Bhavnagar University Observatory

The Bhavnagar Universty Observatory, of the Department of Physics, which was severely damaged during the earthquake of Jan26, 2001, has been resurrected with donations from Dr Dipchand Gardi, the renowned Philanthropist. The observatory building completed and the telescope is being installed. We hope to operationalize it soon after the Monsoon.

Fastest ship docks at Alang for breaking

Since the inception of the Alang shipbreaking yard in 1982, a number of vessels have been scrapped here, including the controversial Blue Lady.

Now, the world’s fastest passenger-cum-conventional ferry ship has sailed in. Interestingly, it is the unbearable global fuel prices that have compelled the owners of the ship to sell it.

GTS Finnjet, built in 1977 and later renamed Motor Vessel (MV) Da Vinci and MV Kingdom since it has reached the scrapping yard, is the fastest ship in the world. However, due to its enormous speed, Kingdom also guzzles fuel in good quantum.

Thus, for its owners the ship had become a headache in balancing income and expenses.

GTS Finnjet was a cruise ferry, built in 1977 by Wartsila Helsinki, Finland for Finnlines to ply between Finland and Germany. At the time of her delivery, Finnjet was the fastest, longest and largest car ferry in the world, and the only one powered by gas turbines.

She is still the fastest conventional ferry as of 2008, with a recorded top speed of 33.5 knots.

Finnjet has remained out of service since 2005, laid up in Baton Rouge, Freeport and Genoa. Although she was purchased by Club Cruise in November 2007 and renamed GTS Da Vinci in January 2008 for rebuilding into a cruise ship, the ship was sold for scrap in May 2008 and named MV Kingdom.

Jeckon International, Liberia sold Kingdom to Rishi Ship Breakers at Alang and she has completed her final voyage from Jeddah port, arriving at Alang on June 13th. According to port sources, she might touch the plot on 19th June.

Kingdom weighs 15,500 metric tonnes, with a capacity of 3,500 passengers and 325 cars. At the time of her last professional voyage, there were 178 crew members aboard.

Generally ships travel at the speed of 10 to 20 sea nautical miles, but Kingdom boasts the speed of 33.5 knots. However, to generate this extra speed, she was consuming 45 tonnes fuel every day.

According to sources, including marine diesel, lubricant oil and other fuel she requires to run her voyage at the fuel cost of Rs25 lakh per day. The ship breaker has purchased Kingdom for Rs40 cror

Two dozen ships help Alang sail again

MUMBAI: Alang in Gujarat is swinging back to life. Once world’s largest ship demolition centre, now a marginal player, Alang is slowly breathing life into itself, thanks to over two dozen junk ships that were beached recently for breaking, after an unusually long break.

A ship-breaker from Alang said Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) is only providing beaching permissions, and that none have received breaking clearance. “At least 25 ships have come to Alang for demolition.

However, there is confusion about their dismantling, after the supreme court came up with strict guidelines in October. Both GMB and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) are yet to begin strict implementation of the guidelines,” said another ship-breaker.

The apex court had asked GMB to set up a model ship-breaking yard for others to emulate and follow strictly. However, the board is yet to construct the yard. Indian breakers are buying ships at a new record, $500 per light displacement tonnage (LDT). A breaker said their counterparts in Bangladesh were buying large tankers at $575 per LDT and above.

“But they seemed to have burnt their fingers in such high-value transactions. Apparently, they seem to have slowed down their purchases during last one month. The recent cyclone is also believed to have impacted their businesses,” said an official.

Post the court order, GPCB had recently finalized norms for scrutinising the ships coming demolition as per the fresh guidelines issued by the court in October, 2007. The `desk review’ of the ships is now mandatory before anchoring, and it is to be completed aboard the ship by a team comprising of officials from the GPCB and the customs department.

While ships beach at Alang, so are the controversies. After `Blue Lady’, it is the turn of `Aqaba Express’, anchored at Alang, to raise environmental and health concerns. Last month, the UN’s Basel Secretariat wrote to Indian government warning hazardous materials on board the ship.

It claimed that the vessel was arrested in Spain for operating under a certificate that declared it was on a final voyage for demolition in India or Bangladesh. Initial tests proved that the vessel carried hazardous substances such as asbestos and PCB.

The Spanish government had allowed the ship to sail off from Almeria in August for Constanza in Romania, where it was to undergo repairs. But it changed course and sailed to Alang. The 1975-built ship, formerly called 'Beni Ansar', was registered in Moroni in Comoros. The Basel Secretariat has asked Indian government to ensure that the standards of the Basel Convention are met.

'Blue Lady' is still facing legal tangles even after the apex court pronounced its verdict. Indian Platform on Ship-breaking, a green body consisting Greenpeace and Basel Action Network (BAN), has moved the court once again with a petition.

While India has gone ahead with its own rules for safe ship-breaking, International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is close to finalizing a set of guidelines. Top officials from IMO, European Union and Basel are visiting Alang and Mumbai in the first week of January, before the working group of MEPC is slated to meet in Paris by January-end, to finalise the IMO’s guidelines.

Alang yard back in news

GANDHINAGAR: The Alang ship-breaking yard in Bhavnagar on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat is back in controversy. The State-owned Gujarat Maritime Board, which manages the ship-breaking yard and has given on lease plots of land in Alang to the ship-breakers, and the Alang Ship Recycling Industries Association are not even aware that another asbestos-laden ship has set sail for the Bhavnagar coast.

"The GMB is not in the picture, it will be for the Supreme Court to decide whether such a ship can be brought to Alang for breaking," the GMB manager in-charge of Alang, M.M. Khatri, said.

A couple of months ago, the Clemenceau, a French de-commissioned aircraft carrier carrying about 450 tonnes of asbestos, was recalled by the French Government after the controversy surrounding the facilities available at Alang for handling hazardous materials.

Both Mr. Khatri and the Association joint secretary, Nitin Kanakiya, claimed that they came to know from newspaper reports quoting Greenpeace activists that SS Norway, better known as Blue Lady, was on its way to Alang from Malaysia carrying at least 900 tonnes of asbestos for breaking.

Mr. Kanakiya said he was not even aware if any Alang-based consortium had bought the ship, claimed to be the second largest in the world after the ill-fated Titanic. He, however, said that if the ship was carrying 900 tonnes of asbestos as claimed, it would be in violation of the Basal convention and must be cleaned before it was docked at Alang.

But handling the ship even with 900 tonnes of asbestos would be no problem for Alang, Mr. Khatri pointed out. The GMB has only last month commissioned the hazardous material disposal facilities at Alang which can handle at least 50,000 tonnes of asbestos besides other hazardous materials. "Nine hundred tonnes is nothing even if the ship comes uncleaned at Alang," Mr. Khatri said.

The authorities have provided necessary training to the Alang workers in handling the hazardous materials and arranged for adequate safety equipment. In addition, it has also planned "outsourcing" handling of the hazardous materials to some agencies having expertise in such jobs before handing the ship over to Alang.

But all the exercise will come into effect only after the Supreme Court issued the necessary directive for berthing ships carrying hazardous materials at Alang.

Following the Clemenceau controversy, the apex court appointed a 15-member committee of experts, including Central Government officials for reviewing the facilities at Alang.

The committee visited Alang on May 2 and 3 and, according to Mr. Khatri, expressed "satisfaction" over the facilities at Alang. The committee is expected to submit its report to the Supreme Court shortly after which it would issue a directive about the Blue Lady or any other ship carrying hazardous materials for breaking at Alang.

If cleared by the Court, the ship would also be required to secure clearance from the customs, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board and other agencies involved.

"ALANG TODAY" internet portal

This internet portal is based on Alang And Sosiya Ship recycling Yard which is located around 50 km from the noted and important city BHAVNAGAR situated in the Gujarat State of INDIA. This is Asia’s largest and world’s one of the most important Ship Recycling Yard where various materials like Melting scrap, Cast Iron Scrap (Beed), Rolling Materials, Profile Plates, Marine Machinery, Marine Engine Sets, Diesel Generating Sets, Electric Motors and so many other items which are available in huge quantity of various qualities are mostly tested and certified by the world famous Lloyds Certifying Co. of England.

www.alangtoday.com has been launched by AlangToday Information Company which is owned by
Mr. Harish K. Goyal (Johny Aggarwal) - who Deals in Rolling Materials, Gas cut, Anchors, Chains, Melting scrap, Cast Iron Scrap (Beed), Profile Plates, Shafts and other items like Marine Engine Sets, Diesel Generating Sets, Electric Motors, etc.

The concept and motive of this website www.alangtoday.com is to provide every possible detailed information to the desired persons all over the world about the facts, figures and day to day activities going on at this Asia’s largest Ship Breaking Yard just at a click of mouse , at their own convenience - 24 hrs. from all over the world.

The Traders, Rolling Mill -Steel Melting Furnace owners, Ship Machinery Dealers & Exporters and other people associated with this Alang & Sosiya Ship Recycling Yard located at Bhavnagar, Mandi Gobindgarh, Indore, Jaipur, Delhi, Ahmedabed, Rajkot, Mehsana, Jalna, Nagpur, Mumbai and Goa etc will be directly benefited by accessing www.alangtoday.com for its informative data, figures and reports. They are able to know if where items of their interest are available -exactly on which plots.

For Ship Recycling, it will now be possible to have every kind of important reports and information related to their Ship Recycling Industry as and when desired by them just by clicking mouse may be from their house or office.

The Ship Agents , Brokers, Cash Buyers and Sellers will now be able to host their offers at the respective locations of www.alangtoday.com for selling the Ships for Demolition. They won't require to send fax information to the ship breakers time and time again. By getting information from Ship Detail Engine Date wise they will be able to plan accordingly about their buyers.

The scope of information available on www.alangtoday.com is so wide that it is not possible to make a list of all applications and thus its users. But , it is for sure that if anyone would search for any information he would get so many other information also.

In today's fast pacing business life one who wishes to visit Alang / Bhavnagar for getting some information will be able to remain sited at his own place and just by clicking on the www.alangtoday.com every type of desired information about Ship Recycling Industry is available without spending precious time and money.

AlangToday Information Company wishes to serve this fantastic Industry by all means so you are requested to forward your valuable suggestions if how www.alangtoday.com can be a great information source for everyone related to this Industry directly of indirectly in India and Abroad.

MORE SHIPS EXPECTED FOR ALANG

AS PER THE INTERNATIONAL REPORTS, MORE SHIPS FOR DEMOLITION ARE EXPECTED FOR ALANG AS FREIGHT RATE FOR VLCC IS VERY DOWN. THE SHIPPING LINE BOOM SEEMS TO OVER NOW. PRESENTLY, ALANG & SOSIYA IS HAVING TOTAL 40 SHIP. ABOUT 10 MORE SHIP ARE EXPECTED TO BEACH IN THIS MONTH.

* Supply position of material

Supply position of material
Mandi Gobindgarh	Very Low
Bhavnagar	Good
Jaipur	Low
Indore	Very Low

Alang - Ship Breaking yard

Heavy steel parts are cut and brought down from a shipbreaking plant in Alang. Alang, 50 km from Bhavnagar in east Gujarat was once India's largest ship breaking yard. But with Government tax policies and other environmental restrictions, the industry is in a very poor state. But recently the French ship Blue Lady was allowed to enter Alang by the court, paving way for a new begining.

ALANG SHIP RECYCLING

Alang is a census town in Bhavnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat, India. It is the leading centre of the worldwide ship breaking and recycling industry.
The shipyards at Alang recycle approximately half of all ships salvaged around the world.[citation needed] The yards are located on the Gulf of Khambat, 50 kilometres southeast of Bhavnagar. Visiting Westerners complain that before shipbreaking began there in June 1983 the beach at Alang was pristine and unspoiled.[citation needed] However, locals say that the work provides a reasonably paid job by local standards, with a steady income used to support their families.[citation needed]
Large supertankers, car ferries and container ships are beached during high tide, and as the tide recedes, hundreds of manual laborers dismantle each ship, salvaging what they can and reducing the rest into scrap. Tens of thousands of jobs are supported by this activity and millions of tons of steel are recovered.[citation needed]
The salvage yards at Alang have generated controversy about working conditions, workers' living conditions, and the impact on the environment. One major problem is that despite many serious work-related injuries, the nearest full service hospital is 50 kilometres away in Bhavnagar. Alang itself is served by a small Red Cross hospital that offers only limited services.
Almost one in every six workers could be suffering from an early stage of asbestosis and are at serious risk of contracting lung cancer, according to an expert committee set up by India’s Supreme Court.[citation needed]
A safer and more modern ship-breaking yard is located nearby at Pipavav.

Alang Ship-breaking Yard

Face off between Bhavnagar's ABCD & BITA

Conflicts are emerging between the two IT channel association in Bhavnagar-the Association of Bhavnagar Computer Dealers (ABCD) and the Bhavnagar Information Technology Association (BITA. The bone of contention between them is over recently held dealer meetings in the city. ABCD officials said they were not intimated about these meetings and their members could therefore not participate in it, which does not bode well for the association.
Ketan Trivedi, Secretary, ABCD said, "We have not been officially informed about two or three dealer meetings that were held in the city recently. In some cases, we were informed at the last moment and therefore our members could not attend it. This is affecting the business of our members who could have benefited from these events. We expect that should intimate us well in advance about these meetings so that our members can participate."
He added that often vendors get in touch with certain dealers in the city who then inform a few partners about the event. "But these members belong to the other association," Trivedi added.
But BITA officials have a different opinion about this subject. Govind Bhetaria, one of the founders of the newly formed BITA said, "Vendors always inform us about these meetings well in advance. Either they send a mail or they call to give us information about the same. I don't know what the problem between vendors and ABCD is as it is the vendor's prerogative to inform the local associations. As far as BITA is concerned, we don't have any problems in communicating with vendors."
While this instance can be termed as a non-issue, there have been other skirmishes between the two associations in the past, though not in a very overt fashion, according to dealers in the city. This could be because of the formation of BITA. It is learnt that ABCD was the first association in the city and was started almost 10 years ago. But it was not registered under the Socities Act.
"Because there was no action in ABCD, some of us decided to exit the body and start a new association," said Betharia. Since then, dealers say, that the two associations have issues with each other. But most partners were unconcerned about it and were only interested in their own business developments.
Hitesh Joshi, Proprietor, Naman Computers and an ABCD member said, "I don't know what's happening between the two associations. There may be some problems at the association level, which does not directly affect me. We formed the association to resolve our problems and help our business and not to create problems that will affect the business of other association members."
Hemanth Shah, Member, BITA said, "It's true that the companies directly send the invitation to the association about the meetings. In BITA, there are dealers who directly deal with vendor companies for their business and hence they receive information about meetings early. But there are no issues that members like me get involved in about ABCD or BITA."
In the past, there were talks about merging both the associations but due to some personal issues between the executive council members of the two bodies, this move failed.

Heritage Hotels in Bhavnagar

Nilambagh Palace HotelBuilt in Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Sir Takhat Singh in 1859 Nilambagh Palace was converted into a Heritage Hotel by Maharaja Virbhadra Singh in the year 1984. Designed by the German Architect Simsom this magnificent Heritage Hotel stands majestically amidst 40 acres of greenery. The settings of Nilambagh Palace depicts an ideal blend of the traditional Gujarati culture and modern luxuries. Visitors are mesmerized by the awesome beauty of the Burma teak furnitures, Belgian mirrors and European chandeliers crafted on its splendid dining hall. Nilambagh Palace is quite popular among the tourists for its historic library. You will get to experience the reminiscence of the Royal past and the grand tradition and culture of the Gujarat while staying in this magnificent Heritage Hotel. This beautiful Khaki stoned structure is encompassed by verdant green lawns and lovely gardens creating an ideal romantic ambiance for the guests. Nilambagh Palace is situated in Bhavnagar and is about 8km from Bhavnagar airport and 2km from Bhavnagar railway station.
CATEGORY : Standard Heritage

MANAGED BY : Independent Hotel

CITY : Bhavanagar (Gujarat)

ROOMS : 24 Air-con rooms & 3 suites

ACCESS : 8 kms. from Bhavnagar Airport and 2 kms from Bhavnagar Railway Station.

AMENITIES : Restaurant serving Continental, Chinese and Regional food, good rooms with attached bath and telephone. Beautiful Romanesque Swimming pool, Table tennis, Tennis courts, 24 Hrs room service and conference facitlity. AccommodationThe Nilambagh Palace has well furnished rooms that are marvelously decorated with elaborate designs. The interiors are quite sunning to look at and have period furnitures to provide you elegant hospitality of the royals. The rooms are also equipped with attached bath and telephone. Other facilities and amenitiesThe facilities and amenities offered by Nilambagh Palace Heritage Hotel will definitely give you supreme comfort and luxury. The lovely Romanesque swimming pool is a perfect place to relax and there are even facilities for playing tennis, table tennis. The room service is available for 24 hours and even banquets and meeting facilities are provided. The hotel also organizes several tours to the nearby tourist spots. DiningThe dining hall of this Heritage hotel creates an ideal romantic ambiance to dine, with its grand arrangements of crystal chez chandeliers, Burma teak banquet tables, carved chairs and antique furnitures. The guests are offered with mouth watering delights of Chinese, Continental as well as Gujarati Cuisines. During summer dining arrangements are made in the lawns garden chairs and swings and wrought iron chairs are laid. The garden is quite a nice place to relax even in the winters where you will get to see various beautiful birds and the picturesque scenery.

The Great Escape

The Great Escape

The spotting of an alien alga in the Gulf of Mannar has the scientist fraternity confused. Kalyan Ray throws light on this controversial sighting.

Was it an inadvertent leak? Was it a secret experiment gone wrong? Did anybody purposefully release it with an ulterior motive? Will it damage the ecology of India’s most valuable marine bioreserve? Though nobody knows the answers to these queries as yet, scientists are trying to figure out how an alien alga escaped into the Gulf of Mannar from its “confinement” all of a sudden in 2007, though the field trials with this alga was on for almost a decade. The multi-national company roped in self-help groups in Ramanthapuram, Pudukottai, Tanjore and Tuticorin districts in Tamil Nadu to cultivate the sea weeds and sell the produce to Pepsico. The standard cultivation practice prevents any chance of the alga’s release in the wild. The process entails anchoring the seaweeds on rafts to prevent the movement of algae, says Amit Bose, executive vice president (export), Pepsico India. The cultivation is done on 3 sq m bamboo rafts, where the seaweed is suspended on nylon ropes and allowed to grow in natural conditions. According to CSMCRI, there are approximately 8,000 rafts which should yield a minimum of 1,000 tons of dry seaweed per annum at the rate of 140 kg dry weed per raft per year, considering 7 harvests a year. Below the raft is a nylon net which serves the dual purpose of preventing fish from eating the seaweed and the drifting of the sea weed from the raft, Mr Bose explains. It was thought a fool-proof system to restrict the alga. But when the Madurai team headed by S Chandrasekharan surveyed the Tamil Nadu coast between August and September, 2007, they spotted two sites, 50 and 100 m from the shore, where the coral was engulfed by this alga. Through subsequent field visits, the CSMCRI confirmed the “surprising occurrence” of Kappaphycus in Krusadai Island. “It cannot be described as an invasion as the alga has been spotted in two small spots in the entire island. It’s a localised presence,” argues CSMCRI director Pushpito K Ghosh. While the area of the entire island is 65.8 acre, the sea weed has been spotted in two sites of approximately 300 sq m each. “Only those two patches had live corals," says Chandrasekharan. The institute says despite surveying all the islands since January 2005, it did not come across any Kappaphycus in any of the islands including Krusadai. CSMCRI also examined 15 locations over a 90 km stretch along the Gulf of Mannar coast – from Olakuda (Rameswaram) to Valinokkam (20 km beyond Erwadi) – covering a depth of 0-4 m. Again, no Kappaphycus was encountered in any of the locations. The institute’s last survey of Krusadai was conducted in March 2007. The team could not spot the alga. Subsequent to the report by the Madurai group in the journal Current Science, CSMCRI researchers are again scouring the coast as well as the gulf. They will continue to do so for another two months to check if anything unusual happens in August-September. The Madurai group collected the samples in those two months. Invasion of K alvarezii on coral reefs has been reported in the Pacific in the reefs around Kiribati, Solomon Island and Tonga. Studies carried out in Hawaii islands revealed that the alga had spread from the initial site of introduction to other reefs at a rate of 250 m per year. The alarm bell for the Indian Ocean region was sounded first in 2005 when the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography, another CSIR laboratory, described “bioinvasion” of corals in the marine reserve by Kappaphycus alga. But CSMCRI described the 2005 report as a “false alarm” Following up on the NIO report, the Madurai group spotted these two sites. Ironically the research grant they received was from the CSIR. So what triggered the escape? Pepsi immediately distanced itself from the controversy, arguing it was not directly involved with the cultivation. “The trial cultivation in Krusadai Island was closed out in November 2003, but the seed maintenance activity inside the Gulf of Mannar is still carried out by them (CSMCRI). The SHGs never carried out any seaweed cultivation in Krusadai Island or the Gulf of Mannar,” says Mr Bose. Dr Ghosh, on the other hand, admits that scientists are somewhat puzzled to understand this incident. “CSMCRI abandoned Kappaphycus germplasm maintenance in Krusadai towards the end of 2003. If our experimental cultivation was the cause, then colonisation should have been observed soon thereafter and noted in our surveys. As that was not the case, it would mean prolonged period of dormancy which is unrealistic,” he counters. “It’s highly unlikely that the alga will come up suddenly 1.8 km away after a gap of four years,” he says without ruling out the possibility of an irresponsible experimentation by someone who has access to this alga. But this theory seems to be an unlikely one because the Gulf of Mannar being a restricted area, there are records available of those who visited the area in the Tamil Nadu Wildlife Department. It deepens the mystery further, leaving officials to grope in the dark. Meanwhile, the Aquaculture Foundation of India, an NGO, has sought permission from the Chief Wildlife warden to inspect the island with the objective of removing any seaweed which may be there. The permission is still awaited.

1 dead, 8 missing in Amreli after rains

RAJKOT: A 60-year old man identified as Roshan Sangani was swept away in swirling waters in Nabipura village in Amreli district while eight were reported missing after torrential rains pounded Bagasara taluka on Sunday.

The taluka received nearly 300 mm rainfall in just 24 hours, leaving surrounding villages inundated. The Munjiyasar dam started overflowing, washing away two temples, cutting off communication links and electricity. District administration temporarily shifted 100 people from low lying areas to safer places as a precautionary step.

In Somnath, a 100x10 feet wall surrounding the Somnath temple collapsed after the rains but no one was injured. However, situation improved on Tuesday as rains abated and waters started receding.

Many talukas in Junagadh, Rajkot, Amreli, Porbandar, Surendranagar, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar recorded heavy to moderate rainfall on Sunday. Rainfall was, however, scanty in Kutch, official sources said.

Earning opportunity in Bhavnagar

Welcome to Bhavnagar. Located in the bay of Khambhat, Bhavnagar is the one of the most flourishing city of Gujarat, India. Known for it long sea shore, and billionaire business of Diamond & Ship Breaking. We are gearing up for next generation of business development and competing the world in order to serve best quality industrial output and delivering a finest quality life to the people.
There are more than 450 small and medium scale units engaged in manufacturing and processing of different kind of plastic materials and goods. read more about country's biggest plastic center.		Due to good direct connection with Surat and Mumbai and a huge pool of skilled man power bhavnagar is most prefered outsourcing destination.
The city is located in peaceful place with availability of thousands of skilled programmers in nearby region. some good IT players are also working here on national and international level.		Bhavanagar is always known for arts and innovations. CSMCRI in Bhavnagar is internationally known R&D center. more research initiatives can also be taken due to good number of students in scince and easy availability of land and other resources.
Bhavnagar is known for onion, lemon, gua and other fruits and vegitables. A huge opportunity is there in field of food processing also. Mahuva, nearby town of bhavnagar is famous for onion dehydration in whole world.		easy and convenient transportation facility, and a well equipped medical college attracts so many health and pharmaceutical company in bhavanagar to provide good quality health service to local and international communitiy.
Kalpsar- The biggest project of its kind in the world. Bhavnagar is the host city for kalpasar project which leads to connect to parts of gujarat separated by bay of cambay, will generate electricity and drinking water also.		Bhavnagar, Mithi Viradi, Sartanpar, Alang, Ghogha, Mahuva and Pipavav. The raw of small and midium scale of ports avails easy import and export of goods.
A long sea shore, 1 natural cenctury, great raws of hills, some of the finest icelands, and large amout of open land generated possibilities of rural tourism and establishment of fun lands and fun parks.

Physiotherapy student of Bhavnagar dies in civil hospital blast

AHMEDABAD: The trauma is just too much to bear for Maya Andheria living in Bhavnagar. Barely one and a half year after her husband Prakash died of cancer, she lost her young son Sanket in the bomb blast in civil hospital on Saturday. Sanket, a second year physiotherapy student was among the two doctors who was killed in the blast Sanket's friend Hardik Parmar said that Sanket was suffering from diarrhea since last two days. On Saturday, the problem got severe and went to the trauma ward to take a pill. Just when he came out of the ward to return to the hostel, the bomb went off. Hardik said Sanket was the eldest son. His younger brother, who has just completed his class Xth, has got admission into ITI. After his father's death, it was his uncle who was taking care of the fees and other expenses of Sanket. Sanket had just cleared his first year examination. Earlier in the day, his body was taken to Bhavnagar, where the last rites were performed. One of his family member told TOI , "After his father's death, Sanket was the only person on whom his mother was depending. She was hoping that he would soon complete his studies and become the earning member of the family."

One killed as protest turns violent in Bhavnagar

Bhavnagar, July 6: One diamond worker was killed and six others were injured in the city when a private security guard allegedly opened fire on the workers who were protesting for wage hike.

The private security guard of a diamond polishing unit opened fire on the diamond workers who were violently protesting in Kumudwadi area of the city, police said.

Out of the seven workers who were injured in the 'private firing', one died in a city hospital, hospital souces confirmed.

"We have deatained the security guard who opened fire on the diamond workers," Bhavnagar distrrict superintendent of police Anupamsingh Gehlot told PTI.

Gehlot said that the situation is under control now after police canned and dispersed the agitating workers.

The agitating workers indulged in stone pelting and damaged some vehicles in Kumudwadi area, police said.

Diamond workers across the state started their protest yesterday for wage hike. The protest was organised following 20 per cent hike given to diamond workers of Surat.

Diamond workers of other parts of the state like Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Amreli and Bhavnagar are also demanding 20 per cent wage hike.

Places of Interest in Bhavnagar

Gandhi Smriti
Established with an objective of keeping Gandhian thought alive, Gandhi Smriti is a living monument to Gandhiji. Opened in 1955, the institution hoses a Gandhi picture gallery, museum, Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar and a library. The institution has kept alive Gandhiji's association with Bhavnagar and the States of Saurashtra.

Barton Library & Museum
Situated in the heart of the city, this is the oldest and the renowned library of Saurashtra, which has evolved into a cultural centre. Housed in a spacious complex, its reading room attracts large number of readers who do not have access to various newspapers, magazines and periodicals. The coin-collection is the chief attraction of its museum.

Takhteshwar Temple
Made of pure marble and constructed in late nineteenth century, the temple is situated on a hillock near the Takhteshwar railway station on the railway line between Bhavnagar and mahuva. The picturesque view from the temple adds to the serenity of the place.

The Cenral Salt Research Institute
Housed in a large and imposing building, the institute works for the improvement of salt quality and enhancing salt production.

Gogha
Historically, a nursery for the Kathiawad seafarers, the fortune of this port-town has fluctuated with the growing and diminishing might's of European seapowers and big-neighbours Surat, Khambhat and Bhavnagar. Portuguese target of fury, the port was burnt thrice for frightening the Muslim lords of Gujarat and keeping British at bay. The burning of Rahimi, 1500-ton pilgrim ship, was the last show of Portuguese power, off the coast of Gogha. With English ascendancy at sea, importance of Surat grew at the cost of Khambhat and Gogha. It temporarily flourished during 1860s due to boom in trade resulting from American War of Independence. This uptrend was short-lived due to growth of neighbouring Bhavnagar, at a distance of 13 kms, which offered better facilities. The port-town continues to contribute its valued share as a minor port. Town has a historical Jain temple of Navkhanda Parshwanath from where a horde of bronze idols have been discovered.

Gopnath
A beautiful hemlet on the coast of the Gulf of Khambhat and at a distance of 10 kms. from Talaja, the taluka headquarter of Bhavnagar district is Gopnath; vying for eminence on the tourist circuit with development of a heritage hotel - Gopnath Bungalow - the pleasant sea-shore retreat of Gohil rulers of Bhavnagar. The Bungalow, built in a European colonial style with cottages and mansions surrounding the courtyard, faces the sea and offers beautiful view of the gulf. It attracts marine life enthusiasts for the variety of the kind found in the rocky shoals on the coast. It is also renowned for the temple of Gopnath Mahadev, where Narsingh Mehta is believed to have performed penance.

Khodiyar Mata
It is a famous shrine commemorating the family Goddess of the former Bhavnagar State. The deity is held in great reverence and the shrine with 36 pillars and vast mandap presents a serene sight
Access 15 kms. from Bhavnagar and 4 kms. from Sihor

Mahuva
A minor port, Mahuva is famous for its handicraft work in wood and ivory. Lacquer work on wooden furniture and toys are its speciality. Its fertile land bears `Jamadar' mangoes akin to Alphonso. There is an old mosque, Laxminarayan Temple and a Jain Dehrasar Temple.

Sihor
Before Bhavsinghji founded Bhavnagar this was the capital of Gohil rajputs. Excellent wall paintings depicting Bhavnagar ruler Wakhatsinhji with battle scenes, armies, cavalries, etc. are found in Sihor Darbargadh. Brahma Kund is known for its excellent quality of water.

Talaja
Situated on the slope of a hill crowned with a Jain temple nearby and at the confluence of Talaji and Shetrunji rivers, Talaja is famous for its Buddhist Caves. These caves are cut into isolated conical rocks. There are 30 such caves with 15 to 20 tanks for storing water. They are simple and wanting in ornamental carving. The only cave possessing some ornamentation is known as Ebhal Mandap. It is a big hall measuring 23 x 21 x 15.5 metres. There are no cells within the hall. On the facade of the cave, there are chaitya windows with a broad band of vedika below them. The town is the birthplace of renowned Gujarti saint-poet Narsingh Mehta. The cave devoted to Kalvo Daitya is also of interest.

Delvada
The town is famous for its Juma Masjid with shaking minarets. It was built during the reign of Mohammad Tuaghlaq.

Palitana
A 56 Kms. drive from Bhavnagar, Palitana lies at the foot of the Shatrunjaya Hill, with the Shatrunjaya River flowing to its south, making this place one of the most picturesque places of pilgrimage in India. The sacred hill rises in a crescendo of magnificent temples - 863 in all - that soar in marble splendour to the top of the hill. The temples were built over an impressive span of 900 years with each generation of pilgrims making its contribution to the shrines of Shatrunjaya. Amongst all the Jain temples, Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred. The most important temple is that of the first Terrthankara. Kuwarpal Solanki, a great Jain patron, built the earliest temple. It has a fabulous collection of jewels, which can be seen with special permission. It takes about two hours to cover the 4 kms long ascent. When you reach the top, the air is clean and the Shetrunjaya River looks glistening like a foil of silver spread on the ground. Pilgrims and even priests are not allowed to stay overnight because the Temple City has been built as an abode for the Gods. Tourists cannot carry any leather item. The 600-metre climb to Shatrunjaya is usually made on foot. Dolis or lift-chairs are also available for the ascent.

Gaurishankar Lake
A beautiful picnic spot near the lake. There is also a well-laid out park.

Lock Gate
The first of its kind in Gujarat. The seawater here is impounded by the lock gates to keep ships afloat during low tide, which could be seen with special permission.

How to get there
Air Various domestic airlines connecting Bombay and Surat.
Rail It is on the western railyway line. It is 761 Kms. from Bombay and 260 kms. from Ahmedabad.
Road State transport buses and private luxury coaches connects various centres of Gujarat. It is situated 791 Kms. from Bombay via Ahmedabad, 200 Kms from Ahmedabad via Sihor.

Bhavnagar University

UNIVERSITY has spread its wings out of city and may spread out of country also. It has affiliated two colleges at Vadodara and one centre at Ahmedabad. It has also proposal for an affiliation of a college at MAURITIUS.

Within 25 years now it has established its good academic record in the world of education. It has 6 faculties as under:

	Faculty of Arts
	Faculty of Education
	Faculty of Science
	Faculty of Commerce
	Faculty of Law
	Department of Business Administration

University Departments

University runs 3 colleges and has affiliated 25 educational institutes as under:

	Samaldas Arts College, Bhavnagar.
	Sir P. P. Institute of Science, Bhavnagar.
	M. J. College of Commerce, Bhavnagar.
	Smt. V. P. Kapadiya Mahila Arts College, Bhavnagar.
	Shree L. R. Valia Arts and P. R. Mehta Commerce College, Bhavnagar.
	Shree Gulabray H. Sanghavi Sikshan Mahavidyalay, Bhavnagar.
	Shree Sheth H. J. Law College, Bhavnagar.
	Kavi Shree Botadkar Arts and Commerce College, Botad.
	Shree V. M. Sakariya Mahila Arts College, Botad.
	Lokbharti, Lokseva Mahavidyalay, Sanosara.
	Shree K. V. Parekh Science College,
	Matushree K. T. Parekh Arts College,
	Shree G. S. Parekh Commerce College, Mahuva.
	Smt. P. N. R. Shah Mahila Arts and Commerce College, Palitana.
	Shree J. K. Lukhi Arts and Commerce College, Gariadhar.
	Shree Shantilal Shah Pharmacy College, Bhavnagar.
	Shree Dholakiya College of Music, Sihor.
	Shree K. K. Jani Institute of Medical Technology, Amargadh.
	Shree Aditya Vikram Birla Post Graduate Institute of M. Sc. Medical Microbiology Laboratory Technology, Amargadh.
	Shree N. M. Bhuta College of Commerce and Management, Sihor.
	Shree J. C. Kumarappa Mahavidyalay, Gadhada (Swaminarayan).
	Shree Y. J. J. Doshi Arts and Commerce College, Talaja.
	Shree Swami Vivekanand Homoeopathic Madical College, Bhavnagar.
	Shree Swami Narayan College of Computer Science, Bhavnagar.
	Chunilal Odhavji Jani Institute of Technology, B. C. A. College, Sihor.
	Kelavani Mandal Dhasa Sanchalit Mahila Arts College, Dhasa.
	BV Patel Pharmaceutical Education & Research Development(PERD) Centre Ahmedabad
	Shree Mahalaxmiji Mahila Homoeopathic Medical College, Vadodara.
	Smt. K. B. Parekh Computer College, Mahuva.
	R. F. Gandhi A. K. Trust – Manubhai Patel Dental College & Dental Hospital, Vadodara.

One external education department is also working well.

Presently V. C. Dr. Naresh L. Ved is taking care of all units with his experienced hands.