Category Archives: Leaders

Lt Gen P C Thimayya visits ‘Sunny Side’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All
Army Training Command General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen P C Thimayya visited the under-construction General K S Thimayya Museum in Madikeri on Saturday.
Army Training Command General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen P C Thimayya visited the under-construction General K S Thimayya Museum in Madikeri on Saturday.

Army Training Command General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen P C Thimaya visited General K S Thimayya Museum, which is under construction, in Madikeri on Saturday.

Sunny Side, the residence of late General K S Thimayya is being converted into a museum.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Thimaya said, “Converting a house to a museum is a challenging job.”

Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum convener Major B A Nanjappa explained about the work.

He appealed to Lt Gen Thimmayya to make efforts to hand over the uniform, war equipment of General Thimmayya to the museum.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS Madikeri / November 09th, 2019

‘Bhoomi Puja’ For Stadium At Balugodu In Kodagu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Sports

BalugoduPoojiKF10nov2019

Virajpet:

‘Bhoomi Puja’ was performed at Balugodu Hockey Grounds in Virajpet yesterday under the aegis of Federation of Kodava Samajas for the construction of the most-desired stadium at an estimated cost of Rs. 5 crore.

Launching the work, Federation President K. Vishnu Cariappa said that the previous Government had sanctioned Rs. 5 crore for the construction of the stadium which is likely to be completed by March end next. He sought full co-operation from members and office-bearers of the Federation and the people for coming out with a full-fledged stadium.

The monthly meeting of the Federation was also held at its premises in Balugodu. A decision was taken to increase membership for the Federation. Vice-President M.T. Nanaiah, Joint Secretary K.S. Uthappa, Secretary V.S. Poovaiah, former President M.D. Belliappa and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 09th, 2019

After rain damage, Kodagu’s historical Nalknad Palace is crying for attention

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A portion of Nalknad Palace in Kodagu district collapsed a few weeks ago following torrential rains. | Photo Credit: M.T. Shiva Kumar
A portion of Nalknad Palace in Kodagu district collapsed a few weeks ago following torrential rains. | Photo Credit: M.T. Shiva Kumar

There is no sign of restoration work being taken up by the ASI.

Nalknad Palace, at the foot of the dense Tadiandamol, the highest peak in Kodagu district, once stood as a symbol of elegance, architecture and style. Today, it is crying for protection.

The two-storeyed building with historical significance, which is also known as Naalnaad Aramane, was built between 1792 and 1794 AD to commemorate the victory of Haleri king Dodda Veera Rajendra over Tipu Sultan. It has precious murals, pillars, various wooden carvings, dark rooms [or hiding rooms], secret passages, bathrooms and galleries of the 18th and 19th centuries.

A portion of the palace collapsed a few weeks ago following torrential rains. There is no sign of restoration works being undertaken, according to sources in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). An ASI source said repair work can be taken up only after the rains subside fully. As such, the chance of miscreants damaging the precious artefacts and structures at the palace is high, as the lone caretaker leaves after closing time (6 p.m.).

Hiding place
According to the ASI, Dodda Veera Rajendra decided to construct the palace at Yavakapadi at the foot of Tadiandamol as the place was thickly wooded. Although he won a battle against Tipu, he was still under the threat of enemy troupes. The legendary ruler saw the need for constructing an elegant structure with safety features in the dense forest area to use as a hiding place. Thus, Nalknad Palace was built, according to a history lecturer in Hunsur.

A sign put up outside the palace gives brief details of the building, including that Dodda Veera Rajendra built it to protect his family from enemies.

He married again in 1796 to Mahadevamma at the same palace and lived there until she died in 1807. An elegant wedding mantap, constructed for his marriage, still exists there and is the cynosure of all eyes arriving at the palace.

It was also the hiding place and last residence of Chikka Veera Rajendra before he surrendered to the British in 1834 AD.

The palace was a rendezvous point for miscreants till a few years ago, before the ASI took it under its wing. Later, the palace was restored. Unfortunately, irreparable damage has been caused to the murals and paintings on the walls, according to ASI sources.

The Haleri kings might have left precious artefacts at the palace when they deposed to the British. Sources say the artefacts might have been shifted elsewhere or stolen.

According to the visitor register, footfall at the palace is sometimes nil and at other times reasonable.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by M. T. Shiva Kumar / Mandya – November 04th, 2019

Centre Extends Gun Licence Exemption To Kodavas Till 2029

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KodavaGunsKF03nov2019

New Delhi:

The Centre has decided to continue the British-era rule of exempting Kodavas and Jamma land holders in Kodagu district from obtaining licence for firearms such as pistols, revolvers and double-barrelled shotguns. The exemption has been given for 10 years, till 2029.

Kodavas worship weapons and guns are part and parcel of every festival and ceremony — be it birth or death — and the decision has been taken considering the cultural and religious sensitivities of the community. “Those who have been given the exemption are every person of Kodagu by race and every Jamma land tenure holder in Kodagu,” according to a Home Ministry notification.

Kodavas are the only community in India who are exempted from obtaining arms licences. “The arms or ammunition carried or possessed by any person being from Kodagu by race and every Jamma tenure holder in Kodagu and herein exempted while residing or travelling outside the district of Kodagu shall not exceed one rifle with 100 rounds of ammunition for the same and one smooth bore breech or muzzle-loading gun with 500 cartridges or the equivalent in leaden shot and gunpowder,” the notification said citing conditions of the exemption.

Case in High Court

Kodavas have been getting the exemption of obtaining arms licence since the British era and the Centre has provided exemption in the rules issued under the Arms Act, officials said. However, Captain (Retd.) Yaladalu K. Chethan, son of Yaladalu D. Keshavananda filed a Writ Petition in the Karnataka High Court on Jan. 8, 2018.

Chethan questioned the exemption granted by the Government of India to a certain class of people in the district in obtaining licence to possess firearms under Section 3 and 4 of the Indian Arms Act, 1959.

In his petition, (WP No. 1386/2018), Chethan, a resident of R.T. Nagar in Bengaluru, claimed that the continuation of the exemption, granted to some class of persons by the British Government in pre-Independent India in furtherance of their divide-and-rule policy, was unconstitutional, as it was based on irrational, fictitious and discriminatory grounds, such as race and ancestral land tenure.

Centre’s stand

Responding to the notice issued by the High Court, the advocate representing the Centre had informed the Court that a committee had been constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to review the Arms Act, including notification granting exemption to people of Kodagu. After receiving comments from all stakeholders, the Centre has now extended the exemption for 10 years.

Bengaluru Kodava Samaja, Akhila Kodava Samaja and Federation of Kodava Samajas backed the move to convince the Home Ministry on retaining and extending the exemption. Prominent persons from Kodagu in New Delhi and Bengaluru including Machimanda Thamoo Cariappa, Maneyappanda Pavan Ganapathy, Palecanda Nanju Nanjappa, Ithichanda M. Devaiah, Annalamada Sunil Achaiah, Mukkatira T. Nanaiah and Maletira Dhyan Chinnappa played a key role and also worked to retain this provision.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 02nd, 2019

‘Include a lesson on Appaiah Gowda in syllabus’

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Tributes were paid at Guddemane Appaiah Gowda Memorial in Old Fort, Madikeri, on Friday.
Tributes were paid at Guddemane Appaiah Gowda Memorial in Old Fort, Madikeri, on Friday.

The 182nd commemoration day of freedom fighter and martyr Subedar Guddemane Appaiah Gowda was jointly organised by district administration, Department of Kannada and Culture and Guddemane Appaiah Gowda Memorial Monitoring Committee, in Madikeri on Friday.

Dignitaries paid floral tributes to the statue of Appaiah Gowda at Field Marshal Cariappa Circle. Later, a silent procession was taken out till Old Fort.

Tributes were also paid at Subedar Guddemane Appaiah Gowda memorial, where he was hanged. Women sang ‘Lavani’ songs depicting the life and achievements of Appaiah Gowda.

District Congress Committee President K K Manjunath said that Guddemane Appaiah Gowda bravely fought against the British to save the people of Kodagu.

“Nobody can change history. One should not make efforts to misinterpret history. Instead, one should lead lives with peace and cordiality,” he added.

Advocate Vidyadhar said that more and more people need to know about the greatness of Appaiah Gowda, who laid down his life during the freedom struggle.

Karnataka Arebhashe and Literary Academy President Lakshminarayana Kajegadde said that a lesson on Guddemane Appaiah Gowda should be included in school curriculum. He fought against the British even before the Sepoy Mutiny, he added.

MLA K G Bopaiah, MLC Veena Achaiah, Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, Superintendent of Police Dr Suman D Pennekar and others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Mangaluru / by DH News Service, Madikeri / November 01st, 2019

Subramanian Swamy asks Yediyurappa to initiate ‘Codava Development Council’

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BJP MP Subramanian Swamy (File photo: PTI)
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy (File photo: PTI)

___________________________________

– Swamy said that it was about a year ago that he had the discussion
with BJP leaders to set up a development council for the ethnic
group in Karnataka

– The ethnic race can be found at Kodagu, a a rich coffee- and
pepper-growing district of the southern state
_________________________________

Bengaluru:

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday wrote to the Karnataka government requesting it to grant an autonomous development council for the Kodavas, a small race native to Kodagu, a rich coffee- and pepper-growing district in the southern part of the state.

Swamy said that it was about a year ago that he had the discussion to set up a development council for the ethnic group in Karnataka with BJP leaders like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and the late Anant Kumar.

“Shri Anant Kumar then said that if the council is not being separated from Karnataka, he would welcome the Codava Development Council with certain financial autonomy,” Swamy said in his letter. Using the colonial spelling, Coorg and Codava, to refer to the ethnic group, Swamy’s request reflects the sentiments of a section of Kodava’s, who have long since demanded a special status and a separate state.

The district that measures over 4,100 square kilometers and known for its coffee and spices growing regions spread across hilly terrains, has a population of over 5.54 lakhs and according to the 2011 census. The people of this race have excelled in the armed forces and in the field of sports, especially hockey among other areas.

“I think it will be good if you now take up this matter with the centre and see that this idea of Development Council as asked for by the Codavas is implemented at the earliest,” Swamy said.

Though there have been earlier proposals to include Kodava’s into the list of Scheduled Tribes and other categories of special status, this has not yet been implemented. Swamy mentioned the contribution of Kodavas in the Indian armed forces. The first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian army was Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and was conferred the rank of Field Marshal on 28 April 1986. General K.S. Thimayya was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1954 and took over as Chief of the Indian Army on 07 May 1957. There have been several people from this district who have joined the army. Swamy goes on to say that the race has been exploited by politicians with black money purchasing their coffee estates.

Currently, the Kalyana-Karnataka (formerly known as Hyderabad-Karnataka) region has been accorded special status to help overcome the regional disparity as these parts are home to some of the most backward regions in the country.

source: http://www.livemint.com / LiveMint / Home> Explore / by Sharan Poovanna / October 29th, 2019

DC for shifting of offices from Madikeri Fort

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Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy has directed the assistant director of land records to shift the government offices from the Old Fort to the new building of Zilla Panchayat, before October 31, as per the court orders.

The Madikeri Fort, also known as Old Fort.
The Madikeri Fort, also known as Old Fort.

The orders by the deputy commissioner have come in the wake of the High Court direction towards taking up renovation work of the historic establishment. The work will be carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Annies Kanmani Joy said that the district administration had promised the Department of Archaeology of handing over the old building by October end.

As there are government offices inside the Old Fort, the department could not carry out the restoration work of the building. Also, there were demands to shift the government offices to the newly built Zilla Panchayat building.

As per the directions issued by the High Court, officials from the ASI visited the fort premises and inspected the condition of the Old Fort building.

The team of officials also furnished a report to the court, on the probable steps towards the repair of the building. Following the same, the officials from various government departments had agreed to vacate their offices.

While the repair work was going on in January, the roof of the palace in the Fort premises had suddenly collapsed.

The walls of the palace are discoloured and the soldiers’ quarters have totally collapsed.

The leaking roof of the main building was covered with plastic sheets as a temporary measure.

Glorious history

Mudduraja, a ruler of Haleri dynasty, had built the fort in the 17th century.

Tipu Sultan rebuilt the fort using stones later.

The fort was acquired by Dodda Veera Rajendra in 1790 and later came under the rule of British in 1834.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service, Madikeri / October 23rd, 2019

‘Fitter than ever’ squash ace Joshna Chinappa aims to reclaim spot in top-10

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Sports, World Opinion

– The 33-year old achieved a career-high ranking of world number 10 in 2016.

– Chinappa will face 42nd-ranked Haley Mendez of USA in the first round followed by either Mariam Metwally (27) or Ho Tze-Lok of Hong Kong.

– The Chennai-based player, who has been spearheading India’s challenge in international events for more than a decade, wants to carry on at least till the 2022 Commonwealth and Asian Games.
in the World Championship in Cairo.

Chennai:

India’s leading female squash player Joshna Chinappa is working harder than ever as the world number 12 aims to break back into the top-10 of PSA rankings, starting with a good showing in the World Championship in Cairo.

The 33-year old, who achieved a career-high ranking of world number 10 in 2016, will be competing at the World Championship starting on Thursday.

“I am looking forward to competing at the World Championship. I would like to break back into top-10 this season, better my career-high rank of 10 and take it from there,” Chinappa told PTI in an interaction.

Chinappa will face 42nd-ranked Haley Mendez of USA in the first round followed by either Mariam Metwally (27) or Ho Tze-Lok of Hong Kong. In the pre-quarters, the Indian could face world number 2 Nour El Sherbini of Egypt.

“Right now, I am seeded 12 in the tournament. I have a couple of tough first and second-round matches. I have the current world No 2 in my pre-quarter, so, right now, I am just looking forward to taking it match by match,” she said.

Chinappa said she is also looking forward to representing her country in the upcoming SAF Games starting in December.

“After the World Championships I will go to the UK to train for few weeks. We have been informed that we have SAF Games coming up. And hopefully I can be part of the Indian team that plays there in Nepal.”

Indian players have been training without a full-time coach ever since Egyptian Achraf Karargui left on a bitter note ahead of the Commonwealth Games last year.

Talking about the standard of Indian squash presently, Chinappa, who won her 17th national title in June, said the competition at the domestic level has got a lot stronger.

“I have been playing nationals for a long time, the competition has gotten me a lot stronger especially in the last few years. You have Sunayna (Kuruvilla), Tanvi Khanna, and a bunch of other girls who have improved a lot and they are playing in the professional tour.”

The Chennai-based player, who has been spearheading India’s challenge in international events for more than a decade, wants to carry on at least till the 2022 Commonwealth and Asian Games.

“At the back of my mind, I still have the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in 2022, that I would like to compete in and win medals for India there. Yeah… that is what motivates me, and exciting times in squash and I really hope to do more for the game,” Chinappa added.

source: http://www.firstpost.com / FirstPost / Home> Latest News> Sports News / by Press Trust of India / October 24th, 2019

‘Each Assembly seat to get Rs 30 cr under Sadak Yojana’

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Records, All
The new building of Kodagu Zilla Panchayat in Madikeri.
The new building of Kodagu Zilla Panchayat in Madikeri.

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa and Housing and Kodagu In-charge Minister V Somanna inaugurated the new building of Kodagu Zilla Panchayat at K Badaga village, near Madikeri, on Friday.

The groundbreaking for the new building, constructed at a total cost of Rs 30 cr, was done in 2016.

Speaking on the occasion, Eshwarappa said that a grant of Rs 30 crore would be given to each Assembly constituency under Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sadak Yojana.

“Also, grants will be released for solving drinking water problem,” he added.

The minister meanwhile assured of providing Rs 20 lakh each to 28 gram panchayats towards solid waste management unit.

“Task Forces will be formed for ZP members and every task force will be granted a fund of Rs one crore”, he said.

“Floods have ravaged the state. The Central government has provided Rs 1,200 crore for relief measures and the state has already released Rs 1,500 crore. Another Rs 1,500 crore will be released soon. It has been decided in the Cabinet meeting to utilise Central government grants for compensating the loss of crops,” Eshwarappa said.

He also assured of providing integrated funds towards the rejuvenation of lakes in Kodagu.

Lauding the job done by top officials of the district — Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K Lakshmipriya and Superintendent of Police Dr Suman D Pennekar, the minister said the district was peaceful as women adored all the key posts in Kodagu.

He also mentioned that he has four daughters and a son.

District In-charge Minister V Somanna said there had been loss of life, both human and animals, in the district due to floods.

Agriculturists in the district have incurred a huge loss. A package of Rs 532 crore has been announced to Kodagu out of which Rs 100 crore has been released. The problems of flood victims will be duly addressed, he added. Somanna meanwhile added that Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa was supposed to be take part in the programmes of handing over houses to flood victims and the inauguration of new building of the ZP. But the chief minister could not attend due to unfavourable weather conditions.

MLA K G Bopaiah urged the state government to provide 350 acres of ‘C’ and ‘D’ (categories) land to those who have lost their agricultural land in Mudigere, owing to landslides.

MLA Appacchu Ranjan urged the government to release Rs 1 crore for the restoration of historic Old Fort in Madikeri.

MLC Veena Acchaiah said the government should construct houses for flood victims of 2019 at a cost of Rs 9.85 lakh each, instead of Rs 5 lakh.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / DHNS, Madikeri / October 25th, 2019

Ashwini Nachappa Outran PT Usha Twice, But Left The Sport Due To No Future. She Certainly Deserved Better

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, Videos, World Opinion

The name PT Usha is sure to ring a bell for us. Of course, why not, she pretty much put us on the map in athletics once again after Milkha Singh had quit. But now take the name of Ashwini Nachappa, most people shall draw a blank.

This is the lady who outran Usha not once but twice and yet very few of us actually know who she is. Though that is the case with many athletes who have been forgotten by the country and lost in the sands of time. So let’s find out a little more about Ashwini.

DNA / THE BRIDGE
DNA / THE BRIDGE

Her name shot to prominence in the 1980s when she outran Usha on two separate occasions. That certainly made the world sit up and take notice of her. The lady was quick and had a lot of speed under her.

In 1984 she won 2 silver medals at the South Asian Federation Games. Ashwini followed it up with 2 silvers and 3 gold medals in the 1986 and 1988 editions respectively. Another highlight was the 1990 silver medal at the Asian Games.

But sadly, due to lack of support and infrastructure and seeing no positive future in the sport, Ashwini quit athletics and turned to acting. She acted in her own biopic but her movie career did not last long in regional cinema.

She is currently the president of the Bangalore Urban District Athletics Association, but living a life away from the public eye. She is just another name in the list of forgotten Indian athletes who are hardly known to us. Ashwini certainly deserved better. They all did.

source: http://www.indiatimes.com / India Times / Home> Sports / by Somak Adhikari / October 22nd, 2019