Tata Open Maharashtra: Bopanna-Ramkumar lift men’s doubles trophy

Agriculture, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

The second-seeded Indians erased the first set deficit to win 6-7(10) 6-3 10-6 in one hour and 44 minutes.

Pune: Indian duo Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan pose with the trophy after defeating Australia’s Luke Saville and John-Patrick Smith to clinch the title at the Tata Open Maharashtra Tennis Tournament, at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune (source: PTI)

India’s Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan won their second ATP World Tour title together after pipping the top seeded Australian pair of Luke Saville and John-Patrick Smith in the final of the Tata Open Maharashtra, on Sunday.

The second-seeded Indians erased the first set deficit to win 6-7(10) 6-3 10-6 in one hour and 44 minutes.

Bopanna and Ramkumar had combined as a team on the ATP Tour for the first time at the Adelaide event last month in the run-up to the Australian Open and won the trophy.

For Bopanna, it was his 21st ATP doubles title while for Ramkumar it is his second trophy at this level and it will push him inside doubles top-100 for the first time in his career.

They split USD 16370 as prize money and earned 250 ranking points each.

Bopanna had won this event with compatriot Divij Sharan in 2019.

Still going strong at an age of 41, Bopanna said it’s his years of playing experience that is helping him out in the circuit.

“A lot is to do with experience, which you really bring in, years and years of experience and the biggest thing is my body is feeling very very good at the moment,” Bopanna said after the match.

“I did a lot of yoga which has helped me tremendously and I am very thankful to my Yoga Teacher (Mohan) in Bangalore which has made such a difference for me and I can try something new at this age.

“It has made a difference and that really shows as long as I am playing matches, competing and doing something that is physically appealing. May be at the practice court I may not be giving my 100% but as long as I am feeling good and go out their and enjoying the pace as currently right now.”

Asked to compare the two titles that they have won together, Bopanna said performing before the home crowd was tough while in Adelaide no one watched them.

“Both are extremely special but anytime you win a title at home it’s lot more pressures. In Adelaide no one was really watching, but here there were lot more expectations and especially coming here with a win people expected an automatic win which wasn’t easy but at that tie break the crowd really helped.

“You just get that extra boost, that extra energy. Even if your legs are feeling tiered that’s the energy you need to hit the serve especially for me. Winning in India is always especial and especially with an Indian partner is truly truly great.

Ramkumar said he now wants to play ATP 500 event in Dubai and for that wil try to do well in the the upcoming two Challengers in Bengaluru.

“Let’s see if there is a chance to get in Dubai and hope I can play that,” said the 27-year-old.

Ramkumar said everyone believed in his game and that gave him confidence in this tournament.

“Coming from Bops (Bopanna) who always believes in me, my coaches and every one who have always believe in me and said you play well and that just keeps me going.

“I just have to work on a few thing on court and just keep competing at this level as much as I can which will improve my game and automatically the ranking,” he said.

Big serves marked the beginning of the contest with only Ramkumar and Luke losing a point each in the first four games.

Bopanna’s volley error on a return from Luke made it 30-all in the fifth game but Ramkumar pulled off an ace and followed that up with another huge serve to hold for a 3-2 lead.

The Indian team had got a chance to break Patrick-Smith’s serve in the next game when Luke made an error while attempting an overhead volley at 40-30 but the opportunity could not be utilised as the Australian pulled of a big serve on the deuce point.

The Australians also created break opportunity on Ramkumar’s serve in the ninth game when they found two service return winners and the Indian serving a doubler fault at 40-30 but the home team managed to hold.

A comfortable hold at love by Patrick-Smith made it 5-5.

Eventually a tie-break was required for deciding the first set. Both the teams had a number of set points as the Indians squandered two chances and the Australians three before converting their fourth.

They got the chance when Bopanna made an unforced error at 10-all and Ramkumar netted a forehand on set point.

In the second set, the Indian duo needed a good start and they got it by breaking Luke’s serve in the third game when the Australian made a volley error on deuce point.

Bopanna saved a break chance on his serve in the next game to keep their nose ahead. Patrick-Smith was serving to stay in the set in the ninth game and was broken to allow the Indian team force a Super Tie Breaker.

At 30-all, an engrossing rally ensued between the two pairs. Luke blinked to give Indian first set point which they converted when Bopanna dispatched a volley winner with ease.

Bopanna and Ramkumar dominated the STB to secure the title.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Sports> Tennis / by PTI / February 06th, 2022

Nursing student uses Miss Connecticut Teen USA platform to advocate for mental health, increase representation

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

For Nikitha Kikanamada, a sophomore nursing major at Quinnipiac University, the beginning of the spring semester is bittersweet, as it’s her last semester as the titleholder of Miss Connecticut Teen USA.

During her Miss Teen USA interview, Kikanamada wore a Sherwani, a traditional South Asian suit. (Contributed by Nikitha Kikanamada)

Kikanamada will pass down the title to the winner of Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2022 in April, after holding it since June 2021. She has used her platform as the first Indian-American titleholder to increase representation of her South Asian culture, as well as expanding her mental health advocacy.

After being diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2019, Kikanamada started an Instagram account called More for Myself, where she raises awareness for mental health issues. She also runs an account called The South Asian Segment, where she features the stories of people of South Asian descent to combat stereotypes.

“(Mental health issues are) not something that is talked about in South Asian households,” Kikanamada said. “So to be the face of change for those people who look like me, I’m just so honored.”

In November 2021, Kikanamada took her platform to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she competed in Miss Teen USA. While she did not place in the competition, Kikanamada said she enjoyed the opportunity to represent her home state.

“Even though I didn’t win or even place, I was able to share my story,” Kikanamada said. “And that, in itself, is an achievement.”

As she enters her first college semester that is not simultaneously preoccupied with preparations for her next pageant, Kikanamada said she is looking forward to continuing her education.

“I don’t know if I will be back yet as a Miss,” Kikanamada said. “I hope to, I really do, but it’s a lot. It’s mentally, physically and emotionally a lot. And I just want to focus on myself right now and my career.”

Despite juggling nursing school and preparing for pageants, Kikanamada said her professors have always been supportive and understanding of her situation.

“(Last semester) they were more than happy to accommodate me and everything that I’ve been doing,” Kikanamada said. “They seem very proud of me, which gives me a lot of support.”

Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2021 and Quinnipiac nursing student Nikitha Kikanamada (right) poses with Miss Teen USA 2021 Breanna Myles (left). (Contributed by Nikitha Kikanamada)

Professor of psychology Anne Eisbach taught Kikanamada in a child development psychology course during the fall. She said she enjoyed learning about Kikanamada’s efforts as titleholder. 

“It was clear to me that she was strongly committed to her responsibilities both as a student and a titleholder – and I was impressed with how she balanced both roles,” Eisbach said. “… As a professor, I always encourage my students to broaden their education beyond the classroom and so I was happy to support Nikitha as she was able to make this happen!”

Before being named Miss Connecticut Teen USA, Kikanamada also held the titles of Miss South Windsor Teen USA 2020 and Miss Teen India Connecticut 2018. She first entered the pageant industry at eight years old, when her mom enrolled her in modeling and acting classes.

“She always told me, ‘I just saw something in you,’” Kikanamada said. 

After modeling, acting and dancing for several years, Kikanamada entered pageants through the National American Miss organization, a program for girls ages 4-20. Through NAM, Kikanamada participated in competitions for preteen titles throughout the Northeast. 

In high school, Kikanamada went on to win Miss Teen India Connecticut, her first major pageant title. Kikanamada said her time as the titleholder for Miss Teen India Connecticut piqued her interest in the opportunity to represent her Indian heritage on a larger scale. 

“I was able to take my culture and my background and something I love, which is pageants, and in ways mix them into one, which was really amazing,” Kikanamada said.

In 2019, Kikanamada had another opportunity to represent her culture when she competed for Miss Connecticut Teen USA. After not placing in the competition, Kikanamada decided to move on from pageants and focus on finishing high school and pursuing college. Then, when she received a letter in the mail asking her to come back to compete in Miss Connecticut Teen USA 2020, she decided she wanted to give it one more shot.

“I wasn’t going to (compete again), I really wasn’t,” Kikanamada said. “I begged my mom to let me be coached — usually girls get coached for their local pageants, (but) I’ve never been coached before, until I reached out to the coaches that sponsored (the previous) year.”

Kikanamada joined KP Consulting, where she has multiple coaches that help her prepare for competitions.

“I love them so much,” Kikanamada said. “They truly just helped me be who I am today. They helped me find a purpose in my life.” 

Kaet Parent, one of Kikanamada’s coaches, said her preparation for Miss Connecticut Teen USA was challenging as it was plagued by uncertainty — the pageant was postponed multiple times due to the pandemic.

“Nikitha was on top of everything, no matter how frustrating anything was in terms of COVID impacting the dates being changed, a lot of uncertainty, she just remained diligent,” Parent said. “She had a goal and her goal was to win, and nothing was gonna get in her way.”

Beyond coaching, Parent said she has valued getting to know Kikanamada on a personal level, calling her “special and incredible.”

“Nikitha just has this fire inside of her that is so special,” Parent said. “… I think that is something that anyone around her, not even talking in the world of pageants, but anyone around her — friends or family professors — they see that and I think that is something that people latch onto.”

source: http://www.quchronicle.com / The Quinnipiac Chronicle / Home> Featured> Features> News / by Melina Khan, News Editor / February 03rd, 2022

Kootupole Bridge Opens To Public

Business & Economy, Records, All

The newly-constructed bridge connects Kodagu and Kerala; facilitates travel to Kannur Airport

Virajpet:

The newly constructed Kootupole bridge that links Kodagu district with neighbouring Kerala was formally thrown open for public travel last Monday.

Kerala PWD Minister P.A. Mohammad Riaz, Peravoor MLA Sanni Joseph, Kodagu’s Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah, MLC M.P. SujaKushalappa and other dignitaries travelled in an open jeep on the bridge from Kerala border side to Karnataka side of the border, thus throwing open the newly constructed bridge.

The bridge is at the Karnataka-Kerala border and is part of the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) road between Thalassery and Valavupara. The bridge work was completed as Karnataka Wildlife Board gave permission to construct the same.

The old bridge, built during the British era across Kootupole, was providing inter-state connectivity at Makutta and it was narrow and in dilapidated condition. With the construction of Kannur International Airport, the density of vehicles on the old bridge had increased. To provide connectivity to the Airport, the Kerala Government had developed a 55-km road and bridges at an estimated cost of Rs. 360 crore till Kootupole.

However, the Karnataka Forest Department had stalled the work in 2017 considering that the land belonged to Bramhagiri Wildlife Division. Though the claim of Kerala was that the river is in its territory, the Karnataka authorities claimed that a portion of the bridge is in Bramhagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka and also they claimed that half the river belongs to them, following which the work had to be stopped.

Speaking during the inaugural function of the bridge, MLA K.G. Bopaiah said that the bridge will provide a new link between Kerala and Karnataka and also largely help vehicles travelling towards Kannur Airport. Pointing out that the small bridge was severely hampering vehicular movement on this important border road, he said that the new bridge will cater to the needs of the travelling public, especially those wanting to reach Kannur Airport from different parts of Karnataka.

MLC SujaKushalappa said that the British had built a small bridge at Kootupole, which had become problematic for vehicular movement due to its small width. Now, with the construction of the new bridge it is hoped that trade and commerce between the two States would become faster and cheaper, he added. He further said that the new bridge will also help devotees who are on the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

Peravoor MLA Sanni Joseph in his address said that the bridge faced many legal hurdles, which were successfully addressed subsequently. KSTP has built 7 bridges from Thalassery to Valavupara including the Kootupole Bridge and many roads to reach the Kannur Airport at a total cost of Rs. 360 crore, he said and added that five of these bridges have been inaugurated, while two others are set for inauguration. He thanked the Karnataka Government and MLA Bopaiah for their co-operation in the construction of the bridge.

Kodagu Hindu AikyaVedike Working President ValsanTilankeri, BJP leaders V.V. Chandran, M.R. Suresh  and Binoy Kurian, Congress leader Thomas Varghese, Virajpet TP member C.K. Prithvinath, leaders B.M. Ganesh, Achhapanda Mahesh Ganapathi, Patrappanda Raghu Nanaiah, Chuppa Nagaraj, MadhuDevaiah and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 03rd, 2022

Mysuru-Kushalnagar railway line project allotted ₹1000!

Business & Economy, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

The Mysuru-Madikeri railway line which was supposed to be taken up till Kushalnagar in the first phase, has been allotted ₹1000 in the budget for 2022-23!

The project has remained a non-starter and is bogged down by cost escalation besides negative rate of returns. Like most new railway lines, its progress also hinges on land acquisition and there is no progress and hence the allocation is nominal so that the project is not put in the backburner or frozen, said the officials.

Mooted to put the district on the railway map of India, the project has evoked strong opposition from the local community in Kodagu besides environmentalists as it could aggravate human-animal conflict.

An earlier survey conducted by the railways indicated that the Mysuru-Kushalnagar stretch would be 87.2 km and the cost was pegged at ₹1,854.62 crore in February 2019. The cost per km is expected to be ₹21.27 crore and it required acquisition of 247.65 hectares of dry land and 275.15 hectares of wetland.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – February 03rd, 2022

Singles players competing in doubles format is good for game: Rohan Bopanna

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

Bopanna is set to compete at the Tata Open Maharashtra with compatriot Ramkumar Ramanathan.

Rammukar Ramanathan and Rohan Bopanna in action (Twitter/tennisfi)

Veteran Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna says the presence of singles players in the doubles draws, in a way, is good for the sport as they draw more fans into the stadiums and that goes a long way in promoting the doubles format.

The sport lives on the superior, physically and mentally demanding singles style but at the same time the doubles format is also getting tougher by the day because when the top singles player unleash their high-quality game, it makes the doubles matches more interesting, tough and tricky.

When only the doubles rankings were considered for entries, the format was even for its exponents. But acceptance of singles rankings has brought top players and established stars in the fray, making it difficult for doubles player to sustain.

Bopanna said it can’t be said in certain terms if it’s good or bad but presence of singles players does have an advantage.

“That’s a catch 22 situation, talking about it,” Bopanna said when he was asked if it wasn’t better if only doubles specialists play this format.

“Lot of singles player?s do play doubles to improve their game. (Denis) Shapovalov (Bopanna’s partner) is somebody who enjoys playing doubles and simultaneously he is also learning so much, whether it’s his accuracy on returns, his volleys, or returns, which helps him so much in the singles.

“Today, I know cut offs of all the tournament get tougher and tougher because a lot of (singles) guys are playing doubles.

“It will be great for doubles players if the rules go back in the day when it was only the doubles ranking but that’s not really going to change. That’s why sustaining the ranking by playing at the highest level is very important, otherwise it is tough get into 500s and 1000s.

“In a way, having singles players you have lot of people watching (the game). At the end of the day, doubles is also getting promoted, so this is catch 22 situation, not sure whether you have them there, or have only doubles players with doubles rankings.”

Bopanna is set to compete at the Tata Open Maharashtra with compatriot Ramkumar Ramanathan.

There have been debates in past on this issue when doubles players felt that singles players are eating into their share. For singles players, playing doubles gives them good practice and match sharpness but the doubles players’ survival depends only on this format.

Recently, India’s Arjun Kadhe said he has decided to focus more on doubles and top singles player Yuki Bhambari also said he would actively compete in the doubles format.

Bopanna, 41, said the key for them would be to keep their rankings high.

“Even if you are taking the doubles route, it is extremely difficult. There is no guarantee it is easier route.

“Having played for so many years, (I know) it’s about sustaining for years and years and that’s the key. In the men’s doubles, I was the only one playing at the Grand Slams, we have so many wonderful players. Keeping ranking high, day in and day out is the key.

“It’s a good opportunity for Yuki and Arjun, if they are taking that route to try and do well in the circuit, but it’s not just about playing.”

Bopanna hoped that some young players will take the baton from the current generation.

“I know there’s a gap from the guys who playing like Ram or Sumit, Praj. Having said that there are more Challengers (in India). It will take a few years but there are talented youngsters in India who need to get chance in India and get their ranking high enough.”

Bopanna, the winner of a mixed doubled Grand Slam Trophy, said India does need an ATP 250 event on its circuit along with Challengers and ITF Futures.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Sports> Tennis / by PTI / February 01st, 2022

Tradition and kuru curry in breezy Madikeri

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Progress in India may not be a pretty sight, but there is welcome respite to be had amid the birdsong, cuisine and coffee plantations of south Karnataka.

The traditional Kodagu spread at the Muthanna household. (Photo: Priya Ramani)
The traditional Kodagu spread at the Muthanna household. (Photo: Priya Ramani)

It is something of a privilege for a city dweller to live in the middle of a coffee plantation, as I did for four days in the lush Karnataka district of Kodagu last week. I watched the early morning mists roll in, shivering lightly as the wind whipped in over the coral trees and silver oaks, and the air filled with the insistent “tsees” of Orange-headed Thrushes, the “zweets” of Oriental White-Eyes and many other strange and wonderful creatures.

The journey to Madikeri, the district headquarters, evoked mixed feelings . The cool winds and rolling hills of south Karnataka are always a pleasure to drive through but it is hard to ignore patches of rubbish, rubble and construction. Progress in India is not a pretty sight. Even the once sylvan Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe boasted double-glazed glass on mansions that evoked the architecture of their distant, lost land.

It is best to focus instead on more pleasurable things, such as reading aloud, and compulsively, the signboards along the highway, a disease that afflicts my family. So, I could not help but point out to my unfortunate travelling companions the whimsical ways of Karnataka’s highway proprietors and municipal officials: wayside lunch stops called Hotel Stop And Taste, Hotel Le Ruchi, Hotel Purple Delicacy (only because its walls were painted purple) and—to our perplexment—Hotel Silent Zone; and settlements called “Town of the Divine Goddess” (Periyapatna), “Toy Town” (Channapatna) and “Historical Town” (Srirangapatna).

At the base of the Kodagu Hills, we stopped for lunch at a little eatery that simply called itself Fish Curry And Rice Hotel. They brought us lacy neer dosas, tawa-fried kane or silverfish and surmai or kingfish pulimunchi, a tangy, fiery coastal curry that derives its flavour and name from tamarind or puli.

That lunch was the harbinger of the meals to come.

At our destination, Captain K’s Getaway, perched on the edge of a verdant valley, we found a host who was not just an accomplished chef but cooked our dinners herself, helped by her son and daughter. Leila Alvares, as it emerged, was a well-known name back home in Bengaluru, where she has produced many musicals. The daughter of a former mariner—hence the home-stay’s name—she ran a coffee estate, hosted guests and offered sublime food, spanning Coorg to Continental, with a barbeque thrown in. Captain K’s has only two rooms, so even when it’s full—we took both rooms—it’s empty.

I was also lucky that my old friend Kavitha Muthanna was a 20-minute drive away. It was for her wedding that we were last in Kodagu, 12 years ago. As we drove in to Madikeri, we stopped at a modest one-room home she and her husband were creating for themselves in a former storehouse for grain and coffee in the middle of the family plantation: a bed, tiny kitchen, tiny living area and a great, glorious outdoors, bounded by a paddy field and old-growth trees that towered over the coffee bushes.

One afternoon, Kavitha’s mother, Veena Muthanna, invited us to lunch at her hillside home in Madikeri. As we admired the sylvan views, she told us how things had changed over the last decade, pointing to buildings over the treetops, including many ugly ones sporting those double-glazed, sealed windows—why anyone would block the air in breezy Madikeri was a mystery.

We focused our attention on Mrs Muthanna’s welcoming lunch table. There was, of course, a traditional and most delicious pandhi, or pork curry, and fried fish but what stood out was the vegetarian spread that I normally tend to ignore. There was a bamboo-shoot vegetable and a kuru, or kidney bean (of a local speckled variety, pictured), curry produced by Eliza, a smiling, robust woman who does the daily cooking. Instead of mutton pulao, there was a soya nuggets pulao, and there were fluffy akki or rice-flour rotis.

Kuru beans before cooking. (Photo: Kavitha Muthanna)
Kuru beans before cooking. (Photo: Kavitha Muthanna)

As we retired for dessert—home-made caramel custard and gulab jamuns—we noticed eaves of paddy behind Mrs Muthanna’s photo frames. They had been taken from the harvest and placed there for blessings and good luck. Tradition, the Madikeri breeze, welcoming hosts and fine food—what better way to prepare for the week ahead.

Eliza’s Kuru Curry

Made with kuru, or fresh speckled kidney bean

Ingredients

Half kg shelled kuru
In a mixie, grind
A handful of grated coconut
Half tsp chilli powder
One-fourth tsp dhania (coriander) powder
One-fourth tsp turmeric
One-fourth tsp jeera (cumin) powder
A pinch of saunf (aniseed)
Half tsp ginger paste
One-fourth tsp garlic paste
(Grind well. Do not add water to this mixture)
1 onion, sliced
1 tomato, chopped
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tbsp curry leaves
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt to taste

Method

In a pressure cooker, heat the oil, splutter some mustard seeds, then fry a sliced onion until golden brown. Add the ground masala and fry further till it smells heavenly (Kavitha’s description) and the colour changes. Add the tomato and sauté for another minute. Add salt. Add water till above the level of the mixture. Add the beans and curry leaves. Close cooker. Let steam for two whistles, then simmer for five minutes. Open cooker and enjoy madi with a lashing of ghee.

Our Daily Bread is a column on easy, inventive cooking. Samar Halarnkar is the author of The Married Man’s Guide To Creative Cooking—And Other Dubious Adventures. @samar11

source: http://www.lifestyle.livemint.con / Mint / Home> Mint Lounge> Food> Cook / by Samar Halarnkar / December 19th, 2021

Kodagu to get an international cricket stadium

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

Sports enthusiasts have expressed their joy as ‘bhumi puja’ was performed on the 12.70 acres of land dedicated to the stadium.

Representative image. Credit: Unsplash Photo

The dream of having an international cricket stadium in Kodagu will be fulfilled, as the bottleneck regarding the crematorium land has been solved.

Sports enthusiasts have expressed their joy as ‘bhumi puja’ was performed on the 12.70 acres of land dedicated to the stadium in Palemadu near Hoddur.

Even as Kodagu has been acclaimed as the sports district, there has always been a dearth of facilities for sports, such as the state-of-the-art stadiums. Even though there are stadiums, there are no facilities.

Budding sports persons and sports lovers often complain about the lack of amenities at the turf hockey ground.

The State Cricket Association has initiated work towards the construction of the cricket stadium. Association district convener Prithvi Devaiah said that the stadium, equipped with modern facilities, will encourage the budding cricketers in the district.

The association had planned to construct the stadium in 2015. However, the villagers of Palemadu posed objection as the proposed land was the crematorium. The villagers said that the tombs of their ancestors lie in the land and the stadium cannot be constructed on that.

Despite holding several meetings, the stakeholders were unable to arrive at a common conclusion, and the work remained stagnant after levelling of the land.

However, the issue was resolved amicably during mediation talks initiated by Deputy Commissioner Dr B C Sateesha.

The district administration has assured that a one-acre land from the existing crematorium and another acre land near Palemadu village, a total of two acres, will be sanctioned to the villagers. Also, the State Cricket Association has assured of adopting a village for the development. Only local labourers will be deployed for the construction work of the stadium.

Nirnanappa, who has been representing Palemadu villagers in their fights towards the crematorium land, said that some officials who had come to conduct the survey of the land, have created confusion by stating that the villagers are entitled to get only one-acre land while it was told during the mediation talks that a villager will be getting two acres of land for the crematorium.

Severe fights will be carried out if the assurance is not fulfilled, he said.

The Bhumi Puja, towards the cricket stadium, was held in the presence of the DC, Superintendent of Police Kshama Mishra, Assistant Commissioner Ishwar Kumar Kandoo, State Cricket Association Managing Committee member Shanti Swaroop and district convener Prithvi Devaiah.

The budget for building the stadium is Rs 50 crore and will comprise an indoor stadium, restaurant, swimming pool, gymnasium and air conditioned rooms and gallery.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by Adithya K A, DHNS, Madikeri / January 11th, 2022

If you are a coffee lover, you must visit these places in India.

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), World Opinion

If you are fond of roaming and live in India, you can visit many of the best places in India. If you are a coffee lover, today we are going to tell you about places in India where you will enjoy visiting and you would love to go there again and again.

* Wayanad is a beautiful place in Kerala. People often go for a walk here. However, apart from romance, this place is one of the coffee places in India. You can enjoy the lush green coffee plantations here if you want.

* Coorg is considered to be the pride of Karnataka, although it is home to many coffee gardens that produce Arabica and Robusta. In that case, if you are planning to visit here, the month of November will be the best. Well, everyone must go here once.

* Chikmagalur in Karnataka is the best place. It is famous among tourists for its beautiful views. Coffee was first introduced in India during the British Raj, situated a few hours away from Kurdish. There are a variety of coffee gardens.

* Arku is a beautiful place in Andhra Pradesh which is also excellent for sightseeing. Thousands of tribals here depend on coffee cultivation. If you are ever going to Arku, be sure to taste the organic coffee grown by the locals here.

* Yarcaud is in Tamil Nadu and is called the jewel of South India. In fact, there are many coffee gardens, so if you ever visit here, you must take advantage of the coffee garden once. It is also said to be home to MSP coffee, the first Indian owned coffee plantation ever.

source: http://www.english.newstracklive.com / News Track / Home / by Arpit Birtharia / January 13th, 2022

TATA Coffee Grand celebrates the unique sounds of the harvest festivity this Pongal along with its ‘Shik Shik Shik’ campaign

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, All

TATA Coffee Grand celebrates the unique sounds of the harvest festivity this Pongal along with its ‘Shik Shik Shik’ campaign

Coimbatore :

TATA Coffee Grand, the coffee brand from the house of Tata Consumer Products continues its celebration of bringing out the emotions and excitement associated with coffee in Tamil Nadu. In line with this, the brand has released a festive film celebrating the various sounds that reflect the unique spirit of Pongal with the ‘Sounds of Tamil Nadu’ campaign of Tata Coffee Grand.

The vibrant film is a montage of various visuals and sounds that are associated with the Pongal festival; the crunch of sugarcane, the clink of children’s anklets, and the musical echoes of the ‘kulavai’ among others. Replete with sumptuous Pongal delicacies, family gatherings, and a splash of rich hues that the Tamil culture is well-known for, the film concludes with the thought, ‘How can any festive meal be complete without coffee and the emotions associated with it?’

Talking about the film, Puneet Das, President – Packaged Beverages (India and South Asia), Tata Consumer Products said, “Our campaign of Tata Coffee Grand launched last year, synonymizes the word ‘Coffee’ with the sound i.e. Shik-Shik-Shik – which represents the sound heard when the Tata Coffee Grand jar or pack is shaken! We have gone a step ahead this year and have extended the ‘shik shik shik’ proposition to the sound of the Pongal festivities, to capture the excitement of the festival along with the emotions of drinking coffee. These festivities are not just reflected in the visuals but also in the unique sounds that reverberate throughout the harvest season. In highlighting this, we are happy to launch our new film which doubles up as a feast to the senses and has a distinct sound design that celebrates the festive taste of Tamil Nadu”.

Commenting on the campaign idea, Sonali Khanna, Executive Director and Branch Head, Lowe Lintas South said, “Pongal is a festival that the people of Tamil Nadu hold very close to their hearts, resulting in a joyous tapestry of celebratory sights and sounds. What’s striking is that many of the authentic sounds of Pongal are expressed as triplets. This is exactly the same aural mnemonic we have used to bring our product USP to life: the ‘Shik Shik Shik’ of the packet representing the Tata Coffee Grand crystals. The wonderful interplay of musical triplets, the rich festive hues, and the catchy sound of the pack, all come together seamlessly. To create a film that is as aurally arresting as it is visually resplendent.”

source: http://www.covaipost.com / The Covai Post / Home / by Covai Post Network / January 14th, 2022

AGM Of Ramakrishnanagar I Block Kodava Welfare Association Held

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Mysore/Mysuru:

The Annual General Body Meeting (AGM)of Ramakrishnanagar I Block Kodava Welfare Association and adjoining residents was held on Jan.2 at Shree Ganapathy Temple in Ramakrishnanagar.

Association President Kattera A. Nanaiah presided.

On the occasion, Kenjangada Suchetha Cariappa – Gold Medal in M. Tech, Kadiyamada Nisha Cariappa – B.Sc. and Nayakanda Kishtij Cariappa -10th CBSE, were felicitated with cash prizes for securing highest marks.

Maletira Ganesh, Secretary, presented the annual report while the financial report for 2020-21 was presented by the Treasurer.

Kotrangada Manan Mandanna rendered the invocation. Poodrimada Somaiah, Vice-President, welcomed. Kenja-ngada Cariappa, Joint Secretary, proposed a vote of thanks. Kotrangada Shruthy Poonacha compered.

About 50 Kodava families of Ramakrishnanagar I Block and adjoining areas were present  at the meeting.

The following are the new office-bearers of the Association for the next three-year term:

Kodandera Pushpa Machaiah –   Chairperson;  Maletira Ganapathy – Vice-President; Kenjangada Cariappa – Secretary; Codanda Swagath  –  Joint Secretary/ Treasurer; Mallangada Vinoda     – Joint Secretary.      

Committee Members are: Bachamada Vasanth, Kelapanda Vinod Bopaiah, Mookalamada Shanthi Ramesh, Patrapanda Chengappa, Kumbera Ganesh Pemmaiah,  Adengada Santhosh, Nayakanda Kamala Mandanna, Kodira Devaih, Neravanda Suresh, Chappanda Erappa.                          

Advisory Committee Members are: Dr. Kodira A. Kushalappa, Kattera A. Nanaiah and Poodrimada Somaiah.   

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 14th, 2022