As international price volatility challenges prevail, the Coffee Board is strengthening the domestic appeal for pure coffee across the country
Coffee Board of India, a body that represents coffee growers and coffee industry in the country, has decided to expand its reach by launching four premium coffees under the ‘India Coffee’ brand as well as two affordable coffees under the ‘Coffees of India’ brand on Amazon, said K.G. Jagadeesha, IAS, CEO & Secretary, Coffee Board on Monday.
“Now, we are expanding our reach by launching four premium coffees such as Coorg Arabica Coffee (GI), Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee (GI), 100% Arabica coffee and a blend of Arabica and Robusta under ‘India Coffee’ brand,’‘ he said.
The launch would also include affordable coffees such as 100% Arabica and a blend of Arabica and Robusta under the ‘Coffees of India’ brand, he said.
“Coffee Board’s collaboration with Amazon is expected to boost domestic coffee consumption. Our coffees are sourced from the best coffee estates to suit the taste of millions of coffee connoisseurs across the country,” Dr. Jagadeesha added.
As international price volatility challenges prevail, the Coffee Board was in the process of strengthening the domestic appeal for pure coffee across the country, Coffee Board CEO further stated.
Sourced from Karnataka
Coffee consumption in the country is on the rise. Through this association, a premium range of coffees will be available on Amazon.in, that are sourced from the coffee-producing regions of the country in Karnataka, as per Amazon.
“This is in line with our endeavour to offer flavours of Indian coffee at value offers to our customers,’‘ said Nishant Raman, Director – IN Consumables, Amazon India, in a statement.
The country’s coffee exports stood at a rise of 90% in April-June 2022 over the same period in FY 2013-14. As the seventh largest coffee producer in the world, India exports 70% of its coffee overseas. Acclaimed as a region known for the origin of high-quality coffee, India has created a niche for itself with seven GI-registered coffees that are offered globally, according to Coffee Board.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – September 12th, 2022
The first book of poetry by acclaimed curator, writer and speaker Dr Nima Poovaya-Smith celebrates her profound curiosity about wild cats.
Dr Nima Poovaya-Smith OBE is a prominent figure in the cultural, academic and public sectors, well known for her work on transcultural and post-colonial South Asian museum collections in Bradford and multidisciplinary arts projects across the region and beyond. Less well known is her affinity with cats of all persuasions, wild or domestic.
The Wild Cats Compendium, Poovaya-Smith’s first solo collection of illustrated poetry, will be launched at Ilkley Literature Festival on 13 October 2022.
The Compendium is first and foremost a love letter to all felines large and small. Legends and fables of the cat world, as well as their often bleak, everyday lives is explored by Poovaya-Smith, in this collection of 45 poems. There is the reed or jungle cat who may have once dined with the Crown Prince of an Egyptian Pharoah and ended up interred with him; an ocelot gifted to Salvador Dali who tried unsuccessfully to run away and the smallest feline in Southern Africa – the black-footed cat – which eats almost a fifth of its body weight night after night.
Environmentalist Benjamin Lascelles, who has written the End piece comments that Compendium “captures the essence of the many species brilliantly and highlights the many threats they face. The geographic, conservation and threat references are meticulously researched and powerfully conveyed.”
Nima Poovaya-Smith says: “I have always taken a deep interest in cats. Wild or domestic, they are some of nature’s most charismatic creatures. I am enthralled by the facts and fables that surround them. I am certainly not the first, nor will I be the last, to find these animals so captivating. Across the world, we have had a special relationship with the feline species for thousands of years. They have been celebrated in literature and art as well as music and dance. I found particular delight in gleaning more information about lesser-known small cats. Each one is characterful enough to hold its own with the bigger, more iconic cats. The more I learned, the more enigmatic and fascinating they became. I hope that the emotions I experienced exploring the feline world – joy and a deep sense of loss – will resonate with all readers.”
Writer, historian, journalist and author of Victoria and Abdul, Shrabani Basu in her Foreword to The Wild Cats Compendium states: “Nima Poovaya-Smith takes us into the myth and magic of the cat world. Through her beautiful poems, we get a glimpse into their lives as pampered pets or solitary creatures. She questions, probes, and enlightens us, not just about the tiger or the lion, but also about some of the lesser-known species of the cat family. A cat, they say, has nine lives. Poovaya-Smith’s forty-five poems give them many more.”
The different species of cat in Compendium are each accompanied by images – twenty-eight of which are new works by seven different artists. There are also some earlier works by contemporary artists and six historic Illustrations from the 19th century.
source: http://www.ilkleygazette.com / ILKLEY GAZETTE / Home> Local News> UK News / by Claire Lomax / September 09th, 2022
The fragrance of coffee itself dissolves every stress in your mind. Drinking coffee is like giving your soul that much needed hug. Coffee is more than just a beverage to all the coffee lovers for sure. It’s their escape sometimes and sometimes just a companion. Just like libraries are heaven for book lovers, Coffee estates are the same for coffee lovers. If you too are someone who loves coffee and want to grab a brew at a coffee estate, here are the five best ones in India.
1. Kerehaklu Eco Retreat, Chikmagalur
Kerehaklu Eco Retreat is nestled in the lush greenery of Chikmagalur’s coffee plantation. The old water body that lies within the confines of the coffee farms bears the name Kerehaklu. This resort with rustic setting also promises the most spectacular panoramic views of the Kudremukh Mountain Range. With coffee plantations spread across 275 acres, the air here is filled with the divine aroma of coffee.
2. Palace Estate, Coorg
The Palace Estate is nestled in the lap of the highest mountain peak in Coorg, “Thadiyandamol ” peak of the Western Ghats. The Palace Estate is a 50-acre traditional farm that grows fruits like oranges, bananas, avocados, and cardamom as well as coffee, cardamom, and pepper. The homestay offers luxurious wooden rooms with all needed facilities and a small library. You can take a tour of several different coffee plantations from the homestay.
3. Rainforest Retreat at Mojo Plantation, Coorg
If you are someone who loves nature and coffee both alike, then Rainforest Retreat at Mojo Plantation is just for you. The delicious meals are made using biogas from their gobar-gas plant, and the cottages here were created using environmentally responsible construction techniques. Do not miss having a warm cup of coffee here while overlooking the plantations.
4. Tranquil Resort, Wayanad
The Tranquil Resort is tucked away peacefully among a 126-year-old coffee and spice estate. This stay offers pure serenity amidst the divine aroma of coffee. You can choose from the type of stays as per your preference from cottage to treehouses. You can go on a tour of this 400 acre spread plantation and enjoy your freshly brewed coffee. You can choose from 10 of their bio-diverse walking trails.
5. Grassroots, Kerala
The land of spices and coffee offers you a glamping experience like no other. What is more beautiful than sipping on some hot coffee as you overlook lush green coffee plantations. Grassroots resort in Kerala offer you to stay amidst the coffee plantation in spacious luxury tents and feel pure serenity. The sound of the river flowing, the bird chirping, lush greenery and the fragnance of coffee is surely going to give you the best experience to all your senses.
A capacity building programme for Kodagu coffee growers was organised by the Federation of Indian Export organisation in Madikeri.
The initiative was hosted under the flagship of the ministry of commerce with support from the state agriculture department.
Experienced coffee growers of the district attended the event.
The need for the promotion of international coffee trade was highlighted during the programme. The facilitators sensitised the entrepreneurs, farmers and exporters on the potential of exporting coffee and spices from the district.
The various trade opportunities in the international market, the role of various agencies, the role of free trade agreements and various other schemes under the Directorate General of Foreign Trade were explained to the growers in detail.
A total of 75 participants comprising farmers, farmer produce organisations and entrepreneurs took part in the session.
Lokesh HD, ITS, Jt. DGFT Bengaluru was the chief guest of the event. Babu Reddy DR, DD of Coffee Board spoke on coffee exports and GI Coffee. The role of banking, industrial policy, Indian trade portal and schemes under spices board were highlighted during the session.
Shabhana M Sheikh, JD of district agriculture department was also present .
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / by TNN / September 08th, 2022
The fest will likely be organized using nearly Rs 1.50 crore funds and the family has sent a proposal to the state requesting sanctioning of Rs One crore funds.
The iconic Kodava Hockey Namme will take place next year following a break of four years. The same was confirmed in a press conference by the Appachettolanda Family on Tuesday.
“After 2018, the hockey fest did not see the light of the day due to natural disasters and pandemic situations. However, the 23rd annual fest will be hosted in 2023 in a grandeur manner. The fest will be held at Napoklu General Thimayya Ground. Over 350 Kodava families are likely to take part in the tournament,” confirmed Appachettolanda Manu Muthappa, the president of the hockey fest.
The hockey tournament will begin on February 20 and will go on till March 6. The website and the logo will be released on 2nd October at Napoklu Kodava Samaj. The fest will likely be organized using nearly Rs 1.50 crore funds and the family has sent a proposal to the state requesting sanctioning of Rs One crore funds. The press conference was headed by the Appachettolanda family patted Mittu Erappa and other family members.
‘Kodava Hockey Namme’ has been organized in the district for 22 years. However, the event was cancelled in 2018 due to floods and a pandemic situation. The 2023 event will be the 23rd year of the hockey fest. The hockey tournament played among the Kodava community has gained international fame as the tournament has broken the ‘Limca Book of Records’ and ‘Guinness World Record’ for the highest number of team participation.
The 2018 Kulletria Cup Hockey saw participation from 333 Kodava families. It was in 1997 that the first Kodava family hockey tournament was played and was organized by the Pandanda family. The game started off with international rules and standards and it continues to provide a stage for youngsters and seniors alike to unravel their passion for hockey.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / September 06th, 2022
‘We started shooting on my birthday and I met Amitabh Bachchan sir for the first time then’
Rashmika Mandanna is a complete entertainment package and her fans couldn’t be any more excited about her upcoming lineups making it to the theatres. Today, the trailer of her most awaited film Goodbye starring Amitabh Bachchan was released! While the trailer looks very promising and the bond between Rashmika Mandana and Amitabh Bachchan was surreal, a clip of her talking about BIG B in a media interaction has been making rounds on the internet.
The actress can be seen talking about how she first met the legendary Amitabh Bachchan and how they slowly developed an endearing relationship during the shooting of GoodBye. Rashmika said, “We started shooting on my birthday and I met him for the first time then. I remember this day very clearly as I was waiting for him since I wanted to say hey. While I was standing in the corner, he crossed me and he went away”.
As Rashmika flashed a big smile and went on to introduce her, the actor seemed to have been lost in his thoughts. About which, the actress says “I wanted to introduce myself but of course, sir was busy thinking about the scene and what to do and not to do”. The actress later went in, and quickly introduced herself, as she took some nervous breath “Hey sir, I am Rashmika and I will be playing your daughter”, then found her exit.
Now while Rashmika and Mr. Bachchan shared a bond that was growing slowly with Amitabh Bachchan. One fine day Rashmika finds herself to be out of words when BIG B tweeted about her. About which the actress says “One day I entered the sets and everybody was like “Did you check your tweeter?’ and when I did, I saw that Bachchan sir had posted a picture saying “Pushpa”.
While Rashmika seems to be unstoppable with the kind of project she has been doing lately, she had also quoted that “I am living my dream of working with two icons of Indian cinema”
Meanwhile, the actress will also be seen in Pushpa 2 along with Allu Arjun and Animal with Ranbir Kapoor.
source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> Entertainment / by The Telegraph Bureau, Mumbai / September 06th, 2022
Even as the renovation works of the famed Igguthappa Temple is underway, the temple’s Devatakka family has alleged that the temple practices and traditions have been threatened in the name of renovation.
Addressing a press meet here yesterday, Devatakka Paradanda Subramani said that the renovation of temple steps on the eastern side has been completed.
Maintaining that use of these steps has been banned since ages, he said that the steps will be allowed for use only when someone vows to make a pledge of truth under special circumstances. But some persons are now attempting to allow devotees to use the steps by advocating that these steps are indeed the main entrance to the Temple, which is not at all correct, he said.
Appealing the devotees to enter the Temple through the steps on the north-western side of the Temple, Subramani argued that using the eastern side steps is a deviation from customs and practices that were prevalent all these days.
Clarifying that they were not against Temple works that have been taken up along with the renovation, Subramani said that it is important to safeguard the customs and practices that are being followed for ages.
Devatakka and Bhakta Janasangha Vice-President Paradanda Dolly accused politicians of violating the age-old Temple customs and practices. He urged the authorities to maintain the sanctity of the Temple by following old customs and practices.
Devatakka Paradanda Vittal Bhimaiah said that the issue was discussed at a Bhakta Janasangha meeting, during which it was resolved to ban use of steps on the eastern side for entering the temple. Pointing out that the Paradanda family has been entrusted with the responsibility of listing pujas, rituals, festivals, fairs, astrological predictions etc., Bhimaiah alleged that a group was making organised attempts to sideline Paradanda family.
Paradanda family Pattedar and Takka Chief B.Appanna, Devatakka’s Paradanda Muddu Subramani and Paradanda Sada Nanaiah were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 03rd, 2022
An organisation founded by the people of Karnataka’s Kodagu district has persevered for 100 years in the city by supporting the Coorgi community and celebrating its culture, while forging deep ties with Mumbai.
Last week, Mumbai*s Coorgi community celebrated Kailpodh, a festival to signal the end of transplantation of the paddy crop. Agricultural implements and weapons were worshipped. “Our festivals,” says MM Somaya, president of the Coorg Association Mumbai (CAM) and former India hockey captain, “help us get back to our roots.”
Coming up next, say CAM members, is Kaveri Sankramana in mid-October that celebrates the birth of the river in Coorg. November will bring with it the harvest festival, Puttari. On these occasions, the Association*s catering committee meets in the office building in Airoli to prepare traditional delicacies such as pandhi curry (pork curry), kadambuttu (rice dumplings), akki oti (rice roti) and thambuttu (a sweet dish made with bananas). “This has been the tradition since the establishment of the Association,” says Lekha Nanjapa, head of the catering team, “Initially, people carried food from their homes, but gradually, we started gathering a day before to cook in the community kitchen, spending a fun afternoon over stories and gossip. The kitchen has old brass cauldrons with kalai coating, large enough to cook 20-25 kilos of food at one time.”
Members of the Association*s catering committee meet at the office in Airoli on the eve of festivals such as Kailpodh to prepare pandhi curry and kadambuttu; (right) CAM celebrated its centenary last year, and the members have just released a book carrying a compilation of stories, anecdotes and accounts to mark the occasion
CAM celebrated its centenary last year, and the members have just released a book to mark the occasion. Carrying a compilation of stories, anecdotes and accounts written by members, Coorg Association Mumbai: A Century of Endeavour and Achievement, hopes to find its way to Coorgi associations in other parts of the country too.
CAM, says Somaya, was launched as a way for the community to gather and observe customs unique to their culture. Among the efforts that have kept the members close is the setting up of the Association building in Airoli in 1996. Apart from serving as a venue for events and a way to raise money for charity, it also has residential rooms available at nominal rates to youth coming in to Mumbai from Coorg for education and work. “The objective,” Somaya explains, “is to guide the younger generation and give them a chance to get a foothold in the city.
Among members of the Kodava community who flourished in Bombay were the Codanda Poovaiah sisters, prominent in Indian dance. Their bungalow at Chowpatty was regularly visited by practitioners
CAM*s social service initiatives include extending support to the home district at the time of natural disasters, and helping deserving candidates study further. Somaya speaks of two young girls, daughters of displaced families, who are presently studying engineering at the Coorg Institute of Technology, Ponnampet, and whose college fees, boarding and lodging expenses are being borne by CAM.
Nitin Chengappa, a senior bank executive who lived in Chennai, Kolkata, and Delhi before moving to Mumbai 18 years ago, says that the bond between its members sets the Mumbai Association apart. “I have been part of the Coorg Association in every city I have lived in, but the ties here are very strong,” he notes. “It comes from the fact that generations have lived in Mumbai, so there is a sense of ownership. The core team are family members of those who have been involved since the foundation of the Association.”
Community members have also, MM Somaya points out, merged well with the city pursuing careers in administration, the armed forces, business and sport, which has only served to further strengthen the ties. “Our people have contributed to the society here,” he states, listing individuals like Kodandera C Madappa, who held the post of Director General (Shipping) in Mumbai; Bollera C Cariappa, who used to be CIDCO Chairman and later served as head of Bombay Municipal Corporation; Kuppanda M Chinappa, the Managing Director of TATA Electric, and the Codanda Poovaiah sisters who were prominent names in Indian dance.
But the activity that has glued this small community and CAM*s members together is undoubtedly their love for sport, especially hockey. The Coorg XI Hockey team, founded by Kandarthanda Kuttappa, was registered with the Bombay Provincial Hockey Association in the 1930s and still plays in the Mumbai Hockey League. “We have endeavoured to use sport as a unifier,” admits Somaya, the Association encouraging its growth by picking up budding players from Coorg and bringing them to Mumbai to get exposure, while also supporting other games such as cricket and bridge. After a 25-year gap, when no team was playing in the league, Biddanda Jagdeep Nanjapa took over its running in 2001. Since then the team has played at prestigious national-level tournaments such as the Bombay Gold Cup.
For Nanjapa, who was born and brought up in Mumbai, the attachment to CAM has been generational. It started with his father, who migrated to the city in the 1940s and continues with his sons, who are now active members. This separates him from the floating Coorgi population that comes to Mumbai to work. The generational association has also meant that the family has borne witness to the institution*s evolution. “Things were tough initially – recession in the 1930s brought in Kodavas who found living in Coorg difficult and ventured to different parts of the country. We used to book outside halls, take small donations and were just about meeting expenses. Today, our people are doing better. The Association is also able to generate income by renting out the hall at the office building [for functions]. We are faring well as a community and as an Association.”
source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day.com / Home> Sunday Mid-day / by Sucheta Chakraborty / September 04th, 2022
For the Nambiars, this home in the village of Bittangala is a way to get away from pollution, get closer to nature, and savour the sounds of silence.
The village of Bittangala is so far removed from the dust, heat and pollution of Delhi that it can sometimes feel like another planet. When you compare the national capital’s dry, arid plains with the lush hillside on which the Nambiar home perches, the contrast is even greater. “In the mornings, we are very often above the clouds,” says Padmini Nambiar, one half of the cheerful septuagenarian couple to whom this home belongs. The Nambiars have named this home ‘Meghalaya’ for its more constant, less corporeal residents (i.e., the clouds), but the house was built primarily as a second home they could spend time in once they retired. “After living in Delhi for so many years, my husband and I were keen to go to a place with less pollution and more nature,” Padmini says.
Designing Meghalaya in Coorg Meghalaya was built, perhaps surprisingly, by a Gurgaon-based firm called SAKA Studio. Founded by architect Swanzal Kak Kapoor, the firm believes in design that is “deeply responsive to site context (physical, cultural, and historical), and client needs (both stated and perceived).” The Nambiars’ earthy, charming little home, is the result of these two principles manifesting all the way down in Coorg, halfway up a hill.
It’s so beautiful, I feel that even if you don’t believe in a god, you start believing in at least a creator.
The 2,500 sq ft structure is built on a level strip on the slope, with views of the valley to the south and west. The living room, three bedrooms and the kitchen are on the lower floor, and an attic space accommodates an additional children’s bedroom and store. The highlight of the home is a deck that wraps around the southern and western sides of the house, giving residents the perfect place from where to take in views of the valley. “It is my husband’s favourite place to be,” Padmini points out. Her favourite place in the house is by the large bay window in the master bedroom. “For me, it’s like a painting. You can see three or four mountain ranges and the view is ever changing,” Padmini says, adding, “and it’s so beautiful, I feel that even if you don’t believe in a god, you start believing in at least a creator.”
Materially too, the house is true to its context and uses local laterite stone, honne and nandi wood, terracotta roof tiles and Sadarahalli granite columns. “There is only one concrete wall in the whole house,” says Padmini, an interior designer by training.
When the Nambiars are in Meghalaya, they usually just stay home, with outings limited to pottering around on their three-acre property. “It’s so different from our lives in Delhi that we just enjoy being here, in a quiet place,” Padmini says. Sometimes friends and family come to stay with them, as do their children and grandchildren—those times, the silences are replaced by the sounds of cheerful conversations and the children’s excited laughter.
Is Bittangala for you? While the village is fairly easily accessible by road, its remoteness means that medical facilities are limited, because of which the Nambiars only come to Bittangala for short visits. The monsoons are beautiful, but can also be harsh and Padmini recounts a particularly heavy one around three years ago that caused a lot of landslides. “And sometimes the clouds actually pass through the house and everything gets cold and wet—the bed sheets and everything!” The Nambiars prefer to spend time here in the months between December and June. “It’s beautiful, and we don’t even need the AC,” Padmini says.
When they have friends and family over, they make short sightseeing trips to Madikeri, or hop over to the Amritara Ambatty Green Resort where the kids can splash about in the pool, and the grown ups can get in a few rounds of golf at the greens next to the resort.
For those used to more activity than soaking in Bittangala’s peace and quiet, Coorg offers a number of options in terms of wildlife (Nagarhole National Park and the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary); nature (the Iruppu and Abbey Falls); innumerable tea, coffee and spice plantations; and surprisingly, white water rafting on the Barapole river.
An almost religious reverence for nature is part of life here, and while the land is fertile enough to grow almost anything, if you plant fruit trees, you can expect frequent run-ins with monkeys (and less frequent ones with elephants). Swanzal advises minimal external lighting in keeping with the local Coorg belief that gardens return to the forest at night. For people looking to build homes in the region, she also advises choosing materials and finishes that are high on visual appeal and very low maintenance. “From the aesthetic point of view, creating a sense of timelessness and repose is extremely important,” she says.
source: http://www.cntraveller.in / Conde Nast Traveller / Home> People & Culture/ by Divya Mishra / Photography Justin Sebastian / September 02nd, 2022
Water sports enthusiasts have to spend more to get the thrill in the fast-flowing waters as the rafting fee in Kodagu’s popular adventurous sports’ venue has been hiked.
Also, more boats will now be available for rafting with permission granted for operating additional boats at Dubare, Barapole, and Kumaradhara.
The Kodagu district administration has given its approval for operating a total of 75 boats for river rafting at Dubare near Kushalnagar.
As many as 65 boats were regularly operated and an additional eight boats were added for increasing the number of boats to meet the demand from the adventure freaks for river rafting.
At a meeting in Madikeri chaired by Deputy Commissioner B.C. Satish on Thursday, permission was granted for operating one more additional boat for rafting operations.
At Barapole rafting venue, permission was granted for operating three more boats, taking the number of boats to six.
Two agencies have come forward to operate river rafting at Kumaradhaara. In total, permission has been granted for operating four boats.
The meeting gave its nod for hiking the rafting fee at Dubare from Rs 600 to Rs 800. It was resolved to collect a fee of ₹1,200 at Barapole and ₹200 at Kumaradhara.
The Deputy Commissioner told the river rafting operators to ensure that the boats are in good condition and no inconvenience was caused to the adventure enthusiasts. He suggested that a portion of revenue earned in Dubare camp can be used for improving the infrastructure.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – September 01st, 2022
WELCOME. If you like what you see "SUBSCRIBE via EMAIL" to receive FREE regular UPDATES.
Read More »