Red alert in Orissa after Hyderabad twin blasts

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO): In the wake of Saturday's twin blasts in Hyderabad in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh that killed more than 40 people and injured 45, a red alert has been sounded in Orissa to avert any untoward incidents. "We have stepped up security measures across the State and activated arrangements near sensitive locations, including the Jagannath Temple at Puri," Director General of Police Amarananda Pattnayak said on Sunday. Security has also been tightened in and around major projects and defence installations, he said.

Official sources said security had been tightened around the Interim Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near Balasore and several irrigation dams, including Hirakud Dam in Sambalpur district. Besides, security measures have also been tightened along borders with Andhra Pradesh and security personnel working under Southern and South-Western Police Ranges have been asked to remain alert as these two ranges share road links with Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the movement of suspicious persons in some slum areas in Bhubaneswar was detected by the police. "We suspect them to be members of Maoist outfits. The local people have been asked to inform the police as soon as they come across such persons," Intelligence sources told The Pioneer on Sunday. Bhubaneswar Range DIG YB Khurania said all vehicles entering Bhubaneswar and Puri were being checked. However, when asked about Maoist movement in the city, he declined to comment. The Railway Police have enlisted the help of the State Police to conduct checkings at Bhubaneswar and Puri railway stations, Khurania said. He, along with Khurda SP Amitabh Thakur, undertook searches around the city to take stock of the security situation. Additional security forces have been deployed at the city airport, railway station, Lingaraj Temple and Ram Mandir as well as at major junctions of the city. All hotels and lodges on the Grand Road at Puri are being checked, SP Asit Panigrahi informed from Puri. "Armed security personnel are deployed at four different points leading to the Jagannath Temple and vigil on rooftops has been activated," he said. Vigil is also being maintained at the Sun Temple at Konark, he added.

Security stepped up at Puri temple

Puri (VISAKEO): Two platoons of armed police, a bomb disposal unit and a dog squad were pressed into service since Saturday night in this pilgrim city to prevent any terrorist attack on Jagannatha Temple. Soon after the Hyderabad blast, the State Government asked the police to take adequate security measures for the protection and prevention of any terrorist violence. Puri is one of the four dhamas (shrines) of Hindu faith and an important place of pilgrimage. Police sources said that the temple could be a possible target for the terrorists to massacre people in large numbers. Since the population of the devotees was very large during the ordinary days and it increases on festivals, the terrorists may strike at any time. Based on the inputs of the intelligence agencies the Government has asked the police to take adequate steps to ensure safety of the shrine and other important temples.The devotees were frisked at the entrance and mobile phones were strictly prohibited. Armed police were manning the temple gates round the clock. Metal detectors were installed at the temple entrance and sleuths of the police and intelligence wing have been scanning possible hideouts besides all entry points to the city. Explosive sniffing dogs were being pressed into service to detect hidden explosives from the temple surroundings. Superintendent of Police Asit Kumar Panigrahi said, "Two platoons of armed police were deployed at the Sri Jagannatha Temple and the Gundicha temple besides round the clock police patrolling was being provided to the temple." Police advised all the hoteliers, dharamshalas and the transport operators to inform if they notice any suspicious person baggage, he added. The temple administration too activated all the close circuit security cameras to monitor the crowd in the temple complex. Close vigil of the temple was maintained and the police was kept on alert and this operation would continue, Panigrahi informed.

Hyderabad blast kills doc from Berhampur

Berhampur (VISAKEO): KV Anand, a young doctor from Berhampur, has been confirmed as one among the 31 persons who have been killed in the ghastly bomb blasts in Hyderabad on Saturday night. One of Anand's cousins staying in Hyderabad could not believe his eyes when he saw the live telecast on a TV channel of the bomb blast on the ghastly night. He tried contacting Anand but getting no response from him, he rushed to the spot in order to ascertain his well being. Just 10 minutes before the blast, he had a telephonic talk with Anand who was enjoying the Laser Show at the Lumbini Park in Hyderabad city. Anand had invited the cousin for dinner after the laser show. Anand's parents, on hearing about the plight of their son, became shocked and till Sunday morning remained speechless. They were even unable to utter a single word to the visiting people who reached his home in the city. Anand's father was unable to wake from his bed after the bad news. His mother too is yet to come out of shock. His friends who had gathered here at the residence were also seen mourning. The fact that their friend was only 31 years old and had tied knot last year was too bitter for everyone to digest. One of his friends said, "Anand was doing a super specialist course to prevent and wipe out a dangerous disease like cancer. But none of us had thought that the cancer of terrorism would take his life." Anand, after his MBBS, was at the NIMS for MD super specialist course in oncology (cancer specialisation). He was the son of Dr Lalita Kumari (mother) who is a well known doctor in the city and Dr KRRM Rao (father) who is also a surgery specialist and a retired professor. Anand's wife Supriya is also an MBBS doctor. His father, mother, younger brother and wife survive him. Anand's body was at the Osmania Hospital in Hyderabad and supposed to reach here on Sunday night.

Agitation to protect Rama Sethu

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO): Stepping up its campaign against the Sethusamudram shipping canal project that would demolish the Rama Sethu, considered to be the mythical bridge of Lord Rama, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has announced to launch a State wide agitation to protest the move of the Centre.

Justice (Retd) M Papanna of the Orissa High Court, academician Dr Ratnakar Chaini and Ramesh Chandra Tripathy, Dr Brahmananda Acharya, advocate Bipin Behari Rath have formed a Rameshwaram Rama Sethu Raksha Manch to spearhead the agitation.

Addressing a meeting in this connection, Justice Papanna said the Sethu that links Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka is not only an integral part of the Purana, it is also a symbol of India's glory and respect. Billions of people of the country and the world have intrinsic faith on the structure and every person has the obligation to stand up for protection of the Sethu from demolition, he added.

Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati has also taken up the issue of demolition of the Sethu urging people to thwart the attempts.

BJP leaders to leave for Delhi today

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO - 23/8): All the State BJP top leaders will proceed to New Delhi on Thursday following the urgent call of BJP president Rajnath Singh.

 

BJP official sources said all the BJP Ministers, MPs, State party president and general secretary will attend the meeting. The meeting would be held on August 24 and mainly deal with the election preparation.

 

It has been apprehended that the UPA Government would soon collapse and a mid-term election for the Lok Sabha will be held. On the other hand, BJP official sources said steps would also be taken to soothe the feelings of BJP senior leader Jual Oram who has been in the news for airing anti-Naveen views.

Uma supporters demonstrate against Setu demolition move

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO - 23/8): Workers of the State Bharatiya Janshakti on Wednesday staged a demonstration in front of the Raj Bhawan and strongly criticised the Centre's move for its proposal for demolition of the Rama Setu under the Setu Samudram project.

 

They demanded an unconditional withdrawal of the arrest warrant against their national president Uma Bharati in the wake of her stout opposition to the proposal.

 

The party's State president Arabinda Dhali said, "The Rama Setu is a classic symbol of the Indian heritage and should be declared as a wonder of world as the master piece of mythic period built by Sri Rama approximately 17,50,000 years ago. The Centre's move to demolish it should be battled out at any cost." A Tamil Nadu court has issued an arrest warrant against the party supremo when she came down heavily on the Central Government warning it to restrain from the move as it would possibly hurt the sentiments of the millions of Hindus in the country, Dhali said.

 

Later, the party workers submitted a memorandum to the President through the Governor.

Leaders unite to protect Sriram Setu

Berhampur (VISAKEO): The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and the Sriram Setu Surakhya Manch (SSSM) were of a unanimous view to save the Sriram Setu at Rameshwaram at a meeting held at the old Bus Stand on Sunday. Expressing fear that the demolition of the Setu would not only hurt the sentiments of the Hindus but also deprive thousands of fishermen of their livelihood and adversely affect thetion in future if the Government did not drop such a plan. Speaking on this occasion, president of the Manch Dharmaraj Sahu accused the UPA Government for its obstinacy to demolish the old Setu with a view to facilitate trade. He termed it as an out and out conspiracy against the Hindus. Ramakanta Rath of the Bajrang Dal said that it was a conspiracy at the international level to wipe out the Setu. Narasingh Choudhary of the VHP said that the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre was taking anti-Hindu decisions. He alleged that the UPA Government was embarking on such a plan at the instance of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Later, in a memorandum to the RDC they urged the Government to refrain from such a plan.
VHP observes fast over Ram Setu
 Bhubaneswar(Visakeo)Stepping up their protest against the demolition of Ram Setu (Adam's Bridge) as part of the Sethusamudaram Shipping Canal Project, VHP members on Sunday observed fast at Raj Mahal Square here. Later, a delegation submitted a memorandum to Khurda ADM, which was addressed to the Prime Minister. Several sadhus, activists of RSS and ABVP also participated in the dawn-to-dusk fast, singing bhajans. "The Centre and State have hidden intentions in implementing the project," they alleged. They claimed that destruction of the bridge would increase the tsunami threat to Tamil Nadu and Kerala, besides threatening India's security. NK Debata, Gouri Prasad Rath, Raghunath Pati and Pramod Das were among those present during the fast.

ABVP activists demonstrate at Balasore Collectorate

Balasore (VISAKEO): The district unit of ABVP organised a demonstration on Friday at the Collectorate. The agitators under the leadership of district coordinator Anirudha Panda besides alleging that the education machineries in the State are in disarray, condemned the police action against the agitating students in Bhubaneswar on July 13, further observing thatit was an act of inhumanity. They submitted a charter of seven demands including filling up all vacancies for teaching staff, a Central and Tribal University in the State. They protested the move of transferring the Central Institutes such as IIT, IIM, IISC from the State. Alleging that education is commercialised, they said on numerous instances recognition of plus two colleges had been given to several institutes without verification. They demanded a Government Medical College at Balasore and protested the decision of the State Government to allot 8000 acres of land to Vedanta for setting up of a university. Waiving of tuition fees for the flood affected students, bus pass for students, a help desk , adequate hostel facilities in each college , direct election for plus three and allotment land adjacent to FM college for expansion were their other demands.    
VHP to go on token fast in protest against Sethu project   
Bhubaneswa(Visakeo)-As part of its nationwide token fast, the State unit of Vishwa Hindu Parishad will organise a token fast at Raj Mahal Square on Sunday in protest against the demolition of Rama Sethu (Adam's Bridge) in the Palk Strait under the Sethu Samudram shipping canal project in Tamil Nadu.
About 20 per cent of Rama Sethu had been demolished, despite the Madras High Court's recent observation that the Centre could preserve it as a national heritage monument. "This showed that they have scant regard for the High Court's observation. It has set a wrong precedence and is highly condemnable. We suspect that there is an ulterior motive in implementing the project hastily," VHP said in a statement. Refuting the SSCP chairman's recent claim that US space agency NASA had concluded that Rama Sethu was not man made, VHP said NASA had clarified that their information was based solely on astronaut photography dataset, which did not provide information on the age, subsurface structure or composition of islands in the Palk Straits. Hundreds of sadhus will join the token fast here.

Puri Seer urges Hindu solidarity for Rama Sethu

Puri (VISAKEO): The Sankaracharya of Gobardhan Peeth, Puri Swami Nischalananda Saraswati has urged the Hindus to show solidarity with the Dharmacharyas and religious gurus to protect the Rama Sethu from destruction. The Sankaracharya appealed to the followers of Hindu faith to enable the religious leaders and acharyas to stage a Parliament Gherao agitation to exert pressure on the Government to desist them from proceeding with the Setu Samudram canal project.
The acharya reiterated his stand on the Rama Sethu at a Press conference on Saturday describing it as sacred for all Hindus. Hanuman, Nala and Neela, the followers of God Rama had constructed the 48km sethu (bridge) in Tretaya Yuga during the accession of Sri Lanka. It remained as a means of transport between the two countries till 1480 AD. The seer quoting a report of NASA said it as a man made structure built 1.75 million years ago after analysing the aerial photographs taken from the space. There was volumes in our religious texts over construction of the Rama Sethu, its consecration and sacredness the acharya said.          
                  
The Shankarachrya in strong words condemned the Union Government who was bent upon to destroy our religious heritage in the name of promotion of trade, tourism and commerce. The Sankaracharya demanded that the Government should declare it as a national heritage monument and scrap the Setusamudram canal project as millions of Hindus are religiously and emotionally attached to the Rama Sethu.        
                  
If the project was allowed to proceed a great religious history and a heritage monument of Hindu faith would be lost for ever. He described it as a treasure house of rare flora and fauna. There was huge deposit of Thorium, a radio active element. Its ridges repel high tides during Tsunami the seer, said.

Four Oriya in National Junior Hockey team

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO): Four players of Orissa have been selected in the Indian Junior Hockey team, which play at the Eight-Nation Hockey Tournament to be held from August 6 at Germany. The selected player includes Innocent Kullu, Sameer Bakshla, Amardeep Ekka and Aannda Tirkey. The four players have been picked up after the review of their performance at the recently concluded National Junior Hockey Championship at Chennai, where Innocent Kullu was decalred best Defender while Amardeep Ekka as best Mid-Fielder. Both Innocent and Sameer are from the Panposh Sports Hostel and Amardeep is from Air India Academy and Ananda from East Coast Railway. Apart from this, SP Das has been chosen as team physio, who is also an Oriya.

Women Football team to leave for Bangladesh on August 20

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO): Orissa Women Football team will leave for Bangladesh on August 20 in order to play five exhibition matches with the host team. The five matched will be played from August 20 to September 5 at different places of Bangladesh. According team manager BK Mohanty, team has already been selected and ready to play in Bangladesh. The team includes Sukumari Languri(Keonjhar), Ashirta Kisan(Rourkela), Sanju Tirkey(Sundargarh), Pinkie(Jharsuguda), Jhili Munda and Thukuni Munda(Sambalpur), Susmita Mallick, Suprabha Samal, Alochana Senapati, Sradhanjali Sahoo, Prasanti Pradhan, Rashmita Patra, Bijaylaxmi Sahoo and Sangita Ray, all from Bhubaneswar, Gitanjali Khatua and Sunita Majhi(Cuttack) and Gyatri Mallick of Kendrapara have been included in the team for Bangladesh tour. Besides, Coach Md Jabar Hussain, manager Mohanty, Sangita Sharma and Pratima Mishra will also accompany the team.

RSS charges Congress over PCC chief’s comments on 1857

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO): Coming down heavily on the comments made by PCC Chief Jayadev Jena that under RSS pressure, the BJD-BJP Government did not include the party in the preparations for the celebration of 150 year of 1857, RSS on Wednesday turned the statement by saying it as baseless and fabricated on part of the Congress. Sangha however urged all to celebrate the first Freedom Struggle of the country, which united the country in 1857. "Some political parties are very critical to RSS ideology but that does not mean that on matters of national importance, we should divide opinion over the 150 years celebration of 1857," RSS said in a statement adding that it was a conspiracy to blame the RSS by some political outfits. "It is an occasion to celebrate country's first freedom struggle and RSS is not pressuring anybody to celebrate," the statement said. The Statement further reads that for State level celebration of 1857, Orissa Government would decide, who should be included in the organising committee but PCC Chief Jena's statement was only baseless one and Sangha condemning it strongly.

RSS dedicates itself in Car Festival

Bhubaneswar  (VISAKEO - 17/7): As the celebration is on air, how can RSS be exempted from the celebration and service on the day of the great Car Festival of the Great Lord of the Universe in Puri. Where lakhs of devotees are eager to have inspection of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balvadra and the Goddess Suvadra on the chariots, the RSS people have also involved themselves in the service of the common people and devotees during the festival with a concept in their mind that "service to mankind is service to God".

On behalf of the Rastriya Swayam Sevak Sangh, Orissa, the service is being executed and it will continue till Bahuda- the return of the Chariots, stated the RSS Sahapranta Sevapramukh Sri Saroj Kar here today. More than 300 RSS people have been deployed on the duty on the eve of the famous Car Festival, Puri. The activists have supplied thousands of pouch water at 6 places having the banner of Utkal Bippana Sahayata Samiti (UBSS). The Sangh has opened two primary treatment centres, and deployed 45 doctors with 5 Ambulances. More than 108 Sangh people are engaged in each chariot for the security of the sacred chariots. The Sangh has also provided two information center for better communication. For the supervision of these operations done by the activists and volunteers, few designated Sangh people such as Sunilpad Goswami, Gopal Prasad Mohapatra, Ajit Prasad Mohapatra, Jagdish Prasad Katanga, and Simanchal Khatua are present on this celebration to gear up the processing properly, Sri. Kar added. 

Tribute to Adhish Kumar

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO - 15/7) : Sri Adhish Kumar had deep knowledge in the political situation of the country and through study on media. Out of his own attempt he could establish a strong organization on all India basis for the publicity of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha. The organization is growing fast in the field of Journalism & Mass Communication. Though he was a leader in all India basis his personal life was quite simple. He was a man of amicable personality having sympathy in the situation of all. This was the theme of tributes offered by different speakers in the 11th day of his death.
     In memory of Sri Adhish Kumar today a meeting was arrange here at Buddha Vihar by Odissa Viswa Sambad Kendra wherein the provincial Sanghachalak of RSS Sri Ashok Kumar Das was present as Chief Speaker & Sri Jagadhish Pattanaik was presided over the meeting. Speaking on the occasion the chief speaker narrated how Adhish Kumar in the critical movement of Indian politics was writing books and giving clear views on the situation to the general public. Being the chief of Viswa Sambad Kendra and publicity department of RSS at all India basis he was publishing a monthly bulletin from Lucknow narrating day-to-day affairs of the present situation.
     Principal of local Maharshi College Dr. Bijaya Kumar Swain as a speaker in the meeting narrated the achievements of Sri Adhish Kumar in the field of publicity and mass communication. Renound journalist Sri Sanjaya Jena, Organizing Secretary of Orissa Shikhsya Vikash Samiti Sri Govind Chandra Mohanta, Provincial Secretary of  Vana Vashi Kalyan Asharam Dr. Lakshmikanta Dash, Secreatry Lekhaka Mancha Sri Laxman Panda, Secretary Viswa Sambad Kendra Sri Sumanta Kumar Panda, Member Samir Mohanty, Sri Haribandhu Praharaj, Bhubaneswar representative of weekly Rashtradeep Sri Golakh Chandra Das, Provincial Prachar Pramukh of RSS Sri Simanchal Khatua narrated their individual experiences and offered tributes. One-minute silence was observed for peace of the soul of Adhish Kumar.
In the beginning Sri Ashok Kumar Das lighted lamp in front of the photograph of Sri Adhish kumar and inaugurated the meeting. The coloumnist  Soumendra Jena voted thanks. The meeting was over after Shantipath.