Interesting Articles/Blogs/Travelogues on Berhampur

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  Berhampur: Sour,Sweet and smooth as Silk! By Sourav Panda (thebrokenscooter.com)
• From Berhampur to Brahmapur!  (svcberhampur.blogspot.in)
• Drifting Into a Side-Stream! By Hendrik Erasmus
• Gopalpur-on-Sea: An unforgettable memory; By Sugata Sen
• Kashmir of Orissa - Daringbari (avik-besttraveldestinations.blogspot.in)
• Weekend Drive to Ganjam; ByPriyadarshini Sur (www.boloji.com)
• Kolakata to Gopalpur-on-Sea : a Long Weekend; By DriveTrain BHPian (http://www.team-bhp.com)
  

Odisha CM writes to PM and Railway Minister seeking National Project status for Berhampur-Sambalpur (via Phulbani) and Gopalpur-Rayagada railway lines; demands speedy implementation of railway wagon factory in Ganjam

Berhampur Railway Station, Odisha

Demanding justice and proper share to Odisha in the 2013-2014 Railway budget, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written a letter to the Prime Minister mentioning the needs of the State in view of investment flow, economic growth and industrialisation. Pointing at the apathetic attitude of the Rail Ministry in spite of huge revenue collection from Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has said that 'the railway route length and all rail density in the state is much below the national average as also substantially lower than that in neighbouring States. In contrast, the gross earnings from various stations in the State of Odisha is estimated to be in excess of 14000 Crore during the year 2012-2013.' Chief Minister has requested the Prime Minister of India, in his letter, to ensure allocation of sizeable part of the revenues generated from Odisha within the State to strengthen and expand rail network.

Citing that the State needs to look for new virgin areas for development and industrialisation as many of the present industrial clusters have attained a stage of saturation in terms of availability of land, water and, also, due to environmental concerns, Naveen has demanded speedy execution of projects such as, Bhadrachalam Road – Talcher Rail Link via Malkangiri, Jeypore, Lanjigarh; Berhampur- Sambalpur new Rail Link via Phulbani; Rayagada – Gopalpur Rail Link via Bhismagiri. Requesting the PM to advise the Ministry of Railways to execute these projects on priority basis, Naveen has also urged that these projects should be treated as “National Projects”. The Chief Minister has demanded the Prime Minister in his letter to expedite the setting up of the Wagon Factory at Sitalapali in Ganjam which was declared in Budget for the year 2011-12 and also take steps to establish a railway apprentice training centre in the backward KBK region to support the skills development and increase employability of the people of this region.

Alleging that the union ministry has bypassed Odisha while implementing ambitious projects like the dedicated freight corridor aligned with mega industrial hubs, national road expressways and high speed train projects, Naveen has demanded that the eastern dedicated freight corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni should be extended to Vishakhapatnamso as to ensure seamless movement of freight between the ports and the vast northern and central hinterlands of the country. On poor or no rail network in the backward regions of Odisha, the Chief Minister said that lack of infrastructure has been one of the major reasons of impeding socio-economic growth of this region. Mentioning that expansion of rail network in these areas would help minimising the impact of left wing extremism, Naveen adds in his letter to the Prime Minister that ‘delivering rail services in the naxal affected regions is one of the best means to channelise development therein and provide counter active force.’

Source: Hotnhitnews.com & Orissa Diary

Berhampur University celebrates 47th Foundation Day

Berhampur University celebrated its 47th Foundation Day on 02 January 2013. The function was held at the Biju Patnaik Auditorium on the university campus. State Minister for Higher Education Badri Narayan Patra attended the function as chief guest. Berhampur MP Siddhant Mohapatra, Berhampur MLA R.C.C. Patnaik, Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy, and Khallikote MLA Purna Chandra Sethy were present. University Vice-Chancellor Jayanta Kumar Mohapatra presided over the function.

The Berhampur MLA said the university deserved to be developed into a centre of excellence. He promised to take up the issue with the government and urged people of all sections to support him in his efforts. The Gopalpur MLA asked the State government to develop the university and the city as an education hub.

Mr. Patra said development of human resources in the State was closely associated with development all other resources in the area. Source: The Hindu 

Speeding train mows down six elephants near Berhampur in Ganjam

Six elephants, including a tusker and three females, were mowed down by the speeding Howrah-Chennai Coromandel Express near Berhampur in Ganjam district. A train attendant also died in the accident, which has triggered a blame-game between the state government and the railway authorities.

While forest officials said the accident took place because their advise to the railway authorities to check the train’s speed was ignored, railway officials said the information reached them a little too late. They said the mishap had occurred at the exact time when they were informed about the movement of the elephants.

Source: The Telegraph

The accident occurred near Subalaya railway level crossing between Rambha and Humma stations in Ganjam district, about 40km from Berhampur. One of the elephants that died was pregnant with a two-month-old baby inside her. The foetus died as well.

A train attendant, Ranjit Jena, 24, a contractual employee, was also killed.

“The train was unstable for about a few minutes after the impact. Ranjit might have opened the door of the coach to check the matter and may have been thrown off the train. We found his body near the tracks,” said Ajaya Kumar Jena, the deceased’s cousin, also an attendant on the same train.

“The tusker that died in the accident was about 25-30 years old. There were two baby elephants and three females in the age group of 45-47 years. The pregnant elephant was dragged by the train for almost half-a-kilometre,” said Khallikote forest division ranger Bijaya Kumar Hota.

“The speed of the Coromandel Express was 110kmph when the accident took place,” said Sudhansu Mishra, divisional forest officer of Berhampur, who, along with the senior forest officers, reached the accident spot. “Railway tracks cutting through migration corridors are to blame for the accident. This is one of the most perilous tracks for wild elephants. We have put up 10 signboards saying ‘Elephant Crossing Zone’ along the railway tracks to caution train drivers and remind them to move the train slowly. They are supposed to run the train at 20kmph in this zone. But the Coromandel Express was running at 110kmph when the accident took place,” he said.

“The ranger of Chilika wild life division P.C. Guru informed the railway control room about the movement of the elephants in the area on Saturday night before the accident and requested the authorities to instruct the drivers of all the trains to move slowly,” he said. “It clearly shows that the railways are at fault and we have initiated steps to arrest the erring driver of the train,” Mishra said.

However, railway officials claimed that the Coromandel Express had already left Khurda when the message came. Chief public relations officer of East Coast Railway R.N. Mohapatra said: “We received the information at 12.43am when the accident had already taken place.”

The state forest officials have buried the dead elephants after conducting post-mortems on the spot. Forests and environment minister Bijoyshree Routray said: “If the railway authorities don’t comply with our directions, we will take up the issue with the chief minister. And he will write a strong letter to the Centre on this issue.” “We will hold a meeting tomorrow with the railway authorities,” she said.

Source: The Telegraph

Progress of City Bus service and modern Bus terminal projects in Berhampur reviewed by the Chief Minister

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the progress of several infrastructural projects currently under implementation in Berhampur (Click here to read the full document). The review included the city bus project planned for Greater Berhampur along with other projects such as development of a modern bus terminal, renovation and beautification of Ramlingam Tank, progress of three railway over-bridges inside Berhampur city, construction of NH-217 bypass, four-laning of the city roads, progress of solid-waste management project apart from several drinking water projects.

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More buses to provide services in Bhubaneswar and Berhampur

As a New Year gift, the state government has decided to augment city bus services in Bhubaneswar and Berhampur. A meeting in this regard was held on December 26.  While 48 buses - 15 standard and 33 mini buses- will be added to the fleet size on Bhubaneswar-Puri and Bhubaneswar city routes, city bus services (CBS), Berhampur, will have a fleet of 24 mini buses in the first phase. Besides, 12 air conditioned buses - six each on Cuttack-Puri viaBhubaneswar and Nandankanan-airport routes via Jayadev Vihar - will be run. The housing and urban development (H&UD) department will spend about Rs 15 crore for augmentation of the fleet of Bhubaneswar-Puri Transport Services Limited (BPTSL) and Rs 5 crore for CBS under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). At present, 105 buses ply inBhubaneswar, Cuttack, Khurda and Puri under the JNNURM scheme. As many 95 buses ply in Bhubaneswar alone.

Given the requirement of buses in the existing routes, the fleet size will be increased, said a senior officer of H&UD department. "BPTSL and Dream Team Sahara, which are looking after the operational part of the bus services, had given a proposal to increase the fleet size. Taking into consideration certain specifications, model and other parameters, it was decided to increase the fleet of buses," said the officer. The frequency of service, availability of present infrastructure and demand of the commuters were also taken in the account, he added. While each AC bus will cost around Rs 40 lakh, standard bus and mini bus will come for Rs 25 lakh and Rs 12 lakh respectively. For infrastructure development, Rs 2.12 crore has been set side. Sources said Nandankanan-airport route will have an improved frequency with buses available every 15 minutes. But the number of buses will remain the same. Khurda-Master canteen route will have six more mini buses at an interval of every 25 minutes, while four more buses will be added to the Kalpana square-Niladri Vihar and Biju Patnaik-AG square routes. Dumduma-VSS Nagar, Bidanasi-Master canteen and Sum hospital-Jagatpur routes will also have additional six buses. Five more buses will be run from Barmunda to Puri.

Official sources said Meghraj Capital Infrastructure Services, which is the transaction advisor for city bus services in Berhampur, will facilitate procurement of buses.

Source: Times of India

‘7,413 children have died in Malkanagiri, South Odisha in five years’

At a time when government claims to be taking all steps to bring down infant mortality rate, as many as 7,413 children below six years have died in five blocks of southern Odisha district of Malkanagiri during past five years.

A report obtained by exercise of Right to Information says the causes behind the deaths are asphyxia, fits, low birth weight, pneumonia, acute respiratory infection, jaundice, chest pain – many of these diseases are preventable.

The RTI report says the deaths have been reported under Podia, Mathili, Kodmulguma, Kalimela and Pandripani community health centres and district headquarters hospital of Malkanagiri.

As many as 1,586 children died in Chitrakonda CHC while district headquarters hospital reported 1,968 deaths. Mathili and Kodgulguma CHCs have reported 1166 and 1210 deaths respectively in past five years.

Due to remoteness and low level of awareness among people, many of the deaths are not reported.

As per 2011 census, Malkanagiri has a population of six lakh,

Of this, children aged between zero and six is one lakh. Given the population of children below six years in the district, over 7000 deaths indicates that health infrastructure seems to be not responding to health issues.

“Malkangiri district is extremely under-developed, backward and the poorest district in the state in many respects. It is a very sensitive district having regular occurrence of naxal violence and death of children due to malnutrition and various diseases,” said Pradip Pradhan, an RTI activist.

Mr. Pradhan alleged, “infant mortality rate is the highest in the State. Huge amount of fund is allocated to the district both to check naxal menace and for socio-economic development of people. But it does not reach common people, especially the tribals.”

Puri mutt’s grand feast on Byanjan Dwadasi

Thirty varieties of rice, 21 kinds of dal, 13 forms of kheer, 103 vegetarian curries, 141 forms of pickles, and the list goes on.

A total of 606 types of sumptuous vegetarian delicacies were served to saints, seers and citizens at Radha Shyam mutt in Puri on the occasion of Byanjan Dwadasi on Tuesday.

Byanjan Dwadasi is observed as a sacred day to offer palatable prasad to Lord Krishna. "To commemorate the day, we cook a huge number of delicacies every year," said Subal Chanran Dash, the seer (mahant) of the mutt.

It took around 14 hours to complete the preparation of the 606 varieties. The cooking started on Monday afternoon and was complete on Tuesday morning. Dash was the chief cook.

"We engaged 30 men for cooking. The dishes comprised the traditional cuisine of Odisha and those of some other states as well," the seer said.

"During my religious tours across the country, I learnt the art of cooking traditional dishes of different places. But we focused more on Odia cuisine," Dash said.

This is not the first time the mutt prepared a wide range of food. Last year, the mutt had prepared nearly 500 types of dishes. "Every year, we try to add new food items on the sacred day. Though we have been celebrating Byanjan Dwadasi for many years, the preparation of abundant number of delicious food for devotees started a few years ago. Devotees from different parts have been extending their financial support for the smooth conduct of the grand feast," Dash said.

The mutt authorities served huge round-shaped khali patra (leaves on which food is served) for 606 varieties of food.

Go Gopalpur: Mayfair to open heritage resort at Gopalpur-on-Sea from December 9

Mayfair Hotels & Resorts, which operates the Mayfair chain of luxury hotels in various parts of the country, will open its latest resort at Gopalpur-on-Sea for commercial operations from December 9. The sprawling resort- Mayfair Palm Beach Resort, the eighth property of Odisha-based Mayfair Group, is equipped with all facilities of a luxury hotel, spread over eleven acres of land. The Mayfair Group acquired this heritage property from the Oberoi Group in September 2011 and decided to renovate it, said Mayfair Group chairman and managing director Dilip Ray. The resort, at present, has 32 rooms. In addition to the existing facilities, Mayfair Group plans to add a tennis court and golf course to the resort. Besides Gopalpur, the tourists can also visit some other places in Ganjam district like the habitats of the blackbuck and peacock near Aska and the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles at Gokharakuda near Rushikulya river mouth, Ray said.

History & Background

Before 1830, an Englishman by the name of John Spence had established the Spence's hotel in Calcutta, making it perhaps the oldest western style hotel outside Europe and in 1841 David Wilson built the 'Wilson Hotel' now known as 'Great Eastern Hotel', also, in Calcutta, which was considered to be one of the best of it's kind, in this part of the world. No one had really by then heard of Gopalpur. And Gopalpur returned the compliment. Barely 16 kms from Berhampur, the commercial hub of Southern Orissa, in the Bay of Bengal, it was extremely uncanny of a young Italian Signor Maglioni, to mysteriously find home all the way from Sicily , and establish the 'Palm Beach' in 1914. It was Odisha's first hotel, of its kind.

Gopalpur on sea how very British suffix on sea like Midleton- on- sea /Frankton-on- sea was a palm fringed beach and Maglioni's dream fused with the sepia and romance of the langorous town ,where the silence was broken only by the breakers and the occasional coconut thudding on the ground.

Originally a small fishing village on the coast of Odisha when it was so named, when a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna 'Krishna Gopal' temple was built in the 18th Century. Legend has it that Gopalpur's sands had witnessed maritime ventures of a much earlier age when Odisha had flourished as part of the Kalinga Kingdom in the 4th and 5th century B.C early colonists to Java, Bali and Sumatra were supposed to have sailed from here, carrying the seeds of Indian civilization with them.

Between the two World Wars ( 1914-1918 and 1939-1945) Gopalpur was overrun by the men in Khakis and became the eastern sectors base for flying out troops and supplies to Rangoon. The commercial port became the living symbol of its grandeur and the pulsating lifestyle was evident in the packed dance floors of the hotel 'Blue Haven'. In 1945. The World War2 came to an end and India inched towards being an independent, sovereign republic. By 1947the British had left the Indian shores and the commercial activity of Gopalpur had dwindled to a trickle. The once vibrant, emblazoned ball rooms gaped at open skies. The noisy wharfs moulted and the warehouses became seedy gateways for derelicts. Gopalpur's importance dwindled when trade with Burma abruptly ceased during the war. When the British left India, even members of rich Bengali homes preferred to holiday in other places and Gopalpur began to revert to what it originally was a fishing village.

In 1938,another enterprising, courageous Indian Hotelier, Rai bahadur M.S Oberoi had already taken over a closed down 'Grand' hotel from the Armenian Stephen Arathoon and reinvented it with trademark Oberoi elan' as the 'Oberoi Grand', to make it the most sought after address in Calcutta. In 1947, on a chance visit to Maglioni's 'Palm Beach' hotel his keen eyes did not miss the state of disrepair that the hotel had fallen to. His instinct smelled a bargain and Maglioni was only too happy to sell it to the Oberoi's for a paltry 3.0 lacs rupees.,thereby enabling the Oberoi legend to root itself as the 'Oberoi Palm Beach'.As it's doors opened the who's who of the country , from Prime ministers, to celebrities and royalty left their impressions behind along with their footprints on the sands of time. History was being created every day, as the hotel played hosts to the history makers.

Maglioni's Mediterranean Architecture had undergone a makeover by the Oberoi's ,but the core of the structure was slowly but surely giving way to the Gopalpur on Seacorroding effects of the saline sea breeze. The erosion had begun and no amount of hasty repairs could make it anymore safe for it's guests. The Oberois closed gates in 2002 and decided to distance themselves and sell this piece of Orissa's history to any worthy taker . It was at this time, 201 1, that 'Mayfair hotels and resorts' stepped in. T o protect, renovate and restore the' Palm beach',where history echoed from every cobble stone. Lured by the fact that Gopalpur-on-sea still stood untouched by the concrete commercialism that had destroyed nearby Puri's equally pristine beach and also because Gopalpur had actually wrapped itself in a romantic mysticism that tugged at history but refused to drown in its excesses.

Rebuilding the core structure from scratch, lovingly touching up the details, reinventing the old magic, preserving the memories, Mayfair has now breathed new life to the 'Oberoi palm Beach' in its all new avatar- 'The Mayfair palm Beach resort' Its the ultimate tribute to your senses and helps in stealing your time and mind in order to find your DNA and recreate you for future generations... where always, every time, anyday 'sometimes the sky looks like the sea and sometimes the sea looks like the sky'.

Source: Business Standard & www.mayfairhotels.com

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to inaugurate MKCG Medical College golden jubilee

Preparations were in final stages for the five- day golden jubilee celebration of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) medical college in the city, which is to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday. According to organising secretary of the golden jubilee celebration, S.N.Mohanty, it was an occasion to celebrate for whole of south Odisha as this institute happened to be the only medical college in this region. The hospital attached to the medical college was also the only referral hospital in south Odisha.

The State government had started a medical college in Berhampur in 1961. Due to dearth of its own campus it was being run in the building in front of the City Hospital, which is now being used as office of Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO). Later it was shifted to the building which is now being used as living quarters of Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division and the building which is now being used by the Ophthalmology Department of the medical college. On November 30, 1963, foundation stone was laid for the new building of the medical college and the hospital attached to it. In 1966 it was named after Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, who had played a pivotal role for the formation of modern Odisha State on linguistic basis. New building of this institution was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Odisha Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo on February 21, 1969.  

During the time of inception this institute had intake strength of 40 students. Now 150 students are getting admitted into its MBBS course every year. At present 96 students were studying in post graduate courses of the institute. As the hospital attached to it happens to be the only referral hospital in south Odisha, more than 1,000 patients reach its out-patients section every day. On an average more than 120 patients get admitted in the indoor wards of the hospital every day. The alumni of the institute include several physicians of national and international repute. According to Dr. Mohanty around 5,000 delegates would attend the golden jubilee celebrations. First principal of the institute Sukumar Das would also attend the inaugural ceremony. As part of the celebration several technical seminars would be held in which experts of international fame would take part. Present as well as past students of the institute were also busy preparing for cultural shows they would perform during the five-day long celebration. 
Source: The Hindu

All roads lead to Cuttack Bali Yatra

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

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

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

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

Upgradation of MKCG Medical College demanded

South Odisha Students’ Association (SOSA) has demanded up-gradation of MKCG Medical College and Hospital in the city to AIIMS-like institution under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). Members of SOSA have written to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requesting him to initiate measures for the purpose. It may be noted that MKCG Medical College and Hospital that was established in 1962 would celebrate its golden jubilee on December 1. It happens to be the only medical college and referral hospital in south Odisha. But at present lack of infrastructure in this institution was compelling patients to reach out private medical institutions outside the State, SOSA activists alleged.

Several times in the past the Medical Council of India has pointed out shortage of staff, lack of modern equipment and infrastructure in MKCG Medical College and Hospital. But till now nothing much had happened regarding the suggestions of the MCI part from promises. SOSA demanded the State government initiate measures so that the medical college could be transformed into a centre of excellence for medical education providing quality medical care to the people of underdeveloped southern parts of Odisha. According to president of SOSA R.P. Tripathy, the MKCG Medical College and Hospital could be upgraded to an AIIMS-like institution. Source: The Hindu

Link:  http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/upgradation-of-mkcg-medical-college-demanded/article4145498.ece

Students Body urges Centre to upgrade MKCG to AIIMS-like Institution under PMSSY

Report by Manorama Dhir, Berhampur: South Odisha Students' Association (SOSA) demand for upgradation of MKCG Medical College (Berhampur) to AIIMS-like Institution under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

SOSA said that Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) Medical College & Hospital in Berhampur, Odisha is completing the 50th year of its establishment this week. Established in 1962 and named after the architect of Modern Odisha, Maharaja Shri Krishna Chandra Gajapati, the medical college is the only referral hospital for the backward districts of KBK, Boudh, Kandhamal and Gajapati of south Odisha…………………………………. Link:    
http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=37952

 Odisha: Students Body urges Centre to upgrade MKCG to AIIMS-like Institution under PMSSY

Berhampur: South Odisha Students' Association (SOSA) demand for upgradation of MKCG Medical College (Berhampur) to AIIMS-like Institution under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

SOSA said that Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) Medical College & Hospital in Berhampur, Odisha is completing the 50th year of its establishment this week. Established in 1962 and named after the architect of Modern Odisha, Maharaja Shri Krishna Chandra Gajapati, the medical college is the only referral hospital for the backward districts of KBK, Boudh, Kandhamal and Gajapati of south Odisha……………………Link:   http://indiaeducationdiary.in/Shownews.asp?newsid=17348

Ball set rolling for city bus services in Berhampur

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

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

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

Herbal garden to come up in Silk city Berhampur

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

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

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

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

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

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

Solar power for Jagannath Temple

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

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

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

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

Non-Hindu students evicted from Puri Jagannath temple

BHUBANESWAR: Around 120 school students from Jamshedpur were on Sunday evicted from the Jagannath Temple in Puri after it was known that they were non-Hindus.

The 12th century shrine is off limits to non-Hindus. The students and their teachers, who were ignorant of the temple rule, faced humiliation near the baisi pahanch (twenty-two steps) after a group of priests questioned their religion.

They came to Puri on study tour, sources said. "Though all the students were Indians, many of them were non-Hindus. We immediately intervened and politely asked them to vacate the shrine precinct," temple's public relations officer Laxmidhar Pujapanda told TOI.

He denied the students and teachers were insulted by priests. The incident rekindled memories of unpalatable incidents, involving non-Hindus facing wrath from some uncouth priests in the past. While foreigners were beaten up and thrown outside the shrine, an American woman last year cried inconsolably after being jeered by a few priests. High drama unfolded in front of the Puri Jagannath temple on December 10, 2011 after a group of foreign tourists staged a symbolic protest demanding entry into the shrine.

The visitors, many of whom were ISKCON pilgrims, claimed to be converted-Hindus and insisted the temple authorities to let them enter the shrine. Earlier on December 23, 2010, a tourist from New Zealand demonstrated in front of the shrine demanding entry.

Source: TOI

Phase-1 of Gopalpur Port to be completed by March 2013

Cargo-handling capacity pegged at 3.5 million tonne with construction of one berth initially

The first phase of Gopalpur port being developed by Gopalpur Port Ltd is likely to be completed by March, 2013, an official said. "The work is under progress and all efforts are being made to begin cargo handling by March 30, 2013," one of the directors of GPL M M Moharana said. 

The cargo-handling capacity would be around 3.5 million tonne with the construction of one berth initially, he said. GPL will construct three berths -- coal, iron and multipurpose in the same year, he added. Besides the port work, other supporting infrastructure like power distribution system, railway and road connectivity are under process to meet the deadline, he said. He, however, said construction was hampered due to agitation by some people.

 "We are trying our best to meet their demands. We have decided to involve some prominent persons of the area, including local MLAs (Gopalpur and Chhatrapur and MP from Berhampur) to sort out their problem," Moharana said. The company director said the Gopalpur Port Dock Workers' Union affiliated to the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) threatened to launch an agitation following injury of a worker allegedly due to attack by the GPL officials.

 Company officials, however, claimed that the attacker was not an employee of the Gopalpur Port Ltd. GPL was awarded the project for the development of an all weather port by the state government with an investment of around Rs 1,700 crore in 2008. "We have already invested around Rs 320 crore so far in the port project," Mohrana said.

Source: Business Standard

Airports Authority of India to conduct feasibility study for development of airport near Gopalpur

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has suggested Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ajit Singh to provide adequate infrastructural support to the aviation sector in the state for ensuring unhindered industrialisation and flow of tourist traffic to Odisha. The Chief Minister impressed upon the Union Civil Aviation Minister that there was an urgent need to take up the development of airstrips at Gopalpur and Jeypore in Southern Odisha and asked the Union Minister to take up feasibility studies to develop these into airports. The chief ministe said the state does not have adequate air connectivity. It has only one operational domestic airport in Bhubaneswar which is also deprived of international operations. Official sources said the Union Civil Aviation Minister suggested that Odisha should also explore the possibility of developing new airports in PPP mode and assured that Airports Authority of India will conduct necessary feasibility studies for the development of Jeypore and Gopalpur airstrips.

The Chief Minister urged the Union Minister to declare Biju Patnaik Domestic Airport as an international airport without delay and fulfill the pending legitimate demand of air connectivity of the state. Mr Patnaik requested the Minister for starting international operations from Bhubaneswar to Middle East and South East Asian countries by Air India and other domestic airlines.  He also suggested that Ministry of Civil Aviation should initiate the process of promoting Odisha as a world-class tourist destination and provide necessary support for holding a major conference in Bhubaneswar in the early part of 2013.

He apprised the Union Minister that the state has witnessed huge investments in various sectors and the total investment of the state stood at Rs.3.21 lakh crore during the calendar year 2011, also considered the highest in the country. Similarly, there has been also a significant increase in the inflow of domestic and international tourist traffic to Odisha, Mr Patnaik said and stressed the urgent need for improved air connectivity. The chief minister said the state has approved an allotment of 191 acres of land for development of Jharsuguda airport and requested the Union Minister to take urgent steps for developing Jharsuguda Airport, including expansion of its airstrip and other necessary infrastructure.

Naveen’s national stature tarnished

By SASMIT PATRA 

       

Mungeri Lal ke Haseen Sapne. This is the name of a Hindi television serial which was a household hit from 1989 to 1990. Broadcast by good old Doordarshan, the character in this play named Mungeri Lal daydreams about his fantasies coming true in a bid to escape his low self-worth due to the bossism of his wife, father and office boss over him. Naveen Patnaik in Odisha’s political lexicon has also turned into a Mungeri Lal.

One fine day, Naveen decided that he was better off becoming the Prime Minister. All this to escape the obscurity of being the Chief Minister of a most economically poor State and successfully keeping it at the lowest rung for the past twelve years. Bravo! In order to run into reckoning for Prime Ministership, Naveen opposed formation of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). He rallied other non-Congress Chief Ministers to thwart the move for the anti-terrorist body while the Maoists continued to abduct district Collectors, MLAs and Italian tourists with impunity from within his State. Despite being the pioneer of this opposition, he gradually found Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee more often quoted on the NCTC than him.

Naveen felt that suitable branding was necessary in order to become a tall national leader.

Nitish, Mamata, Jayalalithaa and Narendra Modi had it in plenty; then why not I, reasoned Naveen. Into his arms fell Purno Agitok Sangma. A man, with whom Naveen might not have even shared a cup of tea in the Central Hall of the Parliament, became his long lost brother. From declaring Sangma as his BJD’s Presidential candidate; and handholding him figuratively during the nomination process, handholding him literally in the post-nomination process outside Parliament, Naveen stopped at nothing to emphasise that if the 2012 Presidential Elections would ever be remembered then it would be remembered for his BJD candidate, Sangma. Thus, Naveen’s first Mungeri Lal dream was to spring into reckoning for the Prime Ministerial position, lest Nitish Kumar jumped the gun and led an NDA coalition or a third front coalition supported by the NDA.

The second Mungeri Lal dream for Naveen stemmed from his hope that the Presidential election was his passport to the national branding which he self-confessedly so richly deserved. If Modi after Godhra and Gujarat riots, Mamata after Singur, Nitish after BJP alliance and Jayalalithaa after trunk-loads of alleged ill-gotten goodies could hold national eyeballs and eardrums then why not Naveen. But sadly, neither could Naveen brand himself effectively as a national leader nor did his NCTC thwarting bid help him win friends and allies. Nitish and Janata Dal (United) supported Pranab Mukherjee despite Sangma being the BJD candidate. Mamata did likewise. Only anna Naveen and akka Jayalalithaa were the last man and woman standing as the NDA virtually fell apart with the Shiv Sena also backing Pranab. Having dreamt two dreams of NCTC and Sangma, Naveen decided to stop dreaming and restored him to sanity.

Shaken out of his daydream slumber, Naveen decided to stay wide awake when the Vice Presidential elections came by. No Mungeri Lal dreams were dreamt, no national political posturing was entered into. This was his greatest mistake in national politics. Supporting Sangma was not a mistake though the effort was foolhardy. Protesting NCTC was also not a mistake. It was a tactical move which did not bring about the necessary dividend.

But by washing his hands off the Vice Presidential elections, Naveen has portrayed himself as a weak politician, a man who is still not sure about a stand he needs to take. Still not sure on which side of the riverbank to stand! By playing Pontius Pilate, the Chief Minister and BJD supremo has scored a self-goal. A political leader of national stature sticks his neck out. The only living thing which puts his neck inside its hide when facing a dilemma is the tortoise. If one has to play safe, there are better videogames to play than national level political games. Naveen by shying away from the Vice-Presidential elections hopes to have cured himself of the Mungeri Lal dream syndrome but in effect has tarnished his aspirations of being a national leader with his own hands.

The funniest aspect was the logic provided for Naveen not supporting Jaswant Singh. His acolytes have been shouting hoarse on TV channels stating that Naveen and the BJD are maintaining equidistance from the corrupt Congress and the communal BJP and, therefore, the decision to abstain from voting in the VP election. Firstly, corruption as seen in Odisha during Naveen’s tenure has never been witnessed even in the worst corrupt regime of the Congress. Lakhs of crores of mines and minerals have been stolen; scams galore from pulses to coal. Horse-trading in Rajya Sabha elections to sacking 33 Ministers in 12 years; Naveen has seen all and done all. Just continues to parrot innocently, “Odisha mori, main nahin makhan khayo; maro Minister log khayo, isiliye tain tees ko bhagayo.” (Dear Odisha, I did not eat the cream; my ministers ate it; and due to this I sacked 33 of them). To this statement all his faithful said Amen and continued to vote him to power! Coming to communalism, Odisha has reported the largest number of communal incidents within the last 12 years than ever before. Therefore, such logical arguments do not hold water.

The fact is that Naveen has lost the moral authority to claim his right to the national stage now. If a political leader shuns decision-making, then what kind of a leader is he? Look at all the political parties and their respective leaders, big or small. All of them are siding with someone or the other in the VP elections. Not one is abstaining and hiding. Naveen has burnt his fingers in national politics. His leadership is being questioned in Delhi including the BJP whose hand Naveen used to rock Sangma’s cradle but conveniently forgot the hand when it needed Naveen to rock Jaswant’s cradle. In the coming days, Naveen will focus more on Odisha than Delhi. While it may augur well for the BJD considering that Pyarimohan Mohapatra and Prafulla Ghadai are lurking round the corner, Naveen’s abstaining from VP election has short-circuited his national aspirations and tarnished his image as a leader of national stature.

 (Dr Sasmit Patra is a keen observer of Odisha politics. He can be reached at sasmitpatra@gmail.com)

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Alarming malnutrition rate among tribal communities in Rayagada district found

State to look into ‘alarming malnutrition rate’

Centre, on receiving report by civil society groups, issues directive to State

The State government has directed an ‘inquiry’ into a report of civil society groups that found alarming malnutrition rate among tribal communities in Rayagada district. Welt Hunger Hlife, a Germany-based organisation, in association with a local non-government organisation, had carried out a study on food, nutrition and education assessing the situation of 2050 households in 52 villages in six pre-dominantly tribal panchayats of Bissamcuttack and Muniguda blocks in Rayagada district.

The report, which was submitted to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, says “in a time frame of 12 months, 23 deaths of children below one year out of 171 live births was reported. This roughly amounts to 131deaths per 1000 which is much higher than the reported district level IMR of 83/1000; while State level IMR is recorded to be 69/1000. Ironically a sizeable percentage of lactating mothers (87 per cent) were registered within the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).” “Twelve per cent of the total sampled 693 children under five years of age were found to be severely wasted. 75 per cent of children under five were found to be stunted out of which 55 per cent were severely stunted,” it finds.

The report attributes the malnutrition to low birth weight, faulty lactating and weaning practices, lack of hygiene practices and high prevalence of diseases. “The ICDS does not have any significant effect on improving the nutrition status of small children even though most of the pregnant mothers or children are registered within the programme,” civil society groups allege.

“Poor educational level and the prevailing nutritional status are directly linked as lack of knowledge perpetuates faulty weaning and feeding practices and unhygienic practices,” they say.

The groups say the reason for lack of resources to afford expenses was dysfunctional Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in the study area. As per the findings, 58 per cent of those surveyed haven't got even a single day's work despite their registration. Moreover, Public Distribution System (PDS) is functioning better than the other prevalent schemes though it is irregular in terms of adequate supplies and opening of the ration shops.

‘Intervene urgently’

The report recommends urgent interventions such as setting up of nutrition rehabilitation centres in order to treat severely malnourished children. “Though such centers have been set up in Odisha and other States of the country to rehabilitate children, it is yet to be set up in Rayagada,” organisations find. They further suggest the ICDS requires attention by the decision makers in order to improve the supervision system, supplies as well as the capacities and working conditions of the Anganwadi workers. Taking note of the disturbing trend in the findings, the Union government asked the State government to examine it on ground. Director of WCD department Sujata Karthikeyan asked Rayagada Collector to take steps. Source: The Hindu

State proposes to set up five Greenfield airports and up-gradation of four existing airfields

The proposal was discussed at a high-level meeting convened recently to discuss roadmap for aviation. The State government has proposed to develop Greenfield airports in five locations in addition to its existing 17 airstrips and 16 helipads.

A proposal in this regard was taken up for discussion at a high-level meeting convened here recently to discus road map for civil aviation sector prepared by Industrial Investment Promotion Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL). Five locations identified for development of Greenfield airport are Rayagada, Paradip, Dhamara, Angul and Kalinganagar. These places are fast emerging as industrial hubs in different sectors.

Sources in the Industries Department said the government had already initiated process for setting up of an airport primarily keeping the upcoming Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) in mind. It is expected that the PCPIR would attract investment to the tune of Rs. 2,74,000 crore.

Besides, two major steel projects – one by South Korean Posco and another by Essar Group – have been proposed to be established around port town of Paradip.

Similarly, Kalinga Nagar and Angul have already witnessed industrialisation in steel and power sector respectively. Moreover, Dhamra, where Tata Steel and L and T have jointly developed a port holds huge potential to be an industrial hub in the region. Rayagada, the southern Odisha town, has been in focus of the State government for development of food parks.

According to roadmap, which has been prepared for a period of 10 years from 2012-13- to 2022-23, up-gradation of four existing airfields namely Gopalpur (Berhampur), Jharsuguda, Barbil and Rourkela has also been proposed.

The roadmap has identified development range from creation of night parking facility and hinterland connectivity to establishment of Aero city, Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and refuelling hub. However, the immediate priorities chalked out by the State government include establishment of domestic terminal and connectivity, setting up of aviation training institutes, operationalisation of international flight, development of cargo hub and air line base. Mr. Patnaik asked IPICOL to arrange an interface with air line operators, tour operators, hotel associations, travel and restaurant associations, corporate houses and chambers of commerce to assess the real requirement. Source: The Hindu  

London Olympics 2012: Berhampur rallies to boost weightlifter Ravikumar's morale

BERHAMPUR:Sports lovers and well wishers in Berhampur are agog over local lad weightlifter K Ravi Kumar's participation in the London Olympics, which kicked off on Friday. A Berhampur-based artist P Vinod Kumar has created a wax sculpture of the weightlifter, who is a medal hopeful in the mega sporting event. The wax model of Ravi Kumar in a weightlifting pose is kept in glass case. "I want to present the sculpture to Ravi Kumar after his return from London" he said. "Winning or losing is immaterial for us. His participation in the Olympics has made us proud," Vinod Kumar said.

Meanwhile, several sports lovers and former weightlifters took out a rally in Berhampur wishing success to Ravi Kumar. The rally on Friday was organized by the Veer Hanuman Circus Physical Institute. Ravi Kumar started his career as a weightlifter from the Veer Hanuman Circus Physical Institute before he was selected to join in the SAI hostel in 2005. "Since he is a member of our club, it is a proud moment for us and we organized a rally wishing his success in the Olympics," said club president BK Panda. "The rally in his home town will definitely boost Ravi's morale. Moreover, it will install sportsman spirit among children," he added.

Source: Times of India

Source: The Sambad