Saraswati Vidyamandir at Berhampur steals the show

BERHAMPUR: The higher secondary wing of Saraswati Vidyamandir, Nilakanthanagar, Berhampur put up a good show in the Plus Two science board examination. Six of its students found place in the top 20 positions in examination the results of which were declared on Monday. Ten students of the city were among the top 20 of science and commerce streams. And a maximum of these students are from Nilakanthanagar Sishu Vidyamandir. The institute also had 100 per cent result in higher secondary science stream. It was celebration time at the institute.

Principal of the institute Mohan Rao said hard work of students and teachers had yielded the results. The students who got into the top ranks included,
Ipsita Sourabhi and Gourav Patra who secured the sixth rank, Suvendu Panda (twelfth rank), Adarsh Padhi (fourteenth rank), Rakesh Sahu (sixteenth rank), and Smita Priyadarsini (twentieth rank). Khallikote Autonomous College of the city also had its share of pride. Student of its junior college Sanket Das secured sixth rank and Satchidanada Moharana got ninth rank in the science stream.

From Berhampur among Top 20 in Commerce

In commerce stream Sandip Mohanty of Khallikote junior college secured the 12th rank. Susrita Kumari Patra, a student of Ram Narayan College of Dura, Berhampur secured sixth rank in the commerce stream.

Source: The Hindu, OTV

8 students from Berhampur city among top 20 in CHSE +2 Science Exams 2011

1. SANKET DASH ( RANK 6), KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR
2. GOURAB KUMAR PATRO (RANK 6), SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR
3.  IPSITA SAURABHI (RANK 6), SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR
4. SUBHENDU KUMAR PANDA (RANK 12), SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR
5. ADARSH RANJAN PADHY (RANK 14), SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR
6. RAKESH KUMAR SAHU (RANK 16), SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR
7. SACHIDANANDA MAHARANA (RANK 19), KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR
8. SMITA PRIYADARSHINEE (RANK 20), SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR

Historic Potagarh fort near Berhampur city to get facelift

Potagarh fort near Berhampur city in Orissa, which stands as a mute witness to the vicissitudes of history, is all set to get a facelift following the state government's decision to make it a major tourist destination. About 350-year-old historic forts would be restored, conserved and made a heritage tourism destination under the World Bank funded Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP), a senior official of the ICZMP said.

A special team of World Bank and support joint mission led by Tapas Paul along with the project officials from West Bengal and Gujarat visited the heritage site recently. The team also visited Tampara, a wetland near Chhatrapur which would be developed as an eco-tourism centre through the project and Sana Nolianuagaon, a fishermen village in the district. "Besides restoration and conservation, the site would be developed as a major tourist destination as part of the ICZMP," according to project director A K Pattanaik.

Besides Potagarh and the British Cemetery near Ganjam town, seven other heritage sites are to be developed. The other sites are Baba Kundaleswar temple of Manikapatna, Baliharichandi temple near Puri, Hariharadeva temple, Nairi, Bateswara temple, Kantiagada (Ganjam), Jagannath temple, Pentha and Jamboo Colonial Building, Kendrapara.

About Rs7.41 crore would be spent in five years to develop the sites for heritage tourism, sources said. The team members appreciated steps taken by ICZMP-Orissa to conserve the monuments and to develop them as tourist spots by involving cultural and tourism departments as executing agencies.

Potagada, built in 1768 as a star-shaped fort, is surrounded by a wide and deep moat. It's strongly built earthen rampart is about 15-feet high, 92-metre long and 19-metre wide. The fort was built underground and one could not see it from a distance. "The fort was built in this shape to protect it from invaders," noted historian Shishir Kumar Panda of Berhampur University said.

The main gate of the fort was ruined. However, the gate on the other side was found almost intact. Within the fort, there are office buildings, magazine, artillery, armoury, store, custom houses etc. The destructive flood of river Rushikulya in 1990 caused considerable damage to the fort.

The ICZM project is being implemented in Orissa with a financial outlay of Rs227.60 crore on a pilot basis to protect the coastal belt and to improve the socio-economic development of coastal people.

Source: DNA

Berhampur city set to have an integrated sewerage system

By Sunil Patnaik (The Telegraph)

BERHAMPUR: Berhampur city is set to have an integrated sewerage system soon. “The Orissa Water Supply and Sewerage Board has floated the technical tender for the integrated sewerage system in Berhampur,” said municipal commissioner Bhim Manseth. Preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) was under process, said the municipal commissioner stating that the project cost would be decided after finalisation of the DPR. The project would be funded under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme while the state’s matching share of 20 per cent would be met from the loan assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), said Manseth. The integrated project, which has been cleared by a high-level committee, will include underground gravity sewer for collection of sewage of each household, replacement and renovation of all existing old sewers, construction of the main sewage drain, pumping stations, sewage treatment plants and low-cost sanitation units in the city area. The project will ensure proper treatment of the generated sewage in the city area through application of modern treatment technology. The treated wastewater will be used for watering plants and stored for cattle usage. Stating that there is a plan to follow the Hyderabad model, the municipal commissioner said at present, the wastewater is dumped into the Hussain Sagar after it is treated. “We have similar ideas in mind. The water, which will emerge from the treatment plant, would not be used for drinking purposes. But, it would be used in parks, to water trees and can be stored in ponds for cattle use,” he said. The city is now having a poor sewage collection and disposal system.

Berhampur Municipal Corporation mulls city bus service

By Sunil Patnaik (The Telegraph)

BERHAMPUR: After Cuttack, it could well be Berhampur’s turn. The Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to run a bus service in the Silk City. “We have a proposal to run city buses in Berhampur. We will prepare a feasibility report on the various aspects of the city bus service and submit the proposal to the urban development department of the state government for approval," BMC commissioner Bhim Manseth said. “Before the city became a corporation, the Berhampur municipality had introduced town bus service. But the service was withdrawn a few years later as it incurred huge losses. Now the city has grown and we have a corporation in place. We are studying the requirements of the city transport service and identifying sustainable bus routes.” the commissioner said. “City buses are being run in a planned way in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. We will ensure that the new service did not run into losses,” he added. An engineer of the BMC mechanical section, however, said the condition of roads in Berhampur was not suitable to run buses. These buses could ply on National Highway number 217, which runs through the Silk City. “As road construction work is in progress in the city, it will not be feasible to run buses in large numbers. The scenario may change in the future,” he said. Besides, the official pointed out that the city bus service in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack was being operationalised under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban and Rural Mission (JNNURM) with financial assistance of central and state governments. The central government is interested to run buses in cities with a population of more than 2 lakh. The urban development department of the state government has already sent a letter to the corporation to submit a feasibility report in this regard. Residents of Berhampur have also rued the lack of a city bus service. They have been clamouring for the introduction of a public transport system.

Govind Pradhan, Gajapati Nagar resident and a salesman at a shop on Aska Road, said: “Drivers of autorickshaws and cycle rickshaws charge arbitrarily, making it increasingly difficult for commuters to avail these modes of transport. When other cities in the state have introduced bus services, why cannot Berhampur have one?” Godavarish Nagar resident Mina Kumari Patnaik said the proposed service should run up to the tourist hub of Gopalpur-on-sea. A teacher at the Nodal UP School, Gopalpur, Patnaik said: “Mini matador buses and trekkers are the only means of transport between Berhampur and Gopalpur. As several foreign and domestic tourists visit Gopalpur-on-sea, the BMC must take extra care to ply city buses on the route. This would benefit tourists as well as daily passengers from Berhampur to Gopalpur,” she said. The service would also benefit hundreds of office-goers, students and other commuters.

Weavers village in Ganjam to be tourist destination

BERHAMPUR: Padmanavpur, a village in Ganjam district, is all set to become a rural tourism destination. The tourism department will develop this remote yet exotic locale into a tourism destination. "Tourists, both domestic and foreigners, are eager to sample rural life. This has prompted the tourism department to develop this weavers' village that is famous for its handloom sarees. The project also aims to improve the socio-economic condition of weavers through tourism," a tourist officer (head quarter) Sarat Chandra Mohanty said. Padmanavpur, about 35 km from Berhampur, will become the second village in the state after Raghurajpur in Puri district to be chosen for the rural tourism project. "Almost all infrastructure required for the ideal village have been completed," a senior tourist officer said. Major components of the Rs 50 lakh rural tourism project are expected to be completed in the next three months, official sources said.

Source: Times of India

Vivek Express reaches Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: Schoolchildren and people associated with the Ramkrishna Mission thronged the Vivek Express that chugged into the Berhampur railway station. The train showcases the life, philosophy and teachings of Swami Vivekananda. The train will be parked at the railway station here for two days and people can go around it from 10 am to 6 pm. "The response in Berhampur is quite satisfactory," train manager Rabindra Kumar said. Despite the scorching sun, around 700 persons visited the train in the first two hours of the first day, officials said. The five-coach fully air-conditioned train has photographs and write-ups of Swami Vivekananda. It was flagged off from Howrah by Union railway minister Mamata Banerjee on January 12. "We had read about the life of Swamiji in the book. We are now happy to see the life and works of the great Indian saint in photographs" said some schoolchildren, who visited the train. "We can see the life and work of Swamiji in the train instead of going to Belur Math in Kolkata," they added. During its journey, the train will be visit major places across the country before it returns to Howrah on January 12, 2013. Before chugging into Berhampur station, the exhibition wheels has covered several stations in West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand and parts of Orissa, including Bhubaneswar. It was parked at the Mancheswar railway station in Bhubaneswar for three days and over 3,500 people, including several dignitaries visited the train, an officer said. More people are expected to visit it in Berhampur during its two-day halt, said Kumar. Before it leaves Orissa, it will halt at Rayagada and Koraput for three and two days respectively, said a railway officer. The train is a tribute from the Indian Railways to Swamiji on his 150th birth anniversary. The railways had launched this train to encourage the youth to follow the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda and spread religious harmony and unity among the masses, he said.

Source: Times of India

AIR Berhampur bags International Prize

By Sunil Patnaik (The Telegraph)

BERHAMPUR: All India Radio, Berhampur, has bagged the first prize of the Tokyo-based International Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union under the category of children and youth programme for its audio documentary Aa Mo Sakala Aa (Come come, dear morning). The programme was meant to generate awareness among youth and children to fight AIDS. “Our programme on AIDS awareness was highly appreciated by the international jury comprising members from Voice of America, British Broadcasting Corporation, Australia Broadcasting Corporation, NYK Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting and Netherlands Public Broadcasting,” said Hrushikesh Panda, assistant station director of AIR, Berhampur. More than 200 electronic media from more than 80 countries participated in the event. But entries from six countries, including Germany, Japan, China, Iran, Hong Kong and India, were shortlisted for the final round, he said. The award carried a cash prize of $2,000, a citation, and a trophy. “We consider AIR, Berhampur, not only as a medium of entertainment to the public, but also as a prime medium to enlighten the mass for better public health and improved socio-economic conditions,” said the assistant station director. AIR, Berhampur had also bagged the Special Commendation Award in the children and youth category for a programme on global warming titled Our Home the Planet Earth. The programme had participated in the International Radio Festival of Iran in 2009, and the International Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Competition in London in 2011. “The AIR, Berhampur, is the only radio station with ‘local radio station’ status in the state, which has bagged several national and international awards despite problems such as staff shortage and lack of a full-fledged studio,” said Panda.

Usha Devi from Ganjam inducted as a Cabinet Minister

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reshuffled his two-year-old ministry, inducting five new ministers and redistributing the portfolios. Four time legislator from Chikiti constituency of Ganjam District and a resident of Berhampur city, Usha Devi found place in the Ministry. This led to celebrations in her hometown Berhampur with supporters celebrating with sweets and crackers. She took oath as a Cabinet Minister and got the Textiles and Handloom portfolio along with Science and Technology. In the first major reshuffle of the BJD government in its third term induction of Usha Devi was near certain with her name floating in the media circles for quite some time. Apart from a woman and senior legislator she belongs to the Chikiti royal family. A Journalism Graduate, she had earlier held the position of Senate member of Berhampur University and President of Women’s Cooperative Bank, Berhampur. Another resident of Berhampur and a senior cabinet minister in the Orissa Government, Mr Surjya Narayan Patro also got the additional charge of Information and Public Relations in the reshuffle, besides Revenue and Disaster Management portfolio which he held. Mr Bikram Keshri Arukh, another cabinet minister from Ganjam District retained his portfolios of Law and Rural Development. While some circles have put that Ganjam has been a major gainer in the ministry reshuffle but the reaction was mixed among the people. Prior to this reshuffle Ganjam District had three Cabinet Ministers including the Chief Minister but this did not lead to any significant development of the District in general and Berhampur city in particular.  While Ganjam has always been a politically important District in Orissa yet its development leaves much to be desired and hence the enthusiasm of another cabinet minister’s inclusion was rather subdued among the public. 

Team Berhampur franchise goes to Infocity Lifestyle in Orissa Premier League (OPL)

The Orissa Cricket Association on Monday announced the names of 10 franchisees and the whopping bidding prices took everyone by surprise. The silk city Berhampur franchise was purchased by Infocity Lifestyle Private Limited for Rs 34 lakh, leaving other 5 biddeers behind. The highest bid of Rs 54.99 lakh came from LG Infrastructure, the franchisee from mineral-rich Keonjhar. Kashvi Power and Steel came up with the second bid at Rs 49 lakh. While the Dhenkanal franchise was bought by one Panchanan Mohanty at Rs 45.45 lakh, the Jagatsinghpur franchise was purchased by Arindam Sarkhal at Rs 36.05 lakh. This was followed by Puri, which was bought by Orisons Overseas Private Limited at Rs 36 lakh and Cuttack for Rs 35 lakh by Siddhartha Constructions while Angul was sold for Rs 27 lakh to Bikash Swain. Similarly, the Balasore and Rourkela franchises were bought for Rs 27 lakh each by SB India Infrastructure Pvt Limited and Maa Banabihari Mineral Limited respectively.

While OCA has fixed a base price of just Rs 4 lakh for owning a team in the OPL, the money quoted by bidders was much higher than expected. In total, OCA sold 138 forms out of which around 97 qualified. While OCA shortlisted at least 14 venue-based teams, only 10 teams were selected to play in the first edition. The four teams of Jajpur, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Kendrapara were turned away.

Source: Times of India

Berhampur People: Sisir Misra (Winner of Dada Saheb Phalke Academy Award)

Berhampur city has a special place in the cultural sphere of India. In recent times many youngsters of the city have taken the nation by storm with their awasome performance. The Prince Dance Group and Krishnamohan Reddy, Harihar Dash, Harinath Reddy etc. have drawn the attention of the entire nation. But, that is not all. Noted film director and screenwriter  Sisir Mishra renowned for directing many critically acclaimed films in Hindi and Oriya has again made the city proud. Recognising his contribution to Indian cinema, he was awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award in Mumbai recently. He was born and brought up in Berhampur,Orissa. He is the son of Late Purushottam Mishra. His father, was an engineer under British Govt. He left his academic career as lecturer in Physics, moved to Mumbai in 1965 and started his film career in Hindi films as assistant Director under Mehboob Khan of Mother India fame. He directed many box office hit films in Oriya like "Sindoora Bindoo", "Suna Sansaara", "Subarna Seeta", "Samaya Bada Balawaan", "Ei Ama Sansaara", "Bastra Harana", "Suna Bhauja", "Sabata Maa", etc. He directed many Hindi movies like "Bheegi Palkein", "Samay Ki Dhara", "Billoo Baadshaah", "TADA" and "Aseema", etc.

Awards

2011: Dada Saheb Phalke Academy Award

2006: Jayadeba Puraskar (Orissa Government)

2004: Nitai Palit Award

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Tourist places near Berhampur city: Next weekend you can be at ... Ghodahada

By:Samir Chakraborty and Bolon Chakraborty 

On my way to Berhampur from Taptapani in Orissa, my car whizzed past a signpost —“Better late than never” — warning drivers of the consequences of reckless manoeuvring on hilly terrain. It suddenly dawned on me that I was hooked on to speed even on a leisure trip. The habit of being in the rat race just refused to go.

Put up by the state irrigation department, the sign had a picture of a large water body painted on it. Guided by sixth sense, I turned right, leaving the main road.

What lay ahead was more beautiful than I had expected. A winding narrow road through a canopy of trees took me to Ghodahada. It was a discovery of delight!

Nestled among the hills and forests of the Ramgarh range, Ghodahada gets its name from the river on which the irrigation department has built a dam . Gushing out of the hills at a height of 3,000 metres, the river suddenly becomes wide before flowing downhill. It is at this spot that the dam was built.

The waves lapping on the banks, the quiet murmur of the current and the occasional gurgling streams through the dam gates accentuate the serene and tranquil atmosphere.

The happy togetherness of flora and fauna, hills and the woods makes Ghodahada a nature lover’s favourite. The cosy accommodation in the bungalow on top of the hill puts the final touches to this idyllic retreat.

The primary activity here is to chill out in the lap of nature. If you are of the adventurous kind, you could even go for a jungle safari. Birdwatchers can spend the day along the riverside or walk into the woods. You can visit an old Shiva temple in the area, locally popular as the Ujjaleswar temple. Villagers from Jayanarda, Gobarbaraha, Seripur, Gurubadha and Khamari Gaon in Orissa’s Ganjam district come here to worship.

Gopalpur-on-sea, Rambha and the ancient hill temple Tara Tarini are some of the popular tourist spots nearby.

Godhahada has a charm that makes you want to come back. It helps you connect with yourself, something we hardly get a chance to do in our hectic lives in the cities. By the end of my stay, I was happy that I slowed down and took the right turn.

Going

Take a train from Howrah to Berhampur city in Orissa. You could also take NH-5 to Berhampur and proceed from there. Air connectivity to Berhampur is also available from Bhubaneswar. Air service between Kolkata and Berhampur will commence soon.

Staying

There are many hotels in Berhampur and Gopalpur-on-Sea. You can book the irrigation bungalow by writing to the sub-divisional engineer, Godhahada, Digapahandi.

Source : The Telegraph

After 65 years in Silk City, Sridurga plans to emerge as the largest garment retail chain of Odisha

South Orissa’s largest garment retailer and 65 years old premier garment store Sridurga of Berhampur opened its exclusive showroom at Bhubaneswar, expanding its footprint across Orissa. The three storied exclusive garment showroom Sridurga spread over 12000 sq ft area near Raj Mahal Square, Bhubaneswar, boasts of exclusive range of sarees, branded dress materials, fashion jewellery and leather accessories for men, women and children. Sridurga, famous for its wide collection of exclusive sarees, has one floor in the new showroom dedicated for exclusive varieties of sarees like Kanchipuram, Banarasi, Sambalpuri, Kanjhivaram, Uppada, Berhampuri, Crape, Georgette, Viscos, Kalakhetra, Gadwal, Odissi, Bandheni, Patolas, kotas and all other fancy designer sarees exclusively designed for Sridurga by the skilled designers and artisans.

Sridurga, founded by Late K.S.N. Murthy, at Berhampur 65 years ago, has made a mark in terms of providing wide collection of exclusive designer sarees and other formal attires for men, women & children alongwith excellent service to the customers at the showroom. Making customers happy has always been the top priority of Sridurga making it the most liked shopping destination for customer delight. His wonderful customer centric culture has been carried forward through his son Nirmal Kumar and grandsons Tirumal Kumar and Ravi Kumar, who are managing this showroom at Bhubaneswar. On the launch of the new Sridurga showroom at Bhubaneswar, Mr. Tirumal Kumar said “Keeping in view the demand for our exclusive designer sarees and other attires from people from Bhubaneswar and nearby areas, we decided to expand our presence in the capital city. As over 20% of our total customers at our showroom in Berhampur travel from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack & Puri, we are sure that by coming closer to the customers, we can serve them further better. With its ambitious expansion plans, Sridurga is all set to expand into all major cities of Orissa and emerge as the largest garment retail chain of the state. Very futuristic in approach Tirumal has set up a 20000 sq ft large warehouse facility in Berhampur to carter to futuristic needs of central distribution across all Sridurga units in the state. 

Source: OrissaDiary

State to develop historic places like Jaugada and Potagada of Ganjam

The State Government has decided to develop the historic fort of Potagada and the Ashokan rock edict of Jaugada in Ganjam District. Following news is from Oriya daily Dharitri:

Photo: http://ignca.nic.in/

Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik offers special Puja at Tara Tarini Shrine

Orissa Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik visited the Adi Sakti peeth of Maa Tara Tarini on April 26, 2011. Tara Tarini, an ancient Shakti shrine is located on the banks of the mythologically famous Rushikulya River, 30 km from Berhampur city and is believed to be the Sthana Peeth (Breast Shrine) of Adi Shakti with its history dating back to antiquity. The Shrine is one of the ancient most places of Shakti worship and among the four major Shakti centers in India.

The Chief Minister landed at around 9.30am by a special copter near the hill shrine and directly went inside the holy temple and offered puja for around one hour. He visited the newly constructed temple complex and enquired about its progress. RDC of Southern Division, Orissa and Tara Tarini Development Board Chairman Shri Laxmi Narayan Nayak and TTDB secretary Shri Pramod Panda informed him about the progress of all ongoing developmental works on both the hilltop and on the foothill region. They also informed the CM about the future infrastructural requirements keeping in view the consistently growing number of visitors and devotees to the shrine. 

Shri Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the new administrative building constructed by Purushottampur block at a cost of 25 lacs on the hilltop and appreciated the ongoing works. He reviewed the widening work of the ghat road, which is constructed by the PWD department, government of Odisha at a cost of Rs 5 crores.   On the foot hill of the shrine the CM laid the foundation stone for the Tara Tarini bathing Ghat on the banks of holy river Rushikulya at a cost of 10 lacs.

TTDB secretary Shri Pramod Panda conveyed the CM that this holy shrine is fast emerging as a popular religious tourism destination. Last month during the Chaitra festivals around two million devotees visited the holy shrine from the cross section of the country and mainly from Orissa and other neighboring states. Shri Panda informed that bearing the growing number of devotees in mind the TTDB has decided to construct a lavatory complex, big rest shed and view-tower on the hilltop. 

After knowing the facts the Chief Minister immediately directed the officials to expedite the ongoing developmental works for the benefit of the devotes and assured all possible help from the state government for creating required infrastructure facilities. Among others, Law and Rural Development Minister, Government of Odisha Shri Bikram Keshari Arukh, RDC and TTDB Chairman Shri Laxmi Narayan Nayak, Berhampur MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Pattnaik, Gopalpur MLA Dr. Pradeep Panigrahi, MLAs of Khallikate and Polosara, District Collector Shri V. Kartikeyan Pandian, SP Ganjam, SP Berhampur, all the office bearers of TTDB, Executive Officer of Tara Tarini temple and other officials of government of Orissa were present on the occasion.       

Lakhs throng Thakurani Yatra on last day; Berhampur bids farewell to its daughter Goddess Thakurani; city bears the look of a fancy dress show

BERHAMPUR: Now its curtains down on the carnival! Lakhs of people were eager enough to bid a tearfull farewell to their daughter, revered Goddess Thakurani (treated as the daughter of the city who visits her parents every two years) as they have to wait for another two years to witness such a carnival. Lakhs of people from Orissa and from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, West Bengal and Jharkhand thronged silk city Berhampur on the last day of the famous Thakuarni Yatra to have a glimpse of the Goddess and to be part of the grand festivity that is associated with the carnival. The Yatra was celebrated here after an interval of two years. The Yatra started a month ago when Goddess Thakurani came to her paternal house at the Deshibehera Street here, stayed at the temporary abode and visited various parts of the city every evening. On the last day, Goddess Thakurani returned back to the home of her in-laws, the Budhi Thakurani Temple, in the City.

About the Carnival

Thakurani Yatra is a unique biennial celebration of the carnival spirit that lurks in every heart, whether young or old. The whole city of Berhampur in south Orissa bears the look of a fancy dress show during the Thakurani Yatra festival. The whole city jumps into joyous carnival when the reigning deity of the city goddess Budhi Thakurani makes the journey from her permanent temple to a temporary temple at Desibehera Street .It is regarded as the journey of the deity, the role of a married woman, to her parental abode from her in-laws' home. The carnival continues till the deity returns back to her temple. As an offering to the deity, during the festival, thousands of people of all ages don the garb of mythological characters. Brothers become Pandavas. Transcending time, Krishna and Hanuman walk the streets hand in hand.Demons and witches jump into the crowd. To mark the religious harmony of the city participants of the festival enact even crucifixion of Christ. Some even try to advertise brands on their painted bodies. Mass carnival rallies by hundreds of persons with tonsured heads mocking the false godmen, a rally by more than 108 children and aged people dressed as 'Vanar Sena' of Lord Ram, procession of people dressed as Buddhist monks or followers of Guru Nanak add colour to this festival. This festival is incomplete without the famous tiger dance of Ganjam district. With their body painted with tiger stripes, people move around performing tiger dance to the beats of drums and 'Changu'.

Source: http://www.thakurani.com/, The Hindu, The Pioneer, Kalingatimes

Many Olive Riedley hatchlings falling prey to predators at Rushikulya rookery near Berhampur

A child broke into tears at Rushikulya rookery coast on Sunday morning when a young Olive Ridley hatchling saved by her was savoured by a large red crab before her eyes.

She could not swallow this normal aspect of intricate food chain of Mother Nature. Despite human efforts to save each of the lakhs of hatchlings that are coming out of Olive Ridley nests under the sand at this coast, nature is continuing to take its toll of these hatchlings. For the past three nights mass hatching of Olive Ridley eggs has begun at this famous Rushikulya coast near Berhampur which is a major nesting site of these endangered turtles in the country. On an average around 80 hatchlings are to come out from each of 2,54,000 nests on the 5-km nesting site in almost a week's time.

Local volunteers, forest officials and even tourists are busy making efforts to save each of these hatchlings. Despite all this, fate of these hatchlings seems to be ruled by the Darwinian norm of ‘survival of the fittest'. “We all are compelled to accept that although such a large number of hatchlings enter the sea from this mass nesting site only one out of 1,000 would survive to become a mature Olive Ridley,” said Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) A.K.Jena.

Crows feeding on Olive Ridley hatchlings at the Rushikulya rookery 

No one on this beach is able to tolerate tiny beautiful hatchlings die an early death. A tourist Pramod Das said he and his family had saved more than a hundred hatchlings that had strayed away from sea by picking them and leaving them near the sea waves. All measures have been taken to protect the turtle eggs and hatchlings from land predators like foxes, dogs and hyena. But nothing can be done to shoo away the hundreds of crows, which seem to wait for these hatchlings to come out. They instinctively target the weak hatchlings that fall behind during the march towards the sea. Crows seem to have developed the technique to kill and eat weak hatchlings that may be passing from generation to generation among them. They pounce on solitary slow-moving weak hatchlings and overturn them. Before any one could shoo them away, with their sharp beak they tear open its soft abdomen to eat up the insides. They also fly away with the smaller ones in their beaks. At times carcasses of these small hatchlings are seen on trees more than 5 km from the beach.

Crabs that live in burrowed holes on the beach also wait for the weak hatchlings. They overpower the solitary weak slow-moving hatchlings. Crabs throttle neck of the hatchling to kill it. Then they drag it inside their hole to savour its meat. Some hawks also pick up a few of these weak hatchlings. Members of the Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee (RSTPC), a group of volunteers from villages near rookery who are involved in conservation of Olive Ridley eggs and hatchlings accept this phenomenon.

R.N.Sahu of RSTPC said no one could stop the natural high mortality rate of turtle hatchlings as survival of the fittest is the rule of Mother Nature, “yet we will continue to save as many hatchlings of this endangered species from predators as possible.”

Source: The Hindu  

Berhampur gets first vending zone

BERHAMPUR: Revenue minister Surya Narayan Patra inaugurated Berhampur’s first vending zone in front of MKCG Medical College and Hospital today. The vending zone has been set up alongside NH 217, between Courtpeta Square and Gajapati Nagar Square. Housing and urban development minister Badri Narayan Patra was present at the programme.Vending zones in the city has been a long-standing demand. The authorities have been promising to establish vending zones since 2004-05, when encroachments by small traders were removed from areas along NH 217. Small traders, who depend on roadside business, were demanding more vending zones since they were incurring losses due to sudden anti-encroachment drives by the authorities, sources said. “In all, 39 vegetable vendors, who were displaced from Kamapalli Jail Road a year ago, were rehabilitated in the Mardarajpur vending zone,” said BMC commissioner Bhim Manseth.

Each vendor, who are being allotted rooms, have paid Rs 10,000 as development charges and another Rs 10,000 as security per rooms. The 8”X10” rooms with tin shades were allotted through lottery and the vendors would pay Rs 600 as rent per month, sources said. Almost all the vendors were happy after they got rooms in the vending zone. “We would conduct a bhumi puja on April 27 at the vending zone before selling vegetables,” one of the vendors said. Though most vegetable vendors who have being allotted rooms in the vending zone are happy with the arrangement and the location, some demanded immediate steps such as, a tubewell and provision for water and toilets in the complex.

Vendors of Gate Bazar, another crowded area of Berhampur, are ready for displacement if they were provided a proper vending zone. But the authorities have not been able to provide them an alternative vending site. Former revenue divisional commissioner Satyabrata Sahu had proposed the vegetable market at Gate Bazar to be shifted to an alternative site. Vegetable vendors of the area had also submitted a memorandum demanding a vending zone. “We hope to get a similar vending zone for us soon,” one of them said. Since no vending zones were established, the traders whose encroachments had been removed, returned to their old places.

Source: The Telegraph 

Divinity descends on Silk City: ToI

BERHAMPUR: Take a stroll down the streets of Silk City, and you are likely to run into Hanuman riding a bicycle or Lord Krishna walking along the pavements. You might even spot Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati mingling with crowds of shoppers in the city's bazaars, while his followers dance in the streets. Berhampur is celebrating the famous biannual Thakurani Yatra and the entire city is flooded with mythological characters, or rather regular people in the 'vesha' (disguise) of gods and goddesses these days. The yatra is observed to mark the visit of Goddess Budhi Thakurani, the presiding deity of the town, from the temple to her father's house at Desibehera Street here.  Residents of the town, across age-groups, dress themselves in costumes akin to characters from mythology and use body paint and other accessories to look like them. Then they roam about the streets during the festival period as part of a 'manashika' (votive) offering to the gods. "I am dressed like Sri Krishna as my mother had promised the goddess I would do so if her wish for my well-being was fulfilled," said 21-year-old Raju, a computer engineering student in the city. People do not dress only as mythological characters during the yatra but also like some social and folk dance characters.

Source: Times of India, The Hindu

BDA to initiate strict measures to check encroachments

BERHAMPUR: The Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) has decided to take strict measures to protect a few open patches of government land in the city which is fast becoming a concrete jungle with little breathing space. It was decided at a meeting of the BDA. Rapid unplanned urbanisation of this traditional city has left little space for vegetation within it. Open patches of government land have been encroached. In some places buildings have also been come up on this encroached land, said chairperson of the BDA Kailash Rana.

The BDA has identified ten large open spaces of government land within the city. They would be cleared off encroachments. “We may opt to demolish illegally constructed buildings on these patches,” Mr Rana said. These cleared up patches would be developed as zones for vegetation and would also serve as parks for localites, he added. Apart from them 30 other smaller patches of unused government land in different parts of the city would also be protected from future encroachments. These patches would be protected by boundary walls. They would also be transformed into islands of vegetation, Mr. Rana said.

The BDA also decided to come up with low-cost apartments in Vivek Vihar area where it has already started a housing project. These low- cost apartments would be provided to families at Rs. 6 lakh. Around 150 flats would come up on a patch of five acres of land in Vivek Vihar area. A Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for the city would be ready by September this year.

The city would get its master plan after more than four decades as its last master plan was prepared way back in 1969. The area under greater Berhampur includes the urban centres of Berhampur, Gopalpur, and Chatrapur and 139 villages between them. The BDA authorities also decided to make rain water harvesting a mandatory norm for each building in the city. Vice-chairman of the BDA and Ganjam District Collector V.K. Pandian said it was the need of the hour as groundwater level in the city was on a sharp decline due to lack of scope for its recharging in this water-scarce city.

Source: The Hindu