While liquor shops across the country are having to relocate in wake of the implementation of the Supreme Court order banning sale of liquor within 500 metres of national and state highways, a village in Kodagu on the Bengaluru -Mangaluru highway has decided not to allow relocation or reopening of vends.
A decision against reopening and relocation of liquor vends was taken unanimously at a recent gram sabha meeting in Sampaje village bordering Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts.
The village panchayat president, Balachandra Kalagi, raised the issue during the gram panchayat meeting and presented a written plea by villagers requesting the panchayat not to give `no objection certificate’ for shifting and reopening of closed bars and vends in Sampaje.
More than 25 letters signed by various organizations in cluding Dharmasthala Gramabrivrdhi Sangha, Shradha centres and self-help groups have been submitted to the panchayat administration urging it to stop liquor sale in Sampaje, to which Kalagi and other office bearers -BR Sundara, Kumara Chidkaru, BA Ganapathi, Tirumala, SN Pushpavathi -have agreed to.
The villagers have warned of an agitation if liquor shops are reopened.
“The panchayat has decided to reject applications seeking NOC for relocation or reopening of liquor shops,” said Kalagi.
He told TOI that the Sam paje village panchayat was among the four panchayats from Karnataka and 30,000 panchayats across the country to have received an award for its developmental efforts. The panchayat taps water flowing downhill and supplies it through a pipeline to its villages namely Pambechal, Chittegana, Kuntikana, Manyadka, Guddegadde, Arekalla and Kalyala.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Bangalore News> Civic Issues / TNN / July 06th, 2017
The wedding engagement of Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna took place in Madikeri. The couple first on the sets of Kirik Party, which became a super hit at the box office last year. Rashmika is more than 10 years younger to Rakshit, who is in his 30s.
Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna got engaged
Days after officially announcing their relationship, the new Sandalwood couple, Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna got engaged in a grand ceremony on Monday at Virajpet in Madikeri, Karnataka. The couple took their relationship to next level by exchanging rings in front of more than 1,500 guests, including celebrities. The ceremony took place at Serenity Marriage Hall, which is owned by Rashmika’s father M Madan Mandanna.
The wedding engagement of Rakshit and Rashmika happened in both Coastal and Kodava traditions and the guests were treated to Kodava and North Indian delicacies at the function. Even North Indian and Chinese items were on the menu, said reports.
Rakshit and Rashmika met on the sets of Kirik Party, which became a super hit at the box office last year. While Rakshit had already made a mark in Kannada cinema at the time, the film marked Rashmika’s acting debut.
Well, Rashmika revealed that it was not loved at first sight for her. She fell for Rakshit after becoming friends with him first. Rashmika is more than 10 years younger to Rakshit, who last month celebrated his 34th birthday.
“Let’s do this. So blessed to have Rakshit Shetty in my life and thanks to Madhu,” Rashmika wrote on her Facebook page on her engagement day. “So sweet of you Rashmika Mandanna. In fact, I am the lucky one to have you in my life,” Rakshit tweeted.
Last month, the couple announced that they have been dating each other and will soon get married. “After my relationship with Rashmika started making headlines in the media, I decided to talk to her parents. So the media paved the way to take our relationship to the next level,” Rakshit told in a lighter vein while talking to a local news channel.
Days after officially announcing their relationship, the new Sandalwood couple, Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna got engaged in a grand ceremony on Monday at Virajpet in Madikeri, Karnataka. The couple took their relationship to next level by exchanging rings in front of more than 1,500 guests, including celebrities. The ceremony took place at Serenity Marriage Hall, which is owned by Rashmika’s father M Madan Mandanna.
The wedding engagement of Rakshit and Rashmika happened in both Coastal and Kodava traditions and the guests were treated to Kodava and North Indian delicacies at the function. Even North Indian and Chinese items were on the menu, said reports.
Rakshit and Rashmika met on the sets of Kirik Party, which became a super hit at the box office last year. While Rakshit had already made a mark in Kannada cinema at the time, the film marked Rashmika’s acting debut.
Well, Rashmika revealed that it was not loved at first sight for her. She fell for Rakshit after becoming friends with him first. Rashmika is more than 10 years younger to Rakshit, who last month celebrated his 34th birthday.
“Let’s do this. So blessed to have Rakshit Shetty in my life and thanks to Madhu,” Rashmika wrote on her Facebook page on her engagement day. “So sweet of you Rashmika Mandanna. In fact, I am the lucky one to have you in my life,” Rakshit tweeted.
Last month, the couple announced that they have been dating each other and will soon get married. “After my relationship with Rashmika started making headlines in the media, I decided to talk to her parents. So the media paved the way to take our relationship to the next level,” Rakshit told in a lighter vein while talking to a local news channel.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Regional / by Express Web Desk/ Bengaluru / July 04th, 2017
Kodagu, the birthplace of River Cauvery, takes a new gushing life each monsoon. The district’s every corner comes alive with white streams that flow amidst the forest green. One such angel that falls from 100 feet above is Chelavara Falls in Virajpet taluk.
Located 15 km from Virajpet town, Chelavara Falls is at Chelavara village, which is 5 km from Cheyyandane Main Road. Travelling on this road, one’s ears are enthralled with the gushing uproar of the falls from 2 km away! Hidden, yet heard amidst the luscious green forest, one has to trek down for about 500 metres on a stony path to witness this seraphic monsoon beauty.
The first sight of the falls looks like a thick fog hitting the earth with thundering force. Flowing down atop a tortoise shaped rock, Chelavara Falls starts off its journey from Tadiandamol peak, takes its route as a small stream and reaches Chelavara as an angelic cascade. Coming face to face with the falls, the splashes and sprinkles from this gushing water can get one completely drenched in about a second.
While the monsoons double up the beauty, it also transforms it to a dangerous spot. This angelic falls can turn out to be a beast if the beholder does not heed to the caution boards placed all around, advising people not to enter into the waters. The currents are highduring the monsoons and the place has witnessed many fatal incidents.
Yet, monsoon is the best time to visit the falls that is to be enjoyed from a distance. Travellers can also hike around the area and savour the forest greenery.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by Prajna GR / July 04th, 2017
A convention of the elected members from Congress party from Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts will be held at Adyar Grounds in Mangaluru on July 7.
B. Ramanath Rai, Minister in-charge of the district, told reporters here on Monday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal will participate in the convention.
Mr. Rai said elected members and those who were defeated in the elections will be called to the convention organised to work out ways to win all the legislative assembly seats in the two districts. Following the election of C. Harish Kumar as president of Dakshina Kannada Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr. Rai said there will be changes in the block level of the party in the district and have activists who will work 24×7 for the party in the coming months.
In a ceremony held later, Mr. Kumar took charge of his new post.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mangaluru – July 03rd, 2017
A group of environmentalists and activists has come together to try and change the present narrative of development so that Kodagu doesn’t fall prey to unchecked expansion and urbanization.
During their meeting, the activists agreed to come up with an action plan to safeguard Cauvery’s catchment area in Kodagu and prevent upcoming railway and highway projects from harming the environment.
Citing the felling of 54,000 trees for the MysoreKozhikode power line via Kodagu, Devika Devaiah, from Save River Cauvery, said such situations shouldn’t be allowed to happen again. Colonel C P Muthanna, president of Coorg Wildlife Society, pointed out that the main stakeholders are not only the inhabitants of Kodagu, but also those living downstream including the residents of Bengaluru, who will be severely affected by water shortage and deforestation. Naresh Narasimhan of Citizens for Bengaluru (CfB) said sustainable models of tourism should be introduced in the region. “Development has started to mean destruction. Every project is seen as a way to make money. The reason we were successful in bringing a halt to the steel flyover pro ject was because we pointed out how procedures were bypassed,” he said.
Prakash Belawadi, also from CfB, said categorization of the Cauvery Basin and Talacauvery as world heritage sites would help in their preservation. “We should not let the region get exploited and allow more treecutting. International attention is required to safeguard it. Petitioning the National Green Tribunal would be a good move to get legal backing,” he said.
The group also discussed protection of endangered animal species, prevention of unruly urbanization due to transportation projects and acting against commercial lobbies with vested interests.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Bangalore News / by Arpita Raj / TNN / July 02nd, 2017
Four elephants were electricuted in an estate in Kodagu.
Following the electrocution of four elephants at an estate in Kodagu on Tuesday, the Forest department has filed a case of abetment and hunting against Chamundeshwari Electricity Corporation Limited (Cesc).
This is the second such case filed against the power supply corporation this year. This time the Forest department has filed a case after four female elephants came in contact with a snapped high tension live wire at Ammathi Vontiangadi village in Virajpet, Kodagu and died on the spot on Tuesday.
Manoj Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kodagu Circle, told DH that the case was filed against Cesc and not the estate owner as the deaths were not because of his negligence. A vigilance committee has also been formed to investigate the case. The committee will file a report detailing the causes and practical remedies.
During an interaction with Ravi Kumar, additional chief secretary, Environment, Forest and Ecology, in Kodagu on Wednesday, the Energy department showed interest in joining hands with the Forest department to shift all the existing and new cables under ground.
“Shifting of cables will cost around Rs 3,000 crore. Instead, the department can spend Rs 200 crore on strengthening and enhancing forest areas and corridors. Following the high court orders, the power supply companies have invested crores of rupees in erecting 22,000 poles to ensure that cables are not hanging, posing threat to the elephants. But this has shown limited effect,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, the Forest department has intensified the search for land around the forest patches and near the elephant corridors to purchase them and increase the forest patch. A senior Forest department official said that since the estate owners are also worried, getting land with the funds assured by the state government will be easy and quick.
“We have also started training estate owners and workers on how to react when confronted with an elephant. Erecting more fences will only aggravate the problem. There is a need for people to understand the problem. The department has spent around Rs 1 crore towards crop loss compensation in last one year. The number of conflict cases have also increased. Due to drought over the last two years, some estate owners have extended their support in helping us resolve man-elephant conflict,” Kumar added.
WhatsApp group formed
For the first time, the Forest and Energy departments together have created a WhatsApp group for Kodagu division. They have brought all the ground staff of both the departments together to give quick ground information and provide timely help.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by Bosky Khanna / DH News Sercive, Bengaluru / June 30th, 2017
Decline in rainfall forces govt to extend scheme to Malnad.
The Krishi Bhagya scheme, introduced by the state government to help farmers, has been extended to Malnad, hilly areas and coastal districts.
Accordingly, the scheme will be introduced in Kodagu in the current year. The scheme was implemented in 2014-15 to help farmers cultivate dry land, mainly due to vagaries of monsoon and was restricted to 23 districts and 107 taluks.
The farming activities in district, however, had taken a set back the last few years with deficit rain. There has been decline in rainfall over the years in Kushalnagar, Somwarpet, Shanthalli, Shanivarasanthe and Kodlipete region.
“Although the district has the Harangi reservoir, it has covered only 2,000 hectare farm land. About 400 hectare land was irrigated through the Chiklihole dam. The government introduced the scheme aimed at harvesting rainwater to protect crop during a crucial time through farm ponds. It also supports horticulture crops, mixed cropping and dairy farming” Agriculture Department joint director K Ramappa told DH.
“Financial assistance will be provided for digging farm ponds, subsidy for diesel or solar pump sets. In the scheme, around 90% subsidy was given to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes beneficiaries and 80% to the general category beneficiaries, 50% subsidy for a polyhouse,” he added.
“The application forms are available at the offices of the joint director and the assistant agriculture officer and the Raitha Samparka Kendra. The target in the district is to dig 300 farm ponds,” said Ramappa.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Aditya K A / DH News Service / Madikeri – June 21st, 2017
Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna’s engagement will be an Indo-Western affair.Photobook: These photos of Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna are highest degree of cuteness
Rashmika Mandanna and Rakshit Shetty, the resident It couple of Kannada cinema, will be getting engaged in a few days from now.
And, needless to say, this has created quite a buzz amongst their die-hard fans. During a recent interaction with a leading daily, the lovebirds opened up about their plans for the D-day.
Rakshit said that his entire family will be heading to Coorg a day before their engagement. In Coorg, they will relax and catch up with each other.
“We don’t get to go to Coorg often, so this will be the perfect time to relax and chill with the family. Resorts and hotels have already been booked for everyone, so the revelry will begin on July 2 itself,” he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, his mother added that the Shetty family plans to give Rashmika countless gifts on the day of the engagement.
Similarly, Rashmika’s family too is quite excited about the engagement. In fact, the actress’ parents have already asked a gourmet expert to ensure that the best Coorg and costal specialities are served at the engagement. Moreover, a designer cake has been ordered for the ceremony. Interestingly, a team of six photographers from Coorg will be attending this Indo-Western themed function and capturing the couple’s special moments.
“It is indeed a red letter day of our life and we are determined to leave no stone unturned to preserve those memories,” Rashmika added.
Well, it goes without saying that this a happy time for this couple. We wish them the best for the future.
source: http://www.regional.pinkvilla.com / Pinkvilla.com / Home> Kannada> News / by Roktim Rajpal / June 28th, 2017
For putting India on the squash map and winning multiple tournaments to secure the world number 10 rank in 2016.
At eight, when most girls are busy playing hopscotch on school playgrounds, Joshna Chinappa was busy making frequent trips to the Madras Cricket Club and debating which sport — badminton or tennis — she would like to pursue professionally. While good at both, her family background (her father Anjan Chinappa and great-granduncle Field Marshall KM Cariappa were both squash players) saw her gravitate towards the lesser-known sport of squash. Her standout moment came in the 2014 Commonwealth Games doubles event, when she along with partner Dipika Pallikal Karthik became the first Indian players to win a gold medal; and her stellar performances saw her seize her career-highest World No. 10 rank in 2016.
The initial challenges
Squash wasn’t well known when I started playing, and getting financial assistance and sponsorships were tough. My parents could only afford to send me for a couple of tournaments a year and I had no choice but to travel alone from the age of 10, as it was expensive to have someone accompany me on each trip.
Training routine
I play about 15 tournaments a year. I love training, so preparing for an event really charges me up. Training each day lasts for about five hours. I work with my fitness trainer on my strength and conditioning and with my squash coach on court. I also do a lot of weight training, and agility and sprint sessions.
On injuries
They are always hard for athletes to deal with because sport is our livelihood and passion and to not be able to do something you love is heart-breaking. On the bright side, an injury can help put things into perspective…it can make you much stronger, both mentally and physically.
On women in sports
I feel it’s the women today who are really putting sports on the radar. We have so many achievers — strong, powerful women who have come from such diverse fields and backgrounds showing us how, with a little support, wonders can be achieved. It’s so great to see them work hard and win despite the tough circumstances they face. I’m sure that if they receive the support they truly deserve, the sky is the limit!
source: http://www.vervemagazine.in / Verve / Home> Verve People / Text by Tina Dastur , Photography by Prateek Patel / June 08th, 2017
Jubilant Congress supporters celebrated the loan waiver scheme announced by CM Siddaramaiah to distressed farmers in the city.
Napoklu block congress President B S Ramanath led the procession with former President Naramonda Umesh, state forest development board vice President Padmini Ponappa also attended.
Chanting pro-government slogans, the procession passed through private bus stand and through main roads of the city. Sweets also distributed to public.
By waiving farmer’s loans the Congress government shows that its policies are pro farmer and urged Central Government to step in to waive loans from nationalised bank, as the UPA government done during former PM Manmohan tenure.
Speaking to reporters, district congress labour union president V P Shashidar said, by announcing farmer loan waiver up to 50,000 rupees, the state government came to the rescue of poor farmers who are debt ridden.
Former district president KK Manjunath while speaking on the occasion said, the Congress government policies are always pro poor and farmer loan waiver is an another bold step, opined the leader.
-(KCI,NAV)
source: http://www.citytoday.news / CityToday / Home> Headlines> Prime News – Karnataka / by CT Bureau / Madikeri – June 28th, 2017
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