Actress-models Shubra Aiyappa and Diva Dhawan, who will be featured in Kingfisher Calendar 2019, say that shooting for it was a truly memorable experience. Commenting on her experience shooting for the Kingfisher calendar, Shubra said, “Being a part of this year’s Kingfisher calendar campaign was indeed a one of a kind experience. I was quite nervous in the beginning as this is my first swimsuit shoot, however the whole journey was a lot of fun. Working with a crew, who have been shooting the Kingfisher calendar for more than a decade was truly an unforgettable moment.
“The calendar has been shot in some stunning locations across the globe, but this year’s destination Sardinia was indeed a wanderlust paradise. We shot some stunning swimwear in some gorgeous locations and are still recovering from the Sardinian after-effect. There was never a dull moment or a time where I didn’t feel comfortable, only vibes I felt were the Good Times. Looking forward to the years Kingfisher Calendar.”
Diva Dhawan also shared her thoughts on being part of this year’s calendar shoot. “Being a part of the Kingfisher calendar was truly a great experience indeed, as it celebrates Indian women and beauty in all forms. I think it’s nice to be part of something that has been around for so long because everyone in the team has been working together for years. The Kingfisher calendar truly was a memorable experience,” she said.
Kingfisher, The King of Good Times, has the calendar featuring four top models shot by ace photographer Atul Kasbekar.
The other two ladies who will be part of the calendar are beauty queen from Orissa Sushrii Mishraa and Hayley Parr from the United Kingdom. Sardinia, a gem of an island in the Mediterranean Sea, will form the breathtaking backdrop for the Kingfisher calendar 2019.
The Kingfisher calendar has featured stars like Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Nargis Fakhri, Liza Hayden over the years.
source: http://www.freepressjournal.com / Free Press Journal / Home / by IANS / October 31st, 2018
840 people who lost their homes have been identified. Kodagu during the flood (Representional Image)
Mysuru:
The Kodagu administration, which has identified land to build houses for 840 people, who lost their homes in the district’s floods and landslides in August this year, is getting ready to form layouts on it with all basic amenities including roads, electricity and water connection for their benefit.
According to Kodagu additional special deputy commissioner, M K Jagadish, a Rs 31.63 crore proposal has been sent to the state government to form the layouts with 373 sites in five places to begin with. Experts of the Geological Survey of India have already assessed the land identified.
While three private companies have come forward with model houses, the state government has not yet chosen one or the company for building them. “Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy has suggested we build two bedroom houses,” the officer added.
The state government, which has decided to give Rs 50,000 to each displaced family until the houses are built for them, has released Rs 6 crore towards this and the process of distribution was underway, the officer said.
While as many as 524 people have lost their houses in Madikeri taluk, 205 have been made homeless in Madikeri town, 88 in Somwarpet taluk, and 23 in Kushalnagar town. Of them 98 have decided to build houses on their own land. The land identified by the government has already been levelled, and 30 x 40 sites will be marked on it from November 2.
While most victims of Kodagu’s rains and floods have returned home, 683 still remain at seven relief camps in the district.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by Shilpa P / Deccan Chronicle / November 01st, 2018
Are you a coffee addict with a penchant for travel? Then you’ve come to the right place! From one-of-a-kind coffee academy in Brazil and elegant Italian coffee bars to Colombia’s innovative coffee themed-park, here are some of the most fascinating holiday destinations that need to be on your bucket list:
Vienna, Austria:
Austria’s capital is as renowned for its coffeehouse culture as it is for its historic monuments. Thanks to numerous coffee houses that dot the city, Vienna was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. From traditional coffee houses like Café Schwarzenberg, which was established in the 19th century, to progressive, third wave cafés such as Fürth Kaffee, Vienna offers something for every coffee connoisseur. The most popular vintage Viennese coffee shops include Café Central and Café Prückel. But if you like all things contemporary, hit up cafés like Sassmünd Kaffeebar, Zweitbester and Waldemar. Oh, and if you fancy enjoying brunch in the company of furry felines then Das Augustine is the place to go! The best time to visit Austria is from April to May and September to October.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:
Coffee was introduced to Vietnam by French colonialists in the 19th century. According to Topdeck Travel, Vietnamese-style coffee often includes added ingredients like egg yolk and yogurt to make the beverage more flavorful. Traditionally, the rich drink is served in a glass with sweetened condensed milk at the bottom. Shin Coffee in old Saigon is one of the best places to sample Vietnamese specialty coffee. The Coffee Ship is yet another must-visit stop for coffee enthusiasts. Housed in a boat that floats on the Kenh Te Canal, it’s hands down one of the trendiest coffee shops in the city. Meanwhile, if you dig the idea of sipping coffee in the warm embrace of nature, you cannot go wrong with Du Mien Garden Coffee. Other popular cafés in Ho Chi Minh City include Yoko Café, The Workshop Specialty Coffee and The Snap Café. For an ideal vacay in Vietnam, plan your trip between January and March.
Milan, Italy:
Among Italy’s famous culinary contributions are some of the finest coffee beverages including espresso, cappuccino, macchiato and caffè d’orzo. Moreover, it’s the Italian capital’s coffee culture that inspired former Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz. Some of the most notable cafés in Milan are Orsonero, Marchesi, Taglio, Caffé Napoli and Moleskine Café. The city also boasts of a variety of lavish al Bancos or coffee bars such as Pavé, Bar Luce and Caffè Baglioni. The best time to visit Italy is in May. Or, in September and October, if you’d like to avoid high tourist footfall.
São Paulo, Brazil:
Brazil has been the world’s largest producer of coffee for the past 150 years. Particularly known for its Arabica and Robusta coffee, the Latin American country is one of the best destinations for coffee buffs. São Paulo is home to an array of coffee shops and roasters. From traditional gems like Sofá Café, Café Floresta and The Little Coffee Shop to contemporary cafés like Beluga and Octavio. And if you take your coffee very seriously, a visit to Coffee Lab is a must. The innovative café doubles as a microbrewery and coffee academy. Visitors can sample different kinds of Brazilian coffee, choosing from a vast selection of beans and brewing methods. Meanwhile, for a great farm to cup experience, Isso é Caffè is the place to go. Located near São Paulo Museum of Art, the brewery serves coffee made with dark roasted beans in a small glass tumbler known as cafezinho. Summer and spring is the best time for a Brazilian getaway.
Istanbul, Turkey: Strong, sweet and black as night, that’s Turkish coffee for you. The full-bodied beverage is prepared with finely ground, unfiltered coffee. It’s served in traditional porcelain cups known as fincan. With its plethora of coffee shops, Istanbul is a dream destination for avid coffee lovers. For an authentic Turkish coffee experience, check out Pierre Loti Café and Fazil Bey’s Turkish Coffee House. If you’d like to explore more trendy establishments, visit The House Café, Java Studio Istanbul and Midpoint Café. And if you prefer your cuppa joe accompanied by a stunning view, look no further than Galata Konak Café. The best time to visit Istanbul is between September and early November.
Jakarta, Indonesia: Coffee is an integral part of the Indonesian lifestyle. The South-Asian country is known for its exceptional coffee varieties, including Java, Sumatran, Toraja and Gayo coffee. More adventurous coffee aficionados might also want to try its Kopi Luwak or civet coffee which also happens to be the most expensive coffee in the world. Jakarta boasts of a rich coffee culture. The bustling capital city is dotted with coffee shops that will please every kind of coffee lover. For those looking for a cozy spot to get their caffeine fix, Lucky Cat Coffee and Kitchen will fit the bill. And if you like all things vintage, Trafique Coffee and Bakoel Koffie should be on your checklist. Meanwhile, if you’re in the mood for some exquisite specialty brews, check out cafés like Anomali and Coffee Grounds. Alternatively, for an immersive cultural experience, enjoy a glass of herb-infused coffee at one of the streetside stalls called warung kopi. If you’re planning a trip to Jakarta, the best time to go is from July to October.
Seattle, Washington, USA: Home to world’s first Starbucks located in Pike Place Market, Seattle is a perfect place for coffee snobs. Fancy elegant indie cafés? Try Elm Coffee Roasters, Lighthouse Roasters, Analog Coffee or Victrola Coffee Roasters. If Instagrammable latte art is your thing, check out Moore Coffee Shop on the 2nd Avenue. Hit up Milstead & Co, if you’d like to sample hard-to-find caffeine treats in a cosmopolitan setting. For fans of traditional establishments with an old-world charm, Café Allegro and Seattle Coffee Works’ Express Bar are highly recommended. Best time for a visit to the rainy city is in late June or between September and October.
Other must-visit destinations include Cuba, Portugal, Finland and Colombia – home to the National Coffee Park – a theme-park complete with attractions like a coffee garden, coffee museum and cable car.
So, where would you head for a caffeine-packed getaway? Let me know in the comments below!
I’ve been a digital journalist and writer for the past four years, primarily covering lifestyle and wellness. After completing my post graduation in International Journalism, I worked as a Features Writer at Cosmopolitan India where I wrote extensively on pop culture, society, and everything lifestyle. I’ve also contributed to The News Hub, Zee News, Business for People and Planet and OneWorld South Asia, among other publications. Other than that, I’m an avid reader and enjoyer of quality procedurals. When not penning articles or chasing deadlines, I like to travel, bake, dabble in poetry, and make DIY craft projects.
source: http://www.forbes.com / Forbes / Home> Lifestyle / by Nomah Nazih, contributor / October 28th, 2018
A view of the defunct musical fountain at Raja Seat.
Deputy Commissioner P I Sreevidya directed officials from Horticulture department to organise the flower and fruit show at Raja Seat in Madikeri in the first week of January.
Speaking at a meeting on the development of Raja Seat and Gadduge park on Monday, she said that flower show will be organised to attract tourists to the district. The repair of musical fountain and toy train at Raja Seat will also take place, at the at the earliest.
She said that staff should be deployed for the maintenance of Raja Seat and Gadduge, and emphasis should be laid on its cleanliness.
Stating that there are several parks in the district, she said she had been receiving complaints on lack of maintenance of parks. The parks should have enough lights and CCTV cameras must be installed, during the event.
Horticulture department Deputy Director Chandrashekar, Senior Assistant Director Devaki, CMC Commissioner M L Ramesh and others were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Naina JA / DH News Service, Madikeri / October 31st, 2018
The seventh day of Dasara Yuva Sambhrama held at the Open Air Theatre in Manasagangothri here last evening saw the participating students sending out messages on Water Conservation, Save Kodagu and Swachh Bharat through their songs and dance.
While the students of Government Arts, Commerce and PG College, Hassan, gave a message on conservation of environment and water, the students of Virajpet First Grade College presented a dance drama for the song ‘Janana-Janana Yarado Papa, Marana-Marana Yarado Shaapa.’ The students later highlighted the devastation caused by floods and landslides in Kodagu and gave messages on the importance of forest conservation.
The students of Jnanadeepa First Grade College danced to the song ‘Mysuru Dasara Yeshtondu Sundara’ which received appreciation from the audience. JSS Women’s College students of Chamarajanagar, all dressed in green, walked up on the stage and highlighted the importance of conserving, protecting and planting trees besides sending out messages on conservation of forests.
Messages such as women empowerment by students of Devaraja Girls Government PU College, Indira Gandhi Government FGC, Sagar, on Kannada and Culture, Madikeri’s Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College students on Freedom Struggle and Mangaluru’s Dr. P. Dayananda Pai-Dr. P. Satish Pai FGC students sent out a message on Swachh Bharat through their dance.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 07th, 2018
The ace Indian shuttler said she felt ‘lucky and blessed’ that she had not faced any sort of sexual harassment in her career.
Ace Indian shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa on Monday backed the country’s #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, saying it’s important to stand by the women who are sharing their experiences.
Since October 5, several women have used social media to make allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct against several journalists, media professionals, actors, writers and others.
“In a nation like India, you need to be tough and careful as well,” Ashwini said. “It’s important to stand by them, listen to them and give them strength and courage. It’s not easy to speak up and voice your opinion.”
Ashwini said she was “lucky and blessed” that she had not faced any sort of sexual harassment in her career. “It’s quite unfortunate with all the things I have read and that’s happened,” she said. “But all I can say is that I am fortunate in that respect that I don’t have much to complain about or say. I am grateful for that.”
Ashwini was speaking to reporters in Kolkata while promoting the inaugural Badminton Express League. The all-amateur meet will have six teams with 14 players each, who will compete for top honours at the Ordnance Club from November 28 to December 2.
Ashwini and her current partner N Sikki Reddy caused a massive upset at the recent Denmark Open, ousting seventh seeds Lee So Hee and Shin Seung Chan of South Korea to make the quarter-finals. Their fine run came to an end against top seeds Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota in the quarter-finals.
“It’s important to understand that when you play doubles, you win and lose together,” Ashwini said. “Sikki and I had a great quarters match and that has given me a lot of confidence that we are going in the right direction.”
She added, “In the quarters [of the Denmark Open] against the Japanese, we tried doing the same as we did against the Koreans. It did not work. We cannot have the same game style against everyone. We need to get better in a few tactical areas too. It’s important to have something special so that we work it towards the end.”
With the Olympics in two years time, Ashwini said she and Sikki are hopeful and working extremely hard to get better. “We are stretching the top players and it’s about time we start winning,” she said.
“Satwik [Rankireddy] and Chirag [Shetty] have had a great run. Sikki and I have had great matches, Satwik and I have had great matches. We are going to do everything we can to qualify and win a medal.”
With inputs from Scroll Staff
source: http://www.scroll.in / Scroll.in / Home> Field> Badminton / Press Trust of India / October 30th, 2018
The Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota (2018) actor speaks about his upcoming roles in Eros Now’s Smoke and Commando 3.
More and more actors and actresses are being drawn to web-series these days. From Amazon’s Inside Edge to Netflix’s Sacred Games, all have boasted of versatile ensemble casts. Now it is the turn of Eros Now to unveil its latest online series, Smoke.
The show, which take a look at the drug mafia in Goa, stars Jim Sarbh, Kalki Koechlin, Mandira Bedi, Gulshan Devaiah, Amit Sial, Satyadeep Mishra, Neil Bhoopalam, Prakash Belawadi, and the late Tom Alter.
Actor Gulshan Devaiah spoke to Cinestaan.com about why he took on the role of gangster Jairam Jha in the web-series.
“When the producers came to me, they offered me the character of Jairam Jha who is from Bihar. Being a proper South Indian, I thought it was pretty gutsy of them to offer me a role of a Bihari,” he recalled.
He told the producers he would need time to prepare. But he later agreed to the part, saying, “I take a lot of confidence in people having a lot of confidence in me.” That person was producer Faisal Malik, who had faith in Gulshan Devaiah’s abilities.
“I don’t buckle under such pressure, I thrive,” the actor continued. “I want to try and I do believe that I am a versatile and diverse artiste. These are opportunities that I jump upon when they come to me. This is an opportunity where I can actually put my money where my mouth is. So I was really happy. That’s one of the main reasons why I wanted to do this.”
Further, he believed in the producers and directors on the web-series who wanted to raise the digital content being produced in India.
“I think we suffer from not paying enough attention to quality,” he said. “These people that I was working with, they seemed like they had their hearts and minds in the place where they would say that we want to make something entertaining, that people will like, but we want to make a good product at the end of the day which will take this genre forward in a positive direction. I was in agreement with that.”
source: http://www.youtube.com
SMOKE Trailer | An Eros Now Original Series | All Episodes Streaming Now
Smoke’s impressive cast was another strong selling point. Asked if he knew who was working on the project before he signed up for it, the actor replied in the affirmative.
“I knew everybody that I was working with,” he said. “I didn’t know them personally. It was the first time I was working with Mr Tom Alter, who was such a fine actor and a thespian. We will surely miss him. Mandira Bedi is also a proven actor and it was fantastic to work with her. Kalki and Neil are friends, so it was easy with them.
“Amit Sial, whom I have always admired, he is a fabulous actor and it was a great opportunity for me to work with him and another gentleman from Bangalore called Prakash Belawadi who is a very prominent theatre person,” he continued. “They put together an interesting and diverse cast so that was also an incentive to see how it would be.”
The web-series, directed by Neel Guha, examines characters through the lens of greed and power.
“It looks at greed and power from different perspectives, of all these characters. They are all after the same thing. Everything is in grey and there are different shades of grey depending on the situation and on who they are and what they want. So it looks at that, which is an advantage in the case of Smoke, because in a film it would be a much more narrowed down point of view, and greed and power are things which are very common and we are suffering the effects of that as we speak.”
Besides Smoke and his double role in Vasan Bala’s Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota (2018), Gulshan Devaiah has also signed on to play the antagonist to Vidyut Jammwal’s lead character for the third Commando film, for which shooting has begun. The actor joked that he did not require any training for the film as he already knows karate after training for Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota.
“My attempt is always to try and do something different, try and see how I can create and contribute,” he said. “This, to put it simply, would be an out-and-out commercial film. I also feel that I don’t restrict my sensibilities as an artiste to certain kinds of films. Sometimes, you have to do as many films as possible.”
He sat down with the film’s producer and director to work out how his character would take shape.
“We play villains like villains. That’s exactly what I’m not trying to do. For the sake of everybody understanding how exactly I fit in, it’s the antagonist, but from my point of view, I’m not playing it as the antagonist. I would completely disagree and say I’m not the antagonist, I am the protagonist,” he said.
With his approach he hopes to give fans of the Commando franchise something exciting to look forward to. The third Commando film is scheduled for release in 2019 while the 11-episode web-series Smoke was made available for streaming on Eros Now on 26 October.
source: http://www.cinestaan.com / Cinestaan / Home> Interview> Hindi / by Sonal Pandya / Mumbai – October 28th, 2018
Kodagu’s WCM Ananya Suresh won the Karnataka State U-19 Women’s Chess Tourney held at Kalaburagi from Oct.20 to 22, with six points from seven rounds.
Mysuru girl and former State women’s chess champion H.R. Manasa finished runner-up with 5.5 points from seven rounds.
In the open section, Samarth J. Rao won the title with 7.5 points from eight rounds.
In the girls section, Manasa had wins over Arfa Noorus Saba, S. Mahima, Swara Lakshmi S. Nair and AFM Renganayaki. She had draws against Divya, Ananya Suresh and S. Rajashree. Both Ananya Suresh and Manasa will represent Karnataka in the National U-19 Women’s Championships.
Final Placings — Women’s: 1. WCM Ananya Suresh (6), 2. H.R. Manasa (5.5-31.5), 3. Mahima Sherigar (5.5-29), 4. S. Rajashree (5-32.5) and 5. AFM Renganayaki (5-31).
source:http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Gallery> Photo News / October 24th, 2018
Rwanda has made strides in being competitive in the global market, producing quality cash crop.
It only came as a surprise to many who have not followed the growth of Rwandan coffee over the years.
Rwanda’s efforts to produce one of the best quality in the coffee sector has indeed paid off. Rwanda’s coffee has now scooped two awards in the 3rd annual Ernesto Illy International Coffee Awards that took place on October.
Ngororero Coffee Washing Station bagged a brace of prestigious accolades including “Best of the Best” and “Coffee Lover’s Choice” awards, marking a historical milestone. No coffee from any part of the world has ever picked up both awards, which was an achievement that will go down into the history books. Indeed the strategies to make the world’s best coffee bore fruits.
In its bid to be competitive in the international market, Rwanda has made a series of changes in the coffee sector, to ensure high-quality production of the cash crop. Last year, the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) implemented new approaches that ranked the country’s export among the best, globally.
Based on the beans’ aromatic richness, complexity, balance, elegance and aroma intensity, and strength, a jury of coffee experts in New York, USA considered Rwanda’s coffee as “Best of the Best.” The exposure was vital for the country to learn more about the global market and areas to improve to be at the top of the log.
Bagging the two awards this year, Rwanda edged top producers of coffee in the world including Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, and Nicaragua. The country eased past both South American and East Asian countries that as well are potential competitors in producing top-notch quality coffee.
llycaffè S.p.A. an Italian coffee roasting company that specializes in the production of espresso announced Rwanda’s coffee milestone in the gala. The company that was founded by Francesco Illy in 1933 is a global leader in high-quality coffee, passionate about perfection.
Rwanda made its official debut at exporting roasted coffee to the USA in 2017, a ten-tonne consignment with the first shipment valued at U$77,000. The business partnership opened up other investment opportunities for the Rwanda coffee to expand its market and increase its share of export revenue. It also boosts trade in the agriculture sector between the U.S and Rwanda, furthering the partnership between America and Africa.
Rwanda seeks to export at least 24, 500 tonnes of quality coffee in a year, 1,500 tonnes more than 2017 and 2,500 tonnes more than 2016. As part of NAEB’s strategies to produce quantity and quality coffee, they aim at planting 34,000 new coffee trees by the year 2024.
Global prices should increase the export receipts given that the country sells quality cash crop. Rwanda’s total coffee export revenue rose to $59.8 million in the first 11 months of 2017, up from $53.8 million earned over the same period in 2016, registering a growth in value of 11.1 percent or $6 million.
source: http://www.exchange.co.tz / Exchange / Home> Industry & Trade> Agribusiness / by John Green / October 18th, 2018
The old private bus stand of Madikeri being demolished.
The old private bus stand in Madikeri, which had been a landmark for several years, joined the pages of history as it was demolished on Thursday.
The building comprising the bus stand is being demolished using earth movers. During the massive floods and landslides in August, the hillock behind the bus stand had caved in. However, the bus stand building had stood intact. Mud from the hillock had been sliding quite often since then and therefore, the city municipal council decided to clear the building along with the hillock to prevent further mishap.
Shopkeepers and hoteliers at the bus stand complex, have shifted to safer places. Some of them have returned to their native place to start their business all over again.
Regular bus commuters who have been associated with the old bus stand recollected the days when they used to come to Madikeri private bus stand to catch buses which would ferry them to the nooks and corners of Kodagu.
During his visit to the district, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had directed the officials concerned to clear the old bus stand building. The CMC could not take up the clearing work owing to shortage of funds then.
The land which is situated in the heart of Madikeri is worth crores. The CMC has planned to construct a commercial complex, but the project could not be implemented as there is shortage of funds. The commercial complex to be built in Public Private Partnership is expected to fetch revenue to the CMC.
The private buses have been ferrying commuters from the new private bus stand near Race Course road since last two months. But, the response of people is dull as there is lack of basic amenities there.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Mangaluru / by Adithya KA / DH News Service, Madkeri / October 26th, 2018
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