Odissi Performance Regales Audience at Old Fort Dance Festival

New Delhi, Oct 11, 2015:  Veteran Odissi exponent and Padma Shri Madhvi Mudgal and her group of dancers performed at the Old Fort Dance Festival today, bringing alive the oldest surviving dance form of India for Delhi’s connoisseurs of classical dance.

Presented by the Sahitya Kala Parishad & Department of Art, Culture & Languages, Government of Delhi, the Old Fort Dance Festival is showcasing some of India’s most treasured classical dance forms.

The festival, that will end tomorrow, has been much appreciated and loved by the audience who have turned out in good numbers every day. The majestic ruins of Delhi’s Purana Qila have provided a fine ambience to this unique festival celebrating India’s classical dance forms.

The five-day festival of choreographies in classical dance forms has seen participation of veteran and legendary dance artists and their groups in multiple dance forms including Bharati Shivaji, Raja and Radha Reddy, among others. Legendary Kathak exponent Pandit Birju Maharaj will perform with his group on the last day of the festival.

On the sidelines of the festival, critically acclaimed artist Manav Gupta is displaying his latest installation – a waterfront of Ganga made out of chilams and diyas which are elements of nature. He has been working since long to create public art sculptures that generate concern towards sustainability. “This innovative art practice with potter’s clay (chilams and diyas) represents the tool as a means of getting intoxicated with the rain of love and also explores sustainable development”, says Mr. Gupta.

“The repertoire of Indian classical dances represents centuries of culture and tradition that has been preserved and sustained by generations of devoted exponents and earnest artists. Across the globe, Indian classical dance forms are appreciated and loved by dance lovers. Such festivals help extend the reach of classical dance forms to not just connoisseurs of dance but also to common people,” says Pandit Birju Maharaj.

“The idea behind the Old Delhi Dance Festival to juxtapose cultural heritage with structural heritage is a wonderful concept. The Purana Qila presents a poignant background to the performance of India’s most notable classical dance forms, some of whom originated centuries back in ancient and medieval times,” says Ms Leela Samson.

The festival will end with a performance of Kathak choreographed by none other than Pandit Birju Maharaj and his Group. The legendary exponent of Kathak has received numeours accolades over the years including Padma Vibhushan, sangeet Natak Academi Award and the prestigious Kalidas Samman.

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News Stories from Odisha This Week

News paper headlines dominated the state of Odisha this week. There were many major stories happened that made us to have a special post on our business news this week portal.

Sarathi Baba Controversy: Self-styled Godman was arrested that was the biggest breaking news story hit the all the media section. People were in puzzle to see their God in different form on Social Media sites. In the digital age of communication, no actions go unnoticed. Same thing happened in this case. His son was arrested from Mumbai, who has been absconding from the day one. Odisha police tracked mobile and ATM card details to reach him. 

Sorcery Case: In a gruesome incident, two tribal people were lynched in Rayagada suspecting them of practicing sorcery. The incident happened in the district of Rayagada, tribal dominance village areas, in the wee hours. Some people reportedly killed two people and thrown their body into river after packing in bags. 

Odisha Assembly: The ongoing monsoon session of the assembly was the major news that interest everyone in the state. The session was started as usual and as per the speculation. Opposition parties left no stone unturned over the crucial issues like - Praksh Mishra, POSCO, Land Bill etc.,  The first day was adjourned after paying rich tributes to departed leaders including former President Dr. Kalam and former Chief Minister of Odisha JB Patnaik.Since second day, opposition stalled the assembly. Speaker called All-Party meet to end the deadlock and opposition parties reportedly supported the move to allow smooth functioning of Odisha assembly. Odisha Government has tabled important bills including - Odisha Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Bill, this week. 

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Odisha Chief Minister giving President's medals to Cops

Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik giving away President's medals to meritorious Police Personnel at Investiture Ceremony at Jaydev Bhawan on August 15, 2015, on the occasion of 69th Independence Day Celebration in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha state. 

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Bank Branches to start in Villages in Koraput

The district administration of Koraput, Odisha in association with nationalized banks to open 46 Ultra Small Branches (USB) of banks in villages with over 2000 population.

These branches will provide banking services in the village having more than 2000 population in the district of Koraput in Odisha.

After these branches set up, the village can do their money transaction with the nationalized bank USB branches and also get their wages payment for MGNREGS.

Out of 46 proposed branches for the villages in the district, Utkal Grameen Bank will open 33 branches, State Bank of India (6), Andhra Bank (4) and UCO Bank, Union Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank will open each branch, according to media reports.

The district administration will provide space in existing government buildings to set up the banking branches and spent Rs 1.46 lakh from Integrated Action Plan fund on each USB bank branches proposed in the district villages.

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Trade Unions Strike enters Second Day

The strike called by 11 trade unions in India has entered into the second day on Thursday, paralyzing the transport and banking services across the country.

On the first day, many violent incident were reported across the country. But the bus services in Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh were normal.

In Noida, the violence turned ghastly and cops deployed to control the situation there to ease the violence clash.

In Odisha, there was mixed response to the strike called by trade unions over the economic reforms by the UPA government.

Bhubaneswar the capital city of Odisha has deserved look along the highways and some areas in the second days of the strike.

On the contrary, some places in the city were normal a routine day for many commuters. While there were reports of violation of section 144 in the capital city of Bhubaneswar.

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Budget Session begins in Odisha

The budget session has began in Odisha assembly on Thursday. The people of Odisha may witness some major outcomes from the state budget once it is presented by the state finance minister in the assembly.

As expected, there would be uproars also in the assembly from the opposition parties to corner the ruling party BJD.

Congress and BJP may raise all the current issues of the state during the assembly session to grill the state government.

There are many political issues, those could be given priority by the opposition parties in the house for discussion including – declaration of pro-poor scheme (one rupee per kg subsidised rice scheme), Posco land acquisition row, the deteriorate law and order in the state.

Allocation to state from the railway budget could also be another issue for the opposition parties.

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Revised policy for welfare of disabled in the offing: Minister Usha Devi

There are 10 lakh 21 thousand persons with disabilities in our state. These constitute 2.77 percent of our total population. Earlier, emphasis was given on their medical rehabilitation only. Now the focus has been changed to their comprehensive coordinated economic rehabilitation.

With the signing of ratification of United Nations Conventions for Rights of persons with disabilities (UNCRPD) 2006 by our country, the existing policy for their welfare needs to be replaced by a progressive policy. Odisha will have a new revised policy for persons with Disabilities, Minister Women and Child Development Smt.Usha Devi expressed.

Inaugurating a state level consultation meet on "State Policy on Persons with Disability " jointly organised by Women & Child Development Department, Govt. of Odisha and the office of the State Commissioner for persons with Disabilities today at Kalinga Ashok, Bhubaneswar, Smt. UshaDevi said that there have been vast & positive changes in the perception of State & Civil Society towards persons with disabilities in recent years.

Thishas been largely possible owing to the enactment of important legislations viz. persons with disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and full Participation) Act, 1995, National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, cerebral Palse, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disability Act, 1999, Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992; Mental Health Act, 1987 and

signing and ratification of United Nations Convention for Rights of persons with Disability, 2006 (UNCRPD) by government of India. But, in line with the UNCRPD, a new revised, all comprehensive policy will be able to implement effectively the existing legislations and carve out innovative strategies to further strengthen their legal aspects so that an environment can

be created which will provide the persons with disabilities equal opportunities for protection of their Right and for full participation in society, she reiterated.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Women & Child Development Deptt.,Smt. Arti Ahuja said that persons with disabilities are like any other citizens of the country & our constitution has given them the very same rights as citizens. They are entitled to equal enjoyment of human rights with others. The majority of persons with disabilities can lead a better quality of life if they have equal opportunities. So our state will go for a revised comprehensive policy for their welfare and betterment.

Ex ACS Dr. R. N. Senapati was of the view that institutional development, empowerment and private participation are required for the development of disabled persons. Smt. Kasturi Mohapatra SCPD, Odisha Bhubaneswar emphasized on the aim and objectives of the state level consultation on state policy for persons with Disabilities. The policy will aim to empower the persons with disabilities in all walks of life, she said.

The State level consultation meet will continue for 3 days from 29th to 31st January with technical sessions. At today's technical session Mr. Rajive Raturi, Director Human Rights Law Network India, New Delhi, Ms Tulika Das, Director Sanchar & Director CBR Network India, Kolkata, Mr. B. B. Patnaik, Director, Directorate for Welfare of PWDs spoke on diverse aspects of the legislation.

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Town Bus Service to resume in Berhampur

Odisha News: Town bus service is likely to start in the city of Berhampur in Gajam district of Odisha, according to media reports. The BDA (Berhampur Development Authority) has been planning to start two town bus services.

In the first phase 24 buses to ply in the city availing facilities for the city travelers. This will be first time such town bus service is going to start in the city like Berhampur.

In the city passengers depend on the auto and matadors to travel different place in Berhampur. The city is one of the faster growing cities in the state of Odisha.

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Odisha Naxals sets free Claudio Colangelo

Odisha News: Claudio Colangelo, one of the two hostage Italians by naxals in Odisha was freed on Sunday, while the other tourist, Paolo Bosusco (54) will be under Maoist captivity, according to media reports.

The government appointed negotiators called off meeting with the naxal groups after the legislator Laxmipur Jhina Hikaka was abducted by the ultras on Saturday.

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Hostage crisis in Odisha: Naxal to release Claudio

Odisha News: There is update about the hostage of two Italian tourists by naxals in Odisha in the media that one of the abducted Italian Claudio Colangelo may be released. It was reported in the media that Claudio is reported ill, and will be released by the naxal groups.

While the other Italian tourist will be under captive till the talks between the negotiators and naxal groups. It is another big abduction case reported in the state of Odisha after the former district collector Krisha was released by naxals after being under captive for days.

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