The magnificence of the universe was observed today all over the world, and how could Belgaum be left behind.

The sky was cloudy since the morning but later it cleared.

Here are few photos taken by Mr. Suresh R Khot a student who will pursue his M.Sc. all the photos have been taken by him using a Kodak Camera from his house in Kangrali BK.

The images are nice to see and he said that it was an experience of a lifetime to take these photos.

Factions is not a design house. It has a rare capability of executing every assignment with conceptual clarity & thoughtfulness. This enables the organization to provide solutions for critical behavior of the target audience. Strong market presence and proximity to the final audience helps Factions to provide strategic conceptual solutions that are reflected in their result-oriented designs.

Factions was started a decade ago in Aurangabad by Vishal Sadarjoshi after collecting valuable experience from Lowe Lintas and Kaleidoscope, the leading advertising agencies in India. To provide the best of services and serve the regional areas with the latest trends, Factions shifted its base to Pune after one year. Within a short span of time, Factions spread its wings to Mumbai, Sangli, Kolhapur, Goa and other parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka as well; because of its conceptual and budget based approach.

Roots of Belgaum were calling Vishal to come back and set up shop here and he realized that Belgaum could be a great option because of its strategic location and cost effective work force. Hence, the design studio of Factions was shifted to Belgaum at Mahatma Phule road. Six months of training was given to localities’ from Belgaum with a fine arts background and now Factions, Belgaum takes care of the entire portfolio of over 45 brands in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Not many will dare to shift shop from a metropolis to a smaller city as Belgaum but Factions did so with an aim of averaging costs and emerge as leaders in the smaller towns. Soon Factions Corporate Communications is planning an office in Bangalore to cater ever growing demands of corporate clientele in south India.

Factions executes everything under the roof for a organization from designing a logo, taking it forward with stationery, brouchers, paper ads, jingles, video ads, corporate films, model & product shoots, conferences, Celebrity & Model management to an event organization you name it and they will arrange it.

They are in this business for a decade now and with names like Videocon Dhoot Hospital Aurangabad, The Haute company Pune, Waterwheel resorts USA, Samruddhi Industries, Sangli, Kalika Steels, Jalna, SKF Bearings Pune, Jehangir Hospital Pune, Taxiads Norway, Amrut Pharma Belgaum, Vega Auto Belgaum are just to name a few.

Excerpts of an interview with Vishal Sadarjoshi:

Questions:

Q. When and how did Factions start? (Elaborate from beginning)

Factions was planned, conceived and started over several cups of coffee, brainstorming which often looked like battles and dreams that always looked so realistic. Factions was born in presence of millions of scribbled papers, a dedicated ash tray and zillions of ideas. Factions was conceptualized in the year 2000 in Aurangabad in a hotel. We used to work in the nights after the hotel used to shut down.

Q. Why did u plan to start shop in Belgaum?

Being from this place, I was always sure of finding intellect here. A small study proved that there were people with talent, which was often wasted in photo studios. Also shifting did not hamper the working of any of our existing clients.

We hail from Chickodi, and my father has spent most of his childhood in Belgaum. My uncles stay here and there are many relatives around. In addition, Pune was becoming very hectic for my parents and they always wanted to shift here. It is only that my transition took a little while or we would have shifted here a couple of years ago.

Q. People in your industry normally flee to metros as there is lot of scope, but in your case, it is otherwise, why?

Exploring the unexplored has always been the mantra of Factions. In addition, SCOPE is not an area or region dependant factor. Advertising or promotion is a need of everybody who wants to expand and grow. Along with this, we have our representation in Pune, Jalna, Aurangabad, Sangli, Bombay and Bangalore. This takes care of our client satisfaction and service.

Q. How many employees are here at your design centre in Belgaum?

Six employees and three management members.

Q. What are the challenges you are facing in Belgaum?

The first and the most important aspect were to train the designers. Talent was there but nobody knew about advertising. Software’s were all known but the conceptualization had to be developed, which at times was very frustrating as we were used to working with skilled and professional manpower.

Secondly designing here was done by printers, so there was no DESIGN CHARGE applicable. In addition, our business being designing, it was very difficult to educate the clients.

Q. Cost wise, Belgaum is cheap but what about clients and delivery?

Through our work and effective presentations, we are already associated with major top ad spenders in Belgaum. In addition, our other clients are very delighted as we can offer faster service and high quality jobs from here. Initially we had to call people from Pune and Bangalore to do our critical assignments. Now everything is in-house and well organized.

Q. Now how many in Belgaum will make a Video ad of 30 secs, so how do you plan to enter the market?

Actually, it is a need of every business house. Cable viewing is exceptional in Belgaum. However, it depends on the vision of the business owner.

The major hindrance is the cost factor. Businesses here tend to work with low quality and low cost production parameters. This will definitely not happen with factions. We will work at the best quality level only. We will wait until somebody understands the value of a conceptual video presentation. Our efforts are on through presentation and storyboards to educate the clients. As it is, our clients from other regions are keeping us very busy with these activities. Therefore, we can afford to go slow with Belgaum on this aspect.

Q. How was your experience concerning the talent pool in Belgaum?(with respect to your field)

Dedication and speed is something that is not associated with Belgaum as far as our field is concerned. Talent is there but there is reluctance in its application. However, the people with us have developed a lot and are sure to improve further.

Q. If Belgaum market does not click do you plan to shift base again?

It has already clicked...so there is no question of shifting. Yes,...we will definitely expand and start more offices in the required regions.

Q. Your thoughts on this website?

Uday nothing much to explain as Google can throw out your traces all over. It is not a site...it is a dedication. I think so much of devotion is amazing. Allaboutbelgaum.com is now Belgaum personified. Every reference, every change, every new thing, lands here first. I should thank you for giving us something that lifts the standards of talents in Belgaum.

Sugar has just reached Rs.42/Kg in Belgaum and is expected to rise to Rs.50 in some days and due to this sweet sugar festival of MakarSankranti is facing the hit.

Regular tilgul which were priced at Rs.40/Kg this year cost you Rs.60/kg. The more superior quality ones cost you anything from Rs.120 to Rs.150. The ones with groundnuts Rs.300 and cashew nuts Rs.500.

The over all price increase has been 50% in some cases than previous year.

The vendors are ready with the goods but they aren't finding buyers to that extent. A local seller told this blog, “Prices have shot up and hence we also have to hike the prices and which is affecting our sales.”
Makar Sankaranti marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn on its celestial path. This is significant considering the Winter Solstice marks the beginning of the gradual increase of the duration of the day. Traditionally, this has been one of many harvest days in India.

About the festival:

Important dates : January 13 – Bhogi & January 14 – Sankranti

On bhogi day Special Bajra Bhakri and special vegetables are made here is the recipes to it.

How to make Bajri Bhakri

How to make Vegetable

In Maharashtra it is called 'Tilgul' and in Karnataka it is called 'Yellu-Bella'.

Yellu means 'til' or Sesame seeds and 'Bella' is Jaggery. A mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut and groundnuts are distributed to relatives and friends. 'Yellu-Bella' is normally distributed by women. There is a saying in Kannada "Yellu bella thindu olle maathadi" which means 'Eat the mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery and speak only good'. Cattle are decorated with various colors and are made to jump over a bon-fire.

In Maharashtra on the Sankranti day people exchange multi-colored tilguls made from til (sesame seeds) and sugar and til-laddus made from til and jaggery. Gul-polis are offered for lunch. While exchanging tilguls as tokens of goodwill people greet each other saying – ‘til-gul ghya, god god bola’ meaning ‘accept these tilguls and speak sweet words’. The under-lying thought in the exchange of tilguls is to forget the past ill-feelings and hostilities and resolve to speak sweetly and remain friends. This is a special day for the women in Maharashtra when married women are invited for a get-together called ‘Haldi-Kumkum’ and given gifts (utensil, clothes, etc.), which the woman of the house purchases on that day. Typically, women wear black sarees on this occasion.

On 26 December 1939 Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar visited Belgaum and in the Municipality then the First person of Belgaum Mr.Bhimrao Potdar honoured Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar with a Momento.

The same sequence will be enacted and pictured in the month of February for the Italy based History channel. The channel is making a mega serial of 365 episodes of 22 minutes each. The work has begun in 2007 and will end somewhere in 2010 or early 2011. The total budget of the serial is 38 crores.

The shooting will take place at the old Municipal building, Kangral Galli & Kali Ambrai areas.

Limbo skater Abhishek Navale and Natyabhushan Enagi Balappa will inaugurate the Children's Film Festival at Nartaki Cinema at 9 am on January 11. The festival will continue till next day 12^th January.

Children & old ones as well in Belgaum always used to envy people in the metros and other cities that Belgaum has nothing where one can go and relax in the evening. When guests come to Belgaum and they ask, “What’s there to see in Belgaum” the host is in a fix.

Now you need to be, Kote Kere, the Belgaum Lake, which is now being managed by Darshan Udyog Samuha for over sometime, has renovated the entire lake and installed many games and amusement ridesfor children apart from the famous Boating in the lake.

Recently amusement rides and equipments worth Rs.60 lakhs have been put in place for Belgaumites.

There is a family train, Jumping Ballon, Cortex, Disco Coaster, Happy ride, Dragon ride, Boating, Cricket Zone and gaming console. It also has various food stalls from Chinese, Bhel puri, ice cream to Pav bhaji.

There are benches on the side where one can sit and relax seeing the beautiful lake. If someone special is besides you, then ‘Sone pe Suhaga’. The Kids can have a wonderful time taking all the rides and enjoying themselves. Elders can have a boat ride in a family boat or the peddle couple boats.

Still improvements are begin done with lights etc. the play area open in the evening and the boating in the latter half of the morning.

There are no entry fees as of now and you will have to shell out Rs.10 to Rs.15 per ride or game.

People getting cars, will need to park it opposite the old Vandana Palace road next to the road and there are no parking facilities as such. There are two entrances one next to Kasbekar Metgud Clinic and the other is from the road leading to MalMaruti on the opposite side. Two whellers can be parked at the Kasbekar Metgud Clinic side and a couple of cars can be parked if the others have parked well.

A note while taking kids out there, please apply anti mosquito cream as there are many mosquitoes around and they are huge in numbers and size.

In short, Kote Kere is a perfect place for a relaxed evening with the kids happily playing.

Commuters of the city bus in Belgaum had an unpleasant shock yesterday as the conductor asked to pay Rs.5 to the earlier Rs.4 they used to pay to travel from CBT to Bogarves.

The NWKRTC has hiked city bus fares without explaining the price rise.

The fare has been hiked by Re.1 on a 2 km stage.

Hence ticket fares have risen by Re.1 like 4 to 5, 5 to 6 etc..

Photo courtesy: Akash F Patil

This could be the best for North Karnataka as huge amount of investors have been asked to pen shop here.

The State High-Level Clearance Committee (SHLCC) presided by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday cleared the investment in many areas. They are as Follows:

• GAIL will lay 746-kms of gas pipeline from Dhabol to Belgaum and Bangalore at a cost of Rs. 4,544 crore.
  • Zuari Fertilisers and Chemicals will set up a urea plant with a capacity of 11.55 million tonnes per annum in Belgaum at a cost of Rs. 4,565 crore.
  • Surya Vijayanagar Steels and Power Ltd will set up an integrated steel plant at a cost of Rs. 20,000 crore in Bagaklot.
  • Arcelor Mittal will invest Rs 50,000 crore to set up a six million-tonne mega steel plant in North Karnataka. The company was offered eight places in North Karnataka, of which two have been short-listed. The company has asked for 4,000 acres for the project. The plant is expected to generate employment for at least 20,000 people. The Rs 30,000 crore phase-I will also include a 750MW thermal power.
    

This is good news for Belgaumites as most of these industries will give employment to locals here and after these industries set shop here there will be overall development.

It was a clash of times; MLA Abhay Patil had a verbal clash with councilor Pandhari Parab at a meeting at the city corporation over the 100 crore special grant implementation. The meeting was on in the Mayors chamber to review the various works under the special grant.

Pandhari Parab attacked the MLA over the implementation of the special grant in his ward, the matter heated up, and MLA Feroz Sait had to intervene to cool the matter.

The MLA and the councilor were stopped and held by other members at the meet so that they do not hit each other.

Resolutions time is here.

For 2010, at AAB, we have a resolution too.
We intend to make everything that revolves around AAB clean and clear. We are not talking about just news. When we say everything, it includes our presentation manifesto, our content strategy, our style substance, our creative layout, our ad campaigns, our value proposition, everything.

Having said that, we needed to get started on our resolution. The first step towards the same is the layout of our site. While the color schema and layout remains the same, if you notice, we have made it far cleaner and clearer if you will. The boxes are now squared and appear in a proper formation adding clarity to our website. We have got a brand new news slider that lets you take a look at our 'featured posts' segment, at the bottom of the page, we've integrated a social media toolbar that lets you indulge and synthesize AAB with social media elements like Facebook, Twitter, Chatting and RSS and a whole lot more.

We plan to keep working on this day on day, month on month, with the precise objective of delivering clean, clear and Belgaum focused media content for our passionate readers.

2010, here we come!

Thanks Leading Minds!

Match finished at 1.07 pm. Story up at 1.07pm.

In a sort of one-sided game the Belgaum super kings won the first ever PVG Belgaum Premier League T 20 tournament playing against PVG Warriors.

PVG Warriors scored only 83 runs loss of 10 wickets where as the Belgaum Super Kings managed to achieve the target in 14.3 overs for the loss of 5 wickets.

Super kings have proven to be on the top by winning by one runs in two matches and the super win the semis in the super over. In the league matches also super kings had won against PVG

Belgaum Super Kings is a Franchisee owned by Siddaganga Oil Extractions.

MAN OF THE SERIES : CHETHAN WILLIAMS

MAN OF TEH MATCH : ANIRUDDH JOSHI

BEST BATSMEN :BHARAT CHIPLI AND NISHANT SHEKHAWAT

BEST BOWLER :ANISH D. V. AND VINUPRASAD

BETS FIELDER :DEEPAK CHOUGULE