– Thomas will replace the current MD and CEO Sanjiv Sarin following
his retirement effective 31 March
– He currently works as the executive director and deputy CEO of the
Tata Group firm
Tata Coffee on Friday announced the appointment of Chacko Purackal Thomas as the managing director and chief executive officer. He will replace Sanjiv Sarin, who retires on 31 March. He will assume the charge from April 1, 2019.
Thomas, currently working as the executive director and deputy CEO of the Tata Group firm, has been associated with the company since 2015.
In a statement to the NSE, Tata Coffee said Thomas has a Bachelor degree in Science, with a specialisation in Computer Science from the University of Jodhpur. He has over 27 years of experience in the plantation industry.
Before joining Tata Coffee, Thomas was managing director, Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Limited, Munnar.
The Coffee Board of India, Ministry of Commerce & lndustry, Govt. of India in association with The Consulate General of India, Toronto organized a special program to promote coffees of India and to facilitate Indian coffee trade. The Indian Delegation comprised of executives from the Coffee Board of India, key exporters, coffee roasters and a coffee planter.
Coffee occupies a place of pride among plantation crops grown in India. India ranks seventh in global coffee production with an annual average profusion of around 320,000 tons contributing to approx. 3.5% of global production and stands at the fifth position in terms of exports contributing to 5% of the global coffee trade. Indian Robustas are perceived to be the best in the world and high-elevation shade-grown Indian Arabicas are sought after as premium eco-friendly coffees. Canada is one of the major importers and consumers of coffee, and imports around 350,000 tons of coffee annually. However, India’s share in this high-value coffee import market in Canada is quite negligible.
The composite delegation led by Mr. Srivatsa Krishna, lAS, CEO & Secretary, Coffee Board of India met with Canadian regulatory officials and Canadian business community on March 11, 2019 at the Indian Consulate in Toronto. The Consul general of India, Mr. Dinesh Bhatia and CEO of Coffee Board of India, Mr. Srivatsa Krishna opened the program by addressing delegates and guests.
The program included an in depth presentation on ‘coffees of India’ followed by a coffee cupping session and exclusive one-to-one interactions with top coffee manufacturers and key stakeholders from the coffee industry of India. On the following day, March 12, delegates Dr. Mandappa I.M (Coffee Quality Specialist, Coffee Board), Shri. N.N. Narendra (Director of Finance, Coffee Board), Mr. V.E Ovian (Director, Indcaffe), Mr. Kaashif Asghar (Managing Partner, The Aldur Group) and key Indian traders met up with Indo Canadian Chamber of Commerce, South Indian Business Community and prominent Canadian coffee business giants in order to create inroads for Indian coffees with the prime objective to benefit all stakeholders including Indian coffee traders, roasters and farmers. -CINEWS
source: http://www.canindia.com / Can India / Home> Community / by CanIndia News Online Edition / March 22nd, 2019
Rohan Bopanna has served plenty of aces in his career. But the Indian doubles star also serves something else on the ATP Tour: coffee expertise.
“When I go to the tournaments, everybody comes to me and says, “Rohan, this is bad coffee!’ Bopanna said, cracking a laugh. “I say, ‘I’m sorry but I can’t do anything with it’!”
Bopanna is more than just a coffee connoisseur. The 39-year-old, currently No. 36 in the ATP Doubles Rankings, has his own line of The Flying Squirrel coffee: Rohan Bopanna’s Master Blend.
“To be honest, the coffee came first, before my tennis. That’s something which has been part of the family. We grow coffee, hence the coffee love came,” Bopanna said. “I’ve been through the whole process of how it works, how the plants grow. Now I’m learning so much more about getting the right blend, roasting the coffee and everything from the past three years. But the growing part I’ve always known how to grow the coffee and all of that goes back to my childhood.”
Bopanna’s family estate, home of their coffee plantation, is in Coorg, a district in the state of Karnataka, in southwest India. When the former No. 3 doubles player in the world was growing up, his father had not started a coffee company — they simply sold beans to those who were interested in buying. But nevertheless, it’s been a part of his life as long as he can remember.
“Me being the only son, I feel there is an opportunity for me to go back whenever I’m done [with tennis] to take care of that plantation,” Bopanna said. “This [venture] was something added on, something different and yes, of course, I would love to still be very much part of it. One of the reasons I started now is that with tennis, obviously [my life] as a player is going to end one day. There’s something more to look for and coffee’s been a pure love from the beginning, so why not continue with it?”
Not only does Bopanna get to share his work with other players on the ATP Tour, but by travelling the world, he gets to try different blends every week. The 18-time tour-level titlist does bring his own beans and filter on the road with him, though.
“Tennis takes us to some beautiful cities, where automatically I get to taste all the greatest coffees,” Bopanna said. “Australia has some great coffee places. Even last week I was in Phoenix, Arizona. I was in the old town of Scottsdale and that had exceptional coffee places at the different cafes.
“Tennis has given me an opportunity to taste different coffees and hopefully take that experience to improve Indian coffee more.”
While it is as catchy as hot shots you see on the court, one may wonder where the name of the company — ‘The Flying Squirrel’ — came from.
“The family friend who I tied up with, at the estate, we have flying squirrels there,” Bopanna said. “When I started my blend, I thought the best way was to tie [my line] up with his [brand] since they already have the roasters and everything… to start everything from scratch would have been tough, hence the name ‘The Flying Squirrel’.”
While Bopanna takes his coffee seriously, he’s certainly not done on the court yet. At this week’s Miami Open presented by Itau, Bopanna is competing alongside #NextGenATP Canadian Denis Shapovalov. The Indian also played with Shapovalov at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
“The idea is to obviously try and do well in these big tournaments, big Masters series events. That’s the key,” Bopanna said. “I’m at a stage that when I play these tournaments, I’m looking to obviously do well and try to win the tournament. You’ve been on the [ATP] Tour for such a long time. You know every player out there, you know what to expect and you’re going there to try to win the tournament.”
As Bopanna continues to try to make his mark on the court, he’s trying to win over his colleagues’ taste buds, too.
“Indian coffee I feel has really grown in a big way in India and I feel we can really bring it out to the world to try to experience it. I feel the best way for me is to try to use my tennis platform to give a lot of my homegrown coffee to all the tennis players who love coffee,” Bopanna said. “I’ve gotten great feedback from all these players who have tried it and enjoyed it so far. It’s something very, very different, and I enjoy doing it.”
source: http://www.atptour,com / ATP Tour / Home> News / by Andrew Eichenholz / March 22nd, 2019
The bust of Deewan Ponnappa and Basaveshwara Temple in the heart of Ponnampet.
The decades-old struggle demanding taluk status to Ponnampet has been fulfilled with the Cabinet meeting deciding to accord taluk status to Ponnampet.
The countdown has begun for Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to make an official announcement of Ponnampet and Kaveri taluks during his visit to Kodagu on Thursday.
Ponnampet in South Kodagu is a main cultural centre in the district. It was coming under the jurisdiction of Virajpet taluk so far. Barring a tahsildar’s office, all other taluk offices are situated at Ponnampet.
The court, treasury, taluk panchayat office, PWD office, offices of social welfare department, department of backward classes, horticulture, Nada Kacheri and others are situated at Ponnampet.
Villagers from Balele, Nittur, Karmadu, Kutta, Birunani, Parakatageri, Teralu had to travel 50-km to 60-km to reach taluk headquarters of Virajpet for any work.
Demanding taluk status to Ponnampet, former MLC C S Arun Machaiah, senior advocate Mathranda Appacchu, Bheemaiah, M T Cariappa, senior leaders like Pucchimada Harish Devaiah, A A Haji, M S Kushalappa had been fighting for the last 10 years. The demand for taluk status had gained momentum in the last two years.
The proposed Ponnampet taluk will include Ponnampet hobli, Balele, Srimangala, Hudikeri hobli, 21 Gram Panchayats and 49 villages.
According to the survey conducted by Horata Samithi, Ponnampet taluk will have 2,23,507 acres of geographical area including Devamacchi, Nagarahole and Brahmagiri forest.
The taluk will have more than 100 primary schools, 50 high schools, 15 PU Colleges, two polytechnic colleges, one ITI, one degree college and one post graduation centre.
Speaking to DH, Nagarika Horata Samithi member M S Kushalappa said, “The long-pending demand of the people of Ponnampet region has been fulfilled.”
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DH News Service, Gonikoppa / February 27th, 2019
Kodagu has been included in the Malabar Tourism Zone by the stakeholders in Kerala for promoting tourism in Malabar region.
The two districts that are closer to the Malabar region will benefit from the initiative
Tourism in Kodagu is set to get a boost with the district being assured of getting a stall at the newly-opened Kannur International Airport in Kannur, Kerala, to promote tourism to international travellers landing in the coastal city.
Kodagu and Mysuru have been included in the Malabar Tourism Zone by the Kerala authorities for the development of tourism in Malabar and nearby areas, including vast tourist destinations in the land of coffee and also in the City of Palaces.
Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) Managing Director V. Tulsidas said the Tourism Department of Kerala and other agencies have come up with a plan for promoting Malabar tourism. Several projects were being chalked out as part of the Malabar Tourism Zone.
Kodagu and Mysuru, which are closer to the Malabar region and already have tourism links with the neighbouring State with people in the tour and travel industry operating services, will benefit from the initiative.
Mr. Tulsidas was speaking at a seminar on tourism in the Malabar region organised jointly by the North Malabar Chamber of Commerce and the KIAL at Kannur recently. Many stakeholders from the Kodagu tourism sector also attended the seminar. Tourism and economic activities in the areas closer to Kannur would benefit with the launch of the international airport, he opined.
With the launch of several international flights from Kannur, Kodagu’s tourism would see a rise in footfall, he said and added that the hospitality sector in these places should come up with attractive offers for foreign travellers.
Mr. Tulsidas said the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation has come forward to allot over 5,000 acres of land near Kannur airport for the development of economic activities in the area and called upon investors from Kerala and Karnataka to make use of the opportunity.
Kodagu Hotels, Restaurants and Resort Owners’ Association president B.R. Nagendra Prasad, who attended the seminar, said the association would provide all possible support in realising the objectives of the Malabar Tourism Zone.
Entry tax
Association Consultant G. Chidwilas said tourist taxis from Karnataka were being charged exorbitantly upon their entry into Kerala and this could be a hurdle in attracting the people from the State to Kannur for boarding flights. In reply, Mr Tulsidas said the governments of Kerala and Karnataka need to arrive at an amicable solution to the issue of the entry tax.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – February 11th, 2019
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has announced ₹100 crore in his budget for the construction of a 450-bed teaching hospital in Madikeri for Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS).
The college was lacking the hospital since its establishment and the district hospital was supporting it.
Other budget announcements for Kodagu include – ₹2 crore for the newly-formed Kodagu Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority; ₹5 crore for Kodava Samaj Hockey Stadium in Virajpet taluk; a grant of ₹10 crore for the overall development of Kodava community; resurvey of Mysuru and Kodagu using drones. A new sports hostel has been announced for Madikeri with a few other cities at a cost of ₹12.5 crore.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – February 09th, 2019
District in-charge minister Sa Ra Mahesh chairs a meeting at the DC’s office in Madikeri on Friday, on rehabilitation activities in Kodagu. Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murty, MLAs M P Appacchu Ranjan and K G Bopaiah, MLCs Sunil Subramani and Veena Acchaiah, Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy and ZP CEO K Lakshmipriya look on.
Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murty said that the foundation will construct 200 houses for flood and landslide victims in Kodagu.
Speaking after inspecting the site earmarked for rehabilitation of victims on Friday, she said that during the inauguration of Dasara celebrations in Mysuru, Infosys Foundation had promised to contribute Rs 25 crore for the victims.
“It has now been decided that Infosys foundation will itself construct houses with the fund. Nearly 100 houses will be built in two different phases. The government has agreed to fund Rs 9.85 lakh for each house,” she added.
“The foundation will contribute an equal amount. The remainder will be used to repair damaged houses. Contractors hired by Infosys Foundation will build the houses in a government approved model. The representatives of the foundation will monitor the constructions,” she said.
Other than building houses, 100 cowsheds and 100 poultry farming centres would also be built by Infosys Foundation, Sudha Murty said, adding that there was a plan to construct a poly house for farmers, at a cost of Rs 25 lakh.
Sponsors
District in-charge minister Sa Ra Mahesh said that people ready to sponsor houses for flood victims were welcome.
“The government will undertake river desilting and funds will be set aside in the state budget for it. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will chair the meeting of the Kodagu Reconstruction Authority on February 10. A final decision on the disposal of timber washed away during the flash floods will be made at the same meet. A discussion on ‘C’ and ‘D’ land in the district, will also be held,” said the Minister.
The minister directed officials to complete the rehabilitation projects before the monsoon.
Members of Legislative Assembly M P Appacchu Ranjan and K G Bopaiah, Members of Legislative Council Sunil Subramani and Veena Acchaiah, Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy and ZP CEO K Lakshmipriya were present in the meeting.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service, Madikeri / February 02nd, 2019
Athlete Vandana Rao was felicitated at the valedictory function of Besant centenary celebrations organised at Dr T M A Pai International Convention Centre in Mangaluru on Saturday.
Bengaluru-based Coffeelab Limited President Sunalini N Menon stressed on Saturday that excellence is taking pride in work and being the best at the work.
She was speaking at the valedictory function of the Besant centenary celebrations organised by Women’s National Education Society (WNES) at Dr T M A Pai International Convention Centre here.
She said, “Nobody remembers how fast the job was done, but how well the job was done. Whether be it washing utensils in the kitchen or sweeping the floor, being the best in your work is a self-portrait of what you are and the best insurance in the future for a job,” Sunalini said.
She said creativity and eye for detail are a must for the perfect execution of goals.
Sunalini, reflecting on her four decades of experience as a coffee taster, described the coffee tasting as a fascinating journey. “It is not a mere cup of coffee. There is so much of science and knowledge that you will learn humility,” the internationally recognised coffee-taster said.
She also invited the students present in the hall to learn more about the profession.
She said Indian Coffee Board offers ‘Kaapi Shastra’ on how to brew a perfect cup of coffee and there is a PG diploma course on coffee quality and another course on coffee entrepreneurship from Indian Institution of Plantation Management (IIPM).
She said her Coffeelab analyses samples from across the world.
“We are more as a facilitator, depending on what the market wants and what the grower can provide,” she said.
Presiding over the programme, former vice-chancellor of SNDT Women’s University Prof Rupa Shah urged women not to be fearful about the outcome. “I will compete and emerge successful should be the motto,” she stressed.
The Besant group of institutions felicitated alumni achievers including writer Kasturi, gynaecologist and well-known athlete Vandana Rao.
Kasturi and Devayani, who had emerged as toppers and declared as Vasantha Ranis while in school in 1959, were felicitated on the occasion.
Devayani thanked the management for remembering them after 50 years.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Harsha, Mangaluru / January 19th, 2019
Lodges, resorts and homestays in the district saw 85 per cent occupancy on all three days.
People at a flower show organised as part of Kodagu Pravasi Festival at Raja’s Seat in Madikeri. (KPN)
Madikeri:
The three-day Kodagu Pravasi Utsav, which ended here on Sunday, attracted a large number of people.
The event was held to revive tourism in Kodagu, the picturesque district which was devastated by floods and landslides in last August.
Lodges, resorts and homestays in the district saw 85 per cent occupancy on all three days. The Department of Tourism and the district administration organised the event for the first time to give flip to tourism.
“This event will go a long way in motivating the people who depend on tourism in Kodagu after the big tragedy in August last,” Kodagu district resorts, hotels and restaurants’ association head Nagendra Prasad said.
“Kodagu Pravasi Utsav should become an annual event henceforth,” P.K. Somaiah, a planter from Murnad near Madikeri, said.
The day-long open street festival on the stretch between MM Circle and Raja Seat in Madikeri on Sunday attracted at least 30,000 people. The event, which began with yoga and zumba, had colourful cultural programmes. Folk artistes performed Chinese lion dance and “maragaalu kunitha”. The event also featured a magic show, live demonstration of pottery making and portrait painting. The venue had shops selling desi clothes, handicrafts and handlooms exhibitions, besides food stalls.
The three-day flower show hosted by the Horticulture Department at the Raja Seat had 15,000 species of plants.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by Shilpa P, Deccan Chronicle / January 14th, 2019
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