NH-234- Arabian Sea to Bay of Bengal through Chintamani

The National Highways Authority issued notices to the owners of the business establishments on M.G.Road  in Chintamani. The order states that the buildings are all unauthorised and has ordered to vacate the encroachments to make way for the widening of the road. This has come as a rude shock to all the 'owners' of the buildings on M.G.Road since most of them  have shops here from past few decades, having purchased them from the town municipality decades ago. The people who totally rely on the shop they own here, or people who have been doing business here are in a state of panic. But there are also many who feel that for the lateral development of the town such a change is absolutely necessary. But they forget to see that there are many towns on National Highways and yet they lag behind in development, forget being on par with our town Chintamani. The National Highways that passes through many towns just has the road side 'dhabas' and the mechanic shops. So it's not the NH that brings development, it only provides necessary infrastructure for the progress to propel. It's in the hands of the people to make good use of the highway. While this is going to dismantle the main business hub of Chintamani, on the flip-side, could this be a shot-in-the-arm for the good public works happening in Chintamani?  Does it help the people by large, by easing the transport glitches? Are the people who protest this new development failing to see the bigger picture? NH-234- a boon or a bane, only time will tell!!

The NH-234 starts from the port city of Mangalore, on shores of Arabian Sea and ends at Villupurum, a train junction in Tamil Nadu, very close to the shores of Bay Of Bengal. Originating from Manglore it passes through Bantwala, Ujire, Mudigere, Sira, Gowribidnur, Chickaballapura, Chintamani, V.Kota in Andhra Pradesh, Gudiyattam, Vellore and ends at Villupurum, a district head quarters. The total length of NH-234 is 780 kilometers. Click here for the map

EXUBERANT MURUGAMALLA !!!

Eight kilometers from Chintamani Town is a place called  Muruga malai, now called as Murugamalla or Murag-malla. It is a wonderful destination for both the religious and nature lovers alike. The Muktheeshwara Temple at the midst of the hill has been attracting the devotees with it's impeccable 'Puja' rituals. Late Shri B.V.Aswathiah (founder, B.V.Aswatiah & Bros,manufacturers of a very popular 'Nandi' Brand Agarbathies) and Late Shri G. Pandurangiah Setty were instrumental in developing this old temple by building a new structure and by constructing a commutable road till the temple. The temple administration has undertaken a herculean task of growing trees on a war footing and also preventing the diminishing of forest area. All their effort has helped in bringing peaceful and clean environment around the temple that gifts the visitors joy and tranquility. At the foot of this hill there is a natural spring. Years ago this natural spring water was made to flow out of the Nandi Bull's mouth. The water is very tasty, and also cold, which rushes out here through out the year, all seasons.  For more info on temple watch this E-TV Telugu documentary Muktheeswara Temple-Part 1, Muktheeswara Temple -Part 2, Muktheeswara Temple - Part 3

 Murugamalla also has a very famous 'Dargah'- Amma Jan Bawa Jan Dargah. Devotees from distant places visit  to worship at this Dargah Shareef, a holy shrine.

G.S.PARAMASHIVIAH

Various organisations have called for the district 'bandh' on 29/11/2012 demanding the implementation of G.S.Paramashiviah report. The agitation is gaining support, to the protests that is continuing from the past two months in Chickaballapur. The Paramashiviah report addresses the water problems of the farmers of Kolar/Chickaballapur districts. Many political leaders have visted the agitation camp and made promises of early implementation of Paramashiviah report. Every political party  is assuring to solve the water woes of the district since the assembly election is round the corner.
Here is what Paramashiviah has to say about his report. Link 
The response to the 'Bandh' in Chintamani will give the impression of  a huge success. The organisations that has called for the Bandh should have involved the common citizens and all the business associations for a bigger impact. The Bandh declared on Thursday has eventually turned out to be a extended holiday for many business establishments since Wednesday is their weekly off. 

Chintamani Drowned in Cauvery Bandh

The 'Karnataka Bandh' called by various organisations and political parties, including the ruling BJP, to protest the demand by Tamil Nadu for the release of Cauvery water was observed successfully in Chintamani- but with passivity. Chintamani has had three 'Bandhs' in three weeks.
It is amazing how the whole of Karnataka stands united every time the Cauvery river sharing issue arises. The Cauvery river water is used by 8 million to 10 million people in Karnataka. Although the rest of Karnataka , over 50 million, have their own water woes and river disputes, like Krishna River dispute, Chitravathi dam issue in our own district, it is amusing why only Cauvery river issue gets the widespread attention.
Chintamani's municipality is trying hard to fulfill the water requirement of the town. MLA Dr M.C.Sudhakar did a hunger strike (a link ) to grab the attention of the concerned authorities and ministries to look into the shortfall of water in Chintamani. He had demanded for sanction of funds to dig bore wells and restoration of many lakes around Chintamani.
Now that we have supported the farmers of Mysore, Mandya districts and also the domestic users of the Cauvery water in Bangalore by observing a Bandh, are we not entitled to get the Cauvery water too? When the neighbouring Tamil Nadu can outrageously demand for a vast share of Cauvery water, Chintamani has every right to demand a Cauvery water link, can't we?

A Clash That Brought Shame

On Sunday, just when the people of Chintamani were happy to watch the unveiling of a show from the Sun, what proceeded later in the evening is nothing less than degradation of  humanity.
The clash between the two groups ended in a death of a Police constable who intervened to restore peace. The police who was on duty and who tried to control the mischief mongers was badly injured. He later succumbed in the hospital. And, this gruesome incident disrupted the peaceful situation that was prevailing in the town. This morning a few people blocked the roads and called for 'Chintamani Bandh'. People who had plans to travel were seen stranded at the bus stand. The schools and colleges were closed. The school/college students who had already arrived had a hard time getting back home.

The traders/businessmen who were coming to terms with the loss from the 'Bharat Bandh' had to yet again face the brunt of this shallowness in the society. The laborers who earn their daily bread didn't get their today's earnings because the trucks avoided  from entering the town and the business establishments were closed.
Hope the fanaticism doesn't show up it's ugly head and bring disrepute to the whole of Chintamani again.

The Sun and the Clouds put up a show.

Photo & info  by: G.H.Raghunath

23rd September, Sunday :Suddenly, there was a commotion in Chintamani, looking at the Sun, above.

There was a beautiful ring of colours (vibgyor) around the Sun's disc. People were amazed as it was a rare (?) sight. 

This beautiful display of nature was due to the formation of the clouds in a peculiar position that reflected the light to form a colourful ring around the Sun.

Chintamani-Not just a name!!

Although our town is named after a Maratha king Chintamani Rao(son of Ambaji Rao), Chintamani is also a name of a stone that is believed to have mystic power. CC presents you some interesting write up on this mysterious stone called Chintamani.                  

 It is believed that the great sailer Marco Polo travelled miles in search of the Chintamani Stone.

Chintamani is a legendary mystic stone from the epics of Mahabharata. Here is an interesting story about the Chintamani stone.
A huge Chintamani Stone was found in China. Here is the link

Chintamani is also a  legendary story of a Sanskrit poet and devotee of Lord Krishna named Bilwamangal. Bilwamangal, a resident of Varanasi, was a Sanskrit scholar, who gets infatuated towards a courtesan called Chintamani. As a result he deserts his wife. However, Chintamani is an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna  and spends most of her time singing bhajans in praise of Lord Krishna. His attraction towards Chintamani eventually draws Bilwamangal closer towards Lord Krishna and transforms his life forever. Bilwangal, himself, becomes a devotee of Lord Krishna and pens a monumental Sanskrit work Sri Krishna Karnamritam. A Telugu movie starred by iconic actor  of yester years NTR was made in the year 1956 titled "Chintamani" click here based on the same story.

Here is one more story from the epics in which Lord Ganesha turns into a Chintamani Stone with mysic power.

Ganesha becomes Chintamani

There is a Karnatic Raaga with the name 'Chintamani' which is rarely sung by the musicians these days. Listen to this Shyama Shastry's Kriti in Chintamani Raaga sung by legendary singer M.S.Subbalakshmi.

Chintamani a BBMP dumping ground???

Just when Chintamani is seeing lot of progress in terms of infrastructure, just when the roads leading to Chintamani is seeing a tremendous change, just when the municipality of Chintamani is spreading the green patches in and around the town, this piece of news has sent a shock waves among Chintamaniacs. The BBMP's plans to dump the garbage in Chintamani taluk clearly shows there is an ulterior motive behind this idea. The BBMP garbage vehicles wants to use the newly built roads as an express-highway to their dumping grounds in Chintamani taluk. BBMP has failed to manage the garbage generated by the city and taking hasty decisions to wash their hands off.

We lodge our protest!!

Article in Deccan Herald

Nelamangala, Chintamani may be next dump yards

BANGALORE, August 25, 2012, DHNS
 Under fire for letting garbage swamp the City, the State government on Saturday swung into action to assist the BBMP to find a way out to clear the mess and identified alternate landfill sites at Nelamangala, Chintamani and some abandoned quarries as dump yards.

On a day when the garbage clearing was more visible across the City, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar convened a review meeting at which he directed Palike Commissioner Shankaralinge Gowda to clear the piled-up garbage within 24 hours.
Besides the commissioner, Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy, A Ravindra, former bureaucrat and advisor to chief minister on urban affairs, corporators, City MLAs and BBMP officials were present.
Although trucks were seen transporting garbage from the City, the problem is likely to be sorted out only by Monday.
Many truckloads were diverted to the Mandur landfill, even as the Mavallipura landfill remained closed. On the ban imposed by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) at this landfill, ecology and Environment Minister Sogadu Shivanna said the Board should have looked for alternatives like segregating garbage and utilising garbage for power production, before disallowing dumping of garbage in the designated dump yards.
Shettar later told mediapersons that he had asked the commissioner to initiate all possible measures to bail out the City from the mess. He also instructed the commissioner to initiate action against Ramky Enviro Engineers for violating contractual provisions, that resulted in garbage being strewn all over the City.
The Chief Minister said the government would speed up processing of files pertaining to possible locations for garbage disposal. A special meeting will be convened next week to accelerate the process of denotifying land for solid waste management.

The Link http://www.deccanherald.com/content/274288/nelamangala-chintamani-may-next-dump.html

In Pursuit of Nemmadi

      

People come here early in the morning to stand in front of the closed shutter. They themselves make a queue expecting that the doors could open any time. Among them are women, farmers, labors etc. They have come here away from their daily bread winning jobs. They already have stood in couple of queues before at the E-stamp center and few government offices. From past couple of days they have wandered in the courts for getting an affidavit.  They stand watchfully so no mischief monger jumps the queue. They look totally agitated. And to their dismay that door might never open for the days business at all. And if it opens only the lucky few gets the ticket to contentment, and the rest disperse, each sharing their agony with each other. The ticket is the 'Ration Card' and the center that issues them is called, ironically,  "Nemmadi Kendra" (Comforting Center). 

To obtain the 'Ration card' people have to get their income certificate, birth certificate on an E-stamp. After obtaining the application and the E-stamp at the Chintamani's  only center on Double Road, they have to get the affidavit from an  attorney. By this time they already have spent a few hundreds from their pockets and the system consuming their energy. Then they have to come to the "Nemmadi Kendra" in N.R.Extension hoping that their documents are accepted and acknowledged. The center doesn't even have a name board and has not displayed it's working hours. The frustration triggers to frequent quarrels on the streets, like you see in the video. To light up the people's lives , the government is burning the other end of the candle.                                                                                                                                                                        

We Can't Afford To Waste Water

Water problem in Chintamani needs no introduction, each of us have faced the problem in one or the other way – be it buying water, getting water for daily purposes from distant places every morning, the list can go endless. While there are different ways to solve the crisis, the most important way and something that each one of us can contribute to minimize the problem is being responsible and conserve water in any which way possible, primarily preventing loss of this valuable natural resource.

I noticed water leaking from the source valve and LOT of water entering the drainage DIRECTLY from the valve for three days in a row. It’s a terrible scene – if this problem is addressed responsibly and timely, it is as simple as someone not paying Rs. 100 for water or some one not travelling long distance to fetch a pot of water.

Look at the photos and video – is it so difficult to fix the water leak here and conserve one of the most valuable resources we need every day?

Posted By Dr Abijit Raghunath

Although there is a huge progress in providing potable water  to the households we still can't afford to waste water, especially during this time when people are grieving without proper monsoons. CC  appreciates the concern of our dear reader. We as the citizens have to notify the concerned department in the municipal corporation and persist on immediate action. Responsibility rests on everyone of us. 

A Businessman Dies-Traffic Disorder Inflicted Tragedy.

Photos courtesy: Mr Kalyan, Padmavathi Studio

 The freak accident in the morning at the Double Road circle took it's toll killing the young businessman on the spot. The man who had left his home for the day's business died less than a kilometer from his home. May God give their family the strength to overcome the grief. May his soul rest in peace.

Chintamani is not anymore a small town.The traffic has increased considerably. The quality of the roads have also improved to facilitate free movement of the vehicles. But the traffic rule violation is rampant. The careless pedestrians, the rash and negligent drivers all give way to the accidents such as this mornings tragedy . The vehicles driven by reckless drivers are misusing the newly laid roads to get cheap thrills. Few even find pleasure driving through one way or on the wrong side of the streets especially at the circles. Do we all deserve good roads at all??

Can't we follow traffic rules? Do we need police to control us?

All these traffic woes has to be addressed urgently by the traffic police in a different and in an effective manner. The town now demands traffic signals, pedestrian crossings on few traffic junctions/circles.
Further, hope we do not have to learn lessons at the cost of precious lives of our fellow citizens.

The Indian roads are the number one death agents, out playing even the deadliest contagious diseases. Click here

Overwhelming Response for Planting Spree

The response to the call for "Nanna Chintamani, Hasiru Chintamani" celebration on  the environment day in Chintamani was overwhelming. The event kicked-off with the symbolic planting of tree by MLA Dr M.C.Sudhakar who is passionately working towards making Chintamani a 'Green Town'. The school and the college students, the environmentalists, NGOs and citizens turned out in large numbers to plant the trees. The support and the hard work of the municipality and also of few volunteers was admirable. By the time the people had arrived the organisers had kept the plants ready beside the trenches. The students lead by enthusiastic teachers marched towards Kanampalli Lake where the first phase of planting was planned. The interest and the enthusiasm of  the students of Govt. Girls High School, Govt. Boys High School, Sri Vijaya College, Venkatadri College was fantastic and by the end they all had planted 1800 plants. Few groups of the students took a procession through the near-by villages to bring about the awareness on advantages of planting trees and nurturing them. Couple of students made brief speeches on the state of our forest wealth and the need for growing sustainable forests. The planning was commendable, thanks to the Municipal Commissioner Dr Rame Gowda's execution and ably supported by Mr Murali, Mr Jayanth and Mr Ravi Prakash. The people and the students who participated in the event went back proudly. The office bearers and the  labors of the municipality had toiled all week to pull this off successfully. But, the responsibility of saving these plants lies on every citizen of Chintamani.

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The municipality will also plant the trees inside the town. They plan to involve the nearby homes/families in the next phase of  "Nanna Chintamani, Hasiru Chintamani".  

Celebrating Environment Day in a Befitting Way!!

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The next best time is now.  ~Chinese Proverb.

In India there is an absolute necessary of growing sustainable forests. People in large number still use firewood for cooking purpose, and the industrial growth is also contributing to the fast diminishing green lands. And, the diminutive presence of re-cycling systems in India is not helping  either, unlike the recycling systems in the developed countries(link). Every school going child is aware of the advantages of planting trees(link). But in the fast paced life of modern day living the society has ignored to protect the world for the future well-being.

Chintamani has always been in the forefront for nurturing green patches in and around Chintamani. The town municipal corporation has done a commendable job in planting and protecting the trees from various perils. Mr. Ramegowda, the municipal commissioner, has taken many steps to  beautify the roads by planting trees.

On June 5th, on the world environment day, the municipal corporation under the leadership of MLA M.C. Sudhakar, has planned to take a huge leap towards making Chintamani a garden town. The Municipal corporation has planned to plant 50000 plants of various types  including the ornamental trees on the side-walks of the streets. The program "Nanna Chintamani- Hasiru Chintamani" will kick-off in a big way on Tuesday the 5th June and will be completed in phases with in three months.Many organisations, educational institutions, NGOs, the forest department, environment enthusiasts and many individuals(Chintamaniacs) have joined hands with the municipal administrators to precisely plan to make this event a huge success. This is an admirable gesture of involving various groups and common citizens. All thanks to the keen interest shown by MLA M.C.Sudhakar. The citizen-governance team has identified several places to plant the trees. The team is also organising an awareness campaign to reach out to the lay man who is ignorant of the importance of protecting the trees. This program needs more and more volunteers for the mission to be accomplished.

Come join in to celebrate this environment day in a great and befitting way.

Those willing to participate may contact Mr. Murali(Sukh Sagar) : 99003 11778 Mr Jayanth: 903665 00355 Mr Ravi: 99002 50113 Gurunath 98456 96090. Volunteers are requested to assemble at the town municipal office before 7:30 am on Tuesday.