Locals gather to witness the heli-tourism initiative taking off, at Kakkabe in Kodagu. The chopper of a private operator that landed with three tourists can be seen in the backdrop.
A private operator flies in tourists from Bengaluru to a village resort close to Tadiandamol
Even as successive governments continue to dilly-dally over launching heli-tourism for high-end tourists despite umpteen promises, Kodagu has taken the first step towards giving a start to the initiative post-pandemic with local stakeholders taking the lead and kick starting the much-talked-about initiative.
A group of tourists from Bengaluru landed in a chopper at a village to explore Coorg’s splendour, staying in a resort located close to one of the highest points in Kodagu – Tadiandamol. These tourists, instead of taking the 6-hour drive to Madikeri from the IT Hub, chose to fly by a chopper owned and run by a private operator to reach the hill station.
In fact, Kodagu was also identified along with Mysuru for developing heli-ports by the Tourism Department which did not take off. However, an entrepreneur in the hospitality sector in Kodagu, Apparanda Sagar Ganapathy, who runs a resort at Kakkabe, coordinated with the chopper operator to ferry guests to his property where a helicopter landing facility was established recently at the resort to facilitate heli-tourism.
Mr. Ganapathy, who is also the president of Association for Rural Tourism (ART), says the potential of rural tourism remains unexplored as corporates and well-heeled tourists are keen to explore the life and lifestyles in villages. Heli-tourism can bring tourists who can afford chopper rides to the remotest corners of Kodagu to experience the coffee land’s unmatched beauty and the Coorg villages.
Villagers turned up in large numbers to witness the heli-tourism initiative. Kakkabe Panchayat president Kaliyanda Sampan and other locals were present to greet tourists.
Corporate executives can have their meetings amidst nature instead of in multi-storied structures. They can fly in by chopper, have a meeting, spend some valuable time and head back to their destinations. Infrastructure can help promote such kinds of tourism, the stakeholders believe.
The stakeholders in the hotel and hospitality sector in Kodagu, including ART and Kodagu Tourism Association, are also in the process of identifying infrastructure where choppers could land, bringing tourists, and promoting heli-tourism in a big way. Another resort is also in the process establishing the chopper landing space, foreseeing its potential, he said.
Kodagu has many luxury resorts, which, according to the stakeholders, are getting back their clients with the opening of tourism post-pandemic. But the mid-range resorts are lacking clientele with corporates, particularly those from the IT industry, are yet to return to their offices and continue to work from their homes.
“Before COVID-19, we used to get groups of 25-30 coming and staying in resorts during weekends or holidays. Such trips have stopped for one and half years due to the pandemic. Until the offices start working like before and schools and colleges function normally, tourism recovery may prolong,” Mr. Sagar said.
Unlike other places, Kodagu is predominantly covered by undulating hills with thick forest cover. There is a need to establish a safe environment for the landing and taking off of the choppers. “If we provide infrastructure like heli ports or helipads, more operators can show interest in bringing tourists by choppers, thus driving the tourist economy and helping revive the sector,” the travel operators said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Shankar Bennur / Mysuru – September 29th, 2021
Short films ‘Kodi Mova’ and ‘Nambike’, which won the first and second prizes in the short film competition, organised by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, were screened at Patrika Bhavan in Madikeri recently.
The programme was held under the aegis of the Kodagu Press Club.
The short film ‘Kodi Mova’ is directed and produced by Gopal Somaiah and ‘Nambike’ is directed and produced by Bollajira B Ayyappa.
Actor Roopesh Nanaiah said that even though the short films are made with less budget and are of less duration, their message can be equally strong as those of the mainstream films.
“Generally, people watch movies for entertainment. However, most of the movies that we watch are eventually forgotten. The movies that we remember forever have a good social message in them,” he said and stressed that the short films too, should propagate social messages.
He appreciated both the award-winning short films and said more focus should be given to the technical aspects.
Actor Neravanda Umesh felt that all the entries to the short film festival should have been screened.
The competition should be held every year so that the talents get opportunities, he said.
Kodagu Press Club president Ajjamada Ramesh Kuttappa was present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / September 29th, 2021
Gulshan Devaiah will be seen in Blurr that also stars Rashmi Rocket star Taapsee Pannu; read more details.
It’s been quite some time for Gulshan Devaiah’s fans to see him ace a character on screen, but now the actor will be seen in a psychological thriller Blurr with one of the finest talents in our country Taapsee Pannu.
‘Blurr’ is the first film under Taapsee Pannu’s production banner, Outsider Films, associated with Zee Studios and directed by Ajay Bahl, starring Taapsee Pannu and Gulshan Devaiah. Gulshan Devaiah is one of the most talented actors we have and has a niche of his own for film choices. He is playing Taapsee’s husband in the psychological thriller.
Gulshan calls it one of the most lovely experiences to be on the sets of Blurr. He also enjoyed working with Taapsee and could not wait for the audience to see the film. Talking about Neel’s character in the movie, Gulshan revealed that he plays Gayatri’s husband Neel, a very nice, understanding man, but he’s unhappy and not so content from the inside.
Adding further about the characteristics, he said that Neel loves his wife and is very supportive of her, but there is always a visible tension between the two. The film is shot extensively in the picturesque Nainital, Pawan Sony and Ajay Bahl has penned the story. It is a story of a girl caught up in an unavoidable circumstance, and the thrill and drama unfolds.
Zee Studios, Taapsee Pannu’s Outsider Films and Echelon Productions Blurr is scheduled to release in 2022.
source: http://www.newsable.asianetnews.com / Asianet Newsable / Home> English News> Entertainment / Team Newsable, Mumbai / September 24th, 2021
Lt. Gen. (retd.) Pattacheruvanda C. Thimmaiah visited Kodagu Model School at Vidyashankar Layout in Sathagalli here yesterday.
Lt. Gen. (retd.) Thimmaiah, now a resident of Mysuru, is also a member of Sri Kaveri Kodava Association, Mysuru East, which runs the School.
The former Army Officer was very much impressed by the progress of the school over the years. Expressing happiness about the infrastructural set up, he lauded the School’s achievements in a short period.
During his visit, Lt. Gen. (retd.) Thimmaiah discussed with the School authorities on what more was needed to be done for taking the Institution to greater heights and such other issues.
He suggested making Feeder Schools across the country as Sainik Schools, setting up of NCC units and increasing sporting activities in Schools. He also assured to come up with more useful suggestions whenever required on further development of Kodagu Model School.
The School Management members, staff and others accompanied him during his visit.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 28th, 2021
The three Jain Basadis at Mullur village near Shanivarasanthe.
Mullur village, which is known as the Jaina Kashi of Kodagu, with three Jain Basadis, lacks proper road connectivity and other basic amenities.
The village is situated just 6 km away from Shanivarasanthe. However, lacking the basic amenities, the beautiful surroundings of three Jain Basadis are losing their importance.
Even after three decades, there is a lack of road connectivity, drinking water facilities and toilets at the Basadi.
Owing to lack of connectivity, the three Basadis known for their architecture have remained out of the purview of the tourists.
Amid the mango groves in the village lies the Basadi, which has survived several centuries. Though the government has announced ‘Trivali Basadi’ as a tourist spot, it lacks basic amenities.
The Basadi of Parshwanatha, Chandranatha and Shanthinatha are made of stones. Over 20 inscriptions, Veeragallu and ‘Nishidhi Kallu’ situated behind the Basadi are also conserved. There is a Kalyani behind the Basadi as well.
It is believed that queen Pochakabbe, a follower of Jain seer Gunasena Pandita, had constructed these Basadis.
When Jeevijaya was the minister 33 years ago, the road leading to the Basadi had seen asphalting, said an elderly villager.
Over a period of time, the road has worn out and is now crying for the attention of authorities.
The villagers have urged the authorities to provide proper road connectivity to Jain Basadi, which in turn, will help in the growth of the economy in the village.
Though an action plan for Rs 2 crore was prepared for the development of the Basadi during the tenure of H D Kumaraswamy as chief minister, the proposal remained in cold storage during the tenure of B S Yediyurappa.
Even the Zilla Panchayat had prepared an action plan for Rs 1 crore for the development of roads, toilets and electricity connections. However, it failed to take off, over the years.
The Basadi comes under the archaeology department. The department has appointed a person named Nithin Kumar who is said to have no knowledge of Kannada to manage the Basadi. Another person named Lingaraju is engaged in cleaning the premises.
Though tourists visit the Basadi daily, owing to the poor condition of the road, the tourists have to walk to reach the spot.
The villagers said, “We have been submitting memorandums to elected representatives and officials to repair the road for the last several years. All our efforts have been in vain all these years.”
Government Higher Primary School, Mullur, teacher C S Sathish said, “There is a need to construct a fence around the Kalyani in the Basadi. A full-time supervisor should be appointed. Facilities should be arranged for the stay of the visitors near the Basadi. A beautiful garden should be laid in front of the Basadi.”
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Shanivarasanthe / September 25th, 2021
Kodagu has the honour of having enriched our armed forces since ages. Now, eight soldiers from the district have been selected for the United Nation Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon.
Soldiers who are currently serving in various regiments in the Army will join the camp soon.
Pemmanda S. Ravindra from Ponnampet, Karotira Lokesh from Pollibetta, Vinod Kalappa from Galibeedu; Ponnachettira Palangappa from Kalur village, Sathish. V. Doddaiah from Shanivarasanthe, Dinesh Pujari from Chamundeshwari Nagar in Madikeri, Deekshith Shetty from Bhagavathi Nagar and Bharath Pujari from Kaggodlu village.
The United Nations Peacekeeping Force is employed by the world organisation to maintain or re-establish peace in an area of armed conflict. More than 5,500 Indian military and Police personnel are serving in peace operations in Abyei, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Middle East, Somalia, South Sudan and the Western Sahara.
As of March 2021, a total of 19,075 personnel have been deployed in the UN mission in South Sudan.
Now the eight soldiers from Kodagu will take part in the UN Peacekeeping Forces camp in Lebanon.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 12th, 2021
Dr. D.C. Nanjunda, Associate Professor at the Centre for Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, University of Mysore, has been awarded Karnataka KodavaSahitya Academy’s Research Fellowship for the year 2021-22.
Today man-animal conflict has become a major issue in Kodagu district, claiming the lives of both humans and animals. In addition, wild animals are destroying crops of marginalised farmers.
Keeping this in mind, the Karnataka KodavaSahitya Academy has awarded the Fellowship to Dr.Nanjunda to study the “Man-wildlife Conflict.
Dr.Nanjunda is a recipient of eight Research Fellowships including ICMR (2008), ICSSR (2013), DHA (2014), Karnataka Balavikasa Academy Research Fellowship (2014), Karnataka SahityaAkademi Travel Fellowship (2016). He is a noted columnist also.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / September 24th, 2021
Lt Col Navdeep Singh Bedi flags off the Fit India Freedom Run in Madikeri.
The 19th Karnataka Battalion NCC Wing of Field Marshal K M Cariappa College, Madikeri CMC and the Green City Forum organised Fit India Freedom Run and cleanliness campaign on Saturday.
A cleanliness drive was carried out in front of the statue of Field Marshal K M Cariappa at Sudarshan Circle, General Thimayya Circle, Ajjamada Devaiah Circle, Chowki and State Bank Circle.
Lt Col Navdeep Singh Bedi said that there is a need to improve immunity to fight against Covid-19.
“Everyone should engage in exercise daily to maintain their health,” he added.
Field Marshal K M Cariappa College NCC officer Major Dr B Raghava also spoke on the occasion.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / September 25th, 2021
As per the exemption, continuing from the British-era rule, the people from the hill district of Kodagu can posses pistols, revolvers and double-barrelled shotguns without a licence.
The Kodavas are a small martial community in Kodagu (Coorg) district in Karnataka. Image Courtesy: @KodaguConnect/Twitter
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday upheld the Arms Act exemption granted to every person of Coorg by race, and Jumma tenure landholders in Coorg (Kodagu district).
A division bench of acting Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum heard the matter which was first filed on 30 June by 41-year-old Captain Chethan YK (retired), also a resident of Kodagu, who sought to know why only one race was given this exemption.
The judges in the case said: “The Kodava community which is a marshal community is enjoying the benefit of exemption since pre-independence and Jumma tenure holders are enjoying the exemption since pre-independence period. They have rightly been granted exemption for a period of ten years, it is not the case they have been granted exemption indefinitely. Exemption granted is subject to certain terms and conditions. Therefore, the Constitutional validity of the notification is upheld in the petition.”
Take a look at who are the Kodavas and the story behind their right to bear arms without a licence.
Kodava people
They are a unique race of people who live in Kodagu (Coorg, as the British called it), the smallest district in Karnataka.
The history of Coorg and the Kodava people is one that is shrouded in a lot of mystery. There are a variety of theories as to the origin of the Kodava, including theories of them being either the indigenous inhabitants of their region, or of foreign origins prior to two thousand years ago.
As per the indigenous theory, the Kodava people were an ancient warlike tribe, who were indigenous inhabitants of Kodagu. This tribe learned and practiced agriculture in the area and over the centuries they got civilised and gained prosperity.
The foreign origin theory, which is more popular with the community itself, says they are descendants of the broad-headed (Brachycephalic) stock who entered into the Indus Valley during the Mohenjodaro period and later migrated down to Coorg.
However, the most popular theory among the Kodavas is that they are descendants of the Indo-Greek soldiers, who came into India with Alexander the Great.
Weapons in the Kodava culture
The Kodava community has a long history with guns, and historians say that their culture is intrinsically linked with firearms. There are festivals in which gunshots are fired in the air, and a gun salute is performed when a child is born or a person dies.
During the Kailpodh festival, celebrated each year on 3 September, all the weapons along with agricultural implements and vehicles are cleaned and decorated with flowers and worshipped.
The traditional sword and dagger also are a part of the Kodava attire, showcasing how intrinsically the arms are woven into their culture.
Exemptions from getting a gun licence
The British in recognition of their martial traditions granted the community a special privilege to own firearms without a licence in 1861.
One cultural reason for giving the exemption was that Kodava homes were far away from each other, in some cases could be as far as a kilometre.
“In older times when communication links were poor, a Kodava used to inform his neighbour by firing a single shot in the air about a newborn and two shots in case of any death in the family,” a prominent Kodava, who lives in Delhi, was quoted as saying to The Economic Times.
The exemption was then issued by the Union government in 1963 under the provisions of the Indian Arms Act, 1959.
The Centre had issued a notification exempting “every person of (the) Coorg race and every Jamma land tenure holder in Coorg” from the Indian Arms Act. There was no curb on the privilege even after Coorg, which was a separate state earlier, merged with Karnataka.
There are conditions, however, to the exemption. In a notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs, said, “The arms or ammunition carried or possessed by any person being from Kodagu by race and every Jamma tenure holder in Kodagu and herein exempted while residing or travelling outside the district of Kodagu shall not exceed one rifle with 100 rounds of ammunition for the same and one smooth bore breech or muzzle-loading gun with 500 cartridges or the equivalent in leaden shot and gunpowder.”
A home ministry official added that the exemption, valid till 2029, was given to the Kodavas as firearms were never misused in crimes or anti-national or anti-state activities.
According to reports, a proposal to do away with the privilege under the Arms Act was made in 1964 by the Centre. But the move was dropped, apparently, at the behest of Field Marshal K M Cariappa — the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army — and the then Union Minister C M Poonacha, who was also the former chief minister of Coorg state, before its merger with Karnataka.
‘Discriminatory’ exemption
In 2018, Captain Chethan (retired) filed a Writ Petition questioning the exemption granted by the Government of India to a certain class of people in the district in obtaining licence to possess firearms under Section 3 and 4 of the Indian Arms Act, 1959.
In his petition, Chethan, a resident of RT Nagar in Bengaluru, claimed that the continuation of the exemption, granted to some class of persons by the British Government in pre-Independent India in furtherance of their divide-and-rule policy, was unconstitutional, as it was based on irrational, fictitious and discriminatory grounds, such as race and ancestral land tenure.
The petitioner had claimed that the MHA did away with the scrutiny of persons before granting licence in respect of the people belonging to the ‘Coorg race’, adding that this itself is not only derogatory to the citizens of the entire nation other than the ‘Coorg race’, but also possess a threat to the life and liberty as the people exempted are permitted to hold arms and ammunition without any scrutiny of their antecedents or criminal records.
However, the petitioner’s concern was shot down by Additional Solicitor General M B Nargund appearing for the Union of India who said, “A kirpan is allowed to be used by the members of Sikh community and similarly, Gorkha community is permitted to use kukri.”
Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya appearing for Respondents Kodagu Samaja Bangalore and Kodava Muslim Association also opposed the petition saying, “It is not like that if there are 100 people in a house they can have 200 firearms in the house, the quantity of arms and ammunition and the types of arms are all specified.”
Codava National Council president, Nandineravanda U Nachappa hailed the high court’s decision and speaking to Indianexpress.com said, “It is a historical judgment by the high court. Few people without any knowledge about the community had gone to court challenging exemption given to the Kodava community. We have received these rights under the customary law since Kodavas’ life revolves around the gun.”
source: http://www.firstpost.com / First Post / Home> India News / FP Staff / September 25th, 2021
The villagers were mostly agriculturists, but with their farmlands and estates buried under debris, their future appeared grim.
The Forest Cafe at Kaluru
Madikeri :
In August 2018, when the skies opened up with a vengeance, and flash floods and landslides left a trail of destruction, Kaluru was one of the worst-hit villages in Kodagu district. People lost their livestock, houses, farmlands and estates overnight.
“Over 200 families moved to relief centres in August and we returned to our village only in October. Estates, farmlands, cattle – everything was lost,” recalls Dechavva, who was left to pick up the pieces after the disaster.
The villagers were mostly agriculturists, but with their farmlands and estates buried under debris, their future appeared grim. If was the women who rose from the ruins to crossed all hurdles to turn around their lives. Their grit and determination earned them the title of ‘Kaluru women’. They are now entrepreneurs and sole breadwinners, thanks to Project Coorg, a rehabilitation initiative.
Narrating how they started getting back on their feet, Dechavva, who became a master tailor at the age of 65, says the village temple priest, Nagesh Kaluru, approached Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, seeking support to rebuild the life of the villagers.
Dechavva, who learnt tailoring at the age of 65
Under Project Coorg, the trust started organising skill development programmes for the women of the village. They were also joined by a few affected women from Devasthuru village. Soon, tailoring and food processing training programmes took shape.
The tailoring unit was headed by Ashrafunissa. “I didn’t know much about Kaluru village till the disaster. I stay in Madikeri and my house also suffered severe damage due to landslides. During this time, I was approached by Balaji Kashyap – who heads Project Coorg. I was asked to train women in tailoring,” she says. A total of 30 women were trained for six months.
However, not all the women wanted to take up needle and thread. The older ones opted for food processing, and 30 women were trained in manufacturing masala, pickle, chocolates, chips, rice flour and other food items by Neena Shetty, award-winning chef from Udupi.
“We wanted to create a continuous revenue generating model for the women. We didn’t take the CSR approach as it is not suitable for the situation here. However, sponsors and partners came in to support the initiative after seeing our work,” says Kashyap of Project Coorg.
The women were also taught soft skills and other business know-how by Kashyap and the initiative launched ‘Yashaswi’ – a self-help group to empower the Kaluru women. The villagers’ struggle didn’t go unnoticed. Many sponsors came forward to support the group, and the land for the Yashaswi factory was donated by the Karera family of the village. The factory building was sponsored by the Kodava Koota of North America. With equipment donated by various companies, including Bosch India, the women of Kaluru soon became entrepreneurs.
“I only worked in farmlands all my life. I did not know how to even hold a needle. But our trainer, Ashrafunissa, taught me like I was a child and now I stitch bags for several companies; I continue to earn my own living,” adds Dechavva. Ashraf explains that the women get orders from various schools to stitch uniforms and other products. “Our business is expanding as we are getting orders from colleges outside Kodagu too,” she says. Many other women in the village now have the skill of working with factory jack machines installed at the unit.
Ashrafunissa (standing) and her team at Yashasvi Tailoring Unit | EXPRESS
Muthamma, an entrepreneur under the Yashaswi group, opted for training in food processing as her eyesight was not good enough for stitching. Along with other elder women, she grinds rice and flour, prepares various masala powders and tries her hand at chocolate making. “Apart from the regular salary, we are paid incentives when sales increase,” she said.
A rustic eatery, called Forest Cafe, was also set up next to the factory, and tourists often visit it. “We serve local delicacies and also sell food products which we make,” says Jamuna. The flood victims have now become an inspiration for many, and skill development training is being extended to many other women across the district. “Post the pandemic, the Project Coorg initiative has expanded from being a rehabilitation initiative to a women empowerment initiative,” says Balaji.
30 women trained in manufacturing masala, pickle, chocolates, chips, rice flour and other food items
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / September 26th, 2021
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