‘Improve plight of women in rural areas’

March 31, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Featuresadmin

There are several laws to protect the interest of women. Women should make use of the available laws to lead a dignified life, said First Additional District and Sessions Judge M V Jadara.

Speaking at women’s day programme organised by the State Women’s Commission, Kodagu district administration, zilla panchayat, Legal Services Authority and woman and child welfare department here Saturday, he said that women are successful in each and every field. Zilla Panchayat CEO P I Srividya said that women should be empowered economically. DySP Prasanna V Raju, Backward Classes and Minority Welfare officer K V Suresh, Women and Child welfare Deputy Director Mumthaz among others were present.

In a separate programme organised by the district legal services authority, Mahilodaya Mahila Okkuta and Bar Association, Additional Civil Judge S Siddaraju said that education helps in the progress of a country. Women should focus on education.

Ashok of ODP said that a society can progress only when they are empowered. There is a need to improve condition of women in rural areas. Child marriage, evils of dowry system should be eradicated from the society. Widows should be honoured and respected.

CMC Commissioner B B Pushpavathi read out an oath.

Mudigere

Women should engage themselves in productive works during their free time, said Ujire Church Priest Vincent.

Speaking at women’s day programme organised by Kapuchin Krishi Seva Kendra and Banakal Vimukthi SHG Federation, he said that mother mould the personality of her children.

Banakal Vimukthi SHG Federation President Prema said that the Federation has been emphasising on cleanliness. About 460 members of the Federation were given loan of Rs 5,000 each without interest to construct toilets in their houses. Women are encouraged to take up pisciculture, vermi compost and dairy farming to empower themselves financially. Women should develop leadership qualities in them and come to the mainstream of the society, said Banakal church priest Vinod.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District> Madikeri – DHNS , March 09th, 2014

Shubra Aiyappa is addicted to belly dancing

March 30, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

Shubra Aiyappa, a self-confessed travel junkie, is addicted to belly dancing these days and she’s hoping to take it to a whole new level. “I have travelled a lot over the past few years and I try my best to go on a holiday at least once every five months. During one of my recent trips,when I went to Istanbul, I just fell in love with belly dancing.

Almost every cafe in Istanbul had a belly dancer and it was mesmerising to watch them perform. So, I decided to learn belly dancing as soon as I came back to Mumbai. It’s almost like a crazy workout,which is a big bonus for me and it’s really tough, although the professional belly dancers make it all seem very effortless,” Shubra says.

She reveals that she has just completed a-month-and-a-half course in belly dancing. “I have always loved dancing and I am hoping to show off my belly dancing skills in one of my films in the near future,” she says. The actress will soon be seen in Nara Rohit starrer Prathinidhi and she’s also part of another untitled Telugu film, where she is paired opposite Arvind Krishna. “I am in love with Telugu film industry and I feel at home every time I am in Hyderabad,” she says signing off.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Telugu> Movies / by Hemanth Kumar, TNN / March 20th, 2014

Starbucks Says India Operations Fastest Growing in its History

March 29, 2014Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), World Opinionadmin

Tata Starbucks currently has presence in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore and has its coffee plantations in the Coorg area of Karnataka. | AP

With 40 stores in 17 months of its operations, India is the fastest growing market in the history of the Seattle-based iconic American coffee chain Starbucks, according to a company statement.

The US-based coffee chain, which had sewed up an equal joint venture with Tata Global Beverages, opened its first outlet in Mumbai in October 2012.

“With 40 stores in four cities (in 17 months) and nearly 1,000 partners, India is the fastest growing market in Starbucks history,” Tata-Starbucks chief executive Avani Davda was quoted as telling Starbucks annual shareholders meet.

Tata Starbucks currently has presence in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore and has its coffee plantations in the Coorg area of Karnataka.

Starbucks globally operates over 20,000 stores across 64 countries, serving over 70 million customers per week.

Starbucks chairman, president and chief executive Howard Schultz told shareholders that the company would continue to reinforce the ongoing investments in 200,000 Starbucks partners (employees), including USD 250 million in their healthcare benefits and USD 234 million in bean stock in fiscal 2013.

He said the company recorded record revenue of USD 14.9 billion, up 12 per cent and record earnings per share of USD 2.261, up 26 per cent, taking its net profit to USD 2.5 billion, a rise of 23 per cent in fiscal 2013.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Business> News / by PTI – Mumbai / March 20th, 2014

Harshika gets her first heroine-centric film

March 29, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

Industry experts say that it was to be expected — the minute Kannada actress Harshika Poonacha dropped her bubbly girl-next-door image, meatier roles would come her way.

Harshika, whose last release B-3 saw her in a more sensuous avatar, has now bagged her first heroine-centric film. The Kannada film, which has been titled The Gulaabi Street, will be directed by debutant BS Pradeep Varma.

“I am very excited about this film, as I will be playing the main character. For the first time in my career, I am the hero in a film,” says the actress.

Heroine-centric films are still like a needle in a haystack and, not considered very commercially viable in Sandalwood. Does Harshika still think she can do justice to the role and carry a film on her shoulders?

“Yes, I believe that the character is just right for me. This film is about a girl who will love you if you love her, but rub her the wrong way and she will retaliate with equal force,” she says.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Kannada> Movies / by Prathibha Joy, TNN / March 24th, 2014

Gautam Gambhir, Ashwini Ponappa and Colin Jackson launch ‘Wings For Life World Run’

March 27, 2014Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sportsadmin

In India, the Wings for Life World Run will kick off from Rai Sports Complex, Sonipat and is expected to end at Karnal. The run is being organized under the aegis of the Haryana Olympics Association.

New Delhi:

Seoul Olympics silver-medallist hurdler Colin Jackson, cricketer Gautam Gambhir and ace shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa on Wednesday came together to launch the India edition of the ‘Wings For Life World Run’ aimed at raising funds for spinal cord research.

Former 110m hurdles world record holder Jackson is the global race director for the event set to take place on May 4 in Sonipat, Haryana simultaneously along with across 34 countries, starting at 1530 IST or 1000 UTC.

Along with the two-time world champion Jackson, were the Indian ambassadors of the race, Gambhir and Ponnappa. Also present at the event to support the cause were some of Haryana Olympic Association’s top athletes Vijender Singh, Sandeep Singh, Yogeshwar Dutt, Jai Bhagwan Singh, Dinesh Kumar and Raju Godara.

“The Wings for Life World Run is not just an exceptional sports event, but also a completely new endurance format for everybody, everywhere. Moreover, 100 per cent of the funds gathered from the race will go towards the Wings for Life – a foundation that funds research into finding a cure for spinal cord injury,” Jackson said.

Starting at 11 am in London, 2 am in Los Angeles, 6 pm in Australia, and 3:30 pm in India – this one-of-its-kind race will take place simultaneously across 40 different locations worldwide. Over 150,000 runners will race at exactly the same time – regardless of whether it’s day or night.

With no finish line to end the run, the runners will be chased by a catcher car, which marks the end of the race for a runner as it passes him/her. The catcher car takes off 30 min after the run begins and once it goes past a runner, his/her race is over and he/she is given the final world rank.

As the race progresses, the cars will eliminate competitors as they pass them, until there’s a single man and woman left running – who are then crowned the Global Champions of the Wings for Life World Run.

Additionally, there will be country winners; as well as recognition for the last man and woman left on the track in each country.

In India, the Wings for Life World Run will kick off from Rai Sports Complex, Sonipat and is expected to end at Karnal. The run is being organized under the aegis of the Haryana Olympics Association.

Competing in the Wings for Life World Run will be professional athletes, passionate amateurs, medal-winning Olympians, charity ambassadors, and everyone who chooses to participate. Expected to last for six hours, this is a race for runners of all levels.

Gambhir, however, would not be running at the event due to his participation in the Indian Premier League as the skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders.

source: http://www.sports.ndtv.com / NDTV Sports / Sports Home> Cricket> News / Press Trust of India / Wednesday – March 19th, 2014

Coffee festival

March 25, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)admin

Cafe Coffee Day, Kuvempunagar, has organised Coffee Festival to learn the fine art of coffee making and many interesting facets of coffee art from Coffee Evangelist Merlin Raj (National Barista Champion of 2012.

Represented India at World Barista Championship in Vienna, Awarded for best signature beverage in Indian Barista championship) tomorrow at 12 noon.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Brief / March 19th, 2014

Get-together of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa college alumni association held

March 25, 2014Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

Resolve to seek Bharat Ratna for Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa

Madikeri :

It was a heart-warming occasion for the alumnae of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College (FMKMCC) here, who got together yesterday and shared their memorable experiences of more than half-a-century ago.

About 100 former students of the college participated in the get-together held under the Presidentship of N.A. Appaya, President of FMKMCC Alumni Association, for the second time. It was a joyous moment mixed with emotion for the alumnae who remembered their college days, chatted about their lives, profession, family and recalled the trivia of their experiences while in the college.

Established in 1949 as Government First Grade College affiliated to Madras University, it was renamed as FMKMC college in 1994 after Mangalore University took over the college as its constituent in 1993. The campus in an area of 33.36 acres is surrounded by mountains. The college has completed 60 years of fruitful existence.

As part of the get-together function, retired Forest Officer Dr. K.A. Kushalappa, former IAS officer K.A. Belliappa and Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy were felicitated for their outstanding achievements.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kushalappa stated with pride that the education imparted to him at the college had changed the course of his life.

SOM Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, addressing the gathering, said that he studied in the college from 1956 to 1959. He remembered the days when students walked to the college, rain or shine, as there was no public transport. He remembered some of the teachers who were his mentors.

K.A. Belliappa said that the education he obtained in the college for a year was memorable.

The meeting unanimously approved a resolution to urge the Centre to confer Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour, on Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa posthumously.

Earlier, a cultural programme was staged by children, including a dance performance by six-year-old Jeevitha, a skit by the students of FMKMCC about environment protection and conservation and a patriotic song by Liyakath Ali and team.

Managing Trustee of Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences Dr. Sunil Muddaiah, FMKMCC Principal Dr. Parvathy Appaiah, Get-Together Committee President N.A. Appaya, Alumni Association Vice-President Liyakath Ali, Secretary K. Boji Thammaiah and others were present.

A minute’s silence was observed to pay homage to departed members of the Association. Those who were felicitated were introduced to the members by N.D. Charmanna, B.B. Subbaiah and A.A. Poonacha. M.K. Kuttappa and Thulasi introduced the guests.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 24th, 2014

Media Academy awardees felicitated

March 23, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

Winners of Media Academy awards — K. Jeevan Chinnappa (Karnataka Bureau Chief of The Hindu) and M.S. Rajendra Kumar (Mysore Bureau Chief for Prajavani) — and who had served in Madikeri for several years, being felicitated by the Kodagu District Journalists’ Association in Madikeri yesterday.

Former Assembly Speaker and MLA Ramesh Kumar, senior journalist Ravindra Bhat, Kodagu Press Club President U.M. Poovaiah and Kodagu Patrika Bhavan Trust General Secretary K.B. Mahantesh are seen.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 18th, 2014

Robin Uthappa primed for national recall

March 22, 2014Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sportsadmin

Bangalore :

After battling crippling cramps during the early part of the season, during which he missed six Ranji Trophy matches, opening batsman Robin Uthappa roared back to form during the national one-dayers for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Following the Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup triumphs, Robin Uthappa slammed a run-a-ball 104 against Kerala in the Subbaiah Pillai Trophy, the South Zone qualifiers for the national one-dayers. The opener was at his boisterous best during the national meet in Kolkata last week, slamming back-to-back tons (132 not out against Gujarat and 133 against Jharkhand) to help Karnataka complete a historic treble. Uthappa, who occasionally bowls mediumpace, returned with two wickets as Karnataka eked out a four-wicket win over Railways in the final at the Eden Gardens.

“It’s a special feeling to be able to win all the three domestic tournaments,” said Uthappa, who top scored the tournament with 536 runs at an average of 76.57. “We are a unique bunch of cricketers as each player cares for the team. And to be part of history is more than pleasing,” he added.

Uthappa is not letting himself get carried away following his success. Hours after winning the Vijay Hazare, Uthappa flew to his training base Mumabi to consult personal coach Praveen Amre as part of his preparation for the Deodhar Trophy, the zonal limited overs tournament which will kick off on March 23 at Vishakapatnam.

“We have good players in the South Zone team and stand a good chance of winning the Deodhar Trophy,” Uthappa pointed out.

In the run-up to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Karnataka’s unbeaten run came to an end when the defending champions were defeated by Tamil Nadu in the South Zone title decider. However Robin said the team’s focus was on the national title. “There is no guilt feeling of losing against Tamil Nadu. But we knew Vijay Hazare Trophy was very important,” said Uthappa terming the season as one of his best. His best season was 2006-07 Ranji Trophy in which he was top scorer with 854 runs.

With a string of impressive performances, the stylish Bangalorean is now dreaming about another stint with the Indian team. “I believe I have performed well. I believe I should be playing the next level of cricket and I am confident that I will succeed at the highest level. Given a chance I will be able to add value to the team,” said Uthappa, who last played an ODI in 2008 against Sri Lanka in Karachi.

His last international appearance was in the rain-affected T20 game in South Africa in March 2012.

ROBIN’s SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Vijay Hazare Trophy 8 vs Railways 133 vs Jharkhand 132 not out vs Gujarat Subbaiah Pillai Trophy 33 vs Tamil Nadu 27 vs Goa 104 vs Kerala 45 vsHyderabad 54 vs Andhra Ranji Trophy 86 vs Vidharba 33 vs Odisha 100 vs Uttar Pradesh 47 vs Punjab 72 & 36 vs Maharashtra.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Cricket> Domestic Cricket> Vijay Hazare Trophy / Sunil Subbaiah, TNN / March 17th, 2014

Nidhi Subbaiah is star struck

March 22, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

Many will be able to recognize Nidhi Subbaiah, but the actress is thrilled that a certain veteran actress recognized her. The Bangalore lass took to her micro-blogging page and tweeted that she met Waheeda Rahman recently and was surprised that the veteran actress remembered bumping into her two years ago. If that is the case, Nidhi seems to have made quite an impression.

“Just had a fan girl moment with Waheeda Rahman! Again!! And she actually remembered we were on the same flight 2 years back! Sigh..,” tweeted Nidhi.

Nidhi, who hails from Coorg, made her acting debut with in the 2009 Telugu film Sweet Heart, after which she went on to do Kannada films like Pancharangi, Krishnan Marriage Story and Anna Bond. She made her Bollywood debut in 2012 with Ajab Gazabb Love in which she was paired with Jackky Bhagnani. She was even rumoured to be romantically involved with Jackky.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Kannada> Movies / TNN / March 17th, 2014

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