Monthly Archives: July 2011

Funeral Held for Keeki Thammaiah, Harrow Council’s first Asian Mayor

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's, , , , , , , , ,

A PACKED funeral service was held for a former Labour councillor described as a “true ambassador of Harrow” yesterday.

Packed funeral service for Harrow's first Asian mayor

Packed funeral service for Harrow’s first Asian mayor

Former Queensbury ward councillor Keeki Thammaiah, 76, passed away following a heart attack on his sofa while his wife Naila made dinner in their kitchen last Monday evening.

The former Wembley High School teacher was elected as a councillor in 1992 and served the borough up until the elections last year, when he stepped down.

He was appointed mayor in 2000 and during his time on the council also sat on licensing and planning committees.

He was born in Coorg, in South India, and came to Britain in 1964, teaching maths at Wembley High in the Seventies before moving on to City of Westminster College in 1985.

London Assembly member Navin Shah spoke at the service referring to Mr Thammaiah as an “elder brother.”

He said: “He was a laid-back, quiet person with a smile and a glint in his eyes. For Keeki there were no long speeches, no aggression, no controversy, wherever Keeki went as the mayor he gave measured and short speeches in his own inimitable style.

“He was respected and loved and naturally carried himself as a true ambassador of Harrow.

“Keeki’s achievements and his contribution to the community are a matter of pride and celebration.”

Former Harrow mayor Alderman Keith Toms knew Mr Thammaiah for 20 years.

He said: “He was so honest and related so well to the public. Harrow became a better place because of him but he did things quietly.

“Keeki stood out simply for all the things he did to improve the area but he never did it loudly.

“He was very laid-back, unruffled and so dependable.

“He achieved everything through quietly working within the community and laying the foundations for a better area.”

Mr Thammaiah is survived by wife Naila, son Ponnu, granddaughter Sonali and grandsons Adit and Alok.

Son Ponnu, 38, was one of the pallbearers carrying his father’s coffin yesterday.

He said: “I was so touched by everybody. The visitors and messages have been non-stop.

“I was living at home when he was mayor and we are so proud of him and the work that he did.

“There was a great turnout for the funeral so thank you to everyone who came and who has supported us at this time.

source: http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk / by Suruchi Sharma / Tuesday Apr 05th, 2011

Keeki Thammaiah, Harrow Council’s first Asian Mayor, Dies

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Nri's / Pio's

Photograph of the AuthorBy Jack Royston »

 

  • Keeki Thammaiah, Harrow's first Asian mayor, passed away this morning.
  • Keeki Thammaiah, Harrow’s first Asian mayor, passed away this morning
  • A “KIND hearted” former Labour councillor and Harrow’s first Asian mayor died at home yesterday evening.

Former Queensbury ward councillor Keeki Thammaiah passed away aged 76 on his sofa while wife Naila made dinner in their kitchen at around 6.30pm.

Councillor Bill Stephenson, leader of Harrow Council, described him as a “beacon”, while Navin Shah, London Assembly member for Brent and Harrow, said: “He was really very kind hearted, softly spoken and really laid back.

“He was loved right across the party divide, that’s why he also became a very effective and good first Asian mayor in Harrow.

“That feat in itself is remarkable, it was the first ever acknowledgment in Harrow of the diversity that we have had.

“I proposed he be the mayor. We were very close, I saw him as being like my older brother.”

The former Wembley High School teacher was elected as a councillor in 1992 and served the borough up until the elections last year, when he stepped down.

He was appointed mayor in 2000 and during his time on the council also sat on licensing and planning committees.

He was born in Coorg, in South India, and came to Britain in 1964, teaching maths at Wembley High in the 1970s before moving on to City of Westminster College in 1985.

Councillor Mrinal Choudhury, the current deputy mayor, spoke to Mr Thammaiah’s wife just hours before his death yesterday and was supposed to visit his former colleague today.

He said: “He left a message on my phone yesterday just to say ‘can you come and see me’. This morning his son called me. We were very close.

“I just went to see his wife this morning. He died while he was sitting on the settee. He was talking to his wife. She went to the kitchen to prepare some food.

“She came back to find that his eyes were up and she called the ambulance.”

Cllr Stephenson, current leader of the Labour Group, said: “He was a tremendously popular person.

“When he was mayor he always got on well with everybody. It’s a really sad loss. Keeki was a beacon, he was a very popular mayor, very well liked across both parties who have great regard for him.”

Councillor Husain Akhtar (Cons/Cannons) said: “I always found that Keeki and his soft smile were inseparable.

“I looked for that smile this morning when I visited his home but it was not there. I’m very sad that he is not with us any more.”

He is survived by wife Naila, son Poonu, granddaughter Sonali and grandsons Adit and Alok.

source: http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk / by Jack Royston / Tuesday Mar 29th, 2011

A Tribute …: Remembering an Indian Mayor in England

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Keekira A. Thammaiah, who was the first Asian Mayor of the Harrow City, London, passed away on Mar. 29, 2011 in London. He was my contemporary in Bangalore from 1960 to 64 while practising Law, though senior to me. While in Bangalore, we were very close friends and when he left for London, we were in touch with each other through letters, Christmas, New Year greeting cards and whenever he came to India. 

While I was in London in 1992, he hosted a dinner at his house where he had invited two MPs and some Labour Party friends of his, he himself being a La-bour Party North Harrow Council Member. Later, once again while I was in London, I had an opportunity to spend some time with him and he was the Mayor of Harrow at that time.

I remember the evening I was having dinner in his house with other friends over drinks when I had a call from Mahaguru Yogi Arka of Mysore, who was camping in London at that time, as anticipated asking me to meet him. Since we were partying, we were already into our third peg of whisky and I was in a dilemma if I should go and meet Yogi Arka, who at that time was on the ascendance on his path to the stature of a Godman. I sought Thammaiah’s advice and with his trademark smile on his visage said, “Well, don’t worry, the place is just five minutes drive from here.”

He volunteered to drive me to the place, assuring me that visiting the Yogi after consuming alcohol should not be a problem as Rishis of ancient India were known to enjoy Somarasa and Bhang, which are intoxicants.

Naturally, in his passing away, I have lost a very good friend. Immediately, I wrote a letter of condolence to his wife Naila and son Ponnu.

Acknowledging my letter, they sent me an e-mail giving me some more information about the last journey of my friend.

As in life, so also in death, he was well-honoured by the community people, friends and politicians as well. His civic funeral was attended by a large number of people, dignitaries, Mayors, MPs and the media.

He was elected President for the forthcoming World (Europe) Kannada Conference to be held in London in August 2011. He had hosted a meeting at his place in this connection just the day before he passed away.

His wife Naila sent me a copy of the tributes paid to Tham-maiah (known among Coorgs as Thammy) by Kodagu Association of UK and also by Kannada Balaga of UK, which is being produced below:

The tribute

Born: 10.02.1935 Died: 29.03.2011

Late Mr. Keekira Thammaiah was born in Birunani, Coorg, India. He did his schooling in Coorg and Pre-University (A levels) at Government College, Bangalore.

He went on to do his Bachelors in Arts at St. Joseph’s college, Bangalore.

Whilst at University, he displayed his leadership qualities and political ambition by becoming the ‘President of Students Union.’

He pursued his education in Bombay at University College, Bombay and obtained M.A & LLB between 1957-60. At the University, he was the Chairman of the Students Union.

He returned to Bangalore in 1960 and was an Advocate at the Bangalore High Court until 1964 when he moved to United Kingdom to do Bar exam. He married Naila in 1971, who would be for the next 29 years, his pillar of support.

He went on to be a Lecturer in Business Law at West-minster and other colleges.

He was elected as the Labour Councilor in 1994, Deputy Mayor of Harrow in 1999 and became the first Asian Mayor in May 2000.

He was very active in his community and took his civic duties very seriously. He raised considerable amount of money for the Northwick Park Hospital Children’s wing (£20,000) and was the Governor of 3 schools in Harrow.

He rubbed shoulders with royalty in that he met the Queen three times, had tea with Princess Margaret and spoke at the Parsi community gathering in the presence of Prince Edward & Sophie.

He retired in May 2010 after 20 years service to the local community. His friends fondly called him ‘Keeki.’

He is survived by his loving wife Naila of 30 years; Son: Ponnu; Daughter-in-law Sunali and two young grandsons Adit and Alok.

Funeral service was held on 4th April, 2011 at 12.00 pm at Golders Green Crematorium, Hoop Lane, London, NW 11 7 NL.

Mourners joined the family for refreshments afterwards at Members Lounge, 1st Floor, Civic Centre, Harrow, Middle-sex HA1 2XY.

Memorial donations in memory of K. A. Thammaiah may be made to Diabetes UK, 10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / by K.B. Ganapathy

 

 

Super Model In Its Making

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Super Models
Prasad Bidappa, the well – known fashion guru from Bangalore says that Bangalore has the stunning crowd. Now a days all youngsters are making it big in modeling. 

Splash Super Model Search, showcased beautiful and handsome group of models. The search for a super model was really a tough game, as all the models were amazing.

At last 12 models made it to different categories of crowns but the most coveted crown of the, super model was worn by Coorg hoties, Dayana Erappa and Karan Medappa.

Although modelling is everyone’s most loved profession. The people who really pursue it as a career are very few. “Unless you are really determined and passionate about the field, you cannot grow in modelling as a professional,” says super model Priya Nayak, who judged the hunt. She also added, “ India’s fashion industry is really doing well these days. And the models that we have here are mind blowing.”

Dayana Erappa, the winner said that now modelling is only a hobby for her. In future if it’s really giving her good opportunities, she would think of taking it up as a career.

When asked, if the profession should be practiced as a career or a hobby, Prasad Bidappa said, “ I would suggest that first carry it out like a hobby, because you have to make sure if the market will accept you or not. Once you get the market’s focus it’s advised to practice as a career.” He added, “ Indian fashion industry is really booming and it has the beautiful models, designers, designs etc.”

While others had the thought that India’s fashion Industry is really doing well, the American fashion designer, Tom Mclellon, who judged the show said, “ I would say that India is a great place and has beautiful people and designers but the country, is yet to reach International heights. Because a shoot or a show in New York would get over in like hours, as money is time there. But here it’s not like that.” Hence India is yet to reach the top level.

The event had Priya Nayak, super model from Bangalore, Raza Beig, CEO of Splash and Tom Mclellon, American fashion designer picking the winner.

source: http://www.living.oneindia.in / by Sruthi Appu / Oneindia> Living> Cosmopolitan / Monday Aug 09th, 2011

Yasmin Ponnappa Covers Vogue India Beauty July 2011

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http://www.beautyisdiverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/vogue-india-beauty-570x739.jpghttp://www.beautyisdiverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/vogue-india-beauty-2-570x739.jpg

Yasmin Ponnappa of Elite Models India gets different makeup and hair looks (Madame X, Ms Enigma, Ms Avant Garde, & Ms Elegant)  for Vogue India Beauty July 2011.  ”Polished make-up and perfect hair give these times looks a contemporary turn”.  Photography by Susanne Spiel and styling by Petals Deas. 

http://www.beautyisdiverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/vogue-india-beauty-4-570x739.jpghttp://www.beautyisdiverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/vogue-india-beauty-5-570x739.jpghttp://www.beautyisdiverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/vogue-india-beauty-3-570x739.jpg

source: http://www.e4pr.blogspot.com

http://e4pr.blogspot.com/2011/07/yasmin-ponnappa-covers-vogue-india.html

Explorers Discover 3 Billion-year-Old Life Forms Off the Coast of Michigan

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In mysterious sinkholes beneath the waters of Lake Huron, scientists have been exploring strange pockets of life that shouldn’t exist on present-day Earth. The microbes researchers have found would have been perfectly comfortable on the Earth of 3 billion years ago, before we had oxygen in the atmosphere.

How did the bottom of Lake Huron get riddled with sinkholes that time forgot? Find out, and see a video of life that hasn’t existed for billions of years.

The sinkholes at the bottom of the lake are pockets of de-oxygenated water that have pooled beneath the fresh waters above. So all the creatures who live in the sinkholes might have evolved at a time on Earth when no oxygen was available. In a recent Earth magazine article about the ongoing exploration of these sinkholes, first discovered a little over a decade ago, Lindsey Doermann writes:

These pockets of water teem with microbial life similar to that found around deep ocean hydrothermal vents or beneath ice-covered Antarctic lakes, not the kinds of microorganisms normally found in our own backyards . . . Before long, the true importance of these oddities became apparent: “These ecosystems in Lake Huron are analogs of the Proterozoic,” says Bopi Biddanda, a microbial ecologist at Grand Valley State University in Michigan and one of the leaders of the sinkhole science team. “They could be windows into communities that existed 3 billion years ago.”

 

Though it’s possible the creatures in the sinkholes are direct descendants of creatures who lived on pre-oxygen Earth, it’s more likely that they evolved from more recent organisms to thrive in an oxygen-free ecological niche. Either way, they are the closest we’ll get to seeing life from Earth’s distant past.

But how did those sinkholes get there in the first place? As you can see from this diagram, what’s happened is that freshwater from the Earth’s surface has sunk below ground, and eventually worked its way back out beneath the lake. As the water slowly eroded the lakebed, it created sinkholes of freshwater — lakes within lakes, if you will — where anaerobic or oxygen-free ecosystems began to thrive.

 

In this incredible video of the sinkholes, you can see the oxygen-free freshwater bubbling up from the lake bottom. All life on Earth may have once resembled these strange, algae-furred fingers reaching up from the sinkholes. It wasn’t until about 2 billion years ago that the planet began to have a significant amount of oxygen in its atmosphere. The shift to oxygen was caused by cyanobacteria like what you see in this video, who emit oxygen as part of their digestive cycle. As cyanobacteria took over ancient Earth’s seas, geologists believe that they caused the planet’s first climate disaster, killing off all the life forms that didn’t metabolize oxygen. Essentially, oxygen was a poison gas to them and made the planet unlivable. Lucky for multicellular organisms, oxygen ushered in a new era where life proliferated and diversified in dramatic ways, eventually leading to the world we live in today.

source: http://www.i09.com /by Annalee Newitz / Lost World / Geology> / Jul 18th, 2011

Film Review: Krishnan Marriage Story ( Kannada)

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A scene from Krishna Marriage Story

Krishnan Marriage Story(Kannada)
Director: Nuthan Umesh
Cast: Ajai Rao, Nidhi Subbaiah, Jai Jagadish, Vinaya Prasad
Rating: 60%

This film had a lot of expectations riding on it. Firstly, the title misled a lot to believe that this was the sequel to 2010’s superhit Krishnan Love Story. Secondly, the lead pair, Ajai Rao and Nidhi Subbaiah, has had good outings at the box office. Thirdly, the songs of the film have become pretty popular on the charts.

Does the film manage to match the expectations? Mostly yes, but there are a few let-downs as well. This film, which is much like the family entertainers genre that Yashraj and Rajshri Productions had set up in the 1990s, comprises of a typically happy joint family, with picture perfect people. The eligible bachelor in the family is to wed and the story revolves around his ‘perfect’ bride.

The film seems to have been shot through rose tinted glasses, for each scene is beautifully shot and the actors look their best. And the locations too add to the charm of the film. A slight hitch to the happy story is what makes for the twist towards the end. (Though it is quite predictable!)

Nuthan Ramesh’s freshness when it comes to handling a much used subject needs to be commended. A flashback scene that has the protagonists as youngsters and the scene where Ajai proposes to Nidhi are rather endearing. Ajai has done a good job.

Nidhi has a tailor-made role in which she doesn’t fail to impress. The formidable ensemble, led by Vinaya Prasad and Jai Jagadish, has chunky roles that they justify with their acting.

On the flip side, the film drags a bit towards the end, especially with their emotional scenes and the artiste who dubbed for Nidhi for the climax is quite a disappointment.

Directors, who have cast actors who have a good hold on Kannada, should let them dub for themselves to keep their characters alive. This is the best example of how bad dubbing can spoil a good scene.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / Home>Entertainment/ Jul 16th, 2011

Appaiah Gowda Memorial to Honour Freedom Fighter

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MADIKERI:

Freedom fighter Guddemane Appaiah Gowda, who led the “Katukai battle” (Amara Sullya Dange) against the British in 1837, is one of the greatest heroes Kodagu has produced, said Lt. Gen. (retd.) B.C. Nanda on Wednesday.

Unveiling a plaque to mark the construction of a memorial for Appaiah Gowda at the Nehru Park here, Gen. Nanda said Kodagu has produced many freedom fighters who fought against Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan or the British, and all of them had great pride in the culture of the region. The “Beerakallu” (stone memorials) found in many parts of the district symbolised the valour of the freedom fighters of the past, he said.

The educationist and philanthropist Kurunji Venkataramana Gowda announced that he would donate Rs. 1 lakh for the construction of the memorial. He donated Rs. 50,000 as the first instalment to the Madikeri MLA, K.G. Bopaiah, who presided over the occasion. He also offered 27 acres of land at Mekeri near here for starting an educational institution.

Precedent

Appreciating the decision of the committee to erect a memorial to Appaiah Gowda, the educationist M.M. Chengappa said that the late freedom fighter had set a precedent for the freedom movement in the country.

The Deputy Commissioner, P. Subramaniam, hailed Appaiah Gowda as the “Father of the Freedom Struggle” in Kodagu. Gowda’s heroics should inspire the youth to develop patriotism and enlist themselves more in the armed forces, he said.

Stating that Appaiah Gowda was a symbol of patriotism, self-respect and pride for Kodagu, Mr. Bopiah said the ideals of the late leader still inspired all. Appaiah Gowda, who was hanged by the British in 1837 in front of the Madikeri Fort for leading protests against the colonial power, did not want outsiders to have a say over the affairs of Kodagu, said Mr. Bopiah.

Although a memorial for Appaiah Gowda was deemed necessary in the region from as early as 70s, it is good that it has materialised at least now, he added.

The working president of the Guddemane Appaiah Gowda Memorial Committee, T.P. Ramesh, and the former Madiker iMLA D.S. Madappa spoke

source: http://www.thehindu.com / Staff Correspondent / Karnataka – Madikeri / online edition / Thursday May 19th, 2005

Eight State Players Find Place Among Probables

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Bangalore:
Eight Karnataka players found a place in the list of 48 probables announced by Hockey India on Saturday for the next phase of the national camp that is currently underway at the Sports Authority of India campus here.
Goalkeeper Bharat Chetri, defender and drag-flick specialist VR Raghunath, midfielders Arjun Halappa and Vikramkanth, and forwards SV Sunil, Amar Aiyamma, Nithin Thimmaiah and Pradhan Somanna made the cut from the original number of 90. 

The national camp took off under new coach Michael Nobbs on July 3 while HI selectors AB Subbaiah, BP Govinda, Col Balbir Singh and Thoiba Singh conducted a three-day selection process from July 13 before announcing the shortlist.

The shortlist is further expected to be pruned to 18 by the beginning of next month at the conclusion of the first phase of the camp towards the end of this month. The second phase is scheduled to kick off on August 8. The 18 campers will continue to train at SAI until August 28 before flying to Ordos, China for the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy from September 3-12.

Newly-appointed coach Nobbs left for Australia on Saturday and is expected to rejoin the camp by the end of the month, provided he procures his work visa. In his absence, SS Grewal will oversee the camp.

The shortlist: Goalkeepers: Bharat Chetri, Adrian D’Souza, PR Sreejesh, Kamaldeep Singh.

Defenders: Rupinder Pal Singh, Sandeep Singh, William Xalxo, VR Raghunath, Harpreet Singh, Gurjinder Singh, Diwakar Ram.

Midfielders: Sardar Singh, Gurbaj Singh, Vikram Pillay, Arjun Halappa, Vikas Sharma, Vikramkanth, Bharat Chikara, Danish Mujtaba, Prabodh Tirkey, Vikas Pillay, Birender Lakra Jr,  Ravi Pal, Ignace Tirkey, Manjit Kullu, Kothajit, Manpreet Singh, Ajitesh Roy.

Forwards: Rajpal Singh, SV Sunil, Tushar Khandker, Amar Aiyamma, Mandip Antil, Shivendra Singh, Bikas Toppo, Sarvanjit Singh, Roshan Minz, Nithin Thimmaiah, Prabhdeep Singh, Banmali Xess, Akashdeep Singh, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, Pradhan Somanna, Prabhjot Singh, Yuvraj Valmiki, Dharamvir Singh, Chinglinsana, Ramandeep Singh

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Home> Sports / DHNS / Jul 16th, 2011

 

Augustin retains Karnataka State U-25 Chess Championship

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Master Augustin A, a fourteen year boy from kodagu retained the Karnataka State under 25 Chess Championship for the second consecutive year.
Augustin defeated top seeded Sriram Sarja in the sixth round and Balkishan A of Bangalore, third seed of the tournament on the way to the title. He scored a full eight points out of eight rounds. Sameer Ghotane of HDFC Bank scored six and half points and finished second.

 

Augustin and Sameer Ghotane  will represent Karnataka State in the National Under 25 Chess Championship 2011 to be held at Indore, Madhya Pradesh in August.

source: http://www. karnatakachess.com / United Karnataka Chess  Association