Monthly Archives: August 2015

IMPRESSIONS – When I Was A Prisoner Of War In Pakistan

Prisoners of war at Delhi's Palam airport after repatriation on January 22, 1966. The author is second from left
Prisoners of war at Delhi’s Palam airport after repatriation on January 22, 1966. The author is second from left

Fifty years ago, Cariappa’s Hunter aircraft got shot down over Pakistan. This is the fascinating story of the four months that followed…

by Kodendera ‘Nanda’ Cariappa

The second, or could it be called the third, Indo-Pak War was now nearly three weeks old, and there were no talks of a cease fire. To us in the field we did not really have a clear picture of how the war was going, or how either the Army or the Air Force was doing, on the ground or in the air. We knew of Air Force casualties more through the grapevine rather than through authentic sources. Our hope as young fighter pilots was to be detailed for as many operational missions as possible against the enemy. And of course, each of us hoped we would encounter him in the air and to shoot him down.

So it was on 22nd Sep ’65, I was detailed as the leader of what was meant to be a four-aircraft formation of Hunters. We took off at about 0830. Our target was enemy armour in an area some distance South of Lahore. Once the primary mission was accomplished, we could take on any ‘targets of opportunity’ that we might see. Now, in hindsight it would appear that our mission was not going to be as successful as one might have wished. At the take-off point final checks were carried out by the ground crew, rockets were ‘armed’ and the 30mm cannon were made ‘live’. This was when one of the aircraft had to return to dispersal because of a technical snag.

The first few minutes of the mission were over Indian territory, but as always, we were ‘keyed’ up and on the look out for enemy aircraft that might be on a sortie to attack our positions. As always happened, at least where I was concerned, there were butterflies in my stomach. The uncertainty of what awaited us across the border and what enemy opposition we might encounter was at the back of my mind. It was at this point that the pilot of the third aircraft found something seriously amiss with his aircraft and I ordered him to return to Base. And then there were two!

However, once over Pakistan, nothing mattered other than finding the enemy and doing what we could to destroy his armoured formations. We did not see too much by way of enemy activity other than a few dust columns that were kicked up by vehicles that were slow in following the standard dictum of ‘freezing’ in their tracks if enemy air was in the sky. We attacked what little we could see and then decided to return home. On the way back we spotted an enemy target that gave away its position by opening fire on us. We retaliated. Within moments of doing so my aircraft was hit by ground fire.

All the warning lights in my cockpit were illuminated, indicating that many systems and my controls had failed, and also to tell me that my aircraft was on fire. Shrapnel went through my cockpit and I found my controls jammed. My ‘wing-man’ called out on the radio that I was on fire and that I should abandon the aircraft. I acknowledged his transmission and ejected. All I can recall is my boots flying off and within seconds I was on the ground lying in a semi-supine position. Within moments I was surrounded by troops who ordered me to raise my hands in submission, and to stand up. I replied that I could not do so as I was hurting badly, and felt paralysed. The troops were in khaki uniform and for some unknown reason I thought they were Indian. At about that time I could hear artillery opening up and one of the troops said, “Those are your guns firing at us”.

I was a Prisoner of War!

The time was 0904 because my watch had stopped, presumably on impact with the ground. I was asked who I was and from where I had taken off. As per standard procedures, I rather parrot-like gave my ‘name, rank and number’. It was then that I was asked if I was related to General Cariappa. I feigned a faint because of the pain, or maybe I did pass out. The next thing I knew was that I was lying on a litter in the back of a jeep and was being questioned by a Brigadier.

After some first aid I was moved to a rear location, to a place called Luliani where for some time I was left on the floor awaiting treatment and then as it transpired, evacuation to a hospital. I have no recollections of that journey. When I did come to, I found myself in a hospital bed and in excruciating agony. This was the military hospital in Lahore. The following day I was taken to the operation theatre and was told the extent of my injuries. I was impressed by the number of doctors who had returned from abroad to be of service to their nation at this juncture in its history.

I stayed in hospital for about a week during which time General Musa the Pakistan Army Commander in Chief visited. He came to see me, knowing by now that I was General (KM) Cariappa’s son. He asked if there was anything I wanted. All I could think of was being with the other Indian prisoners of war. From Lahore I was flown to Rawalpindi and kept in the hospital there, and it was during this time that I was visited by President Ayub Khan’s son. Treatment and food in the hospital was good, yet being in solitary confinement I was hankering to be with the other Indians.

This happened soon enough and suddenly one fine morning I was discharged from the MH and moved blindfolded to what turned out to be a prison cell. Here I was given a pair of black armoured corps overalls, and a pair of rubber-soled slippers. It was by now almost mid-October with the winter chill beginning to manifest itself. There was one charpoy for furniture and nothing else. I was also given three typical army blankets; one served as the mattress and the other two as a covering. By day the outer wooden doors were closed, I was in darkness with no light penetrating, and by night they were kept open with the single dull electric bulb switched on.

If I wanted to use the toilet I would be taken blindfolded to the lavatory about 50 yards away. There the sentry would wait till I was through, and then would escort me back to my cell. It was here that a Major first interrogated me, and it was here that I really experienced the ‘fear of the unknown’ for the first time as a POW. There is no more frightening condition than being in solitary confinement. I was not subjected to ‘third degree’ treatment, but I was told that I had better answer all questions because if I did not, there would be no hesitation in ‘putting me away’!

I realized then that the standard ‘rank/name/number response would not help and so I did ‘reveal’ what I thought to be innocuous information. This lasted over a period of three days. During this tend days I was incarcerated in the cell I was fed thick wholesome ‘chappatis and dal’ twice a day. There would be a mug of sweet ‘langar’ tea at 0700 and again at 1500. ‘Lights on time’ was 1600. A few days later I was told that I would be moving to the main POW camp. I first moved to a transit camp in Rawalpindi itself where I was kept in ‘solitary’ again for two days. It was here that I met a Pakistan Army JCO who, having learned that I was my father’s son, came up to me and said he heard that I was in the Sadr Kothi (he meant the President’s home). I, of course, denied this.

A train journey to Dargai, throughout which I was blindfolded, to the main POW camp followed. Winston Churchill was supposed to have been billeted here too! Meeting with the 38 other Indian prisoners was a momentous occasion for me, who had, for the preceding six weeks been deprived of any form of company. I was the only airman with that group. I learned later that the others were kept in separate enclosures within in the same complex.

The next few days were filled with getting to know my mates, and settling into some kind routine. Soon thereafter, I joined the other airmen, who were Squadron Leaders Sikand and Pilloo Kakar, and Flt Lieutenants Mani Lowe, Lal Sadarangani, MV Singh and Vijay Mayadev. A third compound housed the twelve Sikh officers who had been segregated for political reasons. Our compound had a small forecourt about thirty feet long and some seven feet across. Then the billet that housed us comprised three rooms. One that had our seven charpoys packed closely together, a dry-toilet facility (more about this later) and our dining area.

We were given three blankets, and an olive green army pullover was all that we had to protect ourselves from the severe winter chill of the NWFP. As a result by 1700 hours we got into our beds and were regaled by stories and experiences by ‘Siki’ Sikand who seemingly had an endless fund of them. He often had us in splits of laughter! In the first week of November, quite inexplicably, Mani Lowe and I were told to ‘pack our bags’ as we were going “somewhere”. Blindfolded, we were put into a van and driven off to a place about two hours South from Dargai and put into two adjacent dank, cold and airless cells, similar to the ‘lock-up’ in our own Air Force Guardrooms.

The toilets were about fifty paces of so from our cells, and as was the practice, we would be blindfolded when being taken to and from there. We were not interrogated, and were unable to figure out as to why on earth we were separated from our mates. All we knew is that we were at an air force base because every evening and through the night we would hear the typical and unmistakable whine of Hercules aircraft starting up, taxiing and taking off. About ten days later we were returned to Dargai, much to our delight, and indeed relief.

The first Red Cross parcels came in on 7th Dec and our lot improved considerably. One packet that thrilled us was that the film star Asha Parekh had sent us dried fruit! Now, we were even provided with a quilt that was paid for from out of the approximately Rs 60 that was our entitlement as prisoners. The arrival of the ‘goodies’ from the Red Cross was an indication that our folks at home knew that we were alive!

Food was always the focus of attention. Breakfast was a boiled egg with three puris and a mug of tea. Lunch and dinner were always, monotonously identical; either lacy, glutinous “lady’s fingers” or well watered turnips to be eaten with chappatis and/or rice. We would be given a mug of tea at about 1500 hours and then we would play quoits for an hour or so. Once a week we had the luxury of a hot bath. Dinner would come by 1700 hrs after which Pilloo (Sqn Ldr Kakkar) would read to us from the Bhagavat Gita that we received with our Red Cross parcels.

Siki our ‘master chef’ was able to convince our ‘minders’ that we needed mustard oil to keep away the winter dryness from our skins. This then was used as a cooking medium and our dinner was a much more palatable meal with fried onions and some condiments being added. Dessert was usually a biscuit sandwich that had cocoa or melted chocolate providing the filling.

As 31st December approached we agreed that we must do something to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The first pre-requisite for a successful party was ‘hooch’! So, we decided to make some moonshine. The main ingredient would be methylated spirits to be purloined from the nursing orderly’s tray when he came every afternoon to dress MV’s wounds and mine. Our stratagem was to keep him distracted somehow, and for this Siki was particularly successful.

I cannot remember what excuse or reason we gave for asking for a pitcher, but we were given one. This was our ‘still’ into which put raisins, the bitter lemon (rind and all, and called for some unknown reason as “mitha”) that was provided as dessert and jaggery. We also added a few chappatis for good measure in the belief that the yeast would cause fermentation and therefore provide the desired ‘kick’ to our hooch. The ‘matka’ was then wrapped in a blanked and placed close to the fireplace where we hoped and believed its contents would mature!

Came New Year’s Eve, Dec 1965, the evening progressed as usual and we looked forward with eager anticipation to the dinner that Siki had planned. Dinner came at the usual time and then our chef got down to work. It is now almost 50 years since then, and I don’t remember too well all that we had to eat. But I do recall the unexpected arrival of the Camp Commandant who turned out to be a very pleasant chap. He wished us and then produced the unbelievable…some mutton, or, was it chicken? He left soon thereafter. We then drank our brew that tasted like nothing on earth, enjoyed a veritable repast, and talked late into the night.

Life carried on unchanging from day to day, when suddenly about the January 10 we received some intelligence that something was afoot. The source of our information was the sweeper who came in every morning to clean our ‘thunder boxes’. He was a Hindu, and therefore it appeared was sympathetic towards us. Given the menial and unpleasant nature of his duties it was not surprising that the guards accompanying him were reluctant to enter the toilets.

Siki ‘cashed’ in on this and wrapping his face securely to keep out the obnoxious smells, he would ‘chat up’ the sweeper. It was he who mentioned that in a few days a tailor would come to take our measurements, but he was unsure as to why. The tailor did arrive and within a few days we were outfitted with warm serge trousers and shirts, and even provided new olive-green pullovers. Events now moved fast, so fast that we did not realize we were being prepared for repatriation!

In fact, I don’t think we knew till the day of departure on 22 Jan 66. We were once again blindfolded, bundled into a vehicle and driven to Peshawar where we emplaned a Fokker F-27 that was going to Delhi to bring back the Pakistan COAS. We crossed the international border at approximately 0905, about the identical time that I was shot down exactly four months earlier.

Thus ended an unforgettable period in our lives. Siki retired as Air Marshal, Pilloo became a Wing Commander but was killed in an HF 24 accident. Lal Sadarangani, Mani Lowe and Vijay Mayadev left the Service as Wing Commanders and joined Air India. MV continued in uniform and retired as Air Commodore.

______________________________________________________

Kodendera Cariappa retired as Air Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> Magazine> International – Impressions / by Kodendera ‘Nanda’ Cariappa / Web – August 11th, 2015

Coffee Day to adopt Belur and Halebid

Will improve basic infrastructure to attract tourists in large numbers

Belur and Halebid, two major tourism destinations in Hassan district, are expected to get a facelift following the Tourism Department’s initiative to involve non-governmental organisations in driving tourists to the State.

Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd. (CDEL) has shown interest to adopt the two tourism destinations, known for the Hoysala period temples, to improve basic infrastructure so as to attract tourists in big numbers.

The department launched the Adopt Tourist Destination programme in 2014. M.R. Prakash, Assistant Director of the department, told The Hindu on Tuesday that CDEL had shown interest to adopt Belur and Halebid.

“The company’s proposal is being examined by the department. The objective is to provide basic amenities such as drinking water, washrooms and toilets, and improve connectivity to the destinations,” said the officer.

When The Hindu contacted Devahuti, in-charge of media relations in CDEL, she said the company had shown interest to adopt the two places.

Details of the mode of developing these destinations will be made public later, she said.

“The CDEL has entered into an understanding with the Archaeological Survey of India and the Department of Tourism for infrastructure development in Belur and Halebid. The company is hoping to help in development work by building drinking water facilities, washrooms and toilets for tourists along with soft skill training programmes for tourist guides,” a note issued by the company said.

Belur and Halebid are widely known for the Hoysala sculptures.

The Channakeshava temple in Belur (left) and the Hoysaleshwara temple in Halebidare famous tourist destinations.— File Photos: Prakash Hassan
The Channakeshava temple in Belur (left) and the Hoysaleshwara temple in Halebidare famous tourist destinations.— File Photos: Prakash Hassan

However, the places lack basic amenities for tourists. The State government is making efforts to develop the place around Channakeshava Temple in Belur by acquiring private properties.
HalebeduKF27aug2015

Similarly, in Halebid, tourists encounter problems of finding decent hotels.

“We can develop these centres with the help of private companies. Then, the number of those visiting these destinations will also increase,” Mr. Prakash added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Hassan – August 26th, 2015

Kail-Poldh get-together at Kodava Samaja on Sept.6

Mysuru :

Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, has organised the annual Kail-Poldh festival get-together at Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa Community Hall in Vijayanagar I Stage here on Sept. 6.

Kambeyanda C. Biddappa, retired Senior Vice-President, ITC, will be the chief guest.

Mechanda M. Karumbaiah, President, Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, will preside.

The day-long programme from 9 am to 5 pm comprises Ayudha Pooja, Assembly, Sports and Games, Lucky Dip, felicitation to eminent Kodavas and distribution of scholarships to merit students.

In all, 35 scholarships will be awarded to Kodava students, who have studied in Mysuru and passed the respective exams. Children of members of the Samaja are eligible for scholarship irrespective of their place of study as also Kodava students who have studied in Mysuru.

Details of scholarship: Highest scorers in final exams of 7th std., SSLC, SSLC (English), SSLC (CBSE), SSLC (economically weaker section), PUC, BA., B.Com., B.Sc. (Comp. Sc., 1 Maths), BBM, MBA, Law, MA, MCom., MSc., (PCM,CBZ); BE, BE (Mech), BE (Arch), BE (Comp. Sc. BDS, MBBS, Dip. in Commercial (Secretarial) Practice, Best sports students in I and II PUC; CBSE XI and XII and ICSE I and II, SSLC (CBS E) highest marks in Science.

Those with Post-Graduation in Medicine, MD or MS, achievers in Sports at State-level, graduation in Home Science or Hotel Management are also eligible.

Applications for the award of scholarship and felicitation for achievers should be sent to the Hon. Secretary, Kodava Samaja, Mysuru before Sept.1 by 5 pm along with xerox copies of the relevant marks card and certificates. The family name and Phone number should be mentioned in the applications for scholarship, according to a press release from K. M. Belliappa, Hon.Secretary, Kodava Samaja, Mysuru.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – August 24th, 2015

Mysore Coffee Curing Co-op. Society meeting on Sept.1

Virjapet (Kodagu) :

The General Body Meeting of Mysore Coffee Curing Co-operative Society (MCCCS) will be held in Mysuru on Sept.1.

Announcing this at a press meet at Virajpet Press Club on Thursday, the Society’s former President Karnanda Raghu Somaiah called upon all members of the Society to attend the meeting.

Pointing out that the general body meeting of MCCCS, which is one of the most prestigious Co-operative Societies in Mysuru region, has not been called for years, Somaiah said that he had brought a stay from the High Court on July 9, 2015 on the moves to publicly auction the Society’s landed property estimated at about Rs. 200 crore. Earlier, the Court of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies at Bengaluru had dismissed a petition in respect of the appointment of Liquidator and not convening the general body meeting, he said.

Continuing he said that the Liquidator has asked all the members to attend the Sept.1 meeting at Mysuru while setting some conditions. The Liquidator has also asked the members to produce the original copy of share certificates held by them, he said.

Stating that a few members of the Society have died between 1998 and 2014, he demanded the Liquidator to allow all those having ID cards to attend the meeting and to ensure that the meeting is conducted as per the procedures.

Stressing on the need for an united and organised fight for the revival of the society, Somaiah said that the list of Kodagu members of the MCCCS was available at Virajpet Town Bank. The members from Kodagu can visit the Bank during working hours and check the list for their names, he added.

Coffee planter and MCCCS office-bearer Kolathanda W. Bopaiah, in his address, sought co-operation of all the members for the survival of the Society.

Kodagu Central Co-operative Bank former President Mathanda A. Ramesh, K.W. Ganapathy, K.M. Charmana, C.K. Ganapathy, K.P. Nagaraj and others were present at the press meet.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore /Home> General News / August 23rd, 2015

Coffee Day gets SEBI nod for Rs. 1,150-cr IPO

Cafe Coffee Day in Bangalore
Cafe Coffee Day in Bangalore

New Delhi :

Coffee Day Enterprises, which runs the country’s biggest coffee chain Cafe Coffee Day, has received markets regulator SEBI’s go—ahead to raise Rs. 1,150 crore through initial public offering (IPO).

The firm had filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI through its lead merchant banker Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited on June 26 this year.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued its final observations on the draft offer documents on August 14, which is necessary for companies to launch any public offer.

As per the draft paper, the company intends to raise an estimated Rs. 1,150 crore to aid its expansion plans and pay off debt.

The company, which has got private equity giants like KKR, Stanchart PE and New Silk Route as its investors, has reserved Rs. 15—crore worth shares for staff.

The company proposes to list its shares on the BSE and the NSE.

Coffee Day Enterprises is the parent company of the Coffee Day Group and operates coffee business through a subsidiary, Coffee Day Global Limited (earlier known as Amalgamated Bean Coffee Trading Company Limited), and its subsidiaries.

Coffee Day Global Limited had a total income of Rs. 1,154 crore and operating profit of Rs. 189 crore in 2013—14 fiscal.

Out of the capital raised through the issue, the parent company plans to utilise nearly Rs. 632 crore to pay off debt and the remaining to open new stores, set up coffee bean roasting plants and make vending machines, the proposal said.

In the next two financial years, the company plans to open over 215 outlets and set up 105 kiosks.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Markets / PTI / August 17th, 2015

Instant coffee demand seen boosting exports

Shipments rise for first time this year; drop in Arabicas offset by robusta and soluble varieties

Bengaluru :

The Indian coffee exports, for the current calendar year, have registered a marginal growth for the first time, on increase in shipments of robustas and the soluble or instant variety.

According to provisional numbers, total export permits issued by the State-run Coffee Board have exceeded the last year’s levels for the first time and were pegged at 2.159 lakh tonnes (lt) for the January 1 to August 19 period against 2.151 lt in the corresponding period last year.

However, the green bean coffee exports continue to trail the last year’s levels largely on account of a 33 per cent drop in Arabica shipments, despite the robustas registering a 21 per cent growth.

CoffeeChartKF21aug2015

Green coffee trails
Also, the soluble coffee shipments measured in green bean equivalent stood at 60,842 tonnes, including the re-exports that grew 18 per cent for the period.

“We expect the shipments to maintain a small growth for the rest of the year,” said Ramesh Rajah, President of Coffee Exporters Association.

“The coffee held back by the growers anticipating better prices, would come out into the market over the next couple of months before the arrival of new crop,” he added.

Currency volatility

Rajah attributed the trailing trend in green coffee shipments to the declining production of the Arabicas.

Also, the Indian exporters are facing challenge from the devaluation of currencies by the top two coffee producing nations – Brazil and Vietnam, which has made their exports competitive.

The Brazilian Real and Vietnamese Dong have weakened by around 15 per cent against the dollar over the past year, while the Rupee has fallen by over 8 per cent.

Crop estimates

The Arabica harvest this year is likely to be advanced by a couple of weeks to September as the early rains have boosted the prospects for coffee.

The Board, in its initial estimates, pegged the crop size for 2015-16 crop year starting October at 3.55 lt – a growth of 8.75 per cent over previous year’s 3.27 lt.

Arabica crop size for 2015-16 is pegged at 1.10 lt – up 12.55 per cent over 2014-15’s final estimate of 97,700 tonnes.

Robusta crop size is estimated to expand to 2.45 lt, a growth of 7 per cent over previous year.

Export markets
C Rajendra Prasad, Chairman and Managing Director of CCL Products Ltd, the country’s largest instant coffee exporter said demand continues to be strong both from traditional markets such as Russia and Europe and even from the new geographies such as the United States.

CCL Products, which exports to about 56 countries, has so far shipped about 24,741 tonnes of instant coffees in the current calendar year. Tata Coffee has exported about 10,207 tonnes, while Nestle with 8895 tonnes were the other large instant coffee exporters.

Italy has been the largest buyer of Indian coffee at 55,378 tonnes, so far, followed by Germany at 20,537 tonnes and Russian Federation at 14,526 tonnes.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Agri-Biz / by Vishwanath Kulkarni / August 20th, 2015

Authentic plantation experiences attract discerning travellers

coorgKF20aug2015

Located amidst coffee and tea estates, Plantation Trails by Tata Coffee enables its guests to enjoy the life of a planter while staying in heritage bungalows. Currently, Plantation Trails by Tata Coffee offers seven unique heritage colonial-style bungalows across Coorg and Chikmagalur. “The concept has been evolving over time and is slowly yet steadily becoming popular amongst discerning travellers.

Gautam Prakash
Gautam Prakash

We notice immense scope for Plantation Trails as it opens an all new category of tourism for families looking to indulge in tranquility and lesser known activities,” said Gautam Prakash, head, Plantation Trails.

Pointing out that occupancies have grown despite the increased competitive intensity in the marketplace, Prakash mentioned that all their properties seek to recreate the authentic plantation experience, including a luxurious stay in a planter’s bungalow and a coffee or tea plantation visit where one gets to experience the bean-to-cup journey in the truest sense.

With more people travelling and looking for authentic experiences that a place has to offer, there have been interesting trends in terms of visitor profile and preferences. “Of late, we have observed that the number of women travelling alone or in groups has risen over the years. Now we see more independent women in their 30s – 40s travelling without their family. It’s a growing trend and a welcome change.

Along with this, we have seen an upward trend among couples who take a vacation to catch up on their ‘we time’,” said Prakash.

Cottabetta and Thaneerhulla Bungalows are the flagship projects of Plantation Trails by Tata Coffee. Both were recently restored. “The plan is to focus on premiumisation and restoration of other bungalows.

These bungalows are unique colonial heritage properties, combining the grace and grandeur of a bygone era with contemporary comforts and warm service. The recent restoration has added the luxury elements to the old colonial charm,” he said.

The spacious and quaint bungalows offer a personalised cook and butler service to guests who are also treated with authentic Coorg delicacies from home-styled kitchens. In terms of activities there are many options for guests – trekking, boating, white water rafting during monsoon season, and sports like badminton, table tennis and golf. Nature lovers can go for a guided bird watching tour in the plantations.

source: http://www.financialexpress.com / Express Travel World / Home> Market / by Sudipta Dev – Mumbai / August 12th, 2015

Coffee Planters delegation meets Union Commerce Minister

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha and others are seen presenting the memorandum to Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Seetharaman in New Delhi recently.
Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha and others are seen presenting the memorandum to Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Seetharaman in New Delhi recently.

New Delhi :

A delegation of Kodagu Coffee Growers Federation, led by Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, met Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Seetharaman in New Delhi recently and presented a memorandum, demanding announcement of permanent solution for the problems being faced by coffee growers.

Speaking on the occasion, Nirmala Seetharaman said she would take appropriate action on loan waiver, package announcement besides addressing other related issues, after going through the facts and figures presented by the Coffee Board.

The delegation also met the Minister’s Secretary Rajani Ranjan Rashmi and discussed with her the losses faced by the coffee growers on account of the vagaries of nature.

Earlier, the delegation met former Karnataka Chief Minister and MP B.S. Yeddyurappa, during which he assured that he would raise the issue of problems of coffee planters along with that of the difficulties faced by growers of horticultural crops such as grapes, pomegranate etc., in the Parliament.

The delegation also met Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka Kupendra Reddy and discussed with him the issues concerning coffee planters.

The MP said that all MPs representing coffee growing regions should come together in bringing pressure on the Govt. for addressing their issues and added that he would make all efforts to draw the attention of the Government towards the problems being faced by the coffee planters.

Federation President Ajjamada Shankaru Nachappa, Secretary Annira Harish Madappa, Treasurer Maanira Vijaya Nanjappa, Director Kaibulira M. Harish, officer-bearers Jammada Mohan Madappa, Maanira Muthappa, Ajjamada Chengappa and Machamada Sumanth, ZP President Chodumada Sharin Subbaiah, Coffee Board member Adengada Tara Ayyamma and others were part of the delegation.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday – August 13th, 2015

World Elephants Day at Dubare

ElephantKF19AUG2015
Kushalnagar (Kodagu):
The Forest Department celebrated World Elephants Day at Dubare Elephant Camp near here yesterday in a meaningful manner by creating awareness amongst the public on wildlife.

The day was celebrated by performing puja to the camp elephants at Sri Basaveshwara Temple premises in the presence of hundreds of tourists, who were excited to see 25 elephants including 3 calves together.

Kodagu Conservator of Forests Yelukondala spoke about the significance of World Elephants Day.

CFO B.B. Mallesh, ACF Bhaskar Rao, RFO M.S. Chinnappa, ARFO Ranjan, Senior mahout Dobi and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday – August 13th, 2015

Govt ready to respond to farmers’ woes, says George

The 69th Independence Day was observed with patriotic spirit on the Fort premises in Madikeri on Saturday.

The marchpast by police, Scouts and Guides, NCC, NSS, and students and cultural programmes by the schoolchildren added colours to the celebrations.

Speaking on the occasion, District In-charge Minister K J George said the State government is ready to respond to the woes of the farmers. The farmers should not take extreme steps to end lives. Freedom should not be misused. It should be used for the welfare of all, he added.

St Joseph High School student Sreeja and Dechamma were felicitated for securing highest marks in SSLC examination. The highest scorers in second PUC examination — Ahalya Appacchu, B M Neelamma, Amrita Girish, Preethi Riya Pinto and Uthappa — were also felicitated.

The schoolchildren danced to patriotic songs on the occasion. In the cultural programmes, General Thimmaiah Public School team won first place while St Michael High School and Rajarajeshwari School teams stood second and third.

Guides team of St Joseph High School, Sevadala of St Michael School and Scouts of Rajarajeswari School won first, second and third place respectively in the marchpast category. Hoovaiah Gowda, who had entered into the Ginnessh Book of World Records for growing 41-feet tall sugarcane, was also felicitated. Valley Dew team presented traditional Kodava dance. Rajesh and team from Mandya presented Dollu Kunitha on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri / DHNS – August 15th, 2015