Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Give Top Priority To Cultivate Coffee Naturally In Kodagu

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All

Ponnampet Forestry College Dean calls upon growers to maintain quality from estate to cuppa; 18th AGM of Kodagu Mahila Coffee Jagruthi Sangha held

Madikeri:

Coffee growers should give priority for cultivating tasty coffee naturally, said Ponnampet Forestry College Dean Dr. Cheppudira G. Kushalappa. 

He was speaking at the 18th Annual General Body meeting of Kodagu Mahila Coffee Jagruthi Sangha held at a private hotel in Madikeri recently. Though Vietnam and Brazil produces large quantity of coffee, they are unable to get back the amount invested in coffee cultivation. They use highest quality of fertilisers to cultivate the crop and most of the finances are drained out here. 

The growers of Kodagu must concentrate on cultivating coffee naturally by reducing the use of fertilisers. There are 360 species of trees inside the coffee estates in Kodagu. As a result, the ground gets good manure. This is the reason why Kodagu coffee is famous across the world. 

“The undeniable natural beauty and abundance in Kodagu — from rainfall to fertile soil and diverse water sources — has made the region a highly sought-after location to cultivate coffee. Coffee flourishes in a unique blend of climatic conditions that includes humidity, heat and rainfall. Kodagu is ideal for these conditions and the slopes of the Western Ghats ensure orthographic rainfall that measure between 60 to 80 inches,” he said. 

The abundant species of    shaded trees work together in a two-tier system to protect coffee plants. These trees also prevent soil erosion and provide mulch to act as fertiliser. “The soil of Kodagu is rich with nitrogenous material and has a good sub-surface drainage,” he said and called upon growers to maintain quality from the estate to the cuppa. 

Coffee Board quality expert Vikram Kuttaiah said that the prices of coffee have not increased drastically for the last 25 years. The maintenance of Arabica coffee was Rs. 25,000 per acre 25 years ago and now it has reached Rs. 80,000 per acre. The maintenance of Robusta variety has increased from   Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 60,000. 

 “The maintenance costs have increased manifold but the prices of coffee has remained stagnant. There is a huge disparity between production costs and end profits. There is a situation where the grower has to be satisfied with meagre income,”   he explained. 

Kodagu Mahila Coffee Jagruthi Sangha President Pandikuthira Chitra Subbaiah said that the Sangha has been creating awareness about Coorg Coffee since the last 18 years. Sangha Director Kumari Kunjappa has been provided permission by Kodagu District Administration to open an outlet at Coorg Village that is coming up near Raja’s Seat in Madikeri, she said.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 14th, 2020

Joshna Chinappa, first Indian woman to play 400 PSA Tour squash games

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

Joshna’s contemporary Dipika Pallikal has competed in 297 PSA Tour matches. England’s Alison Waters (487) and Camille Serme (France, 439) have topped the list in the women’s category.

Joshna Chinappa achieved the unique feat in the CIB-Black Ball Squash Open in Cairo (Egypt).    –  RITU RAJ KONWAR (FILE PHOTO)

India squash player Joshna Chinappa became the first Indian female player and second (male and female) to play 400 PSA Tour squash matches.

The 34-year-old achieved the unique feat in the CIB-Black Ball Squash Open in Cairo (Egypt). 

The Indian, seeded 10, defeated Julianne Courtice of England 10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 12-10 in the women’s first round.

Only Saurav Ghosal (444) has played more than Joshna.

Joshna’s contemporary Dipika Pallikal has competed in 297 PSA Tour matches. England’s Alison Waters (487) and Camille Serme (France, 439) have topped the list in the women’s category.

source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / SportStar / Home> Squash / by Team SportStar / Chennai – December 09th, 2020

Madikeri Kodava Samaja President Inspects Kodava Heritage Centre

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Madikeri:

With the works on Kodava Heritage Centre near Vidyanagar on the outskirts of Madikeri having resumed recently, Madikeri Kodava Samaja President Konganda S. Devaiah and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa – General K.S. Thimayya Forum Convenor Col. Kandrathanda C. Subbaiah visited the site on Monday  and inspected the ongoing works.

The two received inputs on the design of structures coming up at the site, the architectural  outlook of Ainmane and the nature of works in progress.

The contractor said that the works have been taken up at a cost of Rs.1.56 crore and the collapsed walls of structures are being rebuilt. 

Pointing out that red stone pillars, which do not have the capacity to bear the roof load are being replaced with concrete pillars following directions from the PWD, the contractor said the roof for Ainmane is being designed with the concept of Mundmane. Also the repair works of steps leading to the overhead tank is underway and a View Point is being built atop the water tank. The View Point will have iron canopy instead of jungle wood roof-cover as it was found that the iron cover was better  considering the geographical location of the site.

Continuing, the contractor said that the Heritage Centre will have two Ainmanes, with the first one being built now and the other later. The PWD has give nine  months time to complete the works, the contractor said and added that he was hopeful of completing the works by March 2021 itself.

After receiving inputs from the contractor K.S. Devaiah and Col. Subbaiah went through the blueprint of the project  and took note of the roof design, amphitheatre, View Point, Mundmane, water pond and other features. Devaiah asked the contractor to build the structure strictly  in accordance with the characteristics of Ainmane and to maintain quality in works.

Col. Subbaiah asked the contractor to get a blueprint of the complete project from private agencies. Asking the contractor not to deviate from Kodava customs and traditions in the construction of structures, he said that the contractor too must have the self-satisfaction of having executed quality works.

Speaking to Mysooru Mithra, the sister publication of Star of Mysore, Col. Subbaiah said that he inspected the works and interacted with the contractor. 

Noting that more inputs on the project will be sought from PWD and Tourism Department officials following which the project will be discussed in detail with Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC), he said that he will hold talks with Kodagu District In-charge Minister too later. Thereafter, the DC will be appealed to convene a meeting of officials of all concerned departments and efforts will be made to ensure that all works on Kodava Heritage Centre are wholly completed, he added.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 08th, 2020

Nidhi Subbaiah thrilled to bag her first horror film

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

The Pancharangi actor is excited to be a part of the film that will mark the directorial debut of directors Pavan and Prasad; it will be the second project bankrolled by Lohith H’s Friday Films.

Nidhi Subbaiah

Lohith H is set to present a horror film starring Nidhi Subbaiah, which will mark the directorial debut of Pavan and Prasad. This is the second project bankrolled by Friday Films after Life is Beautiful, and the movie will be made in association with Silver Train international and C K Cine Creations, and produced by Kishore Narasimhaiah, Biji Arun and Chethan Krishanappa. 

The Pancharangi heroine is excited about taking up a horror subject. It will be Nidhi Subbaiah’s first attempt at this kind of a plot. “Watching a thriller or a horror film has been my daily dose of entertainment, and now I will be getting to explore one such subject,” she says, adding, “The fear of the unknown is what thrills me, and keeps me curious to know what’s next. It’s something I am looking forward to being a part of. What compounds the thrill is that I have two filmmakers directing me, and I am getting associated with the production house for the first time. All this makes it all the more interesting.”

The 15-films old actor, who has mostly worked in Kannada and Hindi projects, was last seen in Shivarajkumar’s Ayushman Bhava, in which she made a guest appearance. While the pandemic was one of the reasons for her to go slow, the actor of films like Anna Bond and Krishnan Marriage Story and Ajab Gazabb Love has also been selective about her projects.

“Post Pancharangi, I had directors coming in with similar bubbly roles, which I felt was monotonous. I felt I might as well be in a 9 to 5 job rather than doing the same role over and over again. I waited for a good film to come by, which I could finally bag. A good subject excites me to go to the sets,” says Nidhi, who is planning to start the shooting from mid-January. “The producers plan to shoot the film at one stretch,” she says.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Kannada / by Express News Service / December 05th, 2020

‘Middle Class’ Varsha gets new offers

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

Varsha Bollamma is finally getting recognized by the Telugu filmmakers. The success of ‘Middle Class Melodies’ in the OTT space has given a boost to her career. She is now being offered some good projects.

Varsha Bollamma is currently acting with Raj Tarun in a film titled ‘Stand Up, Rahul’. Besides this project, she will be part of a couple of romantic dramas.

Varsha Bollamma has played roles in ‘Choosi Choodangana’, ‘Jaanu’ and ‘Bigil’. But she got the beak with ‘Middle Class Melodies’, which won good appreciation.

source: http://www.telugucinema.com / Telugu Cinema / Home> News / by Telugu Cinema / December 01st, 2020

Mysuru, Kodagu gearing up for gram panchayat elections

Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

250 GPs in Mysuru, 101 in Kodagu will see two-phase polls

The gram panchayats in Mysuru and Kodagu are gearing up for the two-phase elections which were announced on Monday.

The GPs in Madikeri and Somwarpet taluks will go to polls in the first phase and the GPs coming under Virajpet taluk will have elections in the second phase.

In Mysuru district, 148 GPs in Hunsur, K.R. Nagar, Periyapatna, H.D. Kote and Sargur will go to polls in the first phase. A total of 102 GPs in Mysuru, Nanjangud and T. Narsipur will have elections in the second phase.

The election notification for the first phase will be issued on December 7 with the last date for filing nominations scheduled on December 11. The nominations will be scrutinised on December 12 and the last date to withdraw nominations would be December 14. The elections will be held on December 22 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., said Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy.

Elections will be held if necessary (if there was no unanimous election of the candidates in the fray). Any re-election will be held on December 24. The counting of votes will take place in the respective taluks on December 30.

In the second phase, the elections will take place on December 27. The Deputy Commissioner will issue the election notification for this phase on December 11 and December 16 will be the last date to file nominations. The last date to withdraw the nominations will be December 19. Any re-election will take place on December 29. Like in the first phase, the counting of votes will also take place on December 30 from 8 a.m. onwards.

Out of 104 GPs in Kodagu, elections will take place for 101 GPs as the tenure of GPs of Ponnampet, Gonikoppa and Channaiahyanakote will end in 2020-21.

The model code of conduct will be confined to the GP limits where the elections are scheduled from November 30 to December 31 and it won’t be applicable to the limits of town panchayats, city municipal councils and city corporations, the Deputy Commissioner told reporters on Monday.

Ballot papers will be used for the elections which will be apolitical in nature with no party symbols used by the candidates.

The total number of voters in all three taluks was 3,66,013, including 1,81,443 men and 1,74,570 women. Kodagu will have 562 polling booths and 110 polling officers and assistant polling officers had been identified.

The details on the GP-wise reservation had been published in the website www.kodagu.nic.in

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / December 01t, 2020

Ramesh Changappa elected as Kodagu Hopcoms prez

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All
Biddatanda Ramesh Changappa and Mallanda Madhu Devaiah were elected as the president and vice president of Kodagu district Hopcoms in Madikeri.

Biddatanda Ramesh Changappa has been elected as the president of Kodagu district Hopcoms, while Mallanda Madhu Devaiah has been elected as the vice president.

S P Ponnappa, Padiyammana V Mahesh, Leela Medappa, Sathish, Machimanda D Ganapathi, H M Sudheer, Baby Poovaiah, B A Harish, Nagesh Kundalpadi, Umesh Rao Urs, Poovappa Nayak and K M Manohar were elected as the directors.

The election was held in the office of the horticulture department.

Speaking on the occasion, the newly elected president said that various programmes will be organised through Hopcoms in the district in the coming days.

Measures will be taken to purchase the farm produce directly from farmers at a better price, he added.

Vice president Mallanda Madhu Devaiah said that it is a huge responsibility and he will strive for the betterment of Hopcoms.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 27th, 2020

MLC Wants Tribal Status For Kodava Community

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

Seeks establishment of Kodava Language Authority

Madikeri:

Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad has urged the Government to grant Tribal Status to Kodava community  and  also form Kodava Language Authority.

He was speaking at the 30th Annual Codava National Day coinciding with Indian Constitution Day celebrations organised by Codava National Council (CNC) at a private hotel on the outskirts of Madikeri on Thursday.

Pointing out that though the population of Kodavas was a little over 2 lakh, there are over 10,000  Government servants and Army officers from the community, he opined that the community very much deserved to get all rights under the Indian Constitution.

Warning the Government against ignoring the community because of its low population, he said that without the Constitution, no one from the economically backward communities, including himself, could have entered the Parliament.

Asserting that a committed and continuous fight is needed for saving Kodava culture, language and customs, Hariprasad called for apolitical support for CNC President N.U. Nachappa’s fight for Codava land.

BJP MLC and former Minister A.H. Vishwanath, in his address, said that the whole-hearted support of everyone was needed for achieving success in the struggle for getting due rights.

Calling for holding a meeting of researchers who have carried out the ethnographic study of the Kodava tribe, thanks to CNC’s relentless effort through Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute (KSTRI), Mysuru, the MLC noted that  the discipline, lifestyle, customs and practices of Kodavas cannot be seen in any other community and as such, the Kodava community need to be accorded Tribal Status.

MLC Veena Achaiah said that she had raised her voice for rights of the Kodavas in the Legislative Council several times in the past. Asserting that she will raise the issue once again in the Council during next month’s winter session, Veena said that she will speak with more vigour this time as her fellow MLCs Vishwanath and Hariprasad have expressed their support for the Kodava cause.

Bengaluru Kodava Samaja President M.T. Nanaiah, who is a senior High Court advocate, said that taking part in the struggle is the best way of expressing support for Codava land.

CNC Convenor Nachappa contended that Kodava customs, practices and traditions, land, language and culture can only be safeguarded by the Indian Constitution. Stating that Kodavas must Constitutionally get geo-political autonomy, gun rights and land rights, he asserted that the struggle will continue till the goal is achieved. Resolutions were adopted and passed in the presence of distinguished guests in this regard.

During the last Parliamentary session in Dec. 2019, while debating on the ST Constitution Amendment Bill, MPs B.K. Hariprasad  and Kupendra Reddy spoke about the inclusion of Kodava tribe in the ST list, he said adding that this issue had attracted the attention of the whole country and conscience of law-makers. 

As a result of CNC’s relentless effort and innumerable petitions to the Union Government, the Centre directed the State Government to conduct an ethnographic study on Kodava tribalism. Hence, Karnataka Government entrusted this responsibility to KSTRI, Mysuru, he said.

Earlier, Nachappa set off the Codava National Day programme by firing in the air. Members of Valleydew Arts Team performed Kolaat, Kattiyaat and Bolkaat on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 28th, 2020

It’s Official. Ponnampet Taluk Comes Into Existence

About Kodagu / Coorg, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All
  • Kushalnagar taluk to be inaugurated in a month: Minister
  • MLAs urge Govt. to release more funds for new taluks

Ponnampet:

The long-standing demand for the creation of Ponnampet taluk in Kodagu district was fulfilled today with Revenue Minister R. Ashok inaugurating the new taluk at a simple programme held at Ponnampet Taluk Office this morning. With the inauguration, Ponnampet taluk, which has been carved out of Virajpet taluk, has come into official existence, months after the Gazette notification in this regard was made on July 3, 2020. 

Ponnampet Taluk Action Committee, Citizens Action Committee and a host of other organisations had been demanding the formation of the new taluk ever since it was conceptualised 18 years ago in 2002.

Speaking after inauguration, Ashok said that he was virtuous to have got the opportunity to inaugurate the new taluk as Revenue Minister. 

Maintaining that he has a lot of affection, trust and respect for Kodagu district, he said that his Department has been working to expedite all pending initiatives. 

Revenue Minister R. Ashok, Horticulture Minister K.C. Narayana Gowda and MLA K.G. Bopaiah are seen lighting the lamp to mark the inauguration of new Ponnampet Taluk Office at Ponnampet this morning as MLC Veena Achaiah, MLA M.P. Appachu Ranjan and others look on.

Pointing out that the 18-year wait of the people has ended with the inauguration of the new taluk, Ashok declared that the Gazette notification on the formation of new Kushalnagar taluk, which has been carved out of Somwarpet taluk, will be issued shortly and all other official procedures will be completed in a month. He asserted that he was sure of inaugurating the new Kushalnagar taluk as well in a month.

The Minister further said that the formation of two new taluks (Ponnampet in South Kodagu and Kushalnagar in North Kodagu) in the district will geographically help the residents in their daily work and activities.

Highlighting the initiatives taken by the Revenue Department after he took charge of the Ministry 16 months ago, Ashok said that old age pension will now be credited directly to Aadhaar-linked Bank account of the beneficiaries, which he claimed was a revolutionary step in maintaining transparency in the delivery mechanism of Government benefits.

Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah, in his address, wanted the Government to appoint a permanent Tahsildar for the new taluk and also sanction more funds to provide necessary infrastructure.

Madikeri MLA M.P. Appachu Ranjan urged the Govt. to release Rs. 10 crore for infrastructure development in the new taluks of Ponnampet and Kushalnagar.

MLCs Sunil Subramani and Veena Achaiah, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, ZP CEO Banwar Singh Meena, Assistant Commissioner Eshwar Kumar Khandu, Tahsildar Kusuma and a host of other officials were present.

However, Kodagu District Minister V. Somanna and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha were conspicuous by  their absence.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 20th, 2020

Rajyotsava Puraskara for teachers on November 28

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All
Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan will inaugurate the programme. Credit: DH.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat will confer Rajyotsava Puraskara for teachers at Devraj Urs Bhavan on November 28.

Addressing reporters in Madikeri on Wednesday, Kodagu district Kannada Sahitya Parishat president B S Lokesh Sagar said that the programme will begin at 2.30 pm.

Virajpet Arameri Kalancheri Mutt Shantamallikarjuna Swami will grace the occasion. Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan will inaugurate the programme.

Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah, MLC Sunil Subramani M P, Madikeri Taluk Panchayat President Tekkade Shobha Mohan, DDPI P S Macchado and others will be present.

Lokesh Sagar further said that the programme which was not held for the last seven to eight months owing to Covid-19 will be held regularly in future.

“Teachers who are not members of the Sahitya Parishat too have been considered for the felicitation. Teachers known for innovative methods of teaching will be felicitated. Also, the award-winning teachers will be honoured on the occasion,” he added.

Light songs competition

He said that the district unit of Kannada Sahitya Parishat will conduct a district-level Bhavageethe competition in Kushalnagar on November 29.

Also, a Vachana Sahitya Samavesha will be held in Somwarpet on December 12. A Suggi Kavigosthi in Ponnampet, a programme on Dasa compositions in Madikeri and an essay competition in Virajpet have been planned, he added.

District Kannada Sahitya parishat office-bearers Kudekal Santhosh, Nagaraj Shetty, Dayananda, Dhananjaya and Kavan Cariappa were present in the press meet.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DDNS, Madikeri / November 25th, 2020