Monthly Archives: July 2012

Appachu Ranjan secures a berth after a long journey

The third-time MLA from Kodagu has risen through the ranks

Becoming a Minister is a big reward for Mandepanda Poovaiah Appachu Ranjan, the third time MLA from Kodagu — two times from the Somwarpet constituency and currently from Madikeri constituency. It has come only after treading an arduous path and rising through the ranks of the BJP.

Mr. Ranjan, perhaps, would not have had an inkling that he would be present one day to swear in as the Minister with his traditional Kodava costume – kupya , chale , peechekathi , and mandetuni . He would not have dreamt of this scenario when he was chosen as the president of the Sri Ganapathi Temple Management Committee at Madapur, a sleepy town in Somwarpet taluk of the district in the 70s.

After being active in public life as the member of the Kumbur School Development Management Committee, president of the Madapur VSSSN, correspondent of the Chennamma Junior College in Madapur, director of the Kodagu District Coffee Growers Society in Madikeri, member of the Kushalnagar APMC, he was formally elected as a mandal panchayat member.

Mr. Ranjan’s foray into politics came in 1980 when he was elected president of the BJP youth wing in Madapur. He occupied the post of the Somwarpet taluk BJP president from 1986 to 1991 and later served as the president of the Kodagu BJP unit from 1991 to 1995. It was during his tenure that the BJP stormed the Congress bastion in Kodagu to win all three Assembly segments, others being D.S. Madappa (Madikeri) and H.D. Basavaraj (Virajpet). Somwarpet constituency was done away with during the delimitation after which Kodagu was reduced to Madikeri and Virajpet constituencies.

Comeback

Mr. Ranjan won the Assembly elections for the first time from Somwarpet in 1984 serving till 1999. He won again for the second time from the same constituency in 1999 to stay till 2004. However, he lost to B.A. Jivijaya of the Congress (now with JD(S)) in the next election. Mr. Ranjan came back in the 2008 elections winning from Madikeri constituency.

He rose to prominence by being the Chairman of the Privilege Committee and Petition Committee of the legislature. He served as the Chairman of the Karnatake State Sports Authority in 2008 as also Karnataka Land Army Corporation Limited in the same year. Mr. Ranajn is a member of the State BJP Executive Committee.

A Bachelor of Arts graduate, he was born on September 11, 1957. Mr. Ranjan is known as a progressive agriculturist and coffee grower. He originally hails from Chembebellur village near Virajpet town in Kodagu and is married to Ponnamma. His first son Poovaiah is an engineer in the U.S. and second son Cariappa, a doctor, also in the U.S. Daughter Kshira is a dentist. Mr. Ranjan’s brothers too have identified themselves with the BJP prominently.

His immediate younger brother Shuja Kushalappa is the president of the Virajpet taluk Akrama-Sakrama Samiti while his youngest brother, M.P. Sunil Subramani is a prominent member of the State BJP Executive Committee.

Celebration

Expectedly, the BJP members burst crackers at the General K.S. Thimayya Circle in Madikeri on Thursday to celebrate the induction of Mr. Ranjan into the State Cabinet. Reports of celebrations have come in from other parts of the district.

The BJP workers feel elated that the BJP Government has finally found someone from Kodagu to handle the job of district in-charge Minister.

It had become a custom with the successive governments to depute a Minister from outside the district as the Kodagu District in-charge Minister.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Karnataka / by Jeevan Chinnappa / Mysore, July 13th, 2012

Tata group’s drive at rainwater harvesting

Mumbai, JULY 14:
The Tata group, which has recycled 1.69 million kilo litres of water across all its entities in 2010-11, is moving to play a major role in rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.

While over 30 Taj hotels have zero water discharge, 14 hotels have installed rainwater harvesting techniques. The latter helps to recharge groundwater.

The group has also installed desalination plants in hotels that are close to coastal areas. These initiatives have helped the $100-billion conglomerate reduce the demand from fresh water sources.

Similarly, at Tata Coffee, rainwater harvesting and management of water bodies along the Western Ghats in Karnataka have been undertaken on a war footing.

With the majority of the coffee grown in South India, more so in Karnataka, the company noticed the rainfall pattern had been changing over the years. The planting district has seen an annual rainfall drop by one-third — from 106 inches per year to 70 inches. Kodagu region (in Karnataka) faces a drought-like problem, especially from October to April, when water requirement for coffee and paddy is critical.

Coffee growers, who had not given a thought to irrigation, have had to build water sources by digging tanks in catchment areas.

Tata Coffee, which holds 497 million gallons in its rainwater harvesting tanks, is now looking to bridge the gap between demand and storage of rainwater.

“The most important concern in the Karnataka project is the efficient use of water. Data related to the area, geography, rainfall, water runoff, soil capability, water level, water quality, and water use pattern are available with us. Based on this data, the plan is to initiate a total package of water,” said a company spokesperson.

The package will address the issue of economy of water harvesting, water management and optimum agricultural production correlated with water use.

Similarly, though many of the Taj group hotels harvest and utilise rainwater, 35 per cent of Gateway, Luxury and Vivanta Taj hotels reused treated effluent for horticulture in 2010-11. They have also recycled process water to achieve zero water discharge. This is significant, since luxury and business hotels have large water requirements for landscaping and the swimming pool. Several of the Taj hotels’ 100-odd properties have been investing in water saving methods.

amritanair.ghaswalla@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Home> Companies / by Amrita Nair-Ghaswalla / Mumbai, July 14th, 2012

Yoga camp gets good response

Mangalore:
The six-day free yoga camp, organized by Mangalore University (MU) under National Service Scheme (NSS), has received an overwhelming response, with 320 students from different parts of Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada district taking part. The camp is on in MU campus since July 10.

International yoga referee Gopalakrishna Delampady said the camp is being organized to enhance the memory of students and to help them maintain good health. “Usually, only a few youths in 18-20 age group participate in yoga camps. This year, good number of students are taking part in the camp,” he added.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mangalore / TNN / July 15th, 2012

Newbie Nidhi Subbaiah to croon

Post two Bollywood films, Nidhi Subbaiah is all set to sing for an album by a LA-based label

Looks like Nidhi Subbaiah is not just content with acting alongside Bollywood biggies like Akshay Kumar and Arjun Rampal. Now, she wants to sing too! Word is that the singer-actress is gearing up to lend her voice to an album being launched by a Los Angeles-based label.

Nidhi, who appeared in several Kannada films before making a move towards B-Town, says she was always into singing and is comfortable with both Western as well as Classical genres. She further revealed that the album will contain semi-classical songs.

“I was approached post an award function in Dubai. Turns out they have seen me perform before and want me to be part of their project. We are currently finalising the details and will get going soon,” says Nidhi. The Coorg-born Bollywood newbie apparently also found Rampal “way too good-looking” while shooting in Indore for their forthcoming film.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / Home> Entertainment> Bollywood / Mumbai, July 14th, 2012

Appachu Ranjan gets rousing welcome in Kodagu

Madikeri, Jul 13, 2012, DHNS :
Minister promises to work for development of region

Mandepanda Poovaiah Appachu Ranjan was accorded a warm welcome during his maiden visit to the district, after taking oath as a cabinet minister, in the newly formed Ministry under the leadership of Jagadeesh Shettar, on Friday.

The district administration and the district BJP workers welcomed him at forest gate at Cauvery bridge. Superintendent of Police Manjunath Annigeri, Zilla Panchayat CEO Anjanappa, Tahsildar Bhaskar and others welcomed him with flower bouquets.

Zilla Panchayat President Shantheyanda Ravi Kushalappa, BJP state committee member Sunil Subramani, District BJP unit president B D Manjunath, Town Panchayat president S P Charitha, BJP spokesperson Manu Muthappa, TP President V K Lokesh and others were present. He was taken out in a procession in open vehicle.

In Madikeri, he visited Sri Kote Mahaganapathy temple and offered a special pooja at the temple.
The Minister also garlanded the statues of Field Marshal K M Cariappa, Subedar Guddemane Appayya.

Speaking on the occasion, he said “I have understood the problems faced by the villagers through village stay programmes. I will give priority to the rural roads, drinking water and site for the siteless.”

He said “I have already expressed my opposition to the world heritage site tag on Western Ghats. In case of necessity, I will raise the issue in the cabinet meeting.” He said that he will work to the expectations of the people of the district.

He said “with the blessings of Goddess Cauvery, I have received a berth in the Ministry. In the 20:20 cricket match, 13 overs have been completed. There is five overs to be played.

I have to hit either boundary or six. I will work round the clock for the welfare of the people.” He later visited Ganapathy temple and offered prayers. The party workers had even burst crackers and distributed sweets in Kushalnagar.

The Minister was given welcome at Guddehosur, 7th Hosakote, Suntikoppa, Kodagarahalli. In Shanivarasanthe, a large number of supporters welcomed him at Kittur Rani Chennamma Circle.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Madikeri, DHNS, July 13th, 2012

‘Hunsur-Gonikoppa road will be made motorable by Nov’.

New promise by new Minister Ranjan

Caption: Minister Appachu Ranjan and his wife Shyla having breakfast at the Government Guest House in Hunsur this morning.

Hunsur, July 13
The Hunsur-Thithimathi-Gonikoppa road, which is in a pathetically unmotorable condition, will be made motorable on a priority basis and completed by Nov. 2012, said the newly sworn-in Minister Appachu Ranjan.

Ranjan, who made a brief halt at the Government Guest House here for breakfast this morning while on his way home in Kumboor village near Madapura town in Kodagu, told Star of Mysore that he was aware of the bad condition of the road which linked Kerala and assured to take it up on a priority basis. Ranjan was accompanied by his wife Shyla Appachu.

Heritage site tag for Western Ghats: Regarding yesterday’s Kodagu bundh in opposition to the UNESCO proposal for World Heritage site tag for the Western Ghats, Ranjan said that he was very much against such a move. “The people of Kodagu have been protecting the environment since centuries. The concept of Devakaadu (sacred groves) in Kodagu stands testimony to this. Rest of the world must take a cue from the people of Kodagu to live with nature,” said Ranjan.

Regarding the development activities to be taken up in State, Minister Appachu Ranjan said that the biggest challenge before them was to mobilise resources for the Rs. 1,03,000 budget proposals made recently and expressed confidence of attaining the same, though there were only 11 months of term left for the BJP government.

“I am aware that the people’s sentiments are hurt because of the party leaders’ infights and I beg pardon for the same. We will henceforth set aside all such differences and strive for the State’s development,” the Minister assured.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / July 13th, 2012

Another award for Aaranya Kaandam!

Director Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Aaranya Kaandam, starring Ravi Krishna, Jackie Shroff, Sampath and Yasmin Ponnappa in the lead, has been awarded the Western Union Audience Award at the London Indian Film Festival held recently.
( A still from the film )
The director says, “I’m happy that the film has been recognised and loved by people from across the globe.”

Tell Kumararaja that the film, produced by S P Charan, has been sweeping awards at both national and international levels, and he shrugs, “I’m glad to have made this film.”

Quiz him on his next and he says, “I’m currently working on a couple of storylines and it will take time for me to zero in on one. I’m not in a hurry to start work on my next. But I can assure the audience that my next will be equally interesting and intriguing.”

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Jackie Shroff / by V. Lakshmi, TNN / July 09th, 2012

‘Wearing braces for 10 years was a nightmare’

Every time, little Joshna visited her ailing great-grand uncle K.M. Cariappa in hospital, she would eye the bottle of candy by his bed. But the country’s first Field Marshal would stop her advances and agree to part with the treat on one condition.

“He insisted that I sing the national anthem for him. And each time, I obliged for the sake of the toffee,” says Joshna Chinappa, the 25-year-old pin-up girl of Indian squash.

As trivial as it may seem, this incident probably sowed the first seeds of national pride in the mind of the Coorg girl.

Joshna, like her illustrious ancestor, has done the country proud with her prowess in the glass court.

As she talks about her childhood sitting pretty in skinny jeans and a printed tee, I glance around the sparsely-furnished room. The first thing that catches the eye is a large, framed photograph of Joshna.

She strikes a starlet-like pose with oversized glares covering her eyes and open hair framing her longish face.

Next to the picture is a wooden and glass cabinet but I’m surprised to find no proud displays of her many trophies and shields.

The only other piece of furniture, apart from the chairs we sit on and a round coffee table, is a mattress, strewn with cushions, on the floor.

“We are renovating and so, most items have been packed in boxes,” Joshna’s mother says as she walks in and catches me surveying the room.

I spot a couple of broken racquets on the mattress even as Mrs. Chinappa attempts to clear the mess. Joshna looks slightly disturbed and asks her mum to throw the racquets away.

“I don’t want to see another broken racquet,” she says.

A little over two months ago, Joshna bounced back from a painful knee injury that kept her out of action for eight months, to help India win its first gold medal in the Asian Championship in Kuwait.

Weeks later, she went on to win her maiden Chennai Open tournament.

“It wasn’t easy. The first month after the surgery, I could barely walk. At one point, I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to play again,” she says.

In August 2011, while playing in the Hamptons Open in New York, Joshna fell, tearing a ligament in her right knee.

But all that’s in the past now and if anything, she is glad to have had an experience that, she says, changed her outlook towards life. “The poet Alfred Tennyson said, ‘The shell must break before the bird can fly.’ I think the verse best describes my life at the moment,” says Joshna who idolises sprint queen P.T. Usha for her determination in the face of adversities.

‘Hated going to school’

Joshna’s entry into squash at the age of 10 was an excuse to get away from class tests and homework. “I hated going to school and decided the only way out was to take up active sports. But my mum would have none of it,” she says.

Her parents made sure she studied and got through school and college.

Joshna went on to do a Bachelor’s in English literature from Ethiraj College. “Of course, today I’m glad I earned a degree,” she smiles, and one can’t help but notice that her trademark braces are off. “I finally got them removed after 10 years. It was a nightmare,” she shudders.

Not a party animal anymore

A typical day for Joshna begins at 7.30 a.m. when she wakes up and heads for training.

This is followed by a workout at the gym session, breakfast, and later, lunch.

The second training session begins in the afternoon and the third, one later in the evening. “On most days, it is late in the night by the time I get home,” she says.

At the end of a long and tiring day, she prefers the company of solitude.

“I hole up in my bedroom with some music and nobody dare knock at my door,” she says with a near-menacing look in her eyes. She uses the time to surf the web and catch up on news from across the world. Seems like a pretty sober life for a young celebrity.

“I used to go out and party a lot until a few years ago. But I train a lot harder now than I used to. It is tiring and not worth the while to do anything else after spending so many hours working out during the day.”

Joshna is the youngest national champion in the country having clinched the senior title as a 14-year-old, a record unsurpassed by any Indian till date.

She has participated in numerous international tournaments and her passport is bursting at its seams.

Rice, rasam and pickle

And like most Indians, it is home-cooked food she misses the most when travelling. “I am extremely fond of south Indian cuisine, and cannot live without rice, rasam and mango pickle,” she says.

Though she is quite strict about her dietary intake, it is only human to indulge in the occasional binge. “Chocolates are my weakness and there’s nothing I like more than curling up with a bar of my favourite chocolate,” she says.

As independent and carefree as she sounds, Joshna is quite close to her family. She is especially fond of her younger brother who sneaks in an extensive ‘wishlist’ in her kitbag each time she goes abroad. “He is very shy and, I think, a little scared to ask too many things of me directly,” says the doting sister.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / Home> In School / by Julie Merin Varghese / Chennai, July 09th, 2012

Excited to be Olympics-bound: Ashwini Ponnappa

Hyderabad:
Badminton ace Ashwini Ponnappa, who will be among five shuttlers carrying India’s medal hopes at the London Olympics, is excited to be playing her first Olympics.

“I am very excited that for the first time I am going to the Olympics. Every sportsperson dreams of representing his or her nation at the Olympics. I am really happy that I have been given the opportunity to represent the country,” the 24-year-old athlete said.

Practising every morning and evening under the watchful eyes of coach Syed Mohammed Arif at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Indoor Stadium and under Edwin Iriawan at the Gopichand Academy at Gachibowli, Ashwini will be pairing with her senior, Jwala Gutta, in the women’s doubles.

The girl from Bangalore, settled here for last few years, is looking forward to giving her best, focussing on staying calm and relaxed.

“Both Jwala and I are working very hard. We are giving our best on court, making sure that we get everything right for the Olympics,” said the charming athlete.

The pair, which won the bronze medal at the World Championship last year and gold in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, currently ranks 19th in the world.

“Yeah. I am confident, but at the same time you can’t be overconfident. It really depends on how you go and play there. I know Jwala and I can get a medal. But in the end it entirely depends on how we go and play there. The important thing is that two of us are going early there and hope to start very well.”

The shuttlers will leave for London July 24. Ponnappa is satisfied with the time they would get to practise there before the mega event. “Too much time is also not good. We can train here and go.”

The courts in London are not new for Ashwini, who hopes to improve their performance over the last year’s World Championship.

“We had the World Championship in the same arena (Wembley) where we are going to have the Olympics badminton event. We got the bronze last time. I hope it will be a better medal this time. Firstly getting a medal but better than what we did last time in the World Championship.”

Asked whether there would be pressure of expectations, Ponappa said: “Pressure is bound to be there because everyone expects us to do well, but there is no time to think about that. All I am going to focus on is to just go there and play well.”

“There is no point in focussing on pressure. It will be better to focus on the game and how we are going to play.

“Irrespective of whom we have to play we are going to give our best. Hopefully we win each and every match,” she said while “hoping to have a good draw.”

On who would be the main opponents, Ashwini said one can’t underestimate anyone. “Everyone is going to work extra hard for the Olympics. Everyone is going to play really well. At the same time everyone is beatable.”

She admits the toughest challenge would come from the Chinese. “But even they are beatable. It depends on how we play and are mentally prepared,” Ashwini added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / TOI Home> Olympics 2012 / by IANS / July 09th, 2012

Virajpet Packages – Explore the Rich Tradition

Virajpet in Karnataka has a rich tradition and history. This town and the neighbouring Kodagu were ruled by several South Indian dynasties like Ganges, Chalukhyas, Rastrakutas, Cholas, Vijaynagar Rayas and Hoysalas giving it a rich tradition.

Virajpet got its name from Virarajendra, the former ruler of Kodagu. The name Virajpet is the abbreviation of Virarajendrapete. Often Virarajendra is still being used to refer Virajpet.

The Ayyappa and Shiva temples on the Malethirike Hill, which is situated about 8 km from Virajpet, are among the major attractions for the travellers. Shiva Temple is at the top of the hill while Ayyappa Temple is half way down the hill. A clock tower in the centre of Virajpet attracts large number of tourists. There is a Ganesha Temple nearby the Clock Tower. Another famous temple in the town is Igguthappa.

St. Anne’s Church is a major attraction in Virajpet. Built under the supervision of Father Sullivan, this 220-year-old church has Gothic and European style of architecture. Its tower has two huge bells.

Thadiyendamol Peak is a destination of adventure seekers and trekkers. This peak is the second highest peak in Karnataka. The peak is known for its scenic beauty. Burude Falls and the Dubare Forest Reserve are other destinations for the tourists here.

Large coffee and spice plantations are situated in Virajpet. It is a major producer of coffee seeds in India. It has also the distinction of being the biggest honey producer in Asia.

Mercara Dasara is the main festival here. This festival, celebrated in October, lasts for ten days. The festival depicts the victory of Goddess of Power over the Asuras. A procession is taken out on this occasion with singers and dancers participating in it.

Virajpet enjoys a pleasant climate all round the year. Yet the best time to visit Virajpet is from October to March when the weather is a bit cool. Visitors to Virajpet are advised to carry light woollen clothes during winter. In the summer months of April and May, the temperature goes up to above 30 degree centigrade.

The nearest airport, at present, is Mysore, which is situated at a distance of 115 km from Virajpet. When completed Kannur airport (80 km) will be the nearest airport. The nearest railway stations are at Kannur and Thalasseri (80 km) in Kerala. Virajpet is well connected by road with many places in Karnataka, and Kannur, Thalasseri and Wayanad in Kerala.

Virajpet has several luxury hotels, budget hotels, home-stays and resorts to cater to the needs of visitors. There are also mountain hotels. Tour operators and hotels offer Virajpet packages. These Virajpet packages include stay in hotels and visit to tourist places within Virajpet and the neighbouring places like Kannur and Thalasseri.

For more information on Virajpet packages and popular resorts in Virajpet, visit HolidayIQ.

source: http://www.guidetourist12.thoughts.com / by guidetourist12 / July 05th, 2012