A petrol pump attendant returned a suitcase that contained gold jewels worth more than Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh (a conservative estimate) to the actual owners. The suitcase was left on the main road by two women who had alighted a bus from Bengaluru in Kushalnagar.
On the night of Thursday (Nov. 4) at 10, a bus stopped in front of the TATA Petrol Pump in Kushalnagar amidst rain. Two women got down from the bus with bags and a black suitcase. They were waiting on the road while a car stopped in front of them. In a tearing hurry to get inside the car to escape rain, the women forgot the suitcase on the road. The car left the place moments later.
As it was closing time, H.V. Somashekar came out of his petrol pump office to close the gates after a long day. The black suitcase lying on the road amidst a drizzle caught his eye. He looked around only to see the area deserted. He did not open the suitcase; instead stood near it and called the Kushalnagar Police Station.
Dy.SP Shailendra and Circle Inspector Mahesh asked ASI Manjunath and two others to go to the spot and retrieve the suitcase, taking all precautions. They did not have any idea of what the suitcase contained and brought the same to the Police Station.
Petrol pump staff H V Somashekar
As they opened the box, they could not believe their eyes. It contained gold ornaments, all brand new. Not sure of the value of the gold, they also recovered cash worth Rs. 5,000 and two costly watches. There were some new clothes in it and the Police found a slip with a phone number.
When the Police called that number and told the woman on the other side who answered the call that they were calling from Kushalnagar Police Station, the woman immediately cut the call hearing the word ‘Police’ and switched off the mobile. The Police kept on trying but the mobile was not switched on.
However, at around midnight when the Police dialled the number, the same woman picked up the call. The Police told her about the suitcase found in front of the petrol pump. The woman till then had not realised that her black suitcase was missing and only after the call it dawned on her that she had forgotten the suitcase on the road that night.
The woman, who identified herself as Nafisa from Bengaluru, had given her daughter in marriage to a family at Kumboor near Suntikoppa and the mother and daughter had come from Bengaluru to attend a relative’s wedding in Kushalnagar. Though they wanted to come to the Police Station at midnight, the Police refused as there were procedures to be completed. They were asked to come the next morning. Accordingly, they came to the Police Station, checked the box and found all the ornaments and other valuables intact.
Picture shows petrol pump staff H.V. Somashekar receiving the cash reward from Dy. SP Shailendra as Inspectors Mahesh and Traffic SI Chandrashekhar look on.
The mother and daughter profusely thanked the petrol pump employee Somashekar for returning the suitcase with jewels and also thanked the Police.
Somashekar told the Police that he believed in hard work and was a God-fearing man without having a desire to grab somebody else’s cash and gold. The mother-daughter duo and the Police gave Somashekar a cash award for his honesty.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / November 06th, 2021
Five young girls of Karnataka, who are participating in the historical journey of ‘Mountain to Ocean’ as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebration of India’s independence, reached Karwar after scaling Antamhoi mountain peak (5245 meters) and cycling for 3000 km all the way from Ladakh.
Now the girls are kayaking 300 km in the sea from Karwar in the coastal area of the state. They reached Malpe sea beach on Friday, October 29.
In-charge deputy commissioner and CEO of zilla panchayat Dr Naveen Bhat welcomed the team of girls on behalf of the district administration on the beach of Malpe. He said, “Young girls, In addition to involving themselves in adventurous sports, should make resolutions to achieve landmarks at national, international and Olympic Games. The adventurous qualities of these young girls should be model to all young girls and women of this state.
“The achievements of these youths, who have put up with all the difficulties they faced during their adventurous tour should not be limited to only our state or country but should be role models to the young generation of the world.
“Already a spot has been identified at Padukere in the district for training on adventurous sport. General Timmaiah adventure academy will also start a branch here. Youth of the district should reap the benefits of this center.”
Sharing their experience of this adventure, the young girls said, “We scaled the peak of mountain carrying bags weighing 25 kg. We did our own cooking throughout our journey and did not depend on anyone. In addition, we erected tents ourselves. We have scaled the peak before the specified time. We did not mind the health issues during the journey but reached our goal. We have seen the issues faced by women and girls in various parts of our country. We have the intention of conducting awareness programmes for women in order for them to venture out of the house and become adventurous. Parents and our trainers have given us whole hearted support.”
Aishwarya V and Dhanalaxmi, residents of Shivamogga, Asha, resident of Bengaluru, Pushpa,resident of Madikeri and Bindu from Mysuru are in the team of girls in this adventurous journey.
Clifford Lobo, assistant director of Udupi tourism department and Shabbir, director of adventurous journey were present. Dr Roshan Kumar Shetty, assistant director of department of youth empowerment and sports welcomed the gathering and rendered vote of thanks.
Mountain to Sea (Shikaradinda Sagara) is a 60 day-long campaign which professes that the adventure and courage of women will portray progress of men. This programme, which is being organized with the cooperation of Indian Mountaineering foundation and General Timmaiah national adventure academy, was flagged off on August 16 and is going to end at Mangaluru after the Kayak journey in sea.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS) / October 29th, 2021
Auto drivers Sunil and Mujeeb returned a bag with cash, a mobilephone and documents to its owner at Suntikoppa in the presence of the police
Two honest auto drivers have returned a bag containing Rs 28,000 in cash, a mobile phone and documents to its owner.
Auto drivers Mujeeb and Sunil had found a bag lying on the ground at Panya Junction in Madapura. After opening the bag, they found that it had cash, documents and a mobile phone.
The duo handed the bag over to Autorickshaw Drivers and Owners’ Association president A M Shareef, who in turn handed it over to PSI Puneeth Kumar.
The police informed the owner of the bag.
It is said that plantation labourers Ravi and his wife were travelling in an auto and did not realise that their bag had fallen while they were travelling.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Suntikoppa / October 27th, 2021
A total of 24 poets including four Horanadu Kannadigas and a specially abled have been selected for State-level Dasara and Rajyotsava Kavya Puraskar in the State-level Poetry Contest organised by Akhila Bharatiya Kannada Sahitya haagu Samskrutika Parishat and Gramantara Buddhijeevigala Balaga.
They are as follows:
Horanadu Kannadigas Category:
Seema Kulkarni (Malaysia), S. Nalina Prasad (Mumbai), Ramana Shetty Renjal (Maharashtra) and Divakar Ballal (Kasargod).
Poetess Category:
Renuka Kodaganji (Bengaluru), Leela-kumari Todikyana (Kodagu), Vasanta Surendranath (Magadi), Divyaja (Bengaluru), Asif Begaum (Kolar), P. Veena (Harihar), Dr. Gurudevi Hulleppanavar Mutt (Belagavi), Indira Shetty (Mysuru) and Nandana P. Shetty (Dakshina Kannada).
Poets Category:
K. Raveesh M.C. Halli (Chikkamagalur), Pradeep Soranagadde (Shivamogga), Raghuveer Mahalingapura (Bagalkot), D.M. Bhatta Kulave (Uttara Kannada), Dr. K.C. Chandrapakash (Tumakuru), K.T. Adarsh Kappadur (Shivamogga), D.P. Chikkanna (Mandya), M. Shivanna (Hassan) and B. Vijaykumar (Udupi).
Specially Abled Poets:
Poornima Hanumantappa Badigeri (Hassan).
Senior writer and columnist from Belagavi Y.M. Menasinakai and senior writer and social worker from Hassan Jayashri D. Krishna were the jury.
P.A. Meghashree from Kasargod has been selected for the State-level Kavya Puraskar given by Balaga President and journalist Dr. Berya Ramakumar and H.N. Savita couple in the name of their son late B.R. Ullas.
Katha Puraskar
A total of 13 members including two Horanadu Kannadigas and a specially abled have been selected for Dr. K. Shivaram Karanth Katha Puraskar in the State-level Story Contest organised as part of the 120th birth anniversary of Jnanapith Awardee Dr. K. Shivaram Karanth.
Horanadu Kannadigas:
Karunakara S. Shetty (Maharashtra) and Sharada A. Anchan (Navi Mumbai).
K.G. Bhadrannanavar (Tumakuru), Y.M. Raghunandan (Mysuru), B. Kantappa (Bhadravati) and S.G. Shivashankar (Mysuru).
Specially Abled Writers:
Bandihole Manjunath (Mandya).
Senior writer couple from Mysuru – K. Ramesh and Dr. S. Sudha and senior writer and columnist from Mumbai Dr. G.D. Joshi were the jury.
Both Kavya Puraskar and Katha Puraskar will be presented to the winners during the Sahityotsava to be held in the month of November, according to a press release.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 25th, 2021
El Rang’, a collection of stories by Uluvangada Kaveri Udaya, was released during a programme at Patrika Bhavana in Madikeri on Tuesday.
‘El Rang’, a collection of stories authored by Uluvangada Kaveri Udaya was released by social worker Pemmadiyanda Venu Appanna and Kannada, Kodava film producer Kottukattira Yashoda Cariappa, during a programme organised by Kodava Makkada Koota, on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion, Yashoda Cariappa said that children should be encouraged to read books. This will give a boost to literature.
As people are spending time on social media most of the time, the habit of reading is decreasing. Parents should inculcate the habit of reading among their children, she said.
She also lauded the efforts of Kodava Makkada Koota which has published 51 books.
Venu Appanna said that literature needs to thrive in Kodagu. Writers in the district need encouragement.
Kodava Makkada Koota secretary Puttarira Karun Kalaiah said that the Kodava Makkada Koota has been organising various programmes since 2013 and has played a major role in installing the statue of Squadron Leader Ajjamada Devaiah.
Literary works in different languages are being brought out by the Koota, he said.
Presiding over the programme, Kodava Makkada Koota president Bollajira B Ayyappa said that the Koota has published literary works in Kodava, Kannada, English and Hindi languages.
“El Rang’ is the 51st work. Out of the 50 books, five books have been awarded by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy and movies have been made based on two published works, he added.
Kodava Makkada Koota advisor Kulletira Ajith Nanaiah and writer Uluvangada Kaveri Udaya also spoke on the occasion.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / October 26th, 2021
Idols of Lord Vishnu dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries are among the latest additions to the Kodagu District Museum on the premises of Madikeri Fort.
Museum curator Rekha said there are more than a thousand rare antiques at the museum.
Appealing to residents of Kodagu to hand over any rare historic idols they may stumble upon in their villages,, she said, “Many villagers have discarded many such ancient idols and artistic figures in rivers. When they find broken idols, they believe it brings bad luck and throw it away. Such monuments are valuable even if they are broken.
If they are confused, they can contact me for any guidance.”
The museum also houses the Kodava Odikathi, shaped in the form of the letter ‘V’, and the sickle, which is shown to the visitors.
“In 1975, Field Marshal Cariappa donated many valuable artefacts. We have kept them in a gallery. Many of these artefacts were made from plaster in Morocco. The museum also has many attractive items that date back to the days when Kodagu was ruled by various kings,” Rekha added.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City News> Mysuru News / TNN / October 24th, 2021
A couple of days back I received the Annual Report of the Coorg Education Fund, Madikeri, Kodagu, like in the past few years. Though I hardly go through it, it is a reminder that I am a Life Member of this Fund. I don’t even remember when and how I became a Life Member. Let it be.
However, my first connect with this Fund was probably in 1957-58 when I was a student in Madikeri First Grade College, as it was known then. For some reason, may be connected with sports, I was to have a blue-blazer but I did not have the courage to ask my father. A classmate told me that I could approach, with an application, the Coorg Education Fund, the Office of which was in Madikeri itself. Looking back, I guess the procedure to get the money, a sort of loan, was rather simple. And I got the required Rs. 150 and the blazer which I wore with a sense of pride — walking around like a cockerel! Of course, I forgot about the loan and in time the blazer too.
Many years passed. I was in Mumbai as a journalist and I received a letter from my father saying the Coorg Education Fund had sent me (or him) a notice claiming refund of the amount. Mercifully, he also mentioned that he had settled that account in full. After all, it was a question of his prestige in the society. He did not, however, forget to write that I had taken that money without his knowledge.
Time passed, nearly 20 years. I returned to Mysuru, the border district of Coorg, as the Publisher and Editor of this newspaper and the sister publication Mysuru Mithra. Simultaneously, I was also writing books in English and Kannada as a pastime. One book was about Coorg and the efforts of Protestant Christians to convert the local Kodavas — a historical fiction titled ‘The Cross and the Coorgs.’
Surprisingly, the Fund decided to honour me for my effort at its Annual Meeting. Aware that I owe no money to the Fund borrowed while a student, I agreed to attend. I don’t know if I donated any a money but surely I must have become a Life Member. Otherwise how would I get the invite for the Annual Meeting.
This year the meeting is on 30.10.2021 and with its President Koothanda P. Uthappa, at the helm, it is going to be a great year of noble service as in the past. By the way Koothanda P. Uthappa has been steering this ship of Fund for the past 21 years with great elan. No wonder the corpus fund for the year 2020 was Rs. 9,05,68,877 as against Rs. 61,13,935 in 2000-2001. A quantum leap indeed and multiple three-cheers to K.P. Uthappa and his team. And the greater glory is that as on 11.9.2021 the corpus is Rs. 11,82,14,382. Should one say more? Funds are in safe hands and as per Report, appropriated properly for the noble service of supporting the cause of education among the community.
Another person who was the President of the Fund for the longest period so far was Chendanda P. Appanna (Appi), a big planter whom I had seen and spoken to. He was the President from 1974 to 1997, 23 years. May be, K.P. Uthappa will in the next three years beat the record of Appanna. And we can look forward for a treasury flush with a few more crores.
As I remember, some members of the community had made a request to the Coorg Education Fund to establish a Medical College in Kodagu with its corpus fund of a few crores as the initial capital etc. But the idea was not accepted by the then President. I guess, in retrospect, it was a good decision by the President and the Fund is pursuing the objective of its Founders most honestly with passion even after 158 years.
The genesis of this Fund was in the Mercara School Endowment Education Fund started in the year 1863. The British were ruling Kodagu at the time after dislodging the King Chikkaveera Rajendra in 1834.
This Fund was created by 11 noblemen of Kodagu, all Kodavas, at a time when concern for Education was not a priority in the country generally. That Fund was rechristened, I imagine, in the year 1916 as Coorg Education Fund and has been rendering its service to the community since then.
I know K.P. Uthappa since over a decade because of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) which he was heading in Kodagu and I was the Vice-Chairman of BVB Mysuru. I found him to be a good speaker, always touching upon matters spiritual, metaphysical and holy scriptures. No wonder of all the Annual General Body Report I receive, of the few Associations and Organisations I am a member, ONLY the Report of this Fund is different from others. Apart from matters pertaining to the Agenda of the meeting as per the law, the Report has writings relating to ethics, morals and noble acts of service to mankind. Well, if the President is a person of K.P. Uthappa’s thinking about life and service, apparently steeped in spiritual consciousness, I figure, that it is inevitable such writings too must form part of such Annual Reports. And so it is here.
He has given the vision of Coorg Education Fund in the following words:
“The progress of any community in society depends on the education of their children. It is, therefore, our endeavour that all boys and girls should become graduates, doctors, engineers, CAs and excel in other professions.”
“It is such a vision that can serve the society, the community and the country at large.”
It is obvious there is a patriotic, nationalistic fervour in this precept prescribed by the President of the Fund. I think this dose of discourse is needed so that we may not despair despite challenges. Of the moral lessons and some quotable quotes, let me reproduce here one interesting episode connected to Winston Churchill:
Masonic contribution
The poor Scottish farmer’s name was Fleming. One day, while working in the field, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby marshy land (bog). He dropped his tools and ran to the marshy land.
There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as father of the boy farmer Fleming had saved. “I want to repay you,” said the nobleman. “You saved my son’s life.”
“No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,” the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel. “Is that your son?” the nobleman asked.
“Yes,” the farmer replied proudly.
“I’ll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.” And that he did.
Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son, who was saved from the marshy land, was stricken with pneumonia.
What saved his life this time?
Penicillin.
Who was the nobleman?
Lord Randolp Churchill.
Who was his son?
Sir Winston Churchill.
[Both Winston and Alexander were Freemasons]
‘Let noble thoughts come to us from every side,’ a verse from Rigveda, is the motto of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB). Indeed, K.P. Uthappa is much influenced by the ideals of BVB.
[voice@starofmysore.com]
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Columns> Abracadabra / by K.B.Ganapathy / October 18th, 2021
Codava National Council members pay tributes to the martyrs of Devatparambu.
On the commemoration of the genocide of the Kodava people by Tipu Sultan, tributes were paid to the martyrs at Devatparambu by Codava National Council (CNC).
‘Bott Kutva’ and ‘Naivedya’ was offered to the souls, by the CNC members.
CNC president N U Nachappa said that Devatparambu, the place where the Kodava people were killed, should be declared as a national memorial.
CNC leaders Kaliyanda Prakash, Lt Col B M Parvathi, Pattamada Kusha, Mandapanda Suraj, Mandapanda Manoj, Chiyabera Satish, Sullimada Sutan, Alamanda Jai, Bollarapanda Machaiah, Karavanda Sarasu, Areyada Girish, Katumaniyanda Umesh and Kaliyanda Subbaiah were present.
‘Award tribal status’
Codava National Commission has submitted a memorandum, urging National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to place the demand before the government, to award tribal status to the Kodavas.
The CNC also urged the commission to collect the data on the origin of the Kodava community, in order to safeguard the interests of the Kodava people.
A study in this regard which was initiated earlier was not carried out properly. The study should be conducted again, they said.
Nachappa expressed his concern about the diminishing population of the Kodava community.
There is a need to protect the community, he said.
“Kodava people are eligible for the tribal status, as per the recommendations by Lokur Committee report. Kodavas have their own language, food, culture, civilisation, mode of worship and folklore. They are also dwelling amidst forests and hilly regions.
The delegation was led by the CNC, comprised of High Court advocate Lakkavalli Manjunath, Kaliyanda Prakash, Lt Col B M Parvathi, Alamanda Jai and others.
NCST member and former MP Anant Naik, commission secretary Tawang Singh and officials were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / October 19th, 2021
S R Akshata’s artworks are adorning the walls of govt schools, offices.
A talented girl from a remote rural area in Kodagu district is now been becoming famous in the region, through her artistic skills.
S R Akshata, an artist from Navagrama village in Kodlipet Gram Panchayat limits in Shanivarasanthe, has been pursuing her passion while doing her regular studies.
Artworks created by her have adorned the walls of government schools and offices, drawing everybody’s attention.
Akshata is the daughter of wood sculptor Ramesh and Kavita.
She developed an interest in drawing since her primary school days. However, she could not carry it out seriously until she joined Morarji Desai Residential School in Aluru Siddapura.
Art teacher D P Satish identified her talent, encouraged her and honed her skills.
She was so much involved in arts that she chose to carry out her degree education in art, in Mahalasa School of Visual Arts in Mangaluru.
Currently, she is in the second year of her degree. She has been mastering pencil art, poster colour art, 3-D art, pencil shading, acrylic art and so on.
In a humble gesture, during holidays, she spreads her knowledge to the students of government schools by teaching them drawing and painting.
She also creates artworks for the schools. The initiative was taken by ‘Nammura Kalakaliya Vedike’ set up by D P Satish, of which she is a part.
Apart from teaching art to the students, she also contributed her own artworks to the schools in Navagrama and surrounding villages.
Her artworks are now adorning the walls of five schools, a Gram Panchayat and three libraries.
Teacher D P Satish said that her talent should be appreciated in the state and the nation.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Shanivarasanthe / October 10th, 2021
Dr. S.V. Narasimhan, a family physician based at Virajpet in Kodagu, is an avid birder, nature lover, adept at computers, Karnatak music and astronomy.
Author of Feathered Jewels of Coorg, a field-guide to 310 species of birds found in Coorg, Dr. Narasimhan is the pioneer in spreading wildlife conservation messages through his unique hand-painted Wildlife Message Cards that are sent free to individuals throughout the world to mark Wildlife Week (Oct. 2 to 8).
Total number of hand-painted cards made by him this year is 2,630; in 37 years, 75,285 cards.
Total recipients this year including Star of Mysore – 1,284; in 37 years — 13,387 persons.
The Special Wildlife Messenger this year is Rufous Woodpecker (Micropternus brachyurus) which is a medium sized, brown coloured bird, with short beak and a short strong tail. Male birds have a red patch under the eyes. They feed on insects, ants and flower nectar. Their call is a sharp nasal, three-note, Knk-Knk-Knk. The most surprising fact is that they make their nest within the carton nests of Crematogaster ants and the young also feed on the eggs and larvae of the ants!
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 11th, 2021
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