Major South Odisha colleges including Khallikote College to loose Autonomous tag? Odisha Government tight lipped

WHY ODISHA NEEDS SPECIAL CATEGORY STATE TAG?

By: BAIJAYANT PANDA 

The demand for Special Category State status for Odisha was first voiced in 1979. It has been reiterated many times since: Both the 10th and the 11th Odisha Legislative Assemblies adopted unanimous resolutions on the subject.

The demand has been intensified since the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) came to power under the

leadership of Naveen Patnaik in 2000. Naveen Patnaik, president of BJD, has written several letters to the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission on the subject. The State Legislative Assembly also passed a unanimous resolution, yet again, urging the Central Government to declare Odisha as a Special Category State on April 4, 2013. All local bodies including Panchayats, Zilla Parishads, Municipalities and NACs passed similar resolutions. A State-wide signature campaign also collected more than one crore signatures to urge the Centre to accede to the State’s demand.

1) On several occasions, the State Assembly has passed unanimous resolutions, which means that all parties in the State are together on the issue.

2) Odisha should qualify as a Special Category State even under the current criteria. However, the Centre has been engaging in discrimination and playing politics.

3) Several States such as Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have per capita incomes higher than Odisha (and even the national average), and yet have been accorded Special Category status.

4) Other examples of discrimination include the low allocation to Odisha in the Railway Budget and the low rates of royalty on minerals that prevent Odisha from raising revenue from mining activities in the State.

5) Odisha has a large tribal population and a hilly terrain and low levels of infrastructure such as railways.

6) The large poor population restricts the State’s ability to raise revenue and affects the utilisation of Centrally-sponsored schemes. Most of the schemes require the State to share some parts of the expenses, usually 25 per cent to 35 per cent. For poorer States such as Odisha, it is difficult to afford these expenses.

7) For faster development, it is important that Odisha be granted the Special State status. The BJD demands this as Odisha's genuine right.

(Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda is a senior BJD leader and Lok Sabha member from Kendrapada)

2 comments in THE PIONEER

Akhila Padhi •

o     

When Chhatisgarh with similar conditions can grow without being a special category state, why cant Odisha ? After ruling for 15 years, if you say Odisha is poor, you should be blamed for that.

2. Your argument no 6 is foolish. Large population is not a problem,, the problem is doleouts that your Govt is giving without any valid reason. Distributing money for blankets every year, distributing cycles etc has made Odisha behind other states in the field of infrastructures. Other wise this money can be spent for providing drinking water or health facility to the far most tribal areas.

3. At the end of the day, with the high drama at Delhi what benefit did Odisha get ?? Nothing.. If you wanted to convince the people of Odisha that your Govt is working for Odisha, well for that you got the mandate, your Govt should not be spent these amount further. If you want to be B team of Congress, it will be disaster for Odisha as well as India, because they are looting India since last 60 years, and people of Odisha are in no mood to allow them to loot further.

So, what is the gain ??

·         

kamal • 

o    If Odisha is still poor, then what u and YOUR GOVT. did during the last 15 years of rule in Odisha Mr. Panda? the rally in Delhi is nothing more-than a political drama to cover-up the massive scams of the BJD government and by the BJD ministers.

In Chit-fund scam several ministers and the CM Naveen Patnaik himself was involved. Why not the Govt. still ordered for a CBI prove?

What your govt. did during the last 15 years for the development of South Odisha and Western Odisha, where even in the cities like Berhampur people are not getting the basic facilities like drinking water and good roads?

why BJD govt. established every institution sanctioned by the Center in Bhubaneswar, If it is impartial ?

Do u still think Odisha is Bhubaneswar and Bhubaneswar is Odisha?

if u r not capable why not u have learned the art of equal development from Gujarat?

For the insensitivity of your government the entire is state a languishing in poverty and under-development. And to cover up every mess u have created this Dharana and rally are a new way outs.

But Mr. Panda I hope the people of Odisa are not fools and will give fitting reply this time to your govt..  SOURCE: THE PIONEER  

Greater Berhampur to get city bus service by September 30

City bus services will start in Berhampur September 30. This was informed by Berhampur Municipal Commissioner Ajit Mishra at a meeting held in Berhampur on Thursday.

He said the State Government has released `5 crore to purchase buses which will play between Berhampur and Gopalpur, Berhampur and Chatrapur and Berhampur and Hinjili.

These buses will be operated by Ganjam Urban Transport Service Ltd whose Chairman is Ganjam Collector. The company has been floated by the BMC. Officials like BMC Commissioner, RTO, SDPO and BDA Secretary will function as the company’s directors.

On each of the three routes, eight buses would play at 10 to 12 minutes interval and the bus service would be operated on PPP mode.

This meeting, held on the premises of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) office premises, was attended by chairperson of the Behampur Development Authority (BDA) Kailash Rana, secretary of the BDA Manoj Padhi, city mayor S.S.Dash, BMC commissioner Ajit Mishra, Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Berhampur Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and the representatives of transporters involved in plying small passenger vehicles between Berhampur and places on its periphery.

The transporters expressed their fear that starting a city bus service would end their income source. The authorities told them that city bus service was extremely important for the development of Berhampur city and its periphery and it cannot be stopped.

Sources: The Hindu, The New Indian Express & The Sambad

HOW SU-JOK THERAPY HELPS IN CURING NECK PAIN? By: Dr. R. P. Sahu

Neck pain or a stiff neck is a common problem now days and generally there is nothing to worry about.  The pain and stiffness usually gets better after a few days of home treatment and is not a sign of a more serious neck problem or underlying condition.

You can get a painful or stiff neck if you sleep in an awkward position; use a computer keyboard for a prolonged period of time.

Anxiety and stress can also sometimes cause tension in your neck muscles, which can lead to pain in your neck.

Treatment of neck pain at home

Whatever the cause of neck pain or a stiff neck, generally doctors advice to carry on with your normal daily activities and to keep active.

What other treatments one can try for neck pain at home?

• Try holding a hot water bottle or heat pack to your neck - this can help reduce the pain and any muscle spasms.
• Sleep on a low, firm pillow at night - avoid using two pillows because it may force your neck to bend unnaturally.
• Check your posture - bad posture can aggravate the pain and it may have caused it in the first place. Find out how to sit correctly.
•  Avoid driving until the pain and stiffness have gone - it may prevent you turning your head to view traffic.
• If your neck is stiff or twisted, try some simple neck exercises - gently tense your neck muscles as you tilt your head up and down and from side to side, and as you carefully twist your neck from left to right. These exercises will help strengthen your neck muscles and improve your range of movement.
• 
  
• Nerve or bone problems in the neck 
• Sometimes, neck pain is caused by the 'wear and tear' that occurs to the bones and joints in your neck. This is a type of arthritis called cervical spondylosis.

Cervical spondylosis occurs naturally with age. It does not always cause symptoms, although in some people the bone changes can cause neck stiffness. Nearby nerves can also be squashed, resulting in pain that radiates from the arms, pins and needles and numbness in the hands and legs.

The following picture shows the area where the problem is and on which area we should give treatment.

 

To find out the exactly curing point on must use a diagnostic stick provided it should not be sharp (match stick, ball pen etc.) as shown in picture. Diagnostic stick is as :

The assumed area must be pressed upon with equal force without too much of strength. Cure point is always highly painful. No sooner you find the painful point, you can continue massage of the point by rotating the stick clockwise and anti clockwise, while pressing against the point somewhat harder. The cure point must be fully massaged out till residual pain disappears and gets replaced with a feeling of warmth in it. This process we can do 2 to 3 time a day.

After the above process for continue stimulation we will apply live seeds like Methi, Mug ….. on those affected area asshown in the following picture.

Treatment with Su jok is easy, cheap and friendly. One can try this in addition to normal medical care.

 .......To know more about Neck Pain and its cure please cont.. Dr. R. P. Sahu ( Ph. no: 09437462621Berhampur, Odisha)

.........You may also share your valuable input directly to the author through email- rps_bps@yahoo.com

Multi-Crore Chit Fund Scams in Odisha

    WHICH POLITICIANS ARE AT GROUP BENEFICIARIES?

The multi-crore chit fund scams have created an atmosphere of suspicion in the State. Influential people beginning from Ministers, MLAs, officers and mediapersons, all are seen with suspicious eyes by the general public. And this suspicion gained ground after Artha Tatwa (AT) Group CMD Pradip Sethi publicly said that he had bribed politicians, including Minister and MLAs to carry on his chit fund business. Sethi also said he has already submitted evidence about it to the police.

The evidence reportedly includes both audio and videotapes containing conversations between Sethi and the beneficiaries of his largesse.

Sethi, who is presently under police custody, however, refused to reveal the names of those whom he bribed.

The suspicion is gradually snowballing into a major controversy with the police maintaining silence over the issue. The police neither confirm nor deny Sethi’s statement.

As the police are mum, the people are taking Sethi’s version as true. Since Sethi has not revealed the names other than that of Odisha Jan Morcha secretary general Jagneswar Babu, the suspicion needle now moves from one person to another.

Is not this person a beneficiary of the AT Group? This seems to be the common question asked in the State power corridors.

The question apparently hit the ears of Minister of Health & Family Welfare and BJD vice-president Damodar Rout, who told reporters that he would welcome a CBI probe if accusing fingers are raised at him.

The topic is so much discussed in the bureaucratic, political and media circles that “Everybody is suspecting everybody,” said a senior BJD MLA, who wanted to know the names of the Sethi’s beneficiaries.

This suspicion seems to be affecting the ruling BJD more than any other political party. The police should, therefore, come out with a statement to remove the cloud of suspicion, said the MLA. Source: The Pioneer 

Fish Preprocessing Centre in Baleswar in Offing

The Seafood Exporters’ Association of India, Odisha Region and the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) will establish a common preprocessing centre of international standard for the first time at Balaramgadi in Baleswar district in Odisha.

The project, estimated to cost around Rs 6 crore, aims at creating hygienic conditions of international standard for preprocessing works like peeling for headless and other value-added products. The project has a potential of employment of about 1,500 skilled rural women.

In addition to employment, the project would also help shrimp farmers and fishermen of the district get better price of their products.

Earlier, the exporters used to purchase materials and send them to their factories for preprocessing. The project would also help them increase the value of their products due to reduction of wastage and savings in transportation cost.

The Bhumi Pujan ceremony of the project was conducted on Thursday by MPEDA Chairperson Leena Nair and president of Seafood Exporters’ Association of India, Odisha Region G Mohanty in the presence of Director, EIC, New Delhi, Dr SK Saxena, State Director of Fisheries P Krishna Mohan, MPEDA Directors P Mohan Sundaram and N Ramesh and national vice-president of Seafood Exporters’ Association Tara Ranjan Patnaik. Source: The Pioneer 

Cargo handling commences at Gopalpur port near Berhampur

Cargo handling has formally commenced in the Gopalpur port. According to authorities of the Gopalpur Ports Limited (GPL), cargo handling is under way at one berth of the port, which is now completely ready to accept ships. At present, cargo handling is being done on trial basis. At present, a single ship is being loaded with illuminate cargo of Odisha Sands Complex (OSCOM) of Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL). The cargo is to be exported to South Korea. The Odisha Sands Complex was a major user of the seasonal anchorage port in the past. The GPL sources said they had sent notifications to shipping companies and possible users informing them that one of its berths was ready to handle cargo. On completion of ongoing works, the port would have three berths. According to the authorities, construction work and other infrastructure development measures are progressing as per schedule. The GPL is also constructing 11 groynes as part of its corporate social responsibility. More than 80 per cent of the work on these groynes has been completed.

In 1987, the Odisha government had established the port as a seasonal anchorage port. In 2006, the government handed over the port to the GPL for its expansion and management. The GPL had entered into an MoU with the government to take over the port and develop it into a major all-weather facility on Build-Operate-Own-Share-Transfer (BOOST) basis.

Source: The Hindu, The Sambad

Review meeting on developmental works and law and order situation at Tara Tarini held

A meeting of Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) was held on 8 May in Berhampur under the Chairmanship of Revenue Divisional Commissioner Southern Division and Chairman TTDB Shri Bikash Mohapatra to review the ongoing developmental works and law and order condition at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine.

After reviewing the current law and order situation at the Shrine area the Chairman directed the Ganjam Collector (In-charge) Shri Lingaraj Rath to expedite the establishment of a police station at the Hill Shrine.

Evaluating the on going developmental works the Chairman clarified that the R&D department Govt. of Odisha would soon start the construction work of a Reception Centre, Bus Stand, Prasad Mandap and lavatory complex at the Shrine. The Tourism Department, Govt. of Odisha has already sanction Rs. 86 lakhs for this purpose.

It was also decided that the ambitious parking project on the hill top area connecting the Ghat road to the Path Way will commence soon at a cost of Rs. 4 crores. This project will create more space for parking of vehicles near the shrine on the Tara Tarini Hill top.

As per the decision the ropeway modernization work undertaken by Usha Breco Pvt. Ltd will be completed soon and opened for public use. The RDC directed the Sub-Collector, Chhatrapur, to check the safety standards and other details according to govt. rules before giving clearance.  Notable, Usha Breco Pvt. Ltd has established this ropeway at the Tara Tarini hill shrine on the lines of the modern Ropeways at Mansa Devi in Haridwar.

In this meeting the Chairman also said that the Solar Light project which was pending nearly for a year will be expedited. Rs. 50 lakh has been sanctioned by the Govt. of India for this project, he informed.

In this meeting the Chairman closely monitored the law and order situation at Tara Tarini shrine area and security of the pilgrims coming to this Shakti Pith. He said that an unfortunate incident of sexual assault has happened in the recent past at a distance of around 5 kms from the holy Shrine.

He directed the District Collector and SP to keep strict vigil in the entire holy Shrine area and ensure the security of the devotees coming to the Shakti Pith.

He said the upcoming police station near the shrine will further strength the law and order situation in the Shrine area.

Along with the RDC, the OMFED CMD Shri Sanjeev Kumar Mishra, Ganjam Collector In-charge Shri Lingaraj Rath, officials of Ganjam District, Tahsildar Purushottampur, Secretary and other officials of TTDB were also present in the meeting.

Ram Prasad Tripathy, PRO, Tara Tarini Development Board, Berhampur, Odisha

Odisha Government stonewalls Berhampur varsity’s reforms attempt

By Sisir Panigrahy

The State Government’s claim to make Odisha an ideal destination of education in the country sounds hollow if one goes by the case of Berhampur University whose bid to open new departments fell flat for the former’s stoic silence. Though the funds sanctioned by University Grants Commission (UGC) for the purpose have returned, the Government continues to be in a stupor.

 According to sources, the UGC had approved the university’s proposal to start post-graduate courses in Geophysics, Pharmacy, Microbiology, Hindi and Education during 11th Plan period.

The UGC had also sanctioned funds for the courses. But, the courses could not be started as the State Government did not extend its approval by the end of 11th Plan period in March 2012.

As per the rules, the UGC provides funds for these new departments for a period of three years and after that the State Government takes the responsibility of other requirements like staff and infrastructure. Despite regular correspondence of the university authorities with Higher Education Department for four years, there was no response from the State Government.

As a result, not only the aspirants of higher studies in these subjects are deprived of the benefit, the university has also lost the UGC funds sanctioned for starting the courses. “We are trying to pursue the matter with the State Government to do the needful,” said BP Ratha, Registrar of the University.

In the absence of regular courses in these subjects, students of the area are forced to take up self-financing courses in some of the subjects by paying huge fees elsewhere. The students alleged that due to apathetic attitude of the State Government, no new department has been opened in Berhampur University in the last two decades. Recently, the university had opened just one pharmacy department in self-financing mode.

On the other hand, university sources alleged that Government releases just ` 30 crore annually to meet the salary expenses of faculty and other staff. “After meeting these expenses, hardly any fund is left to enable the University to take up reform works like opening new courses or building new infrastructure,” said an official.

Meanwhile, former deputy speaker Ram Chandra Panda in a letter to the Government has urged it to look into the matter and pursue it with the UGC again. Source: New Indian Express 

Berhampur bids tearful adieu to daughter Goddess Budhi Thakurani; Famous Carnival of Thakurani Yatra comes to an end

Historic Chaitra Mela ends at Tara Tarini Sthana Pith, over 15 lakh pay obeisance

Marked by devotional celebrations and with the presence of lakhs of devotees the month long Chaitra Yatra at Tara Tarini Shakti Pith came to an end. The chanting of religious hymns in the spiritual ambiance of the Hill Shrine and the ritualistic worship of the devotees throughout the month charged the atmosphere with an exhilarating blend of spirituality.

So far as the Chaitra month is concerned, in India's national civil calendar it is the first month of the Hindu year. This month is also associated with the coming of spring season and therefore Holi, the spring festival of colours, is celebrated on the eve of Chaitra throughout the country. The first day of Chaitra is widely celebrated as Hindu New Year's Day in India (Varsha Pratipada), known as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Chaitrai Vishu or Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The Chaitra Yatra in the holy Chaitra month is celebrated at the ancient Tara Tarini hill shrine every year during the early spring season that falls in the month of March/April.

Chaitra Yatra 2013 commenced on the 27 March and concluded on April 27. Thousands of Sadhus, Sanyasins, Devi Sadhkas and devotees thronged the shrine for divine blessings of Maa Tara Tarini during this period.

Like the other Tuesdays of the month there was also heavy rush on the last and fourth Tuesday at the hill shrine. Darshan for the devotees started in the sanctum sanctorum after midnight Maha Arati at around 3.00 a.m and continued up to late evening. During the Maha Arati festival thousands of devotees were present at the shrine.

It is notable, that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of celebration at this shrine and devotees gather in lakhs to take a glimpse of Adi Shakti Maa Tara Tarini to get rid of their difficulties and to accomplish their worldly desires. On the fourth Tuesday devotees waited in long queues to take a glance of Maa throughout the day and offered prayers. On this occasion more than ten thousand kids tonsured their heads at the Shrine for a delightful life.

Tara Tarini Development Board arranged; Khichdi Prasad for lakhs of the pilgrims, special bus to reach the hill top shrine and made arrangements for special darshan, barbers for Mundan ceremony of the babies besides safe drinking water for the devotees.

As per the tradition like other Tuesdays thousands of families and groups cooked food as an offering to the goddesses in around 2 square k.m orchards of the foothill area after fulfillment of their desires and had a day of picnic at the Shrine.

Heavy police deployment was made by the district administration. Two IPS officers were in charge to control the law and order situation in and around the shrine. The administration also made wide arrangements to control traffic at the foot hill area during the month.

As per primary assessment over 10 lakh of devotees paid obeisance on Four Tuesdays of the Chaitra month and another 5 lakh pilgrims visited the Shrine during other days of the month.

This year the month long Chaitra Yatra at this Shakti Pith has passed off peacefully but it remained in news due to the death of 3 pilgrims.

The district administration, volunteers, social organizations, media (both electronic and print), Panchayat and local people extended their full support to Tara Tarini Development Board for peacefully arranging the Yatra during the whole month.

Lakhs of devotees throng Tara Tarini Breast shrine on Third Tuesday of Chaitra Yatra

The Third Tuesday (April 16, 2013) of the Hindu month of Chaitra passed off peacefully at Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine near Berhampur in Odisha. More than five lakh devotees thronged this ancient Shakti shrine which is believed to have originated from the limbs of Mata Sati. Located on the banks of River Rushikulya, the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine draws people across the year, but the month of Chaitra and the Third Tuesday in particular witnesses the largest congregation of devotees. As per the age old practice, more than twenty thousand babies tonsured their heads during the day through ‘mundan’ and offer hairs seeking the blessings of the mother Goddesses for a blissful life.

The third Tuesday, considered the holiest in the annual calendar of events of the Hill Shrine, began with the chanting of traditional Mantras on the midnight of Monday.  The priests performed the rituals of Snana, Majana and Maha Arati of the Goddesses before the sanctum sanctorum of the Shrine was thrown open for the devotees. Thousands of devotees were seen standing in queues on the hilltop to have an early darshan of the goddesses. Many senior officials of the State government were present on the occasion including Shri V. Karthikeya Pandian, I.A.S and Secretary to Chief Minister of Odisha, the District Collector of Ganjam Shri Krishan Kumar and the Superintendent of Police of the District, officials of the local administration, office bearers of TTDB and Tara Tarini temple administration were also present on the occasion. 

The Third Tuesday of Chaitra which saw a footfall of more than 5 lakh people passed off peacefully. The entire Hill Shrine and its surrounding areas including the Rushikulya riverbank was chockablock from the wee hours till late evening. Devotees waited in long queues and dared late-afternoon drizzle to offer prayers at the temple on the hill-top and participate in the Chaitra Mela, one of the biggest religious fairs in the country. On this occasion, more than 10,000 groups were seen cooking in the surrounding locations and had a day of picnic at the Shrine. TTDB also arranged Khichdi Prasad of Maa Tara Tarini besides safe drinking water was distributed to the devotees.

Like the earlier occasions, heavy police deployment was made by the local administration to avert any untoward incident and control the large number of people gathered for the fair. The district administration also made arrangements to control traffic in and around the shrine. Police beat houses and temporary health centers were set up near the foot hill bus stop and at the Lions’ Gate of the shrine. Six special buses were pressed into service to help the devotees reach the hill top. Arrangements were also made for special Darshan of Maa on the hill shrine and more than 8,000 devotees queued up for special darshan on the hilltop.  

Second Tuesday of Chaitra passes off peacefully at Tara Tarini Sthana Pitha (Breast Shrine)

The Second Tuesday (April 09, 2013) of the Hindu month of Chaitra passed off peacefully at Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine near Berhampur in Odisha. With the chanting of traditional Mantras on the midnight of Monday the festivals of the holy Tuesday started.  The priests performed the Snana, Majana and Maha Arati of the Goddesses at the midnight. After these traditional ceremonies the sanctum sanctorum of the Shrine, considered as the Sthana Pitha (Breast Shrine) of Adi Shakti, was thrown open for Darshan of devotees at 2 am in the morning.

During the Maha Arati festival at the midnight around 30 thousand devotees were present in the hill shrine.  Mr. Satyabrata Sahu, IAS Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Fisheries & ARD Department Government of Odisha including many other senior officials of the State Government, district administration, office bearers of TTDB and Tara Tarini temple administration were present during this occasion.

 The Second Tuesday of this holy Chaitra month saw footfall of around 2 to 3 lakh devotees in the hill Shrine starting from the wee hours till late evening. Devotees waited in long queues to take a glimpse of Adi Shakti Tara Tarini and offer prayers at the temple on the hill-top.

People from every nook and corner of Odisha and far off places of the country and outside were present on the occasion.

On this occasion more than ten thousand kids tonsured their heads as per the age-old tradition of offering hair of newborns after the first birthday at the Shrine for a blissful life. TTDB arranged Khichdi Prasad of Maa Tara Tarini besides safe drinking water was distributed to the devotees.

As per the tradition around 3000 groups from different parts of the State cooked their food as an offering to the goddesses in the orchards at the foothill and had a day of picnic at the Shrine.

Heavy police deployment was made by the local administration to avert any untoward incident and control the large number of people gathered for the fair. The district administration made arrangements to control traffic in and around the shrine.

Police beat houses and temporary health centers were set up near the foot hill bus stop and at the Lions’ Gate of the shrine. Six special buses were pressed into service to help the devotees reach the hill top. Arrangements were also made for special Darshan of Maa on the hill shrine.

However, in an unfortunate incident two devotees died during the Chaitra Yatra. Siddhant Behera (16) of Keshapur drowned in river Rushikulya during taking bath and K Rina Patra of Balarampur under Hinjilikatu police station died as a branch of a mango tree fell on her near Panthashala on the foothill of the shrine.

Night-long dharna over weightlifting hostel shifting from Berhampur to Bhubaneswar

Many persons of Berhampur city staged a dharna in front of the Berhampur stadium on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday to prevent shifting of equipment from the girls' sports hostel for weightlifting. The government recently decided to shift the hostel from Berhampur to Bhubaneswar. On March 13, sports persons staged a rally protesting against the government's move and submitted a memorandum to chief minister Naveen Patnaik through revenue divisional commissioner.

"As soon as we get information about the arrival of the truck to take away the equipment, we came to the Berhampur stadium and detained the truck," said BJP's town unit President Ram Kumar Patra. He along with several others staged dharna throughout the night in front of the stadium gate.

"The government has decided to establish a weightlifting academy at Gopalpur. The district administration has identified sx acres of land for the proposed academy," said district collector Krishan Kumar.

Comments (Times of India)

Anju (India)

Naveen Patnaik has in actuality gone mad. this government has done nothing for Berhampur region and now they are taking away one after another institutions of the city to the state capital. now the devil's face of this mad CM has come to the fore and in the forth coming election we will give fitting reply to BJD government and Naveen Patnaik

Odisha (Berhampur, Odisha) replies to anju

No doubt Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has gone mad but question is what the local leaders are doing? Why not the MP, MLA and Mayor of Berhampur protesting against this decision? Why not the leaders of BJD protesting against this decision? Opposition parties like BJP and Congress and the media should also protest against this anti Berhampur decision of the government.

vikas (Koraput)

Rightly said sir. Only a separate state will change the fate of this region. We want 'Kalinga State'

Naveen patnaik's foolish decisions (Delhi)

Naveen Patnaik led BJD govt. ditched the people of Berhampur and South Odisha many times. the recent incident shows the step-motherly attitude of the BJD govt towards Berhampur. now i realize why some people have been demanding a separate Kalinga Pradesh consisting ten districts of south Odisha..........if the govt will not change its decisions than a separate state for South Odisha (the erstwhile kalinga) is inevitable ....only a a separate state will change the condition of south Odisha..............

Ashok (India)

BJD Govt has gone mad for the development of Bhubaneswar at the cost of other cities of the State..

SURYA PRASAD (Bangalore)

bad..

TTDB welcomes the devotees to the Chaitra Yatra at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

Record hair collection expected at Tara Tarini Shrine in Odisha

Famous Tara Tarini temple in Ganjam district of Odisha is expected to earn around Rs 3.88 lakh by selling hair offered to its deities this year. "About a dozen organisations took part in the auction last week and a group from Andhra Pradesh bid the highest", said an officer of the temple administration. The highest bidding during auction of hair last year was Rs 3.42 lakh, he said.

Hundreds of people climb the 999 steps to this centuries old shrine atop Dahibandi near Purushottampur; about 35 km from here, to get the heads of their children tonsured every Tuesday in the month of Chaitra. "There has been a rise in the number of bidders," said secretary of the Tara Tarini Shrine Development Board (TTSDB), Pramod Kumar Panda.

The hair collected from the temple is processed and exported to the US, the UK, France, Germany and Hongkong. The hair is either made into wigs or used for extensions. The short strands serve as raw material for cosmetic products, sources said.

Around 90 per cent of the total collection of hair comes in Chaitra. "The organisation engages several people to collect hair every Tuesday during this month. On other days, a single person is given charge of collecting the hair", said revenue inspector of Tara Tarini, L N Panda. They will be deployed on the temple premises from April 1, he added.

The temple is also going environment-friendly by banning plastic on its premises. In a recent meeting, the TTDB took the decision to make its premises free of polythene and stressed the strict implementation of the decision.

The meeting, held under the chairmanship of revenue divisional commissioner (southern range) Bikash Mohapatra, also discussed plans for the smooth conduct of the Chaitra festival at the temple beginning April 2. Lakhs of devotees are expected to visit the temple every Tuesday during Chaitra.

Some of the Comments on the Times of India

jnm22 (Puri)

It is a Good scheme to improve the Cash Flow of the temple Administration. I think the temple Admin is following the Tirupati Model.

Syed Yousuf (Kuwait)

Hinduism does not promote idol worship/worshipping demi gods infact it rejects it. Shvetashvatara Upanishad Chapter 4 Verse 19 says "Na tasyapati na asti" (For God there is no pratima, no image, no picture, and no statue) and Yajur Veda Chapter 40 Verse 9 says "Andhatm pravishanti ya aashambhuti upaste" (Those are entering in darkness who worships the natural things (like-fire, water, air etc.) & those are entering in more darkness who worships the shumbuti (created things like statue,table, chair etc.) But unfortunately the common hindu majority of whom neither read these scriptures nor follow them blindly worship what not idols, snake, monkey, Shiv Ling etc., etc.,. I sincrely request all Hindus to read their scriptures with understanding and am sure you will find the Truth.

kamal (Delhi) replies to Syed Yousuf

The Hinduism also says that the God or the Supreme Being is present in every particle and object of this universe. So whats the problem in worshiping an image.............if the Supreme Being is present in that image. U r a new comer in the world of Hinduism......so, go deep, u will understand what Hinduism really is .........

kamal (New Delhi)

The Tara Tarini Hill Shrine in Ganjam, Odisha is also going environment-friendly by banning plastic on its premises this year. The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) took the decision to make its premises free of polythene. Its a great idea. The authorities of this shrine always took environmental friendly decisions. In the recent past, in collaboration with TATA the TTDB has decided to plant thousands of trees for the betterment of the environment. A major SOLAR LIGHT project is also being implemented in this shrine in collaboration with the Central Government. Really you are doing a good work. Others must imitate these steps taken by the Shrine. I congratulate the authorities of Maa Tara Tarini holy shrine for these environment friendly moves.

DP Mohanty (Bangalore)

Hairs after auction are exported to western countries....

Dev (Australia)

its a good idea. Shows the temple authorities are proactive.. and trying to improve their lot. funds are always needed in temple. Rather than always asking for cash donation, they should try various such methods.

Neeraj (UAE)

Its very good business........

Odisha government’s move to shift women weightlifters’ hostel in Berhampur opposed

The proposed shifting of sports hostel for girls of weightlifting from Berhampur to Bhubaneswar has been opposed by Ganjam District Sports Lovers’ Association (GDSLA).

Cradle of weightlifting

Berhampur is considered cradle of weightlifting especially women weightlifting in the State. It has produced several national-level women weightlifters.

Speaking during a press meet called up in the city on Monday, GDSLA president Kishor Patra said that the sports hostel or training centre for girls interested in weightlifting was opened on the campus of Berhampur stadium in July 2012. “Efforts of Berhampur MLA R.C.C. Patnaik and promise of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during felicitation ceremony of Commonwealth Games gold medal winner K. Ravi Kumar had led to establishment of the centre,” said Mr. Patra. Twelve girls were staying in this weightlifting sports hostel for girls. Former weightlifter and member of GDSLA Kaviraj Gouda said it was an irony that the centre was being shifted to Bhubaneswar while the government claimed that every effort was being made for promotion of weightlifting in the city. It may be noted that Berhampur has produced several international weightlifters, including two Arjun award winners -- Ravi Kumar and Bijay Kumar Satpathy. A sports hostel for boys of weightlifting continues on Berhampur stadium campus.

Academy promised

As per the sports lovers, the State government has announced to promote weightlifting in the region through proposal for establishment of a weightlifting academy at Gopalpur. A sum of Rs. 2 crore was sanctioned for the purpose, Mr. Gouda said. “If there was lack of infrastructure at Berhampur stadum, the authorities could have improved infrastructure rather than shifting the sports hostel for women weightlifters from the city,” Mr Patra said.

Public awareness

To create public awareness about this issue, the GDSLA has decided to hold a rally  in the city. It will also send a memorandum to the State government regarding the matter on that day. Source: The Hindu

Air traffic potential study of Gopalpur Airport in Berhampur to be take up soon

The Airport authority of India (AAI) has has proposed the Odisha Government to prepare a state-based civil aviation plan to develop regional airports in the State at Gopalpur, Jharsuguda, and Jeypore which will be developed for the purpose. “We have asked the State Government to hand over the required land for the Jharsuguda project which is in advanced stage. Once the Government hands over the land we will start the work to develop the airstrip since our plan is ready”, said the Chairman of Airport authority of India (AAI), V P Agarwal, who was in Odisha to inaugurate the modern passenger terminal at Bhubaneswar Airport. Once developed, the airport will handle large flights though initially it was considered to handle small flights. The AAI requires 190 acres of land to develop the airstrip at Jharsuguda with an investment of Rs 143 crore. The airport could handle 70-80 passenger aircrafts including ATR-72 like flights, he added. Mr.Agrawal also informed that there was also a proposal to develop the airstrips at Jeypore and Gopalpur, which are under the disposal of the State government. The traffic potential study of the Jeypore airstrip has already been carried out and study for Gopalpur is to be taken up soon. The AAI is all set to explore revival of dormant airstrips in the State in a bid to establish all inclusive connectivity within the region. “We are working with the State Government to prepare a State Perspective Civil Aviation Plan for reviving the non-operational airstrips and upgrading them into proper airports wherever there is potential. There are 19 airstrips owned by the Odisha Government. The Government has proposed revival of the airstrips at Jeypore and Gopalpur initially. We are going to start a potential study for both the regions”, AAI Planning member S Raheja said.

Source: Tathya.in, New Indian Express

Rayagada-Gopalpur railway line: A profitable project shown red signal

The Railway Ministry’s penchant for slighting Odisha is not new. Despite tall claims that the Railway Budget has been fair to the State, what fails to betray the step-motherly attitude of the Centre is its complete ignorance to projects that could actually boost the economic activity in the State and benefit the Railways.

A case in the point is the Rayagada-Gopalpur Broad Gauge line which has been completely ignored by the Railway Ministry in this year’s Budget. The 258-km project was estimated at a total cost of Rs 1,392 crore and the Planning Commission had given its “in principle” approval in June last year.

But the Railway Budget has not made any allocation for the project at all. The line that passes through Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada would have played a significant role in development of the Naxal-affected areas and suited the interest of the Odisha Government, but it too failed to make a projection in its demands.

Currently, 21 surveys for new projects are going on and in addition, four new surveys have been included in this Budget for the coming year. But why the lucrative project, with an estimated Rate of Return (RoR) of more than 15 per cent, has been completely glossed over has surprised all.

“In general, Railways consider projects profitable which have RoR of more than 14 per cent. A project with 15 per cent RoR is called a Coffee Table Line and the Rayagada-Gopalpur Broad Gauge was one such project. It is baffling why it was ignored,” said top sources in the East Coast Railway (ECoR).

According to the Reconnaissance Engineering-cum-Traffic (RET) Survey, the line mainly passes through Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam and also Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. It also touches the Gunupur station of Naupada-Gunupur line connecting existing Gunupur station to Rayagada-Vizianagaram line.

Since Gopalpur Port is seen as a major source of traffic, the survey had projected that a huge traffic of about 49.5 million tonne is likely to traverse over this proposed new line once it is commissioned.

It did not take into account the outward traffic of 7.4 million tonne of thermal coal from Gopalpur Port as the destinations are closer to Ib Coal Reserve.

The average cost for the route was projected at Rs 6.24 crore while average cost for the track per km was estimated at Rs  5.79 crore. With 52 major and 350 minor bridges, the project would require 800 hectare land. Its gestation period was projected at seven years with an RoR of 15.04 per cent.

Source: New Indian Express