The State government on Friday issued transfer orders to five IAS officers.
M V Savithri as been appointed the new Managing Director, Karnataka Public Lands Corporation Limited, and Priyanka Mary Francis is the new Managing Director for Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation.
The other officers are: V Srirama Reddy, MD, Managing Director for Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Limited; Dr D S Vishwanath, Deputy Commissioner, Ramanagara district, and P I Sreevidya, the Deputy Secretary, Zilla Panchayat, Kodagu — who has been given the additional responsibility of being the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Kodagu.
Other officers
The government has also appointed V Umesh Kusuga, KAS, the new MD, North-Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, Hubli, and K B Anjanppa, CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Haveri.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / Bangalore – November 08th, 2013
Better solution: An arabica plant stem wrapped with cellophane tapes to prevent it hosting the white stem borer on a coffee estate in Kodagu. / The Hindu Results are good, says Coffee Board; some planters raise environmental concerns
An ingenious method has been found to control the ruinous white stem borer in coffee estates where the arabica variety is grown. But coffee planters are split over the effect of the solution with some even questioning its impact on the environment.
According to A.K. Bhandari, coffee planter and former President of the United Planters Association of Southern India, wrapping the stem of the arabica plant with cellophane, called poly wrap, helps in containing the borer menace. The wrap prevents the female beetle from laying eggs in cracks and crevices of the plant.
“We came across this solution some two-and-a-half years ago when some planters used old plastic to wrap the stems. It prevented the borer from laying eggs and controlled the spread of the pest,” he said.
Coffee white stem borer, Xylotrechus quadripes, is a pest found in arabica coffee causing huge yield loss. A blackish brown coloured beetle, it can also be found on rosewood, sandalwood and teak.
Ten to 12 days after the female beetle lays the eggs on the stem, the larvae enter the woody tissue and burrow up to the roots. This leaves the plant impaired and the only known solution is uprooting the plant totally and burning it.
“Poly wrap physically stops the insect from laying eggs on the plant. Growers had, at one point of time, wrapped plants with old fertiliser bags. Now, they have begun to use strip wraps and the results have been good,” said Jawaid Akhtar, Coffee Board Chairman.
History traces the borer menace to 1837 and the first reference was made in 1838 by H. Stokes, Mysore Commissioner. In 1868, the Madras Commissioner had reported the ravages of the borer in Mysore and Coorg.
YIELD LOSS
“We have been suffering from the borer menace for over a decade now. It has affected arabica production. In some estates, nearly 50 per cent of plants had to be uprooted,” said Bose Mandanna, a grower in Kodagu and former vice-chairman of Coffee Board.
The borer menace has resulted in arabica production stagnating around one lakh tonnes annually for almost a decade after rising to a record 1.21 lakh tonnes in 2001-02 (October-September) season. Its share in total coffee production (robusta makes up the rest) has decreased from over 50 per cent in the 1980s to around 30 per cent now.
This year, out of the estimated 3.47 lakh tonnes production, arabica output has been pegged at 1.11 lakh tonnes. However, growers expect it to be lower than 90,000 tonnes.
“The poly wrap seems to be working very well. Most of the growers have reported 99 per cent success. About 10 estates can be taken and the experiment tried for 2-3 years,” said Bhandari.
The Coffee Board had sent an advisory on the poly wrap but not much progress seems to have been made.
“Labour shortage is the reason why poly wrap has not picked up. Also, there was short-supply of wraps. That has ended now as supply is ample. Results are encouraging and the wrap does not affect the plant’s growth,” said Akhtar.
But, there are voices of dissent too.
“The poly wrap was tried in small pockets and it has not been successful when tried on a large-scale. It prevents plants from growing. The bark growth is stunted and we feel this is not a scientific solution,” said the Karnataka Planters’ Association Chairman, Nishant Gurjer.
Some of the corporates involved in growing coffee have now begun to experiment the method. “We have begun the poly wrap on Coffee Board’s suggestion and are assessing the results,” said an official of Tata Coffee at its Margolly estate in Kodagu.
However, concerns are being raised over its effect on the environment.
“When the poly wrap gets old, it could lead to environment problems since it won’t disintegrate easily,” said Mandanna.
Gurjer agrees. “Plastic will add to the mechanical damage to the plants,” he said.
Other growers say that until a better solution is found, the poly wrap method should continue.
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Industry> Agri-Biz / by M. R. Subramani subramani.mancombu@thehindu.co.in / November 07th, 2013
As a part of its commitment to promote the Tea sector, the Tea Board of India, set up under Ministry of Commerce & Industry has extended its support to the 2nd Edition of “World Tea & Coffee Expo”™ (www.worldteacoffeeexpo.com), India’s only International trade fair dedicated to the Tea & Coffee sectors. The event is to be held at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India from Thursday 6th Feb 2014 to Saturday 8th Feb 2014. Tea Board of India has always been at the forefront of promoting Tea and has always taken proactive steps to address issues related to the Hot Drinks sector in India. The Tea Board of India decided to support this trade event since it shares a common goal with the show viz. promoting Hot Drinks in India. This niche expo is organized by the Mumbai headquartered Sentinel Exhibitions Asia P Ltd, a company engaged in managing and organizing trade events.
Says Mitesh M Kapadia, Director, Sentinel Exhibitions Asia P Ltd, “Hot drinks are witnessing positive growth since the last few years thanks to intensive marketing campaigns by players, launch of innovative products, the emergence of upscale Cafes offering both convenience, affordability and quality and the trend of these cafes becoming a meeting ground for young consumers.”
In addition to showcasing brands, products, machinery, retail Chains, accessories & technologies, WTCE 2014 will have Dedicated Innovations Display Zone, Interactive Demo areas (featuring Exotic Tea Tasting / Brewing sessions, Latte Art championships, Recipes and a lot more) as also Seminars & Conferences by Global Industry leaders & Policy makers to determine future trends in the Hot Beverage segment. The seminars will analyse prime factors influencing the sector and identify the sectors driving growth.
With an anticipated turnout of over 6000 Business Visitors including International buying delegations, WTCE 2014 promises to offer huge potential for franchising, marketing alliances, appointing Distributors, bulk orders, joint ventures and overall branding.
WTCE 2014 is also endorsed by a number of National & International Trade Bodies and visitors to the event will get exposure to national and international Brands, manufacturing and packaging technology, storage technology, Flavored Beverages, hi-tech vending machines, retails chains as well as a variety of products from importers and exporters of Tea & Coffee. For further details log onto www.worldteacoffeeexpo.com or contact Mr Mitesh, Director on +91 22 28625131 / +91 98205 03876 or on mitesh@sentinelexhibitionsasia.com
source: http://www.teanewsdirect.com / Tea News Direct / by K. Priti, Sentinel Public Relations P Ltd / November 06th, 2013
Gulshan Devaiah, who has featured in films like Hate Story and Shaitan, is all set to don his bad guy avatar again, this time for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram-Leela. The actor, who plays Deepika Padukone’s cousin in the film, says, “Casting director Shruti Mahajan spotted me. She arranged a meeting with Mr Bhansali who had not seen a single film of mine. He was looking at me with a director’s eye and by the end of the meeting he finalised me for the part. I didn’t have to audition for it.”
The actor reveals his first meeting with co-star Deepika Padukone was an interesting one too. He reveals, “I am good friends with my Shaitan co-star Kalki Koechlin. She was shooting for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and invited me over to the sets. I went and sat near the monitor next to Deepika but was tongue-tied. I wanted to say something intelligent and didn’t want to make a fool of myself. My dilemma finally ended when she initiated the conversation and said hello. I then told her that I’m in Ram- Leela too.”
While the actor’s big break came with Shaitan he says filming it wasn’t an easy experience. He reveals, “The most horrifying moments were the underwater shots as I can barely swim. Bejoy would make us shoot at the deep end of the pool as you get the best camera angle there. Every time I would almost drown somebody would grab my hand. Once I almost drifted away and Kalki rescued me.”
While Gulshan is all set to be the new bad guy in Bollywood and shares his name with iconic villain Gulshan Grover, he tells us that he is often confused with the veteran actor. “He is definitely a legend and I respect him. I am often confused with him because of my name. When Yash Chopra passed away, from 8 am to midnight, I got calls asking for my reactions since Gulshan Grover had worked with him.”
The actor reveals he has had no formal training in acting but puts his theatre experience to use in his films as well. “I had no formal training and didn’t know how to put it across to my parents that I want to take up acting as a career. I started out by working with theatre practitioners in Bengaluru. I worked on a lot of different and breathtaking folk theatre where I had to learn art forms like Kalaripayattu and Kathakali and I still use a lot of that experience for my film characters.”
Theatre has also played another important role in the actor’s life with him meeting wife Kallirroi Tziafeta, through it. He says, “My wife is an actress too and I met her during a play in Lucknow. That day I was filling in for Neil Bhopalam who didn’t have dates for a play he was doing . My now wife knew some people connected to the play so she came to watch the show and that’s where someone introduced us. We kept in touch after that and after some time I proposed marriage.”
While Gulshan has been appreciated for his negative roles he says that Ram-Leela may just be his last film as a villain. He says, “I have no plans of sticking to my bad guy image. Ram- Leela is my last role as a villain. I have just completed film, which is a romantic comedy. I have signed two films with Pooja Bhatt and these parts are not negative roles either. I never thought I’d make something my niche. I aim to be different. I have four films coming up which are different from each other. There is a possibility of being typecast but I wish to break away from that.”
source: http://www.asianage.com / The Asian Age / Home> Life and Style / by Natasha Coutinho, The Asian Age / November 05th, 2013
It’s been five years since actress Harshika Poonacha has been in Sandalwood, playing roles ranging from supporting actress to being a part of multi-starrers. The actress, who not long ago made the transition to playing lead heroine, recently bagged her first-ever state award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Shivarajkumar-starrer Thamassu. And that, the actress says, has taken her career to the next level. “No more supporting roles. I’ve arrived as a solo actress,” she says. Excerpts from the interview: (Harshika Poonacha ) Your fifth film Thamassu gort you a State Award. Is it beginner’s luck?
I started my career as a solo heroine with PUC, but it was a supporting character that got me a State Award. I wouldn’t say I got lucky, as I have worked hard for my role in Thamassu. I feel honoured to receive one of the most prestigious awards so early in my career. There will be pressure to choose good roles from now on. I am looking forward to doing solo female leads.
What are the challenges you faced in the industry?
In my five years in Sandalwood, I have maintained a decent track record. While my initial films saw me paired with newcomers, I wanted to work with top heroes like Puneeth Rajkumar and Shivarajkumar. I got to work with them, but as their sister. I have no complaints, though, as I was able to perform well in the roles that I got. I wanted to establish myself as a solo lead, as I was getting only roles to play the hero’s sister. In fact, I missed out on playing the female lead opposite Puneeth because I had played his sister in Jackie. It was a challenge to break free of that image.
You rarely make it to the gossip columns even though you are quite the party animal. But when you did, it was after a spat with Aviva Bidapa over who had the meatier role in Ale…
I don’t want to comment about it. Once the film released, it became clear just who had the better role. This is exactly why I don’t want to do multi-starrers. In fact, my upcoming films — B-3 and an upcoming Telugu film (which marks her Telugu debut) — will see me playing solo female lead. As for the partying bit, well, I have a group of friends who I am close to. I don’t party with people from the industry, but I am nice to people when I meet them at filmi events and share a cordial relationship with everyone. Jealousy comes when you know them too well. I’d like to party and stay close only with my friends.
Tell us about your role in B-3…
It is the most special film in my career. B-3 revolves around three characters — hero, heroine and one more character (which will be the suspense). Sriki (Srikanth) plays a psychopath and I play a college student. I fall in love with him and what happens then forms the crux of the story. Since Sriki’s character is mentally unstable, he gets physically abusive with me. Throughout the film, we compete against each other and both of us had a lot of scope to perform. In fact, Ghana Shyam ( director) didn’t even allow us to talk to each other. I also did a lot of stunts in the film, which is one of the highlights. I have just won a state award and this role will definitely elevate me to the next level. In fact, I am hoping to receive an award for my performance in B-3.
You have also done some intimate scenes in the film…
I have taken a lot of risk for this film and one among them is the intimate scene. I have kissed and even did lovemaking scenes for the first time. I asked Ghana if it was really required for the film and he convinced me that it is important. I just trusted him and went ahead with the scene. We shot for nearly half a day and the scene appears for just 15 seconds in the film. I was comfortable doing lovemaking scenes. Ghana showed me the edited version and I must say that it looks more romantic than vulgar.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada / by Sharanya CR / November 02nd, 2013
Sandalwood actress Harshika Poonacha is on cloud nine. At the Karnataka State Film Awards announced for the year 2011, she was adjudged the Best Supporting Actress for her work in the Kannada film Thamassu. The film, directed by Agni Sridhar, had Shivarajkumar in the lead. In fact, Shivarajkumar had won a Filmfare Best Actor nod for this film. The actress, who is currently in Hyderabad, took to her social networking page to thank the team of Thamassu. “Thamassu” The film which made me feel special,Thnx to Agni Shridhar sir and The Hatrick hero Shivanna sir My first STATE AWARD is dedicated to you both coz I wudn have made it possible without you both:) Thnq so much for the support and blessings :)) Also I thank all my beloved frens for wishing me on calls,texts and social networking sites :)) Love u all,muaaaaahhhhh,” she wrote. (Harshika Poonacha )
When TOI reached out to the actress, she sounded ecstatic. “I am overjoyed. In fact, I was sleeping when the award was announced and my phone was on mute. I missed a whole bunch of calls and messages. I am replying to everyone now,” she said, adding that the team of her new film was throwing a party for her this evening. “Right now, my award is the only thing on my mind,” she signed off.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada> Filmfare / Pratibha Joy, TNN / October 25th, 2013
Growing up, I watched my dad following cricket devotedly. I distinctly remember my father pointing Sachin Tendulkar to me, saying he was an upcoming player and would do well.
Cricket could easily pass off as a religion in India and whether you like it or not, the sport grows on you at a very young age when you see it being played by everyone, whether it’s in school, parks, on the road etc., It has been the same in my case too, so much so I still absolutely love playing cricket when I find the time.
Since the age of 13, I really started following cricket and, of course, Sachin who had become a national icon by then. The stuff, which caught my eye, was definitely his straight drive and the manner in which he moved swiftly and the ease that he hit the ball with.
Sachin is an iconic figure according to me. At such a young age he was a revelation not only on the field but also off it with the maturity in which he conducted himself during his interviews.
Playing a professional sport myself, when I read about the amount of hard work and hours of training that Sachin put in practicing to become a professional athlete, I get motivated. I was motivated to see that even a quality player like him would put in so much of time into his sport. It just goes to show that there are no short-cuts.
I remember meeting Sachin in Bangalore for the first time, when he had come to open a sports bar, which I was invited for among few others. I got to spend some time and have dinner with him and it was an honour to see how humble and down to earth he was.
Sachin is a sportsman known worldwide; I remember seeing him at Wimbledon few years ago and even met him once at the stadium as he had come to watch Roger Federer play. To just have him watching our sport was a fabulous feeling.
I would most definitely remember the innings he played in the Sydney Test match in 2004 when he was 241 not out. He was so well composed and delivered a quality innings.
In a regular scenario, time just passes by. But two minutes spent talking to Sachin Tendulkar was such an honour which I will always cherish.
I am certain he will be not forgotten easily and will be spoken about in many years to come for sure. Sachin is an icon in so many ways that no matter what he takes up I am sure he would be supported, respected and loved for it.
— As told to Sudatta Mukherjee
(Rohan Bopanna is a tennis player and currently ranked third in the world in doubles rankings. In 2010, Bopanna along with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, popularly known as the ‘Indo-Pak Express’ finished runners-up in doubles at the US Open.)
source: http://www.cricketcountry.com / CricketCountry.com / Home> News & Features / by Rohan Bopanna / October 28th, 2013
Bombay Gold Cup is a popular tournament and some of India’s top teams participate in it. Some of India’s biggest stars have enthralled crowds at the Mahindra Stadium in Churchgate. (Few members of the Indian…)
What makes the 48th edition of this tournament unique though, is that seven players from the 2001 Junior World Cup winning team are in the city.
On Thursday, the Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd. (MHAL), which is conducting the Bombay Gold Cup, felicitated the heroes of that spectacular triumph 12 years ago.
Mumbai boy Viren Rasquinha, Indian Oil’s Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh and Devesh Chouhan, Air India boys Prabodh Tirkey, Arjun Halappa and Vikram Pillay were all handed mementoes in between matches at the MHA on Thursday.
All the players have fond memories of their triumph, which briefly marked the revival of Indian hockey.
Recalling his experience, Halappa who has now become a national selector, says: “It was a turning point for Indian hockey, a revival of sorts. Players started getting attention and with it came decent money from the government. We also found a sponsor in Sahara who gave us all the support we needed.
“The future of hockey was looking up.”
That entire batch was arguably the best India has seen in a long, long time. Many of the World Cup heroes graduated to become formidable India stars. Rasquinha, in fact, went on to lead the team.
Explaining the reason behind the team’s success, striker Deepak Thakur, who top-scored with ten goals including two hat-tricks in the tournament, says: “Our approach was positive. Even before we could leave for Hobart, we had created a positive atmosphere. We had decided that come what may, we have to win this World Cup. We stayed like a family and every player knew another very well, as a result of which we combined well on the field.”
Rasquinha, who probably was in the best form of his career, couldn’t agree with his teammate more: “The best thing about that team was that coach Rajinder Singh created a super atmosphere. We knew each other very well, because we were playing as a unit since 1998. I guess sharing a good rapport with teammates makes a big difference,” he insists.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Hockey> Air India / by Sudheendra Tripathi, TNN / October 25th, 2013
With the objective of seeking autonomous status for Kodagu district, nearly 2,000 persons of the Kodava community boarded a special train this morning to participate in the Delhi Chalo rally, to be staged from the Ram Leela Maidan to the Parliament House on Nov. 1.
The special train, called Codava National Council (CNC) Express, left the City Railway Station at 11.10 am, with 20 coaches, including a pantry car and store-room. The store room coach was stacked with water bottles, groceries for the entire journey of seven days, LPG cylinders, cooking and serving utensils, vegetables and other materials. A team of 70 cooks and their helpers also accompanied the rallyists.
The rallyists started arriving at the railway station since 8 am itself in their private cars and rented vehicles including buses and tempos.
Posters about the demands of CNC were pasted on the coaches along with the coach numbers which were allotted area-wise to participants coming from various towns and villages in Kodagu. People of all ages, including women and children were seen enthusiastically boarding the train.
CNC President N.U. Nachappa, speaking to SOM, reiterated that the CNC’s demand was not for a separate State but for declaring the hill district as an autonomous region.
One of the CNC members said that though sight-seeing in Delhi was not important in their agenda, they will make a brief halt at Jaipur and are expected to return to Mysore on Nov. 4.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / October 29th, 2013
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