Dean, Gagan set for WRC3 gravel challenge in Paraguay
Encarnacion (Paraguay), (IANS) :
Indian rally champions Dean Mascarenhas and co-driver Gagan Karumbaiah of TSI Racing return to the World Rally Championship this weekend for their second WRC3 outing of the season, taking on Rally del Paraguay in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 prepared and serviced by PH Sport.
Mangaluru’s Dean partnered with Kodagu co-driver Gagan to make their WRC debut at Rally Islas Canarias this April, where they finished seventh in class.
The 2025 Indian National Rally champions gained further experience in the FIA European Rally Championship, finishing 12th in the Rally3 class at the demanding Rally di Roma Capitale in July. This WRC round in Paraguay will be their first on Gravel in the Ford Fiesta Rally3.
The rally covers 357.64km of timed competition across 22 special stages on soft red-clay gravel.
Mohan Nagarajan, MD of Sidvin Energy Engineering, which backs TSI Racing, said the European experience had strengthened the programme. “The ERC round and the training in Europe were extremely useful. The experience has helped Dean, Gagan and the entire team to better prepare for the WRC3 challenge.”
“Our journey so far has been very positive, with a lot of learning and valuable experience. We’re excited for our first gravel rally of the season. There is still a lot for us to learn from every rally,” said Dean after Thursday’s shakedown.
Founded in 2007 and backed by Sidvin Energy Engineering, TSI Racing was the first Indian team to enter the WRC in 2008 and has since provided an international platform for Indian drivers, including Gaurav Gill and Naren Kumar. Nearly two decades later, the team’s commitment to taking Indian rallying to the global stage continues with Mascarenhas and Karumbaiah.
–IANS
source: http://www.fmbharat.com / FM Bharat / Home> English / by IANS / August 08th, 2026
Karnataka to hold special meeting to discuss Kasturirangan Report
Several key issues in the district concerning the forest department have been highlighted by the various organisations.
Madikeri:
Ramalinga Reddy, Minister of Forest, Ecology and Environment, said the state government will hold a special meeting on Monday to find a resolution to the proposed Kasturirangan Report.
The minister, who heard the grievances related to wildlife conflict in Kodagu from the various communities and organisations in the district, assured to hold meetings with the revenue minister and the Chief Minister to find a permanent solution.
Speaking to the media after heading the grievance meeting, he said that several key issues in the district concerning the forest department have been highlighted by the various organisations.
“The wild elephant and tiger conflict, Kasturirangan Report, the need to establish an elephant corridor, request for increase in wildlife compensation, section 4 issue and the revenue land issue near Harangi have been highlighted by the various groups in the district,” the minister said adding that a meeting with the revenue minister and the Chief Minister will be held to find solution to the problems.
He assured that a special meeting will be called to discuss the issues, including the Kasturirangan Report.
Meanwhile, hundreds of residents arrived at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Madikeri to highlight their grievances with the minister.
Representatives from the Kudiyara community, Communist Party of India (CPI), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Coorg Planters’ Association (CPA), Estate Workers’ Union, Labour Union and several other residents and growers living in wildlife conflict zones met the minister and submitted memorandums of their demands.
Initially, former BJP MLA KG Bopaiah spoke and gave suggestions to the state to fight the wildlife conflict. He requested the department to cancel the elephant chasing missions in the district to prevent further damages to estates of growers. He requested the state to hold a meeting and find a scientific solution to the Kasturirangan Report.
Various other issues, including the Section 4, C and D land and the need to revive Elephant Trenches, were highlighted by Bopaiah.
The minister later met the farmers and received memorandums from them. MLAs AS Ponnanna, Dr Mantar Gowda, PCCF (Wildlife) Kumar Pushkar, PCCF Meenakshi Negi, Kodagu CCF Sonal Vrishni, Deputy Commissioner Somashekar S.J and other officials were present during the meeting.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / August 28th, 2026
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Brothers with Kodagu roots make their mark in American Ice Hockey
Mysuru :
Two brothers with family roots in Kodagu and Mysuru have made their mark in American Ice Hockey after earning selection to competitive teams of the Frisco Hockey Association, Texas, USA.
While 15-year-old Mayon Machaiah Merianda has been selected to the Frisco Varsity Team, his 13-year-old younger brother Krish Machaiah Merianda has secured a place in the Frisco Varsity Junior Team for the Summer 2026 season.
Mayon, a Grade 10 student at Independence High School, Frisco, earned promotion to the Varsity squad following his performances in previous seasons. Krish, who recently completed Grade 8 at Nelson Middle School, secured his place in the Junior Varsity team after consistent performances at the developmental level.
The brothers belong to the Meriyanda family of Kodagu, with their ancestral roots tracing back to the historic Meriyanda Ainmane. They are the sons of Srikanth Thimmayya, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SHIRO Technologies and Dr. Gangamma Chenenda, a Physician based in Dallas, Texas.
Their late grandfather Merianda K. Thimmayya, was an advocate, who had settled in Mysuru after moving from Kodagu several decades ago while their grandmother Sharada Thimmayya, continues to reside in Mysuru. Despite growing up in the United States, Mayon and Krish maintain close ties with Karnataka through regular visits to Mysuru and Kodagu.
Their success stands as an inspiring example of how young people with roots in Kodagu and Mysuru are making their presence felt in diverse fields and sporting arenas across the world.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 03rd, 2026
Yellow bullfrogs swarm Kodagu paddy fields
Mysuru:
Farmers in B. Shettigeri village of Ponnampet taluk in Kodagu are witnessing an unusual natural spectacle, with hundreds of bright yellow bullfrogs appearing in paddy fields over the past week, leaving residents both fascinated and curious.
The unusual congregation has drawn the attention of residents, many of whom say they have never witnessed such a large number of brightly coloured bullfrogs in the area before.
They are believed to be Indian Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus), one of the largest frog species found in India. Native to South and Southeast Asia, the semi-aquatic species is known for its robust build and undergoes a striking colour change during breeding season.
Male Indian bullfrogs turn bright yellow and develop distinctive blue vocal sacs on either side of the throat during the monsoon to attract females. This vibrant breeding colour is visible only for a few weeks each year.
K.P. Girish, a farmer from B. Shettigeri, said that the frogs have been appearing in large numbers in paddy fields where sowing is yet to begin.
“We have been seeing these yellow frogs for the last eight days. More than 200 of them are hopping around the fields. This is the first time we have witnessed so many bullfrogs together. It looks beautiful, but at the same time it is a little frightening because we have never seen anything like this before,” he said.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 07th, 2026
Kodagu’s Sevikae Uralu on anthropological display
Mysuru:
The August edition of the ‘Object Speaks’ series exhibition was inaugurated at the Zonal Anthropological Museum of the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI), Southern Regional Centre, Mysuru, by the students and teachers of STG Public School, Mandya.
Dr. Mithun Sikdar, Head of Office, Anthropological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Mysuru, encouraged the students to appreciate India’s rich cultural diversity through museum collections and indigenous traditions.
The highlight of this month’s exhibition is the ‘Sevikae Uralu’, a traditional wooden hand-operated vermicelli press used by the Panjiri Yerava community of Kodagu District.
Crafted from durable jackfruit wood, the ethnographic object reflects the ingenuity of indigenous technology and the community’s close association with food, family and tradition.
More than a kitchen implement, the ‘Sevikae Uralu’ symbolises collective labour, sustainable craftsmanship and the preservation of cultural identity across generations.
The exhibition traces the journey of Karnataka’s traditional handmade rice vermicelli (shavige or ottu shavige), prepared using the ‘Sevikae Uralu’.
It explains how steamed rice dough is transformed into delicate strands of vermicelli and highlights the historical significance of this culinary tradition, which has been cherished across coastal and southern Karnataka for centuries.
The display also explores the oral traditions of the Panjiri Yerava community, where the ‘Sevikae Uralu’ occupies a significant place in ancestral stories, agricultural life and community memory.
Through informative panels and engaging narratives, visitors can learn about the cultural heritage of the Panjiri Yeravas, their traditional lifestyle, indigenous knowledge systems and the enduring legacy of Karnataka’s food culture.
The exhibition illustrates how a simple household object can tell stories of history, identity, innovation and living heritage.
Curated by Dr. Banita Behera, the exhibition will remain open at the Zonal Anthropological Museum till Aug.31. Students, researchers and the general public can visit the exhibition and explore the story behind one of Kodagu’s traditional culinary implements.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / by Star of Mysore / August 08th, 2026
