Former Vice-President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu, who arrived in the city last evening, left for Madikeri this morning.
Venkaiah Naidu, accompanied by his wife M. Usha, landed at Mysore Airport from Chennai at 6.45 pm last evening and drove straight to Government Guest House at Nazarbad, where he stayed overnight. During his stay, the jurisdictional Nazarbad Police provided security as per protocol.
He left for Madikeri by a helicopter from Mysore Airport today at 10.15 am and landed at the helipad at Timbertales, Kedakal, Modur Post, Madikeri, at 11 am, from where he will travel by road to Madikeri & stay at Green Park.
Later, he will take part in Coorg Cultural Programmes at Green Park and stay for the night. Tomorrow (Feb. 15), he will take part in 90th birthday celebrations of Atluri Purnachandra Rao at Green Park, followed by Karnatak Cultural programmes.
He will stay at Green Park, Madikeri, till Feb. 18. He will depart Madikeri by a helicopter at 11 am on Feb. 18 and land at Mysore Airport at 11.50 am, from where he will travel to Government Guest House in Nazarbad.
Later, Naidu will depart Mysuru for Bengaluru by Shatabdi Express train at 2.15 pm on Feb. 18. Upon reaching Bengaluru, Naidu will stay at Loka Bhavan (formerly Raj Bhavan), till Feb. 21.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / February 14th, 2026
As a part of its commitment in honouring the legacy of the framers of the Constitution of India, The Constitution Museum & The Rights and Freedoms Academy, O.P. Jindal Global University commemorates the 115th Birth Anniversary of Shri C.M. Poonacha by curating an exhibition in his memory. Shri Poonacha, a Member of the Constituent Assembly, served independent India as the Chief Minister of Coorg, the Union Minister of Railways and as the Governor of Madhya Pradesh and later Odisha.
The exhibition displays original photographs capturing various moments of Shri Poonacha’s life, epistles, books, constitutional and other official documents, and other memorabilia belonging to Shri Poonacha. The exhibition also features a historically significant ampoule containing the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi, which Shri Poonacha received and kept in reverence throughout his life.
In the Constituent Assembly Shri Poonacha made impactful contributions in the Provincial Constitution Committee and the Committee on Chief Commissioners’ Provinces. In the Assembly Debates, Sri Poonacha articulated the significance of the Coorg Province in the emerging federal structure of India. He also advocated for a measured degree of autonomy to the provinces, emphasizing the importance of preserving the cultural and political identity of Coorg while remaining firmly anchored in the unity of India.
Inaugurating the exhibition, Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University stated that, “The Constitution Museum and the Rights and Freedoms Academy—India’s first museum dedicated to the constitution—remain deeply committed to honouring the legacies of each of the 300 members of the Constituent Assembly. Entering the fourth quarter of the century leading up to 100 years of Indian Independence, we carry a moral responsibility to contribute to nation-building. Through these exhibitions, we strive to continually remind the people of India about the dreams of a bygone generation—their unwavering dedication to the nation and profound commitment to justice and liberty. In doing so, the Constitution Museum at JGU fulfils its purpose as vital educational space for cultivating constitutional morality”. In April 2025, the Museum hosted a similar exhibition in memory of Shri R. Sankar, the member of the Constituent Assembly from Travancore-Cochin. The present exhibition will remain open for the public from 15th to 18th October 2025.
The exhibition commenced, with an engaging panel discussion titled “C.M. Poonacha: A Constitutional Exemplar: In the Words of His Children” which set the tone for an insightful exploration of Shri Poonacha’s legacy.
Speaking in the panel discussion inaugurating the exhibition, and remembering their father’s legacy, Mr. C.P. Belliappa, son of Shri Poonacha, and Mrs. Vijaya Muthanna and Dr. Kaveri Nambisan, daughters of Shri Poonacha, observed that “Our father upheld constitutional values in all aspects of life. He was a man of principles who never compromised his ethics for his personal gains—he left his education to participate in the national movement heeding to Mahatma Gandhi’s call. Throughout his life he remained a true Gandhian—he believed in the power of satyagraha, ahimsa, and social upliftment of masses. He held Coorg close to his heart yet not forgetting his primary allegiance to the nation”.
The exhibition will close on the 18th October 2025.
(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with O.P. Jindal Global University and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR
This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
source: http://www.thewire.in / The Wire / Home> English / by PTI PRNEWS / October 16th,2025
On being alerted by residents of Palangala village, officials from the Departments of Mines and Geology, Revenue and Forest reached the spot on August 1 for an on-site inspection.
A representational photo of officials inspecting a landslide-prone area in Kodagu district of Karnataka. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A landslip was reported to have taken place about five days ago at Palangala village in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district in Karnataka. The area is bereft of human habitation.
According to a statement by the tahsildar of Virajpet taluk, no humans, houses or public property was affected by the landslip, while adding that there is no reason for people to panic.
On being alerted by residents of Palangala village, officials from the Departments of Mines and Geology, Revenue and Forest reached the spot on August 1 for an on-site inspection.
According to their preliminary observation, the landslip occurred from the hills of the forest in Makutta Matri range of the Western Ghats, in Palangala village. The soil, rocks and trees that had slid due the landslip reached the government-owned land in Palangala village that is spread across 341 acres.
The villagers as well as the officials estimate that the landslip might have occurred about five days ago.
Kodagu is among a few districts in Karnataka that had reported sustained rainfall in July.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / The Hindu Bureau / August 0nd, 2025
“Paddy fields have disappeared, there is a flat land devoid of trees for nearly 2 km, we cannot identify the spots we were so familiar with, and roads have simply vanished for long stretches. A few houses have survived.”
This is what one batch of 12 survivors from Makkandur in Kodagu district had to say on Tuesday as they retraced the steps to what was once their home. For them, the weary trudge was as excruciating as the ordeal of landslips and floods they had faced on Friday.
The walk to Makkandur from their relief camps near Madikeri took them almost half a day; normally, it would have taken a few minutes by car.
“The road to Makkandur no longer exists. For every few steps that we took forward and climbed what was once a familiar terrain, we were forced to turn round and rework our route,” said Jagdeep, a coffee plantation owner who was among the first batch of residents to be evacuated when disaster hit the village.
Along with a few others, he set out to assess the damage on Tuesday and returned shocked by the trail of destruction.
The group was greeted by yawning gaps in the road that had deep crevices, to circumvent which they had to climb adjoining hills that were still slippery and wet. Meanwhile, there was no let-up in the slush sliding down the hillocks.
Every step the group took was dangerous. They walked, stunned to find out that farms and plantations had given way to vast puddles of slush. “The adjoining government land which had 120 to 150 houses, accommodating plantation workers, have completely disappeared,” said a sombre Mr. Jagdeep.
Though a few houses have survived, they are surrounded by hillocks that no longer appeared stable. The walk back from Makkandur to their relief camp was even more treacherous. “Our mind was numb as we were convinced that the village we knew no longer existed; reconstruction was a long haul ahead.”
With the rains having ebbed a little, more and more people staying in relief camps are embarking on journeys to ascertain first-hand the damage to their villages.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent The Hindu / August 22nd, 2022
Buttiyanda D. Mandappa (Prabhu), retired Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) Superintendent of Police (SP), Mysuru District and a resident of Nangala village, Bittangala Post in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district, passed away yesterday. He was 78.
He leaves behind his wife Vimala (Poodrimada), daughter Allumada Swagi Naveen and a host of relatives and friends.
Mandappa was a prominent officer in the Special Task Force (STF), which was formed to eliminate forest brigand Veerappan. He had sustained injuries in the shootout which took place on Aug. 14, 1992, in which SP Harkrishna and Sub-Inspector Shakeel Ahmed were martyred.
Mandappa was a recipient of the President and Chief Minister’s Medal for his meritorious service. Last rites were held at Nangala village this afternoon, according to family sources.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>News / December 01st, 2025
The scientist behind first genetic study of Kodavas
Mysore/Mysuru:
Prof. B.K. Thelma, the scientist behind first genetic study of Kodavas (Coorgs), is Coorg Person of the Year-2025. The origin of Kodavas in the State of Karnataka has been a standing riddle for ethnologists all these years.
The credit for solving the mystery behind the origin of Kodavas should go to Kodagu-born Prof. Buttiyanda Kuttapa Thelma and her team.
Carrying out a systematic sampling of the Kodavas from across Kodagu, using the available genetic analytical tools, Prof. Thelma and her team have been successful in publishing a scientific paper on the genetic makeup of the Kodavas.
The selection of ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ is made on the basis of a poll conducted through Kodagu’s first news and tourism portal www.coorgtourisminfo.com, promoted by journalist and author P.T. Bopanna.
Prof. Thelma stands tall in the landscape of Indian genetics and genomics research. When she decided to take up research on human genetics, it was nearly an uncharted territory in India. But today, she is one of the country’s leading experts in human genetics and related fields and has made notable contributions.
Aged around 70, Prof. Thelma, who belongs to the Kodava community known for their uniqueness in many ways, including their dress code and cuisine, must have motivated her to study the roots of her own community.
Born in Madikeri to late Buttiyanda Ganapathy Kuttapa and Manavattira Muthamma Machia, Prof. Thelma was raised in a very loving, caring and progressive family. They lived in a house in Madikeri town with a large backyard, which provided a warm and nurturing environment.
Prof. Thelma completed her schooling in Madikeri at St. Joseph’s Convent. She recalled, “In Class X, I was the only one in my school to get first class in all four parts. The next big decision was which subject I should take in college. My father wanted me either to do Master’s in Maths or join the IAS, but my heart was elsewhere. It was my dream to become a doctor. To this day, the sight of a doctor treating his patients fascinates me.”
She then moved to Bengaluru to join the Mount Carmel College and later the Central College, Bengaluru, for higher studies. After her post-graduation, she chose to avail a research fellowship at the University of Delhi to do a Ph.D. She received her doctorate in 1982.
Thereafter, Prof. Thelma had a brief stint as a post-doctoral fellow at the children’s hospital in Basel, Switzerland, where she had an opportunity to work with human samples — almost a dream starting to be realised, in her words.
She travelled extensively and learnt as much as possible during those couple of years. With the unwavering decision to return to the country, she headed back to Delhi University where she worked as a CSIR Pool Officer and Research Associate.
In 1987, she got a faculty position in the Department of Genetics at the University of Delhi where she continued till her superannuation. Currently she continues to serve as a Professor and National Science Chair at the same place.
All through these years of Prof. Thelma’s research interest in biomedical genetics, the genetic history of the Kodavas has been her enduring interest. The study, though she says is not complete yet, provides some insights into the intriguing origin of Kodavas.
She is a recipient of several awards — to name a few, CNR Rao Lifetime Achievement Award from Karnataka S&T Academy (2021); Meritorious Service Award from University of Delhi (2021); National Science Chair (2021-2026); JC Bose Fellowship (2011-2021); SP Raychaudhuri Endowment Lecture Award, Indian Society of Cell Biology (2018); Sanghvi Oration Award, Indian Society of Human Genetics (2015); Sunder Lal Hora Medal, Indian National Science Academy (2014).
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 30th, 2025
Mysuru Book Clubs Charitable Trust had organised the release of ‘Soul to the World: An Anthology of Poems’ by Dubai-based poet Kirthana Uthappa Jaisimha, at a private hotel yesterday. The book explores themes of inner peace, emotional growth and spiritual evolution. The poems celebrate nature, humanity and wildlife, while emphasising the importance of embracing emotions.
The book was released by Maneyapanda Mothi Uthappa. The first copies were received by Trust Chairperson Shubha Sanjay Urs, Trustee Kitty Mandana and Sumy Uthappa. The book is dedicated to the poet’s mother on her 70th birthday.
Kirthana’s poetry draws from her experiences as a mother, wife and individual. A self-described dreamer and believer, she values time, purpose and meaningful relationships, and hopes her words inspire readers to pause, reflect and remember.
Trust Member Shanthala compered the programme, while Prof. Krishna Manavalli was in conversation with the poet. Granddaughters Tiara Muddappa and Saanvi Jaisimha introduced their grandparents.
Vidya Arun, S. Prithvi, Hita and Pamela Sanath welcomed the gathering and proposed a vote of thanks.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 29th, 2026
Several parents, students and residents of villages across Kodagu participating in a protest against closure of government schools under the KPS Magnet scheme at Kushalnagar, in Kodagu district on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Several parents, students and villagers from across Kodagu district participated in a protest against closure of government schools under the KPS Magnet scheme at Mahila Samaja Bhavan in Kushalnagar on Sunday. The protest was organised by All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) and Save Public Education Committee to oppose the reported closure of 235 government schools in Kodagu district under the KPS Magnet scheme.
Addressing the gathering, AIDSO’s state treasurer Subhash Bettadakoppa claimed that the Government was closing 235 schools under the pretext of merging them into just five selected Magnet schools situated in Kushalnagar, Kudige, Shirangala, Gonikoppal and Kutta.
“Kodagu is a hilly region with no bus facilities for many villages. During the four months of heavy monsoon, it is impossible for small children of Class 1 and 2 to walk 5-6 kilometers. If this scheme is implemented, children of coffee estate workers and adivasis living on the forest fringes, and children of poor farmers will be deprived of education,” he said.
AIDSO’s State vice president Abhaya Diwakar, who also addressed the gathering, alleged that the previous BJP Government attempted to close 13,800 government schools in the name of ‘merging’. “However, back then, we saved those schools through state-wide struggles,” he said.
Now, the current Congress government is proposing to shut 40,000 schools under the KPS Magnet Scheme. “The ultimate goal of all governments seems to be closing public schools and snatching education away from poor students,” he said.
Questioning the government’s financial priorities, Mr. Diwakar alleged that the government is opening KPS Magnet schools by taking a loan of ₹2,500 crore from the Asian Development Bank. “Has the government reached such a dire state that it must borrow from private and international banks to run government schools? Is the tax we pay not enough?” he said.
He also added that the KPS Magnet scheme violates the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which mandates a primary school within every kilometer, and alleged that the Magnet scheme is a ploy to privatise schools through outsourcing.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bettadakoppa also pointed out that 62,000 posts of teachers are currently vacant in the state while over 7,000 schools are run by single teachers and 23,000 school buildings need urgent repairs. “Instead of providing basic infrastructure, the government is letting schools languish and closing them through the back door,” he alleged.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / March 29th, 2026
St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, won the Sachi Ponnamma Memorial Hockey Cup organised by MYCAS College in city recently.
The final match was played between Coorg Institute of Technology (CIT Team: Agni), Ponnampet and St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru. Displaying remarkable teamwork and determination, St. Joseph’s University emerged as champions followed by CIT (second) and Cauvery College (Team: Commando), Virajpet (third position).
Winners were awarded a cash prize of Rs. 15,000 while 1st runners-up received Rs.10,000 and 2nd runners-up Rs. 5,000 along with medals and certificates.
Best Player of the Tournament was awarded to Nanamanda Sathvik from CIT and Best Goalkeeper to Koothanda Gyan from St. Joseph University.
Mukkatira Karthik Nachappa, Director of Hockey Mysore, witnessed the tournament held under the guidance of Harshith Gowda and MYCAS Sports Wing. Dr. G. Ramacharan, Director (Operations), UG College Principal Dr. J. Thekkade Ramya, PU College Principal C. Archana, teaching and non-teaching staff were present at the valedictory event.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / March 24th, 2026
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