Source: Anupam Bharat (Odiya Daily)

Greater Berhampur Region: HINJILICUT

By Ajay Sahu

HINJILICUT is the 2nd most Population Town in Ganjam District and Greater BERHAMPUR Region as per the census “2001”. Further, it happens to be the constituency of the present Chief Minister of Orissa Shri Naveen Patnaik. But, the development of the town leaves a lot to be desired. Following are some specific issues which need to be addressed for the development of HINJILICUT town.

Name of this Town:

People call this town as Hinjili / Hinjilicut / Katu / Hinjilikatu. Even Government offices named this town in different ways …such as Hinjili Thana, Hinjili Assembly Constituency, Hinjili Sub-Register and Hinjilicut Block Office etc. Going by public sentiments the name of this Town must be changed as Biju Nagar as we will be Proud to see our town as like Bhanjanagar or Kabisurya Nagar.

Education: (Also the few points are available in http://www.orissa2020.org/hinjlicut-area)

A. Science College, Hinjilicut (Established 1963) is the 2nd best College in Ganjam district after Khallikote College, Berhampur. Science College, Hinjilicut enjoy (B+) NAAC accreditation rating and it is only second college in Ganjam district to enjoy such a distinction. There is also demand for opening PG Courses along with MBA and MCA and for converting its Status to an Autonomous College as a best regard to this Institution.

B. Women’s College: Women’s college existed in Hinjilicut for more than two decades but unfortunately this has been closed down few years back. So, there is strong demand to open a Govt. Women’s college in memory to Late Gyan Patnaik in the town.

C. Kendriya Vidyalaya: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved setting up of 6,000 Model Schools at the Block level in the country. Initially, in the First Phase of the implementation of this Centrally Sponsored Scheme, 2,500 Model Schools will be set up in the Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs). These schools will be set up through State Governments. A model school will have infrastructure and facilities, at least of the standard as in a Kendriya Vidyalaya and with stipulations on pupil-teacher ratio, ICT usage, holistic educational environment, appropriate curriculum and emphasis on output and outcome. Since Hinjilicut is listed in this, initiatives must be made to start this on a priority basis.  Further, the recently announced Central School in Aska should be established at Hinjilicut for the benefit of maximum people as Hinjilicut is situated between Aska and Berhampur –Just 15 km away on either side.

D. Pharmacy College: The 1st Pharmacy college of Odisha started at Science College, Hinjilicut in the year 1979 and subsequently shifted to Mohuda (Near Berhampur) by Late Brundaban Nayak (ex-MLA of Hinjilicut). So, efforts must be made to open a similar kind of Diploma in Pharmacy or Nursing College at Hinjilicut.

E. Laxmi Nusingha Kala Mandir: Recently this Kalamandir was inaugurated at Hinjilicut by the State Chief Minister but there is no scope for its development / growth. So, there is a need to open a Branch of Government College of Art and Crafts, Khallikote, Ganjam which will be right fit to this region.

F. Agriculture College: Hinjilicut is considered the vegetable feeder for the entire Ganjam district and Betel leaf (Paan) of the place is famous in the entire state and even outside. People of this locality are having their source of income mainly on the crops. So, an Agriculture College at Hinjilicut which serve the purpose of the surrounding area such as Berhampur, Aska, Sheragada, Purushotamapur, Patapur, Kukudakhandi etc, and the best site for this is near to Ghodahada River at Hinjilicut, as a vast patch of land is available.

G. Diploma / Degree Stream School / College: Presently Hinjilicut town is having Five High Schools but unfortunately not to see a Diploma / Degree stream technical institute. As Odisha is heading for rapid industrialization, mobilizing technical staff will be a difficult task for the government to eradicate unemployment. So, a Diploma Stream School (Engg.) at Brundvan Vidyapitha High School must be started as a start up to mark the respect for the 100 yrs old High School.
H. Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) or National Institute of Design (NID): The silk city Berhampur deserves institute like IIHT -Indian Institute of Handloom Technology or National Institute of Design (NID) as very recently Berhampur Pattu Saree has got Government of India’s Geographical Indications (GI) registry. Since most of the weaver’s society and Surat /Mumbai migrants are in Hinjilicut region, which justifies opening of an institute in NH-217 corridor (Hinjilicut–Berhampur). This will help in the merger of Hinjilicut town with the Greater Berhampur Region.

Health Service:

A. As per a recent Survey, Hinjilicut is the epicenter of HIV in the State and hence facilities for additional ward /doctor for preliminary checkup (HIV) must be made at Govt Hospital, Hinjilicut.

B. A Blood Bank & 24 HOURS medicine Store must be started in the government hospital premises to cater the need of the Public.

C. There is need for an additional Hospital or Dispensary to cater to the Child and Mother’s Health like Children’s Hospital in Bhanjanagar.

D. Additional Ambulance facility is needed at Hinjilicut as most people are dependant on the MKCG Medical College at Berhampur for any Critical /Emergency services.

Road Connectivity

A. NH-217 (Gopalpur-Raipur) is passing through this town with an approximate 4 km stretch. Heavy traffic is always seen in this route due to the prime connectivity between major cities / towns of this district. There is an urgent need for bye-pass road at Hinjilicut and Berhampur to resolve this traffic congestion.

B. There is a need to initiate the work of Taratarini Road (Hinjilicut- Purushotampur-Khallikote) into a National High Way. This is very much required as a part of famous Pilgrimage center with heavy traffic at Taratarini junction and this route would act as a by-pass route to NH-217 while meeting NH-5 at Khallikote. This will reduce the distance to state Capital by at least 30 km.

Industry

A. Spinning Mill: People of this town are mostly dependant on Weaving / Handloom business and making clothes as required to local market. Earlier on two occasions, spinning mill proposal has been shifted from Hinjilicut (after planned) to other places due to political intervention during 1980. It will be proper for this district to have a Handloom Institute (Ministry of Textiles) at Hinjilicut town located in the Greater BERHAMPUR Region.

B. Jems and Jewellery SEZ: About 2 yrs back Gitanjali Group, one of the leading names in gems and jewellery, has proposed to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the State. The group’s infrastructure arm, Gitanjali Infratech Limited (GIL), had approached the Chief Minister to set up its eighth SEZ for gems and jewellery in the past.

As there are more than 3 lakh workers from this region engaged in the diamond cutting and polishing industry in Surat, this will help them find jobs in their hometown. So, the company must be pursued to start a SEZ in the Berhampur –Hinjilicut stretch of NH-217.

Urban Development: Declaration of Hinjilicut as a Municipality and its inclusion under Greater Berhampur region

Recently Berhampur city has been declared as a Municipal Corporation. There is a need for declaring Hinjilicut town as a Municipality, based on its population. Further, steps must be taken to bring it under Greater Berhampur region. (BCGH- Berhampur, Chatrapur, Gopalpur & Hinjilicut). There is a strong justification for the above as Chatrapur and Hinjilicut both are at same distance (15 km) from Berhampur.

Hinjilicut Population (Including U.A)

The Hinjilicut Municipality (proposed) would be consists of the area such as Hinjilicut NAC, Burupada, Sikiri, Kharida, Khandra, Chanduli Sompur, Saru & Pochilima. Presently this area comprises having population more than 50,000 and there is a long standing demand to include Hinjilicut under Greater Berhampur region as it is just 15 km away.

Thousands of Christians attend Candles Day celebration in Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: Thousands of devotees marched through the streets of Berhampur holding burning candles in their hands in honour of Mother Mary on November 27 evening. It marked the culmination of more than 150-years-old Candles’ Day festival, which was celebrated by the Christians at the Queen of the Mission cathedral in the city. Christian devotees from all over Orissa and parts of adjoining Andhra Pradesh attended this celebration. With lighted candles these devotees marched forward singing songs in praise of Mother Mary. An idol of Mother Mary was put on a decorated chariot. It seemed to be the Rathyatra of the Christians of Orissa as they dragged along the chariot.

According to the Parish priest of Berhampur, Fr. Ajit Kumar Nayak this candles’ day festival is celebrated to commemorate the appearance of Mother Mary to Sister Catherine of France on Nov. 27, 1830. This festival is being celebrated in the Queen of the Mission Cathedral of the city since its inception in 1855. Many say this cathedral was the first Queen of the Mission Church established in India. The rituals of the celebration have their links to the rituals of churches in France. The nine-day long celebrations had started on Nov. 18. There were special prayers and discourses every day in the cathedral.

Source:The Hindu

State awaits Centre's nod on 2nd IIIT at Berhampur

The Orissa government has submitted its proposal to the Centre for setting up of the second International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Berhampur. The state government is now awaiting the Centre's nod in this regard. The second IIIT at Berhampur is proposed to be set up on the public private partnership (PPP) mode.“The state government has already submitted its proposal to the Centre for the second IIIT in the state. We are awaiting the final approval from the Centre to go ahead”, said Pradipta K Mohapatra, the state IT secretary recently. It may be noted that the Centre planned to set up 20 more IIITs across the country on the PPP mode. The state government has identified around 100 acres of land at Rangeilunda near Berhampur for setting up the second IIIT.
Meanwhile, the full-fledged campus of the existing IIIT in the state at Bhubaneswar has been inaugurated by the state chief minister on October 9 this year. The new campus of IIIT-Bhubaneswar is coming up on 23.5 acres of land at Gothpatna on the outskirts of the city at an investment of Rs 48 crore. Plans are also afoot to get the deemed university status for this institute. The institute is presently operating out of the campus of the Orissa Computer Application Centre (OCAC). The institute is expected to be fully operational in the next five years. Once the institute is fully operational, the student intake will go up to 2,000. The faculty strength is expected to be about 20 by the end of 2009. Earlier, IIIT-Bhubaneswar had announced that it would offer BTech courses in four streams of engineering as well as doctoral programmes from the 2009-10 academic session. The BTech courses would have a total intake of 240 students. These courses would be offered in four streams of engineering- computer science, electronics, information technology and electrical engineering.

Source: Business Standard

Department for Rehabilitation Medicine to be opened in MKCG Medical college

BERHAMPUR: With focus on prevention of disability, the Government is developing and upgrading trauma care and rehabilitation medicine infrastructure in the State. A Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at MKCG Medical College and Hospital at Berhampur would be opened soon and such facility extended to other hospitals of the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said at the IOA annual conference. Inaugurating the 54th annual conference of the Indian Orthopaedic Association, the Chief Minister admitted that lack of effective healthcare delivery is a major area of concern in Orissa. There is an urgent need to make use of medical advancements and upgrade infrastructure and manpower to combat disease.

Source: New IndianExpress

Bikash Manch demands development schemes for Berhampur and Ganjam district

BERHAMPUR: The Ganjam Bikash Manch submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, drawing his attention to Berhampur city which has lagged behind in every sphere of civic facility. Thanking the Chief Minister for establishing an engineering college in Ganjam and a Central University in Koraput district, the Manch highlighted the shortcomings of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation. The memorandum states that the Corporation is just a signboard, expressing concern on the absence of a master plan for the regulation of the city in view of the growing population and denial of minimum basic facilities. The Manch has come up with a host of complaints, from bad roads, lack of drinking water to shifting of offices. The memorandum says that lack of political will and complacency of the bureaucracy as the reasons for thwarted progress which have added to the sloppy state of affairs. After coming to power of Naveen, nothing has progressed here except high level meetings, proposals and estimates, the end results being nill, says the Manch. The Organisation wondered that people fail to understand as to why nothing happens when an able politician like him is at the helm of affairs. The Ganjam Zilla Bikash Manch reiterated that it would fight till they achieve success in getting welfare and development projects for the Ganjam district. Besides, the Manch has also demanded immediate preparation of a master plan for Berhampur city and formation of Greater-Berhampur, third water project to solve the drinking water scarcity in the city, establishment of a agricultural college at Aska, placing Bhanjanagar dam in the tourist map of Odisha and steps for generating employment by promoting and encouraging the cottage industries. The Manch also demanded the establishment of centrally funded Institutions like NID and IIIT in Berhampur, which has none at present and granting Unitary University status to Khallikote College.

Source: Dailypioneer

A new abode for wild pachyderms near Silkcity Berhampur

Reservoir proves a connecting link between villagers and elephants
BERHAMPUR: Efforts for peaceful coexistence of humans and wild elephants are on near Kumbhajhari village on the outskirts of the city. Residents of the area have started to accept the existence of a herd of wild pachyderms in their proximity. A few years ago, the villagers of Kumbhajhari created a small water reservoir on a hill near their village. It was named ‘Jamchuan’. It was initially meant for the cattle of the village. Later, the villagers found that the wild elephants roaming in the area were also getting satisfied with the reservoir and venturing into the village area. Later, they used their village funds to renovate and increase the capacity of the reservoir. The Forest Department also came out to help. The reservoir has proved to be a connecting link of humans and elephants in the area. Villagers maintain the reservoir and elephants in turn have stopped venturing near the human habitat in search of food.
The Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Ahay Kumar Jena, said recently the Forest Department took initiative to further increase the capacity of the Jamchuan reservoir. The villagers are employed in the process. Plantations have been increased on the hill to augment ground water reserve inside the hill that feeds streams that connect the reservoir.
A herd of more than ten elephants which had strayed out of Lakhari elephant sanctuary six years ago preferred to stay back near this manmade reservoir on the hill top near Jamajhari village. The new forests developed by the ‘Vana Surakshya Samities’ of villages of the area seem to have satisfied the herd of wild elephants.
This new abode of wild elephants is at a distance of 15 km from Berhampur city. The area is under the Ramaguda reserve forest. The elephants are showing no signs of returning back to their original abode inside the Lakhari sanctuary. Till date the elephant herd has not injured or killed any human in the area although they destroy some paddy fields during the harvesting season.

By Sib Kumar Das (Source: The Hindu)

2nd phase to start at Sthana Peetha Taratarini under new chairman

Bhubaneswar: Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Southern Division of Odisha Chandrasekhar Kumar is the new chairman of the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB), a prominent temple administration body in Ganjam district. He has taken over from the outgoing RDC and former TTDB chairman Satyabrata Sahu who is now the Commerce & Transport Secretary of the State Government. It was under the guidance of the former chairman that the first phase of the stone temple was completed. This religious shrine is believed to be the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine) of Mata Sati and one amongst the four major ancient Shakti centers in India.The new chairman visited the shrine and discussed the commencement of the second phase of work. Board Secretary Pramod Panda along with the other board members tabled the primary draft of the second phase of work and it was decided to finish all on-going work before the upcoming Chaitra MelaThe projects in the second phase include completion of Kalyana Mandapam, construction of huge hill-top parking space, widening of stone steps and arrangement of public utilities or rest houses, maintenance of eco-system, construction of a hospital and the construction of a residential school and training centre for the physically challenged.
Source: The Pioneer

Nalco-NPCIL N-power plant proposed near Berhampur city in Ganjam

As part of its proposed diversification activities, National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) has decided to enter into an (MoU) with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to produce nuclear power. Signing of a nuclear deal with USA by India has ended isolation of the country from sources of nuclear fuel and paved the way for large-scale generation of nuclear power in the country. The Government of India has reportedly decided to produce nuclear power with the support of Central PSUs. Accordingly, the NPCIL, which is eyeing setting up of a nuclear power plant in Odisha, has roped in Nalco, the first Navratna company in the State, revealed sources. An MoU would be signed soon between NPCIL and Nalco for a joint venture (JV), official sources said. The JV company would set up a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant with an investment of Rs 8,500 crore. A site has been identified near Berhampur city in Ganjam district for the plant, said an official in the Department of Energy.The JV would be run with a professionally-managed team. A steering committee has been formed to scale up the move and the panel is likely to induct more members, said the sources. Meanwhile, Nalco has been accorded the prestigious Premier Trading House status in accordance with the provision of the Exim Policy by the Government of India. Premier Trading House (PTH) status is the highest award to any Export House.As per the Foreign Trade Policy, an Export House should have exported goods worth Rs 7,500 crore or more during the current year plus previous three years for getting the PTH status. Nalco has achieved an export target of Rs 7,609 crore during the current year up to July 31, 2009 and the previous three years.

Source : The Pioneer

Sporadic mating of Olive Ridleys near Rushikulya

BERHAMPUR: Sporadic mating of Olive Ridleys is being seen in the sea near Rushikulya rookery near Berhampur city in Ganjam district. Usually mass mating of Olive Ridley turtles is reported from this coast during the month of December. The local marine fishermen say they have started noticing mating of these rare turtles slightly early this year. The Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), A. K. Jena said the mass mating of Olive Ridleys is yet to be seen but there have been reports of sporadic mating of Olive Ridleys in sea at a distance of beyond 10 kilometres from the sea coast.
It may be noted that the State government bans fishing in this area from beginning of November till the return of hatched baby turtles into the sea from this coast. The mass nesting of Olive Ridleys occur on the Rushikulya rookery coast in February.
The wild life experts say sporadic mating of Olive Ridleys occurs throughout the year. Therefore sporadic nesting of these turtles is also reported at times other than the mass nesting period. Few Olive Ridleys come over to Rushikulya river mouth near Berhampur city to lay eggs throughout the year barring the summer and monsoon months, when the beaches are not conducive for laying eggs.
Female Olive Ridleys after copulation can store sperms without fertilisation inside their body up to three years. When they find conducive climate on the onset of winter they fertilise their ovum with the stored sperms to lay the eggs.
There has also been a speculation that some recent sporadic mating of Olive Ridleys may related to some of these turtles who may have preferred to stay back near the Orissa coast during past year rather than the migratory groups that visit this coast for mating and nesting. No study has been made yet to ascertain this speculation.
Source: The Hindu

Need for a Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC) in Berhampur

There is a need to develop the present Technology Support Centre for Kewra Industry in Berhampur as a full fledged Fragrance and flower development centre on the lines of FFDC, Kannauj. Further, a research institute for the same can also be included under the development centre. Presently the Berhampur cluster (http://www.ffdcindia.org/clusterberhampur.htm) is only the third such cluster in India of its kind on fragrance, the others being Patna and Jhalawar. All these three clusters come under the FFDC, Kannauj. In view of the strong output base of Kewra in the Berhampur region which caters to the need of the entire country, the establishment of FFDC along with the research institute has become an imperative.
Ganjam district of Orissa produces 85-90% of Kewra in our country. The Kewra flowers are used for production of Kewra essence for flavouring of syrup, soft drinks and other food preparations. It is also used in certain perfume blends. In our country, Kewra is being cultivated in the coastal belt of Orissa and to some extent in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. It is estimated that around 3 million trees are grown on about of 5000 ha of land that produces more than 30 million spodices (oil bearing flowers) per year in Ganjam District alone. The spodices are used for production of Kewra oil/essence. With the rapid industrialization and change in the food habits of the common masses of the country, the consumption of Kewra oil is increasing day by day. Presently, the Kewra shrubs are not being cultivated in a planned manner, the demand is met through wildly grown shrubs. Kewra shrubs are not available in sufficient quantity; therefore there is a need to develop proper agronomy and cultivation techniques for increasing production of Kewra oil.

Source: The Samaja

Source: Dharitri

State’s second IIIT in Berhampur

(Recent news report in Pragativadi on IIIT- Berhampur)

State’s second IIIT in Berhampur

• IT Secretary of Odisha reiterates the establishment of IIIT at Berhampur

Berhampur has been identified as the location for the second Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in the state. Delivering the state focus address in the seminar 'Moving Ahead with Innovation' organised by the Odisha Chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here on Friday, IT secretary Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said that in spite of the current global downturn in IT sector the effort was on to prepare human resources to meet the growing need of the state to roll out e-governance.

Link: http://www.pragativadi.com/071109/other_news.htm

Source: Pragativadi

Second State-level drama festival concludes in Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: Even in this era of television, good plays can drag audience out of their drawing rooms to auditorium. The second State-level drama festival organised in the city proved it.
This week-long drama festival concluded on November 15 evening. All the seven plays enacted during the festival had packed house at its venue the Ganjam Kala Parishad auditorium. It was a non-competitive drama festival where prominent amateur theatre groups from different parts of the State enacted their best plays, which have won accolades in national level theatre festivals. Some of these plays were decades old and part of development of amateur theatre in Orissa.
Despite the odds like acoustics lacking and bad ventilation in the auditorium, audience filled it up every evening. Veteran theatre activist, Raju Padhi said the welcome sign was that more than 50 per cent of the audience was general public having no relation with stage activities. They had come over only to enjoy the plays. “They enjoyed the plays till the end which hints that despite speculations the live attraction for live theatre would continue in the minds of general public”, he said.
Swagatika Padhi, who came over to see three plays in this drama fest said one of the major reason behind its success was the professional management of the organisers. Usually the enactment of plays precedes elongated boring meetings comprising of long speeches. It delays the beginning of enactment of play. But in this drama festival the enactment of plays started sharp at 7.30 p.m. The meetings that preceded, were short and were attended by prominent personalities related to stage and cinema.
The variety of theme and format of plays was a major draw for the audience. The first two plays ‘Jeeara’ and ‘Baunsa Thenga re Swadhinata’ enacted by ‘Ka Kha Ga’ of Damanjodi and ‘Kala Parishad’ of Dhenkanal were plays based on human formations on stage. ‘Emiti bi Dine’ enacted by ‘Canmas’ of Paradip and ‘Kurukhyetra ra Thikana’ of Tulasi Cultural Association of Kendrapara were based on burning contemporary issues. The play of Casmas dealt with the topic of female foeticide and depicted a time when there would be dearth of women in the country. The other play was based on the corruption that continues in the name of social service. On Saturday a famous folklore of Orissa came alive in the play ‘Ati Achambita Katha’ enacted by three decades old organisation, Manan of Bhubaneswar. Its apt presentation enthralled children as well as the elders. ‘Jhada’ of ‘Sampark’ from Rourkela was the play of the concluding evening of the drama festival.
Courtesy: The Hindu

Conference of Mayors and Municipal heads kicks off in Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) played host to the conference of Mayors and chairpersons of Municipal bodies of the State. The Conference attended by more than 100 heads of Municipal bodies of the state was inaugurated by the state Revenue Minister at the historic Town Hall in the city. Hints of hike in the holding tax was evident during the discussions at the conference which deliberated on the methods of raising resources for the municipal bodies to carryout developmental activities. But, given the poor infrastructure and services provided by urban bodies in cities like Berhampur, Cuttack and Sambalpur, the natives have been opposing any hike in holding tax. In the mean time, a state government agency has already conducted the property survey of the individuals in four important towns of the state including Berhampur, Cuttack, Sambalapur and Puri to assess the holdings of individuals in the unit areas.

Source: The Hindu, Businessstandard, Aahwaan

Berhampur-Rourkela direct train service demanded

BERHAMPUR: Strange it may sound but, Berhampur and Rourkela, the second and third largest cities of Odisha are yet to be connected by a direct train service. This despite the fact that proper railway line exists between the two cities to be connected by a train. The absence of a direct train service is causing hardships to the commuters, who have to change 2-3 trains to reach the other city. It seems the East Coast Railway authorities are neither bothered nor interested in improving railway connectivity in the State. Since the last few years there is also a similar demand from several quarters for a direct train service between Visakhapatnam and TATA via Berhampur, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, which could also serve the purpose of connecting Berhampur and Rourkela, but this has not evoked any response from the Railway officials. The State Governement on its part has never gone beyond submitting memorandums as a ritual prior to every Railway Budget. Eversince the Hirakhand express that connected Berhampur and Rourkela has been stopped there has been demand for alternate tarin service and yet the Zonal authorities are keeping mum on this issue. Now several organisations of the City have appealed the state government and the East Coast Zonal officials to pursue this issue with all seriousness to connect the silk city with the steel city of Odisha.

(PS: Thanks to Abhisek for the inputs)

Building Berhampur as a Higher Education destination

R.P.Tripathy

Berhampur city has many advantages as a place to emerge as a future higher education destination of Eastern India. To name a few, apart from being the third largest city in Odisha, Berhampur happens to be the commercial nerve centre of South Odisha and KBK regions. Interestingly it caters to the needs of a couple of districts of Andhra Pradesh as well. Further, Berhampur is the biggest city with a port in the state of Odisha. The City has one of the oldest colleges of Eastern India with Khallikote College nearing 150 years of its establishment. Berhampur University and MKCG Medical College have helped Berhampur emerge as a higher education destination of the State. Recently many private engineering colleges have come up in the City along with the Parala Maharaja Engineering College. Yet, the City has failed to get any of the centrally funded Institutes so far, despite the fact that it has got excellent rail and road transport infrastructure in the state apart from moderate weather conditions. Certain demands and suggestions have been made recently from different quarters that are likely to make Berhampur one of the leading destinations for higher education. This will not only help in the growth of the City, but also the vast under developed region of Southern Orissa and KBK. Following are some of the suggestions to build Berhampur as a destination for higher education;

·Declaration of Berhampur-Bhubaneswar knowledge corridor to develop Berhampur as a national level higher education cluster
·Establishment of Indian Institute of Information Technology (I.I.I.T)
·Khallikote College must be upgraded as an Unitary University
·Establishment of one of the state funded professional Universities like Health University or Management University or a second Agricultural University of the State
·One national level research lab of CSIR, DRDO or DAE
·Establishment of the National Institute of Design (NID)
·Establishment of the earlier announced Indian Institute of Labour (IIL) Studies on the lines of VV Giri Labour Institute, NOIDA
·A branch of the National maritime University at Gopalpur.
·Establishment of the Marine Biotech Park at Gopalpur.
·Upgradation of MKCG Medical college into a national level medical college and research centre
·The JN Tata Technical Education Centre to be upgraded as a national level technical institute on the lines of BIT.
·The Ministry of Defense College at Gopalpur to be upgraded as a Defense University and the establishment of AFMC under the University
·Establishment of Sugar Research Institute at Aska and Salt Research Institute at Huma.
·Completion of the STPI and IT Park projects near the City.

Finally, the formation of the Greater Berhampur metropolitan area is of critical importance in bringing the above mentioned Institutes to the City. There is strong justification for the merger of nearby towns like Chatrapur, Gopalpur, Hinjilicut and many villages located close to the City under Berhampur Municipal Corporation. There is also a strong case for developing the Airstrip near Bhanja Vihar as a domestic airport under the PPP route or in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense. The sooner this is done, the better it will be for the future growth of Berhampur and will also give a fillip in making Berhampur a higher education destination in Eastern India by 2020.

Chandrasekhar Kumar takes over as the chairman of Taratarini Development Board

BERHAMPUR: Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, IAS and the new Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Southern Division has taken over the chairmanship of the TaraTarini Development Board, considered as one of the prominent temple administration and development bodies of the State. As per the convention of the Board, Mr Kumar who has recently joined as the RDC is replacing the outgoing RDC and the Chairman of TTDB Shri Satyabrata Sahu, who has since joined as the Commerce & Transport secretary of Government of Orissa. Shri Sahu’s Chairmanship was eventful as it marked the completion of the magnificent stone temple at Taratarini Hill Shrine and the shrine and its peripheral areas witnessed massive development in the past few years. The TTDB members and office bearers while congratulating Shri Kumar expressed the hope that the Hill Shrine will become a great center of religious and tourist importance in the country under his chairmanship. It is worth mentioning that the second phase of the temple, which includes construction of a massive complex for the devotees and the construction of four side-temples, boundary walls, social initiatives apart from many other small projects and plantation drive, have started recently.
Photo source: www.trekearth.com

Berhampur the southern capital of Orissa: A nice commentry on the City

Following are some beautiful lines on Berhampur. Sourced from
www.myberhampur.com

Several projects inaugurated as Naveen visits Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: The Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in his day long visit to Berhampur and Ganjam district on Tuesday has inaugurated several projects at Sheragarh, Gopalpur and Berhampur city besides laying foundation stone for the railway over-bridge near Auto-nagar in Berhampur.
Dharitri and The Sambad on Chief Minister’s visit to Berhampur:

• http://www.dharitri.com/111109/story6.asp,
• http://www.orissasambad.com/news_article.php?id=10490

Naveen launched India’s first gram panchayat banking outpost at Sikiri panchayat of his Hinjili constituency in south orissa in the presence of the Chief General Manager (CGM) of Orissa circle of the SBI Shiva Kumar, State Panchayati Raj Minister, Prafulla Samal and Ganjam district Collector V.K.Pandian. The Chief Minister said this project would put Orissa on the path to become the first State in the country to provide banking facility in all panchayats. In the first phase this banking outpost project would be taken up in 10 districts of Orissa, which have high number of NREGA beneficiaries. Naveen took part in around 16 inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremonies in his home constituency Hinjli and Berhampur city during his visit. He laid the foundation stone of a railway over bridge at Haldiapadar, inaugurated new hostel building of the Helen Keller deaf school of Berhampur, a tribal hostel in Central school, Berhampur and inaugurated the Santh Bhima Bhoi national library and herbal garden in the city.
Source: The Hindu, Orissadiary, Orissasambad, Dharitri and Odishatoday

Dalai Lama to visit Chandragiri near Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: Tibetan Spritiual leader Dalai Lama will be visiting Chandragiri near Berhampur in January. Jigme Rinpoche, Head Lama, Chandragiri Buddhist Monastery said that his holiness Dalai Lama will be visiting the state to inaugurate the Buddhist Monastery in Chandragiri on January 11 next year.
The head Lama called on the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday to discuss about the proposed visit of the spiritual leader next year. It should be noted that during the Chinese Aggression of Tibet in 1959, Tibetan refugees crossed over to India along with the Dalai Lama and were allotted this spot near Berhampur. About 600 Tibetan refugee families had settled in five camps in Chandragiri area, which is topographically and climatically similar to the Himalayan State. The new Buddhist Monastery that is to be inaugurated is going to attract tourists as it happens to be the biggest monastry of its kind in the eastern region of India.

Source: Orissadiary, Orissalinks

Odisha Chief Secretary visits MKCG medical college

BERHAMPUR: State Chief Secretary Tarun Kanti Mishra visited the city on November 06. He went to the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) centre on MKCG Medical College campus to enquire about the functioning of the CD-4 machine at the centre.
The CD-4 machine at the ART centre has remained unused since August due to software problem and lack of trained technician. Mr. Mishra also visited the centralised kitchen of the Nandi foundation which is providing mid-day meal to schools in several blocks of Ganajm district.
Courtesy: The Hindu

Sanitation to be outsourced in more wards in Berhampur City

The Berhampur Municipal Corporation has decided to privatise the maintenance of sanitation in five more wards of the city. Following this decision, the total; number of wards whose maintenance of sanitation has been privatised would rise to 10. The city has already outsourced the sanitation maintenance of five wards.
Speaking to newsmen, the Mayor, Siba Shankar Dash said they preferred to outsource sanitation of five more wards due to satisfactory results in the wards where it was implemented. He claimed that there had been demands for outsourcing of sanitation work from most wards of the city as it had shown better results in the wards where it was implemented. This outsourcing of sanitation work had been opposed by the sanitary workers of the city in the past.They had also taken up agitation. But the municipal corporation had not preferred to roll back its decision.

Courtesy: The Hindu

20 years into construction, Berhampur Barracks stadium is still incomplete

BERHAMPUR: Two decades have passed since construction of Berhampur stadium began at the Barracks Ground in Berhampur City. The work, however, is far from over due to delay in identifying a patch of land that would be handed over to the Defence Ministry and payment of Rs 88 lakh by the State Government.
A portion of the land in the Barracks Ground that would be used for the stadium is under the possession of the Defence Ministry. The State Government has to hand over another piece of land to them in lieu of Barracks Ground. The Ministry owns 9.183 acres, housing residential quarters for the NCC officials, of the total 17.68 acres earmarked for the stadium-cum-sports complex.
In September 2005, the Defence Ministry agreed to vacate the land in lieu of another piece of land within Berhampur and payment of Rs 88 lakh for relocation. The State Government had agreed to provide 9.183 acres of land to the Ministry at Ambapua area of the city. However, it approached the Ministry seeking exemption from the payment of Rs 88 lakh. The latter, though, kept mum over the issue. Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry constructed a polyclinic for ex-servicemen on the Barracks Ground.
Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) chairman Sarat Ranjan Patnaik said that the Ministry had not sought any approval from the BDA for the polyclinic. “With none taking the initiative for the land transfer, the Berhampur stadium might go into oblivion,” said Prafulla Jagananth Padhi, founder office-bearer of Ganjam District Athletic Association.

Courtesy: The New Indian Express

Berhampur University files gutted in fire

Some important files and examination papers of few professional courses were gutted in a fire that broke out in the confidential section of the Berhampur University on November 02 night. According to sources, the fire engulfed the confidential section in the second floor of the administrative block building. However, the authorities informed the fire brigade at around 8.40 pm. As a result of which prior to the arrival of the fire brigade, some important files and documents including examination papers of courses like MBA, Journalism and Biotechnology were gutted.
The fire raised many questions as it took place under mysterious circumstances keeping in view the inquiry into the allegations of corruption by a high level team led by the Secretary, Higher Education. Notably, after allegations of rampant corruption and irregularities in e-governance project, chair purchase for auditorium and in some other cases, the Governor had ordered to inquire into the matter and the Secretary was entrusted with the inquiry. He had visited the university five times and he was scheduled to visit for the sixth time for the inquiry.

It may be mentioned here that some important files on which the inquiry was made, were kept at the confidential section. A BJP team which visited the university on November 03 said the gutting of files in the fire was suspicious and a high-level inquiry should be ordered to unravel the truth.

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Demarcation of vending zones demanded by kiosk owners in Berhampur city

BERHAMPUR: The city is yet to have demarcations for vending zones. Without proper vending zones, encroachment of roads and traffic problems are on the rise. The small traders who depend on road side business are also demanding establishment of vending zones as they are facing losses because of the sudden anti-encroachment drives by the authorities. Bhaskar Lenka, a tea stall owner whose kiosk was destroyed in a recent anti-encroachment drive from the sides of the NH 217 between Kamapalli square and Engineering School square alleged that neither the Berhampur municipal corporation nor the Berhampur Development Authority had thought of establishment of any vending zone which could save the livelihood of poor traders like him.

The promises for establishment of vending zones have been on since 2004-05, when encroachments by small traders were removed from the sides of the NH 217. As no vending zones were established, the traders whose encroachments had been removed again returned to their old place. Another trader, M.K.Reddy who lost his kiosk in recent anti-encroachment drive said regular anti-encroachment drives and his restarting of business has destroyed his economic condition. According to him the municipal corporation has some responsibility towards them as it was collecting five rupees cess from them every day.

In Gate Bazar area the encroachments had been removed from one side of the National Highway 217. But the same shops have come up on other side of the high way. The irony is that a major portion of the highway near this market is being used as garbage dump yard by the municipal corporation. This market and its vendors have been a major cause of traffic congestion in the area.

It is an irony that the vendors of Gate Bazar area are ready for displacement if they are provided a proper vending zone. But the authorities have not been able to provide them an alternate vending site. The former Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Satyabrata Sahu had proposed the vegetable market at Gate Bazar to be shifted to an alternate site. It may be noted that the vegetable vendors of the area have in the past had also submitted memorandum for the purpose.

Source: The Hindu

30 crore water supply system for Berhampur City

BHUBANESWAR: State Government has decided to spend Rs 30 crore to improve the water supply system in Berhampur City. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting presided by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar. Longterm and short-term action plan for supplying water to the city were discussed at the meeting. Official sources maintained that as against a requirement of 50 million litre water daily, Berhampur gets 35 million litre now.It was decided that a water treatment plant will be set up in the city to improve the supply system. Besides, more areas will be connected with pipe lines. Naveen directed the officials to float tender for laying drinking water pipeline as early as possible. It has been targeted to supply 20 million litre water daily by the new pipelines. This will solve the problem of drinking water in the city to a large extent. Besides, work on the renovation of Dakhinapur water reservoir has been completed by the Water Resources Department. It was decided that the canals connecting the water reservoir will be renovated. This will lead to the augmentation of water holding capacity of the canals.Among others, Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadei, Minister of State for Urban Development Badrinarayan Patro, Chief Secretary TK Mishra and senior officials attended.
Courtesy: The New Indian Express

Andhra Bank to install closed-circuit cameras in Berhampur Zone

BERHAMPUR: The Andhra Bank has decided to set up closed- circuit cameras in all its branches in Berhampur zone to enhance security. This decision was taken following spurt in attempts of bank dacoities in the region. Seven new branches of the bank are on the anvil to be set up in this zone in near future. The Andhra Bank is also planning to set up two new ATM counters in the city. New ATM counters of Andhra Bank are also to come up at Jeypore in Koraput district of the State and Tekkali of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh.
According to the zonal manager of the Berhampur zone of the bank, T. Venkaiah said they have targeted to have total deposits worth Rs. 1,660 crore in the zone by March 2010. They also plan to increase their advances to Rs. 795 crore by that time, he said. By September end the branches of Andhra Bank in this zone had a total deposit worth Rs. 1,331 crore, while gross advances was Rs. 649 crore. This new zone was constituted in May. It comprises 73 branches of the bank in Orissa and adjoining Andhra Pradesh. Forty three of these branches are located in 10 districts of south Orissa, while the rest branches are located in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking to newsmen, he said their ‘year on growth’ was 21.77 per cent. During this period they had a tremendous growth in the mobilisation of current as well as savings accounts for the bank in this region. The number of current account deposits rose by 74.39 per cent. The savings account deposits also showed a rise at 20.37 per cent. Mr. Venkaiah attributed this growth to the publicity drive they had taken up to popularise the savings and current accounts of the bank during past six months. According to him the ‘insured current accounts’ where the account holders were getting insurance benefits had a large following. Out of the total deposits with the branches of Andhra Bank in this zone, 49.81 per cent were from current and savings accounts. Total clientele of the bank in Berhampur zone was 9,58,831.
Courtesy: The Hindu

Berhampur Municipal Corporation to strictly implement ban on water pouches

• A fine of Rs. 100 each to be imposed on sellers, Rs. 500 on transporters
• The ban order issued on September 1
• Water pouch manufacturing unit sealed
  BERHAMPUR: The city municipal corporation has decided to impose fine on the sale of drinking water pouches in Berhampur. It may be noted that Berhampur was the first township in Orissa, where sale of drinking water pouches was banned. The sale of drinking water pouches in the city started about a decade ago. The municipal corporation at its meeting on August 28 decided to ban sale of these drinking water pouches as the used drinking water pouches were a major reason behind clogging of drains and were a major sanitary menace. The ban order was imposed on September 1. But clandestine sale of drinking water pouches continued in the city.
  The municipal corporation now decided to be extra strict on these covert sellers of drinking water pouches, said the Mayor of the city, Siba Shankar Dash. According to him, it was decided to put a fine of Rs. 100 on any roadside kiosk that sells these drinking water pouches. Any vehicle found to be transporting drinking water pouches inside the city would be imposed a fine of Rs. 500. Mr. Dash said the ban order on sale of drinking water pouches was an effort to upkeep the sanitation of the city which did not have a proper sewerage system. The large quantity of polythene waste from the lakhs of used drinking water pouches had become a headache for the municipal authorities.
  Municipal corporation medical officer Sashi Bhusan Panda said apart from sanitation and pollution problems, the doubts over the purity of water sold in the pouches was also a reason behind the ban order. Most drinking water pouches sold in the city did not have the date of manufacture and their expiry date printed on the pouches. Some of them did not even have the address of the manufacturer on them. The municipal authorities have also sealed a drinking water pouch manufacturing unit at Haldiapadar.
  Court moved
  Meanwhile, the drinking water pouch manufacturers have approached the Orissa High Court against the ban order of the municipal corporation. The municipal corporation has decided to fight them in court.
  Courtesy: The Hindu
  

Granite quarries thrive near Berhampur city, govt. loses lakhs

BERHAMPUR: As granites of Ganjam district are of high quality and having unique lustre and attractive colours and in great demand in international market, traders of Orissa and outside are out to exploit the resources. Everyone having interest in this sector wants to have his share by hook or crook leading to unbridled and illegal mining and transportation of granite blocks to outside the State. Due to the mad rush for this business, more than 30 granite units have been registered with District Industries Centre (DIC) office in Berhampur while many more units are functioning clandestinely. However, investigation reveals glaring loopholes in the process of registration. According to DIC sources, permission is granted to units when one approaches for it which is equivalent to registration. And as such the DIC has no such control over the units, said the source. Due to lackadaisical attitude of the authorities, the government is losing lakhs of rupees in revenue daily.
Many units, which are into stone quarrying, have acquired licence from the Revenue Department but do not have required clearance from Environment and Forest Department. Large scale blasting and mining of granites also lead to sound and environmental pollution. The surrounding areas are covered with a thick blanket of granite dust.
According to locals, as profit-making is the sole aim of these units, they are hardly bothered for the development of the area under corporate social responsibility (CSR). Even the industrial security norms have gone for a toss in these units leading to increasing number of accidents. More than 10 such mishaps have been reported in the last one year. As the workers engaged by the units are not registered, they are deprived of compensation due to accidents. But the union of the granite units has a different version. There are no such incidents of illegal mining and transportation, a functionary of the union said. The owners are trying their best to address the environmental and other problems said the union.
Courtesy: The New Indian Express

Mondays of Kartik become picnickers’ favourites in Silk city Berhampur

Lord Shiva worshiped on the Kartik Mondays
BERHAMPUR: Families used Mondays of Hindu month of Kartik for picnicking with a religious fervour. The four Mondays of Kartik are used by Hindu families of South Orissa for the worship of Lord Shiva. With the advancement of communication they have started to use these days for family picnics near some Shiva temple amidst nature. Since morning a huge rush was seen at the Shiva temples of the Silk city as well as at the temples on its outskirts. Most of the city dwellers preferred to spend the day at the Shiva temples at scenic spots like Ghatakeswar or Dhavaleswar on the outskirts of the city near Gopalpur-On-Sea for their family gettogether and picnic.

Hundreds of families were seen cooking their food on the beach near Dhavaleswar temple near Gopalpur. Families from different parts of Ganjam district and South Orissa had come over to this beach to observe religious rituals and enjoy a family gettogether for a whole day. “Usually we do not get a chance to spend a whole day in fun and frolic with the family. At least the religious fervour of Kartik Mondays serves as an excuse for a family picnic,” Mita Lenka said. Similar was the scene near Dhavaleswar temple where families enjoyed the serenity of the jungle and the jungle stream that passes by.
Almost all families cooked pure vegetarian food without using onion and garlic. As per tradition spices and oils are avoided in food during the month of Kartik.
The new generation has also started leaving out oil and spices from food on four Mondays of the month. Due to it even grand parents who observe kartik penance could be included in most of the family picnics on these Mondays. On this Monday several traders of the city prefere to shut down their shops to enjoy the day with their families.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Gopalpur-On-Sea sub-post office adjudged best post office in the country

Berhampur: A sub-post office in Orissa's Ganjam district along with two others have been adjudged the best post offices in the country.Union minister for communication A Raja presented the award to M Kamaraju, the post master of Gopalpur sub-post office at a function held at Coimbatore on Saturday.The post office at Gopalpur, launched by the Department of Post under the Project Arrow scheme last year, was selected as the best post office after thorough evaluation of its performance by a private agency appointed by the government.The other two post offices are Darika Tirumulla in Andhra Pradesh and Madangoplapur in Tamil Nadu.It is a matter of pride for Orissa as a sub-post office in the state has been selected for the first prize, said Post Master General, Berhampur, S K Kamila.

Courtesy: The Pragativadi

Govt launches hand washing drive in Berhampur in collaboration with UNICEF

Focusing on cleanliness to prevent deadly viral diseases, the State Government in collaboration with the UNICEF launched a campaign among schoolchildren in Berhampur to make them aware of the importance of washing hand before and after having food.The campaign started with an orientation programme held here to sensitise the teachers in charge of the Red Cross and decided to observe ‘world hand wash day’ on October 27 by organising a rally by the students.The programme was jointly launched by the State Water and Sanitation Mission, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Indian Red Cross Society and Unicef. Most of the viral diseases could be checked with hand wash before and after the foods, Chief district Medical Officer, Ganjam, said. Due to lack of awareness, he said about 95 per cent of people in the society never wash their hands before taking food. As many deadly viral diseases like swine flu are spreading, it is essential to create awareness, particularly among the school children, the CDMO said. Around 90 teachers from different parts of Ganjam district took part in the orientation programme.

Courtesy: The Pioneer

Ganjam Pharma Wholesalers’ Association formed

BERHAMPUR: The Ganjam Pharma Wholesalers’ Association (GPWA) was formally inaugurated in the city on October 24. The State Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patro inaugurated the organisation. According to the general secretary of the GPWA, V.Satyanarayana, they decided to form the GPWA to increase cooperation among the Pharmaceutical wholesalers regarding trading issues. According to him their aim was to increase the quality of relationship between the pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.
The GPWA has approached the All India Chemists and Druggists Association, Ganjam-Phulbani Chemists and Druggists Association and Utkal Chemists and Druggists Association for affiliation. Till now the GPWA has 55 members. Mr. Satyanarayana hoped that more pharmaceutical wholesalers of Ganjam district would become members of the organisation soon. The GPWA members claimed that theirs’ was first of its kind organisation of pharmaceutical wholesalers in the State.

Courtesy:The Hindu

Gopalpur beach festival to be held from December 24

BERHAMPUR: The famous Gopalpur beach festival is scheduled to start from December 24. The beach festival is being organised by Ganjam District Hoteliers Association (GDHA) with help from the Ganjam district administration and police. The five-day cultural extravaganza is aimed at attracting tourists to the serene Gopalpur beach resort.
The State Tourism Department has decided to include the five-day period in December as the time for Gopalpur beach festival in the tourism calendar of Orissa, said Revenue Minister Shri Surya Narayan Patro. Shri Patro attended a high-level preparatory meeting of the beach festival held in the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division on October 20. The meeting was attended by RDC Satyabrata Sahu, DIG R.P. Koche, district Collector V.K. Pandian and Berhampur Superintendent of Police R.K. Sharma. Members of the GDHA also took part in this meeting.
Shri Patro, who is also adviser of the beach festival organising committee, asked the organisers to make all efforts so that tourists coming to the beach festival would recommend others to visit the beach resort to enjoy the festival in coming years. According to him, its inclusion in Orissa’s tourism calendar would help in better marketing of the event outside the State. It may be noted that the beach festival was discontinued for three years till 2008. It was again revived by the GDHA last year. President of the association Uma Shankar Panigrahy said now they would make it a regular affair so that the tourists from outside the State could plan a trip to Gopalpur which may coincide with the beach festival.
Crafts expo
RDC Satyabrata Sahu said ‘Gramashree Mela’, an exhibition of rural crafts, would coincide with the beach festival. The exhibition-cum-sale of rural art and craft would continue for seven days even after the conclusion of the beach festival. The SP and the DIG discussed the law and order and traffic related issues during the festival. The Collector congratulated the hoteliers for taking up the initiative. He promised all possible help from the administration to the organisers. The beach festival would try to showcase the local folk art forms. Cultural troupes from all over the country would take part in the festival.
Courtesy: The Hindu

TTDB wishes you on the Auspicious Occasion of Diwali

TARATARINI DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Regd. No. : GJM No. - 7177-A – 676/2002-2003
Hillpatna, Berhampur – 5, (Ganjam), Orissa, India
(0680) 2215168, Website: http:/taratarini.nic.in
------------------------------------------------------------------
The “Tara Tarini Development Board” takes great pleasure in wishing you on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights.

May this Diwali bring you the brightest sparkles of happiness and fulfillment.
May this Diwali bring joy and good health and brighten up you and your near and dear ones lives.
May this Diwali bring you the utmost in peace and prosperity.
May lights triumph over darkness.
May peace transcend the earth.
May the spirit of light illuminate the world.

May the divine blessings of Adi Shakti Maa TaraTarini be ever upon you!

FUTURE BERHAMPUR

WISHES ITS ENLIGHTENED READERS

A VERY

HAPPY DIWALI

Online booking of rail tickets at post offices in South Orissa

BERHAMPUR: Post offices would bring railways closer to people of Aska, Phulbani and Boudh in south Orissa, although no railway track passes through these areas.

The Indian Post and Indian Railways have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to start an online railway ticket booking facility at post offices at Aska in Ganjam district, Phulbani in Kandhamal district and Boudh in Boudh district. Interior areas of Ganjam district as well as Kandhamal and Boudh districts of south Orissa do not have any access to railways. Post Master General of Berhampur postal region S.K.Kamila said this facility would enable the inhabitants of these areas book railway tickets in advance for their long journeys by train. It would also provide extra revenue and increase of public utility of these post offices.

The railway ticket booking facility is expected to be started in these three post offices within next one month. It may be noted that till now the post office at Sundergarh is the only post office in the State to have online railway ticket booking facility. Mr Kamila informed about it at a customers’ meet organised by the Indian Post in the city on Wednesday night.

He also announced that Gopalpur sub-post office in Ganjam district was among the three post offices in the top rank for providing services to customers under ‘Project Arrow’.

SOURCE: THE HINDU

Doppler weather radar to be installed at Gopalpur

BERHAMPUR: After 10 years of super cyclone that took thousands of lives, displacing lakhs of people and destroying properties worth billions in the coastal areas of Orissa in 1999, the state government has seem be to be in a wake up mood as it was decided to install a high powered Doppler radar having the capacity to analyze the frequency of waves, signals and weather reports, at three places in the state including at Gopalpur. For the installation of Doppler radar, an area of 3 acres has already been located along the Gopalpur Sea and it has already been transferred to the weather department. Berhampur Tahsildar, Director of weather department and Relief Commissioner had already visited the site and were supervising the activities to install the radar along the coast in Bay of Bengal. It is learnt that around 7.5 crore had been earmarked for this purpose. Though, it has been decided to install such Doppler radars at three places; Sambalpur, Paradip and Gopalpur in the state, yet Gopalpur project should be the first of its kind in the state and measures are being taken to install it at Gopalpur first as soon as possible. With such a Doppler radar, prior information about cyclones, low pressures and other weather related data and reports can be collected within a range of up to 5,00 KM from the coastal region in Bay of Bengal.

Source: Odishatoday