Monthly Archives: November 2017

Hero stone with rare inscription found in Kodagu

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

Vividly pictured hero stones are not new in India but very few stones with inscriptions have been brought to light by scholars like Dr Chidanandamurthy, Dr Sheshashastri, Dr Devarakonda Reddy, Dr Lakshman Telagavi and others.

Historian Prof Murugeshi released a statement to the press which states that a unique self-sacrifice hero stone with some rare inscriptions was discovered at Basiruguppe in Torenuru grama panchayat near Kushalanagar of Somawarpet taluk in Kodagu.

A view of the hero stone.
A view of the hero stone.

A rectangular stone slab which is about four feet tall has been divided into four sections or panels. The top section has three lines while the fourth line is written on the left side of the stone.

The inscription has been written in the Kannada script of early 9th century AD. It reads: “Bhava gaavunda son of Naaka Shetty a chief of elephants, died and some land grants were given.”

The lower portion has an inscription of a self-sacrificing man seated on a legged cot folding his hands upright on his chest. He appears to be wearing a headgear like a peta and has his eyes shut. His peaceful appearance clearly indicates that he was ready to sacrifice his life.

A butcher is seen ready with a sword to behead the seated man. The second panel has a beheaded soul (in the form of men), taken by two Gandharva Kanyas (heavenly ladies) to heaven. In the third panel, he is seated on a two-tiered seat in Veerasana and has two female attendants on both sides standing with fly–whisk or Chowri.

In the early historical period, we find the practice of velevyali, lenka, garuda, shulabhrama, siditale, sati and nishadi and many more types of memorial stones in South India. The inscription under study belongs to velevyalis or lenka type of memorial stone. They were considered as sons of the royal home or mane magan, who sacrificed themselves in honour of their deceased royal persons, the scholars state.

The writing of the inscription had shown many similarities with the records of Gangas of Talakad. The name Anniga is also commonly found in Ganga records. In Coorg, many Ganga records already reported and it was a part of Gangavadi 96.000, an administrative unit of the Gangas of Talakad. Taking all these into consideration, the inscription under study is assignable to the Ganga period, the scholar added.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DH News Service / Udupi – November 22nd, 2017

Dalit worker in Kodagu freed from bonded labour

Agriculture, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Uncategorized

His employer had let loose dogs on him

A Dalit worker in Kodagu, whose employer let loose dogs on him for quitting work, has been liberated from bonded labour.

Harish, 30, who had quit working in the Paruvangada Kishen’s coffee beans godown at Balale village in Kodagu’s Virajpet taluk, was allegedly bundled into a jeep by Kishen and his associate Madhu on August 30 and tied up in a shed where three dogs were reportedly let loose on him.

Mr. Harish had suffered injuries on his head, shoulder and hand. The accused later took Harish in their vehicle and left him near Balale hospital before the public admitted him to the hospital.

Following a complaint by R. Siddaraju, State coordinator, Human Rights Forum for Dalit Liberation, the Assistant Commissioner and Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Madikeri Sub-Division conducted a probe.

The inquiry had revealed that Harish had been forced to work in Kishen’s godown against his wishes. Kishen had forced Harish to work saying he owed him interest on borrowed money, the enquiry said.

‘Deprived freedom to move around’

By abducting him and assaulting him, the accused had deprived Harish of his freedom to move around, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate said, while issuing a Certificate for Release from Bonded Labour on November 14, 2017.

During inquiry, Harish said he had been working in the godown for ₹200 a day and was paid his wages weekly. Though Harish had taken a loan of ₹10,000 to go to Sabarimala, the dues had been cleared on return. However, long working hours (7 a.m. to 2 a.m.) and other problems made him quit and join another coffee estate as an employee, which angered the accused.

Meanwhile, Harish lodged a complaint with the Kodagu police after recovering from his injuries.

In September, the Kodagu police arrested the accused, who were later remanded in judicial custody. Presently, the accused are out on bail.

The Certificate for Release of Bonded Labour entitles Harish to immediate compensation of ₹20,000 from the government, and financial assistance of ₹80,000 upon conviction of the accused.

Meanwhile, the International Justice Mission (IJM), in a statement, said bonded labourers often face extreme violence and exploitation. IJM’s William Christopher said the victim was traumatised and still feared for his life.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – November 21st, 2017

Full of beans: Coffee grounds to help power London’s buses

Coffee News, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

A new biofuel, which contains part coffee oil, is being added to the London bus fuel supply chain where it can be used without the need for modification.

Transport for London has been turning to biofuels to curb carbon emissions, trialling a fuel made with used cooking oil from the catering industry.(Shutterstock)
Transport for London has been turning to biofuels to curb carbon emissions, trialling a fuel made with used cooking oil from the catering industry.(Shutterstock)

Waste coffee grounds will be used to help fuel some of London’s buses, Royal Dutch Shell and clean technology company bio-bean said on Monday.

A new biofuel, which contains part coffee oil, is being added to the London bus fuel supply chain where it can be used without the need for modification, the companies said in a statement.

Bio-bean and partner Argent Energy have so far produced enough coffee oil to power one bus for a year, if used as a pure-blend for the 20 percent bio component and mixed with mineral diesel to form a B20 fuel, they said.

Transport for London has been turning to biofuels to curb carbon emissions, trialling a fuel made with used cooking oil from the catering industry, the transport operator said on its website.

Bio-bean said the average Londoner drinks 2.3 cups of coffee a day, producing over 200,000 tonnes of waste a year. It collects waste grounds from high street chains and factories, which are dried and processed to extract coffee oil.

“It’s a great example of what can be done when we start to reimagine waste as an untapped resource,” bio-bean founder Arthur Kay said.

The coffee fuel technology has been supported by Shell.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> World / by Reuters, London / November 20th, 2017

Hockey tourney from Nov 21

Sports

Kakotuparambu Sports and Recreation Club will organise a district-level knock-out hockey tournament from November 21 to 26.

Briefing reporters, Club President Mevada Chinnappa said that the tournament will be held at Kakotuparambu ground.

Virajpet Arameri Kalancheri Mutt seer Shanthamallikarjuna Swami will bless the tournament.

Virajpet Institute of Dental Sciences Principal Dr K C Ponnappa will inaugurate the tournament.

The winning team will get a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a trophy.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DH News Service / November 19th, 2017

Works on Gen Thimayya Museum will be completed by March: Umashree

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree on Monday said that work on construction of General Thimayya Museum in Kodagu will be completed by March next year, before his birth anniversary.

Replying to S Veena Achaiah (Cong), who sought to know the reason for the construction work being very slow, in the Legislative Council, she said the land where the museum is being built was owned by Transport department. There was some delay in transferring the land to the Kannada and Culture department. So the construction work was going in slow pace, she added.

The minister said the department has now expedited the work, and it will be completed by March next year.

Earlier, Veena Achaiah said the government had sanctioned Rs 5.50 crore for General Thimayya Museum in 2013. So far, only Rs 45 lakh has been utilised. Works should be expedited and state government should ensure that the museum works are completed by March. It should be inaugurated by March 21, birth anniversary of General Thimayya, she added.

To another question by Jayamala of Congress on installing the statue of former chief minister K C Reddy at Vidhana Soudha, Umashree said the government is unable to do so because of the Supreme Court order.
She, however, added that an appropriate decision will be taken after holding a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this regard.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / DH News Service, Belagavi / November 20th, 2017

Need to protect Kannada stressed

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
Sthree Shakthi members take out a procession.
Sthree Shakthi members take out a procession.

There was a festive atmosphere at Ponnampete on the border of Kodagu district in Virajpet taluk, which is hosting a two-day district-level Kannada Sahitya Sammelan. A large number of students participated in the Kannada literary meet, which commenced on Saturday.

Inaugurating the meet, writer Dr Siddalingaiah said that there is a need to protect Kannada in Kodagu. “A few Malayalam name boards are found in the district. Kannadigas should be awake in the district.

There is no need for a Malayalam name board in Kannada land,” he said.

Stating that there are ample opportunities for promotion of tourism in the district, he said that the state government should chalk out programmes to safeguard the culture and uniqueness of the district along with the promotion of tourism.

Highlighting the importance of Kannada in the district, he said Kodagu Commissioner Cubbon had removed Lakshminarayanayya from the post of Diwan of Kodagu in 1838. He had written a letter to Governor General in Kolkatta highlighting the injustice met on him in pure Kannada.

Siddalingaiah said, “there is a need to restrict the purchase of land in the district by people from outside the district to protect the culture of the land.”

“Field Marshal Cariappa, General Thimmaiah not only brought fame to Kodagu but also the entire country. The people of the district not only guard the border but also protect the language.”

Kaveri nadi pradhikara
In her presidential address, Kechamada Subbamma Thimmaiah demanded the setting up of Kaveri nadi pradhikara.

She said “the test reports have confirmed that the water from river Cauvery at several places is not potable. The garbage and sewage from various places enter the river and pollute it. Cauvery is the lifeline of the state. There is a need to check dumping of garbage into the river. If left untreated, it could choke the river flow, ” she warned.

“The Kodagu district is the land of warriors and culture. There is a need to protect the culture of the land.”, she added.

Arameri Kalancheri Mutt seer Shantha Mallikarjuna Swami, Ponnampete Ramakrishna Sharadhashrama Swaroopanandaji Maharaj were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Ponnampete – DH News Service / November 18th, 2017

Robin Uthappa’s unselfish contribution in Rohit Sharma’s 264

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

Robin Uthappa’s unselfish contribution in Rohit Sharma’s 264

uthappaKF18nov2017

November 13 is often remembered for India batsman Rohit Sharma’s magnanimous 264 against Sri Lanka in the 4th ODI of the series at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 2014. Rohit’s freakish 264 is widely recognised as among the best ODI knocks by any batsman but very few can recall the huge role played by his partner Robin Uthappa in the death overs.

Uthappa joined Rohit when India’s score were 276-4 after 40.2 overs. The Indian opener had already gone past 150-run mark and in next 58 balls, Rohit managed to accumulate more than 100 runs and created a world record which was far away from the second best at that time.

Playing against a poor bowling Sri Lankan attack, Uthappa had the perfect chance to score fifty or more which could have helped him in cementing his place in the ODI side for the coming World Cup 2015. But it was Uthappa’s inglorious selfless run-a-ball 16 which was the reason behind Rohit posting a colossal score to his name.

The duo added 128 runs in just 58 balls together, with Uthappa’s contribution of mere 12.5% to the partnership. The percentage number definitely looks very small but it was all for the sake of team and batting partner. Out of 16 runs Uthappa scored, 12 were singles, which ensured Rohit stayed on strike for as much as possible.

Further, Uthappa played only 6 more international matches for India — 4 ODIs and 2 T20Is till July 2015. Uthappa has been one of the big player from Karnataka and from 2017-18 season onwards, he has shifted to Saurashtra in domestic crcket.

source: http://www.sportswallah.com / SportsWallah.com / Home> Cricket> News / by SportsWallah Desk / November 13th, 2017

Kerala calls the Coorg lass

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

Sandalwood star Harshika Poonacha is all set to make her debut in Malayalam cinema.

Harshika Poonacha
Harshika Poonacha

Like the historic Charminar, which is a symbol of monumental beauty, this Coorg beauty has encountered something special with another kind of Charminar!

After making a mark in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil, Harshika Poonacha has now bagged a beautiful ticket to Mollywood. In her debut movie in Malayalam titled Charminar, she plays a Mallu girl based in Bengaluru. The actress who is fluent in all South Indian languages including Kodava, Tulu and Konkani, talks all about her new exciting journey, and much more.

“Even as my debut Tamil movie Un Kadhal Yerrindhal is yet to release, I have taken up a very special project in Malayalam. I could not have asked for more especially when I was told that the team had auditioned at least 1,500 girls for the role. It may sound exaggerated but the team was very particular about the girl’s character who had to look good in both Indian and as well hold herself well as a Western super model. Some matched perfectly for the model’s part and others for Indian girl’s character, and hence the search continued.

Finally, when someone referred my name along with my portfolio, I fit both the roles, as a pakka desi, geeky looking girl and a model, so they approached me,” says Harshika Poonacha.

Her debut Malayalam movie is being directed by Ajith C Logesh, and has two male actors in the lead — Ashwin Kumar and Hemanth Menon. While her latest Kannada movie Upendra Matte Baa, starring alongside Real Star Upendra sees her play a special cameo appearance, it also includes a ‘real’ foot tapping number releasing this week, she has signed another in Kannada titled Chitte.

Back to her Mollywood debut, the actress reveals that it has a special connection with namma Kannada. “As I play a Mallu girl in Bengaluru, I get to speak Kannada in some parts of Charminar. This is something I improvised and convinced my director that I would speak in Kannada whenever I am happy and excited. As I said, I have two shades to my character, the transformation from an ordinary typical Indian girl to super model is the best part.”

With regard to her multi-lingual skills, she adds that living in Bengaluru has helped her learn all the south Indian languages. “Language has never been a problem and I feel it is a ‘power’ to me. I can speak Kannada, Kodava, Konkani, Tuli, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and English fluently. Nobody reads me my lines, I understand the emotions behind it and deliver,” she adds.

Before flying away like a Chitte, she shares her Bollywood dreams: “When I had been for my photoshoot, I did come across several offers to work including a project of Madhur Bhandarkar, and another one starring Sanjay Dutt. I was almost starting shooting for one them but they asked me to shift my base to Mumbai. I was in a confused state of mind with commitments down South and my prime intention was to make a name for myself in Kannada first, thus it kept me from it.

Moreover, I could not leave my parents. I, sometimes regret it but I am hopeful about it, and also glad that I am heading in the right direction,” she signs off.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Entertainment> Sandalwood / by ShashiPrasad SM, Deccan Chronicle / November 17th, 2017

Coffee to change Arunachal’s economy: Wangsu

Coffee News

Itanagar :

Coffee may soon replace tea in Kanubari if the present market trends continue as the tea growers are left at their receiving end, more so because the low price and shortage of laborers have seriously hit the farmers, said Chairman of Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Information Technology (APSCIT) and e-Governance Gabriel Denang Wangsu.

“Kanubari so far known for its lush green tea gardens may soon get recognition for coffee,” observed Wangsu, who is also the local MLA, while describing coffee as a suitable and sustainable alternative of the present day economy.

Addressing a team of officers from Coffee Board of India, State officials and public during various interactive sessions at Kanubari and Longhua village at Kanubari, the MLA said coffee offers scope for economic growth and helps in maintaining natural equilibrium, an official report stated.

Calling upon the people to seriously take up coffee farming as one of the sources of sustenance by following the farming techniques and procedures, Wangsu said that forest and horticulture departments too would soon raise coffee nurseries with the help of Coffee Board.

Joint Director of Coffee Board Dr C G Anand, who arrived at Kanubari from Bangaluru to study the feasibility of coffee cultivation, said that Kanubari area is suitable for growing robusta coffee and the success stories of other parts of India can be replicated in this region.

Describing the first coffee nursery raised by a local entrepreneur Lempho Wangjen as beginning of a new chapter, Dr Anand assured all technical support from his office. Necessary aids and advices for raising coffee plantation would be made available at the doorsteps of the farmers, he assured.

Deputy Director of Coffee Board, P P Choudhury said the 5-member team is here as a follow up of the initiation by the State Chief Minister Pema Khandu to encourage coffee cultivation in the State.

10-15 farmers would soon be selected to undergo on-field training outside the State before coffee saplings are distributed for plantation, he said.

“More than hundred farmers are already taking up coffee farming in Deomali area in Tirap district and many more are ready to venture into this cash crop,” he added.

source: http://www.sentinelassam.in / The Sentinel / Home> Arunachal News> Story / by The Sentinel, The Staff Reporter / November 15th, 2017

Coffee sector strives for US$6 billion export turnover

Coffee News, World Opinion
The coffee industry needed a big capital and comprehensive solutions to increase output and product quality. — Photo lehoicaphe.com
The coffee industry needed a big capital and comprehensive solutions to increase output and product quality. — Photo lehoicaphe.com

Hanoi :

The coffee industry should improve output, quality and added value for an export turnover target of US$6 billion by 2030, said Lương Văn Tự, chairman of Việt Nam Coffee and Cocoa Association.

Tự told the press meeting to introduce the first Việt Nam Coffee Day held in Hà Nội on Tuesday that the coffee industry has been growing impressively over the past three decades. Việt Nam’s coffee output made up just 1 per cent of world market shares in 1991, but that figure rose to nearly 20 per cent in the 2015-16 crop year.

However, the industry has been affected by climate changes. Last year, the sector suffered the most severe drought in the past 30 years. Meanwhile, the areas of old coffee trees, which need to re-plant in the next five years, was up to 160,000 ha. The re-farming progress has been slow in the Central Highlands region.

He said the industry should make great efforts to fulfil two main targets including maintaining its place as the second biggest producer and exporter of coffee beans in the world and stepping up the processing of instant and roasted coffee. These aim to increase export value from the current $3 billion to $6 billion by 2030.

The chairman added that the coffee industry needed a big capital and comprehensive solutions to increase output and product quality.

“If the investment speed in instant and roasted coffees is faster, time to meet the $6 billion target would be shortened. Currently, many foreign groups have been investing in Việt Nam’s coffee industry due to its abundant material areas and preferential tax,” he said.

For example, Indian Tata Coffee Limited invested in an instant coffee processing plant with a total investment of $60 million in the southern province of Bình Dương.

The organiser of Việt Nam Coffee Day said the first event is scheduled to take place in Đà Lạt City in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng from December 9-11.

The event, featuring many products of Việt Nam’s famous coffee localities nationwide, is described as an opportunity to promote products to domestic and international consumers, raising the value of Vietnamese goods in the international market.

An international conference on the development of the coffee sector is scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the event, with the participation of representatives from coffee-producing countries and the International Coffee Organisation (ICO). — VNS

source: http://www.vietnamnews.vn / Vietnam News / Home> Vietnam News> Economy / November 15th, 2017