Probe report nails the organizers of the picnic party in the boat tragedy

The RDC (northern Division) has submitted his probe report on Tuesday (29th April) on the Hirakud boat tragedy that took 31 lives of a picnic party after it capsized in the reservoir water on 9th February.  In the probe report the RDC has recommended several suggestions to be taken in this direction to prevent such incident in future. though the RDC refused to divulge any thing about the report citing it ‘top secrete’, he said that after examining as many as 51 witnesses including the organizers, victims’ family members and boat men as well as officials from government, “I have prepared the report which is a step to avoid such incident in future”, Pramod Kumar Meherda, RDC (northern division) Sambalpur said . He informed that he has tabled the report before the government and it is now duty of the government to take care about the report and to implement the suggestions. “I have submitted the report before the government and it is now the government to take steps as per the report”, RDC Meherda said.

He informed as per the direction of the government he has examined cause of accident and who are the persons responsible for the accident and steps to check such mishap in future. However, sources closed to the RDC revealed that the 22 pages report of RDC has pointed finger on the organizers of the picnic party who without taking precautionary measures on the safety and security of their fellow members and their family took them inside the reservoir in the name of a picnic party. He also suggested in his report that boats carrying people should be equipped with life jackets and other safety materials. The RDC has also suggested the administration to ensure it by conducting regular checking.  

It may be informed that the incident took place in the afternoon hour of 9^th February when a power boat carrying a picnic party of Sambalpur lions club was capsized in the reservoir water. In the incident 31 people including 8 children and 13 females were killed. The picnickers were returning to Sambalpur on the boat after completing the picnic organized at Marang (an island type place located opposite side of the Hirakud reservoir). Since the boat was not reserved, there were 12 outsiders and about 10 bikes in the boat along with about 150 picnickers. Police had already arrested 4 persons including the president of the lions club Ramesh Agrawal and the state government has taking the issue seriously, directed RDC level probe. 

However many questioned remained still unanswered. why the organizers took such a risk when there was no proper security measures and life jackets inside the boat? why the organizers did not try to save the life of children and women and took all attempt to save their own lives?  why the organizers of the picnic party played with the lives of so many people? why they did not take step to provide a helping hands to the deceased family members who are totally helpless after losing their only income source ? why government remains silent over the report and did not initiate any steps regarding the implementation of the recommendation of the RDC in his report. 

    

boat tragedy ruined several family

candle light 

The Hirakud boat tragedy that took 31 lives was included only one person who was not in the picnic group but was travelling in the ill-fated boat along with his wife and 3 years old son. But he died leaving his wife and child in a distress condition as after his death the young wife does not know how to run the family and how to up-bring the 3 years old son. Amarendra Rout (30) was killed in the boat mishap along with 30 others picnickers of the lions club while they were returning in a boat that capsized in the Hirakud reservoir water midway on 9th February. Deceased’s motor bike was also lost in the mishap. Deceased's younger brother Bhamarendra met the district administration on Saturday and requested financial help to the deceased wife to run the family.

“I have met the ADM (Sambalpur) on 22nd  February  and requested him to provide financial help to my brother’s family as there is no any other income source after his death. The ADM has though assured to take immediate step in this regards, I do not know how we will survive without my brother”, Bhamarendra Rout said. He informed that his brother was working under a contractor engaged in Hindalco Aluminum Company of Hirakud and after the death the company pays not a single penny citing he was not working directly under the company. 

candle rally

He informed that deceased was returning from Bandhbahal along with his wife Sunita (22) and Subham (3) in that ill-fated boat. Though both wife and son got survived, he died in the mishap saving the lives of others. Deceased’s brother informed that deceased was also looking after their old father who is a physically challenged person and the untimely death of son has brought misery to the old father.

It may be informed that out of the 31 people died in the boat mishap, 30 were from the lions club members and their family members. The accident occurred when the boat carrying nearly 150 people including the picnic party members along with few outsiders was capsized in the water due to overload. There were also nearly 10 bikes in the boats.  

Rare kidney failure takes 13 lives in Redhakhol

A total 13 persons have been died during last 3 years due to kidney failure in Podabalanda and Kuhi villages under Sambalpur’s Rairakhol sub-division due to lack of proper medical facilities. The Aam Admi party alleged poverty and lack of awareness led the people to suffer from the deadly diseases. The convener of the party MR Patnaik informed that more than 20 people of the two villages have presently suffered from same kidney problem and they will soon die in case timely medical care is not provided them.
According to him the information collected by his two of the party members who visited the two villages gives a clear picture how poverty and lack of medical care led the patients died one after another. “We are quite surprise to note than there is no step from administration even after death of such a huge number of people from the both villages”, Patnaik alleged.
Patnaik also informed that since the Nephrology department of VSS Medical college hospital is running without doctors, going to Burla becomes meaningless for them. He demanded the health department to collect the sample of the drinking water consumed by the people and find out the cause of kidney failure in the two villages. Submitting a list of the patients, the Aam Admi party appealed the CDMO (Sambalpur) Minakhi Mohanty to take immediate step to save the villagers and find out the reason of suffering the people from the deadly disease.
“ We met the CDMO on Monday and brought the matter into her kind notice. She has assured us to take immediate step to provide treatment to the patients by sending a special team of doctors”, Patnaik said.

Hindu Tazia turns 350 years in Sambalpur

While Muslim community observed Muharrum on Friday, it is the Modipara Tazia of Sambalpur that generated attention for every one because it was organized by an orthodox Brahmin family. The Padhiary family of Modipara revealed that the family organizes

it ever since the first Tazia was brought out by one of forefathers in the year 1664. This is 350th year of celebration for the family which becomes the best example of communal harmony between the two communities. Though it is purely a Muslim’s event, the Hindu family of the town feels it is their family tradition.

“I have been doing this after the death of my father as we feel it is a tradition of our family.This is 350th years of event we undertook this year since the first was brought out in the year 1964,” the elder member of the Padhiary family of Modipara , Lalmohan Padhiary said on Friday (15th November 2013).

Sources said the people of Muslim community observe this to mourn and pay homage to Hassan and Hussein, who became martyrs (about 680 AD) in Karbala desert in Arabia. During the festival, the people of Muslim community injure themselves as a mark to the memory of the two brothers. But for Padhiary family it is just a family tradition and nothing else. They bring out the tazia from Modipara chowk by performing puja in a purely Hindu tradition by breaking coconut. Though there are several Tazia processions of Muslim community, the Modipara Tazia is distinguished by its appearance. The tomb of the Modipara Tazia is red while Tazia of others are white and green.

No late night marriage procession in Sambalpur

Bad news for those bachelors who prefer to make their marriage procession memorable with bursting of crackers and high profile street processions during late night. Beware; you may face trouble in case you make delay in reaching the bridal place, if it is in Sambalpur town, than you have to ensure that you reach the destination before 10 pm.

Sambalpur police have decided to stop marriage procession if that commences after 10 o clocks night. To create awareness about the decision, the police convened a meeting of the senior citizens and business men of the town where senior police officials of the district requested the people to disseminate the police decision to restrict such marriage processions. The police also directed the band party owners and sound system owners to remain alert on it.  “We have given direction to the band party owners and sound system owners to seize their instruments in case of violation of the police direction”, SDPO (Sambalpur) PK Mohapatra.

Police source said public nuisance and criminal activities have been increased in the town during night because of the liberal police action. Police now want to implement state’s loudspeaker action strictly to prevent any of such public nuisances. Times and again we have requested the people to complete the marriage procession in time, but our request remain unattended by the people because of the liberal attitude. “We have already alerted the owners of the band party and sound systems as they are the sources of such nuisance. Once they starts refusing to take part after 10 o clock night problems will be solved automatically”, Mohapatra said.

Sources said, the Odisha loudspeakers act empowers police to seize the sound systems in the absent of any such permission issued by the sub-collector of the area. The sub-collector will be fixed the term and condition as per the situation of the programme where the loudspeaker is to be used. However the act does not prescribe any such time limit.   “It is the duty of the local administration to fix the time. In case any violation, a fine of Rs. 50/- will be imposed on the violator and police will seized the sound system”, the senior lawyer Hrudananda Sarangi said.

No sympathy for mother after the death of her only son

It was totally a heart breaking situation for Gurubari Lamba after she lost her only son Jitendra Lamba that was working as night watchman under PHD department of government of Odisha on a contractual basis. Lamba a youth of 25 years old was one of the victims died in the train accident with another two railway employees on Tuesday (2nd July).  Gurubari does not know how to stay in the house located besides the railway check gate near Guhiratikira on the side of the Mahanadi Bridge, 13 km away from Sambalpur town after losing her only son. She had already lost her husband two years back and she became alone after the death of her son.

“He was only earning source of the family after the death of his father two years back. I was planning for his marriage. But since his service was not yet confirmed he was telling me to wait for some time”, Gurubari Lamba said on Wednesday. Though she hails from Nepal, she resides in Sambalpur since her husband was residing in Sambalpur. Later they shifted to Guhiratikira located near Mahanadi Bridge. 

On the other hand, Jitendra was though working as night watchman under PHD department, his service was purely under contractual condition. He was getting Rs.1700/- per month as a daily wager. Now after his death no one of the department wants take his responsibility. “He was not a regular staff of the department. We have hired him as a daily wage basis. So question of any compensation to his family does not arise”, the executive engineer of the PHD, Sambalpur Hadibandu Behera said.

Injured daughter saved her father's life

daughter in hospital bed

Both father and daughter were severely injured in an accident while they were going in a Bus to Bhubaneswar last month. But despite of own injury a brave and courageous daughter saved the life of her father by providing him timely medical care. She took her father in an ambulance to Cuttack as he was profusely bleeding after splitting his left hand from elbow. The accident took place near Dhenkanal on 24th June and 5 persons were injured in the accident. But the condition of both father and daughter was severe.

 “Though I lost my left hand, I am happy that I got survived because of the courageous act of my daughter”, Debabrat Mishra, the victim said. He informed that after admitted in Om Sai Shubam Nursing home at Cuttack for a week, both father and daughter have shifted to Sambalpur to admit in a local nursing home. While the father lost his hand, the daughter underwent a surgical operation for long 4 hours to reset her dislocated hand.

father lost his left hand

Sources said Debabrat Mishra (49)  of Brajarajnagar of Jharsuguda district was going to Bhubaneswar in a bus along with his daughter Prerana Mishra (19) who studies in 2nd year of Electronics and communication ITER (institute of technical education and research) of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday (24th) night to drop his daughter. “It was around 2.30 or 2.40 am night. Father was already spelt. I was at the window side. Suddenly I heard a busting sound with the bus falling down on the roadside. Since it was dark, I did not find the way to get out. I was in sense. I found my father in semi-conscious situation. I did not know how I got the courage, I pulled him and we managed to get out from the bus from the front glass that was already broken”, Prerana Mishra said while recalling the incident. 

After coming out from the bus, she found her father bleeding profusely as his left hand was detached from the elbow. “I than took my father to the road by climbing the mud heaps of the roadside. I stopped the fire vehicle that was coming from the opposite side. The driver took us to nearby hospital at Meramundali. But since there was no doctor, with the help of the local police we proceeded to Cuttack by a private ambulance”, Prerana said.   .

Sambalpur boy plans computer for sightless

Can a visual impaired person be active on the internet as normal.?. But  to what extent? Can he chat on social networking sites or can he be as quick and efficient like person with proper eyesight?  A Sambalpur youth has come up with answer to all these questions.

Thirty-nine years old Rakesh Babu of Sambalpur town , who is also the grandson of famous politician late Banamali Babu has to walk a long ways to become the assistant professor of information studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (USA) and presently is exploring the way to make Internet and computers more accessible for the blind and visually impaired person. Babu also believess his research on usability can also provide benefit to computer users with sight. He is also first sightless of the globe to  get a doctoral degree in Information system.
A Graduated from Gangadhar Meher college of Sambalpur district town of western Odisha, he lost his future hope after losing his eye sight. due to suffering from ‘ Tepidity retinal degeneracy’ which he describes as one of the rare of rarest disease. He remains idle for more than 5 years in Sambalpur before he started his journey to USA. Thanks to the advice of his sister, resides in USA to take a chance. In fact his aim was to get proper treatment, but his  US-stay provides a new vision to the visual impaired youth. He than decided to join in the IT sector to prove his confidence and ability.
“It was a nice experience for me. In our country, if you are a blind no once see your talent. But in USA if you have talent, your physical condition is secondary”, Rakesh said while talking to the author during his visit to Sambalpur. He claimed that he has the ability to do something but also believed that person having blindness from birth has more ability than him.

When he joined his first computer class he convinced that he could never put the technology to good use. The visual impairment made it difficult for him to conceptualize the computing concepts that the teacher was describing. But over time with the use of technology, he learnt ways to unlock the power of computing “I want to educate the world about blind people’s Web experiences. I feel myself privileged for my condition,” Babu said. “Since I become a blind I can go through the same experiences as 314 million other people around the world with visual impairment go but my condition gives me the ability  to communicate  the world about the problem of these people which normally not a topic for discussion” , Babu added. He disclosed that he wants to educate the world about blind people’s Web experiences. He said blind persons have the ability to become best IT professional but since the education is designed for sight people, the sightless one gets tripped up on a task that becomes "routine" for a normal. Taking a test on Blackboard, doing research on the internet or shopping online are just like a routine of chatting with friends on Face book.
To combat that, Babu’s research – dubbed “The Mind of the Blind on the Web” – focuses on understanding the problems blind people encounter in today’s internet-centric society by removing the obstacles to provide equal opportunities to sight-less. He is presently working on “Decoding the Mind of the Blind” as he feels mind is the visual organ of blind person.  

police registered case against collector for abusing lady social worker in Sambalpur

Sambalpur collector Pradeep Kumar Rath is under deep trouble after the town police registered a case against him on the direction of the SDJM, Sambalpur for misbehaving a lady social worker in his official chamber. The lady social worker Pankajini Pradhan had filed a complaint case against the collector levelling misbehavior charges against him. The court has given the direction after hearing her case.

 “We have registered a case against the collector u/s 294 (using filthy language), 500(defamation) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) on the direction of the SDJM, Sambalpur.  We have registered the case after receiving the court order”, the Inspector of the Town police station RN Deo said on Saturday. 

PK Rath

As per the allegation, the lady social worker Pankajini Pradhan works for woman empowerment in Jujomora block of the district. She raised her objection when she found a lady identified as Kalpana Seth was attacked in her own village as the lady refused to give ‘chanda’ to the villagers. This incident was taken place in the Jamloi village of the block on 21^st October 2012. Pradhan rescued the family of the victim lady and provided her shelter. On her pressure the Jujomira police though registered a case but did not take step to arrest the villagers involved in the case.  The victim lady and her family moved place to place for shelter as the villagers threatened them for dire consequences. 
With the help of the lady social worker, the victim family tried to get justice but when nothing was happened, the victim lady submitted a notice of ‘self immolation’ in front of the office of collector on 12^th December. But it was cancelled due the collector who invited the lady to his chamber and assured to take up the case personally to provide justice her and other family members.But at the same time, he allegedly misbehaved Pradhan  accompanying the lady and asked the police to drive her out of his chamber as she had no work in the matter. 

“We had gone to the collector chamber on his request on 12 December morning. She assured to take all necessary steps to provide justice. But he asked to go out as I was no way related to the case. When I objected he suddenly sparked from his chair and started abusing me using filthy language. From his version, it was appeared that I was the culprit of the case. He misbehaved me saying the lady took such a step because of my instigation”, Pankajini alleged said. She informed that she filed a complaint case against the collector on 17^th December before the court of SDJM, Sambalpur after the local police refused to accept her complaint against the collector. 
On the other hand, the collector PK Rath has denied the allegation saying it was totally false and fabricated. "There in no truth in the allegation. it is totally false and fabricated", he said. 

MCL celebrates I' Day with Keshab Swain

Thousands of people that gathered during the celebration of Independence Day function at Anand vihar of Mahanadi coalfields at Burla town were totally amazed to witness the martial arts of Keshab Swain, the Guinness-book-world record holder of Odisha for breaking maximum number of green-coconut in a given time. People cheered him when he started smashing green-coconuts with his head and elbow. Keshab of Bhubaneswar has entered Guinness book by breaking 85 green coconuts in 52 seconds with his elbow.

‘It was amazing moment for us to witness his art of braking green-coconuts. He is really a powerful man”, the CMD of MCL AN Sahay said while felicitated him on this occasion for making every one proud for showing real power of the human body. Sahay took the salute during the Independence Day parade organized in the Anand Vihar ground where students of various educational institutions of Burla and Sambalpur had participated.  

On the other hand, Keshab expressed gratitude to the officials of the MCL for giving him honour on this occasion. “I am delighted with the love and affection of the people of the company. I feel as if they are my own family members”, Keshab Swain said while talking to the media after his felicitation. He informed that he is trying to better up his score in future. At present he is preparing for entering in the ‘Asia Book’ and ‘India Book’ for which programme is scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar on 29th of September 2012.

Keshab revealed that he wanted to enter another record in Guinness book by breaking green coconut with his head.  “I am preparing to break 30 green coconuts in one minute with my head”, Keshab said.   He informed that he has completed physical therapy training from Hyderabad to start a career as Physio-therapist.  In every sport, we need a physical therapist to guide the participant. “But due to lack of patronage, out youths do not opt to make it a career”, Keshab said. While informing about his future target, Keshab said that he wanted to establish an institution in Bhubaneswar shortly to provide training to the children on martial art.” But it depends on the government and various corporate houses as it requires financial assistance to meet the expenditure”, Keshab asserted 

Bajarang Dal backs four converted-Christian family to Hindu fold

Four families of 'converted Christians' at Marketpara  village under Attabira  police station limits of Bargarh district  have returned to the Hindu fold during a function amidst chanting of mantras by the priests. They identified as Jogeswar Kumbhar, Purander Deep, Padma Suna and Birman Bag along with their family members. They revealed that they had converted to Christianity 5 years back with the instigation of a missionary pester. The local Bajarang Dal organized the programme and welcomed the people for coming back.

This happens with the close heels of an attempt to convent a Hindu boy to Christianity by one pester in the name of recovering the child from prolong illness on Tuesday. “We rushed to the spot and restrained the attempt of the Christian Padri from doing the act. At the same time four ‘converted Christian’ families desired to come back to Hindu. So we organized a Jagna and brought them back by performing puja in Hindu rituals”, activists Soroj Jha and Sudhir Barik said on Wednesday. 

Sambalpur youth becomes icon of Infosys

Ansuman Panda

Sambalpur youth becomes the heartthrob for many young IT professional after he became new model for the Infosys. He got the rare opportunity to feature in the latest advertisement campaign released by Infosys on the theme, ‘future is built by the restless’ as he was selected among several hundreds participants to become the face of the company having a strength of 15 million employees.      He went through several screening test to become the icon of the company to appeal the young professionals to join the company.

Meet Ansuman Panda a Bangalore based IT professional who hails from the small town of Sambalpur.  He is the son of Sasanka Sekhar Panda, the Joint Director in the Department of Information and Public Relations and grand son of Sambalpur based renowned Oriya writer Uma Shankar Panda. Ansuman has covered a long way to achieve the rare opportunity.  Studying in central school of Bolangir up to matriculation, he moved to Bhubaneswar for his intermediate. He joined Kalinga Institute of Information Technology (KIIT) to get his engineering degree in IT.  In 2009 he joined Infosys at Bangalore. He is currently working as testing engineer in Infosys.

The family members of Ansuman as well friends and relations expressed happiness over his achievement. They feel this will definitely encourage the young talents of the region. “It was a happy and unforgettable moment for us when we first received the news. I feel proud for him.” jubilant father Sasanka Sekhar Panda said on Tuesday.  “It was not an easy task for me. But ultimately I got the opportunity to represent the company though campaign and advertisement. It is really a matter of pride for me”, Ansuman said.   On the other hand, his achievement has given a new strength to the younger generation of the locality. The photograph of the young IT professional is really reflecting the restlessness to build a future. I am really glad to view the advertisement campaign,” said Kamalakshya Pruseth, a student from Gangadhar Meher college of Sambalpur.  

Techno fest Samavesh 2012 concluded in VSSUT

4-day techno-management festival ‘Samavesh-2012’ concluded  in   veer Surendra Sai  University of technology (VSSUT) of Burla on Sunday  where students of various engineering and technology institutes across the country have participated and displayed various new technology and idea through seminars and exhibitions. The event is designed in such way that it provides ample scope for the exposure of the students participated in the programme.  The event also provided an environment to the students where they shared their ideas and thought with each other which they feel would be helpful for their future career.

‘It is really a nice experience to be a part of the ‘Samavesh-2012’. With limited resources the organizers have designed the event in such a manner that each and every participant feels thrilled and cheerful. We also feel the need of such events for technical students as they we get opportunity to share our though and talent”, senior faculty member and Vice-President of the event Sanjay Agrawal said

The participants of the event opined that such progremmes are essential for the technical students as it helps them to explore their inner ability and talent. “Samavesh is the only fest in Odisha with such a great number of events & live participation. Past editions of Samavesh have seen many splendid technical & business events of repute & the same tradition continues even. But this is my first experience to participate such a nice event‘first year student of VSSUT,   Stitha Prajnya Panda expressed.

The techno-festival has been formulated and planned by the students of veer Surendra Sai University of Technology with the guidance and cooperation of the vice-chancellor and faculty members.  The students of the technology university feel happy to host such an event where more than 200 participants from various technical institutions including silicon, KIIT, ITER and CET of Bhubaneswar, NIT of Rourkela, VITAM of Berhampur and Black diamond of Jharsuguda have participated apart from the host VSSUT.

Besides work-shops and guest lectures, the participants are getting opportunity to participate in the robotics, coding event and technical events including aero-modeling, 3dimention animation and image processing.  We are happy to become the participants of the programme, the students of Black diamond

“We feel proud to become the host of the festival as it gives an opportunity to share our thought with our counterparts from various other institutions. With the limited resources and sponsorship from the industrials houses of our vicinity we have organized the event for the greater cause of the technical students of the state.  We are thankful to our VC and other faculty members along with our alumni for their supports and encouragement.” Debabrat Panda, a student and member of the organizing committee of the event said.

During the festival students of host institute are getting maximum opportunity to show their talents and experiments. Students of various departments have taken part in various events looking to their taste and interest. “Though we are in civil and mechanical wing we have taken part in ‘robotics because of our interest. We designed our robot with technical help from other students and played successfully in the event”, 3^rd year students of black diamond technical institute of Jharsuguda Srustisriya Mohanty and Tapaswini Ray said.

“During the programme we have also organized entertainment and stage show in every night for the relaxation and amusement of the participants. We have included laser-light show and music band during each night”, management leader of Smavesh-2012, Debabrat panda said.

KISS students rescued by the Railway police

victims

Sambalpur Railway police rescued 6 minor tribal students from the local Railway station on Friday while travelling in Puri-Rourkela Tapaswaini express. They were studying in the KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social service), a charitable wing of KIITs of Bhubaneswar but they left the school premises with out the knowledge of school authority and boarded the train to go to their respective villages. The railway police intimated it to their parents on getting identity of the children. The parents who came to Sambalpur to take back their children described it ‘gross negligence’ of the school authority. 

The children identified as Subash Majhi (10)Baliakani village , Asish Ekka (11)of Gidpahadi , Sahil Suren (11) of Nuagaon ,Dayasagar Lakra (11) of Balisankara and Alok Kujur(11) of Gunchitipur village and Akash Topo(9) Bamnibahal village of Sundergarh district were studying in class 3th ,4th and 5th classes. 

“We have given our children believing proper security and care to them by the school management. But how the management was unaware when 6 of the children were gone missing from the institution’, the relation of a child Dhaneswar Majhi said. 

Railway police sources some of the passengers informed the police when they found cast doubt on the movement of the children. Police went to the train and rescued them. “The children were travelling in a group and since they did not have any warm clothes, they were shivering with the cold during night. We informed their parents when we ascertained their identity”, the inspector of GRP Sambalpur PK Dash said. 

“Since they were in a residential school, it was the duty of the school management to look after the children. But the management was aware about the children when I personally informed one of the senior officers over phone”, Dash said. 

On the other hand, senior officials of the school management denied of having any negligence while maintaining the school in Bhubaneswar. Describing its’ a ‘rare incident’ in school history, Basanta Kumar Behera, a senior official of the management, claims of giving proper care and facilities to the students. “We are providing personal attention to the each and every student for their overall growth. The students seemed to be new to the school environment and it would take time to adjust”, Behera said. According to him a team was deputed to bring back the children.

happy new year 2012


to


every one

week long drama-competition begins at Sambalpur from Saturday evening

file photo

The innovative effort of a young group of Sambalpur has created revolution in the field of one-act-play and state drama in western part of the state. In the age of internet and electronic media, When stage drama is slowing loosing its value, under the banner of ‘Yuba Udayan’ the youths have set a new height by staging more than 400 original drama with in a span of 14 years. Now following the idea of the ‘Yuba Udayan’, several youth groups in Bargarh, Balangir and other places have started annual drama competition in their places converting it as a movement in the entire western Odisha.        

Sources said, ‘Juba Udayan’, an age-old youth organization of Jharuapara in Sambalpur town conceived an idea to organize ‘Sambalpuri one-act play competition’ of drama competition in the year 1997. With many difficulties, the first drama competition was organized successfully in the ‘Badduar’ (Jharuapara stage) in the first year beginning a new chapter in the history of Sambalpuri drama. This has also encouraged the artists and dramatists of the region as they get a new avenue to develop their talents. 

“In the beginning we faced several difficulties while organizing the competition. But now we become happy to see the result. It has converted it to a movement in the region. Many organizations have started organizing drama competitions in their region. It is a good sign. We see a bright future for the   stage drama in future”, Sanjay Mishra, senior member of the organizing committee of the drama competition said on Friday. According to him, 7-day drama competition under the name of ‘Veer Surendra Sai all Orissa sambalpuri drama competition’ is being organized every year and this year the competition will begin from 24^th December and conclude on 31^st December. This year also a total 21 plays will be staged by the art groups of various places of the region. On the other hand, the organizers never allow any art group to repeat a drama in the competition. “We select only original play with out any repetition in the competition to make the drama attractive and innovative”, another member of the group Jagadish Mishra said. According to him the Sadhana Kamal Bohidar of Sambalpur will be conferred with ‘Yuba Udayan’ award for her contribution in the field of state art.     

Sambalpur university will patronage Sambalpuri writers: VC

Sambalpur University has decided to patronage writers of original sambalpuri language to promote the language. This was disclosed by the newly appointed vice chancellor BC Barik who assured to spend money to publish books written in original Sambalpuri language. 

While speaking in a function held in Sanskrutik samaj on Tuesday night on the eve of release of a book written in Sambalpuri language on Assamese poet Laxminath BejBaruah, Barik said that though it becomes easier to talk in the language, every one feels difficulties in writing and reading the language.  “Hence the language needs patronage as there is not much publications in the language. So I have decided to provide money from the university fund to patronage the writers of the particular language”, Barik said. 

Barik released the book captioned ‘Laxminath Bejbaruah: tankar Sambalpur and Tankar Kathani’ written by Deepak panda. “Bejbaruah was though prodounder of Assamese language, he spent much his time in Sambalpur. So with this book, I tried to refresh his memory of Sambalpur-stay”, Deepak Panda said. While presiding over the function retired senior engineer Karunakar Supakar informed that after working for a long period in various government sectors, it becomes difficult for him to speak in original Sambalpuri language. He congratulated the writer for the book. While speaking as chief speaker Mohan Sahu threw light on various cultural and social similarities between Odisha and Assam. Maheswari  Panigrahi gave the welcome address while Sidhartha Panda proposed the vote of thanks.  

cop nabbed Khatei shooter

Police arrested prime shooter of the firing incident on senior BJP leader and former district president of BJP Seemanchal Khatei taken place on last Saturday night at Chptipulia near Remed while Khatei was on his way to Hirakud after completing his work at Sambalpur. Khatei was serious wounded and admitted in VSS medical college and hospital as the bullet struck on his abdomen. Police said on Thursday that accused Parsuram Bag of Bareipali area of the Sambalpur confessed his crime and was forwarded to the judicial custody. Police said Bhima Dhurua arrested earlier was scriber of the whole episode.
Police said the gang-war between Anil Singh and Surya Kandha in connection to contract work in Hindalco Company of Hirakud that took place on 20th September in Hirakud was the source of the firing incident. In the gang war one Chanti alias Manoj Dharua of Surya Kandha gang was shot dead and from that day being the brother of the deceased, Bhima Dharua decided to take revenge of his brother’s killing.
“Surya Kandha members were in the opinion that Khatei was the source of power to their opponent Anil Singh group. So they decided to eliminate Khatei from the scene. For that they took the help of Parsuram. Since he was not having any past criminal record, it took time police to trace the shooter”, the additional SP (Sambalpur) Dilip Kumar Deo said on Thursday while briefing before the press. He however denied any evidence of Khatei’s link with Anil group. “, If we find any evidence on that we will not hesitate to arrest Khatei”deo said.

NHRC stressed on the improvement of construction workers

The National human right commissioner (NHRC) has asked the state government to ensure the proper Implementation of the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 in the state as a large number of population belong to this unorganized sector are totally deprived of getting the benefit under the act. The NHRC took the step following the request of the Pragatisila Sramik Manch (PSM); a Jharsuguda based social organization working for the welfare of the labour to intervene the matter. 

The organization alleged that government violates Article 15(3), 39 (e) and (f) and Article 45 and 47 of the Constitution, which impose a primary responsibility on the State ensuring that all the needs of workers are met and that their basic rights are fully protected. It also violates Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which provides for the right to live with dignity.

“Due to non-implement of the BOCW act, a large number of workers, engaged in various building and construction works do not get social security in the society. They also deprived of getting health and education facilities available to them under the act”, Rakhyakar Mahapatra, the general secretary of the Pragatisila Sramik Manch of Jharsuguda alleged. While talking on Wednesday, Rakhyakar informed that under the act the workers and families are entitled to get compensation and monetary damages in case of any mishap or accident that leads to their loss of wages.

Rakhyakar informed that the NHRC heard his petition on 29^th November 2010 and pleased direct the state government to ensure the implementation of the act in Odisha as soon as possible. “I representing the construction workers of the state submitted a petition before the NHRC describing the state of affairs of the construction workers in the state owing to the negligent attitude of the state government in the implementation of the act. I hoped state government would take appropriate step in this regard soon”, Rakhyakar said.  

Sambalpur vibrants over Sindol scuttle

The government’s decision to cancel the MOU of the Sindhol Hydropower Project has received a mixed reaction in Sambalpur. While organizations and individuals claimed this as ‘people’s win’, few others feel it’s a political decision in view of the panchayat poll. However by and large there was a feeling of relief among the people of the region who expressed happiness  on the decision of the state government.

The ‘Sindhol Sangharsh Samiti’ welcoming the decision of the government said that the organization would continue its fight to protect the interest of the western Odisha in coming days. The convener of the Samiti, Sapan Mishra in a press release descried it a ‘win’ of the people as the project was anti-people and government was forcibly throwing the project on the people with out taking their consent in to consideration.

The convener of the Sindhol Bruhat Jalaprakalp Birodhi action committee Siba Narayan Sahu said it was a win of the people as the proposed project was totally anti-people and it was poising a threat to the ancient monument like Huma lineal temple. “Many ethnic tribes would have lost their occupations and native land under the proposed project. So we opposed the project from the day one”, Sahu said.

. The Sindhol prakalpa Birodhi Manch of Sonepur also congratulated the people describing it a ‘victory’ of the people of entire region. The convener of the Manch, UN Purohit however appealed the people to ready to fight any injustice on the region by any government in future.

The former BJP president Suresh Pujari said that government can not stand before the people’s mandate.”It is a win of the battle fought by the lakhs of people of the region. But this is not the end. Every one should be ready for such battle in future”, Pujari said.  

The water Initiative Odisha (WIO), a social organization working in the field of water conservation apprehended it a political move of the government in view of the panchayat poll.  “We demand the government to issue a Gazette Notification clearly mentioning the cancellation of the project with   immediate effect and that no further move will initiated on this front in future “convener of the WIO Ranjan Panda said.