Windman Karanth speaks on use of Wind Energy

by Swatee Jog
Mr. A. S. Karanth, Freelance Consultant / Executive adviser at DEIF India, a Danish company, visited Bharatesh Global Business School on Saturday 18^th Jan 2014. In a warm address to the students of BBA and MBA , he rendered a presentation on the Wind Energy sector and spoke about life and management education. Mr. Karanth, an alumnus of KREC Surathkal of the 1970 batch, has extensive experience in the field of wind energy. Having worked with Hindustan Motors, CEO of BF Utilities ( a Kalyani Group Co.), Vice President of Batliboi-Foras Ltd.  and exposed to systems and operations in companies like GM, Caterpillar, etc., he has vast experience in installing and maintaining wind mills. The wind mills near Chikodi and Satara were installed under his supervision.

 Q. Inspite of having such great potential in India, why is the Wind Energy sector considered Alternative energy?

A. S. Karanth ————–> Yes its true that India has great potential in terms of Wind energy. However, the wind patterns differ in India from place to place. The wind on the shores of Gujarat will be different from that in Tamil nadu and that in Chikodi will be completely different in Satara. India today boasts of a generation of 20000 MW capacity in wind energy. But the investments are huge. It takes big players to invest crores of rupees in wind mills and then the generation is not consistent. A huge country like ours cannot afford to depend upon something that is not consistent in energy.

Q. You have worked on the wind mills installed at Satara which saw a huge media outcry that they have impacted the rain in that area. Do you feel there was any truth in it?

A. S. Karanth ————–> Wind mills per se cannot affect the rain of any area. The height of a wind mill is too insignificant to impact the clouds that are hundreds of feet high in the air. What happened in Satara was sheer media imagination and sensation. Thankfully, soon after the accusations were made, it rained heavily in Satara area and all that talk died away.

Q. You mentioned that the wind mills in India are all European or American designs. When the topography of India is so varied, can’t we have something designed and built for India? The government perhaps?

A. S. Karanth ————–> Yes we can, we should. But we don’t. That’s because the govt. is not doing enough for research and development in this sector. And the private players don’t invest in research either. They start a factory, and just as the prototype is ready, they rush for production. Then even before the mills are tested, they are rushed to be sold. Where is the research done? Scientists spend at least two years erecting masts at sites to study wind patterns. The same is not applied to test the mills.

Q: How is this industry as a career?

A. S. Karanth ————–> Oh! This is a fascinating world. If you see a large wind mill, the turbine alone measures anywhere between 70 to 100 meters in length while the blades could be around 60 meters. The site selection, erection, functioning , etc. is all very interesting. However, young engineers today are unwilling to stay at remote locations where these mills are frequently situated. Two years and they want to shift to the city.

Q: You have worked or been associated with some of the biggest companies in the world including HM, GE, Caterpillar, etc. What message would you give the students?

A. S. Karanth ————–> One thing I am surprised is that before joining a company, students rarely think about what they can give to the company. Don’t ask what the company can give you, ask yourself what you  can give the company. 30% of the coffee table chat is about what opportunities are available in other companies. I have always worked as though I own the company, its my job, its mine mine all the time. Only then does passion come. The youth must keep in mind three things:

a.      Introspect: All the time. If you’ve not learned or achieved something within one year of joining a company, its time to think. Don’t sleep at night. Your passion for work must keep you awake.

b.      Understand how things work in a company. What is a meeting, how to prepare, how to manage time. Understand planning, execution, delivery. Be professional in everything that you do. Only glossy power point slides don’t make your career.

c.       Network. Reach out to people. Help them without expecting anything. Share all that you know. Nobody can grow if one does not share with others. Networking helps in growing. Students share everything when they are studying – notes, tea, information, everything. When they join work, it all stops suddenly.

 Be open to learning and learning must be continuous. Make maximum use of time. Read a lot. Sleep late and rise early. One who rises early has plenty of time and energy to do many things and learn.

All About Belgaum

Citizens to protest against proposed master plan

The residents and shop owners of Ramling Khind Galli will take out a protest march this morning starting at 11 AM and will culminate at the DC office. 

MP Suresh Angadi had assured the residents that no master plan would be done without their consent but it is heard that MLA Sait said Master plan would be implemented.

The plan is to widen the current 30 feet road to 60 feet as per CDP. But the residents are opposing this and are ready for a 40 feet road along with compensation. The current plan has no scope for any sort of compensation to be paid to the shop owners or residents. This is a major cause of worry for the citizens here and most of the shops and houses are old and all would face the axe if implemented. The residents also urge they must be taken into confidence before taking any further action in this regard.

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Citizens oppose master plan at Ramdev Galli

In the meeting of the citizens of Ramdev Galli was held at Sri Ram Mandir to consider the implications of the implementation of Master plan in Ramdev Galli when widened to 45 feet. Large number of citizens of Ramdev Galli and all have them have unanimously resolved to Oppose the said master plan. 

In the meeting it was brought to notice that in 1992 the master plan was stopped after it was brought to the notice of the administration that Ramdev Galli is a Link road, and link road is not widened.

The corporation in past has also resolved that no widening will be done of link roads. The traffic on the street can be systematically regulated with strict enforcement of traffic norms and Ramdev Galli is not included in the CDP plan. Any implementation of the master plan would be injustice. All the citizens agreed to submit petition on the same grounds to the authorities.

Advocate Ashok Potdar, Smt.Devyani Deshpande, Ranganath Potdar, Katti, Porwal and others shared their views on the same occasion. 

All About Belgaum

The Unbelievable Tragedy that is about to befall Belgaum Fort !

By The Belgaum Cantonment Residents welfare Association

We are turning to you in our hour of need as the heritage of Belgaum is now in grave danger !

The Income Tax Department, despite all our protests in 2010, is now determined to go ahead with its plans to build a huge office-cum-residential complex in a strip of land that starts from in front of the main gate of Belgaum Fort, and stretches to the wholesale vegetable market in the West.

Our beautiful Belgaum Fort was built by the Jains, the Hindus, the Muslims and the Christians. Each of these four faiths ruled from Belgaum Fort for almost equal periods of time over the past 1000 years. It is perhaps the only fort in India to have been built and maintained by people of four different faiths.

It is also unique because it still has ancient monuments corresponding to all four epochs. Tourists from all over the world come to Belgaum to admire this Fort and its archaeological treasures.

The Belgaum Fort is a ‘bhui kot’ (or a ground level fort). Such Forts need a deep moat and a strip of land in front of the moat (called the ‘skirts’ of the Fort). Only by standing on this clear space can the Fort walls and the bastions be admired.

The Karnataka State Government plans to develop this space all around into a garden with lights to illuminate the rampart walls and clean out the moat, which once had pure water but is now a stinking garbage pit in which even dead bodies of animals are dumped. Once the moat is cleaned, boats will be provided and the two bridges to the two gates will be LED illuminated

On 29th February 1982, the Cantonment Board of Belgaum sold this entire 4.2 acres of public land to the Income Tax Department for a mere Rs. 16.02 lakhs.

In 2010, the Income Tax Department, suddenly took possession of this strip of land and decided to put up an office-cum-residential quarters complex on this land. No one was shown their plan, nor has the Income Tax Department, till today, ever applied to the Cantonment Board for planning or building permission.

Once this massive complex of government buildings and quarters comes up here, our beautiful Belgaum Fort will completely disappear from view on the Western side. On the other sides there is a railway track and a slum starting from the moat of the Fort.

The Fort and its lake are the very entrance of Belgaum. They are in urgent need of beautification. If this huge government structure is allowed to come up at this entrance door of Belgaum and in front of the main gate of the Fort, it will be an eyesore . . . like a big ugly wart on the nose of a beautiful lady.

Imagine if they had proposed to build this complex on the land in front of the Red Fort in Delhi or the Taj Mahal in Agra. Would the ‘aam aadmi’ there have permitted them to do it ?

In 2010, the then D.C., Dr. Ekroop Caur, tried her best to gently persuade the Income Tax Department to shift their proposed complex of buildings to the 5 acre piece of government land near Laxmi Hill. The Income Tax Department has adamantly refused.

The Central Bus Terminus (CBT), and Ashoka Circle area is the most densely trafficated area in all of Belgaum. Quite often traffic gets completely jammed over here. During the Legislative Sessions, smooth VIP movement over here becomes almost impossible.

Honestly, what we need here is not more “development”, . . . we need decongestion.

This strip of land outside the Fort also falls partially in the ‘prohibited area’, and, partially in the ‘regulated area’ of the new Act which is intended to protect our national monuments against mindless developmentalism.

The Belgaum Fort, as a whole, is a National Monument. Much blood has been split on its strong rampart walls. Even Col. Munroe could not pierce these walls for 22 days from 20th March 1818 to 12th April 1818, and had to lay a siege to the Fort.

All these stones, not just those stones which have images of gods on them, are sacred to us. They must not be allowed to be obscured from our sight permanently.

We owe this much to our future generations.

We need to have the entire Belgaum Fort declared first as a ‘State Monument’, then as one of the Country’s ‘ancient monuments’ so that it is protected by the A.S.I. under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (A&V) Act 2010.

The Belgaum Fort which has protected us for about a thousand years, now itself needs our protection !

Please don’t waste any time in coming to the defence of our Fort in its hour of need !

All About Belgaum

Neena Sports emerge Champion of Adv Anil Benake Trophy Cricket tournament

Neena Sports emerged Winners of 3rd Adv Anil Benake Trophy All India Cricket tournament held at Sardar High School ground. All round Neena Sports thrashed P J Sports in the finals by 8 wickets. The match was played of 2 Innings.

P J Sports won the toss and decided to bat first. But P J sports were restricted for only 68 runs in 12 overs for the loss of 8 wickets in their first innings by Neena Sports. Devraj Koti scored 28 runs with 4 boundaries, Narendra Mangore scored 16 runs with one six. For Neena Sports Sonya Kunzir picked up 3, Ajaz Qureshi and Abhijeet Dudhey both picked up 2 wickets each. In reply Neena Sports scored 112 runs for the loss 7 wickets in 12 overs with Ajaz Qureshi thrashing the ball to all parts of ground scored 36 runs in 18 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes, Avinash Ramgude scored 25 runs with 3 fours and Babu Patil scored 12 runs. For P J Sports Narfendra Mangore picked up 4 wickets. Neena Sports took a lead of 45 runs in the first Innings.

Batsmen of P J Sports failed in second Innings also as they were bundled out for 70 runs in 11 overs. Arjun Bhosale scored 31 runs with 2 fours and 3 sixes and Devraj Koti scored 10 runs. For Neena Sports Afzal Makhdum and Sonya Kunzir picked up 3 wickets each, Abhijeet Dudhey picked up 2 and Ajaz Qureshi picked up one wicket. Neena Sports needed only 26 runs to win as they had a handy lead of 45 runs in the first. Neena Sports reached the target of 26 runs in just 3.3 overs for the loss of 2 wickets thus winning the lopsided finals by 8 wickets and 8.3 overs to spare.Jay Nazar scored unbeaten 13 runs. For P J Sports Ali Unkal and Mukesh Shinde picked up one wicket each.

Ajaz Qureshi was declared the Man of the final. He also was awarded the Man of the Series award. Devraj Koti was declared the Best Batsman of the tournament. Ali Unkal was declared the Best Bowler of the tournament. Ramchandra Mannolkar Sports were declared the Disciplined team of the tournament. Chief guest M P Suresh Angadi, Ex MLA Abhay Patil, Adv Anil Benake, Laxman Pawar and Kedar Ghasari gave away the awards to the Winners and Runners Up teams.

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Get ready with your helmets in Belgaum

The police department is gearing up to strictly implement the compulsorily helmets for two wheelers. The police department would take suitable action against motorists riding  without a helmet and this would be strictly followed up from February 1, 2014 mostly.

The police officials in a meeting recently decided that helmet must be made compulsory after the recent accidents in the city area. The exact date of the implementation is not yet final.

Helmets were made compulsory last time on January 25, 2012.

The State government, in the year 2005, made helmets compulsory in all corporation limits. The rule is in force in Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad, Gulbarga, Mangalore and Belgaum. Violation of the rule invites a penalty of Rs 100. The mandatory helmet rule came into force following the directions of the Supreme Court and consequent orders from the State government.

Not wearing Helmet to head while riding the Vehicle u/s 230 of the KMVR 1989 in sub rule (1) the fine is Rs.100.

All About Belgaum

Police issues Notice to Educational institutes with regards to parking

Sources have confirmed that Police department will issue notices to all colleges which have restricted the parking of vehicles in the college premises.

After the order by many colleges in the city issued orders that no vehicles would be allowed to enter the college premises all students including the staff were forced to park their vehicles on the road which is causing a lot of hardships for the common commuter. See College road for that matter where one can see a sea of vehicles parked even under the no parking boards, on footpaths etc.

A few colleges do have spacious parking lots but at the same time other institutes must also try and accommodate for parking within their premises first and then ask the students to park else where, a senior citizen said.

All About Belgaum

Movies for Belgaum as on 24-01-2014

Inox Chandan  –  Contact: 2436905

Jai Ho  (Hindi)
10 AM, 11.45 AM, 12.40 PM, 2.45 PM, 3.30 PM, 5.45 PM, 6.25 PM, 8.45 PM, 9.20 PM
Time Pass (Marathi)
10 AM, 12.45 PM, 3.35 PM, 6.25 PM, 9.15 PM

Big Cinemas  - Contact: 3989404

Jai Ho  (Hindi)
10 AM 12.45 PM, 2.45 PM, 3.45 PM, 5.45 PM, 6.45 PM, 8.45 PM, 9.45 PM.
Yaariyan (Hindi)
12 PM

Swaroop-Nartaki
Ninnandale (Kannada)
12 PM, 3.15 PM 6.15 PM, 9.15 PM

Globe Cinema

Timepass (Marath)
12.15 PM  3.30 PM   6.15 PM 9.30 PM

Nirmal –  Contact: 2420493
Rajahuli (Kannada)
12.00. PM, 3.00.PM, 6 PM,  9.00.PM.

Balkrishna –  Contact: 4200634

EK AUR MURDER (Hindi)
12.30 PM, 3.30 PM 6.30 PM, 9.30PM

Chitra –  Contact: 2462511

Ninnandale (Kannada)
11.30 Pm, 2.30 Pm,6 PM, 9  PM

Hira –  Contact: 2405812

Yevdu (Telugu)
12 PM,  9.00.PM.

Jai Ho (Hindi)
3.15 PM, 6.15 PM

Prakash  –  Contact: 2467025

Jai Ho(Hindi)
12 Pm, 3.30 Pm, 6.30 PM, 9.30 PM

Santosh –Contact: 2460617

6-5=2 (Kannada)
12.00 PM, 3.00.PM, 6 PM, 9.00.PM.

Arun
Under Renovation – Could start in 3-4 months

Disclaimer: Though every effort is made to ensure the appropriateness of the movies information, we suggest that you check with the theatre for the exact timings. As the screening of movies and their timings are subject to change.

All About Belgaum

Belgaum’s Deepak Dhadoti featured in Rashmi Bansals ‘Take me Home – The Inspiring Stories Of 20 Entrepreneurs From small- Town India’

WESTLAND Publishers in their new book authored by Rashmi Bansal ‘Take me Home – The Inspiring Stories Of 20 Entrepreneurs From small- Town India’ has honored Belgaumite Deepak Dhadoti and CMD Servocontrols by writing about him as an Entrepreneur who came back to his  home city with the acquired expertise  on a foreign land and established himself successfully and also has contributed immensely to the city by bringing world-class business to the city. Distinguished Scientists, Technical Personalities from India and entire Globe come seeking assistance and business prospects. He definitely has made difference to Belgaum and has made it forward Looking.

The book which includes the story on Mr Deepak Dhadoti gives an insight into Entrepreneurial Journey of 20 successful Entrepreneurs,  who gave up their bright going career, returned native and rewrote a successful story.

The title of this book is inspired by the song, Country The ability to run a professional business is no Roads, take me home; To the place I belong… by John Denver, and it narrates the stories of a new breed of entrepreneurs who are running world-class businesses from the cities of their birth. People who chose to return to their roots and live perhaps away from the glamour of city life, but also its grime. Here are the Sons Of The Soil who never left their birth place for greener pastures, those who returned from foreign lands and fine careers with a dream of making a difference, ala Return Of The Native. And last, but not the least, those who had one purpose in either staying or coming back home to bring about change and hope, to be the Chhoti Si Asha, for anew generation. She celebrates their enterprise and success, their struggles and triumph as she reveals to us their stories in her candid  inimitable and very relatable style. A heartwarming and highly empowering narrative, that calls to the inner desire within all of us to, one day, come home…

About the Author :
Rashmi Bansal is a writer, entrepreneur and you the expert. Her five books on entrepreneurship – StayHungry Stay Foolish, Connect the Dots, I Have a Dream, Follow Every Rainbow and Poor Little RichSlum have sold over 7,50,000 copies and been translated into 10 languages. Rashmi is a motivational speaker and mentor to students and young entrepreneurs. She is an economics graduate of Sophia College, Mumbai, and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad.

The book is available for readers at WORDPOWER store Khanapur Road Tilakwadi and also online.

All About Belgaum

National-level art exhibition

A national-level art exhibition is being held at Dr. B.S. Jirage Hall on JNMC campus from January 24 to 27 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. And the same is open for general public.

KLE Society and Mobile Art Circle have jointly organised the exhibition, in which 40 paintings of eight artists from Kolkata and Belgaum are being displayed.

All About Belgaum

Subway to open its door to Belgaum on January 25

After filling your stomachs with bucket full of stuff from KFC and Dominos it is now time for Belgaumites to taste the food at Subway.

The subway store in Belgaum will open tomorrow January 25, 2014 at 11.30 AM next to the Dominos store at the KLE Convention centre at JNMC campus.

Unique thing about Subway is that all ingredients are fresh including the bread. It is baked right in the store and has special attractions with lots of veggie options.

Subway Systems India Pvt Ltd opened its very first restaurant in 2001 in New Delhi and has swiftly grown its operations to 414 operating restaurants in 68 cities across India.

Although it is a global brand with a menu that is relatively the same around the world, SUBWAY restaurant’s takes great pride in honoring and respecting local traditions and food preferences and has earned a reputation for offering a healthier alternative to traditionally fatty and greasy fast food.

SUBWAY estaurant’s in India serve no beef or pork products and have an expanded selection of vegetarian choices. Popular sandwiches, both local and international favorites, include Veggie Patty, Paneer Tikka, Aloo Patty, Roasted Chicken, Chicken Teriyaki, Turkey, and Tuna.

All About Belgaum

Challenge in life -a reality

by Hemant Bondre
Every person in his/her life dreams of some positive thing to happen and acts accordingly. In most of the cases the result turns out to be good. However, sometimes in somebody’s life, Destiny has different to offer. And that is what happened in my life about 33 years ago. Generally, the birth of a baby multiplies joys & happiness among family members. However in our family when our daughter was born, the happiness was accompanied with lots of worries in mind.

A baby girl was born to us on 2nd May 1980. She was quite nice looking, very fair, but with lot of deformities. It was a terrific shock to all our family members, rather everyone was stunned to see such child. Due to premature delivery, the child had to be kept in incubator. Since her weight was very less, the milk to the child had to be fed through a nozzle tube. It was a difficult to face the reality, but myself & my wife, Hema, decided to accept the challenge and to shoulder the responsibility to bring her back to life. The child was named Suchitra.

As the months passed, on the advice of the Pediatrician, we consulted Dr. Arwade, a renowned Orthopedic surgeon. After examining her thoroughly, he advised two major surgeries on Suchitra, one on twisted toe & the other on hip joint dislocation. When she was 9 months old, the first major surgery was done wherein her right toe, which was in opposite direction, was corrected, which is called Z type surgery. Both her legs were in plaster from waist to toe for 3 months.

When she was 2 & half years old Dr.Arwade advised us for another major surgery for correction of hip joint dislocation. During consultation, he took both of us in confidence & told us about the seriousness of this surgery. Dr Arwade took a second opinion of Dr Dholkia from Mumbai & requested Dr Pachore, his assistant to help in this surgery. The surgery lasted for more than 6 hours. I was under a lot of tension & was down with heavy fever. When the surgery was successfully over, Dr Pachore told me this good news which gave us a sigh of relief. Again her legs were in plaster for 3 months.

These three months were full of mental tension for me & Hema. It was very difficult to handle the baby even for nature’s calls because she had a plaster from waist to toe in 60 degree angle .Today while writing this script I do not know how we spent those 3 months.

It was our feeling that once the plaster is removed she would start walking immediately. But Destiny had something different in mind. Even after one week of removal of plaster there was no sign of progress in walking. Dr Arwade gave us confidence saying that during the period that she was in plaster, the child has totally forgotten the walking stage. In his opinion she would again crawl, then try to stand up & then walk .In reality it happened exactly what the Doctor had said.She started walking after one month but with limping leg .This is so because since birth there is a difference of one and half inch in her legs.

Though she had these two deformities since birth, fortunately, her brain development is normal. Her admission to the school was also a challenge for us. Due to an abnormality in walking, the school principal was reluctant to admit her along with normal children. But ultimately she got admission in the same school.

By the grace of God, academically her progress was quite satisfactory. She got 1st class in SSLC and 2nd class in BCom & LLB Exams. She won many prizes in Debating Competition at Inter-school & Inter-collegiate level. She is a winner in many singing competitions too. She plays the harmonium and got through exams of Gandharv Sangeet Vidyalaya. In spite of her physical limitations, she learnt cycling & swimming. In fact from 5th Std. to B Com level she used to go to school/college on cycle covering a distance of about three Kms one way. When she joined Law college, she started using regular Scooty with two side wheels.

After completion of LLB in 2007, she joined the Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-OP Society as legal advisor. She worked there for 7 months. In mid 2007 Union Bank of India’s advertisement was published for vacancies in clerical cadre. For physically challenged candidates there was only one vacancy in the State, for which 37 candidates appeared for exam. She was successful in all the criteria of appointment & posted at our R.P.D College branch in April 2008.Incidentally, in 2010 she was declared the Best CTO of Belgaum Region & was honored.

In general, all parents look forward for their daughter’s/son’s marriage once the graduation is over & they are employed. We were also not exception to this thinking. We tried for our daughter’s better half, basically, with some deformity but self supportive. This is so because a normal person would not accept his partner with deformity. For nearly 2-3 years we tried from different sources to find a suitable match for her. But we could not succeed in that process because the percentage of higher education among physically challenged grooms is less. For her security & safety in advanced age we had to think of some different avenue.

This thinking gave us an idea of adoption of a child by her who would look after her in future life, at the same time, contributing to a social cause by providing HOME to an orphan child. Since Suchitra had studied Law, she knew that Hindu unmarried woman can adopt a child. She made up her mind to remove the issue of marriage from her life & go for adoption of a child for better future. The adoption process is very lengthy & involves a lot of legal documentation process. We completed this legal part & ultimately, 18th July 2010, was a special day for us when we got a message from the orphanage to take the child home. We decided to bring the child home on 30th July 2010, when the baby boy was only four months old. He is now three years & nine months old.

The entry of a small child in our family, has not only changed our life style but it has also brought a dramatic change in Suchitra’s life. All our day -to- day activities are concentrated on SOHAM. He is studying in Nursery class & his progress is quite satisfactory. We heave a sigh of relief, now that there would be someone to take care of Suchitra when the time comes.

This decision of adoption of a child by Suchitra, being physically handicapped, should be an ideal direction for women like her. We had taken up the challenge at the birth of Suchitra, to teach her to lead a normal life, by positive thinking. This positive thinking alone showed the path to come out of difficult situations in her life. By the grace of God, Soham’s entry in our family is a milestone decision & would give us happiness in our life.

For such exceptionally splendid work, many institutions from Belgaum have honored Suchitra. Many known & unknown people have congratulated her for this decision. We feel, we have done justice by giving a HOME to an orphan child.

All About Belgaum

Yesvantpur Miraj train to run again until March 27

The Yesvantpur Miraj train 06517/06518 which was discontinued has been re-startedfrom January 27 and will run upto march 27, 2014.

06517
YPR- Departure 20.40 on Monday and Thursday

Belgaum Arrival 07.15 on Tuesday and Friday

06518

Belgaum Arrival 18.47 on Tuesday and Friday

YPR arrival 06.20 on Wednesday and Saturday

All About Belgaum

Water levels in reservoirs decrease

This could be the beginning of the water woes for the citizens of Belgaum. The Rakaskop reservoir currently has 2668 feet of water which will suffice until May.

The water level infact is less than what it was the previous year. This may not cause an immediate impact on water supply but this could definitely have an impact in the month of may. The water level in Hidkal is also decreased with respect to the previous year.

All About Belgaum

Congress road stretch from Gogte circle to Ramaswamy avenue to be relaid

File photo

The Directorate of Municipal Administration has floated a new tender for the Improvements to Congress road from Gogte Cicle to Ramaswamy Cross road (485 mts).

The Estimated contract value is Rs. 3320901.73

3 months time for completion of the work after getting the work order.

The said road comes under the Cantonment board, but under a new arrangement the City corporation is maintaining a few roads. 

All About Belgaum

Garden at Subhash market Hindwadi to be renovated

New plan

On Feb 26, 2013 we had made a story Garden turned into garbage, and now the corporation has woken up and floated a tender for the renovation of the same garden.

The estimated value of the tender is Rs.8,98,655.33

Hope the garden gets back to its glory after renovation and is maintained later on.

This is how it looks now

All About Belgaum

Dr.Nitin Khot awarded AllAboutBelgaum.com’s Belgaumite of the Year 2013

Dr.Nitin Khot awarded AllAboutBelgaum.com’s Belgaumite of the Year 2013
Shri Shivaji Kagnikar gets Lifetime achievement award

AllAboutBelgaum.com has completed SIX successful years of educating, informing and keeping Belgaumites aware of Whats hot and Whats not across the Belgaum spectrum and beyond.

AllAboutBelgaum.com (AAB) is a premier website on the city of Belgaum. This is the FOURTH year of the Belgaumite (person) of the year 2013.

The response to the activity was overwhelming and a whole bundle of people spread across multiple

Geographies globally contributed their valuable votes.

Dr.Nitin Khot was declared winner of votes through online voting.

Anand Kinjawadekar, Sr.Vice president and Regional head was the keynote speaker on the occasion. The award was given away by Anand Kinjawadekar, Dr. Bung, Director IMER and Uday Kinjawadekar

The Nominees were: Deepak & Dinesh Dhadoti, Moin Junnedi, Umesh Kalghatgi, Ronit More, Anand Chitti.

From this year a lifetime achievement award was started and the same was awarded to Shivaji Kagnikar.

About the Winners:

Dr. Nitin Khot- Nitin Khot did his schooling  at King George’s School, Belgaum and got his to Mumbai to do his B.A. (Hons) in Economics . He was one of the two students to be awarded  Fellowship by the London School of Economics where he did his Masters in Economics. He went on to learn Chinese to work on his Ph.D on the Chinese Economy and then joined the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme). His contributions to Belgaum city are not one or two but many and we are indebted to him.

1. Today when we see kotikere we owe the beauty to Dr Khot as it was his sheer dedication not to get the lake converted into bustand and vaccine depot converted into suvarna soudha.

2. Belgaum roads were free for usage untill when Army officers closed 16 roads in the cantonment area Dr Khot wrote over 100 letters to all the authority and registered PIL which was agrued in the high court all by himself and all the roads were free for usage.

3. He has also developed an interesting set of arguments to save the Belgaum Club, although it is on Cantonment land !

2013 saw Dr. Nitin Khot pitchforked into a series of struggles which have impacted, and will impact, the lives of all Belgaumites and others in the country. To name a few –  His relentless fight with Army which was claiming privileged access to 7000 acres. His campaign against Resumption ..His fight against declaring of  restricted areas on prohibition of photographyetc etc. If we, in Belgaum, move freely, without fee collections, without needless checks, without having to apply for passes on the roads of Belgaum, if we enjoy the lake or Vaccine Depot, much credit is due to a silent campaigner for human rights and Constitutional freedoms.

Shivaji Kagnikar: 

A shepherd by birth, a Gandhian by choice, a highly sensitive educator by default and a justice seeker by genetic compulsion, meet Shivaji Kagnikar the man who is spreading literacy and also empowered the citizens of Kattanbhavi village to sustain their lives being ecologically friendly. During his school days he was inspired by Sane Guruji, a great thinker and promoter of literacy and he decided he too will have to take this route at some point in life. The village well would go dry mid summer and people used to get water on the rationing basis. With no employment and little agricultural activity each one was depending on money lenders and the many were addicted to liquor.

At this time Shivaji Kagnikar along with Ram Apte, Sadashivrao Bhosle took meetings and explained to the villagers what can be done to get them out of this menace.  A few villagers were taken to  Anna Hazare’s (date needs to be inserted)village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmad Nagar by Jana Jagran the NGO which was helping him in this activity. Situation of Ralegan Siddhi was very similar to that of Kattanbhavi and hence if a model worked there, a similar model should work here as well was the thought.  About 1 lakh trees were planted in kattanbhavi & Ningenhatti .   With afforestation  many species of birds and even wild boars, peacocks, have made it their home. Nigenhatti which was more of a barren land a decade ago is now a completely full of trees of various fruits and agricultural. Be it afforestation, water management, co-operative societies for milk sector or eudcation and night school Shivaji Kagnikar has led it through from the very beginning and shown  nothing is impossible when u stoop to conqure with simple living and high thinking.

With simple thoughts and practices Shivaji Kagnikar has changed the fate of these villages and even today he is on the same mission telling the youngsters about why the conservation of environment is very important.

The Process:

Level – 1: Editorial Board draws the list of Nominees

Level – 2: More nominations are called from the public

Level – 3: ‘The Jury’ ratifies the list of Nominees

The AAB jury selected X persons. After receiving nominations, the jury evaluated and finalized the nominees. The jury consisted of people from various backgrounds and included professionals in the field of IT, recruitment, banking, academics, Painters, Photographers, Chartered Accountants, reporters, businessmen and senior citizens.

Level – 4: The Citizens Vote

Nomination Criteria:

Any individual who has contributed significantly to the welfare of Belgaum in the year 2013

Any individual from Belgaum who’s achieved a significant feat in the year 2013.

Any individual from Belgaum who’s brought laurels and fame to Belgaum in the year 2013

Any individual who has made Belgaum proud in the year 2013.

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BELGAUMITE OF THE YEAR- “Humbled & Inspired”

by Sameer Majli
AAB’s Belgaumite of the Year is function that is an amazing experience for those present and a great miss for all those that are not in attendance. While the awards really do not matter in terms of who gets them, the awardees provide for the humbling and inspirational experience that is worth its value in gold.

Graced by individuals big and small, young and old, able and differently abled, it provides the much needed and cherished platform for an exchange of ideas, greetings and thoughts for people who think about and live for the betterment of this wonderful town of ours.

Yesterday’s Awards Function was an eye opener for each one present. The sincere expression of thoughts by the Lifetime Achievement awardee Shri. Shivaji Kagnikar was an experience beyond compare. After all, how many people do we find who take great pride in addressing our country with as “My Country India”? The amazing and simplistic flow of thoughts from this individual who has in a sense transformed the lives of the people in the region of Kattanbhavi left all of us with the task of introspection as to how genuine and how committed we are in each endeavour that we undertake both within and beyond our domain of routine operations.

Inspired by his words and in awe of his immense work and dedication even prompted my students to express the desire to visit his village and see the work for themselves.

Another amazing aspect was how this simplistic and rustic “Statesman” of his own sort, greeted and bowed before others who in comparison have really not accomplished anything. The smiles and thoughts on the faces of the members of the audience were testimony to the fact that each one present had been touched, somewhere deep inside.

While he continues with his relentless effort following claims that the award had only strengthened his resolve and heightened his responsibility, most of us will get back to living life the way we know it; we get back to living what we call “Our Life” while this great individual with no hunger for recognition of any sort will continue to live the “Lives of Others” whom he has made his own by touching each aspect of their lives.

Will this inspire change or will we be lost in the drudgeries of routine as we often are, regardless of whom we listen to and regardless of how inspired we may have seemed at the moment?

Will this be just another speech or will it find voice in thoughts and expressions of our own in our varied domains of indulgence.

Take a bow “Sir” for being with you and living your philosophy is in a true sense, living a life in the best interests of this country, in the best interests of humanity, the race of which we claim to be a part and of which we claim that we are far better than any other species on the face of this planet.

“Humbled and Inspired” would be an understatement.

All About Belgaum

All About Belgaum’s Belgaumite of the year 2013 Videos

Anand Chitti Nomination

Dr.Nitin Khot

Moin Junedi

Ronit More

Deepak & Dinesh Dhadoti

Umesh Kalghatgi

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Traffic police personnel survey RamLing Khind Galli

Traffic cops today all of a sudden decided to have a look at the Ramling Khind galli after they were instructed to do so by SP Chandragupta. They walked the entire street and discussed with the residents and citizens about the parking issue which is a major problem on that road. 

Even tough nothing concrete was disclosed about how the police were going to manage the traffic more efficiently there, sources say that a plan would be made for the same in the coming days.

The corporation has planned the said road to be widened to 60 feet but the residents are opposing the same and have agreed for a 40 feet road. 

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