“Serving in Kodagu Will Remain Memorable; Do Not Pollute the Kaveri Like the Yamuna,” Says DC
Kodagu is like a second home to me!
In an emotional message, Venkat Raja said, “I was posted to Karnataka, served in Kolar and later appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu. Coincidentally, all three places begin with the letter ‘K’. It is also my good fortune that my son Krishnadevaraya was born in Madikeri. While Karnataka gave me the opportunity to serve as an officer, Kodagu, where I served with the love and trust of the people, will always remain my second home.“
An emotional farewell was accorded to outgoing Kodagu District Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja by the Coorg Hotels and Resorts Association (COHERA), Coorg Homestay Association (CHA) and Kodagu Chamber of Commerce (KCC) at a programme jointly organised at the Value View Hotel auditorium here. Â
Speaking after receiving the honours, Venkat Raja said that his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Kodagu would remain one of the most memorable phases of his life. He expressed deep gratitude for the love, trust and affection shown by the people of the district and said these experiences would never be forgotten. Though he hails from North India, he said Kodagu had become like a second home to him.
Reflecting on his two-and-a-half-year tenure, Venkat Raja said the people of Kodagu treated him like a family and extended unwavering support to the administration. He urged the people to focus on development with a clear vision for the future of Kodagu and stressed that sustained hard work was essential to achieve long-term goals.
Drawing attention to environmental concerns, Venkat Raja noted that the Yamuna River in Delhi has become highly polluted and unfit for drinking. He reminded the gathering that the Cauvery, which originates in Kodagu and flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, is a sacred river and called upon the people to ensure that its sanctity is preserved. Emphasising the need to keep Kodagu clean and beautiful, he said eco-friendly and sustainable tourism must be given top priority. He also assured that he would continue to support and guide Kodagu’s development efforts wherever he may be posted.
Landmark Initiatives in Tourism Development due to Venkat Raja’s efforts: Dinesh Cariappa
Speaking on the occasion, Coorg Hotels and Resorts Association (COHERA) President Kundyolanda Dinesh Cariappa said that several landmark initiatives in tourism development were implemented during Venkat Raja’s tenure. For the first time in the association’s history, it received its own office space in the tourism department, he said. He also noted that a comprehensive coffee table book documenting Kodagu tourism was published due to the efforts of the Deputy Commissioner. Recalling lighter moments, Dinesh Cariappa said that Venkat Raja, himself a hockey player, won the hearts of the people by participating in a hockey match during the Kundyolanda Hockey Festival. He further added that Venkat Raja’s technical expertise greatly helped the government in addressing land-related issues faced by landowners in the district.
Kodagu Chamber of Commerce President B.R. Nagendra Prasad praised Venkat Raja for not only making assurances but also implementing concrete action plans for the district’s development. He said the 40-point action plan prepared by the outgoing Deputy Commissioner for tourism growth stood testimony to his foresight and commitment.
Kodagu Homestay Association President Monti Ganesh said Venkat Raja’s simplicity and approachability endeared him to the people. She said he played a crucial role in resolving long-pending issues faced by homestays in Kodagu and credited him with giving a new direction to the concept of hospitality in the district.
Introducing the guest, Coorg Hotels and Resorts Association Honorary Advisor G. Chidvilas said that Venkat Raja did not function merely as the administrative head of the district. Instead, he studied Kodagu’s land, culture, customs and traditions, developed a deep attachment to the region and documented its needs through a well-defined action plan with the future in mind. He said several welfare-oriented projects were implemented under his leadership and described him as one of the rare officers whose service would be remembered for a long time. He added that Venkat Raja’s contribution to Kodagu tourism was both immense and significant.  Journalist Anil H.T. said that many of the suggestions put forth by Venkat Raja, a farsighted officer, were crucial for Kodagu’s future welfare. He stressed the need for collective effort to accept and implement such suggestions. He recalled that Venkat Raja had proposed providing wider platforms for Kodagu’s talent by including military schools, tribal teams and government school children in Dasara cultural programmes. He also referred to Venkat Raja’s earlier warning about traffic congestion in Madikeri following the construction of the quadrangular highway between Mysuru and Basavanahalli, and emphasised the urgent need for a flyover or ring road for Madikeri city. Â
The programme was welcomed by Coorg Hotels and Resorts Association General Secretary Nasir and the vote of thanks was proposed by Kodagu Homestay Association General Secretary Ambekal Naveen Kushalappa. Tourism stakeholders from across the district attended the event and bid a heartfelt farewell to the outgoing Deputy Commissioner.
