This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the inspiring journey of Kalpana Kuttappa, one of India’s top roller skaters, whose determination and resilience have made her a role model for young women nationwide.
From humble beginnings in Mysuru to representing India on the global stage, Kalpana’s story is a testament to the power of dreams, hard work and unwavering support from family.
Born in Madikeri, Kodagu district, Kalpana moved to Mysuru at a young age for her schooling. Today, she is pursuing her B.A. (Corporate Economics) graduation at Women’s Christian College in Chennai, balancing her academic pursuits with her passion for roller skating.
Her journey into the world of skating began at the age of four when her uncle gifted her a pair of roller skates. What started as a childhood hobby soon turned into a lifelong passion when her mother noticed a group of children practising at a rink and encouraged her to join skating classes.
Since then, Kalpana has never looked back. She has represented Karnataka and India in numerous national and international roller skating competitions, earning hundreds of medals along the way.
Her achievements include participating in the World Championship held in Italy in 2024 and attending an ice skating coaching camp in Bangkok in 2017. She also took part in the 13th National Ice Skating Championship in 2017.
She has probably not returned without a medal from the competitions she has taken part. This talented roller skater also represented India at the World Championship held in Italy from Aug. 25 to Sept. 5, 2024. Currently, she is preparing for the Asian Championship to be held in South Korea from July 19-30.
Kalpana’s journey, however, has not been without challenges. Coming from a middle class family, she has had to overcome financial constraints and a lack of institutional support. Her father, Mukkatira Subbaiah Ravi, works as a mechanic in Mysuru, while her mother, T.K. Swathi (Thathanda), is a manager at an auto spa company in Chennai.
Despite these hurdles, Kalpana’s family has been her pillar of strength, supporting her dreams every step of the way.
“The journey has been tough,” Kalpana says. “There is not much encouragement from the Karnataka Government, and roller skating is not yet recognised as an Olympic sport. Finding sponsors is also difficult, even after winning medals and accolades.”
Kalpana Kuttappa with her parents Mukkatira Subbaiah Ravi and T K Swathi.
Infrastructural challenges
Infrastructure remains a significant challenge for roller skaters in India. Mysuru, where Kalpana grew up, has only one skating rink for the entire city.
Seeking better opportunities, she moved to Tamil Nadu, where she found slightly more support from the State Government and a less politicised environment. “Hopefully, roller skating will be recognised as an Olympic sport in the future so that we get access to better infrastructure and facilities,” she says.
Kalpana’s dedication to her sport is unwavering. She trains for 8-9 skating sessions a week and spends time at the gym to build strength. Balancing her academics and training, she ensures she attends all her college classes before heading to practice in the evenings.
But Kalpana’s ambitions don’t stop at roller skating. She dreams of serving her country in another capacity — as an Officer in the Indian Army.
After her graduation, she plans to appear for the Combined Defence Examination (CDS) and get commissioned into the Indian Army. “It is always a pleasure to serve the country, whether as an athlete or an army officer. It’s a pride that everyone feels while serving the nation in different capacities,” she says.
Kalpana Kuttappa stands as a shining example of what women can achieve when they dare to dream and persevere against all odds. She inspires us to strive for greatness, not just on the rink, but in every arena of life.
Her story is a reminder that with determination, support and the right opportunities, women can break barriers and excel in any field they choose.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles> Top Stories / by S N Venkatnag Sobers / March 22nd, 2025
Approximately five hours west of Bangalore in Karnataka is the Kodagu district in the Western Ghats.
This picturesque area is one of the most affluent districts in India, despite much of the district being used for agriculture.It’s here in the Kodagu district that Sujata and Anurag Goel decided to start up Mojo Plantation in 1994. In doing so, they had hoped to leave behind the rat race of urban living to explore an organic way of life and a more harmonious existence with nature.
Modelled on an organic farm, Mojo Plantation works on ecological principles; gleaned from the experience of the founders in the sciences of botany, plant biochemistry, genetics, ecology and molecular biology.
Also on the plantation is a Rainforest Retreat, a unique eco-tourism project that enables tourists to experience the harmony of living with nature. “The Retreat provides a platform for exchange of information, farming practices, research programs, with likeminded people, farmers and students from India as well as from other countries”, adds Anurag.
Both Mojo Plantation and the Rainforest Retreat fund the Goels’ other project– their NGO entitled Worldwide Association for Preservation and Restoration of Ecological Diversity.
The goal of all these organisations however is similar – to ensure that farmers in the Kodagu region and beyond are aware of the perils of conventional agricultural practices and to promote instead the adoption oforganic farming that preserves soils and fosters biodiversity.
The long-term danger of chemical farming
According to the Goel’s, the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides “kills not only one species which is considered a “pest” of the crop, but also completely destroys the complex network of biotic life that supports that ecosystem.”
This is a major problem in the Western Ghats, especially for coffee and spice crops whose species are threatened by the use of these fertilisers over several years. Since coffee and spices are very important to the entire economy of the region, it is imperative to find and implement sustainable solutions.
It is for this reason that the Goel’s follow ‘natural principles’ such as ecological farming – a practice based on nurturing and nourishing the soils – reduce the damage to crops from pests.
Organic farming practices at Mojo Plantation
Talking about their farming practices, the Goel’s mentioned that they do not stick rigidly to one or two principles. In fact, Sujata notes: “Our aim has been to strike a balance between time-tested traditional practices and modern scientific approaches.”
This mix includes traditional practices such as panchkavya – a concoction, which is prepared by mixing the five by-products of a cow, biodynamic farming, permaculture or natural farming. What results is an organic product, which has the potential to play the role of promoting growth and providing immunity in the plant system.
Despite that the Mojo Plantation is located in an area that receives a lot of rainfall where often limited varieties and quantities of crops that can be grown, the plantation’s farming practices have helped ensure a wide variety of crops that have a unique flavour can be cultivated.
Why choose organic farming?
“Biodiversity levels are greatly affected by decisions that agriculturists make. Organic farming allows for a balance to be struck between land use and the conservation of biological diversity. This is even more important in the Western Ghats as it is a region which has unique and rich species diversity”, says Sujata Goel.
For example, rather than razing natural forests to farm the land, the Mojo Plantation cultivates crops that can be grown in the shade of the rainforest trees to preserve biodiversity whilst also earning an income.
By adopting organic practices, Sujata adds, “The locals can become the caretakers of the forests.”
Organic farming is still in its infancy in India compared to countries such as Australia and Germany. Through Mojo Plantation, WAPRED and the Rainforest Retreat, the Goel’s aim to change the perception of organic farming amongst not only the farmers of the Kodagu district but also the city dwellers that visit their rainforest retreat.
About the author and Ennovent
Sujata Goel of Mojo Plantation is a member of the Ennovent Network and you can connect with her to learn more about their organic farming practices.
The Ennovent Network is a global online community of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and experts with whom you can collaborate to accelerate innovations for low-income markets.
source: http://www.yourstory.com / Your Story / Home> Social Enterprise / by Leilakarnik / July 17th,2013
Meritor, Inc. has announced thatNapanda P. Thimmaiah has been appointed as Vice-President of Asia Pacific effective Oct. 1, 2021. Thimmaiah was most recently Vice-President of India and Australia for the company. In this expanded role, he will be responsible for leading and successfully executing Meritor’s business strategy in Asia Pacific.
Meritor HVS (India) has a unit at Hootagalli in Mysuru and is a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking, aftermarket and electric powertrain solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets. “Thimmaiah has nearly three decades of industry experience during which time he has made a significant mark on the industry,” said Ken Hogan, Senior Vice-President and President of Meritor Truck, Europe and Asia Pacific.
“During his nine years with Meritor, he has grown the business, strengthened relationships, and exceeded expectations for customer quality, cost and delivery. We look forward to his leadership of the company’s interests in the Asia Pacific region,” Ken Hogan added.
Thimmaiah was named one of the Most Promising Business Leaders of Asia in 2020-2021, an award that recognises eminent, visionary leaders who excelled during extraordinary times. The recognition is given to leaders who are committed to creating economic renaissance for their nations.
Napanda Thimmaiah is the son of Napanda B. Poovaiah, retired Inspector of Police, Mysuru and N.P. Devakki. He is married to Sailaxmi, a home-maker and daughter of Madrira Tiny Parvathy and late Biddappa. Their son Kevin Kariappa is currently working as a Partner and Business Development Leader for a Fitness and Wellness Start-up Medifit/Chisel/Miboso. Kevin did his undergraduate degree in Sports Development and Coaching Science at Bournemouth University, England.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 06th, 2021
Roy Coffee Co., a specialty coffee brand founded by Mounika Devakonda, has launched direct-to-consumer with small-batch, single-origin coffees sourced from India and select global origins. The brand sold out its initial inventory within 48 hours of launch and has announced a second production run.
Roy Coffee Co. launches with two SKUs, both small-batch roasted in Los Angeles and fully traceable from farm to cup. The Signature Espresso Blend ($25 / 8.7 oz) is sourced from India, Guatemala, and Colombian Pink Bourbon. The Rotating Single Origin Subscription ($29 / 8.8 oz) features hand-selected beans curated at peak harvest and rotates seasonally. A decaf SKU is in development. All subscription orders ship free, as do purchases over $50.
Devakonda founded the brand after tasting Indian-origin specialty coffee for the first time on a trip to India in 2022, an experience that led to 18 months of research before launching. The brand is currently evaluating retail and wholesale partnerships, with a New York City presence under consideration for 2026.
“Even if nothing comes of this business, I’m just glad I can get a really good, consistent cup of coffee that I know is ethically sourced and high quality. If people love it as much as I do, that’s just a bonus.” – Mounika Devakonda, Founder & CEO, Roy Coffee Co.
About Roy Coffee Co.
Roy Coffee Co. is a specialty coffee brand founded by Mounika Devakonda, focused on exceptional coffees from unconventional origins, starting with India. Small-batch roasted in Los Angeles, every product is fully traceable from farm to cup and built for the coffee drinker who treats their morning ritual as something worth protecting. Available online at roycoffeeco.com with subscriptions starting at $25/month and free shipping on all subscription orders. Follow @roycoffeeco on Instagram and TikTok.
source: www.bevnet.com / BEVNET./ Home> BevNET / by Press releases posted by Roy Coffee Co & MPR Studios- PR Agency / June 04th, 2026
Anvith S. of Madikeri has won the Champion Trophy in the junior category at the 15th International Brainobrain Abacus Competition held at Dubai.
8 year old Anvith S. is being trained by Mapangada Kavitha Karumbaiah at the Brainobrain Madikeri Centre. Anvith was one of the 6 contestants from Karnataka State.
The Abacus competition was held at Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai. Over 1,800 children, from 16 countries participated, and it was a very proud moment for Kodagu, when 8 year old Anvith S. representing India won the Champion Trophy.
Anvith S. is the son of Srinivas V., who is a Lecturer in Made Maheshwara P.U. College and Pavithra M.N., who is working in National Highway Department. Anvith S. is studying in 3rd std in BGS. Public School, Made.
Anvith received the Champion Trophy from from Mr. Arul Subramanian, Director Technical of Brainobrain and Mr. Anand Subramanian, MD Brainobrain.
Faculty Kavitha Karumbaiah attributed the entire credit to Anvith S. for his determination to participate and to his parents and family, for their unwavering support, that made this huge accomplishment possible.
Anvith has won the Gold Topper Medal in the State Level Competition and also the Champion Trophy, in the National Level Competition in Chennai.
source: http://www.clnews.in / CoffeeLand News / Home> General / by CLN Newsdesk / December 13th, 2025
Get the inside story as MacBeans Aberdeen launches its Indian coffee trilogy.
All Indian coffee from MacBeans is farmed organically.
MacBeans in Aberdeen explores the world of Indian coffee, offering fresh blends, single origins and new flavour experiences.
MacBeans Coffee Roasters in the corner of Little Belmont Street in Aberdeen has been open for 37 years. It’s now one of the oldest surviving High Street coffee roasters in Scotland. And unlike most other retailers, it roasts its coffee right on its premises.
For the past several weeks, MacBeans has been roasting coffee freshly delivered from India, which the proprietor, Brian Milne visited early this year.
About 20% of the coffee sold at MacBeans is sourced from India. The shop carries single origin coffees from the South Asian country. But it also uses Indian coffee in many of its own MacBeans blends.
As a former oilfield chemist with a passion for coffee, Brian Milne does not source his coffee blindly. With direct connections to producers all around the world, Brian is able to work closely with them to deliver the highest quality beans to use in every customer’s cup of coffee.
A Passage to India
MacBeans’ proprietor, Brian Milne (center) meets with coffee producers in India
Last January, Brian went on a ten-day trip to South India, facilitated by MacBeans’ coffee importer, to visit different coffee plantations and meet with local producers.
Brian says: “A big part of my drive with our coffee is to make sure I understand where the coffee comes from. Going on these trips is a good opportunity to learn more about what’s happening in each country and finding things that we can support.”
In Bangalore, he met with agricultural communities and local cooperatives, even India’s coffee minister.
Brian shares: “We got to tour The Coffee Board of India’s facility and that really appealed to my background in analytical chemistry. I got very excited over some of the lab equipment because they were doing a lot of work to develop and standardise the quality of the coffee that comes out of India.
“They had an artificial nose and an artificial tongue – analytical instruments designed to analyse the coffee for the compounds that contribute to its aromas and its flavour profile.
An electronic nose analyses coffee for compounds that contribute to its aroma.
“They are building a library of their coffees to keep track of the quality, which was very interesting.
“They also do a lot of agricultural training. A lot of the agronomists who support the farmers have all been trained by or worked with the Coffee Board of India. So there’s a lot of governmental support at that level to help the local coffee producers.”
Caring for the environment
Coffee beans are handpicked by workers in India.
Brian observed that Indian producers followed strict environmental practices. This aligns with the principles of MacBeans, where all the coffee is free of pesticides and farmed organically.
Brian notes: “They reuse a lot of the biomaterials like leaves that have dropped. When they pulp the coffee cherries, all the fruit flesh is composted. That’s what they put back onto the land to help fertilise the crop.
“Because water can be scarce, the processors also collect and recycle the water used from washing the coffee. That’s purified through reed bed processes and reused. So they’re very considerate of the environment.”
People at the heart of the business
Hundreds of people are employed in Indian estates to produce coffee.
Before his visit, Brian knew that India was among the top 10 coffee producers in the world. But he didn’t understand the scale of the production until he saw it for himself.
“During harvest time, the estates we visited would employ about 1,000 people – pickers, processors. But even outside the harvest, there would be 600 or 700 people employed to tend to the land and maintain the plants.
“People are at the heart of the whole process. There are estates owned by families or cooperatives working with small landowners. They all work together to produce their coffee to manage it and support it. It’s a people business.”
The story behind the Monsoon Malabar
Indian workers dry coffee beans in the sun.
On his trip, Brian discovered more about one of MacBeans’ more popular coffees – the Monsoon Malabar.
“What I knew about it was that it was just an aged coffee. Apparently, that came about a hundred years ago when they were shipping coffee from India on long journeys on sailing ships.
“Researchers found that when the coffee got to Europe, it tasted a lot more mellow than it did when it was at origin. They worked out that it was attributed to the damp environment in ships and the extended time the coffee spent in that environment.
“Today, coffee makers in India are replicating that aging process now called monsooning. They harvest the coffee then wash and dry it as normal. But afterwards, it is aged in the monsoon rains then dried in warehouses on the Malabar coast, resulting in a very smooth and mellow coffee.”
This ageing method as well as the production zones are strictly defined by regulations to protect the production and authenticity of the Monsoon Malabar. It’s a system that’s similar to the DOC system for Italian wines.
Busting the Robusta myth
Brian also travelled to Chikmagalur, the heartland of coffee production in South India, right at the tail end of the Robusta crop harvest and the beginning of the Arabica harvest.
MacBeans does not sell Robusta as a single origin coffee. It’s so intensely flavoured that it can be bitter and even unpalatable.
“In India, producers are investing a lot of time and effort into how they treat Robusta coffee when it’s harvested to improve its flavour and develop it into a specialty coffee.
“There’s a method sometimes called the honey process where you pulp the cherries. But you don’t wash off the little bits that stick. So then you still get all kind of fruitiness to the coffee, but it’s a much milder effect.
“They’re also co-fermenting coffees with other fruits in barrels from a few days to a few weeks. The amount of time makes a huge difference to the flavour.
“The trip was an eye-opener for me. I always thought of Robusta as a low-grade coffee that we added to some of our blends to make them stronger in caffeine and in flavour. But we had to be careful about how much we put in because it can affect the taste detrimentally.
“Now I have a much bigger appreciation for the quality of Indian Robusta and its potential to broaden people’s profiles and expectations of coffee. So I’ve committed to use only Indian Robusta. The coffee that I saw being harvested is now in the shop, ready to sell.”
A reminder, though, to those who favour the milder Arabica coffee but would like to explore speciality Robusta. Brian says: “It’s like tasting wine and comparing it to beer; they’re very different – different in the mouth, different flavour profiles.”
The taste of coffee depends on the beans and roasting methods used.
Try MacBeans’ new India coffee trilogy
Of course, Brian was also able to sample Arabica coffee produced at many of the estates.
“There was a huge variety in the flavours that we tried. Some were very fruity, sharp, distinctive flavours that would be great to try.
“We’ve now got Indian Mysore, an Arabica coffee that forms part of our blends. We also roast it as a single origin Indian coffee. The coffee we have now is from the harvest period that started from the end of 2025 and finished up in February this year.”
The Mysore will be combined with Monsoon Malabar and India Tiger Stripes to form MacBeans’ newest coffee trilogy. Inspired by Brian’s recent trip to India, each bag is bursting with flavours just waiting to be explored by eager coffee aficionados.
Rida Tharana makes Coorg proud, picks Nikhil Gajare gown spotlighting Indian craftsmanship for her Cannes red carpet debut. See all the photos.
Coorg-born fashion and lifestyle content creator Rida Tharana officially made her red carpet debut at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on May 13. A day later, Rida took to Instagram to unveil a series of photos that showcase her look that seamlessly bridges the gap between avant-garde global fashion and the meticulous handiwork of Indian artisans.
Rida’s sculptural ivory gown at Cannes 2026
For her walk across the iconic Cannes Film Fetival red carpet, Rida Tharana chose a custom creation by Indian designer Nikhil Gajare. The gown is a striking example of contemporary couture, featuring a structured, strapless corset bodice and intricate curved paneling that flows across the torso, creating a 3D effect that mimics the organic lines of a seashell.
The rigid structure of the bodice gives way to a voluminous, multi-layered chiffon skirt, allowing for a dramatic twirl that captured attention. A unique, copper-toned pleated sash wraps around the hips, providing a metallic pop against the pristine ivory fabric and highlighting the fusion of different textile techniques. To complete the regal ensemble, Rida wore diamond jewellery by Sennes, with her hair styled in a high, textured, voluminous updo.
Rida’s candid post
Beyond the glamour of the red carpet, Rida shared a deeply personal message regarding her journey to Cannes. In her Instagram post, she admitted that her initial reaction to the invitation was to decline. “When I first found out I had the opportunity to walk the Cannes red carpet, I said no. I didn’t think I deserved it. I questioned myself every second,” she revealed
She credited her management team for pushing her beyond her self-doubt. Rida’s post touched on the rollercoaster of emotions — from the fear of public criticism to the eventual realisation that this was her moment to own. She also revealed that the choice of designer was deliberate. Having worked with Nikhil previously, Rida noted that the piece ‘felt like her’. She likened the experience to a childhood dream, stating that while she never had Barbie dolls growing up, the gown made her feel like a princess.
The debut marks a significant milestone for the creator, and by choosing to wear an emerging Indian couturier on one of the world’s most scrutinised stages, Rida reinforced her reputation as a cultural curator, proving that the journey from Coorg to Cannes is paved with hard work, authenticity, and a bit of self-belief.
“When I say this year is mine, I mean it. This year, and everything that comes after, is mine,” she concluded.
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / HindustanTimes / Home / by Sanya Panwar / May 14th, 2026
ANI Photo | Union sports minister meets women hockey players at SAI Madikeri Centre
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centre in Madikeri on May 2 and engaged with women hockey players from the Kodava community at the conclusion of a month-long hockey festival.
Mandaviya emphasised the importance of nurturing talent from across India to achieve the nation’s ambitions of becoming a global sports powerhouse. He highlighted the contributions of the Kodava community in promoting field hockey, noting that Kodagu district is considered one of the cradles of Indian hockey. Over 50 players from the community have represented India internationally, including seven Olympians such as P Govinda, MP Ganesh, MM Somaiya and CS Poonacha.
“Future Olympians in the making! Met with the rising stars of Indian Hockey from the SAI Training Centre (STC), Madikeri, Karnataka,” Mandaviya stated in a post on X.
The minister remarked that the Union Government is committed to developing a comprehensive sports ecosystem and identified the forthcoming 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad as a positive step. He added that India’s rich talent pool provides strong prospects for sporting dominance.
“Taking inspiration from our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the Sports Ministry is committed to nurturing the wide talent pool available across various parts of the nation. Unearthing and nurturing talent from different parts of the country can only ensure that we fulfil the dream of Modi ji. The bigger the talent pool, more the chances of us performing better in big ticket events. I am confident that both Indian men and women will register solid performance in the Commonwealth Games in 2030, where hockey is likely to make a return,” Mandaviya said.
The SAI Training Centre in Madikeri spans 5.49 acres in the hill station region of Kodagu District, approximately 1,100 metres above sea level. It operates as a feeder centre for 22 National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) across India. Facilities include an artificial hockey turf, a 60-bed hostel, dining hall and kitchen. Around 50 girls from the Kodava community train there for various hockey events organised across Karnataka.
source: http://www.thenewsmill.com / The News Mill / Home> Sports / by The News Mill (with ANI inputs / May 02nd, 2026
A new climate analysis finds India’s coffee farms absorbed 30 extra days of harmful heat annually because of carbon pollution. Researchers are racing to find alternatives before Arabica and Robusta run out of room.
A worker picks ripe coffee cherries at Kelachandra Coffee Estate, in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, on January 10, 2026. | Photo Credit: Laxmi Devi Aere/PTI
More than two billion cups of coffee are consumed every day, and for several years now, surging prices and falling production have marked the global coffee trade. Farmers in the world’s top five coffee-producing countries have faced mounting losses because of a warming planet, and India’s coffee sector is not immune. A new analysis by Climate Central, an independent group of scientists and communicators who research the changing climate, finds that 25 coffee-growing countries together accounting for about 97 per cent of global production all experienced more coffee-harming heat over the past five years.
Kristina Dahl, Climate Central’s Vice President for Science, explained to Frontline in an email interview why coffee was chosen as the subject. “Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world and a daily staple for billions of people,” she said. “It also provides a very direct and tangible link between climate change and everyday life. Any climate-driven disruption to coffee production has global ripple effects—from farmers in the ‘bean belt’ to consumers worldwide.”
Coffee plants are highly sensitive to temperature. When maximum temperatures regularly exceed 30°C, the quality and quantity of bean harvests decline. Reduced harvests and lower-quality beans tighten global supplies, contributing to price volatility—as seen in December 2024 and again in February 2025, when global coffee prices reached record highs, Dahl said. For farmers, many of them smallholders, lower yields, crop losses, and the cost of adapting to new conditions strain already thin profit margins.
The analysis, which examined daily temperatures between 2021 and 2025 across 25 major producing countries, is the first to directly attribute the increase in coffee-harming heat days—defined as days when maximum temperatures exceeded 30°C—to climate change using attribution science, she said. Climate Central drew on its Climate Shift Index, which compares observed temperatures to modelled estimates of temperatures in a hypothetical world without carbon pollution. Last year, the organisation conducted a similar attribution analysis on cocoa, another climate-sensitive crop.
Heat is already impacting harvests
The top five coffee-growing countries—Brazil (roughly 37 per cent of global production), Vietnam (17 per cent), Colombia (8 per cent), and Ethiopia and Indonesia (6 per cent each)—together are responsible for 75 per cent of world’s supply, experienced an average of 57 extra coffee-harming heat days per year because of climate change. Brazil averaged 70 additional harmful heat days annually; Indonesia 73; Vietnam 59; Colombia 48; and Ethiopia 34.
The situation is particularly acute in Asia, Dahl pointed out. Thailand recorded an average of about 75 additional harmful heat days a year. India, which contributes approximately 3.5 per cent of global coffee production, experienced an average of 118 coffee-harming heat days per year between 2021 and 2025, of which 30 were attributable to climate change. In a world without carbon pollution, India would have had roughly 88 such days instead of 118. Kerala recorded 65 additional heat days linked to climate change annually; Tamil Nadu 43; and Karnataka, India’s largest coffee-producing State, 32.
These impacts are not theoretical. “In practical terms, rising heat is already affecting harvests in major coffee-producing countries, threatening both quantity and quality,” Dahl said. She pointed out that while earlier studies had linked rising temperatures, drought, and shifting rainfall to reduced yields and shrinking suitable growing areas, the Climate Central analysis adds a new dimension: it quantifies precisely how many additional harmful heat days can be attributed to carbon pollution.
Beyond heat, the analysis notes that climate impacts are worse for Arabica plants, which account for about 60–70 per cent of global supply, since they are more sensitive than Robusta varieties to temperatures above 30°C. Pests and diseases—coffee leaf rust and the coffee berry borer in particular—also intensify with climate change. Without significant reductions in carbon emissions, suitable land for coffee farming could decline by up to 50 per cent by 2050, according to earlier research cited by Dahl. “Adaptation and resilience can only take farmers so far,” she said.
Wild species and the search for alternatives
India is the world’s fifth-largest Robusta producer, and about 80 per cent of its coffee is grown by smallholders, according to World Coffee Research. The country’s coffee exports earned approximately $1.28 billion in fiscal year 2023–24, making it a significant agricultural earner.
Akshay Dashrath, co-founder of the South India Coffee Company (SICC), which he set up in 2017 with his wife Komal Sable as a sourcing and logistics platform, has been researching Excelsa (Coffea dewevrei) since 2019. He found a market initially difficult to reach, but publications by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, on Excelsa and related species accelerated demand. He has been working with Kew for three to four years on climate-resilient coffee species, running trials of Excelsa, Stenophylla, and four coffee species native to India—Coffea bengalensis (found from Chikmagalur to Thailand), Coffea travancorensis, neobridsoniae, and wightiana—on his family’s Mooleh Manay Estate in North Coorg, Karnataka. For the past two years, he has also been breeding Excelsa for better cup quality and commercial viability.
“A hotter environment means coffee is under stress: production per plant reduces, cup quality drops, and the plant weakens. It is happening in specific blocks—those with less shade are more susceptible to disease, and once the plant is weak, it becomes prone to fungal infection,” Dashrath said. He described a severe leaf rust outbreak on his farm: the heavily shaded plants survived, but those under direct sunlight lost their foliage.
Rising heat is not the only problem. He pointed out that for Robusta—and for Arabica—dry air matters as much as temperature. “Heat with dry air is more damaging to certain species,” he said. Excelsa, native to Central Africa, tolerates heat, dry air, and drier soils better than Arabica or Robusta because its root system goes considerably deeper, giving it access to soil moisture that shallower-rooted varieties cannot reach. Dashrath puts Excelsa’s root depth at 4.5 to possibly 7–8 feet, compared with Robusta at 2.5 feet and pure Arabica at around 3 feet.
Coffee plants are highly sensitive to temperature. When maximum temperatures regularly exceed 30°C, the quality and quantity of bean harvests decline. | Photo Credit: Prakash Hassan
Indian coffee has been grown under shade since the 1850s, making canopy management central to the crop’s culture. However, Dashrath notes that many growing belts are now thinning their canopy to increase yields by admitting more sunlight, and supplementing Robusta with external irrigation—a trend that could leave farms more exposed to heat and moisture stress.
India also carries a legacy of genetic limitations. “Historically, we had access to diverse germplasm, including hybrids of Arabica, Liberica, and Excelsa,” Dashrath said. “But in the 1940s, the research focus shifted towards developing Arabica–Robusta hybrids for leaf rust tolerance.” The result is that the country’s commercial varieties remain concentrated in two species highly sensitive to warming. The Central Coffee Research Institute, founded in 1925, is conducting research on climate-resilient coffee, though its director did not respond to a request for comment.
The case for Excelsa as a climate buffer became clearer to Dashrath in July 2024, when 33 inches of rain fell on his farm in a single month—far more than the typical annual average of 58 inches. Arabica and Robusta could not withstand the waterlogging, but Excelsa’s deeper root system held. “When we talk of climate-resilient coffee, we need species that can handle not only heat but also climate variability,” he said.
Stenophylla (Coffea stenophylla), a wild species from West Africa, offers another avenue. Rediscovered in Sierra Leone in 2018 after not being seen in the wild since 1954, Stenophylla has been found to tolerate temperatures significantly higher than Arabica while producing a comparable flavour profile, according to research published in Nature Plants in 2021 by scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the University of Greenwich, CIRAD, and researchers in Sierra Leone. It is currently on the IUCN Red List as “Vulnerable.”
Excelsa currently accounts for about 1 per cent of the global coffee market and is grown commercially in small quantities in Chikmagalur and Coorg. SICC received a grant from Coffee Circle last year to grow Excelsa on trial plots across six different sites; the data from those trials has been shared with Kew, which is mapping climate conditions from Uganda to India and parts of South-East Asia. The trials are informing a broader picture of which plant material performs under changing conditions.
Still, Dashrath is candid about the timeline. Arabica has been bred for around 600 years; Robusta for 150. Excelsa is a wild species with considerable variation from plant to plant, and no consistency in yields. Getting it to a standard where it can compete in commodity markets is a 20–25-year project, he said. “The market is there, but it needs more breeding, standardised seeds, and testing before it can be deployed at scale. Currently it is a niche product, priced rather high.”
There are over 120 recognised coffee species, according to Kew researchers, though most are either inedible or commercially unviable. Coffea racemosa, from Mozambique, has also attracted attention for its claimed heat tolerance, though published data on its upper temperature threshold remain limited. Dashrath is blunt about the bottom line: “If the world gets warmer, coffee-growing areas may shift, or alternatives like Excelsa may need to move to centre stage. To sustain coffee, we need to start looking outside the realm of Arabica and Robusta.”
Concerns about Arabica’s future are felt most acutely in Ethiopia, the crop’s birthplace. Dejene Dadi, General Manager of the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperatives Union (OCFCU), one of Ethiopia’s largest smallholder coffee cooperatives and exporters, put the stakes plainly: “Coffee farmers in Ethiopia are already seeing the impact of extreme heat. Ethiopian Arabica is particularly sensitive to direct sunlight. Without sufficient shade, coffee trees produce fewer beans and become more vulnerable to disease.” He called for governments to act on climate change and invest in smallholder organisations capable of scaling up adaptation. “Coffee farming is part of our cultural heritage, and coffee trees are symbols of continuity and pride,” he added. “Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and Ethiopian coffee farmers are key to safeguarding its future.”
Research at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew—through a project focused on Excelsa and Liberica coffee and related species, with field and farm trials across Africa and Asia—offers some grounds for cautious optimism. The work is designed to identify which species combinations can sustain coffee cultivation in warming conditions and provide farmers with alternatives to the two varieties that currently dominate.
For India’s approximately 3.6 lakh coffee farmers, most of them dependent on Robusta for their livelihoods, and for the country’s coffee export sector—worth close to $1.3 billion in FY2023–24 and significantly more since—the challenge from climate change is not distant. It is measured, now, in 30 extra days of harmful heat each year, and rising.
Meena Menon is a freelance journalist and visiting postdoctoral fellow at Leeds Arts and Humanities Research Institute, University of Leeds.
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Summary
A Climate Central analysis reveals that 25 major coffee-producing countries, including India, are experiencing increased ‘coffee-harming heat’ due to climate change, impacting global production and prices. India faces an average of 118 such days annually, with 30 directly attributable to climate change. This heat stress reduces yields and quality, particularly for sensitive Arabica plants. Researchers are exploring climate-resilient coffee species like Excelsa and Stenophylla, which exhibit better tolerance to heat and variable weather conditions. While these alternatives offer hope, their widespread commercial adoption requires significant research and development, highlighting the urgent need for climate action and adaptation strategies to safeguard the future of coffee.
Key Questions & Insights(AIⓘ)
What is the primary finding of Climate Central’s analysis regarding global coffee production?
Why was coffee chosen as the subject for Climate Central’s analysis?
How does high temperature affect coffee plants and global coffee prices?
What is ‘coffee-harming heat’ as defined by Climate Central?
How many additional coffee-harming heat days did India experience annually due to climate change between 2021 and 2025?
Which Indian states were most affected by climate change-linked heat days for coffee production?
Why are Arabica plants more vulnerable to climate change than Robusta varieties?
What is the potential impact of climate change on suitable land for coffee farming by 2050?
What is the significance of Excelsa coffee in the context of climate change?
What is the current status of Excelsa in the global coffee market?
What is Stenophylla and why is it considered a promising alternative coffee species?
What is the main challenge for India’s coffee sector due to climate change?
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source: http://www.frontline.thehindu.com / Frontline / Home> India> Environment> Digital Exclusive / by Meena Menon / February 25th, 2026
C.P. Belliappa’s A Slice of History: `Victoria Gowramma : The Lost Princess of Coorg’, brings to life the tragic tale of the princess from Coorg
A Slice of History: C.P.Belliappa’s `Victoria Gowramma : The Lost Princess of Coorg’. Photo: M. Vedhan
In a quiet corner of the Brompton Cemetery in London lies a 19th Century grave partially covered by undergrowth. The graceful stone cross above it is slightly broken, but the epitaph composed by Queen Victoria can still be read: “Sacred to the memory of the Princess Victoria Gouramma (sic), daughter of the ex-Raja of Coorg…”
That’s where the strange and tragic tale of Victoria Gowramma, the princess from Coorg who was raised Christian and became Queen Victoria’s goddaughter, ended in 1864. But, her story has come to light again in all its fascinating detail, thanks to C.P. Belliappa’s rigorously researched book “Victoria Gowramma: The Lost Princess of Coorg”, which was recently launched in the city.
“Historical writings on Coorg — mostly gazetteers by the British who lived there during the 19th Century — mention the story of Gowramma and her father, the exiled Raja Veerarajendra, in a paragraph or two,” says Belliappa, author of “Tale of a Tiger’s Tail & Other Yarns from Coorg” and “Nuggets from Coorg History”. “But the details were never there, and I got more and more inquisitive.”
Accidental discovery
His big break came when he accidentally stumbled upon three books written in the 19th Century by people who knew both the Raja and his daughter.
“I was able to download them — for free! — from www.archive.org, where old books are digitised and uploaded,” he says. “They were authentic, first-hand accounts, and comprised 75 per cent of the information I needed.”
The rest he found from the digital archives of The Times, London — reports of court functions and events that contained all sorts of interesting titbits of information. .
“Victoria Gowramma…” traces the intriguing series of events surrounding the princess’ journey to England with her father in 1852, and her difficult and often lonely life there subsequently. The various threads include the exiled Raja’s attempts to reclaim the wealth the British took from him (his reason for taking Gowramma to England in the first place), and the grand plans by Queen Victoria to match-make between Gowramma and another young royal convert to Christianity, Maharaja Duleep Singh of Punjab.
“Queen Victoria believed that if two royals converted to Christianity were married, and their children were born Christian, it would encourage more of their subjects to convert,” says Belliappa. “What’s interesting is that although the plan didn’t work, the Queen continued to be fond of Gowramma to the very end.”
Power dynamics
The book, then, is more than just a portrait of a princess; it gives you a glimpse into the political and religious power dynamics of the time. With its wealth of primary sources, it’s a solid historical work, though Belliappa admits that he was very tempted to go the historical fiction route. “I gave it a lot of thought, and decided finally that the facts themselves were so sensational that they didn’t need fictionalising,” he says.
Since the book’s release in England last year, the author has uncovered even more interesting nuggets of information — for instance, after a bit of detective work, he’s discovered that direct descendants of Gowramma live on to this day in Australia. “I have enough material to add at least an epilogue in future editions of the book,” he says. “It’s been a very exciting time.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Books / by Divya Kumari / March 04th, 2011
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