Lt. Col. Kulletira B. Appanna (retd.), a resident of No. 537, 14th Main, B-Block, 3rd Stage, Vijayanagar, Mysuru, passed away yesterday. He was 89.
He leaves behind his wife Sarasu Appanna (Sannuvanda, Mayamudi) and a host of relatives and friends.
Last rites were held at Muktidhama in Vijayanagar 4th Stage here this afternoon.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Obituary / January 11th, 2025
Bengaluru:
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah handed over a cheque for Rs. 1 crore to the Kundyolanda family, organisers of the 2024 Kodava Hockey Festival, during a ceremony held here on Thursday.
The funds, allocated from the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, underscore the government’s commitment to promoting the unique sporting tradition of the Kodava community in Kodagu.
The event was attended by Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor Ajjikuttira S. Ponnanna, MP Ajay Maken, Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharanprakash Patil, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, Chief Secretary to the Government Shalini Rajneesh, and Additional Chief Secretary to the CM and Additional Chief Secretary, Finance L.K. Atheeq.
Highlighting the cultural and sporting significance of the festival, CM Siddaramaiah praised the Kodava hockey tournament, which entered the Guinness World Record last year as the largest field hockey event.
The 2024 edition saw participation from 360 teams and 4,800 players, showcasing the unmatched passion of the Kodava community for hockey.
“Hockey is deeply rooted in Kodava culture, and it is a matter of pride that the tournament has gained global recognition. As the birthplace of hockey legends like Dhyan Chand, India must nurture this sport alongside cricket. The State Government remains steadfast in its support for elevating the Kodava Hockey Festival to greater heights,” Siddaramaiah stated.
The Kodava family hockey tournament, a hallmark of the Kodagu district, has been organised annually for over two decades. It began in 1997 with just 60 teams and has grown into a mega-event with international attention.
Many Kodavas have gone on to represent India in national hockey teams, further cementing the community’s association with the sport. CM Siddaramaiah expressed his hope for the tradition to flourish and promised continued support to sustain the festival’s legacy.
It may be recalled in Aug. 2024, Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, Ajay Maken, speaking in the Rajya Sabha, had highlighted that the Kodava Family Hockey Tournament 2024 had earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records — a remarkable achievement accomplished without any support from the Union Government, though the State Government had fully backed the event. This, he had argued, underscores the urgent need for the Centre’s involvement in such significant sporting events.
He had also called upon the Centre to provide financial assistance for the Annual Kodava Family Hockey Tournament.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / January 13th, 2025
In a recent cleanliness survey conducted across 50 cities in Karnataka by a private organization, Madikeri has emerged as the cleanest city in India.
Leading in Clean Air and Sanitation
Already renowned for having the cleanest air in the country, Kodagu district’s Madikeri has now added another feather to its cap with this prestigious recognition. The achievement is largely credited to the tireless efforts of the city’s sanitation and civic workers, whose dedication has made this milestone possible.
A Call for Citizen Responsibility
Social activists have emphasized that maintaining Madikeri’s status as a clean city and preserving its pristine air is a collective responsibility. Citizens are urged to actively participate in cleanliness initiatives to ensure the city continues to shine as an example for others to follow.
source: http://www.thehindustangazette.com / The Hindustan Gazette / Home> News> Latest News / by The Hindustan Gazette / January 10th, 2025
Mysuru:
Sri Kaveri Kodava Association- Mysuru East hosted its annual get-together for 2024 at the Association’s Kodagu Model School premises in Vidyashanshankar Layout in city recently.
Association President Kademada M. Belliappa presided.
Dean and Managing Trustee of the Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Virajpet, Dr. Kanjithanda A. Sunil Muddaiah was the chief guest, accompanied by his wife Urvashi Muddaiah.
Mysuru Kodava Samaja President Ponjanda Ganapathy was the special invitee. Dr. Sunil Muddaiah was honoured at the event for his contribution towards education in Virajpet.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sunil Muddaiah lauded the Association’s efforts in advancing education and infrastructure. He praised the school’s facilities and suggested introducing training programmes for competitive exams like KAS and IAS to benefit the Kodava community youths.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 10th, 2024
Bengaluru :
The much-anticipated 6th Edition of the CHAIROS BHEEMAIAH HOCKEY CUP will take place from 10th to 12th January 2025 at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Hockey Arena, Bengaluru.
Organized by the Coorg Challengers Chickpet Association (CCCA) under the aegis of Karnataka Hockey, this inter-state tournament will showcase the best of Indian hockey in an exciting 5-A-Side format.
Sponsored by QNET, India, the tournament will witness 180 players from 20 teams vying for the championship title. Among the participants, fans can look forward to watching legendary former Indian hockey stars such as V.R. Raghunath, V.S. Vinaya, Amar Aiyamma, Nithin Thimmaiah, and Nikkin Thimmaiah bring their skill and expertise to the event.
The grand finale on 12th January will be a momentous occasion, with the winning team being felicitated by Padma Shri and former Indian Hockey Player M.P. Ganesh. The presence of former Olympians will elevate the significance of the tournament and inspire the next generation of hockey enthusiasts.
Mr. K.D. Ganapathy, President CCCA, representing the organisers, said, “We at CCCA are thrilled to associate with QNET, to announce the 6th edition of the 5-A-Side CHAIROS BHEEMAIAH HOCKEY CUP, taking place from January 10th to 12th in Bengaluru. This tournament reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting India’s national sport, hockey, and providing players from across India, with a platform to showcase their talent, while also promoting the growth and recognition of this incredible sport.”
Speaking about their association with the tournament, Nischal C, Head – Corporate Communications, QNET India region said, “We are honoured to sponsor the 6th edition of the CHAIROS BHEEMAIAH HOCKEY CUP, a prestigious event that celebrates the rich legacy of Indian hockey, while fostering a passion for the game among emerging players. Hard work, commitment, teamwork, and focus – these are the qualities needed to succeed and reach the top, both in business and in sports. We are excited to be part of this incredible and inspiring journey.”
The tournament, a hallmark event in Indian hockey, returns after its last edition in 2021, where Team Canara Bank clinched the title, defeating Coorg Gulf in a thrilling final. This year, the competition promises even greater excitement and intensity as teams battle it out for the coveted championship. The CHAIROS BHEEMAIAH HOCKEY CUP 2025 is more than just a sporting event – it’s a celebration of India’s hockey legacy and a platform for showcasing extraordinary talent and camaraderie.
source: http://www.contentmediasolution.com / Content Media Solution / Home> Sports / January 10th, 2025
Rohan Bopanna, 44, has enjoyed a glittering career in doubles tennis, winning two Grand Slam titles – but he was forced to consider retirement in 2019 due to having injured knees.
Iyengar Yoga has changed Rohan Bopanna’s life
Tennis pro Rohan Bopanna has opened up about the severe knee issues that almost led him to hang up his racket in 2019 – and the remedy he found to combat the pain.
The Bangalore-born doubles specialist, who boasts an impressive career record of 504 wins against 367 losses, including 26 titles and two Grand Slam victories, faced a major setback when he contemplated retirement due to having no cartilage in his knees.
Bopanna’s career highlights include clinching the mixed doubles title at the French Open in 2017 with Gabriela Dabrowski and securing another Grand Slam win at the 2024 Australian Open with Matthew Ebden. Yet, it was nearly a different story for Bopanna, as he revealed in an interview with Claytenis: “In 2019 I was contemplating retiring because I had no cartilages in my knees. I was in a lot of pain. I wanted to stop at the end of that year.”
He credits a discovery made during the pandemic for his remarkable turnaround, sharing (via Surrey Live): “During the pandemic, actually, I discovered Iyengar Yoga. And this changed my entire journey.
I was having almost two, three painkillers a day because my knees were torturing me so hard. Without being able to play tennis because of the lockdowns I was doing it four times a week, 90-minute sessions. And it really strengthened a lot of my muscles and everything.
“And I went from two, three painkillers a day to no painkillers. From pain to no pain. Because when you have pain as a tennis player, it’s tough. You know, always dealing with that every single day. You don’t want to wake up and be in pain. So now, thanks to Iyengar Yoga and having a good physio to really do a lot of strengthening. It has been incredible.”
Rohan Bopanna considered retiring from tennis in 2019
Iyengar Yoga focuses on detail, precision and alignment and uses longer poses than traditional Hatha Yoga. Meanwhile, props like blocks are often used in the practice, to allow people to adapt to certain poses which may otherwise be difficult in terms of strength and mobility.
Fast forward to 2024, and Bopanna believes that he would best his younger self if they ever met on the court despite his history with injury. Elsewhere in the conversation, he added: “Without a doubt. Experience is so important. I might have had more power, but tennis is not about power. It’s about experience and your mind strength.”
He continued: “I never think of the age, because both of us are there to play tennis in the same tournament. Because even if he’s older than me or younger than me, it makes no difference. Both of us are there to win the match. So I just go there and play my game. I’m not really looking at it as whether he’s young, old, he’s my age, he’s 15 years younger, 20 years younger. It doesn’t matter. Once you cross 18, everybody comes to the real world.”
Rohan Bopanna
Discussing his thoughts on retirement today, Bopanna expressed a desire to keep playing. He said: “As long as I’m enjoying the competition and travel, yeah. Why not? And my family is here in the Grand Slams. My wife is here, my daughter is traveling. I never would have thought my daughter would be watching me play live.
“If I had stopped at 35, this would not have happened. She would have been like, oh, my dad used to play tennis. Today she can say her dad is a tennis player.”
source: http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk / Gloucestershire Live / Home> News> Health> Tennis / by Aaron Morris, Sr Sports Reporter & Maria Ortega / January 06th, 2025
Justice Suraj Govindaraj ruled that the state cannot exploit a mistake made by a citizen in categorising the land as ‘sagu bane land’ when it was, in fact, alienated ‘sagu bane land’, and retain the deposited amount.
Representative image showing a forest./ Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru:
The Karnataka High Court has directed the Forest Department to refund Rs 4.33 lakh, along with 6 per cent interest, to the legal heirs of a Kodagu landowner, Mahabaleshwar Bhat, who had deposited the amount in 1982.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj ruled that the state cannot exploit a mistake made by a citizen in categorising the land as ‘sagu bane land’ when it was, in fact, alienated ‘sagu bane land’, and retain the deposited amount.
Bhat, who owned 38.5 acres in Biligeri Village, Madikeri taluk, Kodagu district, had received permission on February 1, 1983, to cut 349 trees on the property. He subsequently paid Rs 4,33,082, the assessed value of the trees. However, he later realised that the land had been classified as alienated ‘sagu bane land’ since 1897, making the payment unnecessary.
Bhat requested a refund from the authorities, but his plea was rejected by the Forest Department on April 25, 2012, citing the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, as grounds for denial. After the department’s appellate authority also dismissed his appeal, Bhat moved the high court.
During the pendency of the case, Bhat passed away and his legal representatives were substituted as petitioners in 2023. The court found that the Forest Department failed in its duty to verify the land’s classification.
“In fact, it was for the assistant and chief conservator of forest to verify these from the records concerned and not go by the statement made by the petitioner himself. Whenever any application is filed by any person claiming permission to cut trees, there is a duty imposed on the authority granting such permission to verify the details. If at all the details had been verified, it would have been clear that the land in question is alienated ‘sagu bane land’ and not un-alienated ‘sagu bane land’.
This aspect has been made clear by the deputy commissioner in his order dated March 29, 2010,” Justice Suraj Govindaraj said.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> India> Karnataka / by Subarna Mukherjee , DH Web Desk / January 03rd, 2025
Thomas Cook (India) subsidiary, Sterling Holiday Resorts, has expanded its presence in Karnataka with the launch of Sterling Brookstone Coorg. Located near Madikeri in the Western Ghats, the new property provides villa and cottage-style accommodations, combining modern conveniences with natural beauty.
Sterling Brookstone, a resort in Coorg, offers an array of amenities such as a swimming pool, banquet facilities, and an on-site restaurant. The Planter’s Kitchen caters to all palates, serving both local Kodagu delicacies and international cuisine. The resort also offers easy access to local attractions including Abbey Falls, Madikeri Fort, and Dubare Elephant Camp, positioning it as a perfect destination for leisure travelers.
Sterling Holiday Resorts, which manages over 3,000 keys across 57 resorts, hotels, and retreats in 48 Indian destinations, recently acquired a new property that aligns with its vision of providing memorable experiences at key tourist spots. The company, owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings, operates under two brands – Sterling and Nature Trails, serving various segments including leisure travel, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), destination weddings, and group tourism. The acquisition of the new property is seen as a significant step in expanding Sterling’s footprint in India’s tourism sector.
Sterling Holiday Resorts has expanded its portfolio with the addition of a new resort in Coorg, demonstrating its commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences.
source: http://www.constructionweekonline.in / Construction Week / Home> Projects & Tenders / by Staff Writer / January 04th, 2024
It is the duty of the forest authorities to verify official records before allowing applications seeking permission to cut trees, the High Court of Karnataka has said, while finding fault with the authorities for refusing to refund the amount deposited by a land owner by mistake, though he was not required to deposit it while seeking permission to cut trees on his land.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order while allowing a petition filed by N. Mahabaleshwara Bhat, a resident of Biligeri village in Madikeri taluk of Kodagu district.
The petitioner, who died during the pendency of petition filed in 2016, deposited ₹4.33 lakh with the forest authorities to seek permission to cut several trees on his Sagu Bane land.
However, he realised later that his was alienated Sagu Bane land for which there was no need to deposit money, and hence he requested the authorities to refund the deposited amount. But the forest authorities rejected his request, stating that he himself had described his land as Sagu Bane land in his application.
Negating the contention of the authorities, the court said that it was for the Assistant Conservator of Forest and the Chief Conservator of Forest to verify nature of the land from the records and not to go by the statement made in the application.
If at all the details of the land had been verified by the forest authorities, it would have been clear that the land in question was alienated Sagu Bane land as this aspect was made clear by the Deputy Commissioner in his order passed in 2010, the court said, while stating that there was a duty imposed on the authority to very the records before granting such permissions.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 03rd, 2024
Retired IAS officer, Rathi Vinay Jha, has been selected as Coorg Person of the Year 2024 in a poll conducted by a news and tourism portal, www.coorgtourisminfo.com.
With her roots in Kodagu district in Karnataka, Ms. Rathi Vinay Jha, a former Union Tourism Secretary, had initiated several projects to “conserve Kodava culture and the martial traditions of the comunity, known for its contributions to the nation in the areas of defence and sports,” author P.T. Bopanna, who runs the portal pointed out.
He said Ms. Rathi was instrumental in setting up the virtual museum of Kodava heritage and culture, the project known as Sandooka — a treasure trove of information.
“The virtual museum is an interactive online space, brought together through material contributed by the Kodava community. Sandooka will be a living museum of Kodava culture and will be useful for future generations of Kodavas.”
“It was at the instance of Ms. Rathi, a model of Kodava ainmane (ancestral house) was inaugurated this October in Dakshinachitra Museum near Chennai,” Mr. Bopanna said.
Dakshinachitra is home to 18 traditional houses that depict the unique culture of South India. The ainmane project involved dismantling a structure built in 1852 in Kodagu and was transported to Dakshinachitra Museum, said Mr. Bopanna.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 01st, 2025
