‘Udyan Fresh’ outlets to be opened in Berhampur soon

‘Udyan Fresh’ vegetable outlets would be opened up in Berhampur city soon, said director of Odisha horticulture department, Sanjiv Kumar Chaddha. Mr. Chaddha was in the city to inaugurate the two-day exhibition of produces of vegetable and flower growers of Ganjam district at the premises of new flower market and training centre for floriculture. According to him, Berhampur would be the second urban centre in the State after Bhubaneswar to have ‘Udyan Fresh’ vegetable outlets. The other townships where ‘Udyan Fresh’ outlets are to come up were Sambalpur and Rourkela.

Through the ‘Udyan Fresh’ project the State horticulture directorate has decided to set up vegetable vending kiosks to ensure better income for local vegetable growers through eradication of middlemen. Apart from it this project would also ensure that consumers get fresh vegetables directly from farmers at a fair price. This project has been taken up in public private partnership mode. According to Mr. Chaddha process was on to register around 10,000 vegetable growers of Ganjam district for the ‘Udyan Fresh’ outlets in Berhampur.

A training programme for floriculture was also inaugurated. Around 120 farmers attended this training programme. 307 vegetable growers and 42 flower growers had participated in this two-day exhibition. According to Sridhar Verma, secretary of Ganjam District Flower Growers’ Association (GDFGA), they had displayed all the common as well as exotic flowers that were being grown in the district on commercial basis. The GDFGA members repeated their demand that activation of cooling chamber and auctioning facility would help in proper marketing of flowers and help in enhancement of floriculture in the area. Visitors were astonished by a huge yam that weighed 52 kilograms and a large pumpkin which weighed over 26 kg.

Source: The Hindu

Beach cleaning system for Gopalpur

The state government has decided to introduce integrated beach cleaning (IBC) system at Gopalpur-on-Sea and its nearby tourist spots such as PatiSonepur and Dhabaleswara. The tourism department has sanctioned funds for this purpose, a tourism officer said. The tender will be floated for this purpose very soon, said Ganjam district culture officer and in-charge tourist officer K C Nishank. A separate tender will also be floated for the cleanliness drive at Tampara, another tourist spot near Chhatrapur, sources said. At present, the Gopalpur beach is cleaned by Gopalpur NAC, which has limited resources. But Pati Sonepur, Dhabaleswar and Tampara tourist places are not cleaned at all though a large number of tourists visit the area. "Many tourists, particularly foreigners, will flock to the tourist resorts if the beaches are cleaned. Beach tourism will get a boost then," said MLA (Gopalpur) Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi. Under the new beach cleaning initiative, the contractor has to engage sweepers to clean the beach manually. "No machines will be used as these will destroy the fragile eco-system of the beach," he added. It was also decided that a committee of local people will be formed to ensure that complete cleanness is maintained. "The committee will supervise and advise the contractors, if they find any lacunae," said a tourist officer. The district administration has also planning to impose the ban on use of polythene bags on Gopalpur beach. "We will ask the NAC of Gopalpur to strictly implement the polythene ban on the beach," said a government officer.

Source: Times of India

Khallikote college takes possession of OSRTC land

Two years after the government handed over around two acres of land of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) to the Khallikote Autonomous College here for expansion, administration of the educational institution finally took possession of it this week. The college authorities could not take possession of the land after it was handed over to them as the plan for extension works of the institution was not ready. Recently, the plan for an additional college building on the two acres of OSRTC land was prepared by them which was approved by the State Government. Funds of Rs 3.5 crore was earmarked for the construction work and the authorities would begin work on a new boundary wall on the land soon. “Boundary wall construction will be completed first and then work on the college building will begin,” said principal of the college Gouranga Charan Tripathy. It may be noted that for the past many years the demand for the land transfer, adjacent to the college, was taken up by students and citizens of the city, cutting across party affiliations, for development of the college. Instead, the land was sold to Reliance for a mega shopping complex. The deal had to be shelved following frequent agitations by the college students.

Source: New IndianExpress

Kanak TV debate on South Odisha development and leadership

Kanak TV Bitarka Mahasamara Dakhina Odisha Ra Neta Agua Anchala Pachua (Part-1, Part-2, Part-3, Part-4, Part-5, Part-6, Part-7)

Tributes to Indian Icon Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 116th birth anniversary today

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose visited Berhampur (Odisha) in 1935 during the freedom movement and addressed a massive gathering at the historic Barracks ground in the city

NIST-Berhampur among the top five Engineering colleges in Eastern India; ranked 31st nationally by DataQuest

Source: dqindia.com

Odisha's Ganjam district becoming a graveyard for elephants; Govt should consider the demand for Mahurikalua Zoological Park near Berhampur

Eastern Ghats at Mahuri-Kalua near Berhampur

Altogether 18 elephants were killed in Ganjam district alone over the past year raising questions about the wild life protection measures of the Government. The latest death of an elephant at Palur after the tragic accident that happened at Sabalaya under Khallikote forest range where six elephants were killed after being hit by the speeding Coromondal train has exposed the hallow wild life protection measures of the government.  Of the 18 elephants killed, nine were females, four males and five calves. The deaths were reported from the forest ranges of Muzagada, Khallikote, Buguda, Gallery and Tarsingi, official sources said. While seven were killed on railway tracks, six died of electrocution and the others to disease or old age, they said.  A female elephant and its two-month-old calf died of electrocution at Kanakhai forests in Khallikote forest range on October 7. Another female elephant and its male calf died after coming into contact with electric wires laid by poachers at Karadabani forests under Gallery range in Ghumusar (North) division on October 6. A tusker died of electrocution at Karchuli jungle in Buguda range on September 26.

Environmental protection and conservation of rare species of animals and birds have received attention across the country while attempts in this regard leave a lot to be desired in Odisha. Ganjam District and the southern region of the State are home to some unique species of animals and birds which are getting extinct over time. Be it the Black Bucks of Bhetanai, peacocks in Pakidi, Olive Ridley turtles found in Rushikulya River mouth, Dolphins of Chilika Lake, wild animals like bears, elephants and leopards of Ganjam, Koraput and Kandhamal etc., all face the danger of extinction, if better protection measures are not put in place.

Mahuri-Kalua, on the outskirts of Berhampur city is an attractive tourist destination in the Eastern-Ghat range with huge tracts of reserved forest and this is home to some wild animals as well. Located on the Berhampur – Koraput State Highway, it has some tribal habitations as well. The local communities in Ganjam are known for protection of rare animals and this has been appreciated by organizations like the United Nations in the past. Therefore the Zoological Park at Mahurikalua will be give an impetus for wild-life protection measures of the government and in saving the lives of the elephants from getting crushed under the train wheels and high-tension electric poles. It is time the State Government gave a serious thought to the demand for declaring Mahuri-Kalua as a zoological Park on the lines of Nandankanan and ensure the protection of the rich wildlife treasure of Ganjam and south Odisha. 

Source: Deccan Herald & weekenddestinations.info

Naveen inaugurates several infrastructure projects in Ganjam

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his tour to Ganjam district on Friday inaugurated the long awaited new high level bridge across Badanadi River near Ghumusar Nuagaon village in Bhanjanagar. The Chief Minister visited areas of Bhanjanagar, Belaguntha and Polasara blocks of Ganjam district during his visit. The bridge near Ghumusar Nuagaon was a long standing village. It may be noted that Ghumusar Nuagaon also happens to be the ancestral village of family of Mr. Patnaik. He had laid the foundation stone for this new bridge in November 2008. This new bridge on the river was constructed at a cost around Rs. 10 crore. There existed a bridge over the Badanadi River on this road near Ghumusar Nuagaon village. But the bridge was of low height due to which it was getting submerged during heavy rains. According to locals road communication was getting snapped due to submergence of this bridge for at least 10 to 12 times every year. Continuous rain for over 24 hours in Bhanjanagar area was sufficient to submerge this bridge.  Mr. Patnaik also laid foundation stone of a 15-km. long canal of Nuagaon distributory of Rushikulya system. This NABARD funded project would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 24 crore. The CM had used a helicopter to reach the district and take part in a series of inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremonies. He inaugurated new building of a high school at Belaguntha and addressed a public meeting. In his speech he elaborated the pro-poor projects taken up by his government. He informed that more check dams would be built up throughout the State to enhance irrigation facility for farmers. He also inaugurated a children’s park at Bhanjanagar and addressed a public meeting. In this public meeting he highlighted the women empowerment programmes taken up by the State government adding that in all developmental schemes women were given preference. Before returning back he also visited Polasra block to attend several functions.

Source: The Hindu

Kanak TV debate on South Odisha development and leadership

Source: The Sambad

Interesting Articles/Blogs/Travelogues on Berhampur

• Berhampur: Sour,Sweet and smooth as Silk! By Sourav Panda (thebrokenscooter.com)
• From Berhampur to Brahmapur!  (svcberhampur.blogspot.in)
• Drifting Into a Side-Stream! By Hendrik Erasmus
• Gopalpur-on-Sea: An unforgettable memory; By Sugata Sen
• Kashmir of Orissa - Daringbari (avik-besttraveldestinations.blogspot.in)
• Weekend Drive to Ganjam; ByPriyadarshini Sur (www.boloji.com)
• Kolakata to Gopalpur-on-Sea : a Long Weekend; By DriveTrain BHPian (http://www.team-bhp.com)
• SilkCity, Berhampur- The Abode of Serenity and Bewildering Beauty (thesereneland.blogspot.in)
• AJourney: Tara Tarini, Orissa, India (Cont.) (prasanta-travel.blogspot.in)
• Weekend Destinations near Kolkata (weekenddestinations.info)

Berhampur Places: Taptapani (Bounty of Nature)

CNN IBN-India Positive: Sports reform Berhampur into 'Game City'

Tasty Tasty foods of Berhampur city (OTV)

Click here to watch the You Tube Video on Berhampuri food- Part III

Click here to watch the You Tube Video on Berhampuri food- Part IV

Source:OTv

Berhampur to be made child-friendly city

A pilot project named ‘making Berhampur a child-friendly city’ will be launched in 15 slums of the city. The project will be taken up by Youth for Social Development (YSD), a social research and development organisation, with the support of Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF). According to Bibhu Prasad Sahu of YSD, the project is basically aimed at improving physical environment of children living in urban poverty in slums of Berhampur through increased sensitisation, participation, empowerment and involvement of local municipal corporation and other service providers to promote enhancement of physical environment in which the children live. The YSD has also joined hands with the ‘Humara Bachpan Campaign’ to spread the message among the masses to promote improvement of physical environment of children from poor families of the city. Mr. Sahu of YSD and Anant Prasad of ‘Humara Bachpan Campaign’ said it was high time for the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) to prioritise improvement of physical environment of children living in slums of the city. As per them, child-friendly physical environment in urban slums involved access to affordable basic health facilities, adequate sanitation, availability of clean drinking water, proper implementation of urban development policies as well as opportunity for children to have education and recreation.

The YSD activists felt the children living in slums of Berhampur are devoid of proper environment for their proper physical and mental growth. According to a study of the YSD, the city has 135 slums in which a population of around 1,17,541 live. The study also hinted that the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) did not have any specific policies or programmes for children living in these slums. There is also no budgetary provision of the BMC for the purpose. The BMC has not formed any ward committees to take public opinion regarding implementation of developmental schemes. Lack of participation meant that the urban poor did not have a choice or hold in determining their own development needs and priorities.

Source: The Hindu

Makers of modern Odisha: Ramachandra Mardaraj Deo of Khallikote

Source: Dharitri

Berhampur charts silk route to recognition

BERHAMPUR: Four products of Ganjam district - the Berhampuri patta saree, joda or silk dhoti, kewda flower and kewda flower rooh or essence - have been registered under the Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act. Union minister of state for commerce and industry S Jagathrakshakan intimated Rajya Sabha member from the state Renubala Pradhan about the GI tag for the products recently. Pradhan had urged the government to ensure GI status for the famous Berhampuri patta (silk saree) and had written a letter to the concerned minister regarding it. "I thanked the ministry for giving reorganization to the Berhampur silk saree. I also thanked the officials of the textile department and the state government for taking initiation to ensure such a prestigious recognition for the product," Pradhan said.

GI sign is used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities essentially attributed to the place of origin. It confers legal protection to the product and prevents its unauthorized use or manufacture by others. Weavers are upbeat about the GI registration of their product. "One will not imitate our designs any more," said weaver T Gopi. The Berhampuri silk saree is unique due to its typical Odissi style of weaving and kumbha, particularly phoda, temple type design. "The zari work border design is different from others," said a Berhampuri patta weaver. The weaving technique is said to have originated over 200 years ago. The finely woven sarees were known to be exported to southeast Asian and other countries through the Gopalpur port in the days of yore. The sarees also adorn the deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra at the Jagannath temple in Puri.

The kewda flower and its rooh, produced after processing the flowers, is also unique to the region. The flower grows in at least four coastal blocks of the district - Chhatrapur, Rangeilunda, Ganjam and Chikiti. The kewda oil is extracted by processing the flowers in distilleries. Around 250 processing units, locally known as bhatis, were engaged in processing the flowers. The oil of the thorny flower is used in preparing gutka across the country, apart from its use in the perfume industry. After the ban on manufacture and sale of gutka in several states, including Odisha, most of the processing units have stopped operations. "The gutka ban has hit kewda farmers hard," said BJP yuva morcha president Bibhuti Jena. Around 50,000 people were dependent on the kewda essence industry for their livelihood. As many as 14 products of the state have earned the GI tag so far. Kotapada handloom fabrics, Odisha ikta, Konark stone carving, pattachitra, Pipili applique, Khandua saree and fabric, Gopalpur tussar, Dhalapathara Panda and fabric, Sambalapuri bandh saree and fabric, Bomkai saree and fabric and Habaspuri saree and fabric have got the recognition apart from the latest additions.

Source: Times of India

Gopalpur-On-Sea (Berhampur) offers Sunday fun

BERHAMPUR: Sundays at the enchanting Gopalpur-on-sea will be all the more exhilarating from now on with the Ganjam district administration deciding to start a new weekly programme at the sea beach every Sunday. Local artistes will perform traditional folk dance and music on the beach every weekend to woo tourists. The year-long extravaganza, christened "Sunday at Gopalpur", will start from January 13. "The programme is aimed at giving exposure to traditional artistes of the district, and to make Gopalpur one of the most preferred tourist destinations in the country," said district collector Krishan Kumar. The programme is an initiative of the District Council of Culture (DCC), Odisha tourism and Notified Area Council (NAC), Gopalpur. "Initially, DCC funds will be used for the programme. In future, we will look for sponsorship or funds from the government to continue the initiative," Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi said. "It's a unique programme where we can promote both tourism and the rich cultural heritage of the state," Panigrahi added.

District cultural officer K C Nisanko corroborated Panigrahi's views and said the administration wanted to cash in on the heavy footfall of tourists at the beach town on Sundays. All popular folk dance and music forms of the district, including Jodi Shankha, animal mask dance, Ranapa, Dasakathia, Palla, Ghanta Murdunga, Bagha Nata, Dhumpa Badya, will find place on the programme schedule. Besides, famous folk plays like Prahallad Natak, Bharat Lilla, Rama Lilla, Krushan Lilla, Radha Prema Lilla will also be performed, the culture officer added.

Source: Times of India

Berhampur Mahotsav opened

The fifth Berhampur Mahotsav, a week-long trade cum cultural festival was inaugurated at Khallikote Autonomous College stadium in the city on Saturday. This festival was organised by 'Mahan Sangha' to promote history, tradition, cultural heritage of Ganjam district. So, every evening of this fest would have sessions of intellectual discussions along with cultural shows by local talent. Former Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Sahu, city MLA RCC Patnaik, and mayor of Berhampur Siba Shankar Dash were guests in the inauguration ceremony of Berhampur Mahotsav. A rally to mark 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda also moved round the city and concluded at the venue of this festival before the inauguration ceremony. Youths and cititizens of all walks of life took part in this rally.

The trade fair was highlight of the festival. Around 100 stalls have been opened for display and to sell consumer products of reputed brands, including automobiles as part of this trade fair. As per the organisers folk dance troupes from different parts of the state were also to perform during this festival to make its evenings colourful. The performances would include Gotipua, Sambalpuri, Bihu, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Odissi and Ghumura dances. Modern and classical dance troupes of Ganjam district would also show up their skills on the stage of the Mahotsav. Different cultural groups of the city would have their troupes performing in this festival. To add glamour to the show cine stars and reputed vocalists of Odisha were also to perform during the cultural shows in the evening.

Source: The Hindu

Greater Berhampur city bus service to be extended to Hinjili; SPV to be formed within a month

(Click here to read the full document)

The Principal Secretary of the H&UD Department, Government of Odisha took stock of the progress of the proposed City Bus service for Greater Berhampur in a meeting held this week. It was decided to include Hinjili NAC in the proposed City Bus network and to raise the fleet size accordingly. The meeting also decided about the timeline for the incorporation of the SPV to be named as Ganjam Urban Transport Services Limited (GUTSL). However, some Berhampur based organizations have suggested that the proposed SPV to execute the City Bus project be named as Greater Berhampur Transport Services Limited (GBTSL) with a bigger fleet size and with necessary infrastructure. 

Swami Vivekananda: The fiery monk who continues to inspire every Indian

Teach yourself, teach everyone his/her real nature,

 call upon the sleeping soul and see how it awakes. 

Power will come, glory will come, goodness will come, purity will come and everything that is excellent will come when this sleeping soul is roused to self-conscious activity........... (Swami Vivekananda- The patriot saint of modern India and an inspirer of her dormant national consciousness)