VISAKEO observes death anniversary of Lion of Punjab

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

ABVP observes 150th year of 1857

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

BJP farmers' wing submits memo to Prime Minister

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

ABVP launches Jagruti Yatra

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

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

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

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

RSS plans massive stir against SC status to Dalit Christains

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

RSS lights 1001 Deepa for protection of Ram Sethu

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

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

Jagannath shrines in Orissa to get facelift

Bhubaneswar:(Visakeo) A number of shrines of Lord Jagannath in Orissa,
languishing after surviving the onslaught of medieval Muslim invaders,
are poised to get a facelift. The Puri Jagannath temple
administration, as a part of its plan to preserve and enlarge the
sphere of Jagannath cult and its heritage, has embarked upon the
project, deputy administrator of the temple Bhaskar Mishra said. As
many as 35 Jagannath shrines including a 400-year-old temple in
Kendrapara district's Indupur village are being covered under the plan
to propagate the cult, he said. The temples being taken up for
maintenance owed historical linkage to Lord Jagannath at Puri.
Moreover, these places of worship withstood the marauding 16th century
Muslim invaders, he added. "Some of these temples had turned
protectors as the idols of Lords in Puri temple were relocated to
these places for safety," Bhaskar said adding a team of researchers
have identified seven Jagannath temples across Khurda, Cuttack, Puri
and Bolangir districts where Puri deities were safely ensconced during
the invasion. Stone cut inscriptions and palm-leaf scripts retrieved
from these places bear testimony to these facts, he said adding there
are other temples like the one at Indupur where the stone citadel of
Puri deities was relocated. The aim is to interlink the rest of
'Jagannath Peethas' with Puri, while plan is afoot to maintain
uniformity in puja rituals and religious practices adhered to in the
Jagannath temples, he said.

VHP to launch Ram Sethu Shila Yatra from Nov 26

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)The State unit of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on
Tuesday announced to organise a month-long "Ram Sethu Shila Yatra"
from 30 districts and the yatra will traverse the whole State in order
to mobilize public opinion against the Sethu Samundram Shipping Canal
project of the DMK led Tamil Nadu Government. VHP will organize such
yatras in 2,000 places across the country from November 20 to protect
Ram Sethu.

VHP State secretary Gouri Prasad Rath said that millions of Hindus
would be enrolled for the yatra and poojas would be performed in all
12 "jyotirlingas" during it. He called upon all Hindu politicians to
support the yatra for safeguarding the Ram Sethu in the State. He
alleged that said that the UPA and Tamil Nadu Government and are
serving the interests of the Americans and the Chinese through the
Sethusamudram project. When the common people, scientists,
environmentalists and archaeologists are vouching for the existence of
the Ram Sethu and the grave dangers posed by its proposed breaking,
Union Minister T R Baalu and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi are
bent upon rubbishing them and trying to thrust their dictatorship. Do
such people have a right to continue in their offices?" Rath asked

.

Hindu Indonesians faced wrath of priests in Jagannath temple

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO): In a bizarre incident early on Wednesday, three
Hindu Indonesian nationals, who had entered the Jagannath Temple, were
reportedly been driven out of the shrine by the priests and handed
over to police, who later found them to be Hindus. The three,
including two women, were spotted during 'Mangala Aarti', a ritual
performed daily when temple doors open, Police sources said.
Meanwhile, Police verification showed Mahabahu Das, a local ISKCON
devotee, accompanied the Indonesians. Puri Town PS IIC Gyana Ranjan
Mohapatra, who was earlier IIC of Chandrasekharpur PS here, said the
three were later found to be Hindus and were released after they
produced their travel documents. The foreigners were identified as I
Gusti Made Krisiasis, Adraina Ash and I Made Arjana and are part of a
15-member team from that country on a trip organised by ISKCON.
Non-Hindus, even ISKCON devotees are not allowed to enter the 12th
century shrine and a board at the main gate of the temple says only
"Hindus are allowed entry inside". President of Sri Jagannath Seva
Samilanee (a body of priests) Damodar Mahasuara said all ISKCON
devotees mention Hinduism as their religion in their passports and
demanded proper verification of foreigners when they come to the
temple. However, such attitudes of Temple Priests have been directly
affecting the image of the pilgrimage city of Puri. Recently, the
priests of the Temple priests had extorted money from a Chennai-based
Bharatnatyam dancer Joytsna Jagannathan, who visited the 12th century
shrine in the second week of October. "The dancer, who had then
alleged that she was forced to pay money by a section of priests and
harassed.

PFA seeks CM's intervention on animal sacrifice during Dewali

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)-Maneka Gandhi led People for Animals have expressed apprehensions that there will be mass killing of animals at Dakhinakali Temple on November 9 . Jiban Das, Secretary People's for Animals (PFA) has urged the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to intervene in the matter.  PFA has also expressed worry over the mass killing of goats during the Durga Puja. More than 15,000 goats were sacrificed in the state out of which at least 10,000 were butchered at Manikeswari Temple in Bhawanipatna. Similarly though Khurda district authorities promised to stop animal sacrifice, on Dasahara 273 goats and 2 buffalos were sacrificed at Bhagabati Pitha at Banapur. Das said that in 2006 the temple authority of Dakhinkali committed not to go for sacrifice but they fail to keep their promise. So this year also there will be animal sacrifices in the temple during Kali Puja, allege the animal activist. Das has pointed out that the district administration has enough power to stop animal sacrifice by ensuring Law of the Land. Due to PFA's intervention animal sacrifices have already been stopped in many temples like Podapada Kali temple, Cuttack, Dulana Thakurani,Banki, Sulia, Bolangir with the help of district administration.

Binoy Kumar Behera new Police Commissioner

Bhubaneswar: The present Managing Director of Orissa State Road Transport Corporation and 1982 batch IPS officer Binoy Kumar Behera on Friday chosen as the first Police Commissioner of the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Born on October 10, 1957 in Kalahandi, Behera a postgraduate in English served various important offices before being chosen as the first Police Commissioner of the State. He has been serving with the OSTRC since October 24,2003 till his new assignment. After the announcement, office bearers of OSRTC congratulated Behera.

However, after the formal announcement, the Police Commissionerate system for the twin city of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack has been introduced. The Orissa Urban Police Bill for introduction of police commissionerate in the twin cities had recently received the assent of the President. The Orissa Assembly had passed the bill in 2003. Police Commissioner, Assistant Police Commissioner and the Deputy Police Commissioner have been entrusted with magisterial powers under the new act.

Meanwhile, reacting to the Home Department's decision, Police Commissioner Behera said that his first priority would be to maintain law and order of the twin cities. "I would try my best for a better law and order in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar," Behera told reporters at OSRTC office here. Police would be more people friendly in the twin cities and special attention would be paid to tackle the organised crimes, he said. "All problems relating to law and order in the twin cities would be discussed soon and strategies would also be formed to arrest all criminal activities in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar," he said.

RSS demands action against UPSC over Bhagat Singh row

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)- RSS on Friday came down heavily on the move of the Union Public Service Commission, which turned the freedom fighter Bhagat Singh as terrorist in the Civil Service Main Examinations. RSS reaction came after a question in the Civil Services Main Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), asking the students to evaluate the "revolutionary terrorism" of one of the best-known martyrs of Indian freedom struggle - Bhagat Singh. The question was part of the general studies part- I paper which was held recently. "The word terrorism has negative connotations in the minds of the masses and the UPSC was trying to equate Osama bin Laden and other terrorists with Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, and we will not allow it to happen," RSS. The Sangh further said, "This is an insult to some of greatest freedom strugglers. How can Bhagat Singh be equated to Osama Bin Laden? It is ironic that even after sixty odd years of our Independence, we have not been able to judge the role of our revolutionaries and give them proper respect. Should those heroes be branded as "terrorists", who kissed the gallows with smiles on their vibrant faces, without showing any traces of fear and died with only one slogan Inquilab Zindabad on their lips? RSS asked.

BJP accuses UPA of neglecting NDA-ruled States

Bhubaneswar:( visakeo)With the mudsling continues between the UPA and Left Parties over the Indo-US Civil nuclear deal and amidst speculation over a possible snap poll, the BJP has mounted a scathing attack on the UPA government at the Centre, accusing it of adopting a step-motherly approach towards Orissa and neglecting other NDA-ruled States. A political resolution adopted on the concluding day of the two-day BJP State Executive meeting said that the Centre was neglecting NDA-ruled states and had cut the quota of kerosene, wheat, sugar, cooking gas and other essential commodities to Orissa. Despite assurance by the Prime Minister, the Rs 200 crore central relief assistance to flood victims of the state was yet to be released, the resolution alleged and claimed that the UPA government deprived Orissa of elite institutions like IIT, AIIMS and central universities. Asking the Centre to look into these demands, the resolution said that the central government should increase the support price of paddy by Rs 1,000 and provide adequate funds for improvement of highways in the state, inclusion of all districts under village electrification programme and hike funds for backward KBK region. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, State BJP president Suresh Pujari said a mass agitation would be launched soon to make people aware of "the sinister motive of the central government" and its negligent approach to Orissa.

HJS demands to stop all facilities to infiltrators,

Bhubaneswar:(visakeo)- Hindu Jagaran Samukhya on Monday demanded before the State Government to stop all facilities being given to the Bangladeshi and Pakisthani infiltrators in the State. Samukhya held a brainstorming session on the issue of infiltration and illegal cattle transportation and apprehended that the presence of infiltrators gradually posing a major threat to State's internal security. Samukhya national coordinator Harihar Nanda said that despite several request, the State Government has not taken enough steps to check illegal cattle transportation while Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators are consolidating their bases in several parts of the State and enjoying various benefits from the State Government. He further demanded to identify all infiltrators and served them with quit India notice as early as possible. "Beef trading and illegal cattle transportation is on rise while the law enforcing agencies are being seen as mute spectators," Nanda alleged.

Doorsanchar workers' union threaten stir

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)- Orissa Doorsanchar Asthai Mazdoor Sangh on Monday threatened for a massive agitation against the authorities of the Telecom. Sangh president Kushan Chandra Rout said that out of 276 temporary workers in Cuttack, 76 have been selected for regularisation but the authorities are not implementing the law and planning to continue with the same status for the workers. He said that the Bhubaneswar circle made similar attempt in 2000 but the Orissa High Court had stayed the order, Rout said.

Baburao Vichar Manch holds meet

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)-Baburao Paldhikar Vichar Manch has held a karyakarta prabodhan meet here at Niladri Vihar Saraswati Sishu Mandir, in which several intellectuals were present and discussed about various issues. Anil Mishra, state working committee member of Sanskar Bharati Jagannath Patnaik, RSS Bhubaneswar unit Sanghachalak Raghunath Pati and Manoranjan Bhoi were among those present and discussed various burning issues. Members of VHP, Bajarang Dal, ABVP, Sikhya Vikash Samiti, UBBS, Viswa Sambad Kendra, Sanskar Bharati, BMS, Kissan Sangha, Itihash sankalan were present and deliver their views. It may be noted here that veteran RSS pracharak and founder of the organisation in Orissa, Baburao Paldhikar had passed away at Cuttack in 2003 following prolonged illness, and the Manch was formed in order to keep him alive among the RSS workers. Paldhikar (83) played an active role in the growth of RSS and its affiliated organisations in Orissa for several decades.

Protest of Hindu Jagaran Samuskhya against settling Bangladeshi Muslims in Orissa

Bhubaneswar (VISAKEO, Nov 1): In a press conference the State President of Hindu Jagaran Samukshya, Sri Ashok Sahu protested against the proposed relief to settle the migrant Muslims from Bangladesh who were affected in the accidental fire that gutted the Malisahi area on 24 October night at Bhubaneswar. He while welcoming the efforts by various charity organizations with emergency relief materials to help the poor and indigent after the incident, took strong objection to the government proposal to settle them on government land and grant them financial assistance to the tune of 20/25 thousand per family from public exchequer. Shri Sahu recalled that when the old encroachers on the Malisahi were shifted to areas outside the Municipal limit there was no Mosque, which was constructed at a later stage. The illegal migrants who came from Bangladesh have been staying there illegally in pursuance to a well-planned conspiracy to have a vote bank on communal lines. 98% of the affected people are Bangladeshi Muslims who might have voters identity cards issued by authorities in Midnapur and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal. But they have no right to stay in Orissa where more than 35% of the population are below poverty line and victims of government indifference and negligence. On behalf of the Sammukhya, Shri Sahu demanded that the illegal migrants should be expelled from the encroached areas, then they should be identified and expelled from the State under provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1948. In as many as 18 urban areas and many inaccessible rural areas such Bangladeshi Muslims have infiltrated to settle down as permanent residents. Their total number is more than 20 lakh, which is more than the indigenous Muslim population of the State. He urged the government to come out with a statement stating what they are going to do with these migrant Muslims. Shri Sahu further said that in case the State government fails to perform their constitutional duty to protect State against infiltration by foreign Muslims, the Hindu Jagaran Sammukhya would be compelled to resort to agitational programmes as the next option.

Suicide deaths on rise in Maniabandha as Govt apathetic attitude towards weavers' continues

Bhubaneswar: Weavers of Maniabandha, some 85 kilometer away from Cuttack city, famous for its elegant silk, cotton sarees and Buddhism as a practising religion, committing suicide due to the apathetic attitude of the State Government, particularly the Textile and Handloom Department. Eleven days back, one weaver Bata Patra(65) committed suicide while taking NaNo3, which is being used for tie and dye (Ikat). Family sources said, Patra after falling to maintain his family, committed suicide. As per the reports available from 1990 to 2007, as many as 140 weavers have been committed suicide after falling to maintain their families with a paltry daily income in the Heritage village of Maniabandha. According to the locals, as many as 10 to 15 weavers have been committing suicide every year as they are not getting their real wages out of their profession. Out of some 12,000 population of Maniabandha, more than 8,000 people basically depend on the weaving related work but the steps taken by the State Government as well as the Central Government is not reaching to the real beneficiaries and all funds have been defalcated midway. More than 1,100 primary weavers' co-operative societies are being registered under Boyanika as shareholders but according to payment list of last seven months beginning from January, 2007 to June, 2007, only 20 to 30 societies are being regularly transacting business with Boyanika while no records on the other societies found. It may be noted here that, at the last entrepreneur week celebration day, Textile and Handloom Commissioner Anita Agnihotri had said that as many as 500 PWCSs and 1,000 SHGs groups are being active and working under Boyanika. Meanwhile, several leading weavers of Maniabandha on Sunday said that if such attitude of the State Government continues for some time now, the heritage village will soon tuned out to be suicide ground for the weavers' communities, who have been struggling to save their age old profession. "If we complain, then we face the wrath of the Government officers and the condition of more than 8,000 weavers might not be expressed in words," Sadashiva Chanda, a master weaver said. He further said that only society in Maniabandha also not functioning properly. According to sources, lakhs of rupees have been given jointly by the State and Centre for Handloom development of Maniabandh but not a single penny has been spent for the said purpose. The excellent designs and texture of the Maniabandha silk sarees that has got a global market today speaks volumes of the centuries old textiles legacy of the place.

No appointment against a non-existing post, even though selection was proper, says SC

Bhubaneswar: On a petition of a candidate seeking appointment for a lecturer in Utkal University of Culture even though the post has been abolished, the Supreme Court has ruled that the candidate cannot ask for being instated even though he may have been selected through proper channel, sources said here on Monday. A Bench comprising Justices A K Mathur and Markandey Katju stated that a selection does not confer the right of getting an appointment, which can be enforced by filing a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution. The respondent, even after selection, has no indefeasible right to be appointed to the post merely because he has been selected, the Court said. The Court also dropped the contempt of court proceedings initiated by Orissa High Court against the Vice-Chancellor and registrar of the Utkal University of Culture. Besides, the Bench set aside the orders of the Orissa High Court directing the two to be personally present in the court. The petition for appointment as a lecturer and contempt proceedings were initiated on a petition filed by Satya Prakash Dash, who was selected for the post of lecturer in South and South-East Asian studies of Utkal University. The apex court in its judgement noted "the first and foremost question is whether the court can direct the State government by a writ of mandamus to appoint a person against a post which has been abolished by the State Government. Our answer to this question is in the negative." The apex court also took note of the fact that the University was not competent to make an appointment without prior approval of the State Government. The State Government had, in the process of reorganising the set-up of the University, abolished the post referred to in the case.