Smart Retail: Reviewed: FIR
8:41 PM Posted by ukmad
Smart Retail has just opened a month back on Club Road at Thakkar Plaza near Harsha. 
Here is the Review of the same:
A regular retail super Shoppe but the name is a bit unknown. Its website http://smartretail.co.in/ does not open at this time, so I could not get the details of the company and its operations.
To begin with, the arrangement from LEFT to right, vegetables on the left then fruits, cold beverages, ready to eats, groceries, soaps and one complete section on the right of the entrance where there is cutlery and storage jars.
Vegetables were in huge quantities and almost all had 2 varieties one looked very fresh and one a bit stale and both were priced also in that manner, the fresher the costlier. Some vegetables like Gourd, Capsicum was very fresh.
Now to the pricing: Vegetable pricing was high; if you, compare it to local Main market (Ganpat Galli and beyond) the prices of vegetables are costly. Onions were Rs.16.90/Kg in the market it was Rs.14/kg. It was with beans Smart price was Rs.35/Kg market it was Rs.20/Kg. Sugar was Rs.20/Kg and in market, it was Rs.19/Kg.
The over arrangement and ambience was ok, AC was off and was a bit hot. Staff was trained but did not find the zeal with their work. There are in total 3 cash counters 2 in the centre at the entrance and one at the left corner.
One notable thing which I had made earlier also, Purohit Sweets and Savories have found a place for themselves in almost all these super markets, may it be Big Bazaar or Reliance fresh.
On a scale of 10, I would rate it 6.5, ok average buying experience. I did buy a few things and my bill said I saved Rs.6.25 so you know how much you saved if you bought somewhere else, all these items were MRP based. If you are near to it, then it is the nearest best option.
A regular retail super Shoppe but the name is a bit unknown. Its website http://smartretail.co.in/ does not open at this time, so I could not get the details of the company and its operations.
To begin with, the arrangement from LEFT to right, vegetables on the left then fruits, cold beverages, ready to eats, groceries, soaps and one complete section on the right of the entrance where there is cutlery and storage jars.
Vegetables were in huge quantities and almost all had 2 varieties one looked very fresh and one a bit stale and both were priced also in that manner, the fresher the costlier. Some vegetables like Gourd, Capsicum was very fresh.
Now to the pricing: Vegetable pricing was high; if you, compare it to local Main market (Ganpat Galli and beyond) the prices of vegetables are costly. Onions were Rs.16.90/Kg in the market it was Rs.14/kg. It was with beans Smart price was Rs.35/Kg market it was Rs.20/Kg. Sugar was Rs.20/Kg and in market, it was Rs.19/Kg.
The over arrangement and ambience was ok, AC was off and was a bit hot. Staff was trained but did not find the zeal with their work. There are in total 3 cash counters 2 in the centre at the entrance and one at the left corner.
One notable thing which I had made earlier also, Purohit Sweets and Savories have found a place for themselves in almost all these super markets, may it be Big Bazaar or Reliance fresh.
On a scale of 10, I would rate it 6.5, ok average buying experience. I did buy a few things and my bill said I saved Rs.6.25 so you know how much you saved if you bought somewhere else, all these items were MRP based. If you are near to it, then it is the nearest best option.
The coloured Sky
8:00 PM Posted by ukmad
This is a picture taken by UkMaD on Tuesday evening near TV Centre, The whole sky had a orange colour after sunset.
Big Cinemas Belgaum launch postponed
7:58 PM Posted by ukmad
The Management in its email has only communicated & I quote “We have postponed the launch of BIG Cinemas in Belgaum. Shall keep you posted on the same”.
Load Shedding timetable changed: Evening time no power cuts
10:42 AM Posted by ukmad
The load-shedding timetable has been changed. The hours of power cut remain the same 3 hours, but the power cuts being done in the evening will now be done in the afternoon.
Every Monday the time will be shuffled, like if it was 8am to 10 am this week, next Monday it will be 6am to 8am.
Source: Tarun Bharat
Rapid action force in Belgaum
10:41 AM Posted by ukmad
About 20 odd jawans are here and they visited all the police stations in the city.
See [IMAGE]Many were astonished to see the RAF men in Belgaum. However, this time the govt is not taking any chances, I guess. In addition, as in the past Belgaum has seen some terror related activities the central Govt has deployed them here.
Police launch Crime Prevention month: safety tips issued
10:01 AM Posted by ukmad
According to Superintendent of Police Sonia Narang, residents should avoid keeping large amounts of cash and valuable ornaments in their houses and instead opt for safety lockers in banks.
They should install a door with iron bars inside their house, superior quality night latches and special eye lens on the main door.
Ideally, interaction with strangers and vendors should be through the grilled door.
High wattage light source with pilfer proof cover outside the main door should be installed for better illumination around the house.
While they go outstation, residents should not only inform their nearest police station but also their neighbors.
To take precaution against chain-snatchers, women going for a morning or evening walk should cover ornaments properly with their sari or dupatta.
They should not entertain unscrupulous elements coming home under the pretext of cleaning/polishing golden ornaments and other valuables.
Persons traveling in auto rickshaws should note down the registration number of the vehicles before boarding them.
She said the residents should check the antecedents/credentials of security guards and domestic servants before hiring them. They should insist on references and photographs.
They can also furnish particulars of domestic help and guards to the police.
They should avoid discussing money transactions and other important family matters in the presence of servants and outsiders.
People should be vigilant and inform the police about suspicious happenings or unclaimed objects found in suspicious circumstances and strangers moving suspiciously in their areas.
Thoughts on this please. Even after doing all this something happens who will take the responsibility, common people or the police or the Govt.
Source The Hindu
Belgaum ATS sleeping: Waiting for a Attack on the city
4:30 PM Posted by ukmad
We have yet been not a part to an attack but no one in this country is safe, now that Mr.Chidambaram is home minister we should just hope that he brings down Terrorism just has he brought down Share prices.
Though Belgaum is a known ‘sleeping cell’ for Islamic terrorists, the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) located in the city doesn’t have the teeth to fight or tackle possible terrorist attacks.
Established about six months ago, the ATS staff does not possess modern weapons, bulletproof jackets or even the necessary vehicles. Even the staff is not trained to the required standards to face terrorists. Then why call it ATS?
The ATS does not have a separate office from where it can work. At present, the civil police staff is used for ATS operations. It does not also have a professional informers’ network.
Belgaum is believed to be a ‘stopover’ for terrorists going to or coming from Mumbai. ATS sources confirmed to this website's newspaper that often, terrorists come to Belgaum to hide, after bomb blasts in Maharashtra.
Belgaum has been a den of terrorists since long. The arrest of terrorists - Liyaquat Abdulganni Sayyed, Naseer Ahmed Liyaquat Ali Patel, Nadeem Abdul Raheem Sayeed, Imtiaz Dalayat, Ijaz Hussain, Tanveer Mulla, Iqbal Ahmed Jakati and several others in Belgaum, while they were planning to cause violence in the city as well as in the district, speaks volumes about the growing terror activity in the region. During interrogation, they revealed that terrorists had also planned to blast a polling booth near Tilakwadi during the 2008 Assembly elections. One of the top terrorists Dr Munroz, who was arrested in Indore a couple of months ago, hails from Belgaum. A more shocking revelation was that these terrorists had also planned to kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi when he addressed the public in Belgaum during the Assembly election campaign.
Even after such serious developments, the state government has not woken up. They are not trained even to identify terrorists, let alone fight them. A senior officer told to this website's newspaper that the staff posted for ATS were mostly those considered ‘unwanted’ in the police department or those transferred as a means of punishment.
In case of a bomb threat, the ATS staff does not have the expertise even to detect explosives. Though they have the necessary equipment, they are not trained in their use.
ATS has just 11 members, a ridiculously low number, given that it is there to fight high-profile terrorists.
Sources said that the ATS had already submitted a proposal to the Home Minister requesting him to provide modern weapons and bulletproof jackets for the staff, apart from increasing their numbers substantially with trained personnel. Its proposal, however, is lying in cold storage.
After reading all this you will feel ashamed on any government, its only acts when something happens. All governments have been reactive, they should be proactive. They will only get up when something happens. Wake up politicians, WE need security, you live in full fledged security but what about the common man.
Your thoughts are a must please comment; speak out, if you don’t speak now you will never then.
Source: Express Buzz
Still a bumpy welcome to Belgaum
10:50 AM Posted by ukmad
On Sept 15 A bumpy welcome to Belgaum I had made this post.
Nothing much has changed over the past 2 months other than some bolders being put on the road but still it’s a dusty and bumpy ride from road leading to city at NH4 (road which leads to KLE).
The Belgaum authorities do a great job when some high profiler or big politician is coming to town. Dividers are washed, painted but the entrance of the city, Who cares? Most of the MP’s MLAs travel by air so they take the Hotel Shankam route or if they took the railway no question arises.
It’s we the common people who come in from that road and we will have to suffer I don’t know till when. Until then have a bumpy ride.Images are not very clear as they are taken on mobile.
Nothing much has changed over the past 2 months other than some bolders being put on the road but still it’s a dusty and bumpy ride from road leading to city at NH4 (road which leads to KLE).
The Belgaum authorities do a great job when some high profiler or big politician is coming to town. Dividers are washed, painted but the entrance of the city, Who cares? Most of the MP’s MLAs travel by air so they take the Hotel Shankam route or if they took the railway no question arises.
It’s we the common people who come in from that road and we will have to suffer I don’t know till when. Until then have a bumpy ride.Images are not very clear as they are taken on mobile.
BIG Cinemas @ Nucleus Mall is all set for launch in Belgaum on the 5th of December
10:10 PM Posted by ukmad
EXCLUSIVE
The wait is almost over; city’s first Multiplex, BIG Cinemas will start from 5th of December at the Nucleus Mall.
The details of the property are as below:
1.BIG Cinemas, Nucleus mall, Old Kapeel Theatre, Belgaum
2. Screen Nos. - 2
3. Screen Capacity: Screen 1 - 276 seats, Screen 2 - 468 seats
4. Features: fully air conditioned, plush push back seats, great sound and picture quality, world class auditoriums, great food & beverage offerings and many more
5. Tickets have been priced between Rs.40 to Rs.80 across 3 classes
If its news its broken at Belgaumblog.com
and all is official about it.
No Rumors Just plain News
Even before You read it in you paper
The wait is almost over; city’s first Multiplex, BIG Cinemas will start from 5th of December at the Nucleus Mall.
The details of the property are as below:
1.BIG Cinemas, Nucleus mall, Old Kapeel Theatre, Belgaum
2. Screen Nos. - 2
3. Screen Capacity: Screen 1 - 276 seats, Screen 2 - 468 seats
4. Features: fully air conditioned, plush push back seats, great sound and picture quality, world class auditoriums, great food & beverage offerings and many more
5. Tickets have been priced between Rs.40 to Rs.80 across 3 classes
If its news its broken at Belgaumblog.com
and all is official about it.
No Rumors Just plain News
Even before You read it in you paper
Source: Email from Shirish Srivastava
Manager - Marketing
BIG Cinemas
Meadows, Sahar Plaza, Floor 2nd,
Next to Kohinoor Continental Hotel,
Andheri-Kurla Road, Andheri (East),
Mumbai - 400 093.
Stars of Belgaum:Vayavya Labs
11:22 AM Posted by ukmad
Vayavya Labs
This is an interview with Mr.R K Patil of Vayavya Labs.
1. Vayavya Labs is an Electronic System Level tools provider? In lame words what does it really mean to a common man?
VLabs>> The increased complexity of chips (semiconductor chips) and associated software (commonly referred as embedded software) has resulted in stretching the time involved in bringing a product to market. Also the engineering effort and costs involved have gone up. System design companies are on the lookout for tools which can help them shrink development times, increase productivity of engineering teams and bring the products to market in shorter duration.
Electronic System Level (ESL) design methodology is an emerging field to address these industries need.
2. You started this startup in 2006, what made you start this? What was the motivation behind it?
VLabs>> We started the Company with the vision of doing something innovative and distinctive in technology space. The basic premise was that by adopting Vayavya's methodology, customers could raise the level of productivity and drastically reduce product development cycles thereby making huge cost savings and allowing a manufacture to bring new technology to the consumers faster.
On a different note, we also envision an India where technology growth doesn't get limited to just tier 1 cities, but gets spread all around the country.
3. You left your earlier job at Genesis Microchip Inc and started this, weren’t you afraid what will happen if I fail?
VLabs>> I was a fortunate guy to be in right time and in right company of people. Vayavya Labs is effort of a founding team that has common vision and goal. A job at MNC or for that matter any place can come by any time, however an opportunity to start something new arrives once in a while and one has to be prepared to seize it. I would say the "heart" decision ruled over "head" decision. I guess for all Vayavya team members, including me, we are set up for a great future. We believe in our vision and hence no need to be afraid of anything.
4. Also why Belgaum? You could have started it in Bangalore or Pune? Any specific reason behind it?
VLabs>> I ask why not Belgaum. Like any other place this place too has everything. It has a large skilled resource pool, good access to the nearest metros, climate conditions are just perfect. To top it I feel Belgaum is a mini-cosmopolitan without the nuances of traffic jams and concrete jungles!
I did my graduations here in Belgaum from GIT and some of the founding team members are from Belgaum. We always wanted to do something away from large metros and hence Belgaum was a natural choice.
This is an interview with Mr.R K Patil of Vayavya Labs.
1. Vayavya Labs is an Electronic System Level tools provider? In lame words what does it really mean to a common man?
VLabs>> The increased complexity of chips (semiconductor chips) and associated software (commonly referred as embedded software) has resulted in stretching the time involved in bringing a product to market. Also the engineering effort and costs involved have gone up. System design companies are on the lookout for tools which can help them shrink development times, increase productivity of engineering teams and bring the products to market in shorter duration.
Electronic System Level (ESL) design methodology is an emerging field to address these industries need.
2. You started this startup in 2006, what made you start this? What was the motivation behind it?
VLabs>> We started the Company with the vision of doing something innovative and distinctive in technology space. The basic premise was that by adopting Vayavya's methodology, customers could raise the level of productivity and drastically reduce product development cycles thereby making huge cost savings and allowing a manufacture to bring new technology to the consumers faster.
On a different note, we also envision an India where technology growth doesn't get limited to just tier 1 cities, but gets spread all around the country.
3. You left your earlier job at Genesis Microchip Inc and started this, weren’t you afraid what will happen if I fail?
VLabs>> I was a fortunate guy to be in right time and in right company of people. Vayavya Labs is effort of a founding team that has common vision and goal. A job at MNC or for that matter any place can come by any time, however an opportunity to start something new arrives once in a while and one has to be prepared to seize it. I would say the "heart" decision ruled over "head" decision. I guess for all Vayavya team members, including me, we are set up for a great future. We believe in our vision and hence no need to be afraid of anything.
4. Also why Belgaum? You could have started it in Bangalore or Pune? Any specific reason behind it?
VLabs>> I ask why not Belgaum. Like any other place this place too has everything. It has a large skilled resource pool, good access to the nearest metros, climate conditions are just perfect. To top it I feel Belgaum is a mini-cosmopolitan without the nuances of traffic jams and concrete jungles!
I did my graduations here in Belgaum from GIT and some of the founding team members are from Belgaum. We always wanted to do something away from large metros and hence Belgaum was a natural choice.
5. How did you fund it? All with internal accruals or personal savings?
VLabs>> Yes most of the money has come from the founding team. We also have few angel investors.
6. How and what was the reaction of your parents and friends when you told them about this startup.
VLabs>> I would say it was a mixed reaction. Fortunately for my parents and family I had done a similar 'unconventional' move in the year 2000. Vayavya happens to be my second start up experience. The first one turned out to be a good experience both in terms of market exposure and money. So I would say this time they were not opposing an idea of start-up.
I would also like to take this opportunity to convey to the parents and elders at large, that they need to encourage their children to experiment and indulge in entrepreneurial ventures. The future community is going to be creative and competitive. To be successful and most important to cherish the work one indulges in , success and failures are to be treated as two faces of same coin. I know this might sound philosophical but this is going to be the mantra of coming age.
7. How did you land up with this unusual name, Vayavya Labs?
VLabs>> Frankly speaking the genesis of this is NWKRTC (the state transport in Belgaum). We have had several names to ponder upon. But nothing really made that "first impression “to tag on. One day couple of my colleagues and I were walking on college road and then one of the colleague (Parag, also a co-founder of Vayavya Labs) notices the name written on the passing by bus and makes a remark as to how about name “Vayavya"?. As it turns out we are in the noth-west part of state and also an important direction as per Vedas which signifies path/direction of success. So was "Vayavya Labs" born.
8. You began with 5 employees or so and now you have about 50, how s the labor attrition, if any?
VLabs>> We have been fortunate enough to assemble a team that believes in vision and long term objectives. We have had no attrition due to someone going in for another company/job ever since we started. We have had 3 team members leaving the company so far out of which one went to USA after her marriage and the other two went out to pursue higher education. I would say that our selection process has been pretty good in identifying the right team members. All team members share our vision and belief.
9. You started this with a few friends then or colleagues? What was your startup team?
VLabs>> We had an initial team of four founders who are also executive team members. Two of other co-founders are in advisory roles. In last two years we have added six other core team members who come with vast industry experience. We have a constant intake of junior engineers every year and then groom them to take additional responsibilities in the company as they gain experience.
10. You make money by Tools licensing, Embedded software services, which is the target market of this India or elsewhere?
VLabs> Our target markets are in India as well as outside India. Majority of the companies (target customers) are head quartered outside India but have substantial engineering presence in India.
11. This field seems to me as highly qualified, have you partnered with some other firms or organizations?
VLabs>> I agree with you. If you look at the top-30 list in TATA-NEN probably we are the only product technology firm. We have some industry associations and partnerships with Texas Instruments, Microsoft and SPIRIT consortium. As we go along we will increase our partnerships and associations. This approach is very common in the domain we operate.
12. How much turnover do you expect to achieve in this current year and what are your estimates for the next two years, any targets?
Vlabs>> We should be doing a business of half a million dollars this year. We have an aggressive target for the coming year however a lot depends on the industry outlook and also the progress we make on our tools.
13. Have you been hit by the deprecating Rupee or in fact gained from it?
VLabs>> Since our revenues are generally dollar denominated at this stage I would say we have gained. But as the capital expenditure is on the rise especially the spend done outside country we will soon see the other effect too.
14. In this time of global recession is there any slowdown in your business, or do you see it coming a bit later?
VLabs>> We are not hit by this yet. But we are also not 100% immune from it. Fortunately our tools make a lot of sense to the customer in the current scenario. Our tools improve the productivity of design engineers which means they can do more things in the existing budget.
Mr.R K Patil did his schooling from Sainik School Bijapur (SSBJ). He completed his Engineering in Computer Science from Gogte Institute of Technology (1988-1992).
a. What do you like the most to do when you are not working?
RK>> Oops...I wish I get that time. I do a bit of reading, try to play golf and make time to meet friends and family circle.
b. At the age of 38 do you think you are successful and you have achieved something what you had thought of?
RK>> I am enjoying my work and hence contended with what I have at this stage. There is lot to be accomplished.
c. Are you married, if yes any kids and how is their support to your company?
RK>> Yes, married for last eight years, have two lovely kids.
d. Lastly what do you think about this blog? I too am a first time entrant in this field of websites with no technical knowledge of computing, only started as a hobby and continuing to make this blog much more popular.
RK>> Personally I am a novice when it comes to blogs. I got to know about your blog thru one of my colleague, and you know what, someone in Singapore sent out a email that they read about Vayavya thru your RSS-feed. I am whelmed by the power of web and its reach. There is no second thought on how useful and effective your blog is. In my opinion technology is just an enabler, what one does with it is more important.
Wake up: We need a Change this time
10:51 PM Posted by ukmad
There were our gallant army and police cops fighting for life inside and these politicians were there do what ? Show sympathy? The pay commissions recommendations are not adhered to for the defense forces but the salary of the MLAs MPs and governors are increased many folds in successive years. Why is this?
Someone now would come out do what was done in the Batla House case. Human Rights activists may come up and say why you shot them you should have caught them. I say all those should have been there in the Taj or Trident.
If they had guts they should worn the uniform and entered the buildings with the commandos. DOES ANY POLITICIAN HAVE THIS GUTS?
All these rotten politicians form all parties Congress, BJP and all others who were trying to face up on the occasion as elections are nearing.
WE NEED A CHANGE.
What have they given us and insecure environment to live in and if they cant, give us a secure environment they should at least prepare to fight these situations? See what happened in Mumbai, Disaster management is only on papers. Corporators, ministers, MPs and MLAs will after a few days make a trip to see a foreign country to access the disaster management in that country. All our money will be spent and what will happen after that another Operation Taj will have to be undertaken.
Elections are nearing in 2009 we will have the National elections and in that I would urge all to vote for someone who could do something for the society. Vote for a person not because he is from a particular party but for his guts that he might have.
You all may think why all this on this blog, all that happened in Mumbai. It happened there it could happen anywhere. We need to wake up at least now, Wake up folks before its too late. “JAAGORE”
NWKRTC to develop Belgaum bus stand
4:42 PM Posted by ukmad
Source
CET Counseling in Belgaum also
4:41 PM Posted by ukmad
Source
Major traffic plan drawn up for six cities: Belgaum included
12:12 PM Posted by ukmad
The objective of the CTTP is to prepare transport and traffic plans for the six major urban centres with the estimated costs, keeping in mind the growth of those cities over the next 20 years.
The CTTP will be based on the land utilization master plans prepared by the city authorities concerned and will ensure cost-effective and convenient transport, and traffic facility with speed and better comfort, which would ensure an orderly growth of the urban areas. The CTTP will prescribe short-term, medium and long-term transportation policies based on technical, economic and financial evaluation.
Source
Recession hits Udayambag
12:11 PM Posted by ukmad
A large number of industries have decided to cut down the number of employees by at least 50 per cent of their staff and send some of them on long leave till the situation improved.
Units here mainly cater to orders from automobile sector from Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore. But since March 2008, there has been a steady decline in the orders and November was worst with very few orders. Only fabrication and casting works were on and that too to meet the requirements of the Belgaum City. With irregular supply of power it's impossible to even complete this small quantity.
Source: Deccan Herald
