Aimed at coffee enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the general public, IICF will feature speciality coffee stalls, equipment showcases, workshops, competitions, and entertainment.
The Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI), in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India, is set to launch the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) in October 2024. Built on the success of the 2023 World Coffee Conference in Bengaluru, which attracted over 2,400 delegates and more than 20,000 visitors, IICF aims to offer an even larger celebration of coffee culture.
The festival will span three major cities, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with preliminary events scheduled for Delhi (October 4-6), Mumbai (October 11-13), and Bengaluru (October 28-30). The grand finale will take place in Bengaluru from December 13-15, where India’s national coffee champion will be chosen to represent the country on a global stage.
Aimed at coffee enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the general public, IICF will feature speciality coffee stalls, equipment showcases, workshops, competitions, and entertainment. The event will also include prestigious contests such as the National Barista Championship, the Brewers Cup Championship, and Coffee in Good Spirits, combining coffee and mixology.
SCAI President DM Purnesh expressed excitement, stating, “It gives us immense joy and satisfaction to bring the largest coffee festival to India. The country with an ever growing coffee drinking audience is a very important market for us and India does play a major role in shaping the future of coffee culture. We hope to see connoisseurs and stakeholders coming and spending three fruitful days in these three leading cities of India. Let the festival be a meeting ground of ideas and exchange of creative skills.”
source: http://www.bwhotelier.com / BW Hotelier / Home> F & B / by BW Online Bureau / October 07th, 2024
“Set amidst verdant green coffee plantations in Coorg, the film is an ode to every coffee farmer, the backbone of the coffee industry.”
NESCAFÉ Sunrise together with Dentsu Creative Webchutney has launched a campaign to celebrate coffee farmers and honor their dedication and tireless efforts in growing coffee.
The campaign, which features a film directed by George K Antoney and produced by Kadhai Films, pays tribute to the love and commitment with which these farmers work in their fields while also highlighting the association with Nestlé agronomists.
Nestlé India works closely with around 5,000 coffee farmers in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala through the NESCAFÉ Plan.
The NESCAFÉ Plan, introduced in India in 2012 aims at developing good agricultural practices, sustainable management of landscapes, and enhancing biodiversity in coffee farms. It blends the valuable traditional knowledge of coffee cultivation with modern scientific practices to aid the sustainable growth of coffee in the region.
“Behind every delightful cup of Nescafé, there are coffee farmers whose hard work and dedication contribute to the exceptional taste of our coffee,” said Sunayan Mitra, Director, Coffee and Beverages business, Nestlé India.
“On International Coffee Day, we paid tribute to these remarkable farmers by sharing their stories on our jars and through this beautiful campaign crafted with love by our teams at Nestlé and Dentsu Creative Webchutney. The coffee farmers are the backbone of our NESCAFÉ Plan. This campaign is a homage to their perseverance and dedication, and I hope that it will be appreciated by our consumers.”
“This campaign is centered on the hard work of coffee farmers and the collaborative work between Nestlé India and the coffee farmers,” added Vidya Sankar, Senior Vice President, Dentsu Creative Webchutney.
“It also shines the spotlight on the contributions made by coffee farmers to our society and how they impact the consumer’s experience while they enjoy a delicious cup of Nescafé Sunrise. Set amidst verdant green coffee plantations in Coorg, the film is an ode to every coffee farmer, the backbone of the coffee industry.
Spotlight: Dentsu Creative India
source: http://www.brandinginasia.com / Branding in Asia / Home / by Editorial Staff / October 04th, 2024
In a significant advancement for the healthcare needs of Kodagu District, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine was inaugurated in Madikeri on Sunday, fulfilling a long-standing demand from the local community.
This state-of-the-art facility is now operational at the teaching hospital of the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS).
Minister for Medical Education Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil inaugurated the facility, alongside Madikeri MLA Manthar Gowda and Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna.
Previously, residents of Kodagu had to travel to Mysuru, Bengaluru or Mangaluru to access MRI services, as no such diagnostic facility was available in any Government or private medical centre within the district.
The introduction of the MRI scanning facility at the teaching hospital will enable patients to receive crucial diagnostics right in Madikeri, streamlining their access to necessary medical treatment based on the reports generated.
Minister Patil said that this installation will significantly enhance the ability of patients to undergo essential MRI diagnostic tests locally. He also assured the establishment of a cardiac centre at the District Hospital in Madikeri under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, emphasising the need for improved healthcare facilities in the hilly terrain of Kodagu.
The MRI equipment, initially sanctioned for another location, was relocated to Madikeri due to persistent advocacy from MLA Manthar Gowda. Additionally, Minister Patil confirmed that a proposal for Rs. 60 crore has been submitted to the State Government for the construction of a new building at the District Hospital, which is expected to receive approval soon.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 03rd, 2024
Thoroughly natural and instinctive is how one can identify Arati Monappa’s designs. With an experience of more than 20 years in the business of fabric and fashion designing, Arati Monappa is the probably one of the few designers who personally ensure that their products are natural and that their creations are purely energy efficient and eco-friendly ones.
Her Emergence as a Natural Designer
Arati Monappa started her career as a designer from Ahmedabad. The label Arati that came into the scene nearly 20 years back saw its birth in 1995. Arati had been working in collaboration with a team of craftsmen who specialized in handicrafts, right from designing fabrics for export as well as dyeing them. Arati’s flair for designing blended finely with the craftsmen’s handicraft resulting in the culmination of the brand Arati.
A Look at Her Metamorphosis
Before the designer label Arati shot into the scene, her works were primarily marketed under the brand name Melange, a leading chain of women’s ethnic apparels. After launching her label, the designer, who had been in touch with different groups of craftsmen, decided to involve them under her umbrella project. She did this in an effort to improve their living standards.
Arati, in association with the All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association, brought the terms and conditions on table keeping the welfare of the artisans as the primary motive behind their employment.
While on one side, the workers were employed to encourage their work and direct it in the right direction under her flagship, on the other hand, Arati ensured that the profits earned were being utilized for providing better living conditions, education to their children and making more equipments and basic infrastructure available to them that they’d be able to utilize for other clients as well.
Her Achievements Along the Way
The year 1996 witnessed Arati invading the domain of home furnishings. The crafting and designing procedures remained the same, but the labour required was intense. The designs were eye-catching, each one redefining uniqueness while serving as a fine example of exceptional handicraft in fabric.
This was followed by an exhibition of Arati’s sari designs by the Silk Export Promotion Council in Paris. Arati was no longer a national name; she had evolved into an international brand name many recognized with.
The next year, in 1998, Arati migrated from Ahmedabad to the business centre of the nation, Mumbai. Her unique designs became a rage and to maintain her distinct style, Arati completely avoided going fully commercial. Her designs were limited too, with only a few put up at exhibitions and rest made to order.
In the year 2000, Arati was awarded the Kingfisher Fashion Award along with a few others as one of the leading names in design from the southern peninsula. The designer also targeted the Lakme Fashion Week with her array of earthy palettes of red, blue, green and different shades of brown and black, the ramp sure beheld the magic of simplicity and originality fashion could be remoulded into just with someone’s ideas working in a fine balance with the fading handicraft.
The motifs, texture of fabrics and their arrangements on the cloth to reproduce something completely unique requires extreme imagination from Arati. Arati’s natural work with silks, motifs, coconut fibre and combs to get the designs and above all, her instincts to find that right blend of colour, fabric and pattern make her a class apart.
She currently works from her boutique, Serenity, which is based out of Bangalore. Arati still uses minimalistic advertisements to keep her costs low and utilize more funds for the welfare of all artisans and craftsmen.
source: http://www.karnataka.com / Karnataka.com / Home> Personalities / by Madur / November 04th, 2011
The company aims to expand to 35 stores across the country by the second quarter of next fiscal year.
First Coffee raised USD 1.2 million in a seed funding round led by Beenext. The round also saw participation from other leading investors such as Ashish Gupta (Helion Venture Partners), AngelList India, Ritesh Malik (Founder, Innov8), Sahil Malik (Founder, Da Milano), Chandini Purnesh (Owner, Harley Coffee Estate), Aman Arora (Co-Founder, Board – Keventers), Agastya Dalmia (Director, Keventers), Aman Bahel (Apex Group), Nakul Dev Chawla (Art Mumbai) and Shriram Nene.
The youth-oriented brand will deploy the funds to drive the company’s expansion and bring its premium speciality coffee experience to more locations across the country, as per a press release. First Coffee aims to expand its store presence in key urban areas across New Delhi and national capital region (NCR) and tier 1 cities in north India. First Coffee will focus mainly on small format quick service restaurant (QSR) outlets in high-footfall areas such as malls, corporate parks, high streets and metros.
The company is set to open 35 stores across the country by the second quarter of next fiscal year. The funds raised will also be used for hiring and amplifying marketing efforts.
“First Coffee is uniquely placed where they are not just selling a product but rather a coffee experience, blending tech, sustainability and coffee. Under the abled leadership of Sohrab and Shiv, industry veterans in the space of quick service restaurants, the brand is creating a new standard in India’s speciality coffee market,” commented Anirudh Garg, Partner at Beenext, on First Coffee and its offerings.
To enhance customer experience and streamline operations, First Coffee, founded by Sohrab Sitaram and Shiv Dhawan in 2024, claimed to integrate experiential big data with analysis powered by artificial intelligence, creating a technology-driven retail model. Using shade-grown coffee and eco-friendly methods like man-made lakes for irrigation and traditional insect traps, First Coffee ensured that its coffee is sustainably sourced while providing premium quality.
Shiv Dhawan, Co-founder of First Coffee, Spoke on the brand’s distinct positioning, “We are the first brand to bring true speciality coffee scoring 91 per cent on the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scale to the Indian market. At First Coffee, we’re not just serving coffee; we’re crafting a unique, premium experience while still catering to the fast-paced lifestyle of our customers. We’re committed to delivering exceptional coffee at a competitive price point, making world-class coffee accessible to everyone.”
source: http://www.bwdisrupt.com / BW Disrupt / Home> Invest News / by BW Online Bureau / September 26th, 2024
The new Board members will play a pivotal role in implementing the company’s strategic plans for the future and strengthening the corporate governance.
AXISCADES Technologies Ltd., a leading end to end technology and engineering solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Lt Gen Codanda Poovaiah Cariappa (Retd) and Mr. Rajendra Moholkar as Independent Directors to the Company’s Board of Directors.
The new Board members will play a pivotal role in implementing the company’s strategic plans for the future and strengthening the corporate governance. Lt Gen Cariappa and Rajendra Moholkar join the Board with over 40 years of experience, following their extensive stints with the Indian Army and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) respectively.
Lt Gen C P Cariappa
Lt Gen Cariappa’s strategic expertise spans key strategic roles, including Military Secretary to the President of India, Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Army Staff and Master General Sustenance, where he oversaw the sustenance of 12 lakh Indian Army troops.
Rajendra Moholkar
Rajendra Moholkar joins the AXISCADES Board following his extensive career with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as Company Secretary. His experience also includes leadership roles at TCS e-Serve Limited, Citigroup global Services Limited and ICICI Securities and Finance Co. Ltd and also senior level positions across leading organizations such as Raymond group, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Blaze Advertising.
source: http://www.autocarpro.in / Autocar Professional / Home> News / by Autocar Pro News Desk / September 19th, 2024
Who can resist a Delicious cup of coffee? CE takes a sip and explores much more at a three-day celebration of coffee, culture, and community
The Indian Coffee Festival turned out to be more than just an event. It felt like the start of something bigger for coffee culture in India.
Hyderabad :
As the sweet, majestic brown drops of coffee trickle down your throat, a pleasantly bitter aftertaste pervades your senses.
This experience was just a small part of the Indian Coffee Festival, a lively celebration of coffee culture held from September 13 to 15 in Jubilee Hills Convention Center.
Bringing together coffee enthusiasts and families, the event, a first of its kind in India, was graced by chief guest Sunalini Menon, Asia’s First Lady of Coffee. “The camaraderie that I saw, the happiness on people’s faces and everybody sipping different types of coffee…it was a very nice moment. This is the start of many more such events,” she said.
The idea for the festival came about in a way most coffee lovers would relate to—over a simple cup of coffee.
Anirudh Budithi, co-founder of the organising platform No Strings, explained, “We’re not from the coffee industry and we didn’t know much about plantations or brewing. But we were talking about it over coffee, and when we searched for coffee festivals, none were from India. That’s when we thought it was time to start one here because India has such a huge base of coffee drinkers.”
And what better place to host the first Indian Coffee Festival than Hyderabad, a city known for its love of food and beverages? “We know how much people in Hyderabad enjoy coffee, so it seemed like the perfect place for the festival’s first edition,” Anirudh added. The event featured top coffee brands such as Araku Coffee, Habitat Cafe, and many more, each offering their unique blends for attendees to taste and savour.
The festival wasn’t just about coffee tasting. It had something for everyone—expert-led talks, live latte art demonstrations, barista displays, and family-friendly activities, including special events for kids and pets. The atmosphere was further enhanced with live music, making it not just an event but an experience. As Srihari Chava, the festival’s co-founder, put it, “Coffee is not just a drink; it’s an experience and we wanted to offer coffee lovers a chance to immerse themselves in the world of coffee.”
Sunalini Menon touched on the city’s growing connection to coffee culture. “Hyderabad should definitely be on the coffee map, especially with Araku being so close. Coffee was traditionally brewed at home, especially in the South, but now it has become a drink enjoyed by people of all ages, including the younger generation,” she noted. She also hinted at the exciting possibility of future competitions like Barista and Latte Championships that could further boost Hyderabad’s role in India’s coffee scene.
Srihari Chava & Anirudh Budithi
The road to organising the festival wasn’t without its challenges. Anirudh shared how they initially planned to hold the event in July but had to push it to September due to logistical hurdles. “We’re not from the coffee ecosystem, so we didn’t know who to approach for help. But then we connected with Something’s Brewing, a platform which sells coffee merchandise. They guided us in setting everything up. They even helped us get other cafés involved, which was a huge boost,” Anirudh said. He also credited the Coffee Board of India and Girijan Corporation of Andhra for their support, which added credibility to the event.
For the attendees, it was a weekend well spent. Praneetha and Pradyumna, both employees at Deloitte, were thrilled with the event. “We’ve been looking for something fun to do over the weekend, and when we heard about the coffee festival, we knew we had to check it out. We both love coffee, so this was the perfect way to spend our weekend,” they shared.
Abhishek Bhandaru, who works in healthcare, also found the festival to be a refreshing experience. “It’s a one-stop shop for anything coffee-related. Whether you’re a long-time coffee drinker or just curious, you’ll learn so much here,” he shared.
The Indian Coffee Festival turned out to be more than just an event. It felt like the start of something bigger for coffee culture in India. With the success of this first edition, it’s clear that Hyderabad is ready to become a coffee destination, and this festival has certainly brewed up something special for the future.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Hyderabad / by Darshita Jain / September 19th, 2024
Bengaluru, Sept 17 (PTI) Lok Sabha MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar on Tuesday said he has written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to continue to exempt pepper from Goods and Services Tax (GST).
“Met Hon’ble FM Nirmala Sitharaman Ji to discuss GST exemption for black pepper, a vital issue for farmers in Kodagu, Hassan & Chikmagalur districts. Requested exemption continuation, citing agricultural produce classification & potential negative impact on farmers & exports (sic),” Wadiyar posted on X.
In his letter, a copy of which he had also posted on X, Wadiyar said that it has been brought to his notice that members of his Mysuru LS constituency, primarily from Kodagu district, have received notices from the GST office in Mysuru, stating that the sale of pepper grown at their plantation is subject to GST and that the planter also needs to be registered under the GST Act.
“The GST notice stems from a misunderstanding about the nature of the drying process. The pepper growers requisitioned me to bring to your kind attention that the drying process does not fundamentally alter the essential characteristics of pepper. It is primarily a preservation technique.
The GST Act’s definition of agricultural produce, clearly aligns with the nature of pepper, the treatment of similar commodities like paddy and chillies suggests that the classification of pepper as taxable product is inconsistent,” read the letter sent to the FM.
According to Wadiyar, the imposition of GST on these products could have significant negative consequences for the plantation districts of Karnataka, including Kodagu, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru, as well as for growers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
“It could lead to increased costs, reduced profit margins and potential job losses. Additionally. It could negatively impact exports, reducing India’s competitiveness in the global market,” he added.
Wadiyar requested in his letter that after drying of green pepper, this dried pepper could be given a separate HSN code and exempt it from GST applicability. PTI JR ROH
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
source: http://www.theprint.in / The Print / Home> India / by PTI / September 17th, 2024
This marks her second appearance at the event, highlighting her growing influence in the global fashion scene
In Frame: Rashmika Mandanna
Actress Rashmika Mandanna on Friday jetted off to Milan, Italy, where she is poised to make her mark once again on the global fashion stage at Milan Fashion Week 2024. This marks her second appearance at the prestigious event, underscoring her rising influence and prominence in the international fashion arena.
She was spotted at the airport radiating charm in a cute and chic outfit, a white sweatshirt and black joggers. With a heartwarming gesture, she made the sweetest heart signs to the photographers, showing off her signature blend of grace and playfulness.
An insider shared, “Rashmika will once again represent India on a global stage alongside numerous other Asian celebrities at Milan Fashion Week 2024.”
The fashion event, showcasing the 2025 spring/summer collections, will run from September 17 to September 23.
Rashmika also took to Instagram Stories to share a selfie from her flight, captioned, “Are you someone who, regardless of the season, always ends up in a sweatshirt or pullover?”
Previously, Rashmika left a lasting impression at Milan Fashion Week with a stunning black gown that won acclaim from fans and critics alike.
In addition to her fashion endeavours, Rashmika is a formidable presence in cinema, with an impressive slate of over eight upcoming films. Her diverse roles range from playing Srivalli in Pushpa 2: The Rule to collaborating with stars like Salman Khan in Sikandar, Dhanush and Nagarjuna in Kubera, Vicky Kaushal in Chhava, Dev Mohan in Rainbow, Ayushmann Khurrana in Vampires of Vijay Nagar, and Ranbir Kapoor in Animal Park.
Rashmika made her acting debut in 2016 with the Kannada film Kirik Party and has since appeared in notable Kannada films like Anjani Putra and Chamak, as well as Telugu hits such as Geetha Govindam, Devadas, Dear Comrade, Bheeshma, and Pushpa: The Rise.
She also stars in the Hindi action drama Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, featuring a stellar cast including Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, and Triptii Dimri. Additionally, Rashmika appeared in the action thriller Mission Majnu, directed by Shantanu Bagchi and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Amar Butala, and Garima Mehta, alongside Sidharth Malhotra.
source: http://www.indulgexpress.com / Indulge Express / Home> Celebs / by IANS / September 13th, 2024
The Annual Theerthodbhava at Talacauvery will occur on Oct. 17 (Thursday) at 7.40 am in the auspicious Tula Lagna as per the Hindu almanac on Tula Sankramana Day.
On this day, it is believed that Goddess Cauvery comes in the form of a fountain-head where water gushes up from Brahmakundike in front of the Kalyani at the predetermined time.
The authorities of Sri Bhagandeshwara-Talacauvery Temple have announced the date of this year’s Theerthodbhava. The temple authorities are gearing up for this important occasion.
On the occasion of Theerthodbhava, rituals such as rice being poured to ‘Pathaya’ (Tula Lagna) of Sri Bhagandeshwara Swamy Temple at Bhagamandala will be held as per tradition on Sept. 26 at 8.35 am.
Oct. 4 (10.21 am): ‘Ajna Muhurtha’ will be held at ‘Vruschika Lagna’; Oct.14 (1.35 am): Placing of ‘Akshaya Patra’ (Dhanur Lagna); 04.15 pm, offering boxes will be placed (Kumbha Lagna).
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 15th, 2024
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