National Seminar held in Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar

The two-day National Seminar ‘The Heritage Site of Khandagiri-Udayagiri: History, Conservation and Development’ organized by Khandagiri Anchalika Bikash Parishad in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management (IITTM), Bhubaneswar held on November 21-22, 2014 was concluded today evening. Held at the IITTM coinciding with the world heritage week Mr. Abasara Beuria, former Indian Diplomat was the chief guest at the valedictory function. Heritage once lost is lost for ever. Significantly, the Khandagiri-Udayagiri twin hills studded with cave monuments is both man-made and natural. Bhubaneswar is a living city of more than two thousand years and heritage should not be compromised in the name of development, stated Mr. Beuria.

 The two-day seminar made some suggestions and recommendations and a few of those are-it is felt that the conservation measures taken by the Archaeological Survey of India and other allied organizations are not adequate and expeditious steps need to taken to save the monuments from decadence; ‘The Ancient Monuments, Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment & Validation) Act 2010’ should be strictly followed and encroachments inside and outside the heritage zones removed; the caves should be protected from leakage of rain water; disfiguring of the monuments should be treated as cognizable offence and the offenders punished heavily; steps should be taken for protection of monuments by engaging heritage guards; both the hills should be brought under one compound wall and restricted to vehicular traffic; there should be regular and organized collection and treatment of  garbage and waste materials accumulated over the twin hills and outside it to maintain health, sanitation and aesthetics;  the areas in and around the twin hills should be kept clean and green with locally acceptable indigenous tree species; hoardings and signage should be placed strategically; noise and vibrations caused due to various reasons should be allowed within the prescribed decibel limits; further research may be undertaken in the field of language of inscription, music, dance, drama, musical instruments, reflections of Odishan society, culture and such other aspects; tourist amenities in terms of accommodation, transport, food court, recreation, interpretation centre, etc should be developed; the development in and outside the heritage zones should be environment, ecology and heritage friendly; an integrated vision document and road map may be prepared for integrated development of the twin hills and the adjacent areas, and a development authority may be constituted for the purpose. The UNESCO may also be moved to declare the twin hills as a world heritage site. The Interpretation Centre constructed by the Odisha Tourism Department will make operational soon.

The function was presided over by Satyabrata Dash, President of the Khandagiri Anchalika Bikash Parishad. Among others who spoke on the occasion are Amiya Kumar Pattanayak, Debendranath Satapathy, Sundara Narayana Patro, Sarat Kumar Lenka of IITTM, Jayakrishna Tripathy, L.N.Rout, Sasanka Rath, Corporator Aswini Sundaray, and Corporator Dillip Kumar Majhi. Delegates made a visit to the twin hills for on-the-spot observation

Sj. Ashoka Chandra Panda, Minister, Tourism and Culture, inaugurated the seminar on 21^st November. It was presided over by Dr. Prasanna Ku. Patasani, Member of Parliament. Sj. Ananta Narayana Jena, Mayor, Bhubaneswar was the Guest of Honour. Dr. Salil Mohanty, Vice president of AMRI Hospital also spoke. Dr. Sadasiba Pradha, Prof. of History, Utkal University presented the Key-Note Address and he was felicitated. The inaugural function was followed by three technical sessions on history, culture, tourism, environment, ecology and conservation in which 25 research papers were presented. 

Kids’ Children’s Day plan

Kids enjoying in the toy train in Kailash hill in Visakhapatnam

Children’s Day is a perfect time to remind everyone why we care about children and what it means to treat them like the treasure they are. By celebrating the younger generation, children are encouraged to contribute as valued members of the society and in shaping their own future. As this special day is meant only and only for children, the best idea is to approach the little flowers to know what exactly they want. Keeping this in mind Himanshu Guru asks some kids about how they want to spend the Children’s Day and the outcome was very much interesting.

Satyakam is a Class VIII student from Bhubaneswar. His retrospection for the Children’s Day is a bit matured.  “In the world today, millions of children live without the things we may take for granted, such as the chance to play. That’s why reaching the poorest and most marginalized communities is part of my planner on the D day. I, along with some of my identical minded classmates have decided to ask our parents for gifts, old clothes, toys and other stuff, which we would give to the poor kids. They are very much like us, but they do not get chance to go for studies. Rather their poverty makes them to go to work. So, at least by handing over these stuff to them we would be happy that we could bring smile on their face at least for a moment,” Satyakam said.

“I want to play a lot on the Children’s Day. Actually I have become bored to live the routine life. I need to go to the school, to the tuition and also need to do a lot of homework given by my teachers. Children’s Day will be celebrated in our school in the morning hour. I have decided to play in the school ground after the observation will be over. Even, I have talked to some of my school friends and all of us will take some playing equipments with us that day and we all will play till we will be exhausted,” said Ritika, a Class V student from Patnagarh in Bolangir district.

Anurag

Anurag studies in Class X in the JP International School in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh. He is an avid photographer. He wants to shoot a short film on children on that day. “Doing extraordinary things will get me recognition in my school. So, I have decided to shoot a short film to bring plight of poor kids to the fore, who cannot make it to the school. When I travel in the school bus, I often see some kids roam around in the road with a jute bag on their shoulder and collect rotten plastic bags and bottles. I don’t know what they do with that. But as I see them everyday doing so, I am confirm they do not attend school. I am very sad about it. I know, I cannot think like elder people, but I can shoot them to make a video film. I have taken permission from my mom to use her video camera and she has promised me to help me in completing the film. This is my way of celebrating the day,” said Anurag.

Khushi

“Smile is the most precious thing in life, but I feel our generation has forgotten this fact. Even, smile means a lot to me. I have decided to make other children smile on that day. My ‘mission smile’ will kick off from my school friends. I am very good in making jokes. I have downloaded a bunch of Santa and Banta jokes using my father’s cell phone. My name has been selected to deliver some jokes in front of the gathering in my school. If I would be successful to bring laugh to the audience’s face it will be a great thing, I feel,” says Khushi, a Class IV student from Bolangir.

An interview with Bollywood actor Saurabh Shukla

Bollywood actor Saurabh Shukla, best known for his role as ‘Kallu Mama’ in film ‘Satya’ was in Bhubaneswar recently to attend the anniversary celebration of Oriya magazine ‘Kadambini’ when I got a chance to ask a few questions and his answers were touching. A report by Himanshu Guru.

Bollywood actor Saurabh Sukhla

Do you ever feel recognition came to you late despite being in the industry for long?

I shifted to Mumbai in 1993 and during that time there was a problem I faced that nobody believed my stories. I kept on telling producers that it is an original script but nobody accepted. Today, a number of producers come to me asking for original scripts.

Did you ever expect the National Award for your character in Jolly LLB?

While doing the work I did not expect but did wish if whatever I did is recognised and liked by people. Although the award came as a complete surprise, I don’t think that I have waited for it. My biggest award is the happiness that I received from my work. But, receiving the only award in the country which is not commercial award was a humble feeling.

Do you think ‘Kallu Mama’ has overcast your other roles?

I think if you ask the audience they will be the best judge. People know me by that because when I played that character I was new to the industry and the character connected to the audience so mush so that they still recognize me by that name.

What type of role you prefer to do?

Yes, I don’t have a personal choice; I like to play varying shades. Personal choice means playing on a known ground but I prefer unknown grounds.

Out of acting, direction and writing, what you prefer the most?

The way people want. Writing depends on the mood and it’s tiring sometimes. Acting is fun and it gives pleasure. For direction, you need multiple skills to coordinate a lot of things together. Each medium has it own way of representation.  

SCREENING OF FILM ON “MIGRATING CHILDHOOD”

Bhubaneswar: Migration information & Resource Centre (MiRC), Aide et Action International- South Asia in collaboration with Bernard van Leer Foundation released and screened “Migrating Childhood”- a documentary unfolding the lives of migrant children living at worksites on 22^nd September, 2014 in Hotel Crown, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

The event started with a welcome address by Mr. Umi Daniel, Regional Thematic Head, Aide et Action International who briefed the participants about the film. The address was followed by the release of the film by a panel of five which included Mr. Biren Das (Filmmaker), Ms Dharitri Patnaik (India Representative- Bernard van Leer Foundation), Mr. Teki Vishy (Director, Communication Resource Centre), Mr. Digambar Saptahthy and Mr. Umi Daniel (Regional Thematic Head- Aide et Action International- South Asia).

Later, the film was screened and the house was open for discussion. According to Mr. Teki Vishy, “There are lots of migrant children living at the worksites who miss out on early childhood care and education and fall prey to child labour. They fail to get access to the basic entitlements and government services. Health is a bigger issue which such children face when they migrate along with their parents to live in such unsafe, unhealthy and hazardous environment.” He added, “I am thankful to Aide et Action for giving me this opportunity to direct this film and capture the issue on our lenses.”

Sharing his experience about the film, Filmmaker Mr. Biren Das said that the film has been beautifully portrayed. According to him, “It’s good to see such a complex issue being captured in such a simple way. I hope government takes some proactive action o this issue and provide the children a better living.”

The documentary was shot in four cities of India- Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chennai and Hyderabad. The film depicts the plight of children of migrant workers and lay forward solutions towards creating safe & healthy environment for children living in unhygienic, unsafe and hazardous worksites like brick kilns, construction sites and stone crusher units.

The film aims at creating public awareness and raise policy issues to better the lives of migrant children who spend half of their lives in worksite while they migrate with their parents. It is conceptualized by Aide et Action International- South Asia with support from Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF). The video is produced by Communication Resource Centre (CRC), Hyderabad.

Background

Aide et Action intend to address the issues of seasonal young migrants who migrate along with their parents to different locations of the country in search of better living and livelihood. As per UNESCO, 2011 report, annually 50 million migrants in India migrate seasonally in search of wage employment. Out of the total migrant, 15 percent of them are children. The young migrants generally accompany their parents and live in very unhealthy, unfriendly living conditions at various worksites like brick kiln, stone crusher, building construction and other informal sectors. The elder and adolescent ones often migrate with their parents to look after their siblings and help their parents in wage work. Mostly the migrant families and their young ones get excluded from accessing basic govt services and entitlements both at source and destination. Since children are excluded from accessing quality child care, nutrition, and safe & healthy environment while living at the temporary location as migrants, it often results to their malnourishment, ill health and morbidity, which also hampers their psychological, cognitive and physical growth.

India is home to the largest child population in the world of 420 million children in the 0-18 year age group. The Indian State guarantees all children their rights and entitlements under the Constitution of India through its various provisions. According to the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution, it is an obligation of the State to ensure that children are protected from exploitation, moral and material abandonment throughout the period of growth and development. However, in India millions of children grow without any social and legal protection. One such category is that of vulnerable migrant children who are still considered as invisible and unnoticed due to their frequent mobility and fragmented location. As per UNESCO, 2011 report, around 15 million children in India are migrants and are denied of their right to basic entitlements, rights and services guaranteed in the UN declaration and the Constitution of India. These children face vulnerability being out of their domain and at the workplace; they are mostly away from care and protection, health and nutrition, learning and exposure, and overall childhood wellbeing in comparison with their peer in the source village.

Based on the study conducted by Aide et Action in 2013, children in the 0-14 year age group constitute 47% of the total child population. These migrant children do not access their basic rights & entitlements in destination areas as they remain invisible and undocumented by the Government; do not get enrolled into Anganwadi, or local schools due to the language barrier. Children in the early years are particularly more vulnerable. Deprivation at this stage affects human beings throughout their whole life cycle. Those who are neglected or abused in the first years of life suffer damage from which they may never fully recover and that may prevent them from reaching their full potential as older children, adolescents and eventually as adults. Lack of access to proper food and health services lead to malnutrition which not only weakens children physically, it also impairs their ability to learn.

The film aims at influencing various stakeholders like the government, the INGOs, Civil Society Organizations, Facility Owners and the Media to look into the issues of these migrant children and adopt ways to better their lives by providing them access to the basic rights and entitlements, safe, healthy and learning environment at worksites.

Free health camp held in Bhubaneswar

On the occasion of Gandhi & Shastri Jayanti on 2nd October 2014, the Aaradhya Charitable Trust (ACT) organized a free health check up and medicine distribution camp at Ramadevi Uchha Balika Bidyalaya in Naharkanta, Bhubaneswar (Odisha). Sagarika Satapathy, Managing Trusee of the organization, Hemant Pande and member Soyong Kanta Samantray was present in the occasion.

About 50 girls took part in the camp and received health advice as well as medicine. Ms Swati S Patra and other staff of the school helped in the successful execution of the programme. Dr. Mamata Mohanty, Gynecologist, who had provided her consent to execute the health check up arrived at the venue at 10 AM while the announced time of the health camp was 8 AM to 11 AM. Even she left the place merely after attending 3 to 4 girls without paying heed to the request of everybody present there. After a while a Pharmacist was sent for, who actually checked health of all the girls and free medicine was distributed. Two staff nurses and one health assistant helped him in execution of the camp.

Free health check up camp organized by Aaradhya Charitable Trust in Bhubaneswar, Orissa

Ranipur Jharial in Balangir, Orissa

If you have passion for historical monuments having with some religious value, take a trip to Ranipur-Jharial, the twin village in Balangir district that houses some rare temples and structures. The 9^th century Indralath temple made off bricks, the Chausathi Yogini shrine, the Someswar Mahadev temple and the large Yantras, carved on the rock are the main attraction of this archeological site in the Bangomunda block and Titlagarh subdivision. Around 200 temples of different dimension are found here. A report by Himanshu Guru.

Background

Ranipur Jharial is mentioned as ‘Soma Tirtha’ in scriptures. Perhaps it takes the name from the Someshwar Mahadev temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, found on the rocks of this historical site. As per historians, the Somavanshi Keshari kings built many temples here that can be dated back to the 9th/10th century AD, however some other Historians assign date of the structures to 8th century A.D. Yet, at the top of all, it is unquestionably a place having with the ancient structures of historical and religious importance.

Exterior view of the 64 Yogini temple in Ranipur Jharial

The Chausathi Yogini shrine

Interior view of the 64 Yogini temple

The Chausathi Yogini shrine found in this site is a rock structure in round shape where idols of 64 Hindu deities, known as yoginis are witnessed. Actually we noticed there 62 idols. The shrine also has a rock statue with a perch in the middle, which is claimed as the idol of Lord Brahma. Unlike temples of other deities Brahma shrine is rarely found.




 
Indralath Brick temple

Indralath (Brick) temple

The unique structure, Indralath temple is one of the tallest ancient brick temples in the country. Height of this temple is 80 feet including the platform made off sand stone. While the ancient pinnacle of this temple is destroyed, the temple is more or less intact. The innermost sanctum of this temple houses a recently installed Linga and images of Lord Vishnu, Kartikeya and Uma-Maheshwara and Narasingha are also witnessed here.

Someshwar Mahadev temple

Someshwar Mahadev temple

The Someshwar temple here has images of Goddess Durga, a bull (transporter of Lord Shiva), and a Dwarapala. On the lintel of the entrance to the innermost room (Garbhagriha) Gajalaxmi is also seen besides the Shivalinga. On the entrance wall a deity possibly a Buddha or a Siddha in dhyana-mudra is found.

The Yantras

The Yantras

Yantras are a religious drawing which is believed to be the abode of the Gods and Goddesses and thus have much importance in worship. We know about Shree Yantra, Kuber Yantra etc. which are drawn on 2 inch square shape and placed at the worship place in a house. But here in Ranipur one can witness gigantic yantras carved on the rocks which is a rare scene. Some people claim these drawings related to Tantra.

How to Approach

Ranipur Jharial is located in the Bangomunda block at a distance of 110 kilometers from the district headquarter of Balangir district. It is 25 kms from Titilagarh, the nearest town. Nearest railway stations are Titilagarh Junction and Balangir to approach this destination. In road ways either come from Titilagarh or come from Balangir through Patnagarh, Kantabanji, Bangomunda and then a left turn at the ‘Golei chowk’ of Bangomunda. Then after travelling 2 kms take the kacha road of 8 km to reach the destination. Hired vehicles are available at Balangir and Titilagarh. For information and guidance one can call my friend Rashmiranjan Putel, a media personnel (Ph. +91 9938596595) of Bangomunda.

Facilities

Boating in water park in Ranipur Jharial

Hired Boating facility in the nearby river is recently launched in Ranipur Jharial where one can take a ride in the blue water to have a glimpse of the number of temples on the rocks from the water body. A park has also been built that houses few animals too. However, there is no hotels or eatery right at the destination and one should plan (for a to and fro journey) accordingly.




Best time to visit


Ranipur Jharial can be visited across the year. However, as such the temperature of Balangir district rises to a considerable extent during summer and the structures are purely on rock without any flora and fauna, visiting this place in summer may earn lot of difficulties due to the extreme heat. Thus, visit to this place during tough days of summer are not recommended.

Little Flowers in Big Trouble

Child is like a flower that needs to be brought up with much care, attention and affection. But unfortunately a number of children befall victims of big troubles including trafficking, abuse, health deterioration etc. It is the collective responsibility of the society to think seriously for this vulnerable community of society. Despite a series of government laws and schemes, effort by NGOs and some other entities, children are yet to get more. Himanshu Guru lately visited Basudevpur, a village in Puri district to evaluate position of children community there and herewith reports their plight.

Children interacting with media in Basudevpur

Subhashree Pradhan

Subhashree Pradhan, a student of Kanakdurga High School in Basudevpur informs that the route to their school that connects with a nearby hamlet, from where around 100 numbers of students regularly come to the school, was not safe for the girls as it was merely a ‘Junglee’ path with lots of bushes on the road. Even the connecting bridge was an old wooden one and the problem was never taken up. In 2011 a group of activists from a NGO named ‘Save the Children’ visited their village to interact with the children. They educated about child rights and persuaded the children to fight for their own cause.  

Accordingly Pradhan and her student friends created a child group and put the problems before the village Sarpanch. Initially they were ignored but later the elderly people felt that children should also be given a chance to tell about their problems. Ultimately their plight was taken up and a sum was allocated for a concrete bridge. It was a success story for which the children group must be petted but the story does not end there.

Sona S. Singhar

Sona Samant Singhar (12), a student of class 9 complains that there are three peons in their school but the students are still engaged in works including sweeping of the class rooms. Mamata Jena (13) of class 8 intimated that the village does not have a health centre besides a private one and so they face a lot of problems. 

Shibanishankar Mishra (14) of class 9 complains that there is no boundary wall in the school and we find empty wine bottles everyday in the premises. Is it not the right time to take up these problems?

Shibani S. Mishra

Interestingly, despite hurdles some student became successful in creating student groups and these days they are also allowed to take part in the ‘Palli Sabha’, where people of a village sit and discuss about community problems and to take a measure. After being intimated about child rights they are now running child groups to take up different problems and wanted to give the credit to ‘Save the Children’ and ‘Open learning System’.

During this field visit of the blogger (Himanshu Guru) he not only heard the students but also wanted to know opinion of the Sarpanch, elderly people of the village and the activists. When asked about their point of view on children, Prananath Sasmal, Sarpanch and other seniors of the village stated that they are ready to allow the children to come up with their plight.

Not only in Basudevpur but it is time now for all the children to raise voice. We know, it seems awkward but many people strongly feel that the children themselves should come forward to bring a big change in the society.

Shyamal Dash

‘Save the Children’ recently organized a conference titled ‘More than breaking news’ in Puri and invited top brass media professionals from six states to focus on the problems related to children. They narrated about their execution process as well as achievements on redress of children’s issues and appealed the media personnel to come up with suggestions on how more can be done for the children. In this meet, senior media members also presented their papers and showcased short films. These films basically provided message protesting female foeticide, early marriage of girls, trafficking and restraining girls from education. Communication Coordinator for Bihar and Orissa of ‘Save the Children’ Shyamal Dash informed that children don’t have really a child-life these days since most of them are engaged in even hazardous professions. Advocacy director Sirin Vakil Miller intimated that it is time to focus on the issues of the most marginalized children of the country.

Inter state Media conference by Save the Children in Puri

It is true that children in India are becoming prey of social evils. A number of children are engaged in different professions and even in begging. Laws are there for their safeguard and govt. agencies as well as social workers are putting effort to deal with the matter, but lot more need to be done to see a smile on the face of these little angels.

Temporary wood bridge mentioned in the article