Category Archives: Business & Economy

Coffee land expects new law to usher in holistic changes

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Records, All

Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill is expected to be tabled in the ongoing session of Parliament

Planters’ unions in Karnataka are hopeful that the new legislation on coffee, expected to be tabled in the ongoing session of the Parliament, will usher in much-needed changes in the 80-year-old Coffee Act guiding the industry now. Karnataka is the biggest producer of coffee in India.

The Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2022, is aimed at promoting holistic development of the country’s coffee industry. It is expected to do away with the existing 80-year-old set of regulations on the commodity, focus on coffee research, domestic marketing of the commodity, creation of drought-tolerant, disease-resistant and better yielding varieties of coffee, among other things.

Special varieties

Planters’ unions told The Hindu that the new law should help focus on development of special and specialty coffee brands and blends and pay attention to a premium variety of coffee, Arabica.

Bose Mandanna, former Vice-Chairman, Coffee Board, and also the owner of Subramanya Estate at Sunticoppa, said that the old set of regulations have been around for too long while the industry has transformed.

All leading coffee associations, including Karnataka Planters’ Association, Coorg Coffee Association, Karnataka Growers’ Federation, United Planters’ Association of Southern India (Upasi), the apex body for plantations and other industry stakeholders, have already submitted their recommendations to the Coffee Board and Ministry of Commerce.

Value chain

“A revised regulation with its holistic provisions aimed at promotion and development of the entire value chain of coffee and enabling ease of doing business is beneficial to all stakeholders and to the general public,’‘ said Shirish Vijayendra, former chairman, Karnataka Planters’ Association.

According to H.T. Pramod, former chairman KPA and Managing Director of Malnad Planters’ Coffee Curing Works, and also a planter from Chikkamagaluru, said, “We want to see more new varieties coming into plantations and expect better interaction and working together with planters and researchers.”

On the backburner

Another planter who does not want to be identified said, “Coffee Board, way back in the 1990s, under the leadership of the then chairman Lakshmi Venkatachalam, had prepared the draft of a replacement of the existing Coffee Act. It was a comprehensive draft done in three years. We submitted it to the Ministry of Commerce, but sadly, several governments sat over it in the last several decades.’‘

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Mini Tejaswi / Bengaluru – July 26th, 2022

Rafting Thrill Draws Tourists To Rapids At Dubare, Barapole

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature, Records, All, Sports, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Kushalnagar:

Adventure lovers who have been pining to get some adrenaline rush are heading towards Dubare and Barapole in Kodagu district for whitewater river rafting and rappelling in the rapids. Rafting in the Cauvery and at Barapole is an exhilarating experience. Rafting usually starts once the inflow into the Cauvery and Barapole increases and the level rises. A raft is a rubberised, inflatable boat with different carrying capacities.

A 7-kilometre journey at Dubare will take about one-and-a-half hours while it is shorter but adventurous at Barapole’s 4.5-km rafting. The tranquil water may be a deceitful thing along the course of the Cauvery and Barapole as one hits the rapids (a section of the river where the water moves very fast particularly over or bisecting the rocks).

If one is tired of their mundane schedule and wants to try something adventurous with friends then river rafting is one of the perfect and thrilling options that one can opt for. The thrill, however, is not without a certain amount of risk. However, the risks are what enhance the river rafting experience for many adrenaline junkies.

Rapid adventure

At Dubare, rafters will get to experience two rapids and swimming is allowed at two places. Barapole has more than nine Class 2 Class 4 rapids and is set on the banks of the Kithu Kakathu River (KKR). The river is a turbulent one all along its route as it flows through the Brahmagiri hills to the Arabian Sea via Kerala.

While June to the end of September is the ‘whitewater’ season, October to December or January is a ‘stillwater’ season. After which, the water level depletes. Whitewater is formed in a rapid when a river’s gradient changes enough to generate so much turbulence that air is trapped within the water. This forms an unstable current that froths, making the water appear opaque and white. Stillwater is part of a stream where no water current is visible.

The response for rafting is pretty good with over 2,000 rafters during weekends and over 250 rafters daily. At Dubare, there are 70 rafts and 70 guides while Barapole has 9 rafts and 9 guides. Soon, 10 more rafts will be added to the existing fleet at Dubare as there is a huge demand.

Safety is of paramount importance here and all the guides are well trained. Life jackets are worn by all the rafters and the guide and at Dubare, each life jacket can withstand a weight of 180 kgs and there is little chance of drowning. Rafting at Dubare costs Rs. 600 per person and Rs. 1,200 at Barapole. Each raft can carry six rafters and one guide.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Pavan of Coorg Water Rafting Sports and Adventures, Barapole, said that the response is good. “Only those who are passionate about rafting and adventure come here and we have many regulars. It is quite challenging and tests the adventure spirit,” he said.

Barapole

Need changing room for ladies

C.L. Vishwa, raft owner and former President of Dubare Rafters Association, said that they desperately need a changing room at Dubare for ladies and girls and also there is a need to establish a drinking water facility.

“If the District Administration wants to attract more tourists to Dubare, then a hanging bridge is a must for tourists to reach the Elephant Camp from one side of the Cauvery river. Unfortunately, the tourist-friendly project has been shelved by officers without a vision,” he added.

Rules and regulations

The Kodagu District Administration has came out with a 23-point formula to ensure safety. The operators must secure permission from the Departments of Police, Forests, Fire Force and Tourism, and employ trained guards to accompany the rafters. Every one of them should have ID cards issued by Tourism Department and should be trained in first-aid methods. Smoking and drinking is prohibited during rafting. Rafters should also obtain permission from the Karnataka Inland Water Transport Department.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / July 24th, 2022

Kodagu’s slush sports festival evokes warm response

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature, Records, All, Sports, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Many take part in programme despite intermittent drizzle

Providing a reprieve from the stress and strain of a vigorous monsoon which tends to wreak havoc in Kodagu, was the slush field sports conducted by the district administration, on Saturday.

The monsoon in Kodagu tends to conjure up images of flood and landslips. But with the rains abating, the people put their worries behind to take time off and participate in the 30 th State-level slush field sports organised at Kaggodlu village in Madikeri taluk.

It was conducted by the Kodagu district administration, Zilla Panchayat and Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports and inaugurated by Appachu Ranjan, MLA. He recalled that in earlier days, every farmer or landlord in Kodagu used to take part in slush sports after sowing and it helped bring the community together and strengthened bond.

The competition drew people from different parts of the district who braved the intermittent drizzle and encouraged the participants who were drenched in muddy water and slush and gave a display of their prowess in different games. The festival was open to boys and girls as also men and women and included 50 metrerace, 200 metre race, 400 metre race , throwball, volleyball, tug-of-war etc.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / July 23rd, 2022

87 Kodagu villages identified as ‘vulnerable’ to floods, landslides

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All

84 school buildings, 39 anganwadi centers partially damaged in torrential rain

Even as Kodagu received 458.5 mm rain in the last one week, the forecast for the next 24 hours indicated an orange alert and the district authorities are keeping a close watch on the rain situation. The local authorities cleared roadblocks caused by fallen trees and electric poles following heavy rains with gusty winds in several parts of the district.

Based on the previous experiences of handling the flood situation in Kodagu, the administration has identified 44 villages as “vulnerable” to floods and another 43 villages prone to landslides. All five taluks are rain-affected with about 580 persons so far affected by the rain fury.

The district administration has told the local administrations in the taluks to extend all possible assistance to the rain-affected and persuade the people in “unsafe” zones to shift to the relief camps for safety reasons.

Meanwhile, compensation has been paid to 76 families whose houses were damaged in the rain. Out of 180 houses damaged in the rain till date, 4 were fully damaged, 33 severely damaged and 143 partially damaged.

Out of 1,378 damaged electric poles, a total of 1,175 have been replaced by the CESC personnel besides replacing 132 transformers.

As many as 39 anganwadi centres were partially damaged besides 84 school buildings across Kodagu.

With regard to the damage to road infrastructure, 437-km long roads, maintained by the Panchayat Raj Engineering Department, have been damaged in the rain and landslides and the cost of repairing them has been estimated at ₹70.62 crore. The PWD-maintained roads of 9.47 km length that were damaged in the rain would require about ₹24.60 crore for the repair.

Kodagu recorded 1,116.3 mm rain in a span of 45 days – from June 1 till date. The district received 65.8 mm rain in the last 24 hours.

So far, 49 bridges under PRED (Panchayat Raj Engineering Department), 8 bridges under PWD, 123 culverts under PRED have been damaged due to incessant rain and 437-km long roads maintained by the PRED were damaged due to torrential downpour and landslides in parts of Kodagu since the onset of the monsoon.

As many as 122 families displaced by the rains have taken shelter in five relief camps. The district administration has identified a few more locations for converting them into relief camps for accommodating the displaced if the situation demanded based on the rain conditions.

Madikeri, Napoklu, Somwarpet, Kodlipet, Kushalnagar, Shanivarasanthe, Shanthalli, Suntikoppa, Virajpet, Ammatti, Hudikeri and Sriramangala have been recording heavy rains. As many as 23 houses were partially damaged in the rain havoc since Thursday besides 103 electric poles.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / July 15th, 2022

Unsung Heroes: In Kodagu, a star athlete works on mentoring future champions

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Sports

Through her institute Karaumbiah’s Academy for Learning and Sports, Olympian Ashwini Nachappa is aiming to bring potential athletes from Kodagu on the right track.

Kodak, Ashwini Nachappa, Athlete,
After a foray into films in the 90s, Nachappa in 2004 established her own institution, Karaumbiah’s Academy for Learning and Sports or KALS (named after her husband Datha Karumbiah) in Gonikoppal, Kodagu.

While sports enthusiasts around the globe are hooked on to the World Athletics Championships that kicked off in the USA, in Bengaluru, Karnataka’s very own former track and field athlete Ashwini Nachappa is single-mindedly focused on reviving activities at her sports academy in Kodagu after a “difficult two years”.

A Kodava by birth, Nachappa’s drive for athletics picked up when she was just eight years’ old. While her father worked in Kolkata, Nachappa lived with her mother and sister Pushpa, who is also an athlete, near Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. Little did Nachappa know that the stadium would be a turning point leading to her accomplishments in the track and field discipline.

“My sister and I used to love running on the tracks of the stadium every morning. The late Mohinder Singh (triple jumper) saw us and bribed us with sweets and wanted to see us more on the field. For every round, he would offer sweets and I ended up taking more sweets. Since then, there was no looking back,” said the Olympian, who bagged her first gold at All Indian Open Nationals in Bengaluru in 1980.

Nachappa began her career in track and field as a hurdler and long jumper, before making the switch to sprints. She participated in two Asian Games, one held in 1986 at South Korea, and the other in 1990 at Beijing, China where she bagged a silver medal in 4 × 100 m relay. She also represented India in two World Championships, one in 1987 in Rome, and the other in 1991 in Tokyo, as a member of the 4 × 400 m relay. She also won the 200 m gold at the 1990 National Open Meet in New Delhi ahead of P T Usha, clocking 24.07 seconds.

After a foray into films in the 90s, Nachappa in 2004 established her own institution, Karaumbiah’s Academy for Learning and Sports or KALS (named after her husband Datha Karumbiah) in Gonikoppal, Kodagu. Later in 2010, Ashwini’s Sports Foundation, a non-profit organisation, was built in the same academy to nurture potential athletes from Kodagu.

“We realised that Kodagu produced some excellent sporting talent but the children either had to travel to Mangalore or Bangalore to pursue their dreams. That is when we decided to blend academics and sports through the foundation and the school to embolden the sporting culture from the grassroots level in Kodagu,” said Nachappa, who is also associated with Parikrma Humanity Foundation, an NGO providing English language education to the poorest from the slums of Bengaluru. In fact, she was also associated with the Special Olympics programme for 12 years, offering year-long sports training to specially abled children.

A venture that started with 25 students has now grown with 850 students who are into athletics, hockey, and air rifle shooting. Some of them have made it to the Indian hockey team in the junior category and have represented the state at National Athletic Championships and National Shooting Championships. The sports academy consists of a synthetic athletic track and an astro turf for hockey.

“It has been a difficult two years for all, financially and emotionally. At our academy, we have re-started sporting activities this year with a new set of athletes across three core sports. Keeping in mind the impact of the pandemic over students, we have also started addressing physical and emotional challenges of children through small initiatives,” said Nachappa, adding that raising funds for the academy remains a challenge.

“Raising funds has been quite a challenge over the years for the sporting academies. However, we are using the revenue generated from the KALS to develop the amenities at our academy. We have also received grants from the national and state’s sports funds,” said Nachappa who believes that the participation of women in sports has increased over the years.

“During my early days as a sportsperson, I never thought gender would be a barrier to achieve your dreams. It’s all about talent and it is important to keep doing what you do. For me, life has been a learning experience, even now. With the pandemic putting a full stop to sports for the last two years, we are going to restart training processes at our academies and go on to produce more young athletes for the country,” said the Arjuna awardee.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Sanath Prasad, Bengaluru / July 16th, 2022

Exclusive: Nidhi Subbaiah bags a pivotal role in Upendra’s UI

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All

Nidhi Subbaiah is excited as she finally gets to work with Upendra. There were films that she was supposed to have worked with the Real Star before, but they never materialised. But she is now happy that she not only gets to work alongside him, but it is a pivotal role in his directorial comeback, UI. As she speaks to us, she tells us that she has already finished shooting for a couple days for the film.


The excited actress shares, “I’m finally in a movie that I really want to be in. The roles and scripts that I’ve been listening to so far weren’t fitting the bill.” As for how it all happened, she says, “I was in Goa when I got a call from the team. I cut short my trip to meet Uppi sir. It was nice to know that he was keen on casting me specifically, and I readily agreed after the narration. I am super excited to work with him.”

Nidhi says that she was previously supposed to work with Upendra on a couple of projects, but they didn’t work out due to various reasons. “Uppi sir’s memory is amazing. He recalled all those projects and also reminded me of the couple of times when we had met at different events. I was awestruck,” she says, adding that she immediately began shooting for the film after the narration and has been enjoying her time on the set.


“Uppi sir has a novel way of filmmaking. He is particular about the details and is also a perfectionist. He treats everyone like a child and patiently explains everything. The added bonus of working in this film is that we have a great production house that has delivered cult hits,” explains Nidhi, who adds that they want to keep the details of her character under wraps.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Times of India / Home> E-Times> News> Entertainment?> Kannada> Movies / by TNN / by Sunayna Suresh / July 14th, 2022

CM Begins Two-Day Flood Damage Assessment Tour From Kodagu

Business & Economy, Nature, Records, All

Madikeri/Mysuru:

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai began his two-day, four-district tour this morning to assess the flood damage and provide relief measures.

He arrived at the Mysore Airport on a special flight this morning and travelled by road to Madikeri via Kushalnagar. Accompanied by Revenue Minister R. Ashoka, Energy Minister V. Sunil Kumar and Kodagu District Minister B.C. Nagesh, the CM held a high-level meeting with district officials at the DC Office.

MP Pratap Simha, MLAs M.P. Appachu Ranjan and K.G. Bopaiah and MLC Suja Kushalappa, Deputy Commissioner Dr. B.C. Satish were also part of the meeting that was in progress when we went to press.

Earlier, the CM visited the flood-hit Manjunathanagar in Madikeri and inspected a house that collapsed. The CM released a cheque for Rs. 95,000 to Gopal, the owner of the house.

After the meeting, the CM is expected to interact with the people who have been provided food and shelter at Koynadu Ganapathi Temple Hall. He is also expected to visit Chembu village in Madikeri Taluk where a couple of quakes have been reported. The CM will later proceed towards Mangaluru and will visit Udupi and Karwar tomorrow.

CM Basavaraj Bommai addressing media persons at Mysore Airport in Mandakalli this morning before travelling to Kodagu by road. Ministers S.T. Somashekar and Sunil Kumar, MLAs S.A. Ramdas and L. Nagendra, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bagadi Gautham and others are seen.

‘State prepared to tackle floods’

Earlier, speaking to reporters at the Mysore Airport, Bommai said that the entire Government machinery is on the job of tackling floods and other natural disasters caused by torrential rains. He maintained that rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations in areas affected by natural calamities are on in full swing.

“The survey to assess loss of lives, livestock, livelihood and damages caused by floods, landslides, landslips, tremors, earthquakes, sea erosion etc., is almost complete. There is no dearth of funds under NDRM (National Disaster Response Management),” he claimed.

The Government has sought the help of experts to find permanent solutions for the problems faced by people living along river beds and catchment areas. Efforts are on to shift people living in low-lying areas and other dangerous zones to safer places.

Commenting on the flood situation in Kodagu, Bommai said that he came to know that people living in danger zones were hesitant to relocate to safer places. As such, the district administration has been instructed to convince them to move to safer locations as a permanent solution.

Boards and Corporations

When asked about reports that Heads of several Boards and Corporations would be changed, Bommai said that the BJP Core Committee has decided to replace Chairmen of Boards and Corporations who have completed 18 months in office. Accordingly, the list is being prepared, he said while refusing to divulge more.

Mysuru District Minister S.T. Somashekar, Energy Minister V. Sunil Kumar, MP Pratap Simha, MLAs L. Nagendra, S.A. Ramdas and G.T. Devegowda, MUDA Chairman H.V. Rajeev, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bagadi Gautham and other officials were present at the airport.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News/ July 12th, 2022

Kodagu: 84 persons shifted to safe zone

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

Fifteen houses were partially damaged in rain in Kodagu in the last 24 hours.

From June 1 till date, as many as 65 houses were partially damaged and two houses were completely damaged in the rain fury.

In total, 84 people were shifted to the safe zones from the danger zones, as a precautionary measure with no let-up in rain.

So far, two relief camps have been opened to house the rain-affected families.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – July 11th, 2022

Tourism Minister To Open Cauvery Gallery In Mysuru

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)
  • After Ganga, Brahmaputra Galleries, first such Gallery in South India
  • Gallery timings: 10 am – 6 pm
  • Entry ticket: Adults – Rs. 20, children – Rs. 10

Mysore/Mysuru:

The Cauvery Gallery that has been set up at Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) Grounds showcasing the life, culture and biodiversity of the River from its birth at Talacauvery in Kodagu till it reaches the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu will be open to the public on July 13.

The visually appealing Gallery with many 3-D presentations has been built jointly by Karnataka Knowledge Commission and Tourism Department. It has been modelled as per the design, specifications and imagination of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) and has been built at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crore.

KEA Chairman Hemanth Kumar Gowda told Star of Mysore that Tourism Minister Anand Singh will inaugurate the Gallery on July 13 at 11 am in the presence of Mysuru District Minister S.T. Somashekar. In-Charge Mayor Sunanda Palanetra, MPs V. Sreenivasa Prasad, Pratap Simha and Sumalatha Ambarish, MLAs G.T. Devegowda, Tanveer Sait, S.A. Ramdas and L. Nagendra will be the guests.

NASI-NCSM project conceptualisation

The project is based on research conducted by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous society under the Ministry of Culture. Officials of the NASI and the State Tourism Department had signed an agreement to establish the gallery in the KEA complex (at Kannada Karanji). It is the first river gallery in South India.

The Gallery highlights the geological and ecological characteristics of the Cauvery River apart from projecting the social and cultural characteristic features of civilisation that have evolved along the river bank.

NASI is the implementing agency and would train the authorities from Mysuru on how to maintain and administer the gallery. The NASI and NCSM have completed the establishment of the Brahmaputra River gallery project in Guwahati, Assam, and the Ganga River gallery project in Allahabad.

15,000 sq.ft. area covered

The Cauvery Gallery has been built on an area of 15,000 sq.ft. and highlights the geological and ecological characteristics of the Cauvery apart from projecting the social and cultural characteristic features of civilisations that have evolved along the banks of the river.

Artefacts and dolls tell the story of the Cauvery River from Talacauvery (birthplace in Kodagu) to Poompuhar. Pictures, live visuals and models of the river flowing from one part to another criss-crossing the hills and plains narrate the story giving an audio-visual and also pictorial presentation to the viewer.

Ticket pricing

The mega project includes multimedia features and an electronic display to provide visitors with an immersive experience of life and culture along the Cauvery. After the viewers see the gallery, there will be a 20-minute short film on Cauvery.

Adults will have to pay Rs. 20 for an entry ticket while children have to pay Rs. 10. The Gallery will be open from 10 am to 6 pm and the timings will be extended based on the tourist response and tourist seasons.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 09th, 2022

Tata Consumer Products aims to be a ‘serious’ coffee player in India

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, All

Plans expansion into Southern markets with premium offerings

Tata Consumer Products Ltd. (TCPL) aims to be a serious player in the coffee business in India by reaching out to more customers in the South and non-southern markets. The company is also focusing on introducing more premium coffee brands to grow its market share, said Puneet Das, president, Packaged Beverages (India & South Asia).

Puneet Das

Currently, the market is dominated by Nestle’s Nescafe and Hindustan Unilever’s Bru brands and Tata has a share of less than 2%.

The company, which introduced Tata Coffee Grand in the instant category for the first time in 2015, has chalked out a strategy to grow the business significantly in the coming years, according to Mr. Das.

“We have doubled our focus, particularly in the last two years. Recently we have had a series of launches,” said Mr. Das. “We also got into the D2C [Direct to Consumer] space. We are really expanding the Tata Coffee portfolio. We recently launched Sonnets by Tata Coffee, which is a premium range in D2C,” he added.

Mr. Das said the company had introduced Tata Coffee Gold, a premium offering. “Today, the coffee category is premiumising a lot and consumers are willing to experiment a lot, especially in the South. That’s where our foray is,” he added.

“For us, there is a lot of headroom for growth. We want to be a serious coffee player and we should become a sizeable player as we move up,” he added.

“Our coffee business has grown 45% in volume on a small base (FY22 vs FY12). It continues to grow well y-o-y leveraging on TCPL’s network and distribution reach,” he said.

“Currently about one-tenth the size of tea market, the coffee segment is fast-growing and more in the premium end in the instant coffee space,” he said. “Outside South we are seeing sales coming from the metros in the premium end. We’re also coming up with innovations.

We had launched Tata Coffee Quick Filter, which is a first-of-its-kind instant coffee powder that gives you the taste of a filter coffee and we found good acceptance. We are scaling it up across modern trade, e-commerce and select markets,” he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Business / by Lalatendu Mishra / Mumbai – July 09th, 2022