The Wild Cat’s Compendium: Cats Of All Tribes

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Title : The Wild Cat’s Compendium / Author : Dr. Nima Poovaya Smith /Year : 2022 /Pages :  51 /Price : Rs. 449

(Kindle version)

Publisher: Caracal Publications, United Kingdom

Dr. Nima Poovaya-Smith (parental home Ammanichanda) has just launched a delightful book titled  The Wild Cat’s Compendium, which is a collection of 45 brilliantly crafted verses on 45 species of wild cats as well as few of the domestic ones. 

Composing poems is an art and Nima excels in succinctly portraying the feline species in all its glory. In a few apt words, the 45 poems read as fluidly as the graceful strides of the cats. 

     (Read the sample poem.)

Nima Poovaya-Smith in conversation with David Lascelles, 8th Earl of Harewood, during the launch of her book.

Cats of All Tribes

Cats of all tribes major, middling, minor, inlaid menace and glamour, damascened suits of shadow armour.

Your coats boast such stylish motifs. Spots, dots, rosettes, stripes, flecks, spirals.

Draw breath, there is more, of this feline allure. Marbled, banded, clouded, streaked, stippled, brindled.

Your fur a lush canvas for lavish mark-making. Each unique striation etched with precision. Nature’s artful illusion.

The guile of the design, woven into the dapple of sun and shade, dissolving into air without hint or sign.

Seeing you without knowing we do, even when face-to-face. Our deepest, murkiest selves in plain view to that occult feline gaze.

African Golden Cats: By Joseph Wolf

What is remarkable about this compendium is the in-depth research that has gone into the lives, habitat, behaviour, and appearance of each variety of cat.  Nima has been working on this book for quite a few years and has packed a great deal of information wonderfully crafted using her treasure trove of highly refined vocabulary. In addition, Nima has woven the grave threats these feline species face in the wild and that their primary detractors belong to the human species. In one of the poems, she has given a consciously chilling recipe for preparing tiger bone wine.   Hopefully those who indulge in such shameful practices will realise and shun their superstition-ridden beliefs.

In the Introduction to the book, Nima mentions about her (and mine) maternal grandparents’ home (in Palangala village, Kodagu), where tigers and other wild cats roamed close to human dwellings. During our childhood days we have heard several tiger tales from our shikar-loving uncles. Over the years, those childhood memories have expanded in Nima’s mind to bring out this wonderful collection of poems.

As a bonus, each poem is richly illustrated with paintings by several well-known artists.  One of the artists is Nima’s brother Sunil’s wife Sheila, an alumna of CAVA, Mysuru.

Nima earned her Ph.D in English literature from Mysore University under the guidance of Prof. U.R. Ananthamurthy who used to mention that Nima was one of his best students. She went on a scholarship to University of Leeds to pursue her post-doctoral studies. She has been a curator of several museums in the UK.  She was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2016 for her contribution in the field of arts and museums. She was appointed as Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire in 2020, which entails interacting with the British royal family.

Chinese Mountain Cat: By Sheila Ammanichanda

Currently Nima is a Senior Visiting Research Fellow, School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, University of Leeds.

Wild Cats’ Compendium was launched at the Ilkley Literature Festival in October 2022. In the accompanying photograph, Nima is in conversation with David Lascelles, 8th Earl of Harewood (and second cousin of King Charles III), during the book launch.

Wild Cat’s Compendium is available on Amazon. However, currently only kindle version of the book is marketed in India: The Wild Cats’ Compendium: Cats of All Tribes eBook: Poovaya-Smith, Nima: Amazon.in: Kindle Store

Reading Wild Cat’s Compendium is an enriching experience. Every time you re-read a poem you learn something more. I rate this book as a Collectors’ Item.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by C.P. Belliappa / December 12th, 2022

Doha: KSQ honours coach of Karnataka men’s team, former Indian Hockey player

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Doha:

Karnataka Sangha Qatar in cooperation with Indian cultural Center hosted Indian Community.

Welcome reception to V S Vinay, ex Indian Hockey team player and current Hockey Karnataka Sr team coach and felicitated on December 6 at Ashok Hall Auditorium of Indian Cultural Centre.

Dignitaries present during this event was president of Indian Cultural Center P N Baburajan, vice president of Indian Cultural Center Subramanaya Hebbgelu.

The platform to this felicitation was created by Indian Cultural Centre to Honour the dignitaries visiting State of Qatar during the FIFA 2022 event.

Mahesh Gowda president – Karnataka Sangha Qatar welcomed the gathering and thanked V S Vinay for giving time for the reception and expressed confidence that under his mentorship many players will get trained and join Indian Hockey team and play for the country, also mentioned it is a proud moment that V S Vinay hails from Coorg district of Karnataka and which is know for producing world class players and won many medals for India.

Mahesh Gowda also thanked Indian cultural organisations for their invite and all Associated Organisations for felicitating the guest.

P N Baburajan in his address briefed the dignitary about Indian Cultural Center and how ICC is involved in the FIFA celebrations.

V S Vinaya thanked Karnataka Sangha and Indian Cultural Centre for felicitating him and people for there time to meet him, also motivated the parents to put their children in any sports and also briefed how their children get all the training facilities from the federation if they are really doing well in the sport.

The programme emcee was done by KSQ member Nithi Ramesh.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Middle East / by Media Release / December 10th, 2022

Kodagu Soldier Passes Away In Ranchi

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Madikeri:

A soldier from Kodagu, who was serving in Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Jharkhand in Ranchi, passed away yesterday following a brief illness.

The deceased soldier is K.K. Shiju (48), son of Rajamma and a resident of Kadagadalu. He was serving in CISF since 23 years. He took ill about two days ago and passed away yesterday.

He leaves behind his mother, wife, two daughters and a host of relatives and friends.

His body is expected to arrive at his native place today evening and the last rites will be held at Kadagadalu.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 09th, 2022

Hundreds Attend ‘Puthari’ Festival At Kodava Samaja

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Mysore/Mysuru:

Mysuru Kodava Samaja celebrated Puthari-2022, the harvest festival of Kodagu, in traditional fervour and gaiety at the Samaja premises in Vijayanagar here last evening.

Hundreds of members of the Samaja, wearing Kodava attire, attended the celebrations. Kodava men and women presented traditional dances on the occasion which won the applause of all those present.

In the previous years, the festival used to be celebrated at Sree Cauvery School premises in Kuvempunagar. But this year the celebrations were held in the Samaja premises itself and arrangements were made to distribute kadh (new paddy crop) to all the members by the Samaja volunteers.

Picture shows Kodava men performing a traditional dance.

The festival marks bringing home the new paddy crop from the fields, a symbolic welcome to Goddess Lakshmi. Before harvesting, the members chanted slogans ‘Poli Poli Deva’.

As part of the tradition, after the paddy sheaves are brought home, a unique pudding thambittu is prepared out of ripe banana, coconut, jaggery, sesame, cardamom, ghee and roasted boiled rice flour. Some grains of newly harvested paddy are used to prepare the dishes at home.

Office-bearers and Management Committee Members of Kodava Samaja, Mysuru;

President Mechanda M. Shashi Ponnappa;  Vice-President Malachira M. Ponnappa; Hon. Secretary Mukkatira B. Jeevan; Joint Secretary Appanderanda Tara Somaiah;  Hon. Treasurer Machimada P. Nanaiah; former Presidents and a large number of community people, young and old, were present.

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

Armed forces flag day

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The Armed Forces Flag Day was observed in Madikeri in Kodagu on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Kodagu district administration and Department of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement observed the Armed Forces Flag Day at General Thimmaiah Memorial Bhavan in Madikeri on Wednesday.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Mahaveer Chakra P.S. Ganapathy, Deputy Commissioner B.C. Satish, Superintendent of Police Capt M.A. Aiyappa, Air Marshal (Retd) Cariappa, Lieutenant Colonel Chacko, Kodagu Zilla Panchayat CEO S. Akash and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Every year, December 7 is observed as Armed Forces Flag Day throughout the country to honour martyrs and men in uniform, who valiantly fought and continue to fight on the country’s borders.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / December 07th, 2022

Mapping of elephant corridor under way in Kodagu

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Large populations of wild elephants moved freely between Kodagu and Kerala states even as the Bramhagiri-Nagarahole-Wayanad forest was known to be an age-old elephant corridor.

Elephant image used for representational purpose only. (Photo | Special Arrangement)
Elephant image used for representational purpose only. (Photo | Special Arrangement)

Madikeri :

Elephants are migratory beings and tigers are known to be territorial. However, with forests depleting to make way for human-centric development, wildlife conflict is peaking, as is evident in Kodagu. Nevertheless, experts opine that the conflict can be addressed scientifically by not just establishing conflict-mitigation projects, but by connecting fragmented forest areas.

While humans are confined to district, state, national and international borders, the wildlife, especially elephants, migrate without borders. Similarly, a large population of wild elephants moved freely between Kodagu and Kerala states even as Bramhagiri-Nagarahole-Wayanad forest was known to be an age-old elephant corridor.

However, this corridor has now been fragmented and the Kodagu division of the Forest Department is keen on connecting the fragmented forest area to make way for the free movement of the elephants. This in turn will also create a large undisturbed forest area for the territorial tigers too.

“Over 150 acres of two private coffee estates has disconnected the elephant corridor and is disrupting free movement of the elephants. The department is in talks with estate owners to purchase the land and establish an elephant corridor,” said B N Niranjan Murthy, Chief Conservator of Forests of Kodagu division.

A huge gap between Bramhagiri and Wayanad forest area has forced the elephants to tread through villages and on roads to continue their migration. An estimate of Rs 25 crore has been drawn to procure private lands even as the department holds a vision to invest on a flyover in an area for vehicle movement.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / December 07th, 2022

Sip like a king! Coorg Coffee Festival at Raja Seat on December 10 & 11

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Kodagu: 

Coorg Coffee Festival and Expo will held at Raja Seat, Madikeri on December 10 and 11.

Kodagu as a whole is known for the wonderful nature accomplished with rains and mist, besides a galaxy of wild animals. The nature here is praised all over for the exciting seasons throughout the year and is even coined as the “Scotland of India”

Kodagu produces one of the finest Coffees under Western Ghats hot spots. which are marked as living ecosystems and ecologically sensitive areas, marching sustainably along with flora and fauna. Coffee growers in this region have imprinted world coffee lovers and engraved an image of best coffees in the Western Ghats.

To strengthen further and to make world to aware the instinct note of Coorg Coffee and Indian Lovers in particular, the District administration is organizing a “Coorg Coffee Festival and Expo” first of its kind on 10 and 11 at Raja Seat, Madikeri

The main objectives of the festival are to bring all the coffee stakeholders under one umbrella and to promote Coorg Coffee extensively among the Coffee lovers, tourists visiting Coorg from across the country and world also.

Disteict administration stated in a press release “private entities who are involved in the Coffee Value Chain are requested to take part in the festival and exhibit their products. In this regard, the Coffee Board and the Department of Horticulture will be the facilitating entities to carry out the above programme”.

All the communications related to exhibition stall including registration and remittance of stall charges will be on the coorgcoffee-coorgcoffeefestival2022@gmail.com

source: http://www.mysoorunews.com / Mysooru News / Home> Kodagu / Mysooru News Desk / December 05th, 2022

Acviss Develops Traceability App For The Coffee Board Of India

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Acviss Technologies develops a “no internet” blockchain-based traceability application for the Coffee Board of India.

Brand protection and consumer engagement technology company Acviss Technologies develops a “no internet” blockchain-based traceability application for the Coffee Board of India. This app is designed to protect coffee production from counterfeiting. 

The Coffee Board of India has been working with marginalized tribal coffee growers to help them improve their farm productivity and quality. With the introduction of this anti-counterfeiting technology, farmers have been able to benefit from higher incomes in their farm produce.

In the last few years, the demand for differentiated coffees with traceability features has been increasing across the world and the differentiated coffees which can be traced back to their source can help obtain a premium for these coffee farmers. 

Commenting on this, Vikas Jain, Founder, of Acviss Technologies, said, “It has been a pleasure creating a solution for the Coffee Board of India, we’ve not only built something innovative but we’ve also tried to make it accessible and helpful for the common man, the app we have created is very simple and does not require Wifi for farmers to scan. It’s a very easy and user-friendly app created first and foremost for the benefit of farmers”

The blockchain-based traceability application by Acviss is an anti-counterfeiting solution that helps to reorganize the unstructured supply chain, provides transparency in transactions, and protects farmers from fraud and fake GI tag products with the help of quality evaluation. 

This app also helps farmers to generate stable income and protects them from any collateral damage with the help of automated payments, insurance, and financing as there is no middleman involved. For the end users, this app also helps consumers by providing authenticated certifications ensuring that the bought product is safe for consumption.

Talking about this implementation, the officials of the Coffee Board of India, said, “We have worked with Acviss to develop a blockchain solution that has been implemented in Karnataka and we have been very satisfied with the output. With this solution, the farmers have been able to gain benefits. Their incomes have gone up by about 43 per cent because of  this traceability app.”

Coffee has become an increasingly common target for food fraudsters, with low-quality ground coffee beans adulterated with filler ingredients such as corn, barley, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, acai seed, brown sugar, or starch syrup. One of the main drivers has been a reduction in coffee bean output due to poor harvests in some key producers.

With this application, coffee procured by these tribal farmers can now be traced from the grower to the consumer. Coffee parameters like moisture, weight, type and outturn captured at source farms are mentioned. Along with this, certification data is also available for each sample collected. 

To build consumer confidence, this app also displays the farm locations and the farmer data. It helps in simpler transactions between farmers and the end consumer with the help of digitalization as every product packaged goes through an authentic signature. This digital signature cannot be tampered with and helps in easy tractions between the farmers, processing unit, warehouse, distributor, retail, and finally the consumer.

Coffee has become an increasingly common target for food fraudsters, with low-quality ground coffee beans adulterated with filler ingredients such as corn, barley, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, acai seed, brown sugar, or starch syrup. One of the main drivers has been a reduction in coffee bean output due to poor harvests in some key producers.

source: http://www.bwdisrupt.businessworld.in / BW Disrupt / Home / by BW Online Bureau / December 03rd, 2022

Stepping stone for special children

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From 2000, Cheshire Homes India Coorg has been helping children & adults with intellectual disabilities.

Chairperson Gita Chengappa

Madikeri :

‘Save Soil’, ‘Swachh Bharat’, ‘Atmanirbhar…’ are not just grand slogans here. They are constants that motivate the functioning of Cheshire Homes India Coorg (CHIC), in Pollibetta of Kodagu district. An institution for the specially-abled, it caters to the needs of children and adults with intellectual disabilities – a majority of whom are from economically weak backgrounds.

Started in the year 2000, the centre has helped shape the lives of people with special abilities by providing special education and vocational training for free. Students are provided sustainable education and are involved not just in readying themselves to face a not-so-inclusive society but are also taught to lead a sustainable, eco-friendly life. Apart from special education, vocational training involves recycling plastic, clothes, paper and manufacturing eco-friendly value-added products.  

“The institution is run under the umbrella of Cheshire National Council, but we are an autonomous body. The institution supports the strengthening of the National Council so that we have a stronger body for disability in India,” explained Gita Chengappa, chairperson of the institution.

The centre receives support from the state government. “The state releases Rs 19 lakh annually and supports us. However, on an average, the institution requires Rs 40 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, which is raised through various donors. The institution caters mostly to people from very poor economic backgrounds,” added Gita.

Community acceptance
While most special schools are residential, CHIC is a day care centre. Each day, five school vans (hired on rent) leave the institution in five different directions. Designated pick-up spots have been drawn up and students are brought to these spots by their parents, where they are picked up and dropped back after school. “We spend over Rs 13 lakh for the van facility annually. Yet, we don’t want to make this a residential institution. We want the community, parents and society to be responsible for children with special abilities,” she opined.

The institution started off with just six students with special abilities. During the initial period, the institution involved itself in Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) and travelled the length and breadth of Virajpet taluk. “We went door to door, looking for children with special abilities and convinced parents not to keep these children hidden but to admit them to the institution. It was then run in a small building in Pollibetta,” she recalled.

vice-chairperson Punita amaswamy and honorary secretrary Asha Subbaiah

The CBR programme was continued for eight years, and the institution currently operates in a spacious location with improved facilities, with 68 specially-abled students who are diagnosed with intellectual disabilities.

“After Covid-19, the number of students dwindled as many fell sick. But we continued to cater to their needs and are still providing them the required medication,” she said. The institution helps them avail of government schemes for the specially-abled. During the pandemic, the institution supported their families with provisions and monetary help.

Driving force
The centre has six special educators. Shivraj, a specialist in visual impairment and mental retardation, heads the team as headmaster. Apart from the special educators, the centre has appointed vocational trainers. “The students are being skilled under different campaigns. While an inclusive society is still a distant dream, we are helping to skill them to earn a living within the boundaries of our institution,” she explained.

Single-use plastics, used papers and newspapers, used clothes and other recyclable plastic waste are turned into value-added products. Children with even severe impairment are involved in vocational activity which can help shape a sustainable, eco-friendly society. Used plastics are cut into pieces and woven (with help from a few women) into aesthetic mats. Used papers are cut into small pieces and processed into eco-friendly reusable paper, which is turned into paper bags and other items, and decorated with indigenous paintings.

From coasters to pillow covers, the talents of the specially-abled not just earn them a good living but help raise funds for the institution. The centre also has a ‘Jumble Sale Room’ where used clothes and other used items are stored and later sold. “We try unique methods to raise funds and build the institution,” explained Gita. The centre has a handloom unit operated by women from economically weak backgrounds, who are paid for their work. They also raise funds through handloom sales.Having addressed the needs of specially-abled people across Virajpet taluk, the institution is slowly expanding to the borders of Somwarpet taluk.

SPECIAL TOUCH

  • Institution equipped to support needs of specially-abled, has ‘tactile paving’ that helps guide the visually impaired
  • Toilets fabricated to meet the needs of specially-abled
  • Institution has full-time physiotherapist and psychiatrist
  • Helps recycle and upcycle plastic and paper waste, provides means of sustainable earnings to
  • the specially-abled
  • Centre has a ‘care unit’ where people with severe intellectual disabilities are cared for and nurtured
  • Projects of Central government are implemented to empower the specially-abled

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / December 04th, 2022

Mangaluru: St Agnes College organizes intercollegiate Technical Fest CIFRA

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The PG department of Big Data Analytics at St Agnes College (Autonomous) Mangaluru organized an intercollegiate technical fest, CIFRA, on November 28. The fest was held in celebration of Big Data day and brought together a community of students and technologists. The fest was inaugurated by the principal Sr Dr M Venissa A C and the PG co-ordinator Sr Dr M Vinora A C.

Students from various colleges in Karnataka enthusiastically participated in the fest. The technical fest included three major events and each comprising three rounds.

The first event was based on the fundamentals of Computer Science and Data Science, the second event was a programming language-based event, and the third event was a technical quiz.

The participants had the choice of selecting a programming language for the event. The judges for the events were C G Thomas, Senior Software Engineer, Novigo Solutions, Mangaluru, and Akanksha Jadhav, Analytics Engineer, Riskonnect Services Pvt. Ltd.

The observers for the events were Seementhini Fernandes and Nelson Fernandes, assistant professors at St Agnes College.

The valedictory programme included felicitating the winners and the participants.

The first prize was won by the team from Field Marshal K M Cariappa College, Madikeri, the second prize by the team from Vivekananda Degree College, Puttur and the third place was secured by Vijaya College, Mulki.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com /Daijiworld.com / Home> Campus Beat / by Media Release / December 01st, 2022