Three deities Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Maa Subhadra on their Rathas in Berhampur

Berhampur varsity gets Rs 20 crore for post-Phailin repair work

The state government on Thursday sanctioned Rs 20 crore for repair and restoration of Berhampur University (BU). Higher education minister Pradip Kumar Panigrahi announced it at an interactive meeting on post-Phailin management at the university in presence of governor and chancellor S C Jamir.

"The funds would also be used for setting up an e-library and a language laboratory for development of communication skills of students," said Panigrahi. The university was severely affected by Phailin, which hit Odisha coast near Gopalpur on October 12 last year.

Around 35% repair works have been completed so far, university officials said. The varsity is yet to take up restoration of law, home science and commerce departments, central library, computer centre, science laboratories, sports council, hostels, staff quarters, Lingaraj Law College, the only constitute college of the university, and the deer park. "We could not take up the repair work because of paucity of funds," said vice-chancellor Deepak Kumar Behera.

The government had provided Rs 3 crore to the university for post-Phailin relief work, while public works department engineers had calculated the total expenditure at Rs 6.63 crore, official sources said. "We have to complete the repair work before the new session," the VC added. Panigrahi said funds would not be a hurdle in the development of the varsity. He urged the authorities to re-design courses and make them job-oriented.

While the governor inaugurated post-Phailin plantation drive and two new hostels for girls on the campus, the minister laid the foundation stone of a new administrative building. Initially, we will plant 7,500 plants on the campus," said divisional forest officer, Berhampur, S S Mishra.Source: ToI 

Move to upgrade Khallikote College into a cluster university

The state government has proposed to upgrade Khallikote autonomous college into a cluster university. The government sent the proposal to the Union ministry of human resources development recently for approval.

"The move will enable the institution to get more funds under the Rastriya Uchchatara Sikshya Abhiyan (RUSA) and also ease the burden of Berhampur University," said higher education minister Pradip Kumar Panigrahi.

If the proposal is approved, Khallikote College will be the first cluster university in the state. The cluster university concept envisages a lead college with a maximum of five colleges tagged to it. The colleges to be tagged in the cluster university would be decided upon only after the proposal is approved, added regional director (education) Berhampur P K Tripathy. The proposed university will enjoy facilities like other varsities, he said.

The government's move is significant as it is mandatory for a college to get accreditation from National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) if it is to get funds from RUSA-the National Higher Education Mission (NHEM).

The NAAC accreditation for Khallikote College expired in 2009, while it also lost its autonomy status in May 2013. University Grants Commission (UGC) has sought a NAAC accreditation certificate from the college authorities for renewal of its autonomous status.

'We have dispatched the necessary documents, including the NAAC certificate we got earlier, requesting UGC to renew the autonomous status," said college principal R N Rath. He said the college was preparing to receive a NAAC team for fresh accreditation. "Preparations are on in full swing along with making various reports for the NAAC team," he added.

The 136-year-old college, however, is grappling with acute shortage of teaching staff. The college only has about 30 teachers although the total number of sanctioned teaching posts is 90. Moreover, the premier college has no professor in any of its department at present, even though it has post-graduate and MPhil courses in 15 departments.

"We know about the problems of the college, particularly the shortage of staff. The problem will be solved soon," said higher education minister Pradip Kumar Panigrahi. Source: The  ToI 

Naveen urged to take up Berhampur High Court Bench issue

Ganjam Bar Association (GBA) urged the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to make efforts for establishment of a permanent Bench of the High Court in Berhampur as promised by him.

The demand was made at the general body meeting of the GBA in the city on Wednesday. It may be noted that the lawyers of the GBA continue to boycott court on last four days of every month to press this demand. The association members decided to send a representation to the Chief Minister on the issue.

“If the CM agrees then a delegation of the GBA would meet him to discuss the issue,” said president of the GBA Basant Panda.

According to Mr Panda, when Mr Patnaik was a MP from Ganjam district and a Central Minister, he had supported the demand and had send a letter of recommendation to the Union Law Ministry.

The GBA has decided to approach all trade unions, social organisations, students’ and youth organisations of Ganjam district for their support on the issue.

For more than a decade, the GBA had been pressing this demand. Bandhs have been observed in the city and Ganjam district. It may be noted that members of the GBA had gone on cease work from December 4, 2007. The strike had continued for 139 days.

During the meeting, the lawyers also condemned the power private distribution company Southco for undeclared power cuts, problem of law voltage, lack of maintenance and alleged wrong billing. They threatened to initiate a mass agitation if the Southco authorities did not improve their service.

LED Lights to Illuminate Berhampur city Streets

Berhampur will switch over to LED (light- emitting diode) lights. Under its street light programme, the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) had installed 25 energy-efficient LED lights along half km stretch from Courtpeta to New bus stand road which will be put to use on Thursday.

At present, the city has five high-mast lights and sodium vapour lights at other places. The BMC pays `16 lakh towards electricity charges for these lights. The civic body has launched a drive to replace vapour lights along major roads, including the national highway passing through the city, with decorative LED lights. “Power charges will be reduced by half after usage of LED lights,” said assistant engineer (Mechanical) of the civic body Sukant Kumar Sabat.

While LED lights are costlier, in the long run they prove to be major energy savers and low on maintenance. Moreover, life of LED light is roughly three times that of a sodium lamp while giving more illumination.

In the second phase of the programme, BMC would install LED lights from Bhabanagar Chhack to Gatebazar Chhack and at Haladiapadar railway overbridge. This would be done on PPP mode.

Installation of LED lights is part of BMC’s ongoing illumination drive at an estimated cost of `2.50 crore. The Government had sanctioned `1.30 crore to it for the purpose. Source: The New Indian Express 

Girl could not afford books and a Pencil attempts suicide in Ganjam

A 12-year-old girl studying in class VII attempted suicide in her home at Aska morning when her poor parents showed reluctance in getting her new notebooks needed in school.

The victim tried self-immolation after dousing herself with kerosene. She was admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in the city. According to doctors treating her, she has received over 40 per cent burns.

The victim hailed from a very poor family of Jakabandhu Street of Aska. Her father was a carpenter who became paralytic a few months ago. Her mother was trying hard to bear the household expenses by working as domestic help in some houses at Aska. The couple have two sons and two daughters.

Speaking to newsmen at the hospital, Iswari said the girl had demanded new notebooks and stationery from her mother. She refused to go to school if she did not get new notebooks. But her mother, who did not have the money, coaxed her to go to school and went off to work.

The girl’s father was not at home. After her mother left the house, the girl had a quarrel with one of her brothers. Soon after, she attempted self immolation.

Neighbours noticed the fire in time and rescued the child, who was immediately shifted to MKCG medical college and hospital in the city. Source: The Hindu 

Suicide of the girl exposes cracks in govt. schemes

* The family of the girl, though poor, was not included in the BPL list

Suicide of a school going girl at Aska in Ganjam district of Odisha has brought to the fore some loopholes in the government programmes meant for the poor.

The 12-year-old girl studying in class VII had allegedly made an attempt to immolate herself on June 25 at her home when her poor parents refused to get her new notebooks and other stationery. She died in MKCG medical college and hospital in the city on June 26. According to the initial enquiry report of administration, the deceased girl had demanded new notebooks and an umbrella and her parents had bluntly denied it.

According to the orders of the Ganjam district collector, Prem Chand Choudhary, the district project coordinator of the Sarva Shikshya Abhiyan, district education officer, tehsildar and Block Development Officer (BDO) of Aska investigated the matter and submitted a report to the collector on Thursday.

This report accepted that the family of the victim was poor but it was not included in the BPL list. There are several poor families in the State which have not been included in the BPL list. Due to several reasons the BPL list has not been revised. As per the report under the Sarva Shikshya Abhiyan, the deceased girl had received school uniform as well as books. But there is no provision under Sarva Shikshya Abhiyan to provide free notebooks to students. But buying notebooks and stationery are also a major burden for economically backward families who find it hard to sustain their families in this time of severe price rise.

Speaking to The Hindu , Ganjam collector Mr. Choudhary said the administration is now trying to find ways to provide the family some succour.

The three other surviving school going children of the family cannot get any more assistance if they continue to study in the school as day scholars. “So, administration is planning to persuade their parents to allow their children to get admitted in a government residential school so that they could benefit from government schemes for poor students,” said the collector.

Family of the dead girl does not have a house and they cannot be provided a house under any rural housing scheme as the family now stays in a urban area like Aska. This family was originally from Dharakote area but had shifted to Aska for livelihood. The administration is also planning to include the family in some rural housing scheme at their own village.

Meanwhile, human rights activists have approached the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and Central Human Rights Commission (HRC) to enquire into the case.

They have also demanded Rs. five lakh compensation for the family of the dead girl. Source: The Hindu

SOLAR POWER PLANT TO COME UP IN CHHATRAPUR (BRAHMAPUR)

The plant would be come up on an area of 5.5 acres of land at an investment of Rs 13 crore, nodal officer of the project Lenka Prasad said.

The State Government has decided to set up a one-megawatt solar power plant in Greater Berhampur near Chhatrapur, the district headquarters town of Ganjam district.

Sources said the State Government mulled to set up the project to sort out power scarcity in the area after the power infrastructure in the district were damaged hit by cyclone Phailin on October 12, 2013.

The nodal officer said the land for the project has already been identified.

He informed that the district administration will soon hand over the land to the State-owned Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL), the implementing agency for the proposed plant.

The plant is part of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded Rs 1,000-crore plan to build disaster resilient power strengthening system in the cyclone-prone towns of Brahmapur, Chhatrapur and Gopalpur in Ganjam district on an experimental basis. Source: The Pioneer

Ring Road, Railway Bridges, Bus Depot to Come Up at Berhampur city

Work for 46-km ring road, three Railway over bridges, a bus depot and a terminal in Berhampur city of Odisha would start soon.

"We have asked the engineers concerned to expedite the projects," Ganjam district Collector Prem Chandra Chaudhary, who took stock of the projects at a high-level meeting at Chhatrapur over the week-end, said today.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid foundation stone of the projects before the simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state.

The collector has also reviewed some other projects like bus stands in Gopalpur and Chhatrapur. These projects would boost development of proposed Greater Berhampur (Berhampur, Chhatrapur and Gopalpur).

While a 13-km long Raghunathpur-Ratanapur bypass road would be constructed by National Highways Authority of India, a 15-km road stretch of Dakhinapur-Lathi-Haladiapadar and a 17-km stretch connecting Mandiapalli-Karapalli and Phulta would be taken up by public works department (PWD).

The department has estimated that Rs 330 crore would be spent for the construction of the roads, said executive engineer, PWD, and nodal officer of the project, P K Das.

Similarly, three ROBs would be constructed at Goods-shed Road, Ankuli and Gopalpur Road. The railways and state government will equally share the cost of the projects.

"While tenders for Gopalpur Road and Good-shed Road would be floated soon, Ankuli project would be put out to re-tender," official sources said.

Tender for Ankuli had evoked no response earlier. The government has sanctioned Rs 75.83 crore for the railway over bridges at Gopalpur Road while Rs 43.29 crore and Rs 44.66 crore has been allotted for Ankuli and Goods-shed Road projects, official sources said.

At present, there are two railway over bridges at Kamapalli-Lanjipalli Road and Haladiapadar. "Construction of the new over bridges is a long-standing demand of locals. We hope the traffic congestion in the city will be eased after the over bridges are completed," said Berhampur MLA, R C Chyaupatnaik.

A bus terminal and a depot would be constructed at Haladiapadara, on the outskirts of the city. The lands for the projects have already been identified. Bus stands in Gopalpur and Chhatrapur would also be constructed. All three bus stands and the bus depot will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 26.32 crore, official sources said.

Courtesy: http://www.outlookindia.com/

Facebook Chat Corner, Near SBI Main Branch, Brahmapur.

Photography by -Jyoti Prasad Pattnaik

Barrack Stadium, Berhampur to be ready in three months

By SUNIL PATNAIK

The renovation of Berhampur Stadium, undertaken by the state department of sports and youth services, will complete within three months at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore.

Saswat Mishra, commissioner-cum-secretary of sports and youth services department, visited the stadium and reviewed the work’s progress today.

“The condition of the soil on the field is too bad. Odisha Agro Industries Corporation is removing the outer soil and the stadium will be ready in three months,” Mishra said.

The blueprint of the project includes renovation of the playground, construction of an underground reservoir and a sprinkler system. Pipelines are being laid for the stadium.

P.K. Panda of the Odisha Agro Industries Corporation said they had already removed a ground of the size of 2-lakh square feet. About 150 truckloads of soil have been removed and fresh black cotton soils have been laid on the surface. “We would lay soil after treated it with pesticides and fertilisers,” he said.

The public health engineering department will connect the underground reservoir with a water point at Utkal Ashram.

“We will plant grass on the soil once water is available. Now that the monsoon is expected to hit at any time, it should not be a problem.”

Source: Telegraph

Cleanliness level of Berhampur Railway Station increased many folds

To check accidents at unmanned railway level crossings in rural areas, East Coast Railway division has come up with two limited height subways in Ganjam district.

Speaking to newsmen during his visit to Berhampur, the additional divisional railway manager of East Coast Railway, Suvendu Kumar Choudhary said these two sub-ways which have been completed are located near Berhampur and Chatrapur in Ganjam district. Another such subway is being constructed near Bhaliagada in Ganjam district.

Mr. Choudhary was in Berhampur to monitor the cleanliness drive taken up at the Berhampur railway station. He said people were made aware about maintenance of sanitation at railway station. Railway authorities have become strict regarding cleanliness at Berhampur railway station. The persons spitting on the platforms and throwing garbage are being reprimanded and fines. According to railway officials on Sunday five persons had been fined and on Monday two persons had to pay up fines. The persons spitting or throwing garbage on the platforms at Berhampur railway station are being fined of Rs. 50. It was hoped that it would increase public consciousness about maintenance of hygiene and cleanliness at the railway station.

The Chief Engineer General of East Coast Railway, Siba Prasad Samantray, who also visited Berhampur railway station said during past few days cleanliness level of Berhampur station had increased many folds. He however added that drinking water facility had to be enhanced. Speaking on the renovation work for the damages caused by the Phailin cyclone last year, he said work was on and the station would be completely renovated soon. He added that work on the new fourth platform at Berhampur station would also be completed soon. Meanwhile, a ramp for physically challenged persons has also been constructed at the Berhampur railway station. It now connects platform number one with platforms two and three. It would be extended to fourth platform which is under construction.

Regarding encroachment of railway land, he said with coordination with State government railways was trying to remove the encroachments so that the Berhampur station could be developed further. 

Source: The Hindu

Maa Siddha Bhairabi Temple, Mantridi near Berhampur city

Soccer fever in Berhampur city

World Cup Soccer fever has also reached Berhampur with veteran football players making efforts to use this international sporting event to popularise the game among youngsters and the common mass.

Quite a number of veteran players, who had played in the State football team live in Berhampur and Ganjam district. “There was a time few decades back when several players of our region used to represent in the State team, but at present interest in the game is going down among youngsters,” said former secretary of Ganjam Bar Association Manoj Patnaik.

A few decades back, a national football tournament ‘Fiaz Memorial Trophy’ was played in the city every year. People used to buy tickets to witness matches of this tournament. But at present only a few football clubs exist in Berhampur. Football clubs consist of mostly middle aged veteran players with few youngsters as the new generation seems to be more interested in cricket.

Members of Baracks Football Club as well as the autorickshaw association decided to use the World Cup football occasion to attract youngsters.

Members of the two organisations with the support of sports lovers have come up with two large display boards which would be put up at the old bus stand square in the heart of the city. One of them has detailed information regarding the teams that are playing in this world cup as well as the date and time of their matches as per the IST. The other display board has pictures of top players of all teams playing in the World Cup. According to Gopal Panda, a veteran football player, results of each match would be updated on display boards.

This group had also planned screening of live matches. But they have now made some changes in their plan as all matches would be played during late night or early morning hours. “We are now planning to have shows of recordings of important matches as well as the final match,” said Gouri Shankar Panda, another former State level soccer player.

“We, the veteran football players, have decided to meet at the old bus stand square every morning and evening near display boards to answer queries of youngsters as well as others regarding football and World Cup matches,” said Mr Gopal and Mr Gouri Shankar. They would analyse matches played the previous day with emphasis on making the youngsters understand the intricacies and rules of the game. “It seems enthusiasm has become infectious as my son has demanded a football for his birthday instead of a new bat,” said Srinivas Rajana, a sports enthusiast. Source: The Hindu

Underground power supply system mooted for Greater Berhampur

Destination Ganjam-- Thrills of nature on shoestring budget

BY BIBHUTI BARIK

Ganjam district, especially the tourist circuit in and around Berhampur city consisting of Gopalpur, Chhatrapur, Tara Tarini , Chilika and Jaugada, can be a wonderful experience for a weekend trip in limited time and budget.

If you reach Berhampur city by train and stay at a hotel or guest house in Berhampur or in Gopalpur, you get enough time to spend the evenings on the beach front, which is a beautiful sight with the historic lighthouse at the backdrop.

During the daytime, you have to plan your trip according to the budget, as the vehicles are available at a reasonable price.

However, if you start the day early, you may visit the Chilika lake near Rambha, Tampara lake, Potagada (buried fort) and the cemetery in one day.

On the second day, you can divide tour time between the famous Jaugada with the Ashokan edict and Tara Tarini temple on a hilltop near the Rushikuyla riverbank.

Bhubaneswar-based tour planner Debashish Mohapatra thinks the potential of tourism in Ganjam is not yet explored and it should also get prominence in tourism literature and promotion.

“One can get the sea front, a beautiful brackish water lake such as Chilika, sweet water lake Tampara, historic fort at Potagada near Chhatrapur and the cemetery established by the European settlers near Potagada. The Tara Tarini temple and Jaugada are there to attract tourists as well,” he said.

“More focus is always given to the golden triangle consisting of Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark, but there are several places, which can attract tourists with equal potential. However, there should be efforts to develop minimal infrastructure and introduce tourist-friendly transport providers in the private sector,” said Mrutyunjay Tripathy, a government employee who travels to various places in the state with family.

Second-time MP from Berhampur Sidhant Mohapatra, after his victory, said tourism promotion would be on his priority area.

“We want to see that tourists seek to come to Gopalpur, Chhatrapur and Jaugada just like they always want to explore places in Puri and Konark,” he added.

Subir Maity, a junior engineer from Baripada, who came to visit Berhampur last week, said: “I was doing a post-diploma course in Berhamur during my student days and was visiting places with friends. Recently, I travelled to many places with my family and realised that things have changed a lot and there is a huge potential to attract tourists from neighbouring states such as Andhra Pradesh and Bengal.”

“Local people with their enterprising qualities to produce nearly 100 varieties of pickles and papads could also be linked, so that the tourists can take away the food items after their trip,” he said, adding that the silk saris are also famous and there is a need to promote them.

Gopalpur-on-sea

About 16km from Berhampur railway station, the popular destination is dotted with coconut, palm and casuarina plants. Historically known as Paloura from where sailors of ancient Kalinga would venture into islands such as Java, Bali and Sumatra for trade in silk and pearl, the port is also has a beautiful lighthouse which was commissioned by the British rulers in the past.

Chhatrapur

The district headquarters town of Ganjam is near the Potagada (buried fort). The European settlers had constructed the monument from where rice used to be exported, as Ganjam, traditionally was a major rice-producing region in the state. The settlers also used to keep arms and ammunition inside the fort.

Tourists can also visit a cemetery near the fort. The Odisha State Archaeology is now restoring the fort with assistance from Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan. The sweet-water lake Tampara is also within a kilometre distance from the town. Nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles can also be seen near the sea beach of Chhatrapur.

Chilika (Rambha)

The biggest brackish water lake of Asia, Chilika, has one of its most beautiful gateways near Rambha from where one can avail mechanised boat service maintained by the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation. There is also accommodation available at Rambha with the OTDC for the tourists who want to have an overview of the lake from their windows.

Jaugada & Maa Tara Tarini

Jaugada, the second place in Odisha where the Asokan rock edict is found and preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India, is a beautiful monument. On the way to the site from Berhampur or Chhatrapur, one can also see the Tara Tarini hill temple, which is believed to be the breast Shrine and one of the famous shrines of Shakti.

On the way from the NH-5 to Jaugada, one can also witness the distinct rural sociology and the beautiful villages dotted with coconut and date palm trees.  Source: The Telegraph

Serene Gopalpur sea beach - A must see destination

Serene Gopalpur sea beach - A must see destination for anyone travelling to Berhampur city in Odisha. Gopalpur also has an ancient, commercial port, now lying in ruins. From an obscure little fishing village, Gopalpur became a prominent trading port during the days of British East India Company. The East India Company built large warehouses and godowns because the trade with Burma had picked up and it had become a trading point for rice from Rangoon. The British and the wealthy Bengalis, who once made Gopalpur a vibrant, happening place, have left. Gopalpur has reverted to being a quiet, relaxed place but with one major difference — it is one of India's most sought after beaches, with a distinct charm of its own.

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