Monthly Archives: April 2012

Spending time with the tribals

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Uncategorized

Honey hives: In the forest
It was a day to remember when school kids danced with the Soliga tribals recently at the town hall.
A recent event in Mangalore brought school students closer to Soliga culture. Many of them joined the Soligas as they danced as part of a programme held in the city’s town hall recently.

The students were from Stds. VI and VII. There were 40 students from Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, and 70 students from Government Higher Primary School, Mullakadu.

Song and dance
Enjoying ethnic beats: With the Soliga tribe
The dance was part of a week-long celebration of dances organised by the Information Departments of all the 30 districts of the state.

Most of the students said that they were seeing the dances and songs of the Soligas for the first time.

The Soligas explained to the students about life in the forest. The students asked them several questions about their food, their way of worship and how they lived in the forest.

Telling time

Raghuvir, Std. VII, Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, said, “I liked the way they described how they collect honey and how they tell the time by looking at the blooming of a flower. They should be allowed to live in their forests.”

Nirmala, Std. VII, said, “Women in the tribe have freedom.” Hithesh, Std. VII was thrilled how they could detect a snake hidden in the foliage.

Dhanaraj, Std. VII admired the way they dressed, their views on animals, their ornaments made from what is available and the variety of their dances

Mamatha, honorary teacher, Government Higher Primary School, Parappade, was impressed by their marriage custom, where a girl can choose her life partner and the expense of the marriage came to only Rs.12.50.

The word Soliga means “people of the bamboo”, because they believed they originated from the bamboo. They live close to nature. This is seen in their local tribal laws. They harvest fruits and berries only from trees that has lots of flowers. They leave the overripe ones for the birds.

They cultivate land only for five to seven years. Then the land is left untouched for 50 to 75 years, so that the forest takes over again.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Life & Style> Kids / by Renuka Phadnis / April 02nd, 2012

Rally keeps racing buffs on their toes

Sports

Mysore:
Hundreds of bike and car enthusiasts on Sunday morning flocked to Roost Hotel off in Mysore-Hunsur Road to witness Rally de Mysore, a time speed-and-distance (TSD) motorsport rally.

SP R Dileep flagged off the rally, organized by Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club (KSCS), amid fanfare, excitement and, of course, revving engines. Fifty-four teams on 40 cars and 14 motorbikes took part in the TSD rally spread over 10 hours. The 140-km rally covered Bilikere, KR Nagar and other places on the outskirts of Mysore. Besides 15 teams from Mysore, there were those from Coimbatore, Erode, and Bangalore too.

The revving of engines an hour before the commencement of the rally set the mood, while the spectators enjoyed watching customized cars, jeeps and bikes warming up for the big day. Each team had a rider/ driver and a navigator.

Speaking about the rally, organizer B Rathan Ponnappa said it comprised three classes in four-wheeler category — professional and novice classes and general category in bike class. “It’s a first-of-its kind of rally aimed at providing a platform for amateur racing youths,” he added.

Twenty-year-old S S B Arjun, who took part in the bike category, was all charged up for Rally de Mysore in the wee hours itself. He has participated in five rallies elsewhere, but was thrilled to take part in the first-ever rally of Mysore. “The roads and landscapes on the city’s outskirts are perfect for rally,” he opined.

Another participant, A Nagarjun, said the craze for wheels in on the rise among the city’s youths.

“This is an opportunity to test their capabilities, skills and to learn from noted racers. Instead of doing wheeling and speeding on public roads, race enthusiasts should participate in such events,” said the 23-year-old final year engineering student. Noted racers Satish Gopal Krishnan, Karthik Maruthi, Johnson and others took part in the rally.

Lohith Urs, international rally expert and in charge of the event, said TSD is a type of motor rally usually conducted on public roads, but at times, the track includes off-road too. “The main aspect of TSD rallies is to maintain precise time, average speeds on various segments on pre-defined rally route,” he said, adding: “Mysore is a hub for racers and rally buffs. This kind of rallies nurtures the basic skills of young aspirants.”

“TSD rally is not about speed, but it’s about timing, so navigator plays a vital role in this rally,” said Urs.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore / by Pavan M.V. / TNN / April 02nd, 2012

Celebrating 100 years of education

Education, Historical Links / Pre-Independence

There is festive mood in Bettageri Government Primary School, as they will be celebrating 100 years of their existence, on April 4 and 5.

At present, as many as 169 students are pursuing their education in the school. It is one of the best schools in Bettageri Gram Panchayat limits. The students have not only excelled in academic activities but also in extracurricular activities.

They have been actively taking part in Scouts and Guides activities. The students from the school had taken part in Scouts and Guides Rally held in New Delhi in 2007-08.

The school was started in March 1911 by late Pattada Biddappa. Somegowda Ayyanna had served as the first teacher of this school. During the British rule in 1935, the school was named as Lower Feeder School.

Later, the school was upgraded as Senior Basic School. The school was taken over by the government in 1952. The documents says that Charianda family members had donated 23 cents land to the school.

With the guidance of Mukkateera Somaiah, Manavateera Chinnappa, Mukkateera Somaiah, Abdul Rahman, Soodan Thammaiah, Pattada Muthanna and Palandira Madappa, the school had achieved success.

Later, with the support of donors, classrooms were built. Under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the work on Akshara Dasoha building has been taken up. The school has nine teachers including head teacher B Devakki.

Centenary Committee President Taloor Kalappa said that several old students of the school are serving in the army. Students from five villages are pursuing their education in the school.

Litterateur Baithadka Janaki said “the teachers were supporting the students in developing their writing skills. The school had given me a platform to portray my talent in writing, which helped me to excel.”

Head teacher Devakki said “the teachers are striving to impart quality education in the school. Majority of the students hail from economically backward class. The students are encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities.”

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District> Napoklu / DHNS, April 01st, 2012