Monthly Archives: February 2013

Was sure I wouldn’t be picked: Bopanna

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

India’s doubles star Rohan Bopanna is undergoing mixed feelings right now. While on one hand, he is happy to clinch his first title of the year — the Marseille Open, with Brit partner Colin Fleming on Sunday, on the other, he is upset at being left out of India’s squad that takes on Indonesia in the Asia-Oceania Davis Cup tie in April. However, the All India Tennis Association’s (AITA) decision to not pick him and Mahesh Bhupathi in the squad that includes singles players Somdev Devvarman and Yuki Bhambri, and doubles players Leander Paes and Sanam Singh, hasn’t surprised the Bangalorean
BopannaKF28feb2013

In an interview with MiD DAY, Bopanna spoke of his joy and sorrow. Excerpts

The Marseille title being the first of the season for you, must be special.
It’s always special to win a title. At the highest level and with the current format for doubles on the ATP circuit, the outcome of matches hinges on three to four points. So, it’s great to string four matches in a row and win.

The timing of the win should be special too, given its come a day after the announcement of the Davis Cup squad. Was the selection on your mind?
Honestly, I never looked at getting the timing right while winning the tournament. I just tried to do my best. And speaking of the selection, while on court, I only try to focus on the match at hand, and not think of anything else. However, I was very sure I would not be picked for this Davis Cup tie anyway.

You must be upset at not being considered for the Davis Cup.
Yes, of course! Not being selected to play for India is a big disappointment, especially since the tie is going to be held in my hometown.

Has this disappointment overshadowed your joy of winning in Marseille?
No… the Marseille win is a big achievement for me. It won’t be overshadowed by the disappointment over Davis Cup selections.

Do you think you’re paying the price (maybe like Mahesh too) for being one of the senior India players to be associated with the newly formed Indian Tennis Players Association?
Absolutely not! The ITPA has been formed for the betterment of tennis, and to improve things for the current as well as future players. We all are trying to be part of this movement so that India can produce more successful tennis players.

Your partnership with Colin is brand new, but you guys seems to have gelled perfectly.
Winning the title at Marseilles definitely means that Colin and I have gelled really well on court. I have known Colin for a couple of years now and we are friends off the court as well. The camaraderie we share has definitely helped us complement each other on court.

source: http://www.mid-day.com / Home> Sports> Mumbai / by Ashwin Ferro / February 26th, 2013

Team Coorg to defend crown

Sports, Uncategorized

TeamCoorgKF28feb2013
Defending champions Team Coorg in this file photo is with their strong supporters in Oman. Photo – Supplied photo
Muscat:
Defending champions Team Coorg Oman is all set to participate in the Gulf Cup Hockey Championship 2013, organised by the United Thalassery Sports Club (UTSC), due to be held in Dubai next month.

Team Coorg won the crown during the second edition last year and was also a finalist in the inaugural edition in 2011.

Team Coorg has been working hard to improve its players’ fitness and skills in the face of the vastly improved opposition, who have had a lot of exposure to Club-level tournaments in Dubai over the last few seasons. Team Coorg, however, will enter the tournament without much match practice, but they are confident of taking on the might of the other expatriate teams.

Scheduled for March 1 at the Dubai Sports City Turf, Team Coorg Oman will field a team of players of mixed ages since a few of its original members have left Muscat, while a few others are nursing injuries; some of the newly married guys have succumbed to the temptation of good food, and the ongoing exams keep the schoolboys indoors, further limiting the team’s options.

A few newcomers will strengthen the aging team, and a lot will be expected of the few players who have improved their skills over the last year.

Team Coorg’s popularity can be gauged by the increasing support it receives from all quarters.

Hugely popular
Many supporters will travel with the team from Oman, and many more in Dubai are eagerly looking forward to joining them at the venue.

Team Coorg has picked up the thread from back home and has endeavoured, over the years, to keep alive the esprit de corps of sports, its customs, and its traditions.

A total of 10 teams, including one Pakistani team, are participating in this edition of the championship. The chief guest of the tournament is Mustafa Zafeer, the patron of UTSC.

source: http://www.timesofoman.com / Home / by Times News Service / Tuesday, February 26th, 2013

This school is 100 years old

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Ponnampet Government Higher Model Primary School near Gonikoppa is completing 100 years of existence.

A programme to mark the celebrations will be held on April 7 and 8.

The school was started in 1861. It is one of the English Kannada Medium School started by the British in Kodagu.

The school has 1.28 acre land and was donated by Maneyapanda Monnappa.
Cheppudeera Madayya and his son Rao Bahaddur Thimmaiah Subedhar constructed the building in memory of his father and grand father Diwan Cheppudeera Ponnappa.

Acchiyanda Kalamayya was the first head master of the school. A health centre was constructed adjacent to the school in 1912. The land for the health centre was donated by Chetrumada family. The centre was constructed in the memory of King V George.

As the time rolled, a separate school was started for female children. The land for the school was donated by Sundar Singh. Later, the school was upgraded as composite high school in 1944.

A hall was constructed behind the school in 1936. The compound walls have been constructed utilising the funds available under MGNREGA. Retired head teacher M S Kushalappa has given drinking water facility to the school.

At present, 600 children are pursuing their education in the school. The school is getting decked up for the centenary celebrations. The students are getting ready to present cultural programmes.

Shathamanotsava Samithi president M S Kushalappa said that old students association has been constituted. In the memory of centenary celebrations, an open stage at a cost of Rs 12 lakh is being constructed.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / DHNS / /Gonikoppa, February 26th, 2013

Colin Fleming wins Marseille title with Rohan Bopanna

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


Britain’s Colin Fleming claimed his second ATP doubles title of the year as he teamed up with Rohan Bopanna of India to win the Open 13 in Marseille.
The pair beat Pakistan’s Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and Dutchman Jean-Julien Rojer, the top seeds, 6-4 7-6 (7-3).

Fleming joined forces with Bopanna in the absence of regular partner Ross Hutchins, who is recovering after being diagnosed with cancer in December.
The Scot, 28, has now won seven ATP doubles titles, three with Hutchins.
“It’s a great day for us,” said Fleming. “We beat one of the best teams in the world. They played the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals last year and I’m sure they’ll end up there again this year.”

Bopanna added: “It’s always tough to play against friends. Then, I also want to thank my partner. He wasn’t feeling well this morning but he came out and played a great match.”

Fleming began the year playing alongside Jamie Murray in Brisbane and then won in Auckland with Brazil’s Bruno Soares, before a disappointing first-round exit with Murray at the Australian Open.

A burgeoning partnership with Wimbledon doubles champion Jonny Marray was then interrupted when the Englishman suffered a calf injury in Rotterdam earlier this month.

The singles title in Marseille went to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat Czech top seed Tomas Berdych 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.

source: http://www.awaztoday.com / Home> Latest News / February 25th, 2013

Social service award for Harshika

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


Actress Harshika Poonacha is in an all time high as the actress received an award for social service recently. An excited Harshika posted a picture of her holding the award on Twitter and tweeted saying, “My first award for Social service :)) feels honoured :))”

The actress was last seen in Crazy Loka directed by Kavita Lankesh that had actors Ravichandran, Surya, Harshika and Daisy Bopanna in lead roles. She is currently awaiting the release of her next flick Advaitha that will see her pairing up with Ajai Rao for the first time. She also has Bithri opposite Srikanth and Ale with Thanush and Aviva Bidapa up for release.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada / by Sharanya CR, TNN / February 25th, 2013

Nagesh Kukunoor at the wheel

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Uncategorized

The filmmaker will be on the lookout for locations for a road movie while driving through south India in March

Image Credit: IANS / Nagesh Kukunoor will be part of ‘My Endeavour alterrain’ road trip through south India

Nagesh Kukunoor is ready to undertake a picturesque road journey to Coorg and Munnar and, while at it, he hopes to find the foundation of his new project — a road movie he has been wanting to make for a long time.

The acclaimed filmmaker and screenwriter, known for critically acclaimed movies such as Hyderabad Blues, Rockford and Iqbal, will undertake the journey as part of an adventure driving series, My Endeavour alterrain, by Ford India and National Geographic Channel.

“I want to use this journey as a foundation of a road movie that has been on my mind for a long time. I always wanted to do a road movie and I keep travelling a fair bit because of my work … you never know how stories get triggered,” Kukunoor said.

Is he going with a set story in mind?
“I have a specific thing, but I won’t tell you,” he said, flashing his dimpled smile.

“Well, I do have a loose story in mind and I want to see places that can work for that story. I want to see if I get something interesting … the thing with movies is that you plan something, and then something you absolutely didn’t plan takes shape. So you never know,” he added, hinting at a sense of uncertainty.

But excited he definitely is. Starting from Coorg to Coonoor to Palakkad to his final destination Munnar, Kukunoor is totally kicked about driving through scenic green terrains of the Western Ghats, replete with tea and coffee plantations, and waterfalls.

His companion? A camera crew!
“The camera is going to be my buddy.”
Uncomfortable will he be, then?
“It doesn’t make me uncomfortable because all these years, I have worked with the camera and fortunately or unfortunately, I have worked in front of the camera as well. So it doesn’t make me uncomfortable at all,” said Kukunoor, who has acted in some of his own directorials such as Rockford and Hyderabad Blues.
He is more excited about the trip, to start sometime in March, as when he first undertook it in 1995, he couldn’t complete it.

“I had once undertaken an extensive trip to south India, and Munnar and Coorg were on my map, but I gave up halfway to Coorg. That endeavour remains unfinished for me and this time I want to complete the journey,” he said.
Kukunoor, 45, remembers driving long stretches when he was a student in the United States.

“It has been a very long time that I personally drove long stretches. I have undertaken car journeys, but then you end up driving for a small section and hand over the wheels to someone else after a while. This is not going to be that — I am going to drive the entire stretch,” he said.

source: http://www.gulfnews.com / Tabloid / by IANS / February 25th, 2013

Nidhi Subbaiah celebrates birthday in Mumbai

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

Nidhi Subbaiah celebrated her birthday, which falls on February 16, with her closest friends in Mumbai. The Kannada actress, who is best remembered for her roles in Pancharangi and Krishnan Marriage Story, has now shifted to Mumbai, ever since she began shooting for her Bollywood films, a couple of years back.

Nidhi, who has had two releases to her credit – Oh My God! and Ajab Gazabb Love – has been living it up in Mumbai, say her close friends. The actress has been seen partying with her bunch of buddies from the industry there, which also includes her Ajab Gazabb Love co-star Jaccky Bhagnani.

Recently, Jaccky and Nidhi were in Bangalore, where they walked the ramp as the showstoppers for designer Ramesh Dembla at the Bangalore Fashion Week. Nidhi, we hear, is currently listening to a few scripts, but hasn’t narrowed down on any particular project to sign on. We also hear the actress has been receiving a few Kannada film offers to

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Regional> Kannada / by Sunayana Suresh, TNN / February 16th, 2013

I don’t take off my clothes on stage to look cooler: Nikhil

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

Nikhil Chinappa in a tell-all interview with TOI

Technology has changed how we listen to music. Do you welcome the change? Music channels earlier had VJs presenting their favourite songs. Then they were replaced by reality TV shows and other formats of presenting music because only a minuscule perctange wanted a VJ to present music. I feel that the trend will eventually shift to people listening to music on internet. One day you’ll also have a VJ on the internet who will present music. As more and more people people use smartphones, people will discover newer genres of music.

What do you like about the audience in Gujarat? The audience is very appreciative of good music here unlike the metros where people often don’t dance thinking that their make-up will fade, their hair will get messy. They feel that they are too cool to dance unlike Gujaratis here who like House music.

Classical musicians often say how Gen Y loves the western concept of partying and clubbing than Indian music. If you look at music across the world, then Eric Clapton will have more fans than Beethoven, and a Madonna will outsell all of them. But that doesn’t mean that any one of them is bad. Many artists complain how people don’t come to their events but nobody goes to the government and asks for permission to organize a national level classical festival where musicians across the world can participate. Just like there is a club scene and there are dance festivals in Goa, one could have classical music fests too!

Is deejaying lucrative? Deejaying pays my bills. But my cheques comes from working for music channels, dance festivals and RJ-ng. I connect with masses because I’m honest about what I like. I know that I am not a great DJ and there are many better than me, but I don’t take off my clothes on stage to look cooler. I feel that if you want to do something well, do it right, otherwise don’t bother.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Entertainment> Music / by Tanvi Trivedi, TNN / February 24th, 2013

Unbeaten Karnataka win South Zone One Day title

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Margao, Feb 20:

Karnataka remained unbeaten throughout the tournament to claim the South Zone One Day Subbaiah Pillai Trophy here on Wednesday. In their last league game, Karnataka edged Andhra by one wicket in a tense finish at the Margao Cricket Club (MCC) ground.

Captain R Vinay Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun, KL Rahul and Robin Uthappa starred in victory over Andhra. Paceman Vinay, who joined the team on Tuesday after playing for India A against Australia in Chennai, struck four blows for 38 runs as Andhra were bowled out for 228. Mithun took three wickets for 42.

Karnataka team poses after winning the title

In the chase of 229, Karnataka enjoyed a good opening stand between Uthappa (50) and Rahul (75). The associated for 97 runs for the first wicket. However, in the middle and latter part of the innings, Karnataka wobbled, losing wickets in a hurry.

When Vinay was dismissed in the 45th over, Karnataka still needed 13 runs off 32 balls with two wickets in hand. Raju Bhatkal and Ryan Ninan faced some tense moments. Ninan perished attempting a big shot and Karnataka needed 6 off 10 balls with one wicket remaining.

In the final over, Karnataka needed 5 to win and it came down to 4 off 3 balls. KP Appanna hit a boundary off Gnaneshwar Rao to seal the victory.

Karnataka topped the table with 20 points. Kerala were second with 17 points. Both Karnataka and Kerala qualified for all-India Vijay Hazare Trophy which runs from February 26 to March 3.

Brief Scores from league matches on final day

Andhra 228 all out in 48 overs (AG Pradeep 55, B Sumanth 39, Amol Muzumdar 39, R Vinay Kumar 4/38, Abhimanyu Mithun 3/42, KP Appanna 2/46) lost to Karnataka 229/9 in 49.4 overs (KL Rahul 75, Robin Uthappa 50, Stuart Binny 25, B Sudhakar 3/49)

Goa 219 all out in 49.5 overs (Sagun Kamat 71, Robin Ronald D’Souza 50, Manvinder Bisla 30, Prasanth Parameswaran three for 34) lost to Kerala 223/4 in 45.3 overs (Rohan Prem 82 not out, Sanju Viswanath 58, KJ Rakesh 36)

Tamil Nadu 262/9 in 50 overs (Dinesh Karthik 119, Baba Aparajith 51, Ashish Reddy four for 56, CV Milind 3/48) beat Hyderabad 236 in 48.2 overs (Sandeep Rajan 52, K. Sumanth 47, Ravi Teja 43, B. Sandeep 42, P. Amarnath 3/49).

Final standings: 1. Karnataka 20 points; 2. Kerala 17; 3. Andhra 13; 4. Tamil Nadu 9; 5. Hyderabad 3; 6. Goa -2. ThatsCricket

source : http://www.thatscricket.com/ Home> News / by Aprameya / Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

Honoris Causa for Dr Kambara, Subbaiah, Kadri Gopalnath

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

Dr T Ramasami will deliver the convocation address
Former national coach of Indian men’s hockey team and social worker A B Subbaiah, Saxophone player Kadri Gopalnath and litterateur Dr Chandrashekhara Kambara will be conferred honorary doctorate degrees at the 31st annual convocation of Mangalore University, on February 23.

Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof T C Shivashankaramurthy said that Secretary to Government of India, Department of Science and Technology Dr T Ramasami will deliver the convocation address. Minister for Higher Education C T Ravi will grace the occasion. Chancellor H R Bharadwaj will preside over the programme.

The VC said that Anjaparavanda Bopaiah Subbaiah is a hockey player who had represented Indian team for 11 years and is presently serving as Secretary of Hockey Karnataka and has been mentoring youth to perform at higher level at the international arena. He has been into hockey for the last 30 years. He had represented Indian team in Barcelona Olympic Games, Atlanta Olympic Games, 8th World Cup at Sydney, 11th Asian Games, Beijing, 12th Asian Games, South Asian Federation Games and so on.

Subbaiah was the national coach of the Indian Men’s Hockey team for two years in 2003-04.

Kadri Gopalnath is an Indian Saxophonist and one of the pioneers of Carnatic music on saxophone. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2004. He has the distinction of being the first Carnatic Musician to be invited to perform in the BBC promenade concert in 1994 at London. He has participated in the Jazz festival in Prague, Berlin. He has won ‘Saxophone Chakravarthy,’ ‘Saxophone Samrat,’ ‘Ganakala Shree,’ ‘Nadopasana Brahma’ ‘Kalaimamani’ and other awards.

Dr Chandrashekhara Kambara is one of the leading dramatists of the country and is a poet, folklorist, novelist and a researcher. After a brief stint in teaching in the University of Chicago, he has taught in Bangalore University for over two decades and was a Fulbright Scholar.

He was the founder Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi. He has won prestigious Jnanpith award in 2011. Some of his work are ‘Anna tangi,’ ‘Karimaayi,’ Singarevva mattu aramane,’ ‘Shikhara Soorya,’ and others.

Degrees

The VC said that Mangalore University will award 84 Doctor of Philosophy degrees, which includes Arts—15, Science—59, Commerce—8, Education—2, seven Master of Philosophy degrees (science—6 and commerce—1).

There will be 36 gold medals and 55 cash prizes. About 60 ranks (PG—44, UG—16: Arts—12, science and technology—30, commerce—10, law—1, education—4 and PG diploma—3) will be given to the students.

A total of 1,406 students will receive the degree in person. The Syndicate of the University has decided to use university’s own funds to present gold medals to toppers in the university because the money deposited by donors of various gold medals is insufficient as the gold prices have skyrocketed in the past few years.

A sum of Rs 2,36,880 will be required for 36 gold medals. There was shortage of Rs 43,607, which will be borne by the university itself.

Years ago, donors instituted gold medals to encourage bright students. The interest from the fixed deposits was used to give the medals. Now, gold prices have shot up and the amount is not enough to finance the medals, said the VC.

The gold medal has 25 gram silver with 1.200 gram gold plated on it.

Degree for MCMS

The Mangalore University will award degree to students of 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 batch students of Master of Communication and Media Studies (MCMS) of St Aloysius College. Accordingly, 36 students will get the degree from the university.
Registrar Prof P S Yadapadithaya, Registrar (evaluation) Prof B Narayana was present.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Mangalore, DHNS / February 21st, 2013