Monthly Archives: December 2014

Kodagu may see 35 lakh tourists this year

Business & Economy

Mysuru :

With its postcard-perfect settings, pleasant climes and green environs, Kodagu is a dream destination for holiday goers. No wonder then that the ‘Scotland of India’ is seeing an influx of visitors. While the average number of tourists hovers around 25 lakh a year, this year may spring a surprise. “The number may cross 35 lakh,” says V Paneesh, assistant director of the tourism department.

The department itself is taken aback at this unprecedented footfall and interest in the hilly district. For, the infrastructural facilities in Kodagu provided by the government are no match for the flood of tourists. But the growing number of home stays set up by locals has somewhat offset the government’s apathy. While 249 home stays are registered, a recent drive by the administration to persuade more home stay owners to legalize their business has upped the number to 477. In addition, there are more than unregistered 1,500 home stays doing brisk business. Vinitha Karumbaiah, secretary of the Kodagu Home Stay Association, said this year saw heavy tourist rush during October.

While tourists rave about the scenic splendours of Kodagu, they wish more attention is paid to infrastructure too. Home stays should be regulated to avoid exploitation of visitors, says Pallavi Abhishek Majumdar, a tourist from north India staying in a Madikeri home stay. Regular buses should be arranged for tourists with guides to visit the spots, she adds.

KSTDC MD P S Harsha says the department has commenced trial bus trips from Madikeri to Abby Falls and Talacauvery and assured to introduce more buses to other tourist spots depending on the demand.

Why kodagu beckons?

What makes Kodagu attractive for tourists is that it has something for everyone, be it adventure tourism, temples, historical places or wildlife parks. Some of the popular spots include Talacauvery, Bhagamandala, Abbey Falls, Madikeri fort, Raja’s Seat, Omkareshwara temple, Nalaknad fort and Chelavara Falls near Napoklu, Dubare elephant camp and river rafting centre, Nisargadhama, golden temple at the nearby Tibetan settlement, Irpu Falls and Nagarhole National Park in South Kodagu, Mallalli Falls and Pushpagiri hills in Somwarpet taluk.

Tourists set to multiply

Tourist inflow to Kodagu is bound to multiply in the coming years for various reasons. As it shares the border with Kerala and is landlocked by coastal Dakshina Kannada district and Hassan and Mysuru cities, it’s a hop-over destination for many. That other historic and tourist-driven cities like Mysuru and Hassan are within reach makes it even attractive.

The commissioning of international airport in Kerala’s Kannur, 95 km from Madikeri, is also expected to boost tourism here. “Once this airport gets commissioned in mid 2016, tourist numbers will rise drastically,” says Paneesh, adding that tourists who fly in now have to come via Bengaluru or Mangaluru, which are far from Kodagu.

However, tour organizers and home stay owners feel the department should work out a comprehensive plan to manage the crowd of visitors as they foresee problems in waste disposal, transport and infrastructure apart from civic and administrative hassles. They also want the government to encourage resorts and home stays and ease laws to cope with the increasing tourist inflow.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mysuru / TNN / November 29th, 2014

Mercara Downs Centenary Club Golf from Dec.12

Sports

MercaraKF16dec2014

Madikeri :

The centenary celebrations of Mercara Downs Golf Club (MDGC) will be held on Dec. 12 & 13. The club is also organising ‘MDGC Centenary Cup’ Golf Tournament sponsored by Cycle Pure Agarbathies.

Addressing the press persons, MDGC Captain I.K. Anil said that around 200 golfers from South India would be participating in the tournament. Along with the Centenary Cup Golf Tournament, Stroke Play Championship for Sakamuri Open Cup and NR Group Rolling Trophy will be held and the winners will take away a total cash prize of Rs. Four lakh.

Along with Cycle Pure Agarbathies, Murugappa Groups, Muliya Jewellery, SLN Group, URS Cars, Tata Motors, Vivanta by Taj, Fort Mercara, Epson, Indian Overseas Bank and Travancore Coffee Company have sponsored the tournament. A part of the money generated through sponsorship will be donated to Opportunity School of Kodagu Vidyalaya.

Logo Unveiled: Cycle Pure Agarabathies Managing Partner Arjun Ranga unveiled the logo of the Centenary Cup Golf Tournament. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the company had been supporting golf since many years.

MDGC Secretary Harish Appanna, M.A. Ponnacha and Kumar Appacchu also were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Wednesday – December 10th, 2014

Gulshan Devaiah Excited To Shoot With Richa Chadda

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

RichaKF15dec2014

Actor Gulshan Devaiah is all excited to be sharing screen space with his dear friend Richa Chadda in Pooja Bhatt’s upcoming project ‘Cabaret’. Gulshan, whose role is kept under wraps, is currently busy preparing for his role.

Talking on the same, Gulshan said, “I was very excited when Pooja called me and told me about finally zeroing in on Richa. I greatly admire Richa’s work and I cannot wait to start shooting with her “. It’s noted that the two briefly shared screen space in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela’. Gulshan further added, “Richa and I always talked about wanting to do a film as a pair but nothing ever worked out before ‘Cabaret’.”

A source close to the film said, “It would be interesting to see this unconventional pairing as both Gulshan and Richa are not conventional romantic leads but they have this sizzling untapped chemistry together and that would be great for the film.”

Directed by veteran ad film maker Kaustav Narayan Niyogi, the film also stars Deepak Tijori, Mukul Dev and cricketer Sr

source: http://www.freepressjournal.in/ The Free Press Journal / Home> Glam / by FPJ Bureau / November 29th, 2014

Kodava dance enthralls visitors at Expo

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
The artistes of Kunjalageri Folk Art Troupe from Kodagu seen performing the traditional Kodava dance at Dasara Expo premises last evening. Picture right shows Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) Chairman R. Murthy, Congress leader Sharada Sampath and others with the artistes.
The artistes of Kunjalageri Folk Art Troupe from Kodagu seen performing the traditional Kodava dance at Dasara Expo premises last evening. Picture right shows Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) Chairman R. Murthy, Congress leader Sharada Sampath and others with the artistes.

Mysuru :

The audience at P. Kalingarao Gana Mantapa in Exhibition Grounds in city yesterday were treated with the traditional Kodava dance by Kodagu’s Kunjalageri Art Troupe who performed Bolakat, Ummathat and other dance forms. The programme was organised by the Dasara Exhibition Cultural Sub-Committee.

Dressed in the traditional attire, the Kodava artistes, both men and women, with their Bolakat, Ummathat, Talipat and Nade Kako performances, introduced the Kodava dances to Mysureans.

The programme that started with ‘Dudi Kott Bolakat’ folk song, featured Kolaat and Kattiyaat also.

These dances, usually seen during the Huthri Festival, enthralled the gathering in the Exhibition Grounds.

Later, Dasara Exhibition Cultural Sub-Committee distributed certificates to all the artistes who performed on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / December 09th, 2014

Gulshan Devaiah to shoot with Richa Chadha

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Gulshan Devaiah, who will be sharing screen space with dear friend Richa Chadha in Pooja Bhatt’s Cabaret, is busy preparing for the role now.

Interestingly, the two were seen together in Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela . Gulshan says, “”I was very excited when Pooja called me and told me about finally zeroing in on Richa. ​I greatly admire Richa’s work and I cannot wait to start shooting with her. Richa and I always talked about wanting to do a film as a pair but nothing ever worked out before Cabaret.”

Directed by ad filmmaker Kaustav Narayan Niyogi , the film also stars Deepak Tijori, Mukul Dev and cricketer Sreesanth in pivotal roles. Cabaret will go on floors in January 2015.

WATCH: Gulshan Devaiah excited to shoot with Richa Chadda

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home / by V. Lakshmi, TNN / November 28th, 2014

Stars bask in awards glory

Leaders, Records, All, Sports

Bengaluru :

Governor Vajubhai Vala congratulated the top athletes and coaches of Karnataka including Asiad gold medalists Ashwini Akkunji (athletics) and Sushmitha Pawar (kabaddi) on Wednesday for winning the Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA) awards 2014 and said more laurels could be won through the combined efforts of state government and KOA.

Addressing the gathering in Raj Bhavan, Vala said the state can be proud of its achievements in sports. “I’m happy to note that there are seven players in the Indian hockey team from Karnataka. Likewise, there are many others from the state who have done well at the international level,” the governor said after giving away KOA’s special awards to hockey players SV Sunil, Nikkin Thimmaiah, VR Raghunath, discus thrower Vikas Gowda, badminton player Ashwini Ponnappa, pistol shooter PN Prakash and other medal winners at the Incheon Asian Games.

The governor also recalled the Gujarat model of sports development which is now rated highly. “There is competition at the village, district and zonal level before they reach the state level and winners at all these levels are rewarded,” said Vala, who also served as the finance minister of Gujarat.

He also exhorted all youngsters to take up sports. “Today we see the absence of good character in many youngsters and that’s why sport is important as it helps in character building,” he said.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah stayed clear of committing anything more on the sports cess, despite being prodded by KOA president Govindaraj, but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support sportspersons. “I’ve never said no whenever the sportspersons have come to me for help. We are improving the infrastructure in all the districts and that will help athletes from rural areas,” he said.

Ace badminton doubles player Ashwini Ponnappa was happy to receive the award in what was a big year for her. “It was a satisfying year as we have improved a lot winning medals in ABC, Uber Cup and Commonwealth Games. It is going to be another busy season from January with the World Championship in August,” Ashwini said.

Middle distance runner Ashwini was all smiles after collecting two awards. The lanky athlete said the awards are a big motivation to improve further. “This was a big surprise I was never expecting it,” she said.

The KOA also honoured several coaches including N Lingappa (athletics), DY Biradar (athletics), Manoharan G (boxing), Aslam Khan (football), Jude Felix (hockey) and Vasant Madhav (tennis). TOI’s principal photographer Syed Asif also received the honour.

Earlier, Govindaraj said the government has cleared the proposal for the construction of the Olympic Bhawan at the Sree Kanteerava stadium. “Karnataka will only be the second state after Andhra Pradesh to have their Olympic Bhawan,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> More Sports / by Biju Babu Cyriac, TNN / November 28th, 2014

Huthri festival celebrated in city

Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Kodava Samaja, Vijayanagar 1st Stage, Mysuru, celebrated Huthri festival in the premises of Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions in Kuvempunagar last evening. Picture right shows Kodavathis performing traditional dance on the occasion.
Kodava Samaja, Vijayanagar 1st Stage, Mysuru, celebrated Huthri festival in the premises of Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions in Kuvempunagar last evening. Picture right shows Kodavathis performing traditional dance on the occasion.

Mysuru :

The traditional festival of Huthri of Kodagu was celebrated in city yesterday. Kodavas in various extensions of city had organised functions to worship goddess Lakshmi and welcome her in the form of grains. They sang the harvest song and danced merrily.

Cauvery school: Huthri was celebrated by Kodava Samaja at Cauvery School premises in Kuvempunagar here. Dressed in traditional costumes Kodavas participated in cultural programmes like Kolata, Baluthkat Kathiyat, Ummathat and Pariyakkali.

They worshipped Igguthappa, Cauvery Mathe and Chamundeshwari. Rounds were fired from guns and crackers were burst to celebrate the occasion.

Kodava Samaja President Mechanda Karumbaiah Vice-President Moovera K.Kuttappa, Honorary Secretary Kekada M. Belliappa, Joint Secretary Thambanda Neena Devaiah, Treasurer Kuppanda Subbaiah and others participated.

Vijayanagar: Huthri was also celebrated by members of Kodagu Gowda Samaja in Vijayanagar here. President K.K. Kushalappa, Vice-President Chettamada Janardan, Secretary K. Ganapathy, Joint Secretary K.Bharat Kumar, Treasurer K.Ravi Bheemaiah and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / December 07th, 2014

Tata Coffee Board Approves Stock Split

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

New Delhi:

Tata Coffee, Asia’s largest coffee plantation company, on Tuesday said its board has approved a proposal to split its equity shares from the existing face value of Rs. 10 per share to Rs. 1 per share.

However, the stock split is subject to the approval of company’s shareholders which is proposed to be obtained through postal ballot and e-voting, the company said in a filing to the BSE.

Stock split or sub-division of equity shares is usually done by the companies with the purpose of infusing liquidity by making shares affordable for retail investors who could not invest earlier because of the high stock price.

On November 17, the company had informed that board will consider the proposal of stock split of its equity shares.

Tata Coffee had reported a manifold increase in consolidated net profit at Rs. 32.36 crore for the second quarter that ended on September 30, on account of better performance by the company’s US subsidiary.

Shares in Tata Coffee, on Tuesday, ended at Rs. 977.25 apiece on BSE, up 0.62 per cent from the previous close.

source: http://www.profit.ndtv.com / NDTV Profit / Home> Market / Press Trust of India / November 25th, 2014

BJP gives conditional nod for Bethri project

Agriculture, Business & Economy

Madikeri City Municipal Corporation, which has a majority of Congress members, gave its nod for the Bethri project which intends to provide Cauvery water to Madikeri. The BJP members of the CMC have agreed for the implementation of the project on certain conditions.

CMC Commissioner Pushpavathi tabled the Detailed Project Report of the project prepared by Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB), for approval at the CMC general meeting on Tuesday.

Speaking on the project, she said that the project will be implemented to draw water from River Cauvery, flowing at a place called Bethri. Apart from Madikeri, eight villages will also be supplied water. The total project cost is Rs155 crore, she said.
The project cost includes 60 per cent state government grant (Rs 93.39), 30 per cent of Economic Organisation loan (Rs 46.69 crore) and 10 percent of local body share ( Rs 15.56 crore). The local body share comprises of contribution from Madikeri CMC and eight Gram Panchayats, she said.

CMC Member T S Prakash from BJP said that Kundamestri project is being implemented to provide water for Madikeri during summer. Hence, there is no requirement to draw water at Bethri, the expenditure of which is to the tune of hundreds of crore rupees.
He meanwhile added that the CMC should avail permission from Cauvery Water Board, before proceeding further.

K S Ramesh from BJP said that the CMC has provided lots of funds for Kundamestri project. If the approval is granted for Rs 155 crore project, the CMC will not be left with enough funds for the maintenance of the project. Already, several development works have been pending due to shortage of funds.

Another BJP member P D Ponnappa said that though the BJP is not against the project, it is dogmatic about the successful execution of the same. The water projects should be able to provide water round the clock. The complete cost of the project should be borne by the government, without burdening local bodies, he urged.

After a prolonged discussion, CMC President Julekabi confirmed the approval for the project by CMC.

Illegal bar
During a discussion, SDPI Member Amin Mohisin alleged that a bar has been illegally opened in the land belonging to CMC near private bus stand. In spite of Deputy Commissioner’s directions to initiate action, the CMC Commissioner has not acted upon so far, he alleged. CMC Commissioner Pushpavathi said that the records of the land are being verified and stern action will be taken against bar owners, if found illegal, she said.

A refund trail
BJP Member T C Prakash alleged that Rs 15 lakh payment towards the new CMC building was not paid to the contractor, as the building construction was not carried out properly. But the bill was paid after the CMC Commissioner took over, he said.
Commissioner Pushpavathi replied that she was not informed earlier and after learning about the situation, she has served a notice to the contractor, asking him to refund the amount to the CMC.

DH News Service

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Madikeri, November 25th, 2014