Joshna Chinappa and Saurav Ghosal, the country’s squash aces, reigned supreme in the 77th Senior National Championship at the ISA courts, claiming their 18th and 13th titles respectively.
Chinappa, the torch-bearer for Indian women’s squash for close to two decades now, showed why she was the one to beat as she put paid to the aspirations of Tanvi Khanna, (seeded 3/4) in four games to add yet another national title to her kitty.
The top-seeded Chennai player recovered brilliantly after losing the first game to post a 8-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 win to underline her superiority in the finals on Saturday.
Chinappa had broken the record of 16 national titles held by Bhuvneshwari Kumari by winning in Pune last year.
She won her first national crown in 2000 and has since lost only two matches, both finals.
In the men’s final, Ghosal showed why he is still the man to beat, with a crushing 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 defeat of young Abhishek Pradhan (No. 2 seed) to win the title yet again.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / February 17th, 2020
Educational institutions were first started in Kodagu after the British takeover in 1834. People took to education most enthusiastically. In 1909, St. Joseph’s Convent was founded by Catholic nuns in Madikeri. It was primarily for girls, but boys were allowed till 7th standard. I recently came across a remarkable group photograph taken in 1911, of the students at the time, along with the European nuns who ran the school. The school catered to both boarders and day-scholars.
This school offered better quality education to children of those locals who aspired to see their chldren well prepared to take advantage of lucrative jobs and career opportunities under the colonial dispensation. This school saw generations of students, especially women, pursue higher education and excel at a time when women were not much involved outside the traditional family responsibilities.
One family in this frame, frozen in time, has members who went on to become famous during the 1930s to 1950s. They are the seven daughters and one son of the first lawyer from Kodagu — Codanda D. Poovaiah. After school, six of his daughters pursued higher education outside Kodagu. The sisters excelled in various fields and soon came to be known as the ‘Poovaiah Sisters of Coorg.’ One of them, Rohini, was the first lady from Kodagu to acquire a degree. She later became the Principal of Crosswaithe College, a well-known institution in Allahabad. She was familiar with the Nehru family and had a brief role in the education of a young Indira Gandhi. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1973. Another sister, Ashlesha, was one of the first lady doctors from Kodagu. Yet another sister, Swati, did her Nursing degree and later went on a scholarship to Columbia University in 1948 for further studies.
Three of the Poovaiah sisters with their dance guru Jailal. / Picture right shows Chonira B Muthamma, first lady IFS Officer.
The three younger sisters — Sita, Chitra and Lata — became renowned Kathak dancers and were much sought-after not only for their performances all over India, but also to direct dances in Hindi movies. All sisters took part in the freedom movement. Chitra and Lata defied prohibitory orders during the ‘Quit India’ movement. They were jailed for 2 weeks. Sita went on to earn a Ph.D in Arts from Bombay University and became the first Kodava lady to get a Doctorate degree. My father, C.M. Poonacha, was a freedom fighter and knew the family well. I had the privilege of being invited to their home on Malabar Hill in Bombay in 1968. Except for Ashlesha, all the sisters were spinsters.
On a personal note, my wife’s grandmother is one of the little girls sitting in the front row. She later married Pemmanda K. Monnappa who had the unique distinction of being the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in three Southern States. He was the Police Chief who headed the Government action in quelling the Razakars revolt in Hyderabad. He was the first IGP (equivalent to DGP now), of the newly formed Karnataka State in 1956.
My sister’s future father-in-law is one of the little boys sitting in the front row. Interestingly, his future mother-in-law is also in the same frame! This iconic, over a century-old photograph, has many stories to tell.
Over the years several girls who had their early education in this school went on the achieve in various fields. Konganda Accamma, who passed out of this school in the 1920s, joined Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi. She was one of the first Kodava women to earn a MBBS degree. She headed the Vanivilas Women and Children’s Hospital for several years.
One of the most distinguished alumna of this school is C.B. Muthamma, who was the first woman to qualify for the Indian Foreign Service in 1949. She also has the distinction of being the first lady Ambassador from the IFS cadre. Muthamma had to face gender discrimination while in service. She fought against the Government and went to the Supreme Court in 1979. The Apex Court passed a judgement in her favour which paved the way for other women civil servants from being discriminated against. She authored a book titled ‘Slain by the System’ in 2003. Muthamma’s classmate was Jajie Mandanna, who was an MLC and a well-known consumer activist. I am told they fiercely fought for the top rank in their class!
St. Joseph’s is now a co-ed school and continues to provide quality education.
___________________
About the author:
C. P. Belliappa, born in 1946, is a Chemical Engineer. He is currently settled in Coorg. He is known for his writings on issues pertaining to Coorg. Four of his books — Tale of A Tiger’s Tail & other Yarns from Coorg, Nuggets from Coorg History, Victoria Gowramma: The Lost Princess of Coorg, and Tongue of the Slip, have been published by Rupa Publications. He currently serves as President, Coorg Institute of Technology, Ponnampet, South Kodagu.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / February 16th, 2020
Indian tennis ace Rohan Bopanna says he is looking forward to the Olympics this year and has devised his schedule this year based on the Tokyo Games. Speaking to the Olympic Channel, 39 year old Bopanna says, “It’s another exciting season (with the Olympics involved).
It’s a great honour to represent India at an event as big as the Olympics. I am happy to get the title in Doha at the start of the year. But having said that, we have a lot of big events like not only the Grand Slams but also the Masters Series before going into the Olympics.
But I am happy and I am looking forward to it.” Bopanna continues, “I think the calendar is already planned in such a way that it’s between two Grand Slams (Wimbledon and US Open). And you know, in tennis, we have so many big events scheduled in our season that we constantly are playing the best players in the world.
So that really helps in making you a better player and make you ready for a big event like the 2020 Olympics.” The qualification for the Olympics will be based on the rankings of Bopanna and Divij Sharan. The two are playing with different partners currently in order to improve their ranking and hope to pair up closer to the Games once their rankings are high enough to enter the ATP tournaments.
“At this juncture, Divij and I are the only two players who are high enough (on the ATP Rankings) to try and qualify for the Olympics. We played a few events (as a pair) last year and we did end up winning the title in Pune.
Really excited to be playing with him. We had the gold medal at the Asian Games. I think we gel well as a team.”
source: http://www.tennisworldusa.org / Tennis World / Home> Tennis News> Indian Tennis / by Harish / February 16th, 2020
Mukhyamantri Chandru and another artiste staging the play ‘Mukhyamantri’ at Bahuroopi in Mysuru on Sunday.
Bahuroopi productions are seeing packed audiences as all roads are leading to the national theatre festival being hosted by Rangayana, the State’s premier repertory.
Mukhyamantri, with ‘Mukhyamantri’ Chandru in the lead role, and Manteswamy Kathaprasanga received overwhelming response with theatre buffs watching the plays on Sunday evening with great excitement. The venues of the both the plays were jam-packed.
Sangeeth Bari, a Marathi dance-drama, was another performance that kept the audience fastened to their seats. The production, directed by Savitri Medhatul, chronicled the evolution of Lavani, the folk art. Oedipus, the Bengali play, was another production staged on Sunday, which was also well received.
The theatre festival had been receiving more footfall with each passing day. Bahuroopi concludes on February 19.
“As many as 500 people and about 400 people could not get to see Mukhyamantri and Manteswamy Kathaprasanga plays, respectively, as the auditoriums were packed. Many watched the plays standing at the corners,” said Addanda C. Cariappa, Director, Rangayana, Mysuru.
People were heard asking the organisers whether Mukhyamantri can be staged once again in Bahuroopi. The epic play saw its 701st show here on Sunday. It is inching towards creating a new record.
However, Mr. Cariappa said: “It’s not possible in Bahuroopi since all plays had been scheduled till February 19. May be, after Bahuroopi, we can try to bring the play once again to Rangayana.”
Other events
Not just plays, all other events – Janapada Utsava and exhibitions – are witnessing a huge response. Every visitor has something catering to his or her interests at the festival, he said, adding that all venues are witnessing packed shows and are unable to meet the demand for more seats.
The handicrafts and book expo has some special displays with the aim of offering something new and fresh to the visitors. A stall has exhibited Ilkal saris, weaved in the distant Ilkal in North Karnataka, that has wide acceptance because of its fabric, design and heritage.
Manjula Hosapete, the exhibitor, has brought all types of Ilkal saris so that everyone gets their picking. “The sari has many admirers in Mysuru and therefore we have come here with good stock,” she adds.
Likewise, there are paintings, organic products, khadi items and much more at the expo.
Members of Kodava Samaj, Mysuru, presented “Ummattat” and “Bolakat” as part of Janapada Utsava at Bahuroopi on Sunday.
An artist from Mysuru has created a Warli painting with images of Mahatma Gandhi, like him spinning the charaka, his marches and so on. S. Anusuya Rangaswamy has brought the painting to the festival since it is themed on Gandhi – Gandhi Patha.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu/ Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Myrusu – February 17th, 2020
People dancing to the tune of the traditional ‘Kodava Valaga’, during the fruit and flower show at Raja Seat. DH Photo
Hundreds of visitors thronged the Raja Seat in Madikeri on Saturday and Sunday, for the fruit and flower show.
The four-day-long fruit and flower show organised by the district administration and the department of horticulture, began on Friday.
On Sunday, the localities and tourists who gathered in the venue, danced to the tunes of traditional ‘Kodava Valaga’ during the cultural programmes organised by Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy. ‘Arebhashe Kolata’ and ‘Sobhane Pada’ enthralled the audience.
Selfie zones set up at various parts of Raja Seat, were the centre of attraction among youth during the flower fest. Photo frames were designed with flowers for the purpose.
Open street
The police department restricted the movement of vehicles from M M Circle till Kundurumotte junction, from 6 pm to 10 pm on the evenings of the fruit and flower show. Raja Seat was made completely free from vehicular movements and the stalls featuring various snacks were opened on the road, reminding the ‘Open Street Festival’ organised during the Pravasi Utsav held in Kodagu last year. Traditional Kodava snacks were also sold in the stalls.
Students were provided with a chance to watch the fruit and flower show free of cost. A lot of students witnessed the show on Saturday and Sunday. Most of them were accompanied by their teachers.
The people also visited the stalls set by the departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and various other departments.
‘Mamateya Marukatte’
Various items such as children’s toys, unused clothes, stationery items, and electronic items in the working condition, were featured at ‘Mamateya Marukatte’ stall set up by Green City Forum and Madikeri City Municipal Council. The items were collected at Kaveri Kalakshetra.
The amount collected from the sale of these items were provided to the civic workers and stree shakti groups. Most of the items have been sold, said Satya, a member of Green City Forum.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / February 10th, 2020
The team’s presence has added a Coorgi flavour to the championship, which is still to find a sponsor.
Mumbai:
Hockey in Mumbai could be a drifting ship, but not if the people of Coorg, from the southwest corner of Karnataka, can help it. Thanks to the Coorg Association of Mumbai, a set of Coorgis training at three different units in Bengaluru have teamed up to form the Coorg XI, Mumbai, and have been proving that they the side to beat.
The team’s presence has added a Coorgi flavour to the championship, which is still to find a sponsor.
The lads on this team, whose average age is 20 years, have received good exposure and the experience of rubbing shoulders with senior players in the ongoing Gold Cup hockey tournament in the city.
These boys have made it to the semifinals, and have proved why hockey is special to them.
True to its name, Coorg or Kodagu as it is now known, nestled in the Western Ghats and bordered by Kerala on one side, is the heartland of Indian hockey.
“Yes, this is an opportunity for us and we are making the most of it,” said Sharath Somanna, skipper of the side which will take on Indian Navy to fight for a place in the final on Tuesday.
For the inhabitants of this district, which has churned out more than 50 international hockey players, the game is inextricably woven into the fabric of their everyday existence.
“It is a move by the Coorg Association of Mumbai, which has sponsored the team,” said M M Somaya, the former Indian field hockey player, who is also from Coorg.
“It is good to see these boys come up with some good hockey. More than winning the championship, it is the exposure that will enhance them,” said Somaya, who was a member of Indian squad which won the gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympic Games.
Kodagu is no stranger to the game of hockey, producing a number of Olympians and World Cup winners in the men’s section and several reputed players in the women section. Sport is simply an extension of this community’s culture.
While many from Coorg have distinguished themselves in the Armed forces, their achievements in sport are no less commendable. There is an interesting annual festival in Coorg, ‘Hockey Namme’, a championship played between families. This month-long tourney attracts 300-odd teams.
People from the coffee estates and this hilly district are bound together by their special love for the game of hockey.
source: http://www.freepressjournal.in / The Free Press Journal / Home> Sports / by Joe Williams / February 11th, 2020
Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) Lamphel Chairman L Radhakishore conveyed that the board will be taking up the project of growing 10,000 acres of cotton in Jiribam district and substituting the poppy plants at hilly regions with coffee plantations.
He made this above statement during a calendar releasing function of KVIB in Lamphel today.
The Chairman continued that the calendar entails information about the achievements of the board and its upcoming projects.
He further stated that the N Biren led Government has taken up many initiatives and projects for revival and development of Khadi industries in the State.
The board had planted 15 acres of cotton in Jiribam district before, he said.
The State Government acknowledged the initiative of the board and recognised it as the pilot project of cotton plantation of Jiribam district.
Following this, the 10,000 acres of cotton plantation has been launched under the sponsorship of the State Government, added the chairman.
He stated that the cotton project will not be based only in Jiribam and explained that the district was chosen as the soil turned out to be compatible for cotton plants.
Maintaining that using imported clothing as well as yams has impacted the State’s economy, Radhakishore stated that people should start relying more on things which are produced in the State.
The cotton plantation project will help improve the State’s economic situation and the condition of the farmers as well, he added.
Conveying that coffee plantation will also help decrease unemployment of youths in the State, he said that KVIB had deliberated with the Chief Minister and his cabinet Ministers to start the coffee project.
Radhakishore maintained that so far, 2 lakh coffee seeds have been grown at hilly areas of the State and added that the board has set its target to plant seven lakh extra coffee plants.
He said that the board has received 100 kg of coffee seedlings from the Coffee Board of India and added that, as a pilot project, coffee seedlings nursery will be prepared and planted at Bishnupur and Jiribam districts.
source: http://www.e-pao.net / E-PAO / Home> Headlines / source: The Sangai Express / Imphal – February 12th, 2020
Madikeri on Friday. DHO K. Mohan is seen. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The Kodagu Health Department on Friday said it will keep information shared by visitors from China and other countries affected by 2019 Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) to the district about their health status and symptoms confidential.
District Health Officer K. Mohan said the department had takenprecautions for the prevention and control of the disease. The visitors can provide information, in case they are suffering from any of the symptoms in the wake of the virus scare, on their own in a prescribed format.
The District Surveillance Officer, Shivakumar, can be contacted on 94498 43263 besides the taluk health officers from Madikeri, Somwarpet and Virajpet. The health authorities from Kushalnagar and Gonikoppa can also be contacted. Other contact persons are Srinivas on 94498 43203 and Yathiraj on 94484 48481, the release added.
Meanwhile, posters for spreading awareness about the 2019 nCoV were released in Madikeri on Friday by Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy. The DHO was present. Surveillance had been stepped up in the border towns of Karike, Kutta and Makutta with Kerala confirming three positive cases. The banners would be pasted in these towns for educating the public.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – February 07th, 2020
Making their maiden appearance in the prestigious Gold Cup, Coorg XI skipper K R Bharath led by example scoring two goals.
Coorg XI, Bengaluru made a successful debut by prevailing over Mumbai challengers Union Bank of India by coasting to a 5-2 victory in a Group-B league match of the 54th All India Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, organised by the Mumbai Hockey Association Limited and played at the MHAL ground, Churchgate.
Making their maiden appearance in the prestigious Gold Cup, Coorg XI skipper K R Bharath led by example scoring two goals. He was ably supported by B P Somanna, N Somanna Chiranth and P P Belliappa, all contributing with a goal each to complete Coorg XI’s success. Union Bank of India scored through Thonglen Singh and Prince Chaurasia.
Later in the day, Mumbai champions Indian Navy smoothly sailed past Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai cruising to a 4-1 win. Pawan Rajbhar, Kuldeep S, Rajat Sharma and Jugraj Singh scored a goal each for the sailors while the Chennai side who missed a couple of sitters managed to score one through Ashwin Kujur.
Earlier, Mumbai Customs made a bright winning start recording a 3-1 win against Bombay Republicans in a Group-D match played in the morning.
Jayesh Jadhav opened the scoring for Customs in the 10th minute before Alden D’Souza doubled the lead in the 28th minute. Bombay Republicans managed to reduce the margin with Olympian Devender Walmiki scoring a goal in the 49th minute before , Felix Baa struck Customs third goal in the 60th minute to complete the win.
The annual fruit and flower show which began at Raja Seat in Madikeri on Friday has been attracting tourists and nature lovers in large numbers.
The traditional ‘Ainmane’ house made out of flowers, is the main attraction in the fruit and flower show in Raja Seat, Madikeri.
Artifacts featuring Virat Kohli, Wing Commander Abhinandan, Kuvempu, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi, B S Yediyurappa, A P J Abdul Kalam, Mahatma Gandhi, Siddaganga seer, Dr B R Ambedkar, Field Marshal K M Cariappa, General Thimmaiah and Pejavara seer— all carved out of watermelons, mesmerise visitors, at the entrance of Raja Seat.
6,000 flower pots
A total of 6,000 flower pots have been arranged in the park. Flowers exhibiting a wide spectrum of colours and species, arranged in artistic patterns, have been providing a visual treat.
Raja Seat, which had lost its sheen owing to lack of flower-bearing plants, is now wearing a refreshed look.
The main attraction, however, is the traditional ‘Ainmane’ (house), designed with lakhs of flowers. A lot of visitors were seen taking selfies in front of the Ainmane.
Rocket
The heart made out of roses, rocket launching station of ISRO, coffee pot and the cup, Mickey Mouse, Swami Vivekananda and other artefacts made out of flowers are making the people spellbound.
Cultural programmes will be held in the evenings, as a part of the fruit and the flower show. Food festival is being held in Gandhi Maidan. People have been relishing their taste buds with sugarcane juice from Mandya and other delicacies. Stalls have been put up by the Horticulture Department and private nurseries, featuring the sale of various flower-bearing plants.
MLA’s praise
Speaking after inaugurating the fruit and flower show, Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan called upon the people to come to Raja Seat in large numbers to see the show.
The show is being organised by the Department of Horticulture at a cost of Rs 20 lakh. Cultural programmes are being organised by the Department of Kannada and Culture and Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy, he said.
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy said it has been a tradition to organise fruit and flower show in the month of January or February every year. The show will be on till Monday.MLC Veena Acchaiah, MLC Sunil Subramani, Kodagu Zilla Panchayat President B A Harish, Vice President Lokeshwari Gopal, Hopcoms President Biddatanda Ramesh Changappa and Horticulture department Deputy Director Chandrashekhar were present.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / February 07th, 2020
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