Reminiscing 2009: A year of ups and downs

Madikeri

: Kodagu district saw many ups and downs during 2009. As 2010 ushers in new hopes, here is an account of what 2009 was for Kodagu.

January
The year opened up with fierce altercation between ZP Standing Committee for Social justice President S N Rajarao and ZP Member V P Shashidhar over the management of hostels. Assault, caste slur case, imprisonment of V P Shashidhar, hospitalisation of Rajarao and release of Shashidhar after 10 days followed the event.
Indian Cricket Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni visited Kodagu along with Robin Uthappa, which enthralled the Kodavas.
Foundation stone was laid for Rs 7 crore Kundamestri project by District incharge minister  J Krishna Palemar, Kannada Sahithya Sammelana at Siddhapura were other important events.

February
Rani Machaiah appointed as President of Kodava Sahithya Academy. State Working Journalists’ convention was inaugurated by CM B S Yeddyurappa. Tibetan spiritual head Dalai Lama visited Kushalnagar.

March
Hindu Samajothsava, inauguration of Karnataka Sahithya Parishat district unit, CM visits district to take part in the lok sabha election campaign, former CM H D Kumaraswamy takes part in the centenary year celebration of Kodagu Gowda Vidya Sangha.

April
The then DC Baladevakrishna miraculously escaped a serious road mishap at Bailukuppe, Common man’s car ‘Nano’ comes ot Kodagu, ‘Mandepanda Cup’ at Ammathi and Punarprathishtapana of Bhagandeshwara temple in Bhagamandala.

May
Term of Dheergakeshi Shivanna as ZP President and Rajamma Rudraiah as Vice President ends and Standing Committee for Social Justice President S N Rajarao takes over as incharge President, Nellamakkada team bags prestigeous ‘Mandepanda Cup’, H Vishwanath wins Mysore-Kodagu constituency Lok Sabha election.

June
BJP Veteran Leader L K Advani visits Kodagu for a vacation with his family and stays at Orange County resort, K H Ashwathnarayana Gowda took over as Deputy Commissioner and Mirza Akbarullah took over as Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer.

July
Kumbhadrona rains lashed over Kodagu, the then Assembly speaker Jagadish Shettar takes on some adventure by river rafting.

August
Former minister A K Subbaiah feted during his 75th birthday.

September
Historical Madikeri utsav held.

October
Tula Sankramana at Talacauvery, concrete road works started, private bus stand shifted.

November
Kodagu bundh observed on November 16 demanding announcement of Coffee package.

December
K G Bopaiah appointed as Assembly Speaker, CM Visits district for Council election campaign, Congress-JD(S) candidate T John wins Council election

Inputs from B Shivaram

Only promises...

Chikmagalur: The year 2009 was only an year of dreams where majority of them remained unrealised. And now the year 2010 is an year of anxiety for the people of Chikmagalur district.
Deccan Herald recollects some statements and assurances of politicians in 2009.

 The government assumed charged only recently. All roads will be developed by the end of December. It is our duty to develop roads, which is the foundation stone of economic development of the state.
-D V Sadananda Gowda (stated before he was elected as MP).

All District In-charge Ministers compulsarily should visit the district centres once in a month. I will discuss the matter with District In-charge Minister K S Eeshwarapa. I will write about the issue to the party senior leaders.
-D V Sadananda Gowda (stated after he was elected as MP).

It is our dream to bring a milk route to Sringeri constituency. We will make this a reality soon. Milk collection will start at Shringeri, Koppa and NR Pura taluks soon.
-D N Jeevaraj, Sringeri MLA (stated in the beginning of 2009)

Opposition should co-operate for the development. They should fight for a Milk route for the district.
-D N Jeevaraj, Sringeri MLA (stated in the end of 2009)

I am also a farmer. I am so much concerned about the Amrit Mahal cattle. I will do something in this regard.
-Revu Nayak Belamagi, Animal Husbandry Minister.

We will never give up the slogan of ‘Hindutva and Development’. Tourism Department has already given approval for the Chikmagalur - Dattapeeta - Kemmannugundi road. The work will be started soon.
-C T Ravi, MLA

My birthplace is in Shimoga district. I should always be present at whichever the festival. Though I could not visit Chikmagalur regularly, I did not forget the district. I would do my best for the development of the district.
-K S Eeshwarappa, District In-charge Minister .

I did not adopt Chikmagalur assembly constituency. I will not give assurance of adopting a state in future too. Wearing Dattamale does not mean that I would conduct padayatra to Dattapeeta wearing Kesari shawl.
-B S Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister.

Vote for Congress. Announcement of coffee package will be made easy, if Congress comes to power at the centre.
-B L Shankar, District Congress president.


Inputs from D M Ghanashyam