The Toll collection in the name of License fees is on in the Cantonment areas and very serious objections have been raised by the public.

Suresh Angadi member of parliament Belgaum has written a letter to the CEO Cantonment board asking under what act this toll is being imposed.

We quote from the letter

“Adverting to above, its been observed that a process to collect the toll, from various Commercial vehicles, moving in the domain of the Belgaum Cantonment limits, is being undertaken by the Cantonment Board authorities , at nearly seven points of the area, since few days. This process is causing undue hindrance to the poor operator of the Goods vehicles of my Parliamentary Constituency.

In this regard may I know as to under
1) What prevailing Act this process of collecting toll is undertaken.

2)Is the similar process of collecting the Toll is in vogue in the Cantonment limits of other states in the Country being followed.

3) Members of Parliament viz: Sri Prabhakar Kore Ji.Hin MP,( Rajya Sabha), Sri Shanappa. Hon’ MP( Rajya Sabha) Ramesh katti Hon’MP (Lok Sabha) and myself represent the Belgaum District.
But the matter isn’t brought to the notice, before the imposition process of the tax. Can we not call it a dictatorship attitude of the Cantt authorities.

In this regard I call for supply of necessary information as above and, immediate stoppage of the act of collecting the toll till the matter stands resolved in the meeting of all the concerned Member of Parliament, is summoned from your end in the Public interest.”

The Rotary Club is organising a Rotary Global Swimarathon – setting a new World Record (presently 2533) for the most number of people swimming at the same time anywhere in the world and raising funds towards Rotary Internationals worldwide project to eradicate Polio.
The event will be held on Saturday 25th February 2012. On this day as many Rotary Clubs around the world are going to hold a mini “Rotary Swimarathon” between 1200 to 1300 hours GMT (IST 05.30 to 06.30p.m.)
To qualify for attempt, `To break the World Record` within that hour as many people as possible from Belgaum are required to swim just 4 lengths (100 Meters) non-stop at the Rotary Corporation Swimming Pool, Goaves, Belgaum.
Please Register your names at the Rotary Corporation Swimming Pool Belgaum by paying a nominal entrance fee of Rs. 200/-(Rupees Two Hundred only) for Adults and Rs.100/- (Rupees One Hundred only)for students. The entrance fee will go to the ` End Polio Now campaign`. Every Participant will get a Rotary Global Swimarathon WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT Certificate of Participation.
After 20 years of hard work, Rotary and its partners are on the brink of eradicating this tenacious disease, but a strong push is needed now to root it out once and for all. It is a window of opportunity of historic proportions.
Rotary Global Swimarathon Event Chairman Roger Graves said – it all started as a joke to hold a Global Swimarathon but now the reality is setting in and we hope to achieve the following across the world:-
1. Set a new World Record for the most number of people swimming at the same time
2. Raise funds towards the elimination of Polio
3. Increase the awareness of Rotary
4. Encourage more people to swim and stay fit
A great opportunity for the campaign, a great opportunity for Rotary, a great opportunity to stay fit and a great opportunity for Rotary to go into the World Record Book.
This event is sponsored by BT Patil & Sons Charitable Trust, Belgaum
For details contact Prakash Mithare – 9986086803
Umesh Kalghatgi – 9448187333
Prasad Tendolkar – 9845429093

When everyone leaves them to die, we have one caring hand who takes care of the destitutes as her own siblings, meet Yvonne Lomax who runs a destitute home, “Home for Homeless” in Ganeshpur, Belgaum.

Big books/talks on corporate social responsibility is now, a big fad and big corporates have huge team working for a better CSR, but look at this lady who stands strong all alone and runs the “Home for Homeless” at Ganeshpur. The lady never thinks twice before she picks up a sick person lying on the streets or even untreated at hospitals.

After her husband’s death(Dr.Raymond) Yvonne Lomax shifted to Belgaum which was her home town. She came back to Belgaum making a plan that she would now care for the destitutes.

Yvonne Lomax was born in Madurai and her father was in the army and hence traveled a lot and she completed her SSLC from St. Joesph’s Convent Belgaum in 1966.

She has a 26 year daughter who is mentally challenged and suffering from a kidney ailment, where only 65% of her kidney is in working condition and every couple of hours urine has to be physically removed. Doctors say that it is very close to miracle that she is being living without Dialysis for over 18 years now.

Yvonne even at this age is very active and takes care of the people who are not cared of. She visits the civil hospital on a regular basis to take care of the people who are not cared for.

While in Goa, she had attended to a few sick and needy individuals. Back in Belgaum, she decided to work seriously towards providing shelter for the destitutes. She was getting a handsome pension she decided to work for the people who need care and are not cared for. To begin with she started to visit the Civil hospital, where she saw people lying on the floor untreated for their wounds, not bathed for over months.

One day Yvonne found a woman by name Kasturi lying in a drain with worms eating her wounds on the head. She brought her home, cleaned the wounds and gave her first aid. When Kasturi’s condition worsened, Yvonne took her to the district hospital and got her wounds treated. After three months of proper treatment Kasturi recovered.

In this manner she started treating people and many started leaving the mentally challenged at her door as well. Yvonne’s ashram also shelters five old women, who were rejected by their children. Yvonne takes care of these bedridden people with the help of two helpers. Cleaning the inmates, washing their clothes, giving them a hair cut and shaving the male inmates to entertaining them, Yvonne does almost everything for the inmates of her “Home for Homeless”. She has even purchased a van to take the dead to the graveyard and to bring the helpless to the ashram.

But this journey of hers has not been a smooth, she was alleged of selling kidneys and she says, “I have gone to all police stations and I was made to sit there and cases were filed. But in the court nothing could be proved and all cases were withdrawn.”

While speaking to us she also recalled an incident where the mother of a big doctor was kept at the ID (infectious diseases) ward even when she had no infectious disease. She was bed ridden and could not get up and hence she was thrown here. Infact Yvonne adds that the ID ward always has no patients with infectious diseases, but rather has patients who have been left by their relatives as they cant take care of their loved ones and just leave them there and go away never to see them again.

Yvonne recalled also one story of an air Commodore who was brain dead and hence was left to die at the civil hospital. She took care of him and he died after 15 days. After his death the police along with the relatives of the commodore came to her ashram and asked for the gold he was wearing. In-fact all the gold was taken away when they threw him at the civil hospital only, but even then these people came not for the body but for the gold.

She was recently felicitated for her contribution by KLE CBALC at their annual fest.
When we asked her what was your inspiration?
She took a deep breath and said calmly, “Jesus Christ, He is the one who inspires me to do all the work.”

What were the challenges faced?

Yvonne  ——- >   Challenges are a never ending phenomenon of life, they only leave you when you leave this earth. Most of the people whom I care for are physically challenged and more over mentally torn apart. As they are not cared for or left off, they feel they are of no use to the society. Then they gain some mental illness when in reality they are not ill. If they are allowed to live a good life like if we make them feel special, care for them one can come out of the traumas easily to an extent. I get nail polish and apply it on my nails and also ask my female inmates to do so, they feel shy but I say who will see you apply and then see your self, this builds self esteem in them which is the most needed. I had two ladies who were mentally very sick, they used to tear clothes, beat anyone who came close to them but now they are calm and apply nail polish, cut vegetables.

How do you manage to run the show?

Yvonne  ——- >   I get a pension with which I mainly run this home. And also there are people who donate on some occasions but mainly people donate in kind like food, grains etc. I never ask for any donations. I collect food after we get a call after a marriage or receptions, we go there collect the unused food and then come back.

How is that you keep yourself so fit?

Yvonne  ——- >   Laughs and says I am healthy and all that due to Gods grace.I have had two heart surgeries for blockages in 1981 and 1997. I am an Asthamatic and 6 years ago I used to spend two months in hospital each year. Also had a severe migraine problem but since I am doing this work all is well and I am not affected by anything now. I only pray to God- keep my daughter healthy and I will continue to work for the destitute’s.

Some experiences with the Govt you had?

Yvonne  ——- >   Ohh my experiences with the Govt. has been not so very good. I have complained about things not happening the way they should and I dont fear anyone. But not all hear to me or take action on the complaints I have made which are all genuine. I have also made use of the RTI act many a times to get information and then I have lodged complaints.

 Tell us more about social life?

Yvonne  ——- >   Social life, there is no social life for me. I am like a Sanyasi, I don’t go anywhere. People kept me far away like an out cast when I began this work, I said ok. I used to clean up the beggars, feed them, dress them and I dont feel anything wrong in it. I love doing it and caring for them as no one else is doing.

What is your message to the readers?

Yvonne  ——- >   Message! I am no big person to give a message, but yes I would love to say, have compassion on the less fortunate. You spend so many millions on luxury; spend a few on these people.

Go to the civil hospital they have no food no medicines even when govt says all medicines should be given free only cheap medicines are given and all others have to be bought for which they have no money.

Think about the poor, I have seen poverty at its best. Do good for some one, spend 5% on the poor.

Yvonne Lomax, Home for the Homeless, Main Road, Ganeshpur Belgaum 591108

Contact No: 96111 85452

Photo Credits: Vinayak Talukar from Belgaum Photographer’s Circle

Thanks to Vinayak & Rotaract Club of Belgaum North.

In the match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy – South Zone Belgaum boy Ronit More took 6 wickets and gave away 18 runs against the match against Goa.

Goa were bowled out for 54 in 20.3 overs thanks to Ronit More.

Karnataka won the match by 8 wickets with 225 balls remaining.

6.3 overs
1 Maiden
18 Runs
6 Wickets

See the Scoreboard 

Read Ronit More brief interview published earlier

Two people lost their lives yesterday in different accidents.

Mainuddin Khalifa(30) was killed on college road as a bus hit him. People near the spot said he was wearing earphones and he was carrying a helmet but he did not wear it.

In another case a Military jawan Khajasab Jamadar (21) who had a bought a new mobile tried to cross the gate while speaking on the mobile and was hit by the train and he too died on the spot.

A new Multi-Axle volvo 53-seater bus from Belgaum to Chennai via Bangalore will be launched from February 20 by KSRTC.

The bus will leave Belgaum at 12.15 p.m. and reach Bangalore at 9 p.m. and Chennai the next day morning at 4 a.m.

In the return journey, the bus will leave Chennai at 1.15 p.m. and reach Bangalore at 7.15 p.m. and arrive at Belgaum at 5.30 a.m. the next morning.

The bus will halt only at Dharwad and Hubli.

The fare for Belgaum-Bangalore route is Rs. 585 and that for Belgaum-Chennai is Rs. 1,275.

This is the first bus in the premium class by which one can reach Bangalore in the night and can also travel to Chennai directly.

The Multi axle buses have become very popular and the maintainence of the same has also been good.

Online booking can be done on http://www.ksrtc.in but when we tried the site was down.

The Cantonment has begun the toll collection named by them as “license fees” for commercial vehicles entering Cantonment area.

See this photo taken on Congress road.

Some questions the Cantonment should answer-

Who gave them permission to collect this toll in Corporation limits? The truck in the photo is in Corporation limits and these people have no right to stop vehicles here.

Who gave them permission to stop vehicles without any boards?

A couple of people with sticks (AABs editor has seen this) stand in the middle of the road to block the trucks to collect the toll.

In India KEEP LEFT is the rule. So in this case traffic should be blocked on LEFT hand side.
Why should we be forced to overtake from the RIGHT? which is wrong
By the manner in which the traffic is blocked is gain dangerous and there will be instances of vehicles hitting each other.
What permission do these folks have to block the traffic on the road in this manner?
If law exists in this land then this should be stopped and the Traffic police should see that they do this where there is sufficient space.

Another problem is they are collecting toll each time the vehicle passes so one will need to pay toll each time, this is not correct.

Also it was seen a few trucks were left off without collecting toll why is this?

This is is just one example of whats happening on Congress road, on other 3 locations also same things are happening.

A few questions to the Police who maintain law and order in the city-

Did they take permission from you to block traffic in tr his fashion? If we have to take out a procession of 50 people we need permission from the Police, have you given in this case.

Will you book cases against the toll collectors for blocking traffic?

One question also to the elected representatives -

Isn’t it your duty to see that such acts are hampering the movement of the people or is it that you will only come to the citizens once in Five Years. We have learned that Belgaum Rural MLA Sanjay Patil has met Chief secretary Karnataka and told him about this.

See at Kolhaput where the IRB planned to start toll and the entire city came out on roads and said no to toll until all the roads are 100% complete.

Belgaum wake up this is just the beginning of the TOLL MAFIA in the city.

Attestation parade for the recruits of the Maratha Light infantry Regimental Centre was held today at 0730 hrs at Talekar Drill Square of The MARATHA Light Infantry Regimental Centre. A batch of 168 recruits of group 3/11 who successfully completed their training were attested and will soon be going to different parts of the country in the service of nation.

The parade was reviewed by Brig C K Ramesh, Commandant, The MARATHA Light Infantry Regimental Centre. The impressive oath taking ceremony was held in the presence of the National Flag and Regimental Colours. The young soldiers swore to serve their motherland and to protect its integrity even at the cost of their lives. In his address to the newly attested soldiers, Brig C K Ramesh, reminded them of their proud, Regimental heritage and their commitment to the country’s security. He expressed confidence that their training in the Regimental Centre would stand them in good stead in all their future assignments.

The parade was commanded by Rect Nimonkar Manoj with the Parade Adjutant Major Yogesh Dhoomal .The reviewing officer gave away various Medals to recruits excelling in different spheres of training at the end of the Parade. The Naik Yashwant Ghadge, Medal, Victoria Cross Medal, Hofe Trophy, Colonell RD Nikam Trophy and cash prize for best Recruit (over all best) was awarded to Recruit Amol Makare . Major SS Barar medal and Trophy for best in Physical Training was awarded to Recruit Ashok Jadhav . For Best in Field Craft Training the Col NJ Nair, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra Medal and Trophy was awarded to Recruit Dipak Pokharkar . Honorary Captain Keshav Rao Talekar Medal and Trophy for Best in Drill was awarded to Recruit Nimonkar Manoj . Sucha Singh memorial cup and medal for Best in outdoor activities was awarded to Recruit Kendre Sharad , Recruit Amit Metange was awarded Naik Namdev Jadhav Victoria Cross medal and Firing Trophy for his performance in the firing.

A host of Army officers, Junior Commissioned Officers, Other Ranks and families of the newly attested recruits were present to witness the parade, which was followed by tea for the newly attested soldiers and all audience.

Ronit Gajanan More the upcoming cricket star from Belgaum has been selected in the Karnataka State one day team for the Ranji trophy matches which starts from February 20.

Ronit has been playing cricket since the age of 10 and he dreams to make it to the Indian team one day. This season he took 11 wickets in 5 one day matches that he played for a tournament which was for under 25. This has brought him to the lime light and got selected for the one day squad for the state.

Ronit did his schooling from Gomatesh and his pre university from Gogte college and now is doing his Bachelors of commerce from Jain college.

He has played for Under-15s (2006/07), Karnataka Under-19s (2008/09-2010/11), Malleswaram Gymkhana (2008/09), Karnataka State Cricket Association Colts XI (2010/11), Belagavi Panthers (2010/11), South Zone Under-19s (2010/11), Australian Institute of Sport (2011), Karnataka State Cricket Association XI (2011/12), Karnataka Under-22s (2011/12).

He has been taking training for over two years now at the MRF pace foundation Chennai. He has taken coaching from Sangam Patil in Belgaum.

Speaking to this blog he said, “Now I am completely concentrating on my cricket and I would like perform well in the current one day tournament. For me cricket is my life and I am devoting my 100% for the game. It feels great when people call me and ask me questions and take interviews feels like I have achived something, but I know I still have a very long way to go.”

Born February 11, 1992, Belgaum, Karnataka

Bowling style Right-arm medium
Batting style Right-hand bat

Ronit More with Irfan Pathan

The 11th Swimming Coaching Camp for the Disabled & Under privileged was inaugurated by Dy. Commissioner yesterday.

150 children, with various handicaps, blind, hearing and talking disabilities, physically & mentally challenged, orphans and poor children have taken part in this camp. They are all provided with costumes, snacks, transport from and to their institutions, medical and other checkups etc during the camp. Promising swimmers are further encouraged during the year. They are sent for swimming meets and encouraged in every way to improve. The children are not only trained by the experts but the elder children who have been trained here earlier take active part in training the new children. The training camp goes on for a period of 25 days and this time 150 children from the age group of 4 years to 14 years are participating. The organizers with the help of some good Samaritan make transport arrangements and also for the costumes of the children.

DC A Kumar along with Rtn Avinash Potdar, Umesh Kalghatgi, sudhir Kusane

There are many a success stories here, take Atish Jadhav, who could not stand straight, after training here he won the Gold at the Special Olympics held at Athens.

Once you see these children you think these are really special children but they cannot walk or talk or see as normal ones. But seeing the enthusiasm at the pool side was amazing. Imagine watching a 12 year old completely blind girl by birth jumping from a 10 feet platform with confidence, is amazing.

File Photo

On Fri. 18th Feb. a function was arranged at the Rotary Corp. Swimming Pool wherein the Dy.Commissioner of Belgaum, Shri Ambukumar, Shri Y. S. Patil, Commissioner, City Corporation, Shri R. S. Naik, Executive Engineer, and Rtn Avinash Potdar, District Governor, R. I. Dist 3170, visited the XI Swimming Coaching Camp for the Disabled and Underprivileged, conducted by Swimmers’ Club, Belgaum , Aquarius Swim Club and Rotary Club of Belgaum and co-sponsored by KLE University.

You can contact: Umesh Kalghatgi – 9448187333 or Prasad Tendolkar – 9845429093 if you intend to help the organizers.