Category Archives: Amazing Feats

Last Salute To Maj. Gen. C.K. Karumbaya

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Whenever a soldier of my country died in war or peace, I always felt a tad diminished as a citizen of this country. That was how I felt this morning on hearing the news of passing away of Maj. Gen. C.K. Karumbaya SM, (retd.) in city. He belonged to Kodava community of Codanda family and was known by his pet name Keshu. I knew him from my College days in Madikeri, Kodagu, where he was three years senior to me and was in NCC. He was aged 87 when he faded away from amongst us. It is truly said, ‘A soldier never dies, he simply fades away.’

As for me, his memory will linger in my mind for the reason that I was in close and constant touch with him when he came to Mysuru to settle down after retirement in early 90s. In his personality, manner of conduct and character, he was a man cut out by destiny to serve the country where the utmost sacrifice is required — ready to give life, like a true patriot.

As with his men in uniform wherever he was posted, so also after his retirement, he remained a people’s guide and leader with so much of human feelings and concern in his thought and heart. As for courage and selflessness, he was like Julius Caesar of the dim past known for his bravery. Caesar’s military prowess was known when he conquered Gaul (now France) and his selflessness at the time he fought and won the Civil War in Rome against his rival Pompey.

It may sound pompous and improper to compare Gen. C.K. Karumbaya aka Keshu to the legendary Julius Caesar. But I was just drawing a parallel in respect of certain higher qualities by which a man must live by and lead a life not only for oneself but also for others. Let me illustrate these qualities of a braveheart that Gen. Karumbaya was by giving examples.

While he was in the Army, during the Bangladesh War of 1971, then Maj. Karumbaya took over the command of 5th Maratha LI (5th Royals Battalion) when the Commanding Officer of the 5th Royals was wounded in the Battle of Elangi. Maj. Karumbaya acquitted himself so well under challenging circumstances that his Divisional Commander promised to present him with a bottle of Scotch if Maj. Karumbaya succeeded in capturing Magura in the South of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

Writing in Star of Mysore, dated 16th December, 2014, about the Victory Day of Bangladesh War, Karumbaya mentions about this episode and how he also won the bottle of Scotch his Commanding Officer Maj. Gen. K.S. Brar had promised. Apparently, the bottle was never emptied and Karumbaya  wrote: ‘This bottle of premium Scotch continues to be displayed with much pride in the Officers’ Mess till today.’

Let us hope the bottle remains there when Gen. Karumbaya will not be there to see it anymore. This incident is indeed a testimony to his courage and the confidence his superiors had in his military competence. Except for impairment of hearing due to a blast injury  he suffered during Bangladesh War, he lived a healthy life till some months before his end came today.

Gen. Karumbaya was in Kargil, J&K, where he introduced sporting activities for local youths, himself participating. He told me the youths were good and very friendly. About politicians of his days there, he had a different take. Politicians were Janus-faced, he said. One senior politician who ruled J&K during a visit to his camp had whispered to his ears to mix Vodka to the soft drink Fanta at lunch!

Though he could have lived in city in greater comfort, he chose to live in a village farm on Bogadi Road in the midst of a coconut grove. However, his concern for the common man and the common cause of the community did not diminish unlike many inactive social activists who issue press statements using photo-ops, like arm-chair NGOs. He always led a protest movement or public demonstration for a public cause from the front which was why in the 90s and even later we could see Maj. Gen. Karumbaya standing tall among  the groups of protestors. He was a member of Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP), Mysore Lok Swaraj Andolan (MLSA), Elder Citizens Council, a member of Mysore Sports Club, JW Golf Club and Mysore Kodava Samaja.

Understandably, the presence of the General in these organisations and clubs made a difference. He was not the one who would countenance any wrong doing in the administration of these organisations and clubs nor would he compromise on principles. Such people often become thorns in the soles of those who have a different agenda. No wonder he dragged an office-bearer of Mysore Lok Swaraj Andolan (also a senior Defence Officer) as a Convenor of MLSA to Court and won the case.

He was taking active part in MGP, headed by Bhamy V. Shenoy. It was around 1993-94 and the MGP had taken up the cause of protecting the People’s Park where the Government and the MCC had decided to construct a public library (which has now become a fait accompli) in a sinister barter deal with a builder who offered to construct the library pro bono in exchange for land facing the main road for him to construct shopping complexes.

This proposal had the blessings of Corporation Council and the matter had gone to the Court as PIL by MGP. Much heat was generated as a result between the contending parties. One day Bhamy Shenoy, the Convenor of MGP, received a letter from the then Mayor’s Office of the City Corporation stating if the matter was pursued he would be murdered. When Shenoy mentioned this to Maj. Gen. Karumbaya, he was naturally upset and even angry. According to Shenoy, who shared this information with me this morning, the General put on his army gear and appeared before the Mayor in full army uniform taking him to task. Since the Mayor did not deny the charge, it was assumed the intimidating letter was indeed sent.

Bhamy Shenoy said that he had no prior information about the General’s decision to confront the Mayor in this manner. All that I can say is that Maj. Gen. C.K. Karumbaya, SM (retd.) was indeed a braveheart as much as a kind human being that one should always be in one’s life. After all, one cannot be a hero always in life but one can always be a good human being. And he was one.

RIP Keshu

e-mail: voice@starofmysore.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Abracadabra…Abracadabra> Columns> Top Stories / by K B Ganapathy / January 04th, 2024

Bengaluru biologists spot new butterfly species in Coorg; first one in the Western Ghats in four decades

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The new member in the family has been named Conjoined Silverline (Cigaritis conjuncta) based on fused spots and bands on the underside of wings, and shiny silver lines in the centre of those bands.

Bengaluru biologists spot new butterfly species in Coorg; first one in the Western Ghats in four decades
Cigaritis conjuncta, found in Honey Valley, Kodagu.Photo credit: NCBS

New Delhi:

Biologists in Bengaluru on Wednesday reported discovery of a new butterfly species in the Western Ghats, underlining the potential of one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots to spring a surprise even after decades of exploration.

The butterflies were first seen in the Iruppu Falls area of the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary way back in 2008 but was studied extensively when a large number of them were spotted in the Honey Valley two years ago. Both of the locations are in Kodagu.

Researchers at the National Centre for Biological Sciences and Indian Foundation for Butterflies spotted 30 of them within a 100 mt stretch and extensively studied five males and four females to conclude that such butterflies are distinct from other similar species.

“The stunning part of the discovery was that this species was never seen. It was neither in the museums nor in the literature. Our naturalist friends found them in a coffee plantation. This is the first new butterfly species reported from the Western Ghats in the last four decades,” Krushnamegh Kunte, associate professor at the NCBS and corresponding author of the study, told DH.

Kunte saw the species for the first time in 2008 but could not study it as he did not have a collection permit to capture the sample. For the next 13 years, the species eluded the scientists.

The new member in the family has been named Conjoined Silverline (Cigaritis conjuncta) based on fused spots and bands on the underside of wings, and shiny silver lines in the centre of those bands.

“We expect it to be more widely distributed, occurring in other forests of Kodagu and the central Western Ghats of Karnataka, possibly extending as far south in the Western Ghats as the hill ranges of Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris) and southern Kerala (up to Peppara wildlife sanctuary),” the scientists reported.

Despite barely having the size of a one-rupee coin, the species is extremely valuable to conservationists as it is endemic to mid-elevation evergreen forests of the Western Ghats mountains. The two sites where they have been located are at an elevation of 900 meters (Iruppu Falls) and 1,300 meters (Honey Valley).India houses more than 1,400 species of butterflies, but very few new ones have been discovered in the last few decades.

The new ones are active on sunny days from early in the morning to afternoon. Both sexes rest on shrubbery while some males take up vantage points nearly 3 metres off the ground.

The males bask with wings opened up halfway, and females also apparently do so, similar to other Cigaritis species. Males appear to be more active in sunny patches, and therefore more readily detected, compared with females.

“The discovery is a testament to the state’s unparalleled biodiversity, its unfolding scientific potential and the strong protection that butterflies and other wildlife enjoy in the state,” the Karnataka Forest Department, which supported the research, said in a statement.

The study appeared in Zootaxa.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Science / by Kalyan Ray, DHNS / January 11th, 2024

Sandooka Virtual Museum Of Kodava Heritage And Culture Launched

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Sandooka Virtual Museum of Kodava Heritage and Culture, an informative and interactive platform for the community, the diaspora, researchers and knowledge-seekers, has been launched. One can access it on https://sandookamuseum.org/

The museum has been created with community participation and on the basis of research on existing knowledge of the history of Kodagu, traditions of the Kodava community and unique practices.

Presently, the museum boasts 54 stories categorised into nine themes:

Architecture, Arts and Crafts, Community Histories, Clothes and Jewellery, Cuisine, Customs and Rituals, Festivals, Landscape, Literature and Folklore. The website also includes a glossary of commonly used Kodava terms and a list of recommended books and website resources.

Within the museum’s pages, visitors can explore a brief history of Kodagu in sections like ‘Residences of the Royals’ and the glossary. An outline map in the glossary provides context, illustrating the taluks of Kodagu, its location within Karnataka and its place in India.

The brain behind this ambitious project is Rathi Vinay Jha (Codanda), the erstwhile Chair of the India Foundation for the Arts (IFA). A retired 1967 batch IAS Officer, she served as the Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. In early 2022, IFA issued a call for proposals from multidisciplinary teams to develop the virtual museum.

Talakaveri (Talacauvery) – the birthplace of River Kaveri. [Photo courtesy: Kunjiyanda Mahesh Appaiah (Max)]

Stringent scrutiny

Numerous teams from various parts of India submitted their proposals.

The selection process involved the scrutiny of an esteemed jury, including Paul Abraham (Founder of Sarmaya Arts Foundation), Nick Merriman (Director of Horniman Museums and Gardens, London), Sara Ahmed (Founder of Living Waters Museum), Venu Vasudevan, IAS (former Director General of the National Museum) and Hemanth Satyanarayana (CEO, Imaginate).

Following a meticulous evaluation of presentations and interviews, a team led by art museum curator Lina Vincent emerged as the chosen one for the project. The team comprised the dynamic designer duo Upasana Nattoji Roy and Saurav Roy from SWITCH. I was honoured to be invited to spearhead the Research and Coordination for Virtual Museum.

Our team came together in early 2022 and the ensuing two years have been both hectic and gratifying. Our efforts were complemented by a dedicated group handling media resources, including Aiyuda Prasad Ponnappa (videography), Clare Arni (photography), Kalpit Gaonkar (drone videography), Kunjiyanda Mahesh Appaiah aka Max Machu (videography), Chenanda Rohan Ponnaiah (videography), G.S. Bhavani (photography), Dr. Bishan Monnappa (photography) and others. Hasan Shahrukh spearheaded website development, with Samarth Gulati focusing on the front end and Gaurav Nagar on the back end. Additional support came from associates such as Nitya Devayya, Dhriti Belliappa, Nigel Gomes and Christina Dedhia.

The IFA team overseeing the project included former Executive Director Arundhati Ghosh, Executive Director Menaka Rodriguez, members Darshana Dave, Ritwika Misra and C. Suresh Kumar

IFA Advisory Board, consisting of Rathi Vinay Jha, Cheppudira P. Belliappa and Hemanth Satyanarayana, provided valuable guidance.

The editorial advisors, namely Dr. Boverianda Nanjamma Chinnappa, Cheppudira P. Belliappa, Dr. Kodira Monnappa Lokesh and Dr. C.C. Sowmya Dechamma, contributed expertise to the project.

Recaero India predominantly funded the initiative, while Anuraag, a Virajpet-based NGO, played a crucial role in supporting payments to artists, folk singers, dancers, craftsmen and facilitating media documentation.

A bride & a groom in traditional attire. [Photo courtesy: Deepthi Puttichanda]

A comprehensive repository of information

The Sandooka Virtual Museum of Kodava Heritage and Culture stands as a comprehensive repository of information on Kodavas. In the Kodava language, a ‘sandooka’ is referred to as ‘chandooka’, akin to a traditional wooden trunk or chest found in Indian homes.

Our documentation efforts included capturing the ‘Kail Podh’ festival of weapons at the Baduvamanda ancestral house in Kavadi, festival sports at Puliyeri village green near Ammathi, the harvest festival ‘Puthari’ at the Padeyanda ancestral house, festival dances at Biddatanda Vaade and Kokeri Bhagwathy temple, and the annual ‘theray’ (a shaman ritual of Kodagu similar to ‘theyyam’ and ‘kola’) at the Nadikerianda ancestral house in Karada

While a substantial population of Kodavas still resides in Kodagu, tens of thousands have migrated to places like Mysuru and Bengaluru. Additionally, Kodava diaspora is seen outside Karnataka in  various parts of India and extending to international locations such as Singapore, the Middle East, Europe, the United Kingdom, Africa, Australia and the Americas.

A picture of ‘theray’ ritual.

To maintain cultural connections, Kodavas have established regional Kootas or Associations, where members gather annually, often during festivals. Kodava Samajas in villages, towns and cities organise Kodava weddings and other social events.

However, the Kodava diaspora faces challenges in preserving their native language and culture. As generations pass, certain traditions risk fading away. Recognising this need for preservation, Sandooka Virtual Museum of Kodava Heritage and Culture acts as a bridge, documenting and safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations worldwide.

Cherishing our legacy

Kodavas are a small community with a vibrant heritage and unique traditions. Kodagu and the Kodavas have always raised the curiosity of not just our own people but of scholars and visitors across the world. Today, with access to technology we can send a message across to our diaspora and the world about our land and its culture. Sandooka Virtual Museum is a repository of such online information on Kodava heritage. Let us cherish our legacy and celebrate our achievements. — Rathi Vinay Jha (Codanda), erstwhile Chair of the India Foundation for the Arts (IFA)

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by Mookonda Nitin Kushalappa / January 09th, 2024

Talacauvery Water Collected For Jalabhishekha At Ram Temple

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Madikeri:

The consecration, known as ‘Prana Pratishtapana,’ of Lord Ram in his child-like form (Ram Lalla) is scheduled to take place in Ram Temple at Ayodhya on Jan. 22. To perform the sacred Jalabhishekha ritual, holy water from the seven rivers (Sapthanadi) is being collected from various locations across the country.

A dedicated team of priests from the Akhila Bharatha Santha Samithi, representing Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kodagu units, visited Talacauvery, the birthplace of River Cauvery, yesterday to collect the sacred water. The water was received from the holy Brahmakundike through meticulous rituals, homas and havanas.

Masilamani Desiga Jnana Sambhandha Swamiji, the Peetadhipathi of Dharmapuram Adheenam in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, conducted special pujas and received the sacred tirtha from the head priest of Talacauvery Temple from the holy Brahmakundike.

The gathering included notable figures such as State President of Akhila Bharatha Santha Samithi and the Guru of Om Sri Math in Mangaluru Mahamandaleshwar Sri Vidyananda Saraswati Swamiji, Co-President Matashree Shivajnanamahi Saraswati, Kodagu District President of Akhila Bharatha Santha Samithi Shri Rajeshnath Ji, Tamil Nadu unit of Akhila Bharatha Santha Samithi President Mahamandaleshwar, Treasurer Garuda Maharaj, Vishwa Hindu Parishad Kodagu District Working President Suresh, Treasurer Sampath Kumar, Kodagu Journalists Association President S. A. Muralidhar and others.

In addition to the water from Sapthanadi, water from the rivers of Nepal, including Bagmati, Narayani, Ganga Sagar, Dudhmati, Kali, Gandaki, Kosi, Kamla, etc., has been collected. These sacred waters will play a significant role in the rituals during the consecration.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 07th, 2023

Class eight girl’s project helps save stream in Madikeri

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While a majority of science projects are done using the internet, Shreesha went a step ahead, and did a real world project.

Alongside help from other students, Shreesha led an awareness campaign to help preserve the stream | eps

Madikeri :

An honest effort from an eighth grade girl of the government school at Kodagarahalli of Suntikoppa in Kodagu district has helped preserve a local stream.

The work for her science project has now earned the respect of the district administration and district police, who have ordered that CCTV cameras be installed to prevent dumping of waste near the stream.

Shreesha AS, daughter of Suntikoppa residents Shiju and Sandhya, is a student of the Kodagarahalli Suntikoppa Nadu Government High School. She was nominated to represent the school at the 31st National Children’s Science Convention, where she won the ‘Young Scientist’ recognition for her presentation — ‘Pollution across river banks’.

While a majority of science projects are done using the internet, Shreesha went a step ahead, and did a real world project. With the help from her father, she visited the stream near her locality to collect inputs for her project. She surveyed the Haraduru stream, collected details about its importance to the locality. She recorded sound bytes from local residents and learnt that the stream has been the lifeline of the locality for ages. 

Staff deployed near stream to stop littering

The survey, however, also introduced her to the sad state of affairs of the stream where she found loads of plastic and other garbage dumped by its banks. From coffee pulping to plastic waste, the stream was being polluted by a few locals and tourists who visited the spot.

Shreesha compiled the story and submitted a report on the pitiable condition of the water body to the district administration, district police and the local panchayat. Her efforts persuaded SP K Ramarajan to deploy the staff near the stream to stop littering. Further, the administration has ordered the local body to install CCTVs to control garbage dumping at its banks. With the help from her classmates, Shreesha also led an awareness campaign across the locality even as residents were urged to take responsibility in preserving the stream.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / January 01st, 2024

Kodavas must unite to fight for their rights: MLA AS Ponnanna

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He was speaking at the inauguration of the Global Kodava Summit organized by the Connecting Kodavas Trust organization in Madikeri on Friday.

Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna. (Photo | Twitter, @ASPonnanna)
Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna. (Photo | Twitter, @ASPonnanna)

Madikeri :

“The Kodava community must unite to fight for the rights. Our ancestors fought to protect our land and culture. Let this fight continue. But fight for your rights and do not mock other communities or religions. Love every community,” called out Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Global Kodava Summit organized by the Connecting Kodavas Trust organization in Madikeri on Friday.

Ponnanna appreciated the efforts of the trust in bringing the community together. He urged the trust to lay a foundation for the rightful voicing of the communities’ needs and said, “Let there be resolutions formed in this summit on what our rights are and what needs to be done to preserve the community. I will extend my full support to attain these resolutions,” he assured.

He opined that political maturity is needed amongst the community to attain support for the fight towards rights. He highlighted that the land problems concerning Jamma land, preservation of gun rights and ethnographic studies are the issues that must be fought unitedly under a strong leadership. He urged for the preservation of the land, nature, culture and relationships.

MLC Shantharam Budna Siddi, who was present as the chief guest, urged the youth to come forward to work for the society. He assured to extend his support in the legislature for the ST tag fight of the Kodavas.

Chethan Singhai, Chief Consultant of the National Curriculum-Ministry of Education, urged the community to focus on education and appreciate the values of culture. He called out to the community to focus on locality that he said is largely rooted in values.

Human activist Rashmi Samath called out to the youngsters to come back to their roots.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / December 30th, 2023

National Tennis Championships: Niki Poonacha, Zeel Desai crowned singles champions

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Niki Poonacha beat Digvijay Pratap Singh to win the men’s singles title while Zeel Desai got the better of Sharmada Balu in the women’s singles final.

Niki Poonacha.

Young Indian tennis players Niki Poonacha and Zeel Desai won the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the National Tennis Championships 2021 on Saturday.

The tournament was held at the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) Complex in the national capital.

The 26-year-old Niki Poonacha won his third national title after beating Digvijay Pratap Singh 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 in the final.

Niki Poonacha, who trains at the Rohan Bopanna Academy in Bengaluru, saved three match points in the second set to mount a comeback after being a set down.

London 2012 Olympian and 2010 Asian Games medallist Vishnu Vardhan was knocked out in the round of 16 of the men’s singles.

It was a second national crown in as many days for Niki Poonacha, who had won the men’s doubles title with Prajwal Dev on Friday. Poonacha-Dev beat Chandril Sood and Lakshit Sood 6-2, 7-6 in the final.

In the women’s singles final, Zeel Desai also mounted a comeback of her own against Sharmada Balu.

After being down 1-3 in the first set, Zeel Desai won the next 11 games on the trot to win 6-3, 6-0.

However, Sharmada Balu did taste victory in the national tennis championship as she won the women’s doubles title with partner Sravya Chilakalapudi on Friday.

The duo beat the pair of Vaidehi Chaudhari and Mihika Yadav 6-2, 6-3 in the final.

The singles events had 64 players each while 32 pairs each took part in the doubles categories.

source: http://www.olympics.com / Olympics.com / Home> Tennis / by Rahul Venkat / October 30th, 2021

A ‘Thank You’ Letter From Lt. Gen. B.C. Nanda’s Daughter

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Sir,

I wish to thank Santhosh Thammaiah for his touching and respectful tribute (“The Soldier who Saved Siachen”) to my late father, Lt. Gen. B.C. Nanda in SOM dated Dec. 26, 2018. I am immensely proud of what my father achieved in his professional career and, most of all, of what he meant to me as a beloved father.

I would, however, like to correct a portion of the account here: My father’s role model was his father, B.S. Chengappa (Chief Conservator of Forests, Andaman Islands) whose extraordinary work and contributions are held in high regard. It is from him that my father’s lifelong association with, and love of, nature and environmental issues came. It was during the early years of his childhood in Andaman Islands that my father’s keen observations of natural life began. This was the bedrock of my father’s interest in nature and environment.

As a young boy of 7, my father was able to assist a visiting English Naturalist in compiling an extensive list of local names for the fish of the Andaman waters — knowledge that he had imbibed through his passion for fishing, combined with a sharp eye and ear for all things in the natural world. Anyone who knew my father would know what an amazingly keen and astute observer of animal and bird life he was.

After my father retired from an illustrious career in the Indian Army in 1989, he devoted tireless hours to various causes, be it the issues and concerns of ex-servicemen, adventure sports foundations, or giving fresh direction and impetus to the Coorg Wildlife Society, to name but a few.

Over the years, my father, on his regular visits to Kodagu, visited Field Marshal Cariappa’s residence, to pay his respects as a nephew.


Also, my parents had always planned to retire in Kodagu.

Thank You once again for this tribute to my father.

– Shalini Nanda Nagappa, Vancouver, Canada, 1.1.2019

Note: I had not met Lt. Gen. Nanda personally, but had seen him from afar and heard about his interaction with people living in remote villages beyond Gaalibeedu. I was told he was visiting Sri Bhadrakali Temple at Monnangeri, staying overnight in the humble house of a local. I heard of Gen. Nanda’s humility and love of nature when I visited his host’s house about five years ago.

My contact with him was mostly per letters on issues concerning Kodagu and Kodavas. On reading his daughter Shalini’s letter, I tried to look for Gen. Nanda’s letters in my file and was able to find just one written by hand. It is an eloquent testimony to what his daughter has written and his abiding love for Kodagu. Hence, I reproduce it here below. – K.B. Ganapathy, Editor-in-Chief

Dear Sir,

Thank you for sending me a copy of your letter dated 10.8.2003 addressed to Mr. Ulliyada M. Poovaiah. I fully endorse your view that the Kodavas must be united. We are at the moment making efforts towards that end. I am sure you are aware of what is happening.

When I retired from service after 40 years in uniform, the Govt. of India sent me messages after messages asking me if I wanted a job. I declined as I needed to attend to my personal affairs that had been totally neglected. Any query to Mr. K.C. Pant, Mr. Jagmohan or Mr. Naresh Chandra will confirm what I say. Also Mr. Arun Singh. Later it was Mr. Moily. Now that I think back— may be that if I had accepted those offers — Kodavas would have benefited in some ways. It was just that those living in comfort in Kodagu were swallowing up my heritage and my land — I needed to put this in order.

I continue to dedicate myself to Kodagu and the Kodavas. With best wishes and regards

Yours sincerely,

B.C. Nanda

(15th Sept., 2003)

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / January 04th, 2019

Karnataka athlete brothers, 95 & 86 years old, off to Sydney for masters tourney

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Palekanda Bopaiah (95) and Palekanda Belliappa (86) reside in Kadanuru and Gonikoppal of Kodagu.

Belliappa, Machamma and Bopaiah (L to R) from Kodagu have left for Sydney to take part in the championship

Madikeri : 

While most people of their vintage would be nursing various aches and suffering from age-related issues, here are two elderly athletes, siblings aged 95 and 86, who have trained themselves hard to take part in their first-ever international meet to be held in Sydney soon.

Palekanda Bopaiah

Palekanda Bopaiah (95) and Palekanda Belliappa (86) reside in Kadanuru and Gonikoppal of Kodagu. They have taken part in several Master Games Championships held across the country and won 13 medals so far. However, this is their first international meet.

“The Master Games Championships will be held in Sydney from March 10 to March 15. It has been our long-cherished dream to take part in this tournament and we have been able to do it with the support of our family,” said Belliappa. They have shelled out Rs 2.45 lakh for the flight and other expenses for the tournament. 

Belliappa said that he wrote to the Kodagu-Mysuru MP, Kodagu DC, Sports Department officials and even the Prime Minister, requesting financial support. “But we did not receive any reply. Though the DC wrote to the Bengaluru office, they denied funds. However, our family came forward and collected funds,” he added. 

Brothers want to take part in five categories each

At a family get-together, arranged recently at the house of one of the siblings, the family gathered, wished them luck and handed over the funds. Bopaiah is a retired Army man, while Belliappa worked at the National Government Factory. The elderly brothers have already left for Sydney. While Bopaiah will take part in the javelin throw, discus throw and shot put, Belliappa will participate in 100 and 200m races and 1,500m walking race.

“While other international players can take part in seven different events, we have been given the option to take part in three each. We will try to convince the authorities to let us participate in at least five categories,” explained Belliappa. The two brothers hope to win at least two medals each and bring laurels to the country.

Another senior athlete from Kodagu, Machamma (77) from Hudikeri, president of the Karnataka Master Games Association, will represent India in Sydney. After the Australian Championships, the brothers hope to take part in the Master Games Championship in South Korea in May. “We hope to find sponsors,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / March 06th, 2023

Kuppanda team wins Kodava hockey cup title in Madikeri

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Nearly a month after the Kodava hockey tournament started at Napoklu in Kodagu district, the finals were held on Sunday.

The Kuppanda family team beat 3-time champion Kulletira team by a margin of 4-2 goals in the shoot out. Kuppanda became champion for the first time in the 23rd edition of the hockey tournament.

Kuppanda team wins Kodava hockey cup title in Madikeri

Madikeri :

Nearly a month after the Kodava hockey tournament started at Napoklu in Kodagu district, the finals were held on Sunday. The Kuppanda family team beat 3-time champion Kulletira team by a margin of 4-2 goals in the shoot out. Kuppanda became champion for the first time in the 23rd edition of the hockey tournament.

Kulletira had won the tournaments in 1998, 1999 and 2002.

It entered finals for the first time since 16 years, while for the Kuppanda team it was their first shot at the title.

Kuppanda and Kulletira scored one goal each in the stipulated time period. Then they were given a shoot out opportunity which resulted in the Kuppanda team win the match by 4-2 goals. Kuppanda Somaiah scored a goal for his team in the 16th minute of play while Kulletira Avinash equalised the score for his team in the 22nd minute.

Kuppanda team received Rs 3 lakh cash and a trophy. Satisfied with the runners-up title, Kulletia team got two lakhs and a trophy. The winners will also get a rolling trophy given by the Kodava Hockey Academy. A cultural programme was organised before the final tournament. Kodava traditional dances were performed in the middle of the field , and many hockey fans from the district and outside the district took part, Kodava family members witnessed this exciting match in Napoklu in the scorching sun.

The 24th year of hockey is planned in 2024 by the Kundyolanda family team.

The main guests on the occasion were Pandanda Leela Kuttappa wife of the Kodava hockey founder late Pandanda Kuttappa, Air Marshal Baltikalanda U Chengappa, Kuttanda Sudhin Mandanna of Kaig Group, former Indian hockey captain Dhanraj Pilley, Olympian Cheppudira S Poonacha, Triple Olympian Zafar Iqbal, Olympian Anjaparavanda B Subbaiah, Cheranda Kishen, Ajjikuttira Kanchan Ponnanna and others.

Appachettolanda Mittu Erappa presided. Kodava Hockey Academy president Pandnada K Bopanna inaugurated. Convener of the tournament Appachettolanda Manu Muthappa was present.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / by G Rajendra, TNN / April 10th, 2023