Kodagu-Born IAS Officer Appointed As Private Secretary To Union Finance Minister

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Madikeri:

The Union Government yesterday approved the appointment of IAS Officer S.S. Nakul as Private Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA) at the level of Deputy Secretary. Incidentally, Nirmala Sitharaman is a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka. 

According to an order from the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Nakul has been appointed as Private Secretary to Nirmala Sitharaman for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of the charge of the post or on co-terminus basis with the Minister or till he ceases to function as Private Secretary to the Minister or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Nakul is a 2010-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer of Karnataka cadre. He is currently serving as Deputy Commissioner of Ballari District. An Engineering Graduate (BE in Electronics & Communications) from Mysuru, he joined civil services in 2010.

Nakul hails from Kushalnagar in Kodagu district and is the son of well-known entrepreneur Rotarian S.K. Satish and Shobha Satish. He has served as Deputy Commissioner and Zilla Panchayat CEO in many districts. Nakul is married to Poojita and they have a boy child. 

Nakul had secured an all-India rank of 31 in USPC Civil Services exam. He is known for his efficient handling of administration and has made a mark in deft handling of COVID-19 situation in the State. He is known for utmost transparency in handling of administrative matters. In his tenure, Ballari became the first district in the country to prepare and upload an audit report of COVID expenditure in the district. 

He has shown exemplary uprightness and efficiency in the use of Ballari district’s mineral fund and State disaster management fund for COVID relief such as setting up special wards in hospitals, construction of oxygen tanks, procuring masks, PPE kits, medicines and equipment.

On his deputation to Central service, Nakul said “The PMO had sought my opinion two weeks back. I couldn’t say no… It’s an opportunity to learn new lessons of public administration. I will join the Central service after the completion of Gram Panchayat election process.”

Nakul’s wife delivers first child at Govt. Hospital

When he was the CEO of Ballari ZP, Nakul had emerged as a trend-setter by getting his wife’s maiden delivery done at the district hospital in Ballari at a time when it has become common even for the economically weak to prefer private hospitals or nursing homes for deliveries. 

“The district hospital has experienced doctors, performing over 10 deliveries daily. The hospital has almost all the facilities and above all it is clean and tidy which made us prefer Government Hospital,” Nakul had told reporters then. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>News / December 18th, 2020

Social Activist From Kodagu Podamada Uthappa Dies

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Kodava Samaja Youth Wing demands registering a murder case; warns of protests

Ponnampet:

Akhila Kodava Samaja Youth Wing President Chammattira Praveen Uthappa has demanded impartial probe into the death of social activist and well-known resident of Balele Podamada Uthappa. 

He alleged that attempts were made by certain vested interests to twist the facts of the case. Uthappa died of an assault but now attempts are being made to bury the murder case giving it a COVID twist. Praveen Uthappa has warned of protests if the investigation goes off-track. 

Podamada Uthappa (82) breathed his last on Monday evening at a private hospital in Mangaluru. He was admitted there after he was allegedly assaulted by three youths in front of a bar in Balele on Nov. 18. After the assault, Uthappa fell to the ground and was rushed to Mangaluru for treatment. 

The post-mortem was conducted in Mangaluru in the presence of Gonikoppal Inspector Ramareddy. Uthappa’s son Podamada Pradeep Karumbaiah has lodged a complaint in Ponnampet Police Station against Santosh, Pratap and Kamaraj of Balele for allegedly causing the death of his father. As if to retaliate, the three youths have lodged an atrocity case as a counter measure. 

According to eyewitnesses, on Nov. 18, Podamada Uthappa’s car was allegedly waylaid by Santosh, Pratap and Kamaraj and Uthappa was allegedly assaulted in front of a bar. Two more persons who accompanied Uthappa came to his rescue and avoided a major fight. But in the process, Uthappa was allegedly pushed to the ground by one of the accused. 

Uthappa’s ribs and a bone near his torso were broken and after first aid, he was shifted to Mangaluru where he died on Monday evening. Doctors in Mangaluru had reportedly told Uthappa’s family that he was suffering from a virus attack and as such, surgery cannot be performed to rectify his broken bones. Doctors advised the family that the surgeries can be performed only after Uthappa recovers from the viral disease. 

Meanwhile, Akhila Kodava Samaja Youth Wing President Chammattira Praveen Uthappa has said that certain vested interests are trying to hush up the case by publicising that Podamada Uthappa died of virus attack. “Due to his old age, Uthappa could not sustain the injuries and he died. Now certain people are twisting the case to save Santosh, Pratap and Kamaraj from being accused in a murder case. The Police must treat this as a murder case and arrest the accused,” he demanded. 

Praveen Uthappa has alleged that the atrocity case booked by the three youths was to mislead the case. “It has become a habit for certain sections in Kodagu to fix people in false atrocity cases. After lodging atrocity cases, innocent people are blackmailed for money and even properties. This trend must stop. Podamada Uthappa was murdered and action must be taken under relevant sections of the IPC,” he said. 

Praveen Uthappa added that widespread protests will be held in Kodagu if Police bow to the pressure of vested interests. He demanded the immediate quashing of the atrocity case. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 16th, 2020

Virajpet Town Panchayat meeting held after two years

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The meeting of Virajpet Town Panchayat was held under the presidentship of T R Sushmitha for the first time, two years after the election to the council of the TP.

Member C K Prithviraj alleged that there are mistakes in the agenda sent to the members.

The meeting was convened when the tahsildar was the administrator of the Town Panchayat. The decision taken during the tenure of the administration cannot be accepted, he added.

Member M K Dechamma said that water is not supplied to Mogaragalli residents and that measures should be initiated to supply the water at the earliest.

Member Ranji Poonaccha alleged that the streetlights in the town are defunct. The contractor for the maintenance of streetlights should be changed.

The members said that the area of Virajpet Town Panchayat should be expanded. With the inclusion of Bittangala, Ambatti, Maggula Chembebellur, Betoli and Arji villages, the income generated by the panchayat can be increased.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State>Mangaluru / by DHNS, Virajpet / December 16th, 2020

‘Keep aside feelings of inferiority on language to save Arebhashe’

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Kodagu Gowda Mahila Okkoota former president Radha Yadava recommended teaching Arebhashe to children.

Culture will be at stake if small, regional languages seize to exist, opined retired principal Bariyanda Joyappa.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Arebhashe Day and Arebhashe Yakshagana Talamaddale Koota organised by Karnataka Arebhashe Cultural and Literary Academy, held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Madikeri on Tuesday.

Quoting linguistics expert Ganesh N Devi, he said that around 400 languages out of 780 languages in the country are on the verge of extinction.

“Everyone, including those who are highly qualified in terms of education and are in a good position, should speak in their mother tongue. One should not feel inferior about Arebhashe,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka Arebhashe Cultural and Literary Academy chairman Lakshminarayana Kajegadde said that December 11 is the Foundation Day of the academy and the day is observed as Arebhashe Day.

He remembered stalwarts such as T G Muduru, M G Kaveramma, Prof Kodi Kushalappa Gowda, Dr Kaveri Mane Bojappa and Katratana Belyappa who had worked for the setting up of the academy.

Stating that Arebhashe language needs to find a place in textbooks as Tulu, he said the popularity of Arebhashe should be increased by using the language in Yakshagana and various forms of literature.

Efforts will be on to obtain ISO recognition for Arebhashe. The Arebhashe Day is being observed in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru and various other places as well, he said and added that several programmes are planned on the occasion of the decennial celebrations of Arebhashe Academy.

Kodagu Gowda Samaja Federation chairman Soortale Somanna said that the Kodagu Gowda Samaja will organise programmes in Arebhashe.

Kodagu Gowda Mahila Okkoota former president Radha Yadava recommended teaching Arebhashe to children.

The language should become part of their curriculum, she added.

Arebhashe Academy register Chinnaswamy, members Baitadka Janaki Bellyappa, Smitha Amritaraj, Chokkadi Prema Raghavaiah, Dhananjaya Agolikaje, Dambekodi S Anand, Dr K C Dayanand, A T Kusumadhar, Purushottama Kirlaya and Kodagu Gowda Yuva Vedike president Paikera Manohara Madappa were present.

An Arebhashe Yakshagana Talamaddale ‘Panchavati Prasanga’ was performed on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / December 15th, 2020

Madikeri: Student invents robot that can treat COVID patients

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Madikeri :

Coronavirus infection has created so much scare among the people that initially even the doctors were wary of treating these patients. Many doctors and nurses who treated such patients have lost their lives.

Observing these things, an engineering student from Virajpet here has invented a robot to solve the problem. Manikantha from Hubballi, is the son of Amaresh, working in the court at Ponnampet in the district. Amaresh has been living in Virajpet since the last 15 years. Manikantha is a fifth semester student of electronics engineering department at the engineering college at Mandya.

IEEE India Council had invited students to send in their plans about projects relating to COVID treatment. The council which observed the report sent by Manikantha, asked him to prepare the project and paid Rs 12,000 as expenses. Manikantha by using C programming, created this robot.

This robot can be controlled with the help of a mobile phone. It can go near the COVID patients and dispense medicines and tablets. It can give instructions to patients, and check the heartbeat and body temperature. It also greets the patients. When returning, it scans its entire body and protects itself. IJWMT too has got a research article authored by the student and published. It also issued him a citation.

Manikantha’s parents are happy. He happens to be the first to invent a medical robot for the treatment of COVID patients.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network, Madikeri (SP) / December 12th, 2020

AGM Of Sri Kavery Kodava Association, Mysore East Held

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Puliyanda S. Devaiah elected as new President

Mysore/Mysuru:

The Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of Sri Kavery Kodava Association, Mysore East, was held at the Association premises in Vidyashankar Nagar here yesterday. 

The following were elected as office-bearers and Managing Committee Members of the Association for the year 2020 – 2022: President: Puliyanda S. Devaiah, Vice-President: Pandyanda Raja Bopaiah, Hon. Secretary: Kademada M. Belliappa, Joint Secretary:  Pemmanda D. Poonacha, Treasurer: Coluvanda M. Chengappa, Committee Members: Neravanda Muthappa (Sunil), Machura D. Cariappa, Pattada Sachin Devaiah, Pudiyokkada Praveen Chengappa, Pattamada T. Charmana, Pokachanda P. Narendra, Kanjithanda Manu Aiyappa, Mookalamada B. Somanna, Chimmanda P. Subbaiah, Karthamada Nalini (Sweety), Mollera A. Kavitha and Ajjamakkada Beena Cariappa.

Speaking on the occasion, Devaiah said the Kavery Kodava Association has completed 20 successive years and attributed its achievements over the years to the services of past six Presidents and their team of Managing Committees — Palachanda Kuttappa, Founder-President; Accapanda Kashi Kuttappa; Kanjithanda K. Aiyappa; Pudiyokkada B. Madappa; Boovadira A. Devaiah and Koppira D. Ponnappa. 

Expressing his gratitude to Kalyatanda B. Ganapathy for his valuable support and guidance in all its endeavours, the new President also recalled the services of Naina Achappa as Kodagu Model School’s first Correspondent; Channira T. Poovaiah as first Chairperson of the Education Council and Chowrira Seetha Kalaiah, Chairperson of the Education Council since 2010, who is instrumental in steering the institution to the present level. 

The Association had a humble beginning and today there are 600 members with assets worth over crores and a  turnover of over Rs. 40 lakh per annum.  The Kodagu Model School  run  by  the Association has classes from LKG to X Std., he said and added that he aims to improve the standard of the School as ‘Vidyadhaana was Mahadhana.’ 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 14th, 2020

Give Top Priority To Cultivate Coffee Naturally In Kodagu

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Ponnampet Forestry College Dean calls upon growers to maintain quality from estate to cuppa; 18th AGM of Kodagu Mahila Coffee Jagruthi Sangha held

Madikeri:

Coffee growers should give priority for cultivating tasty coffee naturally, said Ponnampet Forestry College Dean Dr. Cheppudira G. Kushalappa. 

He was speaking at the 18th Annual General Body meeting of Kodagu Mahila Coffee Jagruthi Sangha held at a private hotel in Madikeri recently. Though Vietnam and Brazil produces large quantity of coffee, they are unable to get back the amount invested in coffee cultivation. They use highest quality of fertilisers to cultivate the crop and most of the finances are drained out here. 

The growers of Kodagu must concentrate on cultivating coffee naturally by reducing the use of fertilisers. There are 360 species of trees inside the coffee estates in Kodagu. As a result, the ground gets good manure. This is the reason why Kodagu coffee is famous across the world. 

“The undeniable natural beauty and abundance in Kodagu — from rainfall to fertile soil and diverse water sources — has made the region a highly sought-after location to cultivate coffee. Coffee flourishes in a unique blend of climatic conditions that includes humidity, heat and rainfall. Kodagu is ideal for these conditions and the slopes of the Western Ghats ensure orthographic rainfall that measure between 60 to 80 inches,” he said. 

The abundant species of    shaded trees work together in a two-tier system to protect coffee plants. These trees also prevent soil erosion and provide mulch to act as fertiliser. “The soil of Kodagu is rich with nitrogenous material and has a good sub-surface drainage,” he said and called upon growers to maintain quality from the estate to the cuppa. 

Coffee Board quality expert Vikram Kuttaiah said that the prices of coffee have not increased drastically for the last 25 years. The maintenance of Arabica coffee was Rs. 25,000 per acre 25 years ago and now it has reached Rs. 80,000 per acre. The maintenance of Robusta variety has increased from   Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 60,000. 

 “The maintenance costs have increased manifold but the prices of coffee has remained stagnant. There is a huge disparity between production costs and end profits. There is a situation where the grower has to be satisfied with meagre income,”   he explained. 

Kodagu Mahila Coffee Jagruthi Sangha President Pandikuthira Chitra Subbaiah said that the Sangha has been creating awareness about Coorg Coffee since the last 18 years. Sangha Director Kumari Kunjappa has been provided permission by Kodagu District Administration to open an outlet at Coorg Village that is coming up near Raja’s Seat in Madikeri, she said.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 14th, 2020

CNC To Hold Annual Gun Carnival In Kodagu On Dec. 18

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Madikeri (Kodagu):

The 10th Annual Codava National Council (CNC) Thok Namme (Gun Carnival) will be held Dec. 18 at 10.30 am at Kolakeri in Napoklu to mark “World Minorities Rights Day.” 

Gun is a part and parcel of Kodavas and to showcase the valour and rich folkloric cultural heritage of the community. The Thok Namme is scheduled to be held at Cauvery Estate of Appachira Rammi Nanaiah in Kolakeri. 

All participants are requested to carry their guns to the ceremony. This programme is intended to showcase warrior-hood tribal traits of the community. As pet the schedule, a mass worship of guns will be performed on the banks of River Cauvery. The ritual will be led by CNC President N.U. Nachappa, followed by Thok Paat (folkloric weapon prayer).

Later, a shooting competition for men, women and children will be held followed by a public meeting. Prize distribution will be held and traditional Kodava food will be served to all participants. 

Gun right, a clarification

In the wake of Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy issuing orders to all gun holders in Kodagu to surrender the same due to the forthcoming Gram Panchayat elections, the CNC has clarified that gun licence is different and gun exemption is different. 

During elections, under the directions from the Election Commission of India, all District administrations, Collectorates and Commissionerates will issue orders to all gun licence holders to surrender their weapons by depositing it in the nearest Police Station till the completion of election process to facilitate smooth electoral exercise as well as to maintain peace and tranquillity. “This order will not and does not apply to a Kodava community member as the community is exempted from Indian Arms Act to possess firearms or guns. This was clarified in 1994 during the period of Chief Election Commissioner of India T.N. Sheshan who reformed India’s electoral system.

Sheshan made it clear that the exemption certificate holders and also those who consider weapons as sacred and gun as an article of worship, this order of depositing the guns during elections will not apply, the CNC stated. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 12th, 2020

Joshna Chinappa, first Indian woman to play 400 PSA Tour squash games

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Joshna’s contemporary Dipika Pallikal has competed in 297 PSA Tour matches. England’s Alison Waters (487) and Camille Serme (France, 439) have topped the list in the women’s category.

Joshna Chinappa achieved the unique feat in the CIB-Black Ball Squash Open in Cairo (Egypt).    –  RITU RAJ KONWAR (FILE PHOTO)

India squash player Joshna Chinappa became the first Indian female player and second (male and female) to play 400 PSA Tour squash matches.

The 34-year-old achieved the unique feat in the CIB-Black Ball Squash Open in Cairo (Egypt). 

The Indian, seeded 10, defeated Julianne Courtice of England 10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 12-10 in the women’s first round.

Only Saurav Ghosal (444) has played more than Joshna.

Joshna’s contemporary Dipika Pallikal has competed in 297 PSA Tour matches. England’s Alison Waters (487) and Camille Serme (France, 439) have topped the list in the women’s category.

source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / SportStar / Home> Squash / by Team SportStar / Chennai – December 09th, 2020

A cloud of anxiety hangs over tribals in Kodagu

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Tribals in Reshmehadlu hamlet in Kodagu district. Credit: DH

The tribal population in Kodagu has been in fear of losing their existence, in the wake of implementation of the Kasturirangan report.

The land on which their livelihood depends upon might be termed as an encroachment. This is the fear of tribal population in Kodagu, said social activist Prabhu.

It is true that forests should be preserved and biodiversity has to be preserved. But, evacuating forest-dwelling tribal people in the name of an ecologically sensitive region, cannot be accepted. The government should provide them with alternative livelihood when they leave the forest and come into the mainstream, he said.

“There is a scattered population of Adivasis in the forest areas of Kodagu. The existing forest regulations have been hurdles in providing them with basic amenities. The Central government had earlier announced a package to bring Adivasis to the mainstream. As per the regulation, every evicted family which comes into the mainstream should be provided with Rs 15 lakh, along with three acres of agricultural land,” he added.

Stating that the tribal population cannot live in the forest for long, Prabhu said that 867 families have come out of Nagarhole National Park.

Still, around 1,000 families have been living in Chennayyanakote, Gaddehadi, Chenihadli, Reshmehadlu, Tattekere, Vaddaramadu, Bommamadu and Nanacchi. Those who have already come out of forests have not been provided with agricultural lands, he said.

In this situation, if the rest of the people come out of forests, how will the government manage to provide them with lands? he asked.

He further said that there is no question on whether the tribal people are for or against the Kasturirangan report. The main concern is there should be a mode of livelihood for tribals once they come into the mainstream and the government must ensure the same.

Apart from Adivasis, other primitives in the district have also been fearing the repercussions of the Kasturirangan report, said Prabhu.

’55 villages in the list of the ecologically sensitive area’

As many as 55 villages are in the list of the ecologically sensitive area. Out of these, 23 villages in Madikeri, 21 villages in Virajpet and 11 villages in Somwarpet are under ecologically sensitive region and currently there are residential areas and agricultural activities here, he added.

The farmers have been cultivating crops with the help of water from River Cauvery. These farmers should not land up in trouble in the name of the eco-sensitive region, he said.

An agriculturist said that coffee is the major crop in Kodagu. Trees in the coffee plantations need pruning once a year. But, if the report is implemented, there is no scope to cut the trees in the plantations, he added.

As per the Kasturirangan report, permission from the National Green Tribunal is required to construct a lake, which is not practical. Before deciding on the implementation of the report, a study of the demography, climate and agriculture should have should have been carried out, he said.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A, DHNS, Madikeri / December 09th, 2020