We had reported earlier that Kannada actress Harshika Poonacha will be making her Telugu debut in the Surya Teja- starrer Panipuri, and the actress took to Twitter recently to announce that she has started rehearsing for the songs of the film.
Harshika tweeted, “Good morning Darling twps. My Telugu debut #Panipuri song shoots are ahead. At the rehearsals,Dance in my mind” (sic).
The actress, who has worked in Konkani and Kodava films apart from Kannada, is keen on branching out as says is fluent in all South Indian languages. Eager to leave a mark in all the industries, she will also soon debut in Kollywood with the Tamil film Anandha Thollai, apart from her Telugu film Panipuri.
Harshika debuted in 2008 with the Kannada film PUC, and has gone on to play prominent roles in several other films. She won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for the 2009 Shivarajkumar-starrer Thamassu.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Kannada> Entertainment> Kannada> Dance / by Dhwani Desai, TNN / February 01st, 2014
The State government has drawn up plans to create 32 in the forests, especially in Kodagu, Shimoga, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Chikmagalur and Mysore districts, for protecting both the people residing within the forests and wild animals.
After the Cabinet Sub Committee on Forest discussed these issues, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra, who chaired the meeting, said that this would be tabled before the State Cabinet and then sent to the Union government for approval.
Mr. Jayachandra said that the Union government had, in its guidelines to the States, suggested that there should be a 10-km zone near each human habitat where big construction activity, power lines of more than 11 kVA, big resorts and industries could not be allowed to come up.
However, small constructions such as homestays could be allowed.
He said that the zones could be just one, two or three kilometres away from the habitats.
Asked whether these guidelines were binding on the State government, he said that there was no law to regulate such activities in the State.
He said that the State forest officers would discuss the issue with the Union government and convince it of the workable alternatives, based on specific reasons.
Wherever it was difficult to implement the guidelines, the State government would strive to get relief to the people, he said.
Objection
The committee also discussed the situation arising out of a case filed by the Goa Foundation before the Green Bench of the Supreme Court at Chennai.
The committee decided to file an objection within 10 days to the demand of the Goa Foundation that the Kasturirangan Committee report, which was notified by the Union government, be implemented.
Mr. Jayachandra said that the notification had adversely impacted development activities worth Rs. 25,000 crore in the Western Ghats. Works of the Indian Institute of Science, the DRDO and a unit for the manufacture of unmanned aerial vehicles in Challakere of Chitradurga district had been stopped due to public protests.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by T. S. Ranganna / Bangalore – February 03rd, 2014
The city police will set up seven more Family Counselling Centres (FCC), two of which will be funded by the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), in a bid to provide timely help to women in distress.
CSWB chairperson Prema Cariappa, who visited the women’s helpline centre at the City Police Commissioner’s office here on Wednesday, said the Board has sanctioned seven such centres for the State, two of which would be set up in the city.
Lauding the efforts of the helpline in the commissioner’s office, Ms. Cariappa said the city police already have two FCCs and are planning seven more.
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Raghavendra H. Auradkar said two of the new FCCs would be set up at Banaswadi to serve South Division and at Malleshwaram to cater to the North Division. This would ensure that people need not come to the Commissioner’s office to seek assistance, he added.
Stating that each police division would have one counselling centre, Mr. Auradkar said the aim is to have one centre at each police station.
Meanwhile, Ms. Cariappa said the CSWB had hiked the salary of counsellors from Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 13,500 a month at the city level and from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 12,000 in rural areas.
Counsellors told Ms. Cariappa that they were finding it difficult to provide information under the RTI Act as a major part of the counselling is done under confidentiality, to which she said the CSWB would take a decision.
SOS calls
It was also brought to her notice that the helpline gets SOS calls from women facing mental distress. Though the State has around 29 short stay homes to rehabilitate victims, there is no provision to house mentally distressed women, the helpline centre’s co-ordinator, Rani Shetty, said.
Replying to this, Ms. Cariappa said the Board would earmark one short stay home for such persons.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Special Correspondent / Bangalore – January 29th, 2014
The trailer of the upcoming tri-lingual Home Stay, which marks the debut of actress Sayali Bhagat in Sandalwood, is released. The film is directed by Santhosh Kodenkeri and produced by Siddu Konnur.
Actress Sayali Bhagat has been paired opposite Ashok Balakrishnan in the movie. The psychological thriller movie has been shot extensively in Madikeri and Shivanasamudra areas. The film also has Shruthi and Ravi Kale in significant roles. The movie is based on an incident that happens when Sayali Bhagat stays alone at a Home Stay in Madikeri. Director Santhosh has said, the movie is in no way related to the Home Stay attack which took place in Mangalore.
Watch the trailer here
Actress Shirin is playing the female lead in the Tamil version, it is said. The film is being made in Tamil, Hindi and Kannada. Ashley Mendonca is the music director.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home>
Ace shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa has been a force to reckon with in doubles. Now, she wants to try her hand in singles. The 24-year-old will participate in the singles category at the all-India ranking tournament in Bangalore next week.
“I’d like to give a shot at singles,” Ponnappa told dna in Panvel, where she attended Alegria, a college fest organised by Pillai Group of Institutions, on Tuesday.
“I love doubles. But I’d like to play singles. I stopped playing singles because of circumstances. I feel I don’t want to sit around but play singles in national circuit and have fun. Singles is easier and I don’t have to worry about. However, I am not sure whether I would take it seriously but I would certainly like to win some titles so that it will help my confidence,” she said.
“Incidentally, I will be playing singles next week since Jwala is not taking part in the tournament. This gives me a chance to explore. Anyway, I don’t have anything to lose,” Ponnappa added.
This year will see two of the biggest events — Commonwealth Games and Asian Games – and Ponnappa has set her eyes on both. “Jwala and I will be looking to defend the CWG title. Every tournament is important and we take it as a preparation. The more we play, the better we get. Asian Games, on the other hand, is neither going to be easy nor difficult. We have beaten Asian players and aim to do well in that competition as well,” added Ponnappa.
Ponnappa, who was partnerinig Pradnya Gadre during the time Gutta was away from the sport for a while, is back with her old partner. “We needed that break. Jwala has been playing for long and she needed a break, especially after she went through a lot. However, we are back now with better understanding, respect and a lot more hungry,” she said.
“It is important to get along off the court. We have to understand each other and have to be friendly, otherwise you can’t expect magic to happen on court. We are pretty good friends off the court. With both of us having different characteristics, it creates a kind of balance,” she said.
“The controversies (surrounding Gutta) affect us, especially what happened post Indian Badminton League. But, when we get on court, we leave everything aside.”
With the new leagues coming in every sport, Ponnappa believed they will develop a sporting culture in India. “These leagues give a bigger platform for sports. If you are passionate, you can use these platforms to prove yourself. It also helps one to earn money and play some quality matches. It is a really nice concept as you get to travel, be part of a team, compete with your friends and doing well for your teams,” she said.
source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Sport / by Taus Rizvi, Place: Mumbai, Agency:DNA / Tuesday – January 28th, 2014
At 28, many may believe that Robin Uthappa’s best days are well behind him. Uthappa differs; he strongly believes that he is just a few good knocks away from making it back to the Indian team. The swashbuckling batsman played his 38th one-day international in July 2008. A comeback six years on would beggar belief, but then, Uthappa’s conviction is unwavering.
While the thought of making it back to the pinnacle of cricket is constantly on Uthappa’s mind, he has for the time being put those thoughts on the backburner to focus on an equally worthy goal. Leaner and fitter, Uthappa is focused on ensuring Karnataka returns home with the Ranji Trophy. They take on Maharashtra in the final starting in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
In the 2009-10 season, an Uthappa-led side slumped to a heartbreaking six-run defeat against Mumbai and since then, Karnataka hasn’t come close to winning the Trophy, until now. Uthappa is convinced his team is ready for coronation.
“I’m looking forward to the final and it is going to be exciting,” Uthappa said. “A lot of us believe we are going to win this tournament. It is a huge belief that is going around in the team, simply because we are having so much of fun together. I can’t think of a guy who hasn’t performed when given the opportunity this season. The players are literally having dreams that we are going to win this tournament. That happens when it’s a happy group without any inhibitions. And that’s the unit we have today.”
The players, Uthappa said, are determined to get it right this time. “That defeat in the final still pinches,” he admitted. “In the last four years, what has happened is that we have progressed to the knockout stages and then one department fails to fire. That batch has stuck together and has gone through the rigour. When I look back I think the past years was a process when everybody went through their ups and downs and its culminated beautifully at this stage.”
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports> Cricket> DC / by Manju Veerappa / January 28th, 2014
The 115th birth anniversary of the first commander-in-chief of independent Indian armed forces, Field Marshal K M Cariappa, will be observed at the Bangalore Kodava Samaj on Tuesday. Major general Dr K M Bheemaiah will be the chief guest.
Enlisted in the Army in 1917, Cariappa fought the World War II from 1939 to 1944. He served as Indian high commissioner in Australia and New Zealand till 1956. He was honoured with the Field Marshal rank on April 28, 1986. Kodava Samaja Bangalore, which is organizing the birth anniversary celebrations, was established in the year 1911 after Cariappa donated one acre of land to it at Vasanthnagar. He had got this land from Mysore Maharaja in recognition of his distinguished military service to the nation.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Field Marshal / TNN / January 28th, 2014
Rohan Bopanna. / File photo: R. Ragu / The Hindu
‘Rankings do not matter in the Davis Cup’
He may have reached world No. 3 in doubles and made a fabulous start to the season with a fine run at the Australian Open, but Rohan Bopanna was the first to reach Indore on Sunday for the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tie.
“It is great to be back in the team. I always like to come on Sunday or Monday, in case I play a final. We play Davis Cup only two or three weeks in a year. It is unique and special. We need to prepare well the whole week.
“I don’t take my spot for granted. We have a lot of young boys and the camaraderie is great. It is nice to prepare early with them and I am happy to be here,” said the 33-year-old, who is the seniormost member of the Indian squad, after a training session on Monday.
Though Chinese Taipei would be without its two leading players — Yen-Hsun Lu and Jimmy Wang — Bopanna said it was important to stay focused and get the job done on court, despite being the favourite for the tie.
“We have proved it many times, and many other teams have done so. The rankings do not matter in the Davis Cup. We cannot afford to take anything for granted. It is great that we have seven players here and the youngsters will benefit from the experience.
“When I came into the team in 2002, I was raw. I have matured over the years and look forward to sharing my experience and motivating the others,” said Bopanna.
Having started as a singles specialist in the team, after waiting for his turn, Bopanna was soon given the responsibility to play both singles and doubles. Now, he may have to focus only on doubles against Taipei.
“I play only doubles on the professional circuit and it suits me to play only doubles here. But, I will be ready to play a singles rubber if the situation demands. Playing at a high level in doubles had helped my singles game.
“Though it is just one point out of five, doubles is very important in the Davis Cup and often proves decisive. I look forward to bringing my experience and helping my partner stay relaxed, confident and play at his best,” said Bopanna.
With Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri being strong candidates for the singles matches, Saketh Myneni may be the logical choice to play doubles with Bopanna.
Bopanna saw a bit of himself in Saketh, particularly after having a close look at his game during the quarterfinal doubles loss in a super tie-break against him at the Chennai Open.
“Saketh has all the tools. He has a huge serve and a big forehand. His backhand is solid. He has obviously benefited from the collegiate tennis in the US.
“He is easily capable of jumping another 150 spots in the rankings. It is just a matter of time before he starts stringing a few matches together at the higher level. He needs to have the belief.
“The three Challengers at home after this Davis Cup are a great opportunity for him and a lot of other players like Jeevan (Nedunchezhiyan) and R. Ramkumar,” observed Bopanna.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Tennis / by Special Correspondent / New Delhi – January 27th, 2014
A file photo of Team Coorg Oman. Photo – Supplied Muscat:
Team Coorg Oman is all set to participate in the UTSC-organised 5th Gulf Cup Hockey Tournament in Dubai later this week, according to a press release issued by the team on 27 January, 2014.
The six-a-side hockey tournament will have teams from various clubs in and around the UAE. Team Coorg Oman, having been the winners in 2012 and runners-up in the 2011 and 2013, will be looking forward to bring back the Gulf Cup.
Keen to be part of the growing popularity of this tournament, many local Omani players have come forward to be part of the team for Dubai.
The recently organised tournament, the Republic Day Cup in Muscat, has given the players the much needed match practice and they are looking forward to the fast six-a-side format of the game.
The UTSC which too has been hosting this tournament in Oman as well as in Dubai are keen that teams from Oman continue to participate and help make this tournament more popular.
Along with Team Coorg Oman, UTSC too has been in the forefront of promoting hockey in Oman.
With more schools introducing hockey as part of their team sports curriculum, it is heartening to see the gradual progress the game is making.
Corporate bodies too are now stepping in to promote the game in Oman. This year’s team sponsors are Al Qurum Complex (CCC), Al Rawahi International Co.LLC and Services & Trade Company LLC.
The above companies have been sponsoring the game continuously for the last few years and continue to extend their support to the teams.
The hockey fraternity in Oman wishes the team the very best in this tournament. All supporters of Team Coorg in Dubai are keenly awaiting the teams’ arrival to extend their warm welcome and support during the matches.
source: http://www.timesofoman.com / Times of Oman / Home / by Times News Service / January 27th, 2014
Magsaysay Award winner Rajendra Singh at a seminar in Bangalore on Saturday | Nagaraja Gadekal
The ecology of Kodagu is under serious threat due to development projects, unregulated urbanisation and invasive tourism. This was the view of experts at a seminar ‘Protection of Kodagu ecosystem to save Cauvery’ held in the city on Saturday.
Eminent personalities like Magsaysay Award-winning ‘Water Man of India’ Dr Rajendra Singh and others spoke about the need to sensitise the State government on ensuring that the fragile ecosystem of Kodagu is not torn apart.
Rapid urbanisation and development projects, like the Mysore-Khozikode 400 KV High Tension power line, four-lane highway to Kerala through Kodagu, four-lane highway through Kodagu connecting Mattanur airport to Mysore and Bangalore and rail link to Kushalnagar being extended to Kerala through Kodagu will have a severe impact on the ecology of the district, they said.
The experts also talked about the 55-km stretch that has been earmarked for the Mysore-Khozikode 400 KV power line. Around 2,000 trees were felled in just a 5-km stretch. In the remaining 50-km stretch, including 30-km of coffee plantations, at least 50,000 trees will be felled, they feared.
The coffee estates are close to Devamachi reserve forests and the Nagarahole National Park.
The elephant menace in this area will become even more severe. This area in south Kodagu is also the catchment for Lakshmantheerta river which is the main water source for Mysore and an important tributary of Cauvery River. Such large-scale felling of trees in this area will definitely have an adverse effect on the water flow in the River. Land conversion for non-agricultural purposes and encroachment of sacred groves and river banks is contributing to severe stress on the environment.
Environmental activist B C Nanjappa urged the State government to stop encroachment and protect sacred groves. He said any activity other than grazing should be prohibited in sacred groves. Encroachments along the Cauvery river banks should be addressed urgently.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Express News Service – January 26th, 2014
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