Category Archives: Records, All

Joshna Chinappa stuns former World No. 1 to win Richmond Open

Chinappa dominated the second game before Grinham fought back in the third. (TOI Photo)
Chinappa dominated the second game before Grinham fought back in the third. (TOI Photo)

Richmond :

Joshna Chinappa of India ended a career-long losing run to Australia’s former world champion Rachael Grinham when she upset the top seed in straight games to win the inaugural $10,000 Richmond Open.

World No.21 Chinappa beat her 16th-ranked opponent 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 for the first time in six meetings to bag her ninth Women’s Squash Association (WSA) tour title at the Country Club of Virginia on Saturday.

With the victory, Chinappa also avenged her defeat of the Texas Open last week when she lost to the 37-year-old Australian in just 24 minutes.

For Grinham, it was the 65th final appearance since making her first tour final back in March 1998 while it was the 16th final for the Indian.

Tournament spokesman Kristen Lange narrated the final. “Starting the first game, Grinham came out swinging, firing her way to a 6-2 lead – however Chinappa surged back through consistent play to level the game off at 6-6,” Lange said.

“From here it was a battle to 11, with the lead oscillating between the two players until a couple unfortunate mistakes gave Chinappa the first game,” he said.

Chinappa dominated the second game before Grinham fought back in the third.

“The start of the third game was once again all Chinappa as she quickly sailed to an 8-2 lead. Never one to be counted out Grinham fought her way back to 8-8, however it was a case of too little too late as Grinham made three critical errors to give Joshana her first win over the courageous Australian,” Lange added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> More Sports / PTI / April 20th, 2014

Kodagu fighting to maintain its existence

The glorious credentials of Kodagu, one of the smallest districts in the State, appears to be on the wane, and the land of Kodavas is literally fighting to maintain its existence in many ways.

Kodagu was a Part ‘C’ State, one of the 10 such regions carved out after the country got Independence, before its merger with the then Mysore in 1956. The others were Ajmer, Cooch Behar, Bhopal, Bilaspur, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Kutch, Manipur and Tripura.

Different scenario
As a State, Kodagu had proved that smaller States could ensure all-round development. The current scenario is different. People cry foul over the “imperviousness” of the elected representatives and the powers that be in terms of attention to the district’s development.

Rapid urbanisation, cash crops being affected by diseases, fluctuating prices of the crops, poor road and power infrastructure, lack of clarity on land tenures, and destruction of forests on the pretext of development haunt the people. Drinking water and regular power supply, telecommunication network and transportation facilities, educational institutions, anganwadi centres and hospitals in villages are still a far cry. Monsoon brings its own misery to the district. None is sure whether or not the next Member of Parliament representing Kodagu (which is part of the Mysore Lok Sabha constituency) would be available to sort out the district’s problems. “Look at the state of roads from Hunsur to Gonicoppa,” said P.T. Bopanna, veteran journalist who has focussed on the issue of lack of development in the district on his web portals.

Politicians cannot remain oblivious to the problems Kodagu is facing, K.G. Ajith, a resident of Madikeri, said. They ought to pay attention and be held accountable, he said.

In 1952, elections were held for the 24 seats of the Coorg legislative body amid stiff opposition to the merger plans. The Congress won 15 seats and Independents (opposing merger) won nine seats. C.M. Poonacha of the Congress became the Chief Minister and K. Mallappa was the Home Minister. Under various circumstances Coorg was merged with the then Mysore in 1956.

Merger
The merger followed the recommendations of the States Reorganisation Commission led by Fazal Ali. All through the Poonacha regime, the relationship between the government and the people was exemplary and cordial, according to C.M. Ramachandra, the former Chief of Bureau of The Hindu in Bangalore.

In 2008, the Delimitation Commission merged parts of the Somwarpet Assembly constituency with Madikeri and Virajpet constituencies, reducing the number of Assembly segments in the district to two. The reason attributed was low population figures.

After being with the Mangalore Lok Sabha constituency, Kodagu was included in the Mysore Lok Sabha constituency.

The Codava National Council led by N.U. Nachappa, which launched a struggle some 22 years ago, has diluted its demand for a statehood to Kodagu. The council now seeks an autonomous status for Kodagu within Karnataka. “The CNC will restore the glory of Kodagu,” Mr. Nachappa said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by J. Jeevan Chinnappa / Bangalore – April 20th, 2014

71.94 voter turnout in Kodagu

The voting was peaceful in Madikeri and Virajpet Assembly constituencies which come under Mysore Lok Sabha constituency. While Madikeri recorded 73.84 per cent voter turn out, Virajpet recorded 70.04 per cent thus registering a total voting percentage of 71.94.
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The voting was peaceful without any untoward incidents. The voters have decided the fate of the 15 candidates including H Vishwanath of Congress, Prathap Simha of BJP and Chandrashekaraiah of JDS. The counting is scheduled for May 16, at Mysore District Centre.

The voting was brisk in almost all polling booths at morning and in some booths voters turned out afternoon. Madikeri observed drizzling at 2 pm, but it stopped soon after 20 minutes without disturbing the polling process.

Voters stood in long queue to excersice their franchise at Madikeri, Onachalu, Moornadu, Virajpet, Arji, Ammatti-Kaarmaadu, Siddapur, Nelmahudikeri, Vaalnuru, Nanjarayapattana, Kushalanagar, Somwarpet, Guddehosur, Suntikoppa, Kambibaane, Chettalli and other areas. Senior citizens took help from others to cast their vote.

First time voters were happy after exercising their franchise. They showed their fingers marked with ink to media persons.

In Dabbadka polling booth, the voting was delayed by one and half hours because of some problem in Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). The staff had to change the EVM to start the polling.

In Madikeri, the stores and complexes were closed and the city wore a deserted look. One of the resident of city said that because of awareness programmes, the turnout was good.

As it was government holiday and some private companies also declared holiday, the voters’ turnout was good. People came from far away places to exercise their franchise, he said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS, April 17th, 2014

Mysorean’s film nominated for Dada Saheb Phalke film fest

 Devieka at work
Devieka at work

Here is another pride of Mysore — Devieka Bopiah, a specialist in Film and Video Design. Her graduation film ‘The Transition’ has been nominated for the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival 2014 and has also won an award in the Pune Design Festival 2014.

Devieka’s love for design began early whilst in School which was encouraged when she joined the MIT Institute of Design, Pune. Previously, in 2012 she made a music video called ‘African Tadka’ and was given ‘The Best Music Video’ award in the Mumbai Short International Film Festival.

“Though I am from Kodagu, having done my schooling from various cities around the country has made me cosmopolitan,” she says. “My love for design began when I was about 16 years old. Studying in Rajasthan, I was intrigued by the art, culture around me and got my first digital camera around the same time with which, began my hobby of photography. There was no stopping after that; my parents encouraged me to do whatever I wanted as long as it was safe and promising,” says Devieka.

Devieka has completed four-and-a-half years specialisation in Film and Video Design.

“I love what I am doing and am confident to face the future in Film Making. I fix schedules and deadlines when I work. It gives me satisfaction to complete before time and review my work before submission. With encouragement from my faculty, I have been able to complete my diploma film three months ahead of time and concentrate on my career,” she said.

“I enjoy travelling and experiencing different cultures while exploring photography along the way. The best experience I have had was in The Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. If you enjoy wildlife and you like photography, Serengeti and the other National Parks in Tanzania is the place to be,” she said.

Devieka Bopiah is the daughter of Moodera Raajeev and Kaveryh Bopiah, residents of Siddharthanagar in Mysore. She intends to pursue a career in Production or Editing.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by K. M. Chengappa / April 10th, 2014

Nidhi Subbaiah to feature in a college documentary

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Actress Nidhi Subbaiah, who did her engineering in Mysore’s Sri Jayachamarajendra Engineering College, will be seen in a documentary film which is being made by the students of SJCE to commemorate the golden jubilee celebration of the college.

The actress took to her micro-blogging website page to share the information, “In Mysore, students from my coll SJCE dropped in to interview me for a documentary they’re making! 50 years of Jayciana..Where it all began!” Nidhi, who got nostalgic, further posted, “Such free spirited wonderful people! Miss the time when I used to be organising the college festival!.. Student life in Mysore City.”

Before foraying into Bollywood, the actress had acted in Kannada movies like Pancharangi and Krishnan Marriage Story. There are reports that the actress, who is looking for quality scripts, may soon sign couple of Kannada projects.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Kannada> Movies / TNN / April 07th, 2014

The Tamara Coorg wins ‘Best Luxury Resort In South India’ award

The Tamara Coorg won the ‘Best Luxury Resort in South India’ award at the South India Travel Awards held in Hyderabad on March 27, 2014. DDP Publications gave away the award at Radisson Blu Hotel at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad.

This exclusive event is presented in four regional editions, with South India as the first event. The award recognises the ‘best of the best’ in travel and tourism in the country. The winners from each zone will now participate in Pan-India awards to be held later in the year.

Senthil Kumar N, Director and CEO, The Tamara Coorg said, “We are really pleased to win this prestigious award. This is a wonderful confirmation of our exclusive service in the luxury segment & our offering to discerning travellers seeking elevated experiences.”

source: http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com / HospitalityBizIndia.com / Home> NewsTrack / by HBI Staff – Mumbai / Monday – April 07th, 2014

Forum to raise funds to convert Sunny Side into a memorial

The Tipu Sultan Nagarika Vedike Kodagu district unit has said that the unit was ready to raise funds from the public to pay Rs 7,80,541 to the Transport department to get the custody of Sunny Side, ancestral house of General K S Thimmaiah.

It was a long pending demand to convert Sunny Side into a memorial.
ThimmaiahKF13apr2014
Addressing a press meet, district unit President K M Kunhi Abdulla said, that the government had announced that Sunny Side would be converted into a memorial eight years ago. However, it has not seen any progress. After the death of General Thimmaiah, his wife had sold the building to the Transport department.

However, owing to lack of maintenance the building was in a deplorable condition. The government should respond to the demands of the people.”

Kannada and Culture department has already written to the government to pay Rs 7,80,541 to take over the building. “If the government fails to initiate measures to convert the building into a memorial, a protest rally will be held in Bangalore. We will extend our support to the Field Marshal K M Cariappa and General Thimmaiah Forum.”

Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said that the State government had earmarked Rs 1 crore in the budget in 2006. “The respective BJP and Congress governments failed to convert the building into a memorial,” he said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Madikeri, April 04th, 2014

‘Rajara Gadduge’ gets ` 20 lakh for renovation

Funds will be utilised for renovation and electrification
RajaraGuddigeKF04apr2014
The State government has released Rs 20 lakh for the renovation of Rajara Gadduge, one of the historical tourist spot near Banni Mantapa in Madikeri.

The State government has earmarked the funds for the renovation work in the last budget and has handed it over to archeological department.

The responsibility of the conservation of the Gadduge has been handed over to the archeological department. The department is getting ready to renovate three mausoleums. The funds have been deposited to the account of the department last month.

Tender was invited for the renovation work. However, no bidder had come forward to take up the work. Now, the department is thinking of taking up the work on its own or call for a re-tender. The decision on the same will be taken up after the Lok Sabha polls, said Archeological department Assistant Officer Sathish.

In the released amount, the work on electrification, painting and renovation of mausoleum of Raja Purohith Rudrappa situated on the left hand side of mausoleums of Chikkarajendra and his wife will be taken up, he said.

The Madikeri Urban Development Authority had laid a park at the Gadduge two years ago. However, owing to lack of maintenance, the park is crying for attention.

Visitors said “the park should be maintained well. Information boards should be installed at strategic locations in and around Madikeri city to furnish details on the Gadduge.”

On Gadduge

Rajara Gadduge is the mausoleum of the former kings of Kodagu namely Doddaveerarajendra, Lingarajendra and Rajaguru Rudrappa. Gadduge has two identical square structures, which are the tombs of the king Doddaveerarajendra and his queen.

They are close to each other, built in Indo-Sarcanic style, flaunting domes and pillars. There is tomb of Lingarajendra which was built by his son Chikkaveerarajendra in 1820. There is a tomb of Purohith Rudrappa which was built in 1834.

There are tombs of commander-in-chief Biddanda Bopu and his son Biddanda Somaiah, who were killed in their fight against Mysore Emeperor Tippu Sulthan.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS / Madikeri – March 23rd, 2014

Good old days, 58 years ago

Lt. Col. Kuppanda M. Muthanna (centre), who brought an old copy of a group photograph of 1956-57, is seen sharing it with yours truly and Dr. A.A. Kuttappa, at the venue — kids we were !
Lt. Col. Kuppanda M. Muthanna (centre), who brought an old copy of a group photograph of 1956-57, is seen sharing it with yours truly and Dr. A.A. Kuttappa, at the venue — kids we were !

Last Sunday, I went to my alma mater Government First Grade College, Mercara, now rechristened as Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College, Madikeri in Kodagu district, my native place.

That visit was to participate and get myself felicitated by the Alumni Association which was started a few years ago at the initiative of a planter couple Mr. and Mrs. K.S. Devaya of Lakshmijala Estate, who happen to be the alumnae of this College and could take interest and spare time to form the Association. Since then, I am told, the alumnae have been holding the annual get-together without fail. Soon the idea of felicitating those who are considered achievers among them in their given field of activity was introduced. This year, I was their choice for such recognition along with Dr. Kodira A. Kushalappa, IFS, retired Chief Conservator of Forests and Mr. Kolibailu A. Belliappa, retired IAS officer.

Though I had become the member when it was first started, I had not attended any of the annual get-togethers. This time I was cornered by a couple of members from City who said I must accept this honour. It was more in deference to the wishes of these well-meaning members that I condescended and went to Madikeri. And I was very happy and pleased to make that journey — a kind of pilgrimage. The presence of the College Principal Dr. A.A. Parvathy was as it should be and I thought, was in keeping with the protocol for such functions.

Dr. Kanjithanda Sunil Muddaiah, Managing Trustee of the Coorg Institute of Dental Studies, located, for appearance, rather precariously on the slopes of a hill in Virajpet and the only dental college in Kodagu, the land of hills and valleys, was the chief guest. An unassuming gentle person, an youngster, also an achiever in his own right considering the way he has built this college and carried it to the heights of excellence in his own way. He does this not for accumulating more money, which in any case he has inherited, coming from a rich, nay wealthy, family of coffee planters, but for passion, a purpose in life. I guess, at the end, the secret of success of all successful persons in life is their passion for what they do rather than mere hard work, which every money-hungry person does. Let it be.

The office-bearers, specially the President Mr. Nandineravanda A. Appaya, took great care in welcoming the alumni with great warmth and then affording them an opportunity to meet each other, recognise each other and then go nostalgic of the old days… in my case, of the days 58 years ago. Time and labour had taken toll of the health and appearance of many, just as in my case. Yet, once recognised, there was bonhomie and good cheer. It was like suddenly finding a long-lost brother or sister. Many were heard asking, “Mr. So and So I presume?” There were embarrassing moments for me as I failed to remember some who were classmates and also hostel mates.

For sure, with age, memories fade and the physical appearance along with mannerisms too change, compared to what I had seen 58 years ago. Naturally, it is hard to recognise a person immediately. It was gracious on their part that no one mistook each other.

I learn, though the Alumni Association was started in 1998 by Konganda S. Devaya with a small number of members, it was dormant till 2013, last year, when N.A. Appaya took over as President. I hope Appaya’s efforts will continue with a new road map for the Alumni Association with increased membership. [Those interested in becoming members of the Association may contact M.K. Kuttappa (Sachi) on Mob: 98454-73965]

In the mixed group of alumnae I found, among ladies and gentlemen, some in good health and some in poor health; some financially well placed, some not so well placed; some retired as government officers with high positions, some simply as government officers; some big coffee planters, some small coffee planters; some with problems connected to the family and hitha shatrus [beloved enemies as children are sometimes called for the trouble they give to their parents], some with their children settled in the US and feeling proud. I too have such issues and problems but overcame them listening to the wiser counsel of wise people. We need not despair. I would like to share here with my readers three such positive, life-sustaining words of solace:

Life is a game of Bridge. We did not invent the game nor design the cards; we did not frame the rules and we cannot control the dealing. The cards are dealt out to us whether they be good or bad. But, we can play the game well or play it badly. A skilful player may have a poor hand and yet win the game. A bad player may have a good hand and yet make a mess of it.

Our life is a mixture of necessity and freedom, chance and choice. We may not change events, but we can change our approach to events.

— Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

I came and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift; nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, not yet favour to men of skill but time and chance happens to them all.

— Old Testament

Begin each day by telling yourself: Today I shall be meeting with interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill-will and selfishness — all of them due to the offenders’ ignorance of what is good or evil.

— ‘Meditations’ by


Marcus Aurelius

Tail-piece: As I strolled around the inner corridors of the college [architecturally a perfect college building which should be a model to those who build colleges] and the galleried classrooms, my thoughts went back to the days I spent there. Boys came with bell-bottom pants while girls came wearing lungis or mundus in coloured checks of Sri Lankan origin. Then there were mini skirts and drain-pipe pants. Lecturers used to come immaculately dressed — suit with tie, closed-collar coats. Nowadays I see them in casuals, wearing bathroom chappals.

No wonder, in many cases, students have no respect for teachers and in turn, teachers have no concern for students.

e-mail kbg@starofmysore.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Abracadabra….Abracadabra / by K.B. Ganapathy / March 25th, 2014

Get-together of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa college alumni association held

Resolve to seek Bharat Ratna for Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa

KEEPSAKE: Members of FMKMCC Alumni Association, who got together at the college in Madikeri yesterday, are seen posing for a group photo.
KEEPSAKE: Members of FMKMCC Alumni Association, who got together at the college in Madikeri yesterday, are seen posing for a group photo.

Madikeri :

It was a heart-warming occasion for the alumnae of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College (FMKMCC) here, who got together yesterday and shared their memorable experiences of more than half-a-century ago.

About 100 former students of the college participated in the get-together held under the Presidentship of N.A. Appaya, President of FMKMCC Alumni Association, for the second time. It was a joyous moment mixed with emotion for the alumnae who remembered their college days, chatted about their lives, profession, family and recalled the trivia of their experiences while in the college.

Established in 1949 as Government First Grade College affiliated to Madras University, it was renamed as FMKMC college in 1994 after Mangalore University took over the college as its constituent in 1993. The campus in an area of 33.36 acres is surrounded by mountains. The college has completed 60 years of fruitful existence.

As part of the get-together function, retired Forest Officer Dr. K.A. Kushalappa, former IAS officer K.A. Belliappa and Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy were felicitated for their outstanding achievements.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kushalappa stated with pride that the education imparted to him at the college had changed the course of his life.

SOM Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, addressing the gathering, said that he studied in the college from 1956 to 1959. He remembered the days when students walked to the college, rain or shine, as there was no public transport. He remembered some of the teachers who were his mentors.

K.A. Belliappa said that the education he obtained in the college for a year was memorable.

The meeting unanimously approved a resolution to urge the Centre to confer Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour, on Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa posthumously.

Earlier, a cultural programme was staged by children, including a dance performance by six-year-old Jeevitha, a skit by the students of FMKMCC about environment protection and conservation and a patriotic song by Liyakath Ali and team.

Managing Trustee of Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences Dr. Sunil Muddaiah, FMKMCC Principal Dr. Parvathy Appaiah, Get-Together Committee President N.A. Appaya, Alumni Association Vice-President Liyakath Ali, Secretary K. Boji Thammaiah and others were present.

A minute’s silence was observed to pay homage to departed members of the Association. Those who were felicitated were introduced to the members by N.D. Charmanna, B.B. Subbaiah and A.A. Poonacha. M.K. Kuttappa and Thulasi introduced the guests.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 24th, 2014