How the state government in Odisha cheated the public on the IIM establishment issue?

This is how the state government in Odisha cheated the public on the IIM establishment issue. Actually the State Govt had decided about the location of IIM beforehand and it was just looking for an alibi to justify its decision. The 'airport' clause was self inflicted by the State government to hoodwink the people of Ganjam who tried every possible civilised method to convince the State Govt on the historic necessity of IIM in Berhampur. However, Odisha being Odisha here civilised methods and passionate appeals just does not work despite valid considerations of equity and distributive justice.  

(The Sambad)

Images of BERHAMPUR BANDH demanding establishment of IIM at Berhampur

Odisha Govt should follow the old Saying, "Dont put all your Eggs in One Basket" and for all round development Education must be evenly spread across the State. 
Images of BERHAMPUR BANDH demanding establishment of IIM at Berhampur

Odisha Govt. Ditched & Deceived the people of South Odisha

Friends If we remain silent today we will have no right to complain in the future

Silence is not the answer to the problems facing South Odisha. If we remain silent today we will have no right to complain in the future. Because remaining silent will mean supporting the present development template being followed by the State Govt. Every citizen in India has right to development and the people of South Odisha cannot be denied this right. The questions raised here are certainly from the perspective of Berhampur city which is agitating for the IIM, but we do know that every single individual in South Odisha and Ganjam is equally concerned about the enigmatic silence of the Statate Govt on development issues after garnering their votes. This is not acceptable and we have to shout at the loudest to be heared by a Govt which is completely deaf and bereft of a sense of equity and justice.

Berhampur erupts in protest against the State Government

Berhampur erupts in protest against the State Government's highly retrograde moves on the establishment of IIM. Students across the district protest against the biased decision even as more aggressive protests have been planned for the coming days.

Handling IIM establishment issue proves lowest point in Naveen Patnaik's career as Chief Minister even as corruption charges flying thick and fast against the State Govt.

People not ready to give up yet on the IIM-Berhampur demand. Massive agitations planned in the coming days. BJD loses its credibility in Ganjam as it is accused of stage-managing the whole episode. Handling IIM establishment issue proves lowest point in Naveen Patnaik's career as Chief Minister even as corruption charges flying thick and fast against the State Govt.

People of Ganjam and Berhampur fought for the establishment of IIM-Berhampur against all odds. But they were fighting against a highly biased State Government, arrogant and drunk with power who have displayed scant respect for distributive justice. Not only Berhmapur city; for 90% of Odisha this decision comes as a big letdown. However this cannot be the end of the story and with greater public awareness we can set bigger goals for Berhampur and Ganjam and aspire for our rightful space in a developed India. Not to be disheartened and time to work with greater vigor and enthusiasm for the cause of Berhampur..

Is Odisha State government forcing the people of Berhampur & South Odisha to demand a separate Kalinga State??????

This is the right time to expose the State Government which has taken the people of Ganjam and South Odisha for granted.These questions follow from the opinions expressed by the readers in the previous post. As responsible citizens you are free to give opinions outsides the choices indicated on the path forward for Berhampur city, Ganjam and the backward southern odisha.

Is Berhampur city (South Odisha, Kalinga) not a part of Odisha State??????

Ganjam produced a former President of India, Former PM PV Narasimha Rao was MP of Berhampur, Krushna Chandra Gajapati, Sadasiva Tripathy, Binayak Acharya, Biju Patnaik and his Son went on to become Chief Ministers of Odisha. Yet 10 lakh people from Ganjam live in the slums of Surat, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Not even a screw and bolt factory has not been built in Ganjam and the last major Institution (the Berhampur University) was established in the district almost 50 years ago. For last 5 decades Ganjam is crying for development but Ganjam people are as passive as ever. If they do not wake up now to question their leaders, then better they should prepare to live like slaves. The question is not only about the IIM; it is about self respect. Some people are saying that Berhampur does not have the infra to host an IIM. But then the question is who is responsible for poor infrastructure in Berhampur and Ganjam. So, time has come when people must speak up and oppose the continuous neglect of the State Govt.

Bhubaneswar Janata Dal= BJD

The decision on IIM site selection, if true, should serve as a lesson for the people of rest of Odisha (Ganjam in particular) that they are second grade citizens and aliens in their own State who are remembered only once in 5 years during elections as they dont enjoy the rights same as the State capital. See how audacious the corrupt BJD Govt in Odisha has been on the IIM issue? The CM has no time to assuage the people of Berhampur who are on hunger strike demanding the establishment of IIM and the decision is being selectively leaked through the media about the decision to establish yet another central Institute in Bhubaneswar, now the IIM.

Does the CM even know about the IIM-Berhampur agitation?

Does the CM even know about the IIM-Berhampur agitation? He is silent as ever and the Berhampur MP goes missing every now and then to appear only during elections. With such representatives who denied even the Smart-city tag to Berhampur; people are bound to be frustrated.

Stop Step-motherly treatment to South Odisha (Kalinga)..... Establish IIM @ Berhampur

Shodasha Pooja starts at Maa Tara Tarini Shakti Peeth

Last huddle for the establishment of IIM at Berhampur cleared; LOW-COST AIRPORT WILL COME UP SOON IN BRAHMAPUR

POLICY SOON ON BUILDING LOW-COST AIRPORTS IN 50 NON-METRO CITIES

New Delhi | Having identified 50 non-metro cities and remote locations across the country for building low-cost airports, the Centre is shortly coming up with a policy on the matter in which state governments would have a major role to play.

The Civil Aviation Ministry would soon finalise names of the first five of these 50 no-frill airports to be taken up first, official sources said here on Friday.The policy, which is being given final shape by the Ministry, is likely to put the onus of providing land, water and electricity free of charge to these airports on State Governments, which would also have to grant tax concessions or exemptions for these projects.

It comes in the wake of the BJP-led Government’s announcements that these airports would be built on a private -public partnership (PPP) model to provide air connectivity to non-metro cities and those in remote areas.

Apart from the facilities to be granted by State Governments to these airports, the Government would grant concessions to airlines operating there, such as exemption from paying landing, parking, navigation, night parking and fuel throughput charges, among other things.In June last year, the UPA-II Government, while finalising infrastructure projects for 2013-14, had also decided to build low-cost airports at 51 cities and towns across the country.

Under the decision taken by the Manmohan Singh government, State-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) was to have set up these airports at towns and cities spread across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

There are over 125 functional airports and another 400 airstrips, of which many can be developed as full-fledged airports, the sources said.However, official data shows that of these 125-odd functional airports, 93 were loss-making and only ten profitable. The loss-making airports are mostly located in Tier-II cities, apart from some state capitals. Connectivity by low-cost airlines to the smaller towns and cities could beef up the financial fortunes of these small airports, the sources said.

Observing that growth in traffic was concentrated on certain major routes and not all across the country, they said though air tickets were now available at competitive rates due to fierce competition among airlines and air traffic was growing at a rapid pace, almost 70 per cent of the population does not have air connectivity and many cannot afford to fly.

The policy would aim at making air connectivity available at a cheaper rate, the officials said.On the names of the 50 proposed no-frill airports, they said the list was likely to remain the same as decided by the previous Government, barring a few changes in some states.

As per the UPA-II Government’s decision last year, the 51 low-cost airports were to have come up at Vijayawada, Nellore, Kurnool, Kadapa, Nizamabad, Tirupati, Anantapur and Karimnagar in Andhra Pradesh, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Hazaribagh in Jharkhand, at Muzaffarpur, Chapra and Sasaram in Bihar, at Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Firozpur in Punjab, at Agra, Allahabad, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Meerut, Aligarh, Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh.

Tezu, Bomdila and Along in Arunachal Pradesh, at Silchar, Jorhat and Tezpur in Assam, at Gwalior, Singrauli, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Jabalpur, Sidhi and Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, Brahmapur (Odisha), Rourkela and Kendujhar in Odisha, at Ajmer, Kota, Bhilwada and Alwar in Rajasthan and at Kolhapur, Nasik, Jalgaon, Solapur and Amarawati in Maharashtra were also to have low-cost airports.

Source: The Pioneer| Saturday, 06 September 2014

other links: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-09-05/news/53601736_1_low-cost-airports-small-airports-state-owned-airports-authority

Policy on building low-cost airports expected soon

Airports Authority of India to Develop 50 Low-Cost Airports | Travel | www.indiatimes.com

Berhampur Comprehensive Development Plan ready

Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) has proposed five major industrial zones, a new airport and ring roads in the draft comprehensive development plan (CDP) for greater Berhampur.

Under the proposals prepared for the south Odisha city and nearby areas, Greater Berhampur would have 327 sq km area comprising the jurisdiction of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC), Chhatrapur and Gopalpur Notified Area Acouncils (NACs) and adjoining villages, BDA officials said.

Besides the existing industrial park and titanium dioxide complex, new facilities will come up at Ratanpur, Phulta and Chikalakhandi. Around 8 sq km at Laxmipur on Purushottampur road has been earmarked for an airport.

The CDP was prepared by the Town and Country Planning Organization (TCPO) under the ministry of the urban development, keeping in mind the growth possibility of the town in the next two decades.

About Rs 1.09 crore has been spent for preparation of the plan BDA chairman Subash Moharana said adding the plan had been uploaded on website for people to respond to it.

"The CDP is necessary for the development of the town in a planned way. Real estate players and industries face problems in approving their plans owing to the absence of a masterplan. I hope it will help all stakeholders," said MLA (Berhampur), R C Chyaupatnaik.

The last master plan for Berhampur town was prepared in 1969. Since then, BDA has attempted to prepare a CDP for the town on several occasions. Finally TCPO was chosen for the job which it completed in 26 months.

Demand for IIM in Berhampur

"Forum for IIM in Berhampur" formed by eminent citizens to press the demand before the state and central government

Several academics, activists and advocates on Sunday decided to form a "Forum for IIM in Berhampur" to mount pressure on the government to establish the prestigious management institute in the southern Odisha town in Ganjam district.

A delegation led by former deputy chairman, state planning commission and retired professor Pramod Kumar Sahu, would soon meet chief minister Naveen Patnaik and tell him that the town deserves an Indian Institute of Management (IIM).

Before meeting Naveen, a memorandum would be submitted to the revenue divisional commissioner, southern division, stating the need of an IIM in Berhampur, especially because there is no central institute in the town, said coordinator of the forum Sudhir Rout.

The central government had declared that an IIM would be set up in Odisha in the last budget.

"We had demanded for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), when the Central government sanctioned such an institute for the state. But the government ignored our demand citing that no air connectivity to the town" Pati said.

Ganjma is the home district of chief minister. When the government deserve, there would no dearth of infrastructure facilities for setting of the proposed IIM in the district, added senior advocate Prafulla Jagannath Padhy.

Sahu, however said readily available infrastructure was not the pre-condition for establishment of any premier national level institute. He cited several examples including IIT, Kharagpur, IIT, Bhubaneswar, M.K.C.G.Medical College and Hospital, Brahmapur, Central University, Odisha at Koraput and Brahmapur University. "In order to maintain regional balance across the state, the proposed IIM is needed to establish here" said convener of forum J.Sheshagiri Rao. Moreover Berhampur is the first university in the state was introduced the undergraduate course in management through a private institute in the town, the speakers pointed out.

Several retired professors, activists of different organizations, including president, Ganjam chamber of commerce (GCC) VVRN Rao were attended the meeting. Sahu was presided. The meeting was also decided to involve more and more people, including the political leaders and public representatives of Ganjam district to mount pressure on government, sources said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Demand-for-IIM-in-Berhampur/articleshow/39596343.cms

Lawyers go on stir seeking court bench at Berhampur

Members of Ganjam District Consumer Bar Association started indefinite agitation from Friday demanding immediate commencement of proposed circuit bench of Odisha State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (SCDRC) in Berhampur.

Led by the president of the association, Kailash Chandra Mishra, and secretary Shyamakant Jena, the agitating lawyers sat on dharna on the premises of District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum (DCDRF) in the city. They shouted slogans criticising the State government and the SCDRC for the delay in starting of the proposed circuit bench.

In January this year, the government had proposed to have two circuit benches of the SCDRC in Berhampur and Sambalpur. The decision was taken considering the large number of cases pending before the State Commission from southern and western parts of the State. At present the aggrieved consumers of south Odisha have to travel to Cuttack to file cases before SCDRC.

The director of department of consumer affairs had written to the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division and western division as well as the secretary of SCDRC to initiate necessary measures for functioning of the two proposed circuit benches of the commission.

The RDC had given consent to provide all facilities for holding circuit bench the city. But, according to the members of the Bar association, till date the SCDRC has not held any hearing of its circuit bench in Berhampur. They alleged that similar was the situation in Sambalpur. The lawyers said they had given a notice to the State government on their demand 15 days back but no decision has been taken in this regard. They said they would continue their agitation till their demand was met....

Source-the hindu

Brahmapur celebrates Indian star weightlifter Ravi Kumar’s Silver at CWG 2014

Ravi Kumar personally thanks all Berhampurians through Future Berhampur for congratulating him on winning the weightlifting Silver in the Common Wealth Games 2014

The Silver winning performance of the star weightlifter from Odisha K Ravikumar has led to celebrations in his home town of Brahmapur with family members distributing sweets after his victory.

“I am happy that he has won the silver, though I would have been happier if he had won the gold. But this was the first time he was contesting in the 77 kg category and also the first time he was competing after the surgery. I am sure he would bring the gold at the forthcoming Asian championship,” said his elated mother.

Ravikumar won the silver medal in the 77 kg category at the ongoing Common Wealth Games (CWG) in Glasgow on Sunday.

Ravikumar lifted 142 kg in snatch and 175 kg in clean & jerk to win the bronze in the event in which compatriot Satish Shivalingam from Tamil Nadu won the gold.

Ravikumar had set a new record in the 69 kg category at the last CWG in New Delhi in 2010. This was the first time he participated in the 77 kg category.

BJP DEMANDS HIGH COURT BENCH AT BRAHMAPUR

While extending support to the lawyers for the establishment of a permanent Bench of the Odisha High Court at Brahmapur, the district BJP has urged the State Government to immediately place the demand of the Ganjam Bar Association and the people of south Odisha in the Monsoon Session of the Assembly and send its resolution for the Central Government’s consideration.`

It may be mentioned that the demand for a HC Bench here is being made for the last two decades, but in vain. The BJP is consistently supporting the lawyers’ agitation in this regard, said BJP district general secretary Sunil Kumar Sahu in a statement.

The party would soon bring this demand to the notice of the Union Law Minister as decided at a meeting of the BJP district Mahila Morcha executive body and communicated to the Ganjam Bar Association president Basanta Kumar Panda and secretary Rama Prasad Panda, said Sahu.

Former Assembly Deputy Speaker Rama Chandra Panda has also submitted several memorandums in the past to the State Governor and the Union Law Minister demanding a HC bench at Brahmapur, pointing out that Brahmapur is both commercial and education hub of the entire south Odisha and Ganjam Bar Association is a century-old body.

Source: The Pioneer

WHY THE GOVERNMENT OF ODISHA ALWAYS SHOWS STEP-MOTHERLY TREATMENT TO BERHAMPUR ?

Blackbucks migrate to newer habitats in Ganjam

For the past few weeks large herds of blackbucks were sighted in Khallikote range under Berhampur forest division, which was not considered to be their habitat earlier.

Areas under Aska and Buguda forest ranges of Ganjam district are the natural habitat of the antelope. In these areas, blackbucks live close to human habitats in villages like Bhetanai, Buguda, Bajraput, Siddhanai, Banabali etc.

With monsoon being active, large herds of blackbucks were seen in open fields of Khandadeuli, Santoshpur, UDSpur, Poirasi panchayats. As they prefer to remain in the open during rain, they are called the harbingers of rain. Inhabitants of Ganjam district revere blackbucks.

Wildlife activist, R.N.Sahu said the presence of these blackbucks is a welcome change for environment. He urged the forest department to ensure that water was provided to the animals.

Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) S.S.Mishra said they had started tracking the movement of blackbuck herds that have started to appear in Khallikote forest range.

“If these blackbucks prefer to stay back in this area, we would make all possible efforts to provide them necessary protection with support of locals,” he said. There are also several young ones in the herd.

According to the DFO, the animals seem to have migrated from Buguda and Aska forest ranges after cyclone Phailin. The Phailin cyclone in October last year and the continuous rains that followed had led to migration of blackbucks from their normal regions of habitation in Ganjam district.

Migration of black bucks is not new to Ganjam district. Earlier, blackbucks used to migrate from Aska and Buguda forest range areas in search of food. In 2012, some blackbucks had migrated to Khallokote forest range, but their number was small. Blackbuck herds were also seen to have migrated to areas near Bhanjanagar in 2012. Source: The Hindu 

NIST, Berhampur among the Best Engineering Colleges of India

Lakhs of devotees witness Puri Rath Yatra

Over 10 lakh devotees witnessed the world famous annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath held here on Sunday with religious fervour and enthusiasm amid tight security as the practice of people climbing the chariots was stopped in a major reform initiative.

Devotees from across the country and abroad descended on the pilgrim town of Puri in Odisha for a glimpse of the presiding deities of the 12th century shrine of Sri Jagannath and mingled with the sea of humanity during the annual festival of chariots. “The festival was held peacefully in a smooth manner. There was no untoward incident as elaborate security measures were taken,” a senior police officer said.

Devotees poured in to the seaside town since early morning to watch the ceremony and pull the three majestic and colourful chariots on the ‘bada danda,’ the grand avenue.

A host of VIPs including Odisha Governor S.C. Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik witnessed the proceedings.

Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati did not visit the chariots before they were pulled accusing the Odisha government of interfering in religious matters by asking him to ascend the raths (chariots) alone without his disciples.

“The state government has dared to dictate terms to the Shankaracharya of Puri. I will not visit the chariots before they are pulled for Rath Yatra,” Saraswati had told reporters at the Govardhan Peeth in Puri on Saturday. The Hindu

At 43.7°C, Bhubaneswar hottest place in Odisha

Bhubaneswar was the hottest place in the state on Thursday with mercury touching 43.7 degree Celsius. This was the highest May temperature in the last five years.

The city's highest temperature touched 44 degree Celsius last on April 3, 2008. This year, on last Monday, mercury in the city touched 43.2 degree Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted on Thursday that severe heat wave condition would prevail at some parts of the state for the next few days.

"Fast urbanization is one of the major reasons for the sharp rise in day temperature in the city," weathermen said.

After Bhubaneswar, Chandbali was the second hottest place in the state at 43.5 degrees, followed by Titlagarh sizzling at 43 degree Celsius. Eleven other places saw mercury touching 41 degree Celsius.

Sunstroke toll confirmed by the government on Thursday remained 17, while unconfiremedurces suggested at least 39 cases. Source: ToI

Over one lakh Odia workers migrated to other States in 2014

Researchers termed the figure as grossly under reported

Over one lakh workers from the State have been sent through middlemen to work in other States in 2014, Odisha Legislative Assembly was informed here on Friday.

In response to a query of Congress legislator Naba Kishore Das, Labour and State Employees Insurance Corporation Minister Prafulla Mallick updated that as on March this year, 1,19,001 migrant workers were sent to other State through 3,044 labour agents under Interstate Migrant Workmen Act 1979.

Researchers, however, termed the figure as grossly under reported. They said over 3 lakh labourers including minor children from western Odisha districts had gone to work in brick kilns in States like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

“During past two years, 726 migrant workers were rescued from workplace outside the State. Under Interstate Migrant Workmen Act 1979, as many as 159 criminal cases were filed during past five years,” Mr. Mallick said.

The statistics presented in the Assembly points out highest 32,487 migrant workers from Bolangir had been engaged in other States by labour agents while 20,233 workers had gone from Khurda district.

The government information makes it clear that district administrations in western Odisha districts had no clue as to how many poverty stricken people migrated to other States in search of jobs. From last part of 2013 till March 2014, district police and labour department officials had tracked hundreds of migrant workers who were being sent to other States in Nuapada alone.

“We think more than 3 lakh workers from western Odisha districts migrate to other States, mostly through unregistered labour agents. These workers are forced to work in inhospitable condition and any form of protest by workers often leads to torture by employers,” said Umi Daniel, head of Migration Information and Resource Centre (MiRC), Aide et Action South Asia.

Mr. Daniel said, “Odisha surely sends more than 20 lakh migrant workers every year. While a large number of workers from Ganjam migrate to States like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, destinations of workers from western Odisha are mostly brick kilns of southern States.”

He said the official figure on rescue of distressed workers also did not give a clear picture of hopeless situation the migrant workers were in. “Compared to 726 migrant workers claimed to be rescued by Odisha government, Tamil Nadu, erstwhile Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka had officially released more than 1400 workers after identifying them as bonded labourers.”

State Labour Minister said government was taking steps to provide a toll free numbers to register grievances of migrant workers who work in distress condition.

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In the past two years 726 migrant workers were rescued from workplaces outside the State

Often workers are forced to work in inhospitable conditions and are subjected to torture

Source: The Hindu 

Odisha govt. bars devotees from climbing chariots during Rath Yatra

Earlier, the Daitapati priests were opposed to the idea of putting any restriction on devotees climbing the chariots of Lord Jagannath. 

In a significant decision, the Odisha government on Wednesday said devotees would not be allowed to climb the chariots of Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra on Rath Yatra day. “The devotees will not be allowed to climb the chariots. The Daitapati priests of the 12th century shrine have agreed to the proposal of the State government,” Law Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo told reporters after a three–hour discussion with the priests here at the Secretariat.

“The Daitapatis have agreed to the proposal to bar devotees from mounting the chariots, not just on Rath Yatra day, but also on Bahuda Yatra [festival during the chariots’ return journey] and Suna Besha [golden attire],” the Minister said.

On the controversial issue of devotees touching the deities on chariots, the Minister said: “It is a highly sensitive issue and needs wider consultation with all stakeholders.”

“We have accepted the State government’s proposal of not allowing the devotees to climb chariots on three days — Rath Yatra day, Bahuda and Suna Vesha from the security point of view. But the practice of devotees mounting chariots after they reach the destination will continue,” said Ramakrushna Mohapatra, the leader of the Daitapati Nijog.

He said they accepted the State government proposal in view of the suspected terrorist threat to the Lord’s festival.

The Shankaracharya of Puri, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, had earlier recommended to the Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, headed by Puri King Gajapati Divyasingha Deb, to ban devotees from climbing the chariots and touching the deities.

“Climbing chariots and touching the deities was against the Hindu religion. It is a sin,” the Shankaracharya had said. The Hindu 

Seek solace at Taratarini Shrine

BY: BIBHUTI BARIK

Bhubaneswar, May 18: When chief minister Naveen Patnaik started his electoral journey after paying an obeisance to the famous deity at Taratarini three weeks ago, people of Ganjam and the entire south Odisha were extremely happy.

Before beginning anything auspicious, an average person from undivided Ganjam district and the entire south Odisha would always seek blessings of Goddess Taratarini. It is believed that if you go to the temple with a wish in your heart, then it would definitely be fulfilled.

Situated in Raipura village under Purushottampur block in Ganjam district, lakhs of tourists from nearby areas in Odisha and also from Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Bengal visit the famous shrine.

The temple on the summit of a hillock is on the right bank of the beautiful and meandering Rushikulya river. The shrine is just 7km away from Purushottampur and 30km away from Berhampur.

Travel writer from Chhatrapur, district headquarters town of Ganjam, Sujata Patnaik, said: “Taratarini shrine has now achieved tremendous popularity for the twin goddesses Tara and Tarini. Both are ancient deities and were worshiped on the hilltop at a small temple for decades in the past. The original structure was demolished in 2005 and the new temple replaced the old one with the Kalingan temple architecture. With beautiful Khandolite stone the temple looks beautiful from the road near the foothill.’’

Nityanand Mondal, a visitor from Bhubaneswar, who came to the shrine with family said: “The ropeway has added a new dimension to the tourism scene. Unlike the ropeway at Nandankanan Zoological Park, which is abandoned now, the cars here give you a feeling of a safe ride. A person can also come to the hilltop without hiring a vehicle and go back by the ropeway.’’

The state government has also taken up widening of the road to the shrine that was earlier narrow. “The road widening work is a good step taken by the authorities. The endowment department should go for facilitating basic amenities near the shrine outside the temple compound,’’ said Nigam Nayak, a tourist, who came from Berhampur with friends.

The twin deities, crudely fashioned in stone, have beautiful silver eyes attached to them. Legends connect the deities to Sakta cult in the past.

Historians say that the Bhanja dynasty rulers of the former Ghumsar state in the undivided Ganjam district installed the enshrining deity. At present the endowment department looks after the temple, but Taratarini Development Board administers the day-to-day affairs.

Interestingly, monkeys in groups often create problems for visitors. “You must not flash a banana or coconuts openly while returning from the temple before getting into the vehicles. You should hide them with a dupatta or a bag,’’ said Nayak.

While the kalpa bata or the banyan tree which fulfils wishes is outside the temple and gets offerings of red scarves, bangles and clothes, a point near the gate also attracts visitors to put their offerings on a platform.

Offerings such as laddu and khichdi are available at a counter near a gate with a nominal price.

Getting there is easy as taxis and auto-rickshaws available at Berhampur and Chhatrapur. There are several places to stay. Moreover, there is a beautiful Panth Nivas run by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation near the hill. Rail and road links to Berhampur and Chhatrapur are available in plenty.

Source: The Telegraph 

Saraswati Sishu Vidyamandir, Nilakanthanagar, Berhampur maintains 100% record

The Saraswati Sishu Vidyamandir, Nilakanthanagar, has achieved a 100% pass for the 21st year in a row, with all its 231 students clearing the board examination.

While 31 students of the school grabbed A-1 (over 90% marks), 138 students got A-2 (80-89% marks), 45 students achieved B-1 (70-79% marks), 11 B-2 (60-69%). Each one student got grade C and D in the school.

S Mohan Rao, the principal of the school said the number of the A-I grade students was likely to increase when the board authorities re-check the Sanskrit answer scripts, as most of the students secured less marks in the paper. "We hope the board authorities will look into the matter," he stated.

The school was established in 1979. The first batch appeared in HSC examination in 1993. Since then, the school has been achieving 100% results, the principal said. "Some of our students might have figured in the top-100 lists in the state this year, as they have secured over 90% marks, said a teacher in the school. The Board of Secondary Education (BSE), however, did not publish the rank-holders' list this year.

Similarly, another school in town, Saraswati Sishu Vidyamandir, Ramahari Nagar, has also achieved cent percent results for the 12th year in a row. Four of the 159 students secured A-1 grade.

Principal of the school S Bisoi said some students missed out on the A-1 grade because they secured less-than-expected marks in the Sanskrit paper. Source: ToI 

World Bank to provide financial assistance to Odisha's Berhampur University

World Bank team assured financial assistance to Berhampur University to provide quality education. 

A World Bank team on Tuesday visited Berhampur University, which was severely affected by the Phailin last year, and held discussions with Vice-Chancellor Prof Dipak Kumar Behera on technical and financial assistance to the university.

The team comprising Kurt Laren, Soumi Saha and Nailin Jena which reached at Bhanja Vihar on Monday evening visited several departments, staff quarters and academic block on Tuesday morning and discussed on equity, governance, finance and preparedness of a comprehensive plan for higher studies with the university authorities.

University Registrar Prof Manmath Padhi and PG Councial Chairman Prof Prasanna Kumar Biswasray apprised the team on various issues and the university’s plan to improve quality of education. Sources said the team has assured of all supports, mainly financial assistance, to the university to provide quality education. http://www.orissadiary.com/

Berhampur buildings low on fire safety features

Basic norms as per National Building Code 2005 not adhered to in many structures

Although the city is witnessing a construction boom in the form of high-rise apartments and other buildings, it is alleged that none of the buildings is adhering to basic fire safety norms.

Fire and rescue officials of Berhampur have doubts about the safety of the high-rise buildings. As per norms all multi-storied apartments have to get their fire safety arrangements checked every year by officials and obtain no-objection certificates. But none of the multi storied apartments in Berhampur has opted for such checks nor do they apply for no-objection certificates from local fire office, said Deputy Fire Officer S.P.Behera.

The Fire department had brought this grave issue to the notice of the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) with the complaint that most of the builders of high-rise buildings were not contacting the department for maintenance of fire safety aspects

According to Mr Behera, officials of Berhampur on their own reviewed the fire safety measures in some of the high-rise apartments. They had found that the basic norms of fire safety according to National Building Code 2005 were not being adhered to. In many cases, apartments have no space for vehicles of fire brigade to move around. In Berhampur, the Fire department is yet to get large mechanical ladders that are used in fire fighting.

Officials allege fire extinguishers were not in proper condition and fear they may not work in case of a fire. Flow of water through pipes was not being checked regularly. The pipes may not work as heat may reach inner rubber lining of pipes. It was also found that the hydrant point motor of the fire safety system of the building was not in running condition. As per the norms, each high-rise building should have a storage facility of 10,000 gallons of water, especially for fire safety, which is ignored in most high-rise apartments.

The officials are also critical of the state of fire escapes in these buildings. They allege that even some buildings do not have any fire escape facility.

As per norms any building higher than 15 meters should have fire extinguishers, a hose reel, automatic sprinklers, a special terrace tank exclusively for fire safety, underground static tank for water storage etc. Storage of water and space for entry of fire brigade vehicles is a must as in urban areas. Source: The Hindu

Adi Shakti Maa Tara Tarini (Breast Shrine of Shakti & Istha Devi of Odisha)

11 acquitted in Kandhamal riot case

A local court here acquitted 11 persons owing to lack of evidence in a case related to communal riots in Odisha’s Kandhamal district after the murder of senior VHP leader and saint swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others.

Additional District Judge, Phulbani, Rajendra Kumar Tosh acquitted all the 11 persons arrested in connection with the murder of Gopan Nayak of Gandagada village on September 9, 2008. The 11 faced charges ranging from rioting, house burning, unlawful assembly with arms as well as other sections of the IPC. While the 11 persons have been acquitted by the court, one accused is still at large. The Hindu

Is this the world's biggest election loser?

By Sandeep Sahu

Berhampur, Odisha

He has stood in every Indian parliamentary election since 1962 - and lost every one - but that has not deterred 78-year-old Shyam Babu Subudhi from throwing his hat into the ring once again. Dr Subudhi is a homeopathy practitioner in Berhampur, a town in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. And he is contesting two constituencies, Berhampur and Aska, in India's forthcoming parliamentary polls.

Despite losing his deposit in every previous election, having won less than a sixth of the votes cast each time, Dr Subudhi is surprisingly confident he can win both seats this time. His one-page election manifesto even claims that there is "enough of a possibility" of him being appointed prime minister of India after the coming elections.

This will be his 13th attempt in a row to enter India's parliament. I am in electoral politics because I want to end corruption in the country” "People are fed up with the current crop of leaders, who switch parties when they are not given a ticket by their own party. They have seen that I am the only person who has steadfastly refused to join any political party since the 1960s," Dr Subudhi told the BBC at his home in Berhampur.

Dr Subudhi's electoral debut came in 1957, when he battled former State Minister Brundaban Nayak over the setting up of a school in Berhampur. "I fought with him in the Hinjili Assembly constituency and lost narrowly," he says proudly.

What started as a battle over a school soon turned into an obsession for this man, a familiar sight on the streets of Berhampur in his trademark cap, uneven beard, bulging black bag and well-worn suit, even in the scorching summer heat.

He fought in both assembly and parliamentary elections until 1980, when he took on former Chief Minister JB Patnaik in Begunia. From then on, he has focused his efforts purely on parliamentary elections.  Dr Subudhi remembers his "fight" against former Prime Minister Rao (right) as a high point of his career.

The high point of his long electoral career came in 1996 when he "fought" the Prime Minister of India, PV Narasimha Rao, for the Berhampur seat. Biju Patnaik, father of India's current chief minister and the biggest political leader in the state's post-independence history, is among his other notable "rivals".

"I am in electoral politics because I want to end corruption in the country," Dr Subudhi says. But how can he end corruption, even if he wins the election, when he is only an independent candidate? "I am sure I will get the support of many others in parliament," he says confidently.

Curiously for someone who is 78 and on the ballot in two constituencies, his manifesto promises to bar people above 60 from contesting elections, and put an end to the practice of standing in more than one seat.

His campaign style is also frugal and lacks the pomp and ostentation usually associated with Indian elections. He moves about mostly on foot, by bicycle or even bull-drawn cart, as he meets his electorate in ones and twos.

But Dr Subudhi readily concedes that despite his no-frills campaign style, he could end up spending about 500,000 Indian rupees ($8,300; £5,000) this time. But he laughs away any suggestion his family members might be peeved with him for "wasting" the money.

Indian workers make different party campaign flags at a workshop in Hyderabad on 7 March 2014

They do not appear too perturbed. "He spends his own money and never asks for help from anybody," says his daughter-in-law Rashmita. His earnings apparently come from his still-flourishing homeopathy practice, while his sizeable ancestral property ensures that he is never short of money to fight elections.

Many people in the town think he is mad. Others think he is an old man obsessed with getting into the Guinness Book of Records as the man who has contested the most elections.

But there are some - like his contemporary and good friend Venkat Bihari Praharaj - who do take him seriously. They believe he is standing sincerely and is not in the fight for fun. "But the problem is people tend to vote for parties rather than individuals," Praharaj says. There is nothing to suggest that the voters will behave any differently this time. But Dr K Shyam Babu Subudhi will have none of it.

Famous Danda Natcha of Berhampur, Ganjam

South Odisha Cultural Research Centre mooted

Berhampur University has started the process for establishment of ‘South Odisha Cultural Research Centre’ on its campus. It was declared during a two-day seminar on tribal culture of south Odisha organised at the university, which concluded on Sunday evening.

It would be a multidisciplinary centre but would be managed by the post-graduate department of Odia of the University.

Speaking to The Hindu, Debiprasanna Patnaik of Odia department who is playing a key role in the establishment of this centre, said it would promote interdisciplinary studies on the culture of people of the region. There would be research in the fields of anthropology, history, linguistics, psychology and socio-cultural studies of ethnic groups, especially tribal people living in south Odisha.

The centre would utilise the items of historical and cultural importance collected from different parts of south Odisha during past three decades. All these would be part of the museum of the ‘South Odisha Cultural Research Centre’ of Berhampur University. It would help in preservation, documentation and exhibition of these items for the scholars as well as general public.

Attending the inaugural session of the seminar, Berhampur University Vice-Chancellor Deepak Kumar Behera stressed the need of interdisciplinary research on tribal culture of south Odisha. Berhampur University is the only university in south Odisha. Source: The Hindu