Gopalpur beach festival beckons: The Telegraph

BERHAMPUR: Preparations are on in full swing for the Gopalpur beach festival that will commence on December 24, at the serene beach resort near Berhampur city. The five-day festival of music and dance is being organised by the Ganjam District Hotel Association in collaboration with the Song and Drama Division, the Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), the state culture and tourism department, the Ganjam district administration and the district council of culture. “Singers from both Bollywood and the Oriya film industry have been roped in to entertain the crowd. We expect a large number of tourists from the country and abroad this year,” said Uma Shankar Panigrahy, president Ganjam District Hotel Association and the convenor of the festival. “We have given priority to folk art forms and cultural troupes from across the country who will take part in this beach festival,” said V. Santosh Kumar, co-convenor of the festival. Jodi Sankha (blowing of twin conch shells), Odissi and Sambalpuri dance, Danda Chadheya folk dance, Gotipua, Gond dance of Nabarangpur, Dongria Kondh dance from Rayagada, Ghumra of Kalahandi, animal mask dance, Chinese folk dance and so on will be features of this five-day festival. Artistes from various states will also perform. Visitors to the beach festival can also look forward to fusion dance Sankha Cheel by a troupe from Calcutta, Sidigamma dance from Gujarat, Debojit Saha and troupe from Mumbai, and Kuchipudi by Laxman Kumar from Andhra Pradesh. Renowned singer from the Oriya film industry Sakti Mishra and Rex De’Souza from the Mumbai film industry will also be performing. Berhampur’s Prince Dance Group, which was the winner in the India’s Got Talent show on Colors TV, will perform on the last day of the festival, according to the organisers. 

The state tourism department has included the five-day Gopalpur beach festival in the tourism calendar. “This will help us better market the event outside the state,” said an organiser. The first Gopalpur beach festival was started in the year 1996 to promote tourism and culture. The concept of the festival was conceived by V. Santosh Kumar. “The beach festival was discontinued for three consecutive years — 1999-2001 — and again in 2005, 2006 and 2007 due to various reasons,” Kumar said. He added that the total budget estimate of the festival is Rs 20 lakh. “The festival has several sponsors: corporate houses and public undertakings including Tata Steel, Gopalpur Port Limited, IRE Limited and many others. We have decided not to collect a single paise from the public to organise the festival, but we always welcome any voluntary contributions.” One hundred stalls are being prepared at the festival sites that have been booked by the corporate, government agencies and private concerns. “Special provision has been made for parking during the festival. The public can proceed up to Gopalpur Bus Stand with their vehicles where we have arranged for seven parking spots. We expect inflow of about 50,000 on each day and about a lakh on Sunday to Gopalpur. Arrangements have been made accordingly,” Kumar said. Artistes will be staying at the Youth Hostel of Gopalpur. “We will also accommodate many artistes in Berhampur. The total number of artistes is expected between 1,500 and 2,000,” he said.

Source: The Telegraph

Berhampur based RGB launches CBS operations

BERHAMPUR: The Rushikulya Gramya Bank (RGB), one of the five Regional Rural Banks (RRB) in Orissa, has initiated the process of adopting Core Banking Solution (CBS) in all its branches. The bank today introduced CBS in one of its branches at Berhampur and has set a target to bring its other 80 branches and proposed new branches to the CBS fold by the end of March next year. The Central government has fixed the deadline for all RRBs across the state to be CBS compliant before September next year.  The RGB is operating in two south Orissa districts, Ganjam and Gajapati, with a network of 71 and 10 branches respectively. The bank proposed to open three more new branches before the end of this financial year at Randha, Ganjam town and Nilakanthanagar in Berhampur. Launching the CBS operation, the bank’s chairman PVSTR Seshagiri Rao said, Andhra Bank has provided all technical support in this regard. Hyderabad based Andhra bank is the sponsoring bank of RGB. With the introduction of CBS, the customers of this rural bank can transact their business from any where and at any branch of the bank like its counterpart commercial banks. The business volume of the bank is expected to grow with introduction of this modern technology, he hoped. The bank has achieved business of around Rs 1260-crore (Rs 898-crore deposits and Rs 362-crore advances) so far as against target of Rs 1520-crore (Rs 950-crore deposits and Rs 570-crore advances) by the end of March, 2011.  

Source: Business Standard

BMC outsourcing garbage collection to pvt parties

BERHAMPUR: Berhampur Municipal Corporation is considering handing over sanitation of more wards to private parties.“We have stopped recruiting new sweepers. With the population of Berhampur growing alarmingly and the number of wards and vehicles to transport garbage increasing, privatisation of sanitation is the only option,” said city health officer Subhakanta Das, adding that out of the 37 wards, sanitation in 13 wards has been privatised and more were on the pipeline. BMC was presently managing 450km road and 450-km drain of the corporation. Sanitation was privatised in ward numbers 10, 13, 14, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 and 32. Sanitation in another two to three wards would be privatised within two months, he said. “Privatisation has yielded good result and we are initiating steps to privatise sanitation in all wards in phases,” he said. Hadu Patra, corporator of ward number 28 of BMC, is happy with the privatisation of sanitation in his ward. “BMC is providing Rs 1.60 lakh per month to the private contractor taking care of sanitation in my ward. The staff employed by the contractor collect garbage from every house each day, even on holidays, which we can’t expect from the sanitation staff of BMC. The roads, drains and the scavenger lanes are being cleaned everyday and the public is free to complain to the higher authorities,” said the corporator. BMC has 759 sweepers and drain cleaners including 371 regular and 388 casual staff. Considering the national average which states that two sweepers are needed to clean and maintain half-a-km of road and drain, we require a total of 1,800 sweepers in Berhampur. But we are now managing the task with only 759 of them. We have vehicles to transport garbage, said the health officer. Privatisation of sanitation has helped us to deploy sweepers and drain cleaners in only 24 wards which resulted in reducing our burden, he added. BMC has deployed sanitation staff in various wards considering the density of population and the quantity of garbage the area generates. “In ward number 12, the number of sanitation staff is 37 while seven are managing the responsibility in ward number 37,” Das said. “We are dumping the garbage at Chandini Hills near Sukunda Math spread over an area of 20-acres 10-km from the BMC office and strictly instructed the drivers of these vehicles to make two trips during the morning and one trip in the evening on every working days”, said the Health Officer. The BMC has initiated steps to establish a garbage disposal plant at Chandini Hills under PPP mode. “We have already built the boundary wall and the gate. Electrification is under progress and the garbage disposal plant with a capacity of 400 MT may come up with in 2 to 3 years”, said Das.

Source: The Telegraph

Olive Ridley turtles arrive at Rushikulya rookery near Berhampur

Project Smile India

• Rushikulya is one of the biggest mating grounds of Olive Ridleys in the world
• Measures have been initiated to protect these mating Olive Ridleys
• At present small number of mating pairs are visible which is expected to increase
• Fishing has been banned in the area where these turtles are congregating

BERHAMPUR: Rare and endangered Olive Ridley turtles have started to arrive for mating near Rushikulya rookery (about 30km from Berhampur and 30km from the famous Tara Tarini hill Shrine) in Ganjam district is considered as one of the biggest mating grounds of Olive Ridleys in the world. According to officials of the forest department they are now gathering up at a distance of seven kilometres from the coast line. At present small number of mating pairs are visible. But a large number of turtles can be seen. Mating of Olive Ridleys picks up in this area in the last week of December and January. This year these endangered marine turtles have arrived in time.

The Olive Ridleys usually start their mating in the sea near their preferred nesting coast. According to experts these rare turtles have a single mating season in a year. After the end of the mating season most male turtles usually return back leaving behind the female turtles to lay their eggs. The nesting of Olive Ridleys starts from the end of January in sporadic manner which picks up in February.

Measures have been initiated to protect these mating Olive Ridleys in the sea. Fishing has been banned in the area where these turtles are congregating. This involves the stretch of sea up to a distance of ten kilometres from the coast line of Rushikulya rookery. Extension of fishing ban area extends to ten kilometres towards the north and ten kilometres towards south of the rookery.

Illegal entry of fishing trawlers to this region is being checked through regular patrolling at sea said Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer. A team of forest officials is also monitoring the Rushikulya rookery coast line where the turtles would lay eggs after two months. They are also documenting the carcasses of turtles found on this coast to assess the number and cause of deaths of Olive Ridleys out here. DFO said this year deposition was quite good at Rushikulya river coast, which means the turtles would have a good stretch of beach to lay their eggs.

Source: The Hindu, Photo source: Project Smile India & Flickr

New and extended trains that pass through Berhampur City

Haldia-Chennai (new weekly superfast), Paralakhemundi-Puri (Earlier Palasa-Puri) and Bhubaneswar-Jagdalpur (Earlier Bhubaneswar-Koraput) trains pass through Berhampur city
BERHAMPUR: As announced in the last Railway Budget the 2755 Chennai-Haldia weekly Super Fast Express has started operation from December 9 from Chennai. The train will leave Chennai at 2.35p.m every Thursday and will arrive at Howrah at 06.10p.m on Friday. In the return direction, 2756 Haldia-Chennai weekly Super Fast Express will leave Haldia at 11.30 am every Saturday and will arrive at Chennai at 5 pm on Sunday. This train has one AC-2 tier, five Sleeper Class, six General Second Class and two guard cum luggage vans having stoppages at Ongole, Vijaywada, Rajahmundry, Vizianagaram, Berhampur, Khurda Road, Cuttack, Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, Kharagpur, Panskura and Tamluk between Chennai Central & Haldia.

Similarly, Ministry of Railways has decided to extend the services of Bhubaneswar-Berhampur-Koraput Hirakhand Express upto Jagadalpur and Puri- Berhampur-Palasa passenger to Parlakhemundi w.e.f. 18th December 2010 in East Coast Railway jurisdiction. 217 Puri-Palasa passenger which is leaving Puri at 07.50a.m and arriving Palasa at 03.25p.m will leave Palasa at 04.30p.m and will arrive at Paralakhemundi at 06.45p.m in the extended portion. In the return direction, 218 Paralakhemundi-Puri Passenger will leave Paralakhemundi at 07.45a.m and will arrive at Puri at 09.05p.m. This train will stop at Pundi, Rauthpuram, Naupada, Tekkali, Pedasana, Temburu, Ganguvada, and Pathapatnam between Palasa and Paralakhemundi. The timings of 217/218 Puri-Paralakhemundi-Puri passenger will remain unchanged between Puri & Palasa. The train will run as a special train on the flagging off day of the extended portion and the regular run will be from Puri w.e.f 19th December and from Paralakhemundi w.e.f 20th Dec’2010. 8447 Bhubaneswar-Berhampur-Koraput Hirakhand Express, which is leaving Bhubaneswar at 07.35p.m and arriving Koraput at 09.45a.m on the next day, will leave Koraput at 10.05a.m and will arrive at Jagadalpur at 12.40p.m in the extended portion. In the return direction, 8448 Jagadalpur-Berhampur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express will leave Jagadalpur at 03.30p.m and will arrive at Bhubaneswar at 08.25a.m on the next day. This train will stop at Jeypore and Jagadalpur in the extended portion. The timings of 8447/8448 Bhubaneswar-Jagadalpur-Bhubaneswar Hirakhand Express will remain unchanged between Bhubaneswar and Koraput. The train will run as a special train on the day of flagging off of the extended portion and the regular run will be from Bhubaneswar on 18th December and from Jagadalpur from 19th Dec’2010.

Berhampur University gets its campus radio

BERHAMPUR: The department of journalism and mass communication has started the campus radio in Berhampur University. Vice-chancellor Jayanta Kumar Mohapatra officially inaugurated “Bhanjabani”. The vice-chancellor appreciated the efforts on part of the staff and students in this and also highlighted the decisive role of campus radio as to how it promotes one to be an effective communicator. He further encouraged the students to take part and gain much out of this opportunity. Third semester student Sulachana Nayak was the anchor of the day. Rajeev Lochan Rathan and Sangram Kesari Das Mohapatra, being at the desk, furnished news collected by the students. Mohapatra has also announced to set up a multimedia lab for the department by March 2011. Laxmi Narayana Rout, chairman of the post graduate council, encouraged the students to avail of the opportunity. Sunil Kant Behera, J.S. Giri Rao, Pradeep Mohapatra, Jaganmohan Mohapatra and Sanat Panda guided the students in running the campus radio.

Source: The Telegraph

Co-operative University proposed at Gopalpur near Berhampur city

New building for Berhampur Municipal Corporation office

Following story by Sunil Patnaik from The Telegraph            

BERHAMPUR: Berhampur Municipal Corporation, which was declared the first municipality of Orissa 143 years ago, has initiated steps to construct a new building to accommodate various departments including administrative, engineering, planning, revenue, health and community welfare. “The building would be built at a cost of Rs 15 crore. Berhampur was declared as the first municipality of Orissa in 1867 and two blocks for housing the office of the mayor and commissioner, besides the office of the nizarat, were built by the British rulers then,”said mayor Siba Shankar Dash. “These two blocks would be untouched and kept as heritage structures. The present building, housing the PWD and the health department built half-a-century ago along with the mini park would be razed and we would build an attractive structure there,”he added. The architect of the proposed building, Prabir Kumar Dash, said it would be a five-storey structure with stilts and basement with parking facilities for two-wheelers and light four-wheelers. “The construction of the new building would start from January end. The green building technology to build the structure would be the only of its kind in south Orissa,” he said. The five-storey building would come up over an area of 18,200 square feet to accommodate 20 VIP rooms, more than 80 general rooms, two small conference halls of 720 sq ft each and one large conference hall of 5,100 sq ft. “We will also implement solar energy techniques. The solar cell panels would be embedded above the roof slab of the central conference hall on the fifth floor, said Dash. However, the corporation vehicles would be parked outside the campus.

Source: The Telegraph

Flying Training Institute at Berhampur takes off

Excerpts from a report by Sunil Patnaik in The Telegraph

BERHAMPUR: After Bhubaneswar, Oissa’s second flying club started functioning from the Rangeilunda airstrip near Berhampur city last week. The club accommodates 100 plus pilot trainees of the Government Aviation Training Institute (Gati), Bhubaneswar. “As the Bhubaneswar airport runway suffers from traffic congestion most of the time, the civil aviation ministry was in search of a suitable substitute and considered Rangeilunda airstrip as the best,” Capt. M.S. Mander, flight instructor in-charge of Gati, said in an exclusive interview to The Telegraph. “We have at present 100 plus trainee pilots at Gati, Bhubaneswar, and we impart aviation training for one-and-half to two years. We mainly provide training on two courses — Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Private Pilot Licence (PPL). We are now doing six-day camp here and would again go back to Bhubaneswar,” Capt. Mander said. According to this provision, if one has 200-hours of flying experience, he or she is eligible to pilot a commercial plane and it is 50 hours for a private plane. Gati had five training planes including two Cessna-172 (four seater), two Cessna-152 (two seater) and one twin engine Pipper Seneca (six seater), Capt. Mander said. Indian economy is booming and aviation sector has greater prospects. “As corporate airlines are purchasing lots of aircraft and 34 airfields are coming up in the entire country, the future of Gopalpur and the trainee pilots is very bright. There is good connectivity between small airfields and more people are travelling in plane for business purposes,” said Capt. Mander.

However, Capt. Mander stressed on the need to improve the Rangeilunda airstrip. “We have urged the district administration to extend the present runway of the Rangeilunda airstrip so that regional aircraft can come. If that could be done, Gopalpur could bet air connectivity with Calcutta, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad and other important places. This would help Gopalpur to attract more tourists,” Capt. Mander said. Capt. Mander had surveyed the Rangeilunda airstrip along with Wing Commander Pradeep Chakraborty and Gopalpur MLA Pradip Panigrahi on October 12. A senior pilot of the ministry of civil aviation also visited the Rangeilunda airstrip a few months ago and asked the works engineer to develop it as a visual flight rule (VFR) airstrip and to provide at least two rooms to conduct the pilot training institute. Rangeilunda airstrip is situated on 40-acres and is under the control of the public works department. “Though the runway of the airstrip is used only 8-10 times in a year, we are maintaining it regularly. The length of the present runway is 750-meter and it is ready now for the flying training institute,” said P. K. Das, executive engineer, PWD. Rangeilunda is located at a distance of around 5km from Berhampur and is adjacent to Berhampur University. The Britishers built the Rangeilunda airstrip during the Second World War.According to sources, the defence establishments at nearby Golabandha, chief minister, VVIPs and corporate executives use the runway very often to reach Berhampur and other places in southern Orissa.

Berhampur University authority had provided four quarters in the Teachers’ Colony to the PWD on rent after the civil aviation ministry had sought four residential quarters and an office building for the Flying Training Institute. “We agreed to provide the quarters on rent as per provision,” said Prof. Jayant Mahapatra, vice-chancellor, Berhampur University. “The Aviation Training Centre, Bhubaneswar, also requested us alert students of the six boys’ hostels (including Rushikulya Hostel, Bansadhara Hostel, Nagabali Hostel and Jogendra Hostel) who usually use the airstrip as a thoroughfare. Though we have our separate approach road from the hostel to the PG departments, I have already communicated the message to the hostel inmates and all have agreed not to use the runway when the flying training institute begins to function,” the VC said. But the runway is yet to be free from trespassers. Onlookers gather there to catch a view of an aircraft landing or taking off. “The obstruction on the runway must be tackled immediately,” said Capt. Mander. R.D. Kabilan from Chennai, who is a trainee pilot, is happy with the course and Gati. “We have one chief flying instructor Capt. M.S. Mander and four other Instructors including Capt. Sandip Pradhan, Capt. Sandip Hati, Capt. Sukhnaib Singh and Capt. Ashok Kumar Sanday,” he said. “Though I am far away from home, the hospitality of the people of Orissa have impressed me,” he said. Kabilian along with five other trainee pilots are presently staying at the Inspection Bungalow at Gopalpur.

Source: The Telegraph

Four new police stations announced for Berhampur city

The State Government has decided to open four new police stations for Berhampur city. This was informed by the state government in reply to an Unstarred Question of Berhampur lawmaker RCC Patniak. People of the City have welcomed the proposal for new police stations that includes one traffic police station as well which had become inevitable owing to bad traffic condition on city roads in recent times. While a new police station at Ambapua and a Traffic police station are going to start soon, police stations at Nimakhandi and Lanjipali are under active consideration of the state government. These new police stations which will come up in places under the limits of Berhampur Municipal Corporation have become necessary on account of faster rate of urbanization on the city outskirts. But, Police Commissionairate system for Greater Berhampur is yet to be accepted by the state government, demand for which is being made by the people after the city became a Municipal Corporation few years ago. 

SAI International School to open Berhampur campus

BERHAMPUR: The SAI International School, which was inaugurated in 2008 in Bhubaneswar, has plan of setting up three more schools at Berhampur, Rourkela and Balasore cities of Odisha. This was informed by Chairman of the school Bijay Kumar Sahu at a Press conference recently. “We are opening three more schools. As soon as we get lands, we will start setting up the new Schools,” Sahu said. He said his school imparts education for all-round development - mental, physical, moral- of children. Besides, the school caters to the need of extra classes for weak students and coaching for competitive examinations for diverse streams, he added. Sahu said his school adopts a method of one teacher for each 30 students. The school has won the award as the best green school for commendable resource management using alternative energy and promoting consciousness among students about energy saving.

Source: The Pioneer

Harihar Dash of Berhampur features in the new Airtel ad

Click here to watch the ad featuring Harihar in You Tube

Following is an excerpt from an Indian Express story on this ad

Dancing from Orissa town to Prague

Things are moving fast for Harihar Dash, and they are taking him places. The 24-year-old dancer from Berhampur, a commercial town in coastal Orissa, thought he had had his most famous moment when he made it as a finalist in Colors channel’s India’s Got Talent- Khoj 2. But more was in store: he is now the face of Airtel’s latest ad, which is shot in Prague and expected to go on air on Monday.

The journey from Berhampur to Prague has been nothing short of an adventure, he says. “It all happened in such a rush, right from arranging a passport or getting a visa or the dance preparation, it was so sudden. The only thing I could say when I got to know (about selection) was ‘Wow! it’s just so unbelievable’,” says Harihar, a B Tech in electronics and communication.

For a moment, it seemed that he won’t be able to make the trip in a fortnight’s time. He had to reach Delhi for his visa but missed the flight from Bhubaneswar. Tickets for a flight via Kolkata were arranged. He was caught in traffic on way to airport and barely made it.

“It was truly an adventure but worth the effort. Harihar is fantastic,” says Rohit Ohri, managing partner at JWT, marketing communications brand working with Airtel for the ad. Agrees Airtel Head (Brand and Media) Mohit Beotra, “He didn’t have much time to prepare but did a commendable job.” The 60-second ad was shot in three days a couple of weeks ago.

There was a bit of luck involved in his selection too as, Beotra says, they were looking somewhere else when Harihar’s name cropped up. “We were looking for somebody who is a street entertainer, a juggler, fire-eater or a dancer. We were watching some tapes of a few people from London School of Dance and then Sanjay Kapoor, CEO of Bharti Airtel, suggested Harihar’s name and we saw his tapes. He was striking.”

They tracked him down but he didn’t have a passport, and they had to get a visa for him in a short time. But finally things fell in place. “My dancing style is popping and locking but the one I was required to do was a mix of popping and ballet for which I had to slow down in between and then pick pace. I was trained by some of the best,” says Harihar. “I had no plans of acting but after this ad, I would like to try my hand at it.” Also in his wishlist: travelling to Prague again — on vacation.

Source: OrissaLinks, Indian Express

Khallikote College to be elevated to Unitary University

BERHAMPUR: In a significant decision the State Government has decided to elevate Khallikote Autonomous College in Berhampur to unitary university status, said Higher Education Minister of Odisha Debi Prasad Mishra. A government appointed task force on higher education reforms had suggested upgrading the Khallikote autonomous colleges to university status, the Minister said while addressing a function of the Students’ Union of Khallikote College. Mishra however stressed the need to develop necessary infrastructure facilities before the second oldest college of the State was declared a unitary university. While at least 50 acre was required, Khallikote Autonomous College had only 16.74 acres of land in its possession. “There is a proposal to get another 2.50 acres from transport departments garage adjoining the college”, he said. The Minister asked the local MLAs to locate another 50 acres in the town for the college’s expansion. He also assured the students to fill up the vacant posts soon. Around 50 percent of the posts of teaching staff are vacant in the 132-year old college, where over 3,600 students are pursuing studies in 19 different departments, 15 of them having post-graduate departments. The proposal for a foot bridge from KKC to Junior college has just been approved and funds have been released for renovation of Jhansirani ladies hostel, Swami Vivekananda boys hostel of the college. Among others, Berhampur MP Sidhant Mohapatra, MLAs RC Choupatnaik, P Panigrahy, BMC Mayor SS Dash and BDA chairman Kailash Rana were present on the occasion.

Source: New IndianExpress

Agri engineering college at Hinjilicut sought

BERHAMPUR: People of Ganjam Districts have been demanding the establishment of an Agri Engineering College at Hinjilicut  near Berhampur city which is known as the agricultural bowl of Odisha. NRO Ajaya Sahu of Hinjilicut and presently a software expert working at Saudi Arab-based Resource Science Arabia Ltd (RSAL) has urged the Chief Minister to set up a college of agricultural engineering in Hinjilicut. Petitioning CM Naveen Patnaik, who represents Hinjlicut constituency, Sahu has stated that the area being an agricultural hub and vegetable feeder for the entire Ganjam district, there is a dire need for such an institution. Betel leaf of this place is famous not only in the entire State, but has a brand name of its own in other parts of the country. People of this locality depend largely on this sector for their livelihood and have their source of income mainly from these crops. In the absence of any major industry and employment opportunities and due to lack of the State’s support for agriculture and agro-based industries, people of this region are migrating in large numbers to the cotton and diamond-cutting industries in Gujarat. Hinjilicut can become a hub of agriculture and food processing industries if the State Government provides the requisite support and infrastructure, Sahu reflects the feelings of the locals in his petition. Agricultural engineering as a discipline has been gaining popularity across the country and people of the State in general and the region in particular, would immensely benefit if the State pays attention to the demand for such a college at Hinjilicut, Sahu bats. This Institute would not only be unique of its kind in the State, mushroomed with engineering colleges with conventional disciplines, but would be a step in the right direction to promote the food processing sector that remains largely untapped so far in the State, the NRO argues. The demanded college of agricultural engineering at Hinjilicut will go a long way in reviving the moribund agriculture sector in the State apart from attracting students and prospective entrepreneurs to this hitherto neglected discipline which has great potentials for job creation, he adds further. Establishment of the institution in one of the most agriculturally advanced places of Odisha like Hinjilicut would greatly benefit the people, agriculturists, students and entrepreneurs following which the State Government should consider the demand favourably, hopes Ajaya.

Source: The Pioneer

Khallikote College road to have a Foot Over Bridge

BERHAMPUR: Bowing before public pressure the state government has finally sanctioned a foot over bridge for Khallikote College. The bridge will connect the main campus of Khallikote College with the Khallikote Junior College and Stadium situated on either side of the NH 217. There has been persistent demand for this foot over bridge for last many years owing to growing traffic on the road which has been declared a National Highway. Students and faculty of the College had to cross the busy road several times a day which led to recurring accidents. Students of this historic Institution resorted to prolonged agitation demanding the upgradation of the College into a Unitary University last year. Demand for adequate number of faculty, additional land and foot over bridge were also part of their demand. The State Government earlier agreed to transfer the land adjoining the College which was earlier handed over to the Reliance group for a shopping mall. With the foot over bridge, the Khallikote college campus which is crisscrossed by busy roads passing through it would become safer for the students. Presently the main campus, hostels, stadium and Junior College of this Institution are segregated by these roads and the over bridge will help integrate the campus leading to its elevation as a Unitary University feel students and people of the City. 

CM lays foundation for some long-awaited projects in BAMP

BERHAMAPUR: During his whirlwind tour to Berhampur city and Ganjam district Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took part in several inauguration and foundation stone-laying ceremonies. Chief Minister laid foundation stone for 12 projects including repair, renovation and reconstruction of minor irrigation projects in the District. After arriving at Seragada, he laid the foundation stone for a fire station there. In Berhampur, he inaugurated the building of the research and referral centre of the forensic medicine and toxicology (FMT) department, inaugurated a special newborn care unit (SNCU) and a hostel for undergraduate students in the campus at MKCG Medical College and Hospital. While the SNCU is expected to tackle the high infant mortality rate in the state, the FMT will help police and the judiciary by conducting forensic tests.

In Berhampur the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the proposed Gokarneswar-Lochapada bypass road which is aimed at decongesting the traffic in Gate-Bazar square. Then he attended the Sahid Lakshmana Nayak memorial Samaroh in the City. Sahid Laxman Nayak had been hanged in Berhampur circle jail on March 29, 1943. The Chief Minister promised assistance from the state government for the establishment of a Statue of martyr Laxman Nayak in the city. The Chief Minister made this declaration during his address at the function in memory of the great martyr related to anti-British tribal movement in south Orissa held at Laxman Nayak community hall by the People's Trust. The Chief Minister also met the agitating lawyers demanding a permanent bench of Orissa High Court at Berhampur and assured them to consider their demand after the submission of the report on this by Justice Pal.

Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for widening of Berhampur-Gopalpur road, which is an important link between the Silk City and the popular sea beach of Gopalpur-on-Sea. He also laid the foundation for the long awaited road connecting NH-217 and NH-5.

Sources: The Hindu, The Pioneer, The Telegraph, New IndianExpress, The Samaja

Construction boom in Greater Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: The greater Berhampur region is witnessing a construction boom these days like never before, mainly in the housing segment due to changing perceptions and purchasing power among the people and also due to huge influx of people from adjoining southern districts of Orissa and KBK region to the city. Interestingly people of the region staying outside the state are not only buying luxurious houses in the city, they are also investing in the real estate sector in a big way which is considered a safe investment option with high return. On account of these the demand for housing in the city has skyrocketed. The real estate investors are no longer confined to Berhampur city but from places like Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Surat etc. Recently the Surat based Astha International Group has launched a township project in Berhampur with a proposed investment of Rs 500 crore along with a 3-Star hotel and shopping mall. Another Surat based group Green Infra has also launched mega housing and resort projects in Berhampur and Gopalpur. Not to be left behind the Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) has also unveiled mega projects on the Berhampur-Gopalpur stretch at an investment of over Rs 50 crore. The City Corporation has also earmarked land for mega shopping malls like Forum Mart by Saraf Group and Reliance Mart.  The on-going projects like Gopalpur Port, Tata Industrial Park, Sonepur Energy and Oil City, Titanium SEZ, Software Technology Park of India (STPI) proposed Berhampur airport have all played a role in the construction boom. The declaration of Berhampur as the third Municipal Corporation of Odisha in 2008 by changing its boundary limits and arrival of several engineering and medical colleges to the city have also triggered real estate activities on the city outskirts. The skyrocketing real-estate prices in Berhampur has made the city an alternate real-estate investment destination of the State, besides the state capital.

• http://www.greeninfra.co.in/home.php
• http://www.jayshakti.com/index.html
• http://www.nandighoshestates.com/
• http://www.satyamsivamgroup.com/
• http://shivamdevelopers.net/
• http://www.uniquepariwar.net/
• http://www.vlb.svect.com/index.aspx

Gopalpur Beach Festival to be held from December 24th-28th

BERHAMPUR: The famous Gopalpur beach festival is scheduled to start from December 24^th 2010. 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 also decided to include the five-day period in December as the time for Gopalpur beach festival in the tourism calendar of Orissa.  A high-level preparatory meeting for the beach festival was held recently in the city in the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division. The meeting was attended by RDC Chandrasekhar Kumar, district Collector V.K. Pandian, DIG Berhampur Range RK Sharma and Berhampur Superintendent of Police Safin Ahmed. The MLAs of Berhampur, Gopalpur and Members of the GDHA also took part in this meeting. The beach festival this year would showcase the local folk art forms. Cultural troupes from all over the country would take part in the festival.

Source: Dharitri

TaraTarini Hill Shrine to get a facelift

BERHAMPUR: The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has decided to take up construction work with around Rs. 1.2 crore within next one year to further develop the temple complex at the hill top. This was decided at a meeting of the TTDB chaired by its president Chandrasekhar Kumar, RDC, southern division. The main temple of this hill shrine was reconstructed at a cost Rs. 2.5 crores in traditional ‘Rekha' style of Oriyan temple architecture by master sculptor Padmabhusan Raghunath Mohapatra. The TTDB has entrusted Mr. Mohapatra with the next phase of construction work on the temple complex at the hill top. The design of the construction work was finalised at a meeting by the technical committee of the TTDB. Under it, a boundary wall will be built around the temple in traditional form at a cost of around Rs. 50 lakhs. Four ‘parswa' temples will be built up at four corners of the temple complex at a cost Rs. 44 lakhs. Apart from it, a modern kitchen will also be added to the temple complex. The kitchen complex will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 25 lakhs. “We have decided to complete these projects within a year and Mr. Mohapatra has also agreed to it,” said Pramod Kumar panda, secretary of the TTDB.

Meanwhile, work on the new ghat road to the hill top is also under way. The new road will be less steep and wider than the existing old road. The road is being laid at a cost of Rs. 5 crores by the Rural Development Department. Another ring road is also being laid around the Tara Tarini hill at a cost of Rs. 50 lakhs. The RDC directed the department to complete the construction of the roads by April, 2011.

The Tourism Department has also come up with plans of developmental projects for the hill shrine with Rs. 71 lakhs. Survey for it has already been complete. The TTDB has also decided to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the area around the hill shrine. A survey will be taken up in five km radius around the hill shrine soon for the purpose.

Source: The Hindu

SOSA demands greenfield domestic airport at Berhampur

Naveen Patniak urged to take up the issue with Civil Aviation Ministry
BERHAMPUR: The South Orissa Students' Association (SOSA) has sent a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urging him to take up the matter regarding establishment of a domestic airport near Berhampur with the Civil Aviation Ministry. The association feels the recent growth in aviation sector seems to have bypassed Orissa although it is on the fast track of industrial development. In comparison to other states like Gujarat and Maharashtra, Orissa lacks proper air connectivity. At a time when other states have multiple functional airports, Orissa still depends on the airport in the State capital Bhubaneswar, which is it the only domestic airport. The SOSA activists feel establishment of a domestic airport in Berhampur can serve as a major catalyst for development of ten districts of south Orissa. Berhampur happens to be the greatest urban centre of South Orissa and a hub for business, transport, health and higher education. It is also a major upcoming industrial corridor due to the Gopalpur port, proposed SEZ and industrial park by Tata Steel, IREL etc in its proximity. It also has Army Air Defence College and several major educational institutes. SOSA feels aviation infrastructure can also increase tourism prospects of south Orissa.
It may be noted that an air strip exists at Rangeilunda near Berhampur University campus. Recently a flying training institute has been proposed at the air strip. Added to it a radar surveillance station of Airport Authority of India (AAI) is located near Berhampur. The SOSA members urged the Orissa government to take cue from Madhya Pradesh which is also a poor state like Orissa.
Madhya Pradesh has airports in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Khajuraho. Recently Madhya Pradesh government organised a global investor's summit at Khajuraho, which could be possible only due to the airport. Similarly Rajasthan's multiple airports also help in tapping the tourism prospects. Bihar also has an airport at Gaya apart from the one in Patna. There are also proposals that in Orissa some new airports can be established through private-public participation.
Source: The Hindu

TARANG Parivar Awards- 2010 enthralls Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: The cultural capital of Orissa, Berhampur city, was witness to yet another glittering cultural evening as Tarang Parivar Awards were presented in the city. The cultural evening that accompanied the Awards ceremony received overwhelming response from the city residents. The euphoria of Dusshera celebrations just extended with the Awards ceremony. Not to let down the 20,000 odd jam packed crowd that thronged the historic Barracks stadium in the city the Olywood cine artists and stars of the small screen enthralled the audience with their outstanding performance. As the evening progressed, the excitement, fun and entertainment burgeoned. The spell bound and enchanting audience who were in sync with the moments had a soaking experience. Acknowledging the dedication and talents, mementos along with cash award were bestowed upon the artists in different categories. With the state level drama festival scheduled to begin this week, Berhampur is wearing festive look.

Survey work begins for Mahanadi-Rushikulya River linking project

Source: The Samaja

Deepavali wishes

Panel recommends eco-CRZ clearance for Gopalpur Port

BERHAMPUR: The Expert Appraisal Committee of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has recommended environmental and CRZ clearance for Gopalpur Port Limited. In its 90th meeting, the committee had invited noted wildlife expert BC Choudhury to examine issues of ecological impact on benthic flora and fauna caused by vessel traffic and issues of erosion. Before that, the GPL had carried out necessary studies through DHI, a reputed company to meet the requirements of MoEF which was submitted for the latter’s consideration. After reviewing the issues, the Committee, which met during August 18-20 recommended necessary environment and CRZ clearance to the project subject to certain conditions. The panel directed the port authority to make regular monitoring of shoreline changes and erosion while Rushikulya nesting beach nourishment is to be carried out on an annual basis under supervision of Orissa Forest Department. It has also been asked to partner with the Forest Department in management of the rookery and contribute to the research and management activities. Oil contingency management plan and mock drills have to be conducted by the port authorities while a marine turtle biologist has to be appointed to monitor Olive Ridley movement patterns. GPL is a special purpose vehicle for development of Gopalpur Port and is promoted by Orissa Stevedores Ltd - as the lead partner - and Sara International Ltd. Concession agreement with the Orissa Government was signed in 2006 after international bidding process conducted by RITES on behalf of the government. Financial closure for the port project has been over since April 28 and the company is now waiting for the formal communication from the Ministry for implementation.

Source: New Indian Express

Berhampur B-school ties up with IDBI bank for training

BERHAMPUR: Presidency College, a city based B-school, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mumbai based IDBI Bank to train its students in management. The bank personnel will impart training to the Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) and Master in Business Administration (MBA) students of the college for six weeks. After completion of training, the bank will provide the certificate, which will help the students in their placement, said Srinibash Mohapatra, chairman of the college. The MoU document was handed over to the director of the college on Monday, while the college celebrated its thirteen annual day function. The training programme will start from February next year. Several B-schools in the country have entered into similar agreements with IDBI Bank. Presidency College is the second B-school in the state after KIIT to tie up with the bank", Mohapatra said. He said, Presidency College was the first business school to start the BBA course in Orissa in 1998. Over the years, it has added other streams like engineering and general studies in the undergraduate courses. Addressing the function, Vice Chancellor, Berhampur University, JK Mohapatra and registrar Bhabani Prasad Rath stressed on the value addition in the general subjects, which has demand in the job market. The VC gave away the prizes to the students who excelled in the university examinations last year. Among others, the Global Head (Human Resources) of Mumbai based Patni Computer System, Anil Mishra, Director (Commercial), INTELSAT, Washington, DC, USA Sachidanand Padhy addressed the meeting.

Source: Business Standard

Museum to come up on lighthouse premises at Gopalpur-on-Sea

BERHAMPUR: A museum on heritage of lighthouses in India is proposed to come up on the premises of Gopalpur lighthouse on Orissa coast. It would be the first of its kind museum on the premises of any lighthouse on Indian coast. Directorate of Lighthouses and Lightships (DLL), the agency under the Ministry of Shipping of Union government has come out with this proposed project. It was stated by the Calcutta zone director of the DLL, N. Muruganandan, during his visit to Gopalpur on Sunday. According to Mr. Muruganandan, it will be an innovative project with an aim to develop the lighthouse at Gopalpur into a tourist destination. It is envisioned that the special museum will showcase the history and heritage of lighthouses on Indian coast. At present there are 185 lighthouses on Indian coast. Mr. Mruganandan also said that efforts were on to make most lighthouses run on green reusable energy like solar or wind power. Proper tapping of these two major reusable energy sources can provide ample power to run these lighthouses. Through this, these lighthouses would also become major destinations related to use of reusable energy in the country. Speaking on the progress of different lighthouse projects on Orissa coast, Mr. Muruganandan said construction work of the new lighthouse at Prayagi on Ganjam coast was scheduled to be completed by the end of next year. Construction work of the other two proposed lighthouses on Orissa coast would be started together soon. One of these lighthouses is to be located at Dhamra. Proposed site of the other lighthouse near the Devi river mouth had been objected by environmental activists as it is a nesting site of Olive ridley turtles.

Source: The Hindu

Lawyers protest demanding HC bench at Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: Lawyers of the District Bar Association blocked traffic for hours at Kamapalli square in support of their demand for a circuit bench of Orissa High Court in Berhampur. “The state must immediately submit a proposal to the high court assigning reasons for a permanent bench in Berhampur,” president of the association Bhagaban Sahu said. He pointed out that the Union law ministry stated that it had not received any concrete proposal from the state in this regard. “In the larger interest of the state and people, the government should prepare a detailed proposal and urge the Centre,” he said. The Ganjam Bar Association has 2,400 registered advocates. Set up in 1844, it is even older than the Cuttack Bar Association. The lawyers threatened to paralyse the government machinery in the southern part of the state if the government failed to respond to their demand. “In 2008, the state appointed a commission of enquiry headed by Justice Chitta Ranjan Pal, a retired judge of Orissa High Court, to look into the demands of different bar associations and make an in-depth study in respect of establishment of circuit bench. The tenure of the commission has been extended couple of times and will finally end on December 31 this year. The government has already spent over Rs 18,92 lakh towards the salary and allowances of Justice Pal,” he said. The state is extending tenure of the commission from time to time without any valid reason,” he said. Advocate Jyoti Prasad Chhotray, who has authored Bench of Orissa High Court at Berhampur: A Justification, said that as per the procedure, “a proposal given by the chief minister is considered by the high court at a full-court meeting. Then a recommendation is made to the Centre. Though the infrastructure is provided by the state, appointment of judges and its day-to-day function are looked after by the high court”.

Source: The Telegraph

City bus service mooted for Berhampur and 3 other cities of Odisha



Source: Dharitri

Ganjam Zilla Diary: Dharitri

Source: Dharitri

Berhampur University to open five new departments

Source: Orissa Sambad

Durga Puja in Berhampur (Orissa)

Gopalpur Industrial Park by Tata Group to be ready by 2013

BERHAMPUR: Tata Steel expects to commission its proposed ferroalloys plant and bar mill at its industrial park at Gopalpur by March 2013. "Our industrial park project at Gopalpur is scheduled for commissioning between October 2012 and March 2013", H M Nerurkar, managing director of Tata Steel told reporters after emerging out of a meeting with the state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.B K Pattnaik, the state Chief Secretary, said, "Tata Steel has informed us that they are proceeding with the site levelling and boundary wall construction work for their industrial park project at Gopalpur. The company is also going to conduct roadshows to attract investors for the project. Tata Steel is coming up with a desalination plant at Gopalpur and we have asked the company to make arrangements for supplying water from this plant to the residents of Berhampur." Tata Steel, which is playing the role of an anchor tenant for an industrial park at Gopalpur, had lined up two projects- a 50,000 tonne per annum ferroalloys plant and 4,00,000 tonne per annum bar mill there. The company would invest Rs 1,000 crore on these two projects which would initially create employment for 1000 people. While the ferroalloys plant will cost about Rs 200 to 250 crore, the bar mill will be set up at an investment of Rs 750 to Rs 800 crore. This will be the third ferroalloys plant of Tata Steel in Orissa. For the bar mill, the company intends to get the ingots from Jamshedpur by rail and road. Similarly, the company will source raw material for the ferroalloys plant, which will be a backward integration project for the proposed six million tonne plant at Kalinganagar, from its chromite mines in Sukinda valley.



Automated traffic signal to be launched in Berhampur soon

BERHAMPUR: The city would have automated electronic traffic control system soon. Under the first phase of this project some major squares in the city would have automated traffic signals. It may be noted that in the past electronic traffic signals had been introduced in some squares in the city. But lack of maintenance corroded the system and traffic had to be managed by traffic constables at these spots. As per city police use of automated traffic signals would ease the pressure on the personnel managing the ever increasing traffic on Berhampur roads. According to sources the first automated traffic signal would be introduced at Tata Benz square. Initially it was scheduled to start operation of this traffic signal from Dusshera. But due to technical stumbling blocks its inauguration was delayed. The other busy squares in the city where automated traffic signals would be established are Bijipur square, Diamond jubilee town hall square, Gate Bazar square etc. Keltron Company is entrusted to establish these traffic signals. It has been decided to have each light in the traffic signals to be kept on for 45 seconds. Plans are on to coordinate the green signals of different traffic signals on a single road so that traffic can flow with ease. It is an irony that despite being the third municipal corporation in the State after Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, this city did not have proper electronic traffic signals. Few years back electronic traffic signals had been established at four major squares in the city. But now only the defunct traffic signals remain at the spot. When they were functional, a policeman was monitoring the traffic lights from a distance. But this time the traffic signals would blink on their own as per the commands provided electronically.

Source: The Hindu