Monthly Archives: January 2014

3-day Flower show at Balyatri Estate near Madikeri from tomorrow

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All

BalaytreEstateMPos31jan2014
Madikeri :

An eye-catching flower show has been organised from Jan. 26 to Jan. 28 from 10 am to 5 pm at the Yousuf Ali Khan memorial flower garden at the premises of Balyatri Coffee Estate near Boikeri on Madikeri-Suntikoppa Road in Kodagu.

The estate belongs to former Rajya Sabha member F.M. Khan. Briefing the press on the annual flower show, Khan said that “over 90 varieties of flowers and fruits have been grown in the garden which is the only private flower garden in the country. The garden took shape about 50 years ago and for the last 15 years the flower show is being organised annually for the public. The garden houses Philia, Lorsper, Khel, kelen chus, cactus, dahlia, daisy, roses, pinks, kupia and other exotic varieties including bonsais.

He said that horticulture was bifurcated from agriculture when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister to boost the growth of horticulture which has not happened to the desired level yet. Continuing, he opined that Congress needed young leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka.

However he felt that Rahul should address more public rallies instead of closed-door meetings to reach the masses.

source:http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 25th, 2014

‘Pratibha Karanji, the best stage for students’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Events like Pratibha Karanji provide the best stage for students to unveil their talents, said Zilla Panchayat Vice President Biddanda Usha Devamma.
PrathibaKaranjiKF30jan2014
She was speaking after inaugurating the district-level Pratibha Karanji competitions organised by the Zilla Panchayat and Department of Public Instructions at St Joseph’s School on Thursday.

Students may improve their thinking by taking part in competitions related to art and literature, which will also develop creativity in them, she said.

Noting that ample grants are being provided to the department of Public Instructions by the Government, ZP Vice President called upon the children to utilise the programmes implemented under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, to their best potential.

‘Nali-Kali’ programme for primary students is being successfully implemented and the moral education provided in schools plays a vital role in forming students to be the best civilians, she added.

Deputy Director of Public Instructions Kantharaju, Block Education Officer Aras, DIET Senior Professor Vedamurthy and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Madikeri, January 16th, 2014

Sports for Kodava Sanghas

Sports

Mysore :

The Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Vijayanagar, will be conducting annual sports meet for various Kodava Sanghas located in the city and the schedule is as follows:

Adenganda Seethamma Memorial Throwball Tournament for ladies will be held on Feb. 2 at Sree Cauvery Educational Institution, Adichunchanagiri Road, Kuvempunagar.

On the same day, tug-of-war and shot put events will also be held. The shot put event will be held both for men and women in the following categories: For women- below 20 years and above 20 years and for men- below 20 years, between 20 & 50 years and above 50 years. Interested may send in their entries to the Club before Jan. 30.

For details, contact Club Secretary Kuttimada D. Muthappa on Mob: 94498-15155, according to a press release.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / January 24th, 2014

Coffee Board of India reconstituted

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

coffeeindiabboadKF30jan2014
After a slight delay of two months, the Coffee Board of India has been reconstituted in a reshuffle that occurs once every three years.

Many new faces have been added into the group that will oversee all aspects of coffee production from the world’s fifth biggest provider.

The board is set to consist of more than fifty people a notice from The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated in a notice to local press that was released earlier on in the week. The changes in personnel will be in effect until January 2016.

The divisions of the board are to be revised, with the addition of many specialist representatives to work with certain sectors of the nation’s coffee industry. These include;

Large growers – to ensure that the needs and interests of major farms and coffee growing regions are overseen, to protect and invest in future production.

Traders – to focus upon current, topical events such as financial trends, climate change and other variable aspects of business.

Labour – to maintain a strong and skilled workforce in the field, ensuring that labourers’ interests are maintained in line with the increased competition from technological industries. To continue to offer a fair and reasonable working wage.

Consumer – to keep an eye on finances and to try and direct the growers, providers and businesses into receiving the best price for their produce.

Instant coffee – a much small area of concern, but to look after the interest of manufacturers in the Indian instant coffee market.

The Coffee Board of India appear to have meticulously planned it’s structure for the coming years and with coffee gradually becoming an influential commodity in the southern area of the country, the time spent pouring over the structure should, hopefully, pay dividends.

The Coffee Board of India is an autonomous body, functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The Board serves as a friend, philosopher and a guide to the entire coffee industry in the nation. Set up under an Act of the Parliament in 1942, the Board focuses on research, development, extension, quality, progress, market information, and the domestic and external promotion of the coffees produced and grown in India.

source: http://www.worldcoffeepress.com / World Coffee Press / Home / by Steve / Thursday – January 16th, 2014

Gulshan Devaiah had a blast at Filmfare pre-award bash

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

GulshanKF30jan2014
The Filmfare pre-award bash sure was a fun do, more so for Bangalore boy Gulshan Devaiah, who was spotted along with his wife Kalliroi and friend Kalki Koechlin.

The actor couldn’t contain his excitement when he spotted Madhuri Dixit seated next to him. He told the diarist that she was probably wondering what was wrong with him and his wife as they kept stealing glances at her.

Though Devaiah was tonguetied and couldn’t get a picture with her, he did send the diarist this post party snap with Kalki and Varun Dhawan, looking all relaxed after a night of partying.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Kannada / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / January 17th, 2014

Kodagu should be eco-sensitive zone: Wildlife society

About Kodagu / Coorg, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Bangalore :

Kodagu district qualifies to be an eco-sensitive zone with its picturesque landscapes, coffee plantations, and more importantly as it is the principal catchment of Cauvery river, said members of Coorg Wildlife Society here on Thurdsay. The catchment area provides almost 50% of the total water flow into the river.

“It’s in national interest that the district gets the tag,” the members said. Its environment and ecology are under serious threat due to development projects for Kerala, urbanization and invasive tourism.

Tourism is flourishing in Kodagu but the need of the hour is a set of strong regulations, officials pointed out. “Tourist resorts are mushrooming here without proper clearances. They occupy pristine landscapes and consume massive amounts of water. There should be a cap on further licences for resorts until there is a proper evaluation on the carrying capacity for tourism in the district,” said Col C P Muthanna, president, Coorg Wildlife Society.

Land conversion and urbanization are other major threats to Kodagu. Plantations and agricultural lands are increasingly being converted for commercial purposes, affecting the landscape. “Kodagu is one lung space which is increasingly being clouded,” said Suresh Heblikar of Eco Watch, Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development. “Do not overexploit Kodagu in the name of development,” said Heblikar, urging the government to take care of all aspects while thinking of economic development of the region.

Main demands

* A stretch of 55 km through Kodagu has been earmarked for Mysore-Kozhikode power line. At least 2000 trees have been felled along the 5-km stretch of reserve forests. There is another 50-km stretch, of which 30km is coffee plantations, which has to be cleared for this power line. That calls for cutting of 50,000 more trees. This area, close to Nagarahole National Park, could now more instances of man-animal (elephant) conflict. Significantly, this area of South Kodagu is also the catchment of Lakshmantheerta river which is the primary water source for Mysore and an important tributary of the Cauvery. Ongoing work for this power line needs to be suspended with immediate effect.

* There are plans to connect Mattanur airport to Mysore and Bangalore through Kodagu with a four-lane highway, which again will involve massive tree-felling operations.

*A rail link between Kushalnagar and Kerala is being planned through Kodagu, for which funds have been sanctioned. The line may be extended once work is over on the announced stretch, which will destroy the landscape and affect indigenous communities of Kodagu.

* MoUs signed during the Global Investors Meet in 2012 needs to be reviewed and permission granted only to the projects which will benefit Kodagu without damaging its ecology.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Cityu> Bangalore> Power Lines / TNN / January 17th, 2014

Call to preserve Kodava culture

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

Kodava culture is on the verge of extinction as it is not receiving the right kind of encouragement and patronage, said president of the women’s wing of Somwarpet Kodava Samaja Bachinadanda Rita Kushalappa, here, recently.
KodavaKF30jan2014
She was speaking during the inauguration of a get-together, organised by the Samaja. “The rich Kodava culture should be introduced to children in the primary school level itself. Parents should take the first step in this direction,” she said.

She called upon Kodava women, in the taluk, to enrol with the Samaja.

Former district Scouts and Guides commissioner Manavattira Sharadha Mandanna said, Kodavas are being reduced to a minority population in the district due to migration of the people to other districts, States and nations, in search of better opportunities.

Non-residents

“At least, those who are residing in the district should strive to take steps to safeguard the interest of the Kodava people. Those who are residing should encourage their counterparts in Kodagu district. They should contribute whenever possible,” she said.

Women took part in several cultural programmes and games. Samaja secretary Apadanda Asha Viraraj, vice-president Paruvanda Saru Ramappa, Biddatanda Seetha and others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Somwarpet (Kodagu Dist.) / DHNS – January 15th, 2014

Ashwini Nachappa hails Anju’s upgraded gold

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports

Former India sprinter Ashwini Nachappa today expressed happiness over ace long jumper Anju Bobby George’s upgraded gold medal in an event that she took part in eight years ago and said the nation is proud of her feat though it has come after so long.

“Whether it is eight years, a gold medal is a gold medal. She was at the peak of her performance at that point of time. We cherish those moments when she won the silver and we are happy that she got the gold, of course for other reasons,” Nachappa said during a promotional event here today.

“She is extremely happy and we are very proud that she got a clean chit and the one who cheated got caught,” the 46-year-old former athlete told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of a Puma running relay event for school children in three cities – Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai.

Anju’s second place finish at the 2005 Monaco World Athletics final was upgraded to a gold medal yesterday, following a confirmed dope violation by Russian competitor Tatyana Kotova who had stood first but has now been stripped of her place after her sample was found to contain traces of a banned substance when it was tested again.

Nachappa, who is president of ‘Clean Sport India’, also warned that doping is rampant in India – even at the grassroot level.

“I believe that the performance enhancing drugs have become rampant even in our country. Among young children, it is such a dangerous trend. I am connected with athletics and when I see the junior meets that takes place, it is actually quite frightening. You go to any national championship, you see syringes on the ground, in the toilets.”

She wanted young athletes as well as the coaches to be educated about the dangers of dope.

“I think we need to have a broader education, not just within the classrooms but on the field also, not just with the children but also with our trainers, because after all kids will not know what they are taking till a certain age. They are not educated enough and believe in coaches. You have got to be sensitive on these issues.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Mumbai – January 15th, 2014

A weekend filled with coffee and art

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

The santhe is a precursor to the India International Coffee Festival./ File Photo: H. Vibhu
The santhe is a precursor to the India International Coffee Festival./ File Photo: H. Vibhu

BMRCL wants to create a cultural hub at the Rangoli Metro Arts Centre

This weekend, take a stroll down the M.G. Road boulevard, home to the Rangoli Metro Arts Centre. Get reintroduced to the coffee bean, learn more about the art of coffee — right from the plant to its energising beverage form — shop for not just coffee powder but also jewellery made of coffee beans, and peek into the coffee museum.

Organised by the Women’s Coffee Alliance India, a coffee lover’s collective that aims at empowering less privileged women in the coffee production chain, the event, ‘Coffee Santhe’, is slated to be held on January 11 and 12 between 2.30 and 8.30 p.m. Events include displays on coffee and beans, arts and crafts competitions for children, and a latte art competition, said Sunalini Menon, coffee quality control expert. “People don’t even know what a coffee plant looks like. We’re also selling coffee plants such as the Robusta and Arabica varieties,” she said.

The santhe is a precursor to the India International Coffee Festival, to be held from January 21 to 26 in the city, organised by India Coffee Trust and the Coffee Board.

Other events to be held over the weekend include storytelling by Deeptha Vivekanand, a storyteller from Ever After, who will perform at the Rangasthala Auditorium. Held along with the Kid and Parent Foundation, the sessions will be held on the second and fourth Saturday of every month. Also on the schedule are interactions with septuagenarian Malathi Rao, who will entertain children with her vast knowledge trove, and a photo exhibition organised by the Akshaya Patra Foundation featuring photographs of children.

Vasanth Rao, general manager (finance) at Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., said the plan is to transform this stretch into a vibrant arts and cultural hub. “We are clear we do not want to feature any social/political activism. This should be a place that showcases excellence, and we want it to explore more niches and give people an unusual experience,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Staff Reporter / Bangalore – January 11th, 2014

International coffee fest to be held in Bangalore from Jan 21

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

New Delhi :

The 5th India International Coffee Festival, the flagship event of the coffee sector, will be held in Bangalore from January 21-25.

The event is being organised by the India Coffee Trust and promoted by the state-run Coffee Board of the Union Commerce Ministry. About 1,000 delegates and 10,000 visitors are expected to participate.

“We have two additions to the event: there will be ’Launchpad’ for launching new blends, products, services and technologies. The other would be coffee themed quiz,” Coffee Board Chairman Jawaid Akhtar told reporters here.

For the first time, the Board will give away the ‘Barista Championship’ awards for best roaster, curer, exhibitor and for latte art, he added.

With the ‘Changing Face of Coffee’ as theme of the festival, the event would comprise of conference and exhibition on the coffee sector.

The conference aims to capture the changes taking place in the coffee sector and will discuss current trends related to production as well as take a close look at the prevailing market scenario.

It will focus on issues such as health aspects of coffee, innovative and alternate channels of coffee delivery to consumer among others.

There will be workshops on processing, brewing, roasting, espresso making, cooking with coffee, art on silk and coffee entrepreneurship.

A trip to Coorg, called ‘Coffee Trail to Coorg,’ will be conducted at the end of the festival.

The first three editions of the festival were held in Bangalore, the traditional coffee capital of the country, whereas the fourth edition was organised in Delhi.

Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the major coffee producing states in the country.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home / by PTI / New Delhi – January 09th, 2014