The resort and homestay owners have initiated a campaign to promote tourism in the district.
The campaign ‘Kodagu is Back’ is aimed at promoting tourism in the district which had been affected by landslides and flash floods causing extensive damage during August.
The tourism industry has sprung back to life in the face of floods affecting Kerala. However, in Kodagu, the tourism industry failed to recover. Hence, the resort and homestay owners in the district have posted two short films to highlight that Kodagu is safe and tourists can visit without any fear. The duration of the video is one-and-a-half minutes and has gone viral on social media.
The short films produced by Drishti have attempted to showcase safety in tourists spots, trekking areas, rivers and mist-filled Kodagu district. There are over 4,000 homestays in the district. After the massive floods that ravaged the district in August, a majority of the homestays have remained closed.
“Other than horticultural crops, the main source of income for the district is tourism. Though tourists are visiting the district since November first week, it has not grown as per the expectations. Hence, the short films are an effort to promote tourism in the district,” said Hotel and Resort Owners’ Association President Nagendra Prasad.
Over one lakh people in the district are dependent on the tourism sector for livelihood. After the landslides, the labourers have returned to their native places. About 80% of the business has been affected. Resort and homestay owners are attempting to sell the resorts. However, there are no buyers, he lamented.
The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation too joined hands with the resort owners in promoting tourism.
KSTDC Managing Director, Kumar Pushkar said, “There are two hotels run by KSTDC in the district. In the last four months, we have incurred a loss of Rs 1.50 crore.”
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Districts / by Adithya K A / DH News Service,Madikeri / November 30th, 2018
Legislators at a meeting on the implementation of the Kasturirangan report recommendations on the conservation of the Western Ghats.
MLA K G Bopaiah said that habitation area should be dropped from the purview of the ecologically sensitive area (ESA) while implementing the recommendations of the Kasturirangan panel on the conservation of the Western Ghats.
There is time till December 2 to file objections to the draft notification issued by the Ministry of Forest and Environment on the implementation of Kasturirangan recommendations, he added.
Speaking at a meeting organised to discuss on Kasturirangan report on Monday, he said the first draft notification on the recommendations was issued in 2014. The fourth draft notification was issued in the month of October.
Following a stiff opposition from the people living in the Western Ghats area, the Green bench had ordered to collect public opinion in the matter. The people from Kodagu should file objections to the report to ensure that the recommendations are not implemented, he added.
He said that the recommendations are harmful to the farmers as well. If more number of objections are submitted, it will benefit the people of Kodagu district, he said.
He appealed to the gram panchayats, taluk panchayats and zilla panchayats to file objections based on the resolution passed against the implementation of recommendations of Kasturirangan report.
Varadi Anushtana Virodhi Samithi office bearer Nanda Subbaiah said, “The Kerala government had made an on-the-spot verification of the villages falling within the ecologically sensitive areas (ESA) and kept agricultural land, plantations, and habitations out of the purview of the ESA.”
MLA M P Appachu Ranjan, MLC Sunil Subramani and others were present in the meeting.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Districts / by Adithya KA, DH News Service / November 26th, 2018
Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya speaks at Sadbhavana Convention organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Madikeri unit, on Saturday.
The volunteers, who took part in the rescue operations during the massive landslides and floods that ravaged Kodagu, are role models for the entire country, said Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya.
Speaking at the Sadbhavana Convention, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Madikeri unit on Saturday, she said volunteers not only took up rescue operations but also lent a helping hand to the district administration.
“As many as 600 victims have been provided shelter at the relief centres by the district administration. The government has been providing facilities to the victims. Members of various organisations are also extending financial assistance and providing relief materials to the victims,” added the deputy commissioner.
Kalancheri Mutt seer Shanthamallikarjuna Swami said that such conventions were essential to foster communal harmony in the society.
As many as 15 volunteers, who were part of the rescue operations, were felicitated on the occasion.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Districts / by Adithya K A / DH News Service,Madikeri / November 25th, 2018
Tennis player Rohan Bopanna is felicitated during a programme held at Kodava Samaja in Madikeri on Monday.
Tennis player Rohan Bopanna has assured of providing further assistance towards the reconstruction of Kodagu district.
He was speaking after receiving felicitation during a programme, organised by Coorg Education Fund and Kodava Samaja, on Monday.
Bopanna said he was not able to visit Kodagu at the time of natural calamity. He said he had provided a little assistance to flood relief work and would extend his help in future as well, he said
“Students are being trained at Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy in Bengaluru. The academy will also provide training to children in Kanakapura in the days to come”.
He said he was not taking part in any tournament in the near future and had come to Kodagu on vacation. Bopanna, however, stated that he was hopeful of winning international tournaments. “I felt privileged to be conferred with Arjuna Award by the Central government in 2018.”
Coorg Education Fund Chairman Kootanda Uttappa said, “Rohan Bopanna has not only made Kodagu but also India proud with his achievement in tennis.
Rohan’s parents M G Bopanna and Mallika Bopanna were also felicitated on the occasion.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by Adithya KA / DH News Service,Madikeri / November 20th, 2018
Educational institutions were first started in Kodagu after the British takeover in 1834. Kodavas took to education enthusiastically.
In 1909, St Joseph’s Convent was founded by Catholic nuns in Madikeri. It was primarily for girls, but boys were allowed up to 7th standard. The school catered to both boarders and day scholars.
I recently came across a remarkable group photograph taken in 1911, of the students at the time, along with the European nuns who ran the school.This school offered quality education to the children of those locals who aspired to see their children well-prepared to take advantage of lucrative jobs and career opportunities under the colonial dispensation.
This school saw several generations of students, especially women, pursue higher education and excel in diverse professions at a time when women were not very much involved outside the traditional responsibilities of raising a family.
Poovaiah sisters, Sita, Chitra and Lata, with their guru, Jailal.
One family in this frame, frozen in time, has members who went on to become famous during 1930s and 1950s. They are the seven daughters and one son of the first lawyer from Kodagu — Codanda D Poovaiah. Six of his daughters continued their education outside Kodagu. The sisters excelled in various fields and soon came to be known as the ‘Poovaiah Sisters of Coorg’.
One of them, Rohini, was the first lady from Kodagu to get a degree. She later became the principal of Crosthwaite College, a well-known institution in Allahabad. She was familiar with the Nehru family and had a brief role in the education of a young Indira Gandhi. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1973.
Another sister, Ashlesha, was one of the first lady doctors from Kodagu. Yet another sister, Swati, did her nursing degree and later went on a scholarship to Columbia University in 1948 for further studies. The three younger sisters — Sita, Chitra and Lata, became renowned Kathak dancers and were much sought after not only for their performances, but also to direct dances in Hindi movies. All the sisters took part in the freedom movement. Chitra and Lata defied prohibitory orders during the ‘Quit India’ movement and were arrested and jailed for two weeks.
Sita went on to earn a PhD in Arts from Bombay University and became the first Kodava lady to get a doctorate degree.
Vivid memories: A century-old group photo of students of St Joseph’s Convent in Madikeri.
Over the years, several girls who had their early education in this school went on to achieve in various fields.
Konganda Accamma who studied here in the 1920s joined Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi. She was one of the first Kodava women to earn an MBBS degree and headed Vanivilas Women and Children’s Hospital for several years. C B Muthamma, India’s first woman IFS officer.
One of the most distinguished alumna of this school is C B Muthamma, who was the first woman to qualify for the Indian Foreign Service in 1949. She also has the distinction of being the first lady ambassador from the IFS cadre. Muthamma had to face gender discrimination while in service. She fought against the government and went to the Supreme Court in 1979 for redressal. The apex court passed a judgement in her favour which paved the way for other women civil servants from being discriminated against. She also authored a book titled, Slain by the System, in 2003.
St Joseph’s is now a co-ed school and continues to provide quality education.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Spectrum / by C.P. Belliappa / November 10th, 2018
Swami Jagadaathmanandaji (89) of Ramakrishna Ashrama in Ponnampet, South Kodagu, passed away at a private hospital in city yesterday.
The Swamiji, who was suffering from pneumonia since a few days, was admitted to a hospital in Mysuru, where he died at about 7.30 pm.
The body of the Swamiji was brought to Ramakrishna Institute of Moral and Spiritual Education (RIMSE) at Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala premises in Yadavagiri here last night at about 8 and was kept for the public to pay their last respects.
The mortal remains were taken to Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama on KRS Road at about 10.30 am today and was kept in front of the temple at the Ashrama where old students, senior and junior monks and a host of dignitaries paid their last respects.
The body was shifted to Ponnampet at about 11 am. Last rites will be performed at Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama in Ponnampet later this evening, according to sources at Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru.
Profile: Swami Jagadaath-manandaji was the Senior Monk of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama and had served as the President of Ramakrishna Sharada Ashrama in Ponnampet, Virajpet taluk, for more than 13 years. After retiring in 2013, the Swamiji was leading a retired life at the Ponnampet Ashrama.
The revered Swamiji had authored the famous inspirational Kannada book ‘Badukalu Kaliyiri’ which was translated into nine languages.
Homage: Swami Dhar-mathmanandaji, Swami Vaneeshwaranandaji, Swami Maheshathmanandaji and Swami Yuktheshanandaji of Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, President of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama in Ponnampet Swami Bodhaswaroopanandaji, Mysuru Adichunchanagiri Shaka Mutt Seer Sri Somanatha Swamiji, JSS Mahavidyapeetha Secretary Manjunath, MLA L. Nagendra, Vidyavardhaka Educational Institutions President Gundappa Gowda, Secretary P. Vishwanath, former MLC and a devotee of the Ashrama D. Madegowda, Dr. Bhaskar of Vikram Hospital, Ramakrishna Vidyashala Principal Balaji, IPS Officers Kishore Chandra and Sharath Chandra and Prof. C. Naganna were among a host of dignitaries, who paid their homage to the departed Monk.
V.V. Puram Inspector P.A. Suraj had provided security at RIMSE and at the Ashrama.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 16th, 2018
The roof of the Old Fort main building is on the verge of collapse in Madikeri.
The lack of basic amenities is haunting several tourists places in Kodagu district. The Madikeri Fort, referred to as ‘Palace’ situated on the heart of the city, should have attracted a large number of tourists. However, the crumbling structure is disappointing tourists.
The roof of the fort is on the verge of collapse. The walls have not seen whitewash or paint for several years. The rooms, where soldiers were staying during the king’s reign, have collapsed completely. Weeds have covered the fort premises.
With the damage to the roof, rainwater enters the fort. Plastic sheets have been used to protect it from rainwater. With this, the history of Madikeri fort will soon disappear.
Historians have expressed concern over the lack of maintenance by the Archaeological Department. They fear that a few remaining traces of history will soon enter the pages of the history.
Haleri ruler Mudduraja built a mud fort and palace in the 17th century. Later, Tipu Sultan rebuilt it using stones and renamed it as Jaffarabad. In 1790, Dodda Veerarajendra conquered the fort. In 1834, the fort came under the reign of the British.
The palace that was built by Linga Raja Wodeyar II houses government offices. With the increase in the density of people, the palace is in a deplorable condition. The Zilla Panchayat office, MLA’s office, Agriculture Department, district library, court complex and Bala Mandira are functioning from the palace itself.
Chandan, a tourist, said “Hundreds of vehicles visit the fort premises daily. Due to the pressure, the fort is losing its identity. Without any maintenance, the huge doors are losing charm. The visitors have also disfigured a few of the carvings. Even the cannons are not preserved. We are disappointed by watching this fort.”
An officer said, “We fear to work here during monsoon. The Zilla Panchayat and the court complex will be shifted shortly.”
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Naina J A / DH News Service / November 13th, 2018
The 29-year-old shuttler has really come into her own this season in terms of taking charge of her partnerships with Sikki Reddy and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy.
Reuters
It’s hard to believe sometimes that Ashwini Ponnappa is already 29 years old. Just two years ago, at the Rio Olympics, she was the junior doubles partner of the experienced Jwala Gutta. Now, she is the leader, in not one but two doubles partnerships.
Ashwini has really come into her own this season in terms of taking charge of her partnerships with both N Sikki Reddy, 25, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, 18. In April, she assumed charge and guided Satwik through to a brilliant win over the current world No 6 pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying of Malaysia to help India win the mixed team gold.
Throughout that one-hour-15-minute long match, Ashwini was seen constantly talking to Satwik in between points, guiding him tactically and also motivating him to push on. She did the same later with Sikki, as they won a historic bronze medal in the pair events.
Earlier this month, at the Denmark Open, Ashwini and Sikki defeated the world No 7 pair Lee So Hee and Shin Seung Chan from Korea despite going a game down. While that match was unfortunately not televised, Ashwini’s leadership was there to be seen in the quarter-finals, where the Indians faced the top-ranked Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota of Japan.
Even though the Indians, currently ranked 24th in the world, lost that match in straight games, the way Ashwini took charge of their partnership was heartening.
Reading the game
“I don’t see it as a leadership role,” says Ashwini, during an interaction in Mumbai at an event organised by Red Bull, which sponsors her. “It’s just a partnership where I have a lot to say,” she added, laughing. “My partners have been kind enough to let me voice my opinion and accept it.”
Sikki, butting in, says, “She reads the game very well. Being a very experienced player, her guidance is good for us because it makes it easier for us to play. We don’t need to think too much. Just go for what she says,” she adds, laughing.
From starting out as someone who hardly worked her grey matter during matches, Ashwini says she has evolved over the years into someone who loves using her head while playing.
“I love thinking,” she says. “Over the years, I have just evolved as a player from someone who used to just hit and hit, to someone who just really loves to watch my opponents, see things and figure out how we can get better as a pair. That’s something I am relishing. I really love using my head, I’d say.”
Ashwini Ponnappa believes she and Sikki have become more consistent since the Commonwealth Games (Image: PTI)
While Ashwini has all the intentions to play at the Tokyo Olympics in two years, when she will be nearly 31, does she see herself going into coaching after she hangs up her racket? “I don’t know, maybe, because I really enjoy thinking and analysing,” she says.
“I do love figuring things out – what’s good for us, what sort of drills would help us get better, what kind of rotation we could work on… those are things that of late my mind really thinks about. I love watching and learning, so maybe, yeah. I would love to [coach], I guess.”
Gaining consistency
Ashwini is quite pleased with how this season has gone for her, despite not going past the quarter-finals in any BWF World Tour tournament. She has been able to get the odd good result with both her partnerships but not really challenged for a medal, apart from the Commonwealth Games.
However, Ashwini believes their consistency as pairs has gotten better after the Commonwealth Games, especially with Sikki. After their bronze at Gold Coast, the Indian women’s doubles pair reached the quarters at the Asian Games and the Denmark Open.
“We have figured out the way we want to play,” Ashwini says, of her partnership with Sikki. “The Asian Games was good. We had a great match in the quarters [against the current world No 4 pair from China]. We could have won it. We were close but not quite there.”
Ashwini believes they are heading in the right direction, ahead of their last three international tournaments of the season: the China Open, the Hong Kong Open and the Syed Modi Championships.
“We are quite keen to do even better in the future,” she says. “The quarters is a start but hopefully we’ll win a Superseries soon.”
source: http://www.scroll.in / Scroll.in / Home> Badminton / by Jaideep Vaidya / November 01st, 2018
MLA K G Bopaiah, MLC Veena Acchaiah and others take part in the inaugural session of a skill development programme meant for flood-affected women from Kaluru village on Sunday.
MLA K G Bopaiah has called upon the flood victims not to lose hope but to rebuild their lives by boosting their confidence.
He was speaking after initiating a skill development and training session in sewing and food processing at the Government School at Kaluru.
The programme was organised by the Kodagu branch of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and the Project Coorg as a part of the ‘Yashaswi’ project meant for the women of Kaluru, which was ravaged by natural calamity.
Bopaiah further said that assistance would be provided by the government for women from the village towards setting up a platform to market the processed food prepared by them. He also assured release of grants from the MLA fund towards construction of a community hall in Kaluru and Devasturu villages, along with providing a site, following the requests of the village residents.
MLC Veena Achaiah expressed hope that the project would help the trained women lead a self-sustainable life.
K S Devaiah, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Kodagu branch president, said that the food and dress items prepared by the women would be put up for sale at shops in the Kodava Samaja complex.
Project Coorg convener Balaji Kashyap said that the women from the flood-affected village would be provided training in sewing for three months, with 28 sewing machines. Also, 30 women would be provided training in food processing and the products would be released in the market with the brand name ‘Coorg Flavour’.
Kodava Samaja, Madikeri vice president M E Chinnappa and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan member Kuppanda Premnath were present on the occasion.
Lieutenant General Pattacheravanda Chengappa Thimmaiah has been posted as commander of the Indian Army’s Training Command in Shimla, which is one of the seven commands of the army.
Thimmaiah hails from Chettalli in Virajpet taluk. He is the third commander from Kodagu to have been appointed to the post after K C Cariappa and B C Nanda.
Recently, Aichettira B Uttaiah was elevated to the rank of rear admiral in the Indian Navy.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> In Brief / by Ashwani Kumar NKR – DH News Service, Madikeri / September 29th, 2018
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