Karnataka: ‘Clean Coorg’ campaign evokes positive response from the public

Volunteers and stakeholders participating in the ‘Clean Coorg’ campaign in Kodagu on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The ‘Swachh Kodagu Sundara Kodagu’ campaign held on Wednesday evoked a positive response from the public, in what is reckoned to be the largest such initiative in the district.

Held simultaneously across the district, it was organised by the Coorg Hotel and Restaurant Association and entailed the participation of thousands of volunteers and stakeholders.

Mantar Gowda, MLA; Venkat Raja, Deputy Commissioner; and others inaugurated the event at General Thimayya Circle in Madikeri.

Mr. Gowda, while appreciating the initiative and the spirit behind the campaign, said that Kodagu was endowed with natural and scenic beauty and it was the duty of every citizen to protect it. He drew attention to some of the policies of the district administration and pointed out that there was already a ban on Single-Use Plastic (SUP) and the sale of water bottles below the capacity of two litres — all of which has helped reduce waste.

Stating that cleanliness should not be a one-day affair, Mr. Gowda called for a 24×7 drive throughout the year so as to ensure that cleanliness becomes a part of culture of the district.

The Deputy Commissioner stated that the waste collected during the campaign would be shifted to a waste management facility for the scientific disposal of garbage. Nodal officers have been appointed to oversee waste collection and its proper disposal in all taluks, said Mr. Venkat Raja.

K. Dinesh Kariappa, who represented the assocaition, said that over 320 organisations took part in the campaign and the response exceeded expectations. Although tourism has been blamed for environmental problems, efforts have been made to promote sustainable tourism and this initiative was a part of it, added Mr. Kariappa.

The association said that the ‘Clean Coorg’ campaign will not be a one-day affair but similar drives will be held at local levels periodically across the district with a focus on places of tourist interest.

The campaign was supported by the Kodagu district administration, zilla panchayat, Tourism Department, and Madikeri City Municipal Council among others.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / October 15th, 2025

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

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

More than 30 elephants spotted in Kodagu estate

The villagers, including estate growers, complained to the department about increased elephant movement across the estate limits.

Officials confirmed that a couple of herds did not budge from the estates as these herds had calves.

Madikeri :

Over 30 elephants were found roaming and herded across the estate limits in Badaga Banangala village in Kodagu. The incident came to light when the forest department took up the mission to chase away the elephants, following complaints of elephant menace in the surrounding regions.

The villagers, including estate growers, complained to the department about increased elephant movement across the estate limits.

Following this, the forest department staff from the Thithimathi division kick-started the mission to chase all the wild elephants back to the forest. During the mission, the foresters spotted over 30 wild elephants herded within the estate and village limits. The foresters faced a challenging situation as the estates were moist and slushy following a downpour. Nevertheless, the numerous separate herds of elephants were guided into the forest area. However, officials confirmed that a couple of herds did not budge from the estates as these herds had calves.

The mission to track the elephant was led by RFO Gangadhar along with other team members. The Rapid Response Team has been halted at the spot to track the movement of the elephant herds that are still staying within the estate limits.

Meanwhile, the growers in the region shared that they face numerous problems, and the elephant menace is worsening it.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / August 11th, 2025

R. Madhavan, Gulshan Devaiah to headline new Netflix series ‘Legacy’

Directed by Charukesh Sekar, the Tamil-language gangster drama also stars Nimisha Sajayan, Gautham Karthik, and Abhishek Banerjee.

A poster of ‘Legacy’ / Netflix

R. Madhavan and Gulshan Devaiah will headline Netflix’s Legacy, a Tamil series directed by Charukesh Sekar, the streaming platform announced on Monday.

“Watch Legacy, coming soon, only on Netflix,” wrote the streaming giant on Instagram alongside a poster of the show.

Legacy is billed as a gritty family gangster drama that spirals into a saga of succession. The series boasts an ensemble cast, including Nimisha Sajayan, Gautham Karthik, and Abhishek Banerjee.

Produced by Kalyan Subramanian of Stone Bench Pvt Ltd, Legacy is set to hit Netflix soon.

While Madhavan recently appeared in the Netflix film Aap Jaisa Koi, Devaiah has been earning plaudits from movie-goers for his performance in Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1. Madhavan has Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar in the pipeline.

Director Charukesh Sekar is known for Ammu (2022), Bench Talkies (2015) and Mercury (2018).

Netflix on Monday announced three more Tamil original films and series.

Stephen, a Tamil psychological thriller directed by Mithun and starring Gomathi Shankar, delves into the mind of a self-confessed killer being evaluated by a psychiatrist on a chilling case.

#Love, a Tamil series directed by Balaji Mohan and starring Arjun Das and Aishwarya Lekshmi, offers a refreshing take on modern romance.

Made In Korea brings a fresh cross-cultural story to Tamil cinema. Directed by Ra Karthik and starring Priyanka Mohan alongside Park Hye-Jin of Squid Game fame, the film is about a young woman whose dream trip to Korea is derailed by betrayal. Through unexpected friendships and hard lessons, she discovers hope, and herself.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> Entertainment / by Entertainment Web Desk / October 13th, 2025

Bhagavathi Kodava Assn. team

(sitting from left) Legal Advisor Palandira Ponnaiah, Vice-President Kuttimada D. Kariappa, President Palandira Somanna and Legal Advisor Mukkatira Belliappa; (standing from left) CEO Bollepanda Nanjappa, Directors Thapanda Nagesh Kumar, Mandaneravanda Nanaiah, Bottolanda Sarala, Thambukuthira Pavana, Maneyapanda Thimmaiah and Kunjiyanda Robin.

A group photo of the new office-bearers of Sri Bhagavathi Kodava Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamitha, Nivedithanagar, Mysuru, for the term 2025-2030.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Gallery> Photo News / October 11th, 2025

Free mental health camp

As part of World Mental Health Day observed on Oct. 10 every year, a free mental health camp and awareness talk will be held at Kodava Samaja premises, Vijayanagar 1st Stage, Mysuru, tomorrow (Oct. 11) at 10.30 am.

The programme has been organised by Viveka Hospital and Viveka Foundation

[Helpline: 6364 111 001 / 002 / 003]

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / October 10th, 2025

Karnataka: Kodagu hotels, tourist centres directed to ensure 60% Kannada usage on nameboards

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja chairing a meeting in Madikeri on Friday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Hotels, restaurants, homestays, and commercial establishments in Kodagu — known for its coffee and one of Karnataka’s primary tourist destinations — have been directed to ensure that 60% of the text on their nameboards is written in Kannada.

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja on Friday instructed all departments to ensure strict implementation of the State government order mandating Kannada usage on nameboards.

He was speaking at a meeting held at his office in Madikeri following the government’s notification enforcing the rule across all establishments, including shops, commercial complexes, industries, schools, colleges, government offices, and tourist centres in the hill station.

Mr. Venkataraja said that the Karnataka Comprehensive Development of Kannada (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which received the Governor’s assent on February 25, makes it mandatory for all industrial, commercial, and business establishments to display at least 60% of their nameboard content in Kannada. Local bodies and concerned departments have been asked to take necessary measures for its effective enforcement.

The Act applies to all institutions that have obtained approval or permission from the government or local authorities. Private schools, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, entertainment centres, and hotels must ensure Kannada is prominently displayed on their nameboards, he said.

Emphasising the need to promote Kannada, particularly in border areas and private educational institutions, the Deputy Commissioner warned that non-compliance would attract penalties. A penalty of ₹5,000 for the first offence and ₹10,000 for the second has been imposed; repeated violations may also result in the cancellation of licences.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena shared details about the enforcement of Kannada nameboard regulations within local body limits.

Additional Deputy Commissioner R. Aishwarya, Additional Superintendent of Police Barike Dinesh Kumar, and Assistant Director of Kannada and Culture Department Kumar also spoke at the meeting.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India / by The Hindu Bureau / October 10th, 2025

Reports confirm Muzrai land encroachment at Talacauvery and Bhagamandala temple towns

When the district administration failed to act on the complaint, Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga members filed a complaint with the Lokayukta.

Image used for representation.

Madikeri :

Over 40 people, including a businessman from Kerala, have allegedly encroached the land falling under the Muzrai department in Bhagamandala and Talacauvery.

A report in this regard has been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner by the Land Records department, and further action is awaited.

The survey of the said encroached land was conducted following a complaint to the Lokayukta by Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga. The encroachment issue at the temple towns dates back to 2012, when a task force was initially formed to investigate the matter.

A land survey was conducted in 2013 to identify the encroachment, and a total of 71 encroachments were identified. However, the survey report went missing as Ekikarana Ranga members allege involvement of influential people in the case.

In some of these RTCs, the name of Bhagandeshwara Temple was combined with the name of private individuals. When no action was initiated, the President of Kodava Makkada Koota, Bollajira Aiyappa, filed a complaint regarding the above issue in 2019.

However, when the district administration failed to act on the complaint, Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga members filed a complaint with the Lokayukta.

The Lokayukta then ordered the district administration to file a detailed report on the encroachment, even as the Bhagamandala and Talacauvery temple committees initiated the survey work through the Land Records department.

The report has now been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner and the report identifies encroachment of over 50 acres of land. The report identifies a total of 40 individuals who have encroached on the Muzrai land even as survey work of over 18 acres to identify more encroachments is still pending.

The encroachments have been identified following the efforts from the Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga members, who confirmed that encroachment is carried out by local residents and a resort owner from Kerala.

They shared that more encroachments in the Talacauvery region are also yet to be ascertained. The report on encroachment is with DC Venkat Raja, who said, “Action against the encroachments will be initiated shortly.” 

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / October 08th, 2025

Premium Limited-Edition Single-Origin Yezdi Coffee Launched

Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles rewrites the brand love playbook once again with a homecoming ride in the atmospheric coffee heartland of Coorg.

The company reignited its iconic Jawa Yezdi Nomads riding program and launched the single-origin, gourmet ‘Yezdi Coffee’ in partnership with Levista Coffee at their SLN Coffee estate.

In 2018, the company marked return of iconic brands Jawa and Yezdi in mid-size segment by launching performance classic motorcycles. Riding off the conventional route, Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles focussed on building communities and subcultures around shared values. The spur? Authentic user experiences that created lasting brand loyalty.

The 2025 Jawa Yezdi Nomads Brewscape, dubbed ‘Roots to Routes’, was an immersive riding experience showcasing its newly launched Yezdi Roadster. The journey began in Mysore, the birthplace of Ideal Jawa, and culminated in Madikeri, Coorg, home to India’s most authentic coffee varieties. This ride offered national media, enthusiasts, and motorcycling experts’ firsthand experience of 2025 Yezdi Roadster while emphasizing the deep bond between heritage, community, and coffee subcultures.

“In motorcycling, building an iconic brand extends far beyond crafting exceptional machines. When we began in 2018, we inherited timeless classics with authentic stories that no manufactured narrative could match. Nostalgia opened doors, but genuine brand love flourished through our customers’ ride experiences,” said Anupam Thareja, Co-founder Classic Legends. “Creating authentic experiences like Nomads rides in Ladakh to Surfing in Covelong, partnerships with the Forces, and heartening customer stories has shaped our journey. The launch of Nomads 2025 and Yezdi Coffee exemplifies our innovative path. Yezdi Coffee, crafted with Levista’s expertise perfectly blends motorcycling and coffee and connects the spirit of exploration with moments of indulgence.”

The Special Edition Yezdi x Levista coffee pack offers two varieties exceptionally crafted to capture the rich coffee expertise of Coorg. One is a 100 percent Arabica, single-origin brew from Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold, AAA-grade beans. Cultivated at an altitude of 1000 metres above sea level in Coorg, it’s a medium roast Chandragiri varietal offers a rich profile of smooth chocolate, toasted nuts, and caramel, with hints of citrus and earthy spices. The second is a perfect blend of top-grade Robusta and Arabica beans. It’s a medium roast soluble coffee and delivers a rich, aromatic flavour with silky smooth texture and a remarkable depth. Together, Yezdi x Levista coffee is an unmatched experience for motorcycling purists who often profess strong affinity for soulful and indulgent coffee.

Available at an introductory price of Rs.1,999/- the special edition Levista x Yezdi Coffee pack can be prebooked on www.jawayezdimotorcycles.com.

The Nomads program has expanded since its inception with the Ibex Trail (Ladakh, 2019), through signature rides such as the Taktsang Trail in Northeast India and Punjab Da Tor, showcasing heartland culture, alongside frequent “Trail Attack” off-road training events. Epitomizing journey, camaraderie, and local immersion while celebrating motorcycling as a way of life.

The company has also avidly associated with rock and jazz music festivals, street art, and surfing, embedding itself firmly in subcultures across India. These associations established its adventurous, nonconformist ethos while celebrating riding camaraderie. Its community givebacks and Army partnerships in Ladakh have repeatedly upheld its beliefs in courage and the spirit of exploration.

As a company committed to promoting motorcycling as a lifestyle, Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles remains dedicated to creating more such associations, providing meaningful and immersive experiences for its riders.

source: http://www.thrustzone.com / Thrust Zone / Home> 2 Wheeler News / by Mohit Soni / October 06th, 2025