Kongetira Mireille Chengappa, aged 86 years, wife of Maj. Gen. Kongetira M. Chengappa and daughter of General Kodandera S. Thimayya, passed away in Bengaluru at 7 pm yesterday. She leaves behind her son K.C. Belliappa and daughter Amrita.
Last rites will be performed at Hebbal crematorium in Bengaluru today at 6 pm, said family sources.
General Kodandera Subayya Thimayya served as the Chief of Army Staff from 1957 to 1961 in the crucial years leading up to the conflict with China in 1962.
Mireille was born in 1936 and Gen. Thimayya and his wife Nina (from Codanda family) named her Mireille as Nina was sent to France for schooling as a 13-year-old. She stayed there for 5 years and found the name Mireille popular in France.
Mireille studied at Bishop Cotton Girls School in Bengaluru for a brief period before she went to Woodstock at Mussoorie and later had a stint at J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai
Her son (Gen. Thimayya’s grandson) Belliappa lives in Bengaluru and is married to Nicole, a professional photographer. The General’s granddaughter Amrita is married to a German and they live near Almora in Uttaranchal.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> January 14th, 2023
The throwball team of Sree Igguthappa Kodava Kshemabhivrudhi Sangha, Hebbal, which won Dr. Adengada A. Kuttappa Memorial Throwball Tournament organised by Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Mysuru, at Sree Cauvery School Grounds in Kuvempunagar recently, is seen posing with the trophy.
Others seen are chief guest Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah, President, Sri Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha, Mysuru.
Guests of honour Mechanda M. Shashi Ponnappa, President, Kodava Samaja, Mysuru; Kekada M. Belliappa, Chairman, Sree Cauvery Educational Institutions, Mysuru; Adengada Geetha Kuttappa and Kuttimada D. Muthappa, President, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club, Mysuru.
source:http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / January 09th, 2023
Author P.T. Bopanna decided to promote ‘role models’ by conducting an annual poll to select a ‘Coorg Person of Year’ to ‘reignite the famed leadership qualities in the community’.
Rashmika Mandanna achieved phenomenal success with the pan-India movie Pushpa – The Rise, and drew the spotlight on the tiny hill district of Kodagu, also known as Coorg, a popular tourist destination inhabited by Kodavas, who have a unique culture. | Photo Credit: PTI
Actor Rashmika Mandanna has been chosen as the Coorg Person of the Year 2022 in a poll conducted by www.coorgtourisminfo.com, a news portal based in the district of Kodagu.
Sharing the details, author P.T. Bopanna, who runs the news portal, said he decided to promote ‘role models’ by conducting an annual poll in 2005 to select a ‘Coorg Person of Year’ to ‘reignite the famed leadership qualities in the community’.
This year, the choice was Rashmika Mandanna, who achieved phenomenal success with the pan-India movie Pushpa- The Rise, and drew the spotlight on the tiny hill district of Kodagu, also known as Coorg, a popular tourist destination inhabited by Kodavas, who have a unique culture.
“Rashmika, who has become a household name through her acting and dancing skills, has emerged as an unofficial brand ambassador for Kodagu culture,” said Mr. Bopanna. She did her schooling at Coorg Public School, Gonikoppal, in Kodagu, before earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Journalism and English Literature at M.S. Ramaiah College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Bengaluru.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 03rd, 2022
Journalist and author P T Bopanna has launched his new book ‘Coorg Role Models’, which profiles the winners of the ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ title from 2005 to 2020.
Bopanna has authored eight books so far, including the Gourmand award-winning book ‘The Romance of Indian Coffee’ and the bestselling books – ‘Are Kodavas (Coorg) Hindus?’ and ‘Rise and Fall of the Coorg State’.
About his latest book, Bopanna said, “Kodavas, a microscopic minority community hailing from Kodagu (Coorg) in Karnataka, were once known for their leadership qualities. This Kodava trait of being natural leaders was very much evident in the Defence Services, and Kodagu came to be known as the ‘Land of the Generals’.”
“However, in the last few decades, the community has not produced many truly outstanding men and women, except in the arena of sports. As a chronicler of Kodagu, I felt that one of the reasons for their inability to play a leadership role was the absence of enough role models in the community,” he said.
“With a view to reigniting the famed leadership qualities in the community, I promoted the concept of ‘Coorg Person of the Year’ in 2005. The selection of the Coorg person was made on the basis of a poll I conducted through my portal www.coorgtourisminfo.com,” he added.
The selection was not confined to the Kodava community but included all residents of Coorg. For instance, one of the joint winners of the title in 2018 was industrialist Ashok Kumar Shetty, who donated part of his land to the government for building a road that was damaged by the floods and landslides of 2018. Another winner is Dr S V Narasimhan, the birdman of Coorg, he said.
The book features the achievements of the winners of the Coorg Person title. It is published by Rolling Stone Publications. The foreword for the book is written by Preeth Ganapathy, who is an officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). She is currently posted as Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Bangalore.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by P T Bopanna / DHNS, Madikeri / July 06th, 2021
Squadron Leader Ajjamada B. Devayya, the only Indian Air Force (IAF) Officer to be posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), was remembered on Sept. 7 in Madikeri and his valiant actions were recalled by war veterans, defence personnel and political leaders. It has been 57 years since his supreme sacrifice.
They had gathered at the 6-feet-9-inch bronze statue of the Squadron Leader installed at the Old Private Bus Stand Circle and paid their respects. The statue has been mounted on a pedestal.
The event in Madikeri was organised by Kodava Makkada Koota and the members of Ajjamada family. Speaking at the ceremony, Air Marshal (Retd.) Kodandera Nanda Cariappa recalled the bravery displayed by Devayya who came from the tiny district of Kodagu.
“Let us not restrict the Squadron Leader to the Kodava community. He is India’s valiant son and deserves that recognition. He is a role model even now, more than 50 years after his death,” he said.
Katti Mandaiah, President of Ajjamada B. Devayya Memorial Trust, said that it was a proud moment to pay homage to a leader under his huge bronze statue.
Devayya showed dare-devilry at the young age of 32.
The bronze statue weighs 600 kg and Rs. 20 lakh was spent on getting it carved at Kengeri near Bengaluru. The statue installation work was supported by Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum, Kodava Makkada Koota. Thanks to the efforts of all, the Old Private Bus Stand Circle is officially called Squadron Leader Ajjamada B. Devayya Circle, he recalled.
Former MLC Shantheyanda Veena Achaiah, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Dr. B.C. Sathish Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum President Col. (Retd.) Kandrathanda Subbaiah, Kodava Makkada Koota President Bollajira B. Aiyappa, Kodagu Superintendent of Police Malachira A. Aiyappa, President of Akhila Karnataka Retired Soldiers Association (Kodagu) Kottukathira B. Somanna and other dignitaries also spoke.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 10th, 2022
World Tennis League in Dubai gives Indian ace chance to hit and train with some of the best in the business.
Rohan Bopanna and Iga Swiatek. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
It was a memorable outing for Rohan Bopanna as he competed with some of the very best players in the world — men and women — in a relaxed atmosphere in the World Tennis League in Dubai.
“I had the best seat with them on the sidelines, listening to what they were thinking’”, said Bopanna. “They trained during the day with their coaches, and in the evening competed in a nice easy way. We had DJs performing later, which made for a very enjoyable atmosphere”, recalled Bopanna.
Season start in Pune
With his schedule packed till the Davis Cup tie against Denmark, Bopanna said he was back home for a few days in Bengaluru, before going to Pune for the Maharashtra Open ATP event to start the season.
“I spoke to Holger Rune during the league. He said he would play the Davis Cup tie against us. With a top-10 player like him in the squad, it becomes very difficult for us, especially away from home”, said Bopanna.
Not ruling out India’s chances, Bopanna felt the Indian players had to rise above their level to make a match of it.
The World League also gave Bopanna a chance to hit with some top players, including women’s World No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
“She did come across as an affectionate and warm person. She is very consistent, and the backhand is her money shot. The top spin on the forehand, she hits pretty deep”, observed Bopanna.
With Swiatek’s coach Tomasz Wiktorowski requesting Bopanna to speak up if he noticed anything in her game, Bopanna was happy to share his insight into sharpening her volleys.
“The coach may have been telling her the same. But when I say, it is a different voice, and leads to a different perception. She is a quick learner and was able to execute better volleys, stepping in. She was sweet to acknowledge my help”, said Bopanna.
van de Zandschulp’s injury
Ranked No. 19 in the world, the 42-year-old Bopanna said he was happy to partner a top-35 singles player, Botic van de Zandschulp for the ATP event in Pune. He was glad that his regular partner for the new season, Wimbledon champion Matthew Ebden had recovered from injury and would be competing in the first tournament in Adelaide.
“We will be partnering in the second tournament in Adelaide and continue thereafter”, said Bopanna.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Tennis / by Kamesh Srinivasan / December 27th, 2022
Former minister and JDS MLA G T Devegowda inaugurated sports and talent award and anniversary celebration of Kodagu Gowda Kshemabhivrudhdhi Sangha at the auditorium of Kodagu Gowda Samaja, Vijayanagar second stage in the city on Sunday.
“Kodavas in Mysuru have been leading a better life. The students should focus on government jobs apart from securing good marks”.
Kadagu Gowda Sangha President Nadumane Changappa, Vice- president Beppurana Gayatri, honorary secretary Bolana Jayaprasad, assistant secretary Nidyamale Nandesh, treasurer Ponnappana Apaiah and others were present.
source: http://www.mysoorunews.com / Mysooru News / Home> Mysooru / by News Desk / December 14th, 2022
In 2022, Daisy Bopanna wants to be more self-aware. The actress says, “What I mean by ‘awareness’ is to be conscious about my action. Be conscious about situations around me and take responsible action and responsible decisions in life.”
She says she is usually not the resolution kind of a person, but since the year 2018, she’s been following this resolution quite consistently.
She adds, “In today’s world, we live in so much chaos, there’s a lot of noise around. People keep telling you what to do on social media, what not to do. You know, you’re always being influenced by a lot of people.”
Daisy added, “In this world, there’s good and there’s bad and the volume is up on both sides. I think being self-aware and just generally conscious about everything that I do is something I would love to enhance in this coming year and the years after, that’s it.”
source: http://www.tribuneindia.com / The Tribune / Home> Entertainment / January 02nd, 2022
“Unfortunately, I am the only top-100 doubles player in the camp”, says Bopanna, as he points out that Ramkumar Ramanathan (71), Saketh Myneni (84) and Yuki Bhambri (96) are missing the camp.
Photo of Doubles tennis camp in Dubai. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Rohan Bopannais the best doubles player in the country, by a mile. Ranked 19, the former world No.3, is busy tuning the quality of doubles in the country with a preparatory camp in Dubai.
“Unfortunately, I am the only top-100 doubles player in the camp”, says Bopanna, as he points out that Ramkumar Ramanathan (71), Saketh Myneni (84) and Yuki Bhambri (96) are missing the camp.
“Ramkumar has his own reason. Saketh and Yuki were scheduled to join but are injured”, observed Bopanna, who has channelised support from Pune Metropolitan District Tennis Association (PMDTA) and KPIT for the camp.
The support ensures that the players just about buy their ticket to Dubai which Bopanna felt was important as he keeps insisting on players investing on their tennis to get better.
“We are having the camp in Dubai so that the players are out of their comfort zone, away from family distractions, and focus on best preparation for the season. Apart from the ATP event in Pune, there are a few Challengers in the country”, said Bopanna.
Purav Raja, Divij Sharan, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan, Sriram Balaji,Anirudh Chandrashekhar, Vijay Sundar Prashanth, Arjun Kadhe would all be in the camp along with Toshihide Matsui of Japan and Fernando Ramboli of Brazil.
“Parikshit Somani and Sai Karteek Reddy wanted to join and we agreed. The leading singles players are having their coaches and plans”, said Bopanna, as he explained the reason for having a doubles camp.
Most of the players have the ability to break through to the next level but the idea is to help them sustain a good level.
“They all know how to play doubles. They can improve their technique and work as a team. The camp basically gives them a different perspective”, he said.
Interestingly, four courts at the Sania Mirza Academy in Dubai are being utilised, with the camp being conducted during midday to avoid disturbing the regular training schedule. Jeff Coetzee and M Balanchandran are the coaches, along with physios Gaurang Shukla and Manish Singh, apart from strength and conditioning coach Ashish Borkar.
“Some Kazakh players are also training in Dubai in a different place. We will have some matches, sets etc.”, remarked Bopanna.
“My coach Scott Davidoff is here in Dubai. We assembled yesterday. We could have started earlier, but waited for the players to finish their league commitments. The camp will finish on December 23, so that players can reach Pune and get acclimated to the conditions for the ATP event. Or reach home for a few days before starting the season again”, said Bopanna.
In the absence of Matthew Ebden, Bopanna would be partnering 35th ranked singles player, Botic van de Zandschulp of Holland for doubles in Pune.
source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / Sportstar / Home> Tennis / by Kamesh Srinivasan / December 13th, 2022
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