The proposed transfer of civil areas and properties under the Belagavi Cantonment Board to the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has reached a crucial stage, with the state government expected to take up the proposal for Cabinet consideration soon.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Roshan said that a detailed report on the proposed transfer of 756 acres of civil area has been submitted to the government through the Urban Development Department.

The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the properties and infrastructure located within the civil area, including residential buildings, commercial establishments, old and leased bungalows, vacant sites, markets and roads.

The report also contains a detailed financial assessment of the proposed transfer. It examines the revenue that the City Corporation could generate from the properties, the existing revenue deficit and the additional financial burden that would arise from taking over their administration and maintenance.

Officials have also identified the properties proposed for transfer and estimated the revenue they could generate. The proposal, Roshan said, has been prepared after weighing the potential revenue against the expenditure and liabilities that would fall on the Corporation.

The Belagavi Cantonment Board has liabilities of around Rs 350 crore, making the proposed transfer of civil areas to the urban local body an important step in restructuring the administration of these areas.

Roshan said the proposal is likely to be placed before the state Cabinet in the coming week. If approved, it will be forwarded to the Union government, with clearance from the Ministry of Defence required for the final transfer.

He clarified that the proposal concerns the civil areas of the cantonment. Military areas will continue to remain under the jurisdiction of the Defence authorities and function as separate military establishments.

The transfer process has been under consideration for a couple of years as part of the broader proposal to shift the administration of cantonment civil areas to urban local bodies.

A final decision on the transfer of the 756-acre civil area will be taken only after obtaining the required approvals from both the state and Central governments.

Background

The proposal to transfer the civilian areas of the Belagavi Cantonment to the Belagavi City Corporation has been under discussion for several years. In September 2023, the City Corporation had given its approval in principle to the proposal to merge the cantonment’s civil areas with the municipal limits, with the military areas to continue as military stations.

The process gained further momentum in 2024 after the Defence Ministry directed steps towards the abolition of cantonment boards and the transfer of their civil areas to state municipalities. In December 2024, discussions between the district administration, Cantonment Board and Army officials focused on the extent of the area to be transferred, including the demand to include bungalow areas.

In April 2025, the Belagavi City Corporation also passed a resolution supporting the transfer of residential colonies, markets, bungalows and other civic properties. The latest proposal covering 756 acres now moves the process closer to the required state and Central approvals.

Pt. Mrutyunjayabuva Puranikmath (1912 – 2002) was connected with Sangeet Kalakaar Sangh right from its inception. He was the secretary in the first managing committee of the Sangh. He was noted for his knowledge in musicology and extraordinary teaching abilities.

The senior Shishya of Ganayogi Panchakshari Gavai of Gadag, Mrutyunjayabuva, chose Belgaum for his livelihood in the nineteen forties. In the beginning, he stayed in Tilakwadi and became a popular Hindustani music teacher in this cultural capital of Mysore state. (Yes, Karnataka was called as Mysore state at that time!). This capital was known for the sojourn of the royals of Hindustani music like Pt. Ramkrishnabuva Vaze, Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, Pt. Shivrambuva, Pt. Uma Maheshwarbuva, Pt. Govindrao Gayakwad, Pt. Vithalrao Korgaonkar, Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan, Pt. Utturkarbuva, Pt. Shirodkarbuva, Pt. Kagalkarbuva and many, many more!! Even the most popular Pt. Bakhalebuva used to visit Belgaum while he was the professor in Dharwad.

Pt. Mrutyunjayabuva stayed in Mumbai for some period and showcased his classical vocal talents among the aficionados. His friendship with the great Pt. Ratnakant Ramnathkar was instrumental in gaining a space for him among the cream of music lovers in Mumbai. From Ramnathkar, he got many Bandishes of Agra Gharana. His earlier training in Gwalior Gharana added sugar to his already sweet voice and skilful presentation. Being a keen observer and with sincere efforts, he accumulated a treasure of Bandishes of each Raga. (While teaching a particular Raga, my Guru Mrutyunjayabuva used to sing the Sthayee of a Raga and, being caught in deep aesthetics of that Raga, sang the Antara of another Bandish! Coming back to Sthayee, a new (?) Bandish came up for me to learn!! Those moments were of immense pleasure for him and to me too!

Mruyunjayabuva was a true friend of the great Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur. For some period of their earlier life, Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur, Pt. Basavaraj Rajguru, Dr. Puttaraj Gavai, Pt. Arjunsa Nakod and Pt. Mrutyunjayabuva were all together under the patronage of the Ganayogi. Mrutyunjayabuva used to carry drinking water pots barefoot on his head, while accompanying his Guru during his tours. In the evening, the Guru himself used to oil the Shishya’s feet with unmatched compassion and love. Buva told these incidents with watery eyes, and we listened with awe for his Gurubhakti.

In Mumbai, his Hindustani classical programmes were broadcast on AIR. After coming back to Belgaum, it was AIR Dharwad from where his programmes were aired. He passed the Sangeet Alankar examination, and that is when the Swamiji of Shivayogi Math offered him a place to teach music in Vidyarthi Nilay on Maruti Galli. Soon after that, he joined Lingaraj College and G A High School as a faculty in music. Thus, Buva began his steady and content life as a musician and an artiste. He composed many solo and group songs and presented them in the cultural activities at the college. The most memorable was a group song in the presence of the President of India Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, when he visited the college.

Mrutyunjayabuva guided hundreds of students of classical music and made them notable performers. Among them were Dr. A. U. Patil, Leelawati Ganachari, younger brother Chandrashekhar Puranikmath, Saguna Chandawarkar, Neela Hirebetta, G. K. Kulkarni, Nagraj Angadi, Abdul Gani, Bharamanna Gurav, Nirmala Ghanti, Ishwarappa Minachi and many more. Pt. Purushottam Walawalkar, Vidushi Janaki Ayyar Vaidya, too sought his guidance for a variety of Banishes of different Gharanas. I was among the later bunch of his Shishyas, since he was aged and retired from actual performances. He had the treasure of not only attractive Bandishes, but also of golden memories of the rich history of Belgaum’s music field. He was a true source of knowledge from which I could collect anecdotes and wonderful facts of musical activities in and around Karnataka.

Pt. Mrutyunjayabuva was an examiner for the KSEE Board and ABGMV Mandal. He wrote textbooks for Karnataka University, Dharwad that were prescribed for the degree courses. He was among the genius judges for the annual competitions of Arts Circle, which were very popular among the intelligent aspirants of classical music in the whole country. Most of the winners gained popularity later in their lives on the prestigious platforms in the country.

About the author:

Pt. Nandan G. Herlekar is a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist, music educator and author from Belagavi. A lifelong student and teacher of Indian classical music, he has dedicated himself to documenting the city’s rich musical heritage. This series chronicles the lives and contributions of Belagavi’s musicians, preserving an important chapter of the region’s cultural history.

Belagavi: Karnataka’s draft electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was published on August 24, 2026. Voters should now check the draft roll carefully and verify that their name and details are present.

The draft roll contains 4,46,35,975 electors, compared with 5,54,32,314 electors in the roll as of June 16. As many as 1,07,96,339 electors from the earlier roll have been placed under the ASDDO category — Absent, Permanently Shifted, Dead, Already Enrolled elsewhere or Other reasons.

Importantly, the Election Commission has clarified that being outside the draft roll does not mean the person’s name has been permanently deleted. The claims and objections window is open from August 24 to September 23, 2026. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on October 27, 2026.

First: Check the draft roll

Voters should first check whether their name appears in the draft electoral roll.

Download/check Karnataka SIR Draft Electoral Roll:
ECI – Karnataka Draft Electoral Roll

Also check the ECI voter services portal:

ECI Voter Services Portal

Do not rely only on the physical Voter ID card. The name in the electoral roll is what matters for voting.

If your name is missing, what should you do?

The most important distinction is this:

Name completely missing from the draft roll → Form 6

Name is present, but details are wrong → Form 8

Someone else’s name is wrongly included → Form 7

This distinction is important because many voters may assume that Form 8 should be used to restore a deleted/missing name. The ECI’s current forms dashboard describes Form 6 as registration/inclusion, Form 7 as deletion/objection, and Form 8 as shifting/correction/replacement of EPIC/other updates.

Situation 1: Your name was in the previous electoral roll but is missing from the SIR draft roll

What to do: File Form 6.

This is the situation that is likely to concern a large number of existing voters.

Even if your name was present in the earlier roll, if it is not present in the August 24 draft roll, you should submit a claim for inclusion through Form 6, provided you are an eligible elector and are not enrolled elsewhere in India.

The Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer has specifically stated that electors who were marked Absent or Shifted during the enumeration process can apply through Form 6, along with the prescribed declaration, for inclusion at their current address, provided they are not enrolled elsewhere in India.

What to do

1. Check the draft electoral roll.
2. Confirm that your name/EPIC is genuinely absent.
3. Check the ASDDO list and probable reason for non-inclusion, where available.
4. Submit Form 6.
5. Complete the prescribed declaration required under the SIR process.
6. Provide the required age and residence details/documents.
7. Submit the application online or through the ERO/AERO/BLO.
8. Keep the acknowledgement/application number.
9. Track the application and respond if the ERO calls you for verification.

Situation 2: You voted in the last election, but your name is missing now

What to do: File Form 6.

Having voted in the previous election is strong evidence that you were previously enrolled, but it does not by itself automatically put your name in the new draft roll.

If your name is absent from the August 24 draft roll, the immediate remedy during the claims period is to seek inclusion.

Keep these details ready

• EPIC/Voter ID number
• Previous electoral-roll details, if available
• Previous polling station/part number
• Current address
• Age/date of birth
• Mobile number
• Relevant age and residence documents

You can also search the ECI’s “Search Your Name in Last SIR” facility to locate your historical entry and note the relevant details.

Situation 3: Your name was in the last SIR roll, but is missing from the 2026 draft roll

What to do: File Form 6 if your name is completely absent from the current draft.

The fact that your name appears in the historical SIR roll is useful supporting information, but if there is no current electoral-roll entry to correct, Form 8 is not the appropriate primary remedy.

First search the historical SIR roll and preserve the details.

The ECI’s SIR search facility allows voters to search the last SIR electoral roll using details such as district, Assembly Constituency, polling station, part/serial number, elector name and relative’s name. The ECI also warns that spellings can vary between historical and current records, so voters should try spelling variations.

Then:

Historical SIR entry found + current draft name missing → Form 6 for inclusion.

If the ERO subsequently issues a notice concerning your previous SIR details or mapping, attend the hearing and submit the requested documents.

Situation 4: Your name is in the draft roll, but your details are wrong

What to do: File Form 8.

For example:

• Name spelling is wrong
• Father’s/mother’s/husband’s/wife’s name is wrong
• Date of birth is incorrect
• Gender is incorrect
• Address needs correction
• Photograph needs replacement
• EPIC needs replacement
• You have shifted residence

Form 8 is the appropriate form for correction/shifting when an existing electoral-roll entry is present. The ECI’s forms dashboard specifically lists Form 8 for shifting, correction, EPIC replacement and related updates.

Situation 5: You have shifted to another address

There are two different scenarios.

You are already included in the draft roll but have shifted

Use Form 8 for shifting of residence.

Form 8 covers shifting of residence from one Assembly Constituency to another as well as shifting within an Assembly Constituency.

You were marked “Shifted” during SIR and your name is missing from the draft roll

Use Form 6, provided you are eligible and are not enrolled elsewhere in India.

This is specifically covered by the Karnataka SIR process.

Situation 6: You were marked “Absent” and your name is missing

Use Form 6.

“Absent” in the ASDDO classification does not automatically mean that the person is ineligible to vote.

The Karnataka CEO has clarified that voters marked absent or shifted can seek inclusion through Form 6, with the prescribed declaration, if they are eligible and are not enrolled elsewhere in India.

Situation 7: You are alive but have been marked as “Dead”

This is particularly important.

If your name is absent from the draft and you discover that you were classified under the Dead category despite being alive:

Seek inclusion through Form 6 and immediately contact your BLO/ERO/AERO.

Keep your EPIC details and identity/residence documents ready and specifically inform the election officials that the ASDDO classification is incorrect.

The Karnataka draft data shows that 16,39,864 electors from the previous roll were classified as dead during the SIR exercise.

Situation 8: You are marked as “Already Enrolled” / Duplicate

If your name is missing because the system indicates that you are already enrolled elsewhere:

Do not simply submit multiple voter applications.

First find out where the existing entry is located.

Contact the BLO/ERO and establish which electoral-roll entry is valid. If your correct residence is Karnataka and you are not actually enrolled elsewhere, explain the discrepancy and seek inclusion through the prescribed process.

The draft roll records 7,09,870 electors under the “already enrolled” category.

Situation 9: You are a new voter

If you have become eligible to vote and your name is not on the electoral roll:

File Form 6.

The ECI’s voter portal currently directs new electors to Form 6 for registration.

The qualifying date for Karnataka’s SIR is October 1, 2026. The Karnataka CEO has said that eligible young voters who turn 18 by the qualifying date can apply through Form 6.

Situation 10: Somebody else’s name is wrongly included

Use Form 7.

Form 7 is used to seek deletion of an existing electoral-roll entry or to object to an inclusion.

For example, it may be relevant where a person has:

• Died
• Permanently shifted
• Been enrolled elsewhere
• Been included more than once
• Otherwise become ineligible

The ECI’s current voter-services portal lists Form 7 specifically for deletion from the existing electoral roll.

The simple Form 6 vs Form 7 vs Form 8 rule

Step-by-step: What a voter should do today

Step 1 — Search the new draft roll

Check your name and EPIC number in the Karnataka draft electoral roll.

Download Karnataka SIR Draft Electoral Roll

Step 2 — If missing, check the ASDDO information

Karnataka has made booth-wise information available for electors marked under ASDDO, including probable reasons for their non-inclusion. The CEO’s office has said these lists are available through the concerned EROs and the CEO Karnataka website.

Step 3 — Check the old SIR roll

If you were previously registered, search the historical SIR roll and note:

• District
• Assembly Constituency
• Polling station
• Part number
• Serial number
• Your name
• Relative’s name

Search Your Name in Last SIR – ECI

Step 4 — Choose the correct form

Missing completely → Form 6

Present but incorrect → Form 8

Wrongful inclusion of another person → Form 7

Step 5 — Submit before September 23

The claims and objections window is August 24 to September 23, 2026. Applications can be submitted physically to the ERO, AERO or BLO, or online through the ECI voter services system/ECINET.

Step 6 — Keep the acknowledgement

Do not stop after submitting the form. Save the acknowledgement/reference number and track the application.

Step 7 — Attend a hearing if you receive a notice

For cases where previous SIR details are unavailable or do not match the database, the ERO can issue a notice and give the elector an opportunity to submit documents during a hearing.

What documents should you keep ready for Form 6?

The standard ECI Form 6 requires supporting information/documents relating to age and ordinary residence. The ECI says applicants should provide a recent photograph and documentary proof of age and residence, with the relevant documents specified in the form and its guidelines.

The current Form 6 includes accepted age-proof options such as:

• Birth certificate
• Aadhaar
• PAN card
• Driving licence
• Class X/XII certificate containing date of birth
• Indian passport

For residence proof, the Form 6 documentation includes options such as utility bills, Aadhaar, bank/post-office passbook, passport, land records, registered rent agreement and registered sale deed, subject to the applicable requirements.

Aadhaar is not mandatory merely for filling the Aadhaar field in Form 6. The ECI states that furnishing Aadhaar details in the relevant field is voluntary and non-submission by itself should not be a ground for rejection.

What if the ERO rejects your claim?

There is an appeal mechanism.

According to the Karnataka CEO’s clarification reported after the draft publication, an elector aggrieved by an ERO’s decision can appeal to the District Magistrate. A further appeal can be made before the Chief Electoral Officer within 30 days of the District Magistrate’s order.

Therefore, if your Form 6 claim is rejected, do not assume that the process is over. Obtain the order and examine the appeal option.

Key dates for Karnataka SIR 2026

August 24, 2026: Draft electoral roll published

August 24 – September 23: Claims and objections

Up to October 22: Notice/disposal process

October 27: Scheduled publication of final electoral roll

Qualifying date: October 1, 2026

One important takeaway

If your name is completely missing from the draft roll, do not file Form 8 merely because you had a Voter ID or voted in the previous election. The Karnataka SIR guidance specifically points eligible electors whose names were not included—such as those marked absent or shifted—to Form 6 for inclusion, along with the prescribed declaration.

Form 8 is for an existing entry that needs correction or shifting. Form 7 is for objection/deletion.

Do not wait for the final roll. If your name is missing, act during the claims and objections period ending September 23.

The draft electoral roll for Karnataka has been published on Monday, August 24, as part of the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Voters across Karnataka can now check whether their name appears in the draft roll and verify their electoral details. The draft roll is available through the official Election Commission voter services portal.
Check/download the Karnataka SIR draft electoral roll:
voters.eci.gov.in – Karnataka Draft Electoral Roll

https://voters.eci.gov.in/download-eroll?stateCode=S10

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, has also placed a direct link to the Draft Electoral Roll – SIR 2026 on its official website.
What if your name is missing?
If an eligible voter finds that their name is not included in the draft electoral roll, it does not necessarily mean that they have permanently lost their right to vote.

The publication of the draft roll begins the claims and objections period, during which eligible citizens can seek inclusion or correction of their electoral details.
For Karnataka, claims and objections can be filed from August 24 to September 23, 2026. The notice phase and disposal of claims and objections will continue until October 22, while the final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on October 27, 2026.
If your name is missing
Eligible voters whose names are not found in the draft roll should:
Check the draft electoral roll carefully using their Assembly constituency, polling station and other available details.

If the name is genuinely missing, submit a claim for inclusion through the prescribed electoral registration process.
Form 6 is used for a claim for inclusion of a name in the electoral roll.
If the name is present but details such as name, address or other particulars are incorrect, Form 8 can be used for correction of entries or shifting of residence.

Voters who receive a notice from the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) should follow the instructions in the notice and attend the hearing with the required documents.
The Karnataka SIR exercise has identified a large number of electors under categories such as Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate and Others (ASDDO). In addition, 43.8 lakh electors have been identified for notices because of anomalies or lack of mapping and will undergo further verification.

Don’t wait until the final roll
The draft electoral roll is an important opportunity for voters to check their status and raise any claim or objection. Voters should not assume that an omission or incorrect entry will automatically be corrected.
The final electoral roll is scheduled for October 27, 2026, so eligible voters whose names are missing or whose details are incorrect should take action during the claims and objections period.
Useful official links:
Download Karnataka SIR Draft Electoral Roll
CEO Karnataka – Official Website
ECI Electoral Roll Forms
Karnataka voter helpline: 1950 / 1800-4255-1950.

Belagavi South MLA Abhay Patil was among six people who sustained minor injuries after a Swift car crossed a divider and collided with an Innova in central Delhi’s IP Estate area on Sunday night.

The Innova was carrying Patil and sitting Kirari MLA Anil Jha. Both MLAs, along with the other occupants, were taken to LNJP Hospital and were reported to be stable.

The accident occurred around 9.30 pm near the PWD office. Police said the Swift, travelling from Laxmi Nagar towards ITO, hit a divider, crossed the roadside railing and crashed into the Innova coming from the opposite direction.

The exact cause of the Swift hitting the divider is yet to be established.

https://x.com/PTI_News/status/2091598631174594694

https://x.com/PTI_News/status/2091610976399536476

https://x.com/PTI_News/status/2091579505320329230

Modern project management is the talk of corporate boardrooms. Leaders across the globe rely on frameworks like Agile, Scrum, and Six Sigma to shape complex project deliverables for massive multinational organizations. We are told these methodologies require expensive certifications, years of formal training, and high-tech software.

Yet, far away from the gleaming IT corridors of Pune, Hyderabad or Bengaluru a traditional, seasonal industry thrives right here in Belagavi. It does not employ graduates from top business schools, nor do its leaders hold PM certifications. Many have never had a day of formal management education. Yet, year after year, they flawlessly execute highly complex, time-sensitive projects with zero room for failure.

Which industry am I talking about? It is the sacred space where art meets devotion, where customer satisfaction always precedes monetary benefit, and where every single client—whether a small household order or a big public mandal—is treated with equal reverence. In this line of work, there is absolutely no margin for error. There is no concept of a “change request” to push the deadline by a day or two. Bappa arrives when He arrives.

Whether you realize it or not, you have likely been a part of this ecosystem—if not as a creator, then , then as an eager devotee. I am talking about the magical season of Ganesh Chaturthi in Belagavi, and the brilliant Murtikars (sculptors) who channel their faith into creating breathtaking Ganpati idols for thousands of waiting bhakts

How do these local artisans apply modern project management principles to pull off this monumental feat every single year? Let’s break it down.

1. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

In corporate tech firms, team of skilled Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) map out a comprehensive WBS. They break down a massive product launch into tiny, manageable tasks.

In the lanes of Angol, Shahapur, Vadgaon, or Mutga, our murtikars do the exact same thing without the corporate jargon. Long before the actual work starts the master artisan creates a mental and physical blueprint. They divide the entire idol-making lifecycle into strict, sequential phases:

• Phase 1: Constructing the wooden skeleton & base (Paat).
• Phase 2: Bulk molding and core structural shaping (Prathmik Aakaar Dene)
• Phase 3: Intricate hand-sculpting of features and ornaments (Rekhiv Kaam, Dagine Korne)
• Phase 4: The drying phase (which requires careful climate monitoring (Shegdicha Shek Dene)
• Phase 5: Shading and opening of the eyes (Chhaya-Prakash & Rekhni)

By breaking a massive order of hundreds of idols into these micro-steps ensures steady progress without bottlenecking.

2. Time-Boxing and Real-Time Weather Risk Mitigation

In software development, teams often push release dates or launch “Beta” versions if bugs appear. A Murtikar does not have that luxury. The calendar date for Ganesh Chaturthi is set by cosmic alignment, not a corporate steering committee.

This is the ultimate example of Time-Boxing. The artisans work backward from Ganesh Chaturthi morning. They calculate exactly how many days idol will need to dry naturally, but in Belgavi, they have to battle a fickle opponent: Belagavi’s unpredictable, relentless monsoon rains.

Without access to high-tech satellite tracking, these artisans act as their own meteorologists. They closely monitor the humidity levels in the air and the dampness of the soil. If sudden, heavy downpours threaten to delay the natural drying process, they don’t file for a project extension. Instead, they pivot instantly to aggressive risk-mitigation strategies. They light charcoal braziers (shegdis) to artificially create the perfect drying microclimate inside their packed workshops. It is a relentless, fixed-schedule delivery where letting the weather win is simply not an option.

3. Handling the Ultimate “Scope Creep”: Last-Minute Change Requests

In the corporate world, if a client demands a major feature change on the day of product delivery, any project manager would flatly refuse or demand a massive budget extension. Now, look at a Murtikar’s workshop on the final night.

A devotee walks in just hours before pickup. Suddenly, they have a late-stage realization: “Dada, we forgot to tell you, our priest says the pitambar must be bright yellow, not orange. Also, can you add a small snake around Bappa’s neck and place a trishul in his hand?”

In corporate terms, this is catastrophic “scope creep” at the eleventh hour. But a Belagavi murtikar does not throw the rulebook at the client. Driven by pure devotion and a refusal to disappoint a bhakt, they meticulously manage the crisis. While one helper quickly gathers the correct yellow paint, the master artist delicately repaints the attire. It is done with a smile, under extreme pressure, ensuring the devotee leaves with a heart full of joy.

4. The Burning of Midnight Oil

The final weeks leading up to Chaturthi are less of a workshop and more of a 24/7 corporate war room. The peace of Belagavi’s rainy nights is punctuated by the soft hum of pedestal fans drying paint and the glare of bright halogen lamps.

The physical and mental toll of the murtikar is immense. Sleep becomes an absolute luxury of the past; they survive on countless cups of hot tea and pure adrenaline. During these final, gruelling crunch nights, the workshop becomes an all-hands-on-deck operation.

The stress is palpable—every hand is covered in clay and paint, eyes are bloodshot from painting intricate ornaments by midnight oil, and the ticking clock is a constant weight on their shoulders. It is a beautiful, exhausting “Final Sprint”

5. Post-Launch Support

In the tech industry, this is the crucial post-launch window when engineering teams stay on high alert to fix any immediate bugs

Our murtikars have been practicing this post launch support for generations. Belagavi’s roads can be bumpy, and a sudden monsoon downpour during transit can cause panic. If an idol gets a minor scratch on the way to the pandal, or if a finger accidentally chips while navigating a tight lane in Shahapur, the murtikar’s job isn’t over.

Without hesitation, the artisan grabs their paint kit, brushes, and a lump of quick-fix materials, and rushes directly to the mandal. On-site, amidst the loud beats of the tasha and dholl, they readily perform the surgical repair. There are no arguments about contract boundaries or additional invoices; it is an unwritten service level agreement (SLA) built entirely on respect and faith.

The Bittersweet day of Chaturthi

And then, the day of Ganesh Chaturthi finally arrives.

As the sun sets over Belagavi, a profound, eerie silence descends upon the workshop. The frantic chaos, the shouting of helpers, the smell of fresh paint, and the blinding halogen lights are suddenly gone. The workshop stands completely empty. All that remains are wood shavings on the floor and a few empty paint containers. Every single idol has safely moved toward its final destination to bless a home or a neighborhood.

The murtikar sits alone on a low wooden stool, looking at the empty spaces where magnificent forms of Bappa stood just hours ago. A wave of intense emotion hits him. He thinks about the last six to eight months of relentless hard work, the aching back, the cramped fingers, the stress of the monsoons, and the immense labour that has gone through

But there is no sadness. Instead, a deep, unparalleled sense of fulfilment washes over him. For the first time in months, he can look forward to a peaceful, uninterrupted night of sleep. He closes his ledger, takes a deep breath, and whispers a quiet prayer of gratitude to Bappa for giving him the strength to deliver yet again.

And even before the festival ends, a small part of his mind is already quietly planning, dreaming, and preparing for the upcoming year’s cycle to start all over again.

About the Author: Vishal P is a Senior Project Manager currently based in Hyderabad

A Belagavi connection has found a place in the senior leadership of one of India’s biggest automobile companies. Srihari Mulgund has been appointed Chief Strategy Officer of Hero MotoCorp, bringing more than 24 years of experience in the global automotive industry to one of the country’s most prominent two-wheeler manufacturers.

Mulgund’s appointment took effect on August 17, 2026. Hero MotoCorp has inducted him into its Leadership Team and designated him as part of the company’s Senior Management under the applicable listing regulations.

For Belagavi, the appointment carries a special connection. Mulgund is a 1992 batch alumnus of St. Paul’s High School, Belagavi. From his school years in the city, his professional journey has taken him deep into the global automotive industry, spanning engineering, vehicle technology, consulting and corporate strategy.

More than two decades in the global automotive industry

Mulgund brings over 24 years of experience covering engineering, product development and strategic planning. His career has included professional assignments in the United States, Japan, China and India, giving him experience across several major automotive markets.

His early career was rooted in engineering and automotive technology. He worked with Aisin AW and FEV Inc., including more than a decade in the United States, working on areas such as transmission development and calibration. He later moved into strategic consulting, where his technical background became an important part of his work with automotive companies.

He subsequently became President of Ricardo Strategic Consulting, India, and later took on leadership responsibilities across Asia. During this phase, his work expanded from engineering and product development to business strategy, technology and transformation.

From automotive engineering to boardroom strategy

Before moving to Hero MotoCorp, Mulgund was a Partner at EY-Parthenon, where he led strategic engagements across some of the most important areas currently reshaping the automobile industry.

His work covered electric vehicles, battery technologies, internal-combustion engine businesses, automotive supply chains and new-age mobility.

His expertise also extends to emerging automotive technologies. He has authored thought-leadership work on subjects including battery swapping, software-defined vehicles, alternative battery chemistries and hydrogen internal-combustion engines.

One of his recent areas of work has been automotive lightweighting. In a March 2026 article published by The Times of India, Mulgund, then Partner and New-Age Mobility Leader at EY-Parthenon, examined the growing strategic importance of magnesium in vehicle manufacturing, particularly as the industry moves towards electric vehicles.

Why his new role at Hero MotoCorp matters

The Chief Strategy Officer is not a routine functional appointment. Mulgund joins Hero MotoCorp at a time when the global automobile industry is undergoing a fundamental transition — with traditional internal-combustion technology evolving alongside electric mobility, connected vehicles, new battery technologies and changing consumer expectations.

Hero MotoCorp says Mulgund will play a key role in shaping and advancing its forward-looking strategic initiatives, including its “House of Strategy”, as the company works towards its next phase of growth and innovation.

His background is particularly relevant to this mandate because it combines hands-on automotive engineering experience with technology consulting and corporate strategy.

An international education and career

Mulgund’s academic background reflects the same combination of engineering and management.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Engineering, Mysore, a Master of Science from the University of Toledo, and an MBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

His University of Michigan profile also records his involvement as an MBA student ambassador and his role in establishing an India Business Conference at the university’s Ross School of Business.

The latest draft notification on Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats has brought 63 villages from Belagavi district under the proposed protected zone, with one village in Belagavi taluka and 62 in Khanapur taluka.

The seventh draft notification has once again put the Western Ghats belt covering Kankumbi, Chorla, Parwad, Jamboti and surrounding areas in focus. The Karnataka government, however, has decided to oppose the Centre’s proposal, expressing concern that the proposed restrictions could affect development activities in the region.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has included 63 Belagavi villages in the latest draft. These include Dhamne (S) in Belagavi taluka, while the Khanapur taluka list covers villages including Akrali, Ambewadi, Amgaon, Bailur, Chapoli, Chigule, Chikhale, Chinchewadi, Chorla, Daroli, Dongargaon, Gavse, Ghose, Golyali, Govali, Kankumbi, Kapoli, Kavale, Khanapur Rural, Kongale, Nagargali, Nerse, Padalwadi, Parwad, Pashtoli, Satnali, Shiroli, Sivatwadi, Sulegali, Tarwad, Teregali, Uchvade and Varkhad, among others.

What the ESA draft means

The proposed ESA restrictions do not envisage displacement of existing residents. Agriculture and plantation activities can continue, meaning there is no blanket ban on farmers carrying out their regular agricultural operations.

However, new mining, quarrying and sand extraction activities, new thermal power projects and new Red Category industries would face restrictions. Large construction projects would also come under regulatory controls. Projects involving construction or expansion of 20,000 sq. metres or more, along with large township and area development projects, could face restrictions.

Repairs and renovation of existing houses would continue to be permitted.

Implications for Khanapur and Mahadayi region

The proposed ESA includes ecologically important areas stretching from Kankumbi towards Bhandura. The Khanapur Western Ghats belt is significant for its biodiversity as well as its location in the Mahadayi river catchment and the Bhimgad region.

The inclusion of Chorla, Parwad, Kankumbi and surrounding villages has also raised questions over future large-scale development projects in the region, including the Kalasa-Bhandura water diversion project.

However, the ESA notification by itself does not mean that the Kalasa-Bhandura project stands cancelled. The project is subject to separate legal and regulatory scrutiny relating to environmental clearance, forest land, water diversion and the applicable ESA provisions.

Karnataka’s proposed ESA coverage

According to the draft, Karnataka has 1,449 villages across 39 talukas in 10 districts proposed for inclusion in the ESA. The proposed ESA area in Karnataka is 20,668 sq. km, while the total proposed ESA across the Western Ghats is 56,825.7 sq. km.

For Belagavi district, the breakup is:

• Total villages: 63
• Belagavi taluka: 1
• Khanapur taluka: 62

A process dating back to 2013

The ESA proposal has its roots in the report submitted in 2013 by the High-Level Working Group headed by Dr. K. Kasturirangan. The panel recommended identifying significant portions of the natural landscape of the Western Ghats as Ecologically Sensitive Areas.

Since then, the proposal has gone through consultations, objections from the states and the Centre, local-level verification and changes to village boundaries. The seventh draft notification is the latest stage in this long-running process.

The key issue for Belagavi will now be how the proposed environmental safeguards are balanced with the development and livelihood concerns of residents in the Western Ghats region.

The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has submitted its factual report to the Regional Commissioner’s office following demands from Kannada organisations for the supersession of the civic body.

The report was sent in soft copy on Thursday, followed by submission of the two-page printed report on Friday. The Regional Commissioner’s office is now expected to examine the report before deciding the next course of action.

The development follows a direction issued by Regional Commissioner K.M. Janaki seeking a factual report from BCC Commissioner M. Kartik on complaints raised by the Belagavi Zilla Kannada Sanghatanegala Kriya Samiti. The organisations had sought government intervention and recommended supersession of the corporation, alleging an administrative crisis arising from the repeated postponement of general body meetings.

The issue gained momentum after the BCC went nearly three months without a general body meeting. The organisations alleged that several development-related matters were being held up and linked the postponement of meetings to the demand for a resolution declaring Belagavi an integral part of Karnataka.

The corporation eventually convened its general body meeting on August 18, but proceedings were disrupted by heated exchanges over the proposed pro-Karnataka resolution. The meeting was subsequently adjourned indefinitely.

The factual report submitted by the civic administration is understood to address the issues raised by the Regional Commissioner, including the functioning of the corporation, the reasons for the delay in conducting meetings and the allegations made by the Kannada organisations. The contents of the report, however, have not been made public.

The Regional Commissioner’s assessment of the report will now be closely watched. If the administration’s explanation establishes that the corporation is functioning within the applicable framework and that there is no continuing administrative breakdown, it could weaken the demand for supersession. On the other hand, if the report points to serious or continuing deficiencies, the matter could be taken up with the state government for further action.

The demand for supersession comes amid sustained protests by Kannada organisations seeking a resolution stating that Belagavi is an integral and inseparable part of Karnataka. The organisations have been pressing the issue since March and had also urged the government to intervene in the functioning of the corporation.

Meanwhile, the BCC has continued its administrative processes, including the recent election of 28 standing committee members and the subsequent election of chairpersons for all four standing committees.

The immediate focus is now on the Regional Commissioner’s findings and whether the report submitted by the BCC will lead to any recommendation to the state government regarding the demand for supersession.

The Belagavi Municipal Corporation is preparing to establish two permanent stray dog sterilisation centres within the city, with one proposed in the southern division and another in the northern division. The move is aimed at increasing the pace of sterilisation and addressing the growing stray dog population in the city.

The Corporation has identified two sites for the proposed centres, but their exact locations have not been disclosed, reportedly due to concerns over possible opposition from residents. Construction is expected to begin soon, although the Health Department is yet to officially announce a timeline.

The need for stronger action has become more pressing as stray dog attacks have increased in Belagavi in recent months, with dog-bite incidents being reported from several parts of the city. The growing number of complaints has renewed concerns over the effectiveness and consistency of the existing sterilisation programme.

According to the Municipal Corporation, Belagavi has an estimated stray dog population of around 20,000. Although the sterilisation programme has been in operation since 2007, officials acknowledge that the campaign has not been carried out consistently. As a result, the stray dog population has continued to increase, while a large number of dogs remain outside the sterilisation programme.

At present, around eight to ten stray dogs are sterilised every day. The Corporation now plans to increase the capacity to more than 20 surgeries a day once the two permanent centres become operational. A new contractor is also expected to be appointed to undertake the sterilisation work.

Funds have already been earmarked for the proposed facilities. During the previous financial year, ₹2 lakh was allocated from the fund of each corporator for the establishment of sterilisation centres.

Earlier, the Corporation had planned a sterilisation centre at Hirebagewadi. However, the proposal faced opposition and the facility was eventually operated from a temporary shed. The Hirebagewadi centre was later shut down following opposition, including from local corporator and outgoing Health Standing Committee chairperson Lakshmi Rathod.

With the earlier arrangement proving inadequate, the Corporation is now looking at permanent and better-equipped facilities within the city. The move also assumes greater importance in view of the Supreme Court’s directions concerning the management and sterilisation of stray dogs.

While the Corporation has said that the two sites have been finalised and funds are available, the actual construction schedule and operational timeline remain unclear.

The establishment of the two centres is expected to provide the Corporation with greater capacity to carry out sterilisation on a sustained basis. However, officials will also have to ensure that the programme is implemented consistently and at the required scale if the city is to see a meaningful reduction in the stray dog population and related dog-bite incidents.