Life of man is a pre-destined path, rightly designed by the supreme power. He firmly believed in this. Since childhood he had a dream of becoming a stage singer. And yes, at this stage of his life he Says, yes! Mission accomplished! He is Nandan G Herlekar of Belgaum.
The beginning:
Nandan still remembers the day when he sang for the first time in front of many people. He was a small boy of eight years and sang a patriotic song in a remote village in Nanded district of Maharashtra on the republic day. It was appreciated by one and all and was very halcyon and on the wings of ecstasy. From that day his desire to sing grew and he was in search of occasions to sing. He anxiously took part in the musical activities in the school and then in high school. Fortunately some staff members of the high school were musically talented and they encouraged Nandan to sing and act on the stage on every occasion. He learnt a lot from one Shahir Bilgoji. They went to many villages to sing Powadas, Lawnis and other folk songs. During those years they staged a musical drama (Waga-Natya) “Pudhari Pahije” written by Pu. La. Deshapande. Nandan sang all the songs in the drama though they belonged to different roles.
Nandan's college days were also wonderful. Prof. Arvind Yalgi, a very cultured man was the principal and he directed the same Waga Natya in college. Prof. Page, a Sanskrit scholar was the next principal. He sang “Geet Ramayan” beautifully. He encouraged Nandan a lot. He was very happy when he accompanied him on harmonium. They both used to sing on every occasion in college and also in private ‘mehfils’.

Shri Nandan Herlekar

Along with music, he began his career as a sub-editor in ‘Belgav-Varta’ and then became an assistant reporter for Belgaum for newly started edition of ‘Sakal’s Kolhapur edition. It was a nice experience in writing columns and music reviews. He has also written hundreds of reviews and articles on music in ‘Tarun Bharat’.
Nandan was a student of Pt. Nehru Vidyalaya of Shahapur-Belgaum during 1970-73 (SSLC in 1973)
PUC in Govt. Chintamanrao Jr. College in 1974-76, B.A. in RPD College during 1976-79.
Nandan has passed ‘Gayan Kala Visharad’ exam from Bharat Gayan Samaj, Pune in 1983 and passed ‘Sangeet Vidvat’ with first rank in Karnatak state in 1984. At the same time he completed M. A. in History and Archeology. This made him a qualified for teaching music. During this period, he composed dance dramas on various topics and presented them with help of Mrs. Sandhya Hosmani, a leading Bharatnatya exponent.
He began teaching music to Bhajan groups and took some of them to AIR Panaji for broadcast. This was the time when he founded his music class in 1982 and began teaching vocal music and instruments like Tabla and harmonium. Eventually his institution became an examination centre of A. B. Gandharva Maha Vidyalaya of Mumbai.
In 1983 he accepted a job as a music teacher in Kendriya Vidyalaya, Air Force Station, Sambra. In the span of almost twenty seven years in K. V., he has enjoyed his job with hundreds of his own compositions, skits, poems, group songs, dance dramas and many other genres. Heepresented Bangalore region with twenty five students to Indore in 1990 and to Assam in 1998 for Cultural Exchange Programmes. He also had an opportunity to be a resource person for the in-service courses for music teachers for three times so far. He also has been a facilitator for oracle’s Thinkquest.org to teach the teachers to use websites for teaching music.
Nandan always think of composing new ‘Bandishis’, Taranas, Dhrupads, Dhamars and Chaturangs for the aspirants of classical music. He has written three books on music – 1: The Beginners’ Book On Hindustani Music 1998, 2: Revised Edition of the same in 2005 and 3: Tabla-Principle and Art. The books are popular among the music lovers of the country and also in music institutions in the U.K. and the U.S.A.
 
 A small interview With Mr.Nandan Herlekar:
Tell us more about your initial training in music?
Nandan ----->In childhood my talent was tapped by my elder brother and sisters, who were good in singing. We belong to a heritage of traditional musicians. My great grandfather Pandit Damodarbuva Deulkar was a Dhrupad singer, a Pakhawaj player and a staunch devotee of Sant Manik Prabhu of Humnabad. He spent his whole life at his lotus feet. His son Vishubuva continued the tradition and I, as a child saw him chanting the ‘Gurumantra’ of Manik Prabhu and ‘Parans’ of Pakhawaj at an equal pace.
My father Govindrao Herlekar was a true lover of music. He took us to concerts where we enjoyed from the core of heart. He inherited the ‘Seva’ of music department at the Darbar of Maniknagar and we children were fortunate to listen to the great musicians of that time. Being Bapurao’s children (as he was popularly called!), we were treated with special attention by all at Maniknagar. The musical treat we received every year during Datta Jayanti festival of six days had been wonderful in our lives. I am immensely benefited by the music I listened there and have stuffed it in the inner part of my heart.
It was here that I met my first Guru in Tabla late Pt. Suryakant Gokhle, a talented Shishya of the great Ustad Ahmedjan Thirakwa. In presence of my father he taught me the first lesson at Maniknagar in 1973. Back in Belgaum I continued the ‘Riyaz’ and visited often Guruji’s house in Pune.
During that time I began taking lessons in vocal music from Pt. Sangameshwar Gurav in Vadgaon. After he went to Dharwad as a professor of music in Karnatak University, I was again in search of a Guru and I met Pt. Mrutyunjayabuva Puranikmath. Due to old age Buva was reluctant to accept anyone as a Shishya, but I was adamant and eager to learn from him. After a struggle of six months I could win his heart and he began to teach me. From 1979 to till his demise in 2002 he taught not only music, but the way of life.

Tell us more about your group during the Emergency days Madhav Vrunda?
Nandan ----->During emergency we formed a group called ‘Madhav Vrunda’ to spread the message of patriotism among the youth. Our group consisted of singers, orators, musicians and mimicry artists. Some names among them are Kishor Kakde, Avinash Vengurlekar, Dilip Deshpande, Bhalchandra Kalled, Ranvindra Karekar, Datta Jayade and many others. It was at this stage of life I began to compose music to the poems I liked. It was my duty to teach those songs to others and set music with musicians. I still wonder how I could compose hundreds of songs at that tender age. I have been doing the same till today with equal zeal.
 How do you break the barrier of non-support from media to Indian Classical music?
Nandan -----> Let there be any support or not,I have been working in the field, many times swam across, followed the line of Rabindra Nath Tagore-"Ekla Chalo Re". "Non-Support" is not at all a barrier to me.
 Do you think electronic music instruments affect natural music?
Nandan ----->It is the person behind the instrument who is important. Electronic instruments are very smart. One must make proper use of them - artistically and yes, with brains! I puzzle myself by the use of them. I do not categorize music into natural and otherwise.
What would be you advice to the young aspirants who plan to take up misuc?Nandan ----->"Go ahead, see, learn and conquer". Music is unfathomable.
Can you tell something about Nandan Herlekar that the world doesn't know?Nandan -----> I do not think world is interested in me otherwise of music. Yes, they do not know that I am a history-lover. I traveled a lot on bicycle for the historical places.
Has being in Belgaum helped you in your musical career or do you think otherwise?Nandan ----->Belgaum has made me whatever I am. Though the sphere is limited, I have done a lot (This is strictly confidential) musically and have done whatever has not been done by anyone earlier. So I am happy with my town.
What is that you wish Belgaum had for music lovers like you?Nandan -----> Since earlier days, Belgaum is a heaven for music lovers. Music toppers lived in Belgaum. The "Samskara" done by the stalwarts have proved to be useful. The greats in the field made their Shishyas worthy of something. With the help of modern amenities and techniques, today's artistes are achieving without much struggle. It is a very good thing. We, the old timers are happy about it, but sometimes are sad of lack of enthusiasm among the youngsters.
What is the best thing about Belgaum you like?Nandan -----> "North-South, East-West" My Belgaum is the best! After you return from any place to Belgaum during summer, the so called "hot" Belgaum feels "cold". YES! THAT IS BELGAUM!!!
What are your thoughts on this website?Nandan -----> I liked the caption! ALL ABOUT BELGAUM! I think any topic, any subject or anything that connects with Belgaum is about this website. You and your friends (whoever has inspired you to begin it) are worthy to be appreciated a lot for this modern day necessity!
THANKS!

 Two lads from Belgaum have passed Civil Services (Main) Examination 2009 MAITREY KULKARNI of Saraf Colony Belgaum and AKASH SHANKAR CHOUGULE of Belgundi have passed with flying colors. MAITREY KULKARNI is a gold medalist of VTU in Mechanical engineering and did his college engineering from GIT. His secured 103rd place and is interested in joining the IFS. Akash Chougule is from Belgundi and did his schooling from Marathi Vidyaniktean and later from Jyoti College. He is from Marathi medium and still he has achieved this fete, he secured 393rd rank.

These images were searched by Bramhanand Chipre from Ebay.
Belgaum fort 1945

In the past 6 months Belgaum has seen a faceoff of many roads which still cannot be recognized as still work is pending and nothing substantial work has been done on these roads. Read earlier story Belgaum on a road widening spree.
And in all these road widening works the city corporation has no role and a Single MLA has set the rules for the same.
Take for instance the Old Dharwad road, according to the CDP (City development Plan) it must be widened to 120 feet but plan was sanctioned by the MLA for widening upto 66 feet only. Work had begun there on December 2009, but nothing has happened after some 2-3 structures were brought down, as people in the area demanded that if road has to be widened it has to be 120 feet and not 66 feet. Road widening was limited to 66 feet by the MLA as his property would get hit if it was made a 120 feet road. On that road most of the buildings are already having a set back which should make it easy for road widening.

See Mahatma Phule road, which has been widened to about 80 feet where many people lost their homes, where the necessity was not 80 but 60 feet would have saved houses of many.



Now as the RPD corner road widening work to 80 is getting making people think. Old Dharwad road 66 feet and RPD road 80 feet why is this.
Residents of RPD road to Vadagaon have now come together and will fight this and they plan to make their agitation more fierce if their demands are not met.
Angol road is no different. All trees have been cut and now the electric poles are being shifted. Nothing happens on time.
The people who have lost homes shops have to still get their TDR or compensation.
In Belgaum it seems the MLA is the king maker and the plans made earlier and approved by the corporation hold nothing for him.
Is this development or destruction is the biggest question.
We all need development and roads will have to be widened but there should be a plan which will take along all the people. So many trees have been cut have new trees been planted no one knows. All the work under the 100 crore special grant are late by over 5 months. In another months time monsoons will be here and if these roads are not re made people will have to face a lot of hardships in the rains.
But on a large scale still the question arises RPD 80 feet and Dharwad road 66 feet.

Ayub Khan Ghori, constable, Hirebagewadi police station, Belgaum who joined service in 1993 was found with disproportionate assets worth Rs 33.28 lakh. His legitimate source of income is Rs 11 lakh. Documents pertaining to property in Belgaum and Hukkeri were seized from him.
Property in the constables name: Two storied bungalow and land in Mahantesh Nagar, Land in Ramtirth Nagar, Land in Hukkeri.

Traffic Signals are put up for the smooth running of traffic but in Belgaum some places those traffic signals have been put for over years but they never work.
In some places where they work they have been put up wrongly but who will bell the cat.
Take for instance the Traffic signal at Gogte Circle.

If one comes over from the Over bridge towards State Bank of India one can see TWO traffic signals (see image) A & B.
Many people get caught by cops on this Gogte circle Signal
Anyways which is your Signal to follow A or B if you come over from Over bridge.

Last evening when City Corporation commissioner came with his army to demolish the structures at the RPD corner which exist there from over 60 years all were taken by surprise as no one was aware of this and it was a Sunday.

The day after

Old tree also cut last night

View of Khanapur Road from RPD college road all is clean

The commissioner spoke to the shop owners and tried to convince them they will get alternate space for their shops, after which most of them agreed. But the corner Ganesh sweet Mart had taken a stay order on this work and the same was pasted on his shop as well. When MLA Abhay Patil who has been in the news for the wrong reasons most of the time came to take charge with his bragging. He asked the commissioner to verify all the documents of the sweet shop like license, house tax, water tax and also asked the officials to take the samples of the food articles to find out whether they were fit for eating. Even tough the owner who was not in town had a stay order the shop was demolished under pressure.
The trees along the road which will be 80 feet road after widening have been chopped. SKE society has also taken a stay order.

Will this building also face the same treatment

People in the area were heard speaking will MLA demolish the other MLA vidyapeeth along the road. People there said this is biggest question. Relation between the two MLA's has not been so good. Now we will have to wait and watch.
Many say that no more work will happen only after yesterdays demolition as was the case with old PB road where work of demolition began on December 1 but was stopped later and nothing has moved after that.
Mainly all the walls of the colleges & houses will get knocked off. But what has to be seen is will the Vidyapeeth also face the same treatment or will it be saved.

Road widening work at RPD corner (RPD corner to Patwardhan layout) had begun a few months back. Today evening the shops at the RPD corner, were earthed under heavy police protection. Even now the work is on and the occupants are trying to grab up what ever they can from the remains.
Shops gone in this widening are hotel Chit chat, Out West, a Kirana store and on the other side a Shoe store, stationery store, garage, and a Panwala and sweet merchant.
All Corporation officials were seen at the spot. all roads to RPD corner were blocked for vehicular traffic.

At the age of twenty when someone in his teens will be spending most of his time officially in college and unofficially outside the college with one's friends, Shailesh Sharad Joshi had different fate infront of him. Untimely demise of Dr.Sharad Joshi his father, made him come into business and look after it.
2nd of May happens to be Shailesh's birthday and we take this occasion to wish him a very very happy birthday and success in life.
On the occasion of his birthday he has organized a blood donation camp at Mahveer blood bank. He has asked his friends and well wishers not to give him presents or bouquets or garlands but he wants Note books instead which he will distribute to the needy one's the school starts. Shailesh is a simple person with a social responsibility of paying back to the society.
Amrut Pharma’s roots go back to a home industry venture by Vaidyaraj Ramchandra Joshi and Late Smt. Mai Ramchandra Joshi in the year 1938. They were well known practitioners in their time and were the inspiration for Dr.Sharad Joshi to carry on their good work. Dr. Sharad Joshi could foresee that Ayurveda would become a way of life again.
Dr.Sharad Joshi's legacy and vision is now carried forward by the next generation. Mr.Shailesh Joshi, took over the reins of the business. Shailesh is well versed with the allopathic and ayurvedic disciplines. He has built a great team of experts in research, management and marketing, to champion the cause of Amrut. He has spearheaded the drive for innovation by adopting best practices, and has successfully introduced a suite of new products from the Amrut stable to match the lifestyle requirements of today’s world.
His mission is to build on the solid trust and brand equity that Amrut enjoys and take it to newer generations across the country and globally. He believes that customers have one positive experience with an Amrut product and then graduate to using other products from the stable. His vision is that in the next decade, Amrut must realize its potential of becoming the wellness brand of choice for every family, in every town, village and city in India.
He has diversified his business with keeping his core to Ayurvedic medicines. He is the Chairman of Amrut Social foundation, Amrut Advertising, Sara Herbals, Progen Research lab & Saffron ventures Pvt. Ltd.
Shailesh did his matriculation from St.Mary's High School and his Pharmacy degree from KLE college of Pharmacy. He is very active socially and also an active member of the BJP. He through his foundation take up projects to help the needy students from the rural areas. He has been awarded with the Bhartiya Udyog Ratna award and various other awards for excellence in ayurvedic manufacturing. He also is the franchisee of a cricket team in the BCL namely Amrut Aqua Dolphins. He loves reading books and has a good collection of books.
A small interview with Shailesh Joshi:
1) You entered into business very early in life, how was it at the early stages?
Shailesh ------> Well joining business early was not chosen but the situation was such that there was no alternative. I had to struggle a lot, as things were not in place and was totally a fresher. Financial responsibilities particularly liabilities are very tough to handle but struggled and made it what it is today.
2) You have diversified into various fields kindly elaborate on each project? (Amrut Advertising, Sara Herbals, Progen Research lab & Saffron ventures Pvt. Ltd.)
Shailesh ------> Sara herbals is the new unit which we have started in Autonagar. We manufacture packaged drinking water AMRUT AQUA where in we have a fully automatic plant and the process is purely NO HUMAN INTEREFENCE thereby giving the purest form of water for drinking. We have started sales network in Goa , north Karnataka and west Maharashtra. Planning to expand further with new units in Goa and Satara.
Amrut advertising is our in house ad agency wherein we do ad releases and creatives.
Amrut social foundation is a trust where we provide educational facilities to the needy, and also medical facilities in the rural areas of Belgaum. The scope is very big and i can't put it in this interview.
Progen is again an ayurvedic manufacturing company in Belgaum. Dr.Shrinivas Patil is the M.D and I am the executive director.

3) Your vision for Amrut in the future?
Shailesh ------> at AMRUT we are striving to be a global company in the years to come and our first export shipment is expected in the next month to Nigeria. We also are expanding our export operations to middle east and Kazakistan, Russia and so on. We plan to be a fully integrated health care company in the future.

4) Your view on Ayurdevic medicines and its importance in present life?
Shailesh ------> Ayurved is a way of life. It is very important to maintain the dhatus in one's body. Ayurved is so vast that it will take years to study. Safe, natural, effective is our focus of ayurved. Its importance has been accepted even by modern science since the efficacy of the products are time tested and proven.
5) What is the best thing about Belgaum you like?
Shailesh ------> Belgaum, well what can i say about this beautiful city and the people who belong to this wonderful land. Amazing is the only word to describe our beloved belgaum city.
6) What are your thoughts on this website?
Shailesh ------> your website is the best site on Belgaum and the most interactive site I have seen. The response is truly excellent and I have become a fan of your site. If I can be of any help to you, please let me know. I will have the pleasure of being associated with a genuine site and a gentleman like you.

Niyati Creations, Belgaum organized photo exhibition of Prof. Saransh Mohite, Mumbai University was inaugurated at Wangmay Charcha Mandal, Kirloskar road Belgaum on Saturday. The exhibition will be open for public on 1st and Sunday 2nd may 2010 from 10 am to 9pm.
Speaking on the occasion Chief guest Shailesh Joshi CEO of Amrut Pharma praised Saransh for his photography passion and said he was delighted to see the photos.
Prof.Mohite shared his experiences about his photography and travel photography to be his passion. He is the youngest professor in the Mumbai university and he also added that he always mistaken to be a student.

Yes, yet another multiples is getting it socks up to start shop in Belgaum. After Big cinemas, Inox Chandan will commence operations within a month or so and then it will be Cinemax.
 
The Cinemax site mentions that MOU have been signed for Belgaum. The proposed theater will have 4 screens in area of 34300 sq. feet.

Now where will Cinemax set shop is the question many and same to me as well. Team AAB is trying to find the exact location but got no response from the Cinemax for calls or emails.
 One thing is for sure they wont build a new multiplex, so they will have convert existing ones and there are few ones remaining which will can be converted. The one with such a huge space to me looks as ARUN (not confirmed) and Arun is closed for renovation which looks similar to making of a multiplex.
May it happen anywhere Cine goers in town will have many options, but hopefully movies will be good.

Tarun Bharat initiated to launch the Gharkul Exhibition in 2003 in association with the Rotary Club of Venugram and the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers Belgaum, to much acclaim. It provided an ideal avenue for the business fraternity to actually display the latest construction materials, trendy accessories, loan schemes, etc. After organising three immensely successful exhibitions, Gharkul’s fourth exhibition is scheduled to begin on the 30th of April and will continue till 4th May 2010.
Venue: Maratha Mandir Near railway over bridge, Belgaum.
Time: 3 pm to 9.30pm
Entry and Parking Free.
AAB candle made by Wax Works will be on display at the Wax Works stall at the exhibition.

Director-General of Police (CID) D.V. Guruprasad is here in Belgaum to review the investigation of online frauds perpetuated against gullible investors reported from Belgaum.
CID had registered cases under Prevention of Corruption Act with the State Lokayukta Police against two police officers for abetting and aiding the accused in different cases. One of them is Suresh Naidu, who until recently was serving as Deputy Superintendent of Police and Investigating Officer in a case against “Swiss Cash” company. The other officer is B.P. Chandrashekhar, who served as police inspector of Khade Bazaar Police Station until recently.
Mr. Naidu had helped the accused and benefited a site through third-party dealing, which he sold it and made money. As per investigation, the money made by police officials amounted to about Rs. 37 lakh.
In the six cases, the money collected by online companies amounted to about Rs. 11 crore invested by more than 8,000 people.
The modus operandi was that the accused companies refunded promised funds to early birds as a confidence building measure among investors while those who joined the schemes late were duped. Giving details, he said, “Reliance Services”, run by accused Anand Nayakwad and others, had mobilised Rs. 3 crore from 4,500 investors by promising Rs. 18,750 after a year for an investment of only Rs. 1,060.
Similarly,“Jeevan Dhan Marketing” which collected Rs. 3.92 crore from 26,161 investors but refunded only Rs. 92,000. The company had promised to return Rs. 75,000 on a deposit of Rs. 1,500.
Four cases have been registered against promoters of IQuiz Prashant Chudankar and others; two with Khade Bazaar Police and one each with the Market Police and the Shahpur Police.
This company had lured 1,415 investors by promising 25 per cent returns for a minimum investment of Rs. 1,250 and collected Rs. 4.48 crore. It also refunded Rs. 4.33 crore.
Source: Hindu