“Look at me… don’t you notice any change,” said Jwala Gutta, displaying her toned down body.
“This is what our doubles coach has done. I am much fitter now. He brought a number of changes to our game, more particularly to my fitness,” said Jwala, who lost at least 11 kgs in the last five months. Earlier, it was difficult to push Jwala in many aspects. But new doubles coach Kim Tan has found a way on how to deal with talented senior players.
Ever since he took over five months back, Kim is working hard with the doubles teams. After acrimonious exchanges with national coach P Gopichand, which made headlines, Jwala and her partner Ashwini Ponnappa came back to train at the Gopichand Academy and started working with Kim. Kim took time to understand the doubles scenario in India and succeeded in creating a working atmosphere.
“My contract with Badminton Association of India is up to 2020. I have to make some good contributions before that. When I came here I was happy with the things around. I realised that I had to deal with two aspects, the senior doubles team like Jwala-Ashwini, who have achieved success, and a few junior doubles pairs. So I have a plan for them,” Kim said.
Kim is also planning to use Ashwini in mixed doubles. Known for effective smashes which are packed with a lot of power, Ashwini hardly played in mixed doubles events. “Manu Attri and Ashwini will be playing the mixed doubles event. We have finalised on that. They will make an exciting pair,” said Kim, adding that he has plans for others as well.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> Sports> Badminton / M Ratnakumar / TNN / February 18th, 2016
Having featured in seven Sandalwood films, most notably Pancharangi,Krishnan Marriage Story and Anna Bond, Nidhi Subbaiah knew that her destiny was not to crawl about in a fenced comfort zone, but to soar through clouds of limitless ambition, even if it meant enduring the storms.
Nidhi Subbaiah
Having opted to make her debut in Bollywood with a cameo in the blockbuster Oh My God! and progressing to the grab the lead role in the tanked Ajab Gazab Love, Nidhi has battled odds. She now awaits two back-to-back B-town releases this month — Direct Ishq, releasing next Friday, and Love Shagun, which releases on February 26. Speaking to City Express about her journey in Bollywood, the actress who has made Mumbai her home since 2012 says she is four films old now with another film releasing in May. “I didn’t have a godfather in Sandalwood but still made a mark and it is the same belief that I carry in B-town too. Of course, it is tough, but talent does not go unrecognised. After seeing so many people who are still trying to make it to B-town, I feel lucky to have made it,” she says and adds, that she is gifting herself two films for her birthday on February 16.
According to her, it is her belief of utilising one’s potential to the maximum that has taken her so far. “Bollywood is big and if you have been accepted as a fish, why limit yourself to a pond when there is an ocean. Everyone wants to be part of Bollywood, and if they say otherwise, they are lying. I have seen a lot of Kannada actresses coming to Mumbai and trying their best to make it. I am glad to know the cremede la creme of Bollywood, who also recognise me,” Nidhi says.
Talking about her role in Direct Ishq and Love Shagun, she says, “I play a character named Dolly Pande in Direct Ishq, where I am paired opposite Rajniesh Duggall, who is born and brought up in Banaras. It was fun for me, a South Indian, playing this UP girl. I had to attend workshops before I got into the character and perfected the slang. I also play a rockstar, which is another shade of mine in the film.”In Love Shaguan, she plays a party going girl running a boutique in Goa, who knows the importance of moral principles. “Thankfully, I play the solo lead in both films, which demands a lot of effort towards acting. And, at times, the directors were surprised I could pull off a role on my own. I am open to challenges and don’t hesitate to experiment,” she says.
As of now, Nidhi is open for films in Sandalwood and and Bollywood. “Right now, I am doing a Kannada film, Nanna Ninna Prema Kathe, and it is a brilliant story. I like to be at a place, where directors feel that I can perform and fit into a role, irrespective of whether it is Hindi or Kannada,” she says.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Kannada / by A Sharadhaa / February 13th, 2016
Shanvi Srivastava returns to the big screen with the Sumanth Shailendra-starrer Bhale Jodi.
Adding to the glam quotient are actresses Hariprriya and Harshika Poonacha.
While Hariprriya plays the second female lead, as she has a couple of scenes as well as a song, Harshika appears in a guest role. Watch the chemistry unfold on screen shortly.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> Entertainment> Kannada> Movies / TNN / February 09th, 2016
FINISHING ON TOP:Cauvery College edged out St. Anne’s College 1-0 in the final of the State-level inter-collegiate hockey tournament on Wednesday.
K.B. Nanaiah’s 59th-minute goal helped Cauvery College (Virajpet) pip St. Anne’s College (Virajpet) 1-0 in the final of the State-level inter-collegiate hockey tournament, conducted by Kautilya FGC, on Wednesday.
St. Philomena’s (Mysuru) took the third spot with a 1-0 win over St. Joseph’s College (Bengaluru), thanks to Yeshwin’s goal in the 49th minute.
The results: Final: Cauvery College (Virajpet) 1 (K.B. Nanaiah 59) bt St. Anne’s (Virajpet) 0; Semifinals: Cauvery bt St. Philomena’s 3-2, via sudden-death; St. Anne’s bt St. Joseph’s (Bengaluru) 2-1.
Special prizes: Best goalkeeper: K.A. Darshan (NIE, Mysore); Best defender: C.A. Boppanna (Cauvery); Best forward: David Karekatta (St. Philomena’s); Player-of-the-tournament: Sudesh (St. Anne’s).
KISHAN GUIDES NATIONAL TO VICTORY
Kishan S. Bedare’s 71 (11×4) took National CC to a two-wicket win over Vidyaranya in the quarterfinal tie of the KSCA Mysore Zone’s Sri. M. Gopalaswamy Memorial cricket tournament on Wednesday.
The scores: Vidyaranya 175 in 46.3 overs (Munish Chengappa 35 n.o., G.L. Yashas 30) lost to National 178 for eight in 45.3 overs (Kishan S. Bedare 71, Deepak S. Gowda 27, N. Zahed four for 24).
MUCSC 113 in 22.5 overs (Bharath Bhushan four for 28, Punith three for 16) lost to Young Cricketers 116 for nine in 27.3 overs (Swaroop 44, N. Bharath five for 30).
BRACE BY ASIF
Md. Asif’s brace (48 & 69) and an own-goal by defender Karthik of Friends Union enabled Lucky Star (Bannur) score a 3-1 win over Friends Union in a Group A league match of the MDFA ‘C’ division football tournament for the Chirag Trophy on Wednesday.
Kitti scored the lone goal for Friends Union in the 14th minute.
AKARSH AND ANMAY ADVANCE
Karnataka’s Akarsh Gaonkar and Anmay Yogesh Devaj entered the boys’ singles semifinals of the KTPPA Yonex AITA under-12 tennis championship at the Energy Tennis Centre courts here on Wednesday.
Gaonkar took out Tharakesh Ashokar of Tamil Nadu 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in the last-eight, while Devaj rallied to script a 6-2, 6-7(4), 6-2 win over Arjun Gohad.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport / Mysuru – January 28th, 2016
Team Coorg receives the winner’s trophy from H E Indra Mani Pandey
Team Coorg edged past United Thalasserry Sports Club (UTSC) Oman 2-1 to lift the Republic Day Cup at the 67th Republic Day of India Hockey Festival, which was held at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex recently.
It was the ninth successive year of the festival, organised by Team Coorg and Friends of Naqvi Group.
Three teams took part in the Republic Day Cup.
In the opening clash, UTSC Oman edged past Beatrice XI by a solitary goal to set up summit clash with Team Coorg, which received a first-round bye.
Earlier in the clash for the Ambassador Cup, Ambassador XI beat Indian School al Seeb 1-0. Later, H E Indra Mani Pandey, the Indian Ambassador to Oman, gave away the prizes in the presence of H E Sheikh Mahfoodh al Juma, the Oman Hockey Association (OHA) chairman and also a Majlis A’Shura member, and Kanak Khimji, the Oman Cricket chairman.
On this occasion, H E Pandey honoured veteran hockey coach and sports administrator S A S Naqvi for his contribution to the game.
Source: http://www.muscatdaily.com/ MuscatDaily.com / Home> Sports / January 27th, 2016
It seemed like actress Shubra Aiyappa was going through an identity crisis at the sixth edition of the Celebrity Cricket League. The actress who portrayed ground-breaking roles in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada industries was spotted cheering for ‘Telugu Tigers’ and ‘Karnataka Bulldozers’ when the latter played against ‘Chennai Rhinos’ recently. From being a travel junkie to having a penchant for belly dancing, Shubra recently confessed her love for sports at the League. She said that she is excited to see how all the matches play out and which team will walk away with the trophy.
It’s an open secret that the actress is biased towards the Telegu industry for she made her debut there. She says that she loves shooting in Hyderabad as people are very warm and welcoming there. However, coming back to Bengaluru, her birthplace, and cheering for her home team is equally special for her.
She says, “I was born here and studied in Baldwin Girls High School. It was in school that I was initiated into cricket. I started by playing with my brothers and classmates and have swung a bat or two since then. I love being in this stadium and the Karnataka players, under Sudeep sir, are doing extremely well and making their
State proud.”
Though she had to go to Mumbai for a shoot, Shubra has put that project on hold and took the weekend off to watch the match.
She is also hoping for an all-women’s celebrity cricket team soon and hopes to be the captain of that team.
“I share my birthday with the legend, Sachin Tendulkar, and cricket means much to me as much as cinema. So I should have some cricket blood in me and really hope to play for my team if there is a women’s celebrity league. I think the marriage between cricket and cinema is exciting because both of them offer entertainment to the masses. The craze people have for these two forms and the way people relate to cricket and cinema is actually overwhelming in our country.”
Coming to her movies, Shubra is waiting for the release of ‘Yevvanam Oka Fantasy’ a Telegu romantic comedy where the actress is paired opposite Arvind Krishna.
The two play a young married couple and the film is about how a young girl who gets married to a rich actor changes his life. She recalls that she enjoyed the shooting and felt comfortable with Arvind on sets.
Shubra has also recently appeared in ‘Sagaptham’, a Tamil film and also made her Kannada debut with ‘Vajrakaya’, where she starred opposite Shivarajkumar and played his dream girl.
The hit song ‘No problem’, that was sung by Dhanush, was especially written for her and contains references to her height.
She recalls, “I felt really special that the song was written for me. It was fun and a good break in the Kannada film industry. It also made the movie that much more special for me.”
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / by Anushka Sivakumar / DHNS – Bengaluru, January 27th, 2016
R Nagaraja Rao (on left), Executive Director, Bayar’s Coffee, with R K Krishna Kumar, Trustee of the Tata Trust.
Bengaluru :
Bayar’s Coffee, a leading coffee manufacturing company from Bengaluru, has bagged the ‘Best Roasters Platinum Award-2016’ instituted by the Coffee Board of India and the India Coffee Trust.
The award was presented for adoption of food safety standards, implementation of new technology, and for producing high quality coffee blends.
The award was given at a glittering ceremony held at Mumbai, presided over by Leena Nair, Chairperson of the Coffee Board. R K Krishna Kumar, Trustee of the Tata Trust, felicitated R Nagaraja Rao, Executive Director, Bayar’s Coffee, with the “Best Roasters Platinum Award-2016”.
Expressing his happiness over the award, Nagaraja Rao said, “We have introduced a variety of speciality coffee blends in tune with customer needs. We are happy that Bayar’s Coffee has bagged the award four times in a row. Our responsibility to provide high quality coffee to our customers has increased.”
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by Anil Urs / Bengaluru – January 27th, 2016
It was in December 1946 that a Constituent Assembly was constituted and it took 3 years for the august body to draft the historic document which enshrines the guiding principles of this country. Members who were active in the freedom movement were inducted through indirect elections from the Central and Provincial Assemblies to represent a broad cross-section of the country.
C.M. Poonacha
The Assembly was further strengthened by inducting legal luminaries such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Dr. K.M. Munshi, N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar, K.T. Shah et al, even though they did not participate in the freedom movement. My father C.M. Poonacha, a leading freedom fighter from Coorg, who was the District Board President at the time, represented Coorg. At 36 years of age, he was one of the youngest members in the Constituent Assembly.
One of the earliest decisions taken was to avoid the Constitution being written only by technical experts or the elite-bureaucracy (Pakistan took this route, and their Constitution has been re-written three times!). The Indian Constitution was drafted through a combination of ‘democratic-consensual’ and ‘elite-bureaucratic’ approach. This has resulted in a resilient and all-inclusive document which has stood the test of time for 66 years.
Another unique feature in drafting the Constitution was to pass every resolution unanimously after extensive consultations and debate. Thus, every clause in the Constitution was discussed until all the members of Committees and Sub-Committees agreed without dissent. None of the resolutions were put to vote to avoid ‘tyranny of the majority.’
Final draft
The final draft of the Constitution of India was signed and adopted on 26th November 1949. C.M. Poonacha was one of the 299 signatories to this revered document (see the last signature in the image). The Constitution of India was brought into force on 26th January 1950 when India was declared a sovereign Republic.
One more distinctive narrative in the Constitution of India is that the nation expects excellence from every citizen. Unfortunately, that is least practiced in recent years, especially by the elected representatives!
Now, the tricycle!
During the course of his duties in the Constituent Assembly, my father took us to Delhi a couple of times. My age was in single digit and my sister was an infant. However, I have vivid memories of Delhi at the time.
Most of the Constituent Assembly members, who came from other parts of the country, were housed in the ‘Constitution House’ on Janpath Road (It does not exist any longer). The accommodation was modest — a studio apartment in a double-storied building complex.
One evening we were window shopping in Connaught Place when a toy-shop attracted my attention. I peeled off and stood watching in awe the colourful toys. I then spotted a tricycle which had a wooden horse head and a horn with a rubber bulb, mounted on its handle. I gingerly asked my father if he could buy it for me. “No, No, it’s expensive and I don’t have the money for it,” he said. My eyes welled-up and I beseeched him again.
Just then, the shop-keeper sidled up to us. ‘Your little boy likes the tricycle sir,’ he said to my father and subtly encouraged me. My parents wanted to distract me and exit the shop as soon as possible. Emboldened by the shop-keeper, I started howling and held on to the tricycle. No amount of cajoling would make me relent. Finally, my father tried to pacify me by saying that we would return the following day with the cash.
But I stuck to my guns and yelled, ‘Nakkikkabondu’ (I want it now!) My sister too joined me in crying. Soon we attracted the attention of others in the shop and my parents were thoroughly embarrassed. I kept hollering ‘Nakkikkabondu…’
The clever shop-keeper suggested that the tricycle could be taken and the payment made the following day. My father had no other option! I proudly pedalled my new possession right from the shop to the tonga we took back to the Constitution House!
Back in the Constitution House, I happily rode all along the corridors. Many luminaries framing the Indian Constitution would tousle my hair, chat me up and admire my tricycle!
About the author: C.P. Belliappa writes humour, history and human interest stories, and is a regular contributor to newspapers, websites and magazines. He holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, USA. Belliappa currently lives in Coorg.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / February 19th, 2016
The adivasi (primitive tribe) community is largely sidelined by political parties in the panchayat elections.
In spite of their population of 2.5 lakh in nine districts, the community is given only two zilla panchayat tickets.
The JD(S) has fielded one adivasi candidate in ZP Gonebeddu constituency in Mudigere (Chikkamagaluru district) and a primitive tribal is the Congress nominee in Hanagodu constituency in Mysuru district.
The BJP and the JD(S) have fielded one candidate each in taluk panchayat constituencies.
Adivasis have to be content with just six tickets in taluk panchayat elections.
The community is scattered over Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Chamarajnagar, Kodagu and Ramanagara distrricts.
Heggadevanakote has a population of 20,000 adivasis, Chamrajnagar about 15,000, Kodagu 40,000 including 25,000 in Virajpet taluk and Ramanagaram 15000.
Their leaders Dr Made Gowda and Konare Gowda and others knocked on the doors of big political parties seeking at least eight zilla panchayat and 30 taluk panchayat tickets. But their efforts have not yielded expected results.
Though, there was scope to field adivasis in Lokanahalli, Kawdhahalli, Haradanahalli in Chamrajnagar district, they were not considered.
All the three major political parties have given a good number of tickets for scheduled tribe constituencies to the dominant Nayaka community.
In Kodagu P K Muthu, a tribal leader is contesting in a general constituency and the JD(S) has fielded Muthappa in taluk panchayat polls.
Vivekananda Foundation Director Mallesh said the only consolation is that JD(S) has fielded a tribal for Yaragambahalli seat.
Development Through Education (DEED) president Sreekanth said non-forest tribes have managed to get a lion’s share of ST constituencies as political parties prefer dominant, financial strong and political active communities.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by K. Shiva Kumar / February 09th, 2016
In Bollywood, Nidhi Subbaiah was last seen in the romcom outing Ajab Ghazab Love. From playing a cool chic, it was time for her to move into a rustic zone with Direct Ishq, a film which has been set in Banaras. In an author backed role where she plays the part of a wannabe rock-star from the holy city, Nidhi knew that she had to look and act the part.
However, she wasn’t prepared for the hardships that were on the way to glory.
“You make it sound really scary, though trust me, I enjoyed every bit of it,” say Nidhi, who is said to have delivered her most ‘bindaas’ performance ever in the romantic musical entertainer, “Yes, Direct Ishq is by all means the toughest role of my life. The weather conditions were really tough.”
Considering the fact that she also had to be seen in rockstar attire for a major part of the film, leather pants and boots were everyday outfits.
Laughs Nidhi, “Yeah, and I got a dose of that pretty early in the day once I was called to shoot for my introduction song – Ganga Maiyya. Swati (Sharrma) has sung it really well and I had to make sure that I get that energy on screen as well. I had to be the kind of rockstar that Dolly Pandey (name of my character) is supposed to be in the film.”
The first step in this direction was to prepare for the role, which means developing the kind of body language that goes with a rockstar.
“I went to YouTube and checked out many videos of live performances. I kept referring to notes for almost 25 days of the shooting. I designed a particular look for myself too. However, if this required good work, there were excruciating weather conditions to deal with as well. With the temperature touching 53 degrees, you can well imagine how it must have felt to shoot outdoors,” sighs Nidhi.
It was all in good time though for Nidhi.
“Not just ‘Ganga Maiyya’, I had to stress myself for Mera Kissa as well. I must have given my body so much pain while shooting these rock tracks that my neck was sprained in a matter few days. However, when I look back at the results, it was all worth it,” she says.
One looks forward to the results on screen once Direct Ishq, with Rajniesh Duggall and Arjun Bijlani as the leading men, releases all over this Friday.
source: http://www.movietalkies.com / MovieTalkies.com / Home> Bollywood News / by Shalini Burman, MovieTalkies.com / February 15th, 2016
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