Sambalpur SDO behind temple demolition

Bhubaneswar (Visakeo - 14/3): Sambalpur SDO Bilchus Lagra had reportedly asked the local authorities to demolish a Hanuman temple in front of the GM College in Sambalpur. SDO Bilchus Lagra, who is a Christian and intentionally ordered the local Tahsildar Surendra Panda to carry out demolition drive and also asked to demolish the temple, It was note worthy as earlier the district administration was planning demolition drive in other parts of the city but only after SDO Gagra's superiority, the administration demolished the temple. Even the local police officers were not aware about the demolition drive, which had cleared the fact that it was only after Gagra's green signal to demolition the drive. Interestingly, fearing public anger, SDO Gagra even did not dare to remain in office after the tension broke out while his mobile was switched of. Despite several attempts, no contact has been made with him to get his reaction.  The local Tahsildar Panda, who was present at the demolition drive also, was not in favour to demolish the Hanuman temple but SDO as higher authority, Panda had no option. Panda had reportedly told the Hindu activists that he was not part of it. Meanwhile, keeping the public anger arising out of Gagra's anti-Hindu propaganda, district administration and Sambalpur Municipal Corporation have jointly covered up the incident while reconstructing the temple. District Collector Laxmi Narayan Mohapatra assured that he would personally ensure the reconstruction of the temple. However, the activists of Biswa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal have jointly given an ultimatum to the district administration to solve the problem.

RSS plans massive agitation against Setu Samudram Canal project

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO - 8/3) With the RSS is planning to conduct mass agitation rally from March 27(on Ram Navami to April 14(Ambedkar jayanti) here in the State while opposing the Sethu Samudram Shipping Canal Project of Tamilnadu, Puri Seer Jagadguru Sankaracharya Swami Nischalalnda Saraswati has written a letter to the President APJ Abdul Kalam urging to intervene and stop the project work, which will connect from Rameswaram (Tamilnadu) to Sri Lanka, sources said on Thursday. Besides, he has also written to Vice President, Prime Minister, Supreme Court, Planning Commission, Leader of the Opposition and to the Indian Parliament to stop the project keeping the interest of the countrymen Puri Seer has stated in his letter that 30 kilometer long sinking Rameshwar Setubandh that lies to Sri Lanka in the sea ways from Rameshwaram, it is not only the point of faith, culture, trust and ancient artistic excellence but the canal project might shutdown the historical background of the place, Sankaracharya pointed out in his letter to President adding Setubandh was made by Lord Rama in Tretaya Yuga. “All efforts to destroy the Setubandh will be inhuman, ungodly, indecent and unlawful work and the Centre’s destructive plan of Setubandha would hurt the sentiments of the Hindus residing in the country and Sadhus across the country would jointly raised their voice against it,” the letter said. Puri Seer along with Dwarika Peeth and Badrinath Dham Jagadguru Swami Swarupananda Saraswati Swami Bharati Tirtha of Srungeri Peeth, Gopalnanda Ji Maharaj of Bharatamata Mandir (Haridwar) and several other Hindu religious leaders would take up the issue countrywide, sources said here on Thursday. Meanwhile, the agitation would gather further momentum as organizations like Peeth Parishad, Adiya Bahini,, RSS, VHP, Bajarang Dal have extended their support to the Puri Seer’s campaign against the canal project. However, RSS sources said here that the agitation will be carried out at corner of the State to mobilize public opinion against the project.

Mass Education Minister joins special squad - To check malpractice in Matriculation Exam

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO - 8/3) Call it a surprised visit by the School and Mass Education Minister Bishnu Das to various Schools here in the Capital City to take stock of the Matriculation Examination, or take Minister is more anxious to be part of the special squads, which keeping a close watch on malpractices during the examination. Minister Das, who was on Wednesday seen at various School campuses in his home district in Jagatsinghpur, suddenly rushed to Unit-1 Boy's High School and Unit-2 Girls High School here in the second day of the examination to boost the morale of the examination invigilators and expressed satisfaction on the examination. "We have ensure very smooth examination through out the State and malpractice would not be allow in any and any where in the State," Minister Das said adding till March 16, the last day of the examination, all efforts have been made to ensure peaceful and transparent examination. Asked about students appearing examination in Ganjam district in their School verandah, Minister Das expressed deep concern and said he would talk to the local CI to look into the issue. "It should not happened and it was very unfortunate that some students appearing examination in such a way," he said. Meanwhile, Minister's surprise visit has encouraged the authorities to conduct the examination without any fear and favour. "We have made all precautionary measures to check malpractices during the examination and action will be against immediately, if any official violates the rule and allow such activities in their respective Schools," Minister Das warned. Meanwhile, sources said that Minister Das would move around most part of the State during the examination to monitor the whole process.

International Women’s Day observed

Bhubaneswar(VISAKEO - 8/3): State on Thursday observed the International Women's Day amid host of programmes by involving the women community. Various NGOs conducted mass rally and awareness activities on this occasion while some organized seminars to highlight the violence against the women community. Lutheran World Service, a NGO conducted a workshop here at the OUAT campus while Purabi Women Development Council took out a rally in Salia Sahi area of the city. Followed by, socio-cultural organization, Prerana also took out rally at CRPF square on this occasion. State Handloom Department conducted a women awareness programee here at Jayadev Bhawan while World Vision India hold a seminar on "Violence against women and it protection" here at the Nabakrushna Choudhury Centre for Development. Similarly, women wing of Samajwadi party observed women's day at its State party office here at IRC Village. Besides, State chapter of National Alliance of Women also took out a awareness rally on this occasion and Patita Udhara Samiti also observed the day while conducting a meeting. "It was an attempt to aware the women community about their rights and duties," Patita Udhar Samiti's Abharani Choudhury said.

Swadeshi Manch demands justice for farm sector

Swadeshi Jagaran Manch on Monday staged a massive protest rally against Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for multinational companies, unemployment and poverty in the State and demanded protection of land, water, jungles and mines and justice to agriculture and farmers' community.

The groups activists took out a procession from Rashtra Bhasha Ground here and reached PMG Square, where they held a meeting.

They alleged that even after 60 years of Independence from the alien rule, 41 per cent of the State's population is still living below poverty line (BPL) against the national BPL average of 22 per cent. They accused the State Government for neglecting agriculture and farmers' community while focusing only on industry, though 85 per cent of the State's population depends on agriculture.

The group expressed its deep concern over acquisition of fertile agricultural land on a massive scale just for the benefit of the corporate sector to garb the industrialisation and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

"There can be no compromise on food and livelihood of farmers," State SJM convener Arnada Shankar Panigrahi said, adding that unemployment and poverty are assuming grave proportions in the State.

Land Acquisition Act 1894 authorises the Government to acquire land only for public good, such as construction of roads, bridges and other infrastructure facilities, he further said.