National weightlifting championship starts in Berhampur

The five-day national weightlifting championship, 2011, will begin in Silk city Berhampur on December 24. As many as 300 weightlifters from across the country, including 100 woman participants, will participate in the event, while around 100 officials, including those from the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) will conduct the tournament.

"Over 100 weightlifters and several officials have already reached the town. Several others will reach on Saturday morning due to late running of some long-distance trains," the vice president of the IWF and the organizing secretary of the event, Narayan Sahu, said on Friday. The participants include several international and national award winners, he added.

The technical committee of the federation has already done the final inspection of the makeshift stage erected inside the Berhampur Stadium, where the event will be held. Some of the participants have begun practicing, and the preparation is almost complete, Sahu said.

The mega event assumes significance as Berhampur has produced several international and national-level weightlifters, including two Arjuna award winners - K Ravi Kumar and Bijay Satapathy.

"We are very happy, as the city, that has produced a number of noted weightlifters, is holding the national meet for the first time," said the advisor of the Odisha Weightlifting Association (OWA), Biswanath Patra.

Apart from weightlifters, the city has also produced some reputed weightlifting coaches, including Narayan Sahu, Sita Nath Patnaik and Ramesh Padhy.

Gopalpur beach festival from January 11 to 15

Gopalpur beach festival would be held in January this time rather than in December like earlier years. This five-day beach festival would be held from January 11 to 15. Earlier date of this beach festival used to coincide with Christmas. This decision was taken at the first preparatory meeting for the beach festival held in Berhampur city. This beach festival is organised every year jointly by the Ganjam district administration and Ganjam District Hoteliers' Association (GDHA) to promote tourism at this beach resort and to show case cultural heritage of South Odisha. The preparatory meeting was chaired by Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) southern division, Laxmi Narayan Nayak. It was attended by Ganjam Collector Kishan Kumar, MLAs of Gopalpur and Berhampur and many office bearers.

Decision to shift dates of the beach festival was taken at the request of the GDHA. The GDHA felt holding of beach festival during festive tourist season was putting extra pressure on the small beach resort. Added to it large crowd that gathers up for the beach festival and clogged traffic was also causing problems for the tourists who check in hotels of the beach resort during that time. Holding of this beach festival during January would add up another tourist season for the beach resort, felt GDHA. This famous beach festival had been started during 90s by the GDHA and this famous beach is just 9km away from Berhampur city. Source: The Hindu 

Colourful start to Cuttack Balijatra

Bigger and more spectacular this year, the historic Balijatra kicked off in the midst of huge turnout of visitors here on Thursday. The fair, featuring over 1,300 stalls across three grounds at Killa Maidan and the main fair ground on the Mahanadi river bed, was inaugurated by Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patro.

The major attraction this year is billed to be the National-level Pallishree Mela, which has brought together textiles and handlooms from all parts of the country under one platform. With the ethnic textiles and handlooms of Orissa, weavers groups from about 25 states have taken part in the exhibition organised by ORMAS in association with KVIC, Department of Textiles, Directorate of Handicrafts and Cottage Industries and Nabard.

The expo, organised to provide exposure to SHG groups and traditional artisans, has over 307 stalls this year. It is also showcasing leather items from Punjab, Rajasthan and UP, wooden craft and furniture from Kalahandi along with Andhra Pradesh and UP, famous carpets of UP, dry flowers of North East, Sandalwood craft and products from Mysore in Karnataka.

 Besides, a special pavilion has been set up to promote and popularise jute products.  From bags, shoes, upholstery, furniture items, rugs, sheets, curtains and other decorative items, the widest variety of jute products have been put on display.  “We are promoting jute not only as an alternative to the harmful polythene but also a very durable, decorative and upmarket product for the fashionable and discernible sections,” Chief Executive of ORMAS, Cuttack, Bipin Behari Rout said.

 The fair also encompasses the Gandhi Shilpa Bazaar on handicraft items with about 150 stalls and the much sought after silver Filigree Pavilion to promote the traditional silver filigree works of Cuttack city.

The amusement section also has added new items to entice and entertain the children this year. The fair is expected to draw more than 3 lakh visitors a day with business transactions running into crores.  The official website www.baliyatracuttack.com was also launched on the occasion. Source: New Indian Express 

Now, BJP targets Minister Surya Narayan Patro on assets issue

After gunning for the head of Law Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha over false affidavit to avail of two BDA houses, the BJP on Friday demanded expulsion of Revenue Minister Surjya Narayan Patro for giving false disclosure as well as undervaluation statement of his and his family members’ properties in the public domain.

BJP State vice-president and spokesperson Asok Sahu alleged at a news conference that Patro, one of the longest-serving Ministers, has concealed his real immovable and movable assets. His entire assets should be probed by the Central Enforcement Directorate, Sahu demanded and urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to show his morality for the sake of transparency and public probity in this matter.

Since almost all Ministers, being public representatives, have undervalued their property statements and also hidden facts, stern and exemplary action must be taken against them, he said. ahu alleged that Patro has shown his entire property worth only `2,43,80,000 whereas his immovable properties alone at Beerhampur, Digapahandi, Chhatrapur and Bhubaneswar would exceed `50 crore. This apart, there are properties not disclosed but owned by his son and wife in and outside Odisha. Besides, Patro has not given the facts on his buildings at Visakhapatnam, Bangalore and Hyderabad, he said.

Sahu further alleged that Patro owna a plot of land with a massive building in Plot-No.N-2/196 measuring 10,920 sqft at Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar. Such a huge Government plot is never given to a single individual. Still, the Minister manipulated the administrative rules to get it through one lot in his favour. He has shown the value of the property as worth merely `55 lakh, which is an understatement and amounts to perjury on oath. Its current market value would be not less than `5.5 crore, Sahu said.

He also said that besides the residential plot, Patro has managed to allot another plot measuring 43,000 sqft in favour of his son Biplab Patro through the General Administration Department near the DAV School, Bhubaneswar. Now, the value of the plot would be around `40 crore, and this was neither mentioned in his affidavit during the 2009 election nor in the recent property statement of the Ministers available in the Government portal. Sahu wanted to know from Patro the source of income of his son to acquire the huge property when he was a fresh MBA. The plot in question is jointly owned by Patro and his son, and this is in gross violation of all rules regarding exercise of discretion power under the provisions of the Odisha Development Authorities Act, 1983.

He also said that during his stint as Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister in late Biju Patnaik’s Ministry,Patro had allegedly acquired around 40 acres of land in the Krushnaprasad area bordering Ganjam district for prawn culture, which has no mention in his property statement.

Sahu warned that if the Chief Minister does not take appropriate action against Patro, the BJP would seek legal recourse. Source: The Pioneer 

Berhampur girl grabs gold in Commonwealth Youth championship at Cape Town

Following the footsteps of K Ravi Kumar, another weightlifter of Berhampur city, Minati Das, brought fame to the state. She won gold in the ongoing Commonwealth Youth Girls championship at Cape Town. Ravi, who had won the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games-2010, had also won the medal in the Commonwealth (youth) championships earlier.

Fifteen-year-old Minati of Old Berhampur area won in the 44-kg category, said vice-president of Indian Weightlifting Federation and general secretary of Berhampur-based Veer Hanuman Club Narayan Sahu. Seven girls from the country, including Das, were participating in the youth (girl) category. Though Minati has participated in many national events, the commonwealth (youth) championship is her first international participation. She had a rigorous practice session in Bangalore before this. We are proud that another youth from our club won the prestigious medal in the international event, Sahu said.

Minati is the second daughter of Pramod Das, a farmer and leader of Ganjam District Scheduled Caste Federation. Out of his four children, Minati was the one very keen on sports. At present, she is a Class X student of Government Girlsa High School, Berhampur.

Source: The Times of India 

Berhampur girl grabs gold in Commonwealth Youth championship at Cape Town

Following the footsteps of K Ravi Kumar, another weightlifter of Berhampur city, Minati Das, brought fame to the state. She won gold in the ongoing Commonwealth Youth Girls championship at Cape Town. Ravi, who had won the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games-2010, had also won the medal in the Commonwealth (youth) championships earlier.

Fifteen-year-old Minati of Old Berhampur area won in the 44-kg category, said vice-president of Indian Weightlifting Federation and general secretary of Berhampur-based Veer Hanuman Club Narayan Sahu. Seven girls from the country, including Das, were participating in the youth (girl) category. Though Minati has participated in many national events, the commonwealth (youth) championship is her first international participation. She had a rigorous practice session in Bangalore before this. We are proud that another youth from our club won the prestigious medal in the international event, Sahu said.

Minati is the second daughter of Pramod Das, a farmer and leader of Ganjam District Scheduled Caste Federation. Out of his four children, Minati was the one very keen on sports. At present, she is a Class X student of Government Girlsa High School, Berhampur.

Source: The Times of India 

Tara Tarini Development Board takes great pleasure in wishing you happiness and prosperity on the divine occasion of Dusshera,

the festival that symbolizes the Triumph of Good over Evil.

May the divine blessings of

Maa Tara Tarini be with you always!

Mayfair group acquires Oberoi's Gopalpur hotel

The Oberoi Group has sold its 100-year-old hotel property at Gopalpur on Sea in Orissa to Mayfair Hotels and Resorts, a local hospitality company owned by former cabinet minister and industrialist Dilip Ray. The property, Oberoi Palm Beach, was bought by Rai Bahadur MS Oberoi in 1947 from an Italian lady and was the third hotel in his portfolio after Shimla and Kolkata. EIH, formerly East India Hotels, the flagship company of the Oberoi Group, has handed over the property to the Mayfair Group, which now has eight properties, said top executives at both companies.

For the Oberois, the Gopalpur property, though small, had a lot of sentimental value. However, with any significant expansion not possible due to the Coastal Regulation Zone restrictions and high overhead costs, the EIH management decided to lease or sell it. For a few years, they leased the hotel to a Bhubaneswar-based hotelier, but it did not work well, said an EIH source. Ray, who has been expanding his hospitality business in the past few years, said: "It is a dream acquisition. We will try our best to develop this hotel to international standards and expand it."

The Mayfair group now plans to spend 25-30 crore to expand the hotel and add another 15 rooms to the existing 20 rooms. It will also add a spa to the property along with villas.

 Gopalpur on Sea has been a popular destination among the Russian tourists throughout the year. Domestic travellers visit during winters. With Gopalpur port being developed from a seasonal to an all-weather port, commercial and industrial activity is expected to pick up. Tatas too are planning an industrial park at Gopalpur where it will be the anchor investor. The 100-crore Mayfair group operates mid-segment hotels inBhubaneswar, Puri, Rourkela, Goa, Darjeeling and Gangtok. It also will soon open hotels in Kolkata, Satpada and a new hotel in Puri. Mayfair plans to spend 25-30 crore to expand the hotel and add another 15 rooms to the existing 20 rooms.

Tata Steel reserves berth at Gopalpur Port

• Jindal Company also visited Gopalpur port to get a reserve berth

• Tata Steel would construct a hospital at Tata rehabilitation colony at Sitalapalli, Berhampur

At a time when the demand for returning the lands acquired for industries in Ganjam district is growing shriller, The Tata Steel Managing Director’s visit to Ganjam district seems to have settled things for now.

Tata Steel MD HM Nerurkar along with vice-president for Orissa Projects of the Company Hrideyshwar Jha visited Ganjam district on Tuesday to take stock of the progress of the proposed projects. They had an informal meeting with Ganjam District Collector Kishen Kumar and Managing Director of Gopalpur Ports Limited (GPL) Mahimanandan Mishra.

Gopalpur Industrial Park project is planned on 3,300 acres of land taken over by the company in 1995 for its now shelved mega steel plant project near Gopalpur port.

Tata Steel, being the anchor investor, has announced a ferrochrome industry with a capacity of around 55,000 tonne a year besides four million tonne capacity rubber industry and a desalination plant. The three units are scheduled to go for production from 2013.

However, as no progress was made even after seven months of the foundation, the displaced families whose lands were acquired started agitation demanding return of their lands.

According to the discussion between Tata Steel, GPL and district administration, Tata Steel would have its own berth and a jetty at Gopalpur Port at Rs. 60 crore for transportation of its proposed production.

However, till the construction of the berth, the port would provide a rebate of around 50 per cent to Tata Steel for transportation.

Tata Steel would construct a hospital in the vacant land at the Tata rehabilitation colony at Sitalapalli for the convenience of port and Tata employees and the GPL authorities would establish a school in the port’s vicinity, in order to reduce dependence on Berhampur.

Meanwhile, a team of officials of Jindal Company also visited the Gopalpur port to get a reserve berth.

Source: IBN Live

Ravi Kumar's Arjuna Award lifts Berhampur's spirits

The Silk City was agog with joy on Monday when local boy and Commonwealth gold medalist K. Ravi Kumar was conferred the Arjuna Award at New Delhi. Ravi Kumar received the award from President Prativa Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. "I am very happy receiving the award," he told TOI from New Delhi.At present, Ravi is busy practicing at the India camp in Patiala for the next world championships in Paris in November. He said, "The award is a big confidence booster and I will make all efforts to bring pride to mycountry," he said.

Crediting his success to his parents, coaches and well-wishers, Ravi who is now working in the Army said the award was a result of years of hard work. "It is a dream come true and I wish he beings more fame to the country," said his mother K. Suryakanta, who was present at the award-giving ceremony. Ravi Kumar is the seventh Oriya and second person from Berhampur to get this prestigious award. In 1982, another weightlifter Bijay Kumar Satapathy of Berhampur had received the Arjuna Award.

"It is a very proud moment us. His award will motivate many talented young people to scale heights," secretary of the Orissa Weightlifting Association Narayan Sahu said. "We wish he participates in the 2012 London Olympics," said Sahu, also the vice-president of Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF). Ravi's former coach Ramesh Chandra Padhy said, "We were expecting this award for him since long going by his talent".

The Veer Hanuman Club, from where Ravi started his career, will felicitate him when he returns. Ravi started his career about seven years ago and has established a brilliant track record of winning several gold medals in national and International events. He has also set a record in the men's 69-kg category by lifting 321 kg in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games last October and won the gold.

He has represented the country in the Asian Weightlifting Championships to be in China in April. He has also won three gold medals in the senior National weightlifting championships at Bangalore recently. Representing the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), Ravi won in the clean, jerk and overall weight category in the men's 77-kg event. The state has honoured him with the Ekalabya Award.

Sources: Times of India, First Post

Berhampur born Sulagna Panigrahi rocks Bollywood

In conversation with Sulagna Panigrahi

When we saw Murder 2, we were bowled over by the performance of a new girl, Sulagna Panigrahi, the actress with the face of an angel. She has been around for past 4 years and has also done quite a few television shows. Soumil Shukla of FilmiTadka caught up with the young actress and the result was a candid chat.

So tell us a bit about your background.

Well, I was born in a small town called Berhampur in Orissa. Then my family moved to Bhubaneswar and then to Delhi where I spent almost 10 years and did most of my schooling. My dad is a serving Indian Army officer. So we have had to move around a lot. In that sense I am a true Indian!.....

Click here to read the full interview

Source: filmitadka.in

Lakhs witness Lord Jagannath''s return car festival

Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad descended on the pilgrim town of Puri to witness "Bahuda Yatra", the return car festival of Lord Jagannath amidst tight security.

Photo Source: Orissa Diary

Wrapping up their nine-day annual sojourn to their aunt''s abode, Lord Jagannath, elder brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Devi Subhadra set off for their return journey to the 12th century shrine on three majestic wooden chariots.

Several special rituals were performed before the deities journeyed out of the Gundicha temple to the three colourfully decorated chariots for the return journey as sound of "Jai Jagannath" rent the air in the seashore town.

The three deities were taken to the chariots in an elaborate royal ritual called ''Pahandi'' to the beating of gongs, cymbals and blowing of Conch shells as devotees and sevayats jostled to have a closer look and to touch them.

Lord Jagannath was ensconced in the largest of the chariots, 45-feet high ''Nandighosh'' which has 16 huge wooden wheels. The chariot of Balabhadra was the 14-wheeled 44 feet high ''Taladhwaja'' and that of Subhadra known as ''Darpadalan'' with 12 wheels and standing 43 feet high.

Source: PTI 

Radiation study centre at Berhampur University

Berhampur University

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

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

What’s leading to migration phenomenon in Bhadrak District

BHADRAK: Migration is no longer confined to KBK region. The search for better life and livelihood has had thousands of people of Bhadrak district migrate to various states. The exodus has reached an alarming rate despite the State Government’s tall claims of successful implementation of rural job guarantee scheme.

According to a survey, as many as 1.5 lakh people from the district have so far migrated to Gujarat, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Delhi. There are about 14 lakh people living in 193 panchayats under seven blocks of the district. 

The report compiled by a non-government agency said while the highest around 40,000 people have migrated to Surat and Ahmedabad in Gujarat, 25,000 have migrated to Hyderabad and Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh, followed by 12,000 to Bangaluru, 25,000 each to Mumbai and Kolkata and another 15,000 each to Chennai and Delhi.

Among the migrated populace, most are youths below 25 years of age. They are mostly school and college dropouts having failed to continue studies, courtesy poor economic condition of their families. In the absence of work opportunities in the village, the youths prefer to migrate to eke out a living, the report stated.

The phenomenon has become rampant in Tihidi, Chandabali, Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari, Bont, Basudevpur, Dhamra, Chudamani and Agarpada areas. Social activist Rabindra Behera said most people of flood-prone areas in the district migrate to the neighbouring states for livelihood.

Except for the four months during paddy season, the youths in the region are mostly jobless all year round. “They have little choice. Moreover, they are not interested in the Government’s employment guarantee scheme of 100 days of work,” he pointed out.

Official records too pointed at vagaries of nature and its impact on agricultural production. While paddy was being cultivated in around 2 lakh hectares earlier, it has now come down to 1.5 lakh hectares. Similarly, production of vegetables, pulses and fibres has been affected due to regular floods.

The labour officials, however, said there was no estimation as to how many persons have migrated till now. District labour officer Bighnaraj Mohanta Mohapatra said officially about 400 labourers under 10 labour contractors are working outside the State. He, however, confirmed that people are migrating to other states. “Better opportunities and wages beckon them. The attraction for metro life is another major reason for migration,” he added.

Source: New Indian Express  

Sea of pilgrims at Puri for annual car festival

Photo source: Orissadiary.com

Three majestic chariots carrying idols of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra rolled down the Grand Road of Puri amid lakhs of devotees marking the celebration of the annual car festival on July 03, 2011. The festival marks the journey of three deities - Jagannath, brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra from the 12th century Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple, about 3 km away from the main temple.

According to an estimate, more than 10 lakh devotees from all corners of the country and outside congregated in the town. Devotees occupied every conceivable space along the 3-km-long Grand Road to have a glimpse of the deities on the chariots.

The ceremonial processions of the deities known as Pahandi (carrying the deities out of the temple to the chariots) started at 8.35 a.m. and the chariots began moving after Gajapati Divyasingha Deb, who is regarded as Puri's designated King, swept the wooden floors. By 6.30 p.m., all chariots reached the destination.

The festival culminates nine days later when the deities make their way back home to the Jagannath temple in their return journey known as Bahuda Yatra.

The state government has made elaborate arrangements in the town to prevent any untoward incident. Thousands of policemen have been deployed to maintain law and order. At least 56 special trains are running from different parts of Orissa, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh to meet the extra rush of passengers to Puri during the festival.

Unprecedented real-estate boom in Greater 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.

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Orissa a huge investment destination: ASSOCHAM

Despite the raging issues of land acquisition and local resistance, industrialisation has gone off in a big way in the State. About 45.9 per cent of the total outstanding investments had actually gone on ground while 51 per cent of the live investment projects were past the announcement stage, an independent study by the the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has revealed.  Only 3 per cent of the projects were hindered due to reasons like obstructions, land acquisition, cancellations due to market policy and obtaining environment clearances.

 Releasing the study “Sustaining Growth Momentum in Orissa” on Thursday, the industry body stated that the State had 574 live investment projects to the tune of Rs 11.3 lakh crore as of 2010. Registering a growth of over 19 per cent year-on-year, it had attracted 72 fresh live investments notching over Rs 1.8 lakh crore in 2010.

Orissa, in fact, has notched a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8 per cent during the last decade surpassing its regional peers West Bengal’s 6.7 per cent, Bihar’s 7.3 per cent and Assam’s 5.3 per cent, Chairman of ASSOCHAM Regional Development Council and CMD of Radico Khaitan Group Lalit Khaitan said.

Projecting a roadmap for the future, the industry body has emphasised on greater thrust on relatively unexplored areas with great potential. The study has identified marine and fisheries as a key growth sector. With such a vast coastline and sweet water resources flourishing with marine potential, the State has not been able to capitalise on the opportunities in the sector. “Marine and inland fisheries contribute only 1.1 per cent of GDP with 4.8 per cent decadal growth. Focus should be shifted to attracting investment to this lucrative sector,” Chairman of ASSOCHAM Electronics Council Anirudh Dhoot said. 

Non-veg food on Grand Road (Puri) banned

PURI: Sale of non-vegetarian food along the Grand Road will be banned henceforth. This was decided at the final preparatory meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the annual Rath Yatra, held on June 22. This year, the Rath Yatra will be held on July 3.

It was also decided that all billboards and hoardings obstructing the temple view would be removed. Naveen directed the officials concerned to limit the number of servitors on the three chariots as per the guidelines. The old Kanakmundi, a decorative canopy above the Ratna Simhasan in the sanctum sanctorum, would be replaced by a new one by the Archaeological Survey of India.

This apart, the house directed the authorities concerned to seal five unsafe buildings close to temple. 

Western Samurai win premier OPL title

Holding their nerves together during crunch situations, Western Samurai of Rourkela won the first edition of Odisha Premier League (OPL) T20 cricket tournament defeating Barabati Tigers of Cuttack by four runs in the final match played under floodlights at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.

Defending a paltry total of 112 runs they made losing seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs, Samurai bowlers led by man of the final Amit Das fought back valiantly to tame the Tigers and restricted the local team to 108 for five in the stipulated overs.

Braving a massive crowd supporting the rival team and unfavorable playing conditions, the Group ‘A’ toppers—the only team from Western Odisha gathered all strengths to pull up a stunning victory in the summit clash thereby creating history. Not only did they subjugate the roaring Tigers to capture the glittering trophy made up of pure silver worth Rs 5 lakh, the Samurai combatant also pocketed whopping prize money of 4 lakh for their magnificent all-round show.

Source: The Pioneer 

Prahalad Nataka: A form of traditional theatre of Ganjam

By Priya Pryadarshini, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur 

Ganjam is the hub of classical and traditional beauty. Be it in the terms of song, dance, drama or theatrical show, Ganjam has a unique position in all these regards. Among all ‘Prahalad Nataka’ stands tall in all respective quarters of the culture. The tale is based on the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, ‘Nursingha’. Prahalad the great devotee of Lord Vishnu goes against the will of his father and worships Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap the father of Prahalad declares himself as the God and rebels against the almighty for which he gets punished.

The play is developed from the stories of mythological books like ‘Bhagat Gita’, ‘Vishnu Purana’ and ‘Nursingha Purana’. The act is full of emotions varying from courage to anger.

Source: flickr

King Ramakrushna Chotray of Jalanta was the first to initiate the production of this act. He called the famous dramatist and musician Gaurahar Parcha of Paralakhamundi who scripted the play for the first time. It was the first enacted in the region of Jalanta. It is primarily an Odiya play. Yet, the neighboring Telugu speaking regions do translate it into their own language and do perform it in their own areas. It is a play which has classical music as its main element.

In Ganjam the play is also called as ‘Rajanataka’. It continues for three to seven nights. The play though not edited in the form of episode or serial number has got a special way of presenting style. The presenter first starts the act by reciting the ‘Gurudeva’, ‘Ganesh’ and ‘Sarada Vandana’. After that the summary of the script is presented. Next the characters are called on the stage and the presentation goes on.

‘Prahalad Nataka’ is famous because of its presentation style and subject matter. Mostly the dance format is used for description of each character that also speaks of the emotions like devotion and pride.

Source: Orissadiary.com  

BJD in soup over ‘horse trading' in Rajya Sabha poll

The political crisis in the ruling Biju Janata Dal took a new turn on Friday following a media expose claiming that two young Ministers of the Naveen Patnaik Government were involved in horse trading during last year's Rajya Sabha election with a Congress MLA.

A local TV channel ran stories claiming that it has audio evidence that Minister of Energy Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Labour and Employment Minister Pushpendra Singh Deo bargained with Congress MLA Sivaji Majhi to remain absent during the voting to ensure the victory of the BJD’s third candidate.

The media expose has created a flutter in political circles with the opposition political parties demanding removal and arrest of the two Ministers besides a CBI inquiry into the episode.

Puspendra Singh Deo was not available for his reaction, while Nayak defended himself as innocent and dared the Opposition to prove his involvement.

Singh Deo has been asked by the party leadership to catch hold of those alleged mediators, who had cunningly recorded his statements during telephonic talks relating to the outstanding payments towards the deal to persuade Congress MLA Majhi to abstain from the polling.

Atanu Nayak rubbished the allegation as politically motivated. "It is a well-planned conspiracy against me and to lower my party's image as the elections to the Panchayati Raj bodies are round the corner," he said.

He said the Opposition parties used to resort to such kind of political gimmicks prior to every election against the BJD. He dared the Opposition and the concerned media house to prove his involvement in the horse trading.

However, the Opposition BJP slammed the BJD for the horse trading to show its oneupmanship in politics. Dubbing it as unethical and illegal, BJP State president Jual Oram demanded that the 2010 Rajya Sabha elections be declared illegal and the State Government probe the entire incident through the CBI.

Condemning the "unethical" approach of the ruling BJD led by Naveen Patnaik to show its strength, Oram said that after the media expose, the two Ministers in question should be removed from the Ministry and they be arrested forthwith by initiating criminal proceedings against them.

Alleging that the ruling BJD had fixed the election of its three candidates despite the lack of numbers, Oram had said that BJD had managed to bargain with three MLAs, Sivaji Majhi, Grigori Minz of Congress and Bhimsen Choudhury of BJP In exchange of huge money to remain absent during the voting process to help the third candidate in form of Baisnab Parida to get through.

Similarly, the Congress announced that the party would take disciplinary action against Sivaji Maji for being sold to the BJD. PCC president Niranjan Patnaik said the issue should not be taken lightly and the CBI should inquire into the matter.

SOSA demands for the 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

Polavaram dam: Orissa, Chhattisgarh join hands

               Photo Source: Orissa Diary

Strongly objecting to the construction of multi-purpose Polavaram dam in Andhra Pradesh, the State Government has drawn the attention of the Supreme Court-appointed expert committee to four different aspects of the project, including the design. According to official sources, the State Government along with neighbouring Chhattisgarh said in a joint memorandum to the expert committee, headed by Gopalkrishna, that the Polavaram project would adversely affect the two states if its design is not changed. While Polavaram project was initially made with a capacity for flow of 36 lakh cusecs, it was later increased to 50 lakh cusecs after changing its original design. The State Government, represented by engineer-in-chief Harish Behera during a spot verification by the committee at the project site, said the proposed embankment in Orissa, would lead to submergence of many tribal villages in Malkangiri district. Besides, the State Government pointed out that the mandatory palli sabha (village council) meeting was not held in areas likely to be affected due to the project. Earlier, the State Government had moved the Supreme Court seeking a halt to the Polavaram project as it was allegedly being constructed violating several laws and an agreement between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

Source: The New Indian Express

Naveen Patnaik inducts 5 new faces in Cabinet reshuffle

In its first reshuffle since coming to office for the consecutive third term, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inducted five new faces as Cabinet Ministers while elevating Minister of State Anjali Behera to Cabinet rank on May 10. The new look Council of Ministers saw several changes in the portfolios of several Ministers as the five New Cabinet Ministers and the one who was elevated to the Cabinet rank were allotted different Departments. After the change, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would now hold the portfolios of Home, General Administration, Works, Water Resources and any other department specifically not assigned.

Cabinet Ministers

Prafulla Chandra Ghadai, Finance and Public Enterprises; Anang Udaya Singh Deo, Planning and Coordination; Surjya Narayan Patro, Revenue & Disaster Management and Information & Public Relations; Debi Prasad Mishra, Forest and Environment; Pradeep Maharathy, Agriculture; Prafulla Samal, Tourism & Culture and Cooperation; Maheswar Mohanty, Panchayati Raj; Usha Devi, Textiles & Handloom and Science & Technology; Anjali Behera, Women & Child Development; Niranjan Pujari, Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare; Lal Bihari Himirika, SC & ST Development and Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare; Raghunath Mohanty, Industries, Steel & Mines and Parliamentary Affairs; Prasanna Acharya, Health & Family Welfare and Public Grievances & Pension Administration; and Bikram Keshari Arukha, Rural Development and Law.

Mr. Maharathy, Mr. Mohanty, Ms. Devi, Mr. Pujari and Mr. Himirika were appointed as new Cabinet Ministers earlier in the day, while Ms. Behera was elevated from the rank of Minister of State to Cabinet rank.

Ministers of State (Independent Charge)

Badrinarayan Patra, Higher Education and Sports & Youth Services; Sarada Prasad Nayak, Housing & Urban Development; Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Information Technology and Fisheries & Animal Development; Sanjeeb Sahoo, Commerce and Transport; Pratap Jena, School and Mass Education; Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Energy; and Pushpendra Singh Deo, Labour & Employment.

Ministers of State

Pushpendra Singh Deo, Water Resources (Minor Irrigation) and Ramesh Chandra Majhi, SC & ST Development (ST Development).

Although five legislators were inducted as Ministers following the resignation of three Ministers, some Ministers who were facing allegations of irregularities in their Departments were retained in the Ministry. Following the reshuffle, the total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, increased to 22, which is the upper limit for a 147-member State Assembly as per the existing rules.

Source: The Hindu

Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik offers special Puja at Tara Tarini Shrine

Orissa Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik visited the Adi Sakti peeth of Maa Tara Tarini on April 26, 2011. Tara Tarini, an ancient Shakti shrine is located on the banks of the mythologically famous Rushikulya River, 30 km from Berhampur city and is believed to be the Sthana Peeth (Breast Shrine) of Adi Shakti with its history dating back to antiquity. The Shrine is one of the ancient most places of Shakti worship and among the four major Shakti centers in India.

The Chief Minister landed at around 9.30am by a special copter near the hill shrine and directly went inside the holy temple and offered puja for around one hour. He visited the newly constructed temple complex and enquired about its progress. RDC of Southern Division, Orissa and Tara Tarini Development Board Chairman Shri Laxmi Narayan Nayak and TTDB secretary Shri Pramod Panda informed him about the progress of all ongoing developmental works on both the hilltop and on the foothill region. They also informed the CM about the future infrastructural requirements keeping in view the consistently growing number of visitors and devotees to the shrine. 

Shri Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the new administrative building constructed by Purushottampur block at a cost of 25 lacs on the hilltop and appreciated the ongoing works. He reviewed the widening work of the ghat road, which is constructed by the PWD department, government of Odisha at a cost of Rs 5 crores.   On the foot hill of the shrine the CM laid the foundation stone for the Tara Tarini bathing Ghat on the banks of holy river Rushikulya at a cost of 10 lacs.

TTDB secretary Shri Pramod Panda conveyed the CM that this holy shrine is fast emerging as a popular religious tourism destination. Last month during the Chaitra festivals around two million devotees visited the holy shrine from the cross section of the country and mainly from Orissa and other neighboring states. Shri Panda informed that bearing the growing number of devotees in mind the TTDB has decided to construct a lavatory complex, big rest shed and view-tower on the hilltop. 

After knowing the facts the Chief Minister immediately directed the officials to expedite the ongoing developmental works for the benefit of the devotes and assured all possible help from the state government for creating required infrastructure facilities. Among others, Law and Rural Development Minister, Government of Odisha Shri Bikram Keshari Arukh, RDC and TTDB Chairman Shri Laxmi Narayan Nayak, Berhampur MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Pattnaik, Gopalpur MLA Dr. Pradeep Panigrahi, MLAs of Khallikate and Polosara, District Collector Shri V. Kartikeyan Pandian, SP Ganjam, SP Berhampur, all the office bearers of TTDB, Executive Officer of Tara Tarini temple and other officials of government of Orissa were present on the occasion.