विसकों बुलेटिन जुलाई-2009

Sishu Mandir students sweeps Orissa Board Exams

BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): Students of Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, a chain of Schools run by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh under Sikhya Vikash Samiti once again on June 30 did very well with near about 50 students placed in best 100 of the State Board of Secondary Education Examinations.

Importantly, two joint toppers including Bibeka Bishal Mehena of Rourkela( 574) and Sanket Dash of Berhampur(754) were from the Saraswati Sishu Mandir and the second topper Anshuman(573) Tripathy was also from Balangiri Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir. Similarly, Bidyasabitry Nayak of Lunahar Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir in Salipur stood third in the toppers list by securing 572 marks while Satwik Routray secured 571 from the same School.

Others, who found place in best 100 from SSVM included, Anjan Kumar Tripathy (570) of Balangir SSVM, Rosaline Sahoo(569) of Nalco Nagar SSVM, AP Padhi(569) of Unit-8 SSVM, Bijay Laxmi Parida( 568) of Rourkela-2 SSVM. Similarly, Abhisek Das(568) of College Square SSVM, S Parida(567) of Nayagarh SSVM, Amit Kumar Pradhani(566) of Jeypore SSVM have found place in best 100.

Followed by Kalpataru Palai(565) of Dhanupalli SSVM, Abhijit Joshi(565) of Patnagarh SSVM, Adesh Kumar Mishra(564) of Balangiri SSVM also shined in the examinations.
Similarly, Anwesh Parida(564) of Salipur SSVM, Sabhasachi Baliarsingh(564) of Nayagarh SSVM, Shibashis Mohapatra(563) of Damanjodi SSVM also found places in 100 best.

Abinash Swain (563) of Manjari Road SSVM in Bhadrak, Biswajit Samanta(563) of Barmunda SSVM, Debasis Sahu( 563) of Nayapalli SSVM, Suman Kar(562) of Sohela SSVM, M Acharya(562) of Balangir SSVM, S Nayak( 562) of Ramaharinagar SSVM also found places in best 100.

Besides, Sunena Nayak( 562) of Bhadrak SSVM, Sunil Kumar Pahadasingh(562) of Khurda SSVM, J Jaypuria(561) of Banharpali SSVM, Bibek Prusty( 561) of Keonjhargarh SSVM, R Lopamudra Sahoo(561) of Harachandisahi SSVM, A Majhisamanta(561) of Nayapalli SSVM, N Dash(560) of Puri-1 SSVM, J Sarangi(560) of Pipili SSVM, S Panda(560) of Nayapalli SSVM, Ipsita Swain(559) of Badagada SSVM, A Dash(559) of Nayapalli SSVM, Payal Sahu(558) of Dhanupalli SSVM, S Agasty(558) of Patanagarh SSVM have able to registered their name in best 100.

Similarly, P Paik (558) of Parlakhemundi SSVM, S S Mishra( 558) OF Neelakantha Nagar SSVM, Arpita Malla( 558) of Santasahi SSVM in Kendrapara, M Dash( 558) of Barmunda SSVM, D Dash ( 558) of Badagada SSVM and Poonam Mahaptra( 558) of Nayapalli SSVM have also did well in the examinations.

Foreign funding to Orissa NGOs on rise

BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): As many as 1,007 NGOs from Orissa receiving funds from outside, mostly from Church dominated western countries.The NGOs received funds under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976. Though, the Government blacklisted as many 25 NGOs but it has completely failed in restricting foreign funds to other NGOs.

Official record says Orissa has 1, 05,927 registered NGOs while 1007 NGOs receiving foreign grants.“It was shocking that the figure has been rising and the large scale conversion has been possible because of foreign funds,” alleged a VHP leader. The VHP and others have been demanding complete ban on foreign funding to NGOs working in Orissa, mostly in tribal areas, he said adding the State Government yet to act on this issue.

“It has been probed that the western countries funding NGOs in Orissa to convert tribal Hindu into Christianity,” VHP State general secretary Gouri Prasad Rath said.

Table Kandhamal probe report, demands BJP

BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): The Orissa unit of Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded tabling of the interim report of the judicial commission on Kandhamal violence in the Assembly.Govt disburses Rs 1.05 cr to Kandhamal riot victims The issue relating to the interim report of Justice S C Mohapatra Judicial Commission was raised by BJP member Jaynarayan Mishra in the assembly during Zero Hour on July 7.

"As we (MLAs) were unable to know details of the interim report, the government should lay it in the House," Mishra said adding that since the House is on session, it was duty of the state government to table the report. Justice Mohapatra, a retired High Court Justice, had submitted an interim report on the violence on July 1, after nine months of formation of the judicial commission.

The commission was constituted on September 3, 2008 after riot broke out in Kandhamal on August 24, 2008, a day after killing of VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati. Justice Mohapatra had reportedly identified three factors including conversion and re-conversion responsible for the large scale violence. Two other factors were - tribal land and fake tribal certificate issues.

BJP seeks ban on Church Harmony Day

BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): The BJP has taken a strong note of Harmony Day to be observed by Church on August 23 this year. The same day in last year, Hindu seer Swami Laxmananda Saraswati brutally killed at his Jalespata Ashram in tribal dominated southern district of Kandhamal.

On July 22, Archbishop of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack Raphael Cheenath along with other Christian leaders had announced to observe August 23 as Peace Day' to commemorate the murder of Hindu seer

The BJP has opposed the move and asked the Naveen Patnaik Government to not allow such farce. BJP MLA from Baliguda in Kandhamal, where communal violence broke out after the murder of Swamiji, Karendra Majhi said in the State Assembly, "Observance of August 23 as peace and harmony day will only help to ignite communal tension in Kandhamal."

Majhi referred to the killing of Saraswati and said allowing the organisation to observe "peace and harmony day" on that particular date would add fuel to the already surcharged communal situation in the district.

"It is necessary to remember August 23 as a day for peace and harmony so that evil designs of criminals to divide civil society on religious lines is strongly thwarted," the Archbishop had said while addressing a press conference here on July 25.

The archbishop had added that Christians across the State would observe fasting and offer prayers at churches to commemorate the day on which "peace and harmony was disturbed leading to violence for several months." He said he would also appeal all bishops in the county, the state and Union governments as well as the international community to observe August 23 as "Global day for peace."

Orissa Minority Forum president Swarupananda Patra and Utkal Christian Council spokesperson Bibhudata Das said they would organise a series of events including seminars, debates and paining competitions for a month to commemorate the day.

Central Forces withdrawn as MHA rejects extension

PHULABANI (VISAKEO): Four Companies of Central Para-Military Forces on Wednesday withdrawn from Orissa riot hit tribal dominated Kandhamal district as their stay in the area ended on July 30, official sources said.

“In fact, the deployment of Central Forces was up to June 30, provided, we have also requested to Union Home Ministry seeking extension but it has not agreed,” State Director General of Police, Manmohan Praharaj said adding hinted that the Central Forces have been withdrawn from the district.

“We would deploy adequate number of State police personnel to man the troubled district, which witnessed communal violence in August last year,” informed Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Arun Sarangi. All steps have been taken to avail security for the riot victims, the IGP added.

With this, all Central Forces have been withdrawn from the district. Earlier, more than 4000 Central Forces were deployed in the district following the violence in the wake of murder of Hindu seer Swami Laxmananda Saraswati on August 23, 2008.

BJP MLA seeks better security

BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): BJP MLA from G Udayagiri in Orissa’s riot hit Kandhamal district, Manoj Pradhan on July 7 appealed to Speaker Pradip Amata to avail better security for him as the outlawed leftwing guerrillas have threatened to kill him.

Pradhan had taken his oath as a member of the Assembly on July 6 after he was released from the jail on Sunday on a 15-day conditional bail. So far, in G-Udaygiri, Naxalites have killed four RSS activists, besides eliminating VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati and four of his associates.

The MLA was behind bars ever since his arrest on October 18, 2008 without any solid evidence against him in connection with the Kandhamal riots.

Pradhan stressed upon his innocence and repeatedly said that he was not involved in any violence. “I never ventured out of my house during the riots and I do not know who filed the cases against me. The charges against me are false but I have complete trust in the judiciary and know that justice will be done,” said Pradhan. After Pradhan’s release, the leader reportedly first visited the ashram to offer his prayers.

When quizzed about the Kandhamal riots, Pradhan said peace would be possible in the block only when the government addresses the three main issues — land, fake certificate and conversion. Pradhan appealed to riot victims staying at relief camps to return home. The MLA had fought and won the recent elections from behind bars defeating a senior Congress leader, Ajayanti Pradhan.

SJM hits out at Union Commerce Minister

CUTTACK (VISAKEO): Commerce Minister Kamal Nath was in news by announcing a breakthrough in Doha Development Round of Talks on his first visit to the USA. Reaching India, he made attempts to neutralise its effects by declaring that nothing he conceded. Such an exercise was least expected. It has undermined the image of the country among developing countries, alleged national co-convener of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch Saroj Kumar Mitra on July 20.On one pretext and other, the US and EU are flouting the WTO agreement.

These countries demanded developing economies to curtail whatever small amount of subsidies they provide to their poor farmers, alleged Mitra, adding that India’s food security cannot be subjected to international marketing strategy of developed countries. So food security and agriculture should be withdrawn from the agenda of the WTO, which should deal only with trade related matters. In the name of free trade, all sorts of restrictions are being imposed on products of developing countries. India should not play broker on behalf of developed economies and act like a stooge of the USA, he alleged further.

81.514 acres of land encroached in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): About 81,514 acres of public land are in unauthorized possession across the Orissa, State Revenue Minister S N Patro said. "To retrieve the land, cases have been registered in consonance with the OPLE Act (Orissa Prevention of Land Encroachment Act, 1972)," he said, adding the total number of such cases presently stood at 1, 95,657.

The maximum quantum of 9819.043 acres government land, according to Patra, has been encroached in Cuttack district, followed by Sundargarh (9732.131 acres), Balangir (6421.393 acres), Mayurbhanj (5627.25 acres) and Dhenkanal (5562.568 acres). Among the districts showing the least encroachment of government land are Boudh (478.595 acres), Kandhamal (481.338 acres), Malkangiri (519.201 acres), Bhadrak (610.47 acres) and Gajapati (971.306 acres).

Government officials conceded that amount of public land that is encroached across the state could indeed be much more than what the records show. For instance, going by official data, 1941.74 acres have been encroached upon in Khurda district, including Bhubaneswar. But, officials pointed out that in reality it could be more considering the large swathes over which slums have come up in the state capital.

According to Patro, the government is taking steps to finalise the encroachment cases to recover the land. He said the highest of 19,453 cases have been registered in Sundargarh district alone, while in 14,573 have been filed in Mayurbhanj. Balasore comes next with 13,970 cases. Ganjam has 12,771 such cases. A total of 10,181 cases have been lodged in Cuttack district. Among the other districts, Angul (10,020), Dhenkanal (9934) and Khurda (8366) also have a large number of such cases.



BJP urges CM to protect Konark Temple

KONARK(VISAKEO): Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Brajakishore Tripathy has expressed grave concern over the poor conservation work of the international heritage monument of the Sun Temple at Konark by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as well by the State Government.

Addressing media persons here on July 11, he said it is unfortunate that the State Government is callous over the tumbling of a number of artefacts from the monument. Five artefacts fell from the thirteenth-century edifice within the last six months and the State Government has no knowledge about it as is evident from the statement of the concerned Minister in the State Assembly.

Tripathy said a 15-member team of experts in 2006 had visited Konark, and after examining the temple opined that the sand filled inside the temple had receded by about 16 feet and it needed to be addressed immediately.

The committee insisted on engagement of skilled sculptors while carrying out the conservation work. Nothing visible has happened since then, while the monument has been decaying day by day, he lamented. Tripathy, in a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has sought his intervention, saying the temple is the property of the State Government, which was handed it over to the ASI for preservation. If the ASI fails to do the job, the State should take it back as it is “the symbol of our glorious past and a genuine heritage.”

Tripathy has pointed out to the Chief Minister that the ASI is engaging unskilled labourers and using steel brushes detrimental to the health of the temple arts. This apart, water-logging has posed a threat to the temple’s plinth.No senior ASI official is posted at Konark to look after the heritage monument. The light and sound project at Konark, initiated in 2005 to attract tourists, is yet to materialise, he pointed out.Puri Zilla Parishad president Sankarshan Parida and former chairpersons of the Puri Municipality A Biswanath Rao and Gourahari Pradhan were present at the news conference.



HSC toppers felicitated

BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): The Sikhya Vikash Samiti on July 5, felicitated toppers of High School Certificate Examinations-2009 here.School and Mass Education Minister Pratap Jena while attending a function at OUAT campus, lauded the performance of students and promised all help for the Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir. The Minister however promised better facilities including financial help for girl student.

45 out of the best 100 including two joint toppers Bibek Biswal and Sanket Dash and three former students, in total, 48 students felicitated. Besides, Bidya Bharati zonal president Jagadish Patnaik, Sudarshan Nayak, Dr Nagendra Pradhan, BC Sahoo and Swami Jeevan Chaitnya were also felicitated.

Board Director DD Nath, Bidya Bharati State joint organizing secretary of Uttar Pradesh Prakash Chandraji, organizing secretray B Ganesh Kulkarni, Samiti president Dr Prafulla Mohapatra and Secretary Bijay Swain, spokesman Rabi Narayan Panda and organizing secretray Gobinda Chandra Mahanta were among those present.





Anti-cow slaughter campaign from Sept 28

BHUBANESWAR: Biswa Mangal Go Gram Samiti would launch a 108 days national wide Yatra seeking complete ban on cow slaughtering and maximum funds for rural India. Speaking at a Press meet here on July 27, Samiti State vice-president Dr Basanta Kumar Rath, Saint Pranarupananda Saraswati, coordinator Arnada Shankar Panigrahi and joint coordinator Ashok Padhi demanded national animal status for cow and asked the Centre as well as respective States Government to impose a complete ban on cow slaughtering.

A committee has been formed in the State. Justice Debapriya Mohapatra has been selected as chairman while Prafulla Das would remain as secretary, Arun Kumar Panda and Dr Basanta Rath as vice-president. Nirajan Nanda, NK Mishra and Deepak Rout have been elected as joint secretaries. The Yatra, which will spread the message of 'save cow and save village' will be flagged off on September 28, 2009, on Vijaya Dashami Day at Kurukhetra in Hariyana and calumniated at Nagpur in 2010 on Makar Sankranti Day," they said. The Yatra would traverse some 20,000 kilometers.

Apart, from the main Yatra, 15,000 smaller Yatra including 150 in Orissa to traverse some 10 lakh kilometers during in 108 days while meetings will be held at 400 places across the country and signature of 50 crore people will be collected and submitted to the President of India seeking complete ban on cow slaughter. The Yatra would stay in Orissa for four days from November 7 to 10. It will arrive at Rourkela on November 7 from Ranchi and reach Sambalpur on November 8 Cuttack on 9 and on 10, it will be at Berhampur and on 11, it would left for Visakhapatnam.


CPI (Maoists) responsible for unrest in industrial hubs, Govt

BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): Orissa Government has officially admitted that the outlawed CPI (Maoists) posing a great treat to the industrial drive.The police establishment admitted that series of violence triggered by naxalites in different places during 2008 had made the situation critical. At least 74 security personnel had lost their lives while 22 common men became target of the extremist groups. CPI (Maoist) was trying to bring tribals and dalits into its fold by extending its support to the latter’s demands in cities and upcoming urban centres.

The State police claimed that although the government was trying to rehabilitate people being displaced by industrial projects and provide employments, anti-industrial groups had resorted to agitations by involving affected people through out 2008. Damage to public property during these agitations had been minimized due to its swift actions, police said.Similarly, number of agitations by labourers on the premises of industrial projects had also gone up in 2008 compared to previous year. In 2007 at least 77 incidents of violence related to laboures’ problem were witnessed against 114 in 2008.

In view of growing law and order problem around industrial pockets, the State government had mooted raising an industrial security force. However, it is yet to be materialised. The State was witnessed fast industrialisation in districts such as Jajpur, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Sambalpur. Industrial houses were facing stiff opposition from local people in Kashipur of Rayagada, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur and Keonjhar district.

Visitors to carry Photo ID in holy city of Puri

PURI (VISAKEO): Puri-bound pilgrims and tourists would have hard times henceforth in the abode of Lord Jagannath without a valid photo identity card (PIC). The Puri police clamped such a rule from July 24.

Puri Superintendent of Police Soumendra Priyadarshi has announced that all the visitors arriving in the town would be asked to produce their PIC to check into any hotel. The voter identity card issued by the Election Commission of India, passport, driving licence, pan card, credit or any such proof with photograph would be considered the PIC, explained the SP and added that the rule will also be applicable to Holiday Homes operated by various corporate houses and other organisations and even to ‘dharmashalas’.

The owners and managers of these hotels and guest houses have been warned to adhere to the rule strictly failing which stringent action would be initiated against the violators, the top cop said. Even those, who would be coming to the city by train and road without a plan to halt may also be asked to show their proof of identity for security reasons, he clarified. The SP has maintained that the travel and tour operators providing taxi and bus services would ask the persons booking the service to produce photocopy of their identity.

This restriction follows a recent crime committed by a group of people, who hired a taxi and killed the driver en route and fled with the vehicle. The whereabouts of the killers could not be established without any information about the team.However, for the families visiting Puri, the head of the family would alone be asked to produce the PIC for check in – a major relaxation that the police have provided.

The restrictions are a fall out to the threats received for the Jagannath temple from extremist organisations, it was learnt. Besides, of late Puri has become a safe haven for criminals who commit crimes and escape for this peaceful town in the guise of pilgrims and tourists.

The new rule would empower the law enforcing agencies to track them, the police believe. The police also advised the employees of various government, non-government and private organizasions of the town to carry their identity cards.


Orissa cops vent ire, hit out at CM

CUTTACK (VISAKEO): Orissa cops have accused the Naveen Patnaik Government of leaving them vulnerable to Maoist attacks by sitting on long-standing demands for better arms and equipment. The resentment, building up for a while, burst into the open on a day the Chief Minister attended the funeral of a sub-inspector killed by Maoists.

The Orissa Police Association (OPA), which represents over 7,000 inspectors and sub-inspectors, said sub-inspector Ajit Bardhan may have been alive if the government had given the force modern weapons. “Government inaction has armed the rebels,” association secretary Sunil Mohanty said.

Association president S.N. Sharma seconded Mohanty. “We need choppers for combing and rescue operations.” It has demanded at least two. Sharma said Bardhan’s bullet-riddled body was found only after 36 hours, appearing to blame the delay on the lack of upgrade. Bardhan’s last rites were performed with full state honours.

Eleven state police personnel, as many CISF jawans and a CRPF man have died in rebel attacks so far this year. Padmanav Behera, the president of Orissa Havildar and Constable Federation, which has 40,000 members, said: “We face Maoist bullets and all we get is honour posthumously. We need weapons instead of pep-talk or wreaths.”

State police Chief M.M. Praharaj said steps were being taken to bring in sophisticated arms. The Opposition has tapped the discontent, saying the government’s attitude had made the policemen “sitting ducks”. Leader of the Opposition, the Congress’s Bhupinder Singh, said: “The government has failed miserably in drafting strong weapon policies to battle the rebels.”

Singh pointed out that junior officers and jawans often bore the brunt of the failure to upgrade arms and facilities as they were at the forefront of the anti-insurgency operations.


Orissa rope proved potency

PURI/BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): Rama Krushna Dashmohapatra proved his mettle. The Chairman of the Orissa Co-operative Coir Corporation (OCCC) insistence to go for ropes of the state to be used in the chariots has paid dividends. The Chief Daitapati of Devi Subhadra was persistent on his view that coir ropes produced by OCCC is no way inferior to the Kerala Coir Corporation (KCC) products.

Ashok Kumar Meena, Chief Administrator of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) agreed to use Orissa Coir ropes to pull Devi Subhadra’s chariot. KCC is for last 22 years is supplying thick and long ropes for the chariot pulling. 16 pieces of coir ropes (each rope 220 feet long and 8 inch width) is needed for the purpose every year. Dashmohapatra insisted that this year for a pilot project Orissa rope will be used entirely in pulling Devi Subhadra’s chariot. Devi Subhadra’s chariot is known as Devadalan stands at 44.6 feet height. While the height of the Taladwaja, Lord Balabhadra's chariot, is 45 feet, the Nandighosh Lord Jagannath's chariots stand at 45.6 ft.

So Orissa Coir provided 4 ropes measuring 220 feet long and 8 inch width for pulling the chariot, said Basant Kumar Dash, Managing Director OCCC. For the cordon purpose 3 ropes having 450 feet length and 3 inch width were given to Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), said Mr.Dash. Ropes were used to draw chariot on 24 June, Rath Jatra and it was also pressed into services on 2 July, Bahuda Jatra,

In both these cases the ropes found suitable and stood the test of time, said the Managing Director of OCCC. Interestingly the workmen engaged in making the ropes were determined to prove their mettle by providing quality material and to produce the ‘Shrikshetra Rope’ they even did not touch any non-vegetable items during the entire period, revealed Mr.Dash. With lot of determination and dedication the ropes were made and it tested fina, said an official in SJTA.

Earlier ropes were provided by local mutts during per-Independence period and due to irregular in supply authorities opted for Calcutta Ropes. It went on for many years and later Kerala Coir came forward to supply the ropes regularly. In the mean time OCCC has already provided ropes to the district authorities of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak and Berhampur for using in chariots. Now with the Orissa Coir products proved its potency, SJTA will favour the state ropes and there is no need to go to Kerala for this purpose, said the sources in SJTA.

Why Naveen fears for CBI probe (Editorial)

Why Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik preferred double dhamaka instead single over the mining scam? Instead asking CBI to probe 4,000 crore mining scam, Patnaik opted Administrative and Vigilance probe (double dhamaka), which raises a lot of eyebrows.It seems the State Government is shielding all culprits involved in the scam by not ordering a CBI probe into illegal mining in tribal dominated Keonjhar district. Chief Minister said that the Secretary of the Department of Steel and Mines will enquire into the misconduct of the officers supporting the illegal mining. Patnaik said that after ordering the administrative, Raghunath Mohanty, the Minister Steel and Mines has favored for vigilance inquiry to look into the criminal angle.

Accordingly he has ordered a vigilance inquiry on the matter and the Directorate of Vigilance will enquire into allegations with due seriousness and stern action will be taken against those who are found guilty. In fact a belligerent opposition has stalled the proceedings of the House for a CBI inquiry over the matter.


Interestingly, Chief Minister preferred to sleep at Naveen Niwas and skipped an all party meeting held on July 14 over this issue. Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat, who tried his level best to find out a solution to the impasse, could not able to satisfy the opposition.

As per the parliamentary procedure, leaders of the all the parties in the Orissa House are supposed to attend the meeting summoned by the Speaker. So the Chief Minister, leader of the BJD Legislative Party was to attend the meeting.
But opposition found that CM was absent in the meeting. When asked about his absence, it was reported that he is sleeping.

As the Leader of the House remained absent from the meeting, Leader of the Opposition, Bhupinder Singh preferred to stay away. In the morning hours of July 14, Governor MC Bhandare later received Bhupinder Singh, who led a delegation of Congress Legislature Party in the Raj Bhawan.

Bhandare promised the delegation to call for the files from the Department of Steel and Mines on illegal mines operating in the state. BJP Legislature Party Leader K.V. Singh Deo also met the Governor along with 6 legislators.

They submitted a Memorandum detailing how the precious manganese ores from mines at Katasahi in Keonjhar district were handed over to a private firm – Ram Bahadur Thakur Limited (RBTL) illegally and demanded CBI Inquiry. Governor Bhandare also promised the delegation to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, political pundits are baffled at an interesting development unfolding in Orissa House. While both Congress and BJP are at draggers drawn in national scene and in various States, the foes are turning friendly to take on Naveen. Both BJP and Congress lawmakers have sink their differences on the issue of alleged multi-crore manganese scam.

Interestingly with 27 members Congress is following the saffron party, which is a minority with only 6 lawmakers in the 147 members Orissa House. The Leader of the Opposition, Singh is seen toeing the line of Singhdeo, leader of the BJP Legislature Party in the House.

This is evident from July 10, when Singhdeo, raised the issue of the alleged Rs.4000 crore, manganese scam in Joda in the district of Keonjhar. Singh supported the demands of BJP for CBI Inquiry into the allegations, while tabling an adjournment motion. Mohanty, Minister Steel and Mines assured the House of stringent action on the erring officials.
They also tabled a Privilege Motion against the Chief Minister for not taking the House into confidence before announcing Vigilance Inquiry into the alleged scam. Both BJP and Congress members are also gunning for Mohanty for misleading the House.

Senior Congress leaders are worried over the development as joining hands with BJP to fight against BJD does not give mileage to the Century old party. They feel that BJP is hogging the lime light and Congress is seen as the B-Team of saffron party. Though few MLAs from Congress feel the pinch, but they do not know how to wriggle out of the jam.
People in the state expect their problems like price rise, Maoist menace, deteriorating law and order situation and other burning issues should be discussed and sorted out in the House, said another political analyst.



Chandipur Beach: Orissa’s real beauty in sea water (Tourism)( With Pix)

Orissa has a long coastline of over 480 km.on the Bay of Bengal interspersed by a couple of lovely beaches. Added to their seductive beauty is a vast hinter land of antiquities and holy shrines. Backed up by musical sway of casuarina trees and creepered sand dunes, Chandipur is one such beach, but with a unique distinction on its own. Unlike other beaches, the sea water here recedes away from the shore line about five km twice a day, an unusual phenomenon, rarely found anywhere. ?You can see the sea literally vanishing before your eyes and also watch it coming back rhythmically at regular intervals, as if playing hide and seek.

Elsewhere, the waves come and go dashing on the shore like madcap but here they are like a musical fountain, soothing to the eyes and ears. Elsewhere, the waters wait for the visitors but here the visitors have to wait for the waters. Elsewhere, the waves go wild and the visitors calm but here the ecstasy of visitors will go wild while the waves remain calm.

This marvel of Nature gives the bathers an unexpected pleasure of fearlessly walking into the sea and happily playing with the waves. When the waters disappear, you can even take jeep ride on, the widest beach. The beauty of the exposed bosom of the beach is further enhanced by the small red crabs. If a beach comber, you will be delighted with its abundant wealth of sea shells and drift wood.

To enjoy Chandipur in all its entirety, a minimum stay of twenty-four hours is recommended.

Hardly 2 km away is Balaramgadi where the river Budhabalang meets the sea. A trip through the mouth of the meandering river on a fisherman's boat is a pleasant experience. Watching them cast their nets and pull their catch of fish is memorable.

Road : Chandipur is well connected by an excellent all-Weather road. 16 km from Balasore on N.H. 5, 230 km from Bhubaneswar and 314 km from Kolkata. Regular bus services are available. Taxis and Auto rickshaws are also available from Balasore.

Rail : Nearest railhead is Balasore (16 km) on the S.E. Railway served by a number of fast trains from Kolkata, New Delhi, Chennai, Puri, Tirupati, Bhubaneswar etc.

Air : Nearest airport is Bhubaneswar (230 km) and Kolkata (314 km).

Accommodation: OTDC Panthanivas and Yatrinivas (Ph. 370051), Hotel larika (Ph. 370045), Hotel Chandipur (Ph. 370030), Hotel Subham (Ph. 370025), Hotel Anandamayee (Ph: 370012), Hotel Santinivas (Ph: 370018) besides a few more.

Excursion: There are a few places to which day trips can be made from Chandipur, OTDC has provision to organise conducted tours to some of the places (Contact : Manager, Panthanivas Ph. (06782) 370051.

Panchalingeswar (45 km) Ensconced in the verdant of Nilagiri Hills with panoramic views around, it is a place of scenic beauty, sanctified by the five lingams over which runs a perennial stream. Popular as a Saiva Shrine, you have to lie flat on the rock parallel to the stream to touch and worship the lingams, which is itself as exciting as adventurous. Herds of elephants can be seen occasionally moving up and down the hill. It is also an ideal base for trekking the Nilagiri hills. There is a Panthasala of Orissa Tourism Department for night stay. (Reservation - Tourist Officer, Balasore, ph. 362048)

Remuna (25 km) Famous for the shrine of Khirachora Gopinath, it is a seat of Vaishnavite culture for centuries. Sri Chaitanya, his teacher Madhavendrapuri and disciple jeevaswami Goswami are said to have visited the shrine and worshipped the lord. Khira (a special milk preparation) is the most delicious offering of the temple. Champak and Kadamba trees inside the courtyard fill the air with sweet and scented fragrance all the time.

Nilagiri (40 km): Harbouring the Kuldiha Sanctuary, which is also an ideal base for trekking, Nilagiri is known for the Jagannath Temple. Headquarters of an ex-princely state, set against the green mountain, it is a charming place on the lap of nature.

Sajanagarh (45 km): About 5 km from Nilagiri is Sajanagarh, the shrine of Bhudara Chandi. A seat of sakti cult, the place is archaeologically rich.

Similipal (100 km): Covering an area of about 2750.sq. km, it is a wildlife sanctuary and one of the few Tiger Reserves of India. Apart from.Tigers, it is the home of leopards, Elephants, Deer,Crocodiles and Reptiles. Over 230 species of birds including the talking myna and dancing peacocks fill the air with their chirpings.
Filled with lush green forest covers, especially luxuriant sal trees and vast expanse of grassy meadows, cloud kissing peaks, the wild beauty is enhanced by the sparkling water fails and unique orchids. There is an Aranyanivas of the OTDC (Reservation ,Tourist Office, Batipada, Ph. 06792-52710) at lulung for night stay. There are also Forest Bungalows at different places inside, (Reservation: Field Director, Similipal Tiger Reserve Project, Baripada, Dist: Mayurbhanj, Orissa, Tel : (06792) 52593.

Deokund: It is an enchanting place with a series of waterfalls and a Sakti shrine, set against the outer periphery of Similipal.




(New News)

Orissa clears Sri Sri University bill

BHUBANESWAR( VISAKEO): Sri Sri University Bill-2009 has been passed in the Orissa Legislative Assembly on July 30 .While opposition members put the Treasury Bench in a difficult situation over clearing the bill, Debi Prasad Mishra, Minister higher Education diplomatically steered the first private university bill in Orissa.Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir Trust (SSRVMT), educational wing of the Art of Living is setting up the world class University in Bidyadharpur near Naraj in Cuttack district, only 35 kilometer from Capital City.

200 acres has been identified for the SSRVMT by the government of Orissa, which will set up structures that will reflect Indian ethos and aesthetic appeal, said Mr.Mishra.

The university will cater to the needs of 15,000 students and 1500 teachers, which will have advanced communication system and e-library facilities.A multi-specialty hospital will be attached to the School of medical Sciences, said the Minister.The university will be inviting the best of talents available in the global academic community to take up teaching course in the varsity.

To start with in the first year Ayurveda, Vedic Studies, Education, Indian Cultural Studies and Management courses will be opened. In second year, Mass Communication and cultural Tourism, Engineering in third year and in fourth year, Bio-technology and law and in the fifth year, Research Sciences and medical Sciences will be opened.

Taking the mood of the House, Minister allowed many amendments in the bill, which invited a division from the opposition.However the division fall flat with 88-27 votes and Government won the voting.After 3 days of marathon deliberations, now Sri Sri University Bill-2009 will take shape of an act, enabling the SSRVMT authorities to go ahead for construction.Sources said the SSRVMT will be setting up an eco-friendly and zero carbon foot print campus in the state.

11 relief camps closed in Kandhamal

PHULABANI( VISAKEO): Orissa Government on July 27 closed down one more relief camps in riot hit southern districts of Kandhamal, about 270 kilometers away from State Capital. With this 11 such camps have now been closed down.” We have closed down a relief camp at Tikabali that was running since last year violence while more than 100 inmates have returned to their homes” Government’s special administrator for the riot hit area, Madhu Sudan Padhi said. The tribal dominated district witnessed violence after the murder of Hindu seer Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his Jalespata Ashram under Tumulibandha police limit on August 23, 2008.The administration had provided shelters to the locals, setting up 13 relief camps in the district. About 1000 are, however, still taking shelter in two relief camps -- one at Mandakia and another in Tiangia village, though no violence has been reported in the region since October last year.

Postal stamp on Poet Jayadev released

BHUBANESWAR (VISAKEO): Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on July 27 unveiled 11 commemorative stamps on 12th century poet Jayadev and the rest 10 on incarnation of Lord Jagannath as depicted in Gitagovinda here at Jayadev Bhawan.

The Department of Posts has sponsored the stamps, which took at least 2 and half years of dogged pursuit by the Government of Orissa for making this endeavor a success.



Sources said the former Chief Post Master General, Orissa Circle, Mrs. Indira Krishnakumar had set to proposal on the motion in January, 2007 after successfully releasing the Special Cover on the poet. The Information and Public Relations department provided all necessary details including authentic facts on Jayadev’s birth, his literary works and activities.