All roads lead to Cuttack Bali Yatra

The historic Bali Yatra started in Cuttack city on November 28. It was inaugurated by chief minister Naveen Patnaik. He hailed the rich maritime heritage of Odisha and recalled the state's trade ties with Bali, Sumatra, Java and Sri Lanka at the function.

Hundreds of people thronged the fair venue on the Mahanadi riverbed to get a feel of the state's rich art, craft and cuisine. Traders from Odisha and outside have set up around 1,300 stalls that are selling stone and bamboo household items like sila, chaki, kula, and tokei to latest electronic gadgets at the fair and on the paths leading to the ground. There were also stalls selling the famous dahi vada-alu dum and thunka puri that people look forward to savour at Bali Yatra.

Elaborate police arrangements have also been made. This year, the administration is focusing on organising grand cultural programmes to highlight the rich culture of the state. It has also come up with a special pavilion for the differently-abled people for the first time this year. Besides, the local civic body has emphasized on observing a polythene-free festival and accordingly the traders have been strictly asked to avoid use of polythene bags, plastic cups, glasses and plates.

The day also marked Kartik Purnima when people floated boats in different water bodies of the state. Source: ToI

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

Ball set rolling for city bus services in Berhampur

The state government has decided to soon introduce city bus services connecting Berhampur to its adjoining towns like Chhatrapur and Gopalpur. The decision is based on a survey by a Mumbai-based consultant on bus services in the biggest town in southern Odisha. The final project report will be submitted to the state government before tender is issued, which will invite private companies to work through public private partnership. The government is likely to provide the buses while the chosen private company will be responsible for services management. Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) will act as a nodal agency. "The government is likely to provide the required buses as no transport operator was coming forward to provide buses when the BDA floated the tender earlier," said BDA chairman Kailash Rana.

At a high-level meeting, held recently in Bhubaneswar, the consultant recommended introduction of at least 25 buses in the first phase in Berhampur, Gopalpur and Chhatrapur. "The district administration will extend all support to BDA in this," district collector Krishan Kumar said. "We have already discussed the matter with the government and talks are in advanced stage," said Purna Chandra Pathy, vice-chairman, BDA. On project cost, he said it was not finalized. Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Notified Area Councils of Gopalpur and Chhatrapur will be other stakeholders in the project. "We have been asked to identify the bus stops within the town. We will soon do that," said BMC commissioner A K Mohanty.

The Berhampur civic body had introduced town bus services in the 1990s. But the services were withdrawn after the municipality incurred heavy losses. Now, there is no government transport service linking Chhatrapur, the district headquarters town, and Gopalpur, a tourist spot, with Berhampur and people have to depend on trekkers and matadors. With rise in population and tourist visits, authorities feel the services will be feasible this time. Source: Times of India

Herbal garden to come up in Silk city Berhampur

A herbal garden showcasing major medicinal plants available in the State will come up in the Berhampur city. Plan of this herbal garden came to the fore during the inauguration of Kalinga herbal fair 2012 in the city on Wednesday. Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy and member secretary of State Medicinal Plant Board (SMPB) R.P. Mallik attended the programme as guests. Mr. Mallik said market for medicinal plant products in the State was around Rs. 150 crore per year. He said that plans were on to form four producers’ companies involving Vana Surakshya Samities (VSS) to streamline trading of these valuable plant products. These companies, to be established under the Companies Act, were planned to be established in Berhampur, Baripada, Bolangir, and Koraput. The herbal fair is being held in the city for the fifth time. Earlier it was held for three days but this year due to public demand it was extended to five days, said Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) S.S. Mishra. Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Mishra said amount was allocated for the proposed herbal garden in the city. Suitable land for the purpose was being earmarked. He also said that efforts were also being made to promote plantation of medicinal plants in the city. A nursery was started to produce at least 50,000 saplings of various medicinal plants. These saplings would be ready by July next year. These saplings would be distributed for plantation to the inhabitants of Berhampur and its periphery. The medicinal plants which would be promoted through this include Tundapoda, Pasaruni, Rakta Chandan, Satabari, Ashoka, and Amla.

Fifty stalls by producers of herbal products from different parts of the State were opened in the fair. During the fair, free ayurveda health check-up would be provided by traditional vaidyas and modern ayurveda experts. There would be yoga camp every morning and experts would provide lectures on health care and herbal remedies in the evening. Source: The Hindu

Odisha Chief Minister reiterates his demand for new airports in the State at Gopalpur, Jeypore and Jharsuguda

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik raised the issue of development of new airports in the State at Gopalpur, Jharsuguda and Jeypore during his meeting with the Union Civil Aviation Secretary K N Srivastava on Wednesday. 

Srivastava during his meeting with the Chief Minister informed about the impending up-gradation of the Biju Patnaik Airport at Bhubaneswar to international standard. Srivastava said the work for new terminal of the airport will be completed by December second week. The new terminal will become operational by January, 2013, he said. Srivastava said the proposal to accord international status to Biju Patnaik Airport here will be brought before the Union Cabinet in April next year after completion of all necessary work.

Naveen, who had met Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh in New Delhi in September, had raised the issue of infrastructure inadequacy in the aviation sector for air connectivity within the State. Singh had suggested during discussions that Odisha should explore the possibility of developing Jharsuguda airport in public private partnership (PPP) mode. On development of airports at Gopalpur and Jeypore, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is expected to take up feasibility studies.

Solar power for Jagannath Temple

The Century Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, will be illuminated by solar power by the end of the year. A Kolkata-based solar modules manufacturing firm has been asked by the Odisha Renewal Energy Development Authority (OREDA) to install solar panels to supply additional power of 30 KW to light up the temple. “The temple consumes 90 KW daily. With the installation of the solar panels, one-third of its energy needs will be taken care of,” said Samujjal Ganguly, a senior official of Vikram Solar that has been entrusted the job.

“This project of OREDA is aimed at reducing dependence on Gridco (Grid Corporation of Odisha). Once the solar panels are installed the problem of load shedding will be solved in the temple premises,” said Deo Ranjan Singh, CMD, Gridco.

“We will be responsible for providing all the necessary equipment for the installation process, and will ensure that the process of setting up the solar panels does not inconvenience visitors to the temple,” said Mr. Ganguly.

Talking about the tricky part of the project he said: “The difficult part of the project is to install the solar panels in such a manner that the temple doesn’t lose its ancient charms. We need 15 days to install the panels but because of the old structure we are creating a blue print so that it will be easy to fix the panels without damaging the monuments.” Source: The Hindu