Ashram in Karnataka’s Madikeri unites those deserted by their kin

Established in April 2017, Thanal Ashram has provided shelter and been a home to many women, including a few who now live happily with their families.

The Thanal Ashram in Madikeri district. (Photo| EPS)

Madikeri : 

Solace to the distressed, neglected and the homeless – this resonates as a synonym of Thanal Ashram in Madikeri. Established in April 2017, Thanal Ashram has provided shelter and been a home to many women, including a few who now live happily with their families.

Located amid the chaos of bad roads and routine buzz of the normal world, Thanal is a symbol of tranquillity. Smiling faces and sweet greetings welcome one into the building, currently home to 24 women. Most of them are homeless, and a few others made the ashram their home, after being deserted by their families.

“A 96-year-old woman who was found on the road, was brought to Thanal. The first thing we do is give them a bath. The woman was unclean but refused to take a bath till she was fed. When we gave her food, she ate her fill. This is when I realised that we first need to cater to their hunger,” shared Shashikala BK, an employee of the ashram. 

She narrated stories about many women who were, and are, being nurtured at Thanal. “An old woman, Parvathy, was brought to the ashram from the District Hospital in Madikeri. After she was admitted to hospital, no family member came to take her back. She had cancer and she passed on in a few months, after living at the ashram,” she said.

Parvathy was from the Kodava community. “In order to perform the final rites as per Parvathy’s religion, we contacted people from the Makkada Koota and Kodava Samaj. The members took Parvathy’s body for cremation, as per Kodava rituals,” explained Mohammed Musthafa, the head of Thanal in  Madikeri.

“Parvathy had no family, but there were many people from the surrounding areas who attended her funeral and bid her goodbye,” recalls Shashikala.

The head office of Thanal is based in Kerala, and is founded by Dr Idris, who is also chairman of the charitable trust. In Madikeri, the trust is run by Daya Rehabilitation Trust, headed by Musthafa. “No one who has a family should stay homeless on the roads. While we shelter the homeless, we look forward to reuniting them with their families,” says Musthafa.

He narrated the stories of Muthulakshmi, Jalavathi and others who were reunited with their families after many years of separation. “Jalavathi is from Uttar Pradesh. She got lost on a train and somehow ended up in Madikeri. She couldn’t speak proper Hindi and didn’t know her address. Her son’s number was traced by Thanal and she was reunited with her family after two years,” says Musthafa.

Like Jalavathi, Muthulakshmi was found in a pitiable state near the Madikeri Bus Depot. Two of her toes had fallen off and her legs were rotting due to myiasis (infection caused by maggots). She was treated for her infection and mental illness.

“During the course of her treatment, she recalled the name of her village. There are many villages by that name and we visited several before we finally traced her village in Tamil Nadu. She was reunited with her family after seven years. No one must stay orphaned if they have a family and Thanal strongly believes in this,” said Mohammed.

However, a few women who have been abandoned by relatives, swear to spend their last days in the comfort provided by Thanal. This destitute home has sheltered over 80 women in the past three years and has united at least eight families.

In case of death, the rituals of the deceased’s community are followed during the last rites. “This is not a home for people from any particular caste or community. This is a home for humans,” shared Musthafa.

The ashram is run by the trust, and with support from the main branch of Thanal. However, it is in need of more funds and benefactors who recognise their social work. Reach out to Thanal Ashram on 9844558896.

Thanal Ashram

Established in Madikeri in April 2017 to provide a home to distressed and homeless women. It has since become a home to many.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prajna G R, Express News Service / January 23rd, 2022

Madikeri: Woman gets her memory back after seven years, unites with husband

A couple got reunited after seven years in filmy style.

Mutthamma was suffering from psychological disorder. She was admitted into a hospital in Bengaluru in 2014.

She was in the hospital for two months. However, one day she escaped from the hospital. From that day onwards, her husband Rajappa, son in laws Dorai and Nagaraj searched for her everywhere.

At last, Rajappa filed a missing complaint on his wife in Bengaluru police station. They have given up hope of seeing Mutthamma again.

Meanwhile, Mutthamma was found near a hotel in Madikeri in 2017. Her left leg had turned to Gangrene and started decomposing. When the public informed the same to Tanal orphanage, they took her into their fold and saved her.

The organization also gave treatment to her psychological disorder and leg. Her psychological health recovered a great deal.

After Mutthamma arrived from Kerala, she could recall the name and address of her home, husband etc.

Tanal organization tried to find out her family. Mohammed, manager of Tanal in Kodagu had tried a lot to locate Mutthamma’s husband Rajappa.

Later Kodagu district magistrate Subrahmanya was successful in tracing the address of Mutthamma’s husband in Tamil Nadu.

Rajappa, husband of Mutthamma was overwhelmed when he came to know that his wife is alive. He along with his sons in law rushed to Madikeri and got united with her.

Now Mutthamma is back to her native place in Tamil Nadu healed completely.

The role of Tanal organization and giving her back a normal life is highly appreciated.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Dajiworld.com / Home> Karnataka / by Daijiworld Media Network – Madikeri (MS) / December 28th, 2021

Prize Winners Of Kodagu Golf Open Championship-2021

Following are the prize winners of  Kodagu Golf Open Championship-2021 held at J.W. Golf Club in city on  Dec. 4 and 5:

Strokeplay Gross — Field Marshall Cariappa Memorial Trophy [Sponsored by K.C. Biddappa]: M.G. Chengappa (71 Gross) – Winner (Better Back 6 Over Dhruv Bopanna); Dhruv Bopanna – Runner.

Strokeplay Net (H/C 0 to 12) — Gen. K.S. Thimmaiah Memorial Trophy [Sponsored by M.A. Bopanna]: M. Chirayu (64 Net) – Winner; M.R. Surya Kumar (66 Net) – Runner.

Strokeplay Net (H/C 13 to 18) — Sqn. Ldr. M.B. Chittiappa Memorial Trophy [Sponsored by Mallengada B. Nanaiah]: Suresh Balaram (65 Net) – Winner; J. Gautham Pal (67 Net) – Runner.

Stableford Net (H/C 0 to 18) — Kodagu Warriors Trophy [Sponsored by Star of Mysore]: H. Akshay (40 Points) – Winner; Yashasvi Shankar (38 Points) – Runner.

Stableford Net (H/C 19 to 24) — Kodagu Challenge Trophy [Sposored by Mall of Mysore]: S.N. Koushik (43 Points) – Winner; Abdul Fatah (37 Points)  – Runner.

Stableford Net (H/C 0 to 24) for Seniors – 65 Years & Above — Senior Challenge Trophy [Sposored by Mandovi Motors, Mysuru]: S.A. Thimmiah (38 Points) – Winner (Better Back 9 Over K. Krishne Gowda); K. Krishne Gowda (38 Points) – Runner (Better Back 9 Over H.S. Gopinath).

Stableford Net (H/C 0 to 24) for Super Seniors – 75 Years & Above — Super Seniors Challenge Trophy [Sponsored by Dr. P.A. Kushalappa]: Col. Samba Murthy (30 Points) – Winner.

M.A. Bopanna (former Managing Director of Tata Coffee) inaugurating the Kodagu Golf Open Championship- 2021, sponsored by Association of Kodagu Golfers of JWGC, at J.W. Golf Club on Dec. 4

Best Kodagu Golfer — Stableford Net (H/C 0 to 24) [Sponsored by Bopy’s Inn]: K.A. Prabhakar (38 Points).

Best Lady Golfer — Stableford Net (H/C 0 to 24) [Sponsored by Jeeth Uthaiah]: Smitha S. Prabhakar (35 Points).

Nearest to Pin (2nd Hole) [Sponsored by Travel Parkz]: A.R. Ganeshwar (3 Feet 7 Inches).

Longest Drive (9th Hole) [Sponsored by P.M. Chengappa]: G. Sanjay (290 Yards).

Straightest Drive (5th Hole) [Sponsored by K.M. Achaiah]: Pratheek Poovaiah (7 Inches).

The Championship, sponsored by Association of Kodagu Golfers of JWGC, saw a total participation of 175 players, according to a press release from JWGC Hon. Secretary H.D. Thimmappa Gowda and Tournament Sub-Committee Chairman N. Parameshwar.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / December 06th, 2021

Media Captain 12 team champions in cricket tournament

Media Captain 12 team champions in cricket tournament
Media Captain 12 team champions in cricket tournament

HIGHLIGHTS

The Media Captain 12 team emerged champions in Kodagu Press Club Premier League Cricket Tournament held here on Sunday.

Madikeri:

The Media Captain 12 team emerged champions in Kodagu Press Club Premier League Cricket Tournament held here on Sunday.

The team beat Kodagu Live 24 Eagles team by 6 runs without loss of wickets.

Eight teams participated in the tournament.

Media Captain 12 Team Leader A S Mustafa secured Man of the Match, Best Batsman, Highest runs Awards. While Ismail Kandakare secured Best Bowler, Best Fielder Award, Hemanth Kumar secured Highest Runner in the tournament award. Emerging player Prajwal Rajendra won the Special Prize. Chenna Naik secured Best Wicket Keeper Award and Prajna Rajendra won Best Woman Player award.

The prize was distributed at a function held on Sunday night under the chairmanship of Kodagu Press Club president Ajjamada RameshKuttappa.

First prize donor EuphoriazCompany Founder Andy Anand,CEO Oscar Ritchie Charles, and Kodagu District Journalists Association President BR Savita Rai were present.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Hans News Service / November 29th, 2021

Expedite crop survey, Kodagu DC directs officials

Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal at a review meeting in Madikeri on Wednesday.

Observing that the crop survey is being hit by an inordinate delay in the district, Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal instructed the officials concerned to speed up the process.

Reviewing the progress of the crops survey, during a meeting held at her office on Wednesday, she said that crops in 2.62 lakh survey numbers should have been completed in the district by now.

However, crops in only 1,762 survey numbers have been covered, she said and requested the cooperative banks, coffee board and other organisations related to agriculture and horticulture to cooperate with the department in carrying out the survey.

Cooperative Societies deputy registrar B K Salim said that there are 73 primary agricultural cooperative societies in the district and they will join hands in the crop survey.

Agriculture department technical officer Narayana Reddy said that the farmers can carry out the crop survey themselves, by downloading the crop survey application on their mobile phones.

Charulata Somal also asked the officials to ensure the supply of fertilisers in the district in adequate quantity.

Agriculture department deputy director Shabana M Sheikh said that 32,082 metric tonnes of fertiliser have been supplied to the district.

Coffee Board deputy director Shivakumaraswamy, District Lead Bank manager R K Balachandra, horticulture department deputy director H Shashidhar were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / August 26th, 2021

MLC candidates in Kodagu declare assets

Suja Kushalappa is the richest among the candidates who have filed nominations for Legislative Council elections in Kodagu.

Suja Kushalappa’s total assets add up to Rs 26.22 crore. His wife Parvathi has assets worth Rs 11.27 crore (including ancestral property). He has liabilities to the tune of Rs 4.77 crore and his wife has availed loans upto Rs 17.59 lakh.

Suja, his wife and children own a total of twenty vehicles, out of which a pick-up vehicle is registered in Suja’s name. He has 350 gm gold worth Rs 16.38 lakh. His wife has diamond jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh, 1,400 gm gold and 10 kg silver.

Suja possesses a revolver, a gun and two 0.22 rifles. Suja has failed in SSLC, as declared in the affidavit submitted by him during the filing of nominations for MLC elections.

Dr Mantar Gowda’s declaration in the affidavit states that his assets are worth Rs 94 lakh and his wife’s assets are worth Rs 2.95 crore. He has an Innova Ford car, 600 gm gold and 2 kg silver. Mantar’s wife Divya has 1,500 gm gold and 3 kg silver. He has a license to grow tobacco. His education qualification is MBBS, MD (Radiology).

Isac Khan has Rs 1 lakh and his wife Fauziya has Rs 3.57 lakh. They have no liabilities. He has studied upto PUC.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 23rd, 2021

Keshava Kamath is president of Kodagu district KSP

Supporters of Keshava Kamath rejoice outside the counting centre and greet the newly elected president.

M P Keshava Kamath will be the new president of Kodagu district Kannada Sahitya Parishat, after his victory in the elections held on Sunday.

He edged past his close electoral rival Lokesh Sagar, with a margin of 134 votes. Of the total votes, Kamath got 924 votes and Lokesh Sagar got 790 votes, while 12 votes got rejected.

Keshav Kamath received maximum votes in Madikeri, Virajpet and Ponnampet taluks, while Lokesh was leading in Somwarpet and Kushalnagar taluks.

Votes cast

A total of 1,726 votes were cast during the elections. In Somwarpet, 490 among 647 voters exercised their franchise, while 337 out of the total 424 votes were cast in Kushalnagar, 216 out of 303 people voted in Virajpet, 468 out of 766 votes were cast in Madikeri and 215 out of 280 voters exercised their franchise in Ponnampet.

Supporters of Keshava Kamath gathered outside the counting centre and rejoiced after results were declared and raised pro-Kannada slogans.

District Kannada Sahitya Parishat former president T P Ramesh, Kodagu Patrika Bhavana managing trustee Manu Shenoy, writer Shamsuddin, literature enthusiasts Navin Kushalappa, Munir Ahmed, Baby Mathew and DSS leader Diwakar were present, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, the newly elected president of district Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Keshava Kamath, said that it is not his victory alone, but, the victory of all literature enthusiasts and members of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

He also said that he will utilise the opportunity provided to him, to serve the Kannada language.

My first priority will be building Kannada Bhavana in the district, he said.

He added that he will carry out his duties by taking into confidence, all his voters, non-voters and former presidents of Zilla Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

Former president T P Ramesh said that there is a need to work unitedly towards the development of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

As a senior member, he will give rightful suggestions to the Parishat, he added.

The election was held in Madikeri, Somwarpet, Virajpet, Kushalnagar and Ponnampet from 8 am to 4 pm.

The election process was headed by tahsildar Mahesh.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Madikeri / November 21st, 2021

Honesty Glitters More Than Gold: Petrol Pump Staff Finds Suitcase With Jewels

A petrol pump attendant returned a suitcase that contained gold jewels worth more than Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh (a conservative estimate) to the actual owners. The suitcase was left on the main road by two women who had alighted a bus from Bengaluru in Kushalnagar.

On the night of Thursday (Nov. 4) at 10, a bus stopped in front of the TATA Petrol Pump in Kushalnagar amidst rain. Two women got down from the bus with bags and a black suitcase. They were waiting on the road while a car stopped in front of them. In a tearing hurry to get inside the car to escape rain, the women forgot the suitcase on the road. The car left the place moments later.

As it was closing time, H.V. Somashekar came out of his petrol pump office to close the gates after a long day. The black suitcase lying on the road amidst a drizzle caught his eye. He looked around only to see the area deserted. He did not open the suitcase; instead stood near it and called the Kushalnagar Police Station.

Dy.SP Shailendra and Circle Inspector Mahesh asked ASI Manjunath and two others to go to the spot and retrieve the suitcase, taking all precautions. They did not have any idea of what the suitcase contained and brought the same to the Police Station.

As they opened the box, they could not believe their eyes. It contained gold ornaments, all brand new. Not sure of the value of the gold, they also recovered cash worth Rs. 5,000 and two costly watches. There were some new clothes in it and the Police found a slip with a phone number.

When the Police called that number and told the woman on the other side who answered the call that they were calling from Kushalnagar Police Station, the woman immediately cut the call hearing the word ‘Police’ and switched off the mobile. The Police kept on trying but the mobile was not switched on.

However, at around midnight when the Police dialled the number, the same woman picked up the call. The Police told her about the suitcase found in front of the petrol pump. The woman till then had not realised that her black suitcase was missing and only after the call it dawned on her that she had forgotten the suitcase on the road that night. 

The woman, who identified herself as Nafisa from Bengaluru, had given her daughter in marriage to a family at Kumboor near Suntikoppa and the mother and daughter had come from Bengaluru to attend a relative’s wedding in Kushalnagar.

Though they wanted to come to the Police Station at midnight, the Police refused as there were procedures to be completed. They were asked to come the next morning. Accordingly, they came to the Police Station, checked the box and found all the ornaments and other valuables intact.

Picture shows petrol pump staff H.V. Somashekar receiving the cash reward from Dy. SP Shailendra as Inspectors Mahesh and Traffic SI Chandrashekhar look on.

The mother and daughter profusely thanked the petrol pump employee Somashekar for returning the suitcase with jewels and also thanked the Police.

Somashekar told the Police that he believed in hard work and was a God-fearing man without having a desire to grab somebody else’s cash and gold. The mother-daughter duo and the Police gave Somashekar a cash award for his honesty.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / November 06th, 2021

Auto drivers return bag with cash, mobile phone to owner

Auto drivers Sunil and Mujeeb returned a bag with cash, a mobilephone and documents to its owner at Suntikoppa in the presence of the police

Two honest auto drivers have returned a bag containing Rs 28,000 in cash, a mobile phone and documents to its owner.

Auto drivers Mujeeb and Sunil had found a bag lying on the ground at Panya Junction in Madapura. After opening the bag, they found that it had cash, documents and a mobile phone.

The duo handed the bag over to Autorickshaw Drivers and Owners’ Association president A M Shareef, who in turn handed it over to PSI Puneeth Kumar.

The police informed the owner of the bag.

It is said that plantation labourers Ravi and his wife were travelling in an auto and did not realise that their bag had fallen while they were travelling.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by DHNS, Suntikoppa / October 27th, 2021

Muslim youths help clean Kodagu temple

Kodagu, KARNATAKA :

Youths lend a helping hand to clean Sri Kanva Munishwara Temple and Sri Mariamma Temple in Madikeri

Kodagu :

In a stirring tale of social and religious harmony, a group of Hindu and Muslim youths joined hands to clean temples, mosques and other places of worship at a village in Kodagu which have been dirtied by floods.

Hoddur is a small village in Balamuri gram panchayat, about 18km from Madikeri. It was badly affected by the recent incessant rain and floods. About 10 houses were completely damaged while most others developed cracks, officials said.

Due to heavy rain and floods, Kanva Munishwara Temple and Mariamma Temple on the banks of Cauvery river and Balamuri Mosque nearby, were flooded. Water had entered the places of worship, carrying mud, slush and garbage along with it.

When the rain receded, around 50 youths – both Hindus and Muslims – cleaned the temples and mosques together. The water which had entered the temple was pumped out. Suhail MK, 26,  a villager from Hoddur who is a driver, told TOI: “Here we live like brothers and help each other in times of trouble.  We plan to clean Eshwara temple on Monday.”

Suhail said it’s the first time in 60 years that Madikeri is witnessing such rain havoc. “My father said the last time he saw such rain and flooding was in 1962.”

Charan, a resident of Balamuri, said while they hear of trouble between communities in other parts of the country, in Balamuri all communities live in peace and help each other.

“We cleaned the temples and mosque in a day. We respect each other’s religion and live in peace,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Mysuru News / by Lakshmikantha BK / TNN / August 19th, 2019