Monthly Archives: December 2017

Karnataka second in nation for providing court infrastructure: T B Jayachandra

Business & Economy, Records, All
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra inaugurates the Court Complex and quartters of Judicairy officials at Ponnampet in Virajpet on Saturday.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra inaugurates the Court Complex and quartters of Judicairy officials at Ponnampet in Virajpet on Saturday.

Karnataka is in the second position in the country for providing infrastructure facilities to courts, said Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra.

Inaugurating the court complex and quarters for officials of the judiciary in Ponnampet, Virajpet taluk on Saturday, he said that the meeting of the Prime Minister and Supreme Court Judges in Delhi has appreciated Karnataka’s efforts in this regard.

There are 1,300 courts operating in the state and the government has decided to open 254 more courts.

Also, 2.90 lakh cases are pending in the High Court and 13 lakh cases are pending in lower courts.

Lawyers have a responsible role in disposing of cases. The lawyers should also work like officials of judiciary, the minister said.

Jayachandra further said that lawyers should respect the feelings of people who come to court seeking justice. He hoped that the new court which covers four hoblis will play a vital role in clearing the cases soon.

During a period of four years and eight months, the Congress-led state government has implemented 161 laws including the Prevention of Superstitions bill. The laws should be well implemented for the public good.

There are more land-related cases in DC, AC and tahsildar courts, than in civil courts. Thrust should be laid on clearing these cases soon, he said.

Jayachandra felt the need to revise old laws to address the current issues. He added that a special rule has bee formed to provide 50% reservation for the students from the state in the National School of Law.

High Court Justice A S Bopanna said that lawyers should take initiative to solve the cases amicably through reconciliation in Lok Adalat.

MLA K G Bopaiah said that the state government should address the grievances of the people of Kodagu. The traffic issue has become a nightmare in Kodagu.

Currently, there is a shortage of judges in the High Court. There are only 24 judges in the place of 62 judges. There is less number of judges in local courts too, he said.

Kodagu District Administrative Judge R B Boodihal, MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan, High Court Registrar General Ashok G Nijagannanavar also spoke. Principal District and Sessions Judge Master R K G M M Mahaswamiji, MLC Veena Acchaiah, Forest Development Corporation Chairperson Padmini Ponnappa and Bar Association President S D Kaveriappa were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri – DH News Service / December 24th, 2017

The roots of Kannada in Kodagu…

About Kodagu / Coorg, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

The coffee land is all set to witness the 80th Kannada literary meet scheduled to begin on January 7, after a long gap of 32 years. Earlier, Madikeri has witnessed two literary meets – the 18th literary meet in 1932 under the leadership of D V Gundappa and the 54th literary meet in 1982 under the leadership of Dr Shambha Joshi.

Interestingly, despite being one of the smallest districts in Karnataka, it has a wide variety of culture as well as languages that include Kodava, Arebashe Gowda and Malayalam, yet the region has managed to retain the flavour of State language.

If one goes down the pages of history, the little district with unique weather and culture has contributed immensely for the development of Kannada language. The Ganga – Kongwala – Hoysala and Haleri dynasties, perhaps laid the strong foundation for Kannada through inscriptions way back in the 9th century. In the 10th century, Nagaverma had created ‘Chandombudi’ and ‘Punyashrava,’ according to the reference available at ‘Kodagu Sahithya – Sanskrithi Darshana,’ published by Kodagu District Kannada Sahithya Parishat.

During the Chengalva dynasty, the third Mangarasa had published ‘Jayanrupa Kavya’ and ‘Samyukta Kaumudi’ (1508), while his cousin Nanjunda had written ‘Kumara Ramana Kathe.’

There are documents to prove that the first epic ‘Rama Vijaya Kavya’ was written by Devappa, a Jain poet in 1540. Similarly, Dodda Veera Rajendra, who ruled Kodagu between 1789 and 1809, has the credit of documenting history titled ‘Rajendra Name’ in Kannada. The II Linga Rajendra, who ruled Kodagu between 1810 and 1820 had written a book pertaining to land in Kodagu entitled ‘Lingarajana Shisthu.’

The 19th century

The leading name of 19th century pertaining to literature is that of Panje Mangesh Rao, who served as a teacher in Kodagu in 1920s. He had penned poems pertaining to Hutthari festivities among other literary works. In fact, he was the president of All India Kannada literary meet held in Raichur in 1934.

Haradasa Appacchha Kavi, popularly known as the Adi Kavi of Kodagu had penned many plays including ‘Savithri,’ ‘Yayathi,’ ‘Kaveri’ and ‘Subramanya’ in Kodava language. The same were translated to Kannada language by Dr I M Muttanna, who also hailed from Kodagu.

Kodagina Gowramma

The first woman story writer in Kannada literary field, Gowramma, hailed from Kodagu and she is known as ‘Kodagina Gowramma.’ Born in Madikeri in 1912, she did her early schooling in Madikeri and married to B T Gopalakrishna in 1928.

From 1931, she wrote a number of articles and stories in the name of ‘Mrs G T G Krishna’. Most of her stories were based on the theme of women’s problems. However, she passed away in 1940 when she was just 28 years old. When Mahathma Gandiji arrived at Kodagu, she had invited Gandhiji to her home and she had donated her jewellery for the cause of freedom.

Bharathisutha

A teacher by profession, ‘Bharathisutha’ was the pen name of S R Narayana Rao. Based on the life story of Kodagu ruler Siribai Dodda Veerappa, he had written ‘Huliya Haalina Mevu,’ which was later made into a film by the same name.

His other stories too have been made into films and they include ‘Girikanye,’ ‘Edakallu Guddada Mele’ and ‘Bayalu Daari’ among others. His work on ‘Solle Haraduva Rogagalu’ (Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes) and ‘Giliyu Panjaradolilla’ (The parrot is not in the cage) earned him Central government award and Karnataka Sahithya Academy award respectively.

Kittel’s footsteps

Rev Fr Ferdinand Kittel, who contributed immensely to the field of Kannada literature has left indelible marks in Kodagu, prominent among them include the Kannada – English dictionary.
A German missionary, who served in Kodagu church (presently knownn as Shanthi church) between 1871 and 1876, was the first parish priest of the church. Rev Kittel started learning Kannada after going around the coffee land, says the present parish priest of the church.

DH News Service

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Srikanth Kallammanavar / Madikeri – DHNS, January 05th, 2014

Chikkaveerarajendra’s descendants visit Kodagu

About Kodagu / Coorg, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Lakshmidevi is the great granddaughter of the king

Chikkaveerarajendra of the Haleri dynasty was last ruler of Kodagu

Akhila Bharata Veerashiava Mahasabha received the members of the ruler’s family

Madikeri:

Descendants of the last ruler of Kodagu, Chikkaveerarajendra of the Haleri dynasty, carrying memories of the glory their ancestors, arrived in the district on Sunday to a rousing reception accorded to them by the members of the Kodagu unit of the Akhila Bharata Veerashiava Mahasabha.

Family

Lakshmidevi, great granddaughter of the last ruler of Kodagu Chikkaveerarajendra, her sons, Praveen Sardesai and his brother Girish, wife of Dr. Sardesai, Anuradha and their two daughters, Deepti and Disha, arrived at the Anechowkur gate on the Kodagu-Mysore border on Sunday afternoon.

The president of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha, Kodagu unit, S.P. Mahadevappa and members of the mahasabha from various parts of the district welcomed the royal descendants.

Mr. Mahadevappa said that the British, after wresting power from Chikkaveerarajendra in 1834 and banning him from Kodagu, had prohibited the royal family members from entering Kodagu.

The members had not thought of venturing into the district till 1947. However, Lakshmidevi, paid a secret visit to Kodagu in 1974, thanks to a Minister, who was in the State Government at that time, he said.

Dr. Sardesai is a ENT specialist serving in Hyderabad and his brother is pursuing a business, he said. Dr. Sardesai had also visited Kodagu in 1986 as part of the bird watching team in 1986.

He is said to be a member of the Andhra Pradesh Bird Watchers’ Society. The royal family members were just here to reminisce the past and not to claim any property in the district, Mr. Mahadevappa clarified.

Felicitations

The members were taken to the Bamboo Club in Polibetta and later they went to a private resort in Kakkabe, near Napoklu.

On Monday, the family members were felicitated by Shantamallikarjuna Swamy of Arameri Kalancheri Math near Virajpet.

The members will be felicitated at the Gaddige located in Madapur on Tuesday, Mr. Mahadevappa said.

Lakshmidevi is the great granddaughter of Chikkaveerarajendra and granddaughter of Gangamma, one of the three daughters of Chikkaveerarajendra. Gangamma was married to a zamindar in Hyderabad. Veeramma, the other daughter was married to a prince in Madhya Pradesh and the other Muddamma was married to a former Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Mahadevappa said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / September 29th, 2009

Book Review: Chikaveera Rajendra (A Kannda Novel)

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

BookChikkaKF28dec2017

Chikka Veerarajendra was the last king of Kodagu (Coorg) before it fell into British hands.

This book provides a picturesque account of life and time of the ruler, cultural preferences of Kodava community (the locals), gods worshipped by them, and their attitude towards the rulers.

Chikka Veera Rajendra, a spoilt prince has only one confidant in kunta (lame) Basava and when he becomes king, he makes Basava his minister not to support him in administration but to make arrangements for his whims.

The kingdom is mostly run by his other two ministers, Bopanna and Lakshminarayanaiah, while the king is busy fulfilling his bodily needs, leaving no money in treasury and acting cruelly when forced to take decisions. While the public in general dislike their ruler, a balancing act is done by the queen, making correcting efforts wherever possible to protect the interests of her family and the kingdom.

The king has a sister, Devammaji and her husband Chennabasavaiah who is interested in dethroning the king and taking power into his hands by making his wife the ruler. Becoming aware of this plan, the king puts his sister in captivity but releases her later as per requests from the queen, his daughter and a priest, Dikshit who advises the same.

Devammaji delivers a baby boy after her release and her husband devises a plan to run away from the clutches of the king and seek help from the British in dethroning the king. While he puts this plan to work, the couple in a hurry loses their baby on the way and it reaches the hands of the king and the palace. The king receives letters from the British to return the baby to his parents but he refuses to do so and in an act of madness, he kills the baby.

This incident causes a revolt in his administration who could not tolerate evil deeds of the king anymore and the opportunist British too come down with a force to attack. The turnout of events leads to capture of the king by the British and Kodagu being annexed into the British administration.

After losing the kingdom and being deported from Kodagu, life of Veerarajendra continues, he lives on the compensation fund he receives from the British. His wife meets death on the pilgrimage and his daughter marries a British, goes on to live in London.

This historical novel won the author the prestigious literary honor Jnanapith award in 1983. This hardbound book also provides the images of paintings and historical photographs, and descriptions of references to the history and also about the life of the celebrated author Masti Venkatesha Iyengar.

source: http://www.booksmarketsandplaces.blogspot.in / by Anand Maralad / Monday – August 18th, 2014

Coorg connection

About Kodagu / Coorg, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
EXOTIC LINEAGE The Coorg royal descendents | Photo Credit: PHOTO: SATISH H
EXOTIC LINEAGE The Coorg royal descendents | Photo Credit: PHOTO: SATISH H

It’s interesting to note how the descendents of Coorg royal family came to settle down in Bodhan

In a sub-continent that has been in existence for ages, it is no surprise that there is every possibility of us crossing paths with the descendents of some king or sultan who had reigned over some part of the Indian soil. Within the confines of this city, or more so a fairly small place called Bodhan in this State (Nizamabad district to be precise), we’d come across the direct descendents of the Coorg royalty — the Haleri clan that had held sway over the exotic tract of land for nearly 234 years. That they found their way to Bodhan is mind-blowing, for Coorg is nowhere in the horizon of Andhra Pradesh! But as Lakshmi Devi Sardesai and her son Ajay Rajendra Wadiyar point out, there is a third dimension to the riddle —the Benaras factor.

The jigsaw nature of Coorg history started unfolding no sooner than Lakshmi Devi began her crisp narration introducing herself as the great granddaughter of the last king of Coorg Chikka Veera Rajendra. The beautiful lady is grace personified, albeit a little frail. Says she, “to cut a long story short, the last rajah was arrested by the British (East India Company) and put in house arrest at a place of his choice and this happened to be Benaras.” The East India Company provided him with a privy purse which allowed him, his four sons and daughter Gowramma to live in comfort if not luxury. One of the sons was Lakshmi devi’s grandfather on the paternal side. Chikka Veera Rajendra along with his daughter went to Britain to plead for his case to no avail. His daughter was baptized there after the Queen of England who took a liking to the beautiful Gowramma but the Rajah refused to convert, it was reported. Heart-broken, he left his daughter along with the royal jewels in the care of a British royal couple and died quite suddenly in London. The mortal remains of his body buried in that country was later sent to Benaras to be immersed in the Ganga as per Hindu custom.

Now, where is the Bodhan link? Smiling, Lakshmi Devi shares the information for the Veera Shaiva sect, there was a mutt (Jangamvadi) in Kasi (Benaras) headed by a Panchacharya (seer). Congregation of all lingayat priests (Jangam) from across the length and breadth of the country at this mutt at least annually was not uncommon then and even now. It so happened that one Jangam from Bodhan Samsthan met Chikka Rajendra’s son at Benaras during one of his visits to the place. An alliance for the two daughters of the king was proposed to the Deshmukh of Bodhan. Both were without heirs and it was then that one of the sisters decided to call her brother’s son (nephew) to Bodhan to take care of the family and property. That’s how Linga Rajendra (third son of Veera Rajendra) came to settle down at Bodhan. The other three sons of the rajah were Veera Rajendra, Mudhu Rajendra and Chandrashekara Rajendra. Since Linga Rajendra at a young age his and my widowed grandmother called for her youngest brother-in-law to take care of the Samsthan at Bodhan.

It’s interesting to know that Lakshmi Devi’s second son was adopted by her father to take on the family name as there was no male progeny. The silverware, brassware embossed with the royal seal and gazette notifications are the only precious preserves now with the family while the original Madikeri (Markara) palace at Coorg has been housing the Collectorate now.

The erudite Lakhmi Devi, is personification of the three ‘Bs’ (beauty, brains and breed) not to talk of the Coorg secularism.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Ranee Kumar / November 01st, 2008

River Cauvery safe in Karnataka, say experts

About Kodagu / Coorg, Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All
The backwater of the KRS dam. According to a KSPCB official, Cauvery river water in Karnataka falls under 'C' grade, which means it is safe for drinking after treatment. DH FILE PHOTO
The backwater of the KRS dam. According to a KSPCB official, Cauvery river water in Karnataka falls under ‘C’ grade, which means it is safe for drinking after treatment. DH FILE PHOTO

Environment experts claim that the report on River Cauvery published by Anna University, Tamil Nadu, may be partially true, but, the river water is safe for consumption in Karnataka.

S Srikantaswamy, professor in Environmental Science, University of Mysore (UoM), said, the pollution level at River Cauvery will be high during summer as water flow is less. The professor, who had conducted a study on River Cauvery two years back, said, “We cannot ignore the report, but, the pollution level in the river varies at different points in time.”

“It is true that the river, which has its origin at Talacauvery, in Kodagu district, receives wastewater from the starting point itself. The river flows amidst coffee plantations and the coffee pulped water is directly let into the river without any treatment. Similarly, the industries located along the river discharge wastewater (including toxic effluents) without treatment,” he said.

An official of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) said that he is unaware about the parameters of the study conducted by Anna University.

“The water in Karnataka comes under ‘C’ grade, which means it is safe for drinking after treatment. The report might be true as the river might be more polluted in TN,” he said.

In TN, a large number of small and medium textile dyeing industries, paper and sugar mills are located besides the river, and this could be the reason for high pollution levels. The pollution level during summer will be high as self-purification is low due to less volume of water flow, he said.

In Mysuru district, except sewage water in a few places, no industry releases wastewater into the river directly. The authorities monitor the quality of water every month at various places, commencing from Kodagu district up to the border of Karnataka, and the river water quality is good, he claimed.

Claiming that the River Cauvery in Karnataka is not polluted as much as River Ganga, he said, as per the physical appearance itself, the river is not much polluted.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Ranjith Kandya / Mysuru – DH News Service / December 25th, 2017

Aspinwall to revamp Monsooned Malabar coffee brand

Coffee News, World Opinion

Kochi :

Aspinwall and Company, the 150-year-old plantations and logistics major, is going for a brand revamp of its Monsooned Malabar coffee, that caters mostly to the export market.

The product, fetching a premium price in the European market, will be known as Aspinwall Mellows in the overseas market.

According to KNR Menon, Chairman, the company is looking at marketing its speciality coffee to other countries, given the rising demand for certified coffees. Monsooned coffee from Aspinwall estates has got certifications from Rainforest Alliance and UTZ for sustainable farming.

Besides speciality coffee, the company has interests in logistics, natural rubber and natural fibres. While coffee accounts for nearly 50 per cent of its income, logistics has 35 per cent share and the remaining from rubber and natural fibres.

Rama Varma, Managing Director, said the company chalked out plans to double its turnover by 2020 from the present ₹250 crore.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Economy> Agri Business / by The Hindu Bureau / Kochi – December 20th, 2017

State’s first goat unit to come up in Kodagu

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Nature

Madikeri:

The construction of the state’s first goat milk producing and processing unit is in full swing at Byadagotta near Kushalnagar.

Animal husbandry minister A Manju had in February laid foundation stone for the unit which will come up on 112 acres of land. It is estimated to cost Rs 5 crore of which the state government has released Rs 2 crore.

Veterinary Department deputy director Padmanabha said it has planned to buy Jamalapuri, Seroy, and beetle breeds of goats from Maharashtra which provide upto 3 litres of milk per day.

He said an expert team has been formed to purchase 200 goats for rearing. At later stages, goat milk producers unions will be established at village levels. He said the milk will be sent to Bengaluru for marketing and in later stages, the unit will pack the milk in sachets and sell in local markets too. Goat milk has a good demand in the state where it is sold at Rs 70 per litre.

The department has also planned to grow grass for goats here and manure produced by goats will be sold to farmers.

The government will appoint an assistant director, a doctor, technician, an agriculture officer, 50 labourers for the milk producing unit. The unit will also generate direct employment for 50 locals and provide indirect employment to hundreds of farmers, he said.

Farmer Ganesh said dairy farming is a good idea for farmers to boost their incomes. He said the area has greenery which provides fodder for goats.

Byadagotta village is situated just 8 kilometre from Kushalnagar and has potential for development. The state government also planned to construct a mini airport at Aluvara. Mangaluru university has already established a PG centre in Aluvara.

source: http://www.msn.com / MSN.com / Home> Headlines> News – The New Indian Express / December 26th, 2017

Ashwini Ponnappa ties the knot

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, World Opinion
SHEER JOY Badminton ace Ashwini Ponnappa (right) and Karan Medappa tied the nuptial knot in Ammatti on Sunday. DH PHOTO
SHEER JOY Badminton ace Ashwini Ponnappa (right) and Karan Medappa tied the nuptial knot in Ammatti on Sunday. DH PHOTO

Indian badminton star Ashwini Ponnappa entered a new phase of her life after marrying model Ponnachettira Karan Medappa at the Kodava Samaja, Ammatti, on Sunday.

The marriage rituals were held as per the Kodava tradition. Ashwini was draped in a traditional Kodava saree and Karan was dressed in ‘Kuppasa Datti’.

The wedding reception was held in Serenity Hall, Virajpet, on Sunday evening.

Tennis player Rohan Bopanna and squash player Jyotsna Chinnappa were among the sports stars who attended the function.

Ashwini had announced her engagement to Karan in November via an Instagram post.

Ashwini said she would continue her involvement in sports even after marriage.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports / by DH News Service / Siddapur – December 24th, 2017

Coffee holidays: Unwind in nature’s lap with a hot cuppa

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment

Karnataka, which accounts for over 70% of India’s total coffee production, is betting big on tourism around its coffee.

The last chunk of rainforest coffee on this planet is in India and grows along the Western Ghats covering Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. (Photo: DC)
The last chunk of rainforest coffee on this planet is in India and grows along the Western Ghats covering Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. (Photo: DC)

Bengaluru :

Karnataka, which accounts for over 70% of India’s total coffee production, is betting big on tourism around its coffee.

The last chunk of rainforest coffee on this planet is in India and grows along the Western Ghats covering Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka’s coffee gardens are a haven for wildlife, dozens of rare bird species, some 50 different types of tress apart from natural flora and fauna.
State Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge said a wide variety of farm and home stay options are available across coffee areas of Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Hassan, Sakleshpur and Baba Budan Giri (a mountain where first ever coffee in the country was grown in 1670), and Mullayanagiri (the highest coffee growing peek in Chikkamagaluru).

Kharge said, “We’ve recently eased a lot of restrictions around farm tourism and home stays, by decreasing the home stay registration fee to Rs 500 from Rs 10,000. We have also introduced additional incentives to encourage entrepreneurship in coffee tourism. We received home-stay registration requests from over 700 coffee farmers and estates in the last two months.”

Some of the activities promoted under coffee tourism include nature trails, trekking, pulping, bean plucking, drying, curing, roasting and grinding the coffee.

In addition, coffee lands offer amazing landscapes with unique culture and cuisines, he said.

Anil Kumar Bhandari president of Indian Coffee Trust said, “Corporates and real estate firms are eager to swallow huge chunks of coffee lands to build resorts, but coffee farmers with the help of the tourism department are trying to keep such elements out.”

Only individuals and families who are living in Karnataka for a minimum period of 15 years will be eligible for home stay licences.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> In Other News / by Mini Tejaswi / December 23rd, 2017