The country needs IAS officers who will go out in the sun and work for the people in the streets, said former IAS officer P M Belliappa at a lecture series organized by the Association of British Scholars (ABS) in Chennai on Monday.
During the lecture held as part of the Gazetteer lecture series at the British Council, Belliappa said IAS officers should be recruited at a young age to understand and display good governance. “There is more of lateral entry these days and it dilutes the system,” he said.
“It is sad that we don’t have any leader who puts himself last and puts the country first,” he said, adding that K Kamaraj was the best chief minister that Tamil Nadu has ever had as he worked for the people in the streets.
Belliappa has contributed to the ABS project on gazetteer series, which includes a three-part book ‘Madras, Chennai: A 400-year Record of the First City of Modern India,’ edited by historian S Muthiah.
Speaking on the occasion, Muthiah said the third book in the series, with the sub-title ‘Information, Culture and Entertainment,’ would be released early next year. The first two parts of the book have the sub-titles ‘The land, the People and the Governance’ and ‘Services, Education and the Economy.’
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Saradha Mohan Kumar, TNN / March 31st, 2014
Rotary Club International (RCI) district 3180 – Right to Information Act Committee district president B Pundalika Marate Shirva offered motion for an awareness campaign on transparency in governance that was held at Madikeri Rotary auditorium, organized by RCI Misty Hills, here on Sunday March 23.
Pundalika also released a Kannada book – Governance by the people, for the people, authored by Harish Poovayya Kodagu, advisor of corruption-free governance for social service organizations functioning in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Zambia and Kirgizstan, on the same occasion.
RCI zone 6 assistant governor Ravindra Rai, RCI – Misty Hills president Dr Prashant, RTI activist Harish Poovayya, RCI secretary G R Ravishankar, office bearers of RCI, Lions Club International and heads of social service organizations were also present.
source: http://www.bellevision.com / Bellevision.com / Home / by Pundalika Marate, Bellevision Media Network / Madikeri – March 24th, 2014
Funds will be utilised for renovation and electrification The State government has released Rs 20 lakh for the renovation of Rajara Gadduge, one of the historical tourist spot near Banni Mantapa in Madikeri.
The State government has earmarked the funds for the renovation work in the last budget and has handed it over to archeological department.
The responsibility of the conservation of the Gadduge has been handed over to the archeological department. The department is getting ready to renovate three mausoleums. The funds have been deposited to the account of the department last month.
Tender was invited for the renovation work. However, no bidder had come forward to take up the work. Now, the department is thinking of taking up the work on its own or call for a re-tender. The decision on the same will be taken up after the Lok Sabha polls, said Archeological department Assistant Officer Sathish.
In the released amount, the work on electrification, painting and renovation of mausoleum of Raja Purohith Rudrappa situated on the left hand side of mausoleums of Chikkarajendra and his wife will be taken up, he said.
The Madikeri Urban Development Authority had laid a park at the Gadduge two years ago. However, owing to lack of maintenance, the park is crying for attention.
Visitors said “the park should be maintained well. Information boards should be installed at strategic locations in and around Madikeri city to furnish details on the Gadduge.”
On Gadduge
Rajara Gadduge is the mausoleum of the former kings of Kodagu namely Doddaveerarajendra, Lingarajendra and Rajaguru Rudrappa. Gadduge has two identical square structures, which are the tombs of the king Doddaveerarajendra and his queen.
They are close to each other, built in Indo-Sarcanic style, flaunting domes and pillars. There is tomb of Lingarajendra which was built by his son Chikkaveerarajendra in 1820. There is a tomb of Purohith Rudrappa which was built in 1834.
There are tombs of commander-in-chief Biddanda Bopu and his son Biddanda Somaiah, who were killed in their fight against Mysore Emeperor Tippu Sulthan.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri – March 23rd, 2014
Lt. Col. Kuppanda M. Muthanna (centre), who brought an old copy of a group photograph of 1956-57, is seen sharing it with yours truly and Dr. A.A. Kuttappa, at the venue — kids we were !
Last Sunday, I went to my alma mater Government First Grade College, Mercara, now rechristened as Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College, Madikeri in Kodagu district, my native place.
That visit was to participate and get myself felicitated by the Alumni Association which was started a few years ago at the initiative of a planter couple Mr. and Mrs. K.S. Devaya of Lakshmijala Estate, who happen to be the alumnae of this College and could take interest and spare time to form the Association. Since then, I am told, the alumnae have been holding the annual get-together without fail. Soon the idea of felicitating those who are considered achievers among them in their given field of activity was introduced. This year, I was their choice for such recognition along with Dr. Kodira A. Kushalappa, IFS, retired Chief Conservator of Forests and Mr. Kolibailu A. Belliappa, retired IAS officer.
Though I had become the member when it was first started, I had not attended any of the annual get-togethers. This time I was cornered by a couple of members from City who said I must accept this honour. It was more in deference to the wishes of these well-meaning members that I condescended and went to Madikeri. And I was very happy and pleased to make that journey — a kind of pilgrimage. The presence of the College Principal Dr. A.A. Parvathy was as it should be and I thought, was in keeping with the protocol for such functions.
Dr. Kanjithanda Sunil Muddaiah, Managing Trustee of the Coorg Institute of Dental Studies, located, for appearance, rather precariously on the slopes of a hill in Virajpet and the only dental college in Kodagu, the land of hills and valleys, was the chief guest. An unassuming gentle person, an youngster, also an achiever in his own right considering the way he has built this college and carried it to the heights of excellence in his own way. He does this not for accumulating more money, which in any case he has inherited, coming from a rich, nay wealthy, family of coffee planters, but for passion, a purpose in life. I guess, at the end, the secret of success of all successful persons in life is their passion for what they do rather than mere hard work, which every money-hungry person does. Let it be.
The office-bearers, specially the President Mr. Nandineravanda A. Appaya, took great care in welcoming the alumni with great warmth and then affording them an opportunity to meet each other, recognise each other and then go nostalgic of the old days… in my case, of the days 58 years ago. Time and labour had taken toll of the health and appearance of many, just as in my case. Yet, once recognised, there was bonhomie and good cheer. It was like suddenly finding a long-lost brother or sister. Many were heard asking, “Mr. So and So I presume?” There were embarrassing moments for me as I failed to remember some who were classmates and also hostel mates.
For sure, with age, memories fade and the physical appearance along with mannerisms too change, compared to what I had seen 58 years ago. Naturally, it is hard to recognise a person immediately. It was gracious on their part that no one mistook each other.
I learn, though the Alumni Association was started in 1998 by Konganda S. Devaya with a small number of members, it was dormant till 2013, last year, when N.A. Appaya took over as President. I hope Appaya’s efforts will continue with a new road map for the Alumni Association with increased membership. [Those interested in becoming members of the Association may contact M.K. Kuttappa (Sachi) on Mob: 98454-73965]
In the mixed group of alumnae I found, among ladies and gentlemen, some in good health and some in poor health; some financially well placed, some not so well placed; some retired as government officers with high positions, some simply as government officers; some big coffee planters, some small coffee planters; some with problems connected to the family and hitha shatrus [beloved enemies as children are sometimes called for the trouble they give to their parents], some with their children settled in the US and feeling proud. I too have such issues and problems but overcame them listening to the wiser counsel of wise people. We need not despair. I would like to share here with my readers three such positive, life-sustaining words of solace:
Life is a game of Bridge. We did not invent the game nor design the cards; we did not frame the rules and we cannot control the dealing. The cards are dealt out to us whether they be good or bad. But, we can play the game well or play it badly. A skilful player may have a poor hand and yet win the game. A bad player may have a good hand and yet make a mess of it.
Our life is a mixture of necessity and freedom, chance and choice. We may not change events, but we can change our approach to events.
— Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
I came and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift; nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, not yet favour to men of skill but time and chance happens to them all.
— Old Testament
Begin each day by telling yourself: Today I shall be meeting with interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill-will and selfishness — all of them due to the offenders’ ignorance of what is good or evil.
— ‘Meditations’ by
Marcus Aurelius
Tail-piece: As I strolled around the inner corridors of the college [architecturally a perfect college building which should be a model to those who build colleges] and the galleried classrooms, my thoughts went back to the days I spent there. Boys came with bell-bottom pants while girls came wearing lungis or mundus in coloured checks of Sri Lankan origin. Then there were mini skirts and drain-pipe pants. Lecturers used to come immaculately dressed — suit with tie, closed-collar coats. Nowadays I see them in casuals, wearing bathroom chappals.
No wonder, in many cases, students have no respect for teachers and in turn, teachers have no concern for students.
e-mail kbg@starofmysore.com
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Abracadabra….Abracadabra / by K.B. Ganapathy / March 25th, 2014
Resolve to seek Bharat Ratna for Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa KEEPSAKE: Members of FMKMCC Alumni Association, who got together at the college in Madikeri yesterday, are seen posing for a group photo. Madikeri :
It was a heart-warming occasion for the alumnae of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College (FMKMCC) here, who got together yesterday and shared their memorable experiences of more than half-a-century ago.
About 100 former students of the college participated in the get-together held under the Presidentship of N.A. Appaya, President of FMKMCC Alumni Association, for the second time. It was a joyous moment mixed with emotion for the alumnae who remembered their college days, chatted about their lives, profession, family and recalled the trivia of their experiences while in the college.
Established in 1949 as Government First Grade College affiliated to Madras University, it was renamed as FMKMC college in 1994 after Mangalore University took over the college as its constituent in 1993. The campus in an area of 33.36 acres is surrounded by mountains. The college has completed 60 years of fruitful existence.
As part of the get-together function, retired Forest Officer Dr. K.A. Kushalappa, former IAS officer K.A. Belliappa and Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy were felicitated for their outstanding achievements.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kushalappa stated with pride that the education imparted to him at the college had changed the course of his life.
SOM Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, addressing the gathering, said that he studied in the college from 1956 to 1959. He remembered the days when students walked to the college, rain or shine, as there was no public transport. He remembered some of the teachers who were his mentors.
K.A. Belliappa said that the education he obtained in the college for a year was memorable.
The meeting unanimously approved a resolution to urge the Centre to confer Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour, on Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa posthumously.
Earlier, a cultural programme was staged by children, including a dance performance by six-year-old Jeevitha, a skit by the students of FMKMCC about environment protection and conservation and a patriotic song by Liyakath Ali and team.
Managing Trustee of Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences Dr. Sunil Muddaiah, FMKMCC Principal Dr. Parvathy Appaiah, Get-Together Committee President N.A. Appaya, Alumni Association Vice-President Liyakath Ali, Secretary K. Boji Thammaiah and others were present.
A minute’s silence was observed to pay homage to departed members of the Association. Those who were felicitated were introduced to the members by N.D. Charmanna, B.B. Subbaiah and A.A. Poonacha. M.K. Kuttappa and Thulasi introduced the guests.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 24th, 2014
Representatives from district were elected only twice.
As the political parties are gearing up to field their candidates amidst the lobby from ticket aspirants across the State, people and various political party workers in Kodagu district that represents Mysore-Kodagu constituency, have placed the demand to field the candidate from the district, rather fielding an outsider.
This is mainly because of the strong feeling that the intensity of problems faced by Kodagu district can be understood by a candidate who hails from the district, than an outsider like the present MP who hails from Mysore. In the first parliamentary election post Independence, Kodagu enjoyed getting a MP’s position for the constituency. Then Kodagu was an union territory and it was later merged with Karnataka and gained the status of the ‘district’ during the unification of state in 1956.
As the population of Kodagu was limited, it was then merged with Mangalore constituency. In the 1957 election, Kodagu took shape of Mangalore-Kodagu constituency. Kodagu remained as a part of Mangalore constituency till the 14th Lok Sabha election in 2004.
In the next delimitation, Kodagu district was merged with Mysore constituency and it took the shape of Mysore-Kodagu constituency in 2009.
N Somanna from the Congress won the first parliamentary election in 1952, while C M Poonacha from the Congress won the fourth election of Mangalore Kodagu constituency in 1967. Thereafter, no Kodava or the candidate from Kodagu district got an opportunity to represent the district in the parliament.
Exception
Kodagu stands as an exception compared to other districts mainly because of certain unique practices and systems like land ownership (Jamma Bane, Jamma Malai, Paisari, Gomala etc), traditions of consuming liquor in ceremonies, licence to use guns, as a large portion of the district is covered with forest, coffee being the main crop etc. As decisions on all these aspects come under the purview of the Central government, Kodavas are largely dependent on the member of parliament from the constituency to get their demands fulfilled. Issues triggering the district like the implementation of Kasturirangan report, demand for autonomy status to the district, controlling wild elephant menace are to be resolved in the parliament. But, unfortunately, as Kodagu has sparse population, it has been represented by the MP from the neighbouring Mysore district, all these years.
Local people are of the opinion that the MPs from Mysore district who also represent Kodagu, are more bothered about the ‘vast’ Mysore district than the ‘small’ Kodagu district.
Local candidate demand
People, party workers and local political leaders have been pressurising the political parties to filed a candidate from Kodagu to represent Mysore-Kodagu constituency.
BJP leader and Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan has shown interest in contesting the Lok Sabha polls.
While, the JD(S) workers are demanding party leaders to give ticket to former minister B A Jeevijaya. However, there seems to be no aspirant from Kodagu to represent the Congress, perhaps because they do not want to get into a tug-of-war with the sitting MP.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Shrikanth Kallammanavar / DHNS / Madikeri – March 09th, 2014
There are several laws to protect the interest of women. Women should make use of the available laws to lead a dignified life, said First Additional District and Sessions Judge M V Jadara.
Speaking at women’s day programme organised by the State Women’s Commission, Kodagu district administration, zilla panchayat, Legal Services Authority and woman and child welfare department here Saturday, he said that women are successful in each and every field. Zilla Panchayat CEO P I Srividya said that women should be empowered economically. DySP Prasanna V Raju, Backward Classes and Minority Welfare officer K V Suresh, Women and Child welfare Deputy Director Mumthaz among others were present.
In a separate programme organised by the district legal services authority, Mahilodaya Mahila Okkuta and Bar Association, Additional Civil Judge S Siddaraju said that education helps in the progress of a country. Women should focus on education.
Ashok of ODP said that a society can progress only when they are empowered. There is a need to improve condition of women in rural areas. Child marriage, evils of dowry system should be eradicated from the society. Widows should be honoured and respected.
CMC Commissioner B B Pushpavathi read out an oath.
Mudigere
Women should engage themselves in productive works during their free time, said Ujire Church Priest Vincent.
Speaking at women’s day programme organised by Kapuchin Krishi Seva Kendra and Banakal Vimukthi SHG Federation, he said that mother mould the personality of her children.
Banakal Vimukthi SHG Federation President Prema said that the Federation has been emphasising on cleanliness. About 460 members of the Federation were given loan of Rs 5,000 each without interest to construct toilets in their houses. Women are encouraged to take up pisciculture, vermi compost and dairy farming to empower themselves financially. Women should develop leadership qualities in them and come to the mainstream of the society, said Banakal church priest Vinod.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri – March 09th, 2014
District-in-Charge Minister K J George has said that he will make a honest effort to take up development works in the district. Speaking to mediapersons, he said that with the increase in crimes in Kushalnagar, a circular has been issued to set up Kushalnagar rural police station.
He said that district administration has sought additional Rs 2 crore to take up 63 works related to drinking water, to mitigate shortage of water in villages. “I have appraised the CM to sanction Rs 100 crore special package to maintain roads in the district. Six kilometre road covering Kedaka-Horoor-Bhoothanakad will be re asphalted at a cost of Rs 50 lakh. Virajpet-Madikeri and Somwarpet-Madikeri road will be concreted,” he added.
“The government has sanctioned Rs eight crore to take up work on Balele-Nittur bridge. Rs 10 crore to construct a bridge across Lakshmanatheertha on Harihara-Balyamandoor. A sum of Rs 10 crore will be provided for the development of Jenukuruba and tribal colonies in the district. As form 9 and 11 while registering a property has been causing inconvenience, the Minister has been asked to drop the proposal,” George said.
He said that Revenue Minister has been asked to appoint a Special Tahsildar to Kushalnagar. Measures will be taken to lay 400 metre synthetic track and synthetic football ground in Madikeri. “The district administration has sought funds for the development of Gaddige park, Mallalli waterfalls and Rajaseat.”
Rules to be relaxed
In a separate meeting with the tribals, the minister said rules would be relaxed for tribal people in recruitment to police force. “Tribals and forest dwellers are leading a pathetic condition even after 67 years of independence. Rules regarding physical standards would be relaxed.”
The Minister said that he will discuss with Forest Minister on wages for mahouts working in Dubare forest. “Traditional dwellers should not be cleared. The department should come forward to provide basic facilities for the tribals residing on the periphery of the forest,” he said. He directed the officials to initiate measures to distribute 270 individual claims under Forest Rights Act.
Kudiyara Muthappa said that tribals who have been residing inside the forest are not ready to come to the mainstream of the society. Those tribals who have passed tenth standard should be provided job opportunity in police department.” Tribal leader J P Raju said “the government should purchase paisari land and distribute it among the poor.”
MLC T John, IGP Ramachandra Rao, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer P I Srividya, Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tiiwari among others were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS, February 11th, 2014
The city police will set up seven more Family Counselling Centres (FCC), two of which will be funded by the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), in a bid to provide timely help to women in distress.
CSWB chairperson Prema Cariappa, who visited the women’s helpline centre at the City Police Commissioner’s office here on Wednesday, said the Board has sanctioned seven such centres for the State, two of which would be set up in the city.
Lauding the efforts of the helpline in the commissioner’s office, Ms. Cariappa said the city police already have two FCCs and are planning seven more.
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Raghavendra H. Auradkar said two of the new FCCs would be set up at Banaswadi to serve South Division and at Malleshwaram to cater to the North Division. This would ensure that people need not come to the Commissioner’s office to seek assistance, he added.
Stating that each police division would have one counselling centre, Mr. Auradkar said the aim is to have one centre at each police station.
Meanwhile, Ms. Cariappa said the CSWB had hiked the salary of counsellors from Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 13,500 a month at the city level and from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 12,000 in rural areas.
Counsellors told Ms. Cariappa that they were finding it difficult to provide information under the RTI Act as a major part of the counselling is done under confidentiality, to which she said the CSWB would take a decision.
SOS calls
It was also brought to her notice that the helpline gets SOS calls from women facing mental distress. Though the State has around 29 short stay homes to rehabilitate victims, there is no provision to house mentally distressed women, the helpline centre’s co-ordinator, Rani Shetty, said.
Replying to this, Ms. Cariappa said the Board would earmark one short stay home for such persons.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Special Correspondent / Bangalore – January 29th, 2014
Govt. urged to expedite construction of War Memorial in city
Mysore :
Kodava Samaja, Mysore, had organised a function to celebrate the 115th Birth Anniversary of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa at the Circle named after him here this morning.
Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) C.K. Karumbaya, SM, paid glowing tributes to the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army and urged the Government of Karnataka to expedite the construction of the War Memorial near the DC office in city. Capt. Sharma urged to include the life story of the Field Marshal in the school curriculum.
Earlier, the gathering offered floral tributes to the portrait of the Field Marshal.
Samaja President M.M. Karumbaiah welcomed. Samaja Hon. Secretary K.M. Belliappa, former Presidents of the Samaja Dr. A.A. Kuttappa, K.A. Kariappa and P.S. Ganapathy, Chairman of Cauvery Educational Institutions Prof. K.C. Belliappa, Sri Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha Hon. Secretary P. Lovely Appaiah, Kavya Kuttappa, office-bearers and members of the Samaja and also of the Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club were present at the programme along with some public. On the occasion, sweets were distributed.
It may be recalled, VeKare Ex-Servicemen Trust, Mysore, headed by M.N. Subramani as its President, was the first Ex-Servicemen NGO to propose a War Memorial in city way back in the year 2000 and the same was accepted by the district administration which earmarked a plot in front of ncc Gp hqs behind dc office. The NGO, which pursued the matter till 2007, had also suggested installing a statue of the Field Marshal at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 28th, 2014
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