Railway Budget 2011-12 disappoints people of Berhampur

State Government and Berhampur MP fail to take up long standing  demands of Berhampur effectively

The Railway Budget has left the people of Berhampur highly disappointed as none of the longstanding demands of the city has been taken up by the Union railway minister. State Government’s demand for extension of the Eastern dedicated freight corridor upto Berhampur has also been ignored. Though the much needed trains from Berhampur to New Delhi, Surat, Rourkela and Paralakhemundi has not been announced, the city has however got some new trains that will pass through it. While funds have been made available for the 4th platform and expansion of existing platforms of Berhampur railway station, the demand for a coaching terminal complex has been overlooked. Provisions have been made in the railway budget for three railway over-bridges at Gopalpur junction, Jagannathpur and Golanthara on the outskirts of the city.

The announcements are far below the expectations of the people of Berhampur. However, the Railway Minister’s assurance to start the socially desirable projects like Berhampur-Sambalpur, Gunupur-Therubali and Berhampur-Phulbani during the 12th Five Year Plan remains to be seen.

General public, student leaders and intellectuals have criticised the negligence of Berhampur in this years railway budget and have questioned the sincerity and commitment of the state government and Berhampur and Aska MPs for their failure in effectively raising the demands of the city and South Orissa before the central government.

New trains proposed in the Railway Budget that will pass through Berhampur
• Dibrugarh- Thiruvanthapuram-Kanniyakumari Vivek Express (weekly)
• Howrah-Mangalore Vivek Express (Weekly)
• Howrah-Secunderabad Express(weekly) via Kharagpur
• Howrah – Tirupati Express (weekly)
• Digha-Visakhapatnam Express(weekly)
• Howrah-Visakhapatnam Express(weekly)
• Kharagpur-Viluppuram Express (weekly) via Vellore

Photo Source: www.gavaskee.com

Berhampur gets new weekly superfast train to Pune

BHUBANESWAR: As announced in the last Railway Budget, Ministry of Railways has decided to introduce a new weekly super fast train between Bhubaneswar & Pune via Brahmapur (Berhampur). The regular service of this train will commence from Bhubaneswar w.e.f. 1st March 2011 and from Pune w.e.f. 3rd March 2011. 12581 Bhubaneswar-Pune Weekly Super Fast will leave Bhubaneswar at 10.15p.m on every Tuesday and will arrive Pune at 05.00a.m on every Thursday. In the return direction, 12582 Pune-Bhubaneswar Weekly Super Fast will leave Pune at 11.15a.m on every Thursday and will arrive Bhubaneswar at 05.35p.m on every Friday. The new train has stoppages at Khurda Road, Brahmapur (Berhampur), Vizianagaram, Duvvada, Vijayawada, Guntur, Nalgonda, Secunderabad, Wadi and Solapur between Bhubaneswar and Pune. This is the second train connecting Berhampur with Pune via secunderabad after Konark express. However, there is strong reason for rasining the frequency of this new train.

‘Krushna Leela' gurus keen on keeping alive the folk art form in Ganjam

BERHAMPUR: Surviving gurus in their seventies and eighties have decided to come together to keep alive their dying ‘Krushna Leela' a famous folk art form of Ganjam District, for the next generation.

They have agreed to take part in a two-day workshop-cum-demonstration programme to be held in Berhampur city in the first week of March. Three cultural organisations -- Loknatya Gabesana Kendra of Bhubaneswar, Jagruti Natya Sansad and Chaitanya Kala Parishad of Sunathar in Ganjam district -- have joined hands for this effort.

“Our aim is to keep alive this traditional folk art of Ganjam district in its original form among the new generation,” said Bighneswar Sahu, adviser of organising committee of the event. Eldest ‘Krushna Leela' guru to attend the workshop is Narasingha Sadangi from Kadua village, who is above 80 years.

Around 25 gurus of ‘Krushna Leela' will attend it. Pramod Kumar Nahak, a veteran guru of ‘Krushna Leela' said during the workshop they would discuss and try to chalk out plans to make this art form survive in this era of electronic entertainment.

‘Krushna Leela' is enactment of 48 chapters of tenth ‘Skanda' of Oriya Bhagavat written by Jagannath Das. Performers enact the story of Lord Krishna from his birth till the killing of Kamsa. Performance related to each chapter takes around eight to 12 hours. So, complete performance of ‘Krushna Leela' needs 48 nights.

The script of this folk art form is based on Oriya Bhagavat. Performers come up with lyrical dialogues among them on stage. Actors of ‘Krushna Leela' are only children between the ages of 10 to 15 years. So, it is quite hard to train these young children for such a vast folk art form, according to Mr. Sahu.

Despite all odds this 48-day-long performance is still being held in some rural areas of Ganjam district. But these performances have gone down drastically.

Source: The Hindu

MCI team visits MKCG Medical College

BERHAMPUR: A three-member team of the Medical Council of India (MCI) visited the MKCG Medical College and Hospital on Monday to inspect infrastructure facilities for admitting 150 students to the under-graduate course including MBBS. This was the second MCI team visited to the medical college and hospital, the only referral hospital in southern Orissa, in the last ten days. The earlier team examined infrastructure facilities for the proposed increase of seats in some of the departments at the post-graduate level. The present team went round different sections of the college including the classrooms, library and laboratories to inspect the available facilities. They also held a meeting with the medical college and hospital authorities including the principal, superintendent and senior faculty members, about the future development-plan of the institute.Although the team members did not spellout anything, the medical college authorities were confident of getting the MCI nod this time to admit 150 students to the undergraduate courses. "We have improved our infrastructure this time and we are confident the MCI will allow us to continue to intake 150 students like the previous years," said a senior professor of the medical college. 

Source: Times of India

Twenty thousand people throng the Prince Nite in Silk City

BERHAMPUR: The silk city was enthralled by Dance ka Dhamaka or Prince Nite on a pulsating Sunday evening. Organised by Prince Dance Group, Berhampur enjoyed performances by Hari Har Dash of Berhampur, T. Harinath Reddy and Group of Hyderabad, Diwakar and Sonia, Fictitious Dance Group and HB Dance Group all from Mumbai, Lasyakala Academy, Bhubaneswar, besides Prince Dance Group and two local groups — Wow Dance Group Gandhi Nagar and Rock Star Dance Group Big Bazar. Berhampur stadium was the venue for the three-and-a-half-hour extravaganza. About 20,000 people who turned up at the stadium were spellbound by the performances. Every group was permitted to perform three dance items. The show started with an appeal to the Maoists for immediate release of Malkangiri collector R. Vineel Krishna and junior engineer Pabitra Mohan Majhi. The entire audience stood for one minute in silence, praying for the safe release of the hostages. Eight Odissi dance artistes of Lasyakala Academy — Sagarika Mohanty, Samapika Nayak, Mausumi Nayak, Kumar Bhimsen, Rajashree Prusti, Rashmi Ranjan and Mami Behera led by Saswat Joshi — instilled a feelings of Utkal as the troupe danced to the tune of the famous Bande Utkal Janani. Members of the audience stood up to show respect for the state.

Source: The Telegraph

Berhampur gets new superfast train to Prashanti Nilayam

Bhubaneswar: As announced in the last budget, the railway department has decided to introduce a new weekly super fast train between Howrah and Satya Sai Prashanti Nilayam via Berhampur. Regular service of this train will commence from Howrah from February 23 and from Prashanti Nilayam from February 25. The Howrah- Prashanti Nilayam weekly will leave Howrah at 15.50 hrs on every Wednesday and will arrive at at 22.25 hrs on every Thursday. In the return direction, the weekly will leave Prashanti Nilayam at 7.50 hrs on every Friday and will arrive at Howrah at 15 hrs on every Saturday. In Orissa, this train will stop at Bhubaneswar and Brahmapur (Berhampur). This is the second train after the Bhubaneswar- Bangalore Prashanti express connecting Berhampur with Prashanti Nilayam.

Source: Times of India

Berhampur Municical Corporation to clean up Ramlingam Tank

BERHAMPUR: At last Berhampur Municical Corporation (BMC) started cleaning up the large Ramlingam Tank in the heart of the city, which has become a large garbage dump. The BMC authorities have also announced strong action against the persons who would pollute this large water body in future. Tussle between the BMC and a private trust in relation to ownership of the tank had led to deterioration of this large water body called ‘breathing space' of this cramped city. Last year Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had also expressed strong concern over the State of this water body at a high-level meeting following a series of stories related to its state published in The Hindu. He had directed the administration to initiate measures to renovate the water body. In June last year former secretary of Ganjam Bar Association, Manoj Patnaik had moved a petition in the court of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate cum sub-collector of Berhampur under Section 133 of CrPC to direct the concerned agencies to renovate the tank and save it from future pollution as it had started to become a public hazard. The BMC authorities initiated cleaning of the tank following discussions with the trust members. Mayor of BMC Siba Shankar Dash said he was able to convince the trustees that this large tank could not be let to die out due to pollution and it was an extreme need to renovate the tank as the trust was not taking any steps to clean it. Mr. Dash said the trust members agreed to let BMC clean up the tank as they were not in a position to do the same.

Source: The Hindu

RGB becomes first Regional Rural Bank of Orissa to have CBS

BERHAMPUR: Rushikulya Gramya Bank (RGB) became the first Regional Rural Bank (RRB) in Orissa to be completely under Core Banking Solution (CBS). This achievement of the RGB coincided with its thirty-first anniversary. It may be noted that the RGB was established on February 14, 1981. It was among the first three RRBs sponsored by the Andhra Bank in the country. It is among the five RRBs active in Orissa. Chairman of the RGB PVSTR Seshagiri Rao said that all branches of the RGB getting together under the umbrella of CBS was a step towards financial inclusion of rural mass in Ganjam and Gajapati districts of south Orissa. The RGB also completed its core banking work in all its 81 branches within a record time and much ahead of the targeted schedule. Out of these 81 branches 71 are in Ganjam district while the rest ten are in adjoining Gajapati district. On December 18, 2010, the gate bazaar branch of the RGB in Berhampur city had become its first branch to have core banking facility. It was targeted to have all branches of the RGB under core banking by end of March this year. But the target was achieved one and half months ahead of schedule. Sponsor bank of RGB, the Andhra Bank has provided technical assistance for this core banking effort.

Source: The Hindu

Saviours of blackbucks & Olive Ridleys in Ganjam get UN boost

BERHAMPUR: The protection of the endangered blackbuck and Olive Ridley turtles with the help of locals got a boost with the Centre-sponsored United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) being launched in Ganjam district. A workshop was held to mark the inception of the project that has been launched on a pilot basis in the state. A similar project will also be taken up in Madhya Pradesh. The state will get around Rs 50 lakh this year for improvement of the habitat of the animals and development of the infrastructure in the surrounding villages under the project. Earlier, the state government had submitted a proposal for Rs 1 crore to the UNDP for implementation of the project in Ganjam, where the local people have been protecting the blackbucks and turtles for many years now. "The project will continue depending on its success," principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) P N Padhy said. "Since locals are actively involved in the protection of animals, the UNDP has selected the locations in Orissa and Madhya Pradesh to implement the project as a pilot basis," programme analyst, energy and environment unit of UNDP-India P Krishnan said.

Hoards of blackbucks freely roam the 64 sq km in the Balipadar-Vetanai area in Ganjam district with villagers protecting the animals despite destruction of crops by the animals. Similarly, local fishermen are involved in protecting turtles near the Rushikulya river mouth. According to the 2008 census, there are around 1,672 blackbucks. They include 411 male, 1123 female and 138 young blackbucks, chief conservator of forest (wildlife) S S Srivastav said. The people consider these animals as harbingers of good luck and avoid harming the animals. Similarly, local fishermen also help in protecting the Olive Ridleys when they visit the shore for mass nesting near Rushikulya mouth. Gokharakuda to Purunabandh area near the river mouth is one of the three mass nesting sites of Olive Ridleys off the Orissa coast. "These are exemplary examples of harmonious relationship between man and animals,' described a senior wildlife official. This is despite the fact that there is no legal protection for these animals in the area. "As the people thesmselves are involved in protecting the animals, we decided to implement the UNDP assist CBC project in these two areas," he said. Besides the improvement of habitats, it is also proposed to develop the eco-tourism facilities, training and awareness programmes in both the places. It was also proposed to construct a rehabilitation centre at Bhetanai near Aska to rescue the injured blackbucks.

Source: Times of India

First Marine Biotechnology Park of Orissa coming up in Ganjam

BERHAMPUR: The Science and Technology Department of the Orissa government has sought additional 15 acres of land to set up the state’s first Marine Biotechnology Park (MBP) in Ganjam district. The Ganjam district administration had earlier handed over 23.5 acres at Gokharakuda, near the Rushikulya river mouth to the state-owned Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) for the purpose.  Keeping in view the additional land requirement for the project, which will be set up in public private partnership (PPP) mode, the sub-collector (Chhatrapur), divisional forest officer (Berhampur) and the director, Science and Technology Department, state government, visited the site recently to identify more land near the project site. "We have identified a patch of government land adjoining to the acquired land. This will be acquired and alienated in favour of IDCO for the project soon”, said sub-collector (Chhatrapur) Trilochan Majhi. Although the modalities of setting up of the proposed park is yet to be finalised, the officials said, it would be one of the tourist attractions in the state as it would have comprehensive data on the sea animals.Gokharakuda, about 40-km here and situated near the Rushikulya river mouth is already famous as the mass nesting ground of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.

Source:Business Standard

Handicraft exhibition brings artisans from 16 states to Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: Artisans from 16 States and different parts of Orissa are taking part in the grand handicrafts festival being held at the St. Stephens' ground in Berhampur city. From the applique-works of Orissa to carpets from Jammu and Kashmir, from brass and bell metals from Uttar Pradesh to leather works from Punjab the Gandhi Silpa Bazaar has them all on display and sale. Around 150 artisans from various states of India have participated in the 10-day fair, which is a platform to display and sell exquisite handicraft items from across the country. It is being organized by the Society for Rural Advancement and Democratic Humanitarian Action (SRADHA) and sponsored by Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), ministry of textile, Central government. SRADHA is holding similar national ‘crafts mela' in the city for the fourth time. “Earlier SRADHA used to organise the All India Crafts Bazar and due to its success this crafts mela is being organised on a grander scale ”, said project coordinator of SRADHA, Chandramani Pradhan. "The Slipa Bazar would encourage the craftsmen to improve their skills and give them a new impetus to work harder," said Mr Pradhan. Some expert artisans will also display their techniques at the fair. Some will also launch new products and designs the organisers informed. Last year similar crafts mela organised in the city by SRADHA had also drawn a large crowd. In 2010, total transaction during the mela was over 90 lakh rupees so there is hope to have a better market this year and total transaction may exceed one crore rupees, said Mr Pradhan. One hundred and fifty artisans are taking part in this large handicraft fair. Most are family units. Both youngsters and the elderly persons of these artisan families have come over to display their skills and sell their products. Like past years there is a large demand for carved wood furniture from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and carpets from Kashmir. There is ample display of colourful dress materials, bangles and other decorative items for women that range from bangles from Muradabad to hand woven pattu sarees from different parts of the country. Visitor Pranita Das says she was astonished by the purse friendly price of these attractive handicraft items. “At least we are sure of their genuineness,” she said. The organisers have also instructed the artisans not over price and not to get involved in bargaining with customers. This fair has something for everyone, said Wasim Ahmed, a wood carver from Saharanpur who is participating in this festival.

Source: The Hindu, Times of India

First convocation ceremony of project Gyandeep held in Army Air Defence College

First convocation ceremony of project Gyandeep of ‘Army Air Defence' was held at the Army Air Defence College (AADC), near Berhampur.

Associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates of merit were awarded to 521 serving soldiers of ‘Army Air Defence College' during the ceremony by Lt. Gen Kuldip Singh, commandant of the AADC. For project Gyandeep, Indian army and Indira Gandhi National Open University had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). It was aimed at empowering the soldiers through education and to provide them opportunity for second career option. This project also provides recognition to the education undertaken by a soldier during his service in the army. The MoU with IGNOU also enables educational certification of soldiers within the parameters laid down for community colleges. It also recognizes the in-service training taken up by the soldiers. All regimental centres of Indian Army have been registered as community colleges under Project Gyandeep.

These Army-IGNOU community colleges including the one at AADC function as autonomous bodies. In 1979, Government of India sanctioned the establishment of Air Defence and Guided Missile School and Centre at Gopalpur, which was inaugurated on Oct 30, 1984 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This school became fully functional in November 1989. This institute has now been rechristened AADC. Majority of the medium and short range weapons used for air defence by the Indian army including surface to air missiles are fired at the firing range of the AADC.

Courtesy: The Hindu  

Naveen promises Unitary University status for Khallikote College

BERHAMPUR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while addressing a gathering on the occasion of the annual function of the Khalikote Autonomous College, stated that the longstanding expectation of the local people to make the college a Unitary University would be fulfilled very soon. This came in response to the Students’ Union of the college submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister with 15 demands, including immediate posting of teaching staff, transfer of the OSRTC land to the college and declaration of the college as a Unitary University. Demands were also made by the legislators and parliamentarians from the region present on the occasion to transform 135-year-old Khallikote autonomous college of the city into a unitary university. 
Besides the Chief Minister, state Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patra, Minister for Higher Education Debi Prasad Mishra, Minister for Mass Education Pratap Jena, Aska MP Nityananda Pradhan, Berhampur MP Siddhant Mohapatra, Berhampur MLA RCC Patnaik, Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy attended the function. Eminent citizens of the City, local leaders, student bodies including the students' union of the College demanded the Chief Minister to initiate the process to make this historic Institution a unitary university.
Source: The Pioneer, The Hindu

Berhampur plays host to National Telugu meet

• The first five conferences were held in Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai before it was decided to organise the sixth one in Berhampur, which, along with the neighboring southern Orissa regions, has a sizeable Telugu population.Around 40 per cent population of Berhampur, located close to Andhra Pradesh and once part of erstwhile Madras Presidency, are Telugu speaking.
• Naveen Patnaik mentions names of V.V. Giri, Kota Harinarayan Rao and U.Lakshmana Rao as worthy sons of Berhampur.
• Former prime minister P V Narsimha Rao won the Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency in 1996.

BERHAMPUR: An initiative to make the Telugu-speaking people, who are residing outside Andhra Pradesh, to interact and know about their language, literature and culture has brought the community’s annual meet to Berhampur in Orissa. The sixth all-India Telugu conference was inaugurated in the city yesterday. It is being organised jointly by Poti Sriramulu Telugu University, Mandali Venkat Krishna Rao (MVKR) International Telugu Centre of Andhra Pradesh in coordination with Andhra Bhashabivardhini Samajam Berhampur and other Telugu organisations of Orissa. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who inaugurated the conference, hoped that the conference would strengthen the cultural ties between the two states. “Orissa, the land of Lord Jagannath, advocates equality for all. The Telugu community in Orissa, especially in the southern region have contributed significantly to the economic and cultural growth of our state. Today there are many households in Orissa who celebrate both Oriya and Telugu festivals with equal enthusiasm. Berhampur being in the forefront and contributed significantly in developing the blend of culture,” he said. Delivering the inaugural address at the thee-day AITC at the City High School Grounds, he said Berhampur alone had contributed great leaders like the former President of India, V.V. Giri, Russian language expert Uppala Lakshmana Rao and aerospace scientist Kota Harinarayana, are among the Telugus of Berhampur who have left an indelible mark in the national scene and made Berhampur and Orissa proud, he noted..“ About 50 per cent of the 16 crore Telugu people live outside Andhra Pradesh and there are 40 lakh of them in Orissa who are contributing to its economy and culture,” he said, adding that it was only appropriate that the conference was being held in Orissa. Naveen lauded the organisers for holding the conference outside AP and trying to bring all Telugu-speaking on one platform. Andhra Pradesh Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture, S. Chellappa, announced that the State would release Rs.10 lakh to Prakasam Pantulu Hall of Andhra Bhashabhivardhani Samajam in Berhampur. He also invited Telugu scholars and personalities from Berhampur to participate in the World Telugu Conference to be held in Tirupati this year. The function was chaired by Vice-Chancellor of PSTU A. Bhoomaiah. Earlier, organising committee chairman P. Satyanarayana welcomed the gathering.

Source: The Telegraph & The Hindu

Silk city Berhampur gets new park for children

BERHAMPUR: The Biju Patnaik Sishu Udyan, situated at the Courtpeta Square here, was formally opened for public today by the state urban development minister Badri Narayan Patra. The Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) is managing the Biju Patnaik Sishu Udyan constructed at a cost of Rs 21.74 lakh said chairman of the BDA, Kailash Rana. “Though it is a children’s park, is not meant for the use of children only. People of all age groups can visit the park. No entry fee for the Biju Patnaik Sishu Udyan Park would be charged,” he said. The park, spread over three acres of land, will be maintained by the Berhampur Development Authority. In 2001, the Berhampur Municipal Corporation demolished a shopping complex at the spot, which was constructed illegally by a private party. However, it took about 10 years for the authority to develop the spot as a park. “The locality did not have any parks. We had to go to a park at Corporation Road, which is about 6-km away. So, we were eagerly awaiting for the park. But, we are not happy with the present infrastructure at the park,” said Bunti and Bobblu, both students of Class V in Xavier School, Berhampur. We have to play cricket and badminton on roads at Bidya Nagar. If the park develops it further, we would be able to play outdoor games there,” they said. Nehru Park at Hillpatna, situated on the Railway Station Road and maintained by the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC), provides a section for the children. But the equipments at the park are considerably damaged. Nehru Park is one of the oldest park in Berhampur which was constructed when Chandra Sekhar Sahu was trhe chairman of the Berhampur Municipal Corporation. “On the other hand, the Biju Patnaik Park at Corporaton Road, spread over seven acres of land, is maintained by the Berhampur Development Authority. It has a musical fountain, a floating mountain, a beautiful landscape and boating facilities for children. Local people frequently visit this park to spend their evenings. There is a nominal entry fee for visitors. But entry is free for children below five years,” sources said. The BDA is planning to develop another park at Bedabandha in Gosaninuagaon at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore. “We would provide boating facility there and it would be a big park,” said the BDA chairman.

Source: The Telegraph

Preparations in full swing for national Telugu conference in Berhampur

Naveen Patnaik, his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and Union Minister S. Jaipal Reddy to attend the conference

BERHAMPUR: Preparations are in full swing for the sixth all-India Telugu conference to be held in Berhampur city from February 4. The conference is being organised jointly by Poti Sriramulu Telugu University, Mandali Venkat Krishna Rao (MVKR) International Telugu Centre of Andhra Pradesh in coordination with Andhra Bhashabivardhini Samajam and other Telugu organisations of Berhampur and Orissa. The three-day conference will be held at City High School grounds. Some 1,000 delegates from all over the country are expected to attend the conference. On Sunday, coordinator of the national conference D. Muniratnam Naidu arrived in the city to monitor the preparations. An office for the conference was opened on the premises of the samajam complex. Secretary of the local organising committee R. Suryanarayana said the inaugural ceremony would be attended by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Union Minister S. Jaipal Reddy and others.

Source: The Hindu

Comprehensive Development Plan for Berhampur on the anvil

Berhampur Municipal Corporation will soon have its own master plan after a gap of four decades. The Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO) under Union Urban Development Ministry is preparing a comprehensive development plan (CDP) for the proposed ‘Greater Berhampur’ mooted by Orissa government which is likely to be ready in next few months. The CDP for Greater Berhampur would comprise a total area of 317 square km which is expected to have a population of close to one million. The present CDP is being prepared keeping in view the development of greater Berhampur till the year 2031. The area under greater Berhampur will include the urban centres of Berhampur, Gopalpur and Chatrapur and some adjoining villages between them.

Source: Dharitri, BMC, Urban Orissa

Autos to hit newer areas in Berhampur soon

BERHAMPUR: The residents of Berhampur will soon get to enjoy autorickshaw services that will be introduced in select routes across the city. The Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) has conducted a survey and identified eight routes for the plying of autorickshaws. “The BDA is very much interested to implement the scheme. Though no specific date has been finalised to launch the scheme, we are planning to convene a meeting with the office bearers of the autorickshaw drivers/owners association soon,” said BDA secretary Sangram Sekhar Panda.“The BDA would provide parking slots for these autorickshaws at New Bus Stand, Old Bus Stand and other important places. No unlicensed autorickshaws would be allowed,” said Panda. The routes identified for the auto service are Railway Station to New Bus Stand via Kamapalli, Aska Road First Gate to New Bus Stand via Gate Bazar, Railway Station to New Mango Market via Bijipur Tank Road-Gandhi Nagar-Sub Registrar Office-Prem Nagar and Andhapasara Road, Railway Station to Sub Registrar Office via Khaspa Sahi and Haradakhandi, Aska Road First Gate to Courtpeta Junction via Big Bazar-Sana Bazar-Corporation Road-Gate Bazar Junction-City Hospital Road-Utkal Ashram Road-Tata Benz Square-Kamapalli and Courtpeta, Amabapua to New Bus Stand via Courtpeta, Luchapada to Haladiapadar via Gate Bazar Junction-City Hospital Road-Bijipur Tank Road-Gosaninuagaon and Haldiapadar, Courtpeta Junction to Engineering School Square via Kamapalli-Railway Over Bridge-Jail Road-Lanjipalli main road-Industrial Estate and Engineering School Square, according to BDA sources. At present, about 400 autorickshaws are plying in the city out of which 100 autos will be a part of the regulated auto service plan. These autos would be painted in a different colour to have a distinct look. They would run from 5.30am to 1.30 pm and again 2pm to 10pm, BDA sources said. The minimum fare would be Rs 5 and the maximum Rs 15. The name of the routes and the numbers of the autorickshaws would be displayed in hoardings at different places along the eight routes. The auto service in the city at present is not organised. The operators of autorickshaws that run on petrol have organised themselves and formed Berhampur Auto Tempo Chalaka Sangha (BATCS). They park at old bus stand, near the new bus stand and near the railway station.

Source: The Telegraph

Ganjam folk culture at its festive best

Blowing conch shells, 20 folk dancers from Ganjam took part in CWG opening ceremony and won distant hearts

BERHAMPUR: Folk art is on a roll. With cultural festivals being staged all over the state, the spotlight is back on folk artistes. The most sought dance in almost all the festivals is jodi sankh dhwani (twin conch blowing) from Ganjam district. Since blowing of the conch is auspicious at the beginning of any event, all festival committees are inviting conch blowers from Ganjam. Blowing of ‘jodi sankha’ was very much a part of the ‘Rhythm of India’ part of the Common Wealth Games opening ceremony. Besides blowing the twin conch, the blowers, attired in saffron, dance to the rhythm of changu and mahuri. There are around 200 groups comprising more than 1,500 conch blowers. They are also invited to festivals outside the state. "After staging our dances at Keonjhar Mahostav, which kicked off on Tuesday, we will be heading for Delhi on Thursday to participate in another festival," said Tulu Raula of Gayatri Jugala Sankh Dhwani of Tanganapalli village. Besides conch blowing, a dozen-member group from Tanganapalli will stage ranapa, chadeya and dandia, other popular folk dances from Ganjam, at the Mayurbhanj Mahotsav. Members of Subhashree Folk Dance Kala Kendra, Narendrapur, who performed at Paraba, the annual cultural festival of Koraput on Monday, is preparing to go to Delhi to participate at the trade fair in the first week of next month. Apart from Parab, the troupe also showcased its artistry at the Puri Beach Festival, Bargarh Dhanu Yatra, Bolgarh Festival in Nayagarh, Nirakarapur Utsav in the last one month, said its leader Rajendra Patra. Patra, who started his career in folk dance at the age of nine, has performed in eight countries. He has visited Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Dubai in 1995 and in 2000 he went to Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore. “I was very fortunate to have been a part of Bhagaban Sahu’s group for 25 years,” said Patra, who formed his own troupe five years after the death of Bhagaban Sahu. “The activities of the folk artistes in Narendrapur attracted me towards this form of art since my childhood,” said Patra, who is a graduate.Source: Times of India & The Telegraph

‘Mahanagar Mahotsav' comes to an end

BERHAMPUR: The week long ‘Mahanagar Mahotsav' concluded in the city with a record 400 artistes from 11 organisations taking part in the cultural programme on the last day. This cultural festival was held at the Khallikote autonomous college stadium to promote local cultural talents. It also included a trade fair. On the concluding evening a seminar was held on the topic ‘need for the formation of a special south Orissa development council'. The speakers of this seminar advocated the need for unity among the people and organisations of south Orissa. “Without this unity the voice of south Orissa is not being heard by the government machinery”, they alleged. A long cultural show that continued till night started after the seminar. A large crowd had gathered to enjoy the performances by local artists. There were many budding artists who performed on stage for the first time in their life. Troupes from cultural organisations of the city like Anwesha, Murchhna, Jhumar, Jatiya Sangeet Kala Kendra, Pranaya Dance group etc enthralled the audience. Magician S.Kumar provided a different flavour to the show with his mind boggling tricks on stage. The artists were overjoyed with the response of the audience. Local artists of Greater Berhampur, which includes the Silk City, Gopalpur and Chatrapur, excelled in the Mahanagar Mahotsav, which was held on the Khallikote College ground here for the first time. “Though the recently concluded Gopalpur Beach Festival and the Ganjam Mahotsav at Berhampur gave ample chance to artistes from across the state and beyond to showcase their talents, many budding local artistes are still deprived of a platform to display their skills. Our sole aim is to highlight these local artists,” said Gopal Patnaik, secretary of Mahanagar Mahotsav Organising Committee.

Apart from cultural programmes, the organisers held discussions on separate topic concerning local issues on each day. The topics discussed on various days included “A review on the formation of Greater Berhampur”, “The possibilities of the development of tourism sector and preservation of the culture in Ganjam”, “Development of mass education system”, “The expansion of the geographical limits of Berhampur Municipal Corporation and the health services”, “Necessity of a third drinking water project for Berhampur” and “Necessity of Southern Development Council”. The organisers also gave “Bhanja Yuva Samman” to the dancing star Hari Har Das of Berhampur. Ganjam zilla parishad chairman Kamraju Sethi declared that Mahanagar Mahotsav would be organised on January 12, 2012 at the same venue. “We are overwhelmed with the support of the people as well as the local artists,” he said. As Hari Har was unable to present here to receive the award in person he would be awarded the prize later in a convenient date and venue, said the organisers. Such award would be awarded every year to an outstanding youth of the region who has glorified the name of this region in national and international arena. 

Sources: The Hindu, The Telegraph