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24th AGM of Sri Kavery Kodava Association, Mysuru East held

Mysore/Mysuru:

The 24th Annual General Body Meeting of Sri Kaveri Kodava Association, Mysuru East, located in Vidyashankara Layout, Sathagalli, was held under the leadership of Association President, Kademada M. Belliappa recently.

The meeting took place at the Association’s Hall, situated within the premises of Kodagu Model School on Kaveri Road in Vidyashankara Layout, Mysuru.

Association Secretary P.A. Devaiah presented the annual report while Treasurer P.T. Charmanna placed the financial report.

The President explained the Association’s future plans and outlined the development blueprint for school functioning under the Association’s patronage.

C. Manu Subbaiah rendered the invocation. N. Sunil Muthappa compered. P. Padma Bopaiah proposed the vote of thanks.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 11th, 2025

I would like to see more players with me from Karnataka: Poovanna CB

Ahead of the India hockey team’s Australia tour, Poovanna CB, a first-time player from Karnataka, reflects on aspirations for the 2026 World Cup.

Poovanna CB

Bengaluru boy Poovanna CB, a 22-year-old hockey player, originally from Kodagu, has been included in the 24-member national team for the first time. “A couple of years ago, my goal was to be here in the core team. Now that I’m here, I’m just happy to play alongside those I’ve always wanted to play with,” he says, sharing his excitement. “All these players have a lot of experience in the game and I’m learning a lot. I admire Manpreet’s energy, seeing him play like that, Harmanpreet’s consistency and attitude towards the game, Hardik and how hard he plays, and Abhishek and Sukhjeet, who have made a lot of difference for the team in the last couple of years,” he adds, speaking to CE on the hockey field at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) grounds, ahead of his departure with the team to Australia for a four-match series.

The lead-up to the Australia tour has meant rigorous practice for Poovanna, with his days starting early and involving two training sessions before wrapping up in the evenings. He explains, “I get up at 6.30am, freshen up, have breakfast and mentally prepare for the intensity of the day’s training, which starts at 8.30am. Red days are high intensity, orange is a little intensive, and on green days we focus on technicalities and concentration.” In between practice sessions, the youngster has also been pursuing higher studies, “I’ve also been attending online seminars and classes for my MBA and try to read a few chapters of books in between,” he says.

Hailing from Kodagu and being surrounded by a rich hockey culture as a child was how Poovanna first got introduced to the sport. Recalling those early days, he credits his mother with pushing him to pursue the sport further, saying, “As a Kodava, we have huge hockey festivals and my dream as a kid was to play for the family team. I started in Class 5 and would play whenever I got some free time.” He adds, “It was my mom who really wanted to make me something of player. I got selected for one of the first batches in Ashwini Nachappa’s academy. Those three years really helped me grow. The coaches there taught me a lot in terms of my fitness and physicality – I think that’s when I grew up.”

Players from Karnataka and particularly Kodagu, were once a common sight in hockey teams but that hasn’t been the case for the last few years. Poovanna comments, “A few years ago, we had a lot of Karnataka players like Raghunath, SK Uthappa, SV Sunil, in the team which was really nice to see. It is sad that it’s just me now; I would like to see more players with me from Karnataka.” He speculates that the reason may be a lack of opportunities to compete. “We need more exposure tournaments where more players can play and talents can be found. There are hundreds of players and one tournament cannot accommodate them all. In Punjab, things have improved a lot, and there are many opportunities for kids to compete in and showcase their talents,” he says.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Bengaluru / by Mahima Nagaraju / August 12th, 2025

Karnataka SHRC wants Kodagu DC to prevent river pollution

At the same time, the Central Pollution Control Board conducted an inspection and collected water samples from ten distinct locations along the River Cauvery.

The Save Cauvery organization emphasized that untreated waste and sewage effluent from various towns and villages in the district were being discharged into the river, leading to massive contamination. Photo | Express

Madikeri :

The State Human Rights Commission has sought a comprehensive report from the Kodagu deputy commissioner detailing the initiatives undertaken to mitigate pollution in Cauvery and Lakshmana Theertha rivers. This directive follows a complaint lodged with the commission by members of the Save Cauvery River organisation.

The Save Cauvery organization stressed that untreated waste and sewage effluent from various towns and villages in the district were being discharged into the river, resulting in massive contamination. This complaint was later forwarded to the additional chief secretary overseeing the forest department, who instructed an inquiry and requested a detailed report.

At the same time, the Central Pollution Control Board conducted an inspection and collected water samples from ten distinct locations along the River Cauvery.

Laboratory analyses of these samples confirmed the presence of pollutants, including sewage and untreated waste, particularly from the regions of Bhagamandala, Napoklu, Murnad, Kondangeri, Siddapura and Kudige.

The DC has been urged to implement stringent measures to prevent the inflow of waste and sewage into the rivers. The commission also sought a compliance report from the district administration by April 27, 2026.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / November 10th, 2025

Dr. U.T. Uthappa of Kodagu among ‘Top 2% Scientists in World’

Mysore/Mysuru:

Dr. Uluvangada T. Uthappa (Sanju), a native of Kodagu, has been recognised among the ‘Top 2% Scientists in the World (2025 Survey)’ compiled by Stanford University, USA.

The annual list, prepared by Prof. John P.A. Ioannidis of Stanford in collaboration with Elsevier and Scopus, identifies the world’s most influential scientific researchers representing about 2% of all scientists globally. The rankings are based on standardised citation metrics and composite indicators of scientific impact.

Dr. Uthappa is currently serving as a Post-Doctoral Researcher/Scientist at the College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, China. Earlier, he worked as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Chonnam National University (2021-2022) and as a Research Professor at Yeungnam Univer-sity (2022-2023) in South Korea. He obtained his Ph.D in Chemistry from Jain University, Bengaluru, in 2021. His research focuses on addressing global challenges in environment, health, food and agriculture sectors.

He has published over 50 articles in reputed international peer-reviewed journals, with more than 2,300 citations and an H-index of 25. He has also filed two patents in South Korea and one in China.

An extraordinary achiever, Dr. Uthappa is the son of Uluvangada Sabu Thammaiah and Meena, residents of T. Shettigeri, Ponnampet Taluk, Kodagu.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 17th, 2025

Field Hockey : 100 years of Indian Hockey: BP Govinda, hero of 1973 World Cup semi-final win over Pakistan, reflects on two historic victories over arch-rivals

(Courtesy : Hockey India)

India also outclassed Pakistan in the 1975 WC final.

In the last half a decade, the Indian men’s hockey team have bagged two bronze medals at the Olympic Games, and that brought a lot of joy to the fraternity.

India had to wait a bit before experiencing Olympic glory, but that was not the case for a major part of the last 100 years. With 13 medals at the Olympic Games, and three at the World Cup, India is among the most decorated teams in the sport.

Reflecting on India’s glorious history, a two-time World Cup medallist (1973 and 1975) and an Olympic medallist (1972), BP Govinda said, “It is a nice thing and a big achievement that we can celebrate such a glorious 100 years of Indian hockey.

“The journey started all the way back in 1928 with our first Olympic medal, and we are all very happy that Hockey India is making a celebration of this landmark of 100 years.”

Considered to be one of the fastest players during his era, BP Govinda was a crucial part of the Indian team. In 1973, it was his goal that helped India overcome Pakistan in a thrilling semi-final, before they went onto finish with silver.

In the next World Cup in 1975, BP Govinda again played a big role in the team’s success, scoring important goals in the tournament, as India outclassed arch-rivals Pakistan in the final to win the coveted gold medal.

Reflecting on the memories of those World Cup campaigns, BP Govinda said, “1975 World Cup we really outclassed Pakistan in the finals, but before that Malaysia gave us a very tough time in the semi-finals.”

He further added, “When we won the gold medal in 1975 in the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, there is no words to express the feeling. All the members of the Indian team were overjoyed, and there was a lot of emotions, as it was a first World Cup gold medal, and of course we were all very thrilled to stand on the podium.”

Now as a former player, and a fan of the sport, BP Govinda believes the current generation of players should always aim high.

He said, “As a team, the Indian men’s hockey team should always expect a lot from themselves. It is important to be aiming for the top prize, the team should always aim for a gold medal. We have won two bronze medals in the last two Olympics, I hope we can make it better in the next Olympics and World Cups.”

source: http://www.khelnow.com / Khel Now / Home> Field Hockey / by Alex / November 05th, 2025

Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth Commends 19 Karnataka Battalion NCC in Madikeri for Exemplary Youth Development Efforts

On November 5, 2025, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, visited the 19 Karnataka Battalion of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in Madikeri. This visit highlighted the Indian Army’s dedication to fostering youth involvement in nation-building and promoting leadership, discipline, and patriotism among cadets.

Throughout his visit, Lt Gen Seth received a comprehensive briefing on the battalion’s notable history, organizational structure, and major accomplishments since it was formed in 1954. The presentation emphasized the unit’s ongoing achievements in training cadets from various schools and colleges in Karnataka, as well as its exceptional performance in adventure activities, social awareness initiatives, and national-level competitions.

Lt Gen Seth lauded the battalion’s steadfast dedication to the central mission of the National Cadet Corps, which is to develop young men and women into responsible citizens and future leaders for the Armed Forces and the nation. He commended the officers and training staff for their professionalism and commitment to instilling values of discipline, integrity, and service in the cadets.

The General Officer also engaged with a group of distinguished cadets who have represented the battalion at various regional and national events, including the Republic Day Parade, the All India Nau Sainik Camp, and the Thal Sainik Camp. He acknowledged their enthusiasm, confidence, and dedication to serving the nation in diverse roles.

In his address to the cadets, Lt Gen Seth encouraged them to uphold the NCC’s motto of “Unity and Discipline” and to focus their efforts on nation-building and social welfare. He emphasized that the NCC offers an unparalleled platform for character development and leadership training, urging cadets to continue pursuing excellence in all aspects of life.

The visit concluded with Lt Gen Seth expressing his belief that the 19 Karnataka Battalion NCC would maintain its tradition of honor, discipline, and service, making significant contributions to the youth development initiatives of the Indian Armed Forces.

source: http://www.shop.ssbcrack.com / SSB Crack / Home / November 06th, 2025

N.R. Mohalla Kaveri Kodava Okkoota office-bearers

Mysore/Mysuru:

The 25th Annual General Body Meeting  (AGM) of Kaveri Kodava Okkoota, N.R. Mohalla, was held recently at Kodava Samaja premises in Vijayanagar, Mysuru.

Ponjanda Ganapathy, President of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, was the chief guest. Thathanda Biddappa, Acting President and Treasurer, presided.

A two-minute silence was observed to mourn the demise of departed Okkoota members.

The AGM was followed by the election to the Managing Committee and Committee Members of the Okkoota. The new office-bearers are:

Ajjinikanda U. Villy Chittiappa  – President; Aatrangada Praveen Poovanna – Vice-President; Madetira Sunil Somanna – Secretary and Kotera Revathy Kushalappa – Joint Secretary/Treasurer.

Kotera Kushalappa, Kakamada Prabhu, Nerpanda Sannu, Chottemanda Hemavathy Mohan,  Ballyattanda Sarasu Vishwanath and Chotteyanda Smitha – Committee Members.

The day-long meet comprised cultural programmes and prizes were given to winners of various contests.

Hemavathy Mohan and Sangha Members conducted the sports events. Revathy Kushalappa compered.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 05th, 2025

Kodagu farmers protest conversion of farmland into reserve forests

The farmers set fire to the government order notifying conversion of category C and D land and cautioned of indefinite protest if their problems are not addressed by December 5.

Hundreds of farmers adorning green shawls on their shoulders formed a human chain protesting the government order. Photo | Express

Madikeri :

Hundreds of farmers from across the Kodagu formed a human chain at the heart of Somwarpet town to protest the conversion of category C and D land into forest areas.

The farmers alleged that the Forest Department “is devising a conspiracy” to convert farmland into reserved forests through a notification under Section 4.

“This is not just the problem of the farmers of Kodagu, it is a problem across the entire state. The protest will be made a statewide struggle,” declared the protestors.

Somwarpet Raitha Horata Samithi, Raitha Sangha, and Coffee Growers’ Union organised the protest demanding relief with regards to the land issue. Hundreds of farmers adorning green shawls on their shoulders gathered at Somwarpet.

They expressed their anguish that the state and central governments are turning a blind eye despite the daily harassment of the farmers by the Forest Department.

A conference to discuss the issue was later hosted by the farmer leaders.

President of the Raitha Horata Samiti Suresh Chakravarthy, who presided over the meeting, said that the previous governments and officials had not conducted a joint survey. He accused the officials of submitting wrong information by sitting in an AC room.

“Due to the irresponsibility of the officials and the negligence of the governments, farmers have come to the streets today,” he opined.

He demanded the MLAs of the district to intervene and solve the decade-old problem. He alleged foresters of exploiting the farmers by destroying the cultivated crops.

He added, “If Naxalism arises in Kodagu, it is because of the government.”

The farmers set fire to the government order and cautioned of indefinite protest in front of the DC Office in Madikeri if their problems are not addressed by December 5.

Manju Kiran, state executive member of the Karnataka State Farmers’ Association’s Green Army, said that the major JCB parties in the state (Janata Dal, Congress, BJP) are eating away at the people’s land and livelihood.

“Farmers should not trust political parties. They should not salute them. Women farmers should also join the struggle. Only then will the struggle be successful,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / November 03rd, 2025

CM announces Rs. 1 crore grant for Chenanda Cup Hockey-2026

Madikeri:

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday announced a financial grant of Rs. 1 crore for Chenanda Cup Hockey Festival to be held in 2026 in Kodagu district.

Unveiling the Hockey Festival’s logo at his home Office ‘Krishna’ in Bengaluru, the CM praised Kodava community’s deep-rooted association with the sport. 

The 26th Chenanda Cup Hockey will be held at Napoklu from Apr. 5 to May 2, 2026.

“Kodavas mean hockey and hockey means Kodavas,” he remarked, highlighting the region’s legacy of producing national and international-level players, including Asian Games.

Siddaramaiah lauded the Kodava community for preserving its cultural identity while excelling in sports. “Kodava culture has retained its distinctiveness and continues to thrive. It is a matter of pride for our heritage. Their talent and dedication have brought immense honour to the nation,” he said. Pledging Government support, he added, “We will provide Rs. 1 crore for Chenanda Cup Hockey-2026. I will also attend the matches.”

The event was attended by office-bearers of Chenanda Cup, Virajpet MLA and CM’s Legal Advisor Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna, Kodagu District Minister N.S. Boseraju, Ministers Byrathi Suresh and Shivaraj Thangadgi.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / November 04th, 2025

Selected for BCCI’s Cooch Behar U-19 probables

Mysuru:

Kodagu’s Gaurav Appanna Chendanda has earned a coveted spot among the 39 probables shortlisted for the prestigious Cooch Behar Under-19 cricket tournament conducted by the BCCI.

This year he is the only player selected from Kodagu district making this achievement significant for the region.

An all-rounder, Gaurav is a right-arm fast bowler and a right-handed batsman known for his discipline, work ethic and consistent performances. At just 18, he has been pursuing cricket professionally for the past decade.  He is the son of Chendanda Naveen and Reshma couple, who hails from Chembebellur village near Virajpet.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / November 03rd, 2025