A Story from Pourusha(Subudhi Katha)

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Diabetic Patient of Koraput

Sahadev Bhatra , a 22 year old youth from Girla, a tribal village in Kotpad block of Koraput district is severely malnourished . With legs resembling pieces of thin stick , skin being the only attachment to the chest bones , he looks no different from some one who had been facing a severe famine of Somalia . He is suffering from Juvenile Diabetics , doctors in the district head quarter hospital said .

While there was no respite for Sahadev , the reasons for this condition could not be left untouched . He was a student in the local residential school studying in Class VI a few years back , Gangadhar Bhatra , his father said . But after receiving continuous complains of illness and gradually losing interest for taking any food , Gangadhar was forced to withdraw him from the school . With very little option and lack of easier access to health benefits at the grassroots , Sahadev was taken to traditional healers and quacks for treatment , Gangadhar added.

But failing to get any relief there , he was then taken to the Mission Hospital at Nowrangpur where he was asked to give treatment for diabetics . Since then he had to purchase insulin vials by purchasing it at Rs180/- each from the market . He was supposed to take the medicine regularly . But having worked as daily labouirer , there was no other way for Gangadhar than to leave the condition to the almighty whenever he had no funds to purchase them from the market .

All the social security systems had failed to deliver in providing support to him in his need . The shrinking body of Sahadev was causing worry for the parents . He had almost lost his appetite and rarely was taking any food . With situation getting worse Sahdev is now been brought to the district head quarter hospital with a hope that things would be better for the patient . But with no support from the administration , neither from the Red Cross funds nor any other sources , he was still starving even after four days of joining in the hospital , Gangadhar said . The hospital was giving bread and milk and Sahadev was least interested to even touch them , he added.

Further his three year old second son, Tularam was also probably suffering from similar illness . But he had no knowledge on how to confirm or where to go for a test . The entire family was in the hospital attending the two sons and there was no other way to get the daily requirements . The money which was brought along was losing its strength and with no provision been made for them to get food , three more persons would begin to starve soon . “ Sahadev is starving for losing interest on food and we will starve for the lack of social support “ , Gangadhar cried .

Article from The Hindu: Mime- A Learning Tool in Education

Mime- A Learning Tool in Education


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/lf/2005/06/30/stories/2005063000920200.htm)
Mime, an effective teaching tool
Staff Reporter
It can be used to teach children aspects of personality development
HYDERABAD:

Mime can be an effective medium for teaching children various aspects of personality development, says the popular mime artiste, Kaladhar. Mr. Kaladhar, whose mime-based weekly serial, Khushi ki Duniya, shown on Sony channel every Friday includes two to three-minute mime episodes on various topics like self-confidence, time management, unity, patriotism, discipline, etc.


Universal language



The 54-episode serial that is being telecast in 26 countries has already completed 20 episodes. "The CBN Multimedia that is producing the serial for entertainment of children is keen on taking it to 200 countries," he said.

Mr. Kaladhar who runs the Kaladhar Academy to train those interested in the art said mime was a universal language with a highly entertaining performance that could convey a variety of themes effectively based on humour.

The Magic Fun School Director, Chokkapu Venkata Ramana, said Mr. Kaladhar had entered the Limca Book of World Records for 24-hour non-stop mime performance. He held another record for presenting 240 mime themes within an hour.

Mr. Kaladhar said he would train children interested in mime free of cost. Details can be had on the phone number 98490 72483.

Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly
prohibited without the consent of The Hindu

Article from The Hindu: Children Go To USA

Children Going to USA


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/lf/2005/06/30/stories/2005063012370200.htm) An experience to cherish
Staff Reporter
Chennai:

Twentynine children from the Genius Education and Learning Systems (GELS) got into one of the high profile organisations in the city.

They visited the American Information Research Centre, located in the U.S. Consulate. Children got to look at copies of the U.S. maps and flip through American magazines, said Vasanthi Ranganathan, directors of GELS.

Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly
prohibited without the consent of The Hindu

Article from The Hindu: Street Children Paint a Hotel in Delhi

Street Children Paint a Hotel in Delhi


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/lf/2005/06/30/stories/2005063011130200.htm)

Street kids paint a restaurant
Tankha
New Delhi: They may have created appealing visuals with their favourite colours on paper, but when they were asked by the famous hotel chain Nirula's to give a new look to its Defence Colony restaurant here, the joy of the children of the Salaam Baalak Trust knew no bounds.

Basing their mural on the subject "Rights of the Child", the children ranging in age from five years to 15 gave an insight into their thought process through their paintings on the wall of the restaurant.

For getting a chance to colour the wall and sensitise people about their rights, the children must thank film-maker Mira Nair, who after winning acclaim at home and overseas for her film "Salaam Bombay" -- based on the lives of street and working children -- formed the non-government organisation.

The Salaam Baalak Trust established in 1988 caters to the needs of over 5,000 street children every year, besides providing a support network for their medical and educational backing.

For Nirula's this is not its first such sponsored event. Four years ago, the company had given little ones from the Salaam Baalak Trust a chance to paint the wall of its restaurant.

Using the theme "Environment", the children had then expressed their concern over the need to preserve Mother Earth.

To create awareness about environment, Nirula's has taken up important initiatives through its "Save the Yamuna", "Save the Delhi Ridge", "Save Water" and "Do Not Use Plastic Bags" campaigns.

It has also co-sponsored social activities with the World Wildlife Federation, HelpAge India, Spastic Society of India and Blind Relief School in the past.

Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly
prohibited without the consent of The Hindu

Article from The Hindu: Vaccine Takes Life In Tamilnadu

Vaccine Takes Life in Tamilnadu V. Venkatasubramanian
5 undergoing treatment; batch from which vaccine was taken suspended

THE BEREAVED: Parents of a child grieving at a hospital in Egmore, Chennai on Wednesday.


TIRUVALLUR: Four children – 3 girls and a boy – from Tiruvallur district died on Wednesday soon after they were given measles vaccine shots.
Five other children, including a 15-day-old infant, who fell ill were admitted to the Government District Headquarters Hospital here. Public health directorate officials who conducted an enquiry into the incident said it was suspected that all the affected children got their shots from one particular batch of vaccine.
The use of this batch throughout the State was immediately suspended. Samples from the vials suspected to be “contaminated” have been sent to the Central Research Institute, Kasauli, for chemical analysis.
On Wednesday morning, village health nurse Jayalalitha of Katchur Primary Health Centre in Poondi Panchayat Union began administering measles vaccine to children less than 13 months old. She took a vial from the ice-box and administered the prescribed quantity to the waiting children. Soon after, five children – Puja, daughter of Angamuthu, and Nandhini, daughter of Ezhumalai from Pennalurpet, both 10 months old; Rakshitha of Plazpalayam, Mohanapriya, daughter of Mohan, Plazpalayam and Vignesh of Gudiyum, all aged around 12 months – developed complications and were rushed to the Government Hospital here around noon.
While, Puja, Nandhini and Mohanapriya died in the hospital, the others were saved. Later in the evening, two other children, both from the Pennalurpet area, were admitted to hospital. A 10-month-old boy, Lokesh, son of Kuppaiah of Venkatapuram, collapsed after he was given the measles shot by the Koonimangadu PHC nurse, Parvathy. He died on the way to the Institute of Child Health, Egmore.
Tension prevailed at the Tiruvallur Government Hospital after relatives refused to accept the bodies and demanded immediate action against those responsible for the deaths.

Minister’s assurance

Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam who came to the hospital in the evening enquired after the health of the ailing children and consoled the parents of the deceased. He assured them that action would be taken against those found responsible for the incident. The nurses – Jayalalitha and Parvathy – have been placed under suspension, he said.
Talking to reporters, Mr.Panneerselvam said the vaccines were earlier procured from Pune, but only six months ago, the State had begun buying vaccines from the public sector establishment, Human Biological Institute, Hyderabad. About 20,000 children had received vaccines from the same batch (before they were withdrawn) in the State, but there were no other reports of complications.

Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly
prohibited without the consent of The Hindu

Jayaprada's Election Rally at Laxmipur

: “If Biju Patnaik would have been alive I would not have stood against his party in the Laxmipur by election” Mulayam Singh Yadav , President of Samajvadi Party said while addressing the election rally in support of Kumud Saunta , the party’s candidate at Laxmipur in Koraput district today . While recalling his 25 years long association with the legendary leader he said that Naveen Pattnaik, his son and leader of BJD in the state did not possess any good qualities of his father.

Blaming the present state government for its failure in fulfilling the hopes of the common men of the state in general and tribal dominated regions like Koraput in particular he emphasised on the need to draw new lines of governance for leading the state towards a golden future . Adding to his plans for the people with the rising acceptance of Samajvadi Party in the state , he narrated different successful schemes which were responsible for the growth of Uttar Pradesh during his regime .

While expressing her concern over the poor condition of health and other welfare conditions of mother and child in the state , Jayaprada , MP , Rajya Sabha and famous film actress highlighted the need of taking urgent steps to rebuild the governance for giving a better world for them . “Every child needs to access to the free education , enjoy good health and grow with greater confidence” , she added . While narrating the concern of her party in this regard , she urged the people to cast their votes to people who could translate these hopes into reality . Further speaking in Telugu after receiving requests from the audience , she expressed her pleasure in finding many women in front listening to her and hoped that a better world was possible with conscious women like them .

Among others Kumud Saunta, Party’s Candidate , Kailash Mishra , Party’s State President , Arabind Dhali , All India General Secretary of the party addressed the audience asking people to support their party in the by election . The party leaders also addressed a similar election rally at Narayanpatna asking support for Mr.Saunta .
(EOM)

Tribal Forest Policy

: “Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes means the persons who primarily reside in and who depend on the forest lands for bonafied livelihood needs” . This phrase in the “Scheduled tribes and Other traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act” needs to be verified and understood well while sharing the information on the act at the grassroots , Abhay Kumar Pathak , Conservator of Forests said . While the act was speaking more on the rights of the forest dwelling scheduled tribes , it had only offered some specific provisions for other scheduled tribes , he added. He expressed his concern after learning from sources that the meaning of the phrase was interpreted by people differently at different level which could cause more harm than benefit to the people in the villages of Koraput district .

Moreover the problem was coupled with the gaps in the communication between the district administration and the villagers in forming ‘Forest Rights Committees’ in the district . While initially 17th &23rd of this month were fixed by the administration to conduct special Palli Sabhas to form the ‘Forest Rights Committee’ in each revenue village by inviting at least 75% of population including that of the hamlet villages , most of the meetings could not be organizing for the fear of election code of conduct , Pravakar Adhikari , Secretary , Pragati , an organization working on forest and forest related issues at Koraput said . Now that fresh dates were not announced by the district , the delay might derail the fruit of the entire effort if utmost care was not taken , he added .

The act allows the forest dwellers to apply before the Village level forest rights committee to get occupational rights on the forest land , on which he& his family were depending for their livelihood . But the government authorized documents such as voter identity card , passport , house tax receipts and domicile certificates might be the matter of difficulty for the real forest dwellers to furnish along with the application , sources said . Moreover availability of village maps enabling the beneficiary to locate the site of occupation in the forest land from the map was another challenge for the lack of maps and technical persons to assist at the panchayat level , sources feared.
(EOM)

Migration Story On The Stage by ESKI

: Rajmi Hikaka , an imaginary little tribal girl from Kondh community of Sunaput , an imaginary village in Koraput district died in the laps of her father Bursa Hikaka while asking him to go back to the village from his workplace in Hyderabad . This scene from the play “Dangar Sepakhe” brought down the screens on the stage and had launched the beginning of the state level “Panchamali Natya Mahotsav” being inaugurated by Gopal Krushna Behera , ED, NALCO on Thursday night .

The play based on a migration story , being written and directed by Girija Choudhury , an eminent dramatist from the region had enough material for the audience not to move their eyes off the stage . Thanks to the extra ordinary performance of Ananya Choudhury , the little girl who had played the role of Rajmi . While she was successful in expressing the childhood emotion in refusing her mother Sitme’s request to visit “Mandia Parab” , the village festival without her father , the writer was successful in exposing the plight of the families who were left behind in the village when the male folk from the tribal communities went haunting for work elsewhere in far off places out of their ‘Dangar’ , the mountainous boarders of Koraput region .

Further Rajmi was the example of courage and dedication that the children especially girls of the region could possess when it comes to bringing their families together . Depiction of the loving character presented in the Banzaran couple who had rescued Rajmi while she was searching her father somewhere away from the village which she had left long . The dryness in the hungry child and the joyful acceptance in the face of the childless Banzara mother to accept her as her own child had compelled the audience to rethink before blaming the Banzarans in general as child lifters .

Even though Rajmi was offered enormous amount of love and affection by her new parents her searching eyes were longing for her dearest father Bursa even after reaching Hyderabad . The play taking the audience out of the newspaper headlines to the brick making dens of the far off places had tried to bring the experience of the tribal innocent labourers to the fore front where they were tortured like slaves including Bursa , the father of Rajmi . While she was in search of her father the entry of an elderly mad person into the picture , had forced the audience to cross their fingers to remind the famous saying that a child , a mad person and a super conscious being were the happiest ones in the world . The characters of Rajmi and Diudu , the mad person that were exhibited in the play would be remembered for long for the exploration of the highest possible simplicity in the relation that one could develop while finding someone talking in one’s own language.

However the writer was harsh on the emotion of the audience when he had to go further to show the hard reality of the torture that the migrated labourers had to face from the employers . While the little child had found her new friend talking in her own language , Rajmi comes in contact with her father . But it was hard for her to bear the suffering of her father who had to receive canes from the master. She had to face the hitting of the cane while holding him firm in her arms asking him to go back to the village .Before she could accompany her father to the village keeping her promise to re unite her family , she received a hard stroke from the cane that was to fall on her father and died in the laps of her father .

While plays bringing dramatic impact and response were used in the recent times to attract the interest of the audience, the play exhibiting the real life of the communities in places the audience lived too was no way less in creating a deep impact in their minds , Girija Choudhury , the script writer and director of the play added.

Chief Minister Visits Kakiriguma

: “Development of Laxmipur , Narayanpatna , Bandhugaon and Kashipur blocks could not be achieved for the inactive participation of Late Anantram Majhi , the congress MLA from Laxmipur constituency.” Naveen Patnaik , Chief Minister of the state said while addressing the Laxmipur by election rally at Kakiriguma in Laxmipur block of Koraput district today. Blaming the belated leader of the region from Congress party , he said that the problems and challenges of the region was not well represented and projected by the local representative for the last many years .

While highlighting the successes of his government he said that the promise of dissemination of powers to the basic institution of democracy was fulfilled when the state government had placed the right to issue licenses of trading of 800 non timber minor forest products to the panchayats . Further certifying his party to be the party of children and women he said that his government was keen in promoting measures for the development of the tribal children of regions like Koraput district by opening 1000 residential schools to facilitate one lakh girls for continuing their education without any hurdles .

While reiterating the commitment of the coalition government in the state towards transforming the rights of the tribals on their land to the tribals , he further added that programmes like “Mo Jami Mo Gharo Dhio” which was launched a few months back had risen the faith on his governance to greater heights among masses . Expressing solidarity with the plight of the tribals of the state , 3000 minor police cases and 9000 minor forest cases that were pending for years against the tribal people were withdrawn to facilitate their progress in the process of development , he added.

This year being the year of irrigation , he recalled the special package offered to the villages of Laxmipur assembly constituency to get Rs.5 Lakh each on a priority basis towards developing irrigation facilities . Appreciating his government’s response to the needs of the people of the region he said that spread of cholera could be brought under control in Kashipur area for the effective management of the issue by his government .

Criticising the central government for its indifferent attitude towards the state , he said that the central government was keen to reduce the number of people from BPL coverage in the state . He also expressed his resentment over cutting down the allotment under KBK scheme . However reaffirming the support from the state government he said that a sum of Rs6000 Cr. would be spent in the next five years under Biju KBK scheme . Among others Raghunath Mahanty , Panchayatraj Minister , Surya Narayan Patro , Energy Minister Chaitanya Prasad Majhi , Tribal Welfare Minister addressed the rally . The party leaders addressed similar rally at Narayanpatna .

While in the one hand the star campaigners were targeting each other on state level issues in their speeches , on the other hand all the five candidates from Congress , BJD , Samajwadi Party , Samruddha Odisha and Republican Party of India were trying to gather support from the voters by highlighting their concern over the local issues .

Woman in Need For Help

Chief Ministers’ Relief Fund established for helping the poor in need especially those in distress condition has failed to deliver for the lack of concern among the service providers in Koraput district .This was true at least with Padma Durua , an old tribal woman from Malipadar village in Haladipadar panchayat of Boipariguda block in Koraput district who was pleading for death to get rid of the unbearable pain for the last two months . “I can’t bear the pain and make others suffer. Please give me something so that I could die peacefully” , she cried from the little open shed in front of her house .

Padma has been sleeping in front of her hut for the last two months as it was out of the capacity of the villagers to take her to the nearby hospital in Boipariguda , Guru Durua , her husband said . She was not able to stand even for a while after she fell on the road . No one knew what might have happened to her legs , he added.

While Guru, owing to his poverty and inaccessibility to the health system had no means to take his wife to the health centre in Boipariguda covering long distances from the village in the deep forests of Gupteswar region , the block administration too had not done anything for her treatment . No one from the chain of service providers in the administration had ever visited Padma even though she was suffering for the last two months , Bhime Durua , an old man from the village said.

The villagers too had little option than to leave her to herself as they too were in no better financial capacity than Guru either to arrange transportation or providing further support and care , he added.

“She needed a greater care and the society including myself have failed to save her life . We are waiting for the day when Padma would die helplessly like many other ailing persons suffering for being un noticed in this part of the district” Guru cried while expressing his helplessness .
(EOM)
.

Traditional Doctor For Bones

Ranu Bhatra , a tribal man in his seventies has corrected at least 800 fractured bones in the last six months alone and has been continuing rendering such services at Girla, a remote tribal village in Kotpad block of Koraput district for the last 50 years . Ranu has not learnt a single letter in the alphabet and has never heard about Sushruta or Dhanwantari , the legendary ayurvedic practitioners who had offered health services in the Vedic age even before the modern science had evolved . But Ranu has been the hope for hundreds of poor tribals while using the traditional methods like bamboo and natural herbs to repair the broken bones in different parts of the body .

In the last 50 years people have received the utmost care and been successful in providing treatment for minor injuries to many complicated cases , Ranu said . He plays his palm over the broken part and understands the nature of the crack by feeling through his fingers , Tirupati Kendu , a young patient who was sleeping in the little health care centre at Girla said . And this was the faith in hundreds of patients all over the region drawing people from far and wide , Chandra Sekhar Majhi , former President of Koraput Zilla Parishad and a resident of the village said . Patients like Krushna Kendu , a young boy from Kenduguda in Boipariguda block who was injured in a truck accident preferred to get the care from Ranu even after visiting the district head quarter hospital at Koraput, he added . Krushna was advised to go to Visakhpatnam for getting treatment for his critical fracture . But going there was not under the capacity of the parents of Krushna and hence was brought to Girla instead, for treatment , he said .

No one is asked to pay any fixed amount for the treatment and was allowed to offer according to their capacities ranging from Rs.20/- to Rs.500/-, Ranu said . The patient has to purchase the cotton cloth from Kotpad market and bamboo plates are being arranged by the centre . A Paste is prepared from the locally available medicinal herbs and tied with the bamboo plates on the site of the crack . The binding needs to be done three to four times depending upon the nature of the crack over a period of three months’ time and the patient gets cured , he added.

‘It’s science and in no way any miracle’ which he had learnt from his uncle some 50 years back and now is transmitting to his three sons . However the art of offering selfless support to the patients irrespective of their social status and financial capabilities should not become the sole property of a single family , Dinabandhu Bhatra , the eldest son of Ranu said . Establishment of a natural health care centre with a herbal garden for growing the medicinal plants like Chitiki used in preparing the medicine paste was needed to save the practicing science from extinction , he added.
(EOM)

Doctors Submit Resignation

All the doctors from Koraput district have submited their resignation letters to the state government through the office of Orissa Medical Services Association (OMSA) on Monday last , Bharadwaj Mishra , Secretary , OMSA , Koraput branch said while talking to the media at Koraput.

While taking care of the health of the deprived masses of the district with all sincerity , the depleted strength of doctors in the district they were toiling manfully carrying a heavy burden of duty , to manage the health delivery system , which included treatment , preventive , IEC activities , more than 20 national health programmes , conducting post- mortem , attending to medico-legal cases and VIP/protocol duty besides emergency duties, he added.
Moreover for the lower pay scales compared to other states , doctors were not interested to work in the state and more particularly in the remote pockets of the district. , he added While the health services were facing great challenges in providing good health care to the people for various reasons , the situation in the district would be more worse after a month’s time for there would be no doctors serving in the district in the later part of next month if the state government did not respond to their demands, he feared

Physical Challenged Wish to get more from life

: Physically challenged people in the state were the most deprived ones for the compartmentalization of them according to their respective deformities , said Umesh Purohit , Convener of Orissa Bikalang Manch , the forum for the disabled persons in the state that was formed in 2006 . Such compartmentalization had confined the disabled people to think only for the welfare of people with the similar category of deformity rather than bringing out a holistic development , he added .

Mr. Purohit was at Koraput to attend the first ever seminar of disabled persons to get sensitized to lead a dignified life by accessing to the schemes and initiatives made by the society in large . While there were hopes to create disabled friendly villages and towns in the state , the real challenges were coming from the large amount of poverty prevailing with the disabled persons in general and more specifically in the rural areas , he said .

However the forum had high hopes with the implementation of NREGA as poverty could be brought under control by taking little care in engaging the otherwise able people in soft jobs like maintaining the record books or managing crèches near the site of the work , he added . The seminar was attended by disabled people from across the district .

Seminar - Pharma College - Jeypore

Jeypore College of Pharmacy, Jeypore has organized its first AICTE Sponsored National Seminar for two days (14th and 15th Feb. 08) on the topic “RECENT TRENDS IN HERBAL DRUG RESEARCH, FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND STANDARDISATION”. As because Jeypore is belonging to a tribal region and also full of medicinal plants that’s why it is highly essential to organize such national seminar for strengthening of the knowledge of the public as well as the research scholar present in this region. More than 40 delegates were participated in this national seminar from various pharmacy colleges of Orissa as well as out side Orissa. The main objective of the seminar was to create awareness among the faculty members and research scholars about the need of herbal drug standardization and formulation development of herbal preparations. The seminar was officially inaugurated by Prof. Dr. P. Ellaiah the Convenor-cum-Director of Jeypore College of Pharmacy, Jeypore. On the inaugural day the lectures were delivered by Prof. S. Satyanarayan, Prof. S. Ganapaty, Prof. P. Rajeswar Rao, Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam and Prof. C. Veeresham, Kakatiya University, Warangal which are very informative and creative.

On the 2nd day of this seminar also the lectures are so nice and electrifying by Prof. C. Veeresham, Kakatiya University, Warangal, Prof. P. Ellaiah, Jeypore College of Pharmacy, Jeypore, Prof. Sudhakar Dash, Vikram Dev College, Jeypore, Dr.P.Steve Thomas, Maharaja College of Pharmacy, Vizianagaram, Dr. S. V. Ramana, Director, M.S.S.R.F., Jeypore followed by one visit to Dr. M.S.Swaminathan Plant Research Foundation, Jeypore for gaining the GCP and GAP (Good Cultivation Practices and Good Agricultural Practices) of medicinal plants as well as for commercialization of medicinal plants. Principal, Jeypore College of Pharmacy addressed the gathering with the key note address about the various achievement of the college. The Director of the College, Prof. P. Ellaiah highlighted about the theme of this National Seminar and mentioned the importance of Pharmacist in standrdisation of herbal drugs. Finally Prof. Debajoyti Das, Principal of the college extended vote of thanks to the speakers and all the deligates for delivering such an informative lectures and participation in this national seminar. The function was also grace by the administrative Director of Jeypore College of Pharmacy Mr. Sruti Ranjan Mishra and Vice Chairman Mr. B. Rama Prasad. The programme was finished followed by a research visit to MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Jeypore by the College Bus.

Anthrax In Koraput District

Vaccinating the targeted 5 lakh cattle before the onset of monsoon this year is impossible if the working conditions in the department of animal husbandry does not change for the better , S.K.Takri , CDVO of Koraput said . A three member team of experts under the chairmanship of U.V.N.Rana , Joint Director of National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), New Delhi , after visiting the Anthrax affected Lohaba village in Semiliguda block of Koraput district had advised the district authorities to carry out a drive for total vaccination of cattle in the district and more particularly in the seven blocks of Koraput district which were the most affected by Anthrax.

More importantly this was to be completed before the first spell of monsoon this year to stop the spores from spreading out to other places , Mr.Rana informed . Balakrishna Sahu , District Collector , responding to his advice immediately released Rs.5 Lakh from the NALCO Periphery Fund to go for vaccination of all the cattle in the district even with out paying any users’ fee by the beneficiary.

But with the field force of only 84 persons to assist in the entire district it was far from reality to reach the targeted immunization even in a year’s time , leave alone to complete within the time period of four months without taking the support of the 60 odd “Go Mitra” and “Pashupalan Sahayak” from the district who were given a four month long orientation to become self dependent in their locality while offering some of the basic health care to the cattle in their locality, Mr.Takri , the CDVO added .


While additional funds were required to ask their support , some more steps were also needed to support the office in facilitating transportation of staff members to the affected places for there were no means of transportation in the department including the CDVO himself , official sources added. Vaccination and spread of awareness on the disease and consuming the right food among the villagers being the only two measures , suggested by the team of experts which could be implemented to check the spread of the disease, a little support from the district administration in this regard could bring greater changes , Mr.Takri hoped .

Among the other suggestions , the team had advised the agricultural department to take measures to reduce the acidity of the soil by applying the sludge from the paper mills in the agricultural fields as manure . The forest department was suggested to take care to see that the dead bodies of wild animals were disposed off in the right manner . While it was an impossible act to reduce the acidic nature of a vast amount of land in the district it was also one of the rarest possibility to keep a close vigilant watch on the wild animals in the forests of the district , district level authorities said .

The team had collected cow dung , bones and blood mixed soil from the village to carry along with them for more investigation .
(EOM)

Anthrax- Research is On

Anthrax , the dreaded disease that has killed hundreds of common men in the rural areas of Koraput district in the past and already four persons only in Semiliguda block this year , could be an airborne disease and there were chances that people working in the field get the infection directly even with out consuming the infected meat , S.K.Takri , CDVO , Koraput said today while quoting highlights from his conversation with the researchers from Animal Disease Research Institute (ADRI) , Phulnakhra .

The disease which was once confined to Dasmantpur , Laxmipur and Narayanpatna blocks of the district and affecting only the people who had consumed meat of the affected animals , was now spreading even to the areas and people who had not taken the meat , Dr.Takri said . Many people in the villages had reported that they were affected even though they had never consumed meat of the affected cattle , he added .


Frequent incidence of the disease in some parts of the district has attracted many research teams to the district from time to time . Researchers from ADRI had visited the affected areas of the district in September last following the reports of deaths due to the disease which had caused a great amount of concern in the state . Now , after the deaths of four persons recently in Lohaba in Semiliguda block of the district , yet another team of specialists under the chairmanship of Dr.N.C.Panda from National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) , New Delhi had made their attempts to find reasons of the spreading of the disease .


Another research team under the chairmanship of U.V.Rana , a micro biologist from NICD is visiting the district and more specifically to the recently affected village , Luhaba in Semiliguda block on Monday . This could throw fresh insight into the disease and the reasons of its spread in the district , he hoped .
(EOM)

Dhemsa Festival in Koraput.

The first ever state level ‘Dhemsa Festival’ is scheduled to be organized by the District Culture Council(DCC) at Koraput from 18th of this month , Balakrishna Sahu , District Collector of Koraput said . It would be yet another state level tribal festival after ‘Parab’ which is hoped to bring more recognition for the cultural heritage and rich art form of the highlanders of Koraput district in the state and later at national level forums .

Addressing the media in his office he further added that the three day long festival will be a platform to discuss various aspects of Dhemsa , the most popular dance of Koraput region, including its socio-economic significance , its subject , methods , music , song and religious importance which was attached to it . It will also be a platform of various scholars of tribal studies from all over the state to interact with the performing artists , he added.

‘Dhemsa’ , even though the most popular dance from the region was not being properly highlighted nor properly recognized like other folk dances like Dalkhai of Sambalpur or Chau of Mayurbhanj , K.C.Nishanko , District Culture Officer of Koraput said .

While Khunda Dhemsa , Bagh Dhemsa , Gotibeni Dhemsa , Sira Dhemsa , Mandi Luchani Dhemsa , Anta Jhulani Dhemsa and Bali Dhemsa were the names of few forms of this dance form , this festival will be unique in presenting almost all the varieties of Dhemsa with the wide range of performers reaching at the district head quarter to exhibit their performances . As an output of this entire exercise in preserving the precious art form of the tribals , the council was planning to bring out the first ever book on Dhemsa , he added.
(EOM)

Demand For Separate State

Politicians have joined their voice now in demanding a separate Dandakaranya State by taking Koraput , Rayagada , Malkangiri and Nowrangpur districts . Arjun Nayak , veteran politician from Semiliguda region of Koraput district has launched a signature campaign to gain public acceptance to his demands from Koraput today .

While talking to the media along with his followers in the DNK guest house at Koraput, he charged the state government of developing a step motherly attitude towards the region . While the state government was taking mileages with the mines , industries and tourism potential of the region was reluctant to contribute substantially towards its development , he alleged .

No Marriage Before 18 Years of Age!

Marriages below 18 years of age is banned in Tatiaguda village of Kotpad block in Koraput district . While marriages of children in their early teens was a regular practice in most of the tribal communities of Koraput district , these villagers , after acknowledging the ill effects of early marriages on the lives of the young couple and the new born children , have come up with a resolution imposing a strict ban on the practice of early marriage .

Now for the last one year no one below the age group of 18 years was married in the village , Tulabati Muduli , an elderly woman from the village said . However this was not achieved on a single day , but only after the villagers had experienced a series of serious setbacks by marrying off their children at an early age . More particularly the case of Padmini Muduli , a girl from the village had changed the thoughts and actions in the village leading to this concluding resolution , she added.


Padmani Muduli who had got married at an age as early as 10 years to Arjun Muduli , a boy of 12 years from the neighbouring village a few years back had still births in the first two consecutive pregnancies . While she was blessed with a son in her third pregnancy, it gave more shock than pleasure for the couple and also the villagers as the boy was born weak.

The villagers under the leadership of the women group and in consultation with ARYAN , a local youth organization and officials from SSA had sensitized the people with the support of UNICEF on the ill effects of the practice . Adding to these understandings more thoughts and plans had emerged out of the village planning exercise conducted by these organizations with the support of the villagers .

Subsequent meetings by the volunteers had re affirmed their stand to educate their children at least to complete their high school and the school which was an EGS and did not have a building of its own has a house of its own . Thanks to the collective effort of the villagers . Children are going to the school and the teacher also attends the classes regularly, , Sukal Dei Muduli , another woman from the village said. This process of engaging the girls in getting education till they cross their adolescence would support the initiative to check early marriages in the community , she added.

While things were changing for the better in the district with such self driven initiatives by villagers and groups coming forward to prevent early marriage , introduction of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya(KGBV) scheme by the government in the district , new hopes have emerged out in creating platforms for the girls to complete their education at least up to their middle school level, Padmini Pathi , Gender Coordinator of DPEP at Koraput said . The tribal girls are now been given quality education under this scheme while accommodating them in hostels specially meant for them and providing special care to bring out the latent talent in each of them by exposing them to various forums and interactions .

However looking at the other implications and health related concerns including their physical and psychological development the situation could only be brought under the desired control if the scheme was kept open up to the high school level , she hoped.

RPDAC Meeting For Rehabilitation

Discrimination was made in providing rehabilitation packages to the displaced families of Koraput district while establishing the Nalco mines and refinery plant 28 years back at Damanjodi and steps were needed to be taken to correct the mistake , members of Rehabilitation Periphery Development Advisory Committee(RPDAC) felt .

The committee, in the presence of C.R.Pradhan , CMD, Nalco , Satyabrata Sahu , RDC, Southern Region , Giridhar Gamang , MP , Ashok Pangi , President, Koraput Zilla Parishad , Taraprasad Bahinipati , MLA , Koraput , Basudev Majhi , MLA , Kotpad and Balakrishna Sahu , District Collector , Koraput had discussed the various problems that the displaced persons in the district had faced in all these years and came out with proposals with remedial measures which would be shared with the Ministry of Steels& Mines in the central government to provide compensation package to the displaced persons, affected in Koraput district by the company as was offered to the families of Angul , in the other corner of the state .

While acknowledging the fact that the families of the Land Displaced Persons (LDP) who had died while in service were not yet been rehabilitated with a job in the company , the committee has taken a stand to facilitate the process under Nalco Employees Family Assistance &Rehabilitation(NEFAR) scheme , so as to maximize the benefits for the affected people .

Speaking to the media , Balakrishna Sahu said that while measures would be taken to see that locals get priority in the works done in the company , a high level committee comprising of environmental experts and agriculturists would visit the district to check the level of pollution in the periphery of the company .
(EOM)

Fighting With Posters - Police Vs. Naxalites

: Police and Naxalites in Koraput district are fighting not only with bullets and bombs but have staged a virtual war against each other by pasting posters on the walls and distributing leaflets among the masses , especially in the naxal affected regions of Narayanapatna , Bandhugaon , Pottangi and Nandapur blocks in Koraput district.

While it was a practice by the naxalites to take the people on their side by staging street plays , meetings and revolutionary songs over the last many years , now the district police has also come up with similar strategies to spread the message on the welfare prgrammes of the government . District police has already organized 8 special camps in the naxal affected blocks of the district during the last month alone , Deepak Kumar , SP of Koraput said .

The camps were conducted to reach the common masses by addressing their own concerns and difficulties . Efforts were made to see that more and more people get involved in the performances and get in touch with the police through the cultural programmes , community feast and medical camps , he added.

Looking at the overwhelming response from the common people in the region , the district police has now come up with posters and leaflets written in Kuvi language , the prime medium of communication for most of the tribals from Kondh community living in the naxal affected regions of the district . While this move was thought to have emerged from the latest posters by the naxalites in Bandhugaon block which they had displayed after killing a businessman alleging him for being a police informer, the success of the move was also appreciated . The naxalites had for the first time used Kuvi language written in Oriya dialect asking people to support their mission .

While most of the posters & leaflets displayed and distributed by the naxalites had carried messages asking the traders , contractors and oppressors to stop their alleged anti tribal activities like selling liquor to the tribals , claiming their rights on the tribal lands and engaging tribal men and women to smuggle wood from the forests, few posters had also invited people to join their mission or to extend support to make the band calls given by them .

In addition , posters by naxalites were seen to have asked people to learn their rights and exercise them whenever required. But in contrary , the posters and leaflets distributed by the district police , carried the messages of the programmes and policies of the government with a mission to take the message of development and concern of the government towards the people at grassroots and the responsibility of people to approach the respective agencies to enjoy the benefits rather than taking laws into their own hands , Mr. Deepak added.

Further the police in its leaflets has asked the people to think over the actions performed by naxalites . The naxalites were using the arms and ammunition for anti national activities and were obstructing in developmental programmes in the rural areas , police alleged . While the leaflet with its 15 points were trying to invoke people to think over the intentions of the naxalites in the region , the poster was designed with multicolour pictorial presentation on the prohibition of liquor and the need to visit the police station, tahsil office and block offices in need .

Moreover contrary to the posters and leaflets of the naxalites which were handmade and handwritten , these posters were more attractive and printed with clear letters . But looking at the lower level of literacy in the tribal dominated regions while spreading messages of change through theater , culture and sports had begun to show some results , the impact of the posters and leaflets was still to be ascertained in the long run , Mr.Deepak added.
(EOM)

SAHAYOG- an initiative by LEPRA

Greater truth could be revealed in the alleged financial irregularities and fraud committed during implementation of the World bank aided Orissa Health System Development Project (OHSDP) if CBI was given the responsibility to probe , said Durjyadhan Majhi , Minister for Health & Family Welfare of Orissa at Koraput today . While talking to the media in the circuit house in the morning he said that while his government was vigilant in maintaining transparency in each and every process during the implementation of the project , looking at the political situation in the state and forthcoming elections in the near future , a probe by CBI would help in building a greater image of the party among the people , he added.

Later, while addressing as the chief guest in the launching ceremony of “Sahyog – Reaching the Un reached” project of LEPRA society , held in the DNK Conference hall at Koraqput , he joined the voice of Ashok Kumar Pangi , President, Koraput Zilla Parishad in demanding a medical college at Koraput . Joint ventures by organizing public-private partnership could bring the dream into reality , he added .

Adding to the successes of LEPRA Society in eradicating leprosy from the state , he said that the newly launched programme ‘Sahyog” in collaboration with LEPRA UK and European Union (EU) in Koraput , Malkangiri and Rayagada districts covering an estimated population in 16 blocks over a period of 4 years would go a long way in controlling TB and HIV infection in the region, with a focus on enhancing access to TB and HIV/AIDS services , strengthening cross referrals , promoting health seeking behaviours and community participation along with improving capacities of mainstream service providers and other stakeholders .

Loknath Acharya , Director of Health Services , Govt.of Orissa , Terry Vasey , Chief Executive and Jenny Barraclough , Chairperson of LEPRA UK also spoke . Doctors , officials from state health department and health service providers from the three districts attended the function . Sasikant Nayak , Project Coordinator , LEPRA Society , Orissa Region presided over the meeting .
(EOM)

Sarpanchs' Association Formed

Goals of NREGA could not be fulfilled in the true spirit if the district administration does not work along with the action plans prepared in the villages , Bhagvan Muduli , Sarpanch of Podagad panchayat in Dasmantpur block of Koraput district said at Koraput today . He was at Koraput to attend the first ever seminar of the sarpanchs in the district to find opportunities to stand together under the umbrella of Orissa Adivasi Manch(OAM) .

Alleging that the sarpanchs, being from tribal communities in the district they were treated as ignorant and without having any intellect by the administration, he said that for this kind of attitude by the administration all plannings prepared in the villages were sidelined at the time of implementation by the administration . Expressing his surprise over asking the panchayats to deposit 16% royalty charges against the soil work carried out to create jobs for the jobless , he added that such measures would harm the good intentions of the scheme.

Adding to the worries of negligence , Padman Pataputia , sarpanch of Masiput panchayat in Kundura block said that the administration was not working towards the real needs of the people but was rather working to satisfy its own convenience and aspiration. Narrating on how the action plan prepared by the panchayat to develop the most backward village Denga Kusumguda was over looked by the administration while starting the work in a more developed village Goudaguda , he said that the sarpanchs were treated like beggars only to receive subsidized rice and BPL cards to distribute among masses .

Highlighting the poor administrative support that was offered to the PRI members in the district , Hari Angel , the sarpanch of Balda panchayat in Nandapur block alleged that the district administration was also keenly trying to suppress their legitimate demands whenever initiations were made to access to the legitimate rights of common masses . While the constitution had granted them as many as 29 powers, for the lack of access to information and administrative negligence most of the sarpanchs had no knowledge of more than two powers, he added .

While demanding for a hike in the monthly allowances for the sarpanchs and greater prioritisation to the post by the district administration , Mangaraj Randhari , a sarpanch from Kotpad block warned of a collective agitation against the neglecting approach of the administration towards the PRI members in the district .

Madan Kirsani , Convenor of Orissa Adivasi Manch (OAM) and Damadar Jani , President of the forum addressed the gathering . Elctions to the first body of the association of Sarpanchs was conducted under the supervision of Balaji panigrahy , Advocate and social worker from Koraput . The association thus formed had took the pledge to work towards the betterment of women & children in the district .
(EOM)

With Technical Skills Migration is not a problem

: Migration of labourers from Koraput district would not be a problem if they were capacitated with technical skills and abilities to cope up with the changing situation in a new place, said , Satyanarayan Choudhury , a social worker from Koraput . Non availability of work in the near vicinity and non availability of cultivable land in the district has been forcing men and women to far off places seeking for better jobs and living opportunities , he added. But without having any technical skills with them , very often get setbacks to their aspiration and hopes , Bimal Pattnaik , another social worker said . With a disorganized way of life , these people from the highlands of Koraput region were also not able to give education and care to their children , he added.
However successful case studies of the migrant labourers from far off Rajasthan who were working in the district for months together , could well be a living example for the district administration, Paresh Rath , a tribal researcher and proprietor of Annapurna Real Estate , at Jeypore observed . Beswaram Jat , a contract labourer from Rajasthan is one of such examples who , despite of the woes of migration was making a good deal of his life for the skill to run tractors in the field , while his 8 year old son Gajaram , along with two daughters , wife and parents stayed in his native village , Patau in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan .
Forced to migrate for lack of work in the desert districts adding to the absence of any possibilities to cultivate for the most of the year , many such labourers move out of Jodhpur , Barmer and Jaisalmer districts to distant places in search of work , Beswaram who had been coming to Koraput district for the last 10 years said . There were at least 20 persons in Koraput, Malkangiri and Nowrangpur districts taken together like him who were working day and night to develop land by leveling the land , cutting edges by adding additional tools like leveler, cutter, and heavy duty plough to their tractors .
While working for more than 12 hours every day and that too leaving their family members in the village for at least six months in a year , they have recognized the importance of each moment they spend, more than anyone else , Beswaram said . Moreover it was only for the skills they knew , that almost all of them were able to send some money to their families back in the villages out of their fairly manageable earning , Junjaram Jat , another labourers from Kudike in Rajasthan added .. While appreciating the role and importance of the age old joint family system in most of these houses , Juniram said that , none of them could have ever dared to move from place to place, if they were living in nuclear families . Now that their parents and women of the family stayed in the house they were able to offer a dignified living condition to the family members including good education for their children in the native village amidst their own tradition and culture , he added.

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