Monthly Archives: October 2013

Inter-Kodava Samaja hockey tourney from Oct.22 at Madikeri

Sports

Madikeri :

17- The Inter-Kodava Samaja Hockey tournament organised by the Kodava Samaja Federation will be held from Oct. 22 at the Balugodu Hockey Grounds here.

Disclosing this at a press meet here yesterday, the Sports Committee Chairman Kambiranda Kittu Kalappa said that 16 teams will be participating in the tourney.

He further said that the final would be played on Oct. 26 which also features tug-of-war competitions for men and women.

He added that a few important rules have been incorporated in the tourney.

Kalappa further said that only students of Sports Authority of India Hostel would be allowed to play for Bangalore Kodava Samaja. He added that the winner of the tourney would get a cash prize of Rs. 30,000 and the runner-up Rs. 20,000; the semi-finalists would get Rs.10,000 each and winner of tug-of-war would get Rs.10,000 and the runner-up Rs. 7,500.

Tourney Secretary Kotera Raghu Karyappa, members Neravanda Bharath, Iynanda Jappu Achappa, Tambu Kuttera Madhu Mandanna and Bolliyangada Dadu Poovaiah were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / October 17th, 2013

Rohan Bopanna has task cut out

Sports

Shanghai :

Leander Paes, playing with Canada’s Daniel Nestor, and Rohan Bopanna, combining with Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin, are in the 32-team draw of the Shanghai Rolex Masters.

While Paes has already made the season-ending event the ATP World Tour Finals in London next month with Czech Radek Stepanek, Bopanna, who won the Japan Open last week, has his work cut out, placed as they are in the 13th position of the team rankings. Bopanna and Vasselin, seeded sixth here, are in the same quarter of the draw as the top-seeded American twins Bob and Mike Bryan.

India no.1 Somdev Devvarman, ranked 95 in the word, fell in the final round of the men’s singles qualifying competition of the Shanghai Rolex Masters, falling in straight sets to Japan’s Tatsuma Ito 6-7 (6-8), 0-6.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Tennis> Rohan Bopanna / TNN / October 07th, 2013

Bangalore, N. India to take turns hosting coffee festival

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

Concerted efforts are needed for coffee consumption to increase in northern India, said Hameed Haq, Managing Director, Tata Coffee, principal sponsor of the India International Coffee Festival (IICF).

“Thrust should be there to take coffee consumption from the South to North of India,” he said.

“We have taken new direction under India Coffee Trust to bring focus to the domestic consumption in India, which is low by any standards and, therefore, are trying to focus on North India which is a huge market to explore,” he said.

The fifth edition of the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) will be held in Bangalore at Lalit Ashok during January 21-25.

The Coffee Board and India Coffee Trust held its fourth edition of the IICF at New Delhi in 2012.

It was the first event outside Bangalore to give a wider exposure among the coffee drinkers in non-traditional areas such as Delhi to boost coffee consumption. “The event was taken to Delhi at the risk of adventuring in unknown waters but the resultsurprised us as we were greatly satisfied with the event.

It was a grand success by any standards,” said Jawaid Akthar, Coffee Board Chairman.

Now the steering committee of the IICF has decided that ideally the event should be alternated between Bangalore, the headquarters of coffee, and another destination preferably a consuming destination in the south.

FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENT

In addition to domestic consumption, the IICF is also to focus on environment.

“We as coffee growers have to keep in mind the changing demand on the environment. Globally, there is a lot more consciousness on coffee and the environment and during this festival, we will try and cover it all,” said Haq.

Haq further said the IICF started in 2002 and has evolved into a very mature international event and is being held at a right opportune time. Especially at a time when global coffee majors are eyeing Indian market.

NEW DIMENSIONS

“The coffee festivals are the right place to showcase Indian coffee globally; this festival has evolved over a period of time and taken certain new dimensions,” he explained.

IICF is also laying emphasis on quality.

“Of course, quality remains the benchmark and will be the differentiator to get us the premium in the world coffee market.

SMALL GROWERS

It is important to note that 95 per cent of coffee produced in the country is by small growers.

Corporates are very small, Tata Coffee being one of them,” said Haq.

FOCUS ON COORG

“We are hoping to extend our learning initially to the growers in Kodagu (Coorg) which forms a large part of the production base through the coffee trail, conference and workshops,” he added.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Industry> Agri-Biz / by The Hindu Bureau anil.u@thehindu.co.in / Bangalore – October 16th, 2013

Coffee Board kicks off branding initiative

Business & Economy, Coffee News

Seeks Andhra govt’s help to market coffee grown in Araku Valley
CoffeeKF21oct2013

In a bid to fetch higher prices in international markets, the Coffee Board of India has kicked off a branding initiative for Indian coffee. The Board intends to create a common brand to market Indian coffee, especially those grown in the Western Ghats and Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh.

“Almost 98 per cent of coffee produced in India is grown in the Western Ghats region and some new areas in Araku Valley. Indian coffee, grown under tree shade, is very popular in the international markets. It contributes to intrinsic quality and internationally it is known as eco-friendly coffee. So, we are trying to make use of the Western Ghats tag to market our coffees in the overseas markets,” Jawaid Akhtar, chairman of Coffee Board, told Business Standard.

The Board will sell Indian coffee as “good coffee” and “organic coffee” to fetch higher prices in the overseas markets.

Akhtar said Indian exporters are able to command 40-50 per cent higher margins on the benchmark International Coffee Organization (ICO) prices for washed Robusta and 25 per cent for Robusta Cherry. “We are contemplating to come out with a common brand for Indian coffee. We are also planning to promote our coffee through international trade fairs, exhibitions and release advertisements,” Akhtar added.

For the first time, coffee grown in Araku Valley in parts of the eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh is coming to market this year, Akhtar said, adding the Board plans to market this coffee as “organic coffee”. In Araku Valley, the coffee is largely grown by tribals.

Popularly known as non-traditional areas in the coffee circles, this region includes the states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and to a small extent Madhya Pradesh. The region is predominantly inhabited by a wide variety of tribal groups, who are known for their traditional agriculture practices and ‘podu’ (shifting cultivation) over centuries.

The trees are planted at an elevation of 3,200 ft above the sea level.

“We have requested the government of Andhra Pradesh to help tribals market their coffee, so that we can reduce the role of middlemen. There are some non-government organisations like Naandi Foundation that are assisting tribals in cultivating coffee,” said Akhtar.

Araku Valley is expected to produce about 6,500 tonnes of coffee this year. Over 100,000 tribals have brought 55,000 hectares area under coffee plantations in the Valley and the average holding is one acre per person. The tribals have used mainly organic practices to grow the coffee.

Arabica coffee is the main variety and the arabica station breed selections such as S.934, Sln.4 (agaro) and Sln.5 occupy major areas in Andhra Pradesh. In Odisha, Cauvery is the main variety under cultivation. Pepper is the main inter crop adding substantially to the net returns of coffee farms. The coffees of this region are classified as medium body, medium to sharp acidity and intense aroma with a spicy tinge.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Markets> Commodities> Food & Edible Oils / by Mahesh Kulkarni / Bangalore – October 14th, 2013

Taj Madikeri, Westin Chennai Velachery among world’s hot new hotels

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

SUMMARY
TripAdvisor has recognised 33 hotels in 18 countries worldwide that opened within the last year.

Westin Chennai Velachery
Westin Chennai Velachery

TripAdvisor has announced its inaugural list of hot new hotels, recognising 33 hotels in 18 countries worldwide that opened within the last year. These properties have provided guests with memorable experiences, according to the survey done by the travel site.
“TripAdvisor has identified the new hotels that have made lasting impressions on our community since opening their doors,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer at TripAdvisor. “Whether traveling internationally or close to home, we encourage travellers to check out, or ‘check-in’ to these new hotels on the scene that are getting high reviews from other travelers.”

Hot New Hotels – Asia
1. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai, China
2. Four Seasons Hotel Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan
3. Vivanta by Taj Madikeri, Madikeri, India
4. Raffles Makati, Makati, Philippines
5. Fairmont Makati, Makati, Philippines
6. Vana Belle, A Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui, Chaweng Beach, Thailand
7. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Da Nang,Vietnam
8. The Westin Chennai Velachery, Chennai (Madras), India
9. Four Seasons Beijing, Beijing, China
10. Four Seasons Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai, China

Hot New Hotels – World
1. Hotel Casa San Agustin, Cartagena, Colombia
2. Kura Design Villas Uvita, Uvita, Costa Rica
3. Taj Palace Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco
4. 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville, Bentonville, Arkansas
5. Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square, Vilnius, Lithuania
6. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai, Shanghai, China
7. Refinery Hotel, New York City, New York
8. The Ampersand Hotel, London, United Kingdom
9. Four Seasons Hotel Baku, Baku, Azerbaijan
10. Zero George Street, Charleston, South Carolina

source: http://www.financialexpress.com / The Financial Express / Home> Travel & Tourism / by FE Online / New Delhi / October 17th, 2013

Tableaux steal the show in Gonicoppa Dasara

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence

A tableau depicting ‘Draupadi Vastrapaharana’ from the Mahabharath being taken out during the Gonicoppa Dasara procession in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu on Monday / The Hindu
A tableau depicting ‘Draupadi Vastrapaharana’ from the Mahabharath being taken out during the Gonicoppa Dasara procession in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu on Monday / The Hindu

As many as 20 tableaux depicting various themes were taken out at Gonicoppa, marking the culmination of the cultural show of the Gonicoppa Dasara festivities in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu on Monday.

The tableaux procession was inaugurated by the president of the Gonicoppa APMC Achapanda Mahesh around 3 p.m. today. Of the 20 tableaux, as many as 12 depicted various social themes while the rest derived their themes from the Mahabharata, Keshav Kamath, a prominent citizen of Gonicoppa town told The Hindu. The procession went through the two-km route on the Gonicoppa main road ending at the Sri Uma Maheshwara Temple in the evening.

Social themes harped on issues such as the vicious shadows of terrorism, ill effects of drunkenness, pernicious effects of plastics and garbage, elephant menace that was rampant in Kodagu, dangers of sagging electric wires resulting in the electrocution of people and so on. Vehicular traffic was affected in the town till 5.30 p.m. following the tableaux procession. A large number of people watched the proceedings in the afternoon, Mr. Kamath said.

Madikeri spruced up

A cloudy atmosphere prevailed in Madikeri in the evening where Dasara festivities were slated to begin on Monday night. As many as 10 decorated mantaps (Dasha Mantaps) would emerge from as many temples late in the night in a car procession in the city towards Bannimantapa for the rituals in the morning on Tuesday.

The mantaps that would come out are from the temples of Sri Kote Maha Ganapathi, Chowtti Mariyamma, Kote Mariyamma, Dandina Mariyamma, Kanchi Kamakshi, Pete Sri Rama Mandira, Dechur Balaka Balarama Sri Rama Mandira, Chowdeshwari, Karawale Bhagavathi and Kodandarama. A large number of visitors were streaming into the city toward evening to witness the annual spectacle, Mahantesh, a resident of the city, told The Hindu.

The police have made elaborate security arrangements to prevent untoward incidents by setting up check-posts at vantage points. Parking arrangements have been made at several locations.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Madikeri – October 15th, 2013

The Story of Coffee at Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans

Coffee News

The Story of Coffee at Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans. Do you love coffee and its culture? Then, don’t miss this place.

The Story of Coffee at Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans
The Story of Coffee at Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans

New Orleans has a lot of interesting places and museums, result of a long and legendary history. But Yareah loves particularly Southern Food & Beverage Museum, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery, and understanding of the food, drink and culture of the South of USA. They opened their doors on June 7, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Anyway and although the museum is in New Orleans, it celebrates all of the cultures that have come together through the centuries to create the South unique culinary heritage. Really different and of course, tasteful!

They have permanent exhibits and every year, they have different events and shows.

Among its permanent exhibits, we would highlight The Story of Coffee. The exhibition explores Coffee in Louisiana, from those days of steamships that braved the Mississippi river to bring exquisite coffee to the city of New Orleans from the tropics to our present. Because New Orleans remains the first coffee port in the USA and USA is the first coffee consuming nation in the world.

Definitely, if you love coffee, don’t miss this museum, Yareah friends. It’s worth!

Southern Food & Beverage Museum. Riverwalk, 500 Port of Orleans Place Suite 169, New Orleans, LA 70130

“Our culture runs on coffee and gasoline, the first often tasting like the second.” Edward Abbey.

See more in the Museum website http://southernfood.org/

source: http://www.yareah.com / Yareah Magazine / Home> Lifestyle> Food and Beverage / by Isabel del Rio

Storming into entertainment

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Love and pride for their native district led them to create a successful music festival in Coorg

Lavin Uthappa & Sachin Bopanna, Storm Festival

Having flourished in the events industry for 19 years, Lavin Uthappa’s stint as director of Storm Festival has beenglorious. His passion and love for his homeland propelled him to forsake a flourishing career in the corporate sector and pursue event management. Along with his brother Sachin Bopanna, Lavin created Liquidspace Entertainment four-and-a-half years ago, with the aim of promoting organic fusion sounds. “We wanted to bring the best of mainstream entertainment to Coorg and make it one of the foremost camping and destination festivals of the country. What’s better than starting from home?” quips Lavin

He has worked extensively on brand promotions, visualising, strategising and executing international concerts- all of which helped him create the Storm Festival. “Years of experience in this industry have helped me achieve near perfection in all that I do.” Added to that, he is fondly referred as ‘Annaiah’ by the people he works with, because of his affable nature. Organising an outdoor festival in a small town can be a daunting task, “It takes a lot of time, passion, hard work and monetary implications to build a festival. Since non-metros are quiet for most of the year, it is a challenge to convince authorities and locals. Added to this, the tough terrain and lack of availability of raw materials makes it harder. We have to procure them from bigger cities, which is an expensive proposition too. Finally, procuring licences and requisite permissions to run these festivals as stipulated by the law of the land will ensure smooth running of these events.”

No mountain is high enough for these spirited brothers, “Branching out to create Storm was the best decision I ever made. It would not have been possible without the support of well-wishers, family and musicians. In the end, hard work always pays.”

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Columns> Work / by Sindhuja Balaji / September 13th, 2013

Poovamma overcomes tight schedule, Tintu to claim 400m

Sports

But for MR Poovamma reinforcing her credentials as the best quarter-miler in the country, there was little to brag about on the penultimate day of the 53rd Open National Athletics Championship. Otherwise, slack organising was the central theme of the rain-hit day.

The word ‘unreasonable’ best sums up the organisers’ logic in holding the heats and finals of the 400m on the same day. That too after the 400m was widely billed as the marquee fixture of the tournament, which fielded more international athletes than any other stream.

Amidst these distractions, Poovamma proved unflappable in a grid replete with stars. Tintu Luka, Anu Mariam Jose, Ashwini Akkunji and Anilda Thomas were all capable of upsetting Poovamma, who has established herself as the country’s titular figure in 400m.

Despite her recent form, Poovamma knew the race was by no means a cakewalk. And she set off to a near-perfect start and rocketed off to a handy lead.

But Tintu wasn’t to be shaken. Braving the fatigue of her gold-winning 800m spurt on Sunday and heats in the morning, she kept snapping at Poovamma’s heels and was within touching distance, so much so that the race seemed heading for a photo-finish. But Poovamma timed 53.96s, two hundredths of a second faster than Tintu.

Tintu’s mentor PT Usha felt Tintu was undone by rain and scheduling. “Tintu ran the 800m on Sunday in rain and that affected her performance in the 400m. The heats and final of the 400m was held too closely and there was no resting time,” she told TNIE.

Two meets records were created on the day. In women’s javelin, ONGC’s Anu Rani entered the record-book with an effort of 54.35m while Sudha Singh clocked 10:09.04s to better her mark in steeplechase.

RESULTS: Men: 110m hurdles: A Suresh (RLYS) 14.19s, K Prem Kumar (AP) 14.34, T Balamurugan (TN) 14.41. 3000m steeplechase: Jaiveer Singh (SER) 9:00.41, Sachin Patil (RLYS) 9:09.12, Karamvir (SER) 9:14.15. High jump: Jithin C Thomas (SER) 2.11m, A Shaiju (SER) 2.08m, Chethan (KAR) 2.05m. Discus throw: Arjun (HAR) 54.10m, Dharam Raj (SER) 50.99m, Karan Singh (RLYS) 50.19m. 20km walk: K Ganapathi (SER) 1:27:18.15s, Gurmeet Singh (RLYS) 1:28:19.30s, Baljinder Singh (PUN) 1:29:09.08s.

Women: 400m: MR Poovamma (ONGC) 53.96s, Tintu Luka (RLYS) 53.98, Chavi Sharawat (RLYS) 54.44. 100m hurdles: G Gayathry (TN) 13.70s, J Hemasree (LIC) 14.19, MM Anchu (RLYS) 14.31. 3000m steeplechase: Sudha Singh (RLYS) 10:09.04, Lalita Babar (RLYS) 10:33.40, Kiran Tiwari (HAR) 10:52.75. Pole vault: Khyati Vakharia (ONGC) 3.70m, VS Sureka (RLYS) 3.60m, Kiranbir Kaur (Police) 3.50m. Triple jump: MA Prajusha (RLYS) 12.91m, V Neena (RLYS) 12.76m, Mareena Joseph (Police) 12.50m. Javelin throw: Annu Rani (ONGC) 54.35m, Rupinder Kaur (Police) 48.16m, S Saraswathy (RLYS) 48.07m.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport / by Shan AS – Ranchi / September 10th, 2013

Namma ooru to ‘My’suru

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

From left: Model and actress Deeptii Mohan is dressed in traditional attire for the festive season and A photograph by Vikram Simha
From left: Model and actress Deeptii Mohan is dressed in traditional attire for the festive season and A photograph by Vikram Simha

The Gods couldn’t have been kinder, for the coming weekend seems to be one filled with fun, festivities and an extra holiday. Bengalureans are heading out of the city and making a beeline to Mysore, the city known worldwide for its majestic Dasara celebrations. If Mysore is too congested and you aren’t really game for the day celebrations, then head to Madikeri, for the night festivals.

For generations, the Dasara festivities in Mysore have been the crown jewel in the city’s history of celebrations.

While in the yesteryears the king rode across the city on an ornamented elephant, now a beautiful idol of goddess Chamundeshwari sits on a gold throne (howdah) that is carried by a pachyderm throughout the city. Vikram Simha, who works as a quality regulator at an MNC says that this year, grandeur is an understatement for the festivities. “All the major circles in the city are lit and the patterns used for the illumination are very different from those done in the past. The city looks gorgeous bathed in the warm glow of the lights,” he describes. This year Vikram says that he is going to Mysore to explore the photography avenue. Vijay D, a businessman from Bengaluru who studied in Mysore cautions travelers, saying that unless hotels are booked in advance, chances are they will be no rooms available. “I am going with my wife this year. I am looking forward to the procession where different districts of the state carry out representations characteristic to their area, much like what is done during the Republic Day Parade,” states Vijay.

While the preliminary festivities offer a bounty of options for the shutterbug, the final day, that is on Monday is the grandest of the celebrations. That is when the golden howdah is prepared for the city procession. Pushpa Ramanna a homemaker traveling to Mysore with her family says, “It is my daughter’s 10th birthday and we want to ring it in as a part of the regal gala,” says the mother. Vikas Jindal another businessman says that in the three years that he has been in Bengaluru, he has only heard tales of the festival. “This year I am heading to Mysore with my friends and I can’t wait to see the Mysore Palace. I believe it is lit beautifully. We might head to Madikeri after Mysore given that it is barely a two hour drive,” he reveals.

On Monday night post 6 pm; processions will hit the main road in Madikeri from 10 different mandaps and temples. The gaiety which will be a mélange of lights and jubilation will continue till 6 in the morning. Anil HT, one of the organiser of the Madikeri Dasara says that on Monday no vehicles will be allowed into the city but there are arrangements made for parking facilities. Umesh, a lawyer from the city alternates between Mysore and Madikeri every year. “We chose Madikeri because it is less crowded, the weather is better and we have a friend’s house there. So there is no problem with lodging,” says the lawyer who celebrated Dasara in Mysore last year.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Offbeat / DC / by Zoya Philip / October 13th, 2013