Category Archives: Business & Economy

Drill on rescue and relief conducted in Harangi backwaters

Business & Economy, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)
A drill on rescule and relief being conducted in the Harangi backwaters by the Kodagu Disrtrict Disaster Management Authority, on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Kodagu district administration displays its monsoon preparedness

The Kodagu District Disaster Management Authority tested its monsoon preparedness and its capabilities to conduct rescue and relief operations during natural calamities, at the Harangi backwaters on Thursday.

This is part of an exercise in the run up to the monsoon conducted by the Authority not only to test their capabilities but also to infuse confidence in the public.

The exercise was conducted at Basavanahalli in the backwaters of the dam and entailed putting all the equipment at its disposal and using it for various missions that were simulated for the drill.

Kodagu has been affected by floods and landslides in the recent past and hence the focus was on rescuing people trapped amidst swirling waters or from landslides and protecting human and animal life.

Deputy Commissioner B.C.Satish said the District Disaster Management Authority and the district administration had taken precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incident and was also equipped to deal with any eventuality. The exercise conducted by the district police and fire emergency personnel, was a demonstration of the strengths and capabilities, he added.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was expected to arrive and be stationed in key and vulnerable areas of the dsitrict next week, said Mr. Satish. Both the NDRF and SDRF will coordinate their activities in areas identified as vulnerable based on the floods and landslides that hit the district since 2018, he added.

In addition, scientists from the Geological Survey of India are also expected to pay a visit to the district and map the vulnerable areas.  The DC said task forces will be constituted at the district, taluk and gram panchayat levels during monsoon to coordinate rescue and relief in case of any eventuality. Nodal officers have already been appointed to coordinate the efforts at all hoblis and necessary instruction and information provided on the ways and means of handling any situation in an effective manner, said Mr.Satish.

Fire Officer P. Chandan said that all preparations were in place to rescue human and animal lives in case of floods.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – May 26th, 2022

Coorg Coffee Makes Its Presence Felt In Davos

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

CM Bommai says focus is Beyond Bengaluru; Tier 2 and 3 cities to get importance

Davos:

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai yesterday launched the global investors meet at the Karnataka pavilion on the main promenade at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meet being held in Davos. Apart from presentations and videos, the participants were delighted to receive a packet of coffee grown in the State.

WEF Summit concludes today and Bommai has extended his stay by another day to have one more round of talks with business honchos who have shown interest in investing in Karnataka.

The CM’s delegation had taken samples of Arabica and Robusta variety of Coorg coffee and the same varieties of coffee grown in Chikamagalur. Every visitor to Karnataka pavilion was given coffee bags and a note.

“Karnataka, the GI coffee hub of India is home to five GI-tagged coffees. Along with Monsooned Malabar Arabica and Robusta Coffee, Chikamagalur Arabica and Coorg Arabica coffee showcase how Karnataka’s magical beans are globally renowned,” the note said.

Addressing investors and news agencies, Bommai said Karnataka is the safest place to do business and it is not competing domestically but at international level and listed hydrogen and ammonia fuel and semiconductors as next focus areas.

He said that nearly half of the foreign companies present in India are already in Karnataka and all of them are planning to expand and diversify in the State while many more are evincing interest attracted by the robust infrastructure, and ease of doing business in the State

Bommai said the process to decongest the State capital Bengaluru is underway by developing many adjoining areas as well as tier 2 (like Mysuru) and tier 3 (Hubballi and Dharwad) cities while four more airports would be built this year.

“Karnataka’s story is different from other States,” he said.

Bommai said Davos experience has been excellent and he has witnessed that the international investor community has recognised India as an emerging economic giant and particularly Karnataka,” the Chief Minister said.  “In Bengaluru, because of the hi-tech ecosystem which we have, there are the highest number of R&D centres and our expertise in aerospace, defence, machinery tools and of course Information Technology and Biotechnology. We are also looking beyond Bengaluru for all these projects. That is necessary and work has already begun,” he added.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 25th, 2022

Air Marshal (Retd.) Nanda Cariappa Hails Contributions Of Tibetan Soldiers

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Bylakuppe :

The contribution of Tibetans Soldiers , who have served in the Special Frontier Force (A unit of Indian Armed Forces) in fighting with enemies by joining with the Indian Soldiers, have been hailed by Air Marshal (retd.) Nanda Cariappa, son of First Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal late K.M. Cariappa.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a felicitation programme organised by Indo-Tibetan Friendship Society (ITFS), Bylakuppe, in honour of Tibetan ex-Servicemen of Special Frontier Force and the families of deceased ex-Servicemen recently.

He further said that the security of India depends on the freedom to Tibet. “Tibetan soldiers are protecting our country in an altitude of 18,000ft. without oxygen and they have also participated in India-Pakistan War for liberation of Bangla. According to them, the time will come when Tibetans residing in temporary houses in India will certainly go back to Tibet for permanent houses, he added and appealed Tibetan youths to follow the footsteps of their forefathers.

Meena Nanda, wife of Nanda Cariappa, attended the event.

Earlier, B.V. Javaregowda, President of ITFS, Bylakuppe, explained the purpose of the day. Settlement Officers of Tibetans Government Lobsang Yeshi explained the history of Tibet  and another Settlement Officer Chime Dorje introduced Air Marshal (retd.) Nanda Cariappa to the gathering. A.A. Chengappa, Secretary of ITFS briefed the activities of the Society. Members of Parliament (MPs) of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile Lobsang Sithar and Ngodup Dorjee also spoke.

Pema Sithar, President of Tibetan ex-Servicemen Organisation, briefed on the roll of the Tibetan Soldiers in Tibetan Army.

Presidents of Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Women’s Association and Heads of various Monasteries were present. More than 500 ex-Servicemen and their family members participated. J.P. Urs, South Zone Co-ordinator of  Tibet Support Group, proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 23rd, 2022

Online museum to archive stories about Kodavas

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

People can send stories along with photographs and audio or video clips for curation.

Bengaluru-based India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) is inviting members of the Kodava community to share stories of their people and cultural history for an online museum it plans to launch next year.

It is International Museum Day on May 18.

Speaking ahead of the occasion, IFA said people can send stories along with photographs and audio or video clips, which will be curated.

The project is called Sandooka, the Living Museum of Kodava Culture. Sandooka means treasure chest in Coorgi language, and the museum strives to be a repository of stories ranging from the traditional costumes to present-day experiences of the Kodavas, native inhabitants of Kodagu in Karnataka.

IFA is working with Nitin Kushalappa, an author and researcher who is a member of the Kodava community, to put together this project along with design experts Upasana and Saurav Roy from Switch Studio.

The project started in 2021. Rathi Vinay Jha, chair of the Sandooka museum’s advisory group, shares, “The younger generation of the community is dispersed all over the world and is losing connection with their heritage. This museum will provide an opportunity to reconnect with their culture.”

And because the project wants to foster community participation and be accessible globally, the concept of online museums fits well, says Lina Vincent, project director and curator.

Arundhati Ghosh, executive director, IFA, believes the museum will help document and preserve the stories and heritage of the Kodavas, much of which remains undocumented.

“My vision is for it to be a virtual space devoted to the Kodava community. I hope this can serve as a model for other communities that are disappearing to keep their stories alive,” says Lina.

You can submit the stories at sandookamuseum.org/form/intro

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Metrolife – Your Bond With Bengaluru / by Sowmya Raju, DHNS / May 17th, 2022

CFTRI serves a ‘healthy’ drink from coffee leaf

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, All
A file photo of workers in a coffee estate near Rayarakoppalu in Hassan district, Karnataka.

CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru has developed the drink from coffee leaf and claims the brew can be an alternative to green tea or herbal tea

How about a coffee leaf brew? Sounds interesting. Coffee leaves can be used to prepare a health drink which can be an alternative to green tea.

CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru has developed the drink from coffee leaf which it claims can be used as an alternative to green tea or herbal tea. “It is an ideal health drink to consume at any time of the day. The brew can be prepared with water which can be filtered and consumed,” the institute said.

Phytochemicals like phenolics, alkaloids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins in coffee leaves contribute to its health benefits. The coffee leaf brew mix that the institute has developed can be produced from the leaves that are pruned at the time of maintenance of the plants. They can be a good source of raw material for the drink, the scientists at the CFTRI said here on Wednesday.

Selection of coffee leaf is key as the quality of the brew mix depends on the raw material, according to the Technology Transfer Department.

CFTRI said the plant for producing coffee leaf brew mix can be set up at a cost of ₹70 lakh and the total project cost would be around ₹1.40 crore. A Kushalnagar-based coffee powder manufacturing unit has taken the licence of the product for mass production.

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

Here’s why Shruti Shibulal’s Tamara Leisure is looking at the expansion route

Business & Economy, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Owner Shruti Shibulal sees a big opportunity in religious tourism and is very upbeat about the hospitality segment as cases drop and travel picks up.

The daughter of S D Shibulal, co-founder, Infosys, Shruti acquired an MBA from Columbia Business School.

For Shruti Shibulal, the last fiscal (FY22) was a good one. “With international travel dropping, many people spent a lot of money on high-quality domestic travel,” she says. As CEO & Director of Tamara Leisure Experiences, the pandemic was a challenging period but the growths story is not just back but she is going aggressive on expansion as well.

The daughter of S D Shibulal, co-founder, Infosys, Shruti acquired an MBA from Columbia Business School.

An internship at the Shangri-La in Hong Kong had her “falling in love with hospitality” and the career path was sealed from that point. Tamara (meaning lotus in Malayalam) launched its first resort in 2012 and today, it operates three brands in India – The Tamara Resorts, (that offers luxury stays in Coorg, Kodaikanal and Allepey), O by Tamara (does upscale business hotels in Trivandrum and Coimbatore) and finally Lilac Hotels (a mid-segment chain with two properties in Bangalore). There is also an overseas presence with four properties in Germany.

The first fiscal after the pandemic hit the world (FY21) saw Tamara adding three new properties. It includes a 19-key ayurvedic resort in Allepey called Amal Tamara, a 147-room hotel in Coimbatore (this was courtesy and acquisition and will be re-opened as O by Tamara) and a 128- room hotel in Germany’s Moxy Bremen. As a result, it brings in an additional 315 keys or a 36 per cent growth over the previous year.

Determining a location for a property is a big decision in this industry. Shruti throws up a few insights here.

“Around 80 per cent of tourism in India is religious tourism and there is a clear need for an overnight stay,” she explains. That thought process now has Tamara expanding into Kannur, Guruvayoor (both in Kerala) and Kumbakonam (in Tamil Nadu), all of which are at various stages of development. “These are pilgrimage destinations and also transit destinations. Obviously, we are looking at more locations but will go about it strategically,” she said.

The logic of pricing power is smaller destinations makes for a compelling argument. Shruti points out that one can price a four-star property in Bengaluru at Rs 9,000. “In Tier 2 and 3 locations, it will not be more than Rs 5,000. Our model is one of diversification and not being restricted to just one geography,” she says. Coimbatore is the first instance of acquiring a building as opposed to the normal approach of going ground-up.

“That helps us in saving time and the pandemic has thrown up some very attractive opportunities since valuations are dropping,” she said.

source: http://www.businesstoday.in / Business Today / Home> Latest> Corporate / by Krishna Gopalan / May 10th, 2022

Sunny Side Museum In Madikeri: State Govt. Urged To Give Entry Fee Exemption For Armed Forces Personnel

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Mysore/Mysuru:

The city-based VeKare Ex-Servicemen Trust has urged the State Government to give exemption from entry fee to the armed and paramilitary forces personnel visiting ‘Sunny Side’ that houses General K.S. Thimayya Museum in Madikeri, Kodagu district.

Trust President Mandetira N. Subramani has written a letter to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai urging to fulfill this demand by exempting entry fee to those in service and retired Armed Forces personnel.

Urging the Kodagu District Administration and the Government to consider the request, he said the exemption in paying an entry fee of Rs. 20 has been sought as a respect towards the Armed Forces fraternity.

Subramani has also urged the Director, Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement, to impress upon the Chief Minister to pass orders in this regard.

He has suggested the exemption should be granted upon production of identity cards issued by the competent authority.

The suggestion came from an 85-year-old ex-serviceman Manira T. Nachappa, who had fought three major wars when he served the 37 Coorg Medium Regiment from November 1957 to December 1977.

“Nachappa met me at the recent annual general body meeting of T. Shettigeri Ex-Ser-vicemen Welfare Association in Kodagu and urged me to take up the issue with the authorities concerned,” Subramani said. The museum was inaugurated in February 2021 by President of India Ram Nath Kovind. “Sunny Side”, the ancestral house of General K.S. Thimayya, who served as the Chief of Army Staff from 1957 to 1961, has been converted into a museum.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 10th, 2022

‘Rampant Land Conversion In Kodagu Will Kill River Cauvery’

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Government must study uniqueness of each district and frame laws: Kodagu Samrakshana Vedike

Mysore/Mysuru:

Concerned over the recent announcement by Revenue Minister R. Ashoka stating that agricultural land conversions across Karnataka would be approved within three days and the required amendments would be brought to the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, the Kodagu Samrakshana Vedike has said that this would be a disaster for Kodagu, the principal catchment area of River Cauvery.

Addressing a press conference at Pathrakarthara Bhavan in city this morning, President of Kodagu Samrakshana Vedike Chottekmada Rajeev Bopaiah said that the Government move will destroy hilly terrains and ecologically-sensitive regions such as Kodagu.

“Large scale land conversion in Kodagu for sites and layouts will invite large numbers of people from outside the State into Kodagu and exert extreme pressure on potable drinking water and water for agriculture and industry. It will kill the River Cauvery that is a lifeline of Karnataka,” he said.

Accompanied by Vedike members Col. (Retd.) Cheppudira P. Muthanna, Jammada Ganesh Ayanna and Annira Harish Madappa, Rajeev Bopaiah said that the High Court had stayed the process of land conversions in Kodagu stating that the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for land conversions issued by the committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner is not valid to approve blanket land conversions.

    Burning problems ignored; focus on new roads:Requesting support from Kodagu MLAs Appachu Ranjan, K.G. Bopaiah, MP Pratap Simha and MLCs Veena Achaiah and Suja Kushalappa, the Vedike appealed to them to save the birthplace of Cauvery from destruction due to rampant land conversions. “Unfortunately, the burning problems of Kodagu like human-animal conflict, land conversion, Pouthi Khata and electricity are ignored by the elected representatives and they are interested in only developing new highways, further destroying the landscape,” they said.    

    The Vedike demanded that the Government must act immediately to avoid destruction of Kodagu. “Unfortunately, many politicians and political leaders are involved in land conversion in Kodagu and those DCs who resist attempts to convert land are being transferred within three months and DCs who act favourably to the politicians are brought in,” Rajeev Bopaiah alleged.                    

“We have seen how Kodagu was ravaged by floods in 2018 and 2019 abetted by unbridled urbanisation and infrastructure development to promote tourism. Sale of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes will have devastating consequences as reckless urbanisation has already caused a negative impact on the environment as evident in the floods and landslides,” he said.

 Bearing on water: “The government move makes it easy for any individual, industrialist or real estate stakeholders to directly approach farmers and purchase land. It’s not just about land in Kodagu but this will also have a bearing on water and its implications will be felt in the downstream region of the State like Mysuru and Mandya, impacting food security and agriculture,” Rajeev Bopaiah added.

The Vedike has demanded that instead of passing land laws that are applicable across the State, the Government should study the uniqueness of each district and frame laws according to the local environment and ecology. “We will take our movement to the next level that will include a boycott of elections,” the Vedike has warned.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 11th, 2022

                    

Basking in the success of Badhaai Do, Gulshan Devaiah talks of ‘chemistry’, upcoming films

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

Gulshan Devaiah, who recently played the love interest of Rajkummar Rao in the movie Badhaai Do, tells us why he picked a role with a short screen time.

Gulshan Devaiah

Gulshan Devaiah’s part in the movie Badhaai Do was not just a pleasant surprise for his fans, but also brought in more substance to the movie. Devaiah, who romances Rajkummar Rao, the male lead in the movie, says Rao is a wonderful actor and romancing him was easy. “His wife had visited the set in Dehradun and she said, ‘You guys share such wonderful chemistry’,” says Devaiah, who plays a character by the name Guru Narayan.

His association with Harshavardhan Kulkarni, director of the movie, goes back to Hunterr, which was Kulkarni’s first movie as director. When Badhaai Do came about, they thought Devaiah was a great choice to play a part.

“I think they waited for the right time to call me. He said there is a small part and asked me if I would be interested to come for a shoot for 2-3 days. It comes towards the end of the movie but it is a very crucial part,” says Devaiah.

Though he is very clear about not doing cameos, he made an exception for this particular movie. “Sometimes, some things really seem like a good idea. I am not really a cameo sort of guy, I like full-fledged parts. I trust Harsh as he’s my friend and I want to support him as well,” says Devaiah, adding that the team wanted his part to be a surprise. He had even requested an uncredited part but “the team was too embarrassed about it”.

Most of Devaiah’s scenes are with Rao, who he “likes and respects” as an actor. “It was a wonderful opportunity to reunite with all of them. I had last worked with him in Shaitan, where he had a small part,” says Devaiah. The actor is also seen sharing screen space with Sheeba Chaddha, who plays Rao’s mother in the film.

Guru Narayan is basking in the glory of the success of the film, which has appealed to the LGBTQ community who find him relatable.  “I didnt think of the fact that he was gay, I just knew that he was in love. Guru Narayan is a person who is comfortable with who he is. All the LGBTQ community wants is equal treatment,” says Devaiah, who is yet to watch the movie.

While the actor is keener on playing full-length roles, he says it depends on numerous factors. “You have to have some sense and curate your career after a certain point. In the beginning, you just hope you work on good projects, but after a point, you need to have some sort of idea about what you want to do or what you don’t want to do. In my case I have figured the latter,” says Devaiah, whose next film is a project with Zoya Akhtar, the story of which is written by Reema Kagti, and stars Sonakshi Sinha.

source: http://www.indulgexpress.com / Indulge Express, The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment / by Monika Monalisa / February 21st, 2022

Actor Varsha Bollamma Donates Eyes, Fans Can’t Stop Admiring her

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

Actor Varsha Bollamma has decided to donate her eyes.
Actor Varsha Bollamma has decided to donate her eyes.

Actor Varsha Bollamma has decided to donate her eyes.

Actor Varsha Bollamma has decided to donate her eyes. Her kind gesture has left her fans extremely grateful to the actor. They couldn’t help admiring the Maane Number 13 actor. A user wrote that Varsha has beautiful eyes and by deciding to donate them, she proved her heart is also beautiful. Rest dropped clap and heart emojis in the comment section.

Besides this kind gesture, Varsha was also in news recently for her film Selfie. The film was appreciated by many for exploring the issue of college admission rackets. The movie explored how management quota seats are sold for exorbitant money.

Selfie was written and directed by Mathi Maran. Besides Varsha, Chandrasekhar, Amirtham Gunanidhi, G.V Prakash Kumar, Gautham Vasudev Menon and others were also part of the film. Sangili Murugan, Vidya Pradeep and Tiger Thangadurai also featured in important roles in the film. The song Imaikkariye, written by Arivu, was released on Tuesday and it garnered enormous praise. G.V. Prakash Kumar’s music and mellifluous vocals captivated the audience.


Varsha was also part of the film Stand Up Rahul, which was released this year. Stand Up Rahul narrated the story of an employee who doesn’t dare to stand up for anything in his life. Stand Up Rahul was written and directed by Santo.

Banking on her recent success, Varsha is also a part of two upcoming films titled Swathi Muthyam and Meet Cute. Swathi Muthyam is written and directed by Lakshman K Krishna. Rao Ramesh, Vennela Kishore, Surekha Vani and others will be seen in this film. Meet Cute is written and directed by Deepthi Ganta. Aakanksha Singh, Sathyaraj, Adah Sharma, Ruhani Sharma, Sunaina and others will be seen in this film.

source: http://www.news18.com / News18 / Home> News> Movies> Entertainment Bureau / May 04th, 2022