KPA Director Vipul Kumar, Kodagu SP Kshama Mishra Transferred

IGP (Southern Range) Pravin Madhukar Pawar given additional charge as KPA Director

Mysore/Mysuru:

The State Government on Wednesday transferred Karnataka Police Academy (KPA) Director Vipul Kumar and posted him as the IGP of Internal Security Wing. IGP (Southern Range) Pravin Madhukar Pawar has been given additional charge as KPA Director.

Kodagu Superintendent of Police (SP) Kshama Mishra has been transferred without posting and Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (Vigilance) SP Malachira A. Aiyappa, a 2017 batch IPS Officer,  has been posted to her place.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 18th, 2022

Kushalnagar Mini Airport: Kodagu DC Inspects Land

Kushalnagar:

Things are falling in place for the establishment of a mini airport (or airstrip) in Kushalnagar and yesterday, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Dr. B.C. Satish inspected the land that has been allotted to the project.

The DC was accompanied by some technical officers of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the officers of Agriculture Department whose land in Koodige has been earmarked for the project.

Discussing the land issue with the Revenue Department officials, the DC asked them to submit a report on the 56-acre land in the premises of Koodige Agriculture Department so that he can report the land status to the Government.

The land for the mini airport is behind the Kodagu Sainik School and is owned by the Agricultural Department at Doddathoor Village till the border of Basavanathoor village that has been mentioned in the surveys conducted by the Public Works Department. In June 2019, a team of officials from the AAI had visited the site and had accepted the land proposal.

In December 2019, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry had selected Kushalnagar airstrip under the fourth round of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) or the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagarik (UDAN) Scheme. The airstrip was listed under the unserved airport category — any airport at which there have been no scheduled commercial flights.

The Government Order to develop Kushalnagar airstrip along with other airstrips at Chikkamagalur, Karwar, Raichur, Gadag, Bagalkot, Davanagere and Udupi was issued in 2018.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 18th, 2022

Make A Law To Protect Gun Rights Of Kodavas

CNC says vested interests conspiring to include many others in Coorg by race classification

Mysore/Mysuru:

A gun is an integral part of Kodava culture, used in many rituals including birth, death and festivals and the Karnataka High Court has already upheld the Arms Act exemption granted to every person of Coorg by race Coorg (Kodagu district). As such, a law must be made to ensure that the rights of Kodavas over guns continue, demanded Codava National Council (CNC) President Nandineravanda U. Nachappa.

Addressing a press conference at Pathrakarthara Bhavan in the city yesterday, he said that all those who are settled in Kodagu are not Kodavas and attempts are being made by vested interests to portray a few communities as Coorgs (Kodavas by race). Attempts are being made at the highest official and political level to include many other communities in Coorgs by race classification for the sake of votes, he said.

“These vested interests who have settled in Kodagu — who are very different from the unique Kodava community — are systematically attempting to snatch away the exclusive rights of Kodavas by diluting the community itself and by demanding rights over guns. Kodava rights over guns are being questioned in the Court of law and the Courts have repeatedly upheld the Kodava community rights,” he noted.

The Kodava community has a long history with guns, and their culture is intrinsically linked with firearms. There are festivals in which gunshots are fired in the air, and a gun salute is performed when a child is born or a person dies. Firearms are an integral part of any Kodava festival, he said.

The British in recognition of their martial traditions granted the community a special privilege to own firearms without a licence in 1861. The exemption was then issued by the Union Government in 1963 under the provisions of the Indian Arms Act, 1959.

The Centre had issued a notification exempting every person of (the) Coorg race and every Jamma land tenure holder in Coorg from the Indian Arms Act. There was no curb on the privilege even after Coorg, which was a separate State earlier, merged with Karnataka, he said.

“This exemption has been questioned in Courts by vested interests and the Courts have repeatedly ruled in favour of Kodava community. As such, this exemption must be safeguarded with a law to protect the interests of the community. Like the Sikhs have been granted to possess the Kripan, Kodavas must be granted rights to possess a gun,” he demanded.

Other CNC leaders Kaliyanda Prakash, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd.) Balladichanda M. Parvathi, Chambanda Janath Kumar and Apparanda Poovanna were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 17th, 2022

262 Punches & 262 Kicks in 1 Minute in Karate Puts Kodagu Lad K Rahul into Asian Book of Records

Mangaluru: 

He is the new ‘Bruce Lee’ of this tiny Kodagu district which has contributed thousands of warriors, sports personalities to the nation. Keeping its tradition of shining in various fields, a youth has added another feather in the cap of this hilly district by gaining entry into the Asian Book of Records with his karate skills in January 2022, after being entered into the India Book of Records in December 2021. Meet young and dynamic martial arts lad 20-years-old K Rahul, hailing from Virajpet in Madikeri/Kodagu district, who achieved a new feat with a record-making 262 punches and 262 kicks in One Minute in karate. In view of the Covid pandemic, the achievement was recorded online.

Rahul is the first person from the Kodagu district to create such a record. Earlier, Rahul had secured a place in the India Book of Records. The karate tournament in which participants from 18 countries participated, was organised jointly by Dynamic Shotokan Karate Du Association, World Union of Martial Arts Association, World Karate Alliance and Evolution of Karate, in December 2021. Rahul who was very fond of karate since childhood, started practising the art when he was just twelve years old. “A lot of hard work and perseverance for a decade was behind my achievement. I owe my success to my parents who encouraged and supported me in this sport. Everyone has innate talents and they should make good use of them through practising”. said Rahul.

Apart from gaining entry into the Asia Book of Records, Rahul has won many medals at State and national level championships. He won first place in Kata and Kumite division in 2016 in the Karate championship organised by Karate Tues UECHI RYU DO India of Kerala. He strove many years to gain entry into the India Book of Records, where he was issued an identity card, certificate and medal to Rahul. Rahul was trained by karate expert H R Shivappa. In September 2021, he won a gold medal in an international online karate championship competition organised by the World Union of Martial Arts Federation, World Karate Alliance, following which he aimed to gain entry into the Asia Book of Records- and succeeded.

K Rahul seen with his Parents

Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Rahul said, “Karate is not merely a martial art for self-defence, but offers a lot to sportspersons to achieve. Kodagu, the smallest district in the State, has contributed hundreds of sports talents to the country.

Many talented sportspersons have proved their mettle in international and national level sports competitions. Following in the footsteps of all these Kodagu athletes, I was really keen on Martial arts and Athletics. I was so dedicated to karate that at my first Karate tournament in Karate Times Cup 2016, I secured 1st position in Individual Kumite and Kata. Since then I reached greater heights in this Art, winning top places in various Karate tournaments”.

Born to Kumar, who runs a metal shop in Virajpet, and Varalakshmi, a homemaker, Rahul attended St Anne’s Composite High School and is currently enrolled in a pre-university BA programme at Mangalore University.

He enrolled himself in UECHI RYU Karate school at the age of 12. In 2017, he won third place in Karate Times Cup; In 2017, Karate tournament organized by Naga Martial Arts Academy (R) Mysore SHORIJINI-RYU, he won 3rd position and in Kumite 2nd position; he won 2nd position in Kumite in 2018 Karate Times Cup; First place in SEIKO FUKUCHI CUP-2018 SOUTH INDIA in Individual Kata and Kumite; In 2019, in the Karate Times Cup at Kannur he gained 3rd position in Individual Kata and 2nd Position in Team Kata.

In 2019, got 1st place in the BODHIDHARMA JKS INDIA CUP 2K19 WORLD in Kata; In the 5th O.K.A.A OPEN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 in Kata, he bagged 3rd Place; In 4th O.K.A.A OPEN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP 2019 in Kata, he got the 2nd place; In the STATE LEVEL OPEN E-KATA CHAMPIONSHIP-2020 Above 18 years Black Belt, he secured 1st place; the 15TH STATE LEVEL INVITATIONAL KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP Below 70kg Black Belt fetched him the 2nd place and in Above 16 years Black Belt, the 2nd place.

No doubt that Rahul is the new hope for Karate among youth as he has won a series of prizes and his passion for Karate was inspired and supported by his parents in winning many laurels and awards consistently so far. It’s time for other youth to follow in his footsteps and take up Karate or any other sports, and make it big.

Anything or any achievement can happen over Coffee! No doubt the rich bold Coffee of Virajpet/Madikeri consumed by this Kodagu lad has shown some big results in Karate. Team Mangalorean congratulates K Rahul on his superb achievement, and we wish him all the luck in his future Karate talents, so he could enter the Guinness Book of World Records. You Go Boy!

source: http://www.mangalorean.com / Mangalorean / Home> Mangalorean News> Local News / by Alfie Dsouza, Team Mangalorean / February 15th, 2022

Kodagu Original Inhabitants Form Committee For Protection Of Constitutional Rights

Madikeri:

 Dr. Mechira Subhash Nanaiah of Murnad has been unanimously elected as the President of Kodagu Moolanivaasigala Samvidhanika Hakku Samrakshana Samithi, a Committee that has come into existence for the protection of Constitutional Rights of Kodagu original inhabitants.

Nanaiah’s election was announced at a meeting of Kodagu Gowda Samajagala Okkoota held at Madikeri on Sunday, which was attended by representatives of various Kodava communities.

The meeting also elected Kodagu Gowda Samajagala Okkoota President Soortale Somanna as the Hon. President of the Samithi.

This apart, senior advocate Padinjharanda G. Ayyappa, who is the President of Kodagu Heggade Samaja, Kodava Muslim Association (KMA) President Duddiyanda H. Soofi, Kodagu Airy Samaja President Babbira Saraswathi and Savita Samaja leader Vedapanda Kiran as the Vice-Presidents of the Samithi.

The meeting also resolved to include representatives of all original inhabitant communities in the Samithi and to evolve plans for launching a movement for reddressal of issues.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / Februrary 04th, 2022

Brewing in Bastar: Welcome to India’s newest coffee-producing region

Raipur : 

Bastar, one of the districts in Chhattisgarh, well-known for its dense forests, is identified largely as a Maoist-dominated area. The state government, however, is set to give an overall makeover to the district by eradicating the Maoists from the area promoting the production of coffee to give the region a new identity in the country and at the global level.

There are widespread talks about promoting coffee cultivation in Bastar, after the recent state visit by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

He had a cup of coffee at the Bastar coffee stall at an exhibition held in the terror hotbed. In order to promote coffee in the Indian and international market, Congress MP suggested that state Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel sign an MoU of ‘Bastaria’ coffee with international coffee brands.

The life of the people in Bastar is completely dependent on agriculture and forest produce. Paddy is grown the maximum in terms of agriculture, but now innovation is slowly taking shape. Coffee is being cultivated on several hundred acres of land in Darbha, Kakalgur and Dilmili villages under the Darbha block due to which the forest dwellers and farmers are earning huge profits.

The reason for the cultivation of coffee in the Darbha block of Bastar is that this cultivation can be done only in those areas which are located several metres high above the sea level. People associated with realising this initiative say that three things are necessary for the cultivation of coffee — height from sea level, rainfall between February-March and area which is not under direct sunlight. The Darbha development block is located at an altitude of 600 to 1400 metres above sea level.

Two varieties of coffee are being grown in Bastar — Coffee Arabica and Coffee Robusta. Coffee was cultivated as an experiment, which has proved to be successful and now farmers have started cultivating it. Many other crops can be produced along with coffee cultivation.

Bastar Collector Rajat Bansal told IANS that the people from the tribal community, who depend completely on forest produce and traditional farming, are choosing coffee cultivation as a profitable and viable option. Their life is undergrowing a transformation with their income doubling. The state government has formed a coffee board to encourage the cultivation of coffee in the state. The coffee produced here has been found to be of high quality by the coffee board of the country.

Experts say that in a year, nearly Rs 30,000 to 40,000 per acre is the profit earned from the cultivation of coffee which is much more than other crops. In view of the adaptability of the climate in Bastar, coffee cultivation has been started on nearly 3,000 acre. The popularity of Bastar coffee is fast spreading in foreign countries as well. Coffee is currently being exported from the state to eight countries.

Coffee cultivation can be of immense help for increasing the income of farmers in the state, that is why an action plan has been prepared for the coming six decades which will benefit the farmers on a large-scale.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> National> World / by Sundeep Pournaik – IANS / February 16th, 2022

‘Clear encroachments at Keere stream or face protest’

The drive on clearing of encroachments at Keere stream which was started in full spirit has remained stagnant for the past two months.

After clearing the encroachment of the bypass road drain, the taluk administration had assured of clearing the encroachment in the Keere stream which is situated in the heart of the town. The sudden stoppage of the operation has given room for speculation.

Two months ago, the encroachment of the bypass road drain was cleared with police security. The structures were razed mercilessly.

The citizens of the town expected a similar operation with the clearing of encroachment in the Keere stream.

However, the expectations were not met as the operation was stalled all of a sudden.

Excavating machines are gathering rust in the banks of the Keere stream for the last two months, it is alleged.

Residents alleged that most of the people among those who have encroached on the Keere stream belong to the ruling party and are influential. Therefore, the officials of the taluk administration have kept silent.

The operation of clearing of encroachments was initiated by Ponnampet taluk in-charge Tahsildar Yogananda. Now, Ponnampet has got a full-time Tahsildar. However, the operation has been stalled now.

“If the encroachments in Keere stream are not cleared, a protest will be staged against the taluk administration,” residents Gangadhar, Purushottam, Fayaz and Ahmed said.

Tahsildar Prashanth said that regarding the clearing of encroachments, the High Court had given time before starting the clearing operation in the Keere stream. The time has lapsed and the operation will be started soon.

Taluk Akrama Sakrama Samiti president K B Girish Ganapathy said that the government land which had been encroached in the town should be cleared as per the law. The taluk administration should take immediate action.

Kaveri Jalamoola Samrakshana Horata Vedike, Gonikoppa, president Pulinjana Poovaiah said that the compound of a private school had encroached on the Keere stream. There were other structures that had been built after encroaching the stream. The encroachments had resulted in flooding of residential areas in the rainy season. Therefore, the encroachments should be cleared.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Gonikoppa / February 14th, 2022

Robin Uthappa Bought By Chennai Super Kings For INR 2 Crores In IPL 2022 Mega Auction

Robin Uthappa Bought By Chennai Super Kings For INR 2 Crores In IPL 2022 Mega Auction

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made their first buy in the IPL 2022 mega auction with Robin Uthappa set to join the franchise after being bought for his base price of INR 2 crore.

Uthappa will return to the squad after being part of the franchise in the previous year, where CSK won their fourth title. Uthappa played a major role in the title victory, scoring 115 runs in four games including a 63 in the knockout stages.

The 36-year-old is one of the most experienced in the league, having played 193 matches in the IPL. He has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, before joining CSK last season.

In 193 matches, he has scored 4722 runs at an average of 27.94 and a strike rate of 130.15. He was a huge factor when KKR won the IPL 2014 title under Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy. CSK will be keen he can replicate his performance from the previous season.

source: http://www.cricketaddictor.com / Cricket Addictor / Home> IPL 2022 News & Updates> IPL News / by Ca Jr. Staff / February 12th, 2022

Approval Sought To Develop Kodagu Roads In PPP Model

Mysore/Mysuru:

During his meeting with CM Bommai in New Delhi yesterday, MP Pratap Simha has urged for approval to develop certain roads in his constituency (Mysuru-Kodagu) under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model with Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL).

The roads identified to be developed in the PPP model are: Mysuru-Madikeri Road from Yasodharapura near Hunsur on National Highway 275 Junction (Kallbeta), State Highway 90 from Hunsur, Virajpet to Talacauvery, State Highway 91 from Thithimathi, Gonikoppal, Bittangala to Perumbadi, Kandimakki-Makutta road till the Kerala border up to 76 kms and State Highway 89 from Madikeri to Kutta via Siddapura, Pollibetta, Gonikoppal, Ponnampet, Hudikeri, Shettigeri and Srimangala with a total distance of 85 kms.

Reports have been submitted to the State Government by KRDCL Managing Director Rekha after studying the modalities, present situation of the roads and also how the PPP model can be implemented.

The KRDCL has estimated the cost of repairs at Rs. 6.43 crore. The MP drew the CM’s attention to a memorandum submitted by him to PWD Minister C.C. Patil following which the estimate was made. He urged Bommai to allocate funds in the forthcoming Budget.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / February 08th, 2022

Arabica coffee price touches all-time high

Arabica coffee price touches all-time high
Arabica coffee price touches all-time high 

HIGHLIGHTS

The Arabica Parchment coffee price has soared to an all-time high of Rs 16,200 per 50-kg bag on Thursday, in Somwarpet and Chikamagalur markets.

Madikeri:

The Arabica Parchment coffee price has soared to an all-time high of Rs 16,200 per 50-kg bag on Thursday, in Somwarpet and Chikamagalur markets. A large-scale destruction caused by snowfall to the similar coffee variety in Brazil, the largest producer of the crop, has come as a blessing in disguise for the growers here.

According to traders, normally, this coffee variety commands a price of Rs 10,500 to 11,500. Similarly, the cost of Robusta Parchment has touched Rs 7,600 per bag. The last time when Arabica coffee reached the highest price was in 2014 when it sold at Rs 9,600-Rs 9,800 per bag. The price saw a downward trend and touched Rs 6,000.

The prices of Arabica Cherry and Robusta Cherry have seen a marginal rise in price. They command a price of Rs 7,500-7,600 and Rs 3,800-Rs 4,100 per bag respectively. Growers in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan are elated over rise in the prices of coffee, despite problems of shortage.

Coffee was bought and exported by the government through the Coffee Board before growers were allowed to sell their produce directly in the open market since 1992, following protests by them.

December to April is the time for coffee harvesting and 90 percent of growers sell the produce before the beginning of the rainy season due to the price fluctuations and lack of warehousing facilities. The total annual coffee production in the country is approximately 3.6 lakh tonnes. Most of the Arabica growers have already sold their produce.

Speaking to The Hans India, a coffee exporter and promoter of AWIT Innovations (P) Ltd in Kushalnagar, Rajiv Kushalappa said that the price fluctuations are likely to increase in the near future due to prevailing international market conditions. According to him, the rise in the price was fallout of crop loss in Brazil following heavy snowfall. Ratan Machaiah, a coffee grower in Gonicoppa, said that the cost of production of coffee has increased significantly in recent years and growers are in a distress.

The wages of labourers, cost of fertilisers, pesticides, etc., have doubled over the past decade, but the price remains the same. The growers are gambling on unpredictable climatic conditions year after year. He has urged the government to support the growers by announcing a special package.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / byCoovercolly Indresh / Hans News Service / February 10th, 2022