Category Archives: Inspiration / Positive News and Features

Madikeri trader donates bags to flood victims

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features
Madikeri Hitharakshana Vedike members with Bag Palace owner E J Peter (third from right).
Madikeri Hitharakshana Vedike members with Bag Palace owner E J Peter (third from right).

A trader in Madikeri has handed over more than 350 valuable bags to rain-affected people.

His act comes close on the heels of a Kerala merchant donating dress materials to the flood victims.

The humble act by E J Peter of Bag Palace on College Road in Madikeri is well-appreciated by many.

Madikeri Hitharakshana Vedike members had posted on collecting relief materials on Facebook and WhatsApp. More than 20 members of the Vedike had been visiting shops and business establishments. They have been collecting essential commodities like clothes, umbrella, rain coat and medicines and supplying it to the relief centres.

Responding it, Peter handed over all the bags in his shop. “It has given me the satisfaction of helping those in distress. The financially well-off should support the education of children who are in distress,” said Peter.

“When we visited Peter’s shop, he lauded our efforts and handed over school bags and hand bags,” said Vedike member Acchandira Pavan Pemmaiah.

Vedike president Ravi Gowda said, “Many have come forward to help those who are in distress. Many are unaware of how to reach materials to the relief centres. The Vedike is bridging the gap and is helping reach relief materials to the needy at the relief camps.”

Shop-keepers have helped by donating textbooks, notebooks, pens, bed, clothes, vessels, rice, jaggery, sarees, sweater, oil and other essential commodities, he said.

Pavan Pemmaiah said, “The collected commodities have been distributed among rain victims at Nelyahudikeri, Valnooru, Tyagathooru, Moornadu, Dubare, Theppadakandi, Balamuri, Siddapura, Kattimadu and other areas.”

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DH News Service, Madikeri / August 19th, 2019

Let’s pledge to rebuild lives of flood-affected: DC

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy receives a guard of honour at the Independence Day programme at Old Fort premises in Madikeri on Thursday.
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy receives a guard of honour at the Independence Day programme at Old Fort premises in Madikeri on Thursday.

The district administration organised the 73rd Independence Day programme on the Old Fort premises, amid rain and misty weather on Thursday.

Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, after hoisting the national flag, said, “Eight people have lost their lives in the district due to flood. Many people also have lost their homes.”

Assuring the gathering that the government and the district administration will take up the rehabilitation of flood victims, she praised the works of rescue teams in managing the calamity. “Let us pledge to rebuild the lives of those affected by the floods,” she said.

In her Independence Day message, Annies Kanmani Joy said that the martyrs, who laid down their lives for India’s freedom, should be remembered.

“We should protect the integrity, sovereignty and peace of our country and that will be the real homage paid to these martyrs,” she said.

She placed on record the contributions of Guddemane Appaiah Gowda, Pandyanda Bellyappa, C M Poonaccha, Kodandera Poovaiah, Kodanda Appaiah, C M Venkappaiah, Gundukutti Manjunathaiah, M M Siddik, H R Krishnaiah, Kollimada Karumbaiah, Mandepanda Cariappa, Mukkatira Bhojappa, Mallangada Changappa and Maraiah of Kodagu.

“Kodagu has played a vital role in the Indian freedom struggle. Field Marshal K M Cariappa and General Thimmayya, who were born in Kodagu, served their motherland and they are the crest jewels of the Nation,” she said.

The DC later told mediapersons that the district has incurred a loss of Rs 700 crore due to heavy rain. Around 4,000 people have been rescued by the teams, she added.

The students of government schools, who topped the SSLC examinations, were felicitated with laptops.

MLC Sunil Subramani, MLC Veena Acchaiah, Kodagu District Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr Suman D Pennekar, Kodagu Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) K Lakshmipriya, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Sneha and Assistant Commissioner T Javaregowda were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Mangaluru / by DH News Service, Madikeri / August 16th, 2019

How a group of eight locals rescued people stuck in flooded homes in Kodagu

Amazing Feats, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature

Around 50 residents of Kodagu’s Goodugadde village were stranded in their flooded homes on Friday morning.

FloodKF14aug2019

Around 50 residents of Kodagu’s Goodugadde village were stranded in their flooded homes on Friday morning, hoping that help would come before the river Cauvery would take away their lives.

Luckily for Goodugadde’s residents, help came in the form of eight Good Samaritans, who ferried them to safe places through small iron-made coracles.

Mustafa, a 32-year-old activist from Kodagu, suspected that people were stranded in Goodugadde and other villages along the banks of the Cauvery river. Mustafa had heard from the local grapevine that many people had not left their homes despite a flood warning.

At around 6 am on Friday, Mustafa and his friends Ranjith Kumar, Afzal, Iliyas, Shafiq and four others from Siddapura, were anxious as the Dubbare Rafting Team was busy with rescue elsewhere.

Mustafa and his friends rushed to the Siddapura Police Station and requested the police to lend them the iron-made coracle lookalikes that the police had kept in the evidence room, which they had seized when they busted an illegal sand mining ring.

“We call it thappe in Kannada. They are circular, iron made vessels sand miners use to transport sand. It’s smaller than a coracle but bigger than the round vessels used to carry sand in construction sites. We wanted those so we could row it and look for stranded people,” Mustafa explains.

When the group reached Goodugadde, they found several senior citizens, children and middle aged people stranded in their flooded homes. Many were sitting on their rooftops, while some of them clung to trees, waiting for help.

“There were about 50 people. We began rescue at 7am and it went on till 11 am. We lost count of the number of trips we made to bring all of them to safety. They were sent to relief camps in Siddapura. By 12 pm, the Dubbare Rafting Team came to help us and we continued rescue operations in Baradi and Kakkattagadu villages,” Ranjith Kumar says.

Mustafa, Ranjith and the team of local rescuers claim that they are experienced swimmers and that they had volunteered during rescue operations in the floods that hit Kodagu in 2018.

“We have lived along the banks of river Cauvery all our lives. We have a very close relationship with the river and swimming is the first thing we learnt as children. We are expert swimmers and if our skill could be put to use to help people in need, then it’s our duty to help them. What is the point of being an expert at something and not helping those who could benefit from it?” Mustafa says.

Mustafa and his motley crew continue their rescue operations even now. “We will help as much as we can. Our people have seen too much damage due to rains and floods. Currently, we are going back and forth Goodugadde and recovering their belongings,” Mustafa adds.

source: http://www.thenewsminute.com / The News Minute / Home> Karnataka Floods / by Theja Ram / August 10th, 2019

Kodagu’s pride: These women officers led from the front

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders

District deputy commissioner, 33- year- old Annies Kanmani Joy, superintendent of police, 34 -year -old.

SP Suman D. Pennekar
SP Suman D. Pennekar

Mysuru:

As Kodagu hobbles back to normalcy with the flood receding and the rains abating, the people have three young women government officers to thank for helping to contain the loss of life and damage to property by their preparedness for the deluge in light of last year’s disaster.

District deputy commissioner, 33- year- old Annies Kanmani Joy, superintendent of police, 34 -year -old , Dr Suman D Pennekar and 29- year -old zilla panchayat CEO, K Lakshmi Priya, led the rescue and relief operation by the officers of the district administration and the various forces, keeping it coordinated and systematic.

Kodagu ,which received as much as 964.99 mm of rain in a week, saw its plantations and hilly terrain flooded and heavy landslides bring down houses and even entire hillsides, claiming lives and leaving many homeless. At the end of the eight days of mayhem 7,873 people have found shelter at 45 relief centres.

Annies Kanmani Joy
Annies Kanmani Joy

Reflecting on the last week, Ms Annies Kanmani Joy said, “Last year North Kodagu was affected and this year, it was South Kodagu. The last time the rain was intense but less widespread. But this time, the rain was not as heavy, but covered a bigger area and more people were affected.. We had started taking precautionary measures well in advance and so every official was alert. This helped us manage the situation systematically, and contain the damage. Now the challenge ahead is rehabilitation.”

Said Dr Suman Pennekar, “In light of last year’s disaster, we started preparing meticulously six months in advance. We had 60 dedicated police trained in evacuation and rescue and a team of 20 police led by an inspector in the control rooms, which received at least a 100 calls a day and traced the victims. They contacted the concerned teams at ground level, which were formed well in advance by the district administration, who rushed to the spot and rescued and shifted victims to relief centres. While landslides were our focus, as floods was rare situation in Kodagu, we saw more floods. We also faced landslides at two unexpected places, which killed eight people. Operations are on to trace seven others who are missing.” While the Geographical Survey of India (GIS) had already identified 105 sensitive/vulnerable places, the deputy commissioner formed special task forces of the police, fire and emergency services, CHESCOM, PWD, panchayatraj engineering department, NHAI, Pradhan Manthri Gram Sadak Yojana, minor and major irrigation, health, veterinary and forest departments, besides village committees Mock rescue operations too were held.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by Shilpa P / Deccan Chronicle / August 14th, 2019

Dubai: Emotional farewell offered to creative art director B K Ganesh Rai

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

Dubai :

UAE Kannadigas and Tuluvas bid an emotional farewell to creative art director B K Ganesh Rai, who had come from the land of warriors and natural beauty Kodagu district of Karnataka, 25 years ago and is going back to his native after retirement.

The farewell function took place on Friday, August 2 at 11 am at the Fortune Plaza auditorium at Al Ghusais in Dubai.

The convener of UAE Kannadigaru and Tuluvara Sanghatane, which consists of 40 pro-Karnataka organizations, Sarvotham Shetty welcomed the gathering.

B K Ganesh Rai was serving as the creative art director and manager at the Gulf Public Relations and Advertising section, which is one of the B R Ventures group of companies that is owned by senior entrepreneur of UAE Dr B R Shetty.

Sarvotham Shetty lauded the social service done by Ganesh Rai by getting involved in various pro-Karnataka organizations that are active in UAE.

He also congratulated Majula Ganesh Rai, wife of Ganesh Rai and their children Monish Rai and Aishwarya Rai.

Ganesh Rai is sculptor by profession. In addition, he is an expert artist and computer graphic designing. He himself is a blood donor. He has played a stellar role in organizing the blood camps by pro-Karnataka associations. He has designed more or less all the emblems of Kannada associations. In addition, he has depicted the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka through various digital displays and canvas. He has also designed the invitation cards of meetings, functions, Sneha Milana, sports meets, leisure outings and literature conventions. Ganesh Rai, who is a writer also, has published articles about great personalities before and after the programmes of various organization in web media. He has also compered many Kannada events and participated as the chief guest.

Honorary accreditation certificate from Dubai government health authority

Ganesh Rai started blood donations camps from the time he was the president of Sharjah Karnataka Sangha and continued to organize blood donation camps through all pro-Karnataka associations from 2007 to 2019. Recognizing Ganesh Rai’s efforts in organizing blood donation camps, the Dubai government health authority conferred the honorary accreditation certificate on him. This letter was handed over to Ganesh Rai by Balakrishna Salian, organizer of blood camps and Sarvotham Shetty.

Felicitation to Ganesh Rai and family

Ganesh Rai and his family were felicitated in the presence of presidents and office bearers of pro-Karnataka organizations in UAE. Sarvotham Shetty, Premnath Shetty, Balakrishna Salian and Satish Poojary conducted the felicitation. Sampath Shetty read the letter of honour.

Ganesh Rai acknowledged the felicitation offered and thanked the office bearers and members of various associations. He also recalled the encouragement, support, honour and opportunity given to him during his journey of achievement in art.

Organizations served by Ganesh Rai

During his stay of 25 years in UAE, Ganesh Rai has served in Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Karnataka Sangha Dubai, Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Karnataka NRI committee UAE, Al Ain Kannada Sangha, India Social and Cultural Center Abu Dhabi, UAE Tulukoota, Namma Tuluver, Tulu Siri Dubai, Dhwani Pratistana UAE, Kannadigaru Dubai, UAE Bunts, Billava Family Dubai, Byaris Cultural Forum Dubai, Mangloor Konkans Dubai, Gammat Kalavider Dubai, Yaksha Mitraru Dubai and Padmashali Samudaya UAE. Mogaveers UAE, Amchigele (GSB) Samaja UAE, Basava Samiti UAE, Ganiga Samaja UAE, Kulala Vrinda UAE, Vokkaliga Samaja UAE, Vishwakarma Seva Samiti UAE, Kodagu-Dakshina Kannad Gowda Samaja, Kodava Samaja, Devadiga Sangha Dubai, Kundapur Devdiga Mitraru (KADAM), Ramakshatriya Sangha UAE, Magadeepa cultural committee, Rajaka Samaja UAE, Tulu Pateruga Tulu Oripaga UAE, Varamahalaxmi Pooja Samiti, Samoohika Sri Satyanarayana Samiti, Brahmana Samaja UAE, Theeya Samaja, Karnataka journalists’ association UAE and Karnataka association Blood Donors’ Group.

Satish Poojary, one of the organizers of UAE Kannadigaru and Tuluvaru compered the event in a grand manner.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Middle East / Media Release / August 05th, 2019

Free Health Camp On Aug.11

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Shree Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha, Mysuru, has organised a free health camp at Rotary Midtown Academy in Hootagalli on Aug.11 from 10 am to 3 pm.

Neuro-Surgeon Dr. Kanjithanda Bopaiah will inaugurate the camp.

Sangha President Bollamma Kuttappa will preside.

Orthopaedician Dr. Devaiah, Physicians Dr. Latha Muthanna and Dr.Aiyappa, Gynaecologists Dr. Sonia Mandappa and Dr. Poovamma, Dermatologist Dr. P.A. Kushalappa, Urologists Dr. Madappa and Dr. Somanna, Paediatrician Dr. Rajeshwari Madappa, Neurologist Dr. K. Bopaiah, kidney surgeon Dr. Vipin Kaverappa, Ayurveda expert Dr. Aiyanna, Anaesthetist Dr. Padmini Kaverappa and Dentist Dr.Shruti Somaiah will be available for consultation.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / August 03rd, 2019

70 Groups Come Together To Preserve Green Cover In Kodagu

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature

Over 400 volunteers to plant 50,000 seed balls, 10,000 saplings near Anechowkur on July 27

GreenCoverKF31jul2019

Mysuru:

Year-by-year weakening of regular rainfall in Kodagu and depleting green cover along the Cauvery River basin and the resultant shortage of water has made environmentally conscious groups to come together to organise a massive tree-plantation drive in Kodagu, the principal catchment of Cauvery.

An initiative taken up by Kodavaame, Team Roots of Kodagu, Kodagu Jawa Yezdi Motorcycle Club and Forest Department of Karnataka, TATA Coffee, Madikeri Akashavani, Kodava Samaja Bengaluru and over 72 organisations and voluntary groups from Kodagu, Mysuru, Bengaluru and Chennai are coming together for the tree-plantation drive on July 27 from 9 am onwards near Anechowkur Gate, Thithimathi Forest Range in Kodagu under the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve.

This plantation drive is kick-started by individual volunteers to help rejuvenate and rebuild green cover in Kodagu. Volunteers have sourced more than 50,000 seed balls to be planted during the drive and the Forest Department will provide 10,000 saplings of various wild species that are native to Kodagu and the Nagarahole forests.

Kodavaame initiated this annual tree-planting drive three years back and last year, saplings were planted at Aanekaadu forest near Kushalnagar.

Speaking to Star of Mysore yesterday, Shammi Belliappa of Team Roots of Kodagu said that the Forest Department will identify the places where saplings are to be planted and all the necessary permissions and approvals have been taken.

“Different groups and individuals are coming together in Kodagu to work towards the common goal of protecting the flora and fauna. This event can be an ideal start to a great new direction in Kodagu and further can spread to other districts,” he said and added that as it is an annual event, the next plantation initiative is likely to be taken up at Chennangi in Kodagu.

All volunteers have been directed to wear water-proof jackets, rain coats and gum boots or rain shoes. While many volunteers will be grouped to plant saplings and seed balls, the rest will look into the supply of logistics and will ensure smooth traffic flow.

Organisers are expecting over 400 volunteers and as it is a Tiger Reserve, the volunteers will strictly follow the instructions from the Forest Department, he said.

While Lions Club-Gonikoppal and Rotary Club Kushalnagar will provide food and beverages for the volunteers, Kodava Samaja, Bengaluru, will sponsor the free bus ride to and fro for volunteers who are travelling for this greening event.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star Of Mysore / Home> News / July 24th, 2019

AGM And Get-Together Of Gokulam Kodava Sangha

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders

The 13th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of Gokulam Kodava Sangha will be held on Aug. 15 at 9.30 am at Kodava Samaja (ground floor), Vijayanagar 1st Stage.

Sangha President Nayakanda U. Appaya will preside.

Get-together: The AGM will be followed by a get-together function at 11.30 am.

On the occasion, meritorious students will be felicitated.

Sangha members’ children who have excelled in the field of education (7th Std., SSLC, II PUC, Graduation, Post Graduation and Technical Courses) may submit their marks card or certificate copy before 5 pm on Aug. 10 to the Sangha Secretary.

For details contact Myndapanda A. Thimmanna, Secretary, on Mob: 90361- 47871, according to a press release.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Uncategorized / July 26th, 2019

Kargil Vijay Diwas observed in the land of soldiers

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All
Tributes were paid to the martyrs of Kargil war, during Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed at war memorial in Madikeri.
Tributes were paid to the martyrs of Kargil war, during Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed at war memorial in Madikeri.

Vishwa Hindu Parishat and Bajrang Dal observed Kargil Vijay Diwas on Friday. Floral tributes were offered at the war memorial in Madikeri Main Road.

Subedar Major (retd) B N Anand, Soldier’s Welfare and Rehabilitation Department officer Geetha M Shetty and ex-servicemen association president O S Chingappa also participated in the event.

Geetha M Shetty said that 527 soldiers of India were martyred in the Kargil war. “We should not forget the sacrifices of our brave martyrs, and it is our duty to honour our soldiers,” she added.

Leader Chi Na Somesh said that there were more than 14 soldiers from Karnataka, who laid down during the Kargil war. Pemmanda D Kaverappa of Virajpet and S K Medappa of Somwarpet were among the martyrs.

O S Chingappa said that Indian Army is a hallmark of bravery. Vishwa Hindu Parishat district committee General Secretary D Narasimha was present.

Volunteers paid tributes to the brave soldiers by donating blood in Ashwini Hospital. Pediatrician Dr B C Navin Kumar said that more number of youth should come forward to donate blood.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service, Madikeri / July 26th, 2019

Tennis star Rohan Bopanna conferred with Arjuna award by sports minister

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports

The Asian Games gold medallist says he “would have loved to receive it from the president at the Rashtrapati Bhawan along with other athletes and achievers”.

Rohan Bopanna receives the Arjuna Award from union sports minister, Kiren Rijiju. Alongside him is his wife Supriya Annaiah. - SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Rohan Bopanna receives the Arjuna Award from union sports minister, Kiren Rijiju. Alongside him is his wife Supriya Annaiah. – SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Rohan Bopanna finally got his hands on the Arjuna award, as he received it from the union sports minister Kiren Rijiju here on Tuesday.

“It is an amazing feeling to hold the award. Definitely, I would have loved to receive it from the President at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, along with other athletes and achievers. But that does not take anything away from the thrill of receiving it,” said Bopanna, who received the trophy, along with his wife Supriya Annaiah.

More than the award, Bopanna, a former world No.3 doubles star who narrowly missed the mixed doubles medal with Sania Mirza in the Rio Olympics, said that he was delighted to meet such a sports-loving minister.

“He is such a big tennis fan, and has been watching tennis for a long time. We spoke for nearly 45 minutes and it was great and very positive. He also talked about following women’s cricket, as Smriti Mandhana also got the award today,” said Bopanna.

During his interaction with the Sports Minister, Bopanna also requested that all the matches featuring the Indian tennis players on the Tour be streamed live on the internet for the benefit of youngsters in the country.

“It may be difficult to get it on television, but live streaming is something that can inspire the young players. The minister was very receptive and said that he would see how it can be done,” said Bopanna.

Not having received any money so far this year despite being part of the TOPS funding, Bopanna did broach the subject with the minister. He was told that the national tennis federation needed to keep the athletes in its Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC) so as to make it a smooth affair.

“The SAI Director General, Neelam Kapur was also there. I was told that the medical bill for me and the funds for the first three months had been approved. So, it should be a matter of time before it reaches us. I have already sent all the original bills so far,” said Bopanna.

Since Bopanna and Divij Sharan had won the Asian Games doubles gold, they have been kept in the TOPS as a team. Thus, whatever money is sanctioned would be given 50% to the two.

“I would love to continue to play with Divij on the Tour. But, the fact is that with our ranking, we are not getting into the ATP-500 and Masters events. It is not easy to play only the big tournaments with other partners. Even now, the cut for Washington DC is 47. Me and Denis Shapovalov are one out at the moment, and have to wait. That is the reality. If we don’t play the big tournaments on the Tour, how do we prepare for the Grand Slams and the Olympics,” queried Bopanna, who will be partnering Shapovalov till the US Open.

source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / Sport Star / Home> Tennis / by Kamesh Srinivasan / New Delhi – July 16th, 2019