ଗଞ୍ଜାମ ଜିଲ୍ଲାର କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ଦିନେ ଲୋପ ପାଇବାକୁ ବସିଥିଲା । ଏବେ ଏହାକୁ ବିଶ୍ବ ଦରବାରରେ ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠିତ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଆଗେଇ ଆସିଛନ୍ତି ଛାତ୍ରୀମାନେ

ଆଧୁନିକତାର ଛାପରେ ଅନେକ ଲୋକକଳା ନିଜର ଅସ୍ତିତ୍ବ ହରାଇଛନ୍ତି । ହେଲେ ଯୁବପିଢିଙ୍କର ନିଜ ଲୋକକଳାକୁ ବିଶ୍ବ ଦରବାରରେ ପହଞ୍ଚାଇବା ନେଇ ଦୃଢ ପ୍ରତିବଦ୍ଧତା କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟକୁ ଦେଇଛି ଏକ ନୂତନ ପରିଚୟ । ରଣପା ନୃତ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ଗଞ୍ଜାମ ହିଁ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟକଳାର ଏନ୍ତୁଡ଼ିଶାଳ । ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟ ଆଗରୁ କେବଳ କିଛି ଗ୍ରାମ୍ୟ ଦେବାଦେବୀଙ୍କ ଯାତ୍ରା ସମୟରେ ପରିବେଷଣ କରାଯାଉଥିଲା । ମାତ୍ର ସମୟ କ୍ରମେ ଯୁବପିଢି ଏଥିପ୍ରତି ଉତ୍ସାହ ଦେଖାଇ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟକଳାକୁ ସମଗ୍ର ବିଶ୍ବରେ ଉପସ୍ଥାପନ କରିବାକୁ ଅଣ୍ଟା ଭିଡ଼ିଛନ୍ତି । ଚାଲନ୍ତୁ ଦେଖିବା ଗଞ୍ଜାମର କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟକୁ ନେଇ ଇଟିଭି ଭାରତର ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ରିପୋର୍ଟ ।

ଗଞ୍ଜାମ ଜିଲ୍ଲାର ସଦର ମହକୁମ୍ମା ଛତ୍ରପୁର ଠାରେ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରଶିକ୍ଷଣ ନେଉଛନ୍ତି ବହୁ ଛାତ୍ରୀମାନେ । କାଠରେ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ପାଦାକୃତି ଉପରେ ଠିଆ ହୋଇ ଦୀର୍ଘ ସମୟ ଧରି ନିୟମିତ ଅଭ୍ୟାସ କରୁଛନ୍ତି ବହୁ ଛାତ୍ରୀ । ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଓଡିଶୀ, ଚମ୍ପୁ, ସମ୍ୱଲପୁରୀ ଭଳି ନୃତ୍ୟ ଶିକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ଅଧିକ ଛାତ୍ରୀମାନେ ଆଗ୍ରହ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରୁଥିଲେ । ମାତ୍ର ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଏହି ପାରମ୍ପାରିକ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପ୍ରତି ଛାତ୍ରୀମାନଙ୍କ ଆଗ୍ରହ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ପାଉଛି ଗଞ୍ଜାମର ଅନ୍ୟତମ ପାରମ୍ପାରିକ ନୃତ୍ୟ 'ରଣପା'କୁ ପୁରୁଷମାନେ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିଥାନ୍ତି । ଏଥିରେ ପ୍ରାୟ 6 ଫୁଟ ଉଚ୍ଚ ବାଉଁଶ କାଠି ଉପରେ ଠିଆ ହୋଇ ଅପୂର୍ବ ସନ୍ତୁଳନ ରକ୍ଷା କରି ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରାଯାଇଥାଏ । ସେହି ଗଞ୍ଜାମର ଛତ୍ରପୁର ଠାରେ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟର ଉତ୍ପତ୍ତି । ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟର ବିଶେଷତ୍ବ ହେଉଛି କାଠରେ ତିଆରି ପାଦାକୃତି ଉପରେ ଠିଆ ହୋଇ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିବା । ଯାହାର ଉଚ୍ଚତା 1 ଫୁଟରୁ ନେଇ ଦେଢ ଫୁଟ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ରହିଥାଏ । ଏପରି କାଠପାଦ ଉପରେ ଠିଆ ହେବା ଏବଂ ଶରୀରର ଭାରସାମ୍ୟ ବଜାୟ ରଖି ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିବା କଷ୍ଟସାଧ୍ୟ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଅଟେ । ହେଲେ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପ୍ରତି ଏବେ ଛାତ୍ରୀମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଆଗ୍ରହ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରି ନୃତ୍ୟ ଶିକ୍ଷା କରୁଛନ୍ତି । ଏବଂ ଆଗାମୀ ଦିନରେ ଏହାକୁ ବିଶ୍ବସ୍ତରରେ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶନ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ ରଖିଛନ୍ତି ।

କାଠପାଦ ଦେଇଛି ନୂତନ ପରିଚୟ:କାଠରେ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ହୋଇଥିବା ପାଦ କୃତିକୁ ପାଦରେ ବାନ୍ଧି ନୃତ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ହୋଇଥାନ୍ତି ନୃତ୍ୟଙ୍ଗନାମାନେ। ନିଜର ଦୁଇ ପାଦରେ କାଠପାଦକୁ ପରିଧାନ କରିବା ପରେ ଭୂମି ଠାରୁ ଏକ ଫୁଟରୁ ଦେଢ ଫୁଟ ଉଚ୍ଚତାରେ ଠିଆ ହୋଇ ରହିବା ସହିତ ବାଦ୍ୟର ତାଳେ ତାଳେ କଳାକାର ମାନେ ନାଚିଥାନ୍ତି । ଏଭଳି ଏକ ଲୋକନୃତ୍ୟ ହେଉଛି ଗଞ୍ଜାମର କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ । ପୂର୍ବରୁ ରଣପା ଏବଂ ଏବେ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ଜିଲ୍ଲାକୁ ଏକ ନୂତନ ପରିଚୟ ଦେଇଛି । ଏହା ପୁରାତନ ଲୋକନୃତ୍ୟ ହେବା ସହ ଏକ କଷ୍ଟସାଧ୍ୟ ନୃତ୍ୟ ମଧ୍ୟ । ଏଥିପାଇଁ କେବଳ ପୁରୁଷମାନେ ହିଁ ଏହାକୁ କେବଳ ଗ୍ରାମ୍ୟଦେବୀଙ୍କ ଯାତ୍ରା ସମୟରେ ପରିବେଷଣ କରୁଥିଲେ । ହେଲେ ସମୟ ସହିତ ତାଳ ଦେଇ ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟ ପ୍ରତି ଧିରେ ଧିରେ ଛାତ୍ରୀମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଆକର୍ଷିତ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି ।

କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟରେ ଦର୍ଶକ ବିଭୋର:

କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ତାର ପରିବେଶଣ ଶୈଳୀ ପାଇଁ ଦର୍ଶକଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ବେଶ୍ ଆଦୃତ । ଜିଲ୍ଲା ତଥା ରାଜ୍ୟର ବିଭିନ୍ନ ପ୍ରମୁଖ ମଞ୍ଚରେ ଛାତ୍ରୀମାନେ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରୁଛନ୍ତି । ଏବଂ ଦର୍ଶକମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟ ଶୈଳୀରେ ଖୁବ ବିଭୋର ହୋଇ ଏହାର ଉପଭୋଗ କରୁଛନ୍ତି ଆସୁଥିବା ଦେଖିବାକୁ ମିଳିଛି । ରାଜ୍ୟର ପ୍ରମୁଖ ମହୋତ୍ସବ ଠାରୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରି ଅନେକ ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ ମଞ୍ଚରେ ଏହାକୁ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ସଙ୍ଗୀତ ଓ ବାଦ୍ୟର ତାଳେ ତାଳେ ନୃତ୍ୟରେ ପରିବେଷଣ କରି ଆସୁଥିବା ବେଳେ ଆଗମୀ ଦିନରେ ଏହାକୁ ଦେଶର ପ୍ରମୁଖ ଉତ୍ସବ ଏବଂ ବିଦେଶରେ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଛାତ୍ରୀ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ ହେଉଛନ୍ତି କହିଛନ୍ତି ।

ବିଭିନ୍ନ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଲୋକପ୍ରିୟତା ହାସଲ କରୁଛି କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ:

କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ଶିକ୍ଷା କରୁଥିବା ଛାତ୍ରୀ ବର୍ଷା ଦାଶ କହିଛନ୍ତି,"ପ୍ରଥମେ କାଠପାଦକୁ ପିନ୍ଧି ଶରୀରର ସନ୍ତୁଳନ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବା କଷ୍ଟକର ହୋଇଥିଲା । ହେଲେ ନିୟମିତ ଅଭ୍ୟାସ କରିବା ଏବଂ ଗୁରୁଙ୍କ ଶିକ୍ଷା ପାଇ ଏହାକୁ ପିନ୍ଧି କରି ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରାଯାଇପାରିବ । ନିୟମିତ ଶିକ୍ଷା ଓ କଠିନ ପରିଶ୍ରମ କରି ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟକୁ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିବା ସମ୍ଭବପର ହୋଇଥାଏ । ଆମ ଦଳ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ରାଜ୍ୟର ବିଭିନ୍ନ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଏହି ପାରମ୍ପାରିକ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରୁଛି । ରାଜଧାନୀ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱରର ରବିନ୍ଦ୍ର ମଣ୍ଡପ ଠାରୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରି ଗୋପାଳପୁର ବେଳାଭୂମି ମହୋତ୍ସବ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଏବଂ ଛତ୍ରପୁର ମହୋତ୍ସବ ଭଳି ଅନେକ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଆମେ ମଞ୍ଚରେ ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟକୁ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିବାର ସୁଯୋଗ ପାଇଛୁ ।"

ଦେଶ ବାହାରେ ଏହାକୁ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିବା ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ:ଅନ୍ୟ ଜଣେ ଛାତ୍ରୀ ଅର୍ଚ୍ଚିତା ପଣ୍ଡା କହିଛନ୍ତି, "ମୁଁ ଛୋଟ ବେଳେ ଠାକୁରାଣୀ ଯାତ୍ରା ସମୟରେ ମା' କାଳୀଙ୍କ ମୁଖା ପରିଧାନ କରି ଚାଙ୍ଗୁ ବାଦ୍ୟର ତାଳେ ତାଳେ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ ହେଉଥିବା ଦେଖିଥିଲି । ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟ ମୋତେ ଖୁବ ଆକର୍ଷିତ କରିଥିଲା । ଏବଂ ଏବେ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟର ପ୍ରଶିକ୍ଷଣ ନେଇ ଏହାକୁ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିବାର ସୁଯୋଗ ପାଇଛି । ଗଞ୍ଜାମ ଜିଲ୍ଲାର ଛତ୍ରପୁର, ଏହାର ଆଖାପାଖ ଅଞ୍ଚଳ ଏବଂ ନରେନ୍ଦ୍ରପୁର ଭଳି ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟର ଲୋକପ୍ରିୟତା ରହିଛି । ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ରାଜ୍ୟର ପ୍ରମୁଖ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରାଯାଉଛି । ଆଗାମୀ ଦିନରେ ରାଜ୍ୟ ବାହାରେ ଏବଂ ବିଦେଶରେ ଏହାକୁ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିବାକୁ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ ରଖିଛୁ ।"

ଶିଶୁ କଳାକାର ଶ୍ରୀୟାଶିଂ ପାଣିଗ୍ରାହୀ କହିଛନ୍ତି,"ସେ ଗୁରୁ ସମୀର ବେହେରାଙ୍କ ଠାରୁ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ଗତ ଏକ ବର୍ଷ ଧରି ଶିକ୍ଷା କରୁଛନ୍ତି । ଉଭୟ ସଙ୍ଗୀତ ଏବଂ ବାଦ୍ୟର ତାଳେ ତାଳେ ନୃତ୍ୟ କରୁଛି ।"

କାଠପାଦ ସହିତ ଗାହାଣୀ ନୃତ୍ୟର ଅପୂର୍ବ ସମନ୍ବୟ: ଛତ୍ରପୁର ଗାହାଣୀ ଗୁରୁ ଡି.ନାଗେଶ୍ୱରଙ୍କ କହିଛନ୍ତି, "ଗଞ୍ଜାମ ଜିଲ୍ଲାର ରଣପା ନୃତ୍ୟ ଭଳି କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଦର୍ଶକଙ୍କ ମନରେ ବେଶ ଉତ୍କଣ୍ଠା ରହିଛି । କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ସହିତ ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଅଧିକ ମାତ୍ରାରେ ପ୍ରଚଳିତ ଗାହାଣୀ ନୃତ୍ୟର ମଧ୍ୟ ଶିକ୍ଷା ପ୍ରଦାନ କରାଯାଉଛି । କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ କରୁଥିବା ଛାତ୍ରୀମାନେ ଗାହଣୀ ସହିତ କିପରି ମଞ୍ଚରେ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପରିବେଷଣ କରିବେ ସେଥିପ୍ରତି ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱ ଦିଆଯାଉଛି । ଗାହାଣୀ ଏକ ପ୍ରକାରର ଦଣ୍ଡନୃତ୍ୟ ଅଟେ । ମା' କାଳୀଙ୍କ କଥାବସ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ କୋଠିଶାଳ ଗୀତକୁ ନେଇ ଏହି ଗାହାଣୀ ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶନ କରାଯାଉଛି ।"

ରିୟଲିଟି ସୋ ଠାରୁ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ମଞ୍ଚ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଯାତ୍ରା:କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟର ଗୁରୁ ତଥା ଛତ୍ରପୁର ସମୀର ନୃତ୍ୟ କେନ୍ଦ୍ରର ମୁଖ୍ୟ ସମୀର କୁମାର ବେହେରା, ଇଟିଭି ଭାରତ ସହିତ ଆଲୋଚନା କରି କହିଛନ୍ତି, "

କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଲୋକପ୍ରିୟ ଥିଲା । ଏହାର ବିଶେଷ ପ୍ରଚାର ପ୍ରସାର ଅଭାବରୁ ଏହା କିଛି ଅଞ୍ଚଳ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ସୀମିତ ହୋଇ ରହିଥିଲା । ଗତ ୨୦୧୩ ମସିହାରୁ ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟର ପୁନଃ ବହୁଳ ଭାବରେ ପ୍ରଚାର ପ୍ରସାର ହେବା ନେଇ ଉଦ୍ୟମ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିଥିଲୁ । ଏହାପରେ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ଟିଭି ଚ୍ୟାନେଲର ରିୟଲିଟି ସୋ ଠାରୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରି ବିଭିନ୍ନ ମଞ୍ଚରେ ଏହାକୁ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶୀତ କରାଯାଇଥିଲା । ଯାହା ଫଳରେ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ଏବେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ବେଶ ଆଦୃତ ହୋଇପାରିଛି । ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଏଥିପ୍ରତି ପୁରୁଷମାନେ ଆଗ୍ରହ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରୁଥିଲେ ହେଲେ ଧିରେ ଧିରେ ଛାତ୍ରୀମାନେ ଅଧିକ ଆଗ୍ରହ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରୁଛନ୍ତି । ମୁଁ ଗୁରୁ ଲିଙ୍ଗରାଜ ସାହୁଙ୍କ ଠାରୁ ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟ ଶିକ୍ଷା କରିଥିଲି ।"

ଏହା ମଧ୍ୟ ପଢନ୍ତୁ:ଦଶହରାରେ ହିନ୍ଦୁ-ମୁସଲମାନ ଭାଇଚାରାର ଝଲକ, ଦୁର୍ଗାପୂଜା ପାଇଁ ମୁସଲିମଙ୍କ ଘରୁ ଆସେ ଶୁଭ କଳସପୋଥିଚିତ୍ରର ଯାଦୁଗର ଗୁରୁ ମାଗା ନାୟକ, ମିଳିନି କଳାକୁ ସମ୍ମାନରାବଣ ତିଆରିରେ ଗଲାଣି ଅଧା ଜୀବନ, ଦଶହରା ଆସିଲେ ମନେ ପଡନ୍ତି 'ରାବଣ ମାଉସୀ'କଟକର ପ୍ରଥମ ଓ ପୁରୁଣା ଦୁର୍ଗାପୂଜା ମଣ୍ଡପ, ୫୦୦ ବର୍ଷ ଧରି ସମାନ ପଦ୍ଧତିରେ ମା'ଙ୍କ ଆରାଧନାବିଶ୍ୱ ଦେଖିଲା ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଝିଅଙ୍କ ପାରଦର୍ଶିତା, ୱେଲ୍ଡିଂ ଚାମ୍ପିଅନସିପରେ ଚମକିଲେ 4 ଇଂଜିନିୟରିଂ ଛାତ୍ରୀ

କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ନେଇ ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ ଗବେଷକ ଡା.କୁଳମଣି ଓଝା ଆଲୋଚନା ସମୟରେ କହିଛନ୍ତି, "ଗଞ୍ଜାମର ଲୋକସଂସ୍କୃତି ଏବଂ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶନଶୀଳ କଳା ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଅଧ୍ୟୟନ ସମୟରେ ଜଣାପଡେ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ଏକ ଅଭିନବ ପ୍ରୟାସ । ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳର ଠାକୁରାଣୀ ଯାତ୍ରା ସମୟରେ ଏହି କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟ ବହୁଳ ମାତ୍ରାରେ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ମିଳେ । ରଣପା ନୃତ୍ୟ ବିଶ୍ୱସ୍ତରର ମାନ୍ୟତା ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ । ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଅଭିନବ ଉପାୟରେ କାଠପାଦ ନୃତ୍ୟର ଲୋକପ୍ରିୟତା ବଢିବାରେ ଲାଗିଛି । ଗଞ୍ଜାମ ଜିଲ୍ଲାରେ ବହୁ ରାଜାମାନେ ଏହି ନୃତ୍ୟର ପୃଷ୍ଠପୋଷକତା କରିଥିଲେ। ସେ ସମୟରେ ରାଜାନୁଗତ ନୃତ୍ୟ ସଙ୍ଗୀତ ପରିବେଶଣ କରାଯାଉଥିଲା । ଏଣୁ ଏଭଳି ଏକ ନୃତ୍ୟକୁ ରାଜନ୍ୟ ମଣ୍ଡଳୀମାନେ ପୃଷ୍ଠପୋଷକତା କରିଆସୁଥିବା ଜଣାପଡେ ।"

ଇଟିଭି ଭାରତ, ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର/September 25, 2025

PM Narendra Modi's grand Rally in Brahmapur, Ganjam, Odisha

 

ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର ବୁଢି ଠାକୁରାଣୀ ଯାତ୍ରା ଆରମ୍ଭ: ଅସ୍ଥାୟୀ ପୀଠରେ ମା’ ସାଆନ୍ତାଣୀ

ରେଶମ ସହରର ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ଦ୍ବିବାର୍ଷିକ ମା’ ବୁଢି ଠାକୁରାଣୀ ଯାତ୍ରା ମଙ୍ଗଳବାର ମଧ୍ୟରାତ୍ରରୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଛି। ବୁଧବାର ଭୋରରେ ଦେବୀ ଦେଶୀବେହେରା ସାହି ସ୍ଥିତ ବାପା ଘରେ ବିଜେ କରିଛନ୍ତି। ଭକ୍ତମାନେ ଭୋରରୁ ଅସ୍ଥାୟୀ ପୀଠରେ ଦେବୀଙ୍କ ପୂଜାର୍ଚ୍ଚନା ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିଛନ୍ତି।

ମଙ୍ଗଳବାର ରାତି ୧୧.୪୦ରେ ବାପା ତଥା ଯାତ୍ରାର ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଆୟୋଜକ ପି.ଦୁର୍ଗାପ୍ରସାଦ ଦେଶୀବେହେରା, ମାଆ ପି.ଦେବକୀ ପଟୁଆରରେ ଠାକୁରାଣୀଙ୍କୁ ପାଛୋଟି ଆଣିବାକୁ ଦେବୀଙ୍କ ପ୍ରିୟ ଇଟିମଳା ଫୁଲ ମାଳ ଚିଙ୍ଗୁଡ଼ି ଧରି ଠାକୁରାଣୀ ମନ୍ଦିରକୁ ବାହାରିଥିଲେ। ପଟୁଆରରେ ସାମିଲ ଥିଲା ବାଦ୍ୟବାଜଣା, ପରଭାଙ୍କ ସମେତ ଶହ ଶହ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଳୁ। ନୀତି ମୁତାବକ ମୂଳ ମନ୍ଦିରରେ ଦେଶୀବେହେରା ସପତ୍ନୀକ ପୂଜା କରିବା ପରେ ଆଜ୍ଞାମାଳ ମିଳେ। ତାହାକୁ ପି.ଦେବକୀ ଇଟିମଳା ଫୁଲ ଚାଙ୍ଗୁଡ଼ିରେ ରଖି ମୁଣ୍ଡରେ ବୋହି ଅସ୍ଥାୟୀ ପୀଠକୁ ଆଣିଥାନ୍ତି। ରାସ୍ତାରେ ଭକ୍ତମାନେ ଘର ଆଗରେ ଝୋଟି ପକାଇ, ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କୁମ୍ଭ କଳସ ଥୋଇ, ନୂଆ ଲୁଗା ପକାଇ ମା’ଙ୍କୁ ସ୍ଵାଗତ ଜଣାଇଥିଲେ। ମା’ଙ୍କୁ ଏକ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣାଢ଼୍ୟ ପଟୁଆରରେ ଶାଶୂ ଘର ବା ସ୍ଥାୟୀ ମନ୍ଦିରରୁ ବାପା ଘର ଦେଶୀବେହେରା ସାହିକୁ ପାଛୋଟି ଅଣାଯାଇ ଥିଲା।

ମା’ ସାଆନ୍ତାଣୀ ବିଜେ କରିବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଅସ୍ଥାୟୀ ପୀଠକୁ ଭଳିକି ଭଳି ଫୁଲରେ ସୁସଜ୍ଜିତ କରାଯାଇ ଥିଲା। ହର୍ଷ ଉଲ୍ଲାସର ସହିତ ଦେବୀ ଠାକୁରାଣୀଙ୍କୁ ଦେଶୀବେହେରା ସାହିକୁ ଅଣାଯାଇ ଥିଲା। ମେ ପହିଲା ରାତିରେ ଯାତ୍ରା ସମାପନ ସହ ଦେବୀ ନିଜ ମନ୍ଦିରକୁ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟାବର୍ତ୍ତନ କରିବେ।

ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର ଏସପି ଡା ସର୍ବଣା ବିବେକ ଏମ୍ ଯାତ୍ରା ସ୍ଥଳରେ ଅନ୍ୟ ବରିଷ୍ଠ ପୋଲିସ ଅଧିକାରୀଙ୍କ ସହ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ ରହି ଶାନ୍ତିଶୃଙ୍ଖଳା ରକ୍ଷା ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ଅନୁଧ୍ୟାନ କରିଥିଲେ।

By Newsroom Odisha Network on April 5, 2023

Maa Tara Tarini Sthana Peeth, Ganjam, Odisha

Famous Danda Natcha of Berhampur, Ganjam

Famous Danda Nacha in Berhampur, Ganjam

Odisha to lease out IREL land to Gopalpur port

The Odisha government has initiated the process to resume 269 acres of mined out land of Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IREL). This patch of land will be leased out to Gopalpur Ports Ltd (GPL) for expansion.

Necessary action may kindly be taken for early resumption of 269 acres of mined out land of IREL which will be leased out to GPL for development of Gopalpur port, D N Padhi, joint secretary (commerce & transport) wrote to Ganjam collector. Officials of GPL could not be reached for comments.

The port started its commercial operations last month when 7,500 tonnes of ilmenite, the sand mineral product of Odisha Sands Complex (OSCOM), a unit of the Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), was shipped through a small vessel to South Korea.

The clearance for the operation of the port from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and customs department was accorded on May 14.

The port operation was stopped since 2010 for its upgradation to an all weather port. Before 2010, the port, located at Arjeepalli, about 30 km from here, was functioning as a seasonal port.

Initially, GPL was floated as a consortium of three partners- Odisha Stevedores Ltd (OSL), Delhi-based Sara International Ltd (SIL) and Hong Kong-based Noble Group.

But Noble Group exiting the consortium in May 2010 had raised questions on the future of the port. Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) has recently evinced interest in acquiring 49 per cent stake in the consortium.

The existing promoters of GPL were yet to take a call on allowing JSPL to pick up stake in the special purpose vehicle (SPV).The ports total capacity was envisaged at 54 million tonne per annum (mtpa) and it  was to be developed at a cost of Rs 3,500 crore. Source: Business-Standard

Two-Three lacs of devotees throng Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

Source: The Sambad 

Second ISKCON Temple in Berhampur city

To know more about the ISKCON temple at Berhampur and for contributions Click Here.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to inaugurate MKCG Medical College golden jubilee

Preparations were in final stages for the five- day golden jubilee celebration of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati (MKCG) medical college in the city, which is to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday. According to organising secretary of the golden jubilee celebration, S.N.Mohanty, it was an occasion to celebrate for whole of south Odisha as this institute happened to be the only medical college in this region. The hospital attached to the medical college was also the only referral hospital in south Odisha.

The State government had started a medical college in Berhampur in 1961. Due to dearth of its own campus it was being run in the building in front of the City Hospital, which is now being used as office of Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO). Later it was shifted to the building which is now being used as living quarters of Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division and the building which is now being used by the Ophthalmology Department of the medical college. On November 30, 1963, foundation stone was laid for the new building of the medical college and the hospital attached to it. In 1966 it was named after Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati, who had played a pivotal role for the formation of modern Odisha State on linguistic basis. New building of this institution was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Odisha Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo on February 21, 1969.  

During the time of inception this institute had intake strength of 40 students. Now 150 students are getting admitted into its MBBS course every year. At present 96 students were studying in post graduate courses of the institute. As the hospital attached to it happens to be the only referral hospital in south Odisha, more than 1,000 patients reach its out-patients section every day. On an average more than 120 patients get admitted in the indoor wards of the hospital every day. The alumni of the institute include several physicians of national and international repute. According to Dr. Mohanty around 5,000 delegates would attend the golden jubilee celebrations. First principal of the institute Sukumar Das would also attend the inaugural ceremony. As part of the celebration several technical seminars would be held in which experts of international fame would take part. Present as well as past students of the institute were also busy preparing for cultural shows they would perform during the five-day long celebration.

Source: The Hindu

Source: The Sambad

Source: Anupam Bharat

Berhampur local mini-bus stand near Barracks faces infrastructure woes

Source: The Sambad

Berhampur keen to host a neat & clean puja

BERHAMPUR: The Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked puja committees and traders in the town to keep their surroundings clean during Dussehra as the Silk City recently saw an outbreak of dengue. "We have asked puja organizers to ensure the pandal surroundings are clean. Similarly, business establishments have also been asked to dump garbage only in dustbins. Sweepers of the BMC will collect the garbage from their doorsteps," BMC commissioner A K Mohanty said.

"Sanitation is essential as thousands of people visit the city every day during Dussehera to have a glimpse of decorated pandals and idols, as well as for shopping. We have also talked to officials of Ganjam Chamber of Commerce (GCC) in this regard. We will write to them again so that the traders put up dustbins at their establishments, at least during the Puja period," the commissioner said.

A meeting between the BMC officials and puja organizers was held here on Wednesday. The town will have at least 60 community pujas. While rituals have already started at some of these pandals since Mahalaya, at some places puja will begin from Mahasthami.

Mayor S S Das said the civic body would extend all possible cooperation to the puja committees in order to keep their pandal premises neat and clean.

Ganjam district malaria officer U K Mishra said almost 50 per cent of the dengue positive cases in the district were reported from Berhampur. In view of this, maintaining cleanliness during the puja is a must.

The BMC commissioner also said anti-mosquito fogging drives would continue in the town during the puja. At least four fogging machines had already been pressed into service, he added.

Source: Times of India, Business Standard

Sparrow conservationists of Ganjam invited to help in sparrow conservation efforts in mining areas

Sparrow conservationists of Ganjam district in Odisha have been invited to help in sparrow conservation efforts initiated in a mining area at Tensa in Sundergarh district.

Rabindranath Sahu of Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee (RSTPC), Ganjam and Lingaraj Panda, who played a major role in the successful sparrow conservation project at Purunabandha village in Ganjam district, have visited the area in Tensa. The authorities of the Jindal Steel and Power Limited has invited them for tips regarding sparrow conservation.

The mining colony, which has been recently adopted as home by the sparrows, is a part of the Tentra-Raikela-Bandal (TRB) mines of Jindal Steel and Power Limited. Company senior general manager Mahesh Raheja has said around 150 families stay in the mining colony which was established in 1992. A few years ago, all of a sudden a few sparrows were found at the colony. Sparrows are a rarity in this mining area located in the middle of dense jungle.

Number increased

According to Mr. Sahu, a few sparrows may have reached this human habitat by the trucks that ply to the area carrying essential goods like food grains. The inhabitants of this mining colony through their small efforts protected the sparrows. And now their number has increased many folds. Arun Kumar Kumar Mishra, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Banai, has also taken personal interest to enthuse the inhabitants of the colony to continue the sparrow conservation efforts. Mr. Mishra and Mr. Raheja have taken the tactical support from the team that had become successful in sparrow conservation at Purunabandha. The special artificial earthen pots, which the sparrows are adopting as their nests in Purunabandha in Ganjam district, have also been put at the mining colony.Mr. Sahu has said sparrows have started to stay in some of the artificial nests put at the mining colony. At present the sparrow population at the mining colony is around 300. If the conservation efforts continue, then their number will surely increase many folds, says Mr. Panda.

Source: The Hindu

Lankan wildlife officials praise Chilika conservation efforts

Berhampur (Odisha): Sri Lankan wildlife officials have praised India's conservation efforts for flora and fauna of Chilika Lake in the state of Odisha, with the active participation of locals. "We are really impressed by the efforts of India to conserve the wildlife with community participation and also protect their livelihood," said H D Ratnayake, Director General, Wildlife Conservation Department of Sri Lanka government. Led by Ratnayake, 25 Wildlife department officials are on a two-week India visit from November 29, to gain knowledge of the wildlife conservation as well as how to tackle the men-animal conflict. Officials of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is coordinating their tour. The team is slated to wind up the tour tomorrow. In Chilika, the biggest wetland of the country, the team has visited Satapada, Managalajodi and the Nalabana bird sanctuary. "We are really excited to see the dolphin and number of bird species who visited the wetland from far off places in every winter," he said. Divisional Forest Officer, Chilika B P Acharya told them about the importance of wetland and the conservation effort taken by his government to protect the millions of birds in the lake. "The lake is known as the paradise for the migratory birds. The winged guests come to the wetland every year as we provide them suitable habitat including the food and nesting ground," DFO told the team. Source: IBN Live 

JSPL proposes for a captive port at Sonepur near Berhampur

After committing investments on a new six million-tonne-per-annum steel plant, a captive power plant and a coal-to-liquid project in Orissa, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) has evinced interest on setting up a captive port in Ganjam district of South Orissa. It involves a capital cost of Rs 1,424 crore. The first phase is scheduled to be operational by 2017. The location is 30 km south of the existing Gopalpur port and 18 km from Berhampur. JSPL recently made a presentation to the state commerce and transport department on the proposed port at the mouth of the Bahuda river, a perennial ore. The port does not require acquisition of farm land and there are no issues involved with nesting of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles in the area. “JSPL is keen on setting up a captive port at Bahuda Muhan. It has made a presentation on traffic requirement and other aspects of the port,” said Gagan Dhal, principal secretary (commerce & transport). The captive port will handle capesize vessels (150,000 or dwt) for coal and coke and Handymax vessels (50,000 dwt) for general cargo. During the first phase, the port will have two dedicated berths for handling coal and limestone and one berth for general cargo. The port is anticipated to handle about 33 million tonnes per annum of coal and other import items. Work on the second phase is set to begin after 2017, when the port will have three more general berths. The multiplier effects of the port include revenue from cargo handling, regional economic development, and employment generation, development of road and rail connectivity and acceleration of local economy as well as that of the state.

Source: Business Standard

SOSA appeals for the establishment of I.I.I.T at Berhampur

(Full text of the letter, submitted to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha) 

Hon’ble Chief Minister Sir,

As you are aware, the Central government has announced the establishment of 20 Greenfield IIITs (Indian Institute of Information Technology) across the country during the 11^th and 12^th Five Year Plan periods. Since the Government of Odisha has made its intentions known for locating the proposed IIIT at Berhampur city, it becomes an imperative that prompt efforts are made to ensure the establishment of proposed IIIT sanctioned for Odisha at Berhampur city. Since the state Government was awaiting the nod of the central government to go ahead with locating the proposed IIIT in Berhampur, the recent announcement regarding the establishment of 20 new IIITs should end the uncertainty surrounding this much awaited institution.  

Notwithstanding the fact that the state government had promised for the establishment of the IIIT at Berhampur and assured the people to that effect in the past, the demand is also backed by sound reasoning. First, Berhampur city, for that matter Ganjam District, is yet to have a centrally funded Institute and the absence of which is proving detrimental to an underdeveloped region like south Orissa. Second, Orissa has so far established two IIITs at Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur and therefore the establishment of the centrally funded IIIT at Berhampur will lead to better distribution of IT education base in the state. Third, the Planning Commission data suggests that Ganjam and other southern districts are among the districts with a poor gross enrolment ratio in higher education. IIIT in Berhampur will help in building a knowledge cluster in the heart of the most underdeveloped pocket of India. Fourth, a Software Technology park has already come up in Berhampur city and the IIIT’s establishment there will ensure synergy and investment in the IT and ITES sectors. Finally, Berhampur is the second biggest urban cluster in the state of Orissa with sound communication infrastructure and the establishment of the IIIT will be a great advantage for the city and its future development.

Berhampur is the only major city in Odisha which doesn’t have a centrally funded higher/technical education institution so far. While prestigious professional education institutions like IIT, AIIMS, IIPH, IIFT, NISER, NIT, VSSUT, IIMC, National Steel Institute, CIPET, IIHT, Law University apart from a host of Private Universities have come up across the state in recent years the entire region of South Odisha and its principal city, Berhampur, have been completely left out and remain far behind as far as higher and technical education infrastructure is concerned.

Sir, Berhampur city is considered as the gateway to the vast region of South Odisha and KBK. Owing to its strategic location, prospects of industrial investment, human resource potential, moderate weather conditions and its connectivity with all the major cities of the state and India, Berhampur can attract IT companies and create large number of employment opportunities in this underdeveloped region with the establishment of a IIIT in the city. In view of the potential of Berhampur city in bringing prosperity and in improving the life quality of the people of this backward region, it is crucial for the State government to expand the IT education base in Odisha by adhering to the principle of distributive justice. Prompt and timely action on the part of the state government will be extremely important for realization of this prestigious institution. The IIIT will not only place Berhampur city as the second knowledge hub of the state but will also work as an impetus for industrialization and development of southern Odisha and improve the overall prosperity of the State.

With Regards,

RP Tripathy

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

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

Awards

2011: Dada Saheb Phalke Academy Award

2006: Jayadeba Puraskar (Orissa Government)

2004: Nitai Palit Award

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Olive Ridley turtles arrive at Rushikulya rookery near Berhampur

Project Smile India

• Rushikulya is one of the biggest mating grounds of Olive Ridleys in the world
• Measures have been initiated to protect these mating Olive Ridleys
• At present small number of mating pairs are visible which is expected to increase
• Fishing has been banned in the area where these turtles are congregating

BERHAMPUR: Rare and endangered Olive Ridley turtles have started to arrive for mating near Rushikulya rookery (about 30km from Berhampur and 30km from the famous Tara Tarini hill Shrine) in Ganjam district is considered as one of the biggest mating grounds of Olive Ridleys in the world. According to officials of the forest department they are now gathering up at a distance of seven kilometres from the coast line. At present small number of mating pairs are visible. But a large number of turtles can be seen. Mating of Olive Ridleys picks up in this area in the last week of December and January. This year these endangered marine turtles have arrived in time.

The Olive Ridleys usually start their mating in the sea near their preferred nesting coast. According to experts these rare turtles have a single mating season in a year. After the end of the mating season most male turtles usually return back leaving behind the female turtles to lay their eggs. The nesting of Olive Ridleys starts from the end of January in sporadic manner which picks up in February.

Measures have been initiated to protect these mating Olive Ridleys in the sea. Fishing has been banned in the area where these turtles are congregating. This involves the stretch of sea up to a distance of ten kilometres from the coast line of Rushikulya rookery. Extension of fishing ban area extends to ten kilometres towards the north and ten kilometres towards south of the rookery.

Illegal entry of fishing trawlers to this region is being checked through regular patrolling at sea said Berhampur Divisional Forest Officer. A team of forest officials is also monitoring the Rushikulya rookery coast line where the turtles would lay eggs after two months. They are also documenting the carcasses of turtles found on this coast to assess the number and cause of deaths of Olive Ridleys out here. DFO said this year deposition was quite good at Rushikulya river coast, which means the turtles would have a good stretch of beach to lay their eggs.

Source: The Hindu, Photo source: Project Smile India & Flickr

3 more Central schools to come up in Ganjam

Ganajm has now 5 KVs, the highest in any district in Orissa

BERHAMPUR: School education in Ganjam would get a boost with three more Central schools set to start functioning from August 6 in the district. The Kendriya Vidyalay Saganthan (KVS) has issued orders to set up 11 Kendriya Vidyalayas across the State including three in Ganjam district, official sources said. The schools would come up at Aska, Bhanjanagar and Digapahandi in the district taking the total number of such institutions to five, the highest in any district in the State. At present, two Central schools are functioning in the district at Berhampur (www.kvberhampur.org/) and Gopalpur military station (www.kvgopalpurms.org/). The district administration and the teams from KVS had inspected the rented houses to start the schools. "We have inspected the proposed buildings and the infrastructure facilities," District Collector VK Pandian said. The collector said the schools would have classes from I to V. Despite the academic session having already started this year, there would be no dearth of children to take admission in the schools, he said.
Source: New IndianExpress & DNA

Centre okays Granite cluster at Berhampur

The Centre has approved the development of four different sectors in Orissa including granite through the cluster approach under the Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme (LMCS).These clusters include the Ganjam Granite cluster at Berhampur, the handicrafts cluster of the Khurda-based Trishakti Self Help Group (SHG), Sponge Iron cluster at Bonai near Rourkela and plastic cluster at Balasore. New Delhi-based National Productivity Council (NPC) has been chosen as the nodal agency for the implementation of these cluster units. The formation of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) is necessary for the formal declaration of these cluster units. “We have already taken steps to form the SPV for the granite cluster at Berhampur”, said Santosh Kumar Bebarta, secretary, Ganjam Granite Cluster. Once all the formalities are completed, the granite cluster will be launched, said B B Dhal, general manager, District Industry Centre (DIC), Ganjam. The deadline for the functioning of the proposed granite cluster is December 31 this year. The SPV of the particular cluster could get a funding up to Rs 10 crore from the Centre for setting up of the Common Service Centre (CSC). “With the Centre's approval, we think more number of entrepreneurs will come to invest in the granite sector”, Bebarta said.

Source: Business Standard