Category Archives: World Opinion

Kodagu battlers ready for action

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

KodaguBattlersKF16jul2016

If there is one place in Karnataka that has produced top quality hockey players on a consistent basis, it has to be Kodagu. And when it comes to producing Olympians, few regions can match this picturesque district.

Joining the stalwarts likes MP Ganesh, BP Govinda (both 1972 Olympics), AB Subbaiah (1992, 96) and CS Poonacha (1992), Arjun Halappa (2004) who all donned the Indian colours at the quadrennial extravaganza, is the quartet of SV Sunil, Nikkin Thimmaiah, SK Uthappa and VR Raghunath who will form part of India’s charge in Rio.

“I am lucky to have been born in a region that has such rich tradition of hockey,” gushed India’s ace dragflicker Raghunath.

“The tradition dates long back. We have that in our blood. Promoting hockey and joining the Indian Army are the two things that people in Kodagu look up to as they grow up,” he remarked.

While Raghunath believes that it’s the love for the game that has resulted in such a surge of players, the vice-captain of the Rio-bound side, Sunil, credited the way in which Kodagu nurtures the upcoming talent. “I think it has got more to do with the way we nurture talent. We have clubs and loads of teams that play hockey,” said the forward.

“I remember my days. The seniors at the club would come home and drag me to the ground if I didn’t turn up for a practice session.”

Uthappa explains the keen interest that the people back in his hometown take in the game: “Recently when I was back home for two days, the way people spoke — not only the ones I knew, but also strangers — about the Champions Trophy was really touching.

“It not just a compliment, but people would dissect and analyse every move of yours. Things like you should have done this and not that and so on. That shows the interest people have,” he said.

Joining the illustrious list of hockey Olympians from Kodagu for the first time is Thimmaiah. And the 25-year-old is eagerly looking forward to it. “I grew up reading and hearing about Olympics. And here I am preparing for what will be my first Olympics. I want to ensure that I do well and give the best for my team,” stressed the 25-year-old.

While the Kodagu quartet is sure to play a key role in the Indian set up for sometime now, there are worrying signs. The junior national side, that is busy preparing for the Junior World Cup later this year, has no player from Karnataka. Raghunath, though, believes that it’s just a phase.

“Yes, we did have a small break in between, where you had no one coming up in the age-group category. But I see it as a part of a cycle,” he said.

“We have been identifying good players in the U-16 and U-18 level. And I am sure by next year we will have guys in these age-group teams too. But insofar as the Junior World Cup is concerned, the core group looks set and it’s difficult for anyone to break in now,” he reasoned.

DH News Service

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports / by Naveen Peter / DHNS – Bengaluru, July 16th, 2016

Karnataka quartet eyes glory in hockey at Rio

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, World Opinion
Raghunath Vokkaliga. (Getty Images)
Raghunath Vokkaliga. (Getty Images)

Bengaluru :

Karnataka has added another feather to its glorious hockey history with four players having secured berths in the 16-member Indian squad for the Olympics. The quartet of SV Sunil, VR Raghunath, SK Uthappa and Nikkin Thimmaiah – all from Kodagu district – will have a key role to play when India launch their campaign in Rio de Janeiro against Ireland on August 6.

Star striker Sunil, who was handed the role of vice-captain, said he enjoyed taking up responsibilities. “Vice-captaincy came as a surprise. I was not expecting it,” said an elated Sunil, who essayed a similar role at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (April) and Champions Trophy (June).

“I feel that I play better when I am asked to shoulder a big responsibility. I enjoy doing that. My job is to share the decision-making duties with my skipper and motivate our players,” added Sunil, 26, who made his Olympic debut at London 2012.

The striker, a veteran of 190 international matches, felt the team is headed in the right direction. “We have prepared well for Rio. We have identified small mistakes and worked on them. The players are high on confidence,” he added.

With 214 international caps, Raghunath is second in the list of senior members in the side after former skipper Sardar Singh (247). Being part of a team that finished a disappointing 12th at the London Games, Raghunath realises the challenges of playing at the highest level.

The drag-flick exponent, making his second Olympic appearance, felt the team has improved in all departments. “London Olympics was very disappointing. But this time we improved in all aspects of the game,” he said. “In the tournaments leading up to Olympics, we have played all big teams and proved that we are a force to reckon with. We have prepared strategies after analysing other teams’ strengths and weaknesses. What is more important for us is to start on a winning note in Rio.”

Midfielder Uthappa, 24, who was part of the Indian team in London, said. “It is great that we have four players from Kodagu in the Olympic team. Making my second appearance in the Olympics gives me a high but I am looking to contribute to the team’s success,” he said.
“Our performance at the London Olympics was very unsatisfactory and we want to put up a better show this time,” Uthappa, who has played 94 matches for India, added.

It’s dream come true for forward Thimmaiah, who will be making his debut. “It’s an honour to represent India at the Olympics. The positive thing is that in the lead-up to the Olympics, we have produced good results in all tournaments. We will look to maintain the same form at Rio,” said 26-year-old, who has 71 international caps.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home / Sunil Subbaiah / TNN / July 13th, 2016

Joshna Chinappa breaks Top10 barrier

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

JoshnaKF05jul2016

New Delhi :

Top squash player Joshna Chinappa on Friday rose to a career high 10th position in the latest PSA world rankings, becoming the second Indian to break the top-10 barrier after longtime India teammate Dipika Pallikal.

Chinappa, who has been in fine form in the last six months, moved a place to be 10th in the standings. Pallikal, who broke the top-10 barrier in December 2012, is ranked 19th in the latest rankings.

Chinappa had reached her biggest ever final at the HKFC International in Hong Kong in May.

She is now getting ready to defend her title in the National Championship, to be held in Mumbai from July 12.

Pallikal, who was 18th last month, dropped a place in the rankings. She was a quarterfinalist at the HKFC International.

The only other Indian in the top 20, Saurav Ghosal, remained on 17. Ghosal had been off action for a while nursing an ankle injury and is due to return to active squash at the Nationals in Mumbai.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / July 04th, 2016

Joshna Chinappa Breaks Into World’s Top-10

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

Joshna Chinappa is now the second Indian squash player after Dipika Pallikal to enter the top-10 ranking. Dipika is currently ranked 19th.

Joshna Chinappa entered final at the HKFC International in Hong Kong in May. / @ AFP
Joshna Chinappa entered final at the HKFC International in Hong Kong in May.
/ @ AFP

New Delhi:

Joshna Chinappa, top squash player, on Friday rose to a career high 10th position in the latest PSA world rankings, becoming the second Indian to break the top-10 barrier after Dipika Pallikal.

Chinappa, who has been in fine form in the last six months, moved a place to be 10th in the standings. Pallikal, who broke the top-10 barrier in December 2012, is ranked 19th in the latest rankings.

Chinappa had reached her biggest ever final at the HKFC International in Hong Kong in May.

She is now getting ready to defend her title in the National Championship, to be held in Mumbai from July 12.

Pallikal, who was 18th last month, dropped a place in the rankings. She was a quarterfinalist at the HKFC International.

The only other Indian in the top 20, Saurav Ghosal, remained on 17. Ghosal had been off action for a while nursing an ankle injury and is due to return to active squash at the Nationals in Mumbai.

source: http://www.sports.ndtv.com / NDTV Sports / Home> News / by Press Trust of India / July 01st, 2016

Indian Writer Gets Gourmand Award for World’s Best Book on Coffee

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, World Opinion

City-based freelance journalist and author P T Bopanna’s book ‘The Romance of Indian Coffee’ has been chosen as the world’s best book on coffee at The Gourmand World Awards function at Yantai in China.

The book, earlier shortlisted for the finals of the ‘Best in the World’ books under the ‘coffee books’ category, was picked from the entries of 64 countries, according to Bopanna.

‘The Romance of Indian Coffee’ was published in 2011, and takes a 360-degree view of Indian coffee.

The final results were announced recently in which the book was ranked first, followed by entries from the United States and Brazil in the second and third places respectively, Bopanna said in a release here.

Spain headquartered The Gourmand International every year honours the best food and wine books, printed or digital, as well as food television with the awards open to publishers in all languages and countries.

The Gourmand Awards celebrate global cookbook and wine book publishing, and feature many world-renowned chefs each year.

Bopanna has authored five books and runs a few Kodagu-centric websites and recently produced a documentary film titled ‘Discover Coorg’.

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> The Newswire> Books & Culture / PTI / June 28th, 2016

Starbucks Plans to Debut Small-Lot Coffee From This Tea-Growing Country

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), World Opinion
Staff work behind the counter of India's first newly-inaugurated Starbucks outlet in Mumbai on October 19, 2012. / Photo- PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)
Staff work behind the counter of India’s first newly-inaugurated Starbucks outlet in Mumbai on October 19, 2012. / Photo-
PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)

It’s also one of the coffee chain’s fastest-growing markets.

Starbucks for the first time will sell single-origin, premium coffee from India in the United States as part of its effort to support coffee production in the country better known for its tea.

Starbucks SBUX -0.23% for a limited time later this year will sell a small-lot arabica coffee from the Tata Nullore Estates in India’s Coorg coffee growing area. The coffee will be roasted and sold at Starbucks’ Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room in Seattle. The price was not disclosed.

John Culver, group president for Starbucks Coffee China/Asia Pacific, told Reuters that the aim is for this to be the “first step in what we hope will be many reserve coffees coming out of India.”

It’s also one of the coffee chain’s fastest-growing markets.

India, which produces both robusta and arabica, is the world’s sixth-largest coffee producer. Its coffee output has increased 16% over the past 5 years, according to International Coffee Organization (ICO) data.

India’s estimated 2015/16 harvest is expected to be 5.83 million 60-kg bags of coffee, according to ICO.

The country is one of the coffee chain’s fastest-growing markets. Starbucks’ India, an equal joint venture between Starbucks and Tata Global Beverages Limited, has grown to 84 stores across six cities in India since its start in 2012.

Starbucks India, which so far has served only 100% arabica coffee grown and roasted in India, will also begin offering Kenyan and Sumatran coffee soon, Culver said.

source: http://www.fortune.com / Fortune / Home> Retail> Coffee / by Reuters / June 27th, 2016

Coffee from Coorg to find its way into Starbucks in Seattle

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, All, World Opinion

CoorgCoffeeKF27jun2016

Mumbai :

Coffee grown at the Tata Nullore Estates located in Coorg will now be available at Starbucks in Seattle. This is the first time Starbucks will offer a single-origin coffee from India in the US.

This is part of the multiple new initiatives decided in a meeting between the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks Coffee Company, Howard Schultz, and Chairman, Tata Sons Ltd, Cyrus Mistry, at the iconic Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room in Seattle.

“For the first time, Starbucks will offer a single-origin coffee from India in the US, giving customers from outside the country a unique opportunity to experience a rare, small-lot coffee from the Tata Nullore Estates located in the beautiful Coorg coffee growing area of India. Starbucks Reserve Tata Nullore Estates will be the first coffee from India to be roasted at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room and will only be available at this Seattle location later this year,” said a press statement.

Starbucks also announced plans to increase its coffee roasting capacity for supplying its stores in India and, over time, select markets around the globe. Since Tata Coffee Ltd opened its doors to a roasting and packaging plant in Kushalnagar in Coorg, Karnataka, in 2013, this facility has steadily increased its roasting capabilities. Today, it roasts the Starbucks India Estates Blend and Espresso Roast coffees and will soon expand to include both Kenyan and Sumatran coffees for Starbucks stores throughout India.

“We are proud to work with Starbucks, a company which shares our commitment to both the coffee growing regions and the coffee farmers to ensure we meet the global demand for high-quality coffee over the long-term,” said Mistry.

Starbucks also announced it will soon take flight on Vistara, India’s fastest growing full-service airline, later this year. Starbucks’ fresh brewed coffee service will be exclusively available on all Vistara flights. A joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, Vistara operates more than 457 flights weekly to 17 destinations across India and, in June celebrated the milestone of flying two million travellers.

Starbucks will also extend its Teavana specialty tea brand to India this December. Starbucks also plans to expand the availability of Himalayan Mineral Water, bottled by Tata Global Beverages, beyond Starbucks stores in India to Singapore later this year, as the companies explore opportunities to introduce the bottled water brand to stores across Starbucks China and the Asia-Pacific region.

Schultz and Mistry committed to come together to provide young people in India valuable skills training over the next five years through Tata STRIVE, an initiative aimed at arming youth with skills for employment, entrepreneurship and community enterprise.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / The Hindu Bureau / Mumbai – June 27th, 2016

Rain in Brazil brings cheer to Indian coffee market; global prices at 13-month high

Coffee News, World Opinion
A waiter serves coffee to customers inside an Indian coffee house in Kolkata June 20, 2014 (Representational image).Reuters file
A waiter serves coffee to customers inside an Indian coffee house in Kolkata June 20, 2014 (Representational image).Reuters file

Coffee prices are at a 13-month high in international markets, after rain hit world’s largest-producer Brazil, lifting share prices of Indian coffee companies on Wednesday.

Tata Coffee was the biggest gainer at 6.21 percent on the BSE at around 2.30 p.m., followed by Tata Global Beverages and Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation.

“In Brazil it is raining too much in the Arabica areas, and this is definitely causing quality concerns,” Reuters had quoted a European physical coffee trader as saying last Friday.

An Indian coffee grower said heavy rainfall is bound to impact harvesting of coffee crop.

“Rains at the time of harvest can damage the crop as the beans will fall off. As a result, Arabica prices have been looking up in the last few days. Also, one cannot wish away the effect of drought in Brazil earlier in the year. Hence, it may not turn out to be a bumper crop as projected but not a bad crop either,” the Economic Times quoted coffee grower Anil Bhandari as saying.

Workers load 60-kg jute bags of coffee beans for export into a container in Santos, Brazil, December 10, 2015.Reuters file
Workers load 60-kg jute bags of coffee beans for export into a container in Santos, Brazil, December 10, 2015.Reuters file

On June 17, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) had forecast world coffee production for 2016/17 to rise by 2.4 million bags from the previous year to 155.7 million bags (60 kg per bag). The estimate was based on Arabica output in Brazil increasing to about 60 percent of total production, neutralising lower Robusta production in the country, along with Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Arabica and Robusta are two main categories of coffee worldwide. The Arabica crop determines global coffee prices.

After factoring global consumption at 150.8 million bags, the USDA said exports from Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil and India are likely to remain lower (than last year).

India had exported 3.20 tonnes of coffee in 2015-16, up 13.39 percent from the previous fiscal.

After from being the largest producer, Brazil is also the largest exporter of coffee.

source: http://www.ibtimes.co.in / International Business Times / Home> News> Companies /by S V Krishnamachari / June 22nd, 2016

Rohan Bopanna’s first love and his love for Paris

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

Paris, June 3:

Rohan Bopanna has been India’s top ranked doubles players over the last few years and had a very successful 2015 where he won four titles and reached the final of the year ending ATP Tour Finals tournament at London.

He has also done well at the majors, reaching the quarter-finals of two Grand Slams, including the French Open this week and semi-finals of Wimbledon where they beat the legendary pair of Mike and Bob Bryan.

File photo. Indian Aces' Rafael Nadal and Rohan Bopanna during a game against UAE Royals Roger Federer and Cilic during the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) men's double match at IG Stadium in New Delhi.
File photo. Indian Aces’ Rafael Nadal and Rohan Bopanna during a game against UAE Royals Roger Federer and Cilic during the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) men’s double match at IG Stadium in New Delhi.

How would he explain his consistency over the past few years and the impact of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi?

“It’s really special that I am playing a high level of tennis. I am at the peak of my career. I have seen how much Leander and Mahesh have done for India and they still keep fighting out there. It’s not easy.”

“I am very happy that I am No.1 in the country and keeping the Indian flag flying every single tournament and working hard to winning the title every time you step on court. It’s been a tough journey but I am really happy the way I have been playing.”

So what are the travails of a professional tennis player? Bopanna felt it was the sacrifices they make to be away from home, family and friends and travel about 30-35 weeks every year.

“But this is the choice I have made and know this is how it’s going to be. But thankfully my family and friends understand this and it makes it easier.”

Bopanna also shared some of his career goals. “Winning a Grand Slam and reaching No.1 in the rankings would be the ultimate goal. I had reached a high of No.3 in 2013 after reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon and would like to better that.”

He added that he is highly motivated by competition and doesn’t think about the awards. “I don’t think you have to worry about the awards. If you keep playing well, the country will recognise how you are doing and grant you that award.”

Bopanna is a man on a mission. Looking to give back to tennis what the sport has given him, he has launched the Rohan Bopanna Tennis Academy at Bengaluru. “The main reason is because of the passion I have for the sport. The Indian players have a lot of skills but it is the fitness aspect that we are lacking. So I will be focussing on that.”

Bopanna also shared his favourite memories on court. “My most special moment was representing India for the first time in Davis Cup in 2002. Also my singles win in final rubber of 2010 Davis Cup against Brazil in Chennai to take India to the World Group as we made a comeback from 0-2 down to win 3-2. In Grand Slams, it was reaching the final of the US Open with Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. It’s rare that India and Pakistan come together in sports.”

So does Paris hold special memories? “The city is so beautiful. It is such a romantic city. It was the first place my wife accompanied me. There’s so much to do, there’s great culture, great food and the best clay courts in the world,” answered Bopanna.

The Indian star from Bengaluru loves watching other sports and follows Manchester United and the ‘Bangalore teams’ — be it Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bangaluru FC in the I-League and Bengaluru Bulls in the Premier Kabaddi League. He was a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and loves to watch Virat Kohli now and also the Indian badminton stars.

Bopanna is also amazed at the skills of star South African batsman AB de Villiers, “Every time I speak to South African players, they say he’s great in Tennis, great in Golf, great in Cricket. He’s just an all-round sportsman.”

In fact, Rohan’s love for tennis and sports is so great that his wife jokes that his tennis bag is his first love!

IANS

source: http://www.oneindia.com / OneIndia / Home> News> Sports / Friday – June 03rd, 2016

‘Vietnam King’ title awarded to city’s Yoga Guru Dr. Raghavendra Pai

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Yoga Guru Dr. Raghavendra R. Pai, Founder, Sri Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishthana, Mysuru, seen receiving the award at the 2nd Om Yoga & Wellness Hub Festival, held at Vietnam recently.
Yoga Guru Dr. Raghavendra R. Pai, Founder, Sri Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishthana, Mysuru, seen receiving the award at the 2nd Om Yoga & Wellness Hub Festival, held at Vietnam recently.

Mysuru :

In the culture barter expedition of global leaders around the world, Yoga from India has found itself a revered place across borders in an overwhelming acceptance.

Standing up for the physical, mental and spiritual balance practice, Yoga traces its origin back to the diversely fit cultural land of India.

Last year in his UN address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested to have June 21 of every year dedicated to celebrate this practice as International Yoga Day.

“Let’s pledge to make Yoga an integral part of our daily lives,” he mentioned. June 21 (Summer Solstice), is also the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.

As the entire world gears up for the 2nd International Yoga Day celebrations in June 2016, countries across the globe are leaving no stone unturned to make it a grand success. Vietnam, much ahead in its vision to promote Yoga, had organised an event to recognise the efforts of Yoga practitioners from India, who have worked hard to promote Yoga across the world.

Vietnam’s Om Yoga & Wellness Hub, a centre for Yoga, Ayurveda and Wellness, along with Sri Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishthana, Mysuru, had jointly organised the 2nd Om Yoga & Wellness Hub Festival, in line with International Yoga Day celebrations, on May 14 and 15, 2016 at Om Yoga & Well- ness Hub by Master Santhosh Cheriyamane, Binh Duong, Vietnam.

The event created two National Records — 81 yoga students and instructors performing 1008 Suryanamaskaras and a 24-hour Yoga marathon under the guidance of Yoga Guru Dr. Raghavendra R. Pai, Founder, Sri Vedavyasa Yoga Pratishthana, Mysuru and Master Santhoshkumar Cheriyamane Anand, Founder, Om Yoga and Wellness Hub, Vietnam.

For their excellence in Yoga, Dr. Raghavendra Pai and Master Santoshkumar Cheriyamane were awarded the prestigious ‘Vietnam King’ title by the Vietnam Book of Records on May 24. The certificates were officially handed over to them by the President of ‘Vietnam Book of Records’ Dr. Nguyen Van Vien and Chief Spokesperson Le Tran Truong An.

The other recipients of these title included Konanavar Somashekhara, Hebbasuru Siddappa Shivappa, Dombara Ganesh, Keri Suresh Kallappa, Annigeri Shivakumar, Yoga instructors from Karnataka and Perumal Selvakumar and Palanisamy Premkumar from Tamil Nadu.

Santosh Kumar Cheriyamane Anand, a Yoga practitioner, originally, hailing from Kushalnagar in Kodagu and Nguyen Thi Thanh Van from Vietnam, co-founders of Om Yoga & Wellness Hub, have popularised Yoga in Vietnam and also successfully established centres across three more cities in Vietnam. At these Centres, 12 dedicated instructors from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are imparting knowledge on not just practising Yoga, but also on Ayurveda and its natural healing methods and processes to those interested in and around the region.

The efforts of these Yoga practitioners in promoting Yoga across the globe is only the beginning of a much bigger dream envisioned by Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Siddha and Homeopathy) and the UN.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / May 30th, 2016