In the current Reader’s Digest [April] there is an interesting article on Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, who was known to be a strict disciplinarian and I have heard of one the anecdotes that illustrates this.
During my school days in Bangalore in the early 1940s, my father told me of an incident involving the then Brigadier Cariappa and England’s Double International (Football and Cricket) Denis Compton.
During the Second World War (1939 to 1945), Denis Compton was stationed with the British Army at Mhow. Somewhere during that period Compton visited Bangalore with an Army Cricket Team. Brigadier Cariappa, the seniormost Army Officer then in Bangalore, had arranged a cricket match between the Army Team and what was perhaps a Mysore State Team.
Because of Compton’s reputation as a star English batsman, guests including school children had been invited to watch the match. My father, Dr. V. Subrahmanyan, who was then Professor of Biochemistry at the Indian Institute of Science, was one of the invitees. Unfortunately for the spectators and the Army Team, Denis Compton was dismissed cheaply, very early in the match.
In sheer disgust, Compton flung his bat away and started to walk back towards the tents where the players and the guests were assembled. But he had reckoned without Brigadier Cariappa who would have none of this.
The Brigadier was on his feet in seconds and stopped the boy who was running to retrieve Compton’s bat. Then, in his best Parade Ground voice he shouted at Compton “What do you think you are doing? Go and pick up your bat.” Compton stopped in his tracks, took one look at the tall gaunt figure and meekly went back to do the needful.
I do not know if Denis Compton played again in Bangalore. The Army did allow him to play for the Holkar Ranji Trophy Team in 1945. In the Finals against Bombay, Compton scored a brilliant 249 not out. But Holkar lost because this innings was overshadowed by Vijay Merchant’s 279 not out in the same match.
– S. Sundaram, Yadavagiri, 10.4.2019
You can also mail us your views, opinions, and stories to voice@starofmysore.com
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / April 2019
Newly launched Quick Brown is riding the third wave of coffee culture in India.
What is in a name’, the famous quote by English poet William Shakespeare has been recalled many times since the 17th century when it was first uttered. Cut to the 21st century, the ‘name’ still finds itself wrapped in an ambiguous identity that cannot be clearly or coherently defined, yet carrying the message of an intention lucidly.
For Quick Brown Fox, a new coffee roastery at Dhanmill Compound, the name doesn’t stand for much besides adding a bit of quirk to the tongue that speaks it. Inside, space is an entirely different creation that takes after a Scandinavian design undercurrent. Yet, the contrast in the name and space doesn’t go in vain. It sets the tone for the unexpected, exactly what its Founder, Vaibhav Bindal, wanted to achieve.
Gauging by the meteoric rise in specialised coffee shops in India, people like Bindal are new age coffee revolutionaries who are riding the third wave of the coffee culture in India. This phase calls in for high-quality artisanal coffee employing state-of-the-art devices, latest technology, new knowledge, latest scientific research, and transparency and traceability about the source of coffee.
“On a 100 point scale that Specialty Coffee Association, a nonprofit, organisation that represents thousands of coffee professionals, considers to evaluate coffee characteristics, we follow 80 or above points, therefore ours is always A grade coffee,” says Bindal, whose retail brand of roasted coffee is also called Quick Brown Fox, delivered to metros as well as tier two cities.
Working out a new business structure, that of a physical coffee shop was stepping it up into the expanding coffee space. They specialise in single estate Arabica coffee that is roasted lightly in small batches to ensure the flavour of the bean is dominant. “We maintain a direct trade relationship with the farmers without the intervention of middlemen. Each coffee is treated uniquely and a roast profile has been created to showcase the flavours of the origin,” he says.
Besides coffee, you want to get your hand on the house special Eggs Benedicts in four versions sectioned out as a separate segment on the menu. The rest of it is a mix of various morning sweets and savouries. But save that for later. First and foremost, it’s coffee that you want to call out for.
Quick Brown Fox specialises in single estate Arabica coffee that is roasted lightly in small batches to ensure the flavour of the bean is dominant. They maintain a direct trade relationship with the farmers without the intervention of middlemen. Each coffee is treated uniquely and a roast profile has been created to showcase the flavours of the origin.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Delhi / by Ayesha Singh / Express News Service / April 16th, 2019
Students rejoice after checking their results in the II PU examinations in their college on Tuesday.
N Charita Poonaccha has emerged topper in Kodagu in II the PU Science stream, scoring 584 marks (97.33%).
Charita is a student of Vidyaniketana PU College, Gonikoppa.
B D Vidyashree of St Joseph PU College, Madikeri, has stood second in the district with a total of 582 (97%) and T N Vaishnavi of St Annamma PU College, Virajpet, has secured the third position with 581 (96.83%).
In Commerce, Safwana from St Joseph Girls’ Composite PU College, Madikeri, has scored 588 (98%) to secure in the first position.
B C Janith, student of Vidyaniketana PU College is the second topper with 584 marks (97.33%). A S Poovamma from St Mary’s Composite PU College is in the third position with total marks of 583 (97.17%).
In Arts, K P Sanjiv of Government PU College, Palibetta, has topped the district with 565 marks (94.17%). S K Divya of Government PU College, Shirangala, has secured the second position with 542 marks (90.33%) while N C Chetan from the same college has scored 540 marks (90.10%) and is in the third place.
Government PU College, Sampaje; St Mary’s Composite PU College, Somwarpet; Shantamalla PU College, Virajpet; and Lions PU College, Gonikoppa; have achieved 100% results.
Somwarpet taluk has got 86.71%, Virajpet has 84.59% and Madikeri has 84.49% results in the district.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service, Madikeri / April 16th, 2019
The swimming pool at General Thimayya district stadium in Madikeri.
The swimming pool at General Thimayya district stadium that was damaged in heavy rain which lashed the district in August last year is yet to be repaired.
Swimmers are disappointed as they are not able to go swimming when the temperatures have soared in the district.
Even during peak summer, the swimming pool is not open for children and the general public. The locals have urged the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports to repair the swimming pool.
The swimming pool was built by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports in 2015 at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore. However, during the heavy rain last August, the flood water had damaged the pumpset and water purifier unit at the swimming pool.
Due to the negligence of the officials, the swimming pool repair work is moving at a snail’s pace, alleged Coorg Table Tennis Association secretary Rachan.
The schoolchildren are disappointed over the non-availability of the swimming pool. The swimming pool was available for public only for two months after its inauguration. Later, citing one or the other reason, it has remained shut for the public. The swimming pool repair work should be completed at the earliest, said Revanna from Ashok Nagara.
The authorities had taken a membership fee of Rs 1,000 from the public for the use of the swimming pool. In addition, a monthly fee of Rs 800 is fixed. Those who do not have membership will have to pay Rs 50 for one hour.
According to officials, after the repair of the swimming pool, the public will be allowed to swim from 6 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. Even the trainers will be appointed.
Coorg Table Tennis Association President V S Mohammed Asif said that the swimming pool at the district stadium lacks basic facilities. The toilets and bathrooms are not in good condition. Suitable facilities should be provided for those who use the swimming pool.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service, Madikeri / April 14th, 2019
The World Coffee Producers Forum has decided to reach out to the coffee consuming countries around the world.
India will plan and roll out a coffee consumption campaign on behalf of global coffee growers who suffered huge financial losses on account of falling coffee prices and soaring labour cost.
The context is that coffee growers around the globe are going paupers and turning poverty stricken. As per International Coffee Organization (ICO), 25 million farmers, including more than 3,00,000 in India, produce coffee in 60 counties. Over 90% of these growers are smallholders and are forced to sell their coffees at a price much below the cost of production. This scenario has led to socio-economic issues. These growers and their families have gone deeper into debts. Many even have abandoned their farms and migrated to cities.
To bring world coffee producers, including Indian growers, out of this appalling situation, The World Coffee Producers Forum has decided to reach out to the coffee consuming countries around the world.
As a precursor to this, India, which has a domestic consumption of more than 5 million bags (of 60 kg each) will kick off a five-year coffee consumption campaign in collaboration with top global roasters including Nestle and Starbucks, cafe chains, other stakeholders and the Government of India.
Anil Kumar Bhandari, president of India Coffee Trust and also chairman of Private Sector Consultative Board of ICO told The Hindu that, a special entity would be formed to execute this country-wide coffee campaign. The plan is to get most of the funding from international roasters while ICO will play a catalyst’s role.
The campaign will address a population of 450 million, mostly school and college students, in India. Carlos Brando, who ran various coffee projects in more than 50 countries — including Brazil’s famous coffee campaign that significantly pushed up the country’s consumption in 1990 — will be actively involved in the India campaign that will be ready for launch by mid 2020.
‘Demand-supply issue’
“There is a huge demand-supply imbalance that currently exists in the global coffee markets. That’s the root cause for price fall. Increasing the consumption is the only way to counter this and therefore demand for the commodity in the global markets will increase. This exercise has to begin somewhere and let that be from India,” said Mr. Bhandari.
The plan was to import excess coffees from Brazil, Colombia and Vietnam, provided the government of India waives off the import duty on coffee which is 105%, he added.
“It is like catching them young, before students get involved with colas, carbonated sugar drinks or liquors. We have to create a generational change and build a coffee culture. The campaign will be run in consultation with parents, teachers and school/college managements. We will also rope in sugar companies, dairy brands into it,” he added.
As per ICO, the world drinks 1.5 billion cups of coffee every day and consumers on an average pay $3.1 a cup in the U.S., $4.60 in Shanghai, $6.24 in Copenhagen and $3 to $4 in Bangalore and New Delhi. But unfortunately, not even 5% of this cup price reaches the grower.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Business> Industry / by Mini Tejaswi / Bengaluru – April 13th, 2019
Ashwini Ponnappa is not someone prone to exaggeration. But even she cannot resist being a little dramatic when you ask her how the last few weeks of training have been. “By Thursday, I was dead,” says India’s premier doubles badminton player in a matter-of-fact tone.
When India’s doubles coach Tan Kim Her recently quit, citing personal reasons, the Badminton Association of India rushed to fill the void by roping in the Indonesian duo of Flandy Limpele and Namrih Suroto. Ponnappa calls them “game changers”.
“I think the first week of training was intense. I don’t think anyone was used to that because it has been a while since we had sessions like that. By Thursday, I was dead. But happy, too. At the end of the session, I knew this will help. You know the feeling you get when you do the right thing? We all felt that this is what we need,” says Ponnappa.
The results on court also justified the rigours they were going through in training. At the recently concluded India Open, Ponnappa and N Sikki Reddy knocked out sixth seeds Li Wenmei-Zheng Chen and Xiaofei-Zhou Chaomin.
“I think they (Limpele and Suroto) have a different approach to the game. They are intense. But they are also naturally jovial. As players, we don’t feel like there’s a burden. In fact, we know this is what will make us reach the top level. We embrace the difficult sessions. It’s the right balance between intensity and fun,” says the 2010 CWG gold medallist.
Black box sessions
An unconventional ritual the Indonesian coaches have started in training is something they call ‘black box’ sessions. The players are not informed about the drills in advance. All they have to do is complete the tasks laid down by the coaches on the given day.
“The black box is where you don’t know what’s going to come. Basically, it prepares you mentally for anything. It could be like doing agility drills for 20-25 minutes together or shadow training. It’s the perfect change we needed at the right time,” she says.
Ponnappa and Reddy have been on the wrong side of close three-game defeats on multiple occasions. “But it’s a good thing. We needed rhythm and understanding. After the Rio Olympics, I wasn’t at my best physically and mentally. So, 2018 was a good year. Even though I was training, I wasn’t able to play certain strokes due to pain. When you have dengue, you look normal but you do have internal issues.”
After recovering, the Bengaluru-born shuttler took more time than expected for her to return to a semblance of normality. “I remember once after training I ended up crying. Nothing was working.
I was hitting so hard, I was smashing and there was no power to my strokes. I began to wonder if I would ever get back to my best. Smashing has always been my strongest suit and that worked well when I was playing with Jwala (Gutta). I was starting this new partnership and I wasn’t able to smash, had body aches and I wasn’t ready to start, because physically I wasn’t ready. I got past that one year and a half with support from everywhere and I’m progressing with Sikki,” she says.
After training for nearly three weeks under the new regime, she believes there is a right balance now. “I haven’t been excited about training for a long time to an extent where I feel like a child again.”
Switching to doubles
Doubles has always taken a back seat even among coaches and officials for years in India. It was Ponnappa and Gutta’s gold at the 2010 CWG in New Delhi that rejuvenated the doubles event in the country. Nine years on, though, not much has changed for doubles.
“Jwala and I won gold. Did anyone expect it? No one. The fact that we did well in New Delhi brought us into the limelight. When Jwala did well with Diju, no one really cared. It’s funny how people talk about performances. Do they know that Jwala and Diju were the first ones to play the final of the BWF Super Series?”
Ponnappa also feels let down by comparisons with the singles shuttlers, considering doubles badminton in India does not boast of a rich history. “As a nation, we’ve always looked at doubles as just fun. If singles doesn’t work, switch to doubles. But there are a lot of things that go into being a good doubles player. Everything we’re doing right now is creating history. There’s no past,” explains Ponnappa, who trained in singles badminton until the age of 19.
“It’s the mindset,” she says. “Why would anyone take up doubles? Even if you do well, you don’t get much. Even when you win, you’re not recognised as much. That’s slowly changing. Youngsters are taking up doubles. But everyone wants that individual glory. Individual fame is always better than shared nothing, right?”
source: http://www.firstpost.com / Firstpost / Home> Sports / by Shivam Damohe / April 12th, 2019
Hemmeya UAE Kannadigaru Dubai and Coorg Old Students Association-UAE is pleased to announce a session on job hunting, interview and career guidance tips at Pearl City Suites Hotel Ballroom on April 12.
The session will be only for Kannadiga job aspirants only.
Job aspirants from Karnataka and candidates currently working in UAE looking for job change shall get information regarding interview, job search portals, and CV preparation. HR experts shall guide the attendees regarding the above and recruitment process.
Business owners and company recruiters can meet aspirants at the venue and explore opportunities. Non-Kannadiga recruiters are also welcome.
Job seekers who ever comes for session, can bring updated CV (Resume). There is a possibility of job fair at the same venue.
Time: 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm
Date: April 12. 2019
Place: Pearl City Suites Hotel Ballroom, Deira,Dubai (next to Commercial Bank of Dubai, opposite to Deira City Centre parking 3 & 4, Deira City Centre Metro Exit #1)
Entry Free (Karnataka identity to be shown at the venue)
For more information contact: 0567012123 or 0581872686
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Middle East / by Media Release / April 11th, 2019
Women Kaluru, who had been affected by the natural calamity in Kodagu, have turned entrepreneurs by releasing ‘Yashaswi’ spices, initiated by ‘Project Coorg’.
The second outlet of ‘Kaluru Stores’, exhibiting and selling articles made by the women affected by the natural calamity in the district, will be inaugurated in town on Sunday, April 14.
The store has been conceptualised by ‘Project Coorg’.
Post-floods, ‘Project Coorg’ identified women from Kaluru, who had been affected by the natural calamity, and trained them to prepare spices at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kodagu centre. The spices graded and packaged were sold in the market under the brand name ‘Yashaswi’.
The first outlet of ‘Kaluru Stores’ was opened near Raja Seat with assistance of Kodagu district administration.
The second outlet is ready to be opened in front of Shishu Kalyana organisation near the government bus shelter in Madikeri.
‘Project Coorg’ head Balaji Kashyap said that the opening of the second outlet of Kaluru products had boosted the confidence of the women entrepreneurs. The women underwent training for 180 days in preparation of the spices, he added.
The second outlet will be inaugurated by the Dakshina Kannada Kannadigara Sangha president Ramachandra Upadhyaya at 11 am on April 14.
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavana Kodagu Kendra president K S Devaiah, legislators K G Bopaiah and Appacchu Ranjan, MLCs Sunil Subramani, and Veena Acchaiah, Kodagu Shishukalyana Samsthe president K Mohan Monnappa and writer Nagesh Kaluru will take part in the inauguration of the outlet, sources said.
It might have been around for a century, but Araku’s Arabica coffee didn’t get the tag that easily
Araku Valley, the highlands of the Eastern Ghats mountain range overlooking the Bay of Bengal, is brewing one of the best coffees in the world and its aroma just got headier with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag it was recently awarded.
Located 2,985 feet above sea level, coffee plantations here are spread across hilly terrain growing under the shade of towering silver oaks. What makes this coffee unique is that it is organic and cultivated by Adivasi farmers in 10 mandals of the region. The peculiar mix of climate in Araku — hot days and cool nights — coupled with naturally iron-rich soil lends the Araku coffee body, intensity and a rich aroma. No wonder it has fans across France, Sweden, Dubai and Switzerland as well.
Interestingly, the Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC), which has been promoting Araku coffee for three years now, had applied for the GI tag at the Chennai-GI registry in 2016. However, its claims at that time were dismissed by the Coffee Board of India, an organisation managed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
____________________
Coffee Statistics
– In India, coffee is cultivated on approximately 4.54 lakh hectares
– There are nearly 3.66 lakh coffee farmers (according to government
figures, 98 % are small farmers)
– In 2018-19 Coffee production in India is estimated to be 3,19,500
tonnes (according to Coffee Board).
– There has been a rise of 13.26 % in the first two months of this
year, totalling to to 48,330 tonnes
_____________________
Things changed, however, when the Coffee Board itself applied this year; the Chennai-based GI registry awarded the GI tag to Araku, along with four others (Coorg Arabica coffee from Karnataka, Wayanad Robusta coffee from Kerala, Chikmagalur Arabica from Karnataka and Bababudangiris Arabica coffee also from Karnataka).
“The GI tag will help Indian coffee varieties be specifically identified with their unique flavour and also increase their popularity. The adivasis of Araku will now get a better price for their produce,” says T Baburao Naidu, GCC vice-chairman and managing director. The GCC is expanding its footprint across the State and the country by setting up outlets selling Araku coffee.
Coffee cultivation in the Araku region began around the early 1900s. But it came into the limelight only a few years ago after a couple of players like GCC and Naandi Foundation (an organisation working in the social sector) entered the fray to help the adivasis grow quality beans and market their produce on the global platform.
_______________
What it means
A GI is a name or sign used on products which belong to a specific geographical location or origin and is a certification that the product possesses certain qualities that are unique to that locality.
_______________
Manoj Kumar, CEO of Naandi Foundation, says, “When I started working in the area as part of Naandi Foundation 20 years ago, people told us this is was a ‘non-traditional’ coffee region! We have come a long way since then, with a strong cooperative of 10,000 adivasi farmers and a central processing unit. We opened a flagship store in Paris, and won the Gold Medal for the best coffee pod at the Prix Epicures OR 2018 Award. The GI tag is a safety net and a recognition that this region’s coffee has a unique identity.”
A loyal Araku coffee fan, Vidya Raghu, says, “It is different. There is an exhilarating aroma, golden-brown froth and a lingering, slightly sharp after-taste that envelopes your senses. I haven’t experienced this kind of refreshing flavour with any other coffee I’ve had.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style>Food / by Nivedita Ganguly / April 11th, 2019
FMKMC students who had taken part in the Republic Day parade at New Delhi was felicitated during General Thimayya’s birth anniversary at Sunny side residence of General Thimayya in Madikeri.
The life of warriors should be included in the history textbooks, said retired Air Marshal K C Cariappa.
Speaking at the 113th birth anniversary of General K S Thimayya organised by K M Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum here at the Sunny side residence of General Thimayya on Sunday, he said the adventure stories of martyrs should be taught in schools and colleges.
Children should be attracted towards armed forces from a young age. The people of the district are known for valour and courage like General Thimayya and General Cariappa. More people from the district should join the Indian Army to serve the country, said the retired Air Marshal.
He said, “It was a good move by the authorities to convert Sunny side residence into a museum. About 75% of the works have been completed and the museum is likely to be inaugurated next year. The government should initiate measures to exhibit the life of General Thimayya.
Major General Kuppanda P Nanjappa said, “Cariappa and Thimayya were the finest warriors the country had seen. The youth should come forward to join the Indian Army.”
Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy said that the museum will be inaugurated next year.
Due to the election code of conduct, the birth anniversary of General Thimayya is observed in a simple manner.
Field Marshal K M Cariappa and General Thimayya Forum President K C Subbaiah spoke on the occasion.
NCC cadets of FMKMC College, N N Ponnanna and B S Tejas who had taken part in the Republic Day parade were felicitated.
Mukkodlu Valley Dew teams presented Kathiyat and Ummathat on the occasion.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A / DH News Service, Madikeri / March 31st, 2019
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