Category Archives: Records, All

Karnataka to establish Cauvery River Gallery

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

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Bengaluru :

After flip-flopping for many months, there is a concrete sign of Karnataka getting its first river museum. On Wednesday, the state government took first baby steps to expedite on its dream project, Cauvery river gallery.

The gallery, expected to be thrown open to the public in six months from now will showcase cultural and socio economic aspects of the river. It will feature exhibits, detailed satellite images, multimedia displays, digital video-shows and real-time experience of cruising along the river which is around 765 km in length.

Originating in the Brahmagiri Hill in Kodagu, the river flows from the western ghats and descends into the eastern ghats in a south-easterly direction covering 320 km in Karnataka and drains itself into the Bay of Bengal. “The proposed gallery would be set up with the support of the National Academy of Sciences of India (NASI).

The government has already earmarked Rs 3.5 crore for the project. NASI would run it for first three years, train local personnel and then hand it over to the state government,” tourism minister R V Deshpande after signing an MOU with NASI on Wednesday said. By capturing the etymological, ecological, cultural, heritage, and social characteristics of the river, the gallery which would be set up in about 2500 sq ft area will also serve as a learning centre on the major south Indian river. The modalities are being worked out by the NASI, he added

Though the proposal was mooted by the Karnataka Knowledge Commission headed by K Kasturirangan, the government failed to find an appropriate place.

Initially, the commission had suggested establishing the gallery on the banks of the river Cauvery at Mysuru on the lines of Ganga Gallery at Allahabad and Brahmaputra Gallery at Guwahati. Later it was planned to establish the gallery in the premises of University of Mysore and also at a century old mansion on Kantharaj Urs Road in Mysuru.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> Good Governanace> Karnataka / Manu Aiyappa / TNN / January 07th, 2016

New disease-resistant paddy and castor seeds to be released soon

Agriculture, Records, All

The new KPR-1 paddy and HCH-6 seeds have been developed by scientists at UAHS, Shivammoga

Yield in the case of traditional varieties said to be declining by the year owing to disease

Farm trial of new varieties have been completed

They are just awaiting official approval for release

Their yield has also been found to be higher than traditional varieties

Scientists at the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences (UAHS), Shivamogga, have developed disease-resistant varieties of paddy and castor seeds.

The new paddy variety is called as KPR (Karnataka Ponnampet Rice)-1. The yield of paddy has come down drastically in recent times in Malnad and central Karnataka regions owing to blast disease, which is caused by a fungus called Magnaporthe grisea.

The infection affects the plant’s growth and slows down the process of grain maturity.

The KPR-1 has been developed by the scientists at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station of the university in Ponnampet. As part of the initial evaluation trial, a total of 1,450 paddy varieties were cultivated in plots prone to the blast disease. However, some IET-21214 plant variety is said to have shown stiff resistance to blast disease. The parentage of KPR-1 variety is from IET-21214 variety and it has been developed under breeding method.

The Tunga variety of paddy, which is also known for its resistance to blast disease, is most popular among the farmers in Malnad and central Karnataka region.

The yield of Tunga variety is found to be around 45 to 50 quintals an acre and it is 55 to 65 quintals an acre in the case of KPR-1 variety. T.H. Gowda, Director of Extension of UAHS, Shivamogga, told The Hindu that the field trial of KPR-1 was conducted on the plots owned by farmers in Virajpet, Ponnampet and Mudigere. The average yield in the case of KPR-1 is said to be about 20 per cent more than the Tunga and other blast-disease resistant varieties. The KPR-1 variety has shown resistance to brown hopper disease also, he said.

The castor seed oil, considered as one of the major industrial oil seeds variety, is widely cultivated in dry regions of Chitradurga, Davangere and Tumakuru districts. However, the yield of castor seed has been waning owing to fusarium wilt and white fly infection.

Scientists at zonal agricultural and horticultural research station of the university at Hiriyur have developed a disease-resistant and high-yield variety of castor seed named HCH (Hybrid Castor Hiriyur)-6, which is a fusion of DPC-9 and TMV-6 varieties. If cultivated as a solo crop, the yield of HCH-6 variety is said to be around 18 quintals a hectare of land, while it was around 13-14 quintals a ha in other existing varieties.

As part of the farm trial, Lakshmanappa, a farmer from Holalkere in Chitradurga district, who had cultivated HCH-6 variety of castor in his land, said that the yield had increased by around 22 per cent and the plants were free from wilt infection.P. Narayanaswamy, Director of Research, UAHS, Shivamogga, said that KPR-1 paddy and HCH-6 castor seeds would be released after getting approval from the State-level Variety Release Committee and the Central Sub-committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties. The seeds of both the varieties would be released by June, 2016, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Veerandra P.M. / Shivamogga – December 26th, 2015

10 things to know about Ashwini Ponappa

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

Ahead of the Premier Badminton League, here’s your guide to one of India’s best shuttlers.

Ashwini Ponappa is one of the most talented badminton players in India
Ashwini Ponappa is one of the most talented badminton players in India

Indian badminton doubles star Ashwini Ponappa has already seen several memorable moments during the course of her career. Her successful partnership with Jwala Gutta in the doubles has brought India many laurels and they continue to be the pair on which the country’s doubles hopes are pinned on.

After first bursting on to the scene as an 18-year-old in 2007, Ponappa has made steady if not rapid strides in her career, and with Gutta will be a key component if India are to excel in the sport in Rio 2016.

Here are 10 things to know about the badminton ace:

1) Ashwini Ponnappa was born on the 18th of September, 1989 in Coorg, Karnataka. Her father was a national hockey player. However, she preferred badminton over hockey and started training in the sport.

2) She completed her schooling at St. Francis Xavier’s Girl’s High School in Bengaluru and moved to Hyderabad to pursue her bachelors degree.

3) Ponappa shot to fame when she won the Indian junior championships in 2001, as a 12-year old and then five years later, clinched the Gold at the South Asian Games to impress many an expert and supporter.

4) At the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi, she partnered Jwala Gutta to the Gold in the Women’s Doubles, with the two thereby becoming the first Indian pair to win a medal in that category at the event. Ponappa was also part of the team that won a silver in the Mixed Team event at the Games.

5) In 2011, Ponappa and Gutta came up with one of their finest performances when they won a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships in Copenhagen, thereby becoming Indian doubles pair and only the second after Prakash Padukone(1983), to stand on the podium at the marquee event.

6) In 2012 Olympics, Ashwini-Jwala pair narrowly missed out on a quarterfinal berth by a difference of just one point, thus denying them a medal

7 ) In June 2015, Ashwini-Jwala pair won the Canada Open women’s doubles title by defeating the top-seeded Dutch pair of Eefje Muskens and Selena Piek. It was the pair’s first and only title in the year.

8) 2014 turned out to be a fruitful year for the duo as they won the silver medal in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and followed that up with Bronze medals in the Asian Games in Incheon and the Uber Cup in New Delhi.

9) Ponappa played for the Pune Pistons in the inaugural edition of the Indian Badminton League. In 2015, Bengaluru Top Guns chose her to represent their franchise in the Premier Badminton League(PBL).

10) The 26-year old is an animal lover and loves listening to music in her spare time.

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / Sports Keeda.com / Home> Badminton / Premier Badminton League – Analysis / by Rohan Nagaraj / December 30th, 2015

Guddemane Appayya Gowda remembered at martyr’s day

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

‘It is a tragedy that British termed freedom fighters insurgents’

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It is a tragedy that British termed freedom fighters like Subedar Guddemane Appayya Gowda, Sangolli Rayanna, Bhagath Singh insurgents. The historians who failed to understand it, also termed them insurgents, said MLA K G Bopaiah.

Speaking after inaugurating Subedar Guddemane Appayya Gowda Martyrs Day organised by the district administration, Kannada and Culture Department and Karnataka Arebhashe Samskrithi mathu Sahitya Academy here on Saturday, he said there were several uprisings against the British rule prior to Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Guddemane Appayya Gowda had led an insurgency against the British.

He said that there are miscreants who try to divide the society. “Let us pledge to work towards the integrated development of the district and spread the messages of Guddemane Appayya Gowda and Field Marshal K M Cariappa.”
Kodagu district Kannada Sahitya Parishat president T P Ramesh said that those who have no knowledge about history can not create it.”

He said Appayya Gowda should not be restricted to a community. Karnataka Arebhashe Sahitya mathu Samskrithi Academy and Karnataka Kodava Academy should document the history of the district. Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation Chairperson Veena Achaiah, Kodava Academy president B S Thammaiah, Madikeri CMC president Shreemathi Bangera were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri, November 01st, 2015

World’s First Barefoot Marathon in Kodagu next month

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Mysuru :

The world’s first barefoot marathon will be held in Kodagu on Dec. 5 and 6.

Melinda Soman, who recently completed the ‘Iron Man’ event will also take part in the marathon organised by Coorg Wellness Foundation.

This maiden run is expected to evolve into an annual event and is dedicated to conservation and well-being of environment and all its inhabitants in partnership with Coorg Wildlife Society.

The event includes the Barefoot mile; Tribal 10 kilometre run, Barefoot 21 kilometre run and the full marathon Barefoot 42 kilometre run.

Barefoot running enthusiasts may register at www.barefootmarathon.com or www.coorgwellnessfoundation.com. They can also contact: Nikki on Mob: 9845559452.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Monday – November 16th, 2015

Srimangala Bhagavathi Temple to be renovated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

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The Srimangala Bhagavathi Temple committee president Mullanda Thimmaiah said that the temple would be renovated.

“The Temple has a history of 300 years. As per the directions of the temple chief priest, the old sanctum sanctorum is being renovated and the idol of the presiding deity Sri Bhagavathi as well as those of Lord Ganapathi and Kethurappa are being worshipped in a small enclosure in front of the temple,” said Thimmaiah.

Explaining further, the president said that a blueprint of the Theertha Mantapa had also been prepared and the ground-breaking ceremony had been conducted for the work.

“Stone foundations have been laid for the new sanctum sanctorum and also the theertha mantapa. Stone pillars have been chiselled for the temple,” he added.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS, Madikeri – November 07th, 2015

GOLF – Chikkarangappa, it is

Records, All, Sports

It took a play-off to determine the winner of the Take Solutions India Masters, and even then there was only a couple of inches in it. S. Chikkarangappa’s 9-iron from 145 yards on the 18th sailed past the flag, bounced once on the green, and rolled sharply back.

It left him needing a birdie putt of some four feet to win the tie-breaker, and he nailed it. Moments earlier, Shubhankar Sharma had watched his birdie putt, from 10 feet, settle inches wide of the cup.

It was thus by the finest of margins that Chikkarangappa defended his title at the Eagleton Golf Resort on Saturday. Shubhankar — dogged to the end — and he returned an identical tally of 25-under-263 to force the first play-off hole, when the local favourite triumphed. That it went down to the wire was due to Shubhankar’s run of four birdies on the final four regulation holes, a passage of play that included one putt from 20 feet on the 16th.

S. Chikkarangappa with the trophy after winning the Take Solutions India Masters / Photo: Shreedutta Chidananda
S. Chikkarangappa with the trophy after winning the Take Solutions India Masters / Photo: Shreedutta Chidananda

Chikkarangappa, level with his opponent overnight, had eased into a two-shot lead by the seventh hole, after a hat-trick of birdies had followed a bogey on the fourth.

It appeared that advantage would be enough, but Shubhankar simply would not give up.

“Even I didn’t expect that he would make four out of four at the end,” Chikkarangappa said later. “But I was confident. I have been involved in three play-offs as a professional and I’ve now won all three.”

It was an emotional victory for the 22-year-old, who was in tears as he embraced his mother afterwards. “I’ve been through a bad patch these last three months. I had a back injury that made me fear for my career. Also, losing on my home course would have been very hurtful,” he said.

Chikkarangappa took home a cheque for Rs.13,65,000, which lifted him to first place on the PGTI Order of Merit.

The win was his second on the Asian Development Tour and seventh overall. Abhijit Chadha, who shot the day’s best of 10-under-62, finished the tournament in third place at 19-under-269.

The scores (top eight after 72 holes): 263: S. Chikkarangappa (65, 66, 66, 66), Shubhankar Sharma (65, 64, 68, 66); 269: Abhijit Chadha (70, 69, 68, 62); 270: Greg Moss (62, 70, 71, 67), Rashid Khan (65, 70, 68, 67); 271: Himmat Rai (64, 67, 69, 71); 272: Anura Rohana (66, 73, 66, 67), Oskar Arvidsson (69, 69, 67, 67).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by Shreedutta Chidananada / Bengaluru – October 31st, 2015

Shooting Range inaugurated at ASF, South Coorg

Records, All, Sports

Ashwini Sports Foundation, floatedby Olympian Ashwini Nachappa, takes a step closer to building itsworld-class facility in Coorg with inauguration of Shooting Rangeand Gymnasium at Gonikoppal, South Coorg.

Embassy Group, India’s leading real estate developer, haspartnered with Ashwini’s Sports Foundation (ASF) to launch thespanking new, world-class Embassy ASF 10m Shooting Range andGymnasium. It was inaugurated by Jitu Virwani, Chairman & ManagingDirector, Embassy Group and his wife Lina Virwani recently.

Arjuna Awardee, Ashwini, over the past decade, has been focusingon creating a unique approach to education that integrates sportswith academics at a very early age. Along with her husband DathaKaruambiah, she manages a school – KALS which put this approach intopractice. Talented athletes from this school are then absorbed intoASF, which then provides structured, world-class training through aunique 4-step model. More than 50 talented children have beenidentified and are training in Athletics and Hockey. With theEmbassy ASF Shooting Range, ASF will now addthis to its repertoire of sporting disciplines.

Speaking on the occasion, Jitu Virwani said that “we are verysupportive of Ashwini Nachappa’s and ASF’s efforts to popularizeshooting as a sport. We are extremely pleased to have collaboratedwith ASF to set up a facility that matches international standards.I am sure this shooting range will help many young rifle shootingaspirants develop their talent and become world beaters at nationaland international events. We stand committed to the vision of ASFand wish them all success in their future endeavours.”

Ashwini Nachappa said that “our intent at ASF is to create asustainable and replicable model that will enable talented athletesnot just in Coorg but from anywhere in the country to rise to theirfullest potential. I am hoping that in the next 5-7 years we areable to show results at the international level and be able toproduce world champions.

source: http://www.news.webindia123.com / WebIndia123 / News Home> India / Coorg, Thursday – October 29th, 2015

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Hockey India welcomes Hockey Coorg as the latest Associate Member unit

Records, All, Sports
Hockey is part of Coorg’s heritage
Hockey is part of Coorg’s heritage

Hockey India, the apex body governing the sport in India has introduced Hockey Coorg as an Associate Member unit from the state of Karnataka. The state of Karnataka will now boast of two member units, where Hockey Karnataka themselves already operate as a Permanent Member unit while the latest entrant Hockey Coorg will operate as an Associate Member unit. The newly formed Hockey Coorg, will see Mr. PE Kalaiah spearheading the unit as the President.

Hockey India, which currently has 20 Permanent Member units, will have 28 Associate Member units with the formation of Hockey Coorg. Karnataka has traditionally been a major contributor to the sport of Hockey.

Hockey Coorg’s primary functionality will be to manage the large talent pool from the Coorg region of the state that in the past has produced some great players like BP Govinda, Arjun Halappa, AB Subbaiah and MP Ganesh. A few of the current players donning the national cap from Coorg are VR Raghunath, SV Sunil, SK Utthappa, Nikin Thimmiah and Nithin Thimmaiah.

With the formation of Hockey Coorg, the region can now participate in the National Championships as a separate team, helping India unearth a larger pool of talent for the future. Speaking on the development, Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad, Secretary General, Hockey India said, “I am delighted to welcome Hockey Coorg as an Associate Member unit of Hockey India.

The region of Coorg has always given our country some exceptional athletes in the sport of hockey, and with the formation of this new unit, I am confident that we will be moving towards a formidable talent pool who only are going to help us carry forward the legacy and honour of the sport, bringing many laurels to the country.”

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / Sports Keeda (SK) / Home> Hockey> News / Press Release / October 29th, 2015

Hockey Coorg gets associate member status

Records, All, Sports

The governing body for hockey in the country, Hockey India, announced on Monday that Hockey Coorg will be inducted as an associate member in their set-up.

The move will now see Karnataka represented by two individual bodies; Hockey Karnataka and Hockey Coorg, and both units will be allowed to field teams at the National Championships.

“Hockey Coorg’s priority will remain the same and that is to nurture talent for the Karnataka side,” PE Kalaiah, president of Hockey Coorg, told Deccan Herald. “They (Hockey Karnataka) will have first refusal of right (players) from the talent pool and we will then give the remaining players a platform to improve their skills.

“The concept of this membership is not to attract boys who are playing in Bengaluru but originally are from Coorg, but rather to have a larger talent pool that remains in the State. Plenty of players are either on the fringe or ply their trade in different States. We might as well have them play for our State and remain at home,” he explained, while alleying any fears of change in dynamics of the functioning of HK.

Spotting talent
Hockey Coorg has 24 senior teams from different parts of Coorg that are affiliated to them but talent-spotting at the school level remains on top of their list of priorities. “Hockey Coorg’s first preference will be to conduct school-level tournaments and ensure that the players have the right infrastructure and opportunity to play. Presently, more than half the boys at the SAI camp in Bengaluru are from Coorg and have worked their way up the existing system,” added Kalaiah.

Sandeep Somesh, Joint Secretary of Hockey Karnataka, echoed Kalaiah’s sentiments on the subject.

“This is a move in the right direction for Hockey Karnataka as the players we nurture will have more opportunities to represent the State, since Hockey Coorg is an affiliated body and we will get to choose the best players from a larger group,” he noted.
Sandeep also dismissed any concerns of presence of two teams hampering the functioning of the body.

“Nothing changes,” he stressed. “Though Hockey Coorg will be an independent body, Hockey Karnataka remains the regulating body for hockey in the State.”

While both bodies will look to work in tandem in the near future, plans on infrastructure and other training processess are still in the pipeline.

“Hockey Coorg will work alongside us in the future but the roles for both bodies will be clearly defined and we will look to execute them,” remarked Somesh.

While divulging into the role that Hockey Coorg could carry out, the former India International spoke of Coorg being a perfect breeding ground for budding talent.

“We have seen that over the last several years, Coorg has produced some of the best players that the country has seen. I have no doubt that they will continue to do a fine job. They have been organising inter-school and inter-college tournaments as well as club-level tournaments from where players have been spotted and trained,” he pointed out.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports / by Arjun Ganesh / DHNS – October 27th, 2015