Gulbarga Diary – 1

Gulbarga Diary

Change of Guard at HKE – Power of Democracy.

Though Hyderabad Karnataka Education Society (HKES) is yet another Cooperative sector institution, it holds a pivotal place and thus relevance to the lay & the powers that be of this region.

From the people’s point of view, this society is the only illuminating star that held the dreams of the students and parents alike, as it is the only source of economic activity ‘industry’. Not long ago, the in spite of being Minister, Dr. A. B. Malakreddy was toeing the idea of contesting for the President’s post of this society. That speaks about the importance of the society to all & sundry.

Basawaraj Bhimalli was expected to walk through the elections, as it was his second term. Not that it was a foregone conclusion but very often the sitting president has been voted back to power. Being in power gives them enough manoeuvring capabilities. With the then incumbent, the salary hikes for medical college teachers, partial redressal of financial issues and approachability were favourable points.

Shashil Namoshi, MLC and Chairman, Nanjundappa committee recommendations implementation Board was not new to this political arena, but his inability to break the shackles and come anywhere near so as to be considered as a tough opponent in the past was the prime reason.

Another notable point this election witnessed was contest by another two candidates namely B. G. Patil and Shivanand Mankar. This gave rise to a small glimpse of uncertainty, as probably never in the past, there were 4 notable candidates. The division of votes and beneficiary couldn’t be predicted.

Manifestos and issues like corruption have lost their relevance like anywhere else. Just 6 years ago a President, Dr.Jawali, tainted with an FIR for having disposed off an antic 2nd world war aeroplane worth crores was re-elected. All candidates were sailing together on these issues except that B. G. Patil assured of leaving behind Rs. 15 crore deposits at the end of the term.

With most cards stacked along the President of the day, shades of voter power were seen with the declaration of Governing Council members’ results. Unexpectedly, plenty of new faces got elected discarding the old warhorses. But that may not be considered the harbinger of change at the top as in year 2000, even though not a single GC Member was elected from Dr. Jawali’s Panel, he got elected defeating a non corrupt, pious but dependent candidate Basawarajappa Appa.

Alleged emergence of established multiple familial power centres, inability to control the interference of cronies or rather dependence on the cronies for counselling and hovering fear that the second term with no checks and controls would be horrendous in corruption deterred the voters. About 110 votes taken by the other candidates B. G. Patil & Mankar were decisive. The last straw seemed to be the alleged excessive patronage given to a sub community – Reddy faction. That irked the majority community to get united in favour of Shashil Namoshi.

Meanwhile, the usually inconspicuous election of Vice Presidentship gained prestige with the entry of Dr. Suryakant Patil who had virtually dissociated from Gulbarga. The strategy of his close friend Dr. S. M. Patil and others to persuade Dr. Suryakant Patil to enter the fray paid dividends. He won handsomely defeating old horse Baburao Mangane. It was virtually one to one contest rather than the triangular one.

The voters who seemed to go into slumber after their appetite was satiated every election woke up this time to exercise their say for a change of optimism. The spirit of social concern triumphed. The larger interest prevailed.
Governing Council members elected are: First Timers - Vishwanath Reddy B Itagi, A. V. Deshmukh, Shivasharanappa Siri, N. D. Patil, Shantappa Bilgundi, Rajasekhar Kanaki & Girijashankar. Old timers: Sharad Rampure, Shivaraj Nigudgi, Vijaykumar Deshmukh, R. S. Hosagowda, Shivasharanappa Mantale, and Dr. Basawaraj Patil.

Prominent losers: Radhakrishna Raghoji, Dr. Sharanappa Giri, Dr. Sampath Loya, G. D. Anakal, Dr. Bheemashankar Bilgundi & others.

DISCLAIMER: These assimilated views are views of the voters. Not attributable to the author.


Summer in Gulbarga is a desert.

Desert conditions revisit Gulbarga every summer. This season the onset of summer got delayed. Actually, with Sankranti start Uttarayana and summer, reaching palpable limits at the time of Shivaratri. However, this year, the semblance of summer commenced around Shivaratri reaching the palpable limit now. Nowadays the temperature is hovering around 42 degree Celsius.

I believe, perceptibly, there is change of seasons in India, probably elsewhere also. The rainy season doesn’t commence and sustain from 7th June. During Navaratri, one experiences Dasera heat. No longer now. Deepawali to Sankranti it is winter, but nowadays every onset seems to have been postponed by about 3 weeks.

Last night it drizzled to bring down the radiating temperature.

Bye for this week. Gulbarga Diary revisits next Wednesday with something contemporary.

Take care,