City Lad Wins NATYA SAMMOHANA Title

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Mysore:

Chinmaya M. Hegde, a II PU student of Vijaya Vittala PU College in city, has been conferred the title Natya Sammohana in the senior category for his outstanding performance in the National-level Bharatanatya competition organised by Gurudev Academy of Fine Arts at Jaganmohan Palace recently.

He has been selected for student scholarship awards constituted by Department of Kannada and Culture for 2011-12. He is the disciple of Guru Dr. Vasundhara Doreswamy.

Karthik Shenoy of Virajpet has bagged ‘Natya Varshini’ title in the junior category while Gnana Aital of Mangalore bagged ‘Natya Mandara’ title in the sub-junior category.

The following are the consolation prize winners:

Sub-junior category: Anagha Acharya (First) of Teerthahalli;  Bhoomi Ramachandra (Second) of Kodagu; J. Lara (Third) of Hassan.

Second Division: Aditi N. Maiya (First) of Shimoga; Sonu Anthony (Second) of Bangalore.

Junior Category: K. Manasi (First) of Dharwad; Nidhi K. Rao (Second) of Sirsi; Jahnavi (Third) of Mysore; Sharada (Fourth) of Periyakulam.

Second Division: Ruthika (First) of Mangalore; Nivedita Aravind (Second) of Bangalore; B.V. Bhavyasri (Third) of Mandya.

Senior Category: Aishwarya Malagi (First) of Bangalore; Disha J. Maraguli (Second) of Mysore; Swati Ramachandra Bhat (Third) of Uttara Kannada.

Prizes were presented at the valedictory held later in the evening. Academy Chairperson Vyjayanthi Kashi, Director Dr. Chetana Radhakrishna, Manager P.M. Radhakrishna and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / General / October 11th, 2011

 

Confessions of a Starbucks junkie

Coffee News

Thanks Ratan Tata! Starbucks in India is long, long, long overdue, I thought, while sipping my Starbucks and reading the morning paper. We were being told that Starbucks and Tatas are brewing up a JV and I was excited, relieved and slightly nervous. My life was set to change.

You see, what Hard Rock Cafe was to me as a teenager, Starbucks is to me as a young adult. It’s a profoundly significant part of Being Paarull and has been over the past six or seven years, I’d say, growing in importance every year. Let me explain.

Before Starbucks, fresh coffee was a treat to be had at a five star hotel. I grew up on the blend of chicory and coffee that was consumed as milky instant coffee in most middle class homes. It was coffee – but just about. Barista had barely arrived on the scene but it was Starbucks, on a trip abroad, that introduced me to freshly brewed, chicory-less coffee, sourced from exotic Indonesia or wherever else and roasted and ground by professionals who knew their stuff. I was hooked with my first cup and never looked back. Starbucks made me feel grown up, even a little affluent, considering the price of a cuppa.

What began as an indulgence turned into a ritual during a year spent in England and, before I knew it, I had become a full-fledged member of the global Starbucks cult. And I have stayed a faithful junkie. When I arrive in a new city, one of my first tasks is to locate the nearest Starbucks. I try and hold my meetings at a Starbucks. I spend much of my spare time either at a Starbucks or with a Starbucks. A Barnes & Noble or a JC Penney has to be found, so I can pick up Seattle’s Best coffee, part of the Starbucks group. I try and wrap up my trip to a Starbucks city with a final coffee there, and I make it a point to spend time at a Starbucks at the airport, if there is one, on my way out.

And then there’s Peet’s coffee, more difficult to find than Starbucks because there are fewer outlets in comparison, but which I heartily recommend. (I first got lucky with Peet’s in Portland, Oregon ). Peet’s is actually a smaller rival chain but I adore it because its founder was the one who advised the Starbucks’ founder trio to get into the coffee business! By the way, you’d have no trouble finding Starbucks in San Francisco. I can’t verify this (maybe it’s an urban legend) but apparently it has more Starbucks per square mile than any other city in the world! And apparently, they are no longer allowed to open another Starbucks there!

The drip coffee maker is a relatively recent addition to my life and it has converted an occasional indulgence into a soothing routine. My day begins with two mugs. My day usually ends with one more — call it a night cap if you will. Holidays mean consuming upto 5 mugs of Starbucks. I realise I’m lucky because I can afford to invest in a top class coffee machine and I have a very supportive family and friends. They go the extra mile in every continent, every city they might be in to get me my Starbucks – from Dubai, LA, Tokyo, London wherever. I too have gone through secondary screening at American airports because of freshly ground Starbucks in my hand baggage. No matter! It’s worth the effort!

But now, with Starbucks set to brew up in my home city, my life will change.

The good news is I’ll no longer be stacking up IOUs. I will be the master of my own coffee destiny. Starbucks will always be round the corner – Woo Hoo! Never ever will I fall short of it! Never ever will I be forced to drink the non-Starbucks stuff (ugh). Also, I think it’s very very cool Starbucks in India will brew me a Tata coffee. High quality Coorg beans, I’m betting, can give Indonesian java a run for its money.

And what about me chasing Starbucks abroad? That drill may be toned down. I’m now thinking of devoting time, effort and money to scouting Nespresso boutique bars.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com/blogs/paarul  / by  Twitter@paarul / Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

 

Ford shows Endeavour’s off-roading capabilities in Delhi

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

An SUV is a vehicle not just for the run of the mill office to home and back schedule. Its got a lot to do with the vehicle’s true nature. However, this is something we all know about. The Ford Endeavour is one off in the Sports Utility Vehicle Segment. With its long stance and right seat ergonomics, this vehicle is just right for off roading and a whole lot of fun.

On 2nd of this month, Ford organised The Great Ford Endeavour Drive, where in a remote location on the foot hills of the Aravali, Endeavour owners got the experience and exposure to what their Ford is really capable of. To help with getting the idea, Ford had called in Jagat Nanjappa, who needs no introduction to the world of rallying and off roading and has over thousands of kilometers clicked with his trusted vehicles..

Ford Endeavour off-roading

With Jagat in the driver’s seat, Endeavour owners got to know about what their SUV is capable of. A properly laid out track with a number of jumps, an open area for donuts, a slush patch and some man-made humps made out of sandbags and to add to this, Jagat made all this look like all in a days work. When asked, Jagat replied, “This is the perfect track for testing out the Endeavour. It has the right kind of obstacles which show the true capability of the vehicle.”

Add to this, ten points to keep in mind while off-roading, here is what he had to say.

Ford Endeavour off-roading

I Never go off-roading alone. One must have a rescue car or if nothing else, then another car.

II Carry as much as equipment like Winch, inflator, that you can

III Do not be embarrassed if your car is stuck. It is wise to get a little dirty.

IV Make sure your tires are in good shape.

V Trust your instincts. If you know you cannot do a task, back up.

VI If you are a first-timer, take an expert along who knows what has to be done in a difficult situation

source: http://www.zigwheels.com / Home>  News & Features / by Sukhpreet Singh / October 07th, 2011

 

Lot of rewards at stake for Indians at Asian Amateur golf

Sports, , , , , , ,

Singapore, Oct 2 (PTI) :

Young Honey Baisoya and national champion Seenappa Chikkrangappa finished as the best Indians in the 46th place with a total of seven-over 295 at the end of the Asian Amateur Golf Championships here today.

Baisoya carded 74 and Chikkra returned 73. The other Indians had a less than a happy day. Trishul Chinappa (74) ended tied 53rd at nine-over 297 and Angad Cheema, the only Indian to return a under-par card on any of the days, had a final round of 74. He finished at 10-over 298 and in 54th place.In the first, Cheema shot 71, the only time any of the six Indians had a sub-par round.

Khalin Joshi and Abhijit Chadha carded 76 each, but Joshi was tied 58th at 11-over and Chadha ended 61st at 15-over.Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama successfully defended his Asian Amateur Championship with a superb final round of 67 for a total of 18-under at The Singapore Island Country Club.

The 19-year-old defending champion, who won the title in Japan last year, was one shot clear of South Korea�s Lee Soo-min, who signed for the lowest score of the week after a birdie on the 18th hole secured a round of 64. The win means a return to the Masters Tournament in April for Matsuyama, where he made history last year by becoming the first Asian golfer to win the Silver Cup for low amateur.

Matsuyama finished T-27 at last year’s Masters to record the third best finish ever by an international amateur. Overnight leader Ben Campbell stayed in touch with the winner after recovering from a difficult start to shoot 70 and finish in third place at 16-under thanks to late birdies on holes 16 and 17. Although Lee missed out on the title, he, as runner-up, will join Matsuyama in International Final Qualifying for The Open Championship 2012.The fourth Asian Amateur Championship will be staged at Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, southeast of Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok, from November 1�4 next year

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com/ PTI / September 28th, 2011

City game for ‘American league’

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, , , , , , , , , ,
American football could become big in the country with a tournament being planned in the next two years
 

A lot of sports, most of which a majority of the average Indians aren’t aware of, are making inroads into our society. The latest being American football, the top US sport which has at least five per cent of American population earning through the game, apart from players, coaches and staff directly involved with the game.

History has it that only four players of Indian origin have played in the National Football League (NFL), a lucrative organisation that runs the sport in the US. One of the four, Brandon Chillar, who has his roots in Punjab, was convinced the game had something to offer for the Indian masses. He felt it could become big and give the average Indian a chance to excel in it.

TEAMS’ FORMATION
The Elite Football League of India (EFLI) was launched in India in August this year and the government of India and the Sports Authority of India decided to back the game. A custom-fit stadium is ready in Pune, where the inaugural EFLI will be held within the next two years between eight teams from different states.

Having already formed four teams, the EFLI concentrated on Karnataka. Thimmaiah Madanda, a former India rugby player, with a passion for contact sport, was brought in as coach of the state team. The Kodava took his job seriously. He scouted for talent in Kodagu, Shimoga, Devanahalli and Bangalore. “I went to all these places and mostly visited government colleges and finally invited 140 players. A first shortlist of 115 went through a four-day orientation programme last week,” he said.

Thimmaiah, Sailesh Devrukhkar, the chief coach of EFLI, and Jeff Whelan, EFLI coaching co-coordinator, watched the hopefuls through drills and games before settling on the final 44 who will represent Karnataka.

DECENT SALARY
EFLI is more unique than most associations in the country. It will pay players a salary rather than a match fee as does happen with most sporting disciplines. That too, a decent sum of Rs 15,000 per player. Jeff Whelan said, “This, we are offering till we sign a deal with Ten Sports to televise the league matches. Once we get everything in order, players will earn much more than what any coach earns.”

Does the average Indian have the physique or skill to compete in such a “ruthless sport”? All three men laugh it off and Thimmaiah says, “It is nothing like what the public imagine. Played with an elongated ball, the game offers 44 players the chance of being involved in a game (including substitutions). The game accommodates all physical attributes; athletes from any sport can take to this game. It calls for power, speed and agility. It does not need special skills,” he says.

The forwards and interiors do not even touch the ball, leave alone catch it. Their job is only to defend the quarter-backs… to stop the opposition from getting to the quarter-backs,” said Thimmaiah, adding: “You have a defending team, an attacking team and a kicking team. It is not about just 11 on field. Thirty players are used in each game, with the other 14 used for substitutions. So, it involves a lot of people and does not need any one qualification or requirement to play the game.”

TALENT APLENTY
The EFLI does have some convictions that other sports administrators mostly talk about. “We know that if we search enough, we could find the right guys. The right athletes are in the villages of India,” said Jeff. “The game does not need any special skill. It combines a lot of disciplines like cricket, football, baseball, rugby,” he added.

Having watched the NFL mess it up in England when it tried to introduce the game there, the EFLI is more focused. “We are planning a league for players born and brought up in India. Unlike the NFL, we will not allow foreigners. That way, we know the cities can relate to players and will stand up for the team,” he said.

CHALLENGING CRICKET
“India, with its masses, offers an opportunity for us (EFLI) to become a top sport in the country. India is a one sport country (cricket) and we believe we stand a good chance of becoming a top sport. Because we feel we can offer more opportunities for athletes and people of India,” said Jeff.

“We plan to have eight Indian teams and will invite two from Sri Lanka, one from Bangladesh, and each team will only be allowed proper citizens to represent them. No outsiders, guests or foreign players,” he said.

“At some point of time, we hope to invite a team from Pakistan to play a series against an Indian team. Because that is the ultimate battle in this part of the globe and we are sure millions will tune in to that game and the whole world will watch,” he said.

source: http://www.BangaloreMirror.com/ Home> News> City / by R Sathish Paul / Tuesday October 04th, 2011

 

India witnesses rise in coffee exports

Agriculture, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), , ,

The Coffee Board of India has revealed that the country’s coffee exports in the 2010-11 coffee year have increased by about 34% to 3.58 lakh tons, compared to 2.68 lakh tons in 2009-10 coffee year.

The board has attributed the jump in coffee exports to the rise in global demand. According to the data from the board, Coffee exports in value terms increased to $1.048bn from $577.98m on higher realizations.

The coffee shipments of the country rose by 30% to 2.92 lakh tons, compared to 2.24 lakh tons in the corresponding period last year in the first nine months of the current calender year, reported Press Trust of India.

The exports from the country in the April-September period of the current fiscal also rose by 25% to 1.92 lakh tons from 1.53 lakh tons in the year-ago period.

India, which largely exports coffee to Italy, Germany, Russia, Belgium and Spain, accounts for 4.5% of the global coffee output, but exports 70% to 80% of this.

source: http://www.markets.drinks-business-review.com / by DBR staff writer/ October 04thy, 2011

 

NCC air wing expansion awaits state nod

Education, Uncategorized

MANGALORE:

NCC Directorate, Karnataka and Goa is ready to allot more funds to increase the number of air wing cadets in institutions in the region under Mangalore Group Headquarters (GHQ), but it is yet to get state government’s nod to go ahead with the plans.

Mangalore GHQ can increase the number of cadets from existing 900 to 1,200 if the state education department agrees to bear 25% of the expenses. A proposal in this regard sent by the Mangalore GHQ to the department in June 2011 is still pending in Bangalore.

Only seven institutes in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu, which come under Mangalore GHQ, have NCC Air Wings. St Aloysius High School, Milagres High School and Kittel High School in Mangalore, St Philomena High School in Puttur, Jain PU College in Moodbidri, St Michael’s High School in Madikeri and St Anne’s School in Virajpet are the institutions, which have NCC Air Wing currently. Students in schools, where there is no NCC Air Wing, may join the open admission wing at St Aloysius School, but admission here is restricted to 200.

Meanwhile, NCC Army Wing has separate units for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu districts. The 18 Karnataka Battalion NCC of Dakshina Kannada district has 13 schools and 11 colleges with a total strength of 2,150 cadets.

Mangalore GHQ master warrant officer Suresh Atri told TOI that more students should be given opportunity to join NCC Air Wing. “We have submitted a proposal, but we have not received any communication from the government so far,” he added.

It is a fact that students are motivated towards Indian military through NCC activities in schools. At the same time, Indian Air Force (IAF) too agrees a fact that they find it very difficult to attract youth from South India towards the force. IAF has already launched massive campaigns in South India to create awareness and to attract young to choose airmen’s job.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Collection / by Vinobha KT / TNN

 

The Father of the Indian Army – Field Marshal K M Cariappa

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders

Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, hailing from Kodagu district of Karnataka, is best known as the first Commander-In-Chief of the army of independent India. He has often been described as ‘The Father of the Indian Army’. He was born on the 28th of January 1899.

His Early Years

km-cariappaCariappa was one among the six children of Kodandera Madappa, who was an official in the revenue department. He completed his schoolingfrom Central High School at Madikeri in Kodagu. He later studied atPresidency College, Chennai.

Even at a young age, he was always up for challenges and he displayed tremendous determination in achieving whatever he put his mind to. As a student, he is known to have taken an active interest in academics, sports and debates.

Cariappa’s Military Exploits

At the age of 20, Cariappa was selected to be among the first batch of boys to be trained for commissioning in the British Indian Army. After a stint at Daly College, Indore, he was commissioned as an officer and posted to the second battalion of the 88th Carnatic Infantry in Bombay, to serve as a Second Lieutenant.

There was no looking back after that. He steadily rose among the ranks, and even had stints in places like Iraq, Iran and Syria.

During the period of Partition in 1947, Cariappa oversaw the division of the Indian army. During the Indo-Pak war of 1947-48, he led the Indian forces on the western front. Later in 1949, he became Commander-in-Chief of the Indian army.

Incidentally, it is a well-known fact that Cariappa had been nick-named ‘Kipper’ by his colleagues in the army. After serving in the Indian army for almost three decades, Cariappa went on to serve as High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand.

Honors and Recognition

In 1949, Cariappa was conferred the Order of the Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit by Harry Truman who was the President of the United States at the time. In 1986, the government of India conferred him with the honorary rank of Field Marshal in recognition of the exemplary services rendered by him to the Indian army.

Personality Traits and Information

Cariappa was a tall man with a commanding personality, besides being a good conversationalist. He was admired for his dedication to his work, his courage and unwavering integrity and his strong sense of patriotism.

However, he was also a strict disciplinarian and had a quick temper.

His Final Years

Towards the end of his life, Cariappa spent much of his time in his estate Roshanara located in his native town of Coorg. He was involved in spreading awareness about pollution and environmental conservation.

He died in Bangalore in 1993, and he was 94 years old.

source: http://www.Karnataka.com / Home> Personalities

 

Heads-up: Thursday is National Coffee Day! (in the U.S)

Coffee News, Uncategorized

Take note that Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day, a day when we should all get really wired on free coffee, skip work and participate in bicycle races and pony rides.

OK, so maybe the free coffee is enough. Here’s where you can get it:

1. 7-Eleven. The chain is giving away free medium cups of java from 7-11 a.m. in your time zone.

2. Krispy Kreme. The stores are offering a free 12 oz. cup of House Blend Coffee all day tomorrow. Get on it!

source: http://www.content.usatoday.com / by Whitney Matheson/ USA TODAY / September 28teh, 2011