TTDB wishes you on the Auspicious Occasion of Dusshera

The TaraTarini Development Board takes great pleasure in wishing you good health, prosperity, success and happiness on the divine occasion of Dusshera,
the festival that symbolizes the Triumph of Good over Evil.

May the divine blessings and benedictions of
Maa TaraTarini (the Breast Shrine of Adi Shakti), be with you always!


Let the Joy of Festivity Embrace You!
Happy Dusshera!

For more information on TaraTarini Hill Shrine please visit: www.taratarini.nic.in, taratarini.blogspot.com

Warm Wishes,
R.P.Tripathy
Media and Publicity In-charge
Tara Tarini Development Board
New Delhi

Naveen demands Tribal University for Kandhamal

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik met the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Kanti Lal Bhuria in New Delhi and urged him to take steps for setting up a Tribal University in Kandhamal. He asked for an early release of Central assistance for undertaking various tribal welfare activities for which a proposal was submitted by the State Government and the Union Minister acceded to the request of the Chief Minister for grant of Rs 64.26 crore.

Kandhmal being the most backward and tribal dominated district in south orissa, the demand for Tribal University in the District has been going on for quite some time. The demand of the state Chief Minister is likely to fulfill the dream of many people in south orissa to have a University in Kandhamal.

Plea to develop Pakidi into eco-tourism destination

Forest Department, conservators of peacocks make suggestion to State govt.
BERHAMPUR: Forest Department and local conservators of peacocks have suggested to the State government to develop Pakidi area in Ganjam district into an eco-tourism destination. The area near the Karanjei hill of Aska, about 35km from the commercial nerve centre of Orissa, Berhampur have the scope for development into a sanctuary and eco-tourism destination for the national bird.
According to Divisional Forest Officer A.K. Jena, who is in charge of the south-Ghumusar forest division, they have already sent a proposal to the government on it. The Ganjam Mayur Surakhya Samity (GMSS), an organisation formed by villagers of the area involved in peacock protection has also joined hands with the Forest Department in making the suggestion. Mr. Jena said Rajya Sabha member Smt. Renubala Pradhan promised had Rs. 20 lakhs from her local area development fund to initiate work for the purpose.
The GMSS with the help of the Forest Department has till date played exemplary role in the protection of the peacock habitat in the area. The efforts of these villagers’ organisation have been honoured through the Biju Patnaik Memorial Award for Wild Life Protection in 2006. The villagers of Sobhachandpur, Kerikerijhole, Ambuabadi, Bharatapalli, Chatradhepa, Karnandi, Chermaria and Shelliguda are involved in the organisation and have vowed to protect and save the national bird from the hands of poachers.
According to the villagers the number of peacocks in the area may cross the 1,000 mark which is quite a number to attract tourists. As per the suggestions made by the peacock protection organisation members and the Forest Department, this place should have some watch towers. It needs better road communication. The habitat of the peacocks has to be improved with better water facility for them and more afforestation work in the area. It will be easy to attract tourists to the spot as it is close to the commercial nerve centre of Orissa, Berhampur and near NH 217.
Courtesy: The Hindu

Rayagada lawyers launch cease-work

Demanded establishment of district & sessions judge court in Rayagada
BERHAMPUR: Members of the Rayagada Bar Association launched an indefinite cease-work on September 22 demanding establishment of district and sessions judge court for their district in Rayagada town. The lawyers held dharna at the court in Rayagada.
Rayagada is one of the districts in the State not having a district court. Before 1992, Orissa had 13 districts. In October 1992 the number of districts in Orissa was increased to 30. But at present, the 13 undivided districts have district and sessions judge courts. The newly constituted 17 districts have additional district and session judge courts.
Recently this issue was discussed at a meeting attended by Law Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh and Finance Minister Prafulla Ghadei. It was declared that district and sessions judge courts would be opened in the remaining districts in a phased manner. As per the declaration district and sessions judge courts will be set up in Angul, Bhadrak, Bargarh, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kendrapara, Nabarangpur and Nayagarh in first phase.President of the Bar Association, Sahadev Choudhury said Rayagada district was neglected in this matter while some districts which have only one revenue subdivision would get district judge courts.

Courtesy:The Hindu

South Orissa celebrates Viswakarma puja with great devotion and festivity

Worship of Viswakarma, son of Lord Brahma who is also recognised as the divine engineering architect of the whole universe, was performed in different puja pandals all across Koraput district on September 17. Viswakarma was worshiped in the pandals of different engineering departments in the district, the pandals in the plant premises of HAL at Sunabeda and NALCO at Damanjodi were the greatest attractions.
Various organizations in Berhampur, the commercial nerve centre of South Orissa and organizations in other city centers like Paralakhemundi, Jayapur, Rayagada, Phulbani, Nowrangpur, Boudh and Bhabanipatna also celebrate the annual Biswakarma Puja with all religious fervour and with great devotion and festivity.

Berhampur University signs MoU with BARC

Jointly study positive impact of radiation on plants
The Berhampur University (Bhanja Bihar) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to study positive impacts of radiation on plants.
This project would experiment on bringing in positive mutational changes in different plant breeds that are beneficial to humans. This project hopes to bring in genetic mutant changes in major crop breeds to make them more productive, pest resistant and environment-friendly.
Courtesy: The Hindu

Berhampur University paid rich tributes to Dr.Norman Borlaug

BERHAMPUR: A seminar was organised in the Berhampur University campus (Bhanja Bihar) in memory of the great agricultural scientist & Nobel Laureate Dr.Norman Borlaug. It was organised by the Botany Department of the University to pay homage to the Nobel Laureate who played a catalytic role in the green revolution in India.
Students, research scholars and faculty members of the department of Botany paid rich tributes to Dr. Borlaug who passed away in Texas of America three days ago. The speakers described the life and research of this great agricultural scientist.
According to the professor and coordinator of Botany Department, B. B. Panda, he is considered the father of green revolution for his path-breaking research on mutation and breeding in wheat crop. His research was able to produce new disease resistant dwarf varieties of wheat plant.
These improved varieties of wheat helped in improving food security in India, Mexico, Pakistan and countries of Africa. He was awarded Nobel Prize for peace in 1970 for his contribution to increase food supply in the world. The speakers reminded his link with India by informing that he had been honoured with Padma Bibhusan. In 1986, Dr. Borlaug had established the World Food Prize and its first recipient in 1987 was his former Indian colleague Prof. M. S. Swaminathan.
The faculty of the department hoped that researches that are to be taken up in the University in near future would be homage to Dr. Borlaug’s efforts.
Courtesy: The Hindu

Special drive launched to plant peepul, banyan saplings in Ganjam district

BERHAMPUR: Efforts were made to bring back peepul and banyan trees back to skyline in areas near Hinjli in Ganjam district. Over 2,000 saplings of banyan and peepul were planted by school students, social activists and volunteers in a plantation drive. These saplings were planted by the side of the NH 217 in a distance of seven km between Hinjli and Kanchudu. Public meetings and street plays were also held to promote these plantations.
Rapid urbanisation has reduced the number of banyan and peepul tress. Most of them were by the side of roads and had to cut down for their widening. In the past these trees were the chosen ones to be planted by the side of roads as they provided shade. But during plantation drives in recent years these trees were not the preferred lot. Although peepul and banyan are being rarely planted they are the first victims of urbanisation.
According to forest officials, peepul and banyan trees are no more chosen to be planted in urban areas as they need large amount of space to grow. They spread out laterally. To support its large canopy, the prop roots of these trees also have to cover a large area. Added to it the timber of peepul and banyan trees has little commercial value in comparison to other trees. But according to botanists, these plants are the best examples of re-chargers of our environment.

First government engineering college in South Orissa starts functioning near Berhampur

Parala Maharaja Engineering College (PMEC), the first government engineering college in South Orissa started functioning at its own building at Sitalapalli on the outskirts of Berhampur city.

This institute has been named in memory of the royal family of Paralakhemundi, which played a major role in the formation of modern Orissa state on linguistic basis. The Orissa Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the institute in July 2008.

The institute has initially started courses in four faculties. Three of them are traditional core sectors, which are being neglected by the private technical institutes.

The PMEC has student intake capacity of 60 each for electrical, mechanical, civil, computer science engineering departments.

All seats were filled up and the classes commenced from Thursday.

Speaking to The Hindu, the principal incharge of the PMEC, L.K.Mohapatra said this institute would come up on an area of around 85 acres. The classes have started in the newly constructed administrative block of the institute.

The administration has already alienated 10 acres of land for the institute on which construction work is in progress.

Government had already sanctioned more than Rs. 6.5 crore for the purpose.

Process was on for the handing over of rest land to the institute soon. For the time being the theory classes of the PMEC would be held in its own campus.

But the practical classes would be conducted in the laboratories of the government-managed UCP engineering school in the city.

Selection process


The BPUT has started selection process for the permanent staff of the institute. For the interim period 11 teachers had been taken in on contractual basis, said Mr. Mohapatra.

To arrange accommodation for the students and faculty of the institute, the BPUT has signed an MoU with the Berhampur University.

Twenty seven unused quarters in the Berhampur University campus and a vacant working women’s hostel would be used by PMEC for two years to house its staff and students till the hostels and staff quarters of the institute get constructed.
Source: The Hindu

Tampara Bay-Orissa's Goa

(Tathya.in has a nice report on the tourism potentials of Tampara bay near Silk City Berhampur)
BERHAMPUR: Orissa of late is in the news for mega investments- mining , alumina, steel, power and other allied sectors. But can the state create a tourism paradise of international standards, ask experts. YES! It can!! Orissa today has a goldmine, which can be converted into a Tourism SEZ. About 200 meter away from National Highway No.5 near Chhatrapur of Ganjam district lies Tampara Bay-a lake 7 kilometers length and 2 kilometer wide running parallel to the Coast of North of Gopalpur Port. In between lies 4000 acres of wastelands which was surveyed by the Design Consulting Wing of PGA (The Old Church, Neath Road Bristol B 55 9 AB- United Kingdom) This exercise was carried out in December, 2006. This large chunk of land surrounded by Tampara Bay, Rushikulya River and Bay of Bengal was recognized as one of the best sites in the world for promoting a world class tourist destination. With hotels, SPAs, golf courses ( 3 to 4 courses), first homes, holiday homes, apartments, condominiums and associated developments, Tampara can be an enormous tourism project with phenomenal rewards, revealed the PGA survey. Above all there will be no displacements. An ideal eco and employment friendly project will go a long way to attract huge investments, said an expert. The airstrip at Rangeilunda (930 meter) can be developed further on PPP basis. With excellent rail and road connections, Tampara can turn out to be one of the best destinations of the Coromondel Coast. Facility for hover craft at Tampara will be an added attraction for the tourists. Thrill of arrival!!! It is high time for Orissa to make an attempt to attract investments which will be win-win situation – every which way you look at it.
Source: Tathya.in, Odisha.in

Gopalpur Port Authority hands over 36 lakh to State Govt

The Gopalpur Port Authority handed over a cheque of Rs 36 lakh from its first revenue share to the State Government. The cheque was given to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat.
Addressing a Press conference, Port director Charchit Mishra said the port had achieved its aim to handle cargo of five million tonne. "Many ship companies have evinced keen interest to send their ships for loading and un-loading to the port," he said, adding that the all -weather port has been scheduled to be ready by 2010 capable of handling 20 million tonne per annum. He further said that work was going on a war footing at the port site to handle one million tonne of cargo during the next session beginning in October. “This port has special logistic advantage for coal, limonite, steel, iron ore, agro and mineral-based industries of Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Madya Pradesh," he said, adding that Gopalpur, once operational, will ease the heavy congestion at Paradip port and fill the gap between Vikaskhapatnum and Paradip port.
Mishra further added that the port would be upgraded to receive 1,20,000 DWT vessels beyond 2016 and the ultimate handling capacity of the port shall be 45 million tonne from 2026 onwards.

SOSA demands establishment of NID at Berhampur

The South Orissa Students’ Association (SOSA) has urged the Orissa Chief Minister to locate the proposed National Institute of Design (NID) at Berhampur in South Orissa. The Organization has requested the state government to uphold the principle of distributive justice in knowledge infrastructure and to consider locations outside the state capital for the upcoming centrally funded Institutes like NID and NIFT as all the centrally funded Institutes announced in the last few years except the Central University, like NISER, AIIMS, IIT, IIIT, WCU have been established in the capital region. In a letter written to the state Chief Minister and the Union Commerce Minister, the Organization has made a strong appeal for locating the proposed NID at Berhampur, the principal city of South Orissa.
Last Month the Chief Minister of Orissa has met the Union Commerce and Textile Ministers and had impressed upon them to establish NIFT and NID in the state during the Eleventh Plan Period. Both the Union Ministers also showed their willingness for locating the NID and NIFT in Orissa. But, as some circles in the government are trying to have both the institutes in the capital, it has generated a lot of resentment in the Tier II cities like Berhampur and Rourkela. SOSA has appreciated the concern of the State Chief Minister for the development of backward and tribal dominated regions of the state and has urged that the establishment of the NID at Berhampur which is closer to the KBK region and the tribal hinterland of south orissa will be in line with the stated policy of the government for the development of backward regions of the state.

SOSA favor NID B’mpur

Berhampur:4/September/2009, TATHYA.IN
Naveen Patnaik has a new problem in hand.
Chief Minister has already announced that National Institute of Design (NID) will come up at Bhubaneswar.
Now the South Orissa Students’ Association (SOSA) has urged the Orissa Chief Minister to locate the proposed NID at Berhampur.
The Organization has requested the state government to uphold the principle of distributive justice in knowledge infrastructure.
And they have demanded to consider locations outside the state capital for the upcoming centrally funded Institutes like NID and NIFT.
As all the centrally funded Institutes announced in the last few years except the Central University, like NISER, AIIMS, IIT, IIIT, WCU have been established in the capital region.
In a letter written to the state Chief Minister and the Union Commerce Minister, the Organization has made a strong appeal for locating the proposed NID at Berhampur, the principal city of South Orissa.
Last Month the Chief Minister of Orissa has met the Union Commerce and Textile Ministers and had impressed upon them to establish NIFT and NID in the state during the Eleventh Plan Period. Both the Union Ministers also showed their willingness for locating the NID and NIFT in Orissa.
But, as some circles in the government are trying to have both the institutes in the capital, it has generated a lot of resentment in the Tier II cities like Berhampur and Rourkela.
SOSA has appreciated the concern of the State Chief Minister for the development of backward and tribal dominated regions of the state.
And accordingly Association has urged that the establishment of the NID at Berhampur which is closer to the KBK region and the tribal hinterland of South Orissa will be in line with the stated policy of the government for the development of backward regions of the state.

Central University inaugurated at Koraput

Giving a boost to development of the KBK region, Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal inaugurated the Central University of Orissa at Koraput on August 29. Speaking on the occasion, Sibal said education should be free from politics. He hoped that this university would help development of much neglected South Orissa, KBK and western Orissa, giving the students an opportunity of higher education.
He further said that the development of education of this backward area would help in development of the country as a whole. He said 3,500 nodal schools would be established by the Central Government throughout the country and among this 200 schools would be set up with the help of private entrepreneurs. The proposed model schools will be set up in the backward areas with an aim to provide primary education to all as “higher education has no meaning unless primary education was strengthened,” Sibal said.
Only 12 out of 100 students reach the graduation level in India, while the figure was 85 in the US, he said, adding central universities in backward places like Koraput could help students get into higher learning.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, addressing on the occasion, said his Government would provide water and electricity to the university. “This university will play a vital role as a Gyan Mandir, and the youth of the area will get opportunity for their higher education,” he said, adding that development in education was the root path of progress. The students of my KBK region will take the opportunity of the University and will be helpful for development of higher education in the State, he said.
“Providing quality education, disseminate inclusive education to reach the unreached is the mission of this University”, said Vice-Chancellor of the Central University Prof (Dr) Surabhi Banerjee.
Among others, Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh, Higher Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra, Minsiter of State for Science and Technology Ramesh Chandra Majhi, member of Rajya Sabha Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, Koraput member of Lokh Sabha Jairam Pangi, and MLA Raghuram Padal also spoke.