After beating Asia No. 1 Satomi Watanabe in the recent World Cup in Chennai, India’s top squash player is feeling like herself again.
Competing in the relaunched Squash World Cup amid thousands of onlookers at the Express Avenue mall in her home city of Chennai, Joshna Chinappa was reminded of “what we train and live for”. In beating world No. 18 Satomi Watanabe of Japan, 12 years younger and 54 spots higher than Chinappa, after a year wrecked by health issues, the 36-year-old was also reminded of the level she was still capable of summoning.
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Sports> Others / by Ruthik Mehta, Mumbai / June 23rd, 2023
Theetharamada Sinchal Kaveramma shattered the national record in the 400-metre hurdle and met the qualifying mark for the Asiad (Asian Games), during the 62nd Inter-State Athletics Championships in Odisha.
Notably, she broke the national record, crossing the finish line in a thrilling photo-finish with a time of 56.76 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 57.02 seconds. This remarkable achievement also stands as Sinchal’s personal best time. She clinched the silver medal in the 400-metre hurdles event and a bronze medal in mixed relay.
The recently concluded National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, held at the Kalinga Stadium at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, served as a selection trial for both the delayed Asian Games in Hangzhou, scheduled for September, and the upcoming World Championships in Hungary.
Numerous top-tier athletes travelled to Bhubaneswar with the aim of securing their spots in the Asian Games later this year. Sinchal is among the 65 athletes representing 27 disciplines who persevered through scorching heatwaves to meet the Asiad qualification standard.
Sinchal receives training from Bollanda Vikram Aiyappa and Pramila Aiyappa in Bengaluru. Speaking to Star of Mysore, she attributed her record-breaking performance to her coaches and family, expressing her full dedication to them.
Sinchal has already commenced her preparations for the main Asian Games, scheduled to take place from Sept. 15 in Bangkok.
Sinchal is the daughter of Theetharamada M. Ravi and Rashmi (Kuppanda), residents of Nalloor village near Ponnampet. Her grandparents are Theetharamada Mudappa and Chondamma of Nalloor, as well as Kuppanda C. Thimmaiah and Muthakki of Nalvathoklu.
Sinchal completed her primary education at Lions Primary School in Gonikoppa and attended high school at Alvas English Medium High School in Moodbidri. She pursued her pre-university course at Alvas PU College and is currently in her final year of B.Com studies at Bishop Cotton Women’s Christian College in Bengaluru.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports /June 21st, 202
Indian squash players performed creditably in international, and home events.
There can be little doubt that in the last quarter of a century Indian sport has made a mark on the international stage. In various disciplines Indian sportsmen and women have won medals at World and Olympic meets and particularly in disciplines like weightlifting, boxing, wrestling, shooting, athletics and badminton Indians have earned a lot of respect worldwide.
But if there is one sport in which Indians have been making a comparatively quiet buzz it is squash. Not only have they performed creditably in international events but the country has also staged several international meets.
The most recent one was the just concluded Squash World Cup in Chennai, where eight countries participated. It was for the second time the city was hosting the event, the previous one being in 2011. Favourites Egypt won the event defeating Malaysia in the final. India made it to the semifinals before going down to Malaysia.
Zena Wooldridge, the president of the World Squash Federation (WSF) spoke highly of both the excellent infrastructure in the country and the potential of Indian squash to rise even higher. “India is such a massive attraction to any country and as such the Indian market is something that is irresistible in more ways than one’’ said Wooldridge who was in Chennai for the mega event.
Squash has come close to being an Olympic sport more than once before narrowly missing out to other disciplines but Wooldridge has not lost hope. She is confident of it being included in the 2028 Olympics, “Squash has not done anything wrong to not get the go ahead. I think we had some of the best bids and presentations.’’
In fact in keeping with the times the sport has made an important change in the points system and this was seen for the first time during the Chennai event. It featured a novel seven point best of five games format instead of the traditional eleven points posing a unique challenge for the players. In other words this abbreviated version was termed as the sport’s T-20 format but the players had no problem in adapting to it.
Think of Indian squash and the names that spring to mind immediately are Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal. The two young women along with the leading men’s player Saurav Goshal have done the most to put Indian squash on the international map. All of them have been ranked at various times in the top ten in the WSF rankings on the way, notching up victories over the leading players in the game.
All three, as well as several upcoming players, readily acknowledge that their game improved by leaps and bounds because of the Indian Squash Academy (ISA) a world class facility in Chennai that is the brainchild of N. Ramachandran former president of the Indian Olympic Association and former president of the WSF. There was a time when Mumbai was the hub of Indian squash but things changed when the ISA was set up at the turn of the new millennium.
The Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) secretary-general Cyrus Poncha is firmly of the view that Chennai is now the place for squash players, “It goes without saying that Chennai is the squash hub in India and the reason for that is the presence of the ISA in the city. The training and the tournaments we conduct and the coaches we have at the ISA ensures high standard performances by our players.’’
Ghoshal for one has trained both in England and India. “When I am in India it is in Chennai that I undergo training. The facilities at the ISA are on par with any other academy abroad,’’ he says.
A factor in the growing popularity of squash according to Poncha is that it is an indoor and all weather sport. “We have been seeing a steady growth in the number of players taking to the sport. We have a programme wherein we go to schools and bring interested students to the squash academy. We take in kids as young as ten years and train them,’’ he says.
A far-sighted approach in making the sport popular has also helped. Initially matches in the Asian and World championships were held at the ISA. But the authorities realised that for squash to become popular it had to be taken to the masses.
In keeping with this for the last few years national and international events have been held at the Express Avenue Mall in the heart of the city. The huge crowd present during the recent Squash World Cup was testimony to the sport’s growing popularity.
Even those who had come in for shopping or window-shopping had a glance at what was going on at the court in the main foyer. But there were hundreds who had come specifically to watch the proceedings. From the various floors the spectators enjoyed the fare even as they clapped and cheered for the Indian players while holding aloft the national flag.
There is little doubt that Joshna and Dipika by their exploits on the squash court have inspired a younger generation to take to the sport. Joshna was part of the Indian team that took part in the world meet while Dipika who is married to Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has twins to care off and plays the game only sporadically. Incidentally Goshal is Dipika’s brother-in-law having married her sister.
Considering squash’s status at one stage, it has been a great journey for both Joshna, now 36 and Dipika, five years younger. The ISA took stock of their talent and moulded them. They were school children when squash crept into their activity zone.
The visionary zeal of N. Ramachandran, an industrialist and an ardent squash lover ensured the establishment of the ISA that virtually shaped the careers of several young talents. It was during his tenure as the Secretary General of the SRFI that the ISA became a reality. Today it is an institution that has helped script several wonderful moments for Indian squash.
source: http://www.thecitizen.in / The Citizen / Home> Sport / by Partab Ramchand / June 21st, 2023
The Kodagu district police have begun providing rock climbing training to police personnel to conduct rescue operations more effectively during natural calamities, officials said.
Police personnel are being trained in a 120ft deep quarry.
Mysuru
The Kodagu district police have begun providing rock climbing training to police personnel to conduct rescue operations more effectively during natural calamities, officials aware of the matter said.
Thousands of people incurred loss of properties and cattle when the district witnessed landslides, incessant rainfall, in 2018 ,2019 and 2020 during the rainy season particularly in August.
During every rainy season the people living in low-lying areas live under fear. Hundreds of villagers are shifting to relatives’ houses to escape from possible calamity, officials said.
This year the Kodagu police department provided training to more than 100 police personnel to work effectively during natural calamities in rainy season. ‘’Along with police personnel we are also using civilians to assist police forces during natural calamities in rainy season,’’ Kodagu SP K Ramarajan told HT.
Now, training is being provided at stone quarry areas with depth of more than 120 feet to team of 20 civil police and 20 reserve police personnel. “During calamities the police forces can’t reach remote areas due to road blockages and heavy rains. During such situations we could use the service of local people as they know the local areas well and play vital role in rescuing people and cattle,” he said.
He said along with rock climbing the training is provided to climb up trees to police personnel. In case of floods and landslides, they have practiced how to reach the dangerous places and save the people. They have also practiced walking on wires. He assured the people that they are ready to protect them through this and would face any kind of situation. SP Ramarajan himself climbed the stone quarry to instill courage to the staff.
He said tough training is not provided to civilians but they use their services.
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> India News / by Coovercolly Indresh / June 19th, 2023
A budding shooter from Kodagu was killed in a car accident in the wee hours of Monday on the Bannerghatta-Dasarahalli Road.
The car, a Honda City (KA-51-P-3475) was being driven by 22-year-old Kuppudira Prakhyath Chinnappa, son of Kuppudira Ponnu Muthappa and Nayana, residents of Badagarakeri Village in Ponnampet taluk of South Kodagu.
CCTV footage from the accident scene revealed that Prakhyath was driving at a high speed when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with two stationary cars and a bike parked alongside the road, resulting in his immediate death.
After colliding against the vehicles, the speeding car hit an electric pole and a roadside wall. The impact of the accident was such that the car’s engine and tyres got separated from the vehicle. Prakhyath’s three friends too sustained grievous injuries and they are recuperating at a hospital.
Prakhyath, a final year BBM student of Acharya College, was travelling on the road at 3 am on Monday, along with his friends Nataraj, Rikhith and Basanagowda. While Nataraj and Basanagowda hail from Mysuru and Bengaluru, Rikhith hails from Tavalageri village near T. Shettigeri in South Kodagu and is the son of Thadiyangada Karumbaiah and Sowmya.
Prakhyath resided in a rented house near his college and according to the Police, Prakhyath was driving recklessly when he lost control and collided with the parked vehicles on the roadside.
The Peenya Traffic Police have filed a case of death due to reckless and negligent driving against the driver. Further investigations are underway.
The Police have collected samples and sent them to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis to determine whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
The cremation took place at Prakhyath’s hometown last evening. Family sources said that Prakhyath was actively involved in shooting competitions within India and had garnered significant attention among the Kodava community as a potential representative for the nation in the sport. He had bagged the championship at the recently held State-level shooting competitions at Birunani and Nelaji in Kodagu.
Prakhyath’s father Kuppudira Ponnu Muthappa is the President of Marenad Kodava Samaja and is also the President of the Management Committee of Sri Mrithyunjaya Temple, Badagarakeri. He has contributed immensely for the development of the Temple.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 20th, 2023
Coorg Wildlife Society (CWS) has taken a significant initiative by installing mesh waste bins at all four entrances of the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve — H.D. Kote Gate (Kallatti Gate or Metikuppe Gate), Veeranahosahalli Gate, Karmad Gate and Nanachi Gate.
This proactive step aims to ensure a plastic-free environment and eliminate the usage of single-use plastic bottles and sachets within the forest premises. In collaboration with the Karnataka Forest Department, the CWS has ensured the proper disposal of single-use water and juice bottles, as well as used sachets, into these bins before entering the forest.
This endeavour marks the beginning of an aggressive campaign aimed at achieving a zero-tolerance policy towards plastic waste within Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. Achieving this goal necessitates vigilant monitoring at all entry gates, a responsibility that Coorg Wildlife Society has undertaken, particularly during long weekends and holidays when visitor traffic is higher.
The society has thanked the Forest Department for its support, which has been instrumental in making this initiative possible. The society has announced that similar mesh bin installations are planned at the Anechowkur and Thithimathi entry gates from the Mysuru and Kodagu sides in the near future.
According to Coorg Wildlife Society office-bearer Karthamada Naveen Bopaiah, the Society is committed to promoting sustainability and a litter-free sanctuary within Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. “With continued cooperation and efforts, we are optimistic about creating a sustainable ecosystem where wildlife thrives and litter is kept at bay,” he added.
Tourists entering Nagarahole from the districts of Karnataka and Kerala dump plastic waste on the roadsides of the forest area with various environmental implications. Those forest areas in the proximity of human settlements or recreation areas have become vulnerable to waste pollution. Though the Department has initiated waste collection facilities, the illegal dumping of waste inside the Nagarahole Reserve is still present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 16th, 2023
Naga Coffee was awarded Gold for Nagaland Washing Station Natural Coffee during the Aurora International Taste Challenge (AITC) 2023 held on 9 June in South Africa.
Local farmers from the state capital Kohima produced the coffee that entered the competition.
The Naga Coffee was experimented with a new drying process this year. Ripe coffee cherries were brought from a few local farmers and dried in a polyhouse during the winter season in Kohima.
The idea behind this is to promote homegrown Himalayan coffee with a natural citrus flavour and generate employment in the State.
__________
Naga Coffee was awarded Gold for Nagaland Washing Station Natural Coffee during the Aurora International Taste Challenge (AITC) 2023 held on 9 June in South Africa.
Local farmers from the state capital Kohima produced the coffee that entered the competition.
The Naga coffee team that processed the award-winning coffee consisted of Dr Pieter Vermeulen, co-founder, Kajiikho Ariicho and Ënga Antühü, the mill manager.
The Naga Coffee team/ nagalandtribune.in
Held in South Africa this year, the Aurora International Taste Challenge was established to recognise and award food and drink excellence internationally while helping consumers confidently purchase award-winning, expertly-rated products.
Unique process of coffee processing
The Naga Coffee was experimented with a new drying process this year. Ripe coffee cherries were brought from a few local farmers and dried in a polyhouse during the winter season in Kohima.
Before the final processing of the coffee, it was sundried for three days in Dimapur. This double-drying process produced a wonderful sweetness.
Coffee beans being sundried/ nagalandtribune.in
This season, only 120 kg of this particular coffee was produced. But it was for the first time that Nagaland has produced a coffee that scored above 85 points on the Speciality Coffee Associations scale.
Coffee production in India
In the 2016-17 season, India had produced 5.5 million bags of coffee. Most of the country’s coffee is grown in the three southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. India processes coffee by the washed (or wet) method as well as the natural (or dry) method.
But more recently, there has been a growing demand for premium and speciality coffees as consumers become increasingly interested in unique flavour profiles and high-quality products. Further, customers show greater interest in coffees that offer additional health benefits, such as antioxidants or energy-boosting properties.
This is where Nagaland coffee comes in – grown in the forests in the mountainous areas of Nagaland.
Coffee in Nagaland
Various districts of Nagaland, like Zunheboto, Mon, Wokha, Khar and Boje, offer high-altitude speciality coffee grown in the natural forest shade.
Coffee grown in Nagaland/ Nagaland government
This is part of Naga Coffee – a public-private partnership – which was formalised in 2016 as a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Land Resources, Nagaland and Noble Cause, a South African Company by Peter Vermeulen.
The coffee seeds are procured from the Coffee Board of India and sent to small farmers to be planted. Later these coffees are roasted by the Naga Coffee team. The idea behind this is to promote homegrown Himalayan coffee with a natural citrus flavour and generate employment in the State.
source: http://www.indiatimes.in / India Times / Home> News> India / by Shristi B Dutta / June 13th, 2023
California-based CBTL says creative agency Volume will lead its digital strategy across India — an increasingly ‘important and emerging market’ for the coffee chain.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) India has appointed Delhi-based media agency Volume as its new Creative and Digital Partner.
Volume, which was selected following a multi-agency pitch, will develop the coffee chain’s creative and digital strategy across the country, which CBTL India described as an ‘important and emerging market’.
California-based CBTL entered India in 2008 with a store at the Select CityWalk in Delhi and now operates approximately 30 Indian outlets.
“We are delighted to have Volume on board as our India Agency. India being an important and emerging market, it is a great opportunity to showcase consumers of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf experience,” said Ranjit Talwar, Commercial Director, CBTL India.
Rakesh Krishnotula, creative head of Volume, said the partnership presented ‘a unique opportunity’ to put ‘the CBTL experience across the Indian market’.
In May 2023, Indian media reported CBTL was seeking new franchise partners in India in a bid to expand its footprint and keep pace with an increasingly competitive pool of international branded coffee chains.
Fellow US coffee chain Starbucks, which opened its first store in India in 2012, operates 333 stores across 41 cities in India. Following its full-year results in April 2023, Tata Starbucks said it was ‘looking to rapidly expand its presence in the coming years’.
UK-based Costa Coffee also has ambitious growth plans within the Indian market, with franchise partner Devyani International seeking to scale the coffee chain’s 115-strong footprint over the next 12 months.
Tim Hortons, which entered India in August 2022, has reached 17 stores across the country and plans to reach 120 stores by 2026.
Additionally, coffee and food-to-go chain Pret A Manger is seeking to open 100 outlets across India within five years following its market entry in April 2023 with Reliance Brands Limited.
source: http://www.worldcoffeeportal.com / World Coffee Portal / Home> Industry News / June 14th, 2023
The turf that was laid in 2021 remains unused and in a shambles.
The hockey turf sanctioned by Hockey India way back in 2013 which was completed in 2021 has a deserted look without a single match being played so far. Credit: DH Photo A sprinkler to water the pitch that was wrongly placed behind one of the two goal posts at the hockey arena in Somvarpet. Credit: DH Photo
Synonymous with the region’s love for hockey, the little-known Somvarpet – which translates to Somavara (in Kannada): Monday and pete meaning market – in Kodagu district has produced several Indian players over the years.
While BP Govinda (member of the bronze medal-winning Indian team at the 1972 Munich Olympics) and SV Sunil (two-time Olympian and Arjuna awardee) are the stalwarts, other Indian internationals such as Arjun Halappa, Vikram Kanth, Hariprasad, Abharan Sudev, Roy KP, BM Geeta along with many in the national camps and India A teams have helped put Somvarpet on the sports’ global stage.
Recognising its contribution to Indian hockey and the immense talent pool, it was only apt when Hockey India chose this small town in the western ghats to lay a long-pending demand for synthetic turf – much to the excitement of hockey lovers here.
Though the ‘bhoomi puje’ was done way back on March 14, 2013, work began only in 2018 while the laying of the turf was completed in 2021 at Somvarpet’s Government PU College premises. More than two years later, however, the field remains closed and unused without a single match being played so far.
Surprisingly, around two years ago, HI issued an FIH (International Hockey Federation) certification and declared the turf fit as per international standards even though half the work – undertaken by a Hyderabad-based sports infrastructure company – had remained incomplete. This came as a rude shock to many and their concerns falling on deaf ears.
While defective drainage system and unscientifically built retention walls lead to flooding during monsoon, sprinklers have been placed behind goalposts. Besides, there are no water and electricity connections which have left the turf dry in summers.
“There is weed growing around the mat and in the stands. The newly-built arena has an abandoned look,” rued Ashok HN, director of Dolphin’s Hockey Academy in Somvarpet.
“It has been 10 years and we don’t know how many more years do we have to wait to witness some hockey action here,” he added.
A total of Rs 2 crore was allocated by the DYES initially but the expenditure of the project shot up to nearly Rs 5 crore in the course of time. With the money spent going waste, the stadium with a scenic backdrop fails to paint a pretty picture.
“It is really tragic because Somvarpet is one of the main hockey beds of the State and so much money has been spent,” said AB Subbaiah, secretary of Hockey Karnataka and member of the selection committee of HI.
“The mandate is for the agency to give a minimum guarantee of seven years after the completion of work. The DYES has to hold the contractor accountable.”
When DH contacted Vismayi VT, the assistant director at DYES of Kodagu district, she assured that the turf would be functional soon.
The newly-elected MLA of Madikeri, Mantar Gowda, inspected the facility on Monday and promised to fast track the process of getting the stadium ready and operational. “Around 90% of the work is completed. The interlocking of the surface around the the turf and clearing the weed are the only tasks pending. And about the wrong placement of the sprinkler, we have requested the contractor to shift it. As soon as all this is ready, we will co-ordinate with MLA sir and our head office in Bengaluru to fix an inauguration date at the earliest,” said Vismayi.
If making the turf in Somvarpet – fourth in the district after Madikeri, Kudige and Ponnampet – functional is the immediate priority, maintaining it will be a challenge in the years to come.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by Hita Prakash, DHNS, Bengaluru / June 14th, 2023
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