2007 N. AMERICA KODAVA CONVENTION HELD IN CHICAGO

Madikeri July 6, 2007

The Annual Kodava Convention of North America was held on June 30th - July 1st in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Around 130 Kodavas from across the US and Canada attended this event, taking active interest in the Kodava festivities and culture. A number of events were organized including a pre-convention picnic (Kodavas in the Park), a youth networking event (Kodavas on the Town), the main convention and an 'After-Party' that went on into the night.

The annual gathering provides an opportunity for the people from Kodagu and their families living in the United States and Canada to stay in touch and work towards preserving and passing on to the future generations the rich tradition and culture that is ours. It also provides an opportunity to shine the spotlight on some of the important work that is being undertaken for the betterment of the district and it's people.

Some of the causes that were highlighted at the gathering this year included the Cheshire Homes India Coorg (CHIC) project. The Center caters to the education, therapy and vocational training of physically and mentally handicapped disabled children and adults from the underprivileged in the district. Another cause that received a great deal of attention was Kodagu Model Forests (KMFT), whose mission it is to drive sustainable management of forests and other ecosystems in Kodagu so as to maintain the ecological, environmental and socio-economic equilibrium and conserve catchment areas of rivers in the region.

The Chicago convention was organized by Gautham and Malvika Kambeyanda, Rahul and Pavitra Kodendera, Jahnavi Kambeyanda, Kodendera Anu and Vignesh Jayanth, Naveen and Preethi Mukkattira, Dhiraj and Anu Kambeyanda, Vani Choteyanda and Asad Syed, Anu and Somanna Malettira, Sunil and Suchitha Kokkalera and Chepudira Dhaya Devayya.

The 2008 Annual Kodava convention will be held in San Francisco,California.

THEY BURST CRACKERS HERE OUT OF FEAR!

Bursting crackers during festivals is a common practice to double your joy. But, bursting it during monsoon?

People in Kodagu burst crackers here for the fear of elephants. While the sound of lashing rains and gutsy winds create unrest here, trumpeting elephants send fear through the spine. They rush out of forests and enter villages. Estates and fields are rampaged by their entry. While only tuskers roam round the estates inside the estates and villages during summer, herds of elephants make merry during monsoon, causing concern. People are left with no other choice but to burst crackers to chase the elephants away. Several cases of elephant attacks on human beings were reported this season. One person has been killed during the season.

Forest officials told that the elephants are entering villages in many parts at Nagarahole range, Karadigodu, Siddapur, Balele, Kodlipet, Bhagamandala areas. They have sought permission to capture a tusker creating havoc at Karadigod area. Range forest officer at Nagarahole National Park, A.T.Poovaiah stated the elephant menace is increasing in villages around the park. They are being chased by using crackers which are not harmful to pachyderms.

NAGARAHOLE CLOSED

RFO Poovaiah told this correspondent that entry to Nagarahole National Park is closed till 31st July.

He disclosed that the roads leading to the park are blocked in many places due to falling trees and electric poles. The area has had no electricity for fifteen days and the telephone connections have been hit for a month. Entry for visitors would be open once the roads are set right, he said.