Odisha demands regional passport centres at Berhampur and Sambalpur

With growing demand for passports among youngsters, the Odisha government on Friday urged the Centre to open two more Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in the state. “I would request you to take immediate action for setting up two Regional PSKs at Sambalpur and Berhampur,”Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Union External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.

Stating that the only PSK at the state capital fails to meet the demands, Mr. Patnaik said the citizens of interior districts located in western and southern regions of the state were facing difficulty in obtaining passports. The average distance of the 10 districts located in the western part of the state is 312 km from Bhubaneswar and as many as 9,011 applications for passport are received in the year 2011 from these areas, Mr. Patnaik pointed out.

Similarly, the average distance of the eight districts located in the southern region of Odisha is 367 km from the state capital and a total of 7,578 citizens from these districts applied for passport in 2011, he added.

“Keeping in view the geographical distance of these districts from Bhubaneswaras well as the number of citizens applying for passport, I would request you to take immediate action,” Mr. Patnaik said in the letter. In case, Mr. Patnaik added two PSKs are established, the average distance of the districts located in the western and southern regions will come down from 312 km to 116 km and 367 km to 178 km respectively, he said.

Tata Steel initiates massive plantation drive at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

• The project is unique of its kind in the country where a Shrine Board has taken up issues of environment on a massive scale
• Tata Steel has come forward to support the plantation drive in and around the hill shrine
• More than half-million fruit bearing tress are to be planted over a period of five years under the project
• TTDB has already taken a number of such initiatives in the past to improve the green cover and to protect the environment of the area
• Recently it announced to introduce Solar lighting system in the Hill Shrine with assistance from the Central Government.

In continuation of its social initiatives, The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) started a massive afforestation drive in collaboration with the Tata Steel, in and around the holy Tara Tarini Hill Shrine near Berhampur city in Odisha. The Tata Steel has come forward to support the afforestation programme in the hill shrine and has offered to plant around half-million fruit bearing tress over a period of five years around the hill shrine area besides taking care of the trees. This initiative has been welcomed by the people for being a first of its kind initiative taken by a Shrine Board in collaboration with a private sector company.

The Chairman TTDB and Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Southern Division Odisha Shri LN Nayak and Tata Steel Odisha Chief Resident Executive Shri Sushanta Kumar Mishra jointly started this programme on 17 July by planting trees in the foothill area of the Shrine. Tata Steel Gopalpur plant heads Shri AK Mohapatra and Shri SK Singh, Senior Manager Tata Steel Shri SS Routray, Secretary TTDB Shri Pramod Kumar Panda, office bearers of Tara Tarini Development Board and senior officials of Government of Odisha and district administration were also present on this occasion.

Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has taken a number of such initiatives in recent times to improve the green cover and protect the environment of the holy shrine. Recently introduction of Solar lighting system in the entire Hill Shrine area has been taken up by TTDB with assistance from the Central Government.

Following the afforestation programme, a meeting of the office bearers of the Development Board was held under the Chairmanship of Shri LN Nayak, Chairman TTDB. On this occasion, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Smt. Renubala Pradhan announced to contribute required fund from her MPLAD to construct a rest-shed to accommodate large number of visitors and a market complex on the Hilltop. To protect the Hill top area, it was also decided to construct embankments on both the north and south side of the Hilltop. The Rural Development Department, Government of Odisha, agreed to prepare the master plan for it. To protect the natural beauty of the Hilltop, architect Prabir Dash gave a number of proposals on this occasion. Similarly, Shri Durga Prasad tabled a master plan to execute the various developmental projects proposed by the TTDB, and it was sent to the Technical Committee of TTDB to further examine the master plan.

Tara Tarini to have more green cover

TTDB, Tata Steel take up a project

A massive plantation drive has been taken up jointly by the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) and Tata Steel at the hill shrine to increase the green cover on the hill and its adjoining areas.

According to TTDB authorities, it is an effort to create awareness regarding importance of plantation and protection of vegetation cover in the minds of devotees who throng the hill shrine. TTDB secretary Pramod Panda thanked the Tata Steel authorities for their assistance towards enhancement of environment of the hill shrine.

The plantation project will continue for five years. During the period, saplings will be planted in different locations in a phased manner.

All the saplings will be provided by the company which will also assist for their maintenance and safekeeping, according to Mr Panda.

Initially, 5,000 saplings will be planted during the current rainy season. Saplings of fruit-bearing plants, flowering plants, and medicinal plants will be planted under the project.

These will be of great help for sustenance of wild animals like varieties of monkeys living in the area. Initially these plants are being planted by the side of all roads leading to the hill shrine and to the hill top.................................................. (Source: The Hindu)

Massive plantation drive begins at Tara Tarini shrine

The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has started a massive afforestation drive in collaboration with the Tata Steel in and around the holy Tara Tarini hill shrine near Berhampur city. The Tata Steel has offered to plant around half a million fruit-bearing tress over a period of five years around the temple area besides taking care of the trees.

TTDB chairman and RDC (Southern) LN Nayak and Tata Steel Odisha Chief Resident Executive Sushanta Kumar Mishra jointly started the programme on July 17 by planting saplings in the foothill area of the shrine. ................................. (Source: The Pioneer)

TTDB and Tata Steel initiate massive plantation drive at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

Report by OD bureau; Berhampur: In continuation of its social initiatives, The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) started a massive afforestation drive in collaboration with the Tata Steel, in and around the holy Tara Tarini Hill Shrine near Berhampur city in Odisha. .................(Source: Odishadiary.com)

TTDB and Tata Steel initiate massive plantation

In continuation of its social initiatives, The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) started a massive afforestation drive in collaboration with the Tata Steel, in and around the holy Tara Tarini Hill Shrine near Berhampur city in Odisha.

The Tata Steel has come forward to support the afforestation programme in the hill shrine and has offered to plant around half-million fruit bearing tress over a period of five years around the hill shrine area besides taking care of the trees...................................... (Source: Odishabartha)

Jumbo number up in Odisha

• In Angul, it jumped from 590 to 633 whereas in Baripada, the number rose from 540 to 549
• In Berhampur Circle, the rise was from 121 to 149 while in Bhubaneswar, it rose marginally from 41 to 43
• In 7 divisions Kalahandi (North), Khariar, Sunabeda, Chilika, Bhadrak, Jeypore and Nabarangpur no elephant was found
• Whereas in 8 divisions, there was no change in their status
• 20 divisions reported a rise in the number of jumbos
• In 18, there was a fall in number which could be attributed to migration as well as deaths

Despite rampant killings, elephant population in the State of Odisha has gone up. From 1,886 in 2010, the jumbo number has jumped to 1,930, the latest census has revealed. During the last two years, the number of tuskers, mostly targeted by hunters, has grown by just two from 332 to 334 while the number of young ones has recorded an increase of 15 from 448 to 463 which is an encouraging sign.
Across all segments, the number of elephants registered a rise. The number of females rose to 1,087 from 1,064 while the figure of unsexed ones too increased to 46, Forest and Environment Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said this paper.

The census was conducted across 46 forest divisions (out of 50) from June 1 to 3. In as many as seven divisions  Kalahandi (North), Khariar, Sunabeda, Chilika, Bhadrak, Jeypore and Nabarangpur  no elephant was found whereas in eight divisions, there was no change in their status. Twenty divisions reported a rise in the number of jumbos. In 18, there was a fall in number which could be attributed to migration as well as deaths.

“We saw that northern Odisha pockets saw a rise in population whereas southern Odisha reported a decline. In Bargarh, which had never reported elephant sighting, at least 35 jumbos were enumerated by the census teams,” Chief Wildlife Warden Janardan Dibakar Sharma said.

In all circles, barring four, the jumbo population rose. In Angul, it jumped from 590 to 633 whereas in Baripada, the number rose from 540 to 549. In Berhampur Circle, the rise was from 121 to 149 while in Bhubaneswar, it rose marginally from 41 to 43.

However, Rourkela Circle, which includes Keonjhar, saw a decline from 245 to 228 while Sambalpur recorded a similar trend  from 249 to 229. In Bhawanipatna too, it fell from 104 to 87 whereas in Koraput, it dropped from 26 to 12.



The elephant reserves of Mayurbhanj and Mahanadi reported a rise while Sambalpur reported a drop.

What remains a cause of concern, however, is the high number of deaths, which included poaching. During the last four years, at least 221 elephants have died in the State. The year 2009-10 reported 51 deaths which rose to 83 in 2010-11. In 2011-12, the casualties stood at 66 while the current year has seen 21 deaths so far. Source: The New Indian Express

Devotees throng historic deity-less Jagannath temple at Marda in Ganjam district

• This was the place where lord Sri Jagananth, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra of Puri had been hidden for over two years in the 18^th century to keep them safe from Muslim invaders.
• The then Gajapati king of Puri Rachanra Dev is also said to have hidden himself near Marda.
• king of Athagarhpatna in Ganjam district, Jagannath Harichandan had built up the rock temple at Marda for safekeeping of the deities.
• The deities returned to their original temple in Puri in 1736. But the king of Athagarhpatna did not establish any deities in the Marda temple. He preferred to keep it empty as a mark of remembrance of this great event.
• Till date the temple remains empty.

Srigundicha, the inaugural day of Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath, was also observed at the deity-less Jagannath temple at Marda in Ganjam district. Despite rain, hundreds of devotees reached the temple which finds a historic place in the history of Odisha. But like past years no Rath Yatra was celebrated at the temple. Devotees reached the temple at Marda a day before itself although no Rath Yatra was held here.

Even on this day of festivities, there were no sounds of traditional temple musical instruments like conch, bells or cymbals at the temple. Only some simple rituals were performed before the empty pedestal inside the temple. The tradition is said to have originated from the days when the deities from Sri Jagannath temple in Puri were hidden in this temple during the Mughal period. Sound of any musical instrument may have been avoided during the stay of deities at this temple to avid attention of spies, say historians.

At present, the historical temple has been renovated, restored and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This was the place where the deities of famous Sri Jagananth temple in Puri had been hidden for over two years in the 18^th century to keep them safe from Muslim invaders. The then Gajapati king of Puri Rachanra Dev is also said to have hidden himself near Marda.

At that time the king of Athagadapatna in Ganjam, Jagannath Harichandan, had come out to provide protection and shelter to the deities and the Gajapati of Puri.

Jagannath Harichandan had built up the rock temple at Marda for safekeeping of the deities. The temple, which was built in a hurry, resembles the Gundicha temple in Puri. At that time Marda was an extreme inaccessible place in the interiors of Ganjam district.

The deities returned to their original temple in Puri in 1736. But the king of Athagarhpatna did not establish any deities in the Marda temple.

He preferred to keep it empty as a mark of remembrance of this great event. Till date the temple remains empty.

Inhabitants of Pathara, a village near Marda, still take pride that their artisan ancestors had built up this temple. Source: The Hindu

60 special trains for Jagannath Rath Yatra

In its bid to meet extra rush of passengers during the Rath Yatra, the East Coast Railways (ECoR) will run 60 special trains from different parts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. This arrangement will be over and above the existing trains coming to Puri.

Special trains to Puri will run from Visakhapatnam, Palasa, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Paradip, Bhadrak, Berhampur city, Sambalpur and Gunupur, the ECoR said. One special train will leave Visakhapatnam at 6 pm on June 20 and arrive at Puri at 7.45 am on Rath Yatra day. In the return direction, this passenger special will leave Puri at 12.15 am on June 22.
Similarly, two special passenger trains will start from Palasa while the rest of the stations will see one special train each for the annual Car Festival. Similarly, special trains will also run to and from Puri to clear the extra rush of passengers on the occasion of ‘Sandhya Darshan’, ‘Bahuda Yatra’ and ‘Sunabesha’ which attract huge number of tourists and pilgrims to the town.
At least eight trains will have be rescheduled due to the extra arrangement while some others will have to be cancelled, the ECoR sources said.Source: New Indian Express

Bhubaneswar registers all-time record temperature of 46.7 degree C

Mercury level breached the 40-year-old-record

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All busy roads wear a deserted look as people stay indoors

The capital city has hardly seen the present spell of heat condition in the recent past. The maximum daytime temperature on 06 June reached 46.7 degree Celsius in Bhubaneswar eclipsing the previous all-time record of 46.5 degree Celsius on May 22 in 1972. On 11 June  the maximum temperature was 45.9 degree Celsius.

“Hot winds from north western parts of the country were steadily blowing towards this part without any atmospheric obstructions. Local condition was also favourable for soaring of temperature,” said S. C. Sahu, director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre.

Mr. Sahu said, “the cloud-free sky and low moisture on Tuesday helped increase in temperature.

Moreover, soil of Bhubaneswar was not known to be good absorber of heat.” Urban skyline of Bhubaneswar, assists rise in temperature.

As mercury level breached the 40-year-old-record, busy roads in the capital city wore deserted look.

To escape from the scorching sun, commuters were seen taking shelter under tree cover and nearby shops. Youngsters were seen in shopping malls to beat the heat.

Unbearable heat

The unbearable heat condition forced Bhubaneswarites stay indoor.

The situation did not even improve during evening hours. Frequent power-cuts in several parts of the city stretched the agonising hours of people.

While the capital city turned into a boiling pot, situation was no better in many coastal parts of the city. Chandbali too witnessed record temperature on Tuesday.

Maximum daytime temperature was recorded at 47.2 degree Celsius beating the 70-year-old record of 45.7 degree Celsius registered on June 12, 1942.

The maximum daytime temperature in Pipili in Khurda and Odagaon in Nayagarh district, the near by areas of Bhubaneswar crossed 46 degree Celsius.

Industrial town of Talcher recorded 47.3 degree Celsius – the highest daytime temperature recorded on Tuesday.

Western Odisha town Titlagarh was usually hot with 47 degree Celsius. Revenue and Disaster Management Department, meanwhile, said 30 persons died due to sunstroke, while unofficial estimates put the toll at more than 100. Source: The Hindu

Cyrus Mistry meets Naveen Patnaik; TATA asked to give detail implementation plan for Gopalpur Industrial Park

• Chairman Designate of Tata Sons Cyrus Mistry meets Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

• TATA group proposes a 500 bedded hospital and a skill development center in Ganjam under CSR
• Odisha Chief Minister reviews the progress of the proposed Industrial Park at Gopalpur
• Tata Steel as anchor tenant is developing the Industrial Park at Gopalpur
• The Centre has already granted in-principle approval for a multi-product SEZ at Gopalpur
• The feasibility study and design plan of the Gopalpur SEZ has been completed by Ernst & Young
• Technical feasibility report on Gopalpur SEZ has been prepared by Jurong International, Singapore
• RITES Ltd., a Govt of India Enterprise has completed the survey work for road and railway connectivity
• National Institute of Oceanography has completed CRZ study for the Gopalpur SEZ

The Odisha Government has asked Tata Steel to submit a detailed implementation plan with specific time line for the development of the proposed industrial park at Gopalpur in Ganjam district. Chairman Designate of Tata Sons Cyrus Mistry who was on his maiden visit to Odisha held detailed discussion with Chief Minister on various projects including the industrial park at Gopalpur. Though it has been termed as “courtesy call”, but sources said Mr.Mistry and his able Deputy, the Managing Director of Tata Steel, H M Nerurkar held detailed discussion with the Chief Minister in presence of top mandarins.

The Centre has already granted in-principle approval for a multi-product SEZ at Gopalpur and Tata Steel as anchor tenant is planning to develop an industrial park. To be developed over an area of 2,952 acres, the industrial park has the potential to attract investments of around Rs 15,000 crore, company sources said adding, eight to 10 prospective anchor investors in sectors like engineering and downstream industries have evinced interest to invest in it. The Industrial Park will be developed over an area of 2952 acres with Resource Based Metal Industry Cluster, Power Plant, Auto Engineering Steel Down Stream Cluster, Mixed Cluster, Water Reservoir, Integrated Logistics and Non-Processing Zone to house social infrastructure required for the units in industrial park. It has been proposed that anchor investment will be done in Long Product Mill ( Steel Bar & Rods) with 400,000 TPA, Ferro Chrome Plant with 55,000 TPA, and Desalination Plant with 1.2 MGP per day. Land requirement for all theses anchor investments will be around 400 acres and the water source will be the sea water along with harvested rain water. Reviewing the development of Industrial Park Chief Secretary has asked TATA to submit a detail implementation plan with specific time limits for commencement and completion of each activity. The issues relating to land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation were also reviewed in the meeting.

While Tata Steel is setting up an Industrial Park and developing it as SEZ at Gopalpur, the State Government’s demand is for another steel complex by Tata Steel, said an official source. Chief Minister has asked to scale up their initiatives under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Odisha. Mr.Patnaik during his hour long meeting with Cyrus Mistry, Chairman Designate of Tata Sons today said that a 500 bedded hospital in Ganjam and four centres for skill development centres to be set up.

Source: Tathya.in, Orissadiary.com, New Indian Express

Odisha News June 2012

Berhampur boy tops state in AIEEE

Source: The Sambad

Texas University students impart tech lessons in Gopalpur-on-Sea

Four students from Texas University, USA, are currently in the coastal villages near Gopalpur-on-Sea, Berhampur, Odisha on a mission to train students from fishermen families in basic computer skills and communicative English.

Around 30 college students of Venkataraipur and New Boxipalli villages are taking lessons from them at a village community hall at Venkataraipur in the morning and evening.

John, Reanna, Nessa and Lauren came here and stayed for two months as part of a summer internship project. "We requested them to help students from fishermen's families learn the basics of computer and improve their communication skills," said S B Rao, a social activist from the village. The group is a part of Nourish International, a students' body which works towards addressing global poverty and understanding various development projects across the world, he said. "We are happy to impart training to the students in Gopalpur-On-sea. They are amazing. They are picking up the skills very fast. Many of them can prepare power point slides by themselves," said Lauren. "We want to improve their communication skills as far as possible before leaving the country," Reanna said.

The foreign students have already prepared teaching material for the trainees. They are also using computer sets to enable the young boys and girls have hands-on training of using computers. They started taking classes on May 22, and will continue till July 3.

During the period, they have also decided to conduct a training programme for school teachers to improve their teaching skills and make learning much more interactive and interesting for the students. Besides, the students will launch a sanitation drive in the villages in association with the members of the Self Help Groups (SHG) and village development committees.

The group is also conducting a village assessment programme to identify the availability of the resources and problems in education and to work out for the solution, said B Gopamma, another activist from the village. Source: ToI

 

Artists turn walls of Silk city Berhampur into canvas

Source: The Telegraph

The walls of the Silk City have come alive with paintings depicting the state’s culture, festivals, temples and tribal murals to counter ugly graffiti, unauthorised wall-posters and open-air urinals. Vibrant colours and striking images decorated with mirror pieces and other adornments are lending a royal touch to several drab walls in the city. Artist Pratap Kishore Bishoyi, the 40-year-old who has created paintings on the walls of the official residence of the additional district medical officer at Gate Bazar along with two of his assistants, said their work has received appreciation from passers-by. “We feel glad that our hard work has paid off when people passing by stand and observe the art on the walls. The advent of modern printing and large printed flex boards had snatched away earnings of painters. So, it feels good that as part of this project we are being paid Rs 30/sqft of painting,” said Bishoyi. For another artist, Pratap Kishore, walls are spaces that can act as the preservers of culture, tradition and heritage of the state. “It gives us immense pleasure to create something that will be a part of the city for a long time to come. We use colours that will not be affected by harsh weather conditions and stay fresh even in sun and rain. Hopefully, the public will take care of our efforts,” he said. The city residents seem to be delighted with the beautification project. But they too are worried about the maintenance of the decorated walls. “The wall painting concept was a big hit five years ago. But those paintings are in a sorry state because of poor maintenance,” said Bhim Nayak, a resident of Komapalli. It gives tourists a bad impression, he added. “The law prohibits littering of streets, public walls, office premises, compound walls of residences and government buildings and others. However, these places are being misused with passers-by spitting, putting up posters, unauthorised hoardings and so on,” said Kailash Rana, chairman, Berhampur Development Authority. “The paintings on walls are an innovative strategy to beautify the city’s defaced walls,” he said. The public works department has taken the initiatives of getting walls painted at the residence of the revenue divisional commissioner, southern division, Khallikote Autonomous College, Sashi Bhushan Women’s College, MKCG Medical College and Berhampur Municipal Corporation office. Source: The Telegraph

 

Today is World Environment Day – Work for a greener environment; Plan for the Planet!

Space crunch affects Taptapani deer park

Berhampur: The Taptapani deer park might lose its mini zoo status (MZS) because it is yet to better its infrastructure, including expanding its area. The Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI) has accorded the mini zoo status to the deer park in 2009 after the DFO of Paralakhemundi gave an undertaking to increase the space for free movement of animals. But three years have lapsed since then and the required area is yet to be acquired. The park sprawls over 1.86 hectares where 136 different deer species live. It includes 116 spotted deer, 16 sambars and a barking deer. Though the park started with a few deer in 1980, there number is steadily increasing. The forest department wanted an additional 8.4 hectares of land to accommodate the animals and develop it as an eco-tourism centre. At present, the animals have to move about in less than one hectare because a portion of the park is meant for visitors. Also, the space crunch has given rise to infighting among the deer. Three have died in recent times. "We have sought land in the adjoining areas of the existing park to make it an eco-tourism spot," said Jitsatru Mohanty, the DFO of Paralakhemundi. He said the application for the land alienation was pending with the Ganjam administration. He said the administration should give us the land at the earliest because CZAI officials are going to visit the park soon. "Once the MZS status is withdrawn, we won't be able to house the huge zoo population in the park," Mohanty added. Ganjam collector Krishan Kumar said the administration was aware of the fact. "We are pursuing the matter with the government for early hand over of the land," he added. At present, the forest department is planning an alternative. "The deer park is overcrowded. We have planned to accommodate them by creating at least four enclosures and feeding chambers," the DFO said. (Source: Times of India)

Blackbucks of Ganjam migrating to newer areas in Odisha

Blackbucks, an endangered species found in Balipadar-Bhetanai area in Ganjam district of Odisha, seem to be migrating to newer areas, official sources said. At least two blackbucks were rescued by the villagers from various places in the district. One of them was found at Balipada near Berhampur, while another at Babanapur near Aska. “We have rescued a male blackbuck from Balipadar near here. The animal will be handed over to the Nandankanan zoo authority in Bhubaneswar,” said divisional forest officer, Berhampur SS Mishra. The blackbuck also reportedly migrated towards Jagannath Prasad and Belaguntha areas in search of food and water as some of the water bodies in their habitat have dried up, sources said. “When the blackbucks migrate to other areas they may be easy target to the poachers. They also meet with accidents on the roads”, the wildlife experts feared claiming at least five blackbucks had reportedly died in a fortnight. Officials, however, said only two died. “We have information about the migration of the blackbuck. But we have no information about their death due to scarcity of water,” said divisional forest officer, Ghumusar South R Ch Sethi. He said there were several ponds in their areas.”Though the water level receded, ponds have not dried up. The animals are using them,” added another officer at Aska. Increase in population might be one of the causes for migration of blackbucks to newer areas, said an expert. The population of blackbuck in the area was counted at 2181 in the last census conducted in July 2011. The population of blackbuck was estimated at 1672 in 2008. Their number was 551 in 1998, 786 in 2004, 1101 in 2006, sources said. Improvement of habitats, protection given by local people as well as forest staff was some of the reasons for increase of the population of the blackbuck in the area, forest officials attributed. The blackbucks have been protected religiously by the local people for several generations. They have strong belief the presence of blackbuck in the paddy fields brings prosperity to the village. “The villagers do not kill the animals even if they strays into the field,” said president, Blackbuck Protection Committee Amulya Upadhyaya. (Source: The Pioneer)

CM felicitates Rajasmita, winner of ‘Dance India Dance’reality show

Odia girl Rajasmita Kar, who recently won the third edition of Zee TV’s popular dance reality show ‘Dance India Dance’, was on Thursday felicitated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here at the State Secretariat.

Praising Rajasmita for her achievement, Patnaik said the victory has brought glory to the State which is famous for its traditional dance and song. “In the field of art, she has become an ideal for others and become an inspiration for the youngsters,” Patnaik added.

Patnaik felicitated Rajasmita with a silver peacock and wished her a successful life. Minister Sharada Prasad Nayak was present on the occasion.

Source: The Hindu

Month long Chaitra Jatra ends at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine as faith enlivens tradition

With the chanting of the holy names of Maa Tara Tarini, recitation of hymns, Mantras and Jagna on the Fourth Tuesday, the month long Chaitra Jatra came to an end at the famous Tara Tarini Hill Shrine near Berhampur in Odisha. Considered as one of the biggest religious fairs in India, the Chaitra Jatra at this hill shrine has centuries old history behind it.

It is noteworthy that of the 4 Adi Shakti Peethas and other major Shakti Peethas in India, it is only in the Tara Tarini Peetha, considered as the Sthana Pith (Breast Shrine) of Adi Shakti that the Chaitra Jatra is held over the entire month of Chaitra whereas in most other shrines it is held for just one day or the Nine days coinciding with Navratra culminating on Ram Navami.

On the last Tuesday, following the age-old traditions, the Sevakas opened the sanctum sanctorum of the temple past the midnight on Monday. After Snana(the divine bath), Majana and Maha Arati the Amruta Kalasha or the first Bhoga was offered to the goddesses at around 3.55 a.m in the morning. Then the goddesses went for a Parikrama of the temple. After the completion of the Parikrama, large number of devotees who gathered on the hilltop to take the first glimpse of Maa were allowed for Darshan. The Darshan continued non-stop till the late evening of Tuesday.

Like other Tuesdays of this month, around two to three lakh devotees gathered on the fourth and last Tuesday of Chaitra month in the Shrine. The large gathering of devotees and their prayers filled with emotion and enthusiasm surcharged the atmosphere of the ancient Shrine.

Around one thousand barbers were engaged in tonsuring the heads of around five thousand newborn babies on this occasion.

As per traditional beliefs devotees preferred to climb the 999 holy steps to reach the hill top though transportation facilities to the hill top by Arial Rope way and special Buses were made available. They climbed 999 steps as a penance to get the blessing of the deities.

As per initial reports, so far around 20 lakh people have visited the shrine for Darshan during the month, including the four Tuesdays.

People from far off places like North and South India and from the neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Chhattisgarh, many Sadhakasfrom the Tara Pith and other famous Shakti Shrines of India, many Buddhists and Hindu researchers from Nepal and many people from abroad were present during the Chaitra Mela.

A unique feature of this Shrine is that large number of people flocked to the Shrine from various nearby villages in their bullock carts along with their kith and kin. There were also large number of people seen feasting all across the Shrine as a thanksgiving gesture to the Goddesses. The fair comprising rural artisans had large number of buyers and onlookers. Many devotees who could not take the pain of reaching the hilltop made it a point to worship the sacred Ratnagiri Mountain (Tarini Parvat) from a distance.

It may be noted that over the years the number of visitors to this hill shrine have been growing steadily during this Chaitra festivals. As a result, large number of visitors and mainly the elderly persons who find it difficult to reach the hilltop by taking the overcrowded steps and special buses generally prefer the aerial Ropeway to the hill top which is first of its kind in Eastern India. But, the capacity of the existing aerial ropeway is limited. So, sensing the need to accommodate the ever increasing number of devotees, the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has decided to raise the capacity and frequency of Aerial rope-way service in collaboration with ‘USHA Pvt. Ltd’ a reputed Rope Way service provider in the country. It is expected that by this time next year the carrying capacity of the Aerial rope Way will increase many folds.

On the occasion of the last Tuesday the District administration, Temple administration and Development Board made wide range arrangements like drinking water, Prasad, Transportation, Primary health care facility, traffic control, and police deployment for peaceful Darshan of the devotees. The office bearers, volunteers of the TTDB, different NGOs, voluntary organizations, media houses, corporate houses and local residents extended their helping hand through out the month to the devotees who came from various parts of the country.

Visitors throng Tara Tarini

Some eight lakh visited the shrine during four Tuesdays of 'Chaitra'

Over eight lakh pilgrims visited Tara Tarini hill shrine in Ganjam district during the four Tuesdays of the Hindu month of Chaitra.
On Tuesday which was the fourth and last one of the month, around two lakh devotees visited the shrine. Visitors in large numbers thronged the famous Shakti shrine from the wee hours till late evening. Devotees started thronging the spot from Monday night.......................... Link..The Hindu

The annual festivities pass off peacefully
A few projects were inaugurated during the festivities

Green Tribunal suspends environmental clearance to POSCO

The environment clearance granted to Posco's mega steel project in Orissa in January 2011 will remain suspended till the environment ministry reviews it afresh, the National Green Tribunal held March 30. "The environment clearance granted on January 31, 2011 to the project shall remain suspended till such review and appraisal is done by the ministry," a bench of tribunal comprising Justice C V Ramulu and Devendra Kumar Agarwal held.

The tribunal pointed out that memorandum of understanding between the Orissa government and Posco states that the project is for production of 12 million tonnes of steel per annum (MTPA) but the environment impact assessment (EIA) report has been prepared only for 4 MTPA steel production in the first phase.

It said the MoEF should take "policy decision" that in projects of such magnitude the EIA should be done for the complete project. "The EIA should assess it for the full capacity right from the beginning," it said.

The tribunal directed the MoEF to review the clearance afresh and attach "specific conditions" which Posco would have to follow in a "defined timeline".  It also directed the MoEF to set up a special committee to "monitor the compliance to the environment clearance" thus granted. The bench said appointment of Meena Gupta as chairman of the committee to review the environmental clearance showed "departmental bias" as she had only "supported" the environment clearance granted to Posco earlier during her tenure as the Secretary, the MoEF. "The entire process was vitiated in the eyes of law," the bench said in this regard.

The tribunal also said that the project proponent should generate its own source of water instead of utilising the drinking water meant for the Cuttack city in Orissa.b "In the country drinking water is scarce. It would be better to ask the project proponent to generate its own source of water. Avoiding utilising water meant for Cuttack city could be asked by the ministry," it said.

The order came on a plea filed by environment activist Prafulla Samantray seeking quashing of the environmental clearance granted to Posco on the ground that it was "contrary to the provisions of the EIA Notification 2006" and was "illegal and arbitrary".

Advocate Ritwick Dutta, appearing for the petitioner, had said that impact on environment in case of steel production by the plant to its full capacity would be much more. Prafulla, in his petition said, "It is admitted that the project will not be viable if it is restricted to the steel production of only 4 MTPA. In such circumstances, the EIA report should have been for 12 MTPA (of steel production). The project proponent has opted to do an EIA for 4 MTPA since the likely impact of 12 MTPA is bound to be much more and very significant". Posco India Pvt Ltd was granted environmental clearance for its two projects, steel-cum-captive power plant project and captive minor port, in Jagatsinghpur district of Orissa in 2007. The MoEF after reviewing the same, granted environmental clearance with additional conditions on January 31, 2011 which prompted the petitioner to move the tribunal.

The clearance was assailed contending that "the whole approach of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) was not to give an unbiased opinion, but rather to justify the decision to grant environmental clearance to both the projects."

The Environment Ministry, however, had told the tribunal there was no infirmity in its decision to grant environmental clearance to Posco. Posco had also maintained that it has not violated any law and is working in compliance with the norms.

Source: The Pioneer

10 lakh peopel throng TaraTarini Hill Shrine on third Tuesday of Chaitra in Odisha

 

 

The Third Tuesday of the month of Chaitra, also considered as the holiest day in the religious calendar of the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine witnessed a sea of devotees. The massive congregation at this Shrine, also famous as the breast shrine and considered as one amongst the four major ancient Shakti Peethas in India, filled the air with religious fervor and devotion. The ongoing Navratri puja coinciding with the Chaitra festivities further added to the enthusiasm among the people. Stream of visitors thronged the famous Shakti Shrine from the wee hours till late in the evening and the police administration toiled hard to control the crowd and maintain law and order.

The estimated number of visitors this year has far exceeded the gathering witnessed in previous years with more than 5 lakh people reaching the temple on the hill-top while an equal number of people taking part in the fair on the foothill and on the banks of river Rushikulya.

Thousands of kids tonsured their head as per the age-old belief associated with this Shrine.

Following the tradition associated with Chaitra festivals, people from far and wide were seen cooking food with their family members as thanksgiving to the goddesses on fulfillment of their desires. This is undoubtedly tradition unique of its kind in the country where such large number of people indulge in cooking and which has become an integral part of the Chaitra festivities in Tara Tarini.

The rural fair and temporary shops all across the roads leading to the Temple is another attraction which added to the rush and by noon time the heavy police deployment proved inadequate in front of a congregation of this magnitude. However, the day passed off peacefully without any untoward incident.

The development activities taken up by the Tara Tarini Development Board in recent years helped in ensuring better amenities and services for the devotees this year. Infact, some development projects were also inaugurated on this occasion including the long awaited ring road, street lighting and bathing Ghats on the banks of River Rushikulya which were thrown open for the public.

Keeping in mind the expected gathering, the temple administration made elaborate arrangements for transport, food and water with the help of large number of volunteers. The local administration took all possible measures through heavy deployment of police forces, ambulances and fire brigade. Many senior officials of the state government, district administration and peoples’ representatives visited the Shrine on this occasion to seek blessings of Maa.

During Naveen era law & order situation worsened in Odisha

Three rapes and four murders a day in the State

Every day, on an average, three rapes, four murders and 24 theft cases are reported in Odisha which recorded the highest-ever number of cognizable offences during the year 2011.

However, the State Government claimed that there was an improvement in the situation in many areas during 2011, especially in its Endeavour to combat leftwing extremism.

According to a White Paper on the crime situation and law and order during 2011, which was circulated in the State Assembly on Wednesday, crimes increased by 7.4 per cent in 2011 compared to 2010. A total of 73,630 cognisable cases were reported during 2011 compared to 68,508 in 2010.

The report even admitted that there was a reduction in the detection of crimes. During 2011, the percentage of detection was 84.1 against 85.3 during 2010. The White Paper stated that during 2011, there was increase in rape, murder, robbery, burglary and dowry cases in the State. However, there was a reduction of cases of rioting, motor accidents.

The report said murder marginally increased by 12.9 per cent over the previous year with reports of 1,477 murder cases in 2011 against 1,308 in 2010. There was also a decrease in detection of crimes with only 86 per cent against 87.1 per cent in 2010. During 2011, as many as 1,112 rape cases were registered against 1,025 in 2010.  The rape cases increased by 8.4 per cent in 2011 compared to 2010. There was also a decrease in detection of rape cases. The percentage of detection was 93.6 against 94.7 during 2010.

As many as 501 dacoity cases were reported during 2011 compared to 463 in 2010. The crime increased by 8.2 per cent. As many as 1,583 robbery cases were reported in 2011 compared to 1,491 in 2010. The number of burglary was 3,031 in 2011 compared to 2,855 in 2010. As many as 8,724 theft cases were reported during the year against 7,572 in 2010. However, there has been a decrease in rioting with 1,556 cases during the year compared to 1,779 cases in 2010.

Maoist activities, the report said 23 ultras were neutralised in police action, 146 were arrested and 50 surrendered. Besides, 127 weapons, 258 IDs and large quantities of explosives and ammunitions were recovered during 2011.

It said that while a number of camps and hideouts of Maoists were raided and destroyed, the impact of proactive initiatives was discernible in many areas where violence came down visibly. Importantly, not a single major oarganised Maoist attack on security forces took place during the year. The report claimed that the lawless activities of the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh, an offshoot of the CPI (Maoist).

Source: The Pioneer

3 Lakhs of devotees throng TaraTarini Hill Shrine on Second Tuesday of Chaitra

Famous Chaitra festival begins at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine in Odisha

The month long famous Chaitra festivals started at the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine near Berhampur city in Odisha, with the chanting of traditional Mantras on the first Tuesday. The festivities started at this shrine from Monday midnight itself with the priests performing the Snana and Majana of the Goddesses. After Sahasra Arati, Panchamruta Puja and Parikrama ceremonies, the sanctum sanctorum of the Tara Tarini Shrine, considered as the Breast Shrine of Adi Shakti, was thrown open for Darshan of devotees.

Thousands of people, who gathered a day before, got the chance of Madhya Ratra Darshan. The first Tuesday of this month saw heavy crowd around the Hill Shrine from the wee hours till late evening, with lacs of devotees thronging the Shrine from every nook and corner of the state and outside. Noteworthy that all the four Tuesdays of this month are considered sacred by the devotees.

Thousands of kids tonsured their heads as per the age-old belief of offering the hair of newborns.  Khichdi Prasad was distributed to the devotees coming to the Shrine and the fair of rural artisans also attracted many people.

The Special Secretary of Odisha Chief Minister Shri Kartikeyan Pandian, officials of Ganjam district administration, all the office bearers of TTDB and Tara Tarini temple administration were present during this occasion. Heavy police Bandobast was made to avert any untoward incident and control the huge number of devotees. The district administration made arrangements to control traffic in and around the hill shrine.

On this occasion the newly constructed ring road was opened for general traffic. This road has been constructed to decongest the traffic around the shrine with the special assistance from government of Odisha. Two other important roads, one connecting the Keshpur Junction to the foothill and the newly constructed Ghat road to the hilltop were also thrown open on this occasion.

TTDB welcomes devotees to the famous Chaitra Parva at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine