Category Archives: Business & Economy

Kodagu’s ecological fragility in focus again

June 22, 2020Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, Alladmin

A file photo of the Makkandoor Somwarpet road after a landslip near Madikeri in 2018. | Photo Credit: G_P_Sampath Kumar

IISc. study finds built-up area rose from 1.55% to 2.69% from 2016 to 2019

The latest landslip in Madikeri town last week, following which the Kodagu district administration decided to shift 13 families to safety, brings the focus back on the ecological sensitivity of the region which has been ignored.

This is the third consecutive year that the district is witnessing landslip and experts say this calls for urgent long-term environment mitigation policy initiatives, besides a halt on wanton destruction of the local environment.

A study by a team of experts from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), Bengaluru, has highlighted the dangers of increased landslip, if the current development trend is allowed to continue.

The findings are by T.V. Ramachandra, S. Vinay and S. Bharat of Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc.. It has been published in a paper titled ‘Urban Dynamics in Coorg District, Karnataka’ in the ENVIS Technical Report.

The study assessed the land use dynamics of the district and the results indicated that the built-up area has increased from 1.55% to 2.69% in three years from 2016 to 2019.

Besides, the native vegetation cover including forest, scrub jungles, sacred groves have declined from 45.44% of the land area to 44.46%.

The other findings of the study also has environmental implications and it points out that the interior forest cover of the district had declined from 24% to 22.23%.

The proposal of new layouts, resorts, highway expansions and linear projects will encourage higher land use changes, according to the study.

It stated that the urbanisation process has led to chaotic growth in the region and called for determining the rate and trend of land use conversion for devising a rational land use policy. Based on the land use pattern for 2016 and 2019, the authors of the study predicted the landscape dynamics for 2031, which indicated increase in the built-up areas in Madikeri, Kushalnagar, Virajpet, Gonikoppal, and Somwarpet.

Also, the influence of road networks and tourism will encourage urbanisation along highways and identified Kodilpet, Suntikoppa, Hebbale, Maadapura, Napoklu, Ammathi etc, as per the study.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by R Krishna Kumar / Mysuru – June 22nd, 2020

Prasad Bidapa’s new venture brings fashion shows online

June 17, 2020Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

Models sporting a collection by Aviva Swimwear | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Virtual Runway will have everything, right from sets/beautiful location to hair and makeup, stylists and models

The models are ready. The runway is set. So slip into those stilettos, dab on some lipstick and take your seat. It’s show time… in front of the computer. With everything going virtual, fashion shows too have followed suit. And fashion choreographer, consultant and stylist Prasad Bidapa is pleased with the development. It’s all about adapting and reinventing, he believes.

“With COVID-19 ensuring there are no shows, gathering or audience, it was imperative to move to an online platform,” says Prasad. Normally fashion shows have an audience of 250 to 300. But with an online show we can get 50,000 hits. So, it was a no-brainer, really,” he says. That is why, he is currently setting up The Virtual Runway, a project that aims to stream fashion shows “at a device near you.” It is set to launch later this month but the ground work is underway.

The show will have everything, right from a complete set/beautiful location to hair and makeup, stylists and models. The only aspect missing is the live audience. “At the end of each segment, you can directly connect to the online portal of whichever brand’s show you just watched,” explains Prasad. Virtual runways are a great way to start moving stock, he says.

To give viewers an idea of what to expect from The Virtual Runway, Prasad, along with daughter Aviva (designer and founder of Aviva Swimwear), has created a template that will go live on Thursday. “The whole video will be produced fresh. Right now, for the teaser we are using stock images from previous fashion shows. But when we start the shows, we will have fresh productions, shot from scratch”, says Aviva.

Each show can be customised depending on what the designer wants to do. For example, Aviva, who will be one of the first on the show, showcasing her line of swimwear, says, she likes to introduce her collections and talk the viewers through the process. “Since it’s a filmed process, a mistake can be re-shot,” adds Prasad, who has been part of the industry for four decades now.

A collection by Samanth Chauhan | Photo Credit: JPIC.IN

A flagbearer for slow fashion, Prasad believes in the present scenario, it will come into its own. “It will be more appreciated and the culture of buying, using and throwing garments will go,” he says. The Virtual Runway will also highlight other aspects of fashion such as sustainability and upcycling. It is perfectly fine to repeat garments, Prasad reiterates, adding, “I have been proudly posting pictures of my repeated garments styled with maybe a different pair of shoes or kurta inside a jacket. You can wear a garment 10 times in a row and make it look different each time,” he says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style> Fashion / by Priyadarshinin Partandy / June 16th, 2020

Permission granted to reopen 800 homestays in Kodagu: DC

June 11, 2020Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy holds a meeting with the stakeholders of the tourism department in Madikeri on Tuesday.

Permission has been given to reopen 800 homestays in Kodagu district, said Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy.

Chairing a meeting with the stakeholders of the tourism department in Madikeri on Tuesday, she said that homestays should follow all safety guidelines issued by the government with regard to the control of Covid-19 without fail and the complete details of visitors should be registered.

“However, there is no permission to conduct meetings, functions and parties,” she added.

She also said that currently, there are no containment areas in the district. However, it cannot be predicted that there will not be any in future. If any person arriving at a homestay is tested positive for Covid-19, then the entire premises will be declared as the containment area.

Therefore, the role of visitors and the owners of hotels and homestays is crucial, she said.

Any issues in this regard can be addressed to the DC office control room number 1077 or WhatsApp number 85500 01077.

District Superintendent of Police Dr Suman D Pennekar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Sneha, Assistant Commissioner T Javaregowda, Health and Family Welfare officer Dr K Mohan, Homestay Association President B G Anantashayana, Resort Association President B R Nagendra Prasad and Tours and Travels Association President Cheyyanda Satya were present in the meeting.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / DHNS, Madikeri / June 09th, 2020

NDRF team reaches Kodagu district

June 5, 2020Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, Alladmin

A National Disaster Response Team of 25 people reached Kodagu district on Tuesday and will be in Madikeri during monsoon.

The NDRF team reaches Kodagu on Tuesday and will stay in the district till the end of this monsoon season | EXPRESS

Madikeri:

A National Disaster Response Team of 25 people reached Kodagu district on Tuesday and will be in Madikeri during monsoon. The team is likely to stay in the district till August-end. The team members are from the 10th Battalion of the NDRF and arrived from Andhra Pradesh.

The team is headed by Commanding Officer R K Upadhyaya. The team has been sent to the district following a request from Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Annies K Joy.

The NDRF team is likely to conduct mock rescue operations. Following the 2018 floods in Kodagu, the district administration is taking all precautionary steps.

The NDRF and the Karnataka Civil Defence Quick Response Team have actively involved themselves in rescue operations during monsoon across Kodagu district since 2018.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / June 03rd, 2020

‘I want to do roles I will be remembered for’

June 4, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

Actor Sindhu Loknath speaks about her role in ‘Kaanadante Maayavadanu’

Sindhu Loknath, who was last seen in ‘Heegondhu Dina’, is back with ‘Kaanadante Maayavadanu’, a Kannada film which released this Friday.

In a candid chat with Metrolife, she spoke about her recent film and more.

What about the film impressed you?

I was impressed by the storyline. It’s a love story, which involves a ghost. The whole concept was quite intriguing.

When did you start shooting?

We started in 2016 and it took three years. Uday’s death, who played the antagonist originally, meant that the second half of the film had to be reshot. This caused a delay.

Tell us a bit about your role.

I play the role of Vandana, a girl who works with an NGO. She is always working towards the betterment of society, especially underprivileged children.

How did you prepare for your role?

Though I did not have to do any major preparation, it was quite a different experience for me. I am not at all like Vandana in real life. She is a selfless and mature person, who knows exactly what she wants to do .

My director advised me on how to portray her and I hope I have done justice.

How different was it to work in a thriller?

‘Kaanadante Maayavadanu’ is a fantasy-thriller love story. Every genre is interesting in its own way. However, we faced some challenges while shooting action scenes.

How was it to shoot in Kashmir?

The experience was wonderful. We shot there just a few days before Article 370 was abrogated. The costumes, the background and the cinematography combined to give some mind-blowing scenes.

Did the delay in the release of the film cause you to feel apprehensive?

I was hoping for an early release so that I could get better roles; I didn’t want to repeat the same old characters that I had been doing. When the release was delayed, people even thought that I quit acting.

The audience expects actors to be on screen regularly. They expect actors to do films, whether those are good or bad. I work differently and want to do roles that I will be remembered in the years to come.

What is the kind of films you want to do?

I would love to do a biopic on PT Usha since I am a sportsperson myself. I would also like to play the role of a mentally-challenged person, as I am sure such a role would challenge me as an actress.

You have a business now. Does that mean that you’ll be seen lesser on the screen?

I own a beauty and health products company called ‘Sinfully Myne’, which creates organic products for the hair and face. But, this doesn’t mean that I will be seen any less on the silver screen.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Metrolife> Metrolife Lifestyle / by Tini Sara Anien / DHNS, Bengaluru / January 31st, 2020

Clarity sought on ex-gratia for war veterans

June 2, 2020Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

Is the Centre’s proposal to pay ex-gratia for Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs) and Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) who participated in the 1965 and 1971 wars, also applicable to non-commissioned officers ?

The proposal has raised confusion among a section of the ex-servicemen, and VeKare Ex-servicemen Trust (VeKET), an organisation fighting for the cause of retired soldiers, has written a letter to the army authorities and the Defence Ministry seeking clarity on the issue.

Mandetira N. Subramani, an advocate and President of VEKET, told The Hindu that a large number of ECOs and SSCOs were inducted during the 1965 and 1971 wars to overcome the scarcity of officers then. These war veterans do not get regular pension as they retired before completing the pensionable service of 15 years, he said.

“The Government of India has now proposed to sanction ex-gratia to them to the tune of ₹30,000 per month which is not only welcome but is belated. What is disconcerting is that there is no mention of the jawans, seamen and airmen who are categorised under Other Ranks (ORs) but who too played critical role in the operations and we wonder if they have been excluded’’, said Mr. Subramani.

He pointed out that the army circular on compiling the data of the war veterans who are in receipt of the Samar Seva Star, 1965 or the Poorvi/Paschimi Stars, 1971 only refers to ECOs and SSCOs and there was no mention of the ORs.

“Some sepoys, naiks and havaldars may have served for a longer duration than the ECOs and SSCOs and hence the former group of personnel should not be denied their due and this goes against the principle of natural justice,” he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – May 30th, 2020

Ban Lifted On Kodagu Land Conversion

May 28, 2020Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, Alladmin

Henceforth, lands will be converted based on report by Geological Survey of India (GSI)

Bengaluru:

The Karnataka Government has relaxed regulations banning the conversion of land in Kodagu district and now allows small land-owners to build their homes by converting agricultural land, a move that will allow commercial establishments and layouts to flourish in the district that was devastated by landslides two years ago.

Revenue Minister R. Ashoka said the Government decided to permit land conversion as both locals and elected representatives wanted the moratorium to be lifted. That is why the Government has decided to permit land conversion again, with some restrictions. In May 2019, the ban was relaxed to allow conversion for small individual houses.

According to Ashoka, land conversion from agricultural to residential land will be regulated and will not be allowed along buffer zones. Ten metres on each side of a river, stream or storm water drain are classified as buffer zones. Moreover, conversion is prohibited in properties with steep slopes as houses built on such terrain could collapse during landslides. Land conversion is also prohibited in regions where houses had collapsed in 2018 floods, he said.

The land can be converted for commercial purposes. Ahead of any conversion, land-owners will have to seek no-objection certificates from Deputy Commissioners and local Gram Panchayats. Only after a Committee headed by the DC, which includes a Geologist, submits a report the conversion can take place, Ashoka said.

The land will be thoroughly surveyed by the Tahsildar. The survey report (by the Tahsildar) will be reviewed by the DC under Section 95 of Karnataka Land Revenue Act of 1964 before granting conversion.

Land conversion, Ashoka said, will be based on the report by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). Those that are categorised as red-alert areas will not be converted. The conversion will be regulated so that the district does not face any landslides.

The State had imposed a blanket ban on land conversion in Kodagu following floods and landslides in August 2018. The regulations were tightened based on recommendations made by GSI. Following this, Kodagu district authorities rejected over 693 applications in the last five months to convert land for commercial use.

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

‘Houses built for flood victims are best of quality’

May 23, 2020Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

District In-charge Minister V Somanna chairs a meeting at Zilla Panchayat auditorium in Madikeri on Friday. DH Photo

The houses built for the flood victims in Made and Jamburu are of best quality according to my knowledge, said Kodagu District In-charge Minister V Somanna.

Addressing mediapersons here, on Friday, he said it was not right to make allegations for political reasons. He said that he had checked the quality of the houses.

The minister said that the programme of handing over the houses, scheduled on May 29, had been postponed. The houses will be handed over to the beneficiaries before June 5, he added.

Leaders and elected representatives will be invited to the programme as per the protocol, he said.

Replying to a query, Somanna said, “What is important is that the facility reaches the beneficiaries. It is not important who has implemented the project.”

The minister meanwhile stated that there was a plan to construct 10 lakh houses in urban and rural areas in the next two years.

450 people under quarantine

Later speaking at a meeting, the minister said that 450 people had been quarantined in the district.

“Our district cannot be compared to Bengaluru. People have given their cooperation to the district administration in implementing the lockdown guidelines.”

Somanna further stated that migrant labourers in the district had traveled to Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jharkhand and other states. Many other labourers have requested the district administration to send them to their native places. But, the respective states are yet to give their permission, he added.

MLA K G Bopaiah said that the vehicles transporting fish and pork into the district should be subjected to thorough checking at the check posts, as there are chances of beef being transported in these vehicles. He requested the people coming from other districts to get themselves voluntarily tested for COVID-19.

MLC Veena Acchaiah said that the rainy season was approaching. But, the driftwood have not been cleared. “If the wood is not cleared, I will hold a dharna in front of the forest department office,” she added.

Mobix organisation Kodagu branch manager handed over 14,000 masks to the minister, for distribution among students taking SSLC examination.

MP Prathap Simha, Kodagu Zilla Panchayat President B A Harish, MLA Appachu Ranjan, MLC Sunil Subramani, Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, District Superintendent of Police Suman D Pannekar and Zilla Panchayat CEO K Lakshmipriya were present.

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

Looks are a-changin’

May 22, 2020Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorgadmin

Stock up on handlooms, eye make-up, and neck and hand jewellery, as post-pandemic life looks set to see a change in style mantras

Bengaluru :

Fashion in the beginning of 2020 was slowly moving towards a more conscious and sustainable approach, and the pandemic has only helped in further validating this cause. The COVID-19 outbreak will redefine fashion and style trends, say experts, with people moving towards natural, breathable fabrics.

“The economic slowdown has been felt by consumers, designers and as well as artisans,” says fashion curator and brand consultant Sarayu Hegde. With the buzz at this point being local manufacturing, Hegde points out that there is newfound pride in wearing the ‘Made in India’ tag now more than ever before. Weaves like Ikat and Uppada are likely to gain even more popularity. “In the recent past, there has been a shift by designers and brands towards using more indigenous material. Also, a lot of plant-based fabrics like banana, bamboo, jute, aloe vera, flax and hemp are currently being used to make sustainable clothing. I would like to see designers creating garments and products with an Indian soul while keeping in mind a more global sensibility,” she says.

Agrees fashion guru Prasad Bidapa who lives in the hope that the Indian customer will now realise that there is nothing as precious as traditional Indian hand-woven textiles. “In this COVID age, a khadi gamchha used as a breathable face mask is infinitely better than any synthetic mask which recycles stale, poisonous air. We need to support the artisanal textile crafts of India,” he says.

Both Hegde and Prasad resonate one thought: the importance of slow fashion. “Fashion will be back in a celebratory manner. Just like in the 1920s, except we hope that people will choose mindful indulgence as opposed to over-indulgence,” says Hegde. “No more impulse buying, but to upcycle our wardrobes and to retain the best of it, to wear again, should be key. We must be prepared to invest in quality, not quantity,” says Bidapa.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Vidya Iyengar, Express News Service / May 21st, 2020

Chennai-based coffee startup Farmgate is bringing Arabica beans from Coorg to store shelves

May 18, 2020Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, Alladmin

Now, filter coffee for conference calls: Chennai-based coffee startup Farmgate is bringing Arabica beans from Coorg to store shelves, and filter coffee machines to workplaces.

“We have been producing coffee for over 100 years,” says 30-year-old Lakshmanan Sevugan, about his family’s coffee estates in Coorg.

So far, however, the family has only been supplying quality Arabica and Robusta beans to coffee makers and agents. Now, the millennial entrepreneur is changing things. “Usually, these sales that happen through a farm gate, where agents come and buy, are called farm gate sales,” he says, explaining the logic behind the name of his new coffee brand.

Farmgate Coffee, ironically, aims to do the exact opposite of traditional farmgate sales. “We want to give our customers the direct farm to cup experience,” says Lakshmanan. This is what the startup has been trying to do ever since its launch in August.

Arabica beans are brought from the estates in Coorg to Chennai, roasted, ground and blended in Mylapore, and packaged in specific blends with chicory, at Farmgate’s corporate office in Nungambakam. They are then sent to clients like restaurants and coffee shops, each of which orders a unique blend for customers.

“We are focusing on Arabica for now. I have grown up drinking this coffee. I like it to be 100% coffee, but the studies we did show that people prefer different blends,” shrugs Lakshmanan. In fact, 60% of the people they studied with preferred coffee mixed with chicory “because they do not like the pure bitterness of it,” says Lakshmanan.

The coffee is not only for businesses, however. A specific 80% medium-roast coffee to 20% chicory blend, called Namma Chennai, is packaged for retail, and has shown up at a few store shelves around the city. Two more will be up by the end of this year.

“We don’t have distributors as such; we operate the entire supply chain ourselves, since we are still a small startup,” says Lakshmanan. His ambitions don’t end there, probably because his love for coffee itself doesn’t end at the pick stage or with any particular roast, but in a dabara of steaming filter coffee. “I love filter coffee; I would take a break and walk out to drink some, back when I had an office job.”

Lakshmanan is convinced that most office-goers — not only in Chennai and Bengaluru but also Mumbai, Delhi and other parts of the country — would jump at the chance to have filter coffee at work. “But all they get are cappuccino machines, or the option of getting filter coffee delivered from somewhere. It doesn’t taste the same,” he says.

So next up Farmgate’s sleeve is a filter coffee solution, including a blend and a filter coffee machine. “It is a pure play filter coffee vending machine, a separate vessel where decoction is collected, and kept heated at 70 degrees Celsius over a hot plate,” he explains. The machine — currently used by the Farmgate team in their office — then lets the drinker choose a ‘filter coffee’ option.

The device is not developed by Farmgate, but by a private firm that they have tied up with. “We are still a small startup, we don’t have the budget to make our own machines. Just like we don’t have the budget to set up our own roastery, yet.”

Farmgates coffees are roasted and ground, according to its clients’ requirements, at Sundaram Coffee in Mylapore, which has been in the business for over 70 years. Coffee beans are sent to Sundaram every other day, and roasted, cooled, then ground in small batches of five kilos each. “The lesser the amount, the more attention we can give while roasting, and the better taste we get,” says Magan Pradeep, branch manager of Sundaram Coffees in Mylapore.

Back in the coffee estates, picking season has begun. “Arabica till January and Robusta till March. So I will be visiting Coorg more frequently over the next few months. I’m going there next week, in fact,” smiles Lakshmanan.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style> Food / by Megha Majumdar / November 18th, 2019

Kodagu First

a Celebration. Positive News, Facts & Achievements about Kodagu, Coorgs and the People of Kodagu – here at Home and Overseas