Monthly Archives: February 2014

Pigeon drops dead in Kodagu, 4,500km away from home

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion

Madikeri :

No one made much of it when a pigeon was found dead recently in Kakkabbe village near Madikeri. But it was no ordinary bird: there was a ring on its claw which aroused the interest of KM Chinnappa, environmentalist and director of Wildlife First Trust. It bore the inscription ‘SRPC 1110 Selam-7’.

Chinnappa immediately got around to tracing the bird’s origins. Turns out, the pigeon was a visitor from the Philippines and belonged to the Santolan Racing Pigeon Club there. It was a racing pigeon and was capable of flying continuously for 1,000 miles, as per records about such birds in America.

“It’s a wonder the pigeon flew 4,500km from the Philippines to Kodagu,” says Chinnappa.

Pigeons have a special ability to return to their place of origin even after flying for days on end. But it’s possible the pigeon from the Philippines got confused and lost its bearings due to interference from cell phone towers, claims Chinnappa.

Sometimes, pigeons also fly off track while trying to escape eagles, he adds.

The ring found on the pigeon was sent for analysis to the Bombay Natural History Society through bird expert Kripakara of Mysore.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Namma Metro / TNN / February 14th, 2014

K J George promises development of Kodagu

Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders

District-in-Charge Minister K J George has said that he will make a honest effort to take up development works in the district. Speaking to mediapersons, he said that with the increase in crimes in Kushalnagar, a circular has been issued to set up Kushalnagar rural police station.
GeorgeKF20feb2014
He said that district administration has sought additional Rs 2 crore to take up 63 works related to drinking water, to mitigate shortage of water in villages. “I have appraised the CM to sanction Rs 100 crore special package to maintain roads in the district. Six kilometre road covering Kedaka-Horoor-Bhoothanakad will be re asphalted at a cost of Rs 50 lakh. Virajpet-Madikeri and Somwarpet-Madikeri road will be concreted,” he added.

“The government has sanctioned Rs eight crore to take up work on Balele-Nittur bridge. Rs 10 crore to construct a bridge across Lakshmanatheertha on Harihara-Balyamandoor. A sum of Rs 10 crore will be provided for the development of Jenukuruba and tribal colonies in the district. As form 9 and 11 while registering a property has been causing inconvenience, the Minister has been asked to drop the proposal,” George said.

He said that Revenue Minister has been asked to appoint a Special Tahsildar to Kushalnagar. Measures will be taken to lay 400 metre synthetic track and synthetic football ground in Madikeri. “The district administration has sought funds for the development of Gaddige park, Mallalli waterfalls and Rajaseat.”

Rules to be relaxed

In a separate meeting with the tribals, the minister said rules would be relaxed for tribal people in recruitment to police force. “Tribals and forest dwellers are leading a pathetic condition even after 67 years of independence. Rules regarding physical standards would be relaxed.”

The Minister said that he will discuss with Forest Minister on wages for mahouts working in Dubare forest. “Traditional dwellers should not be cleared. The department should come forward to provide basic facilities for the tribals residing on the periphery of the forest,” he said. He directed the officials to initiate measures to distribute 270 individual claims under Forest Rights Act.

Kudiyara Muthappa said that tribals who have been residing inside the forest are not ready to come to the mainstream of the society. Those tribals who have passed tenth standard should be provided job opportunity in police department.” Tribal leader J P Raju said “the government should purchase paisari land and distribute it among the poor.”
MLC T John, IGP Ramachandra Rao, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer P I Srividya, Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tiiwari among others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DHNS, February 11th, 2014

Bayar’s Coffee bags award

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

Bangalore :

Bayar’s Coffee, a gourmet coffee roaster, has bagged the Best Roasters Gold Award-2014 awarded by Coffee Board of India and India Coffee Trust.

“This award is in recognition of Bayer’s Coffee adopting food safety standards, implementation of new technology and use of high quality coffee beans in its blends,” said R Srikanth Rao, Director, Bayar’s Coffee.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / The Hindu Bureau / Bangalore – February 05th, 2014

Coffee exports up 38% in Jan on strong global prices

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

Country ships 26,161 tonnes in Jan 2014, versus 18,979 tonnes a year ago

The country’s coffee exports rose 38 per cent to 26,161 tonnes in January on account of firm global prices, according to the Coffee Board of India.

The country had shipped 18,979 tonnes in the same month of the previous year, the data showed.

In value terms, exports rose to Rs 393.70 crore in January this year from Rs 304.70 crore in the year-ago period, even as unit realisation was down at Rs 1,50,496 per tonne.

“Exports remained high as global prices improved and have remained stable since last one month. International prices have gone up on expectation of lower crop in Brazil,” Board’s Chairman Jawaid Akhtar told PTI.

Currently, harvesting is underway in the country and normally small growers try to sell off their produce. This is also one of the key reasons for higher exports, he said.

Akhtar, who also heads International Coffee Organisation (ICO), said the production forecast for Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, has been revised downward for this year to below 48 million bags from earlier 58 million bags.

With this development, arabica prices in the global market rose to around 130 cents per pound now from 110 cents per pound a month back, he added.

According to the latest Board data, shipment of robusta coffee rose over 90 per cent to 10,101 tonnes in January this year, from 5,306 tonnes a year ago.

Export of arabica coffee were up over 46 per cent to 9,200 tonnes from 6,290 tonnes in the review period. But export of instant coffee remained down at 6,838 tonnes as against 7,356 tonnes in the same period.

Maximum coffee was exported to Italy (5,675 tonnes), followed by Germany (2,621 tonnes), Belgium (2,109 tonnes), Jordan (1,674 tonnes), Turkey (1,646 tonnes) and Russian Federation (1,309 tonnes) in January 2014, the data showed.

During the April-January period of this fiscal, the country’s total coffee exports increased to 2,41,956 tonnes as against 2,25,570 tonnes in the year-ago period.

Currently, arabica harvesting is almost over in the country, while robusta picking is continuing.

The Board has pegged total output at 3,11,500 tonnes for 2013-14 crop year (October-September), down by 2.1 per cent from 3,18,200 tonnes produced in 2012-13.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Economy & Policy> News / by Press Trust of India / New Delhi – February 03rd, 2014

MP admits sacrificing sheep, fowl in reserve forest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence

Mysore and Kodagu MP A H Vishwanath admitted to media persons, on Tuesday, that he sacrificed one sheep and a fowl at the shrine of Handikere Chowdamma, in Kachuvinahalli Reserve forest.
SheepKF19feb2014
He has also allegedly violated law by entering the Reserve forest without permission. Range Forest Officer Devaraj said, the MP and his family had obtained oral permission to visit the shrine in the Reserve forest. “However, they were asked not to perform any pooja,” he said. While Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Shivashankar Swamy said, “Following a request from the MP, the department had made arrangements to ferry 15 members of the family, besides giving them adequate security. Permission was given on humanitarian grounds. No complaints have been received in this regard.”

Vishwanath, along with MLA H P Manjunath, was in Neralekuppe, on the fringes of the forest, in the taluk, supervising the feast, where non-vegetarian food was served. The feat had been organised for his followers and Congress party workers. People were arriving in various vehicles, including trucks, up to 4 pm and 5,000 people attended it, according to one estimate.

Surprisingly, leaders from opposition parties also savoured the food and enjoyed Vishwanath’s hospitality. JD(S) candidate in the last Assembly election Kumaraswamy, who lost against Manjunath, and BJP candidate Annaiah Nayak were prominent among the guests. Vishwanath brushed aside questions, if it was a election campaign feast. He said, “There is no politics in hosting this lunch. My wife had made a vow to the deity to make some offerings during the last Assembly elections. We are fulfilling it. We have offered pooja to the deity and sacrificed one sheep and a fowl,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said, three days back he also fulfilled a vow to Periyapattanadamma at Periyapatna. “I have see, to which goddess I have to fulfil a vow in Madikeri,” he quipped.

Hunsur town’s famous caterer Raghu had prepared the food. He said, four quintals of rice, 500 kg mutton and 700 kg chicken was used.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Hunsur (Ramesh District) / February 04th, 2014

I’m an actor by chance: Shubra Aiyappa

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

Model turned actress, Shubra Aiyappa is all set to make her debut in Tollywood this year. She’ll soon be seen in Nara Rohit-starrer Prathinidhi in which she’s playing the role of a journalist. While it’s not yet clear when the film is going to release, we hear that Shubra has signed yet another Telugu film.
ShubraAiyappaKF18feb2014
“I’m playing Arvind Krishna’s romantic interest in my next Telugu film. It’s a romantic comedy and I’m lucky to be working with a wonderful team,” Shubra says. The film’s shooting recently began in Hyderabad and Veera Prasad is weilding the microphone for this one. “I’m playing quite a serious role in Prathinidhi and I wanted to do something different this time. I can’t talk much about the role, but I can say that it’s going to be a sweet film,” she adds.

The actress was supposed to make her debut in YVS Chowdhary’s Rey; however, she opted out of the project soon after she signed it. “That was quite unfortunate. In fact, I was happily doing modelling and TV commercials, when YVS Chowdhary saw my portfolio. I became an actor by chance when he called me for an audition. And then more people approached me after that. I’m here to stay,” she avers.

Ask her what she likes about Tollywood and Hyderabad which makes her come back again and again, she confesses, “I’m a Bangalorean and I’ve a soft corner for South Indians. What I love most about Hyderabad is its relaxed pace of life and food. Besides, people are extremely nice. I would love to do more Telugu films in future.
Contributor: Hemanth Kumar

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Telugu> Movies / TNN / February 04th, 2014

Joshna Chinappa notches Winnipeg Open title

Sports

Veteran Indian player Joshna Chinappa lifted her maiden WSA World Tour title with the Winnipeg Winter Club Open trophy after beating Egypt’s Heba El Torky in a hard-fought final here.

The fourth-seeded Indian triumphed 3-2 (11-13 11-8 11-5 3-11 12-10) in a see-saw battle.

The world number 27 Chinappa rallied after losing the opening game which was dominated by Heba.

The Indian raced to an 8-3 lead in the second game before pocketing it easily. She built on the advantage by claiming the third game as well before Heba roared back in the fourth.

The Egyptian’s fightback made the fifth game an exciting affair in which momentum kept swinging both ways.

Chinappa had the slight early advantage and she took a 7-6 lead but Heba clinched six straight points to make it 10-7.

But just when it seemed that Heba would walk away with the title, Chinappa got her act together and reeled off five back-to-back points to quite literally snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Chinappa’s triumph marks the second consecutive year of an Indian winning the trophy with Dipika Pallikal being the one to clinch it before her.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / Press Trust of India / Winnipeg (Canada) / February 03rd, 2014

‘Namadari Gowda community should be included in 2(A) category’

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

Mysore-Kodagu MP H Vishwanath has said that he would also support the legal fight to include Namadari Gowda community in 2(A) category. He was speaking after inaugurating Banashankari community building belonging to Namadari Sangha at Hebbale near Kushalnagar on Sunday.
NamdariKF17feb2014
Without taking the name of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, he indirectly flayed at him for making false allegations on him (Vishwanath) of removing Namadhari Gowda community from 2(A) category during 1994 Lok Sabha elections.

MLA M P Appachu Ranjan who was present at the programme, said that strengthening of associations belonging to different communities will help in the progress of the community. Presiding over the programme, Namadari Sangha Kodagu zone President G L Ramappa expressed happiness over the community members for donating fund to build the community building in Kushalnagar.

ZP former President H S Ashok, Congress leader Natesh Gowda and others were present.Villagers of Huluse submitted a petition to MP H Vishwanath to sanction a Ambedkar community hall, during his visit to the village on Sunday.

Speaking on be half of the villagers after submitting the petition, Karnataka Raitha Sangha Village Committee President Venkatesh said “we have submitted petitions to all the elected representatives, demanding a community hall. But none of them have responded to our demand so far.” The demand to build steps to Kaveri lake in the village too has not been fulfilled, the villagers said and urged the MP to solve their problems.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS / Kushalnagar – February 09th, 2014

No Taipei-errors in India’s Perfect Winning Script

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Saketh Myneni and Rohan Bopanna celebrate their victory | PTI
Saketh Myneni and Rohan Bopanna celebrate their victory | PTI

“Where’s the party tonight Saketh?” yelled Zeeshan Ali from across the room, leaving everyone in splits. Such was the occasion that it made even the ever-composed India coach shed his inhibitions and be vocal about his emotions.

A tub of ice was emptied on Saketh Myneni’s head, sending shivers down his spine, quite literally. The youngster had just smashed a winner and stood rooted to the ground as the crowd erupted in joy while the tricolour was unfurled and waved relentlessly at the ITC Tennis Stadium. Myneni and veteran Rohan Bopanna had just won their doubles rubber and sealed India’s 3-0 victory over the Chinese Taipei in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie on Saturday.

The audience were treated to a victory lap with the players carrying non-playing captain Anand Amritraj on their shoulders. Pomp and patriotic fervour marked the celebrations as the hosts set up a second round clash with Korea Republic, vying for a place in the World Group play-offs.

It was a dream debut for the 26-year-old Myneni as the hosts completed the formalities in just two days, making the reverse singles matches on Sunday inconsequential. “When I hit the shot, it took a while for the victory to sink in and then I was like ‘Oh we just won’,” said Myneni. “Rohan asked me to be aggressive and I did just that.”

With Lee Hsin-Han injured, their No 1 player in the squad Tsung-Hua Yang partnered Hsien-Yin Peng for the doubles match. After being served a bagel in the first set, the duo fought back to win the second through tie-breaker. But they had no answer to Bopanna’s serve as he dished out 18 aces and dominated the net play to take India home with a 6-0, 6-7(3/7), 6-3, 7-6(7/2) win.

The Bangalorean was all praise for his partner, who left no stone unturned to provide as much support as possible. “Saketh plays fantastic doubles, I have played against him before. All I had to do was keep him motivated. We combined really well and it is easy to play with someone who serves 25-30kms faster than me. So all credit to him,” said Bopanna. “He has all the tools to be a top level player. And if he continues this way, there’s no stopping him whatsoever,” he added.

In the absence of seasoned players like Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, the duo’s performance comes as a breath of fresh air and could churn out more such wins for India in the future. It’s just one match down but this pair have certainly made the job of the selectors a tad easier.

Earlier in the day, marathon man Somdev Devvarman looked rejuvenated as he took to court to complete his five-setter against Ti Chen. And the Indian took just eight minutes to give India a 2-0 lead, not letting the previous day’s anxious moments haunt him. He set aside his defensive mindset and attacked from the word go to win 6-7(4/7), 7-6 (7/3), 1-6, 6-2, 9-7.

“A player cannot pull off a marathon five-setter on his own and it takes contribution from the entire team to eke out such a win,” Somdev said. “I am so relieved that I won. This morning, Yuki sent a message with a picture saying ‘keep calm boys’. They all kept me incredibly calm,” he added. Coach Zeeshan said the team functioned as a unit and it was their bonding that saw them through. “It’s been years since we saw all players assemble on the same day ahead of the Davis Cup. All of us were here on Sunday and ever since there hasn’t been a single meal we haven’t had together,” Zeeshan said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport / by Krithika Gopalkrishnan / ENS – Indore / February 02nd, 2014

Team Coorg clinch UTSC Gulf Cup hockey titl

Nri's / Pio's, Sports

Photo - Supplied
Photo – Supplied

Muscat:

Team Coorg Oman defeated Axiom Dubai 2-1 in a thrilling match to take the top honours at the 5th UTSC Gulf Cup hockey tournament in Dubai on Friday.

Team Coorg also took the top prize in the individual honours when Omani player Ashraf won the best player award. The best goalkeeper award went to UAE national Ali Abbas of Axiom Dubai while the best veteran player prize was claimed by Anjum Zia of Axiom Nokia.

source: http://www.timesofoman.com / Times of Oman / Home / by Times News Service / February 02nd, 2014