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Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Rushikulya rookery near Berhampur city beckoning Olive Ridley turtles


Nature has made the Rushikulya rookery coast in Ganjam district of Odisha conducive to mass nesting of Olive Ridleys, which is expected to occur by last week of February.
The Rushikulya rookery coast is a major mass nesting site of the endangered marine turtles. No mass nesting occurred here last year, although lakhs of Olive Ridleys had gathered in the sea near the coast. At present mating has started. Hopes are high that in the coming nesting season, the turtles will arrive to lay eggs at the Rushikulya rookery coast.

Some positive changes at the coastline have made the beach more favourable for mass nesting in comparison to past years. These are shifting of the Rushikulya river mouth, erosion and vanishing of a large sandbar and widening of sandy beach through deposition, said Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ashis Behera.
During the past few months, the river mouth has shifted around three kilometres towards Purunabandha from near Gokharkuda village. Due to this, a stretch of over three kms, about 300 to 500 metres wide, has emerged. Sand is loose in this region, which is favourable for nesting as the mother turtles dig it up to lay their eggs. Earlier this stretch of beach was eroded by the sea and was too narrow for mass nesting.
Sea erosion and its deposition had formed a large sandbar of over 1.5 km long and 10 to 20 metre wide near Gokharkuda. This was preventing the turtles from reaching the coast and they were nesting on this sand bar. Several nests were washed away by the waves from here. The erosion had started in 2016 beginning. “Now this sand bar has completely vanished and its sand is deposited on the coast, widening it. Now the turtles would be able to reach the beach directly and easily,” said Mr Behera.
To protect the mating turtles, a special squad of officials from the Forest and Marine Fishery Departments has started patrolling the sea near the coast. The squad has two speed boats from the Forest Department, one trawler each from the Fisheries Department and Gopalpur port. Nine on-shore camps have been established by the Forest Ddepartment on the coast where the turtles usually come to nest near the rookery. Beach cleaning process has also started.
Some positive changes here have made the beach more favourable for mass nesting
By Sib Kumar Das 
- The Hindu, BERHAMPUR,DECEMBER 24, 2016

'AMRUT City' survey in January


Monday, December 26, 2016

Images of the Second Day of the Famous Gopalpur Beach Festival 2016


 #GopalpurBeachFestival2016 
#futureBerhampur

Second day of Gopalpur Beach Festival 2016


Famous Gopalpur Beach Festival 2016 begins













AMRUT city survey in January



Pollution actuate in Berhampur City; Government silent!


Central team will monitor the sanitation of Berhampur city


Condition of water bodies in Berhampur city


Friday, December 16, 2016

ADVANCE SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING INSTITUTE (ASTI), BERHAMPUR WILL START FROM COMING FEBRUARY


ADVANCE SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING INSTITUTE (ASTI), BERHAMPUR WILL START FROM COMING FEBRUARY

A NINE-MEMBER EXPERT TEAM OF THE FUNDING AGENCY, ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB), VISITED THE ITI, BERHAMPUR RECENTLY FOR SITE SELECTION

THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK MISSION WAS SATISFIED WITH THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES AT ITI, BERHAMPUR

The proposed Advance Skill Development Training Institute (ASTI), Berhampur, is likely to function on a temporary basis from the premises of Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Berhampur from February, 2018.

A nine-member expert team of the funding agency, Asian Development Bank (ADB), visited the ITI recently for inspection of its infrastructure.

“We are prepared to spare space for functioning of the ASTI on ITI campus. During the discussion with us, the Asian Development Bank mission appeared satisfied with the existing infrastructure facilities,” ITI principal Rajat Panigrahi said.

The government has earmarked five acres in front of the ITI, Berhampur for construction of the permanent campus of the ASTI. The construction of the building and other facilities for the institute will take two years.

The temporary campus of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Berhampur, started functioning from the ITI campus this year.

To impart skill training to around two lakh youths in the next five years, the state government has decided to set up six ASTIs in different places of the state. Besides Berhampur, the other places selected are Rourkela, Ambaguda (Koraput), Jharsuguda, Bhubaneswar (Gandamunda) and Balangir.

The five ASTIs will also function from ITIs. Most advanced skill development and industry-oriented training will be imparted in the ASTIs.

Two lakh youths will be trained at a cost of Rs 1,050-crore. Out of it, the state government would provide one-third and the rest amount would be availed from ADB as loan, the sources said.

The Odisha Skill Development Society would be the nodal agency for implementation of the project.

Besides ITI passouts, other target groups to receive advanced skill development training are unemployed IT graduates, unemployed engineers and general graduates and polytechnic graduates, they said.

PTI, Decemeber 16, 2016

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Odisha Govt announced merger of 26 villages with Berhampur at the time of formation of Municipal Corporation in 2008

Odisha Government announced the merger of 26 villages with Berhampur municipal body at the time of formation of the Municipal Corporation in 2008. 
Almost 8 years have passed and there is no movement on this promise to form Greater Berhampur that will add a population of 2.5 lakh to the city’s existing population making it the second biggest city in Odisha by 2021. 
It is unfortunate that this vast population who live in the city periphery still belong to the adjoining Panchyats as the municipal boundaries of Berhampur have not been redrawn in the last 3 decades. Adding salt to the injury, the government is preparing to hold panchayat elections in these villages Jan-Feb 2017 blocking their merger with Berhampur before the 2021 census. 
While there is growing demand for the merger of Chatrapur, Gopalpur and Hinjilicut along with 139 villages under BDA to form Greater Berhampur Municipal Corporation (GBMC) the Govt seems least bothered to ensure planned growth of the city. 
As an immediate measure, Panchayat elections proposed for Jan-Feb 2017 must be stopped in these Panchayats and the road for their early merger with Berhampur Municipal Corporation must be initiated.

Tejas chief designer Kota Harinarayana felicitated in his home city Berhampur


Kota Harinarayana, the programme director and chief designer of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, was accorded a civic reception in his hometown Berhampur in Odisha on Sunday.
It was the first visit of Mr. Harinarayana to his home in Berhampur after Tejas got inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF). His childhood, schooling and college life was in Berhampur. The civic reception in his honour had been jointly organised by former students’ association of City High School of Berhampur, where Mr. Harinarayana had studied, civic organisation Forum for Ganjam and Rotary Club of Behampur. Mr. Harinarayana along with his wife K. Nirmala attended the function. Some teachers of Mr. Harinarayana like M. Jagannath Rao were present on the occasion apart from local MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyaupatnaik, chairperson of Berhampur Development Authority Subash Moharana sub-collector and other dignitaries of the city.
Addressing the gathering Mr. Harinarayana said Indians living anywhere in the country including Berhampur should discard inferiority complex from their minds as they can achieve anything with proper perseverance. According to him Tejas was an example of this.
He reiterated that indigenous Tejas was at par or better than aircrafts of its category produced in any developed country. “It would be able to replace old fighter aircrafts of the country like the MIG”, he added. He hoped that in future light passenger aircrafts would enhance communication link in India.
Mr. Harinarayana is also linked with hopes, aspirations and demands of his home town Berhampur. He informed that he is approaching all relevant authorities to upgrade the Rangeilunda airstrip near Berhampur to a full fledged airport.
He felt if this 1850 m long air strip is extended to at least 2250 m length then cargo planes would be able to land on it. It would be a great adage to the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) coming up near Gopalpur port in Ganjam district. He called upon people of south Odisha to come together to form an integrated developmental plan, in which both public and private authorities would be given equal and proper importance.-The Hindu, BERHAMPUR, August 22, 2016

Property of Parala Maharaja updates


Can the NHAI office reopen at Berhampur city?


Monday, August 22, 2016

Gopalpur port updates


Satya Narayan Maharana's Sculpture selected for India Book of Records


Waste management project to come-up in Berhampur


Gopalpur port (Berhampur) updates


Wednesday, August 17, 2016

In memory of Prof. Prahallad Panda


South Odisha loses its most powerful voice and a worthy Son of the Soil with the passing away of Prof. Prahallad Panda on 02nd August, 2016 in Berhampur. Prof. Panda was an extraordinary academic, writer, author, columnist and a communicator par-excellence who single-handedly fought for backward Southern Odisha region. 
After completing Ph.D in Economics from the Berhampur University, Prof. Panda was into teaching for many years till he retired in 1998. Besides producing a number of meritorious students, he has written many books on economics and about 300 essays on culture and nationalism in Odia. 
Berhampur city was very close to his heart. He was the editor of Kalinga Barta and was also associated with many organizations of Berhampur and South Odisha. His demise has created a vacuum in South Odisha. 
Now it’s the duty of his family members, organizations and other supporters to carry on his relentless struggle for development of South Odisha and to keep his memories alive for future generations.

Ram Prasad Tripathy
New Delhi 
rptripathy2000@gmail.com


Can NHAI office return to Berhampur ?



Waste Management plant to come up in Berhampur


Catalonia at Gopalpur Port (Berhampur)


Monday, August 15, 2016

--Berhampur city in news during the Freedom struggle of India

Warm greetings to all proud Indians on the occasion of 70th Independence day of India


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

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Minister reviews Greater Berhampur development works


Friday, August 12, 2016

LED bulbs will be installed for street lighting in Berhampur


Development of Berhampur city; news update


New Bus-stand @ Haladiapadar (Berhampur) update


Stray Dogs and animals roaming freely on Berhampur roads


Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Birth Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Shri V.V. Giri

The nation and his hometown Berhampur pay tributes to Bharat Ratna Shri V.V. Giri on his birth anniversary today.
Varahagiri Venkata Giri (10 August 1894 – 23 June 1980), known as V. V. Giri, was the fourth President of the Republic of India. Born in Berhampur city of Odisha, Giri completed his education at Khallikote College, Berhampur and University College, Dublin, Ireland in 1916. Appointed India's High Commissioner to Ceylon in 1947, Giri became a Member of Parliament in 1951 and served as Union Minister for Labour under Prime Minister Nehru during 1952-1954. Having served as Governor of the states of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Mysore between 1957 and 1967, he was elected Vice President of India in 1967. Following the death of President Zakir Hussain, Giri also served as Acting President of India from 3 May 1969 to 20 July 1969. In the Presidential election of 1969, he won as an independent candidate defeating Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the nominee of the ruling Congress Party. V.V. Giri received India's highest civilian decoration, the Bharat Ratna, in 1975.

Gopalpur port updates

Wishes to the participants of Rio

When CC camera will be installed in Bada Bazar?

Night view of the most powerful Shakti Peetha / Tantra Peetha; Tara Tarini

Class starts in IISER, Berhampur

Railway planned to install two lifts and two escalators at the Berhampur railway station

The East Coast Railway has planned to install two lifts and two escalators at the Berhampur railway station and the project will be completed by March 2017. 

The East Coast Railway has planned to install escalators and lifts at A1 and some A-class stations under its zone spread across Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. As per the plan, twelve escalators and nine lifts will be installed at the Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam railway station and two A-category stations (Cuttack and Berhampur) under the East Coast Railway (ECoR) zone to help passengers with disabilities and senior citizens, sources said.
The ECoR sources said four escalators and two lifts will be installed at Cuttack station, while Berhampur will get two lifts and two escalators. "We have not set any target for these two stations. But we will complete it in the next financial year," said the official.

Berhampur City Police Commissionerate Soon

Chakapad Birupakhya (Siva) Temple, (Kandhamal district)


Chakapad is situated about 800 ft (243.84 m) from sea level in G. Udayagiri Tahasil of Kandhamal district. Berhampur is the nearest city from this place. Lord Birupakhya (Siva) is the presiding deity of this area. 

Chakapad, known for its natural beauty, lies at a distance of 60 km from Phulbani the district headquarters. There is a temple of Lord Birupakshya on the historical river Bhrutanga at this site. 
The unique aspect of this place is that the trees all around and the Siva Linga inside the temple lean towards the South direction.

Budhi Thakurani, Berhampur


Budhi Thakurani is considered as the istadevi of Silk City Berhampur. As a child feels safe and secure in her mother’s lap, the inhabitants of Berhampur always have a secure felling under the blessings of Maa Budhi Thakurani. Therefore, the people of the city worship the deity with great reverence, devotion, love and affection and have strong belief on the Goddess as their guard wall.
Thakurani temple is situated in Old Berhampur. A large number of devotees visit the temple and worship to the deity inside the shrines is a piece of stone cut in crude fashion and smeared with sindoor and ornaments.

Like Tara Tarini Shakti, Peetha the temple presents a unique feature of close association of low caste and higher caste people of Hinduism. Here,the priests are barber by caste where as devotees come from all castes and class for darshan.
Berhampur Thakurani is famous for its two year gaped yatra. It is popularly known as Thakurani Yatra. It is a major festival of Berhampur city and southern Orissa as well. 
The month long home coming of the Goddess is celebrated with a great pomp. The Goddess is conceived as a daughter given away in marriage, visits her father’s house in every two years. Her presence at home is celebrated as the festival period.
During these days the town gets festive look and colorful. The chief attraction during the festival are the giant images of different goddess and mythological figures displayed in decorated pendals called Rathas, folk dance, tiger dance and veshas.