Monday, November 2, 2009

Genetic Origin of Coorgs


Last month i.e, October 2009, while I visited Kodava Samaja at Bangalore to collect 'Tala Kaveri Theertha', two ladies approached me and asked if I could help them to speak to some one at Kodava Samaja. The mother and daughter had come from the United States, and they were here to find out the genetic origin of the Coorgs, as this clan is one of the "vanishing races" here in South India.

I took them to the Samaja and as the Youth Committee had gathered there for a meet, I asked their help to lend a hand to the mother and daughter who were doing their Phd research. They collected my saliva samples in a container for examination. There were other adult coorgs giving the samples as well.

After collecting the samples, they would take it back to the US to continue their research. They told me that they would keep the Samaja officials informed about the progress of the research. We all indeed know that our clan is a 'vanishing race' and getting to know our origin is definitely very interesting. I must say, it is very very sad that a uniques and exclusive community like ours is diminishing day by day. I request all the Coorgs to help our community grow more and more in numbers everyday.

I am sure we don't want to see ourselves not existing here in this planet.