Blog

youtube.com/@theflagpost
December 24, 2024
By Manjunath K. Shresthi

The 39 th annual Congress session holds significance, as it was the only time when Bapu presided over as the President on December 26-27, 1924, in Belagavi.

The place currently known as ‘Veer Soudha’, and it was dedicated to the nation by then former and Late Chief Minister of Karnataka, S. M. Krishna on April 29, 2002. It houses a bust of Mahatma Gandhiji, a well, a library, a well-laid out garden and a hall. One can see old photos of the session that was held there, and other memorabilia of Gandhiji forming the subject matter of interest.

The apostle of peace ‘Bapuji’ was reverentially addressed as the Mahatma, and he truly was a “Satya aur ahimsa ka dhoot” (meaning am ambassador of truth and non-violence). And to quote another Gandhian, “Bapu, could have been born only in India”. Because of his visionary leadership and the path he laid, that many Indians heeded to his call to fight against the imperial British. The fight between Mahatma and the British can aptly be called “Soul force vs Fist force”.

Veer Soudha holds significance as the Indian National Congress (INC) on January 11, 2023, started the Prajadhvani bus yatra from the same location. The entire top brass of the party was then present. The bust of “The Father of the Nation” was garlanded by AICC General Secretary, Karnataka in charge, along with KPCC President D. K. Shivakumar, who’s now the current Dy. Chief Minister of Karnataka. The Congress party swept the assembly elections held the same year in May 2023.

Belagavi, in northwest Karnataka witnessed the annual winter session at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, early this month. The city now wears a festive look, and getting ready to celebrate the historic occasion. The entire city is lit up and cut outs have become the cynosure of all eyes. All roads now lead to the ‘Veer Soudha’ on Congress road in south Belagavi’s Tilakwadi area.

*October 02 nd is annually celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti in India and across the globe.

Click January 11, 2023 link below to read about the: Congress starts Bus Yatra from Veer Soudha in Belagavi

https://www.facebook.com/thetalkofthetownfb

youtube.com/@theflagpost
November 29, 2024
By The Flag Post staff

The Haldipurkar family from Karwar in Uttara Kannada (U.K) district, Karnataka has a memorable history. In the late 18 th century, they came from Haldipur village (it lies between Kumta & Honnavar). Ramchandra Haldipurkar, was a forest contractor during the British Raj. The family’s next generation distinguished themselves as freedom fighters, and also excelled in the legal profession. The practice continues even today in the current times.

Adv. Gopal Krishnarao Haldipurkar (March 23, 1924 – January 22, 1994), started his practice under Adv. P.S.Kamat. In 1955, he moved to Haliyal, and had a successful legal career. He also was a multi- faceted person, his interests in art collections is an entire subject in itself. Along with numismatic and philatelic collections; the other interesting collection consists of: greeting cards, playing cards, matchbox labels, cigarette packet cards and old empty liquor bottles. He was a disciplinarian, known as “GK”, was known as a walking and talking encyclopaedia. In his personal life, he was a teetotaller and abstained from all vices. Aniruddha remembers his beloved late mother Sugandha, who played an important role in his father’s career. She always accompanied her husband when he went to attend conferences, exhibitions and seminars.

The other items includes: antiques, lithographs/oleographs and scrap books. All collections are thematic in nature, and they can all be seen under one roof in Adv. Aniruddha’s residence, ‘Matru Chaya’ on M.G. Road, Karwar. All collections are note worthy, and one can see the diversity in the art works. The pain staking meticulous efforts that have gone into it is visible in the entire collections.

Some of the most notable are the lithographs of Raja Ravi Varma, the artist who gave Goddess Laxmi and Saraswati, a form, which was non-existent before. The human forms we now see, is the creation of the great artist from the state of Travancore, Kerala. Ravi Varma, drew his inspiration from Indian classic mythologies, and his treatment of the subject can be seen in his myriad works. He also left a vast body of art work of his contemporary times. Artefacts of the yore are all displayed in shelves and on the different walls of his house.

Numismatic themes are also an attraction, and the stamps collections from 1882 till the current date can be seen. They include first day covers and block of four stamps. The series on the “Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi”, revives memories of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters in their struggle against the British government. Aniruddha, fondly recollects the numismatic exhibitions attended by him across the country.

Scrap books, stamps on world renowned painters like: Rembrandt, Vincent Van Gogh are a must see. There’s also a collection of various works of artists from the sub-continent. The lighthouse series and the standalone joker playing cards set are amazing. Their private library has a collection of up to a thousand books.

In the year 1983, at the State Lawyers Conference; there was an exhibition of late Adv. Gopal Haldipurkar’s entire collections of numismatics and philately were displayed. He’ll be remembered, for he truly was a connoisseur of art!

youtube.com/@theflagpost
November 21, 2024
By The Flag Post staff

On NH 66, one enters Karnataka state from Polem on Goa side, after crossing the border/ excise check post. In Karnataka, the first entry is at Majali, a small village in Karwar taluka, Uttara Kannada (U.K) district, Karnataka.

The Majali check post made news after a truck driver alleged a month back or even longer; that he was man-handled by some of the officials after his vehicle entered Karnataka. There were complaints lodged against the high-handedness of some Government officials from the excise check post.

It’s publicly known amongst all, that a strict vigil is kept on all the vehicles entering the state, and are checked if they carry liquor bottles. The standard operating procedure (SOPs) followed is, the bottles are confiscated and the necessary action taken against them. This also stopped liquor entering the state, and there would be an increase in excise revenue to the state’s coffers.

But after an upright government official doing his duty was transferred from Majali check post, it’s become a free for all. The vehicles are not getting properly checked for carrying liquor bottles from Goa, as there is no coordination from officials of different departments in the state. The more liquor enters the state, the government will lose revenue. And if honest upright officials in the state are transferred and obstructed from doing their duty, such actions will demoralise the government officials.

youtube.com/@theflagpost

November 16, 2024

By The Flag Post staff

On November 15 at Divekar college, a creativity fest held from 10 AM to 5 PM on the adjoining road on NH66.  A commerce and computer science exhibition was arranged by the students. Social awareness was the underlying theme, and more than 55 rangoli participants displayed their artistic side through beautiful forms. The fest also had food and game stalls organised by the students. And different food varieties were served to the many visitors from Karwar.

The dignitaries present were Kanara Welfare Trust’s (KWT) chairman S P Kamat; Karwar’s city municipal council (CMC) president Raviraj Ankolekar; the scientist and trustee of KWT Dr. V N Nayak and CA Sanjay Shanbhag.

The five best rangolli designs were selected by John Bell and Sumangal Naik. The best models in commerce and computer science exhibits were adjudged by the past students association president Imtiyaz Sayed; secretary Ajay Sawkar and executive committee member and businessman Ganpati Baadkar.

The prizes were distributed in the evening by Principal Dr. Keshav KG and other staff members. A beautiful decoration was arranged by the students at the college entrance.  Around 3000 people visited the fest and the event coordinator was Shubham Talekar.

youtube.com/@theflagpost

November 16, 2024

By The Flag Post staff

On Friday evening on November 15, there was a head on collision among two cars near Amadalli, on NH 66 in Karwar taluka, Uttara Kannada (U.K) district, Karnataka. Both the cars suffered damages because of the impact, and no precious lives were lost.

locals who assembled vent out their anger and frustration at the IRB which has unscientifically designed the road, and is the sole reason and cause for accidents. They protested against IRB, and wanted the officials visit the accident spot, they refused to leave the highway (NH 66) which connects Goa via Karwar. Some of the protesters who blocked the highway wanted a complaint to be filed against IRB.

There was verbal altercation amongst the police and the affected angry locals. The residents of Amadalli and the surrounding areas refused to make way. NH 66 witnessed a massive traffic jam,   and vehicular traffic came to a standstill on both sides of the highway for close to 45minutes.

The poorly designed bridge is said to be the cause of the accident. When there was an accident the last time, even then the locals had protested. The IRB officials promised to solve the problem within a month, and later on forget to address the issue. All the protesting locals were unanimous about the negligence on part of the IRB in poorly designing the entire road infrastructure on NH 66.