Category Archives: Leaders

Kodava Makkala Janapada Samskruthika Habba enthrals all

December 27, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leadersadmin

Former minister M C Nanaiah inaugurates the Kodava children's folk and cultural festival in Napoklu on Thursday, by dancing to the tune of Kodava traditional music. — Former minister M C Nanaiah inaugurates the Kodava children’s folk and cultural festival in Napoklu on Thursday, by dancing to the tune of Kodava traditional music.

Kodava people should remain united to protect their culture, said former minister M C Nanaiah.

He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Kodava Makkala Janapada Samskruthika Habba’ organised by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, in association with Kodava Makkada Koota, at the premises of Ankur Public School in Napoklu on Thursday.

Kodava people should not sell their properties to outsiders. If Kodagu is occupied by non-Kodavas, it would be difficult to save Kodava tradition. Kodava language and culture is unique and every Kodava has a role to play in preserving the same, Nanaiah added.

Kodava Sahitya Academy chairman Pemmanda K Ponnappa presided over the programme. Kodava Samaja president Biddatanda Ramesh Changappa was present.

Achievers Chirotira Thammaiah, Baleyada Uttappa, Kaibulira Subbaiah, Kundyolanda Subbaiah, Chiyakapoovanda Devaiah, Napaneravanda Somaiah and Boppanda Bollamma were felicitated on the occassion.

Students from 15 schools in Napoklu hobli took part in the programme. Children performed folk arts ‘Baloppatt’, ‘Bolakkatt’, ‘Ummattatt’ and ‘Kattiyatt’ during the fest.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by DH News Service / Napoklu – December 20th, 2018

School track and field championship in Gonikoppa

December 27, 2018Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, Sportsadmin

Participants take part in a march past at School Track and Field Championship, organised by Ashwini Sports Foundation, at CALS School grounds in Gonikoppa on Thursday.

The district-level School Track and Field Championship, organised by Ashwini Sports Foundation, was inaugurated at CALS School grounds on Thursday.

On the occasion, Ashwini Sports Foundation managing director Ashwini Nachappa said the championship provides a platform for sports enthusiastic students to display their talents.

For the first time, the event is conducted on a track covered with artificial lawn, she added.

CALS President Datta Karumbaiah and principal Bachettira Gowramma Nanjappa were present.

Participants from various schools of the district took out a march past on the occasion.

Events such as race, hurdles, shot put, discus throw, high jump, long jump and relay events were held for both boys and girls.

Students aged 12,14 and 16 years took part in various events.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by DH News Service / Gonikoppa – December 20th, 2018

APMC to reintroduce ‘Raitha Santhe’ in Madikeri

December 17, 2018Agriculture, Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

The yard identified for organising ‘Raitha Santhe’ on the premises of the APMC in Madikeri

The APMC in Madikeri will reintroduce ‘Raitha Santhe’, the farmers’ shandy, from December 21.

The weekly shandy was stopped following landslides and incessant rain in Kodagu.

After a long gap, the APMC has decided to relaunch the unique market wherein a platform will be provided to farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers (customers).

The programme, which was initiated on January 12 this year had received a poor response. The APMC has now relaunched the shandy by incorporating some changes with an objective to make it friendly for both the farmers and the buyers.

“From December 21, ‘Raitha Santhe’ will be held on the premises of the APMC near KSRTC depot on every Friday and Wednesday,” said APMC Madikeri Chairman S Ambi Cariappa.

It has been decided to hold the farmers’ shandy on two days in a week. Earlier, the market was meant only for the farmers of Madikeri taluk. This time, the facility will be extended to farmers from various parts of Kodagu district as well as from the state.

Basic amenities such as a new building and parking space will be provided at the venue of the ‘Raitha Santhe’.

APMC member Beppurana Medappa said that the ‘Raitha Santhe’ intends to encourage customers to purchase products directly from farmers at reasonable prices.

Apart from vegetables and fruits, value-added products by farmers will also be featured during the sale. Farmers have also been extended tax exemption to carry out the business, he added.

Another member Kangira Sathish said that earlier, the customers had complained of a limited variety of vegetables at the ‘Raitha Santhe’. Hence, provisions have been made this time to sell a wide range of vegetables, along with groceries.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by Adithtya K A / DH News Service / Madikeri – December 16th, 2018

Hockey World Cup Memories: AB Subbaiah remembers 1994 edition, where India’s chances were undone by South Africa

December 5, 2018Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Sports, World Opinionadmin

Playing as a goalkeeper for the Indian team, AB Subbaiah was part of the 1998 Asian Games gold medal winning side. He has been feted with the Arjuna Award. He spoke to Amit Kamath.

I was India’s goalkeeper in the 1994 World Cup, which was held in Sydney. What a memorable tournament it was!

We had a great team consisting of players like Dhanraj Pillay, Mukesh Kumar and Mohammed Riaz.

Our preparation for the World Cup was also excellent. The 1994 World Cup was one of the first coaching assignments of Cedric D’Souza and he had prepared the team really well. I remember that a lot of players came from either Mumbai or Karnataka at that time.

While most of our other coaches used to train us by working on our strengths, Cedric was the one who made us prepare by focusing on our rivals’ strengths and tactics. Cedric had a technical style of coaching which involved studying other teams. It was a modern style of training which helped us prepare for each and every situation.

We played some great hockey against the best teams in the world. That tournament saw us register wins over South Korea and Belgium in the group stage. We also had close matches against Germany and the Netherlands.

It was a great team and we had done very well but one unfortunate thing was the 2-2 draw against South Africa in the league stage. That proved to be the difference between us and Germany in qualifying for the semi-finals. At that time, just two teams from the group were to qualify for the semis.

I remember that after our last group match, we had to wait for the match between the Netherlands and Germany to end to see if we could qualify. They played out a draw, which led some of us to feel like they had an understanding.

But there were a few things which proved to be our undoing in that tournament. Against the good teams in our group we performed really well, but against an under-rated team like South Africa, we were a little slack in our approach. That was probably because we were focusing on the bigger teams in the tournament. When you play at an event as big as the World Cup, you have to prepare equally for each opponent however big or small it is.

What also hurt us was a misplaced pass by Shakeel Ahmed when we were up 1-0 against Germany. The Germans capitalised on the error, stormed into out D and equalised!

Another memory that sticks out from that tournament is the goal the Netherlands’ Taco van den Honert scored against me in our group match. At that time, players would whack or slap-hit the ball towards goal in penalty corners. But when the Netherlands played us, Taco drag-flicked the ball into the top right corner. It surprised all of us! It was the onset of the era of drag-flicks.

What also went against us was that one of our most prominent forwards, Sabu Varkey, was not available during the tournament. If he had played, he would have been a livewire at the front and the results would have been different.

Eventually, we could not qualify for the semis and had to play Argentina in the playoffs for the 5th to 8th position spots. We won that match in an exhilarating tiebreaker. We beat them comprehensively! At that time, finishing 5th and 6th was commendable because it also meant that the team would qualify for the Champions Trophy. So, on one hand, we were happy, but on the other hand, we felt that since a lot of young players had come from the junior team, so we could have done really well in this tournament.

And then we beat England for the fifth-sixth position match which made it a memorable tournament for us. Finishing fifth at that tournament was not that bad because it was just one step away from the semi-finals. We were unfortunate to miss the chance in that way. But what was more unfortunate was that at the Atlanta Olympics two years later, we again missed the semi-final cut narrowly like that.

That was what teams need to realise! We were good enough to make it to the semis at the 1994 World Cup. But it was just because of one underrated team beating us in one match that we missed out.

For the full Hockey World Cup 2018 schedule, click here

source: http://www.firstpost.com / FirstPost. / Home> Latest News> Sports News / by A B Subbaiah / December 02nd, 2018

‘Kodagu is Back’ campaign to promote tourism

December 2, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

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

Drop habitation from the purview of ESA, says Bopaiah

November 28, 2018About Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, Alladmin

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

Kodagu rescue operations: Volunteers feted

November 26, 2018About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leadersadmin

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

Bopanna assures assistance to Kodagu

November 21, 2018Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, Sportsadmin

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

One frame, many stories

November 20, 2018Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

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 Of Ponnampet R.K. Ashrama Passes Away In City

November 17, 2018Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leadersadmin

Last rites at Ponnampet this evening

Mysuru:

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

Kodagu First

a Celebration. Positive News, Facts & Achievements about Kodagu, Coorgs and the People of Kodagu – here at Home and Overseas