Monthly Archives: January 2020

Codava National Council says CAA will harm interests of tribe, demands ST tag

The memorandum submitted by the Codava National Council to the Centre through Kodagu DC Annies K Joy expresses reservations over the implementation of the CAA.

Madikeri :

The Codava National Council has urged the government to implement the CAA only after granting the ST tag for the Kodava community. CNC president NU Nachappa, in a press release, said the implementation of the Act will “harm the interest of the indigenous Codava tribe”.

The memorandum submitted by the CNC to the Centre through Kodagu DC Annies K Joy expresses reservations over the implementation of the CAA. Nachappa says, “Those refugees who avail citizenship status by CAA 2019 will be distributed in various states including Karnataka. According to reliable sources, Karnataka will receive 20 lakh refugees. They will be distributed in all the districts and Codava region of Coorg may be accommodating 1 lakh refugees. If that happens, it will subvert the demographic mosaic of our territory.”

Nachappa went on to add, “As per CAA, these refugees become legitimate citizens of our country. They will avail all the benefits and privileges in Kodagu that includes land, water and other amenities that will be an additional burden on earth and Mother Cauvery. Codava tribe is already a dwindling micro minority tribe. Naturally, the accommodation of refugees under CAA will exterminate the entire Codava tribe from their soil.”

Demanding that the Codava tribe ‘not be cheated’, he said, “The government has ensured that those areas of North-East and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladak & Leh will not be affected by CAA and CAA will be exempted in those areas. The refugees will not be accommodated in those areas because they have special protection under Article 371 R/W 5th & 6th Schedule areas. When such is the case, before the implementation of CAA, Codava tribe should be brought under ST tag and their geopolitical boundary should be earmarked as Autonomous Region under Article 371 R/w 6th& 8th Schedule.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / January 17th, 2020

1,923 students take part in COPS talent hunt

One of the topper receives scholarship during Coorg Talent Search Examination, in Madikeri.
One of the topper receives scholarship during Coorg Talent Search Examination, in Madikeri.

Coorg Public School (COPS) conducted the mega Coorg Talent Search Examination (CTSE) at General Thimayya Public School recently.

The programme, organised in collaboration with Society for Education Excellence and Research (SAPARYA), was followed by a public function at the Town Hall, Madikeri.

Prior to the final exam, qualifier rounds were conducted at various levels, where 1,427 students from Class 10 and 496 from Class 12 participated from around 45 schools and colleges in Kodagu and Hassan districts. The top 10 rankers from each institution qualified for the mega event.

The CTSE is a flagship programme of SAPARYA. This is the launch year of the programme and CTSE is a knowledge and aptitude test conducted in order to spot, reward and nurture talented students from across Kodagu and aid them in fulfilling their career aspirations. Providing quality education and tapping the potential of children is also the idea of the search.

The three-level winners received scholarship worth Rs 2.5 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh respectively.

Amongst the 10th standard students, Ninal Nachappa of Coorg Public School, Gonikoppa, bagged the first place, followed by Ishita P Acharya, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Kodagu Vidyalaya, Madikeri, and Prajwal M S, SMS Academy Aramery, Virajpet.

Amongst the 12th standard students, Yashwanth K R from Shastry PU College, Hunsur; Vishnu Priya M S from Cauvery College, Virajpet; and S L Monika from St Joseph’s PU College bagged the first, second and third places respectively.

MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan, SAPARYA Secretary Dr K D Jose, Abeeda Sherin of Vidyanikethan College, Gonikoppa, and Babeena of General Thimayya Public School, Madikeri, attended the programme.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / January 15th, 2020

Gen. Thimayya Museum In Madikeri Gets MiG-21 Fighter

MIGfighterKF15jan2020

Madikeri:

A decommissioned MiG-21 fighter jet has been added to General K.S. Thimayya Museum in Madikeri thus adding to the existing collection of war relics at the war memorial. The fighter jet had been in use by the Indian Air Force.

The continuous effort of Retired Air Marshal Nanda Cariappa, son of late Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, has paved way for the inclusion of the MiG-21 C- 1624 fighter jet to the museum.

The fighter plane left Uttar Pradesh airbase on Jan.5 and was brought to Madikeri on a multi-wheeled carrier by road. The aircraft has arrived in parts and will be assembled by experts.

Nirmiti Kendra has readied three concrete platforms to support the aircraft which will be available for public view soon. The war memorial already has an Army Battle Tank.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 12th, 2020

Amazon’s Mini Series ‘Afsos’, Brings Back Gulshan Devaiah With A Twisted Story

Gulshan Devaiah, after Mard Ko Dard Nai Hota, is returning to the screen with another chilling character who is playing with life and death. Amazon Prime Video recently unveiled the trailer of their upcoming show titled, Afsos. The streaming service has called the series, as a suspense thriller about a suicidal man who hires a deadly assassin to kill him.

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Starring Gulshan Devaiah, Anjali Patil, and Heeba Shah in the leading roles, Afsos, takes a look into the lives of depressed people. The mental illness that leads one wanting to take their life, can be a heavy burden and for our lead character, Nakul aka, Gulshan Devaiah, its a way out, but can’t get that right either.

In the trailer, Gulshan talks about feeling insignificant and wanting to take his own life. After his 11th attempt fails he hands over the task into another’s hand. A shady organisation, run by two assassins, who hand him a rate card for how he wants to die. In exchange for a hefty amount Gulshan then places an order for an assassin who is set to shoot him in the head. But after figuring out he wants to live, Gulshan has no option but to outrun his killer.

source: http://www.youtube.com

The events in the trailer then turn into suspense as, Gulshan is trying to run away with his therapist, Sholka, played by Anjali Patil. However, according to the trailer he does get killed. Anjali can be seen yelling out Nakul’s name, with blood splattered on her face. Heeba then can be seen walking away from the scene with a gun tucked in her shirt.

Another scene shows, Nakul standing next to his own body in the hospital, (which to be honest could be a dream or a hallucination). The show’s official description also calls the series as a dark comedy, it says, “A suicidal man and a deadly assassin encounter the world of immortality in this black comedy suspense thriller.” It hints that Afsos is more than a cat and mouse chase, and we might be able to see Gulshan develop a bond with his assassin.

Afsos, is sure to send a chill down your spin with the talented cast, good story. The dark comedy will also share some interesting concepts like a group of killers assisting in suicidal people. Ujjwal Chopra in the trailer can be seen complaining about how there is no dignity in killing people who want to die.

The trailer also sets an unusual tone for the story. While most of it comes off as an ironic comedy, it quickly turns into something dark to something supernatural. The text in the trailer, warns one about being careful what you wish for, in life and in death.

The eight-episode series is directed by Anubhuti Kashyap, who was part of films like the black comedy-drama Dev.D (2009) and crime-drama Gangs of Wasseypur (2012). Written by Anirban Dasgupta, Sourav Ghosh and Dibya Chatterjee, Afsos will air on Amazon Prime Video on, January 17, 2020.

source: http://www.filmibeat.com / FilmiBeat / Home> Television> Web Series / by Sanyukta Thakare / January 14th, 2019

Robin Devaiah appointed Kodagu BJP president

Paleyanda Robin Devaiah being felicitated by BJP leaders, after he was appointed the president of Kodagu district BJP, at Dakshina Kannada district BJP office in Mangaluru, on Sunday. DH Photo
Paleyanda Robin Devaiah being felicitated by BJP leaders, after he was appointed the president of Kodagu district BJP, at Dakshina Kannada district BJP office in Mangaluru, on Sunday. DH Photo

In a sudden development, Paleyanda Robin Devaiah has been elected the president of Kodagu BJP district unit.

During a visit by the delegation led by MLA K G Bopaiah and MLC Sunil Subramani to Mangaluru, Kodagu BJP district in-charge Uday Kumar Shetty handed over the order copy to Robin Devaiah.

A native of Virajpet, Robin Devaiah belongs to Kodava community. Since his student days, he has been associated with RSS and had served as the general secretary of Kodagu BJP unit.

Two years ago, Manu Muttappa, close aide of K G Bopaiah had to step down as district president and B B Bharateesh, a leader of Vokkaliga community was elected to his place. Manu Muttappa was later appointed as state BJP secretary. Robin Devaiah was the working president of Madikeri Dasara Committee in 2019.

The responsibilities of the BJP district president has increased manifold as the party is in power both at Taluk and Zilla panchayats. Furthermore, there is the challenge of tackling dissidence also.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS – Madikeri / January 12th, 2020

‘Sri Bharatha Baahubali helped me test my acting skills’

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Model Sarah Harish is turning actor with Sri Bharatha Baahubali. She started her modelling career at the age of 17, and became a popular face on billboard and TV advertisements, and it has taken her almost nine years to make it to the big screen. “Initially, I was not thinking about acting. Even though I was approached with various subjects, I didn’t consider it until Sri Bharatha Baahubali happened,” says the newcomer from Coorg. “Director Manju Mandavya spotted me in a commercial and offered this subject,” she adds.

While shooting for Sri Bharatha Baahubali, Sarah realised that acting for a TV commercial and facing the camera for a movie character are completely different things. “Not much of acting is required when you are doing a TV commercial, which is not the case in cinema. Sri Bharatha Baahubali helped me test my acting skills,” she says.

So does she consider Sri Bharatha Baahubali as the perfect launchpad? Sarah reveals that it took her a little time to get convinced. “I was very new to this world of glamour. But the story and the way the director narrated the character to me, made me say ‘yes’. I realised that I have scope for performance, and the role is as important as the lead characters, played by Manju Mandavya and Chikkanna,” says Sarah, who plays an NRI in the film. “I was also happy to have got the freedom to choose my costumes. On the whole, everything about Sri Bharatha Baahubali was in my favour,” she adds.

Sarah admits that handling the 8-hour shifts was a challenge. But the feeling changed after she completed the film. “I was clueless when I started, and to top it, I was the only female in the whole team. I didn’t know what to expect and how to go about it. However, once I started, the scenario changed, and I got comfortable. This film helped me developed patience, and I got to learn a lot. It wouldn’t have happened without the help of director Manju Mandavya and Chikkanna,” explains Sarah.

Recalling her first schedule with Chikkanna, she says, “My first few shots made me nervous, and I was hesitant to go for retakes, thinking I will be wasting Chikkanna’s time. But they told me to relax, and it helped me get into the character.”

Ask Sarah about what she misses about the film sets, and pat comes to the reply, “Food.” She adds, “I would wait to eat ragi mudde every day during the 45-day shooting schedule stretched over eight months. Being a first-timer, I was given a lot of importance on the sets, which I loved, and miss now.”

Working with Chikkanna was one of the best things about the film, Sarah says. “His sense of humour is too good, and it can lighten the atmosphere in any set-up. The best about being with Chikkanna is seeing him act. He is a one-take actor, and that’s something I should be learning from him,” she adds, also mentioning director-actor Manju Mandavya, who dons many hats in the film. “He is a multi-talented person, and I wonder how he manages to do so much, and still keeps himself calm. Even when there is a lot of chaos, he still handled it with so much patience,” she says.

Sarah is now waiting to watch her film, which is set for release on January 17. “There are bumper gifts on offer, and those who watch the film in the first two weeks will get an opportunity to win a car, gold, and gift hampers. I too want to be in the audience and get lucky,” she laughs.

source: http://www.m.dailyhunt.com / Daily Hunt / Home> English News> Cinemaexpress.com / by www.cinemaexpress.com / January 11th, 2020

Rohan Bopanna-Wesley Koolhof Win Qatar Open Title

Veteran tennis star Rohan Bopanna won the $1,465,260 Qatar Open with men’s doubles partner Wesley Koolhof.

Veteran tennis star Rohan Bopanna won the $1,465,260 Qatar Open with men’s doubles partner Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands with a come from behind win in the final on Friday. The pair beat British-Mexican pair of Luke Bambridge and Santiago Gonzalez 3-6, 6-2, 10-6 to clinch the title.

Third-seeded pair Bopanna and Koolhof had reached the final earlier after beating second seeds Henri Kontinen and Franco Skugor 7-5, 6-2. The title win hands them 250 ATP points and a prize money of $76,870.

Unseeded Bambridge and Gonzalez, on the other hand, had got the better of Denmark’s Frederik Nielsen and Tim Puetz of Germany 2-6 6-2 10-4 in the semis to get to the final themselves.

source: http://www.sports.ndtv.com / NDTV Sports / Home> Tennis> News / by Indo-Asian News Service / January 11h, 2020

Rage Coffee Brews Expansion With Refex Capital Investment

– Investors from Keiretsu Forum Chennai will also be participating

– Rage Coffee plans to expand its product line with the funding

– The company sells on ecommerce and 400 offline stores

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New Delhi-based food & beverages brand Rage Coffee has raised funding in a round led by early-stage investment firm Refex Capital. Angel network Keiretsu Forum Chennai and some other “prominent” investors will also be participating in this round.

The list of participants include T.D Mohan, former joint MD of CavinKare; Dr Rajan Srikanth, co president of Keiretsu Forum Chennai and Singapore; Prakash Katama, former CEO of TVS Electronics; Uday Sodhi, former business head at SonyLIV, private equity investor Ajay Sarupria, actor Rannvijay Singh Singha; A. Kumar, Founder of Gemini Paints, and Sawan Gupta, MD at Spero Group.

Founder and MD of Wazir Advisors, Harminder Sahni, joined Rage Coffee’s board of advisors for the fundraise. Moreover, Sridhar Parthasarathi, who is the managing partner at Refex Capital, has also joined the Board.

With this funding, Rage Coffee will expand its product offering and omnichannel distribution, scale up production and strengthen its team. The company aims to “capture market share of the category devoid of any innovation – be it the ingredients, formulations, manufacturing techniques, packaging, distribution or use of data to be agile.”

Founded in 2018 by Bharat Sethi, Rage Coffee is a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brand that deals in different varieties of coffee, without using any chemicals and is full of vitamins. The company claims to blend its coffee from plant extracts and natural compounds — Tea extract L-Theanine, fossil Ginkgo Biloba, L-Glutamine, and Panax Ginseng, among others.

Rage Coffee’s founder and CEO, Bharat Sethi, in a press statement, said, “Our approach to supply chain, sourcing, consumer segmentation, product R&D [Research and Development], D2C [Direct To Consumer] data-driven DNA combined with a hybrid distribution model and, most importantly, our close relationship with our customers places us in a great spot to build a brand that is truly poised to capitalise on the immense market opportunity.”

Rage Coffee retails its products through its website, other ecommerce platforms like Amazon and over 400 offline stores/touchpoints. The FMCG company plans to quadruple its sales and reach over 2000 outlets by the end of 2020. Rage Coffee will be banking on institutional and the foodservice industry — hotels, restaurants, cafe (HoReCa) business — to clock a significant chunk of sales.

To achieve its goals, Rage Coffee also appointed Arijit Mitra, former National Sales Head at Coke Beverages, as Director of Sales to grow the offline business in June 2019.

According to a Frost & Sullivan report, functional food & beverages in India is currently still in its initial stages growing at rate of 17.1% CAGR, expected to be valued at $4Bn in 2020. Some other players in this segment include Siliguri-based Udyan Tea, Mumbai-based Open Secrets and Bengaluru-based Hector Beverages with its brand Paper Boat.

In December 2019, Open Secrets raised funding in a round led by Matrix Partners India. Angel investors such as Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Snapdeal cofounders Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal and CEO of Godrej Consumer Products, Vivek Gambhir also participated in the round.

source: http://www.inc42.com / Inc42.com / Home> News / by Kritti Bhalla, Inc42 Staff / January 08th, 2020

₹5723.09 cr. potential-linked credit plan for Kodagu

The Potential Linked Credit Plan for Kodagu district has been pegged at ₹5,723.09 crore for the financial year 2020-21.

The plan was prepared by NABARD and the authorities envisage an outlay of ₹4,134.64 crore for the agriculture sector and ₹522.53 crore for micro, small and medium enterprises in the district.

The PLC plan was unveiled at a review meeting in Madikeri early this month and the potential for credit outflow for housing sector has been pegged at ₹360 crore while the education sector will receive nearly ₹238.50 crore.

The district has achieved 38 per cent progress or ₹1,705.9 crore in the priority sector for the current year and the banks were exhorted to strive to attain the target of ₹4,500 crore by the end of March this financial year.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – January 06th, 2020

Hockey India serves notice of merger to 10 member units

Upto 10 additional state member hockey units have been given time till June 30, 2020, to merge with the permanent state units.

Chennai :

Upto 10 additional state member hockey units have been given time till June 30, 2020, to merge with the permanent state units. If they don’t, their membership with Hockey India ‘will deemed to be withdrawn’ on July 1, according to a letter sent by the body to the 10 additional units in question.
HI have taken this step as they are required to follow ‘Clause 31.1.3 of the IOA Constitution,’ as stated by the letter, a copy of which is with this daily. Clause 31.1.3 states that: “The right to vote in any of the National Sports Federation is granted to those Associations that have only one Sports Association in one State for those sports. It implies, therefore, that in the field of sports, it will be ‘one State, one Unit’ and at the national level it will also be one unit (NSF) for one sport.”

HI took the decision at its Congress on November 30, 2019. While the additional state units are free to field teams for the nationals till June 30, once the new rule comes into effect that’s no longer possible. “The teams of your unit will be permitted to participate in the scheduled events being conducted by Hockey India upto 30th June, 2020 as per present practice. Further, from 1st July, 2020 onwards the membership of your unit with Hockey India will deemed to be withdrawn and you will be required to coordinate your sports activities related to hockey with respective State Member Unit,” the letter further added.

A few additional units have already asked what happens to academy sides (Madhya Pradesh State Hockey Academy for instance). HI are yet to get back to them with a concrete answer. Attempts to reach HI went in vain. Ten units in question: Andhra Hockey Association, Hockey Madhya Bharat, Hockey Bhopal, Hockey Gangpur-Odisha, Hockey Patiala, Bengaluru Hockey Association, Hockey Coorg, Hockey Him, The Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd, Vidarbha Hockey Association.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport> Other / by Express News Service / January 08th, 2020