** Brook at the end of tunnel along Karnataka-Kerala border

Interestingly, these plantations are green even during the harsh and humid summers, due to the traditional water management system called ‘Suranga’ or tunnel system adopted by many hardworking farmers. In this system, tunnels are dug horizontally through the slopes of the laterite hills until a water spring is found. Water that percolates through the hill flows into the tunnel. The water is then channelled to tanks through pipes, and used for horticulture crops through sprinkler and drip irrigation

 Vast swathes of land in the hilly regions along the Karnataka-Kerala border in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada, once dismissed as barren wasteland, are now lush with arecanut, banana and cocoa plantations, bringing rich dividends to farmers.

Interestingly, these plantations are green even during the harsh and humid summers, due to the traditional water management system called ‘Suranga’ or tunnel system adopted by many hardworking farmers. In this system, tunnels are dug horizontally through the slopes of the laterite hills until a water spring is found. Water that percolates through the hill flows into the tunnel. The water is then channelled to tanks through pipes, and used for horticulture crops through sprinkler and drip irrigation

** Organic growth of this woman farmer from Karnataka

The products coming out of her initiative Tadhvanam from this remote village in Davanagere district have reached different parts of the country and globe.

It was in 1987 that Saroja took the tiny step of entrepreneurship by starting a dairy farm and starting a unit to make coir products to bring her family’s economic position back on track. This initiative gave her first lessons in earning money from home.

63-year-old Saroja Nagendrappa Patil from Nitturu village in Harihar taluk not only grows crops organically, but also adds value to her produce, increasing her earnings. She has now become a model for the womenfolk in the region.

She also took up teaching fellow women and men farmers through an agriculture department initiative and taught them how to use available resources in their neighborhood, organic pest management and other ways of growing crops. Her stint at guiding other farmers made her a better leader and also gave her new ideas to grow crops naturally. Though initial successes were small, sustained efforts helped her in enriching the family’s 30-acre plot that gave her ever better yields.

** Final electoral roll 2022: Women voters outnumber men in 15 divisions

Gender ratio up from 958 per 1,000 male in 2013 Assembly polls to 984 this year

Women voters have outnumbered men voters in at least 15 electoral divisions out of the 33 in the State, according to the revised final electoral roll 2022 published on January 13.

There has been a constant improvement in the gender ratio that has gone up from 958 (per 1,000 male) in the 2013 Assembly elections to 984 this year. It was 960 in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, 963 in 2015 final rolls, and 972 in the 2018 Assembly elections, 976 in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 981 in the 2020 summary revision, and 984 in the final electoral roll this year.

** ‘Dabbawala’ begins operations in Hubballi

‘Dabbawala’, which has started its operations in Mumbai, Delhi, and other cities, has now entered Hubballi and will be initially delivering food, grocery items, and medicines.

n Friday,the formal launch of ‘Dabbawala’ was held in the presence of Rajashekhar Shivacharya Swami of Kashi Shakha Mutt in Hubballi and Gavi Siddhalinga Swami of Konnur. Director of KSSIDC S.C. Patil, personality development trainer Gururaj Patil, Ajay Joshi, and others were present.

Proprietor of ‘Dabbawala’ in Hubballi Chandrashekhar Hiremath said initially they would be operating in a radius of 8 km, offering service of pick up and drop of food and grocery items and medicines.

** Bengaluru’s child music prodigy, dancer from Mangaluru receive PM’s Bal Puraskar

City-based western music prodigy Syed Fateen Ahmed and Bharatanatyam dancer Remona Evette Pereira were among the 29 children who received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar award on Monday.

** Mangaluru: Dr Venugopala bags ‘Young Professional Volunteer Award’

Dr Venugopala P S, associate professor, department of Computer Science and Engineering, NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte received the ‘Young Professional Volunteer award’ from IEEE Mangaluru subsection for the year 2021.

** Kundapur: Woman who came searching for work becomes GP president

She was a woman who migrated from one village to the other, working on a daily wage basis. Her migrations came to an end after she arrived in Udupi district. During the last two decades, she had worked as a coolie at various places. Now she has become the president of a gram panchayat. The woman who worked for others for wages has grown in stature and become a guiding light for many.

Bheemavva who belongs to Bagalkot district worked in various villages in Udupi district during the last 27 years. Now she has won over the heart of the people of Tallur village in Kundapur taluk and become its president. She encouraged her four children to study and one of her sons has now become a soldier. Even after becoming gram panchayat president, Bheemavva has not stopped working as a coolie.

** Chikkamagaluru lad Nosthush Kenjige carves out place in US cricket team

Nosthush Kenjige stands out as an excellent example to prove that people who are determined to achieve something in life cannot be stopped from getting what they want. Nosthush who adores cricket did not get disappointed when he did not get enough chances here. He went to the USA and has developed his skill so much that he now has grown to the extent of representing that country.

Nosthush (31) is from Mudigere taluk. He has been playing international cricket matches as a member of the US team for the last four years. He has proved that if a person is talented, geographical or language limitations cannot restrict him.

He is an all-rounder who is skilled in batting as well as bowling. He is the son of Pradeep and Shriti Keerthi couple from Kenjige village, Mudigere taluk in the district. He is a left hand spinner and right hand batsman.

Nosthush played for the USA in an international match for the first time in 2017. He has already played in 60 one day games and T20 matches. He is on a visit to his native place for rest but does not forget to regularly practice with friends.

** Hunsur Boy Selected For Khelo India University Games

A boy from Hunsur Taluk studying in SDMC College, Ujire, has excelled in various Volleyball tournaments and has been selected for Khelo India University Tournament which will be held in Bengaluru in March this year.

He is Mahesh Kumar, son of Raitha Sangha District President Hosuru Krishnakumar and Mamata, who are residents of Maruthi Layout in Hunsur Taluk.

He has a list of achievements to his credit — Mahesh has played for Mangalore University Volleyball team which had participated in All India Inter-University Volleyball Tournament that was held at Odisha from Jan. 4 to Jan. 7. His team secured runner-up spot among 32 teams which had participated.

** Wins Gold In Kickboxing

Bolthura Roshani Muthanna of Karnataka Kickboxing Sports Association (WAKOIND-KA) has won a Gold Medal in the Cadets and Junior National Championship organised by WAKO India Kickboxing Federation, recognised by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India and Member, World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (WAKO), at Boxing Hall, Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Mahalunge, Pune, Maharashtra, between Dec. 21 and 25. She secured first place in the 3 KL 027 J F – 65 KG category.

Roshani, daughter of late B.G. Muthanna (ex-Army) and Vishalakshi and a resident of Hootagalli SRS, is studying in PUC at Mahajana PU College. She is trained under Sudhakar and Abhishek of GTK Club.