Advani sounds hard on Manmohan, mum on Naveen

By Debadas Pradhan/Sikha Sashirekha (source:www.indusvalleytimes.com)
Sambalpur (Orissa), Oct. 24: Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani on Monday questioned the prudence of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issuing direction that either finance minister Pranab Mukherjee or home minister P. Chidambaram should remain in Delhi to look after the day-to-day affairs of the Government in his absence.
“As per practice, the Prime Minister can appoint one or two deputy Prime Ministers to assist him. But there cannot be two Number-2 ministers. Until today, we knew that Pranab Mukherjee was the No. 2. But, as media reports suggest, the Manmohan Singh’s strange decision is aimed at demolishing the powers of the No. 2,” Mr Advani said while addressing a press conference here.
The BJP veteran said by nominating Mr Chidambaram as one of the No. 2 ministers, the PM wanted to thwart the probe into the 2G Spectrum scam in which the latter’s name figured.
Continuing his UPA bashing, Mr Advani said the Central government suffered problem the problem anarchy and chaos.
“Anarchy and chaos has plagued the UPA government. It is in a state of paralysis. It cannot take decisions on its won. In Telengana issue, it has sought two months time allowing the agitation to continue and young people committing suicide for the cause,” he observed.
Stating that the UPA government was continuously disregarding the federal structure of the country, the BJP veteran said the Central government has no right to discriminate a state government basing on the complex of the government.
Claiming that his current yatra had garnered bigger public response than his previous five yatras, Mr Advani said failure of the UPA government in governance and bring back black money stashed away in foreign banks were the reasons for the people’s massive support.
The BJP leader, as usual, appeared reticent on the ruling BJD in Orissa.
“I do not want to comment on any state government or chief minister. As regards Orissa, he (chief minister Naveen Patnaik) broke the ties with us without any information. However, I believe our state leaders are unsparing about the government here. I will not prevent them from doing so,” he observed.
Asked if there is possibility of the BJP enrolling the BJD into the NDA fold, Mr Advani said, “I’ m not ruling out anything. But, as I understand, the relationship between the two is very much tense here.”

National Workshop on Radiochemistry at ITER from Nov. 28

By Our Correspondent / www.indusvalleytimes.com

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 18: Eminent scientists of international repute will speak at the 77th National Workshop on “Radiochemistry and Applications of Radioisotopes” to be held at the Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER), the faculty of engineering of the Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University, from November 28 to December 6 next.

The workshop is being held in collaboration with the Indian Association of Nuclear Chemists and Allied Scientists (IANCAS), according to Prof. Sujata Mishra, Convener of the workshop.

The last date for registration to attend the workshop has been extended to October 30 and the application form can be downloaded from the University website: www.soauniversity.ac.in/www.iter.ac.in, she said.

The IANCAS, founded in 1981, aimed at popularizing the beneficial aspects of nuclear energy and application of radioisotopes in science, technology, agriculture and healthcare.

Internationally known scientists working in areas like nuclear chemistry, nuclear physics, nuclear reactors, neutron activation analysis, production and application of radioisotopes and nuclear analytical techniques will be interacting with the participants, Prof. Mishra said adding special sessions would be held on research funding opportunities in nuclear sciences for participants associated with teaching and research.

The lectures will be on subjects like nuclear stability and structure,

radioactivity and nuclear decay, interaction of radiation with matter, radiation detection and measurements, nuclear reactors, radiation chemistry and production of radioisotopes.

Issues on health and safety aspects and how to set up Radiochemistry Laboratory will also figure in the discussion.

Tata Power Club Enerji Launches Mera Club Enerji

By Our Correspondent / Source: www.indusvalleytimes.com

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 18; Club Enerji (formerly known as Tata Power Energy Club) Tata Power’s nationwide energy conservation movement, has launched an interactive section on its website- www.clubenerji.com (formerly known as www.tatapowerenergyclub.com), exclusively for its Mera Club Enerji (mini energy club) members!

The Mera Club section takes Club Enerji’s involvement level with students a step further by giving them a platform to showcase energy and resource conservation initiatives undertaken by them.

This interactive section is built on the lines of a social networking platform where students can upload their Mera Club details, pictures and videos of their initiatives and share their experiences with other similar clubs.

Tata Power Club Enerji Launches Mera Club Enerji

By Our Correspondent (www.indusvalleytimes.com)

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 18; Club Enerji (formerly known as Tata Power Energy Club) Tata Power’s nationwide energy conservation movement, has launched an interactive section on its website- www.clubenerji.com (formerly known as www.tatapowerenergyclub.com), exclusively for its Mera Club Enerji (mini energy club) members!

The Mera Club section takes Club Enerji’s involvement level with students a step further by giving them a platform to showcase energy and resource conservation initiatives undertaken by them.

This interactive section is built on the lines of a social networking platform where students can upload their Mera Club details, pictures and videos of their initiatives and share their experiences with other similar clubs.

Cool colours of the setting sun:

As sun sets in, Satiguda dam on the outskirts of Malkangiri wears a pleasant look. (Photo-Gurudatta Behera)

Estranged Naveen colleague Damodar Rout launches Biju Bichar Manch

By Ratikant Mohanty/ source: www.indusvalleytimes.com

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 11: Former minister and estranged colleague of chief minister Naveen Patnaik, on Tuesday launched his much awaited platform – Biju Bichar Manch (BBM).

The forum is seen in political circles as a as a parallel platform for the dissident leaders.

Eminent freedom fighter Bhawani Patnaik formally launched the BBM at a public rally held at Unit 8 Kalyan Mandap.

Hundreds of followers of Dr Rout from all the 30 districts in the state attended the launching ceremony.

Although Dr Rout had invited the chief minister to launch the forum as chief guest, the latter did kept him away from the programme citing pre-engagement.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rout said he was forced to form Biju Bichar Manch as he was sidelined in the party’s day-today affairs.

“A few flatterers and some vested interests who have hijacked the real power are now calling the shots in the BJD. They have sacrificed the values and principles the legendary leader Biju Patnaik stood for. Throughout his life Biju fought against the Central negligence to Orissa, corruption and nepotism. The BJD was primarily formed to fight for the state’s interests. However, it is unfortunate that most of the founder members of the party have been shown the door,” he observed.

Dismissing the rumour in political circles that the BBM was launched as a parallel political platform for the dissident BJD leaders, Dr Rout – who still holds the BJD vice president post, – said the basic objective behind launching the organisation was to propagate the cult of good governance and development as advocated by Biju Patnaik

Dr Rout, without mentioning the name BJD Rajya Sabha member Pyarimohan Mohapatra who is believed to be virtually controlling the party affairs, suggested the party leadership not to be guided by him and rule the state as per his own intellect and wisdom.

“The old people in BJD have been banished to oblivion. Many people who talked ill about and strongly opposed Biju Patanik are today rewarded in the party. Unscrupulous elements have crept into the BJD forum and plagued the party. Biju Babu lived for others but most of BJD leaders appear to be living for themselves only,” he added.

Senior BJD leaders like Prafulla Ghadei and Debashis Samantaray said there was no need to form a separate platform in the name of Biju Patnaik since the BJD was founded on Biju legacy.