Monthly Archives: July 2012

Mealtime memories at Madikeri

Arts, Culture & Entertainment


At a time when even a year or two can change a place beyond all recognition, the East End Hotel in Madikeri, Coorg, is a throwback to a simpler time.

The hotel occupies a Colonial era bungalow, and the low structure, surrounded by a verandah (from which you can view the rain pour down in the monsoon months) is extremely popular with the locals and tourists.

The ambience won’t remind you of other restaurants — a “family room” for instance, where families are served their meals, is simply just a plain room with nary a window, and a functional table and few chairs are the only furnishings.

There aren’t liveried waiters either, and the wait for a table can sometimes be a frustrating, disappointing one.

But when the food is served, all is forgotten. From mutton cutlets to biryani and dosas, a mouthwatering trip down memory lane is guaranteed.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Lifestyle> Dine o Mite / DC, July 06th, 2012

Terror attacks spoilt our mood: MP Ganesh

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

The 1972 Munich Olympics was a good experience but also a sad one because of the terrorist attack on Israeli athletes. We were to play against Pakistan in the semifinals and there was a break of one day. But a lot happened in that one day. That incident spoilt our mood and it should never happen again because Olympics is an event that unites people and to win a medal is something great.

But apart from that tragic incident, I was a bit disappointed because India could not do well in the semifinals against Pakistan. We got 18 penalty corners but could not convert any. We lost that match.

Apart from the sad incidents, the Munich Olympics was also a great opportunity for us to meet some of the best athletes in the world. We met the American swimming great Mark Spitz, who got seven medals. BP Govinda and I are good friends and we used to sit together for breakfast and that gave us an opportunity to run into several top players.

The facilities at the Munich Games were also top class and it was supposed to be the best Olympics conducted till then. For instance, there was a very good information centre and any kind of data about any player could be accessed there. Taking part in the Olympics is something that is truly wonderful for any sportsperson.

—Former hockey forward MP Ganesh played in the 1972 Munich Olympics. He spoke to Vivek Phadnis

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / Daily News & Analysis / Home> Sport> Report / by Vivek Phadnis / Agency: DNA / Tuesday, July 03rd, 2012

Kodava kings

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

Nikkin Thimmaiah, Ponanna, Kariappa and Nachappa

They are known for their valour and their hockey skills. Taking a step ahead in their commitment to the national sport of the country, seven Kodavas from the city have got together to form the Coorg’s Orange Club. This month the club is hosting its first 5-A-Side, Rink Hockey Tournament. Known for sending hockey champs to the national team, the Kodava community is on par with the Punjabis in training skilled players.

With this short format game, similar to the 20-20 cricket format, the organisers are hoping to get more youngsters involved. For the first tournament, 40 Kodava families and 40 sanghas have registered their teams. In an attempt to recreate the nostalgia of earlier times, the club wants to take hockey to every school, college and IT-company of the state. “We want every school child to carry a hockey stick like it was earlier in our childhood days. Hockey needs to get back its due credit,” says Kambeyanda Mohan, one of the organisers.

To kick-start a movement of sorts, the Orange Club thought it was ideal to begin with a new-format tournament. “We have come up with the 5-A-Side format, where only five players from each team can compete on field. The duration of each match will be 10 minutes and can stretch maximum up to 12.5 minutes and will be played on a smaller turf,” says Machetira Jenith Aiyappa, one of the organisers. While the preparations are in full-swing, national champions have been roped in to act as mentors for the juniors.

“We have set an example to many youngsters. But now it is our turn to motivate them and train them,” says Kariappa AD, junior nationals’ player. Though their enthusiasm and will power knows no bounds, a few think this format is also a challenge to show their skills. “The turf is smaller for this format and is totally different from other championships. We need a lot of stamina and endurance to show our skills,” says Nikkin Thimmaiah, another junior nationals player.

Men, women, kids and senior citizens have been encouraged to participate. Particularly girls are being encouraged to take up the sport. “Hockey has been a community sport for the Kodavas. But our idea is to make it a sport of all communities across the state. So for the first time, we have brought together six hockey legends to help us with the mentoring of participants and players who will join the club,” adds Jenith. Dr Mollera P Ganesh, BP Govinda, Paikera E Kalaiah, Maneyepanda M Sommaiah, Lt Col Baleyada K Subramani, Anjaparvanda B Subbaiah are the six senior-most players who will be mentoring the players.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Bengaluru / by Ayesha Tabassum / DC / July 04th, 2012

Kodagu gets world heritage tag

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion

The nomination process which started in 2002 during the NDA government and then followed since 2004, successfully ended India’s campaign of getting natural sites included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list.

As far as Kodagu is concerned, a total area of 652 square kilometres, covering Pushpagiri, Bramhagiri and Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuaries and its clusters, namely Kerti Reserve Forest and Padinalknaad Reserve Forest, have been included in the coveted World Heritage Site list. This was announced in the high-level meeting of the World Heritage Committee held in St Petersburg, Russia, on Sunday, sources told Express.

10 sites from Karnataka and 39 in total from India have been included in the list. Kodagu falls in one of the bio-diversity hot spots of the world, known for its rich flora and fauna and dense forest cover. Sources revealed that the meeting was represented by 17 countries, which strongly supported India. The Indian delegation responded to a range of questions and clarifications asked by the high-level committee before announcing the status. Conveners of Wildlife First A A Thammo Poovaiah and Praveen Bharghav told Express that it is a rare recognition and honour for the people of Kodagu and Karnataka for their efforts to conserve their heritage and tradition.

Reacting to this development, MLA M P Appachu Ranjan said that it is unfortunate that in spite of opposition from the people and state, the Government of India has forwarded the proposal to UNESCO. He added: “We will discuss with the CM and look forpossibilities of questioning this decision in the court of law.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> States> Karnataka / by B C Dinesh / Express News Service / July 03rd, 2012

India beat France 4-0 to Win Test Series 2-0 as Pradhan Sommanna and Nithin Thimmiah Debut

Sports

Debutants Pradhan Sommanna and Nithin Thimmaiah

Olympic bound Indian team started their last outing before the Games on high note, when they outclassed the French team to win 2 match test series with 2-0. India won the first match on green surface 8-2, while defeated France in 2nd Match 4-0 on blue surface (similar to Riverbank Arena, London Olympics Venue for Hockey) in Lille, France.

Indian outfit continued their Hero FIH Road to London (Men), Delhi 2012′s form where India defeated France 6-2 and 8-1 in League Stage and Finals respectively.

In the first test match of the series, it was France who drew first blood through Fabien Magner, but India did not take much time to equalize through young SK Uthappa. Sandeep Singh earned the lead for India and Gurvinder Singh Chandi doubled it to 3-1. Arnaud Becuwe reduced the margin for margin on penalty corner in the dying minutes of first half.

After the lemon break, Shivendra Singh scored two goals in quick succession and Raghunath converted PC in 5th minute of 2nd half to make it 6-2. Sarvanjit Singh and Sandeep Singh’s field goals completed the tally (8-2) of match which saw the international debuts of Nithin Thimmaiah and Pradhan Sommanna.

In the Second match of the series, Indian team kept their sheet clean, but could score only 4 goals through Sardara Singh, Sandeep Singh, VR Raghunath and Danish Mujtaba. India scored 3 off 4 goals on Penalty Corners while one field goal.In this test series 8 Indians registered their names on scoreboard.

On July 2, Indian team will leave for Spain to play two test matches each against Spain and South Africa from 5-11 July at Santander, before taking part in a 3 Nations Invitational Hockey Tournament at the same venue, where India will face off Great Britain and hosts Spain (Detailed Schedule of the europe tour can be found here).

Result Game 2 Saturday, June 30 in Le Touquet
India – France: 4-0 (HT: 2-0)
Indian Scorers: Danish Mujtaba, Sardara Singh, Sandeep Singh, VR Raghunath

Result Game 1 Thursday, June 28 in Lille
India – France: 8-2 (HT: 3-2)
French Scorers: Fabien Magner, Arnaud Becuwe
Indian Scorers: SK Uthappa, Sandeep Singh (2), Gurvinder Singh Chandi, Shivendra Singh (2), VR Raghunath, Sarvanjit Singh

Photo Credits: Rohan Jawale

source: http://www.thefansofhockey.com / News / July 01st, 2012

Hockey: India beat France, 8-2

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports


Lille (France):
Indian hockey team’s preparations for next month’s Olympic Games began on a confident note with a 8-2 route of France in the first of the two friendly matches here.
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After France scored first, SK Uthappa equalised for India while Sandeep Singh’s penalty corner strike gave India 2-1 lead. Gurvinder Singh Chandi made it 3-1 but France reduced the margin through a penalty corner variation just before the interval.
India added five more goals without reply in the second half. Two minutes after resumption, Shivendra Singh scored a field goal — a deflection off a VR Raghunath attempt — and backed it up with a second strike off a Gurbaj Singh pass within a minute.

Raghunath scored a penalty corner goal in the 40th minute to put India 6-2 ahead.Later, Sarvanjit Singh scored a field goal before Sandeep Singh, playing as centre forward, added a field goal to complete the rout.

source: http://www.daily.bhaskar.com / Home> Sports> Other Sports> News / PTI / Sunday, June 01st, 2012