunkasale Post, Mudigere Taluk, Chikmagalur, Karnataka.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Industry> Agri-Biz / by Anil Urs anil.u@thehindu.co.in / Bangalore – January 13th, 2014

Coffee exports may increase on demand rebound from Europe

Coffee News

Shipments up 37% since October; re-exports too rise

Gathering steam: (From left) Jawaid Akhtar, Chairman, Coffee Board of India; J.S. Deepak, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; and Anil Bhandari, President, India Coffee Trust, addressing a press conference, in New Delhi, on Thursday. /— Kamal Narang / The Hindu
Gathering steam: (From left) Jawaid Akhtar, Chairman, Coffee Board of India; J.S. Deepak, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; and Anil Bhandari, President, India Coffee Trust, addressing a press conference, in New Delhi, on Thursday. /— Kamal Narang / The Hindu

New Delhi :

The pick-up in coffee exports since October will help shipments in the current fiscal exceed last year’s levels, says the Coffee Board. Coffee exports in 2012-13 stood at 2.98 lakh tonnes.

“Exports have picked up since October and we expect total shipment in the current financial year to cross last year’s levels,” said Coffee Board Chairman Jawaid Akhtar.

He was speaking to reporters after announcing the launch of the fifth edition of the India International Coffee Festival to be held in Bangalore during January 21-25.

The stability in prices witnessed in recent months coupled with the rebound in demand from traditional buyers in Europe is seen aiding exports.

Since October, coffee exports are up 37 per cent at around 66,264 tonnes against last year’s 48,346 tonnes in the same period.

However, since April shipments in the current fiscal are up 6 per cent at 2.22 lakh tonnes against 2.09 lakh tonnes in corresponding last year.

“Exports of value-added and instant coffees have risen sharply in recent years, resulting in higher margins and realisations,” said J.S. Deepak, Additional Secretary, Commerce Ministry.

Re-export of coffee has also picked up and is likely to exceed last year’s level of 90,000 tonnes in 2013-14. Akhtar said domestic consumption continues to rise at 5-6 per cent annually, driven by both in-home and out-of-home consumption.

Domestic consumption is estimated at around 1.2 lakh tonnes. The rising popularity of chains such as Café Coffee Day, Barista Lavazza and Costa Coffee among the younger generation has made coffee drinking more fashionable.

Anil Bhandari, Chairman of the India Coffee Trust, said the coffee festival is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates, including from overseas. Every alternate edition of the bi-annual event would be organised in the producing region, mainly Bangalore, Bhandari said.

The previous edition of the coffee fest was held in Delhi in 2012.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Industry> Agri-Biz / by The Hindu Burea vishwanath.kulkarni@thehindu.co.in / New Delhi – January 09th, 2014

Lit Buffs Throng Honey Stalls, But Shun Booze

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Writers and literature lovers visiting this hilly town are clamouring for honey, and staying away from its liquor stores and bars.

Bee-rearing is popular in and around Madikeri, and stalls selling honey are doing brisk business during the 80th all-India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana. The three-day gala ends on Thursday.

About 20 shops in the vicinity of the literary carnival trade in honey. On a normal day, they sell 30 to 50 kilos. Over the past two days, sales have doubled.

Ashok, Secretary of the Coorg Progressive Beekeepers Co-operative Society, said, “Each shop has asked for 500 boxes. Each box holds 12 one-kg bottles.”

Despite the demand, vendors have not hiked their prices. “A kilo of pure honey in a sealed bottle costs `220. The price is `180 otherwise,” Ashok said.

Honey production peaks between March and June. “This is actually off season. We are struggling to meet the demand,” he said.

There are 1,100 bee-keepers in and around Madikeri, and 6,000 in Kodagu district.

Chandappa, head master of a government school in Bijapur district and a conference delegate, said, “We don’t get honey in our districts. That’s why we are taking home some.”

The visiting writers and literature buffs aren’t giving good business to liquor shops, though.

Thimmappa of National Wines on the Madikeri main road feels the guests are not the drinking type.

“On normal days, we sell seven to eight boxes of whiskey, with each box containing 12 bottles. Since Monday, the number has come down to four or five,” he said.

Traffic diversions for the literary carnival have also had a negative impact on the liquor business, he said.

Madappa, another liquor shop owner, said visitors from North Karnataka don’t drink.

“A small number come for wine and ask about the percentage of alcohol in it,” he said.

The weather is not helping the liquor business either. “It has become warm over the past week, and that is one of the reasons our customers have just one or two pegs of whiskey,” said Madappa.

The temperature in Madikeri on Wednesday afternoon (4pm) was 26 degree Celsius, not warm at all by the standards of northern Karnataka districts, where temperatures touch 40 degrees. Madikeri has about 30 liquor stores and bars.

Pure for sure?

Rajashree, owner of a honey shop in Madikeri, offered tips on how to test the purity of honey. “Take a cup of water and put a drop of honey in it. If the honey is pure, it goes to the bottom, but if it is adulterated, it spreads,” she said. The second trick is to use paper. “Dip a piece of paper in the bottle. If the honey is pure, the paper will not get wet,” she said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Rashmi Belur and Ashwini M. Sripad – Madikeri / January 09th, 2014