SOG training hub to come up in Koraput soon: DG

Odisha Police is on a public relation drive. After having persuaded members of Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh to quit the struggle and join the mainstream, its eye is on the villagers of Narayanpatna, the heartland of rebellion over land alienation.

On Thursday, Director General of Police Prakash Mishra led the exercise as police distributed sports kits, educational articles, TV and DTH connection among villagers at a meeting held in Narayanpatna.

Police said the sports items are meant to engage the youths constructively in the Maoist-hit areas while books and learning materials are aimed at motivating children to take to studies to keep them way from negative impacts of the Maoists’ activities.

What were the TV and Dish TV connection for? The exposure to media will enable the villagers from these backward areas to know that underdevelopment is the cause of Maoism.

Over 1000 inhabitants from 20 villagers attended the meeting attended by ADG (Intelligence) Abhay and Koraput SP Awinash Kumar.

Later talking to mediapersons, the DGP said an anti-extremist training school and a training hub for Special Operation Group will be established at Koraput soon. Land for the institutions has been identified near the railway station in the town. Of 19 districts affected by Maoism, 11 have already been brought under police control.

“Situation in Rayagada and Kandhamal is gradually improving. Maoist problem at Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Balangir and Bargarh districts is largely because of Left wing extremism in neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh,” the DGP asserted. Source : New Indian Express

Berhampur bids tearful adieu to daughter Goddess Budhi Thakurani; Famous Carnival of Thakurani Yatra comes to an end

Berhampur Thakurani Yatra News

Source: The Sambad

Chaitra Yatra concludes at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine, over 15 lakh pay obeisance

Marked by devotional celebrations and with the presence of lakhs of devotees the month long Chaitra Yatra at Tara Tarini Shakti Pith came to an end. The chanting of religious hymns in the spiritual ambiance of the Hill Shrine and the ritualistic worship of the devotees throughout the month charged the atmosphere with an exhilarating blend of spirituality.

So far as the Chaitra month is concerned, in India's national civil calendar it is the first month of the Hindu year. This month is also associated with the coming of spring season and therefore Holi, the spring festival of colours, is celebrated on the eve of Chaitra throughout the country. The first day of Chaitra is widely celebrated as Hindu New Year's Day in India (Varsha Pratipada), known as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Chaitrai Vishu or Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The Chaitra Yatra in the holy Chaitra month is celebrated at the ancient Tara Tarini hill shrine every year during the early spring season that falls in the month of March/April.

Chaitra Yatra 2013 commenced on the 27 March and concluded on April 27. Thousands of Sadhus, Sanyasins, Devi Sadhkas and devotees thronged the shrine for divine blessings of Maa Tara Tarini during this period.

Like the other Tuesdays of the month there was also heavy rush on the last and fourth Tuesday at the hill shrine. Darshan for the devotees started in the sanctum sanctorum after midnight Maha Arati at around 3.00 a.m and continued up to late evening. During the Maha Arati festival thousands of devotees were present at the shrine.

It is notable, that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of celebration at this shrine and devotees gather in lakhs to take a glimpse of Adi Shakti Maa Tara Tarini to get rid of their difficulties and to accomplish their worldly desires. On the fourth Tuesday devotees waited in long queues to take a glance of Maa throughout the day and offered prayers. On this occasion more than ten thousand kids tonsured their heads at the Shrine for a delightful life.

Tara Tarini Development Board arranged; Khichdi Prasad for lakhs of the pilgrims, special bus to reach the hill top shrine and made arrangements for special darshan, barbers for Mundan ceremony of the babies besides safe drinking water for the devotees.

As per the tradition like other Tuesdays thousands of families and groups cooked food as an offering to the goddesses in around 2 square k.m orchards of the foothill area after fulfillment of their desires and had a day of picnic at the Shrine.

Heavy police deployment was made by the district administration. Two IPS officers were in charge to control the law and order situation in and around the shrine. The administration also made wide arrangements to control traffic at the foot hill area during the month.

As per primary assessment over 10 lakh of devotees paid obeisance on Four Tuesdays of the Chaitra month and another 5 lakh pilgrims visited the Shrine during other days of the month.

This year the month long Chaitra Yatra at this Shakti Pith has passed off peacefully but it remained in news due to the death of 3 pilgrims.

The district administration, volunteers, social organizations, media (both electronic and print), Panchayat and local people extended their full support to Tara Tarini Development Board for peacefully arranging the Yatra during the whole month.

More than five lakh visited Tara Tarini Shakti Pith on Third Tuesday of Chaitra month

The Third Tuesday (April 16, 2013) of the Hindu month of Chaitra passed off peacefully at Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine near Berhampur in Odisha. More than five lakh devotees thronged this ancient Shakti shrine which is believed to have originated from the limbs of Mata Sati. Located on the banks of River Rushikulya, the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine draws people across the year, but the month of Chaitra and the Third Tuesday in particular witnesses the largest congregation of devotees. As per the age old practice, more than twenty thousand babies tonsured their heads during the day through ‘mundan’ and offer hairs seeking the blessings of the mother Goddesses for a blissful life.

The third Tuesday, considered the holiest in the annual calendar of events of the Hill Shrine, began with the chanting of traditional Mantras on the midnight of Monday.  The priests performed the rituals of Snana, Majana and Maha Arati of the Goddesses before the sanctum sanctorum of the Shrine was thrown open for the devotees. Thousands of devotees were seen standing in queues on the hilltop to have an early darshan of the goddesses. Many senior officials of the State government were present on the occasion including Shri V. Karthikeya Pandian, I.A.S and Secretary to Chief Minister of Odisha, the District Collector of Ganjam Shri Krishan Kumar and the Superintendent of Police of the District, officials of the local administration, office bearers of TTDB and Tara Tarini temple administration were also present on the occasion. 

The Third Tuesday of Chaitra which saw a footfall of more than 5 lakh people passed off peacefully. The entire Hill Shrine and its surrounding areas including the Rushikulya riverbank was chockablock from the wee hours till late evening. Devotees waited in long queues and dared late-afternoon drizzle to offer prayers at the temple on the hill-top and participate in the Chaitra Mela, one of the biggest religious fairs in the country. On this occasion, more than 10,000 groups were seen cooking in the surrounding locations and had a day of picnic at the Shrine. TTDB also arranged Khichdi Prasad of Maa Tara Tarini besides safe drinking water was distributed to the devotees.

Like the earlier occasions, heavy police deployment was made by the local administration to avert any untoward incident and control the large number of people gathered for the fair. The district administration also made arrangements to control traffic in and around the shrine. Police beat houses and temporary health centers were set up near the foot hill bus stop and at the Lions’ Gate of the shrine. Six special buses were pressed into service to help the devotees reach the hill top. Arrangements were also made for special Darshan of Maa on the hill shrine and more than 8,000 devotees queued up for special darshan on the hilltop.  

Three lacs of devotees throng Tara Tarini Shakti Pitha

Night-long dharna over weightlifting hostel shifting from Berhampur to Bhubaneswar

Many persons of Berhampur city staged a dharna in front of the Berhampur stadium on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday to prevent shifting of equipment from the girls' sports hostel for weightlifting. The government recently decided to shift the hostel from Berhampur to Bhubaneswar. On March 13, sports persons staged a rally protesting against the government's move and submitted a memorandum to chief minister Naveen Patnaik through revenue divisional commissioner.

"As soon as we get information about the arrival of the truck to take away the equipment, we came to the Berhampur stadium and detained the truck," said BJP's town unit President Ram Kumar Patra. He along with several others staged dharna throughout the night in front of the stadium gate.

"The government has decided to establish a weightlifting academy at Gopalpur. The district administration has identified sx acres of land for the proposed academy," said district collector Krishan Kumar.

Comments (Times of India)

Anju (India)

Naveen Patnaik has in actuality gone mad. this government has done nothing for Berhampur region and now they are taking away one after another institutions of the city to the state capital. now the devil's face of this mad CM has come to the fore and in the forth coming election we will give fitting reply to BJD government and Naveen Patnaik

Odisha (Berhampur, Odisha) replies to anju

No doubt Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has gone mad but question is what the local leaders are doing? Why not the MP, MLA and Mayor of Berhampur protesting against this decision? Why not the leaders of BJD protesting against this decision? Opposition parties like BJP and Congress and the media should also protest against this anti Berhampur decision of the government.

vikas (Koraput)

Rightly said sir. Only a separate state will change the fate of this region. We want 'Kalinga State'

Naveen patnaik's foolish decisions (Delhi)

Naveen Patnaik led BJD govt. ditched the people of Berhampur and South Odisha many times. the recent incident shows the step-motherly attitude of the BJD govt towards Berhampur. now i realize why some people have been demanding a separate Kalinga Pradesh consisting ten districts of south Odisha..........if the govt will not change its decisions than a separate state for South Odisha (the erstwhile kalinga) is inevitable ....only a a separate state will change the condition of south Odisha..............

Ashok (India)

BJD Govt has gone mad for the development of Bhubaneswar at the cost of other cities of the State..

SURYA PRASAD (Bangalore)

bad..

Lakhs of devotees visited Maa Tara Tarini on first Tuesday of Chaitra

Thousands of devotees from far off places in the state and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh thronged Tara Tarini temple, about 35 km from Berhampur city, on the occasion of first Tuesday of Chaitra Mela on April 02, 2013.

Braving the scorching heat, they climbed the 999 steps of the 17{+t}{+h} century temple, on the banks of river Rushikulya, to tonsure the head of their children. Devotees offer hair to the deity, as a part of age-old tradition, on every Tuesday during the month of Chaitra. "I work in Delhi and have come all the way to get my child's head tonsured here," said Deepak Sahu, a software engineer. Even though a road has been laid till the temple, most devotees prefer climbing the steps for 'darshan'.

"The district administration and the temple administration have made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of visitors," said secretary of Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) Pramod Kumar Panda. Water is being provided on the way to the temple along with healthcare facilities. At least 500 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order. "No untoward incident has been reported till now," said SDPO (Chhatrapur) A Ch Pahi.

The authorities charge Rs 20 for 'Mundan' (close shaving) on the temple premises and only Re 1 for 'darshan', though special darshan costs Rs 50 per head, sources said.

Volunteers have been engaged to make the drive against polythene on the temple premises successful. They have been asked to convince the devotees not to throw polythene on the premises. RDC (southern division) Bikash Mohapatra had stressed making the shrine a polythene-free zone at the preparatory meeting for the festival. Source: Times of India

TTDB welcomes the devotees to the Chaitra Yatra at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

Preparatory meeting held for Chaitra Yatra at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

As part of the preparations for the upcoming Chaitra Yatra at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine in Odisha, the District Collector of Ganjam and Vice Chairman of the Tara Tarini Development Board Dr. Krishan Kumar called a special meeting at the Conference Hall of the Collectorate in Chhatrapur on March 19, 2013. Notable, that the month long Chaitra festival at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine, believed to be the Breast Shrine of Adi Shakti, has a special significance in the annual calendar of events of the Hill Shrine. This year the Chaitra Yatra will start on the first Tuesday from April 02. As per the English calendar the Second, Third and Fourth Tuesdays which are the most auspicious days during the Chaitra month falls on 09th, 16th and 23rd April respectively.  As per the trends witnessed in the previous years, lakhs of devotees are expected to gather during the whole month. Especially on each of the four Tuesdays, considered most auspicious at the Hill Shrine, around 5-6 lakhs of devotees gather at the shrine. Taking the huge gathering into consideration and for peaceful management of the Chaitra yatra, the meeting discussed all aspects relating to the management of the Yatra.  Chairman of the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) and Revenue Divisional Commissioner Southern Odisha Shri Bikash Chandra Mahapatra presided over the meeting.   Reviewing the preparations made by the district administration he sought the help of all to make the holy Shrine a polythene free destination during the yatra period. He instructed the district administration and the Development Board to strictly implement this decision from April 01.  Ganjam district collector Dr. Krishan Kumar reviewed the law and order, water supply, transportation, parking and sanitation arrangements in and around the holy shrine.  He informed that taking the huge gathering into consideration 10 more temporary lavatory complexes will come up on the hill top. Drinking water will be provided to the people both on the hill top and on the foot hill of the shrine and for that the administration will arrange adequate number of water tankers on the foot hill area, he said. The collector also informed that the administration will take all necessary steps to provide uninterrupted power supply to the shrine from each Monday midnight to Tuesday midnight during the whole month. He said the chief district Medical officer will open health camps and look into the food quality on the road side eateries in and around the shrine area.  The Collector informed that akin to the practice of previous years, facility for Special Darshan at the shrine and special buses to the hilltop will be arranged for the benefit of the devotees. Huge police deployment will be made on all Tuesdays of the month for the maintenance of law and order and traffic management in and around the hill shrine. He said that clean water will be released on every yatra day from the reservoir to the holy Rushikulya River on the foot hill for bathing purpose of the devotees. It is noteworthy that the modernization work of the Ropeway to the hill top by the USHA BRECO Company, Ghaziabad, is currently underway. The district collector has given instructions to the company to make it ready by the first week of April for quicker and hassle free transportation of devotees.    Among others, Chhatrapur sub-collector, District Culture officer, BDO Purushottampur, Tahasildar Purushottampur, TTDB Secretary Pramod Kumar Panda, Executive officer MBK Rao, District Superintendent of Police other officials and TTDB office bearers were present on the occasion. Preparations in full swing for Chaitra Jatra BERHAMPUR, March 24, 2013: Preparations were in full swing for the annual Chaitra Jatra festival at Tara Tarini hill shrine in Ganjam district................... All set for Tara Tarini Mela Bhubaneswar: 23/March/2013: Kishan Kumar has asked the officials to get in readiness for the upcoming Chaitra Yatra at Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine in Odisha, This is the Holiest shrine ................................ Preparatory meeting held for Chaitra Yatra at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine Report by OdishaDiary bureau, Berhampur: As part of the preparations for the upcoming Chaitra Yatra at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine in Odisha, the District Collector of Ganjam and Vice Chairman of the Tara Tarini Development Board Dr. Krishan Kumar called a special meeting

Record hair collection expected at Tara Tarini Shrine in Odisha

Famous Tara Tarini temple in Ganjam district of Odisha is expected to earn around Rs 3.88 lakh by selling hair offered to its deities this year. "About a dozen organisations took part in the auction last week and a group from Andhra Pradesh bid the highest", said an officer of the temple administration. The highest bidding during auction of hair last year was Rs 3.42 lakh, he said.

Hundreds of people climb the 999 steps to this centuries old shrine atop Dahibandi near Purushottampur; about 35 km from here, to get the heads of their children tonsured every Tuesday in the month of Chaitra. "There has been a rise in the number of bidders," said secretary of the Tara Tarini Shrine Development Board (TTSDB), Pramod Kumar Panda.

The hair collected from the temple is processed and exported to the US, the UK, France, Germany and Hongkong. The hair is either made into wigs or used for extensions. The short strands serve as raw material for cosmetic products, sources said.

Around 90 per cent of the total collection of hair comes in Chaitra. "The organisation engages several people to collect hair every Tuesday during this month. On other days, a single person is given charge of collecting the hair", said revenue inspector of Tara Tarini, L N Panda. They will be deployed on the temple premises from April 1, he added.

The temple is also going environment-friendly by banning plastic on its premises. In a recent meeting, the TTDB took the decision to make its premises free of polythene and stressed the strict implementation of the decision.

The meeting, held under the chairmanship of revenue divisional commissioner (southern range) Bikash Mohapatra, also discussed plans for the smooth conduct of the Chaitra festival at the temple beginning April 2. Lakhs of devotees are expected to visit the temple every Tuesday during Chaitra.

Some of the Comments on the Times of India

jnm22 (Puri)

It is a Good scheme to improve the Cash Flow of the temple Administration. I think the temple Admin is following the Tirupati Model.

Syed Yousuf (Kuwait)

Hinduism does not promote idol worship/worshipping demi gods infact it rejects it. Shvetashvatara Upanishad Chapter 4 Verse 19 says "Na tasyapati na asti" (For God there is no pratima, no image, no picture, and no statue) and Yajur Veda Chapter 40 Verse 9 says "Andhatm pravishanti ya aashambhuti upaste" (Those are entering in darkness who worships the natural things (like-fire, water, air etc.) & those are entering in more darkness who worships the shumbuti (created things like statue,table, chair etc.) But unfortunately the common hindu majority of whom neither read these scriptures nor follow them blindly worship what not idols, snake, monkey, Shiv Ling etc., etc.,. I sincrely request all Hindus to read their scriptures with understanding and am sure you will find the Truth.

kamal (Delhi) replies to Syed Yousuf

The Hinduism also says that the God or the Supreme Being is present in every particle and object of this universe. So whats the problem in worshiping an image.............if the Supreme Being is present in that image. U r a new comer in the world of Hinduism...........so, go deep, u will understand what Hinduism really is .........

kamal (New Delhi)

The Tara Tarini Hill Shrine in Ganjam, Odisha is also going environment-friendly by banning plastic on its premises this year. The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) took the decision to make its premises free of polythene. Its a great idea. The authorities of this shrine always took environmental friendly decisions. In the recent past, in collaboration with TATA the TTDB has decided to plant thousands of trees for the betterment of the environment. A major SOLAR LIGHT project is also being implemented in this shrine in collaboration with the Central Government. Really you are doing a good work. Others must imitate these steps taken by the Shrine. I congratulate the authorities of Maa Tara Tarini holy shrine for these environment friendly moves.

DP Mohanty (Bangalore)

Hairs after auction are exported to western countries....

Dev (Australia)

its a good idea. Shows the temple authorities are proactive.. and trying to improve their lot. funds are always needed in temple. Rather than always asking for cash donation, they should try various such methods.

Neeraj (UAE)

Its very good business

Odisha government’s move to shift women weightlifters’ hostel in Berhampur opposed

The proposed shifting of sports hostel for girls of weightlifting from Berhampur to Bhubaneswar has been opposed by Ganjam District Sports Lovers’ Association (GDSLA).

Cradle of weightlifting

Berhampur is considered cradle of weightlifting especially women weightlifting in the State. It has produced several national-level women weightlifters.

Speaking during a press meet called up in the city on Monday, GDSLA president Kishor Patra said that the sports hostel or training centre for girls interested in weightlifting was opened on the campus of Berhampur stadium in July 2012. “Efforts of Berhampur MLA R.C.C. Patnaik and promise of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during felicitation ceremony of Commonwealth Games gold medal winner K. Ravi Kumar had led to establishment of the centre,” said Mr. Patra. Twelve girls were staying in this weightlifting sports hostel for girls. Former weightlifter and member of GDSLA Kaviraj Gouda said it was an irony that the centre was being shifted to Bhubaneswar while the government claimed that every effort was being made for promotion of weightlifting in the city. It may be noted that Berhampur has produced several international weightlifters, including two Arjun award winners -- Ravi Kumar and Bijay Kumar Satpathy. A sports hostel for boys of weightlifting continues on Berhampur stadium campus.

Academy promised

As per the sports lovers, the State government has announced to promote weightlifting in the region through proposal for establishment of a weightlifting academy at Gopalpur. A sum of Rs. 2 crore was sanctioned for the purpose, Mr. Gouda said. “If there was lack of infrastructure at Berhampur stadum, the authorities could have improved infrastructure rather than shifting the sports hostel for women weightlifters from the city,” Mr Patra said.

Public awareness

To create public awareness about this issue, the GDSLA has decided to hold a rally  in the city. It will also send a memorandum to the State government regarding the matter on that day. Source: The Hindu

Rayagada-Gopalpur railway line: A profitable project shown red signal

The Railway Ministry’s penchant for slighting Odisha is not new. Despite tall claims that the Railway Budget has been fair to the State, what fails to betray the step-motherly attitude of the Centre is its complete ignorance to projects that could actually boost the economic activity in the State and benefit the Railways.

A case in the point is the Rayagada-Gopalpur Broad Gauge line which has been completely ignored by the Railway Ministry in this year’s Budget. The 258-km project was estimated at a total cost of Rs 1,392 crore and the Planning Commission had given its “in principle” approval in June last year.

But the Railway Budget has not made any allocation for the project at all. The line that passes through Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada would have played a significant role in development of the Naxal-affected areas and suited the interest of the Odisha Government, but it too failed to make a projection in its demands.

Currently, 21 surveys for new projects are going on and in addition, four new surveys have been included in this Budget for the coming year. But why the lucrative project, with an estimated Rate of Return (RoR) of more than 15 per cent, has been completely glossed over has surprised all.

“In general, Railways consider projects profitable which have RoR of more than 14 per cent. A project with 15 per cent RoR is called a Coffee Table Line and the Rayagada-Gopalpur Broad Gauge was one such project. It is baffling why it was ignored,” said top sources in the East Coast Railway (ECoR).

According to the Reconnaissance Engineering-cum-Traffic (RET) Survey, the line mainly passes through Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam and also Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. It also touches the Gunupur station of Naupada-Gunupur line connecting existing Gunupur station to Rayagada-Vizianagaram line.

Since Gopalpur Port is seen as a major source of traffic, the survey had projected that a huge traffic of about 49.5 million tonne is likely to traverse over this proposed new line once it is commissioned.

It did not take into account the outward traffic of 7.4 million tonne of thermal coal from Gopalpur Port as the destinations are closer to Ib Coal Reserve.

The average cost for the route was projected at Rs 6.24 crore while average cost for the track per km was estimated at Rs  5.79 crore. With 52 major and 350 minor bridges, the project would require 800 hectare land. Its gestation period was projected at seven years with an RoR of 15.04 per cent.

Source: New Indian Express

Go Gopalpur: Tranquility-on-sea by Jaideep Deo Bhanj

Looking for the perfect weekend getaway? Jaideep Deo Bhanj visits Gopalpur-on-Sea to find that it’s not just a sleepy fishing town

Gopalpur-on-Sea is the kind of a place you would rather not tell people about. Once the word spreads, after all, the sound of the ocean may be drowned by noisy tourists. The endless expanse of soft, golden sand, calm waters and a beach without litter is paradise for those used to the din, garbage and stench of the beaches in Vizag.

While taking a walk on the beach at sunrise you find that the only company you have are the fishermen bringing home the catch of the day. Strike a conversation and he will sell you the freshest ingredients for your lunch or may even offer to take you for a ride in his boat. Bob around in the blue waters all day, chase crabs, build a sandcastle or just enjoy the calm. Gopalpur-on-Sea is the perfect weekend getaway from the city.

Gopalpur was a bustling port when the East India Company was trading with Burma. It has since become a sleepy fishing village.

The promenade has a line of tiny hotels catering to the budget traveller. The biggest attraction apart from the beach is the quaint lighthouse on one end of the beach. It was set up in 1871 and has an Enid Blyton feel to it. At night the light shines every five seconds, which gives the place a unique glow.

Heritage

The town became famous as a tourist destination when a young Italian, Signor Maglioni from Sicily, established the Palm Beach in 1914. In Gopalpur’s glory days between the two World Wars, rich Bengali families, British traders and soldiers frequented Maglioni’s hotel. In 1947, Rai bahadur M.S Oberoi, on a chance visit to what had again become a fishing village, bought the hotel. He renamed it ‘Oberoi Palm Beach’ and opened its doors to the who’s who of the country. By 2002 the Oberoi group shut down the hotel as it had become quite dilapidated.

Today the Mayfair group owns this historic property. It was renovated and reopened in December as The Mayfair Palm Beach Resort. The hotel has managed to preserve the heritage of Gopalpur-on-Sea and may revive the town’s reputation as a luxury destination.

Beach festival

Every year between December 24 and 28 a beach festival is organized. The weather is perfect at the time and as the festival coincides with the holiday season it attracts a number of tourists from West Bengal. Every Sunday there is also a cultural programme organized on the beach.

Gopalpur is an hour’s drive from Chilka Lake, which is visited by thousands of migratory birds every year. An early boat ride in the lake in the winter is a nature lover’s dream come true. You can spot Irrawady dolphins swimming along with your boat if you are lucky. Taptapani, a hot water spring famous for its medicinal qualities is another attraction that is a hot favourite with the locals. The Rushikulya Rookery located 45 minutes away is known for the endangered Oliver Ridley turtles that come here to lay eggs every year. Visitors can even take a boat ride and see the turtles mating in the water. Trips to see the migratory birds and turtles need to be planned well as you can see them only in season. But the birds and the turtles all do come back every year. They can’t be wrong, can they?

Places to stay

The 99-year-old resort now known as the Mayfair Palm Beach Resort, with its suites and plunge pools, is what put Gopalpur on the map. The Swosti Palm resort is a mid-range hotel popular for its sea food. There is also the OTDC Panhanivas to suit every budget.

Getting there

It is advisable for people from Vizag to drive down in a taxi or their private cars as the NH 5 is an excellent road. Also, trips to Chilka and other surrounding areas are easier with your own vehicle. Take the NH 5 towards Berhampur. Look out for a turn to your right after crossing Ichhapuram. It is 10.5 km from the highway. If you are attentive, you won’t miss the turning. Berhampur is the nearest railway station 16 km away.

Season

October-April is the best time to visit as the summers are hot and sultry. December-January is the best time for spotting migratory birds.

Source: The Hindu

Rail Budget leaves Berhampur and South Odisha deeply disappointed

Tampara lake to be developed as major eco-tourism destination

• Rs. 40 crore will be spent under master plan, says official 
• Tourism department and district administration planning to hold summer cultural festival
• There will be a floating restaurant and house boats under the master plan, says official

Tampara lake, a large water body near Chatrapur in Ganjam district, will be developed as a major eco-tourism destination of Odisha through a mega tourism project. Natural beauty of this water body adjacent to the Bay of Bengal as well as its water sports potential would be tapped for the purpose. Ganjam District Culture and Tourism Officer Krushna Chandra Nishank said around Rs. 40 crore would be spent to develop this tourist destination. According to him, first phase work on this project had already started with sanction of Rs.1.1 crore. Mr Nishank said funds for development of Tampara lake as a major tourist destination would be available through projects of destination tourism, silk route tourism, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project etc. He said there would be no dearth of funds for it. Development of this eco-tourism destination would also add to the livelihood prospects of fishermen families living in the area. These plans provide hope that the scenic and tranquil Tampara would soon bustle with tourists. Tourism department and district administration are also planning to hold a summer cultural festival at this destination. Tampara lake is around 5.8 km long and 670 metre wide. For the past few years this water body is being used for water sports and boating.

As part of the development plans facilities like parking, public conveniences, eco-parks, jetties, tents and cottages will be added up as infrastructure to this spot of natural beauty. The master plan of the project would also have scope for floating restaurant and house boats, said Mr Nishank. Apart from the large water body Tampara area also includes a virgin beach, lush green forest. This can be easily used as natural trekking zone for tourists. According to officials sources, tourists still do reach out to Tampara but their number is low. During past few years average tourist flow to Tampara was over 25,000 per year. It is hoped that once it is developed under the new project it will attract at least one lakh nature loving tourists every year.

Source: The Hindu

Indian Coast Guard Station at Gopalpur commissioned

Indian Coast Guard Station (ICGS) Gopalpur, was commissioned on Tuesday. This ICGS was formally commissioned by the chief secretary of Odisha Bijay Kumar Patnaik at a function organised on ICGS campus at Chatrapur. Commandant of Army Air Defence College (AADC) Gopalpur, Lt Gen. V.K.Saxena, Commander Coast Guard Region (North- East) K.C.Pande and senior officers of administration, Army and Indian Navy attended this function. "The new CG station will definitely play a major role in coastal security as several port projects have been planned along the Odisha coast," Patnaik said. "The station will act as a hub for coastal security operations in the sea off Gopalpur and along South Odisha coast," said Pande. "The station will coordinate with different departments of the state government like fisheries, forest, police and district administration, Gopalpur port authorities and local fisherfolks to augment coastal surveillance security network along the Odisha coast," he added. The station at Gopalpur is assigned with the responsibility of coordination of various maritime operations like anti-poaching operation, search and rescue and pollution response (to give protection to Olive Ridley turtles), Pande added.

Commissioning of the Indian Coast Guard Station Gopalpur in Ganjam district (OdishaReporter.in)

The ICGS, Gopalpur would function under the administrative and operational control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (NE), Kolkata through the Commander Coast Guard District Headquarters-7 located at Paradeep. Commandant Ramendra Rajkamal has been appointed as the Commanding Officer of the station. This new Coast Guard station would enhance security of eastern coast as it is located between the ICGS at Paradeep and Visakhapatnam. The new station is part of ongoing efforts of Indian Coast Guard to strengthen maritime and coastal security and the assets based at Gopalpur. It would augment patrolling along the south Odisha coast for safeguarding Indian maritime interests.

It may be noted that Goplapur port which is being transformed into an all weather major port of Odisha would open up for cargo traffic in near future. Addressing during the commissioning ceremony, the chief secretary Mr Patnaik lauded efforts of the Indian Coast Guard in maintaining a high state of vigil off the Odisha coast. According to him, opening of a second ICGS on Odisha coast hinted at rapid development of the State. Development had boomed in the western coast during last century and it was now time for the eastern coast to rise to the tunes of development, he added.

Source: The Hindu, Times of India

Seminar held in Gopalpur to promote beach tourism

Gopalpur-on-Sea (Berhampur)

Good road connectivity, cleanliness of beaches, proper lighting, pollution control and security are key to a tourism boost in the beach towns of the state, most of the speakers at a seminar held on Tuesday here said. They added that the role of local people and hoteliers was also important. "Barring a few ones, most of the beaches in the state lack these basic amenities," president of the Beach Protection Council of Odisah (BPCO) Jagannath Bastia said. There are 26 beaches on the 482-km long Odisha coast, he added. The seminar on development of beach tourism was organized by the BPC0 in association with the department of tourism and culture of the state government. Gopalpur MLA Pradip Panigahi, however, said the government had taken several steps for the development of beach tourism, particularly at Gopalpur beach. Besides holding the beach festivals, the district administration had started holding culture programmes on every Sunday to attract tourists. He also stressed on the cooperation of hoteliers and local fishermen for development of tourism at Gopalpur. District tourist officer K C Nishonk said the administration had proposed to bring folk dance groups from Kerala, Rajasthan, Manipur and Karnataka to the sea beach town to perform on Sunday evenings. This apart, the state government has sanctioned around Rs 36 lakh for beach cleaning, the tourist officer added. Ganjam district hotel association president Uma Shankar Panigrahi, however, pointed out there was no bus communication between Berhampur to Gopalpur. "Even though the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) promised a bus service some years ago, it has not turned into reality," Panigrahi added.

Source: Times of India

Source: The Sambad

Railway Budget 2013-14; Odisha gets a raw deal while Berhampur ignored once again

• Union Railway Min Pawan Bansal announces new wagon factory at Sitalapali in Ganjam (However, sanctions a meager Rs 1 crore for the project like the previous year)
• Rs 2.84 crore sanctioned for an additional platform at Berhampur Railway Station
• Two Railway over-bridge projects in Berhampur get additional funding

Trains for Berhampur

• Howrah – Chennai AC Express (Bi-weekly)
• Kamakhya (Guwahati) – Bangalore AC Express (Weekly)
• Tirupati – Bhubaneswar Express (Weekly) Via Visakhapatnam
• Bhubaneswar –Bhawanipatna- Junagarh Express

Second ISKCON Temple in Berhampur city

To know more about the ISKCON temple at Berhampur and for contributions Click Here.

Rajya Sabha member pitches for rail wagon factory in Ganjam

BJD leader and Rajya Sabha member Renubala Pradhan has urged the railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal to expedite construction of proposed railway wagon factory at Sitalapalli in Ganjam district and make budgetary provisions for Gopalpur-Rayagada and Berhampur-Sambalpur new railway lines. The Planning Commission had accorded 'in principle' approval of the ministry's proposal for laying 258-km Gopalpur-Rayagada railway line in June last year at an estimated cost of Rs 1,392.32 crore, she said. "The railway line assumes significance as a number of industries are coming up in Rayagada while a mega port is being constructed at Gopalpur and a satellite port of the Paradip Port Limited is proposed at Bahuda near Gopalpur. Moreover, Gopalpur is a famous tourist town and draws tourists throughout the year. The new track will also pass through Maoist-hit areas of Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Rayagada districts," she said in the memorandum to the railway minister. Similarly, the railway minister had announced to set up the railway wagon factory at Sitalapalli in the 2011-12 railway budget. In the last budget around Rs 1 crore was allotted for it. The government has also identified around 100 acre at Sitalapalli, about 20 km from here, she said.

Source: Times of India

Historic Jaugada rock edict relics near Berhampur city wallow in govt. apathy

The special Ashoka Rock Edict at Jaugada of Ganjam District in Odisha 

At a time the state government busy conducting the International Buddhism conference in Udayagiri, a famous spot in Ganjam district is lying neglected.

The Asokan rock edict at Jaugada near Purushottampur, around 35 km from here, which dates back to 260 BC, has the emperor's directive to Mauryan officers inscribed on it, including the famous declaration "all men are my children".

Photograph of the hillside with
 the rock-cut Asoka inscriptions at Jaugada, Ganjam District,
 taken by Joseph David Beglar in 1874-76.

The rock edicts also contain the famous Asokan doctrine that "conquest through love is greater than conquest by sword". The inscription is in Prakrit and the script is written in Bramhi, historians said. The inscription is engraved on three different tables on the vertical face of a rock in an old fort, near the bank of river Rushikulya.

"Though it is an important monument from the historical perspective, the spot is in a very sorry state because of lack of attention of the authorities. The alphabets are almost defaced and nearing oblivion," said Shishir Kumar Panda, a retired history professor of Berhampur University. He added that while some portions have been disfigured, other things have been smuggled out. Source: ToI 

JSPL eyes 49% stake in Gopalpur port

Jindal Steel & Power Ltd ( JSPL) is keen to acquire 49% stake in Gopalpur Port Ltd (GPL), which is currently engaged in developing the seasonal port at the beach town in south Odisha’s Ganjam district into an all-weather port. This is the second investment proposal of JSPL in port sector in Odisha as the company is vying to set up a captive port Bahuda Muhan also in Ganjam district. “After we pick up stake in GPL, we will have the first right of refusal for developing a port at Bahuda Muhan as the site is within 50 km radius of the Gopalpur port”, said a JSPL official.

JSPL had evinced interest in acquiring stake in GPL after exit of one its original promoters, the Hong-Kong based Noble Group in May 2010. GPL was floated as a consortium of three partners with the other two companies being Odisha Stevedores Ltd (OSL) and Delhi-based Sara International Ltd (SIL). The port's total capacity was envisaged at 54 million tonne per annum (mtpa) and it was to be developed at a cost of Rs 3,500 crore. “Since the original promoters have to retain at least 51% equity as per the terms of the concession agreement, we are ready to pick up the residual 49% stake. The promoters are okay with our entry into the SPV. But, we are waiting for the state government to respond. As per Rules of Business, any change in the shareholding pattern for the port has to be approved by the government”, said the JSPL official.

Charchit Mishra, director, OSL said, “JSPL has evinced interest to pick up stake in GPL but no final decision has been taken yet. As regards the government's employment clause, there are no issues since we have agreed to it. The port's second phase expansion is expected to begin from March this year.” Phase-I of GPL, which involved anchorage port operations, started in January 2007 but PHase-II construction work was yet to begin. The Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) had granted environment clearance for the project on March 30 this year. Land measuring 393.67 acres has already been leased out in favour of GPL and 120.16 acres was under the possession of the port authorities. Steps are also afoot to lease out additional 140.2 acres of land for the port. GPL has already claimed to have achieved financial closure of Rs 1,400 crore for the first stage of Phase-II of the deep sea port, with the signing of loan agreement with a consortium of 11 banks.

For the proposed captive port at Bahuda Muhan in Ganjam, JSPL has already given a presentation to the state government regarding its plan. The port involves a capital cost of Rs 1424.4 crore while the operational cost of running the port would be to the tune of Rs 152 crore per annum. The captive port is expected to handle Capesize vessels (150,000 dead weight tonnage) for coal and coke and Handymax vessels (50,000 dead weigh tonnage-dwt) for general cargo. Phase-I of JSPL's captive port is scheduled to be operational by 2017.

Source: Business Standard