NDRF Leads Mock Drill On Flood Response In Kodagu

July 4, 2023Business & Economy, Defence Services (Air,Land,Sea),Police (wef. Dec 09th, 2021), Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, Alladmin

Kushalnagar:

A mock drill on flood rescue operations was conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescue team and personnel from Government Departments at Hebbatageri village in Kodagu yesterday. Ironically, the drill was held at a time when Kodagu is facing an acute shortage of rainfall which is much below normal.

NDRF personnel, as specialised disaster responders,demonstrated flood response, rescue, evacuation and first aid to educate the local population. The drill was led by Deputy Commissioner Venkata Raja who assumed charge just days ago.

The drill, titled ‘Disaster Demonstration,’ was carried out with the cooperation of various Departments such as District Administration, NDRF, Police, Fire Brigade and Home Guards. The drill was aimed to create awareness among the public about how to undertake rescue operations during natural disasters like floods and landslides.

All the Departments actively participated in the exercise and understood their responsibilities during such challenging times. The training was aimed to equip people with effective strategies to cope with emergencies and disasters and to emphasise the role of NDRF in these situations.

Demonstration on emergency rescue methods

The mock drill included demonstrations of rescues including the collapse of land, tree falls, drowning rescue, boat rescue techniques and rescue from collapsed houses. Demonstration on emergency rescue methods and first-aid for drowning cases were also conducted.

In the event of a natural disaster, various measures were demonstrated in such situations. These included cutting off electricity supply, sealing off the incident site, providing initial medical treatment and transporting severely injured individuals to the hospital. Mock drills of such nature were conducted more than nine times in Kodagu till now.

NDRF Inspector Shantilal Jatiya led the team of 23 members, Assistant Sub-Inspector Chennanayaka from the Police Department with 15 Police officers, a team of 8 members led by Nagaraju from the Fire and Emergency Services Department and a team of 8 members led by Akshay from the Home Guards division participated, taking the total personnel to 54.

The DC stated that the mock exercise aimed to assess the disaster preparedness of different departments and agencies responsible for disaster management. Considering the vulnerability of villages along the river banks to floods, raising awareness among the public and evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of stakeholders was crucial for building disaster resilience.

He revealed that the joint practice sessions were aimed to enhance coordination, address shortcomings and achieve better results during rescue operations. The main objective of the exercise was to raise awareness among citizens about preventive measures and equip them with the necessary skills to deal with any natural or disastrous situation effectively.

Venkata Raja explained that through coordinated actions and synergy among various emergency support functions at the district and village levels, an effective flood response could be ensured during a real disaster situation. Drawing from past experiences, arrangements were being made in advance, including resources, manpower, equipment, communication, and systems, to save lives, he said.

The District Administration took the initiative to provide information through demonstration to instil public confidence in understanding how rescue operations are conducted and safety measures are taken during floods and landslides. Venkata Raja also mentioned the importance of raising public awareness about the procedures and protocols followed during such situations to ensure safety and rescue operations.

‘Though we have received below-average rainfall, there is a possibility of average to above-average rainfall in July and August,” he added. District Disaster Management Officer R.M. Ananya Vasudeva and other officers were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News> Top Stories / July 02nd, 2023

Afforestation in Kodagu gets boost with Forestry College’s initiative

July 3, 2023Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, AllK Nanaiah, K Nanaiah - Assistant Professor - The College of Forestry - Ponnampet, Kodagu District, Kodagu First, Ponnampet - Kodagu, South Kodagu, Sustain Landscape Project - of The College of Forestry - Ponnampet, The College of Forestry - Ponnampetadmin

While 70% of saplings are that of native trees, 30% are crops that have some economic value.

HYDAUG2021164_07413635 — Picture for representational purpose only | (Pic: Express)

The College of Forestry at Ponnampet, in collaboration with Sucden India, is involved in an afforestation drive across Kodagu. The initiative called the Sustain Landscape Project involves the distribution of native varieties of tree saplings among farmers.

Plans are afoot to plant them across sacred groves in the district.

Kari Mara (Diospyros ebenum), ‘Karadimara (Chukrasia tabularis), Dhoopa mara (Vateria indica), Kari Dhoopa (Canarium strictum) to name a few, are native trees that once dotted the Kodagu landscape.

Older generations are familiar with the tree species but these are alien to the present generation. The increased demand for wood and medicines along with galloping urbanisation has led to plummeting of the native trees. To revive the trees, Ponnampet Forestry with support from Sucden India this sustainable plan was devised.

“Community forestry is being promoted through the project with seedlings of the native trees being distributed to the farmers of the district. We have been conducting this initiative for the last three years. Final-year students of the college look after the seedlings of the native trees and a few economic crops, under the experiential learning model. The students receive stipends from Sucden and the seedlings raised in the college nursery are then distributed to farmers,” said K Nanaiah, assistant professor of the college.

Look at the numbers
The seedlings are distributed for free to the farmers. While 70% of saplings are that of native trees, 30% are crops that have some economic value, he said. Since 2020, a total of 250 farmers (the majority in South Kodagu) have received the saplings and raised them. The college students have also planted saplings across river banks and other protected areas across South Kodagu.

This year, they plan to expand the initiative across Kodagu, he said. The college has invited the participation of various Sacred Grove Temple committees. “Communities must be involved for this sustainable initiative. If this does not happen, we will devise other plans to plant these saplings,” he said.

The project initiative has achieved a success rate of over 50% with 25,000 to 30,000 saplings have been planted so far. They are now targeting 60,000 plantations by this year.

source: http://www.edexlive.com / Edex Live, The New Indian Express / Home> News> Kodagu / by Prajna GR / July 03rd, 2023

Harshika Poonacha and Bhuvann Ponnanna are finally set to put a ring on it

July 2, 2023Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022)Bhuvann Ponnanna, Harshika Poonacha, Kodaga First, Kodava Actors, Kodavathiadmin

The long-time ‘friends’ will have a traditional Kodava wedding on August 24

Harshika Poonacha and Bhuvann Ponnanna are finally set to put a ring on it — Bhuvann Ponnanna and Harshika Poonacha will get married on August 24

It was an open secret in filmi circles that actors Harshika Poonacha and Bhuvann Ponnanna were more than just friends. In fact, Harshika often introduced Bhuvann as her cousin at public events that they went to together. Since the duo were not willing to openly address their relationship status, it was left unspoken, even though there were tell-tale signs all the way, whether it was their carefully chosen solo pictures from holidays to the same destination at the same time, or their charity work during the pandemic, among others. Bhuvann and Harshika were together pretty much all the time. And now, they’ve finally decided to ‘come clean’ and declare that they are ready to take their relationship to the next level.

Harshika and Bhuvann are set to get married on August 24 back home in Kodagu in a traditional Kodava ceremony. The wedding is expected to be an intimate affair with only close family and friends in attendance, with a reception for their friends from the film industry and Bengaluru’s social circle, where both are quite active, to be held in the city later.

Harshika, who got into showbiz at a young age, way back in 2008, has, over the years, been an integral part of Kannada cinema, and in the last few years, she’d made a mark in the Bhojpuri industry as well. The actress had won a Karnataka State Award for Best Supporting actress in 2010 for her role in the film Thamassu, which had Shivarajkumar in the lead. Bhuvann, who is also an actor, became a household name during his stint on the reality show Bigg Boss Kannada. Bhuvann was a contestant in the fourth season and was later involved in a brawl with eventual winner Pratham, with the latter allegedly biting the former.

source: http://www.ottplay.com/ OTT Play / Home> News / by Team OTT Play / July 01st, 2023

Over 1,100 jumbos reside in forests of Kodagu dist

July 1, 2023Amazing Feats, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Travel, Tourism & Homestays (wef. Oct 03rd, 2021), World OpinionAT Poovaiah, BNN Murthy, Conservator of Forests (Kodagu Circle), DCF (Madikeri Division), Elephant Census of Kodagu, Elephants in Kodagu, Forests of Kodagu, Jumbo Elephants in Kodagu, Kodagu Firstadmin

Madikeri :

The recent census of elephants in Kodagu forests has indicated that there are 1,103 jumbos in the jungles. The census was taken up for three days last month. The number of elephants has increased in Kodagu though the region is in the middle of human-wildlife conflict.

Conservator of forests (Kodagu circle) BNN Murthy and DCF (Madikeri division) AT Poovaiah said that the census was taken up after a gap of six years. The elephant census, which was conducted in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu , was conducted in 23 ranges of four divisions in the district namely Madikeri, Virajpet, Madikeri wildlife division, and Nagarahole Tiger Reserve. About 800 personnel were involved in the census.

The elephant census was conducted in three phases. On the first day, the number of elephants was directly recorded through a block count. On the second day, indirect enumeration was done and on the third day, enumeration was done using the lake and dams by observing the number of elephants coming to drink water.

For enumeration operations, the enumerators roamed forest areas on foot and recorded the marks of elephants seen in the forest as per the prescribed document. The number of male, female and baby elephants in a herd of elephants was determined, officials noted.

There were 200 teams of three people each. Arms were provided to each team as a precautionary measure, the officials stated.

The forest officials said that there are a large number of elephants dwelling in the plantations also and if this number is detected, the number of elephants will increase substantially.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / by G. Rajendra / TNN / June 07th, 2023

Maverick & Farmer’s new monsoon menu celebrates flavours of the Western Ghats

June 30, 2023Uncategorizedadmin

With the monsoons at the doorstep, Maverick & Farmer Coffee, the artisanal farm-to-cup coffee brand, has crafted a new line coffees inspired and elevated by the local produce of the Western Ghats, home to the brand’s coffee estate.

Directing the spotlight on ingredients found in the biodiverse and rain-laden Western Ghats, the menu celebrates the warm flavours and the spirit of the region.

Embracing the brand’s commitment to revolutionising the coffee experience, sip by sip, the new menu marries local ingredients with maverick inventions to create brews that are apt for the season. The homegrown creations include – the Shoonti Kaapi, a soothing and healing hot, flat white with organic palm jaggery and dried ginger from the coffee estate at Pollibetta in Coorg.

Yelakki banana plants dot the entire landscape of the coffee country, which inspired The Yellaki and Elaichi Cold Coffee, a deliciously refreshing drink infused with homegrown cardamom and laced with banana milk. Cinnamon is a beloved and comforting monsoon ingredient, and the Cinnamon Pour-over features naturally-processed Arabica coffee beans infused with the heady spice.

The Kallu Hoovu Cappucino is an ode to the Kallu hoovu or Stone Flower, an aromatic spice used extensively in Malnad cooking and found in abundance along the rocky surfaces of the Western Ghats. When blended with the single estate fruity Arabica – Modur naturals, it becomes a gently flavoured cappuccino.

Ashish D’abreo, Q grader, coffee roaster and co-founder of Maverick & Farmer Coffee, said, “The idea for the menu was to work in local and season-specific yet unexpected ingredients to create flavors that we haven’t yet tasted before, putting a whole new spin on coffees for the monsoons.”

source: http://www.fnbnews.com / FnB News.com / Home> Top News / by The FnB News Bureau, Bengaluru / June 29th, 2023

Rohan Bopanna and Ankita Raina to lead tennis Squad for Asian Games

June 30, 2023Amazing Feats, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, World OpinionAthletes of Kodagu, Bopanna, Kodagu District, Kodagu First, Rohan Bopanna, Rohan Bopanna from Kodagu, Sportspersons from Kodaguadmin

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Tuesday unveiled a 12-member squad for the continental quadrennial games. Doubles specialist Rohan Bopanna will once again represent India in the tennis competition at the Asian Games. On September 23, the Asian Games will get underway in Hangzhou.

The potential singles players for the team are Sasikumar Mukund and Sumit Nagal, who both competed in doubles at the 2018 Asian Games alongside Ramkumar Ramanathan. Bopanna, 43, and Ramkumar are most likely to team up. The other two members of the group, Yuki Bhambri and Saketh Myneni , are already paired on the ATP Tour.

Ankita Raina, who won bronze in singles at the 2018 Asian Games, will serve as the team’s captain. Karman Kaur Thandi, Rututaj Bhosle, Sahaja Yamlapalli, Vaidehi Chaudhari, and Prarthane Thombare are the other active members.

The nucleus of the Indian delegation in both the men’s and women’s divisions is essentially unchanged, with Ramanathan, Nagal, and Bopanna also being part of the Jakarta Games team. Ankita, Karman, Ruturaj, and Prarthana are among the four female players that participated in the Jakarta tournament five years ago. Sahaja and Vaidehi are the two new players.

source: http://www.sportscafe.in / Sports Cafe / Home> Tennis> National> News / by Sports Cafe Desk / June 21st, 2023

Coffee trail: Explore Karnataka’s coffee museums in Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Bengaluru

June 30, 2023Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, Alladmin

The Sidapur Coffee and Culture Museum offers visitors the thrill of brewing their own coffee, right from pulping, grading, roasting, and grinding.

After exploring and experiencing nature’s benevolence and pastoral charm in the Western Ghats, I began my coffee museum trail. From Chikkamagaluru, which houses India’s earliest coffee plantations, to Kodagu, a place whose culture is intertwined with coffee, and finally to the heart of Bengaluru city, I visited coffee museums and explored the history behind the refreshing cup of coffee.

Coffee Yatra Museum

With a profusion of coffee curing works, Chikkamagaluru, which is undoubtedly the heart of Karnataka’s coffee country, now also houses the Coffee Yatra Museum, an initiative of the Coffee Board of India. At Coffee Yatra Museum, I saw a thematic display of coffee history, providing an insight into Indian coffee and the painstaking procedures that go into its making. A multimedia presentation charted the coffee bean’s journey from the plant to the cup, explaining processes like picking, drying, and grinding. Also on display were coffee-curing apparatus.

As I entered the building, I was bowled over by the huge posters that adorned the museum walls, showcasing interesting information about the coffees of India. Moving on, I saw the Coffee Map of India that highlighted both the traditional and the non-traditional coffee-growing regions of India. From the map, I learned about the various coffee beans grown in different areas. Next, came the Coffee Evaluation Centre where a staff member explained the processing of coffee beans. After that, I moved to a separate section where the final product is tasted before it is ready to go into the market.

Display of different methods of coffee making in the Coffee Yatra Museum

At the museum, I also learnt about the cultural practices, age-old traditions, and several other aspects of coffee. A coffee movie was played along with a coffee song, which spoke about the cultivation of coffee in the language of the farmers. I also visited the museum’s Laboratory to know about the grinding process and the equipment used to process coffee.

Sidapur Coffee and Culture Museum

From Chikkamagaluru, we proceeded to Sidapur Coffee and Culture Museum at Evolve Back in Chikkana Halli Estate, Kodagu. The museum has different sections that talk of the story of the founding Ramapuram family, the history of coffee in Kodagu, how coffee is cultivated globally, and the art of brewing the perfect cup of coffee. It also featured the culture of Kodagu and its close association with coffee cultivation. It recreated a space that evoked the rustic feel of a coffee plantation, with materials used in the past and the present, reminiscent of eras gone by and ways of life that have been replaced with the onset of modernity.

Housed in what was originally the old smokehouse (the result of an experiment with growing rubber on the Chikkana Halli Estate), the museum has a high thatched roof with red oxide flooring, typically found in old plantation homes. Jute, coir, burlap, wood, and old metal were the other key players in the mix of materials.

Large, dented copper and brass vessels of unique shapes and sizes lined the walls, each whispering their unique stories. “A few of the objects are from the Ramapuram family collection, such as an old hand-operated coffee roaster and typewriter that were in use on the Chikkana Halli Estate. The coffee grinder in the museum has had quite a journey. It belonged to a Kodava gentleman who ran a coffee house in Lahore before Partition, after which it was transported to Bengaluru and housed in Chinny’s Café on Brigade Road for many years,” said Jos Ramapuram, executive director, Marketing, Evolve Back.

The unbelievably large tree stump that formed the base of the centre table in the coffee brewing area,was from the Chikkana Halli Estate. At the Coffee Museum I experienced the thrill of making my own brew right from pulping, grading, roasting, and grinding. Visitors get to stroll around the museum and get a taste of life in the days of old in Kodagu, to the accompaniment of the invigorating aroma of coffee in the air. Equally interesting was Coffeeology, a daily live session on the art and science of gourmet coffee, where visitors can observe and experience the making of an assortment of coffee preparations from around the world.

Blossom to Brew

From Evolve Back, we hopped to Tamara Kodagu where I embarked on the signature guided walk. With the Blossom to Brew experience, I learnt how a bean undergoes various processes to reach the coffee mug. The session ended at The Verandah, a 155-year-old heritage structure in Kabbinakad estate, which originally housed plantation workers. Currently, it has been restored into a rustic coffee lounge and has a gift shop stocked with natural products from the estate and library. There I learnt all about the process of grading, roasting, and blending. I ended the session relishing a hot cup of coffee at the lounge.

Coffee Lab

I culminated my coffee-museum-hopping trail with a visit to the Coffee Lab in Sadashivanagar, in the heart of Bengaluru. As I sauntered into Coffee Lab, I could sense the aroma of coffee assailing the air. Every nook and corner of the lab was adorned with mugs, coasters, antique jugs, filters, and other coffee paraphernalia collected from all over the world by Sunalini Menon. Known as Asia’s first woman of coffee, Sunali set up Coffee Lab in Bengaluru in 1997 for evaluating the technical nuances of Indian coffee.

The Coffee Lab bore the semblance of a mini museum with its walls lined with a variety of packaged coffee and curios from around the world – exquisite grinders, scented candles, filters, mugs, and a whole shelf of old-fashioned tumblers – a stark contrast to the regular sparkling white laboratories filled with shiny apparatus used for coffee accreditation and testing.

It also housed memorabilia including tribal products from coffee growing areas, areca nut pickers, traditional milk measurement units, and coffee pots. Each piece of equipment threw light on the culture of the country it came from. For instance, Italian pots have ornate carvings; the ones in Iran are known for their silver and filigree; Pakistan has a recurring crescent moon pattern: while Egypt designs sported Cleopatra. The star attraction of Coffee Lab was the painting of Mona Lisa done in coffee powder. After a journey of fascinating discoveries, I returned satiated.

Coffee beans, mugs, grinders, filters on display in Coffee Lab, Bengaluru

All pics by Susheela Nair.

Susheela Nair is an independent food, travel and lifestyle writer and photographer contributing articles, content and images to several national publications besides organising seminars and photo exhibitions. Her writings span a wide spectrum which also includes travel portals and guide books, brochures and coffee table books.

source: http://www.thenewsminute.com / The News Minute / Home> Features> Food / by Susheela Nair / edited by Maria Teresa Raju / June 26th, 2023

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June 30, 2023Uncategorizedadmin

How Chonira Belliappa Muthamma, India’s 1st woman career diplomat, took on a male-dominated system

June 30, 2023Uncategorizedadmin

Muthamma is credited to be the first woman to join the Indian Foreign Services in 1949. She served as India’s ambassador to several countries & fought for her rights in SC.

*File photos of Chonira Belliappa Muthamma | Photo: Twitter/@indiandiplomats*

New Delhi:

On 24 June, the world celebrates the International Day of Women in Diplomacy. In India, one such woman who paved the way for others in diplomacy was Chonira Belliappa Muthamma — the country’s first woman diplomat.

Born on 24 January, 1924, in Virapjet — a small town in Karnataka’s Kodagu district — Muthamma was the first Indian woman to clear the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations in her first attempt in 1948.

Her journey as the country’s first woman Indian Foreign Services (IFS) officer, however, was full of hurdles as she fought for and ensured she got what she deserved.

When Muthamma joined the foreign services, the ratio of women in administrative positions, was staggeringly low and men held most of the administrative positions. The male-dominated hierarchy was uncomfortable with the idea of a woman being equal to them.

According to Chokila Iyer, the first woman Foreign Secretary of India, Muthamma “opened the doors of South Block for her sisters in India.” In her tribute to Muthamma in the book Slain by System published in 2003, Iyer even called her “a diplomat par excellence and a fearless & forthright officer.”

Iyer added, “Diplomacy, like many other career avenues, has been forced to open its portals to both the sexes. For reasons not quite sustainable by logic, it was considered a chasse garde and a natural monopoly of men.”

Muthamma’s encounter during her UPSC interview was her first introduction to the challenges that lay ahead. She faced discrimination and discouragement from the then UPSC Chairman taking her interview, who tried to dissuade her from joining the IFS, she claimed in her writ petition to the Supreme Court in 1979 — which is considered a landmark judgment.

The UPSC chairman later personally informed Muthamma that he gave her the minimum marks in her viva by using his influence, said the writ petition.

She also had to sign an undertaking that she might have to resign from the IFS if she got married — a declaration as part of the “marriage rule”.

Rule 18 of the Indian Foreign Service Rules 1961 stated that “no married woman shall be entitled as of the right to be appointed to the service”.

Despite these hurdles, she joined the IFS in 1949 and served as India’s first woman diplomat for 32 years. Beginning her carrier as a Third Secretary in Paris, she served in several postings that were considered “difficult”, including Hungary and Ghana. Her last posting was in 1982 where she served as the ambassador to the Netherlands in The Hague.

A distinguished career

Muthamma’s father, an Indian Forest Officer, died when she was only nine years old and she, along with her sisters, was raised by their mother.

She graduated from Women’s Christian College in Chennai with triple gold medals and went on to complete her post-graduation from Presidency College, Chennai, with a degree in English Literature in 1948.

The same year, Muthamma sat for the civil services examinations and cleared the exam on the first attempt.

She then started as a Third Secretary in Paris and was later posted to Rangoon. She was shifted to London soon after. When she came back to Delhi, she was allotted the coveted division of the Ministry of External Affairs that dealt with Pakistan.

Later, she was given the much sought-after wing — “The Americas”.

After her retirement in 1982, she was nominated as a member of the special non-governmental Independent Commission on Disarmament and Security Issues — better known as the Palme Commission. She spent her retirement years with her brother in Bengaluru.

The landmark judgment

Systemic bias and inequality reached their peak when in 1979 Muthamma moved the Supreme Court after she was denied promotion to Grade I of the Service. She alleged that she was denied this position merely because she was a woman.

Her writ complaint mentioned that there was a long-standing practice of hostile discrimination against women in the foreign service. Following the petition, the ministry promoted her immediately in the hope that the SC would dismiss the case.

The central government also issued a statement that said, “Although the petitioner was not found meritorious enough for promotion some months ago, she has been found to be good now, has been upgraded and appointed as Ambassador of India to the Hague, for what it is worth.”

The Supreme Court dismissed the case, but Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, who was part of the three-member bench hearing the matter, said: “The misogynous posture (of the Ministry of External Affairs) is a hangover of the masculine culture of manacling the weaker sex, forgetting how our struggle for national freedom was also a battle against women’s thraldom.”

With several achievements attached to her name, Muthamma, who passed away on 14 October, 2009, at 85, has left behind a lasting legacy for several women who aspire to be in the civil services — fighting the same struggle she fought decades ago.

(Edited by Richa Mishra)

source: http://www.theprint.in / The Print / Home> India / by Divyanshi Chandra / June 24th, 2023

Ban on women ascending Brahmagiri meets strong opposition in Kodagu

June 30, 2023Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, Women/Girls (wef. Sept 03rd, 2022)BS Thammaiah, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner, Kodagu First, Kodava Freethinkers, Kodava Women, Komfort Foundation, Kusum Nehru Mallangada, Kusum Nehru Mallangada - Founder - Komfort Foundation, Nelakki Bolchaa, Prema Cariappa, Seer Agasthya, Talacauvery, Women Scaling Bramhagir Hillsadmin

The prohibition on women scaling Bramhagiri Hills in Talacauvery stating that women affected the sanctity of the pilgrim centre had stirred strong opposition from the Kodava community.

Pilgrims will henceforth not be allowed to take a dip in the Talacauvery | express

Madikeri :

The prohibition on women scaling Bramhagiri Hills in Talacauvery stating that women affected the sanctity of the pilgrim centre had stirred strong opposition from the Kodava community. Uniting against the stand of the astrologer Narayana Puduval, the ‘Kodava Freethinkers…’, a closed group on Facebook, strongly voiced its opposition and took the issue to the Kodagu deputy commissioner, who reportedly told them that the temple cannot take unilateral decisions outside the purview of its prescribed duties.

Responding to the issue, Talacauvery temple committee President BS Thammaiah said: “We have heard the various suggestions predicted by the astrologer. However, the final decision is pending and the committee has not come to any conclusion. The astrologer has suggested various principles to be followed while mounting Bramhagiri Hills, which is a sacrosanct place of Seer Agasthya. The astrologer has suggested righteous methods to be followed while taking a dip at Talacauvery. The ritual questioning will continue in June and the final decision will be taken in the presence of temple Tantri, the committee and other officials.”

While the decision is still pending, the Kodava community is alert and voicing its dissent against patriarchal chauvinism. Kusum Nehru Mallangada, founder of Komfort Foundation and Nelakki Bolchaa, said: “We are planning to talk to former MP Prema Cariappa, so that it becomes easier for us to talk to anyone in the government or district administration. If nothing works, all the women of Kodagu need to stage an agitation to force our agenda. If the male chauvinism of the temple wins, we will bring up this issue in the Legislative Assembly and submit a memorandum to the government.”

Nevertheless, the temple committee maintains that no decision has been taken to ban women from mounting the Bramhagiri and the final stand will be taken only after the completion of the ritual of octagonal questioning.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States>Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / May 29th, 2018