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Monday, 25 March 2013
Preparatory meeting held for Chaitra Yatra at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine
Friday, 22 March 2013
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
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
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).
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.
Friday, 8 March 2013
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
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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
Thursday, 28 February 2013
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.
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Commissioning of the Indian Coast Guard Station Gopalpur in Ganjam district (OdishaReporter.in)
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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
+Odisha.jpg) |
| 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
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| 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
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
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Monday, 11 February 2013
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
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The special Ashoka Rock Edict at Jaugada of Ganjam District in Odisha
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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".
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| 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
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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
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Beach cleaning system for Gopalpur-on-Sea
The
state government has decided to introduce integrated beach cleaning (IBC)
system at Gopalpur-on-Sea and its nearby tourist spots such as PatiSonepur and
Dhabaleswara. The tourism department has sanctioned around Rs 30 lakh for it, a
tourism officer said.
The
tender will be floated for this purpose very soon, said Ganjam district culture
officer and in-charge tourist officer K C Nishank. A separate tender will also
be floated for the cleanliness drive at Tampara, another tourist spot near Chhatrapur,
sources said.
At
present, the Gopalpur beach is cleaned by Gopalpur NAC, which has limited
resources. But Pati Sonepur, Dhabaleswar and Tampara tourist places are not
cleaned at all though a large number of tourists visit the area. "Many
tourists, particularly foreigners, will flock to the tourist resorts if the
beaches are cleaned. Beach tourism will get a boost then," said MLA
(Gopalpur) Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi. Under the new beach cleaning initiative,
the contractor has to engage sweepers to clean the beach manually. "No
machines will be used as these will destroy the fragile eco-system of the
beach," he added.
It
was also decided that a committee of local people will be formed to ensure that
complete cleanness is maintained. "The committee will supervise and advise
the contractors, if they find any lacunae," said a tourist officer.
The
district administration has also planning to impose the ban on use of polythene
bags on Gopalpur beach. "We will ask the NAC of Gopalpur to strictly
implement the polythene ban on the beach," said a government officer. Source: ToI
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Interesting Articles/Blogs/Travelogues on Berhampur
Berhampur: Sour,Sweet and smooth as Silk! By Sourav Panda (thebrokenscooter.com)- From Berhampur to Brahmapur! (svcberhampur.blogspot.in)
- Drifting Into a Side-Stream! By Hendrik Erasmus
- Gopalpur-on-Sea: An unforgettable memory; By Sugata Sen
- Kashmir of Orissa - Daringbari (avik-besttraveldestinations.blogspot.in)
- Weekend Drive to Ganjam; ByPriyadarshini Sur (www.boloji.com)
- Kolakata to Gopalpur-on-Sea : a Long Weekend; By DriveTrain BHPian (http://www.team-bhp.com)
Friday, 11 January 2013
Odisha CM writes to PM and Railway Minister seeking National Project status for Berhampur-Sambalpur (via Phulbani) and Gopalpur-Rayagada railway lines; demands speedy implementation of railway wagon factory in Ganjam
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| Berhampur Railway Station, Odisha |
Demanding justice and proper share to Odisha in the 2013-2014 Railway budget, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written a letter to the Prime Minister mentioning the needs of the State in view of investment flow, economic growth and industrialisation. Pointing at the apathetic attitude of the Rail Ministry in spite of huge revenue collection from Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has said that 'the railway route length and all rail density in the state is much below the national average as also substantially lower than that in neighbouring States. In contrast, the gross earnings from various stations in the State of Odisha is estimated to be in excess of 14000 Crore during the year 2012-2013.' Chief Minister has requested the Prime Minister of India, in his letter, to ensure allocation of sizeable part of the revenues generated from Odisha within the State to strengthen and expand rail network.
Citing that the State needs to look for new virgin areas for development and industrialisation as many of the present industrial clusters have attained a stage of saturation in terms of availability of land, water and, also, due to environmental concerns, Naveen has demanded speedy execution of projects such as, Bhadrachalam Road – Talcher Rail Link via Malkangiri, Jeypore, Lanjigarh; Berhampur- Sambalpur new Rail Link via Phulbani; Rayagada – Gopalpur Rail Link via Bhismagiri. Requesting the PM to advise the Ministry of Railways to execute these projects on priority basis, Naveen has also urged that these projects should be treated as “National Projects”. The Chief Minister has demanded the Prime Minister in his letter to expedite the setting up of the Wagon Factory at Sitalapali in Ganjam which was declared in Budget for the year 2011-12 and also take steps to establish a railway apprentice training centre in the backward KBK region to support the skills development and increase employability of the people of this region.
Alleging that the union ministry has bypassed Odisha while implementing ambitious projects like the dedicated freight corridor aligned with mega industrial hubs, national road expressways and high speed train projects, Naveen has demanded that the eastern dedicated freight corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni should be extended to Vishakhapatnamso as to ensure seamless movement of freight between the ports and the vast northern and central hinterlands of the country. On poor or no rail network in the backward regions of Odisha, the Chief Minister said that lack of infrastructure has been one of the major reasons of impeding socio-economic growth of this region. Mentioning that expansion of rail network in these areas would help minimising the impact of left wing extremism, Naveen adds in his letter to the Prime Minister that ‘delivering rail services in the naxal affected regions is one of the best means to channelise development therein and provide counter active force.’
Source: Hotnhitnews.com & Orissa Diary
Devotees throng gurudwara to view rare editions of Guru Granth Sahib in Berhampur
Three rare and antique versions of Guru Granth Sahib, which
are on a tour round the country, were put on display at Gurudwara Singh Sabha
premises in the city. Devotees of Sikh community and others of the city
thronged the Gurudwara to see these rare Guru Granth Sahib editions and to pay
their respect to the most revered scripture of Sikhism.
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| Devotees paying respect to the Guru Granth Sahib in Berhampur |
The team carrying the three rare versions of Guru Granth
Sahib reached Jagannathpur on the outskirts of the city at around 11 a.m. Berhampur
Gurudwara Singh Sabha and Sikhs of the city welcomed them there. Then they were
taken in a ‘nagar sankirtan’ to the Gurudwara in the city, where the Guru
Granth Sahib editions were put on display.
These books are currently on a tour round the country to
provide common mass and Sikhs an opportunity to see and learn from the history
of Sikh religion and scriptures. This journey had started from Gurdwara Maithan
Sahib in Agra on January 21, 2012.
According to the members of Gurudwara Singh Sabha of
Berhampur, the three rare displays included a 100-year-old Guru Granth Sahib
which was only one inch in size although it contained 1,430 ang or pages, a
225-year-old Guru Granth Sahib prepared by two Muslim brothers of Lahore and a
275-year-old hand written version of the revered scripture.
These books are currently on a nationwide tour to provide
common mass and Sikhs an opportunity to see and learn from the history of Sikh
religion and scriptures
Saturday, 5 January 2013
Bad roads keep tourists away from Koraput in South Odisha
Deplorable
roads have put brakes on inflow of tourists to Koraput district of South Odisha
that has wowed visitors with its pristine ambience and pleasant weather.
"Bad
roads keep tourists away from Koraput, except for Gupteswar, which is a big
draw. It is sad because roads in Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are far
better," said a Koraput-based social activist Bhabani Mishra.
Some
projects such as expansion of NH-26 has been inordinately delayed. The work
that started around four years ago is yet to be completed. As a result, people
find it difficult to maneuver this road resulting in traffic jams. "The
NH-26 from Sunki to Chandili is in a horrible condition and is responsible for
defaming the district's tourism sector. It takes hours to cover a distance of
10 km on this road," said social activist Santosh Patro.
The
number of foreign tourists visiting this tribal-dominated district has also
taken a beating.
Only
20 have come to the district in the past two months. But at the same time 10
tour operaters have cancelled packages of foreign nationals to the district
owing to bad roads, in the past two months, officials said.
Admitting
to the fact that bad roads have hit tourism, district tourism officer Bhagaban
Khora said, "Foreign tourists complain of the awful roads in Koraput district.
So tour operators inquire about the roads before bringing foreigners here,
while many throng to Arku Valley in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh."
The
non-availability of drinking water at tourist spots and places to stay does not
augur well for the already fledging tourism sector.
"Tourists
flow is unlikely to increase until basic infrastructure and amenities are
improved," said Khora.
ToI
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