Tag Archives: Venkataraja – Kodagu Deputy Commissioner

Karnataka: Kodagu hotels, tourist centres directed to ensure 60% Kannada usage on nameboards

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Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja chairing a meeting in Madikeri on Friday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Hotels, restaurants, homestays, and commercial establishments in Kodagu — known for its coffee and one of Karnataka’s primary tourist destinations — have been directed to ensure that 60% of the text on their nameboards is written in Kannada.

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja on Friday instructed all departments to ensure strict implementation of the State government order mandating Kannada usage on nameboards.

He was speaking at a meeting held at his office in Madikeri following the government’s notification enforcing the rule across all establishments, including shops, commercial complexes, industries, schools, colleges, government offices, and tourist centres in the hill station.

Mr. Venkataraja said that the Karnataka Comprehensive Development of Kannada (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which received the Governor’s assent on February 25, makes it mandatory for all industrial, commercial, and business establishments to display at least 60% of their nameboard content in Kannada. Local bodies and concerned departments have been asked to take necessary measures for its effective enforcement.

The Act applies to all institutions that have obtained approval or permission from the government or local authorities. Private schools, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, entertainment centres, and hotels must ensure Kannada is prominently displayed on their nameboards, he said.

Emphasising the need to promote Kannada, particularly in border areas and private educational institutions, the Deputy Commissioner warned that non-compliance would attract penalties. A penalty of ₹5,000 for the first offence and ₹10,000 for the second has been imposed; repeated violations may also result in the cancellation of licences.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena shared details about the enforcement of Kannada nameboard regulations within local body limits.

Additional Deputy Commissioner R. Aishwarya, Additional Superintendent of Police Barike Dinesh Kumar, and Assistant Director of Kannada and Culture Department Kumar also spoke at the meeting.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India / by The Hindu Bureau / October 10th, 2025

Cracks in Mangaluru-Madikeri NH275 retaining wall spark landslide fears; residents evacuated

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This highway is lined with several retaining walls, including the Rs 7.5 crore retaining wall behind DC Office that also faced the threat of collapse and is currently being strengthened.

Residents living below the retaining wall are relocating to relief camps after large cracks appeared in the structure, raising fears of a possible collapse.Photo | Special Arrangement

Madikeri :

The first landslide-prone spot on the Mangaluru-Madikeri NH275 that caved in during the 2018 floods is once again under threat, with the multi-crore retaining wall at the site developing major cracks. Residents living right below the wall have been asked to shift to a relief center in Madikeri.

Permanent relief work across the Mangaluru-Madikeri National Highway, which has become vulnerable to landslides and road slips, has remained a distant dream from 2018. While crores of funds have been sanctioned for temporary relief works, the National Highway faces the threat of collapse and poses a risk to commuters every monsoon season.

This highway is lined with several retaining walls, including the Rs 7.5 crore retaining wall behind DC Office that also faced the threat of collapse and is currently being strengthened.

Another retaining wall on this road is located about 4 km from Madikeri city centre and was sanctioned after a major landslide on the road in 2018. Thousands of sandbags were then lined across this vulnerable spot and crores of funds were released for the establishment of the retaining wall.

After over five years of project sanction, the retaining wall recorded was completed in 2023. Nevertheless, just two years after its completion, massive cracks have developed on the retaining wall that faces the threat of collapse.

Following the development of cracks, Madikeri taluk tahashildar visited the spot and requested the families residing below the retaining wall to shift to a relief centre.

Meanwhile, the locals voiced against the authorities for poor quality work and urged them to take action against the concerned contractor. DC Venkat Raja visited the spot and inspected the retaining wall.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / July 31st, 2025

Karnataka rains: Minister seeks damage report from Kodagu DC

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Minister in charge of Kodagu N.S. Boseraju inspecting a damaged house during his tour of rain-affected areas in the district on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Minister in charge of Kodagu N.S. Boseraju on Thursday directed the district administration to submit a comprehensive report on rain-related damages in the Karnataka district. He said the matter would be taken up at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for July 2, where necessary funds will be sanctioned based on the report.

Speaking to reporters at Harangi after inspecting rain-hit areas, Mr. Boseraju said that Kodagu had been under red alert for several days due to incessant rains that caused widespread damage to roads, bridges, and houses. “Fortunately, there has been no loss of life, thanks to timely precautionary measures,” he said.

The Minister stressed that while rainfall in Kodagu is vital for southern Karnataka, the current downpour has led to severe local destruction. “In the upcoming Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting, we will assess the extent of damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure for carrying out immediate relief measures and planning permanent solutions,” he added.

He noted that earlier, the release of relief funds required specific criteria to be met. Now, however, funds will be disbursed based on the actual scale of damage.

“Officers have been directed to submit the report at the earliest. Once received, it will be discussed with the Chief Minister, the Revenue Minister, and departmental secretaries to facilitate timely fund allocation.”

Referring to the closure of the Ramaswamy Kanive hanging bridge, which connects Kushalnagar in Kodagu with Periyapatna in Mysuru, Mr. Boseraju said steps would be taken to reopen the bridge in coordination with K. Venkatesh, Periyapatna MLA and Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture.

N.S. Boseraju inspecting the hanging bridge near Kushalnagar in Kodagu on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Earlier in the day, the Minister, accompanied by Mantar Gowda, MLA, visited several rain-affected locations. He inspected the flow of the Cauvery river and assessed damage to the hanging bridge at Kushalnagar, and assessed another bridge near Rangasamudra., and visited a damaged house belonging to a local resident Chandrashekhar.

He said the monsoon had arrived unusually early — in late May — this year, resulting in considerable damage across the district. With more rain expected over the next two months, he directed officials to take adequate precautionary measures in flood-prone areas.

Mr. Boseraju also assured that the district administration has sufficient funds in its Personal Deposits account to manage disaster response, and that compensation has already been distributed to those whose houses were damaged. Permanent reconstruction works will begin after the monsoon subsides, he said.

A report on the total rain damage will be submitted to the Chief Minister, along with a request for additional funds, he added.

Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja, Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena, Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan, and other officials were present during the visit.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / June 26th, 2025

No respite from rains in Kodagu

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The southwest monsoon continued in Kodagu on Wednesday, though the intensity and quantum of rainfall were less compared to the previous three days.

The district received a cumulative rainfall of 62.67 mm during the 24 hour period ending at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday against 76.82 mm recorded during the previous 24 hour period. However, there were parts of the district where the rainfall was torrential as in Shanthalli in Somwarpet taluk which received 175 mm of rainfall between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Bhagamandala in Madikeri received 103 mm while Hudikeri in Ponnampet taluk received 66 mm and Srimangala recorded 61 mm of rainfall. The cumulative rainfall in Kodagu since January 1, 2025, till date is 806.21 mm against 447.77 mm of rainfall recorded during the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the district officials, led by Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja, visited Banangala village, where a person lost his life when a tree collapsed on him on Tuesday. The district administration handed over a cheque of ₹5 lakh as relief to the family members of the deceased.

Consequent to continuing rains in and around Bhagamandala in Kodagu, the rate of inflow of water into the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam was 26,424 cusecs at 8 a.m. on Wednesday against 19,129 cusecs at the same time on Tuesday. The reservoir level has increased from 92 feet to 95.35 feet during the same period. Similarly, the inflow into Kabini reservoir was 23,407 cusecs on Wednesday compared to 21,946 on Tuesday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / May 28th, 2025

Monsoon preparedness: DC tells officials to take precautionary measures in Kodagu

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Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja presiding over the district disaster management authority meeting in Madikeri on Friday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja on Friday directed nodal officers and engineers concerned to take necessary precautionary measures for monsoon preparedness.

He was speaking while presiding over the district disaster management authority meeting, held at his office in Madikeri.

The Deputy Commissioner said monsoon is likely to begin in June, and precautionary measures must be taken to prevent disasters caused by heavy rainfall.

Mr. Venkataraja stressed the importance of ensuring that there is no loss of human or animal life during the monsoon.

Nodal officers have already been appointed and must take necessary measures within their respective jurisdictions, with extra vigilance in sensitive areas, he told the meeting.

Fire and emergency services personnel must gear up to safeguard people in flood-prone areas and coordinate with the National Disaster Response Force teams during the season, he added.

Officials from the Department of Health and Family Welfare were told to stock necessary medicines and raise awareness to prevent the outbreak of communicable diseases. The Deputy Commissioner instructed engineers from the Public Works and Panchayat Raj Departments to repair roads in their jurisdiction.

Additional Deputy Commissioner R. Aishwarya, Additional Superintendent of Police Dinesh Kumar, and other district and taluk-level officials were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / May 09th, 2025

Kodava Family Hockey Namme turns 25: Stage set for Muddanda Cup Hockey Festival from Mar. 28

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Madikeri:

The Kodava Family Hockey Namme (Festival) celebrates its 25th edition this year, with the Muddanda Cup Hockey Tournament set to begin on  Mar. 28 and continue until Apr. 27.

Matches will be played across three different grounds, with 370 teams already registered for the competition.

Addressing the media in Madikeri yesterday, Kodagu Hockey Academy President Pandanda K. Bopanna noted that while 360 teams participated in last year’s Kundyolanda Hockey Fest, this year’s registrations have already reached 370, with a few more days left for additional entries.

He announced that the inaugural ceremony will feature an exhibition match between Kodagu Hockey Academy XI and Karnataka XI.

Tournament Director Badakada Deena Poovaiah and Coordinator Muddanda Roy Thammaiah will oversee the event.

Cheppudira Cariappa will serve as the main commentator, assisted by Maletira Srinivas, while Kecchettira Prasanna will be in charge of match coordination. The inauguration will also include a special felicitation ceremony honouring the Kundyolanda family, which achieved a Guinness World Record last year.

Umpire training

Hockey Academy Working President Mekerira Ravi Pemmaiah revealed that a training programme for hockey umpires will be conducted on Mar. 19 and 20 at Cauvery College, Virajpet, urging young hockey enthusiasts to participate.

Academy Vice-President Kukkera Jaya Chinnappa stated that several dignitaries, including Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor A.S. Ponnanna, Madikeri MLA Dr. Manthar Gowda, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MLC M.P. Suja Kushalappa, Rajya Sabha MP Ajay Maken, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Vekatraja, and Kodagu SP K. Ramrajan, will attend the grand opening ceremony.

Kreeda Jyothi

Muddanda Hockey Festival Chairman Muddanda Rashin Subbaiah confirmed that matches will take place at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds and the Police Parade Grounds. As part of the festival’s silver jubilee celebrations, a special ‘Kreeda Jyothi’ (Sports Torch) marathon will be held, visiting the Ainmanes (ancestral homes) of Kodava families.

The marathon will commence at 8 am on Mar. 25 from the Ainmane of the Pandanda family in Karada village, the pioneers of the Kodava Family Hockey Festival.

It will pass through eight Ainmanes in Ponnampet and surrounding areas before concluding on Mar. 28. On the inaugural day, a rally carrying the sports torch will proceed from General Thimayya Circle to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds, flagged off by MLA A.S. Ponnanna.

To commemorate 25 years of the festival, a women’s hockey tournament has been introduced as part of the Muddanda Hockey Festival. So far, 30 women’s teams have registered, and more entries are expected before the Apr. 10 deadline.

The women’s matches will be played at the Police Parade Grounds in Madikeri. Star Indian hockey players Lalremsiami Hmarzote from the women’s national team and Indian men’s team captain Harmanpreet Singh will visit Madikeri during the tournament.

Matrimonial meet

The festival will also feature a thand-bendhu (matrimonial meet) and a quiz competition at the venue. A special cyclothon is scheduled for Apr. 26, and DJ music will entertain spectators from the pre-quarterfinal stage through the final.

An open ‘Maja Run’ from Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle has also been planned as part of the celebrations. Parking arrangements have been made for 2,000 vehicles, and Bengaluru-based Vandana Trust will assist in waste management throughout the month-long event.

Additionally, a shooting competition will be held on Apr. 20 at Ground No. 2, featuring three categories: 50-metre .22 rifle shooting, 30-metre 12-bore gun shooting, and 15-metre air rifle egg shooting. A traditional coconut shooting competition will also be organised.

Muddanda Family President Muddanda B. Devaiah urged members of the Kodava community to participate in large numbers in the rally from General Thimayya Circle to Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Grounds, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Kodava Family Hockey Festival.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / March 16th, 2025

Raja Seat in Madikeri to host flower show from today

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Deputy Commissioner, Kodagu, Venkataraja addressing a press conference in Madikeri on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Raja Seat, one of the main tourist attractions for visitors in Madikeri, is hosting a flower show from Friday. The annual flower show, on the occasion of the Republic Day, will conclude on January 27. Besides the flower show, an exhibition has also been organised at Gandhi Maidan.

Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja told reporters here on Thursday that the four-day flower show will attract visitors as a variety of attractions created in flowers will be in store. Keeping the interests of children in view, some creations have been done in flowers, and the entry for children wearing uniforms will be free. The entry fee for adults is ₹20.

Mr. Venkataraja said the expo is open from 8 am to 8:30 pm. This year, a sum of ₹35 lakh was being spent on the flower show. The honey produced by the Horticulture Department will be marketed under the brand name “Jhenkara”. The Jhenkara brand and Coorg Honey brand will be created in flowers, he added.

Efforts are on to repair the toy train as a report has been sought from the railway engineers from Mysuru.

He said an expert team from New Delhi visited to look into the snag in the musical fountain. The musical fountain will be set right soon, the DC said.

The main attraction of the flower show is the model of Sri Omkareshwara temple.

A total of five lakh flowers were used to create the model. The models of honey bees were also being created besides the models of vintage cars.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 23rd, 2025

‘Many stakeholders are keen to build glass skywalk bridges in Kodagu’

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Detailed project report is being prepared for developing key tourist facilities in the coffee land.

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkataraja at the tourism committee meeting in Madikeri on Tuesday, January 30. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A master plan is being prepared to provide facilities at Raja Seat in Madikeri, Chelavara Waterfalls, Dubare elephant camp in Dubare, and Nisargadhama in Kushalnagar which are among the prominent tourist sites in Kodagu.

The detailed project report of the sites was being prepared, said Anita Bhaskar, Assistant Director, Tourism Department, Madikeri.

At the tourism committee meeting in Madikeri which was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Ventakaraja, the Assistant Director sought the Deputy Commissioner’s permission to develop a website to provide information on the tariff of homestays that are registered with the Tourism Department besides information on the tourist facilities in the district.

The DC said tourists must get complete information on the homestays online as it will help them make advance bookings.

He suggested displaying taluk-wise information on the homestays in a website is being planned.

Hotel Owners’ Association president Nagendra Prasad suggested developing websites for promoting spiritual tourism and common tourist sites.

On the occasion, the assistant director told the meeting that many stakeholders have come forward to build a glass skywalk bridge in Kodagu, which has one such bridge near Madikeri that has become a tourist attraction.

In response, the DC said those wishing to construct glass bridges should have their land. Moreover, parking space was a must. The area should not come under eco-tourism zones and forest zones. All guidelines must be strictly followed.

Out of 4,000 homestays in Kodagu, only 1,900 are registered with the Tourism Department. The meeting was told that proposals are also being submitted for launching river rafting facilities.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India > Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 31st, 2024