Phailin: ‘Berhampur model’ would be adopted in Philippines and other places: UN representative Margareta Wahlstrom

Phailin pat for Berhampur

A special representative of the UN secretary general for disaster risk reduction, Margareta Wahlstrom, declared the municipal corporation here as a role model for effective co-ordination and preparedness to face a disaster. She handed over a certificate of recognition to Mayor K. Madhaviin Berhampur.

The UN representative congratulated all councillors of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation for restoring normality in the city soon after Phailin. “Disaster is a global problem, and here, the restoration process was very good,” she said. While interacting with the councillors, Wahlstrom particularly wanted to know how the number of casualties was so low as compared to the 1999 super cyclone.

Wahlstrom said the Berhampur model would be adopted in Philippines and other places. The mayor, who received the UN certificate of recognition, said: “The credit for the success of Phailin management goes to all the councillors, commissioner and staff members. It was a team effort.”

Municipal commissioner Ajit Kumar Mishra said: “We requested all the 40 councilors to help evacuate the people from the 254 slum pockets immediately after the meteorological department forecast about the cyclone. The accurate prediction helped us prepare for the cyclone well in advance and the councillors played a key role in disaster management during and after the cyclone,” he said.

Mishra added that 30,000 people had been evacuated in just around 30 hours at that time. Councillor Ashok Shukla, P. Asharani and others apprised Wahlstrom of the steps taken by them during evacuation and restoration.

The UN representative, accompanied by assistant secretary of the Union home ministry Aparna Ganeshan and K.C. Bishoyi of the Odisha Disaster Mitigation Authority, visited a multipurpose cyclone shelter at Matikhal near Chatrapur, Save the Child organisation in Gopalpur, a fishermen’s village called Nua Golabandha and the Berhampur University campus. Source: The Telegraph

Tourist flow to the ‘Kashmir of Odisha' gains momentum

Night temperature is hovering around four degrees Celsius in Daringbadi 

The flow of tourists to Daringbadi described as the ‘Kashmir of Odisha’, the hill town in Kandhamal district which is around 170 km from the nerve center of South Odisha Berhampur city has gained momentum with experiencing a cold wave.

The night temperature at the picturesque tourist destination is hovering around 4 degrees Celsius. “Several visitors are coming to Daringbadi every day. The flow of visitors has increased with mercury going down steadily,” said Tourist Officer (Kandhamal) Manoranjan Das.

Besides the cold climate, vast extents of coffee plantations, scenic hills, pine jungles and ‘lovers’ waterfall attract tourists to Daringbadi. The Tourism Department has developed the site keeping tourists’ priorities in mind.

Daringbadi, situated at an altitude of 280 metres above sea level, is the only place in the State which witnesses snowfall during peak winter. Around 400 domestic and foreign tourists visited the hill town last month, Tourism Department sources said. “Tourists are not staying in the night due to the fear of Maoists,” said an officer. Last year, two Italian tourists were kidnapped by red rebels near Daringbadi.

No curbs on foreigners

“There is no restriction on foreigners to Daringbadi. Tourists, who want to visit Belaghara, need to take permission of the district administration as people belonging to the Kutia Kondha tribe reside there. There was a restriction on visiting places inhabited by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups after the ‘human safari’ controversy,” he said.

The district administration has decided to develop infrastructure at Daringbadi to increase tourist footfall. “We propose to construct a coffee house, a children’s park and a 3D theatre at Daringbadi,” said BDO (Daringbadi) S. N. Jena. There are also plans to develop infrastructure facilities at Dasingbadi, another picturesque place with a pine jungle and a waterfall. Dasingbadi is about 17 km from Daringbadi, he said. Similarly, the administration has also decided to develop the scenic spots at Hatimunda and Kirikutisaid the BDO. – PTI

Why is Utkal in the news for wrong reasons, asks Jamir

In an unprecedented manner, governor and chancellor of universities S C Jamir on Wednesday pulled up the Utkal University administration for making headlines for all wrong reasons. "If we look back on what happened in the last 12 months, we see the university finds itself regularly in the news for reasons other than academic excellence, and mostly for undesired happenings on the campus," Jamir said. He was addressing the 71st foundation day function of the university. 

"It surely serves a reminder that there is an urgent need for serious introspection from all stakeholders. I expect all, from teachers to students, to do everything to enable the university maintain its reputation as a premier centre of higher learning in the state," the chancellor said. Stating that discipline is applicable not only to students but also to teachers, Jamir said a teacher without discipline can't be an ideal guide. The governor's speech was widely seen in the varsity fraternity as a reference towards frequent campus unrest and infighting among top varsity functionaries. Jamir also called for promoting spirit of camaraderie among all stakeholders of the varsity, which is often under criticism for infighting.

He proposed that a cooperative approach be taken so that every member feels part of a big family. Stating that there are many complaints about functioning of the varsity, Jamir suggested the administration resolves the genuine problems immediately, which otherwise would lead to major conflict. Jamir emphasized on respecting women and bringing discipline among students and teachers. Vice-chancellor P K Sahoo, in his address, conceded serious difficulties in running the varsity due to inadequate faculty and infrastructure.

"I want to remind the government and society at large that Vani Vihar campus is now 50-year-old and is ageing. Nothing less than a complete renovation of teaching, administrative and residential blocks and hostels would save us from a disaster," Sahoo said. Highlighting faculty shortage, Sahoo said, "We can not fulfil the minimum requirement (for special assistance programme of the University Grants Commission) owing to lack of teachers. This is not a happy situation," he said. 

The VC said with a large number of vacancies and no digitized library, the varsity can't seek re-accreditation from National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which is mandatory under UGC guidelines. Pressing for more state funding, the VC said the state government had declared a few post graduate departments centres of excellence. Such declaration must be backed by additional manpower and funds, he said. "We know our problems. We know the solutions, yet we feel helpless. So we feel uncertain about the future. The days ahead are difficult and full of struggle. We need support from all quarters," the VC said. Source: ToI 

100-foot high brick made British era Chimney withstands two cyclones in Berhampur

A few meters away from this chimney, a major shed of the CWC depot has been completely devastated by Phailin cyclone

A tall brick built chimney of the British era on the campus of the Central Warehouse Corporation (CWC) in the city has withstood the super cyclone of 1999 and the recent Phailin cyclone proving that at times ‘old can also be strong’.

This around 100-foot high chimney stands proudly amid signs of devastation by the Phailin all around it on the campus of the Central Warehouse Corporation (CWC) in goods shed area of the city. The Phailin has also not been able to put any mark of damage on this decades old chimney.

It is quite interesting to note that a few metres away from this chimney, a major shed of the depot of the CWC had been completely devastated by the Phailin cyclone.

This large shed containing 2,000 MT of rice had collapsed under the wrath of the cyclone. Its asbestos roof was blown away and its walls had also collapsed making the rice stock in it exposed to rains that accompanied the cyclone. But the old chimney stood undeterred by the heavy winds of the cyclone as if hinting at a ray of hope.

According to regional manager, Odisha of the CWC, S. Pravin Kumar, this brick made chimney had also not suffered any damage due to the super cyclone of 1999. It only bears the effects of time and nature. At present a large banyan tree has grown at the top of this chimney. Although roots of the tree have reached the ground through the chimney, they have also not been able to bring in cracks on its stone wall. Mr Kumar felt some bird may have dispersed banyan seed at the top of the chimney which has now grown into a mature tree.

Before the CWC took up this patch of land to establish its largest depot in Odisha, it had a rice mill during British-era. This chimney happens to be the only remnant of that rice mill.

Several times in the past, the CWC authorities had tried to demolish this brick made chimney but they were not successful in their effort. It has been made by small sized strong bricks which were joined by traditional joining materials rather than cement. Moreover, metal rings had been provided around the chimney at several places to make it stronger. ‘These factors have till now saved this chimney from vagaries of nature as well as human efforts to break it down”, said Mr Kumar.

The CWC has now decided not to make any more efforts to demolish this old chimney. It would now be renovated and used as a landmark for the CWC depot in Berhampur. As it can be seen from quite a distance, the CWC plans to put up its signboard above the chimney after its renovation. Source: The Hindu 

Phailin changes face of ‘green’ Maa Tara Tarini hill Shrine

Nature’s fury in the form of the Phailin cyclone has devastated everything at the famous Tara Tarini hill shrine except the main temple on the hill top.

The 965 feet high hill, which was proud of its lush green vegetation cover, has become totally naked with the brown rocky base showing up. Most of the large trees on this hill have got uprooted or massively damaged by the cyclonic storm. According to secretary of the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) Pramod Panda, they included several decade old banyan and peepul trees. “Due to its lush green nature, this hill was being called Purnagiri or Kumari parvat. But the cyclone seems to have snatched away that identity from the hill,” he said. A cashew plantation of the hill shrine at Sholaghara near the hill has also been completely devastated.

The ropeway station at the foothills of the famous Tara Tarini
mangled with uprooted trees in the aftermath of Cyclone Phailin 

According to the priests and authorities of the TTDB, this hill shrine had not faced such devastation during the two cyclones that hit Ganjam district in 1999.

Major attraction

A major attraction of this hill shrine was the rope way to the hill top. It is an irony that it was to be restarted recently after renovation. But the cyclone has caused much damage to the ropeway which would surely delay its inception.

Although the towers and cables of the ropeway are in place, they have to be checked up to ascertain whether they are strong enough after the cyclone. The carriages of the ropeway have been damaged.

All buildings at the hill top and most buildings at the foot of the hill were damaged by the cyclone. No structure has remained at the hill top except the newly-renovated temple which was completed in 2010.

This temple had been built as per traditional Rekha style of Odia temple architecture. It again proved that Rekha style of temple architecture as per which famous Jagannath temple of Puri and Lingaraj temple of Bhubaneswar have been built can with stand major cyclones.

The stairway and the road to the hill top have been cleared up but drinking water supply and power connectivity to the hill top remains snapped.

For providing drinking water to devotees, water is being taken by tanker to the hill top.

Nature’s fury also had its impact on the flow of devotees to the hill shrine. Very few visitors are visiting the hill shrine and their number was not expected to rise even during the Kali Puja, the priests of the temple said.

Pre cyclone image

Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division, Bikash Mohapatra, who also happens to be president of the TTDB, said all the developmental projects proposed for this hill shrine were also stalled due to the devastation caused by the cyclone.

The TTDB had planned to move around a ‘rath’ in Ganjam district to collect donations for the development of the hill shrine, which cannot be taken up now as the whole district is devastated by the cyclone and the rains and flood that followed.

“We are now planning to start online donation facility for the restoration and reconstruction works at the hill shrine so that devotees living outside could come over to help in rebuilding the hill shrine to its past glory.

Priority

“Our first priority now would be to regenerate the devastated vegetation of the hill shrine in consultation with the forest department,” said the RDC. The aim would be to plant those species of trees on the hill which would sustain cyclonic storms in future and would not get uprooted. But it is for sure for next few years the hill shrine would continue to have a barren look as a memory of wrath of nature which did not spare the hill which was a major centre of faith. Source: The Hindu

Ganjam worst hit by Cyclone Phailin, 2.4 lakh houses damaged

Uprooted trees on a road in Berhampur caused by cyclone Phailin (Source: The Hindu)

BERHAMPUR: Hit hardest by Cyclone 'Phailin', the coastal district of Ganjam is estimated to have suffered a loss of at least Rs 3,000 crore in the nature's fury which has deprived lakhs of people of their livelihood and damaged 2.4 lakh houses. Fishermen have suffered massive losses as their nets, boats and catamarans have been damaged. The farming community has also been hit with the standing paddy crop submerged in water. Moved by the tragedy that has struck the hapless people here, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, after a visit to relief camps, has ordered payment of Rs 500 each to the affected even as the administration will begin distribution of ration free of cost for two months.

Damaged pandals in Berhampur city in the aftermath of Cyclone Phailin (The Hindu)

Official sources have pegged the loss in Ganjam at more than Rs 3,000 crore in this district alone. Power infrastructure has been damaged to a great extent. "There has been extensive damage to the standing paddy crop as a huge area of land covering paddy fields has been submerged in rain water. There has been huge loss to horticulture farming also as an enormous number of mango and coconut trees have been uprooted," District Collector Krishan Kumar told PTI.

He said Ganjam is the worst-affected district in Odisha in terms of loss of livelihood and property. "More than 2.4 lakh houses have been damaged which includes fishermen huts and other 'kutcha' houses," Kumar said. A special relief package for fishermen will also be announced by the government. Fishermen have suffered massive losses as their nets, boats and catamarans have been damaged, the Collector said. He said nine people have lost lives due to cyclone in this district alone.]
Source: PTI, Business Standard, The Hindu

Source: The Sambad

  

Deserted Berhampur road post-Phailin (Source: The Hindu)

Source: OrissaPost

First person account of the night Phailin pounded Gopalpur (Rahul Kanwal, Headlines Today)

Gopalpur-on-Sea (Berhampur, Odisha) on a normal day

Now I know what 'lull before the storm' literally means. At 10 pm on Saturday evening, the howling winds and incessant rains lashing Gopalpur suddenly ceased. It seemed the worst was over. Cyclone Phailin had made land fall along the coast of Orissa in Gopalpur around 9:15 pm. For 45 minutes after the cyclone first struck, the wind Gods seemed to have gone crazy, blowing uncontrollably in all directions.

We were perched on a balcony, on the first floor, in a multi-storey building about 25 meters off the beach front of Gopalpur, a popular beach side resort town in Orissa, located about three hours from Bhubaneshwar. This was ground zero for Cylone Phailin, the deadliest storm to have hit India in the last decade and a half. The hotels in the area had all been ordered shut by the district administration, and the local fishermen living in hatched huts had been put up in a cyclone evacuation centre established at a Government run school located on a small hill away from the sea. We were the only journalists left reporting from the eye of the storm.

The other crews had moved away to the nearest town of Behrampur. At 10 pm, we were on Aajtak decribing the sudden silence around us. The winds and rain that had been pounding Gopalpur through the day had vanished. A few youngsters ventured out. They were whistling, singing and dancing. They seemed to be mocking the cyclone and had declared victory.

Then all of a sudden, just as unpredictably as it had ceased, the tempest was back. Twice as agressive, twice as deadly. It was the cyclone's turn to mock the hapless inhabitants of Gopalpur. Dogs in the area started barking in tandem. Children were wailing. The youngsters ran in back to save their lives. Our most reliable companion, the mobile network, crashed. The glass panes of our window were smashed. Water started lashing into our room. There was no where to hide. We went into the kitchen. But that wasn't much respite. The glass panes there too broke. Then the roof started leaking. The cyclone was closing in at us from all sides.

Soon the water was coming upto our knees. Our equipment, our clothes all got drenched. We had no where to go, no where to hide. I sat down on the bed behind the window, hoping to stay away from the fury of the winds and rain that was pounding  our room. But the pressure of the water was too fast. It was difficult to sit still. So we went into the dining room and stood in the only dry part of the house. There we huddled for two hours while the cyclone wrecked havoc outside.Our thoughts were with our OB engineer, Ritesh, who had been inside the OB van at 10 pm, helping us broadcast live from Gopalpur. The winds had struck with such ferocity and with such little notice, that Ritesh was unable to come out of the van. His Tata-407 was exposed to the full force of the cyclone and was being pushed around like a toy.

As the minutes passed, our concern increased. Ritesh was not still back and there was no news from him. Around 3 hours after Phailin made land fall, we heard our door being banged from outside. First we thought it was the cyclone, but when the knocking got louder, we opened the door. It was Ritesh, who had somehow stormed out of the van and made his way to the building. Antennas were strewn around the pathway as also glass shards from broken windows as Ritesh ran back in.

Ritesh was screaming like a man possessed. Widly describing his experience of being tossed around by winds blowing at faster than 200 kilometers per hour. There was no God he did not remember in the first two minutes of entering the flat.

Huddled in a corner, the night went by slowly. The minutes seemed than on any other other night in my life. It was still raining hard, when day broke the next morning. We ventured out to do a spot check at the fishermen's enclave nearby. A few villagers were milling around assessing the damage to a life time's savings. Relief and fear writ on the faces, relived at having survived but worried about piecing their lives back again.

Source: India Today

Cyclone Phailin set to hit Gopalpur-Berhampur coast in Odisha at a wind speed of 210-220 kmph tomorrow: Administration on tenterhooks

Cyclone Phailin has been predicted to move northwestwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha close to Gopalpur-Berhampur coast (Odisha) by Saturday evening as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 205-215 km per hour (kmph), the met department has said. "The very severe cyclonic storm, Phailin, over east central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph and lay centred about 520km south-southeast of Paradip, 530km from Gopalpur and 530km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam," the met department said in its latest bulletin. Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would commence along Odisha coast from Friday morning. It would increase in intensity with gale wind speed reaching 205-215 kmph along and off coastal districts of south Odisha at the time of landfall. State of the sea along and off Odisha coast will be rough to very rough from Friday morning and will become phenomenal on October 12. The cyclonic storm, Phailin, over east central Bay of Bengal moved westwards and intensified further and lay centred at 230 am on Friday near latitude 15.50N and longitude 89.000E, about 590km south-southeast of Paradip and 600km southeast of Gopalpur.

Similarly, though the met department forecast a storm surge of 1.5 metre to 2 metre in Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts in the coast on Thursday, on Friday it said the storm surge height will be around 2 metre to 2.5 metre above astronomical tide. This would inundate low lying areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur in Odisha. A worried state government held several meetings and took stock of the situation in the changed circumstances. The state government has already asked the district authorities to start evacuation of people living in low lying areas close to the sea. Fearing high tide, the seaside hotels have been instructed to cancel their bookings. The possibility of a cyclone has prompted the twin city commensurate police to asses safety measures at large puja mandaps and tableaux made of bamboo, wood and other heavy materials.

'Not less than a super cyclone'

Cyclone Phailin with a windspeed of 220 kmph is turning into a super cyclone before making landfall on Saturday evening near Gopalpur in Odisha where the government has galvanised its machinery to deal with its impact and is evacuating people from low-lying areas. “The U.S. Navy has also forecast that the wind speed will be above 240 kmph. Therefore, the cyclone is not less than any super cyclone for us,” Special Relief Commissioner P.K. Mohapatra said.

He said that though the IMD on Thursday indicated that the wind speed would be limited to 185 kmph, it was now forecasting it at 220 kmph. Mr. Mohapatra said the IMD had declared the 1999 calamity as a super cyclone as the wind speed had crossed 220 kmph. “This time around, the wind speed is not much different than the previous super cyclone,” he said. Squalls with a wind speed of 45-55 kmph to 65 kmph have already started along Odisha coast since morning. “It would increase in intensity with gale wind speeds reaching 210-220 kmph along and off south Odisha at the time of landfall,” the IMD said in a bulletin categorised as an Orange Message.

It would make landfall near Gopalpur in Ganjam district on Saturday evening after crossing an area between Paradip in Odisha and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The IMD said the cyclone over east central Bay of Bengal remained stationary and lay 520 km south-southeast of Paradip and 530 km southeast of Gopalpur. The IMD forecast a storm surge of 2.5 meter to 3.0 meter in Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts. A storm surge is a rise of the sea as a result of atmospheric pressure changes and winds associated with a storm.

Local Cautionary (LC-III) has been hoisted in all the ports in the State.The Navy, the Air Force, the National Disaster Response Force and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force were ready for relief and rescue operations as soon as the cyclone hits the coast, Mr. Mohapatra said. A worried State government held meetings and evaluated the changed circumstances. “At least 28 teams of the National Disaster Response Forces are at the disposal of the Odisha government for evacuation and relief operations,” a senior official said after one such meeting. So far eight teams of NDRF, reaching having 20 personnel, have been deployed in Puri district, the official said. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister S.N. Patro said district collectors have been told to complete evacuation of people by Friday evening. “We do not want to take any chance,” Mr. Patro said, adding that shelters were ready.

Source: Times of India, IBN Live, amp; IMD, The Pioneer &The Hindu

Navaratri begins at Tara Tarini Sthana Peeth

Navratri is a festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Maa Durga/ Shakti. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped. Like in First Navratri – Shailputri, Second Navratri – Bhramcharini, Third Navratri – Chandraghanta, Fourth Navratri – Kushmanda, Fifth Navratri – Skandmata, Sixth Navratri – Kaatyayani, Seventh Navratri – Kaalratri, Eighth Navratri – Mahagauri and Ninth Navratri – Siddhiratri are worshipped. The tenth day is commonly celebrated as Vijayadashami or "Dussehra".

Vijayadashami or Durga Puja is a festival, which is celebrated in different ways in India. In major Shakti Peethas like Kamakshya, Daksinakali, Bimala, Vaishnodevi, Chamundeswari and particularly in Adi Shakti Peeth of Maa Tara Tarini the Durga Puja is observed for 16 days, starting from Krushna Paksha Ashtami to Shukla Paksha Navami of the Hindu Calendar, also known as Shodasa Dinatmaka Upachara. Navaratri is the last nine days of Shodasa Puja.

'TAKE STEP FOR HIGH COURT BENCH FOR SOUTH ODISHA AT BERHAMPUR TOO'

BJP leader and former Assembly Deputy Speaker Rama Chandra Panda on Sunday demanded that the State Government recommend to the Centre for establishment of a permanent Bench of the Odisha High Court for southern Odisha at Brahmapur along with the recommendation in favour of western Odisha at one go.

In a letter to Governor SC Jamir, Panda stated that the lawyers of Brahmapur have been agitating for three decades for setting up of a HC Bench at Brahmapur, which played a pivotal role in the unification of Odisha and is the commercial nerve-centre of the southern part of the State. The city has the required infrastructure for the purpose. The century-old Bar of Brahmapur has produced several eminent jurists like Justices Jagannath Das and Lingaraj Panigrahi.

Now that the State Government is contemplating to recommend to the Centre for a HC Bench in western Odisha, it should also make recommendation for a HC Bench for the southern region simultaneously. Or else, people of Brahmapur would be forced to take the issue to the street, Panda cautioned.

Panda in his letter appealed to the Governor to advise the Government to consider the case of Brahmapur too without adopting discriminatory tactics. The copy of the letter was released to the Press. Source: The Pioneer

Odisha Tourism bagged 'Best Pilgrimage Tourism Destination Award' 2013

Major religious destinations of the State Puri, Konark, Bhubaneswar, Maa Tara Tarini near Berhampur in Ganjam, Maa Tarini Temple in Keonjhar, Sabara Shrrekhetra in Koraput

Odisha Tourism has bagged ‘Best Pilgrimage Tourism Destination Award’ 2013. Acclaimed tourism magazine 'Today's Traveller' conferred this award to Odisha Tourism in a glittering ceremony at The Taj Hotel in New Delhi on Aug 30, 2013. 

Odisha Tourism, Director, Manoranjan Patnaik has received the award on behalf of Odisha Tourism from  Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Oscar Fernandes. After receiving the award Odisha Tourism, Director, Manoranjan Patnaik said to media that Odisha received this prestigious award following its initiatives to promote tourism at various religious places and preserving culture and history and raising the quality of tourism services.

Preservation of the state’s historical, cultural and religious centers includes the holy pilgrimage cities like Puri, Konark, Bhubaneswar, as well as the other destination like Maa Tarini Temple in Keonjhar, Maa Tara Tarini in Ganjam, Sabara Shrrekhetra in Koraput.

It may be noted that the award conferred on the principles on fair tourism, ethical tourism and safety standards and historic preservation of cultural sites. The Today’s Traveller Awards were instituted in 2007 as an annual affair to recognise the outstanding efforts of the companies in the travel, tourism, hospitality and aviation industry. Each year the awards felicitate certain corporate companies for their achievements as well.

The awards are presented at a star-studded gala awards’ ceremony and a distinguished guest list at a five-star hotel in New Delhi. The Minister for Tourism, Government of India gives out the awards. - See more at: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=43644#sthash.Dl760Ixc.clKFIZ0i.dpuf

Source: Odisha Diary 

High Court bench in South Odisha: Ganjam Bar Association members block roads in Berhampur

Members of the Ganjam Bar Association blocked the roads in front of the Berhampur court on August 30 as part of their continuing agitation for the demand of establishment of a permanent bench of the Odisha High Court in the city. They also handed over a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division.

Through the memorandum, they urged the Chief Minister to immediately request the Central government for establishment of a permanent bench of the Odisha High Court in Berhampur. The lawyers of the Ganjam Bar Association also requested the CM to hold a meeting with the representatives of the bar association over the issue.

During their road blockade and demonstration, the agitating lawyers shouted slogans against the Justice C.R.Pal Commission calling for its withdrawal.

This single member judicial commission had been set up by the Odisha government through a notification made in March 2008 to enquire and investigate into the demands for permanent benches of Odisha High Court in South and Western Odisha.

It was to furnish its report in six months but till now it has not come up with any interim report also.

The agitating lawyers alleged that in the name of this commission the decision on the demand for establishment of permanent bench of Odisha High Court for south Odisha in Berhampur was being delayed. President of the Ganjam Bar Association Kapileswar Patnaik Sadi said that they were planning to intensify their democratic agitation with support of people, which would also include road blockade and bandh calls.

A senior lawyer of Ganjam Bar Association, P.J.Padhi said hearing by a bench of Odisha High Court in Berhampur had occurred during the British era. According to him on January 4, 1937, then justice of High Court had held circuit court in Berhampur, which hinted that this city was considered suitable for a bench of the High Court for south Odisha even during the British era. Agitating lawyers shout slogans against Justice C.R. Pal Commission. Source: The Hindu 

Berhampur Varsity set to tie-up with National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) for research, technology transfer

The Berhampur University is all set sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), one of the premier national level institutes for development, research and transfer of technology soon.

The MoU would be signed between the university and the NIRD at a brief function to be held on August 17, for which NIRD Director General Dr MV Rao has been invited.

With this MoU knowledge in research, training and sharing of technical knowhow in the five principal domains, namely, livelihood, fisheries, innovative education, women empowerment and tribal development can be exchanged, said, Prof. Behera, BU vice-chancellor.

After the signing of the MoU, the university is contemplating to hold an awareness programme in the evening through SIG groups for deliberation and exchange of ideas between faculty members and researchers working in the above five principal domains in order to associate the various postgraduate departments and explore technical expertise of the NIRD for development and empowerment of the rural areas in this region, Prof Behera added.

According to sources, the Vice-Chancellor is contemplating to urge the NIRD Director to take over the management of the famous deer park located in the university campus as the university has no fund for its maintenance. The university is currently spending Rs. 5 lakh per year towards maintenance of the deer park. Source: Odishatoday

500 crocodile eggs hatched in Bhitarkanika national park in Kendrapara

Wildlife lovers are jubilant as babies of estuarine crocodiles have emerged out of the eggshells in and around the crocodile research farm in Bhitarkanika national park in Kendrapara district.

Over 500 crocodile hatchlings have so far broken out of the eggshells to make their way into waterbodies and waterinlets of Bhitarkanika national park. The rare natural phenomenon which is still in progress was watched by a few ground-level forest staff. Forest personnel maintained safe distance from the nets as human interference turns the reptiles violent and aggressive.

Fiftysix crocodile nests were sighted in the wild this year by enumerators. Emergence of fledgling crocodiles sans mothers was a visual treat, said Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Division, Manoj Kumar Mahapatra.

Female crocodiles lay 50 to 60 eggs and the hatchlings usually emerge from the nets after 70 to 80 days of incubation period.

The annual captive breeding of crocodiles’ eggs was suspended this year as the enclosure where ‘rear and release’ programme of these endangered species, takes place is being repaired. The eggs collected from the wild are hatched here artificially, said DFO Mahapatra.

Rear and release of these hatched reptiles has been going on since 1975, funded by United National Development Programme and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The conservation project in Bhitarkanika tasted success while a similar UNDP-funded ‘gharial croc’ conservation project launched simultaneously in Tikarpada Sanctuary was a failure. Forest officials said due care was taken by wildlife staff to prevent crocodiles’ eggs from being devoured by predators like snakes, jackals and dogs, found in the reserve.

Adequate conservation measures by the state forest department have led to a systematic rise in the number of these reptiles over the years, claimed officials. The number of salt water crocodiles, not found in any other river system in Odisha, stood at 1649 as per latest census in Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary. PTI

Airports Authority of India (AAI) team visits sites for Berhampur Airport

Source: The Sambad

A four-member team of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) arrived in the state to carry out a feasibility study for the proposed low-cost airport in Berhampur.  The team surveyed Rangeilunda and Ramchandrapur on the Berhampur-Gopalpur road to understand the local conditions for the possible air traffic movement.

The AAI team first visited the existing Rangeilunda airstrip on Berhampur University campus. It may be noted that the airstrip is active since past several decades. The airstrip spread over 40 acres of land was built during the British era during the World War II. It is now maintained by the State Public Works Department. At Rangeilunda airstrip, the AAI team held discussion with Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy, executive engineer of public works department and other district officials. They studied whether the Rangeilunda airstrip could be developed into the proposed low-cost airport by adding up extra land to its south and west directions, said Mr. Panigrahy. The Gopalpur MLA said once the AAI finalises the site, the State government would provide all possible assistance for establishment of the airport near Berhampur. 

Later, the team reached Ramchandrapur to inspect around 300 acres of land that has been earmarked for the proposed low-cost airport. Speaking to newsmen, members of the AAI team said they would assess the cost-benefit ratio as well as feasibility of both sites and send their report to their authorities for the final decision.

“We have studied every detail of the situation at both the places, including the existing Rangeilunda airstrip and Ramchandrapur village, nearby. We will submit our feasibility report to the AAI for a final decision,” said the joint general manager (planning) of AAI P.K. Mahapatra, who led the team.

The PWD executive engineer, who is in-charge of the Rangeilunda airstrip, said: “The length of the present runway is 895 meters, which is insufficient for take-off and landing of commercial aircraft. The AAI is insisting on 3,500m long and 500m wide runway. There are now 150 acres of land at Rangeilunda airstrip. We can acquire another 200 acres in the nearby areas as required by the AAI for opening a small airport.’’

It may be noted that the Central government has taken a decision for setting up 51 low-cost airports in Tier-II and Tier-III cities in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Three of them will be set up in the State in places like Berhampur, Rourkela, and Keonjhar. The four-member AAI team will also visit the two other sites for the proposed low-cost airports in the State. Sources: The Hindu, The Pioneer & The Telegraph

Source: ORISSA POST

Ray of hope for lighthouses in Odisha

Gopalpur-on-Sea (Berhampur)

If you love spending time on the beach, wait for a spate of exciting activities in the near future. The directorate of Lighthouses and Lightships, Mumbai, has decided to include three heritage lighthouses of Odisha to make them more attractive with beautiful landscape designs, conservation work, development of amenities and cafeterias. Three lighthouses at Gopalpur, Chandrabhaga and Paradip port will be developed as tourist destinations and have additional recreational avenues for which Union tourism ministry will be spending money. The shipping ministry has decided to develop 15 such heritage lighthouses across the coast of India.

Gopalpur, the famous beachfront town near Berhampur city in Ganjam district of Odisha is also a well-known tourist destination. “In the past, we have climbed on the top of the lighthouse, and seen the beautiful Bay of Bengal and the shadow of it on the beach. With the proposal from the shipping ministry to make it more attractive, a lot of tourists will definitely avail the opportunity to explore the British-era wonder,’’ said Manas Panigrahi of Berhampur city, which is also known for its silk saris.

Gopalpur lighthouse came into existence in 1871 for assisting coastal shipping between Rangoon and Coromandal coast ports. The steamer service to Rangoon also touched Gopalpur port in the past. Local residents said due to erosion of the coast in 1943, the lighthouse got heavily damaged and stopped functioning. Later, it remained unused due to World War II. In 1948, a new gas light inside a 500mm lantern was established on a hillock about 1km north from the coast. The present lighthouse was constructed on December 15, 1967.

Tour operator Srikant Mishra from Bhubaneswar is happy that the Centre has considered the renovation and development of the heritage lighthouse. “We often get tourists who want to take beach tourism very seriously and also explore the lighthouses, but there is no amenities for them. The project will help them to spend quality time there. The destinations will be helpful for the niche tourists,” he added.

Some of the major lighthouses included in the programme are the ones at Kanhoji Angre in Mumbai, Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, Mahabalipuram, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Aguado, Dwarka and Minicoy. Source: The Telegraph

Rare Egyptian vultures sighted in Chikiti forests near Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: Forest officials will carry out a survey on the rare Egyptian vultures, after a number of them were spotted near Laxmipur in Ganjam district's Chikiti forest range. A bird-watcher recently sighted 13 such birds and reported it to the divisional forest officer (DFO), Berhampur. "A survey should be conducted and their nesting site located," said honorary wildlife warden of Khurda Pityush P Mohapatra. Supporting Mohapatra's view, DFO (Berhampur) S S Mishra said, "The sight of vultures indicates a healthy and rich biodiversity of the area. We will soon launch a survey."

Berhampur forest division has planned to submit a proposal to the wildlife wing of the forest department to take up a project to conserve the endangered species. The action plan will be prepared after conducting a detailed survey, said Mishra. Locals have sighted these vultures at different places in the rainy season and feel these have come to eat the fish or other small animals. The number of vultures in south Asia, mainly in India and Nepal, has declined drastically over the last few years. Residues of poisonous veterinary drug in the animal carcasses are a major reason behind the trend, said Swaparna Rani Das, a zoologist. The government has already banned the drug, she added.

Source: Economic Times

‘LIKE YOU CAN’T GIVE UP JAGANNATH, WE CAN’T NIYAMGIRI’

Can you give up your Lord Jagannath? Will you stop worshipping your deity? If you can’t, how do you think we will surrender our God Niyam Raja and His abode Niyamgiri to Vedanta?” asked Dambru Majhi, a villager of Kunakadu in Kalahandi district in South Odisha, where the fourth Palli Sabha out of the scheduled twelve was held  in the presence of 21 voters out 22 in  the village.

HOLY HILL NIYAMGIRI IN SOUTH ODISHA 

Two out of the total present were women. Hundreds of Dongaria Kandh women and men of different other villages of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts were present too. Dambru compared his God Niyamraja with the Jagannath and pointed his question to the independent observer PK Jena, who was appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee the process of the meeting in five villages of Kalahandi district in South Odisha.

“We will die like Renda Majhi and Birsha Munda to protect our God and land,” he said valiantly.All the participants of the Palli Sabha presented their statement one by one. The same opposition to the mining plan resonated in the air. “The Government has deprived us of our basic rights to livelihood, health and education. Our source of living is Niyamgiri. There is no hospital here. Niyamgiri heals our diseases by providing us herbs and roots. It gives us food and water. So, how can we allow you to ruin that?”the villagers asked.

Regarding the allotment of land under Forest Right Act (FRA)– 2006, the villagers said that the administration has allotted only one or two decimals of land to some of the households. “We have not placed any claim in the Palli Sabha till now. How did the administration give the entitlement? they asked and claimed that the officials have generated false claims to give small pieces of lands to some villagers to befool them. “We think our signatures have been forged,” they added.

Like in previous Palli Sabha held in the village Tadijhola on July 23 last, the villagers here also demanded a copy of the proceeding of the meeting before signing it. “All the villagers are opposing mining. They claimed that Niyamgiri is source of their lives,” said the observer to media.  “The same feelings prevail in all the villages of Niyamgiri hills and we hope the villages will oppose the mining proposal,” said Green Kalahandi president Siddhartha Naik. Source: The Pioneer 

Were Ganjem in Goa and Ganjam in Odisha linked in ancient times?

PANAJI: Was the Devi of Ganjem in Goa inspired by Tara-Tarini of Ganjam, Odisha?

A professor in Goa University's history department, Pratima Kamat has posed this question after her ethnoarchaeological research into the 'Boat Deities' of the Mhadei River Valley of the Satari and Sanguem talukas of Goa (Tarini and Tar-Vir: The Unique Boat Deities of Goa, 2008) revealed what she terms as exciting new linkages between Goa and Odisha.

Kamat points out that scholars have written about Goa's cultural links with Bengal, especially about the migration of the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins to Goa, but not much about the maritime traditions and heritage with the state's links to Odisha. "Certain cultural similarities are visible in the ethnographical heritage of the two maritime societies, Goan and Odia, located on opposite coasts of the Indian peninsula etched in the early medieval times that are worthy of more intensive research," Kamat states in her study.

Ganjem was a last port of call along the River Mandovi for centuries, but its past is fading with time.

"Unique votive as well as abandoned sculptures of the Devi-in-a-boat are located in the Satari and Sanguem talukas of Goa. These may be compared with a similar Devi-in-a-boat found in some parts of coastal Odisha," says Kamat.

In addition to iconographical evidence, she points to ethnographical comparisons between the worship of Tara-Tarini/Tara in places like Ganjam, Ghatgaon and Ratnagiri in Odisha, and the votive traditions associated with the Devi-in-a-boat as 'Tarini' in the Satari and Sanguem talukas of Goa.

Kamat draws similarities between the boat festival of Sanquelim, another riverine port like Ganjem, with the Boita Bandana and Bali Yatra of Cuttack, Odisha.

The Goan river, Mhadei and its tributaries are hosts to the Devi-in-a-boat and shaped the region's cultural history as much as River Mahanadi influenced Odisha.

Both states also witnessed the influence of Buddhism and Jainism; have a votive tradition of supplicating the Saptamatrika; enjoy a Shaktipitha status; possess similar maritime traditions, Kamat states in her study.

Referring to the culinary aspect, the Goan patoli and its Oriya country cousin, the endura pitha, Kamat says they suggest another reason to support her research. Source: ToI