The Carnival is back: Berhampur gets ready for Thakurani Yatra

Official website of the famous Berhmapur Thakurani Jatra(www.thakurani.com) 

City waits anxiciously to welcome the daughter

Month long festivity associated with this grand carnival to draw millions

The whole city of Berhampur has started to bear a festive look and its inhabitants were ready to have a sleepless night on Friday to witness the journey of goddess Budhi Thakurani from her permanent temple to her so called parental house at Desibehera Street. This journey would mark the ceremonial beginning of famous biennial Thakurani Jatra festival of Berhampur which would continue till her return to the temple on April 29 night.

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.

Inhabitants of the city have emotional linkage with goddess Budhi Thakurani, the reigning deity of the city. They consider the deity as a divine daughter of the city. Her journey to Desibehera Street is compared to that of journey of a married daughter to her parental home. Most families of the city including the children and women are ready to do away with their sleep to witness the procession to carry the ghatam representing the deity BudhiThakurani from her temple to her temporary abode at Desibehera Street.

R.Laxmi said, “How can we not remain awake on this night when our beloved goddess is making this journey to her parental home”. Similar was the opinion of Gouri Nayak, who has decided to witness the procession with her family. According to her this is a special occasion that provides a chance to enjoy life and festivity all through the night which she and her family cannot miss.

During the day the traditional hereditary head of the festival Durgaprasad Desibehera and his family reached Budhi Thakurani temple to ritually invite the deity to his home. They also reached the temple of goddess Sana Thakurani with similar invitation. Goddess San Thakurani is considered sister of goddess Budhi Thakurani. At the Desibehera Street the traditional makeshift temple was ready to greet the deity for her biennial sojourn. 

Source: The Hindu 

Source: The Sambad

Tara Tarini chock-a-block with devotees on first Tuesday of Chaitra

Lakhs of devotees from far off places in the state, neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the country thronged Tara Tarini temple, about 35 km from Berhampur city, on the occasion of first Tuesday of Chaitra Mela on April 02, 2013.

Braving the scorching heat, they climbed the 999 steps of the 17{+t}{+h} century temple, on the banks of river Rushikulya, to tonsure the head of their children. Devotees offer hair to the deity, as a part of age-old tradition, on every Tuesday during the month of Chaitra. "I work in Delhi and have come all the way to get my child's head tonsured here," said Deepak Sahu, a software engineer. Even though a road has been laid till the temple, most devotees prefer climbing the steps for 'darshan'.

"The district administration and the temple administration have made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of visitors," said secretary of Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) Pramod Kumar Panda. Water is being provided on the way to the temple along with healthcare facilities. At least 500 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order. "No untoward incident has been reported till now," said SDPO (Chhatrapur) A Ch Pahi.

The authorities charge Rs 20 for 'Mundan' (close shaving) on the temple premises and only Re 1 for 'darshan', though special darshan costs Rs 50 per head, sources said.

Volunteers have been engaged to make the drive against polythene on the temple premises successful. They have been asked to convince the devotees not to throw polythene on the premises. RDC (southern division) Bikash Mohapatra had stressed making the shrine a polythene-free zone at the preparatory meeting for the festival. Source: Times of India

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

NIST-Berhampur among the top five Engineering colleges in Eastern India; ranked 31st nationally by DataQuest

IFC supported Berhampur solid waste management project on fast track

Source: The Sambad

Odisha CM writes to PM and Railway Minister seeking National Project status for Berhampur-Sambalpur (via Phulbani) and Gopalpur-Rayagada railway lines; demands speedy implementation of railway wagon factory in Ganjam

Berhampur Railway Station, Odisha

Demanding justice and proper share to Odisha in the 2013-2014 Railway budget, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written a letter to the Prime Minister mentioning the needs of the State in view of investment flow, economic growth and industrialisation. Pointing at the apathetic attitude of the Rail Ministry in spite of huge revenue collection from Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has said that 'the railway route length and all rail density in the state is much below the national average as also substantially lower than that in neighbouring States. In contrast, the gross earnings from various stations in the State of Odisha is estimated to be in excess of 14000 Crore during the year 2012-2013.' Chief Minister has requested the Prime Minister of India, in his letter, to ensure allocation of sizeable part of the revenues generated from Odisha within the State to strengthen and expand rail network.

Citing that the State needs to look for new virgin areas for development and industrialisation as many of the present industrial clusters have attained a stage of saturation in terms of availability of land, water and, also, due to environmental concerns, Naveen has demanded speedy execution of projects such as, Bhadrachalam Road – Talcher Rail Link via Malkangiri, Jeypore, Lanjigarh; Berhampur- Sambalpur new Rail Link via Phulbani; Rayagada – Gopalpur Rail Link via Bhismagiri. Requesting the PM to advise the Ministry of Railways to execute these projects on priority basis, Naveen has also urged that these projects should be treated as “National Projects”. The Chief Minister has demanded the Prime Minister in his letter to expedite the setting up of the Wagon Factory at Sitalapali in Ganjam which was declared in Budget for the year 2011-12 and also take steps to establish a railway apprentice training centre in the backward KBK region to support the skills development and increase employability of the people of this region.

Alleging that the union ministry has bypassed Odisha while implementing ambitious projects like the dedicated freight corridor aligned with mega industrial hubs, national road expressways and high speed train projects, Naveen has demanded that the eastern dedicated freight corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni should be extended to Vishakhapatnamso as to ensure seamless movement of freight between the ports and the vast northern and central hinterlands of the country. On poor or no rail network in the backward regions of Odisha, the Chief Minister said that lack of infrastructure has been one of the major reasons of impeding socio-economic growth of this region. Mentioning that expansion of rail network in these areas would help minimising the impact of left wing extremism, Naveen adds in his letter to the Prime Minister that ‘delivering rail services in the naxal affected regions is one of the best means to channelise development therein and provide counter active force.’

Source: Hotnhitnews.com & Orissa Diary

Devotees throng gurudwara to view rare editions of Guru Granth Sahib in Berhampur

Three rare and antique versions of Guru Granth Sahib, which are on a tour round the country, were put on display at Gurudwara Singh Sabha premises in the city. Devotees of Sikh community and others of the city thronged the Gurudwara to see these rare Guru Granth Sahib editions and to pay their respect to the most revered scripture of Sikhism.

Devotees paying respect to the Guru Granth Sahib in Berhampur 

The team carrying the three rare versions of Guru Granth Sahib reached Jagannathpur on the outskirts of the city at around 11 a.m. Berhampur Gurudwara Singh Sabha and Sikhs of the city welcomed them there. Then they were taken in a ‘nagar sankirtan’ to the Gurudwara in the city, where the Guru Granth Sahib editions were put on display.

These books are currently on a tour round the country to provide common mass and Sikhs an opportunity to see and learn from the history of Sikh religion and scriptures. This journey had started from Gurdwara Maithan Sahib in Agra on January 21, 2012.

According to the members of Gurudwara Singh Sabha of Berhampur, the three rare displays included a 100-year-old Guru Granth Sahib which was only one inch in size although it contained 1,430 ang or pages, a 225-year-old Guru Granth Sahib prepared by two Muslim brothers of Lahore and a 275-year-old hand written version of the revered scripture.

These books are currently on a nationwide tour to provide common mass and Sikhs an opportunity to see and learn from the history of Sikh religion and scriptures

Mayfair Palm Beach Resorts opened at Gopalpur-On-Sea

History repeated itself at Gopalpur-on-sea on Sunday with the opening of Mayfair Palm Beach Resorts.

Palm Beach Hotel was the country’s first beach resort established in 1914 by two Italian friends. It was used by the British who travelled to Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) by ship. Gopalpur was also an old seaport for rice trade.

The hotel was taken over by the Oberoi Group in 1947. It was a favourite place of stay for Indira Gandhi, Biju Patnaik and many other eminent people. But in 2002, the Oberois closed the hotel as business failed.

The Mayfair Group of Hotels and Resorts purchased the property a year ago. Now, it is a splendid hotel with five-star facilities amidst lush greenery. The heritage aspects of the hotel have been preserved aesthetically. Old photographs of Prime Ministers and Presidents, who stayed in the hotel, and maps and artifacts of olden times are found at different places of the hotel.

With 45 rooms, the cost of renovation and modernisation of the hotel by the Mayfair Group amounted to Rs 45 crore. The hotel is now expected to be a national and international destination of tourists in need of luxury rest and tranquility.

When the big Oberoi Group could not run it, local entrepreneur Dilip Ray, who is also a politician and heads the Mayfair Group, has been able to revive it. With the Tata SEZ at Gopalpur on the anvil, the resort is expected to get further boost to its business.

The quiet inauguration of the new hotel was limited to the Mayfair family, its friends and well-wishers. The Mayfair Group earlier has hotels and resorts in Bhubaneswar, Puri, Rourkela, Darjeeling, Gangtok and Goa. A new second hotel is coming up at Puri and another new hotel in Kolkata. There are also plans to construct a five-star hotel at Paradip and another hotel at Chilka, said sources. Source: The Pioneer 

Lives cut short on the rail tracks

Author:  Hiranmay Karlekar

More and more elephants are getting killed or injured by speeding trains in the country despite promises made by authorities to contain such accidents

The killing of six elephants by the Coromondel Express which ran over a herd late on December 29 night in Odisha, has sent shockwaves round the world, and understandably. According to the report of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests' Elephant Task Force, submitted on August 31, 2010, train accidents had killed as many as 150 elephants since 1987. There have been many more similar deaths since then. There was particular reason for being especially careful in Odisha where train accidents had killed one elephant in June and four in August this year. In fact, 12 elephants have reportedly been killed in the State's Ganjam district in the last three months alone. Besides, the accident on December 29 occurred in an area where elephants cross the railway line regularly. There are as many as 10 signboards, warning that it was an “elephant crossing zone” between Rambha and Huma stations where the accident occurred.

Yet, the train was running from Howrah to Chennai at a speed of between 110 and 120 kilometres per hour when it mowed into the herd of elephants. Such was reportedly the speed that the bodies of the elephants hit fell here and there around the track. As could be expected, the railways and the Odisha forest department have started trading allegations about who is to blame, with the latter claiming that the railways had been informed in time and the elephants could have been saved had the train driver been warned on the wireless, and the former claiming that the forest department's information came at the time of the accident, which left no scope for a message to be sent.

An inquiry may well reveal what happened. But whatever the details of the present case, the railways have been guilty of showing utter indifference to the safety of animals crossing the tracks. If nothing else, there should be compulsory speed limits in areas where animals are vulnerable. Unfortunately, such limits, if they exist, are flouted at will.

It is not that the authorities have not had suggestions. Animal Equality, an animal rights organisation in Britain, has, according to its representative in India, Ms Amruta Ubale, outlined a number of steps in letters to the Union Ministers for Railways and for Environment and Forests. These include equipping trains with automatic speed governors which would be activated once trains enter forests where the maximum speed should be 20 to 25 kmph on even tracks and 40 to 45 kmph on steep tracts, and installing in them scintillating head lamps with halogen/LED bulbs which would help illuminate much longer stretches of tracks. Animal Equality has also recommended fitting trains with water cannons to remove animals refusing to budge from tracks. The suggestions also include the installation in trains of radar sensors to detect animals on tracks, determine the train's distance from these, and act as instant auto-brakes to prevent collisions. The Elephant Task Force's report too recommends several measures to prevent road and rail accidents. Besides site-specific short-term and long-term mitigation measures, these include the announcement of the principles of forest area, railway track and highway management, the grant of mining licences and rules governing the drawing and maintenance of power cables through forest areas. These are comprehensive, but will require time and funds. Meanwhile, the railway authorities themselves can implement some measures relatively soon.

Measures taken jointly by forest departments and animal welfare organisations in some States to avert elephant deaths include patrolling, electric fencing, installation of signage and hoardings, levelling of steep embankments, creation of awareness among train drivers and other railway staff, the clearing of vegetation at blind corners to improve visibility for train drivers, and so on. There have been some instances of success, such as in Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand where no elephant has died in train accidents since 2002. Much, however, needs to be done. Trains continue to kill.These measures will help; so will regular inspection and repair of power lines running through forests to prevent electrocution of elephants. While the implementation of all recommendations of the Elephant Task Force, including those against poaching for ivory, will take time, the one for creating a National Elephant  Conservation Authority, on the lines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, can be implemented immediately. It will provide a much-needed effective centralized direction to the task of protecting elephants. 

Source: The Pioneer

BJP to go it alone in coming elections: Dharmendra Pradhan

Any tie-up with BJD ruled out

BERHAMPUR: The Bharatiya Janata Party would never think of alliance with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the State, said party national general secretary Dharmendra Pradhan.

Speaking to newsmen during his visit to the city on Sunday to deliver a talk on ‘good governance’, which was organised by ‘Brahmapur Intellectual Forum’, Mr. Pradhan said the BJP started preparations to fight it alone in the coming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the State. He claimed that strength of the BJP was on the rise in the State.

It may be noted that till the polls in 2009, the BJP and the BJD were partners in the State. Mr. Pradhan said the new State president of the party, who would replace Juel Oram, would surely be a person who could lead the party in the elections scheduled to be held in 2014. But he refused to name anyone for the post. It may be noted that as per reports inner tussle continued in the State BJP regarding choice of next State president of the party.

 He claimed that there was no inner tussle in the party. He avoided questions related to prospective candidates for the post of next State president of the BJP, saying it was internal matter of the party not to be discussed in public. When asked whether the next State president would be elected or selected, Mr. Pradhan said he would be a man accepted by all. “Ours is a cadre-based party so every decision is a collective decision,” he said.

Mr. Pradhan was in charge of the Karnataka BJP. So, when asked about the division of the party, including its legislative party in Karnataka, he said Karnataka incident was an isolated happening and it would have little effect on the rising clout of the BJP in national politics. “The incidents in Karnataka surely did not have any impact on Gujarat elections,” he added. Source: The Hindu 

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to inaugurate MKCG Medical College golden jubilee

Preparations were in final stages for the five- day golden jubilee celebration of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) medical college in the city, which is to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday. According to organising secretary of the golden jubilee celebration, S.N.Mohanty, it was an occasion to celebrate for whole of south Odisha as this institute happened to be the only medical college in this region. The hospital attached to the medical college was also the only referral hospital in south Odisha.

The State government had started a medical college in Berhampur in 1961. Due to dearth of its own campus it was being run in the building in front of the City Hospital, which is now being used as office of Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO). Later it was shifted to the building which is now being used as living quarters of Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division and the building which is now being used by the Ophthalmology Department of the medical college. On November 30, 1963, foundation stone was laid for the new building of the medical college and the hospital attached to it. In 1966 it was named after Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, who had played a pivotal role for the formation of modern Odisha State on linguistic basis. New building of this institution was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Odisha Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo on February 21, 1969.  

During the time of inception this institute had intake strength of 40 students. Now 150 students are getting admitted into its MBBS course every year. At present 96 students were studying in post graduate courses of the institute. As the hospital attached to it happens to be the only referral hospital in south Odisha, more than 1,000 patients reach its out-patients section every day. On an average more than 120 patients get admitted in the indoor wards of the hospital every day. The alumni of the institute include several physicians of national and international repute. According to Dr. Mohanty around 5,000 delegates would attend the golden jubilee celebrations. First principal of the institute Sukumar Das would also attend the inaugural ceremony. As part of the celebration several technical seminars would be held in which experts of international fame would take part. Present as well as past students of the institute were also busy preparing for cultural shows they would perform during the five-day long celebration.

Source: The Hindu

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

The rise of B-town in Odisha

Construction of multi-storied residential apartments has gained pace in small towns, which boasted only of standalone houses built by individual owners till recently.

Contrary to real estate development centered around the Cuttack-Puri-Bhubaneswar triangle alone earlier, several residential projects are coming up in Angul, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Balasore, Bhadrak, and Berhampur, among other towns. Apart from individual merits of certain towns because of industrial activities around them and their strategic locations, apartment culture is picking up across Odisha towns, industry insiders said.

Around 50 apartments with a total of 10,000 dwelling units are under different stages of construction in Berhampur alone. "People prefer apartments and planned constructions to buying land these days. Salaried employees have disposable money but don't have time to construct a house by employing a contractor on their own. They are the large clientele here," said P K Rajeev, a developer in the south Odisha town.

Berhampur with its good road and rail connectivity is a gateway to south Odisha, making it a preferred destination for people from neighbouring districts to invest and own a house here. The real estate price here is now as high as Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 per sq ft, only a little less than the price in Bhubaneswar.

Jharsuguda, an emerging industrial town, where the government is planning the state's second airport, is coming up as another real estate hub. "Besides apartments, simplex and duplex houses, there are huge takers for plot schemes here," said Sajid Hussain, a developer there. With per sq ft price of Rs 1,350 to Rs 2,500, buyers are finding two bedroom houses below Rs 20,000, which is very cheap for them, he added.

Sambalpur is witnessing similar vertical and horizontal expansion with multiple developers undertaking huge projects. "Local residents staying outside the city for their jobs are the largest section of buyers in Sambalpur. This may be their post-retirement settlement plans," said Sambalpur Development Authority (SDA) chairman Bijay Mohanty.

In Bargarh, rice millers who had to down their shutters after the government decided to shift them outside the town some years ago, are using the available land to develop residential projects. Besides, apartments are also coming up on virgin land close to the upcoming bypass road of the NH. "Because of affordable land cost, our pricing is far lower compared to cities like Bhubaneswar, giving a chance to the low middle income groups to own a house here," said Jay Prakash Agarwal, a developer in Bargarh. The per square feet price of house starts from Rs 1,300 here with two bedroom flat available at Rs 13 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.

Developers said with land price skyrocketing in Bhubaneswar, housing cost in the city is exceptionally high. "This is ruling out a substantial section of low middle class families from buying a house in Bhubaneswar. These people can easily afford houses in the district towns. Many others who have money tend to own houses both in the state capital and in their native towns," said Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India state president D S Tripathy. Development of ports and industrialization in coastal districts has helped real estate activities in towns like Bhadrak and Balasore, he said.

Readers' opinions in Times of India

Anju (Shimla/ Berhampur)

I agree with kamal. the BJD government in the state is really discriminating Berhampur. 10 years back, the CM promised the completion of Berhampur Stadium, establishment of High court Bench, establishment of the airport etc, but nothing happened during this period. simply this govt. is cheating the people of Berhampur.

Kukud (Kolkata)

Mr Navin pattanaik the so called clean CM of Odisha is only focussing the development in and around Bhubaneswar totally neglecting the importance of other towns and coties of Odisha.If he want to earn the reputation of a good CM his Govt should focus on all around development of the state. Then only we can dream for a state with high growth and development. To outsiders Odisha has got only one city i.e BBSR, some times Cuttack though not as city of national repute bue as the oldest city of the state. Small states like Punjab, Haryana has cities of national repute. Our state need to follow the same root. Than only teh state can dazzle.

Berhampur rocks (India)

Berhampur rocks.....Its growth is the next big thing to happen in Odisha. The city is close to the Bay of Bengal and has University, medical college, a dozen engineering colleges, ports, SEZ, tourism, IT park and a traditional Business hub. It has history of hundreds of years, tradition and a progressive culture. The time for Berhampur has truely come.

Kamal Joshi (New Delhi)

In the above news the authorities accepted that after BBSR, Berhampur city in South Odisha is the second fastest growing urban center in Odisha. Reality is that if Odisha government provides more roads and infrastructure in Berhampur city even it can easily surpass the Capital of the State Bhubaneswar.

Gopalpur port, TATA Industrial park, energy city at sonpur, Software park, the business hub in the city and the world famous tourist centers like Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine, lofty mountains of Eastern Ghat, dance forest of Dandakaranya in south Odisha and famous Gopalpur sea beach which are present in and around the city are the main attractions of the place. It is clear that these type of facilities are not available in any other urban center in the state or in Eastern India.

With minimum facilities the silk city is still posing a challenge to the capital city. If Odisha govt. stop its step-motherly treatment towards Berhampur and provides national standard infrastructure, then this city can emerge as a mega commercial /Industrial hub in Eastern India. And only the people of the State can get the benefit out of it.

But unfortunately the present State government and the Bureaucracy knowingly suppressing the growth of this urban centre.

Though huge urban agglomeration coming up in and around Berhampur city the State administration knowingly keeping these areas out of the boundary of the third corporation of the state.

Where as, in contrast to that in Bhubaneswar, the same state administration has been bringing more and more villages (from phul nakhara - khurda) only to elevate the population of Bhubaneswar to 10 lakhs. Its simply unfortunate.............

To check its progress the state administration has not implemented any development project during the last 10 years in Berhampur.

its the time, Odiaha chief minister Mr. Naveen Patnaik must intervene in it, review it and must instruct the bureaucracy to remove the roadblocks before the development of Berhampur city and implement the projects sanctioned by the state govt. in a faster pace .

All the people must remember that Berhampur city has many advantages in its favour and undoubtedly it is the 'future' of Odisha. Therefore, for the better future of the state it’s the duty of all of us to put pressure on the state govt. for the faster development of this ancient city.

Source: The Times of India 

MKCG Medical College in Berhampur dilapidated, authorities in slumber

By Sisir Panigrahy

Wide cracks in walls of various departments, insufficient infrastructure and lack of equipment plague MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MKCG MCH) here. While tobacco spit marks on the walls and unbearable stink from the blocked toilets portray a poor picture of the premier medical college, the patients admitted here also have to fight the mosquito menace.

Set up in 1961, the 1,081- bed MKCG MCH is the referral hospital for 10 southern districts and caters to patients from Andhra Pradesh as well. While lack of infrastructure is commonplace in this  hospital, the least expected of the authorities is to maintain cleanliness and hygiene on the hospital premises to prevent infection. However, what you get to see at the MCH is a testimony to the fact that the authorities concerned are in deep slumber.

Walls in various departments of the 51-year-old structure have developed deep cracks sans maintenance, portions of the roofs chip off every month and need to be repaired on priority. At any given point of time, as many as 800 patients and 4,000 people, including patients’ attendants and hospital staff, can be found in the wards.

Locals alleged that although the hospital higher-ups are well aware of the unsafe condition of MCH’s buildings, they spent money on just plastering the cracks and fixing of floor tiles.

Amenities to patients too are non-existent. While the hospital is supposed to provide most of the medicines to the in- patients, except the normal saline no medicines are provided to them. Patients are allegedly asked to purchase all the required medicines, including cotton. Beds in most of the departments are damaged.

In Gynaecology department, due to shortage of beds pregnant  women and newborn are accommodated on the floor, notwithstanding the risk of infection.  While some departments do not have important equipment, some have them but are sparingly put to use.

One of them is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) equipment which can be used to conduct various tests. The PCR equipment, worth ` 1 crore, was provided to the Microbiology department six months back. But on the pretext of non-supply of testing kits, the machine is lying unused.

In many operation theatres, air conditioners don’t work. Rasananda Mangual, HoD of Surgery department, said even as the department has facilities to operate four patients simultaneously, all the four air conditioners in the OT have become defunct.

“The department is supposed to conduct 3,000 general operations and another 1,500 emergency  operations a year. Though the target of emergency operations is achieved, the number of general operations falls much short of the target. Doctors in other departments said although the officials concerned have been informed about the unsafe buildings in the MKCG, no proper action is being initiated.  

Source: New Indian Express

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