What an idea! North American Kodava newsletter
It is a matter of pride that a bunch of well-meaning Kodava residents of North America have started a monthly web newsletter www.amerikodava.com to promote their culture and spread goodwill among those living thousands of miles away from Kodagu.
Already, two issues (August and September) have come out. Going by the contents, the newsletters are of superior quality and highly readable. The high quality content is natural because the cream of the Kodava community had migrated to the United States in search of higher education and better opportunity.
The newsletters contain anecdotes from Kodagu history, information on Kodagu culture and also about events held by the Kodavas across the United Sates. It is also proposed to offer tips to students planning to pursue higher education in America.
The Editor of this portal was impressed by the article ‘The AmeriKodava – An Evolution’ written by Mallengada Neeraj, which is about the dilemma faced the ‘Facebook’ generation of Kodagu.
The editors of the newsletter should try to showcase Kodagu recipes, instead of using those from outside.
Those behind the newsletter should ensure that they do not run out of steam after a while. They should avoid other pitfalls.
For instance, the Bangalore Kodava Samaja also brings out a quarterly newsletter. Most of the content is nothing but glorification of the office-bearers. This should be avoided because issues involving the community are more important, than personalities.
The editorial team of the North American newsletter include Ballachanda Appachu, Ballachanda Naina, Koopadira Deepthi, Maj. Gen. Kotera M. Bhimaya (Retd), Maleyanda Monica, Mallengada Cauveri, Mallengada Neeraj, Maneyapanda Bhamini, and Maneyapanda Jamuna.
