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.