Category Archives: Leaders

Madikeri: B D Jagadeesh Rai elected president of Kodagu district Bunts association

The annual general body meeting of Kodagu district bunts association was held on February 5 at Cavuery hall in the city.

Entrepreneur B D Jagadeesh Rai was elected as the new president of the association unanimously. V Ravindra Rai, entrepreneur of Kushalnagar was unanimously chosen as the chief secretary.

Vice president B K Ravindra Rai gave details of assests of association and trust. He also said that some members are spreading false propaganda with regards to the assets of the association. There is no truth in those statements. Accurate records of the assets are with the association and anyone can verify the same anytime.

Speaking on the occasion, Ravindra said, “We have got together after many years. Former president and secretary and conveying false information to the people. Some have declared association by themselves. Earlier, they did not even show interest to call the meeting of administrative committee.”

New president Jagadeesh Rai said, “There will not be any chaos in future. All works needed for the community will be carried out. Bunts bhavan is required for the community. It will be done during my tenure. Office bearers of the association will be elected soon.”

Virajpete Ratnakara Shetty, who declared himself as the president of the association without anyone’s consent and made derogatory video on social media about the community was rusticated from the association for indefinite period.

Many gave proposals with regards to the development of the association.

Secretary Harish Rai read the report. Treasurer B N Ratnakara Rai presented financial report. Honorary president B B Aithappa Rai did the introductory speech.

Balakrishna Rai welcomed the gathering. Kishore Rai Kattalekadu compered the event. Hita Yogesh Shetty offered prayers and rendered vote of thanks.

source:http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home / Daijiworld Media Network – Madikeri (MS) / February 10th, 2023

National Defence College team in Kodagu

An 18-member team from National Defence College, New Delhi visited Gen. Thimayya Memorial Museum at Madikeri in Kodagu district on Wednesday.

The team was led by Air Vice-Marshal Tejbir Singh who said that the museum is a source of inspiration for present and future military leaders and eulogised Gen.Thimayya’s role in strengthening the defence forces.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / February 01st, 2023

In pics: Crowd at Book Fair, postal stamp unveiling and more news from Kolkata

A quick look at the day that was for Kolkata.

pix: Suvendu Das/My Kolkata

To commemorate the distinguished services rendered by General KS Thimayya, Padma Bhushan, DSO, a commemorative postage stamp and the first day cover were issued by the Department of Posts and Army Postal Service Corps at Fort William, Kolkata on February 4, 2023.

Lt General RP Kalita, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command, and Col of the Kumaon & Naga Regiments and Kumaon Scouts unveiled the stamp and signed the First Day Cover in the presence of prominent dignitaries, veterans, senior serving Army officers and the present and Ex-Commanding Officers of 4 & 8 Kumaon, the battalions where General KS Thimayya had served.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> My Kolkata > News / by Kolkata Web Desk (edited) pix 2 of 4 / February 04th, 2023

Kodava Ex-Servicemen Meet In City

Advocate A.S. Ponnanna assures to resolve their problems

Mysore/Mysuru:

To project and seek solutions for the problems of Ex-servicemen and ex-Para Military personnel from Kodagu district, a Kodava Ex-servicemen Meet was held at The Roost Hotel in Mysuru on Sunday.

Former Additional Advocate General Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna was the chief guest at the meet convened by Army Veteran Appachangada Motaiah, General Secretary of Kodagu Ex-servicemen Welfare Association, Mysuru. A large number of Ex-servicemen, ex-Para Military personnel attended the meeting.

Many Ex-servicemen aired their problems with Advocate Ponnanna during an interaction  and sought his help to resolve the same. Ponnanna assured that he would resolve their problems in all the justified causes.

Most of their problems were with  regard to difficulty in getting their names and their children’s names included in the Record of Rights / RTC of their share in Jamma land.

Advocate Ponnanna, while addressing the gathering, spoke about various problems faced by Ex-Servicemen and ex-Para Military personnel and their children concerning Record of Rights /ownership of Jamma land.  He opined that the procedure / system to include Jamma land owners’  names in the Record of Rights / RTC should be simplified with concerted efforts by impressing upon the Government.

Ex-servicemen and widowed wives also projected their problems and Ponnanna assured to resolve their problems if the copies of connected documents are sent to his Office.

Cheppudira Arun Machaiah was the guest of honour.

Mandetira N. Subramani, President of VeKare Ex-servicemen Trust, highlighted the problems of two widows of Ex-servicemen who have been denied Death Certificates of their husband even after one-and-a-half years and requested Advocate Ponnanna to intervene.

Subramani said that one of the affected widows, Moodera Juby, aged  74  and wife of Sepoy Moodera Arjuna, did not get her husband’s  Death Certificate due to callousness of the concerned  Revenue Inspector according to the deceased’s son Cariappa.

The other helpless widow was Meederira Kamala Kumari, wife of Meederira late Havildar Bheemaiah, who too could not get the Death Certificate  as the concerned Village Accountant and Revenue Inspector failed to conduct mahazar or find out who is the living wife of the deceased since Bheemaiah married Kamala Kumari after the death of his first wife Damayanthi (Dharani) and lived with second wife for over 6 years.

Subramani requested Advocate Ponnanna to help both the widows in getting them the Death Certificates of their husbands so that they could claim their defence family pension as well as civil family pension since late Meederira Bheemaiah was re-employed and retired from BEL, Bengaluru while late Moodera Arjuna was re-employed at Mysore Sales International Ltd.

Ponnanna agreed to intervene  and help both the widows.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 01st, 2023

Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Remembered

Mysore/Mysuru:

Today, Jan. 28 in Indian and World History is celebrated, observed and remembered for various reasons and one of them is the birth anniversary of Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, who was the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. 

The Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Mysuru and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Fans Club celebrated the 124th birth anniversary at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle (Metropole Circle) in the city this morning. The statue of the celebrated supreme commander was decked up for the occasion.

MLAs L. Nagendra and G.T. Devegowda, MLC C.N. Manjegowda, Mayor Shivakumar, MUDA Chairman Yashaswi S. Somashekar and ex-Mayor M.J. Ravikumar were the chief guests.

Field Marshal Cariappa was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army on Jan. 15, 1949. Army Day is celebrated on that day every year. He had adopted the slogan ‘Jai Hind’, which means ‘Victory to India’”.

MLA Nagendra recalled the dedicated and committed service of the Field Marshal and described him as the true patriot. “His time sense, patriotism, dedication, punctuality and discipline are worth emulating. Field Marshal Cariappa was instrumental in preventing many foreign invasions,” he said. G.T. Devegowda and Manjegowda also spoke.

Mayor Shivakumar too recalled the services of the disciplined Commander-in-Chief and hailed Kodagu that has produced and is still producing stalwarts who made India proud. “His distinguished military career spanned almost three decades. The Mysuru City Corporation will take steps to further beautify the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle so that it becomes a landmark and a visual attraction,” he assured.

Yashaswi Somashekar noted that the MUDA has received an application for a site from the Kodava Ex-Servicemen Association. “We will discuss the issue at the MUDA meeting on Feb. 4 and decide on the allotment,” he said.

Corporators M.U. Subbaiah, Rangaswamy, Ravindra and Pramila Bharat, Vidya Vikas Educational Trust Secretary Kaveesh Gowda, Kodava Samaja President Mechanda Shashi Ponnappa, Vice-President Malachira Ponnappa, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club President Kuttimada D. Muthappa,  Fans Club President Nayakanda Thimmaiah and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 23rd, 2023

They are all my sons: What Field Marshal K M Cariappa told Ayub Khan

Field Marshal K M Cariappa the first Indian commander-in-chief of the Indian Army was responsible for eradicating caste and creed from the Indian Army. He remains one of India’s bravest sons.

New Delhi :

January 28 2023 marks the 124th birth anniversary of Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.

When it comes to Field Marshal K M Cariappa, there are many stories. Prior to becoming the Army Chief, FM Carrriappa led the Indian forces on the western front during the India-Pakistan War of 1947. He played a major role in recapturing Drass, Kargil and Zojila.

Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa

Another fine achievement of FM Cariappa was that he kept politics away from the Indian Army. He also introduced inclusivity by doing away with caste and creed. In this regard, he raised the Brigade of The Guards in 1949.

The soldiers were his sons: This story will go on to show how important the nation and soldiers were for Field Marshal K M Cariappa. It was 1965, the last day of the war between India and Pakistan. FM Cariappa’s son, then Squadron Leader K C Cariappa of the Indian Air Force was flying near the border, when his plane was shot down. He was taken prisoner by the Pakistan Army.

At that time, Cariappa was a retired General of the Indian Army. He was conferred the title of Field Marshal in the year 1986.

When K C Cariappa was being interrogated, he only revealed his name, rank and unit number. That is when the jail guards rushed to his cell to ask if he was the son of K M Cariappa.

K C Cariappa recalled (https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/when-i-was-a-prisoner-of-war-in-pakistan/295045), he gave his name, rank and number. I was asked if I was related to General Cariappa. I feigned a faint because of the pain, or maybe I did pass out. The next thing I knew was that I was lying on the back of a jeep and was being questioned by a Brigadier.

After he confirmed that he is the son of General Cariappa, the news reached up to Ayub Khan who at that time was the military leader of Pakistan. Khan announced on radio that K C Cariappa had been captured by his forces and that he was in safe custody.

Khan offered to release K C Cariappa because he is the son of General Cariappa. He even ordered the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to personally meet with General Cariappa and brief him about his health.

General Cariappa declined the offer by saying all soldiers were his sons, and all of them should be looked after well by Pakistan.

K C Cariappa revealed years after his release that his dad was a man of high principles. For him his son and all other soldiers were the same. I was released with all others even though Ayub Khan was his junior and was close to him. Despite that he refused to get me released Air Marshal (retd) K C Cariappa.

source: http://www.oneindia.com / One India / Home> News> India / by One India Correspondent / January 28th, 2023

New Team Of Sri Bhagavathi Kodava Assn.

A group photo of the new Office-bearers and Committee Members of Sri Bhagavathi Kodava Association, Bogadi, Mysuru.

SITTING from left: Thambukuthira Pavana Nanaiah, Bottolanda Sarala Somaiah (Vice-President), Dr. Cheyyanda Subramanya (President), Kokkanda Biddappa (Secretary), Bollachettira Deena Bopanna (Treasurer) and Mukkatira Hema Thammaiah;

STANDING from left: Mandeyanda Aiyanna, Chodumada Nanjappa, Ukkeriyanda  Rakesh  Somanna, Coluvanda Vivek Cuttappa, Kottangada Vinod Kumar, Kotera  Monnappa, Pemmanda  Nanjappa and Chonira Aiyanna.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / January 18th, 2023

Rashmika Mandanna chosen Coorg Person of Year 2022 in online poll

Author P.T. Bopanna decided to promote ‘role models’ by conducting an annual poll to select a ‘Coorg Person of Year’ to ‘reignite the famed leadership qualities in the community’.

Rashmika Mandanna achieved phenomenal success with the pan-India movie Pushpa – The Rise, and drew the spotlight on the tiny hill district of Kodagu, also known as Coorg, a popular tourist destination inhabited by Kodavas, who have a unique culture. | Photo Credit: PTI

Actor Rashmika Mandanna has been chosen as the Coorg Person of the Year 2022 in a poll conducted by www.coorgtourisminfo.com, a news portal based in the district of Kodagu.

Sharing the details, author P.T. Bopanna, who runs the news portal, said he decided to promote ‘role models’ by conducting an annual poll in 2005 to select a ‘Coorg Person of Year’ to ‘reignite the famed leadership qualities in the community’.

This year, the choice was Rashmika Mandanna, who achieved phenomenal success with the pan-India movie Pushpa- The Rise, and drew the spotlight on the tiny hill district of Kodagu, also known as Coorg, a popular tourist destination inhabited by Kodavas, who have a unique culture.

“Rashmika, who has become a household name through her acting and dancing skills, has emerged as an unofficial brand ambassador for Kodagu culture,” said Mr. Bopanna. She did her schooling at Coorg Public School, Gonikoppal, in Kodagu, before earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Journalism and English Literature at M.S. Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Bengaluru.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 03rd, 2022

‘Coorg Role Models’ book launched

Journalist and author P T Bopanna has launched his new book ‘Coorg Role Models’, which profiles the winners of the ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ title from 2005 to 2020.

Bopanna has authored eight books so far, including the Gourmand award-winning book ‘The Romance of Indian Coffee’ and the bestselling books – ‘Are Kodavas (Coorg) Hindus?’ and ‘Rise and Fall of the Coorg State’.

About his latest book, Bopanna said, “Kodavas, a microscopic minority community hailing from Kodagu (Coorg) in Karnataka, were once known for their leadership qualities. This Kodava trait of being natural leaders was very much evident in the Defence Services, and Kodagu came to be known as the ‘Land of the Generals’.”

“However, in the last few decades, the community has not produced many truly outstanding men and women, except in the arena of sports. As a chronicler of Kodagu, I felt that one of the reasons for their inability to play a leadership role was the absence of enough role models in the community,” he said.

“With a view to reigniting the famed leadership qualities in the community, I promoted the concept of ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ in 2005. The selection of the Coorg person was made on the basis of a poll I conducted through my portal www.coorgtourisminfo.com,” he added.

The selection was not confined to the Kodava community but included all residents of Coorg. For instance, one of the joint winners of the title in 2018 was industrialist Ashok Kumar Shetty, who donated part of his land to the government for building a road that was damaged by the floods and landslides of 2018. Another winner is Dr S V Narasimhan, the birdman of Coorg, he said.

The book features the achievements of the winners of the Coorg Person title. It is published by Rolling Stone Publications. The foreword for the book is written by Preeth Ganapathy, who is an officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). She is currently posted as Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Bangalore.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by P T Bopanna / DHNS, Madikeri / July 06th, 2021