Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Better Sports Infrastructure Needed : Pramila

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Asian Games bronze medal-winner Pramila K. Aiyappa has said that proper sports infrastructure is needed to train sportspersons, and the State Government must provide all the facilities they require to excel.

She was speaking after inaugurating a two-day sports meet organised by the Mysore District Journalists’ Association (MDJA) at Chamundi Vihar Stadium here on Saturday.

Laying a synthetic track at the stadium would go a long way in inspiring sportspersons, she said. It would also help them perform well at the higher level, Ms. Aiyappa said. The Department of Youth Services and Sports could facilitate the synthetic athletic track at the stadium, she noted.

A product of Kudige Sports Hostel in Kodagu, Ms. Aiyappa urged parents to encourage children who showed keenness in sports and understand that proper training could take them a long way. The media should play a proactive role in encouraging sportspersons by projecting them through articles, Ms. Aiyappa said. Such encouragement would help young athletes make a mark in national and international events, she added.

Later, Ms. Aiyappa was felicitated by the MDJA.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / by Staff Correspondent / News > States> Karnataka / Mysore, Jul 03rd, 2011

 

A New Trend for Team’s Leadership Set by Michael Jack Nobbs

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, , , ,
  • A new trend for team’s leadership set by Michael Jack Nobbs

The new Chief Coach of the men’s team, Michael Jack Nobbs, introduced a new trend for the team’s leadership. This new concept was introduced yesterday at the national hockey camp in Bangalore, India,

Instead of a single captain for the team, he proposed the idea of a group of 4-5 players who will be responsible to resolve problems and take decisions for the team. He believed that it will help in strengthening the relationship among the players.

Nobbs stated that Arjun Halappa will be the last captain of the team and this group leadership will be exercisable for the next few years.

The Australian Olympian expressed that in case of the captain and coach’s absence or hesitation to talk to, the players will have an additional option to whom they may address their matter to and further said, “However, if there is a leadership group, other players can walk up to these players and discuss things they are not comfortable discussing with me.”

Nobbs will be announcing the names of the group members after some days on personal observation and assessment of leadership qualities. He stated, “Every player will be asked to fill out forms comprising personal details. There will be questions as to what his goals are, what he would expect his role to be and the like. We will assess all the data before making announcing the names of the leaders.”

The coach has already discussed the idea with a few of the team players who had no objections.

This concept was first set by the former Indian coach, Ric Charlesworth, during his coaching to the Australian women hockey team in 1996 and 2000, bringing home the Olympic gold medals. Later it was used for the men’s side of Australia followed by the cricket coach, John Buchanan, who tested it on the Kolkata Knight Riders team.

According to the Australian centre-half, passing on the responsibility improves the productivity of the team as a whole. In case of a single leader, there is low probability of creating followers. Therefore, this concept has also broken the hierarchal aspect that will lead to a higher number of followers under the new model.

source: http://www.bettor.com / by David Hubbard / Sports News > Hockey News /

Approbation from Squash Afficionados

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, , , ,

Players worldwide are eagerly waiting for the chance to compete in the Olympics and win medals: Joshna Chinappa. File photoPlayers worldwide are eagerly waiting for the chance to compete in the Olympics and win medals: Joshna Chinappa.  The Hindu .File photo

Squash has been shortlisted by the International Olympic Committee for consideration in the 2020 Olympic Games.

The news has been greeted with enthusiasm by the squash fraternity by and large. “We are delighted that squash has been included on the IOC’s shortlist again,” said PSA CEO Alex Gough.

WSF’s backing

The World Squash Federation has been leading the bid to have the sport added to the Olympic programme.

Reacting to the development, the WSF President N. Ramachandran said, “We are delighted to be given this new opportunity. I am confident that we will be able to show the IOC Programme Commission, the Executive Board and wider IOC membership that our case has become even stronger over recent years.

Great Olympic sport

“I truly believe that squash will be a great Olympic sport. It fulfils all the criteria for inclusion in the Games, has proven universality and growth and we have an absolute commitment from all our top athletes that an Olympic medal would be the pinnacle of their careers.”

“We also have high-profile World champions, exciting World championships for men and women, massive participation from juniors to masters on all continents and a healthy, thriving programme of youth development worldwide,” he said.

Innovations

Mr. Ramachandran also mentioned the “exciting technical innovations” in recent years, including courts that could be put in iconic settings.

“Squash is a wonderful example of one-on-one sporting gladiatorial competition and should make a perfect addition to the Games,” he added, saying

“Our campaign starts with new energy and vigour.”

PTI adds:

“Players worldwide are eagerly waiting for the chance to compete in the Olympics and win medals,” said top woman player Joshna Chinappa.

Indian men’s squash ace Saurav Ghosal, meanwhile, said that players world over were confident that the sport will become part of the Olympic movement sooner than later.

“Players worldwide were more than happy and confident that the Squash would become part of Olympic movement sooner than later with the game being shortlisted by the world body,” said Ghosal, world ranked 26th.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / Special Correspondent / Sports > Other Sports / Chennai / Jul 05th, 2011

Thriller and Priya Teamed in ‘RANA PRATAPA’

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Thriller and Priya Teamed in ‘RANA PRATAPA’

Sarathi-Nath creations that made a touching film ‘Samskaravantha’ a few years ago was based on the real life peddler with unclaimed bodies for cremation.

For this ‘Rana Pratapa’ the producers Raghunath and Parthasarathy have banked on commercial elements to make money in the box office. GK Mudduraj a veteran of 35 films has made the story and directed the film. Ramnarayan has penned the screenplay and dialogues for this film. To cover up a small mistake how the crime builds up is discussed in this film. 

Thriller Manju plays the title role of ‘Rana Pratap’. He has four stunts and says screenplay is the most captivating aspect of this film. He is a journalist in the first half and as a cop in the second half.

Priyadarshini Bopaiah from Coorg is making debut as a homely girl in the film. Ashok Rao, Ramakrishna, Satyajith, Shanker Ashwath and others are in the supporting cast.

The film is at the dubbing stage and hitting the silver screen by August 2011.

source: http://www.supergoodmovies.com / Jul 05th, 2011

 

Naren Thimmaiah Wins ‘Best Chef of India’ Award

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Every foodie in Bangalore knows him. And last week Delhi got a glimpse of him as well. For Chef Naren Thimmaiah, who runs one of Bangalore’s best-loved restaurants, was in the capital to receive the ‘Best Chef of India’ award under three-star category at the annual Tourism Awards

While tourism minister Ambika Soni presided over the highprofile gathering, home minister P Chidambaram was the chief guest. “And he asked me about my restaurant and promised to drop by the next time he’s in Bangalore,” says Chef Thimmaiah, who has fed a long line-up of celebs in his 18 years in the business. To be sure, PC will love his appam and Aleppey fish curry!

“To be up there, acknowledged, was a great feeling,” says the unassuming chef, who has also represented India at the World Gourmet Summit in Singapore in 2005. Well done, we say!
(Link by: Bopanna; Photo: Internet)

source: http://www.kodagucommunity.com / Monday Mar 02nd, 2009

Meet on Achievements of Gokak in Madikeri

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It will be held at the Patrika Bhavan on June 23

Kodagu District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, in association with the V.K. Gokak National Trust, Haveri, is organising a one-day programme on the life and literary achievements of V.K. Gokak, a Jnanpith award winner, on the Patrika Bhavan premises here on June 23.

The programme will be inaugurated by the former president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Bangalore, Chandrashekar Patil (Champa), the president of the parishat, T.P. Ramesh, told presspersons here on Friday.

Many writers and intellectuals did not believe that Gokak would provide justice to Kannada when the Gokak Commission was set up by the State Government during R. Gundu Rao’s regime. However, when the reports came out on according top priority to Kannada as a medium of education everyone was surprised, he said.

The Gokak movement went on successfully in Kodagu for one and half months where Kannada activists staged dharnas in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here, organised a Kodagu bandh and took out torchlight parades, apart from programmes in the taluks, Mr. Ramesh said.

He recalled the incident of Kannada activists courting arrest for waving black flags during the visit of the then Chief Minister, late R. Gundu Rao, demanding the implementation of the Gokak report.

Mr. Ramesh would preside over the inaugural function while Taltaje Vasanth Kumar from Uppinangadi would deliver the main speech.

An elocution competition would be conducted on the Gokak movement in the State involving pre-university students, teachers training college students and ITI students on June 20 at the Patrika Bhavan, Mr. Ramesh said.

On the same day, a folk song competition would be conducted for SSLC students.

Teachers from schools would be involved in an essay competition on the life and literary achievements of Gokak.

They would have to submit the essays to the president of the Kodagu District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Madikeri, before June 22, Mr. Ramesh said.

M. Ramakrishna, professor from Bharati College, Mandya, would deliver the valedictory address at 3 p.m. the same day.

Writer N. Mahabaleshwar Bhat would preside over the function. The president of the Madikeri unit of the parishat, K.T. Baby Mathew, and the honorary secretary of the district unit, Bharati Ramesh, were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / Staff Correspondent / National / Karnataka / Madikeri / June 19th, 2010

 

First Woman IFS Officer Muthamma Passes Away

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C B Muthamma, the first woman Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, died here on Wednesday. She was 85. 

She passed away in a private hospital where she was undergoing treatment, her family members said.

Chonira Belliappa Muthamma was born Jan 24, 1924, in Kodagu. In a career that began in 1949, she served as ambassador and high commissioner to a number of countries. She retired in 1982.

Muthamma had fought against gender bias in the foreign service and had taken the Indian government to court in 1979 for bypassing her for the coveted foreign secretary’s post.

Though the Supreme Court dismissed the petition, it noted that there was truth in Muthamma’s contention that there was gender discrimination in the foreign office.

Muthamma brought out in the form of a book essays she had written over the years. Titled ‘Slain by the System – India’s Real Crisis’, it was published in 2003.

She had also co-authored a book on Kodava cuisine.

 

 

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / IANS / Thursday  Oct 15th, 2009

Biography of Robin Uthappa

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, , , , , , , , , ,

Read Biography of Robin UthappaRobin Venu Uthappa, born 11 November 1985 in Kodagu,Karnataka is an Indian cricketer. His father is Venu Uthappa, an international hockey referee and mother Roselyn is a home maker hails from Kozhikode. He made his One-Day International debut in the seventh and final match of the English tour of India in April 2006. He had a successful debut, making 86 as an opening batsman before being run out. It was the highest score for anyIndian debutant in a limited overs match.

Uthappa first came to the public’s attention when he made 66 for India B against India A in the Challenger Trophy in 2005. The following year, in the same tournament, Uthappa made matchwinning 93-ball 100 against the same team which propelled him in the big league. Previously, he had been a member of the India under-19 team that won the Asia Cup. Once a wicketkeeper-batsman, his List A batting average of near 40 with a strike rate of approximately 90 has made him regarded as something of a limited overs cricket specialist.

He was recalled to the ODI side in January 2007 for the series againstthe West Indies where he smashed a 70 from just 41 balls.

He was selected in the 15-member squad of the Indian Cricket team for the 2007 Cricket World Cup held in the West Indies in March-April 2007. He played in all 3 group games, but only scored 30 runs in total as India suffered a shock defeat to Bangladesh and a loss to Sri Lanka resulting in the team not qualifying for the Super 8 stage.

In the sixth ODI of the NatWest Series 2007-2008, he scored a sensational 47 of 33 balls to take India to a thrilling victory, keepingIndian hopes alive in the 7 match series that they were trailing 2-3 before the match. Used to batting as an opener, in this match he came in at the unfamiliar position of no 7. When he came at the crease India were 5 down for 234 after 40.2 overs, still needing 83 from less than 10 overs. After Dhoni got out in the 47th over with the Indian score at 294, Uthappa kept a cool head to take India to the target with two balls to spare in a remarkable victory.

Uthappa also scored a crucial 50 against Pakistan in the 20-20 World Cup in South Africa, when India were tottering at 36/4. India subsequently won the match in bowl out 3-0.

He is known for his trademark ‘walking slam-bang’ shot.

Uthappa played for Karnataka institute of cricket (KIOC) – under the guidance of Irfan Sait who runs the cricket camp.

source: http://www.yasni.com

 

Keeki Thammaiah

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Keeki Thammaiah obituary

Keeki Thammaiah 

The trappings of office were relished by Keeki Thammaiah as they echoed his native Karnataka ceremonial attire

My friend the lawyer, educationist and local politician Keeki Thammaiah, who has died of a heart attack aged 76, became the first Asian mayor of Harrow, north-west London, in 2000.

He came to politics relatively late when elected as a Labour councillor in 1994. As mayor, he demonstrated his skill in working with people across the divide of politics, race and class. He relished the ceremonials – the robes and chains – not only because of his innate respect for the office but also because he felt comfortable with these trappings. Their lavishness echoed the ceremonial attire of his native Coorg in Karnataka, south India, particularly that of the traditional kupya chaleworn by Coorg men – long black tunics with red and gold brocaded cummerbunds from which intricately worked swords in gold and silver were slung.

Keeki came from an affluent landowning family, and after qualifying as a lawyer served as an advocate in the courts of justice in Bangalore. He arrived in Britain in 1964, drawn by the vibrancy of its contemporary culture (listening to the Beatles for the first time was clearly a defining experience), as well as its legal traditions. He taught business law at institutions including Westminster College for a number of years.

Keeki and Naila, his wife of 40 years, kept an open house, and visiting Indians – dignitaries, students and tourists – enjoyed the warmth of their hospitality. A champion of Karnataka culture, with its rich tradition of Kannada literature and performing arts, Keeki supported initiatives that helped younger generations living in Britain to engage with this culture. On the day before his death, he and Naila had hosted a reception to launch an initiative to promote Karnataka and its artistic heritage.

He is survived by Naila, his son, Ponnu, and two grandchildren, Adit and Alok.

source: http://www.guardian.co.uk / by Nima Poovaya-Smith / The Guardian / Thursday, May 19th, 2011

Zulfi Syed to get Hitched Next Year

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Bυt the model-turned-actor is уеt to find hіѕ girl

Hіѕ humble, shy and a low-profile nature mаkеѕ hіm different from others. Bυt, all these qualities haven’t really hеƖреԁ model-turned-actor Zulfi Syed, who was last seen in the film Deshdrohi. Such an persona has not only kept hіm away from the limelight, but has also deterred hіѕ filmi career from taking οff. Tο this he ѕауѕ, “I know іt’s vital to market yourself well when you have so many competitors, but I аm very weak in my PR skills. I’ll do it when I come up with something really ехсеƖƖеnt.”

Film buffs have not seen hіm since Deshdrohi. Qυеѕtіοn hіm whу, and he аnѕwеrѕ candidly, “I didn’t do any film after Deshdrohi because nothing fаѕсіnаtіnɡ came my way. In view οf thе fact thаt I believe in quality work, I thουɡht іt’s better to concentrate on modelling and fashion shows rаthеr than opting for something that ԁοеѕ not have substance.” Earlier Zulfi had revealed that he would be ‘doing an action movie soon,’ but that has not happened. Clearing the air, the actor ѕауѕ, “Thе scripting administer is going οn, and I аm just waiting for it to complete. I mау ѕtаrt shooting soon.”

FаѕсіnаtіnɡƖу, in hіѕ time in the industry, Zulfi has also managed to maintain a sqeauky сƖеаn persona. “If you have to survive, you have to do quality work. Whаt matters are the scripts and quality of the films. Controversies give you your five minutes of fame, but people will commence to see you in a different persona,” he states.

Thе actor was in the limelight in the reality ѕhοw Bigg Boss Season 2. Qυеѕtіοn hіm if he is game for another such ѕhοw, and he ѕауѕ, “I would Ɩіkе to be part of an adventure ѕhοw. I had an offer tοο, but couldn’t do it as I was busy with my restaurant business, which I аm looking to expand. Thеу will serve road food from all over the world.” Sο, is Zulfi a good cook tοο? “I have a degree in hotel management, I аm a good chef and a big foodie tοο,” he quips.

Along with hіѕ work, thеrе’s something еƖѕе on hіѕ priority list. “I рƖοt to get married in 2012. Bυt, I’m still in search of a girl who is homely and is a good cook tοο.”

source: http://www.whatisnew.in / Jun 16th, 2011 / by Elina Priyadarshini Nayak (Bombay Times) Jun 17th, 2011