Real estate prices not down as in metros
10:24 PM Posted by ukmad
With recession hitting India, the banks have just today announced some benefits for loans for homes below Rs.20 lakhs. The real estate industry was in a crisis and the best way to get it up is by lowering the lending rate and the requirements for a loan.
The math’s here is simple, if loans are readily available, people will buy new homes hence the real estate developers could sell their property and build a few more which will require steel, cement and other materials.
The prices of properties all over the country have come down but that is not the case with Belgaum, Infact this could be with many tier 2 cities. The price of land on average, which was about Rs.1700 per Sq/ft, has now stagnated at Rs. 1500 per Sq/ft, which is not a great fall.
The builders in past year have many problems of raw materials like high price of steel and cement. The builders think that with the loan process made easy there could be a good business at least in the short run.
Source: expressbuzz
Yearning for “Old Belgaum”: By Shobhan Bantwal
10:35 AM Posted by ukmad
By Shobhan Bantwal
The author was showcased as Stars of Belgaum earlier on this blog.
As an ex-Belgaum resident, it is both heartening and heartrending to see how my hometown has changed from a sleepy, rural town to a teeming city over the past three decades. When I pay those rare visits from my United States home to Belgaum, I no longer recognize the old Ramdev Galli, Khade Bazar, Tilakwadi, and Bogarves neighborhoods. I do not see some of the beloved old landmarks that were an integral part of my childhood of the 1950s and 60s. Even the old homestead, where I grew up in the Cantonment area, looks rather decrepit. But my deceased parents’ souls still seem to linger there.
The ever-growing businesses and multiplicity of educational institutions and healthcare facilities are no doubt assets to the local economy and the shift towards globalization. Apparently businesses in every sector are booming, providing a healthy income for many. There are posh, eye-popping mansions lining the suburbs that were non-existent back then. All this glory to a former Belgaumite is indeed uplifting. Needless to say I want my hometown to prosper and flourish.
However, the special flavor that was Belgaum seems to be lost forever in the economic and political shuffle. The town used to be an unexpectedly quaint mix of pleasant weather, bucolic vistas, cultural pursuits like music, dance and drama, upscale social venues like Belgaum Club, the golf course, the military party circuits, and unparalleled varieties of dew-fresh produce. Today it looks like any other medium-sized metropolis filled with innumerable commercial ventures, smoke-belching automobiles, schools and colleges, hotels and restaurants, and movie theaters. Even the citizens appear more aloof.
When I was a schoolgirl at St. Josephs School, there was a small circulating library called Oliver’s Library, which lent out books for a monthly membership fee. It disappeared a long time ago. Outside the Military Mahadev Temple, the dhoti-clad man who sold Arlipaakh, a spicy and crunchy combination of churmure, shev, and a secret-recipe lump of spices, was an institution by himself. Is someone carrying on that tradition today? I sincerely hope so.
One of the special delights from my childhood was visiting the neighboring sugarcane farms to drink fresh sugarcane juice and buy a fresh mound of gool – incredibly sweet and bursting with flavor when used in cooking and laddus. I am not sure if that particular simple pleasure is available to Belgaumites anymore.
While I yearn for the pastoral Belgaum of my girlhood, I applaud the Belgaum it has become today. My heart swells with pride when I observe how far it has come and made a place for itself on India’s map. I eagerly envision my next visit to Belgaum and sampling some new pleasures it has to offer even as I reminisce about the old times with my family. No matter what, Belgaum is still my home.
As another New Year approaches, I hope and pray that 2009 will be an even richer and more productive year for all my fellow Belgaumites, both previous and the present. I send them all cyber-blessings and good wishes from my humble home in New Jersey. Long Live Belgaum!
Bio: Shobhan Bantwal was born and raised in Belgaum -- a pukka Belgaumite. Marriage in 1973 to a man who lived in the United States took her to New Jersey, where she continues to reside with her family. Shobhan is a published novelist with two novels to date, THE DOWRY BRIDE and THE FORBIDDEN DAUGHTER. Two more novels are slated for publication in 2009. Her primary job is working for the New Jersey State government.
Website: http://www.shobhanbantwal.com/
Belgaum railway station to get a face off
10:22 AM Posted by ukmad
The Belgaum Railway Station will get a beautiful face off in year’s time. Some of the work has already begun and the main work of the main building will commence shortly.
The new plan has a sub way for commuters, new foot over bridge, food court, multi storied parking and resting places.
The plan of the station has been done by a Belgaumite, Mr.Mohan Bidikar.
Rs.3 crores 67 lakhs have be allotted for the construction of the new building.
Source Tarun Bharat
Belgaum MLI centre best suited in India for training
11:08 AM Posted by ukmad
Surrounded by varied terrains jungles, mountains, plains and semi-hills highly conducive for training in different kinds of warfare, the regimental centre of the Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) in Belgaum remains a favored location for joint military exercises involving India and other countries.
The Belgaum training centre, which is the headquarters of the MLI, is one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army. Last year, it was the men from the US armed forces who were at MLI, Belgaum, for a similar joint drill. And in January next, another US army contingent is slated to engage in a joint exercise at the MLI centre.
What makes the Belgaum training centre suitable for such exercise is primarily its location. There are good weather and terrain conditions like the surrounding forests, etc for military training. This makes it convenient to carry out various exercises. Another factor was the infrastructure for carrying out joint drills, including tactical games, firing, etc. The presence of infantry school's junior leader’s academy in Belgaum, which trains, among other things, in confidence building and survival skills critical to jungle warfare, was another key factor.
Belgaum is located close to the Western Ghats. A key plus point is the vast jungles that offer a perfect setting for training in guerrilla warfare. Few regimental centers in India have such an advantageous location. The regimental centre itself has a long and glorious history of courage and valor, shown time and again during conflicts like World War II. Terrain apart, there are other factors like Belgaum's proximity to the coastal belt (the Konkan and Goa), an operational airport and the presence of the Junior Leaders Wing (JLW) of the Infantry School which provide a distinct training advantage.
Belgaum has earned a strong reputation of military training ever since the days of the British Raj. World War II saw a major training exercise here.
I can just say “Proud to be a Belgaumite” My Salute to all the Soldiers.
Source: TOI
Movies in Belgaum
10:19 AM Posted by ukmad
India China Hand in hand exercised new video
10:39 PM Posted by ukmad
Suhas Talwar can challenge, inspire, motivate and dare you to rediscover yourself
10:12 AM Posted by ukmad
Suhas Talwar is from Belgaum and was in Belgaum till his education and also afterwards and then went into this field of Training.
“It's Not The Chances We Take; It's The Choices We Make, That Determines Our Destiny.”
Suhas Talwar has an experience of 10 years working in various fields across all the levels of organizations. His passion and the calling for facilitation transited his career into the world of facilitation. Working with diverse teams and organizations over a period of time has given him an unique insight into understanding human performance and its variables. He has an unique ability to inspire, motivate, challenge and make people laugh at the same time. In addition to his capability to manage Soft Skills Training function, he has trained a variety of audience ranging from Executives to Managers on varied subjects. He has had the privilege to work and learn from some of the most successful people. He is absolutely committed and is result oriented. He believes in helping people create positive changes and produce measurable results by taking massive action.
Through his work we believe in creating your best life – whatever that may mean to you. It is about learning to do things in a different way, to create different results and making a permanent positive change in every area of your life. A lot of us have under achieved and wasted our potential for too long. In our workshops which are confronting, eye-opening and a lot of fun, Suhas will challenge, inspire, motivate and dare you to rediscover yourself.
What is that you exactly do?
I am a facilitator, educator and coach. I help people realize there true potential and create a best life for people through training programs and one-to-one coaching sessions.
You have workshops on specific issues or in general, motivation?
We conduct a range of programs addressing various topics. A list of the programs is mentioned below. The programs are conducted both in-house and at a location you choose us to conduct.
• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Soft skills
• Accent Neutralization
• Personality Development
• Cultural sensitivity
• Behavioral
• Analytical skills
• Team building
• Effective listening skills
• Presentation skills
• Leadership
• Motivation
• Influence
• Customer delight
• Time management
• Change management
• Campus to corporate
Some of the open programs that we conduct are:
• Making powerful presentations – A two day intense workshop
• Embracing Change – A half day workshop.
• The Power Within – One day workshop
• Communication – The Lifeline - A two day workshop
You basically interact with the employees of a company and teach them how they could contribute to the company more effectively?
We work on the method; analyze, plan and deliver. We first meet the concerned people and understand the issues. We then meet the participants/employees of the organization and understand from them how they feel about the situation (issues). We then develop a customized program for them so that they can relate to it and hence help them to realize what they can do to eradicate the problem and enhance productivity joyfully at the workplace.
We also provide one-to-one coaching services to supervisors, senior executives and managers of organizations.
What is the basic use of the training you give?
The use of my training is like the use of any other thing. I share tools and strategies with people who want to be successful. I teach people that they are the solutions to the problems and they are the problem too. If you implement what you understand from my programs it’s life changing (better of course) and if not implemented it’s a waste. It’s like an degree which when used can be very powerful and if not is just a piece of paper.
Why have you chosen this field?
I have worked in various fields before I finally got into facilitation. I have always had this urge to understand human behavior and help people in some way possible. This passion of knowing what makes the difference in human performance lead me into the world of personal growth and facilitation. I have worked at a garment store, a medical transcriptionist, a manager at a call center and then with a couple of training organizations thus gaining rich experience and exposure by working at various levels across organizations. The primary reason to choose this field is the passion to understand human performance and help people to live a better life.
How many employees help you in this?
I am supported by 3 people at this time and have a pool of consultant trainers who are associated with us. It is an ecosystem that we believe in.
Where have your workshops being held? Name a few
We have conducted most of our workshops in Pune. However, we have also conducted some programs in Mumbai and Bangalore. Most of these programs were conducted for corporates’ like IBM, Infosys, Compulink, Option one, Forbes Marshalls and a few others.
Where did you get your training done in this field?
I have been trained by some of the best trainers in the country. I was initially trained by Mr. Mitesh Khatri of GLC and then by Mr. Kirron Gulrajani of Eternale learning for behavioral skills and leadership. I am also trained by Ms. Aparna Prabhudesai for accent neutralization and cultural sensitivity. A list of programs I have attended and trained for are as below.
• Time management program
• Silva mind control
• Silva life systems
• The millionaire blue print – Arfeen Khan
• Open space technology.
• Counseling skills
• The tao of facilitation – Kiran Gulrajani
• Accent neutralization – Aparna Prabhudesai
• Leadership training – Kiran Gulrajani
So you travel a lot to different cities or is it you have a school?
We do have an office where we train people at the same time we also travel to any place where we need to help people and organizations through our training.
Where was your preliminary education?
I completed my diploma in civil engineering from government polytechnic, Belgaum after completing my schooling at St. Paul’s High School, Belgaum.
How and what was the response from your family when u said you will go into this field?
Well I did not tell my parents about me taking this path. My wife has stood by me all the time, strong like a pillar. My parents have always let me do what I have wanted to do, I have been lucky in this area.
You worked in a garment store, then a call centre. So that must have been hard times for you?
I would not say that the road was a bed of roses. I did face a lot of problems and this is where I learnt my valuable lessons from. I share a lot of my experiences in my programs and help people to relate it to situations in their lives and it is not very difficult to overcome them.
What motivates you to motivate others?
I have shared with you that it’s my passion to understand human performance and this motivates me to help see others in their peak state, psychologically and physiologically.
Do you do this for only corporate or also try it for college students or even school going kids?
I conduct programs for corporate and for anyone who wants to live an extraordinary life, anyone who wants to live a life of design and not a life of chance. I do conduct special programs for students. I am thinking of a program for school kids though which I will start early next year (2009).
Have you planned any program in Belgaum?
I will conduct my first program in Belgaum in January and I hope to meet and make an impact on the enthusiastic people.
Disclaimer: I have known Suhas since school, as he was in my batch. I am again and again reiterating that I am here to get people like Suhas known to the world.
Founder of the Indian Mujahideen visited Belgaum
4:29 PM Posted by ukmad
The alleged founder of the Indian Mujahideen, Roshan Khan alias Riyaz Bhatkal, one of the most wanted terror suspects, has reportedly visited Belgaum recently.
He visited the city with the name of “Sharukh Khan” for a short period. During his visit to the city, he reportedly met a few arrested terror suspects at Hindalga Jail by camouflaging his identity.
Bhatkal has a committed team of hardcore men in Karnataka. He is now known as Sharukh Khan to hide his original identity and has a good network in Belgaum, Bijapur, Hubli and Bhatkal.
Source: ExpressBuzz
Power Shortage in the State: Who said see this waste?
1:49 PM Posted by ukmad
This image taken by UkMaD is in Kadolkar Galli at 10.45 am today. All the street lights were illuminated at that time.
The city is facing power cuts of 3 hours daily and we citizens have been asked to save energy and the Govt. spends it in this fashion.
This is SARKARI KAAM.
Jumbo Anil Kumble in Belgaum
10:51 AM Posted by ukmad
Belgaum Rotary’s Annotsav 2008 tickling taste buds
10:13 PM Posted by ukmad
The Rotary club of Belgaum organizes the Annual event Annotsav from the past many years. This time the fete is organized at Sardars High School Ground, opp Old REX College Road.
About 105 different stalls serving various delicacies are there to give those old taste buds some rejuvenating flavor. Right from Pani puri, ice cream to Vada Kombda, Bhaji etc.
You have to be there and enjoy the lovely atmosphere while your nostrils fetch some nice aroma of a Tandoor or a Biryani. All the major hotels like Niyaz, Zaika have their stalls. In addition, some very good homemade food is available which is great.
Also see in the image VOTE FOR VAYAVYA LABS is the main banner behind the live show. So Belagum is now getting much more aware about getting Belgaum on the IT map.
Also see in the image VOTE FOR VAYAVYA LABS is the main banner behind the live show. So Belagum is now getting much more aware about getting Belgaum on the IT map.
In addition, there are the car stalls, solar water stalls etc etc etc.Again, the live music shows and various competitions held during the fete are a topping on the cream.
Parking facility is good enough, but I point I noticed was lack of security. After the Mumbai terror attacks something must have been put in place, but I could hardly see two police officers that too on the main road entrance and no one else. May be some other security arrangements should have been done, I am not aware of it. But it feels secure enough to roam about with your family and kids seeing all those new food being made and enjoying the atmosphere. The entry fee is Rs.5.
