Category Archives: Nri’s / Pio’s

They sing among us

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's


Musician Biddu

CHAT Musician Biddu speaks of how his iconic hit Aao Na, Pyaar Karen features in Luke Kenny’s Rise of the Zombie

They just seem to be everywhere—the undead that is. In graphic novels, books and now with Luke Kenny’s Rise of the Zombie, they have stepped into Bollywood as well. Slated for release in February, musician Kenny’s apocalyptic vision is the result of a collaboration with partner Devaki Singh. Apart from bloodthirsty grisly ghouls, ROTZ also features the hit ‘Aao Na, Pyaar Karen’ composed by Biddu and with Nazia Hassan’s vocals. “Last year Luke got in touch with me saying he wanted to use the song,” Biddu says. “I like dealing with young people.”

The composer of the famous ‘Kung Fu Fighting’ says: “Unlike ‘Disco Deewane’ in Student of the Year, this will be a reworked version of ‘Aao Na.’ I haven’t heard the final version. Luke sent me two adaptations — one is trancy techno and the other has David Guetta groove to it. I don’t know which one they will finally use. If I remember right the song is being used during a rave party. Good luck to them.”

Biddu who mostly stays abroad, spends December to February in India. “Mainly in Goa, but I come to Bangalore to meet family,” says Biddu who says he is not doing any music now. “I am finishing a book which is funny and sad. It is about the sexual awakening of a boy in Mumbai.”

Biddu has written his autobiography and the simultaeneously gripping and mystical whodunit, The Curse of the Godman says his next book will be set abroad. “There is only so much you can do in India,” he says signing off with a laugh.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Mini Anthikad – Chibber / Bangalore, January 31st, 2013

Oman Veterans vs Coorg Republic Day of India hockey match on Feb 1

Nri's / Pio's, Sports, World Opinion


Muscat :
The annual Republic Day of India Hockey Cup match between Team Coorg Muscat and Oman Veterans XI will be played at Sultan Qaboos Complex Bausher on February 1.

The match, being organised by the Team Coorg Muscat and Friends of Naqvi Group, is scheduled to start at 4.00 pm.
Indian Ambassador J S Mukul will preside over the day’s proceedings while Oman Hockey Association (OHA) chief Mahfoodh Ali Juma al Juma will be the guest of honour.

The OHA Vice-Chairman Shaikh Saif Mubarak al Rahbi and General Secretary Redha Taqi al Lawati will also be present.
Team Coorg will be represented by Maj Cariappa, Chendu, Dinal, Erappa, Ganapathy, Hitin, Harshit, Jalal, Javis, Kuttappa, Kushalappa, Lavin, Muddappa, Nanaih, Rafeeq, Subbaih, Sakeel, Vinu and Zaman.

The Oman Veterans Team comprises Darwish al Balushi, Hamood Abdullah, Khalid Khalfan, Yousuf Darwish, Younis Darwish, Salim Rashid, Ali Hassan, Asim Dawood, Khamis Talib, Khalid Abdulrahman, Badr Hamdan, Salim Hamdan, Mohammed Nasser and Thani Sahim.

source: http://www.main.omanobserver.om / Home> Sports / Friday, January 25th, 2013

I am spiritual, but I do not believe in God: Biddu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's

Dressed casually in tees and track pants with his trademark long hair, iconic composer singer Biddu wears his years lightly. The Grammy Award winning musician, who grew up in Bangalore, now divides his time between Spain, London, and India, and insists he leads a relaxed life, and has the full day in which to get things done. TOI caught up with him during his recent visit to the city…

It all began in Bangalore for you, didn’t it? Bangalore has indeed shaped my musical destiny. I started young at the age of 13, so it’s been 55 years since I have been earning a living professionally. I left Bangalore for the first time when at the age of 16 I went to Kolkata to sing at night clubs. I credit Bangalore’s Anglo-Indian community for my initiation into music. The Catholic Club and the Bowring Institute are where I used to sing at music competitions. I had two ambitions when I was a boy. One was to become a Hollywood actor, and the other was to make it big in the world of music. The second one was easier!

Just two years shy of 70, you look remarkably well preserved…. Thank god you said well preserved and not pickled. Well, I guess it is in the genes. All of us siblings look fairly good for our age. Also, we maintain high levels of activity. My sister, who’s played tennis for India, still plays tennis every day, come what may. I swim five days a week, and then there’s yoga and a walk. However, when it comes to food, I eat all the wrong things. Chocolates, pizza and donuts. But no matter whichever part of the world I am in, I start my day with papaya. I am, however, not obsessive about exercising or maintaining routines. I don’t want to be like Madonna. My looks… it could be the makeup too! I kid, of course!

Aao naa pyar karein is being adapted for India’s first zombie film… How did that happen? Luke Kenny called me up last year. He asked me if he could use the song and adapt it for his upcoming film The Rise of Zombie. I like Luke. He seems like a nice guy and his team is a bunch of enthusiastic kids. John Lennon said give peace a chance; I say give the youth of India a chance.

Any parting pangs for a song that was a rage in its day? None at all. If you do that, you’ll never be able to cross the threshold. Nothing is so sacrosanct that you can’t let go of it.

Have you heard the rearranged song? Yes, I’ve heard two versions of it. In the first, Luke has given it a David Guetta kind of style, which I liked immensely. And the second one has a trancy technoish feel to it. I told Luke that the second one may tie in better with the zombie genre.

You became famous with Qurbani… How did it come about? I was famous much before that in the west with my albums with Carl Douglas (Kung Fu Fighting) and Tina Charles, among many other successful projects. I didn’t think I’d have anything to do with Hindi music. I had failed my Senior Cambridge because my Hindi was abysmal. Hindi has always been a foreign language for me. It still is. Director Feroze Khan had heard about all the stuff I had done in the west. He wanted me to be associated with the project. I was hesitant, but he coerced me.

Coerced? No, it was more like blackmail. You know the You-are-from-Bangalore-and -I-am -from-Bangalore kind of talk, and I was on.

You are a card-carrying atheist I am spiritual, but I do not believe in God. I don’t put religion and spiritualism in the same box. Spiritualism is a way of life you create, whereas religion is what others force upon you. I don’t believe that God made man, I believe man made God.

Your favourite songs from your body of work? My perennial favourites are Disco Deewane and Made in India. My other songs have earned me a thousand times more, but these two I can listen to over and over again and never tire of them. I get goose flesh each time I listen to them.

Indian singers you admire? Frankly, I am not clued into the music scene here at all. I know very little of what is happening, musically speaking. But I think Shreya Ghosal has a fabulous voice. I also like Sonu Nigam, and have done an album with him. Even Shaan, he’s got a nice voice.

You were disappointed when you finally came face to face with your childhood idols, The Beatles. Yes, it was disappointing. They were my heroes. At that age, you expect your heroes to be these larger-than-life figures. You know the six-foot-six types. And then I see John Lennon, with his dirty canvas shoes and unkempt straggly beard. The only Beatle who made somewhat of an impression on me in the way he was turned out was Paul McCartney that guy should give up now. All artists must call it a day when they hit 65.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Music /by Purba Dutt, TNN / January 16th, 2013

Dubai : Bunts UAE Offers Shree Sathyanarayana Pooja

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's

Dubai, Oct 20:
UAE Bunts devotionally concluded a vibrant ‘Shree Satyanarayana Pooja’ at JSS School premises, Al Barsha on 19th of October, 2012 from 9.30 AM to 1.30 PM with more than 1300 devotees present throughout the pooja formalities seeking blessing from the Lord.

Chief Convener of UAE Bunts, Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty greeted the devotees and conveyed Navaratri wishes to all. Among other prominent personalities include Shekar Shetty of Arab Udupi Group of Hotels, Sarvotham Shetty, President UAE Bunts, Sudhir Kumar Shetty, CEO UAE Exchange Co and many Presidents and Office Bearers of various Community Organisations in the UAE who witnessed the Pooja along with members of the Bunts Community.


The pooja formalities were conducted on a beautifully decorated Mantap full of flowers and fruits on a high pedestal with a huge back drop of Goddess Mahalaksmi & Goddess Durgaparameshwari behind the colourfully litted wooden mantap.

Sarvotham Shetty welcomed all the devotees and opened up the pooja formalities with a prayer. It started with Guru Pooja, Ganapathi Pooja, Kalasa Pooja, Navagraha Pooja, Satyanarayana Pooja, Bhajans & continued with Satyanarayana Katha recitation and concluded with Maha Mangalarathi. The pooja formalities were ably done by Purohit Raghu Bhat along with his assistants. On behalf of the Bunts Community, couples Gunasheel Shetty & Sahana Gunasheel Shetty, Ashok Shetty & Veena Ashok Shetty, Prasanna Shetty & Sushma Prasanna Shetty sat on the main pedestal to receive the pooja blessings.

During the programme, senior member of UAE Bunts, Jagadish Shetty & Prathima Jagadish Shetty were honoured with Shawl by Dr. B.R. Shetty while Shekar Shetty presented Fruits & Flower bouquet to the felicitated couple. UAE Bunts felicitated the said couple as they have decided to settle down in their home town for good. Their dedicated service to the community during these three decades were fondly remembered while Sarvotham Shetty bid them farewell.

It was nice to see various community organisation’s leaders and members participated in UAE Bunts Pooja throughout the day and they were Billawas Dubai & NE, Billawa Balaga Dubai, Billawara Balaga Abu Dhabi, Nama Tuluveru UAE, Vishwakarma Seva Samithi, Mogaveers UAE, UAE Amchigele Samaj, Devadigara Sangha, Kodagu & Dakshina Kannada Gowda Samaja, Kodava Samaja, Vokkaligara Sangha UAE, Padmashaali Samoodhaya, Ramaraja Khastriya Sangha, Brahmana Samaja, Theeya Samaja, Kundapura Devadiga Mithraru, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Dubai Karnataka Sangha, Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, Dwaniprathistana, Kannada Koota, Basava Samithi including many senior citizens and well wishers.

Bunts Senior organiser Ganesh Rai thanked Shashikala Sharad Shetty for the beautiful Mantap, Rajesh Kuthar & Team for the flower decoration, Raghu Bhat, Shivaraj Rao & Krishna Prasad for the pooja formalities, Satish Shetty & Sangeetha Shetty for the devotional bhajan arrangement, B.G. Mohandas & Ashok Belman for Media support through Gulf Kannadiga.com, Shodhan Prasad for Media support and coverage in Daijiworld and other media websites, Vinay Naik for Media support through Namma TV, Sponsors Pravin Shetty, Rajesh Shetty, Shashikala Sharad Shetty, Shekar Shetty, Guruprasad Shetty & Gunasheel Shetty.

Soon after the pooja formalities, the devotees queued up for the dharshan and prasada systematically. Later the prasada was distributed by the Ladies Team and the devotees followed to the first floor for Maha Prasada pure Vegetarian Lunch Buffet and savored the tasty dishes and sweets served by Woodland Restaurant Sharjah and Saheba Caterers, Ajman whose owners Divesh Alva & Shekar Shetty were applauded for the tasty food distributed.

The whole programme was systematically conceptualized by an able enthusiastic Team of UAE Bunts comprising of Sarvotham Shetty, Ganesh Rai & Sudhakar Alva supported by Pravin Kumar Shetty, Shekar Shetty, Divesh Alva. They were assisted by the organizing Committee Couple Members of UAE Bunts, Dr. Suraj Rai & Dr. Arathi Rai of Abu Dhabi, Udaya Shetty & Shashikala Uday Shetty of Dubai, Prasanna Shetty & Sushma Prasanna Shetty, Niranjan Shetty & Shilpa Niranjan Shetty, Nishith Shetty & Reshma Nishith Shetty, Satish Shetty & Sangeetha Shetty, Suraj Shetty & Sangeetha Shetty of Sharjah along with 50 other members of UAE Bunts whose efforts were highly witnessed with the successful pooja organised and concluded.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Home / by Shodhan Prasad , pics by Ashok Belman (Gulf Kannadiga) / October 21st, 2012

Quinoa Akki Roti

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's

My latest experiment with quinoa – quinoa akki roti. I tried this recipe by making quinoa flour in the blender. Then I added a little rice flour and proceeded the same way as the regular akki roti by add the onions, grated carrots, cilantro, curry leaves in the dough.

Ingredients:
Quinoa flour – 2 cups
Rice flour – 1/2 cups
Carrot – 1 small grated
Onion – 1 medium chopped
Curry leaves – 2 strings
Coriander leaves – 4 tbsp chopped
Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
Green chillies – 2 chopped
Salt to taste
Olive oil – few tsp to cook

Hot boiling water – to mix

Method:
1. Mix quinoa and rice flour with grated carrots, chopped onion, chopped curry leaves, corriander leaves, cumin seeds, chopped green chillies, chopped and salt.
2. Add just enough boiling water to this and knead.
3. Make it to tennis size balls.
4. Flatten the dough on a plastic sheet with your hand
5. Gently transfer the flattened roti to a cast iron griddle or skillet
6. Add a tsp of olive oil around it and cover it
7. Cook on medium flame till done
8. Serve with chutney.

source: http://www.rice-n-spice.blogspot.in / by Nutan Dodbele / September 28th, 2012

Ganiga Samaja (U.A.E.) successfully conducts Blood Donation Camp in Dubai

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's

Dubai, 09 August 2012:
The Ganiga Samaja, one of the prominent association of U.A.E organized a Blood Donation Camp on the occasion of Holy month of Ramadan. This blood camp was conducted at the Lathifa Hospital (Al Wasl Hospital) from 7pm to 10pm and a large number of blood donors participated in this successful blood donation camp.

All the members of the Ganiga Samaja Dubai (U.A.E.) were eagerly waited for the donors at the blood donation camp and welcomed them happily. The camp was held in a most cordial manner and the donors filled the forms, had tested prior to the blood donation and helped a great humanitarian deed. All donors felt and had satisfaction that by their donation they could save a few lives and also could help them to maintain their health as well.

In the donation many prominent personalities took part namely; Daya Kirodean (Dubai Karnataka Sangha), Balakrishna Salian (Vice President -Mogaveers, U.A.E.), Sudhakar Thumbe (President -Billawa Balaga Dubai), Sudhakar Alva (U.A.E Bunts), Prakash Rao Payar (Dwani Pratistana), Aruna Muthagadoor, Sadan Das (Kannada Koota U.A.E.), Murugesh Gajare(Basava), Ganesh Prasad (Kodagu Dakshina Kannada Gowda Association), Ashok Belman (Gulf Kannadiga), Prashant (Mangalore Media) and many other attended the blood donation camp.

The President of Ganiga Samaja Mr. Satish Venkataramanna and the organizing committee thanked all the participants of the first blood camp organized by them and were very grateful for all the donors.

On behalf of Ganiga Samaja, all donors who took part in this camp were gifted with Letter of Appreciation, T-Shirt, Pen and also Juice and Snacks were distributed by Chilly-Willy owner Mr. Satish Venkataramanna.

On the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan, by organizing the first blood camp the Ganiga Samaja, Dubai (U.A.E) joined the elite group of various organizations of U.A.E who too conducted the blood camp and were lifted the value of a holy deed. This deed was greatly witnessed and endorsed by Government of U.A.E

source: http://www.bellevision.com / Bellevision Media News Network / by Ganesh Rai / Pics by Ashok Belman / Dubai, August 12th, 2012

Bahrain: Basava Jayanti-2012 Celebrated in Community Spirit

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's

Kingdom of Bahrain, 20 May 2012:

The Basava Samiti Bahrain organize ’Basava Jayanti-2012’ in the Kingdom of Bahrain with immense enthusiasm and devotion in Ban Sang Thai Restaurant hall recently.

An inaugural welcome with ’mangala kalasa’ and ’tal maddale’ was followed by Basava pooja and prayer with traditional Bharatnatya welcome dance by Basava samiti juniors. Introductory welcome speech was given by Samiti general secretary Shashikala Kallyyanamath.

The famous speaker and master comedian Indumati salimath was invited as chief guest and well-known playback singer Pandit Ravindra Sorganvi, accompanied by renowned tabla player Pandit Satish Hampiholi were invited as guest artistes from Karnataka.

Basava Samiti Bahrain headed by U H Neelkantha as honorary president honoured the chief guests and guest artistes. Shivakumar Kallayyanamath, Ravishankar, Gangadhar Nagthan, R M Patil and Kannada Sangha Bahrain president Rajkumar were the chief guests on the occasion.

Basava Samiti members presented a ’Karnataka Janapada Darshan’, a colourful folk dance choreographed by Raghuram and Praveen Konanje, which included men, women and children performing Dollu Kunita, Kamasale,Yakshagana, Kolata, Kodava Nrutya and Suggi Kunita. The 300-plus audience had a were taken into a different world with the performance. A brief note on the dance was given by Kiran Girish.

The magical voice of Sorganvi and tabla pandit Hampiholi’s flawless beats enthralled the crowd with a lot of devotional, classical, folk and stage-play music. The depth and perfection of Sorganvi’s golden voice impressed the audience.

Indumati Salimath took over to present a string of laughter, message of Basava and advice on healthy social life.

On the successful completion of 30 years of Delta Construction Company, the Basava Samiti Bahrian honoured the dynamic entrepreneur U H Neelakantha as ’Kayaka Yogi’. Sanjay Palled, Shivakumar Kallayyanamath, Shekahr Koppad and Samiti executive committee did the honours.

Neelakantha shared his practical experiences with the gathered audience. He has been a role model for the young generation. He believed in sincere work and supports many charity activities and cultural events in Bahrain.

Shivanand Patil compered the programme, which ended with a vote of thanks by Samiti general secretary and a community dinner.

source: http://www.BelleVision.com / Home> News / by Joel D’Sa / BelleVision Media Network / May 20th, 2012

Dubai : Bunts UAE Conducts Blood Donation Campaign

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's

Dubai, May 6:
Bunts UAE this year successfully kicked off and concluded ‘Blood Donation’ Campaign at Latifa Hospital, Dubai on the 4th of May, 2012, Friday from 10.00 AM to 2.00 PM with record number of donors participation.

Sudhakar Alva the main man behind this campaign thanked the authorities for being tolerant and supportive in the campaign and promised more contribution to the Blood Bank from all the Indian Communities living in UAE. The Donors poured in great numbers from various parts of UAE into Lathifa Hospital enthusiastically for this great cause. It was also great to see Presidents and Office Bearers of most of the regional Community Associations of Karnataka together in one place for this noble cause. A record was created with more than 100 numbers participation.

As per the Dubai Blood Donation Centre (DBDC), the need for blood is ongoing and must be met every day. The demand for blood is growing faster than the collection rate and DBDC has been requested to have an instant response to the rapid growth in blood demand which is obviously proportionate to the fast growing population of the city along with healthcare facilities. DBDC is the only blood supplier in Dubai. Its services extend to Thalassemia patients (Thalassemia Center at Al Wasl Hospital), road accident and burn victims (Trauma Centre at Rashid Hospital), patients with neonates and maternity health complications (Lathifa Hospital), cases diagnosed with cancer or scheduled for open heart operations (Dubai Hospital) as well as to all private health facilities within Dubai that are entitled for transfusion services.

The Members volunteered along with hospital authorities were busy welcoming donors and filling up the required forms, examining blood samples and getting ready for the extraction of blood all with smiles on their face. They were issued a ‘Donor Card’ exclusively as a proof of their support.
The campaign kicked off with good numbers of Bunt’s voluntarily taking part along with female members and youths. Other patriotic associations who have been willingly doing these types of blood donation campaigns are Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, UAE Amchigele Samaj, Ramarajya Khsatriya Sangha UAE, Padmashali UAE, Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada Gowda Samaja Dubai, UAE Bunts, Billawas Dubai & Northern Emirates, Billawa Balaga Dubai who have already recorded their names in the list of blood donors of India in UAE.

Bunt’s UAE staged a breakfast stall with Snacks, Tea, Coffee, Fruits, Juices etc. at the blood donation campaign was given a boost with the support and participation of prominent community leaders like Sarvotham Shetty of UAE Bunts, Lokesh Puthran, President along with Vice President Yadav Kotian and main co-ordinator of Blood donation campaign in UAE, Bala Salian of Mogaveers UAE, Sudhakar Alva of UAE Bunts, Ravi B. Shettigar, President of Padmashali UAE, Satish Poojary President of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Anand Bailoor, Jagannath Bellare, Sudhakar Poojary of Billawas Dubai & Northern Emirates, Sudhakar Thumbe, President of Billawa Balaga Dubai, Representatives of Vishwakarma Seva Sangha & Shodhan Prasad of Nama Tuluveru UAE. Also were Ashok Belman of Gulf Kannadiga and many other prominent members of other well known associations.

The event concluded at around 2 PM
Report: Shodhan Prasad
Photos: Ashok Belman (Gulf Kannadiga)

source: http://www.DaijiWorld.com / Dubai, May 06th, 2012

Gene treatment may render fertilisers obsolete

Agriculture, Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology

Kodagu-origin US scientist works on path-breaking agriculture technology

Crops may soon overcome the need for fertilisers and pesticides. The research for this may be a long-drawn-out process, but will provide path-breaking results.

Dr B W Joe Poovaiah, the Kodagu-based agriculture scientist in Washington State University, is undertaking gene treatment research to eliminate the necessity of fertilisers and pesticides of crops. The research is in the advanced stages and field trials are pending.

He gave details of his research to reporters during a visit to the district. Poovaiah belongs to the Bachittira family of Kiggalu village in the district and settled in the US 40 years ago. His research – Calcium/calmodulin: The grand conductor of signal orchestration in plants – has attracted the attention of the international scientific community. He is working on calcium/calmodulin-mediated signaling to achieve the objectives.

The scientist says that while the CCamK gene – which is responsible for calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphorylation – governs nitrogen fixation in crops, the DWF1 and AtSR1 genes are responsible for growth of plants and their resistance to the effects of pests on them respectively. Poovaiah’s team tasted its first success in identifying these genes. The later stage was the treatment of the genes (cloning) so as to suit their needs.

According to him, monocotyledons (for example, rice and wheat), cannot absorb nitrogen – a key nutrient – from the atmosphere, thus necessitating the use of fertilisers. However, the plants of legumes (dicotyledons – peas, beans) do not face this problem. The CCamK gene in these plants help them absorb nitrogen directly from the atmosphere.

This gene is being created in the lab and introduced into the rice and wheat plants to “teach” them to absorb nitrogen directly from the atmosphere (self-fertilising), thereby eliminating the need for fertilisers. Plants release salicylic acid into the atmosphere, whenever they are affected by diseases, as a means of fighting the diseases (defend themselves against pathogen attack).

The amount of acid release varies from plant to plant. Treating the AtSR1 gene can help increase the amount of acid release, thus increasing their immunity. A success in this task will end the dependence on pesticides for plants.

Similarly, controlling the DWF1 gene – responsible for the very tall growth in some plants – can make them grow less taller (altered growth habits) and give higher yield.

The results of the research document novel regulatory mechanisms where calcium acts as a ‘master switch’ in controlling various physiological processes in plants. The gene treatment will start yielding results in five to 10 years, he said.

His researches have been documented in science magazine Nature and the website of Washington State University.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> State / Madikeri, DHNS / April 10th, 2012

Team Coorg for UTSC Gulf Cup in Dubai

Nri's / Pio's, Sports

Muscat:
Team Coorg Muscat will take part in the forthcoming United Thallasery Sports Club-organised UTSC Gulf Cup hockey tournament to be held in Dubai on March 30.
The regional hockey tournament have seen representation from GCC states like Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE and this time around it is expected to bigger.

Team Coorg Muscat, who were the runners-up last year, are full of confidence to finish on top this time around, and team manager Kuttapa thanked the UTSC for inviting them again.

“We are a well-knit team and we are looking forward to win the title this time,” said Kuttapa.

Team Coorg have been involved in promotion of hockey in various levels among the expatriates and the group has also won appreciation from the hockey-loving citizens of Oman for providing them the opportunity to play the game round the year.
Former national coach of India and Oman will lead a strong Team Coorg this time as player-cum-coach, but missing from the line-up will be their senior playing member Devayya.

source: http://www.main.omanobserver.com / Oman Daily Observer / Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

The inspiration behind the team is the hockey veteran S A S Naqvi.