This is how the state government in Odisha cheated the public on the IIM establishment issue. Actually the State Govt had decided about the location of IIM beforehand and it was just looking for an alibi to justify its decision. The 'airport' clause was self inflicted by the State government to hoodwink the people of Ganjam who tried every possible civilised method to convince the State Govt on the historic necessity of IIM in Berhampur. However, Odisha being Odisha here civilised methods and passionate appeals just does not work despite valid considerations of equity and distributive justice.
Wednesday, 24 December 2014
Sunday, 16 November 2014
Images of BERHAMPUR BANDH demanding establishment of IIM at Berhampur
Odisha Govt should follow the old Saying, "Dont put all your Eggs in One Basket" and for all round development Education must be evenly spread across the State.
Images of BERHAMPUR BANDH demanding establishment of IIM at Berhampur
Images of BERHAMPUR BANDH demanding establishment of IIM at Berhampur
Friends If we remain silent today we will have no right to complain in the future
Silence is not the answer to the problems facing South Odisha. If we remain silent today we will have no right to complain in the future. Because remaining silent will mean supporting the present development template being followed by the State Govt. Every citizen in India has right to development and the people of South Odisha cannot be denied this right. The questions raised here are certainly from the perspective of Berhampur city which is agitating for the IIM, but we do know that every single individual in South Odisha and Ganjam is equally concerned about the enigmatic silence of the Statate Govt on development issues after garnering their votes. This is not acceptable and we have to shout at the loudest to be heared by a Govt which is completely deaf and bereft of a sense of equity and justice.
Berhampur erupts in protest against the State Government
Berhampur erupts in protest against the State Government's highly retrograde moves on the establishment of IIM. Students across the district protest against the biased decision even as more aggressive protests have been planned for the coming days.
Handling IIM establishment issue proves lowest point in Naveen Patnaik's career as Chief Minister even as corruption charges flying thick and fast against the State Govt.
People not ready to give up yet on the IIM-Berhampur demand. Massive agitations planned in the coming days. BJD loses its credibility in Ganjam as it is accused of stage-managing the whole episode. Handling IIM establishment issue proves lowest point in Naveen Patnaik's career as Chief Minister even as corruption charges flying thick and fast against the State Govt.
People of Ganjam and Berhampur fought for the establishment of IIM-Berhampur against all odds. But they were fighting against a highly biased State Government, arrogant and drunk with power who have displayed scant respect for distributive justice. Not only Berhmapur city; for 90% of Odisha this decision comes as a big letdown. However this cannot be the end of the story and with greater public awareness we can set bigger goals for Berhampur and Ganjam and aspire for our rightful space in a developed India. Not to be disheartened and time to work with greater vigor and enthusiasm for the cause of Berhampur.
Is Odisha State government forcing the people of Berhampur & South Odisha to demand a separate Kalinga State??????
This is the right time to expose the State Government which has taken the people of Ganjam and South Odisha for granted.These questions follow from the opinions expressed by the readers in the previous post. As responsible citizens you are free to give opinions outsides the choices indicated on the path forward for Berhampur city, Ganjam and the backward southern odisha.
Is Berhampur city (South Odisha, Kalinga) not a part of Odisha State??????
Ganjam produced a former President of India, Former PM PV Narasimha Rao was MP of Berhampur, Krushna Chandra Gajapati, Sadasiva Tripathy, Binayak Acharya, Biju Patnaik and his Son went on to become Chief Ministers of Odisha. Yet 10 lakh people from Ganjam live in the slums of Surat, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Not even a screw and bolt factory has not been built in Ganjam and the last major Institution (the Berhampur University) was established in the district almost 50 years ago. For last 5 decades Ganjam is crying for development but Ganjam people are as passive as ever. If they do not wake up now to question their leaders, then better they should prepare to live like slaves. The question is not only about the IIM; it is about self respect. Some people are saying that Berhampur does not have the infra to host an IIM. But then the question is who is responsible for poor infrastructure in Berhampur and Ganjam. So, time has come when people must speak up and oppose the continuous neglect of the State Govt.
Bhubaneswar Janata Dal= BJD
The decision on IIM site selection, if true, should serve as a lesson for the people of rest of Odisha (Ganjam in particular) that they are second grade citizens and aliens in their own State who are remembered only once in 5 years during elections as they dont enjoy the rights same as the State capital. See how audacious the corrupt BJD Govt in Odisha has been on the IIM issue? The CM has no time to assuage the people of Berhampur who are on hunger strike demanding the establishment of IIM and the decision is being selectively leaked through the media about the decision to establish yet another central Institute in Bhubaneswar, now the IIM.
Does the CM even know about the IIM-Berhampur agitation?
Does the CM even know about the IIM-Berhampur agitation? He is silent as ever and the Berhampur MP goes missing every now and then to appear only during elections. With such representatives who denied even the Smart-city tag to Berhampur; people are bound to be frustrated
Saturday, 20 September 2014
Wednesday, 10 September 2014
Last huddle for the establishment of IIM at Berhampur cleared; LOW-COST AIRPORT WILL COME UP SOON IN BRAHMAPUR
POLICY SOON ON BUILDING LOW-COST AIRPORTS IN 50 NON-METRO CITIES
New Delhi | Having identified 50 non-metro cities and remote locations across the country for building low-cost airports, the Centre is shortly coming up with a policy on the matter in which state governments would have a major role to play.
The Civil Aviation Ministry would soon finalise names of the first five of these 50 no-frill airports to be taken up first, official sources said here on Friday.The policy, which is being given final shape by the Ministry, is likely to put the onus of providing land, water and electricity free of charge to these airports on State Governments, which would also have to grant tax concessions or exemptions for these projects.
It comes in the wake of the BJP-led Government’s announcements that these airports would be built on a private -public partnership (PPP) model to provide air connectivity to non-metro cities and those in remote areas.
Apart from the facilities to be granted by State Governments to these airports, the Government would grant concessions to airlines operating there, such as exemption from paying landing, parking, navigation, night parking and fuel throughput charges, among other things.In June last year, the UPA-II Government, while finalising infrastructure projects for 2013-14, had also decided to build low-cost airports at 51 cities and towns across the country.
Under the decision taken by the Manmohan Singh government, State-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) was to have set up these airports at towns and cities spread across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
There are over 125 functional airports and another 400 airstrips, of which many can be developed as full-fledged airports, the sources said.However, official data shows that of these 125-odd functional airports, 93 were loss-making and only ten profitable. The loss-making airports are mostly located in Tier-II cities, apart from some state capitals. Connectivity by low-cost airlines to the smaller towns and cities could beef up the financial fortunes of these small airports, the sources said.
Observing that growth in traffic was concentrated on certain major routes and not all across the country, they said though air tickets were now available at competitive rates due to fierce competition among airlines and air traffic was growing at a rapid pace, almost 70 per cent of the population does not have air connectivity and many cannot afford to fly.
The policy would aim at making air connectivity available at a cheaper rate, the officials said.On the names of the 50 proposed no-frill airports, they said the list was likely to remain the same as decided by the previous Government, barring a few changes in some states.
As per the UPA-II Government’s decision last year, the 51 low-cost airports were to have come up at Vijayawada, Nellore, Kurnool, Kadapa, Nizamabad, Tirupati, Anantapur and Karimnagar in Andhra Pradesh, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Hazaribagh in Jharkhand, at Muzaffarpur, Chapra and Sasaram in Bihar, at Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Firozpur in Punjab, at Agra, Allahabad, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Meerut, Aligarh, Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh.
Tezu, Bomdila and Along in Arunachal Pradesh, at Silchar, Jorhat and Tezpur in Assam, at Gwalior, Singrauli, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Jabalpur, Sidhi and Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, Brahmapur (Odisha), Rourkela and Kendujhar in Odisha, at Ajmer, Kota, Bhilwada and Alwar in Rajasthan and at Kolhapur, Nasik, Jalgaon, Solapur and Amarawati in Maharashtra were also to have low-cost airports.
Source: The Pioneer| Saturday, 06 September 2014
Saturday, 2 August 2014
Lawyers go on stir seeking court bench at Berhampur
Members of Ganjam District Consumer Bar Association started
indefinite agitation from Friday demanding immediate commencement of proposed
circuit bench of Odisha State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (SCDRC) in
Berhampur.
Led by the president of the association, Kailash Chandra
Mishra, and secretary Shyamakant Jena, the agitating lawyers sat on dharna on
the premises of District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum (DCDRF) in the city.
They shouted slogans criticising the State government and the SCDRC for the
delay in starting of the proposed circuit bench.
In January this year, the government had proposed to have
two circuit benches of the SCDRC in Berhampur and Sambalpur. The decision was
taken considering the large number of cases pending before the State Commission
from southern and western parts of the State. At present the aggrieved
consumers of south Odisha have to travel to Cuttack to file cases before SCDRC.
The director of department of consumer affairs had written
to the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division and western
division as well as the secretary of SCDRC to initiate necessary measures for
functioning of the two proposed circuit benches of the commission.
The RDC had given consent to provide all facilities for
holding circuit bench the city. But, according to the members of the Bar
association, till date the SCDRC has not held any hearing of its circuit bench
in Berhampur. They alleged that similar was the situation in Sambalpur. The
lawyers said they had given a notice to the State government on their demand 15
days back but no decision has been taken in this regard. They said they would
continue their agitation till their demand was met....
Source-the hindu
Monday, 28 July 2014
Nation celebrates Indian star weightlifter berhampur boy Ravi Kumar’s Silver at Common Wealth Games (CWG) in Glasgow
Ravi Kumar personally thanks all Berhampurians through Future Berhampur for congratulating him on winning the weightlifting Silver in the Common Wealth Games 2014
The Silver winning performance of the star weightlifter from Odisha K Ravikumar has led to celebrations in his home town of Brahmapur with family members distributing sweets after his victory.
“I am happy that he has won the silver, though I would have been happier if he had won the gold. But this was the first time he was contesting in the 77 kg category and also the first time he was competing after the surgery. I am sure he would bring the gold at the forthcoming Asian championship,” said his elated mother.
Ravikumar won the silver medal in the 77 kg category at the ongoing Common Wealth Games (CWG) in Glasgow on Sunday.
Ravikumar lifted 142 kg in snatch and 175 kg in clean & jerk to win the bronze in the event in which compatriot Satish Shivalingam from Tamil Nadu won the gold.
Ravikumar had set a new record in the 69 kg category at the last CWG in New Delhi in 2010. This was the first time he participated in the 77 kg category.
Saturday, 19 July 2014
Wednesday, 16 July 2014
Blackbucks migrate to newer habitats in Ganjam
For the past few weeks large herds of blackbucks were
sighted in Khallikote range under Berhampur forest division, which was not
considered to be their habitat earlier.
Areas under Aska and Buguda forest ranges of Ganjam district
are the natural habitat of the antelope. In these areas, blackbucks live close
to human habitats in villages like Bhetanai, Buguda, Bajraput, Siddhanai,
Banabali etc.
With monsoon being active, large herds of blackbucks were
seen in open fields of Khandadeuli, Santoshpur, UDSpur, Poirasi panchayats. As
they prefer to remain in the open during rain, they are called the harbingers
of rain. Inhabitants of Ganjam district revere blackbucks.
Wildlife activist, R.N.Sahu said the presence of these
blackbucks is a welcome change for environment. He urged the forest department
to ensure that water was provided to the animals.
Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) S.S.Mishra said
they had started tracking the movement of blackbuck herds that have started to
appear in Khallikote forest range.
“If these blackbucks prefer to stay back in this area, we
would make all possible efforts to provide them necessary protection with
support of locals,” he said. There are also several young ones in the herd.
According to the DFO, the animals seem to have migrated from
Buguda and Aska forest ranges after cyclone Phailin. The Phailin cyclone in
October last year and the continuous rains that followed had led to migration
of blackbucks from their normal regions of habitation in Ganjam district.
Migration of black bucks is not new to Ganjam district.
Earlier, blackbucks used to migrate from Aska and Buguda forest range areas in
search of food. In 2012, some blackbucks had migrated to Khallokote forest
range, but their number was small. Blackbuck herds were also seen to have
migrated to areas near Bhanjanagar in 2012. Source: The Hindu
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Tuesday, 24 June 2014
Ring Road, Railway Bridges, Bus Depot to Come Up at Berhampur city
Work for 46-km ring road, three Railway over bridges, a bus depot and a terminal in Berhampur city of Odisha would start soon.
"We have asked the engineers concerned to expedite the projects," Ganjam district Collector Prem Chandra Chaudhary, who took stock of the projects at a high-level meeting at Chhatrapur over the week-end, said today.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid foundation stone of the projects before the simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state.
The collector has also reviewed some other projects like bus stands in Gopalpur and Chhatrapur. These projects would boost development of proposed Greater Berhampur (Berhampur, Chhatrapur and Gopalpur).
While a 13-km long Raghunathpur-Ratanapur bypass road would be constructed by National Highways Authority of India, a 15-km road stretch of Dakhinapur-Lathi-Haladiapadar and a 17-km stretch connecting Mandiapalli-Karapalli and Phulta would be taken up by public works department (PWD).
The department has estimated that Rs 330 crore would be spent for the construction of the roads, said executive engineer, PWD, and nodal officer of the project, P K Das.
Similarly, three ROBs would be constructed at Goods-shed Road, Ankuli and Gopalpur Road. The railways and state government will equally share the cost of the projects.
"While tenders for Gopalpur Road and Good-shed Road would be floated soon, Ankuli project would be put out to re-tender," official sources said.
Tender for Ankuli had evoked no response earlier. The government has sanctioned Rs 75.83 crore for the railway over bridges at Gopalpur Road while Rs 43.29 crore and Rs 44.66 crore has been allotted for Ankuli and Goods-shed Road projects, official sources said.
At present, there are two railway over bridges at Kamapalli-Lanjipalli Road and Haladiapadar. "Construction of the new over bridges is a long-standing demand of locals. We hope the traffic congestion in the city will be eased after the over bridges are completed," said Berhampur MLA, R C Chyaupatnaik.
A bus terminal and a depot would be constructed at Haladiapadara, on the outskirts of the city. The lands for the projects have already been identified. Bus stands in Gopalpur and Chhatrapur would also be constructed. All three bus stands and the bus depot will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 26.32 crore, official sources said.
Courtesy: http://www.outlookindia.com/
Friday, 13 June 2014
Soccer fever in Berhampur city
World Cup Soccer fever has also reached Berhampur with veteran football players making efforts to use this international sporting event to popularise the game among youngsters and the common mass.
Quite a number of veteran players, who had played in the State football team live in Berhampur and Ganjam district. “There was a time few decades back when several players of our region used to represent in the State team, but at present interest in the game is going down among youngsters,” said former secretary of Ganjam Bar Association Manoj Patnaik.
A few decades back, a national football tournament ‘Fiaz Memorial Trophy’ was played in the city every year. People used to buy tickets to witness matches of this tournament. But at present only a few football clubs exist in Berhampur. Football clubs consist of mostly middle aged veteran players with few youngsters as the new generation seems to be more interested in cricket.
Members of Baracks Football Club as well as the autorickshaw association decided to use the World Cup football occasion to attract youngsters.
Members of the two organisations with the support of sports lovers have come up with two large display boards which would be put up at the old bus stand square in the heart of the city. One of them has detailed information regarding the teams that are playing in this world cup as well as the date and time of their matches as per the IST. The other display board has pictures of top players of all teams playing in the World Cup.
According to Gopal Panda, a veteran football player, results of each match would be updated on display boards.
This group had also planned screening of live matches. But they have now made some changes in their plan as all matches would be played during late night or early morning hours. “We are now planning to have shows of recordings of important matches as well as the final match,” said Gouri Shankar Panda, another former State level soccer player.
“We, the veteran football players, have decided to meet at the old bus stand square every morning and evening near display boards to answer queries of youngsters as well as others regarding football and World Cup matches,” said Mr Gopal and Mr Gouri Shankar. They would analyse matches played the previous day with emphasis on making the youngsters understand the intricacies and rules of the game. “It seems enthusiasm has become infectious as my son has demanded a football for his birthday instead of a new bat,” said Srinivas Rajana, a sports enthusiast. Sourec: The Hindu
Monday, 19 May 2014
Seek solace at Taratarini Shrine
BY: BIBHUTI BARIK
Bhubaneswar, May 18: When chief minister Naveen Patnaik started his electoral journey after paying an obeisance to the famous deity at Taratarini three weeks ago, people of Ganjam and the entire south Odisha were extremely happy.
Situated in Raipura village under Purushottampur block in Ganjam district, lakhs of tourists from nearby areas in Odisha and also from Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Bengal visit the famous shrine.
The temple on the summit of a hillock is on the right bank of the beautiful and meandering Rushikulya river. The shrine is just 7km away from Purushottampur and 30km away from Berhampur.
Travel writer from Chhatrapur, district headquarters town of Ganjam, Sujata Patnaik, said: “Taratarini shrine has now achieved tremendous popularity for the twin goddesses Tara and Tarini. Both are ancient deities and were worshiped on the hilltop at a small temple for decades in the past. The original structure was demolished in 2005 and the new temple replaced the old one with the Kalingan temple architecture. With beautiful Khandolite stone the temple looks beautiful from the road near the foothill.’’
Nityanand Mondal, a visitor from Bhubaneswar, who came to the shrine with family said: “The ropeway has added a new dimension to the tourism scene. Unlike the ropeway at Nandankanan Zoological Park, which is abandoned now, the cars here give you a feeling of a safe ride. A person can also come to the hilltop without hiring a vehicle and go back by the ropeway.’’
The state government has also taken up widening of the road to the shrine that was earlier narrow. “The road widening work is a good step taken by the authorities. The endowment department should go for facilitating basic amenities near the shrine outside the temple compound,’’ said Nigam Nayak, a tourist, who came from Berhampur with friends.
The twin deities, crudely fashioned in stone, have beautiful silver eyes attached to them. Legends connect the deities to Sakta cult in the past.
Historians say that the Bhanja dynasty rulers of the former Ghumsar state in the undivided Ganjam district installed the enshrining deity. At present the endowment department looks after the temple, but Taratarini Development Board administers the day-to-day affairs.
Interestingly, monkeys in groups often create problems for visitors. “You must not flash a banana or coconuts openly while returning from the temple before getting into the vehicles. You should hide them with a dupatta or a bag,’’ said Nayak.
While the kalpa bata or the banyan tree which fulfils wishes is outside the temple and gets offerings of red scarves, bangles and clothes, a point near the gate also attracts visitors to put their offerings on a platform.
Offerings such as laddu and khichdi are available at a counter near a gate with a nominal price.
Getting there is easy as taxis and auto-rickshaws available at Berhampur and Chhatrapur. There are several places to stay. Moreover, there is a beautiful Panth Nivas run by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation near the hill. Rail and road links to Berhampur and Chhatrapur are available in plenty.
Source: The Telegraph
Friday, 9 May 2014
Saraswati Sishu Vidyamandir, Nilakanthanagar, Berhampur maintains 100% record
The Saraswati Sishu Vidyamandir, Nilakanthanagar, has achieved a 100% pass for the 21st year in a row, with all its 231 students clearing the board examination.
While 31 students of the school grabbed A-1 (over 90% marks), 138 students got A-2 (80-89% marks), 45 students achieved B-1 (70-79% marks), 11 B-2 (60-69%). Each one student got grade C and D in the school.
S Mohan Rao, the principal of the school said the number of the A-I grade students was likely to increase when the board authorities re-check the Sanskrit answer scripts, as most of the students secured less marks in the paper. "We hope the board authorities will look into the matter," he stated.
The school was established in 1979. The first batch appeared in HSC examination in 1993. Since then, the school has been achieving 100% results, the principal said. "Some of our students might have figured in the top-100 lists in the state this year, as they have secured over 90% marks, said a teacher in the school. The Board of Secondary Education (BSE), however, did not publish the rank-holders' list this year.
Similarly, another school in town, Saraswati Sishu Vidyamandir, Ramahari Nagar, has also achieved cent percent results for the 12th year in a row. Four of the 159 students secured A-1 grade.
Principal of the school S Bisoi said some students missed out on the A-1 grade because they secured less-than-expected marks in the Sanskrit paper. Source: ToI
Friday, 18 April 2014
11 acquitted in Kandhamal riot case
A local court here acquitted 11 persons owing to
lack of evidence in a case related to communal riots in Odisha’s Kandhamal
district after the murder of senior VHP leader and saint swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others.
Additional District Judge, Phulbani, Rajendra Kumar
Tosh acquitted all the 11 persons arrested in connection with the
murder of Gopan Nayak of Gandagada village on September 9, 2008. The 11 faced
charges ranging from rioting, house burning, unlawful assembly with arms as
well as other sections of the IPC. While the 11 persons have been acquitted by
the court, one accused is still at large. The Hindu
Saturday, 5 April 2014
Is this the world's biggest election loser?
By Sandeep Sahu
Berhampur, Odisha
He has stood in every Indian parliamentary election since 1962 - and lost every one - but that has not deterred 78-year-old Shyam Babu Subudhi from throwing his hat into the ring once again. Dr Subudhi is a homeopathy practitioner in Berhampur, a town in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. And he is contesting two constituencies, Berhampur and Aska, in India's forthcoming parliamentary polls.
Despite losing his deposit in every previous election, having won less than a sixth of the votes cast each time, Dr Subudhi is surprisingly confident he can win both seats this time. His one-page election manifesto even claims that there is "enough of a possibility" of him being appointed prime minister of India after the coming elections.
This will be his 13th attempt in a row to enter India's parliament. I am in electoral politics because I want to end corruption in the country” "People are fed up with the current crop of leaders, who switch parties when they are not given a ticket by their own party. They have seen that I am the only person who has steadfastly refused to join any political party since the 1960s," Dr Subudhi told the BBC at his home in Berhampur.
Dr Subudhi's electoral debut came in 1957, when he battled former State Minister Brundaban Nayak over the setting up of a school in Berhampur. "I fought with him in the Hinjili Assembly constituency and lost narrowly," he says proudly.
What started as a battle over a school soon turned into an obsession for this man, a familiar sight on the streets of Berhampur in his trademark cap, uneven beard, bulging black bag and well-worn suit, even in the scorching summer heat.
He fought in both assembly and parliamentary elections until 1980, when he took on former Chief Minister JB Patnaik in Begunia. From then on, he has focused his efforts purely on parliamentary elections. Dr Subudhi remembers his "fight" against former Prime Minister Rao (right) as a high point of his career.
The high point of his long electoral career came in 1996 when he "fought" the Prime Minister of India, PV Narasimha Rao, for the Berhampur seat. Biju Patnaik, father of India's current chief minister and the biggest political leader in the state's post-independence history, is among his other notable "rivals".
"I am in electoral politics because I want to end corruption in the country," Dr Subudhi says. But how can he end corruption, even if he wins the election, when he is only an independent candidate? "I am sure I will get the support of many others in parliament," he says confidently.
Curiously for someone who is 78 and on the ballot in two constituencies, his manifesto promises to bar people above 60 from contesting elections, and put an end to the practice of standing in more than one seat.
His campaign style is also frugal and lacks the pomp and ostentation usually associated with Indian elections. He moves about mostly on foot, by bicycle or even bull-drawn cart, as he meets his electorate in ones and twos.
But Dr Subudhi readily concedes that despite his no-frills campaign style, he could end up spending about 500,000 Indian rupees ($8,300; £5,000) this time. But he laughs away any suggestion his family members might be peeved with him for "wasting" the money.
Indian workers make different party campaign flags at a workshop in Hyderabad on 7 March 2014
They do not appear too perturbed. "He spends his own money and never asks for help from anybody," says his daughter-in-law Rashmita. His earnings apparently come from his still-flourishing homeopathy practice, while his sizeable ancestral property ensures that he is never short of money to fight elections.
Many people in the town think he is mad. Others think he is an old man obsessed with getting into the Guinness Book of Records as the man who has contested the most elections.
But there are some - like his contemporary and good friend Venkat Bihari Praharaj - who do take him seriously. They believe he is standing sincerely and is not in the fight for fun. "But the problem is people tend to vote for parties rather than individuals," Praharaj says. There is nothing to suggest that the voters will behave any differently this time. But Dr K Shyam Babu Subudhi will have none of it.
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
Monday, 31 March 2014
South Odisha Cultural Research Centre mooted
Berhampur University has started the process for establishment of ‘South Odisha Cultural Research Centre’ on its campus. It was declared during a two-day seminar on tribal culture of south Odisha organised at the university, which concluded on Sunday evening.
It would be a multidisciplinary centre but would be managed by the post-graduate department of Odia of the University.
Speaking to The Hindu, Debiprasanna Patnaik of Odia department who is playing a key role in the establishment of this centre, said it would promote interdisciplinary studies on the culture of people of the region. There would be research in the fields of anthropology, history, linguistics, psychology and socio-cultural studies of ethnic groups, especially tribal people living in south Odisha.
The centre would utilise the items of historical and cultural importance collected from different parts of south Odisha during past three decades. All these would be part of the museum of the ‘South Odisha Cultural Research Centre’ of Berhampur University. It would help in preservation, documentation and exhibition of these items for the scholars as well as general public.
Attending the inaugural session of the seminar, Berhampur University Vice-Chancellor Deepak Kumar Behera stressed the need of interdisciplinary research on tribal culture of south Odisha. Berhampur University is the only university in south Odisha. Source: The Hindu
Thursday, 13 March 2014
NH 26 Jeypore-Koraput stretch in South Odisha in poor condition
Not more than 20 per cent of the six-km road between Jeypore
and Koraput on NH 26 in Odisha has been completed since May 2009 though the
project was supposed to be completed in two years.
"Being a portion of the NH, thousands of vehicles ply
over it every day but it's nightmarish to cross it. We have called bandhs many
times and moved officials concerned for speedy repair of the road, but to no avail,"
said General Secretary of Jeypore Lorry Owner's Association Nari Mohanty.
"It's a death trap. It is difficult to shift patients
either to the district headquarters hospital at Koraput or to bigger hospitals
in Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar," said Sadhu Chattriya, a Jeypore based
social activist.
The works department (NH wing) has spent around Rs 10 crore
to repair the road, to a Bhubaneswar based contractor and recently his work
order has been cancelled as he failed to meet the deadline, an official said.
"The work has been awarded to a local contractor. Very
soon work for the NH will begin and we expect it would be completed within six
months," said executive engineer of NH wing (Sunabeda) Ramiya Kumar Panda.
Source: Press Trust of India
Seminar on 'Internal Security' organised in Berhampur University
Solution to security problems linked to development
In present era, internal and external securities of a nation are interlinked, according to R. Baral, Special Secretary to Home Department of Manipur.
Speaking at a seminar on internal security organised on the campus of Berhampur University by the Centre for Canadian Studies of the university and Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, New Delhi, on Wednesday, Mr. Baral said that apart from security measures, development was the panacea for most security-related problems. It may be noted that Mr. Baral also held the post of Director-General of Police (DGP) in Manipur in the past.
The seminar also had former chief secretary of Odisha, S.B. Mishra, former director of Institute of Mathematics, Bhubaneswar, Swadhin Patnaik, and Vice-Chancellor of Berhampur University, Deeepak Kumar Behera, as guests. The seminar was attended by experts and students from the university and outside.
During his address in the inaugural session, Mr. Baral elaborated causes and effects of insurgency and its impact on internal security in the north eastern region of the country, especially in Manipur. He spoke on various aspects of internal security in the region including the ethnic rivalry.
Citing examples of north eastern States which have international border with countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar, the DGP of Manipur said it was observed that political and socio-economic turmoil in adjoining countries had a great impact on the internal security of the region.
Prof. Patnaik opined that there had been a shift of paradigm regarding internal security at present juncture. “At preset we have to discuss the problems of internal security in connection with the issues related to socio-economic security of citizens.” Mr. Mishra pointed out that although our country was secular as per the constitution, the citizens of the country were yet to become real secular, which was also a major threat of internal security.
Prof. Behera cited examples of tribal community living in remote areas and advocated growth with equity to be a major factor behind enhancement of internal security. Source: The Hindu
Saturday, 8 March 2014
Tata Steel again revises Gopalpur plan
Drops plan to establish hot rolling mill
Why Odisha government & political leaders are silent?
Jamshedpur: Stuck amid demand by locals for jobs in the company, Tata Steel which in early 2011 had decided to put up a 50,000 tonne per annum (tpa) ferroalloy plant and a 0.5 million tonne per annum (mtpa) hot rolling mill (HRM) at Gopalpur in coastal Ganjam of south Orissa, has now decided to pursue only the ferroalloy plant, provided it receives cooperation of the locals.
Tata Steel had in the 1990s thought of putting up a steel plant at Gopalpur and had acquired more than 4,000 acres for the project but lack of infrastructure, including availability of water at the location, had later dissuaded it to go for it.
Instead, it had in early 2011 thought of investing Rs 1,000 crore in a 50,000 tpa ferroalloy plant and a 0.5 mtpa hot rolling mill (HRM).
“When we go somewhere, expectation always is jobs; now if it is a very big project, you can take care of everyone; if it is a small project then you can take care of some people; so that is what is happening; we have to manage expectations (of the locals for jobs), we are in discussion,” said managing director TV Narendran.
Narendran, who spoke exclusively to FE recently at the inauguration of the “At-in-Industry Camp 2014” here, said the company was in the process of requesting the local community to allow it build the ferroalloy plant so that the company could internally make a case or justification to build “something bigger” at a future date. Source: financialexpressCommissionerate of Police may alleviate law and order problems in Berhampur
The proposal to create a police commissionerate at Berhampur
is hoped to solve the problem of dearth of adequate police staff for this
crime-prone area. It may be noted that a few days ago Chief Minister Naveen
Patnaik had declared that the State government had decided to create three
police commissionerates -- in Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela. But no gazette
notification for the purpose has been made. It is hoped that the new government
formed after the elections would implement this proposal. At present, Odisha
has only one commissionerate of police which has Bhubaneswar and Cuttack under
its jurisdiction.
As per the detailed proposal regarding this proposal of
commissionerate police system for Berhampur, it would have 1,796 posts for
police personnel. It means it would need creation of 733 new posts for police
personnel for the proposed commissionerate of police for Berhampur.
During an informal chat, city Superintendent of Police (SP)
Aniruddha Singh said it would surely enhance policing as the staff would be
properly divided and deployed for different jobs. In place of single SP heading
the Berhampur police district, there would be two DCPs of SP rank who would be
headed by a commissioner of DIG or IG rank. The DCP for the headquarters would
deal with different official works like granting of licences, intelligence
gathering, issues related to human rights, accounts etc while the other DCP
would be totally involved in policing.
The extra staff needed when the city has a police
commissionerate will include one more official of SP rank, two of additional SP
rank, three of DSP rank, 12 more inspectors, 70 sub-inspectors, 120 Assistant
sub-inspectors, 91 constables etc. There would be need for more than 50 new
ministerial staff to relieve pressure on police officials related to office
work so that there would be more time for policing.
Three police stations which are now under Berhampur police
district like those at Jarada, Digapahandi and K.Nuagaon would be under Ganjam
police district after this transformation. The Chamakhandi and Arjyapalli
marine police stations which are now under Ganjam police district, would come
under Berhampur police commissionerate.
Long-pending demand
It may be noted that since long there was demand for
creation of a police commssionerate in Berhampur. Several organisations of the
city as well as South Odisha Students Association (SOSA) had made this demand.
“Although a woman like me does know the intricacies that this change would
bring in, we hope it would enhance policing in the city and reduce menace of
criminals,” said Pranita Das, a housewife of the city. Former secretary of
Berhampur Bar Association, Manoj Patnaik is of the opinion that commissionerate
for Berhampur should not become only a change for name sake. It should bring in
real changes in policing which will benefit the general public, he added. Source: The Hindu
Thursday, 6 February 2014
Lilium cultivation goes commercial in Odisha
Lilium plants being grown by farmers in Ganjam district
Till now lilium was being brought to the State from Bangalore and New Delhi. But now those cultivating the lilium flower are planning to send their produce to Bangalore for a good price. Each stick of lilium costs around Rs. 25. In peak marketing season, its price may raise up to Rs. 50 per stick, say the flower growers.
First stock of the produce of lilium in Ganjam district was sent to Bangalore on Tuesday. It was produced in the poly-house of Sridhar Verma, the president of Ganjam District Flower Growers’ Association.
According to him, till now demand for lilium is not high in the State, but it is a sought-after flower in metropolitan cities. So, lilium produce of Ganjam and Kandhamal district would have a ready-made market outside the State, he says.
More than 40 flower growers in Ganjam district have started commercial cultivation of lilium for the first time this winter. Some of them have selected poly-houses for its cultivation like Mr. Verma, while others are cultivating it in the open.
The Horticulture Department in the State has decided to promote cultivation of lilium for the first time during the current winter. “Its cultivation was first tested in the centre of excellence of the Horticulture Department in Bhubaneswar. Ganjam has been chosen for launch of its commercial cultivation as flower cultivation continues to be done on commercial basis in an organised manner in the area. Kandhamal has been chosen as its climate suits cultivation of this exotic flower,” says Mr. Verma. The selected flower growers of the districts have been provided training regarding its cultivation at the centre of excellence in Bhubaneswar.
Three colours
Lilium is mostly cultivated in Netherlands. Each year new breeds that bear flowers of new colours of lilium get introduced by horticulturists. But in the State, three colours of lilium have been introduced for cultivation. These breeds are most sturdy and have ready made market. Liliums of yellow, pink and white are being cultivated in Ganjam and Kandhamal districts now.
As per botanists, lilium can be cultivated where average temperature does not exceed 25 degree C. So, this exotic flower can only be cultivated during the winter months providing a source of good income to flower growers. Source: The Hindu
Friday, 31 January 2014
BJP national general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal urged the public to vote for BJP in general election to see Modi as PM
SOUTH ODISHA BJP CADRE GEAR UP FOR 2014 ELECTIONS
A meeting of MLAs, ex-MLAs, office-bearers and senior party workers of the BJP from 10 organisational districts of south Odisha such as Koraput, Rayagada, Malkanagiri, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Boudh, Chhatrapur, Bhanjanagar and Brahmapur was held in Berhampur city on Wednesday under the chairmanship of former MP Prasuram Majhi.
Speaking on the occasion, BJP national general secretary (organisation) Ram Lal urged the public, especially youths, to vote for the party in the ensuing general election to see Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister. He recalled that Modi, after becoming chairman of the party’s Campaigning Committee, first visited Puri to seek Lord Jagannath’s blessings before embarking on a countrywide tour. He urged party workers to make Modi’s February 11 rally in Bhubaneswar a great success.
Lal said the BJP has decided to knock at every citizen’s door with an appeal to cast their votes to make Modi the next Prime Minister. He discussed how to effectively manage booths. Odisha is crucial for the BJP as elections for both State Assembly and Parliament are to be held simultaneously here, he said.
BJP State observer Arun Singh said the BJD is responsible for the poverty of Odisha and its Government cannot escape from its liability in the coal and chit fund scams.
BJP leader and former Deputy Speaker of Assembly Rama Chandra Panda said that interestingly common people are ahead of the BJP in creating public opinion for Narendra Modi as the next Prime Minister since they believe that Modi is the right person to lead the national Government as ‘Bikas Purush’. Among others, the party’s senior leader Prasanna Mishra, Ganjam district president Bijay Swain and Bhrugu Buxipatra also spoke.
A public signature campaign was launched by party town president Rama Patra demanding to expedite the Janibilla-Dakshinpur piped water project. The party aims to collect signatures of 50.000 persons from the district for expeditious water supply to Brahmapur. The movement is spearheaded by senior BJP leader Rama Chandra Panda. Source: The Pioneer
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