The art of communication and presenting oneself before prospective hirers/bosses is very important. You might be an all rounder when it comes to academics, but if you fail to impress your interviewer/boss with the right CV and the right words; your knowledge is of no use. Communication skills are very authoritative as they are required to go through the Group Discussion /Personal interview while chasing their dreams of landing at a leading business school of their choice. Directors, deans and professors of leading business schools, have reiterated the fact that one of the factors they see in GD/PI is how well a candidate can express himself.
















Amit Soundalgekar is an entrepreneur adept on communications and soft-skills training. Amit has a Bachelors degree in Science from GSS college Belgaum and a Post Graduate Diploma in business management from Local self GOVERNMENT. He did his schooling from Oriental School Belgaum and has corporate training experience of over 9 years. An excellent motivational speaker with a specialization on communication skills, team building and body kinesics. In addition to training for ICMIS, he is associated as a corporate trainer with Kotak Life insurance, AKP Foundries, JP Foundries, Hewlett Packard, Goldman sachs, CRISIL, GeneralMotors, Duke University ,Goodrich, Convergys,IBM,Novell, Identified as the Training partner for Linfox of Australia & other organizations.
 A Corporate Consultant with wide experience in corporate training and consulting with a range of industries, across levels and functions. Experienced in strategizing, pre-validating, designing customized training interventions and facilitating for development of skill and effective behaviors to help organizations meet defined objectives. Addressed areas of Sales Effectiveness, Customer-ism, and Behavior Management, using Classroom and Outdoor Adventure based training interventions.
 Amit has previous manufacturing experience in water treatment equipments and sales experience in the pharma industry. Through his personal and professional experiences, Amit gradually became a specialist in Negotiation skills, Project Management, Leadership programs, Focused groups, Cross culture Communication, Communication skills, Presentation skills, and Team building
Amit has been part of c2c since its inception with other expert trainers at C2C Training & Consulting Pvt. Ltd.
He has experience working with clients in Europe, Middle east, Africa, Far east. He has made presentations in Netherlands for valve Manufacturers and Amit was invited for a Management talk show on Radio Mirchi and Radio Indigo.
 Some excerpts of an interview: 
What made you take up Corporate soft skill training was it an accident or you wanted to be one?
Amit ---> It is a shear accident. Because before getting into training I was into manufacturing of water treatment equipments. I accidentally took up an assignment at the cyber college in Kolhapur. Their i met the branch manager of Kotak life insurance, who mentioned that they were looking for some trainers in Insurance. That was the beginning of a long and pleasurable journey. I always had a flair for public speaking but never did it cross my mind that I can make a career out of speaking to people. Because I started as a automotive paints seller then pharma sales and even toilet cleaning acid.
How important is communication in the field of management, according to you?
Amit ---> I feel communication is a tool to inspire people.
I would say the more articulate, patient and assertive you are, the more you can gather information and make the best out of communication. To me communication is to achieve shared understanding At the same time I always say “communication is not what is said, but what is heard and understood”. To me in management communication is a very important skill and especially kinesics. I am almost branded in Belgaum as Body Language
How can an individual overcome their spoken English and bad body language?
Amit ---> First is the willingness to better your speaking skills and then the resilience to keep reading and being bold to communicate in English. Not shying away at every learning opportunity and be willing to fail. Beyond that one technique that I suggest is that one should read a article and then try to speak out the gist of it into a recorder. Then play it for yourself,or even share it with someone whom you consider is better in language skills. Persoanly I have seen people finding amazing results for themselves.
And when it is about body language, we all are aware that a chunk of the meaning in communication is understood through body language. Be a good observer and a quick learner to adopt different postures and expressions or hand movements. I am a big fan of body language as a study. I am almost branded as Mr Body language in Belgaum. Every act or mood of an individual is easily reflected through body language. You can see through a person through his or her Body language.

Any idols that you admire?
Amit ---> I definitely admire Gandhiji for the simple fact that he was able to inspire an entire nation singlehandedly and at the same time inspired some world leaders of his own generation e.g. Nelson Mandela,Martin Luther king. To me that is amazing, being able to inspire a whole generation of leaders.
 You have given training in many corporates in India and abroad is there any difference?
Amit ---> Culture is the biggest difference. Every individual from a different culture reacts in a different way to the same information. Thats one challenge which I usually cherish. I need not stereotype my experience but it’s a general observation. Because I get to train people from various organization and at different levels. To name a few would be ABB,CRISIL,LINFOX,HEWLETT PACKARD,IBM,NOVELL. Every organization throws a different challenge in terms or organization culture and national culture.
 Do you think being in Belgaum is advantageous or otherwise?
Amit ---> It’s a definite advantage. On a very positive note I am able to devote a lot of time for myself and my family. Not spending time in traffic is the biggest advantage and my sole purpose of being in Belgaum is that I wish to share my experiences with the industry or student fraternity of Belgaum, everything that I keep learning world over.
 How was the Radio experience and speaking there?
Amit ---> My radio experience was one of a kind. Going live on air was like”I cant go wrong”.I was nervous the moment I was introduced as a management consultant and a corporate trainer. But as we progressed through the talk I received a few compliments by the editor of the show and that eased my nerves. But honestly speaking I felt like a kid getting some well deserved gift.
 How is the family support when u took this job?
Amit ---> I cannot ask for more from my family. I personally believe that the biggest sacrifice anyone makes for your success is your family. Hats of to my wife and my parents for being exceptionally supportive. I need to make a special mention that my wife having worked for a multinational herself and studied in Italy as an Italian language specialist,Understands how demanding my profession is. The best part is everybody including my brothers and their family stay involved about what I am doing,where I am traveling,and feel proud about the small things that I have achieved till date.
 You travel a lot how does your family take this?
Amit ---> I sometimes come home only to exchange my baggage and leave for another destination.
I work hard and at the first opportunity I spend most of my spare time with my family. Though they don’t complain I know I am falling short in spending some quality time with my kid,wife and parents.
 What would you say to other enthusiast trainers out there who aspire to be what you have achieved?
Amit ---> Be passionate. Being ready to learn and not hesitant to accept mistakes,will ensure that you would go a long way in being a good trainer. I am at my motivated best the moment I enter the training room.
 Your favorite place / food in Belgaum?
Amit ---> Ramkrishna ashram and in particular the room where Swami Vivekanad stayed.
As far as food in Belgaum,it cannot be any better place than my own house as I am hardly home. I love home made food but if I still need to make a choice I would say Sun n Sand,and Rasraj (a small Savaji outlet near Ushatai Gogte Grils high School).
 Your views on ITBelgaum group and its effectiveness?
Amit ---> I see IT Belgaum group gathering momentum in their activities and It Belgaum becoming a brand.
In your view is this website(AAB) doing good for Belgaumites?
Amit ---> I need to congratulate Uday on coming up with the idea of ABB. I first got to know about it through a friend of mine and then when I visited the site I felt it was worth. One other thing that I need to share is ABB has helped me know Belgaum better than ever before. I am sure most Belgaumites who visit ABB regularly share the same view.

Aditya Gajanan Vernekar has brought laurels to his town by winning the second prize in The Ideation Award at the recently held Malaysian International Furniture Fair 2010 (MIFF 2010).
The Ideation Award offers a platform for students to showcase their talent and innovativeness in furniture design. It is being held for the first time and is open to those studying design or architecture at a recognized Malaysian institution.
Aditya did his PUC from GSS college and his civil engineering from GIT. He won the 2^nd prize while he was facing tough competition from students from 22 countries. He had designed a multi purpose stool “QUBE”. Which has many uses. Currently he is pursuing his studies at the Limkokwing University of creative technology Malyasia.
THE IDEATION AWARD is held with aims to offer a platform for students to showcase their talent and innovativeness in furniture design, as it is only open to all students studying design or architecture at a recognised Malaysian institution. Besides that, the Organiser hopes that THE IDEATION AWARD will encourage newcomers to be involved in the furniture design industry and will help promote the development of the Malaysian furniture industry internationally.

Home audio encompasses a wide array of product categories, including everything from AV receivers to surround sound speakers to iPod speakers and tabletop radios. One will find selected standout products that represent some of the best values in the home audio arena, but you will also find more affordable alternatives as well. For even more selections in specific product categories, check the products on display like Denon,JBL,Dune,Wharfadale,Paradigm. All this will be available for the first time in Belgaum.

RESONANCE BEATS, First Floor,Shri Krishna Towers,Khanapur Road ,Above ICICI Bank,Belgaum-6
Shop opens Sunday 4^th April, 2010 11 am.

MANNAT (Managing And Nurturing Natural Talents) happens once in every two years aiming to stimulate and explore the natural talents and the hidden potentials within individuals, nurture them and mold them to build superlative managerial skills. This year the 2-day national Level inter-collegiate Management Festival - ‘MANNAT’ 10’, from 5-6 April 2010.
The theme of the event for this year is GREENATHON, an initiative to protect Mother Nature. The theme was chosen to emphasize it is high time now we realize that, if we do not take any steps to protect our nature, we will have to buy Oxygen (O2); and the generation next will see the wild-life only in pictures.
Nearly 180 participants from 20 Management Institutes from all over India are expected to participate in the Management Festival. The Festival aims to bring out talents of the Institutes from different arenas – Marketing, Finance, Human Resource, General Knowledge, Cultural etc.
Karnatak Law Society’s Institute of Management Education and Research (IMER), Belgaum, ranked as an A+ B-School by Business India and ranked 36th among promising B-Schools in India by Competition Success Review.
All the following events in the Festival are based upon the main theme Greenathon:
Foreshock – Icebreaker
Green Corona – Best Manager Event
Green opine – Case Analysis
Green Pandemic – Marketing Event
Fin planktons – Finance Event
Green Stewards – HR Event
Knowledge Warming – B-Quiz
Catalization – Cultural Event.

People in Deshnur (Bailhongal Taluk) village were stunned to see a low flying helicopter at about 75 meters with something hanging down moving around their village for many hours. It is nothing but the areal survey of Belgaum, Bagalkot and Bijapur districts for uranium deposits.
 In addition to the field survey that has been going on in Deshanur village, Bailhongal taluk, Belgaum district and the ongoing process to acquire land for uranium extraction in Gogi village, Shahapur taluk, Yadgir district.
In fact, the helicopter, which has been flying low over the city, had caused panic among the people as it is fitted with electromagnetic equipment and has a loop of 15 - metre radius dropped down by a 45-metre long cable.
 Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research of the Department of Atomic Energy (AMDER) has been surveying the area with prior permission from the district authorities for a possible availability of uranium in this region.
Office of Department of Atomic Energy, Hyderabad, confirmed to the Belgaum district administration that the helicopter was engaged in geophysical surveys in parts of Belgaum, Bagalkot and Bijapur districts of Karnataka and parts of Kolhapur district of Maharashtra.
The chopper contains equipment like the Time Domain Electro- Magnetic sensor, Magnetometer and Gamma Ray spectrometer.
Other instruments housed inside the helicopter are computer-based data acquisition system and DGPS Navigation system.
The survey covers a large an area of 12,000 sq.km covering four districts.

Recently the NDTV Good Times Show "No Big Deal" showcased Belgaum in its show and here is the complete Video for all those who could not manage to see it.

See this link for Video

Thanks Vidhyadhar Nerurkar

Scenes of yesterday of the Belgaum city corporation bring great dis honor to democracy. The outgoing mayor and presiding officer rejected all other forms except of Mr.Nirwani on technical grounds of wrong address and incomplete forms of namely of six candidates –– Dhanraj Gavali, Latifkhan Pathan, Shanta Uppar, Sadiq Inamdar, Netaji Jadhav and Kiran Sayanak.

Latifkhan Pathan, backed by the councillors of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti, raised a hue and cry in the House and rushed to the Mayor’s podium.
The new mayor who is a lawyer himself, Mr.Nirwani took his chair on his own and adjourned the meeting and hence the Dy. Mayor could not be elected.
All this was planned by the MLA's it is said.
Of the 58, 29 councillors belonged to the Kannada group, 28 to MES and one remained neutral, besides four MLAs -- Firoz Sait and Satish Jarkiholi (both Congress), Sanjay Patil and Abhay Patil (both BJP) and MP Suresh Angadi. The Kannada-speaking faction was supported by all four legislators cutting across party lines and hence their victory was sure. But the twist in the story was done by the king maker Sambhaji Patil who split from the Kannada faction 11 members made a breakaway group along with the Marathi speaking group.
This split within the ruling faction was known to the ruling group and hence the rejection of nomination was sought.
 40 members left for Bangalore yesterday 28 Marathi speaking along with 10 Kannada and Urdu group members along with Sambhaji Patil and Kamar to meet the governor. The group will also meet CM and ministers and also plan to meet the president of India and get the election of the Mayor canceled.
Why did this all happen and Biryani for Nirwani was fixed and all arrangements were made in that fashion and homework of the MLA's was perfect.
A couple of MLA's have shown very keen interest in implementing the 100 crore pacakage for the city as it was their fund only. The said package is approved by the Mayor and hence the MLA's took keen interest in getting their person on the mayors post, for what, we need not tell you readers are very learned, aren't you.
The 40 member team which has reached Bangalore consists of not only Marathi speaking members but 10 members from Kannada and Urdu faction as well. In a house of 58 + 5 elected representatives 40 members dont want this mayor, so now who is in a majority? The Mayor Nirwani or the 40 members.

Secnes seen today at the City corporation show that may it be Delhi or Galli elected representatives behavior is the same.
At the Mayor's election today after 6 nominations were rejected of the opposition Ruling party it was but final that Nirwani will be the Mayor. During all this huhalla in the hall the opposition came in to the well and tried to break the newly created bamboo barricade.
The newly elected mayor Nirwani was seen he himself going and getting seated on the mayors chair. There are Pattewalas and others who have to escort the newly elected Mayor to the chair but that did not happen and the Mr.Nirwani himself occupied the chair which also degrades the overall election procedure.
Once this happened the opposition members were fumed and could not control their anger and threw their footwear at the mayors chair. This was disgraceful to democracy but how can we blame them, they also follow what they see in Delhi and do it in “Galli”(locally).
The police arrangement for today was very very tight and special arrangements were made sighting trouble by the opposition. Some said that all this was a part of a pre cooked Biryani with the help of elected representatives who lately are taking more active part in the corporations affairs.

Here you might be a Kannadiga who will hail their victory or a pro Marathi but what is shameful is how these people act in the house.
In all the pre cooked Biryani was well cooked and served well with Mr.Nirwani.
All the best Mr.Nirwani hope there is some development of the city.

"Mayor" (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater") is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government.
Mayor acts as city bureaucrat who is generally a state-appointed officer. The Mayor in the Municipal Corporation is usually chosen through direct vote for a term of one year. The Mayor generally lacks executive authority. The Municipal Commissioner serves as the Principal Executive Officer subject to the power and administration of the Mayor as the Chief Executive Officer.
Tomorrow the elected councilors will vote to elect the 22^nd Mayor for Belgaum.
In the 26 year history of the corporation 19 times a Marathi speaking was a mayor and the rest were Kannada speaking.
Belgaum has a unique distinction of its Mayoral election for that matter even the election to the city Corporation, elsewhere, where political parties like BJP, Congress, JDS field in candidates in Belgaum there are no officials party candidates, all most all stand as independents belonging to 3 major groups – Marathi speaking, Kannada Speaking & Urdu speaking.
Sambhaji Patil has been elected Mayor on Four occasions and Vandana Belgundkar twice.
This time as well the ill fighting between the ruling Kannada group and Marathi group is out of the box. Allegations of horse trading by the losing parties is common and this year as well same will be repeated. The ruling Kannada group is strong and might get away with the Mayor posts this time as well. Unofficially name of Mr. Nirwani is being brought forward for the post.
The Marathi group is also not behind and is trying to get in. In the 58 member house, over the past years the role played by the MLA's and MP's has become decisive in the voting. MLA's want a different candidate and this could cause some troubles amongst the ruling group.

Many of you might ask what does a mayor do for the city? A Simple answer for the next six months from tomorrow he will spend time getting felicitated from various organizations and the next six months he will try and understand his work and by the time he understands it his term is over.

This is for all those who are away from Belgaum but yet want to see their local Gods they used to wish.

Click this link to see the Belgaum Gods collection of Photos.

All these photos are on the Facebook Fan Page and if you not on Facebook still you can sign up and join the AllAboutBelgaum Fan Page.
All images have been collected from various sources and will be added as and when new images come in. So you can bookmark that photo link.