Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Twin titles for Ponappa, Attri-Reddy shock top seeds

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Ashwini Ponappa. (TOI Photo)
Ashwini Ponappa. (TOI Photo)

Nagpur :

Ashwini Ponappa switched partners recently. N Sikki Reddy and R Satwik Sai Raj are her new partners in women’s and mixed doubles respectively. However, it has hardly made a difference to her performance as she won the twin titles, for the first time, in Senior Badminton Nationals on Wednesday.

Combining with Sai Raj, she recorded a fighting victory over World No. 16 Pranav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy 21-9, 20-22, 21-17 in the mixed doubles final. Later, with Reddy, she comprehensively defeated Maharashtra pair of Prajakta Sawant and Sanyogita Ghorpade 21-14, 21-14 to complete the double.

In the men’s double final, which turned out to be a marathon affair, Manu Attri and Sumeeth Reddy shocked top seeds and world No. 28 Satwik Sai Raj and Chirag Shetty 15-21, 22-20, 25-23. The title clash lasted for sixty four minutes.

The second seed pair of Satwik Sai Raj and Ponappa looked in great form in the first game of the mixed doubles final. They finished the opening game in no time. The pair showed brilliant coordination against the top seed pair of Chopra and Reddy. Nothing went right for the top seeds as they were left clueless and lost the one-sided first game.

Chopra and Reddy played much better in the second game and took initial lead before Satwik and Ponnappa caught them up. Chopra and Reddy took a crucial four-point lead towards the end but Satwik and Ponappa kept coming back to make it 20-20. However, Chopra rose to the occasion and finished off the game to level the match.

The third game saw an intense battle till the interval. However, after changing sides, Satwik and Ponappa kept chipping in with important points and maintained the lead throughout. Chopra-Reddy pair reduced the lead but never got ahead. From 15-14, the second seed pair got four successive points and soon finished the game.

The women’s doubles final, however, turned out to be a damp squib. Ghorpade-Sawant pair started off well in both games but conceded the lead at the halfway mark. Ponappa-Reddy pair was hardly given the fight. While Ponappa was oozing with confidence with her title victory in mixed doubles, Reddy was hurt. It worked for both of them as they knocked off the Maharashtra pair challenge in just 27 minutes.

The men’s doubles final, however, went right down to the wire and kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. The second seed pair of Attri and Sumeeth Reddy showed great character whenever they were pushed back to the wall. After losing the first game, they were down 17-20 and it looked all over for them. However, they showed great fight and scored five successive points to level the final.

They had a chance to finish off the game quickly in the third game with a six point lead towards the end. However, Satwik and Shetty showed why they were given the top billing. They played aggressively to level the scores. The pair were on championship point in the third game as well but messed it up. Even after the deuce, they had an opportunity to win the title for the third time but couldn’t do it.

It was Manu and Reddy’s day. They won a close last game. An animated Reddy raced across the court to celebrate the hard-fought victory.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> Sports News> Badminton News / Ruchir Mishra / TNN / November 09th, 2017

Coffee industry seeks review of GST

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

CoffeeBeansKF07nov2017

The high GST rate, besides bringing down instant coffee consumption, would also have a significant impact on the coffee farmers of South India

New Delhi / Bengaluru :

The coffee industry has sought a review of the GST rates on instant coffee and the curing process, while stating that such high rates would hurt consumption and, eventually, growers’ realisations.

Coffee growers are under pressure as the volatile trend in global prices, which directly influence local prices, has already kept their realisations in check.

The GST on instant coffee has been fixed at 28 per cent, while the curing or dry processing of the beans attracts a levy of 18 per cent.

Parity sought with tea

Making a case for reduction in GST on instant coffee, The India Coffee Trust, represented by various stakeholders from the sector, has appealed to the Prime Minister’s Office to bring it down to 18 per cent, on par with the instant tea.

Anil Kumar Bhandari, President, ICT, in a letter to the PMO, said the high GST rate, besides bringing down instant coffee consumption in the country, would also have a significant impact on the coffee farmers of Karnataka and South India, since instant coffee manufactures will source less raw coffee from them.

According to the ICT, of the 3.46 lakh tonnes of raw coffee produced in the country, about 2.78 lakh tonnes is exported, while the rest is consumed domestically.

Of the 0.78 lakh tonnes consumed domestically, about 50,000 tonnes is used in the form of roast and ground, while the remaining 28,000 is consumed as instant coffee.

South India accounts for the bulk of the coffee consumption, though off-take has picked up in the northern States in recent years.

The Trust said instant coffee is largely consumed by poor consumers and the cost per cup is lower when compared to the roast and ground.

It also said that higher tax would impede the development of the coffee habit in North and East India.

Seeking a cure

Meanwhile, the All India Coffee Curers Association has demanded the withdrawal of 18 per cent GST levied on coffee curing.

Curing involves dry processing and grading of green coffee beans.

As curing is an investment-intensive process, the majority of coffee growers normally outsource the dry processing of the green beans to curing works, where they are processed, graded and sorted.

“Any levy on curing would eventually hit farm-gate prices, thereby reducing growers’ realisations. The government should withdraw the levy,” said AN Devaraj, President of the All India Coffee Curers Association.

Farm-gate price worries

Coffee growers are concerned about how the impact of the GST levy on curing will influence farm-gate prices, even as the early harvesting of the arabica variety has begun in parts of Kodagu and Chikmagalur, the main growing regions.

“The GST on curing may impact farm-gate prices. With the season yet to start in full swing, it is too early to quantify the impact,” said HT Pramod, Chairman of the Karnataka Planters’ Association.

Arabica prices are hovering between ₹7,000 and ₹7,200 per 50-kg bag for the parchment, while arabica cherry prices are in the ₹3,700-4,000 per bag range, lower than last year.

“We are waiting for clarity on this issue. No sale of coffee from the new crop has taken place as growers are not in a hurry to sell as prices are low,” said N Bose Mandanna, a grower in Kodagu.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Economy> AgriBusiness / by KR Srivats & Vishwanath Kulkarni / October 30th, 2017

I have become used to people mistaking me for Nazriya: Varsha Bollamma

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

While it has been two years since actress Nazriya decided to take a break from Mollywood post marriage, her fans still hold on to her every delightful gesture and effortless acting.
VarshaBollamma02KF06nov2017

While they are eagerly awaiting her comeback, Varsha Bollamma, who shot to fame with her dubsmash videos based on the actress’ films, is marking her M-town debut. Interestingly, she is also a dead ringer for Nazriya.

“People asking me if I am Nazriya has become part and parcel of my life. Wherever I go, I hear people whispering if I am her and I laugh inside my mind,” says Varsha, adding that the similarities end with the look. “I am a different person and I am sure people will figure that out after a five-minute conversation.”

Varsha will make her debut in Mollywood with Rajesh Nair’s Kalyanam which also stars Mukesh and Saritha’s son Shravan. “I play a girl next door named Shari. It was great working here. The people here are very talented and humble,” she says.

On working with Shravan, Varsha says, “We had to improvise and came up with impromptu dialogues on the sets. It was an interesting experience. Shravan has imbibed the talents of his parents as is evident from his remarkable performance in the film.”

While it’s her first Malayalam film, she started her film career in Tamil two years ago. “My first movie was Sathuran and I did the viral dubsmash movies after shooting for it. Though a few of my friends used to tell me that I resemble Nazriya, I didn’t know how popular the videos would go on to be,” she explains.

In Kollywood, the actress has worked in movies such as Vetrivel and Yanum Theyavan, and is currently part of Vijay Sethupathi’s 96. “He plays a photographer in the film and I his student. Vijay sir doesn’t merely act but rater lives his characters. He’s also one of the sweetest people I have come across. He respects everyone and has a grounded persona,” she says.

Varsha, meanwhile, has signed another Malayalam film titled Mandaram, which has Asif Ali as the protagonist. “It is a romcom and I play a fashion designer,” she says.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> Entertainment> Malayalam> Movies> News / by Anjana George / October 09th, 2017

Who was Field Marshal KM Cariappa?

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

KM Cariappa received the prestigious order of the British Empire (OBE) for his role in the Burma against the Japanese during the Second World War.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday pitched for Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, independent India’s first army chief, to be conferred the Bharat Ratna. However, few know of the man whose unrelenting patriotism and secular beliefs blazed a trail in the Indian Army.

KM Cariappa is a man known for many firsts, but most importantly, he is known as the man who took charge of the Indian Army from its last British Commander in Chief, General Sir Roy Bucher. Born on January 28, 1899, in Coorg, Cariappa completed his education at Central High School at Madikeri and went on to study at the Presidency College in Madras.

However, Cariappa began his Army stint under the British and was among the few selected for the first batch of KCIOs (King’s Commissioned Indian Officers) at the Daly Cadet College in Indore and was commissioned in the Carnatic Infantry. He was in active service with the 37 (Prince of Wales) Dogra in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) and then posted to the 2nd Rajput Light Infantry (Queen Victoria’s Own). Cariappa went on to become the first Indian officer to undergo the course at Staff College, Quetta in 1933. In 1946, he got promoted as the Brigadier of the Frontier Brigade Group.

By Indian independence, Cariappa saw action in Iraq, Syria, Iran and Burma and became the first Indian Officer to be given command of a unit in 1942. He went on to receive many awards and accolades in his career spanning three decades. He received the prestigious order of the British Empire (OBE) for his role in the Burma against the Japanese during the Second World War.

In 1947, Cariappa became the first Indian to be selected to undergo a training course at Imperial Defence College, Camberly, UK. His role during the Partition is rarely mentioned, during which he oversaw the division of the Army. Cariappa also led the Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pak War of 1947 and successfully recaptured Zojila, Drass and Kargil and established a linkup with Leh.

On January 15, 1949, Cariappa became the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. He held the five-star rank of field marshal, the highest honour in the Indian Army, which Sam Manekshaw is the only other officer to have held. He was also awarded the ‘Order of the Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit’ by US President, Harry Truman
Even after his retirement from the Army in 1953, Cariappa was not finished yet and served as the High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand till 1956. He died in Bengaluru in 1993 at the age of 94.

With PTI inputs

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Who Is / by Express Web Desk / New Delhi – November 04th, 2017

Army Chief Bipin Rawat Seeks Bharat Ratna for Field Marshal Cariappa

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Gen Rawat’s comments came in response to a request by Col KC Subbayya from The Field Marshal Cariappa General Thimayya (FMCGT) forum about recommending the Bharat Ratna to Cariappa, who hails from Kodagu district in Karnataka.

File photo of Army chief General Bipin Rawat. (PTI)
File photo of Army chief General Bipin Rawat. (PTI)

Gonikoppal:

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday pitched for conferring the country’s highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna on independent India’s first army chief, Field Marshal General K M Cariappa.

“The time has also come to recommend Field Marshal Cariappa for the award of Bharat Ratna. If others can get it, I see no reason why he should not, a deserving personality for the same. We will shortly address the issue on priority,” he said

Gen Rawat’s comments came in response to a request by Col KC Subbayya from The Field Marshal Cariappa General Thimayya (FMCGT) forum about recommending the Bharat Ratna to Cariappa, who hails from Kodagu district in Karnataka.

Rawat unveiled the statues of Cariappa and General K S Thimayya, also a former Army chief who hailed from Kodagu district in Karnataka, at a function at the Cauvery College at Gonikoppal, Kodagu district.

Former Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Military, Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa (1899 - 1993), 1975. (Photo by Dinodia Photos/Getty Images)
Former Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Military, Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa (1899 – 1993), 1975. (Photo by Dinodia Photos/Getty Images)

Terming Kodagu (formerly Coorg) as a ‘land of warriors’, Rawat said he is proud, privileged and humbled for having got the opportunity to unveil the memorial in memory of Field Marshal Cariappa and General K S Thimayya.

Kodagu continues to serve the nation with a large number of officers and men serving the Army, he said and voiced hope that “there will be more Chiefs in the future who will rise from this great land”.

Cariappa was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army and was conferred the rank of Field Marshal on April 28, 1986.

He was also a recipient of the prestigious order of the British Empire (OBE) for his role in the Burma campaign against the Japanese during the Second World War.

Cariappa also led the Indian forces on the Western Front during the Indo-Pak War of 1947.

He held the five-star rank of field marshal, the highest honour in the Indian Army, which Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw is the only other officer to have held.

Cariappa, whose military career spanned over three decades, retired from the Army in 1953 and later served as the High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand till 1956.

He died in Bengaluru in 1993 at the age of 94.

source: http://www.news18.com / News18.com / Home> India / PTI / November 04th, 2017

Bigg Boss 5, Day 16 highlights: Ashitha Chandrappa is the winner of the day

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

In the two tasks conducted in the house, Thangaliyalli Theeli Ninthe and in concentration and memory power task, Ashitha Chandrappa, was declared as the winner unanimously by the inmates of the house.

AshishtaKF03nov2017

She will get the special box for winning the task which will be opened only after Bigg Boss orders.

Though, Jagan secured number one place in Thangaliyalli Theeli Ninthe task, Ashitha was declared as the winner as she got the third place in holding onto the rope and she got the first place in memory power task where a set of dancers performed in the house and later there was a quiz.

Both Jagan and Ashitha now are not allowed to take part in luxury budget task for the rest of the week.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> TV> News> Kannada / TNN / November 01st, 2017

Army legends captured in bronze

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat will unveil statues of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General K.S. Thimayya at a function in Cauvery College, Gonikoppal, Kodagu district, on Saturday.

The history of valour in the Indian Army is incomplete without mention of Kodavas, and amongst them Field Marshal Cariappa, and General Thimayya stand out as shining examples of leadership and inspiration, a press release said. Field Marshal Cariappa was the first Indian Commander in Chief of the Indian Army and was conferred the rank of Field Marshal on April 28, 1986. He was also a recipient of the Order of the British Empire for his role in the Burma campaign against the Japanese during World War 2. General Thimayya was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1954 and took over as Army Chief on May 7, 1957.

The site for the statues — located close to the ‘lyn house’, the ancestral house of the Kodavdira family belonging to the Generals — has been provided by the Cauvery Educational Society. The bronze statues (7’6” in height) were crafted in Bidadi by Shilpi Vijay for a cost of ₹17 lakh. This is the only location in India where statues of Army Chiefs stand next to one another.

The Field Marshal Cariappa General Thimayya Forum has been formed with the aim of helping veterans and motivating youngsters to join the armed forces. The forum started celebrating the birth anniversaries of the Generals in 2007, and today, Field Marshal Cariappa’s birth anniversary has become a government event.

Efforts are on to do the same for Gen Thimayya’s birth anniversary as well. The forum is also actively involved in turning ‘Sunny Side’, which was Gen. Thimayya’s residence, into a museum and war memorial. According to the release, the plan is to complete the work by mid-2018.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 01st, 2017

CoAS to unveil statues of Cariappa, Thimayya

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Chief of the Army staff General Bipin Rawat will honour the Kodava martial warriors and unveil statues of First Field Marshal of Indian Army K M Cariappa and Padma Bhushan General K S Thimayya on November 4 at Gonikoppal in Kodagu district on November 4.

Field Marshal Cariappa is also a recipient of the prestigious order of the British Empire (OBE) for his role in the Burma campaign against the Japanese during the 2nd World War. General Thimayya, was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1954 and took over as Chief of the Indian Army on 7 May, 1957.

The site for the statues has been provided by the Cauvery Educational Society and is located in close vicinity to the ‘lyn house’, the ancestral house of Kodavdira family belonging to theGenerals. The two statues are placed side by side about 25′ above the road level.

The bronze statues, 7’6″ in height have been made in Bidadi by Shilpi Vijay at a total cost of Rs 17 lakhs. This is the only LoC in India where statues of the Army Chiefs are Co-located.

The Field Marshal Cariappa General Thimayya forum was formed with the aim of helpingthe veterans of the area and to motivate youngsters to join the Defence Forces.

The two bronze statues will be unveiled in presence of Lt General R K Anand, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area, Major General K S Nijjar, General Officer Commanding, Karnataka & Kerala Sub Area.UNI MSP AE1323

— (UNI) — C-1-1-DL0100-1112494.Xml
source: http://www.news.webindia123.com / WebIndia123 / Home> News> India / Bengaluru – Tuesday, October 31st, 2017

Titles for Rohan Bopanna and Myneni-Prashanth pair

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
(Picture Courtesy: ATP World Tour Twitter handle)
(Picture Courtesy: ATP World Tour Twitter handle)

New Delhi :

In a memorable day for Indian tennis, Rohan Bopanna won the Erste Bank Open title in Vienna with Pablo Cuevas while the team of Saketh Myneni and Vijay Sundar Prashanth clinched the Vietnam Open trophy at the Ho Chi Minh City.

However, Divij Sharan and his partner Scott Clayton ended runners-up at the Brest Challenger event in France, preventing what could have been an incredible as well as unique culmination to the week for the Indian players on the circuit.

In Vienna, unseeded Bopanna and Cuevas saved two match points before prevailing 7-6(7), 6-7(4), 11-9 over Sam Querrey and Marcelo Demoliner.

Bopanna and Cuevas were down 7-9 in the deciding super tie-breaker but saved both the match points to win the title.

It was third title of the season for Bopanna, having won Chennai Open (with Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan) and Monte Carlo Masters (with Cuevas).

In Vietnam, the unseeded Indian pair of Myneni and Vijay Prashanth quelled the challenge of the Japanese combination of Go Soeda and Ben Mclachlan 7-6(3), 7-6(5) in the summit clash of the $50,000 event.

It was first title of the season for Myneni and maiden Challenger level trophy for Prashanth.

“It was a great week. We combined well and enjoyed ourselves. I still feel I have something left in singles but definitely I will focus on doubles too,” Prashanth said.

Myneni, who has missed most part of the season due to injuries and has slipped to 724 in singles, was also asked if he would shift focus on doubles but he responded with a cryptic reply.

“Still the same plan as before, nothing has changed with me,” he said, indicating that he still have singles in mind.

Divij Sharan and his British partner Scott Clayton ended runners-up at the Brest Challenger following a 4-6, 5-7 defeat against Sander Arends and Antonio Sancic.

After losing the opening set, Sharan and Clayton led the second set 5-3 but lost four games in a row to lose the title clash.

It was second consecutive final for Sharan, having won the European Open (ATP 250 event) with Scott Lipsky last week in Antwerp, Belgium.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> Sports News> Tennis News / PTI / October 29th, 2017

Coorg royals: The princely charm can never fade!

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

After losing out to the British, the Haleri royal family moved to Periyapatna and later to Mysuru city where they settled at Shivrampete.

Madikeri Palace is in a shambles now
Madikeri Palace is in a shambles now

Centuries ago, the battlefields of Coorg thundered with their war cry as they took on marauding armies of the invader, sowing the seeds for a martial race which continues to amaze the world with its heroism and audacity. But the days of the dynasty and the royals are long gone and the kings of Coorg, like everyone else, now have to contend with the rigours of a modern age where democracy, the great leveller, makes sure everyone has to toil for his bread. Some dynasties have switched to politics with remarkable success , others preferred a life as ordinary as it could be, sacrificing their vast tracts of lands, palaces, forts and the antiques of their forefathers. M.B. Girish profiles the Coorg royal dynasty which once ruled from Madikeri and now runs a flour-mill and a chilli powder shop in the busy Shivarampete of Mysuru city

It has been a remarkable journey for the family members of HCN Wodeyar, the king of Madikeri, one finds it hard to believe that here sitting before you, are the descendants of a royal family. Except for a huge pile of documents gathered from the authorities concerned, HCN Wodeyar no longer has the antiques left behind by his forefathers nor does he lead a lavish lifestyle which could remind people that his family once held sway over Madikeri.

MadikeriRoyal02KF30oct2017

For more than a century, the family has been running a flour mill attached to a store selling masala powder and flour on the busy Vinoba road in Shivrampete. Sachida nanada Hittina Angadi (flour shop) as it is known, has history written all over it-on the walls of the store, one can spot a couple of portraits of royal family members. An inquisitive visitor who ventures to ask whose portraits they are, would get an answer that the store is run by descendants of the Haleri Ursu Royal Family who once ruled Kodagu.

Not many know that the store now belongs to Haleri Chinnanna Nagaraju Wodeyar (75), the King of the Princely State of Kodagu and was started by his father Chinnanna. The lineage of the Haleri royal family starts with Veera Raja who ruled from 1600 AD and was succeeded by Appaji Raja and later Muddu Raja who ruled the region from 1633 AD to1687 AD. The rulers belonged to the Banajiga Lingayat community.

HCN Wodeyar and (right) his flour mill in Mysuru
HCN Wodeyar and (right) his flour mill in Mysuru

HCN Wodeyar tracing the history of the royal family, says his great grandfather Haleri Mallappa was married to queen Devammaji and he is the son of Chinnanna and the heir of the erstwhile royal family of Madikeri. Devammaji ruled the place for two years from 1809-11 before Britishers took control of the region.

To support his claim that he is the true heir, HCN has maintained various records issued by different authorities on the family tree of his erstwhile royal family. When asked about the decline of his family, HCN turns emotional and says, “everything is gone.”

After the Britishers started making inroads into the Princely States in India one after the other, his royal family too became a victim of British rule and gave away the kingdom which once stretched from Kushalanagar to Mangaluru. “Our great grandfathers, mainly Dodda Veera Raja traded in lemon, tobacco, oranges among others which were sent to markets in Kerala and Delhi in those days,” he recalls.

After losing out to the British, the Haleri royal family moved to Doddabeedi in Periyapatna and later shifted to Mysuru city where they settled at Shivrampete.

The royals-turned business family now stays at Chamaraja Mohalla where a board in Kannada at the entrance facing the road, states, “HCN Wodeyar is the owner of Madikeri Palace.”

The Palace of the Haleri royal family was built during the rule of Muddu Raja and later modified during British rule. Though his kingdom has disappeared, HCN longs to regain ownership of Madikeri Palace, situated on 77 acres at Karnangeri and is engaged in a legal battle since 1998. “The palace is in a dilapidated condition and if the structure is given to me, repairs will be taken up to restore its past glory,” he says.

HCN first got to see his ancestral palace when he was a child. “My father took me to the palace for the first time and since then, I have visited the palace about 15 times,” he says.

At Chamaraja Mohalla, he lives in a small tiled house with his wife, sons and grandchildren. His grandchildren play on the wooden sofas while wife Sowbhagya attends to domestic chores with her daughters-in-law.

The family no longer has the royal antiques such as swords, spearhead, royal seals and royal attire. “A throne was taken away by the British among other precious items,” laments the Haleri king. Just then, HCN’s grandson Milind (13) brings out a lone sword from the room and flaunts it.

Though he no longer lives in Madikeri in the palace, HCN says people still hold the royal family in high esteem. Milind, a class 8 student at JSS Public School says, “My classmates and teachers are aware that I hail from a royal family.” As many as 70 types of masala powders are sold at the shop- both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. There are people like Prakash, a resident of Hassan, who says he is surprised to know that the flour shop is run by the Coorg royal family and recalls that he has walked by the shop on a number of occasions but had no idea about the history of the family running it.

Not many have been able to make the transition from royalty to a democratic way of living smoothly, many have struggled and fallen into bad times. It has not been easy for the Coorg royal family either for the times have changed but then they have risen to the challenge in the hope of a better morrow. Nor would the Coorgis like to forget the Haleri royal family for they bring back memories of the times of the kings, of grandeur and magnificence which no ordinary mortal can match.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Naton – In Other News / by MB Girish / October 29th, 2017