Monthly Archives: March 2012

A true blue Ghat trip

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment


Abbey fall provide the perfect picturesque view.
Madikeri (aka Marcera) is a hill town in Karnataka and is the headquarters of Kodagu district. This place is named after King Mudduraja who ruled Kodagu from 1633 to 1687.

I was new to Karnataka, an intern in Mysore and was just starting to understand Kannada, so I knew that this road trip was going to be a great experience for me. I had my bike, a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 2002, and I am sure no one can ask for a better ride for a road trip.

I am also a photographer, so packing up the backpack with my camera and lens, a pair of clothes, some sweaters and jerkins; I started out at around 3 pm on a Saturday from Mysore.

Stopping once to fill the tank and took the Hunsor road towards Marcera. The road goes through villages and farms, so its quiet crowded most of the time.

Kaveri Nisargadhama is a point where the river Kaveri bifurcates and flows through a stream where people can take a dip to cool off.

The Kaveri Nisargadhama is protected by the forest department that does not allow people to enter after 5 pm. So I barely made it in. There is a park and lots of deer playing around in a fenced ground.

Proceeding there I rode on to Madikeri at about 8 pm. Now, if you are a bike enthusiast then you have got to ride through the Ghats.

It’s a whole different feeling just cruising along hearing the dhup dhup dhup of your bike ringing through the woods. The roads curve beautifully, allowing you to literally glide along.

I was able to find a place to sleep at a hilltop hotel, which is behind Hotel Kaveri. After checking in, I took a stroll in the night in the mild drizzle, which is likely to happen almost night during that time of the month.

The next morning, I took a walk from the hotel to the Raja’s seat and the Madikeri Fort. The town is so beautiful enveloped in mist and dew. The roads are empty with hardly anyone around. The cold air gives you such a chill that it literally jump starts you.

The places that are worth visiting are very close, hardly 500 meters from the centre of the town. I headed for Abbey Falls, which was about nine kms from the town bus stop.

At the check post just before the falls, I was greeted by a guard who was ecstatic at the sight of the bike. He was like, “Oh! You rode from Tamil Nadu? Which year is this bike… etc.” The people of Kodagu are very humble and hospitable and are known for rendering their service to the nation. The place is known for its coffee plantations.

The coffee powder and the beans from Kodagu are a must try. My father loves coffee and simply loved the packet I got him. I left Madikeri by 2 pm and rode back to Mysore. On my way back, I stopped at Bylakuppe, the Tibetan Town. I got caught in a bas spell of rain and had to ride very slowly. I reached my room at almost 9 pm, drenched and tired. But it was one great experience.

History

Raja’s Seat is a small square platform made out of bricks and mortar is surrounded by four arched pillars. It is said that, during those times, this was the favourite spot of Kings and therefore the name of the place is Raja’s seat. The beauty from this place is impeccable especially during the sunrise and sunsets.

Trivia

Abbey fall is located between private coffee plantations with sturdy coffee bushes. The sight of this place is beauty personified as we can see trees entwining with pepper vines. If you look closely, the falls that appear suddenly quietly turn into a silent lake.

Food

Sri Krishna Bhavan is one of the most popular restaurant in Madikeri. Serving traditional North Indian and South Indian cuisine, the restaurant offers lip-smacking paneer-based dishes like palak paneer and paneer bhurji. People from Coorg make sure they visit this place.

Stars promoting their soil

When a person like Jonty Rohdes asks you to visit his country, who would refuse? The South African cricketer, a well known travel enthusiast who has travelled to almost every country is inviting more travel enthusiasts to explore the beauty of South Africa.

In a first of its kind association, South African Tourism has teamed up with renowned cricketer, Jonty Rhodes to launch the book, My South African Diary, penned by Jonty himself.

As Jonty travels through his home country, he dons the cap of a narrator in the diary and shares his varied, exhilarating experiences of the scenic beauty of South Africa.

Jonty is not the only celebrity to promote his home country. Jackie Chan did a TV series where he narrated the beauty of China, we had instances of Konkana Sen Sharma taking us through the streets of Kolkata.

Harsha Bhogle’s Travel India with Harsha Bhogle is yet another popular show where he travels across the country explaining the rich tradition and culture of the country.

There is no doubt that the tourism departments of various countries have roped in stars to promote the tourism industry.

The writer is a photographer and a travel enthusiast

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> LifeStyle> Wanderlust / by Venkatesh Ravi / DC / Chennai / March 29th, 2012

National – level ‘Rally De Mysore’ on Apr.1

Sports


Caption: Kodava Samaja Cultural & Sports Club President M.M. Karumbaiah addressing a press meet at Patrakartara Bhavan this morning. Others seen are (from left) ace racer Lohit Urs, Club Treasurer P. Raja Poovaiah, Vice-President M.M. Kuttappa and Hon. Secretary B. Rathan Ponnappa.

Mysore, Mar. 28
Rally De Mysore, a national level bikes and cars rally, will be held in city on Apr. 1, under the joint auspices of Kodava Samaja Cultural & Sports Club (KSC&SC), Mysore and Indian Motor Sports Club (IMSC).

Mysore’s ace racer Lohit Urs, who is in-charge of the rally, provided details about the rally at a press conference held at the Patrakartara Bhavan today.

The event is run in accordance with Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) which is the governing body for Motor-sports in India.

The event will start from The Roost hotel on Hunsur Road in Mysore at 9 am on Sunday (Apr. 1) and conclude in the same place by 6 pm, said KSC&SC President Mechanda M. Karumbaiah, adding that Police Superintendent R. Dilip will flag off the rally.

City Police Commissioner K.L. Sudheer will give away prizes during the valedictory function to be held at the same venue in the evening.

The rally will cover a distance of 140 km around Mysore and pass through interior roads near Yelwal, Bilikere, K.R. Nagar and Hunsur. The main sponsors are Graviti 9.

The rally is run on Time Speed Distance (TSD) format. In this event, the main focus is on navigation rather than speed. The competitors are given the route map and the speed at which they should cover the distance.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 28th, 2012

Respect the Girl Child: Prema Cariappa

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders


Caption: Prema Cariappa, Chairperson, Central Social Welfare Board, inaugurating the International Women’s Day celebration organised by Karnataka State Social Welfare Board at Rajendra Auditorium in JSS Hospital premises here recently. Others seen are State Board Chairperson Vinoda Nataraj and Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation Chairperson Sarojini Bhardwaj.

Mysore, Mar. 28

“Members of the Indian society need to shed the ancient notion that only male issues can support us in our old age and that one attains ‘sadgati’ after death only if one is the a parent of a male child,” said Prema Cariappa, Chairperson, Central Social Welfare Advisory Board, New Delhi.

Speaking after inaugurating International Women’s Day celebration held under the aegis of Karnataka State Social Welfare Board at Rajendra Bhavan in city on Monday, she said that women are playing a pivotal role in the development of the nation and the country; but in spite of this, they are being discriminated.

She further said that even today, the birth of a female child is considered shameful. Even though girls excel in education they are being discriminated in the fields of higher education, professional courses and employment.

“The need of the hour is to educate girls. She said that the social evils like dowry etc. have ruined the society. Women are being burnt alive if dowry is not given. Police and judiciary seem to be helpless in stopping these crimes. Govt. is taking appropriate steps for the development of women but it is the duty of the voluntary organizations to come forward to work in the field of social work,” she said and opined that local elected representatives need to work towards eradicating this discrimination.

Board’s chairperson Vinoda Nataraj, State Women’s Development Corporation Chairperson Sarojini Bhardwaj and Women and Child Welfare Department Deputy Director N.R. Vijay were the chief guests.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 28th, 2012

Team Coorg for UTSC Gulf Cup in Dubai

Nri's / Pio's, Sports

Muscat:
Team Coorg Muscat will take part in the forthcoming United Thallasery Sports Club-organised UTSC Gulf Cup hockey tournament to be held in Dubai on March 30.
The regional hockey tournament have seen representation from GCC states like Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE and this time around it is expected to bigger.

Team Coorg Muscat, who were the runners-up last year, are full of confidence to finish on top this time around, and team manager Kuttapa thanked the UTSC for inviting them again.

“We are a well-knit team and we are looking forward to win the title this time,” said Kuttapa.

Team Coorg have been involved in promotion of hockey in various levels among the expatriates and the group has also won appreciation from the hockey-loving citizens of Oman for providing them the opportunity to play the game round the year.
Former national coach of India and Oman will lead a strong Team Coorg this time as player-cum-coach, but missing from the line-up will be their senior playing member Devayya.

source: http://www.main.omanobserver.com / Oman Daily Observer / Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

The inspiration behind the team is the hockey veteran S A S Naqvi.

New team for Kodava Academy

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Madikeri, Mar. 25
Drama artist Addanda C. Kariappa has been nominated as the President of Karnataka Kodava Sahithya Academy, as per a government order passed yesterday. He succeeds Imudiyanda Rani Machaiah.

Other members of the Academy for the three year term are: Prof. Ittira K. Biddappa of Gonikoppal, Chendira Nirmala Bopanna of Ponnampet, Maletira Abhimanyu Kumar of Somwarpet, Bottolanda Mittu Poonacha of Peroor, Charmanda Poovaiah of Kunjilageri, Kudiyara Thammaiah of Yavakapadi, Kasturi Govindamayya of Madikeri, Chendanda Sumi Subbaiah of Maldare, Melathanda A. Ramesh of Hysodlur and Uma Prabhu of Napoklu.

The order was issued by K. Sudhakar Shetty, Deputy Secretary, Kannada & Culture Dept. and Information Department.

source: http://www.StarOfMysore.com / General News / March 25th, 2012

Wake up, smell the filter coffee

Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Radhakrishnan M with co-founder and wife A Chithra

Fully automated vending machines that serve freshly brewed authentic filter coffee, that’s the business Aromas of Coorg is into. In conversation with co founder Radhakrishnan M.

Origins
After lucrative careers in the corporate world, my wife Chithra and I had the urge to start something on our own. We are from Coorg and have been into coffee cultivation for more than three decades. Aromas of Coorg was born in 2009. Four factors made our idea into a company – our passion for entrepreneurship, our son, our roots from Coorg and our corporate exposure.

Elevator Pitch
We bring the authentic filter coffee experience to businesses at an affordable cost and with modern technology-inspired machines.

Gameplan
We offer end to end turnkey solution for corporate vending (small, medium, large), corporate conferences, tradeshows etc. Our service is a plug-n-play model, where we provide the finest coffee of your choice, equipment, service and maintenance. We also provide services to hotels, hospitality segment and home delivery facility within city limits. We work both on variable and a fixed pricing model where clients can pay based on usage or based on usage plus a fixed monthly costs. Our USP is our focus on technology. Our vending machine is the first its kind and is fully automated to serve freshly brewed authentic filter coffee and freshly brewed tea by simply pressing a button. Our coffee is a blend of six varieties of finest coffees beans hand-picked from our own cultivation. We are shortly launching first of its kind coffee vending machines with both hot and cold options in the same machine. Our vending machines will be the first of its kind to adopt Micron filtration and UV purification technology to purify the water. This means you can even use tap water.

The Challenges
Differentiation. The wave of western form of coffee was so popular that everybody wanted cappuccino, espresso, latte, etc. Also in scaling and maintaining levels of service and quality.

Reward: Fame, Money, Thrill?
Adrenaline rush and the satisfaction that you control your destiny.

Start-up-to-date

Company: Aromas of Coorg
Domain: Beverage solutions
Founder: A Chithra Uthappa, Radhakrishnan M
Founded in: 2009
Funding: Bootstrapped. Mentored by Vaibhav Tewari

source: http://www.BangaloreMirror.com / Home> Columns> Ideas Factory> Story / by Manu Prasad / March 22nd, 2012

Storming the male bastion

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


Amidst 22 rugged, sweaty and volatile men, a lone woman stands tall, not much in height, but solid in stature.

The soft-spoken and bubbly Pachimanda Shivappa Anupama is transformed into a tough, assertive ‘whistle blower’ when she dons the role of an umpire on the hockey turf.

Taking a path seldom travelled by women, some eight years ago, Anupama became the first woman hockey umpire from Karnataka and from then on she has carried on, without as much as a second thought.

Though fully realising that the job isn’t lucrative, Anupama has stuck to her task due to sheer passion and dedication.

Although she’s missed out on a London call for the Summer Olympics, she’s not disheartened. Even as she gears up for the four-nation women’s tournament in New Zealand next month, Anupama admitted officiating in the Olympics remains her long cherished dream, which she is confident of achieving sooner than later.

“The fact that I’m not going to be in London for the Olympics hurts, but that does not mean I’m sitting and sulking, instead I’m working harder to get to my dream destination, which is the quadrennial extravaganza,” asserted the 30-year-old Kodava lass.

Surviving in a stream, which is pre-dominantly a men’s arena, Anupama, over the years, has earned respect and appreciation from players and officials for her unstinted efforts.

Ask her if she is intimidated by male players while officiating, and the answer is a vehement, “No! Once I’m on the turf it does not matter to me whether I’m covering a men’s or a women’s match. I’m there to do my job and I do it sincerely.

Although men’s matches do tend to get violent, thankfully, I haven’t officiated such matches,” said Anupama who is also the only women’s hockey umpire from the country to have officiated in more than 50 international tournaments.

A couple of years ago, when Anupama, who was struggling to hold a job, settled down as a housewife, many thought she would bid adieu to her dreams. But the spunky woman proved such thoughts were ill-founded.

“I’m blessed to have a family which is very co-operative. Before marriage, my parents supported me, and now I have the unconditional backing of my husband Mandanna Mundanda, so there is no question of quitting. When I quit, I have to be an Olympian (umpire) and I won’t settle for anything less,” signed off Anupama.

Way to go girl!

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Bengaluru/ Dc / March 22nd, 2012

I am taking one match at a time, says Robin Uthappa

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

I am taking one match at a time: Uthappa
Mumbai:
Comeback man Robin Uthappa believes he has learned a lot during his absence from the Indian team`s ranks and said that he was not looking too far ahead in his on-off international career.

“I enjoy playing cricket. It feels good to be back in the side after the one-off game against England in October, to be back in the midst of things. I am taking it one game at a time. It`s a great opportunity and am looking forward to it,” said the 26-year-old hard-hitting batsman about his recall to the national team led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Uthappa is the only change in the Asia Cup squad led by Dhoni at Dhaka in place of Sachin Tendulkar for the one-off T20 International against South Africa to be played at Johannesburg on March 30.

“It`s a one-way journey where you learn a lot along the way. I certainly have had a lot of learning, am looking forward to playing international cricket again,” said the batsman who has kept wickets in junior cricket.

“It requires a lot of hard work (to make a comeback). You need to learn and understand about yourself a little more. Need to know what works for you and trust your instinct and routine so much more, back yourself so much more,” he said.

“I was a very raw player when I played initially for the country (in 2006 when he made his ODI debut against England at Indore). Domestic cricket has been a big boon for me. Even IPL has been great, a place where I have learnt a lot about myself, what works for me as an individual, as a batsman as an athlete. That has been the learning for me over the last three years,” he added.

Uthappa, here to lead Karnataka in the domestic T20 championship for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, said he had learned a lot about batting from the retired Rahul Dravid, with whom he had shared the dressing room a lot when playing Ranji Trophy.

“It`s a void not many people can fill. Rahul was an institution … his dedication, hard work, the way he played, the way he handled himself, the kind of cricketer he was. As a person who has watched him from close quarters … I played with him from a very young age 17 or 18 and played more with him in the last 8-9 years … watching him in itself is a learning.”

“We have played lot of Ranji Trophy cricket together over the last 4-5 years. I had so much to learn from him during that time and having his inoputs and having him around with us was a big plus. We certainly are going to miss him a lot. I learned more about batting from him.”

Effusive in praise of another senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar, Uthappa said no one barring the maestro could have achieved the landmark of 100 international centuries.

“If one man could do it, it could be only him. I don`t think there will be another person who will achieve that milestone. `Paaji` obviously has etched himself in the history books in many ways. This is another record he has created. To me he does not break records, just creates them nowadays.”

He also wished Yuvraj Singh, his Pune Warriors teammate and captain, a speedy recovery from his illness.

“I would like Yuvi to come back in the best of health. Besides playing cricket there are other things that are more important in life. At the end of the day this is just a game, but his health is more important. I wish him a speedy recovery. Just to be back in top health would be priority.”

“To me as a friend, as a colleague and as someone who has played with him…to see him come out of that ailment hale and hearty, to have him alive and kicking … would be more than anything else.”

Yuvraj has undergone chemotherapy for a rare germ cell cancer in the USA.
 
(Agencies)
source: http://www.post.jagran.com / Home> Sports News / March 22nd, 2012

Percept Talent on a spree of signing talents, hires Pooja Batra & Payal Rohatgi

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, Uncategorized


Percept Talent – The celebrity management division of Percept Limited has recently signed talents from various genres ranging from Bollywood to Wrestling to Squash. The newly signed talents are Pooja Batra – renowned Bollywood actress & former Miss India Asia-Pacific, Sangram Singh – India’s only Professional Wrestler having represented India in multiple fights, Joshna Chinappa – India’s leading squash player and Payal Rohatgi of the latest reality show – Survivor India fame. The tenure of the contact was signed.

Speaking about the newly signed talents, Joji George, CEO, Percept Sports & Entertainment said, “We are extremely pleased to have these names associated with us. We at Percept Talent will help provide assistance to our talents in flourishing in their respective career graphs. We welcome them on board and hope for a long fruitful association.”

Pooja Batra : At a young age, she started modeling as a part-time job. She was best known for her Liril soap commercial. She was the first Indian face to launch and be a spokesperson for Head and Shoulders in India. As a model she has participated in over 250 events and ad campaigns. She shot to fame when she was crowned Miss India Asia-Pacific in 1993. She has played the lead role in over 20 films. The first film she signed was Virasat in 1997. She worked in over 22 films including Haseena Maan Jayegi, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye. After shifting her base to Los Angeles for over 5 years now, Pooja plans to re-initiate her presence in Indian entertainment market. After a series of discussions; Pooja has signed exclusively with Percept Talent to manage her endorsement, television content creation, appearances and performances in India.

Sangram Singh : A Professional Wrestler from India and a Gold Medallist in the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship held in South Africa; Sangram Singh came to spotlight after his stint at latest reality show Survivor India. Sangram is a true showcase of what determination can enable one to do; as he was wheel-chair ridden for around a decade post which his grit and determination took him to this stage where he is among the world’s most well known professional wrestlers. After evaluating multiple talent management organizations, he chose to sign exclusively with Percept talent as he was convinced that PTM could add significant value in his overall career growth.

Joshna Chinappa : Joshna is one of the leading squash players of India and was the first Indian player to have won the British Squash Championship in 2003. Joshna is the face of leading brands like Nike, Gold Gym, the 3c company etc and is a perfect mix of athletic composure and earthy model like looks. Joshna’s international ranking has always been high and is expected to reach below 20 in a 2-3 year horizon – a feat never achieved by any Indian. Her association with Percept Talent was established when Percept Talent signed the 3c deal with her earlier this year. After evaluating the planning and the professional handling of her work, she was visibly happy to associate herself with Percept as an exclusive talent.

Payal Rohatgi: Actress Payal Rohatgi who has recently featured in the latest high TRP garnering reality show, Survivor India; signed exclusively with Percept talent. She had shown interest in Percept Talent due to her prior association with the company.

Percept Talent’s immense knowledge, understanding and in-depth perceptive will certainly assist these talents in representing the brand values to a wide set of audiences.

source: http://www.MediaNewsLine.com / by Swati Arya / Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

IPL after-parties to have fashion shows

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Uncategorized

While they continue to remain exclusive this year, focus is on international fashion.

Quite like the previous years, this IPL season will see the after-parties take centre stage once again. As the nation gears up for the T20 tournament, the focus on fashion will be top priority at the parties.

The good news this year is that the after-parties, to be held in Chennai, will also feature fashion shows for the first time. Bangalore-based fashion consultant Prasad Bidapa, who is co-ordinating the after-parties, confirms, “We will have two shows in Chennai this time.”

The line-up of designers will be just as exciting as they have been for the parties that have taken place in other cities so far. There will also be designers from Colombo, who will be taking part here. Prasad says, “We are not looking for bridal or any such extravagant show. Instead, we are looking at showcasing outfits that have an international appeal. The list of designers will include a mix of well-known and fairly new people, all of whom have that global appeal when it comes to their sense of fashion.”

With designers like James Ferreira, Masaba Gupta, Manoviraj Khosla, Rehane and Vivek Karunakaran featuring in previous editions, it is little wonder that the guest list at the after-parties include the who’s who of town.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Life & Style> Fashion / by Sunayana Suresh / March 23rd, 2012