PPSS fears ‘commando-type’ operation, sends SOS to civil societies for help

Sudhir Ranjan Dash / www.indusvalleytimes.com

Paradip:, June 24: Apprehending “commando-type” operation by Orissa police in the proposed steel plant site to evict the local people, Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS), an umbrella organisation of anti-displacement forums, on Friday said sent SOS message to civil societies for help.

“We are given to understand that a team led by the chief secretary Bijay Patnaik who has been personally supervising the execution of the 12-million-tonne Posco project has already met the chief minister to seek his approval for a commando type operation in Dhinkia the way the American forces did it in Pakistan to kill Osama Bin Laden,” a press statement released on behalf of PPSS leader Abhaya Sahu said.

Stating that the chief minister is known for his high reliance on bureaucracy, the PPSS statement says the chief secretary was given the assignment of “commando-type” operation in place of his friend and IDCO (Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation) chairman Priyabrata Patnaik who is now out of state.

“As you all know the CM Mr Patnaik believes too much in his bureaucracy. They have also given the police operation responsibility to deputy inspector general of police (DIG) D.S. Kute who ruthlessly oppressed the Kalinga Nagar movement against the Tatas,” the release said.

Quoting a statement by additional district magistrate S. Choudhury who in a television interview said the district administration was awaiting “sanction’ from higher authorities for “final” action, the PPSS said women and children who have formed a human barricade in the project area would definitely oppose any such “night invasion” by armed police.

“Our women and children would protest any such audacious night invasion and the protest will be in the same democratic and peaceful ways, which we have continued for the last six years,” the PPSS said.

It further said: “We shall be happy if good sense prevails upon the chief minister and he says no to such barbaric operation. But since the rulers have sold their conscience to corporations anything may happen. So please put pressure on the CM and please alert all people who could influence the state to take note of such a possibility. We request you to please do the needful to save Dhinkia. We are told their single target this time would be to arrest our leader Abhay Sahu and other leaders. We request all media friends, human rights organisation and pro-people political groups to please get in to action.”

Chief secretary Bijay Patnaik, while denying any such move, said, “The district administration always decides strategy in accordance with ground realities.”

Meanwhile, the CPI and CPI (ML) observed black day protesting forceful eviction of people in the Posco project area.

www.indusvalleytimes.com

SHAPING A YOUNG SOUL

Bhubaneswar-based Snake Helpline activist Subhendhu Mallick playing with a baby cobra that was artificially hatched. A few abandoned eggs were recovered by Mallick from Jharana Sahi in the city nearly one and half a month ago and bred under artificial conditions. (Photo-Piusha)

Godrej launches Edge SX Muziplay refrigerators

By Sikta Tripathy
Bhubaneswar, June 9: Leading electrical and electronics gadgets manufacturer Godrej Appliances on Thursday launched its new range of Edge SX Muziplay (music systems fitted into the gadget) refrigerators in Orissa.
Coming in six colours, the Muziplay set promises to transform a refrigerator from “passive appliance” into an “active entertainer,” repelling the monotony of the kitchen. While cooking, all that the homemaker has to is to dial the frequency of their favourite FM channel or play their choicest and pre-recorded music too.
Claimed to be the country's first music enabled refrigerator apart from FM also comes with a USB port where one can plug in a USB drive and listen to MP3 songs. Besides, he or she can plug in mobile phone to catch up with songs stored on the phone.
‘’Today consumers are quite aware of their options and clear about what products they desire. For instance, in the refrigerator category, more than just cooling consumers look for other features like freshness, storage efficiency and stylish exteriors. The Edge SX Muziplay refrigerators has set yet another milestone of strong legacy in research and development,’’said Mr Mayank Gupta, senior general manager, East, Godrej Appliances.
The refrigerator is equipped with two 80W PMPO speakers and six equalizer settings for Rock, Jazz, Pop, Country, Classic and Normal.
It also can be used to charge the mobile phone by just plugging it in the USB port.
In two capacities of 183 L and 221 L, the refrigerator has other enhanced features for refrigeration and they include technology which promises 24 hour cooling retention during power cuts, ensures faster ice-making and better space utilisation among others.
The pricing range is from Rs.13,480 to Rs.16,410.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Mr Raghunath Mishra, Deputy General Manager, Godrej Appliances, observed, the launch marked the beginning of a new era in the refrigerator category of the company.
source:www.indusvalleytimes.com

BJD STARES AT END, BATTLE LINE DRAWN BETWEEN NJD AND PJD

Congress calm, BJP on offensive as BJD goes defensive

By Our Correspondent / Source: www.indusvalleytimes.com Bhubaneswar, June 7: For Congress in Orissa, the situation remains the same – confusion reigns supreme in the party, crippling the potential leaders to raise vital issues that that may dent into the beleaguered BJD and its leadership. On the other hand, for the BJP, – the erstwhile “most” loyal partner of the BJD, –it’s perhaps the opportune time to rise from the ashes and assert itself in the state’s political firmament. And the party makes no mistake in accurately reading the current state of affairs and does its homework well to lay the foundation for a grand upheaval. Strikingly enough, the BJD that enjoyed overwhelming support of the people all these years on its promise of “clean” and “transparent” governance, now finds itself in a very awkward position. It promised crusade against corruption, but the Opposition is now out to crucify it (the BJD) on the same charge. It pledged good governance, but faces the charge of “misgovernace” or “bad governance.” It promised to protect jal, jamin and jungle (water, land and forest), but faces the allegation of mindless looting the same natural resources. It promised good leader, but questions have been raised about true leader. Where to go from now and how? The BJD is literally caught in catch22 situation. An enviable third term for Naveen Patnaik appears to have been a difficult phase to pass through. Most of the Biju BJD leaders are almost out of the party, while New Janata Dal – [NJD), (“New” may be translated as “Naveen” in Oriya, nothing to do with CM Naveen Patnaik) and Pyari Janata Dal [PJD] (“Pyari” may be translated into “People” or “popular” in English, nothing to do with BJD leader “Pyarimohan”) elements in the party are weighing their own strength to assert themselves in both the party forum and governance. A few seasoned politicians like A.U. Singhdeo, Prasanna Acharya Prafulla Ghadei who worked with Biju Patnaik have kept discreet silence, knowing well their voluntary service was not all solicited to bail out from the present crisis. The party now utterly lacks a credible voice and acceptable face to convince the people it once promised to serve. With the BJD house burning in internal fire of bickering, distrust and intolerance, the future holds interesting developments in store for the party and the possible ripples would certainly have its repercussion on state politics, maintain political observers. The BJP, under the stewardship of crafty Bijoy Mohapatra and Jual Orma, has prepared a blue-print for a grand burial of the “non-political” elements that have “ruined” the state in the past one decade. The party is compiling documents to wage sustained battle against such elements who focused more on self-accumulation of wealth at the cost of the state and common people. The Congress state unit, bereft of unit, stares helpless for an uncertain future. Lack of strong leadership and meticulous planning stands in the way of the party grabbing the opportunity for a return to mainstream politics. Source: www.indusvalleytimes.com

Ollywood ropes in Kashmira Shah for item song

By Subrat Pati / www.indusvalleytimes.com
Famous Bollywood item queen, Kashmira Shah is now in Ollywood. She is appearing in an item number 'Kiese Dakuchhi Kouthi Mote' for an upcoming Oriya feature film produced by Manjari Movies of Eastern Media Limited. Kashmira will be seen in a rapchik getup dancing to the tune of front-ranking music director Malaya Mishra. She will be dancing with dashing Anubhab Mohanty. Famous Ollywood singer Ira Mohanty has lent her voice for the item number 'Kanta lagi chiri gala lo chunira ghagara'.

In 1993 Kashmira won the 'Miss World University India' and won 'Miss Talent Award' in a national contest in South Korea. In 1995, she won the 'Miss Globe India' and was ranked in the top 5 of the Best National Costume awards. She did theatres too. Except expertise in dance (especially item numbers) she has also played important role in Hindi movies like 'Yes Boss', 'Pyar to Hona Hi Tha', 'Aakhen', 'Vaastav' and 'Jungle'. Her performance in item songs like 'Dilpe mat le yaar', 'Jawani se jung ye choli meri ab tang' and many others has made her fans crazy. Hosting famous reality shows like Nach Baliye and Big Boss is one among her numerous achievements.
Odia cine lovers are waiting to enjoy her performance in the upcoming movie.

Source: www.indusvalleytimes.com