After flip-flopping for many months, there is a concrete sign of Karnataka getting its first river museum. On Wednesday, the state government took first baby steps to expedite on its dream project, Cauvery river gallery.
The gallery, expected to be thrown open to the public in six months from now will showcase cultural and socio economic aspects of the river. It will feature exhibits, detailed satellite images, multimedia displays, digital video-shows and real-time experience of cruising along the river which is around 765 km in length.
Originating in the Brahmagiri Hill in Kodagu, the river flows from the western ghats and descends into the eastern ghats in a south-easterly direction covering 320 km in Karnataka and drains itself into the Bay of Bengal. “The proposed gallery would be set up with the support of the National Academy of Sciences of India (NASI).
The government has already earmarked Rs 3.5 crore for the project. NASI would run it for first three years, train local personnel and then hand it over to the state government,” tourism minister R V Deshpande after signing an MOU with NASI on Wednesday said. By capturing the etymological, ecological, cultural, heritage, and social characteristics of the river, the gallery which would be set up in about 2500 sq ft area will also serve as a learning centre on the major south Indian river. The modalities are being worked out by the NASI, he added
Though the proposal was mooted by the Karnataka Knowledge Commission headed by K Kasturirangan, the government failed to find an appropriate place.
Initially, the commission had suggested establishing the gallery on the banks of the river Cauvery at Mysuru on the lines of Ganga Gallery at Allahabad and Brahmaputra Gallery at Guwahati. Later it was planned to establish the gallery in the premises of University of Mysore and also at a century old mansion on Kantharaj Urs Road in Mysuru.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> Good Governanace> Karnataka / Manu Aiyappa / TNN / January 07th, 2016
It is a nerve-jangling bus ride to this Coorg town, named for its ‘Monday market’, but there’s a headily fragrant perfect cup at the end of it
If I have a hunch I take it seriously. Although my Kannada skills are somewhat limited, I figure that Somwarpet, the name of a tiny town in Karnataka’s Coorg hills, means ‘Monday market’. So being a bit of a shopaholic, I naturally decide to go there on a Monday.
As the bus rattles along winding jungle roads and occasionally through vast coffee plantations, past villages, and on narrow bridges across rivers flowing rather lazily, I worry a little. The only guidebook I found that mentioned Somwarpet was the 1870s’ Gazetteer of Coorg, according to which, “Though fully alive to their material interests, the town-people have little desire for or perhaps little faith in education after European fashion. They seem to be quite content with the knowledge of their bazaar-routine. Every Monday there is a market, hence the name of the place.” But that was when the population was 953, which has now grown to 7,218, and I have no way of knowing whether the Monday market tradition has been discontinued and replaced by modern supermarkets. The one thing I do know is that it’s a major Arabica growing region of India (at least according to Wikipedia), which for any coffee lover is a good enough reason to head that way.
The bus gets impossibly crowded, with more people piling in the closer we get to Somwarpet. An exasperated dad offloads a clutch of toddlers into my lap and for about an hour I have the poopers crawling all over me. Luckily, before there is a stampede, the bus reaches its destination.
The small town sits on a ridge surrounded by scenic, green hills. Its handful of criss-crossing streets is lined with tiny shops and old bungalows. The large, partially covered market dominates the centre. Here one gets pretty much everything from fresh produce and spices, bakery products and fried snacks, to homemade pickles, poultry and vegetables, plus things like detergents, clocks, rechargeable torches, and even clothes sold in big piles. One section is devoted to dried fish and there’s a pungent smell in the air — like walking around in a huge kitchen.
For such a small town, the market is humongous and I stroll in its crowded lanes, rapt. I seem to be the only tourist in town. Small girls turn their heads, point and giggle.
Watching the food on display makes me ravenous. I go up the main street and spot a few veg and non-veg eateries, a biriyani joint, and ancient seedy bars housed in ramshackle bungalows. But I need something more substantial than bar snacks, and I don’t quite want to wolf down my grub at a shared canteen table either, while the next customer waits for me to vacate my seat; so I turn and head downhill instead, towards the Madikeri Road. After a three-minute walk, I discover Hotel Saphali Family Restaurant adjacent to a coconut plantation. It appears to be the only proper restaurant hereabouts — meaning it has menu cards and clean restrooms.
It does not disappoint. The Coorg-style pork fry (₹100) is cooked in a very homely manner and a chicken masala with a stack of Kerala parathas comes at ₹140, plus one can have a big bottle of chilled beer for ₹100. Don’t let the local drunks put you off, for it simply seems the done thing in Somwarpet to begin tippling by noon — at least on market days. And what better way to start the week than by sharing a bottle with mates? I hear the increasingly boisterous banter from the booths surrounding the dining hall (which I have to myself). The only word I catch yelled frequently is ‘politician’. Mondays in Somwarpet can be quite a ball.
After this sublime, leisurely lunch, it is shopping time. A couple of coffee mills uphill from the bus station beckon. One is surrounded by a heady fragrance of roasting coffee. At the tiny Someshwara Coffee Works, the proprietor Mr Kumar is busy running both the roasting oven and the grinder at the same time, his shirt-front brown from coffee powder. I learn that his family has had the mill for 50 years and they have a plantation where they grow only Arabica.
Full of beans: A farmer at a coffee plantation in Coorg
While other mills offer you blends of Robusta and Arabica (and chicory), Kumar deals exclusively in Coorg Arabica. I request 2kg pure. As he grinds half of it ‘nice’, meaning fine ground, I pull out a thousand-rupee note thinking that this is going to cost a bomb, when Kumar suddenly turns and says, “520.” Then he changes his mind —“Give 500.”
I find it hard to believe that quality coffee can come as cheap as ₹250 a kg. But the scent, powerful and rich, is promising and indeed, the coffee, once I brew myself a mug at home, turns out to be the best I’ve tasted. Sipping, I’m totally blissed out. Over the next couple of weeks, it rattles my brain awake in the mornings; the sheer fragrance jumpstarts me. I realise I will have to keep returning to Somwarpet whenever my stock runs out. No matter that I have to spend hours in a jungle bus with random toddlers on my lap. It’s worth it.
Zac O’Yeah is a Bengaluru-based travel writer, literary critic and author of ‘Hari A Hero for Hire’, a comic thriller; zacnet@email. co
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line – BLINK / Home> BLINK> Takeaway> Tummy Travels / by Zac O Yeah / December 18th, 2015
Actress Prema with nearly 45 films to her credit better known as the lucky actress in Kannada film industry has been engaged to her boy friend Jeevan Appachu who is also a Coorgi.
The alliance has been arranged by her parents, according to her family sources. The engagement at Kodava Samaj in Bangalore was attended by 200 guests.
Actress Prema would continue her acting career after marriage, says her mother Cauvery. The marriage date has been fixed for second week of July 2006. Prema has acted with all superstars including a Malayalam film with Mohanlal and Tamil actor Satyaraj.
Jeevan Appachu is a software professional.
Prema’s Kannada hits include Upendra, Nammura Mandara Hoove, Yajamana, Om, Kaurava, Gajina Mane, Chandrodaya, Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu and Parva.
source: http://www.sify.com / Sify.com / Home> Sify Movies> Kannada / by Moviebuzz / Friday – March 24th, 2016
Nidhi Subaiah is somebody who found her acting dream in Sandalwood. But she was wise enough to know that dreams do not last forever; they are always followed by another. And she followed her dream to reach Bollywood having made a debut in Oh My God as a TV reporter. But she seems to be dreaming on, not clinging on to just one. She is back in Sandalwood for Nanna Ninna Prem Kahani directed by Shivu Jamkandi, in which she is paired opposite Vijay Raghavendra.
And she will not just be acting, but will also be singing in the film “I have always been a singer, but never got an opportunity. So, when the director told me about it, I was more than eager,” said the actress who was in Bengaluru to complete her first schedule.
According to her, it was a last minute decision, recording for which took place on Monday. “It is a melodious romantic song. I had once sang for musician Mano Moorthy when we were associated for Pancharangi, but then it was just for fun and to know how a recording studio works. But this one was done on a serious note,” she pointed out.
Speaking about her Bollywood experience, Nidhi asserted that she was glad to have been able to make a name in the industry without any godfather. “I have three releases in 2016. The year will start with the release of Direct Ishq in February, followed by Love Shagun on February 29. I have also signed another film titled Saarathi. I can’t say much about the film, which is an offbeat project. It is in the dubbing stages and they plan to come out in April or May,” she said and it was hinted that she had to put on weight for the particular project.
After being part of film like Pancharangi, Krishnan Marriage Story and Anna Bond, Nidhi took time to get back to Sandalwood and she reasoned it out by stating that she was being choosy. “I did get offers in Kannada but I became selective. I didn’t want to take up everything that came my way. I was not out of touch because I used to listen to scripts sitting in Mumbai in between my busy shooting schedule for my Bollywood films. Luckily, every thing fell in place with Nanna Ninna Prem Kahani,” she explained.
The actress has gone back to Mumbai and will be in Belgaum from January 3 for the next schedule of the Kannada film.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Kannada / by A Sharadhaa / December 30th, 2015
Thanks to her year-long battle, a 150-year-old law that denied them inheritance rights got repealed.
On December 2, the state government issued a notification repealing a 150-year-old law – part of the Indian Succession Act – which denied Christian women in these two districts neighbouring Bengaluru right to inheritance. In fact, the Act underwent an amendment in 1925, but this regressive section remained.
The topic came up in the Pinto household when her father MF Pinto, a coffee planter in Siddapura near Madikeri, had last year expressed his intent to divide his plantation equally among his four sons and Arlene. The sons apparently pointed to the 1865 Act which denies daughters a share in property.
Arlene Pinto, a resident of Vittal Mallya Road, was shocked that a section denying inheritance rights to Christian women existed even now. Her father, as progressive as they come, did not want Arlene to suffer any injustice because of an archaic law and encouraged her to get the law changed, though he had predicted that it could take nothing less than 20 years to see it through. And when senior Pinto and his wife are holidaying abroad, his soothsaying fortunately turned wrong.
To everyone’s surprise, the logical end came within a year. “My father pushed me to write to the government about this archaic law. Since my family knew (Rajya Sabha MP) Rajeev Chandrashekar, I wrote to him on how this law is unfair to daughters of the community from Kodagu and Mysore regions while all communities have equal property rights,” recalls Arlene.
Following her petition, Rajeev Chandrashekar wrote to DV Sadananda Gowda, soon after the latter had taken charge of law ministry at the Centre in a November 2014 cabinet reshuffle; within two months, Gowda replied, “The matter has been examined and noted that Section 332 of the Indian Succession Act 1865 empowers the Governor General to exempt any race, sect or tribe from the operation of the Act.
The notification exemption the native Christians of Mysore and Kodagu is still in force as it is not expressly repealed. The state government may, by a notification, revoke any such order but it shall not have retrospective effect.”
Forwarding union law minister’s response, Chandrashekar subsequently wrote to the state government. The Karnataka State Law Commission acted on the representation and recommended that the “notifications by virtue of which all native Christians, in the territory of Mysore and in the Province of Coorg, were exempted from the peration of The Indian Succession Act, 1865, be revoked by Government of Karnataka by exercising the power conferred under the Indian Succession Act, 1925.”
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Cover Story / by Kushala S, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / December 25th, 2015
While I was making up my mind about visiting Coorg I remember asking a friend what was so special about this hill station in Karanataka. A colleague who hails from Bangalore began enumerating the reasons why I should get myself down to “an astonishing land in the heart of South India” with its “wonderful forests, huge coffee estates, scenic hills, numerous falls, famous temples and trekking places”. The place, he said, was known by various names, like the Scotland of India or the Kashmir of South India, a land of brave soldiers and “a bowl of coffee”. He was quick to add that this was a land inhabited by the most beautiful people and, last but not least, every house in this region had guns — the people worshipped arms.
Those were reasons enough for me to pack my bags and check out what this “bowl of coffee” looked like in reality. Then began the journey — by flight from Delhi to Mangalore and then on to Coorg by road. The first question to the driver sent to meet us at Mangalore airport was how much time would it take to reach Coorg. “Just 131 km, but it takes at least five hours as the roads are ascending, with many curves and turns,” he said. “You will come across picturesque locales, alluring mountains, areca nut trees, coffee plantations and much more.”
Along that never-ending road to Coorg there were coconut and areca nut trees along one side for as far as the eye could see. A few kilometres along the way we came across lush green coffee estates and shimmering streams but the numerous twists and turns served to proved quite exhaustive and it was around 3 pm that we reached the periphery of Coorg.
Coorg or Kodagu isn’t just any town, but the smallest district of Karnataka that shares its border with Kerala. Situated at 1,140 metres above sea level, Virajpet, Medikeri and Pollibetta are the main cities. Because of region’s cold weather, this place was favoured by the British prior to Independence. They compared Coorg with Scotland, as both places enjoy the same hilly terrain and even today one can find imprints of the British Empire in the red-tiled bungalows, for instance, that dot the landscape.
At around 4 pm we reached at our beautiful resort, The Tamara Coorg (Madekeri Taluk), which was to be our home for two days. As I sipped a refreshing welcome drink of lime and mint, sitting in the hut-like reception area, I felt extremely relaxed, an indication of the days to follow.
Tucked away in 170 acres of lush greenery, the resort grows its own coffee, cardamom and pepper, along with several rare plants, and also produces honey. It houses 56 luxury cottages surrounded by hills and sparkling streams. Our cottage was equipped with all the modern amenities — plush four-seater futons, a LED television set, a king-size bed, comfortable lounge chairs, board games for recreation and pull-out mountain view balconies. By the time we settled in, it was almost dark and the manager suggested that we try some fresh coffee and snacks from the coffee shop — The Verandah. He then offered me the chance to drink “my own prepared coffee”. Of course, I agreed. It was next arranged that we visit a coffee estate and see how it was really prepared.
The next morning was the quite mesmerising. For an urban dweller like me, watching rare birds perched atop tall trees in front of my cottage window was a rare treat. They infused a multitude of colours into the surroundings, making for a perfect picture-postcard scene. Our guide for the coffee plantation was a 25-year-old and we wondered how adept he would prove given his age, but he turned out to be an expert — not just on coffee plants but also on cardamom, pepper and other produce. He helped us differentiate between coffee varieties like Arabica and Robusta. Arabica plants are small in height but their beans are larger in size, while Robusta plants are tall but with small beans. He explained how the coffee bean was actually the seed inside a berry that would be dried, roasted and ground before being used as coffee. Our next class was held at the café where he handed us raw coffee beans for us to prepare a brew. It was the best coffee I ever tasted.
No trip is ever complete without tasting the local delicacies and, trust me, Coorg is not only popular for its picturesque beauty but also for its delectable cuisine. They love to celebrate every occasion by drinking alcohol and eating pork. The resort’s executive chef, Ranjan Samal, cooked some of the famous dishes like Pandi curry (pork) and Akki Rotti (a chatpatti-like pancake made from cooked rice and rice flour), as well as Nooputtu (rice) in a multi-cuisine restaurant called The Falls.
Coorg has a basket of sites to visit and after our first-hand experience with coffee, it was time to explore the places nearby. Abbey Falls and Iruppu Falls are the two biggest waterfalls in Coorg but we preferred the latter, near our resort, and its picturesque setting. If one is interested in wildlife, including tiger, jungle bison, sloth bear and the Asiatic elephant, then the Rajiv Gandhi National Park is a good option. The Namdroling Nyingmapa Monastery (Golden Temple) is also very popular among tourists.
Two days of pure bliss later, our final thoughts as we packed our bags was that Coorg was a haven where one could escape from the humdrum of daily life.
Coorg is well connected by road with major cities like Bangalore, Mangalore and Mysore and apart from the Tamara Resort, one can find many budget hotels and homestays.
source: http://www.thestatesman.com/ The Statesman / Home> Evolve / Rakesh Kumar / December 13th, 2015
Dr S V Narasimhan, a medical practitioner in Virajpet in Kodagu district, is perhaps better known as a bird enthusiast. An avid bird watcher, he has been carrying out an awareness campaign with focus on conservation for the past three decades.
As part of the initiative, every year he sends hand-painted cards to over 1,000 people across the world. The card consists of meticulous painting of a bird or an animal with information about it, and conservation messages.
Here are some sample messages — “ We co-exist, can’t you?” by a tiger and a spotted deer; “It was we who filled the world with melodious music,” by common iora bird.
Narasimhan feels that all creatures are equally important for the survival of life on earth. He chose this signature campaign to motivate people to think about environment and our roles in conserving it. These wildlife message cards are individually handpainted and sent to people across the world, free of cost, during the wildlife week every year. In the last 32 years, he has painted 62,420 cards.
This year alone, he painted 1,930 cards. In the process, he has painted more than 480 species of animals, birds and butterflies. One of his messages said, “Let us join hands to make our earth a greener place to live. This is the only place where all the elements of life can live in health, happiness and harmony.” He has also authored a bilingual book (Kannada and English) on birds called Feathered Jewels of Coorg.
To know more about the campaign, visit www.drsvnarasimhan.blogspot.in.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / AP – December 08th, 2015
Most of us think of ways to reconnect with the world — go on adventure trips, explore the offbeat locations of the City and more — but ever considered going barefoot for all your expeditions? As part of the ‘Coorg Reconnect Festival’, the Coorg Wellness Foundation, the Coorg Wildlife Society and the United Sisters Foundation are jointly organising the first barefoot marathon.
Milind Soman and Nikki Ponappa are the face of the event and are hoping to meet barefoot runners from across the country to share their stories.
“This is going to be the first barefoot marathon in the world, so you can image how excited we are about it. Barefoot running in general is becoming popular around the world and to be able to do it in a beautiful place like Coorg is a plus point,” says Milind.
Much has been spoken and lots has been heard and read. But this time, one can take the time to reconnect with the earth and be their innermost being. With the initiative called ‘Reconnect’, the organisers are inviting people from around the country to participate in the marathon.
“We have been getting a lot of entries from around the country. People from North East, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu and even Delhi have registered. We didn’t think it would generate such a huge response, but we’re thrilled to start the first of many in a grand way,” shares Nikki.
But it’s not just the barefoot running marathon that’s the primary focus. The focus is also on supporting rehabilitation of elephants in Coorg and on afforestation. Milind says, “The whole idea of running barefoot was to feel connected with the world. When we go to holy places, we take off our shoes and that makes sense because we’re trying to be one with the world. There are also many rural communities who walk around without shoes and live in harmony with the environment. So this marathon is symbolic to the that kind of emotion.”
And what’s the one piece of advice the ironman wants to share with the runners? “Have fun. Don’t do anything that you don’t want to do. The most important thing about running a marathon is to train yourself. If you’re running too fast and you can’t talk, you’re doing it wrong. So just have fun and everything else will fall in place,” he says.
But when asked what he thinks will be some of the challenges he might face during this marathon, he laughs and says, “I won’t be running this marathon. But the challenges I have right now is being the organiser. It’s a lot of work getting everything in place and also to make sure that the runners are comfortable during the run.”
However, he runs on a regular basis and does not let anything stop him. “I make sure that I run whenever I can. I don’t set any goals for myself; I run till I have a meeting to attend. Running for me is a way to de-stress and get energised for the day, not exhausted. So I’m always up for a run!”
The marathon will take place on December 5 in Coorg and December 6 in Bengaluru. For more details, log on to www.thebarefootmarathon.com
Mixing Kodagu’s rugged landscape with a triple-edged obstacle race, a unique first-of-its-kind endurance challenge has been thrown at adventure buffs.
Next weekend, on December 12 and 13, the race dubbed ‘Tropical Rush’ will unfold, beckoning contestants to run, trek, raft and cycle through some of Karnataka’s breathtaking yet daunting wilderness hotspots. The emphasis, clearly, is on finishing and not the best time. That settles it.
Participants needn’t be super-competitive gym junkies.
Designed for teamwork, most races could get friends gang up to surmount challenges. Conceptualised by Coorgexpress, the contest is multi-pronged.
The Obstacle Race is an intense 5-10 kilometre course in length, featuring 15 signature Indian Army inspired obstacles. In the Corporate Mud Battle (men and women), contestants could team up in fives. The Tropical Rush 5k Challenge, open for both genders, tests the skills of participants with a 15 obstacle course built on the paddy fields and remote woodlands of South Kodagu.
This event is open to athletes of all levels, without any formal entry requirements. The open wave will start every 15 minutes and the team with the best timing wins.
Hiking challenge
The Tropical Hike Challenge will beckon trekkers to the Brahmagiri hill range in the Western Ghats, a protected sanctuary.
The trek will traverse through tropical rainforest (Shola) forest, grasslands, small streams and rivers and the famous Irupu falls.
“We have created this Challenge to encourage individuals to step outside their comfort zone,” explained Ricky Monnappa, the brains behind Tropical Rush.
Forest guards will accompany participants at all times.
Designed for bikers, the Tropical 20-kilometre Off Road Cycling event will test their skills along the unexplored trails of South Kodagu.
The Votecad Nature Camp will be the kickoff point, before the ride traverses through coffee plantations, villages and streams to finally enter the green pastures of Brahmagiri foothills.
The ride back will be along the Barapole river.
Details
For more on the competition, rules, venue and timings, check the portal www.tropicalrush.in or email: info@tropicalrush.in or call Ph: 9632338111.
In Bengaluru, the contact site is 136, 2nd Cross, 8th B Main, Jakkasandra Block, Koramangala 3rd Block.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by Rasheed Kappan, Bengaluru / DHNS – December 04th, 2015
Connect with the earth Milind Soman Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.
Milind Soman says there is no special regime to follow to run that extra mile
Model, actor and now an active runner, Milind Soman has come a long way. He has been in the news for his vigorous promotion of marathons. Off on a barefoot marathon in Coorg, he talks about the importance and benefits of running. Excerpts.
Can you describe your journey from being a model to a marathon runner?
It has been fun. The two worlds are as different as you want it to be. I like to be myself and have been running for years. It comes naturally to me. I can now run and run.
Which is a better way to connect to people — as a celebrity or a runner?
Both have different rapports. As a marathon runner it is more personal. The connection, sometimes, is superficial when it happens through the media.
When were you bitten by the fitness bug?
It all started when I was 10. I was keen on fitness as a model and actor.
Why did you choose marathons?
I was always into running. My work has been noticed because of social media. Running is easy and everyone can do it. I want people to explore themselves and their challenges.
Who can run a marathon?
Running is easy. It is a misconception that it is tough. We have been doing the Pinkathon. Today 62,000 women are running with us, which shows that given an opportunity, women will take part in it. The good thing is that they have realised they too need to exercise. In India, health is the last priority.
How does one train for a run?
You start with three km walk and then go on to running half a marathon. You should decide on your level depending on capability and fitness.
How does a success of a marathon make you feel?
It feels good that I am able to create an opportunity. It also depends on the people. We have people undergoing chemotherapy who run.
What is the secret to good health?
It starts in your mind. Remove negative thoughts. You do not have to start with push ups and biceps. You should eat the right kind of food. Once your mind and body is healthy, it creates a freedom that helps you enjoy life. Being fit does not mean restrictions. Your body and mind can deal with much more.
Are there diet restrictions?
You can eat anything and everything. You don’t have to starve to look good. I am against refined white sugar. I can eat anything from an oily biriyani to sabudana khichdi. What makes you fat is sugar and sedentary lifestyle.
What are the benefits of barefoot running?
It is the best and keeps your body alive. Your efficiency improves, your technique improves. For me barefoot running, has minimised my injuries. It creates a nice balance, when you are connection with the earth. It makes me enjoy running.
Milind will be running with prominent runners from Coorg and Bengaluru for the Barefoot Marathon. The run is dedicated to the conservation and well-being of the environment and is organised in partnership with Coorg Wildlife Society. The venue will be the Main Gate, Tata Coffee Estate, Pollibetta, Coorg,on December 5. For details, log on to coorgwellnessfoundation .com.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Shilpa Sebastian R / Bengaluru – December 02nd, 2015
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