A delegation of Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences Board Members recently met Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and demanded the setting up of a super-speciality hospital in Madikeri.
Residents have been forced to travel more than a hundred kilometres, either to Mangaluru, Mysuru or Bengaluru, to avail benefits of advanced medicine, even in case of an emergency and most of the patients die before they reach their destination hospitals.
The delegation told the CM that a super-speciality hospital would help provide emergency treatment with the latest facility for the accident victims. The delegation was led by Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah and comprised Board Members of Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences M.A. Niranjan, Dr. B.C. Naveen and Dr. Jayalakshmi Patkar.
The delegation told the CM that whenever a major accident takes place in Kodagu, there are no facilities to provide emergency treatment and also accidents have increased over the years due to narrow roads. If a Trauma Centre is set up, it will help treat critically injured patients, the delegation told Yediyurappa.
There are no cardiac treatment facilities and heart patients have to depend on visiting doctors from other districts like Mysuru and Mangaluru for treatment.
Giving a patient ear, the CM told the delegation that he would discuss with officials and take measures to provide basic required facilities to Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 28th, 2021
The Centre has identified six districts in Karnataka including Kodagu for Heliport project under Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (Regional Connectivity Scheme), claimed Minister for Tourism C.P. Yogeeshwar.
He was speaking at an event at a private resort in Madikeri yesterday that was organised by Kodagu District Hotel, Resorts and Restaurants Association, Home Stay Association, Tours and Travel Association. The Associations had invited the Minister to discuss about tourism prospects of Kodagu and this was Yogeeshwar’s first visit to Kodagu after assuming the charge of Tourism Department.
Yogeeshwar told the gathering that establishment of Heliports as part of the Heli Tourism Circuit would be a reality soon as districts including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Mangaluru and Kodagu have been identified for the project and Kodagu will not be neglected at a time when grand plans are afoot to develop Karnataka Tourism in a big way.
He stressed that while promoting tourism, it will be kept in mind that even environment has to be taken care of. “Our intention is sustainable tourism. The Tourism Department is formulating plans to introduce caravans at an estimated cost of Rs. 30 lakh and the project will come to Kodagu too and local hotels and resort can make the best use of the same,” he said.
In all, 10 heliports would come up across Karnataka and more and more tourists would come to Kodagu after the 10-lane work of the Mysuru-Bengaluru Economic Corridor is completed. “We intend to build tourist rest houses on Hunsur-Sampaje route with all the amenities for tourists,” he assured. Hotel and Resort Association President Nagendra Prasad, Home Stay Association President B.G. Ananthashayana, Tours and Travel Association President Cheeyanda Sathya and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com/ Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 29th, 2021
While the district annually hosted the record-breaking hockey tournament, the same has met with hurdles from the past three years.
The Coorg Challengers Chickpet Association members. (Photo | Express)
Madikeri :
The passion for hockey in Kodagu is unmatchable and the district has contributed largely to the Indian Hockey team.
Nevertheless, the passionate hockey lovers have alternate platforms to showcase their enthusiasm and one such pompous hockey tournament will soon be launched at FMKM Cariappa Hockey Arena in Bengaluru.
CCCA 5 A side open Hockey tournament will unfurl from April 2 to April 4 and will witness participation from 24 teams across South India.
What is notable about this tournament is that it is being hosted by hockey enthusiasts from Kodagu – who call themselves the Coorg Challengers Chickpet Association (CCCA).
Further, this tournament will enable a close competition among hockey veterans even as NRIs from Kodagu who recently moved back to India following the pandemic, have formed a new team to take part in the tournament.
“CCCA is a group of hockey-loving people. The group consists of nearly 40 individuals from 14 different Kodava families. And we are all natives of Chickpet in Virajpet who are now settled in Bengaluru,” explained Mukkatira Somaiah, one of the core members of CCCA.
He stated that CCCA was formed with a vision to promote hockey while also providing support to the needy.
“Through CCCA 5A hockey tournament, we raise funds from hockey lovers and philanthropists. The money from the tournament is then donated to Cheshire Home Bangalore in Bengaluru,” he said. The association also promotes sports learning among youngsters as it has supported many sports aspirants financially.
“The tournament is organized under the aegis of Hockey India and Hockey Karnataka and will witness participation from many professional hockey players. We have chosen 5A Hockey tournament as this is a skillful game and it involves unique stick work. The cash prizes to winners are also elaborate,” he added.
The tournament has grabbed the attention of hockey players from across the country even as a new team from Kodagu – Team Coorg Gulf will take part this year.
A group of residents who are natives of Kodagu and who were settled in Muscat and UAE continued their passion for hockey aboard with the founding of Team Coorg Muscat and Team Coorg UAE a few years ago.
“Mekerira Bellu Kuttappa, a hockey enthusiast who was working in Muscat founded Team Coorg Muscat. Similarly, natives of Kodagu working in UAE formed the Team Coorg UAE. We used to often take part in hockey tournaments in Oman. However, all of us have returned to India following the pandemic and the two teams have been reformed as Team Coorg Gulf,” explained Vikram Uthappa, one of the core members of the team.
While the pandemic situation had put most of the sports activities to rest, the Team Coorg Gulf members are excited to launch themselves in India with the CCCA 5A hockey tournament.
While 24 teams have registered for the tournament, three teams in total will take part from Kodagu. Further, veteran hockey players VR Raghurathan, Nikhin Thimmaiah, and Arjun Halappa among others will be part of the event.
Somaiah also confirmed that hockey player Dhanraj Pilay is likely to be present during the final game of the tournament, which is likely to witness an exhibition match between former Olympians and international hockey players.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / March 28th, 2021
Robin Uthappa would be playing for CSK for the first time in his career in the upcoming season.
Robin Uthappa. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Veteran batsman Robin Uthappa will be seeking a fresh start in the Indian Premier League (IPL) when the upcoming season gets underway. The 14th edition of the tournament is scheduled to start on April 9 with a clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Uthappa will be playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2021.
The right-handed batsman will ply his trade for the Chennai-based outfit for the first time in his IPL career. In January, Rajasthan Royals had traded him to CSK in an all-cash deal. Uthappa only played the 2020 edition for the Royals, having been bought for INR 3 crore in December 2019. He played 12 games last season in the UAE but failed to cement a secured batting position.
Overall, he managed just 196 runs in IPL 2020. And ahead of the start of the season, Robin Uthappa has set some lofty goals for himself. In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, he spoke about the things he is looking forward to. The first question for Uthappa was to name the team he was looking forward to playing against in IPL 2021.
In reply, the T20 World Cup-winning player said that he is looking forward to playing against defending champions Mumbai Indians. Uthappa opined that beating the reigning IPL champions would make CSK’s intentions for the season clear.
“Mumbai Indians. I think Mumbai Indians is the team that I would be looking to play against and doing well. They are a formidable side. Playing them and beating them would send a message across the board that we mean business,” said Robin Uthappa.
What is Robin Uthappa’s personal goal?
In another question, Robin Uthappa was asked about his personal goal for IPL 2021. In reply, the former Kolkata Knight Riders star said that he wants to win as many games as possible for his team. CSK will be looking to bounce back this season after a poor campaign in the last edition where they failed to make it to the playoffs. “To contribute to as many victories as possible. Win at least a handful of games for my team,” said Uthappa.
Uthappa also revealed the record he would like to break in IPL 2021. He stated that he would like to become the first player to score 1,000 runs in a single IPL season. No player in the history of the competition has managed to score more than 973 runs in one season. The record for scoring most runs in a season is currently held by Virat Kohli.
Uthappa’s most prolific season came in 2014 when he amassed 660 runs. “To be the first guy to score 1000 runs in a season,” said Uthappa.
Stressing on the need for more reservation for women in education and in the job sector, Dr Parvathi said that girls should not be deprived of education
Participants at the International Women’s Day programme organised by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy and Aimanda Pommakkada Koota, in Maragodu village. Credit: DH Photo
Education becomes more meaningful if it instils cultural values among students, opined Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy chairperson Dr Parvathi Appaiah.
She was delivering the keynote address during the International Women’s Day programme observed by Kodava Sahitya Academy and Aimanda Pommakkada Koota, in Maragodu village recently.
Stressing on the need for more reservation for women in education and in the job sector, Dr Parvathi said that girls should not be deprived of education.
Madikeri Government First Grade College lecturer Bodukuttada Radhika Kuttappa said education alone can bring positive development among girls.
During the session, Taluk Panchayat former president Revathi Parameshwar spoke on ‘Kalakottaneke Pommakkada Badkal Badalavane’.
Aimanda Divya presented her views on ‘Kodagra Samskruthi, Samkraratha Bolachel Avvangada Pathra’.
Books and CDs brought out by Kodava Sahitya Academy were kept for exhibition and sale.
As part of the cultural programmes, students from Kaveri Degree College, Gonikoppa, members of Aimanda Pommakkada Koota and dance troupes from Virajpet performed dances on the occasion.
The best performances were awarded cash prizes, sponsored by Non-resident Indian Aimanda Jagadish.
Prior to the programme, office-bearers of Aimanda Pommakkada Koota and Kodava Sahitya Academy took out a cultural procession in the town.
Pommakkada Koota president Pushpavathi, Maragodu Gram Panchayat president Ayyandra Poornima Shrinivas, academy member Gowramma Madammaiah, academy former president Rani Machaiah, former principal Dr Pushpa Kuttana, academy members Babbira Saraswathi, Prabu Kumar and registrar Ajjikuttira Girish were present, among others.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> States> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Madikeri / March 14th, 2021
The Forest Department has installed railway barricades to stop entry of elephants in Alur range.
Across 4.5 km in Alur range, these will restrict elephant movement
The Forest Department has put up railway barricades for about 4.5 km in Alur range of Hassan district to avoid the movement of elephants. The 2.1 m tall barricades, made of used railway tracks, have been installed between Nagavara Elephant Camp and Bharatur in Alur taluk. This is the area wherein elephants from Kattepura forest in Kodagu district move towards Alur range crossing the backwater of Hemavati Reservoir located at Gorur.
People of Hassan have been dealing with the elephant menace for decades. As many as 70 lost their lives in the conflict in the district since 1991. Similarly, 63 elephants have died so far. Besides solar fencing and elephant-proof trenches (EPT), the department has taken up the installation of railway barricades as a solution to avoid conflicts.
K.N. Basavaraj, Deputy Conservator of Forests, on Friday, took a team of journalists to Nagavara Elephant Camp to show them the barricades. “We keep learning how to avoid conflicts. Now, the installation of railway barricades is considered to be the effective system to minimise the conflicts,” he said. Chandrashekhar, a contractor from Mysuru, has bagged the contract to put up barricades for 4.5 kms at a cost of ₹4.65 crore. He procured 750 tonnes of the used tracks from the Ministry of Railways at an open auction. “The barricades are 2.1 m above ground level. They have been erected with the support of concrete 1.5 m below the ground. Two horizontal barricades are such that neither a cub nor adult elephant could cross them. We have learnt from the past experiences where elephants died while attempting to cross the barricades,” the officer said.
The purpose is to avoid the entry of elephants from Kodagu to Hassan. In 2014, the department captured 24 elephants and relocated them, resulting in a decrease in man-animal conflict for a brief period. “However, the number of elephants increased gradually, as many crossed the Hemavati backwaters. Now, we are plugging the hole so that elephants’ entry from Kodagu is restricted,” the officer said.
The department plans to extend the barricade for 40 km covering the boundary points. In Kodagu, the elephants that raid coffee estates could be driven back to forest areas easily, while in Hassan it was not possible. The herds keep moving from one estate to another damaging the crop, the officer said.
Opposition from farmers
Farmers of Nagavara and surrounding villages in Alur taluk have opposed the railway barricades alleging that these would force the elephants to camp in their estates for a long period.
Rangaswamy, a resident of Nagavara, said, “No doubt the barricades restrict elephants coming from Kodagu. What about those elephants already in the boundaries? Now, they cannot go back to Kodagu because of the barricades and continue to remain in the estates located close to the barricades.”
Mr. Basavaraj, DCF, reacting to the allegations, said the barricades had been put up just now. The officers would analyse the elephants’ movement and take appropriate action whenever necessary. “We have plans to extend the barricades for 40 km. As of now, we have a system to open the barricades at key points to let the elephants go back to their places,” he said.
He further clarified, “The path that we are blocking is not considered to be the natural path of the elephants. Only in the recent years, they have begun to tread this path.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Sathish G.T. / Hassan – March 27th, 2021
Supermodel and actress Shubra Aiyappa is excited as she is set to shoot for her second Tamil fim. She has signed an action revenge drama titled Aaganya , where she plays the titular role. Shubra is currently training and working on her physical fitness in preparation for the role. “This film is titled Aaganya, which means rising from the flames, and I play the titular role. I am particularly thrilled about this film as I have always wanted to do an action film. This is the closest that I’ve come to doing it,” she reveals, saying that she had to not just audition with dialogues but also prove to the action director that she is physically fit and capable to do the role.
“The film is akin to the likes of Lara Croft in some ways in terms of the action and I am going to be kicking some serious butt. This revenge drama will see me in two shades. People will get to see a mean action avatar and then there is another side to me. It gives me a lot of scope to prove my worth as an actor and I’m looking forward to giving my best,” says Shubra, who is preparing for the role with some action classes in Bengaluru, following which she will be partaking in more classes and workshops in Chennai.
“I was shooting for the Rishi starrer Ramana Avatara prior to the onset of the pandemic. I haven’t really shot for a film ever since and am glad I get to return to the sets. I did a Tamil film a few years ago, but haven’t done anything after, though I do a lot of Tamil ads, I’m glad that I get to be a part of this film,” says Shubra, who hints that the makers might release this film as a multilingual eventually. Shubra will be shooting for 35 days for this film, as per the schedule, she shares.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> Entertainment> Kannada / by Sunayana Suresh, TNN / March 16th, 2021
Senior IPS Officer from Kodagu district, Maneyapanda A. Ganapathy, yesterday took charge as the Director General of National Security Guard (NSG), an elite counter-terrorism unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Picture shows Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha congratulating M.A. Ganapathy at the NSG Head Quarters in Palam, New Delhi, this morning. Also seen are MP’s wife Arpitha Simha and daughter Vipanchi Simha.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / March 19th, 2021
With human-animal conflict increasing day-by-day in forest rich Kodagu district, Minister for Forest Aravind Limbavalisaid that a Kodagu-specific Foundation will be formed to mitigate human-animal conflict.
Replying to a question by BJP MLC Sunil Subramani in the Legislative Council recently, Limbavali said it has come to the notice of the Government that attacks on human beings by wild animals such as tigers and elephants are on the rise in Kodagu district. The Forest Department has taken many measures to prevent wild animals from straying into human habitats, he said and added that 47 water ponds have been formed to ensure that wild animals get water within the forests.
Stating that desilting of 66 water bodies is going on in the district, the Minister said that 34.35 km solar fencing and 161.60 km barbed wire fencing has been installed along the forest borders and 91.55 km elephant trench has been dug up. Besides, 33.37 km of suspended solar fencing and railway track barricades have been erected using 24.62 tonnes of old railway tracks. To erect more railway track fencing, the Department has purchased 496.17 tonnes of old railway track, he explained.
Limbavali further said that 52 rapid action teams have been formed and 71 teams to drive stray elephants have been constituted. These teams will also keep a watch on poaching, he said and added that the Government will take all measures possible to end human-animal conflicts, which has become a bane in the region.
He said that an adult female in a herd will be identified for radio collaring, to help track the movements of other elephants. Nine elephants have been radio-collared so far and the staff are keeping a track of their movements round the clock, he added.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 22nd, 2021
Stating that the huge landslide on Malethirike hillock coming under Virajpet Town Panchayat in 2018 has rendered the hillock unfit for human habitat, Revenue Minister R. Ashok said that a parcel of private land has been identified at Ambatti village of Bittangala in Virajpet taluk for rehabilitating displaced persons.
Replying to a question by Congress MLC Veena Achaiah at the Legislative Council, Ashok said that the process for purchase of the identified private land is underway.
Maintaining that no Government land was available in Virajpet Town Panchayat limits, he said that 7.70 acres of private land is being purchased for rehabilitation. Pointing out that the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has reported that 57 houses in Malethirike Hillock, 5 houses in Ursu Nagar and 9 houses in Nehrunagar are unfit for human living, he said that the GSI report has explained the causes for the landslide, which included digging of the hills for road construction, unscientific foundation for houses and indiscreet felling of naturally grown trees, among others.
Stating that a total of 71 houses have to be relocated, Ashoka said that necessary measures would be taken during the rainy season to shelter people living in dangerous conditions, at care centres .
Welcoming the Minister’s statement on the action taken, Veena Achaiah said that apart from Malethirike Hill, there were over 2,500 people living in landslide prone areas in Nehrunagar and there is a need for rehabilitating them too.
Asserting that the 71 houses that the Government has proposed to construct is not enough, the MLC contended that there is Government lands at Balugodu, Arji, Kedamallur, Bittangala and surrounding places, which should be identified and distributed among the displaced people. Mentioning that the current economic position of the Government is not good, she said that the dearth of funds may further delay purchase of private land and the problem is sure to get more compounded with the onset of the monsoon, which is less than three months away.
Ashok, in his reply, said that he will direct the officials to identify lands if the Government gets inputs on the survey numbers under which Government lands are available.
Claiming that this will help save Government money and also help in rehabilitation, Ashoka said that a proposal has been sent to Union Government on establishing care centres in all flood-prone areas at a total cost of about Rs.10 crore. Asserting that such care centres will have all necessary facilities, he said that during other times, these centres can be used for holding Government meetings and other programmes. The Department is working out a plan in this regard, he added.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 23rd, 2021
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