Category Archives: Business & Economy

This estate house on a Coorg coffee plantation brings the outdoors inside

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All

Rose Thampy of Edom Architects talks about balancing the contemporary with the vernacular to create a rustic forest home on a stunning coffee estate in Coorg, Karnataka

Kutta Estate House is an homage to its environment

Kochi-based architecture firm Edom Architects had the rare privilege of designing a weekend home in one of the most stunning landscapes of the country: a 2,000-acre Coorg coffee estate. A rustic, two-storey, 1,750-square-foot structure, Kutta Estate House is an homage to its environment, and is carefully crafted not just to be a warm, comfortable home in its own right, but an immersion into the luscious greenery of its surroundings.

The plantation, which is rich with a variety of wildlife in addition to the coffee plants, is almost like a forest of its own right. Lead architects Rose Thampy and Joseph T. Kallivayalil wanted to preserve the sensory experience of the environment, and kept the design earthy and rustic, as opposed to contemporary or overly ornamented. “We also decided to build a viewing deck,” Thampy says, “since one side of the site offers a stunning view of the Western Ghats.”

Cement-textured finishing on the exterior walls allows the building to blend into its environment. Large windows allow the home to remain open to the surrounding greenery, and also promote cross-ventilation throughout the interiors, while wooden louvres and jalis allow for the control of the airflow. “It was a very minimalistic concept, but I didn’t want to create a contemporary minimalistic feel,” says Thampy, adding, “The screen and wood added a little bit of vernacular style to the design.”

The style is vernacular in its approach
The home is surrounded by greenery

The interiors see a flourish of natural stones—from sandstone to slate and natural granite. The use of lime-yellow sandstone for the flooring enhances the sense of space and interconnectivity throughout the house. “We thought of sticking to one or two colours for the interiors, since the space is very small,” says Thampy, “but I wanted each space to have a slightly different feeling.”

Lounge and Dining Area

The entrance foyer breaks off into a combined lounge and dining area, which also includes a kitchenette. “We needed to create a subtle segregation between the living space and the dining and kitchenette,” says Thampy, “so we created a small deviation in the flooring pattern.” The staircase that leads to the top floor was crafted in metal, so as to reduce its sense of bulk, with a matte-black finishing that allowed it to blend into the grey-toned palette of the structure. An outdoor seating area leads from the dining space into the garden, offering a seamless transition between the interior and the environment outside. The home also has an outdoor kitchen, which is accessible from the dining room but also allows for food to be easily served outdoors. Much of the furniture and ornamental lighting is sourced from Mysore, Kochi and Bengaluru, while two large ceramic pots from Chettinad bring in a touch of the old world. Finally, two pig statuettes from Coorg make for a playful homage to the wildlife on the estate.

Viewing Deck

A significant portion of the first floor is dedicated to the viewing deck, which is underlined with slate flooring, so as not to distract from the true hero of the space: the view. A unique piece of furniture is the centre table, crafted from the stem of a coffee plant sourced from the estate itself.

The home is kept raw and rustic in appeal

Bedrooms

Two bedrooms—one each on the ground and first floors—see a continuation of the sandstone flooring, but are also warmed by rich wood tones of the furniture and window frames. Subtle textural details, like a patterned rug or vibrantly upholstered sofa, infuse the rooms with colour, but allow the space to feel open, warm and welcoming. In the first-floor bedroom, an abstract painting in blue sets the theme for the property: it is a pop of colour that accentuates the rustic nature of the space, while also serving as a visual complement to the climate.

Lighting

All architectural lighting has been sourced from Kochi, and has been designed to create a warm ambience throughout the home. Track lighting in the TV lounge highlights the cement texture of the walls, while decorative pendant lights from Bengaluru double as pieces of art. Clay pendant lights over the staircase reflect the rustic tones of the jali, and also allow the staircase area to seemingly merge with the outdoors. On the first floor, matt-black ceiling-mounted lights blend into the palette and allow the eye to focus instead on the views of the estate, and the Western Ghats beyond.

source: http://www.architecturaldigest.in / Architectural Digest / Home> Architecture & Decor / by Avantika Shankar / Photography by Turtle Arts / July 31st, 2021

Kodagu District Minister Offers Bagina At Harangi Dam

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

Madikeri:

With the Harangi Dam in Kodagu district full to the brim, thanks to copious rainfall in the past few days, Kodagu District Minister V. Somanna yesterday offered bagina at the Dam, in keeping with the tradition.

During the offering of the Bagina, Somanna performed puja to four crest gates of the Dam and also pressed the crest gate button to release 8,000 cusecs of water from the Dam.

Later speaking to press persons, Somanna said that Harangi Dam was the first major Dam in the State to have filled up this monsoon. Noting that the Dam feeds water to 1.65 lakh hectares of Kodagu, K.R. Nagar taluk in Mysuru and five taluks of Hassan district, he said that water will be released for standing Kharif crops and through all canals of the Dam.

Maintaining that the B.S. Yediyurappa Government is doing what all it can for expanding the irrigation network in the State, Somanna contended that there was no drought in the State for two years. However, rain has played havoc in some parts of the State, he said and added that scattered rains across the State has helped farming.

Clarifying that the Government has released money for de-silting of Harangi Dam, he said that tenders have been invited for the purpose. Noting that there were no successful bidders two times, he said that the Government was ready to hand over the works if a competent contractor comes forward for the third time.

Asserting that Kodagu DC has informed him that the district has so far suffered an estimated loss of Rs. 95 lakh due to heavy rains, Somanna said that measures will be taken for providing relief to the family of a person who was recently washed away in floods.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, in his address, said that though he was an elected MP for seven years, he could not offer bagina to Harangi Dam for one reason or the other. But he was happy now that he got a chance. Arguing that the State has been receiving good rainfall after B.S. Yediyurappa came to power, he said that nature too seems to be impressed by the works of the Chief Minister. 

Referring to the damages caused to Madikeri-Mangaluru National Highway, Simha said that it has come to his notice and he will do all he can to repair the damaged sections of the road. Also, it has been planned to construct earth retaining wall at landslides prone 22 points of the Highway, for which he would render all help, he added.

Harangi Dam officials said that the Dam has a water storage capacity of 8.5 TMC and the maximum water level of the dam is 2859 ft. At present, the water level is retained at 2858 ft. as a precautionary measure and whatever additional water that the Dam gets (inflow) will be discharged through canals.

Earlier, the Minister and a host of other dignitaries offered puja to the idol of  Goddess Cauvery  at the lower level of the Dam.

MLAs Appachu Ranjan,  A.T. Ramasway and H.P. Manjunath, DC Charulatha Somal, MLC Sunil Subramani, BJP District President Robin Devaiah and a host of other officials and people representatives were present.

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

Dubare Hanging Bridge Project Shelved

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All

Kushalnagar:

The Kodagu District Administration has shelved the ambitious project of constructing a hanging bridge at Dubare that was originally planned to be 110 metres in length and having a width of 1.8 metres. The funds that were sanctioned for the project have been withdrawn and it has been used for COVID relief.

The proposal of the hanging bridge was submitted by Kodagu Tourism Department to the Forest Department and the latter had opined that as thousands of tourists visit Dubare every year, a hanging bridge that connects one side of the river to the other would be an added attraction. 

River Cauvery flows in full force here and the two sides can only be accessed by motorised boats at present. While one side of the river bank is controlled by the Tourism Department, the other by the Forest Department that runs the popular Dubare Elephant Camp. 

The proposed hanging bridge was to have three columns — two at the sides and one in the middle — and 1.8 metres wide. The Tourism Department first sent a proposal in 2015-2016 and the estimated cost was Rs. 2.35 crore. The estimate was later revised in 2020 to Rs. 4 crore and Rs. 1.5 crore was reserved for the purpose. 

District Administration sources told Star of Mysore that while the Forest Department wanted either Nirmithi Kendra or Tourism Department to construct the hanging bridge, the Tourism Department wanted both Forest Department and Nirmithi Kendra to work in tandem to make the bridge a reality. However, no consensus was reached and the project has been shelved now. The Rs. 1.5 crore reserve money has been utilised for COVID relief in Kodagu, sources added. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 30th, 2021

TN exports $55 mn worth of coffee in 2020; instant version scores high, finds survey

Business & Economy, Coffee News, World Opinion
The popularity of the Malabar coffee has increased and its volume of export grew at 7 per cent

Tamil Nadu has exported $ 55 million worth of coffee in year 2020, says a survey by Drip Capital, a global trade finance firm. Most of the exports consist of instant coffee, the company said in a press release on Wednesday.

To retain the growth of their global market share, exporters should continue developing trends in the instant coffee market, the release said. Research indicates that many other States in the country could benefit by following Andhra Pradesh in setting up several coffee processing plants, it said.

While COVID-19 did stir things up in the sector, the survey shows the popularity of the Malabar coffee has increased and its volume of export grew at 7 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the last decade ending 2020 with the value of exports rising at 11 per cent CAGR for the same period.

“The global appreciation for this variety of coffee in the market will help it command a higher price. Already taking advantage of the trend, certain micro coffee estates and roasters are currently trying to tap into this new opportunity on a small, experimental scale. With further aid from the Coffee Board of India and the government, coffee producers in the country could take this highly popular specialty coffee to greater heights, co-founder and CEO of Drip Capital, Pushkar Mukewar, said in the release.

source: http://www.freepressjournal.in / The Free Press Journal / Home> Business / by PTI / July 28th, 2021

Elite KSISF Takes Over Harangi Dam Security

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

No more unrestricted entry; move to curb illegal activities 

Mysore/Mysuru:

Amidst thick of a controversy over the safety and security of the KRS Dam in Mandya in the wake of rampant illegal mining, the State Government has upgraded the security of Harangi Dam in Kodagu district that is the only upstream reservoir that supplies water to KRS.

Till now, the Harangi Reservoir security was manned by lathi-wielding Kodagu District Reserve Police and Civil Police. 

Now the security apparatus has been handed over to gun-toting professionals from the elite Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF). Over 23 men are guarding the Dam 24×7 and unrestricted entry has been banned. All visitors will be frisked henceforth and only those who have valid permission from the KSISF will be allowed inside. 

The KSISF also manages the security of the KRS Dam. The Harangi Dam is in the upper Cauvery sub-basin reservoir near Hudgur village in Somwarpet taluk. Water from the reservoir irrigates 1.65 lakh hectares of farmland in Kodagu, Hassan and Mysuru districts. The maximum height of the reservoir is 2,859 feet and it has the capacity to store 8.5 tmcft of water.

The KSISF personnel are guarding the Dam main gate, four sluice gates and power house. Vigil will be kept till the end of the right canal. As per the new security protocol, vehicle parking has been arranged at the entrance of the Dam and visitors have to obtain permission from the Irrigation Department to enter the reservoir premises. Also, permission from the KSISF is required for private vehicles.

Earlier, private vehicles could enter into the Dam premises easily and entry was unrestricted if the visitors had the backing of politicians and elected representatives. The place was also a haven for illegal activities where liquor parties were held at the Dam guest house and also at a few places in the vicinity and backwaters.

Now all those who enter inside the Dam are screened and the registration number of the vehicles and information of tourists are documented. 

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Inspector K.S. Chandrashekar said that as Harangi is a sensitive zone, the KSISF has been entrusted with the security.

He said that the Dam security and the safety of visitors were paramount and security will also be provided to the sound-and-light show in the evenings. 

The KSISF was set up in 2012 and it started its service by providing security cover to Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and KRS Dam when Siddharamaiah was the CM. The KSISF personnel are trained in access control, gadgets management, communications, people management, fitness and have an eagle eye for disaster management.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 18th, 2021

Andhra Pradesh coffee exports touch $ 142million

Business & Economy, Coffee News, World Opinion
Andhra Pradesh coffee exports touch $ 142million

HIGHLIGHTS

Andhra Pradesh, the country’s second-largest exporter of coffee, exported coffee worth $142 million in the financial year 2020-21.

Vijayawada:

Andhra Pradesh, the country’s second-largest exporter of coffee, exported coffee worth $142 million in the financial year 2020-21.

The State government is encouraging the coffee production in Araku valley and other places during the past few years. The share of Andhra Pradesh accounts for more than 50 percent of India’s instant coffee exports.

The State possesses many manufacturing plants that process green coffee beans to instant coffee, which commands a 31 percent share in India’s coffee exports basket.

Drip Capital Inc, a global trade finance company, recently released a report examining the coffee trade across different regions of India. From analysing proprietary and publicly available data, getting insights from coffee exporters in the country, to understanding several emerging market trends brewing in the industry, the report speaks in-depth about the dynamics of the coffee sector.

The coffee exports from this region have been growing at a 3 percent over the past five years. The largest and the most famous coffee-growing region in Andhra Pradesh is Araku valley plantations.

According to the Coffee Board of India, on average, 3100 MT of (mainly) Arabica coffee is harvested from this region. Exports of instant coffee are rising from Andhra Pradesh due to increased export value realisation for the commodity.

Pushkar Mukewar, Co-Founder and CEO, Drip Capital, said, “as a commodity, instant coffee enjoys the product feature of convenience- a quality in high demand and vital to today’s global, fast-paced life. Hence, Indian exporters must stay abreast of developing trends in the instant coffee exports market. Also, to boost India’s overall coffee exports, many other States could benefit from mimicking Andhra Pradesh by setting up several coffee processing plants.”

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Hans News Service / July 26th, 2021

Rafting activities resume in Cauvery river at Kodagu’s Dubare

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature, Records, All, Sports

Over 60 rafts have availed permission to provide their services to the tourists and the activity has re-started with stringent COVID-19 norms in place.

The district administration has released stringent COVID-19 norms that need to be in place while resuming the activity. (Photo | Express)

Madikeri :

After a break of over two years, the much-sought-after rafting activity in river Cauvery at Dubare in Kodagu has resumed.

“The current water level of River Cauvery in Dubare is ideal for the adventure sport and we are happy to kick-start the rafting activity – which is our main livelihood,” shared DS Krishnappa, the president of the Dubare Rafting Association.

He confirmed that the association availed permission from DC Charulata Somal and the activity resumed from July 17.

He also analysed that tourist inflow is gradually picking up and said, “We are not seeing as much tourist flow. Nearly 40 to 50 tourists opted for rafting on Saturday. We are hopeful that the numbers will increase gradually.”

The district administration has released stringent COVID-19 norms that need to be in place while resuming the activity.

“We have bought sanitizer sprays and each raft is sanitized after every ride. We will not allow tourists to board the rafts without face masks. Also, the number in each raft has been reduced to six people (plus a guide) from the earlier eight people to ensure social distancing,” he explained.

The district administration has fixed Rs 600 per head for a seven-kilometre raft ride and the same is being strictly followed by the rafting staff.

While the rafting activity has resumed, Dubare Elephant Camp is still closed for tourists as the camp elephants are undergoing annual health check-ups.

Kushalnagar RFO Ananya Kumar confirmed that the Elephant Camp will be open only after the water level in River Cauvery decreases.

The Cauvery Nisargadhama tourist spot in Kushalnagar will, however, open from Monday.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / July 18th, 2021

Scaling Hills, Climbing Trees Daily Workout For Network

Business & Economy, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All, Science & Technology

Virajpet:

The online platform may be the only way to reach students during lockdown, but the digital medium comes with its own challenges. Students living in remote areas in Kodagu are facing trouble due to slow internet and connectivity issues. Lessons cannot be downloaded and they cannot attend online classes as videos and audios do not play. 

Kodagu is one of the high-altitude districts in Karnataka and most of the areas have green cover and undulating terrain. However, this very feature poses a great challenge to the students in attending online classes due to poor internet connectivity.

Students are commonly seen sitting on the roadside on top of bridges and on the rocks where they attend online classes. Some of them climb trees risking their lives and limbs. While the internet may not be available inside some houses, faint signals are somewhat available at a distance. So parents have the task of taking the children to the area where connectivity is available and bringing them back home after classes. 

Rain trouble too

Now it is raining across the district and students can’t even sit in the open outside. They sit inside jeeps and other vehicles to protect themselves from rain. There is hardly any mobile network in remote villages in Virajpet Taluk like Kedamullur, Birunani, Badagarakeri, Hysodlur, Nittoor, Karmad, Kunda and also Hathur. 

To attend the online classes, these students have no option but to find a spot where they get proper connectivity. And there are very few places where they get an internet connection on the phone. Added to the connectivity issues, many areas are in the dark due to frequent tree falls. Villages like Kedamullur, Badaga, Thermemotte, Baarikaadu, Kottooli, Thomara and Koorthikaadu do not get power restored for weeks together in case wires snap. 

“Due to the lack of a mobile network in my village, I have to walk into the forests where I can get faint signals. Our village is one of the places where basic communication facilities are missing and villagers have to walk towards the forests at the time where they get signal on their phones. Sometimes it rains when we are outside and we are not able to study,” said M.C. Nireeksha, a  10th Standard student at Heggala Ramanagara School. 

Students are the ones who are suffering the most as they have to travel 3-4 km at times during the lockdown to attend online classes, she added. At remote villages where there is undulating terrain, mobile network is not balanced across the village and they get signal only in the upper reaches. A majority of students in the Kedamullur region have been studying in the schools and colleges in Virajpeṭ and 70 percent are the children of labourers.

“My house is in the lower part of Kedamullur village while good signal can be reached only in the upper reaches of the village, so my children are forced to trek till a particular point to study. This is a wooded area and there is a threat of wild animals. Along with my daughter I too walk 4 km to get connectivity and we only return in the evening,” said Vishwanath, a parent. 

Authorities nonchalant

While this is the predicament faced by the students, those in positions of power sit tight saying that they have written many letters to higher-ups and there is no response. “BSNL provides connectivity to many areas in Kodagu and the offices of engineers, technicians and other staff are empty as there are hardly any employees. I have even written many letters to higher-ups for a mobile tower but there is no response,” said Kedamullur Gram Panchayat President N. Sheela. 

“There is a 2G BSNL tower in Virajpet-Kedamullur and it is a genuine problem. Letters have been written a month back to upgrade the tower to 4G network. The problem will be solved if a new tower is installed,” said BSNL Virajpet Sub-Division Engineer Narayana. The officer was, however, silent on when the new tower will be installed or the existing tower would be upgraded to 4G.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 14th, 2021

Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy comes to Coimbatore

Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports
Rohan Bopanna. (AP Photo)

Coimbatore :

The Rohan Bopanna Tennis  Academy, run by the Indian doubles ace, on Monday opened at a school.


“I am very happy to be able to see young talent, giving them the positive encouragement of sport,” he said at the virtual inauguration of Coimbatore’s first development tennis centre in association with the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy (RBTA).


The academy is being set up at RAK’s school.


It is also special because it is the first development academy for RBTA outside Karnataka , he added.


Bopanna, India’s top doubles player currently, said Coimbatore has had a lot of talent for many years, adding “one of the main reasons to start a centre here is that there are a lot of students with tremendous talent but lack opportunity.


“We have a structured programme in place.”


Further, Bopanna said when children come to the school, they would get to watch young talent training there, get inspired and start playing tennis.


Speakers at the event, including the RAK’s School founders, emphasised that sports and academics should go hand in hand to ensure holistic development of a child.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> Sports News> Tennis News / by PTI / July 12th, 2021

Kushalnagar Formally Gets Taluk Status Amid Fracas

About Kodagu / Coorg, Business & Economy, Records, All

Madikeri:

Six months after issuing a final notification for the formation of Kushalnagar taluk, the taluk was officially dedicated on Tuesday by Revenue Minister R. Ashoka. The State Government had notified the taluk on Jan. 1 this year and a new taluk was formed adding to the list of existing four taluks — Madikeri, Virajpet, Ponnampet and Somwarpet.

The taluk was created bowing to public pressure and years of struggle as residents were forced to travel 27-km to Somwarpet to get their work done. Cauvery Taluk Horata Kendriya Samiti spearheaded the agitations.

However, Tuesday’s inauguration became chaotic as office-bearers and members of the Samiti alleged that though Kushalnagar taluk was their baby, they had been ignored during the inauguration ceremony, making it an all-BJP affair. They shouted slogans as soon as Minister Ashoka rose to speak. However, they were evicted out forcefully. 

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, Somwarpet MLA M.P. Appachu Ranjan and MLC Veena Achaiah were present on the dais. Minister Ashoka praised Appachu Ranjan for his efforts to form the taluk. “He visited my office 20-30 times urging me to accord the taluk status,” he said. 

Ashoka noted that Tahsildar and 12 posts have been created and Rs. 50 lakh had been released for necessary works and assured that all necessary support would be provided to the newly-developed taluk in a phased manner. 

In his address, thanking Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and Ashoka, MLA Appachu Ranjan said that a Mini Vidhana Soudha was necessary to house all Government offices. 

Samiti alleges side-lining

Before Ashoka spoke, members of Cauvery Taluk Horata Kendriya Samiti alleged that the BJP had hijacked their efforts to form the taluk for 20 years. Horata Samiti leader and Zilla Panchayat former member K.P. Chandrakala said that Samiti Chairman V.P. Shashidhar’s name was deliberately dropped from the list of guests in the invitation.

“The event has been converted into a BJP event,” she said, as the Samiti members including Shashidhar shouted slogans against the BJP Government. This irked BJP followers and they too shouted pro-BJP slogans. This led to a fracas where both sides accused each other. Some were even pushed around.

Though Pratap Simha tried to calm down the agitated crowd, the fight did not stop and the Police tried to send Shashidhar and other activists outside the hall. Then a fight broke out with Inspector Mahesh. Later, the Police evicted the Samiti members out of the hall. 

Meanwhile, Appachu Ranjan said that he had supported the efforts of all organisations in the formation of Kushalnagar taluk. “When Siddharamaiah was the CM, I led a delegation to Belagavi and Bengaluru. When V.P. Shashidhar had launched a hunger strike, it was I who stood behind him when the then Kodagu District Minister M.R. Seetharam did not care. All this must be remembered by the Samiti,” he added.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 08th, 2021