Experience the Geminids Meteor Shower this December with Starscapes! Join exclusive camps in Kausani, Mukteshwar, and Coorg for expert-led stargazing, cozy winter comforts, and breathtaking meteor views. Perfect for astronomy lovers, families, and photographers.
Witness the dazzling Geminids Meteor Shower at Starscapes camps in Kausani, Mukteshwar & Coorg this December—an unforgettable night under the stars!
Astro-tourism is on the rise in India, with destinations across the country enhancing the stargazing experience. From the Himalayas to the Aravallis, privately owned observatories are encouraging travellers to stay in cosy hotels and homestays, making the magic of the night sky accessible to all.
This December, India’s skies are set to dazzle like never before. The Geminids Meteor Shower, one of the brightest and most dependable celestial events of the year, will peak on December 13–14, 2025. Astronomy enthusiasts, adventure travellers, families, and photographers alike won’t want to miss this spectacular show.
To celebrate, Starscapes, India’s leading astro-tourism company, is hosting immersive two-night meteor-shower camps across Kausani, Mukteshwar (Uttarakhand), and Coorg (Karnataka).
If you’ve ever dreamed of lying beneath a sky filled with stars while multicoloured meteors streak overhead, these exclusive dark-sky camps promise an unforgettable winter escape—perfect for creating memories that last a lifetime.A Celestial Show Unlike Any Other
The Geminids are famous for producing up to 120 colourful meteors per hour under ideal dark skies. This year, the shower arrives on a moonless, crisp December night—perfect conditions for uninterrupted viewing.
Imagine watching meteors blaze across the heavens with the Himalayas as your silhouette in Kausani and Mukteshwar, or the lush Western Ghats as your backdrop in Coorg. Far from city lights and digital noise, these camps offer a rare chance to reconnect with nature and the cosmos.What Awaits You at the Starscapes Geminids Camps
Each camp blends scientific exploration, cosy winter comforts, and the thrill of celestial magic:
Expert-Led Meteor Watching: Knowledgeable StarGuides will walk you through the night sky using sky maps, constellation pointers, and fascinating stories about the Geminids and their origins.
Telescopic Stargazing: Before the meteor shower peaks, powerful telescopes will unveil spectacular deep-sky objects—star clusters, nebulae, Jupiter, Saturn, and more.
Cosy Winter Vibes Under the Stars: Enjoy hot chocolate, warm snacks, and peaceful silence, wrapped in blankets and crisp mountain or hill air.
Handpicked Dark-Sky Viewing Zones: Each group will be driven to a carefully selected, zero light-pollution spot—ensuring a front-row seat to the night sky’s most spectacular performance.Why These Locations Are Perfect for Meteor-Watching
When it comes to catching the Geminids at their brightest, location matters—and these three destinations offer some of the clearest, darkest skies in India. From Himalayan heights to the lush Western Ghats, each spot creates the perfect natural stage for a spectacular meteor show.
Kausani & Mukteshwar (Uttarakhand): High altitudes, dry winter air, and minimal light pollution make these Himalayan destinations ideal for observing faint meteors and star fields.
Coorg (Karnataka): Known for its misty hills and sprawling forests, Coorg offers wide, open horizons and stable winter weather—excellent for southern-sky viewing.When to Watch the Geminids
The meteor shower peaks on the night of December 13–14, 2025.
Best viewing time: 12:00 AM to 4:00 AM, when the radiant is highest in the sky.
During this window, the sky comes alive with a steady burst of glowing meteors—some slow, some bright, and many leaving long, colourful trails.The Experience: A Night You’ll Remember Long After It Ends
Step away from screens. Breathe in the cold winter air. Listen to the quiet. Under a sky filled with stars, you’ll:
Sip steaming hot chocolate.
Share stories with fellow sky-watchers.
Capture long-exposure shots of meteors.
Watch the sky transform into a celestial fireworks display.
Whether you’re travelling solo, with friends, or with family, it’s a wholesome, grounding experience—one that takes you back to the simple joy of looking up.Temperature Guide for December 2025: What to Expect at Each Location
A night under a meteor-lit sky sounds magical—just remember, the winter air will be part of the experience too. If you’re travelling to Kausani, Mukteshwar, or Coorg for the Geminids, expect the kind of crisp, soul-stirring cold that makes hot chocolate taste even better.
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In Mukteshwar, the sun offers a gentle warmth with daytime temperatures hovering between 14–17°C, but once night falls, the mercury dips to a chilly 3–7°C—perfect for a snuggly jacket and a warm fire.
Kausani is just as wintry, with 15–17°C during the day and a sharper 3–5°C after dark—ideal for stargazing but definitely jacket weather.
Further south, Coorg trades Himalayan chill for a softer southern breeze. Days stay comfortably warm at 22–27°C, but nights cool down to 10–16°C, giving you the perfect balance between cosy and crisp.What to Pack
A magical night under the stars feels even better when you’re prepared. Here’s everything you’ll want to carry for a comfortable and unforgettable Geminids experience:
Warm clothing: Thermals, a fleece jacket, gloves, and a scarf to stay cosy during late-night and pre-dawn meteor watching.
Comfortable footwear: Trekking or closed shoes for walking across uneven or dimly lit terrain.
Photography gear: A DSLR or phone camera along with a tripod to capture long-exposure shots of meteors and star trails.
Light source: A torch or headlamp—preferably with a red filter—to preserve night vision during stargazing sessions.
Essentials: Water bottle, lip balm, and moisturiser to stay hydrated and comfortable in the crisp winter air.
How to Register
Eager to experience the Geminids Meteor Shower firsthand? Find all camp details, registration information, and the full itinerary here.
source: http://www.moneycontrol.com / MoneyControl / Home> Travel / by Priyanka Roshan / December 08th, 2025
The AICRP on Sorghum and Millets & ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, in collaboration with the College of Forestry, Ponnampet, UAS, Mandya, established a Millet Bakery and Millet Roti Units at the Kodagu Agribusiness Incubation Centre of the campus. An awareness cum Millets training program organized to women members to enhance the millets utilisation. This initiative under TSP component of AICRP- Sorghum & Millets, is an innovative step toward promoting the consumption of nutritious millet-based foods among forestry college students, farmers while demonstrating practical millet value-addition technologies through an incubation-driven entrepreneurial environment.
The unit was initiated to integrate millet-based diets into hostel kitchens and provide students with healthier and nutrient-rich alternatives as part of their daily meals. With the efforts of Dr. Laxmi Balaganoormath, Assistant Professor & Principal Investigator of the project began by supplying Jowar rotis to hostel students during lunch. Encouraged by the positive response and increasing popularity among students, the initiative rapidly expanded its product portfolio to include finger millet cakes, millet biscuits, millet chikkis, and a variety of millet-based baked snacks. These products are made using millets, ensuring high nutritional value, freshness, and support for regional agriculture.
Beyond the hostel community, the Millet Bakery and Roti Unit at the Kodagu Agribusiness Incubation Centre has added broader value to the campus ecosystem. It provides hands-on training opportunities and skill development in millet processing, baking, and entrepreneurship for students and aspiring agripreneurs. The initiative also ensures a steady demand for local millet growers, thereby strengthening the local value chain and supporting climate-resilient agriculture. Furthermore, this incubation-based model serves as a demonstration platform for schools, community organizations, FPOs, and enterprises interested in adopting millet-based food systems.
Through the strong partnership between AICRP on Sorghum & Millets, ICAR–IIMR, Hyderabad, and the College of Forestry, Ponnampet, this initiative has become a role model for nutrition-focused and sustainability-driven food interventions in educational institutions. The Millet Bakery and Roti Unit is not only nourishing young minds and bodies but also fostering a culture of innovation, self-reliance, and community well-being powered by the simple strength of millets.
(Source: ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad)
‘Puthari Namme,’ the harvest festival of Kodagu that marks the season’s first paddy harvest, was celebrated with grandeur across Kodagu and Mysuru last night.
The celebrations began with a puja to Lord Igguthappa and Goddess Cauvery, followed by the symbolic harvesting of the new paddy crop (kadiru) and the customary firing of gun shots into the air to herald prosperity.
Major festivities began at Sri Omkareshwara Temple in Madikeri, the Kodava Samaja, Gowda Samaja and several other venues, where people offered prayers and performed time-honoured rituals.
Families chanted “Poli Poli Deva…” as they symbolically welcomed the Dhanya Lakshmi — goddess of grain — into their homes. Kodava men wore the distinctive ‘kupya-chele’, ‘peechekathi’ and ‘mande-tuni’, while women adorned traditional sarees and ‘vasthra.’
Members of the Kodava Samaja, accompanied by ‘taliyatakki bolcha’ and traditional ‘valaga’, marched in a grand procession to the temple. The freshly harvested paddy was then taken to the Samaja, worshipped and later distributed to devotees. Special ‘thambittu’ made from fried kusubalakki mixed with ripe banana was distributed to all.
A Samaja member symbolically harvesting the paddy crop at a small field in School premises.
At Gowda Samaja
The Kodagu Gowda Samaja celebrated ‘Puthari’ with equal fervour. A symbolic paddy field was created on the premises where the ritual harvest was performed, followed by the distribution of the festive delicacy.
Members of Kodagu Gowda Samaja celebrating harvest festival at its premises in Railway Layout, Vijayanagar Fourth Stage, last night.
At the historic Sri Mrutyunjaya Temple in Badagarakeri, villagers celebrated ‘Puthari’ on a grand scale collectively. Led by village elders and the temple management committee, the ritual cutting of paddy was followed by a vibrant procession. Villagers walked 2 kms to the traditional fields, burst crackers, danced to the valaga and returned to the temple with the harvested crop.
Festival in Mysuru
In Mysuru, ‘Puthari Namme’ was celebrated at Sree Cauvery School premises in Kuvempunagar, where hundreds of Kodava community members, led by Mysuru Kodava Samaja office-bearers, gathered in traditional attire.
The event featured a wide range of Kodava cultural performances. Devotees took home the new paddy sheaves, chanting “Poli Poli Deva,” as they prayed to Lord Igguthappa and Goddess Cauvery, welcoming Dhanya Lakshmi into their homes.
Kodagu Gowda Samaja also marked the festival at Railway Layout in Vijayanagar Fourth Stage, where they harvested paddy crop after performing the rituals.
The cultural highlight of the evening was the spirited performances by youngsters who had trained diligently in traditional dances and songs, earning applause from the community.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 05th, 2025
Young Jenu Kuruba (honey-gatherers), Paniya and Kurichiya artists use Arpo–Tata Trusts Fellowship to reinvent tribal music.
The Earthlore fellows rehearsing; Parvinder Singh (in black T-shirt) is one of the two non-tribal fellows in the band. | Photo Credit: Courtesy Arpo
On a November evening, at Nisarga Art Hub in Angamaly, Kerala, as a bunch of indigenous musicians from Wayanad and Coorg sang of the forest, of people’s struggles, in their native tongue, the audience joined in, clapping hands and tapping feet. That day, the newly formed Earthlore band made their stage debut.
The band comprises 12 members from the Jenu Kuruba tribe, six from the Paniya tribe and one from the Kurichiya tribe, of Kerala’s Wayanad and Karnataka’s Coorg regions. A part of the not-for-profit Archival and Research Project’s (Arpo) flagship programme, Earthlore the band is the result of a year-long fellowship. Funded by Tata Trusts, the fellowship was announced last year, to form and professionally train a collective of indigenous musicians.
Of over 70 applications, 18 young musicians were selected by a panel which included members from tribal communities. “We work closely with marginalised and underrepresented artists to keep regional artforms alive, protect traditions, and create spaces for them to thrive. The Arpo Earthlore Fellowship is an example of this vision in action. It reflects our commitment for inclusive cultural empowerment,” says Paroma Sadhana, programme manager, arts and culture, Tata Trusts. To make it an inclusive programme, two slots were kept open for members from non-tribal communities — filled in by Parvinder Singh, an instrument maker and handpan artist, and Rishab, a keyboard player and composer, from AR Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory. The fellowship provided a stipend of ₹15,000 a month.
Saving the artistic heritage
The Jenu Kurubas, or honey gatherers, also known as Kattunayakars in Kerala, are a reclusive forest-dwelling community, recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, with a deep-rooted culture of music and percussion. Living along the Kerala-Karnataka border, their dialect is a mix of Kannada and Tamil. “The Jenu Kuruba are a largely neglected group, which has been battling poverty, displacement and the resultant loss of cultural heritage,” says Sruthin Lal, co-founder of Arpo. “A few tribal artists such as Ramesh J.B. have been reviving the Jenu Kurubas’ music and composing songs in their dialect, with an aim to help younger people from the tribe to get re-acquainted with their heritage.”
Tribal musician Bala with Jenu Kuruba music instruments kai gajje and kal gajje from Arpo’s earlier documentation project.
Tribal musician Bala with Jenu Kuruba music instruments kai gajje and kal gajje from Arpo’s earlier documentation project.
Last year, Arpo facilitated a few senior artists from the community, including Ramesh, to participate in the second edition of the Mahindra Percussion Festival in Bengaluru. There was born the idea of a fellowship for young tribal artists, says Lal.
Voices from the margins
While many of these youngsters have been actively involved in singing and are part of musical collectives within the community, few could showcase their talent to a larger, diverse audience. Lal adds, “They were extremely keen to do mainstream numbers. ‘Why should our music be limited to traditional songs?’ they would ask.”
That the youngsters endured hours of travel by buses, in unrelenting rain, from their homes in various parts of Wayanad to the training centre in Mananthavady town, just to be able to learn and perform was inspiring, says Charu Hariharan, percussionist, singer and composer, and one of the mentors of the fellowship. The others were playback singer Sreekanth Hariharan, Mumbai composer and percussionist Viveick Rajagopalan and Bengaluru’s folk-rock musician Vasu Dixit.
Charu Hariharan, percussionist, singer, composer and a mentor in a training session with the fellows. | Photo Credit: Courtesy Arpo
Charu, who co-designed the programme curriculum, says, “we left the design of the programme to the tribal artists. They know their music the best. We offered suggestions and introduced them to some instruments, such as the konnakol. The words they write and the songs they sing are powerful and rich with meaning.” The mentors took the fellows through the technical aspects of a performance, advising them on “how to overcome voice strain” and “how to finetune shruti and tempo”.
Composer, percussionist and a mentor Viveick Rajagopalan. | Photo Credit: Courtesy Arpo
The young musicians built a repertoire of 10 songs, which included a bit of storytelling, theatrical elements, and rap. Ajithlal Sivalal, theatre practitioner and founder of Space of Act Theatre Collective, helped choreograph the performance movements. A mix of indigenous drums were used, such as thudi (used by the Paniya tribe), kottadhatta, a kind of drum made from bamboo, and the gajje, an anklet worn by the Jenu Kurubas, the djembe, and plastic drums the tribal youth use.
Ajithlal Sivalal (left, in floral shirt), theatre practitioner and founder of Space of Act Theatre Collective, in a choreography session with the fellows.
The fellowship further provided training in language and music production, on IPR (intellectual property rights), POSH (Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace [Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal]) Act, and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Such programmes, Lal says, “can bring about a huge change” and hone the tribal youth’s “potential to grow into cultural leaders”.
Tunes of resistance and homecoming
Band member Shyni M., 35, from Chembakamoola in Mananthavady, and an ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) worker, says “Jenu Kurubas are generally a shy group; education is still a problem and we have been robbed of our land. The forest was our home and farming was our profession. Our ancestors grew ragi, corn and rice among other things. But today, we are landless and forced to become daily-wage labourers. I now live in a small house amid several other houses.”
Band member Shyni M,. 35, from the Jenu Kuruba tribe, from Chembakamoola in Mananthavady is an ASHA worker. | Photo Credit: Courtesy ARPO
Many of their songs are fiercely political, speaking of the forest, nature, discrimination and colourism. “Our music is inextricably linked to the land of our ancestors. We are the children of the forest,” she adds, as Suraag S., 24, who’s pursuing his B.com at St Mary’s college, Mananthavady, says, “People may not understand our language, but the emotion they would get.”
A talented vocalist, Suraag has participated in several festivals and events such as Gothrathalam, held to preserve tribal artforms in Kerala. His own collective, Thidambu Gothra Kala Sangham Group, platforms tribal musicians. “I have been part of ganamelas too, which focus purely on film songs, but I love singing naadan paattu (folk songs) the most; I love the way the notes rise and fall,” he adds. Shyni, who says, “we see this (the fellowship) as a great opportunity to sing about our lives, our realities,” dreams of returning to the forest someday.
Earthlore band is next performing in Bengaluru on December 21 at Courtyard Koota and December 23 at Sabha.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Society / by Anasuya Menon / December 05th, 2025
A striking insight was how Kodava culture beautifully balances energies – men perform warrior dances with swords and guns, while women perform Ummathat, celebrating the life-giver.
‘Ummathat – The Rhythm of Kodava’, was screened in the ‘Indian Panorama Non-Feature’ section of the 56th edition of IFFI in Goa. (Supplied)
Synopsis:
Purely a passion project by director Prakash Kariappa K, and produced by his wife, K Yeshoda Prakash, the documentary was supposed to be just an archival project, but later they decided to send it to festivals, starting with IFFI.
One of UNESCO’s “definitely endangered” world languages, so much so that even natives of Karnataka, to which this eponymous language and culture belong, are principally unaware of it, Kodava, had its debut at the ongoing 56th IFFI Goa, via a documentary, ‘Ummathat – The Rhythm of Kodava‘, in the ‘Indian Panorama Non-Feature’ section.
Purely a passion project by state award-winning director Prakash Kariappa K, and produced by his wife, K Yeshoda Prakash, herself a National Best Kannada film awardee, under their home banner, Swasthik Entertainment, it was supposed to be just an archival project, but later they decided to send it to festivals starting with IFFI.
“We’re both surprised and sad to find out that no such previous documentary, let alone comprehensive or not, exists at all,” Prakash and Yeshoda said, when South First caught up with them for a chat.
Q. How significant is this milestone for both the Kodava film industry and its culture?
A: We are immensely happy that our Kodava documentary has found a place in this prestigious section. We’re hoping that showcasing our specific indigenous tribe and culture will lead to healthy conversations among those keen to learn about unique cultures, especially about Kodagu, the smallest district in Karnataka, which is the land of Kodavas, who have contributed nationally variously to sports, defence, arts, etc.
Yeshoda and Prakash Kariappa K. (Supplied)
We hope this movie will interest relevant film personnel, technicians, and researchers. The 53 years of the Kodava film industry have produced 30 movies so far. This entry might encourage more.
Q. Both you and your wife are state and national film awardees, respectively. Why bring in a co-director?
A: Bollajira Yamuna Aiyappa is an MA specialising in Kodava language with a deep understanding of the culture, and also a Ummathat dancer herself. Our project required communicating and coordinating with over 100 female dancers, and we felt it would be best served to onboard her as co-director.
Q: Are the origins of Ummathat, mentioned as symbolising “the divine feminine”, explained in the film?
A: The name is widely believed to come from ‘Uma’ – another name for Goddess Parvati – and ‘aat’, which means dance in the Kodava language. It’s also thought to come from “Ummath Poov“ aka, ‘Angel’s Trumpets’ (Brugmansia) used by our ancestors as an instrument during the dance, which was later replaced with copper/silver cymbals. The dance begins by invoking Kaveriamma’s (Mother Kaveri) blessings, sun and moon, before every performance; the circle formation represents the womb and the cycle of life. The dance is a worship depicted through the feminine body.
Q: The film begins with a symbolic Ummath Poov leaf shot. Was it scripted or improvised later? Was it in accordance with ‘Kodavame‘, the Kodava sacred text, that promotes harmony with nature and respects ancestral values?
A. I had lived and breathed this project for 1.5 years of its making, since its inception. Yes, Kodavas love and respect nature since ancient times, and it was also a factor. The opening leaf-shot was in accordance with our original storyboard.
Q. What resources did you use for research to reach the authenticity? Did you refer to the Pattole Palame?
A. We did indeed begin with Pattole Palame. Compiled by Nadikerianda Chinnappa by 1922, it, after all, is the most authoritative and extensive ever written record of Kodava folklore, songs, and customs. And right from the initial stage, we consulted with Rani Machaiah, the only Padma Shri Kodava dancer and a living ‘Ummathat’ legend.
Cast and crew of ‘Ummathat – The Rhythm of Kodava’. (Supplied)
We also roped in M Shilpa Nanjappa, a state awardee in Bharatanatyam, who doubles up as the narrator of the dance forms. She focused on the authentic portrayal of ‘abhinayas’. Both their presences themselves being the authentication, refined our film by further correcting pronunciations, explaining mudras and demonstrating forgotten sequences, to maintain actuality of the dance forms, all throughout.
Q: Why was there no on-screen interview of Rani Machaiah?
A: We’d have really loved to, but her advancing age; she’s almost 80 and health concerns were a deterrent.
Q: In the process of researching and filming the 13 Ummathat dance forms, were you surprised by any historical or cultural revelations?
A: A striking insight was how Kodava culture beautifully balances energies – men perform warrior dances with swords and guns, while women perform Ummathat, celebrating the life-giver. While filming, we were moved by the community’s deep passion for preserving our ancient dance form. Both are equally sacred and essential to any Kodava gathering. We also discovered how the dance reflects the community’s famed hospitality, largely led by women. Many of its gestures mirror the grace, warmth, and dignity with which Kodavas welcome guests, making Ummathat not just a dance but a living expression of their identity.
Ummathat is widely believed to have derived from ‘Uma’ – another name for Goddess Parvati – and ‘aat’, which means dance in the Kodava language. (Supplied)
Q. Why were the dances staged and not based on live footage?
A: There were two brief actual footage, including one in front of a temple. We staged the dances mainly for logistics purposes, including the availability of dancers.
These dances take place in certain festivals and celebrations, at different times of the year, amidst a huge, uncontrollable crowd, and we knew it would be difficult to shoot them the way we wanted, without any distractions.
Q: You shot in the interiors amidst nature. How did you choose the sites? What were they, and what were the challenges of filming there?
A: Being a Kodagu native, born and raised, I was already aware of all the locations suitable for our documentary. We filmed at Kutta, Mutlu, and Thanthipala and the like places. Challenges chiefly were in coordinating over 150 dancers from across Kodagu and other places to get them to the spot. We also navigated sudden rains, inaccessible routes, which stretched our schedule a bit.
Q. Did your army background help you with the discipline?
Bollajira Yamuna Aiyappa, M Shilpa Nanjappa and Prakash Kariappa K. (Supplied)
A: I’m primarily a man of discipline, which I’ve been able to maintain thus far.
Q: Being a Kodava Sahitya Academy Awardee for Best Novel in 2024 and with a total of 11 novels in Kodava and Kannada languages, has this experience given you any literary ideas?
A. Yes, it has given me an idea for a novel which highlights the deep roots of Ummathat. That will be the best justice I can do post this project.
Q: How are you planning to get a return from this film? How is the Karnataka Government supporting your endeavours? What are your distribution plans?
A: IFFI is our debut screening. We’ll try to leverage the opportunity as best as possible by interacting with national and international delegates to discuss distribution or collaboration possibilities.
We also have full faith in the Karnataka government as we have received support from them in the past and are sure will receive the best support in future as well. As said earlier, it’s a passion project, and we’re happy to be in the service of our culture.
source: http://www.thesouthfirst.com / South First / Home> Community & Culture / by Sudipto Mallick / December 04th, 2025
The search crew was worried after finding tiger footprints and half-eaten carcasses of a wild bison near the forest boundary in Karnataka’s Kodagu district.
The child’s mother, Nagini, was glued to her phone and realised that her daughter was missing around 6 pm when the two other children returned. (Express photo)
A two-year-old girl who went missing from an estate worker’s house was recently miraculously reunited with her parents after spending an entire night safely alone near the fringes of a forest in Karnataka’s Kodagu district.
The incident was reported on November 28 when Sunanya was playing with two other children in a coffee plantation in B Shattigeri. Her parents, Sunil and Nagini, estate workers from a beekeeping family, had arrived with her at the private estate just five days prior.
Nagini was glued to her phone and realised that her daughter was missing around 6 pm when the other two children returned. She informed her husband, and they immediately notified the police and forest officials.
More than 100 people, including residents, the police, and forest personnel, joined the mission to find Sunanya. Four pet dogs also joined them, as they have a keen sense of detecting the presence of wild animals.
“We started the operation around 7 pm on November 28 and continued until 9.30 pm. But there was no result,” said a local police officer.
“We were very much concerned because there were tiger footprints and half-eaten carcasses of a wild bison near the forest boundary. By then, we had covered at least 1-1.15 km radius of the region,” the officer added.
The search to find Sunanya resumed the next morning, around 6.30 am. About three hours later, one of the pet dogs, Oreo, started barking, indicating that Sunanya had been found.
“It was the highest point of the estate. We found Sunanya staying in the middle of the bush close to the forest boundary. We all had a great sigh of relief when she was found,” said the officer.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Kollira Bopanna, gram panchayat president, said that the biggest fear they had was that wild animals would have killed the child.
“There are a lot of wild animals, including tigers and elephants, in the region. We don’t step out at night and remain cautious when we travel. It was god’s grace that the kid remained unharmed and managed to stay in the plantation,” he said.
“She spent the entire night without food or water. She walked nearly half a kilometre before falling asleep. She did not cry in the night, which could have either helped to rescue her or put her life at more risk. Usually, wild animals, especially at night, roam freely in these areas, which could have harmed the little girl. We are happy that she was alive,” Bopanna added.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Kiran Parashar / December 02nd, 2025
H N Ravindra, fondly known as Harapalli Ravindra, stands today as a symbol of determination, innovation, and sheer hard work. Born into a small coffee-growing family in Harapalli, a remote village in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu district, Ravindra’s life story is a testament to how passion, grit, and unwavering commitment can turn even the most challenging dreams into reality.
In 2016, Ravindra made a bold decision—he purchased 40 acres of completely barren and rocky land at Manchadevanahalli in Periyapatna taluk of Mysuru district. Locals believed the land was unfit for cultivation, but Ravindra saw potential where others saw wasteland. What followed over the next eight years is nothing short of remarkable. Through tireless effort, scientific farming practices, and a deep emotional connection with the soil, he converted this dry, unproductive stretch into a lush, green, fully fertile multi-crop farm.
Today, the farm stands as one of the finest examples of sustainable agriculture. Ravindra cultivates coffee in 30 acres and has diversified his land with guava, chikoo, banana, and over 2,000 sandalwood trees each plantation carefully planned to support soil health and long-term growth. His ability to merge traditional wisdom with modern farming techniques has helped the estate flourish.
What sets Ravindra apart, however, is his compassion toward nature and wildlife. Despite growing guava across two acres, he never harvests it. Similarly, he grows maize to provide shade for coffee plants but chooses not to collect it. Instead, he leaves these crops for birds and local wildlife. Every morning, hundreds of birds visit his estate, feeding freely before returning to their habitats. For Ravindra, this harmony between farming and nature is an essential part of life.
Despite being a successful entrepreneur and progressive farmer, Ravindra has never distanced himself from his roots. He works alongside labourers whenever he finds leisure, showing that humility and hard work remain central to his identity. His neighbors admire him not only for his achievements but also for his hands-on approach and respect for everyone associated with his journey.
From a humble farmer’s son to a model farmer inspiring an entire region, Ravindra’s transformation of barren land into thriving farmland stands as a living example of what dedication can achieve. His journey continues to motivate farmers across Kodagu, Mysuru, and beyond proving that with vision and hard work, even the toughest land can bloom with life.
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka> Bengaluru / by The Hans India / December 02nd, 2025
He had donated 14-acre land and Rs. 1 crore to Coorg Institute of Technology, Ponnampet.
Mysore/Mysuru:
Chodumada K. Appaiah, aged 90 years, passed away due to age-related illness yesterday (Nov. 29) at his residence # 706, 80 ft. Road, A-Block, near Triveni Circle, Kanakadasanagar (Dattagalli), Mysuru.
A native of Hudoor village in Ponnampet, Kodagu, he leaves behind his wife Shanti Appaiah (Maneyapanda) and a host of relatives and friends.
Cremation took place at Muktidhama in Vijayanagar this afternoon, according to family sources.
A philanthropist, C.K. Appaiah had generously donated 14 acres of land and Rs. 1 crore to Coorg Institute of Technology (CIT) in Ponnampet; Rs. 11 lakh to Shree Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha, Mysuru; Rs. 5 lakh each to Kodava Deenabandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru; Kodava Samaja Ponnampet, Kodava Samaja Gonikoppa and also founded C.K. Appaiah and Parvathy Charitable Trust.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 30th, 2025
Legend has it that India’s coffee journey began around 1600 AD when Sufi Saint Baba Budan planted seven coffee seeds brought from Mocha port in Yemen in the Baba Budan Giri hills of Chikkamangaluru, Karnataka. Initially grown as a garden crop, coffee cultivation gradually expanded, leading to the establishment of commercial plantations in the 18th century. Since then, Indian coffee has evolved into a thriving industry with a distinct global identity on the world coffee map. Indian coffee is cultivated under a unique two-tier shade system of evergreen and leguminous trees, with nearly 50 varieties enhancing soil health and biodiversity. Grown across 4.91 lakh hectares in the Western and Eastern Ghatsand the North Eastern region, coffee serves as both an environmentally sustainable and economically vital plantation crop. The coffee sector sustains the livelihoods of over two million people, who are engaged in cultivation, processing, and trade. Dominated by smallholder farmers, who account for nearly 99 percent of holdings and 70 percent of the country’s overall production, it stands as a vital pillar of India’s rural economy.
Coffee plantations also serve as vibrant spice gardens, cultivating a variety of spices alongside coffee, including pepper, cardamom, vanilla, orange, and banana. The Western Ghats, which form one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world and Eastern Ghats, provide ideal conditions, with Arabica thriving in the cooler highlands and Robusta in the warmer, humid regions. India’s Robusta commands top premiums globally, while its Arabica is prized for its superior quality and distinct flavour. India is now one of the world’s leading coffee producers, ranking as the seventh-largest producer of coffee and contributing about 3.5 percent to global coffee production, according to the Coffee Board of India. India produces approximately 3.6 lakh tonnes of coffee annually, with nearly 70 percent exported to 128 countries, underscoring the growing global demand for Indian coffee.
Overview of India’s Coffee Sector
The coffee industry in India is primarily concentrated in the major coffee-growing states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, which collectively account for nearly 96 percent of the country’s total coffee production. Among these, Karnataka leads with a production of 2,80,275 metric tonnes (Post Blossom Estimate for 2025–26), followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
India’s coffee-growing landscape is divided into 13 distinct agro-climatic zones, each with a unique identity and recognition for its coffees in global markets. These zones are categorized into three broad groups: a) traditional regions comprising Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu; b) non-traditional regions–Andhra Pradesh and Odisha; and c) the North Eastern regions, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Coffee plays a vital socio-economic role in the tribal belts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and the North-Eastern states, offering sustainable livelihoods while promoting rural development and ecological balance. The recognised coffee regions include Anamalais (Tamil Nadu), Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh), Bababudangiris (Karnataka), Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka), Coorg (Karnataka), Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu), Sheveroys (Tamil Nadu), Travancore (Kerala), and Wayanad (Kerala).
Regional recognition of Coffees from India
India holds Geographical Indication (GI) tags for five regional and two specialty coffees, a recognition that enhances their premium value in international trade. The country’s varied elevations, rainfall patterns, and soils conditions, contribute to the rich diversity and exceptional quality that define Indian coffee. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags to five Indian regional coffee varieties: Coorg Arabica Coffee, Wayanad Robusta Coffee, Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee, Araku Valley Arabica Coffee, and Bababudangiris Arabica Coffee. Additionally, Monsooned Malabar Robusta Coffee, a unique specialty coffee from India, has also received GI certification.
Specialty coffees represent the finest quality beans, distinguished by their exceptional flavor, aroma, and appearance. These coffees are produced through careful cultivation, selective plucking, and meticulous processing, resulting in distinctive flavours that cater to discerning consumers worldwide. Owing to their uniqueness and craftsmanship, specialty coffees fetch premium prices and form an increasingly dynamic segment of India’s coffee sector. Indian planters have mastered the art of producing globally acclaimed specialty coffees, including:
Monsooned Malabar AA – Known for its smooth, mellow flavour and low acidity, developed through a unique monsooning process along India’s western coast.
Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold – One of India’s finest Arabica coffees with large beans, rich aroma, and full-bodied flavour.
Robusta Kaapi Royale – A superior Robusta variety known for its bold flavor, excellent crema, and ideal for espresso blends.
This recognition has empowered Indian coffee producers to preserve the unique characteristics of region-specific coffees, elevate the global profile of Indian coffee, and secure better prices for their premium varieties. Collectively, these distinguished coffees reflect India’s harmony of tradition, innovation, and excellence, establishing the country as a significant player in the global coffee industry.
Establishment of the Coffee Board
In the 1940s, India’s coffee industry faced a severe crisis, caused by World War II, declining prices, and widespread infestations of pests and diseases. To safeguard and revive the sector, the Government of India enacted the “Coffee Act VII of 1942”, leading to the establishment of the Coffee Board of India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Board comprises 33 members, including the Chairman, and the Secretary, & the Chief Executive Officer along with representatives of coffee growers, traders, curing units, labor, consumers, state governments of major coffee-producing regions, and Members of Parliament. The Coffee Board’s primary mandate is to support and develop the entire coffee value chain through research and development. Technical and financial assistance, promotion in domestic and international markets. It works to improve production, productivity, and quality, expand exports for higher value realization, and strengthen infrastructure, such as drying yards and pulper units under the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP).
Role of Coffee Board
The Research Department of the Coffee Board, headquartered at the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) with five regional research stations, is dedicated to developing high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties and standardizing modern cultivation technologies to enhance productivity and quality. The Promotion Department focuses on expanding India’s footprint in global markets while stimulating domestic coffee consumption.
Under the Export Promotion Scheme, transit / freight assistance are provided for value-added coffees exported in retail packs as “India Brand” and for export of high-value green Coffees to far off destinations such as the USA, Japan, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, South Korea, Finland, Norway and Denmark while maintaining strong trade ties with the European Union, Russia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The Board actively represents Indian coffee at major international trade fairs and organizes the Flavour of India – The Fine Cup Competition, to identify premium coffees and connect them to global buyers. Domestically, to boost coffee awareness and culture, the board operates a network of 12 India Coffee Houses across major cities and participates in national exhibitions and trade fairs, promoting Indian coffee and highlighting its health benefits to consumers.
Export of Coffee
India has emerged as a significant player in the global coffee trade, ranking as the fifth-largest exporter of coffee among coffee-producing nations and contributing around 5 percent of total coffee exports from Coffee producing countries worldwide. Over the past four years, India’s coffee exports have consistently exceeded USD 1 billion, reaching a record USD 1.8 billion in FY 2024–25, reflecting an impressive 40 percent growth from USD 1.29 billion in the previous year. Despite global geopolitical challenges, exports during April–September 2025 stood at USD 1.07 billion, registering a 15.5% increase over the same period in 2024. India is one of the major hubs for instant coffee production and exports, with value-added products accounting for nearly 38 percent of total coffee exports.
As one of the world’s most widely traded and consumed commodities, coffee continues to hold immense economic and cultural significance. The top 5 export destinations for Indian coffee are Italy (18.09percent), Germany (11.01percent), Belgium (7.47percent), the Russian Federation (5.28percent), and the United Arab Emirates (5.09percent). The recent surge in India’s coffee exports has strengthened the global reputation of Indian coffee and improved income realisation for growers, particularly in the key coffee-producing states.
Policy and Trade Reforms Boosting the Coffee Sector
GST Reduction on Coffee Products
The reduction of GST from 18 percent to 5 percent on coffee extracts, essences, and instant coffee is a major fiscal step for the sector. This change is expected to lower retail prices by 11–12 percent, encourage domestic consumption, and enhance profitability for small processors. The initiative will also strengthen the domestic market base and enhance India’s per capita coffee consumption.
India–United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
The recently concluded India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) marks a key milestone in bilateral trade relations. The pact offers tariff advantages for Indian value-added coffees, particularly instant coffee. The United Kingdom, which already accounts for 1.7 percent of India’s coffee exports, will now provide duty-free access for Roast & Ground and instant coffee, enabling Indian exporters to compete more effectively with suppliers from Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. The agreement establishes a robust foundation for increasing exports of value-added coffee products to the UK.
India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)
The India–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), signed on 10 March 2024 and effective from 1 October 2025, is the first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by India to link investment with job creation. Under TEPA, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland will offer zero percent duty on all coffee imports from India. TEPA provides the most favorable market access to Indian Coffees in the EFTA market. TEPA may help coffee exporters access premium markets in Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland, providing an opportunity to position India’s high-quality, shade-grown, handpicked, and sun-dried coffees in the EFTA market. The agreement enhances export opportunities for value-added coffee, such as roasted and instant coffees.
Fine Cup Awards: Showcasing India’s Finest Coffees
The Flavour of India – The Fine Cup Award, instituted in 2002 by the Coffee Board of India, celebrates excellence in Indian coffee and aims to place the country’s finest brews on the global map. As part of this initiative, the Coffee Board launched the Know Your Kaapi (KYK) programme in 2022–23, a specialised cup quality evaluation platform to assess and reward exceptional coffees across six categories.
In a remarkable achievement, Koraput Coffee won two Fine Cup Awards during KYK 2024, one each for the washed process and natural process categories. This recognition has enhanced he brand’s prestige and firmly positioned Koraput Coffee on India’s specialty coffee map, reflecting the rising prominence of tribal and high-altitude coffees from Odisha.
Involvement of TDCCOL in Coffee Procurement and Marketing
The Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd. (TDCCOL), established in 1967 under the ST & SC Development Department, Government of Odisha, serves as the state’s apex cooperative institution for tribal welfare. It plays a vital role in safeguarding the economic interests of tribal communities by ensuring fair prices for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and Surplus Agricultural Produce (SAP), while promoting sustainable livelihoods across Odisha.
Since 2019–20, TDCCOL has taken a pioneering role in coffee procurement in Koraput district, known for its ideal conditions for high-quality Arabica coffee. The organisation transitioned from centralised mandis to doorstep procurement, ensuring fair pricing and promoting financial inclusion for tribal farmers.
Key highlights:
End-to-end management: Managing the entire value chain, from procurement to drying, grading, and marketing.
Fair pricing: Annual procurement rates aligned with ICTA market prices, with direct payments to farmers’ bank accounts.
Socio-economic impact: The initiative has reduced distress migration and improved rural livelihoods.
Value addition: Launch of the “Koraput Coffee” brand on 11 September 2019, offering sustainably sourced, rich-flavored coffee now recognized nationally.
TDCCOL has established eight “Koraput Coffee” cafés across Odisha – four in Bhubaneswar, one in Puri, two in Koraput, and one at Odisha Bhavan, New Delhi, further promoting the brand’s unique identity and sustainable origins.
The Coffee Board of India also supports TDCCOL through the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP), providing technical and financial assistance for infrastructure such as drying yards and coffee pulpers.
Future Outlook: Scaling New Heights in Coffee Production
India’s coffee industry is poised for robust growth, with the overall market projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9 percent by 2028. The out-of-home coffee segment is witnessing even faster growth, expected to rise at a CAGR of 15 to 20 percent, reaching a value between US$2.6 billion and US$3.2 billion by 2028. Furthermore, the Coffee Board of India has set an ambitious goal to scale up national coffee production to 9 lakh tonnes by 2047, reinforcing India’s emergence as a leading global coffee producer.
Conclusion
India’s coffee story is one of resilience, innovation, and transformation. From the humble beginnings in the Baba Budan Giri hills to earning global acclaim, Indian coffee has evolved into a symbol of quality, sustainability, and inclusive growth. The country’s unique ecological diversity, coupled with the commitment of millions of smallholder farmers, has created a coffee landscape that blends tradition with modern enterprise. The Coffee Board of India, through its ongoing support for research, development, export promotion, and domestic market expansion, has played a pivotal role in driving this transformation.
The emergence of specialty coffees such as Monsooned Malabar, Mysore Nuggets, and Koraput Coffee has strengthened India’s reputation as a producer of premium, globally competitive varieties. The success of tribal cooperatives like TDCCOL in Odisha has exemplified how coffee can be an instrument of socio-economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood creation. Furthermore, policy measures, such as the GST reduction and free trade agreements, including the India–UK CETA and India–EFTA TEPA, have further expanded opportunities for value-added coffee exports, marking India’s growing influence in the global coffee industry.
As the industry moves forward with a clear vision to enhance production to 9 lakh tonnes by 2047, India’s coffee sector stands at the threshold of a new era. With its focus on quality, sustainability, and equitable growth, India continues to brew a success story that is deeply rooted in its soil yet celebrated worldwide.
