Monthly Archives: July 2017

Kirik Party couple Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna engaged. See photos

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

The wedding engagement of Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna took place in Madikeri. The couple first on the sets of Kirik Party, which became a super hit at the box office last year. Rashmika is more than 10 years younger to Rakshit, who is in his 30s.

Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna got engaged
Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna got engaged

Days after officially announcing their relationship, the new Sandalwood couple, Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna got engaged in a grand ceremony on Monday at Virajpet in Madikeri, Karnataka. The couple took their relationship to next level by exchanging rings in front of more than 1,500 guests, including celebrities. The ceremony took place at Serenity Marriage Hall, which is owned by Rashmika’s father M Madan Mandanna.

The wedding engagement of Rakshit and Rashmika happened in both Coastal and Kodava traditions and the guests were treated to Kodava and North Indian delicacies at the function. Even North Indian and Chinese items were on the menu, said reports.

Rakshit and Rashmika met on the sets of Kirik Party, which became a super hit at the box office last year. While Rakshit had already made a mark in Kannada cinema at the time, the film marked Rashmika’s acting debut.

Well, Rashmika revealed that it was not loved at first sight for her. She fell for Rakshit after becoming friends with him first. Rashmika is more than 10 years younger to Rakshit, who last month celebrated his 34th birthday.

“Let’s do this. So blessed to have Rakshit Shetty in my life and thanks to Madhu,” Rashmika wrote on her Facebook page on her engagement day. “So sweet of you Rashmika Mandanna. In fact, I am the lucky one to have you in my life,” Rakshit tweeted.

Last month, the couple announced that they have been dating each other and will soon get married. “After my relationship with Rashmika started making headlines in the media, I decided to talk to her parents. So the media paved the way to take our relationship to the next level,” Rakshit told in a lighter vein while talking to a local news channel.

Days after officially announcing their relationship, the new Sandalwood couple, Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna got engaged in a grand ceremony on Monday at Virajpet in Madikeri, Karnataka. The couple took their relationship to next level by exchanging rings in front of more than 1,500 guests, including celebrities. The ceremony took place at Serenity Marriage Hall, which is owned by Rashmika’s father M Madan Mandanna.

The wedding engagement of Rakshit and Rashmika happened in both Coastal and Kodava traditions and the guests were treated to Kodava and North Indian delicacies at the function. Even North Indian and Chinese items were on the menu, said reports.

Rakshit and Rashmika met on the sets of Kirik Party, which became a super hit at the box office last year. While Rakshit had already made a mark in Kannada cinema at the time, the film marked Rashmika’s acting debut.

Well, Rashmika revealed that it was not loved at first sight for her. She fell for Rakshit after becoming friends with him first. Rashmika is more than 10 years younger to Rakshit, who last month celebrated his 34th birthday.

“Let’s do this. So blessed to have Rakshit Shetty in my life and thanks to Madhu,” Rashmika wrote on her Facebook page on her engagement day. “So sweet of you Rashmika Mandanna. In fact, I am the lucky one to have you in my life,” Rakshit tweeted.

Last month, the couple announced that they have been dating each other and will soon get married. “After my relationship with Rashmika started making headlines in the media, I decided to talk to her parents. So the media paved the way to take our relationship to the next level,” Rakshit told in a lighter vein while talking to a local news channel.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Regional / by Express Web Desk/ Bengaluru / July 04th, 2017

An abode of beauty

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
A view of Chelavara Falls in Kodagu.
A view of Chelavara Falls in Kodagu.

Kodagu, the birthplace of River Cauvery, takes a new gushing life each monsoon. The district’s every corner comes alive with white streams that flow amidst the forest green. One such angel that falls from 100 feet above is Chelavara Falls in Virajpet taluk.

Located 15 km from Virajpet town, Chelavara Falls is at Chelavara village, which is 5 km from Cheyyandane Main Road. Travelling on this road, one’s ears are enthralled with the gushing uproar of the falls from 2 km away! Hidden, yet heard amidst the luscious green forest, one has to trek down for about 500 metres on a stony path to witness this seraphic monsoon beauty.

The first sight of the falls looks like a thick fog hitting the earth with thundering force. Flowing down atop a tortoise shaped rock, Chelavara Falls starts off its journey from Tadiandamol peak, takes its route as a small stream and reaches Chelavara as an angelic cascade. Coming face to face with the falls, the splashes and sprinkles from this gushing water can get one completely drenched in about a second.

While the monsoons double up the beauty, it also transforms it to a dangerous spot. This angelic falls can turn out to be a beast if the beholder does not heed to the caution boards placed all around, advising people not to enter into the waters. The currents are highduring the monsoons and the place has witnessed many fatal incidents.

Yet, monsoon is the best time to visit the falls that is to be enjoyed from a distance. Travellers can also hike around the area and savour the forest greenery.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by Prajna GR / July 04th, 2017

Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu district Congress meet on July 7

Business & Economy

A convention of the elected members from Congress party from Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts will be held at Adyar Grounds in Mangaluru on July 7.

B. Ramanath Rai, Minister in-charge of the district, told reporters here on Monday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal will participate in the convention.

Mr. Rai said elected members and those who were defeated in the elections will be called to the convention organised to work out ways to win all the legislative assembly seats in the two districts. Following the election of C. Harish Kumar as president of Dakshina Kannada Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr. Rai said there will be changes in the block level of the party in the district and have activists who will work 24×7 for the party in the coming months.

In a ceremony held later, Mr. Kumar took charge of his new post.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mangaluru – July 03rd, 2017

Environmentalists join hands to save Kodagu

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Bengaluru :

A group of environmentalists and activists has come together to try and change the present narrative of development so that Kodagu doesn’t fall prey to unchecked expansion and urbanization.

During their meeting, the activists agreed to come up with an action plan to safeguard Cauvery’s catchment area in Kodagu and prevent upcoming railway and highway projects from harming the environment.

Citing the felling of 54,000 trees for the MysoreKozhikode power line via Kodagu, Devika Devaiah, from Save River Cauvery, said such situations shouldn’t be allowed to happen again. Colonel C P Muthanna, president of Coorg Wildlife Society, pointed out that the main stakeholders are not only the inhabitants of Kodagu, but also those living downstream including the residents of Bengaluru, who will be severely affected by water shortage and deforestation. Naresh Narasimhan of Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB) said sustainable models of tourism should be introduced in the region. “Development has started to mean destruction. Every project is seen as a way to make money. The reason we were successful in bringing a halt to the steel flyover pro ject was because we pointed out how procedures were bypassed,” he said.

Prakash Belawadi, also from CfB, said categorization of the Cauvery Basin and Talacauvery as world heritage sites would help in their preservation. “We should not let the region get exploited and allow more treecutting. International attention is required to safeguard it. Petitioning the National Green Tribunal would be a good move to get legal backing,” he said.

The group also discussed protection of endangered animal species, prevention of unruly urbanization due to transportation projects and acting against commercial lobbies with vested interests.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Bangalore News / by Arpita Raj / TNN / July 02nd, 2017

Forest dept files case against Cesc for elephant deaths

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Records, All
Four elephants were electricuted in an estate in Kodagu.
Four elephants were electricuted in an estate in Kodagu.

Following the electrocution of four elephants at an estate in Kodagu on Tuesday, the Forest department has filed a case of abetment and hunting against Chamundeshwari Electricity Corporation Limited (Cesc).

This is the second such case filed against the power supply corporation this year. This time the Forest department has filed a case after four female elephants came in contact with a snapped high tension live wire at Ammathi Vontiangadi village in Virajpet, Kodagu and died on the spot on Tuesday.

Manoj Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kodagu Circle, told DH that the case was filed against Cesc and not the estate owner as the deaths were not because of his negligence. A vigilance committee has also been formed to investigate the case. The committee will file a report detailing the causes and practical remedies.

During an interaction with Ravi Kumar, additional chief secretary, Environment, Forest and Ecology, in Kodagu on Wednesday, the Energy department showed interest in joining hands with the Forest department to shift all the existing and new cables under ground.

“Shifting of cables will cost around Rs 3,000 crore. Instead, the department can spend Rs 200 crore on strengthening and enhancing forest areas and corridors. Following the high court orders, the power supply companies have invested crores of rupees in erecting 22,000 poles to ensure that cables are not hanging, posing threat to the elephants. But this has shown limited effect,” Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the Forest department has intensified the search for land around the forest patches and near the elephant corridors to purchase them and increase the forest patch. A senior Forest department official said that since the estate owners are also worried, getting land with the funds assured by the state government will be easy and quick.

“We have also started training estate owners and workers on how to react when confronted with an elephant. Erecting more fences will only aggravate the problem. There is a need for people to understand the problem. The department has spent around Rs 1 crore towards crop loss compensation in last one year. The number of conflict cases have also increased. Due to drought over the last two years, some estate owners have extended their support in helping us resolve man-elephant conflict,” Kumar added.

WhatsApp group formed

For the first time, the Forest and Energy departments together have created a WhatsApp group for Kodagu division. They have brought all the ground staff of both the departments together to give quick ground information and provide timely help.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by Bosky Khanna / DH News Sercive, Bengaluru / June 30th, 2017