Category Archives: Amazing Feats

Jagat and Anita Nanjappa: Meet the champion couple of Indian motorsports

Like Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal to Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik, Indian motorsports power couple Jagat and Anita Nanjappa are dominating Indian Rally Racing.

Jagat and Anita Nanjappa: champion couple of Indian motorsports

Couples in sports are not a rare a thing in India. From Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal to Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik, the Indian sporting fraternity has seen quite a few powerful sporting couples. Amongst many lies the name of Jagat and Anita Nanjappa. Now, both of these names might not be as popular as others, but the efforts and hard work put in by this Karnataka couple to promote motorsports in India is second to none.

So, how did it all start for this power-couple of Indian motorsports ?

For starters, Jagat’s father Appanna was a race driver himself. It was from his father that a young Jagat imbibed the passion for fast motors.

With coffee planting being the main business for his family, Jagat had plenty of time to pursue his love for motor racing. Growing up in Kodagu district, Jagat started racing bikes as a hobby in 1981.  It was though after his marriage with Anita that success started following him in the race tracks. The couple has won countless rallies like the Time, Speed and Distance (TSD), Raid and Stage Rallies and others with Jagat as the driver and Anita as the navigator.

The tyre company MRF soon started sponsoring them owing to their tremendous success in the race track and they started competing under the banner of ‘Team MRF’.

The couple won nine out of eleven Annual Indian National Rally Riders Championships from 1986 to 1996, losing out only in the year 1990 and 1992. Besides, they also found success in The Great Desert Rally in 1988, The Coimbatore rally in 1992, The MASA rally in 1993 and 1994 and The Popular rally in Kochi in the 1993 and 1994.

Moreover, they ended as runners up with car in the Indian National Racing Championship in the year 1998, 2000 and 2001 whilst competing in the 1400cc category.

In order to give back to the society and popularise the sport of motor racing in India, Jagat and Anita set up the Universal Sports Club at Bangalore in 2002 with an aim to develop the infrastructure for the sport in the country. They also established the Nanjappa Racing Foundation to organise professional motor racing events across the country.

A large portion of the credit for the current state of motor sports in India should definitely go to this motor-couple. It is hard to imagine what the level of motor sports in India would have been if not for Jagat and Anita Nanjappa.

source: http://www.thebridge.in / The Bridge / Home> Karnataka / by Abhijit Nair / January 20th, 2021

Martyrs’ Day observed with prayers in Madikeri

The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were decked with flowers on account of Martyrs’ Day in Madikeri on Saturday.

The district administration and Sarvodaya Samithi observed Martyrs’ Day in Madikeri on Saturday.

The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were taken out from the district treasury in district administration complex and floral tributes were paid to them.

The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were taken out from the district treasury in district administration complex and floral tributes were paid to them.

All-religion prayers were offered and the Scouts and Guides sang Bhajans. Religious leaders recited the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible and the Quran on the occasion. 

Speaking on the occasion, former minister M C Nanaiah said that it is an honour that Kodagu district has the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi.

A memorial should be constructed at Gandhi Mantapa on the lines of Raj Ghat to keep the ashes of Gandhi, he said. 

“We have been demanding a memorial at Gandhi Mantapa for the last 15 years, which has not been fulfilled so far,” he added. 

Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal, Superintendent of Police Kshama Mishra and others were present. 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / January 31st, 2021

Madikeri: Self-start without motor – Kodagu mechanic’s invention

Madikeri :

Motorbikes have become part of life in India where roads of different types and make pass through different terrains. A mechanic here, who loves motorbikes, has utilised the time he got due to coronavirus break, to invent a self-start for motorbikes without requiring any motor. Venkatesh from Kushalnagar here is the inventor of this device.

People now-a-days are not willing to kick-start their vehicles. Many bikes marketed in the recent past have self-start facilities. But those made a few years back do not have this facility, and repeated kicking is unavoidable. There are people who are attached to their old bikes and hence do not want to sell them. Venkatesh’s invention will help them.

Venkatesh’s alternate generating system kit (AGS) works by using winding copper wires. For this self-start, no machine or motor is needed. This is made by just using copper wire and magnet. It can be fitted to bikes without damaging any part. The price of the kit may be between Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000. Venkatesh has uploaded video of its working in YouTube and several have already booked for the kits.

His other invention, fixing of double engines, has also become a hit.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network – Madikeri (SP) / January 21st, 2021

President In Kodagu On Feb. 6

To open ‘Sunny Side’ museum dedicated to Gen. K.S. Thimayya

Madikeri:

President Ram Nath Kovind will arrive in Kodagu district on Feb. 6 to inaugurate the renovated ‘Sunny Side,’ the residence of Gen. K.S. Thimayya that has been converted as a museum. Gen. Thimayya served as the Chief of Army Staff from 1957 to 1961 in the crucial years leading up to the conflict with China in 1962. 

The President’s Office has confirmed the visit in a communiqué sent to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa-General K.S. Thimayya Forum Convenor Col. K.C. Subbaiah who had formally invited the President in April last year to dedicate the museum to the nation and also inaugurate Gen. Thimayya War Memorial.

Accepting the invitation, the President’s Office has on Jan.15 confirmed to Col. Subbaiah about the VVIP visit. President Kovind will participate in the inaugural ceremony on Feb. 6 from 3 pm to 4 pm. Elated over the visit confirmation, Col. Subbaiah said that it would be a historic day for Kodagu and the memorial would gain national attention.

‘Sunny Side’ is located on G.T. Road in Madikeri and has been renovated at an estimated cost of Rs. 6 crore. The structure earlier housed RTO office. Art works featuring the valour of Indian soldiers on the battlefield have now occupied the centre stage at ‘Sunny Side.’ Other main attractions of the museum are an Army Tank that was transported by road from Kirkee War Cemetery at Khadki near Pune in Maharashtra, articles used by Gen. Thimayya, military uniforms, books and information on Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Apart from the Army Tank, weapons that were used by the soldiers of Indian Army in the past during many operations have been donated to the museum. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 17th, 2021

Respect soldiers: Nanaiah

Dignitaries pay floral tributes to the portrait of Squadron Leader Ajjamada B Devaiah in Madikeri on the occasion of the 88th birth centenary of the latter, on Thursday.

The 88th birth anniversary of Squadron Leader Ajjamada B Devaiah was observed by Kodava Makkada Koota, Ajjamada family and Ajjamada B Devaiah Trust in Madikeri.

Dignitaries paid floral tributes to the portrait of Sq Ldr Ajjamada B Devaiah at Ajjamada Devaiah Circle.

Everyone should remember the sacrifice of our brave soldiers and should respect them, he added.

Sq Ldr Ajjamada B Devaiah Trust chairman Ajjamsada Kattimandaiah said that Ajjamada Devaiah was born in Kurchi village in Srimangalanadu on December 24, 1920.

“He was awarded Maha Vir Chakra posthumously. He is a role model to all of us,” he said and recalled the contribution of Kodava Makkada Koota in installing the idol of Squadron Leader Ajjamada B Devaiah.

Kodava Makkada Koota president Bollajira Ayyappa, Ajjamada family head Ajjamada Lava Kushalapa, leader Tennira Maina and ex-servicemen were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / December 24th, 2020

‘Coorg Person of the Year 2020’

Sanjana Kattera, a corona warrior who was part of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial team, is ‘Coorg Person of the Year, 2020’, according to a release.

Kodagu-born Dr. Sanjana was involved in treating COVID-affected children. A paediatrician, she was part of the vaccine trial team at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom. The release said Dr. Sanjana served patients selflessly by risking her life, especially when PPE suits were in short supply initially.

Dr. Sanjana was selected ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ in a poll conducted by www.coorgtourisminfo.com, Kodagu’s first news portal, promoted by senior journalist P.T. Bopanna.

She worked with phase I/II of the trial with the age group 18-55 years by initially screening and recruiting patients as part of the eligibility criteria.

Dr. Sanjana, daughter of Suresh Kattera and Smitha Suresh, did her schooling in the United World College South East Asia (UWCSEA) in Singapore.

She studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh in the U.K. After completing her medicine, she specialised in paediatrics in a hospital in the U.K, and is currently training in NHS, Liverpool. She will be completing her Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) early next year.

The corona warrior had a tough competition for the ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ title from M.A. Ganapathy, IPS, director-general of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the release added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – December 21st, 2020

Madikeri: Student invents robot that can treat COVID patients

Madikeri :

Coronavirus infection has created so much scare among the people that initially even the doctors were wary of treating these patients. Many doctors and nurses who treated such patients have lost their lives.

Observing these things, an engineering student from Virajpet here has invented a robot to solve the problem. Manikantha from Hubballi, is the son of Amaresh, working in the court at Ponnampet in the district. Amaresh has been living in Virajpet since the last 15 years. Manikantha is a fifth semester student of electronics engineering department at the engineering college at Mandya.

IEEE India Council had invited students to send in their plans about projects relating to COVID treatment. The council which observed the report sent by Manikantha, asked him to prepare the project and paid Rs 12,000 as expenses. Manikantha by using C programming, created this robot.

This robot can be controlled with the help of a mobile phone. It can go near the COVID patients and dispense medicines and tablets. It can give instructions to patients, and check the heartbeat and body temperature. It also greets the patients. When returning, it scans its entire body and protects itself. IJWMT too has got a research article authored by the student and published. It also issued him a citation.

Manikantha’s parents are happy. He happens to be the first to invent a medical robot for the treatment of COVID patients.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network, Madikeri (SP) / December 12th, 2020

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

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

Bride heads to exam hall directly from wedding hall

A bride came directly from the marriage hall to the Junior College in Madikeri to write a competitive examination, after completing her wedding rituals, on Sunday.

Swathi, a resident of Ashokapura, is the bride. The competitive examination for the selection of DCC Bank staff had coincided with the date of her marriage with Suresh from Madhuramma Pattana in Suntikoppa.

The marriage was held at Ambedkar Bhavan in Madikeri. The auspicious timing was fixed so that it did not clash with the timing of the examination.

Swathi and Suresh entered into wedlock between 6.30 am and 9 am on Sunday and Swathi later came to the exam hall in the Junior College in Madikeri directly, in her wedding attire.

Swathi Suresh said that she had been preparing for the competitive exam from the past several months.

The marriage rituals were performed in short, so that she did not lag behind the schedule of the exam.

Swathi expressed her confidence in clearing the exam.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 22nd, 2020

Subedar Guddemane Appaiah Gowda Memorial Day Observed In City

Mysore/Mysuru:

Nammuru Nammoru Samaja Seva Trust, Mysuru, observed Martyred Freedom Fighter Subedar Guddemane Appaiah Gowda Memorial Day at an event held at Jaladarshini Guest House recently.

Veteran writer Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar (CPK) inaugurated the programme by showering petals on the portrait of Appaiah Gowda.

Speaking on the occasion,  CPK said that the year 1857 is a very significant year in the history of freedom struggle. Pointing out that the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny was the first major battle in the fight for the country’s independence from the Britishers, he said that we have read about great freedom warriors such as Mangal Pandey and Tatya Tope who laid down their lives. 

Noting that the first independence revolution took place in 1837, 20 years before the sepoy mutiny of 1857, the veteran writer said that many great freedom fighters such as Tipu Sultan, Rani Chennamma, Sangolli Rayanna, Parampara of Kodagu, Kalyanaswamy, Guddemane Appaiah Gowda, Kedambadi Ramegowda and Kudiya brothers had laid down their lives much earlier fighting the Britishers.

Recalling that the people of Kodagu revolted when the Britishers divided the then Coorg State into Kasaragod, Puttur and Sullia and brought them under Madras Province, he said that warriors from Kodagu such as Nanjaiah, Kedambadi Ramegowda and Guddemane Appaiah Gowda are an inspiration for generations to come.

Noting that Appaiah Gowda led the ‘Katukai battle’ (Amara Sullia Dange) against the British in 1837, Dr. CPK said that he was one of the greatest heroes Kodagu has produced. Stating that Appaiah Gowda was a symbol of patriotism, self-respect and pride of Kodagu, he said that Appaiah Gowda, who was hanged by the British in front of Madikeri Fort in 1837 for leading protests against colonial power, did not want outsiders to have a say in the affairs of Kodagu. 

He urged the Government to set up an Authority for sensitising the public on the sacrifices made by Appaiah Gowda and all other great freedom fighters of the times and on the significance of Amara Sullia Dange (Sullia rebellion).

Trust President Satish Gowda, Vice-President Kumar Gowda, Gen. Secretary A. Ravi, Dist. Vokkaliga Assn. Vice-President Gururaj, Director Ravi, Dentist Lokesh and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 03rd, 2020