“Locally, they are called Kurinji flowers and are scientifically known as Strobilanthes kunthiana. It is true that they bloom once in 12 years,” confirmed Poovaiah, the Madikeri DCF
Madikeri :
The two scenic hillocks of Mandalpatti and Kote Betta in Kodagu district are bleeding purple as the Neelakurinji flowers have taken over the spot like an army of soldiers. This rare sight has attracted many visitors including tourists as well as natives of Kodagu.
“I visited Kote Betta recently along with my cousins and it was a surreal experience. The major part of the hill was covered with these purple flowers and we later found out that they blossom once in 12 years,” said Dhanush Kaveriappa, a native of the district.
The Mandalpatti belt – which is mostly traversed in a jeep to get the off-road experience – has also become home to these flowers and visitors are enthralled by their beauty.
“Locally, they are called Kurinji flowers and are scientifically known as Strobilanthes kunthiana. It is true that they bloom once in 12 years,” confirmed Poovaiah, the Madikeri DCF.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / August 17th, 2021
World Elephant Day was celebrated at the elephant camps in Kodagu and Chamarajanagar districts and at Mysuru Zoo yesterday.
World Elephant Day was launched on Aug. 12, 2012 to raise awareness about the issues threatening elephants. Shrinking habitats and illegal poaching for the trade of elephant ivory are just two of the most serious issues that the elephant population faces today. World Elephant Day is a way to raise awareness and rally support for these issues.
Dubare Elephant Camp
The day was celebrated at Dubare Elephant Camp at Kodagu in a simple manner by following COVID guidelines and performing puja to the elephants.
All the elephants were bathed in River Cauvery by Mahouts and Kavadis and were later decorated with flowers and garlands. The elephants were led near Basaveshwara Temple in the camp, where Somwarpet Sub-Division Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) K.A. Nehru, Kushalnagar Range Forest Officer (RFO) J. Ananya Kumar and Dubare Deputy Range Forest Officer (DRFO) K.P. Ranjan and staff performed puja to the elephants. The elephants were fed with sugarcane, jaggery and banana by the Mahouts and Kavadis.
Dubare Camp elephants seen near Basaveshwara Temple at the camp.
Speaking on the occasion, RFO Ananya Kumar said that World Elephant Day is being celebrated on Aug. 12 every year at the camp during which various games were being held for the elephants. But due to COVID pandemic, games were not organised since two years and instead, puja is being performed to them at a simple function, he added.
Grocery kits were distributed to the families of Mahouts and Kavadis at a simple event organised at the Travellers’ Bungalow premises on the occasion.
Mathigodu Elephant Camp
World Elephant Day was celebrated at Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Anechowkur Range in Kodagu, where Golden Howdah carrying elephant Abhimanyu is housed. Apart from Abhimanyu, other elephants, namely, Surya, Varalakshmi, Bhuvaneshwari, Chamundeshwari, Bheema, Gopalaswamy, Sarala, Mahendra, Sriranga, Bheem from Maharashtra, Ramaiah, Manikanta, Krishna, Somashekar, Masti, Dhruva, Ravi, Kyatha, Ganesh, Balarama, Ashoka and other elephants are also housed here.
All the elephants were given bath at Kantapura Lake and were decorated for the occasion. The elephants were treated with sumptuous food and the guests too fed these gentle giants with fruits and jaggery.
Kodagu DC Charulatha Somal feeding bananas to an elephant at Mathigodu Elephant Camp.
Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Charulata Somal, speaking on the occasion said that it is happy that elephants too have their day and added that the Forest Officials and staff were working honestly to prevent man-elephant conflicts, which are on the rise.
Pointing out that animals too have the right to live like humans, the DC said that human beings should give importance for forest and wildlife conservation as forest and wildlife play an important role in the ecology.
Nagarahole Project Tiger Director D. Mahesh Kumar, who too spoke, explained about the significance of Elephant Day and felicitated Ganesh, Mahout of Ashwathama and J.K. Ravi, Kavadi of Varalakshmi.
Games were organised for Mahouts and Kavadis, while their children took part in painting, clay modelling and cultural competitions. Prizes were given away to the winners. Keeping in mind the online classes being held now, a tablet was given to a PU girl student, while books, pens and other stationary items were given to students studying in Primary and Higher Primary Schools.
Kodagu Superintendent of Police (SP) Kshama Mishra, ACF Satish, RFO Kiran, ATPF staff, family members of Mahouts and Kavadis were present.
Bandipur
Bandipur Tiger Reserve Forest officials had organised a webinar to mark World Elephant Day yesterday. Retired PCCF Ajay Mishra, APCCF (Wildlife) Subash Malkade, APCCF (Project Tiger) Jagatram, Bandipur Project Tiger Director S.R. Natesha and Prof. Vidya took part in the webinar.
An elephant decorated at Rampura Elephant Camp in Bandipur.
Later, a simple event was held at Rampura Elephant Camp at A.M. Gudi Range in Bandipur in which S.R. Natesha, ACFs Sumeet Kumar, M.S. Ravikumar and K. Paramesh, Wildlife Wardens Krithika Alanahalli and Nanjundaraje Urs, Veterinarian Dr. Wasim Mirza, RFOs and others were present.
Elephant Day was also celebrated at Mysuru Zoo. Zoo Executive Director Ajit Kulkarni and Zoo staff participate.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 13th, 2021
Federation of Kodava Samajas, Balugodu, Kodava Samaja Bengaluru (KSB), Codava National Council (CNC) and United Kodava Organisation (UKO) filed an Interlocutory Application (IA) urging the Karnataka High Court to consider them as respondents in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed with regard to gun licence exemption to Kodavas.
The PIL has been filed by Captain (Rtd.) Yaladalu K. Chethan, who has questioned the 2019 notification of granting exemption to Kodavas in Kodagu district from the requirement to obtain a licence to carry and possess firearms as required under provisions of the Indian Arms Act, 1959.
The PIL came before the High Court yesterday and was heard by the Division Bench of Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum, who have directed the inclusion of Federation of Kodava Samajas, KSB, CNC and UKO as respondents in the PIL.
While Additional Solicitor General Naragund appeared for the Central Government, senior advocate and former Additional Advocate General of Karnataka A.S. Ponnanna appeared for CNC and the Federation. Senior advocate Sajan Poovayya appeared for KSB and UKO was represented by Praveen Reddy.
The Division Bench asked the respondents and the Centre to file their objections and views in writing within two weeks and posted the PIL hearing to Aug. 31.
Petitioner Chethan, son of Yaladalu D. Keshavananda of Galibeedu village in Kodagu, has questioned the Constitutional validity of the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs extending the exemption for “every person of Coorg race and every Jamma tenure land holder in Coorg” from gun licence till October 31, 2029.
“The classification and use of term ‘Coorg race’ promotes discrimination between the citizens of Coorg region on the ground of caste, violating Article 15 of the Constitution. The classification of ‘Coorg race’ itself is derogatory and possesses a threat to the life and liberty as the people exempted are permitted to hold arms and ammunition without any scrutiny of their antecedents or criminal records,” the PIL said.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 12th, 2021
File picture of Niki Poonacha. – KAMESH SRINIVASAN
Former National champion Niki Poonachais finding time for a social cause amidst his tennis training.
The 26-year-old Niki, who had won the last ITF men’s tournament here in April, is helping in the organisation of a men’s ranking tournament in Chennai in collaboration with Rotaract Club of Madras and the Tennishub.
“The tournament will be held at the PowerPak Tennis Academy in Tharamani from September 2 to 5. The winner and runner-up will get ₹10,000 and ₹5,000 apart from goodies from tennishub,” said Niki. “All the funds raised from the event will be donated to Mahaishwar School for mentally challenged.”
Niki has been training well for the international circuit. “I am looking forward to competing in Tunisia and Egypt soon,” said Niki who trains at the Rohan Bopanna Academy in Bengaluru.
Urging the Government to provide reservation to Panchamasali and Gowda Lingayat communities under 2-A category, a ‘Pratigna Panchayat’ campaign will be launched from Aug. 26 to 30 to remind the Government on its promise of reservation.
Announcing this at a press meet after holding a meeting of Panchamasali and Gowda Lingayat community leaders at Hosamutt here on Monday, Sri Basava Jayamruthyunjaya Swamiji of Kudalasangama said that the community Seers and leaders had taken out a 750-km padayatra from Kudalasangama in Bagalkot district to the State Capital Bengaluru a couple of months ago seeking 2A category reservation for Panchamasali Lingayat and Gowda Lingayat communities.
Pointing out that a massive convention was held at Palace Ground in Bengaluru following the culmination of the padayatra, he said that the convention had passed a unanimous resolution seeking reservation when the then B.S. Yediyurappa-headed Government had assured of seriously considering the demand.
But now, in the changed political circumstances, Basavaraj Bommai, who had expressed support to the demand as a Minister then, has now become the Chief Minister. As such, the ‘Pratigna Panchayat’ campaign is being held from Aug. 26 to 30, from M.M. Hills in Chamarajangar district to Bengaluru to remind the Government of its promise on reservation, the Seer said.
Maintaining that the then CM Yediyurappa had assured of fulfilling their demand by Sept. 2021, the Swamiji warned of staging a dharna at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Oct. 1, marking the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister J.H. Patel, if the Government fails to act on the demand by then.
Hosamutt Seer Sri Chidananda Swamiji, Lingayat Gowda Mahasabha State President Alanahalli Puttaswamy, Panchamasali-Gowda Lingayat Co-ordination Committee Convenor and farmer leader A. Mallesh, Nataraj of Bengaluru, Shivakumar of Hassan, L.B. Patil of Mandya, Babitha Muthanna of Kodagu, Community leaders Gangambika, Gowramma, Virupakshamma, Shambhu Patel and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 11th, 2021
The Sea Riders, a group of motorcyclists, will cover close to 1,000km to commemorate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and Goa’s Liberation
Panaji :
Folding away their crisp white uniforms and fatigues, the Indian Navy’s Sea Riders kicked off a six-day expedition to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Goa’s Liberation and 75 years of India’s independence. Ten riders from Goa Naval Area are participating in the ride from Goa to Madikeri and will return to Goa by August 14.
The Sea Riders are a group of passionate motorcyclists from the Indian Navy, including women, who have undertaken several expeditions across the country, including to the North Eastern estates, to create awareness. The six-day expedition will see the riders covering close to 1,000km.
“A motorcycle rally is being undertaken by Goa Naval Area to commemorate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and the diamond jubilee of Goa’s Liberation. Ten riders are participating in the ride from Goa to Madikeri,” the Indian Navy said in a statement.
Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area Rear Admiral Philipose G Pynumootil flagged off the rally from the War Memorial, INS Gomantak on August 9.
The War Memorial at INS Gomantak was erected in honour of the personnel who made the supreme sacrifice during Goa Liberation.
At Madikeri, the riders will visit Field Marshal Cariappa Memorial, General Thimayya Museum and Sainik School, Kodagu.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Times of India / Home> News> City News> Goa News / TNN / August 10th, 2021
India women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy finished runners-up at the Denmark Masters after going down narrowly against top seeds Amalie Magelund and Freja Ravn of Denmark in the final here.
The Indian pair, seeded second, squandered an opening game advantage to lose 21-15 19-21 14-21 to the Danish combination in just under an hour’s contest.
Among other Indians, Lakshya Sen had lost in the semi-finals to France’s Christo Popov, while his brother Chirag Sen and Subhankar Dey, seeded fourth, bowed out at the quarter-final stages.
In women’s singles, Aakarshi Kashyap was the most impressive but lost the semi-final to fourth seed Dane Julie Dawall Jakobsen.
source:http://www.mykhel.com / myKhel / Home> Badminton> News / by Unnikrishnan G / August 09th, 2021
In what could be more financial stability for coffee growers in Odisha, Tata Coffee has agreed to procure coffee from the State. Announcing the development, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today informed coffee procured from growers in Koraput district by the Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL) will be sold by Tata Coffee across the country and abroad.
Patnaik further informed Tata Coffee has agreed to keep the uniqueness of Koraput Coffee intact while selling it in the market.
He hoped the cooperation of Tata Coffee will help the socio-economic development of coffee growers in the State. This will also ensure livelihood of tribals get secured, the Chief Minister added.
He heaped praised on Sulochana Khara from Kasamapadar village and said, “Khara has set an example for others as a successful coffee grower by selling over 200 kg coffee beans to TDCCOL. Her contribution in popularizing Koraput Coffee is commendable.”
The State government provided forest land rights of 46,000 acres to 30,000 families till June 2021. The TDCCOL procured 28,790 kg coffee beans from 193 tribal coffee growers in Laxmipur, Kashipur, Dasmantpur, Nandapur, Lamataput, Koraput and Pottangi blocks of Koraput district in 2020-21.
Official sources said the government targeted to grow coffee in 80 hectares more in 2021-22.
source: http://www.sambadenglish.com / Sambad English / Home> Odisha Latest / by Sambad English Bureau / August 08th, 2021
In fact, the Tokyo Olympics win is reminiscent of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, when India brought home the gold in hockey.
Chitradurga :
A resurgent India has shown the world that the fire is still alive, and Thursday’s 5-4 victory over a strong German side is much to cheer about. In fact, the Tokyo Olympics win is reminiscent of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, when India brought home the gold in hockey.
Former India captain and lone Karnataka player of the winning team, MM Somaiah, said the game at Tokyo reminded him of the day they had played Spain in the finals, and a timely turn by his teammates helped the team scoop up a victory.
“The present team, which was 1-3 down, fought back well against Germany and equalled the score 3-3 by half-time, and finally won 5-4. The bronze medal has given a new lease of life for Indian hockey and the team should start strengthening its game now on, so that we go back to the golden era,” he added.
The country’s national sport, which was in a slump for some time, is back in the forefront and needs government support to surge ahead, Somaiah added. India’s bronze medal effort has come in for praise by many former internationals, who felt the players showed the grit they did in the Moscow Olympics finals; July 29, 1980 is a red-letter day for India.
The lanky right-half from Kodagu said the present team is mentally tough and doesn’t fear beating teams with higher rankings. “Though down 1-3, the Indians bounced back as the final whistle was blown. The entire team played a cohesive game and as a single unit. We are emotionally charged by the way our boys fought back,” he said.
Timely intervention by coach Graham Reid and the technical bench also helped the team excel in all aspects of the games, said Somaiah. He said that players at all levels need more exposure, and the academies at Punjab, Haryana, Odisha and Manipur should be replicated in every corner of the country, to tap and train the best hockey talents.
On the need to support hockey in Karnataka and especially Kodagu, Somaiah said the game needs support from all sections of society, including the government, so that young talents can be nurtured. Reacting to a question on foreign coaches, he said the nationality of coaches is immaterial, but the person in charge of the team should give it his best shot.
The performance of the Indian team was exemplary, and our boys scripted a historic win on foreign soil after a gap of four decades. All the players played exceptionally well, though the efforts of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh were really commendable and his saves were excellent. The performance should inspire youngsters, so that hockey can flourish again in the country and Karnataka, said former goalkeeper and Hockey Karnataka secretary AB Subbaiah.
He said the time has come for governments to frame a sports policy where more school-level hockey tournaments and competitions take place. The private sector should also support sports in a big way, he added.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sports> Olympics / by G Subhash Chandra, Express News Service / August 06th, 2021
Mangalore University will introduce Kodava as an optional language for undergraduate programmes. The University Academic Council has approved the introduction of Kodava as an optional language for degree classes in the colleges affiliated to the University. MA in Kodava language will also be introduced subsequently.
“Regulations have been prepared. Once it is finalised, it will be placed before the Syndicate and Academic Council for approval,” Vice-Chancellor Dr. P.S. Yadapadithaya said. The Academic Council also approved the syllabus for the undergraduate programmes.
Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy President Parvathi Appaiah, who is also the Academic Council Member, said that an Expert Committee has already prepared the syllabus. The textbooks will be printed by Prasaranga of Mangalore University.
Kodava language or the ‘Kodava Thakk’ is a mixture of all Dravidian languages. It has adopted words from Tulu, Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam. It has emerged into a separate linguistic identity now.
Kodava language is largely restricted to Kodagu district, besides a few settlers in Mysuru and Bengaluru and other major cities in the country and abroad. Kodava language is predominantly written in the Kannada script.
According to the census data, for the Kodavas, the problem of declining language is compounded due to a reducing population. Several Kodavas, especially those who have moved out of Kodagu, are now speaking English or Kannada at home.
The initiative by the Mangalore University to introduce Kodava as an optional language for Undergraduate courses will provide the much-needed boost to the language.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 05th, 2021
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