Category Archives: Records, All

Deputy commissioner surveys encroached canal

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All

Madikeri :

The high court has recently directed the Kodagu administration to conduct a survey to find out about the encroachment of a canal and to send a report to the high court for further action. PuggeraRevathiChengappa of T Shettigeri village in South Kodagu had filed a petition requesting the authorities to evict the encroachers.

In response to the court direction, deputy commissioner N V Prasad, along with assistant commissioner G Prabhu, Virajpet taluk tahasildar Arogya Meri, visited the spot. They have identified the encroached area with the help of surveyors.

The canal was formed 60 years back. Recently some persons have encroached on the canal, adding it to their land. They have closed the canal which was formed to use by farmers for farming activities. The encroachers have built a commercial complex, houses and also have formed sites for business purpose. All these issues were mentioned in the petition.

The officers said that a detailed survey report along with the identification sketches will be submitted to the high court.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mysore / TNN / July 06th, 2013

Bopanna makes his first Wimbledon semifinals

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

(Rohan Bopanna and Edouard…)
(Rohan Bopanna and Edouard…)

London :

India’s Rohan Bopanna and Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin, the 14th-seeds, delivered another knockout out blow to the Wimbledon men’s doubles draw, when they bundled out sixth-seeds Daniel Nestor of Canada and Robert Lindstedt of Sweden in a long-drawn, rain-interrupted clash.

Bopanna and Vasselin were leading the fifth set 5-2 with Vasselin to serve for the match when the Swede objected to the dank, dismal conditions. As the skies opened up, the players left the court.

After 90-minutes, when they returned, the Frenchman served out the match at 40-15, needing only a couple of minutes on the lawns. The 7-5, 7-6 (3-7), 6-7 (4-7), 6-7 (3-7), 6-2 result put the 33-year-old Bopanna in his first Wimbledon semifinal.

In the last four, Bopanna and Vasselin will play the winner of the other quarterfinal between top-seeded American twins Bob and Mike Bryan and India’s Mahesh Bhupathi and Julian Knowle of Austria.

Bopanna and Vasselin made a solid start, but were rocked back in the 11th game of the opening set when the Frenchman faced two breakpoints on his serve.

Aided by a mix of some strong serving as well as an error from Lindstedt, the Indian-French pair held. They then broke the Nestor serve in the 12th game when a Vasselin forehand whistled past the opposition, to wrest the early advantage.

The 14th-seeds then quickly wrapped up the second set tie-break. Nestor and Lindstedt won two tie-breaks to level scores and push the match into the decider.

This time the Indo-French duo broke as early as the third game and though Vasselin’s serve was tested in the fourth game, they held firm to break again in the fifth game.

In a late evening encounter on Monday, fourth seeds India’s Leander Paes and Czech Radek Stepanek put out the 15th seeded Pols Lukasz Kubot and Marcin Matkowski 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, to move into the quarterfinals.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Tennis / by Prajwal Hegde, TNN / July 03rd, 2013

Harangi reservoir reaches brim, almost

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

HarangiKF03jul2013
The Harangi reservoir in the taluk is just two feet away from reaching its maximum level. On Monday, the level stood at 2,857.14 feet, against a maximum level of 2,859 feet.

A total of 400 cusecs of water is being released from the dam since morning. The inflow into the reservoir stood at 3,600 cusecs at 8.30 am. The present storage in the reservoir is 7.65 tmc feet against the total capacity of eight tmc feet.

The reservoir had reached its brim in August last year. But this time, the rainy season has begun a month early, facilitating good inflow into the dam. Engineers manning the dam said that the irrigation consultative committee would meet on July 15, after which water would be released to the canals for irrigation. Releasing water to the canals would irrigate 1.37 lakh acres of land.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / DHNS – Kushalnagar (Kodagu Dist.) / July 01st, 2013

Sethuraman estate gets US certification for robusta coffee

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Records, All, World Opinion

Bangalore :

Indian coffee estates are moving slowly to gain US’ roasters interest.

As a first step, the Sethuraman Estates located at Magundi in Chikmagalur after showcasing its produce at various speciality coffee events in the US has now become the first Indian coffee estate to get ‘R Grade’ certificate.

‘R Grade’ certificate are given for washed robusta coffees by the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) which is an arm of Speciality Coffee Association of America (SCAA).

getting premium

The SCAA recently tested Sethuraman Estate’s robusta coffee submission at the CQI and found to have all the required quality parameters. This certificate facilitates the estate to sell and charge a high premium in the US .

The certificate and recognition allows Sethuraman Estates to sell its entire submission of 15 tonnes speciality robusta in the US market spread over a year by using the CQI and SCAA logo.

“The ‘single-origin estate-branded’ coffee of Sethuram Estates has so far fetched a premium of over 30 per cent over the domestic market prices. Currently the domestic washed robusta coffees is trading at Rs 145 a kg,” said Nishant R. Gurjer, Managing Partner, Sethuraman Estates.

entering US

“This certificate and recognition will allow us to enter the lucrative US café market as well,” he added.

The Sethuraman estate located at Chikmagalur began in operations in the 1950s. In the US market, the company is marketing estate-branded coffees – the Sitara Parchment Robusta and the Ne Plus Ultra of Robusta coffee brands.

The US, a traditionally arabica-consuming country, is slowly replacing it with robusta coffees and few companies have initiated moves to source from various countries for create blends.

shift to robusta

This has led to the Coffee Quality Institute, which used to certify only Arabica coffees, now has introduced separate certification for robusta coffees.

ratings

According to the institute’s finding of Sethuraman Estates, the following are the rating with baseline score of 7.14. Aroma 7.58 , flavour 7.42, aftertaste 7.42, acidity 7.83, mouth feel 7.42, balance 7.50, Uniformity 10, clean cup 10 Sweetness 7.42 cupper points 7.58.

Gurjer said, “We entered the US market in 2006 by exporting just two containers (36 tonnes) and so far have reached the level of 8 containers (144 tonnes) of speciality robusta coffees.”

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home / by Anil Urs anil.u@thehindu.co.in / Bangalore – June 21st, 2013

Kodagu gets copious rainfall

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All

Landslides reported from various parts of the district
The rains have intensified in Kodagu district. All taluks including Madikeri received heavy rainfall on Monday.

The overflowing ponds, streams and rivers have brought smiles on the faces of farmers. Rise in the water level in Kootuhole check dam, Chikli and Harangi reservoirs have helped to solve water crisis in the district. Vehicle users were put to hardship on water logged roads.

RainsKF20jun2013
Landslides have been reported from different parts of the district. There has been disruption in power supply following damage to electric wires. Kodagu district recorded an average of 39.65 mm rainfall till 8 am on Monday, whereas that received on the same day last year was 25.65 mm. The district has received 560.28 mm rain from January till date, against 291.47 mm rain recorded last year. Madikeri taluk has received 56.40 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, Virajpet taluk — 36.38 mm and Somwarpet taluk — 26.18 mm rainfall.

The water level at Harangi reservoir on Monday was 2817.31 ft as against the maximum level of 2859 ft.

Telemetric rain gauges

Kodagu district has 48 telemetric rain gauges, of which 38 rain guages are functioning. The gauges are located at Sudarshan guest house, Avandur, Bhagamandala, Galibeedu, Karada, Mundrotu, Napoklu, Naladi, Sampaje, Talacauvery, Moornadu and Dabbadka in Madikeri taluk, Somwarpetm Koodige, Kushalnagar, Madapura, Shanivarsanthe, Suntikoppa, Harangi, Shanthalli, Soorlabi, Koodlipet in Somwarpet taluk, Virajpet, Ammathi, Kurchi, Karmadu, Kallalla, Maldare, Mathigodu, Moorkallu, Nagarahole, Ponnampet IB, Srimangala, Thithimathi, Siddhapura in Virajpet taluk.

The telemetric centres at Karike, jail in Madikeri, Anekadu, Dubare, Huduguru, Kargodu in Somwarpet taluk, Balekovu, Devamachi, Makutta, Vatekolli in Virajpet taluk have been damaged.The State has proposed to install telemetric rain gauges in 98 gram panchayats in the district, of which 23 rain gauges have been already installed, said District Statistician Prameela.

In the backdrop of heavy rains forecast by the meteorological department, Additional Deputy Commissioner (In-charge) G Prabhu, in a press release has said that head teachers have been entrusted with the responsibility of declaring holidays to schools.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Madikeri, June 17th, 2013

Halappa makes history of sorts, named national selector

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, Sports

Arjun Halappa | EPS/File
Arjun Halappa | EPS/File

Arjun Halappa, who led India in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Malaysia in 2011, has made history of sorts by becoming the first sportsperson to be named as a national selector while still being a very active player.

Hockey India (HI) announced a panel to be headed by former star B P Govinda and which includes Arjun Halappa’s name. Arjun is still a very active player turning out for Air India in the ongoing HI nationals at Pune. Arjun made his debut for India in 2001 against Egypt in the Prime Minister’s Gold Cup. He represented the country in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. He was also in the 2010 Commonwealth Games team in New Delhi where India were the runners-up and also picked up the Asiad bronze the same year in Guangzhou, China.

“I’m not going to hang up my boots. I will continue to represent my employers Air India. Playing will help me keep up with the latest trends in the game,” Arjun said.

“This is a very big surprise and I’m very excited. I’ve been a player and captain and this is a new challenge for me. It’s just early days and I don’t want to comment much,” he added. “As a player I will be able to provide inputs to the coaching staff,” said Arjun.

So the scenario now is that a player-cum-selector will also work as an advisor to the coaches. This is the first time in the history of Indian sport that something like this has happened. Players becoming coaches once they give up playing is an accepted norm. Players taking to umpiring is also welcome. But an active player also functioning as a selector? The move has, indeed, raised eyebrows.

The closest a player has come to also being a part of the selection process is in Indian cricket. The captain is part of the selection committee’s deliberations and gives his inputs. But he is not actually on the selection committee as in the case of Arjun.

What happens if Arjun strikes great form and has to decide on his own inclusion? He has still not announced his international retirement. At 34, he may not be in contention for a place. But what if the others want him in the team? Even if he is there on sheer merit, aspersions will be cast. Should a selector select or even drop himself only because he is a selector?

“It is too early to induct someone like Arjun into the selection committee. Yes, he surely deserves to be a selector but this is not the right time for him to be on the panel as he is still a very active player,” said former India skipper, coach and selector M P Ganesh.

“I became a selector only after 26 years of playing hockey. In fact I had even given up coaching the Indian team and only then I was part of the selection process. Young people are needed but not so young and not for the job of selection,” Ganesh added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> The Sunday Standard / by S S Shreekumar / ENS – Bangalore / June 02nd, 2013

Plants of plenty

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

As we set out for a darshan of Sri Omkareshwara from our forest lodge at Madikeri, gray hornbills are flapping out of Guler trees at dawn.

The birds live in sacred groves called Devakadu , which have been protected for centuries by the local Kodavas. Their belief in the power of the spirit world forbids them from taking even a single twig or berry from these jungle sanctuaries of the gods.

This might explain the presence of so many wild creatures in our vicinity, which are otherwise conspicuously absent in unprotected areas. In the Kodava pantheon, such an endlessly bountiful aspect of Nature is incarnated in the Great Spirit called Igguthappa. Igguthappa literally means “Giver of Grains” .

He also embodies a deep ecological irony of the sacred forest grove – and that is, Nature thrives best only when humans exploit it the least. Biodiversity, therefore, remains inversely proportional to intensity and scale of use.

The Great Spirit that supposedly fulfils all the desires of the devotees also teaches them the value of forbearance and curbing of wanton use of scarce resources. From base to top, the towering Ironwood trees in the sacred grove are covered with gorgeous bunches of electric blue flowers . Over several centuries, these have never been plucked!

In stark contrast, scores of majestic trees lining the old roads of Kodava coffee lands are being slaughtered to make way for wider lanes. The spindly green saplings lining the new roads can never hope to attain their full stature without watchful care and compassion provided by humans lasting several generations.

source: http://www.articles.economictimes.timesofindia.com / The Economic Times / Home> Opinion> Spiritual Atheist / by Vithal C. Nadkarni, ET Bureau / May 29th, 2013

Nikhil Chinappa to represent India at ‘International Music Summit’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion

AssociationKF29may2013
The well established brand, label and worldwide dance music empire Ministry Of Sound has recently joined forces with commercial house giant Defected to create the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM). A pretty colossus partnership.

The 51-strong international board of advisors will meet during this week’s International Music Summit in the global ‘party’ capital of Ibiza to discuss a range of issues covering marketing, health, safety and piracy. It brings together representatives from across the industry covering 15 countries, with an eventual aim of creating a “worldwide voice for electronic dance music”. Representing India is of course our ‘EDM poster boy’ Nikhil Chinapa.

Nice idea but we’re not quite sure what this will actually achieve other than being a glorified networking holiday, but who’s going to say no to a free holiday in the sun.

Home_V3


Association For Electronic Music Website

source: http://www.thewildcity.com / Wild City / Home

Nidhi Subbaiah, on being voted No. 6 on Bangalore Times Most Desirable list

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

Former Sandalwood actress Nidhi Subbaiah, who has acted in Kannada films Pancharangi and Krishnan Marriage Story among others, seemed a little flustered yesterday when she saw what she had scored on the Bangalore Times Most Desirable list. The actress, who was rated number 42 in the national list, appeared at number 6 on the regional list.

(Nidhi Subbaiah )
(Nidhi Subbaiah )

Her comment on the list on Twitter began with, “These individual city polls are funny! I believe only in the national poll.. God bless small minded people! .. Tch.” The actress, who was last seen in the Bollywood film Ajab Gazabb Love opposite Jackky Bhagnani, went on to further add, “Also, nice to read em sometimes.. Get to know a lot about myself that I didn’t know!Like who’s dating who!No time to confirm? Double tch.”

The comments, however, has not gone down too well with fans, colleagues and friends. While one of her fans posted a snapshot of hers from the list congratulating the actress, Nidhi, reacted with a “hmmm no I don’t believe in this! False news.”

Actress Ramya, who topped the regional list, too could not help but react to Nidhi’s comments. “We may be small minded but we have a big heart. We mean good to others and of course we don’t forget our roots as much as we branch out,” Ramya tweeted.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Regional / by Parinatha Sampath, TNN / Monday – May 21st, 2013

Anjaparavanda family wins Madanda cup Kodava hockey fest

Records, All, Sports

MadandaCupKF19may2013
Virajpet (Kodagu),(KBM&KMC) :

In the 17th edition of the Kodava Hockey Festival hosted by the Madanda family at the Kodava Sports and Cultural Grounds at Balugodu, Anjaparavanda team lifted the winner’s trophy in the final match played yesterday.

The Anjaparavanda team defeated Palanganda team — who were hat-trick winners of the trophy by 2-0 goals.

Anjaparavanda, which ruled the game from the beginning, succeeded in defeating the strong opponent Palanganda team, which drastically failed to convert six penalty corner options into goals.

The Hockey Festival ended on a colourful note with the valedictory programme marked by a music recital, followed by a body-builders’ show and Kolaat by Kodava artistes. Founder of the Kodava families Hockey Festival Pandanda Kuttani Kuttappa inaugurated the final match by hitting a silver ball with silver hockey stick. Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah, MLC M.C. Nanaiah and other dignitaries viewed the final match in which 225 teams participated. Next year the festival will be hosted by Thathanda family.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / May 13th, 2013