Category Archives: Leaders

‘Accord tribal status to Kodavas’

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CNC president N U Nachappa speaks during the 31st Kodava National Day programme in Madikeri

The demands of Kodavas will get recognition only if the Kodava language is saved, said Hampi University professor Methi. 

He was speaking during the 31st Kodava National Day programme organised by Codava National Council (CNC) on Saturday. 

“As per the previous population census, Kodavas have been considered as a traditional tribal community. There is a need to work towards the Kodava language. Further work on the Kodava language will help in including the language in the eighth schedule of the Constitution. The Kodava language should be nurtured,’ he said. 

The influence of other languages including Kannada is seen in the Kodava language. The Kodava should come forward politically. There is a need to give priority to the study of Kodava art and literature, he added.

The genealogy study of Kodavas should be conducted effectively, he demanded.

Senior advocate Palachanda Brijesh Kalappa lauded the fight of the CNC in conserving Kodava culture and the community.

“The Kodavas should be accorded tribal status. The elected representatives should bring the demands of the Kodavas to the notice of the government,” he added. 

Budakattu Sangharsha Samiti president Lakkavalli Manjunath alleged that the genealogy study of Kodavas is not carried out effectively. The mistakes in the study should be brought to the notice of the concerned. 

CNC president N U Nachappa said, “The CNC has been protecting the land and culture of Kodavas. Ours is a justifiable demand. The culture and tradition of the land should be passed on to the future generations.” 

The CNC has urged the government to consider Kodavas as tribals and accord ST tag for the Kodavas under Schedule 340 and 342 of the Constitution, he said.

‘Autonomous Codava land’ should be announced. The Kodava language should be included in the eighth schedule of the Constitution and Kodava culture should be included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO, he added. 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 27th, 2021

Expedite crop survey, Kodagu DC directs officials

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Records, All
Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal at a review meeting in Madikeri on Wednesday.

Observing that the crop survey is being hit by an inordinate delay in the district, Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal instructed the officials concerned to speed up the process.

Reviewing the progress of the crops survey, during a meeting held at her office on Wednesday, she said that crops in 2.62 lakh survey numbers should have been completed in the district by now.

However, crops in only 1,762 survey numbers have been covered, she said and requested the cooperative banks, coffee board and other organisations related to agriculture and horticulture to cooperate with the department in carrying out the survey.

Cooperative Societies deputy registrar B K Salim said that there are 73 primary agricultural cooperative societies in the district and they will join hands in the crop survey.

Agriculture department technical officer Narayana Reddy said that the farmers can carry out the crop survey themselves, by downloading the crop survey application on their mobile phones.

Charulata Somal also asked the officials to ensure the supply of fertilisers in the district in adequate quantity.

Agriculture department deputy director Shabana M Sheikh said that 32,082 metric tonnes of fertiliser have been supplied to the district.

Coffee Board deputy director Shivakumaraswamy, District Lead Bank manager R K Balachandra, horticulture department deputy director H Shashidhar were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / August 26th, 2021

MLC candidates in Kodagu declare assets

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Suja Kushalappa is the richest among the candidates who have filed nominations for Legislative Council elections in Kodagu.

Suja Kushalappa’s total assets add up to Rs 26.22 crore. His wife Parvathi has assets worth Rs 11.27 crore (including ancestral property). He has liabilities to the tune of Rs 4.77 crore and his wife has availed loans upto Rs 17.59 lakh.

Suja, his wife and children own a total of twenty vehicles, out of which a pick-up vehicle is registered in Suja’s name. He has 350 gm gold worth Rs 16.38 lakh. His wife has diamond jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh, 1,400 gm gold and 10 kg silver.

Suja possesses a revolver, a gun and two 0.22 rifles. Suja has failed in SSLC, as declared in the affidavit submitted by him during the filing of nominations for MLC elections.

Dr Mantar Gowda’s declaration in the affidavit states that his assets are worth Rs 94 lakh and his wife’s assets are worth Rs 2.95 crore. He has an Innova Ford car, 600 gm gold and 2 kg silver. Mantar’s wife Divya has 1,500 gm gold and 3 kg silver. He has a license to grow tobacco. His education qualification is MBBS, MD (Radiology).

Isac Khan has Rs 1 lakh and his wife Fauziya has Rs 3.57 lakh. They have no liabilities. He has studied upto PUC.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 23rd, 2021

Keshava Kamath is president of Kodagu district KSP

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Supporters of Keshava Kamath rejoice outside the counting centre and greet the newly elected president.

M P Keshava Kamath will be the new president of Kodagu district Kannada Sahitya Parishat, after his victory in the elections held on Sunday.

He edged past his close electoral rival Lokesh Sagar, with a margin of 134 votes. Of the total votes, Kamath got 924 votes and Lokesh Sagar got 790 votes, while 12 votes got rejected.

Keshav Kamath received maximum votes in Madikeri, Virajpet and Ponnampet taluks, while Lokesh was leading in Somwarpet and Kushalnagar taluks.

Votes cast

A total of 1,726 votes were cast during the elections. In Somwarpet, 490 among 647 voters exercised their franchise, while 337 out of the total 424 votes were cast in Kushalnagar, 216 out of 303 people voted in Virajpet, 468 out of 766 votes were cast in Madikeri and 215 out of 280 voters exercised their franchise in Ponnampet.

Supporters of Keshava Kamath gathered outside the counting centre and rejoiced after results were declared and raised pro-Kannada slogans.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat former president T P Ramesh, Kodagu Patrika Bhavana managing trustee Manu Shenoy, writer Shamsuddin, literature enthusiasts Navin Kushalappa, Munir Ahmed, Baby Mathew and DSS leader Diwakar were present, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, the newly elected president of district Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Keshava Kamath, said that it is not his victory alone, but, the victory of all literature enthusiasts and members of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

He also said that he will utilise the opportunity provided to him, to serve the Kannada language.

My first priority will be building Kannada Bhavana in the district, he said.

He added that he will carry out his duties by taking into confidence, all his voters, non-voters and former presidents of Zilla Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

Former president T P Ramesh said that there is a need to work unitedly towards the development of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

As a senior member, he will give rightful suggestions to the Parishat, he added.

The election was held in Madikeri, Somwarpet, Virajpet, Kushalnagar and Ponnampet from 8 am to 4 pm.

The election process was headed by tahsildar Mahesh.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 21st, 2021

Huthari festival observed with traditional fervour

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)
The paddy sheaves were cut by the CNC members during Huthari celebrations at the paddy field belonging to Nandineravanda Uthappa, in Chikkabettageri.

The Codava National Council (CNC), led by its president N U Nachappa, celebrated Huthari or Puthari — the harvest festival of Kodagu, at a paddy field of Nandineravanda Uthappa, in Chikkabettageri village, near Kushalnagar, on Friday.

Wearing traditional Kodava attire, the members participated in the celebrations by cutting paddy sheaves. Later, they offered prayers for the prevalence of peace and to eradicate Covid-19 from the world. 

The members offered prayers to the gods and initiated the process of Huthari celebrations by ‘Nere Kattuva’ ritual using the leaves of Arali, mango, jackfruit, Kumbali and cashew nut trees. 

After the rituals, the members took out a procession to the paddy field, accompanied by the ‘Dudikottpat’. After firing thrice in the air, Nachappa offered puja rituals and cut paddy sheaves.

Later, the paddy sheaves were brought back to the house and puja rituals were conducted.

CNC members presented ‘Kolata’, ‘Pareyakali’ and other cultural programmes.

Later, they also danced to the traditional beats and relished rice payasa, ‘Thambittu,’ ‘Kadubu,’ ‘pandi curry,’ ‘chicken curry’ and others. 

Speaking on the occasion, Nachappa urged the government to declare a national holiday for the Puthari festival. 

The Kodavas should be considered as a separate race to save the Kodava tribal culture for the future generation. Kodava language should be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, he said. 

“Kodava culture has all the qualifications to be included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Unesco. By showcasing our rituals, we can assert our rights,” he added.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Kushalnagar / November 19th, 2021

1,334 voters in Kodagu for Legislative Council polls

Leaders, Records, All

A total of 1,334 voters from the local bodies of Kodagu will exercise their franchise for the upcoming Legislative Council election.

Deputy Commissioner Dr B C Sateesha said that out of the total voters, 654 are men and 689 are women. As many as 108 polling booths have been opened across the district.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Raju Mogaveera held a meeting with the college principals and requested them to take necessary measures to add the names of students above 18 years to the voters’ list.

As per the census, there are 16,674 people in the 18-19 age group. However, according to the voters’ list published on November 8, 2021, only 5,841 people in this age group have enrolled themselves in the voters’ list, he said.

Nominations

The candidates may submit their nominations to the returning officer or the assistant returning officer at the third floor of the DC’s office in the district administration complex till November 23 between 11 am and 3 pm, except on November 21 and 22 which are holidays, said the deputy commissioner.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 17th, 2021

Two Kodava Samajas Ban Non-Community Practices

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Madikeri:

The Kodava Samajas of Ponnampet and Virajpet have banned cake cutting and champagne sharing by newly-wed couples of the Kodava community during weddings at community marriage halls.

At the recently held meetings of the Samajas, Ponnampet Kodava Samaja President Chottekmada Rajiv Bopaiah and Virajpet Kodava Samaja President Vanchira Nanaiah have taken a decision along with Samaja administrative board and members that practices that do not represent Kodava culture will not be permitted inside the community marriage halls.

The related resolutions of the Virajpet Kodava Samaja were unanimously passed during its 99th general body meeting on Sunday that was attended by 15 directors and 357 members.

Apart from banning cake cutting and champagne sharing after the groom opens the bottle as a celebratory gesture, the Samajas have decided to strictly adhere to Kodava customs and rituals. For example, the trend of grooms sporting a beard during weddings has been banned.

According to Kodava custom, a beard is sported only when someone dies in the family and growing a beard is part of the ‘pinda pradhana’ ritual after a close family member passes away. Also, women have been told not to enter the auspicious Muhurtha area with their hair let loose as according to customs, hair is let loose only during funerals and funeral-related ceremonies.

Other decisions include, no bursting of firecrackers during Ganga Puja, no showering of flower petals during ceremonies, no playing of ‘Devaata’ tune by drummers (volaga troupe) during weddings as the tune is limited to only temples. If Kodava girls marry boys from other communities, the latter should not be allowed to wear Kodava dress and the bride’s mother should not put the traditional ‘Pathak’ ornament on the bride.

Not Kodava culture

Reacting on the issue, Chottekmada Rajiv Bopaiah said “Kodavas have their own distinct culture. We can survive only if our culture survives. Cutting cakes and sharing champagne by new couples during marriage ceremonies is not our culture. The decision has been taken in this regard in our annual meeting.” 

“Ever since the decision was taken, I have been flooded with congratulatory phone calls and messages. We have to pass on our culture to the next generation. Champagne celebration won’t serve the purpose, rather it will misguide the younger generations,” he said.

Also, sporting a beard is against the tradition of Kodavas. There is a ritual in which the beard will be taken off. Likewise, the women can’t come on stage with their hair let loose, which is against our tradition. The meeting has discussed the issue and we are planning to implement it in the coming days,” he added.

When asked how the younger generations of the Kodava community reacted to the ban, Rajiv said they are supporting the move and many organisations have also come forward to create awareness on the matter. “The problem seems to be with people who are in their 50s. They encourage cake cutting and champagne sharing during marriages,” he added.

MAJOR DECISIONS

  • Bridegroom should have a clean-shaven face.
  • Women who bless the newly weds on stage should not let their hair loose.
  • No bursting of firecrackers during Ganga Puja; no uncorking of champagne bottles.
  • If Kodava girls marry boys from other communities, the groom should not wear Kodava dress and bride’s mother should not adorn the bride with the traditional ‘Pathak.’

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 11th, 2021

Website on preserving Kodava culture launched

About Kodagu / Coorg, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

A new website featuring the unique culture of Kodavas, documenting the customs and traditions of the community, has been launched. The website www.kodavas.in has been put together by journalist and author B.T. Bopanna.

“My main intention is to document the customs and traditions of Kodavas, a microscopic minority community, which is slowly losing its moorings in Kodagu. Most of the younger Kodavas, who have been brought up in cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru, are unaware of the essence of Kodava culture. I felt a website was the best medium to increase awareness of the culture and help preserve it”, Mr. Bopanna said in a statement.

Mr. Bopanna, who has also pieced together five websites including his first www.coorgtourism way back in 2005, said the new website will “come in handy for someone wanting to know about the rituals involved in ceremonies connected with birth, wedding, death etc”.

In order to ensure that the content in the website was authentic, Mr. Bopanna said he took the help of Boverianda Chinnappa and Nanjamma Chinnappa, who had researched and written about Kodava culture.

“Much of the content in the website has been taken from the book Pattole Palame, compiled in 1924 by Nadikerianda Chinnappa, where the Kodava language folksongs, proverbs and riddles are transcribed in Kannada script and Kodava customs and traditions are described in Kannada language. The Pattole Palame was translated into English by Boverianda Chinnappa and Nanjamma. I have also borrowed content from their book ‘Ainmanes of Kodagu’”, Mr. Bopanna said.

The topics covered in the website including the origin of Kodavas, their customs, related to birth, wedding, death and their festivals, the religion of Kodavas, Kodava language, Jamma land tenure, their passion for the game of hockey, guns in Kodava culture, their ‘ainmanes’ etc. Mr .Bopanna said the website also contains video clips related to some of the topics on Kodava culture.

The site has been designed by Bhakti Saraswat-Devaiah, he added in the statement.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 12th, 2021

AGM Of Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association Held

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Mysuru :

Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association, Mysore East, held its 7th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) at Sri Venkatesh Resorts on Bannur Road recently coinciding with Kannada Rajyotsava (Nov.1) celebrations.

Addressing the members, Association President and Army Veteran Kanjithanda Aiyappa (Mani) said that even though the name of the association is ‘Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association’ one of the main objectives of the Association is to take up the common causes of ex-servicemen suo moto irrespective of military veterans’ caste, creed, religion and region they belong to.

Citing an example, Aiyappa stated that even in the Indian Army many Regiments are named after certain regions of the country and communities such as Madras Regiment, Sikh Regiment, Bihar Regiment, Dogra Regiment and 37 Coorg Medium Regiment, etc. However, the only objective of the entire Regiments in the Indian Army is to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the country from external aggression and internal disturbances and also to help the civil administration during natural calamities.

He also mentioned that as per the suggestion of the members, the Association has submitted an application to Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) for the allotment of a Civic Amenity site (CA site) as per the recent notification of MUDA inviting applications for CA sites.  

While discussing various agenda points during the AGM, a widow of an Army veteran had sought a clarification from the Honorary Legal Advisor of the Association, Air Veteran Mandetira N. Subramani, whether widows of ex-servicemen could wear military medals during military functions.

Subramani, who is also the President of Mysuru-based NGO VeKare Ex-Servicemen Trust, said that there is no bar on Veer Naaris and widows of ex-servicemen proudly wearing their deceased husbands’ authorised military medals on their chest in a befitting manner while attending meaningful military functions, Army / Navy / Air Force Days and during National Festivals such as Republic Day and Independence Day.

He further said that Veer Naaris and widows of ex-servicemen wearing military medals on such occasions would send a strong message that their husbands’ life/youth were sacrificed for the nation.

A section of audience at the AGM of Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association

Office-bearers elected unanimously

Army Veterans Kanjithanda Aiyappa, K.U. Bheemaiah, Appachangada Motaiah, Basappa, and Kangira Achaiah were unanimously elected as President, Vice-President, Secretary, Joint Secretary and Treasurer respectively for another term. The various Committee Members were also unanimously elected.

Philanthropist Dr. V. Puttalingamma, a retired scientist from DFRL, made a surprise visit to the venue of AGM and handed over a cheque for Rs. 25,000 to the President as donation for the welfare activities of the Association.

While addressing the gathering Dr. Puttalingamma urged the military veteran to save enough money from their own earnings for themselves and for their wives to meet their needs during their old age and not to depend on their children for financial help when they are working away from home or abroad.

Appachangada Motaiah welcomed. Veteran Basappa proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 10th, 2021

President Presents Padma Awards – 2021: Sudharma Editor Jayalakshmi, Hockey Champ Dr. M.P. Ganesh And 117 Others Receive Highest Civilian Honours

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New Delhi:

Vidushi K.S. Jayalakshmi, Editor of the world’s only Sanskrit daily newspaper published in Mysuru, Hockey player Dr. M.P. Ganesh of Kodagu and Harekala Hajabba, an orange vendor from Mangaluru who built a primary school with his earnings, were among 119 persons who received Padma Awards from President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday.

Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually. The Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service).

A total of 119 Padma Awards comprising 7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri Awards were presented. 29 of the awardees are women, 16 posthumous awardees and 1 transgender awardee.

Padma Vibhushan

Late playback singer S.P. Balasubramaniam (Posthumous) in the field of Art and Dr. Belle Monappa Hegde for Medicine, Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (Posthumous) are among seven persons, who were presented with the Awards.

Padma Bhushan

Chandrashekhar Kambara for Literature and Education, Tarun Gogoi (Posthumous) for Public Affairs, Ram Vilas Paswan (Posthumous) for Public Affairs and Keshubhai Patel (Posthumous) for Public Affairs among 10 others.

Padma Shri

Vidushi K.S. Jayalakshmi for Literature and Education (Journalism), Hockey Olympian Dr. M.B. Ganesh for Sports, Matha B. Manjamma Jogati for Arts,  Harekala Hajabba for Education, Vijay Sankeshwar for Trade and Industry, Rangaswamy Lakshminarayana Kashyap for Literature and Education and actress Kangana Ranaut are among 119 persons who were conferred with the Award.

Awardees’ Profile

Vidushi K.S. Jayalakshmi, wife of late K.V. Sampath Kumar, took over as the Editor of ‘Sudharma,’ the world’s only Sanskrit daily newspaper published in Mysuru. The paper was started in 1070 by Varadaraja Iyengar and following his demise in 1990, the newspaper was taken over by his son K.V. Sampath Kumar and his (Sampath Kumar) wife Jayalakshmi. Jayalakshmi took over the reins after the demise of Sampath Kumar in June this year.

Mollera Poovaiah Ganesh, aged 73, a resident of Suntikoppa in Kodagu, was the captain of the Indian hockey team and won the Arjuna award in 1973.

Ganesh began his sports career with football and later switched over to hockey after he joined the Army. He represented the Services (defence services) in the National Hockey Championship from 1965 to 1973. He found a place in the Indian team in 1970. Ganesh played for India at 1972 Munich Olympics, finishing third. He was one of the coaches of the Indian team that won a gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.

He twice represented India in Asian Games (Bangkok-1970 and Tehran-1974). Both the times India returned home with a Silver medal. He was in the Indian team that won Bronze at the first World Cup at Barcelona in 1971 and captained the team that won Silver at the next World Cup in Amsterdam. He also played for World XI in 1972 and Asian XI from 1970 to 1974. Ganesh last played for India in 1974 after his career was cut short by a knee injury. At present, he is serving as the CEO of SAI National Hockey Academy in New Delhi.

Harekala Hajabba, 66-year-old orange vendor, received this award for bringing a revolution in rural education by constructing a school in Harekala-Newpadpu village in Mangaluru. The school currently has 175 underprivileged students from the village. Hajabba, who sells oranges at Mangaluru bus depot since 1977, has never been to school.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / November 09th, 2021