Monthly Archives: July 2020

Joshna Chinappa breaks back into world’s top-10 following Raneem El Welily’s retirement

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Joshna Chinappa, who has not played since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, moved up a spot to be in 10th position.

Indian squash star Joshna Chinappa (Photo | Joshna Chinappa Instagram)
Indian squash star Joshna Chinappa (Photo | Joshna Chinappa Instagram)

New Delhi :

India’s squash star Joshna Chinappa has broken back into the top-10 of the PSA world rankings following the shock retirement of Egyptian world number one Raneem El Welily.

Joshna, who has not played since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, moved up a spot to be in 10th position.

The 33-year-old had entered the top-10 for the first time in 2016.

Dipika Pallikal is the other Indian female player who has achieved the feat.

Egypt’s Nouran Gohar is the new world number one following Raneem’s retirement.

Raneem had held the top spot for 19 months before announcing a sudden retirement last month.

India’s top male player Saurav Ghosal remains 13th in the latest rankings.

The PSA tour is suspended until at least mid-August due to the coronavirus outbreak.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport> Other / by PTI / July 08th, 2020

It’s Official, Ponnampet In Kodagu District Becomes Taluk

About Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All

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Ponnampet:

Over a year after the announcement of the formation of Ponnampet taluk in Kodagu district, the State Government in a notification issued on July 3, has officially notified Ponnampet as a new taluk under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act.

The previous JD(S)-Congress Coalition Government, headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy, had announced formation of Ponnampet taluk by carving out Virajpet taluk and Kaveri taluk (Kushalnagar) by carving out Somwarpet taluk in Kodagu district in February last year and the current BJP Government has issued the notification for Ponnampet taluk after no objections or suggestions were received by the State Government.

The new Ponnampet taluk comprises four hoblis with the inclusion of 49 villages bifurcated from Virajpet taluk. The four hoblis are Ponnampet, Balele, Srimangala and Hudikeri.

With the notification of the new Ponnampet taluk, Kodagu district will now have four taluks — Madikeri, Somwarpet, Virajpet and Ponnampet.

Meanwhile, Virajpet taluk, from which the new Ponnampet taluk has been carved out, will now have 20 Village Accountant Circles having 59 villages.

Ponnampet Taluk

Boundary details — East: Hunsuru taluk of Mysuru district; West: Virajpet taluk; North: Piriyapatna taluk of Mysuru district; South: Kerala State.

Following is the list of Circles (Hoblis) and Villages that constitute new Ponnampet taluk:

Ponnampet hobli:

Halligattu, Huduru, Aravathoklu, Muguttageri, Kuttandi, Kongana, B. Shettageri, Kundha, Echooru, Hathuru, Kaikeri, Athuru, Nallukote, Hebbale, Bhadragola, Devamachhi Forest, Arakeri Forest-I, Arakeri Forest-II, Arakeri Forest-III, Nokya, Siddapura, Mayamudi, Balaji, Kiruguru, Mathuru, Koturu, Bekkesodluru, Kanooru and Nidugumba.

Balele hobli:

Balele, Devanuru, Hathugattu Forest, Nitturu, Kottageri, Besaguru, Biluru, Nalluru, Dhanugala and Rudrabeedu.

Srimangala hobli:

Kumaturu, Srimangala, Nalkeri, Kothuru, Nalkeri Forest, Badaga, Kutta Thaila, Manchalli, Kurchi, Biruga, East Nemmale, West Nemmale, T. Shattigeri, Tavalageri and Harihara.

Hudhikeri hobli:

Hudhikeri, Konageri, Beguru, Chinivada, Mugutageri, Nadikeri, Chikkamanduru, Thuchamakeri, Balyamanduru, Belluru, Hysodluru, Badagarakeri, Poradu, Teralu, Parakatageri and Birunani.

Virajpet Taluk

Boundary details — East: Piriyapatna taluk of Mysuru district; West: Madikeri taluk; North: Somwarpet taluk; South: Kerala State.

Following is the list of remaining Circles (Hoblis), Village Accountant Circles and Villages that constitute Virajpet taluk, after formation of new Ponnampet taluk:

Virajpet hobli:

Chembebelluru – Kukluru, Imangala Chembebelluru, Devanageri, Maggula, Pudakote, Bellarimadu; Bittangala – Bittangala, Balgodu, Ambatti, Nangala; Kandangala: Rudraguppe-I, Kandangala, Rudraguppe-II, V. Badaga; Betolli – Heggala, Arji, Betolli; Kedamulluru – Kottolli, Kedamulluru, Palangala; Kadanuru – Kadanuru, Arameri; Bellumadu – Bellumadu, Kunjalageri, Kadangamaruru; Kakotuparambu – Nalkeri, Mytadi.

Ammathi hobli:

Ammathi – Ammathi, Puliyeri; Siddapura – Siddapura, Karadigodu, Chikanahalli, Guhya; Maldare – Maldare, Kodagu Srirangapatna; Chennayyana Kote – Chennayyana Kote-I, Chennayyana Kote-II, Chennangi, Chennangi Mudabilu, Chennangi Gudluru; Badaga Banangala – Badaga Banangala; Mekuru Hoskeri – Mekuru Hoskeri; Hosuru – Bettageri, Hosuru, Hollalakukke; K. Bigodu – Kalathmaadu, Kollathodu-Bigodu; Bilugunda – Bilugunda, Nalavathoklu, Hosakote; Kavadi – Karmadu, Kavadi, Kumberi; Halugunda – Byrambada, Halugunda; Kannangala – Hachinaadu, Yaduru, Kannangala.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 07th, 2020

Appointed As New Secretary Of Coffee Board

Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, All

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Bengaluru:

A.S. Naveen Kushalappa, an IRS (Indian Revenue Services) Grade Officer, who is presently working as the Joint Development Commissioner (JDC) for Cochin Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Bengaluru, under the Department of Commerce, is given an additional charge of the post of Secretary, Coffee Board, Bengaluru.

As per the orders issued by the Government, he will be holding additional charge of Secretary, Coffee Board, for a period of six months with effect from 1.7.2020 to 31.12.2020 or till joining of a regular incumbent to the post or until further orders, whichever is the earliest.

Naveen Kushalappa got through IRS in 2007 and joined the Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India. He has been serving as JDC since 2018.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 05th, 2020

One-state-one-unit rule leaves Bengaluru Hockey Association, Hockey Coorg in a fix

Sports

The rule means Hockey Karnataka will now be the only team representing the state in the national championships.

Hockey India chief Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad (Photo | Hockey India Twitter)
Hockey India chief Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad (Photo | Hockey India Twitter)

Bengaluru :

Hockey India’s one-state-one-unit rule, which came into effect from Wednesday, has left the Bengaluru Hockey Association (BHA) and Hockey Coorg worried. The two associations along with Hockey Karnataka used to field a team each in the nationals in the past. The rule means Hockey Karnataka will now be the only team representing the state in the national championships.

The national body in January wrote a letter to ten associate units, including BHA (erstwhile Karnataka Hockey Association) and Hockey Coorg, stating their membership would be withdrawn after July 1. The BHA replied immediately to the national body, asking if the status quo could be maintained and they can feature in the nationals.

They, however, were told that ‘it was the IOA’s decision’. The BHA has not heard anything so far even after writing to the Indian Olympics Association, claimed BHA secretary K Krishnamurthy.
There is a general feeling among both the BHA and Hockey Coorg that the move will make life difficult for players.

“The decision will be detrimental to the players’ interests. When it comes to Hockey Karnataka, most of the players are from DYES (Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports) and Sports Authority of India. BHA gives chances to players at the district level, who could not make it to DYES and SAI. Most of these (district) players come from humble beginnings. If there is only one team, it will be difficult for such players, who might lose interest in hockey,” said Krishnamurthy, who remains hopeful that the IOA will show some empathy and make an exception, whereby they can participate in the nationals.

If the said policy is not overturned, Hockey Coorg will also lose the right to take part in the nationals. Hockey is extremely popular in Coorg and several players including SV Sunil, SK Uthappa, Nikkin Thimmaiah, Nithin Thimmaiah, VR Raghunath among others have represented the country.

The Coorg body is primarily worried about the future of promising kids, who have it in them to make it to the top in the coming years. “When one plays at the national level, they get huge experience. It is an ideal opportunity for players to impress the selectors, which in turn can help them play for the country. With this rule, I fear for kids in the junior and the sub-junior categories. The young kids might not get much chance and they might sink into oblivion,” said B Chengappa, Hockey Coorg’s secretary.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sports> Other / by Ashwin Sunam / Express News Service / July 04th, 2020

Skies Clear For Mysuru Girl To Become State’s Second Woman Fighter Pilot

Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

PunyaNanjappa01KF04jun2020

Mysore/Mysuru:

Everyone has some or the other ambition or dream to achieve when they are in college but very few of them live their dreams or choose the career they wished. Mysuru-based Coluvanda Punya Nanjappa has achieved her childhood dream or call it passion to be a fighter jet pilot.

She has been selected for the training and once she completes it, she will be a fighter pilot, a rare distinction for a woman who has her roots in Kodagu, a land of defence personnel. Though the district has achieved the fame of producing a Field Marshal, a General and innumerable Lieutenant Generals, Brigadiers and Majors in the Indian Army and their equal ranks in the Navy and the Air Force, it is for the first time a woman fighter pilot is emerging from the tiny district.

In fact, she will be the only second woman from Karnataka to be a fighter jet pilot after Meghana Shanbough from Chikkamagalur and is the lone woman in her ongoing training course where there are 40 future fighter pilots.

PunyaNanjappa02KF04jun2020

Last year, Punya became the only women cadet from Karnataka to be selected for the flying branch training at the Indian Air Force Academy. The training for cadets who are selected for the flying branch is divided into three stages. Punya has already completed the Stage-1 of her training at the Academy in Dundigal in Telangana and has been selected to join the fighter stream where she will undergo Stage-II training at Hakimpet, again in Telangana.

The training stages are vivid and is a combination of adventure, skill and deft manoeuvring. They will be trained to engage in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat and sometimes electronic warfare while in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft. Fighter pilots undergo specialised training in aerial warfare and dogfighting (close range aerial combat).

After Stage-II, Punya will be commissioned as an officer to undergo Stage-III training. She is likely to be commissioned as an officer in the next passing out parade in December. Punya has always wanted to join the fighter pilot stream and her childhood dream has been realised. A resident of Vijayanagar in city, Punya was selected as a Trainee Pilot of IAF Flying Branch last year.

Punya with her batch-mates at the Training Academy in Telangana.
Punya with her batch-mates at the Training Academy in Telangana.

She is the daughter of Anuradha Nanjappa (a teacher at St. Joseph’s Central School) and late Coluvanda P. Bala Nanjappa (he was serving as the Manager of Prabha Theatre), native of Chambebellur in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district.

Punya completed her schooling at St. Joseph’s Central School in Vijayanagar, pursued her PUC at Vijaya Vittala PU College in Saraswathipuram and Engineering at NIE, Mysuru. Punya then took up Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) — an officer recruitment gateway in three branches of Air Force — Flying Branch (Short Service Commission only), Technical branch (Permanent and Short Service Commission) and Ground Duty Branch (Permanent and Short Service Commission).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 03rd, 2020

Congress workers rejoice as DK Shivakumar takes over as KPCC chief

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Leaders, Records, All

ShivakumarKF03jul2020

Congress leaders and workers watched the installation ceremony of D K Shivakumar as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, through a live session on zoom application, at Coorg Community Hall in Madikeri and various other places in the district on Thursday.

The programme was aired live at the gram panchayat levels as well.

Congress leaders and workers took oath on the occasion, towards strengthening the party further.

In the leadership of Congress leader Nandakumar, ration kits were distributed to 200 families on the occasion. Senior leader Chandramouli said that everyone should lend a helping hand to the needy.

The programme at the Coorg Community Hall was inaugurated by Kodagu District Congress Committee President K K Manjunath Kumar. MLC Veena Acchaiah, leaders Appu Ravindra, Kolyada Girish and K P Chandrakala were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Top Karnataka Stories / DHNS, July 03rd, 2020

New Kodagu SP Kshama Mishra’s Three Siblings Have Cracked Civil Service Exams

Records, All

KshamaKF02jul2020

New Delhi:

Kshama Mishra, a 2016 batch IPS Officer of Karnataka cadre, who is the new Kodagu SP, hails from Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Kshama is among the four children of Anil Mishra, who worked as Manager in a Regional Rural Bank and Krishna Mishra couple.

The family lived in a two-room house at Pratapgarh. Interestingly, all the four children of Anil Mishra have cracked the Civil Services Exam (CSE). The siblings of the family not only cleared the CSE but also went on to become IAS and IPS Officers.

While growing up, the four siblings shared a normal relationship and they were all good in academics too. Later, the decision came together to join the prestigious civil services. Kshama’s elder brother became the first of the four siblings to crack the CSE in 2013 while her sister Madhvi cracked the exam in 2014 and another brother Lokesh cleared the CSE in 2015.

Kshama02KF02jul2020

Kshama Mishra herself became an IPS Officer in 2016. Yogesh’s success worked as a catalyst for the other three. He got selected in the CSE 2013 in the reserve list. All inspired by her brother’s success and with his help, Madhvi next cleared the CSE in 2014.

Lokesh found place in reserve list, gave it another shot. He had also found his name in the reserve list in CSE 2014. However, he was confident of himself and decided to give it another shot. Lokesh had earlier completed engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D). He cracked the CSE in 2015.

Success is product of hard work and sacrifice, said Kshama. Her husband, who is in Provincial Civil Service, inspired her to chase her dream and supported her along the way. She’s a post-graduate in Hindi Literature and chose the same as her optional.

After the results were out, Kshama had said, “Once my husband came to know that I am interested in civil services he gave me the opportunity to pursue it. Talking about the siblings’ extraordinary success, Kshama had said, “We all care and believe in each other. This success is a product of consistency, hard-work and sacrifice. We have not inherited it.”
After the results were out, Kshama had said, “Once my husband came to know that I am interested in civil services he gave me the opportunity to pursue it. Talking about the siblings’ extraordinary success, Kshama had said, “We all care and believe in each other. This success is a product of consistency, hard-work and sacrifice. We have not inherited it.”

After the results were out, Kshama had said, “Once my husband came to know that I am interested in civil services he gave me the opportunity to pursue it. Talking about the siblings’ extraordinary success, Kshama had said, “We all care and believe in each other. This success is a product of consistency, hard-work and sacrifice. We have not inherited it.”

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 27th, 2020

Coorg homestays come up with ‘workation’ offer to bring tourists back

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

Homestays and resorts in Coorg have started a ‘Work-from-resort’ also called ‘workation’ initiative, where employees can stay at the homestays or resorts and work from there. The resorts have come up with attractive packages that offer rooms at affordable rates.

Few homestays in the hilly district have started to invest in internet connections since most of the places in Coorg have a poor data connection.
Few homestays in the hilly district have started to invest in internet connections since most of the places in Coorg have a poor data connection.

Facing a brunt due to Covid-19 lockdown, the tourism industry in Coorg (Kodagu) has come up with an innovative initiative to attract tourists.

Homestays and resorts in Coorg have started a ‘Work-from-resort’ also called ‘workation’ initiative, where employees can stay at the homestays or resorts and work from there. The resorts have come up with attractive packages that offer rooms at affordable rates.

The step has been taken to boost the income and tourism sector in the district, a few homestay owners in the district said, adding that the increase in Covid-19 cases in the area continues to be an obstruction in getting new bookings.

Speaking to indianexpress.com, Nikshan Nanaiah from Coorg Evergreen County resorts said, “The work from resort initiative gained good response especially from people in Bengaluru initially after the exit from the lockdown. We had received a good number of booking for the option for at least one week.”

According to Nanaiah, many resorts opted for this service and started to promote the ‘workation’ option. “Under the work from resort option, we are providing good internet connectivity, room, office furniture and food service. All of these are included in the affordable package ranging from two days to one-two weeks.”

The top resorts in Coorg have also started to offer the work from resort options. A manager of a branded resort in South Coorg told that they have started the bookings and many have already come to stay. “We have different packages to offer our customers and also affordable packages to our member customers. People from Bengaluru and Mysuru are coming to the resort to stay at least for one week and they are also working from here only,” he said.

Few homestays in the hilly district have started to invest in internet connections since most of the places in Coorg have a poor data connection.

Internet cable is being set at Coorg Evergreen County resort in Coorg.
Internet cable is being set at Coorg Evergreen County resort in Coorg.

“Earlier tourists were not asking for internet connectivity since they come here to relax from their daily work life, but now after COVID-19 everything has changed, they come here to work. We have now taken good internet broadband connection to attract the tourists who want to work from here,” Kumaran, owner of Pavitra homestay in Coorg said.

Apart from the homestays and resorts offering work at their places, the major concern is about the safety of both tourists and the employees. Nanaiah says that they have made a list of precautionary measures to take. “We have thermal screening facilities, with daily temperature checks if they are symptomatic they will be sent back and we are also taking care of the employees and checking their temperature daily to ensure all are safe.”

According to the various resort owners, they are charging approximately Rs 2,000 to 6,000 per day for the workation option.

Coorg which is about 260 km from state capital Bengaluru is a hill station known for its waterfalls, national parks, wildlife, and temples. Earlier in 2018 and also in 2019 the district suffered from the back-to-back floods and landslides which had a major impact on tourist footfall.

Sagar Ganapathy, President, Association for Rural Tourism (ART) Coorg and also the owner of Jungle Mount Adventures said, “Tourism in the district has incurred a huge loss from past three years continuously due to the flood and landslides, now Covid-19 has also impacted the industry.”

“When we opened the homestays and resorts after lockdown the bookings we received were very less and we got bookings from the people who are our regular customers. Hence few resorts tried work from resort options which branded resorts are running this successfully with all the precautionary measures,” he said.

Coorg has nearly 800 registered homestays and more than 2,000 unregistered homestays which are run by families at their residence and 500 hotels and lodges. These homestays and hotels generate employment to around 50,000 people.

“Due to Covid-19 we now have no steady source of income. We opened up the business but after a week there were many cases in Coorg. So many resorts and homestays closed voluntarily. We have paid a 50 per cent salary till last month to the employees. But next month, we don’t know what to do.”

Meanwhile, the state government is planning and bring various initiatives to revive the tourism sector in the state. Speaking to indianexpress.com, Karnataka Tourism Minister C T Ravi said, “ Tourism contributes 14.8% to our gross state domestic product (GSDP), we are planning various ways to revive tourism in the state. New ideas like ‘workation’ are welcome, in the next cabinet meeting we will take up the issues faced by the homestays and resorts.”

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Darshan Devaiah BP / Madikeri / June 30th, 2020