Monthly Archives: November 2013

Lakhs throng Talacauvery

Devotees thronging Triveni Sangama at Talacauvery in Bhaghamandla on Thursday | Express photo
Devotees thronging Triveni Sangama at Talacauvery in Bhaghamandla on Thursday | Express photo

The Madikeri- Bhaghamandla- Talacauvery Road was jampacked from early Thursday as lakhs of devotees arrived for the ‘theerthodbhava’ near Brahmakundike.

It is believed that every year on this day at a specified time water from the Cauvery springs up in the form of a small fountain from ‘Brahmakundike’ at Talacauvery. And this water from this temporary fountain is considered to be holy.

A team of archakas, led by Ananthesh Kedilaya, announced the arrival of theerthodbhava at 12.01 pm, following which they sprinkled the holy water on the devotees near the Bramhakundike.

Kodagu police had enforced strict monitoring around the region to ensure that people do not enter Bramhakundike until after the theerthodbhava to prevent any untoward incidents such as a stampede.

SP M N Anucheth was seen standing near the pond and personally supervising arrangements with his subordinates.

Cultural programmes were performed by various artistes throughout the day. Ninada from Ponampet sang Kodava devotional songs while B A Ganesh from Shanthalli rendered Kannada devotional songs. Padmanabha and team from Melkote played the Nagaswara and Ramanajneya Bhajana team from Madikeri sung bhajans.

For the second consecutive year, the temple committee provided lunch for the devotees. MLA K G Bopaiah and Kodagu ZP vice-president B Usha Devamma supervised the catering arrangements.

The theerthodbhava was witnessed by the temple Thakka’s Kodi Madappa, Kodi Motaaiah, Balladka Appaji, MP A H Vishwanath, Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tiwari and others.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service – Madikeri / October 18th, 2013

For selector Arjun Halappa, professionalism is key

Mumbai :

When people embrace dual responsibilities, dealing with the double-edged sword becomes inevitable. Air India’s Arjun Halappa is currently busy negotiating the many predicaments that come along with being a national selector and being an active player.

Being a player, Halappa rubs shoulders with potential candidates who could go and represent the country some day, while being a selector though, he has to ensure bias doesn’t creep in while doing his national duty. And as Halappa puts it: “drawing a line is critical”.

(Being a player, Arjun Halappa…)
(Being a player, Arjun Halappa…)

“I have played a lot of hockey and I know I have a lot more hockey left in me. So on that front I am assured. I have always idol-worshipped Dhanraj Pillay as a player. I try to emulate him as far as possible. Even at the age of 40-41, Dhanraj was a force to reckon with. So I want to follow in his footsteps. But it is a different ball game being a selector,” said Halappa, who turned out for Air India in the opening encounter of the 48th edition of the Bombay Gold Cup against Indian Navy at Churchgate’s Mahindra Stadium. For the record, Air India thrashed Navy 6-1.

“Having played hockey, people expect me to give them a hearing. They take it for granted that I will succumb to their requests just because I have shared the dressing room with them. But that is not the case. As a player, I will always respect the equation I share with my teammates. But when it comes to picking up the right candidate for India camps, I will do my job professionally,” added Halappa, who was part of India’s squad at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

At 32, Halappa is one of the youngest selectors. Dealing with senior selectors such a BP Govinda (Olympian and chairman of selectors) would sure be a tricky proposition. “You have to be respectful for sure. But I’ve been assigned a task and I believe doing my job with total commitment. Thankfully, I’ve never been required to assert myself.”

Results: Air India 6 (DS Darshan, Shivendra Singh, Birendra Lakra, Vikram Pillay, VS Vinaya, Joga Singh) bt Indian Navy 1 (Amit Kumar Goswami).

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Hockey> Air India / by Sudheendra Tripathi, TNN / October 21st, 2013