16 from Berhampur make it to the Top 100 list of Annual HSC Examinations-2012

Click here for the Top 100 Merit List

The Board of Secondary Education (BSE), Odisha, has declared the results of Annual High School Certificate (HSC) Examinations-2012 on 28^th June. Students from Berhampur and Ganjam have secured 16 positions in the list of 100. As has been the trend in recent years, this year too the Saraswati Sishu-Vidya Mandirs of Berhampur have maintained their outstanding record with the students of Ramahari Nagar, Neelakantha Nagar and Gajapati Nagar in the city finding place in the Top 100 merit list.

• SNIGDHA SWARUPA -------SARASWATI SISHU VIDYA MANDIR, NEELAKANTHA NAGAR, BERHAMPUR
• SOURAV SABAT-------- SARASWATI SISHU VIDYA MANDIR, NEELAKANTHA NAGAR, BERHAMPUR
• SIBANANDA PANIGRAHY------SARASWATI SISHU VIDYA MANDIR, NEELAKANTHA NAGAR, BERHAMPUR
• BHARATI SETHI------ SARASWATI SISHU VIDYA MANDIR, NEELAKANTHA NAGAR, BERHAMPUR
• DEBASHIS DASH------ONSLOW INSTITUTION, CHATRAPUR, GANJAM
• PARAMESWAR PANDA-----SARASWATI SISHU VIDYA MANDIR, NEELAKANTHA NAGAR, BERHAMPUR
• SARTHAK MAHAPATRA-------HARIHAR HIGH SCHOOL, ASKA, GANJAM
• HRUDAYANANDA MAHAPATRA-----SARASWATI SHISHU BIDYAMANDIR, RAMAHARINAGAR, BERHAMPUR                 
• HARAPRIYA PADHY-----SARASWATI SISHU BIDYAMANDIR, GAJAPATI NAGAR, BERHAMPUR
• ANSHUMAN MOHANTY-------B K HIGH SCHOOL, DIGAPAHANDI, GANJAM
• AMIT MISHRA------SARASWATI SISHU VIDYA MANDIR, NEELAKANTHA NAGAR, BERHAMPUR
• AMIT KUMAR PAL-----KANAKA DURGA BIDYA PEETHA, MADHUSUDANPUR BELLAGAM, GANJAM
• LOPITA BHOLO-----SARASWATI SHISHU BIDYA MANDIR, RAMAHARINAGAR, BERHAMPUR
• DEBABRATA SAMANTARAYA-----SARASWATI SISHU VIDYA MANDIR, NEELAKANTHA NAGAR, BERHAMPUR
• RAM PRASAD BEBARTTA------SARASWATI SISHU VIDYA MANDIR, NEELAKANTHA NAGAR, BERHAMPUR
• SONALI SETHI----SARASWATI SISHU BIDYAMANDIR, GAJAPATI NAGAR, BERHAMPUR

NIST among top 100 engineering colleges in India in placement

Rathyatra in Berhampur

Source: The Sambad

Source: The Sambad

Ganjam included under Green India Mission

Devotees throng historic deity-less Jagannath temple at Marda in Ganjam district

• This was the place where lord Sri Jagananth, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra of Puri had been hidden for over two years in the 18^th century to keep them safe from Muslim invaders.
• The then Gajapati king of Puri Rachanra Dev is also said to have hidden himself near Marda.
• king of Athagarhpatna in Ganjam district, Jagannath Harichandan had built up the rock temple at Marda for safekeeping of the deities.
• The deities returned to their original temple in Puri in 1736. But the king of Athagarhpatna did not establish any deities in the Marda temple. He preferred to keep it empty as a mark of remembrance of this great event.
• Till date the temple remains empty.

Srigundicha, the inaugural day of Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath, was also observed at the deity-less Jagannath temple at Marda in Ganjam district. Despite rain, hundreds of devotees reached the temple which finds a historic place in the history of Odisha. But like past years no Rath Yatra was celebrated at the temple. Devotees reached the temple at Marda a day before itself although no Rath Yatra was held here.

Even on this day of festivities, there were no sounds of traditional temple musical instruments like conch, bells or cymbals at the temple. Only some simple rituals were performed before the empty pedestal inside the temple. The tradition is said to have originated from the days when the deities from Sri Jagannath temple in Puri were hidden in this temple during the Mughal period. Sound of any musical instrument may have been avoided during the stay of deities at this temple to avid attention of spies, say historians.

At present, the historical temple has been renovated, restored and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This was the place where the deities of famous Sri Jagananth temple in Puri had been hidden for over two years in the 18^th century to keep them safe from Muslim invaders. The then Gajapati king of Puri Rachanra Dev is also said to have hidden himself near Marda.

At that time the king of Athagadapatna in Ganjam, Jagannath Harichandan, had come out to provide protection and shelter to the deities and the Gajapati of Puri.

Jagannath Harichandan had built up the rock temple at Marda for safekeeping of the deities. The temple, which was built in a hurry, resembles the Gundicha temple in Puri. At that time Marda was an extreme inaccessible place in the interiors of Ganjam district.

The deities returned to their original temple in Puri in 1736. But the king of Athagarhpatna did not establish any deities in the Marda temple.

He preferred to keep it empty as a mark of remembrance of this great event. Till date the temple remains empty.

Inhabitants of Pathara, a village near Marda, still take pride that their artisan ancestors had built up this temple. Source: The Hindu

Plan panel okays railway project to link Gopalpur, Rayagada

Planning Commission has in principle approved the railway project to link Gopalpur and Rayagada of south Odisha. The proposed new broad gauge railway track to link these to places is to cost Rs. 1,392.327 crore. The 258-km long proposed railway track is a long-standing demand of the people of south Odisha. It is hoped that with its inception the track will be a major catalyst of development of underdeveloped areas of Rayagada district. As per the assessment, Rate of Return (RoR) of the proposed project will be 15.04 per cent. It may be noted that RoR provides the ratio of each rupee earned against an expenditure of Rs. 100. According to sources, the proposed track will be of great help for the industrial growth of south Orissa. It will streamline the transportation of bauxite ore from Koraput and Rayagada districts of south Orissa to processing units and transportation of the processed alumina and aluminium ingots from manufacturing units at Damanjodi or Angul to the ports. The railway track may also be used to carry coal from Ib valley to various parts of south Orissa. It will be the link of Gopalpur port and the Industrial town of Rayagada. The track will also link several towns of Ganjam and Kandhamal districts like Bhanjanagar, Aska, Tikabali, Phulbani etc which till date do not have any railway link. Praising the UPA government for approving this long standing demand, former Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Sahu has asked the State government and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to take immediate measures to provide land and other infrastructure for the railway project. “I have urged the Railway Minister to allocate funds for the project in next railway budget,” he said. According to him, lack of proper assistance from the State government can delay such projects. He has alleged that the railway wagon factory project, proposed at Sitalapalli, is delayed only due to this. “Similar delaying tactics should not be used by the State government for this proposed railway track project between Gopalpur and Rayagada,” he has said.

Source: The Hindu

Berhampur set to launch e-collection of taxes

Berhampur: The city’s civic body is soon going to introduce online payment of holding taxes and trading license fees. "We have decided to collect revenue online as per a government directive. The system will be introduced in at least seven wards on a pilot basis. Later, it will be extended to the other 30 wards in a phased manner," said Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) mayor Siba Shankar Dash. "Introduction of online tax collection is one of the priority areas of BMC," the mayor said. Before introducing the system, the civic body would launch an awareness programme on the benefits of online payment. BMC officials said the online system would plug leakage of revenue, reduce disputes and maintain transparency on transactions. "It would also make the payment process easier for tax payers as they don't have to come to the municipal office," an official said. Sources said the government had directed BMC to make online collection of revenues some years ago, but the system was yet to be implemented. Some councilors had questioned the delay in introducing online collection of revenue at a meeting on Saturday, the sources said. "Shortage of skilled manpower was the main reason for the delay," said BMC commissioner A K Mohanty. "We have already introduced the issue of birth and death certificates through online under the e-municipal programme" he added.

Source: Times of India

Cyrus Mistry meets Naveen Patnaik; TATA asked to give detail implementation plan for Gopalpur Industrial Park

• Chairman Designate of Tata Sons Cyrus Mistry meets Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
• TATA group proposes a 500 bedded hospital and a skill development center in Ganjam under CSR
• Odisha Chief Minister reviews the progress of the proposed Industrial Park at Gopalpur
• Tata Steel as anchor tenant is developing the Industrial Park at Gopalpur
• The Centre has already granted in-principle approval for a multi-product SEZ at Gopalpur
• The feasibility study and design plan of the Gopalpur SEZ has been completed by Ernst & Young
• Technical feasibility report on Gopalpur SEZ has been prepared by Jurong International, Singapore
• RITES Ltd., a Govt of India Enterprise has completed the survey work for road and railway connectivity
• National Institute of Oceanography has completed CRZ study for the Gopalpur SEZ

The Odisha Government has asked Tata Steel to submit a detailed implementation plan with specific time line for the development of the proposed industrial park at Gopalpur in Ganjam district. Chairman Designate of Tata Sons Cyrus Mistry who was on his maiden visit to Odisha held detailed discussion with Chief Minister on various projects including the industrial park at Gopalpur. Though it has been termed as “courtesy call”, but sources said Mr.Mistry and his able Deputy, the Managing Director of Tata Steel, H M Nerurkar held detailed discussion with the Chief Minister in presence of top mandarins.

The Centre has already granted in-principle approval for a multi-product SEZ at Gopalpur and Tata Steel as anchor tenant is planning to develop an industrial park. To be developed over an area of 2,952 acres, the industrial park has the potential to attract investments of around Rs 15,000 crore, company sources said adding, eight to 10 prospective anchor investors in sectors like engineering and downstream industries have evinced interest to invest in it. The Industrial Park will be developed over an area of 2952 acres with Resource Based Metal Industry Cluster, Power Plant, Auto Engineering Steel Down Stream Cluster, Mixed Cluster, Water Reservoir, Integrated Logistics and Non-Processing Zone to house social infrastructure required for the units in industrial park.  It has been proposed that anchor investment will be done in Long Product Mill ( Steel Bar & Rods) with 400,000 TPA, Ferro Chrome Plant with 55,000 TPA, and Desalination Plant with 1.2 MGP per day. Land requirement for all theses anchor investments will be around 400 acres and the water source will be the sea water along with harvested rain water. Reviewing the development of Industrial Park Chief Secretary has asked TATA to submit a detail implementation plan with specific time limits for commencement and completion of each activity. The issues relating   to land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation were also reviewed in the meeting.

While Tata Steel is setting up an Industrial Park and developing it as SEZ at Gopalpur, the State Government’s demand is for another steel complex by Tata Steel, said an official source. Chief Minister has asked to scale up their initiatives under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Odisha. Mr.Patnaik during his hour long meeting with Cyrus Mistry, Chairman Designate of Tata Sons today said that a 500 bedded hospital in Ganjam and four centres for skill development centres to be set up.

Source: Tathya.in, Orissadiary.com, New Indian Express

Berhampur boy tops state in AIEEE

Source: The Sambad

Texas University students impart tech lessons in Gopalpur-on-Sea

Four students from Texas University, USA, are currently in the coastal villages near Gopalpur-on-Sea, Berhampur, Odisha on a mission to train students from fishermen families in basic computer skills and communicative English.

Around 30 college students of Venkataraipur and New Boxipalli villages are taking lessons from them at a village community hall at Venkataraipur in the morning and evening.

John, Reanna, Nessa and Lauren came here and stayed for two months as part of a summer internship project. "We requested them to help students from fishermen's families learn the basics of computer and improve their communication skills," said S B Rao, a social activist from the village. The group is a part of Nourish International, a students' body which works towards addressing global poverty and understanding various development projects across the world, he said. "We are happy to impart training to the students in Gopalpur-On-sea. They are amazing. They are picking up the skills very fast. Many of them can prepare power point slides by themselves," said Lauren. "We want to improve their communication skills as far as possible before leaving the country," Reanna said.

The foreign students have already prepared teaching material for the trainees. They are also using computer sets to enable the young boys and girls have hands-on training of using computers. They started taking classes on May 22, and will continue till July 3.

During the period, they have also decided to conduct a training programme for school teachers to improve their teaching skills and make learning much more interactive and interesting for the students. Besides, the students will launch a sanitation drive in the villages in association with the members of the Self Help Groups (SHG) and village development committees.

The group is also conducting a village assessment programme to identify the availability of the resources and problems in education and to work out for the solution, said B Gopamma, another activist from the village. Source: ToI

Artists turn walls of Silk city into canvas

Source: The Telegraph

BERHAMPUR: The walls of the Silk City have come alive with paintings depicting the state’s culture, festivals, temples and tribal murals to counter ugly graffiti, unauthorised wall-posters and open-air urinals. Vibrant colours and striking images decorated with mirror pieces and other adornments are lending a royal touch to several drab walls in the city. Artist Pratap Kishore Bishoyi, the 40-year-old who has created paintings on the walls of the official residence of the additional district medical officer at Gate Bazar along with two of his assistants, said their work has received appreciation from passers-by. “We feel glad that our hard work has paid off when people passing by stand and observe the art on the walls. The advent of modern printing and large printed flex boards had snatched away earnings of painters. So, it feels good that as part of this project we are being paid Rs 30/sqft of painting,” said Bishoyi. For another artist, Pratap Kishore, walls are spaces that can act as the preservers of culture, tradition and heritage of the state. “It gives us immense pleasure to create something that will be a part of the city for a long time to come. We use colours that will not be affected by harsh weather conditions and stay fresh even in sun and rain. Hopefully, the public will take care of our efforts,” he said. The city residents seem to be delighted with the beautification project. But they too are worried about the maintenance of the decorated walls. “The wall painting concept was a big hit five years ago. But those paintings are in a sorry state because of poor maintenance,” said Bhim Nayak, a resident of Komapalli. It gives tourists a bad impression, he added. “The law prohibits littering of streets, public walls, office premises, compound walls of residences and government buildings and others. However, these places are being misused with passers-by spitting, putting up posters, unauthorised hoardings and so on,” said Kailash Rana, chairman, Berhampur Development Authority. “The paintings on walls are an innovative strategy to beautify the city’s defaced walls,” he said. The public works department has taken the initiatives of getting walls painted at the residence of the revenue divisional commissioner, southern division, Khallikote Autonomous College, Sashi Bhushan Women’s College, MKCG Medical College and Berhampur Municipal Corporation office.

Source: The Telegraph

Today is World Environment Day – Work for a greener environment; Plan for the Planet!

Space crunch affects Taptapani deer park

Berhampur: The Taptapani deer park might lose its mini zoo status (MZS) because it is yet to better its infrastructure, including expanding its area. The Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI) has accorded the mini zoo status to the deer park in 2009 after the DFO of Paralakhemundi gave an undertaking to increase the space for free movement of animals. But three years have lapsed since then and the required area is yet to be acquired. The park sprawls over 1.86 hectares where 136 different deer species live. It includes 116 spotted deer, 16 sambars and a barking deer. Though the park started with a few deer in 1980, there number is steadily increasing. The forest department wanted an additional 8.4 hectares of land to accommodate the animals and develop it as an eco-tourism centre. At present, the animals have to move about in less than one hectare because a portion of the park is meant for visitors. Also, the space crunch has given rise to infighting among the deer. Three have died in recent times. "We have sought land in the adjoining areas of the existing park to make it an eco-tourism spot," said Jitsatru Mohanty, the DFO of Paralakhemundi. He said the application for the land alienation was pending with the Ganjam administration. He said the administration should give us the land at the earliest because CZAI officials are going to visit the park soon. "Once the MZS status is withdrawn, we won't be able to house the huge zoo population in the park," Mohanty added. Ganjam collector Krishan Kumar said the administration was aware of the fact. "We are pursuing the matter with the government for early hand over of the land," he added. At present, the forest department is planning an alternative. "The deer park is overcrowded. We have planned to accommodate them by creating at least four enclosures and feeding chambers," the DFO said. (Source: Times of India)

Blackbucks of Ganjam migrating to newer areas in Odisha

Blackbucks, an endangered species found in Balipadar-Bhetanai area in Ganjam district of Odisha, seem to be migrating to newer areas, official sources said. At least two blackbucks were rescued by the villagers from various places in the district. One of them was found at Balipada near Berhampur, while another at Babanapur near Aska. “We have rescued a male blackbuck from Balipadar near here. The animal will be handed over to the Nandankanan zoo authority in Bhubaneswar,” said divisional forest officer, Berhampur SS Mishra. The blackbuck also reportedly migrated towards Jagannath Prasad and Belaguntha areas in search of food and water as some of the water bodies in their habitat have dried up, sources said. “When the blackbucks migrate to other areas they may be easy target to the poachers. They also meet with accidents on the roads”, the wildlife experts feared claiming at least five blackbucks had reportedly died in a fortnight. Officials, however, said only two died. “We have information about the migration of the blackbuck. But we have no information about their death due to scarcity of water,” said divisional forest officer, Ghumusar South R Ch Sethi. He said there were several ponds in their areas.”Though the water level receded, ponds have not dried up. The animals are using them,” added another officer at Aska. Increase in population might be one of the causes for migration of blackbucks to newer areas, said an expert. The population of blackbuck in the area was counted at 2181 in the last census conducted in July 2011. The population of blackbuck was estimated at 1672 in 2008. Their number was 551 in 1998, 786 in 2004, 1101 in 2006, sources said. Improvement of habitats, protection given by local people as well as forest staff was some of the reasons for increase of the population of the blackbuck in the area, forest officials attributed. The blackbucks have been protected religiously by the local people for several generations. They have strong belief the presence of blackbuck in the paddy fields brings prosperity to the village. “The villagers do not kill the animals even if they strays into the field,” said president, Blackbuck Protection Committee Amulya Upadhyaya. (Source: The Pioneer)

Source: The Sambad

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No space for ponds in bustling Berhampur

Berhampur: Aina Bandh Street, Canal Street, Hatibandha Street... Though the names smack of refreshing ponds and canals, today these are just myriad addresses in the concrete jungle of the bustling Berhampur town, with no sign of any wetlands in the vicinity. Unplanned growth of the town has eaten away its sundry water bodies, which once helped control the temperature of the town and satiated the drinking water needs of its people. "The size of ponds like Hatibandh was big enough for a herd of elephants to take bath in," recalls senior citizen Chitta Ranjan Das. Rows of concrete houses have now replaced the water body. Similarly, Berhampur Development Agency (BDA) filled up Tameya Bandha, one of the major ponds in the town, to construct a park, while Canal Street sits on a reclaimed canal, which meandered through the Gate Bazar area in the past. Retired engineer Ananta Bhola reminisces spending pleasant summers in the town when canals of Rushikulya river flowing through the town used to fill up the ponds and maintained the ground water level even during the driest season of the year. The system was perhaps designed by the then administrators to keep the town cool and to fulfill its water needs as Berhampur was not situated by any river bank. The canals have long since been filled up to fulfill other, seemingly more pressing needs of the town, leading to scorching summers, acute drinking water crisis and flash floods during monsoon, Bhola laments. The canal system was made in such a way that rainwater did not accumulate in any area. But today, due to the encroachment of the wetlands, the town gets was waterlogged with just a little rain. As many as 89 areas prone to water-logging have been identified in the town, sources said. Government records reveal there were over 70 water bodies in the town, which were in possession of the municipality, revenue department and a few under private parties. Some of them now exist only in paper, while others are filed with garbage. The remaining few are not suitable for use. The BMC authorities, however, said they have made an elaborate plan to reconstruct and renovate the water bodies under the central government's infrastructure development scheme for small and medium towns. "The central government has provided about Rs 8 crore under the scheme," BMC sources said. The total project cost is Rs 16 crore. While 26 ponds have been renovated under the scheme, another 16 ponds would be taken up very soon, sources added.

Source: Times of India

Demand for Mahurikalua Zoological Park gathering steam in Ganjam District

Environmental protection and conservation of rare species of animals and birds have gained currency across the country while attempts in this regard leave a lot to be desired in Orissa. Ganjam District and the southern region of Orissa 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 Koraput and Kandhamal etc., all face the danger of extinction, if better protection measures are not put in place. Wild and rare animals have importance from the tourism point of view as well. Ganjam district in particular is known for some popular tourist destinations like Gopalpur, Chilika lake, Taptapani, TaraTarini, Tampara, Sonepur, Rushikulya mouth etc. The tourism potential of this region can be harnessed better if an attractive zoological park is established near Berhampur city at Mahurikalua, on the lines of Nandankanan, feel many people in Ganjam District. MahuriKalua is an attractive destination in the Eastern-Ghat range with huge tracts of reserved forest and is home to some wild animals and even some tribal habitations as well. Located on the outskirts of Berhampur city, the place is well connected being on the Berhampur – Koraput State Highway and can well turn out to be a tourist attraction if converted into a zoo, feel these people. 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 zoo at Mahurikalua will be like a recognition of the efforts of these communities who have taken up such a noble cause for past may years, felt these people.  The establishment of a zoo at Mahurikalua near Berhampur city will be an added attraction for the tourists visiting the region and many organizations have demanded its immediate establishment.

Berhampur development news

Source: The Sambad

Source: The Sambad

Source: The Sambad

Source: The Sambad

Source: The Sambad

Berhampur students steal the show in CHSE +2 Exam results 2012

• Eleven students from the City placed among the Top 20 in + 2 Science
• Five students of Berhampur among the Top 20 in the State in +2 Commerce
• Sankha Sai Sandeep of Nilakanthanagar Saraswati Vidyamandir 4^th topper in Science in the State
• Nikita Agarwal of Khallikote Junior College 2^nd topper in the State in +2 Commerce
• Nilakanthanagar Saraswati Vidyamandir in Berhampur city steals the limelight with 8 students among Top 20 in the State in +2 Science

Saraswati Vidyamandir, Nilakanthanagar, Berhampur 

Berhampur students have put up a good show in the Plus Two science and Commerce board examinations, the results of which have been declared today. The higher secondary wing of Saraswati Vidyamandir, Nilakanthanagar, stole the limelight again this year with an outstanding performance. Nine of its students came among the Top 20 in the State in Science and Commerce streams. Not to be left behind, the students of historic Khallikote College claimed 7 positions among the in Top 20 in Science and Commerce streams. Saraswati Vidyamandir at Nilakanthanagar in the City has achieved 100 per cent result in higher secondary science stream. 

Eleven from Berhampur among Top 20 in +2 Science
RANK                                CANDIDATE NAME                                       COLLEGE

4------SANKHA SAI SANDEEP-----SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHNAGAR, BERHAMPUR

5-------ARPITA PADHY------- KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

6-------SUBHASIS NAYAK--------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR

8------- B MILAN KUMAR---------KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

9-------PRADEEPTA DAS--------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR

9-----SUBHAM K PADHI-------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR

13----- DIPAK KUMAR SAHOO--------NILAKANTHANGR, BERHAMPUR

16----- RAHUL GHOSE-------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHANAGAR, BERHAMPUR

16-----SUBHASIS SATAPATHY------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHNGAR, BERHAMPUR

17-----SUBHASMITA PADHY------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHNGAR, BERHAMPUR

20-----P SAI PREM PATRO-------KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

  

Five from Berhampur among Top 20 in +2 Commerce

RANK                                CANDIDATE NAME                                       COLLEGE

2--------NIKITA AGARWAL--------KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

13--------ASHISH LOHIA--------KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

15-------AKANSHA MURARKA--------KHALLIKOTE JUNIOR COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR

19-------KOTNI NAVYARANI---------SHIKSHA COLLEGE, BERHAMPUR, GANJAM

20------DEBADOTTA RAULO------SARASWATI VIDYAMANDIR, NILAKANTHNGAR, BERHAMPUR


More than 20 students from Berhampur make it to the IITs this year 

Source: The Sambad

Work begins on Khallikote College foot over-bridge

Construction work on a foot overbridge to connect two sections of Khallikote Autonomous College in the city has started. It was a long-standing demand of students of the institution and citizens of the city. This more than a century-old heritage educational institution is located in the heart of Berhampur by the side of the stretch of NH-59 that passes through the city. Its main block is on one side of the highway. Its large stadium, indoor sports complex, and building of the Junior College is on the other side of the road. Students and teachers face problem throughout the day to cross the highway to travel from one section of the college to the other as the traffic on this stretch of highway is quite high. During peak hours it also causes traffic jam. In the past, there were accidents in front of the institution in which students were injured by speeding vehicles while crossing the road. The foot overbridge is being built at a cost of around Rs. 110 lakh and a major chunk of investment is being provided by the State government.

Source: The Hindu

Modern sewerage system for Berhampur on the anvil

Plans are on to have a modern sewerage system for Berhampur, an old traditional city of Odisha. Project report for such a sewerage system is being prepared. Recently the consultancy agency that is preparing the project report for the project had a meeting with the corporators of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) to sensitize them about the project. This meeting was also attended by city mayor Siba Shankar Dash, Berhampur MLA RCC Patnaik, and Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahy. As per the consultancy agency this project would be worth around Rs 600 crore. It will involve establishment of two sewerage treatment plants. These sewerage treatment plants would be attached to the two major water carrying channels of the city, Bahana Nala and Sapua Nala. Survey to prepare the project report is not complete. It is expected that detailed project report for this sewerage project would be ready by end of this year. Satellite data and ground level data would be used to prepare the project report. As per the project the open rains in the city would only carry rain water. Every household and building in the city would be connected to the underground sewerage system. Executives of the consultancy agency elaborated how each and every household has to be included in the project for it success otherwise it would be a failure. It may be noted that the old sewerage system of the city is in dilapidated state. At many places spaces for drains have been encroached. Due to it during rains flood like situations are occurring in several areas of the city.

Source: The Hindu

Source: The Sambad

Solar lighting project approved for Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

• Tata group has agreed to take up massive plantation work at  Tara Tarini hill
• Rs. 50 lakh would be financed by the Central government for the project
• Bathroom complex & facilitation centre for pilgrims would be built up

A big solar lighting project would be taken up at the famous Tara Tarini hill shrine in Ganjam district. It was part of discussion in the Annual General Body Meeting of the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) held in the conference hall in the office of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division, in Berhampur on May 25, 2012. This meeting was presided by the RDC Laxmi Narayn Nayak, who happens to be the chairman of the TTDB. Vice-chairman of the TTDB, the Ganjam Collector Kishen Kumar, its secretary Pramod Panda, and officials of different departments, office bearers of TTDB, members of TTDB and dignitaries of the city were present at the meeting.

TTDB secretary Mr. Panda said such major solar light project is being implemented in any religious shrine in the State for the second time. A similar solar light project is already on in Sri Jagannath temple in Puri. According to Mr. Panda for this solar lighting project  Rs. 50 lakh would be financed by the Central government and it would be installed by Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA). The hill top of this hill shrine would be lighted up by this renewable source of energy.

During discussions it was also revealed that funds worth around Rs.72 lakh from the Central government and State government for development of tourism prospects of this hill shrine was already with the district administration. Using this fund a bathroom complex and a facilitation centre for pilgrims would be built up at the hill shine.

At the request of the TTDB, the Tata group has agreed to take up massive plantation work at the Tara Tarini hill, said Mr. Panda. Source: The Hindu

Berhampur zone of Andhra Bank in expansion mode

BERHAMPUR: Andhra Bank has proposed to set up ten new branches and 25 new ATM counters in its Berhampur zone. It was stated by bank Deputy General Manager A.V. Ramkrishna Rao, who heads the zone of the Andhra Bank during a press meet held in the city recently. The Berhampur zone of Andhra Bank consists of eight districts. Seven of these districts -- Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, and Kandhamal -- are in south Odisha. Srikakulam district of adjoining Andhra Pradesh is also under this zone of the bank. There are 79 branches of the bank in the zone. Out of them 43 branches are in Odisha. Andhra Bank is also the lead bank in Ganjam, Gajapati, and Srikakulam districts. Five of the proposed new branches will be in Odisha and the rest in Andhra Pradesh. One of these branches will be opened in Maoist-affected Malkangiri district. Three branches may come up in Ganjam district. During the current financial year, 25 ATMs in the zone would be opened and out of them, three would be established in Berhampur, Mr. Rao said. Speaking on the achievement of the bank in the zone during the past financial year, Mr. Rao said there was an overall growth of 14.73 per cent in the zone. There was 21.58 per cent growth in deposits. Total deposit and advances of the bank in the zone stood at Rs. 2192.88 crore and Rs. 937.83 crore respectively. Total agricultural advances of the bank in the zone were Rs. 380.70 crore which was 40.59 per cent of the total advances.

Source: The Hindu

City bus service set to roll in Silk City Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: The Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) has planned two new bus services, one within Berhampur town, another connecting Berhampur, Gopalpur and Chhatrapur comprising the Greater-Berhampur region.
 The services will be launched through public private partnership (PPP), at an estimated cost of 3.5 crore. At least 27 buses will ply in the first phase.

A Mumbai-based consulting agency presented a detailed project report in this regard recently. The agency has suggested the formation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) with involving the BDA, Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Notified Area Councils (NAC) of Gopalpur and Chhatrapur to monitor the services.
At present, passengers depend on trekkers and matadors for travelling to these two places from Berhampur. "Not only is time a big factor, but travel in trekkers and matadors is also a risky affair. These are always overcrowded. Moreover, there are no town bus services within Berhampur. So, we have also suggested a bus service for the town," a BDA official said. The Berhampur city had introduced a town bus service in 1991. The service was later discontinued as it incurred heavy loss.

Source: Times of India, The Sambad

Berhampur to free National Highway 217 of hoardings

BERHAMPUR: The National Highway 217 passing through Berhampur may soon be free of hoardings. The district administration has ordered officials concerned to remove the hoardings from either side of the 12-km stretch of NH passing through the town. "We have asked the officers of the NH, police, revenue and Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) to pull out the hoardings from either sides of the NH 217 for the free movement of the vehicles," said Ganjam collector Krishan Kumar. The big hoardings, which illegally mushroomed along the footpaths, have been causing a lot of traffic problems in the town with residents urging the district administration to solve the problem for quite some time. The issue was discussed at a meeting on the development of Berhampur town held here on Thursday evening. The meeting, presided over by the district collector, was attended by officials of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Berhampur Development Authority (BDA), besides MLAs from Berhampur and Gopalpur. The district collector also asked BDA officials to conduct a survey to identify open spaces in town and to rid them of encroachment. Some of the open spaces can be utilized for parking vehicles and some of them would be developed as green-belt with plantation and parks, the collector said. Around 150 open plots in the town, reserved by the BDA in different places, have vanished due to the encroachments, he pointed out. The administration also asked the BDA to crack down on buildings which diverted their open or parking spaces for other purposes. The violators would be punished, the collector warned.

Source: Times of India