District Central Cooperative Bank president Kodandera P Ganapathy cuts a cake to mark the bank’s centenary on Monday.
Simple celebrations were observed to mark the centenary of Kodagu District Central Cooperative Bank on Monday.
The bank was established on June 28, 1921, owing to the efforts of the then pioneers of the cooperative movement, Dandera Kuttaiah, Puliyanda Thimamaiah, Kuppanda Bellyappa and Udiyanda Machaiah.
The bank began operations with 45 cooperative societies, 16 members, share capital of Rs 4,400 and deposits worth Rs 10,000.
Rao Bahaddur Kodandera Kuttaiah was the founder president of the bank and served in the post from 1921 to 1927.
The centenary programme was celebrated at the bank’s head office in Madikeri, in the presence of the president, vice president, directors, chief executive officer and other officials and staff.
A cake was cut in all 21 branches of the DCC bank, to mark the occasion. Sweets were distributed to the customers.
Bank president Kodandera P Ganapathy said that the bank could complete its 100 fruitful years due to the cooperation of the staff and the customers.
A public function of the centenary celebrations is planned for August 20, 2021. The groundbreaking ceremony for the centenary building will be done on the day, by the state cooperative minister, said Ganapathy.
The district in-charge minister, elected representatives from the district, representatives of cooperative societies, department officials and the former presidents and staff of the bank will be present, he added.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / June 28th, 2021
White stem borers destroying a coffee plant. Credit: DH Photo
Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties grown in Kodagu are known for their quality.
Robusta variety is grown mostly in Madikeri and Virajpet taluks, while Somwarpet is known for arabica coffee.
The weather of Somwarpet is the best suited for the arabica variety, say the growers.
However, there are a lot of challenges before arabica coffee growers, the major one being the infestation of white stem borer (Xylotrechus quadripes).
The adult borers feed on the stem of the coffee plant and lay eggs inside the stem. Their season of reproduction is the months of March and April. During this period, the stem borers lay eggs on all plants in the coffee plantation.
In Somwarpet taluk, coffee is grown on 28,540 hectares of land. Arabica coffee is grown on 22,940 hectares and robusta is grown on 5,600 hectares.
Many growers have been switching to robusta as arabica is infested by the white stem borer.
Fed up by the borer menace, the plantation owners themselves have been asking the workers to uproot the arabica coffee plants that were nurtured for many years.
A lack of proper control measures is also one of the main reason for the growers to destroy the plants.
The arabica variety of coffee requires more care as compared to robusta. Meanwhile, the labour cost and the production costs are increasing, among other expenses towards manure and fertilisers.
Adding to the problem, the market rate is also disappointing the farmers.
Control measures
Experts have come up with a technique to trap female borer, by using the artificial pheromones of male borer insects, say authorities of the coffee board.
B R Jayendra, a coffee planter from Bettadalli, said that the control measure of white borer is consuming a lot of time, in the existing methods available.
By the time the borers are controlled, almost all plants are destroyed. Effective control measures are needed to save arabica coffee.
Taluk Coffee Growers’ Association president Mohan Bopanna said that the coffee planters are going through difficult times.
Like the Kerala model, the Karnataka government too should announce support price for coffee growers. The loans of coffee growers who are facing difficulties should be waived, he added.
Another coffee planter S M D’Silva from Abburukatte said it is almost impossible to destroy the affected plants at a time.
The small grower will be hit hard if they destroy all coffee saplings in the plantation, he said.
source: http:///www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Somwarpet / June 28th, 2021
C.S. Satheesha keeps children from Ist to 5th standard engaged with a slew of exercises in English, Kannada and mathematics, going beyond the syllabus.
Facilitates learning via online mode in remote village in Kodagu district
A school teacher in Mullur village in Kodagu district has hit upon a tree-top solution to digitally connect with his students and ensure continuity of their education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He has fabricated a make-shift room atop a mango tree using locally available materials, including bamboo and grass, besides waste materials.
Constructed at a height of 20 feet from the ground, this has helped overcome the problem of weak reception and signal of service providers in this remote village, located about 20 km from Somwarpet, which is the nearest town.
The tree-top classroom built by C.S. Satheesha, a school teacher, in Mullur village in Kodagu district.
C.S. Satheesha is a teacher at the Government Lower Primary School in Mullur. He handles classes for students from Ist to 5th standard. But the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown resulted in disruption of education of children. The impact is more in rural areas, among tribals and first-generation learners as they lack facilities or parental backup, which their urban counterparts have, to ensure continuity in learning.
Hence, Satheesha thought of keeping them engaged during the lockdown with a slew of exercises in English, Kannada and mathematics, going beyond the syllabus.
But connectivity issues forced Satheesha to do some out-of-the-box thinking. He decided to work from a tree top. It took him two months to build a classroom atop a tree.
A conventional RCC roof may have made things easier but Satheesha’s house is tiled and sloped – a building practice that is common in the coastal belt where rains are heavy – and hence he thought of this ingenious solution.
Atop the tree, the teacher not only feels safe, but a double layer of tarpaulin ensures that the make-shift office, where he imparts online classes, remains water-proof. He invested in a mobile stand and also procured a focus light, which ensures better visibility to children at the other end.
“In case of students who do not have a smartphone, I personally distribute exercise sheets during my rounds in the village as part of my COVID-19 duty with an instruction that the answer sheets would be collected by evening,” said Mr. Satheesha.
The online classes also focus on the immediate surroundings of the children. They are asked to identify a bulb, a mirror, a furniture or anything around them and describe their function in full sentences in English. Not only has this endeavour ensured continuity in learning, but children are learning how to make short videos and upload them, using the internet, for evaluation.
The day starts with a ‘WhatsApp Challenge’ comprising a set of questions tailor-made for each student, and sent out by the teacher. By evening, the challenge is accepted!
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by R Krishna Kumar /Mysuru – January 28th, 2021
Covid warriors collect swab samples from people in a rural area in Kodagu.
Hundreds of Covid warriors in Kodagu district, who have been toiling day and night, serving Covid-19 patients, are still awaiting their Covid-19 risk allowances from the government.
Except for Asha workers, the doctors, laboratory technicians, group D staff, staff nurses and nurses working on a contractual basis are awaiting their remuneration.
The state government had announced that it will provide a risk allowance for six months.
The additional secretary to the department of health and family welfare had issued an order towards the disbursal of the allowance, by the end of May.
It was ordered to provide a risk allowance of Rs 10,000 for a period of six months, for the group D staff who work while wearing PPE kits, at the Covid Health Centres, Designated Covid Hospital and the Covid Care Centres.
Similarly, an allowance of Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 was to be paid for doctors, nurses and lab technicians working on a contractual basis, and an allowance of Rs 3,000 for the group D staff working without wearing PPE kits, outside the hospitals.
A nurse from Madikeri said that the government has recognised their work and has assured them that it will provide the allowance.
However, it should reach us when we need it, she added.
Covid warriors said that they have been collecting swab samples from people living in remote areas and hilly regions.
Also, the Covid warriors have provided medication to people who were in home isolation.
They have worked in hospitals by wearing the PPE kit during the entire day.
The Covid warriors urged the government to hike their salaries.
District health officer Dr Mohan said that the amount towards the risk allowance has been released and will be paid to the Covid warriors within the next four days.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya KA, DHNS, Madikeri / June 26th, 2021
This is the second premium coffee brand launched by TCPL as it plans to strengthen its presence in the coffee market in India.
Food and beverages, which primarily include tea, are two of the strong pillars for TCPL, which took over the consumer facing businesses of Tata Chemicals two years ago. Telegraph picture .
Tata Consumer Products Ltd is going to launch American gourmet coffee brand Eight O’Clock in India next week, 15 years after it acquired the business in the US. TCPL will sell the coffee directly to consumers in India, who can place orders online and get them delivered home.
The Tatas had bought the company, the fourth largest in the roasted and grounded category of coffee in the US, for about Rs 1,015 crore from Gryphon Investors in 2006. Apart from the US, the 102-year old Eight O’Clock coffee brand is also available in Canada and Europe.
This is the second premium coffee brand launched by TCPL, which has brought Starbucks to India through a joint venture, as it plans to strengthen its presence in the coffee market in India.
“I am happy to say that Eight O’Clock coffee will be launched in the D2C (direct-to-consumer) segment next week,” Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons and TCPL, told shareholders at the 58th annual general meeting.
The coffee business in the US grew 7 per cent in volume and 9 per cent in value (constant currency) in 2020-21, Sunil D’Souza, managing director & CEO of the company, later said. Eight O’clock Coffee Ltd, USA had reported a revenue of Rs 1,293 crore in the last fiscal and a profit of Rs 145 crore. The USA is the largest coffee market in the world, estimated at $11 billion.
Earlier this year, TCPL launched Sonnets by Tata Coffee, a premium range of roast and ground coffee, again in the D2C segment.
Responding to a shareholder on the way forward in coffee, the chairman said: “In all our portfolio we are really pushing (for) very strong distribution and market share gain, you are already seeing market share gain in tea and coffee is a long way to go but there is a big opportunity. We will definitely look at significant growth in this segment.”
Food and beverages, which primarily include tea, are two of the strong pillars for TCPL which took over the consumer facing businesses of Tata Chemicals two years ago. Apart from salt, its portfolio now includes pulses, spices, ready-to-cook items, mineral water, and breakfast cereals.
“When we did the integration we had committed synergies of Rs 100-150 crore in 18-24 months. We remain well on track to meet, if not exceed, the quantum and the timing of the synergies that we committed,” D’Souza said during the meeting.
source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph, Online / Home>Business / by The Telegraph Correspondent, Calcutta / June 26th, 2021
Kekada M. Nanaiah (Papa), former General Secretary of KDCC Bank and a resident of Arvathoklu in Gonikoppa, Kodagu, passed away yesterday in Mysuru Hospital. He was 84.
Brother of K.M Belliappa, President, Kodava Samaja, Mysuru, he leaves behind his wife, one son, two daughters and a host of relatives and friends.
Last rites were held at Kekada Vakka Thootangala in B. Badaga village, Cherambane, Kodagu, this afternoon.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Obituary / June 25th, 2021
The arrival of a promising talent to the Kannada film industry from Kodagu has raised expectation of film lovers across the state.
And the name is Ballachanda Akshitha Bopaiah whose root of origin is Gonikoppa in Kodagu. Ms. Akshitha is winning hearts of Kannada cine lovers across the state with her appearances in Kannada feature films.
Akshitha has proved herself as a promising actor from Kodagu and is enjoying the rewards of all the hardwork the artist has put in to reach where she is. She has acted in multiple films in Kannada starting with REAL POLICE, her debut film which marked Akshitha’s entry into world of Kannada cinema in the year 2017.
Akshitha has already acted with top names of Sandalwood like, Late actor Rebel Star Ambareesh, Real Star Upendra, Abhinaya Chatura Satish Ninasam, Late actor Chiranjeevi Sarja and many more.
In the film Ambi ninge vayassaito, Akshitha had donned the role of Childhood Friend of Late Actor Ambareesh and her role had impressed Ambareesh to an extent that the legend had declared Akshitha as a promising lead lady of the Kannada Film Industry.
Her role in the film Brahmachari starring Satish Ninasam gained popularity with her fine acting skills & her act in the scene where a marriage alliance is discussed for the hero is a notable one and was entertaining enough for film lovers.
Akshitha added life to the role in the film Upendra I Luv U in which she appeared as Real Star Upendra’s childhood friend.
The actor has appeared in a lead role in the film Shivarjuna. Also, P5 starring Vikram Ravichandran and Trivikrama are Kannada films in which Akshitha as appeared as the lead lady.
Akshita has also starred in TV commercials and her appearance in the Add for Pothy’s with Power Star Puneet Rajkumar is a notable one.
Apart from Sandalwood Akshitha has left a mark with audiences in Tamil Nadu with her outstanding performances in Tamil daily soaps titled, Azaghu, Sumangali, thazhampoo , Kannana Kanne.
With her classy and stylish looks and brilliant performances in both small and silver screen, Akshitha is here to stay and entertain audiences.
A resident of Gonikoppa, Akshitha is the daughter of Bopaiah and Prema Bopaiah. Completed her primary education at Gonikoppa Lion’s School, High School at St. Annamma at Virajpete and completed her M.Com at Mysore Vidyashrama College.
Her love towards acting has brought her this far and is shining bright in the hearts of audiences.
Also starring Raj Tarun, the rom-com is being directed by debutant Santo Mohan Veeranki
Makers of the upcoming rom-com Stand Up Rahul featuring Raj Tarun in the lead role have released the first look poster of its female lead, Varsha Bollamma, on Wednesday.
The young actor, who won rave reviews for her performance in Middle Class Melodies, will be seen as Sreya Rao, a plain-looking young woman struggling with body image issues.
Written and directed by Santo Mohan Veeranki, Stand Up Rahul tells the story of an unenthusiastic stand-up comedian, who stands his ground for his love and passion for the narrative craft.
Produced by Nandkumar Abbineni and Bharath Maguluri under Dream Town Productions and HighFive Pictures banners, the film is in the last leg of production and is expected to release soon.
Also featuring Vennela Kishore, Murli Sharma, Indraja, Devi Prasad, and Madhurima in supporting roles, Stand Up Rahul has music by Sweekar Agasthi.
source: http://www.cinemaexpress.com / Cinema Express / Home> CE Features / June 23rd, 2021
Actress and supermodel Shubra Aiyappa has been spending most of the lockdown time last in her hometown Coorg, where yoga, meditation, reading and dancing have kept her happy. She caught up with us over a video chat to share her experiences through the pandemic and more.
Despite being home, amid near-and-dear ones and lush greenery, Shubra admits that she got bogged down during the second wave, what with all the devastating news that was doing the rounds. “We were taken by shock by the onset of the pandemic, but we thought we were prepared for everything after that. But the second wave has been hard for all of us. It has hit home, a lot of people we know have lost their lives. It has been difficult and we have learnt a lot of lessons. It has been more heart-wrenching for my family and me,” she says, adding, “I’ve had the luxury of being in Coorg, which has been nothing short of a blessing. I chose to keep away from news channels and newspapers to preserve my sanity. Personally, I am better when I am happy and I found my peace by doing yoga, reading books and meditation. I have continued this through the two waves. I am close to my family and my friends have been a strong support system. At times like these, it is important to surround yourself with the right people who pep you up and keep you positive. There have been bad days, but being away in Coorg and doing what I love doing has helped.”
The actress is particularly upbeat when she talks about yoga. “Many years ago, I had a problem with my uterus that required hospitalization. Surgery was suggested as a solution, but we were not sure if that was the right choice. A friend then put us on to a yoga teacher who promised to make the problem go away in only three months. We tried that and when I went back to the doctor, my issue was sorted and, ever since, I have been fine. Yoga changed me for the better and that is why I am so passionate about it,” she beams.
The other positive factor that has helped keep Shubra sane is her love for reading. “I began modeling when I was 17. You tend to spend a lot of hours at airports or on flights, which can get boring. I chose to fight this by reading, which became a habit and at a time like this, when someone like me who loves to travel cannot do much of it, books have transported me to different places, times and situations,” she says.
With things slowly starting to get back to a semblance of normalcy, Shubra is thrilled to be back at work. “I am so excited about my new film Aaganya , in which my character will have two distinct shades. The first half will see me kicking some butt, which is exciting and challenging. I have returned home from the shoot with bruises, but it is so gratifying. We’ve finished one schedule. We begin shooting for the next schedule this week with a small crew and all precautions in place,” she states.
She also has her next Kannada film underway. “I am doing a Kannada film titled Ramana Avatara. It was announced a while ago, but has been delayed owing to the pandemic and other factors. We have shot for a few days earlier and I will continue with the rest probably next month. So, it is an exciting time, because I get back to work and I have so much gratitude to be able to say that,” wraps Shubra.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> Entertainment> Kannada> Movies / by TNN – Sunayana Suresh / June 24th, 2021
K A Ponnanna from Karnataka joined IISc as a security guard, but began serving as a field assistant at the Centre for Ecological Sciences and helped mentor students in handling bees and collecting samples for research.
K A Ponnanna, a native of Kodagu in Coorg, Karnataka, grew up amid peaceful co-existence with wild rabbits, lion-tailed macaques, deer, honey bees, wasps, and several other insects and animals.
He says these creatures were his pets. “The relationship between humans and wildlife was unique, as we reared and tended to wild animals and depended on them for livelihood,” he recalls.
Speaking with The Better India, Ponnanna (70) says that as he grew older, his job took him to places including Nashik, Hyderabad, Deolali, Dharangadhara and Jammu, where he served as a technician in the communications equipment field at the School of Artillery, a training institution of the Indian Army.
Ponnanna retired in 1993 and was appointed as a security guard with the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. However, within a few days, his job profile took a different turn altogether.
The security guard became a field assistant and conservator of bees until he retired in 2012. Interestingly, despite the change in role, he continued his designation of a security guard and drew a salary for the same profile. He spent all his time at the Centre for Ecological Science (CES) department attending and mentoring students for their research work.
Here is his story.
Beehive at IISc campus. / Credits: KG Haridasan.
A few days into his job as security guard, Raghvendra Gadagkar, then associate professor at IISc, struck up a conversation with Ponnanna. “He had helped rescue a few beehives in the campus and I had heard about his enthusiasm and fearless attitude. I noticed that he was interested in honey bees. Our conversation helped me understand how he grew up tending to honey bees and wasps in his native village,” Raghavendra says.
He adds that considering the experience that Ponnanna had, he requested him to volunteer in the research. “The work involves spotting honey bees and safely handling the hive, collecting samples and even bees at times. It is a delicate process. And Ponnanna proved to be brilliant in all aspects,” he says.
He adds that he was impressed by Ponnanna’s skills and passion towards bees, and that he requested the security department to transfer Ponnana to the lab with the existing designation and salary.
“It is difficult to make such arrangements in a government institution. However, the administration was flexible and recognised the value Ponnanna held,” Raghvendra explains.
A friend, mentor and philosopher
Ponnanna says he was thrilled and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the change in his profile.
“I had never attended any classes or received formal coaching on bee handling. I’d never worn clothes, gloves or held any equipment to handle bees. Moreover, I did not know the departments and their locations,” he says, modestly adding, “In my village, everyone handled bees and wildlife, and this was not unique to me.”
Ponnanna slowly got a hang of things as he worked in the lab, assisting students and researchers. “I can now differentiate between the types of bees, insects that are poisonous and non-poisonous, reptiles and other wild animals. I used the knowledge to help students in their research and accompany them during field visits to handle bees and wasps,” he adds.
The students accompanied him in batches and took help in collecting samples for their academic requirements.
Sujata Deshpande, an assistant professor at the Zoology department of Mumbai-based St Xavier’s College, was one of the PhD students who received help from Ponnanna.
Credits: KG Haridasan.
“I was studying between 1999 and 2005, and he was more like a fatherly figure and mentor. He was always punctual and never hesitated to work late hours if needed. As students, we had to roam around a lot and search for wasps. But Ponnanna knew the most likely places that we’d find them, making our job easier. He handled bees like they were his children – with utmost care and protection,” she says.
Sujata says that hurting even one insect pained him. “The bee boxes in the campus would be safe and protected under his supervision. The chances of infections and diseases among the insects were also low because of the care he took,” she adds.
The academician says the field assistant’s traditional knowledge about bees helped students understand the insects and added value to their research.
Sujata says that over the years, Ponnanna’s role further evolved as a conservator. “The bees in Bengaluru suffered habitat losses in urban areas, and he often received calls for rescuing them. He would rush to the spot before anyone could destroy the beehives,” she adds.
Echoing her thoughts, Raghvendra says, “He has saved hundreds of beehives from destruction due to burning or spraying of pesticide and offered them a safe place inside the IISc campus. Many people wanted to get rid of the beehives around their residences, but he carefully removed them and resettled them without hurting any bees.”
He says that Ponnanna also became a friend, philosopher and guide to the students.
‘Have compassion for animals’
Raghvendra retired in 2012 and joined the institution as an honorary and Department of Science and Technology (DST ) year of science chair professor. Ponnanna retired around the same time and was reassigned as a consultant where he could continue to help students.
Credits: KG Haridasan
Apart from assisting researchers, Ponnanna also rescues snakes, other insects and animals.
Sharing his views on bee conservation, Ponnanna says that the destruction of habitat and beehives are contributors to adulteration in honey. “The use of pesticides in farms affects the bee population, and the insects often suffer from infection due to poor care. All these factors affect the population and honey production. To compensate, the companies adulterate the honey and sell it only because of its sweetness, but not for the medicinal properties the natural honey holds,” he says.
He adds that there needs to be a change in which the animals, insects and other biodiversity elements in nature are treated.
Ponnanna says that students should have a more practical approach and be willing to get their hands dirty in the research. “Apart from performing experiments in the lab, students should know how to handle what they are studying in the field. Only passion and sensitivity towards subjects can help achieve that,” he adds.
Citing an example, he says, “It is not difficult to catch an elephant when humans have managed to land on the moon. But we cannot hold the animal by the neck and choke it. We need to show compassion towards birds, insects, animals and other species. We should understand their anger, behaviour and other characteristics to ensure they are not harmed.”
Edited by Divya Sethu
source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> Inspirational> Karnataka / by Himanshu Nithnaware / June 23rd, 2021
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