– Importers in coffee drinking nations have brought orders forward by a month
– Strong demand amid expectations of tightening supply has pushed up prices
– In Brazil they are near record levels at £85 per 60kg bag of coffee beans
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The price of coffee is set to rise as countries stockpile in case supply chains are hit by coronavirus.
Importers in major coffee-drinking nations are bringing forward orders by up to a month to avoid shortages.
Prices are heading upwards because of strong demand amid expectations that supplies, which were tight before the virus struck, will tighten further.
Coffee prices are soaring as importers in major coffee-drinking nations race to stockpile the bean amid fears of a global shortage due to coronavirus (stock image)
Prices in Brazil are close to record levels – nearing £85 per 60kg bag. Supply chains are backing up because of severe restrictions on international movement.
‘We had requests from buyers in all major countries,’ said the head of one of the largest coffee exporters in Brazil, the world’s leading producer, asking not to be named.
‘Basically all the largest roasters in the world. They want to have the beans there quicker, just in case.’
Carlos de Valdenebro, Colombia director for exporter Caravela Coffee, said: ‘Everyone is trying to speed things up.’
A UK-based coffee trader said: ‘Roasters and traders are stocking up because they anticipate supply disruption.’
In Brazil prices are already approaching near record levels of £85 per 60kg bag
Brazilian coffee exporters association Cecafe said shortages might occur in the coming months even though the country could harvest its biggest coffee crop ever, around 70million bags.
Roberto Velez, of Colombia’s growers federation, said: ‘We have maybe one of the best prices in history. But with that price we’re facing logistical problems – coronavirus, fear.
source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk / Mail Online / Home> News / by Daily Mail Reporter and Luke Andrews for MailOnline / April 01st, 2020
The much-loved Rashmika Mandanna is arguably one of the most popular young actresses in Telugu/ Kannada cinema. She enjoys a strong fan following due to her charming screen presence, bindass nature and sincere performances. On Sunday, as the star turns a year older, here is a look at the films that make her everyone’s favourite ‘Kodava Beauty’.
Kirik Party (Kannada)
One of the biggest hits of 2016, Kirik Party established Rashmika as a household name and clicked with the aam janta due to its lively presentation. The film featured her as the leading lady opposite Rakshit Shetty and this created a great deal of buzz among fans. The Rishabh Shetty-helmed flick was later remade in Telugu as Kirrak Party.
Chalo (Telugu)
Chalo, which marked the young woman’s Tollywood debut, emerged as one of the biggest sleeper hits of 2018 and helped her add a new dimension to her career. The film had a strong cast that included Naga Shaurya, Vennela Kishore, Achyuth Kumar and Mime Gopi.
Geetha Govindam (Telugu)
A lively romantic-comedy, Geetha Govindam featured Rashmika in the role of lively young girl and marked her first collaboration with young hero Vijay Deverakonda. Released in 2018, it fared well at the box office and establied the young diva as a synonym for success.
Yajamana (Kannada)
While Yajamana was essentially a Darshan starrer, it proved to be a high-profile affair for Rashmika as it marked her return to Sandalwood after a hiatus. The film featured the Dear Comrade star in a desi avatar and helped her impress fans courtesy her crackling chemistry with ‘D Boss’.
Sarileru Neekevvaru (Telugu)
Arguably the biggest Tollywood film of Rashmika’s career, Sarileru Neekevvaru hit screens this Sankranti and emerged as a sensational hit despite releasing a day before the Allu Arjun starrer Ala Vaikunthapurramloo. The film featured her in a stylish avatar and marked her first collaboration with ‘Prince’ Mahesh Babu
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Entertainment> Entertainment News / by DH Web Desk / April 05th, 2020
The doctors of the district government hospital were felicitated on the occassion of World Health Day, in Madikeri on Tuesday. MLA M P Appachu Ranjan, MLC Sunil Subramani and DHO Dr Mohan were present. DH Photo
Medical personnel have been working day and night to protect the health of people, by putting their own health at risk. The sacrifices made by them are invaluable, said MLA Appachu Ranjan.
He was speaking after felicitating doctors on the occasion of World Health Day observed at district government hospital in Madikeri on Tuesday.
“It is important to recognise the achievements of doctors, nurses and other medical staff. Due to the precautionary measures taken by the district administration and the efforts of health department personnel, we have been able to control the spread of COVID-19,” he added.
MLC Sunil Subramani said that the district administration, police department, medical personnel, civic workers and elected representatives in the district have been working in coordination to combat Covid-19.
District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr K Mohan, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences Dean Dr Cariappa, Superintendent Dr Lokesh, Dr Aziz and Dr Manjunath were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Madikeri / April 07th, 2020
After initial setback and ‘nil’ donations, donors, although in small numbers, are turning up at blood banks
After facing shortage of blood soon after the lockdown with some of the blood banks registering almost ‘nil’ donations, the situation appears to be better now with voluntary blood donation gaining some traction. However, the blood scarcity has not fully eased with restrictions continue to be in place.
Despite limited donors and blood units, the situation was being managed with family members, friends and relatives of in-patients bringing donors by getting passes from the police to donate blood.
So far, blood transfusion to patients of thalassemia, haemophilia, sickle cell anaemia and other blood disorders, who require blood, has not been affected.
In the blood bank of JSS Hospital here, over 100 children with thalassemia had been getting free transfusion. Some require transfusion once or twice a week and the hospital has managed to arrange blood units for them in spite of the lockdown which has hit voluntary blood donations in the absence of camps. JSS Blood Bank has around 260 units of blood.
In Madikeri, the local thalassemia patients, who were being treated in Mangaluru, were now being treated in the district hospital with the blood bank sourcing blood units to them.
Ravi Karumbaiah of the blood bank said, “The lockdown has curbed their movement to places where they were being treated earlier. Blood transfusion to these patients is now being done locally as priority cases since they are unable to commute. The donors are coming forward and the situation is better compared to the previous week.”
In the case of K R Hospital Blood Bank here, the available blood units could last for about a month despite 75 per cent drop in blood donations.
Blood Bank Officer B.S. Manjunath said, “People have realised the situation and are donating blood, though small in numbers, after removing their misapprehensions. We have in storage about 309 units of blood and 800 units of plasma. Donations are certainly down by 75 per cent with numbers dropping to as low as 12-13 from 40-50 daily. There have been no camps since March 10 after the COVID-19 scare began.”
However, for thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, cancer and other patients who need regular transfusion, there was stock and required units were provided for transfusion at the hospital. “Those patients have no problems at all,” he said, adding that the number of blood units would depend on the severity of cases.
Representatives at Jeevanadhara Blood Bank and the Blood Bank of St. Joseph’s Hospital here said lockdown curbs had hit voluntary donations, resulting in blood shortage.
“We have a database of frequent donors and call them if we need blood for patients with negative blood groups which was not common to source, particularly during delivery cases. In such rare cases, we ourselves send ambulances to pick up the donors because of lockdown,” said a source at the Jeevanadhara Blood Bank.
In spite of drop in road accidents and surgeries, the demand for blood has not dropped because of delivery cases, life-saving surgeries and transfusion to aged persons, he added.
A staffer at the JSS Blood Bank said, “In view of the current situation, blood units were also being provided to outsiders in case of emergencies.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Shankar Bennur / Mysuru – April 10th, 2020
Three top women officers are leading from the front the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in Kodagu.
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, Superintendent of Police Suman D. Pennekar and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K. Lakshmi Priya, who were in the vanguard when Kodagu was devastated by floods and landslides last year, are once again in the frontline of the campaign titled #KodaguFightsCorona.
In fact, Ms. Pennekar was serving the district when Kodagu witnessed unprecedented floods and landslides in 2018. Srividya P.I. was the Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu during the 2018 floods.
The top officers worked as a team and used to visit the affected areas together to realise the situation and provide relief accordingly.
In the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the district administration, the district police and the zilla panchayat are again in “battle mode”.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – April 09th, 2020
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy and SP Suman D. Pennekar at a containment area in Kodagu for checking the spread of COVID-19. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Kodagu had reported its first and only case on March 19 and thereafter zero cases till date; Union Health Ministry quotes containment efforts
Kodagu’s efforts to contain the spread of novel Coronavirus have been admired nationally since it is one among two districts in the entire country where no new COVID-19 case had surfaced for 28 continuous days even as cases had been soaring in other States, including in many parts of Karnataka as well.
The first case in Kodagu was reported on March 19 and there had been zero cases subsequently. Besides Kodagu, Mahe in Puducherry had also reported nil cases since over four weeks.
Joint Secretary (Health) Luv Agarwal, while citing Kodagu’s COVID-19 combat efforts during his media briefing, lauded the containment efforts and felt that such results can also be expected in other districts if such efforts were replicated.
The Centre’s appreciation has boosted the morale of Kodagu district administration, which, under the direction of Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, got into a “battle mode” almost a month before the first case was reported and when the virus was causing havoc in neighbouring China and spreading fast in Europe.
How did the district administration fight COVID-19?
The biggest challenge before it was the surveillance on the border with Kerala, which had a spike in cases, particularly from Kasaragod and Kannur areas. The health authorities started screening the people entering Kodagu from Kerala and later sealed some key border check-posts after the cases soared in the neighbouring State.
Sources in the Health Department told The Hindu that awareness programmes on COVID-19 that took off in February and surveillance on the borders helped the administration to confidently combat the disease.
Another reason for containing the spread of the contagion was the quick tracing of primary and secondary contacts of the first positive case (Kondangeri village) and the lockdown in 3-km radius of village to which the patient belonged to and its buffer area.
“None of the residents were allowed to step out of their village. All essentials were supplied to them by the district administration. After the two-week quarantine, they were under observation for any symptoms. Such containment efforts with round-the-clock monitoring with police patrol helped us to a large extent,” says Kodagu District Health Officer K. Mohan.
Also, the administration’s launch of e-commerce portal under #KodaguFightsCorona for delivering essential goods to the people’s doorsteps (to stop them from moving around) and the strict enforcement of the lockdown while easing the curbs three days a week for procuring essential supplies, and surveillance of fever cases on the district borders are the other efforts which could have worked in Kodagu’s favour.
The efforts of the district police, led by Superintendent of Police Suman D. Pennekar, in reaching out the ration and other essentials to the poor and migrant workers also helped to keep them indoors.
Also, 15 attendees of Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin were identified and all of them were placed in hospital quarantine. They are now in 15-day home quarantine.
Around 400 medical teams are on the look-out for fever cases with door-to-door surveillance and reporting the suspected cases to the isolation ward.
With cases soaring in Mysuru, the administration, as a preventive measure, has decided to screen those transporting vegetables, fruits and other essentials in trucks from Mysuru to Kodagu from Monday.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Shankar Bennur / Mysuru – April 20th, 2020
This is the first time, Kannada girl Rashmika Mandanna is going to share the screen space with Stylish Star Allu Arjun in a movie Pushpa, which will be helmed by Sukumar.
Rashmika Mandanna is turning out to be a lucky charm these days for the filmmakers. She has inevitably cast a spell on the movie lovers with her charm and gorgeousness.
According to the latest buzz in the film industry, Rashmika Mandana will be essaying a very important role in the movie, which will stand equal to Allu Arjun’ character. Now, it’s Rashmika Mandanna’ turn to acquire a new skill. Apparently, Geetha Govidnam girl Rashmika Mandanna is utilizing this lockdown period to learn the Chittoor dialect through the notes, which are being sent to her by director Sukumar via email.
Apparently, Rashmika Mandanna and Sukumar of Rangasthalam fame are in constant touch over the phone as well and the director is helping her out. The shoot of Pushpa would resume soon after the lockdown ends.
There is a rumor that Rashmika Mandanna’ name in Allu Arjun starrer is Pushpa and the plot revolves around her character, who gets murdered by goons. To seek revenge on them, Allu Arjun’ character impersonates a redwood smuggler. Pushpa is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Muttamsetty Media, which also has Harish Uthaman, Vennela Kishore, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Prakash Raj, Jagapati Babu, and Anish Kuruvilla in supporting roles.
source: http://www.tollywood.net / Tollywood / Home> Featured / by Murali Ravi / April 17th, 2020
MLA K G Bopaiah conducts a meeting in Madikeri on Thursday.
There are no COVID-19 infected people in Kodagu now. But, nobody should neglect the disease and people must take precautionary measures, said MLA K G Bopaiah.
He was speaking at a meeting held in Madikeri Taluk Panchayat on Thursday.
The MLA felt there is a need for officials to focus on the humanitarian aspect, while striving to follow rules and regulations. He lauded the work by the nodal officers.
Madikeri Taluk Health Officer Dr Gopinath said that necessary arrangements have been made at the Community Health Centre in Madikeri. Masks and sanitisers have been distributed to Asha workers, anganwadi workers and health department staff.
Most of the people who were quarantined have now finished their quarantine period. Funds have been released for the purchase of medicine, as per the government orders, he added.
MLA Bopaiah asked the officials to allow the vendors who bring vegetables from outer districts to operate, only if they possess a letter from the APMC.
“People other than vendors and farmers should not be allowed to sell vegetables,” he added.
Food and Civil Supplies Department Deputy Director Gaurav Kumar Shetty said that there are fewer crowds in Napoklu now. The ration items are being supplied as per demand and there is no shortage of essential commodities.
DySP Barike Dinesh said that merchants will be allowed to carry out business only if they avail permission from the Gram Panchayat PDOs.
Bopaiah meanwhile suggested making sure that fertilizers are purchased at the locations identified by the district administration.
There was a complaint regarding Janata Bazar, which is not opening at the right time, resulting in crowding. The MLA assured of looking into the same.
Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Lakshmi stated that the poultry farms are not getting feed in enough quantities.
Bopaiah observed that people from neighboring districts have been crossing Rivery Cauvery to come to Kodagu.
Some people are also coming through interior roads. The attention of the district in-charge minister will be drawn towards the same, for appropriate action. People are coming through Kushalnagar and Guddehosur after the borders were sealed, he added.
Agriculture department Deputy Director Raju said that the transportation of fertilisers should not be prevented.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / April 09th, 2020
The Forest Department distributed ration to over 60 Mahouts and Kavadis of Dubare Elephant camp near here on Saturday.
Speaking after distributing ration, Madikeri Sub-Division Conservator of Forests (CF)Prabhakar said that the families of Mahouts and Kavadis who live in tribal hamlets were facing a lot of difficulties due to the lockdown.
The Department, taking note of their plight, decided to distribute ration and essential items kits to them. Asking the Mahouts, Kavadis and their family members to stay at home in order to maintain their health in the wake of COVID-19, he highlighted the need for everyone to maintain social distance in order to be safe.
Somwarpet ACF Nehru, Virajpet ACF Dayanand, Kushalnagar RFO Ananyakumar, Dubare Sub-Division Forest Officer Ranjan and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / April 12th, 2020
Akki roti with eggs and greens by chef Kavan Kuttappa | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The Head of Creative Culinary at ph4 Food and Beverages, which runs The Permit Room and Toit, talks about learning from the expert in traditional Coorgi cuisine: his mother.
Chefs don’t usually get a lot of time at home. I live in a family home in Bengaluru so I am spending a lot of time with my parents. It has given us the time to bond better.
At home, it is traditional Coorgi food that we are cooking. My mom is the expert at making it. I am helping her out, brushing up (my skills) and being hands-on like never before.
My father cooks once in a while. He has his signature dishes, like pork ribs. He has not had the time and we are not getting things very easily. So, we’re trying to cook with what we have and what we saved, instead of trying to go out and buy things.
Chef kavan Kuttappa | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The most famous staple Coorgi dish is a pork dish called pandi curry which I have been making for a while now. There are also a lot of rice accompaniments that we do that need a little bit of experience to perfect.
There is a flat rice cake called paputtu. It is like idli, but made with coarser grains of broken rice and topped off with freshly grated coconut. We made that for breakfast. Then there is a rice ball, called kadambuttu, which we are making at home.
We had preserved some small mangoes (sakkare guthi variety) in the freezer. We do that as a family; we get them in season and we keep them for the whole year. So, we made a mango curry with some mustard, curry leaves (just a basic tadka) with a bit of jaggery and some spices.
Once in a while, I whip up something with what we have at home. The other day I had a packet of instant noodles; I think it was a very mellow-flavoured one. I had some elk sausage in the fridge so that added some depth to the noodles. I had done it once before; it turns out great. I think a friend got the sausages for me from Germany a long time ago. That stuff is nuclear-war proof. Nothing happens to it (laughs).
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Akki Roti with eggs and greens
Ingredients:
2 eggs; 1 cup cooked rice (day-old is also okay); 1/2 cup rice flour; salt to taste; 1/4 bunch spinach (can use any local greens); 1/2 sliced onions; 1 dried red chilli; a pinch of mustard; 2 tsp oil; 5-6 chopped cashews; 1 dry red chilli; 5-6 curry leaves; a pinch of mustard; 2 tsp ghee
Method:
For the akki roti : Mix the cooked rice and rice flour (in increments) to make a evenly mixed dough where you can still lightly see the rice grains. Make small rotis using a roti press and cook on a tava and finish on open fire to get the char.
For sauteed greens:
Heat oil in the pan, saute mustard, onions and chilly. Add the greens, cook till done.
To temper:
Heat the ghee in a small pan, add the mustard, red chilli and cashews. Heat till cashews turn slightly brown and crispy. Add the Curry leaves and finish.
Finally, Make a soft scramble with the eggs, once all the other components are ready. Assemble the greens and scramble on the akki roti and garnish with the cashew tempering.
Recipe by chef Kavan Kuttappa
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Regarding work, we had just finished trials and were about to launch a new menu at The Permit Room and then this happened. So, what I am doing right now is spending the time documenting. As chefs, we don’t like to really sit down and document recipes but I have been getting more time, so that is what I have been focusing on.
A lot of focus has also been on taking care of the staff, which I feel is very important.
Overall, our company (pH4 Food and Beverages) has about 450 employees. In Bengaluru, The Permit Room has about 50 employees who stay in staff housing and Toit, owned by the same company, has over 100 employees.
The staff stay in accommodation that the company provides. We are cooking meals (rice, dal and vegetables with egg once a week) for them at the restaurant everyday and delivering it. They are not hungry, if nothing else, and they have a roof over their heads. [Ensuring] this has been a major responsibility and task.
In this series, India’s popular chefs and restauteurs share their lockdown cooking habits and recipes with us.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style> Food – The Lockdown Chefs / by Aparna Narain / April 16th, 2020
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