Monthly Archives: June 2015

India Set to Record Highest Coffee Production in 2015-16

Representational image
Representational image

New Delhi :

Coffee production in India is expected to touch a new peak of 3,55,600 tonnes this marketing year starting October, as the crop prospects are encouraging due to adequate rains in most growing states, state-run Coffee Board said on Monday.

The country’s total coffee output has reached a record 3,27,000 tonnes in the ongoing 2014-15 coffee year, though slightly lower than the earlier estimate of 3,31,000 tonnes made for the same period, it said in a statement.

The coffee year runs from October to September.

Releasing the initial production estimate for 2015-16, Coffee Board said: “The post blossom crop forecast for the year 2015-16 is placed at 3,55,600 tonnes. This is an increase of 28,600 tonnes over the final crop estimate of 2014-15.”

Of the total, Arabica production is estimated at 1,10,300 tonnes in 2015-16 as against 98,000 tonnes this year, while that of Robusta production is pegged at 2,45,300 tonnes as against 2,29,000 tonnes in the said period, it said.

Arabica and Robusta are the varieties of coffee.

“Overall, the crop prospects of 2015-16 at post-blossom stage are quite encouraging with a promise of highest record crop thanks mainly to the timely and adequate blossom and backing showers in traditional areas and non-traditional areas,” it said in a statement.

According to the Board, much of the production gain is expected to come from Karnataka, where total coffee output is pegged at 2,56,500 tonnes in 2015-16, as against 2,33,230 tonnes in the current year.

“The main reason for increased crop forecast in the state is that all coffee growing areas have received timely and adequate blossom and backing showers during this year.

Additionally, prevalence of good prices encouraged the growers to adopt better husbandry practices which have helped to invigorate production,” it said.

The output in three coffee growing districts Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Hassan is estimated higher at 1,38,075 tonnes, 85,250 tonnes and 33,175 tonnes, respectively, for 2015-16.

Coffee production in Kerala is estimated to increase to 69,800 tonnes in 2015-16 from 67,700 tonnes this year, while the output in Tamil Nadu is likely to improve marginally to 18,800 tonnes from 17,875 tonnes in the said period.

In non-traditional areas, coffee production in Andhra Pradesh is estimated to increase to 9,700 tonnes from 7,425 tonnes, while the output in Odisha is expected to rise to 600 tonnes from 550 tonnes in the said period.

Coffee output in north eastern region is, however, expected to decline marginally to 200 tonnes in 2015-16 from 220 tonnes in 2014-15, the Board added.

Till last week, monsoon rains were 11 per cent more than the average. Monsoon rains are expected to be normal in June but may weaken in the next month, as per the Met department.

India accounts for only 4-5 per cent of the world’s output, but exports 70-80 per cent of its produce. Italy, Russia and Germany are the top three buyers of Indian coffee.

source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> Sections> All India / Press Trust of India / June 23rd, 2015

From here & there

Free and fearless tribal festival

Visit Devarapura, a small village in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district on the fourth Thursday of May and you can witness a unique festival known for the use of expletives. The festival of abuse brings tribal people living in different parts of the district together. A huge number of tribals belonging to Jenu Kuruba, Betta Kuruba, Yerava and other tribes from Kodagu and surrounding districts participate in the celebrations.

The tribal people dress fancily and wear unusual ornaments like jackfruit skin and empty plastic bottles. A strange mix of paint, powder and mud in different shades of black, white and other colours decorate their body.

The traditional festival known as “kunde habba” or “bodu habba” is celebrated with fervour. Legend has it that Lord Ayyappa fell in love with Bhagavati Devi and followed her in the forest. Tribal people who were waiting for his return felt betrayed. In a rage, they started abusing him to get back his affection. The tradition has passed on through generations and continued as an annual event. Tribals gather in the village a day prior to the festival.

On Thursday they go out on the streets shouting and scolding people and village deities using choicest obscenities. While doing so, they visit houses and shops, begging for alms. In the evening they worship the almighty, apologise for their act and offer the money collected to the deity. The unique festival draws a large number of people from nearby places.

“The outpour of emotions reflects the broad outlook of the community. It provides a platform for them to give voice to the mental dilemmas they undergo, fighting the injustice met to them and claiming an opportunity to uphold their rights. It is also indicative of their struggle against odds, both natural and social. It also appears to be a protest of the underprivileged,” opines litterateur and folk scholar Prof Kalegowda Nagavara.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by Nihar Madikeri / DHNS – June 23rd, 2015

Getting even with god and men

Merry-making: The men dominate the festivities and take great pains to be in drag. Photo: Deepa Bhasthi
Merry-making: The men dominate the festivities and take great pains to be in drag. Photo: Deepa Bhasthi

At ‘Kunde Habba’, the tribal people of Kodagu get their chance to cuss and rant away the insults heaped on them by others

I see, to my utter delight, that the tree under which thousands of tribal people have congregated to rain abuses is the frangipani. The delicate white flower rimmed with yellow is called ‘deva-kanagile’ (god’s flower) in Kannada, a name as gorgeous as the flower itself. The tree decked with flowers is a heartening sight, especially after being subjected to a spate of the choicest abuses. Some friends and I are at ‘Kunde Habba’ or ‘Bedu Habba,’ the annual abuse festival of the tribal people of Kodagu in Karnataka. Held on the fourth Thursday of May in Devarapura village near Gonikoppal, 200-odd km from Bengaluru, this is one day when the tribal people let out their grudges and vent their anger against god and fellow men in some of the filthiest words in Kannada and other dialects.

Kodagu or, in travel agent parlance, Coorg is home to some two dozen tribes. Some are honey gatherers-turned-mahouts, a few are into hunting. But the majority works in the coffee estates that dot the district’s verdant landscape. Their days are spent in rigorous physical labour and the evenings in dulled stupor induced by cheap country liquor. For them, the ‘Kunde Habba’ is their one chance, once a year, to abuse and rant away the insults heaped on them by others.

Legend has it that Ayyappa, the god of the tribals, took a group of them into the forest for hunting. Deep in the jungle, he came across the beautiful goddess Bhagavathi, fell in love and eloped with her, leaving the hapless tribal people stranded. Angry at this betrayal, the tribal people reserve this day to abuse their god for his old mistake — for not bestowing the boons they prayed for, for dreams unfulfilled and wishes unheeded. Over time, the festival has grown to become an outlet for their anger against employers — often wealthy coffee planters — and others who have bothered them. The participants take great care in the way they dress for the festival. Handbags readily become hats and an onion sack is turned into a dress. The men, who dominate the festival activities, take great pains to be in drag. Their hardened muscles gleam with sweat and silver paint. They sport bras stuffed with rags and miniskirts balanced precariously around belted waists. Make-up, most often, is gaudy. A little boy in an underwear pins a white flower near his crotch. Save for their size, there is little difference in the way boys, young men and old men look on this day.

Music is a vital part of the celebrations. Fertiliser tins, mineral water bottles filled with stones and large blue storage bins become drums for the day. Upcycling and recycling are clearly the norm, even if they may have never heard of these new-age terms.

Out in Gonikoppal town, during a break for tea that is too strong, almost bitter, we are bombarded by men in dresses, skirts and tight tops, rattling bottles and beating their drums. There appears to be no method, yet a catchy rhythm ensues. The going rate to get them to leave you alone is ₹10. The men barge into shops, collect money and, towards afternoon, congregate at the temple at Devarapura, where a village fair comes up. Plastic toys, knick-knacks and eats line the stalls as tattoo artists settle in their seats. Crude images of hearts, tigers, even Ambedkar are cut into chappal soles and PoP. These are dipped in ink and pressed on to the skin, after which the tattooist goes to work using an incredibly crude tool to poke through the design, rubbing colour and antiseptic turmeric in the end. Tattoos are cheap, starting at ₹50, or ₹10 per letter for a name.

Meanwhile, dancing around the tree continues. Devotees who have promised sacrifice to the gods throw several shocked chickens into the crowd, those who catch them get to keep them. My friends are miffed at not catching any. The drums get louder and louder, reaching a crescendo, until all the drums merge into a dull relentless thud. Women get ‘possessed’ and run in circles (only to sit back and check messages on their phones a few minutes later) and the dance gets raunchier as the alcohol kicks in. After prayers, they will go back to their haadis or settlements for a feast and many more rounds of drink.

Heartily abused, we feel like we could use a drink too. But instead, the oddly catchy tune of the abuses sticks in our head. We make up words to go along and drive further into the district, for elsewhere.

(Deepa Bhasthi is a freelance journalist based in Bengaluru)

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line> BLINK> Watch / by Deepa Bhashti / June 09th, 2015

Nominated as Press Council of India Member

Mysuru :

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha has been nominated as a Member of the Press Council of India (PCI) for a period of three years by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

The PCI acts as a watchdog, particularly on print publications and was established in 1966.

PCI Chairman Justice Chandramouli Kumar Prasad, in a letter to Pratap Simha, has congratulated him over his nomination to the PCI.

Pratap Simha has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Finance, Information and Broadcasting Arun Jaitley and Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu for having nominated him as PCI member.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Tuesday – June 16th, 2015

Mysore Coffee Curing Co-operative Society Ltd. (MCCCS) land row : Meeting of Defenders of Society’s property interest at Kodagu tomorrow

1) The Society’s office building standing on the Society’s land. 2) Bose Devaiah
1) The Society’s office building standing on the Society’s land. 2) Bose Devaiah

Mysuru :

The State Government’s decision to auction 5 acres of land belonging to the Mysore Coffee Curing Co-operative Society (MCCCS) on KRS Road, near Gokul Theatre in Gokulam, here, has come as a shock to the coffee growers, who are members of the Society which is under liquidation.

On coming to know about the Government’s decision to auction the land from the press advertisement, the member- coffee growers have decided to launch an agitation soon to save and protect their property, sources said.

In order to discuss the issues, the Kodagu-based Ammathi Vyavasaya Parivartana Sahakara Sangha (MCPCS) President Mookonda Bose Devaiah has convened a meeting on June 19 in Ammathi at 10 am. This meeting will discuss about the land of MCCCS, revival of the defunct MCCCS, election of the President and office-bearers to pursue their objective.

When contacted by SOM, Devaiah said the meeting would pass a resolution and submit the same through Kodagu MLAs to the Government, urging handing over of the MCCCS land to its members. He alleged that some officials and influential representatives of the people have colluded to auction the MCCCS land.

MCCCS established in 1953

Devaiah pointed out that the coffee growers of Kodagu, Hassan and Chikmagalur districts got together in 1953 to establish MCCCS by procuring 10 acres land. MCCCS had been functioning normally for many years and had also constructed several godowns, he added. However, when the sale of coffee was freed from restriction and free-market was allowed, the Society began to incur loss.

The cash-strapped MCCCS which was into coffee marketing, was soon in debts, he said, adding the Society was unable to pay even salary to its employees.

In 1998, the State Government appointed a Liquidator, who sold 3 acres of the 10 acres land belonging to MCCCS and paid the salary dues to the employees, said Devaiah. MCCCS owed money to the Government and hence, 1.13 acre land was earmarked for construction of an Academy by the Government, he added.

Devaiah said, the rental money from the godowns is being deposited in the Liquidator’s account which should belong to the members. It is unfortunate now the Government has unilaterally decided to sell the remaining 5 acres of valuable land.

Several irregularities have been observed in the Government’s decision to auction the MCCCS land, opined Devaiah, saying the Liquidator should have properly ascertained the transactions of the Society before arriving at a decision to auction the land.

Devaiah said the Liquidator has no rights to sell the land of MCCCS and if a situation arises to sell the property, the Liquidator should convene a General Body Meeting of the Society to decide or on the Court’s order. The Society does not owe any money to the Government at present as all dues have been cleared, he said.

Coffee growers have been opposing the unilateral decision of the Government to auction the MCCCS land quite for some time now. But, the Government has not convened a single General Body Meeting of the MCCCS since 1998 and there is no communication about the rental amount collected from godowns. No notice has been issued to the members of the MCCCS to seek their opinion on auctioning the land. The coffee growers have been transporting their coffee products through the rail network available from the Mysuru Railway Station and have plans to construct modern godowns to store coffee products in the MCCCS land, Devaiah told Star of Mysore.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore/ Home> General News / Thursday – June 18th, 2015

BSNL Staffer Enters Guinness Book for Growing Tallest Cane

Madikeri :

Hoovaiah, an ex-serviceman, who is serving as a mobile tower operator with the BSNL, entered the Guinness Book of World Records for growing the tallest sugarcane in the world.

As of now, the sugarcane in Convent Junction in Madikeri is 42-foot tall.

The Sugarcane grown with the support of Mobile Tower in Convent Junction of Madikeri
The Sugarcane grown with the support of Mobile Tower in Convent Junction of Madikeri

During an interview to Express Hoovaiah detailed the uphill task and claimed that he had to be convinced to enter the Guiness Book.

Hoovaiah, brought a stem of black variety of sugarcane from Karike four years ago and wanted to eat it once it had grown. He nurtured it with cow dung and ash apart from watering it regularly.

But when it was found that in three years the sugarcane had grown 40-foot tall with the support of a mobile tower, his friends and others advised him to get Guinness Book recognition.

When Hoovaiah approached the Guiness Book officials for recognition they asked him to pay nearly Rs 4 lakh for visiting and verifying the sugarcane.

When Hoovaiah expressed his financial constrain they asked him to submit a 22-page application as it is certified by six gazetted officers, Hoovaiah said.

Hoovaiah with the Guinness Book of Records certificate
Hoovaiah with the Guinness Book of Records certificate

The team that verified the documents had advocate B B Ananda, Dr Renuka and Dr Tirmala Rao of Ex-servicemen Contribution Service Scheme hospital, Dr Rajashkear and Dr Ramakrishna from Agriculture Department and Dr Sreenivasaiah of Krishi Vignana Kendra Gonikoppa. They inspected the sugarcane and sent a report to Guinness Book of World Records in California of USA on June 21 last year.

After verifying with the records worldwide, they sent a letter of record holder on June 10 this year and asked him to pay Rs 2,593 if he needed an original certificate. After he made the payment, they issued the certificate, Hoovaiah said.

He pointed out that though he was told that the sugarcane will not survive due to the radiation from mobile tower nothing happens so far. He also acknowledge the support of his family, BSNL officials and others in protecting and caring for the sugarcane.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by B C Dinesh / June 15th, 2015

Pomp, gaiety mark Kodava cultural fest

Men with traditional attire of black suit and a turban, with gun on the shoulder, women clad in ethnic paraphernaila, dancing to the tunes of musical notes, adding to the charm of colourful procession, which was taken out during taluk Kodava cultural fest organised by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy and Kodava Samaja in Kushalnagar on Monday.

Prior to the inauguration, Kodava Sahitya Academy President Biddatanda S Thammiah offered prayers to the idol of Goddess Cauvery, near the tollgate in the City.

Later, Somvarpet DySP C W Poovaiah inaugurated the procession with a gunshot. The procession including traditional Kodagu bandset, men and women clad in traditional attire, passed through Field Marshall K M Cariappa circle and Kalabhavan road and concluded at Raitha Sahakara Bhavan.

Kodava Sahitya Academy former president Bacharaniyanda P Appanna hoisted the academy flag at Raitha Sahakara Bhavan ground.

An exhibition of household items and agricultural equipment used in older days in Kodagu, caught the attention of onlookers. Hundreds of people took part in various competitions such as dance, music, play and elocution.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Kushalnagar – DHNS / June 16th, 2015

Rohan Bopanna Delighted to Win Stuttgart Open

The Stuttgart Open was Rohan Bopanna’s fourth title of the year also having won two hard court tournaments with Daniel Nestor in Sydney and Dubai.

Picture was tweeted by Rohan Bopanna @rohanbopanna. /  © Twitter
Picture was tweeted by Rohan Bopanna @rohanbopanna. / © Twitter

Stuttgart:

After clinching the men’s doubles title at the Stuttgart Open with Romanian partner Florin Mergea, Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna said it was the perfect platform to warm-up for the lone grass court Major, Wimbledon, which starts on June 29.

“Great feeling winning the title here in Stuttgart,” Bopanna tweeted on Sunday after his win.

The fourth seeds took just an hour and 12 minutes to beat Austrian-Brazilian third seeds Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares 5-7, 6-2, 10-7 in the final.

“Being the first week on the grass leading up to Wimbledon is always nice. Not only playing on grass but winning a title gives us a lot of confidence,” the 35-year-old Indian said.

His partner Mergea was equally excited to win the title. The duo won their first crown together last month at the Madrid Open, which is a clay court tournament.

“It is my first title on grass, the first time I actually had four wins on grass since I started playing again. I am really happy to come and win a second title with Rohan,” Mergea said.

This was Bopanna’s fourth title of the year also having won two hard court tournaments with Daniel Nestor in Sydney and Dubai.

source: http://www.sports.ndtv.com / NDTV Sports / NDTV Sports> Tennis> News / by Press Trust of India / Thursday – June 16th, 2015

Interview with Joshna Chinappa: “Winning the Chennai Open was a very special feeling”

Joshna Chinappa
Joshna Chinappa

Ever since winning the senior National squash championship in 2004, making her the youngest ever women’s national champion, Joshna Chinappa has been at the forefront of India’s charge in the world of women’s squash.

2014 produced some massive highs for Joshna. She teamed up with Dipika Pallikal to claim gold in the doubles at the Commonwealth Games and also attained a career-high ranking of 19.

She also claimed the Winnipeg Winter Open trophy. Back from playing at the HKFC International in Hong Kong recently, Joshna caught up with Sportskeeda for a brief chat.

You have been extremely successful at the National championships over the last decade and more. Which has been the most memorable win for you?
My most memorable nationals was when I was 14 and I won the women’s title for the first time.

What was it that made you choose squash as a youngster over other sports?
I played tennis, squash and badminton equally while I was growing up. But since my dad was a squash player too, I naturally took to squash and continued playing it.

You won India’s first gold at the Commonwealth Games along with Dipika Pallikal. Talk us through that historic win.

Dipika and I both knew we had a great chance to win a medal. We had a tough semifinal against Australia which we were lucky to get through. For the finals, we were both more confident and knew we could win the gold. We were happy we pulled through.

How do you strategize before an important match? How is it that you like to prepare?
I only talk to my psychologist before and after a match. I get into my element by not really communicating with any friend or family for the duration of the tournament.

How has sports analytics helped you guys out in the last few years, on both a personal level, as well as for the sport overall?
It’s always beneficial to be able to go back and watch how you have played a match. The good ones to reinforce and the bad ones to learn and not repeat them and improve further either technically or physically.

You and Dipika have known each other for a long time. How do you approach things when you have to play in singles competition against her?
We both obviously want to win and that’s with anyone I play against. Yes it’s always harder playing your roommate and teammate especially. But we are professionals and just want to do our job to the best.

You won a hard-fought title at the Winnipeg Winter Open last year. You edged out Heba El Torky in a tight finish. What was the feeling like when you finally got the win?
My first Professional title was in 2008 in Malaysia. When I won in Winnipeg it was my 8th title. Winning in Winnipeg was nice because I was 3 match balls down. So to win from there was a good win.

Winning the Chennai Open in 2012 in your hometown must have been a special feeling. Tell us a bit more about that win.
I had always lost at the Chennai Open either in the semis or finals. When I won the Chennai Open, it was after my ACL injury where I was out for 9 months from the tour. So it was very special to me to come back and win it.

Nicol David has been World No. 1 for a long time now. What is it like facing off against her? What makes her so successful?
Nicol is an extremely tough and hardworking competitor. She’s got to where she has because she has a great team of coaches, physio, psychologist, advanced fitness trainers and the backing of her Malaysian government which has given her everything she’s needed from the time she was 10 years old! That’s what every athlete needs to get to that level and stay there.

If we were to ask you to name the best win of your career so far, what would it be?
Honestly I don’t have a best win. It’s still yet to come, but everything else has been important to me too as I have worked hard for those victories too.

How has the Indian Squash Academy aided you in your success?
The academy is a place I have trained at on and off for years whenever I am in Chennai. I always have great match practice there with the boys. I get on court sessions with coach Kali Muthu which helps me a lot too.

What are your thoughts on Squash not being an Olympic sport yet?
Squash is now short listed for the 2020 Olympics at Tokyo. So hopefully it will be a very successful bid to get squash in. We deserve to be there.

What are your goals for the remainder of the year building on the hugely successful year for Indian squash in 2014?
To remain injury free and get fitter and stronger.

(Joshana will next be playing at the Senior Nationals in Trivandrum between 9-12 July before flying to Australia for the Victorian and Australian Opens in July-August)

(Joshana is currently sponsored by TDPS & Amaranta Entertainment)

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / SportsKeeda / Home> Squash – Interview / by Virendra Karunakar / June 18th, 2015

Rs 7.80 crore sought for tourism development in Kodagu dist

A proposal of Rs 7.80 crore has been submitted to Cauvery Tourism Development Authority towards the development of tourist spots in the district, Tourism department Assistant Director V Phanish said.

The points in the new proposal are as follows: Rs 10 lakh towards the development of Kalkandur Doddakallu Betta beauty spot in Somvarpet taluk, Rs 50 lakh for the development of Kanive Sri Ramalingeshwara temple near Koodige, Rs 15 for the construction of toilets near Sri Mrithyunjaya temple in Badagakeri village in Virajpet taluk, Rs 25 lakh for the development of Sri Nanjundeshwara Gadduge and Sri Kshetra Kallumutt in Doddakodli in Somvarpet taluk, Rs 25 lakh for the development of Hattihole falls and Rs 50 lakh for the development of tourist facilities, Rs 75 lakh to development the catchment area of Chiklihole reservoir as a tourist spot, Rs 50 lakh to provide parking, toilets and drinking water facilities at Talacauvery,Rs 25 lakh for providing basic facilities near Chelavara falls in Virajpet taluk, Rs 20 lakh to provide flood light and basic facilities at Sri Omkareshwara temple, Rs one crore to provide basic facilities at Tadiyandmol Kote Betta and Pushpagiri Betta and to develop adventure tourism, Rs 20 lakh for the development of Keerthi stream in Thomar in Kedamullur village in Virajpet taluk, Rs 25 lakh for the development of beauty spot at Bhattada Rashi Betta near Somvarpet, Rs 25 lakh for the development of Chiklihole falls, landscaping, children’s park, coffee kiosk, toilet and drinking water facilities and Rs two crore for the development of three km road leading to Mandalpatti, he said.

Tourist taxis
V Phanish said tourist taxis have been provided, along with Rs two lakh, to 38 youth belonging to scheduled caste and 18 youth belonging to scheduled tribes so far, under SCTSP scheme.

He added that efforts are on to provide Wi-fi facility at tourist spots, multilevel parking facility in Madikeri city and installation of information touch screen at tourist spots.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS / June 19th, 2015