Category Archives: Records, All

115th birth anniversary of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa celebrated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

KariappaKF03feb2014
Govt. urged to expedite construction of War Memorial in city

Mysore :
Kodava Samaja, Mysore, had organised a function to celebrate the 115th Birth Anniversary of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa at the Circle named after him here this morning.

Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) C.K. Karumbaya, SM, paid glowing tributes to the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army and urged the Government of Karnataka to expedite the construction of the War Memorial near the DC office in city. Capt. Sharma urged to include the life story of the Field Marshal in the school curriculum.

Earlier, the gathering offered floral tributes to the portrait of the Field Marshal.

Samaja President M.M. Karumbaiah welcomed. Samaja Hon. Secretary K.M. Belliappa, former Presidents of the Samaja Dr. A.A. Kuttappa, K.A. Kariappa and P.S. Ganapathy, Chairman of Cauvery Educational Institutions Prof. K.C. Belliappa, Sri Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha Hon. Secretary P. Lovely Appaiah, Kavya Kuttappa, office-bearers and members of the Samaja and also of the Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club were present at the programme along with some public. On the occasion, sweets were distributed.

It may be recalled, VeKare Ex-Servicemen Trust, Mysore, headed by M.N. Subramani as its President, was the first Ex-Servicemen NGO to propose a War Memorial in city way back in the year 2000 and the same was accepted by the district administration which earmarked a plot in front of ncc Gp hqs behind dc office. The NGO, which pursued the matter till 2007, had also suggested installing a statue of the Field Marshal at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 28th, 2014

3-day Flower show at Balyatri Estate near Madikeri from tomorrow

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

BalaytreEstateMPos31jan2014
Madikeri :

An eye-catching flower show has been organised from Jan. 26 to Jan. 28 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Yousuf Ali Khan memorial flower garden at the premises of Balyatri Coffee Estate near Boikeri on Madikeri-Suntikoppa Road in Kodagu.

The estate belongs to former Rajya Sabha member F.M. Khan. Briefing the press on the annual flower show, Khan said that “over 90 varieties of flowers and fruits have been grown in the garden which is the only private flower garden in the country. The garden took shape about 50 years ago and for the last 15 years the flower show is being organised annually for the public. The garden houses Philia, Lorsper, Khel, kelen chus, cactus, dahlia, daisy, roses, pinks, kupia and other exotic varieties including bonsais.

He said that horticulture was bifurcated from agriculture when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister to boost the growth of horticulture which has not happened to the desired level yet. Continuing, he opined that Congress needed young leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka.

However he felt that Rahul should address more public rallies instead of closed-door meetings to reach the masses.

source:http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 25th, 2014

Call to preserve Kodava culture

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Kodava culture is on the verge of extinction as it is not receiving the right kind of encouragement and patronage, said president of the women’s wing of Somwarpet Kodava Samaja Bachinadanda Rita Kushalappa, here, recently.
KodavaKF30jan2014
She was speaking during the inauguration of a get-together, organised by the Samaja. “The rich Kodava culture should be introduced to children in the primary school level itself. Parents should take the first step in this direction,” she said.

She called upon Kodava women, in the taluk, to enrol with the Samaja.

Former district Scouts and Guides commissioner Manavattira Sharadha Mandanna said, Kodavas are being reduced to a minority population in the district due to migration of the people to other districts, States and nations, in search of better opportunities.

Non-residents

“At least, those who are residing in the district should strive to take steps to safeguard the interest of the Kodava people. Those who are residing should encourage their counterparts in Kodagu district. They should contribute whenever possible,” she said.

Women took part in several cultural programmes and games. Samaja secretary Apadanda Asha Viraraj, vice-president Paruvanda Saru Ramappa, Biddatanda Seetha and others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Somwarpet (Kodagu Dist.) / DHNS – January 15th, 2014

Tributes paid to war hero Devayya

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah and others offering floral tributes to the portrait of Ajjamada Devayya at the Circle named after him in Madikeri on Saturday.
Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah and others offering floral tributes to the portrait of Ajjamada Devayya at the Circle named after him in Madikeri on Saturday.

Rich tributes were paid to late Squadron Leader Ajjamada B. Devayya, a Kodava hero who showed exemplary courage to shoot down a Pakistani Supersonic F104 aircraft in the 1965 war under adverse conditions, at the Circle named after him at the private bus stand in Madikeri on Saturday. Sq. Ldr. Devayya carried out the attack on this day in 1965 to lay down his life for the nation.

Garland

Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah, Ajjamada family members, officials, and guests garlanded the portrait of Devayya in the morning to remember the heroics of the war veteran with Mr. Bopaiah promising to find a suitable location to set up a statue in the city in honour of Devayya for upholding military traditions of Kodagu.

Sq. Ldr. Devayya was born on 24 Dec 1932. He was the only one among the members of the strike force who sacrificed his life for the nation after carrying out the task of attacking the Sargodha airfield in Pakistan on September 7, 1965.

This was revealed in a book written by English journalist John Fricker, after he was party to the description of an episode by the then Flight Lieutenant, Amjad Hussain, of Pakistan.

The private bus-stand circle in Madikeri was named after the war hero on September 7, 2009.

Sq. Ldr. Devayya was conferred with the Maha Vir Chakra for his illustrious service to the nation posthumously which was received by his wife Sundari from the President of India.

Delay

Though the State government sanctioned Rs. 5 lakh for setting up a statue of Devayya, the project was being delayed over a court order, he said. Efforts were on to talk to Bal Bhavan authorities to secure land to set up the statue of Devayya, he said. Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari, Ajjamada family members Karumbaiah, Katti Mandaiah, ex-servicemen, officials of Department of Sainik and Resettlement Board, Madikeri, were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Madikeri – September 08th, 2013

Chikka beats Rashid to win his maiden title

Records, All, Sports

ChikkaKF10dec2013
Mumbai:

Rookie Chikkarangappa S of Bangalore upstaged pre-tournament favourite Rashid Khan of Delhi in a playoff to bag his maiden professional title at the CG Open 2013 played at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club in Mumbai.

It turned out to be a day of twists and turns. Rashid Khan (64-64-66-70) maintained his overnight three-shot lead till the eighth hole as both he and Chikkarangappa (64-65-68-67) made two birdies and a bogey each on the first eight holes. The tide turned over the next five holes. Rashid dropped bogeys on the ninth, 10th and 13th as a result of a few missed putts and a poor tee shot while Chikka sank a 17-feet birdie putt on the 12th. Chikka thus went ahead by one shot on the 13th.

Chikka stayed ahead by one till the 17th after both he and Rashid made birdies on the 16th. Rashid however, came back in the contest with a birdie on the 18th thanks to a near-perfect third shot from the fairway that landed within a foot of the flag. Chikka on the other hand, missed an up and down for birdie from the bunker wall on the 18th. The two golfers, who have grown up playing against each other on the junior and amateur circuits, headed for a playoff after ending the regulation 72 holes with matching totals of 16-under-264.

The 20-year-old Chikka, who hails from the Eagleton Golf Resort near Bangalore, sealed the deal on the first playoff hole against 22-year-old Rashid, who lost a playoff at the CG Open for the second year in succession. Chikka found the rough and then the bunker during the playoff but recovered well with a 12-feet birdie putt conversion. Rashid on his part missed the birdie after a poor bunker shot.

Chikka’s winning cheque of Rs. 16,16,500 propelled him from fifth place to second position on the Rolex Rankings. Rashid Khan continues to lead the Rolex Rankings with an impressive margin of about Rs. 11 lakh.

Chikka said, “It feels great to win my first title in my first season as a professional. I’ve been in contention in at least six events this season but somehow could not deliver in the final stages. I drew a lot of experience from those tournaments and that helped me break the all-important victory barrier today.

“I performed really well with the 3-wood and the putter this week. I made a lot of fairways and dropped just five bogeys in the whole tournament. I stayed in touch with Rashid in the initial stages and capitalized with some long putts when he faltered midway through the round. The turning point was the crucial 13-feet downhill par putt that I converted on the 15th. That kept me ahead and gave me momentum. I was confident heading into the playoff despite missing an up and down from the bunker wall on the 18th.

“This win will give me a huge boost for the rest of the season. I dedicate my victory to the Late Mr. M Ashok Kumar, the former Chairman and Managing Director of Eagleton – The Golf Resort, who passed away earlier this year. He was like a father figure to me and encouraged and supported me for many years,” added Chikka.
Bangladeshi Md Zamal Hossain Mollah (67-68-66-69) secured third place at 10-under-270 after shooting a 69 in the final round.

Delhi’s Vinod Kumar was a further shot behind in fourth place while K Prabagaran of Sri Lanka claimed fifth place at seven-under-273.

source: http://www.indiansportsnews.com / Indian Sports News / Home> Golf / Tuesday – December 03rd, 2013

DC’s letter on Kodava firearm licence kicks up a row

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

Guns are part of the Kodava culture and they are used during auspicious occasions.—Photo: Nanda Kumar / The Hindu
Guns are part of the Kodava culture and they are used during auspicious occasions.—Photo: Nanda Kumar / The Hindu

Clarification sought on granting exemption certificates to Kodavas and ‘Jamma’ holders

The clarification sought by the Kodagu Deputy Commissioner from the State government on granting exemption certificates (ECs) to the ‘Coorg by race’ (Kodava) people and ‘Jamma’ (land tenure) holders to keep weapons without licence, a privilege existing since the days of the British, has caused anxiety among the people here.

In his letter on September 20, Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari asked the Home Department whether the Jamma holders should necessarily be Kodavas (Coorgs) or otherwise. He asked whether ECs could be granted to Kodava people even if they were not Jamma holders, and non-Kodavas, who are Jamma holders. It was also asked whether EC holders could purchase weapons from outside Karnataka in such cases.

CLAIMS

Kodavas are eligible for EC, as per concessions under Sections 3 and 4 of the Indian Arms Act of 1959, even if they are not Jamma holders, says T.C. Thammaiah, a former tahsildar. “ECs were issued to Kodavas and non-Kodavas, who were Jamma holders. There is also no mention about the extent of land a Jamma holder should possess to qualify for ECs,” he says. After the letter sent by the DC, many people have been forced to wait for long to get ECs.

Kodavas worship fire arms during festivals, they are used to fire shots in the air to herald the birth of baby boys, and some use it during house warming too.

Weapons provide security to people who live in remote villages and can act a deterrence to ward off activities of Naxalites.

The new documents sought by the district administration included original Jama Bandhi (land record) pertaining to 1918, Kodava caste certificate, Election Photo Identity Card bearing address in Kodagu, and ration cards, which were not necessary, Mr. Thammaiah argues, quoting lawyers in Madikeri.

A revenue transfer certificate would confirm whether the person seeking EC is a Kodava or the land held by him is Jamma.

The Madikeri Kodava Samaja has threatened non-cooperation for the All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan scheduled to be held in Madikeri from January 7 to 9 if the obstacles in issuing ECs were not removed.

The Akhila Kodava Samaja, a representative body of the Kodavas, wants the rights continued. The Codava National Council, headed by N.U. Nachappa, too has demanded unhindered continuation of the privilege.

However, Mr. Tewari told The Hindu that the administration did not want to harass people, but the intention was to devise an alternative way to regulate the likely misuse of weapons.

The government of India had raised the issue some time ago, he said. “We have not stopped issuing ECs to the people,” Mr. Tewari confirmed.

Asked why the applicants were being told to produce Jama bandhi copies of 1918, he said some officials dealing with it had sought them to verify the claims of the applications as additional proof and it was not mandatory.

Efforts were on to computerise and keep a directory of licensed weapons and EC holders in the district, Mr. Tewari said. “The people of Kodagu should get the benefit,” he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by K. Jeevan Chinnappa / Madikeri – December 03rd, 2013

1st Soliga KAS does his tribe proud

Amazing Feats, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

Bangalore :

Ravi Ramaiah is on cusp of setting a record by becoming the first KAS officer from the Soliga tribes. But to his misfortune, this 28-year-old, selected to be a Class I officer in 2011, is yet to receive his appointment order. The reason: the recruitment process has been kept in abeyance because 25 of the 362 successful candidates were found to have indulged in malpractices.

But Ravi, who hails from a hamlet near Nagarahole in Mysore district, has not given up hope. Working as a police constable in Mysore’s Jayalakshmipuram police station, Ravi began dreaming of becoming a bureaucrat after his primary school teacher Suresh and lecturer Rudrappa felt he could achieve more.

“They encouraged me to take the KSPC exams. I cleared both exams and the interview in my first attempt. I used to study at least eight hours a day,” Ravi said. He scored 956 marks out of 1,800 in the Mains exam and 150 out of 200 in the interview.

“The imbroglio over appointments has ruined my dreams,” Ravi says.

Coming out with flying colours in the face of adversity is not new to Ravi. “I did my primary education at a government school in Beeranahalli, walking alone 3 km from and to my house in the jungle. These lonely treks made me decide to be a self-made man. Jungle made me a brave and bold man,” he says.

Ravi’s father, Ramaiah, studied till class III, while mother Jayamma never went to school. “He is a born naturalist. He can smell the air and predict rain two days in advance,” Ravi says of his father. His eldest brother is an SSLC dropout, while the second brother completed his II PUC.

Ravi’s teacher Suresh took him to Hunsur and got him admitted to a government high school.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Government School / by Rajiv Kalkod, TNN / November 28th, 2013

Ancient microcontinent discovered in Coorg block

About Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion

MicroContinentKF16nov2013
A team of scientists from four research institutions have reported the discovery of an ancient microcontinent in India.

Based on extensive investigations in the Coorg block comprising parts of Kerala and Karnataka, the scientists have confirmed the existence of a 3.1 billion-year-old exotic microcontinent that could have broken off from Madagascar or Africa and drifted across the ocean to get wedged into the Indian landmass.

Based on the geological formations that characterise the block, the researchers assume that it could have been part of the earliest ‘Ur’ supercontinent formed through microcontinent amalgamation.

The age data of the rock samples collected by the researchers showed that the peak of continental building in the exotic Coorg block occurred around 3.1 billion years ago. The studies indicated that the crust building might have also involved partial recycling of basement rocks as old as 3.8 billion years.

The team comprising M. Santosh from India, now working at the China University of Geosciences, Beijing, Q.Y. Yang from the same university, E. Shaji from the Department of Geology, University of Kerala, T. Tsunogae from Tsukuba University, Japan, and Ram Mohan and M. Satyanarayanan from the National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, has published the discovery in Gondwana Research, an international journal on earth science with particular focus on the origin and evolution of continents.

According to the paper, the Coorg block, a continental fragment sandwiched between the Dharwar craton (a craton is a piece of a continent that has been stable for over a billion years) in the North and several younger crustal blocks to the South, is composed dominantly of a suite of arc magmatic rocks.

“Considering the age of the rocks from the periphery of the Coorg block, the microcontinent could have got wedged with peninsular India around 1.2 billion years back in time,” says Dr. Santosh, the lead author.

“This exotic microcontinent could have come from any of the cores of the earliest supercontinent Ur. The possible sources are Madagascar or Africa.”

The study revealed that the Coorg block was unaffected by major tectonothermal (geological episodes that shape rock formations) events in the rest of southern India.

The team relied on Uranium-Lead dating and Lutetium-Hafnium analyses of zircons separated from the different rock types. They also carried out petrological and mineralogical studies and geochemical analyses of the rocks.

The study is significant in understanding the supercontinent cycle, the amalgamation of continents into large land masses and their disruption.

“The Early Earth was dominated by island arcs in an oceanic realm analogous to the modern Pacific region. The formation and collision of arcs gave rise to the birth of microcontinents,” explains Dr. Shaji.

The landmass arrangement on earth today is the culmination of a long history of continental movement. The Indian subcontinent is believed to be one among the several landmasses that emerged from the break up of the Gondwana supercontinent about 180 million years ago. The Coorg block covers an area of over 3,000 sq km and includes the whole of Kasaragod district in Kerala and parts of Kodagu district in Karnataka.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Kerala / by T. Nandakumar / Thiruvanathapuram – November 12th, 2013

Harshika Poonacha thanks Thamassu team for first State Award

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

Sandalwood actress Harshika Poonacha is on cloud nine. At the Karnataka State Film Awards announced for the year 2011, she was adjudged the Best Supporting Actress for her work in the Kannada film Thamassu. The film, directed by Agni Sridhar, had Shivarajkumar in the lead. In fact, Shivarajkumar had won a Filmfare Best Actor nod for this film. The actress, who is currently in Hyderabad, took to her social networking page to thank the team of Thamassu. “Thamassu” The film which made me feel special,Thnx to Agni Shridhar sir and The Hatrick hero Shivanna sir My first STATE AWARD is dedicated to you both coz I wudn have made it possible without you both:) Thnq so much for the support and blessings :)) Also I thank all my beloved frens for wishing me on calls,texts and social networking sites :)) Love u all,muaaaaahhhhh,” she wrote.

(Harshika Poonacha )
(Harshika Poonacha )

When TOI reached out to the actress, she sounded ecstatic. “I am overjoyed. In fact, I was sleeping when the award was announced and my phone was on mute. I missed a whole bunch of calls and messages. I am replying to everyone now,” she said, adding that the team of her new film was throwing a party for her this evening. “Right now, my award is the only thing on my mind,” she signed off.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada> Filmfare / Pratibha Joy, TNN / October 25th, 2013

Kodavas board special train to Delhi for rally on Nov. 1

About Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

KodavaDelhiKF04nov2013Mysore :

With the objective of seeking autonomous status for Kodagu district, nearly 2,000 persons of the Kodava community boarded a special train this morning to participate in the Delhi Chalo rally, to be staged from the Ram Leela Maidan to the Parliament House on Nov. 1.

The special train, called Codava National Council (CNC) Express, left the City Railway Station at 11.10 am, with 20 coaches, including a pantry car and store-room. The store room coach was stacked with water bottles, groceries for the entire journey of seven days, LPG cylinders, cooking and serving utensils, vegetables and other materials. A team of 70 cooks and their helpers also accompanied the rallyists.

The rallyists started arriving at the railway station since 8 am itself in their private cars and rented vehicles including buses and tempos.

Posters about the demands of CNC were pasted on the coaches along with the coach numbers which were allotted area-wise to participants coming from various towns and villages in Kodagu. People of all ages, including women and children were seen enthusiastically boarding the train.

CNC President N.U. Nachappa, speaking to SOM, reiterated that the CNC’s demand was not for a separate State but for declaring the hill district as an autonomous region.

One of the CNC members said that though sight-seeing in Delhi was not important in their agenda, they will make a brief halt at Jaipur and are expected to return to Mysore on Nov. 4.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / October 29th, 2013