Upgradation of MKCG Medical College demanded

South Odisha Students’ Association (SOSA) has demanded up-gradation of MKCG Medical College and Hospital in the city to AIIMS-like institution under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). Members of SOSA have written to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requesting him to initiate measures for the purpose. It may be noted that MKCG Medical College and Hospital that was established in 1962 would celebrate its golden jubilee on December 1. It happens to be the only medical college and referral hospital in south Odisha. But at present lack of infrastructure in this institution was compelling patients to reach out private medical institutions outside the State, SOSA activists alleged.

Several times in the past the Medical Council of India has pointed out shortage of staff, lack of modern equipment and infrastructure in MKCG Medical College and Hospital. But till now nothing much had happened regarding the suggestions of the MCI part from promises. SOSA demanded the State government initiate measures so that the medical college could be transformed into a centre of excellence for medical education providing quality medical care to the people of underdeveloped southern parts of Odisha. According to president of SOSA R.P. Tripathy, the MKCG Medical College and Hospital could be upgraded to an AIIMS-like institution. Source: The Hindu

Link:  http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/upgradation-of-mkcg-medical-college-demanded/article4145498.ece

Students Body urges Centre to upgrade MKCG to AIIMS-like Institution under PMSSY

Report by Manorama Dhir, Berhampur: South Odisha Students' Association (SOSA) demand for upgradation of MKCG Medical College (Berhampur) to AIIMS-like Institution under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

SOSA said that Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) Medical College & Hospital in Berhampur, Odisha is completing the 50th year of its establishment this week. Established in 1962 and named after the architect of Modern Odisha, Maharaja Shri Krishna Chandra Gajapati, the medical college is the only referral hospital for the backward districts of KBK, Boudh, Kandhamal and Gajapati of south Odisha…………………………………. Link:    
http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=37952

 Odisha: Students Body urges Centre to upgrade MKCG to AIIMS-like Institution under PMSSY

Berhampur: South Odisha Students' Association (SOSA) demand for upgradation of MKCG Medical College (Berhampur) to AIIMS-like Institution under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

SOSA said that Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) Medical College & Hospital in Berhampur, Odisha is completing the 50th year of its establishment this week. Established in 1962 and named after the architect of Modern Odisha, Maharaja Shri Krishna Chandra Gajapati, the medical college is the only referral hospital for the backward districts of KBK, Boudh, Kandhamal and Gajapati of south Odisha……………………Link:   http://indiaeducationdiary.in/Shownews.asp?newsid=17348

BJD to hold Mahasamavesh in Berhampur

Ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) would organise a large public meeting ‘mahasamavesh’ in the city on Friday, which would be attended by party supremo and Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik. The day of this show of support strength by the CM and its party coincides with the day that is waited for by the media and public in Odisha. On that day suspended BJD MP Pyari Mohan Patra, who was being termed second power centre in the party is to hold a press meet in Bhubaneswar to elaborate organisational plans and future of his newly formed outfit ‘Odisha Jan Morcha’. Speculation was rife regarding Mr Mohapatra’s possible declarations regarding the BJD chief on that day. Mr Mohapatra was suspended from the BJD for his alleged failed coup attempt to dethrone Mr Patnaik on May 29.

During a press meet in the city on Monday afternoon, Berhampur MLA RCC Patnaik, Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy and Ganjam district president Subash Moharana denied any link between the date of press meet by Mr Mohapatra in Bhubaneswar and CM’s large public meeting in Berhampur. Mr Moharana termed it to be a coincidence.

This public meeting which as per BJD leaders would be attended by around 50,000 people is to be held in Khallikote autonomous college stadium in the city. At least three State ministers, MPs, MLAs and elected panchayat body members of the BJD in Ganjam district are to attend this public meeting.

It is also the day of college students’ union elections in the State and students’ union election would also be held in Khallikote autonomous college. This may increase pressure on local police regarding maintenance of law and order on the college campus on that day.

On Monday administrative officials and police officials including Berhampur Superintendent of Police (SP) and city tehsildar reached the Khallikote autonomous college stadium to inspect the ground fro its use during the public meeting to be attended by the CM.

The district BJD president said decision to hold this public meeting had been taken on Sept 30, during a working committee meeting of the district unit of the party at Khallikote. Later this proposal was approved by the party chief and CM. “We would try to increase awareness regarding pro-people policies of BJD government during this rally,” he said. But as per political observers this large public meeting in Ganjam, the home district of the CM was a show of strength against the recent uprising of Mr Mohapatra through his new outfit.

Source: The Hindu

Despite ban, manual scavenging continues in Berhampur city

The inhuman practice of manual scavenging is prevalent in Berhampur, notwithstanding its ban. In 1993, the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act was implemented here for total removal of manual scavenging.

While the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the State Government slept over the issue, a report by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (referring to the Census data of 2011) in July revealed about existence of 7,547 insanitary latrines in urban areas of the State including Berhampur. Acting on this figure, the Urban Development  Department requested the Registrar-General of India to indicate the number of urban bodies in Odisha where the practice of manual scavenging was on.

Accordingly, the Registrar General put the figure at 129 households within the Corporation limits. As per the report, there are 67,397 households (excluding institutional households) in 37 wards of BMC. Of them 57,800 households have latrine facility on their premises? While 42,547 households have septic tanks, 7,346 have piped sewer system, 1,687 are with other systems, 1,135 have slab ventilated improved pits, 392 households have open pits without slabs.

The report further states that 4,231 household’s dispose of night soil into open drains, the same is removed by manual scavengers from 129 households and that of 333 households are serviced by animals. Likewise, 9,597 households within BMC limits have no latrine facility on their premises, 1,731 families use public toilets and 7,861 families resort to open defecation. Following the report, the

BMC directed its health wing to carry out door-to-door survey instead of putting up advertisements in local dailies and urging people to furnish exact information in this regard. However, the health wing is yet to begin its work.

Source: New Indian Express

Ganjam News, April 2012

Source: The Sambad 

Berhampur Boy K. Ravi Kumar to represent India in Asian Weightlifting C'ship

BERHAMPUR: Commonwealth Games gold medallist K. Ravi Kumar has been selected to represent India in the Asian Weightlifting Championship, to be held in China from April 12. "He is the only weightlifter from the country, selected by the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) to participate in the Asian Weightlifting Championship, which will be held at Tongling, China from April 12 to 17," said IWF vice president Narayan Sahu. The 22-year-old from Berhampur, Orissa had also won three gold medals in senior National Weightlifting Championships, held in Bangalore on Friday. Representing Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), Ravi won in clean, jerk and overall weight in men's 77-kg event. Ravi lifted a total of 306 kg (138, 168) in the event. Sahu, who was also a former coach of Ravi, expressed confidence about his success in the Asian Championship. Ravi said from Bangalore that he has already started preparing for the meet. "I am very much confident of winning gold in the Asian Championship and I am practising regularly," he said. Starting his career as a weightlifter from the Veer Hanuman Club here about seven years ago, he has established a brilliant track record by winning several gold medals at national and international events. Ravi had also set a record in men's 69-kg category by lifting 321-kg in the last Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Source:Times of India