Berhampur students steal the show in CHSE +2 Exam results 2012

• Eleven students from the City placed among the Top 20 in + 2 Science
• Five students of Berhampur among the Top 20 in the State in +2 Commerce
• Sankha Sai Sandeep of Nilakanthanagar Saraswati Vidyamandir 4^th topper in Science in the State
• Nikita Agarwal of Khallikote Junior College 2^nd topper in the State in +2 Commerce
• Nilakanthanagar Saraswati Vidyamandir in Berhampur city steals the limelight with 8 students among Top 20 in the State in +2 Science

Saraswati Vidyamandir, Nilakanthanagar, Berhampur 

Berhampur students have put up a good show in the Plus Two science and Commerce board examinations, the results of which have been declared today. The higher secondary wing of Saraswati Vidyamandir, Nilakanthanagar, stole the limelight again this year with an outstanding performance. Nine of its students came among the Top 20 in the State in Science and Commerce streams. Not to be left behind, the students of historic Khallikote College claimed 7 positions among the in Top 20 in Science and Commerce streams. Saraswati Vidyamandir at Nilakanthanagar in the City has achieved 100 per cent result in higher secondary science stream. 

Eleven from Berhampur among Top 20 in +2 Science
RANK                                CANDIDATE NAME                                       COLLEGE

4------SANKHA SAI SANDEEP-----SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHNAGAR, BERHAMPUR

5-------ARPITA PADHY------- KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

6-------SUBHASIS NAYAK--------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR

8------- B MILAN KUMAR---------KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

9-------PRADEEPTA DAS--------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR

9-----SUBHAM K PADHI-------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR

13----- DIPAK KUMAR SAHOO--------NILAKANTHANGR, BERHAMPUR

16----- RAHUL GHOSE-------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR

16-----SUBHASIS SATAPATHY------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHNGAR, BERHAMPUR

17-----SUBHASMITA PADHY------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHNGAR, BERHAMPUR

20-----P SAI PREM PATRO-------KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

  

Five from Berhampur among Top 20 in +2 Commerce

RANK                                CANDIDATE NAME                                       COLLEGE

2--------NIKITA AGARWAL--------KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

13--------ASHISH LOHIA--------KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

15-------AKANSHA MURARKA--------KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

19-------KOTNI NAVYARANI---------SHIKSHA COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR, GANJAM

20------DEBADOTTA RAULO------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHNGAR, BERHAMPUR


More than 20 students from Berhampur make it to the IITs this year 

Source: The Sambad

Work begins on Khallikote College foot over-bridge

Construction work on a foot overbridge to connect two sections of Khallikote Autonomous College in the city has started. It was a long-standing demand of students of the institution and citizens of the city. This more than a century-old heritage educational institution is located in the heart of Berhampur by the side of the stretch of NH-59 that passes through the city. Its main block is on one side of the highway. Its large stadium, indoor sports complex, and building of the Junior College is on the other side of the road. Students and teachers face problem throughout the day to cross the highway to travel from one section of the college to the other as the traffic on this stretch of highway is quite high. During peak hours it also causes traffic jam. In the past, there were accidents in front of the institution in which students were injured by speeding vehicles while crossing the road. The foot overbridge is being built at a cost of around Rs. 110 lakh and a major chunk of investment is being provided by the State government.

Source: The Hindu

Modern sewerage system for Berhampur on the anvil

Plans are on to have a modern sewerage system for Berhampur, an old traditional city of Odisha. Project report for such a sewerage system is being prepared. Recently the consultancy agency that is preparing the project report for the project had a meeting with the corporators of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) to sensitize them about the project. This meeting was also attended by city mayor Siba Shankar Dash, Berhampur MLA RCC Patnaik, and Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy. As per the consultancy agency this project would be worth around Rs 600 crore. It will involve establishment of two sewerage treatment plants. These sewerage treatment plants would be attached to the two major water carrying channels of the city, Bahana Nala and Sapua Nala. Survey to prepare the project report is not complete. It is expected that detailed project report for this sewerage project would be ready by end of this year. Satellite data and ground level data would be used to prepare the project report. As per the project the open rains in the city would only carry rain water. Every household and building in the city would be connected to the underground sewerage system. Executives of the consultancy agency elaborated how each and every household has to be included in the project for it success otherwise it would be a failure. It may be noted that the old sewerage system of the city is in dilapidated state. At many places spaces for drains have been encroached. Due to it during rains flood like situations are occurring in several areas of the city.

Source: The Hindu

Source: The Sambad

Solar lighting project approved for Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

• Tata group has agreed to take up massive plantation work at  Tara Tarini hill
• Rs. 50 lakh would be financed by the Central government for the project
• Bathroom complex & facilitation centre for pilgrims would be built up

A big solar lighting project would be taken up at the famous Tara Tarini hill shrine in Ganjam district. It was part of discussion in the Annual General Body Meeting of the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) held in the conference hall in the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division, in Berhampur on May 25, 2012. This meeting was presided by the RDC Laxmi Narayn Nayak, who happens to be the chairman of the TTDB. Vice-chairman of the TTDB, the Ganjam Collector Kishen Kumar, its secretary Pramod Panda, and officials of different departments, office bearers of TTDB, members of TTDB and dignitaries of the city were present at the meeting.

TTDB secretary Mr. Panda said such major solar light project is being implemented in any religious shrine in the State for the second time. A similar solar light project is already on in Sri Jagannath temple in Puri. According to Mr. Panda for this solar lighting project  Rs. 50 lakh would be financed by the Central government and it would be installed by Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA). The hill top of this hill shrine would be lighted up by this renewable source of energy.

During discussions it was also revealed that funds worth around Rs.72 lakh from the Central government and State government for development of tourism prospects of this hill shrine was already with the district administration. Using this fund a bathroom complex and a facilitation centre for pilgrims would be built up at the hill shine.

At the request of the TTDB, the Tata group has agreed to take up massive plantation work at the Tara Tarini hill, said Mr. Panda. Source: The Hindu

Berhampur zone of Andhra Bank in expansion mode

BERHAMPUR: Andhra Bank has proposed to set up ten new branches and 25 new ATM counters in its Berhampur zone. It was stated by bank Deputy General Manager A.V. Ramkrishna Rao, who heads the zone of the Andhra Bank during a press meet held in the city recently. The Berhampur zone of Andhra Bank consists of eight districts. Seven of these districts -- Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, and Kandhamal -- are in south Odisha. Srikakulam district of adjoining Andhra Pradesh is also under this zone of the bank. There are 79 branches of the bank in the zone. Out of them 43 branches are in Odisha. Andhra Bank is also the lead bank in Ganjam, Gajapati, and Srikakulam districts. Five of the proposed new branches will be in Odisha and the rest in Andhra Pradesh. One of these branches will be opened in Maoist-affected Malkangiri district. Three branches may come up in Ganjam district. During the current financial year, 25 ATMs in the zone would be opened and out of them, three would be established in Berhampur, Mr. Rao said. Speaking on the achievement of the bank in the zone during the past financial year, Mr. Rao said there was an overall growth of 14.73 per cent in the zone. There was 21.58 per cent growth in deposits. Total deposit and advances of the bank in the zone stood at Rs. 2192.88 crore and Rs. 937.83 crore respectively. Total agricultural advances of the bank in the zone were Rs. 380.70 crore which was 40.59 per cent of the total advances.

Source: The Hindu

City bus service set to roll in Silk City Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: The Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) has planned two new bus services, one within Berhampur town, another connecting Berhampur, Gopalpur and Chhatrapur comprising the Greater-Berhampur region.
 The services will be launched through public private partnership (PPP), at an estimated cost of 3.5 crore. At least 27 buses will ply in the first phase.

A Mumbai-based consulting agency presented a detailed project report in this regard recently. The agency has suggested the formation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) with involving the BDA, Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Notified Area Councils (NAC) of Gopalpur and Chhatrapur to monitor the services.
At present, passengers depend on trekkers and matadors for travelling to these two places from Berhampur. "Not only is time a big factor, but travel in trekkers and matadors is also a risky affair. These are always overcrowded. Moreover, there are no town bus services within Berhampur. So, we have also suggested a bus service for the town," a BDA official said. The Berhampur city had introduced a town bus service in 1991. The service was later discontinued as it incurred heavy loss.

Source: Times of India, The Sambad

Berhampur to free National Highway 217 of hoardings

BERHAMPUR: The National Highway 217 passing through Berhampur may soon be free of hoardings. The district administration has ordered officials concerned to remove the hoardings from either side of the 12-km stretch of NH passing through the town. "We have asked the officers of the NH, police, revenue and Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) to pull out the hoardings from either sides of the NH 217 for the free movement of the vehicles," said Ganjam collector Krishan Kumar. The big hoardings, which illegally mushroomed along the footpaths, have been causing a lot of traffic problems in the town with residents urging the district administration to solve the problem for quite some time. The issue was discussed at a meeting on the development of Berhampur town held here on Thursday evening. The meeting, presided over by the district collector, was attended by officials of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Berhampur Development Authority (BDA), besides MLAs from Berhampur and Gopalpur. The district collector also asked BDA officials to conduct a survey to identify open spaces in town and to rid them of encroachment. Some of the open spaces can be utilized for parking vehicles and some of them would be developed as green-belt with plantation and parks, the collector said. Around 150 open plots in the town, reserved by the BDA in different places, have vanished due to the encroachments, he pointed out. The administration also asked the BDA to crack down on buildings which diverted their open or parking spaces for other purposes. The violators would be punished, the collector warned.

Source: Times of India

City bus hope for Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: BDA and Local Authorities of Berhampur are planning to introduce a city bus service from the city to Gopalpur and Chhatrapur under public-private-partnership mode. “Though mini buses ply on both the Berhampur-Gopalpur and Berhampur-Chhatrapur routes, we propose to introduce a city bus service to these two places because of public demand,” said secretary of the Berhampur Development Authority Saran Kumar Jena. “We have engaged a consulting agency to make a detailed survey on the prospects and the possibilities of plying city buses on these two routes. The survey will take various factors, such as population, number of commuters travelling between these places and the number of autorickshaws and other vehicles in the area, into consideration. The survey, which was launched by the consulting agency two months ago, is in its final stages now,” Jena said. The consulting agency is expected to submit its preliminary report on May 14. The proposal will then be discussed with all stakeholders of the town, including local legislators, sub-collector, representatives of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation and others. District collector Ganjam Kishan Kumar has convened a meeting on May 10 for preliminary discussions on the proposed city bus service and various other development initiatives. “The mini buses, which are plying on these two routes at present, are insufficient. Though the capacity of a mini bus is 20, most of these vehicles ply with about 35 passengers. Introduction of city buses in these two routes will be of immense benefit to the commuters,” said Sudhir Das, who travels to Gopalpur from Berhampur everyday. However, Nagen Kumar Padhi, vice-president of the Berhampur Trekkers’ and Taxi Owners’ Association, is worried over the proposal to introduce the bus service. “It will affect our interests. We should be consulted on the matter,” he said.

Source: The Telegraph

Berhampur to launch e-district project

BERHAMPUR: Berhampur in Ganjam district will become the first tehsil in the state to launch the fully computerized e-district project which will ensure quick delivery of services and transparency in all administrative works. The system, implemented in the district as a pilot project, is a part of the Centre's National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). Services to be provided under the scheme include issue of various certificates, disbursing pensions, addressing public grievances and right to information (RTI) petitions, operating the public distribution system (PDS) and some other services. Ganjam is one of the 18 districts of the country and only the second in the state selected for the e-district project on a pilot basis. Mayurbhanj is other district in the state which will implement the project.

Source: Times of India

Berhampur set to become a major flower trading centre

Source: The Hindu

With a major ‘flower mandi' coming up, Berhampur is poised to become a major flower trading centre of Odisha. Construction of a major flower trading centre at Ambapua area of the city is about to get completed. According to Ganjam District Flower Growers' Association (GDFGA), construction of the project is to end by June 15. GDFGA secretary Sridhar Verma has said the project will be a major fillip in the infrastructure development for floriculture in the area. This ‘flower mandi' is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.35 crore. The ‘flower mandi' will also benefit flower growers of south Orissa districts like Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Koraput. After completion, the flower mandi will have a receiving dock to get flowers from growers. The flowers collected will be taken to a grading area where they will be segregated in different groups as per their variety and quality. Samples of different groups will be taken to the auction chamber. Auctioning of flowers will ensure that farmers get good return for their produce. There will also be a packing yard in the flower mandi. Here flowers meant to be transported to other places will be packed scientifically. There will be scope for retail sale of flowers by growers at the spot. Recently the GDFCA has also submitted another project proposal to the State government for integrated development of floriculture units and flower farming community in Ganjam district. According to Mr. Verma the proposed project, worth more than Rs. 33 crore, is aimed at infrastructure development, cultivation of ornamental crops, protected cultivation of flower crops, capacity building of farmers and entrepreneurs involved in floriculture etc in Ganjam district.

Source: The Hindu

Odisha Govt to set up multi skill development center at Berhampur

Having set the target of training 1 million youths in various employable skills in coming five years, Government of Odisha has now initiated steps for establishment of international standard Multi Skill Development Centers (MDC) in the state. A high level meeting to this effect was held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik in secretariat conference hall recently. The proposal for setting up of MDCs in the state was discussed in the meeting and it was decided that two such centers one at Jatani Khurda and the other at Berhampur, Ganjam will be set up in coming years.

Sources: Orissa Diary & Pragativadi

Harihar Dash steps into Canadian theatre

25-year-old dancer to trot the globe to perform for Cirque Du Soleil

After a tryst with films, dance sensation from Berhampur city Harihar Dash is set to showcase his skills on the international stage. The ace dancer will be soon trotting the globe to perform for theatre company Cirque Du Soleil. The Canadian theatre company, which has branches in 22 countries across the world, got in touch with the 25-year-old for a fusion composition that will have a blend of Indian dance forms along with strong presence of Western contemporary styles. “I was asked to compose a two-minute sequence on a Beatles’ song fusing Indian and Western dance forms,” said Dash, whose forte is locking and popping and hip-hop. “The expert panel at Cirque Du Soleil liked the video and that is how I got this opportunity to be a part of the theatre company, which has the best dancers in the world in its troupe,” Dash said. Looking forward to the experience, Dash feels there is much he will get to learn during his one-year stint with the theatre troupe that performs at major events throughout the world. “From Hollywood’s top film and album choreographers to dancers, I will get a chance to meet many seasoned and expert performers and will try to learn more about new dance forms. I’m thrilled about the opportunities in store with this project and wish to enhance my skills in the craft,” he said. Dash will first be trained in the Montreal set-up of the theatre company after which he will join the Las Vegas unit of the entertainment production house. However, his journey with Odia films will not take a backseat, said the dancer turned actor. “I am currently busy with a project that will be released in three languages including Odia. The shooting will take some more time but since I will be leaving in June, I will try to complete the film so that I have a good project this year,” said Dash. Dash is both the male lead as well as the choreographer of the upcoming film.

Source: The Telegraph

Ravi Kumar aims for medal at London Olympics

International weightlifter K. Ravi Kumar of Berhampur qualified yesterday to compete at the London Olympics. The 23-year-old weightlifter, the only from Odisha to enter the Olympics league, is vying for a medal at the apex-sporting event to start from July 28. Ravi got a qualification slot for the London Olympics games in the 69-kg category. “I stood sixth in 69-kg category in the Asian Qualifying Tournament held at Seoul in South Korea and qualified to take part in the London Olympics. I lifted a total of 335kg in clean, jerk and overall weight,” said Ravi, who is suffering from a muscle injury on his left shoulder. “I will definitely try to bag a medal in London Olympics. Though the Olympics record in 69-kg weightlifting is 346kg overall and 358kg in world championship, I have in mind to lift more than 335kg in overall weight,” Ravi said. On asked whether the injury on his left shoulder will anyway affect his ambition to bag an Olympics medal, Ravi said: “Not at all.” “Prior to the Asian Qualifying Tournament held at Seoul, I underwent a spot injection on my shoulder to step forward. Fortunately, there is no problem on my shoulder now and I am temporarily relieved,” he said.

Ravi said he is practising seven hours a day to achieve his goal. “We will take parte in the Commonwealth Championship at Samoan islands situated in the Central South Pacific from June 4 to June 8 prior to the London Olympics,” he said. K. Suryakanta, the proud mother of Ravi Kumar, is happy after her son qualified for the mega-sporting event. “Ravi will definitely bag a medal in the London Olympics. There will be other senior weightlifters in the Olympics than my son, who not only is young but also suffering from shoulder pain. But, I am sure that he will definitely bring a medal for India with the blessings of the almighty and the people of the country,” Suryakanta said.

Source: The Telegraph

Berhampur University holds its 17th convocation



Source: The Hindu

• Berhampur University celebrated 17th convocation on May 02.
• Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, Member of National Planning Commission, Syeda Saiyidin Hameed, senior advocate Iqbal M. Chagla, Puri MP Pinaki Mishra and spiritual guru Chandrabhanu Satpathy were awarded LLD.
• The honorary degrees were also conferred on former chairperson of the National Commission for Women, noted social activist and the daughter-in-law of the former president VV Giri, V. Mohini Giri, Berhampur MP Sidhant Mahapatra, sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik, Sambad Editor Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and famous cardiologist Kabi Prasad Mishra.
• Degrees were also awarded to 9,500 students and DLitt, PhD as well as DSc to 188 researchers                                                                                 
• Berhampur University celebrated its 17th convocation on Wednesday. During the occasion nine eminent people were conferred honorary LLD degree while one was honoured with DSC degree. Member of national Planning Commission, Syeda Saiyidin Hameed, who was the chief guest of the occasion, was conferred with honorary LLD degree.  The honorary degrees were also conferred on woman activist V. Mohini Giri, Berhampur MP Sidhant Mahapatra, sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik, Odia newspaper editor Soumya Ranjan Patnaik and cardiologist Kabi Prasad Mishra. Four others — leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, senior advocate Iqbal M. Chagla, Puri MP Pinaki Mishra and spiritual guru Chandrabhanu Satpathy — were awarded the degree in absentia. Besides, degrees were awarded to 9,500 students and DLitt, PhD as well as DSc to 188 researchers.

During her address Ms. Hameed stressed on the need to redefine development in the context of social justice. “Have the indicators of growth in the GDP gone together with an upward movement in the indicators of human development?” she asked.

Odisha governor and chancellor of the universities M.C. Bhandare said Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Boudh, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri districts, under the jurisdiction of Berhampur University, had shown an improved literacy rate. “Each district except Malkangiri has bridged the gap between male and female literacy during 2001-11. The university has evinced a keen interest in implementing the Gyanalok programme launched by me to find out reasons for the high dropout rate among the tribal girls and create awareness among the marginalised sections,” he said. University vice-chancellor J.K. Mahapatra said they had planned extension activities and outreach programmes by way of establishing Centre for Extension Services on Coastal Zone Management and Awareness Programme for Women Empowerment with funding from the University Grants Commission.

It may be noted that Berhampur University was established in 1967 and had only 11 colleges under it during its inception. Now colleges under the university have gone up to 136. It is one of the few universities in India to offer courses on military sciences.
Source: The Hindu & The Telegraph

156-year-old school in Berhampur city renamed after former president V V Giri

Former President of India VV Giri

A 156-year-old high school, one of the oldest for girls in Odisha and Eastern India functioning in the ancestral house of former president late V V Giri has been renamed after him. It may be noted that former president of India V V Giri hailed from Berhampur and was also the first Labour Minister of the country in the cabinet of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

"It will be a great honour to the former president, who hailed from Berhampur," Odisha Governor M C Bhandare said after renaming the Government Secondary and Training School in Berhampur city on May 02.

This was the first educational institute in the town named after V V Giri, while Berhampur Municipal Corporation had earlier named a road and a market after him. "We are very happy as one of the oldest institutes was named after the former president," said Sharataran, niece of the former president. 

V Mohini Giri, former chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), noted social activist and the daughter-in-law of the former president, was also present.

The house had been handed over to the government at a nominal rate.

The present institute had started as an elementary school in 1856. It was elevated as Middle English school and later became a girls’ high school. A secondary training school was set up in 1928. It is noteworthy that the remaining portion of the the ancestral parental house of the former president late V V Giri still stands adjacent to this oldest girls' Secondary school in Berhampur, Odisha.

Source: Business Standard, Press Trust of India, ToI & The Hindu 

Berhampur Municipal Corporation libraries buried in heaps of neglect

By: Sisir Panigrahy

Books covered by layers of dust and in disarray, the rich variety at four libraries maintained by Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) often go unnoticed by visitors. Several books are in dire need of restoration, new ones are unavailable and there isn’t enough staff. Since many of the books are early editions, conservation techniques need to be updated, said sources. The air conditioners, TVs and computers at these libraries are non-functional. The generators hardly have any fuel to run. Computerized bibliographies in these libraries are a dream for the readers.

One of the BMC libraries, located near the Berhampur Press Club, is frequented by readers. However, this one is dogged by problems of poor maintenance - just as most other public libraries are in the city. The library has two halls which are insufficient to accommodate the growing number of readers. On an average, over 200 people visit the library daily.

Although BMC supplies 12 newspapers and over 20 periodicals every month, no new titles have been purchased yet. The library manages with its 7,000 old books that have been there since its inception.

The BMC also owns a research library established in the name of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati. Books and encyclopedias worth Rs.2 lakh were brought to the library when it was opened in 1993.

Since then no new books have been added to the collection. Because of its poor upkeep, the research library’s popularity is on the wane.

Intelligentsia said although BMC collects tax from people, no concrete measures are being taken for maintenance and development of the libraries. They have demanded the State Government’s intervention to establish a well-furnished library in the city. Source: IBN Live