Question of livelihoods: Women self-help groups purchased an unused paddy field and have now become full-time farmers
Madikeri :
Following the Covid crisis, several women have taken to cultivating paddy in the district, giving a new lease of life to uncultivated land.
Women — mainly from Virajpet taluk — under the banner Sanjeevini Okkuta, are growing paddy on land that had remained uncultivated for years. Fifteen women self-help groups joined the Okkuta, which purchased an unused paddy field.
Okkuta president Indira and assistant secretary Nisha have helped members with initial capital for the work.
Villagers say owners of the field had stopped cultivating the crop as paddy cultivation requires a huge workforce to plough, sow and transplant plants. This demands high wages.
National Rural Livelihood Mission district programme manager, who indentified himself only as Kumar, was pleased with the latest move by women of Sanjeevini Okkuta.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / by TNN / August 06th, 2021
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Charulatha Somal with Ankita Suresh, assistant coach of Indian women’s hockey team, in Madikeri on Tuesday.
Ankita Suresh, who was the assistant coach for the Indian women’s hockey team in Tokyo Olympics, met Deputy Commissioner Charulatha Somal at her office in Madikeri on Tuesday.
The DC congratulated Ms. Suresh, a native of Kambibane in Kodagu, on the team’s impressive performance at the Oolympics. The team narrowly missed a medal and finished fourth.
Ms. Suresh shared her experiences as the assistant coach and the team’s journey with the Deputy Commissioner.
Hockey enthusiasts in Kodagu, which has produced many outstanding hockey players, celebrated the Indian men’s hockey team winning a medal and the women’s team remarkable performance at the Olympics.
The women’s team created history by entering the semifinals for the first time.
It narrowly missed the medal after losing to Great Britain 3-4, in the bronze play-off.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – August 24th, 2021
The portal has documented the lineage of some families up to 14 generations since the 16th century.
Kishore Uthappa
Madikeri :
A Kodava clan portal, Kodagu Heritage Private Limited, has been named in the India Book of Records for the largest family tree linkage. Established by Kodagu native Kishore Uthappa, the portal was started nearly five years ago and has created family trees of nearly 16,000 Kodava individuals – the largest till date in the country.
“All Kodavas are related to each other and I wanted to create a larger single family of the clan. Collecting data from many elders of the clan and a few other individuals, I created the online portal that now has over 500 subscribers,” said Uthappa, who is now based in Bengaluru.
He added, “When any person from the clan meets for the first time, the first question posed to each other is ‘Which family (Kodava) are you from?’ We then try and connect relationships and end up finding out how each of us is related. This online portal helps derive that connection easily.”
The portal has documented the lineage of some families up to 14 generations since the 16th century. Any subscriber of the portal can enter the details of his/her family and find the relationship with other clan members. “One can even find how they are related to Field Marshal Cariappa or General Thimayya or any other known personality from the community. It helps find one’s relatives – irrespective of the generation one belongs to,” he shared.
Many youngsters from the community are joining the portal to study their lineage and it has currently documented the family tree of 15976 people. “We have documented at least one individual from the total 734 clans in the community,” he explained. The portal is still growing and aims to create the largest family tree with more than 5 lakh profiles in the near future.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / August 26th, 2021
The mass blooming of the Neelakurinji flower (Strobilanthes kunthiana) in Kodagu district is giving the much-needed boost to the state’s tourism sector.
Neelakurunji flowers bloom at a hillock in Kodagu district | forest department
Bengaluru:
The mass blooming of Neelakurngi in Coorg has made it a rallying point for wildlife enthusiasts, botanists, photographers and tourists.
The blooming at the hillocks of Mandalpatti and Kote Betta in Kodagu, tourism has also taken up the north. Since the blooming has happened for the first time in a such a massive scale and is after 12 years, more so after tourism activities have opened up after the pandemic, every one are heading to India’s Scotland to see them.
The new entrant in the list to draw tourists is heli- tourism. As the state government and the tourism department are trying the revive the long pending heli- tourism, a firm in Bengaluru has undertaken a heli- ride to Kodagu and surrounding areas, giving an areal view of the blooming Neelakurunji flowers on the hillocks.
Govind Nair, Director, Thumby Aviation Private Limited said already one trip from Yelahanka air base to Coorg was done earlier this week. Now it is being offered as a part of the Nowhere trip to Coorg, a package tour, where a detour to Mandalapatti will be done.
Tourism packages and inineraries are being revamped on the go, depending upon the blooming and withering of the flowers. But since it is a once in 12 years sighting, many resorts are offering a visit to the region as a part of the package, to draw more crowds.
Trekking and flying has now taken the front seat to draw tourists. Even as the recent guidelines of the ministry of aviation states that drones are prohibited over national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other eco- sensitive places, conservationists and foresters object to helicopters flyover over the region. They point not just is the area a fragile Western Ghats region, little is know the species in Kodagu and so all precaution should be exercised to safeguard them.
Botanists point that utmost care should be taken in the area as the flowering in this part of Western Ghats has not been recorded and documented. Karnataka as around 45 species of Kurunjis and in different altitudes different species have been recorded. Each species blooms at different intervals like once in six years, nine years, 11 or 12 years. So administration must ensure that tourism and footfall is limited to the region, so that they are well protected.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Bosky Khanna, Express News Service / August 27th, 2021
Kodagu Zilla Mogera Samaja submitted a memorandum to Minister for Fisheries, Port and Inland Water Transport S Angara to help in getting a site sanctioned from the government for the construction of a community hall of Mogera Samaja.
The Mogera Samaja members held a discussion with the minister, in the presence of MLA K G Bopaiah, Karnataka Western Ghats Task Force chairman Shantheyanda Ravi Kushalappa and others.
In their appeal, the office-bearers of the Samaja said that government help is essential for the upliftment of the Mogera community.
Earlier, the community members felicitated the minister on his arrival at General Thimayya Circle in Madikeri.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / August 27th, 2021
Minister S Angara inaugurates the decennial celebrations of Karnataka Arebhashe Culture and Literature Academy in Madikeri on Friday.
Bopaiah said that Arebhashe and Kodava academies will get their own offices which are being constructed at Samskritika Bhavana in Madikeri.
Every language has its own history and cultural significance. Therefore, every language should be treated with respect, opined Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah.
He was speaking during the inauguration of the decennial celebrations of Karnataka Arebhashe Culture and Literature Academy, held at Kodagu Gowda Samaja, in Madikeri on Friday.
Arebhashe speaking people are concentrated in Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts, he added.
Bopaiah said that Arebhashe and Kodava academies will get their own offices which are being constructed at Samskritika Bhavana in Madikeri.
Efforts to establish Arebhase Academy were first made by the BJP-led state government in 2008. Later, the academy officially came into being during the chief ministerial tenure of D V Sadananda Gowda in 2011, he said.
Fisheries, Port and Inland Water Transport Minister S Angara said that the emotion behind all the languages is the same. There is no use in criticizing each others’ languages.
Instead of getting identifying oneself with a particular caste, one should associate with the language and achievement. People should ignore petty political games, he added.
Madikeri MLA M P Appachu Ranjan felt there is a need to preserve the language and culture of smaller communities.
He also lauded the works done by the Arebhashe Academy.
Arebhashe Culture and Literature Academy chairman Lakshminarayana Kajegadde said that efforts are on to obtain ISI code for Arebhase. The academy has been organising various programmes including workshops.
Indian Women’s Hockey team assistant coach Ankitha Suresh was felicitated on the occasion.
MLC Sunil Subramani M P, Arebhashe Academy former chairman Kolyada Girish, Kodagu Gowda Samaja federation president Surthale R Somanna, Academy members Baithadka Janaki Bellyappa, Smitha Amrith Raj, Dhananjay Agolikaje, Dr Koodakandi Dayanand and academy registrar Chinnaswamy were present.
A documentary directed by H R Anil was released on the occasion.
Musical instruments were provided to the beneficiaries.
The official website of Arebhashe was also launched on the occasion.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / August 27th, 2021
A scene from the movie ‘Nadapeda Asha’. Kodagu, the land of brave soldiers and known for its unique culture, is all set to make its own mark in showbiz.
‘Nadapeda Asha’, a full-fledged feature film produced in the Kodava language and with Kodava artistes, will hit the screens on September 6.
The film is based on a novel by writer Nagesh Kaluru. Incidentally, the work ‘Nadapeda Asha’ on which is the film is based, has been selected for the book award conferred by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy.
Kottukattira Prakash, who had directed the film ‘Kodagra Sipayi’ has directed the film ‘Nadapeda Asha’. He has produced 12 films and directed four films.
Actor Bollajira B Ayyappa is playing the male protagonist in the film while Nellachanda Rishi Poovamma is his counterpart. Addanda Anita Cariappa is playing the role of an anganwadi worker.
The challenges faced by women are effectively portrayed in the film, said the film crew.
Eramanda Harini Vijay, Vanchira Vittal Nanaiah, Tatanda Prabha Nanaiah, Cheruvalanda Sujala Nanaiah, Ajjikuttira Prithvi Subbaiah, Puttarira Arun Kalaiah, Eramanda Kesari Bojamma, Bollajira Yamuna Ayyappa, Battira Kaveri Joyappa and others are in the cast.
Major scenes in the movie have been shot in Kodagu. Kodava culture has been featured in the film.
Producer of the film Harini Vijay said that the film is about the family of a soldier and it speaks about a women’s perspective in society.
Another producer Kottukattira Yashoda Prakash said that the main objective of producing the film is to introduce Kodava culture to the rest of the world. The film is not made for profit.
Director Kottukattira Prakash said that various issues such as wild animal menace and gun license have been portrayed in the film.
As there is a shortage of theatres in the district, the film team has made arrangements to screen the movie in Kodava Samaja and Arebhashe Gowda Samaja buildings.
The film will be screened at the Kodava Samaja in Moornadu, Napoklu and Virajpet.
A theatre in Madikeri is closed and another theatre in Kushalnagar has not been reopened.
Bollajira B Ayyappa, the lead actor, said that the screening will be done with Covid-19 guidelines. New talents have been cast in the film.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A, DHNS / August 27th, 2021
Senior Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad speaks at CNC seminar
Madikeri:
Kodavas have been agitating for over two decades seeking the grant of their Constitutionally-guaranteed rights and only these rights and privileges can guarantee the survival of this rare community, opined MLC and senior Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad.
He was addressing a seminar on Kodava rights, demands and aspirations. The event was organised by Codava National Council (CNC) at a private resort in Murnad recently.
“Kodava community must get special recognition under Article 371 (k). The community deserves recognition in the Scheduled Tribe list as their lifestyle, custom, traditions, practices and festivals reflect the tribal spirit,” he noted.
CNC’s demand and claim for geo-political Autonomy is most legitimate, logical, feasible and deserving in all sense among any other demands, he opined. The Kodava tribe which is facing the threat of extinction should be enlisted under Scheduled Tribes of the Indian Constitution. “The Government should take measures to protect the tradition of Kodavas. Provision of ST tag is necessary in this regard,” he added.
On this occasion, ‘Codava Rathna’ award was conferred on Hariprasad and eminent jurist A.S. Ponnanna. The main purpose of this award is to recognise and respect those who go out of their way even risking their well-established career for the cause of the Kodava community.
Hariprasad had raised the community’s aspirations in the Parliament and in the Legislative Council. Also, he moved a “Private Member Constitution Amendment Bill 2016” to include Kodava language in the 8th schedule of the Constitution. He advocated the grant of ST tag to Kodavas and also argued that the gun licence exemption should be continued to Kodavas forever and should not be restricted to 10 years.
According to CNC President N.U. Nachappa, certain resolutions were passed at the seminar to safeguard the genus of Kodava tribe and its civilisation. The community fulfils the definition of indigenous people promulgated by the United Nations through various declarations and steps must be taken in this regard to protect it.
“By trait, Kodavas are tribals and by our miniscule size of population, we are a minority in all senses. That is tribal, racial, ethnic, linguistic and national minority. We have every criteria and right to claim for empowerment defined for various indigenous tribes, minority groups and ethno linguistic nationals enshrined in the UN Charter,” he added.
“We are indigenous primitive tribe and it is our fundamental human right and freedom to exercise internal political self-determination right and to have geo-political autonomy in our own defined, indivisible traditional homeland,” he demanded. High Court advocate Lakkavalli Manjunath, Political Science lecturer Dr. P.E. Somaiah and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 22nd, 2021
Even though colleges and schools have reopened in other districts of Karnataka, the educational institutions in Kodagu remain shut because of high Covid positivity rate. The students of Kodagu district therefore heavily rely on online classes. Ironically none of the networks function properly in Kodagu. Therefore, students from villages located near the Kerala border depend on Kerala to attend online classes.
Karike village located on the border of Kodagu and Kerala does not have any network other than BSNL 2G. If there is no power supply, even this network gets shut down. Therefore, students from Karike and Chattukaya villages go to Panathur, Kerala, to listen to their online classes. These students have to go to Panathur by using auto rickshaws or motor bikes, get seated din some open spaces or hillocks, listen to online classes, and then head back to their homes. The students are undergoing this ordeal every day. They have another problem at hand, as the Kerala police demand to see the RT-PCR negative reports from them.
The students who somehow attend the online classes and return, are often stopped by Karnataka police at Karike check post where they seek Covid negative reports. Without reports, they do not allow the students. The students need to have a negative report that is less than 72 hours old. One of the parents, Nasser, says that the students often are stranded at the border check post.
As the parents have to accompany the students to Kerala, families dependent on daily wage, lose their earnings. The deputy commissioner and ministers have repeatedly been told about the network problem but they have not done anything to address the problem, the villagers rue.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network – Madikeri (SP) – August 24th, 2021
This week, Rage Coffee announced that it has raised $5 million in series A funding. A look at the company’s plans, including new launches, key markets and corporate tie-ups.
Bharat Sethi is the Delhi-based founder of Rage Coffee. He says that nearly 75% of the company’s sales are from parts of the country other than South India.
Rage Coffee has seen growth zoom during the pandemic, as people confined to their homes ordered and drank more coffee . Earlier this week, the New Delhi-based FMCG coffee startup announced that it had raised $5 million as part of its A series funding round led by Sixth Sense Ventures. In April 2021, it had raised an undisclosed amount from investors led by Refex Capital.
The company, founded in 2018, targets millennials. Around 75% of its sales come through online channels, and the rest through the offline route. It sells instant coffee, ground coffee and cold brew bags of coffee in flavours like Irish hazelnut, crème caramel and mint mocha.
In an interview, Rage Coffee founder and CEO Bharat Sethi spoke about the company’s growth during the pandemic period, development of new products including filter coffee, potential tie-ups and strategy to expand abroad. Excerpts:
How has the pandemic affected sales? Is Rage Coffee’s growth continuing after the second wave?
When the pandemic began, we were well positioned with quality coffee products using arabica beans. With more people ordering online, we doubled our marketing efforts paving the way to leapfrog the growth. From 2020-21 we grew ten times. From April to August this year, we have seen three times growth so far.
We are expecting a revenue of Rs 35 crore this fiscal compared to Rs 5 crore last year. The annualised recurring return will be much higher, in the range of Rs 65-75 crore.
Usually, instant coffee makers use robusta coffee beans. Has using the costlier arabica beans helped you in the domestic market, which, apart from South India, prefers tea to coffee?
The market is changing with availability of good products. Nearly 75% of our sales are from parts of the country other than South India. From our research, we knew that caffeine kick and sensory aspects like taste and aroma are equally important for a coffee drinker. So, we decided to use arabica beans that provide good flavour and aroma.
Our products provide 90 to 120 mg of caffeine in a single serving, compared with 30 to 40 mg of many other instant coffees available in the market. It is comparable to high-end roasted coffee. We use crystallised freeze-drying process to preserve the aroma… We source coffee beans from Coorg and Chikmagalur, and from Ethiopia.
South India prefers filter coffee mostly. Considering that majority of your sales are from outside the region, do you have plans to offer filter coffee?
Yes, we are planning to launch it by the first week of September. It will be a blend of robusta and chicory with a dash of bitterness. We believe that if made in the right manner, it will have demand in the entire country. It will be our first robusta coffee product and one more addition to the ground coffee category.
What is the size of your institutional sales? Do you have corporate tie-ups?
Of our institutional sales, 80% goes to the hotel, restaurant and catering (Horeca) segment. We are exploring the possibility of tie-ups with corporates. In most cases, we can’t come to an agreement on the prices. Many organisations have coffee-vending machines, a segment we have not ventured into yet. But we have plans to enter the coffee equipment business later. However, our products find increasing use in corporate gifting.
Are you looking at associating with airlines or railways?
Yes, we are in talks with Spice Jet and Indian Railways. Pricing is the issue. But we think we can offer products cheaply with some changes. We need to change the packaging and weight without compromising on the quality of the product. We may have to use plastic packets, which could help avoid damage during shipment. We can cover the risk of lower margin through huge volumes. At present, the company uses natural materials for packaging.
Do you plan to expand outside the country?
We have presence in the US and in the UK in Europe. The instant coffee segment in the US is growing rapidly because of convenience aspect. We sell through Amazon and through independent retailers and specialty stores. Europe is not as big a coffee drinking nation as America.
We are also starting out in the Gulf region through the UAE. The region has a mix of instant coffee and commercial coffee equipment drinkers. Instant coffee has a good market in Saudi Arabia, where we have signed up with a distributor, and are in the process of dispatching the consignment.
Any new products in the pipeline?
We are looking at coffee concentrates, chewables, snacking and supplement items. Right now, 75% of the coffee sales is controlled by a few multinationals. With some products we have and some we are planning to launch, we will be directly competing with them. We are also in the process of R&D for introducing new flavours.
source: http://www.moneycontrol.com / MoneyControl.com / Home> News> Trends> Features / by PK Krishnakumar / August 24th, 2021
WELCOME. If you like what you see "SUBSCRIBE via EMAIL" to receive FREE regular UPDATES.
Read More »
