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Coorg farmers are now growing coffee that is helping the environment

Agriculture, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A unique eco-certification initiative in Kodagu’s famous coffee estates offers fresh hope for preserving native rainforests of the Western Ghats.

Growing coffee in the shade of evergreen trees in Kodagu. | Gopikrishna Warrier

There was a time in the not-too-distant past when coffee farmers in Kodagu district of Karnataka grew their plants only under the canopy of evergreen forests they had inherited. Now they prefer to grow it under the sun, which has serious implications for the Western Ghats and on the waters of the Kaveri River.

More and more farmers are now letting trees such as Dadup (Erythrina subumbrans), Arecanut (Areca catechu), Balanji (Acrocarpus fraxnifolius) and Jackfruit (Acrocarpus heterophyllus) die so that the canopy can be opened up and they can grow sun-loving coffee varieties that produce more berries and beans, resulting in higher returns.

Instead of the big trees, they are now planting exotic Silver Oaks (Grevillea robusta), whose pole-like trunk can be used as a support for the climbing pepper vines, which help boosting incomes. The proliferation of Silver Oaks has made it one of the more common trees in some parts of the area.

This transition has a larger ecosystem cost. Kodagu, earlier known as Coorg, is located on the western edge of the Mysore Plateau, at an average altitude of 800 metres, as it lifts up to the crest of the Western Ghats ridge (altitude above 1,500 m) and then falls sharply westwards into Kerala. The plateau mainly slopes eastwards, with the streams and rivers joining to form the Kaveri River, which is the lifeline for millions of people in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

With insufficient rains over the Western Ghats during this year’s southwest monsoon, there is a shortage of water in the reservoirs across the Kaveri in Karnataka. This has led to the flaring of the water-sharing dispute with the lower riparian state of Tamil Nadu in recent days.

While this acrimony continues, payment for ecosystem services measures are being worked out in Kodagu district so that coffee farmers protect the forests under which they grow their crop, thereby preserving the water flow into the Cauvery. These measures also help to maintain the climate resilience in the river’s catchment and command areas.

With the forest-like mixed-tree canopy in coffee plantations disappearing, the torrential rains of the southwest monsoon flows quickly down the streams, carrying valuable topsoil away and causing floods followed by long dry periods downstream.

Paying for ecosystem services

The Kodagu farmers are being encouraged through payment for ecosystem services, in the form of eco-certification, to continue with their traditional coffee cultivation under the shade of mixed species of trees. This will help strengthen the ecosystem services they receive from the unique landscape of Kodagu, and also strengthen similar services and climate resilience of all those relying on the waters of the Kaveri downstream.

The concept of eco-certified coffee, whose certification process ensures that coffee is grown under mixed-species trees, has gained popularity in the district in the past five years. Close to 900 coffee farmers have converted to eco-certified coffee. Even with a conservative estimate of 10 acre per farmer, this means nearly 10,000 acres of eco-certified coffee. In addition, with Tata Coffee getting all of its 13 estates eco-certified, Kodagu district has at least 20,000 acres under coffee cultivation that aims to minimise damage to the environment.

As an incentive for protecting the environment, the coffee farmers get a premium above the market price for their coffee beans. Coffee is the major agricultural produce from Kodagu, with 33% of the district landscape under its cultivation. About 38% of India’s coffee production comes from the district.

Ecologically, Kodagu district has been identified as a micro hotspot of biodiversity under the larger Western Ghats region. Rightly so, since the western crest of the mountainous district is in the direct path of the southwest monsoon. The dark clouds heavy with rain dump much water over the district. While the western edge of the district receives above 5,000 mm of rainfall on an average, it reduces to around 1,200 mm in the east. Most of the water feeds into the Kaveri.

According to a report by the College of Forestry at Ponnampet in Kodagu, natural forested ecosystems cover an area of 46% of the total area of the district. These include evergreen, semi evergreen, moist deciduous, dry deciduous and scrub forest types, and even the high-altitude shola-grassland ecosystem.

Traditionally, coffee is grown in the shade of these forests. Coffee estates in Kogadu have on an average 350 trees per hectare, compared with 270 in degraded groves and 640 trees per hectare in the nearby Brahagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, making these estates amongst the densest agro-forestry systems in the world.

“Very few landscapes across the world grow coffee in the way in which Kodagu does,” said C.G. Kushalappa, university head for forestry and environment sciences at the College of Forestry, Ponnampet in Kodagu. “We grow both Arabica and Robusta coffee under the shade of the trees. Our shade-grown Robusta fetch a premium price. When grown under the shade, the berries mature slowly and fill out better. They have good cupping (taste) quality.”

Coffee plants are increasing being cultivated under exotic Silver Oak trees. (Photo by S. Gopikrishna Warrier)

However, he needed scientific data to convince the coffee farmers and the district administration that there was strong ecosystem benefit in maintaining the traditional shade-growing methods. The opportunity for doing this research emerged when the College of Forestry was chosen as the lead institute in India to carry out the Coffee Agro-Forestry Network, or CAFNET study to understand the environmental services from this unique landscape.

Financed by the European Commission, the study was jointly conducted by the College of Forestry, the Coffee Board, the French Institute at Puducherry, CIRAD (the French national agricultural research system) and Bangor University from the United Kingdom between 2007 and 2011.

Rich local knowledge

The study noted that the multi-storeyed coffee agro-forestry system developed and sustained by the farmers based on their local knowledge is one of the most diverse production systems in the world. The traditional coffee agro-forestry system sustains diverse animal, bird, plant and microorganisms, and provide biodiversity, carbon sequestration and water-related ecosystem services. Since multiple crops such as pepper, mandarin oranges, vanilla and timber is also grown in these systems, they help provide resilience to farmers when they are hit by coffee price volatility.

The CAFNET report recommended that coffee farmers growing Arabica and Robusta under shade trees should be paid for the ecosystem services that their farms provide, so that they can protect biodiversity and therefore water in the Cauvery. Two methodologies for payment for ecosystem services suggested was eco-certification and geographical indications protection for Kodagu coffee.

Eco-certification of coffee farms in Kodagu started as a follow-up to this recommendation. Coffee farmer BB Thammaiah says his interest was piqued when students from the College of Forestry came to his farm to carry out biodiversity studies. “After the studies I was told about the uniqueness of the method in which I grow coffee, and I went in for eco-certification,” he said.

The two eco-certifications that have been popularly accepted are from the Rainforest Alliance and Utz. Coffee grower KK Naren in Kunda village near Ponnampet said the main benefit of the eco-certification process is that farmers are trained in good practices that have good environmental benefits and improve the working and living conditions for the workers.

“The economic benefit is not much,” he said. “It is more of training for us, which will be beneficial in the long run. The eco-certification process educates the coffee farmers about the environment.”

Importance of native trees

The most important lesson from the training relating to the eco-certification, according to Narenm was the understanding on the importance of native trees. “It is not that we didn’t know about native trees but we were not that keen on maintaining them,” he said. “The native trees do not give good financial returns, so we gave importance to silver oak.”

According to Naren, the Rainforest Alliance eco-certification process looks at whether native shade trees are present. The certifiers and auditors also look at labour management, whether the minimum labour wage is paid and the cleanliness around the labour quarters. They are very strict about not using child labour. “They also look at the way chemicals are used,” he said. “They are not saying no to chemicals but there are restrictions to some chemicals and the way the rest are used. They are keen that we should not use pesticides of chemicals near the rivers or tanks. They give importance to maintain local environment.”

Individual planters like Thammaiah and Naren got an opportunity, through the eco-certificaion process, to access the international market through a Swiss procurement agency that buys higher quality coffee. Both of them sell their eco-certified coffee to Ecom Gill, who procures the eco-certified produce for supply to Nespresso.

BB Thammaiah in his coffee farm where the plants are grown under the shade of native evergreen trees. (Photo by S. Gopikrishna Warrier)

For Tata Global Beverages Ltd and its production subsidiary Tata Coffee Ltd, the move to eco-certification of all of its 13 estates in Kodagu was an important step in the process to make its supply chain sustainable. According to Anurag Priyadarshi, global sustainability manager for Tata Global Beverages, one of the guiding principles that the group has adopted is to source sustainability. For this, all their estates in Kodagu have been eco-certified by Rainforest Alliance and Utz.

“Through the eco-certification process we are trying to ensure good management practices for the ecosystem, energy, water, waste, soil and agro-chemicals. We ensure the safety of the produce and also occupational health of the workers. Ultimately we want to prevent the impacts of climate change,” he said.

MB Ganapathy, head of plantations for Tata Coffee, said the company is aware about the fact that they are growing coffee in Kodagu, which is a biodiversity hotspot in the Western Ghats. “We have recognised this fact and that is the reason that our vision is to enhance the ecological wealth we have inherited. The eco-certification helps us safeguard the environment.”

Challenges remain

However, the rapid spread of the eco-certification process has also raised some hiccups which need to be overcome, states TR Shankar Raman, scientist at the Nature Conservation Foundation, whose organisation was involved with helping Rainforest Alliance with the certification in the initial years. The three points of concern, according to him, is the very rapid pace at which certification is being done; the relative absence of biologists and social scientists in the auditing process; and the dilution of conservation standards (like the requisite number of native species and canopy cover) in subsequent versions of the certification guidelines.

“While the rapid certification has more and more farmers being eco-certified, we hope the rigour of the process continues to be maintained, so that the end result of conserving the native vegetation is not compromised,” Raman observed.

With more farmers opting for eco-certification, there is a movement towards the protection of the traditional methods of coffee cultivation under the shade of mixed-tree species. For the process to strengthen the farmers should continue to get good economic benefit for their eco-certified produce.

According to Naren, if there is at least 10% more returns from the eco-certified coffee remains constant then there will be an incentive for the opting for opting for the process. At present the price at which procurement agencies such as Ecom Gill buy is linked to the international market price, plus a premium of Rs 60 to Rs 80 for a 50 kg bag of sun-dried cherries. The international prices fluctuate in relation to the local market prices, and as with the current situation can go below the domestic price.

However, Kushalappa says that in addition to the premium, there are other incentives and bonuses for producing good quality coffee beans. The average increase in price above the local market price was around 15% last year, which is well worth the effort.

If additional income for coffee farmers from eco-certification can help conserve unique agro-forestry ecosystem of Kodagu, then it will be the water flow into the Cauvery that would be conserved. Millions of people downstream, including the residents of Bengaluru and other parts of peninsular India, will thank the coffee farmers upstream for their drinking water and climate resilience.

This article first appeared on India Climate Dialogue.

source: http://www.scroll.in / Scroll.in / Home> Environmental Balance / by S Gopikrishna Warrier / September 17th, 2016

Kodagu ‘A Paradise in the Indian Western Ghats’

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022), World Opinion

As the son of an Indian naval officer, Bidanda Bopaya was born in Pune, has lived all over the Indian coastline, and was sent to a boarding school in Ooty at a young age. His wife, Louella, daughter of an Indian air force officer, is a psychologist in private practice.

The Bidandas moved to Pittsburgh in 1987 after graduate work at Penn State and have raised two children in the Burgh. Their daughter, Maya is pursuing a PhD in finance & economics after an early career on Wall Street, and their son Rahul is an engineering graduate from Pitt. The Bidandas live in Fox Chapel.

Bopaya, a professor of engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and President of the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers, has authored/edited 13 books in the subjects of his specialization. Here is Bopaya in his contemporary dress and also in the traditional Kodava attire.

Editor’s note: 

My early childhood was in Madikeri (earlier name Mercara) in Kodagu District, earlier known as Coorg (population: over 500,000 people) in Karnataka State. Madikeri is the headquarters for Kodagu and the home of the Kodavas, a small, accomplished, and colorful community in the Indian social tapestry. Kodavas are ~20% of the population of Kodagu District, and have contributed disproportionately to India’s armed forces, sports teams, and other professions including as India’s first female ambassador, India’s first PhD in sports medicine, the founder of the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, and of course, India’s first Commander-In-Chief (Gen. Kodendera Subbayya Thimmayya), and India‘s first Field Marshal Kodendera Madappa Cariappa.

Location of Coorg District and Madikeri town in Karnataka.

After sixty years, I chanced to drive through Madikeri. I had a vague memory of Omkareshwara Devasthana, a Shiva Temple there. Since it was the only temple I knew in my childhood, it made no impact then. When the driver showed me the temple from a mile away from the hills, I told him it looks like a mosque. His reply: was saar, iduve devasthana. (No sir, this IS the temple.) Stunned at the unique architecture for a Hindu temple with a typical Islamic dome including the four minarets, I stood in silence in front of the temple absorbing the ambience.

Then during the Patrika fundraising, I saw one Bidanda Bopaya as one of the on-line contributors. From the name, I recognized he is a Kodava (known earlier as Coorgis). I contacted him with my Madikeri roots, and one thing led to another in our exchanges, which finally culminated with Mr. Bopaya writing this article for the Patrika. – Kollengode S Venkataraman

The Omkareshwara Temple is a picturesque and unique place of worship in Madikeri, the heart of a salubrious and verdant hill station in Karnataka. Our family spent summers in Kodagu, and the place remained a well-kept secret because of the absence of a railhead. Now, it is a weekend getaway to Bangalore IT techies arriving in hordes.

Steep hills studded with vibrant homes surround the temple. Legend has it that the Raja of Kodagu, Lingarajendra II, built the temple repenting for some terrible act he committed. He was advised to build a Shiva temple that would awe people, as long as the sun and the moon are around! He commissioned the temple, consecrating it in 1820, with a Shivalinga brought from Kashi enshrined at the temple’s sanctum.

Omkareshwara Devasthana with its dome and four minarets

Omkareshwara Devasthana is the only known example of a Shiva temple for that matter, any Hindu temple built like a mosque with four turrets (or minarets) at each corner and a dome at the center. The rationale for this one-of-a-kind architectural style (Islamic with a Gothic touch) for a Hindu temple is not precisely known even though the temple is only 200 years old, given the frosty relations between the Kodavas and Muslims, thanks to Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), who repeatedly invaded and unsuccessfully tried to take control of the region. Search the web under Tipu Sultan and Kodavas to get multiple perspectives of this complicated relationship.

Given today’s strife-ridden global situation among all religions, it is inspiring that one Hindu temple integrated multiple styles of architecture into its place of worship two centuries ago. As children, we played hide-and-seek with our extended family around the temple.

The Rajaâ’s tomb located nearby, built in 1809, also has an Islamic architecture. My great-great-grandfather Bidanda Bopu was the Commander-in-Chief of the Kodagu Rajaâ’s army and is buried next to the Raja. Growing up, our family often celebrated festivals and visited the tomb to pay respects to our ancestors.

The Kodavas are proud people and maintain unusual traditions. Kodagu is often called the land of generals, beautiful belles, coffee, cardamom, pepper and honey, all because of its hilly terrain and suitable weather, honey, large number of military leaders, and charming and gracious women! Some interesting features of Kodavas

1)Are Kodavas Hindus? While Kodavas are governed by the Hindu laws, they are technically not Hindus, with the absence of a caste system; Kodavas are ancestor- and nature-worshippers. Most festivals are centered around agrarian and martial themes and traditions. However, many Kodavas have now adopted a Hindu lifestyle and traditions.

KODAVA FESTIVALS: Kodavas are rooted to their land as farmers and agriculturists. No wonder, all Kodava festivals are around farming.

2) Kailpodhu: After the paddy fields are transplanted in early September, Kodavas worship their weapons and tools, after cleaning and decorating them. This is followed by festivities (shooting competitions, athletic prowess, while feasting on spicy food and copious alcoholic beverages). Kodavas have the right to bear firearms and weapons without license.

3) Kaveri Sankramana: The river Kaveri originates in Kodagu District in a small natural spring in Bhagamandala, close to Madikeri. In mid-October, at a specified time, the sacred River Kaveri ” yes, for Kodavas in particular, and for all Kannadigas, Kaveri is sacred ” renews with new divine springs gushing towards a larger body of water. This is the birthplace of the river. People take dips in this holy water. Goddess Kaveri is then worshipped in Kodava homes with youngsters touching the feet of elders for blessings. Kaveri is perhaps the most common name for girls among Kodavas. This is the only meatless festival among Kodavas!

Kodavas in the field during the the Puttari Harvest festival

4)Puttari (meaning New Rice), is the traditional harvest festival, celebrated in early December when people gather in their traditional family home (ainamane) nicely decorated with farm motifs. Like Onam, Pongal, Lohri, Baishakhi, Bihu, and of course, Thanksgiving here, special culinary items are prepared. An important part of this festival is the matriarch of the family leading others into the fields for a symbolic first harvesting of rice paddies.

In addition to these, individual villages have temples that celebrate colorful festivals, including walks thru hot beds of coals. The best way to experience these is to be with Kodavas in their home during the season.

Pattaya, a traditional granary decorated for the Puttari harvest festival.

5)Is there a Kodava cuisine? Yes, of course. Kodava cuisine is replete with unique and fiery dishes including Pandhi Kari (pork curry cooked in a special vinegar), Baimble-Kari (bamboo shoot curry), mango paji (mango chutney), kuru kari (kidney beans, green beans, in a coconut gravy), akki rotti (rice chapattis) and the list goes on!!

6) Kodava music, dance and dress are unique and are on display at weddings and festivals. Kodava women elegantly drape themselves in a unique style in standard 6-yard saris. Men wear black wraparounds (kupya), colorful sashes (chalé), and daggers (peeche kathi).

7)Interesting fact: No priests at Kodava weddings. Family elders lead all the religious rites, with a frenzy of Kodava dancing, pandhi curry, libations, and ceremonies steeped in family traditions.

Drs. Palecanda and Nirmal Chengappa, longtime
Pittsburgh residents, in traditional Kodava
dress and jewelry at the wedding of their daughter Kaveri.

Websites offer a ton of information on tourism-related questions on Kodagu — places of interest, cuisines, lodging, what to do, how to reach, the best time to visit. One website is: www.coorgtourisminfo.com

source: http://www.pittsburghpatrika.com / The Pittsburgh Patrika / Home / by Bidanda Bopaya, Fox Chapel, PA / October 2022 issue

Nation’s Pride: Lt. Col. PS Ganapathi MVC The brave officer who sowed the seeds of peace in a war torn Sri Lanka

Amazing Feats, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , ,

At the first glance it seems to be another piece of metal with the sign of a star embossed on it. The hardly visible recipient’s name along with the date it was received is engraved in a corner. To own this piece of metal is an irrepressible desire of every soldier who goes to war. That’s because it represents valor. It’s the ‘Maha Vir Chakra’, second highest gallantry award given to those who exhibit exemplary courage and valiance. It is the Indian equivalent of the ‘Distinguished Service Cross’ of the British. Since 1947, Only 218 braves of the mighty Indian Army have been the proud recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra. 6 among them have received the Maha Vir Chakra twice, also called the Maha Vir Chakra Bar. Considering this, only two from Karnataka, a state which has given some of the most valiant soldiers and officers to the Indian army, have been the illustrious recipients of this gallantry award.One is Squadron Leader Ajjamada B Devaiah famously known as the ‘Tiger of Sargodha’ and the other is Major (Later Lt. Colonel) P S Ganapathi. While the former was martyred in action during the 1965 war and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously, the latter is a living example of unparalleled gallantry amongst us today.

Saga of a living memorial

Unlike the brave souls of Punjab, there have been no books published about this hero. He hasn’t given any interviews to TV channels or attended public events which are flashed all across the media. Almost nothing is known about him yet. He is relatively unknown even in his own hometown, Coorg, the land of the brave warriors. Shy of any kind of publicity and one who lives by the dictum ‘Safeguarding the nation is my duty alone’ is how Lt. Col. Puttichanda Somaiah Ganapathi has led his life throughout. Participating in public events is not at all a difficult task. However, Lt. Col.PS Ganapathi believes that safeguarding the honor of the esteemed medal is his paramount duty and is more valuable than any kind of publicity.

At 73 today, Lt. Col.Ganapathi might not have a large frame but his baritone voice, characteristic of military officers, hasn’t waned a bit. Lethargy that comes with age is alien to him. The agility of his mind is intact despite many years of retired life. Currently residing at ‘Sena Vihar’ in Bengaluru, Lt. Col.Ganapathi’s retired life is anything but idiosyncratic with lives of retired people who prefer a laidback existence.An effervescent man, unlike most people his age, he drives to his hometown in Coorg once every month on his own.His life in the concrete jungles of Bengaluru hasn’t sapped his love for farming one bit.His suave demeanor and absence of any signs of pretension for being the proud owner of a national gallantry award, is the true nature of this hero.

While seated at his home in the multistory apartment complex at the Army’s ‘Sena Vihar’, Lt. Col. Ganapathi began to narrate the stirring story behind his Maha Vir Chakra. He was soon joined by his wife on her wheelchair, with a cup of coffee in her hand. Although, she had heard her husband’s heroic tale umpteen times,her desire to keep listening to the saga made her tolend her ear once again. The showcase behind the Lt. Col. was decked with the upright photo which had captured the invaluable moment when he was presented the MVC by the President. Adjacent to it was the photo of his son, who departed untimely, adorned with a sandalwood garland. The enduring agony of the deceased son was apparent, albeit fleetingly,in the stern battle-hardened face of the Lt. Colonel.

As a worthy prelude to his tale of heroism, Lt. Col. Ganapathi began by recollecting his childhood.

Madikeri Central High school, 1952

After completing his primary education from Napoklu in Coorg, Ganapathi was admitted to the Central School at Madikeri for High school studies. This was the school from where towering personalities like Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimmayya studied, played hockey and graduated. The Central School was famous all over Coorg for its quality English education, encouragement in sports and its discipline. While most kids ran towards the ‘Mens Compund’ Ground to play hockey as soon as the school bell rang, Ganapathi used to run to the school auditorium to gaze at the large portraits of FM Cariappa and Gen. Thimmayya which were hung on its walls. Years of gazing and drawing inspiration from them, sowed seeds of desire within Ganapathi to join the military and become a decorated officer like the two greats.As soon as he completed the ‘Seventh Form’, he began his preparations and started to spend a lot of time on the ground. He used to sit and listen to the stories of war and valor from retired soldiers in the town. Though many years had passed, the inspirational portraits from his school never ebbed from his mind.

Years later, after completing his college education, Ganapathi joined as a Forrester. While he was posted at Kolhapur in Maharashtra, he attempted to join the military. He failed. He attempted again in Bengaluru and failed yet again. But he did not give up and again attempted to join the military at Bengaluru. He succeeded in this attempt. Ganapathi’s ambition that blossomed at Central High schoolin Madikeri had now come true.He was deputed to the Officers Training Academy (OTA) at Chennai. After the successful training in Chennai, Ganapathi became an officer of the 14th Mahar Regiment.

Within a few days of joining the military, PS Ganapathi duly ingrained the military traits of discipline and diligence. Those portraits of Central High school had only become larger in his mind. He was selected for the Anti-Insurgency battalion formed to tackle the militancy spread in Nagaland and Mizoram. He worked in various areas in the North-East like Palampur, Gangtok, Nathu La, etc. He received further training for a few years in Belgaum. He was then deputed to Assam Rifles. During this period, Ganapathi has served in various regions, under different environments and had experienced adverse conditions from close quarters.

Colombo, 1987 July 29

That was an era during which rivers of blood was flowing all across Sri Lanka. India too bore the brunt of the bloody strife there. Lakhs of people from the affected areas from Sri Lanka sought refuge on the shores of Tamil Nadu daily. The Tamils of Sri Lanka had the sympathy of Indians. India was caught in a quandary over the dispute in Sri Lanka. On the one hand, the Lankan government was adamant on not granting any kind of special status to the Tamils there. The then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, with the arbitration of the then CM of Tamil Nadu MG Ramachandran, invited LTTE’s Chief Prabhakaran to Delhi to deliberate on the Tamil issue. Indian Intelligence institutions had exerted considerable pressure on the LTTE chief. Soon after this, Rajiv Gandhi undertook a tour of Sri Lanka. However, the Tamils of Sri Lanka were displeased at the way their leader was purportedly treated in Delhi. On the very first day of his visit, a Sri Lankan soldier had attacked Rajiv Gandhi with a gun during the ceremonial Guard of Honor. Subsequently, Rajiv Gandhi and the then Sri Lankan President G R Jayavardhane conducted bilateral talks and signed a deal. As per the deal, the Sri Lankan government would recognize the Tamil aspirations and grant special status and privileges to them. India on its part had promised to send its military to Sri Lanka and undertake the task of persuading the Tamils to lay down their arms.

The world assumed that this historic deal would solve the century old dispute and put an end to the 3-decade old cycle of bloodletting in Sri Lanka. India’s initiative to solve the crisis was lauded the world over. It was deemed that the Intervention of India would change the situation in the island nation. Everyone believed that the fighting Tamils would lay down their arms and hoped that the lives of Tamils, who formed 20% of Sri Lanka’s population, would change for the better. Many even penned poems over the cause. Congress leaders in India started to sing paeans to Rajiv Gandhi and even declared that there was no difference between King Ashoka who sent saplings of the Bodhi tree to Sri Lanka and Indira Gandhi’s son Rajiv in their speeches.While all these events were happening, Tamils the world over had exercised a conspicuous silence which was ominous of the lull before astorm. The world had thought that a single treaty would resolve India’s refugee crisis, establish peace in Sri Lanka and assuage sorrows of the Tamils.

Tamilnadu, 1987 August

The Indian troops arrived in Sri Lanka with much zeal to fulfil the obligations of the peace accord. With the over-confidence brought by the success of signing the pact, Indian government sent over ten thousand Indian soldiers to Sri Lanka in the first week of August itself. All the three arms of Indian armed forces crossed the ocean into Sri Lanka. The India troops which consisted of The Sikh Regiment, Maratha Light Infantry, Mahar Regiment, along with battalions of 10th Para Commandos, Armored regiment with U-72 battle tanks, Gorkha and Rajputana battalions, soldiers of 4th mountain division, Chetak and Cheetah helicopters of the Air Force, several units of ‘Marcos’ commandos of the Indian Navy, landed at several places in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, and Urumpirai with overweening confidence.

In a land that it did not belong to, in an environment that it was alien to, the Army did not have a faint idea about the war that was about to ensue. The only plan of action in mind was to establish peace. Hence there were no adequate preparations or efficient battle plans. Even the intelligence gathering was not robust enough. The maps of the area were woefully inadequate. In such circumstances, the truth of the grim scenario dawned on the Indian army. The LTTE had armed even the women and children with guns. The LTTE terrorists who had hidden capsules of cyanide, stunned the Indian soldiers. The troops which had arrived with the sole aim of establishing peace in the island, had its plan turn topsy-turvy in just a few days. The LTTE which had mastered the art of subversion, began to hoodwink the Indian Army. At several places, in a beguiling act of reciprocating to the peace accord, LTTE cadres surrendered old and rusted weapons to the Indian Army. A few days later, a leader of the LTTE committed suicide by consuming cyanide. This incident completely grounded any chances of establishing peace in the island nation. LTTE’s Chief Velupillai Prabhakaranused this as an opportunity to declare a direct war against the Indian troops. The war resulted in the martyrdom of 1138 brave Indian soldiers, the same soldiers who had come to the island with an idea of establishing peace. More than 3000 Indian soldiers were critically wounded. By the time the Indian government decided to recall its peace-keeping forces, the Army was decorated with 1 Param Vir Chakra (posthumously) and 6 Maha Vir Chakras. Among the six recipients of the MVCs was PS Ganapathi.

Trincomalee, 1987 July 30

(In first person) I was deputed from the Assam Rifles to the 8th Mahar Regiment. Pursuant to the orders of the government, the first batch of the peace-keeping force was airlifted from Tiruchirapalli to Jaffna on 30th July, 1987. I was in this batch. The dense jungles around Jaffna made me anticipate the struggles we would face in event of a military operation. I had a premonition of the same at the first glance of Jaffna. It did not take many days for my apprehensions to become true. This was because the LTTE waged a direct war against us. Within a few days of our landing, the LTTE attacked the Palali Airbase on the outskirts of Jaffna. The CRPF troops which were part of the peacekeeping force, were also attacked. The Jaffna Radio station was captured. Despite several counter-attacks by our forces, the LTTE did not capitulate easily. Jaffna was LTTE’s bastion and it was fighting to hold on to it at any cost. By this time, we understood that unless the LTTE loses Jaffna, its strength would not be depleted. But the Land mines buried unsuspectingly, suicide squads whose strategies were difficult to comprehend, disheveled all plans of our troops. The situation turned so grave that the then Chief of Army Staff Krishnaswamy Sundarji had to pay a visit to Sri Lanka in October 1987 and guide our troops in the peace keeping operations. The LTTE attacks were so dreadful and brutal that the Sri Lankan army abandoned and withdrew from areas which were the strongholds of LTTE. We were then clear that our next goal was Jaffna.

LTTE had assembled a strong army at a place called Maruthanamadam to defend Jaffna. Unless Maruthanamadam was cleared of the LTTE forces, the path to Jaffna would not be easy. We had to proceed towards Maruthanamadam from our station in Uduvil. Though our troops did not have exact information about this path, we were aware of the fact that LTTE cadres were present on the entire stretch. It was 6AM in the morning of August 11, 1987 when I was summoned by my Commanding Officer of the 8th Mahar Regiment Colonel BS Rathi. He informed me that he was entrusting the task of clearing Maruthanamadam from LTTE militants to me. Maruthanamadam was about 3 KMS from the place we were stationed. Without further delay, I along with 60 of my regiments’ soldiers proceeded towards Maruthanamadam. Our troops were adequately equipped with Medium Machine Guns, Hand grenades, personal weapons and few 106 RCL guns. As we reached Maruthanamadam, we faced heavy resistance. Those 3 KMS we traversed to Maruthanamadam that day is etched in my mind,just like a movie,even to this day.It was an uninhabited area, with kutcha roads.We neared Maruthanamadamaround 7AM. It was an atmosphere of stoic silence characteristic of a graveyard. Though we could see a few houses, no humans were visible. As we mulled over the scenario, a sudden barrage of gun fire fell upon us. We were stunned for a moment. While we deliberated our action, we realized that our estimation

that LTTE had modern weapons was indeed true. We also realized that the gun fire was emanating from within the houses there.Tackling the militants who are hiding inside such houses is a very dangerous operation. We had to overcome the danger at any cost. Lobbing grenades inside the houses through the windows was our only option. I then order my troops to lob 36 High Explosive grenades into the houses. Our soldiers blasted atleast 40-50 houses and destroyed the safe havens of the militants. Havildar Kaka Phule was grievously injured in the operation and attained martyrdom later. He was awarded the Vir Chakra for his courage.

Anaicottai, October 15, 1987

The success of the first operation had given lot of confidence for our troops. Jaffna was still in the hands of the LTTE. We had only advanced by a single step. With each step we took, the dangers only increased. Our next target was the town of Anaicottai. It was also called as Jaffna junction. The path to Jaffna would be easier only if we cleared this junction. LTTE agents were active throughout the path. The stretch was deserted with no signs of human activity. But in the silence that pervaded the area, temple bells used to ring all of sudden. It soon occurred to me as to why the Temple bells tolled when there were no one visible. I had realized at Maruthanamadam that the LTTE was a step ahead of us in gathering intelligence. The temple bells were used from far distances to convey to the LTTE cadres that the Indian Army was approaching Anaicottai. We proceeded with caution after we realized their modus operandi. We now only had enough arms and ammunitions to fight for 12 hours. We did not carry surplus arms as we had expected the 41st Brigade to arrive at Anaicottai by the evening of 16thOctober. As soon as we reached the Jaffna junction where four roads meet, we were attacked by the LTTE with their full might. We had to fight back hard and stop the enemies from advancing further. As the fighting ensued, the sun started to set and darkness had engulfed us. We would not retreat for any reason come what may.By nightfall, it started to rain and our adversaries were merely at a distance of 200 to 300 meters from us. While plain wetlands were behind us, scrub forests lay ahead of us.The ground beneath was sludgy. We were forced to consume rain water itself to quench our thirst.The incessant military operation since morning was taking its toll on our fatigued troops. Everyone ran the risk to slipping into deep sleep if anyone attempted to shut their eyes even for a moment.The gun fire from the enemies used to stop intermittently and start again all of a sudden. This continued throughout the night.I opined that we had to defeat them through the waiting game. I then sent the corresponding message to our headquarters. I received the communication that the 41st Brigade had departed from India and we should keep the enemy engaged until the Brigade arrives. We then received the message that a troop of 1st Maratha Light Infantry commanded by Colonel Oberai and armed with 81MM mortars would come to our rescue. As day and nights passed, we continued to fight the LTTE without as much as battling our eyelids. The putrid rainwater that had accumulated around continued to quench our thirst for days. The LTTE had come as close as 50 meters from us. We could not delay further and began our intense counter attack. Our soldiers fought valiantly like I had never witnessed before. By this time, the 8th Mahar regiment supplemented out efforts with their 81MM mortars and the 31st Light Regiment safeguarded us with their 120MM mortars and they fired upon the LTTE fiercely. While the battle raged on, I was forced to witness the deaths of several of my beloved boys. Unanticipatedly the LTTE fired a large explosive which landed close to me. The intensity of the blast was so deafening that my left ear started ringing. Decades after the war was over and even many years after my retirement, this was the only sound I heard in my left ear. The LTTE forces advanced further maybe after they realized our condition. During one of these nights I positioned myself in the Rifle trench and had my aim directed at the enemy. Despite the incessant and intense gun fire from their side, we did not fire a single shot. Silence from our side gave two soldiers of LTTE the confidence to walk towards our lines with the help of torch lights. I waited in my trench until they came very close to me. When I could see their face clearly, I fired upon them using my Sten machine carbine. Those two bullets I fired at that instant had a tremendous effect on the enemy’s psyche. LTTE’s courage had taken a beating.

The next day, a contingent of 15 soldiers led by Capt. Sunil Chandra arrived to deliver food and ammunitions to our troops. Capt. Sunil was a handsome young man but a tad impulsive, maybe owning to his young blood.While he was conversing with me in the rifle trench, Capt. Sunil got up to light a cigarette. I had forewarned him that lighting cigarettes could be dangerous. He must have taken a puff when his headsurfaced a few inches above the trench. A sniper bullet pierced through his scalp. Capt. Sunil Chandra breathed his last right in front of me. I took a headcount of my troops while lying in the trench itself. 11 of my brave boys had laid down their lives in the battle. I then could feel the heaviness in my heart. Finally on the morning of 19th October, 41st Brigade commanded by Brig. Manjit Singh arrived for our support. By then we had almost vanquished the enemy. A few of them had fled from their positions. For an operation that was supposed to last only 12 hours, we had fought relentlessly for 72 hours.

Uduvil, 25th January, 1988

Pursuant to the operations at Maruthanamadam and Anaicottai, Maj. Ganapathi was deputed to serve at the Army Headquarters at Uduvil. It was 8.30PM in the night of 25th of January. As usual, everyone in the camp were listening to news on the radio. A special bulletin was about to be broadcast. But none were aware of this and were eager to hear the news related to the Republic Day which was a day later.Then the announcement came on the radio that the ‘Indian Government had declared the Maha Vir Chakra for Maj. PS Ganapathi for exemplary courage demonstrated during the operations to clear Jaffna of LTTE militants and for the gallantry displayed during the operations to capture Maruthanamadam and Anaicottai’.

All his friends were elated and joyous. Congratulations poured in from his senior officers and staff. However,Ganapathi was reticent throughout. He neither felt proud for the award nor did he thank anyone.But he asked the only question that was haunting him. “You have bestowed the Maha Vir Chakra on me. But will it be possible to get back those 11 boys whom I lost?”

source: http://www.santoshthammaiah.wordpress.com / December 02nd, 2016

Cut-Outs Of Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar Jr. Stand Tall In Kodagu Villages

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Excitement building among fans at Gaddehalla and Kadanga as FIFA Qatar World Cup begins today

Kushalnagar:

With the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup beginning today, the world is set again after a gap of four years to witness the biggest and the most celebrated football festival and the game fever has reached every nook and corner of the globe. The FIFA World Cup will kick off in Qatar tonight (9.30 pm) with 32 teams battling for the highest honour in the month-long international football.

While the football mania has taken the neighbouring Kerala by storm where the game is close to the hearts of the people with hundreds of clubs at small and remote villages, the hill station of Kodagu too is gaining attention with a group of football lovers from remote village of Gaddehalla erecting huge cut-outs of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. in the village, attracting attention.

The cut-outs of seven-time Ballon d’Or winner (annual football award presented by French news magazine France Football since 1956) Messi from Argentina, Portuguese legend Ronaldo and Brazil star Neymar Jr. have been erected at Gandhi Circle at Gaddehalla. While Neymar’s cut-out is 15-ft, Ronaldo’s cut-out stands tall with 30-ft in height and Messi’s cut-out too stands tall with a height of 35 to 40 feet.

Cut-out at Kadanga too

Soon after youths of Gaddehalla near Suntikoppa erected the cut-outs of their idols, youths of Kadanga, another village in Kodagu erected a 30-ft cut-out of Ronaldo near the Kadanga Bus Stand Circle. Meanwhile, the Messi Fans Association in the village too are giving a final shape to the cut-out of Lionel Messi and it will be up when the World Cup begins. One more cut-out of Messi has been set up at Suntikoppa town.

Neymar Jr. will be playing in his third World Cup and Brazil is considered one of the favourites to win the tournament. This is his best chance to come out of the shadows of his two superstar peers — Messi and Ronaldo.

“We, the members of CR7 Fans, decided to erect the cut-outs of the three legends due to the attention they are receiving. Moreover, there has been so much talk about Messi and Ronaldo who are likely playing in the World Cup for the last time. Their memories will be cherished for a long time and it is our way of honouring them,” Zayid Abbas of Amity United Football Club and a die-hard fan of Ronaldo told Star of Mysore.

R-Day Tournament

Amity United Football Club was established seven years back and the club has 40 members between the age group of 15 to 35. “We are one among the 23 registered Football Clubs in Kodagu and apart from playing regularly in our own village and in the district against other clubs, we also travel to Kerala for tournaments,” he added.

Of the seven years, the club members just played tournaments for two years and in the last five years, they have been organising tournaments for Republic Day. “In 2023, we are organising a three-day tournament on Jan. 24, 25 and 26 and it will be floodlit football. We are aiming big and we are working out plans,” Zayid Abbas said.

Players of Amity United Football Club, Gaddehalla in Kodagu. The Club has 40 members.

60 trophies to their credit

Players from Amity United Football Club have won over 60 trophies in matches held at various places. “Unfortunately, we have received no encouragement either from the Government Sports Department, District Administration or the Sports Authority. We do not even have a proper ground to play. In fact, there is no football ground for that matter in Kodagu,” he regretted.

“Kodagu has over 23 registered Football Clubs and in each club, there will be a couple of good players and we can easily have more than 100 best players who can compete in State or National level Tournaments. The best among the best can represent India internationally. It is stifling and painful to see the neglect. The focus seems to be only on cricket while other sports are brushed aside,” he added.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News Top Stories / November 20th, 2022

True-blue Kodava : Saluting The Cariappas

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An invitation from Air Marshall K C Cariappa to join him and his wife Meena for dinner at his home was the highlight of my trip to Coorg.

There is something about the Air Force  men that arouse feelings of awe, and this strapping man was even more special. Not only because he was the son of Field Marshall K M Cariappa, but a hero who was once captured as a prisoner of war (Indo-Pak, Sept ’65) My colleagues and I left Mahindra Resort, where we were staying, in good time to be able to reach Roshanara, the ancestral home of the Cariappas in Madikeri. The appointed hour was “10 minutes past eight”.

Driving in the daytime in the Madekeri hills is tricky enough with endless stretches of narrow tree-lined roads, so you can imagine how it was at night. The dark seemed darker and we got quite lost on the hilly roads. Trying to find someone on the lonely path, to ask for directions, was a task in vain. , , , .

We were feeling pretty rotten because you just don’t keep people like the Cariappas waiting. Punctuality is the norm with them.

When we did reach our destination, gracious as he is, the Air Marshall was more concerned about our predicament rather than the fact that we messed up with his idea of  “an early dinner”. Brushing aside our apologies, he immediately put us at ease by introducing himself simply as Nanda and insisting we address him so. “Let´s get the drinks out of the way,” he said, “who is drinking, what?” he enquired, rubbing his hands.

The drinks order taken and quickly executed, he returned with a tray in hand and was leading us out the back door and into the back yard where chairs and tables were set, along with a two-seater metal swing under a fabric canopy, painted by his grandchildren.

“So! What brings you to Coorg, my Coorg?” he asked, eyes twinkling. I told him about the magazine and the popular UpperCrust Destination section that our readers look forward to, where we now planned to feature Coorg. But I didn’t tell him just then that I was hoping to include them too and that in my handbag I had a ´verrry´ serious camera.

Instead, I asked him when did he retire and how does it feel. “Oh, it’s been marvellous,” he said. “I retired on Jan 31, 1996 and drove down straight from Jodhpur, where I had given up charge. I reached Coorg on Feb 6 and have been here ever since. I hate leaving Coorg and do so only when I really have to. It’s strange, but just before you retire, you dread it, and now it’s been 15 years and I don’t know where they have gone!”

By and by as one conversation led to another, each of us felt more and more comfortable with the warmth that Meena and Nanda exuded. The night was chilly and we were sitting out in the open, under the stars which were shinning brilliantly in the clear skies. Pointing towards the sloping land and in the direction of the dark shadows, Nanda nonchalantly informed us that there could be wild animals right there. Brrr…

Roshanara is a house with character. Not a showcase kind of a house, but one which tells a tale. Where each artifact has a story to tell, a reason to be there.

I don’t normally ask for a tour of a house I am visiting, that too for the first time, but this one I was curious about.

“Chalo,” said Nanda Cariappa, when I asked if I could prowl around. And actually accompanied me. The anteroom was so rustic. Sports jackets and long coats, mufflers hanging on hooks, walking shoes and boots in another corner, hats, one with a feather stuck to it an a stand… not the kind of things we city people often see in homes. The large living room with a fire place “that works brilliantly and has never ever given us any problems” led to another sunken sitting room, painted a soft blue. The chandeliers, with delicate glass work were obviously antique, but then the house itself qualifies as heritage being 160-years old. “It’s been in our family since 1944. We have some nice drawings and water colours done by the different residents, it is a remarkable house. When Father bought it, it came with some 50-odd acres, but now after bequeathing some to my sister and other people, also the municipality, it´s down to 33, but it´s much more than enough,” said Nanda.

When I asked to be shown Field Marshall Cariappa’s favourite room I saw it was a modest room, opening to the garden and had many picture frames in it.

Again, each with a story. But one was extra special. An original black and white photograph of the Himalayan range with Mount Everest Massif with signatures of members of the first expedition, including those of Edward Hillary, Tenzing Norway and Capt John Hunt. It was then and with some trepidation that I checked if I could click some photographs. Nanda Cariappa looked at me, paused for just a moment and then said a quiet, ‘yes’ and I got to work as inconspicuously as possible. I respect people like Nanda who though fiercely private will not make a fuss about it. It was in that instant that I was reminded of another photo shoot, the very first cover story of this magazine, in 1999.

Co-incidentally it was  with Air Marshall Idris Latif and Begum Bilkis Latif in their house in Hyderabad. Publicity shy as they were too, they could not refuse a request from Behram and I. Latif´s only plea was could we eat without interruption the Hyderabadi food which his wife had lovingly cooked. And could I shoot pictures of them and their guests, after we had eaten lunch?

Keeping that memory in mind, I put my camera away after taking just two pictures at the dining table. Some things we have to save in the memory chip of our mind’s eye.

Dinner was typical Coorg fare. Meena is a good cook. Used to entertaining, she had set a good table and at such short notice. But she was apologetic. And invited us to come again when she would do better. Naw…

After dinner, with GJ (Gulab Jamun) nestling in the Air Marshall´s arms and Tojo at his feet, we again sat talking and discussing everything under the sun (moon, actually), like old friends. Life in Coorg, life after retirement, food, wine, music, travel, religions of the world.

Both Meena and Nanda love the quiet life in Coorg. They are happy to spend time by themselves and few close friends. Nanda enjoys his golf, and sometimes goes angling. He used to ride, but has now got himself a mountain bike, which he loves to ride. He likes wearing the traditional Coorg kupiya when he goes for weddings.

At home, at night they both love to listen to Indian Classical Music. Nanda writes a fair amount for journals on subjects like Wild Life, Environment and International Relations. He had in fact spent four months in the U.S. in 2001 writing a paper on ‘Confidence Building Measures’, between India and Pakistan, a collaborative exercise with a fellow Air Marshall from Pakistan. The paper, due to the many unfortunate events (read terror activities) that took place around and since that time, got shelved. A pity.

For the present, Nanda Cariappa finds solace in trekking. Which he says he discovered only after retiring. Every year he goes into the Himalayas for two weeks of intensive walking and climbing. The next one in August is already planned right down to the last detail.

Lastly, I learned that Nanda is pretty fascinated by two other religions, Islam and Sikhism. He reads the Quran in the ´Roman English´ version  and its translation in English, going to the local mosque for clarifications from the maulvi, if he does not understand something.

He even recommended a book he was currently reading; Foundation of Islam, The Making of a World Faith by Benjamin Walker. He is so influenced by Islam, his speech is peppered by Insha’allah and Masha’allah.

Come to think of it, when we were leaving, he had said, Khuda Hafiz.

Well, Khuda Hafiz dear Nanda, phir milenge, Insha’allah.

source: http://www.uppercrustindia.com / Upper Crust / Home> True Blood Kodava / July-Sept 2015

Bags Medical Design Excellence Award

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Madikeri:

Palandira Vichal Muthanna has won the Medical Design Excellence Award-2019 with her team. The team stood third in national-level competition “BMEidea-2019” where teams across the United States with new innovative medical technologies participated.

The award ceremony was held at Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre, New York, on June 11.  During her research at the University of Michigan, Vichal and her team developed a new device called ‘KalEYEdoscope’ to track the progression of a condition called ‘Age-related Macular Degeneration’

Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the world and currently there is no device in the market to help track its progression on a regular basis. The award was in recognition of their work in the development of this innovative, simple and novel medical device and in support to further develop the same.

Palandira Vichal is an M.Tech in Bio-Medical Signal Processing and Instrumentation from BMS Engineering College in Bengaluru. Earlier, she had invented a device to monitor the vitals of both mother and child during labour. The device invented by Vichal not only monitored the vital parameters of both mother and child, but also raised an alarm in case of any fluctuations so that the doctors and medical staff can rush to the patient’s rescue.

Vichal completed her early education in St. Joseph’s Girls High School, Madikeri and higher secondary education at Vidyaniketan PU College, Gonikoppal. She did her engineering from Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering in Mysuru and M. Tech from BMS College of Engineering in 2015.

Vichal is the daughter of Palandira Jaya Muthanna and Mithuna Dechamma (daughter of Mukkatira Doremani Ponnappa) of Murnad in Kodagu district and grand-daughter of Karnataka Rajyotsava Awardee late Palandira Devaiah.

In her academics, Vichal was the co-ordinator for the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) for 4 years from 2009-2013. She was the Branch Association (IMPULSE) Co-ordinator for two years in Vidyavardhaka from 2011-2013. She won the Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award -2006 from Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) – Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions (SRISTI) for her project ‘Device for Intrapartum MaternoFetal Care.’

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 21st, 2019

Will never forget the reception in India after winning 1975 World Cup, says BP Govinda

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Will never forget the reception in India after winning 1975 World Cup, says BP Govinda - Hockey India

BP Govinda is very impressed by the Indian Men’s Hockey Team’s attacking unit. 

New Delhi :

With less than 100 days to go for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar-Rourkela 2023, the anticipation to witness the world’s best hockey players at one of the world’s most preferred hockey destinations – Odisha, is only increasing by each passing day. While the Indian team carries out their preparations to end the medal drought in the prestigious event, it’s time for the hockey fans to relive the memories from India’s historic World Cup campaigns through Hockey India’s Flashback Series – World Cup Special.  

Through these Series of articles leading up to the marquee event in Odisha, Hockey India will bring you thoughts, anecdotes and trivia from Indian Hockey Legends who ruled the world with their wizardry and panache.  

Winner of the Silver Medal in the 1973 World Cup held in Amsterdam in Netherlands, and the Gold Medal in the 1975 World Cup held at Kuala Lumpur, the legendary BP Govinda recalls his memories from the years gone by.  

One of the most crucial cogs in the system for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team in the 1973 and 1975 World Cups, it was BP Govinda who ensured a berth in the Final at Amsterdam with the winner against Pakistan in the Semi-Final. The former forward terms that semi-final as one the best games in what was a decorated career.  

“The Semi-Final against Pakistan is one of the best matches of my life. We won that game by one goal, and I scored the winner. I reverse flicked the ball and the keeper didn’t know where the ball was going and it went and hit the roof of the net. It was regarded widely as one of the best goals, by my teammates and the media,” he recalled.  

“People used to love watching India and Pakistan in hockey when we were playing, we had full stadiums.”   

Unmissable on the field of play due to his stylish long hair, Govinda said that the Indian Men’s Hockey Team believed that playing as a unit would always yield results. “Our team always had the thought process where we believed, no matter how strong the other team is, if we play as a team, we can achieve anything. Whether it was a practice match or tournament, I always played to win.”  

Speaking about his camaraderie with the Captain of the 1973 team, MP Ganesh, the former forward said, “As a Captain, he was very straightforward and he would ask the players to play according to the plan. He wouldn’t scold any one, but he would tell everyone to go all out for the win, all the games. He used to guide all the players.”  

Turning his attention to the glorious 1975 World Cup campaign in Kuala Lumpur, Govinda, who was considered to be among the fastest players at the time, recalled the love the team received from the fans.  

“We outclassed Pakistan in the Final and the stadium was full with plenty of fans. When we came back to India, people told us that commentators made them feel like they were in the stadium and not listening in another part of the world.”  

“I remember landing in New Delhi, and the fans were there with drums and they carried all of us. I don’t know where we finally went and landed, but it was definitely well outside the airport. It was a reception that I will never forget. I remember coming out of the aircraft and then the fans took over, we hadn’t got a chance to get our baggage either.”  

‘Indian Men’s Hockey Team Will Not be Easy to Beat’ 

A former national selector himself, Govinda is quite impressed with the Indian Men’s Hockey Team and noted that they would not make an easy opposition at the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. India have been drawn in Group D along with Wales, Spain and England.  

“I think the current Indian Men’s Hockey Team is quite fit. And I think our forward line is playing well and I think the strikers have also improved a lot. It was nice to see the team scoring more field goals.”  

“In the upcoming FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, I think the Indian Men’s Hockey Team is not an easy one to beat. They will give a good fight to each and every top team who are taking part in the World Cup,” he signed off. 

Link to video of BP Govinda taking us down memory lane – 

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Twitter:   https://twitter.com/TheHockeyIndia/status/1588059595045380096?s=20&t=8tOG46MQ8X2zdVBp_y0N8w 

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source: http://www.hockeyindia.org / Hockey India / Home / November 03rd, 2022

Indian Naval Prowess On Display At ‘Sunny Side’

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  • Vice Admiral adds new Navy attractions to Gen. K.S. Thimayya Museum at Madikeri
  • Modules of INS Shivalik, Sindhughosh Class submarine and AK230 Navy gun mount

Madikeri:

The INS Shivalik (F47) ship module was declared open for public viewing at ‘Sunny Side,’ General Kodandera S. Thimayya’s house in Madikeri that has been converted into a Museum and a War Memorial.

The 24-feet model, along with a Russian-made AK230 Navy gun mount (anti-aircraft gun) and a module of Sindhughosh Class submarine had arrived at the museum two weeks ago and they were dedicated by Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command yesterday. He was accompanied by his wife Roopa Dasgupta.

The modules were brought to Madikeri from Visakhapatnam Naval Base. INS Shivalik is designed to escape detection by normal radars and surveillance equipment and is one of the formidable stealth frigates in naval prowess. Apart from India, only the US, Russia, UK, France, Sweden, Japan, Italy and China have the capability to build stealth warships of this size and class.

Impressed by the museum and also the culture of Armed Forces in Kodagu, Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta said that the district has emerged as an inspiration to thousands of youth to join the Defence Forces. He said that it was an honour for him to inaugurate critical exhibits at the museum.

On the INS Shivalik, he said that the frigate was built in India and is one among the many warships built by India. “Shivalik was built at Mazagaon Dock. India has four public sector Defence shipyards — Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (Mumbai), Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (Kolkata), Goa Shipyard Limited (Goa) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (Visakhapatnam). The Cochin Shipyard is also capable of making warships and INS Virat was built there,” he said.

Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum Convener Major (Retd.) Biddanda Nanda Nanjappa (extreme left), Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command and his wife Roopa Dasgupta, Forum President retired Colonel Kandrathanda C. Subbaiah, Rear Admiral Iychettira B. Uthaiah and Madikeri Tahsildar Mahesh at the helipad in Madikeri when the guests arrived

‘Aatma Nirbhar’ Bharat

“The first indigenous warship was built by the Indian Navy in the 1960s where the concept of ‘Aatma Nirbhar’ Bharat was diligently followed. In the future, the Navy has plans to build  41 warships in the Indian Shipyards and 39 will be fully indigenous. Moreover these are the most advanced machines that have a formidable fire power that can shatter any other powerful ships of any country,” he said.

Giving a patient ear to the office-bearers of the Field Marshal Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum that played a pivotal role in converting the rickety house of the celebrated General that once housed the RTO office into a swanky museum, Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta said that the dedication of the Forum, the respect shown by the people of Kodagu to the Armed Forces and also the dedication towards preserving heritage were commendable and inspirational.

Picture shows the dignitaries inside the ‘Sunny Side’ Museum.

AK230 Navy gun mount

On the AK230 Navy gun mount, he said that it has been designed to engage air and surface targets, such as anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters, other types of air strike weapons, as well as small-size surface ships. It can fire 2,000 bullets from its barrel in one minute. The Navy still uses such guns and also the advanced ones, he added.

He appreciated Rear Admiral Iychettira B. Uthaiah for his efforts in bringing in the Navy equipment to the museum. The module of the Sindhughosh Class submarine was unfurled by Rear Admiral Uthaiah who handed it over to Major General (Retd.) Kuppanda Nanjappa of the Forum.  

CDS late Gen. Bipin Rawat remembered

Forum President retired    Colonel Kandrathanda C. Subbaiah narrated the story of establishing the museum and recalled the contribution of late Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, late Lieutenant General Biddanda C. Nanda and former Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag. A minute’s silence was observed in honour of Bipin Rawat, his wife and other officers and soldiers who were killed in the recent chopper crash at Coonoor.

Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Dr. B.C. Satish presented a ‘thook bolcha’ (traditional Kodava lamp) to Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta and his wife while Lieutenant General Pattacheruvanda Thimmaiah presented ‘Odikathi’ (traditional sword of Kodavas) to Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta and also to Rear Admiral Uthaiah.

Before dedicating the Navy war machine modules, the dignitaries paid respects to the Amar Jawan War Memorial. They later went around the museum and were impressed by the collection

Forum Convener Major (Retd.) Biddanda Nanda Nanjappa, officer from Visakhapatnam Naval Base Nishanth B. Badoria, Kannada and Culture Department Director Darshana, SP Kshama Mishra, Sainik School Principal Col. G. Kannan, Vice-Principal Lt. Col. Seemanth Tripati, Squadron Leader R.K. Dey, students of the school and a large number of uniformed retired soldiers were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 14th, 2021

Arun Machaiah At Commonwealth Karate Championship

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion, ,

Mysore/Mysuru: 

C.S. Arun Machaiah, former MLC, Hon. President of Mysore Karate Association, senior Vice-President of Karate India Organisation and President of Akhila Karnataka Sports Karate Association, is representing Team India at the 10th Commonwealth Karate Championship being held at Birmingham in London (UK) from today (Sept. 7).

The 70-member Indian Team of Karatekas, led by Arun Machaiah, left for London last Sunday. A total of 70 countries are expected to take part in the Championship.

Arun Machaiah has represented India in various International Karate Championships across the globe and has brought laurels to the country.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 07th, 2022

Tennis: Rohan Bopanna finishes runner-up in European Open men’s doubles

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The second-seeded men’s doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop finished as the runners-up at the European Open.

Rohan Bopanna(right) and Matwe Middelkoop / @Twitter

The second-seeded men’s doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop, on Sunday, finished as the runners-up at the ATP 250 European Open. The Indo-Dutch pair went down 6-3, 3-6, 5-10 to the all Dutch pair of Tallon Grieskspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp in the a hard-fought final.

Bopanna and Middelkoop started well as they broke right in the second game of the first set. The Indo-Dutch pair then cruised to win the first set 6-3, but Grieskspoor and Zandschulp were too hot to handle for the remainder of the contests.

During the duration of the match, Bopanna and Middelkoop hit nine aces and converted 3 out of their 4 break points. They had earlier reached the final with a hard fought 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 10-7 win over Sander Arends and David Pel in the semifinal.

Rohan Bopanna and Matwe Middelkoop had combined to lift the men’s doubles title at Tel Aviv Open earlier this month.

source: http://www.thebridge.in / The Bridge / Home> Tennis / by The Bridge Desk / October 24th, 2022