Teaming up with Ivanov helping my game: Ashwini Ponnappa

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Ponnappa says finding the right mixed doubles partner is a tough task. (TOI Photo)
Ponnappa says finding the right mixed doubles partner is a tough task. (TOI Photo)

Pune :

For a Sania Mirza or Leander Paes, combining with a foreign partner is a part and parcel of the game. But the trend isn’t very popular in badminton.

Though it started as an experiment for doubles specialist Ashwini Ponnappa, the Karnataka shuttler is hopeful of her newly-formed partnership with Russian men’s player Vladmir Ivanov.

Playing with Ivanov will not only add another dimension to her perspective, but also help do better in women’s doubles with Jwala Gutta.

“With Ivanov, I will learn new training methods, techniques, which are followed in that part of the world. It will also help me do well with Jwala in women’s doubles, which is my pet event,” said the 2011 World Championship bronze winner.

Ponnappa, who has played with Ivanov in three tournaments so far, says finding the right mixed doubles partner is a tough task.

“It is a trial-and-error thing until you find the right partner,” said the 25-year-old player, who has previously partnered compatriot Tarun Kona.

For Ponnappa, the idea struck after her stint in the Indian Badminton League (IBL) last year. “You can say that the IBL experience of playing with Joachim Fischer has been the best for me so far. I learnt a lot while playing with Joachim. It made me open up to the idea of having a foreign partner for international meets,” the Bangalorean said.

With Ivanov, Ponnappa is aiming to improve her mixed doubles world ranking. “I have played three tournaments together with Ivanov and hopefully we will participate in more, next year. Improving on the mixed doubles rankings would be priority,” she said.

Though the association is allowed in Super Series, World Championships and other open championships, she will not be able to carry it to the Olympics or the Asian Games.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Badminton / by Tushar Dutt, TNN / November 15th, 2014

Coffee Board targets 400,000 tonnes production in 5 years

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

Enhances subsidy rates and extends assistance to corporates & co-operatives in 12th Plan period

The Coffee Board has set a target of achieving 400,000 tonnes of bean production through more of planting and productivity in the next five to 10 years, about 30 per cent growth over current output.

In 2013-14, production was 304,500 tonnes, a level it has roughly stayed at in recent years.

“Coffee production has stagnated. We have chalked out several programmes like area expansion in non-traditional areas and replanting in traditional areas, along with productivity enhancement,” Board chairman Jawaid Akhtar told planters here on Thursday.

A package has been readied for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Plantations in the former’s Araku valley were hit by the recent Hudhud cyclone; about 1,000 tonnes of damage is estimated. Tribals in the region had grown around 6,700 tonnes, spread over 58,000 hectares, Akhtar said. As part of the area expansion, he told the annual coffee conference organised by Karnataka Planters’ Association and United Planters’ Association of Southern India, the aim is to have the Araku valley produce around 25,000 tonnes in the next five years. The Board has proposed to provide Rs 10 per kg subsidy to tribals for marketing it, he said.

The Board has also proposed to continue its replantation and expansion subsidy for growers. The modalities to implement new schemes are likely to be approved next week, Akhtar said. It wishes to retain the replantation or expansion subsidy rates at 40 per cent for areas up to two hectares, 30 per cent for two to 10 ha and 25 per cent for holdings above 10 ha for the 12th Plan period. In addition, it has proposed to raise the unit cost calculation by 75 per cent to Rs 175,000 a ha. For the first time, it has proposed to have corporate groups and co-operatives be eligible for the subsidy.

Also for the first time, the Board has introduced a subsidy for eco-certification, at half the certification cost, with a ceiling of Rs 50,000 a beneficiary. It has also raised the subsidy for quality upgradation to Rs 2.5 lakh up to 20 ha.

The Board has also continued a subsidy scheme for pollution abatement measures and made corporate and cooperative growers’ bodies eligible. The rate of subsidy is to be doubled to 40 per cent, with a ceiling of Rs 5 lakh for a beneficiary.

It has also proposed to enhance the rainfall insurance premiums for small growers and reimburse them up to 75 per cent of the premium. For the first time, it has proposed a support of Rs 4 a kg of clean coffee to small grower collectives, self-help groups and other cooperatives.

The incentive for export of value-added coffee in retail packs as India brands has been enhanced by 50 per cent to Rs 3 a kg. Plus a doubling of the incentive for export of high value coffee to high value markets, to Rs 2 a kg.

Also for the first time, a 25 per cent subsidy on the cost of machinery for curing units, to a ceiling of Rs 50 lakh each.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Markets> Commodities> Other Commodities / by Mahesh Kulkarni / Bengaluru – November 13th, 2014

Robusta surge expected to brew up higher coffee output

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

India’s coffee production is forecast to increase by 1 lakh bags to 5.1 million on higher robusta output in Karnataka, the largest coffee producing state, according to the Karnataka Planters Association (KPA) Chairman D Govindappa Jayaram.

Briefing reporters on Wednesday, Jayaram said arabica production is forecast modestly lower as it enters the off-year of the biennial production cycle. Forecast for bean exports is unchanged at 3.7 million. The Coffee Board’s final estimate for 2013-14 is 3,04,500 lakh metric tonnes comprising 1,02,200 metric tonnes of arabica and 2,02,300 metric tonnes of robusta.

The final estimate for Karnataka is 2,11,100 tonnes with 78,440 tonnes of arabica and 1,32,600 tonnes of robusta. Post-blossom forecast for 2014-15 is placed at 3,44,750 metric tonnes comprising 1,05,500 tonnes of arabica and 2,39,250 tonnes of robusta.“We, however, estimate that production will decline 20-30 per cent during 2013-14 and the estimate of the Coffee Board during 2014-15 will not be reached, in particular, arabica coffee which has seen severe incidence of white stem borer,” Jayaram said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Business / Bengaluru – DHNS, November 12th, 2014

State-level co-operative week from November 14

Business & Economy

CooperativeKF23nov2014

The 61st All India Cooperative week will be observed in the state at Raitha Bhavan in Kushalnagar from November 14. All preparations have been made for the success of the programme, said Kodagu district Central Cooperative Bank President B D Manjunath.

Addressing mediapersons in Madikeri on Wednesday, he said that a jatha will be carried out from Primary school at 10 am. The jatha, comprising art troupes will reach Raitha Bhavan at 11 am, followed by the stage function.

District in-charge minister K J George will hoist the organisation flag. Minister for Cooperation H S Mahadevaprasad will inaugurate, Excise minister V Srinivas Prasad will felicitate senior leaders from cooperation sector.

MLA MP Appachu Ranjan will inaugurate a book ‘Sahakarigalondige Samalochane’ on the occasion. MLA K G Bopaiah will unviel the portrait of Cooperative movement pioneer Kuradanagowda P Doddaiah. MP Prathap Simha will inaugurate an exhibition. Senior leader of the cooperative sector M C Nanaiah will be felicitated on the occasion. Cooperative Union President G T Devegowda will preside over.

The entrance archs will of the venue will be named after Dr Varghese Kurian, Siddannagowda, Sannaramanagowda Patil, Kuradanagowda Doddiah and S R Varadaraju Shetty. The 61st All India Cooperative week will be observed with the coordination of State Cooperative Union, State credit cooperative association union and District Central Cooperative Banks.

Kodagu district Cooperative Union President M P Muthappa said that special lectures will be organised for students.

Cooperative Union Deputy Registrar G R Vijay Kumar, DCC Bank General Manager Muthanna, Kodagu district Cooperative Union CEO Yogendra Nayak and others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS, November 13th, 2014

Star this Week : Ekalavya Awardee Navaneetha

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

NavaneethaBF22nov204

Basketball is a very popular sport in the International sporting scene and it’s a game which demands speed, ability and stamina. Our city’s women’s basketball player P.U. Navaneetha has been a outstanding performer for Karnataka in the senior and junior levels. She has represented India in the FIBA Asia Youth Cup and has also attended the Indian Junior camp. She was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Ekalavya Award’ for her feats in the sport at a grand function held at Vidhana Soudha last week. She is our ‘Star This Week.’

Navaneetha, 20, is the daughter of P.P. Udhay Kumar and P.U. Girija, residents of Suntikoppa, Kodagu. A 1st year MA student at Teresian College for Women, Mysuru, and a product of the Department of Youth & Empowerment Services (DYES, Mysuru), Navaneetha has been performing consistently in National and State basketball scene.

Encouraged by her parents, she joined Sports School, Vidyanagar and later on joined Sports Hostel, Mysuru, in 2006. Initially she was coached by B.S. Girish, SAK Basketball coach and presently she is being trained by DYES & SAK Basketball coach M.B. Patil at DYES, Mysuru.

A forward, Navaneetha is an attacking player and impresses with her skilful play. She began her career by representing Karnataka in the School Nationals held at Punjab in 2008 and from then on has never looked back. She has represented the State in the women’s Nationals, Youth Nationals in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, she represented the State in the Senior and Junior Nationals in Delhi.

She represented the Mysore University in the Inter-University Championships in 2011-12 at Kannur and has been a regular in the team from then on.

In 2009-10, her excellent play in the Nationals earned her the Indian cap when she donned Indian colours in the 1st FIBA Asia U-16 Championships held at Pune. She also took part in the NBA All India Tournament held at Delhi in 2001-12.

She took part in the Junior Indian and Youth Indian camp held at Deli and Tamil Nadu respectively. She represented Karnataka in the Federation Cup held at Gujarat in 2013-14.

Encouraged by her parents, coaches, DYES, Teresian College and the Mysore University, Navaneetha intends to work hard and represent the country in the senior level

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Sunday , November 16th, 2014

‘Submit report on ESAs by Nov 24’

About Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

MadkeriKF22nov2014

The High level Working Group of Western Ghats (HLWG) has identified 1,576 villages in Karnataka as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA). Of which, 53 villages have been included in Kodagu district. Additional DC Abhiram G Shankar and DCF Manikanta have directed the officials from Forest and Revenue departments to submit the report on ESAs after conducting a survey by November 24.

Speaking at a training for the officials on Monday, the Additional DC said that the officials should visit the identified villages and submit a report. After compiling the reports submitted by the officials, a detailed report will be sent to the State government.

Teams have been constituted to identify natural landscapes. The district level committee will have DC and forest officials as its members, while the village level committee will have officials from revenue, forest and gram panchayat president as its members. The public and NGOs can give their representation on ESAs to the district level committee.

The Additional DC said, if need be, the survey would be undertaken after consulting Horticulture and Agriculture departments.

Villages
The villages identified as ESAs are Ayyangeri, Bettathooru, Bhagamandala, Chelavara, Cherangala, Galibeedu, Hammiyala, Kalooru, Karada, Karike, Kolagadalu, Kopatti, Kundachery, Made, Melchembu, Monnangeri, Mukkodlu, Naladi, Peroor, Sampaje, Sannapolikotu, Tannimani and Yavakapady in Madikeri taluk; Aanekadu, Athoor forest, Bageri forest, Jainkalabetta, Yadavanadu, Jainkalabetta 2, Kattepura, Kumaralli, Maralli, Malambi, Mavinahalla, Mulluru, Nidta, Soorlabbu and Yadavanadu forest -2 in Somwarpet taluk and Arekeri forest-1, Arekere forest-3, Badaga, Badagarakeri, Chennayana Kote, Devamacchi forest, Devanooru Hathugattu, Teggalli, Karadigodu, Kedamullur, Kurchi, Kutta, Kuttandi, Maldare, Manchalli, Nalakeri forest, Palangala forest, Parakattageri and Badaga in Virajpet taluk.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS, November 11th, 2014

India’s forgotten track and field athlete – Ashwini Nachappa

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Ashwini Nachappa
Ashwini Nachappa

Ashwini Nachappa was one of the most promising Indian athletes during the 1980s. She came into the limelight after she beat P.T Usha on two occasions. She was referred as India’s FloJo due to her agility on the track.

Ashwini represented India in three South Asian Federation games – Nepal,1984(she won two silver medals), Bangladesh,1986(she won two silver medals) and Pakistan, 1988 (she won three gold medals). She won a silver in the 4 X 100m relay at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. She was also part of the Indian contingent for the World Championships in 1987 in Rome and 1991 in Tokyo.

Ashwini received the prestigious Arjuna award for her contribution to Indian athletics. The Karnataka girl forayed into films and won Nandi award for best debut actress for the film Aswani, her own story. However, her achievements on the track are not known to many.

She is a social worker, educationist and has also built a school. She is currently the president of the Bangalore Urban District Athletics Association.

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / Sports Keeda / Home> Athletics> Analysis / by Jai Prakash / November 10th, 2014

Birthday special: Lesser known facts about Robin Uthappa

Records, All, Sports

Indian wicket-keeper batsman Robin Uthappa turns 29 today. We bring to you some interesting facts about the Karnataka player on his birthday.

Robin Uthappa. Pic/ AFP
Robin Uthappa. Pic/ AFP

Robin Uthappa scored 86 runs on his ODI debut against England in 2006. It was the highest score by an Indian player on a debut in ODIs.

He is nicknamed ‘The Walking Assassin’.

Uthappa became the first Indian player to score a half-century in a T20I match. He scored 50 runs against Pakistan to take the team total to 141. The match ended in a draw.

Robin Uthappa was the costliest player, behind Gautam Gambhir, to be purchased during the IPL 2011 season. He was bought by Pune Warriors India for USD 2.1 million.
He won the Orange cap (top scorer of the tournament) in the IPL 7 season with 660 runs scored for Kolkata Knight Riders.

He holds the record for most consecutive 40+ scores in 8 games consecutively.
He broke Matthew Hayden’s record of most 40+ scores in a single season by scoring so 11 times.

His impressive performance during the IPL 7 season saw him selected as captain of the India A team touring Australia.

In all he played for four Indian Premier League teams – Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors India and Kolkata Knight Riders.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day / Home> Sports News> Cricket News / by A Correspondent / November 11th, 2014

Chikkarangappa clinches TAKE Solutions India Masters

Sports

Local favourite Chikkarangappa S. made a valiant comeback with a final round of five-under 67 to earn his maiden international win at the Asian Development Tour’s TAKE Solutions India Masters in Bangalore on Saturday.

Chikkarangappa, playing at his home course Eagleton, overcame the overnight six-shot deficit as he posted a tournament total of 18-under 270 to achieve a remarkable two-stroke victory at the $70,000 event.

Abhishek Jha, another Bangalorean and good friend and practice partner of Chikka, shot a contrasting three-over 75 to finish runner-up at 16-under 272 despite starting the day with a six-shot lead.

Chikkarangappa (64-70-69-67), who was overnight tied second and nursing an injury in his left wrist, had a three-shot swing early in his favour as he converted a 25-footer for birdie on the third even as Abhishek Jha (66-66-65-75) dropped bogeys on the third and fourth.

Abhishek three-putted on the third and found the trees on the fourth.

Chikka narrowed the gap to two shots after making a tricky 10-feet birdie putt on the eighth. Both the Eagleton-based professionals birdied the 10th but Jha conceded another shot with a three-putt for bogey on the 12th. Chikka finally drew level with Jha thanks to a 30-feet birdie conversion on the 15th.

Chikka, who became the second Indian after Sujjan Singh to win on the Asian Development Tour, said, “I’m delighted to finally win at my home course. Last few events I was right up there on the leaderboard but couldn’t somehow take my chances.

The 30-feet birdie putt on the 15th was the turning point today. I felt I had the momentum from there on. Then after Abhishek’s double-bogey on the next hole, I made sure I birdied the 17th.

“I felt I came back really well after the setback with the triple-bogey on the second day and the injury to my wrist on the third day. I couldn’t sleep till late last night due to the pain in my wrist and had to keep applying ice on it to be ready for the final round. I dedicate this win to my late grandfather who passed away last week.”

Sweden’s Nils Floren fired a 67 in the final round to finish third at 14-under 274. C Muniyappa of Bangalore returned a 66 to share fourth place with Niall Turner of Ireland at 13-under 275.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / PTI / Bangalore – November 01st, 2014

Harinderpal, Joshna reign

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Harinderpal Singh Sandhu dethroned Saurav Ghosal while Joshna Chinappa pocketed her 13th title, beating Sachika Ingale to take the titles.
Harinderpal Singh Sandhu dethroned Saurav Ghosal while Joshna Chinappa pocketed her 13th title, beating Sachika Ingale to take the titles.

Harinderpal Singh Sandhu ushered in a change of guard, dethroning Saurav Ghosal in the final to clinch his first title at the senior National squash championships.

“If it had to be anybody to beat me, I am happy it is him,” remarked the latter after losing the men’s final in 74 minutes. Harinderpal won in five sets, 11-2, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9.

Two sets up, Harinder found himself at the receiving end when Saurav got into the groove to wrest the third and fourth and take the title clash into the decider. “I committed a schoolboy error,” he said. “Saurav does not allow you to get back after such mistakes,” he said.

Winning the decider against the champion demanded mental preparation. “I was ready to grab the chance. It is about restricting my thinking to within four walls of the court and shutting out anything happening outside.”

Harinder led 9-0 in the first, 4-0 in the second, and did not allow the loss of next two sets to disrupt concentration in the decider.

The newly-crowned champion flew out on Saturday night for the Asian Beach Games at Phuket, along with Kush Kumar for company.

Joshna Chinappa pocketed her 13th title, blasting past Sachika Ingale 11-3, 11-3, 11-6 in just 22 minutes.

Commenting on the competitors, Chinappa said: “Playing the pro circuit is the only way forward for these young girls, instead of playing the junior circuit.”

The results (finals):

Men: Harinderpal Singh Sandhu (TN) bt Saurav Ghosal (TN) 11-2, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9. Women: Joshna Chinappa (TN) bt Sachika Ingale (UP) 11-3, 11-3, 11-6. Professionals: Parminder Singh (Del)) bt Parthiban A (TN) 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by Nandakumar Marar / Mumbai – November 09th, 2014