Air Marshal Nanda Cariappa pays rich tributes to martyred soldiers
Madikeri:
“Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of India’s pride and valour. I bow to the soldiers who, with their indomitable courage, drove the enemy from the inaccessible hills of Kargil and waved the Tricolour there again. The country is proud of the heroes of India, who are dedicated to protecting the motherland. We remember the courage and determination of our Armed Forces, who protected our nation in 1999 and continued protecting us and their sacrifices will continue to inspire generations,” said Air Marshal Kodandera Nanda Cariappa.
He was speaking at Sunny Side War Memorial — the house of General K.S. Thimmayya — at Madikeri yesterday on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas. The event was organised amidst COVID pandemic by Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General Thimmayya Forum. “It is a special and a sacred milestone in the history of Indian Armed Forces,” he said after laying a wreath at Amar Jawan Memorial at Sunny Side.
Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General Thimmayya Forum President Col. (retd.) Kandrathanda Subbaiah, Lieutenant Colonel (retd.) Chengappa, Major (retd.) Biddanda Nanda Nanjappa and others paid rich tributes. Ajjinanda Thamoo Poovaiah of Kodagu Ekikarana Ranga, Kokkalera Cariappa, entrepreneur Arun, Sukumar of Hindu Vedike and others were present.
Kodagu Sainik School Principal Col. G. Kannan paying homage to war heroes at the War Memorial.
Sainik School pays tribute
The supreme sacrifice by the brave Indian soldiers was remembered by the Kodagu Sainik School fraternity by paying homage to war heroes at the War Memorial. Principal Col. G Kannan laid the wreath. Lt. Col Seema Tripathi, Vice-Principal and Sqn. Ldr. R.K. Dey, Administrative Officer also remembered the sacrifices.
Associate NCC Officers of the School also paid floral tributes at the Memorial. The Principal addressed the cadets and shared a video to the cadets about the event and told them that the School, under Ministry of Defence and with the support from Government of Karnataka, is committed to prepare them to be future leaders not only in defence forces but in all walks of life.
Owing to the COVID pandemic, the programme and competitions were held online. Cdt. Amogh and his team of other cadets performed a role play titled “Yeh Dil Mange More!” a tribute to Capt. Vikram Batra, Param Vir Chakra awardee, through video conference. Online quiz, poster-making contests were held and e-certificates were also awarded to the winning cadets.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 27th, 2020
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy has directed the officials to provide necessary treatment and other facilities to the patients at the Covid Care Centres in Morarji Desai Residential School and Ekalavya Residential School in Arji, Virajpet.
Visiting the Covid Care Centres on Thursday, she directed the officials concerned to repair the rooms at the Ekalavya Residential School and provide clean drinking water to the patients.
Virajpet Tahsildar M M Nandish said five Covid-19 infected were admitted to the Morarji Desai CCC eight days ago and all of them have been discharged after recovery.
“Four other Covid-19 positive persons from South Kodagu were admitted to the Covid Care Centre at the Morarji Desai Residential School on Thursday. At the Morarji Desai Residential School, 80 people can be accommodated and there is space for 40 people at the Ekalavya school. Both the centres are equipped with all necessary facilities, including doctors”, Nandish said.
ITDP Officer Shivakumar, district Health Officer and taluk level officers were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Virajpet(Kodagu) / July 24th, 2020
A kodava bride and groom being wished by relatives during muhurtha.
Weddings are perhaps the grandest celebrations in any community. This is especially true of the Kodava wedding which is strikingly unique in the fact that the weddings are not solemnised by priests but by family elders.
While the modern-day weddings are typically held in convention halls, the current restrictions due to Covid-19 have led to people reverting to simpler ceremonies, offering a glimpse of how Kodava weddings, called mangala, took place a few generations ago.
In the earlier days, the wedding would be conducted at ainmanes – the ancestral homes of the groom and the bride – and was purely a family affair. Unlike common perception, there is more to Kodava weddings than just merriment, and each ritual is invested with a deeper meaning.
The wedding ceremonies are held for two-days. On the day before the wedding, Karik Muripa, Punda Pani and Oor Kooduvo ceremonies are held separately at the groom’s and the bride’s homes. It is interesting to note that, Karik Muripa means cutting vegetables for curry; Punda Pani means erecting bamboo stumps as pandal and Oor Kooduvo means gathering of villagers.
On this day, all the villagers and family members of the groom and the bride gather at their respective homes and make all the arrangements for the wedding to be followed the next day.
The bride and the groom offer prayers to the gods and the ancestors before the nellakki bolcha (sacred lamp) at their ainmanes and seek blessings from their parents and all the elders assembled there. The groom’s mother then puts a pavala (coral) mala around his neck, and similarly the bride’s mother ties a pathaak (necklace) around her neck, to solemnise the wedding.
While people pitch in to help during the day, the evenings are reserved for festivities. There’s good food, liquor, music and dance.
On the day of the wedding, the groom dressed in traditional white Kupya Chele goes to the bride’s home, along with other family members, where the Baale Kethuva ceremony is held. In this ceremony, maternal uncles of the groom and the bride cut a row of nine or more banana stumps (in multiples of three) symbolising the obstacles that had to be conquered and the ultimate victory of the groom over other suitors.
The groom is then led inside the bride’s home by the bojakara (the best man), and the bride draped in Kodava sari is accompanied by the bojakarthi (bridesmaid). They offer prayers, are blessed by the elders and exchange garlands during the muhurtha.
The bride is granted all the rights at the groom’s home by the elders. The groom also gives her a bag containing gold, silver and copper coins to symbolise the sharing of his wealth with her.
A bride fetches a pot of water from a well during the ‘neer edpo’ ceremony.
The bride then embarks on a journey to her new home with the groom and his relatives. There, as part of the Ganga Pooja or Neer Edpo ceremony, which literally means fetching water, she has to draw water from the well. As a symbol of becoming a part of her husband’s family and taking up the household work, she carries two pots of water from the well to the kitchen. However, the path is blocked by members of the groom’s family, to imply that as a married woman she may have to face hardships. Meanwhile, the youths dance to volaga (traditional music) in merriment.
After her way is cleared, she enters the house and places the pots near the sacred lamp. She is now formally the lady of the house.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Spectrum> Spectrum Statescan / by Dhanyata M Poovaiah / July 25th, 2020
Undeterred by the absence of much fanfare or grand fashion shows, designer Aviva Bidapa launches her second swimwear collection.
Model in Aviva Swimwear
Bengaluru :
A grand launch was what Aviva Bidapa had planned for the launch of the second collection of her swimwear line.
But her plans took a completely different turn due to the Coronavirus outbreak. But taking things in her stride, the fashion designer is now promoting her new collection digitally, even getting a shoutout from actor Anushka Sharma on Instagram.
“Anushka has always been a gem of a person. I had just sent her a box containing some of my work as a gift. But she posted it on social media, and that meant so much to me. She didn’t have to do that but it was a sweet gesture from her side,” says Bidapa, the daughter of popular fashion consultant Prasad Bidapa.
Talking about her new collection, which was supposed to come out in March-end, she says it has been designed keeping every body type in mind. “If someone picks a swimwear that means they want to wear something easy and have a good time.
I wanted to come up with something that fulfilled those two primary requirements. That’s why some of my pieces have full sleeves or some of them are one-piece suits to keep the tummy area covered,” says Bidapa, whose swimwear line is called Aviva Swimwear. Having been exposed to the fashion industry at an early stage, Bidapa has worked with models with ‘perfect’ bodies, but she has no qualms in admitting that she too grew up with body image issues.
“While growing up, I was always a chubby kid and struggled with my body. I used to dread going to poolside parties. Now, I don’t want to be the one who tells people if their body is suitable for swimwear or not,” she says, adding that the best part of her collection is that people are free to pick the top and bottom of different sizes according to their body.
The venture was started by her father, but Bidapa says she took to it like fish to water, doing her own research and working with various designers to understand the basics of designing swimwear. “My father clearly told me that for this venture I am on my own. So I did my research by working with designers like Ajai Vir Singh, who runs his swimwear label called Pigeon Island in Sri Lanka and has been one of the main persons behind Colombo Fashion Week,” say Bidapa, who also wanted to bridge the gap between street-style brands and designer collections through he collection.
“I wanted the collection to have a designer feel and an affordable price,” she says, adding that the collection priced starting at Rs 1,000. Though the Covid-19 outbreak has become a spoiler for the launch, she is sure that people would not mind shopping now since “they are classic pieces which are a must-have in the wardrobe”. Bidapa was gearing up to launch her next collection in December this year, but due to the pandemic, she now hopes that it will be out in March 2021.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Monika Monalia / Express News Service / July 13th, 2020
Water and soil collected from Talacauvery. DH Photos
Soil from Kodagu and water from River Cauvery were sent to Ayodhya, on Thursday.
The soil and water from the district will be used while performing ground breaking for Sri Ram Mandir on August 5.
Workers of Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishat and Hindu Jagarana Vedike collected the soil and water from River Cauvery at Talacauvery Kshetra.
Meanwhile, special pooja was offered at Talacauvery, praying for the timely completion of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Talacauvery Kshetra Chief Priest Narayana Acharya said that justice had been made in Ayodhya issue, which had efforts of many people behind the same.
Speaking on the occasion, MLC Sunil Subramani said that the dream of constructing the Ram Mandir was getting realised. He recalled that he had visited Ayodhya in 1992.
Leader Chakkera Manu said that the long cherished dream of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was being fulfilled.
Vishwa Hindu Parishat leader Chi Na Somesh, Bajrang Dal District Convener Chethan, VHP Madikeri taluk President Suresh Muttappa and VHP district Secretary Pudiyokkada Ramesh were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Madikeri / July 24th, 2020
Even though coffee and pepper are the prominent commercial crops in Kodagu, several farmers have been growing both agricultural and horticultural crops in integrated farming method, thereby, contributing to food security.
Somengada Ganesh Thimmaiah from Nallur village of Ponnampet in Virajpet is one such agriculturist who has scripted success through his innovative methods in farming.
Somengada Ganesh Thimmaiah was felicitated by Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah. DH Photos
He is the winner of the National-level Babu Jagjivan Ram Krishi Samman award this year. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, conferred the prestigious award on Thimmaiah during a function held recently on the occasion of its 92nd Foundation Day.
Thimmaiah has been following the integrated method in agriculture where he grows areca, coffee and paddy as main crops and a variety of vegetables and fruits and sub-crops.
Along with agriculture, he is also into apiculture, poultry and pisciculture, which gives him additional income. Thimmaiah has also been growing the ‘Beth’ plants required for honey bees.
He has successfully experimented with more than 60 paddy varieties and has implemented a mechanised system in agriculture and his paddy field is tech-savvy.
The annual produce of paddy on his farm is 350 to 400 quintal while that of coffee is about 200 bags. He said that pepper also is one of his main sources of income. He has also been cultivating butter fruit, sapota, mango, jackfruit, orange, egg fruit and rambutan as well.
A lot of youth have been visiting Thimmaiah’s farm and seeking his guidance in farming to which he says youth showing interest in agriculture and horticulture is a good sign.
Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah visited Thimmaiah’s farm and felicitated him for winning the much-coveted award.
Forestry College, Ponnampet, too, honoured Thimmaiah. College Dean Dr Cheppudira G Kushalappa, Extension Unit Head Dr R N Kenchareddy, Agricultural Officer Teetamada Meera were present on the occasion.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Karnataka Districts / by Aditya K A, DHNS, Madikeri / July 22nd, 2020
If a person takes good care of oneself and stays cheerful, there is no need to be scared of novel coronavirus, said 11-year-old Mehera Banu, who recovered from Covid-19 and returned home.
Mehera is a resident of Apparanda Layout in Suntikoppa.
She recalled that after being affected by high fever, her parents took her to the government hospital, where her throat swab sample was collected for testing. Eventually, the family was home quarantined.
“During the quarantine, personnel from the health and police departments and the gram panchayat authorities came to my house and instilled confidence among my family members,” she said.
Mehera was tested positive for Covid-19 on July 12, following which she was admitted to the designated Covid-19 hospital in Madikeri.
“The doctors and nurses in the hospital made me feel at home. They took care of me like their own daughter. I was given hot water to drink and food to eat, on time. I was not afraid or worried, even though my family members were away from me”.
Mehera meanwhile said she has been taking medicines and rest as per the advice of the doctors. “I am healthy now. Nobody should be afraid of Coronavirus. However, one has to be aware and take care of their health”, she said.
Warm welcome
Residents of Apparanda Layout in Suntikoppa welcomed Mehera Banu, when she returned home after getting recovered from the Covid-19.
After a successful treatment, she was discharged from the hospital. Her neighbors offered her a hearty welcome by clapping and showering flowers on her as she arrived. She was presented with a flower bouquet.
Mehera said she was touched by the welcome she received from her neighbors. They also treated my family members well, she added.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by DHNS, Suntikoppa / July 21st, 2020
In Nov 1948, Thimayya moved Stuart tanks in utmost secrecy by dismantling their turrets and used them in direct firing role that led to the capture of Zoji-la which had evaded capture on previous instances. It was because Zoji-la was in our hands that liberation of Kargil was possible in 1999.
General KS Thimayya
There were three elements to India’s largely unknown role in the Korean War 1950-1953. This is the second in a continuing series on that conflict. For the earlier story on the 60th Para, click here (https://bit.ly/2DW0PHS)
India became a member of the United Nations when the organization was founded on October 24th, 1945. Established to ensure world peace—among other goals— after a ruinous World War, the UN has had a mixed track record. One of its successes, however, was the bringing of the Korean War to a close. India played a unique role in bringing the conflict to a speedy conclusion by advocating against a policy being debated at the UN which could have led to the war’s prolongation or escalation. That war was also the first commitment to a UN assignment by an independent India and the Indian Army. This contribution and the men who made it a success are still celebrated as heroes for their commitment and courage.
The Korean War began on 25th June 1950 and would rage for three long years between the Western alliance—led by the USA under a UN resolution called the UN Command—and a Socialist alliance of North Korea and China (known as the Korean People’s Army (KPA) and the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV)) supported by the Soviet Union. The two sides reached a military stalemate by the middle of 1953 and had agreed on the terms of a ceasefire. In truth, the war would have come to an end in 1952 if the peace talks held at Panmunjom on October 25, 1951 could have reached a decision on the question of prisoner swaps. This was a contentious topic, and one where India finally found the solution—a solution accepted nearly unanimously by the UN, allowing for the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953. India’s efforts to find a compromise failed more often than not, increasing tensions between India and the United States, and even South Korea. The US had reasons to suspect Indian neutrality as we were among the first countries to recognize China diplomatically, even advocating for their seat at the UN in 1950.
A major issue that defied agreement was how to deal with a large number of Korean and Chinese prisoners—about two hundred thousand of them—held by the UN Command. Many prisoners refused to return to their original countries. There were also a few similar UN prisoners, mostly Americans, held by the Korean People’s Army (KPA) and the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV))
The Armistice agreement stipulated that a Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission (the NNRC) would be established with two countries from each bloc, and headed by India—underscoring our nation’s reputation as a neutral country. Thus the NNRC had Czechoslovakia and Poland from the Eastern Bloc, and Sweden and Switzerland from the West. India was also tasked with providing a brigade of soldiers to provide security for the prisoner exchange.
The NNRC decided the fate of the remaining 20,000 POWs —and their repatriation—also called the Big Switch. It followed Operation Little Switch in April-May of 1952, which saw the exchange of wounded and sick soldiers held by both sides. The solution included handing over these prisoners to the NNRC headed by India. A full Indian contingent of nearly 6000 called Custodian Force of India (CFI) were to take over physical custody of these prisoners; this was our nation’s initiation into peacemaking and conflict resolution.
Led by General Thimayya as Chairman, and Ambassador B.N. Chakravarty, IFS, as the Alternate Chairman, the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission (NNRC) was a task that many did not think Indians would be able to handle or deliver, because of its layered complexities and intrigue.
The Indian government had made sure to send their best medical unit 6oth Para Field Ambulance earlier ( https://bit.ly/2CrHWfn) and now, in sending General KS Thimayya—later to be the COAS— they displayed the same intent.
The force behind the NNRC
Kodandera Subayya Thimayya was one of three brothers born to a rich coffee planter of Cheppudira clan in Madikeri in the district of Kodagu. He joined Bishop Cotton School in Bangalore before enrolling at the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College (RIMC) in Dehradun; he was one of six Indian cadets later chosen to attend the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst along with Gen PN Thapar who would later succeed him as the Chief in 1961 and be made a scapegoat for failures in 1962. Gen Thimayya’s brothers too joined the Army and his elder brother Ponnappa later joined the INA inspired by Subhas Chandra Bose and his younger brother died in the first war in Kashmir.
Thimayya graduated from Sandhurst in 1926 and received a commission into the British Indian Army, going on to become the first Indian to command an Infantry brigade: the 268th Indian Infantry Brigade—part of the post-World War II British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. He received the British Distinguished Service Order for his service for the British military during World War II.
General Thimayya was also chosen to lead the counter offensive in Kashmir and headed the Jammu Kashmir force from April 1948 . The J&K force was split as Srinagar and Jammu Division, Gen Thimayya headed the Srinagar Div in May 1948 . Immediately he set about recapturing territories lost to the marauders with his daring and dynamic brigade commanders – Brig LP Sen of 161 brigade in Uri Sector, Brig Atal of Para Brigade tasked to recapture Zojila and Harbaksh Singh in command of 163 in Handwara – Kupwara . They were on a recapturing spree when Nehru decided to unilaterally declare suspension of operations as the case was referred to the UN much to the protestations of the army brass. Fortunately Pakistan didn’t comply with the UN resolution allowing the re – commencement of operations. This window of opportunity saw the consolidation of Ladakh with the capture of Zojila Dras and Kargil. Leh a weakly held garrison was saved by the sheer audacity and courage of Thimayya and Air Cmde Mehar Singh who landed in a Dakota together for the first time in Leh paving the way for beefing up troops that saved Leh from enemy hands . In another audacious move for capture of Zojila tanks of 7 Cavalry was used in a direct firing role which completely destroyed the enemy morale leading to its capture . Thus Ladakh was saved in the nick of time by November 1948 before winter set in . Seeing the change in pace and tempo of operations Pakistan quickly agreed to the terms of the UN resolution calling for a ceasefire before it lost all other territories held by them. The rest is history but what stood out is the sheer character and audacity which made him a national hero for saving Kashmir .
Another anecdote that revolves around him is the detention of a senior politician’s son after he and some goons passed lewd remarks and even tried to molest the wife of an Army officer of 5 JAT in Amritsar in 1959 . With the personal involvement of none less than that of the CM Of Punjab the ripples of this action went up to Parliament. General Thimayya was summoned for an explanation and his response that silenced the opposition was “If we cannot defend the honour of our women, how can you expect us to defend the honour of our country?”
His ability to project India’s honor was on full display during his handling of the NNRC in Korea.
The NNRC through CFI was responsible for gathering non-repatriated prisoners into camps; that included nearly 170,000 prisoners held by UN forces who didn’t want to return to either China or North Korea.
In the face of Chinese demands for the forceful repatriation of their soldiers, the UN and the CFI worked hard to explain to each prisoner their rights and privileges; they could then choose to go home or remain with the side that captured them.
This called for compassion, fairness, and neutrality on the part of the Indian Custodian Force, who rendered yeoman service during the entire span of their mission from September 1953 to March 1954. On several occasions, intricate situations were resolved only because of the patience and tact of General KS Thimayya and Major General SPP Thorat. They proved their mettle, earning well-deserved praise for their command and for India.
It was an unenviable task; in the end only less than 100 who wished not be repatriated to either country came back to India once the NNRC and CFO concluded their operations. A few Koreans chose to resettle in India, while others were repatriated to Brazil.
General Thimayya is not only an Indian military hero he is also a hero of the Korean War . It has been 66 years since the end of the Korean war but even till day he is remembered by Koreans with gratitude and affection. He was awarded a Padma Bhushan in 1954 for his service in Korea.
General Thimayya went on to become the COAS from 1957-1961. After his retirement the UN again requested for his service in 1964 to command UN troops operating on Cyprus in keeping with his reputation of impartiality displayed in Korea . He would however die of a massive heart attack on December 18, 1965 at the age of 59.
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Col ( Dr) Divakaran Padma Kumar Pillay, Shaurya Chakra, PhD is a Research Fellow, with the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. His twitter id is @dpkpillay12.
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source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> National> Business News> News> Defence / by ET Contributor – Col.(Dr)Divakaran Padma Kumar Pillay / July 21st, 2020
Traditional beekeepers are busy bottling the flavours of Western Ghats
Pattu Cariappa and his wife Nethravathi
Madikeri :
The buzz fills the air in the north-eastern villages of Somwarpet during the spring season. Apis Cerana bees, known as the honey bees of Coorg, go around merrily collecting nectar from colourful indigenous flowers lining the Western Ghats. The sweet nectar is bottled — to produce one of the purest forms of honey in the nation — ‘Kala Thein’.
Massive bee hives on tree trunks and building tops always fill the beholders with a sense of fear. But to the bee keepers, honey bees are their comrades. The villagers nurture and look after the bees and in return, these insects provide them with a lifeline. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the traditional beekeepers of seven villages – Kumbara Gadige, Mutlu, Kikkaralli, Hammiyala, Hacchinadu, Surlabbi and Mankya – are preserving the Western Ghats by indulging in traditional beekeeping.
Pattu Cariappa, a resident of Hammiyala village, briskly walks up to his estate and points at an earthen pot covered with fresh leaves. He then lifts the pot, which is placed upside down, and shows the bee hive where the bees are going about busily. He inserts a finger into the hive and slowly guides the bee onto one side to reveal the honey-filled comb. Ask him if he is not scared to do so, he smilingly replies, “These bees are well-acquainted with me. I won’t harm them and they don’t harm me.”“I learnt the art of beekeeping by watching my elders. The best time to start is in December.
First, we smear the heated pot, which has three to four tiny holes, with bee wax. We carry this pot into the forest and place it on a steady area. Since we know our forests well, we also know where the bees are likely to build a hive and we keep the pot in a suitable place. Once this is done, we frequently visit the spot to check if the bees have arrived. Once the bees settle into the pot, we bring the pot close to our house. We shift the pot only during evening hours – when all the bees have settled in the hive after collecting nectar,” explains Pattu.
While the beekeeping starts sometime in December, the honey is extracted and harvested only after a year and half – in June. In traditional beekeeping, the harvest method does not use smoke or other harmful gas to chase them away. Instead, the beekeepers slowly move the honeybees to one side and take out the comb. The honey is then extracted from the comb. “I do not use bare hands to squeeze out the honey as it is unhygienic. Instead, I use a clean white cloth to extract honey from the comb, which is then bottled to produce one of the purest forms of honey,” he adds.
“Some people think that pure honey does not turn sugary. But it does and settles at the bottom of the bottle. Pure honey has very less moisture content,” he says. How does one know if the honey is pure? Pattu’s wife Nethravathi explains, “If the hive is built inside the cavity of a tree, one can smell the tree bark in the extracted honey. Similarly, any form of adulteration can be found out easily through the smell. Wild honey, which uses harmful methods of extraction, is watery.” The seven villages have a good economy. While the traditional beekeepers have been harvesting honey since ages, it is only recently that they have found a sustainable earning.
“Earlier, we used to sell it on the streets across the district and did not earn much from it,” recalls Pattu.
However, they have now found a platform for their business through the initiative of ‘AinMane’ of Thammu Poovaiah. A popular café based in Madikeri, AinMane, is sourcing honey from these traditional beekeepers. “The ‘AinMane’ management is promoting the traditional form of honey and providing us with a sustainable lifestyle,” says Nethravathi.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR / Express News Service / July 19th, 2020
Unlike other bigger districts in the State, Kodagu has limited private healthcare resources and this has been one of the reasons for its dependence on cities like Mysuru and Mangaluru for healthcare needs.
However, under the regulated situation triggered by COVID-19, patients of one district are not being treated/permitted in another easily, and this has put a further strain on the medical staff and infrastructure in the district. This has necessitated roping in more doctors. The fact that three doctors had to be rushed to Madikeri COVID-19 Hospital from the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute to handle the situation resulting from the spurt in infections highlights the situation in the hilly district.
Exhausting the possible options amidst the crisis, the Kodagu district administration sought to play the “Work for Kodagu” card, with a fervent appeal to doctors belonging to Kodagu and working elsewhere to return to their homeland and join hands with the government in the unending fight. “I think it’s the best opportunity for them [doctors of Kodagu origin] to work for the land. Kodagu needs doctors and you can fill the emptiness,” said Deputy Commissioner Annnies Kanmani Joy.
The recruitment process has been eased to such an extent that any medical graduate and postgraduate can walk into the medical college or the DHO office in Madikeri with relevant educational documents.
“If selected, the appointment order is issued the very next day and he or she can start working,” Ms. Joy said, while sharing Kodagu’s COVID-19 combat when she came live on Facebook.
However, there are not many takers for the doctors’ posts as only two have responded.
“The appointees can either work in the medical college hospital or in PHCs,” she said, recalling the help received from the people hailing from the district when Kodagu was battered by two back-to-back floods and landslides. Ms. Joy said Kodagu might be a small district but the COVID-19 preparedness was on a par with any other bigger district.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Shankar Bennur / Mysuru – July 18th, 2020
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