Category Archives: Uncategorized

On the happiness lane

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Uncategorized
Harshika Poonacha
Harshika Poonacha

Actor Harshika Poonacha began her career at the age of 15 in the Kannada film industry. She has acted in all the Southern language industries. Harshika is remembered for her memorable performances ‘Jackie’ with Puneeth Rajkumar, ‘Thamassu’ with Shivarajkumar and Yash, ‘Advaitha’ with Ajai Rao and ‘Crazyloka’ with V Ravichandran in Kannada. She has also worked on a few projects in Telugu and Tamil languages. She won the State Award for ‘Best Actress’ for ‘Thamassu’. She has also made an appearance in ‘Big Boss’ with actor Sudeep and ‘Super Minute’ with actor Ganesh. Harshika will soon be seen playing interesting roles in ‘Chitte’ in Kannada and ‘Charminar’ in Malayalam.

“I usually never get a weekend all to myself but whenever I do, I make the best of it. My tight work schedule makes it impossible for me to indulge in things that I enjoy doing, so weekends give me a chance to take a break from the routine and spend time with my family and friends. I make sure that I don’t rush through the weekend and take time to enjoy whatever I am doing.

I am a huge movie buff. There have been weekends when I have watched at least four movies in a day. I have learnt a lot about acting and the art of making films just by watching movies. There are a few actors whose style and work is worth emulating. I admire Urmila Matondkar for her ‘oomph factor’ and I have even made videos of her songs. I also enjoy watching the movies of Madhuri Dixit Nene and Kareena Kapoor Khan.

Weekends are the time I slip into a lazy mode. Some of my Saturdays start with an early morning run and a round of swimming at a club. This sets the tone for an eventful weekend.

I try to pack in a lot of variety into my weekends. I enjoy doing up the interiors of my home and adding colour to every corner. I shop for home decor and sometimes change the cover of the couch and the wall paint as well. I do this to overcome the monotony of being in familiar surroundings.

I love automobiles. I picked up a passion for bikes and cars from my father. I still cherish the days when I was taken on short rides by my father and I would be so eager to hold the handle of the bike and steer it. My father too wouldn’t hesitate to let me hold it. I now own a bike and I ride it occasionally.

Cooking is another favourite pastime during the weekend. I don’t mean to praise myself but I am a good cook and an experimental one at that. I make ‘Mutton biryani’ and ‘Ghee rice’ with ‘Chicken curry’, mutton and liver preparations in Coorgi style. In the sweets category, I make ‘Mysore Pak’, ‘Holige’, ‘Kaju Barfi’ and ‘Gulab jamuns’. I don’t believe in going by the recipe book but do my own research for some interesting recipes. My mother and aunt have helped me develop an interest in cooking.

I am not a party person and have a handful of close friends. I hang out a lot with Reshma Kunhi. She’s my best friend and I enjoy spending time with her. My friends and I usually go out for movies and wrap up our outings with a dinner. And if we are in a mood for some desserts, then we head straight to J W Marriott. They have the finest of midnight desserts.

I try to make time for all the things that I love doing on weekends because it makes me feel happy and stay positive.”

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Metrolife / by Nina C. George / DH News Service / December 07th, 2017

Little scientists showcase talents at Children’s Science Congress

Uncategorized
Students showcase their talents at the Childrens science Congress.
Students showcase their talents at the Childrens science Congress.

The district-level 25th Children’s Science Congress was organised by the departments of Science and Technology and Education at Rotary Children’s Science Centre here on Wednesday.

The Science Congress was meant for primary and High School students. The students presented project reports on ‘sustainable development through Science and Technology’ based on local issues.

The topics included natural resources, cleanliness and hygiene, agriculture, environmental conservation and waste management.

Inaugurating the convention, District Scouts and Guides Patron K T Mathew called upon students to develop a scientific temper. He added that students should know about the research, inventions and achievements of veteran scientists.

State Pollution Control Board Regional Office Environment Officer G R Ganeshan, Rotary Misty Hills president H T Anil and Vijnana Parishat district committee Secretary T G Premkumar also spoke.

10 best teams in the district-level will take part in the state-level Science Congress to be held in Mysuru from November 29 to December 1. The first 30 teams getting selected in the state-level will be eligible to take part in the National Children’s Science Congress to be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat between December 27 and 31.

District Committee Vice President M E Mohiddin, Kodagu Vidyalaya Bharatiya Vidya Bhavana, Madikeri, Principal E Shrinivasan and Education Coordinator G Shreeharsha were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DH News Service / Madikeri – November 22nd, 2017

Dalit worker in Kodagu freed from bonded labour

Agriculture, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Uncategorized

His employer had let loose dogs on him

A Dalit worker in Kodagu, whose employer let loose dogs on him for quitting work, has been liberated from bonded labour.

Harish, 30, who had quit working in the Paruvangada Kishen’s coffee beans godown at Balale village in Kodagu’s Virajpet taluk, was allegedly bundled into a jeep by Kishen and his associate Madhu on August 30 and tied up in a shed where three dogs were reportedly let loose on him.

Mr. Harish had suffered injuries on his head, shoulder and hand. The accused later took Harish in their vehicle and left him near Balale hospital before the public admitted him to the hospital.

Following a complaint by R. Siddaraju, State coordinator, Human Rights Forum for Dalit Liberation, the Assistant Commissioner and Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Madikeri Sub-Division conducted a probe.

The inquiry had revealed that Harish had been forced to work in Kishen’s godown against his wishes. Kishen had forced Harish to work saying he owed him interest on borrowed money, the enquiry said.

‘Deprived freedom to move around’

By abducting him and assaulting him, the accused had deprived Harish of his freedom to move around, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate said, while issuing a Certificate for Release from Bonded Labour on November 14, 2017.

During inquiry, Harish said he had been working in the godown for ₹200 a day and was paid his wages weekly. Though Harish had taken a loan of ₹10,000 to go to Sabarimala, the dues had been cleared on return. However, long working hours (7 a.m. to 2 a.m.) and other problems made him quit and join another coffee estate as an employee, which angered the accused.

Meanwhile, Harish lodged a complaint with the Kodagu police after recovering from his injuries.

In September, the Kodagu police arrested the accused, who were later remanded in judicial custody. Presently, the accused are out on bail.

The Certificate for Release of Bonded Labour entitles Harish to immediate compensation of ₹20,000 from the government, and financial assistance of ₹80,000 upon conviction of the accused.

Meanwhile, the International Justice Mission (IJM), in a statement, said bonded labourers often face extreme violence and exploitation. IJM’s William Christopher said the victim was traumatised and still feared for his life.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 21st, 2017

Stage set for Cauvery Theerthodhbhava today

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

It will occur at around 12.35 p.m.

All roads will lead to Talacauvery where the Cauvery Theerthodhbava has been scheduled for Tuesday.

A large number of devotees from the State and outside the State are expected to gather at the hill temple in Kodagu district to witness the event, which is slated around 12.35 p.m.

With the Theerthodbhava happening in the afternoon this year, devotees are expected to turn out in big numbers and the Kodagu district administration has accordingly made arrangements. The road to Talacauvery has been repaired and Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent D’Souza has reviewed the preparations for the event.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – October 17th, 2017

Good show by 12 schools in Kodagu in SSLC examination

Records, All, Uncategorized

UthappaKF30sept2017
Uthappa of General Thimayya school emerges first in the district

Madikeri:

K.S. Uthappa of General K.S. Thimayya Public School here emerged first in the SSLC examination in Kodagu, securing 96.96 per cent marks. Kodagu is ninth among the districts in the State in the SSLC examination results. Kodagu has improved its performance compared to last year where it secured 18th position in the State.

Uthappa scored 606 out of 625 marks. Nivedita Shenoy from Lions School, Gonicoppa, emerged second with 604 marks (96.64 per cent), while Numan J.A. from Jnanajyoti School in Murnad secured third place with 603 marks (96.48 per cent).

In Kodagu, 7,259 students, including repeaters, appeared for the examination and 5,656 of them passed. Among the freshers, 5,629 passed. Of the 7,259 students who had appeared for the examination, 2,682 were boys. As many as 258 students achieved distinctions, 2,094 first class, 1,520 second class and 1,777 pass. Kodagu also achieved another distinction of no case of examination malpractice.

According to information from the office of the Deputy Director of Public Instruction here, 12 schools in the district achieved cent per cent results. They are Lions School in Gonicoppa, Lourdes High School in Polibetta, St. Thomas School in Gonicoppa, Sarvadaivata English Medium School at Aruvatoklu in Gonicoppa, Rotary English Medium School in Bittangala, St. Mary’s English Medium School in Sunticoppa, Sacred Heart English Medium School in Shanivarasante, Shantiniketan High School in Kodagaralli, Morarji Desai Model Residential School in Basavanahalli, Anglo Vernacular High School in Nelliahudikeri, and Sri Shivakumaraswamy Girls’ High School in Kirikodlimath in Somwarpet taluk and Jyoti High School at Peraje in Madikeri taluk.

Virajpet taluk in Kodagu emerged first in pass percentage among freshers with 83.03. Of the 2,051 students, who had appeared for the examination, 1,703 passed. Nivedita Shenoy (604 marks), Dixit (602) and M.D. Somanna (598), all from Lions School, Gonicoppa, finished first, second and third, respectively.

Madikeri taluk is second where 2,086 students appeared for the examination and 1,703 of them passed (81.64 per cent). K.S. Uthappa (606) from General K.S. Thimayya School here emerged first, followed by Numan J.A. (603) of Jnanajyoti School in Murnad and Shreyas Bangera (600) of St. Michael’s School here.

In Somwarpet taluk, of the 2,816 students, 2,223 passed (78.94 per cent).

Pavana P.S. (587) from St. Mary’s School in Sunticoppa emerged first in the taluk, followed by Yatin (586) of Sacred Hearts High School in Shanivarasante, and Shishira (578) of St. Joseph’s School in Somwarpet.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / May 03rd, 2009

World’s costliest coffee made with cat-poop is now available in India. Here’s where you can get a hot cuppa

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Uncategorized, World Opinion

Take your love for cats to the next level by consuming their faeces. Yes, coffee made out of cat poop is now available in India.

What happens when you take your love for cats to the next level? You consume their faeces. Yes, you read that right. Civet coffee is the most expensive coffee in the world and is made from the excreta of civet cats. India has recently delved into the production of this purr-fect coffee and we’re pretty excited. The production will start at a very small scale at Coorg in Karnataka. Being the third largest producer of coffee, we gotta try out everything that’s out there, right. If you’re wondering what this coffee looks like, here you go:

CivetKF18sept2017

Here’s the icky part: The coffee is made by getting the civet cat to ingest coffee beans. Then the cat’s poop is collected and processed. Why would someone do that, you ask? And WHY is this cat-poop thingy the most expensive coffee on the planet? Well, this coffee is considered more nutritious than other varieties of coffee and there are a lot of certifications involved too. The cat eats the flesh off of the coffee berries and not the actual bean plus the enzymes in the cat’s stomach enhance the bean flavour and that’s why this coffee is such a big hit all over the world!

A startup called Coorg Consolidated Commodities is producing this cat poop coffee and they’ve also decided to open up a café to serve this coffee locally! This coffee is presently being sold locally under the name ‘Ainmane’ and is available only at the Club Mahindra Resort at Madikeri for Rs 8,000 per kg.

source: http://www.inuth.com / inUth.com / Home> Lifestyle> Food / by Fukres / September 14th, 2017

Siteless asked to enrol their names

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Uncategorized

Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent D’Souza asked the homeless and the siteless to enrol their names with the district administration.

Chairing a Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe committee meeting at deputy commissioner’s office in Madikeri on Sunday, he said the district administration has a target to provide 1,000 sites to the needy.

But only 300 have registered their names so far. They need to submit their name, address, ration card and the proof of their residence in any of the districts. He said it has been decided to distribute around 1,000 title deeds to the beneficiaries under 94C. The district in-charge minister will distribute the facilities in a programme to be held in the next month.

Fisheries department senior assistant director K T Darshan said the families belonging to backward castes have been living in tents in Harangi Backwaters area. They should be provided with sites.

The deputy commissioner asked the officials to identify the lands for Ambedkar Bhavan in every hobli. The Revenue department officials have been told to identify 25 to 50 gunte land, he said.

Assistant commissioner Dr Nanjundegowda, district social welfare officer Mayadevi Galagali, ITDP officer Prakash, taluk panchayat executive officer Padnekar and taluk social welfare officer Ramegowda were present.

Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent D’Souza asked the homeless and the siteless to enrol their names with the district administration.

Chairing a Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe committee meeting at deputy commissioner’s office in Madikeri on Sunday, he said the district administration has a target to provide 1,000 sites to the needy.

But only 300 have registered their names so far. They need to submit their name, address, ration card and the proof of their residence in any of the districts. He said it has been decided to distribute around 1,000 title deeds to the beneficiaries under 94C. The district in-charge minister will distribute the facilities in a programme to be held in the next month.

Fisheries department senior assistant director K T Darshan said the families belonging to backward castes have been living in tents in Harangi Backwaters area. They should be provided with sites.

The deputy commissioner asked the officials to identify the lands for Ambedkar Bhavan in every hobli. The Revenue department officials have been told to identify 25 to 50 gunte land, he said.

Assistant commissioner Dr Nanjundegowda, district social welfare officer Mayadevi Galagali, ITDP officer Prakash, taluk panchayat executive officer Padnekar and taluk social welfare officer Ramegowda were present.

Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent D’Souza asked the homeless and the siteless to enrol their names with the district administration.

Chairing a Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe committee meeting at deputy commissioner’s office in Madikeri on Sunday, he said the district administration has a target to provide 1,000 sites to the needy.

But only 300 have registered their names so far. They need to submit their name, address, ration card and the proof of their residence in any of the districts. He said it has been decided to distribute around 1,000 title deeds to the beneficiaries under 94C. The district in-charge minister will distribute the facilities in a programme to be held in the next month.

Fisheries department senior assistant director K T Darshan said the families belonging to backward castes have been living in tents in Harangi Backwaters area. They should be provided with sites.

The deputy commissioner asked the officials to identify the lands for Ambedkar Bhavan in every hobli. The Revenue department officials have been told to identify 25 to 50 gunte land, he said.

Assistant commissioner Dr Nanjundegowda, district social welfare officer Mayadevi Galagali, ITDP officer Prakash, taluk panchayat executive officer Padnekar and taluk social welfare officer Ramegowda were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by DH News Service, Madikeri / July 17th, 2017

What’s your brew?

Coffee News, Uncategorized

CoffeeBrewKF18jun2017

Here’s a lowdown on the new ways to brew your daily cuppa

Upon entering Bengaluru’s The Flying Squirrel, I hear the distinct hum of a coffee roasting machine. The cosy 36-seater café and micro roastery is not just another coffee shop. It is all about artisan coffee. The sharp aroma of freshly-roasted coffee wafts in from the coffee bar, where Ashish D’Abreo, one of the founders of The Flying Squirrel, is brewing a cup of Pour-Over coffee. He looks up briefly, flashes a smile, and explains upon seeing intrigue on my face, that this is among the most popular kinds of brewing.

On a ceramic cup, a thin piece of filter paper is placed. Ashish weighs coffee powder on a swanky-looking weighing machine. “You need about 25 grams of coffee powder,” he explains, and then places the coffee powder on the filter paper, while carefully pouring small amounts of water. “You brew the coffee gradually,” says D’Abreo as he pours the water, starting from the edges of the filter paper in a spiral motion. “In this method, water doesn’t stay with the coffee too long. So it gives a medium body and a very nice aroma.” I sip on it and savour the smooth taste of the coffee.

But the heat makes enjoying a hot cuppa rather difficult. If you still need your caffeine fix, then there is always cold brew, which, informs D’Abreo, is not very well known; but people in India are beginning to understand it. “When you heat coffee, you get a certain acidity. There’s a gentleness and sweetness to cold brewed coffee. For about 200 grams of coffee, you put one litre water. The coffee powder has to be coarsely ground. Let the coffee stay in the cold water for about 14 hours. Soluble coffee bleaches into the water. After 14 hours, strain this out,” he says.

Then there is moka pot, also known as macchinetta, which means small machine. “Put water into the bottom shaper. Put filter coffee on the filter basket with ground coffee, tamp it lightly, screw on the lower chamber, place it on a flame for 35 to 40 seconds. Pressure builds up the chamber and coffee goes up through the device.”

Air play

The next is AeroPress. “The coffee powder used for the AeroPress is slightly coarser than the one used in a moka pot. Lock in one spoon of coffee powder. Wet the coffee a little bit, making the coffee soak in a lot more. Leave it for a few seconds. Then fill water till level one. Give it a quick stir and create an air lock. For espresso, leave it for 30 seconds, for black coffee one minute, and for coffee with milk and sugar, a minute and a half.” Then with a bit of force, D’Abreo presses down the device, saying: “and the coffee is ready.”

At The Flying Squirrel, coffee is freshly roasted and ground everyday and retailed across the country; it is sold across the counter as well as ordered online on www.flyingsquirrel.in. The coffee is grown in their estates in Coorg in Karnataka. Tej Thammaiah, the other founder, belongs to the Ajjikuttira family, and is a third-generation farmer, who is at the helm of affairs in the Nellikad estate where coffee is grown, along with pepper, vanilla, citrus fruits, avocados, ginger and honey.

“Roasted coffee is perishable,” informs D’Abreo, “It is best to consume it within a month.” He goes on to add that the coffee we get at stores is roasted months in advance. “Our coffee is roasted not more than days back. It is dispatched at the earliest.”

As to the question of the many varieties of coffee preparations that keep coming up, D’Abreo replies: “Dark roast is the easiest way to camouflage the flaws in your coffee.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style> Food / Sravasti Datta / June 08th, 2017

Army recruitment rally in Madikeri to be held from May 29 to June 2

Business & Economy, Uncategorized

Army recruitment rally will be held at the district stadium here from May 29 to June 2.
Addressing media here on Wednesday, Col Jaideep Sharma of recruitment division (Karnataka and Kerala), said, the rally is open for the eligible candidates from Kodagu, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts, Kolar, Tumakuru, Ramanagaram, Chikkaballapur, Ballari and Chitradurga districts. Those in the age-group of 17 years and six months and 23 years are eligible to take part.

During the rally, the candidates will be considered for the posts of soldier general duty, steno, storehouse keeper technical, soldier technical, attender, assistant, tradesman (dresser, decorator, steward and carpenter).Inerested candidates may enrol their names on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in and download the ID card 10 days ahead of the rally. The enrolment has started from March 30.

Explaining about the recruitment procedure, Sharma said, in the initial stage physical tests will be conducted where the candidates have to run a distance of 1,600 metres. It will be followed by pull-ups, medical examination. The doctors from Bengaluru will examine the candidates for any medical disorders. If the experts rule out any problems, the candidates will be allowed to take written exams to be conducted on the last Sunday in the month of July and August.

The candidates, belonging to the family of ex-servicemen and serving personnel, should submit a certificate that they had not obtained any facilities during recruitment rallies conducted in the past. The candidates from NCC background will get bonus marks during the written exams. No cellphones and wrist watches are allowed during exams. Food and water should not be taken inside the hall.

Those having natural moles below knee will be considered for the rally. The candidates wi-th tatoos on any part of the body are not allowed. The recruitment process will be conducted in a transparent manner.

In-charge Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal,  Department of Sainik Welfare and Re-settlement Joint Director Geetha M Shetty were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS, April 06th, 2017