Coffee growers to join Jan. 26 jatha in Bengaluru to seek MSP for their crop

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, All

They complain of raw deal from State government

Coffee growers from Kodagu, who are seeking minimum support price (MSP) for coffee, will join the farmers’ protest scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on January 26 against the Centre’s farm bills.

The coffee growers are seeking to draw attention to their predicament over coffee prices remaining stagnant for more than 20 years while the costs they incurred on labour and other agricultural inputs including fertilizers have increased manifold.

“One 50 kg bag of robusta coffee used to fetch ₹3,000 in the mid- and late nineties. The price has remained unchanged more than two decades later also” said Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) leader from Kodagu Manu Somaiah.

Coffee growers are putting up with the stagnant prices of coffee while shouldering the burden of rising costs of labour and other agricultural inputs, he said and sought to know why the State is refusing to extend MSP to coffee when neighbouring Kerala was extending the same to its growers.

“About a week ago, we held a meeting and decided to press for our demand for MSP for coffee”, said Mr. Somaiah. “When Kerala, which produces barely 20 per cent of the country’s coffee production, can extend MSP, why can’t Karnataka, which accounts for more than two-thirds of India’s coffee production do the same?”, he questioned.

He said their appeals for MSP are met with the standard reply that coffee was a commercial crop that is not entitled for support price. “But, when Kerala government can do it, what logical explanation can Karnataka government give?”, he asked.

The coffee growers of Kodagu have been at the receiving end of nature’s fury during the last three years when the region was struck by landslides and floods, causing widespread damage to the crop.

Mr. Somaiah recalled that the coffee growers were receiving remunerative prices when it was regulated by Coffee Board till the early nineties. But, it shifted to open market policy soon thereafter on the same promise that the present farm bills are assuring – that the farmers will earn more. But, it was not to be, he regretted adding that the prices are now determined by the trading in New York and London Stock Exchanges.

Mr. Somaiah said the coffee growers in Kodagu are also upset with the State government and Centre over the falling price of black pepper, which is grown as inter-crop. The price of black pepper had reached ₹900 per kg till the Centre started allowing imported pepper from Vietnam and other countries to flood the domestic market and bring down the prices to the level of ₹300 per kg, he lamented.

The coffee growers of Kodagu are joining forces with the farmers from the rest of the State, who are planning to gather in Bengaluru on January 26. The coffee growers from Kodagu will gather at Kutta on January 25 before leaving in about 150 vehicles towards Bengaluru. The coffee growers will hold demonstrations in Ponnampet and Gonikoppa before spending the night in Mandya and proceeding to Freedom Park in Bengaluru on January 26.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / Mysuru – January 23rd, 2021

New language for coffee is shik-shik-shik, showcases Tata Coffee Grand’s TV campaign

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, All, World Opinion

Conceptualized by Lowe Lintas, the TVC draws parallel between sound and emotion

TATA Coffee Grand, the packaged coffee brand from the house of TATA Consumer Products, unveiled its recent campaign that aims to create a new language for coffee – Shik-Shik-Shik that evokes emotions and excitement amongst consumers. The campaign synonymises the word ‘Coffee’ with the sound of coffee ie. Shik-Shik-Shik – the sound that is created by shaking the coffee pack! 

Depicting the southern part of India and building an emotion around coffee moments, the TVC, conceptualized by Lowe Lintas, draws parallel between sound and emotion, Coffee is a word but Shik-Shik-Shik is an emotion. The film opens on an early morning in a radio station where the Radio Jockey calls for a Shik-Shik-Shik and the audience is introduced to TATA Coffee Grand. She then takes us on a journey of how Shik-Shik-Shik is echoing in South India with everybody calling coffee the Shik-Shik-Shik way, to relish the taste, the flavour and the decoction crystals that is exclusive to TATA Coffee Grand.

Speaking about the campaign, says, Mr. Puneet Das, SVP – Marketing, Beverages – India, TATA Consumer Products, “We’ve been excited about the idea of the ‘sound of coffee’ for a while now. Through this campaign, we have built the proposition of ‘The sound made by our tata coffee grand pack, which has big granules and decoction crystals that make a great cup of coffee’.  A simple and powerful narrative is linked to a simple action of shaking the pack, remembering that unique sound, replacing coffee with shik shik shik when asking for it. We are hopeful that the disruptive unique sound of Shik-Shik-Shik will soon become an overarching synonymous word for coffee.”

Sagar Kapoor, Chief Creative Officer – Lowe Lintas, said, “It’s always a great opportunity when your brand has a product differentiation. Leaping to the creative idea from the differentiator lands on a disruptive idea, more often than not. With Tata Coffee Grand we had the decoction crystals. Besides delivering a superior cup of coffee, these crystals also make a unique’ Shik-Shik-Shik sound when one shakes the pack. So great coffee was always known by its aroma, it will now be known with its sound. That led us to the idea of ‘Great coffee will now be known as Shik-Shik-Shik. Going ahead we will engage with the consumer in many ways with the ‘Shik-Shik-Shik device,”

The campaign is live on TV in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, showcasing TATA Coffee Grand as a differentiated product which is driven by innovation and consumer centricity.

source: http://www.exchange4media.com / exchange4media / Home> Internet Marketing News> Latest Internet Marketing News> Marketing / by exchange4media.com / January 23rd, 2021

Charulata Somal Takes Charge As Kodagu DC

Leaders, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Madikeri:

IAS officer Charulata Somal has been appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu District. She took charge this morning from Zilla Panchayat CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena who was functioning as in-charge DC. 

Charulata replaces previous DC Annies Kanmani Joy, who has left to the United States on a long leave to join her husband. Charulata Somal is a 2012-batch IAS Officer from the Karnataka cadre. Brought up in Mumbai, she did her graduation in Economics Honours from St. Stephen’s College of Delhi University.

She has served as Deputy Secretary, Chief Minister’s Secretariat. She has also served as Commissioner, Shivamogga City Corporation with additional charge as Managing Director, Shivamogga Smart City Corporation. She has been the CEO of Kodagu Zilla Panchayat and as Managing Director, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation. 

Charulata is the first IAS officer to have gone on Antarctica expedition twice in 2016. She had got an opportunity to be a part of the International Antarctic Expedition led by Robert Swan for ‘A Leadership on the Edge Program to the Last Wilderness on Earth.’ Robert Swan is the first person in the history to have walked unsupported to both the South Pole and the North Pole back in the 1980s.

With 140 participants across the globe and themes focusing on sustainability, energy and climate change, the 15-day expedition in March 2016 was an inspiring experience for Somal. Her second chance to go to Antarctica was in November the same year when Swan invited her for an 80 Degrees South Expedition.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 23rd, 2021

Madikeri: Self-start without motor – Kodagu mechanic’s invention

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology, Sports

Madikeri :

Motorbikes have become part of life in India where roads of different types and make pass through different terrains. A mechanic here, who loves motorbikes, has utilised the time he got due to coronavirus break, to invent a self-start for motorbikes without requiring any motor. Venkatesh from Kushalnagar here is the inventor of this device.

People now-a-days are not willing to kick-start their vehicles. Many bikes marketed in the recent past have self-start facilities. But those made a few years back do not have this facility, and repeated kicking is unavoidable. There are people who are attached to their old bikes and hence do not want to sell them. Venkatesh’s invention will help them.

Venkatesh’s alternate generating system kit (AGS) works by using winding copper wires. For this self-start, no machine or motor is needed. This is made by just using copper wire and magnet. It can be fitted to bikes without damaging any part. The price of the kit may be between Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000. Venkatesh has uploaded video of its working in YouTube and several have already booked for the kits.

His other invention, fixing of double engines, has also become a hit.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network – Madikeri (SP) / January 21st, 2021

Former Natl. Hockey Player No More

Records, All, Sports

Somwarpet:

 S.M. Kuldeep (40), son of former MLC S.G. Medappa of Shanthalli village, passed away on Monday at a private hospital in Mysuru following brief illness.

He leaves behind his parents, wife and two sons. Last rites were performed on Tuesday at Shanthalli.

Kuldeep was a National-level Hockey player and had captained the State Junior Hockey team during 1995-96.

He had also represented Air India team in hockey tournaments.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 21st, 2021

President In Kodagu On Feb. 6

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

To open ‘Sunny Side’ museum dedicated to Gen. K.S. Thimayya

Madikeri:

President Ram Nath Kovind will arrive in Kodagu district on Feb. 6 to inaugurate the renovated ‘Sunny Side,’ the residence of Gen. K.S. Thimayya that has been converted as a museum. Gen. Thimayya served as the Chief of Army Staff from 1957 to 1961 in the crucial years leading up to the conflict with China in 1962. 

The President’s Office has confirmed the visit in a communiqué sent to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa-General K.S. Thimayya Forum Convenor Col. K.C. Subbaiah who had formally invited the President in April last year to dedicate the museum to the nation and also inaugurate Gen. Thimayya War Memorial.

Accepting the invitation, the President’s Office has on Jan.15 confirmed to Col. Subbaiah about the VVIP visit. President Kovind will participate in the inaugural ceremony on Feb. 6 from 3 pm to 4 pm. Elated over the visit confirmation, Col. Subbaiah said that it would be a historic day for Kodagu and the memorial would gain national attention.

‘Sunny Side’ is located on G.T. Road in Madikeri and has been renovated at an estimated cost of Rs. 6 crore. The structure earlier housed RTO office. Art works featuring the valour of Indian soldiers on the battlefield have now occupied the centre stage at ‘Sunny Side.’ Other main attractions of the museum are an Army Tank that was transported by road from Kirkee War Cemetery at Khadki near Pune in Maharashtra, articles used by Gen. Thimayya, military uniforms, books and information on Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Apart from the Army Tank, weapons that were used by the soldiers of Indian Army in the past during many operations have been donated to the museum. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 17th, 2021

Recalling Gandhiji’s Visit To Kodagu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

By Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head, Department of Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Mysore

Mahatma Gandhi was always impressed by Kodavas who are hard-working and play a major role in protecting India’s borders. In fact, there are many Kodavas who held and still hold top positions in Defence Forces like the Chief of Army Staff. 

Here we recall Gandhiji’s visit to Kodagu. He was camping at Madras (now Chennai). There was a rumour that Gandhiji would visit Bangalore and Mysore. At that time, Pandiyanda I. Belliappa (people lovingly called him ‘Gandhi’ later due to the Mahatma’s visit to his house) was a prominent Congress leader and he was also bringing out a newspaper called Kodagu. He requested Gandhiji to sanctify Kodagu by his visit. 

Gandhiji agreed and along with Veeranna Gowda Patil who was the Chairman of Harijana Sangha and others arrived at Gonikoppal on the evening of 22.2.1934. Immediately, he expressed a desire to visit Harijanakeri (where Harijans live). Gandhiji visited Kaikeri, a small village near Gonikoppal. His first programme was to visit the houses of Harijans where more women had gathered than men and Gandhiji spoke for a short while. 

The women gathered there collected Rs.25 among themselves and gave it to Gandhiji. He had been garlanded and those garlands were auctioned which fetched Rs. 3. During that time, there was an earthquake in Bihar and Gandhiji spoke about the agony of people and requested contribution, however small it may be and the women immediately gave away their gold ornaments.

From there, Gandhiji went to Ponnampet and visited Sharada Ashram (Sri Ramakrishna Ashram) and collected Rs. 22 and one ana. From there he went to Thithimathi and collected Rs. 39. Then he went to Hudikeri and addressed a gathering of 800 persons. Chendira Thammayya, who was the President of Taluk Board, welcomed Gandhiji and collected Rs. 72 and 13 anas and gave it to Gandhiji. 

Local school students collected Rs. 2 and one ana. From there Gandhiji returned to Ponnampet and again visited Sri Ramakrishna Ashram where he was welcomed by Shambavanandaji. Gandhiji established Harijan Welfare Sangha and he was given a fund of Rs. 220. 

While addressing the gathering there, he said that he could not think of living without Dharma. “My Dharma depends upon the support given by men and women who are equal partners. Here, caste should not make its entry at any cost. Dharma means coming closer to God and whatsoever we do should be dedicated to God and this should be nothing but like the clean air we breathe in,” he said. 

From there, Gandhiji went to Virajpet where a Muslim leader spoke from the dais in Urdu language. This brought great joy to Gandhiji. He said Hindus and Muslims should live in harmony.

He went to Basavanahalli in Somwarpet and on his way he camped at Siddapura where he was given a donation of Rs. 7. From there he went to the house of coffee-planter Manjunathayya where women donated their ornaments. One woman gave her jewels in the presence of her husband. Gandhiji asked this husband,“What do you say about this donation?” He replied that the ornaments belong to his wife and she is free to use it in whatever manner she wants. 

Gandhiji felt happy and asked that man his age and thirty years was his reply. Gandhiji said, “At your age I was not a wise man as you are. Wisdom came to me later.” Everybody burst into laughter. In his short speech, Gandhiji asked them to work hard and make Kodagu prosperous.

Later, Gandhiji went to Madikeri and reached near Raja’s Seat. Over 4,000 persons had gathered there and gave a donation of Rs.760. Gandhiji was given a donation of Rs.82 for Bihar earthquake victims.

He said, “Though travel to Kodagu was tiresome, I am enticed by the natural beauty. Another thing which has given me satisfaction is that there is no untouchability in Kodagu. But Harijans are losing precious land and this should not happen hereafter.”

That night Gandhiji stayed at Madikeri in the house of C.P. Nanjappa. Nanjappa’s wife donated a silver cup and a saucer while Nanjappa donated a gold necklace. The tea-tray made of wood was auctioned and it fetched Rs. 9. In Nanjappa’s house a prayer meeting was held and I.C. Subbayya announced that Rs.2,000 has been given as donation. 

Gandhiji stayed that night in Subbayya’s house. He woke up at 2.45 am and wrote letters to Manilal and Susheela. The letter contained a short note — “Tonight we are in Kodagu. It is a small place and its population is 150 thousand. Tomorrow by about six, we descend down and go to Mangalore.”

Meanwhile, some prominent Congress leaders wanted to discuss some political developments in Kodagu. Gandhiji did not permit them and said “I am happy here because there is no untouchability. I have come here to see the activities of Harijans.”

Gandhiji’s visit to Kodagu is special and was worthy of remembrance. This incident had happened about 86 years ago. To commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s visit, a postal cover was released on May 29, 2015. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Columns / by Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head, Department of Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Mysore / January 16th, 2021

Mushrooming interest

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Women in Kodagu are increasingly learning cultivation and becoming self-reliant

Madikeri :

Don’t underestimate the mushrooms. They are having their moment. This is a story about homemakers in Kodagu district. And it is also a story about mushrooms. “I grew up wanting to do something unique,” says Ambika Achaiah, 35, a budding entrepreneur from Cheyyandane village. While Ambika dreamt of starting a unique venture, she was married off after completion of her degree and nearly 10 years passed in managing home and hearth.

Nevertheless, her ambition to achieve something different was reignited when she stumbled upon a radio broadcast about free training for mushroom cultivation in 2019. “I was excited when I learnt of it. I travelled nearly 60 km to Krishi Vignyana Kendra in Gonikoppal to avail the training under the National Skill Development Corporation programme,” recalls Ambika. While she thought that it would last a day, she was shocked to learn that it was a 25-day course. Encouraged by KVK scientist Dr Somashekar, Ambika completed it and received a certification in oyster mushroom cultivation.

Ambika is currently working at the mushroom cultivation lab in KVK and experimenting on different varieties of mushroom cultivation. “I started off with spawn cultivation. But now I am versatile in mushroom tissue culture and the entire process of mushroom cultivation. I have applied for a loan and I will soon set up my own unit at my house,” she says.

While she is involved in developing the popular oyster mushroom variety, she is also experimenting on cultivating the seasonal milky mushroom. Apart from the cultivation process, she trains other like-minded homemakers. “Various women cooperative societies and other self-help groups invite me for motivational talk. I encourage women to take up the profitable mushroom business and I have also provided training for a few women in mushroom cultivation,” Ambika says.

Rashmi Bharadwaj, 40, is also a homemaker. She indulged in gardening – especially in orchid cultivation – as a hobby and sometimes even earned some pocket money. However, it has been nearly two years since Rashmi stepped into the field of mushroom cultivation and today she runs her own unit.
“I run a mushroom cultivation unit on contract basis with KVK in Gonikoppal. It would take nearly Rs 15 lakh to establish a unit. However, it was easier for me to work on contract as I did not have to worry about initial investment. And all the equipment is readily available,” says Rashmi.

After being a homemaker for several years, she started working for a minimum remuneration at a mushroom spawn cultivation unit. But after eight months into this job, she started cultivating oyster mushrooms from scratch and she now sells 100 to 120 harvested oyster mushroom bags per day. “I work from 9 am to 5 pm every day. Apart from the ready-to-cook oyster mushroom bags, I also manufacture Ready To Fruit Bags, which sell like hot cakes among mushroom farmers,” she explains. Ready to Fruit bags (RTF) are mushroom seeded and grown straw bags of oyster mushrooms.

The clients who buy them have to cut out a few holes in these RTF bags and keep them in a well-lit area (not under direct sunlight) and sprinkle water regularly. Oyster mushrooms bloom from these packets, without the risk of any contamination and effortlessly within five to seven days. Another shining example is Lakshmi, 55, who worked as a domestic help and switched many jobs in between even as she worked as a hospital help at daily wages for 25 years until recently. “I worked at a hospital as a cleaning staffer for many years. But I wanted to become self-reliant,” she recalls.

Lakshmi stumbled upon the mushroom cultivation training programme and she found her path to independence. She is cultivating mushrooms on a small scale and has set up her own unit in a single bedroom. “Contamination-free is the key to mushroom cultivation and the business gets profitable only when the set-up is unpolluted. I collect paddy straws from a known people, bake and dry the straw, purchase mushroom growing bags and start spawn cultivation by keeping the bags under the cot – where the temperature is less and visibility is low,” says Lakshmi.

Though she is self-reliant, she says, “I am unable to manufacture mushrooms on a large scale as I lack the required funds to purchase improved facilities. However, I am happy with my small scale set-up, which is better than working for someone.”

Oyster Mushrooms
After White Button, oyster mushrooms are mostly cultivated and consumed across India.  These have many health benefits as they are rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals and fibres, and low in calories. They are believed to help increase immunity.

Women Turn Entrepreneurs
The mushrooms, bought by customers across Kodagu, are not just making for a tasty treat but are enabling entrepreneurship skills among many women. The cultivated mushrooms are sold throughout the year at local markets, and even  home delivery is available on request. 

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States>Karnataka / by Prajna G R / Express News Service / January 17th, 2021

Kodavas And Arebhashe Gowdas Are Like Kith And Kin: Rangayana Director

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Mysore/Mysuru:

The two major ethnic groups of Kodagu, Kodavas and Arebhashe Gowdas, are like kith and kin and have contributed immensely for Kodagu land, opined Rangayana Director Addanda C. Cariappa.

He was speaking on the occasion of staging of Arebhashe play ‘Sahebru Bandavre!!!’, organised by Karnataka Arebhashe Samskruthi-Sahitya Academy in association with Rangayana Mysuru at Kiru Rangamandira, Rangayana here, yesterday.

“When I took charge as Director here, during Bahuroopi Theatre Festival, it was a feast to watch Kodavas and Arebhashe Gowdas dancing in their traditional attire. Now, Arebhashe play is being staged here in Rangayana. I would like people to come in large numbers to watch and support Kodava, Tulu and Kannada plays,” he said.

“By just stopping speaking a particular language, one can effectively kill a particular section of populace and their unique culture. If you stop speaking Arebhashe language, there will not be Arebhashe Gowdas. Similarly, Kodavas cannot survive without Kodava language and Kannadigas without Kannada,” he added.

Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah, President of Kodagu Gowda Samaja Thontabailu Manohar and Academy Chairman Lakshminarayana Kajegadde, Rangayana Jt. Director V.N. Mallikarjunaswamy and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 16th, 2020

Kodagu DC On Long Leave To Join Husband In The US

Records, All

Kodagu ZP CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena to take charge as in-charge DC

Madikeri:

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Annies Kanmani Joy is on a long leave from today (Jan. 15) to join her husband Stephen Mani, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer, posted recently as First Secretary to Indian Embassy in Washington DC, USA, along with their daughter Apoorva, for some time.

Kodagu Zilla Panchayat (ZP) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bhanwar Singh Meena will take charge as the in-charge DC.

Annies, who had a two year successful tenure in Kodagu as the DC, has thanked everyone for the support and co-operation provided to her, especially during handling of natural disasters, controlling COVID-19 pandemic and conducting GP polls.

The DC said that she had sanctioned 274 acres of land to various development works including establishment of Waste Segregation Unit, residential school and community centres.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 15th, 2021