And what about traditional healers?

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technology

All the medicines he gives are derived from herbs, collected from the forests and not chemically spiked.

The steady stream of patients has been increasing over the years for this ayurvedic practitioner, whose knowledge has been handed down the generations

The sick and anxious queue up every day at the clinic of a popular ayurvedic pandit in a north Kodagu village, hoping to find a solution to their ailments, and many undertake an arduous journey to reach this remote place nestled in coffee plantations.

His medicines — mostly herbs, powdered and packed in plastic covers — are handed out along with a pamphlet providing details about dosage and diet. The steady stream of patients has been increasing over the years for this ayurvedic practitioner, whose knowledge has been handed down the generations, but not through any formal method.

All the medicines he gives are derived from herbs, collected from the forests and not chemically spiked, he claims, telling patients to test them for heavy metals or steroid if they so wish.

“Most come after allopathic drugs fail to provide relief. Many come with faith in traditional knowledge,” he says.

There are thousands like him, claiming to use remedies handed down generations in a State that has rich biodiversity. Sources in the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) estimate that there could be around 40,000 to 50,000 traditional healers, mostly in rural areas, in the State.

However, without a recognised degree, the medicines they prescribe have not gone through the rigours of modern testing methods.

The role of the traditional healer is thus a matter of debate. Lack of government-monitored system to test their medicines and validate their practice has also not helped.

No recognition

Officially, their role in the health system has not been recognised either by the Karnataka Medical Council or by the AYUSH Department. According to a senior official in the Drug Controller’s Office, prescribing allopathic medication without medical qualification is illegal under the Drug Rules and it is also illegal to prescribe ayurvedic drugs without recognition by the Directorate of AYUSH. AYUSH Department sources said that though no time-frame has been set, there is a loud thinking in the government to address issues pertaining to traditional medicine and healers as this knowledge is considered an important element in society that should not be lost.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Sharath S. Srivasta / Bangalore, December 04th, 2012

Kodagu villagers teach Wayanad a lesson in tiger conservation

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Kozhikode :
Just two days after the controversial killing of a tiger in Wayanad, the villagers of Nidugumba in Kodagu district, just across the border in Karnataka, have given their counterparts in Wayanad a lesson in handling a man-animal conflict.

The villagers on Tuesday swiftly rescued a tigress which had strayed into a coffee plantation and got its feet entangled in a barbed-wire fence, without baying for its blood as it happened in Wayanad.

According to Karnataka forest officials, the entire community headed by the owner of the coffee plantation, Sullimada Muthanna, ensured that there was no mobbing of the struggling tiger. The villagers stood guard on the tiger till forest officials from the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve arrived and took control of the situation.

“The villagers were very cooperative. There was no violent mob baying for blood and the tigress was tranquilized swiftly,” Bandipur Tiger Reserve director Kumar Pushkar told TOI. With 10-12 tigers per 100 sq km, Nagarahole is known to have ones of the highest tiger densities in the country. It also produces a surplus of animals each year.

The animal was soon untangled from the fence and transported to the Mysore Zoo where it is currently under medical care.

Leading tiger ecologist and director of ScienceAsia, Ullas Karanth, said that the situation in Kodagu stands in stark contrast with the recent tragic outcome in Wayanad when a cornered tiger was first tranquilized and then shot dead amidst chaos created by a local mob.

“The restraint and positive conservation attitude of the Kodagu villagers is exemplary. They responded positively and acted as the guardians of the tiger. Other communities along the Western Ghats, including Wayanad, should realize that the tiger is a very precious heritage of ours. The government also has to develop more professional ways of dealing with such situations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi president N Badusha said that historically, the people of Wayanad have coexisted peacefully with wild animals. “But over the last two months, certain vested interests, backed by political parties and religious institutions, have created a mass hysteria which has created animosity among people against animals. This hysteria has taken over even the people who usually speak up for the animals,” he said. Badusha added that even his son was attacked and house stoned for the pro-conservation stand taken by him.

source: http://www.m.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / by K R Rajeev, TNN / December 06th, 2012

Miss.Tibet – 2013 Pageant at Bylakuppe next year

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Dharamsala, Dec. 4\
The Miss Tibet Pageant-2013, which was held in Dharmasala for 10 years since it began in 2002, will now be held in Bylakuppe, one of the largest Tibetan settlement.

The organisers have decided to shift the venue since most of the Tibetans-in-exile live in South India. The contest will be held from Feb. 10 to 13, 2013 and the applications will be online soon with Jan. 15 as the last date to submit the form.

The organisers have also changed the timing of the event from June to February. “This is the time of Tibetan New Year, Losar, and hence the event is being held in the starting of 2013,” organisers said and added that eventually the event would be held in other parts of the country where Tibetan people are settled in large numbers.

The organisers had decided to forgo this year’s Miss Tibet Pageant 2012 in the wake of the growing unrest, to protest Tibet’s “grim” condition under the Chinese government. They said that the next year’s Miss Tibet will be dedicated to the critical situation in Tibet and especially for those who have sacrificed their lives for the Tibetan cause. The controversial event was vehemently opposed by many including the Tibetan government-in-exiles, saying it was not part of Tibetan tradition.

Till date, winners of the contest have twice won Miss Earth in the Philippines and Miss Asia Pacific World once

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / December 04th, 2012

CM to open Business Summit at Madikeri on Dec.18

Business & Economy

Focus on tourism, infrastructure

Caption: FKCCI President K. Shivashanmugam addressing a press conference at Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) premises in city this morning. He is flanked by MCCI President Sudhakar S. Shetty and FKCCI Vice-President R. Shivashankar. [Pic. by Pragathi Gopalakrishna]
Mysore, Dec. 4
The Kodagu Region Business Development Summit, to be held in Madikeri town on Dec. 18 to attract investors, is focussed on tourism and setting up of knowledge-based industries using local resources, with impetus on connectivity to and from the district via road, rail and air.

The Summit, a joint initiative by the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI) and the Kodagu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar at 11 am at Cauvery Hall on Race Course Road, Madikeri, said K. Shivashanmugam, President of FKCCI, at a press meet held at MCCI premises here today.

“The Summit will showcase the investment potential of Kodagu and attract new investors. It also intends to develop and motivate the existing enterprises. Focus will be on the development of knowledge-based sectors such as Information Technology and Bio-Technology, infrastructure development, tourism, education, horticulture and food processing industries for which there is ample scope in the district,” he said and added that care will be taken not to encourage industries that may harm the environment.

“Investments to the tune of Rs. 500 crore to Rs. 750 crore are expected to be made at the Summit which will be attended by more than 50 industrial investors,” he said.

Speaking about connectivity, Shivashanmugam said that land has been identified for a mini airport in Somwarpet and survey has been made for a broad-guage rail link between Mysore and Kushalnagar, for which a Prelminary Engineering and Traffic Survey has been completed.

When asked about the deplorable condition of roads linking Kodagu district, Shivashan-mugam said that the FKCCI had already discussed with the CM about the need for developing basic infrastructure in the district and he had assured all assistance. “Since the entire government will be present at the Summit in Madikeri, the issue of roads will be taken up as a priority,” he said and added that development works cannot take place overnight.

Speaker K.G. Bopaiah will preside over the Summit which will be attended by Large & Medium Scale Industries Minister Murugesh R. Nirani, Tourism Minister B.S. Anand Singh, Small Scale Industries Minister Raju Gowda aka Narasimha Nayak, Ecology, Environment, Planning and Statistics Minister Sogadu Shivanna, Youth Services and Sports Minister M.P. Ranjan Appachu and others.

Those interested to participate in the Summit may get their names registered with Ramakrishna, Asst. Director, Karnataka Udyoga Mithra, Ph. 9945917303 or e-mail: mramdic@gmail.com

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / December 04th, 2012

Forest staff, villagers to be immunised against monkey fever

Science & Technology

Mysore, Dec. 5
A mass immunisation drive against monkey fever will be conducted by the Chamarajanagar health officials for the Forest Department personnel of Bandipur and the villagers in Maddur Colony in Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) tomorrow, said BTR Director Kumar Pushkar.

Speaking to a newspaper yesterday, Pushkar, who has confirmed the monkey fever in Maddur forest range, said that there was no need to panic and the situation was under control. Blood samples of primates, suspected to have died of monkey fever, were sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

Monkey fever, also known as Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), claimed the lives of eight Bonnet Macaques and two Langurs during last week. No more deaths of primates have been reported after that, Pushkar said and added that forest watchers working at Alegowdanakatte anti-poaching camp are in good health and there was nothing to be anxious about.

Five personnel of the camp had taken ill a few days ago with suspected monkey fever and were admitted to Gundlupet hospital for treatment.

Pushkar said vaccinations will be administered only for those aged between 6 and 65 years. Pregnant women and lactating mothers will not be vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Dr. R. Srinivas from Gundlupet and his team of medicos conducted a health check up for Maddur colony residents and found them to be free from any infection.

The vaccinations will be provided by Virus Diagnostic Laboratory (Shimoga). An expert team from Kyasanur forest of Shimoga (where KFD was first reported in 1957) will arrive in Chamarajanagar to assist the team.

Doctors have asked the forest authorities to take precautions before entering the forest like applying tick-repellent oil, which will be provided by the Department of Animal Husbandry at the veterinary hospitals. This will prevent the ticks, the carriers of KFD, from biting them. They have also been asked to bathe after returning from the forests.

Common symptoms of KFD are bleeding in nose and mouth, fluctuation in blood pressure and repeated fever.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / December 05th, 2012

CMC wards restructured in Madikeri

About Kodagu / Coorg, Business & Economy

After the exercise, the number of wards comes down to 23 from 31

Following the High Court’s direction to restructure the wards under Madikeri CMC limits, the CMC has taken measures to restructure the wards, based on the population of 2001 census.

There were 31 wards in Madikeri. Now, it has been reduced to 23. The CMC has already invited objections for the restructuring.

The new wards are:

Ward No 1 — Block No 14 (Dairy farm, Rifle range, Subrahmanya Nagara, DAR quarters, road behind FMC College, Vidya Nagara Housing Board)

Ward No 2 — block No 1 (Mahadevepete Main Road, Muthappa Temple Road, Kodandarama temple Road)

Ward No 3 — Block No 2, 3 and 24 (Ganapathy Street, Mahadevapete, Dasavala Road).

Ward No 4 — Block No 3 (partially)(Block 6) (Dasavala road, Ganapathy street)

Ward No 5 — Block No 5, 4 (Mahadevapete, Makangalli, Kanakadasa Road and Hill Road).

Ward No 6 — Block No 7, 4 (partially) (Ranipete, Mahadevapete, Hill Road)

Ward No 7— Block No 10, 7 (partially), 8, 9, 14 (Ranipete, Convent Road, Mallikarjuna Nagara).

Ward No 8 — Block No 8 (partially), 25, (Ranipete, Mallikarjuna Nagara).

Ward No 9 — Block No 9(partially), 14 (partially), 8 (partially) (College Road, Bhagavathi Nagara, ITI, Housing Board).

Ward No 10 — Block No 11, 12, 13 (College Road, Appacchu Kavi road, Pension lane, Shastri Nagara).

Ward No 11 — Block No 12 (partially), 11 (partially), 13 (partially), (Gowlibeedi main road).

Ward No 12 — Block No 14 (partially), Indiranagara, Chamundeshwara Nagara and new layouts.

Ward No 13 — Block No 14 (partially) (Jyothi Nagara, new layouts, Police quarters and Remand Home).

Ward No 14 — Block No 15, 14 (partially), (Rajaseat Road, Mangalore Road, Brahmanara Beedi, Chamaraja Villa Road).

Ward No 15 — Block No 16 (Mangaladevi Nagara, General Thimmaiah Road, Mission Compound, Moornadu Road).

Ward No 16 — Block No 17, 18 (Moornadu Road right side, Mangalore road left side, Mysore Road and G T Road).

Ward No 17 — Block No (partially), 17 (partially). 19 (Mysore road, Ukkuda, Old Siddapura Road and PWD quarters).

Ward No 18 — Block No 18 (partially), 17 (partially), (Mysore Road, Sudarshana Circle, Putani Nagara and Jayanagara).

Ward No 19 — Block No 20, 21, 22, 13 (Chaingate road, Junior College Road).
Ward No 20 — Block No (partially), (Dasavala Road, Kannandabane and Somwarpet road).

Ward No 21 — Block No 23 (partially), (Forest quarters, Somwarpet road, Kannandabane, Pumphouse and Housing Board).

Ward No 22 — Block No 24 (partially), (Muthappa temple road, behind Gaddige, Thyagaraja Colony).

Ward No 23 — Block No 24 (partially), (Behind Gaddige, Azad Nagar, Ukkuda Road and Rajarajeshwari Nagara).

History

Madikeri TMC was upgraded to CMC in 2007. After the upgradation, the number of wards were increased to 31. Questioning the increase in wards, P P Chami had filed a writ petition in the High Court, on March 24, 2008. During the proceedings, the court directed the state government to suspend the order on 31 wards. As the elected representatives were elected for 31 wards, the court had directed to maintain status quo and asked the government to restructure wards for the next election

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Madikeri, DHNS / December 02nd, 2012

Speciality Coffee Association Seeks To Carve Niche For Indian Coffee

Business & Economy, Coffee News

Bangalore, September 8::

‘When the going gets tough, the tough gets going’ is a much abused cliche. But in the context of the present situation in the global coffee scene, there is no other way to describe the slew of initiatives launched by Speciality Coffee Association of India (SCAI) to create a niche brand identity for the Indian coffee.

An All India Barista Championship on the lines of International Barista Championship and SCAI-certified speciality coffee auction through Internet, revamping the SCAI website are some of major programmes planned by SCAI in the next one year. This is the first time such an event being held in the country.

Speaking to FE, SCAI chairman Ashok Kuriyan said, “We are working on the modalities of organising this event and also plans to promote the cafe culture in India through trained baristas.” As members of SCAI our vision is to promote varietal, organic, sustainable, geographic and estate-brand coffees, he added.

The association has also chalked out a detailed project to start SCAI- certified internet auction of speciality coffee for its members. “We plan to set up this by March 2003,” Mr Ashok Kuriyan added. Earlier, each member used to participate in the general auction on his own.

This initiative is expected to further strengthen the speciality coffee segment in the country.

Measures are already underway to revamp SCAI website. The new website will be activated with important information on a monthly basis, Mr Kuriyan said. SCAI members who lack own website will be allowed to put up a web page on their plantation coffee profile at a fees of Rs 1,000 per annum, he added.

SCAI also plans to participate in the speciality coffee association convention to be held in April 2003 in Boston, where it will showcase the Indian speciality coffee. SCAI also plans to extend its membership to foreign buyers, roasters and similar associations from other countries, said SCAI co-ordinator S Venkatesh. The membership will be further extended to roasters, brokers, retailers, traders, exporters, coffee shops, machinery manufacturers, curers, auctioneers and agri input suppliers in the future, he said. However, the association is taking a cautious step regarding this, he added. At present, the membership was open only to coffee growers and producers of monsooned coffee.

The association started with the purpose to promote the concept of special and speciality coffee in India in 2000 has around 17 members now. The association had recently held its AGM presided over by European Speciality Coffee Association president Trygve Klingenberg.

source: http://www.financialexpress.com / The Financial Express / Bangalore, September 08,09th, 2012

AGM of Coorg Home Stays Association held

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy


Mysore, Dec.1:
The 7th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of Coorg Home Stays Association was held at Capitol Village in Madikeri on Nov. 27.

Association President K.M. Karumbaiah welcomed and briefed the gathering. Secretary P.U. Preetham presented a detailed report on the activities of the Association. Briefing the gathering about the new ‘Karnataka Tourism Trade Act-2012’ proposed by the Department of Tourism and to be passed during the winter session of the Assembly, he said as per the policy registration of Home Stays with the Tourism Department was a must. Treasurer Dambecodi Prem also presented a report.

Past Presidents of the Association Micky Kalappa and Dilip Chengappa briefed about various tax problems and policy matters.

On the occasion, an official directory of registered Home Stays was released by Dilip Chengappa. In all, 110 members attended. Secretary P.U. Preetham proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / November 01st, 2012

Getting high on elephants

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Madikeri or Mercara in Karnataka may be right there on the tourist’s itinerary, with the Madikeri fort, Raja Seat and the Omkareshwara temple being the usual haunts. But perhaps less well known are its waterfalls, trekking trails and elephant camps.

Abbey Falls is perfect for a picnic. Another spot that is ideal, scenically, for a family outing, complete with picnic hamper, is Nisargadhama, between Kushalnagar and Madikeri, where one could cross the Cauvery tributary on log rafts. It’s a beautiful picnic spot.

There is something here to everyone’s taste. For those who love adventure, 15 km away from Madikeri is the Dubare Elephant Camp where one can see the animals up close.

They can be fed, ridden, bathed, the sort of thing one sees done on Discovery Channel.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> LifeStyle> Wanderlust / by DC Correspondent / November 23rd, 2012

Kodavas celebrate harvest festival in city

Arts, Culture & Entertainment


Caption: Picture shows the Kodavas, attired in traditional dresses, bringing the newly-reaped paddy crop to be placed under the Nellakki and offer worship.
Mysore, Nov. 29
Hundreds of Kodavas residing in Mysore participated in the Huthri festival celebrations held under the auspices of Mysore Kodava Samaja at the premises of Sri Cauvery Educational Institutions in Kuvempungar last evening.

The harvest festival got off to a start with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the women members. Samaja President N.P. Kalappa welcomed.

On the occasion, the Samaja team which bagged prizes in the traditional dance competition held at Balugodu in Virajpet recently were felicitated.

The celebrations comprised performance of the traditional Kodava dances like bolkaat, ummathaat, kolaat, kathiyaat, thalipaat, pareyakali etc., by the men and women folk attired in traditional Kodava costumes.

This was followed by Nerekattuva ritual after which the Samaja President led the members to the paddy field created in the institution premises to reap the new paddy crop and distribute it to all the members along with the thambittu prasada.

The festival saw the participation of young and old alike.

The Samaja, in a bid to keep the youngsters rooted to their traditions and culture, had trained them in various traditional dances during the past one week at the Samaja premises in Vijayanagar.

P. Lovely Appaiah and C. Nirmala Subramani compered the programme.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / November 29th, 2012