The members of Hathur PACS arrived at the Office of the JD of Agriculture in Madikeri with bags of fertilizers and a weighing scale. Photo | Expre
In a dramatic display, the farmers and cooperative representatives weighed the bags on the premises of the Joint Director’s office, highlighting what they termed as “fraudulent practices” by fertiliser suppliers.
Madikeri :
Allegations of large-scale discrepancies in fertiliser bag weights surfaced in Kodagu on Thursday, as members of the Hathur Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) staged a protest demonstration infront of the office of Joint Director of Agriculture in Madikeri.
Led by Kodagu District Cooperative Central Bank president Bonda Ganapathi, the PACS members arrived with truckloads of fertiliser bags supplied by Indian Potash Limited (IPL), claiming significant shortages in weight. The members alleged that several 50-kg bags were found to be underweight by as much as 4 kg.
In a dramatic display, the farmers and cooperative representatives weighed the bags on the premises of the Joint Director’s office, highlighting what they termed as “fraudulent practices” by fertiliser suppliers. They urged the Agriculture Department to initiate an immediate and thorough investigation.
“This is not an isolated issue. We suspect such discrepancies could be happening across the district and even elsewhere in the country,” members alleged, warning that such practices directly harm farmers financially.
Expressing strong displeasure, Ganapathi claimed that nearly 51 tonnes of fertiliser supplied to the society between February 18 and March 3 showed consistent weight variation.
He termed the issue a “serious injustice” to farmers and demanded that the losses be compensated by the supplier. He also called for reimbursement of loading costs and a district-wide inspection of fertiliser stocks in all cooperative societies.
Joint Director Chandrashekar assured the delegation that the matter would be escalated to higher authorities for further action.
Ganapathi said a formal complaint would be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner and warned of intensified protests, including a possible lockdown of the Agriculture Department office, if swift action is not taken.
A follow-up meeting involving cooperative representatives and department officials is scheduled at the KDCC Bank building on April 27 to discuss the issue further.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express/ Home> Karnataka / by Prajna GR / April 23rd, 2026
Dual signing introduces two resort properties under Radisson Individuals Premier, marking the Group’s entry into Coorg.
Radisson Hotel Group continues to expand its footprint in India’s high-potential leisure destinations with the signing of Purple Mist Resort & Spa Coorg, A Member of Radisson Individuals Premier, along with Purple Palms Resort & Spa, which will be converted under the same brand.
This dual-deal marks the Group’s entry into Coorg, one of India’s most sought-after leisure destinations, establishing a strong and scalable presence in a market defined by nature-led travel and destination-driven demand.
A nature-led retreat designed for experiential stays
Purple Mist Resort & Spa Coorg, under Radisson Individuals Premier, is a 102-room property with 98 standard rooms and four suites. It will include an all-day dining restaurant, a lobby lounge/deli, two banquet halls with pre-function areas, a fitness centre, and a spa.
Purple Palms Resort & Spa Coorg, under Radisson Individuals Premier, is a 78-room property that will be converted and repositioned under the brand. It includes 74 standard rooms and four suites, along with two restaurants, a banquet hall, a boardroom, and wellness facilities such as a gym and spa.
Together, the two resorts create a strong combined offering in Coorg, addressing demand across leisure stays, destination weddings, corporate retreats, and social events, while allowing flexibility across guest segments.
Expanding in high-potential leisure markets
“With this signing, we are entering Coorg with a differentiated approach that allows us to build meaningful scale in a high-demand leisure market. The dual-resort model enables us to create a strong combined offering, catering to both individual travellers and large-format events. As demand continues to evolve towards experiential and destination-led travel, developments like these allow us to strengthen our presence in emerging leisure markets while leveraging the flexibility of our Radisson Individuals Premier brand,” said Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director & COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.
Unlocking growth through strategic development
“RHG’s advent to Coorg marks successful implementation of our strategy to spread across key business & leisure destinations of South India. A ready to open resort at a premium leisure destination accelerates our expansion plans by catering to all segments of market by furthering our outreach. The dual signing is also a strong value proposition for the ownership to capitalise on RHG’s brand repute & robust distribution system,” said Davashish Srivastava, Senior Director, Development, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.
A shared vision to elevate the destination
“We are delighted to partner with Radisson Hotel Group for this landmark development in Coorg. Our vision is to create a hospitality offering that reflects the destination’s natural beauty while introducing world-class standards and infrastructure. With two complementary resorts in close proximity, we believe this project will redefine the hospitality landscape in Coorg and position it as a preferred destination for both leisure travellers and large-scale celebrations,” said N Viswanathan, Managing Partner, SLN Hotels & Resorts.
source: http://www.hotelierindia.com / Hotelier India / Home> Development / April 24th,2026
Palecanda Bojamma (91), wife of late Palecanda P. Muthanna (former Advocate General of Karnataka and former President of Kodava Samaja, Bengaluru), passed away in Arizona, USA, on Apr. 22.
Originally from Madikeri town in Kodagu, Bojamma (Paruvangada) leaves behind her daughters Dechu Muthanna, Dr. Neeli Muthanna, son Poonacha Muthanna, grandsons and a host of relatives and friends.
Cremation took place at Paradise Memorial Gardens, East Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA today (Apr. 24).
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Obituary / April 24th, 2026
Tamara Leisure Experiences has, since inception, embedded Responsible Hospitality into its core, guided by a clear vision of people, planet, and profit thriving in tandem. Across its portfolio of nine properties, from luxury resorts in Coorg and Kodaikanal to upscale O by Tamara hotels in Coimbatore and Trivandrum, mid-scale Lilac hotels, and its flagship wellness offering Amal Tamara, a NABH-accredited Ayurveda hospital, this philosophy translates into an elevated form of eco-conscious hospitality where design, service, and setting come together to deliver immersive, low-impact luxury. The flagship property, The Tamara Coorg, holds the Global Sustainable Tourism Council certification, underscoring its alignment with global sustainability standards, with a clear roadmap to extend this benchmark across all Tamara properties.
Samir MC, CEO, Tamara Leisure Experiences, said, “Our nine property portfolio is aligned to GSTC principles. And I want to be honest about what that distinction means, because the certification is the outcome, but the real value is in the discipline the journey instills across your entire organisation. This is not a badge. It is a framework to make your circular systems auditable, measurable, and accountable. Our goal is to make that the portfolio standard, not a novelty at one property.”
“Earth Day serves as a timely reminder of shared responsibility towards the planet, and at TamaraLeisureExperiences, this is reflected through on-ground actions across its properties, from farm to table experiences and community clean-up drives to sustainability-led engagements. These efforts extend into Earth Week (22–28 April) through nature-led activities, conscious dining, and community participation, where sustainability is not an add-on but the experience itself. At Tamara, responsiblehospitality is foundational, shaping every stage from design and conceptualization to operations and guest experience. For us, sustainability is not a seasonal campaign, but a part of our daily operating philosophy.”
Here’s how this philosophy comes to life across key pillars:
Sustainability in Design
Each Tamara property is planned with the local environment in mind, designed to retain and work with its natural surroundings, allowing the ecosystem to shape how the space is built and experienced. For example, At The Tamara Coorg, sustainability is a design decision guided by a clear ethos, build less to preserve more. Set across 28 acres of largely untouched landscape, the resort was developed with minimal ecological disruption, felling just 17 trees and consciously scaling down from 60 to 56 cottages to protect even more. Elevated on stilts, each structure sits lightly on the land, allowing the forest to remain undisturbed, where trees are not cleared but seamlessly woven into the architecture and experience.
Rooted in Community care, designed for continuity
At Tamara, sustainability extends to the people who shape the experience, expressed through local immersion, farm to table practices, and menus rooted in regional flavours and wellness, from Kodava cuisine in Coorg to place-led dining across properties. This continues at Verandah, the in-house boutique, where locally inspired crafts, natural wellness products, and plantation-grown spices offer a tangible extension of the region’s heritage.
Guided by community and circular thinking, nearly half the workforce is locally hired and close to 40% of procurement is regional, strengthening livelihoods while keeping operations rooted. This comes through most tangibly in the organic minibar, where every product is local, organic, and traceable, and in the kitchen, where menus are shaped by what is locally and seasonally available, ensuring procurement drives the plate. Ongoing support for education and local institutions reinforces a long-term commitment to community development.
Zero Waste Living
Across Tamara properties, 15-40 tonnes of waste is reimagined as a resource through a closed loop system where nothing is discarded and everything is repurposed. 100% food waste is recycled in house through low impact processes like Bio Manthan, plastic is replaced with glass bottles, stainless steel dispensers and refillable amenities, while circular practices extend to repurposed linen, reused bottles, kitchen gardens, greenhouses and seed saving, with food waste reduced to 0.54 kg per head. With zero significant chemical spills in FY 2024-25, this carries into the guest experience, with leaf coasters, bamboo alternatives, towel reuse, alternate linen changes, and sapling takeaways ensuring the philosophy is both visible and lived.
Mindful use of every resource
Resource conservation is deliberate and deeply local. Natural waterfalls and stream water are left untouched to preserve community sources. While rainwater harvesting systems and tap aerators reduce consumption, LED lighting, heat pumps, lithium battery buggies, key tag controls, EV infrastructure, solar panels and emission management ensure energy optimisation. Behind the scenes, efficiency is engineered into every system, smart laundry and advanced STP and ETP plants enable reuse, while continuous monitoring of water, energy, and carbon, along with thoughtful material reuse, keeps operations tightly optimised and low impact.
Quiet design and conscious tech
Throughout properties, impact is reduced through thoughtful restraint. The absence of DJ music and harsh lighting limits noise and light pollution, while low lux pathways, timers, and sensors minimize ecological disturbance. A seamless tech enabled journey with digital check ins, e-bills, and paperless feedback reduces waste, supported by in-house water systems over plastic. From horn free EV buggies to reusable linen elements and locally rooted touches, every detail is intentional and quietly conscious
At Tamara, responsiblehospitality shapes how we think, design, and operate across the portfolio. It brings sourcing, consumption, and recovery into careful alignment, ensuring that sustainability is quietly built into everyday operations
source: http://www.businessnewsthisweek.com/ Business News This Week / Home> Business / by Neel Achary / April 22nd, 2026
The Kodagu Press Club has invited applications for its annual journalism awards, recognising excellence in reporting across multiple categories. Interested journalists have been asked to submit their entries on or before April 30, according to a statement issued by General Secretary M. K. Adarsh.
The “Best Human Interest Report” award has been instituted by veteran journalist Coovercolly Indresh and family in memory of his parents, B. V. Chandrashekar and B. C. Pushpalatha, with an endowment fund of ₹1 lakh to support the award.
The awards also include the “Best Impactful Report,” instituted in memory of senior journalist K. B. Mahantesh. Another category, “Best Environmental Report,” has been instituted by M. N. Chandramohan in memory of his parents M. Narayana and N. Padmavathi.
Each award carries a cash prize of ₹5,000 along with a plaque. The awards will be presented during the Press Club Day celebrations scheduled to be held on June 7 under the presidentship of president Bollajira B. Ayyappa.
As per the guidelines, entries must be special reports published between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Applicants must be members of the Kodagu Press Club and can submit entries for only one category. It is mandatory to clearly mention the category while applying.
Journalists are required to submit two copies of their published report along with the application at the Kodagu Press Club office. The initiative aims to encourage quality journalism and recognise impactful reporting in the region.
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka> Bengaluru / byThe Hans India/ April 18th,2026
In Brief: Minor Hotels has signed agreements for the Anantara Zanti Coorg Resort and Anantara Kolkata Hotel, marking the first Anantara-branded resort and urban hotel in India.
Rendering of the Anantara Kolkata Hotel – Image Credit Minor Hotels
Minor Hotels has signed agreements for two new properties in India under its luxury Anantara Hotels & Resorts brand: Anantara Zanti Coorg Resort and Anantara Kolkata Hotel. These will be the brand’s first resort and first urban hotel in the country.
Anantara Zanti Coorg Resort is scheduled to open in 2028 near Madikeri in Coorg, Karnataka, within the UNESCO-recognized Western Ghats. The 69-key resort is being designed by Sri Lankan architect Channa Daswatte and will draw on the region’s natural landscapes, coffee heritage, and Kodava culture. Planned facilities include four dining venues, a swimming pool, a lobby lounge and library, Anantara Spa and wellness center, a fitness studio, meeting and event spaces, and a kids’ club. Zanti Hospitality owns the property.
Anantara Kolkata Hotel is slated to open in 2032 as part of the World Trade Center Salt Lake Kolkata, a mixed-use development. The 170-key hotel is designed to serve the city’s business, meeting, and event needs, with facilities including two restaurants, a lobby lounge, flexible meeting and event spaces, an Anantara Spa and wellness center, a gym, and a swimming pool. The World Trade Center Salt Lake is a joint venture between Aryan Realty and Merlin Group.
These signings expand Minor Hotels’ portfolio in India, following the introduction of the Anantara brand with Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur in 2025 and the signing of the first Avani-branded property, Avani+ Sunray Beach Visakhapatnam Resort. The company is progressing toward a target of 50 properties in India within the next decade.
Minor Hotels’ strategy in India includes developing both leisure destinations and key cities, with a focus on its luxury and premium brands such as Anantara, Avani, and NH Collection, as well as select-service brands including NH, Oaks, and iStay. The company has also launched the Minor Reserve Collection and Colbert Collection to provide opportunities for independent hoteliers. Expansion in India is primarily through hotel management agreements and franchise opportunities.
source: http://www.hotelnewsresource.com / HNR Hotel News / Home> All News> Asia Pacific> Development News> Previous Article / by News-Hotel Development India / April 08th, 2026
Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s intimate Kodagu reception goes viral, with unseen moments, a heartfelt speech, and her traditional Coorgi look stealing the spotlight.
Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s wedding reception in Kodagu. (Photo: X/Rashmikadelhifc)
Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s wedding celebrations are far from over. After tying the knot in Udaipur on February 26 and hosting a reception in Hyderabad on March 4, the couple held an intimate gathering in Kodagu on April 6.
The reception was held at the Serenity Convention Hall in Virajpet, Kodagu, a day after Rashmika celebrated her 30th birthday with close friends and family. It also marked the couple’s first visit to Coorg after their wedding.
Pictures from the ceremony show the couple walking hand-in-hand, smiling warmly as they greeted guests in an intimate setting attended only by their inner circle. In one moment, Rashmika was seen affectionately styling Vijay’s hair on stage, framed against elegant white floral décor.
Rashmika Mandanna’s father reportedly gifted her the family’s Coorg bungalow, Serenity, located in Kukloor village near Virajpet, a home tied closely to her roots.
Rashmika Mandanna embraces her heritage, Vijay Deverakonda channels retro charm
For the reception, Rashmika Mandanna embraced her heritage in a pink and olive-green silk saree draped in the traditional Kodava style. The pleats were tucked at the back, with the pallu brought over the right shoulder and secured in place, an authentic Coorgi touch.
She paired the look with layered gold jewellery, including stacked bangles, classic jhumkas, and statement necklaces. Her hair was styled in a sleek bun adorned with gajra.
Vijay Deverakonda, meanwhile, channelled retro charm in black flared trousers, a white open-collar shirt, and a blazer with silver detailing, finishing the look with white shoes.
Vijay Deverakonda’s heartfelt speech in Coorg
During the reception, Vijay Deverakonda delivered an emotional speech, talking about his growing connection with Kodagu and his personal memories tied to the region.
“Next time I come I’d like to go around and see her childhood and life here. This is the third time I am here. The first time was before I even knew her, with my school friends – Coorg was our first holiday destination. I found out later that I had stayed in one of her friend’s house (who was not there at the event),” he was quoted as saying by India Today.
Speaking fondly about the place and its people, he added, “I’ve become so fond of this place, such a beautiful place. I always thought that women from here (Kodagu) are super beautiful, even before I met her. I think coorgi women are very beautiful, and I’m married to one, and I’m very happy. Lovely meeting and seeing you all here.”
Rashmika Mandanna-Vijay Deverakonda wedding
Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda tied the knot on February 26 at ITC Momentos in Udaipur in a grand three-day celebration that included haldi, sangeet, and ceremonies honouring both Telugu and Kodava traditions.
They later hosted a star-studded reception in Hyderabad on March 4, followed by an intimate lunch for fans. In a unique gesture, the couple also arranged for sweets to be distributed across multiple cities, sharing their joy with people across the country.
On the work front
On the work front, Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda have resumed shooting for their third on-screen collaboration, Ranabaali, directed by Rahul Sankrityan, which is slated for release on September 11.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> SCREEN> News> Entertainment> Telugu / by Entertainment Desk / April 07th, 2026
While the couple had booked their return tickets from Bengaluru to Bojnurd via Sharjah for March 16, the flights were cancelled due to the West Asia crisis.
Naveen and Nadher / Special Arrangement
Madikeri:
A couple from Iran has been stranded in Kodagu and is unable to book flights back following the Iran-US/Israel War.
The woman, who is a native of Kodagu and her Iranian husband, who were on an annual visit to Kodagu, hope that they can fly back before their Visas expire.
Naveen, a native of Murnad in Kodagu, met Iranian National Nadher over four decades ago when the former was working for a private company in Bengaluru. The couple was married and settled in Bojnurd city in Iran.
They have two children; one of them is a civil engineer and the other is an architect.
Naveen and Nadher own an orchard in Iran and sell exotic fruits, including almonds, apricots, pistachios and other berries.
As confirmed by the two, they annually visit Naveen’s house in Murnad during December every year, and they arrived in Murnad at the end of December last year.
While the couple had booked their return tickets from Bengaluru to Bojnurd via Sharjah for March 16, the flights were cancelled due to the war crisis.
The two later booked a flight that was scheduled to take off on April 15, but they confirmed that this flight too had been cancelled. Following these developments, the couple is stranded in Kodagu.
The couple shared that they are unable to contact their children due to the internet shutdown in Iran, and they fear legal issues as their visas will expire in May, and hope to find a return flight to Iran before it.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / April 05th, 2026
Experienced trekkers cautioned individuals against going on a solo trek or a solo hike on a new trek trail, even as the forest department ramps up safety measures.
Board marking Pushpagiri wildlife range territory under Madikeri Wildlife Division.Photo | Express
Madikeri:
The Kodagu division forest department has currently closed Tadiandamol for trekkers after a woman techie from Kerala went missing for four days while on a solo trek.
Sources confirmed that the trail will open after the department takes a few precautionary measures to avoid repetition of such incidents.
“The Tadiandamol Trek is closed for trekkers till April 11,” confirmed Madikeri Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhishek. He explained that the department will conduct proper markings of the trek trails and will implement more safety measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
He stated that Kumara Parvatha is another major trekking route in the district managed by the department, where the trail is properly visible. However, since this trek also falls in a thick forest region, steps to implement safety will likely be planned.
Meanwhile, Kodagu district has instructed several trekking organisations based in Bengaluru and other cities to ensure safety measures.
However, experienced trekkers caution individuals against going on a solo trek or a solo hike on a new trek trail.
“It is not advisable for anyone, no matter how experienced they are, to go on a solo trek on a trail they are exploring for the first time,” shared Meghna Kushalappa, co-founder of Trek n Tales organisation.
She advised trekkers to research the trail before they head out and try to physically mark the trail path, in case they are trekking alone.
She suggested that trekkers download several mobile applications like Wiki Loc, Maps.me and Strava, which have trails saved (in paid versions).
She also advised trekkers to carry all basic essentials including a flashlight, extra water and snacks, a whistle, portable charger and a basic first aid kit.
‘KA 12 Miles’, another trek group based in the district, put forth various requests before the authorities to make trekking feasible and safe in the district.
The need for caution/danger boards on the trails, sign boards at deviations, emergency communication stations, rest shelters, backup rescue teams, proper healthcare in base camps in case of emergencies, eco-toilets and proper waste management system are among the few demands put forth by the trekkers from the district.
The group also demands a ban on solo trekkers as incidents like that of the missing woman from Keralam can affect the entire trek community in the district. They opined that all the trek trails in the district are wildlife-prone areas and solo trekking must be prohibited keeping safety in mind.
“Heavy penalties must be imposed for breaking trek rules and guidelines,” demand the KA 12 Miles trekkers. Further, they also urge the departments to make all the treks in the district a plastic-free zone and urge for stricter checking of the trekkers at the chek posts.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / April 06th, 2026
“Trace the Cup” new film-led series follows the journey from estate to cup, spotlighting sourcing and flavour.
Tata Starbucks is turning the focus to India’s coffee-growing regions with a new film centred on its first estate-specific single-origin offerings.
Sourced from the Nullore, Margolly, and Karadibetta estates in Coorg, Karnataka, the launch marks the brand’s first move into estate-exclusive coffees in India. The initiative puts a spotlight on how factors like origin, altitude, and farming practices influence flavour — elements often discussed in global coffee conversations but less visible to everyday consumers in India.
As part of this, the brand has introduced “Trace the Cup”, a content series that follows the journey of coffee from estate to cup. The idea is to make the sourcing and production process more transparent, while building awareness around Indian coffee and the people behind it.
“Indian single-origin coffees have a distinct identity shaped by their origin and more than that, the people who grow them. ‘Trace the Cup’ helps us bring that story to the forefront, allowing customers to better understand where their coffee comes from, what makes each origin unique and how it all contributes to the signature Starbucks experience, in our stores,” said Mitali Maheshwari, Head of Product & Marketing, Tata Starbucks.
source: http://www.afaqs.com / afaqs! / Home> Advertisins> News / by afaqs! news bureau / April 02nd, 2026
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