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

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  

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 

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 of devotees throng TaraTarini Hill Shrine on 3rd Tuesday of Chaitra

Lakhs of devotees thronged Tara Tarini hill shrine near Berhampur, on third Tuesday of Chaitra and on the first day of Navaratri. It may be noted that the four Tuesdays of Hindu month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine. On this Tuesday more than  five  lakh devotees had reached the hill shrine. There was heavy rush as it was also day for the start of Navaratra festivities. There were visitors from other states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand as well as some NRI families. Following major transformation due to developmental projects taken up by the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB); this hill shrine has now become a major centre of religious tourism in south Orissa.

Chaitra month

It may be noted that last year during the month of Chaitra more than 17 lakh people visited the hill shrine. The TTDB authorities hope this year the devotees would increase further. The festivities had started at this hill shrine from Monday evening. Throughout the night there were cultural programmes to entertain the visitors to the shrine. Although this hill shrine boasts to be having the only ropeway to a hilltop in the State, yet most of the devotees due to their traditional belief decided to climb to the top of the hill shrine. They walked on the ghat road or used the steep stair case. They climbed 999 steps as a penance to the deities.

Rural fair

A rural fair was on at the foothill. Urbanites who had reached the spot as picnickers enjoyed the village fair. Forgetting mental blockades related to hygiene for some time they relished fresh sugarcane and colourful sweets sold by the roadside vendors at this rural fair. The beautification and developmental works were taken up at the hill shrine by the TTDB from donations from the public. The State government in cooperation with the Ganjam district administration has formed the TTDB for development of this hill shrine into a major tourist destination. This board includes eminent persons of Orissa especially from southern region. The TTDB has now replaced the old temple with a new one in the traditional ‘Rekha' style of Orissa.

Source: The Hindu

Source: The Anupam Bharat (Odiya Daily)