Winners KBG-8 Suvarna Vidhana Soudha Belagavi

KBG-8 Answer? Kaun Banega Ghumakkad?
Vidhana Soudha Bengaluru.
Most readers mistook it. 
Yes, it is a look alike.
But the building in KBG-8 is Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, Belagavi (previously known as Belgaum). 
It means the Golden Legislative Assembly, constructed to commemorate the golden jubilee of the formation of Karnataka State. Ghumakkad had taken the picture in Dec-17 during a visit to Belagavi. 

More than 200 readers participated. We congratulate the winners of KBG-8 listed below:
Raghu Suryavanshi, entrepreneur, blogger
Ramdas B Dhavare, former Professor
Ankur Gupta, author-painter-guitarist

In addition, there was an anonymous correct entry. We acknowledge the 'unknown' person as well.

The imposing building is situated atop a high ground 10 kms away from Belagavi in the Halga-Bastwad area of Belgaum, just off NH-4 Bangalore-Mumbai highway. It is not as much of a tourist attraction, but certainly worth the drive. 

According to Wikipedia, the building took five years to build at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crores. It is often criticized because it gets utilised only for 10 days every year when the winter session of the Assembly is held there. But the building looks grand and that’s why Ghumakkad chose to feature it in KBG-8 with a hope that more people will become aware of it.

For Ghumakkad’s perspective on Belgaum, click the link 'Belgaum the Smart City'. The picture story will take you around Belgaum, its fort and other attractions.  

Kaun Banega Ghumakkad (KBG) enters its 9th Contest. Look out for the next announcement soon!

Thanks for browsing and participating in this contest to create awareness about Nature, Wildlife and our Heritage,

     - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 26th Feb 2019/ hbindia@gmail.com  

#kbg #kaunbanegaghumakkad #Contest #travel #knowyourIndia #Suvarnavidhanasoudha #belagavi #belgaum #natgeoindia #planetmindia #photowalks #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #karnataka

Belgaum the Smart City

Belgaum renamed Belgavi- was founded in late 12th century AD. It has seen many dynasties. Located in north Karnataka it came under British rule in 1818. It played a key role in the liberation of Goa in 1961. Apart from military units, Belgaum has a fort, a lake, number of temples, churches, mosques, schools and colleges. 

It is famous for a unique sweet dish or 'mithai' मिठाई called 'kunda' कुंदा . Made of milk, it is a delicacy. It is semi-solid when sold. Once cooled, it gets solidified as in the picture.

Ghumakkad visited Belgaum in December. Here is a short picture story.

Located on the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka, it is a gateway to Goa for those travelling by road from Hyderabad. Although the road journey takes lesser time, but we took the train from Hyderabad. It was a comfortable journey where I met Varun Khanna, a former student of IBS who had hiked with me to the Gunrock in Secunderabad in December 2015. Varun and his friends from Deloitte gave us good company till Hospet where they alighted for going to Hampi. 
Belgaum's location on the border of two states had led to some unrest in the past. The government of Karnataka has constructed a new State Assembly in Belgaum in 2012. See the picture.


For those not familiar with the geography of the southern region of India, see the maps below.

Belgaum fort is 500 years old and is a living fort meaning people are actually living inside the fort. Like Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh and Bidar forts in India.

Despite the litter seen in earlier picture, Belgaum has been selected as one of the first 20 smart cities in India. As part of Smart Cities Mission, it has received a face lift. See the solar powered pedestrian lighting in the pictures below.

We stayed at the Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) Officers' Mess. It was a home away from home with well kept garden, walkways and sit out. Pictures:

While in our guest room we observed an excellent example of empowerment. Let picture do the talking.

The all round view from the gazebo was simply superb. A short video clip for you.

Shivaji Maharaj is held in high esteem. The Maratha Officers' Mess has a nice statue of Shivaji which is illuminated at night.

The MLI Regimental Museum called 'Hall of Valour' is a must-see place. Very inspiring and humbling experience for the visitors. 

The dome of the Hall of Valour has a panoramic painting. A 30-second video clip for you.

The  picture below shows some of the Commandants of the MLI Centre. At bottom left is then Brig CD Sawant Sena Medal, a close friend and an illustrious Maratha General.

What did the prisoners of war do in 1940s to keep their morale and maintain focus? Some of them took to writing and some others to painting/sketching. Here are pictures of original sketches made by a British Colonel of his Subedar Major.

Golf courses keep the environment clean and green. Is Golf similar to Yoga? Browse Ghumakkad's earlier story to find out. Ghumakkad managed to squeeze in a round of golf at Belgaum. Few pictures of a misty morning of golf.

Due to shortage of time, we could not visit Dandeli-- a place where you can do white water rafting. May be some other time.

Our stay at Belgaum was made so homely and comfortable courtesy Maj Gen Krishna N Mirji. He had to be away on an overseas visit. But he made sure everything was arranged meticulously. May God give friends like him to everybody.
Krish: Thanks a ton!

Here is saying Goodbye to Belgaum.
Thanks for browsing.

    -   Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 22nd Dec 2017