Tag Archives: Kodagu First

Madikeri’s Gandhi Memorial Park set to get a major facelift

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Minister in charge of Kodagu district N.S. Boseraju inspects the works at the park; he says a sum of ₹50 lakhs has been sanctioned for the works by the government and an additional sum of ₹5 lakh will also be released.

Will the Gandhi Memorial Park that is coming up in Madikeri be modelled on New Delhi’s Rajghat?

Minister in charge of Kodagu district N.S. Boseraju inspected the Gandhi Memorial Park works and directed the officials to get the works done at the earliest. “Expedite and complete the memorial park works ensuring quality,” said Mr Boseraju.

He said a sum of ₹50 lakhs has been sanctioned for the works by the government and an additional sum of ₹5 lakh will also be released.

Mantar Gowda, MLA, said the work has to be completed at the earliest and there shouldn’t be any delay in its completion.

He assured to sanction a sum of ₹10 lakh from the MLA’s local area development fund, and added that steps will also be taken for releasing additional grants for the project.

Sarvodaya Samiti’s past president T.P. Ramesh said the project required more funds in addition to the funds already allocated by the government and the MLA. In this regard, a formal request has to be made to the government for additional allocation to the government.

Mr. Ramesh said the memorial park has to be constructed on the lines of Raj Ghat in New Delhi. The memorial in Madikeri has to become a model and the development has to be done keeping the concept in mind, he suggested.

Nirmiti Kendra Project Director Sachin explained about the blueprint of the project.

Sarvodaya Samiti President Ambekallu Kushalappa and others were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India > Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 04th, 2024

Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Assn. Meet

Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Samajas, Associations, Clubs (wef. Sept. 03rd, 2022)), , , , , , , ,

The 5th annual get-together of Kodagu Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association (Mysuru East) was held at Chamundeshwari Convention Hall on Bannur Road in city on Apr. 11.

Association President Kanjithanda K. Aiyappa is seen addressing as Appachangada P. Motaiah, Kangra Achaiah, chief guest Kuppanda Achaiah, Kombanda Bheemaiah, Chandira Basappa and Igguda Chitra Subbaiah look on.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / April 14th, 2024

5 Best Restaurants To Eat In Coorg

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Explore the Top Culinary Delights in Coorg (Kodagu) – Must Visit Restaurants

Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is a small hill station located in Karnataka, India. Lush greenery and the Western Ghats envelop the region, which makes it ideal for growing coffee. However, foodies will be happy to know that Coorg isn’t just famous for its stunning scenery and rich cultural heritage. It’s known for its delicious cuisine as well.

In this article, we’ll go over the best restaurants in Coorg where you can indulge your taste buds in a variety of flavors. From authentic Kodava specialties to international dishes found nowhere else but here.

1. Local Cuisines – Raintree Restaurant

Raintree is a popular destination nestled inside a coffee plantation. They offer an array of traditional delicacies ranging from Pandi Curry (pork curry) to Kadambuttu (steamed rice dumplings) and Noolputtu (string hoppers). The cozy ambiance coupled with top-notch service will make you feel right at home while you dine on some true local grub.

2. Worldly Flavors – Beans n Brews Cafe

Beans n Brews boasts an extensive menu featuring dishes from all corners of the world. They’re also famous for their unique specialty coffee blends. Located in Madikeri town, you can choose between sitting indoors or out while enjoying pizza, sandwiches pasta and burgers along with freshly brewed coffees and other refreshing beverages.

3. Fine Dining – The Falls at Ambatty Greens Resort

The Falls restaurant can be found within Ambatty Greens Resort and offers patrons with a luxurious experience unlike any other in Coorg. Not only does it serve gourmet continental dishes made up of fresh ingredients sourced locally but they’re also experts at wine pairings! Dine in style with the scenic views of rolling hills and greenery in the background.

4. Cafe Culture – Tusk and Dawn Cafe

You’ll find Tusk and Dawn right at the heart of Madikeri. Its relaxed vibe coupled with colorful, picturesque surroundings makes for a perfect place to unwind while sipping on freshly brewed coffee or enjoying a hearty breakfast. In addition to these options, they also offer sandwiches, burgers and more.

5. Comfort Food – Coorg Cuisine Restaurant

Coorg Cuisine is located on the outskirts of Madikeri and has a homely ambiance that’s difficult to rival anywhere else in town. Their rustic Kodava decor is a breath of fresh air that will leave you feeling cozy as you sit back and enjoy some Akki Roti (rice flatbread) or their delectable Coorgi Chicken Curry among other dishes made from local ingredients.

When it comes to food, Coorg has got you covered. They’re dishing out a diverse range of flavors from all around the world. All while being surrounded by a beautiful landscape and scenic view. If you’re looking for some traditional dishes or just want to try something new, look no further! The best restaurants in Coorg are serving up an experience you won’t forget. You’ll be able to enjoy your meal with the misty hills and coffee plantations in sight..

source: http://www.travel.india.com / Travel by india.com / Home> Destination / by Kumar Utkarsh / April 03rd, 2024

AFFOREST Launches India’s First Jackfruit Skincare Range

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Bangalore Based AFFOREST Green Beauty Brand announces all new culture of skin care.

“AFFOREST Green Beauty” a luxurious forest to skin, skincare brand that harnesses the power of exotic forest ingredients to revitalize and rejuvenate your skin. Inspired by the serene beauty and healing properties of forests around the world, AFFOREST was born out of their love for Coorg popular as mini Scotland of India.

Coorg’s beauty is a vision to behold. Undulating hills covered in lush green forests and a landscape dotted with coffee plantations, tea gardens and orange groves.

AFFOREST Team scouts through their vast estates and explore to unearth high performing vegan discoveries to be developed into the best of Skincare products that forests have to offer. They go through extensive rounds of Research & Development and Sampling before making the final jar of goodness that is clean, green, and filled with the AFFOREST Promise.

AFFOREST range of skincare products includes cleansers, serums, moisturizers, masks, and more, all designed to address various skin concerns and enhance your natural radiance. Whether you’re looking to hydrate dry skin, combat signs of aging, or achieve a radiant complexion, AFFOREST offers a solution to your needs. “Each product is carefully formulated with extracts from plants, herbs, and high performing plant based alternative extracts. We do not use any byproduct of animals in our products,” reveals, Yukta, CEO & Co-founder.

Key to the brand philosophy is sustainability and environmental consciousness. AFFOREST is committed to preserving the natural habitats that inspire their products, which is why they prioritize eco-friendly practices throughout their production process.

From responsibly sourcing ingredients to using recyclable packaging, AFFOREST strives to minimize its environmental footprint and contribute to the preservation of our planet’s precious forests. In this journey, they also carry their customers along with them. They contribute 1 tree towards each product bought and they become part of their community of, “AFFOREST RANGERS”.

AFFOREST RANGERS are responsible for:

•  Giving back to the forests

•  Building a greener tomorrow

•  Protecting our wildlife

•  Becoming a part of our green community

•  Promoting beauty that goes more than skin deep.

In addition to their dedication to nature and sustainability, AFFOREST is committed to inclusivity and transparency. “We believe that skincare should be accessible to everyone, regardless of skin type, tone, or background,” says, Yukta.

Their products are formulated to be suitable for all skin types, and they are committed to providing clear and honest information about the ingredients they use and their benefits.

Through the Journey

The brand founders have boot strapped the business and run lean operations. AFFOREST launched its 1st in India Green Coffee range of skincare products. The initial 4 product launch with cleanser, hydrating expert, mineral sunscreen & serum was the talk of the town. “These product’s well received feedback and positive support moved us to launch 6 more products in this range,” says Yukta. The 10 products became so popular as an India’s first ever launch that the founders started exploring more exotic forest ingredients to curate into their portfolio.

Challenges were plenty. “The biggest challenge for us was to maintain small batches of stocks to control the quality and efficacy of the exotic products before manufacturing at scale, convincing our manufacturers of the same was always the foundational challenge as we use exotic forest ingredients. With lot of efforts and dedication towards our products and brand aspirations we were able to convince our manufacturers to work on small capacities first to maintain our product quality which can be controlled by AFFOREST Green Beauty,“ reveals Yukta.

Everything revolves around the customers, “I personally interact with customers to understand in which direction the products and brand needs to evolve since we are new culture to skincare,” says Yukta.

India’s first Jackfruit Skin Care Range, nowhere else

AFFOREST, has launched yet another exotic forest hi performing science backed superpower ingredient, “Jackfruit Beauty Range”. India’s 1st ever launch which is backed as the hi performer for pigmentation and hyper pigmentation skin concerns. High amounts of vitamin C are present in jackfruit extracts which boosts collagen and firm’s skin. Powerful ingredient for Vitamin A and derivative retinoid delays ageing.

“The Jackfruit range will mark the luxurious era for AFFOREST,” says Yukta. The range consists of a foaming cleanser, gel crème moisturizer, under eye crème & bedtime serum blended with other science backed performing botanical extracts to target early signs of pigmentation & hyper pigmentation. 100% Vegan, Cruelty free, Paraben & Toxin Free, Exotic forests aromas will leave you wanting for more. AFFOREST products are not just to treat your condition scientifically, the experience is exotic, the aromas refresh your mind, body & soul helps you rejuvenate after a long day. “We will keep bringing the science backed, plant based exotic forest ingredient formulations to our customers which will not only treat and improve their skin needs but also make them feel good about themselves and relax their mental load by using AFFOREST products,” says Yukta.

Kudos to the team

•  AFFOREST Green Beauty has forayed into a marketplace with already existing strong players and has managed to create a niche for themselves from the exotic India’s 1st forest to skin products along with building an AFFOREST Rangers community and bringing New Culture into Skincare which is not just about treating skin scientifically but mindfully as well.

•  The brand received so much of appreciation from their Green Coffee range of skincare that they researched and developed another exotic forest ingredient the Jackfruit skincare range. They are going to keep bringing the customers exciting new forest goodness to bring freshness to their skin and lives.

•  The brand’s Hero Ingredient is always Certified organic, well researched backed with science and blended into the ultimate high performing potent formula. The most active part of the formulation is the hero ingredient which contains 10% of the actives.

“Our brand, AFFOREST ‘s journey is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and passion. As we navigate the road ahead, we will continue to uphold our values of authenticity, transparency, and integrity, ensuring that every product we create reflects our unwavering commitment towards excellence & the environment,” Yukta Raghu, 1st Ranger, CEO & Co-founder, AFFOREST Green Beauty.

www.myafforest.com

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Image: AFFOREST Green Beauty Brand – All new culture of skin care

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.)

source: http://www.ptinews.com / PTI / Home> General / by Press Release / April 02nd, 2024

Foresters in Kodagu try to reunite elephant calf with the herd

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Nearly six days ago, a three-month-old male elephant calf was spotted roaming aimlessly across the estates of Maldare village in South Kodagu.

Forest authorities rescue a three-month-old baby elephant with the goal of reuniting it with its mother.

Madikeri :

Amidst the increased movement of the wild elephants across Maldare in Kodagu, an elephant calf went astray from its herd even as its cries reached the skies.

The residents spotted the elephant calf moving alone across the forest fringes even as the forest department was alerted. Rescue operations are ongoing to reunite the calf with its mother.

Nearly six days ago, a three-month-old male elephant calf was spotted roaming across the estates of Maldare village in South Kodagu. The calf called out to its mother and was roaming aimlessly even as the incident was reported to the foresters.

“After we received the information, the Rapid Response Team (RRT) started tracking the elephant calf and tried to reunite it with the herd. We tried to trace the original herd of this calf and continuous efforts for nearly five days were put in to reunite the calf and the mother,” explained Jaganath, Virajpet DCF, adding that the elephant calf was aggressive.

He confirmed that a herd of elephants was moving in close proximity to where the calf was found and the foresters left the calf at a distance to initiate the reunion. However, this herd moved away even as the effort to trace the herd continues.

“The RRT staff, alongside estate labourers and helpers from a private coffee estate, are still involved in combing operations. They are tracking the movements of the calf. The elephant calf is healthy and it can feed for itself, as coffee beans and traces of bamboo shoots were found in its dung. The calf will survive on its own. However, we are tracing its movement to ensure its safety,” he added. 

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / April 05th, 2024

Special Puja Offered At Talacauvery For Rain

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Madikeri:

Following severe drought condition in the State including Kodagu district, special puja was performed at Sri Bhagandeshwara Temple and Talacauvery, the birth place of River Cauvery in the district today, praying for a good spell of rain, said M.B. Devaiah, President of Sri Kaaveramme Kodava Amma Kodava Hitarakshana Charitable Trust.

Devaiah said, “Mother Cauvery should show mercy on us to come out of the present drought situation. The devotees, who came from various parts of the State have offered puja at Talacauvery.”

By performing puja, we prayed for rainfall and as per the advise of tantris (priests) we did yelaneeru (tender coconut) abhisheka during the puja. All the devotees took part in the puja rituals. Following drought in the State, people, livestock and wildlife are facing severe water scarcity. Kodagu had last witnessed such a severe drought condition in the year 1924. In the later years, the district had witnessed copious rainfall contributing to better agrarian output.

Now, we have been witnessing severe drought, leading to drying up of rivers and other water bodies. The Governments should be blamed for the current situation, for taking up massive deforestation by cutting trees arbitrarily in the name of development works. The people, livestock and animals are feeling the pinch, crying for water, said Devaiah. Prominent leaders of Sri Kaaveramme Kodava Amma Kodava Hitarakshana Charitable Trust Manu Muddappa, M.K. Aiyanna, Nandakumar, Somaiah and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 03rd, 2024

Actress Daisy Bopanna Buys Ducati Monster: Names Superbike ‘Anandi’ (Video)

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), , , , ,

Actors buying expensive bikes is a common thing in India; however, we have a few actresses from the industry who have shown their love for two-wheelers in the past. Indian actress Daisy Bopanna is one such example. The actress, who is popular in the Tamil and Kannada film industry, recently took delivery of her brand-new Ducati Monster superbike. Not only did she buy a new bike, but she also gave it a nickname. She calls it “Anandi.”

The video has been shared by Daisy Bopanna on her Instagram page. The actress posted the video with a caption, “Officially my baby now. Named her “Anandi” – my gateway to heaven. Seriously such a pleasurable bike. Crazy speed, absolutely comfortable, just sheer bliss. Can’t question a @ducatiinfinity. Thank you, my fef @i.am.amyth.”

The Monster brand of Ducati is almost 25 years old, and under this brand, Ducati offers naked sports bikes. The model bought by Daisy here is the current generation model which was launched in the market back in 2021. The motorcycle features an updated exterior design, looking a lot leaner than the previous version.

The headlight design and the ring-type LED DRLs are new additions. Ducati replaced the trellis frame with an aluminum frame and an aluminum swingarm inspired by the Panigale V4. The sub-frame of the Monster is made of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP), making it stronger and lighter than before.

The motorcycle comes with 43 mm USD forks at the front and an adjustable monoshock at the rear. The 17-inch wheels on this motorcycle are also said to be lighter than before. At the front, the Monster gets twin 320 mm discs, and rear braking duties are handled by a 245 mm disc. Ducati is offering features like ABS, cornering ABS, power launch, traction control, and wheelie control, along with ride-by-wire and three riding modes – Sport, Touring, and Urban.

Coming to the heart, the Ducati Monster is powered by a 937-cc, L-twin, liquid-cooled engine. This is the same engine that does duty on the HyperMotard and Ducati SuperSport. This engine generates 110 Bhp and 93 Nm of peak torque in the Monster. This engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox and also comes with a bi-directional quick shifter as standard.

The price for a brand-new Ducati Monster 937 starts at Rs 12.94 lakh, ex-showroom, and goes up to Rs 15.95 lakh, ex-showroom. We are not sure which one the actress actually bought in this case.

Biker Women

Manju Warrier with her BMW R 1250 GS

While we have seen many actors on the road with their expensive motorcycles, we have rarely seen actresses with an interest in two-wheelers. In Bollywood, we have Gul Panag, who owns a couple of motorcycles like Royal Enfield Electra, BMW F650 Funduro, Triumph Bonneville, and a Jawa 42. Other actresses like Sonakshi Sinha, Kalki Koechlin, and Divyanka Tripathi have also been spotted riding bikes.

If you come down to the South Indian film industry, especially Malayalam, we have Manju Warrier , who recently got her two-wheeler license. She fell in love with motorcycles during a trip with Tamil actor Ajith to the Himalayas. Soon after returning, she bought herself a brand-new BMW R1250 GS adventure tourer motorcycle.

source: http://www.cartoq.com / CarToq / Home> Bike News / by Ajeesh Kuttan / April 02nd, 2024

Kundyolanda Cup Family Hockey Fest Begins In Kodagu

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The 24th Edition of Kodava Hockey Festival 2024, dubbed the ‘Kundyolanda Hockey Carnival’ and organised by the Kundyolanda Family, began with vibrant fervour at the General Thimayya Ground at Napoklu Karnataka Public School yesterday. Matches will be played on three grounds at Napoklu.

Pandanda K. Bopanna, President of the Kodava Hockey Academy, inaugurated the event by striking a silver hockey ball with a hockey stick. Virajpet MLA and CM’s Legal Advisor Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja — who notably played for Coorg 11 against Navy 11 — graced the occasion.

Other dignitaries included MLC Suja Kushalappa, author of ‘The Vanishing Kodavas’ Kambiranda Kaveri Ponnappa, Olympian Paikera Kalaiah, Lt. Col Baleyada Subramani and Akhila Kodava Samaja President Paradanda Subramani.

Originating in 1997 from the visionary insight of the late Pandanda Kuttappa, affectionately known as Kuttani, a former State league referee, the Kodava Hockey Festival has evolved over the years and is now managed under the auspices of the Kodava Hockey Academy.

Scheduled from Mar. 30 to Apr. 28, this month-long festival promises an exhilarating experience for sports enthusiasts and hockey aficionados alike. This time, over 360 teams from various families have registered for the festival. It serves as an annual spectacle, drawing together families from diverse locales to revel in their shared passion for hockey and their common heritage.

The registration of 360 teams marks a historic milestone in the tournament’s history, setting a new record for participation. In addition to the thrilling hockey matches, attendees can anticipate a multitude of attractions.

A vibrant food festival showcasing authentic Kodava delicacies alongside diverse cuisines promises to tantalise taste buds. Matrimonial initiatives and cultural events celebrating the community’s rich heritage add further excitement to the extravaganza.

Before the formal inauguration, a grand procession commenced from the Napoklu Sri Rama Mandira, leading to the main playground. The procession was joined by hundreds of Kodava men, women, and children adorned in their traditional attire.

Multiple folk dances, musical instruments and art forms, imagery and symbols from the Kodava community added to the vibrant atmosphere of the procession.

In honour of the festival’s 24th edition, 24 balloons were released into the air and 24 rounds of gunfire resounded, with each bullet symbolising a participating family. Before each gunshot, the names of the families were announced aloud, signifying their integral role in the festival’s legacy.

With a staggering total of 5,760 players, 730 coaches and managers and 40 technical staff actively participating, the tournament guarantees an atmosphere filled with intense competition and promises to create lasting memories  for all involved.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / March 31st, 2024

Historic Milestone in Coffee Industry: Robusta Prices Surpass Arabica, Reach All-Time High

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

HIGHLIGHTS

In a groundbreaking development for the coffee industry, robusta coffee prices have surged past Arabica prices to reach an unprecedented all-time high, driven by global supply shortages.

Historic Milestone in Coffee Industry: Robusta Prices Surpass Arabica, Reach All-Time High

Bengaluru:

In a groundbreaking development for the coffee industry, robusta coffee prices have surged past Arabica prices to reach an unprecedented all-time high, driven by global supply shortages. The farmgate price of robusta green coffee berries soared to a record ₹172 per kg in the Wayanad market, on Wednesday marking a significant increase from ₹115 per kg during the same period last year. Additionally, the spot price of Robusta Parchment coffee beans skyrocketed to an all-time high of ₹315 per kg, compared to ₹220 per kg in March 2023. Notably, in March 2022, the rates for raw fruits and parchment stood at ₹80 and ₹145 respectively.

In the Kodagu market, the price of robusta parchment surged to Rs 14,700 per 50 kg bag, setting a new milestone. This marks the first time that the price of cherry and parchment coffee has surpassed that of Arabica. Arabica cherry coffee is currently priced between 8000-8200 per 50 kg bag, while robusta commands a higher price of over 8600 -8700 rupees.

Experts attribute this remarkable surge in prices to a combination of factors, including a surge in global demand and crop failures in leading coffee exporting countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam due to extreme weather conditions. Despite challenges in yield, India’s coffee production is expected to reach 3.54 lakh tonnes, slightly up from last year’s production of 3.52 lakh tonnes, according to officials from the Coffee Board.

Former Coffee Board member, Dr. Sannuwanda Kaveerappa, predicts a further rise in robusta coffee prices, attributing it to crop destruction in Vietnam and Indonesia and the superior quality of Indian coffee compared to other regions. With Karnataka leading the way, accounting for 71% of the country’s coffee production, followed by Kerala (21%) and Tamil Nadu (5%), India remains a significant player in the global coffee market.

As coffee prices soar, it is anticipated that prices in hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops will witness an upward trend in the coming months, potentially impacting consumers. This price hike may prompt consumers to shift towards other alternatives like tea. Additionally, the rise in robusta prices may lead Arabica growers to consider transitioning to robusta cultivation due to its lower maintenance costs and rarity of borer infestation. Market analysts anticipate further increases in coffee prices in the coming days, with the possibility of maintaining stability even in the face of minor fluctuations.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Coovercolly Indresh / Hans News Service / March 28th, 2024

Delhi R-Day IAF Display: Mysurean Punya Nanjappa To Fly MiG-29

Amazing Feats, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mysore/Mysuru:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up to showcase a breathtaking spectacle with a flypast featuring 51 aircraft during the Republic Day (R-Day) celebrations on Jan. 26 in New Delhi. This impressive lineup includes 29 fighter aircraft, 8 transport planes, 13 helicopters and one heritage aircraft.

Adding to the significance of the event, 15 women pilots of IAF will take command of various aircrafts during the flypast, contributing to the display of prowess and skill. Notably, among these accomplished women pilots is the extraordinary talent from Mysuru, Coluvanda Punya Nanjappa, hailing from Kodagu.

She will pilot the MiG-29 fighter jet, contributing to a captivating formation that will undoubtedly fill the hearts of the people in Mysuru and Kodagu with immense pride. Punya Nanjappa’s achievement represents a remarkable moment, highlighting the strides made by women in IAF and adding to the grandeur of R-Day celebrations.

Punya Nanjappa stands out as a fighter pilot, a remarkable distinction for a woman with roots in Kodagu, a region known for its deep association with defence forces.

Punya is the daughter of Coluvanda Anuradha Nanjappa, who served as a teacher at St. Joseph’s Central School, Vijayanagar and late Coluvanda P. Bala Nanjappa, who held the position of Manager at Prabha Theatre. The family hails from Chambebellur in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district.

Punya’s educational journey took her through St. Joseph’s Central School in Vijayanagar for her schooling, Vijaya Vittala PU College in Saraswathipuram for her PUC and NIE, Mysuru, where she pursued her engineering degree.

Desire to join NDA

Despite her strong desire to enter the National Defence Academy (NDA), she faced an obstacle as, at that time, the NDA was not open for women. Unfortunately, her dream of joining the NDA remained unfulfilled. However, the circumstances have changed now and women can enrol in NDA.

Nursing the ambition of becoming a pilot in the IAF, Punya Nanjappa’s unwavering ambition to join the elite force was ignited during an Air Show at the renowned Mysuru Dasara festival where she witnessed the captivating displays of prowess in the skies. In pursuit of this dream, Punya enrolled in the National Cadet Corps (NCC), laying the foundation for her journey towards becoming a pilot.

Tough test cleared

Following her academic pursuits, she took on the challenge of the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), a gateway for officer recruitment in the Flying Branch (Short Service Commission only). It is a nationwide examination with 3.5 lakh participants. Out of the 1,000 shortlisted candidates, Punya Nanjappa secured her place among the 135 selected individuals, marking a triumphant step towards her dream.

Subsequently, she took part in the IAF Service Selection Board Exam in Mysuru where 160 candidates from various States participated. Amidst stiff competition, Punya Nanjappa emerged as the sole candidate selected for piloting responsibilities. Passing the AFCAT in 2018, she later cleared the interview and medical test and was selected as a trainee pilot.

Undergoing rigorous training at the Indian Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Telangana, Punya Nanjappa has now become a proud fighter pilot in the IAF, entrusted with the responsibility of flying the MiG-29 fighter jet during the Republic Day (R-Day)celebrations.

On Jan. 26, Punya Nanjappa will be the sole fighter pilot from Karnataka, soaring through the skies with her skilled piloting of the jet. This accomplishment not only brings pride to the State of Karnataka but also specifically to Mysuru and Kodagu.

The significance of this momentous occasion will be heightened as it will be witnessed by key dignitaries including President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of India’s Defence Forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India’s 2024 Republic Day guest, French President Emmanuel Macron.

The event is poised to be a remarkable showcase of India’s military prowess, featuring impressive displays by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.

Flying MiG-29 an unparalleled experience: Punya Nanjappa

My dream of many years is finally coming true and I couldn’t be happier to fly a MiG-29 fighter jet this Republic Day on Jan. 26. Sitting in the cockpit of a MiG-29 is an unparalleled experience and it brings me immense pride to be part of this extraordinary moment of India’s defence showcase, Punya Nanjappa told Star of Mysore.

Fulfilling my long-standing aspiration to fly an IAF fighter jet on Republic Day is a dream realised and I am overjoyed. My mother, too, shares in the pride of this accomplishment. I have conducted the rehearsals for the flight thrice, ensuring a flawless and awe-inspiring display, she said.

This Republic Day, with a significant focus on women’s empowerment by the Centre, numerous opportunities have opened up for women, myself included. Being part of this historic event underscores the strides made in empowering women and breaking barriers. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to this momentous occasion and showcase the capabilities of women in the Indian Air Force, Punya added.

No greater joy for a mother than this

There is no greater joy for a mother than this. What brings more happiness to a mother? I am absolutely thrilled that my daughter has been presented with this incredible opportunity. India has extended more opportunities to women on this Republic Day, to exhibit their strength and capabilities.

My daughter has faced numerous challenges to reach this point and even in the face of her father’s passing away, she remained resilient and did not succumb to the pain.

The aspiration to join the Indian Air Force had been ingrained in her from the very beginning and she was upset to leave me alone. But her passion to serve the country prevailed. I am filled with immense pride to see her fly the MiG-29. —Anuradha Nanjappa, Punya Nanjappa’s mother

Her journey has been far from easy

Punya Nanjappa is the embodiment of hard work and dedication. Despite the profound sorrow of losing her father, she stayed resolute in pursuing her aspirations and achieving her goals. This accomplishment is not just a source of pride for Mysuru but for Karnataka and Kodagu. Her journey has been far from easy, marked by relentless effort and a strong resolve to attain her objectives. Her unwavering commitment to excellence is rewarded. —Rtn. A.N. Aiyanna, Past President, Rotary Midtown

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / by Bapu Lingaraj Urs / January 04th, 2024