Odisha Tourism gets intl award for best relaxation culture

odisha tourism



Bhubaneswar: Odisha Tourism has bagged an award for the Best Relaxation Culture & Beaches Destination from the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) at a function held at Berlin, an official release said on Friday.

The award was received by M R Patnaik, Director Tourism Odisha in a glittering ceremony at Berlin. This is considered as a prestigious international award received by Odisha Tourism in ITB Berlin.

Secretary General, UNWTO, CEO PATA, Minister Tourism Egypt, Minister Tourism and Culture Seychelles, President, International Hotel and Restaurant Association and Secretary General, PATWA were present at the award giving ceremony.

Odisha Tourism is expected to receive more response in the events from the other countries in the coming days. The state delegation will remain present in Berlin till March 10, it said.

Odisha Tourism has bagged an award for the Best Relaxation Culture & Beaches Destination from the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA).

Violence inside courtroom in Umerkote

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HoXlrrg1LYk



Umerkote: Tension gripped this southern Odisha town of Nabrangpur district on Thursday over the mysterious death of an on-duty home guard last night.

When the death of the home guard, identified as Paduram Bhatra of nearby Sankumari village spread, over a hundred locals gheraoed the ourtroom where the body was found in a hanging position.

Alleging that Bhatra was murdered, the irate mob started pelting stones at office bearers present inside the courtroom and tried to barge into it.

When the situation went beyond control, the police resorted to mild lathi charge resulting in injury to some.
According to police, the body of Bhatra was recovered in a hanging position from the ceiling of the courtroom on Thursday morning.

“When we called the magistrate and other officials after seizing the body, irate mob started pelting stones at us alleging that he has been murdered. Four of our team members have been injured in the incident,” Saroj Kumar Upadhyay, Umerkote PS in-charge said.

The locals alleged on the other hand that the home guard who was on-duty last night has been murdered.
“This is certain that he has been hanged after being killed. And most surprisingly how couldn’t his fellow home guards see when he took the extreme step, as claimed by some people,” Dhanurjay Bharta, a local, said.

To avoid any untoward incident, additional forces have been deployed near the court.

BJP accuses BJD of using volunteers for electoral purposes

Bhubaneswar: The BJP today alleged that Bharat Nirman sevaks were being used by the Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha for electoral purposes.

“Bharat Nirman sevaks who are voluntary workers are been used by Naveen Patnaik for electoral purposes. It is not only unfortunate, but also an affront to established constitutional norms and provisions,” senior BJP leader and party’s state spokesman Sameer Mohanty alleged to reporters here.

Producing documents, he claimed that district collectors have been instructed to utilise the sevaks to pull people to booths. “Though it appears as a noble initiative, there is more than what meets the eye.

“In the name of persuading people to vote, sevaks are trained to highlight achievements and schemes of Naveen government, he claimed.

“It shows BJD has created a new paradigm under which government treasury and administration are being misutilised for electoral gain, sacrificing all scruples, principles and constitutional norms,” he said.

Mohanty alleged that the government which took recourse to such methods much before elections had also prepared a blueprint to utilise the treasury and the administration during the elections.

Barsa Swony receives acid attack threat

Bhubaneswar: Barsa Swony Choudhury, an alleged dowry torture victim and daughter-in-law of a former minister, was reportedly threatened in a letter with acid attack if she tried to enter politics.

The letter came today, five days after the Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) of the Odisha Police filed chargesheet against former law minister and Biju Janata Dal leader Raghunath Mohanty, his son and three other members of his family in a dowry torture case last year.

Barsa’s father Kishore Choudhury has received a postcard at his village home in Balasore district.

“It (postcard) has warned my daughter to refrain from any attempt to enter politics. It says if she makes any such attempt, she would be attacked with acid,” Choudhury said.

“I met the Balasore superintendent of police, apprised him of the threat to my daughter and sought adequate security to her,” Choudhury told reporters.

“I have asked for a thorough examination of the post card that the family members of Barsa received today. The post card would be sent to the fingerprint section which I hope will help the police nab the miscreants,” Balasore SP N Pankaj said.

Barsa was provided security after she met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on February 21.

Choudhury said this might be the handiwork of the supporters of Raghunath Mohanty, against whom Barsa has filed a dowry torture case following which he was dropped from the cabinet.

Mohanty was arrested from his hideout in Kolkata along with wife. Their son Rajashree was also arrested in March last year.

Cong dares Naveen to public debate on Odisha’s development

Bhubaneswar: Slamming Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for blaming the Centre for Odisha’s problems, Congress today challenged the BJD supremo to a public debate on a host of issues like how the state topped the list in terms of poverty and migration during his 14-year rule.

Besides giving Naveen three days to come forward with time and venue suitable for the proposed debate, senior Congress leaders asked the BJD chief to unveil a white paper on his government’s performance in accelerating development and tackling burning problems.

“If Patnaik fails to respond to our call for a public debate by Monday, we will go to him with our proposal,” OPCC president Jaydev Jena and party’s campaign committee chairman for the state Srikant Jena told reporters.

Describing debate as an essence of democracy, Srikant Jena said, “I wonder why the Chief Minister is so scared of joining a debate. Earlier also I had invited Naveen to public debate several times, but he never responded.”

The invitation for public debate to Patnaik came a day after he attacked the UPA government at the Centre while addressing three public meetings.

Hitting out at Patnaik for accusing the Centre of neglecting Odisha, Jena said the Chief Minister, who claims about speedy development in the state, must answer as to how the Raghuram Rajan Committee in its report had put Odisha as the least developed state.

“Despite tall claims by the Chief Minister, in terms of development, Odisha is placed at the bottom in all sectors,” said Jena, Union Minister for chemicals and fertilisers.

BJP alliance plans still unclear

Bhubaneswar: It seems BJP’s pre-poll alliance plans in Odisha will take a little longer to take final shape. Smaller parties in the state which are eager to have some kind of seat sharing arrangement with the saffron party will have to sit for a round of talks with national leaders, said a senior leader.


“Those who want to work with us, can talk to the party’s central leaders in the second phase. They will have a discussion with senior leader Arun singh thereafter. In the last phase we will reach a conclusion on basis of our calculations for the next elections,” said State BJP chief spokesperson Suresh Pujari.

Earlier in the day, senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, accompanied by the party’s Odisha in-charge Chandan Mitra and deputy in-charge Arun Singh, arrived here to initiate talks with some political parties for a possible alliance in the state.

Sources said the trio held a closed door meeting with state BJP leaders at a city hotel about the smaller parties who are keen to fight the forthcoming polls along with the saffron party.

The central leadership of the party also discussed Narendra Modi’s proposed Sambalpur tour and poll preparations with the state leaders.

Meanwhile, Utkala Bharat president Kharavela Swain made it clear that his party is ready to forge an alliance with BJP.

“If both the parties are eager to form an alliance, they will definitely come to the table for a discussion. One is for sure our party is ready to work with BJP,” said Swain.

Leaders from Ama Odisha Party and Samata Kranti also had meetings with the BJP leaders but no final words came from either party.

As expected, OJM chief Pyarimohan Mohaptra was not called for a meeting with the saffron party leaders.

Odisha BJP expects 3 lakh turnout of people at Narendra Modi rally on February 11 in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Odisha BJP unit expects 3 lakh turnout of people at Narendra Modi rally on February 11 in Bhubaneswar. This was informed by the BJP State president KV Singh Deo on Saturday. Singh Deo informed that state party leaders and workers are working overtime to make the rally a great success. It should be noted that Modi is scheduled to arrive at the city airport at 12.45 pm and reach the public meeting venue, the Barmunda ground adjacent to NH- at about 1 pm. Modi, who would stay at the meeting till 2.30 pm, would address the rally for around one hour before departing from Bhubaneswar by 3 pm. Modi would be accompanied by the BJP president Rajnath Singh. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda would also address the meeting. He said the State party unit has constituted various committees for success of the meeting. Considering the inputs from districts, over 3 lakh people would congregate at the meeting place. Since all the roads leading to the meeting venue are likely to be chocked, Singh Deo begged apology to the people for their inconvenience on the day. State party secretary and coordinator for the meeting Bhrugu Baxipatra said that a roadmap has been prepared for proper coordination at the meeting place. Besides the police, the BJP Yuva Morcha would look after the safety aspects at the meeting place. Provisions have been made for transportation of party workers and their food arrangements. The day before the meeting, as many as 40,000 party workers are expected to reach Bhubaneswar to avoid congestion. 

BJP demands closure of 55 mines along river Baitarni

“The 55 mines along Baitarani, which are allegedly affecting the river, 

have been identified by the Shah Commission of Enquiry,” BJP leader Sameer Mohanty said, adding the closure of the mines need to be included in the action taken report.

The river Baitarani passes through 48 blocks, spread over five districts of Odisha. It was now in a dangerous state due to the rampant mining in its catchment area, he said in a statement.

Demanding immediate implementation of the Shah Commission recommendation, Mohanty said the state government must declare closure of the 55 identified mines.

However, the BJP said the state government was adopting delaying tactics for the abject reason of raising funds for the ensuing elections.

The party threatened to launch a statewide agitation after BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s proposed rally here on February 11.

“If the State Government will not take necessary action to safeguard the river, the BJP will launch a state-wide agitation,” Mohanty said.

Environmentalist, social workers, activists and others will participate in the Baitarani Bacho andolan, he said

Two ministers, Ananga Udaya Singh Deo are BJD RS nominees

Bhubaneswar: After backing renowned sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra for Rajya Sabha polls, ruling BJD in Odisha on Monday announced threecandidates for the February seven elections to the upper house of Parliament, including two state ministers. 

The party candidates for three of the four seats falling vacant are Panchayati Raj Minister Kalpataru Das, Textiles Minister Sarojini Hembram and former minister Ananga Udaya Singh Deo, BJD said in a statement.

Deo is from the erstwhile royal familyof Bolangir. The party had earlier announced its decision to support Raghunath Mohapatra for the fourth seat.

Elections are scheduled to be held to fill the four Rajya Sabha seats in the state as the terms of Ramachandra Khuntia of Congress, Mangala Kissan and Renubala Pradhan of BJD and Balbir Punj of BJP are coming to an end. 

Meanwhile, Congress has decided to field Ranjib Biswal, a former Lok Sabha member for the fourth seat, while BJP is yet to make its position clear. 

At present Odisha assembly has 107 BJD members, Congress 27, BJP six and CPI one. There are six independent MLAs in the 147-member house. 

PTI

BJP to launch campaign in Odisha during Modi's visit

 BJP will launch its "one note, kamal par vote" campaignfrom Odisha during Narendra Modi's visit to the state on February 11. 

Party's Prime Ministerial candidate Modi would unveil the campaign during his visit to Odisha, party's national general secretary (organisation), Ram Lal said here. 

Modi is scheduled to address a rally in Bhubaneswar on February 11. 

"Party workers will conduct door-to-door campaign and urge the voters for one note and one vote with a mission to get BJP absolute majority in next elections," he said yesterday.

Ram Lal was addressing party functionaries and senior leaders from five Lok Sabha constituencies in south Odisha - Berhampur, Aska, Phulbani, Koraput and Nabarangapur. 

He said the presence of regional parties at the national level was very marginal and now a wave was sweeping in favour of Modi across the country. 

"Our mission, however, is to get 272 plus seats. The note for vote campaign by the party's rank and file is to reach the magic number," he said. 

Permission for confiscation of property of AT Group sought

Bhubaneswar: The police today sought permisBhubaneswar: Ahead of the maiden rally by BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on February 11, the AICC has planned a two-day visit by its vice-president and campaign committee chief Rahul Gandhi.
While Gandhi is likely to address six meetings on February 9 and 10, efforts are being made to invite party chief Sonia Gandhi to address an adivasi adhikar rally at Kalahandi, party sources said, adding they would not visit Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the maiden rally by BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on February 11, the AICC has planned a two-day visit by its vice-president and campaign committee chief Rahul Gandhi.
While Gandhi is likely to address six meetings on February 9 and 10, efforts are being made to invite party chief Sonia Gandhi to address an adivasi adhikar rally at Kalahandi, party sources said, adding they would not visit Bhubaneswar.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Jaydev Jena, however, said “Rahulji is likely to visit Odisha in February, but no date has been finalised.”
Claiming that Modi’s public meeting would have no impact on the people of the state, Jena said “both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have emotional attachments with the people here.”
The sources said Rahul Gandhi would address meetings at Salipur in Cuttack district, Duburi in Jajpur district, Khariar Road in Nuapada district, Bisam Katak in Rayagada district and Berhampur town in Ganjam district.
Rahul Gandhi, who initially wanted to visit the state in the first week of February, however, defered his programme in view of the Rajya Sabha elections on February 7, the sources added..
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Jaydev Jena, however, said “Rahulji is likely to visit Odisha in February, but no date has been finalised.”
Claiming that Modi’s public meeting would have no impact on the people of the state, Jena said “both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have emotional attachments with the people here.”
The sources said Rahul Gandhi would address meetings at Salipur in Cuttack district, Duburi in Jajpur district, Khariar Road in Nuapada district, Bisam Katak in Rayagada district and Berhampur town in Ganjam district.
Rahul Gandhi, who initially wanted to visit the state in the first week of February, however, defered his programme in view of the Rajya Sabha elections on February 7, the sources added.sion from the Odisha government to confiscate the property of Artha Tatwa (AT) Group which allegedly defrauded over Rs 350 crore from investors in the state capital.

“We have sought permission from the finance department to confiscate properties of AT Group. RequireddocumeBhubaneswar: Ahead of the maiden rally by BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on February 11, the AICC has planned a two-day visit by its vice-president and campaign committee chief Rahul Gandhi.
While Gandhi is likely to address six meetings on February 9 and 10, efforts are being made to invite party chief Sonia Gandhi to address an adivasi adhikar rally at Kalahandi, party sources said, adding they would not visit Bhubaneswar.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Jaydev Jena, however, said “Rahulji is likely to visit Odisha in February, but no date has been finalised.”
Claiming that Modi’s public meeting would have no impact on the people of the state, Jena said “both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have emotional attachments with the people here.”
The sources said Rahul Gandhi would address meetings at Salipur in Cuttack district, Duburi in Jajpur district, Khariar Road in Nuapada district, Bisam Katak in Rayagada district and Berhampur town in Ganjam district.
Rahul Gandhi, who initially wanted to visit the state in the first week of February, however, defered his programme in view of the Rajya Sabha elections on February 7, the sources added.nts relating to the properties to  are also submitted,” Police Commissioner, Commissionerate of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack R P Sharma told reporters here.

Stating that the property included 122.73 acre of land, 12 bank accounts valued at Rs 2 crore and 11 cars valued at Rs 1 crore, Sharma said that the police estimated to recover Rs 150 crore from auctioning them.

Sharma, said though the company also had land in Puri, Khurda, Balasore and Ganjam district, it was proposed to confiscate property in its jurisdiction.

The police also issued notices to 23 persons who took loan from the AT Group to retuBhubaneswar: Ahead of the maiden rally by BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on February 11, the AICC has planned a two-day visit by its vice-president and campaign committee chief Rahul Gandhi.
While Gandhi is likely to address six meetings on February 9 and 10, efforts are being made to invite party chief Sonia Gandhi to address an adivasi adhikar rally at Kalahandi, party sources said, adding they would not visit Bhubaneswar.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Jaydev Jena, however, said “Rahulji is likely to visit Odisha in February, but no date has been finalised.”
Claiming that Modi’s public meeting would have no impact on the people of the state, Jena said “both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have emotional attachments with the people here.”
The sources said Rahul Gandhi would address meetings at Salipur in Cuttack district, Duburi in Jajpur district, Khariar Road in Nuapada district, Bisam Katak in Rayagada district and Berhampur town in Ganjam district.
Rahul Gandhi, who initially wanted to visit the state in the first week of February, however, defered his programme in view of the Rajya Sabha elections on February 7, the sources added.rn them.

The number of persons who took loans, meanwhile, increased to 40 persons.

The AT Group operating 20 organisations allegedly defrauded an estimated Rs 1,000 crore from the people in different districts.

AICC plans Rahul’s Odisha tour ahead of Modi’s rally

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the maiden rally by BJP’s Prime MiniBhubaneswar: Ahead of the maiden rally by BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on February 11, the AICC has planned a two-day visit by its vice-president and campaign committee chief Rahul Gandhi.
While Gandhi is likely to address six meetings on February 9 and 10, efforts are being made to invite party chief Sonia Gandhi to address an adivasi adhikar rally at Kalahandi, party sources said, adding they would not visit Bhubaneswar.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Jaydev Jena, however, said “Rahulji is likely to visit Odisha in February, but no date has been finalised.”
Claiming that Modi’s public meeting would have no impact on the people of the state, Jena said “both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have emotional attachments with the people here.”
The sources said Rahul Gandhi would address meetings at Salipur in Cuttack district, Duburi in Jajpur district, Khariar Road in Nuapada district, Bisam Katak in Rayagada district and Berhampur town in Ganjam district.
Rahul Gandhi, who initially wanted to visit the state in the first week of February, however, defered his programme in view of the Rajya Sabha elections on February 7, the sources added.sterial candidate Narendra Modi on February 11, the AICC has planned a two-day visit by its vice-president and campaign comBhubaneswar: Ahead of the maiden rally by BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on February 11, the AICC has planned a two-day visit by its vice-president and campaign committee chief Rahul Gandhi.
While Gandhi is likely to address six meetings on February 9 and 10, efforts are being made to invite party chief Sonia Gandhi to address an adivasi adhikar rally at Kalahandi, party sources said, adding they would not visit Bhubaneswar.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Jaydev Jena, however, said “Rahulji is likely to visit Odisha in February, but no date has been finalised.”
Claiming that Modi’s public meeting would have no impact on the people of the state, Jena said “both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have emotional attachments with the people here.”
The sources said Rahul Gandhi would address meetings at Salipur in Cuttack district, Duburi in Jajpur district, Khariar Road in Nuapada district, Bisam Katak in Rayagada district and Berhampur town in Ganjam district.
Rahul Gandhi, who initially wanted to visit the state in the first week of February, however, defered his programme in view of the Rajya Sabha elections on February 7, the sources added.mittee chief Rahul Gandhi.

While Gandhi is likely to address six meetings on February 9 and 10, efforts are being made to invite party chief Sonia Gandhi to address an adivasi adhikar rally at Kalahandi, party sources said, adding they would not visit Bhubaneswar.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the maiden rally by BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on February 11, the AICC has planned a two-day visit by its vice-president and campaign committee chief Rahul Gandhi.
While Gandhi is likely to address six meetings on February 9 and 10, efforts are being made to invite party chief Sonia Gandhi to address an adivasi adhikar rally at Kalahandi, party sources said, adding they would not visit Bhubaneswar.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Jaydev Jena, however, said “Rahulji is likely to visit Odisha in February, but no date has been finalised.”
Claiming that Modi’s public meeting would have no impact on the people of the state, Jena said “both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have emotional attachments with the people here.”
The sources said Rahul Gandhi would address meetings at Salipur in Cuttack district, Duburi in Jajpur district, Khariar Road in Nuapada district, Bisam Katak in Rayagada district and Berhampur town in Ganjam district.
Rahul Gandhi, who initially wanted to visit the state in the first week of February, however, defered his programme in view of the Rajya Sabha elections on February 7, the sources added.President Jaydev Jena, however, said “Rahulji is likely to visit Odisha in February, but no date has been finalised.”

Claiming that Modi’s public meeting would have no impact on the people of the state, Jena said “both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have emotional attachments with the people here.”

The sources said Rahul Gandhi would address meetings at Salipur in Cuttack disBhubaneswar: Ahead of the maiden rally by BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on February 11, the AICC has planned a two-day visit by its vice-president and campaign committee chief Rahul Gandhi.
While Gandhi is likely to address six meetings on February 9 and 10, efforts are being made to invite party chief Sonia Gandhi to address an adivasi adhikar rally at Kalahandi, party sources said, adding they would not visit Bhubaneswar.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Jaydev Jena, however, said “Rahulji is likely to visit Odisha in February, but no date has been finalised.”
Claiming that Modi’s public meeting would have no impact on the people of the state, Jena said “both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have emotional attachments with the people here.”
The sources said Rahul Gandhi would address meetings at Salipur in Cuttack district, Duburi in Jajpur district, Khariar Road in Nuapada district, Bisam Katak in Rayagada district and Berhampur town in Ganjam district.
Rahul Gandhi, who initially wanted to visit the state in the first week of February, however, defered his programme in view of the Rajya Sabha elections on February 7, the sources added.trict,DuburiinJajpur district,KhariarRoad in Nuapada district, Bisam Katak in Rayagada district and Berhampur town in Ganjam district.

Rahul Gandhi, who initially wanted to visit the state in the first week of February, however, defered his programme in view of the Rajya Sabha elections on February 7, the sources added.