Category Archives: Inspiration / Positive News and Features

Mysore Medical College alumnus Dr.Dechu Ponnappa gets global recognition

Dr.DechuPonnappaKF24ul2016

Mysuru :

The Leading Physicians of the World (LPW) has recognised Dr. Dechu Ponnappa Puliyanda, MD, an alumnus of Mysore Medical College (MMC), as a top Paediatric Nephrologist in California by including her name in its 2016 edition.

LPW, which began as a yearly publication, selecting and documenting the biographies of medicines brightest minds, has over time evolved into the largest international exclusive medical organisation, representing first rate doctors in over 100 different medical specialties in all major markets across the globe.

Profile: Dechu Puliyanda is an astute clinician with a special interest in Pediatric Nephrology and kidney transplantation. After finishing her Fellowship in Nephrology and Transplantation from Harvard, she joined the prestigious Cedars Sinai Medical Centre in Beverly Hills California, where she currently serves as the Director of the Pediatric Nephrology programme. She is a professor of Pediatrics at Cedars Sinai Medical Centre as well as Professor of Pediatrics at the UCLA-David Geffen School of Medicine at Los Angeles, California.

Her research has focused on viral infections in the post transplant period, and surrogate markers for renal transplant rejection. She is a world-renowned speaker and has presented at a number of national and international conferences. She is an author of many peer-reviewed publications in prestigious medical journals. In addition, she has a very strong commitment to providing comprehensive care to children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease.

Dr. Dechu Puliyanda is is a member of the American Society of Transplantation, International Pediatric Transplantation Association, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, International Pediatric Nephrology Association to name a few.

A gold medallist from Mysore Medical College (MMC), Dr. Dechu Puliyanda completed her internship and residency at the Rush Presbyterian St.Luke’s Medical Centre in Chicago. She then completed her Fellowship in Nephrology and Transplantation at the Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.

She is the daughter of late Dr. Kokkalera Ponnappa and Machie Ponnappa (nee Pandanda), who is a resident of Mittal Panorama on Lalitha Mahal Road in Mysuru. She is married to Subbaiah Puliyanda and the couple have two children, Siddarth and Sitara.

Dechu’s brother Uthaiah Kokkalera is a Robotic Laparascopic Surgeon in Los Angeles, California.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / July 18th, 2016

Remembering those who fought for freedom

A rare document from 1931 reveals the role played by freedom fighters from Kodagu

Legacy: A picture of freedom fighters with Mallengada Chengappa (right) at the laying of the foundation stone for the Freedom Fighters' memorial in Gonicoppa on December 16, 1998.
Legacy: A picture of freedom fighters with Mallengada Chengappa (right) at the laying of the foundation stone for the Freedom Fighters’ memorial in Gonicoppa on December 16, 1998.

A rare document from 1931 obtained by The Hindu here speaks volumes about people from Kodagu district who were in the forefront of the freedom struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

The people of Kodagu had issued a ‘manapatra’ then, a letter of honour, commending and saluting the 98 brave men and women who revolted against the British, following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation. They had taken part in the satyagraha in 1930-31 and were incarcerated.

Pandyanda Belliappa, Kollimada Karumbaiah, Chekkera Monnaiah, Makki Krishnaiah, Mallengada Chengappa, Abdul Gafoor Khan, Ajjikuttira Chinnappa, Ponnimada Machaiah, Kalengada Chinnappa, K.M. Subraya, Puliyanda Subbaiah, V. R. Thammaiah, Bidarur Madaiah, Chokira Madappa, Poojari Muthappa, Pandikanda Madappa, H.R. Krishnaiah were some among the people honoured by the people of Kodagu in 1931. Puliyanda Subbaiah, who hailed from Maggula village, was a true Gandhian till his death. He wore Khadi and counselled patience whenever a rift arose among people. So was V.R. Thammaiah, another Gandhian, who also hailed from the village. Elders say that H.R. Krishnaiah even refused to apply for pension after Independence saying if the Government recognised his contribution, it should come to his doorstep and give him the pension papers.

Even women did not lag behind. Kotera Accavva, Balyatanda Muddavva, Mukkatira Bojamma, Machimanda Medakka, Appanderanda Kalamma also joined the freedom struggle. The manapatra given to them on March 11, 1931, stated that they had been imprisoned for preaching the message of Mahatma Gandhi and taking part in the satyagraha.

The manapatra further stated that the people of Kodagu would not be able to offer them (the freedom fighters) privileges such as ‘Jahagir’, ‘Umbali’ — both land grants for service rendered — or ‘Pinchani’ (pension), but would carry forward the noble message of freedom struggle, support and abide by it.

A sentence read significantly that “Bharata mateya makallada Kodaginavaru drohigalalla, Bhartada veera putra putriyaru embudannu prapanchakke saridiri”. This meant “the people of Kodagu, who are the children of mother India, are not traitors. You have heralded a message to the world that you are valiant sons and daughters of India.” The people who were mentioned in the manapatra at the function presided by Biddanda Subbaiah, also had taken a pledge to follow the ideals propounded by Gandhiji such as ‘swadeshi’ and liquor prohibition.

A section of people might feel that some people of Kodagu supported the British. But it cannot be forgotten that Guddemane Appaiah Gowda who had fought the British was hanged at the Fort here by the British on October 31, 1837, much before the Sepoy Mutiny took place.

Kodagina Gowramma had offered all her jewellery to Gandhiji when he had visited here soliciting peoples’ support for continuing the freedom movement in the early 1930s.

It is an unfortunate irony that the Freedom Fighters’ memorial, the work for which started at Gonicoppa 12 years ago and the Guddemane Appaiah Gowda memorial, of which works are now underway, are yet to be completed.

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The ‘manapatra’ saluted the 98 men and women who revolted against the British

The work on the Freedom Fighters’ memorial at Gonicoppa started 12 years ago

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source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Madikeri – August 15th, 2010

Doctor from Kodagu wins U.S. award

Madikeri:

Kokkalera Uthaiah Ponnappa, who hails from Kodagu and is now settled in the U.S., has bagged the Resident Achievement Award for 2005, a national award given to a resident surgeon in that country by the Society of Laparo-endoscopic Surgeons (SLS), according to family sources here.

An SLS communication to Dr. Uthaiah Ponnappa said that in recognition of his being an outstanding laparo-endoscopic resident, his name has been listed in the SLS News and World Report section of the Journal of the Society of Laparo-endoscopic Surgeons.

Dr. Uthaiah Ponnappa did his MBBS at Bangalore Medical College and went to Manchester in the U.K. for his FRCS. — Staff Correspondent

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Karnataka> Briefly / Saturday – July 16th, 2005

Environment organisations to organise ‘padayatra’ seeking funds for Cauvery River development

Allocation of money for Cauvery River development on the lines of the funds for purification of Ganges River has been sought by environment organisations.—PHOTO: M. GOVARTHAN
Allocation of money for Cauvery River development on the lines of the funds for purification of Ganges River has been sought by environment organisations.—PHOTO: M. GOVARTHAN

Olirum Erodu Foundation has teamed up with Annai Cauvery River Protection Trust to carry out remediation of environmental pollution in the Cauvery River.

The two organisations have resolved to organise a ‘padayatra’ from Talacauvery on the Brahmagiri hill in Kodagu district, Karnataka, to Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu, on July 10 to create public awareness on the need for Central and State governments to earmark funds for Cauvery River Rejuvenation Project.

They have taken the expertise of Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to implement their action plan.

Pamphlets being distributed by the Trust lists a set of responsibilities of the governments that include a special drive for raising lakhs of trees in Brahmagiri range in Kodagu district for more rain at Talacauvery.

Stringent measures to prevent mixing of sewage and industrial pollutants into river water, strengthening of embankments and construction of check dams across the river to prevent draining of water accruing from monsoon rains into the sea; and formation of a separate ministry for safeguarding and developing Cauvery River.

Participants at the consultative meeting chaired by the vice-chairman of Olirum Erodu Foundation (OEF) D. Venkateswaran constituted Swami Ramananda, OEF chairman M. Chinnasamy; and secretary S. Ganesan, emphasised on allocation of money for Cauvery River development on the lines of the funds for purification of Ganges River.

A. Sridhar, Regional Project Officer (South India) with National Water Mission & Tata Institute of Social Sciences – Water Project, the special invitee for the meeting, joined other speakers in calling for nationalisation of rivers and linking of the rivers in the Southern States to begin with.

Suggestions for environmental remediation were also offered by historian Kaniyan Balan, coordinator of Erodai K. Sudakar, Secretary of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam Subbu, and organising secretary Logusamy.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Erode – June 13th, 2016

Spoorthi Motivational Workshop for college students from Kodagu

Maj. Gen. (retd.) C. K. Karumbaya, Trustee of Kodava Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru, along with the participants, is seen lighting the lamp as Trust President K. A. Kariappa, Secretary P. A. Jayakumar, Treasurer Wing Commander (retd.) C.G. Madappa and others look on.
Maj. Gen. (retd.) C. K. Karumbaya, Trustee of Kodava Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru, along with the participants, is seen lighting the lamp as Trust President K. A. Kariappa, Secretary P. A. Jayakumar, Treasurer Wing Commander (retd.) C.G. Madappa and others look on.

Mysuru :

Spoorthi-2016, a four-day motivational workshop for college students (boys and girls) from Kodagu district, organised by Kodava Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru, began at Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar first stage here yesterday.

Deenabandhu Trustee Maj. Gen. (retd.) Codanda K. Karumbaya addressed the participants at a formal function held in the Samaja premises this morning.

Trust President Kattera A. Kariappa, Secretary Pattada A. Jayakumar, Treasurer Wing Commander (retd.) Chendrimada G. Madappa, Trustees Lt. Col. (retd). Chourira A. Ganapathy, Mechanda M. Karumbaiah, Maletira Chimmi Nanjappa and Pattamada Shanthi Ganapathy, volunteer Anu Mudduraj, Dechu Karumbaya, Geetha Kuttappa, Anila Madappa and others were present.

Nearly 40 students from across Kodagu District are taking part in the workshop, which features motivational workshops, educational tours to prominent institutions and many other such initiatives.

The workshop will conclude on June 8.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 06th, 2016

Green is my colour!

On the eve of World Environment Day, Pamela Malhotra tells SRAVASTI DATTA about re-examining our obsession with technology and our lifestyles choices can have an impact on the environment

A.K.Malhotra and Pamela Malhotra
A.K.Malhotra and Pamela Malhotra

Her story is well-known. About two decades ago, Pamela Malhotra and her husband Dr. A.K. Malhotra bought 55-acres of land in the Western Ghats in Kodagu district, with the intention of reforesting the land that had fallen into various states of misuse. They Pamela and her husband were in the U.S. before they relocated to this land, in the Brahmagiri range, that is about 40 minutes away from Srimangala.

“K.M. Chinnappa of Wildlife First was the Warden at Nagarhole National Park when we first came to India in January of 1986. He It was he who encouraged us to buy land to protect in the Coorg/Kodagu district. We also met Ullas Karanth on that trip and also network with Ravi Chengappa of Cauvery Sene on environmental issues in the district,” says Pamela, who has dedicated her life toin protecting wildlife and the environment, and is a well-known speaker on climate change, watershed protection, bio-diversity and species extinction. Today that land has been converted into a 300-acres SAI (Save Animals Initiative) sanctuary of rich foliage and diverse species.

“The process took a long time. Did we ever expect to have the sanctuary we have today? No!” says Pamela, who was one of the speakers at the recently-concluded TedxBangalore.

SAIkf04jun2016

“We took advice from the former owner of the 55 acres of land and the adivasis, because they have the knowledge of the native trees needed in that area. You need to understand which tree species belong where. The land was in various different conditions. The parts where cardamom was grown, there were a lot of shade trees, because cardamom requires a lot of shade, big native trees. But in the coffee plantations, big trees were taken out and there were smaller trees, because coffee requires sunlight. But coffee prices got de-regulated, so the cardamom plantations were pulled out, and they cut down the big trees. That was the first wave of deforestation. The second was when unregulated home stays were being built.”

Pamela says the Kodagu district is the source of fresh water for the Southern Indian peninsula. And so every drop of water that we take for granted in our cities is extremely precious. Bengaluru due to rapid, and often mindless, development is desperately holding on to the last vestiges of being a garden city. Even though forests do not lie within our immediate surroundings, we often take them for granted. Pamela says scientific studies have shown that 50 per cent of rainwater comes from forests, much more than oceans. So do we in our technology-obsessed cities have a responsibility towards Nature? Yes. Does the action of a single individual have an effect on climate change and conservation? Yes. Pamela says it is essential, therefore, to examine one’s lifestyle. “To save water, there is rainwater harvesting, recharging groundwater and conserving water. We also have to examine our obsession with technology. Do we need the latest iphone? Do we really need the latest tech toys? Rare earth minerals and materials are used in computers and mobile phones. And those materials, are just that, rare!”

Some of the measures we adopt to control diseases in cities is way off the mark. “Tanks are being poisoned to get rid of mosquitoes. But instead of poisoning tanks, see how we can breed frogs because they eat insects and mosquitoes. Swallows eat 2,000 mosquitoes! You could plant trees and small bushes in your backyard. It will also bring back small wildlife like butterflies and birds.”

Elephant at SAI Sanctuary in Coorg
Elephant at SAI Sanctuary in Coorg

Pamela says conserving our rainforests is about survival. “It’s not a touchy-feely thing,” she emphasises. She reveals trivia about wildlife that is relatively unknown: “Elephants are the number one protectors of the forest. Recent studies by the Indian Institute of Science have shown the comparison between elephant impact on protection versus the roaming of domestic cattle. Elephants cover a 1000 square kilometre radius, while cattle cover a five km radius. Elephants also consume wholeseed, so they are scattered in their dung across a wide distance. It has also been proven that the seed in elephant dung sprouts much faster than those that even fall directly from trees.”

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Brimming with wildlife, you can spot these at the SAI Sanctuary

Animals

Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Bonnet Macaque, Jackal, Fox

Birds

Little cormorant, Little egret, Oriental honey buzzard, Butterflies, Malabar spotted flat, Pygmy scrub hopper

Snakes

King Cobra, Russell’s Viper, Common Sand Boar

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Green up, clean up your city

Conserve water, resort to rainwater harvesting and charging underground water

Think about our obsession with technology. Do we really need the latest i-phone and tech toy? Rare earth material goes into the making of them. And as the name suggests, rare earth material is really, rare!

Plant trees or grow small bushes in your backyard. That will help attract small wildlife, like butterflies and small birds. Swallows, for example, can eat up to 2,000 mosquitoes, which can prevent diseases like malaria and dengue.

Instead of poisoning tanks to get rid of mosquitoes think of earth-friendly options such as frogs who eat mosquitoes

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / Sravasti Datta / Bengaluru – June 03rd, 2016

Freedom fighter of Gandhian mould from Kodagu at 103 — A Profile

Supreme Court Advocate Brijesh Kalappa (second from right), who called on veteran freedom fighter M.G. Chengappa at his Yadavagiri residence in city, is seen with Prof. K. C. Belliappa (extreme left), Chairman, Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions in Kuvempunagar, Chengappa's wife Sharada and daughter Prema.
Supreme Court Advocate Brijesh Kalappa (second from right), who called on veteran freedom fighter M.G. Chengappa at his Yadavagiri residence in city, is seen with Prof. K. C. Belliappa (extreme left), Chairman, Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions in Kuvempunagar, Chengappa’s wife Sharada and daughter Prema.

Mysuru :

Kodagu district, having a rich forest cover and River Cauvery, the lifeline of crores of people, is a blend of natural beauty and serenity.

Kodagu, apart from its many uniqueness and natural beauty, is widely known for its hundreds of warriors who fought for the country against the British and other social evils.

One such great warrior is Malavanda G. Chengappa, 103, residing in the State’s cultural capital Mysuru, which is a matter of pride for we citizens. Chengappa, who fought for the nation’s independence, was jailed by the Britishers. He also waged a battle for liquor ban and created widespread awareness campaigns on the necessity for banning liquors.

Born to Malavanda Ganapathy and Seethamma, a farmer couple from Balyamandur village near Ponnampet in South Kodagu, M.G. Chengappa developed the spirit of fighting for just causes at a young age.

Inspired by his maternal uncle K.C. Karumbaiah (a former MP), he jumped into freedom struggle at the age of 18 years. His sister Akkamma too was a freedom fighter, who joined hands with the then Kodagu District Congress President M.G. Kuttappa in fighting for various causes post-independence.

Chengappa was among the prominent leaders, who fought against the British in Kodagu. Chengappa and other freedom fighters were arrested by the British in 1932 and sent to Kannur Central Jail, from where he was shifted to Tiruchirapalli jail.

During his stay in the jail, Chengappa came across several associates of revolutionary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and expressed his willingness to join them. But due to various reasons, he had to stay back in Kodagu.

In the pre-independence days, the farming community was in deep distress and Chengappa’s family too was not an exception. His family members became helpless when they needed money to get him released from jail. Ultimately, they had to sell a plough (negilu) and a copper vessel to raise enough funds for his release.

Chengappa’s Mysuru connection: M.G. Chengappa has a long connection with Mysuru as he used to take part in Seva Dal camps that were being held at Subbarayanakere grounds, along with other freedom fighters namely Chekkera Monnaiah and Ajjikuttira Chinnappa. The city’s then renowned advocate M.S. Ramaiah had let out his house for camp participants.

Gandhiji’s pat: Mahatma Gandhi, during his freedom struggle campaign in Karnataka, had visited Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama in Ponnampet when Chengappa was one among the volunteers who were picked for taking care of the Mahatma.

With this, Chengappa got an opportunity to know more about Gandhiji. Chengappa, who served Gandhiji tirelessly, was patted by the Mahatma on his back for his meritorious work.

The large number of liquor-loving people in Kodagu was a cause of worry for Chengappa. So he launched a social campaign calling for a liquor ban. Chengappa’s contention was that liquor consumption habits among the people would lead to devastation of their families, besides becoming a bane to the society.

Fearing that alcoholism would push families to the streets besides destroying the future of youth community, Chengappa launched a relentless campaign seeking a ban on liquor.

A vegetarian to the core, Chengappa’s family members say that pure vegetarian diet is the secret of Chengappa’s long life and health.

Chengappa’s patriotism can also be seen in his outfit as he only wears khadi. This centenarian has kept himself away from non-vegetarian diet and liquor.

At present, Chengappa is staying with his wife Sharada and daughter Prema at Chaitra Apartment in Yadavagiri.

It is a matter of pride for Mysureans that a centenarian freedom fighter, who led an ideal life throughout, is residing amidst us.

His niece Dr. Latha Muthanna has penned about the life of this Kodava warrior in her book “Lopamudra’s Daughter.”

Brijesh Kalappa calls on Chengappa: AICC Spokesperson and Supreme Court Advocate Palachanda Brijesh Kalappa, who was in city recently, called on Chengappa at Yadavagiri and enquired about his health. He was accompanied by his father-in-law Prof. Kambeyanda C. Belliappa, Chairman, Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions in Kuvempunagar and former VC of Rajiv Gandhi Central University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Chengappa, when asked about his health, is said to have replied, “I am quite good” which speaks volumes of his spirit.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 02nd, 2016

‘Vietnam King’ title awarded to city’s Yoga Guru Dr. Raghavendra Pai

Yoga Guru Dr. Raghavendra R. Pai, Founder, Sri Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishthana, Mysuru, seen receiving the award at the 2nd Om Yoga & Wellness Hub Festival, held at Vietnam recently.
Yoga Guru Dr. Raghavendra R. Pai, Founder, Sri Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishthana, Mysuru, seen receiving the award at the 2nd Om Yoga & Wellness Hub Festival, held at Vietnam recently.

Mysuru :

In the culture barter expedition of global leaders around the world, Yoga from India has found itself a revered place across borders in an overwhelming acceptance.

Standing up for the physical, mental and spiritual balance practice, Yoga traces its origin back to the diversely fit cultural land of India.

Last year in his UN address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested to have June 21 of every year dedicated to celebrate this practice as International Yoga Day.

“Let’s pledge to make Yoga an integral part of our daily lives,” he mentioned. June 21 (Summer Solstice), is also the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.

As the entire world gears up for the 2nd International Yoga Day celebrations in June 2016, countries across the globe are leaving no stone unturned to make it a grand success. Vietnam, much ahead in its vision to promote Yoga, had organised an event to recognise the efforts of Yoga practitioners from India, who have worked hard to promote Yoga across the world.

Vietnam’s Om Yoga & Wellness Hub, a centre for Yoga, Ayurveda and Wellness, along with Sri Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishthana, Mysuru, had jointly organised the 2nd Om Yoga & Wellness Hub Festival, in line with International Yoga Day celebrations, on May 14 and 15, 2016 at Om Yoga & Well- ness Hub by Master Santhosh Cheriyamane, Binh Duong, Vietnam.

The event created two National Records — 81 yoga students and instructors performing 1008 Suryanamaskaras and a 24-hour Yoga marathon under the guidance of Yoga Guru Dr. Raghavendra R. Pai, Founder, Sri Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishthana, Mysuru and Master Santhoshkumar Cheriyamane Anand, Founder, Om Yoga and Wellness Hub, Vietnam.

For their excellence in Yoga, Dr. Raghavendra Pai and Master Santoshkumar Cheriyamane were awarded the prestigious ‘Vietnam King’ title by the Vietnam Book of Records on May 24. The certificates were officially handed over to them by the President of ‘Vietnam Book of Records’ Dr. Nguyen Van Vien and Chief Spokesperson Le Tran Truong An.

The other recipients of these title included Konanavar Somashekhara, Hebbasuru Siddappa Shivappa, Dombara Ganesh, Keri Suresh Kallappa, Annigeri Shivakumar, Yoga instructors from Karnataka and Perumal Selvakumar and Palanisamy Premkumar from Tamil Nadu.

Santosh Kumar Cheriyamane Anand, a Yoga practitioner, originally, hailing from Kushalnagar in Kodagu and Nguyen Thi Thanh Van from Vietnam, co-founders of Om Yoga & Wellness Hub, have popularised Yoga in Vietnam and also successfully established centres across three more cities in Vietnam. At these Centres, 12 dedicated instructors from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are imparting knowledge on not just practising Yoga, but also on Ayurveda and its natural healing methods and processes to those interested in and around the region.

The efforts of these Yoga practitioners in promoting Yoga across the globe is only the beginning of a much bigger dream envisioned by Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Siddha and Homeopathy) and the UN.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / May 30th, 2016

Scientist brews a green idea to give coffee growers their due

Arshiya Bose, founder, Black Baza Coffee
Arshiya Bose, founder, Black Baza Coffee

Bengaluru:

Verdant forests, picturesque mountains, lush coffee plantations — for many, Coorg is the perfect place to unwind. However, it was a different quest which took Arshiya Bose to the coffee land. A PhD holder in geography and environmental science from the University of Cambridge, she visited Coorg as part of a research project. Her mission — to make coffee production environment-friendly.

Realizing not all is well with the current production process — use of pesticides, exploitation of farmers, growth of coffee in the sun instead of shade — Arshiya, 32, started looking for ways to make it sustainable. She wanted to address these problems by adopting a holistic approach that ensures the well-being of both the environment and the coffee producers. The result — Black Baza Coffee, an entrepreneurial idea currently being incubated at the NS Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL), IIM Bangalore. The centre mentors innovators and supports their ventures.

During her research, Ashriya got the opportunity to work with forest dwellers and tribal communities in the Western Ghats, which helped her get closer to her goal. “I studied the social and environmental impacts of coffee production and found there were a number of problems no one was doing anything about. Traditionally, coffee in India has been grown under the shade of trees. But now, it is grown directly under the sun’s harsh rays, which adversely impacts biodiversity. Also, the trade market is extremely unfair to the producers, with the exploitation levels being very high. To fix the loopholes in the social and environmental ecosystem, I started Black Baza Coffee,” said Arshiya, who has tied up with many producers.

So far, the Kolkata resident has got 35 coffee producers on board, of whom 31 are marginal farmers from Biligiriranga Hills in Chamarajnagar. All of them are small growers —they own farms spanning less than 25 acres. “Under our partnership, we promise to buy coffee from farmers, support them through agronomic training and quality improvement and build safeguards for unforeseen price crashes. Many small growers are exploited and we hope to be the most fair buyer of their product ensuring they get their due,” said the young entrepreneur.

Explaining the potential of the idea, professor Suresh Bhagavatula, chairperson, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development, NSRCEL, IIMB said, “Coffee is among the top five most popular legally traded products in the world, including oil. It is a $90 billion industry and supports about 75 million people. While India is among the top 10 coffee-producing nations, it accounts for about 3.5% of the world exports. Unlike the rest of the world where sustainability and fair trade are becoming important for consumers, it is yet to catch on in India”.

“Black Baza Coffee would like to market the produce from farmers who practice sustainable methods for production. Consumption of coffee in India has started to increase, which will make it more feasible for ventures such as BBC to be established and serve the local markets as well,” Suresh added.

MUTUAL BENEFIT

We make conversational agreements with farmers and enter into a mutual understanding with them to grow coffee under certain kinds of trees, restrict the use of pesticides and protect their water resources. In return, Black Baza Coffee guarantees to buy coffee from these farmers at a higher premium

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / Shilpa Baburaj, TNN / May 25th, 2016

3 girls top in ICSE exams

Madikeri:

Pandit Aradhana Swanand has emerged as the district topper in ICSE class X exams. The student from Coorg Public School secured 97%.

A R Hitha has secured 96%, with 100 in computer applications, while C M Monica has also scored 96%, the school stated, adding that “the three of them have achieved a unique distinction of scoring 1 point in all subjects”.

Coorg Public School has posted centum results, which, it stated, is a feat, given that it has scored 100% for 18 successive years.

Of the 85 students, 16 have scored over 90% marks and 34 above 80% marks.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mysore / TNN / May 13th, 2016