The Belgaum Police have made a new website http://www.belgaumpolice.in/ and will be launched tomorrow. (as of now you get a message opening tomorrow)

The site as of today is not visible to all, but I had a chance to view it and site looks clean and most importantly most of its links are working. The website has been designed in Joomla and looks neat.

One can file and online complaint, know the passport status, find police stations (this particular link seems to have problem), know about the one ways in the city. There is a womens grievance cell with a list of NGOs in Belgaum as well.

On can also get information about the daily crime, missing persons, unidentified bodies and of course the important laws and guidelines for citizens.

One can file a complaint or pass on information, or get more info Arms license Verification & job verification from.

One can also find all the telephone numbers of all police stations and officers.

The website will be updated on a daily basis.

In all this is a welcome sign for Belgaumites and with the Internet spreading everywhere and connectivity is not an issue (normally) this website will surely help Belgaumites.

The Defence ministry is looking out for land near Belgaum to set up a Anti Terror Squad training centre. The Tahshildars have been given letters for the same and they have been told to identify land in Khanapur & Savadati talukas.

Sources say that Jamboti and Savadatti are the two shortlisted location wherein Jamboti could be selected, sources said.

Still the entire process on paper and what kind of training will be provided is yet to be decided.

Belgaum already has its pride the MLIRC and Airforce station. The ITBP also is building its camp near Hallbhavi.  

Shobhan Bantwal is a noted author from USA who was born and raised in Belgaum.
 Her fourth book THE UNEXPECTED SON, will be released on August 1, 2010 by Kensington publishing Corp. Her three previous books were, THE DOWRY BRIDE, THE FORBIDDEN DAUGHTER, and THE SARI SHOP WIDOW.
Shobhan always makes some reference to her home town in her writings and in this new book as well she narrates a story in Palgum (Belgaum) and to add to it this time one can enjoy the Marathi-Kannada conflict which plays a big role in the back drop of the story. 
Shobhan Bantwal was born and raised at BELGAUM along with her four sisters. She resided in Camp area and she did her schooling from St. Josephs Convent Camp (LKG to SSLC) and then went to Lingraj College followed by Karnatak University in Dharwar for a master’s degree in sociology. She got a second master’s degree in Public Administration in the U.S. she rarely visits India, so her visits to Belgaum are very few and far between.She came to the United States in an arranged marriage in the mid 1970’s.
THE UNEXPECTED SON - the story
What happens when a woman suddenly wakes up to shocking news? A mysterious letter shatters Vinita Patil's contented American life. It tells an impossible story: she has a grown son in India, a child she was told was stillborn 30 years ago. He is now seriously ill. Revealing her secret past to her husband could ruin her marriage. Nonetheless Vinita is compelled to return to India to meet her unknown son—and pray for the faith of the family she leaves behind.
Advance praise for THE UNEXPECTED SON:
"This inspiring testament to a mother's enduring love makes for a fascinating tale and provides a window into an equally fascinating culture."
- Publisher's Weekly
"The Unexpected Son by Shobhan Bantwal is yet another crosscultural delight by this author."
- Chicago Examiner - 5 stars
"Shobhan Bantwal is a magical storyteller. The characters are so tangible that you miss them when you finish reading The Unexpected Son."
- Book Pleasures - 5 stars 
"This excellent contemporary provides strong insight into the Indian-American culture ... The Unexpected Son is a super Indian-American tale."
- Harriet Klausner, Amazon's top reviewer - 5 stars
THE UNEXPECTED SON is available at bookstores in the U.S. and Canada and all online booksellers. Orders can be placed at Amazon,Barnes & Noble, Borders. In India the book can be purchased online from FlipKart.com. Flipcart Price Rs.559
Readers in USA and Canada can go to the Contest page on her website to win a give away; a costume jewelry set to one winner and five autographed copies of THE UNEXPECTED SON to five other winners as part of the book launch of THE UNEXPECTED SON.
see the book trailer
website: www.shobhanBantwal.com
She was the First Stars of Belgaum covered by AAB. 

Hanuman Nagar is a locality with residences of mostly government officials, pensioners and political leaders and the Hanuman Nagar circle has been renovated, thanks to Commissioner of the Belgaum City Corporation S.G. Patil, social activist Ashok Chandargi and artist R.K. Godwani.

The circle now boasts of ornamental plants, grass carpet, benches and coloured lights.

The total cost for the make over was Rs. 12 lakh. There is also a cascade in the circle, a first in a circle in the city.

The place looks really nice and it has been attracting people of all ages.

Recently many gardens in the city have been developed, now the only concern would be the maintenance of these renovated gardens.

Photo: Rakesh R Harlapur  

This site when it began was known as Belgaumblog.blogspot.com then later it was branded as Belgaumblog.com and now it has it name AllAboutBelgaum.com.

A look at its logos  

Milestone enterprise has arranged a two day Digital photography workshop in Belgaum.

The Two day work shop will be focusing on Wedding and Portraiture.

On day one details of digital cameras and its handling will be explained and on day two will have a practical workshop with models.

This workshop is open for any one amateurs as well professional photographers.

Date: 9 and 10 August 2010

Venue: Hotel Shankan Residency

About the Trainer:

Vinayak Pavaskar (Mumbai) an eminent teacher and avid photographer positive to share his knowledge and encourage people to learn with every available opportunity has also been the mind behind the concept of Phototourism and The Milestone National Photo Galleria an exhibition showcasing the talents of phototourists and serious hobbyist photographers. His ability to mix among all genres makes him a favourite on our phototours and photography training programs. He has been conducting workshops on Fashion, Glamour, Portraiture, Landscape, Lighting Techniques, to name a few from the last two decades.

For registrations contact:

Subhash Color Center

Ramdev Galli, Belgaum

Mr.Raghu Undale – 99451 74481

For the past 48 hours Belgaum city and district is receiving heavy showers. Yesterday city received 6 cm of rainfall in 24 hours.
The NH 4 under pass at Gandhinagar was filled with water and commuters faced a hard time.
The low-lying areas were flooded and people remained busy removing water from their houses like Gandhinagar. A bridgr on the Belgaum-Gojaga road was washed away.
The water level in Krishna, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Doodhganga, Vedganga and Markandeya rivers flowing into the district is on the rise.
Farmers are having a happy time as their sowing is over and they were just waiting for rain. The rain has given drift to their activities.
Met department forecasts heavy to very heavy rains in the coming days.

EXCLUSIVE Story 
The Vaccine depot which has a long history to it came into the lime light when there were rumors that it will be good site for building the Suvarna Vidhan Soudha in August 2007. Environmentalists and nature lovers came together and raised voice that the rich heritage and the flora and fauna should be saved and preserved.
The government also headed to the demand in late 2008 and it was decided by BUDA (Belgaum Urban Development Authority) that a Heritage park needs to be setup in these 100 acres Vaccine depot without cutting or demolishing many buildings housed in it. Infact even a foundation stone was laid. In 2009 Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Limited made a report on the same and viability of a heritage park and this story is made from that report. But nothing has changed since then.
 Historical value of Vaccine Depot:
The Belgaum Vaccine Depot also known as Vaccine Institute was started by Captain F.H.G. Hutchinson for manufacturing Small Pox vaccine in 1904 under the then Government of Bombay Province. The institute was shifted to its present premises in Tilakwadi following completion of building construction works in 1909. The institute was manufacturing 40 million doses of freeze dried small pox vaccine andsupplying all over the country and to neighboring countries as well. During 1954, the vaccine was changed from cow-calf to sheep-based. Following reorganization of States, the administration of institute came under the control of Government of Karnataka in 1956.
In 1968, the vaccine was changed from sheep to buffalo calf and the production capacity was increased to 47 million doses in 1974 — one third of total requirement of the country.
The manufacturing of the vaccine was cut down in 1977 in view of zero incidence of small pox in the country and completely stopped in 1978. Yet, during the same year, the activities of the institute switched over to manufacture of neural tissue anti-rabies vaccine (NTV). Initiatives on experimental works connected with preparation of Tetanus Toxoid and Diphtheria fraction were also taken up in 1985.
 Belgaum Vaccine Depot is located in the heart of the city and spreads to about 100 acres. Vaccine Depot is a mini exotic forest and has about 3700 varieties of medicinal plants and has a potential to be preserved as a natural reserve. The site has lush greenery and a seasonal natural drain flows during rainy season and has potential for being developed as a landscape element. The site is a treasure of exotic flora and fauna.
There are 64 existing buildings out of which some of the buildings are nearly 100 years old. The buildings are used as offices of the District Health Officer and storage facilities for various vaccines.
 BUDA plans the proposed Heritage Park through Private Sector Participation (PSP) on an appropriate Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
The purpose for the development of the project is to preserve and portray Belgaum’s heritage.
To provide a platform for the city’s craftsmen to exhibit their art and also generate employment opportunities for the same.
To create urban green space for the citizens through the concept of “Community Park”.
The proposed Heritage Park would be an integrated campus to promote heritage, tourism development and create recreational space for the city as well as surrounding region.
The principle concept of the Heritage Park is one of sustainable development. The focus of the sustainable design process is to achieve an aesthetic response to the program, while minimizing the ecological footprint of the development and conserving the existing built form.
 The proposed heritage park shall have integral elements to promote art and culture blended with amusement related activities. Heritage Park is envisaged to cater to the needs of all age groups. The overall development of the area is envisaged in following zones:
Amusement, Hospitality, Cultural & Landscape Zone , General Facilities .
 The proposed facilities are Art Gallery, Museum, Heritage Centre, Club & Philatelic Centre.
Boating, hanging bridge, musical fountain, rose garden, water falls, Mini train, various other rides, a sports complex with indoor and outdoor and swimming pool etc would be developed as a part of landscaped Park.
The total Project Cost is estimated at around Rs. 26.2 Crore.
Belgaum needs such kind of a park and the govt. should take keen interest in developing this heritage park at the earliest. Infact it would be better if funds from the special grant of Rs.100 crore could be utilized here and the heritage park is completed at the earliest.

"Indireche Arials" is a cultural programme based on the poems and life of Late Indira Sant.
The program is a fund raising event of "Runanubandh Seva Pratishthan", Belgaum.
The event will be held on 31st July, 2010 at Raosaheb Gogte Rangamandir at 6pm.
 The concept and direction is by Mrs. Swati Kulkarni. Music is directed by Nandan Herlekar and background music is composed by Shantanu Herlekar, Coreography is done Swati Kulkarni, Aditya Paranjape & Sunil Nangareall from Belgaum.
Poems of Indira Sant have been composed by Nandan Herlekar, many have been recited and have been enacted, some events in her life are also been enacted.
 About Indira Sant:
Indira Sant (1914 – 2000) was a Marathi poetess from Belgaum.
She was born on January 4, 1914, as Indira Dikshit.
 She studied at Rajaram College in Kolhapur, and Fergusson College in Pune where she met her future husband Narayan Sant. Four years after their marriage, the two published in 1940 a joint collection of their poems titled Sahawas (सहवास). Narayan Sant died in 1946. The pain of loss of her husband found its expression in some of her poems. The principal theme of most of her poetry is love and longing. The love of nature is also evident in her poems. Her poetry further pertains to different dimensions of a woman's life.Sant wrote about 25 books. She worked first as a professor and then as the principal in a teacher's training college in Belgaum.
 For more details contact:
Swati Kulkarni 9900260243
Asawari Sant 9845311099
Nandan Herlekar 9448874836
Pradip Kulkarni 9448635693.

City based 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.
The company has declared 15% monsoon magic discount on all packages in Karnataka & Kerala till sept 15th 2010.
 Current Picks in the Monsoon:
Dandeli Jungle Holidays clubbed with waterfalls in Yellapur area in monsoon.
Devbag island beach resorts too good for HONEYMOONERS and adventure lovers.
Wildlife destinations like NAGARHOLE - BANDIPUR- BR HILLS- DUBARE CAMPS
 
They also do bookings of jungle lodges and resorts:
Kabini river lodge, Bandipur safari lodge, Bannerghatta nature camp, Dandeli wildlife resorts, Devbag island beach resorts, Om beach resorts, River tern lodge- Bhadra, Bhimeshwari- galibore-d mkali, Dubhare elephant camp- Coorg, Wildernest resorts, The Serai -chikmagaloor, Orange county resorts, Cikada resorts.

D-2,340. Devarshi Apartment.Roy Road, Tilakwadi. Belgaum. 590006.
Contacts -0831 4216520
Cell- 94481 33270, 98458 58148, 99007 88400
Email- kamatecotours@yahoo.com
kamatecotours@gmail.com
web- www.jungleholidays.co.in

by CJ- Sanjeev Patravali
Under the nirmal gram yojna and various other schemes the garbage is collected from house to house and then it is collected and taken to the dumping ground.
 The problem of waste management is the worst and the most important any city. The main objective of collecting of this garbage from house to house is that the same is not dumped else where, but the entire logic of this scheme has been kept aside by these private people and we have come to know about this due to some vigilant residents.
The corporation should have a mechanism which will monitor these private people who have got the contract to collect the garbage so that such incidents do not repeat.

by Santosh Purohit
St Loyolas (Goa) beat St.Pauls Belgaum 3 goals to zero in the finals of the Royston invitation cup being played here at the hostel ground of St.pauls.
St Loyolas team had their control over the entire game from the whistle blown. At Half time St Loyolas were leading 1-0 and in the second half they scored two more goals.
The regular inter school Royston memorial cup begins from 24th July.

In the National Sub-Junior Aquatic Championship 2010 held at Basavangudi Aquatic Center, Bangalore during 12th July to 15th July 2010 swimmers from Belgaum represented Karnataka outperformed.
 Belgaum swimmers brought 1 Gold, 5 Silver Medals in the tough competetion. Nearly 1000 swimmers from all over India took part in this championship.


The achievers:
Roshan Uday of St. Paul’s High School
4* 50 mtrs Medley Relay - Gold Medal
50 mtrs. Breast Stroke - Silver Medal

Manasi Herekar of Divine Providence High School
4* 50 mtrs Medley Relay - Silver Medal
50 mtrs. Breast Stroke - Silver Medal

Akshata Desai of St. Xavier’s High School
4* 50 mtrs Medley Relay - Gold Medal
50 mtrs. Breast Stroke - Silver Medal

The swimmers are members of Swimmer's Club Belgaum & Aquarius Swim Club Belgaum and practicing at Rotary Corporation Swimming Pool, Goaves, Belgaum.
The swimmers are being coached under the watchful guidance of Akshay Sheregar, Ajinkya Mendke, Prasad Tangankar and Lakhan Shahapurkar.