Indo-Chinese joint army exercise in Belgaum this December

India and China yesterday agreed to hold their next joint army exercise at Belgaum this December. The fortnight-long exercise, the first on Indian soil.

Army headquarters sources told PTI here that though the dates and venue for the exercise were agreed to "tentatively," at the bilateral meeting in progress in Beijing at present, a final confirmation from the Chinese was expected soon. Belgaum has been suggested as the exercise venue by India, as it is home for its Army's Commando School.

This is great news for Belgaumites, a few years back there was another such international army exercise held in Belgaum and now the Chinese will be coming here. Belgaum will come on the global map due to this. I guess one more good thing happening to Belgaum.

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20081107/1416/tnl-indo-chinese-joint-army-exercise-in.html

Blackout to continue

Yesterdays post at around 6.15pm was the last post when again there was a black out and power was only back after midnight.

In the morning the same story, now people don’t ask whether the power has failed they ask “You have Power, luck man”.

There were many SMS circulating in the city Saying "Welcome to Maharashtra" the reason being the huge amount of load shedding being done in Maharashtra of about 6-7 hours daily. The same situation or infact something more serious than that is in Karnataka now.

Council Chairman wants session in Belgaum

Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Veeranna Mathikatti today urged the State Government to convene session of the both the Houses of Karnataka Legislature at Belgaum as early as possible.
Speaking to newspersons here, Mr Mathikatti said it had been decided to convene the Legislative Session annually at Belgaum.
A special session of the Legislature was held for the first time at Belgaum, away from Bangalore, in 2006 and was yet to host another session.
Source: http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20081106/1097478.html

Total Black outs in Belgaum

Belgaum is facing acute power shortage and after a day’s black out yesterday today was even worse. I could not even update the blog as there was no power in my home as well as office. Power went off at 7am in the morning and has come back at 5.15pm and I am updating the blog now.
All have gone mad and the business is hit. All at home also work is stuck up due to power cuts. No pumps running so no water and added bonus.

Power cuts hits city life

Since Sunday, the city is facing acute power shortage due to some technical snag in the generation units in the state and that is causing HESCOM to cut power for above 5-6 hours daily.
Yesterday there was a power cut of 6 hours and more in some other parts of the city. The worst part is the lights go off at any time hence causing a lot of trouble. The industrial people are hit the most as they have to bear more cuts than the usual 4 hours daily. The generators are back to work and don’t know till when this will last.

Eco ‘Logical’ tours with KAMAT ECOTOURS & JUNGLE HOLIDAYS

KAMAT ECOTOURS & JUNGLE HOLIDAYS, is an organization of dedicated professionals from the fields like Eco -Tourism, Outdoor Adventures, Environment Education, with proven credentials in their respective fields and many years of rich experience backing them. We offer the best of their knowledge to get you a truly memorable ‘Eco – experience’. Experience the hospitality in nature with us in a different way!

It is run by Mr. Vaibhav Kamat, D-2 , 340, Devarshi. ROY ROAD, TILAKWADI, BELGAUM. They represent India’s Premier Eco tourism company Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd. in Maharashtra as Authorized Business Associate. They have wilderness camps, Beach resorts, Mahaseer fishing camps, Wildlife resorts, Relaxing in Nature camps , Ayurveda Resorts, Houseboats and many more to enjoy.

The company offers custom trips to those keen on experiencing Wild India. They lead groups interested in wildlife study, bird watching and wilderness & adventure in South India. They aim to ensure total customer satisfaction. They want travelers to gain great Confidence and closeness to Nature, first-hand experience of the wilderness and insight into India’s Natural History and Wildlife, so that they go back with greater appreciation.

They have made themselves focus their services in the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Goa. Right from the launch of ‘KAMAT ECOTOURS’ in the year 2000, the travelers have appreciated our efforts to give them the most enjoyable and memorable holidays in eco’logical’ way.

They organize the following: Wildlife Packages in Jungle Lodges & Resorts .

Holidays in nature & pure wildlife destinations.

Kabini River Lodge – Bandipur Safari Lodge- K.Gudi Wilderness Camp- Dubare Elephant Camp – Cikada Wilderness Resort- Orange County Kabini – RiverTern Lodge- Bhimeshwari Fishing Camps- Galibore- Doddamakali Fishing Camps.

Family Get-togethers and events in Nature.

Student’s camps and Adventure outings.

Corporate team buildings & Outings.

Senior citizen’s Tours.

Ladies special tours and packages.

Tailor-made trips and Birding trails.

Its sounds just great to me to go out of this place and have a Eco logical break and get back to my senses. Many people from Mumbai, Bangalore and others places go in for such places to rejuvenate themselves. I guess if anyone plans something for a holiday then this time call up KAMAT ECOTOURS & JUNGLE HOLIDAYS and get yourself a nice tour arranged.

I haven’t been to any such trips, but I guess, Mr. Vaibhav Kamat, a Belgaumite is doing wonderful job by organizing such trips and taking us all close to nature.

Disclaimer: I have not tried the company’s services; I am just posting here so that people are aware that such a service from Belgaum exists.

Source: http://www.jungleholidays.co.in/

Relaince Fresh: Review:Something Fresh to Refresh

In my FIR (First Investigation Report) series, I review the newly opened shops, in the same series, here’s Reliance Fresh, Khanapur Road, Belgaum.

The frontage of the Fresh outlet is big and about 5 cars can be parked in front and about 30 odd two wheelers can be accommodated in front of the outlet it self. Others will have to find place to park cars along side of the road, which is possible as there is space after the road. However, there is no security guard on duty and hence there is a huge chance of your car being trapped in between a few others, as was mine today.

Ambience, great, with the AC was on even when there was load shedding was a plus point, presentation and layout similar to other outlets. Left to right: Vegetables, fruits, grains, toiletries, cosmetics, and confectioneries.

No much discounts or offers as seen in Big Bazaar but a few were there which is company given so they are available at your next door kirarna store also. I just overheard a announcement of a Special offer of icecream.

Now to the pricing: I was amazed with the pricing of vegetables, which I really thought were not so Fresh, all vegetables. See the image for a price comparison done on 04-11-2008. The prices were taken by me first hand at Fresh and then at the 1st Gate vegetable market. You see and decide. Only the prices of Potato and Tomatoes were less than those of Fresh prices, in all others Fresh prices were lower, in fact far lower. But to add to this the vegetables in the market were far more Fresh looking than those in Fresh outlet. Therefore, the price comparison may differ. I did not buy vegetables in Fresh outlet but bought a few at the market. Tough I spent Rs.300 at Fresh it was all Biscuits, chocolates & Cosmetics. The prices in the main market would be cheaper by about Rs.3-5 in which case those prices would be lower than those of Fresh also.
In addition, there was a variety of goods like food grains, cosmetics, blankets, towels, mats, cushion covers and of course carbonated beverages and stuff.

I was there at 6.30pm and was not so crowded as still many do not know about it. I also saw a few next-door neighbors of Fresh shop there. The 2nd outlet at Hotel Hanuman, near JNMC is also operational.

Your thoughts on this please, if anyone of you had been there your comments on the same.
Bottom line: Visit once at least, you will end up buying something that is for sure.

BJP Shashikant A Naik Wins

BJP’s Shashikant A Naik has won the Belgaum Legislative Council members from local bodies’ constituencies against S C Malagi of Congress.

By-elections were held as Satish Jarakiholi (JD-S), resigned their council membership to contest Assembly elections.

Forums launched on Belgaumblog

Forums have been launched on the site. You can directly go to the forums page http://belgaumblog.com/forum
I request all readers to utilize the Forums to share their knowledge and help each other. You can use Forums to share your knowledge or even ask queries. Just be a part of it and all will be benefited.

Niranjan Navalgund wins bronze at World Youth Chess Championship held in Vietnam

Niranjan Chandrashekar Navalgund has won himself a bronze medal at the World Youth Chess Championship held in Vietnam.
This blog had posted about his participation, see here
Congrats! Niranjan You made us proud.

Stone throwing during Rajaotsav celebrations

Stone throwing during Rajaotsav celebrations
Autorikshaws damaged: Lathi charge done at Khadak Galli
The police did not specifically state the cause of the incident, reliable sources in the department said the trouble started when a saffron kite was spotted near Khadak Galli, off Rani Channamma Circle-Shaniwarkut Road. On spotting the kite, some of the Kannada activists protested.
Suddenly, stones were pelted and the windshields of five autorickshaws parked on one side of the street were smashed.
The police, who were taken unawares, used their lathis to break up the procession and brought the situation under control. The procession resumed after the tension eased.
Four persons injured in the melee were admitted to hospital. Some of the police personnel also suffered minor injuries in the stone pelting.
On the other side, Kannada Rajyotsava was celebrated with added pomp and fanfare this year on Saturday as the long-standing demand to accord classical language status for Kannada was granted.
Source: The Hindu See Image in Tarun Bharat

November 1: Kala Din Vs Rajotsava= No business

As on every year, this year also there was a total bandh call given by the MES (Maharashtra Ekikarn Samiti). The effects of the bandh call easily visible in the main market areas as most of the shops were closed or were just half opened. There was a cycle rally organized by the MES in Shahpur and a meeting at the Maratha Mandir at 1 pm.

The Rajotsav procession was as usual with pomp and glamour and also dolby.Shops enroute the Rajotsav procession were also closed, as it is normally done by all shop keepers during processions. The procession was on until 5pm I could see one truck passing by.
Overall this is was a bad day for business as there were very few people on the streets and the streets were deserted to an extent especially Ramdev Galli, Khade bazaar, Samadevi galli etc.

L'Oreal Professional beauty salon in Belgaum

L'Oréal Professionnel - In the salons of the world's greatest hairdressers.

L'Oreal Professional beauty salon will open in Belgaum on November 7 above the Pepe Jeans showroom near the Kolhapur Cross.

L’Oréal Professionnel works in partnership with L’Oréal Professionnel salons to help hairdressers to dream, excel and succeed. L’Oréal Professionnel combines our passion for fashion with cutting edge technology, to bring you a portfolio of high performance products that meet your needs, allowing you and your hairdresser to push creativity and achieve outstanding results.
So now Belgaumites have a new hairstylists in town.Location Map
L'Oreal Professional

Siddanagowda Patil gets Social Service Rajyotsava awards

Siddanagowda Patil from Belgaum will get the Rajyotsava awards under the Social service category. He is the only person from Belgaum to be awarded this year.
Karnataka government has selected 89 personalities Rajyotsava awards recipients of the award will get Rs 1 lakh in cash besides 20 grams of gold. In the previous year only 20 grams of gold was given as part of the award. He along with other 88 persons will be honored on November 1.
Source Deccan Herald

Another wholesale vegetable market in Belgaum

The wholesale vegetable market at the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) yard here was inaugurated on Wednesday amid controversy following refusal by a few dealers to shift from the market on Fort Road to the new premises.

The fort road whole sale vegetable market is very congested and also causes a lot traffic jams and congestion. In addition the space is also not sufficient; hence there is a jostle for space by all. The trucks and Lorries stand on the road causing hardships to the regular traffic.
A few dealers are refusing to shift to the new market have their own reasons for their decision. Also, there is speculation that the middlemen, who will be losing their commission if all dealers shift to the new market, are influencing some of them against shifting. All the 150 shops allotted to wholesale vegetable dealers at the new market had been occupied. The Government had initiated measures to set up a separate wholesale vegetable market at a different location.

With the new market you could now get and sell all the vegetables at one place, earlier all the green vegetables were bought and sold at the Fort road market and potatoes and onions were sold at the APMC market. Now that all have come under one roof it should be easier for all to do trade.
Source The Hindu