In personal news, Satya successfully defended his PhD thesis last week!  We are so happy. Now that is done, our attention has turned to India.  There are seven more weeks to go until our trip to India. It will be my first trip to India and Satya’s first since he left in 2000.  Most or all of the trip will be in Karnataka. 

So far, here is what we’ve done to prepare:

Bought some travel guides.  We bought Lonely Planet South India and Rough Guide South India.  Our favorite is Rough Guide South India because of all the great background information it has, like reviewers on Amazon have also noted.  We have a huge list of places to see, but I don’t know how we’ll divide our time between staying with his parents and visiting and going off for little sight seeing trips.  Some of our must sees are Hampi, Gokarna, Pattadakal, Badami, and Jog Falls.  Everyone also keeps recommending Mysore to us.  We got a good laugh at how his cousin’s village was referred to as “deep, rural Karnataka”.  Soon I’ll find out what exactly that means.

Restarting my Kannada lessons.  I’m following a course provided through Mysore University’s Central Institute of Indian Languages.  So far, I’ve been impressed with the exercises that follow each lesson.  Some exercises are relatively easy, like find this letter in this word which is a matter of simply matching letters.  Others are more difficult, for example, make 10 words out of these letters.  It also shows how each letter is supposed to be drawn.  I expect I’ll be able to read some simple words, know the alphabet, and say some simple sentences IF I continue studying. 

Researched health hazards and consulted with family.  Satya’s sister was trained as a doctor and his uncle still practices medicine as a village doctor.  The strong recommendation is to get a typhoid vaccine.  We haven’t done this yet, but time is getting short.  Satya has decided we will only eat what his mom prepares for us, but I don’t think that will work in reality.

Clothes.  This is a sticking point a bit with us.  Satya thinks I should just wear my regular clothes, but my belief is more one of, “When in Rome, do as the Romans.”  I think I’ve channeled some of my trip anxiety into “What do I wear?” I’ve also ordered a cotton handloom saree from sarisafari.com.  They have a great website about traditional sarees and the saree arrived very quickly after I ordered it.  I went online to utsavsarees.com and purchased two sarees and two salwar kameez outfits.  I wanted to have a saree to practice with before I go so I can drape it competently and know how to move in one.  The salwar kameezs are for sightseeing.  Temperatures are going to be around 80 so I thought they would be easier to move around in than jeans.  Unfortunately, ordering online is a bit tricky when one does not have a good idea of clothes and measurements.  They are too small. I also bought two salwar kameez suits yesterday at an Indian clothing shop nearby, but I have a strong suspicion they are too big.   Still have yet to get bindis, bangles, and mangalsutra.

Bathroom changes.  I’ve used some Indian products before like Sandalwood soap at my sister in laws or most recently Shikakai for hair.  Those things are all good and I love how clean Shikakai feels and how easily it rinses out.  I’ve researched bathroom procedures in the book “Going Abroad:  The Bathroom Survival Guide”, but I have not practiced.  Satya’s parents have a squat toilet and use water instead of toilet paper.  Getting used to that will be one of the biggest challenges, I think.  Satya said that when he got to the US, toilet paper struck him as disgusting as was how the shower/tub is usually in the same room as the toilet.  Now it will be my turn to adapt and logically he is right that the Indian way is probably cleaner and is better for the environment. 

Gifts.  We don’t know what to do about this.  I want to get some simple gifts for close relatives because that is what my mom has always told me is correct guest behavior-always get something for the people who are letting you stay with them.  I also really want to get gifts for his cousin’s kids, mostly because I like buying toys.  Satya is not keen on this though.  He says he does not want the kids or any other family members to associate us with gifts.  Also, his sister and her husband, who married into a more status oriented family, must always go to India carrying suitcases filled with gifts according to a list dictated by her mother in law. 

Cultural differences.  Here are some from my sister in law and from Satya: lots of noise, lots of wildlife (his parents have a group of monkeys living in their yard and lizards are common in the house), lots of people visiting and dropping in and out, people being much more open about their opinions and with advice. 

I don’t know why I’m freaked out so much.  Satya keeps telling me that I just have to be myself and relax.  I think part of it is that we’ll be seeing his extended family and lots of his old friends.  We’ll also be probably meeting a cousin Satya might have married if he had stayed in India and wanted an arranged marriage.  So the stakes are higher than if we were just going as tourists.  I want to make a good impression and not look like or be “the ugly American”.

Hello Friends here we come up with the Latest Agri Commodities updates from various parts of the country.

Rabi sowing picks up in State

Rabi sowing picks up in State:

The recent rain in several parts of Karnataka seem to be playing a key role in rabi sowing with farmers going in for large-scale coverage of jowar, Bengal gram and sunflower, particularly in the northern districts.

As sowing is in progress, data from the Agriculture Ministry shows that rabi crops were sown on 27.05 lakh hectares of land accounting for 73 per cent progress against the target of 37 lakh hectares as on November 18.

Sowing of maize, wheat, Bengal gram and sunflower continued in the northern districts while transplanting of paddy and sowing of black gram was in progress in parts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

Bengal gram has been sown on 8.78 lakh hectares of land against 7.67 lakh hectares during the corresponding period last year, while jowar, the major rabi crop, has been sown on 9.25 lakh hectares, wheat on 1.9 lalkh hectares, and sunflower on 2.90 lakh hectares.

Overall coverage of pulses such as Bengal gram, horse gram, black gram, green gram, cowpea and avare stood at 9.93 lakh hectares against the coverage of 8.99 lakh hectares last year.

However, the area under cereals — rice, jowar, ragi,maize, wheat, and minor millets — trails at 12.32 lakh hectares against 14.39 lakh hecatres during the corresponding period last year.

In Other major Commodities Updates we can see  FMC has recently instructed bourses to ensure compliance of the PMLA and Sugar production in India may exceed estimated figures.

Commodity bourses must follow PMLA norms : “FMC”

In order to step up the regulatory grip on commodity derivatives market, Forward Markets Commission (FMC) has recently instructed bourses to ensure compliance of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA) by their members.

“This is more of a pre-emptive step to prevent unscrupulous money coming into our (commodity futures) market,” BC Khatua, chairman, FMC, said.

Sugar output may beat estimates “Survey”:

Sugar production in India, the world’s second-largest grower, may be 11 percent more than estimated after farmers boosted planting and yields improved because of increased fertiliser use.

Output may jump to 17.68 million metric tonne in the season started Oct. 1, according to interviews with 631 farmers across six states by Geneva-based SGS SA for Bloomberg.

Note : For More Latest Industry, Stock Market and Economy News and Updates, please click here

Karnataka was one among the very few states which took the initiative to invest in, and promote, state tourism. The idea back then was to enhance activities related to tourism so as to generate employment in various parts of the state. The idea and objective of tourism have evolved immensely in the last one decade. Not only in tourism but in every field, people are ideating innovative marketing schemes to promote their assets and make them more visible.

The Department of Karnataka Tourism has recently divulged its latest policy keeping in mind both domestic and international travellers. It’s the perfect time for the government to realize that the chunk of the tourism revenue comes from the foreign travellers.  It is imperative to draft policies which are foreign tourists-friendly. A lot of damage has been already done with foreign tourists discussing facts like poor infrastructure and lack of security. Karnataka is a huge state endowed with natural bounty and can boast of invaluable forest reserves and 300 kilometers of coastline. The picturesque beauty and charm of Karnataka’s beaches, ghats and natural reserves have the potential to turn them into must-visit destinations.  Besides enticing guests by destinations, it is very critical to improve our infrastructure so that the possibility can be reality. Initiatives like promotion of Heli Tourism, Health and Wellness Tourism, Cruise Tourism, etc. can help improve the slackened sector. The department is setting up about 23 helipads with substantial investments at various destinations to promote Heli Tourism. Another great initiative taken is the proposed ‘Green Police’ project at select destinations in the state. Green police will comprise of ex-service men and will lend the much needed additional security at key locations across Karnataka.

Picture courtsey The Hindu Business Line

The tourism department is aiming to target high-end tourists from new markets like Japan, Spain, Scandinavian countries, South American countries like Brazil and Argentina etc. in the next three years. Another known fact is that though the Karnataka destinations are very well known to locals, it is essential to make the facts clear to other potential domestic markets like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai and other metro cities. The time now is very challenging as there is aggressive competition in the sector but interesting too as challenges only facilitate the commencement of fresh proposals.

Sunrise at Mundajje

I had tough time porting 8 sleeping bags and 2 tents plus my backpack from my office to the Majestic bus terminal. Thanks Srushti and KD for offloading a few. The Rajahamsa left on time without Cuba and Hemanth, who boarded it running haphazardly at the exit of the terminal.

We filled up the last 1/4th of the bus. As usual soft targets were in the firing range with KD, Hemanth, Cuba and myself taking turns at the trigger. Benjamin was busy watching some soap in his ipod. We had to bring down the noise levels whn rest of the passengers looked annoyed. After a small tea break at kamat’s in Hassan, the bus took us to Ujire nonstop. At the end of the journey, I along with Cuba was sitting on the engine bonnet and bus driver was very enthusiastic in informing us about the places nearby and how adventurous he was during his childhood. The bus dropped us at Ujire by 6:30AM.

Narayan gowda's house

Narayan gowda(NG) was standing outside his old fashioned antique looking yet majestic house( reminded me of my Granny’s house). He asked us to get refreshened and leav asap and the guide(not one, but 2! – He had called another fellow as backup!) was already waiting for us. NG’s wife came out with their grand daughter Tanvi and girls set busy playing with the baby. NG went on to explain that he is a member of zilla panchayat and has plans to come up with a trek guide with trails in the surrounding areas to promote adventure. We appreciated his effort and bid goodbye and started our trek on a trail that begins right beside his house.

Stream no less than a waterfall

Grasslands - Finally, the No leach zone

Arbi(Bandajje) falls - front view

Benjamin , Sangram and Poonam had gone well ahead of us and we started very late after lunch.The uphill trek continues even in the grasslands and one can see the head of the Bandajje waterfall after about an hour of trek. We found some shade under a tree and rested for an hour or so( No water). The discussions and topics in that one hour was one of the most fun filled times in my trek life!!(@Srushti, Bindu, KD, Saritha, Cuba and Hemanth: I’m too much tempted to write! but, i’ll hold on ) Its only when someone stopped laughing – after a good one hour or so, that we realized we are far behind an d the guide was waiting for us a KM away under the hot Sun.

Bandajje falls - Breadthtaking top view!

Razor edge!

Sunset as seen from Bandajje waterfall

Mesmerizing!

Bonfire!

Chanda maama

Green carpet welcome

Ballarayana Durga

Come Sunday morning, we could not afford to be lazy. We had to leave early and it is not so easy to pull people out of water when they are in playing mood. We had to smother a few, threaten the rest before everybody were set to start. The trek continued in the grassland. It was very sunny and we could spot Elephant dung everywhere. After crosing a few hills, we could see the Ballarayan durga fort a sweet 3 hills further. I paced up along with Benjamin, Bindu and Srushti while the rest were far far behind. On reaching the base of the hill on which the fort stood, we could see a gunman and another fellow. They had disappeared when we reached the fort though. (There was another group who had come from sunkasaale just to visit the fort – They had a gunman too! )

Watch tower

Little wall of ballarayana durga

The fort is a ruin. There is nothing inside apart from a compound. It looks like a small wall of china . There is a watch tower which gives 360 degree view of the surroundings. The place offers breathtaking view of western ghats and the green carpeted mountains are just mind boggling!

The GANG

Temple at the base of the hill

We had our bus booked at 9:30 from Horanadu. Since we had wnough time, we booked 2 rooms to freshen up and visited the famous Annapoorneshwari Temple. We had the prasadam dinner at the temple hall and boarded the bus on time. (Just on time, as 4 poeple went missing and the rest had tough time finding them!)

The bus dropped us in Bangalore Majestic bus terminal by 6:30 and we all parted promising to meetup on a dinner someday the same week. And, we DID. Had a rocking time, AGAIN!

Summary:

* There are two possible routes: Mudajje – Bandajje falls – Ballarayandurga fort – Sunkasaale in that order OR in reverse order. I do not suggest reverse order as it takes out the fun and beauty of the route.

*Take a bus from bangalore to Ujire (All Kundapur bound buses ply this route)

*Jeeps are available from Ujire to Narayangowda’s house. Call him up well in advance and know the weather conditions, rainfall and guide availability.

*For the return journey, book Horanadu – bangalore 9:30 PM bus. One can reach Horanadu comfortably from Sunkasaale. About 32kms. KSRTC buses ply this route from 4:30PM to 5:30PM (around 3 buses)

*camp just beside the Bandajje falls. There is a small campsite where one can pitch 3 tents.

*On the 2nd day, Leave the campsite as early as possible. One can enjoy the mist filled meadows on the way to fort. It gets really hot later.

*Carry fire crackers (Helps scare elephants away)

*carry enough water. Only water resource – Bandajje waterfalls.

The headline is misleading.  Proceedings of a board  meeting of Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA)  was relayed live to the media on closed-circuit TV,  presumably,  for the first time  in MUDA’s history.   How could anyone object to such initiative for transparency ?

But some MUDA members,  notably state legislators,  were not enthusiastic about it . In fact, they opposed any  access to media,  as if  what transpires among MUDA board members is state secret .  Reasons they gave point to their mindset.

Some legislator members are quoted as saying,  1) MUDA board meets are comparable to in-camera  meetings of the Karnataka cabinet.

2) Media presence would  ‘disturb deliberations and decision-making ‘  process at MUDA meeting .

3) There  is no provision in law that ‘mandates’  MUDA to hold an open meeting, in media presence’.

What  they neglect  to mention is there is nothing in the law that bans media  access to MUDA meetings.  If the press had been kept out for so long,  it was for reasons best known to its board members.  Despite objections, or rather because of the member’s reservations,  MUDA chairman P  Manivannan worked out an arrangement,  by which local media can have access to proceedings of meetings without causing  ‘disturbance’  by their physical presence at the  MUDA boardroom. The boardroom proceedings were relayed through closed-circuit TV to reporters assembled elsewhere  at MUDA office.  However audio quality of telecast left much to be desired.

A local newspaper gave its own spin to this lapse,  saying  “it was not known if the audio was deliberately muffled or was due to a technical problem” .  Unpredictable are the ways of our  media.

According to Deepika Padukone there are three D’s which are needed for someone to grow in any field of life and they are dedication, discipline and determination. Within this small span of 21 years she has acclaimed fame and has a huge fan following. She is the heartthrob of today’s youth and the most promising newcomer.

Deepika Padukone born on January 5, 1986 is an Indian model turned actress. Deepika Padukone is daughter of former World badminton Champion Prakash Padukone and mother Ujjala Padukone, Deepika grew up into a sultry model with dreams in her eyes to make it big in showbiz industry. Though she played badminton during her school days and reached to the level of a State player, she did not take her game to the national level as she had set her sights on the glamorous world of showbiz. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, at eleven months old she moved to Mangalore, Karnataka when her family returned to India.

She attended high school in Dehli. She was a proud member of the dance club run by her father. She has been modeling for advertising Liril soap, Dabur Lal powder Part plus shampoo and Limca, receiving many prestigious modelling offers, including brand ambassadorship of the Jewels of India, an annual jewellery festival. She hit the international scene when Maybelline made her their new international covergirl face.

At the fifth annual Kingfisher Fashion Awards, for Indian models and designers, she was awarded the title of Model of the Year. Shortly afterwards, she was chosen as one of the models for the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar for 2006. She also won two trophies at the Idea Zee F Awards in 2006 – Female Model of the year (Commercial Assignments) and Fresh Face of the year. She recently did a commercial for Moods condoms. She is a brand ambassador for Kingfisher Airlines .

Deepika Padukone looks a natural athlete with a height of 5 ft 9 inches. She was born on January 5th 1986 in Copenhagen, Denmark and spent her childhood in Bangalore. Padukone has branched out from modeling into acting. She started by starring in the music video for Naam Hai Tera a song from the pop album Aap Ka Suroor, an independent album by Himesh Reshammiya.

During her spare time, she is either spending time with her friends and if not that she prefers to fly home and spend time with her family. Her favourite films are Matrix and Charlie’s Angels. She has always admired three women in the industry whom she saw acting when she was growing up and they are none other than Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and of course Aishwariya Rai.

New Delhi, Nov. 20: The Karnataka Cabinet minister and powerful BJP leader, Mr Gali Janardhan Reddy, has come in for severe criticism by the Supreme Court-appointed central empowerment committee for his Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) indulging in illegal mining by encroaching upon reserved forests.

Also criticising the Andhra Pradesh government for an alleged “cover-up” of the “illegal” mining by Obulapuram Mining Company, the committee recommended demarcation of the boundaries of the six mining leases, including three belonging to the Reddy brothers.

The committee submitted its report to the Supreme Court on Friday.

The committee, in a strongly worded 18-page report, said, “The Obulapuram Mining Company has encroached in mineral rich areas outside their mining leases and is carrying out large-scale illegal mining in unallotted reserved forest areas.”

“Their (government departments) effort appears to have been to cover up the illegal mining done by Obulapuram Mining Company in the unallotted forest areas outside the approved mining leases. This is not simply acceptable and vitiates the process of fixation of mining boundaries by Andhra Pradesh,” the report went on to state.

The report submitted to the Supreme Court on Friday by the panel for consideration by a special forest bench, has also listed Bellary Iron Ore Private Limited (BIOP), Y.M. and Son and Anantapur Mining Corporation (AMC) apart from the three mining fields of the Reddy brothers, which have to be demarcated.

The panel accused the company of “destroying the boundary pillars” and that it “encroached on the forest land located between the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka”.

A report submitted by the committee also stated that OMC has a business partnership with the son of the then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.

The committee has recommended that the fresh demarcation of the mining areas be done in a “time-bound” manner by a team comprising senior representatives of the Survey of India, ministry of environment and forests, Andhra Pradesh forest department and revenue department as per the “survey and land records”.

“The team should also demarcate, identify and determine the area falling outside the approved mining leases and wherein illegal mining operations have been carried out,” it said.

The committee has disapproved the stand of the AP government that OMC was not involved in any illegal mining in the forest areas outside its mining lease.

The stand of the AP government “suffers from serious defects (on five counts listed in the report) and inconsistencies and is not at all in conformity with the approved mining,” the report said.

While recommending suspension of mining activities in the area in question, the committee said the boundaries of mining leases determined by the AP government were “inconsistent and different” in terms of areas of mining lease, in shape, in length and location.

Mining could be permitted only after fresh demarcation in the approved areas, the committee recommended while asking the top court to “impose exemplary costs equivalent to the normative market value of the iron ore extracted from the areas outside the approved mining lease”.

In Hyderabad, reacting to the observations of the Supreme Court panel, the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, said, “Whatever the Supreme Court decides on the issue, my government will implement them in letter and spirit.”

Within two weeks of returning to India from Vietnam I was already feeling claustrophobic. Like a junkie awaiting his next fix I was eager to head away from home and see the world. With a heavily depleted bank account from my Vietnamese adventure I had to set my sights a little lower. Lucky for me then, that my family planned a retreat to the small town of Hassan, in the neighbouring state of Karnataka.

Much like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka’s major sights are largely based around temples (although the lush natural parks of the Nilgiris are also beautiful to visit). In India, the temple’s use was not limited to just worship, acting as the social hub of local life. A market would invariably be present, traders squabbling loudly with locals over the price of vegetables and fruit. The enchanting fragrance of jasmine would hang in the air, as women of all ages queued from before dawn in order to get the freshest cut flowers to place in their hair. Neighbours shared the local gossip while families would come here to bond by worshipping together. This area is famous for two temples, both products of the Hoysala Dynasty.

Legend has it that the patriarch of the empire was a boy named Sala. While still a youngster, he was being taught by his guru when a tiger appeared. While all around were losing their heads, he kept calm, bravely (some would say even stupidly) approaching the creature and proceeding to give it a good beating. Needless to say he won the battle, striking the beast dead (the word hoy means ‘kill’ in older dialects of Kannada), and thus a great empire in the history of India was born.

The smaller temple of the two is the Chennakesava Temple in Belur, a Vishnu temple that was commissioned in 1117 CE and completed 103 years later. The temple itself is within a walled compound, and sits on a raised platform in the shape of a 32-pointed star. On the outside of the temples most of the carvings have been eroded by rain – acid or other – but still retain the strong memory of their former glories. Gods in various guises and positions are discernible, and a frieze consisting of one continuous vine of flowers wraps around the entire temple. Other frescoes are present, displaying rows of swans, elephants and makara (a 7 animal chimera) that wind fully around the outside wall, some 200 metres or so. No two animals are identical. And that’s before we go inside.

It is on the interior where the more famous carvings are, and they do not disappoint. Delicately hand crafted in soapstone, each is as beautiful as one could imagine. It is simply breathtaking how these were created using rudimentary tools and natural light only. The level of craftsmanship cannot even be imagined. All statues and figures were sculpted from memory – there were no drawings to guide the workers. Created in situ, even one mistake could ruin the entire temple and incur the wrath of the king.

Most impressive of all the carvings are those of the guardians to the main shrine, two voluptuous beings ward off intruders with their cold glares. Their necklaces are carved down to individual links, their belts of jewellery bearing medallions and gems carved into the stone. Gleaming in the fluorescent light, they are lent a mesmeric quality.



The icing on the finely-crafted cake is in the form of the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebid, dedicated to the god Shiva. Here the inner sanctum is in similar style to that of Belur, although much of the stonework is in a state of ruin. This temple felt the wrath of conservative Muslim invaders, who ransacked it, destroying much of the inside. What remained was appropriated by the British and shipped to the UK. Of the 84 stone statues originally existing within, 70 are missing, a sizeable proportion of which are now housed in museums such as the V&A. Indeed, how the outer walls of the temple escaped this destruction is all the more remarkable, and this is what catches the eye.

Famous tales from mythology wrap around the temple, each allocated their own portrait sized block to tell stories I have been told as a child. The detail is breathtaking – on the block depicting Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana one can clearly see a hunter crouching, ready to spear a pig while a lizard suns itself on a rock. In a somewhat bizarre prediction of the future, one section contains a man in a judge’s wig and a trench coat surveys the goings on with an air of authority. And that’s not all, with small stretches of frieze putting paid to the notion of a prudish India by depicting content from the Kama Sutra considered suitable only for adults.

The inspiration behind the British legal system's dress code

This probably is not safe for children

Neither print nor picture can justifiably capture the awe inspired by the intricacy of these works. Even the columns supporting the structure have a great level of skill attached to them, having been turned in elephant-run lathes. Who needs a CNC mill or laser cutter anyway? The Archaeological Survey of India must be commended for the tremendous job performed in repairing these temples from the destruction wrought upon them previously. A trip to Southern India would be futile if one did not see these, which must be towards the pinnacle of art. And all this motivated by their devotion to the god (although the king’s whip must have had some say in matters). If religious love can produce beauty such as this, then I’m sorry Richard Dawkins but I know whose side I’m on.

The already beleaguered Maoist movement in Karnataka has received another serious jolt when three important Naxalite leaders including Devendrappa Aalias Vishnu, a State committee member this week.

A special team of Andhra Pradesh police, which kept watch on the Maoists, nabbed them in Peenya police station limits on Bangalore outskirts.

Sources said the other two arrested were Laxmi alias Geeta, a district committee member and Asha, a district committee secretary. Asha was stated to be the wife of Nanda Kumar, a member of the Karnataka State committee.

The Maoist movement in Karnataka split vertically after there was debate within the party leaders on the relevance of following area wise seizure of power concept, which the Maoist party firmly believes in. A section of leaders who believed that the revolutionary activity should also be taken up in urban areas by mobilising people broke away and started their own party. The Hindu

Maoist suspect remanded in custody

Karnataka Bureau

SHIMOGA/MYSORE: Kiran Kumar, alias Mallesh (27), one of the four suspected Maoists arrested on Tuesday, was produced before the JMFC court here on Thursday and remanded in police custody till December 3.

The Shimoga police, who arrested him, said that Kiran was a mediator between Maoists and their supporters.

A police team caught the youth at the KSRTC bus stand in Shimoga city around 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday and questioned him. He was identified as a resident of Goragunte Palya in Bangalore. He hails from Bommanal village in Deodurga taluk of Raichur district.

The police said he used to supply material and information to naxalites hiding in jungles of the Malnad region.

The police refused to disclose information about the other three taken into custody.

Another of those arrested, Vishnu alias Devendrappa, according to sources, is from Tallur village in Shimoga district.

He escaped during the encounter that took place in 2005 when naxalite ideologue Saket Rajan and his accomplice, Shivalingu, were shot dead near Menasinahadya in Chikmagalur district.

Sources said Vishnu is an important person in the naxal cadre and the State leader of the naxal wing that operates in the Western Ghats. Vishnu has been in the movement for 20 years, and he was second in command when Saket Rajan was alive.

 There are many factions who want to split from Karnataka. These include some people who are demanding that Belgaum be given to Maharashtra, Kodagu be given autonomy and Karwar to join Goa.

 I spoke to a the heads of these factions.

Vijay More, Former Belagaum Mayor and leader of  Maharashtra Ekkikarana Sangha

Belgaum which has a huge Marathi speaking populace and people feel that the district should be allowed to join Maharashtra. “We have our own language and culture, which is not respected by Karnataka. There was a mistake during the formation of states, and we Marathis in Belgaum are suffering because of this. We are not against Karnataka or Kannadigas, we just want to safeguard our language and culture. Karnataka is forcing Kannada on us,” said Vijay More, former Belgaum Mayor and leader of Maharashtra Ekkikarana Sangha.

The matter of Belgaum wanting to join Maharashtra is in the Supreme Court. “We will honour the court verdict. But the Supreme Court has also given an order that official documents should be in the language which people speak. Here the documents are in Kannada and most of the people don’t know to read if. If the property documents are in Kannada how will a Marathi person living here read it? He has to go to a Kannada knowing person who may cheat him,” he said.

More feels that the development of Belgaum was also ignored by the Karnataka government. “The Karnataka government has a step motherly attitude towards Belgaum. If not, the district would have been much ahead,” he said. He is also against the Karnatala government building a Vidhana Soudha in Belgaum, since the matter is still in court.

Kannada Rakshana Vedike (KRV) members had painted More black with tar at the Legislator’s house near Vidhana Soudha two years ago. “We are asking for our right in a non-violent way. But the KRV is using unlawful means to subdue us,” he said.

 N U Nachappa, Secreatary-General, Codava National Council

The Codavas for a long time were demanding that the Kodagu district be made into an

independent state. But now they are demanding an autonomous homeland status. “We Codavas are a different race and live in a compact area. Codagu is made of 45 Kodava nads or clusters of villages which were ruled by chieftains. We have our own language and a distinct culture which is very different from that of the Kannadigas. Even our almanac is different. But Kanndigas are imposing their language on us. So to safeguard or language and culture, we need the autonomy,” said Nachappa, Secreatray, Codava National Council.

Nachappa says that the Karnataka government has changed most of the names in Kodava language to Kannada. “They have changed the name of our festival Puttari to Huttari. Putta means new and Ari means rice. What means has Huttari has? They have also changed the names of places. The Karnataka government calls us Malanadu Kannadigas, but we are not Kannadigas. It is the same as calling Kurds living in Syria or Iran as mountain Turks, which they are opposed to. Leave alone being Kannadigas, we are not even Hindus. We worship the natural forces and have no Gods,” he said.

Nachappa also feels that they have no big state to look up to for support. “The Marathis in Belgaum have Maharasthra which safeguard the Marathi language. The Konakanis in Karwar have Goa. But we have no big state to protect our language,” he said.

He also feels that the development of Kodagu was neglected, and the reservation system in elections is further affecting the development of the district. “Because of the reservation system, even a person from Kolar can come and contest for even panchayat elections,” he said.

 Asha Palankar, Convener, Goa Konkani Rajya Ekikaran Manch

The Konkani speaking belt of Kawar, Haliyal and Supa are also demanding that they be joined with Goa. “Injustice has been done to us in 1956. Our roots are in Goa, which was ruled by the Portuguese. But Goa got independence in 1961, and Konkani areas which were ruled by the British were added to Karnataka,” she said.

Palankar feels that the Karnataka government is imposing Kannada on them and the Konkani still do not live in an Independent India. “We feel that we are still under the Portuguese who had tried to impose their culture and language on us. The Karnataka government is doing the same thing. Our temples have names written in Devanagiri script. But when renovations are made, the Kannadigas ensure that the same names are written in Kannada. They are forcing our children to learn Kannada in schools. Konkani is not taught,” she said. Official documents which are written in Kannada. “When the Kannada Rakshana Vedike members hit me with eggs, I wanted to file a police complaint, and the police insisted that I write the complaint in Kannada. When I insisted that I would write it in Konkani, the cop said that he would write it in Kannada and I had to sign it. How can I trust whatever he writes when I don’t know the language,” she said.

As for the development of Karwar, she feels that it is neglected and that most of the officials are also Kannadigas. “This has forced many Karwaris to migrate to Goa and Maharasthra. They build houses here and come only for vacations,” she said.

  The movement to merger Karwar with Goa gained momentum in 1992, when the Konkani language was added in the VIII schedule of the constitution. “Now we have approached the Supreme Court, and hope to get justice,” she said.

The Sri Ram Sena’s women’s wing ‘Durga Sena’ supports the beating of women in a Managlore pub. Surprisingly, they do not think that their male counterparts did anything wrong.

 “Of course they should be beaten. They were drinking and dancing and ruining our culture. They drink and call themselves empowered women. They are empowered when it comes to drinking, but when they were beaten they call themselves weak women. If they were empowered they should have fought back our members,” said 24 year old Manchaleshwari Naik, state convenor of Durga Sena.

 Manchaleshwari is also against celebrating Valentine’s Day. “All this is Western culture. The Durga Sena will also join the Ram Sena and get lovers married. Our youngsters have forgotten our culture. Our aim is to bring them back to our culture,” she said.

 She had a problem with the reporter’s dress also who was wearing jeans and a knee length kurta. “You media people have to become a model for the rest. Our next programme will be to teach women in media to dress in India way. Jhansi rani and Kittur Rani Chennamma fought the British with swords and horses. They did not need jeans to feel comfortable. They wore sarees and Indian clothes,” she said.

 When asked to elaborate on what is decent dressing she said, “All the regions of India have different clothing. This should be followed. These days girls do not have a bindi on the foreheads nor do they have any bangles. Women should wear Indian clothes with the accessories,” she said.

 Manchaleshwari is 24 years old and is joined the Durga Sena when she was 17. “I was in the 12^th standard and Pramodji visited our college. I was inspired by his speeches and wanted to do my bit for the country and my religion. Though the Sena I try to instill patriotism and respect for our culture in young women,” she said.

 She completed her graduation and married a Sri Ram Sena member. “My husband is also an active member of the Sena and supports me. I am a full time Sena worker and my husband runs a cloth shop in Hukkeri in Belgaum,” she said.

 She claims that Durga Sena has around 200 members in Karnataka. “We are working towards enrolling more women and will hold camps and seminars in colleges.”

Come drought or floods, life moves on…

Saw this small plant break free through hard rough soil…

The story of Hampi is the story of stone. You disagree? You think it is sacrilege to reduce the heady might and valour of the Vijayanagara kings to the passivity of stone? Stone – inanimate, indifferent and cold?

No, it is true. In Hampi, the stones tell you more interesting stories than your guide ever can (and believe me, the guides have some juicy ones up their sleeve). All you need is a wee bit knowledge and oodles of imagination. And nowhere are the stories more absorbing than at the Vitthala temple, perhaps because the large open courtyard space inside the (broken) temple walls allow you space to exercise that imagination.

This 15th century temple has faced more than its share of destruction from invaders over the years, as is evident from the broken main gopura and several pillars inside the complex. Now a UNESCO world heritage site, this temple dedicated to Vishnu is being preserved with great care by the authorities.

A pity, in some ways, since this means that the main mahamantapa has been cordoned off, and visitors are not allowed in. I was lucky the last time I visited Hampi when I could climb up the few steps and enter the mantapa. The outer walls and pillars are carved with intricate and never-ending patterns of dancing women and horses and elephants. However, the mantapa is a delight for more than just the lush carvings; it houses the musical pillars. Each of the 56 tall pillars that support the roof the mantapa emanates a musical note when tapped. Our guide arranges for one of the security guards to give our group a demo; sa re ga ma, guitar, jaltarang, he goes on.

Perhaps the most recognizable element of the temple complex is the stone chariot in the main courtyard, with wheels that can revolve even today, it is said. The other unmissable structure is the king’s balance, the Tulabharam on the way leading to the Tungabhadra, standing over 15 feet tall. It is here that the kings used to be weighed against grain or fruit, and on special occasions gold and gems, which would then be distributed to the poor.

A tip: Vitthala temple is right by the river; the most enjoyable way to reach the temple is by a short coracle ride from the ghats near Matunga hill or a walk by the river. The journey by road, in contrast is long and winding, and not half as interesting.

  BANGALORE: The prices of vegetables have skyrocketed in the last couple of days, upsetting many modest household budgets.

 Though the prices had begun fluctuating after floods ravaged north Karnataka last month, the recent spell of rain — both in the city and elsewhere in the State — have pushed the prices up.

 According to B. Mune Gowda, president of Horticulture Producers Marketing Cooperative Society (HOPCOMS), the recent rain around Bangalore has hit standing crops.

 “Till the next crop is ready for harvest, vegetables’ scarcity and the resultant higher prices will continue,” he told The Hindu.

 R. Suresh, a supervisor at HOPCOMS head office, attributed the high onion prices to shortage stemming from crop destruction following the deluge in north Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. “Potato too is scarce,” he added. Both have crossed the Rs. 30-mark.

 Venkatesh, a vegetable dealer in the city, said the floods had also hit arrivals from Belgaum. “Belgaum is one of our main suppliers,” he said. “Bangaloreans, who depend on produce grown in north Karnataka, are feeling the impact,” said Mahalakshmi, a homemaker buying vegetables from a pushcart in Rajajinagar. Kempamma, the vendor, agreed. “These prices are driving my regular customers away,” she lamented.

 Tomato, the common man’s vegetable, is being sold at prices ranging from Rs. 17 to Rs. 25 a kg, depending on the locality. Beans, another favourite, goes for anything from Rs. 26 to Rs. 40 a kg while carrot has touched Rs. 40 a kg in neighbourhood vegetable shops.

I once overheard a foreign visitor asking a tourist guide,  ‘would anyone know how much this weighs’.   She was referring to the  Nandi on Chamundi Hill.  This kind of curiosity doesn’t bug you and I, and the rest of us in Mysore.  Tourists tend to be curious about matters to which we don’t give much thought.

But then a tourist guide is taken to be a know-all by visitors, and he/she can’t afford  to be ignorant,  not just about  Nandi’s tonnage but its other vital statistics  such as   age,  width,  height, the time it took to carve it, and  the number of artisans deployed.  A media  report says the 342-year-old Nandi carved in granite is 25 ft. wide  and 16 ft. in height.

Nandi was in the news for a mahabisheka performed  on the mega idol.  A platoon of priest chanted mantra as they poured  over the head of the bull 30 different items,  including  milk, honey,  curds,  ghee, and tender coconut water.

Karnataka is famous for its waterfalls; it is home to some of the more spectacular falls in India. The waterfalls of Karnataka and Kudremukh National park are listed as must-see places and among the “1001 Natural Wonders of the World.” . Some of these are part of the database listing the Largest Waterfalls in the World.

All the waterfalls start from monsoon season of rains all of Karnataka’s major river systems (Cauvery, Krishna, Sharavati and Godavari) along their course provide some great views primarily during the monsoon season. It is primarily the Rivers of the Western Ghats who along their course create some of the deepest and tallest Waterfalls anywhere in the world.

The list of Waterfalls in karnataka

•Abbey Waterfall
•Alekan Waterfall
•Balmuri Waterfall
•Bandaaje Arbi Waterfall
•Banni Waterfall
•Barkana Waterfall
•Benne Hole Waterfall
•Burude Waterfall
•Chunchanakatte Waterfall
•Chunchi Waterfall
•Dondole Waterfall
•Gokak Waterfall
•Hebbe Waterfall
•Hemagiri Waterfall
•Hogenakka Waterfall
•Honnemaradu Waterfall
•Irpu / Iruppu Waterfall
•Jog Waterfall
•Kalhatti Waterfall
•Koosalli Waterfall
•Kudumari Falls
•Kunchikal Falls
•Lalguli Falls
•Magodu Falls
•Mallalli Waterfall
•Manikyadhara Waterfall
•Muthyala Maduvu Waterfall
•Nisargadhama Waterfall
•Satodi Waterfall
•Seetha falls / Koodlu Theertha falls
•Shiv Gange Waterfall
•Shivasamudram Waterfall
•Sirmane Waterfall
•Sootanabbi / Hanuman Gundi Falls
•Unchalli Waterfall
•Varapoha Waterfall
•Vibhooti Waterfall
•Waate Halla/Hole Waterfall

Karnataka hosts a very large number of waterfalls and river basins; there are more than 100 waterfall and river backwater or river side based Tourism destinations in Karnataka. This blog post is an attempt to catalog them by location and capture key highlights of these falls.

Waterfalls near to Chikmagalur

Hebbe Falls – Near Kemmangundi – River Sharavathi

Manikyadhara Falls – Near Kemmangundi – River Sharavathi

Kalathgiri Falls. – Near Kemmangundi – River Sharavathi

Shanti falls – Near Kemmangundi

Kadambi Falls – Near Kemmangundi

Sirimane Falls – Near Sringeri

Alekan falls – Near Kottigehara, Charmadi Ghat

Sirimane Falls – Near Kigga, Sringeri

Waterfalls near to Bangalore

Shivanasamudra Falls – 120 Km from Bangalore – Cauvery River – Second Biggest water fall in India and sixteenth largest in the world

Hogenakal Falls – 150Km from Bangalore – Cauvery River

Mekedatu – 90Km from Bangalore – Arkavati merges with Cauvery River

Muthyalamaduvu – 40Km from Bangalore – Arkavathi River

Chunchi falls – Near Kanakapura 90 Km from Bangalore – Arkavathi River

Waterfalls near to Mysore

Chunchanakatte Falls – Near KR nagar – Cauvery River

Balamuri – Near Mysore – Cauvery River

Waterfalls near to Coorg

Abbey Falls (also Abbi Falls) – Near Madikere – Cauvery River -

Irupu Falls – 50 Km from Madikere – Near Nagarhole – Lakshmana Tirtha River joining Cauvery River

Waterfalls near to Shimoga

Jog Falls – Near Sagara – Sharavathi River

Kunchikal Falls – Near Agumbe – Varahi River

Barkana Falls – Near Agumbe – Sita River

Arisina Gundi Waterfalls – Near Kodachadri

Dabbe Falls – Near Hosagadde, Sagar

Waterfalls near to Udupi (South Kanara)

Kudlu Teertha – 45 Km from Udupi – River Seetha

Jomlu Teertha – 45 Km from Udupi – River Seetha

Koosalli Falls- 85 Km from Udupi – Kundapura Taluka Near Shiroor

Kudumari Falls (Chaktikal Falls). – Kundapur Taluk

Bandaaje Arbi – Near Dharmasthala

donDole falls – Near Dharmasthala, kakkinje near charmaDi

Waterfalls near to North Kanara

Lalguli Falls – Near Yellapur – Kali River

Unchalli Falls (also Lushington or Keppa Jog Near because of the deafening sound) – Near Siddapur – Aghanashini River

burude falls – Near Sirsi or Siddapur – Aghanashini river

Magod Falls – Near Sirsi or Yellapur – Bedti river or Gangavati

Sathodi Falls – Near Sirsi – Kali River

Shivaganga falls – 40Km from Sirsi – Sonda River

Bennehole falls – Near Sirsi – Aghanashini river

Waate HaLLa Falls – Near Sirsi – Aghanashini river

Vibhooti Falls – Near Sirsi or Yana

Waterfalls near to Belgaum

Godachinmalki Falls – Near Gokak – Markandeya river joins Ghataprabha river

Gokak Falls – Near Gokak – Ghataprabha river

Vajrapoha Falls – Near Jamboti – Mandovi River

Waterfalls near to Raichur

Jaladurga Falls – Near Lingsugur – Krishna River

From Bangalore Orbit