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Rohan Bopanna to be honoured with Davis Cup Commitment Award

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna during a practice session ahead of Davis Cup 2014 in Bangalore on Sept 8, 2014. (Photo: IANS)

Bangalore :

Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna will be presented the Davis Cup Commitment Award during the World Group play-off tie against Serbia which begins here tomorrow. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) will present the Awards through its national associations during the Davis Cup World Group and Zone Group matches on Saturday.

Former Grand Slam champions Lleyton Hewitt of Australia and Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil will also be awarded after their respective games. ”The Davis Cup Commitment Award reflects the dedication by players for more than a century to represent their country in this prestigious competition. These players have continued to rise to the unique challenge of competing in a team environment in front of their home fans, and we believe that it is fitting to recognise their efforts,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti.

List of players to be awarded: Australia: Lleyton Hewitt, Brazil: Carlos Kirmayr, Gustavo Kuerten, Luiz Mattar, Cassio Motta, Jaime Oncins, Canada: Frank Dancevic, Chinese Taipei: Ti Chen, France: Pierre Darmon, India: Rohan Bopanna Romania: Victor Hanescu, Russia: Andrei Chesnokov, Andrei Olhovskiy, Thailand: Sanchai Ratiwatana, Sonchat Ratiwatana, Danai Udomchoke, Ukraine: Sergiy Stakhovsky.

source:http://www.india.com / India.com / Home> Sports / by Press Trust of India / September 11th, 2014

Cauvery Theerthodbhava on Oct. 17

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Madikeri :

The annual Theerthodbhava will occur at the holy pond at Talacauvery, the birth place of Goddess Cauvery, at 6.07 pm on Oct. 17.

This decision was taken at an official meeting held at the Town’s Fort here yesterday.

Kodagu District in-charge Minister K.J. George, who presided over the meeting, directed the officials to conduct the Theerthodbhava in an organised manner.

When DySP Prasanna V. Raju brought to the attention of the Minister the landslides that have been occurring on Bhagamandala-Talacauvery road on account of incessant rains, the Minister instructed the officials to clear the road of rocks and earth.

As a precautionary measure, the meeting decided to allow only government buses and light commercial vehicles from Bhagamandala to Talacauvery on that day.

The Minister also directed to ensure appropriate lighting and other arrangements in place at Bhagamandala and Talacauvery during the Theerthodbhava.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 11th, 2014

KSTDC to stard one-day package tours in Kodagu from Sept. 12

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature

Mysore :

With the influx of tourists to Kodagu district and Dasara fast approaching, the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) will commence one-day package tour in Kodagu from Sept. 12. The decision has come after the recent visit of KSTDC Managing Director Dr. P.S. Harsha to Madikeri during which he had promised to introduce one-day package tour to various tourist spots in the district.

During his visit, Dr. Harsha held a meeting with the stake holders and later decided to introduce one-day package tours from Madikeri on Sept. 12. The introduction of package tours is expected to bring down the burden on tourists who often complain about being charged exorbitantly at the tourist locations.

The package tour will be flagged off on Sept. 12 at 8.30 am from Hotel Mayura Valley View in Madikeri by Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Anuraj Tewari. The package tour, which begins from Madikeri, will travel to Bhagamandala, Talacauvery, Rajara Gadduge, Abbi Falls, Raja Seat, Omkareshwara Temple and will return back to Madikeri. Tourists may visit in person Hotel Mayura Valley View (KSTDC), Kodava Samaja Building, near Police Station, for reservations or contact Ph: 08272-228372 or 08272-223333 or Mob: 89706-50028 or 89706-50116 or 93417-93984.

Pick-up Points: Hotel Mayura Valley View, Madikeri, Convent Junction, SBI Junction, KSRTC Junction, Kodava Samaja and Thimmaiah Circle have been identified as pick-up points said V. Paneesh, Asst. Director, Department of Tourism.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday -September 10th, 2014

Anoop Menon’s next film’s location is Coorg

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

AnoopMenonKF10sept2014
Anoop Menon’s first film as a solo hero – Angry Babies in Love – amassed impressive response from Kerala box office.

The actor recently traveled to Coorg and apparently was blown away by its beauty. He wrote on his online page – “Back in town after a long journey. Missed you all… Coorg was a revelation. I recommend the interior hamlets for the uninitiated. We are shooting our next film She Taxi extensively in the forests of Coorg. Its shoot starts this October and it promises to be another fun filled entertainer from Saji Surendran.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Malayalam> Movies / Deepa Soman, TNN / Septmeber 09th, 2014

Throws her weight around for causes

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports
Ashwini Ponnappa: Remember them who laid down their lives so that we can take breath in air of independence, a big salute to them....Happy Independence Day.
Ashwini Ponnappa: Remember them who laid down their lives so that we can take breath in air of independence, a big salute to them….Happy Independence Day.

Apart from concentrating on her game, Ashwini Ponappa is busy supporting various causes. Currently, she is lending her voice to the Voice of Stray Dogs, and also advocates the importance of teachers with Aksara Foundation with the same commitment and affection that she cares for stray dogs. “I have gained popularity and that helps me give some mileage to such organisations. I’m doing nothing, all the credit goes to them for their special work. I only throw my weight behind them,” says Ashwini, former world class shutler.

Ashwini says she cannot be more grateful to teachers, as she refers to Aksara Foundation’s social campaign for teachers. “Throughout my life, whoever has been my teacher in various aspects of my life has played a vast role in shaping the person I am today. Teachers are very underappreciated in the society and more needs to be done to recognise their importance.” An animal lover herself, Ashwini’s admits that her hectic schedule had her miss out on adopting a pet.

“But a couple of dogs made my parents’ house their home. So for all intents and purposes, they’re our dogs,” she says. A friend was following the Voice of Stray Dogs page on Facebook and she appreciated their work, so she too ‘liked’ the page. “They (Voice of Stray Dogs — VoSD) do amazing work here in Bengaluru and I want to do my bit to support them. They take care of the dogs until they’re completely healthy. I would love to go visit them in Bengaluru but I haven’t had the time yet.”

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Sports> Other Sports / DC / Vijay Anand / September 08th, 2014

Pleasure to play with Paes: Bopanna

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Bangalore :

Indian doubles ace Rohan Bopanna, who last played Davis Cup tennis with veteran star Leander Paes two years ago, said it would be a pleasure to compete alongside the veteran again.

“It gives me great pride to play for India at the Davis Cup, as always. It would be my pleasure to play with Leander. We have been in discussion for the past few months and were looking for the opportunity to play together for the country,” said Bopanna.

The duo, which defeated Uzbekistan’s Murad Inoyatov and Denis Istomin in the Asia-Oceania group semifinal in Namangan the last time they were a pairing in April 2012, will be expected to down the Serbian combine of Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac next weekend.

“Leander brings a tremendous amount of experience to any partnership,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Tennis / TNN / September 08th, 2014

Madikeri Dasara committee submits audit report

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

Committee had spent ` 91.31 L in 2013 Dasara

For the first time, Madikeri Dasara Committee has submitted the audit report of the expenditure of 2013 Dasara to the district administration. The State government has been giving funds to the committee to organise Dasara with grandeur, from last few years.

According to the audit report, the government had sanctioned Rs 75 lakh for organising the programme. The total expenditure during 10 days was Rs 91,31,711 which includes funds collected from general public. Dasara Utsav Committee Working President K M Ganesh told Deccan Herald that the report which has been audited by chartered accountants has been submitted to the district administration. “As we requested the chief minister to release additional fund this year, he has agreed to release an additional Rs 25 lakh. We will upload the expenditure of this year’s Dasara on the website – www.madikeridasara.com, which can be viewed by general public.

However, the government has imposed three terms and conditions while sanctioning the amount. They are, to use the money for the same purpose for which it has been sanctioned, to submit an utilisation certificate of the proper use of released fund and to follow the rules under Transparency Act, 1999 in collection of public fund.

Meanwhile, the district registration officer has reported the district administration stating that Madikeri City Dasara Committee has not renewed its registration since 18 years. The committee was registered on May 4, 1987. Though it is supposed to be renewed every year, it was last renewed in 1995-96.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Shrikanth Kallammanavar / Madikeri – DHNS , September 03rd, 2014

Joshna, Dipika honoured

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa being felicitated by MCC President Ajit Kumbhat. Photo : M.Vedhan
Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa being felicitated by MCC President Ajit Kumbhat. Photo : M.Vedhan

Madras Cricket Club (MCC) on Saturday honoured two of its “own children” — Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal — for having won the squash doubles gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

MCC president Ajit Kumbhat, hailed Joshna and Dipika as “role models for future generations.”

Tamil Nadu Squash Rackets Association founder member Dr. Ravi Santosham described the duo as “world champions”. Also, Joshna’s comeback from a grave knee surgery a few years ago was the stuff of legends, he said.

Former men’s National squash champion Ali Ispahani urged Joshna and Dipika “to stay out of the country for eight months (in a year)” if they wished to succeed. “If they stay out of India (and practice abroad) they can reach the top 5 (in the world),” he said. The day is not far off when the “girls from our club” will become world champions, he added.

The Hindu Sports Editor Nirmal Shekar said the growth of squash had a lot do with “N. Ramachandran (World Squash Federation president) and clubs like MCC.” He added: “they (Joshna & Dipika) will be right on top (in world rankings) in the next few years.”

Former World women’s champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald, now coach of Dipika, said both the players had “the ability to go higher.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – August 31st, 2014

Teachers, students differ on move to install CCTVs in classes

Education

AMUCT against proposal, political student organisations in support

Teachers and students differ on Mangalore University’s move to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in classrooms and laboratories in institutes owned by the university.

Vice-Chancellor K. Byrappa announced on Tuesday that the university will install CCTV cameras in classrooms, laboratories and at the university campus at Mangalagangotri, its post-graduate centre at Chikka Aluvara in Kodagu district and its two constituent colleges – University College in Mangalore and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College in Madikeri.

The Association of Mangalore University College Teachers (AMUCT) might have opposed the decision but the Association of Principals of Government First Grade Colleges under Mangalore University welcomed the move. Politically affiliated student organisations – Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP), Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) have also supported the university’s move.

Norbert Lobo, president, AMUCT told The Hindu that the bond between students and teachers was based on trust and hence there was no need to question it by installing CCTV cameras. He said the cameras could be installed on the campus, corridors and other common places. He said many colleges had installed the cameras on their campuses and police had instructed the colleges to do so as a security measure.

K. Radhakrishna, president, Association of Principals of Government First Grade Colleges under Mangalore University, said CCTV cameras in classrooms were required to monitor students as many government colleges were facing dearth of staff.

He said if some government colleges under the university, such as the ones in Vitla and Tenkanidiyoor, already installed the cameras both in classrooms and campuses some colleges were installing it.

Jayesh P K, city secretary, ABVP, Ashith Pereira, district president, NSUI, Nitin Kuttar, district president, SFI, said that the cameras in class rooms and campuses helped as a security measure in many a way.

Teachers and students said that many colleges have already banned the use of cell phones not only in class rooms and in campuses. Students would have to take permission of principals to bring cell phones.

Mr. Radhakrishna said that the government and the university sent circulars every year reminding colleges not to allow use of cell phones in colleges.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Education Plus> College / by RaviPrasad Kamila / Mangalore – August 28th, 2014

440kV Power Line Gets Expert Panel Nod

About Kodagu / Coorg, Science & Technology

Bangalore :

An expert committee has given the go-ahead for the proposed 400-kV Mysore-Kodagu-Kozhikode power line passing through eco-sensitive forest zones. It said the power line can follow the original alignment, despite serious apprehensions expressed by environmentalists in Kodagu district.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Power Minister D K Shivakumar said the state government had constituted a three-member expert committee headed by R S Shivakumara Aradhya to examine the issue. The committee has submitted its report and has recommended the construction of the line on the route originally proposed by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL)

He said the work on the double-circuit transmission line, which had secured forest clearance, was halted following objections raised by environmentalists and a few elected representatives from the region.The committee, in its recommendations, also suggested certain remedial measures to deal with environmental issues. This included regeneration of vegetation along the 3.93-km stretch in Dubare and Devamachi reserve forests.

It recommended working out a plan to mitigate elephant-human conflicts in coffee plantations, paddy fields and settlements in Kodagu district during the cutting of trees and construction of tower lines.

The remedial plan should be prepared and implemented by the Forest Department in consultation with experts as well as local stakeholders, with funding from the PGCIL, it said and suggested better compensation to paddy growers than what was proposed by the PGCIL.

The committee felt that about 6,000 trees have to be cut in a 12-km stretch of coffee plantations in Kodagu and another 2,247 trees in the forest stretch to build the proposed line. It acknowledged that the line passes through 4.5 km of reserve forest in Virajpet, Madikeri and Hunsur forest divisions, which fall within the buffer zone of the tiger reserve.

Various environmentalist organisations, including Coorg Wildlife Society, had strongly protested against the project fearing large-scale damage to forests.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / August 28th, 2014