Real-estate boom in Silk city Berhampur

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

Estimates say that more than hundred mega residential apartments are under construction in and around the city.
One real estate watcher observed that investment of this magnitude is unprecedented in this southern city, and for that matter in a state like Orissa, and can only be compared with the State capital, which witnessed a similar trend in the recent past.

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

Ganjam farmers upbeat as Green Revolution in East India includes them



Farming in Ganjam District



An occasion to cheer up for the farmers of Ganjam as the district got selected for the scheme of Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) for the welfare of the farmers in particular and agriculture in general. Under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Union Government has allocated additional Rs 400 crore in the previous year budget for extending green revolution to the eastern region of the country comprising Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern UP, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal. Rs 62.62 crore has been allocated in the budget for Odisha to give support to its agricultural sector in the current plan.

Green revolution envisages adoption of new seed varieties, farm machines, nutrients, pesticides and knowledge-based intervention as developed for different agro climatic zones. The BGREI will create conducive atmosphere for agriculture and the farmers of the region towards sustainable development.

Out of 30 districts, 15 districts are selected in this plan, including Ganjam. After surveys conducted by the Agricultural Department, the six blocks in the district include Khallikote, Jagannath Prasad, Kukudakhandi, Digapahandi, Chatrapur and Sheragada wic will be covered under the scheme. Apart from these blocks, five clusters will be formed according to the guideline. Then a monitoring team will be formed under the presidentship of Deputy Director of Agriculture Department.

For monitoring, NABARD is appointed by the Central Government, which will check the work and also inspect if there is violation of guideline of BGREI. The NGOs, which are experienced in the agriculture sector, will be appointed to carry out the job successful, sources said.

The sole aim of the BGREI is to increase crop productivity by intensive cultivation and food safety through recommended agriculture technologies and package of practices. Government has given the charge to inspect the status of agriculture, condition of the farmers on a regular basis. Also it will take care of the problems loan to farmers, opening of bank account and use of technology in the field of agriculture of the zone.

Government also has directed to the local banks to take care of the problems of their region regarding agriculture in the zone of the BGREI. Ganjam is not sound in the field of agriculture, so it needs a proper care in agricultural technology for cultivation and food safety. The Green Revolution in eastern India would bring the cheer in the face of the farmers of the district, hoped the farmer bodies of the district.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) not beneficial for fishermen: NFF

Chairperson of National Fishworkers' Forum Matanhy Saldanha inaugurating a processing and procurement centre of Samudram during his visit to Ganjam district .

BERHAMPUR: The much-publicised World Bank-sponsored Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP), aimed at providing alternative livelihood to traditional marine fishermen, would no way benefit the fisherman community, said National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF) president Matanhy Saldanha. During his visit to Orissa, Mr. Saldanha also evaluated the practical efficacy of the ICZMP. In Ganjam district, he inaugurated procurement and processing unit of marine produce of Samudram, a women's organisation of fisherwomen at Bandar.

He alleged that the ICZMP initiatives were nothing but an effort to detach marine fishermen from their traditional livelihood and in the long run to remove them from the coastal area. He said this ICZMP had been prepared without any consultation with the fishermen community.

“A project like ICZMP, which is chalked out by the persons who have little knowledge about ground realities is surely aimed at something else other than the benefit of the proclaimed beneficiaries,” he said. He cited the example of promotion of dry fish production and marketing through ICZMP among the families living near Rushikulya rookery in Ganjam district.

“When fishing is banned in this area for more than six months in a year, the planners did not take into account how these fisherfolk would get ample fish for the project and it hints at lack of relation of the project with ground realities,” he said. The ICZMP programme only stresses on providing support and training for production of dry fish but provides no scope for its proper marketing although similar project by State Fisheries Department has failed in the past due to marketing failure, the NFF leader said.

Firewood

He said the NFF was continuing to demand that the fishermen need to have right to fish and right to operate their traditional fishing boats in sea rather than proposals of alternative livelihood which was quite impractical in nature. As the planners of the project did not have direct link with the fishermen of the coast, they could not realise that one of the major means of sustenance for fishermen family was firewood.

The ICZMP planners could not think of growing vegetation on the coast which could be used as firewood by the fishermen families. It could have been a major boost to coastal environment and sustenance of fishermen, he said. He also cited an example where 15 fishermen families with more than 70 members had been attached to a single pond in the name of alternative livelihood, which according to him was quite impractical.

The ICZMP was nothing but the long-term implementation of ‘anti-fishermen' policies to promote industries and Special Economic Zones in the coastal belts, Mr. Saldanha said.

The NFF president said they had given detailed recommendations and feedback while the CRZ 2011 was being formulated. He alleged that most of their recommendations were ignored. It may be noted that the NFF has termed the new CRZ notification as mere eyewash and a ploy to rob traditional fishermen of land. The NFF decided to take up mass movement in Orissa against the subtle efforts to detach fishermen from their traditional livelihood and land, the NFF president said.

Sea water level rises along Ganjam coast

Hundreds of families in five villages in coastal areas of the Ganjam district spent a sleepless night on June 14 following rise in sea water level. Though the fishermen community was warned of hostile weather, there was no information about a possible high tide. Sea water entered Badaarjyapalli, Sanaarjyapalli, Badakaturu, Sanakatury and B.Arjyapalli villages under Arjyapalli police limits 12 kms away from the commercial capital of the state Berhampur. No damage has been reported.

Earlier, the Coastal Protection Samiti had organised dharnas before the Collectorate at Ganjam following which a team of experts was commissioned to study reasons behind rising sea water in the region. The State Government has allegedly paid no heed to the report. The revenue officials have visited the affected areas to monitor the situation.

Source: IBN Live

Beach erosion threatens Ganjam: TOI

BERHAMPUR: With the south-west monsoon moving into the state, fear of beach erosion has come to haunt thousands of fishermen living in the coastal villages of Ganjam district. As many as 28 villages are located along the 60-km-long coastal belt in Ganjam district, with at least seven villages facing the threat from the Bay of Bengal due to rapid beach erosion.

Erosion threat looms large in the villages of Sana Ajeepalli, Bada Arjeepalli, Katuru, Kandara Arjeepalli, Gokharakuda and Podampeta, identified as vulnerable to beach erosion with the high tidal waves of Bay of Bengal coming threateningly close to the villages.

"We are living in fear as the sea water is creeping close to our villages," said K Alleya, sarapanch of Arjeepalli gram panchayat. "The sea has been coming near our villages and no remedial measures have been taken by the government in this regard so far even though a technical team visited the area to suggest the same," he said.

When contacted, Gopalpur Port authorities denied there was any erosion of the beach due to the construction of the port. A port official said the port authorities have decided to construct at least eight groins (stone-protectors) in eight different places of the coastal belt, starting from Arjeepalli to river Rushikuya mouth, at an investment of Rs 27 crore.

Alleya, who is also the chairman of the Upakula Surakhya Samiti, an organisation formed to spearhead agitation for the cause, said the World Bank funded Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) has also not initiated steps to protect the beach from rapid erosion. "Beach protection was the main objective of the project, but the project authorities in the state have not start work on protection of the beach yet," he said.

Alleya demanded the construction of guard wall from Arjeepalli to the mouth of the river for protecting the beach from erosion.

Berhampur boy Yadam Ram Kumar: A writer with a humane touch

By Sisir Panigrahy

A young writer from Berhampur, Yadam Ram Kumar, is making waves across the globe through his writings.

Born into a poor family, journey to the top has been a daunting one for this young writer.

Yadam Ram Kumar from Berhampur city

Much of his works address the downtrodden and it is probably his humble beginnings that go on to influence his writings. The 26-year-old novelist, playwright and poet published his first novel ‘A Lonely Lady’ at the age 19 and there was looking back since then. He now has 10 books including novels, short stories, children’s books and a poetry published in the USA, the UK and across India.

Having a huge following world-wide for his unique style of writing, Yadam calls his writings an eclectic mixture of reality and fiction which represent the society, its people and their affairs.

Honoured with a Doctor of Philosophy by Intercultural Open University (IOU) at the Hague in the Netherlands, for research on dynamics of human rights in the Indian and world context, Yadam aims to promote human rights education in Orissa apart from encouraging the young writers. An international human rights researcher, he has worked in African and European countries.

After schooling and pre-college in Berhampur, Yadam did his PG and Ph.D at Delhi, a phase which changed his perspective towards life. The incidents in Delhi during his stay left an indelible mark and he opted for writing as a profession.

His writings deal with the travails of the downtrodden man, a result of his observations during his long walks on the Capital’s streets.

Expressing concern over falling standards of Oriya literature, he feels it is high time the charm of Oriya literature was restored.

Yadam whose latest book is about to be released, is now trying to document the living standards of people in remote rural areas of Orissa.

Source: The New Indian Express 

Ganjam fishermen to get toll-free telephones

Source: flickr

Now the fishermen of coastal villages of Ganjam district will get toll-free telephone service. The coastal areas such as Nolia Nuagaon, Agasti Nuagaon, Prayagi, Podampeta, Arjipalli, Haripur, Kamalapur, Sonepur, Kantiagada and Gopalpur will be benefited out of it. Most of the time fishermen are denied to enter the sea, which hits their livelihood. Even their problems can not reach directly to the Government. 

The fishermen are facing various problems from different banks while taking loans for repairing and purchasing of boat and fishing net.But the Government has decided to provide toll-free telephone service to the fishermen community for direct communication with the officials and solve their day-to-day problems. The fishermen are not getting chance to physically present themselves every time for getting information as they are busy with their business. But this service will obviously help them and empower them to communicate with the Government, said an official.

Source: Pioneer 

Foundation laying ceremony for second phase work held at Tara Tarini

Tara Tarini Hill Shrine, Berhampur, Ganjam, Orissa

Foundation laying ceremony for the Parswa mandiras and the second phase work on the Taratarini hill shrine was held on June 03. The Chairman TTDB and RDC southern division, Odisha Shri Lakshmi Narayan Nayak presided over the ceremony. With it, the second phase work of Taratarini hill shrine complex commenced.

After the ceremony, the Chairman reviewed the progress of various other developmental works of Taratarini hill shrine. The Pratistha Utsav of the newly built main temple complex of Taratarini hill shrine will be held in 2012. So, the Chairman instructed the officials to quickly complete the ongoing works like widen Ghat road to the hill shrine, ring road around the hill shrine, construction of facilities for the devotees on the hill shrine and instructed the forest department to plant more than 2 lakh trees of different varieties in and around the Hill shrine. On this occasion all the office bearers of the TTDB, the executive officer of Taratarini hill shrine, chief of technical committee TTDB and members of TTDB were present.

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

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

Hon’ble Chief Minister Sir,

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

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

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

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

With Regards,

RP Tripathy