Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Uthappa confident of winning Ranji Trophy

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa

Bengaluru:

At 28, many may believe that Robin Uthappa’s best days are well behind him. Uthappa differs; he strongly believes that he is just a few good knocks away from making it back to the Indian team. The swashbuckling batsman played his 38th one-day international in July 2008. A comeback six years on would beggar belief, but then, Uthappa’s conviction is unwavering.

While the thought of making it back to the pinnacle of cricket is constantly on Uthappa’s mind, he has for the time being put those thoughts on the backburner to focus on an equally worthy goal. Leaner and fitter, Uthappa is focused on ensuring Karnataka returns home with the Ranji Trophy. They take on Maharashtra in the final starting in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

In the 2009-10 season, an Uthappa-led side slumped to a heartbreaking six-run defeat against Mumbai and since then, Karnataka hasn’t come close to winning the Trophy, until now. Uthappa is convinced his team is ready for coronation.

“I’m looking forward to the final and it is going to be exciting,” Uthappa said. “A lot of us believe we are going to win this tournament. It is a huge belief that is going around in the team, simply because we are having so much of fun together. I can’t think of a guy who hasn’t performed when given the opportunity this season. The players are literally having dreams that we are going to win this tournament. That happens when it’s a happy group without any inhibitions. And that’s the unit we have today.”

The players, Uthappa said, are determined to get it right this time. “That defeat in the final still pinches,” he admitted. “In the last four years, what has happened is that we have progressed to the knockout stages and then one department fails to fire. That batch has stuck together and has gone through the rigour. When I look back I think the past years was a process when everybody went through their ups and downs and its culminated beautifully at this stage.”

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports> Cricket> DC / by Manju Veerappa / January 28th, 2014

Cariappa’s 115th birth anniversary today

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence

Bangalore :

The 115th birth anniversary of the first commander-in-chief of independent Indian armed forces, Field Marshal K M Cariappa, will be observed at the Bangalore Kodava Samaj on Tuesday. Major general Dr K M Bheemaiah will be the chief guest.

Enlisted in the Army in 1917, Cariappa fought the World War II from 1939 to 1944. He served as Indian high commissioner in Australia and New Zealand till 1956. He was honoured with the Field Marshal rank on April 28, 1986. Kodava Samaja Bangalore, which is organizing the birth anniversary celebrations, was established in the year 1911 after Cariappa donated one acre of land to it at Vasanthnagar. He had got this land from Mysore Maharaja in recognition of his distinguished military service to the nation.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Field Marshal / TNN / January 28th, 2014

Great to be back in team: Bopanna

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Rohan Bopanna. / File photo: R. Ragu / The Hindu
Rohan Bopanna. / File photo: R. Ragu / The Hindu

‘Rankings do not matter in the Davis Cup’

He may have reached world No. 3 in doubles and made a fabulous start to the season with a fine run at the Australian Open, but Rohan Bopanna was the first to reach Indore on Sunday for the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tie.

“It is great to be back in the team. I always like to come on Sunday or Monday, in case I play a final. We play Davis Cup only two or three weeks in a year. It is unique and special. We need to prepare well the whole week.

“I don’t take my spot for granted. We have a lot of young boys and the camaraderie is great. It is nice to prepare early with them and I am happy to be here,” said the 33-year-old, who is the seniormost member of the Indian squad, after a training session on Monday.

Though Chinese Taipei would be without its two leading players — Yen-Hsun Lu and Jimmy Wang — Bopanna said it was important to stay focused and get the job done on court, despite being the favourite for the tie.

“We have proved it many times, and many other teams have done so. The rankings do not matter in the Davis Cup. We cannot afford to take anything for granted. It is great that we have seven players here and the youngsters will benefit from the experience.

“When I came into the team in 2002, I was raw. I have matured over the years and look forward to sharing my experience and motivating the others,” said Bopanna.

Having started as a singles specialist in the team, after waiting for his turn, Bopanna was soon given the responsibility to play both singles and doubles. Now, he may have to focus only on doubles against Taipei.

“I play only doubles on the professional circuit and it suits me to play only doubles here. But, I will be ready to play a singles rubber if the situation demands. Playing at a high level in doubles had helped my singles game.

“Though it is just one point out of five, doubles is very important in the Davis Cup and often proves decisive. I look forward to bringing my experience and helping my partner stay relaxed, confident and play at his best,” said Bopanna.

With Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri being strong candidates for the singles matches, Saketh Myneni may be the logical choice to play doubles with Bopanna.

Bopanna saw a bit of himself in Saketh, particularly after having a close look at his game during the quarterfinal doubles loss in a super tie-break against him at the Chennai Open.

“Saketh has all the tools. He has a huge serve and a big forehand. His backhand is solid. He has obviously benefited from the collegiate tennis in the US.

“He is easily capable of jumping another 150 spots in the rankings. It is just a matter of time before he starts stringing a few matches together at the higher level. He needs to have the belief.

“The three Challengers at home after this Davis Cup are a great opportunity for him and a lot of other players like Jeevan (Nedunchezhiyan) and R. Ramkumar,” observed Bopanna.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Tennis / by Special Correspondent / New Delhi – January 27th, 2014

Postcards from Coorg

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Photo: Jithendra M
Photo: Jithendra M

With its soft, rolling hills, green vistas cloaked in mist and charming houses flanked by coffee and pepper estates, Coorg is rightly called ‘Scotland of the East’.

And Dr S V Narasimhan knows the place like the back of his hand—from north (Somwarpet) to south (Kutta). And this is chiefly because of the demands of his hobby, bird watching, which he has sustained for the last 28 years, and his various other exploits in the field of conservation and wildlife that have made him a mini celebrity (he was Coorg Person of the Year 2013) in the land of the Kodavas.

Just two years shy of turning 60, Narasimhan reveals that birding happened almost by accident. “A friend of my friend kept needling me to accompany him for bird-watching. Finally, I agreed and once I went I was totally hooked,” he says.

“Also, on the same day, it so happened that I was presented with a Salim Ali book on birds and then there was no looking back,” he laughs.

Though bird watching and bird photography go hand-in-hand for most birders today, Narasimhan is content with just watching birds. Rather than a camera, it’s a binocular that he carts around. His two daughters are bird lovers too and accompany him on birding trips.

To say that he is devoted to his hobby would be putting it mildly. And here’s why—for the last 25 years or so, to commemorate India’s Wild Life Week that falls in the first week of October, Narasimhan has been sending out hand-painted cards featuring pictures of birds, butterflies and animals to a whole lot of people. “Every month, there was a small cultural function in our town, which is when the idea of giving people cards struck me. The first year I sent out 1,000 cards. My target has been 3,000 cards and the closest I came to achieving it is when I sent out 2,700 cards in one particular year,” he shares.

By any standard, it’s a mammoth undertaking and Narasimhan attempts the work in stages, by first selecting pictures of roughly 18-20 birds, animals and butterflies.

Then one outline of a particular picture is made on some 100 cards with the process getting replicated for the others as well. The painting happens in-between. The doctor is quick to point out that he may not a good artist, but a lot of love goes into each card. Recipients who acknowledge his cards are kept on his mailing list the next year as well.

His birding activities culminated in his book titled Feathered Jewels of

Coorg published by the Coorg Wildlife Society in 2004.

“It took me four and a half years to collect data for the book. I travelled to different parts of Coorg to acquaint myself with the Kodava names. The first edition was published in 2004 and the second in 2008,” he says. President of the Coorg Wildlife Society, Colonel C P Muthanna (retd) is all praise for Dr Narasimhan and his book, a bi-lingual guide (Kannada and English) to the birds of Coorg.

A show on Akashwani, in Madikeri, titled Kodagina Banadigalu had Naraimhan talk about Coorg’s rich wildlife. The reach of the show was tremendous with the programme running for 52 weeks, reveals the doctor, who says the bird with seven colours—Indian Pitta—is his favourite.

Besides birding, Narasimhan is also interested in astronomy. But with Coorg enjoying only two months of clear sky, it certainly puts a damper on this hobby. Nevertheless, he is quite happy with the knowledge gained, and explains the link between astronomy and birds.

“Birds migrate by looking at the constellations, they ignore the moon which changes every day, but rely on the stars which remain constant,” he says.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Magazine / by Sunita Raghu / January 25th, 2014

115th birth anniversary of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa celebrated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

KariappaKF03feb2014
Govt. urged to expedite construction of War Memorial in city

Mysore :
Kodava Samaja, Mysore, had organised a function to celebrate the 115th Birth Anniversary of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa at the Circle named after him here this morning.

Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) C.K. Karumbaya, SM, paid glowing tributes to the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army and urged the Government of Karnataka to expedite the construction of the War Memorial near the DC office in city. Capt. Sharma urged to include the life story of the Field Marshal in the school curriculum.

Earlier, the gathering offered floral tributes to the portrait of the Field Marshal.

Samaja President M.M. Karumbaiah welcomed. Samaja Hon. Secretary K.M. Belliappa, former Presidents of the Samaja Dr. A.A. Kuttappa, K.A. Kariappa and P.S. Ganapathy, Chairman of Cauvery Educational Institutions Prof. K.C. Belliappa, Sri Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha Hon. Secretary P. Lovely Appaiah, Kavya Kuttappa, office-bearers and members of the Samaja and also of the Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club were present at the programme along with some public. On the occasion, sweets were distributed.

It may be recalled, VeKare Ex-Servicemen Trust, Mysore, headed by M.N. Subramani as its President, was the first Ex-Servicemen NGO to propose a War Memorial in city way back in the year 2000 and the same was accepted by the district administration which earmarked a plot in front of ncc Gp hqs behind dc office. The NGO, which pursued the matter till 2007, had also suggested installing a statue of the Field Marshal at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 28th, 2014

3-day Flower show at Balyatri Estate near Madikeri from tomorrow

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All

BalaytreEstateMPos31jan2014
Madikeri :

An eye-catching flower show has been organised from Jan. 26 to Jan. 28 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Yousuf Ali Khan memorial flower garden at the premises of Balyatri Coffee Estate near Boikeri on Madikeri-Suntikoppa Road in Kodagu.

The estate belongs to former Rajya Sabha member F.M. Khan. Briefing the press on the annual flower show, Khan said that “over 90 varieties of flowers and fruits have been grown in the garden which is the only private flower garden in the country. The garden took shape about 50 years ago and for the last 15 years the flower show is being organised annually for the public. The garden houses Philia, Lorsper, Khel, kelen chus, cactus, dahlia, daisy, roses, pinks, kupia and other exotic varieties including bonsais.

He said that horticulture was bifurcated from agriculture when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister to boost the growth of horticulture which has not happened to the desired level yet. Continuing, he opined that Congress needed young leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka.

However he felt that Rahul should address more public rallies instead of closed-door meetings to reach the masses.

source:http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 25th, 2014

Gulshan Devaiah had a blast at Filmfare pre-award bash

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

GulshanKF30jan2014
The Filmfare pre-award bash sure was a fun do, more so for Bangalore boy Gulshan Devaiah, who was spotted along with his wife Kalliroi and friend Kalki Koechlin.

The actor couldn’t contain his excitement when he spotted Madhuri Dixit seated next to him. He told the diarist that she was probably wondering what was wrong with him and his wife as they kept stealing glances at her.

Though Devaiah was tonguetied and couldn’t get a picture with her, he did send the diarist this post party snap with Kalki and Varun Dhawan, looking all relaxed after a night of partying.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Kannada / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / January 17th, 2014

Call to preserve Kodava culture

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Kodava culture is on the verge of extinction as it is not receiving the right kind of encouragement and patronage, said president of the women’s wing of Somwarpet Kodava Samaja Bachinadanda Rita Kushalappa, here, recently.
KodavaKF30jan2014
She was speaking during the inauguration of a get-together, organised by the Samaja. “The rich Kodava culture should be introduced to children in the primary school level itself. Parents should take the first step in this direction,” she said.

She called upon Kodava women, in the taluk, to enrol with the Samaja.

Former district Scouts and Guides commissioner Manavattira Sharadha Mandanna said, Kodavas are being reduced to a minority population in the district due to migration of the people to other districts, States and nations, in search of better opportunities.

Non-residents

“At least, those who are residing in the district should strive to take steps to safeguard the interest of the Kodava people. Those who are residing should encourage their counterparts in Kodagu district. They should contribute whenever possible,” she said.

Women took part in several cultural programmes and games. Samaja secretary Apadanda Asha Viraraj, vice-president Paruvanda Saru Ramappa, Biddatanda Seetha and others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Somwarpet (Kodagu Dist.) / DHNS – January 15th, 2014

Ashwini Nachappa hails Anju’s upgraded gold

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Former India sprinter Ashwini Nachappa today expressed happiness over ace long jumper Anju Bobby George’s upgraded gold medal in an event that she took part in eight years ago and said the nation is proud of her feat though it has come after so long.

“Whether it is eight years, a gold medal is a gold medal. She was at the peak of her performance at that point of time. We cherish those moments when she won the silver and we are happy that she got the gold, of course for other reasons,” Nachappa said during a promotional event here today.

“She is extremely happy and we are very proud that she got a clean chit and the one who cheated got caught,” the 46-year-old former athlete told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of a Puma running relay event for school children in three cities – Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai.

Anju’s second place finish at the 2005 Monaco World Athletics final was upgraded to a gold medal yesterday, following a confirmed dope violation by Russian competitor Tatyana Kotova who had stood first but has now been stripped of her place after her sample was found to contain traces of a banned substance when it was tested again.

Nachappa, who is president of ‘Clean Sport India’, also warned that doping is rampant in India – even at the grassroot level.

“I believe that the performance enhancing drugs have become rampant even in our country. Among young children, it is such a dangerous trend. I am connected with athletics and when I see the junior meets that takes place, it is actually quite frightening. You go to any national championship, you see syringes on the ground, in the toilets.”

She wanted young athletes as well as the coaches to be educated about the dangers of dope.

“I think we need to have a broader education, not just within the classrooms but on the field also, not just with the children but also with our trainers, because after all kids will not know what they are taking till a certain age. They are not educated enough and believe in coaches. You have got to be sensitive on these issues.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Mumbai – January 15th, 2014

K.J. George is new district minister for Kodagu

About Kodagu / Coorg, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders

Madikeri :

Home Minister K.J. George has been appointed as the In-Charge for Kodagu district by CM Siddharamaiah with immediate affect.

He is to take over from PWD Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, who also is the District In-Charge Minister for Hassan.

Kodagu District Congress President B.T. Pradeep has welcomed the change while district BJP spokesperson Manu Muthappa has flayed it saying it would not bring in any change in the district. He opined that since the new District in-Charge Minister holds the Home portfolio, he must bring in a sea change in the Police Department to strengthen the administration.

Manu Muthappa also said that the previous District Minister Dr. Mahadevappa had not shown any interest in the development of Kodagu.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 18th, 2014