Monthly Archives: July 2023

Bored with trekking? Soak in this mini-Niagara in Coorg

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021)

Coorg, known as the Scotland of India, experiences a surge in tourism post-monsoon due to heavy rainfall. The Chiklihole Dam, famous for its half-moon shape and serene water flow, attracts thousands of tourists. Accessible from Madikeri, tourists can enjoy the beauty of Coorg’s waterfalls like Abbifalls and Mallalli Falls.

Bored with trekking? Soak in this mini-Niagara in Coorg vkp

The Scotland of India has been blooming with tourists, with a surge in rainfall. Coorg sees a spike in tourism, post the monsoon season begins. With a hefty rainfall, the city has been spiking with tourism. The CHiklihole dam in the Kushalnagara of Coorg district has raised to fame with its beautiful half-moon shape, tagging along with the name ‘mini-Niagara’.

Though a dam, the water flows along a half-moon shape in the dam and attracts visitors. Each and every tourist place in Coorg resides with silence and quietness. The water flow along the reservoir is very peaceful, besides the noise created by the tourists and the birds chirping along the dam.

The Chiklihole Dam fills up every monsoon, and the dam attracts thousands of tourists every year. Tourists from far away places come to see this beautiful water flow in the dam.

How to reach?

Chiklihole Dam is about 26km from the district place Madikeri. There are no bus facilities, however, one can travel to Suntikoppa in their own vehicle and later Book an auto or a jeep until the dam. This dam is constructed in the Meenukolli reserved forest and provides water to the villages of Kushalnagara and Piriyapattana.

The breeze along the bridge beside the dam will make you dance to the waves of the dam. Meanwhile, the dam fills up during monsoon and calls the visitors. 

Tourists can also consider visiting Abbifalls, Abhyat Mangala Falls, Mallalli Falls and Iruppu Falls in the surrounding. Coorg always lives up to its name – Scotland of India, be it during the monsoon and summer.

source: http://www.newsable.asianetnews.com / Asianet Newsable / Home> English> Lifestyle / July 29th, 2023

Greens concerned over change in land use in Kodagu

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Madikeri-based Environment and Health Foundation (India) said it was a matter of serious concern.

Experts have pointed to large-scale commercialisation and land use change as one of the reasons for the increasing incidents of floods and landslides witnessed in Kodagu over the last five years. Credit: DH Photo

Activists in Kodagu have opposed the large-scale land transactions where people “from outside” were changing the land use, leading to commercialisation and displacement of indigenous communities.

Madikeri-based Environment and Health Foundation (India) said it was a matter of serious concern that people from outside the state were flocking to Kodagu for purchasing property by tempting the local people with high prices for their land.

“Some of them may be purchasing land with a view to cultivate plantation crops, but many individuals would be looking to convert the land for commercial purposes such as sites and resorts in order to make large profit,” said Colonel C P Muthanna , founder and honorary secretary.

In a letter written to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, Muthanna said a number of persons buying properties in Kodagu were from Telangana.

“In view of the need to protect the Kodagu landscape as the catchment of River Cauvery and also in order to prevent further marginalisation of the local indigenous communities, we urge you to give a call to your people to not invest in purchasing land in Kodagu,” he said. He added that the foundation was trying to provide financial security to the people of Kodagu.

Experts have pointed to large-scale commercialisation and land use change as one of the reasons for the increasing incidents of floods and landslides witnessed in Kodagu over the last five years.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> States> Karnataka Districts / by DHNS, Bengaluru / July 25th, 2023

KC Ganapathy: The first Kodava Yachtsman and an inspiration to his teammates!

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports, , , , , , , , ,

KC Ganapathy will pair up with Varun Thakkar to represent India in the men’s 49er event at Tokyo 2020. 

KC Ganapathy and Varun Thakkar at Tokyo Village (Courtesy: @VarunThakkar100/Twitter)

Indian sailing star KC Ganapathy not only made his country proud but also put his community — Kodava — on the sailing map of the world by making a cut in the 49er event (with crew member Varun Thakkar) for Tokyo 2020 at the Mussanah Open Championship earlier this year.

For the uninitiated, the Kodavas are a tribe from the Kodagu region of Karnataka in India, who speak the Kodava language. And the 26-year-old will be the first from his community to represent India at the Olympics.

His journey to the pinnacle of the sporting event has been challenging as after losing his father, Deepak Chengappa, it was his mother Reshma Chengappa, who ran the furniture business for his family in Chennai.

However, his achievement is also fulfilling for his grandmother Padma Prathap, a resident of Kolthodu village near Hatur in South Kodagu, as she has seen Ganapathy overcome all the odds.

“He won the Under-12 National Championship and has come a long way. I pray for his success every moment,” she told the starofmysore.com.

Incidentally, his journey is also inspiring for his Indian sailing contingent teammates, who have seen his never-say-die spirit at close quarters.

It happened so in 2020, that after being reduced to visual training for a major part of 2020 in Chennai, Ganapathy and his crew member Thakkar decided to train in South India in Rameswaram. However, the plan turned out into a disaster, as a bike accident almost reduced his chances of competing any further.

Ganapathy suffered a hairline fracture on the foot along with a soft tissue damage. But he was able to pull off the recovery in no-time, thanks to the doctors and training process he was asked to follow. His teammate Vishnu Sarvanan, a laser radial class sailor, has had a lot of respect for him ever since.

“When I got into sailing for the first time, I kind of looked up to him,” Vishnu told the New Indian Express.

Moreover, Ganapathy also worked on putting up weight to balance his boat (along with his partner), which needs a minimum of 160 kilograms on board. And from quitting school to pursue sailing on a full-time basis, Ganapathy has come a long way in pursuit of making his dreams count

When will KC Ganapathy’s campaign at Tokyo 2020 begin?

Varun Thakkar and KC Ganapathy will begin their campaign at Tokyo 2020 on July 27, Tuesday, in the men’s 49er Race 1.

source: http://www.olympics.com / Olympics.com / by Samrat Chakraborty / July 26th, 2023

Kodava community demands virtual constituency on the lines of intangible seat for Buddhists in Sikkim

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Kodagu district is one of the smallest districts in Karnataka. It was a Part ‘C’ State from 1952 to 1956. It was amalgamated with the then Mysuru State (now Karnataka) in 1956.

Guns are part of the Kodava culture in Kodagu district of Karnataka. They are used during auspicious occasions.

Members of the Kodava community, in the hill district of Kodagu, are demanding exclusive, intangible constituencies in Parliament and the Karnataka Assembly on the lines of the Sangha virtual constituency for the Buddhist monastic community in Sikkim.

The Codava National Council (CNC), a body fighting for autonomy for Kodava people, fears that the community may lose political representation after the delimitation exercise in the year 2026, since the population of the community is coming down.

Kodagu district is one of the smallest districts in Karnataka. It was a Part ‘C’ State from 1952 to 1956. It was amalgamated with the then Mysuru State (now Karnataka) in 1956.

Recently, CNC members submitted a memorandum to the President, Union Law Minister and Chief Election Commission of India seeking creation of a virtual constituency for the Kodava community.

Nandineravanda U. Nachappa, president of CNC, told The Hindu, “Indian government ratified the rights of Buddhist monastic community through the Sangha constituency, which was created in 1958.” He argued for a similar arrangement for the Kodavas, who are a unique community but are becoming numerically negligible.

What is the Sangha virtual constituency

Sangha Assembly constituency is one of the constituencies in the 32-member Assembly of Sikkim, a State in the northeast region of India.

“The Sangha constituency doesn’t exist on the map. This seat is reserved for the Buddhist monastic community of Sikkim — Buddhist monks and nuns. About 3,293 voters registered with the 111 recognized monasteries in Sikkim State are the only ones who can contest and cast their votes for the Sangha constituency seat.

“Kodavas want a similar seat in both the Karnataka Assembly and in Parliament so that we get our own representation since our population is now down to only 70,000 people,” Mr Nachappa explained.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Darshan Devaiah BP / July 15th, 2023

‘Happy to move on from Davis Cup,’ says Rohan Bopanna

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports,

City’s tennis ace Rohan Bopanna and his wife Supriya Annaiah talk about his successful stint at Wimbledon ’23, maintaining a high level in sport and his final appearance at the Davis Cup.

Bengaluru : 

While it is undoubtedly true that Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna is in the twilight years of his sporting career, a quick look at his recent achievements denotes he is still far from being finished. The 43-year-old, in the recently-concluded Wimbledon, reached as far as the semi-finals in the doubles category with his partner Australia’s Matthew Ebden.

Getting to the final four of a major at his age is pretty unprecedented. But the laurels don’t end there. Bopanna also rose to no 7 in the ATP rankings for doubles, the first time he reached the number since 2013. Bopanna says the experience at Wimbledon was ‘fantastic’.

“Especially since last year, I did miss Wimbledon. They did not have any ranking points last year, so I decided to skip the event. It’s one of the events which I think every tennis player wants to play. It’s a mecca of our sport. And Matt (Ebden) and I had a pretty successful season so far. We had some tough matches in the beginning, and I think fighting through that was a tremendous achievement for us,” shares the Bengalurean.

Regarding making it into the top 10 rankings, Bopanna elaborates, “It’s really good to be back in the top 10. Especially with the way I’ve been playing. I think the Grand Slams make that difference. You can achieve big points in major events like Grand Slams and Masters. This year, that’s what we have done. And I think it has really shown the difference,” he says.

The pressure of maintaining a high level in sport gets harder as you age, and support from loved ones is crucial. Supriya Annaiah, Bopanna’s wife and a practising psychologist, explains, “I don’t work with him as a psychologist. Ethically, I can’t and personally don’t cross that boundary. Each athlete’s needs and requirements from their spouse varies.

So when I started travelling with him on the tennis tour 12 years ago, it meant understanding his world from scratch, but it was also very freeing – to be able to customise our partnership to pay attention to his needs and performance, while I get to honour my needs and individuality too.” She adds, “Tennis is a sport that demands a lot out of an athlete on and off the court to be at a particular level – I’ve witnessed Rohan go through the grind of it.

So when I cheer for him on and off the court, it is equally (sometimes more) for the man he is behind what he does professionally.” Annaiah believes that the need for an athlete to maintain their mental health is pertinent now, but there isn’t much awareness around it in India when it comes to sport psychology. “There are courses that are being offered, and professionals are being churned out in India.

However, in sport, there isn’t enough awareness and practice in a place where physical health is given attention at par with mental health despite knowing that both go hand in hand. Athletes need to know that they don’t need to reach a tipping point to seek help,” says Annaiah. This year, unfortunately, is the final time Bopanna will play in the Davis Cup in September, a tournament he has been playing since 2002.

“One of the main reasons I decided to stop playing Davis Cup is because I know, this is one place where if I stop, another Indian will be able to take my place. It’s been a long career representing India in the Davis Cup, over 20 years. So, I’m very happy to move on and am very happy that I can bow out of the cup in India,” concludes Bopanna, adding that the one thing that helped him was to have short-term goals.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Tunir Biswas / Express News Service / July 29th, 2023

A champion mindset can be developed over time: Rohan Bopanna

Sports

Grand Slam-winner Bopanna talks about dealing with setbacks, finding positives in tough times and believing in oneself despite the odds

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – FEBRUARY 13: Rohan Bopanna during the match between ABN AMRO Open 2023 v Day 1 at the Ahoy on February 13, 2023 in Rotterdam Netherlands (Photo by Pim Waslander/Soccrates/Getty Images)

He might have Grand Slams in his bag, but for tennis player Rohan Bopanna, representing India on the global stage for the last 20 years has been his biggest achievement. Over these two decades, he has won 24 ATP doubles titles and is currently ranked No. 8 in the world. At 43, an age considered over the hill for an athlete, especially in a sport as physical as tennis, Bopanna recently reached the semifinal of Wimbledon along with partner Matthew Ebden. He speaks to Forbes India on his longevity, what it takes to build a champion mindset and the importance of investing in yourself. Edited excerpts: 

‘Find new ways to adapt’

My biggest learning has been to find new ways to adapt no matter where you are in your career. This includes both my tennis and fitness. For instance, around mid-2019, I started having extreme pain in my knees. So, during the pandemic, I took up yoga. Initially, I found it to be slow, but over time, there was a tremendous change in my strength. I think my perseverance to improve myself constantly has helped me stay relevant for the last 20 years. 

‘Invest in yourself’ 

I started coaching at an academy in Pune, where I stayed in a hostel which was about 15 km away. Every day, I would wake up at 5 am and cycle to the academy. If you didn’t make it for the fitness drill, you wouldn’t be allowed to play tennis—that was the rule. It was then that I learnt the importance of discipline. I only focused on becoming a tennis player without worrying about the results. Even now, as I’m getting older, my body takes longer to recover, so I’m adapting. Lately, I have started focusing on my mobility and recovery. Investing in yourself is a key part of being an athlete. 

‘Put in the hard work and have self-belief’ 

Coming from a small village in Coorg, playing these Grand Slams seems unreal to me. I had no gym, so my dad brought this wood log, gave me a hammer, and asked me to keep hitting it every day to build strength. Those early days taught me a lot. I never take anything for granted. I believe if you put in the work and have self-belief, it will eventually show. A champion mindset can be developed over time. All the challenges that an athlete goes through are part of the learning experience. My mom taught me: No matter how hard everything was on the road, just try to find those small things that made you happy. 

‘Communication helps you and your team grow’ 

Whether playing a sport or in a corporate setting, the more you communicate and understand the people you work with, the better the chances of success. This helps you and the team grow and improve. My wife, who is a psychologist, helped me communicate better. Apart from spending time on the court, we players also spend a lot of time off the court, so the key is not to always talk about tennis. It is also to create a bond and understanding. Self-analysis also helps. Sometimes, when you’re playing doubles, it’s easy to blame your partner. But I started watching myself play to analyse where I could improve and began making the change. 

‘Don’t give up’ 

Injuries are always the toughest part of any sport. In 2006, I had a surgery on my shoulder and was out for six months. I’ve also had some bad knee issues. In those times, you aren’t sure when you will start again. It’s never easy because I can’t wake up one morning and say, ‘If I can’t play tennis, let me play some other sport now or take up another job’. This is the only job I have been doing. Your mind is constantly pushing out lots of negativity. There was a phase in 2021; I was hardly winning any matches and kept doubting myself. But tennis has taught me to find solutions and a way to get better. Two weeks later, I ended up winning my first match in five months, and it felt like winning the biggest thing in the world. After that, everything changed; I started playing better. There will always be setbacks, but you have to find a way to push through and find the positives and not give up no matter what. 

source: http://www.forbesindia.com / Forbes India / Home> Special Report> From the Field / by Naini Thaker and Kathakali Chanda / July 28th, 2023

Madikeri to get critical care center on KIMS campus

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, , , ,

MP urges CM to release an additional sum of ₹70 crore for the 450-bed teaching hospital of Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences.

Pratap Simha, MP, at the meeting on KIMS in Madikeri on Friday. Deputy Commissioner Venkatraja is also seen. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha on Friday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to release an additional sum of ₹70 crore for the completion of a 450-bed teaching hospital for Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Madikeri. A sum of ₹100 crore had been released for the hospital project and additional funds are essential for completing the works, he added.

Earlier, the MP held a meeting with the officials and doctors of KIMS on establishing a critical care center on the KIMS premises in Madikeri. The proposed center has been estimated to cost₹29 crore, he said.

Engineer Rajesh told the meeting that the critical care center has been proposed on 45-cent land on the KIMS campus and the tender process had also been done. He said the general wards of the teaching hospital of the KIMS are likely to be completed by November. The works need additional funds for completion, he said, adding that the critical care center will be completed in the next 15 months.

Mr. Simha told the officials to send the proposal on a critical care center to the government for the funds. MRI equipment for the teaching hospital and the mother and child hospital for Kodagu has become essential for improving public healthcare services, he added.

The hospital doctors and staff told the MP about the need for constructing quarters for the KIMS staff. In reply, the MP said suitable land for the staff quarters will be provided.

The concerned engineers told the meeting that the land on Murnad Road belonged to the KIMS and the same land parcel can be used for building KIMS’ staff quarters.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / July 28th, 2023

Cabinet Okays Mention Of ‘Kodava/Kodavaru’ In Caste Certificate Instead Of ‘Kodagaru

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Bengaluru:

Fulfilling a long-pending demand of Kodavas, the Karnataka Cabinet, which met here on Thursday, agreed to mention as ‘Kodava/Kodavaru’ in the Caste Certificate, instead of ‘Kodagaru,’ who are currently listed in the 3a Category.

Announcing this after the Cabinet meeting here yesterday, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said the State Government has accepted the recommendations made by the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission to use the words ‘Kodava’, ‘Kodavaru’, instead of ‘Kodagaru’ in the list of Backward Classes and issue a notification in this regard.

The Commission, after a thorough study, in 2005 and 2010, had recommended the Government to use ‘Kodava’ and ‘Kodavaru’ in Kannada and  ‘Codava’, ‘Codavaru’ in English, instead of ‘Kodagaru’ in the 3a Category list.

The Karnataka High Court, on Dec.16, 2021, had directed the Government to use the name ‘Kodava’, Kodavaru’ as suggested by the Backward Classes Commission. Justice Krishna S. Dixit had passed the order while allowing a petition filed by Codava National Council (CNC).

The Court then had also cautioned the Government of imposing a heavy cost in the next level of legal battle if it does not comply with the order within an outer limit of three months.

CNC’s effort pays off

The Cabinet decision on Thursday is a victory of sorts for CNC and its President N.U. Nachappa, who had fought over the issue for over a decade.

With the change of Government in the State, Nachappa and other CNC members had met Chief Minister Siddharamaiah recently under the leadership of Virajpet MLA  and Advocate A.S. Ponnanna and reiterated the demand for mentioning ‘Kodavaru’ in the Caste Certificate. Nachappa had argued that in the past, it was mentioned as ‘Kodagaru’ in the Caste Certificate, which had an impact on the cultural and social values of the Kodavas.

He further maintained that the CNC had appealed to the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission Secretary to bring in changes in the Caste Certificate issued under Category 3a.

Now, CM Siddharamaiah, responding to the plea, brought the issue before the Cabinet yesterday, which approved using the term ‘Kodava’, ‘Kodavaru’ in the Caste Certificate instead of ‘Kodagaru.’

The Cabinet decision has also called the bluff of former BJP MLAs of Kodagu, who had turned away from their responsibility regarding the issue for years. When confronted over the issue, the former MLAs in the past had constantly argued that the matter does not come under the purview of the State Government and it is the Centre which has to do it.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / July 28th, 2023

Stalk rot disease haunts coffee estates across South Kodagu

Agriculture, Coffee News, , , , , ,

In South Kodagu, the rainfall has receded and the region is exposed to some sunlight, resulting in an increased number of estates recording stalk rot disease.

Wild animals are allowed to feed and breed in some coffee estates of Chikamagaluru district | Express
For representational purpose only | EPS

Madikeri:

Several coffee estates across Kodagu are already facing the brunt of monsoons and changing weather patterns. The coffee plantations, especially in the South Kodagu region, are showing severe signs of stalk rot disease and the coffee growers are worried.

“The stalk rot disease usually affects the coffee plants during mid-monsoons – especially in August, when the rainfall gets heavy. However, the coffee stalks and coffee beans are rotting at the beginning of monsoons this year,” shared Devaiah, a grower in the Srimangala belt of South Kodagu.

Several crops across the coffee estates are affected by rotting disease and controlling the spread of the disease amidst the bad weather condition has become a herculean task to the growers. Amidst the increased loss of yield due to wildlife conflict, the spread of the rotting disease is adding more woes to the growers’ troubles.  

While stalk rot disease is an age-old condition that has been affecting coffee plants – especially the Robusta variety of coffee– the cases of the disease spreading have increased invariably in the recent past. Changing weather patterns is concluded as one of the reasons for the increased spread of the disease, as George Daniel, DD of Chettalli Coffee Board explained, “Weather conditions play an important role in the spread of stalk rot disease. The soil will have increased moisture content during monsoons. When this moisture is exposed to even little sunlight, it gives a perfect ground for the mushrooming of anthracnose fungus – which causes the stalk rot disease.”

In South Kodagu, the rainfall has receded and the region is exposed to some sunlight, resulting in an increased number of estates recording stalk rot disease.

“At first, just one or two coffee cherries will start to rot. within a day, the entire plant gets affected. It is important that the affected parts of the plants are immediately cut off and buried under the soil to prevent further spread of the endemic,” added George. He analyzed that estates that have reported stalk rot in the previous years are more prone to the disease.

He suggests that the growers spray Opera Fungicide – One ml of the fungicide mixed with One liter of water – to curb the disease spread. “The mixture must be sprayed when rain takes a break,” he added. Further, it is important that growers carry out pre-preparations for monsoons as spraying 0.5% Bordeaux mixture would help curb the growth of fungus in monsoons.

“The Robusta variety of plants is highly affected by the disease. However, Arabica varieties too are prone to the disease. Sanitation work of the plantation including pruning of the crops, reduction of shade, proper lighting and air circulation plays an important role in preventing stalk rot disease in plantations,” he said.

Coffee berries begin to drop following infection from stalk rot disease.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / July 27th, 2023

Kodagu native secures sixth rank in LLB

Education, Records, All, , , , ,
Kodagu native secures sixth rank in LLB

Mysuru: 

Nithish PV, a native of Kodagu, has bagged sixth rank in the five-year LLB course (Kannada medium) in the state.

Karnataka State Law University, Hubballi, has announced the tentative list of rank holders.

A student of Vidyavardhaka Law College, Nithish wrote exams in Kannada language and scored 51.28 % marks.

He hails from Abbur Katte village in Somwarpet taluk.

He is the son of farmer couple PD Vijay and MS Shobha, said senior advocate S Lokesh, under whom Nithish is currently receiving hands-on training in Mysuru.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / July 27th, 2023