M.B. Gappanna of Kavadi village in Ammathi, Virajpet taluk, Kodagu, has been nominated as Syndicate Member of University of Mysore by the Chancellor, who is also the Governor of Karnataka.
As per the notification issued from the Office of the Governor, the term of office shall be for a period of three years with effect from Oct. 3, 2020.
A MBA graduate from Mangalore University, Machimanda Gappanna has been an activist working for progressive causes and was the President of All College Students Union of Mangalore University.
He has the experience of working in the corporate world in various capacities and has been associated with several service organisations like Rotary, where he has been the Director of Youth Service. He is passionate about helping people at the grassroot level and interested in finding innovative solutions to support rural employment.
Gappanna is involved with several NGOs motivating youth for self employment and skill development.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 06th, 2021
Palecanda Yogesh (49), owner of Bhagavathi Bus Service, passed away on Thursday night at Virajpet, Kodagu. He was also running a cold storage and a medical shop in the town.
He leaves behind his mother, wife, two children and a host of relatives and friends.
Cremation took place at Kodava Samaja crematorium in Virajpet yesterday, according to family sources.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Obituary / May 08th, 2021
Kodagu District in-Charge Minister V. Somanna said that all measures will be taken for increasing oxygen bed capacity in the district in the wake of rising COVID cases.
He was presiding over a review meeting on COVID Control and treatment measures at the ZP Hall here on Thursday.
Pointing out that there are plans to increase the number of oxygen beds in the district by 250, including 50 in Somwarpet, 20 in Pollibetta, 20 in Kutta and a good number in Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital, Somanna said that all Corona warriors and persons aged over 45 years should get compulsorily vaccinated for their own health and well-being.
Noting that several organisations such as Rotary, Lions and Chamber of Commerce have come forward for joining hands with the District Administration, he directed the authorities to take measures for refilling the 13 KL Oxygen tank at the District COVID Hospital. He also asked the authorities to ensure timely vaccine and oxygen supplies to the district in accordance with the demand.
Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan expressed concern over rising number of COVID deaths in the district. Noting that there are complaints that Doctors and Nursing Staff were complacent in taking care of patients, he urged the authorities to ensure proper food and boiled drinking water to all patients at COVID Hospital.
Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah wanted the authorities to ensure that people above 60 years of age are vaccinated in the district. He also asked them to ensure that second dose is given to all the vaccinated.
MLC Veena Achaiah suggested to install CCTV cameras at ICU wards of COVID Hospital.
Another MLC Sunil Subramani said that the staff of Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) were doing a good job and they should continue with their good work, without giving scope for any complacency.
MP Pratap Simha said that the District has been provided with a 13 KL oxygen tank and the authorities should submit daily updates of oxygen requirement and use. Instructing the authorities to ensure that there is no oxygen shortage at any point of time, he said that there is every possibility that the deadly virus may peak in the coming days and the authorities should brace up themselves by augmenting oxygen capacity and number of oxygen beds.
Kodagu District in-Charge Secretary V. Anbukumar told the meeting that the oxygen bed capacity at the Medical College Hospital will be increased to 150 in phases.
DC Charulatha Somal said that 130 oxygen cylinders have been handed over to the DHO through the Tahsildars of three taluks in the district. Also, measures have been taken to take custody of all oxygen cylinders available at Kushalnagar Industrial Area after discussing with the owners of industries, she added.
KIMS Director Dr. Cariappa, Superintendent Dr. Lokesh, RCH Officer Dr. Gopinath and Dr. Anand spoke about the measures taken for COVID management and control in the district.
SP Kshama Mishra, Additional DC Raju Mogaveera, In-Charge Assistant Commissioner Srinivas and other officials were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News /May 08th, 2021
The year gone by will not be forgotten for a long time to come. A year that turned the world upside down. Travel and hospitality sectors which provide most employment were crippled beyond belief. The pandemic has changed the very nature of tourism and travel for ever. Their worlds will never be the same again. Words like hybrid and virtual have come in to the lexicon of tourism. This is the new reality.
Monuments, cultural heritage sites and famous museums across the world have gone ‘hybrid’ to provide online guided tours through their sites and galleries to millions who are unable to travel anymore. In India, Government has announced that many of the country’s UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites and major museums will prepare to provide online access.
Technology not only makes this possible but has opened the magical doors to the creation of virtual museums that are only limited by imagination!
In this brave new world, India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) — www.indiaifa.org — has come forward to invite proposals from multi-disciplinary teams for the creation of a Virtual Museum to showcase Kodava Heritage and Culture. The virtual museum will be an interactive online space for the rich and thriving heritage of Kodavas offering a glimpse into their history, customs and cultural practices. IFA has an enviable record of supporting path-breaking initiatives in the field of art and culture.
The exciting prospect of this museum of cultural heritage of a proud warrior people has become possible by a CSR grant from Recaero India Pvt. Ltd., which is a pioneer in the field of aerospace engineering. This grant will clearly need to be supplemented with generous donations as the project progresses.
For a project of this kind to be successful, we need to access tangible resources like photographs, video clips of marriages, folk dances and observance of rituals, jewellery and objects which are unique to the Kodava way of life. The design team would also require to reach out to members of the community for intangible resources like accounts of social rituals and customs of Kodavas that may have been lost in antiquity. We, therefore, request members of the community to volunteer to provide the resource requirement and any other support.
The Project Coordinator in IFA Darshana can be reached at: darshana@indiaifa.org. I can be reached on: rathicodanda.kodavaheritage@gmail.com
— Rathi Vinay Jha, Chair, India Foundation for the Arts (IFA)
Bengaluru
29.4.2021
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / May 05th, 2021
With temperatures rising and pests proliferating, Indian coffee growers are fighting challenges beyond their control.
Unpredictable rise in temperatures followed by an uncertain monsoon cycle has gradually started taking a toll on coffee yields. (Chevanon Photography, Pexels)
Coffee is the first thing I see, smell and taste in the day. But as caffeine-junkies like you or me ride the wave of premium specialty brews, we need to pay attention to growers across major regions in India, such as Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, who are battling a host of challenges due to a changing climate.
As spring transitions to summer, the pattern of unpredictable rise in temperatures followed by an uncertain monsoon cycle has gradually started taking a toll on yields and impacting the livelihood of coffee farmers.
Bengaluru based Tej Thammaiah, a co-founder of Maverick & Farmer Coffee Roasters and third-generation coffee farmer, says his team of growers on the 150-acre estate have meticulously documented the cultivation process to pinpoint the impact of increasing temperatures over the last decade. The mild, aromatic Arabica plant with its nuanced flavours, second only to Robusta in production volume in India, is highly susceptible to even the slightest change in climate. As temperatures increase, it hastens fruit ripening, leading to a loss in the overall quality of beans.
To fight this temperature change at estates such as Pollibetta in Coorg, his growers strive to find plots at higher, cooler elevations. But in this new environment, the finicky coffee fruit typically takes longer to mature. Moreover, changing plot locations is not a sustainable solution since coffee fruits in India are grown primarily in “shady” conditions, under a canopy of trees. And deforestation and logging is taking a toll everywhere.
It gets worse: When plants aren’t grown in ideal conditions, it leaves them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Sunalini Menon, president of a coffee grading and training institute called Coffeelab in Bengaluru, mentions that a beetle known as white stem borer has been particularly harmful, spreading through India and Sri Lanka. It prefers plants exposed to sunlight and after burrowing in hard wood and roots as a larva, it hatches and feeds off the plant, destroying the woody tissue, leading to stems wilting and leaves yellowing. The beetle seems to have a particular liking for Arabica.
Not all hope is lost, though. Menon says India was one of the first countries to battle another infamous dweller, a fungus known as leaf rust, at the Mysore Coffee Experimental Station established by the British in 1925 at Chikmagalur, Karnataka. Known as the Central Coffee Research Institute, this research centre now run by the Coffee Board of India is researching and guiding growers on pest control, as well as initiatives such as diversifying shade patterns with local balsa and cedar trees and introducing new varietals of Arabica and Robust suited for tropical growth.
But she does believe it’s important to let go of the hesitancy to uproot plants. Farmers, perhaps for cultural reasons, have typically been hesitant to replant their land though research suggests that shorter plant life-cycles increase quantity, improve bean quality and even give growers some reprieve from emerging pests and diseases.
Ultimately, however, no practice can replace the tedious, time-consuming process of screening crops regularly. A task which falls squarely on growers.
Some shift to growing other crops. Those who stick it out, especially in smaller estates, need more support–in the form of agritourism, research on new techniques, investment in weather stations or, simply, from consumers.
If that doesn’t happen, we may in time find it increasingly difficult to get that morning fix.
For those new to coffee: Thammaiah suggests Selection 795 or Cauvery to taste domestic Arabicas (while we still can).
Nightcap is a column on beverages by Varud Gupta, author of Bhagwaan Ke Pakwaan and Chhotu. @varudgupta
source: http://www.lifestyle.livemint.com / Live Mint / Home> Mint Lounge> Food / by Varun Gupta / April 26th, 2021
Voters wait in queues following social distancing in Madikeri, to cast their vote.
The Madikeri City Municipal Council elections were held peacefully on Tuesday. The elections were held for 23 wards.
The voters took part enthusiastically during the voting process, despite the fear of the Covid-19 pandemic. The future of the candidates will be known on April 30.
People waited in a queue as early as 7 am at the polling booth near the KSRTC bus stand.
A similar scene was found in several other polling booths as well. Even though the number of senior citizen voters was less, women and youth took part in large numbers.
People who were tested positive for Covid-19 were allowed to cast their franchise between 5 pm and 6 pm. The patients wore PPE kits and exercised their franchise.
The candidates expressed their happiness over the good turnout of voters. Many candidates had speculated about a poor turnout due to the pandemic.
However, the spirited show of the voters is a good sign, said the candidates.
The seniors opined that there were no elected representatives at the City Municipal Council from the last two and a half years and the public was fed up with the administration of the officials.
The officials were not listening to the woes of the people in the CMC wards. Hence, the overwhelming attendance by the voters at the polling booths clearly indicated the fact that the people wanted elected representatives in the CMC administration, they added.
Maintenance of rules was given emphasis at the polling booths. The people wore masks and maintained social distancing.
Police vigil was tightened at every polling booth. Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal paid a visit to the various polling booths to review the situation.
Candidates in fray
A total of 108 candidates contested from 23 wards of the CMC.
Both the BJP and Congress had fielded candidates in all the wards while JD(S) had fielded candidates in 22 wards.
SDPI fielded nine candidates, Aam Aadmi Party fielded four candidates and one candidate contested from Karnataka Rastra Sangha.
Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah arrived at the polling booth at Junior College, Madikeri, along with his family to cast the vote.
MLC Veena Achaiah exercised her franchise at the polling booth in ward number 3.
K G Bopaiah later predicted that BJP will win 15 out of 23 seats and will come to power in the CMC.
He also said that tough rules in the state were inevitable to contain the spread of Covid-19. He suggested conducting Covid-19 tests of people entering Kodagu. Those who test positive should be home quarantined.
Congress leader Mittu Changappa cast his vote at the booth set up in St Micheal School in Madikeri at 7 am, as the first voter. He boasts of holding the record of being the first voter during the past 28 elections.
Workers violate rules
Workers of various political parties and also the supporters of independent candidates were seen flouting the Covid-19 guidelines, near the polling booths.
Voting percentage
At 11 am, there was a voting percentage of 31% and the percentage rose to 63% at 2 pm.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A, DHNS, Madikeri / April 27th, 2021
Pocahontas, the beau-tiful daughter of the American Indian chief of the Powhatan Confederacy, was born in 1596 in what is now known as Jamestown, Virginia, in the USA. Her rank was that of a Princess. 16th and 17th century saw rapid colonisation of the Americas by the European nations. History is replete with the brave fights the native Americans put-up against the white man who came with superior weapons and technology, and ultimately subdued the original inhabitants.
Chief Powhatan was a formidable opponent of the alien settlers. One of the British colonisers who encountered chief Powhatan was John Smith. In a skirmish, the British were outnumbered, and John Smith was taken prisoner. When Smith was about to be executed, the then 11-year-old Pocahontas intervened and saved his life. John Smith was held captive for a while by the Powhatan chief. The young and impressionable Pocahontas was intrigued by the white man. She used to visit the prisoner frequently and in time learnt a smattering of English from him. John Smith subtly introduced Pocahontas to Christianity.
Years later, during the first Anglo-Powhatan war in 1613, Pocahontas was taken hostage by the British. During this period, she was taught English and the scriptures in more detail. Soon her indoctrination was complete. In 1614 Pocahontas was baptised and was given the name Rebecca.
Fast forward to 1852. The 11-year-old Gowramma, the favourite daughter of the last Raja of Coorg, was taught English and the scriptures by the British during their exile in Benares. The Raja and Princess Gowramma land in Victorian England in 1852. Presented at Queen Victoria’s court, the queen took the vulnerable Gowramma under her wing as her God-daughter and encouraged her baptism. Gowramma was given the name Victoria. Queen Victoria bestowed Gowramma with a rank equivalent to that of an European Princess.
During her captivity, Rebecca Pocahontas fell in love with John Rolfe, a British tobacco trader and grower. John Rolfe was a widower. 18-year-old Rebecca married the much older John Rolfe in 1614.
When Victoria Gowramma was 19 years old, she got romantically involved with a British army officer: Lieutenant Colonel John Campbell, who had served in India. He was a widower, and 30 years her senior. They were married in 1860.
John Rolfe and Rebecca Pocahontas had a son named Thomas Rolfe. In 1616, John Rolfe brought his wife and infant son to England. Pocahontas was presented at the court of King James I, where she was given a reception with protocol normally extended to a daughter of a king.
In March 1617 John Rolfe and his family boarded a ship to sail back to America. Rebecca Pocahontas suddenly took ill and had to be taken ashore. Within days Rebecca died, and it is suspected that the cause of her death was either pneumonia or tuberculosis. She was 21 years old.
Victoria Gowramma and John Campbell had a daughter named Edith Victoria. Gowramma suffered from tuberculosis and succumbed to the disease in 1864 at the age of 23.
Rebecca and Victoria, separated by nearly 250 years, had uncanny similarities in their lives.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by C.P. Belliappa / April 30th, 2021
This was decided four decades ago when Harangi reservoir was built
The High Court of Karnataka has directed the State government to transfer within one month the entries in respect of 11,722.29 hectares of identified lands of C and D categories in Kodagu district to the Forest Department as was decided four decades ago to compensate forest area utilised for Harangi reservoir project.
A Division Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice J.M. Khazi issued the direction while allowing a PIL petition filed by K.A. Ravi Chengappa, President of Cauvery Sene, Madikeri, and C.C. Devaiah of Virajpet of Kodagu district.
The petitioners had pointed out that the reservoir was built during 1970s near Hudgur village in Somwarpet taluk and the government had on May 12, 1972, ordered release of 900 acres of land from the Yadavanadu forest area and 3,000 acres from the Atturu forest area to rehabilitate the persons who had lost their lands on account of the reservoir project.
Also, the government in 1972 and 1994 had directed that 18,000 acres of land from the Revenue Department should be handed over to the Forest Department to re-compensate the forest land utilised for the reservoir project, the petitioners said.
Though orders were passed in 1972 and 1994 for transferring 11,722.29 hectares of land to the Forest Department, the revenue authorities, including the Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu, till today had not transferred the records of these lands in favour of the Forest Department, the petitioners contended.
During the hearing of the petition, the government counsel told the Court that only formal handing over of lands to Forest Department was not done while clarifying that the Forest Department is at liberty to take charge of the 11,722.29 hectares of lands and the court issue such a direction.
The Bench, while referring to apex court’s judgements in T.N. Godavarman Thirupulkpad case on protection of environment and forest lands, said that the Government was required to transfer these lands to Forest Department as the 11,722.29 hectares of lands were mean to re-compensate the forest area used for the reservoir project.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / Bengaluru – April 28th, 2021
The Super Snipe was introduced in October, 1938, derived by combining the four-litre inline six-cylinder engine from the larger Humber Pullman with the chassis and body of the Humber Snipe which was normally powered by a three-litre engine
Hyderabad :
A 1941 vintage car which was once used by Gen Cariappa has become a thing to be proud of for the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) in Secunderabad which has completely overhauled it. The ‘Humber super snipe’ now stands out as one of the main attractions at the college.
The Super Snipe was introduced in October, 1938, derived by combining the four-litre inline six-cylinder engine from the larger Humber Pullman with the chassis and body of the Humber Snipe which was normally powered by a three-litre engine. The result was a car of enhanced performance and a top speed of 79 mph, fast for its day.
Within a year of introduction, World War II broke out in Europe but the car continued in production as a British military staff car, 4-seater, 4 x 2 , while the same chassis was used for an armoured reconnaissance vehicle and the Humber Light Reconnaissance Car.
The model with MCEME is of 1941 vintage, which was initially assigned with the number of AB-11, which was later changed to AP-10 F 4566 post its decommissioning from Military service.
The vintage car was packed by the British army and ferried to India in 1943 and ultimately assigned to ‘A’ Pl of Army HQ Transport Company.
After Independence, the car was used by the then serving General K M Cariappa, OBE who later became the Field Marshall. In 1958 the car got its marching order and was declared unserviceable and was sent to the Barracks of Equipment and Vehicle Depot in Avadi after its stock transfer inspection.
On December 29, 1964, the Vintage car was taken by 515 Army base Workshop, Bangalore which carried out extensive repairs. The car provided its services to various commandants of 515 Army Base Workshop, Bangalore and after serving for 12 years, on March 10, 1976, the car was once again declared unfit for employment in service.
But that was not the end of it. Since the car was a Vintage and Elite model, in 1977, it was brought to Secunderabad and kept in the Mechanical Engineering Department of MCEME. It remained as a show piece and young officers used to relish watching the old classic. However, the Mechanical as well as the physical condition of the car started deteriorating. Consequently an initiative was taken in 1994 to carry out its complete overhaul by the Mechanical Engineering Department, MCEME.
“When it comes to the maintenance of a vintage car, it can be difficult since replacement parts are often hard to come by, and can end up spending more time in maintaining it than actual utilisation., MCEME said. “With the diligent work of the skilled technicians of MCEME and soldier craftsman of Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, the Humber Super Snipe still roars and services the Commandant, MCEME,” it said.
With the great legacy behind and efforts of various officers in maintaining the Vintage car, the car was pitched for Competing in Vintage Car Competition on November 10, 1995 against the likes of Rolls, Royce of 1930, Buick Super of 1949 and Little Baby Austin of 1921 and was one of the winners.
source: http://www.eveningstandard.in / Evening Standard / Home> Hyderabad / April 24th, 2021
Mahesh Babu’s ‘Mind Block’ song from his previous venture Sarileru Neekevvaru has reached a new high. The song premiered on February 29, 2020 has created a record with its views on YouTube. Crooned by Blaaze and Ranina Reddy, the song has hit 100 million views on the video streaming platform. Featuring the Superstar and National Crush Rashmika Mandanna, ‘Mind Block’ is a quirky dance number composed by renowned music director Devi Sri Prasad.
Upon its release last year, the song received huge attention of thenetizens, thanks to the charming chemistry of the stars, endearing short dialogues, mind-blowing dance moves of the lead actors, brilliant choreography, vibrant colour palette used in cinematography, crooning style of the singers, catchy lyrics, groove-worthy music and last but not the least the background dancers who made the song a visual treat with their immense synchronization.
Notably, the song has garnered 575K likes so far on YouTube. Well, as the song creates a massive record on the video streaming platform, fans and followers are now trending hashtag #SarileruNeekevvaru on social media.
On a related note, Sarileru Neekevvaru written and directed by Anil Ravipudi also features Vijayashanti, Prakash Raj, Rajendra Prasad, Rao Ramesh, Murali Sharma, Posani Krishna Murali, Satyadev Kancharana and Brahmaji in key roles. The action-comedy drama revolves around an army major who is assigned a mission in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool, where he witnesses a major scam. His journey of unfolding the truth and bringing the offenders before the law forms the crux of the film. The film which released on January 11, turned out to be a hit at the box office despite tough competition with Allu Arjun’s Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, which hit the cinemas on January 12.
Backed by Dil Raju, Mahesh Babu and Anil Sunkara under Sri Venkateswara Creations, GMB Entertainment and AK Entertainments respectively, Sarileru Neekevvaru has camera cranked by R Rathnavelu and editing carried out by Bikkina Thammiraju.
source: http://www.filmibeat.com / FilmiBeat / Home> Telugu> News / by Sruthi Hemachandran / April 24th, 2021
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