Paddy cultivation brings laurels to progressive agriculturist

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

Gonikoppa:

If carried out with hard work and passion, farming will not only bring satisfaction but will also support the livelihood, opined Podamada Mohan, a progressive agriculturist from Balele Devanuru village.

Mohan has been cultivating paddy on only two hectares of land. However, he has been able to harvest an average of 62 quintals of paddy per hectare, annually. This is made possible owing to the innovative methods of irrigation, pest control and so on.

For his commitment towards agriculture, he has been awarded the taluk-level progressive farmer award in Virajpet, for the year 2015-16.

Mohan has been cultivating Atira and Tunga varieties of paddy. Now, both the varieties are almost ready for harvest. He has maintained cleanliness in the paddy farm by removing the shrubs.

Manure

He said that a mixture of DAP, Urea and Potash are provided to the crops in the quantity of 20 kg per acre, at the time of transplantation. This will help in the faster growth of paddy sheaths.

The process of providing fertiliser is repeated twice, with a gap of one month. The high-lying area of the paddy farm, which is known as ‘Nippuni’ is provided with 100% manure while the low lying ‘Kippani’ area is provided with 20% of manure.

The paddy farm has not been affected by any disease. Mohan has made sure to spray insecticide 15 days before the transplantation.

This will control the disease at the initial level, he said.

No takers

Mohan lamented that 45 quintals of unsold rice from last year, is remaining at his house. Even though the rate is Rs 1,125 per quintal, there are no takers.

No suitable market price is available at the APMC as well. The low price is discouraging for many farmers, said Mohan.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Gonikoppa / November 10th, 2020

Rare Or Rear Shooting !

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Two years ago, a lady from Kodagu, the land of warriors, came to Mysuru to witness a circus with her family members. She was very much inspired by a person who hit the target by aiming the gun backwards. 

After going back to her native Tavalageri village in Virajpet taluk, she literally took up the air rifle to try what that person in the circus company did. Initially, it was not a successful mission as she was missing the target many times. However, after rigorous practice, she achieved success by hitting the bull’s eye with ease.

This is the story of Kallichanda Deena Uthappa, a Kodavathi, who is now a talk of the town for her rare talent. “Guns are not strange to Kodavathis. What started for fun has now become my hobby,” Deena said with the air rifle on her shoulder. 

Now, with a rifle placed on the shoulder and pointed backwards at the target, looking at the mirror and bang, the pellet from the air rifle hits right at the target. 

While most people are unable to aim the correct way, she effortlessly shoots the target by firing the rifle backwards by ease. 

She developed interest in guns since childhood and had participated in coconut shooting competitions during festivals. 

“I first saw backward shooting when I went to Bombay Circus during Mysuru Dasara and thought of trying the same when I went back home. Though I started shooting backwards for fun about two years back, I took it seriously six months ago and succeeded. I have now taken it as a hobby,” the 40-year-old said.

Deena practices inside the compound of her house by tying a balloon on a tree at a distance of 35 to 40 ft. Then she will hold a small mirror in her left hand and the air rifle barrel pointing towards the target. Looking at the image of the target in the mirror, she pulls the trigger with her right hand thumb and the next is the pellet hitting the target. “I use the air rifle as it does not flinch. Moreover, it is safe,” she adds. 

An Arts Graduate from Cauvery Women’s College at Virajpet, Deena is a multi-faceted personality, who is also a master in handicrafts and has a credit of directing a short film in Kodava language as part of campaign for a multi-speciality hospital in Kodagu. 

Kodavas and guns

Kodava community has a long history with guns and historians say that their culture is intrinsically linked with firearms. They (Kodavas) worship guns with other traditional weapons during Kailpodh (Kail Murtha) festival. Kailpodh is a festival similar to Ayudha Puja, where weapons — Guns, Odikathi and Peechekathi — are worshipped. Shooting competitions are a custom during Kailpodh, during which women too participate. 

Huttari (Harvest festival) begins with a gun shot in the rice fields. Kodavas also use the gun for the two most important ceremonies of their lives — birth and death. The arrival or a departure of the soul is signalled  with gunshots.

Daughter of Kavadichanda Gappu Ganapathi and Kavadichanda Kitty Kaveramma (Mundachadira – Mythadi), Deena is married to Sudhish Uthappa. The couple has two children — Tanvi Uthappa and  Dhruv Kariappa.

Thag’rdhi: First Kodava silent short movie

Deena has another feather in her cap of having directed “Thag’rdhi,” the first Kodava silent short movie released in June 2020 under the banner of VOICE of Kodava.

This movie inspired each and every soul of the community. It uplifted the thought that true power lies in the hands of the people to safeguard their culture and pride. Though it was a speechless movie, it communicated many things. She has also directed “Balra Nadel” (Co-directed by Gana Somanna Thadiyangada) and “Nepp’ra Nala” which showcased Kodava culture and tradition. Her films have received widespread appreciation.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / November 10th, 2020

Bopaiah tells Forest dept. to safeguard farmers

Agriculture, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment

Chairman of Government Land Protection Committee for maintaining the status quo until the joint survey on lands was done

Former Speaker and Government Land Protection Committee Chairman K.G. Bopaiah on Saturday told the Kodagu forest authorities not to cause any inconvenience to farmers of the district until the joint survey of lands categorised in ‘C’ and ‘D’ class was done.

Speaking at the taluk KDP meeting in Madikeri, the MLA said he had received complaints that small farmers cultivating coffee in “Paisari” lands since many decades are now facing hurdles in pursuing their profession. “Such complaints should not persist. We should imagine the plight of such farmers in Bhagamandala, Sampaje, Kalooru, Birunani, and other places which had been hit by successive floods.”

During the meeting, Veena Achaiah, MLC, said many paddy fields in Makkandur, K Nidugani and Madhe gram panchayat limits had been affected in the 2018 floods and added that sand, mud and uprooted trees had collected in the lands. A special package should be announced for these places and in the interest of farmers but no effort has been made in this connection yet.

On the occasion, Mr Bopaiah told the Kodagu ZP engineers to take up works on priority and complete the bridge construction work in Korangala and Chirangala. Bridges in these two villages had collapsed in heavy rains in August this year.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 07th, 2020

Obstacle Course Inaugurated At Sainik School In Kodagu

Education, Records, All, Sports

Kushalnagar:

Air Vice Marshal P.J. Walia, Senior Officer-in-Charge Administration, Training Command, Indian Air Force, Bangalore and Chairman, Local Board of Administration, Sainik School Kodagu, chaired the 21st meeting of the Local Board of Administration of Sainik School here on  Oct. 29. 

The Chairman also inaugurated the Sangolli Rayanna Obstacle Course, which aims at training multiple fitness components of the cadets. This Obstacle Course will help in preparing them for SSB. In addition it will help in developing diversified skills and abilities like self-discipline, perseverance, courage, resourcefulness, self-reliance and teamwork among cadets.  

The Local Board of Administration Meeting was attended by Gp. Capt. R.R. Lall, Command Education Officer, Bangalore, Lt. Col. Seema Tripathi, Chief Coordinator, Prof. Y. Sreekanth, Principal, Regional Institute of Education, Mysuru, Prof. R. Shivappa, Registrar, University of Mysore, Vijay Kumar Swarnkar, Executive Engineer, CPWD, Mysore Central Division and P.S. Machado, DDPI, Kodagu district. 

Keeping in view the prevailing pandemic condition, Krishnaji S. Karichannavara, Director, Secondary Education, Karnataka State, Murthy, Under Secretary, Finance Department, Karnataka State and Dr. Jaibharat Madivaleppa Mangeshkar, Parent Member, attended the meeting online.  Col. Kannan, Principal and Member-Secretary, briefed all the training and administrative aspects of the school and the progress made in the past nine months. 

He said, ‘an obstacle course is a series of challenging physical obstacles cadets must navigate usually while being timed. Obstacle course can include running, climbing, jumping, crawling and balancing elements with the aim of testing speed and endurance.’ The members deliberated and arrived at various policy decisions for future development of the school.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 05th, 2020

‘Ensure piped water connections to all households’

Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders
MP Pratap Simha speaks during a District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee meeting in Madikeri.

MP Pratap Simha directed officials to ensure that each household is supplied with piped water connection under the Jal Jeevan Mission in rural areas.

Chairing a District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee meeting at ZP Hall on Wednesday, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged piped water connection to every household in the country.

He sought information on how many families were supplied with water under the scheme. Replying to this, officials from ZP drinking water and sanitation department said that there are plans to supply water to 46,276 households.

The MP said that he has appealed to Jayadeva Hospital Director Dr Manjunath on the necessary facilities for the designated Covid hospital and medical college in the district.

He further directed officials to construct solid waste management units in Gram Panchayat jurisdiction and segregate wet and dry waste. The wet waste should be converted to manure.

All those who have registered under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme should be guaranteed with employment. The scheme should be used for the construction of toilets, sheep shed, concrete road and others, he said.

Stating that there is no shortage of funds under MGNREGS, he said that the scheme should benefit the rural people.

Measures should be initiated to improve the pass percentage in SSLC. When Dakshina Kannada district is in the second position in SSLC result, why is Kodagu in the 18th position? he asked.

DDPI Machado said that last year, the district was in 22nd position and this year it has reached 18th position.

The MP said that concrete roads should be laid under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. A few works will be initiated by MLA K G Bopaiah in Virajpet on November 12.

Member Kolleera Gopi Chinnappa and Somwarpet Taluk Panchayat President Pushpa highlighted the issue of the pathetic condition of roads in Virajpet and Somwarpet taluk.

CESC engineer Somashekar said that electricity connections have been provided to 3,700 families under Saubhagya scheme in the district. The work on providing connections to 400 families is pending.

Member Kolleera Chinnappa alleged that Saubhagya scheme has not seen much progress in the district. The frequent disruption in power supply at Balele is inconveniencing the people.

Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, Zilla Panchayat President B A Harish and others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 04th, 2020

Subedar Guddemane Appaiah Gowda Memorial Day Observed In City

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Mysore/Mysuru:

Nammuru Nammoru Samaja Seva Trust, Mysuru, observed Martyred Freedom Fighter Subedar Guddemane Appaiah Gowda Memorial Day at an event held at Jaladarshini Guest House recently.

Veteran writer Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar (CPK) inaugurated the programme by showering petals on the portrait of Appaiah Gowda.

Speaking on the occasion,  CPK said that the year 1857 is a very significant year in the history of freedom struggle. Pointing out that the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny was the first major battle in the fight for the country’s independence from the Britishers, he said that we have read about great freedom warriors such as Mangal Pandey and Tatya Tope who laid down their lives. 

Noting that the first independence revolution took place in 1837, 20 years before the sepoy mutiny of 1857, the veteran writer said that many great freedom fighters such as Tipu Sultan, Rani Chennamma, Sangolli Rayanna, Parampara of Kodagu, Kalyanaswamy, Guddemane Appaiah Gowda, Kedambadi Ramegowda and Kudiya brothers had laid down their lives much earlier fighting the Britishers.

Recalling that the people of Kodagu revolted when the Britishers divided the then Coorg State into Kasaragod, Puttur and Sullia and brought them under Madras Province, he said that warriors from Kodagu such as Nanjaiah, Kedambadi Ramegowda and Guddemane Appaiah Gowda are an inspiration for generations to come.

Noting that Appaiah Gowda led the ‘Katukai battle’ (Amara Sullia Dange) against the British in 1837, Dr. CPK said that he was one of the greatest heroes Kodagu has produced. Stating that Appaiah Gowda was a symbol of patriotism, self-respect and pride of Kodagu, he said that Appaiah Gowda, who was hanged by the British in front of Madikeri Fort in 1837 for leading protests against colonial power, did not want outsiders to have a say in the affairs of Kodagu. 

He urged the Government to set up an Authority for sensitising the public on the sacrifices made by Appaiah Gowda and all other great freedom fighters of the times and on the significance of Amara Sullia Dange (Sullia rebellion).

Trust President Satish Gowda, Vice-President Kumar Gowda, Gen. Secretary A. Ravi, Dist. Vokkaliga Assn. Vice-President Gururaj, Director Ravi, Dentist Lokesh and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / November 03rd, 2020

Reversing breast cancer with right food

Nature, Science & Technology

Karan Kakkad, a disease reversal expert, & oncoplastic breast surgeon Poovamma C U jointly conduct a session on breast cancer awareness, below are the excerpts from the session.

On Friday October 30th, Reverse Factor, a company in India helping people reverse lifestyle diseases through the right kind of food, held a breast cancer seminar on Zoom. Founder of Reverse Factor, Karan Kakkad, along with oncologist and breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Poovamma C U, jointly held the session speaking to participants about being aware of any signs of malignancy.

Dr. Poovamma started the seminar saying it was important to detect cancers early, referring to the need for a routine mammogram once in a year or once in two years, after 40 years. “People land up reporting an abnormality late, perhaps when they don’t want to bother the family over something, they think is not important. If there is a lump in the breast, it may not always be cancer, however it needs to be examined. Doing self breast tests are important too. It’s also important that one doesn’t procrastinate addressing such concerns,” underlined Dr. Poovamma.

Dr. Poovamma also mentioned to attendees at the session when the best time for self tests are. She said the 7th day, counting the first day of one’s period as day one, should be the time to check your breasts. “One can start examining the breast from one point, using the surface of one’s fingers. What’s normal and what’s abnormal can be picked up at that time.”

The conversation thereafter moved towards discussing our lives and how they could breed disease. Dr. Poovamma spoke about obesity, lack of physical activity, an early menarche, being in a state of stress all the time, as well as “toxins from the environment” as being some causes for breast cancer. She also added that it was a complex set of circumstances that led to such cancers and it was also difficult to pin point the exact cause for their onset and growth. However, she revealed that “almost 95 % of breast cancers are curable…”

The next person to enter the conversation was Reverse Factor’s Founder Karan Kakkad. He spoke about diabetes and obesity being linked to the menace of breast cancer. However, he said the good news was that right nutrition can prevent these linked diseases. Kakkad referred specifically to fibre in one’s diet as that marvellous element in diet that could help fight cancers.

“Eat foods with fibre. Drumsticks have excellent immunity building properties. Eat green, leafy vegetables, and eat nuts and seeds such as walnuts, chia and pumpkin seeds.” Kakkad also spoke about onion and garlic as having stunning medicinal properties – they go a long way in beating lung and kidney related cancers he said.

Kakkad also added avoiding foods that give you a rush of sugar and for many are immediate go-to options when one wants to quench thirst or receive a boost of energy at the gym for example. “Avoid aerated drinks, colas, and energy drinks. They feed cancer cells.”

source: http://www.freepressjournal.in / The Free Press Journal / Home> Health / by Maithili Chakravarthy / November 01st, 2020

‘Swachh Bharat’ Lesson!

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders
  • Alert ex-GP President in Kodagu makes Mysuru youths return to Madikeri to pick up their trash 
  • Thanks the tourists for responding positively

Madikeri:

A vigilant Kodava has made the entire Kodagu District proud by making a group of tourists from Mysuru, who had thrown garbage on roadside, to come back and pick it up. His appeal through social media not only got a tremendous response from people but also sent a message loud and clear that  ‘You cannot take everyone, everyplace and everything for granted.’

The ‘hero’ of this incident is Madetira Thimmaiah, a former President of Kadagadaalu Gram Panchayat in Madikeri taluk. On Friday, Thimmaiah while travelling in his four-wheeler saw the empty Pizza packets and the paper bag thrown on roadside near Kodagu Vidyalaya junction. He stopped his vehicle, checked the bag and found the bill which had the mobile number of the customer. 

Without wasting time, he video-recorded the strewn garbage on his mobile phone and put it on the social media platform. When he called the mobile number mentioned in the bill, he was told that it was Chirag of Mysuru who along with his friends came to Madikeri. 

Thimmaiah, ex-GP President

Chirag reportedly told Thimmaiah that he had bought the pizza from a Pizza Shop in Madikeri, and had disposed the trash on roadside. When Thimmaiah asked Chirag to come and pick up the garbage, the latter told him that he was almost near Mysuru and it would take another three hours for him to come back. 

However, the former GP President did not budge and said he would wait for three hours failing which a Police complaint will be lodged. 

Meanwhile, Thimmaiah appealed to the citizens of Kodagu to call up that mobile phone number to ask him to come back and collect the garbage, which received overwhelming response. 

After three hours, Chirag and his friends, not only came back but also tendered an apology for their ‘negligence.’ However, the embarrassed youths appealed Thimmaiah not to film their faces to which the former obliged. The youths collected the empty packets and promised to dispose the same at their house bins.

Later, Thimmaiah put another video on social media of Chirag holding the empty packets in the paper bag and carrying with him. Thanking the people of Kodagu for supporting his campaign to keep the hilly district green and clean, Thimmaiah also appealed one and all to join hands in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 31st, 2020

Arun Machaiah Elected Vice-President Of National Karate Association

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

Madikeri:

Noted Karate Master Cheppudira Arun Machaiah has been elected as the Vice-President of National Karate Association.

Arun Machaiah was declared elected in the presence of Retired Judge of Assam High Court Justice B.P. Borkotoki at the Association’s National Council Meeting held under the joint aegis of Union Ministry of Sports and Indian Olympic Association, at Guwahati in Assam recently.

Arun, who became the first national champion in 1977, did his higher training in Karate at Singapore. He has won medals in the heavy weight category in the World and Asian Karate Championships held between 1989 and 1993 at Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, China, Mexico, Nepal etc.

A seventh degree Black Belt holder of World Karate Federation (WKF), he is an International Referee. He has won many awards, including the prestigious Best Sportsperson Award of the Government of Karnataka in 1994. His term of office as the Vice-President of the Association will end in 2024.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / October 29th, 2020

Sunny days brewing for Indian coffee exports

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, World Opinion

New Delhi:

 As COVID-19 raged across the globe, leading to lockdowns in key markets such as the European Union, coffee exports from the subcontinent were stymied. A smaller crop made it a double whammy.

TREND

Expectations of a larger crop in 2020-21 (Oct-Sep) and rising at-home consumption have, however, led to hope of a resurgence.

“Coffee exports are slowly returning to normal… exports were affected because during the lockdown, due to logistic constraints, we were unable to move coffee beans from estates to curing works as only cured coffee is exported,” said Karnataka Planters’ Association Secretary Anil Savor.

According to Cogencis data, India’s coffee exports since the beginning of this year are down 11% on year at 257,107 tn. But with favourable weather conditions ahead of the beginning of harvesting next month, exporters and planters expect a bigger crop and, in turn, higher overseas sales.

“It (exports) will improve from January… Pent-up demand is not visible yet, but there should be a 5-10% improvement during Jan-Mar… given the low prices that farmers are getting, there will be rush to sell since they need cash flow requirement,” said Coffee Exporters Association President Ramesh Rajah.

India’s coffee year begins in October and growers start harvesting during Nov-Dec. According to India Meteorological Department data, the country received 9% above-normal rainfall during Jun-Sep, a positive for coffee plantations.

“In coffee production, one year you have less output, then the next year you have a bigger one, as coffee is basically cyclic. So, going by that, we think this year we have a good output,” Bengaluru-based exporter Prashanth Nagaraj said. 

The market estimates coffee output in the 2020-21 season at 300,000-320,000 tn, sharply higher than an estimated 270,000-280,000 tn in 2019-20. The Coffee Board of India’s final production estimate of 298,000 tn for 2019-20 is well above market estimates.

The pandemic has completely changed the trend of coffee consumption across the globe, with a shift away from consumption in cafes. 

“The overall market is dull… but it will improve because during the pandemic, there was a sharp drop in offtake but now, we are seeing at-home-consumption is increasing, so a large part of out-of-home consumption is being taken over by at-home consumption,” Rajah said.

“…Italians (demand from Italy) will come back to us. Jan-Mar, we don’t see a very big increase but in Apr-Jun, we see much more improvement… Also, West Asia, Germany, and other traditional markets will also buy from India.”

India may, however, face some competition as it sells the standard arabica variety at a premium of 30 cents per pound in international markets because of its superior quality compared to coffee from other parts of the globe.

Brazilians sell their produce at a discount of 20 cents per pound, former Coffee Board of India member Jaya Prasad H.B. said. 

Brazil is the world’s top producer and exporter of coffee, while India is the seventh-largest grower.

With several positives on the horizon, Indian coffee exporters are hoping for sunny days ahead.  End

US$1 = 73.36 rupees

Edited by Subham Mitra

source: http://www.cogencis.com / Cogencis / by S. Anirudh Iyer and Preeti Bhagat / October 13th, 2020