Ganjam migrants in Surat send home Rs. 500 crore a year

Put your money down, boys

Article By P Sainath

He does not want to be named or photographed, nor have his village identified, though he speaks freely. His fraternity is crucial to the lives of nearly half a million migrants from Ganjam who work in Surat. He may have been an agricultural labourer or small farmer in his origins, but is now part of a tiny elite running an operation worth around Rs.100 crores a year in this single Orissa district. Meet the 'Tappawala,' Ganjam's parallel 'postman' or money courier.

How do migrants send money home to their families, and how much? "Our conservative estimate is that Ganjam's migrant labourers remit Rs.500 crores a year back to their villages" says Lokenath Misra of the NGO Aruna, whose "Sethu" project attempts to serve as a bridge between Ganjam migrants and their homes. "Of this, Rs.400 crores comes from Surat alone. A full picture is not possible, as the industry is illegal."

So what does a Tappawala do, anyway?
"I spend 15 days in Surat and 15 days here in this Ganjam village each month," says the Tappawala who has been in the trade for 20 years. "In Surat, I contact the 200-300 labourers I service and ask them if they would like to send money home. Each sends around Rs.2500 a month." This implies his handling between Rs.5 and 7.5 lakhs a month. But this is for nine months only, since the migrant to Surat normally spends three at home each year. So our Tappawala is handling between Rs.45 and 67.5 lakhs annually. "When in the village, I collect parcels for the migrants in Surat from their families. That includes hot pickles and other foodstuffs." Does the returning Tappawala carry all that cash on him from Surat? "Not the whole distance. Typically, he would buy a bank draft with that in Surat on a branch in Berhampur (Ganjam's main town). He would cash that in Berhampur and reach the village by bus or jeep. So he'd really carry cash only for about three hours and 80-100 kilometres."

(Link for the full text of the Article: http://www.indiatogether.org/2009/aug/psa-moneydown.htm)

First government engineering college in south Orissa starts functioning

BERHAMPUR: Parala Maharaja Engineering College (PMEC) started functioning at its own building at Sitalapalli on the outskirts of the city from Thursday. It was a significant development as this institute happens to be the first government engineering college in south Orissa. This institute has been named in memory of the royal family of Paralakhemundi, which played a major role in the formation of modern Orissa state on linguistic basis. The Orissa Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the institute in July 2008.

The institute has initially started courses in four faculties. Three of them are traditional core sectors, which are being neglected by the private technical institutes. The PMEC has student intake capacity of 60 each for electrical, mechanical, civil, computer science engineering departments. All seats were filled up and the classes commenced from Thursday. Speaking to The Hindu, the principal incharge of the PMEC, L.K.Mohapatra said this institute would come up on an area of around 85 acres. The classes have started in the newly constructed administrative block of the institute. The administration has already alienated 10 acres of land for the institute on which construction work is in progress. Government had already sanctioned more than Rs. 6.5 crore for the purpose. Process was on for the handing over of rest land to the institute soon. For the time being the theory classes of the PMEC would be held in its own campus. But the practical classes would be conducted in the laboratories of the government-managed UCP engineering school in the city. To arrange accommodation for the students and faculty of the institute, the BPUT has signed an MoU with the Berhampur University. Twenty seven unused quarters in the Berhampur University campus and a vacant working women’s hostel would be used by PMEC for two years to house its staff and students till the hostels and staff quarters of the institute get constructed.

Source: The Hindu

From Prince to King

WE’VE seen them winning hearts all over the country through their brilliant stage performance. But off-stage, the 26 member Prince dance group is a team of shy youngsters from Berhampur, greatly humble and modest despite having become the most proudly discussed subject of the State.
It is a known fact now that the body-painted dancers include child labourers and physically challenged members. Nevertheless, when it comes to performing, they are full of vigour. So what’s the inspiration? To prove what the underprivileged could achieve replied 26 year-old Krishna Mohan Reddy, the lead choreographer of Prince at a felicitation function. In fact, the expedition began with that dream of Reddy.
Around eight years back he alone had participated in a dance contest in Hyderabad and used to practise dance before that without any professional training. “I had met the great dancer Prabhu Deva then. Soon people here encouraged,” Reddy said. Belonging to Ambapua in Berhampur, he started bringing together youths from the place who willed to work hard and dedicate time even after their daily labour. “I found my school friend Padmanav Sahoo facing tough times. He was suffering due to polio. But I knew him. He was always positive about life and so joined immediately,” added Reddy.
Soon, he formed a team of teenagers four years back who spent hours daily after their day’s work watching different dance videos and practising dance moves. “We went for auditions for many talent hunt shows. But last time in Boogie Woogie Javed Sir encouraged us a lot. He still does and we are really thankful for his immense support. He has always guided us and helped us improvise ,” Reddy said. Reddy and group, after performing at Boogie Woogie noticed their themes are their strong point since they have an Indianness. Talking about the spiritual and soulful themes the group picks up, Reddy said it is a token of love for the Almighty who they believe has always taken care of them or they could not have easily been selected from 15,000 contestants at the India’s Got Talent Kolkata auditions. Four months of rigorous practice combined with the love of people all over the country brought them the triumph, believe the dancers.
Son of a rickshaw puller, 13 year-old Tulu Tarini who played the turtle in the finale said he loves to perform while 18-year-old Sadananda Das loves body-building. But shy as they are, they would all direct you to their Sir, Reddy, who they respect most. Now, they wish to fund their sisters’ marriage and further grow as dancers. Meanwhile, the Group is likely to get a call from the organisers to perform at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Source: NewIndianexpress

After conquering hearts across India, Prince of Berhampur eyes world

“I am proud of my Ganjam boys. Also I belong to Ganjam:Naveen Patnaik,”::Prince Dance Group to perform in London, New York:: Prince Group may perform at C'wealth Games::Prince Group announces to use the prize car as an ambulance::donates Rs 10 lakh to CM's relief fund:: Signs 2 years contract with colors channelYou have conquered the hearts of Orissa and the rest of India. Now, you should move ahead and conquer rest of the World,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said to the Prince Group while felicitating the members at the State Secretariat on Thursday.Presenting them a trophy having a globe attached to it, Patnaik said the trophy was just symbolic to it. “The group would move to the international arena,” Patnaik said. He also announced that on behalf of the State Government, Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) would send all the 26 members of the team to New York and London.“They should have an international exposure. OMC will arrange everything and also organise their dance at the international level so that they could compete at the international arena,” Patnaik said. He also inquired from the members whether they had ever seen London and New York on the TV. Few of them replied they had seen these metros in the film only. Distributing sweets among them, Patnaik went a step ahead and announced that all steps would be taken so that the group be able to perform at the National Youth Festival held at Bhubaneswar. “I will personally write to the Union Sports Minister MS Gill so that the group would be able perform at Delhi during the Common Wealth Game to be held at New Delhi in 2010,” Patnaik said. The atmosphere was so electrifying that Patnaik sat for nearly half an hour and watched all the programmes that they had performed in Mumbai. Patnaik also invited them for a photo-session.It was never seen that Chief Minster came down to the down-stair to have a photo-session with anyone. All along with the 26 members, Berhampur MP Siddhant Mohapatra and Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Pani came down to the stairs near the entrance of the Secretariat. Patnaik personally took care so that no other members came along with the photo-graph.“We had never dreamt of such a gift. We would do our best to come out with flying colours,” said leader of the Prince Group 26-year-old Krishna Reddy. The team was escorted to the Secretariat on a police escort.Earlier, the State Government announced to give them four acre of land and Rs 1 crore to set up a dance academy at Amabpua near Ganjam. “I am proud of my Ganjam boys. Also I belong to Ganjam,” Patnaik said after giving his blessings to all the children.

Source: The Pioneer, Odishatoday, Orissadiary

Canadian oriya scientist receives NATO appointment

Berhampur People: Dr Prakash Patnaik

Dr Prakash Patnaik an Indo-Canadian scientist based in Ottawa, Canada, who hails from Berhampur in Orissa has been appointed to the Research & Technology Organisation (RTO) of NATO, the Applied Vehicle Technology (AVT) Panel. He is the first Indian origin person to bag such a job.

Biography of Dr Prakash Patnaik

Dr. Prakash Patnaik of Ottawa, Canada, has been appointed to the Research & Technology Organisation (RTO) of NATO, the Applied Vehicle Technology (AVT) Panel. Dr. Patnaik is also the Chair of the Technical Committee on Mechanical Systems and Materials for the Applied Vehicle Technology panel. He will be responsible and contribute to the decision making process of all the AVT projects for the NATO-RTO. The Research and Technology Organisation is the primary NATO organisation for defence science and technology. It promotes and conducts co-operative research and information exchange, develops and maintains a long-term NATO research and technology strategy, and provides advice to all elements of NATO on research and technology issues.Dr. Patnaik is a Director at the Institute of Aerospace Research (IAR) at the National Research Council Canada is also the Chief Defence Scientist of IAR-NRC. Recently, in July 2009 he also received a Fellow award by the Canadian Academy of Engineering in a special ceremony in Calgary, Canada. Dr,. Prakash Patnaik is the highest ranking Oriya scientist in the Canadian federal government. Dr. Patnaik is first Indo-Canadian to be appointmented to the NATO-RTO.
His current responsibilities as Director of the Structures & Materials Performance Laboratory (SMPL) one of the five Laboratories of NRC Aerospace include the management of the research and development and testing evaluation of aerospace Structures, Materials/coatings for aircraft engines, spacecraft applications and Aeroaquostics & Structural Dynamics, NDE and airworthiness certification related various collaborative projects with Canadian industries and other Canadian Government Departments.
Dr. Patnaik received his bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from NIT Rourkela, India, and Masters in Engineering from IIT Kharagpur and Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering from McMaster University in Canada in 1984. After spending 2 years at NRC-NAE as NSERC Visiting Fellow, he continued with industry serving Orenda//Magellan Aerospace Corporation for 16 years. He then joined the Institute for Aerospace Research (IAR), National Research Council Canada in 2002 as Chief of Aerospace Materials. He is a fellow of the American Society for Materials International (1998), a distinguished Canada Council Lecturer in 2001 and a winner of the MacDonald Young Award in 2003 and Morris Cohen Award winner from CIM, Canada in 2005. He is very active in the professional field of Aerospace Materials representing many organizations such as ASM, TMS, NACE and ASME-IGTI. He was also the CASI Lecturer for 2008-09.
Currently he is a Canadian Panel member in Metals & Ceramics Panel (TP-1) in the TTCP Defence collaboration program in between Canada, USA, U.K, Australia and New Zealand.He has published in excess of 138 technical papers in journals & conference proceedings and 70 technical reports, edited books and conference proceedings and organized several conference sessions and symposia. He Co-Chaired the International Conference on Fracture (ICF-12) held in July 2009 in Ottawa, Canada. He holds adjunct professorships in the department of Aeronautical & Mechanical Engineering at Carleton University in Ottawa and the department of Metals & Materials Engineering in the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
His contributions to Pratt Whitney Canada an aircraft engine manufacturer have been through research and management of aerospace materials/component test developments for high temperature superalloys, titanium alloys and hot section protective coatings. Last year he received the Research Fellow 2008 award given by Pratt Whitney Canada. Recently in July 2009, he received the highest engineering academy honour in Canada by receiving the Fellow award from the Canadian Academy of Engineering in Calgary, Alberta in a Special ceremony.
Dr. Patnaik is a native of Berhampur, Ganjam in Orissa, India and lives in Ottawa, Canada with his wife Pushpa (Ellie) and three daughters Priyanka, Pallavi and Purvasha.He is the son-in-law of Sri Jitendra Nath Patnaik and Smt. Saleela Patnaik of Cuttack, Orissa. He is a very active member of the Indian community in Canada.

Source: Times of India

Prince Dance Group visited the famous Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

Met Orissa Chief Minister Mr. Naveen Patnaik

Immediately after landing in Berhampur from Mumbai after winning the India’s Got Talent (IGT) award, the Prince Dance Group leader T Krishna Mohan Reddy with all his team members, visited the famous Adi Shakti Peetha of Maa Tara Tarini to seek her divine blessing on August 24. The famous Taratarini Hill Shrine, considered as the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine) of Mata Sati, is one amongst the four major ancient Shakti centers (Adi Shakti Peetha) of India and an important prehistoric religious center which bears an uninterrupted history of 6000 years.
Paying obeisance to Maa Tara Tarini at the hill shrine, Krishna said Prince Dance Group has come to this position only for the blessing of the Adi Shakti Maa Tara Tarini and he has also given out details how he is now receiving invitations from abroad. Chairman of ‘Tara Tarini Development Board’ and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner of Southern Orissa, Shri Satyabrat Sahu, organized the Darshan and Prasad Seva at the holy shrine. All other members of the Development Board were present on the occasion. Pradip Panigrahi, MLA Gopalpur and other local leaders were also accompanied the Group.
Krishna expressed gratefulness to the State Administration, which has come as a great help to his group. He said that now they have decided to run a professional dance Academy with the support of the state Government at Berhampur.
Life of Krishna and his colleagues have changed after winning the top most award of IGT show. Now all of them are in high spirits. Telephone calls from foreign countries are pouring in.
He added, thanks to the success in India’s Got Talent Show, invitations are almost raining. After the successful debut in a national forum, Krishna Mohan Reddy on 23 August got a call from US. The organizers from US have invited the Prince Dance Group to perform Dasavatar.
On 24 August another event management group from US has also invited them to perform the typical dance. Call from Singapore came to Krishna to visit the country for performance.
Orissa Chief Minister is taking personal interest and making all arrangements to make them happy, admitted Krishna. “I have never seen an ever loving Naveen Patnaik, who gave me a foreign chocolate, which I have never tasted in life”. CM is taking all care and we are indebted to him for his kindness Krishna said. Later reaching Bhubaneswar, Prince Dance Group met the Chief Minister. Mr. Naveen Patnaik patted on their back and organized their visit to Lord Jagannath Puri. And the Chief Minister promised them all out support, said Krishna.

Prince Dance Group visits Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine for paying obeisance

More power to India’s Got Talent winner!

When it rains, it pours. When Berhampur, Orissa-based Prince Dance Group won the India’s Got Talent competition, little did they know that would find one more Prince Dance Group reason to thank their stars. After winning Rs 50 lakh and a car from the channel, a pleasant surprise lay in store for them. The Orissa government announced a cash prize of Rs 1 crore and 4 acres of land in Berhampur city for the group to build a dance academy.
Confirming the news, Krishna Mohan Reddy, the choreographer of Prince Dance Group said, “We have heard that our government has announced a prize for us. We feel honoured. I am very happy that our efforts have paid off.”
The group, which is from Behrampur Silk city, Orissa, consists of 26 members. Krishna leads the team and the rest are labourers from a construction site. It was their Krishna act which earned the group accolades from the viewers nationwide and they also became a favourite with the judges. Commenting on their future plans, Krishna added, “I am a choreographer and want to grow in this profession. With the land provided to us by the government near Berhampur I want to build a dance academy and take this art forward. I would also want to perform on an international platform.

Courtesy: MUMBAI MIRROR

Pauper Prince conquers India to become King

Prince's glory: Silk City dances with joy

Saturday, 9 pm. Residents in the Silk city sit glued in front of giant TV screens. Midnight. Palpable tension now replaces expectation. Thousands cross their fingers in silent prayers Then a voice booms."And the winner is... Prince Dance Group." When actor Rani Mukherjee made this announcement marking the culmination of TV reality show India's Got Talent an entire state waiting with bated breath erupted in joy. Not just because a dance troupe from Berhampur city of Orissa had won a hotly-contested national competition, but also because it had to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds poverty, lack of professional training and even polio, from which two of its members suffered. ..."
In Berhampur the rest was drowned in lusty cheering, wild dances and bursting crackers as the City erupted to celebrate the victory of its home-bred sensations in the reality show. The cheering and crackers were, however, the loudest at Ambapua on the outskirts of Silk city Berhampur. After all, this nondescript village was the proud home of 24 daily labourers and two physically-challenged boys, who had danced their way to grab the Rs 50 lakh award and a Maruti car.
The 24 dancers, who come from Berhampur City and different parts of Ganjam district, displayed a perfect mix of determination and talent to outperform groups from across the country including 10 in the grand finale to pocket the champions' prize. The winning act was a performance based on the theme, Dashavatar.
"We had hoped to win the competition. Now that we have achieved our mission, it is a wonderful feeling. We are very thrilled," troupe leader Krishna Mohan Reddy said over phone from Mumbai. The 26-year-old self-taught dancer-choreographer told, "The prize money has come as a boon as most of the team members are in dire need of it. Some need to build houses in their villages while others have to marry off their sisters." Krishna, a native of the Berhampur City in southern Orissa, said he planned to open a dance academy soon. "We will use part of the prize money to run our proposed institute," he added.
The Berhampur-based troupe, whose story may remind many of the rags-to-riches story of Jamal Malik from Slumdog Millionaire, has become the talking point in entire Orissa ever since its members started demonstrating their skills on the TV show. Such has been the impact of Prince's performances that even chief minister Naveen Patnaik had announced last week that he would vote for the group. "I'm delighted. Their performance has been magical and they have made Orissa proud," Naveen said soon after congratulating Krishna and his boys over telephone. The all-conquering members of Prince can expect a reception fit for a king when they arrive in Berhampur. Ganjam district cultural council headed by the revenue divisional commissioner (Southern division) Satyabrata Sahu is planning to accord a grand reception to the group members after their return home. "We will give a grand reception," Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi said.

Courtesy:The Times of India

Prince Dance Group, Berhampur wins Talent show

Yes. Berhampur’s got talent. To the utter disbelief of the people across the country, for the people of Orissa in general and the people of the Silk city in particular, the children of labour class people of Ambapua near Berhampur city have won the greatest reality show ‘India’s Got Talent’ telecast in Colors Channel.
The slum children, most of them belonging to the labourers families and some working as a daily labourers, have proved the world that even slum children could, with conviction and hard work, achieve what the rich aspires. From a little known Danda Naacha troupe, the children have excelled to perform the Dasaavatara with perfection before the well acclaimed judges, audience and millions of people across the country viewing the show live through the night of grand finale of the reality show on August 22.
Till the semi-final round of the reality show even the people of Berhampur city were not aware of such a group that could bring laurels for the city and the State. But, after the semi final round when these children belonging to the Prince Dance Group trained by Krishna Mohan Reddy had reached the final stage, good wishes started pouring in and campaigning to garner support through mobile SMS started and people from all quarters had began to cooperate. Starting from the district administration to the Chief Minister, local institutions to corporate houses, school and college students, local unions and organisations, even the physically challenged across the city had started campaigning to bag votes for Prince Dance Group through SMS. Large hoardings had been displayed, large screen displays were arranged for public view and big screen displays were arranged in several locations including Ambapua Harijan Street in the Berhampur city on the night of the grand finale of the reality show for the residents to watch the show live.
Everyone was waiting for the moment of declaration. As time passed after the performances of 11 dance groups in the reality show, the heart and breath of the people of the Silk city and the families of these children taking part in the show increased and all waited for the moment of glory and passed some anxious moments. But, prior to the declaration of the results, the views of the judges were unexpected, particularly for the audience, as the judges openly supported and wished for the success of these slum children. Oscar winner Sekhar Kapoor of the Slum Dog Millionaire fame had then stated: ‘I have never seen such a performance till date. Song, dance, choreography, and coordination everything was excellent. I don’t find proper words to express. I don’t understand who trained you people, where you had practised…" Kiran Kher, another judge of the show, also openly wished for the Prince Dance Group, appealing the people to vote for this group through SMS. Sonali Bindre was also excited enough to wish for this group stating their performance as ‘excellent’.
The announcers of the show then declared the three groups including the Prince Dance Group that remained in the final stage. The people of Berhampur city, particularly the mothers of the children who were taking part in the show, were breathless and eagerly waiting for the moment as they had wished through these days by lighting the Akhand Deep at the Kali temple of the village. They even did not have dinner, stated Sarada, mother of Munna Das, adding "we never thought that our children would one day reach at such a stage to make Orissa and Berhampur proud in the country". When Rani Mukherjee declared ‘And the winner is Prince Dance Group’, everyone in Berhampur city and the people of Ambapua particularly started celebrating. The joy of mothers of these children was unexplainable as they had also started to dance like the little ones.
Local MP Siddhant Mohapatra who was present at the show said that these children were not slum dogs but ‘princes of slums’. Even Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated these children over phone in the night of the grand finale of the reality show on August 22.
Krishna, the master of Prince Dance Group, while speaking to The Pioneer over phone from Mumbai, said he was feeling great as he could bring laurels for the city and the children of labourers could do something for the State. They thank all the people of the State as the people cutting across age, caste, religion and region had voted in favour their dance group. They would continue to dance and would try to place Berhampur City (Silk City) in the world map by performing at international events, added Krishna.

Orissa rooting for Prince Dance Group of Berhampur

(Watch Bharat Mata in Action - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqmBZBK5yxk)

Long before the films Lagaan and Slum Dog Millionaire went on to the world stage to win accolades for India, some labourers and their children had formed a dance group at the Harijan Street of Ambapua, on the outskirts of Berhampur. None had expected this group with two polio stricken participants would enthrall audiences throughout the country. Now, the Prince Dance Group is in the final stages and their fate would be decided on August 22 through SMS voting. Good wishes are pouring in from all quarters. Students, corporate houses, political parties, local NGOs and even the district administration and even the state Chief Minister have started campaigning and canvassing for the group through advertisements, bill boards, public rallies and SMS requests. ‘Please SMS PD to 56882’, requested a local college girl to passerby while campaigning in front of the college in Berhampur. (Dharitri has more on this story: http://www.dharitri.com/210809/story7.asp)

All eyes are now on the little known Prince Dance Group which has become a household name across the country. All are waiting with baited breath for August 22 when the results would be declared and the fate of these slum dogs decided — whether they could go into the hall of fame.

The Souther Division district officials and some corporate houses are leaving no stone unturned and are aggressively working to mobilize support for the dance group. Revenue Divisional Commission (southern division) Satyabrata Sahu has on Tuesday asked government officials to arrange for big hoardings to be installed at strategic places of the city and district, appealing the people to vote for the group. "This is a matter of pride for Orissa in general and Berhampur in particular. We will give them all the encouragement we can," Sahu said. Two big screens are going to be installed at Berhampur stadium and Khallikote college stadium, so that the people here can watch the live telecast at 9 pm on Saturday. BSNL has agreed to facilitate viewing of the programme, a senior government officer said.
Photo Sources: OrissaTV, Orissabarta.com
Other Sources: Times of India, The Pioneer

Wishes pour in for Prince Dance Group of Berhampur

To support the Prince Group send SMS ‘PD’ to ‘56882’. I would urge all of you to support the PRINCE DANCE GROUP comprising a group of people who have overcome all barriers, difficulties and challenges of life to capture the imagination of a nation.

The silk city is basking in glory. To see the Prince Dance Group of the city scrapping thorough the final, the entire town has started making wishes and prayers in temples and houses. It could be `Slumdog Millionaire’ of Orissa. PRINCE Dance Group’s rise from the non-descript alleys of Berhampur to the finals of `India’s Got Talent’ would be no less than meteoric if the band of daily wage earners hits the jackpot. Two of its members are suffering from polio. Most of the others hail from humble backgrounds and have worked as labourers in farms and construction sites to earn their livelihood. But when they dance, even the best in the business might not be able to match their steps. The Prince Dance Group, a Berhampur-based team of artistes, who have through self-imposed discipline and devotion to dance achieved what most others could only desire. The Group's story, reminiscent as it is of Slumdog Millionaire, has caught the fancy of the people in Orissa and even outside. Such was the Group's performance that even the judges on the show, Shekhar Kapoor, Kiran Kher and Sonali Bendre, appeared highly ecstatic and emotional. "It's a world beating act. I have travelled the world, but today, I can proudly say I am an Indian. Neither resource, nor profession, but only heart and talent can accomplish this," said Kapoor, after the artistes danced to the "Sare Jahan Se Acha" tune. Among the many who have been greatly impressed was chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who went to the extent of issuing a press release announcing his decision to help the Prince Dance Group win the competition by personally voting through SMS. "There story is incredible. I was amazed on seeing them perform. Everyone should vote for the Group," Naveen said.

At a review meeting attended by the 10 collectors of south Orissa in Berhampur on Monday, the revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division, Satyabrata Sahu asked the Collectors to initiate measures so that this troupe from south Orissa got more SMSes in its favour. He also distributed CDs with the performances of the dance troupe in the reality show of the private entertainment channel. The Berhampur Municipal Corporation and the Berhampur Development Authority have also geared up to mobilise support. Not to be left out the BJP activists took out a rally in the city on Wednesday urging people to send SMS in favour of the troupe. The Berhampur hoteliers’ association and choreographers association are also into this publicity drive. Support for Prince Dance Troupe from Berhampur seem to have been catching up in other southern districts like Koraput, Phulbani and Rayagada. Many people in these district have launched a drive to popularise the troupe of daily wage labourers who have made it to the semi-finals of the national dance competition. In a special drive that was launched at Koraput under the leadership of Bidyadhar Choudhury, a local journalist on Wednesday, requests were made to send SMS in favour of the dance group before August 21. Bhavani Shankar Mishra, a retired Air Force employee from Koraput, while joining the campaign recalled the heart-touching moment when the troupe had danced on the tune of ‘Saare Jahanse Achha’ in the semi-final round of the talent show.

Sources: Orissatv, Orissasambad, Orissabarta, The Hindu, Newindpress, Times of India

Berhampur Dance group entered the finals of ‘India's got talents' programme on Colours channel

Orissa CM assures vote for Prince Dance group

(You tube Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqmBZBK5yxk)

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has promised to vote the ‘Prince Dance Group’ of Berhampur, who enthralled the whole country with their performance in the ‘India has got talent’ show on ‘Colours’ channel. The Prince Dance Group has entered the finals, presenting sizzling dances. The Chief Minister called up and congratulated Krishana, who is in Mumbai and wished him luck for the finals. "Sir, give us your blessings and vote for us through SMS on 56882-PD. The line is open from 10 pm on August 16 to August 22 midnight," Krishana Reddy urged Naveen Patnaik. The Chief Minister said he has seen the group's dance and it has given him immense pleasure.

It may be mentioned here that labour class people of Berhampur City have formed the group consisting 24 artists, two of whom are polio patients. The troupe uses western dance steps to depict stories and ethos of patriotism, Indian culture and myths They were selected out of 45,000 contestants in the country.

Performing Arts Institute coming up near Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: An institute of Performing Arts will be opened near Berhampur. The Orissa Chief Minister Shri Naveen Pattnaik has directed the Department of Culture to take initiative for opening of the institute.
As per a release from the Chief Minister’s office on August 16, the State government will provide 4 acres of land near the Silk City for the purpose. For initial cost, the State government has earmarked Rs. 1 crore. This institute will promote dance, acting and folk art forms.

Berhampur in news during the Freedom struggle of India

• 1921: March'30th & 31st- Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi visited Berhampur and addressed a gathering for Non-cooperation movement at Barracks ground.
• 1927: 2nd time Bapuji visited Berhampur and other towns of Ganjam like Aska, Bhanjanagar, Kodala, Kabisuryanagar, Polasara, Khallikote and Rambha.
• 1930: Udagye mandir formed at Berhampur by freedom fighters under the supervision of Banchhanidhi Patnaik & Ramalingam Sarala Devi. Freedom fighters Sashi Bhusan Rath, Iswar Sahu, Harihara Patnaik, Banamali Maharara were arrested.
• 1930: Salt Non-Co-operation movement at Humma and Ganjam.
  Smt. Sarala Devi, Niranjan Patnaik, Debakar Patnaik, Radhakrishna Biswasray were arrested by British Govt.
• 1931: First round Table conference at Londan, Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati of Parala represented.
• 1935: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited Berhampur to address for freedom Movement. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose also visited Berhampur during that time.
• 1943: March'29th- The Tribal leader of South Orissa and Great Freedom fighter Saheed Laxman Nayak was hanged at Berhampur Circle Jail.
• 1946: January’20th - Gandhiji for the last time visited Berhampur and addressed people at historic Barracks ground.

Demand for South Orissa Development Board gains momentum

BERHAMPUR: The demand for formation of an autonomous Southern Orissa Development Board has gained momentum on the sidelines of Vikash Kranti Sammilani held at Berhampur. The Dakshin Odisha Bikash Parishad convened a special meeting called Vikash Kranti Sammilani at Ganjam Kala Parishad in which several eminent people, including its president Dayanidhi Sahu, Basant Kumar Panigrahi of the Utkal Sammilani, Prahallad Panda, Ghanasyam Mishra, KM Pathi, Anup Das and members of the council were present.Panda spoke about the significant role of southern Orissa in the freedom movement and lamented the neglected condition of the region. Anup Das pointed out the grim picture of poverty and backwardness of the region reported in the Human Development index of the United Nations. It was generally accepted that lack of food security, development of education, poor infrastructure, absence of basic health services, low agricultural production, industrial growth, irrigation etc are responsible for the endemic backwardness of the region. The speakers lamented that though the Government has formed the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC), the demand for a similar body for southern Orissa is ignored. It was felt that in such a situation, a relentless organised struggle is required.

In the meeting, KM Pathi presented papers emphasising on 10 points. The points are: Formation of Southern Orissa Development Council as per the provision under Article 371, decentralisation of power under constitutional amendment in Article 268 to 280, formation of a River Valley Development Authority Board to make proper use of water for power generation, irrigation, fish production, drinking water supply etc, formation of a separate grid to augment power generation in various projects like Machakund, Balimel, Indrabati etc, establishment of project for nuclear power generation, rail link from Gopalpur Port to other industrial belts, rail and road link among NH 5, 217, 43, formation of industrial corridor covering the mines areas starting from Gopalpur to Rourkela, establishment of at least one industrial or economic zone in each southern districts, formation of Gopalpur Port Hinterland Development Authority and steel plant in Nabarangpur, Central Tribal University, super specialist medical college, formation of Marine Development Authority and marine tourism corridor covering areas from Chilka Lake to Golabandh and from Sorala to Sumandi in Ganjam along the coast.
Source: The Pioneer

Explore Berhampur: Minchin’s Sugar Town of Aska

RP Tripathy

Aska by the side of River Rushikulya (at a distance of 30 kms from Berhampur) is famous in the history of the world for its sugar industry which is considered Asia's 1st Sugar Factory. When the world was experiencing the infant stage of the sugar production and industrial revolution in Europe was catching up, Aska was fortunate to have a sugar industry in the first half of the 19th century and thus made its presence felt across Asia. Throughout the 19th century, there was no industry in Orissa except the famous sugar factory at Aska near Berhampur. This factory was the first great sugar industry in India and Asia. This sugar factory was founded by the British with some local entrepreneurs probably in 1841. Frederick Vivian Minchin joined in 1852 as a member of the Board of Directors and later on purchased it.
Minchin had devoted his energy, attention and wealth to the sugar factory and enriched, perfected it day by day. It was astonishing and crowning glory of Mr. Minchin and Aska sugar factory that Minchin got the silver medal by displaying the Aska Sugar in the International Sugar exhibition in Paris in 1878. The sugar produced in Aska was being sold in the Hyderabad State, Madras and in the South Indian territories. Even today in Many Parts of India especially in Tamilnadu, People call "ASKA" for the name "Sugar" Minchin also exported sugar to Burma, Malay, Java, Borneo, Sumatra and Cambodia from the Gopalpur Port in sea-route where Minchin had set up a huge “Godown”. The Minchins made Gopalpur their home. Minchin is regarded as the “Father of Aska Sugar” in history. A very small village near Rambha is named after Mr Minchin as “Minchin Patna”. This small village bears the eloquent testimony of the greatness of Mr Minchin and his sugar town. The new Aska sugar factory was inaugurated by Shri Biju Patnaik, the then Chairman of Orissa Planning Commission in 1963.

(Thanks to Shri Ajaya Sahu for the relevant information)
Source: History of Modern Orissa, Kalingatimes, Askasugar

Berhampur University ties-up with US university

BERHAMPUR: In a major leap, Berhampur University, one of the major universities of Orissa, has tied up with Riverside University of California for collaboration in research and faculty development. The agreement has been signed for five years initially, and can be extended later. Berhampur University’s Vice-Chancellor B.K. Sahu said the agreement will allow students and faculty members from both institutions to go to the other for study and research. The MBA department will avail of the benefit initially, he added. Both the universities will hold joint academic events such as seminars and later it will be expanded to collaborative academic research and exchange of scientific information. Riverside University Vice-Chancellor Raj Singh called the agreement a “win-win” situation for both universities. “It will also help the business students from the USA as more number of companies are setting shop here. Initially we will start with exchange program which will be expanded later,” he said, adding the university was also looking for tie-ups with other Indian universities like Allahabad Agricultural University.

Source: Odishatoday

Explore Berhampur: Chilika lake at Rambha

Rambha is situated at the southern end of the Chilika lagoon at a distance of 40 kms from Berhampur on the National Highway Number 5. Chilika is the largest brackish water lagoon in India and supports a wide assemblage of marine, brackish and freshwater flora and fauna. The beauty of the lagoon has inspired poets and thinkers across the globe and over the years it has become an integral part of culture of Orissa. It was one of the outlets maritime trade through which the traders of Orissa used to sail for South-east Asian countries like Java, Sumatra and Bali. The lagoon supports the largest congregations of the migratory and non migratory birds in the country, particularly during the winter.

Rambha is one amongst the most attractive tourist destination for Chilika which is apparently having a calm and quite environment and surroundings. Rambha once was a princely estate of Khalikote and the king has a palace over there. Adjacent to the King’s palace, Tourism Department of the Government of Orissa has a rest house. Rambha bay is dotted with a number of Islands and because of its enchanting beauty it happend to be the picnic ground of Britishers. There are number of inviting islands popping out of vast stretch of blue water near Rambha, like the Becon Island, Breakfast Island and Birds Island etc. It is an excellent site for Island trip as each island has got some uniqueness. There is a Panthaniwas at Rambha run by OTDC.

Ganjam selected for village development project

BERHAMPUR: The Centre has selected Ganjam district for implementation of Basic Statistics for Local Level Development (BSLLD) on a pilot basis. Under the project, basic data of all villages would be collected and documented. The programme of BSLLD is being implemented on the recommendations of National Statistical Commission (NSC). The NSC, under the chairmanship of C Rangarajan, had recommended to develop a system of regular collection of data on a set of core variables to be complied at local level for micro-planning. This has necessitated the availability of data and information on vital indicators at the local level, said Bhagabata Sethi, director (statistics). The basic data on the socio-economic condition of the village, demography and other infrastructure availability would be completed in a month. "We have selected Ganjam for implementing the project as the district has 475 panchayats, the highest number in the state," said Sethi.
Source: Times of India, MapsofIndia

Artisans waiting for an Urban Haat at Berhampur

RP Tripathy

In the absence of state support and lack of market linkage for the textile and handicraft products, the artisans of South Orissa are leading a miserable life and most of the ancient craft and textile products produced in the region are dying with time. Though of late, the State government has taken some measures by opening Ekamra Haat at Bhubaneswar and Konark Haat at Konark for promoting craft and textile products perfected by artisans and weavers, similar initiatives for promoting the famous handicraft and textile products of South Orissa is needed through the establishment of an Urban Haat at Berhampur to give livelihood support to the artisans and to attract more tourists to the region.

Horn work of Paralakhemundi, silk products of Berhampur, brass work and wood craft of Belaguntha, metal craft of Nabarangpur and various tribal art forms of the region are loosing importance because of absence of state support and market. Berhampur being the commercial hub of South Orissa, an Urban Haat here will certainly boost this ailing sector by exposing it to a strong market.

Source: IDCO

NH 217 bypass project near Berhmapur in limbo

BERHAMPUR: The 21 km stretch of NH 217 which passes through Berhampur city has made the city roads congested with high vehicular traffic and pollution. Accidents have become regular on this stretch. NH 217 (438 kms) which connects the Gopalpur port with Chhatisgarh passes through Ganjam, Kandhamal and Kalahandi districts besides the silk city and is fast turning out to be the life line of the mineral rich hinterland of Orissa and Chhattisgarh and the volume of traffic is only likely to grow as Gopalpur Port becomes an all weather port in 2010. (For more on this story: http://www.dharitri.com/010809/story3.asp)
Sensing the pitiable state of city roads and its chaotic traffic conditions the National Highway authority in the past has widened the stretch of NH-217 passing through the city and has also sanctioned the survey of a bypass for the road passing through Berhampur. Almost three years have passed since then, but the bypass project is yet to take shape. In the mean time the project cost for the bypass has gone past Rs 40 crores with the Highway Authorities yet to take a final call on the project. Three alternative routes have been suggested for the bypass in the survey done by an Australian consultancy in association with a local firm. The bypass project has been a long standing issue which is likely to work as a ring road for Berhampur city and end the traffic problems, besides reducing the distance between Berhampur and Hinjili which is considered as an extended urban center of greater Berhampur region.

Source: Dharitri, The Hindu