Indian Nawayath Forum to host INF Trade Expo 2025 in Bhatkal
Bhatkal: The Indian Nawayath Forum (INF) has announced the organization of the INF Trade Expo 2025, scheduled to take place from January 11 to 15, 2025, at NH 66, near the Ice Factory, opposite the Indian Oil Petrol Pump in Bhatkal. The announcement was made by Arshad Mohtisham, President of the Indian Nawayath Forum, during a press conference held at the INF office on Sunday, located opposite Kazia’s Bunglow.
Mohtisham stated that the expo aims to open new avenues for growth for traders and entrepreneurs, providing a platform for the empowerment of local businesses. The event is set to be a significant boost for the business sector in the region, much like the previous INF Trade Expo in 2022, which saw the participation of over 180 exhibitors and attracted a large number of visitors.
For the 2025 edition, Mohtisham shared that the expo will be bigger, better, and more effective, with more than 200 stalls expected to be set up and over 20,000 visitors anticipated. The expo will not only feature a wide range of local businesses but also offer workshops and networking opportunities designed to benefit entrepreneurs.
These sessions will include guidance on business registration, food industry regulations, packaging techniques, tips for starting up businesses on e-commerce platforms, inventory management, and billing technologies. The workshops will be conducted by chartered accountants and industry experts.
To reserve stalls, interested parties can either fill out the registration form or visit the INF office. For further information, individuals can contact the following numbers: 7022020454, 9353151493, or 9741803006.
The press conference was also attended by Majid Jukaku, Secretary and Convener of INF Trade Expo 2025, along with executive members Faizan Barmawar, Aftab Kola, Imtiaz Damda, Tanveer Motia, Qamar Uzzama Motia, and Harris Shabandari.
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Rare Kalyani Chalukya-era stepwell discovered in Karnataka’s Gadag district
Gadag: A centuries-old stepwell from the Kalyani Chalukya period is discovered into public in Sudi, a remote village in Karnataka’s Gadag district. The Nagakunda Pushkarani, dating to the 10th-11th century CE, is undergoing extensive restoration under the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage’s ‘Adopt a Monument’ scheme.
The stepwell was focal point of community life and craftsmanship under the reign of Akkadevi, sister of Chalukya king Jayasimha II. It shows the dynasty’s mastery of architecture and water management. Its interior walls are carved with the precision of temple façades, setting it apart from most surviving stepwells in southern India, linking it stylistically to examples in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
After centuries of neglect left its sculptures weathered and its waters dry, the site is now being revived by the Deccan Heritage Foundation India in partnership with Heritage Matters, the Gandipet Welfare Society and the Water Literacy Foundation according to a report published by The HIndu. Work includes structural repairs, removal of invasive vegetation, dredging, stone resetting and landscaping, alongside the restoration of an adjacent mantapa with a large Ganesha idol.
Heritage architect B. Sarath Chandra noted, the project is as much about functionality as aesthetics, with water recharge efforts already underway. Funded by Gandipet Welfare Society founder Rajashree Pinnamenni, the restoration is slated for completion by late 2025, followed by a second phase linking the stepwell to the Jodu Kalasadagudi temple through landscaped pathways.
The report mentions that officials say the revival of Nagakunda Pushkarani could not only reintroduce Sudi’s Chalukya heritage to a wider audience but also serve as a model for conserving other lesser-known monuments across Karnataka.
