Category Archives: Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

‘Install Pandyanda Belliappa’s statue in Kodagu’

Achievers in the cooperative field were felicitated during the valedictory programmeof the Cooperative Week in Madikeri on Friday.

District Cooperative Union President A K Manu Muttappa demanded the installation of the statue of Pandyanda Belliappa, who has immensely contributed to the development of cooperative and education sectors in Kodagu district.

He was speaking during the valedictory programme of the 67th All India Cooperative Week in Madikeri on Friday.

“Pandyanda Belliappa was famously known as Gandhi of Kodagu. He was instrumental in the establishment of the senior college in Madikeri in 1950. He was also one of the pioneers of the cooperative movement in the district, along with Pandikuttira Changappa and M C Nanaiah,” he said.

Manu Muttappa further said that the District Cooperative Union has been bringing out a trimonthly magazine and the members of cooperative societies should utilise the same.

Various programmes are being organised by the District Central Cooperative Bank to strengthen the cooperative sector, he said.

Receiving Kodagu Sahakara Ratna award, M P Muttappa said that all people should acknowledge the contributions of the cooperative sector, which is run by the people and for the people.

He also felt the need to apply modern technology in the cooperative sector, to bring the sector closer to people, by sharing information about the same.

Kodagu Sahakara Ratna felicitation was offered to Matanda A Ramesh.

Kumbugowdana Uttappa was felicitated with Shrestha Sahakara Sanmana.

Macchamada Kanda Bhimaiah, Chotteyandamada Baby Poovaiah and KACM principal Dr R S Renuka were also felicitated on the occasion.

District Central Cooperative Bank vice president Kotolira Harish Poovaiah, District Cooperative Union vice president Pattada Manu Ramachandra, directors B D Manjunath, H M Ramesh, P B Raghu Nanaiah, Kannanda Sampath and others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 20th, 2020

Villages buzz with activities ahead of GP polls

K K Manjunath Kumar.

As the date for the Gram Panchayat elections could be announced at any time, the political arena in Kodagu is buzzing with activities.

Politicians, especially the young leaders from the BJP, Congress and JD(S) have been paying visits to rural areas.

MLAs, ZP president, Taluk Panchayat presidents and members have gone one step ahead and have been performing groundbreaking for various development works in rural areas from the past four to five months.

Candidates of Gram Panchayat election do not contest directly through political parties but are supported by the political parties externally.

Political parties are making their best possible effort to attract voters for the candidates supported by them. They are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure their victory as the Gram Panchayat election is a good opportunity to strengthen the roots of the party.

Also, for young leaders, it is the first step to enter into politics. Discussions are being held about the young leaders in each ward of the village, who are contesting elections.

Kodagu has been a strong fortress of the BJP from the past several years when it comes to the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat and Town Panchayats.

There is only one MLC from Congress and JD(S) is yet to open their account. The political parties think that victory in the Gram Panchayat will pave the way to win more seats in the upcoming Assembly elections.

BJP particular on winning

BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel has conducted a meeting of leaders in Madikeri and has asked them to ensure that 80% of the winning candidates are from BJP.

Congress chants unity mantra

Congress leaders have been forgetting their internal differences and have been conducting meetings.

Kodagu District Congress Committee President K K Manjunath Kumar said that the party has been making preparations from the past six months to face Gram Panchayat elections.

Meetings with local leaders are being conducted regularly and the leaders are being trained. There is a good response, he said.

Even though JD(S) has been making preparations, there is no buzz of activities, say the rural voters.

District administration starts preparations

On the other hand, the district administration has been making preparations to conduct free and fair elections in Gram Panchayats.

A preparatory meeting has been held by Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy.

There are a total of 104 Gram Panchayats in the district and 562 polling booths have been identified.

Returning officers and assistant returning officers are being deputed. Training will be held for officials in Madikeri on November 21, in Somwarpet on November 23 and in Virajpet on November 24.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A, DHNS, Madikeri / November 21st, 2020

Appointed As Additional Director Of Factories And Boilers

Mysore/Mysuru: 

Karthamada Ganapathy Nanjappa has been appointed as the Additional Director of Factories and Boilers, Department of Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety and Health, Government of Karnataka. 

Profile: After studying in Government Primary School, Napoklu, St. Michael’s Higher Primary School, Madikeri, Government Junior College, Madikeri, Nanjappa completed his PU at MGM College, Udupi. He took up B.E. in Mechanical Engineering at PES College of Engineering, Mandya under Mysore University. 

On completion of under-graduate studies in Engineering, Nanjappa worked for sometime as a Quality Engineer at Krishna Fabrications, Peenya, Bengaluru and Design Engineer at Promac Engineering, Bengaluru. He joined the Government of Karnataka State Civil Service as Gazetted Probationer during the year 1995 as Inspector of Factories and served at Bengaluru. 

He was promoted as Senior Inspector of Factories in 2001. He was later posted as Deputy Special Officer in the Child Labour Cell of the Government of Karnataka and then served as Senior Inspector of Factories at Mysuru and Bengaluru.

Nanjappa was promoted to the cadre of Deputy Director of Factories in the year 2012 and posted at Mangaluru and Bengaluru. In the year 2019, he was promoted to the post of the Joint Director of Factories. Now he has been posted as Additional Director of Factories and Boilers in the year 2020 on promotion and is working at Bengaluru. 

Nanjappa has had special training in the field of Industrial Safety and Health at: Director-General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institute, Mumbai; Regional Labour Institute, Chennai; Regional Labour Institute, Kolkata; Incident Response System (IRS) in the management of disasters from the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Bhopal.

 He is the son of Karthamada Nanjappa Ganapathy and Ponnamma (Kanathanda), both of whom were teachers at Napoklu and Madikeri and presently residents of Birunani in South Kodagu. He is married to Kalengada Bojamma  and blessed with a son Adith studying in 10th std

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / by November 23rd, 2020

Create a world of Kodava folklore, says M C Nanaiah

Four books published by Kodava Makkada Koota were released at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri on Sunday. Credit: DH photo.

Former minister M C Nanaiah called upon Kodava Samaja associations to take up an innovative project to feature Kodava culture and way of life.

He was speaking after releasing four books brought out by Kodava Makkada Koota, during a programme held at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri, on Sunday.

Nanaiah felt that the Kodagu needs to have a museum for Kodava culture, in the format of ‘Janapada Loka’ in Ramanagar, which was a brainchild of folklore scholar Dr Nagegowda.

“There are high chances of the project not serving the purpose if the government takes up the work. Therefore, Kodava Samaja associations should initiate the project with the help of various like-minded organisations,” he said and lamented that the work on Kodava Heritage Centre, which was initiated by the government, is now stagnant.

The former minister meanwhile said that the books on Kodava culture and tradition should not be confined to Kodava language, but, should be published in various other languages.

“All must forget their differences and contribute towards the creation of a harmonious society,” he added.

He meanwhile said that senior writer Bacharaniyanda Appanna is a guide for budding writers.

Lamenting over the pervading corruption in society, he pointed out that the vice chancellor posts in the universities are being literally ‘purchased’ by the aspirants nowadays, which shows how low the education system has stooped.

Introspection is required in this regard, he said.

‘Moily did not constitute Kodava Academy’

M C Nanaiah said that in some books it has been depicted that former chief minister Veerappa Moily had himself constituted Kodava Sahitya Academy.

“But, in reality, when I was in the opposition, I had mounted pressure on the government headed by then chief minister Veerappa Moily to institute Kodava Academy, after he announced Tulu Academy. During the chief ministerial tenure of J H Patel, the then Kannada and Culture minister B T Lalitha Nayak proposed to merge all linguistic academies into one. But, I opposed the proposal and convinced the chief minister to retain the academies,” he added.

Nanaiah meanwhile released the book ‘Ottajodi’ on the occasion.

Releasing the book ‘Changira’ authored by Bacharaniyanda Appanna, MLC Veena Achaiah said that the cultural aspects should not be forgotten.

She hoped that the Kodava Sahitya Academy will take steps to preserve the tradition towards handing it over to the next generation.

Releasing the book ‘Appanna Dampathi Kanda America’, Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy chairperson Ammatanda Parvathi Appaiah said that Appanna couple has gathered a huge knowledge by visiting various countries.

Kodagu Press Club president Ajjamada Ramesh Kuttappa released the book ‘Appanna Dampathi Kanda Europe’, on the occasion.

He said that getting awards by lobbying is very discouraging for the real achievers.

Bacharaniyanda Ranu Appanna and international hockey player Ajjamada Mayur Subbaiah were present.

Kodava Makkada Koota president Bollajira B Ayyappa, secretary Puttarira Arun Kalaiah and director Baleyada Divya Mandappa were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 22nd, 2020

Agama scholars visit Talacauvery

Agama scholars offer a special prayer at Talacauvery on Saturday.

Scholars well versed in ‘Agama Shastra’ visited Talacauvery on Saturday to find a solution to the problem related to the damaged Shivalinga at the kshetra.

The state government had sent the scholars to Talacauvery, on the request by MLC Veena Achaiah.

After offering special prayers to Cauvery, the scholars inspected the damaged Shivalinga.

They later held discussions with Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah, MLC Veena Achaiah and Bhagamandala-Talacauvery temple chairman B S Thammaiah.

Speaking on the occasion, MLC Veena Achaiah said that there was confusion on whether the damaged Shivalinga should be immersed in the sea or not.

“I had requested the government, on the floor of the legislative council, to intervene in the matter. Responding to the request, the Muzrai department sent the Agama scholars,” she said.

She meanwhile said that no decision could be arrived at as the matter lies before the court.

Temple committee chairman B S Thammaiah said that as per the Hindu tradition, a damaged idol cannot be worshipped.

The Shivalinga carved out of black stone has been damaged and it is prudent to immerse it in the sea. The temple committee has already submitted an affidavit to the court, he added.

Takka head Kodi Motaiah and temple committee members were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 21st, 2020

855 Kodava students from financially backward families provided with scholarships

Representative Image

With selfless contributions from the donors and members, the corpus of the fund currently stands at Rs 9.88 crore even as members are hopeful that the amount will touch Rs 10 crore by the end of year.

The Coorg Education Fund, a trust incorporated in 1919 in Kodagu, is extensively promoting education among the Kodava community. With over 450 members in the trust and numerous other donors, the trust has succeeded in providing scholarships to merit students and students from financially backward families.

This year, the education fund has handed over scholarships to 855 Kodava students amounting to a total of Rs 47.43 lakh. “The Coorg Education was founded in 1863 and it started providing scholarships to merit students from 1916. It was, however, formed into a legal corporation in 1919,” explained KP Uthappa, present president of the trust. While an average of 450 to 500 students receive scholarships every year, over 800 students have been benefited by the trust this year. “Priority is given to merit students and the students are required to possess 75% and above results in the academic and competitive exams. Nevertheless, students from financially backward families are also provided with scholarships based on recommendations. We are stressing the community students to opt for medical, dental and engineering courses. Apart from this, we are extensively encouraging students to take up defense and IPS courses and an increased scholarship – up to Rs 50,000 for each student is being offered to students who opt the same,” explained Uthappa.

With selfless contributions from the donors and members, the corpus of the fund currently stands at Rs 9.88 crore even as members are hopeful that the amount will touch Rs 10 crore by the end of this year. Meanwhile, a contribution of Rs 75 lakh was made to the trust this year by benefactor Raghu Madappa in the memory of his department sons.

“This year, a youngster B Rachith Aiyappa received a maximum donation of Rs 5 lakh. The youngster has opted to pursue PhD in Informatics & Data Science and this impressed the donors resulting in such a huge scholarship,” confirmed Uthappa. The trust, in its annual ceremony, encourages and motivates Kodava students to work with “dedication, concentration and efficiency,” as explained by Uthappa.

source: http://www.edexlive.com / EdEx, The New Indian Express / Home> News> Kodava Community / by EdEx Live / November 19th, 2020

Varsha Bollamma: I feel incomplete if I don’t dub

Varsha Bollamma   | Photo Credit: By Special Arrangement

Varsha Bollamma on her new Telugu film ‘Middle Class Melodies’ and why she’s happy with performance-oriented, girl-next-door characters

Think Varsha Bollamma and the top recall would be the characters she played in the Tamil films 96, Bigil, and Jaanu (remake of 96) and Choosi Choodangaane in Telugu. In her new Telugu film Middle Class Melodies (MCM), which will stream on Amazon Prime Video on November 20, she portrays a young woman named Sandhya, struggling to assert herself. “I think I get these girl-next-door characters because of the films I’ve done so far and because of the way I look,” she says with a laugh, during the interview. “I am happy that there’s scope to perform and people appreciate my work,” she adds.

Directed by Vinod Anantoju and written by Janardhan Pasumarthi, Middle Class Melodies stars Anand Deverakonda as someone who aspires to open a tiffin centre in Guntur and Varsha wanting to make her own life decisions: “We would have come across many girls like Sandhya. She struggles to stand up for herself; it’s almost like there’s an invisible wall between her and her dreams. I liked that I had to emote without relying on many dialogues,” says Varsha.

MCM was initially planned to be filmed in sync sound and the director wanted a leading lady who can speak Telugu fluently. Though the film was offered to Varsha, at that point, she was hesitant. The Coorg-born and Bengaluru-bred Varsha is well versed in Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam and has learnt to speak Telugu fairly well. “But sync sound is a huge responsibility. Only when they decided not to go for sync sound, did I agree to do the film. I can learn the dialogues and dub them myself,” she explains.

Her ease with languages have come in handy: “I feel incomplete as an actor if I don’t dub for myself. The dubbing artiste might do a great job but I like to do it myself, and do it well. I’ve dubbed in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu for Choosi Choodangaane. I developed cold feet for my Malayalam films,” she says.

Anand Deverakonda and Varsha Bollamma in the film   | Photo Credit: By Special Arrangement

MCM is set in the Guntur region of Andhra Pradesh. The script reading sessions, recalls Varsha, helped her learn the native dialect: “Director Vinod is from Guntur and he ensured that we learnt the diction. He would send us voice notes to learn the stresses and pauses. I used to speak to my driver, make-up person and everyone on set in Telugu to get comfortable with the language and the dialect.”

She credits the film’s editor Raviteja Girijala, who also edited Choosi Choodangaane, for suggesting her name: “Middle Class Melodies is much more than the story of the protagonists. The supporting characters also get to shine.”

Next up, she has a few Tamil and Telugu films and has been listening to scripts: “In the first two months of lockdown, nothing much happened. I learnt to play the guitar and pretty much did what everyone did — make Dalgona coffee, paani puri, etc. Then I brought home a pup — Hachiko and our lives began to revolve around him.”

A microbiology student from Mount Carmel, Bengaluru, Varsha remembers wanting to be an actor since age five! “I just wanted to be seen on television. My mom suggested that I study engineering. I told her I would rather be a good actor than become a bad engineer. I liked studying biological sciences but acting was my priority.”

Her bio on her Instagram page leads to Aasra, a suicide prevention and counselling centre: “I put this up on the day Sushanth Singh Rajput passed away. There could be many with mental health issues and not knowing whom to call for help. I wanted to do something even if it benefits a few people,” says Varsha.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Movies / by Sangeetha Devi Dundoo / Hyderabad – November 18th, 2020

Collection of poems released in Madikeri

‘Kalpaneya Kannadi’, a collection of poems by Kayapanda C Devaiah, was released at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri on Tuesday.

‘Kalpaneya Kannadi’, a collection of poems which speaks on Kodava culture, tradition and achievers from Kodagu, penned by Kayapanda C Devaiah and published by Kodava Makkada Koota was released during a programme held at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri on Tuesday.

Writer Bacharaniyanda P Appanna released the collection of poems and said that new writers are emerging in Kannada language, which is a positive sign.

The work ‘Kalpaneya Kannadi’ has elements which will be liked by people of all age groups, he said.

Author Kayapanda C Devaiah said that he has been writing poems and stories from the past several years and the work of converting the feelings into letters is bringing him satisfaction.

Kodava Makkada Koota President Bollajira B Ayyappa said that the Koota has been publishing books in Kannada, English, Hindi and Kodava language, about the achievers of Kodavas.

Four more books will be released by Kodava Makkada Koota on November 22, he added.

Ayyappa meanwhile said that he has been the president of Kodava Makkada Koota from the past eight years. The programmes implemented by the Koota have been fulfilling. One of them is the installation of the statue of Squadron Leader Ajjamada Devaiah.

He added that he aspires to get into politics. He will be resigning from the post of the president of Kodava Makkada Koota and will be handing over the charge to the new president if young and energetic persons come forward.

Kodava Makkada Koota honorary secretary Puttarira Karun Kalaiah, social worker Patrapanda P Somanna and leader Ballachanda A Ganapathy were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru /by DHNS, Madikeri / November 13th, 2020

From Kodagu to New York and Paris: The jewellery designer who featured in fashion week

For Poonam Thimmaiah, jewellery designing began as a means to cope with personal tragedy and turned into a passion project and finally a full-time career.

Following the devastating tragedy of losing her baby, Kodagu’s Poonam Thimmaiah, now a New Yorker, embarked on a personal journey of change, which led her to pursue her keen interest in jewellery designing and sustainable art. Poonam, who started her own brand of jewellery – Maalicious – had her work featured in the New York and Paris fashion weeks this year, just a year after she established the company. Her journey of overcoming tragedy to embracing art and making it big is an inspirational one.

In 2017, Poonam, who was working at JP Morgan in New York, had a miscarriage. Her journey into jewellery designing started as an escape from the tragedy. She returned to India to be with her family in Mysuru during this difficult time and it was here that she decided to pursue her passion.

NY Fashion week. Maalicious earrings in collaboration with Lola Elan clothing and Ochini Milinery headpiece.

When Poonam visited her Alma Mater, JC Engineering College in Mysuru, she learned of a jewelry designing course for the children with physical disabilities. Poonam, who has always made her own jewelry in the past, worked with these kids on her first collection. Together, they made earrings using sustainable materials like clay, wood and thread. “That’s when I discovered that this is what I should be doing. Along with these students, I learned a lot about the art of jewelry designing,” Poonam says.

Poonam Thimmaiah at her outlet in New York

She taught the group of 10 children in the programme how to sculpt, draw and paint. In the process, she says, she rediscovered the talent she had for designing jewellery. A few months later, Poonam went back to New York and quit her job. She decided to start designing jewellery and felt sure that she wanted to bring back the touch of handicraft to her work.

It was later in 2017 that Poonam contacted an acquaintance, Sruthi Mascarenas, a sculptor working with clay in Goa, and commissioned her to make the earrings that she had designed. Poonam says that she wanted every piece of jewellery she designed to tell a story – one of historical relevance to India. In her first piece, she envisioned a clay plate with a painting of Queen Victoria meeting her namesake – a young woman from Kodagu.

“The piece is called Victoria Repeated. It’s a picture of Victoria from Kodagu meeting Queen Victoria and both of them are wearing a lot of jewellery. These earrings were made of clay and hand-painted. It was featured in Flying Solo’s (a fashion retail space in New York) collection in the Paris Fashion Week,” Poonam adds.

In 2019, Poonam established Maalicious officially and in the year running up to it, she decided to commission her work to women in the business of making handicrafts in India. She contracts her metal and stone work to a group of 25 women in Jaipur. Anything to do with tassels, she commissions it to an artist in Mumbai, and jewellery made of polymer clay is commissioned to an artist in Chennai.

Amrita Shergill earrings. Amrita Sher-Gil, the most famous Indian painter. Today, she is known as India’s Frida Kahlo. The earrings are made by Shruti Mascarehnas.

“With Maalicious, I want to rejuvenate traditional art and workmanship with Indian charm and a touch of urban flair. I have earrings that have Amrita Sher-Gil on it. A lot of people know about Frida Kahlo and not many in other countries are aware that we have someone of our own – Amrita Sher-Gil. I also wanted to use sustainable materials like clay, wood, silk and thread. We’ve started customising our earrings so anyone can get any picture they want painted on their earrings,” Poonam says.

Celebrity endorsement: Divya khosla Kumar in Drokpa earrings, made by artisan Soniya.

Malicious began retailing with Flying Solo’s retail unit in New York and became an instant hit. With celebrity stylists visiting the store, her pieces began selling out. In 2020, Poonam carried out various social media campaigns. “We did a lot of virtual pop-ups and this summer was really good. We had a lot of celebrity endorsements on social media. Actor Divya Khosla Kumar wore our jewellery, Raadi Shetty, American influencer who is big here, endorsed our jewellery. We had a lot of Instagram influencers endorse us,” she says.

This year, Flying Solo selected Poonam’s jewellery designs to be featured for their show in the New York and Paris fashion weeks. Fourteen of her pieces were featured in the New York Fashion Week and eight in the Paris Fashion Week. Flying Solo had curated its show by collaborating with 63 designers from 14 countries. Poonam says her work was chosen as each of her designed pieces are made by hand and use sustainable materials.

“I felt like I’ve created something, where I was spoken of as a designer. People at the fashion week asked me what my inspiration was. It went from a passion project when I was pregnant and became something big during the fashion week. It’s really nice to have the appreciation. It gives me confidence,” Poonam says. 

source: http://www.thenewsminute.com / The News Minute / Home> Features> Fashion / by Theja Ram / November 12th, 2020

Rohan Bopanna: ‘Iyengar Yoga made a difference to my knees in lockdown’

Since he resumed touring this year in August, Rohan Bopanna says he has undergone the coronavirus test “30-40” times.

India’s highest-ranked doubles player, ranked World No. 39, Rohan Bopanna, 40, reached the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters last week, with his partner, Austrian player Oliver Marach, before they lost 6-0, 7-6. Since he resumed touring this year in August, the 2017 French Open Mixed Doubles champion says he has undergone the coronavirus  test “30-40” times.

What precautions are you taking given the coronavirus?

While travelling for tournaments the most important precaution was getting tested, almost every four days. The organisers asked us not to high-five or fist-bump that often, and do the racquet tap instead. As doubles players, we have been asked to not talk about strategy holding the ball in front of the mouth (players do that to ensure the other side can’t read their lips)… Most of the time we follow these precautions. But sometimes, on the spur of the moment, you just instinctively do the fist-bump. It’s a habit… we have been doing it for
15-20 years.

Also, now, we carry several sanitiser bottles in our bags. Wearing a mask has become normal. There have been times when I have entered a hotel room, and only realised after 10 minutes that I still have the mask on… We have become so used to them. The only time I take off the mask is when I’m playing or eating. Before a short flight too, I try and eat beforehand so that I don’t have to in the flight. That way I avoid taking off the mask.

Have you got yourself tested for Covid-19?

From starting the tour in August to returning to Bangalore recently, I have been tested at least 35-40 times. The day you land at a new venue and enter the hotel, you have to go in for testing. Then you have to be in the room and quarantine till the result comes. Then, in 48 hours, there’s another test, and then a test every fourth day.

What was your routine like in self-isolation?

The first two-and-a-half months of the lockdown, I was in Coorg (in Karnataka) with my family. There was enough space for my daughter to play around. And it may have been 25 years since I managed to spend that much time with family.

I went for morning walks with my daughter. I enjoyed home food and being at home.

I also started Iyengar Yoga, which was suggested by a cousin because of the condition of my knees — I don’t have cartilage any more in either patella (knee cap). It has completely worn off over the years. The couple staying next door conduct the yoga classes and I have been attending them since then. It has made a tremendous difference to my knees. I also experimented with cooking.

What kind of gloves and mask do you use?

I don’t use gloves much. But I use masks (the regular ones). There were some made of organic material that my wife bought online. I use those along with the light-blue ones when I travel.

While interacting with people at work, how do you ensure safety?

I don’t think I have greeted anyone with a hug (since the tour resumed). It is either an elbow tap or a ‘Hi’. Even at restaurants (during the tour), everyone kept a good enough distance from each other. In locker rooms too, everybody is wearing masks.

How long did you go without seeing your family?

I was with my family during the lockdown. When the tour resumed, I didn’t travel with anyone. So I was away from them for around two months.

While travelling, what precautions do you take?

I carry sanitisers and masks. When I board a flight, I use alcohol wipes to clean the hand rests, seat belt and tray because those are the things that are normally touched by everyone. And I make sure not to touch my face with my hands. I also sanitise my hands all the time.

How much time do you spend in front of a screen?

It varies. During the indoor season, when there are not many courts to play or practise on, one is either watching the game from the stands or in the room. So the screen time is a lot more. But, in general, before the pandemic, I would spend around a couple of hours in a day on screens. Now, this is easily around five or six hours.

How do you keep your mind off the pandemic?

Things that I cannot control don’t worry me. I just take precautions.

What is the first thing you want to do in a Covid-free world?

Explore cities. We keep going to so many cities for tournaments, and I always enjoy exploring places when I have some free time. I like to go for walks, do something a little different. So that’s the thing I’d like to do.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Sports> Tennis / by Shahid Judge / November 15th, 2020