Thekkada Bhavani from Kodagu wins silver medal in cross-country skiing in New Zealand
While the main event spans 42 km, the 21 km race offered Bhavani a strategic platform to venture into long-distance racing and ski-marathon formats.
Madikeri :
In a notable achievement for Indian winter sports, Thekkada Bhavani from Kodagu has secured a silver medal at the Merino Muster cross-country skiing event held at Snow Farm in New Zealand.
Competing in the Women’s 30s age category for the 21 km race on August 22, Bhavani completed the course in 1:34:38, making her the first Indian woman to both participate in and win a medal at an official Worldloppet Skiing Federation event.
The Merino Muster stands as one of New Zealand’s premier long-distance cross-country skiing competitions and serves as a key leg on the international Worldloppet circuit.
While the main event spans 42 km, the 21 km race offered Bhavani a strategic platform to venture into long-distance racing and ski-marathon formats.
Bhavani’s remarkable finish in New Zealand is another addition to her recent international successes.
During the 2025-26 winter season, Bhavani earned distinction as the first Indian woman to win an International Skiing and Snowboard Federation (FIS) medal.
She also holds the honour of being the first Indian cross-country skier to qualify and race in the FIS Cross-Country Ski World Cup, expanding her competitive range from sprint and distance races into long-distance endurance circuits.
Bhavani is currently undergoing an extended international training program at Snow Farm. Her preparation and international exposure have been made possible through financial and logistical backing from the Reliance Foundation and the Government of Karnataka, which contributed Rs 10 lakh through its Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports to support her training.
Reflecting on her achievement, Bhavani noted that competing in her first Worldloppet race served as an important test of her endurance training.
She expressed that earning a category win in the 21 km event provides substantial confidence as she prepares for the upcoming international season.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home / by Express News Service / August 25th, 2026
Kodagu: Unauthorised trekking, drone flights banned in Nelji-Peruru
In a press release, the department said it had noticed the promotion of such activities through social media.
The department warned that unauthorised entry into adjoining forest areas beyond the boundaries of private land constitutes a punishable forest offence under the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963. | Photo Credit: File photo
The Forest Department has cautioned the public against organising commercial mass trekking and tourism activities in Nelji, Peruru and surrounding areas, which are known for their rich floral wealth, including Strobilanthes species, and natural water sources.
In a press release, the department said it had noticed the promotion of such activities through social media. The areas are located close to forest regions and form part of a sensitive wildlife habitat frequented by wild elephants.
The department warned that unauthorised entry into adjoining forest areas beyond the boundaries of private land constitutes a punishable forest offence under the Karnataka Forest Act, 1963.
It also prohibited activities that could damage the sensitive shola-grassland ecosystem, including plucking, trampling or destroying native vegetation. Unauthorised drone flights over forest areas are also prohibited under the applicable forest and wildlife protection laws, the release added.
The department said uncontrolled tourism activities in sensitive zones frequented by elephants could pose a serious threat to human life. In the event of wildlife conflict, injury, loss of life or any other untoward incident during such tourism activities, the organisers and agencies concerned would be held directly responsible under applicable civil and criminal laws, the department said.
Any violations would be reported to the competent district authorities for further appropriate administrative action, the Range Forest Officer said, in the release.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / August 25th, 2026
New team of Pommale Kodava Okkuta
A group photo of the new office-bearers of Pommale Kodava Okkuta, Ramakrishnanagar, who were elected at the Annual General Body (AGM) meeting held at Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, recently.
Seen are (from left) Kanjithanda Ashika Kushalappa – Vice-President; Cheruvalanda Shalini Palangappa – Special Invitee; Chimmanamada Veena Shashikumar – Committee Member; Chenanda Lalitha, Mukkatira Subbaiah – President; Mookachanda Mohan Kumar – chief guest; Kattera A. Changappa – Secretary; Kannambira Palangappa – Special Invitee; Bollarappanda Ajay Madaiah – Treasurer; Kalkanda Girish Nachappa, Machimanda Poonacha and Mookachanda Naveen Nanjappa – Committee members
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / August 25th, 2026
‘Let Sport Decide, Not Spreadsheet’: Rohan Bopanna Slams Asian Games Tennis Decision
Rohan Bopanna slammed the country’s trimmed squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 after 5 players were removed by the Sports Ministry from the list of 12 submitted by All India Tennis Association (AITA).
File photo of Rohan Bopanna / @ Getty Images
Legendary Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna slammed the country’s trimmed squad for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 after 5 players were removed by the Sports Ministry from the list of 12 submitted by All India Tennis Association (AITA). In a post shared on Linkedin, Bopanna said that athletes should be given the chance to prove themselves on the court and their chances should not be determined on paper. “I’m a proud Indian. And today, I want to speak up for these tennis players who deserve better. They didn’t ask for mercy. They asked for a chance,” Bopanna said in the post.
The Sports Ministry removed the names of Manas Dhamne, Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaidehee Chaudhari and Prarthana Thombare from the list submitted by the AITA.”The move reduced India’s women’s singles options, including the exclusion of Sahaja Yamalapalli, currently the country’s highest-ranked women’s singles player.”
Bopanna pointed out that the five players already proved themselves on the court thanks to their performances.
“Dhamne. Adkar. Yamalapalli. Vaidehee. Thombare. Five players — including India’s No. 1 and No. 2 in women’s singles, who earned their rankings the hard way. No shortcuts. No favors. They competed internationally, qualified and proved where they stand.”
The final squad featured 7 players – Sumit Nagal and Dhakshineswar Suresh in men’s singles, Yuki Bhambri, N Sriram Balaji and Anirudh Chandrasekhar in men’s doubles, while Ankita Raina and Ruturaj Bhosale were the two women who found a place.
“If outcomes are already decided, why have qualifications at all? Why rankings?” Bopanna said.
“This isn’t just a call about five athletes. It’s a message to every parent, every sponsor who backed them before the country did, who bet on merit and results, not on being pre-approved,” he added. “Telling these players they’re ‘not medal prospects’ tells every one of those parents and sponsors: your judgment doesn’t matter here.”
Bopanna further said that the authorities need to look beyond just medal potential on the paper.
“Let them walk onto the court. Let their years of work count for something. Let sport decide. Not a spreadsheet.”
source: http://www.sports.ndtv.com / NDTV /Home> Sports> Tennis>News / by NDTV Sports Desk / August 25th, 2026
Shilpa Nanjappa bags UstadBismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar
Mysuru:
Acclaimed Bharatanatyam artiste from Kodagu, Mukkatira Shilpa Nanjappa, has been selected for the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) under the category ‘Overall Contribution and Scholarship in the Performing Arts.’
The award is India’s highest honour for performing artistes under the age of 40. Shilpa is the first person from Kodagu and the first Kodavathi to receive the coveted recognition.
Candidates are nominated by eminent artistes and previous SNA awardees and are evaluated on the strength of their body of work and contributions to the performing arts.
In the ‘Overall Contribution and Scholarship’ category, artistes are expected to demonstrate not only excellence in performance but also significant contributions through research, teaching, curation and allied activities.
In Shilpa’s case, the award recognises more than a decade of work in documenting, preserving and promoting Kodava culture and heritage through academic research, alongside a distinguished performing career spanning nearly three decades.
She was awarded the prestigious two-year Fellowship for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) for 2019-2021. Her topic was ‘Adaptation of Kodava language/literary compositions into the classical format and Bharatanatyam’.
Shilpa Nanjappa is the daughter of Allaranda Uthappa and Kaveriamma couple. She is married to Mukkatira Pavan Nanjappa.
Stamp of approval for Kodava culture
Born in Bengaluru and at present settled in Kodagu after her marriage, Shilpa Nanjappa is also an ‘A’ grade artiste of Doordarshan. Speaking to Star of Mysore, Shilpa said that being nominated itself was a significant honour because nominations come from senior members of the fraternity.
“When members of the dance community hold me in such high regard, that recognition alone feels significant. For the first time in my life, an award is not about me; it is about the work, the community and a stamp of approval for Kodava culture and heritage,” she said.
“I have dedicated more than a decade to propagating and preserving this tradition. I hope this recognition helps the Kodava language reach places it has never reached before. This award is a huge acknowledgement for micro-culture representation in larger cultural spaces and is integral to the survival of micro-cultures,” she said.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 16th, 2026
Sri Kavery Kodava Association, Mysore East
25th Anniversary, cultural programme featuring Kodava Valaga Dance Competition, Kolata dance by ladies, dance by children .
Lucky Dip Contest (Donors Coupon), Nectar Fresh Founder and Managing Partner Kuppanda Chayaa Nanjappa Rajappa inaugurates, 3.30 pm
Musical evening, Kodagu Model School premises, Vidyashankar Layout, Mysuru, 6 pm.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore /Home> Events / August 09th, 2026
CM Shivakumar visits Bhagamandala amidst rain
Performs puja at Bhagandeshwara Temple
Madikeri:
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (DKS) arrived at Bhagamandala in Kodagu amidst rains this morning. This is his first visit to Kodagu after becoming the CM.
The Chief Minister was welcomed at the helipad in Cauvery College grounds by his Political Secretary A.S. Ponnanna, District Minister Narendra Swamy, Deputy Commissioner Somashekar, IGP (Southern Range) Dr. M.B. Boralingaiah, Superintendent of Police R.N. Bindu Mani, Kodagu District Congress President Dharmaja Uttappa, Guarantee Schemes State Vice-President Meharoz Khan, Arun Machaiah and others.
Shivakumar, who visited Bhagandeshwara Temple at Bhagamandala along with his wife Usha, performed puja and had the darshan of the deity.
He will later fly to Madikeri in a chopper to take part in the wedding of former Karnataka Youth Congress President Mohammed Haris Nalapad, son of Shantinagar MLA N.A. Haris, being held at a private resort in Mekeri near Madikeri.
The wedding of Nalapad is being held from Aug. 15 to 20 and the Nikah ceremony is scheduled to take place today at the resort.
Nalapad is reportedly entering into marriage for the second time. He is set to marry the third daughter of S.I. Muneer, a Congress leader from Kodagu, who is associated with the Kodagu District Congress Committee.
The wedding celebrations are expected to continue over several days at the private resort, with guests from political and entertainment circles likely to attend the functions.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 16th, 2026
Congress MLA A S Ponnanna appointed CM Shivakumar’s political secretary
In the previous government, Ponnanna was then chief minister Siddaramaiah’s legal adviser.
A S Ponnanna / Credit: DH File Photo
Bengaluru:
Virajpet MLA A S Ponnanna, whom the Congress had picked as its nominee for deputy speaker in the Assembly, was appointed Wednesday as Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s political secretary with a Cabinet rank.
Ponnanna, a first-time MLA, was sulking after being chosen for the deputy speaker’s position instead of a ministerial position. In the previous government, Ponnanna was then chief minister Siddaramaiah’s legal adviser.
Now, the Congress may propose former minister Mankal Vaidya for the deputy speaker’s position. Vaidya, who belongs to the Mogaveera (fishermen), was dropped from the list of Cabinet inductees at the last minute, replaced by SS Mallikarjun.
Meanwhile, senior Congress lawmaker RV Deshpande has been re-appointed as chairperson of the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission with a Cabinet rank. This makes him the only Brahmin holding a Cabinet-rank position.
On Wednesday evening, Shivakumar held a meeting with his deputy G Parameshwara, Karnataka Congress president BK Hariprasad, ministers KJ George, MB Patil, KH Muniyappa, UT Khader, Krishna Byre Gowda, Priyank Kharge, Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, former speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and former Legislative Council chairperson VR Sudarshan to discuss strategy for the upcoming legislature session.
According to sources, Shivakumar said in the meeting that he would helm the government’s defence over the Oppostion’s attack on the Bidadi township project.
Shivakumar also urged lawmakers to back Planning Minister B Nagendra, whose induction will be questioned by the Opposition BJP and JD(S) for the Bellary MLA faces corruption allegations.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> India> Karnataka / by Bharath Joshi / August 12th, 2026
Diya Bheemaiah Wins Girls’ Doubles Title
Second seeded pair Diya Bheemaiah and Baruni Parshwal won the Girls’ Doubles title at the Kotak Junior International Badminton Tournament in Hyderabad, defeating third seeds Lakshmi Devineni and Ananya Manikandan in a closely contested final.
Diya and Baruni won the match 21-18, 14-21, 22-20. After taking the opening game, they lost the second as Devineni and Manikandan levelled the contest. The deciding game went down to the wire, with Diya and Baruni eventually prevailing 22-20 to secure the title.
The victory marks another achievement for Diya on the junior badminton circuit as she continues her competitive journey. She currently is training at the prestigious National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Guwahati, Assam, under the tutelage of former All England champion and coach Ivan Sozonov.
Diya is the daughter of Boppanda P Bheemaiah and Kusuma K K (Thamane Kambiranda).
source: http://www.clnnews.in / CoffeeLandNews /Home> Sports / by CLN Newsdesk / August 24th, 2026
