HC to hold fresh hearing in OPGC tender case
Bhubaneswar:  Taking note of the controversial tender for two 2x600 mw supercritical coal-fired thermal power stations at the IB thermal power station in Jharsuguda, the Supreme Court has asked the Odisha High Court to dispose of a petition filed before it (High Court) by former revenue minister Manmohan Samal.
According to sources, the two-member SC division bench comprising justice DK Jain and justice Anil R Dave, while dismissing a Special Leave Petition filed by Samal against the High Court’s rejection of his public interest litigation (PIL), observed that the bearing in mind the nature of the controversy involved, we would request the High Court to dispose of the main petition as expeditiously as practicable.
Samal had alleged that the Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) flouted the guidelines of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in the tendering process so as to dissuade potential bidders and favour some particular firm at the cost of the State exchequer.
The two-member HC division bench comprising chief justice V Gopala Gowda and justice BN Mahapatra, while dismissing the petition, observed that the petitioner has not made out a prima facie case that public interest will be affected.
After the apex court order that came on January 3, the HC has on January 9 issued notices to the energy secretary, OPGC managing director, CEA chairman and AES managing director to file statement of counter in four weeks, informed Samal.
He said that due to the alleged favouritism shown in the tender process, the state government is set to lose Rs 300 crore revenue.
He even charged the OPGC with a huge kickback in the Rs1800- crore tender bids.

Bird flu scare trggers panic in Umarkote
Umarkote: Death of a large number of crows and pigeons at several places in Umerkote town and its neighbourhood areas has triggered a bird flu scare here.
Hundreds of dead crows and pigeons were seen lying dead in Umarkote town and many villages under Umarkote block during the last two days.
We just received a report about death of birds. A team of veterinarians have rushed to the area to initiate remedial measures, Umarkote Tehsildar Nirajan Behera said.

14 Odisha cops receives President’s medal
Bhubaneswar: A total of 14 policemen from Odisha received President’s Police Medal for excellence in different categories for 2011and 2012.
For 2011, two senior police officers got the Medal for distinguished service and 14 policemen got it for meritorious service.
For 2012, while three police officers got the medal for distinguished service and 11 for meritorious service.
The medal winners for the year 2011 included Sanjeev Marik, ADG (Headquarters) and Surendra Panwar, IGP, (Vigilance).
The award for 2012 was for Satyajit Mohanty, Director, Biju Patnaik State Police Academy and IGP, training; M Akhaya, IGP (personnel), state police headquarters, and Bijay Kumar Dash, ASP, Vigilance and in-charge Superintendent of Police (Coordination), Vigilance directorate.
817 personnel have been awarded police medals on the occasion of the Republic Day this year. The President’s Police Medals for Gallantry to 7, Police Medals for Gallantry to 87, President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service awarded to 93 and Police Medals for Meritorious Service awarded to 630 personnel.
Thirty-eight police personnel were awarded Correctional Service Medals.
President’s Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service to one and Correctional Service Medals for Meritorious Service were awarded to 37 personnel.

Medicinal plant scientist receives national award
Jeypore: Saujanendra Swain, senior scientist and coordinator at the Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants Garden and Research Centre under the aegis of MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, based at Jeypore in Koraput district was awarded at the valedictory function of the 99th Indian Science Congress recently organised at the KIIT University for his best poster.
This national award was under the Agriculture and Forestry Sciences section of the science congress.
The award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 5000 and a citation was given to Swain by governor MC Bhandare.
The national award was conferred on him for his best poster titled ‘ex-situ conservation of ethno-medicinal plant by major tribes of southern Odisha’.
Swain bagged the first prize and was one of three awardees in various fields from the state.
Saujanendra was also conferred the Prakruti Bandhu award by the forest and environment department in 2009 and the prestigious Young Scientist of Odisha Award (First Prize) by the second Odisha environment congress in 2011.
For the last 15 years, Swain is involved in working with tribal communities of Koraput district in the area of conservation, cultivation, consumption and commercialisation of ethno-medicinal plant diversity.
So far he has visited 13 countries in the continents of Asia, Africa, Europe and South America to present his work.

Freedom fighters skip Republic Day programme
Kendrapada: Freedom fighters from across Kendrapada district skipped the official Republic Day function on Thursday to protest non-allotment of a plot of government land for a Sangrami Bhawan complex.
Administrative officials, meanwhile, have begun steps to find a plot for the building. They have been demanding the land for the past 18 years.
We stayed away from the R-day function in protest, Purusottam Nayak, president of district freedom fighters samiti, said.
After waiting in vain to get a piece of government land to build Sangrami Bhawan, we had resolved not to take part in the official Republic Day function. They planned to felicitate the freedom fighters but none of them turned up, Nayak said.
Eighteen years back, the district administration had given consent to hand over the required land near Kendrapada College, he said.
When contacted Kendrapada collector P K Patnaik said that the administration had offered a plot for the building on the outskirts of the town.
But freedom fighters association insists on allotment of land in the heart of the town.
The administration is trying to settle the issue at the earliest, he added.

Mothers abandon new-born babies
Bhubaneswar: It was a Republic Day shock for the people of Odisha when a woman deserted new-born twins in Balasore hospital and another infant was found abandoned in a carry bag near a bush in Kendrapara district.
The baby boys, about four-day-old, were admitted at the paediatric ward of the district headquarters hospital at Balasore on Tuesday, doctors said.
However, the doctors found the woman, believed to be their mother, who brought them to the hospital vanished without informing anyone, said Rabindra Patnaik, the in-charge officer at the police outpost in the hospital premises.
The woman, according to hospital records, was identified as Runi Singh, wife of Raju Singh of Paikapada village under Oupada police station area of Balasore district, Patnaik said, adding that police has been searching her.
The children suffering from cold-related aliments, were rushed to special new-born child care unit of the hospital and their condition was stable, said Dr Swarnalata Panigrahi.
Meanwhile, another couple, who were under treatment at the medicine department of the hospital claimed right over the baby boys.
They claimed to be relations of the woman who, according to them, had gone to the village for bringing money.
However, police was yet to accept the claim made by the couple.
In another incident, a report from Ambera village under Harianta gram panchayat, the villagers found a new-born baby girl inside a carry bag kept near a bush.
The child was later taken to the nearby Pattamundai government hospital for treatment, sources said.

Cong launches journal on Republic Day
Bhubaneswar:  Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik inaugurated a party journal Congress Varta on the Republic Day here on Thursday to provide information on the party activities and expose the corruption of the ruling BJD government in the state.
Congress Varta would be a medium of communication and will focus various problems of the state, Patnaik said expressing hoped.
The chief editor of Congress Varta is senior Congress leader Narasingh Mishra and Arya Kumar Jnanendra is its editor.

Callaghan Cup Rugby: Chennai, MSP enter final
Bhubaneswar:   The Chennai Cubs would meet Maharashtra State Police (MSP) in the final of the All India Callaghan Cup Division-II Rugby Tournament at Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday.
Similarly, Young Rugby Club of Kolkata would meet Delhi Bulls in the plate final on Saturday. In the cup semifinals on Thursday, Prakash and Armen Makarina scored a tries each and the team Chennai defeated Madian Hazar of Kolkata by 27-9 and formidable MSP beat the host Bhubaneswar by 27-9.
Avinash Sinde and Pankaj Khopde of the winning team scored two and one tries respectively. In the plate semifinals, YRC edged out Chhattisgarh by 24-7. Suraya Mandi of the winner team scored double tries and his-mate Palash Biswas and Tapas scored a tries each.
However, in another match, Delhi Bulls dominated the show and prevailed over Kerala by 45-0. Pankaj Phogat and Surav Dubal of Delhi scored two tries each and their mate Vikash, Vinod and William scored a tries each.

U-16 Tennis: Double crown for Raju; Sai wins singles title
Berhampur: Youngsters from Vishakhapatnam asserted their supremacy in the AITA Under-16 Championship Series Tennis Tournament, bagging three out of four titles at the Union Club courts here on Thursday.
Top seed Nadimpalli Bhupal Raju bagged a double, emerging champion in boys’ singles and doubles events.
Mixing power with precision, he beat his citymate and fourth seed MMK Ramineni 6-2, 6-4 in the singles final.
Raju and Sajid-ur Rahman grabbed the doubles title, outplaying Odisha duo of Abhilash Chandra Sahoo and Adarsh Sahoo 6-1, 6-3 in the summit clash.
This was the second double crown for Raju, who bagged his previous one at a Talent Series tournament in Raipur last year.
Earlier in the singles semifinals, Raju got the better of his doubles partner Rahman 6-4, 6-4 and Ramineni overcame second seed Avilash Mishra (Odisha) 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-1).
Sai Keerthi Behera justified her top billing in the girls’ singles event, vanquishing fourth seed and Vishakhapatnam citymate Likhita Landa in the title clash 6-1, 6-3.
This was the fourth career title for Sai, who is a trainee of Gopi Tennis Academy and studies in Adarsh Talent School.
Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi handed over the trophies at the closing function.
Among others, Ganjam District Tennis Association president Milan Kumar Patra, secretary Arjun Swain and Union Club secretary Ch Rabindranath were present on the occasion.

Odisha girls shine in national school meet
Bhubaneswar:  In the girls-19 category Dutee Chand bagged gold medal in 100 metre race and silver medal in the 200 metre race in the 57th National School Athletic meet at Ludhiana.
The meet was held from January 18 to 25.
The other medalists were Rajeswari Bhoi (girls U-17) javelin silver medal, in 4X100 girls U-14 relay Tapati Sahu, Manisha Minze, Nandi Koda and Kushbu Rani Panda (bronze), in 4X100 girls U-17 relay Rima Mohanty, Sekunta Kulu, Susama Tapo and Rajeswari Bhoi (silver).

Adivasi Mela kicks off in city
Bhubaneswar:   Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated the Adivasi Mela, 2012, the annual state-level tribal festival, at the Adivasi Padia here.
Patnaik garlanded the statues of great tribal heroes Saheed Laxman Nayak, Pandit Raghunath Murmu and Guru Mongei Gamango.
Later, he also inaugurated the Tribal Haat and visited the stalls.
While visiting the stalls, Patnaik interacted with the Bonda women who came all the way from Malkangiri to sell their products.
He also visited the tribal arts, painting and handicraft segments and appreciated the handiworks of tribal artisans. He spent nearly an hour in the mela.
After the inauguration ceremony, the cultural show kick-started with the Kathi Nacha by the cultural troupe sponsored by the ITDA, Koraput, followed by Bhottda (Rinjodi dance) by the ITDA, Nabarangpur, Kandha dance by the ITDA, Rayagada and Ghumura dance by the RK Mission.
The main attraction of this year’s mela is the tribal village, where there are 29 tribal huts of different tribal groups.
There were a good number of visitors on the inaugural day.
Like every year, the visitors purchased tribal and forest produces like turmeric, mustard, kandula, paluaa, jhuna, blackgram, chilly powder, bodi, mung and broom sticks from the tribal haat and all other stalls of the government and government undertakings.
The festival will continue till February 5.

SOA varsity sets up Centre of Excellence for fundamental research
Bhubaneswar:   The Centre of Excellence in Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences set up by the Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University to promote original research was inaugurated by the University Chancellor Prof Khageswar Pradhan here on Thursday.
Invention or discovery in any field of science is not possible without a strong foundation in the subject and without rigorous specialization in frontier areas. The nation needs institutions of excellence fostering and consolidating original research at internationally competitive levels rather than encouraging imitative or career-oriented research, Prof. Pradhan said while addressing the gathering at the inaugural function.
The new centre would undertake fundamental and basic research in thrust areas for exploring the origin of structure of matter and the universe as well as atomic, nuclear, biological and other emerging areas in the frontiers of science, he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Rajendra Prasad Mohanty and the Director of the new centre, Prof Minaketan Parida, a scientist of international repute and Prof A C Ray, Dean (Students’ Welfare), also spoke on the occasion.
Several eminent scientists, who attended the function, congratulated the University for taking such a step to encourage fundamental research.
This is an excellent idea. This is perhaps for the first time in India that a private University has gone ahead with this kind of a venture, said Prof. Subhendra Dev Mohanty, a Professor of Physics in Michigan State University.
Prof. Siba Prasad Mishra, former Director at the Institute of Physics here, described the move as a very important venture adding that the SOA University has taken a very basic step to encourage research.
Prof Laxmidhar Satpathy, former Professor in the Institute of Physics, said that the idea conjured up by SOA University was revolutionary even as the question as to why the country was not able to invest in research remained unanswered.
Another eminent professor in physics, Prof Niranjan Barik said that the country was yet to progress in research activities and we’re playing the catch-up game with the west. This move should show the way to other institutes. We have to do something for the future, he said.
Prof P C Das, Professor in the National Institute of Science, Education and Research (NISER) here, described the establishment of the new centre as a pioneering effort.
Outlining the concept of the new centre, the Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohanty said it would constitute a critical mass of high level scientists, a well-defined structure having its own research agenda and capable of integrating connected fields and to associate complementary skills.
The centre’s vision would be to develop a learning community of the highest quality, both scientifically advanced and internationally oriented, he said.
A major objective of the centre would be to emphasise on original and indigenous research by dedicated faculty and scholars in order to regain the scientific spirit and culture of the past, Director of the Centre Prof. Parida said while recalling the contributions made by scientists like C V Raman, J C Bose, M N Saha and Satyen Bose.
University sources said path-breaking discovery in any field of science was not possible without a strong foundation.
With such an objective and without exorbitant funding the Centre of Excellence in Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences should be the right beginning which may expand its horizon in due course to attract the best brains in the country, they said.
The centre had been set up following decisions of the Planning and Monitoring Board of the University for creation of Centres of Excellence in some identified areas which was subsequently approved by the Board of Management, the sources said.

10th Kharavela fest to kick off from Jan 30
Bhubaneswar:   The 10th National Kharavela Festival 2012 will be kicked off at the foothills of Khadagiri from January 30 and the closing ceremony will be held on February 5.
Briefing newsmen here on Friday, chairman of the festival committee Dilip Kumar Nanda said that the festival is being organised by the KN Memorial Foundation, Bhubaneswar in association with the tourism and culture and panchayati raj departments, Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Song and Drama Division, Kolkota, Indian Council of Cultural Relation, Cuttack and Travel, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha.
The exhibition stalls and pavilion of exquisite handloom and handicrafts items and utility items will be opened from 3 pm to 9 pm providing an opportunity to the visitors to see and buy.
Each evening, eminent artistes and cultural troupes of national and international repute from Odisha and across the country will perform classical and folk dances.
This year apart from all classical dance forms like Odissi, Bharatnataym, Kuchupudi and Kathak among others, various folk dance groups from 14 states would perform.
In total 1, 300 artists will perform during the festival.
The Odissi dance programme by MS Koustavi Sarakar and group from the US will be the added attraction.
Besides, exotics dance from foreign lands, sponsored by Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Cuttack, will amuse the culturally ignited viewers of the festival, said sources.
The arrangements have been made with the active support and collaboration of OSRTC, I and PR, OTDC, Directorate of Tourism and Culture, BMC, BDA, CESU, district administration of Khurda and the Commissionerate Police.

‘Let the campaign for corruption-free India begin from village’
Bhubaneswar:  A mass movement against corruption has begun in India for which there is needs to further strengthen the movement. The time has come to set off this campaign from the village for the formation of a corruption-free country and let the people and political leaders irrespective of party lines should be involved.
This was the views aired by eminent freedom fighters, educationists, journalists and think-tanks during the Republic Day celebration at the Thakkarbapa Ashram premises at Balipadia in Jajpur district on Thursday.
The event was presided over by the convener of Swadhinata Sangrami Smaraki Foundation and senior journalist, Birupakhya Tripathy.
Eminent freedom fighter and President awardee Nilamani Samal and manager of the Ashram and noted freedom fighter Saraswati Devi hoisted the tri-colour.
Earlier, floral tributes were paid to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, and the Samadhi of Badachana Gandhi Brundaban Tripathy.
Among others, well-known educationist Surendranath Bhuyan, Pravakar Udgata, sarpanch candidate Sarat Chandra Behura and Aniruddha Samal, journalists Subhendu Bhuyan, Sudhansu Sekhar Jena, Raj Kishore Tripathy and Ballav Mallick spoke on the occasion.
The function was managed by the members of the Yuva Samukhya including Jatindra Tripathy, Nihar Ranjan Mohanty, Jagannath Padhi, Dhananjay Tripathy and Khirod Samal.
Students and teachers of Balipadia Primary School, Balipadia Middle English School and Balipadia Girls’ High School participated in this function.
A silent prayer was observed in the memory of eminent freedom fighters Late Purna Chandra Tripathy, Sarangadhar Samal, Jagannath Mandhata, Tila Mallick, Nila Mallick, Krushna Mohan Routray, Golakh Pradhan, Bailochan Pradhan and Basant Parida.
In the end, the school students took out a rally in the village.

‘Buddhism came as bold opposition to Vedic rituals’
Bhubaneswar:  The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies (AYOS) organised a lecture on ‘Buddha, Buddhism and Buddhist System of Education on’ here recently with the lecture being delivered by Prof VB Sastri, eminent educationist and former principal, Radhanath Training College, Cuttack.
The meeting was presided over by eminent scholar and writer Prof Rajkishor Mishra. AYOS director Dr Indulata Das introduced and welcomed the speaker, chairman and the guests.
Prof Sastri said that Buddhism is an indigenous way of life proposed by Buddha and accepted by the common mass.
Some foreigners doubt the historical existence of Buddha, but Buddha was a reality and Buddhism came as a bold opposition to the Vedic rituals.
There were sixty Buddhas in addition to Gautama Buddha. Buddhism dismissed the caste system entirely, Sastri added.
He said that Buddhism got changed in different places according to the local traditions.
The Buddhist system of education was very systematic. The Bhikshus needed to be reoriented, retrained and reformed. The students had to observe complete celibacy and follow the rules of the monastery very strictly. Shameless and immodest people, government servants, physically disabled persons and persons without parental consent were debarred from admission.
The Bhikshus, Prof Sastri further pointed out, were required to be under the moral and intellectual supervision of the Acharyas and Upadhyayas.
Sexual intercourse, theft, killing and boasting of superhuman powers were strictly prohibited for students of the Buddhist education system.
The language for Buddhist teachings was mainly Pali.
There was a question-answer session, which followed the talk, with many scholars participating in it.
The chairman said Buddha is regarded as an incarnation because of his greatness.
Mihir Kumar Mishra proposed the vote of thanks.

Print media drawing more readers despite challenges: Justice Patra
Bhubaneswar: The print media in the country has been successfully attracting more readers despite various challenges and competitions by the electronic media in the wake of globalisation, said chairman of the Odisha Rights Commission chairman Justice Radhakrishna Patra.
Speaking at the 68th Foundation Day function of the Utkal Journalists Association, Justice Patra said people always wanted credible information which the print media provides them everyday. The yeoman’s service the journalists are rendering to the people through their respective papers deserves kudos from each and all in the society, he said.
Former minister Amar Prasad Satpathy was present on the occasion as the chief guest.
Other invitees included Nimapada MLA Samir Ranjan Das, Bhubaneswar MLAs Ashok Kumar Panda and Bijay Kumar Mohanty, BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, association advisor Tapesh Ray, former president Manoj Das.
General secretary Benudhar Panda welcomed the guests and placed before all various demands of the Association.
A special issue of the ‘Odisha Vartajibi, Association mouthpiece, and ‘Mission to Success’, a book written by Dr Bijay Kumar Moharana were inaugurated by the guests.
Secretary Tushar Patnaik proposed vote of thanks.

Newly-elected PCI member felicitated
Bhubaneswar:  Newly-elected Management Committee member of Press Club of India Soubhagya Kar was felicitated by Delhi Odisha Journalists’ Association president Kishore Dwibedi, vice-president Sanjib Acharya and general secretary Pravas Pradhan in Delhi on Thursday.
During the event, Kar said that he would try his best to improve the professional pursuits and standards of the Press Club and ensure active participation of its Odisha members in the club affairs.

PNB Prerna donates computers to school
Bhubaneswar:  On the 63rd Republic Day on Friday, Head of the PNB Prerna, Odisha Circle, Subhra Mohanty distributed computers to the children of the Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, Tulasipur, Cuttack, in the presence of the school staff and other members of the PNB Prerna.
She also distributed prizes to the poor meritorious students of the school.
The NGO works for the cause of senior citizens, children and deprived women.

Hardcore dacoit nabbed
Banapur: In a joint raid, the Banpur and Balugaon police on Thursday evening arrested one hardcore dacoit, Kuna Sethi (24 yr) from inside Balugan town and seized from his possession a foreign-made pistol and live cartridges following a joint operation under the supervision of Khurda SP Dayanidhi Gochhayat.
He was arrested in connection with a recent looting on NH 5 near Chandpur, in which Dr Ajit Kar and wife Gayatri Kar had lost cash and valuables while returning in their car from Bhubaneswar.
The police forwarded him to the court on Friday.
He was sent to judicial custody after the court rejected his bail petition.
Kuna was released from Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar about one- and-half month back on bail. He was under judicial custody since August 17, 2007 as he was involved in four cases under the Khadagiri PS and one case under the Capital police station.
Native of Baunsiapada village under Itamati police station limits in Nayagarh district, Kuna started his career as a criminal with his accomplices Suka Behera and Sangram on January 14, 2007.

Two Bangladeshi refugees held
Kendrapada: The Rajnagar forest range officials on Wednesday booked two Bangladeshi immigrants under the Section 27 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 for trespassing into Barunei-Gahiramatha forest area under the Bhitarakanika National Park for collecting firewood by destroying mangrove species, and produced the duo before the JMFC, Patamundai, said Ranger Binod Acharya.
They were remanded to judicial custody as their bail petitions were rejected by the court.
The duo, said to be Bangladeshi refugees and settled at Krushnapriyapur village on the fringes of the Bhitarkanika National park, have been identified as Rabindra Mistry and Ganesh Mandal.
The forest personnel have also seized more than seven quintals of firewood of mangrove species and two boats from the duo.
Ten others fled the area during the raid.
The officials are on the look-out to nab them.

Resolve Jindal issue through talks: Govt tells dist admn
Angul: Protesting attack on land oustees of Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) by security guards, lawyers and activists of political parties on Friday blocked National Highway-55 for hours.
The state government has asked the district collector of Angul to ensure restoration of peace.
The collector is also asked to verify whether the company denied jobs to the local people and land oustees, Chief secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik told reporters in Bhubaneswar.
Patnaik was replying a to a query on Wednesday's violence at JSPL plant site in Angul where 164 people including women were injured as agitators entered into the plant premises demanding removal of labourers from outside.
JSPL executive director Rajesh Jha said that the company is are open to discussion.
We are keen to resolve the issue through talks but the villagers should respond in a positive way, he added.
Of the 160 villagers injured in the incident, seven were serious at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack while about two dozen land oustees were admitted at the district headquarters hospital here.
Four injured security guards had been admitted at a hospital in Nalco Nagar.
We have arrested two senior officials of security wing of the company based on an FIR filed by the villagers. Police has also received another FIR from the JSPL, Angul SP Satyabrata Bhoi said.
The land oustees alleged that the company defied the government's direction and gave employment to outsiders ignoring interest of the local people who gave away their land for the industry.
The lawyers of Angul district demand a CBI probe into the matter as the police turned mute spectator when company officials mercilessly beat up the innocent villagers, Bar Association, Angul, President, Dilip Das said.
Hundreds of vehicles were standard on both sides of the National Highway-42.

MindTree Kalinga starts city project
Bhubaneswar:   MindTree Limited, a global IT and Product Engineering Services Company, started work on its 20-acre campus, to be named MindTree Kalinga, in the Chandaka Special Economic Zone here on Thursday.
The campus would be built in a phased manner and the first phase of 200,000 square feet will be completed in 2013.
Students from various local educational institutions poured earth specially brought in from different corners of the world at the base of a Krishna Ficus tree at the proposed site.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik placed the earth from the state and welcomed MindTree with the comment that entry of high quality organisations to the state helps the economy and the intellectual eco-system too.
MindTree vice-chairman Subroto Bagchi commended several government agencies for getting MindTree Kalinga off the ground and promised a world-class centre that would train and deploy some of the best minds of the eastern region.

PPT to triple cargo handling capacity by 2020
Paradip: Chairman of Paradip Port Trust (PPT) G Jagannath Rao unfurled the National Flag here on the Republic Day on Thursday.
In his address to the gathering he mentioned that plans are on the anvil to increase the capacity to 251 million tonnes form the 76 million tonnes at present.
Rao took salute from a March Past of CISF jawans, contingents from the Paradip College, Odisha Maritime Academy and different schools of Paradip township along with a platoon of Port employees retiring in the year 2012.
He expressed gratitude to the residents of the Port township and nearby areas for making the valedictory function of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Paradip port on January 13 a huge success and urged the employees to improve efficiency to meet the competition form new ports.
Rao inaugurated many structures that included the new CISF Complex, Sea Farers Club, Lion’s Pillar, and Wagon Tipper.
He laid the foundation stones for 33 KV electrical sub-station and net barrier.

Companies opt for franchise route for power distribution
Bhubaneswar:  : The power distribution companies (Discoms) of Odisha have aggressively opted for franchisees to improve their Aggregate Technical and Commercial performance in power distribution.
The Reliance-controlled Discoms have taken up the task in right earnest.
At present NESCO has four inputs based franchisees and 42 numbers of collection based franchisees, WESCO has five inputs based franchisees and 14 collection based franchisees and SOUTHCO has three input based franchisees and one collection franchisee.
Franchise operations cover 3,149 villages having 143,072 consumers in NESCO, 1957 villages with 144,578 consumers in WESCO and 631 villages having 53,057 consumers in SOUTHCO.
The Electricity Act 2003 and National Electricity Policy have made it mandatory for distribution companies to deploy franchisees in all rural areas covered under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana.
The various franchisee models in operation today are collection based and input based models. Individuals, NGOs, Women Self Help Groups (WSHG) and corporate bodies are operating under various franchisee models.
Increased participation of WSHGs registered under Mission Shakti faces the hurdles of lack of a formal structure, rudimentary working knowledge and poor financial condition.
The district administration needs to step in with credit assistance and training to help them.
The energy department and the women and child development department have formulated a scheme known as SHG Energy Franchisee Arrangements (SEFA) for development of Micro Franchisee throughout the state with the help of WSHGs.
The scheme envisage constitution of a state level working groups for formulation of training documents and to conduct state level, district level and block level orientation and training programme and also constitution of selection committees headed by the Block Development Officer (BDO) and executive engineer and CDPO as members.
The entire activity is training centric and aimed at imparting skills at all levels.
As per the SEFA scheme, WSHGs are to be utilised by the discoms for collection of energy bills and allied activities in rural areas with the gram panchayat as the unit area of operation.
They will receive a performance based remuneration and will be entrusted with the activities of meter reading, billing, collection of revenue including arrear revenue, release of new service connection, theft detection, prosecution and facilitating consumer grievance redressal.

NTPC distributes Braille slates, other items to schoolchildren
Bhubaneswar:  As many as 48 Braille slates and Taylor frames along with arithmetic types and 40 headphones were provided to the students of the Bhima Bhoi School for the Blind of Bhubaneswar by the Vasudha Mahila Mandal of NTPC’s Eastern Region II Headquarters here on Friday.
The equipments were distributed among the students by Regional Executive Director (East II) of NTPC Jayadeb Nanda and president of Mahila Mandal Swarnalata Nanda on the occasion of the Republic Day.
Club members also provided a television set for the hostel of the school.
Senior executives of the company and executive committee members of the club were present. Earlier, Nanda unfurled the national Flag at a separate function in the company’s guesthouse premises at Pokhariput.