Category Archives: Records, All

The President confers Rajiv Gandhi Award on Kakamada Ganga Changappa

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The President of India Pranab Mukherjee has conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award on Kakamada Ganga Changappa for her outstanding contribution towards child welfare. The Award was presented to her recently in Delhi.

The President confers Rajiv Gandhi Award on Kakamada Ganga Changappa
The President confers Rajiv Gandhi Award on Kakamada Ganga Changappa

After her marriage, Ganga Changappa, who holds a Master’s degree in English, settled down in Munnar where her husband worked for Tata Tea. Looking for something worthwhile to do, she found her vocation – welfare of women and children among the Tata Tea estate workers, teaching them skills which they could turn to profit.

With the active support of Tata Tea, she became very involved in setting up a special school and rehabilitation centre in Munnar for children with disabilities – Dare School. She was its Principal for nine years and with her innovative ideas imparted specialised skills to her students in order to make them independent and earn a living.

Her dedicated work was well recognised and in 1999 she received the FICCI award.

When her husband retired as a director of Tata Tea, they settled in Kodagu. Even here, Ganga was determined to work for disabled youngsters. Tata Coffee, as part of their corporate social responsibility, set up a school on the lines of the Dare School, in Kodagu.

The school, Swastha, a special school for the differently-abled was set up in Sunticoppa in 2003. It is partly residential and offers free education. She has worked tirelessly for eleven years taking the school to great heights. Tailoring, screen printing, offset printing, book binding, paper bags and candle-making are a few of the skills being taught there.

Some of the youngsters from the school even got a chance to represent India at the international level in the Para-Olympics.

by P.T. Bopanna

source: http://www.coorgnews.in / CoorgNews.in / Home> Features> NewsMakers / by P.T. Bopanna / December 02nd, 2014

Manipal Arogya Card facility for Kodavas

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People of Kodagu can avail Manipal Arogya Card to get concession in treatment at KMC hospitals, said KMC Hospital marketing department deputy manager Rakesh.

Addressing reporters, he said that the card can be used at KMC hospitals at Dr B R Ambedkar Circle and Attavara in Mangaluru, Kasturba Hospital in Manipal, Dr T M A Pai Hospital in Udupi and Dr T M A Pai Rotary Hospital in Karkala. Manipal Hospital in Goa and Manipal College of Dental Sciences in Mangaluru are also covered under the scheme to avail treatments at concessional rates.

Cards of one year and two years duration are available. The membership fee for Manipal Arogya Card for individuals is Rs 250 for one year and Rs 400 for two years. The fee for the family card for one year is Rs 500 and for two years is Rs 700.

To get the facility, one can contact KMC hospital representatives in Madikeri. Phone: 97314 74598, 98802 62038 or 94807 88634.

KMC hospital representatives A A Pratish, Padmanabha and Ponnappa were present in the press meet.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service, Madikeri / July 10th, 2019

Ban Lifted; River Rafting Resumes In Kodagu

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Madikeri:

A year after Kodagu District Administration banned White Water River Rafting activity on River Cauvery in Dubare and other rivers, the activity has resumed in full swing. Yesterday, around 10 water rafts were made operational at Dubare following the lifting of the ban by Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy.

The rafting activity was officially flagged off by Somwarpet Dy.SP P.K. Muralidhar at a stretch of Cauvery water in Periyapatna. Administration sources told Star of Mysore that the ban was lifted on the instructions from Tourism Minister S.R. Mahesh, who is also the Kodagu District Minister.

While lifting the ban, the DC has put stringent terms and conditions, including strict permissions for the activity. Organisers must ensure safety of tourists during the activity and Departments including Forest and Tourism have been asked to take necessary measures for re-starting river rafting. Rafting charges will not exceed Rs.600 per group, and a total of 48 rafts will be allowed in Dubare area, the DC said in her order.

Each owner has been asked to get a No Objection Certificate (NoC) from a local Panchayat, Fire and Emergency Services Department, Public Works, Ports and Inland Water Transport Department, certificate for raft instructor and also mandatory registration in the Labour Department.

According to the current guidelines, water rafting must start only at one point in Dubare (earlier rafting was being held at multiple points). Only five people have been permitted to operate rafts and each of them can own only two boats. Officials from the Kodagu District Administration will be monitoring the water rafting activities.

Before the ban, water rafting was an all-year programme in Kodagu.

Last July, the then Kodagu Deputy Commissioner P.I. Sreevidya had banned river rafting activity and white water rafting across the district for one month and subsequently extended the rafting ban.

In her order, the DC had stated that there were many adventure organisations and home stays running river rafting activities without permission.

The DC had issued the orders in the wake of several complaints from the tourists and villagers that adventure activity organisers have no expertise in river rafting and some of them are organising such events just to make money. Mandatory safety measures are not being followed by the organisers and lives are at stake, the tourists had complained.

Last February, a tourist from Hyderabad had got into an argument with an organiser of river rafting in Dubare and was killed in the ensuing altercation. It had come to the notice of the District Administration that many organisers of the adventure sport submitted fake documents to the DC and there was a no match between the permission letters and the submitted letter.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 08th, 2019

Kodagu Dancer To Pursue Research In Kodava Language

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ShilpaKF06jul2019

Mysuru:

Shilpa Nanjappa, an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer from Kodagu, has also been awarded the prestigious Fellowship by the Indian Government’s Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) for 2019-2021 for being an outstanding artiste.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, an elated Shilpa said that the two-year Fellowship meant a lot for her and she has chosen to do extensive research on ‘Adaptation of Kodava compositions (existing and new) into the classical music format and Bharatanatyam’.

“In simple words, my topic means popularising Kodava language through classical music format and Bharatanatyam. There are many compositions in Kodava language in both prose and poetry formats written by Dr. I.M. Muthanna, Haradasa Appacha Kavi, Nadikerianda Chinnappa, Boverianda Nanjamma and Chinnappa and other writers. Also, there are many poetic compositions in spoken Kodava language and Kodava songs. My aim is to popularise such compositions by extensive research and documentation,” Shilpa says. “My topic aims to popularise Kodava language by propelling it to people who don’t normally hear it and also to create a renewed enthusiasm among the current generation to speak Kodava Thakk (Kodava language). I am happy to do a Fellowship in this unexplored area of work and I want to do full justice to my homeland and its culture,” she explains.

The documentation of the Fellowship project will be a valuable resource for anyone who does future research on Kodava language and will interest those who want to learn the language and explore its origin and development.

“I have been brought up with great regard and respect for Kodava language and culture which has inspired and motivated me to serve Kodagu and its people. This Fellowship is a timely encouragement to carry on the work that I was already doing for Kodava language,” Shilpa adds.

Daughter of Allaranda Kamy and Uthappa, she is married to Mukkatira Pavan Nanjappa and lives in Madikeri with her family including a five-year-old daughter and a year-old son. Her guru is late Padmini Ramachandran.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 06th, 2019

Injured soldier returns to his native place

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MaheshKF05jul2019

Soldier H N Mahesh, who had been injured during an anti-terrorist operation in Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir, has returned to his native place in Ponnampet for rest.

H N Mahesh was accompanied by his colleague Pravin. After completing his vacation, Mahesh had reported for duty in the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir on May 15. On May 29, he was severely wounded during an operation against terrorists who were hiding in a hospital in Shopian.

A bullet fired by terrorists hit Mahesh on the right side of his jaw and passed through his nose bridge. He was treated at the Army Hospital in Chandigarh.

After coming out of a three-day long coma, he was operated upon by the surgeons and it took nearly 50 stitches to close the wounds. Acting on the advice of the senior officials in the Indian Army, Mahesh was sent on holiday to his native place.

Mahesh said that he did not come to know about the bullet shot immediately. Several minutes later, he developed a problem with vision and he experienced palpitations in the heart. When he touched his face, he realised that he was shot. With the help of his colleagues, he rushed towards the ambulance which was at a distance of 200 metres from the site of encounter.

Mahesh’s stay in the army is likely to be extended to eight more years and he hopes to work in bomb disposal squad after his recovery.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DH News Service / July 02nd, 2019

Tejaswini Ananth Kumar Releases Kaadinolagondu Jeeva Book

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

ChinnappaKF05jul2019

A narration of experiences of retired Forest Officer K.M Chinnappa

Mysuru:

Wildlife First and Bharathi Prakashana, Mysuru, had organised a programme at Hotel Roost on Hunsur Road here this morning for the release of the book Kaadinolagondu Jeeva, based on the first-hand experiences of retired Forest Ranger K.M. Chinnappa, written by T.S. Gopal, retired Principal of Srimangala Junior College.

Releasing the book, Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, President of Adamya Chetana Trust and wife of late former Union Minister H.N. Ananth Kumar, observed that humans to prove their greatness were going against nature and inviting problems. She regretted that people were unaware of safe disposal of waste materials leading to environmental pollution. She commended Chinnappa for his experiences as a Forest Officer.

Speaking on the book, Dr. S.V. Narasimhan heaped praises on the ‘Hero’ of the book Chinnappa and the author of the book Gopal in evolving a great study volume. He appreciated the enthusiasm of the 80-year-old Chinnappa in narrating the experiences in the forest vividly.

Addressing the gathering, Chinnappa asked people to be aware of animal behaviour in forests. He warned that rampant deforestation would invite more drought. He commended Gopal in putting his (Chinnappa) experiences beautifully through words.

Author Gopal was present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 03rd, 2019

‘Madikeri Square’ in town soon

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All
The site where Madikeri Square will come up.
The site where Madikeri Square will come up.

The City Municipal Council (CMC) has proposed to construct a tourist spot in the name of Madikeri Square on the old bus stand premises.

Architects and engineers had visited and inspected the spot and have prepared an action plan.

The private bus stand was damaged during the natural calamity in August 2018. Later, the bus stand building was demolished. There was a proposal to construct a commercial complex which has not materialised. Now, the CMC has come forward to construct Madikeri Square.

According to CMC Commissioner Ramesh, the estimated cost of the project is Rs 3 crore. It was decided to utilise Rs 1 crore from the district administration and Rs 2 crore from the Tourism Department for the construction of Madikeri Square.

District In-charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh had visited the spot and directed the Tourism Department to chalk out a plan to attract tourists.

Using German technology, a retaining wall is being constructed at the site where the hillock had caved in on the private bus stand at an estimated cost of Rs 1.7 crore. The soil from the landslide site has been tested by an engineering college in Bengaluru, said the officials.

Kodava Makkada Koota President Bollajira B Ayyappa said if the bus stand land is converted artistically, then it will increase the beauty of the site. A bronze statue of Ajjamada Devaiah will be installed at the circle. The statue will be brought from Bidadi in Bengaluru.

Kodava Makkada Koota has urged to name Madikeri Square after Squadron Leader Ajjamada B Devaiah Square.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service, Madikeri / June 09th, 2019

ZP CEO admits child to Kadagadalu school

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Kodagu Zilla Panchayat CEO K Lakshmi Priya and Madikeri Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Lakshmi speak to a child in Kadagadalu.
Kodagu Zilla Panchayat CEO K Lakshmi Priya and Madikeri Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Lakshmi speak to a child in Kadagadalu.

Kodagu Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K Lakshmi Priya visited various places in Kadagadalu Gram Panchayat limits in Madikeri on Thursday and collected information on children who have dropped out of school.

As a part of the special enrollment drive by the education department, the ZP CEO and Madikeri Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Lakshmi convinced the parents to send their wards to schools. A school dropout was admitted to the eighth standard in Government High School in Kadagadalu.

Kadagadalu Gram Panchayat Vice President Madettira Timmaiah, Kadagadalu Panchayat Development Officer B D Devika, Government Higher Primary School, Kadagadalu, Headteacher Neelamma were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service, Madikeri / June 07th, 2019

‘Sinkholes to Stars’ Monday at GLMHC in Sanctuary Series

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Professor Bopi Biddanda
Professor Bopi Biddanda

On Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. is the next program in the Sanctuary Lecture Series, “Sinkholes to Stars: Diving into Lake Huron’s Sinkholes while Reaching for the Heavens.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for this free program at Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, 500 West Fletcher St., Alpena.

Grand Valley State University Professor Bopi Biddanda will share the excitement of over a decade of exploration of life in Lake Huron’s sinkholes carried out in collaboration with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and ponder the relevance of these findings to major issues of both scientific and societal interest such as Earth’s current biologic and physiologic diversity, oxygenation of early Earth in the distant past, and humanity’s ongoing search for extra-terrestrial life.

Biddanda is an aquatic microbial ecologist studying the movement of carbon driven by microbes at the Annis Water Resources Institute at GVSU. He grew up in the lush subtropical mountains of Southwest India, and came to the U.S. in the 1980s to obtain a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Georgia. Subsequently, he went on research and teaching adventures at the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (Germany), National Institute of Oceanography (India), University of Texas Marine Science Institute, University of Rio Grande (Brazil) and University of Minnesota.

For the last decade and a half at GVSU, he has been studying the microbial cycling of elements in the Laurentian Great Lakes — exploring life in extreme environments such as Lake Huron’s sinkholes and operating a world-class time-series buoy observatory in Muskegon Lake.

Courtesy Photo A diver navigates a sink hole in Lake Huron.
Courtesy Photo A diver navigates a sink hole in Lake Huron.

He teaches classes in marine biology and aquatic ecology, and directs NASA’s Michigan Space Grant Consortium programs at GVSU. He hopes to continue to study Earth’s lakes — one of our most vital freshwater commons — as sentinels of change.

For more information, contact Stephanie Gandulla at steph.gandulla@noaa.gov or 989-884-6200.

source: http://www.thealpenanews.com / The Alpena News / Home> Life / June 06th, 2019

Kannur International Airport seeks to connect Mysuru and Kodagu with Flybus

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The new Kannur International Airport which was opened in December 2018, serves passengers from Kannur, Kasaragod, Wayanad, Kozhikode in Kerala and Kodagu and Mysuru in Karnataka.

The Kannur International Airport authorities in Mattanur, Kerala has written to Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation(KSRTC) to provide its ‘Flybus’ services to the Kannur Airport from Mysuru, Kodagu districts in Karnataka.

The new Kannur International Airport which was opened in December 2018, serves passengers from Kannur, Kasaragod, Wayanad, Kozhikode in Kerala and Kodagu and Mysuru in Karnataka. The airport is set to a boon for the tourism industry in south-west Karnataka. Tourism in the area is likely to get a boost as top destinations like Mysuru and Kodagu (Coorg) are within easy reach from Kannur.

The airport which is up on 1,900 acres and is just 58 km from Virajpet, about 90 km from Madikeri and 158 km from Mysuru. Earlier the flyers from Mysuru and Kodagu were using Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. The regular flyers especially those going to Gulf countries from Mysuru and Kodagu are now heading to Kannur Airport and fly to destinations like Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Dammam, Doha, Bahrain, Riyadh, Sharjah and Muscat.

To get the flyers from these districts in Karnataka the Kannur airport authorities have written a letter to KSRTC recently. Confirming this development, BT Prabhakar Reddy, Divisional Controller, Bengaluru Central Division, KSRTC, told Indianexpress.com, “ We have received a request from the Kannur airport authorities to have Flybus service to the airport from Mysuru and Kodagu districts. The KSRTC is doing a survey in this route to see how it works out.”

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities / by Darshan Devaiah BP / Bengaluru, Kannur (Kerala) / June 03rd, 2019