Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Kodagu-Born IAS Officer Appointed As Private Secretary To Union Finance Minister

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

Madikeri:

The Union Government yesterday approved the appointment of IAS Officer S.S. Nakul as Private Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA) at the level of Deputy Secretary. Incidentally, Nirmala Sitharaman is a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka. 

According to an order from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Nakul has been appointed as Private Secretary to Nirmala Sitharaman for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of the charge of the post or on co-terminus basis with the Minister or till he ceases to function as Private Secretary to the Minister or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Nakul is a 2010-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer of Karnataka cadre. He is currently serving as Deputy Commissioner of Ballari District. An Engineering Graduate (BE in Electronics & Communications) from Mysuru, he joined civil services in 2010.

Nakul hails from Kushalnagar in Kodagu district and is the son of well-known entrepreneur Rotarian S.K. Satish and Shobha Satish. He has served as Deputy Commissioner and Zilla Panchayat CEO in many districts. Nakul is married to Poojita and they have a boy child. 

Nakul had secured an all-India rank of 31 in USPC Civil Services exam. He is known for his efficient handling of administration and has made a mark in deft handling of COVID-19 situation in the State. He is known for utmost transparency in handling of administrative matters. In his tenure, Ballari became the first district in the country to prepare and upload an audit report of COVID expenditure in the district. 

He has shown exemplary uprightness and efficiency in the use of Ballari district’s mineral fund and State disaster management fund for COVID relief such as setting up special wards in hospitals, construction of oxygen tanks, procuring masks, PPE kits, medicines and equipment.

On his deputation to Central service, Nakul said “The PMO had sought my opinion two weeks back. I couldn’t say no… It’s an opportunity to learn new lessons of public administration. I will join the Central service after the completion of Gram Panchayat election process.”

Nakul’s wife delivers first child at Govt. Hospital

When he was the CEO of Ballari ZP, Nakul had emerged as a trend-setter by getting his wife’s maiden delivery done at the district hospital in Ballari at a time when it has become common even for the economically weak to prefer private hospitals or nursing homes for deliveries. 

“The district hospital has experienced doctors, performing over 10 deliveries daily. The hospital has almost all the facilities and above all it is clean and tidy which made us prefer Government Hospital,” Nakul had told reporters then. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>News / December 18th, 2020

Social Activist From Kodagu Podamada Uthappa Dies

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

Kodava Samaja Youth Wing demands registering a murder case; warns of protests

Ponnampet:

Akhila Kodava Samaja Youth Wing President Chammattira Praveen Uthappa has demanded impartial probe into the death of social activist and well-known resident of Balele Podamada Uthappa. 

He alleged that attempts were made by certain vested interests to twist the facts of the case. Uthappa died of an assault but now attempts are being made to bury the murder case giving it a COVID twist. Praveen Uthappa has warned of protests if the investigation goes off-track. 

Podamada Uthappa (82) breathed his last on Monday evening at a private hospital in Mangaluru. He was admitted there after he was allegedly assaulted by three youths in front of a bar in Balele on Nov. 18. After the assault, Uthappa fell to the ground and was rushed to Mangaluru for treatment. 

The post-mortem was conducted in Mangaluru in the presence of Gonikoppal Inspector Ramareddy. Uthappa’s son Podamada Pradeep Karumbaiah has lodged a complaint in Ponnampet Police Station against Santosh, Pratap and Kamaraj of Balele for allegedly causing the death of his father. As if to retaliate, the three youths have lodged an atrocity case as a counter measure. 

According to eyewitnesses, on Nov. 18, Podamada Uthappa’s car was allegedly waylaid by Santosh, Pratap and Kamaraj and Uthappa was allegedly assaulted in front of a bar. Two more persons who accompanied Uthappa came to his rescue and avoided a major fight. But in the process, Uthappa was allegedly pushed to the ground by one of the accused. 

Uthappa’s ribs and a bone near his torso were broken and after first aid, he was shifted to Mangaluru where he died on Monday evening. Doctors in Mangaluru had reportedly told Uthappa’s family that he was suffering from a virus attack and as such, surgery cannot be performed to rectify his broken bones. Doctors advised the family that the surgeries can be performed only after Uthappa recovers from the viral disease. 

Meanwhile, Akhila Kodava Samaja Youth Wing President Chammattira Praveen Uthappa has said that certain vested interests are trying to hush up the case by publicising that Podamada Uthappa died of virus attack. “Due to his old age, Uthappa could not sustain the injuries and he died. Now certain people are twisting the case to save Santosh, Pratap and Kamaraj from being accused in a murder case. The Police must treat this as a murder case and arrest the accused,” he demanded. 

Praveen Uthappa has alleged that the atrocity case booked by the three youths was to mislead the case. “It has become a habit for certain sections in Kodagu to fix people in false atrocity cases. After lodging atrocity cases, innocent people are blackmailed for money and even properties. This trend must stop. Podamada Uthappa was murdered and action must be taken under relevant sections of the IPC,” he said. 

Praveen Uthappa added that widespread protests will be held in Kodagu if Police bow to the pressure of vested interests. He demanded the immediate quashing of the atrocity case. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 16th, 2020

‘Keep aside feelings of inferiority on language to save Arebhashe’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All

Kodagu Gowda Mahila Okkoota former president Radha Yadava recommended teaching Arebhashe to children.

Culture will be at stake if small, regional languages seize to exist, opined retired principal Bariyanda Joyappa.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Arebhashe Day and Arebhashe Yakshagana Talamaddale Koota organised by Karnataka Arebhashe Cultural and Literary Academy, held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Madikeri on Tuesday.

Quoting linguistics expert Ganesh N Devi, he said that around 400 languages out of 780 languages in the country are on the verge of extinction.

“Everyone, including those who are highly qualified in terms of education and are in a good position, should speak in their mother tongue. One should not feel inferior about Arebhashe,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka Arebhashe Cultural and Literary Academy chairman Lakshminarayana Kajegadde said that December 11 is the Foundation Day of the academy and the day is observed as Arebhashe Day.

He remembered stalwarts such as T G Muduru, M G Kaveramma, Prof Kodi Kushalappa Gowda, Dr Kaveri Mane Bojappa and Katratana Belyappa who had worked for the setting up of the academy.

Stating that Arebhashe language needs to find a place in textbooks as Tulu, he said the popularity of Arebhashe should be increased by using the language in Yakshagana and various forms of literature.

Efforts will be on to obtain ISO recognition for Arebhashe. The Arebhashe Day is being observed in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru and various other places as well, he said and added that several programmes are planned on the occasion of the decennial celebrations of Arebhashe Academy.

Kodagu Gowda Samaja Federation chairman Soortale Somanna said that the Kodagu Gowda Samaja will organise programmes in Arebhashe.

Kodagu Gowda Mahila Okkoota former president Radha Yadava recommended teaching Arebhashe to children.

The language should become part of their curriculum, she added.

Arebhashe Academy register Chinnaswamy, members Baitadka Janaki Bellyappa, Smitha Amritaraj, Chokkadi Prema Raghavaiah, Dhananjaya Agolikaje, Dambekodi S Anand, Dr K C Dayanand, A T Kusumadhar, Purushottama Kirlaya and Kodagu Gowda Yuva Vedike president Paikera Manohara Madappa were present.

An Arebhashe Yakshagana Talamaddale ‘Panchavati Prasanga’ was performed on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / December 15th, 2020

AGM Of Sri Kavery Kodava Association, Mysore East Held

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

Puliyanda S. Devaiah elected as new President

Mysore/Mysuru:

The Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of Sri Kavery Kodava Association, Mysore East, was held at the Association premises in Vidyashankar Nagar here yesterday. 

The following were elected as office-bearers and Managing Committee Members of the Association for the year 2020 – 2022: President: Puliyanda S. Devaiah, Vice-President: Pandyanda Raja Bopaiah, Hon. Secretary: Kademada M. Belliappa, Joint Secretary:  Pemmanda D. Poonacha, Treasurer: Coluvanda M. Chengappa, Committee Members: Neravanda Muthappa (Sunil), Machura D. Cariappa, Pattada Sachin Devaiah, Pudiyokkada Praveen Chengappa, Pattamada T. Charmana, Pokachanda P. Narendra, Kanjithanda Manu Aiyappa, Mookalamada B. Somanna, Chimmanda P. Subbaiah, Karthamada Nalini (Sweety), Mollera A. Kavitha and Ajjamakkada Beena Cariappa.

Speaking on the occasion, Devaiah said the Kavery Kodava Association has completed 20 successive years and attributed its achievements over the years to the services of past six Presidents and their team of Managing Committees — Palachanda Kuttappa, Founder-President; Accapanda Kashi Kuttappa; Kanjithanda K. Aiyappa; Pudiyokkada B. Madappa; Boovadira A. Devaiah and Koppira D. Ponnappa. 

Expressing his gratitude to Kalyatanda B. Ganapathy for his valuable support and guidance in all its endeavours, the new President also recalled the services of Naina Achappa as Kodagu Model School’s first Correspondent; Channira T. Poovaiah as first Chairperson of the Education Council and Chowrira Seetha Kalaiah, Chairperson of the Education Council since 2010, who is instrumental in steering the institution to the present level. 

The Association had a humble beginning and today there are 600 members with assets worth over crores and a  turnover of over Rs. 40 lakh per annum.  The Kodagu Model School  run  by  the Association has classes from LKG to X Std., he said and added that he aims to improve the standard of the School as ‘Vidyadhaana was Mahadhana.’ 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 14th, 2020

Give Top Priority To Cultivate Coffee Naturally In Kodagu

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All

Ponnampet Forestry College Dean calls upon growers to maintain quality from estate to cuppa; 18th AGM of Kodagu Mahila Coffee Jagruthi Sangha held

Madikeri:

Coffee growers should give priority for cultivating tasty coffee naturally, said Ponnampet Forestry College Dean Dr. Cheppudira G. Kushalappa. 

He was speaking at the 18th Annual General Body meeting of Kodagu Mahila Coffee Jagruthi Sangha held at a private hotel in Madikeri recently. Though Vietnam and Brazil produces large quantity of coffee, they are unable to get back the amount invested in coffee cultivation. They use highest quality of fertilisers to cultivate the crop and most of the finances are drained out here. 

The growers of Kodagu must concentrate on cultivating coffee naturally by reducing the use of fertilisers. There are 360 species of trees inside the coffee estates in Kodagu. As a result, the ground gets good manure. This is the reason why Kodagu coffee is famous across the world. 

“The undeniable natural beauty and abundance in Kodagu — from rainfall to fertile soil and diverse water sources — has made the region a highly sought-after location to cultivate coffee. Coffee flourishes in a unique blend of climatic conditions that includes humidity, heat and rainfall. Kodagu is ideal for these conditions and the slopes of the Western Ghats ensure orthographic rainfall that measure between 60 to 80 inches,” he said. 

The abundant species of    shaded trees work together in a two-tier system to protect coffee plants. These trees also prevent soil erosion and provide mulch to act as fertiliser. “The soil of Kodagu is rich with nitrogenous material and has a good sub-surface drainage,” he said and called upon growers to maintain quality from the estate to the cuppa. 

Coffee Board quality expert Vikram Kuttaiah said that the prices of coffee have not increased drastically for the last 25 years. The maintenance of Arabica coffee was Rs. 25,000 per acre 25 years ago and now it has reached Rs. 80,000 per acre. The maintenance of Robusta variety has increased from   Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 60,000. 

 “The maintenance costs have increased manifold but the prices of coffee has remained stagnant. There is a huge disparity between production costs and end profits. There is a situation where the grower has to be satisfied with meagre income,”   he explained. 

Kodagu Mahila Coffee Jagruthi Sangha President Pandikuthira Chitra Subbaiah said that the Sangha has been creating awareness about Coorg Coffee since the last 18 years. Sangha Director Kumari Kunjappa has been provided permission by Kodagu District Administration to open an outlet at Coorg Village that is coming up near Raja’s Seat in Madikeri, she said.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 14th, 2020

Joshna Chinappa, first Indian woman to play 400 PSA Tour squash games

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

Joshna’s contemporary Dipika Pallikal has competed in 297 PSA Tour matches. England’s Alison Waters (487) and Camille Serme (France, 439) have topped the list in the women’s category.

Joshna Chinappa achieved the unique feat in the CIB-Black Ball Squash Open in Cairo (Egypt).    –  RITU RAJ KONWAR (FILE PHOTO)

India squash player Joshna Chinappa became the first Indian female player and second (male and female) to play 400 PSA Tour squash matches.

The 34-year-old achieved the unique feat in the CIB-Black Ball Squash Open in Cairo (Egypt). 

The Indian, seeded 10, defeated Julianne Courtice of England 10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 12-10 in the women’s first round.

Only Saurav Ghosal (444) has played more than Joshna.

Joshna’s contemporary Dipika Pallikal has competed in 297 PSA Tour matches. England’s Alison Waters (487) and Camille Serme (France, 439) have topped the list in the women’s category.

source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / SportStar / Home> Squash / by Team SportStar / Chennai – December 09th, 2020

Madikeri Kodava Samaja President Inspects Kodava Heritage Centre

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Madikeri:

With the works on Kodava Heritage Centre near Vidyanagar on the outskirts of Madikeri having resumed recently, Madikeri Kodava Samaja President Konganda S. Devaiah and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa – General K.S. Thimayya Forum Convenor Col. Kandrathanda C. Subbaiah visited the site on Monday  and inspected the ongoing works.

The two received inputs on the design of structures coming up at the site, the architectural  outlook of Ainmane and the nature of works in progress.

The contractor said that the works have been taken up at a cost of Rs.1.56 crore and the collapsed walls of structures are being rebuilt. 

Pointing out that red stone pillars, which do not have the capacity to bear the roof load are being replaced with concrete pillars following directions from the PWD, the contractor said the roof for Ainmane is being designed with the concept of Mundmane. Also the repair works of steps leading to the overhead tank is underway and a View Point is being built atop the water tank. The View Point will have iron canopy instead of jungle wood roof-cover as it was found that the iron cover was better  considering the geographical location of the site.

Continuing, the contractor said that the Heritage Centre will have two Ainmanes, with the first one being built now and the other later. The PWD has give nine  months time to complete the works, the contractor said and added that he was hopeful of completing the works by March 2021 itself.

After receiving inputs from the contractor K.S. Devaiah and Col. Subbaiah went through the blueprint of the project  and took note of the roof design, amphitheatre, View Point, Mundmane, water pond and other features. Devaiah asked the contractor to build the structure strictly  in accordance with the characteristics of Ainmane and to maintain quality in works.

Col. Subbaiah asked the contractor to get a blueprint of the complete project from private agencies. Asking the contractor not to deviate from Kodava customs and traditions in the construction of structures, he said that the contractor too must have the self-satisfaction of having executed quality works.

Speaking to Mysooru Mithra, the sister publication of Star of Mysore, Col. Subbaiah said that he inspected the works and interacted with the contractor. 

Noting that more inputs on the project will be sought from PWD and Tourism Department officials following which the project will be discussed in detail with Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC), he said that he will hold talks with Kodagu District In-charge Minister too later. Thereafter, the DC will be appealed to convene a meeting of officials of all concerned departments and efforts will be made to ensure that all works on Kodava Heritage Centre are wholly completed, he added.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 08th, 2020

Nidhi Subbaiah thrilled to bag her first horror film

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

The Pancharangi actor is excited to be a part of the film that will mark the directorial debut of directors Pavan and Prasad; it will be the second project bankrolled by Lohith H’s Friday Films.

Nidhi Subbaiah

Lohith H is set to present a horror film starring Nidhi Subbaiah, which will mark the directorial debut of Pavan and Prasad. This is the second project bankrolled by Friday Films after Life is Beautiful, and the movie will be made in association with Silver Train international and C K Cine Creations, and produced by Kishore Narasimhaiah, Biji Arun and Chethan Krishanappa. 

The Pancharangi heroine is excited about taking up a horror subject. It will be Nidhi Subbaiah’s first attempt at this kind of a plot. “Watching a thriller or a horror film has been my daily dose of entertainment, and now I will be getting to explore one such subject,” she says, adding, “The fear of the unknown is what thrills me, and keeps me curious to know what’s next. It’s something I am looking forward to being a part of. What compounds the thrill is that I have two filmmakers directing me, and I am getting associated with the production house for the first time. All this makes it all the more interesting.”

The 15-films old actor, who has mostly worked in Kannada and Hindi projects, was last seen in Shivarajkumar’s Ayushman Bhava, in which she made a guest appearance. While the pandemic was one of the reasons for her to go slow, the actor of films like Anna Bond and Krishnan Marriage Story and Ajab Gazabb Love has also been selective about her projects.

“Post Pancharangi, I had directors coming in with similar bubbly roles, which I felt was monotonous. I felt I might as well be in a 9 to 5 job rather than doing the same role over and over again. I waited for a good film to come by, which I could finally bag. A good subject excites me to go to the sets,” says Nidhi, who is planning to start the shooting from mid-January. “The producers plan to shoot the film at one stretch,” she says.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Kannada / by Express News Service / December 05th, 2020

‘Middle Class’ Varsha gets new offers

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

Varsha Bollamma is finally getting recognized by the Telugu filmmakers. The success of ‘Middle Class Melodies’ in the OTT space has given a boost to her career. She is now being offered some good projects.

Varsha Bollamma is currently acting with Raj Tarun in a film titled ‘Stand Up, Rahul’. Besides this project, she will be part of a couple of romantic dramas.

Varsha Bollamma has played roles in ‘Choosi Choodangana’, ‘Jaanu’ and ‘Bigil’. But she got the beak with ‘Middle Class Melodies’, which won good appreciation.

source: http://www.telugucinema.com / Telugu Cinema / Home> News / by Telugu Cinema / December 01st, 2020

Mysuru, Kodagu gearing up for gram panchayat elections

Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

250 GPs in Mysuru, 101 in Kodagu will see two-phase polls

The gram panchayats in Mysuru and Kodagu are gearing up for the two-phase elections which were announced on Monday.

The GPs in Madikeri and Somwarpet taluks will go to polls in the first phase and the GPs coming under Virajpet taluk will have elections in the second phase.

In Mysuru district, 148 GPs in Hunsur, K.R. Nagar, Periyapatna, H.D. Kote and Sargur will go to polls in the first phase. A total of 102 GPs in Mysuru, Nanjangud and T. Narsipur will have elections in the second phase.

The election notification for the first phase will be issued on December 7 with the last date for filing nominations scheduled on December 11. The nominations will be scrutinised on December 12 and the last date to withdraw nominations would be December 14. The elections will be held on December 22 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., said Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy.

Elections will be held if necessary (if there was no unanimous election of the candidates in the fray). Any re-election will be held on December 24. The counting of votes will take place in the respective taluks on December 30.

In the second phase, the elections will take place on December 27. The Deputy Commissioner will issue the election notification for this phase on December 11 and December 16 will be the last date to file nominations. The last date to withdraw the nominations will be December 19. Any re-election will take place on December 29. Like in the first phase, the counting of votes will also take place on December 30 from 8 a.m. onwards.

Out of 104 GPs in Kodagu, elections will take place for 101 GPs as the tenure of GPs of Ponnampet, Gonikoppa and Channaiahyanakote will end in 2020-21.

The model code of conduct will be confined to the GP limits where the elections are scheduled from November 30 to December 31 and it won’t be applicable to the limits of town panchayats, city municipal councils and city corporations, the Deputy Commissioner told reporters on Monday.

Ballot papers will be used for the elections which will be apolitical in nature with no party symbols used by the candidates.

The total number of voters in all three taluks was 3,66,013, including 1,81,443 men and 1,74,570 women. Kodagu will have 562 polling booths and 110 polling officers and assistant polling officers had been identified.

The details on the GP-wise reservation had been published in the website www.kodagu.nic.in

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / December 01t, 2020