Coromandel International Marks Milestone with 1200th Gromor Store Launch in Coorg

Agriculture, Business & Economy, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kodagu, Karnataka: 

Coromandel International Limited, one of India’s leading agri-solutions providers, announced the inauguration of its 1200th Gromor retail store at Arji Village in Virajpet Taluk, Coorg, Karnataka. Branded as ‘Namma Gromor’, the store marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey of strengthening its last-mile connect with the farming community.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. IK Anil, Founder – Kuttappa Coffee, Co-founder, Indian Vanilla Initiative and Editor-in-Chief – Coffeeland News, in presence of Mr. S. Sankarasubramanian, Managing Director & CEO, Coromandel International Limited, along with senior leadership team.

Launched as a coffee specialty store, the outlet is strategically located to serve key coffee-growing belts across Virajpet Taluk, including Arji and surrounding villages, as well as prominent estate clusters across the Coorg region. The store aims to engage closely with progressive farmers, estate owners and grower communities, creating a strong localized impact across 20–25 villages.

“The launch of our 1200th Gromor store is a proud milestone in Coromandel’s journey of empowering farmers through integrated agri-solutions. With the Coorg region being a key hub for coffee cultivation, this specialty store reflects our commitment to deliver localized, crop-specific expertise. Our focus remains on strengthening farmer connect, improving productivity and enabling sustainable livelihoods through a combination of physical and digital interventions.”, said Mr. S. Sankarasubramanian, Managing Director & CEO, Coromandel International Limited.

Mr. IK Anil, Founder – Kuttappa Coffee, Co-founder, Indian Vanilla Initiative and Editor-in-Chief – Coffeeland News said, “My association with the Murugappa Group spans generations, as a third-generation coffee planter, my bond with this group transcends business and is rooted in mutual respect and shared values. What has always distinguished Murugappa Group is its unwavering commitment to quality and integrity, sustained across decades without compromise. That steadfastness has earned the trust of generations like mine. As the Namma Gromor Centre now expands into the plantation segment for the first time in Coorg, I sincerely hope it will bring forward new technologies and meaningful advancements that empower planters in Coorg, helping them navigate evolving agricultural challenges with confidence, built on the same fair, genuine, and dependable values that have long strengthened Coromandel Retail’s bond with the farming community.“

Since its foray into rural retail in 2007 under the ‘My Gromor’ brand, Coromandel has built one of India’s largest agri-retail networks. With the launch of the 1200th store, the company now operates a robust, company-owned and company-operated network across five states—850 Mana Gromor stores in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, 270 Namma Gromor stores in Karnataka, 31 Namadu Gromor stores in Tamil Nadu, and 49 Apla Gromor stores in Maharashtra—serving over 5 million farmers.

Backed by a dedicated workforce of over 4,500 employees, the Gromor network plays a pivotal role in delivering extension services, agronomic support and quality agri-inputs, helping farmers enhance productivity and improve farm outcomes.

Each ‘My Gromor’ centre functions as a comprehensive agri-solutions hub, offering a wide range of products including fertilizers, crop protection solutions, biologicals, cattle feed and farm implements. In addition, farmers benefit from value-added services such as soil and carbon testing, drone spraying, agronomy advisory, and access to farmer-focused insurance solutions.

The retail ecosystem is further strengthened by the MyGromor mobile app, which provides farm-specific advisory, real-time pricing, and AI-powered pest and disease detection. With over 1 million downloads, the platform is enhancing both accessibility and transparency for farmers.

About Coromandel

Coromandel International Limited is amongst India’s pioneers and leading Agri solutions provider, offering diverse products and services across the farming value chain. It operates in two major segments: Nutrient and other allied businesses and Crop Protection. These include Fertilisers, Crop Protection, Bio Products, Specialty Nutrients and Organic businesses. The Company is 2nd largest manufacturer and marketer of Phosphatic fertilisers in India. The Company’s Crop Protection products are marketed in India as well as in international geographies, offering a wide range of technical and formulation products. The Specialty Nutrients business of the Company focuses on water soluble fertilisers, secondary & micronutrients and Nano fertilisers products. The Company is a leading marketer of Organic fertilisers in India. The Bio Products business of the company focusses on plant extractions for various applications. It also operates a network of 1200 rural retail outlets across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Through these Retail outlets, the Company offers agri inputs and farming services including crop advisory, soil testing and farm mechanization to around 3 million farmers. The Company currently has 8 R&D centers and a strong Regulatory setup, supporting the businesses in process development and new product introduction. The Company currently has 21 manufacturing facilities, spread widely across India, producing a wide range of Nutrient and Crop Protection products, which are marketed through an extensive network of dealers and its own retail centers.

The Company clocked a turnover of Rs. 24,444 Crores during FY24-25. Its efforts towards environment have been well recognized by international organizations like UNDP and has also been voted as one of the ten greenest companies in India by TERI. Coromandel is a part of the Murugappa Group with a turnover of INR 90,178 crore.

For more details, visit www.coromandel.biz 

About Murugappa Group

A 125-year-old conglomerate with presence across India and the world, the INR 902 billion (90,178 crore) Murugappa Group has diverse businesses in agriculture, engineering, financial services and more. 

The Group has 10 listed companies: Carborundum Universal Limited, CG Power & Industrial Solutions Limited, Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Limited, Cholamandalam Investment & Finance Company Limited, Coromandel International Limited, E.I.D.-Parry (India) Limited, NACL Industries Limited, Shanthi Gears Limited, Tube Investments of India Limited, and Wendt (India) Limited. Other major companies include Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Limited and Parry Agro Industries Limited. Brands such as Ajax, Hercules, BSA, Montra, Montra Electric, Mach City, Chola, Chola MS, CG Power, Shanthi Gears, CUMI, Gromor, Paramfos, Parry’s are part of the Group’s illustrious stable. 

Abrasives, technical ceramics, electrominerals, electric vehicles, auto components, fans, transformers, signalling equipment for railways, bicycles, fertilisers, sugar, tea and several other products make up the Group’s business interests. 

Guided by the Five lights — integrity, passion, quality, respect and responsibility — and a culture of professionalism, the Group has a workforce of 94,041 employees.

For more details, visit www.murugappa.com

source: http://www.coromandel.biz / Coramandel / Home> Press Release / April 22nd, 2026

A Kodava Soldier’s Tale – Gowdanda Thimmaiah

Amazing Feats, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

pix01

General Thimayya Museum at Madikeri, is one of the most visited attractions at Coorg. The museum houses images of the General, documents, weapons and other items, that the late illustrious General was associated with.

Gowdanda Thimmaiah at General Thimayya Museum

General Thimayya Museum at Madikeri, is one of the most visited attractions at Coorg. The museum houses images of the General, documents, weapons and other items, that the late illustrious General was associated with.

Subedar Major (Retd) Gowdanda Thimmaiah proudly wearing his medals.

Gowdanda Thimmaiah joined the Indian Army (8th Madras Regiment) in November 1987, and has seen multiple postings throughout India and also in Bhutan.

Thimmaiah has actively participated the following Indian Military campaigns:

1. Operation Rhino – Counter Insurgency operation in Assam (1990)
2. Operation Rakshak – Counter Insurgency operation in Kashmir (1990)
3. Operation Vijay – Kargil War in Kashmir (1999)
4. Operation Parakram – Military Mobilization on the border with Pakistan (2001)

The most challenging operation, Thimmaiah remembered was during his participation in counter insurgency operation in Kashmir. The militancy in Kashmir was at its peak and I have been witness to many casualties. If I recall correctly, from my battalion itself – around 10 to 15 casualties. It was tough to witness so many casualties of my brother soldiers, but we were not the be swayed by emotions and we were up for the challenge and ready to fight it out., he recalled.

The following is a list of medals that Gowdanda Thimmaiah has been awarded:

1. OPERATION VIJAY MEDAL
2. SAINYA SEVA MEDAL
3. SPECIAL SERVICE MEDAL(SURAKSHA)
4. HIGH ALTITUDE MEDAL
5. SAINYA SEVA MEDAL (ASSAM)
6. 9 YEARS LONG SERVICE MEDAL
7. 20 YEARS LONG SERVICE MEDAL
8. 50 YEARS INDEPENDENCE MEDAL

Gowdanda Thimmaiah retired from the Indian Army after serving 28 years and 28 days, with his character being judged by his superiors as exemplary.

Today, this illustrious soldier mans the museum of one of the most famous Generals of Indian Army. To quote Field Marshal Cariappa: “An officer is nothing without the soldiers”.

Lt General Dhiraj Seth presenting the certificate and medallion to Gowdanda Thimmiah

On the 24th of March, 2025,  Lt General Dhiraj Seth (PVSM, AVSM) – Army Commander Southern Command, while on his visit to General Thimayya Museum, took note of Thimmaiah’s work as a curator and his dedication towards the museum.


General Dhiraj Seth, presented Thimmaiah with a commendation certificate and VETERAN HONOR MEDALLION in recognition of his contribution, post retirement.

True to the concept that a soldier never retires, Thimmaiah is also involved in every activity at Surlabbi village. The family is the Deva Thakka for the ancient temple and the Gowdanda family have the privilege of leading the sacred dance that takes place every year.


A hardworking farmer, beekeeper and sportsman. He played for the family in the ongoing Muddanda Hockey Namme, with his two accomplished daughters. One has recently completed her Aeronautical Engineering degree and the other is qualifying as a Dentist. His wife is currently serving in the Health Department as Taluk Nursing Supervisor at Madikeri.

Like Gowdanda Thimmaiah, in Kodagu – there are many such gallant soldiers. And all would have a story to tell. A story worth listening to and sharing. A story of serving the Indian Army and Nation with grit and determination.

source: http://www.clnews.in / CoffeeLand News / Home> Articles / by A S Aiyappa / April 19th, 2025

Viking Resorts Golf Tournament 2026 Concludes

Records, All, Sports, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The VIKING RESORTS GOLF TOURNAMENT was successfully held at Coorg Golf Links (CGL) on 26th April 2026.


Captain of CGL, C.B. Muthanna, welcomed the gathering and thanked the participants and sponsors.

The results are as follows:

1. GROSS STROKE PLAY OVER 18 HOLES
WINNER – MR CHIRAYU M (77)
RUNNER UP- MR NITHIN NANJAPPA ( 81)

2. NET STROKEPLAY OVER 18 HOLES (0-18)
WINNER – MR VISWANATH MM (72)
RUNNER UP –LT COL BHARAT CHEVUR (72)

3. GROSS STABLEFORD OVER 18 HOLES
WINNER – MR CB MUTHANNA (24 POINTS)
RUNNER UP –MR JIBIN JOHN (24 POINTS)

4. HANDICAP STABLEFORD (19-24)
WINNER – MR RAKESH POOVAIAH ( 35 POINTS)
RUNNER UP – MR MG GANESH (33 POINTS)

5. SENIOR CITIZEN STABLEFORD ABOVE THE AGE OF 65 YEARS (0-24)
WINNER – AVM NANJAPPA BC (34 POINTS)
RUNNER UP – KS UTHAIAH (33 POINTS)

6. BEST LADY GOLFER
Winner – Ms ASHIKA KUSHALAPPA

7. CLOSEST TO PIN
WINNER- Mr. CHIRAYU M

8. LONGEST DRIVE
WINNER – CMDE BOPANNA K.A

source: http://www.clnews.in / CoffeeLand News / Home> Sports / by CLN Newsdesk / April 27th, 2026

Last rites of soldier Althaf performed with State honours in Virajpet

Amazing Feats, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), , , , , , , , , , , ,

Army personnel handing over the tricolour to the wife of Hawaldar Althaf Ahmed, who died in Kashmir on February 22. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangemen

Althaf Ahmed | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The last rites of 37-year-old Indian Army Hawildar Althaf Ahmed, who died in a blizzard while on duty in Kashmir, were performed in his native in Meenupete in Kodagu district’s Virajpet taluk with state honours on Saturday.

The body of Althaf Ahmed, who had died on February 22, arrived in his native in Kodagu early on Saturday as its departure by air from Srinagar was delayed owing to bad weather. The body was kept at Eidgah Maidan in Meenupete for the public to pay their last respects before it was laid to rest at the burial ground as per Islamic rituals.

Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah, MLCs Suja Kushalappa and Veena Achaiah, besides Deputy Commissioner B.C. Satish, Kodagu Superintendent of Police M.A. Aiyappa and other senior officials of the district administration were among the large number of people, who paid their last respects.

According to sources, Althaf Ahmed grew up in Meenupete and completed his SSLC in St Anne’s School in Virajpet and Pre University Education at the Virajpet Government Junior College. He later joined the Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) regiment. He had been serving the Army in various places since the last 19 years.

While guarding the border in Kashmir, Althaf Ahmed was caught in a blizzard on February 22 and died.

After the ceremonial gun salute during the funeral of the martyred solider, Army personnel handed over handed over the tricolour that draped Althaf Ahmed’s body and his uniform to his wife and two children. He leaves behind his mother, wife, a son and a daughter.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / February 26th, 2022

Coorg and the bean talk

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), , , , , , , , , ,

There’s more to Coorg than the coffee plantations, resorts and mountains shrouded in mist.

There are no Café Coffee Days or Baristas in the coffee county. Instead, vistas of stumped coffee plants growing in the shade of benevolent native trees stretch through silence broken by whistling wind and falling yet uplifting waterfalls. Wild elephants meander in the plantations in the day and fireflies fly in the plantations at night. Coorg is a country painted on a canvas and brought to life.

When you travel within India, you feel the truth of the cliché you’ve heard since childhood — India is many countries into one. How different are the people, their attires, aspirations, lives and even histories and humanities.

The bumpy, washed out road from Mangalore to Coorg changes its rough character drastically the moment it enters the Coorg district.

Perched on the Western Ghats of Karnataka, Coorg or Kodagu has gained its popularity in India in the recent years. She has claimed her place as a coffee plantation hill station, like her near and distant tea plantation cousins Kodaikanal, Ooty and Darjeeling. And with this claim numerous new resorts in the region have burgeoned, many of them located inside the coffee estates.

According to popular belief, coffee in India is rooted in a mystical beginning in the 17th century. The Muslim saint Baba Budan, returning from a pilgrimage, clandestinely brought along seven coffee seeds from Yemen (from where it was forbidden to take coffee seeds) and planted them in Chandragiri hills in Karnataka. These hills are now known as Baba Budan Giri. Like the seven skies and the seven rounds of Kabaa, the holy significance of number seven led him to carry seven seeds.

Kodavas are the main ethnic group of Coorg, carrying a rich farming and militia history. It is a culture that thrives on Nature, not industry. Paddy fields in the foothills and coffee plantations on the slopes, mainly around the district headquarter Madikeri, are the traditional and main source of livelihood.

What is different about the coffee country is not just the coffee, but guns. The Kodavas, being warriors in ancient times, worship arms. Guns are an important part of the festivals of this region. “Most families carry two or three guns,” says Biju, the co-owner of a coffee plantation that spreads over 400 acres. He continues with a glint in his eyes, talking about his passion, i.e., guns. “And yet it is one of the safest places to live in. The crime against women is quite rare and they are the main decision makers in many families.”

That is indeed reflected in the sex ratio where the number of females exceeds the number of males.

There are other ethnic communities and forest-dwelling hunter and gatherer tribes as well. Water is aplenty and the main river of the region is Cauvery. Coffee makes Coorg one of the richest districts of India. Sunil, the co-owner of a coffee plantation and The Porcupine Castle resort answers with a knowing grunt, when we inquire where we can find good coffee, “The coffee that you’re used to , is a mixture of different varieties of coffees.

And each one has a secret formulation, which the company doesn’t disclose. They just buy the raw coffee variety from us like Robusta and Arabica and process and mix it themselves.”

Nonetheless, the Indian coffee is supposed to be one of the finest in the world, grown fully in the shade of eucalyptus, vanilla and native evergreen and leguminous trees. The shade giving trees not only protect the coffee plants but also enrich the soil and prevent erosion. The exotic, full-bodied taste and aroma finds its way to your cup through intense labour and extraordinary care.

The coffee plantations are as multicultural and inclusive as the medley that is India. Pepper, cardamom, vanilla, a local variety of orange and bananas share the same home, drawing their daily supply of nutrients from the shared pool of coffee plantations.

The homesick British, who once inhabited the cool climes of Coorg, named it the Scotland of India. British architecture still stands strong in Madikeri and many tourists visit the same. Around 5 km away from Madikeri is Abbey Falls, a sight to behold, provided it’s not a public holiday.

There is Iruppu Falls too where you can actually go inside the water. An elephant camp of the forest department at Dubare is another tourist attraction and so is Nisargadhama, an island in Cauvery. For the religious, there is Talacauvery, the origin of Cauvery, with a Lord Brahma temple on the bank. For the adventurous, there are the Nagarhole National Park, and Brahmagiri, Talacauvery and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuaries. You can hope to catch a glimpse of a tiger, gaur, dhole (wild dog), leopard or elephant that magnanimously let you pass through the privacy of their living space.

Ever wondered what we would do if a tiger or a guar or a dhole or a leopard enters the privacy of our home or our garden or our street or even our city?

But the Kodavas and the other ethnic groups and tribals of Coorg don’t mind them coming in to their plantations and passing by their villages.

They know better than us that the mountains and fields belong as much to a lonely elephant or a pack of dholes. If I were to settle in the coffee country, it won’t be only for the lush landscape or healthy sex ratio or rich culture; it will be for the forgotten pleasures of experiencing synergy with nature.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Todays Pages> Features> Metroplus / by Arefa Tehsin / May 18th, 2016

Workshop on orthodontic mechanics gets under way

Education, , , , , , , ,

Delegates during the workshop at the Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Virajpet, Kodagu.

A four-day pan-global hands-on workshop on ‘Tip-edge plus orthodontic mechanics’ was inaugurated at the Department of Orthodontics and Dento-facial Orthopaedics in the Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences (CIDS), Virajpet, Kodagu, on Tuesday.

It was attended by 25 delegates from India, Malaysia, Sweden, and Germany.

International speakers and course directors, Urban Hagg, Director of Clinical Education, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Margareta Bendeus, multi-specialist practitioner in Landskrona, Sweden, were mentors at the workshop, according to information received from the CIDS here on Wednesday.

Three doctors from Afghanistan, Abdul Ghafar Gayur (plastic surgeon from Kabul), Habibullah Atif (general surgeon from Badakhshan) and Sebghatullah Natory (maxillofacial surgeon from Kunduz) performed 15 cleft surgeries at the cleft centre and the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at the CIDS.

Getz Ehmann, maxillofacial surgeon from Hamburg, and Ulrike Lamle, cleft ENT surgeon from Berlin, were also present. Sunil Muddaiah, Dean, CIDS, addressed the gathering.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru /by K Jeevan Chinnappa / February 19th, 2015

A Princess’ tale

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), World Opinion, , , , , ,

C.P. Belliappa’s A Slice of History: `Victoria Gowramma : The Lost Princess of Coorg’, brings to life the tragic tale of the princess from Coorg

A Slice of History: C.P.Belliappa’s `Victoria Gowramma : The Lost Princess of Coorg’. Photo: M. Vedhan

In a quiet corner of the Brompton Cemetery in London lies a 19th Century grave partially covered by undergrowth. The graceful stone cross above it is slightly broken, but the epitaph composed by Queen Victoria can still be read: “Sacred to the memory of the Princess Victoria Gouramma (sic), daughter of the ex-Raja of Coorg…”

That’s where the strange and tragic tale of Victoria Gowramma, the princess from Coorg who was raised Christian and became Queen Victoria’s goddaughter, ended in 1864. But, her story has come to light again in all its fascinating detail, thanks to C.P. Belliappa’s rigorously researched book “Victoria Gowramma: The Lost Princess of Coorg”, which was recently launched in the city.

“Historical writings on Coorg — mostly gazetteers by the British who lived there during the 19th Century — mention the story of Gowramma and her father, the exiled Raja Veerarajendra, in a paragraph or two,” says Belliappa, author of “Tale of a Tiger’s Tail & Other Yarns from Coorg” and “Nuggets from Coorg History”. “But the details were never there, and I got more and more inquisitive.”

Accidental discovery

His big break came when he accidentally stumbled upon three books written in the 19th Century by people who knew both the Raja and his daughter.

“I was able to download them — for free! — from www.archive.org, where old books are digitised and uploaded,” he says. “They were authentic, first-hand accounts, and comprised 75 per cent of the information I needed.”

The rest he found from the digital archives of The Times, London — reports of court functions and events that contained all sorts of interesting titbits of information. .

“Victoria Gowramma…” traces the intriguing series of events surrounding the princess’ journey to England with her father in 1852, and her difficult and often lonely life there subsequently. The various threads include the exiled Raja’s attempts to reclaim the wealth the British took from him (his reason for taking Gowramma to England in the first place), and the grand plans by Queen Victoria to match-make between Gowramma and another young royal convert to Christianity, Maharaja Duleep Singh of Punjab.

“Queen Victoria believed that if two royals converted to Christianity were married, and their children were born Christian, it would encourage more of their subjects to convert,” says Belliappa. “What’s interesting is that although the plan didn’t work, the Queen continued to be fond of Gowramma to the very end.”

Power dynamics

The book, then, is more than just a portrait of a princess; it gives you a glimpse into the political and religious power dynamics of the time. With its wealth of primary sources, it’s a solid historical work, though Belliappa admits that he was very tempted to go the historical fiction route. “I gave it a lot of thought, and decided finally that the facts themselves were so sensational that they didn’t need fictionalising,” he says.

Since the book’s release in England last year, the author has uncovered even more interesting nuggets of information — for instance, after a bit of detective work, he’s discovered that direct descendants of Gowramma live on to this day in Australia. “I have enough material to add at least an epilogue in future editions of the book,” he says. “It’s been a very exciting time.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Books / by Divya Kumari / March 04th, 2011

Rani Machaiah selected as Coorg Person of the year 2023 by news and tourism portal

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), , , , , , , , , , ,

Padma Shri awardee Rani Machaiah, an exponent of the Ummathat folk dance of Kodagu, was chosen as the Coorg Person of the Year 2023 by a news and tourism portal.

According to the author and editor of the portal www.coorgtourisminfo.com P.T. Bopanna, Ms. Rani Machaiah’s selection was made on the basis of a poll conducted through the portal.

It may be mentioned here that the portal had chosen actor Rashmika Mandanna as the Coorg Person of the Year 2022.

In a statement here on Ms. Rani Machaiah’s selection for the year 2023, Mr. Bopanna said the Ummathat folk dance exponent was leading her troupe since 1984 and had trained thousands of students in the folk dance tradition in Kodagu.

Rani Machaiah had been presented with Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu in 2023. “Rani is known for teaching and popularising Ummathat, a traditional form of Kodagu danced by women dressed in red brocade saris draped in Kodava style and wearing traditional Kodava jewellery. They dance gracefully in circles around a lit pedestal lamp to the rhythm of hand-held brass cymbals, which they beat as they dance to the accompaniment of folk songs sung by two or more women. The dance is devoted to Goddess Kaveri (the river which takes its birth in Kodagu and is considered as their mother goddess by Kodavas). It is performed mostly during the harvest festival Puthari,” said a statement issued by Mr. Bopanna.

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

Jnana Bharatham Mission: May-end deadline set for manuscript survey in Kodagu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, , , , , , , , , , ,

Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekhar releasing the posters made for the district-wide survey of ancient manuscripts under the State government’s Jnana Bharatham Mission in Madikeri on Friday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekhar has directed officials to complete the district-wide survey of ancient manuscripts by the end of May under the State government’s Jnana Bharatham Mission.

Presiding over a preparatory meeting at his office on Friday, Mr. Somashekhar emphasised that manuscripts — handwritten on palm leaves, paper, and other materials — are invaluable repositories of history, literature, culture, and traditional knowledge, reflecting the intellectual wealth of past generations.

He instructed the Departments of Archaeology and Tourism to take immediate steps for the systematic collection, scientific preservation, and digitisation of manuscripts. Highlighting Kodagu’s rich historical legacy, he said identifying and digitising rare manuscripts must be treated as a priority.

“Manuscripts serve as vital sources to understand social and cultural history. They contain rare knowledge on epics, poetry, grammar, Ayurveda, and philosophy,” he said, adding that they also help decode ancient scripts and linguistic styles.

Mr. Somashekhar called for involving historians, literary enthusiasts, and senior citizens in identifying manuscripts. He suggested that documents be collected for scanning and safely returned to their owners to build trust and encourage wider participation.

He said the State government, in its 2025–26 Budget, has announced the Jnana Bharatham Mission as a flagship initiative aimed at reviving and safeguarding manuscript heritage through surveys, documentation, and digitisation. The government has urged citizens to upload details of manuscripts available in their homes or nearby locations using the Jnana Bharatham app or share information with district survey teams.

Archaeology Department Curator Rekha said manuscripts are likely to be found in temples such as Omkareshwara and Paloor Mahalingeshwara, as well as in mutts, traditional ainmanes (ancestral homes), and storage repositories.

Project District Coordinator Karthikeyan said the survey is being conducted across Karnataka in coordination with the Departments of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, and Tourism. He added that creating a comprehensive digital archive would help preserve the district’s unique historical identity for future generations.

Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College principal Raghav, Tourism Department consultant Jatin and other officials were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / April 11th, 2026

Ex-servicemen air their grievances before Kodagu DC

Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Records, All

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekar said sincere efforts will be made to provide land to set up canteens, community halls, and hospitals for ex-servicemen in the district.

After listening to the grievances of ex-servicemen and their dependents at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Madikeri on Tuesday, Mr. Somashekar said land will be reserved on a priority basis for constructing community halls for ex-servicemen in Madikeri and Ponnampet.

After ex-serviceman Chengappa informed the Deputy Commissioner that many ex-servicemen are sustaining themselves by cultivating small plots near their villages, requesting the authorities to formalise ownership of this land, Mr. Somashekar stated that he would look into the possibility of converting the land, up to one or two acres, cultivated by the ex-servicemen into their names and issuing them a Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops (RTC). He assured that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the rules.

A request would also be submitted to the government to relax the regulations regarding land allotment to ex-servicemen, he said.

When Mr. Chengappa brought to his notice that over 50% of ex-servicemen and their dependents do not own houses, the Deputy Commissioner said the issue of providing sites and houses to ex-servicemen will be examined and brought to the attention of the government.

“Discussions will also be held with concerned authorities to reserve sites for ex-servicemen in private layouts developed across the district,” Mr. Somashekar said.

Responding to a suggestion from the president of Kodagu District Ex-Servicemen’s Association, Major General (Retd.) B.A. Cariappa, the Deputy Commissioner, said ex-servicemen would henceforth be invited to the birth anniversary programmes of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General K.S. Thimaiah.

In addition, to effectively address the grievances of ex-servicemen, he instructed that hearings take place at the taluk level in the presence of Assistant Commissioners, and that an ex-servicemen’s adalat be organised every two months by the respective Tahsildars.

The Deputy Commissioner also assured that individual land-related files would be examined in accordance with rules to ensure justice.

He directed officials to ensure that ex-servicemen visiting government offices be treated with dignity and respect.

Earlier, Mr. Cariappa, representing the District Ex-Servicemen’s Association, said ex-servicemen have served in high-altitude regions like Jammu and Kashmir and they must be provided at least basic facilities like hospitals and canteens, besides community halls.

An ex-serviceman shared a personal grievance and said his family members had denied him his rightful share of ancestral property during his service and requested the authorities to intervene so that he could receive his rightful share. Pointing out that he was currently eking out a living working as a security guard in Mysuru and Bengaluru, he appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to intervene.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / April 18th, 2026