Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and Rohan Murty, have together contributed Rs 1.5 crore towards a corpus that former students of Bengaluru’s Bishop Cottons Boys School are building for retired staff members of their school.
Murty, son of the other Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy, and Nilekani are among the scores of illustrious citizens the school has produced in its 150-year history. The alumni are confident the corpus will grow in size.
An announcement about the fund, and Nilekani’s anchor donation of Rs 50 lakh, was made by Aditya Sondhi, another old Cottonian, and Managing Trustee of General K.S.Thimayya Memorial Trust at the school on Saturday on the occasion of 11th General KSThimayya memorial lecture. (The general was a Cottonian too, and this year’s lecture was delivered by Rahul Rao, lecturer in politics at the University of London, and Rohan Murty himself.)
Murty, who has announced a cheque of Rs 1 crore, said the teachers and other staff members have given 30-40 years of their life to the service of the school and its students. “I was very touched by the initiative. And, when i heard about Nandan’s contribution, i decided i should also emulate him. I hope more people will come forward, and contribute,” Murthy said, and added, “The fund is our way of expressing our gratitude to our teachers and other staff members.”
The fund is reflective of the strong bond that exists between the school’s former students and staff in all ranks including those worked as lab assistants, attendants etc. “We thought we should provide an opportunity for ex-students to express their gratitude and affection towards the teachers and others,” said CN Kumar, a Cottonian from the 1970 batch, Nilekani’s classmate.
Kumar runs a startup consultancy called Advantage Offshore Knowledge Services, and serves on the Thimayya Memorial Trust.
In addition to annual cash rewards to retired staffers, the fund —which Kumar hopes will grow to at least Rs 5 crore — will meet expenses arising out of medical emergencies of retired staffers and the education needs of their children. Contributions to the trust are eligible for income tax exemption.
The school, which is an old Bengaluru landmark, has produced many stalwarts including former chief of naval staff Admiral Vijay Singh Shekhawat, nuclear scientist Raja Ramanna and cricketer Brijesh Patel.
On Saturday, the Trust gave away Rs 1 lakh each to retired staffers Iqbal Ahmed (NCC commandant), Channappa Gowda (Kannad Novea teacher) Antony (pantry helper) and J Martin (lab assistant).
source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / ET Home> News> Company> Corporate Trends / by K R Balasubramanyam, ET Bureau / November 23rd, 2015
What would life be without spicy food, ice-creams, perfumes, fragrant flowers, late-night parties and alcohol? Ask Sunalini Menon, who swears by this regimen.
No, she’s not a health freak or someone prone to allergies. She’s been practising abstinence for the sake of her passion, which is also her profession.
Asia’s first and only woman professional in the field of coffee cupping (tasting), Sunalini has experienced the aroma of several thousands of coffee types and spent a considerable time in the fields. “I love ice-creams and soft drinks but they affect my taste buds. My profession requires them to be extremely sensitive. So, I steer clear of cold food items or beverages,” she said. The chief executive of Coffeelab, one of India’s largest coffee exporters, Sunalini spoke to TOI on the ocassion of Coffee Santhe, a three-day carnival hosted by Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath.
Restraint and discipline are core attributes of a good coffee cupper. “It is essential to preserve the palate, the instrument vital for coffee tasting. We’re advised to avoid spicy food. Alcohol and smoking are a strict no no. Late nights and poor health can be a hindrance to the job,” she explained.
Coffee cuppers have to perform regular tongue exercises not only to keep their taste buds active but also to pick up foreign flavours. “Cupping with experts from other parts of the world helps calibrate one’s potential and understand the coffee produce of other countries. One also needs to perceive through the eyes, nose and palate of other cuppers,” she said.
Habituated to taking a sip and playfully swirling the liquid in her mouth before spitting, Sunalini said her job doesn’t allow her to swallow the coffee, however aromatic and delicious it be. “Coffee can have the distinct enzymatic flavours of apples, apricots, peaches and berries; sugar-browning flavours of chocolate, caramel, honey or those of spices like clove and pepper. It is an inborn acuity of taste, knowledge, experience, memory and good communication skills which help the cupper differentiate one flavour from another,” she said.
Sunalini, who entered the male bastion decades ago, said her journey hasn’t been easy. “I wasn’t lucky enough to be handheld when learning the tricks of the trade. I had to learn on my own, especially the chemistry of the coffee bean. It took a long time for me to be accepted into the fold, but once there, you are in,” she said.
Cupping as a Career
There are certifications for coffee tasters issued by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE). The SCAA issues two types of certificates. One is called the Licensed ‘Q’ grader and the other, the Licensed ‘R’ grader. The ‘Q’ grader licence is a certificate for proficiency in evaluating arabica coffees and the ‘R’ grader for proficiency in evaluating robusta coffees,” said Sunalini.
She admitted that coffee tasting as a career could have some limitations.
“To overcome them, one needs to perhaps complement tasting with other jobs such growing, roasting or marketing coffee,” she said.Coffee tasting is more of a passion; it may not help you financially, especially in the first 10 or 12 years. Credibility comes only through knowledge and experience,” Sunalini signed off.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / by Sreemoyee Chatterjee, TNN / September 26th, 2015
The senior members of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru (sitting from left): Machura N. Kaveriappa, Napanda U. Aiyappa, Kakamada Ganga Chengappa, Bottolanda M. Ponnanna and Ponjanda S. Arjuna, who were felicitated with a shawl, garland and memento at the annual get-together held at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Community Hall in city yesterday, are seen with (standing from left) Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah (Hon. Secretary, Sree Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha); Thambanda Neena Devaiah (Jt. Secretary, Kodava Samaja); Balyamanda Sarasu Nanaiah (President, Sree Kaveri Kodagu Mahila Sangha); Chembanda Nanjamma (President, Kodagu Sahakara Sangha); Mechanda Mithra Karumbaiah; Mechanda M. Karumbaiah (President, Kodava Samaja); chief guest Kambeyanda C. Biddappa (retired Senior Vice-President, ITC); Moovera K. Kuttappa (Vice-President, Kodava Samaja); Kekada M. Belliappa (Hon. Secretary, Kodava Samaja); Kuppanda P. Subbaiah (Treasurer, Kodava Samaja) and Prof. Kambeyanda C. Belliappa (Chairman, Sree Cauvery Educational Institution)
Mysuru :
The annual Kail-Poldh get-together was celebrated at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Community Hall in Vijayanagar 1st stage here yesterday under the auspices of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru.
The day-long programme began with Ayyalapanda Pattu Pemmaiah performing Ayudha Puja to the traditional weapons of Kodavas. Kail-Poldh festival is celebrated in Kodagu during the end of the paddy sowing. Kail means weapon or armoury and Poldh means worship. The festival also signifies the day that men should prepare to guard their crop. Hence, on the Kail-Poldh day, the weapons are taken out of the puja room, cleaned and puja is offered.
Kambeyanda C. Biddappa, retired Senior Vice-President, ITC Ltd., who was the chief guest, felicitated eminent Kodavas and senior members of the Samaja in recognition of their service to the Samaja and the society.
Speaking on the occasion, K.C. Biddappa said that higher education was the most important enabler for all-round development of a community. He then said it was unfortunate that while Kodava students in urban areas are doing well academically their rural counterparts are lagging behind and needed help.
“These rural poor Kodava students need support from the community, and organisations like Kodava Samaja, Coorg Education Fund and Deena Bandhu Charitable Trust should help poor Kodava students without making merit the only criteria,” he added.
Stating that in most of the district head quarters every community has hostels to help their poor students to study with free boarding, lodging and financial support, he rued that there was not a single Kodava hostel any where. “If only we were to have Kodava hostels in Madikeri , Mysuru and Bengaluru, a lot of poor Kodava students would have benefited and progressed,” he opined.
Referring to the dwindling population of the community in Kodagu, he said Kodavas are losing relevance in their own homeland and that the Government does not bother because Kodavas are not a vote-bank.
Stating that Kodava population in Kodagu is just between 80,000 and 90,000, he said to become relevant Kodavas needed to take the support of all the moolanivasis of Kodagu like Peggade, Iri, Amma Kodava and other original inhabitants.
“We should all unite and take up our cause under one umbrella to create a sustainable and significant vote-bank, then only the Government will respond to our demands,” he said.
Biddappa reiterated that Kodavas must be united and said if Kodavas have to survive then they should focus on higher education and support poor Kodava students.
The senior members, who were felicitated by the Samaja are: Napanda U. Aiyappa, an exserviceman; Machura N. Kaveriappa, also an exserviceman; Bottolanda M. Ponnanna, who runs a private business; Ponjanda S. Arjuna, retired Circle Inspector and recipient of Chief Minister’s and President’s Medal and Kakamada Ganga Chengappa, who runs Swastha, a school for specially-abled children in Sunticoppa, Kodagu and recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award for service to special kids. The above achievers were introduced by Mandira P. Kalaiah, Ammatanda Madhu Medappa, Machanda S. Muthappa, Thambanda Neena Devaiah and Kekada M. Belliappa respectively.
Replying to felicitations, the senior members, who are actively involved in the Samaja activities, called upon the Samaja, area-wise Kodava Associations and the community members to preserve and promote the unique Kodava art, culture and tradition by encouraging the Kodava youth to come forward and pursue the same.
On the occasion, various scholarships instituted by the Samaja members were presented to meritorious Kodava students (from 7th std. to Post-Graduation) and achievers in sports.
Kattera A. Kariappa, former President of Kodava Samaja and President of Deena Bandhu Charitable Trust, Mysuru, who also spoke, sought the support of the Samaja members to the Trust, which has been helping poor and needy Kodava students in their studies.
Earlier, Keethiyanda Kavya Kuttappa, Ketolira Bhavani and Appanderanda Thara rendered the invocation. Samaja President Mechanda M. Karumbaiah welcomed and presided. Treasurer Kuppanda P. Subbaiah read the names of the deceased members after which a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed souls.
Ponnachanda S. Bheemaiah read the names of the scholarship awardees.
Vice-President Moovera K. Kuttappa introduced the chief guest.
Ponjanda Lovely Appaiah compered and proposed a vote of thanks.
Hundreds of Kodavas attended the day-long get-together which concluded with sports and games for the members and their children in the afternoon session.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – September 07th, 2015
Infosys co-founder and former Aadhaar chairman Nandan Nilekani donated Rs 50 lakh to the alumni association of Bishop Cotton Boys’ School in the city. The funds donated by Nandan, an Old Cottonian, will go to the school’s Benevolent Fund, created for retired teachers, administrative staff and sub-staff.
The fund goes to the General KS Thimayya Memorial Trust, an Old-Boys-of-Cottons endeavour established to commemorate General Kodandera Subayya Thimayya, also an Old Cottonian, who was in school from 1918 to 1922.
CN Kumar, senior trustee, General KS Thimayya Trust, confirmed Nilekani’s contribution. “The Trust is grateful to Nandan Nilekani, Old Cottonian, for becoming the anchor donor to the Fund. Nilekani has made a generous contribution of Rs 50 lakh. We are confident that other Old Cottonians will also contribute to the corpus,” said Kumar.
He also said this is perhaps the only such fund established by old students of a school.
The official communication sent to Nilekani read: “Thanks to OC Nandan Nilekani, from whom we have received a donation of Rs 50 lakh for an endowment to be used exclusively for the said purposes. Our first set of beneficiaries have been honoured on the occasion of Teachers’ Day. Thank you, Nandan, for this very generous gesture.”
The Benevolent Fund was established under the umbrella of the Trust to show our gratitude and appreciation to the teachers, administrative staff and subordinate staff whose contribution in our personal growth in the formative years is immeasurable.
The Trust will use the proceeds generated by investing the corpus to recognize and provide support to past teachers, administrative staff and subordinates every year.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / by Sunitha Rao, R – TNN / September 06th, 2015
The 69th Independence Day was observed with patriotic spirit on the Fort premises in Madikeri on Saturday.
The marchpast by police, Scouts and Guides, NCC, NSS, and students and cultural programmes by the schoolchildren added colours to the celebrations.
Speaking on the occasion, District In-charge Minister K J George said the State government is ready to respond to the woes of the farmers. The farmers should not take extreme steps to end lives. Freedom should not be misused. It should be used for the welfare of all, he added.
St Joseph High School student Sreeja and Dechamma were felicitated for securing highest marks in SSLC examination. The highest scorers in second PUC examination — Ahalya Appacchu, B M Neelamma, Amrita Girish, Preethi Riya Pinto and Uthappa — were also felicitated.
The schoolchildren danced to patriotic songs on the occasion. In the cultural programmes, General Thimmaiah Public School team won first place while St Michael High School and Rajarajeshwari School teams stood second and third.
Guides team of St Joseph High School, Sevadala of St Michael School and Scouts of Rajarajeswari School won first, second and third place respectively in the marchpast category. Hoovaiah Gowda, who had entered into the Ginnessh Book of World Records for growing 41-feet tall sugarcane, was also felicitated. Valley Dew team presented traditional Kodava dance. Rajesh and team from Mandya presented Dollu Kunitha on the occasion.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Madikeri / DHNS – August 15th, 2015
Grand Haven High School has announced its top 10 graduates of the class of 2015. (MLive file photo) Grand Haven, MI
Grand Haven High School has announced its top 10 scholars in the class of 2015.
Varun Biddanda finished at the top of the class and Adam Greer finished second. Here are the top 10 graduates listed according to class rank:
Varun Biddanda
Varun D. Biddanda, son of Dr. Bopi and Kavitha Biddanda. He was an all-conference varsity tennis player, concertmaster for the chamber orchestra, a member of Science Olympiad, winner of the Norbert Muller Concerts Competition and recipient of the Harvard Book Prize Award. He plans to study biology in college.
Adam Greer
Adam J. Greer, son of Jay and Patti Greer. He was a member of the National Honor Society leadership team and the Youth Advisory Council; an all-district, all conference honorable mention varsity soccer player; president of the Catalina Club; an AP Scholar; October Rotary student; and distinguished academic leader; and participated in chamber orchestra, GOTAK, Science Olympiad, swing dance club, Interact Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He plans to study biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan.
Lauren R. Richardson, daughter of Tom and Jordan Richardson. She participated in color guard, winter guard, National Honor Society, chamber orchestra, dance and the ultimate Frisbee club; was a Rotary student of the month; and earned an AP Scholar Award. She plans to pursue a business-related degree.
Stephanie R. Shantz, daughter of Bob and Cindy Shantz. She was captain of the varsity swimming and varsity water polo teams, an officer in the Catalina Club, a member of the National Honor Society, an academic-all-state athlete and a Rotary Student of the month and won numerous scholar-athlete awards and the Outstanding Junior award from Michigan State University. She plans to attend the University of Michigan, California-Berkley or Stanford University to study industrial and operations engineering.
Elinor J. Scholtz, daughter of John and April Scholtz. She participated in Science Olympiad, geology club and National Honor Society; was co-chair of the Youth Advisory Council for the Grand Haven Community Foundation; was senior drum major for the marching band; and was first chair flute in wind ensemble and pit orchestra. She plans to attend Vanderbilt University to study communication of science and technology.
Justin L. Merriman, son of Brian and Maria Merriman. He participated in National Honor Society, varsity cross country and the Celtic music group GOTAK; was viola section leader of the chamber orchestra; was president of the Buccaneer Original Swing Society; and was Rotary student of the month. He plans to pursue a degree in computer science.
David C. Kooistra, son of Bill and Shelley Kooistra. He participated in National Honor Society and student senate; was first chair bass in chamber orchestra, for which he received superior ratings at the state level; was captain of the Catalina Club; and was captain and goalie of the water polo team, receiving all-conference, all-regional and all-state honorable mention awards. He plans to attend the University of Michigan’s school of kinesiology to study movement science.
Brent M. Petersen, son of Paul and Stacey Petersen. He participated in National Honor Society and track and was captain of the cross country and varsity hockey teams, earning academic all-state honors in both. He plans to attend Cedarville University to study mechanical engineering.
Erin L. Crandle, daughter of Marci and Dave Hammond. She was Rotary student of the month, had multiple pieces of art in the Grand Haven High School art show, received several scholarships and was a finalist in Michigan State University’s ANRDS Scholarship competition. She plans to attend MSU to study food science.
Schaefer E. Thelen, son of Rex and Gwen Thelen. He participated in National Honor Society and track and field, was captain of the varsity football and basketball teams, was sports editor for the Bucs Blade, finished fourth in the state VFW Voice of Democracy contest, was a four-time Michigan Interscholastic Press Association first-place winner, and was a Centralis Honors Scholarship winner. He plans to attend the University of Michigan to study business.
Lynn Moore covers education for MLive Muskegon Chronicle. Email her at lmoore8@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
source: http://www.mlive.com / MLive Muskegon Chronicle / by Lynn Moore / Grand Haven, Michigan – June 09th, 2015
The Corporation Bank recently opened its Self Employment Training Institute (COBSETI) in Kudige village of Kodagu district.
The institute provides skill-based training and two-year post-training support to unemployed youth.
Bank Chairman and Managing Director S.R. Bansal inaugurated the institute in the presence of MLAs K.G. Bopaiah and Appachu Ranjan.
The institute has come up on 0.85 acres provided by the State government. The bank has invested Rs. 2.22 crore on the building and other infrastructure.
The youth will also be provided free boarding and lodging facilities during the training period.
The trainees are provided with post training “hand-holding” support for a period of two years, so as to provide requisite guidance and facilitation towards enabling them to settle independently. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Bansal remembered that Corporation Bank was the first scheduled bank to commence commercial banking operations in Kodagu district.
The bank would further expand its presence in the district, which is rich in natural resources, he said.
The institute aims not only to help resolve unemployment, but also pull down the migration of youth to urban areas in search of livelihood, Mr. Bansal said.
The institute will offer soft skills training to the youth to take up self-employment or set up their own business unit.
The two legislators urged the local youth to make the best use of the institute and lauded the bank’s service in the district.
The bank has invested Rs. 2.22 cr. in infrastructure
source: htttp://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Cities> Mangaluru / by Special Correspondent / Mangaluru – May 25th, 2015
Goodbye, proxy attendance. Mangalore University will soon introduce biometric attendance system with facial recognition for students and teaching and non-teaching staff in four of its campuses.
This follows a directive from the Karnataka government. Postgraduate campuses at Mangalagangothri and Chikkaluvara, and two constituent colleges in Mangaluru and Kodagu will start the new system for teaching and non-teaching staff in the next two months. Students will be included from the next academic year.
Some 32 of 37 Government First-Grade Colleges in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts have already installed the biometric system. Chairing the fourth general meeting of the university’s academic council here on Tuesday, vice-chancellor K Byrappa said the government has taken this step to combat the unhealthy practice of colleges condoning attendance shortage by asking students to pay hefty fees.
From now on, colleges must ensure students have a minimum 75% attendance and have no powers to condone shortage, Byrappa said. BA Patil, joint director of collegiate education, said the new attendance system has been installed in his office too. Efforts were on to supply such systems for the remaining five colleges.
“We’ve ordered the system for the Government First-Grade College at Vittal and one system installed in Virajpet is under repair,” Patil said. The university will install these systems from its funds, Byrappa said, adding the constituent and private colleges will have to do so out of their funds.
Incidentally, private universities already have this system for their staff and students to ensure authentic record of attendance of all stakeholders and to avoid students’ complaints that the records were tampered with.
Following a directive from state government, Mangalore University will soon introduce biometric attendance system with facial recognition for students and teaching and non-teaching staff in four of its campuses
Postgraduate campuses at Mangalagangothri and Chikkaluvara, and two constituent colleges in Mangaluru and Kodagu will start the new system in the next two months. Students will be included from the next academic year .
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangaluru / TNN / March 25th, 2015
Mundachadira Gangu Deviah, Founder-Director of Deviah Memorial Preparatory School, Bittangala, Kodagu, passed away at the age of 80 on Feb.4, 2015. Here is a tribute to the great soul who started the boarding school at a time when there were no residential schools in Kodagu. Now read on…
Mrs. M.G. Deviah, the founder of Deviah Memorial Preparatory School in Bittangala, Kodagu, worked tirelessly for 35 years to make the school what it is today.
In 1981, at a time when there were no residential schools in Coorg, she made a bold and unprecedented decision to start a preparatory boarding school in memory of her husband. Children from the age of 4 were nurtured and prepared till the age of 11 to enter any school in India.
She was the pioneer of boarding school education for young children in Coorg, an inspiration to people who went on to start boarding schools. This was her service to Coorg.
Hundreds of children have passed through the portals of her school. She instilled in them values and ideals, courtesy, etiquette and respect. The children from her school have gone on to become chefs, special educators, lawyers, doctors, designers, engineers, professors, horticulturists, home-makers and planters. They all share a special bond with the school. Mrs. Deviah’s efforts were rewarded with the love and success of the children.
The school is committed to upholding her values and providing children with quality care and a good foundation at a highly affordable price.
We at Deviah Memorial Preparatory School deeply mourn her loss.
[Courtesy: Coffeeland News]
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / The Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / March 22nd, 2015
The High Court on Thursday asked the Karnataka government to spell out how it grants a community linguistic minority status.
Justice B V Nagarathna observed that many schools were clamouring for minority status to escape the stipulations of the Right to Education Act.
Hearing petitions seeking linguistic and religious minority status, the court said although the National Commission for Minority Education Act of 2004 was clear about which groups constitute minorities, no guidelines were in place to define educational institutions claiming concessions.
The judge asked the managements of two schools not to fill the mandatory 25 per cent seats under the RTE free quota until the issue was resolved by the court, and directed the government to not take any ‘precipitative action’ against them.
Coorg Public School, run by the Kodagu Academy for Education and Culture in Kodagu district, had approached the court seeking linguistic minority status. Citizen School in Hosakote had claimed it was a school run by a religious minority.
Advocate General Ravivarma Kumar said a group constituting more than 15 per cent of the total population — but constituting the majority — was treated as a linguistic minority. The government would look at the 2011 census to brief the court, he said. The next hearing is on March 12. G R Mohan, advocate for one of the petitioners, said the schools were in a quandary as applications for religious minority status had not been processed by the Department of Public Instruction.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / March 06th, 2015
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