Category Archives: Business & Economy

3-day Pravasi Utsav in Kodagu from Jan 11

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K Lakshmipriya speaks at a preparatory meeting in Madikeri on Wednesday.
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K Lakshmipriya speaks at a preparatory meeting in Madikeri on Wednesday.

A three-day Pravasi Utsav will be held in Kodagu district from January 11 to 13.

The officials should make all the preparations for the success of the Utsav. Wide publicity should be given to ensure that a large number of tourists take part in the fest, said Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K Lakshmipriya.

Speaking at a preparatory meeting on Wednesday, she said public participation in the Utsav was a must.

Deputy Director of Tourism Department H P Janardhan said a variety of cultural programmes would be held from 6 pm to 10 pm on all the days. In addition, food stalls will be set up and exhibition on handicrafts and others will also be held.

The Department of Animal Husbandry will organise a dog show on January 12. The Horticulture Department will organise fruits and flowers show on all the three days at Raja Seat in Madikeri from January 11, he added.

An open street festival will be held from 8 am onwards on January 13. Yoga demonstration will also be held at 8 am on January 13, Janardhan said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinivasan directed the officials to make arrangements for the opening of stalls for the exhibitions.

“Sanitation and cleanliness should be given priority. Further, e-toilets should be set up,” he added.

AC T Javare Gowda, DySP Sundarraj and others were present.

source: http://www.decccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by Adithya K A / DH News Service / Madikeri – January 02nd, 2019

‘Kodagu’ tourists flood the hills

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Recalling that the district administration had banned tourists from Kodagu from August 16 to September 9 until the roads were restored.

Sa Ra Mahesh said, ''After all this effort we are seeing good inflow of tourists now''.
Sa Ra Mahesh said, ”After all this effort we are seeing good inflow of tourists now”.

Devastated by floods and landslides in August, Kodagu has returned to normalcy with its hotels, resorts, lodges and homestays filling up once again this holiday season thanks to the efforts of the district administration and tourism department.

The 200 hotels lodges and resorts and 4000 homestays of Kodagu have reported 85 to 90 per cent occupancy since December 22 and there is expected to be no let-up till January 1, according to stakeholders in the tourism industry.

But the revival of the tourism industry has not been without effort as the hotels, lodges and resorts which usually charged double their actual room rent end of the year in the past, have this year offered huge discounts of 25 to 50 per cent, reveals honorary advisor of the Kodagu District Resorts, Hotels and Restaurants’ Association, Chidvilas.

Recalling that the district administration had banned tourists from Kodagu from August 16 to September 9 until the roads were restored after the floods and landslides, he says hardly any tourists visited the district in the next few months. But later, tourism minister, Sa Ra Mahesh took special interest and along with the Kodagu district administration began the “Kodagu is Back” campaign in 30 languages on social media to woo them back. ” We also came up with four short films to promote Kodagu as a destination for families, couples, and adventure and nature and yoga enthusiasts on social media,” he explains.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and the scion of the Mysuru royal famil, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, who is the tourism ambassador for the Mysuru- Kodagu also gave voice-overs for the short films and the tourism department promoted the district at the Delhi airport and held a “Destination Kodagu” road show in Chennai.

“After all this effort we are seeing good inflow of tourists now. But after January 1 the bookings are still not good enough,” he regrets, adding that an open street festival will be held early next year to draw more tourists to the district.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by Shilpa P, Deccan Chronicle / January 01st, 2019

Tourists flock Madikeri to spend holidays

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
Tourists at Raja Seat in Madikeri on Tuesday.
Tourists at Raja Seat in Madikeri on Tuesday.

Tourists have been visiting Madikeri in large numbers to spend their Christmas holidays and to celebrate the new year.

A large number of tourists visited Raja Seat, Omkareshwara temple, Abbey falls, Madikeri Fort, Dubare, Harangi dam, Talacauvery, Bhagamandala and Irpu.

Following landslides in Kodagu, the turnout of tourists had decreased drastically, which had worried the resort and homestay owners.

The long holidays for government offices, banks, schools and colleges, has made the tourists happy.

Commercial establishments at General Thimayya Road, Kohinoor Road, bus stand and hotels made brisk business.

In some hotels, meals were not available after 2 pm. The hotel owners said that there was a problem in preparing meals as the number of tourists had increased suddenly.

Tourists from different places enjoyed the traditional Kodava cuisine.

There was an increase in the traffic density on the roads. Police had a hard time controlling traffic movement, especially on Monday night.

The shopkeepers and hoteliers are expecting more people in the coming days till the end of the year.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Districts / by Adithya K A / DH News Service / Madikeri – December 25th, 2018

‘Coorg Person of the Year’ award goes to two people

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

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.

AshokKumarKF28dec2018

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

Kodagu court complex construction reaches final stage

Business & Economy, Records, All
A view of the new District Court Complex on the outskirts of Madikeri.
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

Tata Coffee Ltd appoints Mr. Chacko Purackal Thomas as MD & CEO

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), World Opinion

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.

source: http://www.equitybulls.com / Equity Bulls / Home> Stock Report / December 25th, 2018

Kodagu set to gain from proximity to Kannur airport

Business & Economy, World Opinion

KannurAirportKF18dec2018

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

APMC to reintroduce ‘Raitha Santhe’ in Madikeri

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All
The yard identified for organising ‘Raitha Santhe’ on the premises of the APMC in Madikeri
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

Kumaraswamy gives start to housing project for flood-hit families in Kodagu

Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All
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.
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

Kodagu district and Kannur airport to be catalysts for mutual growth

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Mangaluru :

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