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Bengaluru: Pune-based artist Anand M Bekwad has come out with a Mahakumbh series of acrylic paintings on canvas. A couple of them are already being exhibited at several places, and they are of the following sizes: Mahaumbh Dark Blue: 47"x36" and Light Blue, again of the same size. A fond wish comes true: He was thinking of visiting the Triveni Sangam as soon as the historic Mahakumbh commenced. However, the wish remained a distant dream due to the non-availability of seats in the trains and exorbitant airfare. Luckily, that predicament remained at the beginning of the Mahakumbh for a few days, and the situation changed when his Bengaluru-based brother-in-law decided to make it by road in his vehicle. Likewise, Anand M Bekwad reached Nagpur to accompany his relative for leaving to Prayagraj. No painting and only photos: Although elaborate arrangements were made at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati rivers for all those desiring to have a holy dip, t...

Bengaluru: Belagavi district on the Northern tip of Kittur (earlier Bombay or Mumbai) Karnataka bordering Southern Maharashtra is unique in multiple ways. Till recently and only a few decades back it was notoriously known for murders and topped the whole state in such heinous crimes for several years. It is well-known for its cash-rich crops like Tobacco and Sugarcane. Thanks to the mighty rivers Krishna, Ghataprabha and Malaprabha, most of the region is facilitated with the luxury of irrigation. An amalgamation of a few cultures: Thanks to the geographical location and proximity to the neighbouring states of Goa and Maharashtra Belagavi has over some time evolved into an amalgamation of diverse cultures including local, Goan, Portuguese and Maharashtrian. The Maratha Light Infantry traces its lineage to the Bombay Sepoys, raised in 1768 and thereby recording it as the most senior light infantry regiment in the Indian Army. Hence people belonging to almost all states of the country r...

LEOMEL is a voluntary organization of Belagavi committed to the welfare of dying, destitute and abandoned people serving the society and running Karunalaya home for almost two decades. The interesting part, it functions all on its own through generous donations from family and friends of Anita Rodricks, the noble soul behind this organization dedicated to the welfare of the less privileged brethren of our society. Karunalaya is based at Navage village, about 14 kilometres from Belagavi on Jamboti and VTU road. It is run and managed by members of the LEOMEL Society. Fr Victor D'cruz is the honorary President of the LEOMEL society shouldering multiple responsibilities in running the organization. He is also a Priest serving in the Belgavi Diocese. In an interaction, Anita Rodricks found time to trace the history of LEOMEL society and Karunalaya, odds on the way and the smooth ride later and so far. Excerpts from the interview: Q: What made you start Karunalaya in Belagavi? Anita Rodr...

Vijay P Moogi is a Belagavi-based consulting Engineer with a penchant for designing churches, clergy houses, convents, schools, colleges, presbyteries, chapels and hostel buildings since the early eighties. A son of the late District Health Surgeon, he has been designing them in Belagavi and neighbourhood towns and states including Goa. Like many of you, me too was wondering whether he is a Christian going by the innumerable church-related works he has been handling all along and proved myself wrong. A fatherly personality: He has nothing to do with Christianity. If so, how come he has almost turned out to be a fatherly figure to the missionary community? Strange it may appear and that too in the given circumstances and on goings wherein people of the same faith are finding faults with one another. Honesty, Integrity and Commitment were the only characteristics which can be termed as solely responsible for the skyrocketing of his career graph to unimaginable heights. Alumnus of BVB Col...