This Woman from Srirangapatna is the Queen Bee Among Entrepreneurs

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, World Opinion
Chayaa nanjappa National Best Entrepreneur Award From the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India was presented toher in Hyderabad on Monday. |EPS
Chayaa nanjappa National Best Entrepreneur Award From the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India was presented toher in Hyderabad on Monday. |EPS

Bangalore :

From Srirangapatna to Europe, it has been a long and difficult journey for 42-year-old Chayaa Nanjappa. But she has battled the odds and today heads a rural enterprise which produces high-quality honey that sweetens many a home even in Europe and the United States.

As a reward for her hard work, Chayaa was on Monday awarded this year’s ‘National Best Entrepreneur Award’ in food processing by the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India.

Her path to success has not been a smooth one; she had to overcome many an adversity, physical abuse and traumatic relationships. But now, this gentle, self-made woman provides a livelihood for not only many illiterates of Mysore and Mandya districts, but also some tribals across the state. She is also the largest buyer of forest honey from Malayalis and tribes like Siddis and Jenu Kurubas.

She began her journey by setting up a small unit at Bommanahalli with the help of a `10-lakh loan. She then shifted operations to Nanjangud and later, to Srirangapatna.

Today her enterprise Nectar Fresh, which produces monofloral honey, has a capacity of 200 tonnes and is worth `6 crore. It is one of the largest bulk suppliers and packers of honey in the country and falls in the top five bulk exporters of raw as well as processed honey. Nectar Fresh also has the ISO 22000:2005 certification.

Chayaa told Express, “With no work experience or exposure, I started a rural industry in 2007 that could be identified with my hometown, Coorg. After doing a basic course from Central Bee Research and Training Institute (CBRTI), I jumped into the industry completely, sourcing honey from tribes and farmers.” She has 20 mobile apiary vans across the country.

Going International

To earn her brand a significant international presence, she decided to market it as a basket of products, including jams and sauces. The result: it found a place in the European market. “I added jams and sauces to my basket by purchasing pulp from sick units run by women in places like Bangalore and Mangalore, and sourcing fruits like papaya and tomato directly from farmers,” she said.

With exports to Germany and France, Nectar Fresh has broken the monopoly of global companies like Bereenberg, Darbo and Bonne Maman. “We met the stringent standards necessary for approval to export to Germany and made a strong impact by packaging our honey and jam in polypropylene sachets for high quality and shelf life. The European competitors feel threatened by our presence,” said Chayaa, who is now busy tying up with a Saudi Arabian company for the production of jams from dates.

She credited the Karnataka Village Industries Board (KVIB), CBRTI, the Horticulture Department, the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Le Meridien, ITC Foods and a host of others who supported her. “Any small and marginal farmer in Karnataka producing quality honey can contact me. My sole aim is to promote rural products and help women in distress by providing employment opportunities,” she said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Meera Bhardwaj / July 31st, 2014

Ashwini urges fans to adopt homeless dogs in new PETA campaign

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

Ace India shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa has teamed up with PETA India for a brand-new ad campaign that shows her relaxing with rescued dog ‘Shifu’ next to her racket with the caption reading, “Love All. Adopt a Dog or Cat From an Animal Shelter!”

Just before heading to the ongoing Commonwealth Games at Glasgow, Ashwini took time out of her busy schedule to team up with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India for this brand-new ad that encourages her fans to open up their homes to a homeless cat or dog.

“Stray dogs don’t have anywhere to go, and they’re chased a lot by people. They’re beaten up. They also get run over by cars,” she says.

“Instead of buying a dog, please go and adopt stray dogs and cats who need a home. And it will help them out and help you out, because you will have a companion at home.”

The ad was shot by ace photographer Sam Mohan, while Ashwini’s hair and make-up was done by Ralph Daniels.

“Pedigree” cats and dogs, who have been bred for certain exaggerated physical traits such as squashed-in noses and long ears, are more susceptible to developing medical problems, including cancer, kidney disease, joint ailments, hip dysplasia, heart defects, epilepsy and eye and ear infections.

Ponnappa won the gold medal in women’s doubles in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. She also won the bronze medal in the women’s doubles competition in the 2011 BWF World Championships.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / Press Trust of India / Mumbai – July 27th, 2014

‘Madikeri to get water from Kundamestri shortly’

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

The work on a temporary project to supply water from Kundamestri is nearing completion. The water from Kundamestri is likely to be supplied to the citizens of Madikeri by the week end.

Sand bunds have been laid to store water. The collected water will be supplied to Kootuhole through pipes. After filtering the water at a Filter house at Stuart Hill, water will be supplied to the citizens.

Madikeri reels under water crisis every year during summer. The work on Kundamestri project was initiated to mitigate water crisis.

However, owing to delay in release of funds, the work could not be completed. Now the estimated cost of the project has been escalated.

The Kundamestri project is being implemented by Karnataka Water Supply and Sewage Board. It will take another one year to complete the work.

Board Executive Engineer Balachandra has expressed confidence of completing the work. The project has been taken up keeping in mind the development of Madikeri in the next 50 years.

When the water level declines in Kootuhole, water will be supplied from Kundamestri to Kootuhole.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Srikanth Kallammanavar / Madikeri – DHNS, July 26th, 2014

Seats for two courses at Chikka Aluvara go abegging

Education

It was noon on Friday and only four students had got admission to the postgraduate Microbiology course of Mangalore University offered at its post graduate centre in Chikka Aluvara, Kodagu district.

The fifth student at the microbiology admission desk at the Mangala auditorium at Mangalagangotri – catering to the students seeking admission to Chikka Aluvara centre – was buying some time to pay the full fee.

If that student paid the full fee the microbiology department would have the minimum of five students to run the course. A teacher was seen asking the student to give an undertaking that she would pay the balance to confirm her admission.

A teacher of the department told The Hindu that if the fifth student joined the course, only five of the 16 merit category seats would have been filled up.

Teachers at the desk said that of the 10 students who joined the course during the last academic year, only eight remained.

According to them, the university starting the course on the Mangalagangotri campus from this academic year had hit the admissions at Chikka Aluvara this year. For the same course to be offered at Mangalagangothri campus, 14 students got admitted against 16 merit category seats on Friday.

The bio-chemistry course at Chikka Aluvara centre also appears to have been hit because of it being offered on the Mangalagangothri campus from the current year. Teachers said only nine students joined the course at Chikka Aluvara against 16 merit seats. Last year more than 20 students had joined on the first day.

Each course has six permanent teachers at Chikka Aluvara with five each being Ph.D holders. On the university campus both the courses would have to be managed by guest teachers. On the university campus, 15 out of the 16 merit category seats of bio-chemistry were filled on Friday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangalore / by RaviPrasad Kamila / Mangalore – July 26th, 2014

Nanaiah may head panel on safety of women, children

Leaders

Bangalore :

Former law minister MC Nanaiah is likely to head the expert committee to suggest measures for safety of women and children.

Several rapes in the state, especially in Bangalore, prompted the government to constitute the committee comprising legislators, representatives of social organizations, women and children’s organizations and legal experts.

“The official notification will be issued in a day or two. The panel will have eminent persons,” home minister KJ George told TOI.

This apart, for the first time, the term “rapist” will be incorporated in The Karnataka Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Gamblers, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum Grabbers Act, 1985, commonly known as the Goonda Act.

The amendments to the Goonda Act would be introduced in the ongoing session of legislature. Though sexual offences are not covered under the act in its present form, the six accused in the gang-rape of a law student on the Jnanabharathi campus in October 2012 were booked under the Goonda Act. Normally, repeat offenders in crimes are included under the Goonda Act, but amendments to the act will include first-time rape offenders.

Persons booked under the Goonda Act can be detained for one year without trial.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore / July 25th, 2014

SAI funds to boost Ashwini Nachappa’s foundation in Kodagu

Education, Sports

Union Sports Ministry sanctions Rs. 5.50 crore for the Foundation

Bangalore :

Budding athletes in Kodagu and surrounding districts have all reasons to smile as Ashwini Nachappa’s Sports Foundation at Kaikeri near Gonikoppa in Kodagu district will be converted into a national training hub for athletics with the installation of an eight-lane synthetic athletic track.

The sports foundation arena will be installed with synthetic track worth Rs. 5.50 crore. The idea of installing synthetic track was mooted by former international athlete Ashwini Nachappa in 2010 for which the Union Sports Ministry gave an approval at the beginning of this year. The Sports Ministry has decided to sanction the facility under the National Sports Development Scheme and is expected to the benefit the budding and national level athletes.

Sports Authority of India (SAI) Netaji Subhas Southern Centre, has signed an 30-year agreement with Ashwini’s Sports Foundation for utilisation of Synthetic Athletic Track and allied infrastructure to be built in the coming days.

The Rs 5.50 crore agreement was signed by Roque Dias, Regional Director, SAI and Arjun Awardee Ashwini Nachappa who is Founder and Managing Trustee of the Foundation, according to the sources.

The new facility at Kodagu will enable Sports Authority of India to conduct National Camps and organise sports events. The ministry is expected to release first installment (25 percent of the total cost) along with the finalisation of tender for the installation of the synthetic track. Technical Committee comprising of officials, experts and Olympians will look into the works which are expected to commence in November this year.

The entire project will cost Rs. 9.90 crore. With the Union Government funding Rs. 5.50 crore, the foundation will have to raise Rs. 4.40 crore.The Foundation is already being helped by Biocon’s Kiran Mazumbdar Shaw, Mohandas Pai and the Embassy Group to run the existing the facility. The foundation has 28 trainees and athletes between age group of 12-19 years in which few of them have already made a mark at the State and National level.

With Government coming forward to the support such initiatives, it will definitely help in country producing quality athletes who could make our country proud at international level.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / July 22nd, 2014

Visitors flock to picturesque spots along the Cauvery

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature
The Gaganachukki waterfalls in Mandya district is one among the tourist spots along the Cauvery that has been attracting visitors every day for the past two weeks / . Photo : Special Arrangement / The Hindu
The Gaganachukki waterfalls in Mandya district is one among the tourist spots along the Cauvery that has been attracting visitors every day for the past two weeks / . Photo : Special Arrangement / The Hindu

The outflow from the reservoir was at the rate of just 350 cusecs on July 8. However, it rose to 8,052 cusecs on July 15 as the Irrigation Department began discharging water to Tamil Nadu.

With the Irrigation Department releasing water from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS), tourism spots along the Cauvery have been witnessing a steady rise in the number of tourists for the past couple of weeks.

Catchment areas of the Cauvery in Kodagu district and areas upstream of the reservoir received good spells of rainfall in recent days and therefore, the inflow rate into the reservoir has increased significantly. The authorities have increased the outflow from the reservoir, owing to which, these tourism spots now look vibrant and picturesque.

Tourism spots
Visitors are flocking to KRS, Balamuri waterfalls, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Srirangapatna, Paschima Vahini, Gende Hosahalli Bird Sanctuary, Mahadevapura, Muthathi, Bheemeshwari fishing camp, Shivanasamudra and Gaganachukki waterfalls in the district.

The outflow from the reservoir was at the rate of just 350 cusecs on July 8. However, it rose to 8,052 cusecs on July 15 as the Irrigation Department began discharging water to Tamil Nadu. It continuously increased till Sunday, when it was 11,475 cusecs at 6.30 a.m. The CNNL then reduced the outflow rate to 446 cusecs on Sunday night. It was, however, increased to 3,100 cusecs on Tuesday morning.

At least 20,000 tourists — domestic and foreign nationals — have been visiting these places every day for the past two weeks. Many of them come from Bangalore and other parts of south India to take in the beauty of nature, a senior officer of the Department of Tourism told The Hindu here on Tuesday.

He said that the number of people thronging these tourism spots was expected to increase in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the Mandya police have deployed additional policemen at Muthathi, Gaganachukki and Balamuri, KRS and other places to prevent loss of life and property.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by M. T. Shiva Kumar / Mandya – July 23rd, 2014

‘Cauvery’ squad to help women in Kodagu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

To curtail rise in atrocities against women and to provide security to women, the Kodagu district police have constituted ‘Cauvery’ squad on the model of Hoysala.

Superintendent of Police M N Anucheth said that the ream will patrol in Madikeri, Virajpet and Kushalnagar. It will start its operation in Gonikoppa and Somwarpet shortly.

The team will patrol in a jeep and will have one ASI rank officer and police constables. The team will patrol near women’s colleges, schools, hostels and remand homes.

Woman constable in every station should visit children’s home during night patrol.

Women help desk has been opened in every police station.
A woman police will be deployed to women help desk started in every college and high school, for one hour. The names of the complainant in sexual atrocity cases will be kept in secret. Those who want to complaint can dial toll free number 1091 or 100.

11 sexual assaults

A total of 11 sexual assault cases have been reported in Kodagu district in the last six months. Twenty seven cases have been registered last year, said the SP.

Barring one case, in other cases accused has been arrested and produced to the court.

Eight sexual assaults have been committed on minors. Most of the cases, it is the relatives and neighbours who have committed the crime.

“Goonda Act can be invoked on the accused in sexual assault cases. There is no question of hushing up the case through dialogue.”

Any citizen can walk in to the police station to register a FIR. If any police station refuse to register FIR, then they can contact me directly at 9480804901.

CCTV cameras will be installed at Kushalnagar to maintain law and order.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS, July 23rd, 2014

INTERVIEW: Chikkarangappa S: Winner, PGTI Kashmir Master

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

‘Hospitality of Kashmiris will drive me to visit this place again and again’

ChikkarangappaKODAGU24jul2014

Chikkarangappa S could well be mistaken for a literature student. He talks with a poised fluency that matches his play on a golf course. The Bangalorean isn’t bad either with what has turned to be his ultimate career option.

At 24, he has teed off himself to be one of the most sought after professional golfer in Indian circuit, having already pocketed three Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) titles. His latest triumph came at the scenic Royal Springs Golf Course Srinagar, ensconced in the lap of picturesque Zabarwan Hills. His PGTI-Kashmir Masters victory was all skill, stamina and steady progress that has seen Chikka-as he is fondly known among his contemporaries- surge ahead of the established golfers in Jyoti Randhawa and Rashid Khan. Such was Chikka’s dominance; he was at the top of the leaderboard three times in the four-day event.

Chikka caught up Kashmir Reader Sports Editor after his winning show to talk about his victory, overall scenario of the sport in the valley and how Kashmir treated him.

KR: First things first, it must be one of your most cherished victories? Piping the likes of Jyoti Randhawa and Rashid Khan isn’t all that easy?

Chikka: There is no doubt the PGTI-Kashmir Masters title is something I will cherish whole life. To win the event where your opponents are some great golfers of India is very special. I grew up watching Jyoti Randhawa and to win the tourney he was participating in will be something I remember my whole life.

What made the win sweeter was the way I held my own for all of four days. I didn’t let others to have better off me.

KR: Going into the tournament, did you expect dominating show like the one you exhibited during the course of four days?

Chikka: Honestly, winning the tournament wasn’t in my mind. I didn’t have encouraging stint at the Pahalgam tourney, but found some form in the later stages of the event.

I had set certain goals for myself. I wanted to hit under-4 at least, but as the tournament progressed, I got better and better and even shot under-seven.

KR: It is your second trip to the Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar, you must have noticed a huge improvement in the overall quality of the venue.

Chikka: I came here in 2012 as an amateur and did well at that time as well. The facilities were excellent then and now things have improved to another level.

The greenness of the grass here is excellent. The natural beauty brings calmness and freshness in the overall setup. And, temperature here is fantastic to play in.

KR: You have played in Delhi, Bangalore and other leading venues of India, it must be refreshing to play here with temperatures always under 35 Degree Celsius?

Chikka: Obviously, it is fantastic to play in this part of the world. The temperatures aren’t that energy sapping as we see in Delhi or other venues. Players remain fresh throughout the day and mental and physical tiredness is taken care of by the lovely breeze that goes across the Royal Springs all the time.

The very location of the venue is soothing to the eyes and natural arrangement of the things here is something that will make you visit this place again and again.

KR: Lot is read in the Delhi based media about the dicey situation of the Valley, how did Kashmir treat you?

Chikka: I didn’t find any problem in walking around here in Srinagar. I could walk here as I do in any state of India. People here are loveable and hospitality here is something that will drive me to visit this place again and again.

KR: You coming back to Kashmir to visit and compete again?

Chikka: Most definitely, yes. I am looking forward to visit this place again and compete at one of the most beautiful golf courses in Asia.

KR: Kashmir is yet to produce a top professional golfer, how would that trend change?

Chikka: I feel there are lots of amateurs in Kashmir. They need to play with the professional more and more. Talent is definitely there but needs a proper coaching and direction.

Young golfers should come to watch the professionals play to pick up their mind and skill level from them. I am sure things will be better in coming years.

source: http://www.kashmirreader.com / Kashmir Reader / Home> Sports / Thursday – July 24th, 2014

Undivided we Stand!

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

Udaka Mandala is Karnataka’s other place by the waters that became more famous as Ooty, or Ootacamund thanks to the Brits. Elsewhere, the denizens of John Bull’s Island changed Mumbai to Bombay and Beijing to Peking.

However, like the refreshing confluences of rivers, the close encounters of the cultural kind led to enriching mergers and acquisitions. A fine example is the Omkareshwara Temple at Madikeri, which is not far from the sacred confluence. King Lingarajendra built it in 1820 around a central pool using a mix of Islamic and Gothic styles.

The golden-domed shrine with its whitewashed walls and red borders is dedicated to Shiva in the form of a Linga brought from Benares. Both Lingarajendra and his predecessor Virarajendra are buried in a compound north of Madikeri.

Outwardly, these domed tombs with their short minarets look like Islamic monuments but they are richly embellished inside with Shaivite symbols and imagery. The syncretism that led to the creation of these memorials was definitely ahead of its times.

The revival of Indo-Saracenic style in Bombay, Madras, Calcutta and Delhi came later.

This required a spirit of amity and cultural convergence. This is best summed up in a quote from the Panchatantra engraved on the lintels of the Parliament building designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker some 20 years before Independence: “That one is mine and the other a stranger is the concept of little minds . But to the large-hearted , the world itself is their family.”

source: http://www.articles.economictimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> Collections> Bombay / by Vithal C. Nadkarni, ET Bureau / May 31st, 2013