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 

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

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 

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'.                                       

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

Caste-based quota opposed in Ganjam

Members of Ganjam district Brahman Mahasabha took out a silent rally in the city on Tuesday from the Ganesh temple demanding implementation of a reservation policy based on economic status in the country.

The Brahmins started their march from the Ganesh temple at Hill Patna and travelled through main roads of the city with placards in hand. Their destination wasn't any temple but the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner, southern range.

Although they had placards in hand like any new age protestors they were clad in their traditional attire complete with sandal paste and vermillion marks on their forehead.

Memorandum submitted

They handed over a memorandum addressed to the Governor and the President of the country at the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner.

President of the organisation Pramod Kumar Panda said their main demand was abolition of caste-based reservation policy which was dividing the country.

According to him, they wanted the country to follow a reservation policy which should be on economic basis irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

The Brahman Mahasabha members also demanded that whatever the reservation policy, there should not be any reservation in case of promotions. “We want all citizens of the country to be treated as equals”, he added. As per the members of the organisation the creamy layer that has been created by the caste-based reservation policy has transformed it self into another exploiting class which is not identifying itself with the downtrodden of their own caste.

After the rally, the members got together for a meeting to discuss about their future plan of action. They decided to eradicate tradition of dowry by promoting dowry less marriages and sponsor dowry less marriages of poor unmarried girls.

This meeting was also attended by former deputy speaker of the Assembly Ram Chandra Panda and president of State body of Brahman Mahasabha, Sarat Chandra Mohapatra.

Source: The Hindu 

Silk city Berhampur gets air connectivity; first flight takes off from historic Rangeilunda Airport

A new chapter was added to the state’s aviation history today with the launch of a non-scheduled air charter service from Gopalpur to Bhubaneswar. Global Avianautics (GAL), which runs the Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI) for the state government in Bhubaneswar, is operating the service. “The flight will take off daily from Gopalpur’s Rangeilunda air strip for Bhubaneswar. The six-seater twin engine mini aeroplane Pipper Seneca will carry four passengers and two crew members. The cost of a flight from Gopalpur to Bhubaneswar would be between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000. The distance between the two cities, which is about 186km by road, will be covered in 40 minutes,” said O.P. Suri, CEO of GAL, and wing commander Pradeep Chakravarty. Ganjam collector V. Kartikeya Pandian inaugurated the service on the auspicious day of Ram Navami. However, there were no passengers in the inaugural flight.

GAL would provide air journey to Visakhapatnam and other nearby cities having big or small airstrips, provided the plane covers the distance within two hours. Clarifying the status of the non-scheduled air charter services, officials of the GAL said that there is no schedule journey of the flight. “When we have four passengers, we will take off,” said a GAL officer.

Although there is no air ticket booking office or enquiry counter at Rangeilunda at present, GAL is planning to open an office on the premises of the PWD office situated near the air strip, sources said.

The GAL aviation services company is providing various aviation services such as flying training for fixed and rotary wing aircrafts, development and operation of small airstrips, non-scheduled air charter services and aero sports. The officers are quite optimistic about the prospects at Rangeilunda.

GATI at Bhubaneswar is using Rangeilunda as the second flying club in Orissa. “As the Bhubaneswar airport runway suffers from traffic congestion most of the time, the civil aviation ministry was in search of a suitable substitute and considered Rangeilunda air strip as the best,” captain M.S. Mander, flight instructor in-charge of GATI, had said earlier.

Mander, who had surveyed the Rangeilunda air strip along with wing commander Pradeep Chakravarty earlier, had urged the district administration to extend the present runway of the Rangeilunda air strip so that bigger aircraft could land and take off. Gopalpur, which is a major tourist destination, could have air connectivity with Calcutta, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar.

Rangeilunda is located at a distance of around 5km from Berhampur and is adjacent to Berhampur University. The Britishers built the Rangeilunda air strip during the Second World War.

Meanwhile, Road and Building, Division-II, Berhampur has prepared an estimated Rs 27.29-crore plan for development of Rangeilunda airstrip. Further, a green filed domestic airport has been proposed to come up at Konisi on the outskurts of Berhampur city.

Source: The Telegraph, IBNLive.com

Divinity descends on Silk City

BERHAMPUR: Take a stroll down the streets of Silk City, and you are likely to run into Hanuman riding a bicycle or Lord Krishna walking along the pavements. You might even spot Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati mingling with crowds of shoppers in the city's bazaars, while his followers dance in the streets. Berhampur is celebrating the famous biannual Thakurani Yatra and the entire city is flooded with mythological characters, or rather regular people in the 'vesha' (disguise) of gods and goddesses these days. The yatra is observed to mark the visit of Goddess Budhi Thakurani, the presiding deity of the town, from the temple to her father's house at Desibehera Street here.  Residents of the town, across age-groups, dress themselves in costumes akin to characters from mythology and use body paint and other accessories to look like them. Then they roam about the streets during the festival period as part of a 'manashika' (votive) offering to the gods. "I am dressed like Sri Krishna as my mother had promised the goddess I would do so if her wish for my well-being was fulfilled," said 21-year-old Raju, a computer engineering student in the city. People do not dress only as mythological characters during the yatra but also like some social and folk dance characters.

Source: Times of India, The Hindu

RGB, Berhampur sets target of Rs1575 crore business during current financial year

Rushikulya Gramya Bank (RGB), Berhampur one of the best Regional Rural Banks (RRB) in India, has set a target of Rs1575 crore business during the current financial year. This includes Rs1050 crore deposits and Rs525 crore advances.

RGB has achieved Rs1333.89 crore business for the year ended March, 2011 registering year-on-year growth rate of 13.58%, bank source said.

Total deposits and advances included Rs922.86 crore and Rs411.03 crore respectively. Its priority sector advances stood at Rs285.45 crore, constituting 69.45% of total advances against the stipulated norm of 60%. Similarly, agriculture advances stood at Rs145.14 crore, forming 35.31% of the total advances against stipulated norms of 18%, sources said.

Credit Deposit ratio increased to 44.54% from 41.48% as on March 31, 2010. Similarly operating profit of the bank increased to Rs 10.26%, while net profit after tax rose by 93% over previous corresponding year from Rs1.88 crore to Rs3.65 crore.

There are 81 branches of the bank in Ganjam and Gajapati, the Southern Orissa districts. The RGB was also said to be the first RRB to implement the Core Banking Solutions (CBS) to all its branches.

The chairman of the bank said the RGB was signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the NABARD to implement to finance the crop loan to the Joint Liability Group (JLG), the group of tenant farmers and share crops.

In Ganjam and Gajapati districts, the banks targeted to finance around 750 groups over three years.

Last year, we financed 145 JLG in both the districts, the chairman said. Since they have no land, the farmers involved in the tenant farming were not getting the crop loans from the banks. 
Source: DNA

Railway wagon factory to come up near Berhampur

Kolkata/ Berhampur: The proposed railway wagon factory of the ministry of Railways is likely to set up near Berhampur in Ganjam district. The State government has identified about 101 acres of land at Sitalapalli, about 15 km from here, for this purpose.

Union Railways minister, Mamata Banerjee had announced for setting up of a railway wagon factory in the state during her budget speech in the parliament. The proposed factory will be set up under the public private partnership (PPP) mode, where the state government will provide the required lands.

“Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik has already written to Banerjee about the selection of the site for the proposed factory” said a senior government officer. Patnaik has also asked her to take necessary steps to start work on the project.

“The Railways needed 100 acres of land for the purpose and we have identified a 101acre patch”, he added. The land coming under Berhampur tehsil is government land, sources said. The proposed site is about 1.5 km from Jagannathpur station. Tata Steel is setting up an Industrial Park near the proposed site.

The ruling BJD legislators from Ganjam district have hailed the government decision. “The government has rightly selected the site for the railway wagon factory, where several other industrial units like the steel plant and industrial park are coming up” said Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi, local MLA. “The people of the district will be benefited by the project” added MLA (Berhampur) Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik.

After joint inspection of at least four sites in different places of Ganjam district by the officials of the East Cost Railway and Ganjam district administration, finally the site near Sitalapalli was selected.

The detail project report for the proposed factory would be worked out by the Railways ministry after which the ministry would float bid inviting the companies to participate in the project.

The legislatures urged the Railways ministry to start the process for the setting up of the wagon factory without any further delay.

Lakhs of devotees throng Taratarini hill shrine on Second Tuesday of Chaitra fest

Around four lakh devotees from various parts of Orissa and from neighbouring states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh thronged the Tara Tarini hill shrine on the auspicious Second Tuesday of the month of Chaitra. Tara Tarini, an ancient Shakti shrine located on the banks of the mythologically famous river of Rushikulya, 30 km from Berhampur city, is believed to be the Sthana Pitha (Breast Shrine) of Adi Shakti. The Shrine is one of the ancient most places of Shakti worship and among the four major Shakti centers in India. It bears a history of not less then 5000 years.

It may be noted that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine and this month long fest in honour of the twin goddess is the biggest fair of India held at any religious shrine.

As per the report available, on the second Tuesday of Chaitra festival around 10,000 babies offered their hairs to the goddess and the number this year surpassed the number registered in the corresponding Tuesday of the previous years.

The festivities started at this shrine from Monday midnight itself and throughout the night there were cultural programmes to entertain the devotees. After the traditional ceremonial works, the sanctum of Maa Tara Tarini opened at around 1 a.m in the morning and darshan started after that.

Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Southern Division, Odisha, Shri Laxmi Narayan Nayak, Secretary Fisheries Government of Odisha Shri Satyabrata Sahu, Ganjam District Collector Shri VK Pandian, Superintendent of Police Berhampur and Ganjam and many other senior state and central government officials, apart from the executive officer and all other office bearers of Tara Tarini Development Board, were present on the occasion.

Last year on the third Tuesday of Chaitra, more than 6 lakh people visited the hill shrine. Therefore, sensing that, the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) is making elaborate arrangements for the smooth darshan of devotees on the upcoming 3rd and 4th Tuesdays.

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

World famous Berhampur Thakurani Yatra to be held from 28th March

•Official website of the famous Thakurani Yatra (www.thakurani.com) launched

•City waits anxiciously to welcome her daughter

•Month long festivity associated with this grand carnival to draw millions

BERHAMPUR: The 29-day-long biennial festival of Buddhi Thakurani, popularly known as 'Thakurani Yatra' will commence here from March 28 to April 25. According to some eminent historians, the cult of Buddhi Thakurani originated along with the emergence of Berhampur town in and around 1672 AD. Telugu Lengayat Dera (weaver) community, who came to Mahuri on the invitation of Raja Saheb of Mahuri to take up their profession of weaving, started their ‘Ghata Yatra’ (Pot Festival) for highlighting the divinity of Mahamayee Thakurani of his capital town Berhampur. The Chief of the Dera community, Kota Chandramani Kubera Senapati, led his community people to migrate to Mahuri and Berhampur who settle down into their hereditary profession of weaving tussar silken products or ‘patta matha’. The ‘Ghata Yatra’ was initiated for the purpose of highlighting the tradition of worshiping Thakurani as well as to use it as a platform for sales promotion of their silken products. The date for Thakurani Yatra was fixed by the yatra management committee at the house of Desi Behera, Chief of the Dera community here late last night. The district administration accorded final approval for the Yatra, Desi Behera P Durga Prasad said and sought the cooperattion of everybody.Buddhi Thakurani is considered as the daughter of the Desi Behera and the deity stays with her father's family during the entire Yatra period. The last biennial festival of Buddhi Thakurani was observed for 27 days in 2009 from April 8 to May 4.

Source: Newkerala.com