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  • #KN Rajanna: Has the Congress party scored a self goal in Karnataka?

    #KN Rajanna: Has the Congress party scored a self goal in Karnataka?

    By The Flag Post staff
    August 14, 2025
    youtube.com/@theflagpost

    Post the leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha (LS) Rahul Gandhi’s (RaGa/RG) recent visit to state capital city Bengaluru; where he made an allegation of ‘VoteChori’ against the Election Commission (EC) in the protest rally at the Freedom Park.

    The Congress party’s massive rally has claimed its first victim. The ST community’s senior MLA, & former Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna, from Madhugiri assembly constituency in Tumkur district, had to resign. On the first day of the beginning of the monsoon session, the controversial statement he made, was seen as taking a divergent view of the Congress party’s official stand.

    The popular Congress leader is known for clearly expressing his views, and being outspoken. KN Rajanna, was seen as Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah’s loyalist and his camp follower. Even the CM, was at loss of words at his unceremonious exit from the state Cabinet.

    The issue is being raised by the opposition parties to embarrass the ruling party. Tongues have been wagging ever since he was asked to step down. The opposition party is breathing down the neck of the ruling party, which seems to be at a loss of words.

    Did the Congress party’s top brass err in asking for Rajanna’s resignation? Some partymen even had to say that refusing to toe the party’s official line has its consequences, irrespective of who made it ?

    The MLAs followers have taken his resignation seriously, and have been protesting against the party’s decision. Has the party’s high command made a political blunder? Will they regret their hasty decision later? Or as goes the adage, “Act in haste and repent at leisure”, will haunt them?

  • America’s Texas based Empower & Connect: Where creativity meets impact

    America’s Texas based Empower & Connect: Where creativity meets impact

    By Yuvi Parmar
    August 05, 2025
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    The first time I realized that service could be more than volunteering at a local shelter was during a family trip to India. I was young aged ten and I clearly remember the moment. A boy my age was balancing on a broken bicycle, weaving between traffic to sell bottled water under the heat of the summer sun. That image stuck with me. It wasn’t guilt I felt, but urgency. Years later, that same urgency became the foundation for something much larger than myself—Empower and Connect.


    I’m Yuvi Parmar, a student in Katy, Texas, and the Founder and President of Empower and Connect, a youth-led non profit organization committed to creating sustainable, community-driven impact. What started as a modest service initiative in Greater Houston has now grown into an international movement with chapters and ongoing projects in: India, Kenya, Canada, Australia, Pakistan, and the United States. The road from idea to impact wasn’t always easy, but has been transformative.


    The earliest version of Empower and Connect was a quiet reaction to a not-so-quiet reality: too many students and families around me, both locally and abroad lacked access to the basic tools needed to thrive. From access to clean water to digital literacy to STEM education, these needs weren’t theoretical. They were urgent.


    With support from close friends, Elvin Li and Allen Nguyen now Secretary and Advisor of our board respectively, formalized the organization in Texas under a 501(c)(3) status. We set out to build more than a charity; we wanted a platform where young people could lead, build, and innovate solutions that mattered.

    Our motto, “Where creativity meets impact,” reflects that philosophy. Empower and Connect isn’t built on a top-down model. Instead, we give student leaders the tools to launch their own projects; tailor them to local needs, and receive institutional backing from our leadership and partners. Every chapter is unique, but all united by a shared set of values: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Loyalty our ICARL framework.

    India and Kenya: Innovation Where It’s Needed Most

    One of our most impactful ongoing efforts is our water filter project, developed and implemented across underserved communities in India and Kenya. The need was evident: schools in rural regions were still using untreated or contaminated water, resulting in health issues that quietly derailed childhood education and quality of life.


    In partnership with local government leaders including the Trans-Nzoia County Government in Kenya and MBBS students in Mumbai—we developed low-cost filtration systems, assessed them through local testing labs, and conducted onsite surveys to assess impact. The result: A replicable system for clean water access that continues to expand.

    In parallel, we launched Inventor Workshops a 3D design and engineering education initiative, targeting under-resourced students in Kenya. Volunteers from our U.S. chapters train them remotely through Autodesk Inventor and Tinkercad to teach students technical skills that build long- term digital fluency and career readiness. From sketching basic models to building prosthetic parts for real world challenges, our goal is to equip youth with just knowledge, but direction and purpose.


    Pakistan, Australia, Canada: Chapters on the Rise

    Empower and Connect now has newly formed chapters in Pakistan, Australia, and Canada, each undergoing their own induction ceremonies and member on boarding. The Pakistan chapter, based in Lahore, is focused on educational equity through free tutoring and after-school workshops. In Canada, we are working with young change makers to develop mental health literacy campaigns tailored to immigrant communities. Australia’s early projects involve environmental cleanup and data-based water sustainability assessments.


    Each of these chapters is not an extension of our U.S. model, they are their own teams, with their own officers, building solutions grounded in their own contexts. That’s the beauty of the network:we empower leaders to connect their personal skills with local needs.


    Back Home in the U.S.: Leadership in Motion

    Even while our chapters expanded abroad, our home chapter at Tompkins High School in Katy remained a hub of innovation. In 2024, we launched a six weeks Coding Workshop series at the Cinco Ranch Library, teaching game development from scratch to students aged 8–16. We also established a free library at Mary Jo Peckham Park, promoting community literacy through a take- one, leave-one book system.


    In 2025, we introduced our most ambitious initiative yet: a youth-led App Development Team designing an all-in-one platform for underserved populations. The app will address needs across sectors mental health, local food access, and crisis reporting is being developed entirely by high school students trained by professionals and mentors in our network.


    The Path Forward

    Looking back, it’s hard to believe we’ve grown from a group chat to an international network of change makers. But I’ll never forget why we started: the memory of that boy in India, and countless others like him, still drives my work today. In the next year, Empower and Connect plans to launch 10 new projects globally, expand its grant partnerships, and build long-term sustainability pipelines through digital platforms, non-profit coalitions, and policy collaboration.

    This isn’t just a non-profit. It’s a reminder that young people can lead. They should lead and when they are trusted, empowered, and connected, they deliver impact beyond what most expect.

  • Joida taluk: Bear Attacks on the Rise in Uttara Kannada (UK) district, Karnataka

    Joida taluk: Bear Attacks on the Rise in Uttara Kannada (UK) district, Karnataka

    youtube.com/@theflagpost
    July 22, 2025
    By The Flag Post staff


    Uttara Kannada (UK) district in north-west Karnataka, lies in the western ghats and has large area under forest cover. The district makes for some scenic locales and has healthy flora and fauna, and some species are endemic to the region.


    Joida taluk is sparsely populated and is one of the largest taluks in the state; has thick forest cover and the Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR) falls in the same region. It is known to have a good prey base and has a healthy number of carnivores. There also are farmlands and hamlets which are contiguous to the forest. So, there is interaction amongst the residents of the villages, their domestic animals and the wild animals. Man-animal conflict is real in some places and such incidents are on the rise.


    The forest department is responsible for protecting the forests and the wildlife, and the villagers also play a major role in assisting them. Since the last couple of months there have been attacks by bears on humans and their cattle. Joida taluk has recorded a large number of cases. A recent case was reported at Mundgod in the eastern part of Uttara Kannada district. A person who had gone to defecate in the forest area, was attacked by two bears and luckily he saved himself. He was admitted to Sirsi and is recovering.


    The bear attacks in Joida taluk recorded in Ramnagar, Asu, Jagalbet, Aveda, Gund and Kumbharwada and surrounding villages. The other places where such untoward attacks have happened are in villages near Dandeli and Haliyal taluks. There have been bear attacks reported from different taluks of UK district. Residents of Nagargali, Khanapur taluk, Belagavi district also have their share of bear attacks to narrate.


    Villagers and those moving in remote wooded areas with little or no human presence, have to stay alert for attacks from bears and other wild animals. The bears are fond of tubers like sweet potatoes and they keep searching for bee-hives and jack fruit trees. So the farmers and villages near forests are advised to stay clear from such areas for their safety, and suggested to exercise caution at all times.

  • Karnataka Congress: If Kranti (Revolution) is over, will Shanti (Peace) Finally Prevail ?

    Karnataka Congress: If Kranti (Revolution) is over, will Shanti (Peace) Finally Prevail ?

    By Manjunath K. Shresthi
    youtube.com/@theflagpost
    July 12, 2025


    The last couple of days and weeks before that, the Congress party in Karnataka has been making news every day. The leadership issue between the CM & Dy. CM (DCM) has peaked up, and the matter refuses to die down.


    During the visit of Congress party’s Karnataka in charge to the state capital, there were meetings between different MLAs and dissidents who were speaking against their party’s decisions. There were predictions being made about a soon to be Kranti (revolution) sometime after September, and there was talk about a possible leadership change in the state? This week has been a hectic one for all those keenly watching the political developments in the state.


    It’s no secret about the DCM harbouring ambitions to sit on the coveted kursi (CM’s chair). But the wait has gotten a bit longer. In the different camps of the big two leaders, their followers and die-hard supporters made claims and counter-claims. It all added to the political fireworks in the state. After the Karnataka in charge, concluded his visit one thing was made clear, that none of the Congress party members would air their differences in public. The messaging was loud and clear that the CM issue had been laid to rest. Even the DCM, after seeing the writing on the wall, said that “he was left with no option”. He later visited a temple in Mysuru and invoked the divine, and spoke about the power of prayers.


    In the past few days, the political action shifted from Bengaluru to the national capital New Delhi. The DCM first reached Delhi and had meetings & discussions with the ruling party Ministers w.r.t matters from the state. It was then the CM’s turn to reach there and they both sought time separately to meet Rahul Gandhi. The CM while speaking to the media added that there would be no change, and he would complete his full term. Rahul Gandhi maintained his distance and refused to meet either of them.


    While the Sidda camp was going full steam in trying to diminish and showing DKS his place in the state. It’s a sort of no-confidence motion against DK Shivakumar, as the CM has far more supporters and they’re not hesitating to make statements and cementing his position as the CM. One Minister further added that the matter was finally laid to rest and it was ‘Over’. The CM’s camp quickly went on to meet AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge at his Bengaluru residence. And later they raised the issue of one man one post, and how could the DCM also continue as the KPCC President? And if the DCM, is made to step down, then he cannot have his say over the MLAs. But on reaching Bengaluru, he said that he was the party President, but for how long will he continue there?

  • Kolhapuri Chappal (GI) Controversy: Global Fashion vs. Local Identity

    Kolhapuri Chappal (GI) Controversy: Global Fashion vs. Local Identity

    youtube.com/@theflagpost
    July 08, 2025


    By Shubham Arya

    On June 25, during its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show in Milan, Italian luxury fashion house Prada debuted shoes inspired by India’s GI-tagged Kolhapuri chappals, which elicited outrage over cultural appropriation. The brand was accused of appropriating traditional Indian craftsmanship without due credit or acknowledgment to its cultural and geographic origins. A major ethical and legal controversy has arisen between the globally famous luxury fashion house Prada and the traditional handmade leather footwear Kolhapuri chappals, which has deep cultural roots in India. Traditional Kolhapuri chappal manufacturers have filed Public Interest Litigation (PIL) lawsuit against Prada in the Bombay High Court. It asserts that the company’s latest footwear series has borrowed the unique design elements of Kolhapuri chappals without authorization or giving due credit. This scandal has raised serious concerns about intellectual property rights, cultural appropriation, and above all, the violation of protection ensured by India’s Geographical Indication (GI) system.


    The footwear brand is known for its artistry, which consists of fine hand- stitched and vegetable-dyed leather, Kolhapuri chappals are indigenous to two districts in Maharashtra and one in Karnataka respectively: Kolhapur, Sangli, and Belgaum. The Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999, a legislative mechanism is used to protect goods with specific characteristics or reputations due to origin, granted this unique pair of footwear, the GI status in 2019. The GI tag provides legal protection from unauthorized commercial use as well as legally validating the regional and cultural uniqueness of such goods.


    Prada’s launch of a new line of open-toe leather sandals that look like traditional Kolhapuri chappals in terms of soles, toe knots, and leather construction ignited the controversy. Indian craftsmen and cooperatives argue that Prada could hav infringed the GI protection for Kolhapuri chappals by not recognizing the traditional origin of this style. They view this practice as commercial and cultural exploitation, when the artistic work of poor craftspeople is utilized for global gain without equitable benefit-sharing, and not merely an aesthetic imitation act. Legally, this suit is soundly based in India’s GI Act, specifically Section 21, which bars unauthorized persons from using a registered GI in any manner which may cause customers to be misled or which will constitute unfair competition.


    In addition, Section 22 enumerates other forms of GI infringement, including blatant abuse, false representations of origin, and actions that discredit or debase the GI’s already acquired reputation. In addition, GI protection is expected to be enforceable worldwide under Articles 22 to 24 due to the fact that both India and Italy—Prada’s country of origin—are signatories to the TRIPS Agreement under the WTO, thus giving affected artisans potential avenues for seeking legal remedies across borders.


    By GI tagging, India has for long encouraged the conservation of its native cultural forms and traditional knowledge practices. Such protections are accorded to products such as Mysore silk, Banarasi saris and Darjeeling tea, which express India’s commitment to the sustenance of cultural identity and economic progress through traditional crafts. This broader national initiative is best represented by the Kolhapuri chappal example, which also brings to the forefront the pressing requirement for robust international mechanisms able to effectively counter GI protections in cross-border cases. The issue raises the broader ethical debate of cultural appropriation versus appreciation as well as its legality.


    While fashion often takes inspiration from across the globe, there is a deep imbalance in cross-cultural exchange seen in not acknowledging, appreciating, and compensating traditional cultures for their effort. Global brands perpetuate systems of exploitation and erasure when they commodify the beauty of local work without acknowledgment or contributing to the societies of origin. Hence, ethical grounds necessitate that businesses like Prada be accountable, not onl through legal compliance but also through promoting transparency, equitable trade, and true collaboration with communities of artisans.


    Finally, the legal action the Kolhapuri chappal manufacturers are contemplating is something greater than a conflict regarding ownership of the design; it is a declaration in favor of the preservation of traditional knowledge systems, the exercise of intellectual sovereignty and the protection of cultural heritage. India can well set a precedent for safeguarding its cultural heritage due to the strict enforcement of GI law and support from global legal systems such as TRIPS. I is important that history not only be preserved but also shared equitably and with morals as globalization and tradition meet increasingly.

  • India to Host Global Seminar on Para Sports Classification

    India to Host Global Seminar on Para Sports Classification

    May 2, 2025

    youtube.com/@theflagpost

    By J R Nautiyal

    New Delhi, May 1: The Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India (CPSFI), along with World Ability sport are holding an International Awareness Seminar on Classification in Para Sports here. The two- day event will be held on 29–30 May 2025 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

    This seminar is aimed at educating and empowering the para sports ecosystem in India and South Asia, said Rajesh Tomar, president of CPSFI, while addressing a press conference. Tomar said that the conference would emphasize the urgent need for trained national classifiers, a critical yet missing link in India’s journey towards inclusive and competitive para sports.

    Classification is the cornerstone of the Paralympic movement. It determines which athletes are eligible to compete and ensures that they are grouped appropriately to create a level playing field.

    It is not the degree of impairment, but athletic skill and training that should decide the outcome, the head of the grouping pointed out.

    Currently, India lacks a single certified national classifier — resulting in limited access, high costs, and delays in athlete progression.

    Outlining the details of the seminar, a press release issued by both the organization’s that have come together for the event said the subjects being addressed at the seminar included are: raising awareness of classification systems in para sports; training and developing Indian classifiers at grassroots level; ensuring fair play and reducing dependency on international systems; making the classification process more accessible and cost-effective and creating opportunities for doctors, physiotherapists, and rehabilitation experts to become certified classifiers.

    The release said that the factors, physiotherapists, rehabilitation professionals — ideal profiles to become classifiers. Sports administrators, coaches, athletes, and institutions seeking clarity on the classification process, professionals interested in building a career in para sports officiating and international classification are expected to attend the conference.

    The statement highlighted that the participants would gain insights into issues like: What classification is and how it works? Who can become a classifier and the eligibility criteria, the process of enrolment, training, certification, and career path, opportunities for national and international
    growth, and contribution to para sports.


    World-renowned speakers such as Craig Carscadden, IPC Classifier; Penny Broomhead, IPC Classifier; Dr. Halim Jebali, IPC Classifier and Charmaine Hooper, CEO, World Abilitysport, will address the gathering.


    Their expertise will offer valuable perspectives and guidance on building a sustainable classification framework, an organisation spokesman said.

    In addition to Indian delegates, the seminar will host official representatives from Nepal, Bhutan, SriLanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh, fostering regional collaboration in the para sports movement, the release said.


    This seminar fulfils a long-standing goal since our recognition by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — to promote classification awareness from the grassroots level. Building our pool of classifiers will lead to fairer competition, eliminate unnecessary costs, and reduce the risk of
    misclassification, the president, Rajesh Tomar added.

    The press conference was also attended by Secretary General Kavita Suresh, Joseph Kuok, treasurer, Rajendra Kumar Jain Vice President and legal advisor.


    Rupinder Singh: noted commentator and sports advisor moderated the event.

  • Vaidya Krishna Patil: Fixing Bones And Healing People

    Vaidya Krishna Patil: Fixing Bones And Healing People

    youtube.com/@theflagpost
    January 30, 2025
    By Manjunath K. Shresthi

    Kiniye, an idyllic hamlet in Belagavi district, located 12 kms from the city on Chorla road (via Piranwadi to Goa). Kiniye shares a similar name with Kenya in east Africa. The village is also home to the third generation of healers and bone fixers, and a family tradition has been kept alive even in the modern times. Vaidya Krishna Patil is alleviating the pain of the people, and is now carrying further the rich legacy of treating people. Ayurveda is a tradition passed since times immemorial, and is India’s contribution to the modern world.

    Some of the health related problems treated by Vaidya Krishna are: Sciatica (pain along the sciatic nerve, running down from one or both legs from the lower back); Spondylitis (inflammation of the spine); Knee cap pain (Joints); side effects of Chickengunya; tennis elbow; shoulder related pain; pain in the heels and fractured bones treated and joined. Joint pain and orthopaedic related problems are permanently treated by Ayurveda.

    The cause of pain is diagnosed after detailed examination, and the patient then goes through treatment and suggestions given by him. Vaidya Krishna, after completing his early education got firsthand the theory and practice of treating patients, under the watchful gaze of his old father who retired from work.

    Accident cases and other joint inflammation problems are treated successfully. Vaidya Krishna, has his own unique treatment, and it also includes jadi-bhooti (ayurveda products). He has successfully treated those ailing from knee pain in the knee cap, through medicine and massages and the patient has to take medicine at home. The treatment usually consists of three weeks and the patient must visit weekly for three weeks. He has treated acute cases, and has an OPD ward. Patients who have tried all other modes of treatment including the costly allopathic treatment without yielding the necessary results, finally come to Kiniye as a last resort.

    He keeps his patients away from pain killers, and spoke about having treated more than a lakh of patients in over two-and-a-half decades. He also uses acupuncture technique, and all the medicines are modestly prized and affordable. According to him, the patients visiting him gets the required cure and the relief they get is priceless. He’s assisted by two people, who help him in administering the necessary treatment to the patients. Till date there have been no known cases of any side effects to the treatment given by him.

    Patients visiting the Vaidya at Kiniye, are not only from Belagavi district, but they come from nearby and far off places like: Vijaypura, Bagalkot, Jamkhandi, Mudhol, Hubli-Dharwad, Hospet and from outside Karnataka. Patients from neighbouring places in Maharashtra like: Sawantwadi, Chandgad, Kolhapur, Miraj, Sangli, Pune and Mumbai. He has an equally large number of Goans visiting him.

    A large number of people who have taken treatment from Vaidya Krishna Patil, have been cured and returned to lead normal lives.

    * For Appointment: +91 98452 25157
    Address: Ayurvedik Bone Specialist & Acupuncture Treatment
    Near Vithal Mandir, Jamboti Road, Kinaye, Tal & Dist: Belagavi

  • Bhopal: Foody Heaven with Nawabi Touch

    Bhopal: Foody Heaven with Nawabi Touch

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    January 18, 2025

    By The Flag Post staff

    Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, known as Jheelo ka shahar (City of Lakes) has a royal history. Raja Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty developed the city, modern Bhopal came into existence when Muhammad Khan was ruling the city in 18 th century.

    One can witness royal touch and the architectural splendour throughout the city. Buildings, lakes, gardens and yes food too. Bhopal is not just famous for its lake or Mahals but also for its food. It’s a foody heaven for people who have taste for something different. The food caters to different palates ranging from: fine dining luxury, to spicy, simple vegetarian and the meaty varieties and the versatility in food leaves one delightfully amazed. Big themed hotels to small food corners, one has a wide range to choose from. And the food has Nawabi taste and feel to it.

    For vegetarians ‘Manohar Dairy’ is the best place to satisfy your taste buds. It’s a hangout for youngsters. It is economically priced and yet has a wide variety on offer. One can see long queues outside for the Chhola Bhatura.

    If you ask a non-vegetarian, he would definitely say ‘Hakeem’s’ is the best place and one can’t miss it. They have lip smacking variety of chicken and mutton dishes. It started in 1971 and was named after a famous Dargah in Burhanpur ‘Hakeemi’. One must try their Keema Kaleji and Bhuna hua Gosht.

    There is another good place for meat lovers and it is ‘Ustad Chhote Nawab’ restaurant. One can try different Nawabi dishes. The Lakhnavi Biryani is served in a handi (clay pot) to make it even more authentic. One should also try Murg Malai and Bhuna Gosht as well.

    If you happen to be a nature lover and want to enjoy your coffee somewhere near lake then ‘Winds and Waves’ is just for you. It’s on the hill overlooking the big lake of Bhopal. As the name suggests, one can enjoy winds and waves along with tasty feast and live music on the deck. Owned by Madhya Pradesh (MP tourism), this beautiful restaurant is a good place to spend the evening. They have variety of dishes in veg and non-veg and of course the Bar too.

    Have you heard about Salty tea? Yes, ‘Mumtaj Hotel’ serves tea with salt in it. This tea is not just tasty, it’s healthy too. It helps in relieving throat problems, cough, headache and cold. Almost 1000 salty tea are sold every day. During Nawabi times it was served only to special guests. If one wants to feel like a royal? Then this is a must try!

    If you don’t have much time and want to grab something really lip smacking on the go then ‘Sagar Gere Restaurant’ is the best hangout place. Pasta, soup, Chinese, south Indian, pizza, chhola kulchaa, biryani, a long list of mouth-watering snacks as well as full meals. The speciality of this place
    is Soup. As the story goes the owner of this restaurant Dolraj Gere used to sell “Soup” on his cycle around the city after his regular job of 350 rupees per month. Slowly his soup got famous with the name of Cycle Soup.

    Bhopal is famous for its street food too. There are many popular spots around the city. ‘Raju tea stall’ is one of them where people visit from morning to late night to get a tasty Chai ki Chusky. One of its kind special lassi is served with Phaluda (famous nawabi sweet dish) at ‘Haji Lassiwala’ in old city. If you happen to visit the Old city then one should visit ‘Chatori Gali’. It’s a food heaven. Few other places around the city are Mama and Balaji Poja Jalebi, Café Culture, Chaat Chatore, Cafechino and Tea Studio.

  • Unrest in Karnataka Congress over the Dinner Meet in Bengaluru

    Unrest in Karnataka Congress over the Dinner Meet in Bengaluru

    youtube.com/@theflagpost
    January 09, 2025
    By The Flag Post staff

    While Karnataka’s Dy.CM, was abroad to welcome the new year; there were dinner meetings in state capital Bengaluru. The Chief Minister along with some of the state Ministers attended the meet, and the matter refuses to settle down. The New Year 2025, has begun with enough fireworks to last the entire calendar year.

    The dinner meeting on January 02, has definitely set of tongues wagging. DK Shivakumar, is known to have discussed the same with the party high command in the national capital. The root cause of the discontent among the leaders is the unresolved leadership issue in the state. There also were discussions about ‘One Man One Post’; so will the Dy.CM also continue as the KPCC President?

    Will the state see a change in the state leadership in the days ahead? It is known across party lines, of the Dy.CM’s interest to become the Chief Minister. Will his ambition ever become a reality before 2028?

    There are far too many unresolved issues in the party and will they be finally be laid to rest? The Congress party in the state will complete two years after it formed the government in May 2023. Will there be a change in the leadership in the state, or will Chief Minister Siddaramaiah continue till 2028?

    Will the new political developments in the first week on 2025, set the agenda for the rest of the year? How will the Congress party contain the infighting over the leadership issues in the southern state? Who will finally answer the questions regarding the leadership tussle in the state? There’s definitely a lot of answering for the Congress high command to do in the days ahead.

  • Ekal Abhiyan ‘Sewa’: Changing Lives in Belagavi and Uttara Kannada (U.K) District, Karnataka.

    Ekal Abhiyan ‘Sewa’: Changing Lives in Belagavi and Uttara Kannada (U.K) District, Karnataka.

    youtube.com/@theflagpost
    January 06, 2025
    By The Flag Post staff

    Ekal Abhiyan, Belagavi was the brain child of its Late Founder President Suresh Hundre, and Girish Pai, is the current President since 2013. The Managing Committee consists of 14 active members, and is in operation since 2007. It’s area of operations is in the western part of Belagavi district; Bidi & Khanapur(are part of Uttara Kannada district parliamentary constituency). In Uttara Kannada (UK) district, it has operations in Haliyal taluka, Dandeli, Yellapur and Ramnagar. It also conducts health camps at Alnavar, in Dharwad district.

    The nature of their work is education based and they run schools in around 180 villages (informal schools) in Belagavi district. As the youth face challenges and Ekal helps create team leaders with ethical and moral support, and guide them to stay away from the harmful influences of consuming chewing gutkha, online gambling and other negative habits. They regularly conduct workshops and groom them by giving lasting solutions.

    Health is another key focus area, they run a full-fledged, ‘Seva’, clinics with four beds in Haliyal, and with eight beds at Ramnagar respectively. Each of the clinics has the services of an MBBS doctor, a Dentist and an Ophthalmologist. They also have the non-medical staff with a lady technician and three nurses, and three other office staff at Haliyal and Ramnagar respectively. The visiting patient’s records are properly maintained and a thorough follow up is done. The IPD and OPD are day care clinics. The clinics are fully stocked with allopathic medicines he

    Haliyal ‘Seva clinic’ is strategically located and has a total built up area of 3500 sq ft. The clinic covers the daily health needs of the 250 surrounding villages. A total of 7000 cataract operations have been done in the last two years. Everyday a healthy number of patients of visit the clinic. They are modestly charged Rs. 50/- from each individual per month, and the generic medicines are sold at 50% of the total cost. Regular health camps are conducted and specialist Doctors examine the patients. Malnutrition cases from 0-60 years are treated and the proper supplements given to them, added Dr. Vaishali Kittur.

    At Bidi and Dandeli only eye check-up done daily from 9AM to 7.30 PM. Ramnagar forms an important traffic intersection on SH 34 and NH4A. An ambulance and hearse van services are available at the clinic.

    Along with education and health services, there’s also work being done for the farmers in surrounding villages, w.r.t community farming and lake rejuvenation programs. Sustainable agricultural practices also promoted by sale of vermin compost bags of five kgs and each kg costs Rs. 12

    *The expenses incurred in the upkeep and running of the Clinics is done by Philanthropists. All the work done by ‘Ekal Abhiyan’, in rural areas is funded by people residing in urban areas.

    *Clinic Timings: 9.30 AM to 7.30 PM.