Monthly Archives: July 2013

You need to volley well and finish points: Bopanna

Bopanna. - Photo: AP
Bopanna. – Photo: AP

Rohan Bopanna, who recently reached his career-best doubles ranking, attributed his success to an improved ability to close out points at the net.

“I’ve worked hard on my volleying skills, which has been a key factor to my progress. People say that I have a big serve, but at the end of the day, you need to volley well and finish points,” said Bopanna, who is the world no. 5, here on Thursday.

Bopanna partnered Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin to reach the semifinals at Wimbledon recently. Roger-Vasselin is the 33-year-old Indian’s seventh partner this year, and Bopanna said that the frequent shuffling was unavoidable.

“I would like to settle with one partner, but it’s not easy. For example, singles is the number one priority for Roger-Vasselin. “Even if we do well, I cannot force him to play around my schedule. I would definitely like to stick with one partner; I do not enjoy changing partners week in and week out,” he said.

Bopanna said that he would retain his current partner till the end of the season. They communicated well on court, he added.

Asked if his vast experience on the Tour has made him a smarter player, he said: “Absolutely. After playing on the Tour for 10 years, you are bound to become mature.

“You are not a first-timer any longer; the goal is not to just enjoy the moment.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports> Tennis / by Sports Reporter / Bangalore – July 18th, 2013

Ashwini Ponnappa launches ‘ Shuttle Express ‘ in Mumbai

Mumbai :

CWG doubles gold medalistand IBL ICON Player Ashwini Ponnappa launched the Indian Badminton League’s School Programme initiative – ‘Shuttle Express’ here today at the JamnabaiNarsee School, Mumbai.

The IBL is an initiative of the Badminton Association of India with Sporty Solutionz as the Commercial Partner. JamnabaiNarsee School is the IBL School Partner for the Mumbai leg and the school championship in the city is being held under the aegis of the Maharashtra Badminton Associationat the Badminton Courts in Khar Gymkhana, 15th Road, on July 17-18. An unprecedented number of students in Mumbai will be vying for the titles in both the boys and girls singles categories in the city leg. The city winners will play the All-India Finals during the forthcoming IBL in August.

Speaking during the briefing, Shuttle Sensation Ashwini Ponnappa said, “It’s a happy moment for every Indian badminton player today as this initiative by IBL will see badminton rise in India and hence motivate the future players to achieve more historic feats for everyone to witness, cherish and feel proud of. Wishing the participants‘All the Best’ and may the next champion of India win the Shuttle Express”.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. AshishChadha, CEO, Sporty Solutionz, said, “We saw a great response during the kick-off ceremony of the ‘Shuttle Express’ in Delhi and we are witnessing the same amount of enthusiasm and participation in Mumbai. The reason behind launching the Shuttle Express is to boost the young talent at grass root level. The overwhelming response from the schools and children gives us the confidence that Shuttle Express will give India its next champion shuttler. We take this opportunity to thank our IBL School Partner for Mumbai leg JamnabaiNarsee Schoolfor their support for this initiative”.

Speaking on Shuttle Express, Badminton Association of India President & MP, Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta, said, “It gives us immense joy and pride to introduce the IBL School Programme initiative – Shuttle Express, to lakhs of students across the country. We hope the effort taken by our badminton icons and stars to visit schools in six cities will inspire many youngsters to take up the sport.”

Speaking on Shuttle Express, Principal of JamnabaiNarseeSchool, MsSudeshnaChatterjeesaid, “JamnabaiNarseeSchool has always considered sports to be an important attribute of education. So, we are immensely proud of our association with IBL Shuttle Express and thank AshwiniPonnappa for encouraging our sportspersons in the making, to aspire to much more than the ordinary.”

With its launch in Delhi on 12 July, the Shuttle Express is all set to roll in Mumbai today, followed by Hyderabad on July 16, Pune from July 17, Lucknow on July 19 and finally in Bangalore. Each city will witness matches being played over two days and the National finals will be held in Mumbai

which will be beamed LIVE on TV from August 28-31, 2013, as part of theIBL. The Shuttle Express will offer an incentive of Rs 10 lakh in prize money to the National winners in both the boys and girls singles events. The finalists in both the categories will also be given an opportunity to train at the world-class PullelaGopichand Academy.

The path-breaking IBL will be held in six cities from August 14-31. The richest badminton league in the world will feature almost all the top-50 players in the world and will be played under the Sudirman Cup format and televised LIVE to more than 100 countries.

source: http://www.indianbadmintonleague.com / IBL / Home> Big Story / Mumbai – July 15th, 2013

Migratory Birds from Nigeria flock to Kodagu

The guests from Nigeria have arrived in Kodagu. Its now their season to enjoy the mother nature, who are found aplenty in plantations, paddy fields and wherever you can see. It does not mean they are newcomers to Kodagu. They arrive here as guests on every monsoon since the past several decades.They will arrive in the future too. Now, you will wonder who these Nigerian guests are. If you want to see them, they are aplenty at Moornadu, Napoklu and Virajpet who fly in flocks between huge trees; they are none other than migratory birds from Nigeria or the locals call them as Bellakki, because they are white like snow.

If you go to see, its customary for the migratory birds to arrive in hilly range of Kodagu at the onset of monsoon, who take refuge from heavy gales and torrential rains. However, there have been a little changes in the recent past. It doesn’t rain like before here owing to which a few bird remain here. Moreover, no sooner monsoon sets in, these Nigerian migratory birds flock here and make nests in huge trees and busy themselves in procreation.

These birds that arrive in Kodagu take shelter in Napoklu, Moornadu and Virajpet. They are merrily made their nest in huge trees in towns and are least concerned of human activities on earth. These birds fly across blue sky, make nest and busy in laying eggs, a scenic sight indeed. If you view these migratory birds high on huge trees, it reminds of falcons of Mandya.

A few migratory birds were cited in the huge trees located at Napoklu.They returned to their bases after hatching and returned with newborn chicks.The number of migratory birds increased since then as the food was found aplenty and none troubled them. The flocks increased over the years and began settling in huge trees not only in Napoklu, but also in Hakattoor, that lies on Moornadu – Madikeri road. These birds shifted to localities of Moornadu, Napoklu and Virajpet as huge trees were felled in Hakattoor.

These migratory birds arrive in flocks during May – June at the onset of monsoon and settle in the huge trees of Napoklu, Moornadu, Virajpet (nearby KSRTC bus stand) in town.

These birds busy themselves in building nest from dry leaves and small bits of wild vegetation that they source from nearby coffee and cardamom estates. The female bird remains in the nest, lays eggs and hatches them, while the male bird brings food for them from fields nearby. The female bird feeds the newborn that shot is a cherished shot for any cameraman.

The birds get aplenty food such as worms, insects etc when the farmer tills the paddy field. The newborn learn to fly and collectively fly all over without bothering to the people and chaos in the city. These birds make their return journey along with the confident chicks to their homelands. They will only return during next monsoon. The city-folks do not bother these migratory birds in procreation that makes them to come back in next season.

source: http://www.newskarnataka.com / Home> Cities / by B M Lavakumar / July 18th, 2013

Portland’s Coffee By Design growing from the grounds up

Portland , (Menafn – Portland Press Herald – McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX)

Coffee By Design has come a long way in the 19 years since co-owners Alan Spear and Mary Allen Lindemann took turns sleeping in the basement of their first shop on Congress Street.

Today, the business operates four coffee shops, employs 50 people and sells nearly a half a million pounds of coffee beans a year through nearly 300 retailers as far away as Las Vegas. The company’s gross revenues for 2012 were between 6 million and 7 million, Spear said. And the married couple, considered pioneers of Portland’s robust coffee scene and a catalyst for the Congress Street renaissance, are now on the verge of a major expansion project that is expected to take the business — and the local coffee culture — to a new level.

They are converting part of a 40,000-square-foot warehouse on Diamond Street in the burgeoning East Bayside neighborhood into what Spear describes as a “playground for coffee geeks.” Along with a fifth retail location and a larger roasting facility, the building will include space where people can learn about different coffees, observe the roasting and blending of beans and, of course, sample a variety of locally roasted coffees, says Spear. It will also have a barista training center and a showroom for coffee equipment.

Even as the company continues to grow, Spear said CBD, as it’s known, remains committed to providing quality coffees at a fair price to consumers and to coffee farmers, and to fostering community on both ends of the business.

“People think we’re this big coffee roasting company,” said Spear, while standing in the cramped, bustling roasting facility on Washington Avenue. “But we’ve stayed true to our original mission.”

While Diamond Street will be a place where people can “geek out” on coffee, Lindemann said it will also cater to artists, blue collar workers, students and others looking for a cup of coffee and place to kick back in a “warm, earthy” environment.

“There is a trend in our industry that is elitist,” Lindemann said. “We want amazing coffee to be available to everybody. …

“Our humble beginnings are still there.”

‘GOT THE COFFEE BUG BAD’

Spear and Lindemann were introduced to the specialty coffee movement while living in Seattle in the mid-to-late 1980s, when Starbucks was still a start-up.

Lindemann was a marketing professional trying to land a coffee company as a client. Each night, she would bring home market research, and Spear, a landscape architect, would pore through it.

Lindemann was drawn to one West Coast company in particular, the Torrefazione Italia, where coffee was served in chinaware by knowledgeable baristas in a relaxing environment.

“She would come back to the house with these amazing stories,” said Spear, who turns 52 on July 18. “It was more than just a cup of coffee.”

“He really got the coffee bug bad,” said Lindemann, 53.

Spear, whose favorite weekend pastime was hanging out in coffee bars, was struck by the complexities of a seemingly simple drink. His life was changed after reading the book “Coffee,” by Kenneth Davids. It explained the history of coffee, the origins of the beans and the farmers who harvest them, he said.

“I picked up that book and it changed my perception about what coffee could be,” said Spear, who has traveled to more than 50 coffee farms. “A good cup of coffee can change someone’s day.”

The couple moved back to the East Coast in the early 1990s with the dream of opening a coffee cart or kiosk in a major office building. They spent a year in Burlington, Vt., and six months in Providence, R.I., looking for a location, but to no avail.

“It was getting rejected by everybody,” he said.

The couple would visit friends and family in the Portland area. At the time, Lindemann said the commercial vacancy rate along Congress Street was 40 percent. When a salon space at 620 Congress St. became vacant in what was unofficially referred to as the pornography district, the couple persuaded the landlord to give them a shot.

“That neighborhood just spoke to us,” Spear said.

The couple had saved 10,000 to put toward their business and borrowed another 20,000 from a bank. They got an additional 15,000 loan from a friend of a friend, who was impressed with their passion and business plan.

“I had the money at the time and I really wanted to help them,” said John Russell, an entrepreneur who now lives in Connecticut. “I knew they were going to be successful. I kind of saw the coffee thing coming. I believed in it.”

IN THE EARLY DAYS

Coffee by Design opened its Congress Street location on July 1, 1994. The couple’s business plan anticipated 25 customers a day.

Instead, they got 250 — a number that Spear says was driven by the fact that tickets had just gone on sale for a Bob Dylan show at the newly renovated State Theatre nearby.

Business has been booming ever since.

Even with a part-time worker, Spear and Lindemann each worked 120 hours a week in the early months. They had no apartment, opting to stay with family. But in reality the couple lived at the coffee shop for four months, taking naps in a sleeping bag on a homemade shelf in the basement during the downtimes.

“We were there all the time,” said Spear, who was the only trained barista at the time.

The shop became a hub for all walks of life — artists, students and business people. Lindemann said the company was an early and vocal advocate for equality, and for supporting local businesses.

The couple opened a cafe in Monument Square in 1996. The business struggled to get off the ground, so the couple licensed the location to another owner. But they weren’t happy with the way it was being run, so they bought the license back, and vowed that any business with the CBD brand would have to meet certain quality standards.

“That was a learning moment,” Lindemann said.

Now, anyone serving CBD coffee by the cup must be trained by Spear himself.

“I don’t want to be a coffee dictator, but I want people to prepare it well,” joked Spear.

In 1998, the couple purchased a building on India Street, where they first began roasting their own coffee beans. Within three months, Spear was roasting all of CBD’s coffee.

Two high-end restaurants in Portland — Fore Street and Street & Co. — became CBD’s first wholesale clients that same year. Spear delivered coffee on his mountain bike with a small trailer.

Spear said he won the account after a four-hour tasting session and conversation with the chef about the best way to finish a meal. He now makes proprietary blends for these and other select restaurants and cafes.

“I am thrilled to have Alan’s coffees. (He’s) a great roaster — one of the best I know,” said Sam Hayward, Fore Street’s celebrated chef. “I buy his coffees pretty much exclusively for my own home because I love them so much.”

COMMUNITY-MINDED PHILOSOPHY

Russell, the investor, said the couple’s business acumen wasn’t the only thing that made him a believer. “They do it with heart, which is what I always liked,” he said.

Spear is the coffee guru, while Lindemann oversees efforts to ensure the company contributes to the community by supporting local artists and businesses.

She said the couple’s artist friends had been hit particularly hard economically in the 1980s, so the couple wanted to support the arts. They began by holding regular art showings by local artists in their Congress Street coffee shop and became active in efforts to establish the Arts District, revitalize Portland’s downtown and launch the city’s Buy Local program. They’re also founding members of the First Friday Artwalk.

The couple commissioned a local artist, David Cedone, to paint a mural, using old photographs, in the Congress Street location that tells the CBD story. It is still there today.

Spear noted that with the Diamond Street expansion project, the couple are using as many local companies as possible, many of which are located in East Bayside.

In 1998, the company began awarding 1,000 to 2,000 grants to artists and small arts organizations by setting aside 1 for every pound of its best-selling “Rebel Blend” coffee sold.

Lindemann said the company solicits proposals and CBD staff considers the merits of each proposal and chooses the winners. About 25 groups have received funding since the program began.

Last year, CBD gave out at total of 6,000 in grants to three groups: Yes Art Works, which provides creative opportunities to people with mental and other disabilities; The Telling Room, a Portland nonprofit writing center for youth ages 6-18; and the Lewiston Auburn Film Festival’s student film contest.

And when it comes to the coffee itself, Spear says CBD will not buy coffee unless it is 100 percent traceable back to the source.

The couple visited their first coffee farm in 2003. That year, they also served as members of the International Jury at the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama’s Best of Panama competition and the Specialty Coffee Association of Bolivia’s Cupping the Mountain’s Peak.

Spear said all of their coffees are organically grown. Those that are certified organic are stored, roasted, blended and packaged according to USDA standards.

The company buys as much certified products — whether organic, Rainforest Alliance or Fair Trade — as possible, but also will buy noncertified products that are cultivated in accordance with those standards.

“Some farmers choose not to get certified because it costs them money,” Spear said.

In 2011, the couple donated 5,000 to a school for children with learning disabilities in Jardin, Colombia, so it could build a new kitchen.

They’re also committed to sustainability. CBD composts 100,000 pounds of coffee grounds and chaff annually and uses solar panels to power its Washington Avenue facility. Their new coffee roasters will be the most energy-efficient available, Spear said.

PIONEERS, EVEN TO COMPETITORS

Bob Garver, owner of Wicked Joe coffee roasters in Brunswick, credited CBD as being “a pioneer of sorts” for bringing quality, locally roasted coffee to the state.

Garver said he drinks his own coffees but that the quality of CBD’s coffee is proven by its customer base. “They have what appears to be a very loyal customer base, and that’s the best endorsement there is,” he said.

Joanna Morrissey and her husband, Cory, owned and operated Java Joe’s on Exchange Street in Portland for about seven years. The couple, who opened Java Joe’s shortly before CBD opened its first shop in 1994, decided to get out of the coffee business and sell the shop in 2001.

Morrissey also credited the couple with raising awareness — and consumer demand — for quality coffees in the state.

“The days of Mainers insisting on having quality coffee over the counter (are) here to stay, and it’s due largely to those two and their expert marketing and raising awareness about what a great cup of coffee means and is,” she said.

Morrissey also credited the company’s commitment to the well-being of its coffee farmers.

Morrissey said CBD’s products are “far superior” to other coffee roasters.

“(CBD) has figured out how to have their coffee in many different areas and somehow guarantee the taste and quality of every cup,” she said. “I honestly don’t know how they do it. It’s the secret to their success.”

Not everyone can sell CBD’s products.

Spear said wholesalers and by-the-cup sellers must undergo a training process to learn about the origins of the coffee and how to prepare it and serve it to customers. “When an account is set up, it comes with me,” Spear joked.

That’s exactly why Paul Harrison has served CBD coffee at the Little Dog Cafe in Brunswick since it opened nine years ago, despite efforts to get him to switch brands.

“They’re really partners more than just wholesalers,” said Harrison, who consults with the couple about potential new locations.

Harrison, who started going to Coffee by Design on Congress Street in 1995 when Lindemann and Spear were always behind the counter, credited the company with helping to turn around that area of town.

Meanwhile, Harrison said he was recently explaining to a customer about why his shop has been successful on Maine Street. It was the location, customer service and the space, he said.

Then a loyal but eavesdropping customer piped in.

“It’s the (expletive) coffee,” Harrison recalled, laughing. “He was right. We have a coffee that without question affects our customer flow.”

RELYING ON ORGANIC GROWTH

Like its coffees, Coffee by Design has been growing organically. It doesn’t employ a full-time salesperson to acquire new accounts.

“We don’t cold-call anybody,” said Spear. “It’s all word of mouth.”

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that so many people and publications — local and national — are so willing to sing the praises of its coffee, hipster culture and support of community organizations.

Last year, national publications piled on. Zagat’s named CBD one of the Top 10 coolest independent coffee houses in the U.S. The company was also singled out when Forbes named Downtown Portland as the 11th best hipster neighborhood in the U.S. and Travel Leisure named it the fifth best U.S. city for hipsters.

“For caffeinated hipster-watching, go to Coffee by Design, which first opened on the once-seedy, and now thriving, Congress Street, where you can sip the same java made for local foodie magnet Fore Street restaurant,” wrote Travel & Leisure.

The diversity of its customer base could be seen on a recent afternoon at the Congress Street coffeehouse. Well-heeled business people waited in line next to colorful tourists and hipsters while the eccentric tattooed and pierced baristas made their drinks and served them with smiles.

People in chairs huddled over laptops or chatted in small groups, while an elderly man mumbled and sang to himself in the corner. Above them hung colorful reduction block prints of coffee pots and French presses by Anna O’Sullivan.

Spear said more and more people are looking to carry the CBD brand. Last year, the wholesale business grew by 25 percent, he said. That was up from an 18 percent growth in each of the preceding years.

The company now has nearly 300 wholesale customers, about 75 percent of which are in Maine.

Spear said the company currently offers 35 different coffees and blends, excluding flavored coffee, from 17 countries.

For the last five years, CBD staff members have participated in a blending competition, with the winner’s blend being offered to customers.

DIAMOND STREET

Spear said the new facility on Diamond Street will be a “playground for coffee geeks.”

The roasting operation will be moved from Washington Avenue, where the existing coffee shop will remain open and expand.

At Diamond Street, connoisseurs will be able to order limited-edition roasts at the coffee bar and choose the brewing technique, including pour-over, French press and espresso.

They can participate in a “cupping event,” which Lindemann said is similar to a wine tasting. Participants can observe, smell and feel the freshly ground beans, and taste a variety of specialty coffees at different temperatures.

Housing the roasting operations on Diamond Street will allow CBD to quadruple its roasting capacity from 500,000 pounds a year to 2 million pounds. CBD will eventually feature cold-brewed coffees on tap.

Once the new facility opens later this year, Spear said that all coffee will still be roasted to order and mail orders will be shipped within 48 hours. There will be three assembly lines for packaging coffee — single origin, blends and certified organic coffees, which must be stored, roasted and packaged in accordance with strict U.S. Department of Agriculture standards.

Spear said he will also offer green coffee beans and home roasters to hobbyists.

Meanwhile, the flavoring of coffee will take place in a separate room, isolated by an airlock system to prevent cross-contamination.

The new facility will be large enough for guided tours of the roasting and blending operations. And it will function as a training center for Coffee by Design baristas and for wholesalers carrying the CBD brand.

Spear says the company has direct relationships with its coffee growers or co-ops, which have direct relationships to farmers from about 17 countries. The new facility will allow the farmers to come to Portland and give presentations to the company’s wholesale clients and public.

“Even if it is the best coffee I have ever tasted, if it doesn’t have traceability and a story, I won’t buy it,” Spear said.

Randy Billings can be contacted at 791-6346 or at:
rbillings@mainetoday.com / Twitter: @randybillings
Visit the Portland Press Herald (Portland, Maine) at www.pressherald.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

source: http://www.menafn.com / MENA – Financial Network / Portland – July 14th, 2013

Mangana Kaiyalli Manikya to release on July 26

Sandalwood film Mangana Kaiyalli Manikya, which has Ramesh Aravind and Harshika Poonacha in the lead, is all set to hit the screens on July 26. The film, directed by Rajendra Karanth, has got U/A certificate from the Regional Censor Board.
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The film is said to be an out and out comedy, with dialogues written by the director himself. The title trailer of the movie, which was recently released on YouTube, has received a lot of appreciation from audiences. Harshika Poonacha is playing the role of an assistant director in the movie. The movie also has Rangayana Raghu and Ravishankar Gowda in significant roles.

The project is produced by Sandesh Nagaraj and music has been provided by Rajesh Ramanath. Meanwhile, Harshika Poonacha also has Maryade, which is currently under shooting in Mysore and Adwaitha, which has Ajai Rao in the lead role.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada> Assistant Director / by Vinay Lokesh, TNN / July 13th, 2013

Benefits elude forest dwellers in Kodagu

Change in demands by beneficiaries reason for delay, claims dist admn.

The government’s scheme of providing free food items, to people who dwell in forests for the six monsoon months has not been kicked off this year, due to the confusion created by beneficiaries.

The scheme which should have started in the month of June has been delayed, as the beneficiaries are changing their demands every year, complain district administration.
The families that dwell in forests get 15 kg rice/ragi, 2 kg tur dal, 2 kg jaggery, 1 litre cooking oil, 1 kg horse gram and 30 eggs every month. However, the beneficiaries who cannot make up their minds in choosing between ragi or rice, has posed a big problem for the administration.

There are 7,500 families who are benefited from the scheme. Each family is given 15 kg rice or ragi, then there is a need of 1,125 tonnes of food grain every month.

The district administration also faces difficulties in arranging for such huge amount of food grain every month.

Confusion

In 2011,all beneficiaries opted for rice. In 2012, the beneficiaries said that they prefer ragi over rice, and hence ragi was distributed.

The district administration thought that the people would prefer ragi this year and started making preparations for availing the food grain in the month of February. However, this year some families said that they do not want ragi, they want rice instead.Deputy Commissioner Dr N V Prasad, asked the Anganawadi workers to conduct a survey among the families, and ask for their preferred food grain. Majority of the families, opted for rice. Meantime, the town panchayat and assembly electio ns were announced and the tender process for ordering food grains was postponed.

The natives

The natives of Kodagu such as Jenu Kuruba, Yarava, Soligaru, Kudiyara among other communities dwell in forests.

Due to the heavy rains, that lash the district, the forest dwellers feel difficult to work and purchase food items. Due to lack of nutrition, many reportedly die too. Women and children are affected due to lack of nutrition. Many suffer from anaemia.The social welfare department has introduced the nutritious food scheme, in 2011 to help the native people.Integrated Tribal Development Programme Officers took the responsibility of identifying the beneficiaries.

The DC and Taluk Executive Officers are chairing committees with regard to the implementation of the scheme.

“It is not an easy task to arrange for a huge amount of food grain, especially when people change their choices every year. The demands of the natives has been sent to the government, and steps will be taken once the government sends directions,” said DC Dr N V Prasad.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Srikanth Kallammanavara / Madikeri, DHNS – July 04th, 2013

Ashwini Ponnappa: Of kill shots and killer looks

Bangalore :

It all began with an innocuous fling of a paper ball. Boisterous and unrestrained like toddlers her age, a two-year-old Ashwini was bringing the roof down at a friend’s place in the hushed hill station town of Madikeri in Kodagu, when her mother Cauvery handed her an old badminton racquet to keep her occupied.

(Experts have lauded Ashwini…)
(Experts have lauded Ashwini…)

She then crumpled up a few newspapers, shaped them into balls and tossed them at Ashwini, who swung and latched onto them like a pro. The bonding was immediate, and a star was born. Now, several years of accolades and a cabinet full of medals and trophies later, Ashwini Ponnappa is riding the waves of mainstream stardom with aplomb.

Ashwini’s forte and talent comes from a Kodava lineage rich in sporting culture. Her uncle, Kumar Appachu, was a state-level cricketer while her father, MA Ponnappa, was an exponent in hockey, having represented Karnataka in eight Nationals between 1974 and 1986. He even had a brief foray internationally as a stellar midfielder for Italian club Eur in the European hockey circuit.

The banker, employed with RBI and Cauvery, an assistant manager with New India Assurance, have never hesitated to give Ashwini all the support she needed to scale the peaks of badminton glory. “Being from a sporting background, it was essential that she had a grasp of sports from an early age. So I got her to take part in a few track-and-field events to build her speed and stamina. She showed great progress but her heart was hooked to badminton,” said Ponnappa.

Nation’s future face

Experts have lauded the 23-year-old Kodava lass for her ‘killer instinct’ – something that cannot be coached. Her medal-studded performance at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2011 Badminton World Federation World Championships in London led the national media to dub her not just badminton’s future face but its great Indian hope.

By the time London Olympics was on the anvil, Ashwini was a household name. From billboards flashing her million-dollar smile to young badminton aficionados hounding her for autographs whenever she turned up for practice, a genteel Ashwini accepted the newfound attention with grace.

“Life changed quite dramatically,” Ashwini recalls. “The biggest advantage was that the CWG was held at home and in the national capital. People came in large numbers to support us, which really boosted our game. Most importantly, people started to appreciate doubles. Till then, it was all about singles but that gold medal scripted a new path for India’s doubles players,” says Ashwini, who is employed with ONGC.

She and Jwala Gutta became a relentless force on the national and international circuit, which swelled to greater heights after their bronze-winning feat at the Worlds. But following a split earlier this year, Ashwini is looking to replicate the success with her new partners Pradnya Gadre and Tarun Kona (mixed doubles).

“Jwala and I had a great time together on the circuit and I learnt a lot from her. But now I have a new partner and a new set of objectives. I have always wanted to do better than what I achieved earlier and hopefully I can do that at the World Championships in August,” says the former St Francis Xavier’s Girl’s High School student.

If looks could kill, then Ashwini is up to the job. Fresh-faced and with limitless marketing potential, she has been approached with several offers to embrace the reel life. “Movies? Not now, maybe I’ll try a few ads first but only if they don’t affect my game,” says Ashwini, ready to ride the shuttle to success.

Know more

Family: MA Ponnappa, Cauvery and brother Appanna

Sporting hero: Roger Federer

Actor/actress: Anne Hathaway/Ryan Gosling

Food: Kodagu cuisine – koli curry, kadumbuttu and nooputtu

Music: R&B, Empire of the Sun

Dream holiday spot: Greece

Dream match to watch live: Federer versus Nadal.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> More Sports> Badminton / by Maxin Mathew, TNN / July 01st, 2013

Pics: When DJ Nikhil plays, Chandigarh girls dance to his tunes

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Chandigarh:

Known for making others dance to his fusion beats, DJ Nikhil Chinapa recently visited Chandigarh to promote an art aimed at providing a platform to youngsters fond of dance.

Speaking at the inauguration the ‘Submerge Dance Project’ at Blue Blazers pub in Sector-26, the MTV VJ urged all talented dancers to showcase their talent as the burgeoning industry offered many lucrative employment opportunities.

The gathering then danced to the tunes of DJ Chinappa, who played several different genres during his three-hour long performance.

Youngsters dancing to tunes of Nikhil.. Click next..

source: http://www.daily.bhaskar.com / DailyBhaskar.com / Home> Cities> Chandigarh / Bhaskar News / June 26th, 2013

Rohan Bopanna: the man of the moment

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One Indian tennis player is emerging as the new crowd favorite at Wimbledon. Not Mahesh Bhupathi, not Leander Paes, not Sania Mirza; its Rohan Bopanna who is wooing the spectators with his BOOM BOOM game! His 3rd round mixed doubles match was watched by a packed audience on Court 12 even as the commentators were keeping a track of his number of aces.

And why not, when only the previous day the 6’3” Bangalorean served 22 aces in the marathon match against 6th seeds, Daniel Nestor and Robert Lindstedt? Not surprisingly, Bopanna is the only Indian who is alive in both men’s and mixed doubles draws.

Grass is traditionally considered the strong point of big serving Indian players. However, no Indian has made the semis of men’s doubles here since Leander Paes in 2008. Thus, when Rohan entered Wimbledon with a new partner, Edouard-Roger Vasselin, not much was expected of the combo.

However, the last few days have changed it all. In Round 3, the Indo-French combo upset 3rd seeds and in-form pair of Bruno Soares/Alexander Peya and followed it up with a 5-setter win over Nestor/Lindstedt. Against the latter, Rohan and Vasselin were up 7-6 7-5 3-1 when they suddenly found themselves in the 5th set, having wasted a match point in the previous set.

Many would have succumbed to the pressure but Team Rohan handled it with ease, keeping their composure to finish off the rain-delayed match 7-6 7-5 6-7 6-7 6-2. They next face the Bryan brothers who are chasing the “Bryan golden slam”- a unique achievement of holding all the 4 slams at the same time along with the Olympic gold medal that they won last year.

Needless to say Rohan and Roger are faced with an uphill task. But if any team can stop the Bryans now, it has to be them. For the record, the Bryans have served 37 aces till now in the entire tournament. And the number for Rohan/Roger stands at 91! They have hammered 31 aces in the last match itself.

Of course, aces alone won’t work against the best pair of all times. But with wife Supriya by his side, Bopanna seems to have found the renewed inspiration that took him to the US Open final in 2010 with Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi. And not to forget, the guy has a chance to lift his 1st slam in mixed doubles as well! In the quarter-final, Bopanna/Zhenq will take on Vera Dushevina/Jean-Julian Rojer.

All the best Rohan!

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / SportsKeeda / Home> Tennis/Grand Slam / by Rajorshi Das / July 04th, 2013

Discovering the Scotland of India

Namdroling Monastery.
Namdroling Monastery.

Monsoon brings its share of troubles to the binge-traveller. But some of the travel destinations are best visited during the monsoon, one of these is Madikeri, ‘The Scotland Of India’. Among the most beautiful hill-stations in Southern India, Madikeri is a haven for nature lovers and trekkers. It is the capital of Coorg district, Karnataka. Formerly known as Muddurajakeri, Madikeri was named after the prominent Haleri king, Mudduraja who ruled Kodagu from 1633-1687. Poets have often referred to Madikeri as full of mystique on account of its unsurpassable beauty and romantic weather.

Madikeri lies on the Karnataka State Highway 88 that runs from Mysore to Mangalore. From Bangalore, this hill station is at a distance of 252 km. A hub of rich tradition and culture, Madikeri is one place that should be on your ‘must-visit’ list. The main tourist attractions are the Raja’s seat, Madikeri Fort, Omkareshwara temple, Abbey falls, Bhagamandala temple, Nisarga Dhama and Namdroling Buddhist Monastery.

Raja’s seat basically is a garden with a beautiful panoramic view of the Kodagu valley and offers you one of the best views of sunset and sunrise.

Madikeri Fort- A must visit: The famous Madikeri Fort was built by Mudduraja in the last quarter of the 17th century. He also built a palace inside the fort. It was eventually rebuilt in granite by Tipu Sultan who named the site as Jaffarabad. Two life size masonry elephants are located in the north-east corner of the entrance and a church is located in the south-east corner. The uniqueness of the Omkareshwara temple is that it is built according to the Mohammedan architecture and attracts a large number of devotees.

A landmark of sorts: Abbey falls, one of the most beautiful falls in India, is 7-9 kilometres from Madikeri. The falls are inside a coffee plantation. A hanging bridge has now been built across the gorge here offering a good view of the falls. The source of river Cauvery known as Talakaveri is found in Madikeri.

The Tibetan Golden Temple: Namdroling monastery also known as the Tibetan golden temple is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. This monastery located around 6 kms from Kushalnagar is basically a Tibetan settlement at Bylukuppe and is the second largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet. There are over 7,000 monks and students living at the monastery. The 40 ft tall golden Buddha statues are the major attractions here.

The walls of the temples are decorated with colourful paintings, depicting gods and demons from Tibetan Buddhist mythology.

The monastery not only attracts large number of young Tibetans seeking enlightenment and education, but also draws tourists from all over the world.

A trekker’s paradise: Madikeri is also a trekker’s paradise. Mountains such as Thadiyandamale, Pushpagiri and Kotebetta offer some of the best trekking experiences.Thadiyandamole is the highest peak here and should not be missed.Igguthappa Kundu, Brahmagiri and Nishanimotte are micro hotspots of bio-diversity in South India and are also amazing places for trekking.

Pork is a delicacy: Madikeri is famous for coffee and pork. It is one of the few places in India where pork is a delicacy.No matter what you do in Madikeri make sure that you pick up a bottle of authentic Coorg honey.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Sandeep S – Bangalore / July 1th, 2013