Category Archives: Inspiration / Positive News and Features

Celebration of Kisan Diwas at KVK Gonikoppal, Kodagu

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

KisanDivasKF27dec2018

Kisan Diwas Was Celebrated on 23rd December,2018 at KVK Gonikoppal, Kodagu campus Jointly by the Department of Agriculture, CHES, Chettalli and ICAR-KVK, Gonikoppal. About 100 farmers, Staff from Department of Agriculture, KVK and CHES Chettalli participated in the function. The programme was inaugurated by Shri Raghu Nanaiah, President, Taluka Krishika Samaja President. Other guests on the stage were Shri Chotu Kaverappa, President Zilla Krishika Samaja President, Shric S.C. Thimmaiah progressive farmer, Smt Ashwini Nanda and Shri M.P. Somaiah, President Puthari Farmers Producer Co. Ltd. The programme started with lighting of the lamp, followed by Felicitation of Progressive farmers for their integrated farming and Cleanliness in farming and minimum use of external inputs. Shri S.C. Thimmaiah of Nallur village, Ponnampet, Virajpet and Smt. Ashiwini Nanda were felicitated for their achievements in farming. Puthari Farmers organisation was felicitated in recognition of their services to the farming community.

The award winning farmers addressed the farmers and talked in detail about their farming practices and how through integrated farming system they are reducing the cost of cultivation and achieving higher productivity. The programme started with the playing of Farmers Song. In the beginning Smt. Reena, ADA, Agriculture Department welcomed the dignitaries and the farmers. The whole programme was coordinated by Shri Veerendra Kumar and Shri B. Prabhakar, SMS of this KVK.

source: http://www.iihr.res.in / ICAR – Indian Institute of Horticultural Research / Home / December 25th, 2018

Kumaraswamy gives start to housing project for flood-hit families in Kodagu

Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara and others at the laying of the foundation stone for the houses for flood-affected families, at Jamboor village, near Madapura, in Kodagu district on Friday.
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara and others at the laying of the foundation stone for the houses for flood-affected families, at Jamboor village, near Madapura, in Kodagu district on Friday.

Kodagu Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Development Authority to lead rebuilding efforts

Acknowledging the courage displayed by the people of Kodagu during the floods and landslips a few months ago, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy offered all help from the government to those displaced and affected by the unprecedented calamity.

The CM made an announcement on the setting up of the Kodagu Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Development Authority, of which he is chairman. It will carry out reconstruction and rehabilitation work and restoring the flood-ravaged district.

Mr. Kumaraswamy was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the construction of houses on a 50-acre plot at Jamboor village near Madapura in the district on Friday. Each house will be built at a cost of ₹9.80 lakh.

Reiterating the State government’s promise of fulfilling all demands of affected families, the CM said the government was determined and committed to ensure a respectable life to the displaced families and urged them not to panic about their future.

Never in the past has the government come forward to build a 2BHK home for displaced families in the State, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, and added that the donations to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund would be used for the construction.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said there was no dearth of funds with the government for offering succour to the affected. The lost charm of the district following the floods and landslips would be restored, he added. He said the government is putting all its strength towards rebuilding Kodagu and the constitution of the authority is a major step in this direction. “The Centre has not released any special aid to flood-ravaged Kodagu,” he alleged.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha took exception to the DyCM’s comment in his speech and argued that the Centre has also responded positively to the flood-hit district.

Objecting to Mr Parameshwar’s remark that the Centre should have announced a special package for Kodagu like it did for Kerala, Mr. Simha said the Centre did not announce any package to Kerala but released funds under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Also, the highways in Kodagu were being repaired and reconstructed from the Central grant, he maintained.

The MP displayed a letter on the Centre’s aid to the State which was also acknowledged by the Chief Minister.

In his address, Minister for Housing and Urban Development U.T. Khader said compensation for coffee and black pepper growers would be announced soon. The construction of houses for the families would start from Saturday at Jamboor, Somawarpet and Madikeri. Around 55 houses would be built in one month in the respective colonies.

Minister in-charge of Kodagu district S.R. Mahesh spoke about the efforts made by the government after the disaster struck the district and the immediate succour provided to the affected families.

MLA Appachu Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner P.I. Sreevidya and others were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – December 08th, 2018

Cleanliness jatha in Madikeri

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features
Students take part in a cleanliness jatha in Madikeri.
Students take part in a cleanliness jatha in Madikeri.

Green City Forum Convener Kukkera Jaya Chinnappa called upon the residents to keep their surroundings clean.

Speaking at a cleanliness jatha organised by Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan Kodagu Vidyalaya here at Madikeri on Wednesday, he said the Central government has been focusing on cleanliness and sanitation.

There is a need to ensure that all the households have toilet facilities. The residents should keep their surroundings clean, he added.

The students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavana Kodagu Vidyalaya and General K S Thimayya Public School participated in the jatha.

The jatha was carried out from Gandhi Maidan and passed through Raja Seat Road to KSRTC bus stand. Handbills were distributed among the public.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Districts / by Naina J A / DH News Service,Madikeri / December 05th, 2018

Hockey World Cup Memories: AB Subbaiah remembers 1994 edition, where India’s chances were undone by South Africa

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Sports, World Opinion

Playing as a goalkeeper for the Indian team, AB Subbaiah was part of the 1998 Asian Games gold medal winning side. He has been feted with the Arjuna Award. He spoke to Amit Kamath.

I was India’s goalkeeper in the 1994 World Cup, which was held in Sydney. What a memorable tournament it was!

We had a great team consisting of players like Dhanraj Pillay, Mukesh Kumar and Mohammed Riaz.

Our preparation for the World Cup was also excellent. The 1994 World Cup was one of the first coaching assignments of Cedric D’Souza and he had prepared the team really well. I remember that a lot of players came from either Mumbai or Karnataka at that time.

While most of our other coaches used to train us by working on our strengths, Cedric was the one who made us prepare by focusing on our rivals’ strengths and tactics. Cedric had a technical style of coaching which involved studying other teams. It was a modern style of training which helped us prepare for each and every situation.

We played some great hockey against the best teams in the world. That tournament saw us register wins over South Korea and Belgium in the group stage. We also had close matches against Germany and the Netherlands.

It was a great team and we had done very well but one unfortunate thing was the 2-2 draw against South Africa in the league stage. That proved to be the difference between us and Germany in qualifying for the semi-finals. At that time, just two teams from the group were to qualify for the semis.

I remember that after our last group match, we had to wait for the match between the Netherlands and Germany to end to see if we could qualify. They played out a draw, which led some of us to feel like they had an understanding.

But there were a few things which proved to be our undoing in that tournament. Against the good teams in our group we performed really well, but against an under-rated team like South Africa, we were a little slack in our approach. That was probably because we were focusing on the bigger teams in the tournament. When you play at an event as big as the World Cup, you have to prepare equally for each opponent however big or small it is.

What also hurt us was a misplaced pass by Shakeel Ahmed when we were up 1-0 against Germany. The Germans capitalised on the error, stormed into out D and equalised!

Another memory that sticks out from that tournament is the goal the Netherlands’ Taco van den Honert scored against me in our group match. At that time, players would whack or slap-hit the ball towards goal in penalty corners. But when the Netherlands played us, Taco drag-flicked the ball into the top right corner. It surprised all of us! It was the onset of the era of drag-flicks.

What also went against us was that one of our most prominent forwards, Sabu Varkey, was not available during the tournament. If he had played, he would have been a livewire at the front and the results would have been different.

Eventually, we could not qualify for the semis and had to play Argentina in the playoffs for the 5th to 8th position spots. We won that match in an exhilarating tiebreaker. We beat them comprehensively! At that time, finishing 5th and 6th was commendable because it also meant that the team would qualify for the Champions Trophy. So, on one hand, we were happy, but on the other hand, we felt that since a lot of young players had come from the junior team, so we could have done really well in this tournament.

And then we beat England for the fifth-sixth position match which made it a memorable tournament for us. Finishing fifth at that tournament was not that bad because it was just one step away from the semi-finals. We were unfortunate to miss the chance in that way. But what was more unfortunate was that at the Atlanta Olympics two years later, we again missed the semi-final cut narrowly like that.

That was what teams need to realise! We were good enough to make it to the semis at the 1994 World Cup. But it was just because of one underrated team beating us in one match that we missed out.

For the full Hockey World Cup 2018 schedule, click here

source: http://www.firstpost.com / FirstPost. / Home> Latest News> Sports News / by A B Subbaiah / December 02nd, 2018

‘Kodagu is Back’ campaign to promote tourism

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All
Tourists at Raja Seat in Madikeri.
Tourists at Raja Seat in Madikeri.

The resort and homestay owners have initiated a campaign to promote tourism in the district.

The campaign ‘Kodagu is Back’ is aimed at promoting tourism in the district which had been affected by landslides and flash floods causing extensive damage during August.

The tourism industry has sprung back to life in the face of floods affecting Kerala. However, in Kodagu, the tourism industry failed to recover. Hence, the resort and homestay owners in the district have posted two short films to highlight that Kodagu is safe and tourists can visit without any fear. The duration of the video is one-and-a-half minutes and has gone viral on social media.

The short films produced by Drishti have attempted to showcase safety in tourists spots, trekking areas, rivers and mist-filled Kodagu district. There are over 4,000 homestays in the district. After the massive floods that ravaged the district in August, a majority of the homestays have remained closed.

“Other than horticultural crops, the main source of income for the district is tourism. Though tourists are visiting the district since November first week, it has not grown as per the expectations. Hence, the short films are an effort to promote tourism in the district,” said Hotel and Resort Owners’ Association President Nagendra Prasad.

Over one lakh people in the district are dependent on the tourism sector for livelihood. After the landslides, the labourers have returned to their native places. About 80% of the business has been affected. Resort and homestay owners are attempting to sell the resorts. However, there are no buyers, he lamented.

The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation too joined hands with the resort owners in promoting tourism.

KSTDC Managing Director, Kumar Pushkar said, “There are two hotels run by KSTDC in the district. In the last four months, we have incurred a loss of Rs 1.50 crore.”

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Districts / by Adithya K A / DH News Service,Madikeri / November 30th, 2018

Kodagu rescue operations: Volunteers feted

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders
Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya speaks at Sadbhavana Convention organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Madikeri unit, on Saturday.
Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya speaks at Sadbhavana Convention organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Madikeri unit, on Saturday.

The volunteers, who took part in the rescue operations during the massive landslides and floods that ravaged Kodagu, are role models for the entire country, said Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya.

Speaking at the Sadbhavana Convention, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Madikeri unit on Saturday, she said volunteers not only took up rescue operations but also lent a helping hand to the district administration.

“As many as 600 victims have been provided shelter at the relief centres by the district administration. The government has been providing facilities to the victims. Members of various organisations are also extending financial assistance and providing relief materials to the victims,” added the deputy commissioner.

Kalancheri Mutt seer Shanthamallikarjuna Swami said that such conventions were essential to foster communal harmony in the society.

As many as 15 volunteers, who were part of the rescue operations, were felicitated on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Districts / by Adithya K A / DH News Service,Madikeri / November 25th, 2018

‘Every child is an asset for the nation’

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Science & Technology
Parents and guardians take part in the inaugural function of Newborn Children’s Week at the district hospital in Madikeri.
Parents and guardians take part in the inaugural function of Newborn Children’s Week at the district hospital in Madikeri.

District RCH Officer Dr Nilesh said parents should take special care of their children’s health because each and every child is an asset to the country.

He was speaking at the inaugural function of Newborn Children’s Week organised by Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences at the maternity and children’s ward at the district hospital.

Healthy children are an integral part of a healthy society, said Dr Nilesh.

District surgeon Dr Jagadish said special care should be taken while feeding newborns. “It is important for the mothers to know the food requirement of children according to their age,” he advised.

District Hospital senior paediatrician Dr Krishnananda felt for a need to take necessary steps to bring down infant mortality rate.

Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences Paediatrics Department Head Dr Purushottam, Dr Shivraj and Dr Kiran were present at the function.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by Adithya KA, DH News Service, Madikeri / November 24th, 2018

One frame, many stories

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

Educational institutions were first started in Kodagu after the British takeover in 1834. Kodavas took to education enthusiastically.

In 1909, St Joseph’s Convent was founded by Catholic nuns in Madikeri. It was primarily for girls, but boys were allowed up to 7th standard. The school catered to both boarders and day scholars.

I recently came across a remarkable group photograph taken in 1911, of the students at the time, along with the European nuns who ran the school.This school offered quality education to the children of those locals who aspired to see their children well-prepared to take advantage of lucrative jobs and career opportunities under the colonial dispensation.

This school saw several generations of students, especially women, pursue higher education and excel in diverse professions at a time when women were not very much involved outside the traditional responsibilities of raising a family.

Poovaiah sisters, Sita, Chitra and Lata, with their guru, Jailal.
Poovaiah sisters, Sita, Chitra and Lata, with their guru, Jailal.

One family in this frame, frozen in time, has members who went on to become famous during 1930s and 1950s. They are the seven daughters and one son of the first lawyer from Kodagu — Codanda D Poovaiah. Six of his daughters continued their education outside Kodagu. The sisters excelled in various fields and soon came to be known as the ‘Poovaiah Sisters of Coorg’.

One of them, Rohini, was the first lady from Kodagu to get a degree. She later became the principal of Crosthwaite College, a well-known institution in Allahabad. She was familiar with the Nehru family and had a brief role in the education of a young Indira Gandhi. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1973.

Another sister, Ashlesha, was one of the first lady doctors from Kodagu. Yet another sister, Swati, did her nursing degree and later went on a scholarship to Columbia University in 1948 for further studies. The three younger sisters — Sita, Chitra and Lata, became renowned Kathak dancers and were much sought after not only for their performances, but also to direct dances in Hindi movies. All the sisters took part in the freedom movement. Chitra and Lata defied prohibitory orders during the ‘Quit India’ movement and were arrested and jailed for two weeks.

Sita went on to earn a PhD in Arts from Bombay University and became the first Kodava lady to get a doctorate degree.

Vivid memories: A century-old group photo of students of St Joseph’s Convent in Madikeri.
Vivid memories: A century-old group photo of students of St Joseph’s Convent in Madikeri.

Over the years, several girls who had their early education in this school went on to achieve in various fields.

Konganda Accamma who studied here in the 1920s joined Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi. She was one of the first Kodava women to earn an MBBS degree and headed Vanivilas Women and Children’s Hospital for several years.

C B Muthamma, India’s first woman IFS officer.
C B Muthamma, India’s first woman IFS officer.

One of the most distinguished alumna of this school is C B Muthamma, who was the first woman to qualify for the Indian Foreign Service in 1949. She also has the distinction of being the first lady ambassador from the IFS cadre. Muthamma had to face gender discrimination while in service. She fought against the government and went to the Supreme Court in 1979 for redressal. The apex court passed a judgement in her favour which paved the way for other women civil servants from being discriminated against. She also authored a book titled, Slain by the System, in 2003.

St Joseph’s is now a co-ed school and continues to provide quality education.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Spectrum / by C.P. Belliappa / November 10th, 2018

‘Coorg Flavours’ masala products launched

Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All
Women flood victims sell masala products under the name ‘Coorg flavours’ in Madikeri on Sunday.
Women flood victims sell masala products under the name ‘Coorg flavours’ in Madikeri on Sunday.

“There is a need to give priority to build the lives of flood victims,” said writer Vaidehi.

She was speaking after launching various masala products under the brand name ‘Coorg Flavours’ prepared by women flood victims under a skill development project of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Project Coorg at Kalooru in Madikeri taluk on Sunday.

It was a moment of pride for the flood victims, who have started rebuilding their lives by selling various products prepared by them.

MLA K G Bopaiah said, “The flood victims should lead a self-sufficient life. The quality of the products should be maintained.”

Project Coorg Convener Balaji Kashyap said that the women were imparted 21 days of training and have prepared 11 varieties of masala products.

Kalooru Kakera family has announced the donation of 20 cents of land to construct a building to train the women.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Kodagu unit president K S Devaiah spoke on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Districts / by Adithya KA / DH News Service – Madikeri / November 11th, 2018

Kodagu makes progress in rehabilitating flood victims

About Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

840 people who lost their homes have been identified.

Kodagu during the flood (Representional Image)
Kodagu during the flood (Representional Image)

Mysuru:

The Kodagu administration, which has identified land to build houses for 840 people, who lost their homes in the district’s floods and landslides in August this year, is getting ready to form layouts on it with all basic amenities including roads, electricity and water connection for their benefit.

According to Kodagu additional special deputy commissioner, M K Jagadish, a Rs 31.63 crore proposal has been sent to the state government to form the layouts with 373 sites in five places to begin with. Experts of the Geological Survey of India have already assessed the land identified.

While three private companies have come forward with model houses, the state government has not yet chosen one or the company for building them. “Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy has suggested we build two bedroom houses,” the officer added.

The state government, which has decided to give Rs 50,000 to each displaced family until the houses are built for them, has released Rs 6 crore towards this and the process of distribution was underway, the officer said.

While as many as 524 people have lost their houses in Madikeri taluk, 205 have been made homeless in Madikeri town, 88 in Somwarpet taluk, and 23 in Kushalnagar town. Of them 98 have decided to build houses on their own land. The land identified by the government has already been levelled, and 30 x 40 sites will be marked on it from November 2.

While most victims of Kodagu’s rains and floods have returned home, 683 still remain at seven relief camps in the district.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by Shilpa P / Deccan Chronicle / November 01st, 2018