by Sameer Majli

The human desire to traverse distances both faster and in a more comfortable manner has fueled vehicular advancements for ages. The age old habit of putting the feet to use is fast disappearing as we choose to prefer 2-wheeler and 4-wheeler transport for human and material movement. The fast developing cities are testimony to this relentless pursuit as we seek to cut down on transit time. The ensuing traffic has grown to be a woe of mammoth proportions and the roads are crammed and weighed down by more traffic than they can handle. With traffic rules being easy to bend in the absence of supervision and the absence of civic discipline, the only solution is to have wider and maybe even taller or deeper paths for travel. The days of overbridges and underpasses are imminent.

Come daylight and the once pristine and serene city of Belgaum more than just transforms into a cacophony of zooming vehicles, screaming horns, jammed traffic lines and thousands of vehicles spewing smoke in a rather inconsiderate manner. With increasing train traffic and the railway line passing right through the city, almost purposefully dividing it into two distinct zones, the problem only gets worse. The scenes at the railway crossing gates in the heart of the city and the Tilakwadi area cut a sorry picture of the irresponsible infrastructure management on part of those making policy decisions.

First Railway Gate

While lots is being and has been talked about in terms of what needs to be done, there seems to be hardly any movement in terms of even initial steps towards accomplishing the promised stuff. Most work is stuck in decision making apathy. Indifference on account of political and regional differences makes it certain that those in power spend more time sparring over a range of issues rather than taking up the things that matter the most.

In the month of July 2012, the DC had approved 4 Railway over-bridges in town. And then on, in October 31, 2012, All About Belgaum had posted news that work on the railway over bridge at Dharwad road would begin soon.

The Railway department has awarded the over bridge construction contract to Balaji builders, Bangalore and it is proposed that in phase one, the Dharwad Road (old PB road) over bridge would be built. All this info was disclosed then but not much seems to have happened since. The two elections provided enough reason the maintain status quo and stall the developmental plans.

Thousands face a huge traffic chaos at the railway crossings each day and though the special 100 crore funds for the city have been received, they have not been used to provide for this most needed development. Experts opine that this should have been priority “Numero Uno” but one can only guess that those handling the funds thought otherwise for their own vested interests.

Soon the monsoon will set in and the traffic woes will surmount greater heights. By the time the rains subside, another electoral bout may be on the anvil and the gross indifference would continue as it has been doing for years.

Human development has been a tale of commitment followed by relentless work to accomplish and accommodate the best interests of society but in this case one is tempted to maybe just heed superstition and pray like we pray when the monsoons delay their onset.

Maybe, ‘Let’s pray’ that better sense prevails and that with it, better times come to relieve the citizens from the woes of packed roads and suffocating smoke.

All About Belgaum

The Hindu EducationPlus is organising “Career Counselling -2013” for students seeking admission to professional courses (medical, engineering, dental, agricultural sciences and others) at Belgaum Institute of Medical Science in Belgaum on May 25 (Saturday) at 10 a.m.
The programme will provide an opportunity to students to interact with an eminent panel of speakers from the field of education. It will give students an insight into what course to opt for, career prospects and admission procedures.
Those interested in participating can do spot registration at the venue on Saturday at 9.30 a.m. For details call 0836-2358600/ 700/ 2333701/2/3. There is no registration fee. A career guidance booklet “The Great Leap” will be distributed FREE to all the students who participate in the programme.

All About Belgaum

All About Belgaum

Citing an unsuccessful life Vijay Kanbargi(34), his wife Komal(26) and their one-year-old child committed suicide by jumping into a well. The incident occurred at Vijay Nagar.

The letter which was found in the house which states that he is committing suicide as he was not successful in life and he could not keep anyone happy.

All About Belgaum

Prakash Babanna Hukkeri who is also minister for Small scale industries/Sugar has been appointed as the district incharge minister for Belgaum.

He has been elected from (Chikkodi-Sadalga) by a huge margin of votes.
His brief profile

* Age: 66 years

* Family: Married, 1 son, 4 daughters

* Education: SSLC

Prakash Hukkeri is a KPCC executive committee member and senior Congress leader. Hukkeri won by 76,588 votes which is the biggest margin recorded in the recent Assembly elections. A grassroot level worker, Hukkeri won the Chikkodi-Sadalga seat for the second time. He was an MLC from 1988 to 1994 and also served as Congress Chief Whip. He was Agriculture Marketing minister earlier. He also runs educational institutions and owns a sugar factory.

All About Belgaum

by Swatee Jog

The first thing that struck you when you entered Polyhydron was the board that said ‘Keep your ego and footwear outside’. Seeing the Managing Director donning the company uniform,  sitting on a simple table and chair, his workstation strewn with neatly arranged Knick knacks amidst Swami Vivekanand quotes, came as a surprise for the first time. One could never stray in conversation with him. He valued your times more than his own, perhaps. Meeting him on multiple occasions was a revelation of sorts. His chamber had an enviable collection of books and the ‘Music of Business’ that he gifted me stands a place of pride in my collection. He deftly handled his large screen computers, poring into details, excusing himself till the work at hand was done. Our conversation would always be focused. As part of a B-school, we could visit Business Ashram multiple times and still recall one occasion when rains loomed in the skies and he still managed to reach the Ashram in time just so that he could interact with our students. ‘Keep your footwear in that room, or they will get wet’ he advised them.

Our institute, Bharatesh Global Business School, felicitated him last year during The HR Conclave which had the theme ‘Employee first, Customer next’. He was felicitated at the hands of Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, President and CEO of Fiat Automobiles. Polyhydron’s Wealth Distribution System is worth emulating by all business houses. He shared a part of the company’s profits with the employees, never encouraged over time ( Work hard for 8 hours and then go and enjoy life was his simple ‘work-life balance’ mantra!) Hearing him speak about his Reva was another experience. Why he chose to buy the Reva over an SUV, how it saved him thousands, was not just about speaking, he flaunted the savings proudly on his car as well! How many of us would do that?

He was always all ears for any new thing that you’d want to share. Sharing Clayton Christensen’s ‘How would you measure your life’ , he showed his new book that he was reading, by a relatively new author in Marathi, on the same subject. Then for the next few minutes, you could witness his thoughts on life. Then he shared his formula for a happy life. He said happiness in life was inversely proportional to expectations. The more you expect from life, the less happy you are and vice Versa. There’s a difference between ‘ not being happy’ and ‘being sad’, he clarified, wheeling happily from his chair on which he  lay confined while he had fractured his leg. One could see the pain, not of the fracture, but of the built up nervous energy of not being able to move freely.  The passion with which he spoke about his company, his work ethics, employee policies, was akin to a parent speaking about his child. To him, business and ethics were synonymous and he stayed true to his beliefs, even sounding eccentric at times. There were many who may have  wanted to live life the way he did, but for sure, few will be able to.

It was a proud moment for us when he invited us to come for a special Sunday morning gathering with a select few who would share the best of books and experiences. This meet was timed at 6.30 on Sundays, so that only those who passionately felt, would come.  He said he’d let us know when. We’re left waiting.

All About Belgaum

by Sameer Majali

Walking up to the call of the clock meant embracing another hot, clear summer day. As I gathered my senses, the eyes sought the familiar sight of daybreak. Something was amiss. The chill was apparent and so was the shroud as clouds lay their dark carpet over the heavens. A telephone call shattered the silence and a family friend broke the news much dreaded. There was an emergency and the industrial stalwart Mr. Suresh Hundre had been rushed to hospital. Anxious thoughts prevailed over the morning walk and the return saw worst fears come true. Mr. Hundre was no more.

What was he to me is a question of a thousand thoughts. A familiar person who waved a smile on the street as he drove by, a person of repute who touched a myriad of aspects of private and public life in town, an industrialist who gave new sense and standards to business, the founder of the ‘Temple of Business Ethics aka Business Ashram’, a leader who took up the cause of Ekal foundation for education in rural areas, an advisor and inspiration to many, the list seems endless.

What was he to me is something that I would take time to sort out but one thing is true, he left behind a vacuum that will be felt in multiple domains of life in town.

Do the elements of nature really mourn the passing of the great? Superstition or coincidence, my guess is as good as that of anyone in town.

Rest in peace Sir, I am quite sure that you will be silent witness to the efforts of others as they attempt to carry forward you baton of ethics and the greater good.
You symbolize what I call “The Power of One”!

All About Belgaum

Suresh Hundre noted industrialist from Belgaum Expired this morning due to a massive heart attack.
The last rites would be performed at 3 pm at Shahpur crematorium.

All About Belgaum

A 7th grade student who studied in “Jail School” said, don’t worry this is no school for children in jail or for the siblings of the ones in jail. This is Government Kannada Medium School No. 14 at Vadagaon, which is also called as Jail school by the locals for the only reason being it was a jail earlier in the pre independence era.

There are many structures in Belgaum built during the British Era, and are still utilized by the government for various purposes.

According to the locals we spoke to, the School (Jail earlier) was built in somewhere in early 1900′s as a Jail.

The area of the school is also very large with a huge playground now in front of it and a very big old well built with stone and also has many fruit bearing trees.

Vadgaon was part of Princely state of Kurundwad state ruled by Royal Patwardhan family and it was a jail of Kurundwad Sarkar. If one goes a little further the same alley one can find the palace of Kurundwad Raja Junior.

Sindhur Laxman revolutionary who fought against British rule like Sangolli Rayanna was held captive in this prison. His heroic life and valor still praised and sung in folk songs in rural North Karnataka.

All About Belgaum

U.S. Consul-General, Chennai, Jennifer McIntyre has said the U.S. Consulate is focusing on tier-II cities in south India with the objective of strengthening trade ties between the U.S. and India. She further said next time she would visit Belgaum.

Source: The Hindu

All About Belgaum