Tag Archives: Kodagu First

Here’s Why You Should Take A Nature Trail Through The Spectacular Coffee Plantations Of Coorg

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), World Opinion, , , ,

Let me get my coffee first.

My love affair with coffee started during the lockdown; trying new flavours and textures became an escape for me in those tough times, which has now developed into a regular morning comforting ritual with my coworkers. As I sit here penning down a love story to coffee, my colleagues can spot me sipping on a big tumbler of iced coffee. I had the chance to experience a rich story of coffee-making firsthand, one that had me appreciating this beverage even more. A 6-hour drive from Bengaluru brought me to the Tata Consumer’s plantation on the beautiful slopes of Coorg, which gave me an opportunity to discover and learn all about coffee beans.

Coorg is more than a famous hill station; it is also India’s coffee-growing region. For a coffee-lover like me, this trip became a one-of-a-kind core memory. With tiny droplets of rain and stunning natural visuals, I was transported to a rain-soaked fantasy with the fragrant rustling from the coffee plants. Here I saw the labour and commitment that go into each cup. I was lulled into feeling of calmness, one of nature’s offerings that’s impossible to replicate. Strolling down the road that goes through the plantation with miles of trees and coffee plantations in either direction, I was drawn into the story of coffee. The coffee plants are laden with a green and maroon coloured beans which hang thickly from the branches.

The plantation slopes are renowned for their Arabica and Robusta brews and are surrounded by several lakes, verdant hills, and a diverse range of flora and animals. November is considered to be the best time to pick up the berries and witness the harvest. But when a coffee enthusiast like me is roaming around so much coffee, you can’t help but crave the brown beverage. So, while explaining the foundation and motives of their campaigns and crop, the brand served to cure our coffee craving with steaming hot sips of their best-selling filter kaapis.

A 150-Year-Old Legacy

You might wonder what makes Tata Consumer Products different from its competitors. Tata’s association with the beverage dates back more than 150 years when some tenacious planters from the then-state of Mysore in South India planted the first seeds of the estates and brought coffee to the Coorg Hills. These are some of world’s best coffees, produced by the land and most importantly the local people living there.

source: http://www.elle.in / Elle / Home> Food / by Ekta Sinha / October 09th, 2023

Coffee harvest slows down in Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, as migrant workers from Bengal leave for SIR

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), , , , , , , , , ,

Coffee picking across parts of Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu has slowed down during the peak harvest season after a large section of migrant labourers returned to West Bengal for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) verification exercise. The sudden labour shortage has pushed up wage demands from the remaining workers, leaving planters caught between the risk of crop damage if harvesting is delayed and the burden of higher labour costs.

The period between November and March is the peak harvesting season for Robusta coffee, when labour requirement is at its highest and timing is critical, N. Bose Mandanna, former Vice-Chairman, Coffee Board of India, said. He added that coffee cherries have to be picked at the right stage of ripeness, but the process has become a hurdle as many migrant workers have returned to their native districts for over 10 days for the verification process.

Delays threaten quality, yield

If harvesting is delayed, the cherries either over-ripen or dry and fall to the ground, where they get damaged and cannot be used, leading to losses. “The quality goes out immediately if fruit is not picked on time,” he said, adding that when the fruit is harvested at the correct time, the pulp extracted during processing is of the best quality, which gets farmers higher prices, and that any delay directly affects the quantity harvested and the quality of coffee produced. 

Untimely rains

Adding to the disruption caused by workers leaving for the SIR verification, Abhishiek Ponnappa, a planter and representative of Kodava Coffee Growers, said untimely rainfall in parts of Karnataka and Kerala this January have created a double whammy for the farmers. The rains prevented coffee plants from drying properly, while continuing harvesting under wet conditions risks damaging the plants and affecting the next year’s crop. 

Usually, migrant workers return to their home states either before the coffee harvest begins or after it ends in March. This time, however, labour shortage was a challenge throughout January due to SIR verification, as workers began receiving notifications and left within extreme short notice, Harish Maharishi, who owns a plantation in Mudigere, Chikkamagaluru said.   

Local workers tied to tourism

In Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu, local workers are largely unavailable in plantation areas, as the growth of tourism has absorbed much of the local workforce, leaving coffee estates heavily dependent on migrant labour, planters said.  

Producing one tonne of Robusta green coffee beans requires about 4,500–4,700 kg of coffee fruit. In Indian conditions, an average acre of Robusta yields around 600–700 kg of fruit. At the usual harvesting rate of ₹5 per kg, and assuming a picker harvests about 200 kg a day, it would take roughly 15–17 labourers to harvest one acre of a Robusta plantation, Mr. Mandana explained.  

Rising wages

Another concern during large-scale labour shortages is a sharp increase in wage demands, planters said. 

Under regular conditions, Robusta pickers are paid ₹4–₹5 per kg because the variety allows large volumes to be harvested in a day. The coffee picked by each worker is weighed, and wages are calculated accordingly. An average worker, Mr. Mandana explained, earns ₹476.11 a day, but those who pluck 200–250 kg can earn ₹800–₹1,200 in a single day. When labour becomes scarce, workers, as planters said they are witnessing now, demand higher rates of ₹7–₹8 per kg, which sharply increases the cultivation cost, leading to a difference of at least ₹600 per worker per day for the same quantity of coffee picked.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Rishita Khanna / January 31st, 2026

Wins Inter-Sangha Tennis Ball Cricket

Records, All, Samajas, Associations, Clubs (wef. Sept. 03rd, 2022)), Sports, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Annual Inter-Sangha Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament in memory of Kannambira Girish Kushalappa was  organised by Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Mysuru, recently at University and Gangothri Grounds in which 18 teams from different areas participated.

In the  finals, Sri Igguthappa Kshemabivridhi Sangha, Hebbal A, emerged winner by defeating Sri Cauvery Kodava Association (Mysore East).

The winning team members are seen with chief guest Ajjikuttira T. Poovaiah (DCF retd.), Kannambira Neeta Kushalappa, Ponjanda A. Ganapathy,  President, Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, Machanda Prakash Belliappa, Vice-President of the Club, Aramanamada Ponnanna, Secretary of the Club, along with Club office-bearers and others.

As part of the tournament, an exhibition match was also played between two veteran teams as Mysore North and Mysore South.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / January 29th, 2026

Maharshi Valmiki tribal residential school building inaugurated at Nagarahole

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The renovated building of the Maharshi Valmiki Tribal Residential School at Nagarahole, constructed at a cost of ₹1.8 crore, was inaugurated on Friday by Kodagu District In-charge Minister N.S. Boseraju and Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor and MLA A.S. Ponnanna. The project was undertaken jointly by the Kodagu District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, and the Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

After the inauguration, Minister Boseraju interacted with the students and enquired about their learning environment, food quality, and facilities. He asked whether they were receiving eggs, bananas, and “chikki” as per the weekly menu. When students replied that they had rice, sambar, and ragi balls for lunch, he further inquired about the type of sambar served. The students responded it was made of gram and vegetables, following which the minister advised them to study well and make the best use of government facilities.

Inspecting dormitories and storage rooms, Boseraju said that several deficiencies in the school had been addressed through this renovation, which included new classrooms, solar power installation, playground development, and construction of a protective railway barricade. He added that the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) would provide additional funds for pending works.

MLA A.S. Ponnanna said efforts were being made to bring tribal students into the mainstream through better infrastructure and learning support. He urged authorities to expedite the remaining works, such as the teachers’ quarters, playground facilities, and iron fencing along the railway boundary. He also appealed for the distribution of Forest Rights Certificates to unregularised tribal families in the Nagarahole region.

On the occasion, Minister Boseraju distributed sports materials to students. Several district and local officials were present.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka> Bengaluru / by The Hans India / November 05th, 2025

Capt. Nithin Cariappa commands INS Kolkata

Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Nri's / Pio's, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mysuru:

Capt. Maletira Nithin Cariappa, Indian Navy, is the Commanding Officer of INS Kolkata, a state-of-the-art destroyer and a symbol of India’s naval prowess.

A resident of Bogadi in Mysuru, Capt. Nithin Cariappa is an alumnus of St. Joseph’s School and later joined the Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun, followed by the National Defence Academy.  Over his 24-year career, he has commanded INS Ajay, an anti-submarine warfare corvette and INS Kadmatt. He also served as the Naval Advisor at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, becoming the first Kodava officer to hold this post in Pakistan and to command a Kolkata-class destroyer.

The 163-metre-long, 7,500-tonne warship, with a cruise speed of 30 knots, is equipped with cutting-edge telecommunications and armed with anti-air missiles, anti-submarine weapons, the lethal BrahMos missile, and long-range surface-to-air missiles. Built by Mazagon Docks Ltd., Mumbai, the Kolkata-class destroyers are a testament to India’s naval strength.

His journey stands as an inspiration for Mysuru’s youth, encouraging them to explore the promising career opportunities in the armed forces. Married to Rohini, he is also an avid sportsman, recently completing the Tata Mumbai Full Marathon. 

Capt. Nithin Cariappa’s parents are Maletira Ganesh Bopanna and late Cauvery Bopanna (Gummattira). Ganesh is settled in Bogadi and his second son Nayan Chengappa is a Chief Marine Engineer, assisting New Zealand Navy.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 07th, 2025

Dr. Maletira Machayya

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Obituary : 1937 – 2026

Maletira “Mac” Machayya died January 17, 2026, at Eventide in Fargo, ND. There will be a celebration of life Friday, January 30, from 1 pm to 3 pm at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND.

A private inurnment ceremony will take place at Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, Fargo.

Maletira Ganapathy Machayya, the son of Dr. Maletira and Bollamma Ganapathy Machayya, was born February 10, 1937, in Madikeri, India.

He earned his medical degree from Madras Medical College, India, in 1960. He completed a General Surgery Residency at Furness General Hospital, Barrow-in-Furness, England, in 1969, and Urology Residency at Preston Royal Infirmary, Preston, England, in 1971.

While in England, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. He completed a rotating internship at Illinois General Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, in 1972.

Mac married Margaret “Maggie” Burns in 1971 in Barrow-in-Furness, England.

In 1972, Mac, Maggie, and newborn son Mark moved to Valley City, North Dakota, where Mac began a distinguished career as a general surgeon. There, they raised their family and made lifelong friends. Mac served the community for many years at Mercy Hospital and Meritcare Clinic, which later became Sanford Clinic. His dedication to patient care earned him the respect and gratitude of countless individuals and families throughout the region.

In his free time, you would find Mac working on a new project around the house, woodworking and creating stained glass art. Mac was also a member of The Lions Club in Valley City. Many memorable summers were spent with family and friends at the cabin on Lake Eunice in Minnesota. Maggie passed away in 2005. In 2013, Mac moved to Fargo to be closer to his family.

He is survived by his three sons, Mark (Katie) with grandchildren Makayla, Dakota, and Memphis, Bemidji, MN; Kevin (Jamie) with grandchildren Josie and Gaby, West Fargo; and Jon (Jill) with grandchildren Ellie, Lincoln, and Vera, West Fargo; sister-in-law June Burns, Barrow-in-Furness, England; and extended family in England and India.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; Maggie’s parents, Edward and Frances Burns; brother Devaiah Ganapathy; sister Maletira Sushiela; and brother-in-law Antony Burns.

Mac’s family is appreciative of the care received from Eventide and HIA Hospice.

In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Sanford Health Foundation or CHI Mercy Health Foundation Valley City.

Arrangements by West Funeral Home, West Fargo.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

source: http://www.legacy.com/ Machayya

Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa’s 127th birth anniversary celebrated

Amazing Feats, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mysore/Mysuru:

Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, along with the Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa Fans’ Association, Mysuru, celebrated the 127th birth anniversary of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa.

The programme was organised in front of the statue of Field Marshal Cariappa at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle (Metropole Circle) on Vinoba Road this morning.

Former MP Prathap Simha offered floral tributes to the statue and said that celebrating the 127th birth anniversary of Field Marshal Cariappa is a matter of great pride for society. His contributions and valour have earned him immense respect across the nation. Kodagu’s contribution to the country is unparalleled.

He added that no other land could produce patriots and warriors like those from Kodagu. “Patriotism has grown there as a tradition. Though the Kodava community is small, its service to the Armed Forces is immense. It is a privilege for our land to cherish the memory of a leader like Field Marshal Cariappa, born in such a tradition,” he said.

World War II, freedom struggle

Field Marshal Cariappa’s service during World War II and the freedom struggle was exemplary to the world. The rank of Field Marshal is the highest in the Indian Army and it is a matter of pride not only for the Kodava community but also for Karnataka.

“He may not have received the Bharat Ratna, but he was honoured with the rank of Field Marshal,” Simha remarked. He further noted that Cariappa, along with General Kodandera S. Thimayya, gave democratic India a strong shape and direction.

“Even today, the Kodava community has contributed more than 30 Lieutenant Colonels to the Indian Army, five captains to Indian hockey and over 60 players to the sport. “For this, the community must feel proud and continue to grow. As the community grows, so will the nation and  patriotism,” he said.

Former MLA L. Nagendra noted that it was Field Marshal Cariappa who made the entire world turn its attention towards India.

“He must be remembered every single day. When his statue was to be installed at Metropole Circle, many obstacles arose, but all were overcome and today the statue stands tall, and this is a matter of immense pride. In the coming years, thousands from the community should gather together to celebrate Cariappa’s birth anniversary on a grand scale,” Nagendra said.

The event was attended by former Mayors M.J. Ravikumar & H.N. Srikantaiah, former Corporators Pramila Bharath & Maletira U. Subbaiah, Mysuru Kodava Samaja President Ponjanda A. Ganapathy, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club President Mukkatira C. Ashok and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Fans’ Association President Nayakanda Thimmaiah among others.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 28th, 2026

127th birth anniversary of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa tomorrow

Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Samajas, Associations, Clubs (wef. Sept. 03rd, 2022)), , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kodava Samaja, Mysuru and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Fans Club, Mysuru, will celebrate the 127th birth anniversary of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle (Metropole Circle) in city on Jan. 28 at 8.30 am.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, MLAs K. Harishgowda, G.T. Devegowda, T.S. Srivatsa and G.D. Harish Gowda, MLCs C.N. Manjegowda and K.Vivekananda, former MP Prathap Simha, former MLA L. Nagendra, former Mayors M.J. Ravikumar and H.N. Srikantaiah, former Corporators Maletira U. Subbaiah and Pramila Bharath will be the chief guests.

Kodava Samaja President Ponjanda A. Ganapathy, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club President Mukkatira C. Ashok, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Fans Club President Nayakanda Thimmaiah and others will  be present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / January 27th, 2026

Lavender bloom transforms Kushalnagar’s Thavarekere

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Madikeri:  

The blooming lavender to pink flowers at Thavarekere in Kushalnagar have become a captivating attraction, drawing travellers, tourists and locals alike. Nestled quietly among forest shrubs along the Highway, the lake has suddenly amplified its natural charm.

Typically adorned with lotus flowers, the lake is now blanketed in a striking expanse of lavender blossoms. This breathtaking transformation, stretching across the waters, offers a stunning visual spectacle. For the first time, such vibrant blooms have appeared here, leaving visitors both surprised and enchanted.

Residents of Kushalnagar recall that the lake was once abundant with lotus flowers, which earned it the name Thavarekere (Thavare means lotus in Kannada). However, over time, the unchecked inflow of sewage into the lake has allowed invasive water hyacinth — a free-floating perennial aquatic plant — to take over and now bloom in full.

The lake’s new-found allure is drawing crowds who pause along the roadside to soak in the surreal scenery. The surge in visitors has even prompted Police deployment to regulate traffic and maintain order in the area.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 30th, 202

Stay the Raho way: A new blueprint for India’s homestays

Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), , , , , ,

From a single Coorg cottage to a growing cluster-based model, Simona Mohan is reshaping the mass-premium homestay market with curated stays and local experiences.

Simona Mohan, Co-founder, Raho Hospitalities / Photo by Mexy Xavier /

Simona Mohan (28)
Co-founder, Raho Hospitalities

As with every 20-something, Simona Mohan and her friends were on a hunt for a New Year’s escape a few Decembers ago. A holiday in Coorg, dealing with subpar accommodation, planted the seed that eventually became Raho Hospitalities—an experience-led, mass-premium homestay brand that offers curated, end-to-end holiday experiences in non-urban leisure destinations.

Mohan, along with family friends Sidharth and Gautham Somana, twin brothers aged 35, started a pilot project two years ago with a single, family-owned, two-bedroom cottage in Coorg. “We did some simple decor, changed the bedsheets, added some paintings, and spent less than ₹5,000 on the project,” Mohan says. “We listed it on Airbnb to test it out, and we saw high occupancies of about 85 percent.”

At the time, Mohan was working in politics, drafting election manifestos, writing papers for MPs, and tracking parliamentary sessions. Sidharth, who was on a gap year from university, focussed on Raho, while Gautham was studying in the US. Mohan was helping with operations and on-ground guest service part-time. Sidharth had to return to university in the US the following year, and Mohan took charge.

“That’s when I started to enjoy the process. I quit the policy space completely and started doing it full-time,” she says.

Raho operates via a hub-and-spoke model: It sets up clusters of 40 to 100 rooms within a 30-minute radius to create micro-tourism hubs. This allows them to easily access and manage these properties from a central location within that zone.

Raho’s tagline says that it begins where Airbnb ends. “Airbnb and other OTA platforms like MakeMyTrip or Booking.com will only provide a listing; they won’t manage the property,” says Mohan. Raho partners with property owners, redesigns and standardises homes, and operates them end-to-end to deliver holiday experiences. “This includes not just the stay, but everything from the food to experiences on the ground, including shopping, taxis, local experiences, and even a personal host throughout your stay.”

An average booking with Raho can cost between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000 for a three-bedroom cottage in Coorg for one night. Their target audience is people between the ages of 25 and 40, who are looking for affordable but valuable experiences.

Raho currently has 50 operational rooms in Coorg and is focussed on expanding within the region before moving on to target markets, including Chikmagalur and Wayanad; its goal is to have 100 operational rooms by April.

The company raised a pre-seed round of ₹2.6 crore from Campus Fund and angel investors in April 2025. It operates a multi-channel, asset-light revenue model: Profit-sharing for rooms, 60 percent of which goes to property owners; Raho earns 15 percent commission on direct bookings. Beyond rooms, it earns about 30 percent margins on food and beverage, and 30 percent on curated experiences, services and in-property product sales.

“This blended model maximises guest value, strengthens unit economics at scale, and allows us to reinvest in brand consistency, guest experience, and operational excellence across clusters,” Mohan says.

Raho’s revenue for FY25 was ₹65 lakh; the company’s projected revenue for FY26 is ₹3 crore. It hopes to break even by April.

“Raho adopts a smart model, bridging design and homestay operations. It’s strong on structure, asset-light scalability and consistency. However, to elevate further, it could focus on curated luxury differentiation and stronger brand storytelling,” says Kapil Chopra, founder of EazyDiner and The Postcard Hotel, and 30 Under 30 jury for the hospitality category.

(This story appears in the Jan 09, 2026 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, Click here

source: http://www.forbesindia.com / Forbes India / Home / by Pankti Mehta Kadakia / January 14th, 2026