Interview with Akul Tripathi

1. What triggered the passion to host a travel show?

I have always prioritized travelling. It has been my first love. I cherish the freedom in the wandering. And too often and much to the chagrin of my reluctant bankers, work has been sacrificed at its altar. Equally satisfying has been acting which remained something I did bits off, all through my growing-up years. The thought of how great it would be to host a travel show did cross my mind often, but the variety that was popular on television - the cosmetic look at family resorts and the few historic monuments would always distress and frustrate. Then along came Epic and suddenly, there was somebody looking for what I had always enjoyed. To be honest, even then, I was just gung-ho on researching and writing (and ofcourse eyeing the opportunity to recce). This is when Monia decided that I should have a go at hosting it and then like most things destined to be, it just fell into place.

2. Did you enjoy travelling to all those places? Have you visited all these remote locations before?

I enjoy travelling to places which have fallen off the map as at most times, the only reason is that there is no longer a road leading up to there anymore and no place of worship is functional. I must also say, I enjoy the quiet without the throng of people crowding at monuments. I have visited quite a few of the places featured in Ekaant before, while traveling with the Wilson College Nature Club, which is how I knew of them and some others on the wish list were checked because of Ekaant.

3. Why did you choose talking about abandoned places of India?

To give a voice to those who had no one speaking for them. Who is to decide which is a history that must be remembered and one that must be forgotten? All we know and should aspire to know about history is incomplete until all its players have had their say in it. And they are all interlinked. So until we know why these abandoned places lie desolate the way they do, our knowledge about why the ones that are still living in one sense or the other will remain incomplete.

And ofcourse the stories are fresh and new - and make for great television viewing.

4. What parts of India can we hope to see in the coming episodes?

(Laughs) All over we hope. Of course subject to the auspices of the great Indian bureaucracy and the magnificent Indian monsoon obliging and blessing us on our travels.

5. Which was your favourite location? And why?

I can almost sense the hurt other locations feel when I try moving one up the ladder. So leaving the locations and the histories aside, I confess I am partial to Ladakh. Its just the geographical part of the country that I feel the most alive in...

6. When not hosting, what can we find you doing best?

Travelling to more places without a camera following me and me holding one instead. I enjoy reading and tinkering with technology. And did I forget to mention playing with my dogs and sipping coffee on my mum’s swing - sometimes simultaneously?

7. What kind of roles / TV shows attracts you the most?

I have always been keenly attracted to history, crime, the supernatural and other intellectually stimulating software made for television, movie or print. Regrettably there are few of these that we produce in the Indian market, so a large chunk is from western shows. The Newsroom, Luther, Broadchurch, Elementary, DaVinci’s Demons are the recent addictions. Looking to get my hands on Marco Polo and need to watch some more of Vikings and Black Sails.

8. How attached are you to Indian History and Mythology?

Oh! Extremely. And the more you try to find out about it, the larger it begins to appear. It is never ending and that is good for me. Sorted for this life time. Though history sometimes manages to trump the fantastical mythology. And it gets even better when you can’t tell the two apart.

9. Do you prefer doing shows on TV or doing Bollywood films?

Catch 22! No safe way of answering that, is there? But honestly, I have the experience of only one movie and in comparison have done significantly more television shows. The nomad in me loves the fast pace of television - but all too often the devil that guards my love for detail agonizes over the luxurious time that films offer to cross the t’s and dot the i’s.

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Govt is trying to acquire Bauxite mines to the fold of OMC: R K Singh

Shri Rajanikanta Singh, Steel & Mines Minister, Govt. of Odisha, is also a Social worker besides having a rich experience in a PSU for around 20 years in the state. He is the son of Ex-Minister Late Adaita Prasad Singh. Singh is elected as an MLA for the second term in 2009 representing Angul constituency. Having associated with the State's Mining sector for long while in service and also as a Minister as well, he possessed a thorough knowledge regarding the sector. Speaking to Sandeep Pattnaik and Brahmi Priya Samantray, he shared his views about the Mining Industries in the state passing through a tough phase in a very candid way. Excerpts:


Q. Sir, give us some insight into your political career before taking charge as Minister, Steel and Mines, Govt. of Odisha.

A- Before stepping into the Political career, I was working as Chief Manager in Nalco, Angul for 20 years (1982 - 2002). I availed voluntary retirement from Nalco in December 2002 and joined Biju Janata Dal. I have started working for the People of Angul Constituency along with my father Late A.P. Singh, who was an M.L.A at that point of time. Subsequently, he became Planning Board Chairman in the year January 2003. I got elected twice as an MLA from Angul constituency in 2004 & 2009.


Q. To which of the activities you would like to give a priority tag during your tenure as Minister, Steel & Mines?

A- The emphasis of the Department shall be to utilize the available raw materials (Minerals) for the development of our state for economic growth. Government has adopted value addition policy since last 10 years, so far as the, make use of the minerals are concerned.



Q. What is the status so far as to receiving the final report of Justice MB Shah Commission on the much touted Mining scam in the state is concerned?
A- I cannot tell you the exact date on which the commission shall be submitting the report.



Q. According to Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), it’s a case of Irregular mining, but not Illegal Mining. What's your remark on that?

A- In the past few years Odisha came across the problem of excessive mining i.e. exploration of minerals beyond the approved Mining Plan submitted by the IBM. I agree with the contention of IBM of excessive but not illegal mining, as everything is recorded; otherwise we would not have been able to catch hold of these irregularities and impose penalty on the erring miners.



Q. Big industrial houses like Tata Steel are about to challenge the decision of whopping penalties levied on them. Then what would be the Govt's stand in this context?
A- Penalties / Fines have been levied on the Mining Companies in the context of violation of rules under the MMDR act, 1957. Everybody should obey the rules and regulations under the act. We would try our level best to vindicate our stand in the court of law.



Q. Large Industries have to shut down their operations like the Vedanta in Odisha due to non-availability of Bauxite and other key RMs. Then how the government is going to tackle the issue?

A- The government is trying to acquire Bauxite mines to the fold of Odisha Mining Corporation, but nothing tangible has happened yet. In the case of Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL), the matter of bauxite mining is pending in the Supreme Court. I cannot comment on the matter which is sub-judice.



Q. People engaged directly or indirectly with Vedanta are likely to lose their livelihood due to the abrupt closure of its refinery at Langigarh. Then what the government is thinking about for their rehabilitation?

A- There is no other Bauxite mines available readily with the State government, as the Niyamgiri Bauxite mining of OMC is now Sub-judice.



Q. Small & Medium industries are reeling under acute shortage of raw materials like iron ore and coal in the state. Does the draft policy on raw material linkage to be unveiled soon will address the concern of these industries?

A- The state government has formed a three-member ministerial committee headed by Finance Minister as chairman, Steel & Mines and Industries Minister as the other two members of the committee. The ministerial committee shall have to submit its report within the time frame of three months ending 31st January. The committee is in the process of consultation with various stakeholders such as industries, Public Sector units like NMDC, OMDC etc., to prepare a proper policy, keeping in view to the problems faced by the industries depending upon Minerals.


Q. The Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 has been put on hold by the Odisha High Court in response to a PIL filed in the recent past. Then how the government is going to counter it?

A- The Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 is an act enacted by the Parliament. The State Government has nothing to do with this. So far as the filing of PIL is concerned, government will consult the Advocate General of Odisha and put forth the opinion before the Hon’ble High court.


Q. The State Government is urging the centre to levy Mineral Resource Rent Tax on the super normal profits earned by the Miners. Do you think, it is going to be materialized soon?
A- The Chief Minister of Odisha has time and again asked the centre to divert 50 percent of the super normal profit earned by the mining companies to the State by way of taxing them. But nothing concrete has been done by the Government of India as of now.


Q. Does the existing MMDR act need to be in its present form or to be revamped? Give your view.

A- It is the prerogative of the Government of India to make suitable amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act as and when it is required. The state can only give its recommendations to the Centre.

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