Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Inaguration Ceremony of Gurukul Resorts(Tennis Resort)



                                                                     
   Gurukul Resorts, the first Lawn Tennis  based resort in the country was  inaugurated by Shri MadhusudanPadhi IAS, Secretary Odisha Tennis Association & Transport Commissioner, Govt. of Odisha on 27th of December 2017 at Mendhasal. The resort, a dream project for one of the most leading tennis players from the state and also the first ever ATP Player from Odisha, Chinmay Pradhan, is located on the outskirts of the capital city in Mendhasal village, 12 kms away from Bhubaneswar.

Spread over an area of 1.45 acres and well planted with lovely coconut and mango trees with a little pond around the corner adding to its beauty, the resort has three fenced International standard tennis courts with floodlights, 10 cottage rooms, restaurant, cafeteria, open gym and a sitting gallery attached to it.  Chinmay Pradhan, who is also the proprietor of the project, has also received support from his coach, Santosh Kumar Mallick who is also a well-known name in Odisha Tennis, for the project.

The idea behind setting up the resort is to develop Odisha as a National Tennis Hub for development of tennis in the state in the days to come.  Lawn Tennis is an individual game in which the players come for the tournaments (ITF Futures international or AITA National), which ae ranking tournaments.

Players participate in these tournaments for ranking points and they also bear all their expenses including lodging and boarding for such tournaments. In India many tournaments are continuously conducted in different states but at different locations which makes it difficult for the players as they don’t get accommodation facilities at the venue, most of the times. Often, they have to put up at places, which are fare away from the venue. Such a problem not only increases the expenses for the players but also makes it hectic for them. Gurukul Resorts, will therefore, ensure to cater to all the essential needs of a player participant at a very reasonable price.

Since Mendhasal has already witnessed national level tennis tournaments earlier, it will serve as the perfect location for the first tennis-based resort in the state and the country. Interestingly, many young children from the village who had never heard of a sport called tennis have already performed exceedingly well at state level tournaments under the guidance of coach Santosh Kumar Mallick and inspired by their idol Chinmay Pradhan.

Five such kids from the village were also felicitated by the Chief Guest for their commendable performance during the event, which was graced by many ATP Pro Circuit professionals and National Champions all across the country. Extremely pleased with the initiative, Shri MadhusudanPadhi said the the resort will be a milestone in the development of tennis in Odisha as it will give players, especially those from Odisha, a chance to participate in more numbers of AITA tournaments which will help in the overall development of the game.

Chinmay Pradhan said the basic problem in India is lack of ITF and Pro Circuit tournaments and if Indians get enough of these tournaments like the European players, they too can do very well in the international circuit. “Gurukul Resortsis just the beginning of my vision and I dream of conducting continuous International Tennis Tournaments here just like the way it happens across successful resorts in Spain, Egypt and Turkey.”

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Media Excellence Award held in Bhubaneswar

In a bid to recognise the growing importance of work being done by print, broadcast (television and radio) and online news services and honour media professionals for their outstanding contributions in these fields, Media@Change, a forum of, by and for media professionals in Odisha, would be giving away the ‘Media Excellence Awards’. The first edition of this award ceremony was held on December 15 at Hotel Swosti Premium.

The Awards has made a humble attempt to recognise and appreciate pioneering work of media professionals who demonstrate a passionate commitment in advancing quality journalism and promoting free and fair flow of news and exchange of opinions. The idea is to encourage working journalists and media practitioners to continue being committed to high standards in their profession.

Supported by an advisory board of eminent media professionals, PNV Foundation has facilitated formation of the forum, Media@Change, to help conduct the award ceremony every year. The forum also plans to pursue activities dedicated towards development of media in Odisha.

The Media Excellence Awards was chosen by a jury comprising eminent media persons, academicians and distinguished citizens.

The awards were given away to SibaMohanty for Best Reporter (English), SandipPani for Best Reporter (Odia), Sanjib Das for Best Photo Journalist, Himanshu Guru for Best Feature Writer (English), RanjanRath for Best Feature (Odia) and Utkal G. Nanda for Best Cartoonist/Illustrator for categories in Print Media.

Similarly, Ajit Singh for Best Reporter, SitamMoharana for Best Video Journalist, Bhabani Shankar Mohapatra for Best Anchor (Male) and GayatriMohanty for Best Anchor (Female)for categories in electronic media. BasudevMahapatra received the Best Web Journalist award. Sangram Mishra received the Best Radio Jockey Award.That apart, two special awards- Lifetime Achievement Award, which was given away to Sarat Mishra, while SubhraPriyadarshini received theOutstanding Journalism (atNational/International Level)

The award distribution ceremony was preceded by a quiz for media students and a conclave. The theme of the conclave was “Muzzling the Media and the Future of Journalism.” Dr.Damodar Rout, Honourable Minister, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Mr. Prasad Harichandan, President, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr. SoumyaRanjan Patnaik, Founder-Chairman, Eastern Media Limited, Mr. Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Senior BJP Leader and Mr. Kharabela Swain, President, Utkal Bharat were the speakers at the conclave.


Saturday, November 25, 2017

Mahurat of Odia film 'Natkhat Romeo' held

The mahurat of upcoming odia film Natkhat Romeo was held recently at the Bhimeshwar temple in Bhubaneswar amid presence of cast and crews of the film. 

The film stars debutants Roshan and Lipika in the  lead roles and also stars Ollywood veterans like Mihir Das, Salil Mitra, Partibha Panda, Pintu Nanda, Bikash Nayak as well as Manisha Mishra and Pragyan.

Produced under the banner Baba Jhadeswar Movies, the film has been produced by Sibanarayan Nanda. Story, screnplay and direction will be by Ratnakar Sahoo while Pradeed Sahoo will be the cameraman. The film will be edited by Ranjan Khatei and music will be by Baidyanath Dash. The dialouges will be by AJ Sriram and publicity will be by Deepak.


Talking to News and Features the producer intimated that he will produced films one after one.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Distress Migration and Trafficking Workshop

With May Day right round the corner, a workshop on policy and data was organised by Antodaya and Action Group on Bonded Labour. It was held at the Presidency Hotel in Bhubaneshwar on April 26, 2017.

The panel consisted of Dillip Das, Chairman of Antodaya, Umi Daniel, Regional Head – Migration, Aide-et-Action and AnujaNaik, International Justice Mission.

Mr Das introduced the concept of distress migration and bonded labour and the challenges faced by those working on the issue. Bonded labour survivor Dialu shared his experience, talking about the abuse that he faced in 2013, including how his right hand was chopped off by traffickers.

“The grievance redressal mechanism of NREGA has failed in Odisha as there is no ombudsman in 24 districts for the last five years. This is affecting the employment opportunities leading to distress migration,” said Mr Das. He added, “The rehabilitation of identified bonded labour in the state of Odisha is not yet addressed despite the direction of the NHRC.”

It is extremely important that the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2016, that was supposed to be introduced in Parliament in the winter session, is passed in Parliament so that there are systems in place to safeguard migration and prevent labour trafficking. The Bill includes critical aspects of time bound and effective procedures for identification, rehabilitation and repatriation of victims and prosecution of offenders.

It was also stressed that the new rehabilitation scheme for bonded labourers that came into effect in May 2016 needs to implement effectively. There are certain gaps in the scheme that require effective and strongly monitored implementation. Linking of rehabilitation money to the prosecution of the offender will put the victim in a very vulnerable position. Therefore, there is a need to delink these components, create corpus funds and more.

She added that the rehabilitation scheme for bonded labourers that came into effect in May 2016 needs to implement effectively.


Mr Daniel stressed on the need for rehabilitation.  ‘The number of migrants is increasing and so this is vulnerability. The system needs to be a bit more proactive in providing them more support on the issue of rehabilitation. Bonded labourers are really suffering, as they are not getting the rehabilitation money due to them within the stipulated time period. There should be more livelihood options provided to the labourers during the lean period, which is when most of the distress migration occurs,” he said.

Monday, March 27, 2017

A father’s diary

The article is all about experience of a father whose son was promoted to Class Prep from Nursery. My (the blogger Himanshu Guru) son was promoted to the Prep Class in Delhi Public School (DPS), Bhubaneswar. Kids don’t need to appear an examination; but they get promoted to the higher Class through assessment and here is also the same case. However, there are some memorable moments which I would like to share. Parents of school going kids may love the piece to read.

Last year, after a thorough analysis we (me and my wife) finally decided to admit Aaradha Guru (now 5 year old), also called Hardhik, my son, in the Delhi Public School at Phulanakhara in Cuttack district. We live at Metro Satellite City in Hanspal and the School is in a minimum distance (about 10 kilometers) from our place. Besides, ranking of DPS is also very good. Again, the School bus comes right inside our colony to pick and drop the students, which was another point of selection for us.

We were in look of the advertisement for admission. In December 2015 once when I was coming through the over bridge, saw the display board in front of Utkal University. Immidiately I noted down the phone number and later called the School. The next day I went to the School to buy the form and prospectus. These facts may not be interesting for reading; but the first experience of starting the admission process of a son was thrilling for me.

The next step was to make the kid ready for the interview he would have to face to get admitted. Hardhik is very effectionate and still his diction is not clear. Especially since he loves me a lot, when he talks with me his voice is adorable. It may be a shortcoming for a student but this is a precious thing for me. However, it was the thing to be dealt with in the interview. My wife also took pain to teach him about the numerics, letters and other things that was mentioned in the prospectus.

We were called for the interview in February 2016. The teacher showed some clay items and wanted Hardhik to tell the names. Fortunately he answered everything correctly. After some more questions she intimated that the kid was selected and we should proceed to the first floor for admission. We discussed about the fees and other requirements and we were given another day for admission.

After a few days we three (me, Hardhik and my wife) went to the School for admission. I reached the reception where a beautiful teacher instructed me to first visit the cash section to pay the fees. I knew I needed to pay the thick fees which is amounting to around Rs. 80, 000, but back in that moment I got a feel that in these big short schools you have to pay for everything first and then only your chance begins. After paying the fees we proceeded to the admission section where a teacher noted down detail of the kid and parent. I recall, she wrote the details in black ink in a big register and finally said ‘welcome to DPS’. I thanked God for making me eligible to finally become father of a student.

The first day of Hardhik in School

Hardhik’s classes started in April.  On the first day I took him to the gate of Metro Satellite City (about 200 meter from our house) to catch the bus. We decided to send him in the bus so that he can learn going in a bus alone. Of course other students were there but he was not introduced to them till then. Later me and my wife went to the School in our car. It took us some time to reach the junior section’s building. We went inside and looked for Hardhik in his class room; but he was not there. We looked here and there and went nervous as we did not find him. Till then he was not issued with the identity card. We asked the teacher about our son. She assured that he should be somewhere inside the building. It was a bit relaxing for us but still we were severely worried. Finally my wife went to the first floor where she found him standing accompanied by a teacher. Since there was no identity card and the four year kid could not intimate her about his Class, she was waiting for the parents. When I saw him coming down through the staircase with his mom, I felt life returned back to me. We took him to his classroom and soon the teacher started teaching them. I recall, she showed a big teddy and asked the kids ‘who can say what is this?” when most of the kids were crying.

Later on that day I went to the bus stop to receive Hardhik. He got down from the bus wearing a paper made yellow crown. It was a memorable moment for me. He intimated that the crown was provided in the School.

Hardhik in the School bus
Daily routine

Hardhik started regularly going to the school. To catch the bus at 6 40 am daily we needed to awake at 6 am. I never awoke such early only besides a few occasion. But I had to follow the routine. I use to watch movies or working on the computer till late night. So, the task was tough. But thinking of the affection I managed the new routine.

I used to take him in my bike. He was wearing the normal uniform that constituted of a half pant. After few days rainy day began and we started going in our car. He used to waive his hands with a smile when we were parting. I also was receiving him at 12 15 pm. One day I became late for a few minutes and became worried. But someone else in our colony had brought him and my wife called me and intimated about it.

Winter days

With coming of the winter days the school intimated us to make the kid wear the winter school uniform that constituted of a full pant, full shirt and a sweater. When we were going in the bike Hardhik was sitting in front of me. I used to ask him whether he was feeling cold. He always said no, but actually he was feeling. Hence, later I tried whether he can manage to sit in the rear seat so that the wind will not dash. Thankfully within a few months he could make it.

The foggy day

Life went on and once a foggy day came. That day Hardhik cried not to go to the school. On such occasions we used to take him to his school directly in our car. We three set out. There was dense fog that day. All the vehicles on the road were driving with their head lights on. But still it was tough to see an object which was even 10 meters away. I could not judge the Phoolanakhra turning and we almost reached Cuttack. There I asked a man who intimated that we left the turning about 7 kms back. We reached the school late. But Hardhik cried not to leave him there. Somehow we left him but he continuously cried and so we decided to take him back for that day.

Hardhik (2nd from right on the back row) during the Grand parents day
Grandparents’ day

One day we got notice in the almanac that the school is going to organise Grand Parents day and we are required to pay an amount and the kid’s grand parent should be present on the occasion. I intimated about it to my father. I was not expecting he would come. But he came all the way from Balangir (around 450 kms) we all attended the function. It was a very emotional and exciting moment when we saw him on stage wearing the costume. Even no parents were on their seats but perhaps all the parents were recording the moment in their cell phones.

The last days of Nursery


During the last days we saw everyday, more home task was given. Finally, we got intimation that we are required to attend the Parents teachers meet where promotion of the kid to the upper Class (prep) will be announced. We attended the function where Sweti maam, Hardhik’s Nursery Class teacher, intimated that he will attend the prep class once the school will reopen on 21st March 2017.