Tag Archives: Mantar Gowda

Ponnanna and Manthar are like the two eyes of Kodagu; protect them

October 6, 2026Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, AllAS Ponnana - Congress MLA Virajpet, AS Ponnanna, AS Ponnanna - Additional Advocate General - Karnataka High Court, AS Ponnanna - MLA - Karnataka, Cauvery Aarti, Coorg, Dr Mantar Gowda, Dr Mantar Gowda - MLA Madikeri, Gowda Heritage of Kodagu, Kail Muhurat Jambara 2026, Kodagu, Kodagu District, Kodagu District - The Kashmir of Karnataka, Kodagu First, Kodagu Gowda Samaja Hall - Ullal - Bengaluru, Mantar Gowda, Mantar Gowda - Madikeri MLA, Mantar Gowda - MLA - Kodagu, MLA AS Ponnanna, Mother Cauvery, Virajpet MLA AS PONNANNAadmin

Bengaluru :

“Instead of migrating elsewhere for jobs, people of the Coastal and Malnad regions should start businesses in your own hometowns utilizing local natural resources. To empower you, the Congress government has formulated a special Tourism Policy for the Coastal and Malnad regions,” called upon CM D. K. Shivakumar.

Shivakumar was speaking at the Kail Muhurat Jambara 2026 event held on Sunday at the Kodagu Gowda Samaja Hall in Ullal, Bengaluru.

“All of you have come from Kodagu and are residing in Bengaluru. If you forget your roots, you will not achieve success. Just as roots are essential for a tree, faith is essential for a human being. It gives me immense joy to see you all come together, building such a magnificent structure by bringing together your culture, hometown, heritage, and community. My congratulations to everyone who worked hard and encouraged this effort,” he said.

Kodagu has a rich history of valor, culture, and spirituality

“Kodagu has a history in the fields of valor, culture, and spirituality. We can never forget its history of raising heroes in every household. Mother Cauvery, who originates here, feeds us all the way to Puducherry. This time, there has been a severe drought. Even the Malnad region has lacked rainfall this year. I am anxiously waiting for the lakes and the KRS dam to fill up,” he stated.

“I have decided to conduct the Cauvery Aarti every year, and instructions have been issued to celebrate it during the Dasara festival this year as well. Kodagu district is the Kashmir of Karnataka. The entire world is attracted to this region. Preserve your heritage; it is a great human quality. In my own experience, people migrate from villages to cities for education and livelihood. If education and employment were available in the villages, you would not have come here. You are organizing yourselves and trying to do good for the village people, and you have presented several demands to me,” he said.

Build businesses in your own hometowns

“We recently held a special cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, where a separate tourism policy was formulated for the Malnad and Coastal regions. The talent of the people from this region must be recognized. People from this district have left their mark in sports and the defense sector. Educational institutions and banks were established in the Coastal region, but they have now declined. Protecting them is our duty. It has been decided to utilize the 327 km-long coastline for tourism, similar to Goa and Kerala,” he noted.

“Looking at Mangaluru, Udupi, and Karwar, there isn’t even a single five-star hotel. I do not wish to talk politics about why this happened. It is our desire to leave behind a meaningful contribution during our tenure. We are not permanent in politics. God gives neither blessings nor curses; He only gives opportunities. What we do with the opportunities we get is what matters,” he expressed.

“The Tirupati Temple Trust approached us asking for land to build a good temple. For that purpose, the Cabinet has decided to allot 10 acres of land in Mangaluru to the TTD Board. There are already temples like Kukke Subramanya, Kollur Mookambika, Kateel, and Dharmasthala in that region. This decision was taken to help those who cannot travel to Tirupati visit the Venkataramana temple here instead,” he said.

“Our decision regarding the Tulu language has been discussed worldwide; it is a symbol of self-respect. We have framed a special tourism policy combining the Coastal and Malnad regions. Rather than going outside for employment, this should enable the people of this region to build businesses right at their doorstep. We arrived at this decision so that you become entrepreneurs rather than remaining employees. No one can erase your coffee, spices, and culture. To protect them, an infrastructure policy has been integrated into this tourism policy. If you start a tourism-related business in this region, the repayment tenure for loans offered by banks can be extended from 5–6 years to up to 20 years. Financial strength must be provided to those starting businesses,” he explained.

Meeting with entrepreneurs in Mangaluru shortly

“I will visit Mangaluru again and sit down to hold discussions with all entrepreneurs. I invite you as well; please participate. Instead of outsiders coming and starting businesses here, set up businesses yourselves and build assets. I am making efforts to give strength to this initiative,” he informed.

Ponnanna and Manthar are like the two eyes of Kodagu; protect them

“You have shown special affection toward me, and I believe in principles over caste to take everyone along together. Victory to human values; peace to the world through righteousness. We must follow the message given by our National Poet Kuvempu in the state anthem to live with humanity without hurting anyone’s feelings. We are building our lives for the unity, integrity, and peace of the nation. Let us work together for this.

Representatives from Mysuru have submitted a memorandum regarding land, and I have instructed Ponnanna and Manthar Gowda to present this matter before the Cabinet. I will extend whatever help is possible from my end and look into the remaining demands to provide assistance,” he assured.

“When I was in difficult times, all of you stood by me in support, praying and fighting for me. As I always say, efforts may fail, but prayers never fail. You all expressed the desire for this D. K. Shivakumar to be around for a longer time to serve the state. I will govern without compromising your feelings, thoughts, and respect. This D. K. Shivakumar is a son of your household. Protect me as you would protect your own children. There are two MLAs here—Manthar and Ponnanna—who are like the two eyes of Kodagu district. Give them strength too. They are active, young, and working with honesty. Some people feel envious of their growth. There is no cure for envy. Those who are strong and perform well will always have critics and enemies,” he said.

Protect your voting rights

“If we are stronger, we will have more enemies; if we are less strong, fewer enemies; if we aren’t strong at all, there will be no enemies. Envy exists toward those who work actively. Therefore, you must protect these two MLAs. Protecting them is equivalent to protecting me and giving me strength. Protect your votes. You are seeing it yourselves—we are fighting day and night to safeguard your right to vote. Now, the Election Commission has directed that no names should be removed from the voter list unnecessarily.

“Let them revise the names of those having more than one vote or those who have passed away. But the rights of genuine, eligible voters must be protected. The right to vote is the right to life; it is the power granted by the Constitution,” he said.

Celebrating Dasara differently this time

“You have celebrated Ayudha Puja with great joy, and we will accord the respect due to the history and Gowda heritage of Kodagu. You are preserving both agricultural and cultural traditions. Our culture is the asset of our nation. We are trying to celebrate Dasara differently this time—troops from the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy should participate in the Dasara procession to honor the soldiers who have served the nation. Artists from various regions, the film industry, and all communities should be included, and we are moving forward to conduct the event with discipline,” he stated.

I am with you, stand with us
“Ambassadors from several nations and Chief Ministers of other states have been invited to this tradition that has been carried forward since the era of the Maharajas. Opportunities have also been provided for your traditions and culture in the procession. This D. K. Shivakumar will be with you on all occasions. Utilize me as much as you can. May good things happen to you. I am with you; stay with us,” he assured.

source: http://www.megamedianews.com / MegaMedia News / Home> Regional News / by Editor / October 05th, 2026

Karnataka: ‘Swacha Kodagu-Sundara Kodagu’ mega-cleanliness drive to be held on Oct. 15

October 15, 2025Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, AllAnand Prakash Meena, B R Nagendra Prasad, B S Sundar, Clean Kodagu - Beautiful Kodagu, Coorg, Gonikoppal, K Ramarajan - Kodagu SP, Kodagu, Kodagu Chamber of Commerce, Kodagu District, Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce, Kodagu District Cooperative Central Bank, Kodagu First, Kodagu Homestays Association, Kodagu Hotels and Resorts Association, Kodagu University, Kodagu Zilla Panchayat, Kundyolanda Dinesh, Kundyolanda Dinesh Kariappa, Kushalnagar, M P Sunach Kushalappa, M P Sunach Kushalappa - MLC, Mantar Gowda, Mantar Gowda - Madikeri MLA, Naseer Ahamed - General Secretary - Kodagu Hotels and Resorts Association, Naseer Ahmed, Rohith, Somwarpet, Swacha Kodagu - Sundara Kodagu, Taluk Homestay Association, Teethir Dharmaja Uthappa, Venkat Raja - DC Kodaguadmin

The ‘Swacha Kodagu-Sundara Kodagu’ (Clean Kodagu-Beautiful Kodagu) campaign has received an overwhelming response from across the district and a mega-cleanliness drive will be held on Wednesday, October 15, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. as part of the initiative.

Kundyolanda Dinesh Kariappa, president, Kodagu Hotels and Resorts Association, said that the campaign is being organised under the banner of the association, in collaboration with the district administration, Kodagu Zilla Panchayat, Kodagu Chamber of Commerce, Kodagu Homestays Association, Rotary and Lions Clubs, Department of Tourism, Red Cross, local organisations, and various educational institutions. More than 220 associations and organisations in the district have extended their support to the drive.

MLA for Madikeri Mantar Gowda will inaugurate the district-level campaign near General Thimmaiah Circle in Madikeri at 8 a.m. Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja, Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Anand Prakash Meena, and other dignitaries are scheduled to be present.

M.P. Sunach Kushalappa, MLC, will inaugurate the drive at Gonikoppal, while B.R. Nagendra Prasad, president, Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce, will launch the programme at Kushalnagar. At Virajpet, Teethir Dharmaja Uttappa, District President, Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee, will launch the drive. Rohith, president, Taluk Homestay Association; and B.S. Sundar, vice-president of the Hotels and Resorts Association, will inaugurate the campaign at Somwarpet.

As part of the initiative, 1,500 NSS students from 23 colleges affiliated with Kodagu University will participate in cleanliness activities within their respective campuses. Similarly, students from schools and colleges across the district will take part in cleaning the respective premises of their institutions.

Officials and staff of the Kodagu District Cooperative Central Bank among others have also pledged their support.

Traders have been urged to clean the surroundings of their business establishments.

Mr. Kariappa said that public participation is being sought on a voluntary basis and the waste collected on October 15 will be transported to the solid waste management plant in Mysuru with the assistance of panchayat and local body officials.

Association general secretary Naseer Ahmed said government office staff, private school teachers, bank employees, and students may also participate between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on October 15. The campaign primarily focuses on cleaning major roads and highways across the district.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India / by The Hindu Bureau / October 14th, 2025

Kodagu hospital gets dialysis, anti-rabies units

August 5, 2025Business & Economy, Records, AllCoorg, Dr. Mantar Gowda, Kodagu, Kodagu District, Kodagu First, Kodagu Hospital, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital - KoIMS, KoiMS - Medical Superintendent - Somashekar, KoIMS Dean - Lokesh Kumar, KoIMS District Surgeon - Nanjunayya, Madikeri, Mantar Gowda, Mantar Gowda - Madikeri MLAadmin

Kodagu’s public healthcare infrastructure got a boost with the launch of several advanced healthcare units at the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KoIMS) Teaching Hospital in Madikeri.

The newly launched units include an Anti-Rabies Unit, and a Dialysis Unit. The facilities are equipped with hi-tech technologies for delivering quality healthcare services to the people of Kodagu.

MLA for Madikeri Mantar Gowda inaugurated the facilities. He reiterated his commitment to transforming KoIMS into a full-fledged multi-specialty hospital, a long-standing demand of the people of Kodagu. He assured that he would put in efforts to get grants from the government to further expand healthcare services at the institute.

Dr. Gowda urged the public to make full and best use of the new services and urged the hospital staff to deliver best medical care to patients.

KoIMS Dean Lokesh Kumar, District Surgeon Nanjundayya, Medical Superintendent Somashekar, and other senior health officials were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / August 04th, 2025

Somvarpet’s white elephant

June 15, 2023Records, All, SportsAB Subbaiah, AB Subbaiah - Secretary - Hockey Karnataka, Abharan Sudev, Arjun Halappa, Ashok HN, Ashok HN - Director - Dolphins Hockey Academy, BM Geeta, BP Govinda, Dolphin's Hockey Academy - Somvarpet, Dolphins Hockey Academy - Somwarpet, DYES - Kodagu District, Government PU College - Somvarpet, Hariprasad, Kodagu District, Kodagu First, Mantar Gowda, Mantar Gowda - MLA - Kodagu, Roy KP, Somvarpet, Somwarpet, SV Sunil, Vismayi VT, Vismayi VT - Assistant Director - DYES Kodagu Districtadmin

The turf that was laid in 2021 remains unused and in a shambles.

The hockey turf sanctioned by Hockey India way back in 2013 which was completed in 2021 has a deserted look without a single match being played so far. Credit: DH Photo

A sprinkler to water the pitch that was wrongly placed behind one of the two goal posts at the hockey arena in Somvarpet. Credit: DH Photo

Synonymous with the region’s love for hockey, the little-known Somvarpet – which translates to Somavara (in Kannada): Monday and pete meaning market – in Kodagu district has produced several Indian players over the years.

While BP Govinda (member of the bronze medal-winning Indian team at the 1972 Munich Olympics) and SV Sunil (two-time Olympian and Arjuna awardee) are the stalwarts, other Indian internationals such as Arjun Halappa, Vikram Kanth, Hariprasad, Abharan Sudev, Roy KP, BM Geeta along with many in the national camps and India A teams have helped put Somvarpet on the sports’ global stage.

Recognising its contribution to Indian hockey and the immense talent pool, it was only apt when Hockey India chose this small town in the western ghats to lay a long-pending demand for synthetic turf – much to the excitement of hockey lovers here.

Though the ‘bhoomi puje’ was done way back on March 14, 2013, work began only in 2018 while the laying of the turf was completed in 2021 at Somvarpet’s Government PU College premises. More than two years later, however, the field remains closed and unused without a single match being played so far.

Surprisingly, around two years ago, HI issued an FIH (International Hockey Federation) certification and declared the turf fit as per international standards even though half the work – undertaken by a Hyderabad-based sports infrastructure company – had remained incomplete. This came as a rude shock to many and their concerns falling on deaf ears.

While defective drainage system and unscientifically built retention walls lead to flooding during monsoon, sprinklers have been placed behind goalposts. Besides, there are no water and electricity connections which have left the turf dry in summers.

“There is weed growing around the mat and in the stands. The newly-built arena has an abandoned look,” rued Ashok HN, director of Dolphin’s Hockey Academy in Somvarpet.

“It has been 10 years and we don’t know how many more years do we have to wait to witness some hockey action here,” he added.

A total of Rs 2 crore was allocated by the DYES initially but the expenditure of the project shot up to nearly Rs 5 crore in the course of time. With the money spent going waste, the stadium with a scenic backdrop fails to paint a pretty picture.

“It is really tragic because Somvarpet is one of the main hockey beds of the State and so much money has been spent,” said AB Subbaiah, secretary of Hockey Karnataka and member of the selection committee of HI.

“The mandate is for the agency to give a minimum guarantee of seven years after the completion of work. The DYES has to hold the contractor accountable.”

When DH contacted Vismayi VT, the assistant director at DYES of Kodagu district, she assured that the turf would be functional soon.

The newly-elected MLA of Madikeri, Mantar Gowda, inspected the facility on Monday and promised to fast track the process of getting the stadium ready and operational. “Around 90% of the work is completed. The interlocking of the surface around the the turf and clearing the weed are the only tasks pending. And about the wrong placement of the sprinkler, we have requested the contractor to shift it. As soon as all this is ready, we will co-ordinate with MLA sir and our head office in Bengaluru to fix an inauguration date at the earliest,” said Vismayi.

If making the turf in Somvarpet – fourth in the district after Madikeri, Kudige and Ponnampet – functional is the immediate priority, maintaining it will be a challenge in the years to come.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by Hita Prakash, DHNS, Bengaluru / June 14th, 2023

For the first time since 2004, Congress wins in Kodagu district

May 14, 2023Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, AllA Manju, Appachu Ranjan, AS Ponnanna, AS Ponnanna - Additional Advocate General - Karnataka High Court, BA Jeevijaya, Dr Mantar Gowda, KG Bopaiah, Madikeri, Mantar Gowda, Somwarpet, Virajpetadmin

Congress candidates AS Ponnanna and Mantar Gowda won from Virajpet and Madikeri constituencies, defeating the sitting BJP MLAs with a considerable margin.

For the first time in nearly two decades, Congress managed to win an Assembly election in Kodagu district of Karnataka, breaking the BJP’s run of wins in the hilly district. Congress candidate AS Ponnanna, a former Additional Advocate General in the Karnataka High Court, defeated KG Bopaiah of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Virajpet constituency of Kodagu district. In the same district, another Congress candidate Mantar Gowda, son of former Karnataka minister A Manju, defeated BJP’s Appachu Ranjan in the Madikeri constituency.

In 2004, BA Jeevijaya of the Congress had won from the erstwhile Somwarpet constituency in Kodagu district. However, in the last three elections held in 2008, 2013 and 2018, KG Bopaiah and Appachhu Ranjan had won from the two constituencies in the district — Virajpet and Madikeri. This time, the two Congress leaders defeated the sitting MLAs by a margin of over 4000 votes each.

The incumbent Virajpet MLA KG Bopaiah had triggered a controversy in the run up to the election, when he claimed that a win for the Congress would lead to celebrations of Tipu Jayanti returning in the state. AS Ponnanna maintained a studied silence on the issue and urged the BJP leader to speak about development.

The Congress party has emerged victorious in the recently concluded elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly, having won 132 seats and leading in four more constituencies as of 7.30 pm on Saturday, May 13, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

source: http://www.thenewsminute.com / The News Minute / Home> News / by TNM Staff / May 4th, 2023