Coorg News – Consolidated News & Views

MADIKERI: The Kodagu BJP delegation led by the Madikeri MLA KG Bopaiah and Virajpet MLA HD Basava Raju will meet the Chief minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and other ministers regarding the issues and problems of Kodagu.

They said that meet with CM and other council of ministers will be held in the Vidhana Soudha on December 28, to urge the Chief Minster to withdraw the circular on Jamma Bane issue, in particular.

Bopaiah added that the circular was issued on the basis of one of the judgments of the Karnataka High Court as the circular stated but it will harm the interest of the people.

The December 28 meeting will also discuss about the other issues and problems which were discussed in the October 12 meeting which was presided over by the District-In-Charge Minister Ramchandra Gowda. Bopaiah also said that if no logical solution is meted they will also join the people in agitation against the government.

Bopaiah said that since the Deputy Commissioner has sent wrong report to government over land acquisition for the private bus stand, it was returned to the district administration. It does’nt mean that the land will not given to the private bus stand, he said.

Virajpet, MLA HD Basava Raju also expressed anguish over the Dr DM Nanjundappa Report where the government was releasing the grant depending on the report. Raju said that the report had suggested the government to form a separate Road Development Corporation for the district and which should be formed, Raju urged.

Both Raju and Bopaiah denied to comment on the district BJP chief’s election. Regarding the appointment of the Corporations and Boards, Basava Raju said that they will play no role in it will follow instructions of high command. Regarding the consideration of the ministerial berth for Kodagu, Raju said, ‘just wait and see.’

MADIKERI: Successive governments in the state have been neglecting Kodagu(Coorg) and the people of the district are not ready to fight against the injustice in one voice,” said MLC, C S Arun Machaiah.

He was addressing a gathering at a function arranged by Kodava Samaja to celebrate the Puthari festival in Madikeri. Machaiah detailed the problems and issues plaguing Kodagu district. He called upon the people of Kodagu to unite and oppose the Jamma circular issued by the government.

He also called upon Kodava and Gowda Samajas to unite and fight over the Jamma issue. Arun Machaiah said that the problems of Kodagu will not be solved if tourists praise the beauty of the district.

He said a decision regarding the 400 KV electric line passing through South Kodagu will be taken at the government level. He said he has convinced the Chief Minister regarding the issue. A high-level meeting will be convened by people’s representatives to sort out the issue, he said.

Regarding the repair of roads in the district, he said a total of Rs 1,200 crore is required for the purpose. No government can sanction that much money.

But the work can be taken up stage-wise, he suggested. Arun Machaiah came down heavily on politicians, officials and contractors who are responsible for the bad condition of the roads. Arun Machaiah also added that drinking water facility and electrification of villages will be shortly taken up by the government.

Machaiah announced that he will sanction Rs two lakh for General Thimmaiah school run by the Kodava Samaja. The president of Madikeri Kodava Samaja, M Suresh Chengappa presided over the function.

MADIKERI: “Madikeri has become my second home,” says Peter Watson who visits Madikeri evey year, since 1983. Peter Watson who spoke to NewIndpress.com website shared his views about the country and people whom he loves with heart.

Peter Watson first visited India in 1980. In his 1983 visit he was introduced to C B Devaiah of Kodagu and was taken to Madikeri. Watson who was attracted to the eastern culture, developed some sort of attachment towards the place and started coming to Madiekri every mid November or December.

Watson, a teacher in UK for 12 years, is also a reputed theater artist and singer. He is known for his needle work, embroidery and collections of the stage costumes of the drama. Now in his 74s, Watson says, “Though I am aged, my mind is still in 24. And I want to know about everything”.

He adds, “When I get an opportunity, I use it. Do not be afraid of anything and let the things to happen, as nobody knows what will happen to one and when and why.”

He says people of Kodagu attracted him in their simplicity, hospitality and treating him as one of their family members. He has not noticed major changes in Kodagu except a few huge buildings coming up in the district and slight change in weather in last 23 years.

Watson still shy to media, keeps himself from busy schedule. He loves to read detective novels in his leisure after his retirement from the all engagements.

Watson, hails from Saffron Waldom in Essex of Southern England. Kodagu and its historic sites have found a place in his water-colour paintings. C B Devaiah is high on his opinion about Watson. “Peter is a great artist and painter. Due to his media shyness and simple nature, he does not care for publicity,” says Devaiah.

Devaiah recalled that a book published on Ainmane (the ancestral houses of Kodagu) where the publishers used the water color paintings of Watson. Devaiah adds that Peter Watson is a man of simple living with noble thinking. Like Devaiah, people who come across with Watson are all praise for this ‘old but young man of England’.

MADIKERI: The Kodagu District Kannada Sahitya Parishat said that around 45 people from the district would participate in the 73rd All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelan to be held in Shimoga from December 20.

Senior educationist from the district Dr M M Chengappa will receive the honour as he has been selected as one among the 73 eminent personalities from the State, the KSP press release stated.

MADIKERI: Details regarding Kodagu and various government departments will be available through the Internet. A press release from the DC’s office said that details regarding Kodagu will be available on the website http/www.kodagu.nic.in.

He also added that those who are unable to reach him can send an e-mail and get his response. All the important circulars from the government will be available on the web site and the public can access these documents.