A New Vote Bank

When it comes to making winners on television, the janta (and the SMSes it polls) shows the way Jagmeeta Thind Joy.THIS weekend was an eventful one to say the least. And it had little to do with the ongoing Champions trophy. For a few channels away, matches of a different kind were on. Only here, the runs ran into votes, the players were the finalists on the show and the third umpire - the janta out there. While Friday saw the ladies - actors Mona Singh and Shveta Salve - battle it out on the dance floor on Sony's Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa, Saturday went all live with the much awaited grand finale of Zee's L'il Champs. "I really never thought I would get this far. But it's all thanks to the viewers out there who voted for me that I won," remarked a visibly surprised Mona, who surpassed her rival in the voting line-up that really had everyone guessing till the end.Elsewhere on Zee TV that aired a live telecast of the finals of Li'l Champs on Saturday night, just before the clock struck midnight, the results (once again a tally of votes polled by viewers) were out. And Kolkata's Sanchita Bhattacharya was a winner. And here too the viewers were an active lot with over 45 lakh votes (read SMSes) being polled in the 14-year-old's favour. "In all we received over a crore of votes for all three contestants combined," mentioned singer and anchor for the show Shaan as he got the current Don - actor Shahrukh Khan to reveal the final tally. So what if there were three judges on each show, for when it comes to verdicts, the janta has all the say. "Yes, text-to-win campaigns keep viewers glued to their sets during live broadcasts.Tele-voting applications have also successfully combined the reach of television and mobile to enable an interactive medium. Talent hunt shows such as Li'l Champs have evoked a humongous response," mentioned Zee TV's senior vice president Ashish Kaul who sees SMSes as an instant way to gauging the show's popularity.And whether you are a viewer sitting somewhere in Rourkela or tucked in the bylanes of Byculla, homing in Hoshiarpur or settled in Siliguri, you have the power to not only connect but be the deciding factor on a show. "I am so glad Sanchita won. I have been voting for her ever since the contest started," remarked Sector 38-based Priyanka Singla, a self-confessed tele tubby who feels the format of SMS voting helps her connect to the show.And just so that there's no violation of rules, channels lay out strict guidelines. The rules of the current celebrity dance show Nach Baliye 2 state that no more than 20 votes will be accepted from any one landline, cell number or email id per episode. According to Sameer Nair, CEO, Star Entertainment India, "We have definitely encouraged all Nach Baliye participants to canvas for votes, and many of them have gone the extra mile to do so - from printing posters and distributing them, traveling to different parts of the country and canvassing, urging their family, friends and fans to vote for them in large numbers, to getting special "vote for us" T-shirts created. The participants are committed to abiding by all the rules of the show, and our systems are robust enough to ensure that all set rules and regulations are followed in toto."

Indo-Pak hockey series likely next year

NEW DELHI: Hockey fans from India and Pakistan are likely to witness another contest between the arch-rivals in a home-and-away Test series next year.
pakistan Hockey Federation President Tariq Kirmani will visit India early next month to discuss the details about the series with the top bosses of Indian Hockey Federation."Earlier PHF Secretary Akhtar-ul Islam was supposed to come. But, now their president Kirmani is coming to discuss the details about the India-Pakistan series, including the venues and dates of the matches," IHF Secretary K Jothikumaran said on Sunday."We will also discuss about the exchange of players in Premier Hockey League and Supreme Hockey League," he added.
The PHF reportedly wants the bi-lateral series to be held in March next year, just after the completion of PHL in January and February.
Earlier this year, both the countries played a six-match home-and-away Test series in which Pakistan won the Indian leg while India emerged as victors across the border.
The IHF has also decided to put off the proposed home series against Belgium in late November in order to have more training in the run-up to the Doha Asian Games in December.
"Since the turf laid at Doha is a new one, the coaches thought that the players should get more training. Luckily, we got the new turf at the SAIL premises in Rourkela," Jothikumaran said.
The IHF official said the national team for the Asian Games would be named in the second week of November.

Engineers organising environment seminar

Dr Syed Naimathulla, senior environment engineer at QP, will speak on Environment Protection Strategies in Oil and Gas Industry.
Oil and gas exploration and production activities can have significant impact on both the natural environment and human communities. During the past 20 years the oil and gas industry has grown to recognise the need and its obligation to identify and mitigate environmental impacts of their activities.
In many countries this recognition has been strengthened by constituting an environment regulatory authority to monitor the compliance of oil and gas companies to state environment regulations.
Dr Syed Naimathulla graduated from the Regional Engineering College, Rourkela, in 1973. He completed M.Tech and Ph.D from the Regional Engineering College, Warangal.
He has more than 20 years experience in the field of environment protection and around 13 years experience in oil and gas Industry. He has worked in such organisations like ARAMCO and ADNOC.

Surface tension: Turf companies battle it out

It could well be the best thing to be happening to Indian hockey - nine astro turfs across the country and, most importantly, in hockey’s tribal strongholds, costing a whopping Rs 24 crore.
However, a controversy seems to be brewing in the initial tendering phase itself, with a majority of the turf-laying companies piqued with a ‘vital’ clause that has been deleted through a corrigendum recently.
The aggrieved companies now allege that the deletion of the clause would tilt the balance heavily in favour of one New Delhi-based company —Sportina Exim Pvt Ltd, which markets the Belgian product Desso. Incidentally, Desso had laid the turfs at the National Stadium in the Capital. It had got worn out quickly, drawing flak from players and officials.

When the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) had invited global tenders on behalf of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), there was a clause that only those companies would be eligible that had laid turfs in either the Olympic Games, World Cup, Junior World Cup, Champions Trophy, Champions Challenge, FIH Olympic Games Qualifier, FIH World Cup Qualifier, Commonwealth Games or the Asian Games. Desso, however, has not provided the turf for any of the events mentioned above.
However, the clause was annulled through a corrigendum dated October 5. Only a certificate from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) or FIH-accredited laboratory would now be enough for applying for the tender.
The CPWD had invited tenders for turfs in Gandhinagar, Kolkata, Madikere (Karnataka), Kandivali (Mumbai), NIS (Patiala), Shillaroo (Shimla), Sonepat and Sundergarh.
Rajiv Sharma, general manager of the Delhi-based Jubilee Technologies, the India representative of Poligrass brand, says: “The corrigendum lends equal status to manufacturers of inferior quality turfs to compete against the quality ones.
Recently, all the turfs laid at Chennai, Rourkela and other places had the (above mentioned) technical eligibility clause …so why not here?” he questions.
“The SAI has come up with a great idea to lay turfs all across the county. This will boost hockey in the country. But SAI should also ensure the quality and durability of the turfs.”
The two turfs at the National Stadium laid by Desso in 2002 turned bald within a couple of years of their laying. At certain spots, the turf just came off, resulting in a furore during the Indira Gold Cup in 2005. It was a pathetic sight seeing some pockets on the field being stitched in daylight even as teams from foreign countries watched amusingly.
SAI director-general (DG), RP Watal counters the allegations, saying, “The turfs deteriorated quickly because we didn’t take good care of them. We didn’t have proper cleaning machines and washed the surface with whatever detergent we had.
“It’s more a case of poor maintenance than poor quality (of turf) that resulted in the wear and tear. Also, the turf was used extensively.”
However, the Shivaji Stadium turf in the Capital is still in good shape after 7-8 years of laying and indiscriminate use!
Sharma adds that in a country like India, durability should be paramount. “The FIH does not have any clause on durability, the buyer has to decide it,” he says.
Inderjeet Mehta, representing Polytan brand in India, says, “The FIH is like a government body that okays kachcha roads, highways and super highways. It is up to the authorities (SAI and CPWD) what they want — kachcha roads or super highways.”
However, Hiren Seth, who markets Desso in India, refutes allegations that his turfs are substandard. “The Delhi lobby had introduced the clause in the first place to keep us away from competing … I’m happy it (the clause) has been deleted now,” says Seth. “If the Prime Minister likes a Mercedes Benz, it doesn’t mean the BMW is inferior.”
He also accepted that Desso did make a representation to the CPWD (to annul the clause). “Like all other competitors, ours is also an FIH-approved company … so why keep us away,” says Seth.
CPWD officials refute charges that the corrigendum was issued under pressure from any quarter. They assign the reason for a rethink to routine internal processes of checks and counter-checks.
Interestingly, Desso’s Hiren Seth had filed a case against the choice of turf in Chennai, which he lost on the deposition of two hockey Olympians.
“Olympians can be bought, what’s the big deal!” is Seth’s take.
SAI DG Watal also says that Desso had approached him. “Desso had raised some points as they felt they were being shortchanged,” he said. “It’s not that Desso will get all the contracts; the works will be distributed. Moreover, the FIH has assured us that unless and until the turfs are tested at FIH-recognised international laboratories, they won’t be laid.”
The turf games have begun. One hopes the powers-that-be provide the best turfs for India’s best talent to blossom.

SAIL will maintain its share: Chairman

Undeterred by mega mergers and announcement of creating big capacities by foreign producers like POSCO and Mittal Steel, India's largest steel maker SAIL today exuded confidence of retaining its leading position.
"Let anybody come... We shall maintain or consolidate our market share," SAIL Chairman Sushil Kumar Roongta said in an exclusive interview with PTI.
Asked whether SAIL was looking for acquisitions overseas or will expand through green field route, Roongta, who assumed charge of over Rs 32,000 crore PSU recently, said"there is enough potential in the doemstic market to grow but we shall not close our eyes to good opportunities even overseas."
On the mega deal of Tata Steel acquiring Anglo Dutch steel company Corus in UK, Roongta expressed happiness saying the deal shows the confidence of overseas amrket in Indian entrepreneurs.
"We are at a take-off stage. There is plenty of scope to grow. If good opportunities exist we would not close our eyes," he said.
"We have a very strong client-base. Despite new producers in 90's we have been able to hold on to ourselves," he said and asserted that despite being the nation's biggest producer, there was no room for complacency.
Saying that SAIL has set a target of producing 22 million tonnes of steel in the next five years, Roongta said capacity of Bokaro, Durgapur, Rourkela, and IISCO would be increased to 14 MT, 5 MT, 5 MT and 5 MT respectively. "40 MT for SAIL may not be a distant target," he suggested.
Business

Different strokes for different teams

A Senior National Hockey Championships without controversy? Tough ask, actually.
If in the past it has been dual representations, warring factions and dubious umpiring decisions, this time it is the reluctance of the Indian Hockey Federation to release its players from the national camp that has stirred up a hornet's nest.
What has irked many is the IHF's propensity to 'please a few teams' at the expense of others. Their grouse is not without reason as the federation has met the player demands of Indian Airlines and Indian Oil while steadfastly refused to cater to the requests of the majority.
Among the disgruntled lot, Air India has been the most vociferous, with its team management even threatening to take legal action. Three of Air India's players - Gurbaj Singh, Gurvinder Singh Chandi and Ajmer Singh - who are part of the Asian Games camp at Rourkela, have been asked to join the team in Jalandhar for the Super league. The players do not have IHF's permission but Air India has made it clear to them that such formalities do not matter any longer.
"Adrian D'Souza, Arjun Halappa and Vikram Pillay have joined Indian Airlines for the Nationals. Sardara Singh is now playing for Indian Oil. Kanwalpreet Singh is with Punjab. So why can't I have my best players for the Nationals?" asked Air India team manager Peter Saldanha.
Saldanha said if the federation had really been impartial in its ways, it wouldn't have allowed the likes of Gagan Ajit Singh, Dilip Tirkey and Raja to play in the European league when the camp was on.
"When a few players have been allowed to take part in foreign leagues, why not the Nationals? " Saldanha has had a busy day, speaking with chief coach Vasudevan Baskaran and making known his plans. "I told him I wanted the three players for the Nationals and that they would be travelling to Jalandhar, much against the federation's wishes."
When asked whether he had spoken to the IHF bosses, Saldanha was defiant. "My players have been told that they would be out of the camp if they figured in the Nationals. I will not bow to such threats. We are prepared for legal action in case they bar us from taking part in the Nationals."
Another team equally hit by IHF's ruling is Karnataka. "We lost Tushar Khandekar, Hariprasad, William Xalco and Bharat Chetri because they are in the camp. But once Gill said no player in the camp would be released for the Nationals we decided not to argue," said Karnataka State Hockey Association secretary K Krishnamurthy. "But now we learn that IO, IA and Punjab have been given special treatment. This saddens us."

Orissa by-poll: Congress, BJP set for straight fight

With a week to go for the bye-election to the Talsara (ST) Assembly seat in Orissa's Sundargarh district, ruling BJP and opposition Congress are locked in a keen tussle for supremacy.
It has become a "prestige" battle for the Congress to retain the seat, which it had won five times in the last six elections while the BJP wants to stamp its authority over the constituency.
The by-poll has been necessitated by the death of the sitting Congress MLA and former minister Gajadhar Majhi. There are 10 contestants in the fray this time though the main battle is slated to be fought between Congress nominee Prafulla Majhi, a retired Government employee, and Sahadeb Xaxa of the BJP.
Gajadhar Majhi, who was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971 on a Congress ticket, had won from Talsara five times since 1980 losing only once to Ranjit Bhitiria of JanataDal in 1990.
Incidentally, Bhitiria, who joined the Congress subsequently, has entered the fray this time as a rebel candidate. The Pradesh Congress committee has since expelled Bhitiria from the party for six years for indiscipline.
Political watchers here feel that the rebel could garner sizeable chunk of votes which could affect the Congress prospects, though party leaders are confident of Majhi's success.

Iftar cuts across religious divide

On the eve of the golden jubilee celebration of hosting of iftar at the residence of Mr Patit Paban Pradhan, a former MP, speakers from all walks of life appealed for greater peace and understanding among different communities in India. When unity in diversity is the very uniqueness of Indian culture, some ugly incidents of past shattered the very ideology, the speakers lamented.
Mr Pradhan is the only man in this region to host iftar over the past 25 years. Hundreds of persons from Islam and other communities took part in this year’s iftar to greet each other.
Speaking on the occasion, the vice-chancellor of Sambalpur University, Professor Pradeep Chandra Tripathy, said: “The very concept of every religion lies in love to each other and fellow feeling, instead of hatred or intolerance. Hence, we should work together to strengthen this bond and set example in the whole world as our enormity with regard to secularism is found nowhere except in India.”
If somebody died in an unwanted situation, his demise should be narrated as the death of an Indian but never as the death of a Muslim or Hindu, Professor Tripathy added.
Prof. Samad and Md. Mumtaz from Muslim community reiterated their determination for a peaceful coexistence and keep up communal harmony with their other religionists. Mr Pradhan and his wife Dr Dipti Patnaik appealed to all to maintain bhaichara under any circumstances.

Iftar cuts across religious divide

On the eve of the golden jubilee celebration of hosting of iftar at the residence of Mr Patit Paban Pradhan, a former MP, speakers from all walks of life appealed for greater peace and understanding among different communities in India. When unity in diversity is the very uniqueness of Indian culture, some ugly incidents of past shattered the very ideology, the speakers lamented.
Mr Pradhan is the only man in this region to host iftar over the past 25 years. Hundreds of persons from Islam and other communities took part in this year’s iftar to greet each other.
Speaking on the occasion, the vice-chancellor of Sambalpur University, Professor Pradeep Chandra Tripathy, said: “The very concept of every religion lies in love to each other and fellow feeling, instead of hatred or intolerance. Hence, we should work together to strengthen this bond and set example in the whole world as our enormity with regard to secularism is found nowhere except in India.”
If somebody died in an unwanted situation, his demise should be narrated as the death of an Indian but never as the death of a Muslim or Hindu, Professor Tripathy added.
Prof. Samad and Md. Mumtaz from Muslim community reiterated their determination for a peaceful coexistence and keep up communal harmony with their other religionists. Mr Pradhan and his wife Dr Dipti Patnaik appealed to all to maintain bhaichara under any circumstances.

Self-immolation threat by Congman in Jagatsinghpur

One Zilla Parishad member and president of block Congress committee, Jagatsinghpur, have threatened to commit self-immolation in front of district collectorate on 26 October in protest against the non-fulfillment of their charters of demands by district administration even after 10 months of submission of their demands.
The Congress Jagatsinghpur committee submitted 10 demands before district administration in January for common and poor people.
The main demands were to give crop insurance to flood-affected farmers, supply seeds free of cost for rabi cultivation, supply irrigation water to the tail end of canals, drainage system in Govari, Rankei, Madhapur, and Nagapur for better irrigation, piling up of rocks on the river embankment, employment opportunities for daily labourers, provide benefits under Indira Awas Yojana to 750 beneficiaries who were selected in 2005-06 and 2006-07 and implement one rule for palli shabas in all panchyats.
President of block Congress committee Mr Prasana Samantaya and zilla parishad member Mr Sricharana Rout said they had been staging several agitations, dharnas, road blockade, rallies and picketing, but district administration and state government had paid heed to the sufferings of the farmers.
Protesting against the worthless intervention of district administration, both have threatened to stage self-immolation to fulfil their demands.

Ritual weighs over restriction

Sibdas Sahoo (name changed) of Jasobantapur village in Keonjhar district today sacrificed a goat at the altar of the Dakhina Kali Temple at Katarapur under Jajpur police station jurisdiction, about 25 km from here, after he had got a job at the Rourkela Steel Plant.
He had promised to make an animal sacrifice to the Goddess, Maa Dakhina Kali some years ago. And now when his wishes came true he had to keep his word before the Goddess.
Another devotee of Jagatpur village in Cuttack district sacrificed a goat before the Goddess after begetting a son. Four months ago his wishes came true and he kept his promise too. Bulu Jena of Duburi village in Kalinga Nagar in Jajpur district sacrificed a goat before Maa Dakhina Kali after his 3 - year - old son, Sonu recovered completely for prolonged illness.
“I spent a lot on doctors and drug to treat my ailing son. But in vain. Some of my relatives advised me to pay a visit to the Dhakhina Kali temple at Katarapur a few months ago. Accordingly I came here and promised a goat sacrifice to the Goddess if my son recovers. My son is well now and I kept my word”, said Bulu.
The three were amongst the 148 devotees from Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj district who offered goats at the altar of the Dhakhina Kali Temple in Katarapur village despite protests by animal lovers.
Last year, a court order to all the district administrations had pleaded ban on animal sacrifice. But faith and belief in century old customs make these people overlook all such restrictions and protests against the ritual.
When contacted, Jajpur additional district magistrate, Mr Sibabrata Das said the administration had not received any ban order as such. It is an age old tradition which just cannot be wished away or eradicated over night, he observed. Mr Das emphasised on awareness generation and people giving up the practice of animal sacrifice.
On the other hand, Dakhina Kali Temple managing committee working president, Mr Niranjan Das said: “Devotees across the state have been sacrificing goats at the temple on the occasion of Kali puja since ages. They are coming to this shrine on their free will and we are not encouraging anybody. Nobody can interfere in such matters, he remarked.
Tradtionalists here pointed out that it is part of tantra shastra and is practiced at all the shakti peethas of the country. They counter attacked by asking what has the administration done to stop road side slaughter of animals which takes place on a daily basis. What are the animal rights activists doing to stop roadside slaughter of chicken and goats, they asked while resenting interference on rituals of a religion

Ritual weighs over restriction

Sibdas Sahoo (name changed) of Jasobantapur village in Keonjhar district today sacrificed a goat at the altar of the Dakhina Kali Temple at Katarapur under Jajpur police station jurisdiction, about 25 km from here, after he had got a job at the Rourkela Steel Plant.
He had promised to make an animal sacrifice to the Goddess, Maa Dakhina Kali some years ago. And now when his wishes came true he had to keep his word before the Goddess.
Another devotee of Jagatpur village in Cuttack district sacrificed a goat before the Goddess after begetting a son. Four months ago his wishes came true and he kept his promise too. Bulu Jena of Duburi village in Kalinga Nagar in Jajpur district sacrificed a goat before Maa Dakhina Kali after his 3 - year - old son, Sonu recovered completely for prolonged illness.
“I spent a lot on doctors and drug to treat my ailing son. But in vain. Some of my relatives advised me to pay a visit to the Dhakhina Kali temple at Katarapur a few months ago. Accordingly I came here and promised a goat sacrifice to the Goddess if my son recovers. My son is well now and I kept my word”, said Bulu.
The three were amongst the 148 devotees from Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Kendrapara and Mayurbhanj district who offered goats at the altar of the Dhakhina Kali Temple in Katarapur village despite protests by animal lovers.
Last year, a court order to all the district administrations had pleaded ban on animal sacrifice. But faith and belief in century old customs make these people overlook all such restrictions and protests against the ritual.
When contacted, Jajpur additional district magistrate, Mr Sibabrata Das said the administration had not received any ban order as such. It is an age old tradition which just cannot be wished away or eradicated over night, he observed. Mr Das emphasised on awareness generation and people giving up the practice of animal sacrifice.
On the other hand, Dakhina Kali Temple managing committee working president, Mr Niranjan Das said: “Devotees across the state have been sacrificing goats at the temple on the occasion of Kali puja since ages. They are coming to this shrine on their free will and we are not encouraging anybody. Nobody can interfere in such matters, he remarked.
Tradtionalists here pointed out that it is part of tantra shastra and is practiced at all the shakti peethas of the country. They counter attacked by asking what has the administration done to stop road side slaughter of animals which takes place on a daily basis. What are the animal rights activists doing to stop roadside slaughter of chicken and goats, they asked while resenting interference on rituals of a religion

Lukewarm response to Maoist bandh in OrissaAdd to Clippings

The bandh called by Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF) to protest the arrest of three maoist leaders at Rourkela evoked little response in Orissa on Saturday, official sources said.
The bandh had little impact in the districts of Sundargarh and Keonjhar bordering Jharkhand where life was normal, the DIG of police, Satyajit Mohanty said.
A high alert had been sounded in several districts in view of the 24-hour bandh by RDF in Orissa, Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh. Security measures had been tightened in districts where Maoists are known to be active.
Reports said the bandh had little effect in the western districts of Sambalpur and Deogarh and southern districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Gajapati. Vehicular traffic in Motu and Kalimela areas of Malkangiri was thin as armed Maoists had gunned down a village head at MV-66 under Kalimela police station on Friday.
Police had arrested Sobha alias Budhuni Munda, a key Maoist leader along with two others at Ramjodi near Lathikata in Sundargarh district last Saturday.
Sobha is said to be a top member of CPI(Maoist's) and the wife of Kishan. The three had been remanded to police custody for seven days by a local court.
Security had also been tightened in the capital city of Bhubaneswar, where Vice-president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat is on a two-day visit.

Pallishree Mela sets new record

Pallishree Mela has set a new record at the national level beating previous records with the sale of rural products worth Rs 1,28,91,860 during the 10 days of the fair at the main stadium.
The mela was organised by District Supply & Marketing Society, district unit of ORMAS in collaboration with the district administration on the occasion of Gajlaxmi Puja from 8 October to 17 October. Approximately 158 stalls were erected by 425 participants from 23 districts under various poverty alleviation schemes of DRDA, Mission Shakti, Dept. of Textiles. Different SHGs participated with their products like spices, earthen wares, tribal jewellery, dhokra, decorative items made of horns and many other rural products. Their talent and craftsmanship was evident in their products.
Last year, rural products worth Rs 73,45,480 were sold in Pallishree Mela. This year also, the district administration conducted Dhenkanal Mahotsav and Pallishree Mela jointly on the occasion of Laxmi Puja in collaboration with the PR department. Four States also participated in the fair along with demonstration agencies like IFFCO, Agriculture department, Horticulture, department of Fisheries, Total Sanitation campaign, Indira Social welfare group, UCO Bank, district women welfare department and DRDA who emonstrated their promotional work at the fair.

Migrants return from AP after ‘torture’

Ten migrant Harijan labourers of the Ganjam district have returned to their homes after facing mental and physical torture at the hands of their employer in Andhra Pradesh.
These labourers are from the Samsingi village of Digapahandi block. They allege that their employer did not pay them their dues and threatened to kill them when they asked for it. They had migrated for menial work to Andhra Pradesh a few months back after being lured of Rs 150 per day as wage. A private company employed them for a tunnel dogging work near Rajamundhry in Andhra Pradesh.
The labour contractor, who had taken them, had promised them a daily wage of Rs 150 for eight hours of work. But the labourers allege that they were being made to work for more than 12 hours every day and they were not paid for the last two months. When they asked for the wages the contractor even threatened to kill them.
As a result of which they escaped from their work place to their village. The ten labourers who have returned back after the raw deal include Biswanath Naik, Biswanath naik, Kainalya Naik, Narayan naik, Surendra naik, Amar Naik, Kusa Naik, Laxman Naik and Abhi Naik.
The Ganjam Zilla Krushak Sabha president of the organisation, Kailash sadangi said government should take steps so that menial labourers of rural areas get employment opportunities near their homes and are not compelled to migrate out side the district in search of work.

An occasion to think forward

‘It is a happy occasion that so many graduates are going out to serve the industry and the society. These young people should remember that India has high expectations in them. They have to fulfill these by working towards eradication of poverty and fulfillment of basic human needs, said Professor SK Dube, the director of IIT Kharagpur, while addressing the 2nd convocation of Biju Patnaik University of Technology here today.
Prof. Dube said IIT Khargpur, has an extension centre in Bhubaneswar and if plans go right, very soon Bhubaneswar will have a full fledged 5,000 student strong campus. Prof. Dube expressed happiness over the quality of UG and PG teaching, laboratory development as well as research.
Prof. Dube said Orissa is now poised for a quantum jump. There will be many resultant issues dealing with waste management, waste utilisation and environment connected with industrialisation. These have to be dealt with using strong scientific knowledge base. “
The cooperation with BPUT,’ he said, and with Orissa could be utilised in identifying solutions to these problems. He said Orissa has underdeveloped areas in KBK districts and problems in these areas demand critical attention from scientists and technologists.
Governor of Orissa and chancellor of Universities, Mr Rameswar Thakur, presiding over the convocation said although Orissa is endowed with abundant natural resources, it is yet to achieve the desired development and progress. Forty-eight per cent people live below the poverty line. However, quoting Bharat Ratna Visveswaraya, Thakur said poverty is a disease and is curable like any disease, the real causes of poverty are ignorance, dependence, inefficiency, lack of spirit of enterprise, etc.” With courage, conviction and confidence, these hurdles can be overcome.”

Dengue scare in Paralakhemundi

Cases of dengue reported from adjoining Srikakulam District have set the alarms ringing for the district administration. One 4-year-old child, Rajesh Kumar, from Palasamudra village in Srikakulam District, 27 km from here, died of confirmed dengue at the King George Hospital of Vishakapatnam.
The parents of the boy said they had first taken the boy to the Srikakulam Hospital and on the advice of the doctors, had shifted him to Vishakapatnam where he was diagnosed with dengue and in spite of the efforts made by the doctors there, the boy could not be saved. Many cases of dengue have also been reported from the adjoining Vizianagaram District and the Andhra Pradesh government is already treating the dengue outbreak as a major calamity and is taking steps on a war footing to check it. Confirmed cases of dengue affliction have also been reported from a few reputed private hospitals of Vishakapatnam.
There is every possibility of the disease breaking out in Gajapati District. A vast number of cases have been reported from Patapatnam, Khorsavada, Meliyaputti, Chapara, Hiramandalam, all in the Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh, from the District HQ Hospital of Paralakhemundi and also from the numerous private clinics of the town.
Large number of traders from the Srikakulam District and Vizianagarm District come to Paralakhemundi with their wares. There is no machinery in place to keep track of the movement of people from one district to another, which can cause the disease to spread.
Private hospitals rarely inform the CDMO or the administration of such cases to save themselves some unwanted harassment. Under the Private Hospital Registration Act, it is mandatory for the clinics to give a daily report through a designated Health Worker, detailing cases of diseases that can be epidemic or contagious in nature.
But this regulation is rarely followed, nor is this aspect ever discussed during the workshops on health care. Another important stumbling block is the lack of information dissemination amongst the health authorities and the other related departments. While computers and Internet systems have been installed in all the departments, they are rarely used to share information.
IThe principal of the prestigious Jaganath Institute of Technology and Management, Dr Dhananda Mishra, and the BDO, Nuagada, were admitted to the government hospital of Paralakhemundi with cerebral malaria.

Vigil on Aska fireworks

This Diwali one may have to forgo the Aska Chakra from fireworks shopping list. Nalabanta village near Aska, which is said to be the main manufacturer of this locally made innovative firework will not be able to supply it in large quantities to the market. This cheap cracker spins like a chakra, rises high like a rocket and explodes in mid air and is made of palm leaf.
Since police and administrative authorities have started maintaining vigil on the illegal manufacture of fireworks at the village, there may be a short supply. A couple of days ago police conducted raids after much preparation and nabbed six persons said to be making fire crackers without a valid licence. According to Ganjam district administration no fresh license was issued to any one of the village to manufacture and trade fire crackers. The old licenses were also not renewed this year. Last year, the district administration had issued four licenses to the four persons of the village to manufacture the firecracker.
Despite no license being issued to any one in the village, the villagers continued to allege that several persons were running their units illegally in the village and had engaged small children to make the fire works. While the fireworks manufacturers of the village are having a bad time this Diwali, a large number of villagers of Nalabanta are happy over it.
A group of villagers of Nalabanta had blocked National highway number 217 on 4 October demanding control over the illegal manufacturing of fireworks as cottage industry at the village.
These illegal fire works manufacturing units had surely made the life of villagers dangerous. During past few years around 13 persons have died at this village due to accidents at the illegal fire works manufacturing units at the village. On 10 February this year, two persons had died when a blast occurred at a fire works manufacturing unit at the Nalabanta village. In 1978, two had died in a blast at the village.
One had died at the village in fire accidents at the fireworks manufacturing units in 1982 and two had fallen prey in 1985.
In 1998 a woman and her two daughters had died in a blast at a fireworks manufacturing unit at the village. This was followed by another blast at the village in 2003, which had claimed four lives. In 2004, a blast had occurred causing massive damage at the village, but it had not claimed any lives.
Nalabanta village had got into the manufacturing of fire works during the British era under the patronage of the king of Dharakote. After independence they took it up as their profession. It is said that this village makes a business worth around one and half crore rupees in fireworks annually. The lion’s share of it comes during the Diwali season.

Governor’s intervention sought on tribals’ issue

The Bisthapan Virodhi Janamanch, a tribal organisation leading the people’s movement in Kalinga Nagar today sought immediate intervention of Governor Mr Rameshwar Thakur in protecting right to dissent and tribal land rights.
In a statement released here, Rabi Jarika, secretary of the Janamanch, has alleged that the district administration, ruling party leaders and the Tata company were resorting to all kinds of tactics to break the movement against displacement.
“We had submitted a memorandum to the Governor on 6 January listing out our demands, we were invited for talks by the CM on 7 May and the discussion was inconclusive,” said Mr Jarika while informing that they were waiting for the second round of talks.

Immersion rally turns unruly in Dhenkanal

Even as the 13-day Laxmi Puja festivities came to an end, lakhs of devotees took out a colourful procession with idols of the goddess in Dhenkanal on the occasion of the immersion ceremony on Wednesday.
About 25 idols out of the 38 that had been worshipped this puja, were led to be immersed in processions starting from the various bazaars. The processions moved along the scheduled lanes and passed by Balram Temple. Mina bazaar led the processions according to tradition. The procession started around 8:30 am. Five people were injured during the immersion ceremony.
The procession became unruly when two bazaars, Similia and Deul Sahi Medha, had a quarrel which turned violent at the stadium. The band party of Simila Bazaar was allegedly attacked and their instruments damaged by Deul Sahi devotees.
Devotees of Deul Sahi, however, rubbished the allegations. Similia members also alleged that police have lathicharged on them. Police said they had to disperse the crowd to restore normalcy. The procession came to a halt for hours till Northern Central range Mr Arun Sarangi and SP Mr Prateek Mohanty intervened. Later, the district magistrate and collector, Ms Usha Padhee, arrived at the spot to take stock of the situation. Similia members alleged some policemen rushed to the spot and damaged their trolley, leading to the brawl.

Belgium Tests off, only camps for Indian team

Practice, they say, makes perfect. The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) is banking heavily on this as the probables gear up at Rourkela for the next challenge — the Doha Asian Games in December.
The IHF initially planned to host Belgium for a Test series or have a four-nation tournament in November but these plans have been shelved.
IHF secretary K Jothikumaran confirmed this to Sportline today. “Initially, we thought that the Test series against Belgium would give enough match practice for the boys before the Asian Games, but the coaches and the team management decided they wanted more training schedules for the probables,” he said.
Twenty six players are at the SAIL-owned Biju Patnaik hockey stadium camp. The first phase ends on October 25. The players reassemble on November 3.
“There are only two grounds in India (the other one is at Panposh, about 15km from the present facility) which have synthetic surface similar to the ones at Doha. And since the stadium there is still not ready and none of the other countries have similar grounds, the coaches think that it would be better for the boys to get used to the ground conditions rather that concentrate on matches which will have to be played at other venues,” Jothikumaran said.
He added that the team will be reaching Doha well before the event begins to get acclimatised and might play couple of matches with teams from the other group.
It may be recalled that even before the recent World Cup in Germany, the team had three camps and the display was dismal.

Police bask in the glory of Maoist arrests

The arrest of the three CPI Maoist cadres, including one top notch woman operative, is considered to be a prize catch for the security forces.
Addressing the press late last night, Mr DS Kutte, SP, Rourkela said that the arrest of Sobha alias Shila alias Budhni Munda with two other hardcore cadres is a significant achievement from many angles. Budhni is a member of the central committee. Besides, she is the wife of Kisanda alias Prasad Bose, who heads the outfit’s Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar and the western and northern division of Orissa.
“The arrests are very vital for us as we can get important information which will help us in tackling the ultras of the outfit,” said Mr Kutte to the press. Terming it as a major success, the SP said: “Kisan heads four states and is next only to Ganapati of Andhra Pradesh, after the merger of the MCC with the dreaded PWG”. Budhni heads the woman wing of three districts in Orissa, besides being the member of the all India central committee, which has 38 members. “ She holds a very special place in the organisation and has access to many secrets”.
The other arrestee, Sanjay alias Bijay Tudu, 22, is a member of the 39th platoon, which is active in the Saranda jungle, bordering Orissa and Chattisgarh. Besides, heading an LRGS squad he is also in charge of the security of Budhni, said Mr Kutte. Besides, Rajan Rahul Munda, is also an active member of this squad.
“These two revealed that they are engaged to accompany the senior most leaders of the outfit in the jungle, during interrogation,” Mr Kutte said. A well coordinated exchange of information between Jharkhand and Orissa Police resulted in the arrest of the trio, informed Mr Kutte. The CRPF led the trap for the arrest of the three. The arrest of the three led to a massive combing of the whole area which did not yield any result.
Meanwhile, the three were remanded in judicial custody after initial interrogation in the CRPF camp at Lathikata. The three were subjected to 36 hours of intensive interrogation. The Sundergarh and Rourkela Police have declared a red alert all over the district following the arrest of the three.
They were brought amidst tight security to the CRPf camp at Sector-5. During initial interrogations, Budhni did not reveal any information. During the long 36 hours interrogation she only revealed her name and nothing else. Meanwhile, the security in Rourkela special jail has been tightened following the ultras’ track record of freeing their comrades through daring raids.
Mr SS Hansda, IG, Intelligence, also reviewed the security scenario in the wake of the arrest.
The Rourkela police headquarter, which incidentally houses the SP office is under tight security cover for obvious reasons.