Baliyatra festival in Cuttack ended peacefully

The eight-day long Baliyatra festival in Cuttack the biggest fare of the State that witnessed heavy footfalls everyday at three fair grounds ended peacefully on November 28 without any major untoward incident. The district administration heaved a sigh of relief after successful completion of the fare. With the end of Baliyatra, three-month long festive season also came to an end much to the relief of local administration.

It was also a hectic schedule for local police in maintaining law and order containing crime, particularly in the city during puja season which began with Lord Ganesh Puja in August last. Baliyatra witnessed heavy gathering of an average of three lakh people thronging the festive grounds everyday. "An estimated 10 lakh revellers thronged the fare site on last two days of the festival during the weekends," sources said. Due to a systematic and schematic approach by administration, the grandest festival of the city went off peacefully," said a relaxed Kishore Kumar Mohanty, the district collector.

Sources maintain that apart from some minor allegations of theft cases, not a single cognizable crime was reported from the festive grounds over the week. Not even a case of vehicle theft, snatching or any act of burglary or robbery reported. Even there was also a drastic fall in cases like eve teasing, pickpocket and hooliganism by drunkards that are generally associated with such gatherings.

Source: The Pioneer

Eight heritage sites selected for restoration under ICZMP

Eight significant heritage structures along the Orissa coast have been identified under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) for restoration with a new approach. According to an official release issued in Bhubaneswar on November 28, after the restoration work these heritage structures would be showcased for promotion of the community-based heritage tourism. Necessary infrastructures would be developed based on the carefully planned plan for each site.

The eight sites selected for the restoration and promotion of tourism are Baba Kundaleshwar Temple at Manikpatna, Harachandi Temple at Baliharachandi, Harihardeva Temple at Nairi, Potagada Fort in Ganjam district, British Cemetery in Ganjam district, and Bateshwar Temple at Kantiagada, Jagannath Temple at Pentha and the Jamboo Colonial Building in Kendrapara district.  The monuments were selected on the basis of their architectural, sculptural, historical, cultural and religious importance along the 160-km-long coastal zone of the ICZMP pilot project area, the release said.

The sites are proposed to be developed with the active participation of the local community, and different Departments of the State Government will provide the basic amenities and restoration facilities.

The preservation and restoration work would be implemented over the next five years by the State Culture Department. An amount of Rs.7.41 crore will be spent on this work.

The restoration work will include structural conservation, chemical conservation, environmental up-gradation and illumination of the monuments. The aesthetic and grand classic look of the monuments will be maintained to preserve the historical and physical integrity of the cultural property.

Source: The Hindu

Harihar Dash of Berhampur features in the new Airtel ad

                                                                      Following is an excerpt from an Indian Express story on this ad

              Dancing from Orissa town to Prague
Things are moving fast for Harihar Dash, and they are taking him places. The 24-year-old dancer from Berhampur, a commercial town in coastal Orissa, thought he had had his most famous moment when he made it as a finalist in Colors channel’s India’s Got Talent- Khoj 2. But more was in store: he is now the face of Airtel’s latest ad, which is shot in Prague and expected to go on air on Monday.

The journey from Berhampur to Prague has been nothing short of an adventure, he says. “It all happened in such a rush, right from arranging a passport or getting a visa or the dance preparation, it was so sudden. The only thing I could say when I got to know (about selection) was ‘Wow! it’s just so unbelievable’,” says Harihar, a B Tech in electronics and communication.

For a moment, it seemed that he won’t be able to make the trip in a fortnight’s time. He had to reach Delhi for his visa but missed the flight from Bhubaneswar. Tickets for a flight via Kolkata were arranged. He was caught in traffic on way to airport and barely made it.

“It was truly an adventure but worth the effort. Harihar is fantastic,” says Rohit Ohri, managing partner at JWT, marketing communications brand working with Airtel for the ad. Agrees Airtel Head (Brand and Media) Mohit Beotra, “He didn’t have much time to prepare but did a commendable job.” The 60-second ad was shot in three days a couple of weeks ago.

There was a bit of luck involved in his selection too as, Beotra says, they were looking somewhere else when Harihar’s name cropped up. “We were looking for somebody who is a street entertainer, a juggler, fire-eater or a dancer. We were watching some tapes of a few people from London School of Dance and then Sanjay Kapoor, CEO of Bharti Airtel, suggested Harihar’s name and we saw his tapes. He was striking.”

They tracked him down but he didn’t have a passport, and they had to get a visa for him in a short time. But finally things fell in place. “My dancing style is popping and locking but the one I was required to do was a mix of popping and ballet for which I had to slow down in between and then pick pace. I was trained by some of the best,” says Harihar. “I had no plans of acting but after this ad, I would like to try my hand at it.” Also in his wishlist: travelling to Prague again — on vacation.

Source: OrissaLinks, Indian Express

Second oldest Khallikote College to be elevated to Unitary University

BERHAMPUR: In a significant decision the State Government has decided to elevate Khallikote Autonomous College in Berhampur to unitary university status, said Higher Education Minister of Odisha Debi Prasad Mishra. A government appointed task force on higher education reforms had suggested upgrading the Khallikote autonomous colleges to university status, the Minister said while addressing a function of the Students’ Union of Khallikote College. Mishra however stressed the need to develop necessary infrastructure facilities before the second oldest college of the State was declared a unitary university. While at least 50 acre was required, Khallikote Autonomous College had only 16.74 acres of land in its possession. “There is a proposal to get another 2.50 acres from transport departments garage adjoining the college”, he said. The Minister asked the local MLAs to locate another 50 acres in the town for the college’s expansion. He also assured the students to fill up the vacant posts soon. Around 50 percent of the posts of teaching staff are vacant in the 132-year old college, where over 3,600 students are pursuing studies in 19 different departments, 15 of them having post-graduate departments. The proposal for a foot bridge from KKC to Junior college has just been approved and funds have been released for renovation of Jhansirani ladies hostel, Swami Vivekananda boys hostel of the college. Among others, Berhampur MP Sidhant Mohapatra, MLAs RC Choupatnaik, P Panigrahy, BMC Mayor SS Dash and BDA chairman Kailash Rana were present on the occasion.

Source: New IndianExpress

Construction boom in Silk City Berhampur

ERHAMPUR: The greater Berhampur region is witnessing a construction boom these days like never before, mainly in the housing segment due to changing perceptions and purchasing power among the people and also due to huge influx of people from adjoining southern districts of Orissa and KBK region to the city. Interestingly people of the region staying outside the state are not only buying luxurious houses in the city, they are also investing in the real estate sector in a big way which is considered a safe investment option with high return. On account of these the demand for housing in the city has skyrocketed. The real estate investors are no longer confined to Berhampur city but from places like Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Surat etc. Recently the Surat based Astha International Group has launched a township project in Berhampur with a proposed investment of Rs 500 crore along with a 3-Star hotel and shopping mall. Another Surat based group Green Infra has also launched mega housing and resort projects in Berhampur and Gopalpur. Not to be left behind the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) has also unveiled mega projects on the Berhampur-Gopalpur stretch at an investment of over Rs 50 crore. The City Corporation has also earmarked land for mega shopping malls like Forum Mart by Saraf Group and Reliance Mart. The on-going projects like Gopalpur Port, Tata Industrial Park, Sonepur Energy and Oil City, Titanium SEZ, Software Technology Park of India (STPI) proposed Berhampur airport have all played a role in the construction boom. The declaration of Berhampur as the third Municipal Corporation of Odisha in 2008 by changing its boundary limits and arrival of several engineering and medical colleges to the city have also triggered real estate activities on the city outskirts. The skyrocketing real-estate prices in Berhampur has made the city an alternate real-estate investment destination of the State, besides the state capital.

TaraTarini Hill Shrine to get a facelift

BERHAMPUR: The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has decided to take up construction work with around Rs. 1.2 crore within next one year to further develop the temple complex at the hill top. This was decided at a meeting of the TTDB chaired by its president Chandrasekhar Kumar, RDC, southern division. The main temple of this hill shrine was reconstructed at a cost Rs. 2.5 crores in traditional ‘Rekha' style of Oriyan temple architecture by master sculptor Padmabhusan Raghunath Mohapatra. The TTDB has entrusted Mr. Mohapatra with the next phase of construction work on the temple complex at the hill top. The design of the construction work was finalised at a meeting by the technical committee of the TTDB. Under it, a boundary wall will be built around the temple in traditional form at a cost of around Rs. 50 lakhs. Four ‘parswa' temples will be built up at four corners of the temple complex at a cost Rs. 44 lakhs. Apart from it, a modern kitchen will also be added to the temple complex. The kitchen complex will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 25 lakhs. “We have decided to complete these projects within a year and Mr. Mohapatra has also agreed to it,” said Pramod Kumar panda, secretary of the TTDB.

Meanwhile, work on the new ghat road to the hill top is also under way. The new road will be less steep and wider than the existing old road. The road is being laid at a cost of Rs. 5 crores by the Rural Development Department. Another ring road is also being laid around the Tara Tarini hill at a cost of Rs. 50 lakhs. The RDC directed the department to complete the construction of the roads by April, 2011.

The Tourism Department has also come up with plans of developmental projects for the hill shrine with Rs. 71 lakhs. Survey for it has already been complete. The TTDB has also decided to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the area around the hill shrine. A survey will be taken up in five km radius around the hill shrine soon for the purpose.

Source: The Hindu

Maneka calls to protest rampant cow smuggling

SALEPUR: Animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi urged people to raise voice against rampant smuggling of cattle. Inaugurating the 68th Gostastami Utsav of Asureswar Gorakshani here, Maneka said cattle smuggling from Orissa to West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh is on the rise.

"The way in which the cows are being transported and then slaughtered is heartbreaking. Both politicians and police personnel should be held responsible for this, Maneka added.

Despite Supreme Court and high court orders to ban cow slaughter, the practice continues in many parts of the country, particularly in West Bengal. "Around 1,00,000 tonne of beef is being sent to Middle East countries from West Bengal annually," she said. She further said that Oxytocin, a hormone that is injected into the cows for quick milking, should be banned as it has adverse impact both on bovine and human life.

She unveiled Asureswar Gorakshani's annual magazine 'Dhatri' on the occasion.

Among others, MPs Baijayanta Panda and Prasanna Patasani, Cuttack Sadar legislator Kalindi Behera and Energy Minister Atanu Sabyasachi were present.

Source: The New Indian Express

South Orissa Students’ Association (SOSA) demands greenfield domestic airport at Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: South Orissa Students’ Association (SOSA) through a letter to the Chief Minister of Orissa has demanded a green field domestic airport at Berhampur keeping in view the growing air traffic and need of people in the southern region comprising of ten districts of Orissa. The students’ body in its letter to the Chief Minister informed that spectacular growth in the aviation sector witnessed in India in recent years has completely by-passed the state of Orissa. Orissa has seen a spurt in private investment in the recent years and now it is being compared with some of the more advanced states like Maharashtra, Gujarat etc in terms of attracting investment. But, when it comes to air connectivity the state is considered a laggard with poor and inadequate aviation infrastructure. Moreover, most of the states have developed multiple functional airports; the state of Orissa still doesn’t have a second airport after Bhubaneswar. While the only airport of Orissa is still languishing as a domestic airport, prominent cities of the state like Berhampur are yet to be a part of the aviation map of the country. This is regrettable as Berhampur city caters to a vast population of South Orissa and is a major educational, healthcare and commercial hub of the state. As far as Southern Orissa is concerned, the demand for a green field domestic airport at Berhampur has been raised at various points of time but nothing concrete has happened as yet. It is needless to mention that Southern Orissa comprising of 10 revenue districts and Berhampur; the second biggest urban cluster of the state and the principal city of the region is not only the regional hub for business, transport, health and higher education, but it is also among the fastest growing cities of eastern India. Moreover, the region is having a great tourist potential with places like Gopalpur on sea, Chika Lake, Tampara Bay, Taratarini Hill Shrine, Taptapani hot stream and rich tribal culture. Besides, Berhampur is going to be a commercial hub of Orissa with the upcoming industrial corridor of the state. The Gopalpur Port, Tata Industrial Park and SEZ, Titanium SEZ, IREL, proposed Sonepur Energy and Oil City located in the area. The Student's body urged the Chief Minister to take urgent steps for a greenfield domestic airport at an appropriate location near Berhampur city in Orissa which would felicitate faster industrialisation and development of southern region of the state and would ensure faster connectivity for large number of people, the letter addred.

Deepavali wishes