Progressive farmer and Rajyotsava awardee Somengada Ganesh Thimmaiah shares his thoughts
Madikeri:
Kodagu’s progressive farmer Somengada Ganesh Thimmaiah of Nallur village near Ponnampet in the southern part of the district has won the Rajyotsava Award for agriculture.
Though coffee and pepper are the prominent commercial crops in Kodagu, Ganesh Thimmaiah has been growing both agricultural and horticultural crops in integrated farming methods and has scripted success.
He is actively involved in innovative agricultural practices since the last 30 years and had earlier served the Indian Army. After retirement from services, he took up agriculture in his 15-acre land and has grown more than 60 varieties of paddy.
To gain additional income, he has a poultry farm and is also involved in apiculture and pisciculture. Apart from the regular crops of coffee, pepper, ginger, mango, orange and jackfruit, Thimmaiah has cultivated rambutan fruit.
In the integrated method in agriculture, he grows areca, coffee and paddy as main crops and a variety of vegetables and fruits and sub-crops. Thimmaiah has also been growing the ‘Beth’ plants required for honey bees and has implemented a mechanised system in agriculture.
At a time when more and more youths are showing interest in jobs and businesses, Ganesh Thimmaiah has earned name and fame as model farmer and has bagged many awards in the past. He won the National-level Babu Jagjivan Ram Krishi Samman Award. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, conferred the prestigious award on Thimmaiah on the occasion of its 92nd Foundation Day in 2020.
In April this year, he gave comprehensive training in agriculture to the batch of IAS officers at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie.
“I am honoured to be conferred with the prestigious Rajyotsava Award and this gives me an opportunity to innovate further. I have been involved in agriculture for three decades and there is a need of attracting more and more youths to agriculture as it is profitable if innovative,” he said.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 31st, 2022
In 2018 Kodagu was struck by a rain disaster never heard of or seen before causing landslides, devastating floods and destroying houses and properties of the people, specially in North Kodagu area of Madikeri and Somwarpet Taluks.
Thousands of people were homeless and had to take shelter in schools and public buildings turned into Gruel Centres (Ganji Kendras), where free food was provided. It was a heart-rending sight of hapless, suffering people.
The Government and many NGOs and social organisations rushed to help the victims of the disaster. Among them was also the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB), Madikeri Kendra. September 2018 was the month, BVB launched its Bhavan’s Project Coorg to contribute its mite to help the victims of the great natural disaster. This month BVB is completing four years of its service to a section of the victims which is being continued successfully even now and will continue.
For the Bhavan’s Project Coorg initiative, BVB chose one village known as Kalur village which was badly hit with landslides resulting in loss of houses and cultivated lands — coffee estates and paddy fields. It was the worst disaster in the history of Kodagu.
Naturally, several families were in deep shock and limbo as their source of livelihood was completely destroyed. The future looked bleak. How long could they continue in the rehabilitation (relief) camp?
At such a dismal situation, BVB extended its helping hand to the women of Kalur village by taking them under the protective wings of Bhavan’s Project Coorg. It was an initiative to provide both psychological and financial stability to them.
To begin with, BVB started skill development programmes by imparting training in food processing and tailoring to the agricultural women of Kalur village under a programme known as Yashasvi. BVB took 65 women of the village to train them in food processing and tailoring.
After training, they were provided work on a regular basis and they began to produce a line of packaged high quality masalas, apparently with a Coorg flavour, under the brand name, “Coorg Flavours.”
Simultaneously, Tailoring Unit was set up with sewing machines and required facilities, which now undertakes to produce school and NCC uniforms, uniforms required for Government Departments and private organisations. Every woman working here earns sufficient income because of BVB’s initiative.
Today, Food Processing Unit makes different products like home-made chocolates, masalas etc. BVB’s Project Coorg has two stores, which helps sustaining this project, at Madikeri, capital of Kodagu district. Thus BVB made self-reliance possible for hapless women.
Support from people is needed to make this initiative grow and sustain.
For more information, contact BVB Madikeri Hon. Secretary Balaji Kashyap on Mob: 98458-31683.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / By K.B. Ganapathy,Chairman, BVB Mysuru / September 15th, 2022
CabinA homes are built keeping in mind the local landscape, flora and fauna, but without compromising on modern-life luxuries.
Sunny Watwani and Adithya Roongta could be termed as dendrophiles—people who love trees and nature. The two founders of CabinA have been backpacking to the hills for years. Since they live close to the coastal city of Chennai, they love spending time in the Nilgiris.
An experience that usually promises serenity, however, didn’t feel quite peaceful in the last few years. The mountains are inundated with crowds, commercial spaces and reckless new buildings today. “People in India love travelling to the mountains and have, over time, even created second homes there. But the way they’ve built their homes is alarming—there’s little or no regard for the surrounding nature. People have blocked natural streams, cut down trees and damaged the local biodiversity. Looking at this we realized that a sustainable, responsible and sensitive concept for homes was the need of the hour, and that’s how we came up with CabinA in 2019,” says Watwani.
One of a Kind
To give their dream a form, the founders reached out to several architecture firms that they’d worked with before, and had strong connections with. The idea that Watwani and Roongta fostered was to have small homes that were fitted with modern-day luxuries. The homes would have minimal carbon footprint, a pre-fab structure that could be transported from the factory to the site, and would not need clearing of land; it would also be able to very seamlessly merge into the surrounding landscape. With several discussions and iterations, they fine-tuned the design.
While the work for these cabins is on-going in several locations such as Coorg and Conoor, with all cabins customized according to the landscape, the first of its kind is now ready in a coffee plantation in the picturesque mountain range of Suntikoopa, Bettagere Estate, Coorg for an upcoming resort called Betta Living.
This CabinA24 was built for client Vishal Sivappa, for an upcoming experiential boutique stay called, Betta Living—a concept and design of an upcoming resort that makes use of a series of these cabins to create a wonderful new living experience. While the conceptual render for the cabin is by SPASM Design Architects, the design development and execution was done by the firm Dev Desai Architects and Associates (DDAA), who also made several reiterations to reach the final design.
“We have another company called CabinA Living that speaks to landowners, planters and people in the hill station who want to create homes, resorts or gated communities responsibly—and we help them execute the project,” says Watwani.
True to the Land
On its conceptual render, Sangeeta Merchant, co-founder of SPASM Design Architects says, “Creating a concept for this was challenging for us as we’re used to working on large-scale, high-end residences and such. A small cabin that is fitted with all luxuries was something new yet exciting for us. As for the sustainability factor, we envisioned the entire cabin to be made with recycled, eco-friendly materials. The biggest convenience would be that it can be very quickly put together.”
The CabinA24 is the smallest cabin in the Cabin A series with a carpet area of 250 square-feet. “Every corner strives to visually, if not spatially, connect with the natural context, be it the bathroom, which is furnished with all the modern amenities or the kitchen that captures stunning views of the valley,” says Dev Desai of DDAA.
“The featured project is one of the smallest cabins in the series with a carpet area of 225 square feet. The form stems from the desire to celebrate a strong architectural identity while ensuring efficiency and functionality of each space. Nestled amongst the site’s towering trees and a lush coffee estate, the sleek, prefabricated cabin manages to both, contrast and complement its natural context. The spatial configuration consists of a spacious living space and a cozy bathroom. Every corner in the cabin strives to visually if not spatially connect with the natural context, be it the bathroom which comes furnished with all the modern amenities or the kitchen that captures stunning views of the valley,” avers Desai.
While the bespoke furniture blends in with the interiors, the tinted pendant lights accentuate the interiors with a warm yellow glow. The exteriors are clad in ACP walls and the outdoors are in ACP black roofing. The flooring is in a granite base with click and lock SPC tiles. The entire cabin can accommodate two-to-four people. What’s interesting is that it rises 2-5 feet above the ground, so that the fauna underneath is left untouched. “We visualize that all other cabins too will be equipped with temperature control. Even the tiniest details like a kettle, to wardrobes hangers, will be provided. The loose furniture—from the beds, breakfast table to lighting—will be equipped in all cabins, so the client literally has to (only) move in with his clothes,” Watwani says.
A Responsible Future
For building these cabins, Watwani and Roongta are cognizant of the fact that not a single tree should be cut. And so, the two, along with the architects, evaluate the position of where the cabin should be placed. “In case we do cut trees, we undertake replantation. Apart from that, we’ve tied up with the global organization called OneTreePlanted.Org. So, for every cabin we sell, we donate for 10 trees to be planted. For our future cabins that are underway, we’ve given completely off-grid solutions so the cabins are self-sufficient and powered by solar energy,” says Watwani.
source: http://www.architecturaldigest.in / Architectural Digest / Home> Decorating / by Aditia Mahesh / Photography by Kunal Daswani Photography / November 08th, 2021
Indian designer Prasad Bidapa wants India’s hand-made khadi and handlooms recognised globally, saying that there are immense opportunities for foreign stylists to work with thousands of weavers across the country.
“We want to expose Indian textiles to the world and show every designer that they can come to India, work directly with the artisans and create something very original,” Bidapa told PTI after the show “Handlooms@75: Celebrating the Fabric of Freedom” here.
The designer urged truly conscious designers to work with Indian weavers at the grassroots level and help them create something new and fresh. “Something that the world has not seen before.”
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a wonderful support. He wears so much khadi and handlooms that he has had the spotlight trained on the clothing,” said the designer after hosting the fashion show in Singapore on Saturday.
“We have thousands of artisans working on Khadi and handlooms skilled in block print, leheriya dyeing,” said Bidapa, adding that there were immense opportunities for foreign designers to work with thousands of weavers in India.
“We are trying to sensitise young people all over the world, trying to get them to understand the beauty of the handmade textile,” the designer stressed.
The designer also called on the Prime Minister’s Office to include skills of the hands, weaving, printing and dyeing in the national skilling programme.
Bidapa highlighted how Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake created the label “HAAT” — all of which uses Indian Khadi.
The Saturday exhibition was held at the invitation of the Indian High Commissioner in Singapore, P Kumaran, and sponsored by the Global Indian International School, as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Karnataka among others.
The Bangalore-based Bidapa has hosted the exhibition in the Middle East and will be travelling with his fashion wears as well as 20 models to Japan and South Korea next. (PTI)
source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com / DailyExcelsior.com / Home> International News / by PTI / October 18th, 2022
Thousands of devotees from Kodagu, across the State and Tamil Nadu congregated at Talacauvery in Kodagu last night to witness Cauvery Theerthodbhava amid chanting of mantras and other religious rituals.
The holy event took place exactly at the predetermined Muhurtha of 7.22 pm in Mesha Lagna at the foothills of Brahmagiri inside the Holy Brahmakundike, considered to be the source of River Cauvery.
It is believed that Goddess Cauvery comes in the form of a fountain-head where water gushes from the Brahmakundike. A team of priests, led by Prashanth Achar, Raviraj Achar and Gururaja Achar chanted Vedic hymns before sprinkling holy water on the devotees. Later, devotees collected the Theertha (holy water) to be distributed among community members and to be kept at homes as holy signs.
The rituals associated with the holy occurrence began at 5 pm and as the predetermined time neared, devotees chanted mantras and welcomed the Goddess. The Theerthodbhava took place after the Sankalpa Puja and Mahamangalarathi. As the water bubbles appeared in the Brahmakundike that was filled with flowers, Kumkum and vermillion, the cries of devotees reached a crescendo.
Devotees took a holy dip in the main pond (Kalyani) in front of the Brahmakundike and offered their prayers. They jostled to collect holy water in pots from the Kundike and the priests sprinkled the holy water on them.
The area around the pond was barricaded to enable crowd management and only small groups of devotees were let inside by the Police to prevent crowding and stampede. Despite barricades, devotees swarmed around the Brahmakundike and the Kalyani.
Devotees also thronged Triveni Sangama at Bhagamandala and many took a dip in the river and many offered the ritualistic Pinda Pradhana as a mark of respect to their elders.
The Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga distributed free breakfast and lunch to the devotees as part of its 27th year food distribution. Free food will be supplied till the end of Tula month on Nov. 17. Kodagu District Minister B.C. Nagesh, MLAs Appachu Ranjan and K.G. Bopaiah and others were present.
Devotees in traditional attire walk from Bhagamandala to Talacauvery
Unlike the last two years, thousands of devotees turned up to watch the spectacle and notably, many Kodava community members walked from Bhagamandala to Talacauvery along with musical bands and sang songs in praise of Goddess Cauvery. The holy place was teeming with devotees since early in the morning and the place was overcrowded by evening.
Various Kodava organisations like Akhila Kodava Samaja Youth Wing, Connecting Kodavas, Kodava Riders Club, Jabbhoomi Trust, Thingakoru Mottu Sanghatane, Ammathi Kodava Samaja, Ponnampet Kodava Samaja, Madikeri Kodava Samaja, Balele Kodava Samaja, Kodava Kootaaliyada Koota, Kodava Samajas of Napoklu, Virajpet, Hudikeri, Mysuru, Amma Kodava Samaja, Youth Council, Kodavaamera Kondata, United Kodava Organisation and Codava National Council walked along the route, singing paeans to the Goddess.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / October 18th, 2022
Our Crush Rashmika Mandanna loves to eat biryani with rasam. Check this out.
Rashmika Mandanna, who most recently appeared with Allu Arjun in Pushpa: The Rise, frequently uses her social media accounts to share glimpses into her daily life with her fans and followers. The star recently uploaded a brief on YouTube to give viewers a glimpse into the food and drinks she has during the day. She also said that she was “happiest” around food.
Rashmika Mandanna to learn more about her formative years, favorite foods, and other topics. Rashmika recalls her enjoyment of homemade food and unusual food pairings by saying, “I used to adore eating Biryani and I blended Rasam with it.” You don’t know, she says again, “It’s great!” She continues by mentioning various culinary pairings, saying, “Lays with Maggi, Lays with curd rice, strange pairings I used to do. My father used to adore and say, “Umm… my daughter is now skilled in food mixing.”
Rashmika Mandanna ate from the traditional bhindi fries, dal, and rice to Chinese noodles, Italian pasta, and even Japanese sushi as she savored the delectable range of food. During the Sunday Brunch with Kamiya Jani, she popped sushi and bhindi fries, and we could perfectly understand her exploring unusual culinary pairings. She also discussed Coorg and the food she ate as a child. She explains that Coorg’s cuisine also includes wine and pork. Additionally, when questioned about her Sunday breakfast at home, she admitted that she missed savoring Coorgi cuisine.
There is more to say about Rashmika Mandanna’s favorite foods, her love of living out of a suitcase at the moment, and other things.
source: http://www.iwmbuzz.com / IWM Buzz.com / Home> Movies> Celebrities / by Team IMWBuzz / October 10th, 2022
Formal inauguration done; tourists to be allowed only in January 2023
The third Elephant Camp in Kodagu at Harangi, which is the ninth elephant camp in Karnataka was inaugurated last Saturday. Along with the Harangi Elephant Camp, a Tree Park was also inaugurated.
The State Government had released Rs. 80 lakh for the project that will ease the burden of the existing elephant camps. Already, Kodagu has two elephant camps, one at Dubare and another at Mathigodu near Anechowkur Gate that borders Mysuru. There are eight elephant camps in Karnataka including the two in Kodagu and the Harangi Camp will be the ninth in the State.
Madikeri MLA M.P. Appachu Ranjan inaugurated the two new tourist attractions. From the Dubare Elephant Camp, six elephants have been shifted to Harangi Elephant Camp. They are Rama (68), Ekadanta (52), Maruti (21), Subramani (35), Vikrama (58) and Vijaya (48).
The eight jumbo camps house more than 100 tamed elephants that are used to rescue wild animals and for logging purposes at Government timber depots. These elephants have been shifted to Harangi in the first phase and more elephants will be moved gradually and this move will ease the pressure on Dubare Camp that has over 31 elephants (the highest in Karnataka).
As per an order by the Karnataka High Court, elephant camps cannot be congested and not more than 15 elephants can be housed in one camp. At present, six elephants have found a new home and more will be moved as and when the funds are released.
Hundreds of tourists who had come to Kodagu on account of Dasara holidays came to the newly-inaugurated Camp and were mesmerised by the beauty of the place located in the backwaters of Harangi Reservoir.
The Tree Park and the Elephant Camp have been set up in a 40-acre land and of that, 10 acres have been reserved for the elephant camp. Staff quarters have been constructed for Mahouts, Kavadis and their families along with a kitchen and a store room. Facilities of boating in the backwaters have been made and basic facilities like drinking water and toilets have been provided for the tourists.
As a precaution, the electrical wiring has been done underground to prevent any accidents either to the elephants or the lush green forests. Final touches are being given to the underground electrification project and works are on to provide drainage facilities. Though the formal inauguration of the Harangi Elephant Camp has been done, tourists will be allowed only from January 2023, said Forest Department officials.
The land on which the Elephant Camp and the Tree Park have been established is located at Athur Reserve Forest. The place, located near the Harangi Dam backwaters, is ideal to set up the elephant camp. The Athur Range Forest extends up to 2,000 acres and it is an ideal elephant habitat with plenty of water and green swathes.
The funds for the camp have been released from Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Apart from setting up a new elephant camp, there are plans to initiate other related development programmes including developing the camp as a tourist centre and at the same time provide shelter to the elephants.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles /October 10th, 2022
Actor Varsha Bollamma is looking forward to the release of her Wednesday’s release “Swathi Muthyam”.
Actor Varsha Bollamma is back in the reckoning with her upcoming film Swathi Muthyam. Also starring Ganesh Bellamkonda, the film showcases Varsha as Bhagyalakshmi, a teacher, who is a stickler to perfection. Varsha says it is the most relatable character in her career.
“I come from Coorg, a village in Karnataka. Usually, people from villages look naive, but their actions seem dominating. What if such people come across a small news, they gossip over it and blow it out of proportion. Likewise, my character of Bhagyalakshmi will be in control of things and act in a similar fashion. Besides my character, all other characters have got depth and freshness throughout,” says Varsha.
The concept of Swathi Muthyam is set against the background of sperm donation and infertility. But Varsha asserts that the film has no similarities with Vicky Donor. “Although the story revolves around sperm donation, the treatment is completely different. While Vicky Donor is all about convincing a woman, our film deals with a big family and their taboo. The presence of actors Goparaju Ramana and Naresh makes the film stand out among the recent hits,” she adds.
Ever since her debut in Chusi Chudangane, Varsha seems to have little inclination towards middle-class stories. “I am an over ambitious actor, who wants to strike a chord as a performer.
I feel Middle Class Melodies has brought me immense recognition as an actor and it’s only because of that film I have landed this project. I don’t have inhibitions to portray different roles, but I think people like to see me in traditional or girl-next-door roles. Given an opportunity, I want to play a negative role on the lines of Ritesh Deshmukh in Ek Villain,” reveals the actor.
Up next, Varsha is paired opposite Sandeep Kishan in Ooru Peru Bhairavakona. “It’s a supernatural thriller, which shows me in a new avatar. I am also in talks for a couple of projects, which will be finalised soon,” signs off Varsha.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Nation> Entertainment> Telugu / by Murali Krishna CH / Express News Service / October 04th, 2022
Team Lanke is all excited about the release of their film which is slated for September 10. Directed by Ram Prasad M D, the film will see Loose Maada Yogi back in screen after a long time.
The movie also sees Coorg lass Krishi Thapanda pair with Yogi for the first time. Krishi who had earlier acted in films like Akira and Kannadakkagi Ondannu Otti, is much excited about this film and says she’s looking forward to the feedback from fans.
Lanke has already created a lot of hype on social media and its teaser and trailer have fetched an amazing response.
Based on a real-life incident, Lanke is an out-and-out commercial flick and Ram Prasad is confident that it will find favour amongst viewers. With Kavya Shetty, Suchendra Prasad, Sharath Lohithashwa and Danny Kuttappa also amongst the cast, the film seems promising say fans. Lanke which has music by young composer Karthik Sharma, has been produced by Surekha Ram Prasad and Patel Srinivas under The Great Entertainment banner.
source: http://www.freepressjournal.in / The Free Press Journal / Home> Entertainment> Regional-film-news / by FPJ Web Desk / September 06th, 2021
The family entertainer, written and directed by Lakshman K Krishna, releases on October 5.
Varsha Bollamma
Swathimuthyam, the family entertainer that hits screens on October 5, is the second theatrical release for Varsha Bollamma after Stand Up Rahul. She is yet again placed in her comfort-zone in the film, a girl-next-door character Bhagyalakshmi, a government teacher, who falls in love with an innocent guy. She opened up about her experiences in a chat with the media earlier today.
Varsha admits that Bhagyalakshmi is a slightly dominating character in comparison to Ganesh’s part in the film. She says there’s an innocence to the latter while Bhagyalakshmi has the upper hand in the relationship. While the film interested her initially for the banner Sithara Entertainments, she fell in love with the story once director Lakshman K Krishna gave her a narration.
Being a teacher in the film didn’t require her to do any prep and the Coorg girl mentions that she enjoys being in the company of children who’re upto some frolic. “I totally enjoyed the experience. Though there may a strictness to Bhagyalakshmi, she’s a fun-loving girl at heart.”
The sperm-donation angle to the film may remind many of Vicky Donor but Varsha insists this is a different film and largely a family entertainer. “I am not allowed to talk much about it now but you’ll realise it when you watch it in theatres.” She tells that Swathimuthyam is a film that’s quite close to reality and every character has significance in the story.
The film will stand out for its treatment and she gives this stamp of assurance being a small-town girl herself. “Swathimuthyam is mostly set in a village where they make a mountain hill out of a mole. The families will relate to the the conflicts in the story and fall in love with it. This is an out-and-out entertainer with terrific performances by Naresh, Rao Ramesh and Goparaju Ramana.”
While Varsha was expecting to guide her co-star and debutant Ganesh during the shoot, she was surprised by his preparedness. “He understands the ways of the industry and didn’t at all behave like a newcomer.” She informs that Lakshman K Krishna is a good writer and exudes the same warmth and innocence that the story requires. Her next release is Ooru Peru Bhairavakona alongside Sundeep Kishan.
source: http://www.ottplay.com / OTT Play / Home> News / by Srivathsa Nadadhur / October 03rd, 2022
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