Mysore Kodava Samaja paid floral tributes to Kalyatanda B. Ganapathy (KBG), Founder-Editor of Star of Mysore and Mysuru Mithra, who passed away on July 13, at the condolence meeting held at the Samaja premises in Vijayanagar yesterday.
Samaja President Ponjanda A. Ganapathy, former Samaja President and present BVB Mysuru Hon. Secretary Poyyettira S. Ganapathy, former Rajiv Gandhi University (Arunachal Pradesh) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kambeyanda C. Belliappa, Samaja Advisor Jammada Ganesh Ayyanna, former Rangayana Director Addanda C. Cariappa, KBG’s son and Star of Mysore Managing Editor Vikram Muthanna, Bharani Art Gallery Convenor Nellamakkada B. Kaverappa and others spoke about KBG.
Samaja Vice-President Machimada P. Nanaiah, Hon. Secretary Ketolira A. Belliappa, Joint Secretary Ajjikuttira Diana Poovaiah, Hon. Treasurer Ittira G. Kashiappa and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Gallery> Photo News / August 11th , 2025
Nearly 200 varieties of indigenous rice varieties on display at the desi rice mela, which was inaugurated in Mysuru on Saturday. | Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM
The two-day desi rice mela commenced in Mysuru on Saturday, with seed conservators expressing concern that commercial crops were pushing the traditional paddy varieties to the brink.
The objective of the mela is to highlight the paddy diversity that existed in the Old Mysuru region, and how scores of indigenous paddy varieties are going out of vogue due to the proliferation of hybrid varieties and shifting consumer preference to white polished rice.
With over 200 paddy varieties on display, the mela is being held at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry, and has been organised under the aegis of Sahaja Samrudha and the Save Our Rice Campaign. Also on display are traditional rice varieties from different States, including rare types such as red rice, aromatic rice, black rice, medicinal rice, and bold-grained rice, along with value-added rice products.
Paddy conservators from across the State are selling their own desi rice directly. Seeds of popular varieties like Rajamudi, Burma Black, Sidda Sanna, Ratnachudi, Navara, Govind Bhog, HMT, and Sindhoor Madhusale are also on display and for sale.
The mela was inaugurated by B.P. Ravishankar, a seed conservator from Hudoor in Ponnampet, Kodagu. He has preserved as many as 57 desi rice varieties.
“Paddy cultivation is becoming increasingly expensive. With the arrival of commercial crops, traditional paddy varieties are being pushed to the margins and the government must provide necessary support to bring these desi rice varieties back into farmers’ fields”, said Mr. Ravishankar.
Unveiling medicinal rice varieties, Shridevi Annapurna Singh, former Director of the Central Food Research Institute, said that traditional varieties are rich in nutrients, while the black and red rice varieties have medicinal properties, and called for their inclusion in people’s diets.
Presiding over the event, G. Krishna Prasad, Director of Sahaja Samrudha and the Organic Farmers’ Collective, said that farmer-breeders in Karnataka have developed excellent paddy varieties like Sidda Sanna, Sindhoor Madhusale, Andanoor Sanna, and NMS-2. “The government must take steps to release these varieties, which are popular among farmers,” he said.
Mr. Prasad also cautioned against any attempts by the government to introduce transgenic paddy varieties that pose risks to the environment and consumer health. Farmers and consumers must remain vigilant to prevent transgenic paddy from entering farmers’ fields, he added.
C. Shanthakumar, the coordinator of Save Our Rice Campaign, said that Karnataka was the home of paddy diversity, but hundreds of varieties have been lost due to lack of demand. ‘’The desi rice mela has been organised to create awareness among farmers and consumers about nutrient-rich, traditional paddy varieties suited to local food habits,” he added.
The mela also offers millets, vegetable seeds, tubers, organic products, and fruit saplings that are for sale.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / August 09th, 2025
Kodagu’s public healthcare infrastructure got a boost with the launch of several advanced healthcare units at the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KoIMS) Teaching Hospital in Madikeri.
The newly launched units include an Anti-Rabies Unit, and a Dialysis Unit. The facilities are equipped with hi-tech technologies for delivering quality healthcare services to the people of Kodagu.
MLA for Madikeri Mantar Gowda inaugurated the facilities. He reiterated his commitment to transforming KoIMS into a full-fledged multi-specialty hospital, a long-standing demand of the people of Kodagu. He assured that he would put in efforts to get grants from the government to further expand healthcare services at the institute.
Dr. Gowda urged the public to make full and best use of the new services and urged the hospital staff to deliver best medical care to patients.
KoIMS Dean Lokesh Kumar, District Surgeon Nanjundayya, Medical Superintendent Somashekar, and other senior health officials were present.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / August 04th, 2025
The 3rd Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) and get-together of Pombolak Kodava Koota located at Vjayanagar 4th Stage, was held recently at Kodava Samaja, Mysuru.
Mundotira Jaya Changappa presided.
Ajjinikanda C. Mahesh, Editor of Poomale Newspaper and President of Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, was the chief guest.
On the occasion, Ajjinikanda Mahesh and Pemmanda Suraj, DySP, Madikeri, were felicitated for their contributions.
The newly elected office-bearers and Committee Members of Pombolak Kodava Koota for the term 2025-2028 are as follows:
In a heartfelt tribute to Kalyatanda B. Ganapathy (KBG), Founder-Editor of Star of Mysore and Mysuru Mithra, Sri Kaveri Kodava Association, Mysuru East and Kodagu Model School held a condolence meeting at the school’s Cheethamma Hall recently.
Association members, leaders and school representatives highlighted KBG’s towering personality as a journalist, mentor and champion of public service.
Association President Kademada M. Belliappa remembered KBG as a visionary from Kodagu, whose media platforms empowered civic awareness across Mysuru.
Former President Kanjithanda K. Aiyappa reflected on the values KBG embodied, stating, “Birth is an option, but death is predetermined.” He credited KBG with sparking the idea of Kodagu Model School.
Senior member Kakamada Subbaiah noted that KBG’s life and values continue to shape how his passing is honoured, while former President Puliyanda S. Devaiah shared personal memories of their long-standing association as neighbours, calling KBG “a guide, mentor and enterprising figure” who contributed to the School’s bylaws and resource networks.
Former Secretary Appachangada Motaiah recalled KBG’s pivotal role in overcoming early challenges in building the school, acknowledging the commitment of teacher Chowrira Prapulla and Chairperson Chowrira Seethamma, alongside his own guidance.
Former Treasurer C.M. Chengappa praised KBG’s inclusive leadership and his rare Hon. Doctorate from University of Mysore.
Head Mistress Anitha Mary recalled KBG’s genuine interest in student activities and exhibitions, while Treasurer Pattamada Charmana described him as “a fighter whose contributions are irreplaceable.”
Administrator Cauvery and Chairperson Seethamma acknowledged his mentorship, intellect and community reach.
Kannada teacher Hamsamati read a commemorative poem in KBG’s honour.
President Belliappa concluded the ceremony by sharing a condolence message received from the Prime Minister’s Office.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 31st, 2025
This highway is lined with several retaining walls, including the Rs 7.5 crore retaining wall behind DC Office that also faced the threat of collapse and is currently being strengthened.
Residents living below the retaining wall are relocating to relief camps after large cracks appeared in the structure, raising fears of a possible collapse.Photo | Special Arrangement
Madikeri :
The first landslide-prone spot on the Mangaluru-Madikeri NH275 that caved in during the 2018 floods is once again under threat, with the multi-crore retaining wall at the site developing major cracks. Residents living right below the wall have been asked to shift to a relief center in Madikeri.
Permanent relief work across the Mangaluru-Madikeri National Highway, which has become vulnerable to landslides and road slips, has remained a distant dream from 2018. While crores of funds have been sanctioned for temporary relief works, the National Highway faces the threat of collapse and poses a risk to commuters every monsoon season.
This highway is lined with several retaining walls, including the Rs 7.5 crore retaining wall behind DC Office that also faced the threat of collapse and is currently being strengthened.
Another retaining wall on this road is located about 4 km from Madikeri city centre and was sanctioned after a major landslide on the road in 2018. Thousands of sandbags were then lined across this vulnerable spot and crores of funds were released for the establishment of the retaining wall.
After over five years of project sanction, the retaining wall recorded was completed in 2023. Nevertheless, just two years after its completion, massive cracks have developed on the retaining wall that faces the threat of collapse.
Following the development of cracks, Madikeri taluk tahashildar visited the spot and requested the families residing below the retaining wall to shift to a relief centre.
Meanwhile, the locals voiced against the authorities for poor quality work and urged them to take action against the concerned contractor. DC Venkat Raja visited the spot and inspected the retaining wall.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / July 31st, 2025
More than 95 lakh tourists visited the hilly district of Kodagu during the last two and a half years.
According to information provided by officials of the Tourism Department at a recent meeting of the Kodagu District Tourism Development Committee, the district had recorded 43.69 lakh tourists in 2023 and 45.72 lakh in 2024.
Sharing these numbers, Anita Bhaskar, Deputy Director of Tourism, Madikeri, said that Kodagu accounted for 23 out of the 778 tourist destinations identified under the Karnataka Tourism Policy 2020-26.
The tourist destinations in Kodagu included Raja Seat, Madikeri Fort, Abbey Falls, Mandalpatti, Harangi Reservoir, Mallalli Falls, Iruppu Falls, Dubare, Chikkahole, General Thimmayya Museum, and Nagarhole National Park among others.
A request had been made to shift the Talacauvery-Bhagamandala temples from the list of tourist sites to the list of spiritual destinations, the official said.
A total of 2,300 homestays in Kodagu district had been registered online and certified. This is in addition to the 150 hotels and resorts operational in the district, out of which 53 are officially registered on the Tourism Department’s portal.
Mandalpatti
The scenic peaks of Mandalpatti have been selected for development through Public Private Partnership (PPP) under the One District One Destination scheme.
The Galibeedu Gram Panchayat had approved the infrastructure development at Mandalpatti with an allocation of ₹50 lakh. However, as Mandalpatti falls under the Forest Department, cooperation of the Department has been sought for the repair of roads and other related works, the official said.
Referring to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s announcement on development of water sports and adventure tourism in his Budget speech of 2024-25 , the official said that Harangi reservoir will be open for such activities under Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR), while rafting licenses had been granted for Dubare in Kushalnagar and Barpuhole in Ponnampet.
Ms. Bhaskar said that the Tourism Department had sought approval from the Lake Development Authority to float tenders for rafting, kayaking, canoeing, wind surfing, jet skiing, and water zorbing at Honnamana Kere, a tourist destination in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu district, which already has attractions like hills and caves.
Children’s mini train
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu Venkat Raja, who presided over the meeting, said steps will be taken to start a children’s mini train at Raja Seat after receiving a report from the engineers of South Western Railways.
He said that engineers from the Railways had already inspected the site and gathered details with regard to the proposal to start a children’s mini train.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / July 31st, 2025
Torrential rains continued to lash Kodagu district, triggering landslides, overflowing rivers, and widespread panic among residents. The worst affected is the Shaktinagar area near Madikeri, where more than 60 families have been forced to vacate their homes due to fear of landslides.
The relentless downpour has caused rivers, streams, and rivulets across the district to swell beyond danger levels. In Shaktinagar of Mekeri village, located on a vulnerable hill slope, the threat of soil erosion has left residents in deep anxiety. Authorities have covered the vulnerable area with tarpaulin sheets in an attempt to prevent further damage.
District officials have stepped up vigilance across Kodagu as the current weather situation draws parallels to the devastating floods of 2018. Powerful winds accompanying the rain have uprooted hundreds of trees and electric poles, further worsening the situation.
In a related incident, a massive tree fell on a moving car in Bajegundi village, Somwarpet taluk. The driver, Charan, had a miraculous escape with no injuries reported.
Meanwhile, water has been discharged from the Harangi reservoir into the Harangi and Cauvery rivers, which are now flowing dangerously over their banks. In Kushalnagar taluk’s Hudugur area, coffee plantations and paddy fields have already been submerged, and fears are growing that homes in low-lying areas could soon be inundated.
Several roads across the district have been affected. A large tree fell across the Madikeri–Somwarpet highway, bringing traffic to a standstill for over an hour. In Ponampet taluk, many low-lying areas are submerged, and the Balyamandur–Harihara road has been rendered impassable.
The district administration, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), has been placed on high alert, closely monitoring the situation. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to remain vigilant as rain and strong winds are expected to continue.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Karnataka / by Daijiworld Media Network – Kodagu / July 27th, 2025
Harangi reservoir outflow increased to 25,000 cusecs owing to heavy rain in the catchment area, say irrigation officials; IMD issues orange alert for Kodagu district.
A house damaged due to incessant rain at Kurchi village of Srimangala Hobli in Kodagu district on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The hilly district of Kodagu continued to be battered by incessant rains, with widespread damage to property reported during the last 48 hours.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rains for the district and issued an orange alert.
There were incidents of telephone and electricity poles being uprooted and collapsing onto residential buildings, vehicles, or blocking roads and disrupting traffic movement on Sunday.
A portion of the Anganwadi centre in Harduru village in Somwarpet was damaged when a giant tree collapsed in the early hours of Sunday due to heavy rains and a gale that lashed the region.
A family in Madegodu village in Shanivarsanthe was shifted from their house as its walls developed major cracks. A portion of the house also collapsed, and the authorities who took stock of the situation declared the building unfit for occupation due to the imminent threat of complete collapse. The family was shifted to a room behind the house.
Similar reports have emerged from Emmemadu in Napoklu, Uluguli in Suntikoppa, Hoskote, Sampaje, Guddehosur in Kushalnagar and other places. In Surlabbhi village, heavy rains and gales damaged the tiled roof of the local higher primary school.
In Koodumangaluru village, Kushalnagar, a family of two was relocated as their house was damaged due to incessant rains, and the walls were on the verge of collapse when the officials visited to assess the rain damage.
Residents of Biligeri in Somawarpet were shifted to a relief centre as the water level in a local water body was steadily increasing, threatening to maroon the village.
Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department announced that outflow from the Harangi reservoir has been increased to 25,000 cusecs due to heavy rains in the catchment area of the river. Officials from the Revenue Department visited the area near the dam to take stock of the security. This is because the Yadavanadu bridge has submerged due to an increase in outflow from the dam. The public has been advised against venturing close to the dam, and the approach roads have been barricaded as a security and safety measure.
In Kanive village, Kushalnagar, the suspension bridge across Cauvery river was in danger of being submerged. Hence, the officials have erected barricades to prevent people from using it. Similarly, tourists were restricted from visiting the Rameshwara temple due to the surge in water level of the river.
Meanwhile, the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) said that damage to electricity poles and interruptions to power supply were reported at many places due to multiple incidents of tree falls. However, efforts were on to restore power, and the staff were working on a war-footing to restore normalcy, it added.
The district has received a cumulative rainfall of 89.11 mm during the 24-hour period ending 8.30 a.m. on Sunday. Some of the places which recorded very heavy rains include Napoklu (80.2 mm), Bhagamandala (117.2 mm), Ammati (91.5 mm), Shanthalli (238 mm), Hudikeri (191.8 mm), Srimangala (166 mm), Ponnampet (60 mm) among others.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / July 27th, 2025
Babu was working as a staff nurse at a hospital in Guyana for the past two years. He was availing treatment at the same hospital since July 3. However, he passed away due to heavy internal bleeding and a heart attack on July 14.
Representative image showing a dead body.Credit: iStock Photo
Madikeri:
The state government has provided Rs 3.60 lakh to bring back the body of P B Girish Babu Pale, a native of Madenadu village in the taluk, who passed away in Guyana of South America recently.
Babu was working as a staff nurse at a hospital in Guyana for the past two years. He was availing treatment at the same hospital since July 3. However, he passed away due to heavy internal bleeding and a heart attack on July 14.
His wife Janaki, living in Bengaluru along with their two-year-old son, had requested the government for assistance to bring back his body to India. The expenses will be to the tune of Rs 12 lakh, she had said.
Accordingly, a request was placed before Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by the NRI Forum. The chief minister has sanctioned Rs 3.60 lakh from the government. The hospital has agreed to bear the rest of the amount, it is said.
Karnataka NRI forum vice president’s special duty officer H S Satish has stated that the body of Girish Babu will be flown from Guyana to India, with the help of the Indian Embassy and the office of the High Commission in New Delhi, India.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> India> Karnataka / by DHNS / July 24th, 2025
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