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

Berhampur News

Source: The Sambad

Source: The Sambad

Claims of Berhampur Municipal Corporation: Myth or Reality??

Source: The Sambad

Air traffic potential study of Gopalpur Airport in Berhampur to be take up soon

The Airport authority of India (AAI) has has proposed the Odisha Government to prepare a state-based civil aviation plan to develop regional airports in the State at Gopalpur, Jharsuguda, and Jeypore which will be developed for the purpose. “We have asked the State Government to hand over the required land for the Jharsuguda project which is in advanced stage. Once the Government hands over the land we will start the work to develop the airstrip since our plan is ready”, said the Chairman of Airport authority of India (AAI), V P Agarwal, who was in Odisha to inaugurate the modern passenger terminal at Bhubaneswar Airport. Once developed, the airport will handle large flights though initially it was considered to handle small flights. The AAI requires 190 acres of land to develop the airstrip at Jharsuguda with an investment of Rs 143 crore. The airport could handle 70-80 passenger aircrafts including ATR-72 like flights, he added. Mr.Agrawal also informed that there was also a proposal to develop the airstrips at Jeypore and Gopalpur, which are under the disposal of the State government. The traffic potential study of the Jeypore airstrip has already been carried out and study for Gopalpur is to be taken up soon. The AAI is all set to explore revival of dormant airstrips in the State in a bid to establish all inclusive connectivity within the region. “We are working with the State Government to prepare a State Perspective Civil Aviation Plan for reviving the non-operational airstrips and upgrading them into proper airports wherever there is potential. There are 19 airstrips owned by the Odisha Government. The Government has proposed revival of the airstrips at Jeypore and Gopalpur initially. We are going to start a potential study for both the regions”, AAI Planning member S Raheja said.

Source: Tathya.in, New Indian Express

Berhampur Places: Historic town of Bhanjanagar emerging as a major tourist destination of Odisha

Source: The Sambad

Bhanjanagar Park (Panoramia, By Baburam Nayak)

Bhanjanagar by night

Shiridi Sai Dham, Bhanjanagar (Ganjam, Odisha)

It’s a field day for sellers of ‘ketaki’ flowers in Silk city Berhampur

Peasants from villages on the outskirts of the city got a good income due to heavy demand for ‘ketaki’ flowers, sugarcane, and otherwise unused flowers for Sivaratri celebrations. The peasants, including women, opened their makeshift stalls by the side of busy roads and Siva temples in and around the city. They had a god profit because the urban dwellers still have to stick to agrarian rituals and offerings attached to Sivaratri.

‘Ketaki’ variety of kewra or Screw Pine with botanical name ‘Pandanus fascicularis’ had greatest demand. These flowers were being sold for Rs. 200 to Rs. 350 per piece in Berhampur market. It is the only day on which these flowers are offered to Lord Siva. Moreover, these flowers bloom only during this time of the year.

Kewra plantations are abundant in Ganjam district. The district is the largest producer of this aromatic flower in the country. But bushes of ‘ketaki’ variety of kewra are a fewer in Ganjam district. Each flower of other abundant variety of kewra flower called ‘kia’ fetched around Rs. 10 to Rs. 20. As per kewra growers, there is a difference between the leaves and flowers of ‘kia’ and ‘ketaki’ variety kewra flower. ‘Kia’ flowers have strong smell while smell of ‘ketaki’ is mild. Some of the ‘ketaki’ flower sellers have also got some stock from Puri district to add to their profits.

 Restrictions

Owing to restrictions on gutka and pan masala manufacturing units leading to closure of large number of kewra distilleries in Ganjam district, the kewra growers also had their income dwindling. Demand for kewra flowers has got reduced. These kewra growers also managed to get some income by selling their flowers to devotees during Sivaratri. Source: the hindu