Bangalore :
D.R. Kaarthikeyan has been appointed as an Independent Director at Tata Coffee Ltd.
He was appointed at the board meeting held after the annual general meeting of the company.
Further, U. Mahesh Rao, Director, who retired by rotation at the AGM of the company held on July 2, 2013 did not seek re-election.
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by The Hindu Bureau anil.thehindu.co.in / Bangalore- July 02nd, 2013
Speech and behaviour analyst Radhika Poovayya says people with communication disorders are often neglected because their problems aren’t obvious to the eye
As Radhika Poovayya peeps into each little colourful nook, there’s Yogi, and there’s Nishita — one sitting diligently at a table with the sweetest smile on his face, the other running in abandon around colourful toys — but both trying to give voice to words that the speech therapist is enunciating with great care. Radhika knows what’s happening with each child, what needs to be done next for the smiling four-year-old , and what to do after the three-year-old learns to say her name.
“No one considers a person’s inability to communicate to be a serious problem. It can really harm that person,” says Radhika. It’s been the premise of her work for over 26 years. Radhika Poovayya is many people rolled into one comprehensive resource — a speech pathologist, a consultant specialising in autism, communication disorders, and behaviour analysis for children and adults. “All human beings are the same. Our behaviour has a law. And the behaviour of every child can be set right,” believes Radhika.
At her Samvaad Institute of Speech and Hearing in Hebbal, Radhika’s therapists work with children with hearing impairment, stuttering and stammering problems, cerebral palsy, voice and speech clarity problems, developmental disabilities, patients of head injuries in accidents and patients of stroke who’ve lost their cognitive and speaking abilities. “Because people can’t ‘see’ their disability they do not get empathy. Our approach is right-based, not sympathy-based. We provide organised and individual therapy. We want to give good therapy that is accountable. We set targets, record data regularly, and are goal driven,” explains Radhika. The role parents play in the training and therapy of such children is really huge, reiterates Radhika. So she allows parents to be part of the therapy sessions and trains parents too to help the child at home. “Parents need to have a different approach to raise such kids. Some come to us, having decided already that the child is incapable of doing anything or believing the child is incapable of speaking.”
What got her going in the field was her love for children and a desire to work with them. She completed her masters at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing in Mysore, and then got married immediately. Her planter husband’s posting with Tata Tea in Munnar turned into a boon — she set up a speech and hearing rehabilitation unit at the estate’s hospital, helping children of estate workers. “It was the first-of-its-kind department in a plantation,” she beams. “I would drive 30 kilometres thrice a week to work in the hospital.” Once her husband moved to Bangalore, she started working at the Dr. SRC Institute for Speech and Hearing in Lingarajapuram, where she also did PR, and helped raise funds for the organisation. “But I missed my clinical work, so after seven years at the Institute, I moved to Hosmat hospital. It was here that I came across 21-year-old Sharath, who had a head injury from an accident. The left side of his brain that controls speech was completely damaged and neurologists had given up on him, but after working with him for one year, he started talking. He gave me the confidence that this field was worth it.”
She started her private practise in 2002 in Indiranagar. But there weren’t too many therapists in the field; her staff moved often. Her family set up a trust and she started the Samvaad Institute with the help of experienced colleagues she had worked with earlier, to offer B.Sc and M.Sc courses in speech pathology and audiology. The courses are affiliated to Bangalore University and recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India.
During the course of her private practise, she felt her skills as a speech pathologist were inadequate, because children with communication disorders also had behaviour issuesShe came across the concept of ABA — Applied Behaviour Analysis — through some parents she was working with. So at 40, she set out to learn online from the University of Florida, with more than 1,500 hours of mentored practical classes. “It took me four years to save up for the course, but I knew it would be effective. ABA works towards achieving socially-acceptable behaviour,” says Radhika, who’s one of five ABA-certified behaviour analysts in the country.
Speaking of the kind of barriers she faces in helping people with disorders, Radhika says that in the upper middle class, accepting that their child has a problem is the hardest thing. “They live in denial, believing their child is ‘alright’. The middle class is more willing to accept the problem, but lack time and resources for training heir child.” Caregivers very rarely are persistent in bringing their child consistently for therapy. Being an NGO, at the Institute, she’s able to offer nominal and discounted rates to people, depending on their income group. Stroke and head injury patients are rehabilitated free of cost.
Radhika can be reached on 9845018302 or check www.samvaadinstitute.org for details.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Society / by Bhumika K / July 09th, 2013
Three movies are set for release on July 12: Whistle, Ale and Bhairavi. Only one of these films features an A-list actress, while the rest have up-and-coming actors in the lead roles. Here’s a quick look at the films:
PIZZA
This is the biggest release of the weekend, and is a remake of the Tamil hit Pizza. The film stars Pranitha Subhash and Chiranjeevi Sarja. Chiranjeevi has not been able to hit the big league, despite starring in several films. This film directed by Prashanth Raj might just give him the break he needs. Joshua Sridhar has composed the music for the movie, and Santosh Rai Pataje is the cinematographer.
ALE
This film has newcomer Tanush and Harshika Poonacha as the lead pair, and Aviva Bidapa in a cameo. The film is being directed by Gopikiran and produced by KKR Movie House. The star cast includes Chandrashekar, Ramakrishna, Shakeela, Joe Simon, Tabala Nani and Biradar. Manomurthy has composed the music.
BHAIRAVI
This is an action movie with trained martial arts specialist Ayesha as the protagonist, who will be seen doing a late of daredevil stunts onscreen. The film is directed by Ha Su Rajashekar, and the stunts have been overseen by KD Venkatesh. The star cast includes Ramesh Bhat, Suchendra Prasad, Mico Nagaraj and Ninasam Satish.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada / by Anjali Muthanna, TNN / July 10th, 2013
The expansion is in line with the company’s strategy of owning around two-thirds of the total inventory
Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd, part of the Mahindra Group, is planning to add 500 units (rooms) over next few years. The expansion will be through both old and new projects. Some of the projects are currently undertaken in Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Shimla, Coorg and Lonavala.
According to the company’s 2012-13 annual report, it added 560 units to its inventory during 2012-13 across 13 resorts — two of which are at international locations — taking total room inventory to 2,480 units.
The first phase of the new project in Virajpet (Coorg) was completed during the year. A smaller expansion also came into effect at the existing property in Varca, Goa. The company also acquired properties in Kandaghat (Shimla), Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), Bangkok (Thailand) and Dubai (United Arab Emirates). It also added inventory by way of long leases in different parts of the country. These include resorts in Cherai-Kochi (Kerala), Poovar (Kerala), Udaipur (Rajasthan) and additional rooms in Yercaud (Tamil Nadu).
The expansions were in line with the company’s strategy of owning around two-thirds of the total inventory. Besides, most of the leased properties are under long-term agreements where Mahindra Holidays manages the resort.
According to the company, it got a strong pipeline of new projects, acquisition and leases, as well as expansion at its existing properties that will become operational during the next few years. A significant expansion of its existing properties in Munnar is under implementation.
The company is currently undertaking five projects: Assanora (Goa), Kanha (Madhya Pradesh), Naldhera (Shimla), second phase at Virajpet (Coorg) and Tungi (Lonavala). These will add over 500 units to the inventory in the next few years.
The firm added it got land bank at 10 destinations and efforts are also on to expand this further. Other than this, some of the company’s existing resorts also have additional land that can be used for further expansion of these properties.
The pace of inventory growth and development of new destinations will continue in future, said the company. In 2012-13, it added 17,489 members to its vacation ownership business, taking the total membership base to 160,747.
Meanwhile, the company has discontinued fresh sales of its shorter duration product ‘Zest’, which had an immediate impact on membership growth.
For its future growth, the company is looking at moving sales and marketing beyond the top metropolitan and
tier-I cities by strengthening its sales and distribution network, which comprises own sales network, on-site office at resort locations and third-party distribution agents.
In 2012-13, the distribution network for the business was expanded from 80 locations to over 100 locations. Most of this expansion was in tier-II cities through third party distribution agents.
ROOMS WITH A VIEW
– Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India is undertaking five projects — Assanora (Goa), Kanha (Madhya Pradesh), Naldhera (Shimla), second phase at Virajpet (Coorg) and Tungi (Lonavala) — that will add over 500 units to the inventory
– For future growth, the company is looking at moving sales and marketing beyond the top metropolitan and Tier-I cities by strengthening sales and distribution network
– In 2012-13, the distribution network for the business was expanded from around 80 locations to over 100 locations, mostly in Tier-II cities through third-party distribution agents.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by T E Narashimhn / Chennai – July 06th, 2013
Thithimathi (Kodagu) :
Maneyapanda W. Chinnappa (89), former Chairman of Mysore Race Club (MRC) and a coffee planter in Devarapura Hebbale village near here, passed away last evening.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, grandchildren and a large number of relatives.
Last rites were performed at Devarapura village today.
He was the MRC Chairman during 1985-87. He was also the member of Sports Club and JWGC.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / July 05th, 2013
Madikeri :
Heavy rain lashed Madikeri town on Saturday evening bringing traffic to a screeching halt in many areas. On the Sri Omkareshwara temple road, several vehicles were submerged. Girish, from Mallikarjunanar, who was in a Maruti Omni with his wife and son were forced to get out of their vehicle and brave the rain when water entered their vehicle. “We had no choice but to get out, as water had entered the car. Even inside the car we were shivering with cold.” he said.
Earlier, the town experienced light showers. But later in the day it was bright and pleasant, until evening.
The Pushpagiri hilly belt in north Kodagu comprising Mutlu, Hammiyala and Kumbaragadige villages received more than 100 inches of rain during rain star Aridra this year. Today, the rain star Punarvasu starts
Aridra rain this year has broken all previous records in these villages. In the last 20 years, Aridra rain record had not crossed 70 inches in these villages. In 1993, it was 51 inches. The heaviest rainfall was recorded in 1994 at 70 inches in these villages between tail-end of June and July first week.
C N Somesh, parpathehegar, in Sri Omkareshara temple, who hails from Mutlu village said that this is the first time that the villages have received such rain.
The averge rainfall in Kodagu so for reached has been 50 inches, 50% more compared to last year’s figure of 25 inches. In Somwarpet taluk it was 39 inches this year while last year it was 19 inches.
Water level in Harangi reservoir has touched 2855.95 out of 2849 feet. The inflow is 11,497 cusec and the outflow is 11,600 cusec.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mysore> Kodagu / TNN / July 07th, 2013
They say you either pick up a gun or a hockey stick as a child in Coorg. For almost every other family from the lush hills has a member either in the armed forces or pushing for a spot in the Indian hockey side.
In a sport that has traditionally been dominated by players from the North — notably the assembly lines from Punjab — serene and picturesque Coorg holds its own as a prolific south-side outpost. A Coorgi player’s silken skills, silent yet strong aggression and technique combined with a meticulously planned fitness regime set him apart from the rest. From the last generation’s pillars like Arjun Halappa and BP Govinda to modern-day stick wielders such as VR Raghunath and SV Sunil, the life-support systems of the Indian national teams have come from Kodagu’s martial clans.
Now, for the first time since 1989, as many as 10 players from Coorg are in contention for spots in the national team. Hockey India announced 48 probables for next month’s Asia Cup earlier this week and the Coorgis make for over one-fifth of the longlist. Of the 10, eight are strikers — MK Muddappa, Nikin Thimmaiah, PL Thimmanna, MG Poonacha, Nithin Thimmaiah, Pradhan Sommanna, SK Uthappa and SV Sunil. The list also includes midfielder MB Aiyappa and a defender VR Raghunath. The promising thing about this is that most are below 25 and are therefore at the perfect age for India’s preparations for the 2016 Olympics. In fact, at the last Nationals 68 Coorgis turned out for different teams.
It’s not new for Coorgis to find a place in the Indian squad. But it is intriguing that such a tiny region has produced almost a dozen players who have the potential to break into the Indian team at the same time. “A lot of credit for this goes to the Sports Authority of India centre in Bangalore. It has provided really good facilities to the players and it is also easily accessible. With the kind of infrastructure that is available, it isn’t surprising that players from this region are flourishing,” says former India captain Halappa, who is now a national team selector.
NORTH vs SOUTH
This leads us to the obvious question: does this indicate a shift in balance of power from the north to the south? Experts suggest otherwise. “I don’t see it as a case of south overtaking north. In fact, the two regions together now seem to control Indian hockey,” former India coach Harendra Singh says.
The Dronacharya Awardee makes a fair point. While players from the south are making rapid strides to break into the national team set-up, Punjab arguably continues to remain the nursery of Indian hockey. The academies that were set up during former India captain Pargat Singh’s regime as the state’s sports director have been reaping benefits. Pargat also ensured that the infrastructure across the state was spruced up and made open to youngsters. Today, Punjab produces the maximum number of players for the junior team, a fact that is reflected in the composition of the junior squad — almost 70 per cent of the members ofthe junior team for the European tour in May consisted of players from the north. In contrast, there was only one player from the south, a Coorgi, who was part of that tour.
At the senior level, though, the trend reverses. “A lot goes into grooming a young talent into India material. There’s a lot of emphasis laid on educating the youngsters about the demands of modern hockey so that he is prepared, physically and mentally, to face the challenges,” says former India goalkeeper AB Subaiah, also a Coorgi. “Over the last few years, we have focussed a lot on developing the youngsters and providing them with the best facilities.This is the main reason why we are seeing so many players succeed from this region.”
The rising dominance of Punjab and Karnataka has coincided with the declining standards in regions such as Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, which used to boast a rich hockey culture. A testimony to this is the national championships. For the last three years, Punjab and Karnataka have been among the top three sides. However, in all these editions, the performances of the young players from Karnataka overshadowed those of the ageing stars from Punjab. It was the same case in the World Series Hockey (WSH) as well, where players from Karnataka did quite well and generated a lot of buzz.
THE KODAVA DYNASTY
But then, you expect crowds to pour in for a hockey match in Bangalore, which is home to almost all players from Coorg. Hockey is said to be as deep-rooted in their culture as the coffee plantations. And Coorg plays host to one of the biggest hockey festivals in the world. The Kodava Hockey Festival made its way into the Limca Book of Records for attracting record entries. It’s an inter-family tournament and more than 200 Kodava families take part in it. Last year, the national team played an exhibition match against a Kodava XI and the fixture attracted thousands.
Subaiah claims Karnataka is the only state that provides branded apparel and kits to its players along with accommodation in plush hotels during the national championships.
Understandably, Bangalore is the next big destination which is being targeted for the second edition of the Hockey India League (HIL). The recent buzz is that a Coorgi hockey afficionado, who runs a sports event management firm, will bid to own a team in the cash-rich league. But the huge financial commitments and bank guarantees that have to be submitted means the chances of that happening are pretty low.
That, however, won’t stop Hockey India from entering one of the most lucrative markets. “The region has always produced quality players and is of high importance to us. We are still evaluating a few things. But it’ll be nice to have a team from there,” says Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home / by Mihir Vasavda, New Delhi / Sunday – July 07th, 2013
The scheme will be launched by Dist-in-Charge Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa on July 10
About 68,773 BPL card holders will benefit from the ambitious programme of the Congress-led State government —Anna Bhagya scheme which will be launched on July 10, in Kodagu district. The programme will be inaugurated by the District-in-Charge Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa.
Accordingly, the BPL card holders will get rice at Re 1/kg. If there is one member, then he will get 10 kg rice, two persons will get 20 kg and more than three members in a family will get 30 kg rice.
There are 15,359 BPL card holders in Madikeri taluk, 28,002 in Somwarpet taluk and 25,372 in Virajpet taluk, said Department of Food and Civil Supplies Deputy Director Dr S E Mahadevappa.
Out of 68,733 BPL families, about 2,596 ration cards have single members, 7,977 cards have two members in the family. About 19,299.10 quintal rice would be required for supply.
Madikeri taluk has 572 BPL cards with single members, 1,653 cards with two members and 13,133 cards with more than two members. Somwarpet taluk has 798 cards with single members, 2,767 cards with two members and 24,436 cards with more than two members. Similarly, Virajpet taluk has 1,226 cards with single members, 3,557 with two members and 20,578 cards with more than two members.
There are 9,679 families in Anthyodaya Anna yojana in the district. This includes Madikeri taluk—1,693, Somwarpet—3,463 and Virajpet—4,523. Anthyodaya families will get 29 kg rice, and six kg wheat in a month.
There is no unit system for Anthyodaya anna yojana.
Four litre of kerosene will be supplied to those who do not possess LPG in rural areas and six litre of kerosene is supplied among those in urban areas.
All those card holders who have not yet given their thumb impression and photographs can provide their information at gram panchayats and franchises in cities.
Online applications can be submitted for availing new ration cards.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS , July 06th, 2013
International athlete Ashwini Nachappa stressed the need for Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens extending its youth club activities to the schools outside Mysore city.
Addressing students after inaugurating a youth club at the Mysore Zoo Auditorium on Sunday, Ashwini asked the kids to grab the opportunities that come their way.
“People only talk about the death of people due to floods in Uttarakhand. No one is bothered about the loss of endangered species of animals, plants etc,” she regretted.
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Ajai Misra asked parents to make their children aware of the need of conserving the environment, especially wildlife.
Pointing out the reasons for man-animal conflict, Misra said: “The population of elephants was one lakh when that of humans was 35 crore in undivided India before 1947. But now when the population of humans has touched 120 crore, the elephant population has reduced to about 25,000.”
But the decrease in the number of elephants has nothing to do with man-animal conflict. Wild animals are blamed for man-animal conflict despite human beings responsible for the same, he said.
He said that environment conservation was a complex issue.
Man is becoming selfish and indifferent by taking up development, he regretted.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service – Mysore / July 08th, 2013
The phoneline goes blank for a few prolonged seconds. Having thought the answer through, Rohan Bopanna responds with a hushed ‘yes’. Have you finally stepped out of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi’s shadow, he was asked. “But more than that,” Bopanna is quick to add, “I feel I have matured as a player, which has helped.”
For close to a decade, Indian tennis fans have often wondered if there was a successor to Paes and Bhupathi on the doubles court. Monday’s ATP rankings and this year’s Wimbledon proves that Bopanna, now ranked fifth — higher than the veteran Indians — could just be that man.
“It seems so,” says Enrico Piperno, the former Davis Cup coach for India. “At 33, he is still young on the doubles circuit and has still many years ahead of him. He has been injury-free for most part of his career. Also, Rohan has worked hard to reach this level. Really hard.”
The Karnataka man has made some notable changes to his game to reach this level. By quickening his service action, Bopanna has ensured that the opponent gets less time to react. And earned his nickname — Bofors. With a relatively low toss of the ball followed by a smooth, quick connect, he also generates more pace and accuracy. Consequently, he has been able to hold his service games with ease.
No longer one trick
Apart from just his booming serves, Bopanna has also, over time, become more agile on the court. This, then, allows him to hunt down balls and return them with sharp angles, traits found in the best doubles specialists. To achieve this, he says, Bopanna was forced to cut down on bread and sweets, while also working over time with both Yash Pandey and Scott Davidoff, his physical trainer and coach respectively. Pandey was instrumental in chiselling his physique, Davidoff turned his net play around.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home / by Mihir Vasavda / Mumbai – Tuesday, July 09th, 2013
