Reservation for Christians cause of violence, says VKA

Bhubaneswar(visakeo)The Vanavasi Kalyaan Ashram,Odisha (VKA) has alleged that providing of reservation for Christians was the reason for the violence in Kandhamal and its peripheral areas. In a press release VKA State general secretary Dr.Laxmikanta Das on Friday said according to the Ranganath Mishra Commission report, the Center had announced reservation benefit to Christians like SC and ST for which the feud between original tribal people and Christians in the district broke out. Das also alleged that local Congress MP and retired bureaucrat Radhakant Nayak was the man behind the communal tension and in his knowledge and patronage the members of Christian community had attacked Swami Laxmananda Saraswati.He demanded strong action against Nayak for his involvement in the attack.

RSS Chief, K.S. Sudarsan arriving Orissa

Bhubaneswar (Visakeo): RSS All India Chief, Kupahalli Sitarmaya Sudarsanji is coming in a five day visit to Orissa from next January 21,said media cell of RSS. In a press release it was conveyed that K.S . Sudarsan will reach Orissa on 21st January and will stay ill 25th. He will attend the State level Sangha meeting, going to be held in Angul from 21 st January. He is supposed to visit Jodanda on 22nd January, for seeking the blessings of the Mahima Sadhus after that he will attend various programmes in Bhubaneswar. Various issues on national and state will be discussed in a meeting in Bhubaneswar.

National Medicos' to conducts National Seminar

Bhubaneswar (VIsakeo): A preparatory meeting of the National Medicos Organization (NMO) was held at the residence of Sri Samir Dey, Minister for Higher Education to discuss about the Nation Conference of the NMO which is scheduled to be held at Cuttack on 9th and 10th February 2008. Sri Dey is the Chief Patron of the organizing Committee. Sri Biswabhusan Harichandan, Sri Ajit Mahaptra, Sri Saroj Bihari Kar , Sri Panchanan Raut, Sri Simanchal Khatua, Dr Radheshyam Bhowsinka, Dr Nagen Kumar Debata, Dr Sanjeet Kumar Panda, Dr Biswarnajna Mishra and Dr Damodar Kejriwal attended the meeting. NMO is an organization of Medical and Dental Doctors and students with an aim to render service to the Nation on medical matters with a motto "Swastha Seva, Desa Seva". It was decided to hold the conference at Saheed Bhawan, Cuttack. "Doctors from all over the country are expected to attend in large numbers- about 1500 delegates are expected"said the organizers. Different committees were formed for smooth organization of the conference. Dr Sanatan Tripathy was nominated as the organizing Chairman ,Dr R Bhowsinka as organizing Secretary , Dr N K Debata and Dr B R Mishra as joint organizing secretary and Dr D Kejirwal as treasurer. A conference secretariat has been established at Udayabhanu Clinic & Nursing Home, Gopaljee lane, Chaiudhury Bazar, Cuttack. "The conference will have scientific presentations, discussions on recent medical problems, debates on the problems faced by the professionals, poster and essay competition and quiz on medical and dental sciences and deliberation on the role of doctors in Nation building", the organizers said .

40 innocent Hindus die in blazed houses in Kandhamal

Bhubaneswar (Visakeo): The communal violence took forty innocent lives in Brahmani village, on Wednesday. The unmoving action of the ranked police official caused the bloodshed in Brahmani village. During the visit of the Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik, the curfew was violated for a few moments. The relaxation in the curfew due to the visit on Chief Minister provided a chance to the Christian community. After the visit of Naveen Pattnaik, utilizing the chance, the Christian community hooked the doors of the Hindu houses from outside and blazed it. As per information, 12 people died in the burning houses. To disclose the violent situation of Kandhmal from the outer world, the cell phones of the police personals were seized. According to the sources, Mohana tahasildar , Bedabara Pradhan, who was provided with the magistrate power, withdrew the curfew from the locality, viewing the Chief Minister's Brahmani village visit. The message was also forwarded to the Nalkonda church. The church was well known for its support to the naxals working in Gajpati district. The naxal supporters demarcated the houses of the Hindus and put fire on them, locking the doors from out side. The incident occurred around at 12.30pm. But Police showed its ignorance on this matter. The cell phones of the police personals were seized so that no communication could be made with the outer world. Information says that as per the relaxation of curfew, the CRP platoons which were deployed in the area were shifted to Phulbani. The less number of police in the locality failed to restrict the violence caused by a massive number of rioters. The instant attacks on the Hindu community are suspected as the direct hand of the naxals. The role of Mohana Tahasildar, Bedabara Pradhan came under suspicion.

HJS blames Congress for Kandhamal violence - swami blames Congress for Orissa violence

Bhubaneswar: Hindu Jagaran Samukhya, a frontal organisation of the RSS on Wednesday blamed Congress Rajya Sabha member and World Vision chief Radhakanta Nayak for the violence and demanded immediate action against Nayak. Addressing a Press conference HJS joint organizing secretary Basudev Barik, HJS Sampark pramukha SP Acharya, HJS State spokesman Simanchal Khatua and HJS joint secretary Ajit Patnaik jointly condemned the attack on Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and threatened for a mass agitation over the issue. "World Vision NGO and it chief Radhakanta Nayak, who is also a Rajya Sabha member of the Congress was the main conspirator in the issue and attack on Swami Laxmananda Saraswati was a pre-planned effort by Nayak and his men," they said. State Government should impose ban on NGO, working for religious conversion, the Samukhya demanded. Asked about legal action against MP Nayak, they said that Samukhya exploring options to take legal action against those are conspiracing against the Hindus in Phulabani district. Swami Lamananda Saraswati also accused the Congress MP Nayak for the violence and attack on him. Noted Hindu religious leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, who was injured in an attack in Kandhmal district, which led to large scale violence and arson in the district has alleged that Congress MP Radhakanta Nayak was behind the attack on him. Eighty-year-old Saraswati, who led an anti-conversion movement, was shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital at Cuttack from Darinigibadi Government hospital, told reporters that a group of villagers launched an attack on him at the instruction of the Congress leader. "They attacked to eliminate me," he said adding this was for the seventh time that they failed to kill him. Saraswati, who is a member of the VHP's 'margadarshak mandali', was attacked by a group of villagers while he was on the way to Brahmanigaom yesterday. His driver and personal security guard were seriously injured in the incident and his car badly damaged. While Saraswati was admitted at Darinigibadi government hospital, his security guard was rushed to M K C G Medical College Hospital at Berhampur. Sources said the district administration of Kandhamal preferred to shift Saraswati to Cuttack hospital apprehending more danger in the locality due to presence of the VHP leader in Daringibadi area. VHP sources informed The Pioneer here that Swami's health condition is improving.

Police pickets posted in Sundargarh

Bhubaneswar: Police pickets were posted and patrolling intensified in Chikita village and nearby areas in Sundergarh district on Wednesday in the wake of a VHP-sponsored're-conversion' programme, police sources said. Altogether 187 tribals from 42 families from eight villages under Nuagaon block were 'reconverted' into the Hindu fold during Tuesday's mass re-conversion programme organised by the VHP's Sundergarh unit, VHP sources said. Adequate police force was deployed during the ceremony coinciding with the Christmas day as the area was mostly dominated by Christians, police sources said. The situation was peaceful now. The security measures were taken in view of the situation in Kandhamal district where one person was killed as churches were attacked and police vehicles torched during widespread violence following the attack on an anti-conversion leader. The VHP programme was attended by its Orissa unit Secretary Pradymna Mishra.

Viswa Hindu Parisad calls 'Orissa bandh' on 25th December

Bhubaneswar (Visakeo): Opposing on the attack on Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, Viswa Hindu Parisad called a statewide bandh on 25th December. The bandh will survive from 8am to 12am. The anti Hindu feeling in the Kandhamal district was strongly reacted by Vanabasi Kalyan Ashram, Hindu Jagaran Samukhya and other organization of the state. Viswa Hindu Parisad urged a huge participation from the people to make the bandh successful. Briefing the press, the General Secretary of Viswa Hindu Parisad, Sri Gouri Prasad Ratha said that in Kashingbadi about 500 people of Christian community suddenly attacked the vehicle in which Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was traveling with. Also Laxmanananda Saraswati got severely affected due to the attack. Not only the people of the Christian community showed aggression on the vehicle by throwing metals and stones but also attacked the Swamiji with sharp weapons. "It is a very shameful incident", he added. Ratha narrated the incident as a preplanned conspiracy. He also charged the Christian community by saying the incident as a communal violence. He also said that the Christian community is trying to suppress the Hindus and in a plan to spread the Christianity in the locality and the arrival of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati made hurdles in their planning. Sri Ratha also blamed the silent role of the State Government regarding the illegal transfer of the religion. He demanded a strong consideration from the administration regarding this issue.

Four-hour bandh runs successfully

Bhubaneswar (Visakeo): "Protesting on the attack on Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati,in Kandhamal, the four hour bandh called by VHP(Orissa) was successful," claimed the state general secretary of VHP, Sri Gouri Prasad Rath. The twin city got severely affected due to the bandh. According to the information some of the passenger and express trains were canceled and some were delayed due to the demonstration of the supporter. The railway traffic got effected in Khurdha and Puri junction as the supporter protested in the mid of the railway track. Both the passenger and express trains halted in the stations for a long time. The bandh, continued for four hours, halted the city life of the capital. The bandh was implemented by the supporters in the Khandagiri chowk, SaptaSati Mandir, Rasulgarh, Buddheswari chowk, Palasuni, Samantarapur, Railway station, Master canteen square and Vanibihar. The vehicular traffic system came into the affect of the strike. Police nabbed some of the supporters imposing strike in the Ram Mandir square Master Canteen square and Vanivihar. In different major locations of the capital, Gopal Prasad Mohapatra, Saroj Kumar Kara, Simanchala Khatua, Ravinarayan Panda, Kamalesh Das, Rabi Pattnaik, Umakanta Acharya, Sarada Prasad Acharya, Raghunath Pati, Rati Kanta Das, Sangeeta Das, Srimantini Jena led the bandh. Different locations of the state were also affected by the bandh. The bandh supporter in Kendrapara managed to close the market in Duhuria Square, Tinimuhani, Barua, Phatamundai, Marshaghai, Shyamsundar, Pura, Ali, Rajnagar, Chaudakulata, Rajkanika, Baspur, Garadapur, Patakura, Silipur, Karilopatna, Chata and Oladi. The halt affected people of these localities in the vehicular activity. The VHP activists of Kendrapara managed to make the bandh peaceful. In Komna and Khariar the bandh supporters blocked the 217no. National highway. The railway communication in Jaleswar to Chandaneswar got the flow of the four-hour strike. In Raygada the bandh was successfully lodged by the VHP supporters. In Karanjia the flow of the bandh was in the apex as the vehicular activity got affected. Similarly in Jashipur, Devgarh and Raygada the bandh was in flow.   

Normal life disrupts due to VHP bandh

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)Normal life on Tuesday disrupted in the State due a four-hour long bandh called by the VHP in protest against the attack on Swami Laxmananda Saraswati at Brahmanigaon village in Daringbadi block of Phulbani district by Christian people. Workers of RSS, BJP, VHP, Bajarang Dal, ABVP, BMS, Hindu Jagaran Samukhya and other pro-Hindu organisations stopped vehicular movements in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Phulbani, Sundargarh, Bhadrak, Balasore and other places and sought action against those, attacked Swami Laxmananda Saraswati. Thousands of activists were arrested at several places. Bandh supporters blocked vehicular movements at Vani Vihar Sqaure, Rasulgarh Square, Master Canteen, Raj Mahal, Samantrapur Square and several other places of the city. "If the State Government failed to take action against the accused, we would further intensify the agitation," VHP State general secretary Gouri Prasad Rath said. However, tension continued to prevail for the second consecutive day in Phulbani due to the four-hour shutdown, shops closed and 600 police personnel trawling the roads after several clashes between Christians and Hindus the day before. People of one community have reportedly burnt four shops in the tension site of Phulbani. The trouble escalated after a group of people attacked the vehicle of local Hindu leader Swami Laxamananda Saraswati near neighbouring Daringbadi village when he was on his way to the trouble spot to perform a 'yagna'. While his vehicle was partially damaged, Saraswati and one of those accompanying him were injured; district SP Narasinha Bhol said . VHP sources here said that for better treatment Swami Laxmananda Saraswati was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital. According to reports from the area, shops were closed and vehicular movement affected in places where the clashes had taken place as the VHP shutdown came into effect. Although the situation has remained tense it is under control, Bhol said.

Malyabanta district celebrates National Consumer Day

Malyabanta- (visakeo)The National Consumer day was celebrated on 24th Dec. in the Jain Bhaban with the coordination of Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchyat here in the Malyabanta district headquarter. The Sub collector was the chief guest, where as Durgaprasad Tripathi was the chief guest and Harmani and Right Forus acted as the coordinator for the function. An essay competition on 'Consumer Awareness' was organized among 186 participants. The successful compotators were awarded with memos. Sitaram Samanta Ray and Ramkrushna Chaudhry presided the meeting. In this ceremony a directory, containing all the phone numbers of the office was inaugurated.

Yoga and natural care camp held

Bhubaneswar: (Visakeo) A Yoga and natural care camp was inaugurated in Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti, Mancheswar in the collaboration of Baburao Paldhikar Natural care and Research Center. Prakashchand Botala presided the camp. Chief speaker Guru Charan Jena and chief guest, Er. Rabindra Prasad Mohanty conveyed the guidelines to the students. Gen eral Secretary of the organization Abhay Kumar Pati conducted the inaugural ceremony. The camp is to continue from 25th Dec to 31st Dec.. More than 50 students participated in the camp. To teach the students about the guidelines for the natural care, various medical professionals from all around India are invited to the camp. The professionals will teach the Panchbhot and diet treatment. Laxman Naik and Dr. Bikas Chandra Swain will conduct the camp.

BJP workers in Orissa celebrate Gujarat victory

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)-Ecstatic at the party's impressive victory in Gujarat, BJP workers gathered in a large number at party's headquarters on Janpath Road here on Sunday and celebrated by bursting crackers and beating drums. Buoyed over the victory, the party workers including women workers raised slogans in support of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendera Modi and the party. It was a festive look at the party headquarters as workers and leaders were seen congratulating each other. Speaking to media, BJP leaders described party's victory in Gujarat as a new turning point in Indian politics. The people of Gujarat have accepted the development plank of Narendra Modi and have expressed their confidence in Modi's development and peace works, they said. Reports of celebrations by BJP workers from Cuttack, Sambalpur, the home town of State BJP president Suresh Pujari and Deogarh, Lok Sabha constituency of party's national secretary Dharmendra Pradhan and other parts of the state were also received. Prasanna Mishra, Panchanan Rout, Sanchita Mohanty, Droupadi Murmu and Baidhar Mallick were among those leaders present.

Loka Dal protest over defamation of Lord Jagannath

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)-Strongly protesting the use of Hindu deity's image allegedly by an American website to market its products and the rath yatra being conducted by the ISKCON devotees in New Delhi, the Orissa Loka Dal on Sunday announced to hold a demonstration here on January 1, 2008 in protest against the two issues. The party sought the immidate intervention of the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Party's State president Dipti Ranjan Mohanty said that the Chief Minister Patnaik should directly talk to Delhi Chief Minister Shila Dixit over the ISKCON rath yatra and to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and External Affairs Minister Pranaba Mukharjee over the US website, which has defamed the great Jagannath culture. "We strongly opposed this and also ask the Centre to initiate appropriate action in this matter," Mohanty said. Mohanty alleged that the e-shopping website has hurt religious sentiments by using Lord Jagannath's image in the advertisement of undergarments. The mischief played by the website had severely hurt the sentiments of Hindus. The State would like to ensure that strong actions were taken against those indulging in practices that amount to incitement of religious tension, he said. The website has a range of apparel products using different images of Hindu gods like Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Laxmi, Hanuman [Images]. However, Mohanty backed the agitation being carried by the Temple sevayats against the ISKCON rath yatra. The sevayats of Puri Jagannath temple had taken to the streets demanding a ban on rathyatras being held at all times of the year across the country and elsewhere in the world by Iskcon devotees and the party has welcomed it, Mohanty added

Hostel facility for BJB Junior College soon

Bhubaneswar:(visakeo) BJB Junior College is all set to have its own hostel before the start of the next academic session. The OMC has extended Rs 95 lakh to expedite completion of the project. The ground floor is expected to be inaugurated by Chief Minister towards the month-end. The first floor would be named as OMC hall and two rooms reserved for candidates of OMC staff who secure admission in the college. Lack of fund had delayed completion of the hostel infrastructure ever since its foundation was laid by the Chief Minister in 2002.The OMC move comes after Chief Secretary Ajit Tripathy showed keen interest in completion of the project without any delay, said College principal R.N. Panda. Rajya Sabha Member BJ Panda has already donated Rs 20 lakh from his MP-LAD fund. Similarly, about Rs 50 lakh has also released from the PL account of BJB Junior and BJB Autonomous College.

Four thousand Bangladeshis cut off from the voter list

Bhubaneswar (Visakeo): the district administration has cut off the names of four thousand suspected Bangladeshi fro the voter list residing in the Mahakalpara,Kendrapara district. The District administration also decided to halt all the benefits that are enjoyed by the suspected Bangladeshis. The District Election Commission strictly ordered the administration to eliminate the names of the infiltrators from the voter list. The supposed infiltrators have settled themselves in the Ramnagar, Kharinashi, Batighara, Jambu, Suniti, Baulakani, Rangani, Talachua, Gupti, Dangamala and Iswar panchayats. The intellectuals of the district had already demanded not to register the names of the infiltrators in the voter list. Few teachers were suspected regarding the illegal entry of the names in the voter list. It may be noted that, the High Court had ordered that people settled before 1985 shall be registered in the voter list. Following the order, former Tahasildar, BDO and Police of Mahakalpara combinedly identified 19555 infiltrators. In between this the number of infiltrations has rapidly increased. Earlier, both the names and photographs of some infiltrators have taken but in the end, due to some reason the voter card were not distributed. Task was given to the teachers to identify the actual inhabitants and the infiltrators. It may be noted that the State Government had published a notice for the 155 infiltrators to evacuate India, among them only 124 people could manage to submit the proof for the Indian citizenship.

Pradeshik Vidya Mandir conducts workshop on Science

Bhubaneswar (Visakeo): A workshop on science was conducted by Siksha Vikas Samiti in the State office, from 15th Dec. to 21st Dec.. Science teachers, all around the states from the Sisumandir and Vidya Mandir attended the workshop. 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.

VHP welcomes court order over anti-Sikh riots

Bhubaneswar: VHP on Friday welcomed the Delhi High Court's ordered to renew probe into the alleged role of Congress Party leader Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the capital. More than 3,000 people, mostly those following the Sikh religion, were killed in riots in 1984 in retaliation for the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. Tytler was among those accused of inciting mobs against Sikhs after Gandhi's death. "We wholeheartedly welcome the move as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) closed a case against him in November saying it could find no evidence or witness to establish his role in the riots," VHP State general secretary Gouri Prasad Rath said. The court's order for a reinvestigation came after an Indian news channel traced a key witness Jasbir Singh to California. Singh told CNN-IBN news channel he was willing to testify against Tytler if his safety could be guaranteed. The Delhi court on has asked the CBI to record Singh's statement and file a report by January 16. Singh said during the interview to CNN-IBN that he saw Tytler encourage a mob to attack Sikhs during the riots in November 1984 and that he also led an attack on a gurudwara or Sikh temple in Delhi. Three Sikhs were burnt to death in the gurudwara.

Singh, who reportedly lost more than 20 members of his family in the 1984 riots, subsequently left India. He told the television channel that the CBI had not contacted him so far for any deposition. Tytler is a member of parliament and a prominent leader of the Congress Party, the leading partner in India's ruling coalition government. He does not currently hold any government post. A judicial commission set up in 2000 to investigate the riots had suggested Tytler's role should be investigated following which he resigned his last ministerial post. Human rights activists have accused the Congress Party of being lax about punishing those guilty for the riots in which several Congress Party workers and leaders were allegedly involved. So far there have been about six convictions relating to the riots after prolonged trials and several cases are still being investigated. Sikhs comprise about 2 per cent India's population of 1.2 billion

RSS mourns over the death of Krishna Ballav Acharya

Bhubaneswar(Visakeo): Krishna Ballav Acharya who was the former Sangha chalaka of R.S.S for the Northeast region and an active social worker took his last breath at the age of 93 on 18th Dec.(Tuesday). In 15th Aug. he was admitted in the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science as he complained severe headache. After a long treatment finally he passed away. On his death a condolence ceremony was held here. "He was a tough Sangha Chalaka" said the Mukhya Pranta Pracharak of Utkal Pranta. In his youth he was the active member of RSS and managed to open a Sangha Sakha in Gaya. Participating actively in the Non-Cooperation movement, he was imprisoned in Bhagalpur jail. Lamenting on the death, Editor of Viswa Sambad Kendra, Sumanta Panda said that Krishna Ballav Acharya was energetically worked after the independence of India. When RSS was charged for the death of Mahatma Gandhi, he got jail, protesting the against the charge. Like that, during the 1977 emergency, he got imprisonment, leading the RSS also he got the same treatment in 1992 when demonstrating in the support of the demolishing of Babri mosque. Presiding the condolence ceremony, editor of VISAKEO bulletin, Sri Jagdish Pattnak narrated the role of Krishna Ballav Acharya in the field of art, education and cultural development. "His effort in the progress of Nalanda College was incredible", he said. Among others, Abinash Acharya Jilla Prachrak of Sangha, Jilla Sangha Chalak Raghunath Pati attended the meeting.

BJP gets ready for next LS election

Bhubaneswar (Visakeo): Suddenly BJP charged with the flow of the next LS general election. According to the State media cell, BJP is likely to set the agendas for the coming general election in the platform of the BJP National Meet going to be held from Jan.21 to 26. In the meet, the assembly election results of Gujrat and Himachalpradesh will be in the limelight. The discussion regarding the preparation of the election is likely to be held in Delhi or some other location, one or two days after the meet. As per the information, it is the first party meet after the announcement of the name of Lal Krishna Advani as the Primeministership. In the meeting, BJP is likely to set agenda in the Congress ruled states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhatisgarh. The 33% reservation for the women candidature may be passed in the discussion.

RSS backs DGP Nanda's strategy to arrest criminal activities

Bhubaneswar: RSS on Wednesday wholeheartedly welcomed the strategies being adopted by the DGP Gopal Chandra Nanda to arrest criminal activities in the State. The RSS State Sanghachalak Ashok Das said that DGP Nanda's hard-hitting stance against criminals has sent strong words for the later and the Sangha strongly backing his policy to control the criminal activities in several parts of the State. The comments of the RSS on DGP Nanda were come after certain successful attempts of police to track down some disturbing elements. The police force is upbeat as the crime graph is falling because of Nanda's leadership factor, Das said in a statement. "RSS also backing DGP over his pro-active role in nabbing leftwing rebels in several Maoists infected districts and the recent police encounter in Kendrapara," Das said.

Akash' missiles test-fired again

BALASORE: (visakeo) After its three successful trials last week, Defence scientists today test-fired two indigenously developed surface-to-air nuclear capable Akash missiles from the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, 15 km from here.

Defence sources said the sleek multi-target medium range missiles with a strike range of 25 km and capable of carrying warheads of 50 kg each were test fired between 1.45 p.m. and 2 p.m from the launching complex-II of the ITR.

The two missiles targeted toe bodies suspended from an Italy-made pilot-less target aircraft (PTA), which was flown minutes before the launch of the missiles.

Sources said that the test can be termed as 'success' as far as missed distance calculation (MDC) is concerned.

30 pc pass HSC suppl exam

BHUBANESWAR: (visakeo)The results of supplementary High School Certificate Examination conducted by the Board of Secondary Education, Orissa, were declared today, with 30.47 percent passing the examination. Last year, the pass percentage was 31.03.

In all, 70,764 candidates had appeared, out of which 21,143 passed. Of them, 248 candidates secured first division and 3,247 second division. As many as 13,061 secured third division.

Of the total passed students, 12,110 were boys and 9,033 girls. The examination was held from September 19 to 28. Examination Controller A.S.Bhol said the results of 194 candidates were withheld. The board had caught 1,185 candidates indulging in malpractice.

How safe is Sambalpur jail?

SAMBALPUR: (visakeo)The recent Dantewada jailbreak in Chhattisgarh in which 105 Naxals fled has put the spotlight on safety of Sambalpur Circle Jail here. The jail houses 29 Maoists, 13 of whom have either surrendered or were arrested recently. A closer look at the jail reveals it could be a soft target if the Maoists plan to strike to get their colleagues freed. Built in 1852, the jail was planned to house 300 prisoners but today it is overcrowded with 702 inmates of which 267 are undergoing rigorous imprisonment. And for all these convicts and Maoists lodged here, there are only 29 cells, which allow them to plan a jailbreak or regroup with hardcore Maoist and explosive expert like James who is among them.

The jail is badly in need of a second line of defence like a wire mesh or a second wall to prevent inmates from scaling the high boundary wall which has become weak over the years. There is an urgent need to erect watchtowers to step up vigil and so also periphery lighting, CCTV and metal detectors. Ironically, the jail does not have even an electric back-up, a VHF and as small things as searchlights. Shortage of staff is another problem. Against sanctioned strength of 62 warders, it has just half that number - 31 warders and a few are always on leave.

Moreover, the old muskets are yet to be replaced with sophisticated weaponry and nor any orientation imparted to warders to face new challenges. Contacted, Jail Superintendent B B Dharua admitted that there was need to strengthen the security in the jail in the changed circumstances.  He informed that SP Sanjay Kumar had been apprised of the needed measures. However, Kumar said he had taken up the issue with the IG (Prisons) and the needful would be done.

Bullets removed, but dead Naxal remains unidentified

GUNUPUR: (visakeo)-Four bullets were removed from the body of the woman Maoist who was killed yesterday in a crossfire between police and the Naxals at Ladri forest under Gudari. The body of the Naxal was brought here today for autopsy.

Rayagada SP Asish Kumar Singh told mediapersons that Rs 10,000 cash was recovered from the pocket of the Naxal but her identity is yet to be established.

It is believed that she might be a part of the Chhattisgarh or Andhra Pradesh Maoist group, said Singh, adding, combing would continue in the area.

Police also seized two SLR magazines, one 12 bore gun, one hand grenade, 56 detonators, five gelatine sticks, seven kit bags, two radio sets, 30 CDs, Naxalism-related documents, landmine circuit checking meter and medicines from the spot.

Jumbo menace in Chilika

BHUBANESWAR: (visakeo)The peripheral villages of Chilika, one of the finest bird-watching sites in India, today saw a herd of elephants unleashing a reign of terror, killing one person and injuring four others. The jumbos - seven in number - which have strayed out of Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary near the Capital City, were holed up in the mudflats near Aredi village bordering the lagoon.
As some curious villagers went too close, the pack of pachyderms drove them away. A 60-year-old man, after sustaining grave injuries, died while four others sustained injuries.Two of them, including a child, have been shifted to SCB Medical, Cuttack while two more are admitted to Khurda Hospital and Capital Hospital.

Focus shifts to prison security in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR: (visakeo)-Sunday's daring jailbreak at Dantewada in Chhattisgarh has prompted the Orissa Prison Administration to take a fresh look at its security setup so that such incident can be thwarted in the State. Since jailbreaks are not new to the State - R Udaygiri has seen it twice - the Prison Administration has decided to set up a control room at the State headquarters to keep vigil.
Since most prisons in the State are understaffed and security measures fall short of the mark, the administration has decided to come up with a control room at the earliest.
"Since the five to six hours in the night are the critical period for the jails, the control room would be able to stay connected with district jails and pass information as and when necessary," said IG (Prisons) V Thiagarajan, when contacted on Monday.the total number of suspected Naxal cadre members in Orissa jails is close to 70 and they have been lodged strategically so as not to allow regrouping, sources said.The prison authorities are also planning to install jammers at select high security wards of the prisons instead of using the facility for the entire secured area.However, a spate of 'unusual' incidents just before Dantewada jailbreak is worrying the jail administration.
Sources said a group of inmates at Koraput jail launched an agitation over a spate of petty problems and things reached a flashpoint when they persuaded the rest to shut themselves out of the reach of the prison staff for two to three days. "It was a touch-and-go situation for the district jail administration since anything could have happened from that point. Something was brewing for sure," sources said.The State has 70 jails with about 14,400 inmates, convicts and undertrial prisoners though scheduled accommodation is meant for just about 10,000. But more than overcrowding, it is shortage of staff that is causing concern. At present, there are just 1,383 warders, 124 head warders and 300 officers with the State Prison Directorate and Correctional Services.The State Government has built 21 more prisons to ease the pressure on the existing ones but in the absence of staff, the jails cannot be made operational. A proposal to recruit 567 new staff is pending clearance.
The incident led to tension in the area and Khurda police had to send in a unit to keep watch on the situation.DFO, Khurda G Rajesh and DFO, Chilika Abhimanyu Behera were camping near the village in a bid to drive the pachyderms back towards Chandaka. Five squads have been constituted for this purpose. "We're trying to block the passages of the jumbos so that they go back to the route they took while coming this way. Elephants always follow the same path," Rajesh said.At least four herds numbering about 42 - all from Chandaka - have come out of the sanctuary and strayed. Two herds, comprising 25 elephants, are near Jaripat, a bordering area of Khurda and Nayagarh while another herd of eight is at Pitapalli.

Forces face Naxalites in forest

BERHAMPUR:(visakeo)- At least one woman Maoist is believed to have been killed in an encounter in the forest near Sukydabaju village in Gudari block of Rayagada district today. The exchange of fire that began around 11 a.m ., continued till 6 p.m.
Rayagada SP Asish Singh said forces of the Special Operation Group (SOG) and Armed Police Reserve (APR) were on a combing operation in the area when a group of Maoists were sighted. The Maoists, reportedly running a camp, engaged the forces triggering heavy exchange of fire that lasted for hours.The Maoists later escaped under the cover of darkness. Police seized five rifles, a huge quantity of live bullets, CDs, one walky-talky set and leaflets. Rayagada SP and Gunupur SDPO Jayanarayana rushed to the spot with additional forces.The body of the slain Maoist has not yet been traced. It is believed the radicals probably took away the body while escaping

Budhia's former coach accused of swindling

BHUBANESWAR:( visakeo)Child marathon wonder Budhia Singh's mother Sukanti Singh has filed an FIR at the Baragarh Police Station here yesterday accusing the boy's former coach Biranchi Das of swindling crores collected in his name.Sukanti has alleged that the trainer had failed to deposit the money collected as donation from the country and abroad in Budhia's bank account. They may amount to Rs 4 to 5 crore. Police have launched an investigation.

RSS demands stern action against US Website

Bhubaneswar: (Visakeo)-Strongly protesting the use of Hindu deity's image allegedly by an American website to market its products, the RSS on Tuesday turned the incident as most unfortunate and an international conspiracy against the Hindus and Lord Jagannath. The website has a range of apparel products using different images of Hindu gods like Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Laxmi, and Hanuman. "The State Government should take up the issue with the Centre and the matter should immediately be informed to the US Embassy," RSS State Sanghachalak Ashok Das said. On Monday, Law Minister BB Harichandan had said "We will certainly protest this and also ask the Centre to initiate appropriate action in this matter," The RSS reaction came two days after a group of the followers in Puri filed an FIR against the e-shopping website accusing it of hurting religious sentiments by using Lord Jagannath's image in the advertisement of undergarments. The "mischief" played by the website had severely hurt the sentiments of Hindus. The State Government should ensure that strong actions were taken against those indulging in practices that amount to incitement of religious tension, Das said. "The website had also tried to insult India as a nation by displaying Indian National Flag, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and other respected persons in the underwear," he added.

Nature cure workshop from Dec 21

Bhubaneswar:( visakeo)City based Nature Cure Institute will host a 10-day long workshop here at Surya Nagar area from December 21 to 30. Leading nature cure experts of the State will join the workshop, Institute director Guru Charan Jena said on Tuesday.

RSS seeks security for Sankarachrya

Bhubaneswar(VISAKEO)2/12: Considering the attacks by the Islamic terrorist groups in the near future, RSS demanded security both for the Gobardhan Pitha and Puri Sankaracharya. RSS pleaded the help of the State Government and strongly opposed the Islamic terrorist organization. Briefing the press, State Chairman of RSS, Er. Ashok Kumar Das said "an unknown terrorist organization, in a letter has urged the Sankarachrya to practice Islam. Failing which the organization has threatened to blast the Gobardhan Pitha". "The terrorists trying to make an unsorted gap between the Hindus", he said. He also said that the terrorist groups have now stared at the holy place like Puri. Das also suspected on future attack on Puri. Reviewing all the conditions he demanded Z-security for the Sankaracharya and appealed the State Government to take all the necessary steps for the security of the Gobardhan Pitha

No takers for ancient monument of Orissa - ASI's apathetic attitude continues

Bhubaneswar(VISAKEO): Several rare ancient monuments reminding Orissa's glorious past has been facing the wrath of the officials of Union Culture Ministry as well as the State Culture Department and Archeological Survey of India, the nodal agency working for the conservation and renovation of ancient historical monuments. The apathetic attitude of ASI and Union Culture Ministry was evident from the fact that despite several request made by the State Government did not convince the babus of the Central Government. On June 5, 2005, the State Government had written a letter urging the ASI to enlisted Ganjam fort, Nrisinghnath temple of Paikmal, Biranchinarayan temple of Buguda, Nilamadhab temple of Kantilo, Chaushathi jogini temple of Ranipurjharial and leaning temple of Huma on ASI monuments list. Besides, State office of the ASI here in Bhubaneswar has also dispatched three letters requesting the same to their New Delhi counterparts but nothing has happened so far. However, due to lack of funds, State chapter of the ASI failed to engage all efforts in the restoration and renovation of historical monuments. According Culture Department official sources, a sum of Rs Rs 25,000 is being spent for the 218 monuments in a year, which, means the expenditure per monument is Rs.1, 200. Incapability to restore the six monuments in such a less budget, the State Archeological Department urged the help of the Archeological Survey of India.

The Ganjam Fort is one among the most significant historical monument of Orissa, which still glances the art and architecture of the Britishers. This fort was built in 17th century for the business prospective but now the south side of the fort is getting affected by the flow of Rishikulya River. In a severe flood there is now doubt that the historical fort will loose its existence. ASI had suggested the State Irrigation Department to make a dam surrounding the temple. The estimate was around Rs.5 lakh. But the project remained in the file. The same condition happened in case of Nrisinghnath temple. The temple is witnessing the complex architecture of the 10th century, is struggling for the existence. Like that, the only wooden temple of Orissa including Biranchinarayan temple of Buguda is in the destructive condition. Also the conditions of the Nilamadhab temple of Kantilo and Chaushathi jogini temple of Ranipurjharial are facing the same fate due to the lack of financial support from ASI and Union Culture Ministry. On the other hand, the budget does not permit the State Archeological Department to rescue the monuments.

ABVP remembers the'150th year of 1857 Uprising

Bhubaneswar(VISAKEO): State unit of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has organised a motor cycle tally in the city to commemorate the 150th year of the 1857 Uprising. "At least more than 30 vehicles along with 62 members under the supervision of Kartik Chandra Pruty and Bhabanishankar Mohapatra participated in the rally.

Parishad's east zone organising secretary Bishnu Das said that also the rally began with the homage to Boxy Jagabandhu, the legendary freedom fighter and traversed through the city spreading the message of patriotism. The rally being named as the '150th anniversary of the 1857 freedom struggle' came to the end at the holy land of Veer Surendra Sai in western town of Sambalpur. In Puri, a torch from the home of Chandan Hajuri was carried to the Rangamancha, ABVP sources added

Hindustan Samachar turns 50

Bhubaneswar (Visakeo): Hindustan Samachar News Agency celebrated its Golden jubilee on December 17. The ceremonial meeting held in the IDCOL auditorium. The meeting started with rituals and later with a lucid opening song. Cooperation minister Surama Padhi was the Chief Guest of the function. Addressing the meeting Surama padhi urged the new generation journalists to work without any pressure to find out the facts. She emphasized on the professionalism of a dedicated journalist. She also praised the role of Hindustan Samachar in the field of journalism. She also highlighted the role of a dedicated journalist in nation building. Srikant Joshi, who was the chief speaker of the function, in his speech stressed the role of media in society building. He also mentioned that Hindustan Samachar will reach to the every society with the regional language. He also narrated the role of media should be a rural level effort. He then advised the media person to be fearless and act for national building and to highlight the issue of the downtrodden society. Bibhu Prasad Pattnaik Chairman Hindustan Samachar cooperative presided the meeting. Dr. Pramod Sahu was the Guest of Honor of the function in his speech narrated the role of media in the development of the nation. He also admired the presence of information technology in the fast grow of the information. "The active journalists are the key for the development of nation", said he. In the end Sanghamitra Pradhan presented the vote of thanks.

TIMES launches 'NGO- Management' course

Bhubaneswar (Visakeo): TIMES institute launched NGO- Management course from this academic year. In the opening ceremony of the condensed course more than 200 students were present from various institutes witnessed. Talking to our correspondent, Mr. Ranjan Pattnaik, Director TIMES said, 'NGO- Management' course will help the students preferring career in the NGO sector. The main objective of the course is to well versed the students in the field of management." He also informed to introduce some other professional courses like BBA, DBF, Tourism Management, BJMC, BCA, and MBA from the next year. Dr. Panda (State coordinator NRHM), Jogeswari Devi (Madhyam Foundation), Dr. DD.Naik, Devasis Naik, Pravat Mahanand (course coordinator), Pitabas Nanda (Nodal Coordinator Child Life) and Sameer Sahu advocated for the necessity and beneficial aspects of the 'NGO- Management' course. At the end Devasis Naik presented the vote of thanks.

Thousands will join Ram Setu Suraskhya Mahasamabesha

Bhubaneswar: (Visakeo)-More than 10,000 people from Orissa will join the Ram Setu Raskhya Mahasamabesha in New Delhi on December 30. VHP State general secretary Gouri Prasad Rath on Thursday said that more than 20 lakh people across the country would congregate and would demanded protection of Ram Setu. People of Orissa will leave for New Delhi on December 28 in different trains, Rath said. "Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should tender an apology to people and Ram Sethu should be declared a national monument," he demanded.

Festival to revitalize the dying art forms from Dec 6

Bhubaneswar: Following a MoU signed between the Regional College of Management and the Department of Culture, the city will host a two-day unique festival on the dying art and traditions of Orissa on December 6 and 7 at the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya auditorium. As per the department's directive, the Orissa Sangeet Nataka Akademi has identified several dying arts forms which will be promoted as per the MoU. The list includes the Chhau dance of Nilgiri, Dhumpa of Digapahandi, Ghuduki of Ganjam, Sabda Swar Pata of Sambalpur and Harikatha of Ganjam. As per the agreement, the Akademi would host the two-day festival of the dying arts traditions of Orissa on Thursday and Friday evenings showcasing Harikatha, Tumpa, Sabda Swar Pata and Ghuduki. In the next phases, the other styles would be presented,

Staff shortage hits working of Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar: the premier investigating wing of the State police is suffering from acute staff crunch. Due to nearly 45 per cent vacancies, the crime branch is unable to register more number of cases. We are very selective and are taking up only important and sensitive cases for investigations", said Crime Branch IG BK Sharma. The State crime branch took up 42 cases in 2005 and submitted 46 charge sheets in the same year after investigating pending cases. In the following year, while the crime branch registered 52 cases charge sheets in 2006 only 23 cases were submitted. This year till September, 38 cases have been registered while investigations into 51 cases have been completed and charge sheets submitted, informed Sharma. According to statistics available from State crime branch police, the State has witnessed a decline in overall registration of cognizable offences till September this year in comparison to corresponding period in 2006. While 50,175 cognizable cases were registered in the State in the first nine months of 2006, the number of cases registered till September 2007 were 49,736, a decline of 0.8 per cent, the statistics said. According to national crime bureau sources, Mr. Sharma said while only 133.4 crimes are recorded per one lakh population in Orissa, it is 165.3 in Bihar , 196.9 in Andhra Pradesh and 193.2 in Chhatisgarh. But other neighbouring states like West Bengal (78.1) and Jharkhand ( 121.8) are comparatively less crime prone than Orissa.

Anti-Posco agitators plans Statewide agitation on Dec 12

Bhubaneswar: Anti-Posco activists and mass movements struggling against displacement, SEZs and anti-people industrialisation in Orissa has demanded that the South Korean steel company POSCO quit the country. In order to highlight their demands these organisations will organise agitations in different parts of the State in a synchronised manner on December 12, they said. The activists who visited the trouble-torn POSCO project site said in a statement that the attack on the villagers opposing the steel venture at Balitutha locality in Erasama Block of Jagatsinghpur district on November 29 had added strength to the movement against the project. The team that visited the POSCO project area comprised Lingaraj of Samajbadi Janparishad; Bansidhar Parida of CPI(ML) Liberation; Saroj of Paschim Orissa Krushak Sangathan Samanwaya Samiti; Bhagaban Majhi of Prakrutika Sampad Surakhya Parishad, Kashipur; Rabishankar of Gandhamardan Surakhya Andolan; Rajendra Sadangi of Loka Pakhya; and Lingaraj Azad of Niyamgiri Surakhya Samiti, Lanjigarh. They also announced to participate in all state-level agitation programmes at the call of POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti, the organisation that is spearheading the agitation against the steel project in Jagatsinghpur

Warm welcome to Rameswaram Sila Yatra in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar(Visakeo): With the appeal of the Rameswaram Setu Surakhya Manch the state wide rally took its turn into Bhubaneswar. "The Ratha passed, touching the unit-1, unit-2, Bapujinagar and Unit-8 of the capital" said the State speaker of the Mancha. The Ratha took it's track from Chousathi Jogini temple on 26th and passed through Basantmal, Abhyamukhi,Balipatna,Raghunathpur,Patia, Chandrasekherpur, Tamando, Kalinganagar, Barabari, Gandamaunda and various part of the capital, arranging various awareness programmes on its way", he added. Several discussions were made with the presence of saints and monks regarding the issue. The rally holds its track with the spiritual speech of Santha Bhagban Das Maharaj, Santha Ramprasanna Das. "On 6th of this month the Ratha is going to pass through VSS Nagar, Jayadev Vihar, Vani Vihar, Salisahi, in the next day, Rasulgarh,Pandara,Jharpara,Laxmisagar, on 8th through Bargarh, Buddheswari, Unit-3, Satyanagar, Press Colony and in the end, on 9th it will reach Old Bhubaneswar passing Kapileswar and Samantpur .The Ratha will come to the end in Lingaraj temple with a massive meeting" said Sri Khatua.

Sadhus blame Congress, Communists for communal violation

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)-Leading sadhus of various mutts on Sunday accused the Congress and Left Parties as communal forces and distorting country's history and culture. Sadhus while attending the concluding day of the Ram Sethu Raskhya Yatra here in the premises of the Lingaraj Temple alleged that Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Budhadeb Bhattacharjee have no idea on country's history and misguiding the people while making defamatory statements against a particular community. Swami Jignasananda Saraswati alleged that the UPA Government is only busy in appeasing a particular community and doing nothing. "They have no idea about India's glorious history but denying Lord Ram's existence, which was unfortunate and condemnable," Saraswati said. Speaking on this occasion Justice Papanna criticise the Centre over the Sethu Samundram Shipping Canal Project. RSS State president Ashok Das, VHP State secretary Gouri Prasad Rath, Umesh Patri, Bhagirathi Mahasuar, Sradhanandaji, Mahant Ramkrushna Das and Saipada Baba were among those present.

Lord Jagannath is universal deity

Bhubaneswar:(visakeo)- Noted historians and researchers on Sunday lauded the significance of Lord Jagannath and turned the Lord as universal deity. Speakers were delivering their views at a seminar on 'Sri Jagannath through the Ages' jointly organised by the Orissa unit of Akhil Bharatiya Itihasa Sankalan Samiti and Utkal University here at the PG Council Hall. Gajapati Maharaj Dibya Singh Deb said "Lord Jagannath is beyond history and arguments. One has to go beyond history to realize him," National organizing secretary of the Samiti Hari Bhau Vaze cautioned the scholars to stay away from vested interest, who are distorting history to divide people. Scholars being engaged on research on Lord Jagannath in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Rajasthan, Maharasthra and several other places joined the seminar and shared their views. Former VC of Jagannath Sanskrit University Trilochan Mishra coordinated the seminar. BISS president Narayan Rao, Prof AC Sarangi, Prof GK Das, Sirish Kumar Nayak, Prof Himansu S Pattnaik, Dadhibaman Mishra, Prof Braja Kishor Swain, Prof SN Tripathy, Prof UK Subudhi, Dr Sharad Hebbalkar and Dr Sirish Chandra Parida were among those present .

If no Ram, how PB member became Sitaram Yechury, VHP asks Buddha

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)-Reacting to the statement of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee over the existence of Lord Ram, VHP on Saturday asked the Bengal Chief Minister to correct the name of party's politibureau member Sitaram Yechury. If their was no Ram, then how his party's leader named as Sitaram Yechury, asked VHP State secretary Gouri Prasad Rath. Reigniting the Ram Sethu controversy, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had questioned the existence of Lord Ram triggering an angry reaction from the VHP, which said the comment constituted an offence. "Ram is a figment of a poet's imagination and Ram Sethu is a natural formation under the sea," Bhatacharjee had said at a meeting to mark the 15th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid on Thursday. The Chief Minister's comments were extremely intolerable not only politically but also under the law as it is an offence to hurt the religious sentiments of any community and in this case it was the majority community, Rath said. He further said that Ram was a matter of faith in India. "Ram is the soul of India and no Indian irrespective of religion can question his existence," he added. He further alleged that the remarks were an attempt to appease the Muslim vote bank after the fiasco in Nandigram. Bhattacharjee's remarks came three months after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi questioned the existence of Lord Ram generating a country-wide controversy, which seemed like a well coordinated plan, he said.

Staff shortage hits working of Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar:  the premier investigating wing of the State police is suffering from acute staff crunch. Due to nearly 45 per cent vacancies, the crime branch is unable to register more number of cases. We are very selective and are taking up only important and sensitive cases for investigations", said Crime Branch IG BK Sharma. The State crime branch took up 42 cases in 2005 and submitted 46 charge sheets in the same year after investigating pending cases. In the following year, while the crime branch registered 52 cases charge sheets in 2006 only 23 cases were submitted. This year till September, 38 cases have been registered while investigations into 51 cases have been completed and charge sheets submitted, informed Sharma. According to statistics available from State crime branch police, the State has witnessed a decline in overall registration of cognizable offences till September this year in comparison to corresponding period in 2006. While 50,175 cognizable cases were registered in the State in the first nine months of 2006, the number of cases registered till September 2007 were 49,736, a decline of 0.8 per cent, the statistics said. According to national crime bureau sources, Mr. Sharma said while only 133.4 crimes are recorded per one lakh population in Orissa, it is 165.3 in Bihar , 196.9 in Andhra Pradesh and 193.2 in Chhatisgarh. But other neighbouring states like West Bengal (78.1) and Jharkhand ( 121.8) are comparatively less crime prone than Orissa.

Festival to revitalize the dying art forms from Dec 6

Bhubaneswar: Following a MoU signed between the Regional College of Management and the Department of Culture, the city will host a two-day unique festival on the dying art and traditions of Orissa on December 6 and 7 at the Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya auditorium. As per the department's directive, the Orissa Sangeet Nataka Akademi has identified several dying arts forms which will be promoted as per the MoU. The list includes the Chhau dance of Nilgiri, Dhumpa of Digapahandi, Ghuduki of Ganjam, Sabda Swar Pata of Sambalpur and Harikatha of Ganjam. As per the agreement, the Akademi would host the two-day festival of the dying arts traditions of Orissa on Thursday and Friday evenings showcasing Harikatha, Tumpa, Sabda Swar Pata and Ghuduki. In the next phases, the other styles would be presented,

 

 

 

Anti-Posco agitators plans Statewide agitation on Dec 12

Bhubaneswar: Anti-Posco activists and mass movements struggling against displacement, SEZs and anti-people industrialisation in Orissa has demanded that the South Korean steel company POSCO quit the country. In order to highlight their demands these organisations will organise agitations in different parts of the State in a synchronised manner on December 12, they said. The activists who visited the trouble-torn POSCO project site said in a statement that the attack on the villagers opposing the steel venture at Balitutha locality in Erasama Block of Jagatsinghpur district on November 29 had added strength to the movement against the project. The team that visited the POSCO project area comprised Lingaraj of Samajbadi Janparishad; Bansidhar Parida of CPI(ML) Liberation; Saroj of Paschim Orissa Krushak Sangathan Samanwaya Samiti; Bhagaban Majhi of Prakrutika Sampad Surakhya Parishad, Kashipur; Rabishankar of Gandhamardan Surakhya Andolan; Rajendra Sadangi of Loka Pakhya; and Lingaraj Azad of Niyamgiri Surakhya Samiti, Lanjigarh. They also announced to participate in all state-level agitation programmes at the call of POSCO Pratirodh Sangram Samiti, the organisation that is spearheading the agitation against the steel project in Jagatsinghpur

Warm welcome to Rameswaram Sila Yatra in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar(Visakeo): With the appeal of the Rameswaram Setu Surakhya Manch the state wide rally took its turn into Bhubaneswar. "The Ratha passed, touching the unit-1, unit-2, Bapujinagar and Unit-8 of the capital" said the State speaker of the Mancha. The Ratha took it's track from Chousathi Jogini temple on 26th and passed through Basantmal, Abhyamukhi,Balipatna,Raghunathpur,Patia, Chandrasekherpur, Tamando, Kalinganagar, Barabari, Gandamaunda and various part of the capital, arranging various awareness programmes on its way", he added. Several discussions were made with the presence of saints and monks regarding the issue. The rally holds its track with the spiritual speech of Santha Bhagban Das Maharaj, Santha Ramprasanna Das. "On 6th of this month the Ratha is going to pass through VSS Nagar, Jayadev Vihar, Vani Vihar, Salisahi, in the next day, Rasulgarh,Pandara,Jharpara,Laxmisagar, on 8th through Bargarh, Buddheswari, Unit-3, Satyanagar, Press Colony and in the end, on 9th it will reach Old Bhubaneswar passing Kapileswar and Samantpur .The Ratha will come to the end in Lingaraj temple with a massive meeting" said Sri Khatua.

20th National Athletic Meet ends with gala cultural show

Bhubaneswar :(VISAKEO): The four-day long 20th National Athletic Meet organised by Bidya Bharati came to an end with a warm ceremony here in the premises of the Kalinga Stadium on November 27. Purbi Uttar Pradesh Khetra came out first in the medal tally with 36 gold medals s, 18 silver and 3 bronze medals and secured 259 points. Paschimi Uttar Pradesh and Dakshin-Dakshin with 130 points and Madhya Khetra with120 points and secured the second and third position in the meet. Madhya Khetra with 108 points got 4 th position. Uttar Khetra with 105 points and Bihar Khetra were estimated with 105points and 92.50 points respectively. In Individual event, Anuj Kumar of Purbi Uttar Pradesh Khetra and Neha Singh from the same zone became the champions in boys' and girls' category in the under-17 events. Where as Samprthi Alva from Dakshin-Dakshin Madhya Khetra also got the championship award in the under-17 girls' category. In the under-19 boys' and girls' category Virendra of Uttaar Khetra and Preeti Singh of Madhya Khetra with Smrithi Pathania of Uttar Khetra shared the championship award respectively. Also Siddhant Mohapatra the junior chess maestro and woman athlete Anuradha Biswal earned memos from the Governor MC Bhandare, who graced the gala closing ceremony. State Revenue and Civil Supplies Minister Manmohan Samal, KIIT Deemed University Chancellor Achyut Samanta, Western Orissa Development Council Chairman Prof Niranjan Panda,, Organising Secretary Bidya Bharati Brahmadev Sharma were among those witnessed the closing ceremony. Secretary SBS Dr Prafulla Chandra Mohapatra coordinated the function. More than 600 participants from all corners of the country were enjoyed the meet. Earlier on November 24, Masal rally meant for the athletic meet, was brought from Gadchandi temple in Cuttack was kicked off by State Higher Education Minister Sameer Day, RSS State Prantapracharak Ajit Prasad Mohapatra, Cuttack Mayor Nibedita Pradhan, Orissa Cricket Association secretary Ashirbad Behera, Hindu Jagaran Sa,ukhya president Harihar Nanda and RSS State joint secretary Gopal Chandra Mohapatra were among those offered floral tributes at the statute of Chakhi Khuntia, the legendary hero of the 1857 freedom struggle, at Kalpana square here in the State Capital . With the participation of 40 students, the flame was carried to the stadium. An opening song performed by 200 students, reverberated the whole stadium. Vice-President SGFI Nilamadhab Nanda graced the opening day. State Sports Minister Debasis Nayak, President Sikhya Bikas Samiti Dr Prafulla Chandra Mohapatra and secretary Ramesh Chandra Tripathy were present.

National meet on Jagannath on Dec 8

Bhubaneswar(visakeo): The Orissa unit of Itihas Sankalan Samiti will host a two-day national seminar on Lord Jagannath at PG Council Hall of Utkal University in Bhubaneswar on December 8-9. Leading scholars and historians of the country would deliver lectures on historical background of the Jagnnath culture, samiti zonal secretary Kamlesh Das said on Saturday. Organising committee chairman and former Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University Sachidananda Tripathy will supervise the programme.

Huge quantity of arms recovered in Malkangiri--SOG, CRPF joint operation foils big plan of the rebels'

Bhubaneswar: In a major break through, Special Operation Group (SOG)
and CRPF joint combing on Tuesday morning recovered a huge quantity of
arms and ammunition reportedly belong to the CPI (Maoist) near Motu
area of the leftwing insurgency infected Malkangiri district under the
South-Western Police range. Informing The Pioneer over phone,
Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Satish Gajbhiye said that a SOG
and CRPF Joint combing operation recovered two each claymore mines and
landmine, six detonators, one pressure mine, one, pistol and
recovered. "The recover of arms and ammunition pointing towards a big
plan of the outlawed rebel's in Motu and fortunately, SOG and CRPF
jointly foiled the plan, SP Gajbhiye claimed. He further apprehend
that after the Union Home Ministry's decision to include the district
among most Maoists infected districts and followed by special
assistance for anti-Maoists operation might irked the rebels' and they
are consolidating their position in several locations of the district.
The SP further added that combing operations have been intensified in
Motu and its adjourning areas. Meanwhile according to reports, top
leaders of CPI (Maoists) Andhra-Orissa Border Zonal Committee have
been frequently visiting Malkangiri and holding cadres meet at Motu,
Kalimela, MV-79 and Balimela. Besides, cadres from Bastar and
Jagdalpur districts of neighbouring Chhattisgarh also visiting
Malkangiri to improve their bases along Andhra-Orissa and
Orissa-Chhattisgarh Border. However, SP Gajbhiye even did not rule out
such possibilities and went on to add that the rebels' are in
offensive mood since Malkangiri is being top priority on anti-Maoists
operation.

BSP takes to street for dalit and back-ward class empowerment

Bhubaneswar: State unit of Bahujana Samaj Party on Tuesday took to
street and held a demonstration in front of the State Assembly
demanding various welfare measures and social justice to dalits, STs,
SCs, and minorties. The Party submitted a memorandum to Governor MC
Bhandare ueging his personal intervention into the issue. Party's
State president and former Union Minister Bhajaman Behera alleged that
successive Governmnets in the State have been downplaying the plights
faced by the dalits and people of back-ward classes including the
minorities. Both Government and Political leaders are only cheating
them and exploiting them for vote bank politics, he said. He further
said the Government should not go for tribal displacement and give
forest land rights to them as per the Supreme Court directive.

State puts on high alert after serial blasts in UP

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)Security forces across the State have been put
on high alert with special security measures have also been pressed
into action in the wake of serial blasts in Uttar Pradesh on Friday
afternoon. "After the serial blasts, we have asked senior security
forces working in the State Capital here, Biju Patnaik Air Port,
pilgrimage town of Puri, Cuttack, Balasore and other places to be
remain alert and made adequate security measures ahead of the Kartika
Purnima on Saturday," Home Department sources said here. Three serial
blasts that rocked civil courts in Lucknow, Faizadbad and Varanasi
have also put the Police forces here on high alert with many places of
Orissa are already under the threat of terrorist attack. Meanwhile,
after the blasts, State unit of RSS has demanded more security for
Temples across the State. RSS in a statement also condemned the
incident.

Retrenched employees of Kalinga Studio holds demo

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo) Retrenched employees of the State owned Kalinga
Studio on Friday took to street demanding reinstatement. The
Employees' Union alleged that the authorities without following the
procedure of law as well as the State Government policies, have
retrenched them. Meanwhile, the employees union led by president Naba
Mohanty general secretary Suren Bihari Dash met the Chief Minister
Naveen Patnaik and Industry and Law Minister Biswa Bhusan Harichandan
urging their intervention. They also a submitted a five-point charter
of demands to Chief Minister Patnaik and Minister Harichandan
demanding to withdraw the order of retrenchment immediately and
according to earlier announcement of Chief Minister and Law Minister,
the service condition of the studio employees to be remain unchanged.
"We have urged the Chief Minister and Industry Minister to review the
order of the Managing Director vide his letter No-3010/1224 dated on
December 15, 2006 and the condition being imposed by the management of
M/S Prasad Kalinga Film Laboratory Limited vide its letter no-19/5213
dated on November 9, 2006," union president Mohanty said. He further
demanded an inquiry to be made for the cause of the loss of the studio
and necessary action may be taken against the concerned officials.
Union also demanded that the State Government should direct the studio
management to arrange a joint meeting with the representative of the
employees' union and discuss various issues

3-Training camp on organic farming held at Jagatsinghpur

Dt.19.11.2007. Today in the village – Narua of Dist. Jagatsinghpur a
Organic Farming Training camp for the farmers was arranged by
"Bharatiya Kisan Sangha and Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti". Villagers
from many nearby villages were also found in the same camp enjoying
the gathering and taking part in the interaction actively. Sri Sisira
Kumar Parija – retired D.O. and Sri Beda Prakash Rath – a teacher and
a national trainer of Organic farming from the Art of living were the
guides conducting the program. All the possible processes were
discussed but the two Zero budget farming and "Agnihotra on Krushi "
caught the highest of interest from the farmers in general. Many were
found collecting the details of Agnihotra at the end. At the end Sri
Pradip Kumar Ray, the organizer for Bharatia Kissan Sangh. Orissa.
Talked to the villagers about the present need for getting orginised.
According to him it is high time that the farmers also need to come
under an organization to put forward their demands and fight for their
needs and rights. Overall it was very successful camp and such camps
are needed to be conducted in all blocks of our state

UBBS organises free health camp

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)Utkal Biparna Sahayata Samiti and GE Money
jointly organized a free health camp here at Chirgala slim in Prasanti
Vihar area of the city. Some 100 patients were being treated and given
free medicines. Dr Rajendra Mandal attended the patients. Suresh
Madala, Hrushikesh Bag and offical of GE Money and UBBS were among
those present. According to UBBS sources, such free health camps would
be conducted at other slim areas of the city.

Eastern Zone leads medal tally in 20th National School Games

Bhubaneswar:(visakeo)- Eastern Zone on Sunday led the medal tally with
seven gold medals in the second of the 20th national School Games
being organised by the Bidya Bharati here at the Kalinga Stadium.
Besides, Rajasthan zone and West-North Zone shared three gold each
while Bihar Zone and North-Zone managed secured two gold medals each.
Anup Naraha of West-North Zone secured the first position in Under-14
400 meters run (Boys) while Suman Tiga of Bihar Zone won the gold
medal in the Girls' category of 400 meters run. Similarly, Jitendra of
West-North Zone and Jostna Debashi of Rajasthan Zone secured first
position in Long-Jump in Boys' and Girls' category respectively. In
Under-17 400-meters run, Kabit Pal and Soni Kumar of Eastern Zone
secured first position in Boys' and Girls' categories respectively. In
3,000 meters run, Eastern Zone's Aswani Kumar Yadav and Uma Kumar of
Bihar Zone secured first postion in Boys and Girls' category. In
Under-19 400-meters run, Birendra of North Zone and Punam Yadav of
Eastern Zone bagged first position in Boys and Girls' category
followed by Durgesh of West-North Zone won gold medal in 5,000 meters
run while Priti Singh got gold in Girls' category. Sushil Prdhan of
Eastern Zone secured first position in Shot-put Throw followed by
Yogesh Kumar of Eastern Zone secured first position in 1,500 meters
run.
Organisers including SVS president Dr Prafulla Chandra Mohapatra, WODC
Chairman, Dr Niranjan Panda and SVS secretary Ramesh Chandra Tripathi
were among those monitoring the games. The games would conclude on
November 27, in which Governor MC Bhandare is expected to witness

Women Maoist surrender in Sambalpur

Bhubaneswar:(visakeo) Deepti Naik (18), a woman Maoist cadre on Sunday
surrendered before the police along with a rifle and some cartridges
at Naktideul, DIG of Police (Northern Range), Surendra Panwar .
Deepti, a resident of Penthabahal village in Sambalpur district, told
police that she was member of a Maoists group in the district.
According to her statement, the leader of the group belongs to
Jharkhand and its members tortured and harassed innocent people of
Jujumura, Dhama, Kisinda, Naktideul and Jamanakira areas in Sambalpur
district. She told police that group members were extracting huge
amount of money, and also sexually harassed women cadres. Meanwhile,
under pressure of its failure to attract the attention of the outlawed
leftwing rebels' being active in several parts of the State through
its much talked about surrender police for the Maoists, the Police
Headquaters' at Cuttack and its new head, Director General of Police
Gopal Chandra Nanda on Sunday.

The State Government has fixed payment of up to Rs. 10,000 on
acceptance of surrender, Rs. 20,000 on surrender of arms and
ammunition, allotment of land, house building grants up to Rs. 25,000
and Rs. 15,000 for marriage. The package includes bank loans up to Rs.
2 lakh; payment of subsidy up to Rs. 50,000, after repayment of 75 per
cent of the loan, payment of interest after two years from the date a
loan is availed of and free medical treatment in government hospitals.
Those surrendering will also get the reward money on their head

CPM hostage flees, recalls horror

The CPM, after recapturing Nandigram, not only killed several persons but also took 13 as hostages to a jungle in Orissa. This came to light on Monday after one of them managed to flee from captivity and reported the matter to the police here.

 

"Sheikh Rafikul, son of Sheikh Golam, managed to flee from the jungle near Cuttack and lodged a complaint with the Nandigram police," said Bhabani Das, convener of the Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee (BUPC).

 

Battered and bruised Rafikul said he is terrified with the way he and the others were abducted. "On November 11, a group of armed CPM people kidnapped me from Osmanchak after I refused to take part in their victory celebrations," he told HT on Tuesday.

"A group dragged me out of my house at South Khalichak. When my family members tried to rescue me, they were beaten up. I was blindfolded before being taken to Hazrakhata in south Nandigram and eventually to Khejuri, where I was forced to board a trawler, on which I found 12 other villagers who had been abducted," he said.

 

"After travelling for 12 hours, we were forced to get off at a small island," he said. Rafikul said he was taken to a cave in Orissa, where he was tortured for hours along with others. "Look how they treated me," he said, pointing to his swollen face and bruises all over his body.

He refused to be photographed, saying he would be killed if his picture was published. After two days, Rafikul fled from captivity under the pretext of going to answer nature's call. After running for two hours, he reached Cuttack. As he no money, Rafikul called his parents, who came to the town to take him back home.

Activist urges to play pro-active role on RTI Act

Bhubaneswar: The 2006 Ramon Magasaysay award winner and noted activist Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday urged to create the "RTI Information Line" in Orissa in line of Bihar experience that is helping people filing RTI application over telephone. Speaking at a news conference here, the activist gave his assessment on the operation of RTI act in the State. The RTI Information line was started in Bihar in January 2007 and experience suggest that it has worked very well and has made the filing of application process very easy even for an illiterate person. There is a special phone number for the purpose. What a person has to do is simply dial the number and says his name, address of correspondence and the nature of information s/he seeks. The application fee comes in his/her telephone bill in the end of the month. In case of the call made from the PCOs, the bill, which comes, includes the call cost and the application fee cost.   "Even when a person who does not know what RTI is, said over phone that he has not got his/her ration card, the call centre persons are so trained that they form a questionnaire out of the submission by the person by further discussing with him. This way the Bihar Government is in a sense 'hand holding' the people" adds the activist. Giving his assessment of the functioning of RTI in the State, he said that it has done wonders in many places of the State. In Kalahandi, about 2200 tribals have got their land pattas under Vasundhara scheme by use of RTI. He however added that the level of awareness of people about RTI in the State is very low in general. He however expressed concerns over the increasing pendency of cases in the State Information Commission (SIC) and that the SIC is not invoking the penalty clause to penalize the officers violating the RTI act. "On an average one Commissioner disposes one case in a day, which is quite low. As per statistics the Commission has disposed about 800 cases in last 17 months of functioning and still 800 cases are pending." In UP and Maharastra, due the very high number of case pending the act has almost failed there. Let us save orissa from similar situation, he urged. Out of 800 cases heard by the Commission only 19 officials have been penalized and out of that only in three cases, penalties have been recovered. "We are not against any officials, but its necessary that the penalty clause is invoked in each case of violation of RTI act by the PIOs or departments to deter the tendency of denial of information by the bureaucracy. In case of Arunachal Pradesh, out of 27 cases heard 23 penalties have been imposed. This sends a clear message to the bureaucracy that they better give the information than to create situation of sending appeals to the Commission. So invoking of penalty clause will also reduce the number of cases coming to the commission's level," he said. Replying to a question, he said that the provision of charging fee from the BPL category of people in lieu of providing information is illegal.

Laxmanananda Saraswati criticize Centre over Ram Sethu

Bhubaneswar:(20/11) Noted Hindu religious leader Swami Laxmanananda
Saraswati on Tuesday charged the Congress president Sonia Gandhi
saying she was more worried for Rome than Ram. Speaking at Shiv Lingam
Pujan organised by the VHP as part of the nation wide agitation
against the Sethu Samundram Shipping Canal Project here in the
premises of the Lingaraj Temple, Swami Saraswati said that those are
questioning Lord Ram's identity; they are directly questioning
country's history and rich culture. "Congress President Gandhi is
being more worried for the survival of Churchs in Rome but not the
survival of Lord Ram and Temples in India," he charged. Criticising
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi for his
remarks on Lord Ram, he challenged him to a public debate on the Ram
Sethu issue. "We respect Karunanidhi as an elder statesman of the
country. But his insulting remarks on Lord Ram have hurt the
sentiments of saints, heads of 'Mutts' and millions of Hindus. We are
unhappy with him for the remarks. I dare him to have a debate with me
on the issue," he said. The Chief Minister, Karunanidhi had taken the
oath under the Constitution and should not "insult" any religion.
"Such actions can not be tolerated. They are representatives of the
public and should not vitiate the atmosphere by making such remarks,"
he viewed. "Those who enjoy power in the name of Mahatma Gandhi have
forgotten that Gandhi himself was a Ram devotee. Now they are
questioning the existence of Ram. This is not proper," he added.
Several Hindu religious leaders including Krupanandaji Maharaj,
Chidananda Maharaj, Badakeshari Maharaj, VHP State secretary Gouri
Prasad Rath, Niranjan Nanda, Pramod Acharya, Justice Papanna, A Kar
and Khageswar Das Maharaj were among those present on this issue.

Rashtravadi Siskhyaka Parishad meets Law Minister

Bhubaneswar(Visakeo) Rashtravadi Siskhayaka Parishad on Tuesday
announced to launch a massive agitating demanding regularisation of
jobs of some 500 teachers appointed between January 1993 to 1998 in
255 aided Non-Government Colleges of the State. A delegation of the
Parishad met Law and Industry Minister Biswa Bhusan Harichandan at his
residence and discussed the issue. "We apprised the Minister
Harichandan and urged his intervention," Parishad general secretary
Simanchal Pradhan said.

VHP, Bajarang Dal jointly launches campaign against cow slaughter

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)-VHP and Bajarang Dal have jointly started campaign against cow slaughtering from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's constituency in Hinjilikatu of Ganjam districts. Bajarang Dal national co-convener Subash Chouhan said that due to the apathetic attitude of the State Government, illegal beef trading is reaching at all time high in the State and for which, we have launched a massive campaign from Chief Minister's constituency against cow slaughtering from November 17. He has also threatened 'militant action' to enforce a ban on the slaughter and transportation of beef in the State, if the Government does not take steps to control such heinous activities. The State Government has ignored several representations asking for a ban on the killing of cows and calves and transportation but nothing has happened so far while illegal beef trading are on all time high, he alleged. "How can we allow cow slaughter " asked Chouhan added that police have been seen as a mute spectator over the issue

Sikshya Sahayaks plan massive stir on Nov 26

Bhubaneswar(visakeo): Orissa Sikshya Sahayak Association on Sunday announced to gherao the State Assembly and holds a massive agitation here on November 26 demanding various issues. Speaking at a news conference here, Association president Rajesh Mohanty and general secretary Raghaba Mallick said that the teachers would hold demonstration at all district headquarters on November 23 and massive agitation would be held here at PMG square on November 26. The Association is demanding regulrisartion of their jobs, hike of salary and filling up existing vacancies in various Schools. The recent move of the State Government, in which it has been decided that the existing laws for the Sikshya Sahayakas would be amended and the SS would be regularized, the Association turned the decision was meant to suppress the original demands of the SS. Association office bearers including Khagendranath Pal, Sahasrasanu Mohanty, Prasant Mohapatra, Pabitra Mohan Jena, Mahendra Kumar Mishra and Sunil Kumar Mohanty were among those present in the press meet.

OBC body criticise Govt's move

Bhubaneswar(visakeo):: State chapter of National Union of OBC, SC,ST and Minorities has severely criticize the Orissa Government's recent move to cut down the reservation meant for the OBC in the wake of the Supreme Court's order restricting reservation ambit at maximum of 50%. The Government's move to cut down the present 27% to 11% would badly hit the OBC population and the Government should reconsider its decision, union State president Sanatan Behera said on Sunday. The union would organise State wide agitation against the move, if the Government failed to reconsider the decision, he added.

Security tightened in Maoists infected areas as rebels' call bandh

Bhubaneswar(visakeo): All Maoists infected police stations across the State were put on maximum alert in view of a 48-hour bandh called by CPI (Maoists) in Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand West Bengal from Monday to protest the violence at Nandigram mayhem. According to Home Department sources here, zonal IGs, DIGs and Superintendents of Police had been asked to maintain extra vigil on the activities of the Maoists with additional security measures have been taken at bordering areas with West Bengal and Jharkhand. The officials been asked to beef up security around vital Government installations and public places, especially at railway stations and bus depots which could be soft targets of the Maoists during the bandh, highly placed sources involved in anti-Maoists operation said. Additional forces had been deployed in the affected districts as a precautionary measure, he added.

VISAKEO observes death anniversary of Lion of Punjab

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)-Orissa chapter of Viswa Sambad Kendra on Saturday observed the death anniversary of Lion of Punjab, Lala Lajpat Rai. RSS State spokesman Simanchal Khatua, VISAKEO editor Jagadish Patnaik, Sameer Mohanty, Niranjan Nayak, Santosh Das, Ashok Sahoo and Writers' Forum secretary Laxman Panda were among those noted persons paid floral tribute to Rai and recollected his contribution. Lala Lajpat Rai was born in January 28,1865 at a village named Dhudike in Ferozepur District of Punjab. His father, Munshi Radha Krishan Azad was a great scholar of Persian and Urdu. Lalaji's mother, Smt Gulab Devi, a strict religious lady, inculcated in her children strong morals values. Lalaji was brought up in a family background that allowed freedom of having different faiths and beliefs. Since childhood he had a desire to serve his country and therefore took a pledge to free it from foreign rule. In 1884 his father was transferred to Rohtak and Lala Lajpat Rai came along. Lalaji died on November 17, 1928 of heart failure. He plunged into Gandhi's non-cooperation movement, which in Punjab, under Lajpat Rai's leadership spread like wildfire in the province, and he soon came to be known as "The Lion of Punjab" or "Panjab Kesri". He traveled far and wide in India and his eloquence brought hundreds to the Congress fold. Lalaji injected new life in his countrymen. His writings and speeches were both hard hitting and effective. They swayed those they aimed to reach. He was a crusader, who knew no fear and championed every worthy cause with all the passion of his soul.

ABVP observes 150th year of 1857

Bhubaneswar(Visakeo) To mark 150 years of India's First War of Independence of 1857, the Akhil Bharthiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Friday took out a motorcycle rally spreading the message of 1857 rising against the Britsh Raj. ABVP activists started the rally at the statute of Bauxi Jagabandhu here in the premises of the BJB Autonomous College and traversed the whole city and campus of Kamala Nehru Women's College, OUAT, City Women's College, Rajdhani College, Debray College, Maharshi College, Rama Devi Women's Autonomous College and Utkal University. The rally sought instill patriotism among students, in which, Parishad's activists carried portraits of leaders who participated in the 1857 struggle, besides organising lectures at college campuses and public meetings. The ABVP activists have made out a strong case for removing the description of the first war of Independence of 1857 as "Sepoy Mutiny" from the textbooks prescribed for students. "Though the British saw the war as a Sepoy Mutiny, it is regrettable that even present day intellectuals describe the event as such. The Government should immediately remove the reference to 1857 war as sepoy mutiny in the textbooks," they said. The ABVP has also urged the Government to prescribe a textbook for the students, detailing the freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947. ABVP State vice president Prasant Rout and city secretary Bhabani Shankar Mohapatra led the rally

BJP farmers' wing submits memo to Prime Minister

Bhubaneswar: (Visakeo)-Bharatiya Janata Party Krushaka Morcha on Friday took to street against the wrong and anti-farmers policy being adapted by the Congress-led UPA Government at Centre. Meanwhile, the farmers' wing submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh through the Raj Bhawan here. The UPA Government has announced the minimum support price of some items including wheat and paddy for the 2007-08 Financial Year. The Price of wheat has been fixed at Rs 645 and Rs 675 per quintal with Rs 50 bonus. After the decision of the Centre, the difference between wheat and paddy now became Rs 275, which could affect the production of paddy, the farmers' wing State president Krushna Jagadev and BJP State secretary Pruithiraj Harichandan jointly said adding they also apprehended that the Food Security Mission would be badly affected to due to wrong policy introduced by the anti-farmers Government led by Manmohan Singh. Harichandan demanded that the Centre should reconsider the decision and the minimum support price of paddy should fixed at Rs 1,000 per quintal. The memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister Singh further argued, " This is necessary, as the price of resources being used for the agricultural sector has been hiked during the last several years". The memorandum pointed out that as the paddy is main crop of several States including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Orissa, West Bengal, Karnatak, Kerala, Chhattisgarh Jharkhand, Bihar, Eastern UP and Tarai region of Uttarakhand, the Government should hike the MSP to Rs 1,000 per quintal

ABVP launches Jagruti Yatra

Sundargarh (visakeo)-Keeping in tune with the nationwide celebration of 150 years of India's First War of Independence or the Sepoy Mutiny, 1857 and to keep the youths of this tribal-dominated district abreast with the heroic deeds of the unsung tribal hero, Madri Kalo of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), led by its State Joint Coordinator Tankadhar Tripathy, recently launched a weeklong Yuva Jagruti Yatra. The Yatra was flagged off at Madri Kalo's native Kureibaga by local ABVP veterans Madhabram Patel and Rabiratna Patel. "The State is yet to accord the status of a freedom fighter to our son of the soil," lamented a local primary teacher Santosh Pruseth while talking to The visakeo.

Pruseth further added, "Mahabir Parbat with its gurgling stream, Kia Jharan, was famous as the hub of Madri Kalo's tribal uprising. It must be declared and developed as a tourist spot." Kureibaga under Bargaon police station in Rajgangpur Assembly segment is cut off from its Bargaon Block headquarters as the dividing river Safei lacks a bridge. The road connectivity is deplorable.
adri was born to father Lakshman Kalo, who was an influential Praganadar or landlord, and mother Hirabati during the Chaitra month in 1848. The majestic and pitch-dark cliff of Mahabir Parbat was the nursery, playfield and hermitage of the young Madri. Mahabir Parbat serves till date as a line of control between the erstwhile Gangpore State, which is now Sundargarh and the undivided Sambalpur district. Having received elementary education from a local chatsali, which was patronised by his father, Madri was well versed in the Puranas, Mahabharata, Ramayana and the Bhagavat Gita.
As the then royal army of Gangpore recruited tribal youths hailing from Bhuyan, Gond, Kohu, Khadia and Kisan communities, Madri, who belonged to the then most domineering Bhuyans as well as being an able heir apparent to an affluent landlord, excelled in martial arts. Madri is also believed to have consumed pathar lasa, which is a mysterious jelly that oozes from a particular stone and confers invincibility to the person who consumes it. Madri, who had a towering personality and was a popular Kalo or Bhuyan village priest, enjoyed the allegiance of the Gountias (landlords), Tataranga, Bhoipali, Gadposh, Gudiali, Jampali communities. In the wake of the exorbitant khajana levied on the then zamindars, Gountias and Ganjus under the Gangpore State during the regency of British Raj, the affected zamindars had knocked the doors of the Chhota Nagpur British Commissioner at Ranchi and saved themselves from being divested of power. Madri had also raised his voice against the controversial beti bagari (illegal excess revenue) that was levied on the poor subjects. The poor tribal labour-force employed for laying British railway lines were treated like slaves and inflicted untold sufferings. Madri led the protests and got prominently blacklisted by the Chhota Nagpur British Commissionerate. Madri's mutiny launched against the British Raj received wide support from the beleaguered Gonjus and Gountias as well as the oppressed poor tribals. The unstinted support of Bhuyans, Gonds, Kisans and Khadias gathered momentum under the leadership of Madri. Even rebel Khadu Mohapatra of Boinda village in Kuchinda area, who was leading the movement against Bamanda Raja of Sambalpur, joined hands with Madri. By 1895, Madri's activities had reached their zenith, which jilted both the Ganpore Raja and the British Raj. Armed British forces from Singhbhum-based British Deputy Commissionerate were deployed to nab Madri but to no avail. Finally, spies were let loose. Consequently, in February 1897 was tricked into the British dragnet by one of his enemies, Bhagabatia Sahu, who took advantage of his alcohol addiction.
Madri was lodged in the then Sundargarh Jail in 1897 and was shifted to Hazaribagh Jail in 1906, where he had to put up with inhuman treatment and was made physically invalid. He was released in 1910, following which he succumbed to his injuries in one of his relative's home at Liploi in 1914.

Akhil Bharatiya Anusachita Jati Arakhsan Rakshamanch submits memo to Guv over Justice Misra reports

Bhubaneswar:(Visakeo)- Akhil Bharatiya Anusachita Jati Arakhsan Rakshamanch on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare through ADC over the Justice Ranganath Misra Commission's recommendation to Centre over SC status to converted Christians. All India SC and ST Reservation Protection cell national president and former Chairman of the National Commission for SC and ST Bizay Sonkar Shastri cautioned the Government that any effort to implement the recommendations of the commission, which are against the Constitution, is fraught with serious consequences. He further call upon the Government not to succumb to the pressure tactics of the Church lobby in politics and outside and to stand steadfast on the path carved out by the leaders in the last several decades by rejecting the demand for inclusion of such converts into the Scheduled Castes category," he said. Earlier, thousands of Rakshamanch workers, dalits, SC and ST people gathered here at PMG Square and took out procession in the city. Dalits leaders including Mayadhar Nayak, Abhimanyu Sethi, Bijay Patra, Ranjan Bag, Santosh Patra, Keshba Behera and Bhuban Mohan Jena were among those present.

RSS plans massive stir against SC status to Dalit Christains

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo) RSS backed All India SC and ST Reservation
Protection cell national president and former Chairman of the National
Commission for SC and ST Bizay Sonkar Shastri said that the recent
move of the UPA Government for setting up Justice Ranganath Misra
commission was purely unconstitutional and amendment in the Article
15(Clause-iv) was defamatory in nature. The National Commission for
Religious and Linguistic Minorities (NCRLM) chaired by Justice
Ranganath Mishra, the former Chief Justice of India, recommended the
Centre to grant equal rights as Scheduled Castes to the Christians of
Scheduled Caste Origin. "We have decided to educate Schedule Caste
people to struggle for their rights and massive rally will be held
here in the State Capital on Wednesday," Shastri said. Cell believes
the Government is planning to implement the Ranganath Mishra
Commission's recommendation that SC status be completely delinked from
religion, he argued. The move has infuriated the Hindutva
organisations and it is all set to take up the battle both on the
ground in the hinterland, where it is pitted head to head against the
Church, and also at political level, he warned. He further cautioned
the Government that any effort to implement the recommendations of the
commission, which are against the Constitution, is fraught with
serious consequences. "We call upon the Government not to succumb to
the pressure tactics of the Church lobby in politics and outside and
to stand steadfast on the path carved out by the leaders in the last
several decades by rejecting the demand for inclusion of such converts
into the Scheduled Castes category," he said. Let the Pope first
declare that there was a caste system in his religion, he said. He was
critical of the "brazenness of the petitioners", who have gone to the
Supreme Court with the demand of inclusion of the Christian converts
in the SC category, with the contention that Dalits remain Dalits even
after converting to Christianity.

RSS lights 1001 Deepa for protection of Ram Sethu

Bhubaneswar: (Visakeo)RSS has lighted as many as 1001 Deepa (a form of
Hindu religious items for prayer here at the historic Khandgiri caves
on the outskirt of the Temple City and took oath to fight against the
evil designs being planted by the Congress led UPA Government at
Centre and DMK backed M Karunanidhi led Government in Tamil Nadu over
the Rs 2.427 crorers Sethu Samundram Shipping Canal Project. RSS
leaders while observing the Dussehra here, said that the Government
and its allies are serving the interests of the Americans and the
Chinese through the Sethusamudram project. "When the common people,
scientists, environmentalists and archaeologists are vouching for the
existence of the Ram Sethu and the grave dangers posed by its proposed
breaking, Union Minister T R Baalu and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
Karunanidhi are bent upon rubbishing them and trying to thrust their
dictatorship. Do such ministers have a right to continue in their
offices?" Puri Bibhaga Boudhika Pramukha Kushna Chandra Nayak asked.

He also claimed that the Sethusamudram project doesn't make any
economic sense as is being claimed by the UPA Government. He dwelt at
length on how the project will endanger the rich thorium deposits
along the coast that can revolutionise India's nuclear programme.
Other speakers observed that the US is trying to strengthen its
control over the Indian Ocean through the proposed waterway and is
pressuring the Indian Government to push the project. Similarly,
China, which has set up its strategic base at the Coco Island near
Myanmar, too, will be greatly helped by the project since it is
planning to build a modern port on an island near Sri Lanka, they
said. RSS State joint secretary Gopal Prasad Mohapatra, Khandgiri
Division secretary Gopal Rout, Arbinda Das, Debi Prasad Mohapatra,
Bhaskar Behera.