Dr. S.V. Narasimhan, a family physician based at Virajpet in Kodagu district, is an avid birder, nature lover, adept at computers, Karnatak music and astronomy.
Author of Feathered Jewels of Coorg, a field-guide to 310 species of birds found in Coorg, Dr. Narasimhan is the pioneer in spreading wildlife conservation messages through his unique hand-painted Wildlife Message Cards that are sent free to individuals throughout the world to mark the Wildlife Week.
Total number of hand-painted cards made by him this year is 2,180; in 40 years, 81,595 cards. Total recipients this year including Star of Mysore – 1,236; in 40 years – 16,220 persons.
The Special Wildlife Messenger of this year is Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus). A resident bird of the Himalayan foothills of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland States of India, these birds belong to the most beautiful family of pheasants. Males about 70 cms, have a rich mix of colours on their feathers. They are found in the tropical forests of sub-Himalayan States of Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya. They are found near human settlements and have been domesticated since 7,400 years, forming the primary species of all the domesticated chicken all over the world. Omnivorous, they feed on fallen fruits, seeds, roots and tubers along with arthropods, larvae and earthworms, lizards and insects foraged with its toes.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 13th, 2024
Kodagu, the lush green forests in the faint backdrop of the hill range, graze each other as the warm light pours through the valley. The boundaries of small towns slowly melt into the green with flowering plants blooming by the roadside. Also known as the Kashmir of South India and Scotland of India by the British, the sunlight trickling through the hazy landscape of Coorg is a dream setting for a photographer.
The facade of Huilekere House in our team member and artist Rashmi Manodhas rendition.
After an eighteen kilometer drive from Virajpet to the small village of B Shettigeri and another five kilometer downhill, mesmerized by the strong scent of coffee flowers past the Koottiyal lake, welcomes you to the Huilekere House, peeking beyond the lofty coffee plantations seated in a 200-acre land in the Kerala-Karnataka border. The birds chirp merrily along the burbles of the river as the dewdrops settle slowly on the coffee berries. The scent of the mouldy dried leaves infuses the chilly atmosphere, with every step feeling more in tune with nature.
At night in Coorg, when I was talking with the estate manager Husainika in the courtyard of the estate, it unexpectedly rained like a guest. The rain fell on the coffee plantations that lay outside.. the cold wind.. fell into a great feeling. An unforgettable night in beautiful Coorg.
The front elevation of Huilekere House
The design of the house pays homage to the richness of the traditional Ainmanes resided by the Kodava clan. The Kayale (the wide front veranda), Chadara Kamba (large square wooden pillars that taper upwards), and Munds (square central courtyards that are open to the sky) are characteristic features adopted from the Coorg Ainmanes.
Chadara Kamba supporting the verandah
The Chadara Kambas support the courtyards and the verandah, while the roofs slope inside the courtyards and the four exterior walls. The rafters and the joinery fit perfectly, which involves skilled wood craftsmanship. It is one of the three types of Ainmanes called the Mundmane (a square structure built around a mund), followed by the Othe Pore and Madakmane. The extensive, wooden slab seating called the Aimaras was a significant feature of these houses. The one on the left was used only by the founder of the clan or the Karanavas. It was the reserved seating for the Pattedar or the head of the family.
The house is raised on stone pillars instead of mud. The long, polished wooden slabs fixed to the low parapets called ‘aimara’, which sit on the front verandah, evoke the grandeur of tradition. The courtyards of this house encourage natural light and ventilation. All other rooms lead to corridors around the courtyard. The tiled roof slopes down to the two courtyards and four sides of the house. The service block containing the laundry and servant quarters is located across the entrance to the house. Elaborate woodwork done by skilled craftsmen can be seen throughout the house. Thus, this traditional style house is proof that aesthetic creations can be created without any additional decorative elements on the elevation.
View of the front verandah
Strolling along the extensive laterite stone pathway as the breeze from the trees brushes across the face, it takes you back to the past glory of the Kodava heritage. The lush green grass adds a pop of colour that compliments the facade extending twenty six meters horizontally.
The stone pathways leading to the entrance
The flight of steps carved intricately from stone leading to the entrance on a structure built on a stone plinth instead of mud stops at the Kayale. There are two entrances on the western and northern sides of the house. The majestic scale is a recognizable aspect of the Ainmanes, ranging from ten to twenty meters. Upon opening the main door, two Munds with elegant seating and Chadara Kambas emerge into view.
Steps carved intricately from stone
The courtyards encourage natural light and ventilation into the house, as the narrow corridor circulates and connects the rooms. Paintings on the wall, the carvings on the pillars, the wooden frames, and the capital beams celebrate their love for fauna and flora.
View of the interior courtyard
View of the exterior courtyard
To lend a signature touch to the house, terracotta tiles were used in the verandah and in the interior, natural stones have been used. The residence is adorned with numerous antique treasures on display. The dark-coloured furniture and wall decorations provide a striking contrast to the light-coloured interior. A warm lighting with coloured and pattered decorative fixtures is used to light up the house as it feels natural and fosters relaxation. All in all, this summer residence emanates warmth and comfort by striking the right balance between neutral beige hues and pops of colour.
Living room of the Huilekere House
Dining room of the Huilekere House
The residence is adorned with numerous antique treasures on display
The timber roofing in Huilekere House
Designed by Benny Kuriakose and Associates, it heeds the concept of “form follows function”. The beauty in the simplicity confirms that additional decorative elements are unnecessary for the aesthetics of a building. Coorg can make any voyager fall in love with the scenic beauty anew with every visit, invoking memories of the timeless grace that will continue to follow for a lifetime. This residence is a beautiful and elegant space where you can enjoy the beauty of nature all around you.
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament is returning for the first time since 2017. The event will feature 12 nations, competing in six-a-side matches.
FILE PHOTO: Robin Uthappa. | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Robin Uthappa will lead a seven-member Indian team at Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament, set to be held from November 1 to 3.
The rest of the squad includes Bharat Chipli, Kedar Jadhav, Manoj Tiwary, Shahbaz Nadeem, Shreevats Goswami and Stuart Binny.
The Hong Kong Cricket Sixes tournament is returning for the first time since 2017 and will be played at the Tin Kwong Road Cricket Ground. The event will feature 12 nations, competing in six-a-side matches.
The 12 teams will be divided into four pools of three each, who will compete in a round-robin format. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the quarterfinals. While the winners of the quarterfinals will enter the Cup semifinals, the losers of the quarterfinals will compete in the Plate semifinals.
The bottom-placed team in each pool will play the Bowl Competition.
A total of 29 matches will be played in the three-day tournament.
A Women’s Exhibition Match will also be held on the final day of the tournament to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.con / Sportstar / Home> Cricket / by Team Sportstar / October 12th, 2024
Managers’ bungalows turned into heritage holiday homes let one share the heritage of this coffee country with a boutique stay experience.
An erstwhile estate bungalow in Polibetta, restored into a luxurious abode under amã, an IHCL companyamã Stays & Trails
We shoot down the Bangalore-Mysore expressway at incredible speed, but fail to shake off the urban landscape. It is as if the city has extruded itself to fill spaces that were once the coconut groves and paddy fields of my girlhood days. A diversion brings us to a quainter, and bumpier – “local road”. Slowly the scruffy quasi-industrial landscape dries up as we turn into the tree-lined road to Gonikoppa.
Checking in with amã Stays
Tata Coffee owned bungalows have been converted into exclusive and luxurious heritage homestays by sister company IHCLamã Stays & Trails
I lose myself in the gigantic bamboo thickets and sky-shattering canopies whizzing past. Soon the undergrowth seems to thin out and appears more regular. Too regular…pruned bushes…coffee country! The road winds gently around soft slopes glistening in the monsoon sprinkle and leads me through a white-and-blue gate. I have arrived at the Tata Coffee Woshully Estate.
Coorg is a tamed wilderness. The British domesticated these ancient forests to carve out estates in the most spectacular locales. They were private, of course, you had to be a sahib or akin to one to sojourn in the estate bungalows.
Taneerhulla Cottage, one of the private bungalows amidst lush estateamã Stays & Trails
All this is irrelevant now because I am at the porch of the Taneerhulla Cottage, one of the private bungalows that Tata Coffee has thrown open to guests. Infact, a clutch of such bungalows have been tastefully restored into heritage stays under amã Stays & Trails, an IHCL company in the recent years.
The porch overlooks a well-groomed lawn dotted with anthurium. The divide between the living quarters and the estate is a narrow strip of lawn with coffee bushes peeping over the fence. I expected the “cottage” to be a tiny space with frilly curtains and basic comforts. But this place is, to use a Victorian term, “well-appointed”.
Well appointed cottage with three rooms and a verdant garden / amã Stays & Trails
Ramdasan, the chef, places steaming coffee before me. I accept graciously, successfully camouflaging my tea fundamentalism. Richie Ponanna, my guide, leads me first to the drawing room with its comfortable couches and generous windows. A warm kitchen adjoins a dining space, the high point of which is the crockery cupboard. I rush to complete my toilette. The estate managers have invited me for a tour.
Hidden estate treasures
We bounce down wet slopes in a jeep, gathering nuggets of history. I learn that Woshully is one among the many estates of the Polibetta area which were managed by British Consolidated Coffee since 1943 before being taken over by Tata Coffee.
The Taneerhulla Bungalow can home ten adults in it’s cosy nooks and spacious bedrooms / amã Stays & Trails
I finally understand the technical difference between a cottage and a bungalow when we visit Taneerhulla Bungalow. From the outside it appears solid and practical, set amidst elderly trees. A commanding porch opens into a lovingly polished rosewood staircase. I am led into the drawing room by gracious hosts. Six of me can fit into the bay window. And there are eight of these gorgeous spots for basking in the winter sunshine or watching the afternoon rain.
Spots perfect for sun basking or watching the rain / amã Stays & Trails
It has been years since I saw a real cloakroom, so I linger there. All rooms, including the five bedrooms, have working fireplaces. The bathrooms are large enough to tango in but, sadly, the fittings are new. Wood-fired kitchen stoves, a king-sized pantry, and a round jewel of a dining table…
At Woshully Bungalow, the façade is distinctly Coorg, with a long, tiled verandah suggestive of the ainmane / amã Stays & Trails
Next, Woshully Bungalow. The façade is distinctly Coorg, with a long, tiled verandah suggestive of the ainmane, the traditional homestead. The bungalow offers a telescopic view of the entire stretch of road though the estate.
The interiors are tastefully curated for modern comfortsamã Stays & Trails
At dinner, conversation centres around the famous ghost of Anandpur Estate. There is much laughter and the managers trade estate stories. Every now and then, one of the ladies slides quietly behind the doors of the kitchen. I realise that this is the touch that makes my stay comfortable and homey, without feeling like I have intruded on somebody’s private space.
Glenlorna Bungalow is tucked amidst rolling hills of endless teaam / ã Stays & Trails
The next day, after a visit to the elegant Glenlorna Bungalow, we head to the river to see whitewater rafting in action. Estate Manager C.U. Ashok expertly manoeuvres the jeep downhill. We hear the river almost as soon as we see it, a white frothy ribbon set in jade. The olive-green river is guarded on all sides by archaic sentinels – great-grandfather trees stretching up to the sky. There is a deep silence despite the chatter of boys getting ready to go for a ride on the rafts. It’s a beautiful, serene experience.
On the drive back, I make a list of things I could do on a longer holiday here – amateur historiography of the old Anandpur cemetery, a visit to the church, where the first Victoria Cross in India was awarded in 1917, a round of golf… Then again maybe I’d be content to laze around, walk the trails, and visit my friend, the river.
The Information
Getting There:
Coorg is easily accessible from Bengaluru via road. Nearest airports are in Mysuru and Bengaluru.
Plantation Trails:
Tata Coffee, which owns large tracts of plantations in Coorg’s coffee-growing areas, has opened many bungalows as heritage holiday homes, under the sub-brand amã Stays & Trails. Built in colonial style, the bungalows offer multiple rooms and have dedicated staff including a cook. Though seemingly set in the middle of nowhere (actually Polibetta in Coorg), a holiday at the bungalows come with luxuries as room service, a laundry service and local trails. Activities include open-jeep drives through the plantations to learn about coffee-making techniques, cycling in the estate, bird watching, trekking in the surrounding hills and playing golf at the Tata Coffee Golf Course.
Yesterday I travelled to Kushalnagar in Kodagu to see a friend in an eye hospital, “Lopamudra Eye Care,” who was undergoing a procedure for cataract. While in the waiting area, I noticed a number of framed certificates, citations, testimonials and photographs about the doctor. Being a private, personal hospital, such displays are expected and understandable.
However, what interested me was a couple of framed displays that seemed unique and modestly appropriate for a doctor who is a native Kodava and the hospital is in Kodagu.
I took the photographs of some of these displays to study them later. There was a photograph of a native Kodava of the early 20th century in his ethnic ceremonial attire (see picture). He is the grandfather of Dr. M.M. Ponnappa of Lopamudra Eye Care. He was honoured by the British Masters of the Colonial days with the title Rao Bahadur. So, he is Rao Bahadur Mukkatira Aiyappa. Could be, his grandson, this doctor Dr. M.M. Ponnappa, is so proud of his grandfather, he chose to honour his memory by hanging his photograph in the front office area.
And, again most appropriately, the legend of this legendary coffee planter and a philanthropist of those days (who had, no doubt, cultivated the company of the British Officers in Kodagu) as written in a newspaper was also displayed. The text details about the great gifts of this Kodava man. Curiously the news must have originated from Karachi (now in Pakistan) and taken from the newspaper ‘The Madras Mail’ (which was published by the British from Madras, now Chennai).
Reading its contents I was thrilled. Let me reproduce it:
The Madras Mail
Pluck Office, Karachi
M. Mukkatira Iyappah
Devanageri Virarajendrapet
Virarajendrapet is now embellished with a clock tower, erected in front of the post office.
The foundation stone of the building was laid by Sir Hugh Daly, the Chief Commissioner of Coorg on 5th February, 1914, when he visited the town, during his tour in Coorg. It is the gift of Mr. Mukkatira Iyappah, a successful coffee planter in commemoration of the coronation of the King-Emperor at Delhi. lt has already proven to be a boon to the public.
Mr. R.K Ellis, I.C.S., the District Magistrate of Coorg, performed the opening ceremony on the 16th of January and handed over the building to Virarajendrapet municipality.
Mr. Mukkatira Iyappah has also gifted the outpatient block of the civil hospital of Gonikoppal and an inspection bungalow of Fraserpet (now Kushalnagara) which has immensely benefited the people and district administration of Coorg.
Those who visit Virajpet in South Kodagu could not miss to see the famous Clock Tower at the junction of three roads in the busy down-town area built in red-brick. By the way, history records the location of the Clock Tower was selected (in 1914) for the reason that it was the place where General Abercromby, the General who marched with his troops from Malabar via Kodagu (to reinforce the British and allied forces fighting Tipu Sultan in May 1799 at Srirangapatna), met the Maharaja of Kodagu Virarajendra Wadeyar and signed a peace treaty. The Kodagu Raja founded the city Virarajendrapet to commemorate the occasion.
Be that as it may, the Clock Tower was a gift of Mr. Mukkatira Iyappah (Aiyappa) in commemoration of the coronation of the King-Emperor at Delhi. The opening ceremony of the Clock Tower was held on 16th January (1915), just one year after its foundation was laid.
Iyappah had also gifted an Outpatient Block of Government Hospital at Gonikoppal and an Inspection Bungalow of then Fraserpet, now Kushalnagar.
It is said, what one gives often goes round and round and comes back multi-fold to the giver — or to his progeny. The same seems to have happened to Dr. M.M. Ponnappa and his brother Dr. M.M. Amrit Nanaiah, who is running the Lopamudra Medical Centre in Gonikoppal.
It is inscrutable that both these brothers are today successfully running their hospitals, one in Gonikoppal and another in Kushalnagar, the towns where their grandfather Aiyappa had generously built two valuable facilities for the good of the public. Vedic values and Sanatana Dharma are seen working in a mysteriously subtle way as reward for Mukkatira Aiyappa’s selfless service to his fellow men. Let it be.
But as I scanned the wall, I noticed two boards with closely written text which read like pedagogy and a lesson in morals. Let me produce them here for the benefit of those who are on the path of virtuous and even spiritual life:
Keep it simple
Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
Don’t burn bridges. You’ll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets.
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes. (Well, I guess I have followed this advice by visiting this hospital !)
Forgive quickly. Life is short.
Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 am (I agree, I do follow this even to this night!).
Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
Count your blessings.
Wave at the children on a school bus.
Remember that 80 percent of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.
Don’t expect life to be fair…
Have a firm handshake.
Look people in the eye.
Keep Secrets.
Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
Avoid sarcastic remarks.
Choose your life’s mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 percent of all your happiness or misery.
When playing games with children, let them win.
Be romantic. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
Don’t allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It’s there for our convenience, not the caller’s.
Be a good loser for your loved ones. Be a good winner of Hearts.
When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
And finally, a board with some information from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with penal sections. I’m sure Dr. Javeed Nayeem, our weekly columnist, Over a Cup of Evening Tea, who was the President of MAHAN, an Association of Doctors and Hospitals, to protect themselves from the vandals, will love this.
Yes, protection to doctors and hospitals from people who attack them for different reasons, are there in the law books. But, in our too liberal a Democracy these laws are more often subverted, sabotaged and violated with impunity rather than enforced. Hence, this reminder of IPC to the patients. Examples are many, but the recent one is in the rape and murder of a duty doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal.
e-mail: voice@starofmysore.com
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Columns> abracadabra / by G.B. Ganapathy / October 10th, 2024
The Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of Sri Kavery Kodava Association, Mysore East, was held at the Association premises in Vidyashankar Nagar, Sathagalli Layout, recently.
Picture shows the newly elected office-bearers and Managing Committee Members of the Association for the year 2024-2026:
Sign USD70 Million deal to build a Waterfront Hotel in UAE and three resorts in India
L to R – Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and Dinesh Yadav, Founder and Director, Kamah Hotels & Resorts
Kamah Hotels & Resorts, an upcoming luxury and wellness brand, proudly announces a major partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s second-largest hotel and resort brand. Together, they have signed a $70 million deal to develop four new hotels—one in Dubai and three in India—under the Trademark Collection by Wyndham. This partnership was formalised at the Future Hospitality Summit 2024 in Dubai and marks a significant expansion for Kamah’s portfolio, developed by Fine Acers Group in India and Global Branded Residences (GBR) internationally.
The exclusive signing ceremony was attended by dignitaries from both companies, including Dimitris Manikis, President of EMEA, and Panos Loupasis, Market Managing Director of TMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Govind Mundra, Head of Development for the Middle East and Africa at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; and Dinesh Yadav, Director of Fine Acers & GBR.
“After our successful collaboration with Wyndham Grand Jaipur last year, we are thrilled to further strengthen our partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts,” said Dinesh Yadav, Managing Director of Fine Acers Group & GBR. “This partnership will see the launch of four hotels under the Kamah brand, offering an exclusive luxury and wellness experience under the Trademark Collection by Wyndham. The first set of properties are located in Dubai, Coorg, Jawai and Udaipur with further expansions planned in global destinations like North America, Australia and Europe, as well as prominent Indian locations such as Goa, Lonavala, and Dharamshala.”
Imran Khan, International Director of KAMAH, highlights a substantial gap in the wellness hospitality sector that requires attention. He suggests that for the industry to truly flourish, leading brands should prioritize creating strategic partnerships that can drive both growth and innovation.
KAMAH has finalized several key locations for its Lifestyle, Luxury and Wellness Resorts, including Coorg, known for its lush landscapes and serene environment; Jawai, a rugged region famous for wildlife and immersive natural experiences; Udaipur, the heritage-rich “City of Lakes; and Dubai, a global hub of opulence and cutting-edge wellness ” offering a regal blend of tranquillity and luxury.
The newly announced properties include Kamah Hotel, Al Jaddaf Waterfront, Dubai, and three Indian resorts: Kamah Resorts Coorg, Kamah Resorts Jawai, and Kamah Resorts Udaipur.
These hotels will be developed under a branded residences model, providing investors a unique opportunity to purchase units in an internationally branded hotel and resort, situated in popular leisure destinations.
The four properties will be branded as part of the Trademark Collection by Wyndham, a soft-branded collection of midscale to upscale properties that maintain their individual character. This partnership introduces the Trademark Collection by Wyndham in the UAE for the first time, marking a significant milestone for both Kamah and Wyndham’s expansion strategies.
“We are delighted to extend our collaboration with Fine Acers Group and to introduce the Trademark Collection by Wyndham to the UAE market,” said Govind Mundra, Head of Development for the Middle East & Africa at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “This partnership is just the beginning, with plans for many more properties to follow and building on the ‘Owners First’ policy of Wyndham. Udaipur and Coorg are already established tourist destinations in India, and Jawai is emerging as a popular destination in Rajasthan.”
Both India and the UAE are key growth markets for the hospitality industry, with increasing tourist arrivals. Dubai remains a prominent international trade and tourism hub, contributing 9% to the UAE’s GDP in 2022, with expectations to grow this to 15% by 2031 according to the UAE’s Ministry of Economy.
source: http://www.traveldailymedia.com / TDM News / Home> Hotels> Global / by Kanchan Nath, TDM Editor / October 07th, 2024
Aimed at coffee enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the general public, IICF will feature speciality coffee stalls, equipment showcases, workshops, competitions, and entertainment.
The Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI), in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India, is set to launch the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) in October 2024. Built on the success of the 2023 World Coffee Conference in Bengaluru, which attracted over 2,400 delegates and more than 20,000 visitors, IICF aims to offer an even larger celebration of coffee culture.
The festival will span three major cities, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with preliminary events scheduled for Delhi (October 4-6), Mumbai (October 11-13), and Bengaluru (October 28-30). The grand finale will take place in Bengaluru from December 13-15, where India’s national coffee champion will be chosen to represent the country on a global stage.
Aimed at coffee enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the general public, IICF will feature speciality coffee stalls, equipment showcases, workshops, competitions, and entertainment. The event will also include prestigious contests such as the National Barista Championship, the Brewers Cup Championship, and Coffee in Good Spirits, combining coffee and mixology.
SCAI President DM Purnesh expressed excitement, stating, “It gives us immense joy and satisfaction to bring the largest coffee festival to India. The country with an ever growing coffee drinking audience is a very important market for us and India does play a major role in shaping the future of coffee culture. We hope to see connoisseurs and stakeholders coming and spending three fruitful days in these three leading cities of India. Let the festival be a meeting ground of ideas and exchange of creative skills.”
source: http://www.bwhotelier.com / BW Hotelier / Home> F & B / by BW Online Bureau / October 07th, 2024
“Set amidst verdant green coffee plantations in Coorg, the film is an ode to every coffee farmer, the backbone of the coffee industry.”
NESCAFÉ Sunrise together with Dentsu Creative Webchutney has launched a campaign to celebrate coffee farmers and honor their dedication and tireless efforts in growing coffee.
The campaign, which features a film directed by George K Antoney and produced by Kadhai Films, pays tribute to the love and commitment with which these farmers work in their fields while also highlighting the association with Nestlé agronomists.
Nestlé India works closely with around 5,000 coffee farmers in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala through the NESCAFÉ Plan.
The NESCAFÉ Plan, introduced in India in 2012 aims at developing good agricultural practices, sustainable management of landscapes, and enhancing biodiversity in coffee farms. It blends the valuable traditional knowledge of coffee cultivation with modern scientific practices to aid the sustainable growth of coffee in the region.
“Behind every delightful cup of Nescafé, there are coffee farmers whose hard work and dedication contribute to the exceptional taste of our coffee,” said Sunayan Mitra, Director, Coffee and Beverages business, Nestlé India.
“On International Coffee Day, we paid tribute to these remarkable farmers by sharing their stories on our jars and through this beautiful campaign crafted with love by our teams at Nestlé and Dentsu Creative Webchutney. The coffee farmers are the backbone of our NESCAFÉ Plan. This campaign is a homage to their perseverance and dedication, and I hope that it will be appreciated by our consumers.”
“This campaign is centered on the hard work of coffee farmers and the collaborative work between Nestlé India and the coffee farmers,” added Vidya Sankar, Senior Vice President, Dentsu Creative Webchutney.
“It also shines the spotlight on the contributions made by coffee farmers to our society and how they impact the consumer’s experience while they enjoy a delicious cup of Nescafé Sunrise. Set amidst verdant green coffee plantations in Coorg, the film is an ode to every coffee farmer, the backbone of the coffee industry.
Spotlight: Dentsu Creative India
source: http://www.brandinginasia.com / Branding in Asia / Home / by Editorial Staff / October 04th, 2024
India International Coffee Festival (IICF), a multi-city largest coffee festival, supported by the Coffee Board of India. Building on the momentum of the 2023 World Coffee Conference (WCC) in Bengaluru, which drew over 2,400 delegates, 117 speakers, 208 exhibitors, and more than 20,000 visitors from 80 countries, IICF brings a mega-event to India, promising an even grander experience.
The event will be held across the three cities – Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru in October 2024. With preliminary events in Delhi (October 4 to 6 at Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden), Mumbai (October 11 to 13 at Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla), and Bengaluru (October 28 to 30 at Bengaluru International Centre, Domlur), the festival will culminate in Bengaluru (December 13 to 15), where the national coffee champion will be chosen to represent India on a global level.
Through tastings sessions, interactive workshops and a series of interesting sessions on the itinerary, the festival will enhance awareness and appreciation for specialty coffee among consumers, making it an essential highlight in the global coffee calendar.
The India International Coffee Festival aims to foster a deeper understanding of coffee culture and its significance within the global landscape, making the three-days in each city an event filled with fun, learning and entertainment.
The festival is designed to cater to a broad audience, from industry professionals that include growers, roasters, exporters, traders, cafe chain owners, and retailers to coffee connoisseurs and the general public, offering an immersive experience that showcases the diversity and richness of coffee culture in India. Attendees can look forward to stalls offering a wide range of specialty coffee, equipment, and accessories, alongside workshops, competitions and entertaining activities that promise an engaging and unforgettable celebration of coffee. These multi-city mega events will put India on the spotlight and as a coffee hub which has a major role to play in the global coffee eco-space.
D M Purnesh, president, Speciality Coffee Association of India (SCAI), said, “The country with an ever-growing coffee drinking audience is a very important market for us and India does play a major role in shaping the future of coffee culture. We hope to see connoisseurs and stakeholders coming and spending three fruitful days in these three leading cities of India. Let the festival be a meeting ground of ideas and exchange of creative skills.”
The event across three locations is set to brew a series of exciting events with three competitions that showcase the ultimate fusion of artistry, skill, and passion in the coffee industry. While the National Barista Championship which is celebrating the Art of Coffee is a premier event aimed at highlighting the skills, creativity, and passion of baristas across the country, the Brewers Cup Championship, a Celebration of Coffee Brewing Excellence is a distinguished event spotlights the artistry and precision of coffee brewing.
Designed for coffee professionals and enthusiasts alike, this championship celebrates the diverse methods of brewing coffee. Meanwhile another prestigious competition – Coffee in Good Spirits – Where Coffee Meets Mixology is an exciting platform that helps in showcasing the artistry of baristas and bartenders alike. This unique competition will celebrate the creative possibilities of combining high-quality coffee with premium spirits.
Sreeram G, co-founder, Maverick & Farmer, said, “The coffee culture across the globe has seen an unprecedented growth in recent times. Festivals like this are great platforms to get the coffee community together and aim towards a joint endeavour of exploration and innovation.”
Hamsini Appadurai, owner, Sangameshwar Coffee Estates, said, “The coffee industry is going through a revolutionary phase with new trends and amazing innovations. The festival is the perfect platform to get industry leaders and stakeholders together and give them an opportunity for knowledge sharing.”
Tapaswini Purnesh, owner, Harley Estate, said, “Being in three different cities also helps in spreading awareness on the latest coffee trends.”
source: http://www.fnbnews.com / FnBnews.com / Home> Top News / October 05th, 2024
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