The 62-year-old man was arrested immediately before he could cause more damage to the vehicle of the district judge at Berhampur town in the district of Ganjam.

Dukhishyam Patra, who runs a grocery business, entered the court premises of the district judge M.K. Panda carrying with a hammer.

 He hit the front glass pane of the official car of the honorable judge before any body could think what he was doing.

The glass damaged badly when he hit the hammer on it” inspector in charge of the local police station Deepak Mishra told Odisha.in.

 Before he could smash other objects, the court staff nabbed him and handed him over to police," he said.

Patra, a resident of Buguda in the same district, was arrested and chargesheeted in 2008 for threatening to kill some of his relatives over a family dispute. Subsequently, he came out on bail.

He told police he damaged the car of the judge to protest frequent postponements of his case and delay in getting justice.“He was arrested and remanded in judicial custody” Mishra said.

Odisha.in

The pact was signed between senior officials of both the state government and the company at the state secretariate in the presence of senior officials and state steel and mines minister Raghunath Mohanty.

JSPL has proposed to set up the park over an area of 1,400 acres at Parjang in the district Angul, at about 161 kms from here at an investment of Rs.500 crore, he told Odisha.in.

This Industrial Park will provide a unique opportunity to the entrepreneurs of the state to set up their industrial units in the shortest possible time.

The park is expected to become operational from 2013-14, Rajesh Jha, executive director of the JSPL’s Odisha project told odisha.in

It will focus on select target recovery based industries and other medium and small-scale downstream units that would both add value and result in increased industrial activity, he said.The new project will create direct and indirect employment for approximately 32,000 people.

JSPL also seeks to meet the power requirements of industrial units coming up in the industrial park by supply of power from its captive power plant and independent power project coming up in the near by area. The company proposes to take a distribution license for supply of power to the industrial Park, he said.

JSPL is currently setting up a six million tonne per annum integrated steel plant, a coal gasification unit and 80,000 barrels per day capacity coal to liquid (CTL) project few kms away from the site where it wants to set up the park.

The first phase of the steel plant (2million tonne per annum is expected to be commissioned by June 2012. The company has already invested Rs 12,000 crores in the steel project so far, he said.

JSPL has earlier successfully implemented an industrial park at Punjipathra in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh, fuelling development and growth in the state.

Spread across 750 acres, and at an investment of Rs.265 crores, the Jindal Industrial Park at Raigarh has been strategically designed to fulfill the company’s objective of developing the backward areas of that state and create job opportunities for the large number of underprivileged people.

The company provides infrastructural assistance by providing land, roads and drains along with consistent supply of power at a competitive rate to the units established in the park, he said.

Till date, 30 such units are flourishing and 70 more are in the pipeline.The company is holding a distribution license for supplying power to the units in the Industrial Park at Raigarh, he added.

The Industrial Park in Chhattisgarh has created direct and indirect employment to about 7,120 persons, he said.

odisha.in

Odisha.in
 

 The variety which is likely to be named as ‘CR Dhan 500' matures in 160-165 days. It has tall plant type and possesses moderate kneeing and elongation ability, institute director Dr. T.K. Adhya told Odisha.in.

 The total area under deep water situation in the country is nearly 1.2 million hectares which varies upon the quantum of rainfall received.

 There has been an increasing requirement for a good high yielding variety of rice which can withstand prolonged period of water logging as experienced in deepwater areas.

 Especially paddy output was often low in areas like Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts of Orissa and Eastern region of Uttar Pradesh which witness frequent floods and water logging.

 Earlier varieties with a yield potential of less than two tons per hectare were grown in these localities and Dr. Adhya believes the latest variety is likely serve as a boon to this huge area where nothing other than rice was grown.

 The new variety was not a genetically modified crop and was developed by conventional breeding method. It has shown 29.2 per cent yield superiority over national check with superior grain quality of medium slender grains.

 Scientists of the crop improvement division of the institute led by Dr. S.K. Pradhan were involved in the breeding of this variety, Adhya said.
 
The entire process took six years including three years of all India testing under the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP), he said.

 The new variety has been cleared by the variety identification committee of the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP) in its meeting held at Hyderabad from April 09-11.

The proposal for release of the variety will now be placed before the seeds sub-committee of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) for notification, he said.

 Adhya said farmers are likely to get the seeds for cultivation by the Kharif season of 2013.

 Efforts to develop varieties for handicapped ecology like deep water and coastal saline areas are on. CRRI has released last year another variety named CR Dhan 501 for such situation and researchers say the seed variety is also doing well.

 Apart from India work on deepwater rice is also going on in Thailand.
 
Set up in April 1946, CRRI-one of Asia’s oldest rice research institutes and the leading rice research centre of the country, has so far released about 82 rice varieties for different ecological situations.

Odisha.in

The state authorities had promised in writing that there would not be any anti Maoist operations unless and until there is any provocation, Dandapani Mohanty, here said.

“Instead of respecting this agreement the government and the security forces have recently resumed combing operations without any provocation from the Maoists” Mohanty said in a statement.

Similarly the government has done nothing for the release of about 627 innocent tribals who have been kept in various prisons for their alleged link with Maoists, he said.

The police and security forces have rather arrested more tribals subsequently under one pretext or the other, he said.

Mohanty was one of the three activists who played the role of mediators between the government and the rebels during the abduction of the Malkangiri District Collector R. Vineel Krishna and junior engineer P.M.Majhi in February.

The duo were released about a week later after two senior state officials promised in writing to the mediators that the government will fulfill all the 14 conditions- the abductors had made.

Mohanty said most of the conditions have remained unfulfilled even more then a month passed to the end of the crisis.

 Odisha.in

The 14th largest fast moving consumer goods company of the country said it recorded a sales turn over of Rs.1790 crore in 2010 growing 27 per cent over the previous calendar year (Jan-Dec).

“This is the third successive year that we have registered growths upwards of 25 per cent” Amway India managing director and chief executive officer William S Pinckney here told reporters.

“Our focus over the past 3-4 years on improving consumer awareness and access has paid off handsomely essentially as the quality of the Amway pick up centres has undergone a sea change and are more experimental for our consumer” he said.

Pinckney was here to inaugurate its 12th brand assessment centre, the first in Orissa.

In 2010, he said the company set up 14 new Amway touch points and 5 new brand experience centres.  It also expanded product portfolio coupled with foray into category advertising with the launch of nutrition and well ness category advertisement.

“We will be expanding our infrastructure to about 250 touch points and set up another 25 such brand experience centres in the country over the next 2-3 years supported by a robust product launch plan, education to our business owners” he said.

Describing the contribution in helping people to improve their socio economic conditions, he said it has already created over 550,000 active distributors in the country and the number is growing.

In 2010, around Rs 494 crores paid out as commissions to Amway distributors vis-à-vis Rs. 375 crores in 2009, he said.

Amway which is offering 127 products in various categories in India excluding seasonal officering has also planned to invest about Rs.250 crore to set up a manufacturing plant in the country by 2013, he said.

Almost 90 per cent of the products sold by Amway India are now manufactured within the country through seven third party contract manufacturers. One of them is located at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh, he said.

The company has recently invested Rs 55 crore at Baddi for expanding production to fuel growth.

 The new plant the company has planned will be the second biggest after Baddi plant, he said adding the site for the plant has however not yet been finalised.

Odisha.in

Acting on a tip off a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), district voluntary force and local police raided the camp at Lipingdihi hill under Daitari police station area, district superintendent of police A.K.Singh told Odisha.in.

He said though no exchange of fire took place as the rebels sneaked into the nearby forest, at least 72 detonators, seven explosive sticks, some kitbags, one GPS equipment was recovered from the site, he said.

The raiding team also recovered several other items which included medicines, thermometers, batteries, he said adding that the attempts by the rebels to trigger blast during the raid was also foiled.

“The security forces diffused a least two land mine the rebels had planted near the camp” he said adding the camp was however destroyed after the recovery of the explosives and other items.

According to official statistics at least 700 Maoists are active in more then half of Orissa.

The guerillas had abducted a junior engineer and an Indian administrative service officer in Malkangiri district on Feb16 and released them on Feb 23 and Feb 24 respectively after the state government succumbed to several of their demands.

Although there was no major Maoist violence reported from any part of the state since then, the latest development has indicted that they are very much active and are regrouping, a senior state police official said.

Odisha.in

The incident took place at about 4 pm at the plant of Asiatic Gases Limited at Vedvyas, near the steel city of Rourkela, about 500 kms from state capital Bhubaneswar.

Police suspect some oxygen cylinders had burst may be due to snag with the cooling system.

S.S.Pujari, the in charge of the local Brahmanitarang police station said efforts were on to know if more people were inside when the blast took place. Fire fighters have rushed to the site, he said.

“Although it appears to be an accident, investigation is on to ascertain the facts” he told Odisha.in.Company official were not immediately available for comment.

Asiatic Gases Limited manufactures and markets industrial gases in more than 28 gas manufacturing facilities spread over 15 states in the country.

Odisha.in

Rabi Das, president of Orissa Jana Sammilani (OJS) said his organization has already decided to prepare a draft bill in line with the Jana lokpal bill Hazare has proposed to the central government.

“We have already formed a panel led by Justice Choudhury Pratap Keshari Mishra, a retired High Court judge, to prepare the draft” he told Odisha.in.

Orissa is the first state in the country to have enacted Orissa Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 1970.But, the establishment of the institution came twelve years after the enactment and the first Lokpal started functioning in 1983.

However Das said the existing act has loopholes which make the whole anti-corruption exercise fruitless.

Citing example he said the Orissa Lok Pal in the past had made critical observations on the land allotment related to Vedanta University in Puri district but the state government neither took any action nor the chief minister Naveen Patnaik placed the report before the assembly.

 “Since the existing Lok Pal bill in the state does not serve the purpose, we want this to be scrapped and the government to introduce a new bill inline with the one Hazare has been suggesting”, he said.

Das who organized demonstrations and fast here during past four days to express solidarity to Hazare said if the state government does not bring a stronger anti graft bill in the assembly, his organization will launch an indefinite hunger strike.

“We have also formed a team to contact Hazare. We will request him to join us in this campaign” he said.

Odisha.in

The rebels are identified as Kaka aias Bhima Hansada (21) and Krushna Sai (13).

Bhima joined with the Maoists in 2006. He was acting as section Commander for Angul and Palalahada area. He was involved in series of crimes including murder, attack on police station, extortions, he told Odisha.in.

Krushna joined the Maoist organisation two years ago. He was also involved in an attack on Bansapal police outpost in the mineral rich Keonjhar district in 2009; Kutty said adding that both would be rehabilitated as per government policy.

 Odisha.in

The radio station was originally scheduled to start its broadcast from April 1 on the occasion of Orissa formation day, but due to unavoidable circumstances it had to be deferred, he told Odisha.in.

We have planed to put it on air formally from April 14, coinciding with the Oriya New Year or the auspicious Bisuv Sankranti, he said.

The radio station, which has been on dry run since more then six months in the past for around 12 hours daily, has become popular mostly among the students of the University for its interactive and educative programmes, he said.

The dry run of the community radio station which has a coverage zone of 8-10 km with its own production and transmission studio in cit city will continue till it is formally launched.

The regular broadcast will be from 2 pm to 4 pm on all days and the repeat broadcast from 10 am to 12 noon next day after the formal launch, he said.

Ravenshaw radio is the second community radio station in the state after Radio Namaskar 90.4 MHz launched by Young India a non government organization based at Konark in Puri district.

Radio Namaskar, launched in February last year is completely managed by local residents. It broadcast all its programmes mainly in Oriya. Its focus areas were local governance, women’s issues, food security and youth issues.

 Odisha.in

In state capital Bhubaneswar, the fast by Bhabani Parija, an activist of the Orissa Jana Sammilani (OJS), a civil society organization entered second day.

Hundreds of people from various walks of life including retired judges, bureaucrats, social activists, journalists, editors and film stars visited him and staged a sit-in demonstration to extend him their moral support.

Swami Arupananda-a Hindu sheer also launched an indefinite hunger strike in a separate place of the city. “We want a corruption free India. We have to extend our moral support to Hazare in this struggle” he said.

Both Parija and Arupananda said they will end their fast only after Hazare calls off his strike. Some people also launched relay hunger strike on Mahatma Gandhi Marg of the city.

 The state capital also witnessed separate demonstrations and rallies. While activists of the Kalinga Sena, a political party carried out a procession carrying posters and banners, large number of activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) separately organized a sit-in demonstration.

Similar demonstrations, rallies, relay hunger strikes supporting Hazar also were reported from other parts of the state.

In Cuttack city, hundreds of students both boys and girls launched a signature campaign near the Ravenshaw university to garner public support for Hazare.

Hazare was conferred with prestigious national civilian honours like Padma shree and Padma Bhushan in the past for his contribution to the society. He has been on fast unto death in Delhi since April 5 demanding the introduction of a stronger anti-corruption Lokpal Bill.

 Odisha.in

Arun Patnaik, the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) at the steel city of Rourkela alleged that he was picked by a police party on Saturday night when he was standing in front of his official residence in that city.

He was also allegedly beaten up by the inspector in charge of the local Udit nagar police station though he identified himself. He was allegedly allowed to go home after some court officials and senior district officials intervened.

The incident evoked strong reactions among the members of legal community across the state. Lawyer on Monday boycotted court, staged protest in several places including in state capital Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and in Rourkela.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described the incident as unfortunate and told reporters here the police inspector Sadananda Pujari, has been placed under suspension with immediate effect.

The government has also ordered a judicial probe into the incident, he said. The government will request the Orissa High Court to name a judge to initiate the  probe, he said.

 Odisha.in

Oram, a prominent tribal leader who was a tribal affairs minister in the Vajpayee government said he will mainly campaign in the districts of Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Dinajpur in north Bengal during this trip. “I will visit West Bengal on April 11 and stay until April 15” Oram told Odisha.in. During his trip Oram has planned to address several public meetings.

“The Congress led UPA has failed in all fronts and we will highlight that during our campaigns” he said adding he may visit the state again later. Oram said he has also planned to depute many other senior leaders from Orissa for campaign in favour party candidates.

Odisha.in

Arun Patnaik, the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) at the steel city of Rourkela alleged that he was picked by a police party on Saturday night when he was standing near his official residence in that city.

He was also beaten up by the inspector in charge of the local Udit nagar police station though he identified himself. He was allegedly allowed to go home after some court officials and senior district officials intervened.

The incident evoked strong reactions among the members of legal community across the state. Lawyer on Monday boycotted court, staged protest in several places including in state capital Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and in Rourkela.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described the incident as unfortunate and told reporters here the police inspector Sadananda Pujari, has been placed under suspension with immediate effect.

The government has also ordered a judicial probe into the incident, he said. The government will request the Orissa High Court to name a judge to initiate the  probe, he said.

 Odisha.in

However its alumina production has slumped to 15.56 lakh tonnes from previous year’s 15.92 lakh tones.

The alumina production felled because of the delay of its refinery expansion at Damanjodi in Koraput district. a senior company official told ‘Odisha.in’.

The delay was mainly due to the Maoists attack on its mines in the nearby areas two years ago. After the attack the contractors and contract labourers engaged in the refinery expansion  had left the place and did join work for quite a long period.

The commissioning of expansion was slated for January delayed up to March, he said. The company could not add the extra capacity and produced less alumina, he said.

Nalco has however achieved the highest-ever aluminium production of 443,597 tonnes in 2010/11, the official said.

Besides, Nalco’s Alumina Refinery has achieved 98.8 per cent capacity utilization, while its Bauxite Mines has produced 48.24 lakh tonnes with a capacity utilization of 100.5 per cent, he said.

Moreover, Nalco’s captive power plant has also recorded the highest-ever net power generation of 6,608 million units, against the previous best of 6,293 million units achieved in 2009-10.

On the sales front too, it has achieved the highest-ever metal sale of 438,952 tonnes, against the previous best of 435,979 tonnes in 2009-10.

The company said it was possible due to considerable rise in demand for aluminium and improvement in company’s share in the domestic market.

The company also recorded the highest-ever domestic metal sale of 340,752 tonnes in 2010-11, surpassing the previous highest of 289,032 tonnes in the previous fiscal, he said. 

Nalco also achieved a record sale of 20,022 tonnes of rolled products in the domestic market in 2010-11, against the previous best of 14,419 tonnes in 2009-10. This year the company has also added aluminium T-Ingots to its product range, which is first of its kind in Indian aluminium industry, he said.

Nalco had resumed its billet exports in 2009-10, after a gap of a decade and in 2010-11, the company exported 4614 tonnes of billets.

More production and sale of rolled products and billets have increased the proportion of value added products in the company’s operations. Besides, Nalco has also widened its international customer base by adding new overseas clients during the year, the company official said.

 Odisha.in

 Police arrested Mahant Gadadhar Ramanuja Das the custodian of the Mutt and one of his disciples, two jewelry shop owners, a contractor and two others after a prima facie evidence, inspector in charge of Singhadwar police station in Puri, M.K.Senapati told 'Odisha.in'.

Police have also recovered different sizes of silver bricks weighing a total of about 3 quintals and 40 kg from various places  including from some jewelry shops during raids in and outside of the city, he said. Besides police have also seized cash of five lakhs rupees from them, he said.

The Mahant confessed that he with the help of others converted a part of the silver bricks to gold. He also said he was using the money that he made from selling the silver, for his own  luxury such as in the construction of houses, buying of vehicles.

Police had kept track of the movement of the Mutt head and others after 522 pieces of silver bricks each weighing 35-40 kg were found in three wooden boxes from a dilapidated house of the Emar Muth in the temple town earlier during a search on Feb 26. The silver at that time recovered was nearly 19 tonnes worth over 75 crores rupees, he said.

The search was carried out after police arrested two persons when they were trying to dispose about three bricks they had stolen from the site while working as labourers during the renovation work of the Mutt in December last year, he said.

The Muth Mahant Ramanuja Das who had earlier saying that he was unaware of the presence of the boxes and the silver bricks, has now confessed that he knew about the hidden silver bricks.

“The Mutt head was the kingpin in the whole matter. We still suspect there could be some more silver bricks either hidden or have been stolen” he said.

The Emar Muth is located in front of the 12th century Jagannath Temple, about 56 kms from Bhubaneswar. Police is yet to ascertain who brought such a huge quantity of silver bricks and why he kept it in the dilapidated area of the religious place. " Our investigation is on" he said.

Odisha.in

 Speaking here on the occasion of ‘World Water Day’ Ranjan Panda, convenor, of ‘Water Initiatives Odisha (WIO)’ said in the last 2-3 years, the state government has signed as many as 27 pacts for generation of thermal power to the tune of 35000 MW.

“The capacity will increase to about 58,000 MW in seven-eight years. To produce the thermal power, the thermal plants would require a minimum of 2297 million cubic meter of water per year” he told 'Odisha.in'.

“This is enough to meet the domestic water requirement of close to 210 million people.  It means about six states of the size of the state’s domestic water requirement” he said. “The rivers, surface water bodies and ground water of the state will be under severe stress if this plan comes to realization” he said.

Orissa is boasting of two digit growth rate.  To maintain that more industrialization, through all water guzzling industries like steel, sponge iron, cement, thermal power and mining, will be pushed through with much vigour” he said.

“That means the water demand of the state will surpass the supply much sooner than expected” he said.

“We have argued upon the government to refrain from going for thermal power plant, rather it should invest more on non conventional energy sources” he said.

“We have been also demanding the government to release a white paper on water availability in the state at present as well as in the future taking into account all the sectors” he said.

“If the government does not change its plans, we are surely waiting for a doomed future within a decade or so” he said.

 Odisha.in

 The high voltage drama which imitate closely with the recent Akshay Kumar movie “Khatta Mitha” took place in the district headquarter town of Bhadrak, about 142 kms from state capital Bhubaneswar. 

 The contractor Sushant Mohapatra said he built a road in the district after winning a government tender in 2006. He completed the work in 2007 but his due of about Rs.54, 000 was not cleared by the authorities despite his repeated appeals.

After running from pillar to post for justice, Mohapatra finally moved the local court in early 2008.  The court had then ordered the local authorities to clear his dues by February 2008, Mohapatra’s lawyer Rajkishor Das told ‘Odisha.in’.Mohapatra also asked the court to attach the movable properties of the district collector and BDO if they fail to clear his dues. 

 Based on his petition the court had also issued show cause notices to the district collector and the BDO asking them to explain why their vehicles will not be auctioned for defaulting payment, he said.

As the collector and BDO did not respond to the court notice for months, the civil judge in Bhadrak, Geeta Mohanty ordered auction of their official vehicles about two months ago, he said.

The official vehicles would have been auctioned on March 1. However the major embarrassment for the authorities was averted after the BDO gave in writing to the court that the contractor’s payment will be cleared within a week. After getting assurance from the BDO the court halted the auction, Das said.

 “We are consulting the government lawyer for further course of action” the block development officer H.K.Khamari told ‘Odisha.in’ confirming the development.District collector K.C.Patra said efforts are on to clear the due of the contractor as soon as possible.

 Odisha.in

 The rally will be attended by leaders of various political parties, and organizations who are opposed to the displacements, PPSS spokes person Prasant Paikray told ‘the odisha.in’. Leaders of political parties including Congress, NCP, RJD, CPI, and CPI-M attended a state level one-day protest convention here on Tuesday and announced their support to us, he said.

PPSS has been spearheading the movement against the project in the district of Jagatsinghpur since the Orissa government singed a pact with company on 22, June 2005.The $12 billion project-the biggest foreign direct investment in the country, has received conditional approval from central environment ministry in January this year.

The 12 million-tonne-capacity plant which was to be built near the port town of Paradip, 100 kms from here, in three phases by 2016 has already faced years of delay due to local protest who do not want to give up land saying that it will ruin their agriculture based livelihood.

 Paikray said his organizations will intensify the agitation further by organizing rallies across the state. “We will also soon organize a massive rally at New Delhi” he said adding that the date has however been not finalized yet.

 “Displacement is not a local issue; it is a major state and national issue. We expect people from all walks of life will join us in this fight” he said.PPSS has been protesting the project- the biggest Foreign Direct Investment in the country, erecting wooden gates and barricades in more then eight places in the site to prevent company and government officials from entering. Separately a senior state official said the government is likely to constitute an expert panel soon to begin the process of project work in the area.

 Odisha.in

"I have been feeling so tired. Tasks which were earlier a cakewalk for me became almost unmanageable. I love going out with my family but now, I just did not seem to have enough energy. Simple things like climbing up the stairs, playing with my kids seemed to be very difficult", says Sameer

Life at forty can be tough for both men and women. You suddenly find it difficult to do many things you effortlessly did in your twenties or early thirties. This is an accepted part of the ageing process. But in today’s stressful times, most of us have lifestyles that give may give us little or no time to focus on ways of coping with reduced stamina. That is why most men and women in this age-group complain of fatigue that can be both physical and mental in nature.  

What exactly is fatigue? Is it a serious concern?

Fatigue is an unpleasant feeling of weakness or tiredness caused by working,  by stress or by a lack of sleep. Fatigue may be typically the result of nutritional deficiencies, long working hours, mental stress or lack of sleep. It can also be caused by invisible cell damage taking place inside your body. If fatigue goes unattended, it is bound to impact your performance at work.

Mechanism of cell damage - Blame it on free radicals!

Dr. L.M.Srivastva says, “Till the age of 30 our bodies are in high gear running fairly efficiently. Each day 300 billion cells, qualitatively better, are made that replace the worn out cells. This ensures good cellular health. But as we approach mid-thirties our cellular metabolism starts to alter due to free radicals and our vital energy reserves start to decline. Free radicals, causing cell damage, are produced in our body because of modern lifestyle, stress, environmental pollution, orientation towards fast food and lack of exercise.”

Free radicals interfere with the normal functioning of cells, leaving them weak and defenseless. As a result, premature ageing, inflammation and degenerative diseases set in. The loss of vigour and vitality with time is best described as the origin of what is known as the “ageing process.” Ageing is associated with an overall loss of function of the whole organism, which starts with cellular deterioration. It is the sensitive stage where the “wear and tear” of life takes its toll on the body cells. 

For healthy cells and their repair we need enough of proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (that fights free radicals). Modern diets and lifestyle may not be enough to fulfill this requirement Unhealthy dietary habits which include highly refined and processed foods can cause fatigue and build toxicity in the blood leading to lower energy levels and low cellular oxygen levels. 

Combating tiredness and fatigue 

A combination of balanced nutrition, supplementation and exercise is enough to break down ageing barriers and at the same time power pack us with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants necessary to keep us active and healthy.

7 steps for managing fatigue and tiredness
Fatigue management is all about making some minor but sustainable changes in the way we live our lives both on the professional and personal fronts. Except for chronic fatigue which requires treatment all other forms of fatigue can be readily remedied employing measures that are anything but drastic. These include:

 REDUCING STRESS
MANAGING WORKPLACE TENSION
EATING BALANCED DIET
SUPPLEMENTING DIET WITH ANTIOXIDANTS
AVOIDING ALCOHOL
PRACTICING GOOD SLEEP HABITS
PRACTICING YOGA, MEDITATION OR RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
 

Inputs by:

Dr. Lalit Mohan Srivastava

Genetic Expert (Biochemistry)

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.

Ph: 9810254455

E-mail: lalitmohan67@hotmail.com

 Litigants and witnesses came to different courts as the court hours began but were disappointed due to the absence of their respective lawyers.

 Lawyers did not attend work and staged protests outside of the courts across the state including at state capital Bhubaneswar and Cuttack saying that evening courts will not only bring more disadvantages for them but also for the litigants as well as witnesses.

 A lawyer leader said they will not have the same spirit in the evening after working the whole day. He added that litigants as well as witnesses will also face trouble. He also said the lawyers are also angry because the state government took the decision without consulting them.

“We will not be able to get enough time to prepare after working for the whole day. Similarly the witnesses and litigants leaving the court rooms late in the evening are likely to face security risk in Maoists affected areas, he said.

If the state government wants to reduce back log of the cases, it should adopt alternative available ways like opening more Lok Adalats, he said. The state government introduced evening courts on an experimental basis in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in the first week of this month.

It has planned to open the same in other selected cities soon.  The government said the evening courts have been set up on the basis of an instruction by the Supreme Court.

Odisha.in

With the latest arrest the number of people held in the district for the crimes since January this year has increased to 340, district superintendent of Police Ashish Kumar Singh said.

The accused Sajid Hembram, Rengta Hesa and Abdul Wahid were arrested by a special police squad from Barbil area, about 315 kilometers from state capital Bhubaneswar.

Police were searching them after having enough evidence that they raised iron ore worth millions of rupees illegally from different mines last year and smuggled them to neighbouring Jharkhand.

Various state and central agencies including police began probe into the scam after some politicians came out with records in July last year that several mines were operating illegally in the region.

Odisha.in

The trouble began during question hour after speaker Pradip Amat refused to entertain a point of order the leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh raised to know the status of the land acquired for the university project in view of a recent court order.
 
Protesting the speaker and shouting slogans against chief minister Naveen Patnaik the Congress members trooped into the well. Some rushed to the speaker’s podium and tried climb on it.
 
Although assembly staffs prevented them, Rajendra Chatria the Congress member from Kuchinda constituency however climbed on to the speaker table and slept on it for awhile, forcing the speaker to adjourn the house. The house was also adjourned number of times and finally for the day subsequently after the uproar continued.
 
“The government is taking us granted. It has no respect for the leader of opposition” a Congress leader said adding that they had no other way to protest. “This is unfortunate (the behaviour of the Congress members)” chief minister Naveen Patnaik told reporters.
 
 A delegation of his ruling Biju Janata Dal later met the speaker and demanded action against the Congress member.
 
The Orissa High Court last month quashed the process of land acquisition for the Rs.150 billion ($3.5 billion) university project and directed the state authorities to return the acquired land to its owners.
 
The multi-disciplinary Vedanta University was to come up in over 6,000 acres of land on Konark-Puri marine drive, some 60 kms from here. The university has been planned by Anil Agarwal Foundation, promoted by Anil Agarwal, industrialist and chairman of London listed Vedanta Resources.
 
“It was the beginning. We will take the issue to the people. We will organize such rallies in the districts, block, panchayats and villages” state congress president K.P.Singh Deo said.
 
Odisha.in

Judge Vivekananda Das of the fast track court III pronounced his judgment in a crowded court here.The court will pronounce the quantum of punishment on Friday.

He held prime accused Sandeep Acharya alias Raja and his associate Akshya Behera alias Chagala guilty of committing the murder after examining several witnesses, additional public prosecutor S.K Mund told reporters.

The court which delivered the judgment after trying at least 28 prosecution witnesses and five eye witnesses will however pronounce the quantum of punishment on Friday, he said.

After hearing the news of the conviction from televisions hundreds of people and sports lovers gathered outside of the court to mark the occasion as the victory of truth. Some also shouted slogans.

“The justice was delayed but not denied. It was a victory of truth," Raghunath Biswal, a city resident told ‘Odisha.in outside of the court.

“It was a day of satisfaction. It was a case which gripped the public attention from the beginning to the logical conclusion” police commissioner B.K. Sharma told reporters. "We were monitoring the case on day to day basis" he added.

Hundreds of students and fans also gathered near the judo hall and marked the victory by lighting incense sticks. Many of them also broke into tears remembering their days with the coach.

Das was shot dead by two gun men on April 13 in 2008 near his judo hall here when he was celebrating Oriya New Year's Day with his students, fans and family.

The murder took an interesting turn when police discovered the involvement of Sandeep Acharya- a hard core criminal who face several cases of extortions, murders and kidnapping and Akhya Behera one of his associates.

The case also hugged media lime light when some powerful men and women including some Oriya celebrities and cine actress came out with facts that the prime accused was harassing them.

While Behera surrendered in Bhopal on April 22, Acharya surrendered to police in Goa in May. Both were charge sheeted by police in August 2008.

The trial of the case was started on September 1, 2009 in a special fast track court set up for the purpose and completed on November 23 this year.

Das a judo master, survived by wife and a son had shot into lime light when he rescued six-year-old boy Budhia Singh from a city slum, adopted him and made him a running sensation.

With his grooming, Budhia ran 65 km from Puri to Bhubaneswar in seven hours in May 2006 and created a record. The feat of the boy-who subsequently became a celebrity, was acknowledged by The Limca Book of Records.

"I am happy that the court convicted them. However, we are eagerly waiting to see what sentence the court is going to give them," Das's widow Gitanjali and brother Sushanta Das said.

Swadesh Das, a defence lawyer, said Acharya and Behera will appeal against the judgment to the higher court against their conviction in Das's killing.

Odisha.in

The National Democratic Alliance led by Bharatiya Janata Party has recently announced its plan to hold a massive rally at New Delhi against corruption along with other NDA partners after the winter session of the parliament is over.

It had also said similar rallies will also be held in various state capitals later and leaders of other like minded parties have been invited to join them.

NDA convenor Sharad Yadav earlier this week said he was in touch with friendly opposition parties including the BJD and invited their leaders requesting them to join the rally.

“Sharad Yadav did telephoned me but we have taken no decision on the matter yet” Patnaik told reporters at state capital Bhubaneswar.

The BJD led by chief minister Naveen Patnaik said in the past it will not support the United Progressive Alliance led by Congress or National Democratic Alliance led by Bharatiya Janata Party.

The BJD has however been seen supporting a so called opposition block led by left parties after it broke away from the 11-year-old alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Pary (BJP), in March this year over seat-sharing arrangements in Orissa.

Odisha.in

The probe has been ordered after a newspaper on Friday reported the alleged violation by Baijayant "Jay" Panda, a member of the lower house of parliament. The matter was later raised by some opposition Congress members in the assembly.

Padhi said he has already gathered information from the local staffs and according to that there was no chopper movement in the area in recent weeks. “I am however waiting for the written report”.

A local vernacular daily reported on Friday that Panda who is an industrialist- politician allegedly flew the chopper in low height and disturbed the wild life environment without taking permissions from the local wild life authority.

Although it did not mention the date of occurrence, the news paper report also added that the flying was witnessed by the local residents and officials.

A young industrialist cum Parliamentarian from Haryana was the co-pilot in the chopper; said the report with out mentioning the name of the co-pilot. The news paper has also published several photographs of the flying.

Responding to the news report, opposition Congress has demanded an inquiry into the incident and sought action against the violators.

Panda’s political secretary J. P. Ghosh however refuted the allegation and said Panda always fly with proper permission from Air Traffic Control (ATC). He has never violated any rules” he said adding that on no occasion, Panda has flown over a restricted area.

Environmentalist Biswajit Mohanty who is a member of National Board for Wild Life said he had written a letter to the central ministry of environment and forests and to National Tiger Conservation Authority, when another vernacular daily carried a report in November last year on such violation without naming who was flying.

Although we asked for an investigation no steps have been taken yet, he said. We have sent reminders to the ministry in January this year, and again after the recent report, he said.

Satkosia is spread over four districts such as Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh is home to about 18 Royal Bengal tigers and more then 300 elephants.

Baijayant “Jay” Panda is a sitting member of the lower house (Lok Sabha) of Parliament from Kendrapara constituency. Earlier he had been twice elected to the upper house of parliament (Rajya Sabha) in 2000 and 2006, also from Orissa.

Odisha.in

 “Patnaik has resorted to all kinds of unethical and undemocratic means to ensure victory of Biju Janata Dal’s third candidate” Rudra Narayan Pani, the state unit vice president of the BJP and Rajya Sabha member alleged.

Patnaik held meeting with anti POSCO group and state leaders of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and with the leaders of Nationalist Congress Party Monday and Tuesday respectively to win their members in the assembly, he told Odisha.in.

Similarly Prasad Harichandan, the chief whip of the Congress part in the state assembly has also made similar allegation.

"After five years of silence, the way Patnaik took a U turn and met with the CPI backed anti POSCO leaders is a matter of surprise. It was intended to gather support of CPI in Rajya Sabha poll", Harichandan said.

"Under the representation of the people act 1951, a candidate or his agent cannot influence a voter by making any promise to vote or refrain from voting" he said.

 "Patnaik not only met anti POSCO leaders, he also held a meeting with the legislatures of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday and assured them to formulate and implement a regional development package for Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar district, which is illegal" he said.

“He should have done all these things before the nomination was issued” Harichandan said.

Both Congress and BJP leaders said they are drawing the attention of the election commission into the matter.

“The meetings were nothing do with Rajya Sabha election” refuting the allegations a BJD spokesman said.   

In the 147-member assembly, the BJD has 103 members, Congress 27, Bharatiya Janata Party {BJP) six, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) four and the Communist Party of India (CPI) one. There are six independent members.

The state will have three vacancies in the upper house of parliament with Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, Congress' Radhakanta Naik and BJP's Bhagirathi Majhi completing their tenures on July 1.

 BJD has re-nominated Mohapatra and fielded former legislator Sashi Bhusan Behera and its general secretary Baishnab Parida for second and third seats.

The BJD can ensure victory of first two candidates on its own strength. However it requires the votes of 8 others to get the third seat.

The emergence of businessman Tara Patnaik as an independent candidate for the third seat with the support of main opposition Congress party has made the battle tough.

While the BJP and CPI have not yet made their stand clear, three independent members have said they will vote for the independent candidate. NCP has said it will vote for BJD.

Odisha.in

Wearing school uniforms, the boys and girls showed red cards to condemn child labour around the world including in their home state -Orissa. The children were also seen distributing leafleats on the subject to passerby.

“Any where you go here you will find small children working in eateries, hotels, restaurants” Nikita Mishra one of the participants who is also a cinema artist said. “We are here to create awareness among the people” said Sivangi Dash, another school student.

The event was organised by Campaign against Child Labour (CACL) a network of more then 6000 non government organizations in association with People’s Cultural Centre (PECUC), a local NGO as part of a global campaign to eradicate child labour and rehabilitate the children forced to work.

 “Though we in India have a lot of laws, rules, acts and constitutional provisions on child welfare and protection of child rights, we have the dubious distinction of a country having largest child labourers” CACL’s former national convenor Ranjan Mohanty told Odisha.in

 “Lack of a strong willpower at different level and lack of appropriate initiatives have left millions of children with dreamless future” he said.

 “To draw the attention of the public and the government we are organising several programmes across the state on the occasion” Anuradha Mohanty, programme director of the PECUC said.

An art exhibition by children on child labour was on display at Jayadev Bhaban at Bhubaneswar, she said. We have organized the exhibition in collaboration with international NGO ‘Save the Children’, she said.

According to a government survey during 2004-07 the state has 4,00,399 child labourers, which accounts about 10 per cent of India's child labour force, however non government organizations say the actual numbers could be much more.

Odisha.in

At least ten places across the state recorded maximum temperature of more then 40 degree Celsius, an official of the Bhubaneswar meteorological centre told odisha.in.

The places which recorded more then 40 degree Celsius included state capital Bhubaneswar and its nearby Cuttack city each 41.5, Jharsuguda 43.6, Sambalpur 44.0, Titilagarh 43.0, Angul 43.1, and Talcher 41.0, Hirakud 44.2, and Chandbali 41.2 degree Celsius, he said.

The heat wave condition would prevail over some interior parts of the state although rain and thunder shower would occur in few places during next 24 hours, he said.

The death toll due to sunstroke in the state since March has remained at 37, an official of the state relief control room said.

Odisha.in

The information about the mass poaching of elephants came to light during the elephant census carried out in April this year in the park, Biswajit Mohanty, secretary of the Wildlife Society of Orissa told Odisha.in.

Mohanty alleged that a fact finding team led by Sanjukta Basa, the honorary wild life warden of the region visited the park last month and gathered information about the mass death of the elephants.

Harishankar Upadhyay, the field director of the park said he can confirm only six deaths. “We found the carcasses of four- a male and a female and two calfs, and the bones of two other elephants” he said.

But Mohanty said he has information about the remaining deaths which need to be verified in the field but the forest authorities have not permitted further visits by the team lead by the honorary wildlife warden.

“A forest range officer in charge of the area where the poaching had allegedly taken place did not allow the honorary wildlife warden to enter the park April 30 to verify the reports even though she had permission from higher authorities”, he said.

“The local forest staffs had reported the death of one elephant only in April concealing the deaths of others” he said.

“After the honorary wildlife warden was finally allowed entry in May, she located four other carcasses out of which two were burnt down in an apparent bid to destroy evidence of poaching. Two remains were buried in order to avoid detection” he said.

In a letter to union environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh, Mohanty has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleging that there was an effort by officials to destroy evidence by burning ort burying the bones of the elephants.

“The Ministry should hand over the investigations to CBI since forest department staffs are involved in destruction of evidence which would enabler the poachers to escape” he said.

“Till now no action has been taken against the range officer who stopped the entry of the honorary wildlife warden, when she was discharging her legitimate duties of verifying the poaching reports of elephants inside the park” he said.  

The Simlipal National Park in the district of Mayurbhanj is located at the distance of about 320 kms from state captal Bhubaneswar. It is one of the first project tiger reserves in the country. It houses about 500 elephants.

 Odisha.in

The information about the mass poaching of elephants came to light during the elephant census carried out in April this year in the park, Biswajit Mohanty, secretary of the Wildlife Society of Orissa told odisha.in.

Mohanty alleged that a fact finding team led by Sanjukta Basa, the honorary wild life warden of the region visited the park last month and gathered information about the mass death of the elephants.

 Harishankar Upadhyay, the field director of the park said he can confirm only six deaths. “We found the carcasses of four- a male and a female and two calfs, and the bones of two other elephants” he said.

But Mohanty said he has information about the remaining deaths which need to be verified in the field but the forest authorities have not permitted further visits by the team lead by the honorary wildlife warden.

 “A forest range officer in charge of the area where the poaching had allegedly taken place did not allow the honorary wildlife warden to enter the park April 30 to verify the reports even though she had permission from higher authorities”, he said.

 “The local forest staffs had reported the death of one elephant only in April concealing the deaths of others” he said.

 “After the honorary wildlife warden was finally allowed entry in May, she located four other carcasses out of which two were burnt down in an apparent bid to destroy evidence of poaching. Two remains were buried in order to avoid detection” he said.

 In a letter to union environment and forest minister Jairam Ramesh, Mohanty has demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleging that there was an effort by officials to destroy evidence by burning ort burying the bones of the elephants.

“The Ministry should hand over the investigations to CBI since forest department staffs are involved in destruction of evidence which would enabler the poachers to escape” he said.

 “Till now no action has been taken against the range officer who stopped the entry of the honorary wildlife warden, when she was discharging her legitimate duties of verifying the poaching reports of elephants inside the park” he said.  

 The Simlipal National Park in the district of Mayurbhanj is located at the distance of about 320 kms from state captal Bhubaneswar. It is one of the first project tiger reserves in the country. It houses about 500 elephants.

 Odisha.in

  Patnaik was felicitated by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on April  29   for his contributions to television journalism.

With over 40-years experience in the field of journalism, Patnaik has worked for print media, news agency, photo news agency, televisions and web media.

Odisha.in

 A post graduate in micro biology, Karabee is the eldest daughter of academician parents Kailash Chandra Baral and Chanchala Baral-a native of state's Jagatsinghpur district. karabeen's father and month both are working in Central University at Hyderabad as professor.

Ojha and Karabee first met a year ago in a public function and later they developed friendship. They decided to marry with the consent of their family members.
 
Born in Khordha near Bhubaneswar, Ojha began his career in cricket as a 13-year-old by becoming a member of the city’s Saheed Sporting Club.

 He played many junior tournaments in the state for the club from 1996 to 2000. He had gone to Hyderabad for higher studies, but eventually became a promising cricketer.

His family lives in state capital Bhubaneswar. His father, Maheswar Ojha, works in the Orissa government and his mother, Bidulata, is a homemaker. His younger brother, Prateek, is in college in Hyderabad.

Pragyan, a member of the Deccan Chargers team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) hit the headline as a leading wicket-taker in the just concluded IPL III.

Pragyan has also played for the Andhra Pradesh Ranji team before he was selected as a member of the Deccan Chargers team. Pragyan is hosting his wedding party in the same hotel here May 19.

Odisha.in

SP Nanda who is currently working as the state development commissioner has been posted as member board of revenue. Agriculture Production Commissioner R.N. Senapati will hold additional charge of development commissioner.

S.P.Thakur at present working as the secretary of the science and technology department has been transferred and posted as the secretary of the state labour and employment department.

State energy department secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena will hold additional charge of secretary of the science and technology department/

G mathivathnan who is currently working as the private secretary to the chief minister has been promoted and posted as special secretary to the chief minister.

Odisha.in

Pattnaik said he has planned to create a 2.5 meter high image at the second Moscow world sand sculpture championship 2010 to be held from 28th April to 8th May.

“I have not yet decided what exactly I am going sculpt but definitely it will be on Indian cinema” Pattnaik who hails from Orissa’s beach town of Puri, some 56 kms from here told Odisha.in.

Pattnaik who has won several awards in different parts of the world for his sand sculptures, had won a special prize at the first world sand sculpture championship in Moscow last year for his 15 feet high sand sculpture of the Taj Mahal.

 “I am the only artist who has been selected from India. Pavel Zadanyuk, the Chairman of the selection committee has informed me this today (Friday) on email” he said.  Artists from 11 other countries have been selected which included America, Russia, England, Italy, Island, Czech Republic, Bulgeria, Ukraine, and Spain, he said.

The theme of the second championship is World Cinema (famous movies from famous directors with famous actors).This championship will be held at Kolomenskoe Museum Reserve, Moscow, Pattnaik said.

Odisha.in

I entered the market and had a tentative view of all the shops. The big registered market of Bhubaneswar has the feature of same category of shops lined up in a single row giving the illusion of Indian village having caste based habitations. I entered the market to do my bit of shopping and obviously felt curious to enquire about the buzzing sound frequently coming with so much of uproar and then coming down and going up like the waves in the sea. While walking down the street, I could make out that it was IPL being live telecasted on T.V. Each shop has their own entertaining equipment having the owner and the salesman glued to the TV without caring for their hierarchical positions. Shops not having TV, had been vacated by their owners as they have slipped into the adjacent TV owned shops. One noticeable point was that all of them seem to have gone back in the time machine leaving aside their present role and responsibilities. Each time a ball hitting the wicket, a stroke of six or four, a catch was bringing group exclamation of noise followed by serious discussion about the shot or the delivery of the ball till another passionate stroke or delivery of ball comes. The postures and the dancing steps of the scantily dressed cheer girls (not permissible by Indian standards), was adding spice to the entire discussion. All the pretty women with the dancing postures seem to be caring less for the Indian culture and were taking pelvic steps to draw the attention of all the viewers. Crowd in the stadium and in front of the television seem to have gone into the “Great Indian Melting Pot”, demonstrating the true game spirit.

I had come to the market with a big list. Mother of a seven year old, wife of an M.D working in a big MNC and I as a teacher, could not have cared less to postpone shopping. The agenda for the day was a bit tight having morning for cleaning, preparing good food for lunch and the plan to have dinner outside had no option but to go shopping in the afternoon. As per the schedule I came with my driver to buy the goodies. I went to a ration shop to have some pulses and spices. I tried to draw the attention of the shopkeeper to order my list of requirements, but to my surprise the usually inviting shopkeeper didn’t respond to my first call. With the habit of screaming in the class room while managing the creative students, I amplified my voice to make him respond. At this moment of history, Shane Warne had started running to bowl to Schin Tendulkar and in the previous two deliveries, Sachin had already made two square drives. When everybody was concentrating to see more of the tussle between Sachin and Shane Warne and were trying to cheer up the players, I unknowingly, tried to get the attention of the shopkeeper with a louder voice.

The not so prepared shopkeeper with the noisy unwanted customer at that point of time was not definitely creating a good business environment. He had no option but reluctantly looked at me removing his eyes otherwise glued to the TV, moving his head up and down to enquire, what all I want. The ball had just been delivered and somehow hit the wicket. The growing excitement of the Indian viewer immediately stopped as everyone was expecting the contrary that is either a six or in the worst case a four. The sudden fall of wicket disappointed the viewers. However, it disappointed more my shopkeeper, as he missed the bowling delivery due to my call attention purchase. He gave me an aghast look as if my noise had distracted Sachin’s concentration. Then he immediately turned his head towards TV to see the slow motion picture as it is coming after each successful batting or bowling. His body language was giving me the impression that the person was determined not to entertain me any more. His feelings for me to some extent transmitted to me without any visible verbatim. The environment became so heavy that I started feeling little guilty. Somehow I softened my voice and asked him for the third time to give me my required things. By that time the slow motion of the previous delivery had been telecasted and a commercial add was coming on the television screen. With disgusted look he asked my required things and denied each of my items as I was reading the list. Finally he told me to move to adjacent shop. I immediately jumped to the other shop because of the commercial break and asked the person to give me my still virgin list of items. The cricket match need some time to resume after each fall of wicket. Within that span of time my shopkeeper prepared my list of things along with total costing. But when I checked the bill, I found twenty rupees less in the total calculation in a hurry. I checked the calculation with the person and he was feeling obliged with my honesty of paying more than what he had calculated. By that time a new player had taken his place to face Shane Warne’s ball. So once again the buzzing sound of the stadium viewer was resumed along with commentator’s high pitch comment. These sounds were sufficient to attract the attention of the onlookers outside the stadium, and that happened with my 2nd shopkeeper. His obligatory expression immediately got changed and turned towards the TV to figure out the efficiency of the new batsman. Instantly he opened his cash drawer and returned the money within a fraction of second to conclude the business, to be able to see the match without further intervention. The obligatory feeling of the shopkeeper was making me feel great, but evaporated within two seconds hardly giving me any time to get optimum satisfaction out of my demonstrated honesty. I checked the money and marched towards snacks shop.

The driver was following me holding the purchased items. His interest lies less in shopping and more with the IPL match. While coming from home I could make out the amount of dissatisfaction in him. But my shopping was urgent as it was the only evening left for me to do shopping for the coming week. So I ignored his reaction and insisted him to drive me to the market. He was following me dragging his feet, whenever he was crossing TVs and was taking quick steps to jump over the non-TV owned shops. It was a kind of live music chair happening along with me.

I received the same disinterested welcome at the snacks shop, Puja shop and Blouse centre. Shopping is said to be pampering job, as every shopkeepers would be behaving very politely with the customer taking care of his small requirements. But my experience on Sunday evening and that on IPL day turned into a sorry state of affair. I postponed the purchase of some of non-essential items and returned home.

My entrance to home was no way different from that of the market place, especially with the same noise giving me the illusion, as if I was entering into the stadium. I could sniff that my husband had switched on the idiot box with full volume. The sound gave me an inner irritation as the same “idiot box” was responsible for my ill treatment at the market, (from my perspective) but it brought pleasant expression in my driver’s face. Even though he was following me, his sense of urgency pushed me side and gave him the passage to the drawing room. He just put the bags on the ground and placed himself before TV. Along with the driver my husband, my son and my pet dog were watching the live telecast of IPL with great emotion. I was feeling tired and want to be pampered by a glass of water and a cup of tea without asking for it. But looking at the mood of my husband, I had to prepare everything myself and also served him the tea. I wanted to lie down on the bed to take some rest, but the excited viewer both in the stadium and present in the room watching the last over of the first half of the game were making so much noise what they called cheering up the team, that I started developing headache. I was patiently waiting for the first half to be over and expecting the TV to be switched off. But the end of the game did not stop the TV making further noise. It was followed by commentator’s critical analysis with full volume. I was feeling like someone was hammering inside my head. I was pissed off and without saying anything to anybody I went to the lawn.

The lawn was not that quite as it used to be in other days. The commentary was pouring in from various directions of neighborhoods making it quite noisy. The front road was silent wondering me about the playing local kids who used to crowd the street at this time. I missed their noise of playing, kicking, hitting each other. Even though the street was empty the local environment was not free from noise. I did not have the peace of my mind that I was searching for. I looked at my watch, it was 7.30pm. The second innings had already begun. As my husband had been glued to the TV, I thought it would be good to pick up some packed food from a restaurant.

My call for the driver disheartened him, he politely said “Bhabi cant we wait for couple of hours to see the end of the match and then move out”. I was little bit pissed off by seeing the obsession for the match leaving aside the role and responsibilities. But I maintained my cool and gave him an artificial smile and said” no Raghav! I can’t wait for more. The day’s long tiring work had made me restless, after finishing this I would take some rest. But don’t worry. I will manage by myself.” He seemed happy, immediately without any hesitation he replaced his vacated seat and enjoyed the match like a child. My husband, the driver and my son watching the game so excitedly that it made me feel as if all of them were reduced to one age. Like children, enjoying animation thinking it real, the grown ups in India love to watch similarly cricket, in whatever form it is telecasted; test match, one day, twenty-twenty, IPL, inter-state or the street cricket. They just love to forget all the responsibilities for the sake of cricket and watch the delivery of the ball and strokes of the bat and more to it is post match commentary. People love to witness these moments of thirteen players running after one ball. 

I drove myself and reached the place. I went into the restaurant and found young people and some grownups had filled the place. Not exactly they had come for the food, but to do both: watching live IPL match on big screen and enjoying good food. The excitement had surcharged the room. With the full volume of the TV, the crowd inside the restaurant was feeling as if they are inside the stadium. This is the effect of 39” …”Sony Bravia”.

Everybody was clapping with every hit, stroke and out. But the heart beat and the pulse rate was going higher with the screening of the semi-clad cheer girls holding various props in their hand after every successful bowling and batting. The sharp clarity of that stupid box could make visible every bit of those dancing girls what the viewers would have missed if they would have been in the stadium.  I had ordered my food to be packed and waited at the dinning place. Every now and then the picture of minimal dressed dancing girls were coming with each successful bowling and batting. Then it was followed by uproars in the room. I was feeling uncomfortable because of my singular presence. I was feeling the urge to come out of the room. But my food had not arrived yet. I enquired about the food three times. Each time the attendant answered me politely that due to heavy pressure it would take some more time than the usual.            

I was feeling restless and really uncomfortable with the loud sound of the TV and big cheers of young crowd. Along with this the micro-mini tops and skirt of the dancing girls’ visuals making me embarrassed. I had been waiting there for 45minutes and was completely pissed off with the delay and wanted to give the manager a lesson.

“Hey what the hell is happening here?”

“I have placed the order before 45min, but your guys are not turning up”

“Each time I asked them, they are saying within few minutes the parcel would be ready”

“Bloody hell, how much time you would take to deliver my order.”- I said this to the manager at one go, with a screaming voice.

In an apologetic voice the manager explained me-“Madam! Actually today it is very hectic for all of us with the staff shortage.”

“But don’t worry madam, I am just accomplishing your order, just hold on for few more seconds, I am personally looking into it” after saying this manager turned towards the kitchen to enquire about the food.

But I wanted to communicate to the manager that this delay had costed me a lot.

Again in a louder voice I said to the manager-“Ok, I can understand your difficulties, but you should also understand my compulsion”.

“As a regular customer you should place my order on a priority basis”.

“These people are going to stay here for more than couple of hours”.

“But do you know how much this delay would cost me…” I was intervened by the manager’s soothing words,-“no madam! We are delivering you the parcel. It is ready now and the waiter is coming with the parcel and the bill”

Somehow, our louder conversation was interrupting in to the IPL viewers’ focused entertainment. This irritated them and one volunteer with his solid voice, turning his head towards us, without moving his body said-“hey aunty, what’s up! Why you are creating disturbances here?

“Can not you wait for some more time?”

“If they are saying that they are preparing the food means they must not be lying”

“So wait for your turn”.

“We have been waiting here for one hour, but we are not complaining!”

“You should learn to maintain your cool in public place.”

I was taken aback by the strong conviction of having patience. Another point of disheartenment was his calling me aunty. He looked to be 8 or 10 years younger than me (so I can not be of his aunt’s age).

I was ready to give a lesson to the manager, but was not ready for third person’s intervention, supporting the delay. I had to soften my voice and said –“no actually I have lot of work to complete at home, and this delay is worsening my condition. The work pressure at home made me hurry.”

With the intervention of one viewer all the viewers temporarily shifted their look towards me, as generally done by a herd of lambs.

Another young person in his early twenties intervened and said to me-“aunty! try to be patriotic.

“If you are not in emergency service, then just chill”

“You should give up all duties for today and should cheer up the team”.

“Do not you feel it is our pride that IPL is being played in India?”

“So by cheering up them, we would be keeping their sprit high to give good performance”

“In the land of cricket, where cricket, cricketer and film stars enjoy the rank of “God”, IPL mix up them to entertain us”

“So be patriotic, and cheer up the team to motivate them to play well”

The rest of the onlookers supported the argument by nodding their head agreeing to the argument, immediately shifted their look to the TV screen as the bowler took one wicket. Along with the audience inside the stadium, the viewers in the restaurant made a big noise to demonstrate their happiness. All of them had forgotten the incident, but this was bothering me a lot.

“How come without listening to my point of view, judgement is delivered that I am disloyal to the country’s cause and it is also supported by others!!!” – My conscience was hammering me a lot.

“How could I be disloyal to my country?” My father was an army person; my grand father was a freedom fighter and how come my blood became so impure, without my knowledge that it has become a traitor.”

“In IPL, no team belongs to India. All the team has various national and international players from all over the world. So which team is to be cheered up to show one’s patriotism?”

“India is not the land of cricket! Hockey is our national game but is in a sorry state of affair as; it has no sponsors to really motivate the players to give good performance.”

“On the contrary, Britain is the land of cricket, where every game enjoys equal respect”.

With all these wild thoughts I was behaving calm and possessive about the matter. I was sitting on the chair feeling no embarrassment or irritation with the visuals as well as the sound.  The waiter arrived with the bill and my parcel. He took some time to return the rest amount of money. That was not irritating me either. I was indulged in my thoughts of being charged as disloyal to my country.

I drove back home. By the time I reached home the game was still going on with five more over left. The driver had left for his home. 

My emotion was completely shattered with the label of a non-patriot. I managed to control my emotion without giving any hint to anyone as what had happened in the restaurant. As the game was in its final stage, the excitement was high and had filled the environment of my drawing room with charged emotion. 

It was already 9.30pm. I fed my son, kept the food in the oven for my husband and I took my dinner. Wishing them good night I went to the bed. Even though I was lying on the bed facing the roof top, my thought of IPL had not vacated my mind. 

“How come cricketers and film stars have become youth I-con, leaving aside all those great scientist, mathematician, singer, musician, artist, and so on”. In IPL the players are only plying for themselves to earn more by showing good performance. “So what is there to cheer up the already motivated guys to earn more?” 

“The organizer are organizing the game in India only for their business, of course it has accelerated the business process of other petty business men. But the common man should not be trapped in the name of entertainment.” Day’s long work and the hectic irritation in the evening transformed my thinking posture to sleeping posture, amidst the relatively mild volume of television. My non resentment to the TV volume made my husband conscious and he lowered the volume without I asking for it. 

When I opened my eyes, it was a new day, with the same calling of the duty and responsibilities but with a new vow within me to be calm and firm with regard to certain values and convictions.             
 

Ms. Shakuntala Pratihary

shakuntalapratiharynanda@gmail.com

Narayan Sahu who represented Orissa’s Deogarh constituency in Lok Sabha from 1980-1984 from Indian national congress has been attending regular classes at Utkal University at state capital Bhubaneswar with all other students of his grandchild’s age.

Every day he reaches the educational institution on time and was seen seriously listening to the lectures and jotting down the points while sitting in the first row of the class room.

He does not feel bad. Rather he enjoys spending time in the library, speaking to students and teachers on Philosophy-the subject on which he wants to become a master.

“I am comfortable with everybody. I don’t think other students and teachers have any problem with me” clad with white shirt and pajama, Sahu- who was also a syndicate member of the same university in 1977 said.

“I have never stood second in any examination in the past. I have always stood first. This time I hope to top the university” the man who got admission into the two year post graduate degree course in philosophy of the university this year’s academic session after qualifying an entrance test said.

“Classes started on August 16 this year and since then I have never missed any one. I will try not to miss any class in the coming days” he said.

Sahu a resident of Gelheikateni village in the district of Dhenkanal, some 190 kms from state capital Bhubaneswar was also a member of the state legislative assembly for two consecutive terms from local Pallahara constituency from 1971-1973 and 1974-1977.

The veteran congress leader who graduated from century-old Ravenshaw College at Cuttack in the state decades ago with Economic honours with distinction and also secured a bachelor degree with distinction in education (B.Ed(Distn.) has opened several private schools in his home district during his political career.

“It was always a dream for me to become a post graduate. I have already devoted much of time in serving the people of the country “Sahu said. 

Sahu has four daughters and two sons all of them married and settled. His wife died six years ago.

The man who lives in a government guest house meant for former legislatures at Bhubaneswar gets a monthly pension of about Rs.14, 000 (six thousand as an ex member of legislative assembly and eight thousand as a ex member of Lok Sabha).

He does not own a vehicle nor does he have any house or land at state capital.  “I have applied for a room in one of the gents hostels in the university campus and hope I will get one to pursue my study” he said.

“I joined the university as a student because I must do now what I could not do earlier” Sahu who was born on 31 March 1938 and now almost retired from active politics said.

“I want to concentrate on study for next two years. I don’t have any other agenda“ Sahu who travels to the university in auto and some time in town bus like many any other college students said.   

“When I saw him, I thought he is the father of any student but when I was told he is a student it made me happy” philosophy department head R C Das said adding that he himself feels proud about it. 

Students reading with the septuagenarian leader have also similar feelings.

Mahatma Gandhi had said ‘Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever’. “He is an example for us. His interest in study inspires all of us” said one of the 64 students of his class.

“We consider him as our son. Whatever our father is doing we are happy” one of Sahu’s sons said.

-------IBNS----

 The H1N1 viruses which cause the swine flu are of 80-120 nanometre in size and no filter or mask can be effective as almost all of them can only filter upto 0.3 microns size particles.

Chennai-based Hydrodrive Systems and Controls has developed a copper nano filter mask technology which will inactivate the H1N1 virus on contact with the Copper nano surface, its managing director and inventor Srinivasan Gopalakrishnan told Odisha.in over phone from Chennai.

“We have also developed an air purifier technology that kills colds and flu germs, including H1N1, H5N1 bird flu, as well as MRSA and Anthrax” he said.

“Unlike air filtration devices, the system simulates the production of fresh air to destroy airborne viruses and bacteria in minutes within private, work and public spaces” said Gopalakrishnan, a mechanical engineer with a management degree who set up Hydrodrive in 1981.

The unit can be readily adapted for a range of domestic, commercial, medical and industrial applications. It can be incorporated within large ventilation systems for healthcare and for home, land security” he said.

“The unit creates an open air flow which is rich in hydroxyl radicals, to destroy microbes including flu and cold viruses and bacteria, both in the air and on surface contact.

Hydroxyl radicals are found naturally in abundance in outdoor fresh air, with high concentrations in forested mountain areas” he said.

The technologies the firm developed has been covered by a patent granted to it in several countries including Britain, Canada, India, the Philippines and patent pending in China, Japan and the US,” Gopalakrishnan, 57, said.

Odisha.in

“Sowing has been completed in about fifty per cent of the area. The rest of the area likely to be covered in a fortnight” state agriculture director Arabinda Padhee told Odisha.in adding that the government has made elaborate contingency plan to make situation favorable for farmers.

There has been no rain in most part of the state past four days and water in the firm lands has begun receding. The paddy sowing has picked up across the state and covered about fifty per cent of total 3.8 million hectors meant for kharif crop, he said.

The number of deaths due to flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains and depression over the Bay of Bengal over past two weeks has in the meanwhile rose to 43 even as farmers complain hundreds of hectares of crop fields still remained submerged in low laying areas.

“The flash floods death toll so far reported by today stand at 43”Birendra Karkara, an officer at state revenue control room told Odisha.in.

Odisha.in

Thousands of people of Orissa origin or Orissa loving, across North America joined this fun filled two day event to celebrate the culture, ethnicity and their existence in America.  The event was packed with Seminars, Symposiums, Workshops, Round Table Conferences & Mentorships followed by superb Cultural extravaganza.

Many dignitaries in and around the country were invited including Ms Kalpana Das, first Oriya Mountaineer to Mt. Everest. Governor John Corzine was invited as Chief Guest who had to request Deputy Speaker Mr Upendra Chivukula to represent him due to some last minute scheduling conflict. His message was well delivered by Assemblyman Chivukula.  A message from Governor of State of Orissa was also delivered.

The inauguration was followed by a gala presentation boasting more than 40 participants together showcasing their talents on a Broadway like musicals filled with traditional and modern dance forms, a never seen before fusion between east and west, introducing Broadway theatre artist Amy Hedrick (also seen in hit television drama "Prison Break" from FOX).

Twelve beautiful compositions that had flavors of folk, rap, hip-hop, paala, romance, soft ballad, blues, club songs & Sambalpuri that left all humming and tapping their foot.
 
The convention theme “Saata Daria Pare” or across the seven seas, showed the revealing facts that smears the life in America with realms of nostalgic feeling for the Orissa and its rich ethnic origin.

 The songs were nicely choreographed by Sikandar & Nazia Alam depicting the pledge these oriyas have taken to preserve their culture at this far land.  It also included various classical & ethnic dance forms of Orissa including Odissi, Sambalpuri, Ghoda (horse) dance, Paika Naacha and many forms of tribal dances. Rannapa dance was immensely spectacular with artists dancing while balancing over stilts like long wooden sticks.
 
Mahanadi to Mississippi episode showed a tradition still active far from motherland while preserving the adopted western tradition and a convergence of both cultures.

The depiction of epic Oriya story Kaali Jaai made the crowd numb and speechless. Other cultural items included live performances from Baboo Panigrahi (who represented Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi who was hospitalized due to some health conditions), Classical Oriya songs including Champu & Chhanda, Gazahls,  Drama competitions & Dance competitions. 

There are forty five speakers discussing many topics critical to American Oriyas starting from Entrepreneurship, Women’s challenges, improving life, education, Health in Orissa & Poverty Eradication, Integrating Next Generations, Youth Mentorship & workshops for college & beyond. Various dignitaries were invited to enrich youth and young and to build a mentorship bond for the next step in their life. 

“The Seminar aims at translation of ideas into reality, topics of practical usefulness and long term value beyond the seminar, and most importantly, an enjoyable and valuable experience for our Oriya Diaspora in the Americas and our mother land Orissa”, said Dr. Mohapatra, Coordinator for Seminar. 

There were over forty unique dishes from different cuisines including Oriya, North Indian, South Indian, Indo-Chinese, Gujarati, and Italian. Some of the highlights were freshness of on-site preparations & live food stations, Hot Jalebis, Ice creams, Chocolate Fountains and not to miss the paan.
 
 All dignitaries were impressed by the hospitality by the organizers and felt the Marriott Hotel & the War Memorial more looked like a world class Oriya resort.  According to Gyana Patnaik of IL, “One of the best conventions I have ever attended. Most spectacular aspects were the organizers strong willingness, hospitality and performing the tasks with humility”

Mrs. Leena Mishra of Washington, DC congratulated the amazing team of volunteers for holding a highly successful OSA Convention said, ”We came back with high optimism that our OSA will keep shining brighter in the hands of our younger talents. Thank you all for this wonderful feeling”

Co-Convener, Mr. Lalatendu Mohanty in his thanking speech mentioned this was a planning for over a year with strong commitments from many individuals to do nothing but the best and the enthusiasm from local performers to show the greatness of their culture.

“I cannot thank these volunteers enough and I won’t even dare to do that. Let these delegates who enjoyed these four day of hospitality and enjoyment personally express their feeling directly to these volunteers for their awesome job”

Convener, Dr Uma Ballava Mishra was humbled by the warm feedback from all attendees and was convinced that this organization is as solid & strong as a rock.

Orissa is a coastal state in eastern India. OSA is a non-profit umbrella organization of Oriyas living in North America. This convention takes place during the July 4th weekend every year.

It serves to bring together people with roots in Orissa to share the pride in Oriya culture and heritage and pass it on to the next generation. The convention was organized by New York & New Jersey Chapter of the Organization.

Odisha.in

Harihar Panigrahi, IAS (SCS-1994) at present District Magistrate & Collector, Bargarh is appointed as Additional Secretary to Government, Forest & Environment Department.

Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, IAS(RR-1999) at present District Magistrate & Collector, Rayagada (now undergoing Mid-Career Training at LBSNAA, Mussoorie) is appointed as District Magistrate & Collector, Puri.

Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, IAS (RR-2002) at present District Magistrate & Collector, Nuapada is appointed as District Magistrate & Collector, Dhenkanal .

Krishna Gopal Mohapatra, OAS (SAG) at present Additional Secretary to Government, Works Department is transferred and posted as District Magistrate & Collector, Rayagada.

Suresh Prasad Padhi, OAS(SG) at present Director, Housing and ex-officio Additional Secretary to Government, H & UD Department is transferred and posted as District Magistrate & Collector, Bargarh.

Bishnu Prasad Panda, OAS(SG) at present Additional Secretary to Government, Forest & Environment Department is transferred and posted as District Magistrate & Collector, Nuapada.

Kishore Kumar Mohanty, OAS(S) at present Director, Text Book Production & Marketing, Bhubaneswar is transferred and posted as District Magistrate & Collector, Cuttack.

Odisha.in

Majority of them were jawans of special operation groups Orissa has created to fight leftwing extremism. The district has only two anti landmine vehicles and one got damaged completely in the blast.

The dead bodies were brought to the Malkangiri town where they were paid Thursday state honour in the presence of top police and administrative officials.

Odisha.in

More than 1000 Oriyas from North America, India and globally descended on famous Rose Theatre July 3-5 to join in what has been rated as the biggest Oriya cultural show outside of Orissa making it felt like mini-Orissa.

Proudly hosted by CanOSA (Canada Odisha Society of Americas) a non-profit socio-cultural organization in Ontario since 1971, the 39th Annual OSA (Orissa Society of the Americas) Convention, a three-day long cultural extravaganza, began here on Thursday afternoon with registration and Mehfil night.

On Friday morning the inaugural ceremony began with the singing of national anthems of India, and Canada.

Welcoming and introducing the guests Governor of Orissa- His Excellency Mr. Murlidhar Chandrakante Bhandare, Honourable Mr. Kalyan Jena - Chairman, Indian Railway Board and Chairman International Union of Railways, Paris, Honourable Mr. Akshya Parija - Chief General Manager, Business Banking National Bank of Oman, Honourable Satish Mehta, Consul General of India, and Toronto, Convener Dr. Gagan Panigrahi said the annual OSA convention is an opportunity to display and share the pride and rich heritage of the Oriya culture and pass it on to the next generation in North America.

In his inaugural address, Governor Bhandare, praised the role of OSA in preserving and propagating Oriya culture in North America and the achievement of Oriyas in different professions.

He encouraged the members of OSA to fly higher and higher and act as the ambassadors of Orissa to bring the ancient culture to North America and urged not to forget their nest i.e. mother Orissa.

He pointed out that in spite of having natural resources Orissa is a poor state and urged the nonresident Oriyas to give a helping hand in improving the quality of life of Orissans through education.

With India on an irreversible path of becoming a super power, Indian Railway Board Chairman Mr. Jena said, the Oriya community in India and abroad will help realize the dream of true modern India.

Mr. Jena emphasized the role of Indian railway in world economy and national integration of India. He pointed out the recent unprecedented growth of Indian Railway and how it is playing a role in shaping world economy.

Indian Consul General Mr. Satish Mehta praised the creativity and artistic ability of Oriya people who were responsible for building finest temple in the world and lauded the passion of the expatriate community behind the OSA. He added “The future is very bright for India,” and encouraged patrons to renew their connections with India.

In their dazzling opening performance, Sushree Mishra Kar and her dancers cast a spell on the audience as they captured all nuances of social and cultural life in Orissa,
Thereafter, around 20 kids and their group competed against each other for the best artistic talent for the coveted Subrina Biswal Award followed by a Theme dance “We love you Orissa!” based on the Convention theme Orissa: Our Land and, Our people.

Batteries of Odissi performance by world renowned Sujata Mohapatra and Manabhanjan depicting Rasa Lila of Krushna and Radha by Sushree Mishra Kar and her group, Niharika Mohanty presenting Abhinaya on Krishna’s tandava mesmerized the audiences.

Another theme based program “Romance & Love” brought together participants from different chapters of OSA expressing profusely amorous sentiment.

Saturday highlighted with Promod Patnaik Inter-chapter drama competition   showcasing some of the best performances. Before the closing, audiences were taken aback by the mythological musical drama Karnarjuna, based on great epic Mahabharat was presented by the Canada chapter

Apart from the cultural show, Seminars focusing Odisha Development and Education, women’s forum, Spirituality & Religion and Health, Wellness and Yoga Therapy, youth activities included Quiz, dance& DJ, Water Sports, Magic shows, Comedy show & OSA Idol, Senior felicitation. A souvenir was published to mark the occasion.

Awards were given to talented youths and adults in recognition of their contribution to academic excellence, community work, cultural activities etc.

The Rose Theatre entrance and lobby were decked with watercolour paintings depicting scenes from Odisha. People too were decked in traditional garb and finery of Odisha.
Farewell hugs were exchanged and eyes grew moist after the light and music dimmed at Rose Theatre at the end of the convention.

When the last strains of the closing song Rangabati died, those expatriates who came from far and near for this annual event expressed sadness they compared with Vijaya Dasami, the last day of the Durga Puja. Traveling annually to city after city in the US & thrice to Toronto, OSA is growing with the community over the years.

All in all, it was, as one delegate said: 'Except for Ratha Yatra, this surely is the biggest Oriya event anywhere in the world.'

Odisha.in

 The 32 years old, a native of Odagaon village in the district of Nayagarh went up along with three of his friends in a Sky Airways helicopter and landed with the help of a parachute at Sahid sporting club located near the house of his fiances Sweta Prusty.

Police had prior information about this unusual event and we had deployed one platoon (around 30 policemen) of policemen in the ground where he landed” deputy commissioner of police Himanshu Lal told Odisha.in.

 They jumped from about 6,000 feet and had a free fall before opening the parachute at about 3,500 feet chief pilot of Sky Airways, Captain A.C. Pati said adding that the helicopter carrying them took off from Bhubaneswar air port.

Mishra who works as an aircraft technician with the Indian Air Force said he was always interested to demonstrate his skill in his home state and happy that his mission was successful. “I am happy I did it here”

The tall diver said he has over 10 years of experience in sky diving and earlier created a record by jumping from a height of 15,000 feet with the Indian Tricolour in the United States.

Odisha.in

Hundreds of fans and sports lover greeted him with flowers in the air port, in Saheed sporting club and wherever he moved. Students, children took his autographs.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik also congratulated him in the state secretariate and wished him all success. “We are proud of you” Patnaik told him.

“I feel very nice to be in my home state and the welcome I got is outstanding” 21 years old Ojha who is in his final year of Bachelor of commerce told Odisha.in.

I will work hard and will cement my position in the team” he said after meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the state secretariate.

Incidentally Pragyan was born on Friday and the day he arrived in his home city of Bhubaneswar after selection in Indian cricket team was also a Friday.

Like every cricketer I too had dreams to play in national team and it came true” he said. “it is a great feeling for me that I got the opportunity” the left arm spinner said.

Born in Khordha near state capital Bhubaneswar, Ojha started his career in cricket after becoming a member of the Saheed sporting club.

He played many junior tournaments in the state for the club from 1996 to 2000. He had gone to Hyderabad for higher studies, but eventually became a promising cricketer.

His family lives in state capital Bhubaneswar. His father, Maheswar Ojha, works in the Orissa government and his mother, Bidulata, is a homemaker. His younger brother, Prateek, is in college in Hyderabad.

“My son was an average student and we wanted him to become doctor or engineer. We had sent him to Hyderabad for study.

  However he was attracted to cricket and we never thought he love for cricket will bring him such a happier moment” his father said.  We are proud of him, he said.

Pragyan is the fourth cricketer from Orissa to be selected to play in the Indian cricket team after Shiv Sunder Das, Debashis Mohanty and Sanjay Roul.

Pragyan wants to learn tricks from Muttiah Muralitharan

During my Sri Lanka tour I will try to meet ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and will ask him how he could remain success for such a longer period. “Really I want to learn tips from him” Ojha said. Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the world’s premier bowlers.

He was looking after many poor children and was financing for their studies and was providing them training in judo and other atheletics.
 
Since he was a student of B.J.B. College, Bhubaneswar, Biranchi was involved in judo and was the founder of Orissa Judo Association.He along with his students had built Judo Hall near the Orissa State Musuem, brick by brick.
 
During past years around 1,100 students trained by him had joined the Indian Army, Orissa Police, C.R.P.F. and other organisations, which was a rare success story.
 
Biranchi was running two small eateries in side the Bhubaneswar Court complex to meet the expenditures of the students who were staying in Judo Hall and were getting traing from him.

His life was devpted to Judo and sports. He was upright and was fighting against oppression and injutice in his own way.
 
Odisha.in

Talking to media persons , Keshab said that after entering into Limca Book of Records by breaking 72 green cocoanuts in one minute he practiced breaking the green cocoanuts while driving his bike.

He started doing this by making both his hand free while driving the bike during morning walk and gradually made it a practice.

He said his sole motive behind performing such feats is only to entertain people. When he saw people from others States performing some unique feats he gets excited to perform some such feats and starts making practice for some until he succeeds.
 
Odisha.in

The opposition political parties as well as a number of women organisations were demanding Mohanty's resignation after allegations of sexual harassment by the Speaker to lady Assistant Marshal Gayatri Panda, who was the first and only lady marshal in the Orissa Assembly.

Gayatri had alleged that the Speaker was trying to sexually harass her and had repeatedly victimized her as she did not oblige him.

On the otherhand, Mohanty had denied her allegation as " baseless and fabricated and part of a deep rooted conspiracy against him by some influential persons." Though Mohanty had not named the conspirators, his supporters had organized
demonstrations and had carried campaign in newspapers alleging that information Nayak was behind the conspiracy.

Some local newspapers had published news and pictures accusing Nayak's link with Gayatri Panda and Umaballav Rath, former M.L.A. of Puri, who is known as an enemy of Mohanty.

In the meanwhile Gayatri's complaint was formally accepted by the Bhubaneswar Mahila Police Station and a case was formally registered. Since Mohanty was in a constitutional post the police was unable to take immediate action on Gayatri Panda's complaint.

However on Monday a team of police officials from Bhubaneswar have gone to Kuhunda the native village of Gayatri and have recorded her statement under 161 of IPC.

Monday was a hectic day both inside and outside the Orissa Assembly as the opposition did not allow the House to function creating pandemonium and demanding resignation of Mohanty and institution of C.B.I. probe into the allegations of sexual harassment levelled by the Assistant Marsha; Gayatri Panda.

Though the House was to sit till 2nd April (Wednesday ) Deputy Speaker Prahallad  Dora abruptly declared adjournment of the budget session. The budget was declared passed without discussion in the House.

Hundreds of activists of Women Congress had gheraoed the office of the State Commission for Women condemning the silence of the Commission over a serious case like allegations of sexual harassment by the Speaker Mohanty. Asima Mahananda, President of Orissa Pradesh Mahila Congress had lead the demonstration.

Similary thousands of women from different parts of the State demonstrated before the Orissa Assembly demanding resignation and arrest of Mohanty as Well as C.B.I. probe into Gayatri Panda's allegations.

Odisha.in

Sarangi was 47 and is survived by his old parents and only son. His wife had expired few years ago.
 
Sarangi was sufferring from cerebral malaria followed by multi-organ failure and hospitalised two days ago. His condion was critical and was on life supprting system.
 
Rajendra's eyes were donated to the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute Eye Bank after his parents disclosed that Rajendra had earlier expressed before them about such desire inorder to enbele a visually impaired person to see the world.
 
As soon as news about his death spread in the city a number of political leaders, journalists, relatives assembled to pay homage to him. His body was cremated at Satyanagar crematarium.
 
Rabi Das, editor " Ama Rajadhani ", Panchanan Kanungo, former Minister of State for Finance, former M.L.A. and CPI(ML) Liberation leader Radhakanta Sethi, Sudhir Patnaik , Editor " Samadrusti" and a number of leftist leaders have mourned death of Sarangi.

Sarangi's untimely death has been described as a great loss to the " people's movement " in the State as well as in the country.
 
Odisha.in

course in Hazaribag and W.T. course at Border Security Force in Hazaribag, he joined in the S.O.G. on 1st March, 2005.
 Satpathy had proceeded to Nayagarh on February 15 along leading a SOG assult team in 10 Hero Honda Motor Cycles.

He was the first person of SOG to reach Nayagarh after the Naxal massacare.
 
On getting information of Naxal hideout at he along with two SOG teams chased and continued firing for about 4 hours for which the Naxals could not be able to escape from their hide out.

Finally during encounter Satpathy along with Sepoy Satyanarayan Panda of OASP and Sushant Gouda, Personal Security Officer of S.P., Berhampur died on the spot.
 
Though Orissa Government is not sure about the casulity from the side of Naxals, they have got a big jolt with the death of Satpathy. Two other Sepoys of SOG have also been killed.
 
Besides Satpathy,  Satyanarayan Panda Sepoy and Sushant Gouda, Personal Security officer of the Superintendent of police Berhampur have also died in the encounter.
 
Body of Assistant Commandant Satoathy was brought to his house inside the SOG campus on Monday and was paid a floral tribute.

Members of his family paid a tearful farewell to him. Talking to media persons his younger brother Nirmal Satpathy, who is serving as an Assistant Commandant in the Orissa Armed Police Service said though death of his elder brother has caused irreparable loss to the family, it has not broke the morale of family members.

He said, their father was also in the police and was a patriotic person. Nirmal said that he would join the SOG and will teach a lesson to the Naxals who were resorting to such violence. 
 
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while expressing his deep condolence for the death of Satpathy and other SOG cadres announced that the State Government would pay Rs 5 lakhs gratitious relief for the Assistant Commandant's family besides insurance money of Rs 10 lakhs.

The family members will get Rs 4 lakhs GR and Rs 10 lakhs from insurance.
 
Odisha.in

Though casualty from Naxal sides has not been confirmed, Orissa's Home Secretary Tarunkanti Mishra told media persons on Sunday that as many as 20 Naxals have died in encounter. He said that the number of deaths of Naxals are not yet confirmed .
 
Mishra said that after the massacare and loot in Nayagarh, the Naxals are suspected to be hiding in the Gashma forests located on the borders of Nayagarh, Ganjam and Kondhmal districts along with the looted arms and ammunitions. Their number has been estimated to be around 300.

Two army helicopters has been put in service to locate the movement of the Naxals inside the forests.The Maoists are trapped inside the jungle and the special operation group and CRPF have encircled the jungle and blocked all escape routes. 
 
He said that a large contigent of specially trained Special Operation Group ( SOG ) personel , CRPF man and Grey Hounds have also been deployed in combing operation against the Naxals. Many senior police officials are incharge of the anti-Naxal operation.
 
The Home Secretary said that the operation would continue till a single Naxalite would be spotted inside the forests.
 
A number of senior officials of Government of India have visited Nayagarh on Sunday to access the situation. All the dead bodies have been cremated with national honour.

Leader of opposition J.B. Patnaik, CPI legislator Narayan Reddy and others visited the affected police establishments of Nayagarh.
 
Odisha.in

They have set up of 14 numbers of aquariums adopting latest concept, techniques and gadgets. All these aquariums are equipped with in-situ filtration and recycling mechanism. 
 
Out of 14 number of aquarium 4 are marine aquarium and rest are fresh water aquaria equipped with titanium chiller. The two large size marine aquariums are of 3.5 meters length and 0.9 meter width and rest two are of 2.4 metre length and 0.9 metre width.
 
Six fresh water aquariums are of 2.4m. length and .9m. width. The marine aquariums are equipped with the latest gadgets and components required to run the aquarium hassle free. One fresh water aquarium represents the fish fauna of Kanjia lake.
 
Apart from this, the objective of the zoo aquarium is to disseminate and convey the conservation need of the aquatic ecosystem. The most important component of the newly developed aquarium is the incorporation of the well researched education materials.

The education materials are displayed in form of 30 nos. of trans-slide display boards. It covers the all types of aquatic ecosystem. There is a special section which depicts the uniqueness of the marine ecosystem of Orissa.

Moated Elephant Enclosure.

A moated enclosure is developed over an area of 5.00 Acre to provide a near natural ambience for the Elephants. The enclosure is having the important components like natural vegetation, water hole and adequate space for the movement of the animals.

The new enclosure would stimulate their natural behaviour. It will also provide adequate opportunity to the visitors to watch the elephant in their near natural condition. A shade is also provided inside the enclosure.
 
Natural vegetation is introduced to make the enclosure conducive for the elephants. A visitor shelter is provided at an elevated point for better viewing. A double walled moat is constructed to maintain the safe distance between the visitors and the animals.
 
Odisha.in

Keeping in view of mass slaughtering of animals during Sulia Yatra, district administration has stepped up security measures in the entire district and asked the people not to visit a village temple for sacrifice of animals.

The district administration has made all steps to prevent mass killing in several parts of the district including in Khairguda, Kumuria, Mirdhapali, Chantipadar, Harilimal, Kharlikani, Chandrapur and Thairaguda villages in the district, where local people want to continue the age-old practice of animal sacrifice during Sulia Yatra or the annual killing festival.

"We have deployed more than more than 10 platoons of security forces to prevent mass killing of animals and birds during Sulia Puja. The district administration organised several awareness shows asking people not to join in mass killing," Balangiri Superintendent of Police Himansu Lal said. He further said that killing of animals came down this year.

The Orissa High Court had earlier ordered all District Collectors to educate the people and create awareness to stop animal sacrifice in the name of religious rites. "It was very unfortunate and prompt action should be taken against those violating the laws," Wildlife Society of Orissa secretary Biswajit Mohanty said.

The festival also celebrated in a small way in other villages located near the forest in the district. As part of their custom, tribesmen first bathe the animals to be sacrificed and anoint them with turmeric. The animals are then hacked in the presence of hundreds, including women and children. The sacrifices continue throughout the daylong festival.  

Odisha.in

State's Animal Husbandry and Health Departments officials said here that Collectors of all districts have been asked to remain high alert to ascertain the possibility of Bird Flu.

"In fact, we do not have any specific reports of Bird Flue in the State but we have asked all district collectors to take precautionary measures to prevent the killer dieses, which has already claimed thousands of life in several parts of the world," State Animal Husbandry Minister Golak Nayak said.

State's Health Secretary Chinmay Basu claimed the situation was under control in Orissa.

Official sources further said that special agreements have been made at Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika National Park and Nandankanan Geological Park here, where lakhs of migratory birds have throng this winter, the official said adding preventive measures such as distributing Tamiflu tablets to those seems at risk and spraying anti-virus medicines on vehicles passing through are to be taken.

The possibility seems strong with nearly 19,000 chickens having died in Margram village and adjoining blocks of Rampurhat in Birbhum district in neighbouring West Bengal between January 8 and 13.

Odisha.in

But, two blind youths , Alekha Chandra Jena  (21) of village Indupur and Golakha Chandra Nayak (22) of village Pradhanpatikira of Kendrapada district eke out their livings by gutting plastic ropes in the chairs, sofas and other furnitures.  They  had just learnt the art of gutting the furnitures  in the Vocational Training Center  of  Utkal Blind Persons' Association in Bhubenswar.

With their dexterous hands, both blind youths gut the furniture swiftly in the  workshops. 
Now a days  both the blind youths  remain the busiest rope-binders  in Kendrapada town and its nearby areas as many persons prefer to provide works to them. 

"Many carpenters and furniture makers of the district give them works. Both the blind youths walk with their white-sticks to reach the houses of persons who prefer them give rope- binding works in their houses.  Both have done an amazing turn around with us by repairing and making furniture", said Ashok Sahoo a furniture shop owner of Kendrapada.

"When I  provided rope-binding works to both blind youths, many persons complained before me not to give rope-binding works to visually impaired persons.  But within a month, they prove themselves as the most sincere and good rope-binders.", added Sahoo.

"My work as a plastic rope binder is a dream come true. Since childhood I had a dream to eke out my livings by doing some works . At last I managed to fulfill my long cherished dream thanks to the confidence imposed upon on me by many customers and furniture –shop owners", said Alekha Chandra Jena.
"We could not believe it when we were told that our son Alekha  got work as a rope-binder  ", said Sankar Jena  (56) the father of Alekha.

Both the blind persons have read up to class VII in Kendrapada Blind School.  But, later they left their  study and came to their  villages.

" I had been running from pillar to post to get any odd  job but my disability was an impediment for me to get any job. Only six months back,  I got work  as a rope-binder in a furniture shop in Kendrapada", said Golakha Chandra Nayak.

"I have two younger sisters. My father is a daily labourer for which it is difficult on his part to maintain us . I do not want to be a burden on my parents for which I decided to work as a rope-binder. I earns about two thousand monthly by doing rope-binding work. ",  Alekha told Odisha.in.

"Ten years after enactment of the Disabilities Act, which promised three percent reservation (One percent to blind) in government jobs, the disabled are yet to taste the fruits of this landmark law. Though the act has far reaching provisions , not much has been done about its implementation , thus the solution to the problem lies in educating the blind about their rights", said Sanyasi Behera the secretary of state's blind persons association.

"The very fact that one had to wait almost fifty years after independence to get the Disabilities Act passed is clearly an indicator of the lack of concern in the society for disabled and further delay in implementation will serve as a death knell for us", added  Behera. 
 
Odisha.in       

 Odisha.com which is already known for producing quality Oriya content has last month introduced a premium localized English breaking service for Oriya mobile users.

It has been providing its users breaking Orissa news as and when they happen. Now the portal announced to produce this breaking news to all interested persons for free.

While Odisha.com will provide the content, SMSGupShup will provide the free group SMS technology and platform. Both have signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday.

While premium service will continue to run without advertisement, Odisha.com and SMSGupShup aim to recover the cost of content and free SMS service by inserting targeted and contextual footer ads at the end of every SMS message.

"A person in remote Kandhamal or Koraput district is more interested to know what the government announces in Bhubaneswar than what happened in New York or Delhi, Odisha.com founder Jatindra Dash said. 

He is more interested to know what is happening around him. Similarly Oriyas who live outside of the state are more interested to know what is happening in their home state, he said. Our breaking news service will serve their purpose, he said.

"It will also empower the most common people. They will be able to know the latest news without paying any thing" said Odisha.com editor Prasanta Patnaik.  

Our readers will be able to get our breaking news in Oriya in their mobile soon, Dash said. We are working closely with Tensor Technologies, IIT Delhi to provide this, he said.

"We are about enabling people to blog or express themselves on the mobile SMS platform free of cost, by creating their own groups, said Milind Agarwal, Director - Business Development, Webaroo.

We wanted people of Orissa to contribute towards and consume user generated content and experience citizen journalism through our platform, and we came across Odisha.com, which offered to provide breaking news from all parts of Orissa through our platform.

Hence, we decided to join hands with Odisha.com to offer this unique free regional breaking news service on mobile," said Agarwal.

How to join -

A person interested in subscribing to the service needs to send SMS - "JOIN Odisha" to 567678. Any time he can also unsubscribe by sending SMS - "LEAVE Odisha" to 567678.

About Odisha.com

Odisha.com is world's first and only 24x7 Oriya news portal launched in November 2004. It has been updating latest Orissa news and news related to Oriyas across the globe uninterruptedly since than.

Contact: Jatindra Dash 9437368656 email jatindash@hotmail.com

About SMSGupShup

SMSGupShup is a free group SMS service offered by Webaroo Technology India Pvt. Ltd., IIT-Bombay, Mumbai through its' SMS portal www.SMSGupShup.com, which has spawned tens of thousands of communities with diverse interests like religion, finance, entertainment, news, etc. and has lakhs of active subscribers.

Odisha.in

The government has filed counter affidavit in response to the first judicial intervention into the matter in a Public Interest Litigation filed by pioneer human right group Committee for Legal Aid to Poor (CLAP) of state just after the occurrence of the incidence.

The CLAP filed its petition seeking a status quo in developing the industry until final resolution of the demands of the indigenous people in 9th January 2006 in a writ petition in the High Court. TATA Steel Limited, which is an essential Party, is yet to file its reply.

The counter affidavit filed by Special Secretary to Govt. in November 2007 reveals half hidden truths relating to the claim of the govt. that adequate steps have been taken to resolve the matter.

Even it is clear now that only two persons out of 14 tribal who succumbed to the police firing have been given the ex-gratia of 10 lakhs whereas 12 persons did not accept the offer.

Similarly the declaration of the Govt. for compensation to the tune of 50,000.00 to person sustained injury could not be given to 17 persons because of paucity of fund with the district administration.

 If the Govt. resolution is to be believed then these compensation is a benevolent support rather than the rights of indigenous people who were victims of a state sponsored crime, said Shyama Sundar Das the president of CLAP. 

The PIL of CLAP raised a vital legal question that the situation could have been averted had there been due diligence in time on the recommendation of the Special Rapporteur of National Human Right Commission which was given much prior to the occurrence of the incidence.

 The counter affidavit filed by the government reveals that steps like payment of assistance to the tune of 25,000.00 for each person who lost land and 50,000.00 for house building assistance had been announced, however in a much delayed stage in May 2006 after the incidence had already occurred.

The petitioner Shyam Sundar Das, the President of CLAP observes that the administrative short sightedness in taking the recommendation of NHRC seriously contributed the occurrence of the massacre.

 Das further said that the NHRC recommendation was a clear indication for the administration that the situation was not within the control and instead of taking precautionary measure like imposing 144 under Criminal Procedure Code or even for that matter curfew deployment of a small section of police is not an indication of an efficient administration.

Therefore, Das said, the argument of the Govt. that when people overpowered police then only the Executive Magistrate ordered for firing is not logical and unfounded. No preventive measures were taken before giving the order for firing to avoid occurrence of the incidence, which was a procedural defect.

Meanwhile by virtue of a decision of the apex court in I.A. No. 6/2007 in University of Kerala vs. Council, Principals' Colleges, Kerala and others, the Judicial Commission headed by Justice A.S. Naidu was dissolved.

After almost a year, it is still under consideration of the Govt. whether to constitute a Commission or not.  The counter affidavit suggests that Govt. considers this aspect.

The PIL of CLAP inter allia demanded that a Policy for Rehabilitation and Resettlement be made which seems to have received the attention of the Govt. as the counter affidavit reveals that the Govt. has contemplated Orissa Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy 2006 which was notified in the Gazette in 14th May 2006, after the notice in the PIL was issued by the High Court.

Odisha.in

For, there is no party, no disco for them in the sand city and they are already bored over the local tourist spots, especially beaches that dot the district in the eastern region. They say this place is no different from any small towns in and around the district.

"In the big cities people welcome the New Year with organizing musical events and parties, but here there is no scope for us. Big hotels in the town don't organize such parties or dance programs which we can enjoy and celebrate the New Year. We too don't want to visit tourist spots again and again," pointed out Shashank Dey, an engineering student, who hails from West Bengal.

Though a few hotels here organize parties on December 31 but youngsters say these are not of good standard. Those who live or study in metros and come here to celebrate the vacation along with family members, for them it is a great mistake, as they feel.

"Last time two hotels had organized small parties and I attended one of them which were not up to the mark. Only foods were there and music was coming from the music-systems. Is it a party really?" asked Namrata Singh, an MBA second year student, who studies in Pune.

However, to overcome the gap and enjoy this occasion which comes once in a year this time many technical graduates and a good chunk of students from two engineering colleges and two management institutions here have decided to join parties being organized in the capital city of Bhubaneswar.

"There many hotels are organizing parties where we also have an opportunity to dance in discos. If we don't enjoy life in such occasion then when will we do? Cost is not a matter for us, we want standard parties," said Soumya Mishra, who is pursuing fashion designing.

Though some others have organized parties in their hostels but they fear the police may put them behind the bars for violating rules that prevents loud music after 10 pm in the night.

Hoteliers however feel otherwise. "Since then, there have not been many requests from residents to organize big parties and establish an annual tradition here, how can we have it," asked Jajati Das, owner of Hotel Meridian.

"As it is not a so big city, we can't get more money out of such parties and add events like a New Year's Eve party. Typically, if there is a real demand or interest, we would consider it," he added.

Artists, writers and literary lovers of the town however can enjoy the New Year as this time a two-day national art camp has been organsied in association with Chandrabhaga, a socio-cultural organisation, and there is a two-day programme on literature. A theater festival and a book-fair will also continue till January 5.

Odisha.in

On Jan 2 2006 fourteen tribals including three women and a 12-year-old boy were gunned down by the police while they opposed land acquisition for Tata’s proposed steel plant at Kalinga Nagar.

About 20,000 tribals from across the state and outside are likely to attend this congregation to extend their support to the agitating tribals been fighting against mega industries for past two years.

The triabl are particularly fighting against the proposed 1.6 MTPA steel project by Tata steel.

The Vistapan Virodhi Jan Manch (VVJM), the organization which has been leading the movement has already started massive preparation for the lodging and boarding of the delegate.

They have also plan to hold a mammoth rally followed by a protest meeting at Ambagadia to decide their future course of action. This apart, the congregated visitors will pour oil on all the 14 stones as per the death anniversary in Munda tribe tradition, known as ‘Dul-Sunum’.

“Our invitation is open to all the ‘Sangramees’, who are against forcible land acquisition and against mega industries in India” a tribal leader said.

We have invited POSCO Sangramees from Jagatsinghpur district to Nandigram Sangramees in neighbouring West Bengal requesting them to join the program.

Many eminent activists are also invited from many states of India. We expect a congregation of nearly 20,000 people on this day which we are observing as ‘Martyrs’ Day,” said Visthapan Virodhi Janmanch President, Chakradhar Haiburu (senior).

VVJM will organise a mammoth rally starting from Champakoila where the firing was held to Ambagadia, the mass cremation of the firing victims spot through Duburi on Daitary-Paradeep Express Highway on the Martyrs’ Day. This apart, a protest meeting is being organized,” added Mr. Haiburu.

“We will deploy about five hundred policemen to avoid any toward incidents” Jajpur Superintendent of Police, Dhirendranath Sambaji Kuttey said.

Odisha.in

The government should increase the present allocation of funds to at least 25 per cent in the state budget, the educationists, trade unionists, teacher’s Federation leaders, NGO representatives said.

PECUC and Action Aid organized the workshop “Analysis of Orissa State Education Budget: Priorities and challenges”.

While sharing the study findings Ranjan Mohanty, Secretary of PECUC   said that the percentage of educational expenditure in regards to school and mass education department out of the total state budget has been gradually declining from year to year.

While comparing the percentage of expenditure in the said period between 1998-99 and 2007-08 out of the total state expenditure, the diminution is to the tune of 3.80 per cent.
 
The workshop discussed and analysed the state budget for education for the last ten years. There has been a decreasing trend in the budgetary allocation matched to the social commitment for the education of the children.

In this regard, many participants said that there has to be much awareness on the budget.

The forum decided to carry forward the process of consultation with various sectors to work out a peoples plan and budget to share with the government. This would clearly articulate the need of the people.
 
This will also help the people to make the state more responsible and accountable. This would help realize the dream of sending all children to school.
 
The workshop was Chaired by Dr. P.C.Mohapatra, Educationist. Other eminent persons who participated include Arun Sahu, MLA, Dr Dillip Srichandan ,Ex MLA, Dr.Ambika Nanda,Action Aid,  Dr.Sibaram Patnaik, Kasturi Mohapatra, Mahendra Parida, Child Rights Activist; Dr.Mahendra Mishra,OPEPA, Namrata Chaddha, Sauri Bandhu Kar, Rama Krishna Panda.

Anuradha Mohanty, Coordinator of PECUC gave the welcome address.

Odisha.in

 “In the last few days misinformation and misleading statements about my role in my district have been spread through the media” Behera told media persons.

“To remove this public misconception as well as to restore age old harmony between scheduled caste and scheduled tribe in my district I have decided to tender my resignation” Behera who submitted his resignation to the chief minister Naveen Patnaik Friday evening said.

 Behera represents, Phulbani assembly constituency in the district. Senior Minister Behera was holding a number of departments and was one of  the most favoured ministers of the Chief Minister.

He was in active non-Congress politics since past 14 years and was initiated to politics by late Biju Patnaik, father of Naveen Patnaik.

After submitting his resignation before Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Behera told media persons that though he was in no way concerned with the communal tension in Kondhmal district, a conspiracy was hatched his opponents to defame him by holding him responsible for the situation.

Since he wants peace and communal harmony in the district he has stepped out from the Government to save the image of the Government.

Reacting to media persons on resignation of Behera, Chief Minister Patnaik said, " it was his decision and I have not asked him to resign. " Resignation of Behera has been accepted.

Behera was allegedly instrumental in creating disgarmony between the tribals and schedule caste "Panas" speaking " Kui " dilects by making a bid to declare them as tribals for availing all facilities as tribals over, " jal, jami and junggle" in the district, to which the native tribals of the district were opposing teeth and nail.

Prior to Behera's resignation in an interesting development, the Advisory Committee and Achedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes have recommended to the Government not to give tribal status to the " Panas " speaking " Kuidilects".

Odisha.in

However unconfirmed report puts the death toll at eight.The judicial commission of enquiry will be headed B. Panigrahi, retired justice  of Orissa High Court. Patnaik said that the situation is improving in many parts of the district and there has been no fresh violence.
 
Briefing  media persons, Home Secretary Tarun Kanti Mishra said that the State Government has requested the centre to send four additional companies of CRPFfor the troubled district.

Additional Para Military forces and Rappid Action Fores also have been requisitioned. All the district collectors have been asked to be present in their respective district headquqrters and those who were on leave have been asked to jointheir duties immediately.

Such precautionary measures have been taken to check spreading of violence to other neighbouring districts.
 
Mishra said that the State Government has already sent the report on the Kondhmal violence to the centre.
 
The worst hit areas were Brahmanigaon, Barkhama and Nuagaon areas in the district where both communities suffered losses. Some areas of Kandhmal were still inaccessible and police was working to clear the roads.
 
Curfew in four towns of the district namely Phulbani, Brahmanigaon, Daringibadi and Baliguda, which was lifted on Thursday morning, was re-imposed with the police anticipating more trouble.
 
Despite claim of the State Government that the situation is improving, the Christian community feels unsafe. A group of Christian representatives who met Chief Miister have demanded C.B.I. inquiry as they are not happy with the judicial probe. According to them the judicial probe would take lots of time.
 
Senior B.J.P. legislator and V.H.P. activist , Pratap Sarangi said ,that the minor communities were responsible for the situation in Kondhmal . Since a senior V.H.P. activist Swami Laxmanananda Saraswoti was attacked, the people who have love and respect for the Swamiji have reacted.
 
According to the district administration of Kondhmal , situation in some parts had improved, but tension continued in other areas such as Baliguda and Daringibadi. Many Christian families had fled their homes in Barkhama also.
 
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has also sought a report from the state government on the violence in four towns of Kandhamal district.
 
Protest rallies were organised in Bhubaneswar by left parties to condemn the communal violence in Kondhmal and to urge upon the Government to restore normalcy as soon as possible.
 
Odisha.in

VHP had given the four hours bandh call Monday alleging that at least 500 people from Christian community attacked the vehicle of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati at Kashingbadi near Daringibadi.

Saraswati and one of the persons accompanied him sustained injuries. The vehicle in which Swamiji was traveling was partially damaged.

On Monday a group of Christians and Hindu clashed at Brahmanigaon over the celebration of Christmas. Police has arrested at least four people all from the Hindu community from the region.

Protesting their arrest hundreds of Hindus Tuesday gheraoed Bramhanigaon police station. Police has arrested at least nine persons for attacking Laxmananda Saraswati.

Odisha.in

In the seven days workshop, educationalists from all over Orissa gave valuable guidelines to the students.

Dr. Nadiachand Kanungo, retired D.F.O, Prof. Bhimsen Das, Ravenshaw College, Prof. Sibaprasad Ratha HOD Botany, OUAT, Prof. Baishnabacharana Singh, retired chemist, Dr. Amulya Panda, Ravenshaw University, Er. Arun Kumar Sahu, State Coordinator Bigyan Bharati, Er. Suvendu Pattnaik Deputy Director, Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Dr. Surendra Sasmal, Central Crop Research Center.

Dr. Kishora Chandra Mohanty, Council of Higher Secondary Education, Dr. Bijay Kumar Swain, Principal Maharshi College, Nikunja Kumar Sahu, Regional Research Center attend the workshop and highlighted the basics of the science. The students traveled OUAT, Regional Research Center and Central Crop Research Center and earned valuable information.

Dr. Prafullachandra Mohapatra, President Siksha Vikas Samiti, Secretary, Rameshcharan Tripathy and Govindchandra Mahant provided guidelines to the students in many occasion. Siba prasad Bag successfully conducted the workshop.

Odisha.in

The fifth and last trial successfully took place at 2.15 pm today at Chandipur- on- sea. The missile destroyed an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which was flying simulating the air attack, a PIB release said.

The target vanished from the radar screen when the missile was guided precisely in close proximity and the warhead blast occurred, much to the delight of users present in the flight campaign.

 This is the grand finale of the ten days users campaign meticulously planned by the Indian Air Force.

Akash is a moblie, mulitiple target handling, medium range Air Defence missile developed under Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

The missile system has been configured to be part of futuristic network centric operation, most of the operations having been made automated. The entire weapon system has gone through functional evaluation in Kolar near Bangalore followed by operation and mobility trials in Pokharan ranges.

 The ECCM (Elctronic Counter Counter Measure) evaluation was carried out at Gwalior by Air Force against various types of electronic target and counter measures. The final phase of user evaluation as part of user trials was done in Chandipur.

ITR, Balasore provides world’s best instrumentation facilities. The flight was conducted under the leadership of Dr Panyam, Project Director. Dr Prahlada, who conceptualised Akash and now Chief Controller at DRDO HQ was present during campaign.

About 300 strong team was present for ten days campaign. Representatives from public sector BDL, BEL etc were also present.

Indian Air Force officials witnessed users trial. With the conclusion of Akash evaluation, the is now available for indigenous production in the country. The missile system is uniquly configured and customised for Indian Army and Air Force.

Odisha.in

We follow the pattern of the Prabasi Bharatiya Diwas the Government of India every year promotes (it is usually held on Jan. 9 the date on which Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa),  the centre president Sahadev Sahu said.

Prabasi Oriya Diwas celebration is an expression of our desire that the newer generations of people of Orissa origin work with the State Government, hand in hand, with the sole purpose of building a better Orissa.

As no celebration of Prabasi Oriya Diwas would be meaningful without participation of the NROs the NROFC has requested all non resident Oriyas to join the celebration as per the programme.

NROFC is happy to announce that the Ruchi Prativa Foundation have decided to institute an international award by style of Prabasi Prative Samman to honour an NRO of outstanding achievements which have enhanced the image of Orissa in the World.

 The award would be given annually at the Prabasi Utkaliya Divas. The award carries a citation, engraved in a copper/silver plaque, a trophy and a shawl. NROFC is free to makes rules for selecting an eminent overseas Oriya for this award.

NROFC invites nominations from associations or their regional/provincial chapters, from all over the world, with reasons why they recommend the person for the award, giving details of how he/she has helped in creating a better image of Oriyas and Orissa in the world map.

Membership donation to NROFC is $25 for NROs.

Odisha.in

As, they are being well compensated for the tests without losing anything. Only they have to shift and that too through vehicles provided by the district administration to the temporary shelters for some hours only.

Besides, the missile tests also fetch them a good buck of income as they managed to incorporate their relatives and show them as their family members to get as much compensation.

"They give us money more than our daily wages and also for the entertainment. Our children are also well compensated. We get these without any labour. It is totally a benefit us. It will be better if such tests carried out twice in a week," said Sukura Singh, a resident.

It is also alleged that villagers managed to include their relatives from outside villages as their family members after bribing the local revenue officials.

"The revenue inspector takes Rs 10 per head and identifies them as local resident. This practice is on since last some years. As the money comes from the defence ministry, none bothers who takes it – the displaced or their relatives," alleged a villager.

This apart, the outsiders who work at the shrimp farms in the locality also claim themselves as locals and demand compensation.

Collector Alekh Chandra Padhiary also admitted that there have been allegations of local residents trying to incorporate their relatives and identify them as their family members.

"I became astonished when the village leaders gave me a list of about 4000 people to be shifted during this air defence exercise. I suspected that when last time less them 3000 people were shifted, how the figure could be a thousand more within just six months," said Padhiary.

"I instructed the revenue officials to conduct an inquiry and according a list was prepared. However, about 2879 people including 2255 adults and 619 children were shifted and compensated," he added.

This time the villagers have been Rs 10 rich each as the district administration has increased the compensation amount. "We have given Rs 4,41,305 to distribute among the temporarily displaced villagers," said Sarmistha Sethi, zone officer, rehabilitation.

During the test of medium range and long range ballistic missiles, the residents of six villages – Khadupahi, Kusumulipahi, Jaydevkasaba Pahi, Bhimpurpahi, Bardhanpur Pahi and Sahaza Nagar Pahi - located within two km radius of the ITR are shifted to temporary shelters.

Odisha.in

They collected samples of soil and flowing liquid at Mantripada. The district administration of Kendrapada on last Thursday urged the director of state's Geological Survey of India (GSI), Bhubenswer to depute a team to this village to test the ground- water after some inflammable liquid objects like oil or natural gas were coming out from a tube-well in the village.

The scientists, Dr S. Ray, G. Niogi and G.P. Mahakuda took samples of soil and liquid from tube well.

 "We will send the collected samples to the laboratory of GSI in Kolkota for its further examination. The emitted gas was methane gas, which is inflammable", said the scientists.     

A villager Nalimani Nayak dug a tube well in his house. But, hot-water like oil or natural gas came out from the ground in the tube-well.

Some curious villagers put a matchstick and found the hot-water was burning like oil for which the Sarapanch and other villagers urged the district collector to visit the place.

 The district collector, Kashinath Sahoo , BDO of Derabishi, Narotama Behera and other senior officials rushed to the village Mantripada  on Thursday.

Meanwhile, large numbers of curious villagers rushed to Mantripada to witness the tube well and the flaming fire. Many villagers put a match -stick on the flowing liquid and found it was burning.

Odisha.in

A man from a middle class minority community Muhammad Kudus of Santarapur village under Ghatagaon block about 40 kelometers  from Keonjhar have got this rare talent.

He claim "if he was provided a favorable instruments that will not itching to his eye and leak proof, he could able to blow a truck tyre". “I can blow balloon in eyes hours to hours without feeling tired' he said.

"When I was ten years old I used to smoke fume on mouth and left on eyes. At the young age while smoking cigarettes I used to release smoke through eyes with pleasure” narrating his past experience he said.

“Some friends advised him not to do such practice as the nicotine of cigarette may damage the eyes. 

Kudus start practicing in blowing balloon through the eye like blowing smoke through eye. He became success blowing balloon through his eye."

"After blowing a balloon he went to his wife said with overwhelmed that he has achieved a record and show the trick first" he added.

But Kudus said "I play both the tricks with controlling breathing. He claimed he can release 40 percent of breath through his eye and can blow balloon or tyre easily.

 He never felt tired for doing this for long hours."   Now he likes to enlist his name in Guinness book record.

Beside this Kudus has got another talent. He can produce sound of one to thousand numbers of Ghunguroos. One can not say from where the sound is coming from.

Kudu is known as Kudus Bhai in that area is a member of congress Seva dal. He is from a middle class farmer family. His wife and children are living with joint family with his four brothers.

Odisha.in

Prafulla Chandra Ghadai ,Orissa  Minister for Finance inaugurated the Grameen Shakti, the micro insurance product  at Itipur  village on the bank of historic river Daya in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar at an impressive meeting attended by over 2500 Women  SHGs from all over the state.

 The launching ceremony was graced by among others Dr.Mona Sharmaa, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary, Women and Child Development Department,Orissam Udaya Shankar Roy   Managing Director and CEO, SBI Life, Anup Banaerji, Deputy Managing Direcetor SBI, M.N.Rao, Chief General manager  SBI, Bhubaneswar Circle.

 Grameen Shakti aims at providing insurance cover of Rs.25,000 to economically weaker sections of the society through an affordable premium of Rs.301 per annum, said Udaya Shankar Roy, MD and CEO, SBI Life.

 The product is a pure term insurance product with provision for 50 per cent return of premium on maturity, he said adding that the term of the policy shall be for five years .

 "It is an unique product and provides the family members protection and survival benefits to the policy holders of the SHG", he said.

 Talking to newsmen, Roy announcing SBI life's entry into micro insurance with launching of Grameen Shakti, in Orissa being the pilot state in the Country ,said on the death of the Group member, the nominee would receive the sum assured.

 He exuded that SBI's extensive net work would enable SBI life to offer protection to the segment that would benefit significantly from the policy.

Stating that the micro insurance products  will be marketed through SBI's baranch net wrok in the state of Orissa, Roy said that SBI life   took the initiative to launch the products in Orissa as it has one of the largest base of the economically weaker population particularly in the rural areas.

More importantly, SBI life would get 1.30 lakh SBI credit linked SHG's out of the total 3 lakh registered SHG;s in the state , he said informing that at one go, it would cover record 13 lakh Life .

"We have a target of covering at least 2 lakh live insurance of the SHG's within next one and half months.", he said.

 Responding to a suggestion of Orissa Finance Minister to increase the sum assured upto Rs.50,000 ,  the SBI life MD , Roy  assured that it would be well taken care of   considering the insurance penetration trend .

Stating that the first life insurer  in the country to receive the highest financial strength rating of AAA from CRISIL for the superior financial security, Roy said, SBI life is the

Largest private life insurer in the country with 89.9 lakh lives insured during 2006-07 Financial year.

 Highlighting the key milestones during last fiscal, he said while new Business premium grew by 210 per cent  to Rs.2,566 crores  and ranked 3 amongst the private insurer in terms of new business premium income,  the net profit of SBI life Insurance had risen by  88 per cent.       

Odisha.in

He demanded that the South Korean steel producer should not be allowed to establish a mega steel plant,captive port and enjoy SEZ facilities near the proposed site.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Ray warned both the Manmohan Singh Government at the Centre and Naveen Patnaik  government in Orissa  not to allow  establishment of the steel project of the South Korean steel giant near Paradeep.

 "Allowing POSCO to establish a steel plant with SEZ status would amount to allowing the coming up of a foreign territory within the country," the former Lok Sabha Speaker remarked.

Ray extend his support to the POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti move against government's efforts to acquire land in the gram panchayats of Dhinkia, Nuagaon and Gadakujang in Erasama Block of Jagatsinghpur district for the steel project.

Ray  also condemned the attack on peaceful demonstrators at Balitutha on November 27 by hired anti-socials who had hurled bombs in presence of police. This was a clear instance of State sponsored terrorism to create panic among the villagers and facilitate land acquisition for POSCO.

" The police and POSCO goons have joined hands to deprive the farmers and agricultural labourers of their only source of livelihood – agriculture," the former Lok Sabha Speaker alleged.

He also condemned the alleged attack on group of Satyagrahis led by prominent writer Sailej Rabi and disrespect to Mahatma Gandhi's photograph by the POSCO goons at the instigation of police in the project area a few days ago.

Ray demanded that the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik should apologise for the insult meted out to Gandhiji by the police personnel posted there.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker said , "I hope and trust that the Government would see the writing on the wall and fulfill all the demands of the people, which are genuine."

Prafulla Samantara, president of the Orissa unit of Lok Shakti Abhijan  who was also present at the media conference along with Ray, demanded that there should be end to the State sponsored terrorism and police should be withdrawn from the area, who were creating panic among the common men.

He alleged that the villagers in the area were harassed by the police in the pretext of blocking roads for entry of Maoists in the area, as a result they are unable to go out for marketing and treatment.

Samantara alleged that the Orissa Government is following the Nandigram pattern of suppressing people and terrorizing them with help of hired hoodlums who are no way concerned with the area.

Odisha.in

This was announced by B.B.Choudhury, chief of IOC, Eastern Zone at the
Banker's Committee meeting on rising of energy plantation and Bio-Diesel production being organised jointly by OREDA and Science and Technology Department, Orissa.

Choudhury said that IOC had plans to support all necessary infrastructures for sustainable and qualitative production of Bio-Diesel.

He said that IOC would set up the proposed Bio-fuel processing unit in a centrally located area and urged the state government to help supply high yielding non-edible Jatropha or Karanja seeds of at least 2 lakh Metric tones annually to make the unit viable.

IOC has decided to blend Petrol and Diesel with ethanol content in rational level ,he said .presiding over the meeting Orissa Chief Secretary, Ajit Tripathy announced that a Bio-Diesel Park would be set up at Deras , in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

Assuring that steps would be taken to provide required 2 lakh tones of Jatropha , Karanja  and Pangal seeds to proposed IOC unit, the Chief Secretary said that a task force would be constituted under the science and Technology department to initiate the process.

He informed that a team comprising of representatives of bankers, OREDA would visit the Chhatisgarh to gather experience on Bio diesel production.

The representatives from various banks like UBI, UCO Bank, SBI, Indian bank, Overseas Bank, Central Bank, Cooperative Banks, representatives from NABARD, who participated the meeting evinced their interest to provide loan assistance as per the guidelines of the Orissa Bio-Diesel Policy to the interested farmers to raise Jatropha , Karanaja plantation.

Odisha.in

The poacher allegedly had laid down traps inside the mangrove forest to kill the animals. We seized two traps from the arrested poachers, Ajaya Kumar Jena the divisional forest officer of the park told Odisha.in.

The arrested poachers were identified as Arjun Samal, Prafulla Das, Maheswar Pradhan, ajaya Samal of Okilapala village and Saisaba Sahoo of village Kahnupur within the park. 

After, killing a wild boar all the five taxidermists tried to flee after some forest guards noticed their presence in the forest.

 But, the forest guards arrested them after chasing in the forest for two hours, added the forest officer.

Odisha.in

The NCP which also condemned the huge deployment of police force in the Dhinkia and Nuagaon area, the hot bed of anti-POSCO movement, in a clandestine manner, demanded immediate pull out of the police from the area and to lift the prohibited order promulgated under section 144 there.

Addressing a press conference, the senior party leaders- Asok Das and Arun Dey alleged that state government had let loose rein of terror in the area through the police and the pro-Posco supporters.

Alleging that the state government particularly the Chief Minister Naveen
Patnaik has been acting as the paid agents of POSCO, lamented that the state was bending itself for the benefit of the private South Korean steel company, they said.

Das warned that "if the state government would try to effect forceful eviction of  Dhinkia and Nuagaon  people under the Kujanga Tahasil areas, there would be another Kalinga Nagar and Nandigram".

Das who did not spare the Congress party and the UPA government at the Cenetre for the present problems in the Kujanga area, alleged that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Orissa Chief Minister had nexus to ensure the establishment of the POSCO steel mill by uprooting the people from their homes and agricultural land.

And both the UPA government and the state government is violating the R&R Policy and Water policy in case of the private company. In the same vein, the NCP leaders criticized the NDA and BJP  particularly L.K.Advani for pursuing double standard in case of POSCO .

"While Advani is raising his voice against the Left Government on Nandigram issue, he is totally silent on the "state sponsored violence" on the anti-Posco people, he said.

Odisha.in

"Disruptions of the proceedings in the assembly on the plea of people's cause is not the way to protest", the Governor lamented in an apparent remark pointing towards the chaos created by opposition and ruling party members in the state legislative assembly.

"It is the wastage of tax payers’ money", he pointed out adding that democracy means debate, debate and debate”. He said that in parliamentary democracy, members had the right to protest.

"But it is not desirable on the part of the members to disrupt the proceedings and force frequent adjournment of the house in the name of protest", the governor said talking to mediapersons here..

Highlighting the great tradition of democracy and parliamentary democracy, the Governor said," the members may stage walk out in protest and could back to the house in three minutes through another door.

The governor appealed the legislators not to indulge in disruption of the proceedings of the house, and said, the members should create high tradition and values of parliamentary democracy".

The opposition members led by Congresswere creating unruly situations since the beginning of the session, demanding immediate discussion and voting on the recent caning of farmers and teachers in the state and their problems.

As the ruling party did not agree to it, the opposition members created recurring pandemonium on the issue. As a result of it the house could not transact any business excepting the presentation of the first supplementary budget and the appropriation bill relating budget for the fiscal -2007-08.

Finding it difficult to run the house, for which crores of tax payers’ money went down the drain, the speaker Maheswar Mohanty adjourned the house sine die after nine sittings following a motion brought by the ruling party to relax the rules to ensure the premature adjournment.

However, the opposition describing the decision of the government to end the session ahead of eighteen sittings, as 'undemocratic and against parliamentary norms" met the governor and demanded for re summoning of the house and calling for papers.

While the governor was studying the issue, the state cabinet approved the Proposal on November 30t last and recommended the governor to prorogue the house.

The governor who had already summoned the officials in charge of the legislative affairs of the assembly for clarification also summoned the Chief Minister to clarify the Situation that led to the adjournment of the house prematurely.

The governor, who was to still approve the Cabinet recommendation to prorogue the house, however, declined to spell out any thing on the prorogue issue.

Odisha.in

SDPO Sudarshan Barik who was admitted in the district headquarters hospital has been discharged on Wednesday. Other two police personnel including ASI Ghanashyam Mallick were undergoing treatment at Jaleswar hospital.

"The situation is under control. The condition of the cops is normal and out of danger," said Balasore SP Yashwant Kumar Jethwa.

Police sources said, sensing trouble one platoon police force was deployed at the block office as the block officials were to distribute paddy and ground-nut seeds on Tuesday.

"Tension prevailed when the block officials failed to meet the demands of the farmers who were gathered from several GPs of the block," said Parshuram Sahu, officer-in-charge of Bhogarai police station.

Later the government officials, people's representatives and police officials decided to distribute the seeds as per the stock and ensured the farmers to get at least one type of seed – either paddy or ground-nut.

"But demanding both the seeds the farmers started assaulting police and government officials. When they were chased the aggravated farmers pelted stone. The farmers also have looted 150 bags of seeds," he said.

On Wednesday, ADM Sribatsa Jena and additional SP P K Das rushed to the spot and discussed the matter with the farmers. "I suggested them to share the available seeds. The farmers then were provided seeds and the process was smooth," Jena said.

On the other hand, alleging irregularities in the distribution of paddy and groundnut seeds, block Congress president Dibyendu Panigrahi and local leader Harendra Das have alleged that the farmers were
aggrieved after the police restored to lathi-charge.

The SP however denied the allegation and clarified that there was no lathi-charge. "Rather the farmers were chased after they assaulted police and government officials," Jethwa added.

Odisha.in

 
The VVJM, the forum leading the tribals’ agitation against displacement due to industry in the area since January 2, 2006 after 14 tribal persons including three women and a 12-year-old boy were gunned down by the police while they opposed land acquisition for Tata’s proposed steel plant in Kalinga Nager.

Even though the villagers of Maniapatana had taken the help of local police to construct the boundary wall of the hospital but they had to receive the jolt when the VVJ supporters including local Chandia and Belhuri villagers destroyed the entire newly constructed boundary wall.

On Wednesday some villagers of Belhuri had attacked three labourers who were busy in constructing the boundary wall of the hospital, which will be set up at a cost of Rs 10 crore.

Following information Collector Sanjay Singh and SP DS Kuttey reached at the spot and brought the situation under control.

"As the situation is tensed we have deployed eight platoons of police forces to avoid any untoward incident. We are closely monitoring the situation," said the Jajpur SP.

There was an altercation between the villagers of Maniapatana and Belhuri over the construction work of boundary wall since long.

Police sources said that a private agency was awarded the construction work of the proposed hospital by the Tata steel in the industrial area.

 But the agency handed over the boundary wall construction work of the proposed hospital to the local Maniapatana people supposed to be the pro Tata people anticipating trouble by the activists of the Vistapan Virodhi Janmanch.

"The violent people were planning to attack the Maniapatana villagers, but it was averted," the SP added.

While after the incident the irate tribal people gathered at Belhuri village for a meeting, police have registered a case against them.

The Janamanch president Chakradhar Haiburu (senior) said that the opposition against the Tata Steel project would continue in Kalinga Nagar.

"The Government should prevent any construction activities of the proposed project till the crisis was fully resolved," he added.

Odisha.in

Dr.S.S. Ali, advisor of the Association told Odisha.in  that they have become victims of step-motherly attitude of the Government and would be compelled to resort to agitate if the government will not fulfill their legitimate demands.

The demonstrators submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister. The memorandum alleged discrimination on the part of the State Government.

According to the 2004 grants-in-aid order, 1,294 High Schools, 685 Upper Primary Schools and 140 UP Schools have been given aid and the Government has announced to provide aid to 106 Girls' High Schools. However the Madrasas have been ignored.

SF Momim , President of the Association said that the Madrasa teachers want equal  treatment with  other  aided institutions .

Odisha.in

Kalia alias Debabrata Maharana32 allegedly killed Sailendra Swain 50, Gayadhara Majhi 65, and Jagada Mallick 52  at Alati village under Ramachandra pur police station with a  knife.

He had also injured Banamali Khatua and Dinakrushna Das. Police had arrested Kalia. After the pronouncement of judgment he was sent to Keonjhar Jail with tight security.
 
Odisha.in

The state government banned all types of fishing within the 20 km off the sea shore from 35 km long Agaranashi to Gahiramatha to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles from 1st, November to 31st, May, A.K. Jena the divisional forest officer of Bhitarkanika national park said.

The forest officials arrested them Wednesday night under the sections-29 and 7 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

The arrested persons were produced before the local court on Thursday. The court rejected their bail applications and remanded them into jail custody.

"All the arrested fishermen from Bhadrak district were illegally fishing in the marine sanctuary for which we arrested them. 

Large numbers of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles have arrived to mate on the seawater. But, all the arrested fishermen were illegally entered the prohibited areas. We auctioned all the seized fish from the five trawlers", added the forest officer.

Last year , a fisherman, Vikash Biswas of Kharinashi village in Kendrapada district was shot dead by the forest guards on the sea while he along with other fishermen were fishing at the Gahiramatha  marine sanctuary.

Anatha Das ,  the Secretary of Kendrapada District Fishermen's Association alleged that the forest officials have been harassing the  fishermen as the hapless fisher folk  failed to grease the palms of the forest officials.

He also stated the forest guards  and police have illegally demanded ten thousand rupees as bribe from  each trawler   owner to release their vessels  but the fishermen refused to pay the amount for which the forest officials have illegally seized their trawlers   when they were fishing beyond 20 km from the marine national park.

The fate of about 30,000 traditional fishermen is now at stake in Kendrapada and Jagatsingpur districts after the government imposed fishing ban on the fisher folk from 1st November to 31st May to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.

The government banned all the fishing activities in the sea coast within twenty km to protect the turtles in Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur districts. But the fishermen alleged that the forest officials are not   allowing them to catch even beyond the twenty km off the coast. 

Odisha.in

Tribal leaders led by Pradhan Debdan, Narayana Hembram Damadara Sinku and their supporters staged protest in various places of the toen.

BJP had also supported the Bandh. Almost all office, market, school were closed and transportation of iron ore both in road and rail were stopped. Work affected in industry and mining and other govt. offices due to this Bandh.

The protesters blocked the main road with burnt tyres and stones at different places. Market and many mines and industrial houses were found closed due to this protest. Police forces were deployed in different place to maintain law and order.

Odisha.in

 About five thousand people participated in the inaugural rally. The rally started from Tahasil Chhak and marched to Barbil market ground where the organisor organized a meeting.

 The rally was led by labor leader AICTU General secretary Manmohan Nayak.

A conference as well as a seminar on "Is the development possible with utilizing mineral sources" will also be held.

Many national leaders are going to attend the conference and will discuss on different labour and mining related issues sources added.

Odisha.in

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of three Bar Associations sources said that the Chief Minister had assured that a Family Court and Joint Commissioners Court of the Land Consolidation would be established in Jajpur after making necessary budgetary provisions next year.

An 11-member delegation, led by local legislator met the Chief Minister on Tuesday.

The Jajpur Bar Association, District Lawyer Association and District Criminal Bar Association had resorted to cease work since October 30 demanding fulfillment of a four-point charter of demands, which included the opening of a district court, family court, Land Consolidation Commissioner Court and Labour Court in the Jajpur district headquarters.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the three Lawyer Associations in the district headquarters had continued its agitation and had staged dharna before the Jajpur Court for a month.

Odisha.in

The residents who belong to Belhuri village are considered as supporters of the Vistapan Virodhi Jan Manch (VVJM).

They allegedly beat up the labourers who were working for the Tata Steel's proposed Rs 10 crore hospital project near transit rehabilitation colony at village Maniapatana in Kalinga Nager, the steel hub of India in Orissa's Jajpur district on Wednesday afternoon.

VVJM is leading the tribals' agitation against displacement due to industry in the area since January 2, 2006 after 14 tribal persons including three women and a 12-year-old boy were gunned down by the police while they opposed land acquisition for Tata's proposed steel plant in Kalinga Nager.

Police sources said that a private agency was awarded the construction work of the proposed hospital by the Tata steel in the industrial area.

 But the agency handed over the boundary wall construction work of the proposed hospital to the local Maniapatana people supposed to be the pro Tata people anticipating trouble by the activists of the Vistapan Virodhi Janmanch.

However, about twelve tribal people of Belhuri village armed with lethal weapons reached the construction site and attacked the labourers at work who refused to stop the construction work and leave the site. All the injured persons were rushed to Danagadi government hospital.

The Kalinga Nager police station inspector-in-charge, K.C.Mund confirmed the incident and attributed the incident as feud between two villagers.

"The tension erupted who would do the contract and get financial benefits out of the construction work as it is being sub leased.  While the construction work is wholly dominated by the Maniapatana villagers, it is being objected by their counterpart Belhuri villagers," said Mr. Mund

However, no FIR was registered to this regard even a day after the incident, he added. The incident, third of this kind this year has apparently added to the tension in the area.
 
Earlier the agitating tribals of the Janmanch had mercilessly beaten up five officials of Tata Steel on 16 January this year.

 Six persons including driver of the vehicle in which the officials were traveling, sustained injuries in the incident while they were conducting contour survey in the controversial land without knowledge of the government.

It may be noted the agitating tribal women mercilessly beaten up nine labours, engaged by the Tata Steel that has been planning to set up a rehabilitation colony at Maniapatana village in the industrial complex area on April 26 this year.

The Janamanch president Chakradhar Haiburu said the opposition against the Tata Steel project would continue in Kalinga Nagar. The Government should prevent any construction activities of the proposed project till the crisis was fully resolved.

Odisha.in

The State is all set to witness first of its maiden foreign Tourist charter of such magnitude and importance , told Mr Debiprasad Mishra ,Minister Tourism & Excise .

Addressing the press here at Bhubaneswar Mr Mishra informed that the charter with 74 tourists and 15 crew members in the Boeing 757 that has been specially outfitted to seat just 74 travellers instead of usual 233 .

In Orissa the sightseeing includes visit to the ancient temples of Bhubaneswar, famous rock edicts of Ashoka at Dhauli , artistic Pipili appliqué village and famous world heritage site of the SUN Temple at Konark .

The group shall also witness an exclusive Dance Balle performed by the talented troupe of Orissa at the amphitheatre during sunset in Konark. Optional visit includes 64 Yogini Temple and Bell metal crafts at Hirapur village.

They will be accompanied by a team of distinguished exports who share insights and experiences of each upcoming destination prior to landing.

The success of this Charter will definitely give wider coverage of our State Internationally that will encourage other Charter Operators to promote Orissa with their programmes , Mr Mishra added .

They are the high end clients and spend almost One Lakh per day. So they demands high standards of professionalism from the Industry to maintain the level of customer satisfaction that the clients experience in their private Jet travels.

 Sri Asit kumar Tripathy, Secretary Tourism, Sri Rabi Nanda Director Tourism and Sri Benjamin Simon , MD Travel Link were present during the press meet.

Odisha.in

The latest clashes on Thursday when  the pro-POSCO activists allegedly hurled bombs on the anti-POSCO activists have left over 25 persons injured .

The attackers have destroyed the camps of the anti-POSCO activists at Balitutha and have destroyed almost all their belongings. Many of the injured persons have been shifted to Balitutha hospital for treatment.

According to available information a group of pro-PPOSCO activists who are allegedly patronized by Dr. Damodar Rout,M.L.A. representing Kujang constituency approached the anti-POSCOagitators to make a compromise and to lift the blockade for the common people.

The anti-POSCO activists reportedly agreed to the proposal saying that they would lift the road blockade for everybody except the police and POSCO employees.

While the talks were on, all on a sudden at least five bombs were hurled upon the anti-POSCO activists and their camp, injuring many and destroying their camp and belongings.

The intellectuals fail to understand the reason behind the State Government's silence  despite frequent incidents of violence and kidnapping of POSCO employees.

Instead of  maintaining law and order through the official machinery and give possession of land to POSCO, Dr. Damodar Rout, who was once opposing the POSCO tooth and nail has taken up the lead of the pro-POSCO elements.

This has lead many to believe that instead of using police to pave way for POSCO, the Government has virtually decided to use the pro-POSCO elements against the anti-POSCO
activists in Nandigram style.

The State Government which was highly demoralized after the Kalinga Nagar incident of January 02, 2006, when 12 tribals were brutally killed by police firing to give possession of land to the Tatas , seems to be shy of using the police force for POSCO. Rather it may prefer to creat a situation like Nandigram so that the pro and anti would fight among themselves paving way for the police to interfere .

Talking to Odisha.in POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti Chairman Abhaya Sahoo said, "I warn the government to  stop initiating this indirect war by using local anti social elements against us. Otherwise it will soon take the turn of another Kalinganagar and Nandigram like violence."

Villagers against the POSCO's mega steel plant say the Orissa Government has been instigating villagers through its local political leaders and touts for a month now urging them to speak out for the Rs 51,000 crore project.

Police have not entered the disputed site for over two years.Moreover it is evident from the activities of many BJD-BJP politicians as well as Government officials that while a group is keen for establishment of POSCO's plant, captive port and SEZ near Paradeep.

Anti-POSCO activists allege that the POSCO have paid heavy amounts to some politicians and their hench men to create divisions among the people . But the anti-POSCO activists seem to be determined not to leave an inch of land for the South Korean Steel project, at the cost of their " dhana ( paddy )  pana ( betel )  and mina ( fish) " on which they were
surviving for past several generations and their future generations would also survive on them.

Odisha.in

 
"Akshay Smruti Sandhya", the live in concert organised by "Smrutire Aama Akshay" (SAA), a local organization, as a tribute to legendary Oriya music director, singer and lyricist Akshay Mohanty, was a revelation of sorts.

During his life Mohanty, popularly known as Khoka bhai had composed more than a thousand songs and penned hundreds of evergreen Oriya numbers. On his memory the organization has been organizing such a huge programme since last five years.

The Sunday evening was a great experience for eminent lyricist Debadas Chhotray, retired bureaucrat and now vice-chancellor of Revenshaw University, who was here to receive the "Akshay Samman – 2007".

"Here in Balasore I am feeing proud to receive the award. I have never thought that the people of the coastal district love Khoka bhai so much. Really it is my pleasure to be a part of the programme here," Chhotray said.

He got emotional when he received the felicitation from his own student, now DIG (eastern range) Bishnu Prasad Mohapatra. The VC has in fact has penned a number of songs for Mohanty.

In the midst of pleasant smell of diyas and incense sticks when the playback singers like Geeta Patnaik, Bibhu Das, Amarendra Mohanty, Shailabhama and Susmita Das ambled on to the stage, an ecstatic crowd went into ruptures.

Before the chill wind of the winter evening could capture at least three thousand audiences present there the mesmeric spell of Amarendra Mohanty, Bibhu Das, Shilabhama, Chitrabhanu and Susmita mellowed them down.

There was Prasanta Muduli, who has the voice ditto Akshay Mohanty. He held the audience, who braved the chill winter, in thrall. Easy going and communicative, Chitrabhanu, son of Akshay was clearly the master of the show. He performed most of the famous and popular numbers of Akshay that rocks the music industry even today.

Then queen of modern Oriya album songs and playback singer Shailabhama took over the proceedings with her unique style of singing. On the other hand Susmita drew wild applause for popular song "Phur kina udigala bani" and thereafter there was no stopping her.

12 audio CDs having 480 songs of Akshay Mohanty also were released on this occasion..

However, with the responses from the audiences, the organizers have decided to continue the event in the years to come. "Akshay had first started orchestra in Oriya and from Balasore itself he started his orchestra career. So he was a true lover of Balesore," said president of the organization Dr Santanu Das.

"In 2002 when we first organized the event just for his remembrance, never had thought that it will be continued. Now the feedbacks from the audiences have compelled us to continue," said Chief patrons of SAA Atmaram Mohapatra and Prasanta Das.

Odisha.in