The winners are Kolera Zaru Ganapathy, chairperson, Sai Shankar Educational Institutions, Ponnampet and Chennai-based industrialist Ashok Kumar Shetty, owner of Sincona Estate in Kodagu.
Bengaluru :
Two individuals who went out of their way to assist people affected during unprecedented floods and landslides which struck Kodagu district this August, have shared the title of ‘Coorg Person of the Year 2018’.
The winners are Kolera Zaru Ganapathy, chairperson, Sai Shankar Educational Institutions, Ponnampet and Chennai-based industrialist Ashok Kumar Shetty, owner of Sincona Estate in Kodagu.
The duo were joint winners in a poll conducted by www.coorgtourisminfo.com. This is the first time that the award is being shared by two people.
When educationist Zaru Ganapathy heard about the tragedy, he initially announced that he would take 25 students in his residential school. Gradually, parents of more children starting approaching him.
Ganapathy said there were 130 students at present from the affected villages who are accommodated in the residential school. “We are giving them free education and are ready to look after them for another three years,” he said.
The second Coorg Person of the Year is Chennai-based Ashok Kumar Shetty, owner of Sincona Estate, on the Madikeri-Somwarpet state highway, near Makkandur. A 450 metre-long stretch of the highway was washed away due to landslides, forcing villagers and students to trek through hills to reach their homes. Taking note of the plight of the villagers, Shetty offered nearly two acres of his land to the Public Works Department for restoring the highway line.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / December 27th, 2018
A view of the new District Court Complex on the outskirts of Madikeri.
The construction work of the Kodagu District Court Complex in Madikeri has reached its final stage.
The red coloured court complex situated on the outskirts of the city reminds one of the High Court building in Bengaluru.
A new building for the district court has been a long pending demand of judges, lawyers and the public.
The current court complex at Old Fort in Madikeri houses the courts of various levels. The building leaks in the rainy season, resulting in damage to documents.
The court proceedings are also hit due to the poor condition of the building. The Old Fort premises is currently under the jurisdiction of the archaeological department.
The department had been repeatedly requesting the administration to relocate the zilla panchayat office and the old court complex to the new premises so that the preservation works of the Old Fort Hall and the Madikeri Palace could be taken up.
Work on the new district court complex began in 2014 and is carried out at a cost of Rs 36 crore. The last stage of work is pending.
The building was supposed to be completed by this December. But heavy rains in June, July and August resulted in the delay. Now, the work is expected to the completed by the end of February 2019 and the courts will possibly function in the new building from the first week of April.
The three-storied court complex comprises of court hall, auditorium, record room, safety room and a separate room to accommodate the under-trails during the investigation. The installation of furniture in the court hall is in progress, said the contracted agency.
The workers said that care has been taken to ensure the safety of the new building.
The building has been designed in such a way that the building walls are protected from rain. During the incessant rains in August, there were incidents of minor landslides at the new court premises. Therefore, protective walls have been built around the court building.
There is also a parking facility in the new complex.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by Adithya KA / DH News Service / Madikeri – December 26th, 2018
Based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the Board of Directors of Tata Coffee Limited at their meeting held today, the 24th December 2018, has appointed Mr. Chacko Purackal Thomas (who is currently the Executive Director & Deputy CEO) as ‘Managing Director & CEO designate’ with effect from 24th December 2018.
Mr. Chacko Thomas will assume charge as Managing Director & CEO of Tata Coffee Limited, effective 1st April 2019 after the retirement of Mr. Sanjiv Sarin, the current Managing Director and CEO, whose term of office would expire by 31st March 2019.
Mr. Chacko Purackal Thomas is a Bachelor of Science with specialization in Computer Science from the University of Jodhpur. He has over 26 years of rich experience and expertise in the field of Plantations, Business strategy, Sales and Marketing and overall leadership.
He has been associated with Tata Coffee Limited as the Executive Director & Deputy CEO since 4th August, 2015. Before joining Tata Coffee, he was the Managing Director of Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Company Private Limited, Munnar.
Shares of TATA COFFEE LTD. was last trading in BSE at Rs.95.45 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 94.45. The total number of shares traded during the day was 19718 in over 263 trades.
The stock hit an intraday high of Rs. 95.7 and intraday low of 94.45. The net turnover during the day was Rs. 1877889.
The newly opened Kannur International Airport has brought smiles to Karnataka’s bordering district of Kodagu.
The closest airport from Madikeri, Gonikoppal, and Kushalnagar is Kannur, and tourism stakeholders are hoping that the new airport may prove a big advantage for tourist footfall in the coffee land.
Kushalnagar, a commercial town surrounded by tourism hotspots, is around 100 km from Kannur, while Madikeri and Gonikoppal are about 95 km and 55 km, respectively, from the Kerala city.
“Certainly, the airport will benefit Kodagu, both in terms of business and tourism. Whether the benefit will be felt immediately has to be seen. But, tourists travelling by road from Bengaluru airport may prefer Kannur airport to reach Kodagu,” said Kodagu Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants’ Association president Nagendra Prasad.
He, however, said the road linking Kannur and Madikeri should be developed within the State limits since the route till Kerala–Karnataka border from Kannur is a four-lane road. The Karnataka government should take immediate steps to develop the single-lane road till the border to facilitate tourist arrivals, Mr. Prasad urged. While the journey by road from Bengaluru to Madikeri takes about five hours, the route from Kannur to Kodagu is less than two hours.
Mysuru Travel Mart president B.S. Prashanth said the airport would open a new gateway for tourism developmentand eventually improve connectivity between the two States, thereby boosting tourism.
People flying to Kannur need not have to bother about traffic to reach their destination — Madikeri — unlike from Bengaluru, according to Mr. Prashanth as during weekends and holidays, the Mysuru–Bengaluru highway witnesses bumper-to-bumper traffic.
The new airport may also open a new route for tourists visiting Wayanad and Ooty — the other two popular destinations in south India.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Shankar Bennur / Mysuru – December 15th, 2018
The yard identified for organising ‘Raitha Santhe’ on the premises of the APMC in Madikeri
The APMC in Madikeri will reintroduce ‘Raitha Santhe’, the farmers’ shandy, from December 21.
The weekly shandy was stopped following landslides and incessant rain in Kodagu.
After a long gap, the APMC has decided to relaunch the unique market wherein a platform will be provided to farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers (customers).
The programme, which was initiated on January 12 this year had received a poor response. The APMC has now relaunched the shandy by incorporating some changes with an objective to make it friendly for both the farmers and the buyers.
“From December 21, ‘Raitha Santhe’ will be held on the premises of the APMC near KSRTC depot on every Friday and Wednesday,” said APMC Madikeri Chairman S Ambi Cariappa.
It has been decided to hold the farmers’ shandy on two days in a week. Earlier, the market was meant only for the farmers of Madikeri taluk. This time, the facility will be extended to farmers from various parts of Kodagu district as well as from the state.
Basic amenities such as a new building and parking space will be provided at the venue of the ‘Raitha Santhe’.
APMC member Beppurana Medappa said that the ‘Raitha Santhe’ intends to encourage customers to purchase products directly from farmers at reasonable prices.
Apart from vegetables and fruits, value-added products by farmers will also be featured during the sale. Farmers have also been extended tax exemption to carry out the business, he added.
Apart from vegetables and fruits, value-added products by farmers will also be featured during the sale. Farmers have also been extended tax exemption to carry out the business, he added.
Another member Kangira Sathish said that earlier, the customers had complained of a limited variety of vegetables at the ‘Raitha Santhe’. Hence, provisions have been made this time to sell a wide range of vegetables, along with groceries.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by Adithtya K A / DH News Service / Madikeri – December 16th, 2018
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara and others at the laying of the foundation stone for the houses for flood-affected families, at Jamboor village, near Madapura, in Kodagu district on Friday.
Kodagu Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Development Authority to lead rebuilding efforts
Acknowledging the courage displayed by the people of Kodagu during the floods and landslips a few months ago, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy offered all help from the government to those displaced and affected by the unprecedented calamity.
The CM made an announcement on the setting up of the Kodagu Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Development Authority, of which he is chairman. It will carry out reconstruction and rehabilitation work and restoring the flood-ravaged district.
Mr. Kumaraswamy was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the construction of houses on a 50-acre plot at Jamboor village near Madapura in the district on Friday. Each house will be built at a cost of ₹9.80 lakh.
Reiterating the State government’s promise of fulfilling all demands of affected families, the CM said the government was determined and committed to ensure a respectable life to the displaced families and urged them not to panic about their future.
Never in the past has the government come forward to build a 2BHK home for displaced families in the State, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, and added that the donations to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund would be used for the construction.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said there was no dearth of funds with the government for offering succour to the affected. The lost charm of the district following the floods and landslips would be restored, he added. He said the government is putting all its strength towards rebuilding Kodagu and the constitution of the authority is a major step in this direction. “The Centre has not released any special aid to flood-ravaged Kodagu,” he alleged.
Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha took exception to the DyCM’s comment in his speech and argued that the Centre has also responded positively to the flood-hit district.
Objecting to Mr Parameshwar’s remark that the Centre should have announced a special package for Kodagu like it did for Kerala, Mr. Simha said the Centre did not announce any package to Kerala but released funds under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Also, the highways in Kodagu were being repaired and reconstructed from the Central grant, he maintained.
The MP displayed a letter on the Centre’s aid to the State which was also acknowledged by the Chief Minister.
In his address, Minister for Housing and Urban Development U.T. Khader said compensation for coffee and black pepper growers would be announced soon. The construction of houses for the families would start from Saturday at Jamboor, Somawarpet and Madikeri. Around 55 houses would be built in one month in the respective colonies.
Minister in-charge of Kodagu district S.R. Mahesh spoke about the efforts made by the government after the disaster struck the district and the immediate succour provided to the affected families.
MLA Appachu Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner P.I. Sreevidya and others were present.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – December 08th, 2018
Kannur International Airport Ltd (KIAL) and Kodagu district are betting big on the proximity factor and the tourism potential for mutual growth. Kodagu, the hill district of Karnataka, will be one of the major beneficiaries of the Kannur International Airport that will begin operation on December 9.
V Thulasidas, Managing Director of KIAL, recently told BusinessLine in Kannur that Kodagu passengers would find this airport convenient because of its proximity to major towns in the district.
Proximity
Virajpet in southern Kodagu is just 58 km away from the airport (which is located at Mattannur), and Madikeri in northern Kodagu is around 90 km from the airport.
G Chidvilas, former president of the Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce, said though Bengaluru is located around 260 km from Madikeri, it requires around seven hours of travel. “From there you need at least one hour to reach the Bengaluru airport,” he said.
The Mangaluru International Airport is around 140 km from Madikeri, and around 170 km from Virajpet. The Kannur airport is much closer to Kodagu towns than these two airports, he said.
Tourism potential
Stating that coffee crop and tourism are the two major contributors to the economy of the district, Chidvilas said the district is a major tourism destination in Karnataka. Many corporates in the hospitality sector have opened resorts in the district. Apart from this, the district has many home-stay accommodations.
“Since Kannur is an international airport, we are expecting an influx of foreign tourists into Kodagu,” he said.
Cargo to Gulf
Thulasidas said KIAL has had several interactions with the chambers of commerce from its catchment areas, including the Kodagu chamber. “I went to Madikeri and had meetings with the chamber. We will work together as a team to promote tourism in this catchment area,” he said.
On the potential for cargo handling from the Kodagu region, the KIAL MD said the presence of an airport nearby offers scope for exporting flowers and spices from the district to the Gulf destinations. From there, these cargoes can go to Europe. The construction of the cargo complex at the airport is expected to be completed in one-and-a-half years.
Road connectivity
Chidvilas said Kodagu, which is known for floriculture activities, is now dependent on the Bengaluru airport for export. The Kannur airport will provide another alternative to the floriculturists to tap the export market.
Asked about the condition of roads between the Kodagu centres and the airport, he said the problem is with the stretch of roads in Kodagu and not Kerala. A stretch from the Kerala border to Virajpet, which needs to be widened, passes through a reserve forest, he said.
Thulasidas said the road from Kannur town to Mattannur (where the airport is located) and from there to the Karnataka border will be a National Highway. The road from Mattannur to the Karnataka border, which is already being developed by the Kerala government into two lanes under another scheme, is almost completed.
The development of the roads will help people from both Kannur and Kodagu areas, he added.
source:http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home / by A J Vinayak / December 03rd, 2018
The resort and homestay owners have initiated a campaign to promote tourism in the district.
The campaign ‘Kodagu is Back’ is aimed at promoting tourism in the district which had been affected by landslides and flash floods causing extensive damage during August.
The tourism industry has sprung back to life in the face of floods affecting Kerala. However, in Kodagu, the tourism industry failed to recover. Hence, the resort and homestay owners in the district have posted two short films to highlight that Kodagu is safe and tourists can visit without any fear. The duration of the video is one-and-a-half minutes and has gone viral on social media.
The short films produced by Drishti have attempted to showcase safety in tourists spots, trekking areas, rivers and mist-filled Kodagu district. There are over 4,000 homestays in the district. After the massive floods that ravaged the district in August, a majority of the homestays have remained closed.
“Other than horticultural crops, the main source of income for the district is tourism. Though tourists are visiting the district since November first week, it has not grown as per the expectations. Hence, the short films are an effort to promote tourism in the district,” said Hotel and Resort Owners’ Association President Nagendra Prasad.
Over one lakh people in the district are dependent on the tourism sector for livelihood. After the landslides, the labourers have returned to their native places. About 80% of the business has been affected. Resort and homestay owners are attempting to sell the resorts. However, there are no buyers, he lamented.
The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation too joined hands with the resort owners in promoting tourism.
KSTDC Managing Director, Kumar Pushkar said, “There are two hotels run by KSTDC in the district. In the last four months, we have incurred a loss of Rs 1.50 crore.”
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Districts / by Adithya K A / DH News Service,Madikeri / November 30th, 2018
Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya speaks at Sadbhavana Convention organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Madikeri unit, on Saturday.
The volunteers, who took part in the rescue operations during the massive landslides and floods that ravaged Kodagu, are role models for the entire country, said Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya.
Speaking at the Sadbhavana Convention, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Madikeri unit on Saturday, she said volunteers not only took up rescue operations but also lent a helping hand to the district administration.
“As many as 600 victims have been provided shelter at the relief centres by the district administration. The government has been providing facilities to the victims. Members of various organisations are also extending financial assistance and providing relief materials to the victims,” added the deputy commissioner.
Kalancheri Mutt seer Shanthamallikarjuna Swami said that such conventions were essential to foster communal harmony in the society.
As many as 15 volunteers, who were part of the rescue operations, were felicitated on the occasion.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Districts / by Adithya K A / DH News Service,Madikeri / November 25th, 2018
Bengaluru ByDesign promises handmade and cutting-edge innovation Karolina Merska Ola O Smit
Writer UR Anathamurthy was instrumental in Bangalore becoming Bengaluru. In November 2006, when the city symbolically made the shift, his intent, he wrote in an essay, was to give the city “the ability to belong to the world at large even as one is rooted in one’s Kannadaness”. Even as Bengaluru ByDesign takes over the city from November 23, the focus of the 10-day festival will be on transformations, from the handmade to technology and sustainable interventions.
From installations and exhibitions, to workshops and conferences, the festival at multiple venues in the city, hopes to bridge the gap between what is design and what people imagine to be design. Some of the highlights:
Choose Flight Kavya Madappa’s Bluecat Paper presents Unchained Symphony – Birds, a site-specific installation. At the grand marble stairs of UB City, abstract forms of paper birds will rise towards the high-vaulted ceiling and soaring arches of the mall, symbolic of freedom and flight. “We make handmade paper from cotton, coffee and corn husks. We have nearly a 1,000 birds for the 80 steps there,” says Madappa.
Closing the Loop
At St. Mark’s Circle, Total Environment will display its strength in sustainable practices through green installations and landscaping. Designed as a twirling ribbon, the green pods will house various stages of construction, from plumbing to electrical wiring. “As a company that provides experiences in sensitively designed structures, we hope these pods will help people see the craft involved in making a home,” says Founder-Chairman, Kamal Sagar.
Everyday Design
A pop-up called “Museum of Everything” at Kafnu, curated by Sarayu Hedge, will have everything — from origami lamps to recycled cork décor, glass jewellery to organic garments.
Total Recall
London-based designer Karolina Merska honours the traditional pajaki (pah-yonk-ee) paper chandeliers, famous for drawing inspiration from architecture, costumes and flowers. “I will visit Bengaluru’s flower markets and decorate my installation at UB City with fresh marigolds instead of paper flowers,” she says.
It’s a Wrap
Bengaluru’s Town Hall has become synonymous with protests. Festival Founder Suprita Moorthy wants to change that with a makeover that will drape handmade textiles from Aadhyam around its Tuscan columns. “With pure ikats and Banarasi brocades, we will play with colour and contrast. We hope it will direct people’s gaze to its architecture and purpose,” she says.
Rajshree Pathy,
Director of the festival
What are the changes you have seen in the design industry since the inception of the India Design Forum (IDF) in 2012?
When we started IDF in Delhi, it was something very new for the city. People were aware of art but not design and conversations on design thinking were very new. Now there are several design exhibitions, events and talks, all of which is very good for designers as it allows them to present their works outside their own studios.
How has design made a difference to your life?
Design is really a way of thinking about how to make a product or create an experience. Design is not about decoration, it’s about ease of living, minimising wastage and being sustainable and affordable, otherwise design is meaningless. For me, starting IDF has been the most fulfilling experience, as I am passionate about spreading this message and removing the idea that design is elitist or about luxury.
What are the three things to watch out for at the Bengaluru ByDesign festival?
Bengaluru ByDesign is a city-wide, all-inclusive event that makes people stop and think differently about their city and its spaces. It opens up new dialogues on preservation, conservation and celebrates the city for its architecture, craft and so much more. The Town Hall pillars dressed in fabric, the UB city mall stairway clad in beautifully cut paper collage and the workshops everywhere are amazing.
How do you think design can become mainstream?
With the growth of the automotive industry, the real-estate boom, the lifestyle industry like furniture, household products, jewellery, clothing and IT, design is already mainstream, though people are not aware of it. Designers are wanted for all the above businesses. More schools need to come up across India for our fast-growing requirements.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Lifestyle / by Shiny Varghese / November 21st, 2018
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