Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy went down to top-seeded Russian combination of Olga Morozova and Anastasia Chervyakov 21-16 21-11.
Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy had comfortably beaten England’s Lauren Smith and Sophie Brown 21-16 21-18 in the semis.
India’s women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy finished runners-up at the Welsh International Challenge badminton tournament after losing in straight games in the final.
The unseeded Indian duo went down to top-seeded Russian combination of Olga Morozova and Anastasia Chervyakov 21-16 21-11 in a contest that lasted just 37 minutes.
Earlier, Ashwini and Sikki had comfortably beaten England’s Lauren Smith and Sophie Brown 21-16 21-18 in their semifinal match. The Indians took 39 minutes to get the better of the English team.
Meanwhile, the men’s doubles combo of Jishnu Sanyal and Shivam Sharma lost in the semifinals against Liao Kuan Hao and Lu Chia Pin of Chinese Taipei.
The third-seeded Chinese Taipei pair needed half-an-hour to make it to the finals by beating sixth seeded Indians 21-17 21-15.
Indians bowed out in the semifinals of the mixed doubles event also as second seeded N Sikki Reddy and Pranaav Jerry Chopra lost to Malaysians Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai 16-21 14-21 in 39 minutes.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / Indian Express / Home> Sports> Badminton / by PTI / Cardiff – December 04th, 2016
“Nineteen years ago, I was one of the first columnists in Bangalore Times. I cut a wide swathe with that column, and BT was like a fresh breeze blowing through the city.
It chronicled the emergent Page 3 society and made Sandalwood the glamorous entity it is today.
Wherever I am in the country, I get to read The Times of India, but always miss reading Bangalore Times.
Happy anniversary BT, more power to you!” – Prasad Bidapa, style guru
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> Chennai News> Bangalore News / TNN / December 05th, 2016
Coorg, as the British called Kodagu, was annexed by the East India Company in 1834, after dethroning the last Raja of Coorg, Veerarajendra. Coorg was administered as a separate province under a commissioner who was also in charge of Mysore. A British officer designated as superintendent was stationed in Madikeri and reported to the commissioner posted in Bangalore.
In March 1865, William Hobart Kerr, the superintendent of Coorg, fell ill and had to go on sick leave.
In his place, a young army officer, Captain Robert Andrews Cole, was appointed as the superintendent. Captain Robert was instantly attracted to the place, the climate, people and the invigorating environment. His duties involved meeting local people in remote villages, checking and updating land records, known as jamabandhi, which certified ownership and simplified revenue collection.
For fluent conversations…
Captain Cole was born in Madras in 1835, to an army doctor, Major General Robert Cole Sr. Having been educated in Madras, he was conversant with Tamil and Telugu. He had familiarised himself with Kannada on being posted in Bangalore. One of the problems Captain Cole encountered in Coorg was communicating with the Coorgis who spoke a dialect, which had many common words with Kannada, Tamil and other South Indian languages.
Surprisingly, according to Captain Cole, the Kodavas who lived in remote villages could not understand Kannada. This prompted him to learn the Kodava language so that he could effectively communicate with the people. Captain Cole soon started learning Kodava language. His knowledge of other South Indian languages helped. He began documenting the words, grammar and pronunciation. In order to help him communicate, he made extensive tables — known as Travel Talk — translating English sentences to Kannada (Canarese), Telugu, Tamil and Kodava language.
However, by October the same year, William Kerr returned, and assumed charge as the superintendent of Coorg. Captain Robert, who had taken a liking for Coorg, went back rather reluctantly to his posting in Bangalore. However, he continued his work on Kodava language. He learnt Kannada script for better conveyance of ‘peculiarities of pronunciation’, and started using this to transliterate Kodava language.
Captain Robert once again took charge from William Kerr, as superintendent of Coorg, in February 1866. He was happy to be back in this mountainous land and had come to enjoy the bracing weather. He particularly enjoyed his outings during the monsoon. This can be evidently seen in his book, Elementary Grammar of the Coorg Language, where he writes, “The thunderstorms during this season are often magnificent. The war of the elements is carried on here in a grander style than in the low country. Banks and mountains of clouds move against each other with the order of armies. The sound of heavy cannon is heard from a distance, solitary discharges of the electric fluid shoot through the gloom.”
Captain Cole served as the superintendent until December 1869. During this period, he compiled a comprehensive book on Kodava language. In 1867, with ample support from Lewin Bentham Bowring, who was the commissioner of Mysore and Coorg, he published his 136-page-book, Elementary Grammar of the Coorg Language. This was printed at the Wesleyan Mission Press. The book also contains a fragment of English-Coorg dictionary.
Captain Cole endeared himself to the people of Coorg. He also wrote another book titled A Manual of Coorg Civil Law. In appreciation of his contributions, an emerging town at the time was named after him as — Colepet. However, over the years, Colepet got merged with present day Ammathi. On promotion as a Major, he was appointed superintendent, Inam Settlement, Mysore. As a Colonel, he was with the Madras Staff Corps. He rose to the rank of Major General by the time he retired and returned to England.
He died in 1907. Major General Robert Andrews Cole ranks amongst other Europeans, who contributed to South Indian languages, such as Rev Hermann Mogling and Rev Ferdinand Kittel.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by C.P.Belliappa / July 26th, 2016
Rohan Bopanna, India’s doubles tennis specialist, is keen to put behind last year’s reverses and focus on achieving big things in 2017.
Rohan Bopanna said the singles rubbers against New Zealand hold key in Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1. (Source: Express File)
India’s doubles tennis specialist Rohan Bopanna said he is keen to put behind last year’s reverses and focus on achieving big things in 2017.
“There is no point in discussing negative matter (on his recent twitter spat with Leander Paes). We should focus on achieving big things in 2017,” Bopanna told reporters after announcement of EduSports and Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy tieup.
Drawing inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to perform better in coming season, Bopanna said, “Look at Modi, he has taken a bold step by enforcing demonetisation. He has shown us the way forward,” he added.
Asked about his new partner Pablo Cuevas, Bopanna said he would join the Argentinean as per his singles schedule.
“Cuevas’ priority is definitely singles. I will play as per his schedule. Wherever Cuevas wants to play in the singles section, I will join him and we will compete in doubles,” he said.
Bopanna had recently split with Florin Mergea. The 36-year-old will participate in Australian Open in Melbourne, but not before he would start the season at Chennai Open in January and then Apia International in Sydney.
Replying to a query, Bopanna said the singles rubbers against New Zealand hold key in Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 1 first-round tie.
“To qualify to the world group, we need two good singles players because out of the five points, four comes from singles,” he said. “I am hopeful Saketh Myneni, Yuki (Bhambri) and Ram (Ramkumar Ramanathan) can beat the top guys now,” he added.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / Indian Express / Home> Sports> Tennis / by PTI / Bengaluru – November 22nd, 2016
Tennis doubles player Rohan Bopanna today said that wheelchair tennis was already a big sport in the world, which is reflected in top players like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic sharing the same locker-rooms with top wheelchair players.
“Roger Federer, Djokovic and top wheelchair players – all of them share the same locker-rooms. There is no difference between wheelchair tennis players and the straight players,” he said.
“That’s where it shows, how big the sport already is, and million and millions of people are already watching it and supporting it,” he added.
Bopanna said holding the All India Tennis Association ranking wheelchair tennis tournament shows interest in this sport.
“Holding the wheelchair tennis tournament is a fantastic initiative and big step, which shows the interest people have in it,” he said.
Asked what sort of support he would give to promote wheelchair tennis, Bopanna said he would share details of wheelchair tournaments held in different parts of the world.
“I am always with them, no matter what support they need. As I am travelling a lot, it will be easier for me to share the details which will be of great help for improving the sport in India,” he said.
Earlier, Bopanna announced India’s first AITA ranking Wheelchair Tennis Tournament – tabebuia – which will be played from December 2 to 4 at Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association.
The cash prize is Rs 2.5 lakh and the organisers have raised Rs 14 lakh from various sources including the corporate and individual donors, Sunil Jain, Founder Trustee of Astha, a part of Wheelchair Tennis, said.
As many as 40 wheelchair tennis players will participate in the tournament, he said.
Jain said the organisers would love to hold an International Tennis Federation tournament with the cooperation of AITA and KSLTA.
BDN PDS PDS
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> Sports> Tennis> Top Stories / PTI / November 29th, 2016
Havaldar Manesh also saw action during the Kargil conflict.
Manesh, a young National Security Guard (NSG) commando, was incapacitated in the 26/11 attack in Mumbai. But he has no regrets. He has lost control over the right portion of his body and uses a crutch to walk. “I have the satisfaction of having served my motherland,” the young and handsome former soldier told The Hindu. He was conferred the Shaurya Chakra for his act of bravery.
During an interview on the sidelines of the unveiling of the statue of Major Mangerira Muthanna here on Thursday, Havaldar Manesh recalled the horror of 26/11. He was part of the 250 NSG commandos airlifted from Delhi to fight the Pakistani attackers and positioned at Nariman Point, one of the spots targeted by the terrorists.
“I killed two of them,” he said proudly. While proceeding further, a terrorist lobbed a hand grenade, which landed on his helmet and exploded, blowing it to smithereens. He does not remember what happened afterwards, but he was shifted to a hospital by a rescue team. Three splinters of the grenade entered his head. “I still have one inside my skull,” he said. Doctors saved his life after a highly complicated surgery. “I was in coma for two months,” Havaldar Manesh said.
His heroics are not just limited to 26/11. He saw action in the Kargil conflict while serving with the 27 Madras Regiment and took a bullet in the hip. He was in hospital for two months, but it took him almost a year to fully recover. Later, he joined the NSG in Delhi and underwent rigorous training for six months before being drafted into service.
He recounts his Kodagu connection where his parents, Mukundan and Saraswati, lived in Jodubeeti near Ponnampet for several years. He is their third son. However, he now lives in Kannur in Kerala.
Havaldar Manesh killed two terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai attack
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / by Jeevan Chinnappa / Madikeri – December 11th, 2010
Glamour queen of Indian sports Ashwini Nachappa to tie knot with Datta Karumbaiah, a 32-year-old coffee planter and timber merchant from Coorg whom she met two years ago.
The glamour queen of Indian sports has decided to switch tracks. Ashwini Nachappa, the sprinter, who attracted attention with her figure-hugging Flo-Jo-like one-leggers, is getting married this October.
The 27-year-old athlete, who has been dabbling in films recently, will be sprinting into the world of matrimony with Datta Karumbaiah, a 32-year-old coffee planter and timber merchant from Coorg whom she met two years ago.
Marriage won’t really change things much for Ashwini: she will continue to work for Vijaya Bank though she will call it a day as far as her career in Telugu films is concerned.
Ashwini Sports Foundation, started by the former India sprint queen, Ashwini Nachappa, to promote sports three years ago, will be formally launched at the Karumbaiah’s Academy for Learning and Sports (KALS) school at 4 p.m. in Gonicoppa on April 17.
Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs M.S. Gill, will launch the programme at a simple function at the KALS, Ms. Nachappa, who had represented India in Olympics, Asian Games and other international competitions, told The Hindu on Tuesday.
KALS, an ICSE-affiliated institution, is run by Ms. Nachappa and her sports-promoter husband, Maneyapanda Datta Karumbaiah. “We want to produce champions in all disciplines of sports,” she said. The foundation tied-up with the Indian Golf Union (IGU) to train the wards from the KALS in a junior programme at the Coorg Golf Links (CGL) located in Bittangala, near Virajpet town a year and halfs ago. About seven of them had picked up the game to such an extent that they had started taking part in the tournaments, Ms. Nachappa added.
An athletic development programme was being organised at the KALS involving more than 50 students drawn from all schools in the district. It would also involve 25 students from the Parikrma Humanity Foundation in the days to come, she said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Jeevan Chinnappa / April 14th, 2010
India on Friday named a 18-strong team for their men’s hockey tour Down Under beginning November 23.
Defender V.R. Raghunath
New Delhi:
Looking to build on their positive show in the Asian Champions Trophy, India on Friday named a 18-strong team for their men’s hockey tour Down Under beginning November 23. Defender V.R. Raghunath was handed captaincy duties in the absence of injured goalkeeper Sreejesh P.R., for a three-week tour that will involve a four-nation tournament followed by a three-match test series against the hosts.
Raghunath joins the squad after being rested for the Asian Champions Tophy, while Manpreet Singh is back from injury to bolster the midfield. Defender and drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, who was the top scorer in the ACT, will be Raghunath’s deputy. Focus is clearly on merit and future talent with coach Roelant Oltmans rewarding those who performed consistently in Malaysia.
Young Akash Chikte, who revelled under pressure in the final against Pakistan in Malaysia, will shoulder goalkeeping duties while Uttar Pradesh’s Abhinav Kumar Pandey is the second custodian in the squad. Mohammad Amir Khan and Satbir Singh are the new faces in the attack. Said Oltmans, “Abhinav has been in and out of the camps. He has had a knee injury for a while but has made a strong comeback and we are pleased with his performance in this camp.”
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports> In Other News / November 12th, 2016
Robin Uthappa’s career has gone downhill due to lack of opportunities.
Robin Uthappa went from being a match-winner to one of those Indian cricketers left searching for reasons for his axing.
It isn’t common for Indian cricket to produce a hard-hitting batsman who is conventional in his strokeplay and yet has the ability to play shots out of the book. For the nation that saw the emergence of some of the great batting artists like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, it couldn’t come up with a talent who could be moulded to the team’s requirements anytime and at any place.
However, just when the hopes were down and the efforts of the national board’s search were beginning to be questioned, arrived the man with skills totally alien to the Indian fans.
Early days
Robin Uthappa, a well-built lad from Karnataka was making the headlines in 2005 for his performances in the domestic circuit.
He was born in Kodagu in Karnataka to a Christian mother and Hindu father.He was educated at Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College in Bangalore. His mother Roselyn is a Malayali. His father, Venu Uthappa, a former hockey umpire is a Kodava Hindu. He is married to his long-time girlfriend Sheetal Gautham.
The batsman came into the spotlight after making a gritty 66 for India B against India A in a Challenger Trophy match in Mumbai. Although his team went on to lose that match, the national board was surprised to see a 19-year old taking the attack to an experienced pack of bowlers which included the likes of Zaheer Khan, Murali Karthik and RP Singh. In Mohali in 2006, he smashed his way to a 93-ball 100 for India B against an India A team in the subsequent edition of the same tournament.
The Indian selectors wasted no time in drafting the dashing right-hand batsman as they were taken for a ride by a rare talent that they had never witnessed before. The reward was a place in the Indian team for the ODI series against England in 2006.
Debut
The right-hander had to wait for the final ODI to make his debut and the man he replaced in the team was no ordinary cricketer – Virender Sehwag. The pressure was on the 20-year old to justify his selection not just for making it to the Indian team, but for replacing someone with the calibre of Sehwag.
Uthappa went on to make 86 on his debut, which served as a platform for his international career. It was a dream start considering the fact that he was young and was looking to break into an Indian team that was filled with immense talent. He made full use of the occasional chances that he got since his debut and was rewarded with a spot in the Indian squad for the 2007 World Cup in West Indies. The World Cup didn’t turn out be an interesting affair for him and the team as the Indians were knocked out in the group stages itself.
Just when the critics started to circle around, the big-hitter made a strong statement during the sixth ODI of the Natwest series against England in 2007. He went on to make a crucial 47 to take the Indians home and keep the series alive.
By now the world had witnessed what Uthappa was capable of. His fearless attitude combined with a calm and clear head made him one of the most exciting prospects to watch out for. The young lad was rewarded again with a berth in the team for the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Uthappa chipped in with some crucial knocks in the T20 World Cup and showed the signs of a future star. His 50 run knock against Pakistan in one of the matches was hailed by the Indian fans as it came in at a time when the team was tottering at 39/4. With this, he became the first Indian to score a 50 in a T20 international match. India subsequently won the match in a bowl out 3–0, where he bowled one of the three deliveries that hit the stumps.
Loss of form and subsequent resurgence
However, his form dipped after the Asia Cup in 2008 and with the rise of some of the young blood, Uthappa was overlooked by the selectors. He returned to domestic circuit and also played all the editions of the IPL since its inception in 2008. He has represented Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sahara Pune Warriors and is currently playing for Kolkata Knight Riders.
In 2013-14, he had a superb domestic season with Karnataka completing a treble of the Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Uthappa followed that up with an outstanding IPL in 2014, in which he scored 40 or more in eleven successive innings, breaking Mathew Hayden’s record of eight and was the leading run-scorer of the tournament.
This saw him make a comeback into the Indian team for the tour to Bangladesh for the ODI series in 2014, where he made one fifty in a series of rain-interrupted matches. Uthappa couldn’t hold onto the spot following a modest tour of Zimbabwe in July-August 2015. However, he had a fantastic 2014-15 Ranji season ending up as the highest run-getter of the season.
His ramp shot against England in 2007, the walking smack over the bowler’s head and his improvised batting were a delight to watch for the Indians. Though the batsman has often shown the signs of a rare commodity who juggles between being conventional and witty at times, Uthappa has been hard done by the lack of opportunities. It would be fair to say that the national selectors, in their impatient quest for unearthing new talents, lost a gem who could have redefined the art of stroke making in cricket.
source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / SportsKeeda.com / Home> Cricket> Opinion / by Shyam – Sunder / November 11th, 2016
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