The funeral of Havaldar Altaf Ahmed (37), who martyred in Srinagar of Kashmir due to snowslide, was held with full state and military honours at his native place Virajpet on Saturday, February 26.
The funeral was held as per Islam traditions in the cemetery in the presence of his Virajpet family members, district administration, relatives and people representatives.
Altaf, who was born at the fish market of Virajpet had done his second PU and joined the AOC regiment of the Indian Army serving the country for 19 years.
Altaf’s mortal remains were brought by a special team of the Indian Army on the morning of Saturday.
It was kept for public view at the Taluk Maidan. MLAs K G Bopaiah, Santheyanda Veena Acchaiah, MP Suja Kushalappa, DC Dr B C Sathisha and SP M A Aiyappa offered their respects.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka / by Daijiworld Media Network – Madikeri (MS) / February 27th, 2022
The Centre has granted Rs. 1,000 crore for the 87.2-km Mysuru-Belagola-Kushalnagar Railway line that is expected to cost Rs. 1,854.62 crore. The allocation has been made in the Union Budget 2022-2023. The cost factor has been estimated in a survey that was conducted in 2019.
If implemented, Kodagu will be placed in India’s Railway map and will facilitate the movement of people from Mysuru, Hunsur, Periyapatna and Bylakuppe. The land acquisition process is expected to begin soon for this project that was green-lighted and funds were allocated in the Railways’ Pink Book in 2019.
The Railway line will actually begin from Belagola in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district and end at Koppa near Kushalnagar in Kodagu district. It will pass through Yelwal, Bilikere, Uddur, Hunsur, Sathegala, Periyapatna, Doddahonnur to reach Koppa village.
It may be mentioned here that in August 2021, the South Western Railways had awarded the tender for final location survey to a Bengaluru-based company at a cost of Rs. 1.26 crore.
The project was originally mooted till Madikeri over 100 years ago and in recent times found mention in 2011 (UPA era). It was shelved after a survey commissioned by the Railways deemed the route to be unprofitable. The project, however, is being rejuvenated now, much to the chagrin of environmentalists who have opposed the project saying that the line will obstruct the natural flow of River Cauvery.
High Court ruling: Under pressure from Green activists and realising that the project will cause a disaster, the Forest Department did not give permission for a survey from Kushalnagar to Madikeri though the Railway authorities have completed the survey till Kushalnagar.
Environment activists argue that once the line comes to Kushalnagar, it is easy for the Railways to extend the same to Madikeri and then to Mangaluru and Kerala cutting through forests that are known for its eco-sensitivity and biodiversity.
Activists had even approached the Karnataka High Court and filed a Public Interest Litigation, hearing which the Court directed the Indian Railways to obtain environmental clearances before commissioning the Railway line.
The Court noted that the Railways cannot go ahead with the project in the absence of forest and wildlife clearances. Further, the Court directed the Railways to notify the petitioners while applying for clearances.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / February 18th, 2022
Students from Kodagu and other cities of Karnataka taking shelter in a bunker at Kharkiv in war-torn Ukraine. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Family members tense as stranded students yet to get evacuated from the war-torn Ukraine amidst rising attacks
The family members of students from Kodagu stranded in worn-torn Ukraine are keeping their fingers crossed and desperately hoping for their early and safe return amidst unrelenting air strikes on the cities by Russian forces.
Sinya Varoke Jose, a 22-year-old fourth year medical student in the capital Kiev, which is under attack with Russian military advancing, has taken shelter in a bunker at a school building with another student from Karnataka. The Indian Embassy asked them to shift to the bunker after attacks on Kiev intensified.
Mr. Jose, Sinya’s uncle in Ponnampet, said the stranded Indian students had given the information that the Indian Embassy is in constant touch with them but their evacuation is getting delayed with rise in aerial strikes on the city, and difficulty in reaching the nearest international border amidst the war situation.
“The embassy officials seem to have told them that they need about eight buses to shift all of them to the border. Moreover, there is a shortage of gas as only 15 litress per vehicle is being provided. Even food is in short supply and they are having a harrowing time,” Mr. Jose explained his niece’s plight.
Mr Jose, who spoke to Sinya on Saturday morning and has been in constant touch since the war began, said her mother lives in a village near Ponnampet and she hasn’t been told about the crisis. “We are praying for her early return. My niece told me that the locals are helping them but the situation is very tense and unsafe,” he said.
Likith, a student from Ponnampet in Kodagu, who is one of the students from Karnataka stranded at Kharkiv in war-torn Ukraine. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Karthik is constantly watching news channels for updates on the Ukraine-Russia war as his brother Likith is stuck in Kharkiv, one of the cities bombarded by the Russian forces.
As the war situation escalated, the Indian Embassy has told Indians stranded in Kharkiv not to venture out unless told by them even as Karnataka students have so far not received any communication about their evacuation.
“With my brother, eight other Karnataka students are stuck in Kharkiv. They moved to a bunker from the basement of their apartment on Saturday morning after loud explosions. Our prayer to the Indian government is to help them reach the border and evacuate them at the earliest to India as my family is worried about their safety,” said Karthik, an MBA student in Mysuru.
The place where Karnataka students are stuck also has 100-plus students from other Indian States.
Karthik, who has sent mails to the State government and the district administration with details of his brother for help, said Likith, a third year student at Kharkiv National Medical University, was planning to return to India after tensions rose but he did not get tickets. He attended online and offline classes the day before Russian invaded Ukraine. His flight was scheduled on March 3.
The situation appears to be tense as they are constantly hearing loud explosions. From the basement, they shifted to the bunker for their safety and eagerly awaiting evacuation calls from the Embassy, said Karthik, whose mother is a nurse.
“The nearest international border is about 1,500-km. away So, it is very challenging for the embassy officials too to move all of them to the border for evacuation. We don’t know how the situation will evolve in the next couple of days as tensions are building up with essentials getting exhausted,” said Karthik, after speaking to his brother.
Ten students from Kodagu are stuck in Kiev, Kharkiv, and Sumy Oblast. They include Ashwin Kumar B.V., Alisha Saiyad Ali, Billava Likith Koragappa, Chandan Gowda, Akshitha Akkamma, M.P. Nirmala, Arjun Vasanth, Sinya V.J., Mysore Kantharaj Tejaswini and Sheetal Sampath, according to the district administration.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / February 26th, 2022
New war machines brought to Sunny Side, General K.S. Thimayya Museum
The submarine, INS Shivalik model and the anti-aircraft gun were brought to Madikeri from Visakhapatnam Naval Base in giant many-wheeled trucks and have been placed on the museum campus for a formal handing over and opening.
The formal handing over will take place in Madikeri either in December this year or January 2022. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy, will arrive in Madikeri and officially hand over the new items to the Deputy Commissioner and they would be open for public display.
Till now, only one ship anchor was on display in the museum and not many of the Indian Navy relics were there. But now with the addition of the INS Shivalik and a submarine being added to the existing attractions, it is a befitting tribute to the celebrated General who is Kodagu’s pride.
About INS Shivalik
INS Shivalik is designed to escape detection by normal radars and surveillance equipment. Special aerodynamics, equipment and material used in designing and building these ships makes it very difficult to monitor their movements. That’s why they are called ‘stealth frigates.’
With INS Shivalik, India made it to the elite club of eight nations that build stealth warships, adding new fire power and muscle to its Navy. Apart from India, only the US, Russia, UK, France, Sweden, Japan, Italy and China have the capability to build stealth warships of this size and class.
The vessel was ordered in 1999 and saw its keel laid down on July 11, 2001 by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited. As a multi-role warship, the INS Shivalik is fielded with a varying group of armament options to contend with aerial, surface and underwater threats.
Rear Admiral’s contribution
Rear Admiral Ichettira Uthappa, who is a relative of Col. (Retd.) Kandrathanda Subbaiah, the President of Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum, had visited Sunny Side four months back and Subbaiah had drawn the attention of the Rear Admiral to the fact that the museum did not have a warship.
Uthappa promised Subbaiah that he will pursue efforts to bring a warship model to the museum and accordingly, the war machines were brought to Madikeri. Rear Admiral Uthappa interacted with Navy authorities and sanctioned INS Shivalik warship model that is 24-ft in length and a submarine which is 8-ft in length.
Even the anti-aircraft gun that was brought to Madikeri from Visakhapatnam had served the Navy for years and the cost of all the latest additions to the museum is estimated to be Rs. 20 lakh.
According to Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum Convener Major (Retd.) Biddanda Nanjappa, Rear Admiral Uthappa bore the transportation costs of shifting the naval items to Madikeri and in the coming days, a suitable place will be made to accommodate these war machines, he added.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 01st, 2021
A group of students from Karnataka are holed up in an apartment since the war broke out on Thursday
Parents of students from Karnataka who are pursuing their education in Ukraine, have their eyes and ears glued to the latest developments in the war zone since the last 48 hours.
A case in point is K.K. Manjunath of Kushalnagar whose son Chandan M. Gowda is studying in 3rd year of medicine at Kharkiv National Medical University in Ukraine.
Mr. Manjunath, former Kodagu district Congress president and former school teacher, said that his son and a few others from Karnataka are holed up in an apartment since the outbreak of war on Thursday. “They have been alerted by the local authorities to move to either the bunkers, metro station or to the basement in case of any impending danger,” said Mr. Manjunath.
He said Chandan was constantly in touch with the family but learnt from him that food they had stockpiled was fast running out and so was drinking water. ‘’If the war prolongs, then electricity will also be cut off and then mobile phones cannot be charged, and there are concerns that they will not be able to be in touch as at present,” said Mr. Manjunath.
The district administration has appointed nodal officers to collect details of individuals stranded in Ukraine but Mr. Manjunath said any talk of evacuation did not make sense at this juncture. “It is ok in the case of those in Western Ukraine. But the city where my son and hundreds of other students from India are pursuing their education has no air, road or rail connectivity and is cut off. Indian officials have advised them to drape the taxi with Indian flag so as to alert both the sides that they are from a friendly country. But no taxi or vehicle is on the road and hence they cannot go to the bordering countries like Romania from where the evacuation is planned,” said Mr. Manjunath. There are three other students from Kodagu who are also stranded in Ukraine, he added.
Mr. Manjunath said he and his wife L.R. Kavitha, a teacher, were hopeful that the war will not prolong and would end soon and bring them respite from the tension they are undergoing.
Meanwhile, the authorities in Mysuru said they have collected details of a few more students from the district who are in Ukraine and have passed it on to the Government for action.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – February 25th, 2022
Apart from Gadag, four districts of North Karnataka were also in the ‘Good’ AQI category — Hubballi (35), Bagalkot (23), Yadgir (30) and Bidar (41).
For representational purposes
Gadag :
With an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 22 on Tuesday, Gadag in Karnataka stood at the second position among major cities in the country with good air quality, according to the daily bulletin of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Madikeri came first in the country with an AQI value 19.
Apart from Gadag, four districts of North Karnataka were also in the ‘Good’ AQI category — Hubballi (35), Bagalkot (23), Yadgir (30) and Bidar (41). Gadag was in first place across the nation on June 5 and July 6 this year. Since then, it has been in the ‘Good’ and ‘Average’ category.
Other districts of Karnataka which are in the ‘Good’ air quality category are Chamrajnagar (44), Chikkamagaluru (33), Davangere (23), Hassan (25), Koppal (46), Kolar (50), Mysuru (29), Ramanagara (40), Shivamogga (37) and Vijayapura (45).
India follows the 500-point scale of measuring the AQI value depending on the concentration of the major pollutants. The value 0-50 is considered as Good, followed by Satisfactory (51-100), Moderate (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor (301-400) and Severe (401-500).
Gadag earning the ‘Good’ air quality tag can be attributed to the nearby hill range, Kappatagudda, and low number of industries around. Since a large percentage of villagers are into agriculture, it causes less air pollution.
Gadag and Dharwad district’s Environmental Officer Shobha Pol said, “We have been observing the AQI value and this time many districts in Karnataka are in the Good category. Hubballi is in the list which was not there earlier. Reasons cannot be predicted as it needs a detailed study and survey.”
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Raghottam Koppar, Express News Service / November 18th, 2021
Nikhil Chinapa opens up about not being a part of Roadies. He says that he is disappointed that he won’t be a part of the show this time.
With a change in the format of popular adventure-reality show Roadies, anchor and VJ Nikhil Chinapa has been disheartened that he will no longer be a part of the TV show. So far in Roadies, gang leaders would choose their gang members who would then compete against members of other gangs.
However, the format has been changed now where the show will witness just one host who will be in charge of the journey. Reportedly, the host is said to be Bollywood actor Sonu Sood who will replace current long-serving host Rannvijay Singha.
Dismayed by the change in format, Nikhil Chinapa told ETimes, “I am disappointed that I wouldn’t be a part of Roadies now.” Nikhil acknowledged that the makers of the show have changed the format and thus not only he but none of his colleagues will be a part of it anymore.
Nikhil further said that the gang leaders used to look forward to the show every year and that “it would be great fun.” Talking about his journey in Roadies, Nikhil highlighted that he first entered the show as a contestant and worked his way to become a gang leader and judge too.
Nikhil talked about being an active member of the selection process of Roadies for many years and said that it used to be a challenging journey for him. Nikhil added that the channel wants to bring a fresh perspective by changing the format but he still hopes that he and other gang leaders including Neha Dhupia, Prince Narula, and Rannvijay Singha will be roped in again.
When asked about the new host of the show, Nikhil claimed that the success of the show does not just depend on him but on the contestants too who are responsible for making it entertaining. Notably, Nikhil refrained from comparing Rannvijay and Sonu Sood saying that “it’s like apples and oranges.” He further underlined Rannvijay’s long journey in Roadies and praised his ability to steer the show to success. Meanwhile, he also assured Sonu Sood that he will have a great time hosting the popular show.
Earlier, it was reported that apart from Rannvijay being replaced by Sonu Sood as the new host, other gang leaders including Neha Dhupia, Nikhil Chinapa and Raftaar will also be skipping the new season of Roadies.
source:http://www.eng.bharattimes.co.in / Bharat Times / Home> Bollywood> News / February 25th, 2022
Vinank Kuttappa who was elected as the vice president of Virajpet Town Panchayat was greeted by MP Pratap Simha, MLA K G Bopaiah and other BJP members of the panchayat
Vinank Kuttappa from the BJP has been elected as the vice president of Virajpet Town Panchayat.
In the elections held on Friday, Vinank secured 10 votes, while his close contender from the Congress, Muhammed Rafi, got eight votes.
There are 18 elected members in the Town Panchayat. All eight members from the BJP, MP Pratap Simha and MLA K G Bopaiah voted for Vinank.
Six Congress members, one JD(S) member and an independent member voted for Rafi. Two independent candidates stayed neutral.
Tahsildar R Yoganand was the returning officer.
The seat occupied by former vice president of the Town Panchayat, Harshavardhan, was vacant, owing to his demise.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Virajpet / October 29th, 2021
The least you can do is to be respectful and responsible.
The hospitality industry was among those hardest hit by the pandemic. However, for homestays, it was a boom time.
With cities locked down with Covid-19 restrictions, many people decided to head to cosy homestays in picturesque locations. With good Wi-Fi available at most places, travellers had the luxury of working from anywhere and gathering enriching life experiences while they were at it.
However, while B&B owners were happy with the increase in business, the lack of etiquette displayed by some travellers left a bad taste in the mouth.
River Stream Retreat in Virajpet, Coorg. Credit: Ayandrali Dutta
“Our retreat is your home when you stay with us, but when we open up our home to you, we want you to take good care of it,” said Karan Subbaiah who runs a quaint homestay called the River Stream Retreat in Virajpet, Coorg. “Every home has an acceptable way of living, and we respect and admire guests who live by those essential agreements of respect, discipline, care, and humility. We believe in mutual respect for our culture, things, space, and lives.”
Homestays were a breath of fresh air when travelling seemed a long-lost dream. But with it also came a basic sense of responsibility that one needed while staying at someone’s home.
Irrespective of whether you are a beginner or a pro at staying at homestays, the dos and don’ts of living with a homestay family should never be ignored. One of the most important ways to do this is to remain respectful of cultural differences.
The Brigadiers Cottage homestay in Mussoorie. Credit: Ayandrali Dutta
“We always tell our guests to treat our property as their home and not do anything that they wouldn’t do in theirs,” said Aseem Varma, owner of The Brigadiers Cottage in Mussoorie, a boutique, pet-friendly homestay. “Small things like notifying the staff of your meal plans in advance speaks volumes about your consideration and upbringing.”
Many homestays are located amid nature and fall under the category of “green stays.”
“You will have an amazing experience living with locals, and their help will be readily available when required, but respecting the rules of the house and maintaining decorum is important,” said Shailza Dasgupta, co-founder of Homestays of India. “Maintain hygiene, inform the host if you intend to come late, and check house rules before smoking or drinking. Also, do not expect room service. Homestays often do not have regular staff, and the owner takes care of the guests.”
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Special Features / by Ayandrali Dutta / February 23rd, 2022
Till date, coffee is grown in only one revenue block of Bastar district but the Chhattisgarh government is now planning to expand coffee cultivation to other districts of Bastar region, which include seven Maoist-affected districts of Chhattisgarh.
The Chhattisgarh government has decided to open a ‘Bastar Café’ in New Delhi, Raipur and other metro cities. (SOURCED.)
The Chhattisgarh government has decided to open a ‘Bastar Café’ in New Delhi, Raipur and other metro cities and is also considering signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with private companies to promote the café.
The cafés will be run on a franchise model with the condition that the name ‘Bastar’ would be compulsorily included in the brand name of the coffee.
Recently, senior officials have also been directed to prepare a project to promote cultivation of coffee and tea in the plateau areas of Bastar and Sarguja division of Chhattisgarh.
“We have not yet chalked out an overall plan of the project and consultation with various departments is going on but ‘Bastar Café’ will surely turn global in future. Bastar Cafe will serve mainly coffee grown in Bastar but it will also give a complete experience of the local food of Bastar including cookies made of ragi, milk shake, mahua laddu and bar, sitafal ice cream and other Chhattisgarhi and tribal cuisine. Thousands of people are involved in growing coffee in the state. Bastar Cafe will be opened in many malls, across Chhattisgarh and also in metro cities of the country,” said Alok Shukla, chief executive officer (CEO) of Rozgar Mission, who is in-charge of the project.
“Franchises can be self-help groups as well but other private sector organisations and start-ups will also be encouraged to take franchises,” said Shukla.
Till date, coffee is grown in only one revenue block of Bastar district but the Chhattisgarh government is now planning to expand coffee cultivation to other districts of Bastar region, which include seven Maoist-affected districts of Chhattisgarh.
“Plantation of coffee is done in Bastar’s Darbha region but we are now planning to expand in Sukma and other districts. In the first phase, eight quintals of coffee have been produced, which is being utilized at the Bastar Cafe opened in Jagdalpur. Nearly two kilograms of coffee is being consumed per day at this cafe. At least three more cafes can be started for utilization and marketing of the quantity of coffee being produced. A decision has been taken to open such cafes in Raipur and Delhi as well, so as to ensure the branding of Bastar Coffee,” said an official involved in the project.
He informed that coffee has been planted in 55 acres of Darbha area of Bastar in 2021.
Presently, coffee cultivation is proposed in an area of 5,108 acres in Bastar district, which includes 1,075 acres in 9 villages of Tokapal block, 1,027 acres in 11 villages of Lohandiguda, 1,445 acres in 14 villages of Bastanar, 460 acres in 7 villages of Bakawand and 1,101 acres in 13 villages of Darbha block.
Officials said that the Agriculture College, Jagdalpur has completed preparations for coffee plantation in 245 acres of land in Darbha.
“The horticulture department is in the process of getting 2.50 quintals of certified seeds of ‘Chandragiri’ variety from Coffee Board Bangalore, which would be utilized for producing 5 lakh saplings. These saplings will be planted in an area of 500 acres area… Likewise, Agriculture College Jagdalpur will also produce two lakh saplings from a quintal of certified seeds to be received from Coffee Board Bangalore. These saplings will be planted over an area of 200 acres. A target has been set to expand the area under coffee cultivation in 1000 acres of Bastar district every year. By 2026, nearly 5,820 acres of land would be brought under coffee cultivation,” said an officer of the public relation department.
KP Singh, scientist (Horticulture), who is overseeing the ‘Coffee project’ in Bastar, said that climatic conditions of Bastar are quite suitable for coffee cultivation.
“We are encouraging more and more tribes to cultivate in this area and training is continuously going on. We are hoping that soon Bastar coffee will become a brand in the market,” Singh added.
District Collector of Bastar, Rajat Bansal, said that Bastar Café will create employment and tourism in the area.
“Bastar Café could be a big brand of coffee and we are working on it. As per the direction from the state, currently, the district administration is trying to expand coffee plantations in an area of more than 5000 acres. The future target is Tokapal, Lohandiguda, and Bastanaar revenue block of the district. The key scientific parameter which makes Bastar coffee a unique product is the content of chlorogenic acid, caffeine and protein with a percentage of 6.02, 0.53 and 11.22 respectively,” said Bansal.
In terms of crops, the district administration aims to promote coffee as a non-conventional agricultural product which will help them to shift from paddy and also generate coffee tourism in future, the collector added.
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> India News / by Ritesh Mishra / February 17th, 2022
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