CUBS AND BULBUL FESTIVAL KICKS OFF;

The four-day state level Cubs and Bulbul festival started off with colour yesterday at Madikeri.

The Zilla Panchayath chairperson Mrs.Chitra Ramesh marked the inauguration by lighting the lamp. Addressing the gathering, MLA Mr.K.G.Bopaiah called upon the participants to develop love towards the Nation.State scouts commissioner Mr.Kondajji Shanmukappa, Chairperson of state water and sewerage board, Mrs.K.P.Chandrakala, and others spoke on the occasion. They urged the schools and teaching staff to motivate children to develop courage, nationalism and leadership qualities.

Over two thousand participants from all over the state are taking part in the festival.

CNC DIVIDING KODAGU;

Chairperson of the water and sewerage board, Mrs.K.P.Chandrakala lambasted the activities of the Codava National Council and alleged that it is fighting for a separate state, indirectly. She said that the secretary general of CNC, Mr.N.U.Nachappa was fighting for a separate state till recently and has changed his trick and is demanding autonomy for Kodava land, which makes no difference.

Mrs Chandrakala stated that Gowda community is also equally strong in the district and the government is trying to woo only Kodavas, creating an imbalance. She regretted that leaders like Yediyurappa and Vatal Nagaraj are also supporting CNC which is fighting only for the rights of Kodavas. Eighty percent of the population including Kodavas are opposed to the CNC’s demand, she opined.

SKATING RINK INAUGURATED;

Former MP, Mr.V.Dhanajaya Kumar inaugurated the first ever roller skating rink in Kodagu at Madikeri yesterday.

Inaugurating the 6.89 lakh rink built from his MP grant, he regretted that the Government is not releasing funds for the already sanctioned Astro Turf.

Addressing the gathering, MLC Mr.Arun Machaiah said that sports grants to Kodagu are comparatively very minimal and alleged that the local sports hostels are providing seats only to outsiders and local youth are not in priority. He urged that the residential sports schools in the districts be handed over to the Zilla Panchayath. Deputy Commissioner Mr.Srikanth Valgadh, MLA Mr.K.G.Bopaiah, president Mt.Jeevan Chinnappa and others spoke.