Stylist Prasad Bidapa and model Irene Augustin talk about what Independence Day means to them and how they plan to celebrate it.
From the chance to indulge in a long weekend to celebrating national pride – each of us has a different meaning for Independence Day. Taking a cue from this, we talked to two celebrities in Bengaluru about what Independence Day means to them and how they plan to celebrate it.
For city-based Fashion choreographer and stylist Prasad Bidapa, Independence Day is an occasion to honour our freedom fighters. He said, “What is Independence Day without remembering all the great men and women who have fought for our independence?” He extended his gratitude towards freedom fighters, from Mahatma Gandhi and Rani Laxmibai to Subhash Chandra Bose and many other unsung heroes, whose contributions have guaranteed the liberty with which we walk as free citizens of this nation.
In a similar spirit, Bengaluru-based model Irene Augustin expressed her gratitude towards the freedom fighters who had sacrificed their lives to safeguard our liberty. When asked about her plans for the day, she said, “I’m gonna be celebrating Independence Day by hoisting the flag in the morning and going to work and following my passion because I can do that. Thanks for the freedom fighters and thanks to being independent.”
source: http://www.indulgexpress.com / The Indulge Express – The New Indian Express / Home> Culture / by Prattusa Mallick / August 15th, 2022
The district administration has allocated approximately 1.09 lakh hectares of land spread across six blocks for the expansion of coffee cultivation in the state.
Because of the favourable climate in the district, the ICB (Coffee Board of India) has expressed interest in the process of coffee cultivation expansion. Following that, the district administration mapped the respective lands. Raikia, Daringbadi, Tikabali, Udayagiri, Phiringia, and K Nuagaon are among the district’s 12 cultivation blocks. Horticulture and Soil Conservation mango and jackfruit orchards are being considered for cultivation.
Coffee has been grown on approximately 2 hectares of land in G Udayagiri and 40 hectares in Daringbadi since 1974.It will be an excellent way to increase tourism in Odisha.
Let us know about coffee
It is a brewed beverage made from roasted coffee beans and the seeds of berries from the coffea genus of flowering plants. The seeds of the coffee fruit are separated to produce a stable, raw product: unroasted green coffee. The seeds are then roasted, resulting in a consumable product: roasted coffee, which is ground into fine particles that are typically steeped in hot water before being filtered out, yielding a cup of coffee.
source: http://www.interviewtimes.net / The Interview Times / Home> Featured / August 19th, 2022
The Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) of Kodava Samaja will be held on Sept.18 (Sunday) at 10.30 am at Gurumane Hall of Kodava Samaja, Vijayanagar 1st Stage in city.
Samaja President Mechanda M. Shashi Ponnappa will preside, according to a press release from Samaja Hon. Secretary Mukkatira B. Jeevan.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Briefs / August 18th, 2022
The 16th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) and get-together of Gokulam Kodava Sangha was held on Aug. 7 at Kodava Samaja (Ground Floor), Gen. K.S. Thimayya Road, Vijayanagar 1st Stage, Mysuru.
Sangha President Nayakanda U. Appaya presided. On the occasion, Sangha members’ children who have excelled in the field of education and achievers were felicitated.
Sangha Secretary Mynda-panda A. Thimmanna read the annual report while Treasurer Chendanda Navin Aiyappa presented the financial report.
On the occasion, Ammatanda K. Chinnappa was unanimously elected as the new President of Gokulam Kodava Sangha.
Annarkanda Prathima Thimmaiah compered and conducted games along with Pulianda Narien Uthaiah.
Committee Member Bollachanda Jhansi Subbaiah rendered the invocation. The get-together concluded with a cultural programme by Prathima and troupe which enthralled the gathering.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore /Home> News / August 18th, 2022
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has released a grant of Rs. 1 crore towards the celebration of Madikeri Dasara.
MLA M.P. Appachu Ranjan had requested the Chief Minister to announce funds for Madikeri Dasara and the CM subsequently recommended the Finance Department to release the grants. The CM also released Rs. 50 lakh for Gonikoppa Dasara.
The Dasara Committee, which was facing a fund crunch as there was no significant contribution from people or corporates, is elated by the grants and is planning to celebrate the festival in a grand manner.
A delegation led by Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah met the CM yesterday in Bengaluru and requested him to sanction funds which were agreed upon.
Gonikoppa Sri Cauvery Dasara Committee Honorary President and former ZP Member C.K. Bopanna, B.N. Prakash, Gonikoppa Sri Cauvery Dasara Committee President Ramakrishna and General Secretary Jimma Subbaiah were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 18th, 2022
The Annual Kail-Poldh Festival get-together will be held on Sept. 11 (Sunday) from 9 am to 5 pm at Kodava Samaja premises in Vijayanagar 1st Stage here.
The day-long programme comprises Ayudha Puja, Sports and Games, Lucky Dip, Honouring eminent Kodavas and distribution of Scholarship to meritorious children. In all, 42 scholarships will be awarded to Kodava students who have studied in Mysuru and passed the respective exams.
Details of Scholarship:
Highest scorers in final exam of 7th Std., SSLC (English), SSLC (CBSE), SSLC (Economically Weaker Section), PUC, BA, B.Com., B.Sc. (Computer Science/Maths), BBM, MBA, Law, MA, M.Com., M.Sc., (PCM/CBZ); BE, BE (Mech), BE (Arch), BE (Computer Science), BDS, MBBS, B.Sc./M.Sc. (Ag.), Diploma in Commercial (Secretarial) Practice, Best sports students in PUC; CBSE XI & XII and ICSE I & II; SSLC (CBSE)
Highest marks in Science; PG in Medicine, MD or MS;
Achievers in Sports at State-level, Graduation in Home Science or Hotel Management; Highest marks in SSLC for Kodava Police Family, Sportsperson in Kodava Police Family representing University of Mysore, must be Kodava Samaja Members.
Applications for the award of Scholarship and Honouring of eminent Kodava Members of Samaja for their achievements in various fields should be sent to Hon. Secretary, Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, to reach before Sept. 2 by 5 pm along with Xerox copies of relevant marks card, certificates, family name and contact phone/mobile number.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / August 17th, 2022
Chacko Thomas, the managing director and chief executive officer at Tata Coffee, has nearly three decades of rich experience in the Plantation industry
Chacko Thomas is a Bachelor of Science with a specialisation in Computer Science from University of Jodhpur. He has rich experience in Plantations, Business Strategy, Sales and Marketing. Thomas has been associated with Tata Coffee since August 2015. Before joining Tata Coffee, he was the MD of Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Company at Munnar. Thomas is an alumnus of INSEAD Fontainebleau having done his advanced management programme there.
Thomas has a strong track record in business transformation, delivering sustainable results and building and leading high-performing teams in India and Vietnam, according to his online profile. He also has an extensive experience in general management, setting up distribution channels and running own businesses. He has held board positions in companies in US, Sri Lanka and India. Currently, as its MD and CEO, Tata Coffee is today one of the largest integrated coffee companies serving over 40 countries.
The company states that its suit of major products like Green Bean, Instant Coffee, Tea and Pepper are all about giving consumers a taste of the Tata Coffee goodness. The company has around 8,000 MT annual capacity of shade-grown Arabica and Robusta. Around 90 per cent of its washed Arabica is exported as premium green bean to roasters. The company has 13 Arabica estates that are Starbucks C.A.F.E. Practices certified.
The company’s instant coffee comes in various customised blends that appeal to the palate of its customers, brands, private labels, distributors and large global roasters. Being eco-conscious, all three of its plants – in Theni (Tamil Nadu), Toopran (Telangana) and Vietnam – are fuelled by renewable energy sources.
The company’s distinctive variants of instant coffee are packaged in a fully automated packing unit and delivered across countries like Russia, Africa, Europe and emerging markets like Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Business Growth
On a yearly basis, consolidated net profit of Tata Coffee surged 10.32 per cent to Rs 233.40 crore on a 4.81 per cent rise in revenue from operations to Rs 2,363.50 crore in FY22 over FY21. Tata Coffee’s revenues from instant coffee business consisting of India and Vietnam grew by nearly 9 per cent during the fourth quarter, driven by improved realisations despite lower exports from India consequent to delay in despatches. There has also been an improved margin driven by higher proportion of specialty/differentiated products as well as lower costs. The sales to all key markets have been robust. For the financial year, the revenues from instant coffee business grew by 20 per cent with improved margins. The order book continues to be healthy both, at India and Vietnam, the company said.
Commenting on the performance, Thomas, said, the performance of instant coffee business continued to be robust. “Our Plantation performance on Green Bean Coffee and Pepper during the year had also been strong, aided by improved realisations. Our subsidiary, Eight O’Clock Coffee [EOC] recorded improved performance during the quarter owing to better realisations and favourable channel mix,” he said.
In March, Tata Consumer Products (TCPL) had announced the merger of all businesses of Tata Coffee with itself as part of a reorganisation plan in line with its strategic priority of unlocking synergies and efficiencies.
The plantation business of Tata Coffee (TCL) demerged into TCPL’s wholly-owned arm TCPL Beverages & Foods (TBFL). The remaining business of TCL, consisting of its extraction and branded coffee business, merged with TCPL.
source: http://www.businessworld.in / Business World / Home / August 17th, 2022 / Magazine August 23rd, 2022
A new bilingual title of 21 poems deep-dives into the culture and literature of Coorg, hoping to become a tool to revive their language after UNESCO listed it as a Definitely Endangered Language.
Duditaptkaras, bards of Kodagu, singing traditional songs of the land
“Come and see the ainmanes of old where our ancestors lived as one.”
This line is extracted from Ainmane, a poem in A Place Apart: Poems from Kodagu, by Bacharanianda P Appanna, is dedicated to one’s ancestral home and sums up the core of this seminal literary project. For the first time, poetry by this authority on Kodava takkë (language of the Kodavas) has been translated and transliterated into English by cultural researcher Kaveri Ponnnapa. Apart from home, family, culture and tradition, forest and prayer are the other subjects from everyday life that find their way here.
The language spoken by an estimated 1.25 lakh Kodavas, it was listed by UNESCO as a Definitely Endangered Language. With her studied knowledge, Ponnapa swung into action to resurrect the language of her community. She collaborated with Appanna and his wife Ranu, an educator and poet, and together they released this ode. In the transliterations that appear in the third section of the book, Ponnapa uses the Roman script to relay Appanna’s poetry and creates an exhaustive glossary, thereby paving the way to familiarise it to the larger audience. This was after she realised that it was easy to read for Kodava speakers like her and those with limited or no knowledge of the Kannada script. The accompanying illustrations by Rupesh Nanaiah act as cultural markers of identity and though they are not directly illustrative, the essence of what it means to be Kodava reflects through this seamless symphony of poetry and art, making each poem read like a love letter about the land and its people.
Edited excerpts from an interview with Ponnapa.
What led to Kodava takkë being identified as one of UNESCO’s listed Definitely Endangered Languages of the world? There are multiple, complex reasons why our language finds itself in this position today, including the lack of good educational facilities and economic opportunities for Kodagu [Coorg], its people. The young continue to migrate out of the district. When this happens, there are far greater pressures for them to learn and use a dominant language such as English to secure their place in a new environment. Historically, the Kodava population has been extremely small. This kind of migration for an already small population implies that ultimately, we have an even smaller number of speakers.
The second contributing factor is that ours was an oral tradition. The historical method of oral transmission broke down to be replaced with formal education using the Kannada script, which was then also used to write Kodava takkë. It has limited the expansion of the language to those with access to a Kannada education. The diaspora in particular, who do not have the opportunity to learn Kannada, have no access to written works in their language which would enrich and expand their knowledge of Kodava takkë and encourage them to keep up with their mother tongue.
A woman carrying poliya, a basket of assorted food items which seals a new relationship between two clans at a marriage ceremony; (right) Stag horn dance of Kodagu. Hunting, a sacred activity, was once an integral part of life. These dances exist to this day. Pics courtesy/Kaveri Ponnapa
What did you discover while working on the project? I was deeply struck by how the language ideally expressed our specific experiences as a people, and like so many aspects of our culture, was embedded in the landscape, which we hold sacred. Appanna was born and lived in Kodagu when it was still an independent state, when our cultural identity was more strongly defined. His understanding and knowledge of the Kodava language, culture and landscape makes him an invaluable repository of our heritage, a great deal of which has passed into history, but needs to be documented for our future.
Since we were dealing with poetry and song—the traditional ways in which all our cultural knowledge was transmitted across generations—it was fascinating to explore the rhythms of unfamiliar poetic expressions spun out of familiar words, which, in the simplest of ways, became capable of expressing a great deal of meaning and emotion.
Ross Perlin of the Endangered Languages Alliance, had observed: “It’s hard to maintain the full richness, depth and complexity of a culture without its languages.” This depth and richness was revealed while writing the book.
All of Bacharanianda P Appanna’s writing projects are collaborative efforts with his wife Ranu Appanna
How did you overcome challenges of translations and transliterations? The use of the Kannada script for Kodava takkë comes with a series of compromises and challenges, reflected in a loss of linguistic nuance, loss of vocabulary as well as distinct changes in pronunciation and speech for the Kodava language.
While transcribing the words of the poems, many of them sounded different from the original. People habituated to viewing Kodava takkë through the lens of Kannada find it difficult to make a shift, and are content to stay with inaccurate renderings, until the nature of the language itself changes. It took repeated readings, clarifications, and consultations with the Appannas, as well as other native speakers and elders before setting anything down on paper.
Creating audio recordings—which will soon be accessible on my website—was another important way to access the linguistic sounds and rhythms that are lost when written in a script that cannot encompass many of its sounds.
Kaveri Ponnapa
How can Kodava takkë stay alive? One of the ways is to provide a more universally accessible script that is available to the greatest number of speakers. This is where Romanisation comes in. The idea of the transliteration came from my personal experience of being part of the diaspora, and despite being a fluent speaker, having no means to enter into the written works in my language to be able to expand my cultural and linguistic knowledge.
To order a copy : www.coorg.com
source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day / Home> Sunday Mid-Day News / by Fiona Fernandez, Mumbai / May 22nd, 2022
The day India attained freedom is etched in my memory. I was a young boy then. My friends and I were playing on the ground behind the revenue office in Ponnampet, a small town in South Kodagu. Even in the 1940s, the town was important as it had primary and secondary schools, a revenue office, a treasury, a police station, a veterinary hospital, an inspection bungalow, a club and rice mills.
It was around noon when we heard patriotic slogans drifting from the road across the police station — ‘Bharat Mata ki -Jai, Mahatma Gandhi ki – Jai, Jawaharlal Nehru ki – Jai, Vallabhbhai Patel ki – Jai; Vande Mataram’. My friend Ponnappa, about four years older than me, and I rushed towards the road, leaving others in the field.
What a sight! About 8-10 open trucks and a few cars, all held up on the road. Trucks were decorated with flags and buntings and filled with people waving flags and shouting slogans, which raised to a crescendo! An unusual scene in the otherwise sleepy Ponnampet. We joined the onlookers lining up on either sides of the narrow road.
To our surprise, two elderly boys in the truck in front of us, called us to come nearer to the vehicle. As Ponnappa approached the vehicle, the boys signalled to raise his hands. They then bent over and gently pulled him up into the truck. When my turn came, I was reluctant but Ponnappa egged me on to join. We were nervous until the others assured us that we would be dropped off at the same spot on the return journey. We too joined others in shouting ‘Jai’.
The procession moved slowly towards the town centre, greeted and cheered by the crowds on the way. It then reached Ramakrishna Ashram, on the outskirts of the town. Many went inside the Ashram, probably to seek blessings from the gurus. Our guardians helped us to get off the truck, but instructed to stay nearer to the vehicle. We were glued to our vehicle lest we miss our return journey. An hour later, our guardians returned with two donnes filled with delicious payasam. Soon the procession was on its way back. It crossed the town centre and was moving towards the club. Then, on instructions from our friends, the vehicle stopped, and we were dropped off where we started. We heaved a big sigh of relief. We waved our friends good bye.
Now, a greater fear gripped us — how to face our parents since we disappeared without their permission. Wishing each other good luck, we parted ways. To my great surprise, at my house, instead of an angry face, a happy smile of my parents welcomed me. Perhaps, they thought their young son could participate in the very first Independence day celebration.
Every August 15, my memory goes back to Ponnampet and revisits the first Independence Day celebration. ’Bharat Mata ki – Jai, Mahatma Gandhi ki – Jai, Vande Mataram’ resonates in my ears. I pay my grateful thanks without fail to the two unknown friends who made that unique day possible.
Long live India!
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Opinion> Right in the Middle / by Odiyanda K Muthappa / August 15th, 2022
Some growers, however, are sceptical because heavy rains in July and August have dampened prospects for the next crop.
Tight supply concerns are likely to affect the cost of coffee
India’s coffee sector is poised for a good spell with forecasts of a good crop in the next harvest and strong export potential amid projections of a lower crop in Brazil, the biggest producer. The outlook for Vietnam, the second-largest producer, is also not rosy.
India appears to be better placed than other major coffee-producing countries for a good crop. The Coffee Board, a government entity that oversees the sector, projected a 15 percent increase in its post-blossom estimate to 393,400 tonnes for the 2022-23 crop, comprising 277,000 tonnes of robusta and 116,400 tonnes of arabica.
The India estimates came amid possibly lower output estimates for Brazil and Vietnam, the top two coffee producers.
Brazil’s national supply company (Conab), in its second survey, cut an earlier coffee crop forecast for 2022-23 by 2.3 million bags to 53.43 million bags. That’s still 12 percent higher than last year, although it is 15.3 percent lower than the record crop of 63.1 million bags in 2020. It cited last year’s drought and frost for the reduction, mainly in the arabica crop.
The company revised arabica production downwards by 3.1 million bags, while robusta output was raised by 760,000 bags because of better productivity and expanded acreage.
Robusta and arabica are the two main types of coffee beans. Arabica is considered the more popular coffee bean.
The United States Department of Agriculture pegged coffee production in Vietnam, comprising mostly robusta, at 30.9 million bags, down 700,000 bags from last year. It attributed the lower output to an escalation in fertiliser prices that led to their reduced use.
Higher prices
Global coffee futures have fallen to $2.12 per pound after hitting a 10-year high of $2.60 per pound early this year on supply concerns from Brazil and robust demand. The industry reckons global prices may stay at a higher level as supply issues continue to dog Brazil and Vietnam. A year ago, prices hovered at about $1.75 per pound.
However, some growers are sceptical about India’s coffee exports this time.
“Heavy rains in July and August have dampened the prospects, particularly in the south Coorg area. We can get a clear picture only in September,” said N Ramanathan, chairman of the Karnataka Planters’ Association.
Karnataka accounts for the largest share of coffee produced in the country.
Coffee exports from India increased by 16 percent to 264,191 tonnes in the period from January 1 to August 9 from a year earlier, according to data from the Coffee Board. The rise came mainly from robusta cherry, whose shipments have gone up by 30,000 tonnes. Export growth was as high as 25 percent in the earlier months as pending orders were executed.
India had record coffee exports of 394,343 tonnes in 2021, bettering the 378,909 tonnes achieved in 2017. The country exports 70 percent of its coffee output.
Europe has traditionally been the strongest market for Indian coffee, especially Italy, Germany, and Belgium.
“This year, purchases from the Middle East and North African countries also increased,” said MP Devaiah, general manager of Allanasons, an agri-based commodity and product company in Mumbai.
India had the advantage of lower freight rates to Europe than the South East Asian coffee-producing countries Vietnam and Indonesia.
Instant coffee
India’s instant coffee exports also picked up after initial hiccups following the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war. Exports to Russia, a big buyer of instant coffee from India, rebounded in the past few months. India also benefitted from lower instant coffee exports to Russia from Brazil.
“Brazil’s instant coffee exports to Russia stopped following sanctions by the US,” said N Sathappan, director of SLN Coffee.
Brazil is predominantly an arabica coffee exporter. A large share of robusta produced in the country is consumed internally and of the remainder, a major portion goes into making instant coffee for exports.
According to the latest report of Cecafé, the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council, outbound shipments from the South American country fell 5.9 percent to 22. 4 million bags (60 kg each) during the first seven months of 2022 from a year earlier. However, export earnings rose to a record $5.23 billion, up 62.4 percent, on higher prices.
Exports of green coffee – coffee that hasn’t been roasted – reached 20.2 million bags. Shipments of arabica were little changed (+0.1 percent) at 19.3 million bags, while robusta exports plummeted to 939,334 bags, the lowest level since 2019 and down 60 percent, it said.
Over 70 percent of instant coffee exports from India are through value addition of cheaper produce imported from South East Asian and African countries while the rest is produced from local beans. This year, growth in re-exported instant coffee was marginal while shipments of instant coffee from local beans increased sharply.
“Imports from other origins became costly because of freight rate hikes and logistics problems. Hence there was a rise in the use of local beans,” Devaiah pointed out.
The Coffee Board data showed that while re-export of instant coffee after value addition rose by 4 percent, instant coffee made from domestic beans surged by 45 percent in the period from the beginning of the year to August 9.
Sathappan said exporters are now going in for more imports as Indian coffee has become costly with robusta prices going up by 40 to 50 percent. Robusta beans are selling in the range of Rs 4,500 to Rs 4,700 per 50 kg.
The International Coffee Organisation’s latest provincial outlook for global production in the coffee year 2021-22 (October to September) remains unchanged at 167.2 million bags, a 2.1 percent decline from the previous year.It projects world coffee consumption to grow by 3.3 percent to 170.3 million bags, exceeding production by 3.1 million bags.
source: http://www.moneycontrol.com / Money Control / Home> News> Business / by P K KrishnaKumar / August 12th, 2022
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