The Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Tuesday announced a cash reward of Rs. 40 lakh for the women’s team that created history by winning the maiden bronze medal in the just concluded Uber Cup.
It was the first podium finish by India in the prestigious biennial event by qualifying for the semifinals where they lost to silver medallists Japan. China defended their title successfully by clinching the gold Saturday.
“The women’s team has made us proud with the way they played last week. The BAI is providing the best facilities to the players to perform on the international stage and the cash prize is just a part of our commitment towards the players,” BAI president Akhilesh Das Gupta said.
The chief architects of India’s performance — captain Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa — will receive cash rewards of Rs.5 lakh each while the remaining amount will be distributed among the other players and staff members.
The BAI also announced a separate Rs.10 lakh reward for chief coach Pullela Gopichand for being honoured with the Padma Bhushan earlier in the year by the Indian government.
Meanwhile, Das Gupta also rubbished reports about the possible appointment of Danish legend Morten Frost as the coach of the Indian team adding that he had full faith in former All-England champion Gopichand.
“Gopichand has been doing a fantastic job as head coach and we have full faith in his abilities to take India ahead on the international scene. The BAI is only looking for a specialised doubles coach which has been a weak link for the country in team events,” said the president.
“However, we haven’t zeroed down on any specific names for the same. Whosoever is appointed, will be working directly under head coach Gopichand.”
source:http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Badminton / IANS / May 27th, 2014
VISIONARIES: This group of 10 got together in 1863 and contributed and collected Rs. 7,305, to start the Kodava Education Endowment Fund./ by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
For a small agricultural community of approximately one hundred thousand, the Kodavas have added to India’s cultural and ethnic diversity through the uniqueness of their dress, customs, rituals, festivals, language and so on. Even more significant is the contribution of individual Kodavas to public life. They include a Field Marshal, a Chief of the Army Staff, a number of Generals, Air Marshals and senior naval officers. There have been Governors, Ministers, IFS and IAS officers, UN experts and Vice-Chancellors. They have brought credit to India in cricket, tennis, squash, athletics, and shuttle badminton as well. Rani Pooviah was part of the Cholamandal group of artists who pioneered the Madras Movement.
In this milieu, the work of the Coorg Education Fund (CEF) over a period of 150 years in the cause of education can only be described as an awesome activity initiated with remarkable foresight.
To better understand the value of the CEF it is necessary to place it in context. Coorg, or Kodagu as it is called, is today a district of Karnataka. It was ruled by local Rajas and came under British rule in 1834. Writing in Blackwoods Magazine in 1922, Hilton Brown of the Indian Civil Service, District Magistrate of Coorg, wrote of the identity of the Coorgs (now called Kodavas): “That is the standing riddle of South India ethnologists … barring all ethnology and arguing from common sense one would call Coorgs a separate people … they are a community of people whose customs, ceremonies, from birth to death, festivals, dress, language are quite different from those of other communities among Hindus.”
A survey done between 1815 and 1817 by Lt. Connor found that Coorgs were “addicted to husbandry, their only education consists in acquiring a practical knowledge of it.” It made the unflattering observation that they were an “unlettered and unaltered race.”
With the starting of an Anglo-Vernacular school and another in Kannada in 1835, the first steps towards introducing formal education were on. Subsequently more schools were opened. However, the mere opening of schools did not meet the objective of educating the community, as only children from affluent families could access them. Many bright children fell by the wayside due to lack of financial resources. To address this lacuna, a group of far-sighted and philanthropic elders of the community got together and sowed the seeds that grew into the CEF.
The credit for identifying the need to provide financial assistance to deserving children and encouraging them to enrol in educational institutions goes to Rev. Richter, the first Principal of the Mercara High School. He persuaded the British authorities to grant land that could be used to raise resources to provide financial assistance.
An extent of 150 acres was gifted, on which a coffee plantation was established in 1863. The income was used to provide student scholarships. Revenue from the estate was used to create the Mercara High School Endowment Education Fund. Separately, a group of 10 visionaries from the community got together with the idea of providing financial aid to needy students. Meeting in 1863, they made individual contributions and collected a princely sum of Rs. 7,305 which was used to establish the Kodava Education Endowment Fund. It now has a corpus of close to Rs.3 crore. They included Cheppudira Subbiah and Mathanda Appachanna.
In 1916, the two funds were merged and it became the Kodava Education Fund. It was administered by the Commissioner of Coorg assisted by eminent Kodavas. In 1954, the corpus was handed over to a committee comprising Kodavas. Thus was born the CEF. Its first president was Kodira T. Uthappa.
The CEF represents foresight and service rendered silently over the years, helping many a Kodava to blossom and contribute to society.
One of the beneficiaries of the fund was Pemanda Monappa, the father of the author. He was selected to join the police force under the British and was a well-known officer, also during the post-Independence period.
As a tribute to and recognition of the value of committed public service and integrity, this author has established a scholarship at Cambridge University in his name. Applicants should not have crossed 25 years. It is available for study leading to a Master’s in English literature, physical sciences, biological sciences (excluding medicine and veterinary science), economics, computer science, law, and technology. Details are at the Cambridge University website.
sonnabel@gmail.com
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Opinion> Open Page / by P. M. Belliappa / May 25th, 2014
Kolkata Knight Riders’ opener has batted himself into contention for Indian team
Dubai:
Who will get to wear the Orange Cap for the top batsman when the Indian Premier League (IPL) season gets over? With Kolkata Knight Riders’ Robin Uthappa consistently scoring well, it’s now a two-horse race between him and Kings XI Punjab’s Glenn Maxwell, who had the early headstart.
Uthappa’s unbeaten 83 against Royal Challengers Bangalore put him ahead of Maxwell by 39 runs (as of Thursday). Maxwell has notched some big scores but Uthappa’s forte has been his consistency. In his last eight innings, Uthappa’s lowest score is 40.
The KKR batsman’s consistency since stepping into the opener’s role has been a major factor behind his team’s revival, who have now won six matches on the trot to make the play-offs.
It was former Indian Test player Pravin Amre, Uthappa’s batting coach, who instilled the confidence in him to outshine Maxwell, who started off with a string of huge scores during the UAE leg of the tournament. Amre told Uthappa to always aim to bat until the 18th over and, each time he did, he ended with a good score. Interestingly, by the seventh or eighth overs, he has been on song — producing a wide array of cricketing shots.
Uthappa has been training with Amre since 2012 and made Mumbai his base for cricketing reasons. Apart from scoring heavily in the domestic circuit for Karnataka, Uthappa followed Amre’s advice in the Twenty20 format — strengthening his basics — and it’s showing in this IPL.
It was way back in April 2006 that Uthappa made his One-Day International debut with a knock of 86, but has not often lived up to his promise in the years since. He also played a pivotal role in India’s victory in the 2007 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 Cup.
After playing in the 2008 Asia Cup final, he never got selected for one-day matches. He also played his last Test match against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2012. Uthappa continued to perform impressively in the IPL for Pune Warriors, who bought him for $2.1 million (Dh7.71 million), becoming the second most expensive player in the 2011 auction.
During the fifth and sixth editions of the IPL, he scored over 400 runs for Pune despite his team’s unimpressive performance. However, with his classy and consistent show as an opener in the seventh edition, a recall to the Indian team suddenly does not look that far away.
FIXTURES, STATISTICS
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings
2.30 pm UAE start in Bangalore.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
6.30 pm in Kolkata.
Live telecast on OSN Sports HD Cricket
UTHAPPA IN LAST 8 INNINGS
83n.o. vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
67 vs Chennai Super Kings
40 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
80 vs Mumbai Indians
46 vs Kings XI Punjab
47 vs Delhi Daredevils
65 vs Rajasthan Royals
47 vs Chennai Super Kings
source: http://www.gulfnews.com / Gulf News / Home> IPL / by K.R. Nayar, Chief Cricket Writer / May 23rd, 2014
Head Post Office to sell Kodagu Coffee and Chocolates soon
Mysore :
The Department of Posts, which has been adding one or the other feature regularly to attract customers will soon add Kodagu Coffee and Kodagu Home-made chocolates to their list of products to be sold at the ‘Post Shoppe’ which was started during January, 2014.
The Post Shoppe which has already been selling stationery, handicrafts, Channapatna toys, Solar Delight Lamps, Coffee Mugs with pictures of Matinee Idol Dr. Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan and Sachin Tendulkar, Mysore Peta, Sandalwood soaps, Talcum powder, Baby powder, Incense sticks and also products of Cycle Brand Agarbatthi, HMT wrist watches, Water bottles, Greeting cards and other items will soon start the sale of Kodagu Coffee powder and Kodagu Home-made Chocolates.
Speaking to Star of Mysore, S. Mahadevaiah, Senior Post Master, Head Post Office, said that ‘Post Shoppe’ has been receiving good response from public and added that it has been run on a non-profit basis.
“The Department of Posts has entered a MoU with the Kodagu Coffee Growers Association, which will be supplying us with Coffee powder very shortly. This apart, the Department has also entered a MoU with a lady named Parvathi, who will be supplying the Department with Kodagu Home-made chocolates,” said Mahadevaiah.
Similar ventures are also being undertaken at General Post Office in Bangalore and Hampankatta Post Office in Mangalore. “The Department has also plans to start similar shops at all districts throughout the State. ‘Post Shoppe’ will soon be started in Hassan and Kodagu Head Post Offices,” added Mahadevaiah.
The Post Shoppe is being managed by the staff of the Department of Posts. The staff have been trained in retail sales and are entrusted the job of selling various products at the shoppe.
Mahadevaiah said that the department had entered MoUs with various manufacturers who have agreed to supply products ranging from Mysore Peta to stationeries.
e-Post facility
The e-Post facilities which was started by the Department of Posts as an alternative to Telegram, has been gaining popularity in the Mysore circle. “It is a web based facilities which works similar to that of a Telegram. People can send any message from the Head Post Office and the messages will be delivered to concerned person or address within 25 minutes. It just takes a minute or two for the message to be passed on to the other post office and from there it will be delivered to the designated address through the Post Master,” said Mahadevaiah.
My Stamp
My Stamp is another facility which has been gaining popularity in Mysore. Through this facility people can get the stamps printed along with their photographs which can be used to send posts to their relatives and loved ones.
“The stamps will be printed with the individual’s photograph along with a picture of their choice of four flowers — Lilly, Pansy, Cinerea or Dahlia. Depending on the customer’s choice of flower, the stamps will be printed,” said Mahadevaiah.
With tough competition from private players, the Department of Posts has been coming up with new ventures to keep its customer base intact.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / May 22nd, 2014
Test your mettle running through over the hills, through the waterfalls, streams, coffee estates and the thick jungles of Kodagu. Coorg Escapade being held on June 1 will give running enthusiasts a chance to blend with nature and fill fresh mountain air in the lungs.
Conceptualized by Next Level Sport and Entertainment, the run will flag off from Chelavara waterfalls. The trail is a scenic loop, which offers magnificent views of Kodagu. The trail offers different elevations, making the run truly challenging. The lowest point is 950 metres and the highest is 1,250 metres. The Run has three categories – The 10K Run, the 2.5K Fun Run and the 10K Relay for corporates and families.
The run was conceptualized with the mission of encouraging and promoting responsible tourism. As a part of this endeavour, the Coorg Escapade will not be using any plastic in the event, keep noise levels to a minimum and no private vehicles will be allowed past the nearest town Cheyandane. A shuttle service will transport participants and audience to and from the venue.
Participants and their families get to experience the rich cultural heritage of Coorg and interact with other runners during the bonfire dinner the 250-year old Nadikerianda Aine Mane (The Ancestral Home).
The first three winners will be awarded a cash prize up to Rs 1.80 lakh along with gift vouchers. The Race Categories and starting time are as follows: 10K Challenge – Anyone above the age of 15 – Start time – 7.15am; 2.5K Fun Run – Anyone above the age of 12 – Start time – 11.30am; 10K Inter Corporate Relay (2.5K X 4 members) – Start time – 10.45 AM and 10K Inter Family Relay (for Coorg Locals only) – Start time – 10.45am.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangalore / by Stanley Pinto, TNN / May 24th, 2014
The Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) is planning to open short-stay homes in each district of state for the destitute, abandoned and helpless women.
The CSWB chairperson, Prema Cariappa on Thursday informed the reporters that presently there are 36 short-stay homes in 25 districts of UP for those women. But, she added, the board is planning to ensure such homes in all the districts of the state. She said that as a part of countrywide programme, the board will also hold awareness camp in each school and colleges of girls on the issue of their security. The cooperation of police will also be sought during this programmes, she added.
She said that the board has also planned to seek cooperation of social and voluntary organization to put an effective check on the problem of female foeticide as well as human trafficking especially of women. Presently the family counseling centers exist at 68 places in the state, said Cariappa adding, the board is planning to ensure that such center exist in each district and big cities have at least two centers. These centers are playing important role in solving family disputes especially those in which the women are worst sufferers, she said and called upon the NGOs, social and voluntary organizations to come forward for operating these centers in the state.
She said that health fairs are going to be organized in Harahua and Sevapuri blocks on Friday courtesy CSWB in which the experts from the institutes like All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) will take part. During such health camps, she said, the board not only try to know the major ailments among women of particular region but their other problems are also tackled through proper counseling. The board is also planning for block-wise survey for knowing the status of literacy especially among women, she said adding, after the survey the illiterate women would be covered under adult education programme if needed. She said that the literacy level among the women of Varanasi is better.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Varanasi / TNN / February 07th, 2014
The resurgence of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL after a tumultuous start to the Indian leg and an equally abysmal period in the Arab Emirates prior to that has been nothing less than spectacular. With the spinners turning it in their favor and Gautam Gambhir discovering form, it has been a promising comeback from the Knights. One of the foremost reasons behind these 4 consecutive wins has been the consistency of another man who has been striking gold ever since he began to open the batting for the Kolkata franchise.
The current IPL season has been a revelation for Robin Uthappa, who had done very little to impress the selectors in the last 5 years. Now given the opportunity of opening the batting with Gambhir, Uthappa seems determined to flick, cut and drive his way towards the Indian dressing room.
His smart exhibition of intelligent batsmanship and prudent shot selection has impressed all and sundry. His calm demeanor has been evident in the way he has handled pressure. In spite of wickets tumbling at the other end, Uthappa hasn’t compromised with his consistency and has almost always abided by the verified technicalities of the game, thereby offering very sparse chances to the opponents to claim his wicket.
The right-hander from Coorg had been one of the finest exponents of limited aggression during his tenure with the national team. However, as rough patches continued to haunt his career on an alarmingly frequent basis, he found himself ousted from the team in 2008 even before having debuted in Tests.
For the next few years Uthappa lagged behind while the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina consolidated their places in the Indian team. The appetite for returning to the field in national colors persuaded him to hire a personal coach and work on his technique.
He worked on his fitness, embraced various alterations in his initial movements and footwork and ensured a constructive influence of former India batsman Pravin Amre. The latter’s advice revitalized his aggressive approach and aided his renaissance in the domestic circuit.
During the Ranji Trophy, he managed to accumulate 374 runs in five matches regardless of recurring hamstring injuries as his state team went on to win the title. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he remained uniformly fluent while scoring 536 runs in eight matches and steering Karnataka to a historic domestic double.
He appears to have carried that form into the IPL as he continues to score effortlessly, flicking and driving on both the flanks even on slow and low wickets like Cuttack. In 11 matches so far, Uthappa has already garnered 422 runs at a remarkable average of 38.36 and is the leading run-scorer in the tournament behind Glenn Maxwell and Dwayne Smith. He has scored three half-centuries in the current season with the highest of 80 off 52 balls against Mumbai Indians and certainly looks well set for more.
Initially, KKR had opted for the tried-and-tested combination of Jacques Kallis and Gautam Gambhir at the top, thereby relegating Uthappa to the middle and lower middle order. However, a succession of pathetic performances by the apparently shallow batting order urged the Knights to assess their resources, the consequence of which promoted Uthappa to the top order.
The meticulously calculated maneuver earned rich dividends as the Gambhir-Uthappa pair put on four consecutive 50-run stands that allowed KKR back into the reckoning for a spot in the play-offs. Even when Gambhir failed to light the sparks, Uthappa continued to hold up the other end time and again.
An unruffled disposition and a penchant for scoring off the leg finds him ideally suited for the opener’s slot. Wristy surgical drives may elude him, but Uthappa’s precision and technical excellence makes him an artist of the finest caliber. While his masterful execution makes cricket look simple and elegant, it’s his temperament that defines his game.
It may appear premature to conclude, but Robin Uthappa may well be on route to script a mesmerizing comeback in national colors. With opening woes continuing to haunt the Indian team, Uthappa may be the man to offer the selectors much-needed respite. What remains to be seen is whether the timing of his peaking has been as immaculate and rewarding as that of his on-field strokes.
Shveta Reddy, a model-turned-actress is all set to enter tinsel town. This newbie has chosen Tamil over Kannada to kick start her career. Shveta is from Coorg and has moved to Bangalore to enter showbiz with Tharkapul directed by Ravi.
“I looked for a good launchpad for myself and I felt Tharkapul was the right choice. I have got an opportunity to play the lead with a known actor in Kollywood, whose name I am not supposed to reveal right now. He is the son of a famous director who does movies in all South Indian languages. I would have got a Kannada film, but it wouldn’t have been a good start for me. So I decided to take up this project.
I hope to get better opportunities here after my first film in Tamil,” she says. A BBM graduate, Shveta made sure she got short-term experience before entering the glam world. She took up theatre, walked the ramp and did advertisements. Her portfolio reached a Tamil director, who chose her for the debut role. “It is a cop film. My portions will start from June, for which I need to be in Chennai,” she says.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Kannada / by A Sharadhaa / May 22nd, 2014
Kaliyanda team — winners of Thathanda Hockey Tournament.
Palanganda team which emerged runners-up in the Tourney.
Virajpet:
Kaliyanda team has won the Thathanda Hockey Tournament by defeating Palanganda team by 2-0 goals at the finals played at Junior College Grounds here yesterday.
The winning team got a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh and the trophy and the runners-up received a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 and a trophy.
It may be recalled that Kaliyanda team had won the Pandanda Cup at the inaugural Kodava Hockey Namme in 1997.
The finals began with both the teams playing briskly but Biddappa of Kaliyanda team scored the first goal at the 10th minute itself.
In the second-half at the 23rd minute, Biddappa again second a goal to take the tally to 2-0 and Palanganda team could not fight back despite getting seven penalty corners.
Inanda Lala Aiyanna and Anjaparavanda Karyappa were the referees for the Tournament.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / May 19th, 2014
The company, which owns majority stake in public-listed Tata Coffee, has been looking to boost its presence in the coffee business and joined hands with Starbucks to help it launch in India.
Tata Global Beverages Ltd (TGBL), formerly known as Tata Tea, through its UK-based subsidiary, has acquired Australian firm Bronski Eleven Pty Ltd, for an undisclosed amount, as per a stock market disclosure.
“The investment is in line with the company’s strategic vision to become a leader in the good-for-you beverage segment in Australia and it also helps Tata Global Beverages to expand its portfolio to include high growth contemporary single serve business,” the company said in the filing.
Bronski Eleven is engaged in coffee business under the MAP brand, with presence in the roast and ground or R&G coffee and coffee in Pods (single service portions) segments in Australia.
We have contacted the company spokesperson for more details on the Australian firm and will update the copy as we hear from the firm.
Tata Global Beverages, the second-largest player in tea in the world, serves the consumers with its flagship brand, Tata Tea Premium and other brands like Tetley, Good Earth Teas and JEMČA. The firm originates over 65 per cent of the consolidated revenue from markets outside of India.
The company, which already owns majority stake in Tata Group’s public listed coffee company Tata Coffee, has been looking to boost its presence in the coffee business.
It had sealed a deal to bring Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee chain to India. The venture had rolled out outlets swiftly and has quickly emerged as one of the key players in the coffee chain business in the country. It competes with the likes of market leader Café Coffee Day, Barista Lavazza and Costa Coffee among others.
In another development, last November, Tata Global Beverages merged its packaged drinking water subsidiary Mount Everest Mineral Water Ltd, which operates through its premium brand Himalayan, with itself for increasing operational efficiency and better synergy between both businesses.
(Edited by Joby Puthuparampil Johnson)
source: http://www.vccircle.com / VC Circle / Home> M & A / by Bhawna Gupta / Monday – May 19th, 2014
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