SOLDIERS FAMILY STILL IN TEARS;

Madikeri March 23, 2009

Family of a soldier missing since is running from pikllar to post in search of him. Yet they are facing towards a big zero.

Soldier Puttappa, hailing from Tannimani village near Bhagamandala is missing since a month. He came home on leave and left for duty one month ago. His wife Bhavani and two children had a shock as an army officer arrived at their house to ask whether Puttappa is at home. Puttappa, who had no concrete reasons to disappear. He had been serving in the army and was in good books. He had told the family that his identity card was missing recently and he is worried about it. He was nearing the end of his service and was about to retire. The army officers had enquired about the missing identity card. But, he could always get the card replaced and the family suspects some foul play some where.

Puttappa has not left any property for his family or even a bank account. He would always say that they shall live in Bangalore after retirement. Strangely, he has drawn all the money from his bank account at Bangalore. He was serving at MEG, Bangalore.

His family strongly believes that he is living somewhere. The fortune tellers have also told them that he is alive. The family is calculating that he will defineltly return.

Major Poovaiah from MEG was contacted and he said that a complaint was lodged with the police and newspaper publications about his missing was also given. He said that if he is not found within ninty days from the date of complaint, the benefits due to Puttappa would be given to his wife.

Police, who are busy preparing to tackle the election seems to be sitting on the file.

TANKER MISHAP CLAIMS ONE;

A spare driver was killed on the spot and the cleaner was hurt as a tanker turtled down into a gorge.

A tanker plying from Mysore to Mangalore lost control and dived into a gorge around 2.15 a.m yesterday near Madenad.

A spare drive Mallikarjun died on the spot and cleaner Manju received injuries. Driver Kumar escaped unhurt. Rural police rushed to the spot and conducted mahjar.

Residents of madenad have said that the authorities should build a safety wall in the curve whetre accident took place. Dozens of heavy vehicles have met with accident in the same spot and nothing is done to prevent it.

GREEN CARDAMOM TO GET PATENT;

Spices board joint director Srinivas told that Kodagu cardamom will get regional geographical patent from next year.

He was talking to press persons during a seminar held at Appangala research station on ‘pepper and cardamom crops’. Hr said that the files are in progress and the central government has to announce it in the gazetteer. He opined that cardamom will fetch rupees thirty more after the patenting.

Meanwhile he said that India has created an all time record by selling about 4500 crores worth spices this year. He said that export of pepper was hit this year due to bad weather condition and competition from overseas. He informed that 21,600 tonnes of pepper was exported this year against the targeted 35,000MT. 21,600 tonnes of pepper was exported this year with a marginal increase than last year.

Scientist M.N.venugopal told that Kodagu may produce twenty thousand metric tonne black pepper this year. He regretted that India was producing 80000 MT of black pepper during 2002 and is reduced to 55000 now. Karnataka Planters association president K.M.nanaiah, Kodagu Planters Association president Dulip nanjappa spoke on the occasion.