Farmers to get 50 per cent subsidy for solar fencing

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

The government will provide 50 per cent subsidy to farmers to put up solar fences on their farms, said Minister for Forests B. Ramanath Rai on Thursday, as an obstacle against entry of wild animals and to reduce man-animal conflict

During his visit to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office here, the Minister told presspersons that the department had put up elephant-proof trenches and installed solar-powered fences around some stretches of the reserve forests and national parks. “This is part of the Karnataka Sustainable Forest Management and Bio-diversity Conservation Programme. However, if farmers want to get solar fences installed by private companies, we will grant them 50 per cent subsidy,” he said.

The Minister said his department was not against development. However, only such projects that will directly benefit people will be permitted. People who submit applications for land in deemed and reserve forests should keep in mind the various rules governing forests in the State.

The Minister said the process of resolving the confusion over the C and D categories of land (degraded forest land) had commenced. “According to the law, there is no provision to regularise encroachments on forest land after April 27, 1978. However, we have received over one lakh applications seeking regularisation of land. A Cabinet subcommittee has been formed to study the issue and take a decision,” he said.

Posts to be filled
He said 700 posts in the department would be filled shortly. “The department is also encouraging farmers to grow sandalwood. We are giving away saplings at Re. 1 and Rs. 2 each to farmers. These farmers will also get an incentive of Rs. 10, Rs. 15 and Rs. 20 for each sapling annually, in the first, second and third year respectively, to ensure its growth,” the Minister said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bangalore – January 03rd, 2014

Nine-day Kannada Sahitya Ratha tour from Saturday

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

98 Gram Panchayats are to be covered by the ratha, which will be taken out from Madikeri to the rural areas of Kodagu to apprise the people of the glorious culture of Karnataka and its rich traditions.

A “Kannada Sahitya Ratha” will be taken out from Madikeri on Saturday to rural areas of Kodagu on a nine-day sojourn with the message of the 80th All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan, scheduled to be held in Madikeri from January 7.

The field publicity committee of the sammelan is taking out the ratha from its office at the D. Devaraj Urs Bhavan in Madikeri at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday, president of the committee T.G. Prem Kumar said in a statement here on Thursday.

This was a preliminary step to apprise the people of the importance of the sammelan and invite them to the meet, he said.

The 54th All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan was held in Madikeri in 1981 presided over by writer Shamba Joshi.

Senior writer Na. D’Souza would preside over the 2014 sammelan, Mr. Kumar said and added that the ratha would cover all 98 gram panchayats in the district to provide information on the sammelan and invite them to participate in it.

The ratha would carry the portrait of the president of the sammelan and Jnanpith award winners from the State.

People would be apprised of the glorious culture of the State and its rich traditions, Mr. Kumar said.

Artiste B.R. Satish has designed the sammelan ratha. Pamphlets on the sammelan would be distributed among the people during the visit, Mr. Kumar said.

Principal convenor of the committee H.B. Shivananda said that the executive officers of the three taluks would be in-charge of the tour.

Training
Members of the field publicity committee were imparted training on Thursday to handle their jobs during the sammelan, by honorary general secretary of the Kodagu District Kannada Sahitya Parishat B.A. Shamsuddin.

Mr. Shamsuddin said that all members should have adequate knowledge of all aspects related to the sammelan to guarantee that the delegates were not short of any information.

Chief Minister invited
Meanwhile, president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat Pundalika Halambi, Kodagu district in-charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, Mysore-Kodagu MP A.H. Vishwanath and president of the Kodagu unit of the parishat T.P. Ramesh invited Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the sammelan by handing over an official invite to him in Bangalore on Thursday, a release said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Madikeri – December 27th, 2013

Supersonic opens to ‘7,000 footfalls’ at Candolim

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Candolim :

Vh1 Supersonic, the five-day electronic dance music (EDM) festival at Candolim beach, kicked off on Thursday, opening its doors to an estimated 7,000 people, as claimed by organizers on Day 1.

“The turnout today far exceeded our expectations-especially since the entire festival was built up in just 21 days!” said a delighted Nikhil Chinappa, music curator for the festival which features over 120 artists. “We still have four days to go, and expect a full house with over 10,000 people on December 30,” he added.

So what is it that sets Supersonic apart from other music festivals? “The feeling of sand between your toes is unrivalled,” Chinappa quipped. “Most EDM festivals try to cram too many DJs into their line-up, and each performance ends up sounding like just a trailer of their music. We will give our DJ’s longer sets to create a mood, and actually tell their stories through music,” he said. Despite competition from other EDM festivals under way in the state, Chinappa swears by Goa as the best possible destination to launch a new live music brand. “The biggest advantage about Goa is a practical one-our guests do not have to drive long distances to and from the festival venue; especially those who have had a few drinks at the festival. Most of them can just walk back to their hotel rooms and others have a large number of taxis at their disposal,” he adds.

The organizers of the event, Viacom 18, are going all out to boost international tourism in Goa. This year, guests from Malaysia will be admitted into the festival for free. “Every year, we will choose two countries, and all guests arriving from there will gain free entry. We will also conduct promotions for the festival there, which will automatically attract more tourists to Goa,” said Jaideep Singh, VP, Viacom 18, while briefing reporters at Candolim. The media company is also in talks with the Goa government to conduct three other large-scale events in a bid to increase tourist footfalls during the off season.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Goa> Candolim / TNN / December 27th, 2013

Running close to my best, says Poovamma

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

M.R. Poovamma.
M.R. Poovamma.

Their two-year bans over, the relay runners who brought doping shame to the country in 2011 are now back on track and in the national camp.

But, M.R. Poovamma doesn’t feel any threat. The Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games are lined up between July and October in Korea and Scotland next year and Poovamma feels that three of the berths in the six-member 4×400 women’s relay team, which includes two reserves, are almost confirmed though there are many more girls now in the fray.

“There should be some changes because the banned athletes have come back. But, I think Anu Mariam, Tintu Luka and I will be there in the relay team,” said the Asian championship 400m silver medallist on the sidelines of the All-India Public Sector Meet here on Friday. “The fight will be for the other berths.”

Poovamma, Tintu and Anu, along with Nirmala, won the Asian championship relay gold in Pune in July and they also ran in the world championship in Moscow in August.

Exudes confidence
The country’s fastest one-lap runner now, Poovamma is confident that India will get gold in the mile relay in the Asian Games in Incheon. But, she has a bigger goal.

“We have been getting the relay gold almost every time, we are sure of it but my main aim will be in getting the individual 400m medal,” said the 23-year-old, who hails from Mangalore. “Commonwealth, I can expect one of the three (medals) and Asian Games, I can try for a gold.”

She clocked her personal best, 52.75s in the recent Federation Cup in Patiala and hopes to bring it down to 51.50 year.

“During training, I am much better than what I was last year so I think I can run much faster, probably my best,” she said. “I’ll try my best to break the national record (Manjeet Kaur’s 51.05 which came in 2004) but my target next year is 51.50 and I think it’s achievable.”

There is talk in the circuit that Tintu could be running the 400m along with the 800m next year and Poovamma feels that the Kerala star’s presence will boost the one-lapper in a big way.

“If Tintu takes up 400m seriously, it will push me to much faster timings. She’s a good athlete, she has been giving us good competition…when something like that happens it will help the sport in a big way.”

More testing
With athletics coming under close scrutiny, Poovamma says that there is a lot more testing these days. “Now, I am in the Patiala national camp and the NADA usually comes once in two months,” she said.

“They are more strict than before. We don’t know when they’d come. After the Asian championship, I have been tested twice or thrice in Patiala in the last six months.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by Stan Ryan / Kochi – December 20th, 2013

Bangaloreans head to forest, hill stations for new year’s eve

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature

CoorgKF31dec2013
Bangalore:
With New Year round the corner, many Bangaloreans have finalised plans to head for nearby hill stations and jungle resorts, to be away from the city’s din and bustle, to usher in 2014. Madikeri, Coorg, Kodaikanal, Nagarhole and Bandipur are the hottest picks.

Bored with the same old ways to welcome new year, Bopanna K J, a city based HR professional, is all set to travel to Coorg this New Year’s Eve with few of his friends. He said “New Year Eve for me used to be either Goa or any of the pubs in Bangalore all these years.

But this year I just want to get out of this commercial buzz and corporate things and want to check out for something different. We have already made the bookings at a resort and are leaving on December 31 afternoon.”

Since Coorg is relatively closer to Bangalore, we need not take many days leave. It would be all green and we will have more time to spend amidst the nature, peace and tranquility, he further added.
Yet another city resident Shiv Shankar is driving to Coorg on December 31 morning, where he will be joined by 35 of his family members and relatives.

“The weather at Coorg is pleasant this time of the year and since it is not very from Bangalore, we chose that place to celebrate the New Year eve. Once we reach there we will also have ample time for the midnight preparation. We are just waiting for the day to enjoy the greenery and have a break.”

Meanwhile, a group of four young IT professionals are heading to Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Navin, one among them, said, “As per our plans we will be leaving Bangalore on December 31 afternoon for a day-long stay at the jungle lodge, which we have booked about months ago. Then we will head towards Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and return to city on January 1, 2014 night.”

Many city residents are also heading towards Kodaikanal. Neelesh Bothra is all excited to celebrate the New Year’s Eve with his family at Kodaikanal.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / by Luna Dewan / December 26th, 2013

‘Good potential for litchi cultivation in Kodagu’

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Litchi grown in Kodagu during the off-season can be marketed across the country, says an expert.
Litchi grown in Kodagu during the off-season can be marketed across the country, says an expert.

Growers in Kodagu, faced with pest attacks on coffee and diseases in cardamom, orange, and banana crops, had something to look forward to during the Litchi Field Day organised by the Central Horticultural Experiment Station (CHES) at Chettalli in the district recently.

About 50 progressive growers attended the event. A field visit to litchi orchards of the CHES in Chettalli gave the growers exposure to cultivation methods. CHES scientists apprised the growers about the soil requirements, fruiting, flowering pattern, and yield of litchi.

P.C. Tripathi, head of the CHES, made a presentation on the prospects of litchi cultivation in Kodagu. He said litchi matures in the off-season, during November-December period, in Kodagu, unlike in traditional cultivation areas in north India where it matures during May and June. As this was the off-season, the fruits were in demand in the market. He told The Hindu that litchi grown in Kodagu during the off-season could be marketed across the country.

The current price of litchi is around Rs. 150 a kg. Litchi cultivation had picked up in Kodagu in the last four years, he said. A grower had planted 900 plants in Chettalli area, he said.

Income from litchi cultivation could augment the annual income of growers who were left to fend for themselves due to the volatility of coffee and pepper prices, Dr. Tripathi said. A small litchi tree could yield between 30 to 50 kg of fruits while bigger ones could yield more than 2 quintals, he said. India is ranked second in the world in litchi production, after China. In India, litchi is grown on nearly 75,000 hectares with a yield of 4.83 lakh tonnes. Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand are the major litchi growing States in the country. At the programme, growers raised queries on profitability and feasibility of litchi cultivation.

Planters including N. Bose Mandanna, Col. Kumar (retd.), B.D. Manjunath, Vijay Devaiah and Shambhu Chengappa participated in the programme. Scientists of the CHES, Indian Institute of Spices Research, Appangala, near Madikeri; Coffee Board, Chettalli; and Krishi Vijnana Kendra, Gonicoppa, as well as government officials were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by K. Jeevan Chinnappa / Madikeri – December 26th, 2013

Sai to play sexy bhabhi

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Actress Sai Tamhankar is all set to sizzle on-screen in a new ‘desi’ avatar in Harshvardhan Kulkarni’s Hindi film ‘Hunter’.

(Sai Tamhankar )
(Sai Tamhankar )

The film which also features actors Radhika Apte and Gulshan Devaiah, will see the actress in a totally different role. She says, “I play a ‘sexy’ bhabhi in the film. And it’s sexy from character point of view. The character sketch is mature and very different. The film will release in April next year and I am looking forward to this one. This is my third Hindi film and I am really excited.”

Sai was one of the first Marathi actresses to sport a bikini on-screen. The actress who is comfortable going bold on screen, made it clear that she has no issues experimenting with her look.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Marathi / by Akshata Shetty, TNN / December 25th, 2013

Tennis – Sania Mirza says she will partner Rohan Bopanna in mixed doubles again soon

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Tennis – Sania says she has not played with him due to fallout of the Olympics controversy.
Tennis-StoriesKF28dec2013
Tennis – Indian tennis stars Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza say that they will play mixed doubles again together soon, although for now they are committed to playing with different partners at the Australian Open.

In an interview to the India Today magazine, Sania says that the two have not played recently due to the London Olympics controversy.The two had played at the Hopman Cup a few years ago, representing India and nearly made the finals.

“One of the main reasons has been the Olympics. It has messed up a lot of things, especially in terms of partnerships. After that Wimbledon performance, I decided to play with Mahesh because we were targeting to play together in London Olympics. That is where friendship helps; we understood each other’s decisions and found different partners. It was just wrong timing that we didn’t play together again. But we’ll certainly play again. There was never any conflict between us. In the beginning of the row, I didn’t say anything because it was between the boys. Rohan never mentioned me. But when my name was dragged into the debate, I had to speak up. It affected my relationship with Mahesh for a brief period but we soon got back to normal.”

When asked about playing together again, Sania says, “As of now, we are committed to playing with other partners at the Australian Open. If we win with others, we might not get the chance. But we could well play the French Open or Wimbledon together. It’s all about what the situation would be then.”

source: http://www.tennisworldusa.org / Tennis World / Home> Tennis Stories / by Prakash / December 21st, 2013

Sahitya Sammelan Countdown Begins

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Sahitya-Sammelan-CountdownKF29dec2013
As many as 10,000 delegates and nearly 100 writers and thinkers will take part in the 80th All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan to be held in Madikeri from January 7.

Sammelan general secretary T P Ramesh told Express that the stage construction and stalls for bookstalls are getting ready at the Field Marshal K M Cariappa College ground.

Of the estimated cost of `3.75 crore, the government has released `1 crore and an additional grant of `1 crore will be released soon. Ramesh said the remaining resources for the three-day event will be collected either in the form of money, material or sponsorships.

He said MLC T John has promised 500 tins of oil which will cost `5 lakh, District Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa will supply 100 quintals of rice and planter from Bettageri Estate in Sunticoppa and patron D Vinod Sivappa has promised to supply coffee and tea leaves.

Member of Parliament A H Vishwanath will supply 35 quintals of sugar and sponsor 9,000 bags which will be given to the delegates.

Ramesh said nearly 400 book stalls will be opened in Madikeri and a souvenir will be brought out to commemorate the event.

Ramesh said 28 sub committees have been formed for the Sammelan.

To create awareness on the event from December 28, a publicity campaign with the slogan Sahithyada Nadige Halliyedege (taking literature towards villages) will be undertaken till January 5, he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by B C Dinesh – Madikeri / December 26th, 2013

Me and Ashwini Ponnappa are the best: Jwala Gutta

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

- Ramesh Nair/DNA Research N Archives
– Ramesh Nair/DNA Research N Archives

Top Indian shuttler Jwala Gutta, who on Monday won the women’s doubles title at the 78th Senior National Badminton Championships, said that she and her partner Ashwini Ponnappa “are the best”.

The 2011 World Championship bronze medallist has had a tough year fighting a court case against the Badminton Association of India (BAI) for recommending a life ban on her for leading her side — Krrish Delhi Smashers — to almost forfeit a match during the Indian Badminton League (IBL).

“I am extremely delighted. We are the best and there is no doubt about it now and we remain the best for quite some time now. I still need to get fitter and hope we continue to fight like this in every match. I enjoyed my match today (Monday),” said Jwala, who won her 10th national women’s doubles crown.

Jwala’s entry was withdrawn by the BAI from a couple of tournaments due to the above mentioned case. Now with the title, she hopes to be back in the Indian team.

“I don’t have to prove anything. I have my credentials behind me. The day me and Ashwini play in India at the national level, it is really difficult for others to compete against us. We are internationally more exposed and experienced and I am happy we played here,” added the Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

“This is the last tournament of the year and to end it with a high note feels great. All eyes were on me and I am glad I lived up to it,” added the 30-year-old.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Sport> Report / Place:New Delhi, Agency:DNA / Monday – December 23rd, 2013