Most of us loves amusement parks and the adrenaline rush that the roller-coaster rides give us. Right? Well, but that’s not the case with Hunterrr actor Gulshan Devaiah. He is is super scared of such rides and can never seem to enjoy them.
Recently while shooting a sequence in his next film, Vivek Agnihotri’s Junooniyat, Gulshan had to ride a ferris wheel.
Since it’s a rom-com, he had to romance Yami Gautam sitting on the ride.
Being an acute acrophobic (fear of heights), things got extremely difficult for the actor. Gulshan got nervous, which could be seen on camera and a lot of re-takes had to be done. But Yami came to her co-actor’s rescue and whenever Gulshan had panic attacks, she helped him calm down. Gulshan couldn’t shoot with full confidence but Yami’s big support helped Gulshan complete the shot properly.
source: http://www.filmfare.com / Filmfare.com / Home> News / by Ushnota Paul, Deputy Features Editor / Tuesday – June 14th, 2016
Bopanna and Paes can either aim darts at each other or play tennis to win.
Leander Paes (L) and Rohan Bopanna do not enjoy a coordial relationship. (Source: File)
Rohan Bopanna is a big Manchester United fan. He would know how Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham detested each other for 15 years, but got the job of scoring goals done. There were delicious slights that went back and forth and all the offence of the world taken, but there was also the silverware — a Champions League trophy, three league titles and an FA Cup — when all the mutual sniping was done. In tennis, there were Boris Becker and Michael Stich who haven’t quite come around to maturely sitting down over a bottle of wine and talking about just where things went wrong between them. But they have the shared doubles gold from the Barcelona Olympics, should they need an ice-breaker.
Hatchets need to be buried, and not always in each other’s backs, and Rohan Bopanna who finally graciously accepted the selectors’ pairing of him with Paes, can look back at those two precedents to realise that deep personal mistrust needn’t meddle with medals. Neither Paes’ 18 Grand Slams nor Bopanna’s 0 (though he has a final at the US Open) have added up to an Olympic doubles medal. Come to think of it, neither did Mahesh Bhupathi’s 15 and Sania Mirza’s 10 have any bearing on the quadrennial doubles podium. But since both Paes and Bopanna would like that medal very much, they could do each other the favour of playing excellent tennis, never mind the personal animus. A medal should be the highest motivation, and if it takes clearing the air with an incompatible partner, then Bopanna’s task is cut out, and clear.
There’s a lifetime ahead to snipe at each other — just ask Stich and Becker. But should they win an Olympic medal, people will at least be interested in watching the two greats throw darts at each other. Otherwise, in the Olympic scheme of things, doubles tennis will remain irrelevant.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Opinion> Editorial / by Express News Service / June 14th, 2016
Allocation of money for Cauvery River development on the lines of the funds for purification of Ganges River has been sought by environment organisations.—PHOTO: M. GOVARTHAN
Olirum Erodu Foundation has teamed up with Annai Cauvery River Protection Trust to carry out remediation of environmental pollution in the Cauvery River.
The two organisations have resolved to organise a ‘padayatra’ from Talacauvery on the Brahmagiri hill in Kodagu district, Karnataka, to Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu, on July 10 to create public awareness on the need for Central and State governments to earmark funds for Cauvery River Rejuvenation Project.
They have taken the expertise of Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to implement their action plan.
Pamphlets being distributed by the Trust lists a set of responsibilities of the governments that include a special drive for raising lakhs of trees in Brahmagiri range in Kodagu district for more rain at Talacauvery.
Stringent measures to prevent mixing of sewage and industrial pollutants into river water, strengthening of embankments and construction of check dams across the river to prevent draining of water accruing from monsoon rains into the sea; and formation of a separate ministry for safeguarding and developing Cauvery River.
Participants at the consultative meeting chaired by the vice-chairman of Olirum Erodu Foundation (OEF) D. Venkateswaran constituted Swami Ramananda, OEF chairman M. Chinnasamy; and secretary S. Ganesan, emphasised on allocation of money for Cauvery River development on the lines of the funds for purification of Ganges River.
A. Sridhar, Regional Project Officer (South India) with National Water Mission & Tata Institute of Social Sciences – Water Project, the special invitee for the meeting, joined other speakers in calling for nationalisation of rivers and linking of the rivers in the Southern States to begin with.
Suggestions for environmental remediation were also offered by historian Kaniyan Balan, coordinator of Erodai K. Sudakar, Secretary of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam Subbu, and organising secretary Logusamy.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Erode – June 13th, 2016
Trekking to Thadiayandamol, the highest peak in Kodagu and the second highest in Karnataka, has been banned temporarily due to the movement of wild elephants in the vicinity.
A herd of 10-12 elephants has been camping near the hill after escaping from nearby forest and have wrecked havoc by destroying banana, arecanut and coffee plantations in Yavakapadi, Marandoda and Chelavara villages.
Forest officials said they are making efforts to drive these elephants back into the woods and till then, entry to trekkers and tourists will be restricted. They said it may take some time due to heavy rains in the region.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / June 12th, 2016
Railway minister Suresh Prabhu’s plans to get Kodagu on the rail map has run into trouble with Kodavas asking him not to extend the proposed Mysuru-Kushalnagar rail line.
The project was announced in this year’s budget. Following an RTI query by an environmentalist, railways officials have revealed that there are plans to extend the rail line to Madikeri and Makkanduru, a tiny village 3.5 km from Madikeri. Alarmed by the development, Kodavas living in Mysuru and Kodagu and environmentalists, too, have started tweeting urging him to stop the extension plan.
The online petition has got 11,976 signatures. Railway minister Suresh Prabhu has responded to the petitions and tweeted that he will go through the project in detail.
Aiyappa from Kodagu working in Vrindavan Hospital Mysuru told TOI that the railway project connecting Kushalnagar has not yet got the green signal. He fears that the line to Makkanduru village will affect Kodagu district’s natural resources.
Petitioners Sundar Muthanna, Shristi Kukreja and Fehmi Mohammad have started a campaign through www. Change.orglink. They fear that the estates and forests in Kodagu will be with the railway track. River Cauvery which is the lifeline of South India is under threat, claims the petition.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / TNN / June 11th, 2016
New fiction web series set against the backdrop of scenic Coorg, about exploration of music by its protagonist, Nimrat, hopes to raise the standard of Web entertainment and content in India
A new web series, Nimrat produced by Bangalore-based film school and production house, Flash Frame Visuals Academy of Film & Television (FFVA) has stepped out of drawing rooms and coffee shops for its shoot and is set in the scenic backdrop of Coorg for the first season, followed by the next season scheduled to be shot in Nepal. This fiction series about exploration of music by its protagonist, Nimrat, hopes to raise the standard of Web entertainment and content in India. Producer and creative head Aditi Soni and Keerti Kumar tell us more about the leap of faith.
Shooting Nimrat in a Coorg forest
Q. Why a travel series for the Internet audience?
A. The Internet audience is chiefly in the age group of 18 to 40. If we read them closely, there is this new urge to travel among this generation. They want to explore places, explore themselves. So much so, that I know of people who have sold their houses to travel the world. So where everyone is reading and writing about travel, am sure they would love to watch it too.
The cast and crew of Nimrat
Q. Why pick Coorg?
A. Firstly, it is a visually stunning place. Secondly we have seen enough of north being explored. When it comes to the south, all know of Chennai or Kerala but Coorg remains a fairly unexplored destination except in a few movies such as Raavan or Saat Khoon Maaf. Then, of course, it suited the script too. The second season will cover Kathmandu and the Himalayas. The main reason being that the script deserves those locations.
Work in progress at a coffee estate
Q. How was the experience of shooting in Coorg?
A. It is the most stress-free shoot location. People there are more than just warm. They go out of the way to help you with the resources, locations to shoot and such. They are not very camera-shy, are of the happy-smiley face-kinds, and are ever ready to face the camera; in case you’re keen to get them to act too. The weather too allows you to shoot for long hours.
Q. Why a subject like Nimrat?
A. The visual content is slowly getting repetitive. It’s the same formula, which is being fed to the audience time and again. Now times are changing and so is the audience. They love to travel, they love journeys, they love explorations, they love strong independent characters…they love it all because they can relate themselves to all of it. And that’s exactly what Nimrat is all about. She travels to different parts of the country to collect Folk music as a passion. This is when her life entangles with the people in each locale that the stories begin to unfold.
Q. Where is it coming out?
A. It’s yet to be finalised. We are in talks with a few Mumbai-based production houses but would not want to give out a name before it is final.
1. Abbey Falls: This beautiful cascade of water lies deep in the forests of the Western Ghats. It is located 10 km away from Madikeri (the capital town of Coorg/Kodagu district). The misty, lush environs is must-see for every visitor.
2. Raja’s Seat: This seasonal garden on a hillock offers picturesque view of the sunset. There is also a pillared structure amid the exquisite garden, presenting sublime architectural beauty.
3. Estate trails: Coorg is known for its sprawling estates, especially coffee, with a few tea plantations as well. These handpicked trails of sprawling estates make for a popular tourist activity.
4. Elephant Camp: The Dubare Elephant Camp is located in Coorg, near the Cauvery River; here one can live and engage with rescued pachyderms, and tour the jungles of the area, riding on them.
Log on to: www.coorg.com
To reach Coorg (Kodagu)
Flight: Take a flight from Mumbai for Bengaluru, which takes 2 hours. After a stoppage of about an hour, take another flight from Bengaluru to Mysore that takes 45 minutes. Coorg is located at a distance of 128 km from Mysore that can be covered by buses and cabs.
Train: There is only one direct train from Mumbai to Mysore, Dadar-Mysuru Sharavati Express, which takes around 24 hours.
Road: Buses ply from Bengaluru and Mysuru to Madikeri. The route takes between 7-9 hours, depending on the time of the year and road condition.
Coorg
From Mumbai 1033.1 km
Overview: Coorg (Kodagu, also known as Kodava Nadu), is an administrative district in Karnataka. The district is famous for its coffee, plantations and its scenic locations.
Don’t miss: Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Kodagu include Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Nisargadhama, Abbey Falls, Dubare, Nagarahole National Park, Iruppu Falls, and Kushalnagar (a Tibetan settlement)
She was a corporate professional before she realised what her true calling was. Today, she is one of the topmost golf players in the country and continues to share her knowledge with youngsters who want to become golfers like her.
Nikki Ponappa is young, energetic and talented and always has a smile on her face even after spending a really tiring day.
She recently took part in the Louis Philippe Cup as one of the women pro golfers at the Karnataka Golf Association.
She shared a few light moments with Anila Kurian, where she spoke about her life off the golf course.
Where do you drawinspiration from? From anything under the sun! Even my dog, who is so full of love and affection, gives me inspiration. I’m inspired by every story that I am introduced to.
What kind of music do you listen to? It depends on my mood actually. If I’m on the golf course early in the morning, I listen to a lot of trance music. In the afternoons, it moves to Beth Orton’s music. I also like listening to Major Lazer a lot.
Your favourite genre of books. I like reading books that are thought-provoking and inspirational. I follow a lot of Dalai Lama’s teachings; ‘The Dalai Lama’s Cat’ is one of my favourites.
Which one are you reading now? ‘This Unquiet Land:Stories from India’s Fault Lines’ by Barkha Dutt.
Your favourite cuisine and dish. Without a doubt, it is Coorg food and it has to be ‘Pandi curry’ made by my mother. I also like a lot of fruits.
What do you do on your weekends? I am, by default, busy with a lot of things. Coaching students to play golf is one of them. I am also busy working with a few foundations that I am a part of and taking care of our homestay back home in Coorg. I am happy busy because I get to do everything I love doing.
Five things you love doing. Playing golf, travelling, reading, listening to music and spending time with animals.
Your alternate career. I’ve tried my hand at a corporate job and that didn’t interest me. But if not golf, I would be a full-time coffee planter.
Maj. Gen. (retd.) C. K. Karumbaya, Trustee of Kodava Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru, along with the participants, is seen lighting the lamp as Trust President K. A. Kariappa, Secretary P. A. Jayakumar, Treasurer Wing Commander (retd.) C.G. Madappa and others look on.
Mysuru :
Spoorthi-2016, a four-day motivational workshop for college students (boys and girls) from Kodagu district, organised by Kodava Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru, began at Kodava Samaja in Vijayanagar first stage here yesterday.
Deenabandhu Trustee Maj. Gen. (retd.) Codanda K. Karumbaya addressed the participants at a formal function held in the Samaja premises this morning.
Trust President Kattera A. Kariappa, Secretary Pattada A. Jayakumar, Treasurer Wing Commander (retd.) Chendrimada G. Madappa, Trustees Lt. Col. (retd). Chourira A. Ganapathy, Mechanda M. Karumbaiah, Maletira Chimmi Nanjappa and Pattamada Shanthi Ganapathy, volunteer Anu Mudduraj, Dechu Karumbaya, Geetha Kuttappa, Anila Madappa and others were present.
Nearly 40 students from across Kodagu District are taking part in the workshop, which features motivational workshops, educational tours to prominent institutions and many other such initiatives.
The workshop will conclude on June 8.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / June 06th, 2016
Rohan Bopanna has been India’s top ranked doubles players over the last few years and had a very successful 2015 where he won four titles and reached the final of the year ending ATP Tour Finals tournament at London.
He has also done well at the majors, reaching the quarter-finals of two Grand Slams, including the French Open this week and semi-finals of Wimbledon where they beat the legendary pair of Mike and Bob Bryan.
File photo. Indian Aces’ Rafael Nadal and Rohan Bopanna during a game against UAE Royals Roger Federer and Cilic during the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) men’s double match at IG Stadium in New Delhi.
How would he explain his consistency over the past few years and the impact of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi?
“It’s really special that I am playing a high level of tennis. I am at the peak of my career. I have seen how much Leander and Mahesh have done for India and they still keep fighting out there. It’s not easy.”
“I am very happy that I am No.1 in the country and keeping the Indian flag flying every single tournament and working hard to winning the title every time you step on court. It’s been a tough journey but I am really happy the way I have been playing.”
So what are the travails of a professional tennis player? Bopanna felt it was the sacrifices they make to be away from home, family and friends and travel about 30-35 weeks every year.
“But this is the choice I have made and know this is how it’s going to be. But thankfully my family and friends understand this and it makes it easier.”
Bopanna also shared some of his career goals. “Winning a Grand Slam and reaching No.1 in the rankings would be the ultimate goal. I had reached a high of No.3 in 2013 after reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon and would like to better that.”
He added that he is highly motivated by competition and doesn’t think about the awards. “I don’t think you have to worry about the awards. If you keep playing well, the country will recognise how you are doing and grant you that award.”
Bopanna is a man on a mission. Looking to give back to tennis what the sport has given him, he has launched the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy at Bengaluru. “The main reason is because of the passion I have for the sport. The Indian players have a lot of skills but it is the fitness aspect that we are lacking. So I will be focussing on that.”
Bopanna also shared his favourite memories on court. “My most special moment was representing India for the first time in Davis Cup in 2002. Also my singles win in final rubber of 2010 Davis Cup against Brazil in Chennai to take India to the World Group as we made a comeback from 0-2 down to win 3-2. In Grand Slams, it was reaching the final of the US Open with Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. It’s rare that India and Pakistan come together in sports.”
So does Paris hold special memories? “The city is so beautiful. It is such a romantic city. It was the first place my wife accompanied me. There’s so much to do, there’s great culture, great food and the best clay courts in the world,” answered Bopanna.
The Indian star from Bengaluru loves watching other sports and follows Manchester United and the ‘Bangalore teams’ — be it Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bangaluru FC in the I-League and Bengaluru Bulls in the Premier Kabaddi League. He was a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and loves to watch Virat Kohli now and also the Indian badminton stars.
Bopanna is also amazed at the skills of star South African batsman AB de Villiers, “Every time I speak to South African players, they say he’s great in Tennis, great in Golf, great in Cricket. He’s just an all-round sportsman.”
In fact, Rohan’s love for tennis and sports is so great that his wife jokes that his tennis bag is his first love!
On the eve of World Environment Day, Pamela Malhotra tells SRAVASTI DATTA about re-examining our obsession with technology and our lifestyles choices can have an impact on the environment
A.K.Malhotra and Pamela Malhotra
Her story is well-known. About two decades ago, Pamela Malhotra and her husband Dr. A.K. Malhotra bought 55-acres of land in the Western Ghats in Kodagu district, with the intention of reforesting the land that had fallen into various states of misuse. They Pamela and her husband were in the U.S. before they relocated to this land, in the Brahmagiri range, that is about 40 minutes away from Srimangala.
“K.M. Chinnappa of Wildlife First was the Warden at Nagarhole National Park when we first came to India in January of 1986. He It was he who encouraged us to buy land to protect in the Coorg/Kodagu district. We also met Ullas Karanth on that trip and also network with Ravi Chengappa of Cauvery Sene on environmental issues in the district,” says Pamela, who has dedicated her life toin protecting wildlife and the environment, and is a well-known speaker on climate change, watershed protection, bio-diversity and species extinction. Today that land has been converted into a 300-acres SAI (Save Animals Initiative) sanctuary of rich foliage and diverse species.
“The process took a long time. Did we ever expect to have the sanctuary we have today? No!” says Pamela, who was one of the speakers at the recently-concluded TedxBangalore.
“We took advice from the former owner of the 55 acres of land and the adivasis, because they have the knowledge of the native trees needed in that area. You need to understand which tree species belong where. The land was in various different conditions. The parts where cardamom was grown, there were a lot of shade trees, because cardamom requires a lot of shade, big native trees. But in the coffee plantations, big trees were taken out and there were smaller trees, because coffee requires sunlight. But coffee prices got de-regulated, so the cardamom plantations were pulled out, and they cut down the big trees. That was the first wave of deforestation. The second was when unregulated home stays were being built.”
Pamela says the Kodagu district is the source of fresh water for the Southern Indian peninsula. And so every drop of water that we take for granted in our cities is extremely precious. Bengaluru due to rapid, and often mindless, development is desperately holding on to the last vestiges of being a garden city. Even though forests do not lie within our immediate surroundings, we often take them for granted. Pamela says scientific studies have shown that 50 per cent of rainwater comes from forests, much more than oceans. So do we in our technology-obsessed cities have a responsibility towards Nature? Yes. Does the action of a single individual have an effect on climate change and conservation? Yes. Pamela says it is essential, therefore, to examine one’s lifestyle. “To save water, there is rainwater harvesting, recharging groundwater and conserving water. We also have to examine our obsession with technology. Do we need the latest iphone? Do we really need the latest tech toys? Rare earth minerals and materials are used in computers and mobile phones. And those materials, are just that, rare!”
Some of the measures we adopt to control diseases in cities is way off the mark. “Tanks are being poisoned to get rid of mosquitoes. But instead of poisoning tanks, see how we can breed frogs because they eat insects and mosquitoes. Swallows eat 2,000 mosquitoes! You could plant trees and small bushes in your backyard. It will also bring back small wildlife like butterflies and birds.”
Elephant at SAI Sanctuary in Coorg
Pamela says conserving our rainforests is about survival. “It’s not a touchy-feely thing,” she emphasises. She reveals trivia about wildlife that is relatively unknown: “Elephants are the number one protectors of the forest. Recent studies by the Indian Institute of Science have shown the comparison between elephant impact on protection versus the roaming of domestic cattle. Elephants cover a 1000 square kilometre radius, while cattle cover a five km radius. Elephants also consume wholeseed, so they are scattered in their dung across a wide distance. It has also been proven that the seed in elephant dung sprouts much faster than those that even fall directly from trees.”
****
Brimming with wildlife, you can spot these at the SAI Sanctuary
Animals
Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Bonnet Macaque, Jackal, Fox
Birds
Little cormorant, Little egret, Oriental honey buzzard, Butterflies, Malabar spotted flat, Pygmy scrub hopper
Snakes
King Cobra, Russell’s Viper, Common Sand Boar
***
Green up, clean up your city
Conserve water, resort to rainwater harvesting and charging underground water
Think about our obsession with technology. Do we really need the latest i-phone and tech toy? Rare earth material goes into the making of them. And as the name suggests, rare earth material is really, rare!
Plant trees or grow small bushes in your backyard. That will help attract small wildlife, like butterflies and small birds. Swallows, for example, can eat up to 2,000 mosquitoes, which can prevent diseases like malaria and dengue.
Instead of poisoning tanks to get rid of mosquitoes think of earth-friendly options such as frogs who eat mosquitoes
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / Sravasti Datta / Bengaluru – June 03rd, 2016
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