Category Archives: World Opinion

Passion drives her to scale Mount Kilimanjaro, alone

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Mysore/Mysuru:

Scaling heights is what enthrals her most. Jammada Preeth Appaiah, a resident of Bannimantap in Mysuru, has recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain peak in Africa. She reached the summit of the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres (19,340 feet).

Also called a stratovolcano (a term for a very large volcano made of ash, lava, and rock), Kilimanjaro is made up of three cones — Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Kibo is the summit of the mountain and the tallest of the three volcanic formations. While Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, Kibo is dormant. The highest point on Kibo’s crater rim is called Uhuru.

Medical condition did not deter her

Preeth Appaiah is a housewife who had a sciatic nerve problem and doctors had advised her not to do any physical activity which could aggravate her pain. But her medical condition did not deter her from achieving the feat and her main source of inspiration is her younger son Aryan Kuttappa who went on an expedition to the Himalayas in 2018.

She went on her first expedition to Mount Bhrigu, Himachal Pradesh, in 2018. Since then, she never looked back and she has climbed many mountains like Mount Sar Pass, Valley of Flowers and the Great Lakes of Kashmir. Her instinct to climb Kilimanjaro was kindled in 2022 when a group of people from Mysuru successfully climbed Kilimanjaro.

Though she had made up her mind to go ahead and her instinct said she could do it, the advice given by her doctors against any misadventure was playing at the back of her mind. But her elder son Pratham Poonacha was a constant motivator who goaded her to pursue her passion.

Preeth Appaiah then spoke to various persons in Mysuru and booked an agency for the trekking and the training started under the mentorship of Yoga Guru Mahadeva. She left Mysuru on Mar. 2 and began the actual trek to Kilimanjaro on Mar. 3. She returned to Mysuru on Mar. 11 after scaling the mountain on Mar. 8.

Not an easy task

“I tried coaxing people to come along but none from Mysuru came along. But I was determined to go and took the yellow fever shot and set the rucksack in order and went to the airport to board for Kilimanjaro. It was not an easy task for a woman to travel alone and in the journey, you do not know if there will be anyone coming along on the trek from the Marangu Gate in Tanzania,” she told Star of Mysore.

Preeth Appaiah trekked through the rainforest to Mandara Hut and from here she went to Horombo Hut and reached Kibo Hut walking amidst the Alpine Desert. “The view of Mount Kibo is just mesmerising but here I was totally out of shape due to altitude sickness. But as advised by my mentors, I took lots of liquids to keep myself hydrated. From Horombo Hut, I trekked to Kibo Hut which is physically challenging and steep too,” she added.

From here, many return. “But in my case, I had overcome altitude sickness and was going well and finally had a good rest. Mar. 8, 2023, International Women’s Day coincided with my summit feat and I got on to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro,” she said. She started the final walk on Mar. 7 at 11 pm and reached the summit at 8 am on Mar. 8.

“It was an enthralling moment of my life as I set foot on Kilimanjaro via Gilman’s Point. It was not an arduous task. After walking more than 10 hours, I reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and Uhuru,” she recalled.

It was a proud moment, she said as she held the National Tricolour. This would not have been possible without the support of her husband Jammada M. Aiyanna, who is an advocate in Mysuru. Preeth is the daughter of Hon. Captain late Kunjiyanda Appaiah and Gowramma couple. Her brother Kunjiyanda Machaiah (Machu) is a wildlife photographer.

“Before trekking to Kilimanjaro, I used to keep the mountain photo as my mobile phone status and was dreaming of scaling it one day. Now that I have accomplished the feat, I feel fulfilled. I want to continue this passion and scale more peaks,” she said.

Preeth Appaiah was initially trained in mountaineering by Tiger Solanki of Tiger Adventure Foundation (TAF) and later on by Vinay Singh and Shankar Subramanya of Royal Riders and the International Academy of Mountaineering and Allied Sports.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Sports / March 16th, 2023

Anand Mahindra thanks PM Modi for supporting Araku coffee farmers: ‘As board chairman…’

Coffee News, World Opinion

“We opened the first outlet of Araku Coffee in the Marais district in Paris. Today, lines stretch outside the store of Parisians waiting to get their daily cuppa of Araku,’ Anand Mahindra, the board chairman of Araku Coffee, said.

Anand Mahindra announced a second outlet of Araku Coffee in Paris, and said, ‘Today, lines stretch outside the store of Parisians waiting to get their daily cuppa of Araku.’

Mahindra Group chairperson and the board chairman of Araku Originals, Anand Mahindra on Monday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting the hard work of tribal farmers for growing one of the finest coffees in the world using regenerative agricultural practices in Andhra Pradesh.

Mahindra also announced the launch of the brand’s second outlet in Paris, apart from its existing outlets in Bengaluru and Mumbai.

“A huge ‘thank you’ to PM Narendra Modi for repeatedly supporting the hard work of the tribal farmers who grow Coffee in the Araku Valley—using regenerative agricultural practices,” he wrote on X. “It is now a globally renowned brand and acknowledged as one of the world’s finest coffees.”

Araku Coffee is the world’s first terroir-mapped coffee, grown on organic plantations in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh. These coffee beans bear the essence of the valley’s rich soil and temperate climate. Pure Arabica with a rare aromatic profile, Araku Coffee is known for its unique texture and a symphony of flavours that makes for a smooth, well-balanced cup.

The Mahindra Group chairperson also highlighted the 25-year journey undertaken by the Nandi Foundation that transformed the lives of tribal farmers by encouraging them to grow high-quality coffee.  More than three lakh tribals are out of poverty and over 42,000 farmer families have become millionaires earning a profit of Rs 1 lakh per season from this coffee.

He added that he was enthused by the vision of Manoj Kumar, the co-founder and CEO of Araku Coffee, and his team to make the coffee a global brand . “We opened the first outlet of Araku Coffee in the Marais district in Paris,” Mahindra said. “Today, lines stretch outside the store of Parisians waiting to get their daily cuppa of Araku.”

“And I’m delighted to announce that we’ll shortly be opening the second Cafe in Paris near the Pantheon. In addition, of course, we have outlets in Bengaluru and Mumbai ,” he said.

source: http://www.moneycontrol.com / MoneyControl.com / Home> News> Trends / by MoneyControl News / July 01st, 2024

Charishma Kaliyanda: My mum in her own words

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Charishma Kaliyanda, NSW MP for Liverpool, interviews her mother Bhanu Chottera, a former Indian Government architectural draughtsperson. 

Our Mother’s Day series ‘My Mum in her own words’ pays tribute to our mothers, showcasing the intergenerational bond between mother and child. Here Charishma Kaliyanda, NSW MP for Liverpool, sits down with her mother Bhanu Chottera, a former Indian Government architectural draughtsperson. 

Charishma Kaliyanda: What are your strongest memories of your mum?

Bhanu Chottera: My mum, known as ‘Baby’ to all, was the example of someone who gave unconditional love, she treated all her 5 children equally – no difference between boys or girls. You could never tell when she was unhappy or concerned, she was always bubbly and charming.

She always had the answers to our problems – and never refused when any of us asked for help.

Charishma Kaliyanda: She sounds a lot like you, actually! So what’s something your mum or dad used to tell you growing up that later turned out to be true?

Bhanu Chottera: They always encouraged me to study and stand on my own feet, regardless of being a girl. Education is the one thing nobody can snatch away from you and will make sure you can put food on the table. Dad always said, regardless of the situation, don’t hide away from your problems and don’t be afraid to speak out.

Charishma with her mother and grandmother (Source: Supplied)

Charishma Kaliyanda: How about Ammachi, what is the best advice your mum ever gave you?

Bhanu Chottera: Always be financially independent, and make sure you save some money as you never know when you’ll come across a rainy day when you need it!

Charishma Kaliyanda: That is definitely practical advice that we can all use. Tell me about the day I was born.

Bhanu Chottera: I felt blessed – but it was a lot of effort, because I was in labour for almost 22 hours with you!

I was so happy because I always wanted a girl. I grew up with two sisters so, in having a daughter, I knew I would always have someone to talk to, share experiences and develop a lifelong bond with.

The entire extended family was so pleased because my sister is the eldest and she was a role model for everyone else. You were also the first female grandchild on both sides of the family, and so your Thatha called you our ‘Lakshmi’.

Celebrating mum’s 60th birthday (Source: Supplied)

Charishma Kaliyanda: That’s really cute, I didn’t know that. Tell me about the world events that have had the most impact on you?

Bhanu Chottera: The first event was the 2004 Tsunami in the Indian Ocean. I had never heard the word tsunami before and didn’t know what it was until I saw the devastation created that day – so many people died, there was so much destruction and across such a large area. It made me realise that things can change in the blink of an eye, anything can happen and life is short, precious and unpredictable. It made me really think about what I wanted from my life.

The other is COVID, of course. The whole period had a huge impact on me and reinforced that nothing belongs to you, so share what you have and show care to the people around you as much as you can.

Charishma Kaliyanda: Keeping those lessons in mind, what would you say are the best decisions you made in your life?

Bhanu Chottera: The first was keeping in mind my parents’ advice and getting an education because I got my dream job working for the Indian Government’s housing department as an architectural draughtsperson. I loved my work and my lifestyle and I made some amazing friends that I am still close with today.

The second was buying a home. After coming to Australia, starting a new life from scratch here, having a home of my own was a sign that I had some roots and could stand on my feet. It made me feel like I had achieved progress and independence, and I could nurture my family (and my own garden!).

Mum on the campaign trail (Source: Supplied)

Charishma Kaliyanda: Speaking of gardens, that’s probably the biggest difference between us, you’re in your element surrounded by roses, mulch and manure and you still won’t let me forget how I accidentally killed your choko vine when I was 14! How did you feel when I told you I wanted to get into politics?

Bhanu Chottera: It was actually a shock. Coming from a different cultural background, I thought you might find it difficult to be accepted. I also saw the demands of working in politics in the media and thought it would be really challenging. At the same time, I remembered the advice I had gained from my dad, who served in the army for many years and had even fought in a World War and knew I should pass it onto my daughter. You come from a long line of fighters, so I knew you would be alright.

Charishma Kaliyanda: So how did you feel on election night when results came in that I had won? What went through your mind?

Bhanu Chottera: Which election? There have been a few!

Charishma Kaliyanda: Look, that’s a fair call.

Bhanu Chottera: The first one was a bit disappointing but I remember clearly thinking “there’s always next time, this is only the beginning”. We’ve been on a long journey, with 6 election nights in total! On election night last year though, I thought, “this is the right time”. I have seen you develop the skills and temperament to balance things and to be able to make the impact you want to on the things you are passionate about.

With mum on election night as results came in (Source: Supplied)

Charishma Kaliyanda: How about on the day I was sworn in at Parliament ?

Bhanu Chottera: That was one of the most exciting and memorable days of my life. I felt my daughter had achieved something I never thought possible. When we became Australian citizens, I remember we had the ceremony at the Liverpool Council chambers and when you were sworn in as the youngest councillor at Liverpool Council in 2016, I was blown away. To see you become a member of the NSW Parliament was a real validation of our decision to seek a new life in Australia because we wanted better opportunities for our children. You made us proud, and all the challenges and sacrifices worth it.

Charishma Kaliyanda: What do you worry about most now, regarding me?

Bhanu Chottera: Look, like every parent I always worry about your health, happiness and safety. I know the hours you work and the travel you do, as well as the stress and responsibility you take on. So I try and encourage you to maintain a healthy work/life balance.

Charishma Kaliyanda: If by encourage, you mean, nag with great affection, you’re spot on! So what about your own self, what are you looking forward to?

Bhanu Chottera: I want to stay healthy as possible so I can travel, starting with Cambodia! I try and eat well, meditate, exercise and stay connected with my friends. I really enjoy being involved with charities and community work because I like helping people and I know that people have been there to support me when I needed it, so I pay it forward.

Charishma Kaliyanda: What the one lesson you want me to take forward?

Bhanu Chottera: Always listen to people, but believe in yourself and act according to what your heart is telling you.

source: http://www.indianlink.com.au / Indian Link / Home> India in Australia / by Indian Link / May 09th, 2024

Minns names Charishma Kaliyanda as new digital and customer service parliamentary secretary, NSW Australia

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Charishma Kaliyanda (second from right) is NSW’s new parliamentary secretary for customer service and digital government, emergency services and youth justice. (Photo: Facebook)

NSW Premier Chris Minns has appointed lower house member Charishma Kaliyanda as the state’s new parliamentary secretary for customer service and digital government, emergency services and youth justice, replacing Anthony D’Adam, who was sacked a month ago after labelling the state’s police commissioner a liar.

Elected to Parliament in 2023, Kaliyanda’s appointment comes as Minns and NSW Labor attempt to fend off growing criticism in several parts of Western Sydney that many local members simply don’t reflect the communities in their electorates or make it to junior ministries let alone cabinet.

While there are some high-profile exceptions like Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, Jihad Dib (Kaliyanda’s senior minister) and Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis, the composition of the first Minns ministry was notable for its Anglo-Celtic weighting.

Community diversity and preselection of state and federal candidates, especially from southwest and western Sydney, have become an increasing friction point across the Australian political spectrum, with Labor losing once safe seats like Fowler to local independent candidates like Dai Le after locals were sidelined for so-called captain’s picks like Kristina Keneally.

Fairfield, where Le whittled down Labor’s margins to just a couple of points as a Liberal state candidate, is somewhat of a case study in how and why migrant communities abandon major parties, with former Fairfield Labor mayor Frank Carbone also quitting his party to run for council on an independent ticket.

You can’t undo years of electoral neglect overnight, but you can make an effort to listen.

Indian diaspora is one of Australia’s fastest-growing migrant communities, now numbering close to 1 million, and the ties are strengthening.

Australia appointed its first consul-general in Bengaluru, Hilary McGeachy, in 2023, adding diplomatic muscle to the massive nation’s south, which includes the states of Karnataka and Telangana.

The capital of Karnataka is Bangalore (population 15 million), which positions itself, for better or for worse, as India’s Silicon Valley.

In an interview with Indian Link , a community publication founded in 1994, Kaliyanda says it “empowers and elevates the South Asian community in Australia, by telling their stories and unpacking their experiences in a nuanced and unbiased manner” reaffirmed her commitment to her community.

“I had thought deeply about what I will wear on my first day as an MP. I wore a blue sari from Karnataka, draped in the Kodava style, with a Waratah broach,” Kaliyanda told the community publication.

“I wanted to share that I will be bringing my whole self to this role and to the Parliament — my commitment to and love for my community in wearing the colours of NSW, and my pride in where I come from and the diversity of my community in wearing a sari specifically from where I was born and in the Kodava style.

“I did struggle with it because there wasn’t really a playbook for what to do and what was expected but I was encouraged to “be myself”, and so I wanted to share my authentic self with our broader community.”

Asked who gave her the best advice for the first time in the bear pit, Kaliyanda told IndianLink: “two Labor Party colleagues, Jihad Dib and Sophie Cotsis, who were very supportive and full of advice.”

“There’s a lot to learn, so take it slow and ask questions as much as you can, Jihad told me,” Kaliyanda said.

Take it slow? That just changed. Welcome to the ministry.

source: http://www.themandarin.com.au / The Mandarin / Home> Careers / by Julian Bajkowski (headline edited) / June 17th, 2024

Shiv Cariappa

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Obituary –

Codanda Shiv Cariappa, 72, passed away peacefully on February 9th, 2024, in Northampton (Boston), MA, USA.

Shiv was predeceased by his parents, Lt. Col. Codanda M. Cariappa (Carson) and Dr. Pearl Cariappa, (maiden name: Chendanda Muthama Ponappa), and his brother, Codanda Babla Cariappa.

Following the demise of his father at a young age, he attended Lawrence School in Lovedale and was raised in Chettalli Estate Kodagu by his mother while living together with his uncle and aunt, the late Mr. CP Appanna and late Mrs Seethama Appanna, his brother Babla, his cousin Chandanda Appanna Ponappa (Ponnu), and his grandmother Chendanda Muthama Ponappa.

Shiv Cariappa worked as a journalist for the international Christian Science Monitor newspaper in Boston, MA. Later, Shiv became a Senior Loss Prevention Analyst for the Staples Corporate headquarters in Framingham (Boston), MA. In this position, Shiv was responsible for investigative crime, particularly fraud, intervention and prevention for all Staples stores throughout the US.

Shiv is survived by his community of loving friends and family, including former wife and close friend Ellen Loos, his sister-in-law Victoria Cariappa, his aunt GM Codanda Vani; cousins Peggy Pratap Sunil, Arathi Muddaiah, Kandrathanda Harini Kariappa, Chedrimada Beena Somaya, Pattamada Seetha Kuttappa, Pattamada Kavita Muthana,Deep Chinnappa, Sumitha Somiah, the Chendanda family, Kongetira Gayathri Belliappa, Codanda Ashit, Codanda Chinnappa; and Ponnu Appana’s former wife Vipul Ponappa with their two grown children Gauri Ponappa and Sasha Ponappa.

Shiv will be deeply missed.

A public gathering to celebrate Shiv’s life will be held at Leverett Crafts & Arts Center, 13 Montague Rd., Leverett, MA. 01054 this coming Saturday, February 17, 1:00-4:00.

source: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com / MetroWest Daily News / Home> Life Story / February 15th, 2024 ( published in MetroWest Daily News, Milford Daily News)

Reports: Rohan Bopanna chooses N. Sriram Balaji as doubles partner for Paris Olympics 2024

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, World Opinion

(Courtesy : rohanbopanna0403/insta and sriram.balaji/Insta)

Rohan Bopanna recently played against N Sriram Balaji at French Open 2024.

Indian tennis legend Rohan Bopanna has set his sights on the upcoming Paris Olympics , aiming for one last shot at an Olympic medal. According to reports, in an email sent to the All-India Tennis Association (AITA), Bopanna expressed his desire to partner with N. Sriram Balaji, who he recently played against in the French Open men’s doubles third round.

Bopanna’s decision comes after witnessing Balaji’s performance at the French Open 2024, where the latter and his Mexican partner MA Reyes-Varela Martinez faced off against Bopanna and Australia’s Matthew Ebden in the third round of the men’s doubles. Despite the loss, Balaji’s display convinced Bopanna that he would be the ideal partner for the Olympics.

Commenting on his decision, Bopanna told PTI from Paris, “I have sent an email to AITA,” adding that he would provide further remarks once he receives a response from the national federation.

AITA Secretary General Anil Dhupar has welcomed Bopanna’s choice, stating, “Rohan has written to us that he wants to play with Balaji, who is a good player. He played well in Pakistan also, rising to the occasion. He also did well on clay at ongoing French Open. Balaji is a big server. If Rohan wants to play with him, we have no objection to that.”

While Yuki Bhambri, India’s number two doubles player, was also considered for the partnership, the selection panel, led by former Davis Cupper Nandan Bal, has indicated their support for Bopanna’s decision.

Bal emphasized, “In my personal opinion, we should give Rohan what he wants. At the end of the day, it’s his last shot at an Olympic medal and if he feels that it is better to play with Balaji, he would be sure of the choice.”

The panel, which includes former Davis Cupper Balram Singh, Mustafa Ghouse, and Sai Jailakshmi, will convene to discuss the combination once the ITF releases the final list of qualified athletes after the French Open concludes. Bal noted, “Still we will discuss the combination whenever AITA convenes the meeting.”

The Olympic qualification process will consider the ATP/WTA rankings on June 10, with the ITF notifying all associations about their qualified athletes by June 12. National Olympic Committees have until June 19 to confirm their entries, and any unused quota places will be reallocated by the ITF on July 8.

As Bopanna, only the third Indian to win a Grand Slam title, prepares for his final Olympic appearance, he will be hoping to go one step further than his narrow miss in the mixed doubles event at the Rio Games with Sania Mirza.

source: http://www.khelnow.com / Khel Now / Home> Sports / by Ajay Gandhar / July 05th, 2024

Europe To Receive First EUDR-Ready Coffee Verified By Rainforest Alliance

Agriculture, Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion, , , , , , , , ,

India’s High Range Coffee Curing is poised to become the first farm verified by the Rainforest Alliance to ship EUDR–ready coffee beans to Europe later this month.

The coffee farm partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to meet the necessary compliance requirements of the regulation.

Established in 1995, High Range Coffee Curing is located in the Periyapatna and Kushalnagar Coorg districts, among 142 hectares of tropical forests, and is known for its quality beans.

The farm supplies coffee to leading global coffee brands, roasters and traders in India, including Nestle , Unilever, E-Com Commodities, Olam, Continental Coffee, Louis Dreyfus Company , Vidya Coffee and Allanasons.

EUDR-Ready Coffee

Zaidan M Saly, director of High Range Coffee Curing stated, “Implementing EUDR  [EU Deforestation Regulation] posed significant challenges for our team, but with the invaluable guidance from Rainforest Alliance representatives in our region, we overcame them and gained confidence in the process.

“Their expertise made the seemingly daunting task entirely feasible, facilitating a smooth and successful implementation, which now not only guarantees adherence to EUDR regulations but also sparked a revolution in our approach to traceability.”

Rainforest Alliance certification enables coffee and cocoa farmers to opt in for EUDR-aligned criteria.

This allows companies to source from these farms, track ingredients along their supply chains, and leverage farm data to demonstrate compliance with the regulation’s deforestation risk assessment and mitigation requirements by the deadline, at no additional cost.

‘Sustainable Practices’

Miguel Gamboa, coffee sector lead at the Rainforest Alliance stated, “The EUDR represents an important step forward to shift the global coffee sector towards more sustainable practices.

“Yet, many smallholder coffee farmers need support to align with the requirements, including traceability, deforestation risk mapping, local laws, and practical and technical guidance on key environmental practices.”

The Rainforest Alliance has urged the EU Commission not to dilute or delay the legislation or postpone its deadline in response to calls from some companies and governments.

It has also called on companies not to scale back purchases from smallholder coffee farmers, but rather support them in meeting the deadline of this legislation.

Gamboa added, “We are also piloting a deforestation risk assessment offering for companies buying non-certified coffee and cocoa, which we plan to roll out more widely later this year.

“With this offering, we aim to support more companies in their journey to compliance, but more importantly, to also reach non-certified farmers so their products can still be sold on the EU market.”

source: http://www.esmagazine.com / ESM, European Supermarket Magazine / Home> Supply Chain / by Dayeeta Das / May 06th, 2024

Asian Relay Championships: Indian men’s and women’s 4x400m teams win silver medals

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion,

Indian mixed 4×400 relay team set a national record while winning the gold medal but missed the target of entering the Paris Olympics qualification bracket.

Women quartet of Vithya Ramraj, M R Poovamma, Prachi Choudhary and Rupal Chaudhary won the silver in the women’s 4x400m relay at the Asian Relay Championships in Bangkok on May 21, 2024. Photo: X/@India_AllSports

Fielding under-strength teams after having qualified for the Paris Olympics, both the men’s and women’s 4x400m quartets finished second at the inaugural Asian Relay Championships in Bangkok on May 21.

he women’s team of Vithya Ramraj, M R Poovamma, Prachi Choudhary and Rupal Chaudhary clocked 3 minutes 33.55 seconds to finish behind Vietnam (3:30.81) in the women’s 4x400m relay final, which was conducted amid thundershowers at the Suphachalasai National Stadium. Japan won the bronze medal with 3:35.45.

Vietnam runners were ahead all through the race.

Vithya and Prachi were not part of the Indian quartet that clocked 3 minutes and 29.35 seconds to book a Paris Olympics quota during the World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas earlier this month.

Jyothika Sri Dandi and Subha Venkatesan had teamed up with Poovamma and Rupal on that occasion.

The men’s quartet of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Santosh Kumar, Mijo Chacko Kurian and Arokia Rajiv also failed to stand on top of the podium as they clocked 3:05.76 to finish second behind Sri Lanka (3:04.48). Vietnam was third with 3:07.37.

The Sri Lankan team was ahead after the first leg but Santosh put India in the lead in the second. Chacko kept India in the lead after the third leg but Sri Lanka’s anchor runner Hewa Kalinga Kumarge overtook Arokia at the final stretch.

Santosh and Chacko were not part of the Indian quartet that clocked 3 minutes and 3.23 seconds to book a Paris Olympics quota during the World Athletics Relays in Bahamas earlier this month.

Muhammed Ajmal and Amoj Jacob had teamed up with Muhammed Anas Yahiya and Arokia Rajiv on that occasion.

Muhammed Ajmal and Amoj Jacob had teamed up with Jyothika Sri Dandi and Subha Venkatesan for the mixed 4x400m race on Monday as India was aiming to enter the Paris Olympics bracket in that event. The quartet was the first choice members of the mixed 4x400m team and they were thus not fielded on Tuesday in the men’s and women’s relays.

On Monday, the Indian mixed 4×400 relay team set a national record while winning the gold medal but missed the target of entering the Paris Olympics qualification bracket.

The quartet of Muhammed Ajmal, Jyothika Sri Dandi, Amoj Jacob and Subha Venkatesan clocked 3 minutes 14.12 seconds to win the race. The earlier national record of 3:14.34 was clocked by the Indian team while winning silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.

Monday’s timing would put the Indian mixed 4x400m team at the 21st place — from earlier 23rd — in the Road to Paris list of World Athletics while the aim was to be either in the 15th or 16th spot.

India, thus, is in a difficult position to make the Olympics cut as only sixteen teams will compete in the mixed 4x400m relay event in Paris.

India’s target on Monday was to at least better 3:13.56 and sit at the 16th spot, but the country failed to do so.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports> Athletics / by PTI – Bangkok / May 21st, 2024

Coffee exports rise 12% to $1.28 billion in 2023-24 on higher demand

Coffee News, World Opinion

India is Asia’s third-largest producer and exporter of coffee. The country grows Arabica and Robusta varieties.

Photo: BloombergItaly, Russia, The UAE, Germany And Turkey Are Major Coffee Export Destinations For India.

India’s coffee exports rose by 12.22 per cent to $1.28 billion in 2023-24 on higher demand for Robusta coffee in the global markets, according to the commerce ministry data.

The country exported coffee worth $1.14 billion in 2022-23.

India is Asia’s third-largest producer and exporter of coffee. The country grows Arabica and Robusta varieties.

Arabica coffee beans have less caffeine content than the Robusta. Arabica has sweet and smoother taste, while Robusta is generally more bitter and harsher on the taste buds.

In volume terms, coffee shipments from India rose 13.35 per cent to 1,25,631 tonnes during the January-March period of 2023-24. The country had exported 1,10,830 tonnes of coffee in the same period in 2023.

Italy, Russia, the UAE, Germany and Turkey are major coffee export destinations for India.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Industry News / by Press Trust of India, New Delhi / May 24th, 2024

Unnathi sprinting to master bigger hurdles

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The 18-year-old from Karnataka is making giant strides on the big circuit.

Karnataka’s Unnathi Aiyappa is headed to the World Athletics U20 Championships to be held in Lima, Peru in August after qualifying in both the women’s 100m hurdles and 200m events. Credit: PTI Photo

Bengaluru:

Unnathi Aiyappa is in the midst of a transitional period. It is a phase where every decision the teen athlete makes in the present is to help her leapfrog towards cementing future goals. Her recent results are a testimony to this. 

After having already qualified for the women’s World Athletics Under-20 Championships 100m hurdles to be held in Lima (Peru) from August 27-31, the 18-year-old from Karnataka breached the qualification mark for the 200m race as well by winning the gold at the National Senior Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar on Monday with a personal best timing of 23.85 seconds.

Less than a month ago, the youngster had finished with a bronze medal in the 100m hurdles at the Asian U-20 Athletics Championships in Dubai.

“Our main goal is to get Unnathi to become a 400m hurdler,” says father and coach BP Aiyappa. “Whatever we are doing now with the 100m hurdles and 200m is a preparation towards that goal,” he adds. 

Speaking about the races over the last few days, Unnathi, who ran a mistake-laden semifinal where she was slow off the blocks and in the curve, focussed on overcoming the flaws in the final where she was chasing time more than the gold. The ‘unexpected win was extra special, says the girl from Kodagu as she beat seasoned sprinter Srabani Nanda in a photo finish for her first medal at a senior meet. 

“We will get her to compete in four more events before the World Juniors and based on the progress in both the events (200m and 100m hurdles), my idea is to enter in only one event in Lima. I don’t want to put too much load on her body as a junior and she will focus on these two disciplines for another year-and-a-half. We will completely switch to 400m hurdles only after that,” explained Aiyappa. 

“The 400m hurdles has a rhythm to it which is addictive. But 400m is just going all out. It’s boring,” says the daughter of Olympian Pramila Aiyappa. 

If fine-tuning her running skills or blazing the tracks is her primary vocation, the teen is part of a growing brigade of Indian women athletes who enjoy upping the fashion quotient while competing or off it.

“I recently learnt how to braid my hair. I wore some eye-liner and lipstick and did some nail art for the first-time while racing in Dubai and here. It is important to look pretty when you win. No?!,” reasons Unnathi, who takes inspiration from USA’s sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson. 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by Hita Prakash / May 15th, 2024