As per the data, exports stood at $1.28 billion in 2023–24, compared to $1.14 billion in 2022–23. Europe continues to be the top destination for Indian coffee, with key markets including Italy, Germany, Belgium, Middle East nations, South Korea.
India’s coffee exports have surged by 125 per cent over the past 11 years, touching $1.8 billion in 2023–24, up from $800 million in 2014–15, according to central government data. The rise in exports has been attributed to a series of policy measures implemented by the Coffee Board of India, including digitalisation of permits, export incentives, and support for value addition in processing.
As per the data, exports stood at $1.28 billion in 2023–24, compared to $1.14 billion in 2022–23. Europe continues to be the top destination for Indian coffee, with key markets including Italy, Germany, Belgium, Middle East nations, South Korea and Japan.
To bolster exports, the Coffee Board has taken steps such as digital issuance of RCMC, export permits and certificates of origin, regular engagement with exporters to address bottlenecks, and providing global market intelligence. Additionally, the government has introduced transit and freight assistance, offering Rs 3 per kg for value-added exports and Rs 2 per kg for high-value green coffee shipments to far-off markets such as the US, Canada, Japan, and Nordic countries. To further aid domestic processors and entrepreneurs, the Board offers 40% subsidy on machinery costs, capped at Rs 15 lakh, for roasting, grinding and packaging units.
India, the seventh-largest coffee producer globally with a 3.5% share, ranks fifth in exports with a 5% global share. The country produces about 3.6 lakh tonnes of coffee annually, with Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu being top growers. The sector directly and indirectly supports around 2 million people.
Writer Deepa Bhasthi, whose English translation of Banu Mushtaq’s Kannada work Edeya Hanate (Heart Lamp) won the prestigious International Booker Prize 2025, was felicitated in Madikeri by her alma mater and local leaders on Saturday.
The Old Students’ Association of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College, where Ms. Bhasthi pursued her education, college principal, lecturers, and office-bearers of the association visited her residence to honour her remarkable literary achievement.
B. Raghav, principal of the college, extolled Ms. Bhasthi for her literary accomplishment and noted that the international recognition has brought immense pride to the institution.
“The achievement of one of our old students was a matter of pride for the college,” he added.
The association president B.B. Aiyappa highlighted the difficulty of translating regional literature without losing its emotional depth, commending Ms. Bhasthi’s masterful rendering that resonated with a global audience.
MLA for Madikeri Mantar Gowda also felicitated Ms. Bhasthi at her home on Saturday. Commending her contribution to literature, he said her accomplishment had placed Kodagu on the global literary map. He said the government would support her future literary initiatives and described her as an inspiration for students and young writers.
Mr. Gowda also remarked that it was heartening to see literature of such calibre emerge from the serene surroundings of Kodagu. Plans are under way to organise interactions between Ms. Bhasthi and students from local institutions to foster interest in literature and translation, he added.
Ms. Bhasthi said the translation took nearly three years of dedicated work and she is now preparing for literary engagements in London and other cities. Ms. Bhasthi’s husband Chettira Nanaiah, her parents Prakash and Sudha Bhasthi, were among those present.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / May 31st, 2025
While the literary world applauded in London, back home in Kodagu, her win was met with joy, disbelief, and a bit of solitude.
Deepa Bhasthi won the International Booker Prize for her translation of Kannada author Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp short story collection, in London on May 20, 2025. | Photo Credit: Deepa Bhasthi/Instagram
While Karnataka’s Kodagu-born writer Deepa Bhasthi celebrates a historic International Booker Prize win in London, her husband Chettira Sujan Nanaiah is celebrating in his own quiet way — on a farm, with five pet dogs, and congratulatory phone calls at their peaceful home in Madikeri.
On Tuesday night, Ms. Bhasthi, along with writer-activist Banu Mushtaq, was awarded the prestigious GBP 50,000 International Booker Prize for her translation of the latter’s short story collection, Heart Lamp. While the literary world applauded her in London, back home in Kodagu, the win was met with joy, disbelief, and a bit of solitude.
Speaking to The Hindu over the phone on Wednesday morning, Sujan Nanaiah — an artist-turned-farmer — shared his happiness. “She’s still in shock and joy. We spoke briefly in the morning. I couldn’t be there with her due to other commitments, but I’m extremely happy and proud,” he said.
Quiet life in Madikeri
The couple, who moved to their native Madikeri during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been living a quiet life on their farm surrounded by lush greenery. “It’s a simple life. We grow our own food, look after our pets, and enjoy being close to nature,” he said.
Mr. Nanaiah, who studied fine arts at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath in Bengaluru, first met Ms. Bhasthi seven years ago at an art exhibition where he was a participant. What began as a friendship evolved into marriage and a shared life in Kodagu.
As calls poured in from family and friends, Mr. Nanaiah was busy tending to farm duties and looking after their pets. “I didn’t expect her to win, but I’m thrilled for her and the recognition it brings to Kannada literature,” he said, adding that he was the one who shared the good news with Bhasthi’s parents on May 21 morning. “They were emotional and proud. It’s a big moment for our family,” he added.
Born and raised in Madikeri, Ms. Bhasthi studied at Kodagu Vidyalaya before moving to Mangaluru for a degree in Mass Communication. She worked with print publications in Bengaluru before transitioning to freelance writing and literary translation.
Mr. Nanaiah said that Deepa’s return to Kodagu is expected around May 26, though her schedule is still uncertain. For now, as she enjoys her moment on the international stage, her immensely proud husband continues to hold fort at their serene Madikeri farmhouse.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Karnataka / by Darshan Devaiah B P / May 22nd, 2025
A genetic study has traced the ancestry of the Kodavas, the culturally distinct community from Karnataka’s Kodagu district, to nearly 3,000 years ago. Yet, the mystery of their precise origins remains unsolved.
This is the first scientific attempt to explore the genetic makeup of the Kodavas. Conducted by researchers from the University of Delhi South Campus and Hyderabad’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, the study was published in Communications Biology.
Using genomic data from 144 Kodava individuals, scientists identified three genetically distinct lineages within the community. They named it: Coorg-1, Coorg-2 and Coorg-3.
Coorg-3 emerged as the most ancient lineage, dating back 98 generations, about 3,000 years. Coorg-1 diverged around 1,920 years ago and Coorg-2, the youngest lineage, appeared roughly 330 years ago from a mix of Coorg-1 and Coorg-3.
Interestingly, mitochondrial DNA passed down from mothers showed that around 40% of maternal lineages in the community are South Asian.
In contrast, Y-chromosome data revealed genetic signatures from Eurasian, Middle Eastern and India-specific male lines. This suggests a pattern of male-dominated migration followed by local assimilation.
Despite numerous theories about the Kodavas’ origin, including links to Alexander the Great’s Indo-Greek army, pre-Muslim Kurds, pre-Christian Georgians or Indo-Scythian Sakas, concrete evidence of origin has remained elusive.
Even in this study, while Coorg-3 stands out as the most genetically distinct group and ancient, its original ancestral source remains unidentified. [Sourced]
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 19th, 2025
The study is the first to probe the genetics of the Coorgs, a community with a distinct socio-cultural identity whose ancestry has long been debated with competing theories linking them to Alexander’s armies, Eurasian settlers, or ancient south Indian people.
A charming waterfall named Malalli flows gracefully in the idyllic locales of Coorg hill station in Karnataka, India. Sourced by the Telegraph
A new genetic study has traced the roots of the Coorgs to nearly 3,000 years ago, offering fresh insights and deepening the intrigue around the ancestry of this close-knit population in Karnataka’s western ghats.
The study is the first to probe the genetics of the Coorgs, a community with a distinct socio-cultural identity whose ancestry has long been debated with competing theories linking them to Alexander’s armies, Eurasian settlers, or ancient south Indian people.
The Coorgs, also known as the Kodavas, are a small, tradition-rich community with a distinct martial heritage, customs, and a strong sense of clan-based identity, living in the hilly, forested, and picturesque Kodagu district.
Scientists at the University of Delhi South Campus and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, analysed genomic signatures in a sample of 144 Coorgs to determine their genetic distances and affinities to other populations.
Their study has revealed that the Coorgs consist of three distinct lineages — classified as Coorg-1, Coorg-2, and Coorg-3. Coorg-3 is the oldest, dating back 98 generations, or nearly 3,000 years ago. Coorg-1 diverged 64 generations ago, around 1,920 years ago. The third group, Coorg-2, emerged more recently — about 330 years ago — from the admixture of Coorg-1 and Coorg-3.
Among the three groups, Coorg-3 stands out as the most distinct. However, the identity of its ancestral source population from 3,000 years ago remains unresolved. The analysis did reveal more recent genetic mixing between Coorg-3 and northwest Indian populations about 23 generations ago, or roughly 690 years ago.
The study, published in Communications Biology, also found that Coorg-1 and Coorg-2 are genetically distinct from other ethnolinguistic groups in Karnataka such as the Kannadigas, Konkanis and Tuluvas.
Members of Coorg-1 show the highest genetic similarity to a hunter-gatherer tribal group called the Palliyars, found in the southern Western Ghats.
The admixture between Coorg-1 and Coorg-3 appears to have begun around 11 generations ago, or 330 years ago, giving rise to Coorg-2.
Practices such as family exogamy and caste endogamy have likely helped preserve the genetic separation of these three lineages over centuries, Delhi University geneticist B.K. Thelma and her co-authors K. Thangaraj, Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Loumos Kumar and Kiran Sran said in their study.
Earlier genetic research has shown that contemporary Indian populations arose from a mix of two ancestral groups — ancestral North Indians and ancestral South Indians — between roughly 1,900 and 4,200 years ago.
But the ancestry of the Coorgs has remained elusive. Scholars have variously proposed links to Alexander’s army during his 4th-century BCE campaign in northwestern India, to Indo-Scythians or Sakas who moved from Central Asia into northwest India in the 2nd century BCE, or to prehistoric inhabitants of the southern Western Ghats.
Analysis of mitochondrial DNA — passed down through mothers — has revealed that about 40 per cent of Coorg maternal lineages are South Asian. Y-chromosome data points to Eurasian, Middle Eastern and India-specificsignatures. These results suggest male-dominated migrations from Eurasian and Middle Eastern regions and subsequent assimilation with local women.
source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> Science-Tech / by G S Mudur / May 15th, 2025
Little Thomas, a heartwarming comedy-drama featuring Rasika Duggal and Gulshan Devaiah, has garnered significant recognition at the upcoming 25th New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF).
The film has received three nominations: Best Actor for Gulshan Devaiah, Best Actress for Rasika Duggal, and Best Debut Feature for director Kaushal Oza. The film’s producers, Ranjan Singh and Anurag Kashyap, are excited to showcase their work at this prestigious festival.
Excitement Surrounds Nominations
Rasika Duggal expressed her joy at being nominated for Best Actress for her role as Jessie Miranda in Little Thomas. The film tells the story of a seven-year-old boy who is determined to unite his parents and wishes for a little brother. Rasika stated, “I am grateful that the work is being noted and appreciated, and I am looking forward to the response of the audience when the film is screened at the festival.” She emphasized the importance of audience feedback at film festivals, noting that they often provide discerning insights into the work presented.
Gulshan Devaiah, nominated for Best Actor, shared his excitement about the recognition from the NYIFF jury. He expressed his eagerness to attend the festival and his hopes for winning the award. “I am excited and happy with the nomination that the NYIFF jury has considered me for as the Best Actor for Little Thomas,” he said.
Director’s Thrill at Recognition
Kaushal Oza, the film’s director, expressed his delight at the nominations, particularly for the Best Debut Film category. Oza, who has previously collaborated with Anurag Kashyap on notable projects, shared his excitement about returning to NYIFF after the world premiere of his short film, The Miniaturist of Junagadh. He remarked, “This time I am delighted that ‘Little Thomas’ has been nominated at the same festival for the Best Debut Film… What really puts the cherry on the cake is the nominations for both the actors as well!”
The film, produced under the banners of Luminoso Pictures, Civic Studios, Flip Films, and Good Bad Films, had its world premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne last year. It has since been showcased at other festivals, including the Toronto Indian Film Festival and Chandigarh Cine-Vesture.
A Glimpse into the Film’s Story
Set against the backdrop of 1990s Goa, Little Thomas follows the journey of a young boy named Thomas, who longs for a sibling. The film’s synopsis reveals that Thomas believes the key to getting a baby brother lies in his parents sharing a kiss. With his parents frequently arguing and no longer affectionate, Thomas takes it upon himself to orchestrate the “yucky act” he believes is necessary to fulfill his wish. This charming premise sets the stage for a comedic exploration of family dynamics and childhood innocence.
source: http://www.observervoice.com / Observer Voice / Home> Entertainment / by OV Digital Desk / May 14th, 2025
Karisma Aiyappa (centre) was crowned ‘Mrs. Bharat California 2025’ by Mydream TV USA at an event held at California recently.
Karisma, a HR/logistics professional in Silicon Valley, is a former State-level athlete and a passionate dancer.
Picture above shows Karisma walking the ramp in the traditional Kodava attire
A native of South Kodagu and daughter of Poilengada P. Machamma and late Alemanda Aiyappa, residents of Kuvempunagar in Mysuru, Karisma is married to Abhishek, an employee of Microsoft, Bay Area, California, USA.
Karisma’s participation in various Coorg events in the USA showcases her commitment to her heritage.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / May 13th, 2025
In the lush hills of Kodagu, a remarkable sporting and cultural phenomenon has reached a new milestone. The 25th edition of the Kodava Hockey Festival — hosted this year by the Kundyolanda family — has officially entered the Guinness World Records as the largest field hockey tournament, boasting an astonishing 3,640 players across over 360 family teams.
This year’s month-long edition ran across three grounds and finished late April.
What began as a dream in 1997 by the late Pandanda Kuttappa, a former hockey referee and State Bank of India employee, has transformed into an unparalleled spectacle of sport and community.
His vision was simple yet profound: unite the globally dispersed Kodava community through hockey — a sport embedded deep in their identity. Kodagu, often called the “cradle of Indian hockey,” has produced over 50 national players and seven Olympians, making the festival a natural extension of local pride.
“This festival is about more than just winning or losing,” Pandanda K. Bopanna, president of the Kodava Hockey Academy and son of the founder, told The Hindu newspaper.
“It’s about keeping our culture alive, connecting generations, and celebrating our heritage.”
This year’s silver jubilee celebrations were extra special. According to the official Guinness World Records entry, the event was recognised for having the most field hockey players in a tournament, overtaking all previous records.
“We have a rich tradition of serving the Armed forces. The British were already playing hockey and they found that the Kodavas had taken to the sport well. With a little bit of encouragement, the sport caught on,” says Navin Poonacha Kanganda, who has promoted the festival in the digital space, told Red Bull a few years ago.
A women’s tournament featuring 30 teams was introduced for the first time, symbolising the progressive spirit of the Kodava community. The festival torch — akin to the Olympic flame — was ceremoniously carried to the ancestral Ainmanes of past host families, reinforcing the powerful links between tradition and sport.
The Deccan Herald captured the festival’s atmosphere, describing the grounds as “a place where hockey sticks clash as fiercely as family pride, amid a carnival of Kodava culture.”
Traditional Kodava attire, food stalls, cultural performances, cyclothons, and shooting competitions lend the event the feel of a grand village fair — with hockey at its heart.
From humble beginnings in the small village of Karada with just 60 teams, the festival has grown into a massive undertaking requiring three specially-prepared mud fields, an effort largely borne by the host families.
“Despite international recognition, the festival struggles with basic sports infrastructure,” Bopanna noted. “The government must do more — a permanent hockey stadium in Kodagu would honour the festival’s contribution to Indian hockey.”
For the Kodavas, the festival is more than a sporting event.
As Ajjinikanda Mahesh Nachaiah, president of the Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, put it: “It’s a reunion, a business hub, a marriage bureau, and a cultural festival all rolled into one.”
The clatter of sticks and laughter of reunited families echo a truth that Pandanda Kuttappa knew all along: hockey, for the Kodavas, is life itself.
source: http://www.thehockeypaper.co.uk / The Hockey Paper / Home> Features / by Hockey Paper Staff / May 06th, 2025
Chenanda to host 26th edition of Family Hockey Tournament at Napoklu in 2026
Madikeri:
The Mandepanda family was declared the winner of the Muddanda Hockey Festival 2025 held at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds, Madikeri, after heavy rain interrupted their final against the Chendanda family yesterday.
Mandepanda was leading 1-0 when a downpour forced the match to be abandoned just over 12 minutes into play. Later, the organisers issued a statement confirming Mandepanda as the champions of the Silver Jubilee edition of the Kodava Family Hockey Festival.
Amidst overcast skies and thunderous cheers from the crowd, the much-anticipated final had begun with high energy. Chendanda earned the first penalty corner early on, but Olympian Nikin Thimmaiah failed to convert the opportunity.
Mandepanda responded with sharp counterattacks, securing their first penalty corner, which Gautam successfully converted to give Mandepanda a crucial 1-0 lead in the first quarter.
Rain began to intensify during the second quarter as Chendanda pushed hard for an equaliser. Despite earning back-to-back penalty corners, they failed to break through Mandepanda’s defence. As lightning flashed and thunder rolled, torrential rain forced a suspension of play.
Relentless downpour left the field waterlogged. After about half an hour of efforts to clear the standing water, the match briefly resumed. Chendanda came close to scoring, but Mandepanda’s young goalkeeper Dhyan Bopanna made a brilliant save to preserve his team’s lead.
Moments later, the rain returned with greater intensity, turning the ground into a virtual stream. With further play impossible, officials from the Kodava Hockey Academy, referees and team managers declared Mandepanda the winners.
Despite being soaked twice over, the spirit of the crowd remained unbroken. Spectators packed into gallery corners, cheering, clapping and even dancing in the rain. However, disappointment lingered among fans and organisers alike, as many had hoped for a full and thrilling conclusion to the Silver Jubilee tournament. Earlier, in the third-place match, Nellamakkada defeated Kuppanda (Kaikeri) 2-1 to claim third spot.
The Kambiranda family that won the Muddanda Cup Women’s Hockey Festival 2025.
VIP speeches delay action
The final was marred by significant delays and drew heavy criticism from spectators. Many expressed frustration over poor planning and coordination, blaming the organisers for nearly four-hour delay in starting the final.
Originally scheduled to begin at 11 am, the final was postponed due to an extended inaugural ceremony where several Ministers and elected representatives delivered prolonged speeches, pushing the start time to around 2 pm.
Home Minister Dr. Parameshwara addressing the gathering.
Mere minutes after play commenced, heavy rain lashed Madikeri, leading to the abandonment of the match. “When a match is scheduled for 11 am, starting it at 2.30 pm is simply unacceptable — especially with rain forecasts and spectators waiting, hungry and eager, to watch the finals,” many said.
“Are we here to watch hockey or to listen to endless speeches?” one frustrated fan remarked. Spectators further noted that in professional tournaments, VIPs attend to witness the sport, not to hold the mic and deliver lengthy lectures, disregarding the value of spectators’ time.
Among the speakers were Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, Higher Education Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Virajpet MLA and CM’s Legal Advisor Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda, MLC Mandepanda Suja Kushalappa, Kodava Hockey Academy President Pandanda Bopanna and Muddanda Hockey Festival Committee President Muddanda Rashin Subbaiah.
Just minutes after the final match between the Mandepanda and Chendanda began, heavy rains lashed Madikeri, leading to waterlogged grounds.
World Wide Book of Records recognition
The Silver Jubilee Muddanda Cup set a new record with 396 men’s teams comprising 5,544 players competing in 397 matches, alongside 58 women’s teams with 464 players competing in 57 matches during the five-a-side tournament.
The festival was officially entered into the World Wide Book of Records, with Sindhuja, a representative from the record book, announcing the recognition at the closing ceremony and presenting the certificate to the Muddanda family.
The 26th Kodava Family Hockey Festival will be hosted by Chenanda family at Napoklu in 2026. The family ceremoniously accepted leadership during a flag procession held on the Muddanda Cup Grounds.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Sports / April 28th, 2025
Another Mysurean Drithi Bopanna, pursuing M.Sc., in Global Business Management at Rennes School of Business, France, has been selected as a scholarship delegate for United Nation Organisation’s Annual “Change the World” Conference to be held at the UN Headquarters, New York City, in March 2019.
An alumnus of St. Joseph’s Central School and Sapient College, Vijayanagar, Drithi is the daughter of late Puliyanda Nithin Bopanna and Dr.Sujatha Bopanna, Dean of Studies, De Paul Degree College, Mysuru.
About the conference
The “Change the World Model United Nations (CWMUN)” is an annual international meeting attended by 2,500 students from all over the world, where they debate the major issues of international political agenda.
