Category Archives: Records, All

Karnataka: Kodagu hotels, tourist centres directed to ensure 60% Kannada usage on nameboards

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Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja chairing a meeting in Madikeri on Friday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Hotels, restaurants, homestays, and commercial establishments in Kodagu — known for its coffee and one of Karnataka’s primary tourist destinations — have been directed to ensure that 60% of the text on their nameboards is written in Kannada.

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja on Friday instructed all departments to ensure strict implementation of the State government order mandating Kannada usage on nameboards.

He was speaking at a meeting held at his office in Madikeri following the government’s notification enforcing the rule across all establishments, including shops, commercial complexes, industries, schools, colleges, government offices, and tourist centres in the hill station.

Mr. Venkataraja said that the Karnataka Comprehensive Development of Kannada (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which received the Governor’s assent on February 25, makes it mandatory for all industrial, commercial, and business establishments to display at least 60% of their nameboard content in Kannada. Local bodies and concerned departments have been asked to take necessary measures for its effective enforcement.

The Act applies to all institutions that have obtained approval or permission from the government or local authorities. Private schools, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, entertainment centres, and hotels must ensure Kannada is prominently displayed on their nameboards, he said.

Emphasising the need to promote Kannada, particularly in border areas and private educational institutions, the Deputy Commissioner warned that non-compliance would attract penalties. A penalty of ₹5,000 for the first offence and ₹10,000 for the second has been imposed; repeated violations may also result in the cancellation of licences.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena shared details about the enforcement of Kannada nameboard regulations within local body limits.

Additional Deputy Commissioner R. Aishwarya, Additional Superintendent of Police Barike Dinesh Kumar, and Assistant Director of Kannada and Culture Department Kumar also spoke at the meeting.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India / by The Hindu Bureau / October 10th, 2025

Reports confirm Muzrai land encroachment at Talacauvery and Bhagamandala temple towns

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When the district administration failed to act on the complaint, Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga members filed a complaint with the Lokayukta.

Image used for representation.

Madikeri :

Over 40 people, including a businessman from Kerala, have allegedly encroached the land falling under the Muzrai department in Bhagamandala and Talacauvery.

A report in this regard has been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner by the Land Records department, and further action is awaited.

The survey of the said encroached land was conducted following a complaint to the Lokayukta by Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga. The encroachment issue at the temple towns dates back to 2012, when a task force was initially formed to investigate the matter.

A land survey was conducted in 2013 to identify the encroachment, and a total of 71 encroachments were identified. However, the survey report went missing as Ekikarana Ranga members allege involvement of influential people in the case.

In some of these RTCs, the name of Bhagandeshwara Temple was combined with the name of private individuals. When no action was initiated, the President of Kodava Makkada Koota, Bollajira Aiyappa, filed a complaint regarding the above issue in 2019.

However, when the district administration failed to act on the complaint, Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga members filed a complaint with the Lokayukta.

The Lokayukta then ordered the district administration to file a detailed report on the encroachment, even as the Bhagamandala and Talacauvery temple committees initiated the survey work through the Land Records department.

The report has now been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner and the report identifies encroachment of over 50 acres of land. The report identifies a total of 40 individuals who have encroached on the Muzrai land even as survey work of over 18 acres to identify more encroachments is still pending.

The encroachments have been identified following the efforts from the Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga members, who confirmed that encroachment is carried out by local residents and a resort owner from Kerala.

They shared that more encroachments in the Talacauvery region are also yet to be ascertained. The report on encroachment is with DC Venkat Raja, who said, “Action against the encroachments will be initiated shortly.” 

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / October 08th, 2025

Akhila Bharatiya Sahitya Parishat, Mysuru, Rangabhoomi Trust, Kodagu and Ayodhya Publications

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Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar releases the book ‘Nijamahatma Baba Saheb,’ written by Addanda Cariappa.

Social activist Vadiraj from Bengaluru speaks about the book, senior social worker Venkataram and Dr. Chandrashekar of Aditya Hospital guests of honour, Mini Theatre, Kalamandira premises, 5.30 pm.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Events Tomorrow / October 06th, 2025

Rohan Bopanna Scripts History By Smashing Leander Paes’ Record, Becomes Oldest…

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Bopanna surpassed Paes’s record and stands only behind the legendary McEnroe on the list of oldest players to reach a men’s doubles finals.

Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna added another feather to his illustrious cap as he became the oldest player to reach the final of an ATP 500 event with his run alongside doubles partner Takeru Yuzuki to the final of the Japan Open 2025.

Bopanna and Yusuki, who eventually surrendered the final to Moncao’s Hugo Nys and France’s Edouard Roger-Vasselin 5-7, 5-7, Bopanna better compatriot Leander Paes’s record of being the oldest player to reach the summit clash of the ATP category event.

Bopanna, at the age of 45 years, 6 months shattered Paes’ record of having made the final in the men’s doubles of a ATP 500 final at the age of 44 years, 9 months when the latter reached the summit clash of the Dubai Tennis Championships in the year 2018. Paes, who partnered along with American James Carretani went down to Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau.

Bopanna stands as the second-oldest player after the legendary John McEnroe to reach the final of a men’s doubles event of an ATP-level competition.

McEnroe accomplished the feat at the ripe old age of 47 years, when he won the 2006 San Jose, an ATP International Series event, a category which was replaced by an ATP 250 event in 2009, crown with Jonas Bjorkman. The event marked one of the two events McEnroe took part in after coming out of retirement. Bopanna also joined McEnroe a the only players to play a men’s doubles event after turning 45.

Bopanna also stands as the oldest player to win a Men’s doubles Grand Slam with his victory at the Australian Open in 2024 and the ATP 1000 Title in Miami Open 2024 en route to becoming the oldest first-time World No.1 ranked player last year.

source: http://www.news18.com / News 18 / Home> English Edition / by Vivek Ganapathy / October 01st, 2025

Daksha College felicitates Padma Shri Awardee Rani Machaiah

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Mysore/Mysuru:

To mark International Women’s Day celebrations, Daksha College, Mysuru, recently felicitated Padma Shri Awardee Rani Machaiah, who is an exponent of the Ummathat (traditional dance of Kodagu) and T.K. Smitha, a climate journalist and TEDX speaker, for their valuable contribution to the society.

Speaking on the occasion, Jayachandra Raju, Chairman of Daksha College, said women are the life and embodiment of mother earth and humanity that sustains life.

He assured of all possible support to women teachers and students who can volunteer and come up with practically possible activities and processes that can save water, prevent wastage of food, create livelihoods for women in distress and maintain our surroundings clean and green.

Rani Machaiah called upon the students to give out their best, respect elders and take care of the parents who have selflessly strived to give the best the education to their children thus enabling their growth and development.

Smitha and Sonia Umapathy, Secretary of Global Education Trust, motivated women to become independent and pursue their dreams without any inhibitions.

Prizes were distributed to lady teachers by the team of Dr. Mahesh, Principal of Daksha Degree College.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 23rd, 2024

Poonacha Machaiah

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Hello, I’m
Poonacha Machaiah

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR

Poonacha Machaiah has over 20 years of global experience as a successful serial entrepreneur and business leader in Fortune 100 companies.

Poonacha is among the new breed of emerging social entrepreneurs who are using approaches from the commercial world and employing technology to tackle social and environmental problems. Today he is levering his vast global experience and technology domain expertise to bring to communities transformative educational solutions and ubiquitous access to the masses via mobility.

Poonacha has co-founded “Jiyo” a wellbeing platform along with internationally renowned physician and author Deepak Chopra M.D. He is founder the founder and CEO of ‘ABOVE – A Bunch of Versatile Entrepreneurs’, a company he had founded in 2008. ABOVE is a company that has delivered industry-leading solutions in the Education, Mobility, Media and Entertainment segments. ABOVE has launched one of the pioneering Social TV/collaboration platforms TangoFX and recently launched ABOVE Learning Platform.

Poonacha is also the co-founder of the social enterprise ‘WeightLess Project’, a global movement to address the challenges that plague our communities i.e. lifestyle disorders related to obesity/overweight and hunger/malnutrition.

He was instrumental in the founding of India’s leading social media startup along with internationally acclaimed film director Shekhar Kapur and Oscar award winning music composer AR Rahman.

During his tenure as CEO, Qyuki was been voted as one of India’s coolest startups (Business Today) and also featured in Fortune (India) and Fast Company.

Through the majority of his career, he has held senior leadership positions in Global Sales & Business Development with leading MNC’s like Sasken, Motorola, Visionael, Iridium, and Dimension Enterprises – a leading Internet Data Center services startup in the Washington DC area, which was then acquired by Nortel Networks in 2000.

He is on the advisory board of Chopra Foundation and International mentor at XMedia Lab, an internationally acclaimed digital media think tank.

Prior to his return to India in 2007, he has been an active member of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and Joy of Sports in the Washington DC area.

Poonacha holds an MBA from the College of William and Mary in Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from the B.M.S. College of Engineering in Bangalore, India.

source: http://www.worldbrainmapping.org

Kodagu youth tops All India Merit List of Army Technical Entry Scheme

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Hyderabad:

Vidul Thimmanna, a former student of Army Public School, Bolarum in Hyderabad, has topped the All India Merit List of Technical Entry Scheme (TES) to join the Indian Armed Forces. He hails from Kodagu and is the son of Colonel C.M. Thimanna and Veena Thimmanna.

Col. Thimanna is a Shourya Chakra awardee and is currently posted at the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, Secunderabad.

The Technical Entry Scheme is a technical intake of the Indian Army with the aim of transforming young boys into techno-warriors during the course of training of four years. The Merit List was released on Nov. 29. Vidul, who is presently an engineering student at the prestigious Army Institute of Technology, Pune, will discontinue the course and join the Indian Army.

“It has been my passion to serve the country by joining the Indian Army. To me, the challenging and the adventurous life the army offers is any day better than delivering from a cubicle of a MNC,” Vidul said.

“We are proud of our son for taking such a decision. I am confident that he will definitely keep the name of the country above self,” said his mother Veena Thimanna.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 03rd, 2017

Coffee Dasara brews hope for growers amid challenges

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee Board, India (wef. Nov 17, 2021), Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

45 stalls celebrate Kodagu’s coffee culture as top growers honoured

Madikeri:

The Coffee Dasara celebration held on Wednesday at Gandhi Maidan, Madikeri, captivated visitors with a vibrant display of coffee culture, featuring 45 thematic stalls and a strong message of solidarity with coffee growers grappling with persistent challenges.

The event was jointly organised by the Madikeri Dasara Committee, Madikeri Dasara Cultural Committee and the Coorg Planters Association inside the Sakamma Auditorium, named after Karnataka’s first woman coffee entrepreneur. The coffee mega event was executed and coordinated by H.T. Anil.

Inaugurating the celebration, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda highlighted that despite favourable market prices, coffee growers continue to face serious hardships.

“Labour shortages, climate fluctuations, and market instability are major hurdles, especially for small-scale producers. We must unite to tackle these challenges,” Dr. Mantar Gowda urged.

Dr. Mantar Gowda noted that Kodagu district accounts for nearly 75 percent of Karnataka’s coffee production and stressed that Coffee Dasara, which began last year, should become an annual platform to foster dialogue and development.

Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda with Coffee Dasara Convener H.T. Anil during the event.

Crop insurance coverage

Coffee Board Chairman Dinesh Devavrinda underscored the need for insurance coverage for coffee crops, similar to schemes available for arecanut and pepper. He pointed out that coffee is cultivated not only in Karnataka’s Kodagu, Hassan and Chikkamagalur districts but also across the north-eastern States and encouraged farmers to take pride in their profession.

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting farmers, promising to act as a bridge between growers and policy-makers. He announced plans to launch video-based training programmes on coffee cultivation and marketing, emphasising the urgent need for modernisation in the 21st century.

Technical insights

Several experts shared technical insights during the event. Dr. Ichettira Mandappa, Coffee Board Director, spoke about maintaining quality in coffee cultivation, coffee grower Karan discussed emerging varietals in coffee farming, Jermie D’Souza presented research on dwarf robusta strains while Dr. Chendrimada Captain Thimmaiah, Assistant Director, Veterinary Services, explained the role of soil fertility in improving yields.

The event also featured a felicitation ceremony honouring outstanding coffee farmers, recognising their contributions to the industry.

Growers felicitated

Distinguished coffee growers were felicitated by International Booker Prize-2025 winner Deepa Bhasthi, who hails from Madikeri. They included Vinod Shivappa, former President of UPASI (United Planters’ Association of Southern India), S.M. Chengappa, progressive farmer from Kiragandur, Lava Edadante from Edadante village, D.P. Ravishankar from Ponnampet, D.Y. Abdul Razak from Kodlipet, Vikram from Masagodu, Robert from Ponnathmotte in Chettalli and Nizamuddin Siddiqui, senior coffee entrepreneur from Madikeri.

Prominent dignitaries present included the Coorg Planters Association Chairman A. Nanda Belliappa, Madikeri Town Municipality President and Madikeri Dasara Committee Chairperson     P. Kalavathi, Madikeri Dasara Committee office-bearers, Jyothika of Women’s Coffee Awareness Forum, former MLCs Veena Achaiah and S.G. Medappa.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 28th, 2025

Prajnesh, Joshna help kick off Pickleball by the Bay

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The tournament marks India’s first Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) 1000 event and featured prominent names, including former Asian Games tennis player Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who took to the court in both singles and doubles events, partnering with Venkatesh Nagarajan.

Joshna Chinappa returns a shot during her doubles contest; Prajnesh Gunneswaran at the event

Chennai :

A handful of tennis players traded racquets for paddles on Friday, as the inaugural day of the Rise Up Championship – Pickleball by the Bay tournament got underway in Chennai.

The tournament marks India’s first Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) 1000 event and featured prominent names, including former Asian Games tennis player Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who took to the court in both singles and doubles events, partnering with Venkatesh Nagarajan.

Having announced his retirement from professional tennis last year, Prajnesh has taken to playing pickleball casually on weekends with friends. His participation in a few ranking tournaments in the past helped him secure a spot in the qualifier draw of the PWR 1000 event.

I enjoy the sport. Most of the pickleball tournaments happen during weekends, and if it’s convenient, I make sure to take part,” Prajnesh told DT Next.

The Pickleball by the Bay event saw participation from a wide age group — including players over 50 — something Prajnesh believes highlights the sport’s inclusive nature.

“Pickleball courts in the city are mostly full, which shows people are willing to play — across all ages. In other sports, it’s a lot harder: one, you need to be athletic; and two, if you haven’t played from a young age, it becomes difficult,” he added.

Former world No 10 squash player and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Joshna Chinappa also featured at the event, pairing with Niranthara Muthiah to win the doubles qualifier and advance to the main draw. Discussing the similarities between racquet sports and pickleball, Prajnesh said that although he doesn’t play full-time, his background in tennis helps him adapt quickly.

The basics are quite similar. Pickleball came a bit easier to me because of my tennis background,” he said. Former Olympian sailor Varun Thakkar was also present at the event to show his support for the emerging sport.

“I think many players are picking up pickleball because it feels familiar. A lot of common people are taking it up because it’s not too harsh on the body,” said Selvakumar Baalu, Founder of the Rise Up Championship Foundation.

“Sports is a small community where people support each other. At Pickleball by the Bay, we’re happy to provide a platform for that.”

source: http://www.dtnext.in / DT NEXT / Home> News> Sports / by Jayantha Sengupta / September 27th, 2025

Winners of JB Fresh Face 

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The winners of JB Fresh Face Season 8 held at a private hotel in city on Saturday — Anoushka Uthaiah and Shashank — are seen with fashion designer Jayanthi Ballal (JB).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / September 24th, 2025