Monday 18 July 2011

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!.....
Source: filmitadka.in

Saturday 16 July 2011

Dust collects on age-old Marda Jagannath temple

BERHAMPUR: Plans to develop Marda, home to a 300-year-old Jagannath temple, into a tourist hub doesn't seem to be moving beyond official files. Even though the temple in the Ganjam district town boasts a marvelous Kalinga style architecture and served as a safe hiding place for the deities of Puri Jagannath temple during 1733-1735 AD, when such temples were being targeted by Muslim invaders, earning itself the honour of Sharan Srikhetra, Marda is yet to get the attention it deserves.
The administration of Sri Jagannath temple, Puri, had intervened some time ago to get the district administration to prepare a plan to attract tourists by developing the spot as a religious tourist place. A few sevayats and researchers of the Jagannath cult, who had visited the place to study the connection of the Marda temple with that of Puri, had promised to popularise the significance of the temple but it is yet to come to fruition.
"If at least five to 10 % visitors of Puri come to Marda, the place can be highlighted on the tourist map, opening up more livelihood opportunities for local people," Marda locals said. Presently, there is no deity in the temple, nor is the famous Rath Yatra held in the town. Some stray visitors drop by for research purpose or to enjoy a picnic or two. More people will visit the place when its historical aspects and connection with the Puri deities is highlighted, said MLA (Polasara) Niranjan Pradhan.
The MLA had spent about Rs 2 lakh to make a compound wall in the temple from his local area development fund. "Some of infrastructure development works have been done. Some more are to be done to make it popular a tourist spot," said Pradhan.
Daily ritual at the Marda temple is performed with financial assistance from the temple administration of Jagannath temple in Puri, but other works to protect the monument need to be taken up by the government, Pradhan said.
When contacted, chairman of the temple development committee and sub-collector (Chhatrapur) Trilochan Majhi said he would convene a meeting of the development committee to review the progress of development works of the temple. The administration would also take initiative to promote it as a religious tourist spot, he said.

Thursday 14 July 2011

Peacock protectors in Ganjam seek eco-tourism tag for Pakidi

BERHAMPUR: The peacock protection committee of Ganjam district has urged the government to declare the Pakidi hill range near Berhampur city, home to a large number of peacocks, as an eco-tourism destination. "If the hill range is declared an eco-tourism spot, it will attract visitors from all across the country and abroad, contributing to the development of the backward area," said Samir Pradhan, the president of the committee.
Pradhan has submitted a memorandum to chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who also holds the forest portfolio. The committee was given the Biju Patnaik Award for Wildlife Conservation, the highest award in the state for protecting wildlife, in 2006, for its effort to protect and conserve the national bird habitat.
When the monsoon clouds loom over Pakidi, droves of peacocks descend on the villages of Sobhachandrapur, Amuabadi, Kerikerijhola, Bharatapalli, Cheramaria, Sameiguda. Flocks of the national bird were also sighted in areas like Karnoli, Khadabahaga, Pakidi and Kirtipur, Pradhan said. He attributed the love and affection showered by the villagers on the birds as the main reason for their rising numbers in the area and for the spread of their habitat.
"While the chances of sighting of peacocks are slim in most places in the country, one is sure to spot the national bird here," he said, adding there is almost no poaching in the area. The committee has estimated a Rs 40 lakh project to develop the area as an eco-tourism destination. The project includes two cottages, a dormitory, an interpretation center, a watch tower, an approach road to the tower and water harvesting structures. "The approach road to the hill range is in a bad shape. No tourist can reach the area even on a motorcycle," the committee president said. The roads urgently need repair to boost tourism here, he added.
Forest officials also support the eco-tourism proposal. The hill range deserves to be an eco-tourism spot along with Bhetanai-Balipadar area near Aska, where a large number of black bucks roam free," said a senior forest officer. Balipadar-Bhetanai area is about 10 km from Pakidi hill range. 
Source: TOI

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Dashkathiya: A basic form of folk dance in Ganjam district

Dashkathiya is a basic form of folk dance in Ganjam district, Orissa. Though it is found in every corner of the state but Ganjam has got a unique position in terms of delivering particular rhymes, verses and poems. Being a modulated form of Odia literature Dashkathiya attracts various groups of people both educated and uneducated mass.
Dashkathiya is an open stage performance where two performers are needed. There are two ‘Gayak’ who narrate the story.  While one sings the other ‘Palia’ follows the unsung parts of Gayak’s rhymes. The main instrument of this performance is known as ‘Ramtali’ and ‘Dashkathiya’. The story of any mythology is presented in the form of verses.
The way of presentation of the form is very important. Since, only two artists are required to perform the show, they need to be very much attractive to draw the attention of viewers.
Moving to the next step the artists must have a true knowledge of mythological takes and of literature as well. Ornamentation of words with proper accent forms another important feature of Dashkathiya. Dance forms and acting comes with an attractive dialect that has the capability to swap the attention of audience.
The performances of Dashkathiya need to read the exact situation and condition of a story, thereby developing the stanzas according. It is always useful to understand the language, accent and rhymes. The ‘Palias’ need to create the environment of humours and joy many a times.
Various forms of human emotions are designed in the dance form with the use of ‘tripaata’, ‘aathatali’, ‘ekathali’ and ‘jhulathala. Mostly the verses are composed in the format of fourteen separate alphabets in a particular line.
Dashkathiya though can be compared with other forms of regional folk dances yet, it has its own position in the hearts of Ganjam people.
Source: Orissa Diary  

Monday 11 July 2011

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

Berhampur Radio Station shines with international awards

The media station of Berhampur has got every reason for its celebration. The Director of the Radio Station of Berhampur, Dr. Hrushikesh Panda has been awarded with National Awards for his productions in regard to social awareness.
Dr. Panda is the director as well as eminent literati who has been recognized with many national and international awards for his radio programmes. “Phula Phutiba Bela” has been awarded recently for its rich social content. It is directed and produced by Dr. Panda. Recently he was also awarded with the International Asia Pacific Broadcasting award for his radio production on an AIDS awareness programme entitled “Cum Cum Morning Dear”. This award was conferred to him at the capital city of Japan, Tokyo. Dr. Panda has highlighted the concept of awareness regarding AIDS suffers in his productions.
He has taken the students of “Utakal Balasrama” in his documentary which has very effective messages.Dr. Panda was assisted by Hrushikesh Panigrahi who also works at the radio station of Berhampur.
Dr. Panda has assembled about 10 national and 2 international awards to his credit. Earlier his works were also appreciated in the international forum. His radio productions like “Khushi” and “Smruti” have also been recognised with awards at international level. The station has also been credited as one of its own kind in delivering programmes in various languages. The above documentaries highly displayed the human emotions and feelings on a high grade. While “Khusi” displayed the human happiness and actions of enlightening souls “Smruti” spoke about the dilemma and pain of the souls who were lost in the fury of 1999 the major flood that attacked Orissa. He was congratulated in his work place by various social organizations and by his staff members as well.
Source: Orissa Diary 

Thursday 7 July 2011

Radiation study centre at Berhampur varsity


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

Land mafia eyeing tanks in the Silk city

Land mafia is allegedly eyeing to fill up some tanks within city limits to use them as real estate. Administration has decided to take strict measures to prevent land mafia from filling up the tanks and water bodies in the city. According to the old revenue records Berhampur had 64 large tanks inside it. During British era the scions of Mahuri royal family had inter-connected the tanks for irrigation and drinking water facility in this area. But with time a large number of tanks have vanished from the map of the city. The canals that connected these tanks have also been filled up and concrete structures stand on them.
In the past Berhampur municipality played a major role in filling up of canals that inter-connected the tanks in this perennially water scarce city, in the name of urbanization. Without water being recharged by the canals, the condition of most tanks has deteriorated.
Land mafia is eyeing the remaining tanks in the city, said Berhampur Tehsildar Satrughna Kar. These unscrupulous elements are targeting the tanks that are in private possession, according to the records of the revenue department. The legal owners of these tanks are not in a position to maintain them. The land mafia is trying to buy these tanks in the heart of the city at low prices. Then they try to deteriorate the condition of the tank and ultimately fill it up so that it could be used as a patch of highly priced real estate to take up building activity, Mr. Kar added. But according to revenue officials the Supreme Court has directed that no water body can be destroyed even by its owner.
Recently a tank in the city was sold by its private owner to some persons who wanted to fill it up and use it for residential purpose. But this move was opposed by some locals. The matter is pending in the High Court.
Source: The Hindu

Saturday 2 July 2011

Rare two-headed house lizard spotted at Berhampur city

A two-headed house lizard was spotted at a residence in Gosaninuagaon Nilakanthanagar area of the city on July 01. A large crowd gathered at the residence of Niranjan Gouda to watch this rare phenomenon of nature.
According to Mr Gouda his family members were astonished when they discovered this unique lizard at their residence. Word of mouth moved around and people from different parts of the city rushed to his house to have a look at this rare lizard.
When contacted by The Hindu, herpetologist Pratyush Mohapatra, who studies amphibians and reptiles confirmed that it was a house lizard of the species Hemidactylus leschenaulti. According to him although rare such genetic absurdities are not new to the different species of reptiles. There have also been cases where snakes have been born with two heads.
The reason behind absurdity of nature is attributed to genetic mutation. But as per experts real reason behind this genetic mutation can be ascertained for sure without proper study.
In every generation of a species there occurs addition and reduction of genetic materials during transfer of genes from parents to the progeny. During this transfer some genetic abnormality occurred which led to this house lizard getting born with two heads, the zoologists said.
Source: The Hindu 

Friday 1 July 2011

Naveen showing undue favour to Tata Steel in Gopalpur; Odisha Govt. should follow Mamata model

  • Demand for return of land acquired for Tata Steel in Ganjam district
  • State government showing undue favour to Tata Steel to reuse the land
  • Land should be handed over to displaced families immediately

BERHAMPUR: There has been growing demanding in the State for return of land acquired by the Tata Steel for its shelved steel plant project in Ganjam district to the peasants who had been displaced.
The demand has got rejuvenated in the wake of efforts of the West Bengal government for return of the land acquired by Tata Motors for its ‘Nano car' project to the farmers of Singur. The Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal came up with the Singur Land Rehablitation & Development Act 2011 in the State Assembly for the purpose. “But the Orissa government continues to act like an agent or offshoot of the private company as it is only interested in protecting the company's interests rather than that of the common people,” alleged former Union Minister Chandrasekhar Sahu.
Mr Sahu asked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to learn from his West Bengal counterpart and initiate legislation so that the land remaining unused in the hands of Tata Steel could get returned to the peasants as it was not used for the purpose it was taken over.
He alleged that the Orissa government was showing undue favour to Tata Steel to reuse the land it acquired in Ganjam district for its shelved steel plant project to establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). He alleged that the State government did not have political will to take decision in favour of the peasants against the interests of Tata Steel.
It may be noted that the Tata Steel has proposed to develop a Special Economic Zone on around 3,200 acres acquired about a decade back for a proposed mega steel plant project. Social activist and former president of the Ganjam Bar Association Bhagaban Sahu also demanded immediate return of this land to the peasants as the company was not using it for the purpose for which it had acquired. Gana Sangram Samity (GSS), the organisation that had vehemently opposed Tata Steel project near Gopalpur in the past, has reiterated that they would oppose efforts to establish any SEZ in the area, which according to them was against the interests of the State.
According to State secretariat member of the CPI(M) Ali Kishore Patnaik the displaced families had handed over the land for establishment of a steel plant as per notification made during the nineties under the Land Acquisition Act. As the land was not used for the purpose it is duty of the State government to get it returned back to the owners and it should not be allowed to be utilised for any other commercial purpose by the company as the displaced families are not going to gain anything from it, he said.
Senior Congress leader Chittaranjan Dash said by remaining silent over the issue the Orissa government was betraying trust of the common man. According to him it was high time for the State government to take over the unused land acquired for the shelved project of Tata Steel in Ganjam district and redistribute it to the farmers who had lost their fertile land for it. He demanded the State government to come up with legislation like that of West Bengal for the purpose.
Social activists such as Prafulla Samantra of Lok Shakti Abhiyan and Rabi Dash of Orissa Jan Sammilani also have similar view. “It is an irony that till now the Orissa government has not issued a single notice to Tata Steel regarding non use of land it acquired in Ganjam district for the purpose it was taken over,” Mr Samantra said.
Source: The Hindu 

Stone laid for Rs. 2.35-cr modern ‘flower mandi' in silk city

  • E-auction facility will be provided to flower growers
  • Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana providing Rs. 1.62 crore for the mandi
  • The flower market will be managed by the RMCS, Digapahandi    
BERHAMPUR: Foundation stone was laid for a Rs. 2.35-crore modern ‘flower mandi' at Ambapua area of the city. The ‘flower mandi' is expected to be a major transition point for flower growers and traders in south Orissa. Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy laid the foundation stone in the presence of Berhampur Sub-Collector Ajit Mishra, who is also the chairman of Regulating Market Cooperative Society (RMCS), Digapahandi. Work on this project is expected to be complete by the end of this year. After completion it is expected to be a flag bearer of floriculture in Orissa, said A S Verma, general secretary of the Ganjam District Flower Growers Association.
The ‘flower mandi' would have modern facility for preservation and packaging of flowers. “The greatest help for the flower growers would be the e-auction facility to be provided here as it will ensure good return for the flower growers who at times do not get competitive price for their produce,” Mr Verma said.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) of the Central government is providing Rs. 1.62 crore for the project. The rest of the amount would be RMCS, Digapahandi. The flower market is to be managed by the RMCS, Digapahandi.
Apart from flower growers of Ganjam, the ‘flower mandi' would also benefit flower growers of south Orissa districts such as Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Koraput.
At present lack of preservation facility is a major stumbling block for the flower growers of south Orissa. Scope of profit of their produce is also at stake due to lack of organised marketing facility. Both these stumbling blocks would get sorted out with the completion of the ‘flower mandi'.