Category Archives: Inspiration / Positive News and Features

Talacauvery Water Collected For Jalabhishekha At Ram Temple

Madikeri:

The consecration, known as ‘Prana Pratishtapana,’ of Lord Ram in his child-like form (Ram Lalla) is scheduled to take place in Ram Temple at Ayodhya on Jan. 22. To perform the sacred Jalabhishekha ritual, holy water from the seven rivers (Sapthanadi) is being collected from various locations across the country.

A dedicated team of priests from the Akhila Bharatha Santha Samithi, representing Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kodagu units, visited Talacauvery, the birthplace of River Cauvery, yesterday to collect the sacred water. The water was received from the holy Brahmakundike through meticulous rituals, homas and havanas.

Masilamani Desiga Jnana Sambhandha Swamiji, the Peetadhipathi of Dharmapuram Adheenam in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, conducted special pujas and received the sacred tirtha from the head priest of Talacauvery Temple from the holy Brahmakundike.

The gathering included notable figures such as State President of Akhila Bharatha Santha Samithi and the Guru of Om Sri Math in Mangaluru Mahamandaleshwar Sri Vidyananda Saraswati Swamiji, Co-President Matashree Shivajnanamahi Saraswati, Kodagu District President of Akhila Bharatha Santha Samithi Shri Rajeshnath Ji, Tamil Nadu unit of Akhila Bharatha Santha Samithi President Mahamandaleshwar, Treasurer Garuda Maharaj, Vishwa Hindu Parishad Kodagu District Working President Suresh, Treasurer Sampath Kumar, Kodagu Journalists Association President S. A. Muralidhar and others.

In addition to the water from Sapthanadi, water from the rivers of Nepal, including Bagmati, Narayani, Ganga Sagar, Dudhmati, Kali, Gandaki, Kosi, Kamla, etc., has been collected. These sacred waters will play a significant role in the rituals during the consecration.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 07th, 2023

Digital library carves new hope for cleaning staff in Kodagu

The need to shift to a better job urged Bhavani, a cleaner at the panchayat, to try and apply for the 10th board exams.

Bhavani at the library in Kodagu. (Photo| Express)

Madikeri : 

A digital library in a rural part of Kodagu is helping shape a new life for a panchayat cleaning staff.

Bhavani HD (48), who never had the luxury to attend school, has now completed 10th grade after receiving help at the digital library even as she hopes for a promotion in her 12-year-old career.

A resident of Maldare village in Virajpet taluk, Bhavani hails from a poor family. She did not enjoy the right to attend school during her childhood and started off earning a living by working as a daily wager.

She then applied to work at the Maldare Grama Panchayat and has been working as the cleaning staff there for the past 12 years. She is shortly to be deployed as a civic worker who has to collect and dispose of garbage.

“I cannot lift heavy weights. I have undergone five surgeries including tubal ligation, uterus, piles, appendix, and a leg surgery. I requested a different job profile due to my illness and the then PDO had suggested that I could have applied for an attendee post at the panchayat if I had passed 10th grade,” shared Bhavani.

The need to shift to a better job urged Bhavani to try and apply for the 10th board exams.

“My dream of attaining an attendee post led me to the digital library at the panchayat. I obtained support from the library supervisor Sujitha,” Bhavani said. 

“From the Grama Digi Vikas portal, I helped download the study materials for Bhavani. The study materials are easy to understand and they are in the form of videos. Bhavani visited the library every day and studied for the board exams,” shared Sujitha KV, the library supervisor who learned about the ordeal of Bhavani and stepped in to help. 

For three months, Bhavani spent a few hours every day studying at the library. She wrote the board exams in March last year.

“But I passed only in Kannada. However, by god’s grace, I cleared all the subjects during the supplementary examination,” explained Bhavani.

Following this success, Bhavani is now confident of availing the attendee post.

However, Bhavani has a long fight before she gets to her dream post at the panchayat, as several panchayat members have failed to see her efforts and are demanding a male candidate for the attendee post over Bhavani.

While her hard work led her towards completing the 10th grade, it has not yet paid off due to the unprecedented developments at the panchayat.   

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / January 03rd, 2023

Class eight girl’s project helps save stream in Madikeri

While a majority of science projects are done using the internet, Shreesha went a step ahead, and did a real world project.

Alongside help from other students, Shreesha led an awareness campaign to help preserve the stream | eps

Madikeri :

An honest effort from an eighth grade girl of the government school at Kodagarahalli of Suntikoppa in Kodagu district has helped preserve a local stream.

The work for her science project has now earned the respect of the district administration and district police, who have ordered that CCTV cameras be installed to prevent dumping of waste near the stream.

Shreesha AS, daughter of Suntikoppa residents Shiju and Sandhya, is a student of the Kodagarahalli Suntikoppa Nadu Government High School. She was nominated to represent the school at the 31st National Children’s Science Convention, where she won the ‘Young Scientist’ recognition for her presentation — ‘Pollution across river banks’.

While a majority of science projects are done using the internet, Shreesha went a step ahead, and did a real world project. With the help from her father, she visited the stream near her locality to collect inputs for her project. She surveyed the Haraduru stream, collected details about its importance to the locality. She recorded sound bytes from local residents and learnt that the stream has been the lifeline of the locality for ages. 

Staff deployed near stream to stop littering

The survey, however, also introduced her to the sad state of affairs of the stream where she found loads of plastic and other garbage dumped by its banks. From coffee pulping to plastic waste, the stream was being polluted by a few locals and tourists who visited the spot.

Shreesha compiled the story and submitted a report on the pitiable condition of the water body to the district administration, district police and the local panchayat. Her efforts persuaded SP K Ramarajan to deploy the staff near the stream to stop littering. Further, the administration has ordered the local body to install CCTVs to control garbage dumping at its banks. With the help from her classmates, Shreesha also led an awareness campaign across the locality even as residents were urged to take responsibility in preserving the stream.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / January 01st, 2024

Kodavas must unite to fight for their rights: MLA AS Ponnanna

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Global Kodava Summit organized by the Connecting Kodavas Trust organization in Madikeri on Friday.

Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna. (Photo | Twitter, @ASPonnanna)
Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna. (Photo | Twitter, @ASPonnanna)

Madikeri :

“The Kodava community must unite to fight for the rights. Our ancestors fought to protect our land and culture. Let this fight continue. But fight for your rights and do not mock other communities or religions. Love every community,” called out Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Global Kodava Summit organized by the Connecting Kodavas Trust organization in Madikeri on Friday.

Ponnanna appreciated the efforts of the trust in bringing the community together. He urged the trust to lay a foundation for the rightful voicing of the communities’ needs and said, “Let there be resolutions formed in this summit on what our rights are and what needs to be done to preserve the community. I will extend my full support to attain these resolutions,” he assured.

He opined that political maturity is needed amongst the community to attain support for the fight towards rights. He highlighted that the land problems concerning Jamma land, preservation of gun rights and ethnographic studies are the issues that must be fought unitedly under a strong leadership. He urged for the preservation of the land, nature, culture and relationships.

MLC Shantharam Budna Siddi, who was present as the chief guest, urged the youth to come forward to work for the society. He assured to extend his support in the legislature for the ST tag fight of the Kodavas.

Chethan Singhai, Chief Consultant of the National Curriculum-Ministry of Education, urged the community to focus on education and appreciate the values of culture. He called out to the community to focus on locality that he said is largely rooted in values.

Human activist Rashmi Samath called out to the youngsters to come back to their roots.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / December 30th, 2023

A ‘Thank You’ Letter From Lt. Gen. B.C. Nanda’s Daughter

Sir,

I wish to thank Santhosh Thammaiah for his touching and respectful tribute (“The Soldier who Saved Siachen”) to my late father, Lt. Gen. B.C. Nanda in SOM dated Dec. 26, 2018. I am immensely proud of what my father achieved in his professional career and, most of all, of what he meant to me as a beloved father.

I would, however, like to correct a portion of the account here: My father’s role model was his father, B.S. Chengappa (Chief Conservator of Forests, Andaman Islands) whose extraordinary work and contributions are held in high regard. It is from him that my father’s lifelong association with, and love of, nature and environmental issues came. It was during the early years of his childhood in Andaman Islands that my father’s keen observations of natural life began. This was the bedrock of my father’s interest in nature and environment.

As a young boy of 7, my father was able to assist a visiting English Naturalist in compiling an extensive list of local names for the fish of the Andaman waters — knowledge that he had imbibed through his passion for fishing, combined with a sharp eye and ear for all things in the natural world. Anyone who knew my father would know what an amazingly keen and astute observer of animal and bird life he was.

After my father retired from an illustrious career in the Indian Army in 1989, he devoted tireless hours to various causes, be it the issues and concerns of ex-servicemen, adventure sports foundations, or giving fresh direction and impetus to the Coorg Wildlife Society, to name but a few.

Over the years, my father, on his regular visits to Kodagu, visited Field Marshal Cariappa’s residence, to pay his respects as a nephew.


Also, my parents had always planned to retire in Kodagu.

Thank You once again for this tribute to my father.

– Shalini Nanda Nagappa, Vancouver, Canada, 1.1.2019

Note: I had not met Lt. Gen. Nanda personally, but had seen him from afar and heard about his interaction with people living in remote villages beyond Gaalibeedu. I was told he was visiting Sri Bhadrakali Temple at Monnangeri, staying overnight in the humble house of a local. I heard of Gen. Nanda’s humility and love of nature when I visited his host’s house about five years ago.

My contact with him was mostly per letters on issues concerning Kodagu and Kodavas. On reading his daughter Shalini’s letter, I tried to look for Gen. Nanda’s letters in my file and was able to find just one written by hand. It is an eloquent testimony to what his daughter has written and his abiding love for Kodagu. Hence, I reproduce it here below. – K.B. Ganapathy, Editor-in-Chief

Dear Sir,

Thank you for sending me a copy of your letter dated 10.8.2003 addressed to Mr. Ulliyada M. Poovaiah. I fully endorse your view that the Kodavas must be united. We are at the moment making efforts towards that end. I am sure you are aware of what is happening.

When I retired from service after 40 years in uniform, the Govt. of India sent me messages after messages asking me if I wanted a job. I declined as I needed to attend to my personal affairs that had been totally neglected. Any query to Mr. K.C. Pant, Mr. Jagmohan or Mr. Naresh Chandra will confirm what I say. Also Mr. Arun Singh. Later it was Mr. Moily. Now that I think back— may be that if I had accepted those offers — Kodavas would have benefited in some ways. It was just that those living in comfort in Kodagu were swallowing up my heritage and my land — I needed to put this in order.

I continue to dedicate myself to Kodagu and the Kodavas. With best wishes and regards

Yours sincerely,

B.C. Nanda

(15th Sept., 2003)

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / January 04th, 2019

Gen. K.S. Thimayya Remembered

Kodava Samaja holds elocution contest for college students

An elocution competition for college students on the ‘Life and Achievements of the General’ marked the 111th birth anniversary of General K.S. Thimayya organised by Kodava Samaja, Mysuru at  Field Marshal  K.M. Cariappa Community Hall, Kodava Samaja premises, Vijayanagar 1st Stage this morning.

Mysuru Kodava Samaja President M.K. Kuttappa, Vice-President B.M. Nanaiah, Secretary M.P. Kalaiah, Treasurer M.M. Ponnappa, former Presidents Dr. A.A. Kuttappa, K.A. Kariappa and M.M. Karumbaiah and others were present.

Students from Kautilya, Gnanodaya, Cauvery and MICA Colleges took part in the elocution contest.

Prof. N. Yashoda Kalappa, retired Principal, Prof. K.C. Belliappa, Chairman, Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions and Dr. K.A. Kushalappa, retired forest officer, were the judges of the competition.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 31st, 2017

Ajjikuttira Family Fetes Justice A.S. Bopanna Couple

Supreme Court Judge Justice A.S. Bopanna and his wife Monica being felicitated by Ajjikuttira family members at a function held at Kodava Samaja in Ponnampet recently on his elevation as the Judge of the country’s Top Court.

Family members A.C. Subbaiah, Raja Nanjappa, A.C. Poonacha, A.K. Achaiah, A.S. Madaiah and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / January 02nd, 2020

Karnataka athlete brothers, 95 & 86 years old, off to Sydney for masters tourney

Palekanda Bopaiah (95) and Palekanda Belliappa (86) reside in Kadanuru and Gonikoppal of Kodagu.

Belliappa, Machamma and Bopaiah (L to R) from Kodagu have left for Sydney to take part in the championship

Madikeri : 

While most people of their vintage would be nursing various aches and suffering from age-related issues, here are two elderly athletes, siblings aged 95 and 86, who have trained themselves hard to take part in their first-ever international meet to be held in Sydney soon.

Palekanda Bopaiah

Palekanda Bopaiah (95) and Palekanda Belliappa (86) reside in Kadanuru and Gonikoppal of Kodagu. They have taken part in several Master Games Championships held across the country and won 13 medals so far. However, this is their first international meet.

“The Master Games Championships will be held in Sydney from March 10 to March 15. It has been our long-cherished dream to take part in this tournament and we have been able to do it with the support of our family,” said Belliappa. They have shelled out Rs 2.45 lakh for the flight and other expenses for the tournament. 

Belliappa said that he wrote to the Kodagu-Mysuru MP, Kodagu DC, Sports Department officials and even the Prime Minister, requesting financial support. “But we did not receive any reply. Though the DC wrote to the Bengaluru office, they denied funds. However, our family came forward and collected funds,” he added. 

Brothers want to take part in five categories each

At a family get-together, arranged recently at the house of one of the siblings, the family gathered, wished them luck and handed over the funds. Bopaiah is a retired Army man, while Belliappa worked at the National Government Factory. The elderly brothers have already left for Sydney. While Bopaiah will take part in the javelin throw, discus throw and shot put, Belliappa will participate in 100 and 200m races and 1,500m walking race.

“While other international players can take part in seven different events, we have been given the option to take part in three each. We will try to convince the authorities to let us participate in at least five categories,” explained Belliappa. The two brothers hope to win at least two medals each and bring laurels to the country.

Another senior athlete from Kodagu, Machamma (77) from Hudikeri, president of the Karnataka Master Games Association, will represent India in Sydney. After the Australian Championships, the brothers hope to take part in the Master Games Championship in South Korea in May. “We hope to find sponsors,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / March 06th, 2023

Dr Vishwa Cariappa of San Group honored with ‘ET Achievers of Award’

Dr Vishwa Cariappa of San Group honored with ‘ET Achievers of Award'
MD of San Group of Companies, Dr Vishwa Cariappa Receives Prestigious ‘ET Achievers Award’

Dr Vishwa Cariappa, BS, the Managing Director of the San Group of Companies, was recently honored with the prestigious “ET Achievers of Award” for Emerging Plot Developer of the Year at a glittering ceremony in Bengaluru on October 3, 2023. This distinguished award, presented by the Economic Times, was bestowed upon him by the renowned actress Padma Shri Raveena Tandon.

Upon receiving this esteemed recognition, Dr B.S. Vishwa Cariappa expressed his gratitude and dedication, stating, “This award serves as an inspiration for me to strive for even greater excellence.” The “ET Achievers—Karnataka 2023” award is designed to acknowledge individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in various fields.

Dr Cariappa’s commitment to social responsibility is exemplified through his involvement with the ‘Karnataka Dharmadrishti Souharda Credit Co-operative Society.’ Under the guidance of Swami Vigyananand Ji, the founder and Global Chairman of the World Hindu Foundation, this society provides long-term loans with remarkably low interest rates and accessible EMI options for repayment, spanning 10–15 years.

Over a legacy spanning 17 years, the San Group of Companies, under the visionary leadership of Dr Vishwa Cariappa, has cultivated a distinctive workplace culture where employees are treated as valued friends. The company’s remarkable achievement of retaining 50 to 60 employees for nearly 15 years is a testament to its commitment to employee welfare. The present workforce of 500 continues to contribute to the company’s success, having successfully sold 1 crore square feet of land.

Managing a conglomerate of 14 companies, including a technology company, Property and Developers, Viscon Constructions, and San Palace (Kalyan Mandir), Dr. Cariappa has successfully diversified his business portfolio. The esteemed San Palace, often referred to as the ‘National Gem,’ stands as a symbol of grandeur and hosts various ceremonies and events.

Dr Vishwa Cariappa’s dedication to social welfare extends beyond business into education and healthcare. He has expressed his commitment to donate land and Rs. 1 crore for the establishment of a multispecialty hospital to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His educational initiatives, San International and San PU College, are dedicated to providing free education to economically disadvantaged students. Furthermore, he offers free housing to senior employees of the company.

Upon receiving this prestigious award, Cariappa expressed his delight, saying, “I am deeply honored to be a recipient of such a distinguished award.” He further added, “San Group embarked on a journey with the goal of achieving excellence in the real estate industry, and today the company has expanded into several sectors. In the face of the formidable challenges posed by the COVID pandemic, San City emerged as an exemplary leader in this sector. We navigated through the highs and lows with unwavering determination. This award also serves as an encouragement to continue serving more people in the future.”

For more information, you can visit the official website: http://www.sancity1.com/

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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source: http://www.theprint.in / The Print / Home> ANI Press Releases / by ANI PR / October 03rd, 2023

Book On Freedom Fighters Pandyanda Belliappa And Seetha Belliappa Released

Siddapura (Kodagu):

“Soulful Sojourns: A Tale of Two Souls” — an autobiography on the lives of late freedom fighter couple Pandyanda Belliappa and Pandyanda Seetha Belliappa — was released at a programme organised  at Swarnamala Kalyana Mantapa in the town recently.

Speaking after releasing the book, United Kodava Organisation (UKO) President Kokkalemada Manju Chinnappa said that Bommanda Savera Chengappa, granddaughter of freedom fighters late Pandyanda Belliappa, who is popularly known as ‘Kodagina Gandhi’ and his freedom fighter wife Pandyanda Seetha Belliappa, has scripted the book in English.

Pointing out that Pandyanda Belliappa, who had great concerns for social welfare, always  worked for the cause of the society, Manju Chinnappa said he is also considered as a pioneer in Co-operative movement in Kodagu. Elaborating on the contributions of the late freedom fighter in education sector, Manju Chinnappa said it was he (Pandyanda Belliappa) who got sanctioned the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College in Madikeri when Nehru was the Prime Minister. Stating that the two freedom fighters had made a mark in different fields, he called upon everyone to read the book in order to draw inspiration for doing social service.

‘Poomale’ newspaper editor Ajjinikanda Mahesh Nachaiah in his address, said that the younger generation should read books on such great achievers and draw inspiration from their work and lead a purposeful life.

The book author Bommanda Savera Chengappa said that he scripted the book for posterity to younger generation. Highlighting the achievements of her grandparents, she said that the book makes an interesting reading for everyone and draw inspiration from the freedom fighter couple.

Addanda Vittal Nanjappa, Col. Bommanda Dheeraj Chengappa, Tapas Devaiah, Neravanda Shanti Nanjappa, Kusuma Ayyappa, Pandyanda Vijay Belliappa, Field Marshal K.M.Cariappa Forum President Kandratanda Subbaiah, A. Thammu Poovaiah, Delhi Kodava Samaja President Machimanda Thammu Cariappa, Col. Mandepanda K. Ayyappa and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 24th, 2023