Two hi-tech ambulances with one costing ₹42 lakh and another ₹17 lakh were handed over to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital attached to the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Madikeri and Virajpet Government Hospital, in Madikeri on Thursday.
Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha handed over the two ambulances.
The ambulance that was handed over to the district hospital (of KIMS) is an advanced one equipped to provide ICU care.
The MP said public healthcare was being upgraded providing the hospitals under the government set-up with advanced facilities. The Centre has decided to strengthen the public healthcare post COVID-19. The ambulances that were handed over today were part of the efforts.
He said the government has allocated ₹100 crore to Kodagu for increasing the beds at the district hospital to 450. The expansion of the hospital building is underway. Already, a women’s hospital with 150 beds has been given a start.
Kodagu will get all advanced healthcare services as a trauma care centre has also been sanctioned at a cost of ₹29 crore, he added.
MLAs Appachu Ranjan, K.G. Bopaiah and others were present.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / March 23rd, 2023
The Kodava hockey festival is a vibrant, month-long celebration held between March and April. The festival exudes the ambience and excitement of a mela with its draped festoons, welcome arches, and numerous stalls.
Come summer, and it’s hockey festival time in Kodagu. When schools close for summer vacation and coffee plantations take a break, Kodava families from around the world head home to participate in the Kodava Hockey Namme (festival) held in Kodagu (Coorg). It is time for Kodavas to battle with their hockey sticks at this tournament held in their home turf. With hundreds of families participating, the tournament is recognized as one of the largest field hockey tournaments in the world and finds a mention in the Limca Book of Records.
The Kodava hockey festival is a vibrant, month-long celebration held between March and April. The festival exudes the ambience and excitement of a mela with its draped festoons, welcome arches, and numerous stalls selling everything from automobiles to food. It is also an occasion for the Kodavas to dress up in traditional attire and participate in the procession and cultural programmes. Dancing and music add to the fun and frolic. One has to be here during the festival to experience the fierce pride of Kodavas in their glorious heritage, which they jealously guard.
Procession of Kodava women in their traditional attire
The genesis of the hockey festival can be traced back to 1997. It was the brainchild of late Pandanda Kuttappa, a former banker and State league referee. He is said to have conceptualised the festival after realising the deterioration in the standards of hockey played in the district. He hit upon the idea for a tournament among the families in order to encourage more youngsters to take up the sport.
The first editions of the festival were held in the village of Karada with 60 families competing. The festival has no permanent venue, something organisers are striving to achieve, and the festival has been held across the district in previous years.
Kodava children flaunt their traditional dress
The tournament started with the dual purpose of paying rich tribute to the sport in the region, and bringing together players in thousands in order to identify the best talents for the country. Over the years, more than 50 Kodavas have represented India in international hockey, earning their district the title of ‘Cradle of Indian hockey’. Hockey is to Kodagu what cricket is to India. It is common to find hockey sticks in every home.
This annual festival is hosted by a different family each year and will be known by the name of the host family. A family may not host the event more than once. Families apply to the Kodava Hockey Academy expressing interest and are allotted the tournament after evaluation. In a lifetime, a Kodava will only get to see their family host the cup once. For the 800-odd families in Kodagu, it has become a matter of pride and honour to host this iconic tournament. This is one of the reasons why family members from far and near take leave and arrive in droves to participate in the much- awaited festival games.
Appachettolanda, the host family of the 23rd edition of the Kodava Hockey Festival
The hockey festival has accomplished what perhaps nothing else could have — uniting distant families. It is the time for annual family reunions in their ancestral homes. What makes this festival distinctive is that it remains a family-oriented event, which has morphed into a major sporting event and festival in the country. Besides uniting warring relatives and families torn by strife, the hockey event is also a platform for community members to discuss and transact trade and business, besides scouting for marital alliances.
After a hiatus of four years due to floods and the pandemic, this year the hockey festival kickstarted with renewed vigour and energy. “This year (the 23rd edition) the Appachettolanda family is organising the event under the aegis of Kodava Hockey Academy. The festival is held at an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crores, raised through contributions from the families, a grant from the Karnataka Government, and through sponsorships. More than 350 teams will participate in the festival this time. While the winning team will be given a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh, the runner-up will get Rs 2 lakh, and the teams that came third and fourth will get Rs 1 lakh each,” said Manu Muthappa, convener, Appachettolanda Hockey Festival.
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An interesting feature of the festival is that both men women take part in the matches and there is no restriction on age. The only rule for forming a team is that all members must be from the same family and can include children and grown-ups from both genders. Young boys and girls, fathers, mothers, uncles, professionals, and even former Olympian heroes are all players. The women have the choice of playing for their in-laws’ team or their parents’ team. There have been instances when three generations of players have played together in a single match.
The festival is also ideal for talent spotting. Sometimes, officials from the Sports Authority of India arrive here to select players who are then offered training and equipment. Some of them have gone on to become state and national players. Plans are afoot to set up a hockey stadium to offer more facilities to budding players from the district. It is heartening that there is a growing interest among the younger generation in the hockey festival. But there is a need for more stadiums and turfs to facilitate more players to practise regularly.
Schedule of the hockey festival: General Thimmaiah Stadium, Napoklu, from March 18 to April 10.
Misty Woods Resort is an ideal place to stay to cover the hockey festival as it is within driving distance from the venue.
All pics by Susheela Nair.
Susheela Nair is an independent food, travel and lifestyle writer and photographer contributing articles, content and images to several national publications besides organising seminars and photo exhibitions. Her writings span a wide spectrum which also includes travel portals and guide books, brochures and coffee table books.
source: http://www.thenewsminute.com / The News Minute / Home> Features> Sports & Culture / by Susheela Nair / March 27th, 2023
The work to develop the first biodiversity park of the state was launched in Harangi, by laying the foundation stone on Friday.
Legislator Appachu Ranjan, who conducted the ‘bhoomipooja’ for the biodiversity park work, said, “India is the biggest exporter of medicinal herbs. The new park will help us.”
He said that a medicinal herbal park will also be opened in Bhagamandala soon.
“Medicinal plants are needed to cure diseases. Also, the environment will be healthy if there is enough greenery,” he pointed out.
Karnataka Biodiversity Board chairperson Napanda Ravi Kalappa, who presided over the ceremony in Harangi, said that a master plan of building a model medicinal garden in the district was readied by the Board. The park is also being launch to conserve the richness of the flora of Kodagu, he added.
“The Karnataka Biodiversity Board intends to establish similar parks in every panchayat of Kodagu. The Coorg Mandarin used to be an exclusive plant to Kodagu, but is virtually not to be found anywhere now. Research is now being conducted to promote this species,” Kalappa said.
Projects totalling Rs 2000 crore were inaugurated by the CM at a ceremony in Madikeri, which was attended by beneficiaries of the district.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. (Photo | Express)
Madikeri :
“Kodagu will be included in the international tourism map and plans are in place to ensure the same,” said Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai in Madikeri. He declared to extend free electricity to the irrigation pump sets, of up to 10 HP, installed across coffee estates in Kodagu.
Inaugurating various projects at a ceremony in Gandhi Maidan, he said, “Rs 100 crore has been released to the district under a special package in the state budget. Rs 10 crore has been sanctioned for the development of the Kodava-speaking community. The state has also granted seven acres of land to the Kodava community in Bengaluru.” Projects totalling Rs 2000 crore were inaugurated at the ceremony which was attended by beneficiaries of the district.
The Chief Minister said that plans are being laid out to put Kodagu on the international tourism maps. “A plan similar to Mysuru Tourism Circuit will take shape in Kodagu shortly,” he confirmed.
He opined that the district has received increased funds from the central and state governments. “This year, Rs 132 crore has been released as compensation amount to the farmers of Kodagu,” he said. He explained that the state government is working towards the overall development of all the communities.
“Various schemes including the Kisan Samman Yojana have recorded successful implementation. Scholarships have been released to the children of the farmers, who are the nation’s strength. The work of the BJP government is speaking for itself,” he said.
He explained the various projects aimed at empowering women and called the guarantee card scheme of the Congress a bluff. “One can cheat someone a few times. But they cannot cheat people all the time. The guarantee card is bogus and is similar to a visiting card,” he mocked.
Handing over cheques to a few beneficiaries of the government schemes at the ceremony, he sought the support of the people for the BJP.
While the congregation with the beneficiaries had to be inaugurated by CM at 11.30 am on Saturday, the same was delayed as Bommai arrived in the district by 3.00 pm. He, however, apologised stating that the visit was delayed due to the ongoing PUC examination at the college located close to the function venue.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / March 18th, 2023
Sportiqo, a blockchain-based fantasy sports platform has announced ace Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa as their brand ambassador. Sportiqo marked the beginning of its operations in India in the month of February and so far, amassed 32,000 active users owing to its beta launch. The stylish batter from Karnataka, Robin is a generational talent, wanted by every cricket league in the world. Uthappa was a part of the Indian squad which won the ICC World T20 in 2007. He is known for his masterful batting performances and his great impact on his team’s success.
Speaking on the association, Robin Uthappa said, “Sportiqo is the perfect platform where I am able to find a cohesive link between sports and technology. The stock market is something that is often portrayed as being meant for a particular segment of the audience but with Sportiqo sports fans across age groups would not only be able to learn how the stock markets work but at the same time be able to use their sporting knowledge and skills to do it in a fun and engaging manner.”
He further added, “Making the youth learn about investing and trading using cricket is a great idea. India needs creative options to improve the financial literacy of the masses and I am glad that Sportiqo is addressing that gap. I am proud to be associated with the platform.”
“We are delighted to welcome Robin Uthappa to the Sportiqo family as our new brand ambassador. He is one of the most exciting cricketers of his era. said Anindya Kar, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder of Sportiqo. “With his disruptive and instinctively innovative approach to his sport, Robin Uthappa embodies the same pioneering spirit that will drive Sportiqo to keep pushing boundaries in the sector.”
Sportiqo will also launch a host of digital campaigns with Robin Uthappa in the near future.
Sportiqo has so far, raised $1.25 million (Rs. 10 crores) in the pre-seed round from angel investors with a focus on user acquisition in its first phase post-launch. The cricket stock market platform is already live for the ILT20 League, and Pakistan Super League (PSL) and additionally, in the coming time, Sportiqo will add a portfolio of other sports and leagues as well such as the English Premier League and the Indian Premier League among others.
source: http://www.adgully.com / AdGully / Home> Marketing / by Adgully Bureau / March 21st, 2023
The State government, on Monday, issued orders appointing Vice-Chancellors for the newly established Universities of Chamarajanagar, Bidar, Haveri, Hassan, Kodagu, Koppal, and Bagalkot.
The names of the newly appointed V-Cs are Dr. B.K. Ravi (Koppal University, Dr. Ashok Sangappa Alur (Kodagu University), Dr. M.R. Gangadhar (Chamarajanagar University), Dr. Anand Sharad Deshpande (Bagalkot University), Dr. B.S. Biradar (Bidar University), Dr. Suresh H. (Haveri University) and Dr. T.C. Taranath, (Hassan University).
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home / by The Hindu Bureau / March 20th, 2023
Bopanna thus surpassed Daniel Nestor of Canada, who had claimed the 2015 Cincinnati Masters to become the oldest champion at the age of 42.
Matthew Ebden, of Australia, left, and teammate Rohan Bopanna, of India, hold up the men’s doubles winner’s trophy at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament.(Photo |AP)
Indian Wells :
India’s Rohan Bopanna became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion when he and his Australian partner Matt Ebden claimed the men’s doubles crown at the BNP Paribas Open here.
The 43-year-old Bopanna and Ebden, 35, defeated top-seeded Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Neil Skupski of Britain 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 in the final on Saturday.
“Truly special. It’s called Tennis Paradise for a reason,” said Bopanna, who was playing in his 10th ATP Masters 1000 final.
“I’ve been, over the years, coming here and seeing all these guys win for so many years. I’m really happy that Matt and I were able to do this and get this title here.
“It’s been some tough matches, close matches. Today we played against one of the best teams out there. Really happy that we got the trophy.”
Bopanna thus surpassed Daniel Nestor of Canada, who had claimed the 2015 Cincinnati Masters to become the oldest champion at the age of 42.
“I spoke to Danny Nestor and I told him sorry I’m going to beat his record,” he joked.
“Winning the title, that stays with me, so really happy with that. ” It was the 43-year-old’s fifth Masters 1000 doubles title and first since he won in Monte Carlo in 2017.
This was the third final of the year for the Indo-Australian duo.
He now holds 24 tour-level trophies in his cabinet.
The Indo-Australian pair stunned defending and two-time desert titlists John Isner and Jack Sock in the semi-finals, while getting the better off Canadian singles stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov in the quarters.
Bopanna and Ebden had defeated Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez in their opening match.
A former World No.3, Bopanna jumped four places to No.11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Rankings.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sports> Tennis / by PTI / March 19th, 2023
Bommai inaugurates Appachattolanda Cup Kodava Hockey Festival at Napoklu
Madikeri:
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that Kodava Development Corporation, a long-pending demand of the people of the district, will be a reality soon.
“I will issue an order on the setting up of the Kodava Development Corporation at the earliest,” he said after inaugurating the Kodava family hockey tournament hosted by the Appachattolanda family at General Thimayya Stadium in Cheriyaparambu of Napoklu last evening.
“Kodavas are physically strong and protect the nation. The Government is committed to the welfare and growth of the Kodava community and the Kodava Community Development Corporation that will strive exclusively for the overall development of the unique Kodava community has been a long-pending demand from the community and steps would be taken to realise it,” he added.
Picture shows former Indian Team hockey coaches M.P. Ganesh and A.B. Subbaiah greeting the players.
Heaping praises on the concept of a family hockey tournament, the CM said that the concept is wonderful and unique and brings Kodava families under one roof. “Kodava families are well-knit families. At a time when relationships are waning, the tourney has helped bring together families. Families should be united and relationships should bring together the people,” he said. “This is a special tournament as it is organised by the Kodava families. These families enjoy a good relationship, and family bond and the heritage of the Kodava community is being promoted through the game of hockey. The culture, tradition, and practices of the Kodavas unite all. Their attire and food are special,” he added.
“It is happy to note that this tournament is going on for the last 23 years. Families must unite and relationships must prosper. This is the culture of India. This kind of tournament is not seen anywhere in the world. Hence, the State Government has released Rs. 1 crore for the tournament,” Bommai said.
The hockey festival is being held from Mar. 18 to Apr. 9 on three grounds and a record 336 families or teams have registered for it. This is the 23rd edition of the event which had a four-year break from 2018 onwards owing to natural calamities in the district followed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier, the tournament began with a grand procession. Besides this year’s participants, the family teams which have participated in the tournament in the previous years also took part in the procession. Heads of the family teams gave the green signal for the hockey festival by firing 23 rounds of gunshots in the air.
The idea of a family tournament to bring together different Kodava families was conceived by the late Pandanda Kuttappa, popular as Kuttani, and the first edition was held in 1997 and has since then grown into a major event. The first exhibition match was held between the 37th Coorg Field Regiment and Kodava Academy-11. The second exhibition match was held between Indian Junior Hockey team and Karnataka team consisting of Olympian players from Kodagu.
The CM was felicitated by handing over a silver hockey stick and silver ‘odikathi’ on the occasion. Bommai was dressed in Kodava attire, complete with ‘Kupiya-chele’, ‘peechekathi’ and ‘mandethuni’. Several cultural programmes were performed.
Minister S.T. Somashekar, MLAs K.G. Bopaiah, Appachu Ranjan, MP Pratap Simha, MLC Suja Kushalappa, former MLC Veena Achaiah, DC Dr. B.C. Satish, SP Ramarajan, ZP CEO Akash, ADC Nanjundegowda, CCF B. Niranjan Murthy, Kodava Hockey Academy Director Cheeyanda Satya, Hockey Festival Convener Appachattolanda Manu Muthappa, Appachattolanda family Pattedara Erappa, ex-Advocate General and Congress leader A.S. Ponnanna, Bangalore Kodava Samaja President M.T. Nanaiah, Padmashri Rani Machaiah, former hockey coaches M.P. Ganesh and A.B. Subbaiah were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 19th, 2023
The State Government’s move to release funds for the genealogical study of 18 communities of Kodagu has irked the Codava National Council (CNC) as it has alleged that in the name of studying the genealogy of Kodavas, the Government is cheating the Kodava community by including other non-native communities in the study.
Addressing a press conference at Pathrakartara Bhavan yesterday, CNC Chairman Nandineravanda U. Nachappa said that the State Government must conduct a fair ethnographic study to facilitate the inclusion of the Kodava race under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list as per the directions of the Karnataka High Court.
Opposing the genealogy study of other communities of Kodagu by suppressing the genuine genealogical study of the Kodava community, Nachappa said that the Kodava race has nothing to do with other communities in Kodagu.
He released a memorandum submitted in this regard to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Minister for Social Welfare Kota Srinivas Poojari and Chairman of Karnataka Backward Class Commission Jayaprakash Hegde.
Indigenous community
“We don’t have any half-shoots. Kodavas are a single race and a race cannot be multiple communities. How Kashmiri Pundits are indigenous to Kashmir, likewise Kodavas are indigenous to Kodagu. The Kodava race does not come under a quadrilateral caste system and there is no sect, or sub-sect within the Kodava race and do not have multiple communities under its fold,” Nachappa noted.
Those who migrated and settled in Kodagu have copied Kodava culture and are now claiming themselves as Kodavas, the original inhabitants. “They are attempting to delegitimise and uproot the native Kodava race from his soil which is a dangerous act. Under the conspiracies unleashed by them and supported by some elected representatives who have vested interests, the Kodava community is on the verge of losing their unique identity, art and culture,” he said.
Highlighting various documents, gazetteers, census records, Coorg manuals, anthropological surveys and reports, history books, journals and literature from the British era to the Commissions appointed by Governments of independent India like the Havanur Commission Report, Venkatswamy Commission Report and Justice O. Chinnapa Reddy Commission Report, Nachappa said that there is ample proof to establish Kodavas as a unique and exclusive race that has no relation with other communities of Kodagu who are basically migrants.
Why study the migrant population?
“Instead of conducting a study on original Kodava tribalism, the State Government is planning to conduct a study of migrated population and portray it as the study of Kodavas which is an unjust move aimed at destroying the Kodava community. It is an attempt at Kodava race extermination. Everyone wants to use the ‘Kodava brand’ for their ulterior motives and not for protecting or respecting it,” Nachappa added.
The Kodava race has genetically imbibed unique folkloric culture and formulated its own folk legal systems ages ago. Those who infiltrated into Kodagu and have, over the years, copied and aped Kodava culture cannot be called Kodavas,” he noted.
“Instead of destroying the Kodava race by mixing other non-native cultures, the Government must protect their unique identity without any dilution by including Kodavas in the ST list which will be a befitting tribute to the nationalistic and patriotic Kodava race, thereby abiding by true social engineering to save them from extinction,” he urged.
CNC Members Bepadiyanda Biddappa, Kaliyanda Prakash, Chambanda Janathkumar, Apparanda Poovanna and Areyada Girish were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / March 18th, 2023
Nine journalists from Mysuru among 123 in State receive the honour
Bengaluru:
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has presented Karnataka Media Academy Awards to 123 journalists including nine from Mysuru, for the years 2019 to 2022, in a ceremony organised at Ravindra Kalakshetra here yesterday.
Andolana Award given for best district newspaper and instituted by Andolana Daily of Mysuru, was bestowed on ‘Nrupathunga’ Daily of Kalaburagi for the year 2019, ‘Navika’ of Shivamogga for the year 2020, ‘Sanje Darpana’ of Hubballi for the year 2021 and ‘Jayakirana’ of Mangaluru for the year 2022.
Mysuru Digantha Award given for best stories on human issues was given to Bagalkot’s Chandrashekar More of ‘Udayavani’ for his report titled ‘Maneyalle Eeji Samagri Tandevu’ for the year 2019, ‘Prajavani’ Mangaluru reporter Pradeesh H. Marody for his report titled ‘Keluttilla Male Makkala Alalu’ for the year 2020, T.N. Padmanabh of ‘Vijaya Karnataka’, Ramanagar for his report titled ‘Pusthaka Hidyuva Kaige Hasuvina Hagga’ for the year 2021 and V.R. Shivakumar of ‘Vijayavani,’ Hunsur for his report titled ‘Jopadiyalle Jeevana Bandi’ and Deepak Sagar of ‘Vijayavani,’ Shivamogga for his report titled ‘Kaggadalli Mulugida Meghaane Vanavasigalu’ jointly for the year 2022.
Executive Editor of ‘Mysuru Digantha’ Ghanavantha Malali was present on the occasion.
Special Awards were conferred on K.N. Tilak Kumar of ‘Deccan Herald’ for the year 2019, Vijay Sankeshwar of ‘Vijayavani’ for the year 2020, H.R. Ranganath of ‘Public TV’ for 2021 and economic expert Susheela Subramanyam for the year 2022.
Annual awards for the year 2019 were given to R. Manoj of ‘Kasturi TV,’ Chamarajanagar district, Sudarshan Chinnangihalli, ‘Vijaya Karnataka’ and H.V. Kiran, ‘TV9,’ Hassan, Kenche Gowda, ‘Vijaya Karnataka,’ Mandya and Anantha Shayana, ‘Shakti,’ Kodagu.
Annual awards for the year 2020 were given to Dharnesh Bookanakere, ‘Digvijaya News’ and senior journalist D.L. Lingaraju, Mandya, Nagesh Panathale, ‘Vijaya Karnataka’ and senior journalist Mahesh Machaiah, Kodagu, B.R. Udaykumar, ‘The New Indian Express’ and G. Prakash, ‘Vijaya Karnataka,’ Hassan and Mullur Raju, ‘Vijayavani,’ Mysuru.
Annual Awards for the year 2021 were given to A.M. Suresh of ‘Udayavani,’ Mysuru, Mohan, ‘Vishwavani’ and Mullur Shivaprasad, ‘Andolana,’ Nanjangud, K.P. Nagaraj, ‘Public TV’ and Shankar Bennur, ‘The Hindu.’
Annual Awards for the year 2022 were given to K.B. Ramesh Nayak, ‘Andolana,’ Chamarajanagar, Ravi Nakalgod, ‘Hello Hassan,’ Hassan and Somashekar Keragodu of ‘Kemmugilu,’ Mandya.
President of Karnataka Media Academy K. Sadashiva Shenoy delivered the welcome address.
N. Manjunath Prasad, Principal Secretary of the Department of Information and Public Relations and Dr. P.S. Harsha, Commissioner, Department of Information and Public Relations, were present during the awards presentation ceremony.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 14th, 2023
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