Silk City Berhampur gears up for 9-day Durga Puja carnival

Durga puja is also known as Navratri Puja which says the worshipping of goddess Durga for nine days. Like Kolkata, Gujarat and Cuttack, Berhampur also gears up for Durga Puja. With the Mahalaya, devotees have welcomed the goddess Durga amidst all pomp and show to bring bountiful yield and happiness to every household.

Ganjam is famous for its religious “shakti shrines” where the ritual of the 16-day festival is strictly followed. This ritual is known as “Shodasa Upachara” unlike in other parts of the country where it lasts for three to nine days. The prominent Sakti shrines in Ganjam include presiding deity of South Odisha Tara Tarini near Purusottampur, goddess Narayani near Khallikote, goddess Mahamayee (Budhi Thakurani) of Berhampur, goddess Bhairavi at Mantridi, 15 km away from Berhampur, goddess Ramachandi at Gadamanitri, 5 km away from Ganjam town, Mahuri Kalika, Ghata Kalika, Kandhuni Devi, Byaghra Devi, Balakumari, Barahi, Khambeswari, Simhasini, Shyamalai, Kureisuni and Siddha Harachandi. They are all geared up for the festival Dussehra.

Some Puja Mandaps in the city have started the rituals of Navaratripuja formally from Mahalaya night. TheSilk City is known as one of the prominent socio-cultural centers of Odisha. The city connects two different cultures of Odia and Telugu since time immemorial.

The Puja bazaar is all set to make a good business in this session. The wholesale markets of garments are the commercial nerve centre as well as inter-State business centers of Odisha. Traffic is getting thicker gradually in the areas beginning from Head Post Office Square, Fire Station Road, Annapurna Road, Urban Bank Road, SNT Temple Road, Sanabazaar to Badabazaar area.

The puja mandaps of Komapalli Square, Courtpeta Square, Bijipur, Station Road, Old Bus Stand, Girija Square, Giri Market, Hanuman Bazaar and Badabazaar have been started formally for the nine day puja of goddess Durga from the night of Mahalaya. Out of total 39 worshiping places, nine have opened their puja pandals and started the rituals of the nine-day puja. Others may open on seventh or eighth day of the ritual of the Navratri Puja. The attraction of this year’s puja is the pandals draped in different colours, themes, and innovative arts and designs. According to a member Kali Prasad Patra of Bijipur Puja Committee, they have hired artists from Dhenkanal and Kolkata for the design of their puja pandal like a temple of Nepal. The pandal is made up of different coloured and designed mats, while the idol is of 15 feet height mesmerizing the devotees of the city. City administration, Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) and police are ready for the nine-day-long carnival. The District Administration has imposed ban on using of loud speaker after 10 pm of the night and it has only permitted bhajans for playing on the puja mandaps.

Mayfair group acquires Oberoi's Gopalpur hotel

The Oberoi Group has sold its 100-year-old hotel property at Gopalpur on Sea in Orissa to Mayfair Hotels and Resorts, a local hospitality company owned by former cabinet minister and industrialist Dilip Ray. The property, Oberoi Palm Beach, was bought by Rai Bahadur MS Oberoi in 1947 from an Italian lady and was the third hotel in his portfolio after Shimla and Kolkata. EIH, formerly East India Hotels, the flagship company of the Oberoi Group, has handed over the property to the Mayfair Group, which now has eight properties, said top executives at both companies.

For the Oberois, the Gopalpur property, though small, had a lot of sentimental value. However, with any significant expansion not possible due to the Coastal Regulation Zone restrictions and high overhead costs, the EIH management decided to lease or sell it. For a few years, they leased the hotel to a Bhubaneswar-based hotelier, but it did not work well, said an EIH source. Ray, who has been expanding his hospitality business in the past few years, said: "It is a dream acquisition. We will try our best to develop this hotel to international standards and expand it."

The Mayfair group now plans to spend 25-30 crore to expand the hotel and add another 15 rooms to the existing 20 rooms. It will also add a spa to the property along with villas.

 Gopalpur on Sea has been a popular destination among the Russian tourists throughout the year. Domestic travellers visit during winters. With Gopalpur port being developed from a seasonal to an all-weather port, commercial and industrial activity is expected to pick up. Tatas too are planning an industrial park at Gopalpur where it will be the anchor investor. The 100-crore Mayfair group operates mid-segment hotels inBhubaneswar, Puri, Rourkela, Goa, Darjeeling and Gangtok. It also will soon open hotels in Kolkata, Satpada and a new hotel in Puri. Mayfair plans to spend 25-30 crore to expand the hotel and add another 15 rooms to the existing 20 rooms.

Tata Steel reserves berth at Gopalpur Port near Berhampur

• Jindal Company also visited Gopalpur port to get a reserve berth

• Tata Steel would construct a hospital at Tata rehabilitation colony at Sitalapalli, Berhampur

At a time when the demand for returning the lands acquired for industries in Ganjam district is growing shriller, The Tata Steel Managing Director’s visit to Ganjam district seems to have settled things for now.

Tata Steel MD HM Nerurkar along with vice-president for Orissa Projects of the Company Hrideyshwar Jha visited Ganjam district on Tuesday to take stock of the progress of the proposed projects. They had an informal meeting with Ganjam District Collector Kishen Kumar and Managing Director of Gopalpur Ports Limited (GPL) Mahimanandan Mishra.

Gopalpur Industrial Park project is planned on 3,300 acres of land taken over by the company in 1995 for its now shelved mega steel plant project near Gopalpur port.

Tata Steel, being the anchor investor, has announced a ferrochrome industry with a capacity of around 55,000 tonne a year besides four million tonne capacity rubber industry and a desalination plant. The three units are scheduled to go for production from 2013.

However, as no progress was made even after seven months of the foundation, the displaced families whose lands were acquired started agitation demanding return of their lands.

According to the discussion between Tata Steel, GPL and district administration, Tata Steel would have its own berth and a jetty at Gopalpur Port at Rs. 60 crore for transportation of its proposed production.

However, till the construction of the berth, the port would provide a rebate of around 50 per cent to Tata Steel for transportation.

Tata Steel would construct a hospital in the vacant land at the Tata rehabilitation colony at Sitalapalli for the convenience of port and Tata employees and the GPL authorities would establish a school in the port’s vicinity, in order to reduce dependence on Berhampur.

Meanwhile, a team of officials of Jindal Company also visited the Gopalpur port to get a reserve berth.

Source: IBN Live

Ravi Kumar's Arjuna Award lifts Berhampur's spirits

The Silk City was agog with joy on Monday when local boy and Commonwealth gold medalist K. Ravi Kumar was conferred the Arjuna Award at New Delhi. Ravi Kumar received the award from President Prativa Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. "I am very happy receiving the award," he told TOI from New Delhi.

At present, Ravi is busy practicing at the India camp in Patiala for the next world championships in Paris in November. He said, "The award is a big confidence booster and I will make all efforts to bring pride to mycountry," he said.

Crediting his success to his parents, coaches and well-wishers, Ravi who is now working in the Army said the award was a result of years of hard work. "It is a dream come true and I wish he beings more fame to the country," said his mother K. Suryakanta, who was present at the award-giving ceremony. Ravi Kumar is the seventh Oriya and second person from Berhampur to get this prestigious award. In 1982, another weightlifter Bijay Kumar Satapathy of Berhampur had received the Arjuna Award.

"It is a very proud moment us. His award will motivate many talented young people to scale heights," secretary of the Orissa Weightlifting Association Narayan Sahu said. "We wish he participates in the 2012 London Olympics," said Sahu, also the vice-president of Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF). Ravi's former coach Ramesh Chandra Padhy said, "We were expecting this award for him since long going by his talent".

The Veer Hanuman Club, from where Ravi started his career, will felicitate him when he returns. Ravi started his career about seven years ago and has established a brilliant track record of winning several gold medals in national and International events. He has also set a record in the men's 69-kg category by lifting 321 kg in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games last October and won the gold.

He has represented the country in the Asian Weightlifting Championships to be in China in April. He has also won three gold medals in the senior National weightlifting championships at Bangalore recently. Representing the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), Ravi won in the clean, jerk and overall weight category in the men's 77-kg event. The state has honoured him with the Ekalabya Award.

Sources: Times of India, First Post

Infant mortality rate high in Kandhamal

Kandhamal district, in south Orissa which hogged national headlines for the murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and violence a few years ago, has touched another low point. This time the district has found itself in the bottom of the list of under-five mortality rate (U5MR) in the country.

As many as 145 children per 1,000 live births die in Kandhamal district, says annual health survey conducted in under-developed States in the country. The survey was done in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Assam. Collectively these States constitute 48 per cent of country's population, 59 per cent of births and 70 per cent of infant deaths.

The U5MR for Uttarakhand is in the 50s while for Uttar Pradesh, it is in the 90s. The U5MR ranges between 24 (Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand) and 145 (Kandhamal, Orissa) - a variability of seven times. Orissa with average U5MR at 82 figures among bottom States. Gap between male and female mortality differential is significant. Among female, the U5MR in Kandhamal is 153 compared to 138 in male.

Source: The Hindu

Berhampur born Sulagna Panigrahi rocks Bollywood

In conversation with Sulagna Panigrahi

When we saw Murder 2, we were bowled over by the performance of a new girl, Sulagna Panigrahi, the actress with the face of an angel. She has been around for past 4 years and has also done quite a few television shows. Soumil Shukla of FilmiTadka caught up with the young actress and the result was a candid chat.

So tell us a bit about your background.

Well, I was born in a small town called Berhampur in Orissa. Then my family moved to Bhubaneswar and then to Delhi where I spent almost 10 years and did most of my schooling. My dad is a serving Indian Army officer. So we have had to move around a lot. In that sense I am a true Indian!.....

Click here to read the full interview

Source: filmitadka.in

First Convocation Ceremony of Central University Koraput held; Pranab Mukherjee attended as chief guest

Koraput:  Koraput is one of the best District in the world because of its climatic conditions said the Governor of Odisha Mr. Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare. Mr. Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare was at Sunabeda in Koraput District on the occasion of 1st convocation ceremony of Central University Odisha established way back 2009.

Mr. Naveen Patnaik Chief Minister of Odisha who was the guest of honour expressed his ambitious plans and said the University in a tribal populated Koraput district itself is a significance change in tribal culture and language. Central University would definitely play a vital role to change the KBK districts (un-divided Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi) and its educational system. Education itself will bring sea change and change the people of these KBK districts and develop the local tribal Mr. Patnaik said.

The Union Finance minister Mr. Pranab Mukharji who was the Chief Guest of the Programme expressed his happiness over establishment of the Central University Odisha in koraput District which is one of the backward districts in India.

The first Vice Chancellor of the University Dr. Suravi Benarji assured to open medical college and Hospital to take Medicare of the people leaving in the districts, Steps have been taken and sent the proposal to the Government for opening the medical college in Koraput Central University Campus. She also gave thanks to Koraput Jagannath Temple Trust, Koraput people, Koraput district administration, media people and public representatives. Six students Miss. Sucharita sahu, Mr. Gyana Ranjan Patnaik, Mr. Kelaram Meher, Prahalad Khila and Pratikhyarani Nayak awarded Gold medals and 106 graduating students were awarded their degrees at the Convocation.

Radiation study centre at Berhampur University

The Berhampur University (BU) is all set to have a Gamma Chamber-5000 to study plant response to ionising radiation. The facility is being developed as a component of the research project on plant responses to ionising radiation, which is currently in progress at the department of botany. This is the first time that the state will have such as facility, said Brahma Bihari Panda, head of botany department. A team of experts from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (Barc) had visited the university recently and approved the building site after thorough inspection. “We constructed the building as per the guidelines of Barc. But with the onset of monsoon, the delivery of the equipment from Barc has been delayed and we are hoping it will reach us by October or November. The research has been going on since two years,” said Panda. Barc is looking after research components while the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (Brit) will provide the equipment. He said Barc has provided the Gamma Chamber-5000, which is worth Rs 40 lakh, free of cost to the university. An MoU to this effect was signed between the director, health safety and environment group of Barc and registrar of Berhampur University on August 19, 2008.

The botany department of BU is one of the four centres located in different agro-climatic zones of the country chosen under the 11th plan period to conduct the mega research project of Barc. The other three zones are Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) at Pusa in New Delhi, Barc in Mumbai and Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu. “The chamber is the source of radiation from cobalt system which can be used for experimental purposes and scientific investigation. We have already constructed a building, Gamma House, at an isolated area in the botanical garden on the campus. The rest of the equipment will also be installed as soon as they reach us,” Panda said. In addition to the chamber, Barc has also provided other research tools and two research scholars and one field assistant for this purpose. The entire cost would come to around Rs 70 lakh, he said. The departments of chemistry, physics, zoology, marine and pharmaceutical sciences can also use this equipment for an inter-disciplinary approach. “The gamma centre has several applications. We can see the effect of radiation and use it for improvement of crops, sterilisation of medical disposals. Radiation helps preserve food materials. Seeds treated with radiation are not infested by insects. So it is useful for storage of material and aseptic conditions. This is also being considered as a source of income for Berhampur University because it can be used outsourced to researchers and research institutions,” Panda said. He said the importance of radiation was increasing daily with the depletion of natural bio fuel or hydrocarbons. “Radiation will be a perennial and safe source of energy. Because here the regulations are very stringent and there is no pollution from radiation,” he added. The radiological safety division is looking after the safety aspect. “It is a research programme and is well protected. The persons who will work here will be given proper training about how to operate it. A radiation monitor will measure if there is any radiation. The radiation level of this region is slightly high because of the Monazite belt and the black sand at Arjipalli. But we are looking into the safety concerns,” Panda said.

Source: The Telegraph

NIOS opened Study centre for Berhampur jail inmates

By Hrusikesh Mohanty

The inmates of Berhampur jail, who want to clear the Class X examination but are overaged, can now do so. The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) under the ministry of human resources in collaboration with the state government opened an Open Study Centre in the Berhampur jail. This is the first NIOS centre inside a jail in the state.

"Those who have crossed 14 years of age can now enroll in the study center to clear their Class X examination. No formal educational qualification is required to enroll," chairman of NIOS Sitansu Sekhar Jena said while inaugurating the centre. DIG (Prisons) Dharanidhara Dash and other jail staff were present.

He, however, said a person needs to clear his Class X to appear for Class XII examination. The course can be completed from one to five years, he said. "Since several inmates have shown interest to complete their education when they were languishing in the jails, the NIOS decided to open its study centers in different jails," he said. The NIOS would conduct the examinations and also provide certificates that are equivalent to certificate given by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), he said.

Eleven such study centres have been opened across the country, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Delhi. "We have also written to the Inspector General (Prisons) to open study centers of the NIOS in their jails of the state. We opened it in Berhampur because the jail officers were keen and extended all cooperation," he said.

The NIOS has announced 50 per cent subsidy on the enrollment fee of the jail inmates in the study centers. "The subsidy however is not applicable in case of other persons," he said. The NIOS is also providing vocational training in 86 different trades. "One can take vocational training at the time of studying in the study centre," he said. The NIOS chairman assured to provide all help to the jail staff, if they were interested to start vocational training.

Source: The Times of India

Centre okays mega food park at Rayagada

The Central Government has sanctioned a mega food park for Odisha. The State Government has identified Rayagada as the suitable place to set up a world class Food Park with satellite units in other parts of the State. Accoding to official sources, the food park would be set up in Public Private Partnership mode with an investment of Rs 200 crore. The Union Government would provide fiancial assistance to the tune of Rs 50 crore for the project to be implemented in phases. It was decided at a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Bijay Patnaik that the State Government would create the infrastructure to attract investors. As many as 56 food processing units over an area of 198 acres of land have been planned in the proposed food park.It was also decided to provide incentives to the promoters who would evince interest to invest in the food park. Patnaik has directed the Industry Department to work out a package on Governmental assistance and incentives required. Patnaik said since the project was related to agricultural infrastructure, an official team would be sent to other States having Food Parks to study the mode of incentives, other packages and their management. Basing on the report of the team a draft policy framework would be prepared for taking the approval of the Chief Minster.Sources said that the food park would create employment potential for 30,000 people. Farmer groups, self-help groups and individual farmers would benefit from the scheme. In the first phase the project would be implemented in Rayagada with a satellite unit at Khurda with an investment of Rs 120 crore and in second phase it would be implemented in Ganjam. 

Source: The Pioneer

Unprecedented real-estate boom in silk city Berhampur

Berhampur city is witnessing a massive real estate boom like never before. While mega residential projects are being announced almost on a regular basis, even real-estate investors from various others cities like Bhubaneswar, Vizag, Surat and Mumbai are flocking in large numbers to make the most of this huge demand for residential apartments in Berhampur city. 

Estimates say that more than hundred mega residential apartments are under construction in and around the city.

One real estate watcher observed that investment of this magnitude is unprecedented in this southern city, and for that matter in a state like Orissa, and can only be compared with the State capital, which witnessed a similar trend in the recent past.

The massive real estate boom in Berhampur can be attributed to the huge migration of people from the interior pockets of Ganjam, South Orissa, Coastal Orissa and neighboring districts of Andhra Pradesh in search of better livelihood opportunities and for its education, trade and transport base.

Infact, one real estate agency of Berhampur city pointed that the skyrocketing housing prices in the state capital which has become almost unaffordable for the middle class has led to this housing boom in Berhampur as the going property prices here are considerably lesser than Bhubaneswar. The city is also well connected with other parts of the country and much cheaper cost of living than the state capital. 

The construction boom in the city is likely to change the landscape of Greater Berhampur Region in the years to come with many projects lined up in the city outskirts and especially in areas like Ambapua, Khodasingi, Gosaninuagaon, Narendrapur, Mandiapalli, Rangeilunda, Haldiapadar, Konisi, Gopalpur and Chatrapur.

Non-resident Oriyas have become the biggest investors and drivers of this real estate boom, said a veteran of the city who has seen it growing over the past decades.

• http://www.adishakticonstruction.org/upproject.aspx
• http://www.greeninfra.co.in/home.php
• http://www.homeatspectrum.in/compproject.aspx
• http://www.jayshakti.com/index.html
• http://srikrishnabuilders.page.tl/
• http://atgroup.in/news.asp
• http://suncityipl.com/real_estate.aspx
• http://www.nandighoshestates.com/
• http://www.satyamsivamgroup.com/
• http://shivamdevelopers.net/
• http://www.uniquepariwar.net/
• http://www.vlb.svect.com/index.aspx

Prahalad nataka: A form of traditional theatre from southern district of Orissa

By Priya Pryadarshini, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 

Ganjam is the hub of classical and traditional beauty. Be it in the terms of song, dance, drama or theatrical show, Ganjam has a unique position in all these regards. Among all ‘Prahalad Nataka’ stands tall in all respective quarters of the culture. The tale is based on the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, ‘Nursingha’. Prahalad the great devotee of Lord Vishnu goes against the will of his father and worships Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap the father of Prahalad declares himself as the God and rebels against the almighty for which he gets punished.

The play is developed from the stories of mythological books like ‘Bhagat Gita’, ‘Vishnu Purana’ and ‘Nursingha Purana’. The act is full of emotions varying from courage to anger.

Source: flickr

King Ramakrushna Chotray of Jalanta was the first to initiate the production of this act. He called the famous dramatist and musician Gaurahar Parcha of Paralakhamundi who scripted the play for the first time. It was the first enacted in the region of Jalanta. It is primarily an Odiya play. Yet, the neighboring Telugu speaking regions do translate it into their own language and do perform it in their own areas. It is a play which has classical music as its main element.

In Ganjam the play is also called as ‘Rajanataka’. It continues for three to seven nights. The play though not edited in the form of episode or serial number has got a special way of presenting style. The presenter first starts the act by reciting the ‘Gurudeva’, ‘Ganesh’ and ‘Sarada Vandana’. After that the summary of the script is presented. Next the characters are called on the stage and the presentation goes on.

‘Prahalad Nataka’ is famous because of its presentation style and subject matter. Mostly the dance format is used for description of each character that also speaks of the emotions like devotion and pride.

Source: Orissadiary.com

Pawar gives go-ahead for Food Park at Rayagada

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Food Processing has given clearance to set up a food processing unit at Rayagada, according to Member of Parliament(MP) Jayaram Pangi. Pangi told to the media that he had requested the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to set up a Mega Food Park at Rayagada, a tribal-dominated district, for the socio-economic development of the people.

While thanking Pawar, Pangi said necessary clearance was accorded to one M/S Mits Food Park Limited for this purpose. “Besides development in the agriculture sector the industry will provide employment opportunity to the unemployed youth in the district,” Pangi said adding, “I have also requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to provide the required land to the company through IDCO to set up the Food Park.” 

Source: The Pioneer

SOSA demands for the establishment of I.I.I.T at Berhampur

(Full text of the letter, submitted to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha) 

Hon’ble Chief Minister Sir,

As you are aware, the Central government has announced the establishment of 20 Greenfield IIITs (Indian Institute of Information Technology) across the country during the 11^th and 12^th Five Year Plan periods. Since the Government of Odisha has made its intentions known for locating the proposed IIIT at Berhampur city, it becomes an imperative that prompt efforts are made to ensure the establishment of proposed IIIT sanctioned for Odisha at Berhampur city. Since the state Government was awaiting the nod of the central government to go ahead with locating the proposed IIIT in Berhampur, the recent announcement regarding the establishment of 20 new IIITs should end the uncertainty surrounding this much awaited institution.  

Notwithstanding the fact that the state government had promised for the establishment of the IIIT at Berhampur and assured the people to that effect in the past, the demand is also backed by sound reasoning. First, Berhampur city, for that matter Ganjam District, is yet to have a centrally funded Institute and the absence of which is proving detrimental to an underdeveloped region like south Orissa. Second, Orissa has so far established two IIITs at Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur and therefore the establishment of the centrally funded IIIT at Berhampur will lead to better distribution of IT education base in the state. Third, the Planning Commission data suggests that Ganjam and other southern districts are among the districts with a poor gross enrolment ratio in higher education. IIIT in Berhampur will help in building a knowledge cluster in the heart of the most underdeveloped pocket of India. Fourth, a Software Technology park has already come up in Berhampur city and the IIIT’s establishment there will ensure synergy and investment in the IT and ITES sectors. Finally, Berhampur is the second biggest urban cluster in the state of Orissa with sound communication infrastructure and the establishment of the IIIT will be a great advantage for the city and its future development.

Berhampur is the only major city in Odisha which doesn’t have a centrally funded higher/technical education institution so far. While prestigious professional education institutions like IIT, AIIMS, IIPH, IIFT, NISER, NIT, VSSUT, IIMC, National Steel Institute, CIPET, IIHT, Law University apart from a host of Private Universities have come up across the state in recent years the entire region of South Odisha and its principal city, Berhampur, have been completely left out and remain far behind as far as higher and technical education infrastructure is concerned.

Sir, Berhampur city is considered as the gateway to the vast region of South Odisha and KBK. Owing to its strategic location, prospects of industrial investment, human resource potential, moderate weather conditions and its connectivity with all the major cities of the state and India, Berhampur can attract IT companies and create large number of employment opportunities in this underdeveloped region with the establishment of a IIIT in the city. In view of the potential of Berhampur city in bringing prosperity and in improving the life quality of the people of this backward region, it is crucial for the State government to expand the IT education base in Odisha by adhering to the principle of distributive justice. Prompt and timely action on the part of the state government will be extremely important for realization of this prestigious institution. The IIIT will not only place Berhampur city as the second knowledge hub of the state but will also work as an impetus for industrialization and development of southern Odisha and improve the overall prosperity of the State.

With Regards,

RP Tripathy

Centre to decide soon on Koraput mega Food Park

The Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) will take a decision on setting up of a mega food park in Koraput district of Orissa within next three months.

"The Koraput mega food park proposal is under our consideration.The ministry is examining the expression of interest (EoI) proposals sent bysome promoters last month. A special purpose vehicle will prepare the detail project report and will see the viability of the project. The entire process can take about two to three months, , said S K Nanda, under secretary with MoFPI whileattending a workshop on food packaging here recently.

He said, some promoters have expressed interests to set up a mega food parkin the Koraput region, but the ministry has to see whether it is situated near a farm product market or not, which is a key parameter to set up a food park. The Mega Food Parks Scheme (MFPS) is the flagship program included in the Eleventh Five Year Plan. The scheme envisages a cluster-based approach for the food parks, which will have facilities like food processing centres and collection centres close to farm fields.

"The cluster would be selected very carefully on the basis of agricultural and horticultural surpluses available in the catchment and take into account the logistics and processing infrastructure", according to food park guidelines of MoFPI.

The Central government official was also skeptic about the capability of investors from Orissa to arrange capital investment for such projects. According to MFP scheme, the government of India will provide half of the total cost of the project with a maximum investment of Rs 50 crores.

Courtesy: Business Standard

Kalahandi district reels under acute water crisis

Source: mapsofindia.com

With the onset of sweltering summer and the level of groundwater declining day-by-day in Kalahandi district, the denizens clamour for a bucket of drinking water. Even if one manages to get it, hardly any disinfected water is found. Almost in every house in the district headquarters town Bhawanipatna water is being used privately after spending Rs 25,000 on sinking a personal tube-well.

With the onset of the sizzling summer, bore-well machine dots every nook and corner of the town. Each and every household is found desperately digging a tube-well of its own in almost all the towns in the district.

On the other hand, the poor hardly get the scope of tapping the tube-well water as the stream water usually gets dried up in every area in the summer season. According to the Government records, one tube-well has been supplied for every 80 households. While it has been implemented only in the town areas, hardly one notices tube-wells in the rural pockets here in the district. If at all it is hit upon, it is found to be defunct.

The poor villagers have to trek two to three kilometres to collect potable water may it be from an old well, river water or tube-well. In the villages of Risida and Sapalahari GP under Karlamunda block, hundreds of women walk down to the river barefoot.

While some rush to the well, a few to the tube-well after covering minimum a kilometre. It takes hours to fill their bucket as they stand daylong in queues even under scorching rays of the sun.

It was shocking to notice the rural folks in Thuamul Rampur block using drinking water from the cultivated land after digging a small well with their own hands. With the temperature rising every year, the groundwater table is decreasing while the supply of water from the river to the industries is further compounding the woes.

The situation of the villages under Kesinga block has been worst, especially in summer, as gallons of water are being guzzled up by the industries from the Tel river.

Junagarh MLA Gobardhan Das told the media that the Centre has been clearly stating to the State Government for the last four years that the river water can be supplied to the households, but the State is yet to implement the scheme. The district administration is still reluctant to supply drinking water in the hamlets and thus has been a major concern for all.

Source: The Pioneer 

Naveen Patnaik offers special Puja at Tara Tarini Shrine; Inaugurates administrative building on the hill top

Orissa Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik visited the Adi Sakti peeth of Maa Tara Tarini on April 26, 2011. Tara Tarini, an ancient Shakti shrine is located on the banks of the mythologically famous Rushikulya River, 30 km from Berhampur city and is believed to be the Sthana Peeth (Breast Shrine) of Adi Shakti with its history dating back to antiquity. The Shrine is one of the ancient most places of Shakti worship and among the four major Shakti centers in India.

The Chief Minister landed at around 9.30am by a special copter near the hill shrine and directly went inside the holy temple and offered puja for around one hour. He visited the newly constructed temple complex and enquired about its progress. RDC of Southern Division, Orissa and Tara Tarini Development Board Chairman Shri Laxmi Narayan Nayak and TTDB secretary Shri Pramod Panda informed him about the progress of all ongoing developmental works on both the hilltop and on the foothill region. They also informed the CM about the future infrastructural requirements keeping in view the consistently growing number of visitors and devotees to the shrine. 

Shri Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the new administrative building constructed by Purushottampur block at a cost of 25 lacs on the hilltop and appreciated the ongoing works. He reviewed the widening work of the ghat road, which is constructed by the PWD department, government of Odisha at a cost of Rs 5 crores.   On the foot hill of the shrine the CM laid the foundation stone for the Tara Tarini bathing Ghat on the banks of holy river Rushikulya at a cost of 10 lacs.

TTDB secretary Shri Pramod Panda conveyed the CM that this holy shrine is fast emerging as a popular religious tourism destination. Last month during the Chaitra festivals around two million devotees visited the holy shrine from the cross section of the country and mainly from Orissa and other neighboring states. Shri Panda informed that bearing the growing number of devotees in mind the TTDB has decided to construct a lavatory complex, big rest shed and view-tower on the hilltop. 

After knowing the facts the Chief Minister immediately directed the officials to expedite the ongoing developmental works for the benefit of the devotes and assured all possible help from the state government for creating required infrastructure facilities. Among others, Law and Rural Development Minister, Government of Odisha Shri Bikram Keshari Arukh, RDC and TTDB Chairman Shri Laxmi Narayan Nayak, Berhampur MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Pattnaik, Gopalpur MLA Dr. Pradeep Panigrahi, MLAs of Khallikate and Polosara, District Collector Shri V. Kartikeyan Pandian, SP Ganjam, SP Berhampur, all the office bearers of TTDB, Executive Officer of Tara Tarini temple and other officials of government of Orissa were present on the occasion.       

Silk city Berhampur gets air connectivity; first flight takes off from Rangeilunda

A new chapter was added to the state’s aviation history today with the launch of a non-scheduled air charter service from Gopalpur to Bhubaneswar. Global Avianautics (GAL), which runs the Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI) for the state government in Bhubaneswar, is operating the service. “The flight will take off daily from Gopalpur’s Rangeilunda air strip for Bhubaneswar. The six-seater twin engine mini aeroplane Pipper Seneca will carry four passengers and two crew members. The cost of a flight from Gopalpur to Bhubaneswar would be between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000. The distance between the two cities, which is about 186km by road, will be covered in 40 minutes,” said O.P. Suri, CEO of GAL, and wing commander Pradeep Chakravarty. Ganjam collector V. Kartikeya Pandian inaugurated the service on the auspicious day of Ram Navami. However, there were no passengers in the inaugural flight.

GAL would provide air journey to Visakhapatnam and other nearby cities having big or small airstrips, provided the plane covers the distance within two hours. Clarifying the status of the non-scheduled air charter services, officials of the GAL said that there is no schedule journey of the flight. “When we have four passengers, we will take off,” said a GAL officer.

Although there is no air ticket booking office or enquiry counter at Rangeilunda at present, GAL is planning to open an office on the premises of the PWD office situated near the air strip, sources said.

The GAL aviation services company is providing various aviation services such as flying training for fixed and rotary wing aircrafts, development and operation of small airstrips, non-scheduled air charter services and aero sports. The officers are quite optimistic about the prospects at Rangeilunda.

GATI at Bhubaneswar is using Rangeilunda as the second flying club in Orissa. “As the Bhubaneswar airport runway suffers from traffic congestion most of the time, the civil aviation ministry was in search of a suitable substitute and considered Rangeilunda air strip as the best,” captain M.S. Mander, flight instructor in-charge of GATI, had said earlier.

Mander, who had surveyed the Rangeilunda air strip along with wing commander Pradeep Chakravarty earlier, had urged the district administration to extend the present runway of the Rangeilunda air strip so that bigger aircraft could land and take off. Gopalpur, which is a major tourist destination, could have air connectivity with Calcutta, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar.

Rangeilunda is located at a distance of around 5km from Berhampur and is adjacent to Berhampur University. The Britishers built the Rangeilunda air strip during the Second World War.

Meanwhile, Road and Building, Division-II, Berhampur has prepared an estimated Rs 27.29-crore plan for development of Rangeilunda airstrip. Further, a green filed domestic airport has been proposed to come up at Konisi on the outskurts of Berhampur city.

Source: The Telegraph, IBNLive.com

Lakhs of devotees throng Taratarini hill shrine on 2nd Tuesday of Chaitra fest

Tara Tarini Hills (Kumari Hills) from the Sky (Image Source: Google earth)

Around four lakh devotees from various parts of Orissa and from neighbouring states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh thronged the Tara Tarini hill shrine on the auspicious Second Tuesday of the month of Chaitra. Tara Tarini, an ancient Shakti shrine located on the banks of the mythologically famous river of Rushikulya, 30 km from Berhampur city, is believed to be the Sthana Pitha (Breast Shrine) of Adi Shakti. The Shrine is one of the ancient most places of Shakti worship and among the four major Shakti centers in India. It bears a history of not less then 5000 years.

It may be noted that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine and this month long fest in honour of the twin goddess is the biggest fair of India held at any religious shrine.

As per the report available, on the second Tuesday of Chaitra festival around 10,000 babies offered their hairs to the goddess and the number this year surpassed the number registered in the corresponding Tuesday of the previous years.

The festivities started at this shrine from Monday midnight itself and throughout the night there were cultural programmes to entertain the devotees. After the traditional ceremonial works, the sanctum of Maa Tara Tarini opened at around 1 a.m in the morning and darshan started after that.

Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Southern Division, Odisha, Shri Laxmi Narayan Nayak, Secretary Fisheries Government of Odisha Shri Satyabrata Sahu, Ganjam District Collector Shri VK Pandian, Superintendent of Police Berhampur and Ganjam and many other senior state and central government officials, apart from the executive officer and all other office bearers of Tara Tarini Development Board, were present on the occasion.

Last year on the third Tuesday of Chaitra, more than 6 lakh people visited the hill shrine. Therefore, sensing that, the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) is making elaborate arrangements for the smooth darshan of devotees on the upcoming 3rd and 4th Tuesdays.

Berhampur Boy K. Ravi Kumar to represent India in Asian Weightlifting C'ship

BERHAMPUR: Commonwealth Games gold medallist K. Ravi Kumar has been selected to represent India in the Asian Weightlifting Championship, to be held in China from April 12. "He is the only weightlifter from the country, selected by the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) to participate in the Asian Weightlifting Championship, which will be held at Tongling, China from April 12 to 17," said IWF vice president Narayan Sahu. The 22-year-old from Berhampur, Orissa had also won three gold medals in senior National Weightlifting Championships, held in Bangalore on Friday. Representing Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), Ravi won in clean, jerk and overall weight in men's 77-kg event. Ravi lifted a total of 306 kg (138, 168) in the event. Sahu, who was also a former coach of Ravi, expressed confidence about his success in the Asian Championship. Ravi said from Bangalore that he has already started preparing for the meet. "I am very much confident of winning gold in the Asian Championship and I am practising regularly," he said. Starting his career as a weightlifter from the Veer Hanuman Club here about seven years ago, he has established a brilliant track record by winning several gold medals at national and international events. Ravi had also set a record in men's 69-kg category by lifting 321-kg in the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Source:Times of India

World famous Berhampur Thakurani Yatra to be held from 28th March

•Official website of the famous Thakurani Yatra (www.thakurani.com) launched

•City waits anxiciously to welcome her daughter

•Month long festivity associated with this grand carnival to draw millions

BERHAMPUR: The 29-day-long biennial festival of Buddhi Thakurani, popularly known as 'Thakurani Yatra' will commence here from March 28 to April 25. According to some eminent historians, the cult of Buddhi Thakurani originated along with the emergence of Berhampur town in and around 1672 AD. Telugu Lengayat Dera (weaver) community, who came to Mahuri on the invitation of Raja Saheb of Mahuri to take up their profession of weaving, started their ‘Ghata Yatra’ (Pot Festival) for highlighting the divinity of Mahamayee Thakurani of his capital town Berhampur. The Chief of the Dera community, Kota Chandramani Kubera Senapati, led his community people to migrate to Mahuri and Berhampur who settle down into their hereditary profession of weaving tussar silken products or ‘patta matha’. The ‘Ghata Yatra’ was initiated for the purpose of highlighting the tradition of worshiping Thakurani as well as to use it as a platform for sales promotion of their silken products. The date for Thakurani Yatra was fixed by the yatra management committee at the house of Desi Behera, Chief of the Dera community here late last night. The district administration accorded final approval for the Yatra, Desi Behera P Durga Prasad said and sought the cooperattion of everybody.Buddhi Thakurani is considered as the daughter of the Desi Behera and the deity stays with her father's family during the entire Yatra period. The last biennial festival of Buddhi Thakurani was observed for 27 days in 2009 from April 8 to May 4.

Source: Newkerala.com

Dancing sensation Harinath Reddy from Berhampur wins national reality show

Harinath Reddy and his group from Berhampur, South Orissa were declared the winners of Colors TV's dance reality show 'Chak Dhoom Dhoom Team Challenge' with their stunning performance. The dance troupe beat Rohan and group from Mumbai, Rock On from Gujarat and AM Unit, in the show, which had participants from Delhi and Bhubaneshwar. The winners walked away with a trophy and cash prize of Rs.11 lakh. The performances of the group left the judges speechless.

Last year Harinath Reddy and Group participated in the Quarter Finals of India’s Got Talent on Colours TV along. Earlier they had won a dance reality show ‘Boogie Woogie’ in Sony TV.

Interestingly, Harinath is the elder brother of Krishna Mohan whose Prince Dance group won the first season of talent hunt show 'India's Got Talent'.

The show, hosted by Pravesh Rana, had Terence, Javed Jaffery and actress Urmila Matondkar as judges. The show previously had Mallika Sherawat as a judge but she was replaced by Urmila as the production house and the channel found it too hard to handle her tantrums.

Month long famous ‘Chaitra' fest begins at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

BERHAMPUR: Traditional Chaitra festival began at Tara Tarini hill shrine near Berhampur city, Ganjam district on Tuesday. Four Tuesdays of Hindu month of Chaitra are celebrated as a festival called ‘Tara Tarini Chaitra Jatra' at this hill shrine. Over a lakh devotees thronged to this hill shrine on the first Tuesday of Chaitra.

A new ghat road to the hill top was also opened for devotees. Apart from the road communication there is also a ropeway to the hilltop. But most of the devotees who visited the hill shrine on Tuesday preferred to trek to the hill top rather than opting for easier modes of travel. As per Pramod Panda, secretary of the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB), special buses have been arranged to transport devotees to the hill top, yet devotees including the aged, women and children preferred to climb 999 holy steep steps to reach the hill shrine. Around 95 per cent of the devotees preferred to climb to the hilltop. Flow of devotees continued from 4 a.m. when the gates of the temple were opened. It continued till evening. The TTDB authorities arranged medical facilities. A village fair also came up at the foot hill. Devotional cultural programmes continued at the hilltop and downhill.

This year, the almost complete new temple of this hill shrine attracted the visitors. According to TTDB authorities, the date for the ritualistic inauguration ceremony of the new temple would be decided a meeting to be held Thursday. Twelve senior Vedic pundits from all the nine traditional taluks of Ganjam district will attend the meeting.

Source: The Hindu