Rakaskoppa has very little water left

The lifeline of Belagavi Rakaskopa Dam which supplies drinking water to the city is now at dead storage level and was at a Level of 2449.25 feet (On 04/06/2016 :2446.50)

Top level of lowermost outlet of dam 2448.0

Bottom level of lowermost outlet of dam 2446.0

The flow from Rakasakoppa dam to Hindalaga pump house is reduced due to low level and driving head. The discharge is not sufficient to run both the pump sets of 600 H P to their full capacity. Hence flow to Lakshmitek is reduced.

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VTU still a jewel, past glory can be regained – Balaveera Reddy

Dr. K. Balaveera Reddy, Former Vice Chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi (VTU) has issued this statement –

Reference is made to the recent news items appeared in leading news papers regarding functioning of Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi. Being a concerned Former Vice Chancellor of VTU, It gives me great pain to read such news items which tarnishes the image of VTU and let me share my inputs/opinions on this subject.

The state of Karnataka is pioneer in providing Technical Education since more than six decades. Many of the successful educational institutions are run by the Government, Universities, and other private educational trusts and the Government of Karnataka has encouraged initiative from private sector in establishing professional training institutions. It is important to note that many of the VTU affiliated colleges are accredited by NAAC, NBA and figure in the top 100 of National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranking of MHRD, New Delhi. This reflects the quality of technical education in the state of Karnataka. Bangalore houses large number of prominent National level institutions due to which Bangalore has a title of “Science and Technology Capital of India”. Rapid development in IT and other allied industries here has resulted in Bangalore being named as “Silicon Valley of India”. The McKinsey NASSCOM report indicates that all crucial ingredients, for example Idea generation, Anchor companies, Research centers and best technical institutions are present in Karnataka, mostly concentrated around Bangalore. The state of Karnataka has pre-eminent position in the IT sector not only in India, but also in the World map. In fact Bangalore is rated as one of the top “Ten Tech-Cities” in the World.

VTU name has been in the news in the recent past few years for all wrong reasons. Let me illustrate few of the major wrong doings which resulted in the messy state of affairs.

Finances:- During the period of 2010 to 2016 huge amount of money was spent (about Rs.500 crores) towards construction of buildings and procurement of unnecessary furniture, digital scanning & evaluation scheme, equipment etc. in various regional centers of VTU. This large expenses were done without proper planning and due diligence. For example, in Regional centre at Muddnehalli, a few hundred crores have been spent, for the construction of the buildings & procurement of furniture but unfortunately over past two years, 3/4th of the campus buildings are not being utilized, most of the class rooms are being used for dumping/storing about 650 five seater & 750 two seater desks and about 100 five seater sofa sets. Even many buildings started during the above period are incomplete in Mysore and Belgaum Regional centers. What a colossal wasteful expenditure? One side VTU is struggling for Finances and on the other side unnecessary infrastructure has been built by spending large sums of money without application of mind by the then authorities of the VTU.

Taking Over the Institutions:-

The University Officers & Bodies have taken a decision to take over the administration of UBDTCE as a constituent college of VTU, which was earlier a constituent college of Kuvempu university. This resulted in unwanted expenditure of about Rs.150 crores for the buildings, salaries and equipment. Tens of crores of money were spent on procuring equipment but the irony is that even on this day the equipment boxes are dumped in store rooms and yet to be opened for usage. What a careless decision making in taking over college and equipment procurement without a proper need?

Appointment of Faculty without proper justification:-

• Faculty members have been appointed for the M.Tech courses for which Government sanction and Executive Council approval were not obtained. Example: One M.Tech course at Mysuru regional campus and one M.Tech course P.G.Studies Bangalore. This has resulted in wasteful expenditure in the form salaries and other expenses.

• In Muddenahalli campus, four M.Tech programmes are being run where students strength for both the years is 77 and the faculty strength 16. The faculty vs student ratio of 1:5. In two programmes this year, the student strength is 1 and 4 numbers. Why should such outdated M.Tech programmes be run at all? Similarly in MBA for two years the total number of admitted students are 68 against the approved total of 120, faculty number is 16, the faculty vs students ratio is 1:4; similarly in MCA programme for three years the total students strength is 78 and faculty are 12 so the faculty vs students ratio is 1: 6.5. These courses are white elephant on the university exchequer.

• Overall faculty and staff have definitely not been appointed with logic, rationale and proper approvals in place. This is direct dereliction of duty and responsibility on the part of University Bodies and Officers.

Digital Evaluation System (DES)

• Introducing the DES without feasibility study

• Starting DES without necessary technical support and infrastructure

• Misguiding the stakeholders and the public about the cost of savings etc.

• Tampering of answer scripts and handing over the answer scripts to third party

• Introducing DES without evaluating financial implications

• Spending large amount of money towards Digital Evaluation System, which is much more than the examination fee collected from the students. This is a direct loss making setup on continuous basis.

Apart from the above, there are many instances of financial irregularities as mentioned in Honourable Justice Keshava Narayan one man Commission appointed by His Excellency the Chancellor of University.

Action steps proposed for moving forward:

As of now VTU has a great opportunity to revive its functioning and bring back the past glory by initiating the following productive measures.

Judicious Expenditure of Funds and Financial Planning

• VTU collects various fees from its affiliated institutions every year i.e. Affiliation, Registration, Attestation & Transcripts, Change of branch, e-learning, examination, eligibility, re-evaluation and others etc.

• The income from all sources for the financial year ending 31-03-2014 is Rs. 312 Crores (which includes interest on corpus fund deposit of about Rs.60 Crores). Out of which, the examination fee alone is Rs. 80 Crores; Registration & Tuition fee is 125 Crores; Re-evaluation fee is Rs.26 Crores.

• Let us look at the major expenses of the University, Digital scanning is Rs. 12 Crores, Practical examinations is Rs. 9 Crores, Printing Rs. 8 Crores, Remuneration to Examiners Rs. 16 Crores, Salaries Rs. 26 Crores. These major expenses add up to Rs. 71 Crores. Out of Rs. 312 crores, only Rs.71 Crores is spent on operational expenses, rest of the money goes for development, construction and other maintenance works.

• This needs deep reflection; where is that big hole which is sucking all VTU funds? Logically University income is sufficient to meet the operational expenses. Where is the catch? Where was the large amount of money spent? VTU Vice Chancellor also agrees that VTU has enough funds to sustain (which was expressed by the present VC in the Press meet dated 02 June 17).

• As of now, estimated VTU annual income for the university is about Rs. 250 to 275 crores. Salaries per month is Rs. 6 Crores i.e. 72 Crores per year. There is enough money available for smooth running of VTU.

• Examination:- Expenditure on examination and evaluation can be reduced significantly by using technology. It is better to use simultaneously manual evaluation as well as usage of software. Once the usage of software is validated and proven successfully the software can be standardized and accepted.

• Construction of buildings:- As many buildings were constructed in the past years, there may not be need for any new construction of buildings in the next 10 years. However, around 15 to 25 crore can be earmarked for completing the pending civil works.

• Unviable P.G. Programmes:- There is no demand for many P.G. programmes, which is draining the VTU finances. The unviable courses may be discontinued, the faculty may be redeployed.

• Timely Conduct of Examinations & Results:- As per VTU Act, conduct of timely examination and results declaration is one of the main functions. This must be given top priority as it deals with students’ academic progress and career prospects. This alone instills the credibility of the University.

I strongly feel and hope that the Government, VTU Officers and Bodies can reorient themselves towards higher standards of University functioning. I have no doubt in my mind, that VTU will raise like a Phoenix and establish itself as one of the finest universities of India and bring back its past glory.

All About Belgaum

Miscreants stone cars 

Unidentified miscreant’s damaged cars and even window panes of homes at around 1.30 to 2 AM on 5 May 2017 at Tambit Galli, Kapileshwar Colony and Mahaveer Colony.

The unidentified miscreants were on a rampage and threw stones on cars, commercial vehicles and even houses. The miscreants smashed window panes and damaged the vehicles.

The main reason behind this act is unknown.

But the residents of the area are shocked and are in a state of tension.

The miscreants hurled stones and created ruckus at midnight and used stones to smash window panes of cars and even a couple of homes.

All About Belgaum

Once a garbage dump now a cricket coaching facility

Half an acre of open plot next to the Cantonment quarters in ward No.7 Cantonment was a garbage dump. All the people used to dump the garbage and other material on the site making it unhealthy for the citizens of the vicinity.

Thanks to the vision and sincere efforts of Dr Madan Dongare, an elected member from the same ward to the Cantonment board had some great ideas for this place. He has converted that dumping place into a playground which also houses a cricket coaching facility.

Speaking to AAB, Dr.Dongare said around 70 truck loads of garbage was removed from there including waste material which was lying for years. Ground was leveled with muram and red mud and a concrete cricket pitch was prepared and nets have been put to create a practice pitch. Precautions have been taken that the surrounding houses do not get damaged and an iron mesh has been installed.
Around 40 palm trees have been planted on the sides of this land and also has roses and fruit bearing trees like Mango,Pomegranate and Guava trees.

Children from the vicinity water these plants without fail everyday as they feel it is for them and their bright future.

Dr.Dongare further said, I am is very thankful to the people who keep the place clean and tidy. Two high mast lamps have been provided for playing under the lights. He now plans of

Dongare’s sports academy in memory of wife Shama Madan Dongare.

He has spent nearly 2.5 lakhs on this project and got the high mast lamps approved from the Cantonment board. There were Allegations that this land is being grabbed by Dr Dongare but he has handed over all the amenities including a store room to the Cantonment board in a board meeting. His future plan is to develop this place into a multi activity play ground. An avid cricket fan he also provides cricket material to the needy and talented young cricketers and also hosts a team Dongare 11.

All About Belgaum

Vegetable prices soar as farmers strike continues in Maharashtra

There has been significant decrease in the arrivals of Onions and other vegetables from Maharashtra as the farmers continue their strike on the sixth day.

The vegetables of Belagavi which are sent to Maharashtra has also stopped as the entry of vehicles has been banned.

Over 15,000 bags of onion (500 tons) of onion normally arrive at the Belagavi APMC Yard every week on market days. Last Saturday about 7,000 red onion was received it was trading between Rs 260 to 910.

But as part of protest for loan waiver, farmers have initiated a strong steps in Maharashtra to ban exporting and selling of milk, vegetables and other Agriculture produces. The onion arrival is drastically decreased from Maharashtra and this week only 3000 bags of onion have arrived due to which the price has spiked to 11,000 per quintal.

The A1 grade onion which was selling at Rs 7 to 8 hiked to Rs12 per kg this week.

Potato arrives From Indore, Agra and Gujarat but as it comes through Maharashtra route, the farmers have blocked potato vehicles in Maharashtra. In a result the potato prices is expected to jump Rs 12,00 per quintal. It was trading at Rs 700 last week.

Similarly the stocks of other produces like wheat, Pulses which arrive from Maharashtra has limited stocks. If the situation continues, people of Belagavi will have to face a tough time and spend more.

About 10 loads (7 tons) vegetables grown in Belagavi is exported to Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur and Konkan belt in Maharashtra but due to strike these vehicles have come to local Belagavi market.

All About Belgaum

Bhide couple’s motorcycle ride to Bhutan from Belagavi

An amazing road trip from of Jitendra & Amruta Bhide who are driving 6400 kms and would reach Belagavi on Wednesday by 4 pm.

Jitendra Bhide and his wife Amruta who are avid motorcycle tourers undertook the experience of riding in a different states and countries which is really something that words can’t express on their Avenger bike.

Going to new lands, with new people, and yet you feel connected to them. Such motorcycle tour means not just simply following the tourist trail, but rather connecting to lives of people you meet on road and at the hotels.

They took up the expedition and left Belagavi on May 21 and rode all the way through North and east India and then Bhutan covering an approximate distance of about 6400 kilometres.

Undertaking a bike journey for 6400 kilometres might not sound very pleasing to many but for travel enthusiasts Bhide’s of Belagavi, it was passion backed with determination that motivated the couple to explore eight countries quite differently.

While on road it not uncommon for travellers to deal with unexpected situations. Even if you plan your trip in the best manner possible, there are always surprising turns. As traveller while on road doesn’t have much to choose from when it comes to food, accommodation or other aspects.

They wanted to have first-hand experiences rather than believing what we have heard about people and places.

Jitendra posts on Facebook, “People said this bike ride of yours is too risky..that too with Amruta even more riskier.A ll the above risks are truths. They could had happened with us. BUT reality is. it didn’t.. We were just another pack who were fortunate enough. Now, just a strike away from home..and more into the familiar kind of people & circumstances… So are we out of “risk”?

All About Belgaum

Dearth of public toilet at Ramdev is a nightmare for travelers

The area near Hotel Ramdev is a thriving hub for outstation buses. All the Private bus operators have their offices here and for most it is the last pick up point.

However an array of horrific sights await the unsuspecting traveller – you survive the traffic snarls (as well as the stench). And the less said about the toilets, the better!

There are hundreds of private buses which depart to various destinations from Ramdev, but for the travelers the horrific journey has just began and if you are women then its more worse.

Even when there are about 30-40 private bus operators none of them have a toilet for their customers, which is pity.

The City corporation has built one opposite the Shaikh college but regular travelers say God knows if it has been cleaned even once.

Passengers complain about the unbearable stench when they approach the said public toilet. They cant even enter it, so they prefer to go elsewhere in the open. But the women face a hard time as they dont have a toilet to go.

The City corporation had planned to install a few E-toilets at Kelkar bagh near ICICI bank, but if the same were put up near Ramdev for the travelers it would be a boon for them.

Just tagging the city as Smart does not really make it Smart, the planning needs to be smart and also the execution.

All About Belgaum

Deshmukh road to be no parking zone

Mayor Sanjyot Bandekar along with other corporators and ACP visited Deshmukh road Tilakwadi and assessed the situation of the road.

The road in frequent times has seen a lot of traffic jams thanks to haphazard parking of vehicles especially near Hotel Uday Bhavan where people park their vehicles and go in the complexes nearby like Ashray Empire.

If you see the stretch from Somwar peth cross down upto first gate you dont find much issue of parking except if a car is parked.

This road has many alleys on each side and all the Peth’s which the police now plan to utilise for parking.

This can solve the problem but when the problem exists for 20-25 mtrs why does the administration want the entire road to be a no parking zone.

If the stretch from RPD Corner to Somwar peth cross (which covers Hotel Uday Bhavan) is made into a NO parking zone half of the problem of the road gets solved.

Somwar Peth for example from Deshmukh road see jams often due to parking of vehicles on both sides. If the parking is restricted to one side on each of these alleys and Peth’s there will also be smooth flow of traffic.

If the parking is restricted on the entire road, all the alleys will be Full of vehicles and passing from there would be the next problem then. So its like solving one problem and landing into another.

All About Belgaum

Creating social change through play to Recognize Good touch & Bad touch

Danny, Kate, Ker Thao, Jack from US and Canada are currently in Belagavi promoting their BeyondABC gaming company which is on a mission to to create social change through play (Education through games).

Through games, kids can freely explore without worrying about consequences, allowing them to understand the relationship between cause and effect. In a virtual world they can be whoever they want, and figure out life in a safe environment. In games it’s ok to make mistakes, because you can just restart the level. You can push boundaries, break things and build them back up again. We believe games have the potential to create a more socially aware generation.

Today they had a training session at Herwadkar school for children on Self protection (Recognize Good touch & Bad touch) through a game. They would follow the same sessions at others schools tomorrow and the day after.

Their Game TOUCH hopes to build critical thinking and decision making capacity for real life scenarios. By empowering and educating individuals about their bodies, they can become more self-aware advocates of their own well-being/wellness.

TOUCH is a facilitated game-like activity that enables children and youth to explore the boundaries of touch, what is considered good touch and what is considered bad touch.

The first iteration of TOUCH is a physical card game in order to make it accessible to as wide an audience as possible. The game has no text, rather it is entirely visual so that language and the players reading level isn’t a barrier.

BeyondABC started in December 2014 when Kate travelled to India on a research fellowship. While living in New Delhi, she became very interested in the connection between education, the role of women in society, and human trafficking. When I got back to New York, she wanted to build something to address the problem. Danny, Ker and Kate joined forces and started making “Meena’s Story,” a game that provides at-risk Indian youth with the safety skills they need to protect themselves from human trafficking and child exploitation.

All About Belgaum

Movies as on 9-06-2017

Inox Chandan

The Mummy (A) English, 3D
09:05 AM 11:20 AM 04:50 PM 07:20 PM 09:50 PM

Raabta (UA) Hindi
09:15 AM 12:15 PM 03:20 PM 06:25 PM 09:30 PM

Noorondu Nenapu (UA) Kannada
09:30 AM 04:00 PM

Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (UA) Hindi
12:10 PM

Wonder Woman (UA) English, 3D
01:50 PM

Wonder Woman (UA) English, 2D
09:25 PM

Hindi Medium (U) Hindi
06:40 PM

Swaroop-Nartaki

Mummy – 3D Hindi
12:15 PM 03:15 PM 06:15 PM 09:30 PM

 Big Cinemas – Carnival Cinemas

Raabta (UA) Hindi
09:30 AM 12:30 PM 03:15 PM 09:30 PM

The Mummy (A) English, 3D
09:45 AM 03:00 PM 05:15 PM 10:00 PM

Noorondu Nenapu (UA) Kannada
12:00 PM

Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (UA) Hindi
06:15 PM

GLOBE CINEMA Closed for Maintainence

NIRMAL

Zinda –  Kannada

12.00. PM 3.00.PM,  6 PM,  9.00.PM.

CHITRA–

Raajakumara (UA) Kannada

12.00 PM  3.00.PM  6 PM, 9.00.PM.

HIRA

Aradugul Bullet – Telugu

12  PM 03  PM 06  PM 09  PM

Dhondi – Marathi
12:15 PM

Noorondu Nenapu (UA) Kannada
 03:15 PM   06:15 PM  09:30 PM

Noorondu Nenapu (UA) Kannada

12.00 PM 3.00.PM  6 PM, 9.00.PM.

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

Rotary Club of Belgaum takes up responsibility of Toilet block near Ramdev

We had published the article Dearth of public toilet at Ramdev is a nightmare for travelers on June 7, 2017 and now Rotary Club of Belgaum has taken up the said toilet block for renovations and has began the work from June 8, 2017.

Rtn. Sachin Bichu commented on the above said story and said

I am happy to inform the citizens of Belagavi that Rotary Club of Belgaum has taken up the said toilet block for renovations and has began the work today. Corporation of City of Belagavi has asked the club to redo the said toilet and run and maintain it on Pay and Use basis. Very soon it will be made functional and people will be relieved with all miseries as mentioned in your article.

We would like to Thank the Rotary Club of Belgaum for this quick response to our story. 

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SVS employees demand basic pay

The outsourced contractual employees working for the 5 years at Suvarna Vidhan Soudha (SVS) staged protest at Deputy commissioner’s office urging to provide minimum basic salary, job security and other facilities.

23 women and 24 men are working on contract basis at SVS from past couple of years for cleaning of SVS. They alleged that they are just being paid Rs 4,000 to 4,500 per month by the contractor while the minimum basic salary is Rs 10,000.

Workers allege that contractor was paying their salary in cash but this month he has collected all their bank passbooks and ATM cards. SMS from the bank shows a credit of Rs 10,300 salary, But the contractor is withdrawing the salary and giving only Rs 4000 to them.

The basic salary for labourer is nearly Rs 300 but we are being paid only 200 although we work from morning 9.30 to evening 6.30. Now when we inquired the contractor about the basic salary, he is now telling that no need to come on work and all workers have been sacked since then no cleaning work has happened in the SVS.

All About Belgaum

Five held for looting businessman who used chilli powder

A gang of five youngsters who had thrown chilli powder on Anil Porwal and ran away with his cash on June 1 on a bike have been arrested by the police and Rs. 7.52 lakh have also been recovered.

Kiran Madannaavar(27), Ravi Talwar of B K Kangrali, Jyotiba Hanchinmani of Bandur galli, Anil Padennavar from Kulkarni galli, Rajesh Varur from Konwal galli have been arrested and the police are in search of the main accused Mallesh Budri.

They had planned the loot so that they could go to Casino’s in Goa Gamble and enjoy spa.

On June 1 they had thrown chilli powder on Anil Porwal and ran away with hi cash bag of Rs.9.88 lakhs as per the police.

DCP Crime Amaranth Reddy announced rewards for the concerned police officers.

Similarly Belagavi Police succeeded in cracking burglary cases in Malmaruti police station limits recovering gold ornaments worth Rs 5.20 lakh. Three minor accused have been arrested. 185 gram gold ornaments, 560 gram silver and Rs 35,000 cash has been recovered from them.

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ZP project officer dies in an accident near Dharwad

Chief project planning officer Ashok Dodmani of Belagavi Zilla Panchayat died on the spot when his car overturned near Mumingatti cross, Dharwad.

Driver and his wife have been injured but are stated to be out of danger.

They were on their way to Belagavi from Hubballi.

All About Belgaum

Police in civil uniform fines for Traffic violations

Around 11.15 AM at Ramdev Galli a person in Civil dress which had a small mention of sticker as police above his rear number plate was seen collecting fines from bikers who were coming in the one way. Yes the bikes were violating the traffic rules but Can a Police officer in Civil dress fine for traffic violations ?

Any police officer for that matter can inspect documents under suspicious circumstances or on reasonable suspicion and refer the matter to Traffic Police for further action or investigation.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

The Indian Motor Vehicles Act, section 132, says only an asst. sub-inspector (one star), police sub-inspector (two star) and police inspector (three star) are authorized to receive payments against violation and issue a receipt.
No police constable or head constable can issue a receipt and therefore receive a payment. They can however record the violations on the basis of which violation ticket will follow. This ticket can be settled at any of the traffic police stations. In case a constable or head constable threatens you with spot fine, insist on getting a receipt and the chances are that he will let you go because he is not authorised to issue a receipt or receive money.

The Bangalore Mirror in an article quotes Commissioner of police Raghavendra Auradkar,

If the constable is stopping the vehicles and checking documents, it is illegal, people can bring it to the notice of senior police officials.

• The public can refuse to show them documents and complain about them to seniors
• If you have not violated any traffic law, the traffic police cannot stop you just to ”check your documents (but in Belagavi this is not followed)

• Also, as per law, a traffic constable cannot check your documents, it has to be done by an ASI rank officer or above

  The said matter has been brought to the notice of the higher officers.

All About Belgaum

Pro-Kannada organisations call for a Karnataka bandh on June 12

‘Kannada Okoota’, an umbrella organisation of Kannada bodies has called for a dawn to dusk Karnataka Bnadh on Monday June 12 to press for an early resolution of the Mahadayi dispute, a permanent solution to the water scarcity in the arid regions of Karnataka, waiver of farm loans and externment of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) functionaries from Belagavi.

Protest has been planned in Bengaluru and various Kannada organizations have supported the said bandh call in Belagavi as well.

Vatal Nagaraj, the president of Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha who was recently here in Belagavi had stressed for the bandh call.

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Entrepreneur Shri Thanedar to Run for Michigan Governor is originally from Belagavi

Entrepreneur Shri Thanedar, originally from Belagavi, who has experienced a rollercoaster of business successes and failures, is running for Michigan Democratic governor in 2018, saying he is best-suited to help the state in part because of his own comeback story.

Dr. Shri Thanedar immigrated to the United States in 1979 from Belagavi, India to obtain his PhD in polymer chemistry from the University of Akron (1982) after receiving a Masters Degree at the University of Bombay (1977). He then worked as a post-doctoral scholar at the University of Michigan (1982-1984). Shri worked as a Polymer Synthesis Chemist and Project Leader at the Petrolite Corporation in St. Louis, MO (1984-1990).

In 1990, Shri worked at and then purchased a three-employee service company called Chemir. Under Shri’s ownership, the company went from $150,000 in annual sales and three employees to $63 million in annual sales and over 400 employees, a trend that has followed him throughout his successful career. During his professional career, Shri purchased or sold eight different businesses. He is skilled in turning around troubled companies.

Shri’s story began half way around the world in Mirapur Galli, Shahpur in Belagavi. Growing up as one of six children in a low income family, he was taught about the importance of education and need for financial independence. He was enrolled in the local public school system and excelled due in large part to the wisdom installed in me by my mother Sulochana. He used to stay with his family in Mirapur Galli, Shahpur.
He had scored a meager 55% marks in his SSLC and had got a job at the age of 18 itslef in the State bank of India in Bijapur. But he wanted to do his MSc. But the principal of the Dharwad did not allow him to do so. He had to go upto the Vice Chancellor for the same and atlast he got the permission. But the bank denied him leave for his exams for 15 days and he decided to leave from Bijapur and came to Dharwad for his exams. He slept for only one hour for 8 days and finished his studies. Even before his exams got over he got to know that he had been fired out of his job from the bank. His book ही श्रीची इच्छा (English: This Is Shri’s Wish) was a bestseller which is a memoir by Dr. Shrinivas Thanedar.

The 62-year-old Democrat announced his candidacy at a Detroit business incubator Thursday. Last year, he sold a majority stake in Avomeen Analytical Services, a chemical-testing company he founded, and made news by giving $1.5 million in bonuses to roughly 50 employees.

“America gave me a chance to succeed, and Michigan nurtured my American dream. My success has given me the freedom and the obligation to give back to those around me, from my employees to my community to my state,” Thanedar said.

All About Belgaum

Karnataka bandh sees dull response in Belagavi

The Karnataka Bandh call saw a symbolic protest at Rani channamma circle to support the State wide band call given by Vatal Nagaraj’s Kannada Okkoota.
The activists of pro Kannada organisations and farmer leaders staged protests and blamed both state and central government for being failure in solving Mahadai row.

The State government should waive off the farmer loan like it done in UP.

All schools, colleges were running like normal there was no impact of the bandh call in the city.

All About Belgaum

Doodh Sagar waterfalls Shot from the Train

Doodh Sagar waterfalls Shot from the Train

All About Belgaum

Packed like sheep

by Sameer Majali

The sleepy little town in the much ignored region of North Karnataka has grown into a city and is traversing its way towards a mindless imitation of “Life in a Metro”. So much has changed that for the generation that has laid back to rest in the peaceful aura of its retirement, it’s a strange cultural shock. New businesses emerge and new jobs for the taking. Progress of the modern kind has made its presence felt and just like in other places across the globe, we are trying to take things in the stride. The concrete jungle gets bigger, the hoardings larger and the traffic at signal stops is reaching further each day. The mindless gunning of engines through the reds and the countdown at the signal junction effectively generates the grey shroud that will soon get into the habit of engulfing the city. One often wonders if there are more vehicles than people.

Right in the middle of this crazy rush stands out the figure of the old trusted auto and its occupants. While the tariff woes have been elaborately reported with little being done to bring some sense to the money that one has to shell off for a bumpy ride, it’s not this issue that we seek to draw the attention too. Conspicuous amidst the traffic cacophony is the sight that inspires this piece of writing, “Packed like sheep”.

Parenting has become a demanding job for the present generation and striking the balance between responsibility and off-loading a part of it to serve the purpose of convenience is the root cause of the familiar sight of overflowing auto rickshaws. Each morning around the summoning calls of the school bell, happens this wonderful race of the “Packed like sheep” participants.

The school “Autowala” is an official entity and so is the gross violation of a dozen traffic rules and common sense. It is actually really difficult to spot this trusted driver till he gets to his duty of taking the kids out of the auto and ushering them to school, all neat and trim in their well ironed and conspicuous uniforms. This age old contraption which continues to be a major means of transport has evolved with age to imitate its larger peers who carry so much load that anyone around is scared that the centre of gravity will falter into a herculean fall. One glance at the school auto and you will see in all probability, a couple of kids on either side of the driver with half their selves almost outside the confines of the vehicle. The actual number of those packed in is rather uncertain. A variety of tiffin and school bags dangle out from their defined areas as if attempting to share the secrets of their confines with the passers-by. This ingeniously assembled arrangement makes its way through the streets, accompanied by the screams and chatter of its occupants, all eager to begin a new day at school. The excessive burden does the needful when it comes to testing the power of the helpless engine and smoke bellows from the tail pipe as the vehicle leaves a larger than needed trail of smoke as if seeking another channel to announce its arrival.

“Time” is the culprit is what is proclaimed by those that speak in defence of the convenience of this arrangement. Most large schools have daintily painted and quite safe buses but there is still a large section of the population that opts for auto rickshaws as a means of transport. The school bus they say, either comes too early or is something that is not preferred by the child for a variety of reasons. One has to respect the views and needs of the overtly concerned parents since it must be some dire compulsion out of which they choose to surrender their child to this rather unsafe stunt and that too on a daily basis.

Another statement that is often given in defence of the acceptance of this mode of transport is the fact that nothing has happened till date. After all, we are a country that wakes up to a disaster only when it happens for once or maybe multiple times before we really decide to opt for the sensible. After all, we did this to defy the logic of helmets and we are not going to let in so easily to common sense till we see for ourselves what might happen to at least one set of the unfortunates.

Isn’t it time to put an end to this crazy indulgence in the larger and smaller interests of the community? There are those select drivers who have embraced sense and shifted to larger vehicles where everything stays indoors but what about the multitude that still chooses to opt for the cat behaviour of drinking milk with closed eyes hoping that if it happens, it will not happen to the child. With due respect to the livelihood needs and commitment of the auto drivers, one can only appeal that the alternate path of safer options finds more takes than it does today.

With due respect to the lesser species of animals, how would we as parents and grown-ups feel to be exposed, knowingly and unknowingly to the dangers of being “Packed like sheep”, perchance to be slaughtered if fate decides to be more cruel that it has been before.

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