Healthcare in jeopardy as ANMs not paid salaries

Healthcare in jeopardy as ANMs not paid salaries PNS | Kalahandi The Central Government has implemented programmes like KBK Yojana in Orissa meant for uplifting the rural people of backward regions. However, lax attitude of the State Government has now put the programmes in doldrums. Recently, it has been observed that theState Government send the Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives (ANMs) to remote areas and make them work without paying for a long period of time. While many people have died of diarrhoea in the district in the last couple of months, ANMs were reported to be absent in most of villages, including the interior areas of the district. According to the reports, the ANMs of Kalahandi have not been paid their salaries for the last eight months. Besides, willingness to serve in almost all the villages is also lacking among them. Immediate intervention of the State Government is required to resolve the issue.

INDRAVATI TODAY SMS NEWS

Dat: 21.Sept.2009 Preparatory meeting of MONDEI-2009 (The Tribal Cultural fiesta ) will be held at Mission Shakti Hall on 22.Sept.09 Central University of Orissa is becoming a victim of official apathy, The first Vice Chancellor Professor Surabhi Banerjee is not spending time at KORAPUT ORISSA GOVERNMENT DELAYS CRUCIAL POSTINGS DIRECTOR AGRICULTURE POST LIES VACANT IN ACTIVE KHARIF SEASON DIRECTOR AGRICULTURE DR.ARABINDA PADHEE LEAVES FOR FOREIGN TRAINING Basant Rath, Editor-in-chief Indravati Today.

Three New Tahasils Inaugurated.

Nabarangpur: Three New tahasils has been inaugurated today.Smt. Roopa Mishra, IAS,Collector< Nabarangpur, joined as the chief guest and inautgurated, with infrstctures and records which has sifted from Nabarangpur. New tahasils Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti and Papadahandi, functining from today.

Nabarangpur left high and dry

Express News Service First Published : 07 Sep 2009 NABARANGPUR:“The State and Central governments violated the riparian rights of people in downstream areas of Nabarangpur district during implementation of the Upper Indravati Project,” alleged former legislator and State Congress vice-president Sadan Naik. Addressing mediapersons today, he said the Indravati hydro-electricity project, which was started in 1978 and completed some years back, made the downstream tribal- dominated Nabarangpur district dry. He said the water of Indravati and its tributaries Padagad, Kapoor and Mooran was diverted to Hati valley to produce 600 MW of power and irrigate 1,01,000 hectares in Kalahandi District. As per the 1975 inter-State agreement between Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, out of 204 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water of Indravati dam, 91 TMC was to be used for Indravati project and 45 TMC to be supplied to Madhya Pradesh every year and the rest 68 TMC would be used by Orissa. But diversion of all the water stock to Hati Valley, Kalahandi, agitated the Nabarangpur people. “To cool off the frayed tempers, irrigation from the Indravati project was promised but 30 years have passed and nothing has been done in this regard,” Naik alleged. The total irrigation capacity of the Indravati project in Kalahandi is 1,01,000 hectares and now the government is planning to increase it to 1,28,000 hectares. “A Pune-based organisation has completed the project report for this and the Central Water Commission is examining it. This will require 20 MW of power which will be generated using water of Nabarangpur district. Under these circumstances, there would be no water left for people of the district,” Naik claimed. He threatened an agitation if the issue is not addressed at the earliest

LETTER TO THE WORLD BANK FROM ORISSA KRUSHAK MAHASANGH PRESIDENT

Letter to the World Bank from Orissa Krushak Mahasangh President, Banka Behary Das Expressing Great Discontent of Displace Persons of Indravati Project On March 15, 1992. To, Resident Dirictor, World Bank Mission 55, Lodi Estate, New Delhi, 110 003 Dear Sir, You have been funding the Indravati Multipurpose Project of Orissa, When thirty thousand tribals of Koraput district, the most backward tribal district of Orissa, are being displaced, it is every body’s concern and you cannot escape the responsibility. The Global Institutions including U.V.O. is committed to the problem of the displaced, who become refugee in their own homeland. But I am sorry to state that though cost of rehabilitation is a part of project expenditure, whether you are funding directly or not, no rehabilitation work has been done. After paying a paltry sum of compensation, the displaced tribals are being forced to vacate their hearth and home alongwith their agricultural land. No colony has been established for them, not has any facility been provided. A small are which was cle3aned for another project and the displaced persons there did not accept it is being shown as an area allotted for Indravati Project by them. It is far off and also does not suit to the living style and needs of the tribals. If rehabilitation programme is drawn up in comsultation with tribal leaders of the area and also the voluntary activists who are functioning with them. It may be possible to prepare such programme compensation is no substitute for rehabilitation. Alleviation of human misery should be the sine qua non of any rehabilitation programme. I am not going into details of matter as Government has not published their rehabilitation measurers for the informing of the public. People only know that when last year World Bank suspended payment of the loan, one of the reason stated was improper rehabilitation policy. Many villages which will be submerged in the reservoir have not been listed and many villages where agricultural land will be submerged rendering the inhabitants pauper are not being considered for rehabilitation. As President of the Orissa Krushak Mahasangh, I have toured a portion of that area and talked to thousands of displaced persons also. I feel the entire approach is faulty in human and smacks of heartlessness. I felt duty bound to inform you and am sending a copy of this letter to the state government also for their information. I am afraid the deteriorating situation may hamper the progress of the work, which is not desirable nor healthy. In fact since April, 3 last, progress of work has been greatly hampered due to intense agitation of displaced persons. I hope the World Bank officials and the State Government representatives will draw a proper rehabilitation programme, inform the displaced persons to get their cooperation and implement them faithfully before the dams are completed. Yours sincerely, BANKA BEHARY DAS PRESIDENT, ORISSA KRUSHAK MAHASANGH & FORMER REVENUE MINISTER. REPLY OF THE WORLD BANK TO ORISSA KRUSHAK MAHASANGH PRESIDENT SHRI BANKA BEHARY DAS. THE WORLD BANK,International Bank for Reconstruction & Devlopment. Resident Mission In India 55, Lodi Estat NEW DELHI – 110003. INDIA MAY 4th, 1992 Mr. B.B. Das President Orissa Krushak Mahasangh 14, Ashoknagar, Bhubaneswar – 9 Dear Mr. Das, Thank you for your letter and for sharing your concerns on the displacement of tribals in Orissa. Please be assured that this is an issue of which the Bank has been taking serious note and we share your concerns. The Bank is working closely with the Government of Orissa to ensure that the resettlement aspects of the project are properly taken care of. We are coping your letter to our specialists at headquarters to ensure that their views are considered by future supervision missions. We appreciate your interest in writing to the Bank, With best wishes. Yours sincerely MLA NANDA BISSELL Information Officer.

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION ON UPPER INDRAVATI PROJECT

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST. LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.5179 of 11th August 1992. UPPER INDRAVATI MULTIPURPOSE PROJECT. 5179. SHRI SRIBALLAV PANIGRAHI. MP Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state :- (a) Whether environmental clearance has been accorded to the Upper Indravati Multipurpose project of Orissa ; (b) If so, the conditions prescribed at the time of granting clearance and how far they have been implemented ; (c) Whether any environmental impact study has been concluded recently by the this government in this regard ; (d) If so, the out come thereof ? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST. SHRI KAMAL NATH (a) & (b) Yes Sir, The Upper Indravati Multipurpose Project was accorded environmental clearence in January, 1979 subject to formulation and effective Implementation of such action plans as Rehabilitation Master Plan, Compensatory Afforestation Scheme, anti-Poaching Measures etc. (c) & (d) The Project authorities have taken up studies and surveys on various environmental aspects for evolving comprehensive environmental Management Plan.

WORLD BANK FUNDED UPPER INDRAVATI PROJECT IS A DEATH TRAP FOR THE TRIBALS

Upper Indravati Multi-Purpose Project A Curse to the Tribals of Nabarangpur. Project Violating Riparian right of Irrigation in down Stream area. Central Govt. & World Bank Must realise the Seriousness of the emerging situation in a cornor of India, the voice should go on record in the economic history of the state. BY: BASANT RATH, JOURNALIST. CONTACT CELL NO: 9437338714 Human environmental and scientific considerations are sacrificed to suit engineering and construction demands. Man is for plan, not plan is for man. To get the benefit of electricity the whole engineering design of the Upper Indrivati Project, has been so made that four beautiful perennially flowing rivers of Nabarangpur and Koraput districts have huge down stream area of the project Kapur, and Podagada rivers are being closed completely removing them from the geography of the districts. World Bank funded Indravati Multi purpose project on the river Indravati on the border of Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur districts of Southern Orissa is a moving illustration of such a disastrous doctrine. The main consideration of the project is generation of hydro electricity with an installed capacity of 600 Megawatt of power and the tail race water of the power house will be diverted to Hati river, a tributary of Mahanadi river flowing through Kalahandi district to irrigate about one lakh hector as estimated. It is unique in that indravati and its three tributaries are being dammed to creat a deep reservoir of 110 sq. kilometers, covering both the districts major part in Nabarangpur district rendering homeless thirty thousand people, mostly tribals, displaced due to submergence and wiping out a vast tract of dense forest. Two tributaries rivers Podagada and Kapur of Indrivati river will be completely closed, and rendering them dead for ever. The concrete dam of Muran River is so high that one may expect small quantity of water flowing in the rainy season in the river when the reservoir is full. The fate of the Main Indravati rivers is also same as it is being closed by a high concrete dam to raise the water level of reservoir to create a head for fall the water at Mukhiguda Power House. Normally in hydro electrical projects, the water flowing through the power house is again diverted to the main river so that it remains to be alive as before. But in case of the Upper Indravati Project the vast and deep reservoir is being created to divert the entire water through a tunnel to the power house so that the tail race water is diverted to another river Hati for irrigation purpose in Kalahandi district. One can well imagine the condition of the entire region down stream of these four rivers closed for all practical purposes. The entire region through which these four rivers were flowing since time immemorial will go a sea change in all respects. They are all in the Nabarangpur and Koraput district and the affected persons were about three lakhs of people living in villages of both sides of these four dead rivers. The agricultural land will be no more inundated and deposit of silt in rainy season will be lost for ever. Because of lack of natural fertilizer and moisture, the cropping pattern changed and all high valued cash crops like tobacco, sugarcane, pulses and vegetables’ gone out of cultivation. What the plight of the people is now the water table gone down and the tube wells and lift irrigation points existing in the area for irrigation purposes become useless. Dwinding water problem which is always acute in the summer in this region, which cause concern in most of the years causing health hazards. The worst sufferers are the cattle population to whom these rivers were the main source for their drinking water and for bath. When in January 1979 the project received the clearance of the central government conditions were imposed that environmental aspect and resettlement aspect should be taken care of by the state government by preparing a management plan and setting up a monitoring group to implement the safeguards suggested by the centre since then both the central government and the state government forgot about their responsibility. Even while granting loan World Bank did not bother about rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons, nor did they enquire about the problems of environment that will surface in future. Former Member of Parliament, Shri Banka Behary Das wrote on 15th August1992 to the resident director World Bank complaining about gross violation of principles settled regarding environment protection and resettlement of displaced persons in the Upper Indravati Project. He wrote that In 1982 the World Bank laid its policy that it will not assist to development project that knowingly involved encroachment on traditional territories being used or occupied by tribal people unless adequate safeguards are provided specifically about the tribal population, but in the case of Upper Indravati Project, violated its own policy towards the tribals and provided no specific safeguard for them at any time during the negotiations nor at the time of agreement relating to Upper Indravati Project, was it not the duty of the World Bank to see whether the project report fulfilled this condition. There is no settled resettlement and rehabilitation policy, no attention was given to the environment aspect of the project, though huge area is going to be submerged and huge area is is going to be dry expediting the collapse of the economy of villages on both side of four rivers flowing in the districts Indravati, Podagada, Kapur and Muran of Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput are not only dammed but virtually closed. Problem of water logging salinity causing damage to the existing crop area and creating health hazards in proposed irrigated area has not been studied or assessed up till now. The state government, the central government and the World Bank do not bother about the ecological change that will overtake the downstream region from last 10 years. It is high time that the Central and the state government should lay emphasis on the problems of environment and health which they should have done from the start. The negligence is unpardonable according to their own standard. Though the World Bank is funding the Indravati multipurpose project of Orissa, but the state government as well as the World Bank has not utterly apathetic to the plight of the tribals. Untold miseries have been heaped on the people for the project which is bound to be a disaster future. Without proper data base, and sufficient investigation, the project has been contemplated. As a result its economical benefit has been overstated, whereas social and environmental cost has not been assessed at all what to speak of it being understated. To satisfy engineering skill without bothering for human misery, the project has been designed to create a big and deep reservoir by killing four perennially flowing live rivers which sustained the economy of huge region. Indravati Project is a death trap for the poor and hungry people of the Nabarangpur, and Koraput districts, hundreds of villagers living on the downstream of these rivers will have emotional problems and also their livelihood become totally jeopardized. The people residing in those are apprehensive for their future. The project also become greatest disaster in India, which will hasten desertification of major part of Nabarangpur district up to Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh, and Chitrakot of Chattisghar, also mounting miseries for more than five lakhs of people mostly tribals. Though the project bring some change in the agricultural sector of comparatively better-off plains region of Kalahandi district the famine stricken area does not fall in the command area of the project. Originally this project was conceived from the feudal and British days till the end of three decades after independence as an irrigation project. Subsequently it was changed to generate hydro-power too. For the entire engineering design was changed drastically without scant regard to the benefit of those for whom it was originally conceived. When the project was accorded environmental clearance in 1977 the Central government stipulated conditions such as formulation and effective implementation of such action plans as rehabilitation master plan. Compensatory afforestation scheme anti poaching measures, but after 33 years the state government did not formulate any action plan and the question of implementation did not arise. On August 1992 the Government of India replied on the floor of loka sabha that the Project authorities have taken up studies and survey on various environmental aspects for evolving comprehensive environmental management plan. Subsequently a foreign international consultancy studied the affects from various angles and strongly pleaded that to relase 7 cumecs water to mantain ecological balance and meet the consumptive and nonconsumptive needs of the people. The recommendation is not cared by the state government. The State and Central governments violated the riparian rights of people in downstream areas of Nabarangpur district during implementation of the Upper Indravati Project,” alleged former legislator and State Congress vice-president Sadan Naik. Addressing mediapersons today, he said the Indravati hydro-electricity project, which was started in 1978 and completed some years back, made the downstream tribal- dominated Nabarangpur district dry. He said the water of Indravati and its tributaries Padagad, Kapoor and Mooran was diverted to Hati valley to produce 600 MW of power and irrigate 1,01,000 hectares in Kalahandi District. As per the 1975 inter-State agreement between Madhya Pradesh and Orissa, out of 204 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water of Indravati dam, 91 TMC was to be used for Indravati project and 45 TMC to be supplied to Madhya Pradesh every year and the rest 68 TMC would be used by Orissa. But diversion of all the water stock to Hati Valley, Kalahandi, agitated the Nabarangpur people. “To cool off the frayed tempers, irrigation from the Indravati project was promised but 30 years have passed and nothing has been done in this regard,” Naik alleged. The total irrigation capacity of the Indravati project in Kalahandi is 1,01,000 hectares and now the government is planning to increase it to 1,28,000 hectares. “A Pune-based organisation has completed the project report for this and the Central Water Commission is examining it. This will require 20 MW of power which will be generated using water of Nabarangpur district. Under these circumstances, there would be no water left for people of the district,” Naik claimed.He threatened an agitation if the issue is not addressed at the earliest

MAA PENDRANI OF UMERKOTE

Maa Pendrani of Umerkote is born out of a legend. A small village Pendra (Pendrahandi) near Umerkote worship a pure soul Pendrani, a married girl who was a victim of secret jealousy of her own brothers . As the story goes , her husband was overtly pampered by her parents who made him stay in their household with no work to bother about. The four brothers out of sheer jealousy conspired and succeeded in killing her innocent husband ( Pendara ) and buried him in their field . Sensing a foul play , Pendrani could unfold the heinous crime and apparently jumped into her husband’s funeral pyre and perished in its flames. Days later her spirit was believed to roam about the villages helping those who trusted her supernatural transformation. People adore her scrifice and worship in a temple erected at Umerkote. That the local degree College is name after her is a tribute to the saga of supreme sacrifice.

HILL TEMPLES

HILL TEMPLES Bhairavi Temple is situated at a distance of 3 Kms. from the Malkangiri Town.The hill diety of Malkangiri is worshiped by the people coming from Jeypore and People leaving Malkangiri for their safe journey.A number of religious visitors are attracted to this temple to worship throughout the day. The deity is believed to be worshiped by the King of Malkangiri whose castle's remnants are still found on the Raja Rani Hill just infront of Bhairavi temple. A fomous Shiva Linga is found in the near by "Goi Hill" of Malkangiri Town. During the "Maha Shivaratri Festival" a large religious crowd is being grathered at this hill temple of Lord Shiva. Local people has put efforts in making a safe passage to the hill for the religious visitors.The height of the Shiva Linga is more that 6 feet.It has been observed that this Shiva Linga is gradually rising-up. The famous "Tarini Temple" is situated at a distance of 2 Kms. from Malkangiri town on the way to Jeypore. The scenic beauty as well as the religious importance of this temple attract people of the entire District.

MANYAMKONDA

MANYAMKONDA Manyamkonda is one of the GPs of Kalimela Block and it is situated at about a distance of 90 Kms. from the District Headquarter. This is an important religious place in Malkangiri District as the famous God of the Malkangiri District (Lord Mahaprabhu) is being worshiped at this place.Every year during the month of March/April a festival is being celeberated here.Every alternate year the famous festival known as "Bada Yatra" of Malkangiri starts from this place to Malkangiri "Mauli Maa Temple". Three Gods namely "Kanam Raju" relates to Lord Krishna,"Pota Raju" relates to Vima and "Bal Raju" relates to Arjun are being worshiped in this festival.This place is surrounded by number of small hills. Thel scenic beauty of this place and the temple of the Lord Mahaprabhu arrtacts a large number of religious visitors to this place.

SATIGUDA DAM.

SATIGUDA DAM. Satiguda Dam is situated at a distance of 8 Kms. from Malkangiri Town. The Reservoir provides irrigation facility to the near by cultivable land throughout the year. The natural beauty of the Dam can be enjoyed in the early morning and evening hours. Boating facility is also available inside the Reservoir, which attracts visitors as well as the local people. Lord Shiva is being worshiped inside a cave near the Dam. Being surrounded by a large number of small hills this place is considered to be the most favourite picnic spot of the people. A guest house of Irrigation Department of Government of Orissa is built which provides accommodation to the official VIPs.

MOTU OF MALKANGIRI DISTRICT

MOTU Motu is the southernmost point of the Malkangiri District situated at 150 feet from the see level at the confluence of the rivers Sabari and Sileru.Timbers and bamboos are transported in large quantity from this place down the Sabari and Godavari to Rajahmundary. This Tahasil Headquarter attracts the tourists for it's beautiful "Jagannath Temple" and "Moogi Point"- the extreme south point on the bank of the confluence of the river Savari and Sileru. Difference in colour of the water of these two rivers can be marked even after confluence. A statue of "Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das" is built inside the park near the confluence.

AMMAKUNDA.

AMMAKUNDA. Ammakunda is one of the tourist places in Malkangiri District. It is situated at Khoirput Block near about 70 Kms. from the District Headquarter.This cool place embraces a natural water fall and subsequent flow of water forming a narrow gorge. The fishes found in that gorge are quite friendly to the human being and are believed to be the form of Lord Vishnu in " Matsya Avatar". Fishing in that place is not practised according to this belief of the local people of Malkangiri as well as the visitors. Visitors can enjoy their stay at this place by feeding the fishes. This area is surrounded by dense forest and small hillocks.

BONDA HILL OF MALKANGIRI

BONDA HILL Bonda Hill comes under the Khoirputput Block of Malkangiri District. This is the living place of Bondas,the primitive tribal community in Malkangiri District. It is surrounded on all sides by dense hilly forest. The Bondas of the place even now remain nacked, and it is believed that they were cursed by Godess Sita, as they laughed at her while she was bathing in a kunda which is named as Sita Kunda at Bonda Hill. There is one specific festival called "Patkhanda Yatra" at Mudulipada which is celebrated by them in the month of January by the Bondas in which they worship a sword. They believe that this sword is belongs to Pandavas. Apart from these things many more to be seen on the Bonda Hill.

Malkangiri District

BALIMALA: Balimela is a block in Malkangiri District, which is 35 kms. from the east of Malkangiri. A Hydero-electric Project has been established near about the Town jointly by the Government of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. A dam is being constructed at Chitrakonda, 25 kms. from Balimela across the river Sileru and the reservoir would submerge a rich forest area of the District. The total inflow into the reservoir is shared equally by the two Governments. The share of the Andhara Pradesh Government is flow downstream the river while that of Orissa Government is diverted to a high-head power some 15 kms. south of Balimela. It is estimated that the power-house is generating 240,000 KW at 60% load factor. The tail water is subsequently utilised for irrigation about 2.4 lakh acres of land in Malkangiri and Motu plains.

Tourist Information

Where to stay: Name of the Establishment Reservation Authority Inspection Bunglow Executive engineer, (R&B), Rayagada- 06856-222149 Hotel Sai International Manager, - 06856 223396 Fax - 06856-225554, 225555 Hotel Swagat - Manager, - 06856- 222208) Hotel Kapilas - Manager, - 06856- 222280) Hotel Ashok - Manager, - 06856- 223246) Hotel Jyoti Mahal - Manager,- 06856 - 223015 Hotel Maruti - Manager, - 06856- 225333 Assistance : Tourist Information Counter, Rayagada Railway Station, - 06856Tel: 222248 Tourist Office,Koraput at Koraput Club, - 06852-250318, Gram: ORISSATOUR Tourist Counter, Vizianagaram Railway Station , - 08922 - 223582. Superintendent of Police, Rayagada, 06856 , 222304 District Information & Public Relations Officer, Rayagada, 06856, 222193 How to Reach Rayagada Getting to Rayagada is not difficult. Nearest air port is at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) 200 KMs away which is well connected with New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Nagpur by going flights. Rail: Well connected from other parts of India like Delhi, Chennai, Allepy, Bokaro, Raipur, Gujrat, Nagpur, Kolkata, Hyderbad, Bilaspur and Bhubaneswar. Road : Convenient road transport facilities available as NH-43 is passing through Koraput,i.e. 109 KMs from Rayagada. Direct Express bus services are available from Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagarm, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Jeypore, Koraput, Malkangiri, Phulbani, etc. Facilities: Taxies and Auto-Rickshaw are available here at Rayagada for visiting the places of attraction and excursion. Medical : District Head Quarters Hospitals Rayagada. Phone No.06856-222059, Ambulance - 06856-222059, 102 Postal : Available in almost all the places of the district. Banks : State Bank of India and other Nationalised Banks have their branches at Rayagada and other important places of the District. Shopping : Shopping complexes are available under the supervision of Municipality, Special Planning Authority and also private. There is no weekly special markets at Rayagada, but in surrounding villages weekly markets are held. All essential commodities are made available at those places to facilitate the remote tribal people.

Fairs & Festivals Of Rayagada

PADMAPUR Housing the shrine of Manikeswari Siva. It is identified to be the seat of Dharmakirti, the Budhist-Logician-philosopher. It is 90Kms from Rayagada. Fairs and Festivals Chaitra Parba of MAA MAJI GHARIANI GODDESS Rath Yatra at Rayagada in the month of July Kali Puja at Block Colony, Rayagada in the month of November. Laxmi Puja at New Colony, Rayagada in the month of October. Dasehera at J.K.Pur in the month of October. Annual celebration of Gram Devata during March- April (9 days) at Rayagada

MINAJHOLA & DEVAGIRI

MINAJHOLA It is only 134 Kms from Rayagada. It is a beauty spot of nature, has a siva temple at the confluence of three rivers. It is situated in the heart of dense forest, rich in wild life. Sivaratri is a popular festival of this place. Though there is no good all weather road yet the place is worth visiting. Regular bus service is available from Rayagada and Gunupur upto Gudari.The rest 25 Kms. Road is Jeepable. DEVAGIRI The Devagiri hill rises to a height of 120.2 meters. Unlike other hills it is not narrower upwards. The top of the hill is a flat platform of rectangular plain, which can be approached only from the northern side. There are 476 steps which are the unique feature of the Devagiri. At the top of the hill, there are perennial poles of water called Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Bhargavi and Indradyumna. There is a cave looking like two Jaws, The Siva Lingam is enshrined at the meeting point of the Jaws. Sivaratri is its biggest festival, which draws a large crowd every year. It is 50 KMs from Rayagada. Regular bus services are available from Rayagada to Kalyansingpur and the sacred hill is close to Kalyansingpur.

chatikona

CHATIKONA It is located about 48 Kms from Rayagada surrounded by a series of valleys and wooden hills of varying colours and the place is a center of pilgrimage for the temple of Mahadev. It offers picnickers gorgeous view of the waterfall. The Siva temple is the focus of hectic activities on Siva Ratri. The Dongaria Kondha of Chatikona represent the primitive section of the tribe.

LAXMINARAYAN TEMPLE & PAIKAPADA

LAXMINARAYAN TEMPLE Famous Laxminarayan Temple situated at IMFA Factory, Therubali. The deities Laxminarayan, Hanuman, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra and Lord Siva also worshiped by thousands devotees. PAIKAPADA The place Paikapada is famous for so many Siva Lingams. The deities like Lord Jagannath, Maa Dhakineswar Kalika, Samudra etc. are worshiped here. The car festival of Lord Jagannath is also celebrated and during Sivaratri a large number of pilgrims come to observe the function. The Place is situated near Theruballi. It is believed that there are 99,99,999 shivlingams (only one less to 1 crore) in & around Paikapada shrine.

HATIPATHAR OF RAYAGADA.

HATIPATHAR Only 3 Kms from the district headquarter. It is a place of great scenic beauty with two water falls on the course of river Nagavali. The scenic beauty is impressive and the boulders here appear like huge elephants. It is 133Kms from Koraput.

RAYAGADA DISTRICT TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Rayagada, the district of many charms, is a thrill to the searching eyes. It has the facilities to serve as a base for visiting the near by place of interest. MAA MAJHIGHARIANI TEMPLE Maa Majhighariani is famous in Southern Division of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Most of the devotees are coming from Madhyapradesh Chatishgarh, Andhrapradesh including undivided Koraput District. Only the face of the Maa MajhiGhariani is worshiped. During Sunday, Wednesday and Friday a large number of Devotees are coming to this place for worshiping the Goddess. The temple is famous for Chaitra-Parba i.e. March-April of every year.

Jain Statue

Jain Statue A roadside village between Semiliguda and Nandapur with remains of an old Jain monastery. The place invites the attention of the antiquarian for exploration.

Tribal Museum.

Tribal Museum Tribal Museum:The Tribal Museum behind the temple caters to and educates the tourists about the culture and heritage of the tribals MuseumA Govt. Museum with antiquities and craft works, mostly famous for Jain iconography. It is located in the town hall complex, close to the Govt. bus stand. Jain imaged are found at several places of the district.

Jeypore Town

Jeypore The city of victory and the palace of erstwhile Jeypore estate. The old fort is incircled by high masonary wall with an imposing gateway. A mile and a half wide great water tank, west of the town, known as Jagannath Sagar, is ideal for water sports. Jeypore, developed as the center of trade in Koraput district, is also famous for paper mask crafts

Highest broad gauge Railway Tunnel

Maliguda 35 Kms eastwards of Jeypore, is a small village where on a hill top stands India’s highest broad gauge Railway tunnel. The place is ideal for weekend picnic

Batrisa Sinhasan

Nandapur : Situated at a distance of 5kms from Koraput, Nandapur was the ancient capital of Jeypore Kingdom. The great image of Ganapati and Batrisa Sinhasan (throne with 32steps) are the main attractions of this place.

Dumuriput A village stands between Koraput and Sunabeda by the side of NH 43. The famous Sri Ram Temple situated in the locality is widely known for the highest kneeling Hanuman Statue in Orissa. Shree Ram Navami festival is popularly celebrated every year which attracts a large number of devotees. Damanjodi The town came to limelight with the coming up of NALCO, Asia’s biggest Alumina Complex Nearby stands the highest peak of Orissa, Damanjodi an ideal place for trekking Bagra : It is situated at a distance of 9 km from Jeypore. Three waterfalls of Kolab river at Bagra starting from Kilkura or the 300feet plato jump over one another with great speed from a height of 30 feet. Sunabeda : It is a modern township and famous for the MIG fighter plane factory. It is situated at a distance of 20km from Koraput.

GUPTESWAR TEMPLE.

Important cave shrine of Lord Shiva situated on a lime stone hill on the bank of river Kolab, surrounded by natural Scenery. The sacred “Lingam” called Gupteswar, literally meaning, “Hidden God”, is also popularly known as “Gupta Kedar” in Chattisgarh. Shivaratri is the major festival which attracts a large umber of visitors.

DUDUMA.

The majestic waterfall, also known as “Matsya Tirtha” falls from a height of 175 meters. A hydro - electric project with its winch developed amidst deep greenery is a place for pleasure.Three KMs away from Duduma waterfall, a small village of Ankadeli draws the attention of foreign tourists to its weekly markets n Thursdays where the most primitive tribe “the Bondas”, come from the remote, inaccessible dense forest.Jolaput is known for its newly constructed dam reservoir. The lake formed by the dam is 68.2 Sq. Kms. It’s a picnic spot, 77 Kms from Koraput.

Savara Shrikhetra, Koraput The District headquarters situated 2,900 ft. above sea level. Also known as “Sabar Shrikshetra”, the modern Jagannath Temple has come up on a hilltop.The Tribal Museum behind the temple caters to and educates the tourists about the culture and heritage of the tribals.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Koraput District :: Introduction Some major rivers of Orissa pass through the district Koraput like Machhakunda, Bansadhara and Kolab. This district is also bestowed with waterfalls like Duduma, Bagra and Khandahati. It also contains the largest mountain of Orissa, called Deomali along with chandragiri mountain.Koraput district is famous for the important places like Savara srikhetra,Gupteswar, Nandapur, Damanjodi, meliguda,Duduma, Bagra, Sunabeda Mig factory, Deomali, etc.

The late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has been laid to rest in his hometown Pulivendula, in Kadapa district. Thousands of mourners gathered to pay their last respects to their beloved Leader YSR.

YSR death triggers ugly CM race

YSR death triggers ugly CM race. TIMES OF INDIA. HYDERABAD: The body of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy is yet to be laid to rest, but mourning in Hyderabad has given way to ugly power politics with the Jaganmohan Reddy places flowers at the body of his father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. (PTI Photo) deceased chief minister's loyalists on Thursday unleashing a strident campaign for making his son Jaganmohan Reddy the new chief minister. The campaign — quite unprecedented for the vulgar haste with which it has been mounted — reached a crescendo by evening when K Rosaiah was sworn in as interim CM. The erstwhile YSR cabinet in the presence of new CM Rosaiah passed a resolution on Thursday evening demanding that Jagan -- just 100 days into formal politics -- be made the new CM. "Jagan knew the mind of Rajasekhara Reddy. He alone can finish the unfulfilled agenda of his father," said government chief whip Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka who is marshalling the MLAs in favour of Jagan. Analysts said that more than Jagan it's the lobby that gained from YSR that wants the son to take over the reins of the state, with a view to perpetuate status quo. Congress sources in Delhi, however, said the high command was taking a dim view of this unseemly strong-arm tactic to push through Jagan as CM. They threw up other names as possible successor: Union urban development minister Jaipal Reddy, minister of state for defence Pallam Raju, NTR's daughter and junior Union minister Purandeshwari Devi and acting CM K Rosaiah. The day of dramatic developments began soon after it became clear that Rajasekhara Reddy had perished in the helicopter crash. Minutes after the bodies were recovered, the "Jagan-as-CM" campaign picked up momentum. Almost all the state ministers, about 22 MPs and several Congress legislators pitched Jagan's case to the media even as hundreds of party workers gathered at the secretariat, CM's camp office, Gandhi Bhavan and various traffic intersections vocally making a similar demand. By the afternoon, the Jagan group met Union law minister M Veerappa Moily at the Lake View guest house in pursuance of their demand even as many Congress MLAs faxed individual memorandum to the party headquarters in New Delhi in support of Jagan as CM. By the evening, minutes after K Rosaiah was sworn in as chief minister, the Jagan loyalists met governor N D Tiwari and submitted a list of 122 signatures in support of him being made the chief minister. According to sources, there was even an attempt to pressure the governor to swear in Jagan as acting CM immediately, but that was abandoned as Rosaiah had already been sworn in by the time the loyalists reached Raj Bhavan. Analysts said that the Jagan camp realised that there would be a power struggle for the CM's post and therefore decided to make the pitch first. An ungainly battle is imminent as there are many other aspirants for the CM's post including Rajya Sabha members V Hanumantha Rao and K Keshava Rao, apart from Jaipal Reddy, Pallam Raju and Purandeshwari Devi. Jagan, 36, is a first time MP from Kadapa and is merely 100 days old in politics. While Veerappa Moily made it clear that Rosaiah was only an interim CM and that the Congress high command will chose YSR's successor in the next few days, the Jagan votaries seem ready to take on the central leadership on the issue.

YSR A (PULI) TIGER SO APT FOR MAN WHO CAME FROM PULIVENDULA

Manmohan , Sonia to leave for Hyderabad today New Delhi,4/9: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will go to Andhra Pradesh on today following the death of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi is also expected to visit Andhra Pradesh to pay tributes to the leader who brought back the Congress to power in the state beating the anti-incumbency factor. Hailing him as a tall leader who brought tremendous development to Andhra Pradesh, the Union Cabinet on Thursday condoled the death of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and announced a state funeral for him. "The national flag will fly at half mast in Andhra Pradesh today and tomorrow and all Central and state government offices in the state will remain closed tomorrow," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after the cabinet meeting. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, adopted a resolution highlighting various welfare schemes implemented by him during his first tenure as Chief Minister. "He gave a new thrust to the women's self-help group movement and made Andhra Pradesh the leading state in enrolment and empowerment of women," it said. Describing Reddy, a qualified doctor, as a "natural reformer and moderniser", the resolution said the overwhelming support of the poor and the middle classes as well as those belonging to SC, ST and OBC people, ensured his victory in the assembly elections held in May this year, and enabled him a second term in office as Chief Minister. "Reddy has passed away in tragic circumstances. He was at the peak of his political career and popularity when the hand of fate intervened". " In his death, the country as lost an eminent political leader, an astute administrator and above all a friend of the poor and downtrodden," it said, adding that the Cabinet has placed on record its deep sense of grief and loss and extended its condolences to his family. Brief profile of YSR , the Departed Chief Minister Hyderabad,3/9: Dr. Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy (8 July 1949- 2 September 2009) was born to Y S Raja and Jayamma Reddy in Pulivendula, Andhra Pradesh. He represents the Indian National Congress party. He was elected to the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Lok Sabha from the Kadapa constituency for four terms. He also made it to the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for five terms from the Pulivendula constituency. Reddy took oath of office and secrecy as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the term of 2009-2014 on 20 May 2009 in Hyderabad's Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium. He comes from a family, which stood for the cause of the downtrodden masses for generations daring the wrath of feudal lords of Cuddapah district. YSR is married to Vijayalakshmi in 1971 and is blessed with a son and a daughter. A proud-dad he is, YSR enjoys the company of his grand children to the brim- needless to mention here that he rarely finds any time to spare for his family members. YSR's son emerged a successful entrepreneur to the utmost pleasure of his father. Son Jagan Mohana Reddy, daughter Sharmila, and their children enjoy a very special place in YSR's world. He graduated in medical science from M.R.College of Gulbarga. He did his House-Surgeoncy in SV Medical College, Tirupathy. A weightlifter in his student days, his strong conviction is '' A sound soul in a sound body.'' After completing MBBS, he served as Medical Officer at CSI Campbell Hospital, Jammalamadugu for a brief period. In 1973 he established a 70-bed charitable hospital at Pulivendula in the name of his father, which continues to serve the poor till today. Not many people know that he is keenly interested in reading fiction in English. His favourite author is Mario Puzo, the creator of epoch making novel ''God Father''. In 2003 he undertook a 1400-km three-month long paadayaatra across several districts in Andhra Pradesh. He led his party to victory in the next general and assembly elections held in 2004. From 1980-1983, as a minister, he held important portfolios related to Rural Development, Medical Health and Education. He reached the Lok Sabha from Kadapa constituency four times and ensured victory in the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly elections six times from Pulivendula constituency. Reddy served as the leader of the opposition in the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly for five years. From 1983-1985 and 1998-2000, he was President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). Rendering Yeomen service to the party, as the president of APCC, Reddy and regained the faith and trust of the masses. From 1999 to 2004 he was the Leader of Opposition in the eleventh state assembly. Reddy was elected as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh by the Legislature party of the Indian National Congress after they later won 185 seats of the Legislative Assembly in the May 2004 elections. He has initiated a variety of programs, including free power supply for farmers, Jalayagnam - a large scale program to construct more than 70 pending irrigation projects in the state to improve irrigation facilities to the farmers, and an increase in the minimum support price for rice. Arogya Shree- a health insurance scheme for rural masses where the government pays the entire price of any surgery and does not require people to pay any premium, Pavala Vaddi- a program that provides loans to people at 3% per year so as to encourage them to take up small scale businesses and entrepreneurship primarily targeted at rural woman, and several others programmes were started by him for the welfare of masses. Reddy campaigned for the 2009 election with "Development and the credibility". In the elections, Congress won 156 seats required for majority in the assembly. The party also won 33 seats in parliament

The Pioneer. BHUBANESWAR | Wednesday, September 2, 2009 Anganwadi workers stage rally, seek Govt staff status PNS | Nabarangpur The Nabarangpur District Anganwadi Ladies Workers’ Association took out a procession from the Ram Mandir here to the Collectorate and submitted a memorandum to Collector Roopa Mishra demanding absorption of Anganwadi workers and helpers in Government service. The association’s other demands included payment of salary to Anganwadi workers and helpers Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 per month, respectively along with DA and other allowances, no direct recruitment for the posts of ICDS supervisors judging by experience of 10 years, promotion of Anganwadi workers as Supervisors against 100 per cent posts, brining Anganwadi workers and helpers under the EPF and MP Act 1952, ESI Act 1948 and compensation, gratuity and bonus laws, provision of leave on national and festival holidays and provision of summer vacation at par with the regular Government servants. The demonstrators held a meeting in front of the Collectorate. Association secretary Sabita Nayak pointed out that the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry have absorbed the Anganwadi workers and helpers in Government service.

New Zilla Parisad President Taken Oath Today. Nawrangpur. Newly elected Zila Parisad President Mr.Bhagirathi Nayak, taken oath and assumes office today.In the oath taking ceremony held at the zila parisad conference hall Collector, Smt. Roopa Mishra, IAS, PDDRDA, Mr. Laxmidhar Sethi,zilla parisad members, and officials present at the meeting.

Tribals suffer as NRHM flops in KBK districts Basant Rath | Nabarangpur The Pioneer, Bhubaneswar. Date:1.09.2009 Recognising the importance of health in the process of economic and social development and improving the quality of life of our citizens, the Government of India launched the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005 to carry out necessary architectural correction in the healthcare delivery system. The NRHM seeks to provide effective healthcare to rural population throughout the country with special focus on 18 States, including Orissa, which have weak public health indicators and/or weak infrastructure. The NRHM seeks to revitalise local health traditions and mainstream AYUSH into the public health system and to improve access of rural people, especially poor women and children, to equitable, affordable, accountable and effective primary healthcare. It also aims to provide an umbrella scheme to the existing health and family welfare programmes including reducing IMR and MMR. The national programmes cover malaria, blindness, iodine deficiency, filaria, kala azar, tuberculosis, leprosy and include integrated disease surveillance. The plan of action includes increasing public expenditure on health, reducing regional imbalance in health infrastructure, pooling resources, integration of organisational structures, optimisation of health manpower, decentralisation and district management of health programmes, community participation and ownership of assets, induction of management and financial personnel into district health system and operationalising community health centres into functional hospitals meeting the Indian Public Health Standards in each block of the country. But the undivided KBK districts of Orissa have got the dubious distinction of having one of the highest maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the country despite the massive launching of NRHM. So, there is a lot more to be done in direct and indirect health care practices to minimise the death rate so that we can have more healthy babies for a healthy generation in future. Lack of commitment of medical officials, who are working in the KBK districts, lack of communication facilities, shortage of staff and non-development of existing Primary Health Centres (PHCs) force poor tribals to die as they fail to get medical treatment on time. A visit to remote tribal villages under KBK districts has exposed the miserable condition of the tribals living in the villages. All the PHCs are functioning without MBBS doctors and some centres are functioning only with mere pharmacists. Unnatural deaths of tribals occur mostly among children who are below five years. Junior doctors after completion of their MBBS are posted in Government service to serve for a period of three years in the district mandatorily but they leave immediately after obtaining service certificate from the authorities for higher education or better-paying hospitals in corporate places. Lack of community ownership of public health programmes impacts levels of efficiency, accountability and effectiveness. This also leads to lack of integration of sanitation, hygiene and nutrition and results in drinking water issues. There are striking regional inequalities. Population stabilisation is still a challenge, especially in the KBK region of the State with weak demographic indicators. More than 70 per cent of hospitalised patients belonging to the KBK region fall below poverty line. Unnatural deaths of tribals occur mostly among children who are below five years of age. According to official sources, for every 1,000 live births, 251 die within five years. More than 60 per cent of the villages in KBK districts do not have drinking water facilities. The Government health inspector says that it took years to create awareness among the tribals. Over the last two decades 15 lakh tribals in undivided KBK districts alone died. The chief medical officers of districts have returned crores of unspent money meant for health service in undivided KBK district. Due to lack of commitment by the scheme implementing agencies, the money meant for construction of new health sub-centres and repair of existing PHCs are partly spent and the rest of the money is kept locked in the bank. The situation is worse in the rural areas in spite of recommendations by various organisations, including the district administration have not been able to do enough for these tribal-dominated tracts that report a large number of deaths due to under-nutrition, endemic malaria, diarrhea and other diseases. Reduction in IMR and MMR, universal access to public health services such as women’s health, child health, water, sanitation, personal hygiene, immunisation and nutrition, prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, including locally endemic diseases, revitalising local health traditions and mainstream AYUSH and promotion of healthy lifestyles is a distant dream for the tribals of KBK region. Due to the non-availability of health services, the tribals in the remote areas of KBK districts mainly depend on quacks and those who sell indigenous medicines. Some people, who do turn up at the nearest health centre, are more often treated by nurses and health workers. The NGOs who are engaged for resources organisations are the torrent ones as local NGOs are not involved in the improved programme management. Immunisation coverage is the poorest in the case of tribal population compared to other social groups and the aggregate population. Only 26 per cent of tribal children are completely immunised against all vaccine-preventable diseases and 18 per cent have not received any vaccine at all. Thus 56 per cent of children are only partially immunised. Children having three common childhood diseases, namely respiratory infection, diarrhoea and fever, during a reference period of two weeks among the tribal population is surprisingly lower than for the population as a whole as well as for other social groups such as SC/ST and other backward population. The nutritional status of tribal children is apparently worse as compared to that of other social groups and the population as a whole. The incidence of anaemia among children is much higher among tribal population. As in the case of tribal children, the nutritional status of tribal women is also worse than that in the case of the general population or that of women belonging to other disadvantaged social groups such as SC/ST or OBC. However, the incidence of anaemia amongst tribal women is significantly higher than that for other social groups. Till today 40 per cent or more of the population still have to travel more than 5 km to reach the nearest health facility. The problem of physical access is compounded by two other factors, poor roads and poor transport connectivity. The so-called coastal NGOs who were selected for this purpose do not know the name of the villages or any data about the KBK districts. The NGOs are claiming creating awareness, workshops to streamline the existing policies and programmes and also establishing synergy among stakeholders but all these are in pen and paper only. The NGOs have neither visited the villages of KBK region nor interacted with the villagers, alleged former MP, Parshuram Majhi. He further alleged that in the KBK region there are several local NGOs who are working for the tribals but the mission dawdles to select the local NGOs for the smooth running of the programme. Due to the lackadaisical attitude of the State Mission and the district mission authorities, the programme failed to achieve any goal in the KBK region. Lack of motivation and awareness among the people is said to be the main reason for failing to bring an improvement in quality of health among the rural people. The inter-district disparity comes down in the case of safe deliveries as still about two-thirds of deliveries are unsafe being not attended by any trained professionals. Access to post-natal care seems to be poor in KBK. Immunisation coverage in the State cannot be said to be satisfactory. With only about 60 per cent of children completely immunised in the districts, the immunisation coverage is between 40 to 60 per cent. Frequent cases of severe diarrhoea, malaria, measles, tuberculosis, gastroenteritis, diphtheria, whooping cough and poliomyelitis also remain a major public health problem in the undivided KBK districts.

NEWS FROM: THE PIONEER, Bhubaneswar date:29.08.2009 Cong wins ZP president post in N’rangpur Nabarangpur: In the byelection to the post of Zila Parishad president held on Thursday at the Nabrangpur Zila Parishad conference hall, the Congress candidate Bhagirathi Nayak won the election by defeating his only rival Manjula Majhi of the BJP by 6 votes. Majhi is the vice-chairperson of Zila Parishad. Bhagirathi Nayak got 15 votes out of 25, while Majhi secured only 6 votes. The post of the Zila Parishad fell vacant following the resignation of Pradeep Majhi of the Congress who won from the Nabarangpur Parliamentary constituency. Nabarangpur BJP general secretary resigns Nabarangpur: The BJP district general secretary Tapan Debanath resigned from his post on Wednesday. He stated in his resignation letter that the president of the BJP Nabarangpur district unit Ramesh Ch Sahu was arbitrarily taking all decisions, ignoring the primary as well as the district functionaries of Umerkote NAC and Umerkote Block. Boat capsises in river; locals rescue passengers Nabarangpur: A boat coming from Sirisi Ghat to Bhatrasiuni Ghat with 40 persons aboard, including some students capsized in river Turi. Local villagers of Bhatrasiuni rushed to the spot and managed to rescue the lives of 40 persons. The locals of the areas are demanding for a bridge over Turi since last 50 years. Deprived of basic infrastructure, 33 villages depend on boats for communication, alleged former Sarpanch of Bhatrasiuni Ramesh Mishra.

Tribals worship lathis during Dussehra Everywhere Dussehra is observed as the valedictory ceremony of the Trirathra Puja of Aswain. The statuettes of Gods worshipped with so much faith and fanfare are carried in a procession for immersion in a river gha CJ: Basant Rath Thu, Oct 16, 2008 10:45:16 IST merinews.com YET DUSSEHRA carries and connotes more than the symbolic Nabarangpur. Dussehra at the Maa Bhandaragharani temple is celebrated traditionally. Dussehra is celebrated for 10 days from sukla pratipada to dasami here. The raja purahitio Narashingo Tripathy, lays down the puja procedure. According to his directions, at least 15 priests participate in the puja at Maa Bhandaragharani. On Maha Astami day, animals are sacrificed at the temple. Ancient in origin and existence, Maa Bhandaragharani earlier resided at Jagarnathpur, distant 20 Kms from Nabarangpur town. Subsequently the raja (King) installed the Goddess at Nabarangpur town. Since that day, Maa Bhandaragharani is worshipped by the people as Shakti, the source of power. The presiding deity of Nabarangpur town, Maa Bhandargharani, is adored by devotees, not only from the locality, but also from several villages, far and near. Each village deity, represented by a well-decorated bamboo pole, is carried by hand, accompanied by flags, drum-beats and priestly chants. They throng the temple in large numbers from Jagarnathpur the place Maa Bhandaragharani is originally from, Daspur, Miriganguda, Kusumi, Dedashpalli, Manjar, Daula, Kangara, Eakomba, Nandahandi, Nishnahandi, Maliguda and other parts of the district. Conspicuous amongst them is the representative of the Goddess Pendrani from Umerkote, which stops at Bhadaragharani temple briefly en route to Jeypore. They traditionally lead a procession accompanied by large bamboo poles representing the local deities, through the overcrowded main road. The procession is called Vijayayatra. The procession winds its way to Dussehra-Pada, an open space. When the deity is to be worshipped again, a brinjal atop a bamboo pole is targeted by shooters, with bow and arrow. The collapse of the brinjal marks the end of the ceremony and the whole festival. The pole-bearers are a sight to see. Some move around in rhythm-less contours, contorting their entire body. They are often assisted by men who follow them to de-contort them. It may appear frivolous to the sceptics, but a great event to the believers. Dussehra evening is a wonderful and colourful evening of light and sound, pomp and ceremony. It is as if the joy, hope and enthusiasm of the people of Nabarangpur converge at this very moment. The temple road is lined with people from all parts of the state.

Economic constraints of tribal development in KBK Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi (KBK) are the poorest regions of the country comprising mainly of tribals. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood. Still rooted in ancient beliefs the tribals do not make serious attempts to raise their wealth. CJ: Basant Rath Sat, Jul 26, 2008 12:15:39 IST merinews.com THE UNDIVIDED districts of Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi popularly known as KBK is one of the poorest region in the country. The KBK regions have been divided into eight districts, ie Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Balangir, Sonepur, Kalahandi and Nuapada. These eight districts comprise of 14 subdivisions, 37 tehsils, 80 CD blocks, 1437 gram panchayats and 12,104 villages, Almost 75 per cent of the total population is reeling under the poverty line even after 58 years after independence. The KBK districts account for 19.72 per cent population for over 30.59 per cent geographical area of the state. About 89.89 per cent people of these districts still live in village and remote areas. As per 1991 census about 38.72 per cent people of KBK districts belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) and 16.63 per cent of the population belongs to Scheduled Castes (SC) communities. Literacy rates are far below the state as well as national averages. Female literacy is only 24.72 per cent. As per the 1997 census of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families about 72 per cent families live below poverty line. Nuapada ranks as the district with highest number of BPL families of 85.70 per cent and Bolangir ranks as the lowest with 61.06 per cent of BPL families. As per an estimate based on 1999-2000 NSS data 87.14 per cent people in southern Orissa, are below poverty line. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood. Nearly 80 per cent of the tribal workers earn their living as cultivator and agricultural labourers only 10 per cent of the people work in construction trade and commerce, nine per cent of the people works in mining, quarrying and the rest of the population is engaged in house hold and manufacturing. The traditional occupation was agriculture, hunting and gathering forest products but now they depend on wage labourers. They work as agricultural and casual labours. A few of them have their own agricultural lands. Basically the tribal people believe in eat, drink, and be merry principle. There is no place for economic competition, due to free availability of land and minor forest produce followed by low population pressure, the competition has not been felt by the tribals. Tribal economy mainly comprises of subsistence farming, wage earning from forest works and government sponsored programmes. Subsistence farmers grow food crops barely enough to meet their own farm and family requirements. Diffusion of technological changes in agriculture does not take place properly as this is the main constraint. More than 80 per cent of the total population depends on agriculture; most of the tribals are landless and work as wage earners. Owing to their illiteracy, superstitions and conservative practices, they are deceived and exploited by moneylenders and other non tribals. Tribals who do not have a permanent income live in perpetual poverty. No doubt that the government is implementing a number of projects for the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of tribals, but due to illiteracy, they are unaware of several developments around them. On the other hand poor irrigation, bad infrastructure has taken a huge toll on agriculture, the main source of livelihood. Unemployment has soared with even seasonal jobs under various schemes becoming scarce. Almost 75 per cent of the total population is reeling under the poverty line even after 58 years after independence. Most of them do not even get a single meal a day due to acute poverty. Also, per capita availability of land continues to plunge, coming down to 70 per cent. Due to the practice of slash and burn farming locally called Podu, denudation of forest and forcible occupation of their land, they are compelled to go to other places in search of employment. Want of an organised marketing is a big bottleneck of tribal economy, weekly markets are held in big villages and small villages on roadside but remain defunct for six months in a year. Retail traders and hawkers visit these markets and purchase agricultural and forest produce. In return they sell manufactured items of daily requirements to the local tribals. There is complete absence of profit motivation in the tribals with the result the tribals cannot enter into commercial undertaking in any sale. In a recent tour to different parts of KBK region revealed that in most of the villages there are several traders and businessman who have found their roots in the shops, also purchase of agricultural and forest products. But to ones surprise none of these are of tribal origin, all are new settlers who have come either from Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, West Bengal, or other parts of Orissa. The landless agriculturist are either with zero ownership or ultra marginal ownership of land. Rural poverty of ST and SC population is rampant and 75 per cent were found to be land less and living below poverty line. The growth of tribal population and the rise in the burden of agricultural workers on land also made them landless workers. Social values of the tribals play an important obstacles for raising wealth capital and income. The tribals of KBK region believe in ghosts, ancestors worship and also believe that the fortune of man is controlled by their super natural power. Hence they do not make serious attempts to raise wealth. What ever they produce on their lands 90 per cent of it is consumed as food and drink and seven per cent of the produce is utilised for meeting other expenses, three per cent on clothing. Food, shelter, sex and clothing are the only important wants of the tribal people. These wants are locally satiable without paying any substantial cost. Education, modern medicines and conveyance are still far cry, which could hardly catch the imagination of most of the tribal peoples of KBK region.

Podagada monuments lying in utter neglect Podagada monuments, a rich source of history are lying in total neglect. Till date no archaeological survey has been made in this district. Well endowed by nature, the place is yet to be developed as tourist spot. By: Basant Rath,Journalist. merinews.com Thu, Oct 16, 2008 13:59:11 IST AT A time when the tourism sector is searching for development agenda, the tourism potential of this tribal-dominated district remains untapped. The district has many historic places, including Podagada, Papadahandi Siva shrine, Chatahandi Siva shrine, lying in utter neglect. Podagada is a historic place situated 52 kms away from Nabarangpur where Brami inscriptions can be found. Podagada is rich in lapidary inscription, sculptures, ruined forts temples, coins. Stone inscriptions found here says that Puskari, the capital of Nala remind us of the Nala rulers. From the 4th to 5th century AD, the Nalas rose to prominence with their head quarters at Puskari, modern Umerkote tehsil of Nabarangpur district. Four of their inscriptions, two on stone have history engraved on them. The copper plate inscriptions are Rithapur plates of King Bhavadatta Verman and the Kesari Bedha plates of King Arthapati. The rise of the Nalas posed a great challenge to the prestige and power of the Vakataka monarchs and a clash between powers become inevitable. The temporary eclipse of the Nala power has been referred to the Podagada stone inscription of Nabarangpur district, from where it was known that the lost glory and prestige of the Nala dynasty was retrieved by Scandaverman, after defeating the Vakatakas soon after the Nala were completely defeated by Chalukya Kirtiverman. About 60 gold coins discovered between 1939 and 1957 speak volumes about the then rulers too. In 1939, 32 gold coins belonging to the kings Varaharaja, Arthapati raja, and Bhavadutta Verman were discovered. The coins had figures of Nala legends on them. The scripts of legends are popularly known as the “box-headed type”. In May 1957, 28 gold coins were discovered from the forest of Kodinga tehsil of Nabarangpur district. History tells us originally the place was under Nalas, and subsequently went to the possession of the Nagas. The gold coins which were discovered have opened a new field of research so far as the Nagas are concerned. Till to-day no archaeological survey has been made in this district and antiquities so far available are rather very low. The ruin queen palace, foot print of goddess Laxmi, Sati stone, Bhairab temple, Madagam Dongri, Bhi Bhauni, Nandagada, Gumphs, Punji, Belghari, Tangapani, are places of historic importance but are lying unprotected. The sun and moon statues talk about the art, culture, and civilization of the Nalas dynasty. Podagada has immense potential of tourism. Apart from the podagada, the district has other tourism attractions in the form of Siva shrine, deer park, Sahid Smrutistamba, are the place of historic antiquity situated at Papdahandi. Chandan Dhara, Gosain Dor, water falls situated in the Jharigam block. Chatahandi Siva shrine, and Gumpha, situated in the Nabarangpur block. The shrine of Ghumerswar Siva Lingam, situated in Tentulikhunti Block, the shrine of Kelia Siva Lingam, and goddess Parvati nestles on a lush green hill, situated in Dabugam block, Maa Bhandargharani, the presiding deity of Nabrangpur, and Maa Pendrani the presiding deity of Umerkote, Khatiguda Indravati water reservoir, are tourism importance. The place is yet to be developed as tourism spot. Lack of infrastructure, funds crunch and inept planning have together stunted the growth of tourism in the district. The district is generously endowed by nature. The vast heritage wealth of Podagada is an added attraction but Nabarangpur still fails to boost its tourist traffic. Absence of package tours and publicity is mainly responsible for the poor turnout of tourists.

SSA in doldrums in Nabarangpur For a plan to be successful, a clear strategy and a sincere manpower is needed. But the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, in Nabarangpur, seems to lack the above requirements. No wonder, the project has failed to achieve the desired results in the district.. By: BASANT RATH, JOURNALIST. Merinews.com 8 Apr, 2008 22:52:15 IST Views: 830. THOUGH RUPEES 35 crore have been spent on district primary education programme (DPEP) and sarva shiksha abhiyan (SSA) during the last three years in Nabarangpur, the project is yet to make an impact. A recent survey indicates that about 70,000 students from Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti, Papadahandi, Dabugam, Jharigam, Raighar, Chandahandi, Kosagumuda, Umerkote, and Nabarangpur blocks are yet to taste the fruits of the programme. With the project failing to make the desired progress, the dropped out child labourers have been forced to migrate to other areas in search of work. The lack of publicity and the lackadaisical attitude of the officers have defeated the very purpose of the programme. Allegations are rife that more than Rs 40 lakhs have been siphoned away by the officials concern. Tribal leader and former MP Bhagban Majhi has demanded a high-level enquiry into the alleged misappropriation of the funds meant for SSA. The project aims at bringing the teenage and dropout students back to the schools for primary education. According to a recent survey by the district SSA officials under the child tracking system, the SSA project did not respond well in Nabarangpur, Papadahandi, Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti, Kosagumuda, Dabugam, Jharigam blocks besides in the Nabarangpur Municipality, and Umerkote NAC area. While the official survey of the year 2003-04 put the number of dropout students, yet to receive the primary and upper primary education, at 1,99,271, the figure decreased to 1.80 lakh students in 2004-05. At present, officially, more than 70,000 students are yet to receive the benefits of the project but unofficial sources put the number at double that figure. However, the drop out percentage of the district is said to be the lowest in the state. Deprived of the basic amenities, more than 70,000 tribal children either venture into forests to collect firewood, or work in eateries, hotels and shops, to earn a living. What is baffling is that despite the state government’s claims of spending crores of rupees to tackle food insecurity, malnutrition, child labour and to give impetus to SSA there has been no improvement in the living standard of the people. Despite huge investment of funds, the results leave much to be desired- thanks to alleged mismanagement and bungling of funds. While the allegations of corruption have been flying thick and fast, the government remains a mute spectator. What is more worrying is the silence of the MLAs and the MPs. For the revitalisation of the administrative structure and to create a citadel of education, cluster education officers and block level research coordinators have been designed at the panchayat level for the universalisation and implementation of elementary education education. But unfortunately, the teachers never visit their panchayats or schools. Though they are appointed as teacher in the education department, they never teach in their respective home schools. The district administration has claimed to initiate measures to develop infrastructure in the primary and the middle schools but these welfare measures are yet to reach the schools. More than 500 schools of the remote areas lack the basic facilities and it is the teachers playing truant who are the root cause of the problems at most of the schools. The parents have alleged a nexus between the teachers and the project staff. The SSA, including national child labour project (NCLP), has failed to benefit the actual child labourers who are reeling under acute poverty in this tribal -dominated district. Tribal leaders have demanded the initiation of proper steps for the rehabilitation of the child labourers who have become jobless, and provision of more facilities under the NCLP by opening more schools in the district. They have also demanded a strict vigil, on part of the district administration, on the functioning of the project. The senior citizens said that the quality of education is nowhere as compared to what is was 10 years ago and pointed at the dwindling teacher strength in majority of the schools. SSA has flopped in this tribal dominated district and the dropout rate is on the rise

Responsible parents rewarded JSK has introduced a "Responsible Parenthood" strategy "PRERNA" to reward couples in selected districts to help push up marriageable age of girls and delay the birth of the first child in the interest of the health of young mother and infants. By:BASANT RATH, JOURNALIST. Merinews.com Sat, Nov 15, 2008 17:50:47 IST IN A bid to encourage responsible parenthood the Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (National Population Stabilisation Fund), a Registered Society set up by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India, for the first time awarded 34 couples of Nawrangpur district during the cultural fiesta Mondei. The BPL couples belonging to different villages of Chandahandi, Jharigam, Nandahandi, Umerkote and Nawrangpur block in this tribal dominated Nabarangpur district, were awarded "Responsible Parenthood Awards" under the innovative PRERNA strategy of JSK, in the inaugural function of Mondei. Speaking to the occasion Sailaja Chandra said that JSK has introduced a "Responsible Parenthood" strategy "PRERNA" to reward couples in selected districts to help push up the marriageable age of girls and delay the birth of the first child in the interest of the health of young mother and infants. The strategy awards "Role Models" who break stereotypes. Eligible couples received the award amount of up to Rs 19,000 in the form of Kisan Vikas Patra. She further said due to early marriage and conceiving early, almost 45 per cent of the under five children in the state of Orissa are stunted and 41 per cent are underweight. Infant mortality is more than the all India average which is 56 per cent, she said. Citing the reason for selecting Nawrangpur district for the Prerna Programme she said the proportion of teenage pregnancies in this district is the second highest in Orissa. Women with three and more children account about 52 per cent in this district and which is highest among all districts of Orissa said. Addressing a press conference here, Chandra said the scheme would be introduced in Puri, Khorda, and Angul districts of Orissa where the BPL family members will be awarded Rs. 5000 if the girl is married after 19 years of age and gives birth to the first child after the mother is 21 years old. They will be reward of Rs.7000 if it’s a girl child and Rs 5000 if it’s a boy. Maintaining a 36 month gap between the first and second child, and one parent getting sterilized after the second child is born are the other schemes. Couples fulfilling any one or all of these criterions will receive Kisan Vikas Patras funded by JSK but given by the District Collector after authentication of claims. During the Mondei festival chief guest Nawrangpur MP Parshuram Majhi, KBK, Chief Administrator, Rajlaxmi, Executive Director, Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh, Sailija Chandra, Joint Secretary, Tribal welfare, government of India, Poonam Srivastav, Kalahandi, Collector R Gopalan, who was the guest of houour, awarded the 34 couples. Among others JSK Member Dr. Samontroy, CDMO, Nawrangpur, Debendranath Das were present at the meeting.

Orissa govt too lax in tribal welfare works In Koraput district of Orissa, life is still dark for tribals as they struggle everyday for work. Most of them live without proper meals. The government has not done much to provide land, jobs to them who chiefly rely on agriculture. By:BASANT RATH, JOURNALIST. merinews.com THIRTEEN YEARS of India’s independence, being bifurcated from erstwhile-undivided Koraput district (Orissa), has not done any good to this district, which continues to be plagued by poverty and backwardness, the fallout of worst kind of official apathy. The miseries of the tribals in this tribal-dominated district have compounded; the economic condition of most of tribals is miserable. They belong to the lowest strata of society and are simple, hard working and trustworthy. Although agriculture is the main source of livelihood, most of the tribals are landless and work as wage earners. Owing to their illiteracy, superstitions and conservative practices, they are deceived and exploited by moneylenders and others. Tribals who do not have a permanent income live in perpetual poverty. No doubt that the government is implementing a number of projects for the improvement of the socio-economic conditions of tribals, but due to illiteracy, they are unaware of several developments around them. This district is predominantly a tribal area. The prominent tribes here are Kondhs, Parjas, Bhatras, Gonds, Saoras, Amanatyas, Gadbas, Bhumias, Dhuruas, Halwas and Banjaras. The major Scheduled Castes are Dombs, Ghasis and Namagadras. According to 2001 census the tribal population of the district was 5.54 lakh, which accounts for 56 per cent of the total population of the district. There are as many as 15 tribal communities in the district. Most of the tribals earn their livelihood by engaging themselves in cottage industries and collecting forest produce. On the other hand, the state government has done little to give permanent ’pattas’ for the land to the tribals. Fifty per cent of the tribals in the district are still landless. While 40 per cent of them have less than one acre land on an average. The government is not taking any steps to provide land to them. Although the Supreme Court has directed the state government to provide land to them who were in their possession till 1980, as they have no right to the land where they work, they are not able to obtain loans from banks or avail of government schemes. The literacy rate among them is very low, that of women literacy rate only two per cent and in higher education the women literacy rate has further come down to .5 per cent only. Although the government has implemented so many programmes for improving their lots, their condition still remains bad. On the other hand, officials concerned with village leaders, contractors siphon off the money sanctioned for their development. Even after investment of more than Rs 1,600 crores they remain the same as before. The programmes have failed to bring any change in the socio-economic of tribal people. The socio-economic surveys conducted by a Non-Government Organisation show that the peoples of Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput (KBK) belt were employed in the agriculture sector for 130 days, the unemployment problem has assumed crisis proportions in this tribal dominated backward districts owing to failure of NREGS and other job generating schemes. Agriculture is the occupation in the district, more than 80 per cent of the total population depends on agriculture, poor irrigation, bad infrastructure has taken a huge tool on agriculture, the main source of livelihood. Unemployment has soared with even seasonal jobs under various schemes becoming scarce. Official sources say that the total workforce in the district comprises, three lakh agricultural workers and 2.5 lakh marginal workers who face a perennial shortage of work. Almost 55 percent of the total population are reeling under the poverty line even after 58 years after independence. Most of them do not even get a single meal a day due to acute poverty. Also, per capita availability of land continues to plunge, coming down to .20 hectares in 2004 from .50 hectares in 1954, out of which more than 50 per cent tribals do not have ownership rights on the lands, which they had been cultivating for generations. Due to lack of record of rights they were not able to obtain any loan from the bankers or benefit from government schemes. Most of the tribals were cultivating less than one acre land and there was no other livelihood other than cultivation in the past. They used resources, which were available in their areas and seldom left their places. Due to the practice of slash and burn farming locally called Podu, denudation of forest and forcible occupation of their land, they are compelled to go to other places in search of employment. Labour migration from the district has assumed a new and serious dimension and has become a matter of concern for the district administration. Though the government has undertaken a lot of development works, including NRGEA/OREGS unemployment continues to haunt the tribals. They were lured away by middle men. Joblessness has been growing. Though the NRGES is a law whereby anyone who is willing to do unskilled manual labour at the statutory minimum wage is entitled to being employed on public works and the employment guarantee is restricted to 100 days per household per year, due to the lack of publicity they are not in a position to avail the scheme. Even NRGES has not made expected progress owing to low utilisation of grant. When the scheme was launched in Nabarangpur district, hundreds of job-seekers rushed to the panchayats to get themselves registered. But, due to lack of coordination between the GPs and blocks the NREGA/OREGS failed completely.

Health Care in a shambles: 60 doctors post vacant Tribal-dominated district is in shambles due to the non-availability of doctors. Although the district has seven community health centres, three primary health centers for 10 blocks and 37 primary health new centres but doctors are not posted BASANT RATH, JOURNALIST. Merinews.com THE HEALTH sector in this tribal-dominated district is in a shambles due to the non-availability of doctors. Although the district has seven community health centres, three primary health centres for 10 blocks and 37 primary health new centres, adequate doctors are not posted there. While there is a dearth of specialists at the community health centres, the District Headquarters Hospital has 10 vacancies, including that of seven specialist doctors. Key posts in the departments such as medicine, orthopedics, skin, anaesthesia, pathology and surgery are yet to be filled at the DHH. At primary health centres, while 50 posts of surgeons are vacant, no doctors were posted in the past 10 years for 11 speciality departments. Surprisingly, at least 20 hospitals in the district are being run by only health workers and nurses while some hospitals are managed by 4th class employees. Health service in Kosagumuda, Papadahandi, Dabugam, Jharigam, Chandahandi, Nandahandi, Tentulikhunti are in a shambles with no doctors appointed over the years. The situation in remote areas in worse with doctors playing truant. In certain hospitals medical authorities go on closing the hospitals at peak hours. The private practice by the doctors in also blamed for the degradation in health care services. Tribals in the remote areas mainly depend on quacks and those who sell indigenous medicines. Some people, who do turn up at the nearest health centre, are more often treated by nurses and health workers. While those who can afford to pay for medicines go to hospitals at Visakhpatnam in Andhra Pradesh or Berhempur Medical College, the poor have no other alternative but depend on quacks. According to a survey, the district tops the list for infant mortality in the state. Though the local administration claims the introduction of several schemes for safe motherhood and child care, for want of minimum facilities, women are dying at the time of delivery. Even the life of the newborn is not safe. Though money was by the government to take pregnant women to the nearest PHCs or CHCs, the funds allotted for the purpose are being siphoned off by the officials concerned. The situation is worse in the rural areas in spite of recommendations by various organizations, including the district administration have not been able to do enough for these tribal-dominated tracts that report a large number of deaths due to under-nutrition, endemic malaria, diarrhea and other diseases. Rising graph of maternity deaths, mostly expectant mothers from minority community, has become a major cause of concern for health planners in this tribal dominated district. Even a government sponsored health service network has failed to live upto the expectations. While in the district mortality of children below five years remained at nearly 90 per every 1000 children and this district has come down to the second position in list of infant mortality rate (IMR) in orissa. Recently a NGO described the scenario with regard to safe child birth in Nabarangpur as exceedingly bleak. In rural areas with predominant tribal population, thing have gone from bad to worse. In ordinate delay in reaching govt hospitals often results in the death of pregnant mothers. Many women from this community prefer to delivered of their babies at home under the care of elderly woman relatives and untrained attendants. Besides anemia caused by multiple pregnancies has also contributed to the sport in maternity causalities. Most of the pregnant women hardly ever receive gynecological support for safe delivery. The grim reality is that only 25 per cent pregnant women have access to institutional delivery facilities while the rest languish and perish in the process due to utter neglect. As a matter of fact little over 20 per cent pregnant women receive timely antenatal care while the much-touted government sponsored health scheme for women has failed to come to their rescue. With governmental health service on the average of break down quacks rule the roost and run a parallel health service network aggravating the situation further. These self styled doctors are wreaking havoc in remote areas bereft of primary health service. Having little expertise, the quacks resort to crude and unscientific methods for childbirth and very often the exercise ends up with the death of the expecting mother or the child often both die. But ironically two-third of these maternity deaths go unreported. For obvious reason quackery goes on as government doctors play truant and skip duty in remote areas. There are allegations that some doctors demand bribe from relatives of pregnant women for delivery. On the other hand malaria eradication programme has failed to takeoff in the district, people who are at the receiving end of the epidemic, alleged that menace continues to grow in ferocity because doctors and health officials don’t pay regular visits to the malaria-affected areas for slide tests. With cases of malaria and brain malaria on the rise allegations of bungling of programme funds are flying thick and fast. Local MP, Pradeep Majhi, criticized the state government for not filling posts of doctors and specialists in the district. The newly constructed District Headquarters Hospital has good infrastructure but it is of no use as many posts of doctors are lying vacant. More than 3Lakhs people depend on this hospital for health problems. A resident’s forum here has alleged that working doctors were more concerned about their private practice than their responsibilities in the district hospital. Even the doctors who are working at PHCs and CHCs are not staying at their respective headquarters. Although crores has been spent for up gradation of the hospitals with good infrastructure, large number of vacancies has hit the health care.