The ongoing KODAVA HOCKEY FESTIVAL has everything KODAVA AND KODAVAAME about it. This is one Carnival which brings Kodavas together for one long month to celebrate the SPIRIT OF THE GAME AND FOR KODAVAAME. Like the saying goes every kodava has a HOCKEY STICK IN ONE HAND AND A GUN IN THE OTHER. Hockey is one game which triggers and gets the Kodava Adrenaline on TOP GEAR. So Hockey is again something which BRINGS TOGETHER, FURTHERS & STRENGTHENS KODAVAAME (The Kodava Way of Life).
Hockey is all about celebrating Kodavaame. Every Kodava who visits Madikeri for the Hockey Festival should also think of Kodavaame. This could be in many ways, like, bringing family members in ones vehicle to the venue, motivating youngsters in family to play Hockey, sharing resources, sponsor, contribute and above all ENSURING that we do business mainly with KODAVAS. Be it purchasing things, buying eatables or Dining. Lets all ensure that we eat and dine at KODAVA OWNED PLACES, HOTELS and RESTAURANTS. This way we ensure that our money remains with us and encourages our own to grow their business. Now this is the most crucial, critical and important part of furthering KODAVAAME by giving business to our fellow kodavas.
It just takes a few minutes to find out KODAVA OWNED BUSINESSES. BE KODAVA & BUY FROM KODAVA.
As long as we support fellow kodavas in businesses KODAGU, KODAVAS & KODAVAAME SHALL BE SAFE. Let us pledge to Encourage, Support, Further, Inspire, Motivate and uplift KODAVA BUSINESSES through our small support. Let us set an example by supporting our Fellow Kodava Businesses.
JAI KODAVAAME.
Jammada Ganesh Ayanna
Treasurer, JABHOOMI CHARITABLE TRUST
Chief Advisor, Mysore Kodava Samaja
The Online comments of CLN are almost always very interesting. Most other media post sensational news of murder, accidents, theft, politicians opening hundreds of events/talks/book launch/nammes of every kind and so on.
The latest post by Jammada Ganesh is earnest and he always speaks his mind, with sincerity of his heart! This message of his must be appreciated and applauded 👏.
All that is mentioned is correct and I also read some of the very interesting and relevant comments made on the earlier post of the 94 year old inspirational post on Kethira Juby Dechavva.
While supporting Kodava enterprise is the right approach, I would submit with humility that we need to see many more Kodavas embracing entrepreneurial activity – even if it is small. We need to respect the dignity of Labour and be prepared to run small stores, cafes, restaurants, take up agencies for commodities – we have already many examples of successful Kodavas in these activities – all we have to do is take the plunge and work hard. As they say – Hard work brings luck and Success. Why do immigrants come and run most businesses in Kodagu – because of our reluctance to run them ourselves. At work as a professional, I have to work as part of a team and they could be from any community. The point I’m making is that Kodavas are generally inclusive and no doubt we are respected for our honest leadership that has stood the test of time.
Finally, we should put the “gun-in-one-hand” story to rest and use it only in ceremonial functions. Yes we have the right to own Guns as much as the Sardars have the right to carry a kirpan. They don’t necessarily carry them to work every day. It is a symbolic ownership used on special occasions. Instead it would be fantastic to see the Kodava with a Hockey stick in one hand and a sheaf of paddy in the other!
Sport and life have so many things in common – Teamwork, mentorship, skills upgradation, community building, playing by the rules – call it discipline and so much more.
At the end of the day life is all about playing the game – many games in fact almost continuously! The important nuance is that we are expected to play by the rules (politicians don’t necessarily do so and set a bad example).
Now talking about Kodavas and Hockey – the few that I know are of high integrity, play by the rules, strong community feeling (not just about being Kodava, but in any environment that they are – Residents Association, Profession, at work in any organisation, Armed Forces and yes – sportsmen – especially Hockey!).
More power to Hockey, Coffee and Responsible Tourism!!