Monthly Archives: May 2023

Police warns of action against ill-treatment of tourists in Kodagu

May 31, 2023Business & Economy, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)admin

Superintendent of Kodagu district police K. Ramarajan has issued a stern warning against ill-treatment of tourists visiting the district.

The police warning comes in the wake of the assault on tourists in Abbey falls in the district allegedly by parking fee collectors.

Speaking at the Kodagu District Tourism Committee meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Madikeri on Tuesday, Mr. Ramarajan directed officials to ensure that notice boards with a message for tourists to contact emergency services on 112 should come up in all tourist destinations and highways leading to tourist places in the district in the next ten days.

In the event of ill-treatment of tourists by locals, the Police Department will register suo moto cases against the persons accused of misbehaving with them.

Tourists from different parts of the State and the country will visit the district. It was necessary for locals and the administration to treat them well, he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu B.C. Sateesha emphasized upon the need to ensure that incidents like the one taking place at Abbey Falls were not repeated.

Superintendent of Police pointed out that frequent trouble has been reported over the issue related to parking of vehicles in Abbey Falls.

Mr. Ramarajan said the Police Department will issue time-bound No Objection Certificates (NOC) to home-stays while seeking co-operation from everybody to the district administration and the police’s efforts to maintain a vigil against the use of ganja and other narcotic substances.

The meeting also saw demands for resolving the issues surrounding parking of vehicles at Abbey Falls, widening the road leading to the waterfalls and fixing a speed limit for the vehicles.

The participants also called upon the authorities not to focus only on Raja’s Seat, Abbey Falls and Mandal Patti, but also consider for development other places in the district like Somwarpet, Malali Waterfalls etc.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / May 30th, 2023

‘Heritage Centre Can Save Culture From Modernisation Onslaught’

May 30, 2023Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)admin

Madikeri:

The impact of modernisation, globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation has significantly eroded indigenous customs and traditions, leading to their gradual decline. Nevertheless, the establishment of the Kodava Heritage Centre at Madikeri in Kodagu dedicated to preserving these customs and traditions for future generations is commendable, said Dr. M. Nanjaiah Honganur, Head, Department of Studies in Folklore, University of Mysore.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Dr. Nanjaiah Honganur said that in recent times, the cultural heritage of our land is rapidly fading away due to the influence of modernity. It is the collective responsibility of all individuals to safeguard these practices and pass them on to the next generation.

“Kodagu boasts of a unique culture and environment. Establishing a Heritage Centre in collaboration with the Kodava Samaja to safeguard the customs and traditions of the region is a worthy endeavour. It aims to narrate the history of the land through both physical and virtual means,” he said. “Presently, our customs and traditions are being relegated to the pages of history due to various factors and the pressures of modern life. Kodagu takes great pride in its distinctive traditions, making it essential to preserve them. Efforts should focus on conserving customs related to Kodava marriages, festival celebrations, funeral rituals, agricultural practices, farming in hilly regions and heritage handicrafts. These aspects must form the core of conservation initiatives, which need to be undertaken promptly,” he suggested.

Museums, often referred to as ‘material culture house’ exhibits items once used by our ancestors, such as farming equipment, household articles, attire and other objects. These museums play a crucial role in introducing younger generations to our traditions and customs. They serve as a timeless resource for transferring culture to the next generation, raising awareness about historical artefacts. Museums dedicated to culture hold particular significance in society, he added.

Opposition from some quarters to the establishment of the Kodava Heritage Centre is unjustified, he noted. “Educating the younger generation about age-old practices becomes our responsibility. Online museums dedicated to specific topics have gained popularity and a similar demand has emerged in Kodagu. While these digital platforms benefit educated individuals and netizens while creating global awareness, regular museums attract a wider audience,” he added. The opportunity to closely examine and interact with exhibits in person provides a unique experience. The freshness and tactile engagement during a visit to a traditional museum are unparalleled, he noted.

“Regardless of cultural form — be it folk, coastal or any other — all folk practices should be preserved and programmes should be designed accordingly,” Dr. Nanjaiah Honganur added.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / by M T Yogesh Kumar / May 29th, 2023

Uproar over selection of Kodagu athletes

May 29, 2023Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, SportsArun Machaiah, Athletes of Kodagu, Kodagu Athletes, Kodagu District, Kodagu First, Kudige, Kudige - Kushalnagar, Kudige sports hostel kodagu, Kudige Sports School, Sai Sports Residential School - Madikeriadmin

Madikeri :

The decision to cancel the exclusive selection process for Kodagu athletes for state-level teams has irked sports persons in the Kodagu district. As many as 18 students, including three girls, selected at the district-level selection process have been removed.

Kodagu district has players at the state and national level and they have also participated in the Olympics events. An exclusive selection of Kodagu students has been going on for the past 23 years in Ponnampet.

Arun Machaiah, a former MLC, accused senior officials behind the decision to cancel the selection.

A state-level sports school is being run at Kudige and the athletes to play at the state level are selected from there.

While the national-level sports persons are selected from Sai Sports Residential School, Madikeri.

Machaiah said when the selection processes for national and state-level events come together the opportunities for the athletes of Kodagu are likely to decrease.

Zilla panchayat had taken resolution for an exclusive selection of Kodagu students for state teams in Ponnampet School. It was approved by the Karnataka government in 2001.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / by G Rajendra / May 28th, 2023

Hyderabad: OU scientist discovers new species of Bat in Coorg

May 29, 2023Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

According to the researchers, with the discovery of the new species, the number of bent-winged bats in India has increased from 4 to 5.

OU scientist discovers new species of Bat (Photo: Twitter)

Hyderabad:

Eminent zoology scientist from Osmania University Dr Bhargavi Srinivasulu, along with her son, Aditya Srinivasulu, has discovered a new species of bat from Karnataka’s Coorg.

The mother-son duo have named their discovery, ‘Miniopetrus srinii Srini’s Bent-winged Bat’, discovered in a cave in Makuta of Kodagu district (Coorg).

The research papers were submitted on Saturday and the expert committee cleared the papers and conferred the rare honour.

“We collected the specimens of bats from a large subterranean cave in the dense jungles of Western Ghats in Makuta, we doubted that this could be a cryptic species of bat, which we had tentatively identified as the Small Bent-winged Bat,” said Dr Bhargavi.

Found in southern Europe, Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Australia, New Caledonia and Vanuatu, Bent-winged Bats are small-sized bats that live in large colonies of a few hundred individuals in caves.

According to the researchers, with the discovery of the new species, the number of bent-winged bats in India has increased from 4 to 5.

The specimens of bats were collected from a large subterranean cave in the dense jungles of the Western Ghats in Makuta. The Small Bent-winged Bat is reported from the Nicobar Islands, peninsular India, Nepal and Northeast India.

Talking about the multiple works they undertook in discovering the new bats, Dr Bhargavi said, “Our research on Andaman bats has revealed that the fauna on the islands are genetically different from those on mainland India. We conducted morphological, cranial, echolocation and genetic studies to determine the relationship between the Makuta specimens and others.”

A peer-reviewed scientific mega journal for animal taxonomists named Zootaxa has published the description of the new species that were named in honour of Prof C Srinivasulu, a bat biologist working at the varsity.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / by News Desk / May 29th, 2023

IRS Officer From Kodagu Appointed Dy. Director Of Enforcement

May 29, 2023Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Samajas, Associations, Clubs (wef. Sept. 03rd, 2022)), Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022)Cauvery Pommakkada Koota - Gonikoppa, Dr Kottangada Pemmaiah, Dr Kottangada Pemmaiah - Deputy Director of Enforcement - Directorate of Enforcement, Dr Pemmaiah, Gonikoppa, Gonikoppa Community Health Centre, Kottangada Devaiah, Kottangada Pemmaiah, Viju Devaiah, Viju Devaiah - President - Cauvery Pommakkada Koota - Gonikoppaadmin

Mysore/Mysuru:

Dr. Kottangada Pemmaiah, an Indian Revenue Services (IRS – Income Tax) Officer from Kodagu, has been appointed as Deputy Director of Enforcement in the Directorate of Enforcement.

The appointment order was issued by the Office of the President of India on May 25. Dr. Pemmaiah from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) cadre is among 17 officers who have been appointed as Deputy Director of Enforcement.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is a multi-disciplinary organisation mandated with the investigation of offences of money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws.

It functions under the Department of Revenue of the Ministry of Finance. As a premier financial investigation agency of the Government of India, the Enforcement Directorate functions in strict compliance with the Constitution and laws of India.

The Directorate of Enforcement has Delhi as its headquarters and is headed by the Director of Enforcement. There are five Regional Offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Delhi headed by Special Directors of Enforcement. There are 10 Zonal offices each of which is headed by a Deputy Director.

Dr. Pemmaiah has excelled in the roles of Deputy Director (Investigation), Surat, Gujarat and Deputy Director of the Foreign Asset Investigation Unit (FAIU) in Surat.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Dr. Pemmaiah said that basically Indian Police Service or Indian Revenue Services or Customs, and a 5-year experience is the criteria for the appointment of Deputy Director of Enforcement.

“They had verified my previous work done and they had a series of interviews after which the selection has been made. So, with the blessings of ‘Guru Karona’ I was one of the 17 officers. I am happy that I have been given this responsibility and this is a sensitive assignment considering the nature of the job and its national importance,” he said.

Dr. Pemmaiah is the son of Kottangada late Devaiah. His mother Viju Devaiah is a social worker and President of Cauvery Pommakkada Koota at Gonikoppa. Before getting into Civil Services, Dr. Pemmaiah was serving as Resident Medical Officer at Gonikoppa Community Health Centre.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / May 27th, 2023

Birthday Feature: 7 times Gulshan Devaiah proved his versatility as an actor

May 29, 2023Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, Alladmin

Gulshan Devaiah has delivered some of the most iconic performances as an actor. He has proved his versatility time and again with the kind of roles he has picked. On his birthday which is falling on 28th May, we pick seven roles that show his outstanding performance.

1. Hunterrr:

Gulshan made the character of a sex addict Mandar memorable through his natural performance. Although an adult comedy, Gulshan’s clarity on the character made sure that Mandar was presented aesthetically in the movie.

2. Shaitan:

He plays the role of Karan Chaudhary, aka KC, a spoiled brat who belongs to a rich family. One of the first movies where Gulshan was noticed and got acclaimed as a credible actor. His portrayal of the character’s eccentricism got him many fans.

3. Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela:

As Bhavani, a member of the Jadeja clan, in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Gulshan proved he can convincingly portray grey characters as well. The audience loved to hate him for being one of the biggest hurdles in the love story of the lead characters.

4. Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota:

In Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota , he was seen in a double role. He plays two completely different characters – Karate Mani and Jimmy, and seeing him portraying both the characters was a treat for the audience.

5. Badhaai Do:

Absolutely a surprise element in the movie, Gulshan plays the role of Guru Narayan, a lawyer, who is the love interest of Rajkummar Rao’s character. His portrayal of this queer character broke all kinds of stereotypes surrounding the LGBTQ community.

6. Ghost Stories:

This movie had Gulshan with a completely unrecognisable look. Seen in the segment directed by Dibakar Banerjee, Gulshan plays the role of a zombie monster and uses heavy prosthetics to get the right look. Although a role with a limited screen presence, Gulshan was outstanding in his performance.

7. Dahaad:

In Dahaad he plays Devilal Singh, a cop who is chasing a serial killer. He is also a family man, living in a small town in Rajasthan, and is forward thinking. Gulshan’s performance was critically acclaimed and was loved by the audience.