Coffee cultivation is mushrooming in Assam following the growth of cafes, government-backed guilds and organic farmers in the northeast.
A woman picking coffee cherries on a plantation. About 4,700 acres are used for coffee farming in the Northeast. ( Image Source : Getty Images )
Guwahati:
Assam, famous for its tea worldwide, is also making efforts to carve its name in the coffee map of India. With the growth of cafes, government-backed guilds and organic farmers in the Northeast, coffee cultivation is mushrooming in Assam.
Navin Kumar Bahl Ryntathiang, Joint Director, Coffee Board (northeastern region), said they have put a lot of emphasis towards making coffee cultivation a major farm produce in the region.
“We have a total planted area of 4,600–4,700 hectares of coffee cultivation. From all seven states combined, the average production has been around 150 MT. Coffee is a biennial crop that is grown on an alternative schedule. If it has a high count for the current year, it can have a low count the next year,” Ryntathiang told ABP Live.
About 4,700 acres are used for coffee farming in the Northeast. According to data, coffee is cultivated on 479 hectares in Arunachal Pradesh, 429 hectares in Assam, 1,100 hectares in Meghalaya, 1,300 hectares in Mizoram, 932 hectares in Nagaland and 264 hectares in Tripura.
Arabica and Robusta are the two main types of coffee grown. Robusta is cultivated in lower altitudes (500–1000 meters above sea level) while Arabica is grown in altitudes 1000–1500 meters above sea level.
While there are only two-three regions where coffee is grown in Assam, it is majorly cultivated in Haflong in Dima Hasao district. Mostly Arabica coffee is grown in Haflong.
Robusta coffee is mostly cultivated in Assam districts of Karbi Anglong, Chirang, Bijni besides others. A coffee research center is also located in Karbi Anglong.
Both the Arabica and Robusta types are produced in Assam and Meghalaya.
Arabica is mainly cultivated in Mizoram and Nagaland’s steep terrain. Robusta coffee is mainly found in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dirang area in the West Kameng district.
“Main farming areas are in Meghalaya and Mizoram. When it comes to producing coffee, Assam leads the way, followed by Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya” Ryntathiang said.
source: http://www.news.abplive.com / abp Live / Home> News> India / by Pallav Bora / February 04th, 2023
To commemorate the distinguished services rendered by General KS Thimayya, Padma Bhushan, DSO, a commemorative postage stamp and the first day cover were issued by the Department of Posts and Army Postal Service Corps at Fort William, Kolkata on February 4, 2023.
Lt General RP Kalita, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command, and Col of the Kumaon & Naga Regiments and Kumaon Scouts unveiled the stamp and signed the First Day Cover in the presence of prominent dignitaries, veterans, senior serving Army officers and the present and Ex-Commanding Officers of 4 & 8 Kumaon, the battalions where General KS Thimayya had served.
source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> My Kolkata > News / by Kolkata Web Desk (edited) pix 2 of 4 / February 04th, 2023
Featuring works of artists Amit Srivastava and Duhita Samaiyar, the exhibition will go on till February 5
Two oil paintings at the exhibition
“Classical realism portrays how human beings naturally see the world. Different (art) movements will come and go; there will be contemporary takes on it so that realism can be used to document what’s happening in our times. But the genre itself will never lose relevance – it will never go away,” said artist Amit Srivastava. We spoke to him at MKF Museum of Art in Bengaluru. The Delhi-based artist was in town for the exhibition Realism Revisited, which is featuring some of his paintings along with the works of Coorg-based artist Duhita Samaiyar.
“…it’s what the canvas does to you”
Apart from their shared passion for classical realism, the artists share one more commonality – both of them started pursuing art as a full-time career later in life. For instance, an IIT-Delhi alumnus, Amit had a successful career in IT before he quit it in pursuit of his long-standing passion for the arts. He then studied under master painter Anthony Ryder at The Ryder Studio in the US. According to Amit, the most profound learning he received there was when Anthony Rhyder told him, “It’s not what you do to the canvas, it’s what the canvas does to you.”
Taking cues, Amit now has developed a body of work that can be described as a synthesis of “careful observation and classical painting techniques,” based on his belief that when one pays enough attention to something, it opens up to them.
Amit’s works showcased at the ongoing exhibition bears testimony to that. Seemingly mundane objects like teapots and wine bottles find their way as recurring motifs in his still-life paintings. But little nuances like the play of light on the objects would suggest a painter with an observant eye and patient mind.
Morning Tea, an oil painting by Amit Srivastava
“Teapots, wine bottles…these are things I am very close to because I am a very tea-and-coffee person,” the artist smiled and said. Speaking further about the exhibition, he said, “This is a very refreshing exhibition for people in Bengaluru because it’s a different take on realism. From academicians and accomplished artists to collectors and students, this exhibition is something that must be seen.”
“…when you paint from life, you understand the special relationships among objects”
On the other hand, Duhita only started pursuing art as a full-time career at the age of 45. A graduate of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Duhita had a rewarding career as a fashion designer. It was only in 2015 that she decided to use her natural flair for arts and enrolled in The Florence Academy of Art. Since her graduation in 2018, she based her art on the observation of nature and universal themes – which had, by then, disappeared from contemporary art schools.
One can see similar themes portrayed in her works at the gallery. Even still images featuring antique objects — like old copper vessels — carry an element of nature like an egg. When asked whether she is trying to put any particular message consistently through most of her works, the artist spoke about championing environmentalism.
One of her still-life images displayed at the exhibition — called the Antique Brass and Benares Silk — features an azure silk cloth coming out of a brass vessel as if it is ‘pouring’ the cloth. The artist let us in on the story of its creation. “The vessel you see was the kind of vessel Indians used to carry water in, long ago; the silk cloth was representative of water. During the time, a lot of thoughts around water conservation were going on in my mind… and about how marine life is dying.” The painting also depicts a candle that has gone off, symbolising that we are running out of time in conserving and regenerating natural resources.
Antique Brass and Benares Silk, an oil painting by Duhita Samaiyar
On a concluding note, the artist also shared notes on the techniques of her craft and how painting from life makes a work of art more interesting. “When you paint from a photograph, the image is very flat. But when you paint from life, you get a sense of depth, a sense of all the special relationships among the objects, and how the effects of atmosphere diffuse edges.”
The artists also spilled beans on the future of artists in a world filled with AI-driven art tools, their upcoming projects, and much more. To catch up, listen to the exclusive two-part series of interviews to be out soon on Spotify and YouTube!
Till February 5, 11 am onwards. At Lavelle Road. Details: +919019276294.
The 20th Annual Sathyanarayaswamy Puja and Annual Meeting of Ramakrishnanagar ‘I’ Block Kodava Welfare Association and adjoining residents was held recently under the Chairmanship of Kodandera Puspha Machaiah at Shree Ganapathy Temple in Ramakrishnanagar.
Puja rituals were performed by Kadiyamada Kariappa couple.
Advisory Committee Members Dr. Kodira A. Kushalappa, Kattera A. Nanaiah, Maletira Ganapathy – Vice-President, Kenjangada Cariappa – Secretary and Codanda Swagath – Joint Secretary/ Treasurer were present on the occasion along with about 50 Kodava families.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 01st, 2023
Advocate A.S. Ponnanna assures to resolve their problems
Mysore/Mysuru:
To project and seek solutions for the problems of Ex-servicemen and ex-Para Military personnel from Kodagu district, a Kodava Ex-servicemen Meet was held at The Roost Hotel in Mysuru on Sunday.
Former Additional Advocate General Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna was the chief guest at the meet convened by Army Veteran Appachangada Motaiah, General Secretary of Kodagu Ex-servicemen Welfare Association, Mysuru. A large number of Ex-servicemen, ex-Para Military personnel attended the meeting.
Many Ex-servicemen aired their problems with Advocate Ponnanna during an interaction and sought his help to resolve the same. Ponnanna assured that he would resolve their problems in all the justified causes.
Most of their problems were with regard to difficulty in getting their names and their children’s names included in the Record of Rights / RTC of their share in Jamma land.
Advocate Ponnanna, while addressing the gathering, spoke about various problems faced by Ex-Servicemen and ex-Para Military personnel and their children concerning Record of Rights /ownership of Jamma land. He opined that the procedure / system to include Jamma land owners’ names in the Record of Rights / RTC should be simplified with concerted efforts by impressing upon the Government.
Ex-servicemen and widowed wives also projected their problems and Ponnanna assured to resolve their problems if the copies of connected documents are sent to his Office.
Cheppudira Arun Machaiah was the guest of honour.
Mandetira N. Subramani, President of VeKare Ex-servicemen Trust, highlighted the problems of two widows of Ex-servicemen who have been denied Death Certificates of their husband even after one-and-a-half years and requested Advocate Ponnanna to intervene.
Subramani said that one of the affected widows, Moodera Juby, aged 74 and wife of Sepoy Moodera Arjuna, did not get her husband’s Death Certificate due to callousness of the concerned Revenue Inspector according to the deceased’s son Cariappa.
The other helpless widow was Meederira Kamala Kumari, wife of Meederira late Havildar Bheemaiah, who too could not get the Death Certificate as the concerned Village Accountant and Revenue Inspector failed to conduct mahazar or find out who is the living wife of the deceased since Bheemaiah married Kamala Kumari after the death of his first wife Damayanthi (Dharani) and lived with second wife for over 6 years.
Subramani requested Advocate Ponnanna to help both the widows in getting them the Death Certificates of their husbands so that they could claim their defence family pension as well as civil family pension since late Meederira Bheemaiah was re-employed and retired from BEL, Bengaluru while late Moodera Arjuna was re-employed at Mysore Sales International Ltd.
Ponnanna agreed to intervene and help both the widows.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 01st, 2023
The boards function as an early warning system for commuters and are automated with infrared signals. The infrared beams have been placed at an optimum height to detect the presence of elephants.
Madikeri :
The Kodagu division forest department is trying new techniques to address the increasing man-elephant conflict in the district. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, elephant signal boards have been erected in a few conflict zones erected by A Rocha India – a conservation research organization, with support from the Kodagu division forest department.
Boards with elephant signage have been placed at five conflict zones across Meenukolli and Anekadu forest limits. These sign boards are functional and signal commuters about the movement or presence of wild elephants.
“The elephant signal boards were first tested in Bannerghatta and over 50 detections of elephant movement have been recorded so far. Still, in its R&D stage, we have now extended this facility in Kodagu on request from the forest department,” shared Avinash Krishnan, CEO of A Rocha India.
An organization that is largely finding resolutions to the human-animal conflict in Bannerghatta and Hosuru areas, A Rocha India has erected five elephant signal boards in the district after availing details on the traditional elephant routes from the ground forest staff and the local community.
“The boards have been erected at strategic locations where elephants have been identified to move frequently – especially in coffee estates and other small patches of land,” he explained.
The Elephant Signal Boards alert commuters on elephant movement. (Photo | Special Arrangement)
The boards function as an early warning system for commuters and are automated with infrared signals. The infrared beams have been placed at an optimum height to detect the presence of elephants.
When the infrared detects the movement of wild elephants, the signal boards light up and warn the commuters to slow down or pause. The signal boards have been tested to make them foolproof.
Further, once the movement of the elephant is detected, the signals are pushed to the SMS server system and the local DRFOs can track and monitor the movement of the wild elephants. The solar-powered beams and signal boards can also be connected with Direct Current in case of the absence of sunlight. The units have been custom-made and are proven to be weatherproof.
“We are conducting a commuter survey across Bannerghatta to see if people are noticing and benefitting from the signal boards. The monitoring process is still ongoing and the data will be shared with the forest department to conceptualize the mitigation plans,” he added.
While the project has been implemented on a small scale in the district, A Rocha India looks forward to scaling it up following its successful implementation. The initiative is being tested in the district on request from the Kodagu division forest department CCF BN Murthy.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / January 31st, 2023
A school in Kodagu is knitting stories of success and seeding hope in the lives of specially-abled kids.
Apart from education, students also get training in various activities like tailoring. (Photo | Express)
Madikeri :
Smiling faces welcome one into the quaint ambience enveloping Kodagu Vidyalaya Opportunity School in Madikeri. Discipline, empathy, simplicity and serenity engulf one’s senses during a visit to the school – the first institution established in Kodagu to address the needs of specially-abled kids. Kodagu Vidyalaya was set up by late Biddanda S Kushalappa. As the institution grew, Kushalappa’s son, late Biddanda Subiah (a spiritual leader), envisioned a school to address the needs of specially-abled children. Thus, Kodagu Vidyalaya Opportunity School was founded in 1996 by BK Subiah, Meena Cariappa, and other like-minded visionaries.
Since inception, the institution has extended free, quality education to thousands of specially-abled children from across the district. “We strive for early intervention in addressing the needs of specially-abled kids in the district. The students are mostly from families with weak economic backgrounds,” explains Geetha Shridhar, the principal.
The school started its journey towards extending free education with help from benefactors and donors. Today, it receives a minimum grant from the state, alongside continued support from trustees and donors. The institution currently nurtures 61 students with special needs, who are provided an opportunity to join the mainstream. While inclusive society is still a far-fetched dream, the students here are taught to face the competitive world with finesse, confidence and creativity. Under the guidance of founders Meena Cariappa and Veena Chengappa, and Geetha Shridhar, a team of 10 special educators, including specialists trained in handling intellectual disabilities, prepare the special children to face the world.
The institution – which saw complete renovation in 2021, thanks to donations from Govind Bhat and Meenakshi Bhat Memorial Trust – currently carries an aesthetic ambience. Apart from special education by professionals, the students here grow in a tranquil atmosphere with ample space for sports activities. Hundreds from here have participated in Special Olympics and other national and international sporting events, and have also won medals.
“The institution caters to the needs of all specially-abled kids, including students with autism, cerebral palsy, hearing and speech impairments. We create awareness on the need for early intervention to address the needs of these children,” Geetha adds. Unique study plans are structured by the special educators for each individual and assistive technology is used to communicate with children with special needs. The campus also hosts a computer lab, functional kitchen, physiotherapy and sensory room, an audiology unit with audiometry chamber and vocational training centres.
A child’s ability is recognised by the special educators and suitable vocational training is extended. The institution has various training sections, including a stationery unit – where children learn to make notepads and other items; a catering unit – where kids learn to bake; a tailoring unit – where the students stitch cloth bags and other utilities; a phenyl manufacturing unit and a gardening section. The products made here are marketed at the school premises and at an outlet near GT Circle in Madikeri. Meanwhile, the kids are also taught to respect nature, even as they are skilled in scientific waste management.
ENCOURAGING STORIES The Kodagu Vidyalaya Opportunity School holds pride in turning a child into a source of inspiration. Fourteen-year-old Kalpanath joined the school in 1996. His abilities were identified by special educators, who trained him accordingly. He went on to represent India in the Special Olympics in Alaska, winning a medal for the country. Today, Kalpanath works as a special instructor in vocational training at a centre for people with special needs.
The institution promotes kids to take part in Special Olympics and a total of six students have won medals at state and national-level tournaments so far. Several students have passed the 10th grade exams too, and are placed in various private companies in areas ranging from computers, electronics to jewellery design. A first-of-its-kind in the district, the Kodagu Vidyalaya Opportunity School has given hope, confidence and new meaning to the lives of many specially-abled children. “The institution has many other visions, which can be achieved through support from donors,” concludes Gurudath CS, a trustee. The management now aims at establishing a corpus fund to ensure a self-sustainable model, which will help create more programmes for better integration of the special children.
Product sale In 2020, for the first time, the institution organised a sale of the products made on campus. It now plans to host this annually to raise funds and promote the talents of special kids.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / January 29th, 2023
The native cuisine uses products like jackfruit, bamboo shoots, wild honey, and Kachampuli vinegar along with locally-grown spices like black pepper and cardamom.
For representational purposes
Bengaluru :
From traditional food to gourmet cuisine, food festivals and limited menus are excellent ways to explore the diverse gastronomic choices at restaurants in the city. They provide a great opportunity to sample a variety of new flavours while celebrating everything from regional cuisine to unique ingredients and food categories.
The Taste of Coorg at The Park, Bangalore celebrates the rich Kodava food with visiting guest chef Shimon Nanjappa.
Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is renowned for its hearty micro cuisine strongly inspired by local agriculture and traditional cooking techniques. The native cuisine uses products like jackfruit, bamboo shoots, wild honey, and Kachampuli vinegar along with locally-grown spices like black pepper and cardamom.
Chef Shimon’s home kitchen in Madikeri offers authentic local food based on sustainable food practices which she will recreate at this food festival together with the hotel’s executive chef Arvind Kumar. A few of the dishes available a-la-carte are the sigdi meen barthad (prawn), kummu nallamallu fry (mushroom), koli soup (chicken), koli kari (chicken), kori yerchi nallamallu fry (lamb), pandi curry (pork), kadambuttu (steamed rice dumpling), akki roti (rice flour flatbread) and tarkari palav, all accompanied with a variety of homemade pickles and chutneys. You can round off this soul-satisfying meal with bella paputtu and cardamom custard desserts. This is ongoing until February 5.
To commemorate Republic Day, Shangri-La Bengaluru along with plant-based protein brand Evolved, and conscious retail store and farm-to-table restaurant chain Go Native, have curated a locally-inspired vegetarian afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge. This Rooted In Nature Hi-Chai brings to mind the long-gone chai nashta evening custom, in which families would gather each evening to enjoy tea, coffee, and savouries. Aloo patta sprout chaatlets, quinoa kerai vada with chutney, ghee roast plant meat samosa, and plant protein masala puffs are just a few of the delectable items on the menu.
Diners can also enjoy Mysore pak cheesecake, thinnai halwa tarts, and Coorg coffee mousse on choux paired with unlimited servings of masala chai, filter kaapi, sulaimani chai masala shikanji, or kokum cooler. This is ongoing through April.
On the other hand, foodies are in for a scrumptious pizza treat at Alba in JW Marriott Bengaluru. The La Pizzeria Limited Edition menu is served by the hotel’s chefs at the Italian fine dining establishment, and it truly embraces our love for this Italian delicacy. Giving a fresh twist, the pizzas will be topped with international flavours like the exotic
Lebanese lamb shish kebab pizza, Japanese Teriyaki pizza, the unique sambal prawn pizza, or even the Indian paneer tikka pizza. Naturally, each of these wood-fired delicacies is hand-tossed with a choice of a modern New York-style base or a traditional Neapolitan base. This is ongoing until February 12.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Aslam Gafoor, Express News Service / January 30th, 2023
With an aim to promote use of the mother tongue among children settled outside Kodagu, an online platform in the district has come up with a unique initiative.
Madikeri :
With an aim to promote the use of the mother tongue among children settled outside Kodagu, an online platform in the district has come up with a unique initiative. ‘Umbak Entha’ will soon extend ‘Kodava Thak’ (Kodava language) lessons to children from the community, even as a few adults have signed up to learn their mother tongue.
“My nephew and niece who stay in Dubai often visit Kodagu. However, they did not know how to speak their mother tongue and this caused some communication gaps with the grandparents. I started teaching them the Kodava language and now, we look forward to extending this facility to many others who face the same situation,” explained Kalengada Bopanna, the founder of the ‘Umbak Entha’ online forum.
While he and his wife, Shilpa Bopanna, often posted content on food blogging on the online site, it took a new turn recently and will extend Kodava language lessons.
With a minimal charge, children aged between 5 and 15 can enrol for online lessons and learn their mother tongue. From basic Kodava words to numbers, the first month of the class will circle around basic knowledge of the language.
“A total of 31 students have already registered for the classes that will begin on February 4. Most of the students registered for the classes are from the US, the UK and Hong Kong. Others from Bengaluru and Hyderabad have also registered,” he shared.
Alongside teaching Kodava Thak, the online classes will have one session focusing on teaching ‘paddathis’ or rituals of the Kodava community. “The online classes will be held once a week for an hour or so. However, during the fourth week, we will take a class on the rituals and culture of the Kodava community,” he confirmed.
“While a majority of those who have registered are kids, we also have four adults, who will join us in learning their mother tongue. The classes on the language will be taught by homemakers who are well-versed in the language. For classes on rituals, guest lecturers from within the district will be appointed,” he said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / January 30th, 2023
From basic Kodava words to numbers, the first month of the class will focus on the fundamentals of the language.
Madikeri :
With an aim to promote the mother tongue among kids settled outside Kodagu, an online platform in the district has come up with a unique initiative. ‘Umbak Entha’, an online platform will soon extend ‘Kodava Takk’ (Kodava language) lessons to the community kids even as a few adults have signed up to learn their mother tongue.
“My nephew and niece who stay in Dubai often visit Kodagu. However, they did not know how to speak their mother tongue and this caused a bit of a communication gap with the grandparents. I started teaching them the Kodava language and now we look forward to extending this facility to many others who face the same situation,” said Kalengada Bopanna, the founder of the ‘Umbak Entha’ online forum.
While he and his wife Shilpa Bopanna often posted on food blogging at the online site, it took a new turn recently and will extend Kodava language lessons.
With a minimal price charge, kids aged between 5 and 15 can enrol for these classes to learn their mother tongue. From basic Kodava words to numbers, the first month of the class will focus on the fundamentals of the language.
“A total of 31 students have already registered for the classes that will begin from February 4. Most of the students registered for the classes are from the US, UK and Hong Kong. Others from Bengaluru and Hyderabad have also registered,” he explained.
Further, alongside teaching the ‘Kodava takk’, the online classes will have one session that will focus on teaching ‘paddathis’ or rituals of the Kodava community. “The online classes will be held once a week for an hour or one and a half hours. However, during the fourth week, we will take a class on the rituals and culture of the Kodava community,” he confirmed.
While the majority of registrations are from, they also have four adults including a 52-year-old, who will join us in learning their mother tongue. The classes on the language will be taught by homemakers who are well-versed in the language. And for the classes on rituals, guest lecturers from within the district will be appointed.
“The ‘paddathi’ classes can teach one anything including the unique style of draping a saree or wearing the Kupya Chale. While we have planned the course for a duration of three months, we are yet to take further decisions,” he said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / January 29th, 2023
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