Minister directs officials to expedite roadworks in Kodagu

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N.S. Boseraju | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

With the possibility of monsoon rains commencing in the first week of June, Minister in charge of Kodagu district N.S. Boseraju has issued directions to officials to expedite and complete the ongoing roadworks at the earliest.

Chairing the district-level Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) progress review meeting in Madikeri on Tuesday, Mr. Boseraju instructed the officials to take up necessary pothole filling up works across Kodagu district at the earliest.

While directing the officials to ensure the public do not face inconvenience during the rainy season, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction over the poor pace of roadwork. Though the government has allocated hundreds of crores of rupees for road maintenance across the State, the delays by engineers were tarnishing the government’s image, he rued.

His observations came amid demands by other people’s representatives including Madikeri MLA Mantar Gowda, who sought for not only swift completion of the roadworks in the constituency, but also ensure good quality work.

He also sought early construction of the Aigoor bridge, repair of Galibeedu road and the maintenance of roads in Mutlu, Hammiyala, Devasthuru, Hanchinadu, and other areas.

Vice-chairman of Sports Authority of Karnataka (SAK) Arun Machaiah too pointed out that many roadworks, including Karike Road, were still pending and sought that the works be taken up urgently.

Kodagu District Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee president Teetira Dharmaj Uthappa too highlighted the need to repair roads in Bittangala, Titimati, Balugodu, and other areas.

Reviewing works related to the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) in Kodagu, Mr. Boseraju said the government had released ₹110 crore each for the two Assembly constituencies in Kodagu and instructed the officials to ensure proper power supply to the people of the hilly district.

When the CESC officials pointed out that Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) works are in progress in Hudikeri and Balale while work on sub-stations are being initiated in Kalathmadu, Siddapur, and Katakeri, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction that discussions on power substations have been ongoing for over a year without sufficient progress.

Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekar, Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena, Superintendent of Police Bindu Mani, Assistant Commissioner Nitin Chakki and Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhishek also participated in the meeting.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / May 06th, 2026

26th Kodava Family Hockey Festival: Kulletira trounces Cheppudira family to clinch Chenanda Cup

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Madikeri:

Amid loud cheers from a packed crowd of over 25,000, the Kulletira family team clinched the ‘Chenanda Cup’ at the 26th Kodava Family Hockey Tournament defeating the Cheppudira family 3–1 yesterday.

The final of the month-long Kodava Family Hockey Festival was held yesterday at General Thimmaiah Stadium in Cheriyaparambu near Napoklu. With this win, Kulletira lifted their fourth title in the prestigious tournament.

The summit clash saw an evenly fought first half, with Cheppudira earning several penalty corners but failing to convert them. Both teams scored once in the third quarter to keep the contest open. However, Kulletira took control in the final quarter, striking twice to seal the victory.

Roshan Lokesh, Avaneesh Mandappa and Shubham Chettiyappa scored a goal each for Kulletira, while Vachan Chinnappa netted the lone goal for Cheppudira.

The winning Kulletira family team was awarded Rs. 3 lakh and a silver rolling trophy. Runners-up Cheppudira family received Rs. 2 lakh and a trophy, while Paradanda family, who finished third, received Rs. 1 lakh.

The festival concluded with the ceremonial handover of the flag to the Ajjikuttira family, who will host the 27th edition in 2027. The Chenanda family, organisers of this year’s event, handed over the flag.

Mandaviya assures support

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, who was the chief guest, assured financial support to promote sports, stating that such assistance is the Government’s responsibility and not charity.

He said he had long heard about the Kodava community’s passion for hockey and was glad to witness it first hand. Referring to the International Olympic Committee’s vision of sports as a unifying force, he noted that the Kodava community had upheld this spirit  for generations.

“This land has produced 18 Olympians. It is the duty of both the Centre and the State to              nurture Kodagu’s sporting talent,” he said. He added that sports should remain free from politics and promised to promote shooting in the region by identifying and training young talent.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar said the festival reflects the growing sporting culture in the country. Highlighting Kodagu’s contribution to Indian sports, he said the family hockey tradition inspires youth, encourages women’s participation and strengthens national unity.

He urged the Centre to set up a shooting academy in Kodagu under the Khelo India scheme.

Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna termed the festival a model initiative for the district. He said work on an 11-acre sports training centre at V. Badaga village in Virajpet has already begun with State support and appealed to the Centre for assistance in building a stadium.

Kodagu Hockey Academy, President Pandanda K. Bopanna, retired Justice Ajjikuttira S. Bopanna, SLN Coffee CEO Saheed Singh, Dr. Santosh Uthappa of Narayana Hospital, Sports Authority of Karnataka Vice-Chairman Cheppudira Arun Machaiah and others   were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / May 03rd, 2026

Union sports minister meets women hockey players at SAI Madikeri Centre

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ANI Photo | Union sports minister meets women hockey players at SAI Madikeri Centre

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centre in Madikeri on May 2 and engaged with women hockey players from the Kodava community at the conclusion of a month-long hockey festival.

Mandaviya emphasised the importance of nurturing talent from across India to achieve the nation’s ambitions of becoming a global sports powerhouse. He highlighted the contributions of the Kodava community in promoting field hockey, noting that Kodagu district is considered one of the cradles of Indian hockey. Over 50 players from the community have represented India internationally, including seven Olympians such as P Govinda, MP Ganesh, MM Somaiya and CS Poonacha.

“Future Olympians in the making! Met with the rising stars of Indian Hockey from the SAI Training Centre (STC), Madikeri, Karnataka,” Mandaviya stated in a post on X.

The minister remarked that the Union Government is committed to developing a comprehensive sports ecosystem and identified the forthcoming 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad as a positive step. He added that India’s rich talent pool provides strong prospects for sporting dominance.

“Taking inspiration from our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the Sports Ministry is committed to nurturing the wide talent pool available across various parts of the nation. Unearthing and nurturing talent from different parts of the country can only ensure that we fulfil the dream of Modi ji. The bigger the talent pool, more the chances of us performing better in big ticket events. I am confident that both Indian men and women will register solid performance in the Commonwealth Games in 2030, where hockey is likely to make a return,” Mandaviya said.

The SAI Training Centre in Madikeri spans 5.49 acres in the hill station region of Kodagu District, approximately 1,100 metres above sea level. It operates as a feeder centre for 22 National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) across India. Facilities include an artificial hockey turf, a 60-bed hostel, dining hall and kitchen. Around 50 girls from the Kodava community train there for various hockey events organised across Karnataka.

source: http://www.thenewsmill.com / The News Mill / Home> Sports / by The News Mill (with ANI inputs / May 02nd, 2026

Rs 1 crore to be provided for Beary community hall in Kodagu: Speaker U T Khader

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Rs 1 crore to be provided for Beary community hall in Kodagu: Speaker U T Khader

Madikeri:

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader said that Rs 1 crore will be allocated for the construction of a Beary community hall in Kodagu district, and directed officials to identify suitable land for the project.

He was speaking after inaugurating the first Kodagu District Beary Literary Conference organised by the Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy in association with the Kodagu Bearys Welfare Trust.

The event was presided over by B A Shamshuddin. Khader said the grant of Rs 1 crore would be facilitated with the support of local MLA Mantar Gowda and Virajpet MLA as well as Chief Minister’s legal advisor A S Ponnanna.

Highlighting the cultural importance of the community, he said Beary culture, literature and traditions have a distinct history and called for efforts to preserve and promote them.

He said the literary conference would help encourage discussions, strengthen the Beary language, and guide the community towards development. It would also help educate youth about Beary literature, culture and history, and provide a platform for exchange of ideas.

Khader also stressed the importance of learning and respecting all languages, stating that in a globally connected world, multilingualism promotes harmony.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Mantar Gowda assured that funds would be released once land is identified for the construction of the community hall.

source: http://www.msn.com / MSN / Home / by Newspoint / April 2026

Instructions issued for mandatory registration of all homestays in Kodagu district

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Despite sufficient time being given to homestay owners, it has been observed that many establishments remain unregistered. | Photo Credit: File Photo

All homestays operating in Kodagu district have been instructed by the Tourism Department authorities to be mandatorily registered.

As per government orders, it is mandatory for all homestays operating in the district to register with the Tourism Department. Despite sufficient time being given to homestay owners, it has been observed that many establishments remain unregistered, said a press statement issued by the office of the Deputy Director of the Tourism Department in Madikeri on Friday.

The instructions by the Tourism Department have come in the wake of an alleged sexual assault on a woman from the U.S. in a homestay in Kodagu district.

Pointing out that the district administration has taken serious note of many homestays remaining unregistered and had earlier directed that all unregistered homestays complete their registration immediately, the Tourism Department said, “Homestays operating without registration must cease all unauthorised activities forthwith.”

Licenses of homestays operating illegally in the district have already been cancelled, the Tourism Department said, before warning that legal action will be initiated against those continuing to operate in violation of the rules, without registration with the Tourism Department.

The homestays that have already obtained licenses from the Tourism Department and whose validity of five years is nearing expiry have also been instructed to renew their licenses.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / May 01st, 2026

Karnataka philanthropist marks 50th birthday by gifting homes to needy

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Ganesh BM, an electrical contractor and philanthropist, is helping the poor lead more comfortable lives by building houses and providing free electricity connections.

Ganesh BM inaugurates Shankru and Vasanthi’s new house

Madikeri :

When we exit this world, we don’t take with us the assets we earned in this lifetime. So instead of concentrating on gaining more and more assets, keep what is required to lead a decent life and donate the rest to the needy,” is the mantra Ganesh BM lives by. A resident of Arji panchayat in Kodagu, Ganesh is an electrical contractor and a philanthropist who has donated houses to the poor.

Recently, Ganesh celebrated his 50th birthday and instead of a lavish celebration, he cut a cake with a poor family to whom he gifted a two-bedroom house. “Hard work and determination helped me earn a decent living. I was born in a poor family and lived in a straw hut for the longest time. However, I am now in a well-to-do position and have the urge to help the needy,” he shared.

Lighting up homes

In 2000, Ganesh won the Betoli Gram Panchayat (now known as Arji panchayat) election by five votes. “During this time, I travelled across the panchayat limits and learnt about the living conditions of the people. I was re-elected to the panchayat in 2005 and served as vice-president. I then became a Taluk Panchayat member,” recalled Ganesh.

It was then that he came across a girl from a financially weak background who had scored 95 per cent in the SSLC examination. Her story went viral as she studied under an oil lamp, as the hut she lived in did not have electricity connection. “Her story inspired me and I enabled free electricity connection to her house,” he recalled.

Meanwhile, in 2023, during a routine panchayat survey, Ganesh was introduced to a tribe called Kala. “No one in the panchayat limits lived in such a pitiable condition as Kala and his family. I wanted to make a difference in his life and promised to build him a house,” he shared.

He constructed a four-bedroom house for Kala and the keys were handed over to the family on January 22, 2024, to coincide with the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. “I wanted to the day to have a special memory, so I handed over the keys on the day the Ram Mandir was inaugurated,” he added.

After

In April 2024, Ganesh was alerted about a family which had lost their house. “I am the taluk president for the Billava Community Association, and I was told that the house of a poor woman from the community had collapsed. I decided to build her a house,” he shared. He built a four-bedroom house for Kamala and her family, who had lost their shelter. He spent up to Rs 2.5 lakh each on the two houses.

After these donations, Ganesh was approached by many from financially weak families who sought his help. A total of five families from the panchayat limits reached out to him, seeking help for electricity connections to their houses. “I helped them get electricity connection free of cost,” he explained.

A birthday gift

To mark his 50th birthday celebration, Ganesh built a two-bedroom house for Shankru and Vasanthi’s family. “I was visiting the Theremekadu paisari area for some work when I met Shankru and his family. They were living in a straw hut that was nearing collapse. I assured them I would build them a house,” he said.

While the couple was living on paisari land, they received the rights for the land a few years ago. Spending Rs 1.60 lakh, Ganesh built a house on the land and handed over the keys to the house on his birthday. “A rich person looks forward to earning more assets, but we all have to leave this world behind one day. When you are alive, keep what is necessary and help those in need,” concluded Ganesh.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Bengaluru / by Pragna GR / January 12th, 2025

Rashmika Mandanna to Return As a Presenter at Anime Awards 2026 Alongside The Weeknd

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Rashmika Mandanna and The Weeknd are set to share the stage at the Anime Awards 2026. Read more here.

Actress Rashmika Mandanna will be returning to the 10th Global Anime Awards as a presenter, set to be held in Tokyo, Japan, on May 23, 2026. She made history as the first Indian to present an award at the 2024 Anime Awards in Tokyo. The global ceremony, which honours excellence in anime across categories, will see the actress join an esteemed lineup of international presenters, including global music sensation The Weeknd.

It will be especially exciting to see Rashmika Mandanna and The Weeknd share the stage as presenters, bringing together two massive global fan bases. Their combined presence is expected to add a unique energy to the ceremony, blending the worlds of cinema and music on a global platform.

Rashmika has often expressed her fondness for anime and its imaginative storytelling. From admiring iconic characters to appreciating the depth and emotion that anime narratives bring to life, her interest in the genre aligns seamlessly with the spirit of the Anime Awards. Her association with the event not only reflects her personal passion but also highlights the increasing crossover between global entertainment industries.

On the film front, she has a career spanning multiple industries, including Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi cinema.

The actress was last seen in the film The Girlfriend with Dheekshith Shetty and Anu Emmanuel, among others. Up next, she has interesting projects in the pipeline. Rasmika Mandanna will be seen in the Hindi film Cocktail 2 with Kriti Sanon and Shahid Kapoor. It will be released theatrically on June 19. She then has the Telugu films Mysaa and Ranabaali. For the latter, she will share the screen with her actor-husband Vijay Deverakonda. Both these films are slated for release this year.

source: http://www.filmfare.com / FilmFare / Home> News> Bollywood / by Filmfare / April 28th, 2026

‘Sapientia-26’ Annual Inter-College Fest held

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Mysore/Mysuru:

‘Sapientia-26,’ the Annual Inter-College Fest was held on Apr. 13 at Sapient College on KRS Road in Metagalli here.

The valedictory and prize distribution ceremony was held at North Avenue.

The chief guests for the event were the well-known film celebrity couple Bhuvann Ponnannaa and Harshika Poonacha, who herself is a gold medallist in Engineering.

They, along with Sapient College Chairman P. Daljeet Ram, presented trophies and cash prizes worth over Rs. 1.50 lakh to the winning teams.

The couple motivated the gathered students with their own life experiences and appreciated the growth and reputation of Sapient College in such a short period of time.

As part of the programme, students of the college presented various cultural activities and entertained the gathering.

SBRR Mahajana First Grade College team which won the overall winners’ trophy at ‘Sapientia-26’ with the guests.

The two State toppers of Sapient PU College were honoured on stage by the dignitaries, along with other UG toppers in the presence of their families and gathering of students, for their outstanding academic achievements.

SBRR Mahajana First Grade College Team emerged as the overall winners of Inter-College Fest securing the trophy along with a cash prize of Rs. 25,000.

The event was attended by Sapient College Director Yeshmik Daljeet Ram, Dean Dr. Sujatha Bopanna, Principal Dr. K. Ganesh, Administrative Officer Sujit Padival, teaching and non-teaching staff.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 29th, 2026

Black pepper production to increase in Kodagu by 16%: Union Minister Jitin Prasada

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The Minister said the mandate for production, development, research and domestic marketing of spices other than cardamom is vested with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada /Credit: X/@JitinPrasada

New Delhi:

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada on Tuesday said that black pepper production in Kodagu may increase by about 16 per cent in 2025-26 compared to 2024-25.

Replying Yaduveer Wadiyar question, the Minister said the mandate for production, development, research and domestic marketing of spices other than cardamom is vested with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare. The Ministry informed that it has conducted a quick pre-harvest survey in Kodagu district which indicates that black pepper production in Kodagu may increase by about 16 per cent in 2025-26 compared to 2024-25, he said.

Spices Board under the “Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development (SPICED)” scheme provides assistance to the growers of spices, including pepper growers of Kodagu district for post-harvest improvement by providing pepper thresher, graders /cleaners etc, conducting capacity building programmes and undertaking market linkage initiatives organizes buyer seller meets, he said.

He further said at present the import policy for pepper is ‘Prohibited, with a provision permitting import only if the Cost Insurance & Freight (CIF) value is Rs. 500. per kg or above. The said MIP of Rs. 500/kg continues to remain in force and is not applicable to imports under Advance Authorization Scheme for export production, imports by 100% Export Oriented Units (EOU) and units in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and imports for extraction of oleoresin for re-export by manufacturer-exporters, subject to applicable policy conditions, he said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> India> Karnataka / by Ajith Athrady / March 11th, 2026

MP releases booklets on natural farming for Kodagu farmers

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MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar releasing a set of booklets on natural farming, in Mysuru on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar released a set of booklets under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aimed at benefiting farmers in Kodagu district.

The booklets, which include a farmers’ study handbook, natural farming diary, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) booklet on natural farming, and information material on schemes available through the Agriculture Department, were released at the MP’s Mysuru office. The books will be distributed to 3,125 farmers in Kodagu district.

The department said that the NMNF scheme was being implemented in Kodagu district with 60% financial assistance from the Centre and 40% contribution from the State government.

Under the programme, 50 Cluster Resource Persons (one for every two gram panchayats) and 17 Block Resource Persons will guide and train farmers practising natural farming across the district.

Joint Director of Agriculture, Kodagu district, B.S. Chandrashekhar, and Deputy Director of Agriculture D.S. Somashekhar were present.

source: thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / March 03rd, 2026