KRV Activist fighting for Belgaum's devlopment

Up in arms: Activists of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staging ‘rail roko’ in Belgaum on Wednesday.

Belgaum: The Belgaum district unit of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike on Wednesday staged “rail roko” to protest against the alleged raw deal given to Karnataka by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad in the Budget proposals.
The activists, led by the district unit president of the vedike Rajeev Topannavar, stopped the Londa-Miraj passenger train for eight minutes at Belgaum railway station to register their protest. Demands
Some of the demands of the region included change in timings of Miraj-Bangalore Rani Chennamma Express, introduction of a train between Hubli and Mumbai, and improvement of infrastructure at Belgaum and Hubli railway stations.

Assuarance Letters recieved after staging realy hunger strike.

Closure of foundry units in Belgaum and Kolhapur likely, says IIF

Rising prices worry foundrymen
Sourec The Hindu 24 feb 2008

Belgaum foundry and casting insdutry the mainstay of major Automobile companies is in grave situations , no matter we have CII regional offices , no matter we have BCF ( Belgaum Faundry Cluster) but if the raw material is getting curtailed how will the industry survive.

Inititatives:

BCF should have rate contracts for supply of raw material and have distribution regulatoray body for all Foundaries.

BCF should do sourcing from Metal commodity exchanges by alloting global tenders, the CII can support for this, there should be better storage built around for supply chain mechanism along with it,

I hope someone would read and even take the first step to make these industries survive. I would like to call up the suppliers and tell them if you get involve in such artifiacl scarcity the industries have got nothing to loose , on the whole India as got lot to loose becuse the dependent buyers from these industries can source from other markets in China as well..... It is a threat for we All Wake-up.

Seeking action: Members of the Belgaum Chapter (Southern Region) of the Institute of Indian Foundrymen taking out a procession in Belgaum on Saturday.
Belgaum: The Belgaum Chapter (Southern Region) of The Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) has said there is a likely threat of closing down the foundry units in Belgaum and the neighbouring Kolhapur district in Maharashtra for a fortnight “to avoid heavy losses” because of the rising prices of raw materials.
Members of the IIF marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Saturday to draw the attention of the Government towards the “crisis” confronting the sector in the country owing to the increasing prices of raw materials.
The procession was led by chairman of the IIF’s Belgaum Chapter Ram Bhandare.
In a memorandum addressed to the Joint Director of the District Industries Centre, the IIF said the foundry sector was supporting engineering exports and domestic market.
It was the fourth largest producer of castings in the world. The sector was poised to become one of the top three producers of castings in the world by 2010, as it was witnessing an export growth rate of 15 per cent every year, the memorandum said. Exports during the year 2006-07 accounted for Rs. 4,000 crore and it was expected to touch Rs. 6,000-crore mark by 2010, it said.
Belgaum tops the State in the sector with production of one lakh tonne every year, Mr. Bhandare said. By 2010, the production would touch 1.60 lakh tonne a year and exports would increase from the present Rs. 100 crore to Rs. 300 crore by then, he said. This sector had provided employment to nearly 10,000 people and another 5,000 people were expected to get employment by 2010, he said. The revenue generation was also expected to grow from the present Rs. 500 crore to Rs. 800 crore during the next three years.
But, the sector was facing a crisis of sorts owing to rising prices of pig iron, steel, coke and scrap, he said and added that the prices of these materials were increasing every month and sometimes every fortnight.
To tide over the crisis, the IIF wants the Government to ban or exercise effective control on export of iron ore by imposing heavy duty which will help in better realisation for exports of steel/casting. The practice of increasing prices of raw materials every month should be stopped immediately and import duty on coking coal/coke should be abolished to bring down the prices, it said.

Belgaum Boys designed and fabricated an ingenious “Bio-Diesel Processor”

Source : Sheri Sundeep


India’s search for fuel in the face of rising oil prices
Armstrong Vaz, 23 February 2008, Saturday

Global warming is engulfing the biosphere at a rapid pace, setting in motion strange climatic changes. Humans are paying the price of messing with the environment over the centuries, while continuing to do so.
Rate this article:

GLOBAL WARMING is engulfing the biosphere at a rapid pace, setting in motion strange climatic changes. Humans are paying the price of messing with the environment over the centuries, while continuing to do so.

Pollution levels are at an all-time high in India’s capital, Delhi, with other metro regions like Mumbai and Kolkata vying for second place.

The increasing industrial and residential use of diesel generators is adding to the global warm up, even at the village level, while the search for alternative fuels continues unabated.

The cultivation of the jatropha plant in the Western states of Goa and Maharashtra and dhaincha in Bihar is increasingly being promoted as promising an alternative to diesel fuel in India.

In Goa, bio-diesel derived from jatropha curcas, locally known as ‘erond’, is becoming more widespread. Fr Inacio Almeida, of Pilar, Goa, runs the nature farm of the society of Pilar (or society of the missionaries of St Francis Xavier) and is a leading populariser of jatropha as a feedstock for the production of bio diesel. jatropha until recently was routinely used as stumps for damming paddy fields and orchards.

“One litre of fuel can be extracted from three kilograms of jatropha seeds,” says Fr Almeida. Among the developments he envisions is for “each village in Goa to have its own jatropha plantation and extraction machinery.”

Generators using refined diesel have lately been resorted to by householders, as well as small businesses, in Goa, in lieu of tapping into an increased central electrical generating capacity. This reliance is expected to change in the next few years, as jatropha bio diesel starts to predominate.

Kanti Naik runs a small ice cream parlour in Assolna village, in South Goa. As elsewhere in Goa, the power supply here is undependable, so he relies for backup power on a small, portable diesel generator worth Rs 10,000. Nearby, Alexander Barbosa also has recourse to a similar diesel generator for his cold-storage meat warehouse.

For these two businessmen the diesel generator has become a necessity, and increasing numbers of Goan householders have been using them to power their TV sets.

“For many villages it’s a case of either clean air or television,” says Nandita Mongia, chief of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Regional Energy Programme for Asia and the Pacific.

Figures arrived at by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in New Delhi, point to a mushrooming of the number of these diesel generators throughout India.

The diesel-powered generator has been a hit with people across the country.
A litre of refined diesel costs Rs 13, whereas petrol is Rs 50. Pretty cheap, compared to Western countries, given that India is not a major producer of oil.

India imports most of its petroleum products, which are heavily subsidised before they reach the retail market, especially gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene.

In neighbouring Maharashtra, the state government plans to allocate 30,000 hectares or 74,000 acres for jatropha cultivation to private sector business. For example, Reliance Industries is looking to the state to provide land for jatropha cultivation. As a public sector investment, the Maharashtra government plans to cultivate jatropha on 60,000 hectares or 148,000 acres of state-owned land.

In Bihar, the small village of Baharbari, sandwiched between Nepal and Bangladesh, has taken the lead in using another alternative fuel, dhaincha, a weed that provides a source of biomass, taking the place of wood from shrubs and trees. This is a project that has attracted World Bank support, as offering a cheaper source of electricity compared with diesel.

A challenge to be overcome in popularising alternative energy sources is getting the message across to the masses, which requires a sustained campaign by local leaders acting through religious institutions and schools to educate the younger generation.

If dhaincha and jatropha meet even one per cent of India’s growing fuel needs, then this will be a great achievement.

Four final-year students of the Hirasugar Institute of Technology, Belgaum, in the Southern state of Karnataka, have designed and fabricated an ingenious “Bio-Diesel Processor” for the extraction of bio diesel from jatropha seeds. The foursome of Vainath Patil, Vishwanath Khambi, Shridha Patil and Mitra used the fuel to run the college water pump.

Trial runs of jatropha bio diesel after etherification have shown it to be eco-friendly, giving an extra “mileage” of two kilometres (1.25 miles) vs refined diesel.

It costs at least INR 10 (US$ 0.23) less than conventional fuel, and the emissions do not contain carbon monoxide.

Demand for direct rail link

Source The HINDU 22 feb 2008

BANGALORE: The State Government has urged the Ministry of Railways to sanction new direct lines between important cities in the State, even while asking the Ministry to give priority for completion of projects being undertaken on a cost-sharing basis in the 2008-09 Railway Budget.
The Government said important cities such as Tumkur, Chitradurga, Davangere, Dharwad and Belgaum lack direct rail connectivity.
As a result, trains — passenger and goods — have to take circuitous routes which waste valuable time and energy.
While Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, during his recent Tumkur visit, had promised a direct line between Tumkur and Chitradurga, the State Government has asked the Railways to extend it up to Davangere. Similarly, a direct line should be laid between Dharwad and Belgaum. As things stand, the journey via Londa Junction takes three-and-a-half hours while it is just one hour and fifteen minutes by road. Hence, the Government has sought a new line via Kitur and Bailahongala.Many projects
Karnataka is the only State which has taken up projects on a cost-sharing basis in large numbers (six of them, in fact) while other States have one or two projects. Hence, according to the Government, the Railway Ministry should accord priority to projects in Karnataka.
Besides speedy completion, the Government has also demanded an inter-city train between Bangalore and Shimoga, besides new lines between Belagum-Bagalkot-Raichur and Chamarajanagar-Kollegal-Kanakapura-Bangalore. It wants the Ministry to allocate sufficient funds for ongoing projects being undertaken by the Railways, the Government said.State’s requirements
Principal Secretary to Government (Infrastructure Development), V.P. Baligar told The Hindu that Governor Rameshwar Thakur had already written to the Ministry bringing to its notice various demands of the State. Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao, who recently visited New Delhi, briefed the Cabinet Secretary about the railway needs of the State, he added.
Mr. Baligar said doubling of Bangalore–Mysore line (completed between Bangalore and Ramanagaram) and Gadag–Sholapur line (nearing completion); new lines between Harihar– Kottur; Bidar–Gulbarga; Munirabad–Mehaboobnagar and gauge conversion between Shimoga and Talaguppa were being undertaken on a cost-sharing basis.
Apart from these, the Railways, on its own, is undertaking construction of new lines between Shravanabelagola – Bangalore and Kadur – Chikmaglur – Sakaleshpur and the process should be speeded up, the Government told the Railways.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/22/stories/2008022254760500.htm

VTU for Name sake in north Karnataka

I was deeply upset over the recent attitude and act of state government especially education department and vice chancellors of VTU
The VTU Bosh and Rexorth R & D centre is opened in Mysore and even the German tool room was established at Bangalore, the e-learning studio of VTU is in Mysore,

Why not the proper expansion of VTU takes place in Belgaum , why the government have this sham and show off in showing its attitude towards North Karnataka in general and Belgaum in particular,

North Karnataka cities mainly Belgaum and twin cities hubli dharwad are the best potent cities with diverse culture and skilled manpower resource ,

I highly feel off for such attitude of state government, I want Beklgaumites to come forward and fight for such discrimination , Why not Belgaum have such development centre and studios

The wake up call some weakness and strength

Strength :Belgaum contributes second largest revenue to state and first in horticulture export
Weakness: Cargo handling facility at Belgaum Airport for agriculture and horticulture export was planned and never executed.

Strength: Equidistant to Bangalore Mumbai and Hyderabad
Weakness : No initiative form state government for Belgaum-Dharwad and Belgaum-Bagalkot-Raichur Rail line

Strength: American and foreign universities, GEMS education interested to establish educational township in Belgaum
Weakness : lack of political will and slow response form state government to make investor friendly approach towards Belgaum



Still at Large

IT park ( only foundation stone , no facilities)
Textile Park ( Private partnership , in progress)
Power generation projects ( 1 Shelved and 2 are on hold for indefinite time)
Food and Agriculture park (bureaucratic delays and lack of support to contractor)
International cricket stadium ( only land allotted and no further move on it)
Airport expansion funds available with state government from AAI but not ready to utilize for settlement of farm land acquired by farmers , fight over the cost of land
Ring road , just ringing around in papers
Suvarna Vidhan Suadha , only foundation stone
Vaccine institute to be developed in Belgaum as research centre, no further news on it
Auto complex an utter flop due to lack of proper planning , lot of entrepreneurs investing in border district of Maharashtra.


Well there are many still but will never work till are made aware and brought to public notice

Let Belgaum flourish and we the Belgaumites reap benefits of it

Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Award for Belgaum based Women Walfare Society

News soruce: Press Information bureau
link proveded By Sheri Sundeep (IIT Roorke)

The President, Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil gave away the 6th and the 7th Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Awards for the years 2003 and 2004 at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi today. Following is the text of the President’s speech on the occasion: “I am happy to give away the 6th and the 7th Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Awards to organizations who have done exemplary work in the field of women’s development for the years 2003 and 2004. Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh was a courageous freedom fighter, committed educationist, active social reformer and an eminent Parliamentarian. As a Member of Parliament, she took up various causes of the poor and was instrumental in getting a number of social welfare measures adopted. She is described by many as the “Mother of social work in India” because of the great dynamism she imparted to work in the sphere of women’s welfare, motivated as she was by a strong commitment to their advancement. In her capacity as the founder Chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board, she mobilized thousands of voluntary organizations to carry out programmes of education, training and rehabilitation for needy women, children and the handicapped. It is, therefore, befitting that the Central Social Welfare Board constituted an award in her name to be given to organizations working in the field of women's development. The life and work of great persons always inspire others. Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh was such a person, who can be a role model for women. Today, our nation is working for inclusive growth, which means development of social sectors to complement our economic growth with a view to have a sustainable and equitable path of growth. What do we need to do for achieving inclusive growth? In my view it entails four essential steps – the identification of those sections of the population who have got left behind, followed by the formulation of a framework of policies and programmes for their benefit. In these two first steps, we have made considerable progress. The next two steps are implementation and a monitoring system for the proper implementation of programmes and policies designed for the upliftment of the weaker sections of society. The effectiveness of any development programme can be assessed by the actual impact it has on the lives of the beneficiaries and society at large. If a large segment of the population remains beyond the purview of the ‘safety net’ of socio-economic programmes because of the failure of the implementation machinery, then their purpose is entirely defeated. Implementation and monitoring remain the principal challenges we face. This can only be done with the collective effort of the Government, civil society organizations and the people themselves. Popular participation, in fact, holds the key to the success of any programme of socio-economic change. To achieve various socio-economic goals of development, efforts should be made to forge public-private partnerships. The Central Social Welfare Board and the State Welfare Boards with more than five decades of work experience and an extensive network of welfare projects and centres, have a very important role to play in taking social services to the grassroot levels. Voluntary organizations also can assist people to get the benefits of governmental development programs and also assess their efficacy by conducting ‘social audits’ to study the impact of programmes on the socio-economic lives of people. With women constituting about 48.3 percent of our population, until welfare facilities are made available to them and they are empowered, we would have an unfinished task on hand. Women specific and women-related policies and programmes have been enunciated, the Government has also been creating an enabling policy environment in which women’s concerns can be reflected, articulated and redressed. Yet, my deep concern is that women still do not have the same opportunities as men. Real development cannot take root if it bypasses women, who represent the very pivot around which social changes takes shape. For achieving our objective of growth with equity and delivery of services with people’s participation, the mainstreaming of women into the national development process is essential. Women's empowerment requires that a range of steps be taken to facilitate their participation in educational, political and economic activities. This includes hostels for working women, crèches for children and women helpline services. I am glad that both organizations, that is - Abhaya and the Women’s Welfare Society, Belgaum - who have been conferred the Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh Award, are involved in multiple activities to ameliorate conditions of women. The work of Abhaya in looking after women mental patients in Kerala and of the Women’s Welfare Society, Belgaum in setting up helpline services for women in distress is commendable. Today, we have to start thinking about the tomorrow that we want. Today, there are fewer women in India than men and if this trend continues it would have an adverse impact on society itself. Societal attitudes need to be changed towards the girl child. We need to start shaping the attitude of the next generation so that it is a generation free of gender bias and social prejudices against women. Our efforts should be to enable the girl child of today to become the confident woman of tomorrow, ready to work, shoulder to shoulder, with men as equal partners in all spheres of national life. For that to happen, action needs to begin by providing education and health facilities for the girl child. I call on Social Welfare Boards to join in the endeavour to ensure that the girl child has access to education and there are no cases of dropouts from school. The incidence of child malnutrition, particularly in the case of the girl child, is high in India and needs our attention. Proper nutrition at the growing age makes a child physically and mentally strong. Voluntary organizations need to come forward to make people aware about health, food and proper hygiene. They should advise families about giving proper nutrition to the girl child and also educate society about looking at a girl child as an individual with as much potential for the future as a boy child. The Central Social Welfare Board and voluntary agencies have an important role in changing social prejudices and eliminating social evils through awareness campaigns. In this task I would call upon them and all of you to join hands with like-minded organizations and people. During my interaction with NSS volunteers and NCC cadets who had participated in the Republic Day Parade, I was informed about their experiences in their social service activities. I also saw their enthusiasm for the future. These young committed boys and girls are willing to join in efforts for the eradication of social evils. Their energies should be utilized to influence other youth. A society to be sustainable has to be a society based on realization of duty towards fellow human beings. The disabled and the handicapped should be given skills and support to live a life of dignity. Similarly, it should be understood that the care of the elderly, who in our tradition are venerated and given respect and honour, is a family duty and society’s responsibility. Social Welfare Boards should have “care support programmes for the elderly” who, at the twilight of their lives, after having worked hard, need special medical attention and emotional support. Social Welfare Boards should develop and strengthen the nationwide infrastructure of voluntary agencies through which these services could be made available. I conclude with a call to voluntary organizations to work selflessly for the poor and the underprivileged in society. It is only when we will succeed in this task that will we bring about a progressive and caring society. I once again congratulate the two organisations who have done wonderful work and hope others will take inspiration from them.”

Belgaum Food and Industry Park still a dream

Reliance industries taking note of Belgaum’s potential started a food packing and a large distribution unit at Halga in Belgaum ,Hatsun food products is in second phase of expansion , despite of such encouraging business the State government is showing no interest in developing the Food and Agricultural park here sanctioned four years ago, Belgaum is already the largest flower and fruit exporter in the state but due to cold storage and lack of packaging facility is hindering the thriving business, the district representatives asusual sleeping on such issue and only we people need to raise out voice for it ,Mr Suresh Angadi is been asking for cold storage rail van slip coaches at Belgaum station to Rail Minstery ,but he need to know the infrastructure limitation at Belgaum station for which I had given a proposal
The CII had setup its office in Belgaum but I wrote to the representative on such requirements and limitations and also with solutions to overcome such problems, but my request are falling on deaf ears

Source: livermeint Jan 2008

Bangalore: Not even one of the six proposed food parks in Karnataka, which were to be operational by last December, has started.
The state government had invited bids in September 2004 for the setting up of these food parks to try and give a boost to the processed food industry under a public-private partnership model.
The state government even floated a special purpose vehicle, Food Karnataka Ltd (FKL), to manage the setting up of such parks.
FKL now says that only two of the parks are likely to be completed by mid-2008, even as the government and private entrepreneurs blame each other for the delay.
Under the Food Agro Technology Parks scheme, the Central ministry for food processing industries as well as the Karnataka government were to provide funding of up to Rs4 crore each, with the private partner investing the rest of the project cost, which varied between Rs16 crore and Rs18 crore.
The six parks were to come up in different agro-climatic zones of the state, such as Malur, Bagalkot, Maddur, Hiriyur, Jewargi and Belgaum.
Each of these parks were expected to have at least 20 food processing units with the park itself providing the grading, salting and cold storage facilities.
Sobha Nambisan, managing director of Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corp. Ltd, who is also the chairman of FKL, says the Malur and Hiriyur parks would be ready by March and June, respectively.
“The physical infrastructure, like buildings for two other parks at Jewargi and Bagalkot, should be in place by the end of 2008 even if they are not completely operational,” she added.
The other two parks, in Maddur and Belgaum, are in limbo. The Maddur project, which was to be implemented by Karnataka Breweries and Distilleries Ltd (KBDL) is stuck in a legal battle because FKL cancelled the bid, citing delay in infusion of funds.
However, K.M. Srinivas Murthy, director of KBDL, blames FKL for the inordinate delay in land acquisition, which, he says, stymied the project. KBDL is also implementing the Bagalkot project.
“We have placed orders for all machinery and pre-fabricated buildings,” he said. “If one project is put off, the cost of the other will escalate.”
Says S.S. Patil, president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and whose company, Rayalaseema Concrete Sleepers Pvt. Ltd, is implementing the Jewargi and Belgaum food parks: “Unless we are given more concessions, it will be difficult to implement.”
Nambisan counters saying that since the food parks are a new concept, “the private companies are only having teething problems. We are confident that the parks will take off.”

Ornithologist can beeline to Belgaum

Source The Hindu 30 Jan 2008

http://www.thehindu.net/

Belgaum: Belgaum is home to a good number of bird species. They can be seen hovering all around the city, particularly in the green patches and near water bodies such as tanks and ponds. The five water ponds nestled in small area of bamboo forest on Belgaum-Hindalga Road near Military Ganapathi Temple, maintained by the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre (MLIRC), are not just ecological habitats of sorts for a few species of birds but also significant to the environment of the city. They are now home for over two dozen bird species.
However, these ponds, known as “Argan Talab” until converted into what is now known as “Watermanship Training Area and Nature Workshop” about 17 years ago, are not open to the public. According to a MLIRC officer looking after the maintenance of these fenced ponds, they are used for imparting training in swimming for the commandos.
Yet, one can take a break to watch different species of birds hovering over them. Some of them even nest and help in multiplying the species.
Among the birds that have made these ponds their home are the Indian Darter, Indian Shag, Open Bill Stork, Little Cormorant, Large Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Large Egret, Medium Egret, Flamingo, Glassy Ibis, White Ibis, Black Bill, Whistling Teal, Blue Winged Teal, Common Teal, Shoveller, White First Geese, White eyed Pochard, Little Grebe, Black Necked Grebe, Painted Stork, White Stork, White Neaked Stork and Adjutant Stone.
A large number of other species are found in the district, which is endowed with a rich and variegated fauna and salubrious climate, particularly in Khanapur and other western parts of the district with close proximity to the Western Ghats.
Among the resident birds are the White breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis, which is common and found everywhere in the district. The honey pecker Cynnyris zeylonica is another resident. The Malabar racket-tailed drongo Dissemurus paradiseus is also resident bird seen in the forest areas.
While the red vented bulbul has large presence all over city of Belgaum and district, Indian tailor bird Orthotomus sutorius, also a resident, is found in the plains and generally near wells, ponds or streams.

Another feather in Belgaum's booming IT market

Banaglore based K2 Technology Soultions has set up its center in KLE Collage of Engineering and technology for further info please read my fellow blogger site link below

http://vayavya.blogspot.com/2008/01/ktwo-technology-solutions-sets-up.html

Your election id card correction

Deccan Herald Helping out citizen so as to avoid falling in corrupt hands


Source Deccan Herald
28 Jan 2008

In the wake of errors spotted on the voters’ list, citizens are concerned about the possibility of their names getting deleted from the list. Citizens who find their names deleted or with other complaints can send in their grievances to this paper either through e-mail or post. The complainants should attach their residential addresses along with their grievances, that will be addressed by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka.Our email ID is :editor@deccanherald.co.in and postal address: Deccan Herald, # 75, MG Road, Bangalore-1.

Lessons to learn from Past Kannada Marathi Unity

I request my blog readers to think over the post (Last paragraph) I got from one of the old newsprint of Times of India,

The wrong and right

Bringing Kannada marathi divide among Belgaumites : Utter wrong

Mr More's Balckening of face in Banglore : Utter Wrong
( As a elected representative he have dignity of public servant and mainly respect as human being)Are not Kannadigas staying in Mumbai and Pune and Mahrashtra, are these Bangalorei so called Kannada abhimanis ( bloody Konga's-- migrants from Chennai), have these ever thought about them.
Just look back into history after Babri Masjid issue the middle east started publishing jobs with the tag ( Only muslims and christens need to apply ) the discrminitaion is still on except for professionals who are invited by these countries.


Kumarswamis decison for holding winter session (if aimed as Belgaums devlopemnt and bridge regional imbalance gap then) : Right

Kumarswamis intention to divide our hearts of Belgaumites : Wrong


I request all Belgaumites to stand above language to heal each other wounds and slap on these politicians face, Belgaum's devlopment should become our main interest , livilihood for everyone is all about the basic need for every human being. A tolerant society is my dream but want your eyes to share the same and if any one should open his eyes they should see Belgaum as the city for everyone,
I am not a social reformer ,but do believe in thought process and mind power , ability of an individual to come up and stand out in the times of difficulties, we all might have seen "Rang de Basanti" , dont you all think our society need such awakening , and why not Belgaumite be trendsetters, Unity is strentgh but dont just leave it reading as bunch of words.

If it has happened in the past it can happened today



Jan 2001 Times of India
Belgaum: is belgaum city corporation (bcc) moving away from its language-based politics? the coming together of marathi and kannada groups for the second time in the history of bcc to elect the mayor was an indication towards this. and at the first meeting of the newly elected bcc members, a resolution to merge marathi-speaking areas of karnataka with maharashtra was rejected outright. it was a tradition of the bcc to pass such a resolution pleading with the union government to take an initiative to merge the border areas into maharashtra. the resolution was proposed by the mes and shiv sena, which received a setback when a section of marathi corporators, led by sambhaji rao patil, joined hands with kannada-urdu group to come to power. to the disappointment of mes-shiv sena, the ruling members passed another resolution giving a new twist to the long-standing border dispute between maharashtra and karnataka. the members made it clear that they would welcome any decision taken at the proposed meeting between karnataka and maharashtra at the initiative of pm vajpayee. this did not go well with the opposition. when mayor vandana belgundkar gave her ruling, the mes and shiv sena rushed to the well of the house and stalled the proceedings. mayor suspended the disrupting corporators and had to adjourn the house when they did not relent. the ``knockout punch'' came from sambhaji rao patil. he is an active and powerful pro-marathi leader in belgaum city. he said: ``they are not ready to resolve the border dispute. what they need is to keep the issue alive to reap political benefits.'' former mayor shivaji shuntkar earlier tabled the resolution, which was opposed by mlas ramesh kudchi and manohar kadolkar and sambhaji rao patil. the resolution states that belgaum, khanapur, nippanni, karwar, bidar, bhalki and other areas should be merged with maharashtra. it may be recalled that cm krishna had taken an initiative to create a platform for both marathi and kannada corporators to come together and prepare an agenda for the development of belgaum. he had also announced a special developmental package for belgaum.

Belgaum New destination for Resorts and Eco Tourism

Swapnagandha to set up resort near Belgaumby 2008-end

Tuesday, January 01, 2008 (10:00 IST)
By Mayuresh Pawar Belgaum
Source http://travelbizmonitor.com

Swapnagandha Resorts Pvt. Ltd. plans to develop its third property, focusing on wellness and ecotourism, near Belgaum, Karnataka by 2008-end. The company has already identified a 127-acre land at Thirthkunde and earmarked an investment of over Rs 75 lakh for the project. According to Sudhir Naik, General Manager, Swapnagandha Resorts Pvt. Ltd., the resort will house six cottages, 10 tents, multi-cuisine restaurant, bar, ayurvedic spa and swimming pool. "Our focus is wellness, adventure and ecotourism. The proposed site, located at a distance of about 75 kms from Goa and Belgaum, is picturesque and surrounded by a waterfall and lake. So, we plan to offer boating and trekking facilities too," said Naik. Plans are also afoot to develop a centre for research on issues relating to wildlife and environment.At present, the company has two properties, Wildernest and Swapnagandha, established in 2004 and 2006, respectively. Wildernest is a three-star resort housing 16 cottages, while Swapnagandha is a two-star resort housing eight cottages. Both resorts are located within a distance of five kms along the Goa-Karnataka route.Currently, the company is looking to develop its properties as Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) and Free Individual Traveller (FIT) destinations. "We are in discussions with travel agents and tour operators to promote our properties in United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden and Australia," said Naik. In India, the company's target clientele is from Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Kolkota, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

More Wings of beauties in Air

International Airhostess Academy to open branch in M'lore

SOURCE DHNS: www.deccanherald.com

The international airhostess training academy VIINZS, associated with Birmingham International College of London plans to launch a branch at Mangalore. Speaking to Deccan Herald , Regional Director of VIINZS Akash Verma said that the company has already established its Regional Office and a model centre at Belgaum from where it plans to expand in the Southern operations. Mr Verma said the golden era in flying with smart flight attendants aboard has arrived. The subcontinent is on the verge of a major revolution in aviation. The need to establish international training centres for in flight services has arisen.

Belgaum desitnation for retail units

Nine years back in Belgaum I use to observe in Khade Bazaar every third or fourth shop in a sequence was a textile showroom or a redymade garment exclusive shop still remember Amrcons, Magaldeep, Status and Ambica Saari Center in Shahpur is known through out Goa and Maharashtra , today I understand why Nahar group opened its retial unit in Belgaum


Source : www.economictimes.com
CHANDIGARH: Nahar Retail, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ludhiana-based Rs 2,500-crore Nahar Industrial Enterprises and the owners of Cotton County brand will invest around Rs 430 crore over the next two years on capacity expansions and new outlets. The company will launch its premium segment French Republic and will have 50 exclusive showrooms in North India at an investment of Rs 40 crore. The company will also spend Rs 10-15 crore on brand building. “We will expand our production capacity in our garment unit in Ludhiana. Currently we manufacture 8,000 garments a day. We will take this to 20,000 garments per day by April 2008. Of the total investment of Rs 430 crore, about Rs 40 crore will be for this,” Nahar Retail’s vice-president, Sachin Sahni, told ET. On the French Republic expansion plans Mr Sahni said “Cotton County is our fashion & lifestyle brand in the medium segment and now we will have a premium segment called French Republic. Right now it is available in some selected Cotton County outlets. By the middle of the next financial year we will have around 50 exclusive showrooms for French Republic. All these stores will be in North India,” he added. Mr Sahni said they will add 75 Cotton County stores in the next six months and will have around 150 stores in the southern cities by 2008-09 at an investment of around Rs 40 lakh per store. Having made its presence felt in Tier II & Tier III cities, Cotton County, will now foray into metros and cities in South India. Currently, with 365 exclusive outlets across North India, Cotton County is targeting 500 stores by the end of this fiscal, which translates into launching one new store a day & and cross the 1,000 store mark by the 2009. Through its franchisee route, within its first year of operations itself, Cotton County had over 120 stores across the country. The company has already launched its stores in Gulbarga, Raichur & Belgaum in Karnataka and are looking at key markets such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mangalore, Coimbatore, Kochi, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirapalli, Vijaywada, Visakhapatnam, etc. The company will be focusing on its new kids wear under the brand name TAZO and women’s wear FEMME which will be available in Cotton County stores. Apart from that the company will be looking at denim products in a big way and will be looking to get a market share of about 5% in the denim segment, he added.

Say No To kalasa Banduri nala Project

I have added a new site called Delta Resort (Belgaum sports and Adveture section) covering vide ecology of Belgaum and western ghat , the Kalsa banduri nala is going to spoil the whole ecological balance.

The main aim of kalsa Bandulri nala was only to source water supply for Hubli dharwad which it already getting through mallaprabha dam , the catchment area of this dam has aleady shrunk as the water
supply ment for irrigation is reduced to
great extent and even if kalasa banduri nala wil be cut accorss ther would be one more problem this water will not either be useful for drinking or for irrigation as the effulients of certian factories pass though this kalasa stream to main Mhadayi (Mandovi) Kalsa and Surla are the main tributeires to Mandovi river and originate in south west part of Kankumbi mountain range.



The activist here have already taken up arms against this project and sure it wouldnt come in force even the Goa Government is in full support to these activist and helped to avoid in disturbing the ecology.

Reliance Fresh Belgaum retial outlet and Distribution Unit

I admire Reliance Fersh initiaitve to help farmers paying them directly and eliminating middlemen, I wish the Belgaum distribution unit would grow bigger in near future, creating employment and opportunities, Reliance fresh should tie up with Agricultureal collages in Belgaum to promote seed devlopment and more emphasis on biotic plantation then chemical and hybrid vegitables.

Source: oheraldo.in

Goa’s reliance on vegetables and fruits from Belgaum could be under threat and competition has come in from an economic giant. The setting up of a vegetable procuring unit at Belgaum by ‘Reliance Fresh’, a division of Reliance Industries Ltd, to provide vegetables to its growing chain of outlets in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra may adversely affect the supply of vegetables to Goa in the near future.Farmers in Belgaum are only too happy to offer their produce to Reliance at better rates and with the vegetable supply from Belgaum — predominantly meant for Goa — now likely to be diverted elsewhere, Goans would have to pay much more for the few vegetables that enter the Goan market.Incidentally, though Reliance Fresh intends to set up seven outlets in Goa at ‘cheaper rates’, the supply of vegetables would be too meagre to cater to the entire state. Reliance has recently set up a procuring unit at Halga, about 10 km from here, where vegetables are being purchased directly from farmers. “Vegetables purchased are being sent to Hyderabad and other places,” Suresh D, the unit manager at Halga said.At present, about 10 tonnes of vegetables are being procured by Reliance everyday and sources speculate that the demand would rise sharply with the growing number of retail outlets to be opened in the region. The unit at Halga is strategically based at the hub of the vegetable growing hinterland of Belgaum district, where more than 60% of the farmers in the district are engaged in growing vegetables.Sudhatai Hiremath, Secretary of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), the apex body controlling the procurement and sale of vegetables and other farm produce, said Reliance has been issued licences to procure vegetables from farmers and the company has been promptly paying the cess to APMC. Officials disclosed that Reliance plans to open seven outlets in Goa and attempts are being made to supply farm-fresh vegetables from Belgaum at rates cheaper than that offered by the Belgaum vegetable traders.This is because Reliance will buy vegetables directly from farmers, eliminating middlemen in the process. “Our intention is to give justice to the farmers by offering them better rates for their produce,” said Aniruddin of Reliance. According to Umesh Patil — a vegetable wholesaler and member of the Cantonment Wholesale Vegetable Merchants Association — over 100 brokers supply vegetables to Goa and other coastal areas including Karwar, Kumta (Karnataka) and Sindhudurg (Maharashtra).“About 30 tempo loads of vegetables are supplied to Goa everyday and more than 70% of the vegetables from Belgaum are sent to the coastal areas,” said Patil.To a query on the impact of ‘Reliance Fresh’ on the prevailing supply of vegetables to Goa, Patil admitted that while the prices may not increase in the immediate future, the increase of Reliance outlets in the region could spark off a shortage of vegetables en route to Goa.Meanwhile, the farmers in the district are pleased with the new development, as they are being paid a better rate as compared to the brokers.“We do not have to bother about the brokerage and other costs that we earlier used to pay,” said a farmer.

New Luxury Business Hotel ‘VITS’ Launched in Belgaum

Source NDTV-Profit Jan 10, 2008

New Delhi, Delhi/Belgaum, India -- VITS (Business Wire India)

KHIL opens second hotel in the VITS chain-- VITS Aurangabad, Nagpur and Pune to open in the near future-- More than 36 VITS hotels in the next five years.A 60-room VITS property, part of a new chain of luxury business hotels from Kamat Hotels India Limited (KHIL), opened today in Belgaum. Located at Club Road, the new hotel offers contemporary luxury business accommodation for discerning business class travellers from across India. Belgaum is well known for its prominent medical and education facilities and tourist attractions. With a VITS hotel in Belgaum, travelers visiting the city for leisure or for medical treatment from Karnataka, Maharastra or Goa will now have an alternate ‘home away from home’. With this launch, KHIL has taken another step in its ambitious plan to grow the VITS chain for business travellers. The first VITS hotel was launched in Mumbai in November 2007. KHIL plans to extend the VITS hospitality experience to Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Baroda, Chinchwar, Gujarat, Hubli, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Surat, Thane and twenty more locations in the next five years. The launch of VITS Belgaum was a grand affair, with the crème-de-la-crème of Belgaum society attending the function. Corporate heads, golfers, defence personnel, doctors and renowned personalities from diverse fields were there to mark the occasion. A musical extravaganza by renowned DJ from Mumbai set the evening afire with sizzling numbers that drew the audience to the pulsating dance floor. The evening also witnessed the unveiling of the VITS logo amidst fire show and an impressive theme dance performances. Facilities at VITS Belgaum are among the best in the category across the state. Its ideal location provides guests proximity to the domestic airport. It will offer varied dining options like an open terrace restaurant with a contemporary ambience and a 24x7 coffee shop with a midnight buffet option. VITS offers a range of spacious and luxurious accommodation to suit the needs of guests: twin and double rooms, a Presidential Suite, service apartments and studio rooms equipped with all modern & technical facilities. The rooms in VITS are one of a kind, they provide customers with varied options to select depending on the requirement and duration of stay. Guests visiting Belgaum for a long period e.g. business tour/medical treatment, can experience the ‘home away from home’ in the service apartments; while the Presidential Suite and studio rooms option can be explored by those who want to have a unique hospitality experience.Belgaum will witness many firsts with VITS, such as a pick-up and drop facility, terrace swimming pool and a wellness club. For guests who like to combine business with pleasure, VITS has a tie up with premium golf courses and spare golf kits that golf lovers can use. These and other special facilities will give guests an exclusive VITS experience.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vithal Venkatesh Kamat, Executive Chairman & Managing Director, Kamat Hotels India Limited (KHIL), said, “The new VITS hotel is in sync with the development envisaged for Belgaum, which is now being referred to as the second capital of Karnataka. With a Vidhan Sabha planned in the city and companies from emerging sectors such as medical tourism, EXIM houses and other public infrastructure projects setting up base here, Belgaum is a growing business destination. There is a need for top quality hospitality services in the city and VITS bridges the gap by providing best in class facilities and services.”As an inherited principle from its flagship Orchid group, VITS will uphold the Kamat’s philosophy of giving the maximum value to customers without compromising on service, quality or food. The same values are epitomized in VITS' concise motto – ‘Guest. Rest. Best.’In the VITS chain of hotels, standardized amenities will include world-class service -- from airport pickup by luxury car to one-time registration while checking in. The 24-hour, in-room dining, contemporary ambience, banquets for specific requirements, high-tech conference centers and seamless Wi-Fi connectivity on the premises will cater to all the needs of modern, business travellers. VITS also plans to include select facilities required by guests in specific locations.The new VITS hotel chain will bridge the gap existing in the market by being present in all major Tier II and Tier III cities and towns in India. It will offer a complete package of top quality hospitality services for upwardly mobile business class travelers. VITS will have a trendy look which will be reflected in its logo, facilities and services and will be the best in class. The VITS marketing plan revolves around acquisition, retaining and regaining customers. Exclusively designed customer loyalty programmes for travel agencies, guests and for corporate houses will be announced soon. About KHIL: Kamat Hotels (India) Limited (KHIL) is one of the fastest growing hospitality groups in the country. KHIL was initiated on March 21st, 1986 by the late Venkatesh Krishna Kamat, a visionary in the business. His guidance and support helped Vithal Venkatesh Kamat, current Executive Chairman and Managing Director, steer the company into a successful public limited company in 1994. Kamats is today a large hospitality business group with interests in Luxury Hotels, Budget Hotels & Restaurants, Travel Business, Catering & Educational Institutions, Departmental Stores and of course, Restaurants. With a turnover of over Rs. 80 crores (2006) and approximately ten thousand shareholders, KHIL is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

Contact Details:

Anindita Chakraborty,
VITS, +91 9373598252
Email: kamatsholidays@khil.com
VITS Belgaum Club road,
Opp Jt Director of Public Instruction (Belgaum Division)
Belgaum

Belgaumite (Khanapur) girl Now DHL New Zealand Head

Belgumites makes global strides just not in IT but in various other areas too, read about the success story of Blegaum Girl "Chitra Bhonsle" published by my associate blogger UdayK

http://belgaumblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/khanapur-girl-now-dhl-new-zealand-head.html

Kind Gesture from Belgaum Boy of IIT " Sheri Sundeep "

I recived this communique from Sheri Sundeep whcih could help most of you


Please spread the word, so that this initiative benefits as many students as possible.
The IIT's have taken up an initiative of starting online teaching and
thus have started offering course materials online for FREE for every
engineering stream.


1] Type the following address on internet explorer
2] Click on Courses
3] And one can access any course material.

http://nptel.iitm.ac.in

Sheri Sundeep
MTech/Power System Engg
IIT Roorkee
India

THE DAWN OF 2008

I wish You all a very Best for This year of 2008 and Years to come with peace, prosperity love and happiness in abundance.