FOUNDED BY Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab Vol-XVI No-49 Cuttack November 30-December 06, 2007 Weekly 16 Pages Rs. 2.00 E-mail: [email protected] Gas reserves near Sun temple ? Orissa acclaims SC verdict on Vedanta Konark: An expert team Bhubaneswar: Welcom- question of withdrawing the court order. of Oil India Limited (OIL) has ing the Supreme Court’s ver- project. The minister said the He said the state govern- moved to the world famous dict on the Vedanta mining state has to float a Special Pur- ment would abide by the di- Sun Temple at Konark for project, the Orissa govern- pose Vehicle (SPV) for rection of the court in letter studying the feasibility of the ment said it would benefit the scheduled area development and sprit because it had cat- gas reserves, after a local citi- state and also the project. of Lanjigarh project in egorically said that it (court) zen said he has found inflam- Chief minister Naveen was not against the project in mable gas while digging a Patnaik hailed the Supreme principle. It only seeks safe- well. According to the state Court verdict saying it had guards by which we are able run gas exploring company virtually given a go ahead to to protect nature and officials, a person identified Nayak also reportedly said the Vedanta project in princi- subserve development, the as Nilamani Nayak of Kundei that his family has been us- ple. minister said quoting a por- Village at Konark, notified ing the gas for cooking pur- The judgment would tion of the judgement. accidentally the eruption of poses for about a month by rather help to expedite imple- Welcoming the judgement, inflammable gas while dig- laying a plastic pipe. mentation of the project Kalahandi district in which the the minister pointed out that ging a well. The expert team Earlier OIL bureaucrats which was till now uncertain, stake holders would be Orissa it was better for Orissa be- moved there to find out any had visited the village and said Orissa's Steel and Mines government, Orissa Mining cause it would get adequate feasibility of methane depos- suggested for a detailed study Minister Padmanabha Behera. Corporation (OMC) and funds for forest, wildlife its in Konark, officials added. in the area. He said there was no Sterlite, according to the management and l P 15 Orissa to get its Mahtab suggests scientific road map Orissa hikes first shipyard New Delhi: Lok Sabha dumping boulders in the sea and it is due to that the coast- remuneration of teachers/ at Dhamra MP from Cuttack, Sri to minimize the erosion, he line of Orissa are getting sikshya sahayaks Bhartruhari Mahtab stressed said in the House. He also re- eroded. Orissa State Govern- Bhubaneswar: Unper- Bhadrak:The Orissa upon the urgent need to for- quested the Ministry of Earth ment has sought expert ad- turbed by noisy scenes cre- government has cleared mulate & embark on a plan vice from the Integrated ated by opposition, Orissa seven investment proposals to prevent erosion of sea- Sea erosion:Orissa Coastal and Marine Area Man- Chief Minister, Naveen totalling Rs 13,320 crore, beaches in Orissa. He said seeks Oceanography agement Project Directorate Patnaik announced hike in including one shipyard and that there was a need to have Dept's intervention of Chennai and other institu- remmuneration for the agitat- six mineral-based indus- a scientific road map to pro- tions, he informed. ing teachers working in block tries. tect the beaches. Sciences to step in to salvage The Orissa government grant institution and thou- The shipyard to come Centre should provide the position. has also requested the union sands of Sikshya Sahayaks up near Dhamra in Bhadrak funds to build 2-3 metre high It is apprehended that the Oceanography ministry to (SS). "Sikshya Sahayaks who district will be built by APJ- sea walls along the beach by sea current is changing course suggest ways to l P 15 are getting Rs 2,000 honorium Bharati Shipping Company per month will be given Rs which had submitted a pro- LS adjourned as Orissa MPs protest Maken order 3,000 per month," said posal of Rs 2,200 crore. New Delhi: A Union min- Patnaik adding that after com- The proposals were cleared Privilege motion against Maken passed ister's call to Congress legis- pletion of three years con- by the single window clear- lators in Orissa to stall assem- Bhubaneswar: Accusing Congress leadership of ask- tinuous and satisfactory en- ance committee (SWCA) bly proceedings in support of ing party MLAs in Orissa to continue to stall assembly pro- gagement, the honoriuum of headed by Ajit Tripathy, the people's demands led to up- ceedings, ruling BJD in Orissa moved a privilege motion such SS will be enhanced to state chief secretary. roarious scenes in the Lok against union minister Ajay Maken. As the state assembly Rs 3,500 per month. Other projects which Sabha, after opposition MPs remained paralysed for over a week since its winter ses- The benefit would be got the SWCA nod include from the state raised the is- sion began over Congress demand for a debate on water to made effective with effect those from Essar Steel, SL sue. The House was ad- industries from Hirakud reservoir, BJD member Kalpataru from December one 2007, he Mining and Industries, Dev journed for a short while af- Das moved a Privilage motion against Maken who is also in said. Patnaik said the SSs who Ferro Alloys, Orissa Man- ter the agitated MPs trooped charge of the party in Orissa. had completed six years of ganese Private Limited, Ravi to the well of the House. Ajay Maken, the AICC's Charan Sethi, a senior BJD service would become eligi- Metalics and Koustav Min- The protesting Orissa Orissa in-charge, issuing "ob- MP, accused the minister of ble to be regular primary ing Pvt Ltd. These projects MPs objected to Minister of jectionable" directions to the "instigating" his partymen to school teachers under zilla would provide P 15 l State for Urban Development Congress MLAs. Arjun stall assembly proceedings. parishad. 2 Letters to the Editor HERE & THERE Taslima issue 12 injured in protest and his disciples to accept recently. The quake, with its Sir, Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen’s charge that the against POSCO plant Islam or they would be epicentre at latitude 20.8 de- destroyed. The sender signed Kolkata police brought mental pressure on her to leave the city is Paradip: At least 12 people, grees north and longitude 84.8 himself as Al Qaeda. 'The mutt unfortunate. The government is doing its best to protect her from degree east, was recorded at including two women, were officials reported the matter to injured in a clash between 2325 hours, the meteorological fundamentalists. The last thing we expect her to do in return is to police Wednesday. I have gone supporters and opponents of centre here said. blame the government for the adverse situation in which she through it and it could be a fake finds herself. It is time she stopped insisting on returning to POSCO's proposed Rs 52,000 threat, because the writing has Balloon blast hurts 7 crore greenfield steel plant near Kolkata. The people of West Bengal do not want riots. She can several spelling errors,' district Puri: At least seven per- here, police said. The two sides opt for another State and save the government the embarrass- police chief Asit Panigrahi told. sons sustained burn injuries fought a pitched battle using 'However, we are not taking a ment of having to deport her because of political unrest. sharp edged weapons and and were admitted to a hospital chance. We have deployed five ––Arijit Mukherjee, Cuttack sticks besides indulging in here after an advertisement bal- armed men at the mutt and loon burst here. The balloon stone pelting near Nuagaon tightened security around it. village in the proposed project We are inquiring into the burst when some people were as they said it... site, causing injuries to genuineness of the letter.' trying to release it in the open I don't think living in a foreign country between the ages members of both groups, police of six and 10 is foreign policy experience. Pattnayak appointed as sky near the venue of the five- said. Trouble erupted when day Puri Beach festival which ––US presidential aspirant Hillary Clinton several PPSS activists were DGP (fire services) concluded recently. The injured If Taslima Nasreen's stay in West Bengal creates a prob- proceeding nearby Nolia Sahi in place of Mohanti have been admitted to the lem for peace, she should leave the State. to invite people for a meeting Bhubaneswar: Orissa gov- of anti-project camp at Dhinkia ernment appointed former Di- district government hospital. ––Communist leader Biman Bose While one person is serious I have no plans to come back from retirement. You have as they were challenged by a rector General of Police (DGP) group of steel plant supporters, others have sustained minor to come back for a reason. I just stay home and watch Roger Amarnanda Pattnayak as the they said. What began as a new DGP (fire services) earlier burn injuries and are out of Federer win on television. verbal duel and minor scuffle held by suspended top cop B danger, a district intelligence ––Former tennis player Pete Sampras soon snowballed into a violent B Mohanti who remained elu- official told. A good singer is an epitome of talent, honesty and dedica- clash, they said, adding anti- sive for more than three months. 2 held with explosives POSCO group was angry over tion. And most importantly, they need to grow as a singer. According to a notification Sambalpur: A college teacher entry of seven employees of a issued by the home ––Playback singer Lata Mangeshkar and a businessman were arrested I don't need to promote Om Shanti Om through cricket. dredging firm into the area with department, Pattnayak was the backing of project posted as the new Director for suspected links with Naxalites ––Actor Shah Rukh Khan supporters. As situation in the General of Police (fire service) from Naktideual area near here and entire area remained tense, and Commandant, Home a huge quantity of explosives was police maintained a close vigil Guards. The post was lying seized from them, police said. The Gospels from Eternity to prevent any further flare up, vacant after Mohanti was two were caught during an anti- they added. suspended on August 24. Maoist drive by the CRPF while U indicates Taijasa. Those who know this, by mastering Official sources said that the Policemen deployed travelling on a motorcycle. After even their dreams, become established in wisdom. In their at Puri mutt after government placed Mohanti family Everyone leads the spiritual life. under suspension on August a thorough search, as many as 107 —The Mandukya Upanishads terror threat 24 after a non-bailable warrant gelatine sticks weighing 13.37 kg, (NBW) was issued against him. All creatures take birth as sin-less and full of nectar and Puri: Policemen have been 223 detonators and 30-metre long deployed at the Govardhan Mohanti was accused of maintain basic purity in its existence even if their own evil safety fuse wire, besides some Mutt in Puri after the seminary helping his rape convict son letters and literature were found doings soil them over with impurity temporarily. received a postcard threatening Bitihotra jump parole in —The Vedas to eliminate it and its Rajasthan. from them, police said. Though Mere birth does not make a good king. If the prince is Shankaracharya along with his Mild tremor in Orissa it was yet to be ascertained whether the duo had links with disrespectful of his elders and discourteous to young, he is disciples, police said. The mutt, Bhubaneswar: An not worthy of being the king. He must be noble in behaviour about 56 km from here, earthquake of slight intensity Naxalites who have been active as well as in birth. reportedly received a postcard measuring 2.8 on the Richter in the area, both were booked —The Mahabharata that asked the Shankarachaya Scale was felt in parts of Orissa under the Explosive Sub- stances Act, they said. People-Society-Faith EDITED Printed and or water with devotion. Only when devotion takes root will the Need for devotion desire for liberation become intense. Published by Devotion to God (Bhakti) is prescribed for all in spiritual The Vivekachudamani describes devotion as “continuous Bhartruhari Mahtab tradition as the means to realise God. To dispel the wrong notion contemplation of one’s essential nature,” which is the blissful that it is not given as much emphasis in Advaita Vedanta because Self (Atman). This arises from the knowledge that God is not far on behalf of Jnana (knowledge of the Self) is the direct means to liberation in but within, as the Self. So devotion is equated with contemplation Prajatantra Prachar Samity this school, preceptors have highlighted its importance wherever (Nidhidhyasana). Another form of devotion is meditation on the at Prajatantra Press, it is necessary. Sankara in his seminal work Vivekachudamani Self as the Absolute arising from the understading of the identity stresses the role of Bhakti to drive home that it is the foundation of the Atman with the Absolute Self (Brahman). An aspirant Prajatantra Buildings, on which the entire spiritual edifice rests. who has the necessary prerequisites to pursue the spiritual path Cuttack- 753002. Only the performance of the enjoined daily duties along with intensively should approach a Guru, who is Self-realised, with Phone- 2607183 devotion will cleanse the mind of its latent tendencies, which humility and serve him, and beseech him to impart Self- impede spiritual growth. A spiritual seeker must remember that it knowledge. The example of Narada is often cited to underscore Fax- 2607111, 2608111 is not possible for one to exist even for a second without divine the necessity of a Guru. The sage was well-versed in all the Gram- PRAJATANTR. grace. The Supreme Being is all-pervasive and also immanent in disciplines, yet, spiritual knowledge eluded him and it was only all. In devotion the attitude is important and not ostentatious after he approached Sanatkumara for learning it that he became Email : ceremony. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna has said that He enlightened. Only a Guru can impart Self-knowledge because [email protected] is pleased even with the simple offering of a leaf, a flower, a fruit unlike other disciplines this is experiential in nature.

THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 3

India-ASEAN Relations THOUGHT TO TREASURE Catching up with China We have just enough religion to make The Prime Minister Dr. Chintamani Mahapatra Europeans and the Japanese us hate, but not enough to make us Manmohan Singh has given have begun to focus attention love one another. top priority to improving new foreign policy strategy of on the growing Indian relations with the Association “Look East” brought economy. So are the ASEAN — JONATHAN SWIFT of South East Asian Nations dividends. Sooner than later, member countries. (ASEAN). His visit to New Delhi became a founding Can India’s economy Singapore recently to attend a member of East Asia Summit — successfully integrate with that summit with ASEAN leaders a larger Asian initiative to forge of the ASEAN? New Delhi was and subsequently participate regional cooperation in a much initially reluctant to join this in the East Asian Summit is wider area than ever before grouping. The ASEAN later likely to further cement the contemplated. gave a cold shoulder to India Cuttack, November 30, 2007, Friday growing engagement of India India’s first Prime Minister both because of political with the countries of the East. Jawaharlal Nehru dreamt of an reasons — the Cold War India’s “Look East” policy Indian role in the Asia-Pacific considerations and the LITTLE DIFFERENCE is much less controversial and while in prison during the Pakistan factor. Both these The discussion on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal in contentious than India’s freedom struggle. He also tried factors are non-existent now. the Lok Sabha on Wednesday was elucidatory in that engagement with the countries to lead a new initiative in But the absence of political the nation has now a clear idea of where the government of West Asia. The Eastern part forging Asian regional hurdles is not enough. Political of India is a growth area, while will is essential to make the best and other political parties stand on the issue. From the cooperation by calling for such the Western part is an area of a mechanism at the Asian use of the opportunity. The speech of Leader of Opposition Lal Krishna Advani, it enormous energy resources. To Relations Conference in 1947 current leadership appears to is transparent that his party’s opposition to the deal is maintain the current rate of and 1949. However, regional have had the will and it is all more for the sake of opposition than for substantial economic growth New Delhi events in South Asia then reflected in the efforts to sign a reasons. At the end of the day, all that the BJP wants is needs to maintain and enhance overtook such a grand initiative free trade agreement with the to renegotiate those clauses in the deal that “encroach” its cooperation with both the and India spent more time and ASEAN. on India’s sovereignty. In other words, it does not want dynamic economies of the East energy in dealing with Secondly, India needs to do and the oil producing countries some catching up with China a repudiation at this stage of the deal arrived at through bordering enemies. of the West. Not until the collapse of the in the fields of economic painstaking negotiations spread over two years. While However, India appears to Soviet Union and wide ranging performance, diplomatic skill as some of his complaints like the government’s failure to be more successful in its economic reforms could India well as military modernization evolve a political consensus on the deal are in order, he oriental economic and political revive Nehru’s dream of to be able to play an influential has, unfortunately, stopped short of admitting that the ventures. During the Cold War engaging in wider regional role in the ASEAN. BJP will support the government if such concerns are days, most of East and South- cooperative efforts in the Asia- Thirdly, the positive Indo- East Asia, including China, was Pacific region. The “Look East” US engagements will go a long addressed. pro-US oriented. India way to assist Indian efforts to The BJP leader is not alone in expecting the policy announced with much maintained cordial ties with fanfare by the Narashimha Rao be a role player in the Asia- government to elaborate on what the UPA-Left Indo-Chinese countries and Government failed to take off Pacific. The American committee on the nuclear deal has decided. All that is North Korea and was thus due to a variety of reasons. hegemony in this region is real, known is that the Left parties have allowed the viewed with suspicion by the First of all, India got stuck accepted in the region and government to discuss with the International Atomic majority of the countries of this with another grand plan to privately appreciated by many. Energy Agency India-specific safeguards with the region. forge regional cooperation in China has prospered under the In addition, the relatively US hegemony and quietly proviso that they should be taken into confidence before the Indian Ocean Region — restricted economic policy of IOARC-- and a smaller version desires it to stay. Some Indian inking any agreement. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh India failed to engage the of sub-regional cooperation leaders and analysts still has in his intervention made it clear that the 123 dynamic and rapidly growing known as BIMSTEC. The conjure up negative images of Agreement did not take away the right to conduct further economies, such as South nuclear test of 1998 and the the US role to the complete tests from India. What this implies is that if at any point Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Kargil War of 1999 also had a exclusion of its positive of time India feels that Pokharan III is necessary, no Malaysia and a few others. role in the lackluster influences. More regrettably, power can prevent it from doing so. This categorical The end of the Cold War performance of the “Look East” Indians do not discuss how to coincided with India’s benefit from the existing system assertion, the first since the national debate began, should strategy. economic reforms. The The UPA Government led that is unlikely to be replaced put to rest speculations about India’s ability to test should expansion of the ASEAN to by Prime Minister Manmohan in the near future. All this is an exigency arise. include the three Indo-Chinese Singh has invested substantial partially reflected in the At the time of Pokharan II, a self-imposed morato- countries of Vietnam, Laos and diplomatic and political capital discussion on the Indo-US rium on testing was announced by the then Prime Min- Cambodia, improvement in to broaden and deepen India’s nuclear deal. ister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was claimed at that time Indo-US relations and Sino- economic and political But the bottom line is: India Indian cooperation all cooperation with the ASEAN is incapable of playing the role that the scientists had gained adequate knowledge and of a revisionist power now. It had built such a database that there was no necessity contributed towards a countries. What is the likely transformed and more positive outcome of India-ASEAN needs to take care of the above- for further tests. Even so, no country would like its image of India in the ASEAN. emerging initiatives? Several mentioned points to be able to sovereign right to take such decisions become a India’s status was factors will influence the course emerge as a meaningful partner casualty of a bilateral agreement. Given this explanation, enhanced from a sect oral of this emerging relationship. of the ASEAN — the most it is incumbent upon the Opposition specially the Left dialogue partner to a full First of all, India’s successful regional front not to create any roadblocks in the dialogue partner. Also, India’s continued economic cooperation arrangement in Asia. [INFA] operationalisation of the 123 Agreement which will be inclusion as a member of the performance alone can promote ASEAN Regional Forum and closer cooperation with the ––School of International in the long-term strategic interest of India. r r the Indian efforts to devise a ASEAN. The Americans, Studies, JNU

THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 4 Views

Once upon a time, rural off in this area. employment programmes in NREGA: Dismantling the contractor raj The silver lining is that, even in Orissa, the traditional Orissa (or for that matter in of the wages paid according to Jean Drèze one has to refer to the first page much of India) were safely in the muster rolls had actually of the Job Card, which is often system of extortion seems to the hands of private reached the labourers in English! The meaning of the be finding it harder and harder contractors and their political concerned. This is a major A recent survey worksite code, for its part, is to survive. In fact, contractors masters. The game was roughly achievement, especially in on NREGA in anyone’s guess. In this and are not particularly happy with as follows. Private contractors contrast with the situation just other ways, the Job Card is NREGA; vulnerable as it may were the direct recipients of two years ago when a similar western Orissa virtually unreadable, even for be, the system has become “work orders,” and of the survey in the same area had points to a quiet trained investigators — let more difficult for them to control. They are apprehensive corresponding funds. They uncovered evidence of sabotage of the alone semi-literate labourers. made money by submitting massive fraud in the National The fate of muster rolls is of a possible tightening of the fudged “muster rolls,” with Food For Work Programme. transparency not much better. In most of the checks and balances, and have inflated employment and wage However, the same safeguards aimed sample gram panchayats, it was started fading away in some figures. A substantial part of the transition is proving quite slow observed that various places (in almost half of the loot was recycled through the in some other States. A recent at perpetuating “adjustments” in the muster sample gram panchayats, so-called “PC” (percentage) survey of NREGA in western the traditional rolls had become routine there was no evidence of their involvement). system, whereby various Orissa, for instance, suggests system of extortion practice. For instance, a worker functionaries received fixed that the “contractor raj” is alive without a Job Card is often In some of the sample gram percentages of the amounts (if not well) in this region. This in rural accommodated by “clubbing” panchayats (notably in the released. The contractors also survey, initiated by the G.B. employment his or her wages with those of Boudh District), corruption had to pay tribute to their Pant Social Science Institute at someone who has a Job Card levels in NREGA are already political bosses, for whom Allahabad University, was programmes. under the latter’s name. much lower, by all accounts, these funds came handy during conducted from 3-12 October He or she received the work Similarly, team work performed than in earlier employment election campaigns. This is the 2007 by students of the Delhi orders, spent the funds, under the piece-rate system is programmes such as SGRY and sort of situation that led P. University in collaboration with arranged the works, and filled often recorded under the name the National Food For Work Sainath to say that “everybody local volunteers. Thirty the muster rolls. Under NREGA, of the team leader alone. Programme. Strict loves a good drought” — the randomly-selected gram funds are routed through the Sometimes, adjustments are implementation of the peak season for rural panchayats, spread over three panchayat and the VLL is also made to meet the transparency safeguards is the employment programmes. districts (Bolangir, Boudh and supposed to be a mere worksite requirements of the online best way to accelerate this Labourers, for their part, worked Kalahandi), were studied. The supervisor, who earns wages at Monitoring and Information process of “phasing out” of the hard and earned a pittance. survey included careful the same rate as other System (MIS). These and traditional system of The National Rural verification of “muster rolls” for labourers. In practice, however, related practices, well- corruption. Employment Guarantee Act one randomly-selected NREGA the post of VLL continues to intentioned as they might be This story would be (NREGA) was supposed to work in each of these gram act as a convenient foothold for in some cases, open the door incomplete without a mention bring about a radical change in panchayats. the contractors. In many of the to further “adjustments” that of the tremendous potential of this state of affairs. Under The survey points to a quiet sample gram panchayats, the serve different purposes. In NREGA in the survey areas. NREGA, rural labourers have a sabotage of the fact, the pressure to Where work was available, it legal entitlement not only to transparency make adjustments in was generally found that work on demand but also to safeguards aimed at some circumstances workers earned close to (and minimum wages. To prevent perpetuating the (e.g. meeting the sometimes more than) the corruption, a wide range of traditional system of requirements of the transparency safeguards has statutory minimum wage of Rs extortion in rural MIS) seems to have 70 per day, and that wages been built into the Act. For employment become a handy cover instance, muster rolls are were paid within 15 days or so. programmes. Before for fraudulent practices, This is an unprecedented supposed to be kept at the elaborating, a few words such as inflating the worksite, displayed at the opportunity for the rural poor, about how NREGA wage payments and and there was evident Panchayat Bhawan, and read works in Orissa may be pocketing the out in public at the time of wage appreciation of it among casual useful. To keep things simple, VLL was a small-time difference. payments. Employment and labourers and other the main focus here is on works contractor or an agent of local The bottom line is that the wage details also have to be disadvantaged sections of the implemented by the gram contractors. In about half of the records are virtually entered in the labourers’ “Job population. Some of them even panchayats (these account for 30 sample worksites, the survey unverifiable. Job Cards have Cards”, to enable them to verify hoped that NREGA would the bulk of NREGA funds in team found evidence that a become symbolic documents, the records for themselves. enable them to avoid long- Orissa). At the gram panchayat contractor was involved in this and almost any discrepancy in Contractors are banned. distance seasonal migration, level, the main responsibility for or other ways. the muster rolls can be justified In some States, there is with all its hardships. implementing NREGA works The breakdown of the in the name of “adjustments.” evidence of substantial Further, there is plenty of lies with the Panchayat transparency safeguards is well In this opaque environment, progress in this transition scope for productive NREGA Executive Officer (PEO). In illustrated by the fate of the Job contractors have a field day. towards a transparent and works in this area, whether it some panchayats, the PEOs are Card. The main purpose of the The extent of the loot is hard accountable system. In is in the field of water assisted by Gram Rozgar Job Card is to enable NREGA to estimate, given the near Rajasthan, for instance, conservation, rural Sevaks, but they are yet to be labourers to verify their own unverifiability of the muster contractors have virtually appointed in most cases. employment and wage details. rolls, but the “PC system” connectivity, regeneration of disappeared from NREGA and Another key actor is the Village In Orissa, however, this purpose provides some useful clues. forest land, or improvement of mass fudging of muster rolls is Labour Leader (VLL), who is has been defeated from the start According to fairly reliable private agricultural land. The a thing of the past. Andhra supposed to be selected by the due to the faulty design of the sources (including several challenges involved in Pradesh is also making rapid gram sabha for the purpose of Job Card. For instance, there is contractors), the PC system — “making NREGA work” should strides in this direction through “supervising” a specific no column for “wages paid” in where it applies — absorbs always be seen in the light of strict record-keeping, worksite. the card, making it impossible about 20 to 25 per cent of these long-term possibilities, institutionalised social audits The role of the VLL is for workers to verify their wage NREGA funds in the sample and their significance for the and the payment of wages actually in transition. The VLL payments. Even the number of Blocks. The “profit” of the rural poor. through Post Offices. In a concept goes back to the days worked is hard to verify, contractors, for its part, (The author is Visiting recent survey of Surjguja and Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar as the names of the labourer appears to be of the order of Professor at Allahabad Koriya districts (Chhattisgarh), Yojana (SGRY), a predecessor and worksite have been 10 to 15 per cent. This University, and a member of we found that in gram of NREGA. At that time, the replaced by numerical codes. suggests that 30 to 40 per cent the Central Employment panchayat works, 95 per cent VLL was a de facto contractor. To decipher a labourer’s code, of NREGA funds are siphoned Guarantee Council.) THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 Opinion 5

In pre-Independence India, Parliament. While trying to there were two kinds of Time for a round of introspection expose the misdeeds and newspapers and journals. One corrupt practices of public today some newspapers can Somnath Chatterjee ceased to be reported. set was supportive of the afford to give away their copies Press freedom is not authorities, including people’s colonial power, if not overtly for free, since their main Independence media is the without responsibility; the representatives, the media then covertly. The other spoke revenue, that may run to crores change in the nature of media must desist from would do well to report their of the aspirations of the people, of rupees daily, comes from ownership. A channel or a distorted or concocted commendable initiatives and pointed out injustice and advertising, not from the sale newspaper is now seen as a reporting that highlights only work as well. Giving publicity oppression. Draconian laws of the newspaper — as used to profit-making venture, as those aspects of an issue that only to interruptions, were put in place to muzzle the be the case in pre- indeed it is in all countries suit it. The editorial policy of a disturbances and adjournments latter. Those who started or Independence India. where advertising ensures the newspaper should not be in Parliament, as if nothing else owned or published or edited In sections of the press, it profitability of a channel or dictated by the prejudices of takes place there, gives a them were themselves actively appears that more importance newspaper. This in itself is not media moguls and media distorted picture of our elected involved in the freedom is now given to the marketing necessarily antithetical to barons. While profit is indeed representatives, and projects movement in one way or the divisions than to editors. It is credibility. There are owners a motive in the media world, that Parliament and parliamentarians other. The number of copies and said that in some newspapers, who are committed to their in itself should not be the sole in a negative, even derogatory, the number of publi cations the marketing division decides newspapers and channels criterion when it comes to news manner. were limited, partly because of what will ‘sell’ the paper in observing the highest and views on the issues before It has been a remarkable administrative obstruction and terms of news — and how they standards of journalistic the nation. The increasing journey that the media have had partly because of technological will do it. Thus it is that we are propriety. But they are few in levels of certain types of as the voice of the people. That limitations. Yet the effect of no longer surprised to read, on number, and the number of content in the print and is indeed what they were in the what was printed and circulated the front pages of some leading those who see the ‘packaging’ electronic media are a matter of pre-Independence days, and was profound, even newspapers, of the eating of news as an essential concern. what some newspapers and inspirational. habits of some personality from requirement to earning more It is for the media television channels still are. But Independence brought with the entertainment industry, or money seems to be growing. themselves to ponder on the what is mentioned in many it within a few years our of someone who has won some A feature that merits long-term implications of their quarters is that market forces Constitution, which guaranteed much publicised contest of highlighting is the fact that, acts on society at large. More have come into and affected the freedom of speech and some kind. Sadly, news relating owing to the single-minded than ever before, today there is credibility of the media and done expression to all citizens. Thus to the state of the country is obsession with perceived an imperative to strengthen our considerable damage — damage the shackles on press freedom relegated to the inside pages. market requirements, those national fabric and the ideals we that affects even those were done away with, except for But overshadowing all that elements of the governance of cherish, such as democracy, dedicated, principled the ‘reasonable restrictions’ has been happening to the secularism and pluralism. newspapers and channels that provided for in Article 19(2). newspapers is television. From Newspapers, TV Unfortunately, of late we find a do not stoop low. The press in India in the a modest beginning of being channels and Internet tendency among a section of While we can applaud the early years of Independence the handmaiden of the Central news providers need to the media to project partisan media for their independence in showed its commitment to truth government of the day, institute a process of points of view in the name of most matters, it is necessary for and transparency. The initial television has, since much of it continuous introspection dissemination of views, rather all those involved, from years saw the emergence of a went into private hands, grown to ensure that they than news that is factual and newspapers to television new feature: the ownership of channels to Internet news exponentially, especially the remain transparent and objective. The glory of the some newspapers passed from providers, to institute a process news channels in different truthful purveyors of media is in their presentation of the founders and editor- languages. But one has to think information based on truth. of continuous introspection to information. publishers to commercial whether the development of Sadly, this basic duty is at times ensure that they remain concerns. For some years, television, especially television our country that were at one forgotten by sections of the transparent and truthful while the interest of some of the news, in the country has been time considered to be of vital press. Except for some purveyors of information. We owners did shift to the revenue in the right direction. importance — the proper honourable exceptions, today have come to expect this of our earned by the newspapers, the Private channels are not functioning of the three arms the political leanings and media and we would like to editors were free to determine merely news providers. They of our democracy, the judiciary, political predilections of continue to be as proud of them the editorial policy. That was an make no secret of the fact that the legislature and the newspapers and TV channels as we have been in the past. age of great editors, who they are entirely dependent on executive — no longer warrant are well known, and these In this very challenging task virtually set the standards of advertising revenue, and it the attention they got in earlier obviously affect dispassionate the Press Council of India has a impartiality and independence appears that advertisers have years. They are noticed, by and presentation of news and also key role. It may not need to have that became an integral part of poured enormous amounts of large, only when there is views. draconian powers — indeed, it the print media. money into those channels something of sensationalist Democracy is unthinkable should not — but it needs to Other factors came into they perceive as getting the value in some event relating to without a free press and its have the respect of all play. Chief among them was the larger numbers of viewers. This them. success depends to a large newspapers and news channels, advent of technology that has had two effects. One is that This is not only unfortunate extent on the kind of role the and it is for all of them to sit made it possible to print in the fierce competition to get but undesirable, as the power media play as an interface together to determine how best millions of copies, and set more viewers, some channels of the media, especially of between Parliament and the this can be done. As we have pages on computers, making have not hesitated to television, is great in people. Parliament is at the heart seen time and again, where law production not only fast but compromise with the truth. influencing the perceptions of of a democracy. That being so, has not been effective, consent more economical. Then the Others have taken recourse to viewers, and the images that it deserves serious attention has been. It is time this matter satellite age made it possible to sensationalism, and all manner remain with people in general from all quarters, be it the was given serious thought by send content from one office to of stories are shown as news. are not just negative but people, the executive, the all those who profess to abide another, so that local editions Of course, we have a incorrect. judiciary, civil society groups by the truth above everything could be produced number of channels that Today, newspapers and or the media. It is in Parliament else. simultaneously. Another factor maintain high standards of private channels cover the that important decisions are (Based on an address by Lok was the burgeoning Sabha Speaker Somnath journalistic integrity, and have stock markets in obsessive taken and the government is Chatterjee at a discussion on advertising industry and the as a consequence retained the detail. But they do not do the made accountable. It is the ‘Media’s role as the people’s voice enormous amounts of money it trust of the viewers. But these same with the debates in responsibility of the media to — Pre and Post-Independence,’ poured into newspapers and are not many in number. Parliament on major policy inform and educate people on organised by the Press Council of journals. Indeed it is said that India on the occasion of National The basic feature of post- issues. Thus debates have various issues that are before Press Day recently)

THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 6 Feature He needed help, I had told his family: Moon The memories keep com- and told Avinash that my own ing back to haunt her. After family had never hit me." ex-boyfriend Avinash Patnaik Moon said Avinash's shot dead her mother and darker side had terrified her, uncle in her apartment before made her realise that the rela- killing himself, model tionship had no future. "I re- Maushumi 'Moon' Das told alised we were completely his violent and abusive traits different people. I broke off had begun to surface months all ties with him in October back. and would travel abroad for "He did not like the way I shows, just to avoid him. dressed nor did he want me things were different for the est hair-styles and groomed behave boldly. I would point Avinash would blackmail me to go out for shoots. I was first few months after she him in general," she said. out to him that people in by threatening to put detec- willing to give up everything was introduced to Avinash. Avinash would love to Orissa were quite traditional," tives on my trail and by con- for Avinash, including my "What attracted me to Avinash flaunt Moon amongst his she said. But things changed suming sleeping pills on one career. But he would hit me initially was his loving and friend circles in Orissa. "He drastically, when Avinash occasion. He had somehow in public, even in the presence caring nature. After we met partied a lot, drank and came down to Mumbai and started believing that I was of my uncle. He needed help at a New Year's programme smoked regularly. I had con- stayed with Moon. "He sud- seeing someone else, even and I had told his family to in Rourkela, he kept in touch fided in his elder brother denly didn't like my sense of when I wasn't," Moon said. take him to a mental health with me. He was this small- Pritam about this, but he con- dressing and going out for On the night of the inci- professional," Moon said in town guy who was curious vinced me that only I could shoots. He started snapping dent, Moon had called up her an exclusive interview. and excited about life in a big bring a change in Avinash," at everything and we had con- mother Kanan around 9.30 Moon clarified that she city like Mumbai. When he Moon said. stant fights. He would hit me pm. "My mother had asked wasn't married to Avinash. came down to Mumbai once, "Whenever we would go in the auto or in the presence me to have dinner at home. I "He did propose, but I told I took him out shopping at out together in Orissa, he of my friends. My uncle saw was hanging out with some him that I wanted to focus on Lokhandwala, got him the lat- would ask me to dress and the injuries on my body once friends then. Around 11 pm, work for a few years. I said I called her back but she I needed some time to think ‘My son spent Rs 1 cr on her’ wouldn't respond. Then I about his proposal. He was a saw Avinash's car in our Oshiwara police may claim “How can the police offic- year younger to me and I building compound and the that the sensational case is an ers say it’s an ‘open-and-shut wondered how we would lights out in my apartment. I manage. But his argument open and shut case. But case’ without proper investi- was so scared, I ran upstairs was that if celebrity couple Avinash’s father Bhupen is gation? Why should Avinash to warn my mother. He was Abhishek and Aishwarya sure that there’s more to the shoot himself on the left tem- waiting there with a revolver, Bachchan, who also have an story than meets the eye. ple so perfectly when he was Bhupen said that he would a right hander?” he asked. when I rang the doorbell," age difference, are happy to- lodge an FIR, asking police to Also the gun was found on she said. gether so would we." investigate the financial deal- his thighs, he added. Both the Patnaik and Das Seeing him, Moon pulled ings which took place between Avinash also wanted to the door and latched it from families were aware of the Avinash and Moon. These launch a music album, starring relationship. "Avinash had outside and rushed to sum- dealings––allegedly over Rs. Pattnaik, the boy’s paternal Moon. For this purpose, he mon the Oshiwara police, landed at my Kolkata resi- 1 crore––led to his son’s uncle. A communication from had invested some money to along with her friend dence to persuade my parents death, he claims. the builder requesting him for get offers for Moon in music Romesh Sharma who had to give a go-ahead for the Oshiwara police, however, the payment of money was albums, claimed Pritam. wedding. They told him to said they will not investigate found on the laptop. There are Aviansh’s friends at accompanied her. "At the inform his family, so that the the claims made by Avinash’s also photographs of Moon and Angul said she had visited him police station, I called up elders could have a discus- father that Moon had used him on a beach together, said on September 24 and 25, and Pritam and begged for help. sion. He even tried to befriend Avinash’s money to climb Avinash’s father, Bhupen the duo stayed at the Durga I told him Avinash had come my younger brother but he high in the showbiz until Patnaik. Hotel in Angul as a married to Mumbai and was armed," didn't quite like Avinash," said Bhupen approached them with Avinash’s family members couple. Refuting Moon’s claim Moon said. Moon. a official complaint. alleged that Moon incited that Avinash was mentally un- But by the time, the po- On the day of the The laptop of Avinash Avinash to spend fortunes on stable, his father Bhupen said lice reached the flat, it was shootout — Avinash had tel- Patnaik recovered by his fam- her and, once it was over, that only four hours before the all over. The shootout has left ephoned her and tried to bring ily after his death has raised dumped him. Avinash, who shooting, Avinash had spo- Moon drained. She is almost several questions. Pritam owned a rice mill, had a bank ken to his mother over phone. about a reconciliation since unrecognisable from her Patnaik, Avinash’s elder balance of around Rs 1.25 crore “He had sounded normal and Moon had broken all ties with glossy pictures published in brother, said that the latter had and had availed a bank loan of cheerful. There is no way he him two months back. "When transferred Rs 5 lakh to Rs 2 crore. would have killed anyone a few newspapers since the fateful I refused, he started abusing Moon’s account though a “It’s strange that the hours later,” Bhupen said. day. "Avinash has killed my me. I was at a meeting and cheque on February 14 — Val- Mumbai police is behaving in a Noted celebrity manager soul. My mother had fed him did not take any further calls. entine’s Day. one-sided manner. How can Suvendu in Bhubaneswar when he visited us at Not once did he mention that “The documents are on his they close the case without said that the duo were known Kolkata. How could he kill he was in his car that time, laptop and we can prove it proper investigation?” asked to be married in the party cir- her?" She now has to sup- driving down from Orissa to anytime. Also, he has spent Bhupen. cuit. “We were surprised to port her father and younger Mumbai," said the model. lakhs to book an apartment in Pritam, an MBA student in learn four months ago that brother on her own. "I'm try- Recalling the early phase the name of the girl and his Mumbai, said he was aware of Moon married a guy from ing to be strong but I've been of the relationship, Moon said mother,” said Suvendu his brother’s relationship. Angul,” he said. scarred for life," she said. THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 News 7 Orissa rejects suspended DGP's appeal Bhubaneswar: The newspaper notification had asked through a newspaper Orissa government rejected served ultimatum to Mohanti notification that action would suspended DGP (Fire to respond to its query be taken against him ex-parte Services) B B Mohanti's regarding why action would if he did not respond. appeal for extension of not be taken against him after Sources said that deadline for responding to its a NBW being issued against Mohanti through a letter to show cause notice, which him by a Rajasthan court. the home secretary appealed expired on November 21. Mohanti, who had been that he should be given "I do not think he will be accused of helping his rape extension for replying to the given an extension," Chief convict son to jump parole government's query Minister Naveen Patnaik told from a jail in Rajasthan, regarding the reasons behind Genpact SEZ foundation stone laid in Orissa reporters while replying to remained elusive since August his inability to appear in queries on government's 23. Neither the police nor the person as he was "sick". Bhubaneswar: The country's largest BPO company stand on elusive Mohanti. government have any Home Secretary T K Genpact broke ground for its special economic zone (SEZ) While rejecting Mohanti's information regarding Mishra, however, expressed here, which it is jointly developing with the Orissa government, appeal for more time to reply Mohanti's whereabout. ignorance about the place official sources said. before taking action against According to official from where the letter was Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation him, Patnaik said Orissa sources, government had sent to government. "There stone for the new facility in the presence of Genpact President police was on its job. pasted a copy of his was no mention of the place and CEO Pramod Bhasin. Earlier, the state suspension letter on from where Mohanti sent the The commissioning of this SEZ facility, spread over an government through a Mohanti's house. He was letter," he said. area of 12.145 acre, would be done in three phases between 2009 and 2011, Bhasin said. "On completion, 500,000 square Zinkernagel calls for responsible parents, good primary schools feet of office space will be available to seat over 4,000 Bhubaneswar: Nobel laureate Prof Rolf Switzerland, his home country, had advanced employees for Genpact," he told reporters. "It is a matter of M Zinkernagel asserted that responsible from a poor agricultural country to a great pride for Orissa that Genpact has decided to set up parents and excellent primary schools were developed country because of good education operations in the state," State Energy Minister S N Patro said. the need of the hour to educate the people. in science and technology. Muslim women pray in public Delivering the keynote address at the third Prof Zinkernagel stressed on the education annual convocation of the Kalinga Institute of women and said if girls were educated the Cuttack: A clutch of Although Muslim women of Industrial Technology (KIIT) university rest of the family would follow. Muslim women offered are not barred from praying here, Prof Zinkernagel, who had won the Prof Hans Hengartner, of the University Friday prayers at a madarsa in public, the practice is Nobel prize for medicine in 1996, said Hospital, Zurich, and a close associate of Prof recently after they were generally discouraged in education in a broad sense included not only Zinkernagel, said short term translation of crowded out of a mosque India. In big mosques, there handing down of knowledge but also human research into practical technology was as im- they had set their sights on. are separate enclosures for behaviour, including family values, society, portant as long term research. Over 50 women landed up women but they are seldom health issues, eating habits, hygiene and social Professor of the International Dispute at the Mir Kamalpatna Masjid used. welfare. Resolution, Nottingham Law School, UK, at Manglabag in the afternoon In Mecca and Medina, He said it was possible only if the country urged the KIIT law school authorities not to to participate in the public two of the holiest places for had good parents and primary schools. teach law as a technical science but encourage ritual in which only men Muslims, it is not unusual to Prof Zinkernagel, however, said it could teaching of law as a distinct code of behaviour usually take part. But the find women offering namaaz not be guaranteed in the less developed or conduct for young people. small mosque was so chock- in mosques. But they are countries as their remunerations were not KIIT Chancellor A Samanta appealed to full of males that they had to segregated from the men and most rewarding. the students to give their best for the welfare move out. enter through separate He said education in science and of the society at large and try to help the Not to be defeated in their enclosures. technology was the most important base for unprivileged, uncared and the distressed lot in mission, the activists of the In a sense, therefore, any community or country, adding that the society. Orissa Muslim Women’s what the Orissa women did Orissa jumbo Welfare Organisation lined up was significant. It might also Puri's beach festival attracts dies in AP in the compound of the have been a first as there are hundreds of foreigners Parlakhemundi: One of adjoining madarsa and no reports of such a thing the elephants belonging to offered namaaz in full glare having been attempted earlier. Puri: The colourful beach festival in Puri is attracting the jumbo herd, that sneaked of the public. Farhat, however, rued thousands of tourists, including many foreigners. The five- into Andhra Pradesh recently, What came as a surprise that her team could not pray day long festival kicked off to a colourful start in the back- died of electrocution in AP re- for the women, aged between at the mosque. “The Friday drop of Puri's moonlit golden beach. Thirteenth in the series, cently. The herd from Lakhari 18 and 40, was that there was namaaz is different from that this annual festival is aimed at promoting tourism in Puri lo- forest entered the AP limits no opposition either from the on other days. It is also the cated on the Bay of Bengal coast, which is otherwise famous recently and had caused ex- men who had come to pray day for sermons, so it will for Jagannath Temple and the chariot procession of the tem- tensive damage following or from the clergy. give women the opportunity ple deities. Cultural programmes comprising classic and folk which ‘Operation Gajendra’ “Since we were not to learn about their rights and dances with budding artists participating to showcase their was started. A herd of eight stopped from entering the not be misguided by imams vast talent mark the festival. Artists from all over the country elephants was reportedly who may be dogmatic,” she mosque to offer namaaz, we including those from neighbouring West Bengal and far seen near K Gopalpuram said. H.N. Alam Misbahi, the away Punjab are also participating. Foreign tourists mar- village in Birgotam mandal, decided to do so in the imam of the masjid, said: “I velled at the graceful performances by classic dancers. AP. Receiving information, a madarsa compound,” said 39- was surprised when I saw the The festival also showcases the traditional handicraft of team of forest officials year-old Farhat Amin, the women at the entrance, but Orissa. Tribal artists from Sambalpur, Angul, Dhenkenal reached the village and found organisation’s spokesperson there was no need to oppose and Korapat are displaying their products at the make- an elephant dead near a who took the lead in the them as the mosque was power transformer. shift shops set up at the festival venue. matter. already filled to capacity. THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 8 News CEGC suggests redesigning of NREGS job cards Bhubaneswar: The space for recording wage absolutely no provision of Central Employment payment , which was an engaging contractors in the Guarantee Council (CEGC) essential part of the scheme, NREGS, Suhasini Ali, one of has suggested redesigning of they said. "Both the centre the members of the council, job cards issued to and the state government said that they had observed beneficiaries of the National would be asked to make some irregularities in the Rural Employment Guarantee certain changes in the job case. She said the state Scheme (NREGS). After cards," the delegation said. government as well as leading interacting with people in They also felt that the banks had assured them that three tribal dominated scheme could be made there would be provision of districts of Kalahandi, transparent if certain opening separate bank Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh, modifications were made in accounts in name of the CEGC members who were the existing process of women workers engaged in on a three-day tour of Orissa implementation. The the NREGS. Ali said Chief Orissa Chief minister Sri Naveen Patnaik visiting stalls after told reporters that lack of delegation pointed out that Minister Naveen Patnaik had inaugurating the historic Baliyatra festival-2007 at Cuttack. space in the job cards was there was also no attempt to said all grievances relating to leading to corruption and maintain muster rolls on a the implementation of the irregularities. regular basis. NREGS would be addressed 720 freshwater turtles seized Job cards did not have Maintaining that there was within a month. Malkangiri: At least 720 freshwater turtles were seized from a pickup truck in Malkangiri district, wildlife officials Orissa govt asks police to provide security to Budhia said. Officials have detained two people carrying the con- Bhubaneswar: Orissa government has added. Maintaining that the state government signment. Officials intercepted the truck near a village in asked the police to ensure security of child was bearing all the expenditure of Budhia Singh Malkangiri district. The consignment weighed 600 kg, a sen- marathon runner Budhia Singh, lodged at the relating to his lodging, education, health and ior official told. Gopal Dhali and Mahadev Mandal have been sports hostel here, state assembly was food, the minister said the government had arrested under sections of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. informed recently. Budhia Singh was taken urged Khurda Superintendent of Police to During interrogation by the officials both confessed that they as one of the inmates of the sports hostel here provide requisite security to the wonder kid. brought the freshwater turtles from neighbouring Andhra as per request of the child's mother Sukanti Earlier, the boy's mother Sukanti Singh had Pradesh to sell it in the local markets. Singh, Sports minister Debasis Nayak said in expressed apprehension that her son might a written answer. Earlier Sukanti had taken back require security because he was considered Orissa signs 66 MoUs Budhia from his trainer Biranchi Das in July as a celebrity and many people were interested Bhubaneswar: It is now Bhusan Steel have signed last after a dispute between them. The boy was to take boy into their custody. official. The Orissa govern- MoUs for steel projects, Adity staying along with his three sisters at Salia sahil The minister said that the boy was being ment disclosed that it has Aluminium, Vedanta slum before being shifted to sports hostel. trained by prominent atheletic coah Arun signed 66 MoUs in steel, alu- Aluminium are proposing to Budhia is staying at the sports hostel from Kumar Das. The government has spent a total minium, thermal power, and set up facilities for alumina September 21 and admitted to the DAV public of Rs 5134 for Budhia Singh since his stay at cement sectors. and aluminium complex in the school at Chandrasekharpur, the minister the sports hostel, the minister said. The state industries state. Grasim Industries, OCL Army air defence recruitment 17 nursing minister, B B Harichandan, India Ltd. and ASO Cement said in the Orissa assembly have signed MoUs for putting centre to be reallocated to Orissa homes sealed that out of the 66 MoUs up cement projects in the Berhampur: The Affirming that the Rourkela: At least 17 signed, as many as 25 have state. In power sector, recruitment centre of the upgrading procedure in the nursing homes and pathologi- started production either fully companies like Tata Power, Army Air Defence will be Army Air Defence was going cal clinics were sealed in dif- or partially. The remaining 41 GMR Energy, CESC and shifted from Nasik in on swiftly, Lt Gen Dogra said ferent parts of Sundargarh projects are in various stages Essar Power are among the Maharastra to the Army Air while the old machineries district following a series of of completion, he added. 13 who have signed MoUs Defence College at Gopalpur were being replaced with the raids, official sources said. While top steel producer to set up power project of a in Orissa soon, Lt Gen K S new and modern ones, At least 11 pathological Arcelor Mittal , South Korean total capacity of 13,490mw Dogra, Director General of several state-of-the-art clinics were sealed in steel giant Posco-India, Tata with an investment of Rs Army Air Defence said. equipment had been intro- Sundargarh town for running Steel, Jindal Stainless Steel, 56,271 crore. "The process of shifting duced. the units in an unauthorised has already started and the Further the Director manner, Chief District Medi- Flying squad soon to check mineral smuggling centre is likely to function General of the Army air cal Officer, Dr.D Muduli, said. Bhubaneswar: The State Government has implemented fully from April next year," Lt defence and several officers Similarly, an ultra-sound the Orissa Minerals (Prevention of Theft, Smuggling and Il- Gen K S said, in Berhampur. laid wreaths on the war centre at Rajgangpur was legal Mining and Regulation of Possession, Storage, Trading After recruitment, memorial to pay homage to sealed and a criminal case filed and Transportation) Rules, 2007 to check theft of minerals personnel of all the ranks will the martyrs. The reunion is against its owners by the CDMO and ores. In a written reply to a question from Chiranjib Biswal be trained in the Army Air conducted in every four years for illegal functioning, he said. (Cong), Minister for Steel and Mines Padmanabha Behera Defence College, Gopalpur, to unite the in service and Similar raids were continuing in said that necessary steps for setting up a flying squad to check which was one-of-its-kind in retired personnel to share Rourkela and its adjoining areas smuggling of minerals are also being taken. the Army Air Defence wing ideas, Maj Gen Ram Pratap by a team of doctors in The squad will start working immediately after getting the of the defence. said. The occasion was presence of magistrate. Most of required staff from the Home and Forest Departments. Iron Lt Gen Dogra was in marked with the presence of the clinics in the steel city had ore is being smuggled through Joda in Keonjhar district. Berhampur to attend the two- various persons in service and been running the units without A district-level task force headed by the Collector has been day third reunion of Army Air retired of different ranks mandatory registration for set up to check smuggling of iron ore in Keonjhar district. Defence corps held at the across the country attended running diagnostic centres, Officials from the Mines, Police and Forest Departments have college. the reunion. according to reports. been taken in the task force.

THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 News 9 Treated as outcast, HIV+ kid to get new lease of life Orissa to spend Rs 200 Kendrapara: Mallick who is back from a And it is not just his Discrimination and holiday is not welcome back school, even in his village, crore for Hirakud canals ostricisation is often a way of to the school like any other Gardapur in Kendrapara Bhubaneswar: In an ture or industry. The Chief life for those living with HIV/ student as nobody wants to district Pramod has treated attempt to save his Minister announced about the AIDS, and children aren’t be in the same class with him. him like an outcast. Pramod's government from further repair and strengthening of spared either. Classmates may "No one sits next to me in father, a migrant labourer in embarrassment in the State the canal system in Hirakud refuse to sit next to them or school. When I come to the Mumbai, died of AIDS two Assembly, Orissa Chief command area after he held neighbours may treat them as class, everyone goes away. I years back and his mother Minister Naveen Patnaik an- detailed discussions with a outcasts. want to continue my studies was also diagnosed with HIV/ nounced that a sum of Rs 200 group of farmers from the Ten-year-old Promod but I cant,” says Pramod. AIDS. crore would be spend for western Orissa districts at a repair and restoration of meeting here. Tourists not panic-stricken in Golden Triangle: CM canals in the command area The organisation has been Bhubaneswar: Orissa and Konark, '' Chief Minister from a passenger bus en route of Hirakud reservoir. The strongly opposing the State Chief Minister Naveen Naveen Patnaik said in the to Puri from Konark, on recent lathi-charge on the government's decision to Patnaik has denied that the Assembly.To a question of Mr November three and agitating farmers at Hirakud allow various private tourists, particularly women, Dhanurjaya Sidu, the Chief gangraped her. The Chief and the subsequent opposition companies to source water were panic-stricken to visit Minister said police arrested Minister said investigation was attack on the government in from Hirakud reservoir to the golden triangle area of four accused immediately conducted expeditiously and the Assembly have put the run their upcoming Puri and Konark following an after the incident and chargesheet against the five Biju Janata Dal-Bharatiya industries. Patnaik told incident of gangrape. submitted chargesheet accused was filed on Janata Party government in a presspersons that the ''It is not a fact that the against them within a record November 12 under section tight spot. amount of Rs 200 crore dignity of the state has been period of eight days. Mr 366,376(20(g), 354,342,509 The opposition parties would spend over a period of degraded in any manner Patnaik said police patrolling and 506 of the IPC. Further have been stalling the two to three years to repair owing to such an incident. in Konark-Puri golden triangle investigation of the case had Assembly proceedings since the canals to ensure that The tourists, specially area had been intensified to been kept open under section the opening day of the winter water from the reservoir women, in general are not prevent recurrence of such 173(8) criminal procedure session on November 19. reached the tail ends to solve panic-stricken to visit the incident. Some anti-socials code for collection of more While demanding a the problem of irrigation. golden triangle area of Puri forcibly took away a lady evidence, he said. discussion on the farmers' The government has so Plantation to save coastal areas in Orissa agitation, the opposition has far been taking the stand that Bhubaneswar: The State Project (NCRMP) to be The Government of India been insisting for a voting on water meant for farmers Government of Orissa has implemented with World has issued a Coastal Regulation the question whether Hirakud would not be given to asked for Rs. 23 crores from Bank assistance. One of the Zone Notification in 1991 water was meant for agricul- industries. Ministry of Environment & investment proposals delineating the coastal areas into Centre gives Rs 14.91 cr to Forests to save the coastal received under the Project different zones and listing out areas of the State from losses from Government of Orissa permissible and non tackle Naxal problem due to sea tide. As per the is on “Shelterbelt Plantation” permissible activities. This Bhubaneswar: The Cen- ened, he said. Naveen said information made available by in Balasore, Bhadrakh, information was given by the tre has provided Rs 14.91 that jails in Left wing extrem- the National Disaster Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada Minister of State in the Ministry crore to Orissa during the ists (LWEs)-affected areas Management Authority, the Districts at a total cost of about of Environment and Forests, current financial year for were being fortified and their Government of India has Rs.23 crore. The Project is yet Shri S. Regupathy in a written tackling the Naxalite problem staff being given special train- formulated a National to be posed to the World Bank reply to question in the Rajya in the State, which has spread ing. Employees’ strength in Cyclone Risk Mitigation for their appraisal and funding. Sabha recently. to 16 districts. In a written 84 police stations in the af- Young couple from reply to a question from Tara fected areas had been in- Coming up: First private IT Park in Orissa Prasad Bahinipati (Cong), the creased and four special se- Bhubaneswar: Keeping to long-standing demands from Orissa charred to death Chief Minister said that the curity battalions had been es- the Information Technology companies in the small and me- Salem: A young couple, State Government had sought tablished. Police personnel dium enterprise sector, the inter-ministerial committee of the hailing from Orissa, were an assistance of Rs 1.09 crore are being given anti-Naxalite Centre has approved the first private software technology charred to death after the in the supplementary budget training gradually, he said. park of Orissa. woman set herself ablaze in this connection. Four battalions of the Cen- The Bhubaneswar-based JSS Group, operating as a BPO following a quarrel with her The State Government has tral Reserve Police Force / KPO company in the banking and financial back-end serv- husband in Namakkal district decided to include Rayagada (CRPF) have been deployed ices, has received the distinction. The new private STP has of Tamil Nadu, police said. and Malkangiri in the pilot in the affected areas. The been christened as JSS Software Technology Park. Karnacharan (24) and his project and expedited imple- first India Reserve Battalion The private STP is being set up by the JSS Group at Infocity wife Radhika (20), had a mentation of developmental has already been set up while in Chandaka, Bhubaneswar. quarrel, after which Radhika projects in other affected recruitment process of the According to a study by AMI Partners, put forward by reportedly set herself at fire. districts.As a part of its deci- second and third India Re- Karnacharan who tried to the JSS Group, small and medium companies in India are set sion to strengthen security to serve Battalion has been save her, suffered severe to spend over Rs 32,000 crore in 2007-2008 in IT infrastruc- tackle the growth of Naxalite started. The State Govern- burns and died later. ture development, which is almost 24 per cent higher than activities in the State, the ment has already announced The couple, who came to 2006-2007. Government has decided to rehabilitation package to the district three months This is likely to have a spiralling effect in the employment set up special intelligence bring surrendered Naxalites back, had got married just six generation as well overall business growth potential. Almost wing, special operations to the mainstream. Besides, 98 per cent of Orissa IT companies registered with the Soft- months ago and the husband group and special security the State Government had ware Technology Parks of India belong to the SME sector. was employed with a private wing. Besides, police stations announced an ex gratia of The state has set to itself a software export target of achiev- powerloom unit, DSP John in Naxalite-affected areas are Rs 2 lakh to families of ing Rs 1,000 crore in the next couple of years. Nickleson said. being repaired and strength- Naxal victims. THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 10 Literary Page

Wide-ranging BOOK REVIEW history that invokes the sentiment that the legendary reportage of the History sans argument German historian Leopold van build-up to the Ranke wrote of in the 19th made several trips to Gandhiji’s A final note of caution. Partition of the century – a history of Sevagram Ashram in Wardha. Talbot’s work is by no means a recordings, observation and subcontinent and its Like most of the other residents comprehensive account of the detail. A history without aftermath in the ashram, he too was not Partition – and it does not prescription or argument. immune to Gandhiji’s charm. attempt to be so. Indeed, what And, in the final analysis, Phillips Talbot was a young Gandhiji constantly referred to makes the book stand out from the author’s observations are journalist of 23 when he was the ashram as “his lunatic other literature in this realm is extremely insightful and will sent to India on a fellowship by asylum”. “And I’m the biggest that it is far removed from the greatly help supplement a the New York-based Institute of nut of them all,” he told Talbot. typical historical account – it student of history’s Current World Affairs in 1938. It was Gandhiji’s magnetism has no introduction, argument, understanding of the events of Talbot would spend the next 12 that made him so robust as a thesis or conclusion. It is a the time. years in South Asia carefully leader. Hundreds of thousands recording his observations on from villages across India POETRY POST myriad different things about would flock to his meetings, political and social life in the through bad rail connections, region. From quiet village life mud roads and numerous other GRILLE in tiny Salura in Kashmir to obstacles. But ultimately for Book: AN AMERICAN Gandhiji’s rallies attended by them, it was well worth the WITNESS TO INDIA’S thronging millions, and the journey. “This little man with PARTITION BIBHUDATTA DASH political events leading up to the exceedingly ugly ears Author: Phillips Talbot the Partition to the joy and electrified the audience of Publisher: Sage Publications Love blooms in thoughts of all sadness that swept over the several thousand,” Talbot India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi Rarely it is understood two nations at the time of their observes at his first public Price: Rs. 720. Friend says it is heart’s call creation, Talbot’s reports were meeting, by talking to them possible, but “to succeed it Soldier says it is shroud wide-ranging and extensive. “sweetly, lovingly, personally” must be based not on…hopes An American Witness to as a father would address his that the two parties will get Mother says it is smile of her kid India’s Partition is a broad children. together in the best interests of Flower says it is the gentle breeze collection of these reports, Perhaps most interesting of their country… [but] on an Poet says it is a dream behind eyelid which were in fact letters that all are Talbot’s experiences with exact analysis of their relative Winter says it is the warmth of frieze Talbot sent back to the Mohammed Ali Jinnah. He de- strengths.” But it was not to be. institute. That Talbot was more scribes Jinnah as a shrewd Talbot was in Calcutta when Bird says it is the life outside cage a scholarly observer rather than “megalomaniac”, but concedes Jinnah’s fatal decision to call Desert says it is a shower of rain an employed journalist allowed that that was his “driving for ‘direct action’ led to Laborer says it is his wage him to freely write outside the power”. Jinnah operated in a communal riots that ripped Lover says it is a pleasant pain constraints of Imperial censor- markedly different way from apart the city, leaving ship. He had no knowledge of Gandhiji, but it could be argued thousands dead. This scene Love is portrayed in so many frames India when he began his would be repeated across the that he was just as effective. It is the same feeling with thousand names. mission. But in some sense, it In a rare moment of country. At a time when the two is the tabula rasa that Talbot countries are celebrating the candour, Jinnah described ––This is the sixth sonnet in the long series of sonnets came with that also enabled him 60th anniversary of himself as a “cold-blooded being penned by the Bhubaneswar-based poet. to write and observe freely and logician.” While he was Independence, it is exceedingly dispassionately, without uncompromising and stubborn, important to remember that placing his judgement or he was strongly principled, and while millions celebrated on A MEANINGFUL LIFE casting his lot either with the it was this that quickly drove August 15 1947, there were millions others who were being Empire or the nationalist him to the top of the Muslim SOURAV MISHRA movement. League: “Muslims have long ripped apart from their homes Talbot was fortunate to in what was undoubtedly one wanted to have a champion, The end of life is in vain. have easy access to the people of the greatest tragedies in and the more Mr. Jinnah is if it lacks. who would shape the destinies history. called an obstructionist… the strong will and confidence of India and Pakistan. It is the Relevant today more many Muslims like it,” and there is no struggle and pain. author’s interactions with Talbot notes. Even with the hindsight Gandhiji, Nehru, Jinnah and Sixty years on provided by six decades, Only pomp and luxury Mountbatten that form the core Talbot’s careful chronicling Talbot’s observations and can't make us of the account. His of the events in the final years insights on how the two new deconstructions of these men before the Partition makes for countries would get on remain strong and bold. are significant on two levels. riveting reading. Sixty years on, very relevant, and for this the but the courage While the author is able to it poignantly invokes a sense author deserves credit. After to encounter the hard blows. achieve a real sense of intimacy of what might have been. From his travels in a Kashmiri village gives life a strong hold. in painting their portraits, he his account, it is clear that there in 1940, he foretells, “I can’t get also helps us better situate were indeed several historical away from the feeling that the In the battle of life these figures in the political moments that could have been India I am seeing in the villages the cowards move back in fear roles they would later fulfil. seized, where the leaders of the and towns represents the end and the valiant Revealing portraits nationalist movement had great of an era, socially and bring victory and glory The book is full of opportunities to come together economically, and that the joy and cheer. anecdotes and insights into the and reconcile their differences. coming generation will see terrific and perhaps violent lives of these men, which makes Talbot notes even in 1946 ––Malpara, Balangir it eminently readable. Talbot that a compromise was still changes.” THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 Science/ Health 11 Pan - the after dinner delight can be deadly Evidence of early history of Earth's That particularly Indian anytime ter. It is not surprising if it the organism is responsive to delight and after dinner digestive, the is found in pan, as the medication but resistant to oral formation preserved in Mars pan, can be carcinogenic and terri- shopkeepers keep the be- antibiotics, so a patient is given A new study by scientists been the focus of extensive re- ble for your teeth. But did you also tel leaves soaked for long intravenous antibiotics. has indicated that the proc- search by scientists. know that betel leaves can harbour hours in water that may be "This disease is not ac- esses involved in the early his- The scientists examined the potentially fatal salmonella bac- infected," cautioned quired because of lack of per- tory of Earth's formation have shergottites because their large teria? Sandeep Budhiraja, head sonal hygiene but because of been preserved in Mars. range in chemical compositions The common sight of betel leaves of the department of inter- contamination via food or wa- According to the research is thought to be a fingerprint of soaking in water at the innumerable nal medicine, Max ter. In India, when people go out conducted by NASA's the formation of their deep pan kiosks in your city is the harbin- Healthcare. to eat in a restaurant they drink Johnson Space Center and the sources very early in the his- ger of salmonella infection that can "The bacterium com- mineral water but they never Lunar and Planetary Institute tory of Mars. cause typhoid, abdominal pain, di- monly causes typhoid and think of cleanliness when it (LPI), the early histories of both "These rocks were lavas arrhoea, nausea and sometimes vom- comes to pan," said Rajan Earth and Mars are complex and that were made by melting deep iting. Gupta, MD pathology, involve processes no longer in Mars and then erupted on According to the WHO, salmo- Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals. observed. Evidence of these the surface," said Alan nella is a genus of bacteria that are a The study has sent alarm processes has been preserved Brandon from JSC. "They were major cause of food-borne illness bells ringing through the world in Mars, while it has been delivered to Earth as meteorites throughout the world. The bacteria of pan lovers, many of whom erased in Earth. following impacts on Mars that are generally transmitted to humans can't do without the periodic fix That means Mars is prob- exhumed them and launched through consumption of contami- we get at least 10 cases of and are known to carry betel ably the best opportunity to them into space," he added. nated food of animal origin, mainly it weekly. Common symp- leaves when they travel understand how Earth formed. The new data from the meat, poultry, eggs and milk. toms are high fever, severe abroad. There is hope, how- Keeping this fact in mind, study also found out that ter- But a study by researchers at the aches, nausea, diarrhoea ever. Any contamination can the research team performed restrial planets such as the National Salmonella Centre at the or constipation. Urgent be easily avoided by increas- precise measurements of neo- Earth and Mars may have re- Indian Veterinary Research Institute medical assistance must ing awareness about hygiene dymium isotope compositions mained molten in their early his- in Uttar Pradesh's Izatnagar, found be provided to the patient; maintenance and pan lovers of nine rare Martian meteorites tories for tens of millions of salmonella bacteria in betel leaves otherwise it may lead to can continue to enjoy their fa- called shergottites using mass years. The findings indicate too. gastrointestinal bleeding vourite mouth freshener. spectrometers. that the two planets cooled "Salmonella is a very common and multiple organ failure And where is the fun in Shergottites, named after slower than scientists thought. bacteria, whose mode of transfer is that can prove fatal," that? ask the legion of pan the first-identified meteorite But scientists think that early through contaminated food and wa- Budhiraja told. He said eaters. specimen that fell at Shergotty, crust formation alone cannot India, in 1865, are a group of account for the slow cooling Brain protein that helps Vitamin E can cut heart related meteorites from Mars magma ocean seen in large plan- us learn and remember composed primarily of ets. This new evidence instead attack risk in some diabetics things identified pyroxene and feldspar. They are implies that Mars, at one time, Vitamin E can cut the risk of heart attack in some diabetic A study of rats' brains has a treasure chest of information had a primitive atmosphere that patients, a new study suggests. revealed the protein that helps about the red planet and have acted as the insulator. Earlier, cardiologists often prescribed vitamin E for diabetic people learn and remember patients. However, the practice was stopped in recent times after what they have learnt. The Aeroplanes may soon be flying in outer space several major studies showed no heart-protective effects. Studies protein that allows the brain Though the earth's gravity prevents today's standard aircraft rather found potential harm from vitamin E mega-doses. do this is called kalirin-7, say out of space and keeps us anchored on the planet's surface, there The new study led by researchers at the Technion-Israel the researchers. The re- are still ways for aircraft- based vehicles to reach space. Institute of Technology and the Clalit Health Services in Israel searchers believe that the dis- NASA asserts that any vehicle hoping launch into orbit has suspected that there might be one group of diabetic patients who to travel about seven miles per second (11 kps), or about 25,000 could benefit from vitamin E. covery of kalirin's role in learn- ing offers new insight into the mph (40,000 kph) which a lot faster than an average sub-sonic They found that the Vitamin E supplements can significantly airliner. reduce the risk of heart attacks and related deaths particularly in pathophysiology of brain dis- The shortest distance between Earth and space is about 62 people who carry 'Hp 2-2 gene', a particular variant of 'haptoglobin orders. According to their re- miles (100 kilometers) straight up, which by general accord is gene', reported science portal Science Daily. port, when people learn some- where the planet's boundary ends and suborbital space begins. Haptoglobin is a powerful antioxidant protein that stabilizes thing new, kalirin bulks up the This can lead to a fuel problem also. the iron-rich red blood cell molecule called haemoglobin, synaptic spines in their brain, To reach orbit that way, NASA needs some 520,000 gallons of preventing inflammation in the walls of arteries. which resemble tiny, white rocket propellant and two strap-on rocket boosters to loft a 100- The scientists said 40 percent of individuals with diabetes mushrooms. The spines grow ton space shuttle and its cargo into space in just under nine carry the Hp 2-2 gene. bigger and stronger as the les- minutes. Flying horizontal, would require much more conven- Most of the difference came from the reduced number of heart son is repeated. attacks among those taking vitamin E, the scientists said. tional fuel than an aircraft-or a space shuttle-could carry. Intimately Yours... Prank Post

THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 12 Leisure Deepika Padukone Enjoyed Cricket Match on The Request of Dhoni Deepika Padukone is was when I had decided to don’t come from a film the latest craze in India act. I had done quite a bit family. To me, a ahead of her debut of modeling and wanted to Bollywood heroine meant Bollywood film Om Shanti give acting a try. That’s when someone I see on the big Om. The model turned ac- Farah approached me and screen, who is based in tress has already been the I accepted. Today, I’m so Mumbai and whom center of attention in glad that I waited since I people attribute larger than Bollywood because of her could not have had a better life proportions. And now? high profile upcoming movie debut. Farah and SRK Now I think that it’s against Shah Rukh Khan. have taken superb care of tough being a Bollywood The movie is set for release me. Farah treats me like her heroine. You need to work on 9 November. Om Shanti child. really hard. Om has already been hit in Did you always want to Has Shah Rukh Khan the box office as 2000 print be a Bollywood heroine? given you any tips? of the movie will be re- I never wanted to be a (Laughs) Oh he has given leased on the opening day. Bollywood heroine. The me lots of tips, not just Deepika Padukone has thought never crossed my about acting but about the fame as a super model. mind. As a child, I never what life is going to be all So, at this moment she is the stuck poses in front of the about when the film re- center of attention in mirror. It slowly crept up leases and also what life is Bollywood arena. Now, it on me as I started inter- all about. seems that Deepika is also acting with people and Since its Farah’s film, attracting Mahendra Singh began discovering myself. how hard did you rehearse Dhoni, the captain of Indian What was your percep- to get the dance steps cricket team. Earlier, it was tion of a Bollywood right? reported that Dhoni was in- heroine? Lots of rehearsals. terested about Deepika movie Om Shanti Om. Both star couples who came Padukone. However, the of them are now in top form from Bollywood and recent news is that Dhoni in their career. So, I would Cricket. For example, invited Deepika Padukone not be surprised if a relation- India’s former captain to enjoy India’s Twetny20 ship between Deepika Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi match against Australia. Padukone and Mahendra and legendary Bollywood Deepika Padukone could Singh Dhoni builds up in fu- actress Sharmila Tagore not turn it down. She ac- ture. have been successful as a cepted the invitation and Now, it seems that if couple. It would be too was present in the gallery Dhoni and Deepika early to make any comment during the match. Even over Deepika Padukone Deepika reportedly can- and Mahendra Singh Dhoni celled her previous program at this moment, but no and managed her time to doubt, they have all the join with the crowed. qualities to follow the feat of So, naturally there are many other successful some rumors around Dhoni couples from Cricket and and Deepika Padukone in Bollywood. Now, let us see the media. It seems that how far they can reach. Deepika Padukone and An Interview with the Dhoni are going to roman- Hottest and the Most tically involved very soon. Padukone are involved then Talked about young Dhoni is now a star in world it would a bridge between Bollywood actress - cricket. India has recently Cricket and Bollywood. Deepika Padukone won Twenty20 world cup Both Cricket and You had a buffet of of- under Dhoni’s captaincy. Bollywood are the most fers. Why did you decide So, the whole India is now popular source of entertain- on Om Shanti Om as your behind Dhoni. In the same ment in India. Stars of these debut? For me, Bollywood Now it’s for all of you to way, Deepika Padukone is two sectors get both wealth Yes, I got a lot of offers meant buying a Rs 150 tell me how good or bad a also going to make some- and prestige. If you go back but I wasn’t ready then. The ticket and sitting in an air- dancer I’m. But I enjoy thing big with her debut in history, you will find some time I was offered OSO conditioned theatre. I dancing.

THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 Leisure 13 I’ll give the kiss a miss Preeti awaits ‘Visakha Express’ SRK’s too shy to do it and so is Ayesha Takia. And they’re not the only ones who’ve got their lips sealed. Just when you thought liplocks had become common in Bollywood, you have a host of Bollywood stars shying away from them. True, Bollywood’s come a long way since its days of two flowers signifying a smooch, but not all actors are ready to go the Mallika Sherawat way. What’s more, it’s not just the gals who are pucker-shy either. Actor Jimmy Shergill, for instance, recently refused to kiss co-star Nandana Sen while shooting for Strangers. Even actor Emraan Hashmi, once known as the ‘serial kisser’ isn’t living up to the title any more. Last seen kissing in Gang- ster, the actor now wants to be known for his histrionics rather than his kisses. Many like Hashmi feel kissing scenes trivialise their per- formances, often grabbing more eyeballs than the rest of the film. Some actors like Abhay Deol have also admitted that a kiss is mostly used to tantalise the audience. Also, other than the piercing gaze of spotboys, technicians and crew mem- bers, there are quite a few practical problems of shooting a kissing scene. Says actor Tusshar Kapoor, who hasn’t yet kissed in films, “Most of the time you’re not attracted to the co-star you’re doing an intimate scene with. But you have to do your job. Until recently, a kiss was a ticket to fame for newbies and Remember Preeti really take off. After do- Express. Preeti will be struggling actresses awaiting a break. And they would kiss Jhingiani? The girl who ing some small films in seen opposite Naresh in and tell, getting media attention in the bargain. Think Tanisha, made her debut with Yash Telugu and Hindi, she has the film. whose endless kisses in Neal ’n’ Nikki are her claim to fame, Raj Films’ Mohabbatein. nothing much to talk of in The release date has or even Koena Mitra whose steamy kiss with Fardeen Khan Despite having her kitty. been set for December. It in Ek Hasina Ek Khiladi got her noticed. But the present group worked for such big ban- One film she is eagerly is being directed by of new entrants like Tulip Joshi, Amrita Arora, Geeta Basra, ners, her career didn’t awaiting for is Visakha Mullapudi Vara. Tara Sharma, Udita Goswami and Tanushree Dutta refuse to pucker up. Some, like Ayesha Takia and Tulip Joshi, have Bollywood’s Hrithik Roshan signed movie which even passed up plum offers, sticking to their stance on on- has neither a script nor a director yet! screen kisses. Takia told BT in an interview that she couldn’t best smooches! accept Nagesh Kukoonoor’s film as it required her to kiss. Hrithik Roshan, who takes Tulip, meanwhile, managed to talk her director out of a kiss- pride in studying bound scripts ing scene in a forthcoming film. Says Tulip, “Hostel had a and complete screenplays be- kissing scene. But I convinced my director to do away with fore signing a film, has now it. Of course, it doesn’t always work that way.” gone ahead and accepted a film, Why be shy though? Tanushree Dutta says it’s because Recently we asked you, which is a joint collaboration she would find it embarrassing to face her parents if she dear readers to rate the best between Eros International and kissed on-screen. onscreen kisses in Bollywood, Actor Ritiesh Carving Dreams Motion Pic- and rate them you did! tures, without a script. Deshmukh main- There were many candi- The producers have not tains a no-kissing dates, and the most popular policy to safe- was not from the latest and even roped in a director for this big-budget film, which is guard his father bolder Bollywood, but one scheduled to hit the floors next year. A source from Eros Chief Minister from 1988. The film was International informs, “It is true that for the first time Hrithik Vilas Rao Dayavan which featured one has signed a film without going through the script or speak- Deshmukh’s im- of the longest smooches in ing to the director.” age. Salman Khan Bollywood between a very too has expressed The buzz going around is that the actor is getting impa- young Madhuri Dixit and a his strong reserva- tient after he finished shooting Jodha Akbar which releases much older Vinod Khanna. tions against kiss- early next year. At the moment, he has no films in his kitty. Directed by Feroz Khan ing. As for mar- Trade pundits indicate that even the most seasoned of ried actresses, and — who also starred in the film as Vinod Khanna’s actors has fears of being left without a film in hand and Hrithik even ones in serious relationships, the partner’s disap- is possibly having the same jitters. Hence, the actor has bid proval is a deterrant to being kiss-happy. Abhishek buddy — the movie tells the goodbye to his lofty standards and embarked on a film sign- Bachchan was reportedly upset about the Ash-Hrithik kiss story of a gangster and a in Dhoom 2. But refusing to kiss is mostly a personal prostitute (Madhuri) and their ing spree. As far as Krrish 2 is concerned, the script is far choice, maintain many actors. Says Tulip, “My boyfriend attempt to live an honourable from ready and the Roshans plan to hit the floors only in the is very secure and it’s got nothing to do with him. It’s life. Now, in no particular or- second half of 2008. very personal. I don’t mind suggestive intimate scenes, der, we take a look at your Kishore Lulla from Eros International says, “I’m delighted other favourite kisses. but I’ve always been particular about not kissing.” that Hrithik Roshan is playing the lead role in the film.”

THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007

Ash, Abhishek and Big B at Gangotri music launch 14 Sports Sachin becomes second highest Test run-scorer : India victory in Delhi Test NEW DELHI: India Rahul Dravid (34) after wickets for just 35 runs were closer to a big victory lunch to reach his ninth Test with a flurry of reckless against archrivals Pakistan 50 before Akhtar had him shots. Zaheer Khan re- at Feroze Shah Kotla Sta- caught at square-leg on a moved overnight batsman dium here on Sunday after lifeless pitch. Akhtar then Kamran Akmal in the day’s an assertive performance by removed Dravid, who had first over, ending his 52-run their top-order batsmen on survived a close lbw appeal partnership with Misbahul day four of the first Test. against paceman Haq for the sixth wicket. Chasing a modest victory Mohammad Sami, bowled Zaheer struck again when target of 203, the hosts were between bat and pad in a fi- Sohail Tanvir (13) was 171 for the loss 3 wickets ery spell after tea to reduce caught by Harbhajan Singh when play was called off due India to 93 for three. But at square-leg. Ganguly to bad light. Ganguly and Sachin put In- then took two wickets in his Left-hander Saurav dia within touching distance only over of the day. Ganguly (48 not out) and of victory against the tour- Misbah fell trying to hoist Sachin Tendulkar (32 not ists. the ball over the mid-on out) added 78 runs for the Sachin, playing in his fence, with Dinesh Karthik fourth wicket after strike 142nd match, became the running back from mid-on bowler Shoaib Akhtar second highest Test run- to take the catch, and two claimed the top three bats- scorer. He surpassed former balls later Sami (5) fell to a men to raise Pakistan’s Australian skipper Allan man Brian Lara heads the list dreds with 37. catch by Jaffer at square- hopes. Opener Wasim Jaffer Border’s aggregate of 11,174 with 11,953 runs from 131 Earlier in the morning, leg. Last man Danish struck a fluent 53 with eight runs when he reached 24. matches. Sachin holds the Pakistan threw the initiative Kaneria was run out by fours and put on 82 runs with Retired West Indies bats- record for most Test hun- away after losing five Sachin on his first ball. There may be no top 20 doubles with Marina players heading for the ASB Davenport is Classic top draw Erakovic. Classic but that hasn’t damp- current cut-off for Angeles. Paszek will turn 17 next ened spirits at the launch of the direct entries. Kirilenko was a month and has a career- the 2007/08 tournament. The draw will be finalist at Kolkata high ranking of 41after a The tournament which headed by current and then won the year which had her reach- starts December 31 and will world 22 Vera title at Seoul the fol- ing the fourth round of be live on TV ONE and Zvonareva from lowing week, beat- Wimbledon beating 17th tvnz.co.nz has 10 players Russia who has ing Venus Williams seed Tatiana Golovin and ranked inside the top-50 in been ranked as high in the final. 12th seed Elena the world as well as three as nine in the world Also set to make Dementieva in consecutive former champions and an- and has five career the cut is 2004 final- matches before losing to other close to making the titles. In a year of ist Ashley fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova. She also made cut. injuries Zvonareva Harkleroad who has the fourth round at the US Katarina Srebotnik from was still able to put moved to 67th after Open. Slovenia, the 2005 champion, in some top perfor- wins at a As a qualifier at age 15 sits at 26 in the world and is mances including US$75,000 tourna- years and nine months she also No4 in doubles. She won reaching the final at ment in the United won the WTA Tour title at three doubles titles in 2007 the ASB Classic for States and two Portoroz, Slovenia, one of and was a finalist in doubles the second con- US$50,000 tourna- the youngest in the games at Roland Garros and secutive year. ments. history to win a tourna- Wimbledon and the year-end In the 2007 final Two newcomers ment. championships, all with Ai Zvonareva was to Auckland are The best performed player Sugiyama. beaten in one of the most semis of Charleston, Luxem- Dutchwoman Michaella to ever appear at the ASB The champion of 2003 dramatic matches ever wit- bourg and Quebec. Krajicek and Austrian Classic is former No1 Lind- and 04, Eleni Daniilidou nessed in the history of the Another player to watch Tamira Paszek. say Davenport who has 53 (Greece) is back at 42 in the tournament eventually losing for is Spaniard, Anabel Krajicek, 18 is ranked 33 career titles, two of them in world after making three to top seed Jelena Jankovic Medina Garrigues, who is in the world, and was a her comeback after the birth quarter-finals and the semi- 7-6(9) 5-7 6-3 in front of an ranked at 34, and has seven quarter-finalist at of her first child. finals at New Haven and enthralled crowd. career singles titles to her Wimbledon this year and The three-time Grand Seoul. There were other top per- credit after winning at has three career singles Slam singles winner sits at Meilen Tu is the third formances throughout the Strasbourg earlier this year. titles to her credit. She was 72nd in the rankings and will ranked American at 48th and year as the former Roland WTA glamour girl Maria the former world not be seeded for the ASB was the 2001 champion. She Garros quarter-finalist Kirilenko also returns to No1ranked junior and is Classic. When the draw is returns to Auckland for a reached the fourth round of Auckland. The 20-year-old also the half sister of 1996 done on Saturday December record 12th time. the Aussie Open, the quar- had a great finish to the year Wimbledon winner, Rich- 29 all other players will be Anne Kremer, the 2000 ters at Indian Wells, with quarter-final appear- ard Krajicek. She also won anxiously watching to see winner, sits just outside the Portoroz, Moscow and ances at San Diego and Los the 2004 US Open Junior where Lindsay is drawn.

THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 Trade and Commerce 15

Rethinking Agriculture Orissa acclaims...(From Page 1) peripherial development. The court has categorically said how States need common focus much amount to be spent on which subject, he said. The development of the perishable produce of fruit and Besides, the minister also said that the developer of the project, Dr. Vinod Mehta now Sterlite, would inform the court how many people would be agricultural sector has become vegetables to the designated employed in the unit thus giving guarante on jobs. critical for sustaining an overall mandis where the middlemen Besides, numerous Behera said that both the state government and Sterlite In- would help find a buyer for their growth rate of about 9 per cent. researches on the agricultural dustries (SIIL) would like to comply with the rehabilitation pack- While discussing the Draft sector in the past five decades produce. age as ordered by the court in order to ensure that the project Eleventh Plan the Prime have made these points, the Recall, when some of the comes up in the backward Kalahandi district. Minister underlined the need important point, however, is to business houses in the While criticising the Opposition Congress which earlier in the for a central focus on implement them in letter and organised sector tried to day demanded resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over agriculture given the spirit. Take for instance point venture into the retail of fruit the Vedanta case, the minister said that the court had no where importance of rural population (b) relating to research and and vegetables by directly implicated the state government. and the need for food security extension; may one ask what procuring their supplies from While the court had not pointed fingers towards the state in the coming decades. our agricultural research the farmers, the middlemen and government, there was no point in making such demand he said There is an urgent need to institutes have been doing for vendors were up in arms. Thus, suggesting the opposition to read copy of the court judgment reinvigorate a sector on which the past 50 years? forcing the State Governments before jumping into conclusion. two-thirds of the billion-plus Why are the foreign private either to shut down the population depends, but which seed firms able to offer high organised outlets or seek Mahtab suggests...(From Page 1) is growing at less than one third quality seeds than our refuge under the marketing act. check beach erosion, Revenue and Disaster Management of the pace of the overall agricultural research institutes? There is no gainsaying that Minister Manmohan Samal informed the Assembly. Replying to economy. Assuming a 7-8 per Why has the role of extension the ultimate loser has been the a question of Mohan Charan Majhi, the minister cent GDP growth rate, by 2020 workers in helping the farmers farmer. The farmer will always said the government had written a letter to Project Director we would require 340 million to adopt new seeds and be the loser in such an Oceanography B R Subramaniyam seeking his suggestions to tonnes of food-grains. technologies been reduced institutional set up. Therefore, the problem. Mr Samal said ingress of sea into the land had According to the World over the years? What is credit the Government will have to posed a threat to those living close to the sea in four coastal Bank, India's agricultural to farmers at affordable rates? rethink the institutional districts--Ganjam, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Puri. growth rate in the past decade Astonishingly, instead of changes in the marketing of fruit Gopalpur sea beach, Podampeta Nolia basti, in Ganjam dis- trict, Satabhaya and Kanpur mouja in Kendrapara district and (1995/96-2004/05) slowed down codifying and implementing the and vegetables. Kusupur, Tentulibelari, Bakeipur, Ichhapur and Bardia area of to less than 2 per cent per year, recommendations of various Then there is the problem Balikuda tehsil in Jagatsinghpur district were threatened due to compared to about 3.5 per cent of wastage of farm produce, reports/studies on tackling sea erosion,he said. both grain and fruit and per annum in the preceding these issues we have been During the last one year the sea ingressed Puri beach thrice decade. It further notes that in paying only lip service to them vegetable, either on the farm and badly affected the 1.5 km long road close to the sea in the poorest states, such as all these years. Otherwise the itself, or in transit from one place Sipsurubali Mouja of the district. But it had not posed any threat Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and agricultural sector would not to another or in the godowns. to the people living close to the sea, the minister said. Rajasthan, growth in the last have come to such a pass. We have done nothing to decade was below one per cent The economists are talking check this wastage but can we First shipyard at...(From Page 1) per year. about contract farming. Are our afford such wastage now? employment to nearly 9,000 people, Ashok Dalwai, state in- It has also been observed farmers ready for contract Significantly, agriculture is dustry secretary said. Essar Steel’s proposal is for enhancing that the yields of major crops farming? Do they stand to gain a State subject. But the time capacity from 4 million tonnes to 6 million tonnes per annum (food grains, oilseeds, other from contract farming? How has come for the States to come while SL Mining Industries’ proposal is for setting up an iron ore cash crops) in India are lower does one ensure that the together to think over the beneficiation plant and a pelletisation plant. Dalwai said that the than in many other countries. companies entering into common problems facing the proposals for two mega projects, the shipyard building unit and For example, rice yields in India contract with farmers will not agricultural sector and to the Essar Steel’s capacity enhancement, would be sent to the high- are one-third of China’s and take them for a ride for the extent possible develop a level clearance committee headed by the chief minister, Navin Patnaik. Dalwai said that the shipbuilding yard would come up at about half of those in Vietnam reason that these contracts are common response to marketing investment of Rs 2,200 crore and the project completed in three and Indonesia. It is in this cleverly drawn in a language of agricultural produce, phases within 72 months of the signing of the Memorandum of context that the development of contract farming, water sharing, which the farmers may not Understanding (MoU). Earlier, APJ Bharati Shipyard proposed to checking of wastage and the agricultural sector becomes understand. set up two shipyards in West Bengal along with the Essar Group. critical not only from the point No doubt a few farmers in institutional and organizational The approximate project cost in West Bengal would be around Rs of view of overall growth but certain states have gone in for changes so as to help the 2,000 crore. “With the coming up the shipyard unit, Orissa will also from the point of view of contract farming and many farmers get their legitimate dues benefit a lot. It would earn huge revenue to the tune of Rs 3,700 feeding the billion plus others are willing to go for it. as well as assure the nation crore,” Dalwai said. Dalwai said as massive industrialisation was population. However, the idea is to put more adequate supply of food grain taking place in Orissa, the ship building yard would augment the The Eleventh Plan aims to money in the hands of the and other agricultural produce water transport system in the state. Around 11 ports are coming raise the agricultural growth farmers through this like pulses, oilseeds, fruit and up in the state, which already has ports at Paradip and Gopalpur. rate to four per cent per year. mechanism. Therefore, to vegetables, milk, poultry, meat Importantly, to achieve this, the safeguard the interests of the and fisheries. Privilege motion...(From Page 1) Plan aims to: (a) accelerate the farmers the Government must Our aim should be to be self Das attached copy of a letter said to have been sent by Maken expansion of irrigated area and first have a policy on contract sufficient in the agricultural to Orissa party leadership, which said "we may not let any other improve water management in farming and then model sector with surplus for export. work in the assembly take place unless our motion on such an rain-fed areas, (b) bridge the contracts in a language which We are heavily dependent on important issue (water) is admitted and voted." The letter also knowledge gap through the farmers understand. imported fuel spending almost congratulated the Congress legislature party and the Pradesh effective research and Take our archaic half of our export earnings on Congress on taking a tough stand in favour of farmers on Hirakud extension, (c) foster agricultural marketing laws. it. This kind of situation we dam issue. While CLP leader J B Patnaik described Maken's letter diversification to higher value Everyone is talking about should avoid as far as as "party's internal affair", Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said it horticulture, fisheries, and putting more money in the agricultural produce is was "shocking" to direct MLAs to disrupt assembly business. Patnaik told reporters that the real intention of the opposition animal husbandry, (d) increase hands of the farmers. But in concerned. Hopefully the party was "thoroughly exposed. They (Congress) are interested food grain productivity for food reality the farmer is forced to Eleventh plan will help change in doing politics over farmers issue instead of coming forward for security, (e) facilitate farmers' sell at lower prices because of the face of the agricultural a discussion in the house." "The cat is out of the bag. They are access to credit at affordable sector. --- INFA our archaic agricultural exposed. It seems the central minister is behind disruption of rates and (f) improve farmer (The author is former marketing laws. The farmers are Orissa Assembly," he said adding, "of course I condemn his act access to markets. supposed to bring their Director, Research, ICSSR) of asking party MLAs to disrupt house business." THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007 16 RNI Regd. No- 4006/57(92), Postal Regd. No. OR/CK(C)-53/2006-08. November 30-December 06, 2007 Yesterday’s job-hunter today’s Beauty Is Truth entrepreneur: Villager writing his destiny Balangir: Satrughan “I started setting up my propagation of trees and Meher of Katmunda Village nursery in 1994 and got my shrubs grown commercially. has become a big inspiration firm registered with the Yashoda Meher Nursery has for many unemployed youth Horticulture department in 20 varieties of delicious here since he independently 2004. That year I produced mango breeds that are established a variegated 2,000 mango saplings which marketed in Uttar Pradesh, mango plants nursery in grew to 40,000 in 1995 and Rajasthan, and Andhra 1994. 80,000 in the following years. Pradesh besides Orissa. Disappointed with his job- In 2007, I have sold at "After completing my hunting for a long time, least 150,000 saplings till matriculation, I was looking Satrughan Meher once date," he added. for a job. However, I have vowed to be a successful Today, students from seen the success of Meher's entrepreneur. He developed a different colleges and nursery and I too decided to mango saplings nursery, institutes also visit Yashoda join it. I earn rupees 70 per named after his mother's Meher Nursery to seek day," said Charan Singh, an name 'Yashoda Meher lessons in grafting and employee at the nursery. Nursery' that was spread over motivation from Satrughan. Considering Satrughan’ nine acres of land. The mantra behind the enthusiasm, Balangir Satrughan's determination success of Yashoda Meher horticulture authorities also and assistance provided by the Nursery has been a wide provide multi-faceted District Horticulture variety of mango saplings assistance to him. authorities have paid off well. with a higher surviving rate "Our department provides His “Yashoda Meher on transplantation that him with both technical Nursery”, today spreads over Satrughan developed through assistance and subsidies. 45 acres of land and employs grafting. Now he is planning to start a more than 30 villagers. Grafting is a method of Vermicompost plant also and A child marathoner finds "After getting my plant propagation widely used we are helping him in this. We her dreams fading out graduation degree, I failed to in horticulture where the also provided him with green Bhadrak: Everyone has problems have come my way. get a job. But I didn't lose hope tissues of one plant are house facility in his nursery," heard of child marathoner My father is unable to and decided to set up an encouraged to fuse with those said Kishore Kumar Budhia Singh. But another provide me with the materials orchard,” said Satrughan, of another. It is most Mahalinga, Assistant youngster from Orissa - a that a marathoner needs,' she owner of the plant nursery. commonly used for the Horticulturist, Balangir. five-year-old girl who ran a said. Although the local and Millions take holy dip to mark Panchaka Elephants population distance of 58 km in eight national media have reported hours and wants to become on Rajeswari's feat, the state Bhubaneswar: Millions on this day get absolution increases in Orissa a professional athlete - finds government has not taken any of devotees in Orissa took a from their sins. According to Bhubaneswar: The her dreams dying out. step to encourage her, her holy dip and set afloat folklore, Oriya traders begin population of wild elephants The family of Rajeswari father and coach miniature boats made of their sea voyages on this in Orissa has shown a marginal rise, Sri Naveen Das, a Class 3 student from Baikunthanath Das said. banana tree trunks carrying auspicious day to Indonesia's Patnaik told the Assembly. Kuansh village in Bhadrak Das, a national level lighted earthen lamps in Bali. In the coastal districts, Replying to a question of district doesn't have the volleyball player, is working rivers, to mark the state's rich many women floated tiny Mr D Sibu (Cong), the Chief means to buy the food, shoes as a havaldar in the Reserve maritime tradition. paper boats in the morning to Minister said the number of and clothes so essential for Police Force. 'I have to take While ten of thousands of mark this maritime tradition pachyderms had increased her training. care of a family of six with devotees visited Jagannath of the state. The ritual, from 1841 to 1862. She came into the limelight my meagre income. I take temple in Puri to have a known as 'Boita Bandanas', is Mr Patnaik said according after running a distance of home around Rs.4,000 per glimpse of Hindu deity Lord a throwback to the ancient to census conducted in 2002 about 40 km on Oct 18, 2006 month as salary. I am barely Jagannath, thousands of practice when wives and 2007 the number of elephants in Keonjhar district in five-and-a-half hours. able to provide my daughter people rushed to nearest worshipped their voyager had declined from 112 to 60. Subsequently she claims to with nutritious food, shoes, temples after bathing in local husbands before they set sail, However, elephants have run 58 km from Bhadrak and clothes,' he said. rivers and ponds in other history scholar Rabindra population in districts close to to the Biraja Temple in Jajpur In June this year, then parts of the state. The Kumar Mohapatra said. On Keonjhar had increased. March 11, 2007 in eight hours president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam sanctum sanctorum of the this occasion, the government The Chief Minister said a in front of hundreds of local wrote to the state Jagannath temple was opened organises weeklong trade 35 km long solar charged residents. government, asking it to early in the morning as usual, fairs -- named 'Bali Yatra' wire fencing and 36 km long 'I am very keen on provide Rajeswari all a temple official told. (voyage to Bali) -- in Cuttack trench had been constructed to protect the elephants and participating in marathons and necessary help but nothing According to a belief, the and the state's port town of save the crop from being am planning to run from has been done as yet, Das last five days of the month of Paradeep. Rituals are also damaged. At least eight anti- Bhadrak to the Khirochora said. Kartika called Panchaka are held on a smaller scale at poaching and anti-depredation Gopinath Temple in Balasore Budhia Singh, another considered sacred and the last Chilika Lake. The fair at Kila team had been constituted and - a distance of 80 km - in the child marathoner, has been day is considered the most Maidan on the riverbank of they were equipped with near future,' Rajeswari said. admitted to a hostel by the sacred. It is believed that Cuttack is the biggest trade bright light, cracker, band and The little girl practises state government, which is those who take a dip in the fair in the state where more public address system to sea or rivers and visit the than 100,000 people visit, drive away the elephants to everyday at the local sports bearing all his expenses and temple early in the morning Mohapatra said. the forest, he added. stadium. 'But financial providing him free education. THE EASTERN TIMES, November 30-December 06, 2007