Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Suba Rao visits State

Suba Rao visits State

BHUBANESWAR: Akhil Bharatiya Saikhika Mahasangha secretary T Suba Rao paid a four-day visit to Orissa and attended several functions from September 18 to 21. He attended functions at Cuttack, Berhampur, Jajpur and Bhubaneswar.

Suba Rao stressed that teachers have a very key role in nation building and he urged to maintain patriotism among them. Prof RN Mishra, SC Kar, UN Majhi, Prof PK Mishra, Orissa Rashtravadi Sikhyaka Parishad general secretary Dr PK Rath and Organizing secretary Dr N Mohanty were among present.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Conversions took place against law

Conversions took place against law

BHUBANESWAR:(visakeo0- Former district collector of Kandhamal Gangadhar Singh on Wednesday said religious conversions had taken place in the southern Orissa
district without following the statutory provisions of the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act (OFRA), 1967.

Singh, while appearing before the one-man judicial commission, headed by retired Justice Sarat Chandra Mohapatra, informed that till January 2, 2004, the district administration had received only two intimations of change in religion. But conversions without following the provisions of OFRA had taken place, he added, though he refused to agree that such conversions were "large-scale" in nature.

Singh, who was the Kandhamal collector from September 15, 2004, to October 3, 2007, disclosed that during his tenure no prosecution was sanctioned under OFRA. Replying to a query during cross-examination, he said there was widespread encroachment of government land, including forest patches, in the district, but he had not inquired into whether any church was constructed on such encroached land.

Singh, who also submitted an affidavit to the commission, also revealed that as collector he had received oral complaints relating to transportation of cows. Singh, who is presently serving as additional secretary, higher education, said during his tenure as collector there were cases of issue of caste certificates to persons not eligible. But he denied there had been large-scale issue of such "fake" caste certificates.

"During my period the caste certificate issue had not invited law and order situation," he said. He further observed that the demand of the Phulbani Jana Kalyan Sangha, an association formed by some Panas (a SC group), in August 2007, for change of their status to Kui (a ST group) had created serious apprehensions among tribals. "On account of this apprehension some tribal organizations formed a coordinating body, Kui Samaj Coordination Committee, and held rallies and processions in different parts of Kandhamal and submitted memoranda to Governor and chief minister challenging the claims of non-tribals to be recorded as Kui. Because of this, ill-feeling grew among the tribals and non-tribals," he said.

Earlier in the day, inspector general of police Arun Sarangi stuck to his stand that the state police headquarters was not aware of any Maoist threat to Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati (whose murder on August 23, 2008, had triggered ethno-communal carnage in Kandhamal), but stated that "from the report of SP, Kandhamal, and information gathered by me during my visit to Shankaracharya Kanyashram, Jalespeta, after the incident and from other intelligence inputs, it is absolutely clear that the assassination was the work of the CPI (Maoist) cadres."

Police didn’t know Saraswati was under Maoist threat’

Police didn’t know Saraswati was under Maoist threat’

BHUBANESWAR:(visakeo)- The former Orissa police chief Monday deposed before a commission that though the state police was aware that Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, who was killed last year, was under threat from some quarter, they did not know the threat was from Maoist rebels.
Deposing before the Justice S.C. Mohapatra Commission probing Saraswati’s death and subsequent violence in Kandhamal district, former DG Gopal Nanda said police had information that Saraswati was under threat from some quarter, but were not sure if it was a Maoist threat.

“We had information that Saraswati was under threat from some quarter. But we did not have information that he was on the target of Maoists, so the security provided wasn’t of the scale to counter such an attack,” said Nanda.

Nanda, however, claimed that there was no negligence on the part of the state police.

Nanda also said that the state police tried its best to provide protection to the people of minority communities.

The present director general of police will be cross examined Oct 6.

Three other senior officials - former Kandhamal district collector Gangadhar Singh, Inspector General of Police Arun Sarangi (Law and Order), Arun Ray (Crime Branch) and Pradip Kapoor (Law and Order) would be cross examined Tuesday.

“The former director general has been cross examined. During the cross examination he has said something which will certainly throw light why Saraswati was killed,” Mohapatra said.

Kandhamal district, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23 last year.

More than 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs, who held Christians responsible for Saraswati’s killing although police blamed the Maoists.

Govt ‘twitting’, Chinese have a field day: BJP

Express News Service


The BJP on Friday hit out at the Centre for “letting Chinese incursions into Indian territory happen unabated even as those mandated with managing the country’s foreign policy were busy twitting”.



In a hard-hitting statement, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said “instances of Chinese incursions in the past three months alone have touched the 76-mark while the figure for the entire year in 2008 was 233”. “Those supposed to manage our foreign policy (on the other hand) are more engaged in the competitive politics of simplicity, the deplorable depiction of cattle class, which we condemn outright, and the dialogue on Twitter,” he said.



“During the NDA regime, China formally acknowledged Sikkim as a part of India; under the UPA Government, Chinese incursion is now happening near Sikkim,” he said.



Prasad also said China had used the “disclosure agreement” to prevent the ADB from acknowledging Arunachal as a part of India even “when the two countries had decided during the last visit of the Chinese Prime Minister that all issues would be resolved bilaterally”.

Guj Riots: Nanavati panel refuses to summon Modi

Saturday, September 19, 2009,13:17 [IST]

Ahmedabad, Sep 19: According to latest media reports, Nanavati commission that is probing the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat has not summoned Chief Minister, Narendra Modi.


Buzz up!It has, however, asked three officials of the Chief Minister Office (CMO) to file affidavits with regard to their telephonic conversation with some of the riots accused during the communal violence. The commission comprising Rtd Justices G T Nanavati and Akshay Mehta issued the order on Friday, Sep 18.


This comes move is based on the application by the NGO, Jansangharsh Manch (JSM), representing some of the riot victims that alleges that the some CMO officials were in constant contact with some of the accused, including former VHP leader Jaidip Patel and Babu Bajrangi.
Read: മലയാളതതില്‍
JSM urged the commission to call on Modi and other CMO officials for questioning in connection with the riots that was sparked off when Sabarmati Express was set on fire in Feb 2002.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Dharanipali Kanya Ashram inaugurated

Dharanipali Kanya Ashram inaugurated



Bonai(visakeo)- Viswa Hindu Parishad run Dharanipali Kanya Ashram has started its operation. The Seva Kendra was inaugurated by Sudarshan Goel of VHP. Goel urged all to avoid any type of superstitions and work for the betterment of Hindu society.

Biswa Mangal Go Gram Yatra in each village

Biswa Mangal Go Gram Yatra in each village



UMARKOTE: 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. 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," . The Yatra would traverse some 20,000 kilometers. A meeting in this regard held at Umarkote Alekh Mahima Ashram, where Pujababa D Das presided over the meet. Yatra’s district coordinator S Patra, BS Bahidar of VHP and KC Das were among those present.The meeting decided to host the Yatra in each villages of the State.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.

Take steps to check fake caste certificates, BKA

Take steps to check fake caste certificates, BKA



BHUBANESWAR(visakeo)The Banabasi Kalyan Ashram has asked Orissa Government to take proper steps to check fake caste certificate holders in the State. BKA has demanded to set up a committee to look into the matter.



The matter has been debated at the BKA meet held from September 11 to 16 in Kolkata, where 4773 delegated from across the country attended. A 21 members delegation from Orissa led by Lachaman Nayak attended the meet.

Workers meet of Grahaka Panchayat

Workers meet of Grahaka Panchayat



Puri(visakeo) A workers meet of Grahaka Panchayat held at Goenka Dharmasala hosted by Puri unit. Basant Pati inaugurated the meet and hailed the work of Grahaka Panchayat. Rama Chandra Swain high lighted present day crisis and price rise, AK Gajendra, Susmita Rath, Rajesh Kumar Sahu were sworn in as new members. Besides, Pramod Pandi, Sabita Padhiary, Saroj Mohanty, Laxmidhar Mohapatra and M RN Sahu were among those present.

State level science exhibition held

State level science exhibition held



BHUBANESWAR: (visakeo)Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Dharma Vihar on Thursday hosted a State level science exhibition here. Mr Pradyumna Kumar Mohapatra, senior scientist, Central Land Water Board opened the exhibition. At least 125 scientific models were displayed Therefore, we are requesting you to send your media team along with photographers and camera men to cover the said event. About 90 students participated. SSVM Head teacher Dinabandhu Kar presided over the meet while Saroj Das gave introduction. Pramod Kumar Das, headmaster Anadharua UP School joined as chief guest while School managing committee secretary DK Das and several others were present.

Eslamic terrorism as love romios are in the field with full strength

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ഇരയെ വീഴ്ത്താന്‍ രണ്ടാഴ്ച
കോട്ടയം : രാജ്യത്തെ നടുക്കിയ ബാംഗ്ലൂര്‍ സ്ഫോടനത്തിന്റെ മുന്നൊരുക്കങ്ങള്‍ക്കായി ഉപയോഗിച്ച 12 ഓളം മൊബെയില്‍ സിം കാര്‍ഡുകള്‍ കൊച്ചിയിലെ കളമശ്ശേരി സ്വദേശിയുടെ പേരില്‍ എടുത്തതാണെന്ന കണ്ടെത്തല്‍ ഭീകരവിരുദ്ധ സ്ക്വാഡിലെ അന്വേഷണ ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരെ അതിശയിപ്പിച്ച ഒന്നായിരുന്നു. ഈ സംഭവത്തിന്‌ പിന്നിലും ലൗ ജിഹാദിന്റെ ഇടപെടലുകളുണ്ടെന്നതും ശ്രദ്ധേയമാണ്‌. മാതാപിതാക്കള്‍ ബാങ്ക്‌ ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരായ ഒരു ചെറുപ്പക്കാരനെ വനിതാ ജിഹാദിമാരുടെ സഹായത്തോടെ കെണിയില്‍പ്പെടുത്തിയായിരുന്നു സിം കാര്‍ഡിന്‌ വേണ്ട രേഖകള്‍ ഭീകരര്‍ സ്വന്തമാക്കിയത്‌.
മണിചെയിന്‍ പദ്ധതിയായ ആര്‍.എം.പിയില്‍ ജോലി സംഘടിപ്പിക്കാനെന്ന പേരിലായിരുന്നു ഒരു മുസ്ലീം പെണ്‍കുട്ടി ഈ യുവാവില്‍ നിന്ന്‌ തിരിച്ചറിയല്‍ രേഖകള്‍ സംഘടിപ്പിച്ചത്‌. ഇടപ്പള്ളിയിലെ ഒബ്രോണ്‍മാളില്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്ന സ്ഥാപനം നടത്തുന്ന ഒരു മുസ്ലീം ചെറുപ്പക്കാരനായിരുന്നു ഇതിന്‍പിന്നില്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിച്ചത്‌. പിന്നീട്‌ ഈ സ്ഥാപനം പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കാതെയായത്‌ ലീഗല്‍ നോട്ടീസ്‌ ലഭിച്ചത്മൂലമാണെന്നും സൂചനയുണ്ട്‌. പള്ളുരുത്തി, കാക്കനാട്‌, ഇടക്കൊച്ചി തുടങ്ങിയ മേഖലകളില്‍ നിന്നായി 22 ഓളം യുവാക്കള്‍ ജിഹാദി സുന്ദരികളുടെ വലയില്‍ വീണിട്ടുണ്ട്‌.
ഓര്‍ക്കുട്ട്‌ വഴിയോ ഇന്റര്‍നെറ്റ്‌ ചാറ്റിംഗ്‌ വഴിയോ പരിചയപ്പെടുന്ന യുവതിയുടെ നിര്‍ബന്ധം മൂലം ഭീകരവാദ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനത്തിലേര്‍പ്പെടുന്നവരും നിരവധിയാണ്‌. ലക്ഷ്യം വയ്ക്കുന്ന യുവാവിനെ ട്രാക്കിലാക്കി കഴിഞ്ഞാല്‍ പിന്നെ യുവതിയെ കാണാന്‍ കഴിയില്ല. പിന്നെ കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യുന്നത്‌ ഭീകരസംഘടനകളുടെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തകരായിരിക്കും. ഇത്തരത്തില്‍ ഒരാളെ മതം മാറ്റുന്ന വനിതാ പോരാളിക്ക്‌ ഒരു ലക്ഷം മുതല്‍ മുകളിലേക്കാണ്‌ പ്രതിഫലമായി ലഭിക്കുന്നത്‌. പെണ്‍കുട്ടികളെ പ്രേമിച്ച്‌ മതം മാറ്റുന്ന യുവാക്കള്‍ക്ക്‌ ലഭിക്കുന്നതിനേക്കാള്‍ ഉയര്‍ന്ന പ്രതിഫലമാണ്‌ യുവാക്കളെ ഇരയാക്കുന്നവര്‍ക്ക്‌ നല്‍കി വരുന്നത്‌. ഒരു ഇരയെ രണ്ട്‌ ആഴ്ചയില്‍ അധികം ലക്ഷ്യം വക്കരുതെന്നാണ്‌ വനിതാ ജിഹാദികള്‍ക്കും, ജിഹാദി റോമിയോകള്‍ക്കും നല്‍കിയിരിക്കുന്ന നിര്‍ദ്ദേശം. രണ്ടാഴ്ചത്തെ പരിശ്രമത്തിന്‌ ശേഷവും ലക്ഷ്യം കണ്ടില്ലെങ്കില്‍ ഇവരെ ഡിഫിക്കല്‍റ്റ്‌ ലിസ്റ്റിലേക്ക്‌ മാറ്റി പുതിയ ഇരയെ തേടാനാണ്‌ സംഘടനാ നേതൃത്വം നല്‍കിയിരിക്കുന്ന നിര്‍ദ്ദേശം. ആറ്‌ മാസത്തിനുള്ളില്‍ മതംമാറ്റി വിവാഹം കഴിക്കണമെന്നതില്‍ ആണ്‍പെണ്‍ പോരാളികളില്‍ വ്യത്യാസമില്ല. മംഗലാപുരം, ബാംഗ്ലൂര്‍, നാഗര്‍കോവില്‍ എന്നിവിടങ്ങളില്‍ നിന്നെത്തുന്ന വിവിധഭാഷകള്‍ കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യാന്‍ കഴിവുള്ള മുസ്ലീം പെണ്‍കുട്ടികളും മുസ്ലീമായവരുമാണ്‌ ഈ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനങ്ങള്‍ക്ക്‌ നേതൃത്വം നല്‍കുന്നത്‌. പെണ്‍കുട്ടികളെ വിവിധ സ്ഥലങ്ങളില്‍ എത്തിക്കുന്നതിന്‌ ആവശ്യത്തിനുള്ള വാഹനങ്ങളും മൊബെയില്‍ ഫോണും ജില്ലാ അടിസ്ഥാനത്തില്‍ തന്നെ നല്‍കിവരുന്നതായും പറയുന്നു. പത്തനംതിട്ടയില്‍ കോളേജ്‌ വിദ്യാര്‍ത്ഥിനികളെ കൊണ്ടുപോയ വാഹനത്തില്‍ രണ്ട്‌ സ്ത്രീകള്‍ കൂടി ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നതായി പെണ്‍കുട്ടി ഹൈക്കോടതയില്‍ നല്‍കിയ മൊഴിയില്‍ പറയുന്നുണ്ട്‌.
കോട്ടയത്തെ മതപരിവര്‍ത്തന കേന്ദ്രം നടത്തുന്ന മനയ്ക്കല്‍ പരീതിന്‌ വേണ്ട സഹായങ്ങള്‍ നല്‍കുന്നത്‌ ഈ മേഖലയിലെ ഒരു പ്രമുഖനാണ്‌. ഇയാളുടെ വാഹനങ്ങള്‍ ഇതിനായി ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നതായും പറയപ്പെടുന്നു. കണ്ണൂര്‍ ജില്ലയിലെ ചിറ്റാരി പറമ്പില്‍ നിന്നെത്തിയ എട്ടോളം യുവാക്കള്‍ ഈരാറ്റുപേട്ടയില്‍ ഉള്ളതായി പറയുന്നു.
ആലപ്പുഴയിലെ പുന്നപ്ര ഭാഗത്ത്‌ മൂന്ന്‌ യുവാക്കളെയാണ്‌ ജിഹാദി പ്രവര്‍ത്തനത്തിലൂടെ മതപരിവര്‍ത്തനത്തിനായി പൊന്നാനിക്ക്‌ കൊണ്ടുപോയത്‌. ഇതില്‍ ഒരാള്‍ ഇപ്പോള്‍ മുസ്ലീം യുവതിയെ വിവാഹം ചെയ്ത്‌ ഇസ്ലാമായി ജീവിക്കുകയാണ്‌.
അമ്മ ഹെഡ്മിസ്ട്രസായ നായര്‍ യുവാവും രണ്ട്‌ വിമുക്ത ഭടന്മാരുടെ മക്കളുമാണ്‌ ഈയിടെ മൂന്ന്‌ മാസക്കാലത്തോളം മതപഠനത്തിനായി പൊന്നാനിയില്‍ പോയത്‌. ഇവരിലൊരാളെ ലൗ ജിഹാദിലൂടെ പെണ്‍കുട്ടി പ്രേമിച്ച്‌ മൂന്നു പേരെയും മതപരിവര്‍ത്തനത്തിന്‌ പ്രേരിപ്പിച്ചതായാണ്‌ പരിസരവാസികള്‍ പറയുന്നത്‌. മതപഠനം കഴിഞ്ഞെത്തിയ ചെറുപ്പക്കാര്‍ വീട്ടില്‍ നിന്ന്‌ ഹിന്ദുദേവീദേവന്മാരുടെ ചിത്രങ്ങള്‍ എടുത്തുമാറ്റാന്‍ പറഞ്ഞ്‌ ബഹളം വച്ചതായി പരിസരവാസികള്‍ പറയുന്നു. 20 നും 22 നും ഇടയില്‍ പ്രായമുള്ള ഇവരുടെ കയ്യില്‍ അളവിലധികം പണമുള്ളതായും പണം ലഭിക്കുമെന്നതിനാല്‍ മാതാപിതാക്കള്‍ ഇവരെ ഇത്തരം പ്രവര്‍ത്തനത്തില്‍ നിന്ന്‌ തടയാതിരിക്കുകയായിരുന്നുവെന്നും പരിസരവാസികള്‍ പറയുന്നു. എന്‍ഡിഎഫുമായി ഇവര്‍ക്ക്‌ ബന്ധമുള്ളതായും അറിയുന്നു. ഗുജറാത്തില്‍ ഏറ്റുമുട്ടലില്‍ കൊല്ലപ്പെട്ട ജാവേദ്‌ ഗുലാം ഷേഖെന്നെ പ്രാണേഷ്‌ കുമാറും ഒരു വനിതാ ജിഹാദി പോരാളിയെ പ്രേമിച്ച്‌ മതംമാറിയാണ്‌ ഭീകര സംഘടനകളുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടതെന്നാണ്‌ ഗുജറാത്ത്‌ പോലീസ്‌ അന്വേഷണത്തില്‍ കണ്ടെത്തിയിരിക്കുന്നത്‌.
പതിനേഴുകാരിയായ ഇഷ്‌റത്‌ ജഹാന്‍, അംജത്‌ അലി, ജിസാന്‍ ജോഹര്‍, അബ്ദുള്‍ ഗനി എന്നിവരും ഇയാളോടൊപ്പം കൊല്ലപ്പെട്ടിരുന്നു. കഴിഞ്ഞ ആറ്‌ വര്‍ഷത്തിനിടെ ലൗ ജിഹാദിനിരയായ നാലായിരത്തോളം പെണ്‍കുട്ടികളില്‍ നിരവധിപേര്‍ യുവാക്കളെ മതംമാറ്റുന്നതിനായി ഇന്ത്യയിലെ വിവിധ സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളില്‍ ജിഹാദി പ്രവര്‍ത്തനം നടത്തുന്നതായി കേന്ദ്ര അന്വേക്ഷണ ഏജന്‍സികള്‍ക്ക്‌ വിവരം ലഭിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്‌.

(തുടരും)

VISHWA SAMVAD KENDRA, CHENNAI

VISHWA SAMVAD KENDRA, CHENNAI
12, M V Naidu Street, Chetput, Chennai - 600 031, Tamilnadu
Phone: 044-2836 5386
-------------------------------------------------------------
VSK Chennai News, September 19, 2009
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The Judge who read a news item
and swung into action to do good
Karuppayi (85), of Lingawadi village in Dindukkal district (Tamilnadu, Bharat) sells peanuts around the Court and Hospital premises in Madurai. It is her livelihood. She had sustained injuries when a government bus hit her. That was in 1996. She was awarded a compensation of Rs 9,000 by the 4th Additional Sub Court in 1997 in a case seeking compensation. But the amount failed to reach Karuppayi. Meanwhile, Veerammal, Karuppayi’s daughter-in-law, committed self immolation and died. Karuppayi’s son too committed suicide, in dejection. That left the three children of the couple orphaned. Undaunted, Karuppayi continued to sell peanuts to eke out a living and to support her orphaned grandchildren (2 girls and a boy). The pathetic condition of the octogenerian and her untiring legal battle were reported in the Press. Justice P. Murugesan, a High Court Judge who read the news item, ordered the Secretary, Madurai Legal Aid cell and Sub Judge Venkatachlam to expedite payment of the compensation to the old woman. Two advocates, Muthukumar and Panneerselvam, too, were appointed for this purpose. The two held a talk with the government transport authorities represented by Govindasamy, regional transport manager (legal section), who in turn took up the mater with officials in Chennai and deposited a cheque for Rs. 9,000 with the Court. The information was conveyed to Karuppayi who was spotted at the Hospital premises selling peanuts. As reported in DAILY THANTHI, Madurai, September 8, 2009.
Sethusamudram canal project stops; the last dredger pulls out
Work on the controversial Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project in the Palk Strait between Sri Lanka and India has halted again after the last dredger digging the channel was pulled out of service, a media report said. The Sethu project involved boring a new shipping lane connecting the Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal through the Palk Straits and Palk Bay.Dredging work in the Adam’s Bridge region, the controversial part of the project, was stopped after India's Supreme Court ordered a halt in September 2007 on the basis of petitions filed against it on religious grounds.Hindu groups say the project would destroy a rock and sand ridge built by the god Ram, as mentioned in the religious text Ramayana.
This news was carried by 'Lanka Business Online'on September 16, 2009.
Vande Mataram.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Six pilgrims killed in Orissa road accident

Six pilgrims killed in Orissa road accident

Bhubaneswar, Sep 17 : Six pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh on their way back from Orissa's temple town of Puri were killed when their bus was hit by a speeding truck, police said Thursday.



Three more people were critically injured in the incident that took place late Wednesday in Bhadrak district.

"The pilgrims were returning from Puri and the bus had stopped on the roadside. A speeding truck came from behind and hit the bus, killing six of them on the spot," said a police official.

All the pilgrims are from Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh.


--

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Dr Abhay Panda elected OGCTA president

Dr Abhay Panda elected OGCTA president

BHUBANESWAR:(visakeo)- Major( Dr) Abhay Kumar Panda, Principal of Fakir Mohan Auto College, Balasore, has been elected as president of OGCTA defeating Dr Amiya Kumar Mohanty, who is the vice-president of AIFUCTO by a margin of 109 votes. Apart from him, Mr Prabodha Kumar Panda, Mr Rabi Narayan Patra, Mr Manas Behera and Mr D Sahoo were elected as Vice-presidents, general secretray and Treasure respectively. Voting held in 77 units of OGCTA, where 90% teachers cast their votes.

BJP raps govt failure to prevent illegal mining

BJP raps govt failure to prevent illegal mining
Bhubaneswar: Hitting out at the state Patnaik government for failing to prevent illegal mining in Orissa, the state BJP Monday said that even though the state produced iron ore valued at about Rs 84,000 crore since 2000, it earned a paltry Rs 743 crore from it.

The state government has failed to take action to prevent illegal mining and book those involved.

Mine mafias continued to flourish in the state, senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra told reporters here.

Illegal mining has been going on in Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts for the last one decade, for which the chief minister owes an explanation, he said.

About 420 tonne of iron ore at an average estimated cost of Rs 84,000 crore were produced in Orissa since 2000, but ironically the state's income from it was only Rs 743 crore, the BJP leader said.

Terming the ongoing vigilance probe into the mining scam in Keonjhar as eyewash, Mohapatra said the corruption could not have taken place without the knowledge of forest and police officials.

On the government's decision of forming a task force to monitor mining activities, he said this was not new.

A similar force was formed in September 2005, but it was of no use.

Mohapatra alleged 112 people from outside the state were granted trading licenses though they had no factory in Orissa.

On the government’s decision of forming a task force to monitor mining activities, he said this was not new.

A similar force was formed in September 2005, but it was of no use.
Mohapagtra also alleged that the BJD took a huge chanda (donations) from the mining owners before the general election.

Making an insinuation at Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, he said that even before the election, a BJD Rajya Sabha member had gone to Keonjhar and reviewed the mining works there.

The meeting indicated many things, he said, adding that only a Lok Sabha member had the power to call a review meeting and not the Rajya Sabha member.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

State police was unaware of Maoist threat on Saraswati: Ex-DGP

Bhubaneswar: The Orissa government and the police were unaware that Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was on the hit-list of Maoists who claimed to have killed the VHP leader with his four associates on August 23 last year in Kandhamal district.

This was stated by former Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda on Monday when cross-examined before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry probing the killing of Saraswati and large-scale violence thereafter.

Since we did not have any input on Saraswati being the target of Maoists, our security arrangement was not of that order, Nanda stated before the Commission headed by justice Sarat Chandra Mohapatra.

Though security was provided to Saraswati, it was not enough to counter a Maoist attack, he said.

Claiming that there was no negligence on part of the state government or the police, Nanda said that the district police did not anticipate that Maoists would attack Saraswati.

The brutal murder of the VHP leader on August 23, 2008 led to large-scale violence in Kandhamal where about 40 people were killed and over 4,000 houses destroyed besides churches and prayer houses.

Rejecting the allegation of negligence, Nanda said the police had made security arrangements keeping in view the threat on Saraswati's life from the people who were opposed to his activities.

I am certain that the Kandhamal police with available resources and manpower took careful steps to tackle the riot, he said, adding that it was not true that the state government had not taken any step to protect the lives of minorities in the riot-hit district

Replying to a question, the former DGP under whose tenure the riot took place said that non-availability of adequate CRPF jawans to tackle riots might be a coincidence.

Three Inspector Generals of Police, Arun Sarangi (Law and Order), Arun Ray (Crime Branch) and IG (law and Order) Pradip Kapoor submitted affidavits related to the case before the Commission.

DGP Manmohan Prahara, who had submitted his affidavit before the Commission on Saturday, would be cross-examined on October 6 as he was attending official meetings at Delhi, Justice Mohapatra said.

The statements of the former DGP have thrown light on the Saraswati killing.

This will help the Commission in proceeding in its probe, he said.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

They recite not Quran but Gita at school

They recite not Quran but Gita at school

CHENNAI(visakeo)Muslim girls reciting the Quran are no news. Two Muslim school going girls, (sisters) M Shajitha Banu, and M Madina Parvin have learnt to recite the Bhagavad-Gita and have carved a niche for themselves in singing the shlokas (verses) that have become a regular feature at their school prayer.

Banu, a Class XI student of Ramnagar Suburban Higher Secondary School in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, was enthused after listening to shlokas from the Bhagavad-Gita recited by Bavadharini, a Hindu classmate during school prayers. Banu can recite 12 shlokas, Parvin has learnt six. While memorizing all 700 verses is a difficult exercise, the duos are determined to make an attempt to learn it completely. The sisters have now become a centre of attraction at the school with their headmaster G Subramanian encouraging their pursuit. Interestingly, their parents were only too proud of their daughters’ feat. Despite poverty, their father Mohamed Ali Jinnah, an autodriver is determined to educate them.

A direct experience of deep rooted bhakthi

A direct experience of deep rooted bhakthi

CHENNAI(visakeo)-Do you know black flags have been hoisted in 83 houses in Indira Housing Society, Irachakulam Arungnanapuram, Boothapandi Village, in Kanyakumari District? It is not for the sudden demise of Chief Minister Y S Rajashekara Reddy. It is reported that a Ganesh idol which has been kept for worship and immersion of the same, was denied by the local Tahsildar and Government Official as they have not sought for permission. Hindu Organizations spoke to the local people and submitted a letter seeking permission to the Officials. Meantime, in order to show their grief over the issue they hoisted the black flags in front of their houses and unfurled the saffron flag. The volunteers of Hindu Organization thus had an opportunity to have a direct experience about the deep rooted bhakthi in the hearts of ordinary Hindus.

Monday, September 07, 2009

Speakers bat for quality primary education

Speakers bat for quality primary education

BHUBANESWAR: (visakeo)-Speakers while attending a two-day long national seminar on ‘quality primary education for all’ hosted jointly by Bidyabharati and Orissa Sikhya Vikash Samiti here have strongly pitched for quality primary education for all.

As Primary education is like foundation stone of a student, the Government must take proper steps to avail quality education, which will help students to revitalize their social and cultural responsibilities, they said.

52 Students and 17 teachers from Orissa, Sikkim, Kurukhetra, Delhi, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and several other areas, attend the seminar.

Earlier in the day, DVD Sashtri of Bidya Bharati opened the seminar and said that there is competition among 193 nations on education. Noted researcher Dr Shyamsundar Tripathi said that the national should not hire methodology to improve standard of primary education instead it should focus on its own resources.

Dr PC Mohapatra, Dr Nagendra Pradhan, Dr Latika Mishra, Dr SB Tripathy, Prof GS Hati, Dr Indulata Das, Dr Basant Panda, Bijay Kumar Swain, D Kathua, G C Mahanta and Dr S Sahoo were among those present.

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Handle communal elements firmly: DGP Praharaj tells cops

Handle communal elements firmly: DGP Praharaj tells cops



BHUBANESWAR:(visakeo)- Director General of Police (DGP) Manmohan Praharaj on August 19 exhorted the state police to be strict and unbiased in curbing communal riots. This warning came in view of last year's ethno-communal tension in Kandhamal district.



Speaking at a seminar on the role of police in promotion of communal harmony and national integration, organized by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), in association with the Biju Patnaik State Police Academy (BPSPA) here on Tuesday, he asked the officers to be tactful while handling sensitive situations like communal riots.



"It is the duty of the police to instil a sense of security and confidence among the people," he said. He cautioned the officers against possible "misuse" of communal riots by criminals and extremists. The alacrity and patience of the force are very important under such volatile conditions," he added.



Kandhamal SP Praveen Kumar pointed out that what had not been done since independence to improve the police infrastructure was done during the past one year in the district. The district, with an area of 7,500 sq km and 2,500 villages, has 17 police stations with 12 staff personnel working in each of them. The situation has improved a lot in the riot-torn district, as 500 special police officers and two new police stations have been set up, he said. "But there is still a crunch in resources. In fact, the problem has increased ever since the withdrawal of forces. Intelligence has to be strengthened," he added.



Kandhamal collector Krishan Kumar said multi-departmental and multi-structured administrative approach is required to maintain law and order at a time when communal violence strikes. "People in the area must be engaged in meaningful engagements. For that, the district administration has started a unique initiative for the purpose. We call it the Antaranga," he added.



Special administrator for Kandhamal district Madhusudan Padhi said, "The problem must be nipped in the bud. Unless the root cause of the tension is detected and removed, it may raise its ugly head once again."



NFCH secretary Lalit Kumar said, "The police come in direct contact with the people more often than most other government functionaries. Especially in places that are so volatile, their contact is even more frequent and close. In such a situation, interaction must come with vision, understanding, tact, compassion and empathy towards the people and their cause. This will not only raise the public esteem of the police, but also lead to a healthy police-public relationship. It will also secure the desired measures of public involvement and co-operation in promotion of communal harmony."

13 more children rescued in Orissa

13 more children rescued in Orissa



BHUBANESWAR: Within a week, two separate cases have been lodged against two Church run Schools in Orissa. In the first case, at least 37 children were rescued and a case registered against JJ Children’s home under Juvenile Justice Act in Khurda district of Orissa while in second case, at least 13 students were rescued from a Church run School in State’s tribal dominated Rayagada district.



Sources said that one Awaja organization of the Missionary, has been running a School in Kashipur block of Rayagada, where 13 students staying. At the time of admission, the School officials reportedly taken Rs 5,000 to 6,000 from each students and promised them for better education and accommodation.



Few months later, the officials shifted the School from another place, where they tortured these students. Rohit Gontha, who is in charge of the Awaja, has been absconding, sources said.



District Welfare officer and Sub-Collector rescued the students and started a probe. The rescued students have been identified as Trinath Nayak, Manas Maniaka, Kabi Madangi, J Maniaka, Santosh Mani, P Manigaon, Hakina Tulisika, P Maniaka, Karnath Majhi, Api Majhi, Madan Majhi, B Gowada, , Kadi Majhi.

Joint protest against WTO

Joint protest against WTO



BHUBANESWAR:(visakeo)- BMS, BKS and SJM on September 2 held a massive demonstration here at PMG Square in protest against the policies of the World Trade Organisation.

These three bodies have demanded that agricultural goods should be kept out of the negotiations with WTO.



The meeting to be held in New Delhi is nothing but an attempt to put the farmers community in trouble, spokesman Rabi Narayan Panda said.



SJM State coordinator AP Ray, BSK State organizing secretary Pradipta Kumar Ray, BMS national secretary P Kumarji, State working president Basant Sahu, S Tarai, D Rout, M Rout and Bibhu Panda were among those present and spoke against WTO.

Bajarang Dal submit memo

Bajarang Dal submit memo



BHUBANESWAR:(visakeo)- The Bajarang Dal has submitted a memorandum to Khurda Superintendent of Police seeking a complete ban on beef trading and cow slaughtering in the district. The outfit held a demonstration at Nirakarpur, organization spokesman Sumanta Kumar Panda said. VHP District secretary Bibhudendu Bidyadhar, Sudhir Tripathy and Bapi Mishra were among those present.

Women body alleges corruption in midday meal

Women body alleges corruption in midday meal



BHUBANESWAR: Alleging a large scale corruption and irregularities in NAC Colony UP School, various Women SSGs held a protest meeting at PMG Square and submitted a memorandum to Sub-Collector seeking a high level probe.



All India Anganwadi Workers Mahasangha organizing secretary Suchitra Mohapatra and Mahasangha secretary Premalata Maharana alleged that due to mismanagement, food items have been looted and abandoned. They demanded probe against those who involved in ICDS activities.



They also threatened to sit on dharna in front of Naveen Niwas if no action taken against the School officials.