With its plant-based cuisines, Twisted Basil is a sanctuary for vegetarian travellers to Coorg.
Perched amidst the verdant embrace of Timbertales Luxury Resort in Coorg, Twisted Basil stands out as a feast for both the eyes and the palate—a pure‑vegetarian sanctuary where plant‑based cuisine is elevated to an art.
If you are looking for an interesting tasting menu on your next trip to Coorg, look no further than Twisted Basil that offers a choice of tasting menu that include Pan Asian, Continental as well as a Chef’s Choice option, which is a mix of what is in season and fresh produce of the day.
Food: The continental menu starts with the first course called ‘starting savoury’. The Creamy Carrot Soup is hearty, served with a hint of basil oil. The Carpaccio Di Barbabietola salad with roasted beetroot carpaccio, navel orange and goat cheese is delicious. Next up is the Frittelle Di Zucchine e Parmigiano—crispy fritters made with grated Zucchini and Parmesan cheese, served with a tangy tomato and basil dip. It hits the right spot with its mellow flavours. The Cannelloni Spinach—a tender coconut and pineapple granita is a perfect for the main course. For dessert, the Barretta Di Cioccolato Croccante, a crunchy chocolate bar with salted caramel and white pearls, is a sweet end to the meal.
Service: The service is excellent with the staff explaining each course and ingredients well.
Décor: Set over water, framed by lush bamboo and ambient fountains, the restaurant pairs bold, globally inspired flavours with a serene, tropical backdrop—perfect for travellers seeking a refined and memorable dining adventure.
Price: The price is on the higher end, a meal for two costs Rs 10,000 without taxes.
Address: No. 94/2, Kedakal Post, Modur, Madikeri, Karnataka – 571237.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Food / by Bindu Gopal Rao / June 22nd, 2025
Kodagu-based author and engineer Mookonda P. Nitin Kushalappa has been awarded the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar for his latest work, Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fables Retold, published by Puffin Books in 2023.
The awards were announced in New Delhi on Wednesday (June 18), and Nitin is among 24 writers to receive the Bal Puraskar this year.
The Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, is the country’s central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion, and is the only organisation to conduct literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English.
These distinguished literary honours recognise exceptional contributions to Indian literature across multiple languages, celebrating diversity, creativity, and the country’s rich linguistic heritage.
Presented annually, the awards honour authors whose works exemplify outstanding literary merit and cultural relevance. This year’s selection showcases a rich tapestry of genres — from poetry and novels to short stories and criticism — highlighting both emerging and established voices.
“Although I have authored seven other books so far, this is my first book for children. Winning this award was unexpected, and I am grateful that my current work has found such recognition. I thank the Sahitya Akademi for conferring the Bal Sahitya Puraskar on me. I am also thankful to my publishers, book agents, relatives, friends, and everyone who supported me on this journey,” Nitin Kushalappa told Star of Mysore.
An engineer by profession, Nitin is widely known for his deep interest in Kodagu’s local history, folklore and fiction. His notable publications include ‘The Early Coorgs’, ‘Long Ago in Coorg’, ‘1785 Coorg’, ‘Kodagu Principality vs British Empire’, ‘The Major Who Kept His Cool’, ‘The House of Awadh’ and ‘The Gandhi of Kodagu’.
His latest work, ‘Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fables Retold’, reflects his signature storytelling style, which blends regional history with creative retelling. Award winners will each receive a casket containing an engraved copper plaque and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 at a special ceremony on a later date.
A native of Kodagu, Nitin is the son of Mookonda K. Poonacha (Sunny) and M.P. Damayanthi (Pushpa), residents of Ammathi. He is married to Deepthi Belliappa from the Ketolira family.
He completed his education at Clarence High School, St. Joseph’s Pre-University College, CMR Institute of Technology (B.E.), Kuvempu University (M.A.) and Alliance University (Executive Post Graduate Diploma in Management).
2019 award
In 2019, Codanda Devika Cariapa received the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar for her book ‘A Children’s History of India in 100 Objects’, published by Penguin Random House India.
The book is a compilation featuring 100 objects that hold significant relevance in Indian history, from prehistoric times to modern-day India. The emphasis has been to capture India’s diversity through concise and descriptive texts and beautiful illustrations.
Devika is the daughter of Lt. Gen. Biddanda Chengappa Nanda (late) and Leela Nanda, and wife of Indian Air Force Group Captain (Retd.) Codanda Chitrajit Cariapa.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 21st, 2025
Coffee growers believe that while the region’s coffee is known for its flavour and aroma, without proper branding, it loses value in larger market.
Despite contributing nearly 70 per cent of India’s total coffee production, Karnataka’s coffee continues to be sold without a unified label which can represent varieties produced in the state.(Representative image)
Bengaluru :
Taking a cue from the success of Nandini in the dairy sector, coffee growers in Karnataka are pushing for a similar branding model for the state’s coffee. The Karnataka Growers’ Federation (KGF) is working on a proposal to create a unified brand called ‘Karnataka Coffee’ to give the state’s produce an identity in both national and international markets.
Federation officials confirmed that preliminary meeting have already been held with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, and they are hopeful that the proposal will be taken forward in the coming days.
Despite contributing nearly 70 per cent of India’s total coffee production, Karnataka’s coffee continues to be sold without a unified label which can represent varieties produced in the state. Coffee growers believe that while the region’s coffee is known for its flavour and aroma, without proper branding, it loses value in larger market.
“Karnataka is the largest coffee-producing state in the country, but we still don’t have a common brand that represents our coffee,” KGF President H Shivanna said, adding that if the state creates one, it will improve market visibility and directly benefit growers, specifically in districts like Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan.
He stressed that the idea is to follow a cooperative model similar to Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which helped make Nandini a wider brand. “The Nandini model also ensured fair pricing for farmers and made distribution marketing more efficient. We want to apply the same structure to coffee,” Shivanna said.
Federation officials pointed out that creating a state-backed brand could help bring attention to long-pending issues faced by planters, including frequent human-elephant conflict, pressure from forest officials, confusion around deemed forest classifications, and the need to extend land lease periods for growers.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Rishita Khanna / June 16th, 2025
“The matter to name a Metro Station in Bengaluru city will be placed before the cabinet meeting to arrive at a decision,” said the Chief Minister and exuded confidence that “None will have objection to name a Metro Station after Field Marshal Cariappa.”
Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa —DC Image
Bengaluru :
Responding to a plea to name a Station of Bangalore Metro Train Corporation Limited (BMRCL) in Bengaluru city, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday assured to fulfill the wish of the Kodavas to name a Metro Station after Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, the first Field Marshal of independent India. Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa was from Kodagu district.
“The matter to name a Metro Station in Bengaluru city will be placed before the cabinet meeting to arrive at a decision,” said the Chief Minister and exuded confidence that “None will have objection to name a Metro Station after Field Marshal Cariappa.” Though a request has been made to name a Metro Station but have not stated a particular Station.
“I will make an honest effort to name the Metro Station after Field Marshal Cariappa,” Siddaramaiah said at a felicitation programme organized by members of Kodava Samaj in Bengaluru. The felicitation to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was organized in honour of the State Government allocation of 7 acres for Kodava Samaj in Bengaluru city.
At the function, D.K. Shivakumar assured the Kodava Samaj members that the demand of Kodava Samaj to name a Metro Station after Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa has been received with an open mind and stated “The State Government will make all efforts for the coming generations to remember Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa.”
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Southern States> Karnataka / by M B Girish / June 16th, 2025
Actors Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya reunite the family of 1965 war hero Squadron Leader AB Devayya with his stolen Mahavir Chakra.
In a heartwarming moment echoing the patriotism of their film Sky Force, actors Akshay Kumar and Veer Pahariya were instrumental in reclaiming the stolen Mahavir Chakra medal, which was given posthumously to Squadron Leader AB Devayya, the only Indian Air Force officer to receive the honour after making the ultimate sacrifice in the 1965 Indo-Pak War. This touching moment echoes the patriotism of their film Sky Force.
For the Devayya family, the Mahavir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry honour, was more than simply a medal; it was a priceless memento of courage, love, and heritage. Years ago, the medal was stolen from the family’s home, leaving Devayya’s widow, Sundari Devayya, and daughter, Preetha, devastated. “For Mum, the medal was a symbol of my Dad’s courage and had held a place of pride on her dresser,” Preetha shared in a moving statement.
During the production of Sky Force, a film based on Squadron Leader Devayya’s valorous mission, Veer Pahariya — who makes his acting debut portraying Devayya — met the late officer’s family. Upon hearing about the theft, he and co-star Akshay Kumar took it upon themselves to track down and retrieve the medal.
In a deeply emotional ceremony held by the Indian Air Force at the Training Command in Bengaluru, the Mahavir Chakra was finally returned to Sundari Devayya. Air Marshal Tejinder Singh AVSM VM presented the honour, marking a moment of healing for the family. “She keeps saying she finally feels complete. After all these years, there’s peace in her heart,” said Preetha.
Veer Pahariya, visibly moved by the experience, later reflected, “This is why I chose to be an actor — to spread love, make a difference, and leave a little bit of myself behind in every story.”
Akshay Kumar, who was last seen in Housefull 5, chose to let his actions speak louder than words, with the family extending heartfelt gratitude to him. “Because of both of them, my mother is holding the Mahavir Chakra once again,” Preetha added.
Sky Force is an action drama set against the backdrop of India’s first airstrike on Pakistan’s Sargodha airbase in 1965. Directed by Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, the film also stars Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur.
source: http://www.filmfare.com / Filmfare / Home> News> Bollywood / by Filmfare / June 13th, 2025
Nidhi Subbaiah, who was last seen in UI, is reuniting with Pancharangi co-star Diganth in the dark comedy suspense thriller Edagaiye Apaghatakke Karana, which releases on June 13, 2025
Nidhi Subbaiah reunites with Diganth Manchale 14 years after Pancharangi
Like everyone else in the Kannada film industry, Nidhi Subbaiah too has been keenly observing the trend in the Kannada film industry, with audiences dwindling day-by-day.
“But honestly, I think this phase would be scarier for newcomers because they are just making baby steps and trying to make a name for themselves.
I debuted 14-15 years ago with Pancharangi and back then, it was easier and most of us were working 2-3 films at a time. I’ve found a place in people’s heart and think it is easier to hold on to the name I’ve made. In that sense, I am in a better place,” says the actress, who will next be seen in Edagaiye Apaghatakke Karana, which releases on June 13.
Pancharangi fame Nidhi Subbaiah
Nidhi adds that the fact that she is detached from the outcome of her movies is perhaps why she isn’t unduly worried about what’s going on in Sandalwood. “From the start of my career, I have been very detached from the outcome of my films. The day before the premiere of Pancharangi, there was so much nervous energy in the team and I was chilled out, because the result is not in my hands – good or bad. I am not affected by what becomes of a movie even if I have poured my heart and soul into it,” she reasons.
Nidhi Subbaiah: Acting is a job I do; it’s not who I am
The actress adds that it is necessary for people in the industry to not put all their eggs in one basket – Sandalwood – and to diversify, either into other neighbouring film industries or totally unrelated stuff based on one’s skillsets. “See, web series’ are an option, but am sure most of us have more skills than just being actors. For instance, I am writing something currently, which may turn into a book or a script and am in talks with a publishing house. I also pursue sailing actively. There are things I can do; acting is a job I do, it’s not who I am. I won’t die if the industry dies,” says Nidhi.
The Krishnan Marriage Story actress adds that she’s been able to stay alive and kicking in the industry despite being choosy and not mechanically picking up everything that comes her way. “I am still trying to keep myself exclusive. Even though I have been around for 15 years, I have not done as many films as my contemporaries have,” she says.
Over the years, has her outlook towards the kind of roles she wants to do changed? “Do I want to play the bubbly girl-next-door? Hell no! That’s the girl I was when I started off, but I am not that anymore. I am hungry and greedy as an actor and want to do all kinds of roles and am not worried that I will be objectified; people in Karnataka know that I can act,” she says.
source: http://www.ottplay.com / OTT Play / Home> News / by Pratibha Joy / June 10th, 2025
The murder caught national attention for its brutality as the accused had chopped off the victim’s head and fled from the crime scene.
MLA Gowda spent his own money Rs 8.5 lakh to build the house for the family.Photo | Express
Madikeri :
Madikeri MLA Dr Mantar Gowda has donated a house to the family of the 15-year-old victim who was murdered by her fiancé in May 2024.
Meena, a 15-year-old girl in Mutlu village of Suralabbi limits in Kodagu, was brutally murdered by her 35-year-old fiancé, Onkarappa, right after her SSLC results.
The murder caught national attention for its brutality as the accused had chopped off the victim’s head and fled from the crime scene. The accused was nabbed later and is presently undergoing a court trial.
Meena belonged to a poor family, and they lived in a pitiable condition in a makeshift hut. Following media reports on the condition of the victim’s family, MLA Dr Mantar Gowda had assured the family a house. MLA Gowda spent his own money Rs 8.5 lakh to build the house for the family.
“During my visit to the victim’s house, the family narrated their ordeal. I had assured them of a house and I have fulfilled the same. This work has given me immense satisfaction,” said Dr Mantar.
“The MLA has kept up his words and we are grateful to him. The memories of Meena, who now had to be in college, haunt us constantly. The fact that our daughter will not be with us in the new house brings us sorrow,” shared U Janaki, Meena’s mother.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / June 09th, 2025
Journalist K.M. Ismail Kandakere has been conferred the Coovercolly Pushpalatha Chandrashekar Media Award by the Kodagu Press Club for his compelling human-interest report titled “The roof of Meena’s house is leaking.”
Madikeri:
Journalist K.M. Ismail Kandakere has been conferred the Coovercolly Pushpalatha Chandrashekar Media Award by the Kodagu Press Club for his compelling human-interest report titled “The roof of Meena’s house is leaking.”
The report narrates the harrowing story of Meena (16), an SSLC student from Mutlu village in Somwarpet taluk, who was brutally murdered by her fiancé Monnanda Prakash on May 10, 2024. Although the couple was engaged in April, Meena had opposed an early marriage to continue her education. Enraged by her resistance, Prakash allegedly attacked and killed her with a sickle at her home.
Ismail’s story went beyond the crime to highlight Meena’s dire living conditions. Her house, dilapidated and leaking during the rains, symbolized the poverty the family endured. The report resonated across Karnataka, prompting public outrage and swift political response.
Moved by the family’s plight, Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda visited the bereaved parents in May 2024 and pledged to build a new home for them at an estimated cost of ₹8.5 lakh. True to his word, the house was completed and handed over to Meena’s parents on May 9, a day before her first death anniversary.
The award was instituted by senior journalist Coovercolly Indresh, along with his siblings Savitha, Sundresh, and Chandresh, in memory of their parents B.V. Chandrashekar and Pushpalatha. A corpus fund of ₹1 lakh was deposited with the Kodagu Press Club to support the annual award. The recognition includes a cash prize of ₹5,000 and a memento.
Ravishankar Nanaiah, Special Officer of Kodagu University, presented the award during a ceremony held at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri on Sunday.
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Hans News Service / June 09th, 2025
Delhi resident in search of pure air makes Madikeri his home, beautifies neighbourhoods
Armed with his ‘litter picker’, Piyush Agarwal picks up trash in his neighbourhood in Madikeri. He aims to beautify every lamppost in the city with a flower pot and a dustbin.(Photo | Express)
Madikeri :
A stroll on a quaint street near Government Junior College in Madikeri introduces one to a beautification project where flower pots hang on retaining walls of public spaces. In between the flower pots, dustbins are also placed for public use. This beautification project was not taken up by the City Municipal Council or any other government body; it is the effort of an individual from Delhi who moved into the city two years ago in search of clean air.
Piyush Agarwal has grand plans to make Madikeri one of the quaintest cities to live in. Piyush, who started on a road trip across India in search of a place with clean and pure air to lead a retired life, says, “Madikeri fit the bill the best for my retired life.” So, what made him undertake the journey from Delhi to Madikeri? “I was in search of a place with a low Air Quality Index (AQI), which I wanted to make my home,” he says.
The businessman and entrepreneur developed bouts of cough due to high air pollution in Delhi. “I had difficulty breathing and developed cough bouts. COVID happened, and my business suffered a bit. That is when I decided that Delhi was not the place I wanted to live in, and it was time for me to get out,” he shares.
Road trip across 27 states
He set off on a road trip across India, travelling from East coast to West coast, the AQI meter as his travel buddy. He checked the air quality in every place he visited. Ooty, Chikkamagaluru, Goa, Kerala, Kanyakumari – Piyush travelled the length and breadth of India and covered 27 of 29 states; this was in 2022.
“I had a few parameters in mind. While air quality was the priority, the other parameters included the kind of people, a not-so-large city, greenery. And Madikeri fit the bill the best,” he explains.
His travel experience also revealed that the majority of the country is polluted, as air quality level across several regions is above 50. “Madikeri had an AQI level of 16, and became my ideal place to settle down for a retired life. Kodagu is among the best districts and nowhere in the country can you find such forests with abundant greenery. Even coffee cultivation is done using shade trees,” he opines.
(Photo | Express)
Piyush rented out a house and has been a resident for two years. He wants Madikeri to become one of the most beautiful cities in the country and his efforts can be seen in the beautification and cleanliness projects he has undertaken silently. During his first year, Piyush caught the attention of the City Municipality Council after he was spotted picking up litter and clearing garbage in his neighbourhood, equipped with a ‘litter picker’ stick and gunny bag.
Impressed, then CMC president Anita Poovaiah invited Piyush to her office and appreciated his efforts. “I am 65 years old and cannot bend down to pick up litter. I bought the ‘litter picker’ stick online and have a few collections of these sticks. Every Indian wants to keep their house clean, but when it comes to their surroundings, they are not bothered, this is a very Indian sentiment. The road and neighbourhood are an extension of my house and I often clean my surroundings. This introduced me to CMC councillors and now, I have started an initiative to install public dustbins across the city,” he says.
During his chats with CMC officials, Piyush got permission to instal dustbins (pinned to retaining walls of public spaces) across several wards in the city. Similarly, he put up dustbins in busy public spaces, including tourist spots and outside schools.
“I approached the youth empowerment department for permission to instal dustbins across the District Ground premises,” he says.
He got the nod, and installed over 15 dustbins in the grounds, but they were all stolen within 48 hours. “I don’t want to fix the dustbins permanently as it would be difficult for civic workers to clear them. Cleaning dustbins must be a simple process. However, of the hundreds of dustbins installed across wards, over 50 per cent were stolen. This is when I realised that people of Madikeri don’t want dustbins,” he points out. Piyush faced several hurdles in the cleanliness project, but this did not stop him from beautifying the city.
After the dustbin project, he undertook beautification work by installing flower pots across the city limits. Flower pots with self-watering technology (originally designed by him) are lined up across city limits.
(Photo | Express)
‘Proud to live in Madikeri’
Piyush has more such initiatives in mind. He aims to install a flower pot and a dustbin on all lampposts. However, getting permission, especially from the CESC department, remains a Herculean task.
“Imagine if every lamppost was lined with a flower pot and a dustbin. Madikeri will become one among the cleanest cities in the country, and I would be proud to live here. I don’t want any government support and I am ready to invest completely on my own. However, CESC denied permission for it and there is nothing I can do to change this,” he says, disappointed.
Nevertheless, Piyush continues to involve himself in environment-friendly beautification projects. He has planted over 350 varieties of trees across his neighbour’s private estate and invented eco-friendly measures to water these saplings.
“I sought permission from one of my neighbours to plant saplings in his estate. I told him I don’t want any support or returns, but only oxygen from these saplings. I collected 10,000 plastic water bottles from restaurants and hotels. During monsoons, I collected water in these bottles and these bottles continue to water the self-watering flower pots and saplings I have planted so far,” he explains. His routine includes cleaning the neighbourhood of trash, taking a stroll across the estate to take care of his saplings, cycling and golf. While he visits the estate during the morning hours, he ensures to put his food in a solar cooker and keep it under the sun. “By the time I am back, I know my food is cooked and this is my routine during summer days,” he shares.
While the initiative undertaken by Piyush is not known to the majority in the city, people who know him are inspired by his efforts. “When I was growing up, pollution was not among the biggest concerns. The environment then was pristine, and we could swim in any stream as the water was clean. I have seen nature deteriorate in my lifetime and river Jamuna in Delhi is proof of that deterioration. Now, I do my bit to keep nature clean,” he concludes.
He also hopes to garner support from people’s representatives as he is ready to fund the beautification project, provided he has all the permissions in hand.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Bengaluru / by Prajna GR / May 25th, 2025
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing, headed by Charanjit Singh Channi, a member of the Lok Sabha, visited the ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Regional Station, at Appangala in Kodagu on Friday.
The delegation comprised 12 members of the Lok Sabha, four members of the Rajya Sabha, and officials from the Lok Sabha Secretariat. During the visit, the institute organised an exhibition highlighting the latest varieties and technologies in spice cultivation developed by the ICAR-IISR. Mr. Channi, the chairman of the committee, inaugurated the exhibition.
A meeting was convened, where R. Dinesh, Director of ICAR-IISR, Kozhikode, presented a comprehensive overview of the activities and achievements of the institute.
The committee had discussions with the scientists and officials from the ICAR-IISR. Officials present at the event included Sudhakar Pandey, ADG (FVS&MP), ICAR, New Delhi, S.J. Ankegowda, principal scientist and head, ICAR-IISR, Regional Station, Appangala, and senior officials and staff from the ICAR-IISR and its regional station.
The event also featured an insightful interaction with Prema Ganesh, a progressive farmer from Maragodu, who shared her experiences regarding spice farming in Kodagu.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / May 24th, 2025
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