Holy or The Miraculous Cross at Nandgad

Nandgad is a small village 33 Kms from Belgaum and 8 kms from Khanapur in Khanapur Taluka. 

There is a holy cross atop a hill at the entrance of the village.
Legend says – Deadly plague had been haunting the villages around Nandgad and had brought many deaths. Tired of these deadly occurring, the people here prayed and vowed to God that they would erect Christ’s cross on one of the hills. To everyone’s astonishment that the plague really disappeared and haunts them no more. Hence, with grateful heart and touched soul, the people of Nandgad really did erect Christ’s cross on the hill.
Photographs by Vijay Lingayat

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Media visit to Infantry School & MLIRC

A team of media personnel visited JL Wing, The Infantry School and the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre in Belagavi today. They were exposed to the rich culture, tradition and ethos of Indian Army and training establishments.

As part of the visit to The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre, they were briefed by Brig Pravin Shinde, the Commandant, The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre. He said, the history of The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental dates back to 217 years during which the Maratha battalions participated in various wars and campaigns and earned many laurels for the nation.

The media team visited the war memorial which has the inscription of names of Martyrs of the Regiment who sacrificed their life for the “Izzat of the Paltan & Nation.” The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre is the only Regimental Centre in the Indian Army which has participated in War (1st World War) and won numerous awards.

The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre is the cradle of soldiering where the recruits who come from civilian background are subjected to rigorous combat training spread over nine months. At the end of the training, they emerge as physically fit, mentally robust soldiers, motivated and ready to take on any challenge while serving the Army and Nation. The media team was shown a glimpse of important training events. The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre has innovatively incorporated the latest technologies with the standard military training to prepare the young soldiers to cope up with emerging conflict scenarios. Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre also provides training to Karnataka Police in Anti Naxal Trg.

The troops of The Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre have been actively participating in various sports events at the National and International level. The Regimental Centre is also the nominated nodal centre for adventure sports activities to include White Water Rafting and Parasailing.

The Regimental Centre also run the capsules for the soldiers proceeding on pension to prepare them to adjust to life after retirement. With sustained efforts, many pensioners have been reimbursed with the dues out of pensions which were long outstanding due to change of policies. The well-established Placement Cell undertakes placement of soldiers in various jobs after their retirement. The Regimental Centre is in regular touch with war widows, needy battle casualties and assists them in all their endeavours.

The media team was given an insight of how one of the oldest well known Regiments of the Indian Army has been actively participating in Nation Building.The battalions of the Regiment have participated in all Major Wars, Internal Conflicts, Counter Insurgency, Counter Terrorist Operations, Aid to Civil Authority as also in Disaster Management.

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Hebbalkar denies allegations of owning a mining company in Indonesia

President of the Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress, Laxmi R. Hebbalkar has rebutted the allegations of owning a mining company in Indonesia levelled by senior leaders and MLAs of Bharatiya Janata Party S. Suresh Kumar and C.T. Ravi.

The BJP on Thursday demanded an Enforcement Directorate (ED) enquiry into the charges that co-operative banks illegally sanctioned Rs 251 crore term loan to Harsha Sugars, in which Congress leader Lakshmi Hebbalkar is the managing director.

BJP general secretary and MLA C T Ravi said a consortium of seven co-operative banks had sanctioned the loan against a total security of 51 acres of industrial land worth only about Rs 1.69 crore in Savadatti taluk of Belagavi district. “It is a Vijay Mallya-like case in Karnataka. The Congress government has enabled its leader to obtain huge sums of loan by throwing all rules to the winds.

Laxmi Hebbalkar said If the BJP and their leaders prove the charges, I will not only quit politics, but also gift the entire company to that party. State was virtually in the election-year and BJP was desperately trying to return to power in the State.

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Renovated Prakash Theater now boasts of a 4k Projector

With single screen cinema halls making way for multiplexes, which offer a more comfortable viewing, the number is reducing every day. To put it simply, multiplexes are failing to draw the audience. 

But for a city like Belagavi, the single screen theaters are still the favorites amongst the locals. Be it Swaroop or Globe cinema people like the renovated look which is at par with the Multiplexes or may be even better at times but offer only one screen.

To this is the latest addition is Prakash Theater on Shama Prasad Mukherjee Road in Shahpur, now has been completely renovated by Mahesh Kugaji who also runs the Globe Cinema and Hira theater.

The old time Prakash from the outside looks the same but from the inside it is very spacious. Earlier the capacity of the theater was almost 620+ but now with new big push back seats the capacity is around 450 with a balcony of 94 seats.

The main attraction is the Christie 4K projector the first in town which makes viewing a pleasure with bright colors. The cinema projector incorporates the award-winning design concepts of the best-selling Christie CP2000 platform with the added advantage of 4K resolution.

The new look is clean and shiny and the box office counters will open on March 10 with the screening of the Movie Kong 3D in Hindi.

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Women to protest on March 8 against atrocities against women

The women of Belagavi under the banner of Samasta Stree Shakti Sangathana will take out a silent protest march on March 8 to condemn the Gang rape which happened near Kakti.

The main demands listed by the women are

• No more atrocities against women
• Govt must look at the issue of women safety on priority
• Streets of Belagavi must be made safe for Women

The protest rally which will be a silent march would begin from Dharmveer Sambhaji Chowk and proceed to College road, Samadevi Galli, Ramdev Galli, Maruti Galli, Ganpat Galli, Kaktives and will end by giving a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.

Even the men can take part in this silent protest rally.
For details contact 99167446233

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No Power on Sunday in some parts of city

Power Supply will be interrupted on 05-03-2017 from 09:00 to 18:00 for scheduled maintenance in the following areas

110 Vadagaon Feeder- Areas affected
Vadagaon, Bazar Galli, Old Belagavi, Hosur, Vidya Nagar, bhagya Nagar, Adrash Nagar

110 Kanbargi Feeder- Areas affectedKanbargi, Ramteerth Nagar, Shivlaya, Auto Nagar, Jinabakul, Yamnapur, Goggte HT feeder

33 KV Feeder – Areas affected
Udyambag, RPD, KLE, Majgaon, Huliyar, Phadke.

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Ambedkar road all set for a make over

Belagavi City’s Dr. B R Ambedkar road which is house to the most top notch brands in textiles is now getting ready for a makeover.

3.45 crores have been allocated under the CM’s special 100 crore funds for the makeover.

From Chennamma Cricle to BIMS the entire road will be free from poles and the electric cables would be laid underground, and some of this work has already been done. The entire cost of this would be about 1.2 crores for UG cabling and shifting of poles.

Footpaths on both the sides of the road would be developed with a cost of Rs.80 lakhs and new median street lights will adore at a cost of Rs.80 lakhs.

The median will host plants and also the footpath in some locations would have plants.

MLA Feroz Saith said that the project will be completed before the monsoons and this road will be a model road in the city.

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Mahantesh Kivadasannavar of Belagavi sets a mission to empower 100,000 lives by 2020

Disability does not stand as an obstacle between man and his aspirations; the journey of Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, is an example where will and determination ruled over the general norms of disability prevailed in the society.

Mahantesh was born in a farming village of Meginhal in Belagavi district (Karnataka) and lost his vision when he was six months old, after a bout of typhoid that the village doctors couldn’t diagnose. This native boy of Belagavi did not let his sightlessness hamper his vision and aspiration of empowering persons with disabilities and serve the society.

Mahantesh received great support from his family and peers which supported him all through his journey. Mahantesh, being an ardent cricket enthusiast, player and admirer, constantly strived for the development of the game for the blind. Eventually Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) was registered in the year 2010 with a mission to use competitive cricket for making the visually impaired look at life positively, gain confidence and strive to be winners; and enlighten the society on the ability and talent of the players.

Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), is the cricketing arm of Samarthanam Trust, a National Award winning NGO, founded in 1997. CABI was registered to govern cricket tournaments, and handhold aspiring rural blind cricketers in India. It is the apex body organizing and working towards game development of cricket for the blind and is affiliated to World Blind Cricket Ltd (WBC), organizing State, Zonal, and National cricket tournaments in India and abroad.

Indian blind cricket team includes players who have picked the bat at a very young age out of great passion towards cricket. Though they had to face certain setbacks, the players have moved forward bringing laurels to the country, several times. They have treaded the difficult road and achieved many personal successes in cricket. Each player has an inspirational story which would motivate any cricket enthusiast who wishes to pursue cricket for the blind.

Samarthanam takes pride in each and every player and Shekhar Naik, former captain of Indian Blind Cricket team who has been recently conferred Padmashree award by Government of India.

Cricket for the Blind will have a huge impact on the rehabilitation and integration of players into the mainstream. The felicitations received by the team are many and the cash prizes received have provided them with numerous benefits. Several avenues and opportunities for employment opened up, having a direct impact on the visually impaired youth and their immediate families.

Hailing from Belagavi, it is a moment of great pride to state that Mahantesh has been elected as the President of World Blind Cricket Limited (WBC).

Mahantesh along with the victorious Indian blind cricket team will be felicitated at a grand ceremony at Lingaraj College Ground, Belagavi on March 5, 2017 (Sunday) at 5:30 PM under the leadership of Veeresh Kivadasannavar, mentor of Samarthanam Belagavi.

Indian Blind Cricket team who has made the country proud after winning the 2nd T20 World Cup cricket for the Blind, an international tournament participated by 10 countries and played across 12 cities.

The felicitation ceremony is going to be organized amidst many prominent leaders and cricket followers and is a moment of great honor and admiration. John David, Finance Director, World Blind Cricket Limited (WBC) and General Secretary, Cricket Association of the Bind in India will also be a part of the ceremony.

Mahantesh says,

Cricket for the blind was started as an absolute passion by me and Nagesh SP and today, as I witness the heights that cricket has reached makes us absolutely proud. Hailing from a humble background we have greatly strived for the game’s development and today, we feel delighted to be felicitated by our very own Belagavi district. I feel honored to receive the felicitation and it is a great privilege to me. I am glad that my very own people under the leadership of Veeresh Kivadasannavar, has organized the felicitation. I greatly thank my people from Belagavi for recognizing our contribution to blind cricket and feel honored to receive the felicitation at Belagavi. I feel proud that my people from Belagavi have come forward to honor me and the team and I hope we continue our good work for the betterment of cricket.” 

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Letter boxes now on Rani Chennamma Express train

After the success of the ‘letter boxes’ introduced on three Railway Mail Service (RMS) coaches, the Karnataka Circle of India Post will introduce the same on more routes.

Letters and postcards posted in these boxes can be delivered the next morning at specified locations, which otherwise takes at least two days.

The letter boxes are being reintroduced after a gap of over three decades, when it was discontinued in 1984.

At present, the boxes have been put on Rani Chennamma (Bengaluru-Kolhapur), Chennai Mail (Bengaluru-Chennai), Hubballi-Vijayawada, and Netravathi (Thiruvananthapuram-Mumbai LTT) trains.

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Green Saviours plant 850 trees

Greetings from Green Saviours!

The Green Saviours team on their 48th consecutive Sunday of work planted a mini forest with around 850 trees at the PWD Compound at Fort, Belagavi.

Adopting the Miyawaki method of plantation which involves elaborate site preparation and dense plantation of trees, the Green Saviours prepared their second Miyawaki Mini Forest. This method of plantation produces a full grown forest in about 3 years.

The team which commenced work in April 2016 has planted and maintained over 3000 trees of various local varieties.

They have shifted to Miyawaki plantation methodology since January 2017 and will be creating several mini forests in and around Belagavi.

The team wishes to thank the PWD for providing the site and promising to maintain it. Employees of the department in individual capacity also contributed 300 saplings for the plantation. The Departments of Horticulture also assisted the Green Saviours by providing saplings.

To join Green Saviours Contact: 09611313919

Email:greensaviours2016@gmail.com

Website: www.greensaviours.org

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SRS Travels inducts Mercedes-Benz Day Service on Bengaluru – Belagavi route

SRS Travels, known for its dedicated bus service has launched its premium fleet of Mercedes-Benz 15 mtr Super High Deck (SHD) multiaxle coaches on Bengaluru – Belagavi route as a Day / Night Service from 6th march 2017.

The service from Belagavi will start from 7th March as stated by SRS Sources. The departure timing from Bengaluru is at 11 am (Anand Rao Circle) and the coach will depart at 10:30 am from Belagavi (SRS Ramdev). Introduction of a direct day service to Belagavi from Bengaluru was most sought for, because of convenience of travelling for lady passengers and senior citizens, who prefer safe travelling as a foremost priority.

The convenient departure and arrival timings on both ends will make travelling on the coach preferable. The one way fare of Rs 583/- as of now is economical keeping in view, it’s a premium category air-conditioned coach with semi-sleeper seats. Online booking is available on SRS booking portal – www.srsbooking.com . The day bus service will help people travelling from Belagavi to catch late-night or next day early morning flights from Kempegowda Airport, Bengaluru and also on the same lines it will be easy to catch an early morning train at a convenience.

Talking to AAB, Mr Chinmay, Vice President, Travels Section, SRS travels shared that,

Mercedes-Benz is a reputed brand, and based on our evaluation, we have inducted these coaches in our fleet. We are keen on trying new products in the market, keeping in mind, passenger luxury and comfort. Bengaluru – Belagavi (505 kms) is our second phase of route expansion with Mercedes Benz SHD multiaxle coaches. We have already introduced Bengaluru – Madurai (480 kms) and Bengaluru – Coimbatore (360 kms) routes with the same coaches, in last quarter of 2016.

Sharing details on the product features that impressed SRS, Mr Chinmay went on to say,

These new coaches come with a new driveline and we wanted to run them on shorter routes to evaluate their performance on road. Being the longest coach in the country, it ensures a higher number of seats and increased legroom. The front fascia of the coach shows Mercedes elegant craftsmanship and exquisitely sculpted body with polyurethane based paint make for an exceptional finish. The spacious 15 cu. m luggage boot and its clear opening height of 0.9 m help take care of the passenger travel needs while on the road.

Concluding on a positive note, Mr Chinmay stated, SRS Travels strategy for delivering the best service to its customers. He further pointed out about SRS’s sustainable services as its core USP, leading to a remarkable growth over the years , primarily owing to its policy of commitment, dedication and service.

The Author Biswajit Baruah(Belagavi based), is Mentor / Director  at www.busbucket.com, a consulting editor at MotorIndia magazine, a bus blogger and has been acknowledged for his work by all the major bus manufacturing companies and Travel companies.

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Belagavi lags behind in Smart city implementation

Belagavi – ICR is less than 22%

While Nagpur and Indore have bagged the first and second place in the country, in the implementation of the Smart Cities project, Belagavi is lagging behind by a huge margin.

The urban development ministry analysed the investment conversion ratio (ICR) of each city.  ICR indicates the extent of conversion of approved Smart City plans into investments through ground-level implementation. ICR also shows the percentage of funds currently being used at the ground level for implementing the projects as against the funds approved by the Centre.

Belagavi, ICR is less than 22%, which means the amount spent on the execution of the projects or approved projects is less than Rs 1,000 crore till now, according to an analysis of the implementation of the projects done by the ministry.

Under the smart city programme, each city will be given Rs 500 crore by the Centre over five years. The states will have to make a matching contribution.

The ministry, however, claimed that all the 20 cities selected in the first batch had firmed up their investment plans, achieving an overall Investment Conversion Rate (ICR) of 49%. The ICR indicates the extent of conversion of approved smart city plans into investment through ground-level implementation.

According to the Smart cities network site Total projects work has commenced is 3, Feasibility in progress of 2 and one project is yet to be initiated.

Total 5 crores have been allocated for Solid Waste Management.

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Smart city officials meet but no work in progress

Belagavi lags behind in Smart city implementation, well there is nothing new to this story but today (Monday) a meeting was held at the CADA office wherein all the officials MP, MLAs and other citizens of the group were present.

The MD of Belagavi Smart city limited M P Mullai Muhilan was taken to task by all the elected representatives irrespective of the political background.

MP Suresh Angadi said that Still no work has commenced under the smart city project. We have been only meeting and meeting but not even a brick has moved on the ground which is very shameful.

MLA Feroz Saith said only having board and office does not make a city smart, the projects have to be implemented.

In all it was again one of those meetings where nothing actually was executed.

Belagavi was selected in Round 1 of the competition of Smart cities.

The entire smart project for Belagavi is 3,535 crores, in which 1,656 for area based development and 1,879 crores is for Total Pan City Solutions.

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Rejuvenated Sulga Lake by Pyaas Foundation handed over to the Villagers

A 60,000 sq feet of 30-35 feet deep dead lake has been dug up by the Pyaas Foundation under the able monitoring of the the Sulga Gram Panchayat members. This lake on the foothills of the Rajhuns Gad was being dug up under various schemes of the govt but with very hard rock manual labor did not reap any results.

Sulga village is one of those identified as drought affected and the source of water is very scarce in the village. The villagers approached Pyaas foundation after they had rejuvenated a similar lake in Prabhu Nagar last year.

The work was commenced on February 9 and the villagers had knew no bound of happiness when springs emerged as the silt was being removed. Immediately experts in irrigation and water harvesting were called in to give their view and the further digging process was modified to suit the process.

With water seeping out of the mud it was a sign a relief and also a sense of satisfaction that this lake had live water streams which were small but if water is stored here more such streams will grow and eventually the ground water level of the village will come up which is essential.

On March 7, 2007 the lake was handed over to the villagers in the presence of DC N Jayram and ZP CEO Ramchandran R.

It is now the collective responsibility of the Gram Panchayat and the villagers to take care of the Lake, its cleanliness. A Plantation drive in the monsoon is planned on the sides of the lake which will also help in retaining the moisture in the soil and with some fruit bearing trees around the birds will also have another hide out.

The lake was completed in a record 15 days time which is spread over an area of about 1.5 acres and the depth is about 30-35 feet.

This model of a NGO helping a Gram Panchayat for its needs and then handing it over to the Villagers again is a unique model in itself.

The villagers were so happy and said our coming generations will always remember us for this lake if not anything else and along with it the contribution from Pyass Foundation cannot go unnoticed.

Arvind Patil, president of Gram Panchayat said

We tried for this lake to be rejuvenated for so many years but I guess it was the script of the Lord that Pyaas came to quench our thirst in this fashion. This is the best gift we can give our coming generations.

Pyaas Foundation is a group of like-minded people who joined hands to rejuvenate lakes that had dried up due to drought. Their motto is to do the best they can before it’s too late to sail through another summer.

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MLA Fairoz Saith yet to submit details of assets to Lokayukta

Activist Ramamurthy Gowda, has obtained details of the list of defaulting legislators through RTI those who have not submitted their details of assets to the Lokayukta.

The list includes 23 legislators, including former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, have failed to submit the mandatory affidavits on assets and liabilities before the Lokayukta for the year 2015-16.

Out of the 23, the name also includes Belagavi North Congress MLA Fairoz Saith.

According to Section 22 (1) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, MLAs and MLCs have to submit details of assets and liabilities, including those of their family members, in a prescribed format before June 30 every year.

The legislators then get two more months to submit statements with an explanation for late submission. According to the provisions of the Lokayukta Act, a report will be sent to the governor with details of the members who fail to submit it by June 30.

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Ganesh Mandals oppose the ban on POP for use of Idols

Various members of the Ganesh Mandals, Idol makers, MLAs Sambhaji L. Patil and Sanjay B. Patil and former MLA Abhay Patil took out a procession against the ban on Plaster of Paris (PoP)-made idols of Lord Ganesh.

They demonstrated at the DC office demanding the withdraw of ban.

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has already issued orders banning use of PoP for Ganesha idols.

The protesters said Belagavi had a large number of Ganesh Mandals and it is a very big festival celebrated in this part of the state which attracts many visitors. Big idols making out of clay is difficult, the idol makers said.

The State government should withdraw the ban and allow the use of PoP, they added. A memorandum was submitted to the deputy commissioner.

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Only BUDA to issue TDR in Belagavi

Since 2014 after the road widening began and issue of compensation was brought forward by the property owners, the Corporation orally said it will give TDR but now as per the new rules framed the Belagavi Development Authority (BUDA) is entitled to issue them to property owners whose properties would be used for road widening purpose or for any other development activity. This rule will be applicable in all corporations of the state.

This has been extensively covered by Atul Chaturvedi in the Bangalore Mirror Story, BDA, NOT BBMP, TO ISSUE NEW TDRS IN BENGALURU.

So this makes it very clear that, whenever road widening takes place and on the issue of TDR arises which is again optional, BUDA will be the authority to issue the TDR and not the Belagavi City corporation.

Now the land owners will receive twice the area of land surrendered in lieu of monetary compensation as development right; and one time the building area surrendered as estimated by the value of the building and divided by the market value of the land.

Land owners will receive TWICE the area of land surrendered in lieu of monetary compensation as development right

One time the building area surrendered as estimated by the value of the building and divided by the market value of the land

In case of road widening, the available front setback shall be permitted setback after road widening.

The story elaborates the entire details of the TDR –

According to new rules, those who load maximum TDR to achieve 60 per cent of the permissible FAR will get 25 per cent relaxation in the overall setback prescribed in the zonal regulations.

Similarly, in the cases where, 75 per cent of the allowed TDR is utilized then 75 per cent out of 25 per cent of the prescribed setback will be relaxation in setback.
Hence for 75 per cent loading of the allowed TDR, one can get 18.75 per cent of relaxation in the overall setback.

As per the new rules, a copy of which is available with Bangalore Mirror, the eligible additional floor area, based on the notional land, may be utilised in the remaining portion of the original plot after surrendering the portion of land or building area to the public authority.

That would be irrespective of the road width, subject to the condition that the maximum additional floor area ratio (FAR) shall not exceed 0.6 times the ordinarily permissible FAR in the remaining plot.

The DRC (development rights certificate) shall not be valid for use on receivable plot abutting a road of less than nine metres within the local planning area.

Further, if the notional land area is transferred to another plot, additional floor area ration of the receiving plot shall not exceed 0.6 times that of ordinarily permissible FAR.
Parking provision shall comply with the requirements of the approved zoning regulation for the additional area to be utilized as TDR, it added.

The new rules have a definition for setback relaxation – with building below 15 metres in height – in the originating plot where there is no option for increasing the setback area in case of loading of the DRC on the existing building, the available existing side and rear setbacks shall be considered as the permitted setback in case of the final height of the building is below 15 metre after loading the DRC. In case of road widening, the available front setback shall be permitted setback after road widening.

With building above 15 metres high, due to utilization of DRC on the existing building, setbacks shall be followed – relaxation in setback and coverage in the remaining plot after surrender shall not exceed beyond twenty five percent of the prescribed setback proportionate to the quantum of the DRC utilised. For building with 15 metres and above in height the no-objection certificate (NOC) from the fire department shall be produced, the rules said.

However, on vacant land, when the originating plot itself becomes the receiving plot, the terms and condition applicable to the plot’s size will be after deducting the surrendered area.

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I love to help my dad at work – Smita Jadhav

Its afternoon time, girls from Bhatkande College have left and now headed home after a hard day at college. Some have plans to play for a while some have plans to watch TV and a few just want to rest. But there is one girl who is determined to help her dad in his workshop – Deepak Cycles in fixing punctures. She is currently pursuing her PUC 2. 

Meet this young dynamic young girl Smita Deepak Jadhav(19) alias Hundre from Mahadwar Road.
Deepak owns a small workshop opposite the govt school on Mahadwar road and each day Smita after school directly stops at the workshop to help her father in fixing punctures and then goes home.

Speaking to this Blog Smita’s Aunt said that she started to help her dad in his work as he had no helpers and there was too much work for the past 7 years now. Now she is an expert and can fix punctures of any car or two wheelers single handedly. She also goes to the doorstep if a vehicle is punctured.

Her parents are proud that the eldest daughter in the family has understood the hardships of her parents and is supporting them. But her parents want her to complete her studies first, to which Smita says, “I will pass.’

Those tender hands which have realized the hardships faced by her parents is commendable. Wishing Smita a successful career ahead.
Photos: Raju Sadare

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What Women Really Want

The jury is still out on whether a special day is merited for women who form a natural half of the world’s population. However, those who do appreciate, say that it at least brings to fore issues related to women’s safety, health, nutrition, her status in family and society and the many problems that she faces. A back –of- the- envelope survey in my MBA class puts my female students at difficulty to list the restrictions at home or outside. Some say it’s only the late night timings that they have to adhere back home. Some are aware they face problems, but they have found a way out. One chirpy girl said, there are restrictions, but there are also a host of things out there in the world where I can prove my mettle and achieve something. It is not the same elsewhere, education being the biggest differentiator.

Women empowerment begins at home and ends with high levels of education. It begins with the right kind of parenting where gender does not form the deciding factor for privileges like food, clothing and education. I have plenty of students whose parents have pinned hopes on their daughters rather than the son, and providing them with quality professional education in spite of great difficulties. More of such parents are needed. Daughters need to be seeded with dreams and provided the strength to dream big. I read somewhere that all parents need to provide their children is roots and wings. So true when it comes to daughters.

We, the people of Belagavi, have seen very little, if any discretion when providing for education to daughters. Exceptions do exist, but our city’s culture has enabled scores of proud daughters to complete schooling, get education and have a career. It’s another matter that there are still plenty of girls from Belagavi who willingly opt to not have a career or work. Not that career should be the sole goal in life, but then a large potential of the population stays at home, and is not part of the nation’s growth saga. I recall Ms. Soniya Netalkar narrate her experience of Japan where the government took active steps to bring this potential workforce back to the organization by providing flexi timings, plentiful maternity leaves and other policies. Perhaps the government must chip in here.

All said, financial independence brings a lot of empowerment in the true sense. Most of the domestic exploitation happens due to the woman’s dependence on the sole earning member of the family- the husband. Money, key family decisions, inheritance are some factors that women still struggle with. If the woman does not wish to venture out for earning, work must reach her home. Make her life meaningful, purposeful. Families must make it a natural course of action that the woman are consulted for key family decisions like investments, weddings, education of the kids, etc. And families alone can instill respect for women among the kids from a young age. Especially the man bears the responsibility to exemplify his respect for the wife, the mother and sister at home. Kids emulate. Good and bad. Raise a kid who has seen his father respect his mother. Who has seen him reprimand when she is not. Women empowerment is a gradual but dynamic process that begins and ends at home. Only then can we think of workplace safety, travel safety and the like.

Our city has had its share of women stalwarts in the field of education, medicine and social work. We have seen a surge in the number of women in entrepreneurship of late. This trend must flourish. Women do not want to be ‘Same’ as men, all they want is to be looked at as equals. They know they are different, they have their own strengths. They are great planners, great at handling people and strong on empathy. They make great leaders and managers. Allowing them leverage their strengths is not such a big burden, is it? Being woman is so natural. So exhilarating.

And every single day, not just one. Just let her be. Let her take wings and fly. Then every day will be women’s day. And men’s day. Rather, Human’s day!

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Tender for Construction of Multi level car parking at Bapat Galli Belagavi floated

Construction of Multi level car parking at Bapat Galli Belagavi at a cost of 4,35,29,218.98 (4.35 Crores)

It will be a Hydraulic System Multi Level Car Parking

Total time 11 months for completion (excluding Monsoon)

17/03/2017 Technical bid to be opened

It looks like a dream but yes, something has moved with regards to the multi level car parking to built at Bapat Galli.

For over 10 years we have been just hearing and reading about the plans for the city corporation to build a multi level car parking at the Bapat galli car parking.

Feasibility reports about a couple of them were made but no progress. Now the City corporation has finally floated a tender for the construction of the Multi level car parking at Bapat Galli.

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