Pollution Causes Vision Disorders In Angul-Talcher Region In Odisha

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

The most important organ is eye. But, this organ is unfortunately exposed to environmental pollution in Angul-Talcher industrial region in Odisha. Widely known as the industrial heartland of India, Angul-Talcher region, has become a curse for local inhabitants who are exposed to thick smoke released from  thermal power plants, dust from open cast coal mines and other heavy industries such as Nalco, Jindal Steel and Power and a number of ancillary industries.  

Angul-Talcher industrial belt is the fourteen most polluted region in the country. There is no gainsaying that the industries contribute immensely to the growth of economy but this is also true that particulate matters like PM2.5, PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and radioactive elements float in the air and get into underground water reserve released from heavy industries. Doctors maintained that the most sensitive organ like eye is either partially or fully get damaged for contamination of air and water.

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), seepage of heavy metals into groundwater deposit from fly ash ponds not only contaminate wells, ponds in villages, but rivers and other waterbodies are also polluted. The second largest river in Odisha, Brahmani, is contaminated. People living all along the banks of Brahmani get the share of contamination by using its water for drinking, bathing and  using it for irrigation purposes.

Pollution Linked Eye Diseases in Angul-Talcher

Conjunctivitis mostly affect elderly persons and children due to air pollution. Dr Brajabandhu Behera said allergies occur owing to environmental pollution. Itching, redness, swelling and watering of eyes are the symptoms of the such types of ocular complications, he said.

Pterygium, another eye problem, occur due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays and suspended dust particulates moving in the air, Dr Behera said and added that most of the persons affected with this eye problem generally work outdoors.

Certain dangerous eye diseases like Scleritis, Blepharites, Cataract and Cyst of Moll also occur due to contamination of air, water in mining areas in Talcher areas, Dr Behera said and added that safety precautions has to be carried out to protect the eyes which is most sensitive organ of our body. Reports from Talcher and Angul said more than thirty percent of patients coming to the hospitals have pollution related eye complications. The report further said dry eye and conjunctivitis were diagnosed most among workers who are employed in industrial concerns.

Impact Of Pollution On Eye:

The social impact is huge. Small time artisans and other skilled workers suffer most as their vision gets blurred. This complication leads to productivity losses and the workers run the risk of being fired from their units due to the ocular issues. Teachers and students working in Talcher region often complain vision blurring following smug. This condition occurs due to pollution.

Measures To Save Eye:

Dr Behera, who has done Master of Ophthalmology from DBU, Punjab, has advised people to practice good eye health by regularly washing eyelids with water for a number of times not to get infection due to environmental pollution. This habit is necessary for the people of Angul-Talcher region who are constantly exposed to toxic matters released by industries, he said. He said regular eye check ups are beneficial for the people who are residing in Angul-Talcher region or any industrial area because by doing this one can protect one's eyes from bad effects of pollutants. It is the responsibility of industries operating  in Angul-Talcher area to conduct training programmes relating to eye safety for their workers. The workers must be educated about recognizing symptoms such as blurred vision and pain. Use of goggles can prevent floating particulates in the air to enter eye.

The most important task of the industries should be to properly execute community awareness programmes in collaboration with voluntary organizations to educate about risks arising out of air and water contamination from mining projects. Coal mining activities are mostly responsible for damaging eyes. Therefore, mobile health units should offer free eye check ups and screening of the inhabitants in the peripheral regions in Angul-Talcher. The workers in industrial concerns should be aware of emergencies in the event of chemical exposure, such as thoroughly washing eyes with water, for a few minutes before taking medication.  

Odisha Rath Yatra-A Celebration Of Universal Brotherhood!

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Rath Yatra was celebrated with deep religious fervour and enthusiasm in Angul in Odisha on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of devotees pulled the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra from Jagannath Temple here to Mausima Temple. Devotees pulled the chariots all along the street to Mausima Temple, the aunt's home of Lord Jagannath, cheering Jay Jagannath.

Rath Yatra in Angul today(June 27, 2025)

The most important religious celebration in Odisha, Ratha Yatra, falls on Ashadha Suklapakhya Dwitiya according to Odia almanac. The month of Ashadha is July in English calendar. Lord Jagannath, who is fodly called by Odias as Kalia Thakura, goes to his aunt's home at Mausima Temple for a nine day sojourn. People from every nook and corner of the world are familiar with Odisha as the abode of Lord Jagannath. Therefore, Odisha is also popularly know as Jagannath Desh(Land of Lord Jagannath).

The Jagannath philosophy is unique in the world as it promotes universal brotherhood. Anybody can pull chariots on Ratha Yatra as there is no bar on caste, creed, colour or religion. This is Jagannath Sanskruti (Culture) of inclusivity, treats everybody as equal, irrespective of power and money. According to Hindu scriptures, pulling of chariots on the streets during Rath Yatra is a pious act that allows oneself to attain Moksha (Liberation) that will free her or him from the mundane anxieties. The religious festival is no longer confined to Odisha alone. Rath Yatra is now being acclaimed as an international festival which is celebrated in a number of countries world over.

Puri(Odisha):

The seat of Lord Jagannath,Puri in Odisha located on the shores of Bay of Bengal in the eastern part of India, is associated with this planet's largest religious procession of the three deities in which over 15 lakh devotees throng the 3-km long Bada Danda (Grand Street) during Rath Yatra. The holy trinity, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath, come out of the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, their abode, to be pulled to Mausima Temple on chariots, situated 3-km away. The Rathas (Chariots), Nandighosa, Darpadalana and Taladhwaja are built afresh every year with neem and Sal wood.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat:

Odia tradition blends with Gujarati during Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad. This festival is known to be the largest after Puri in Odisha. Unlike Puri, however, the chariots are pulled by devotees to Mausima temple on a thirteen kilometer stretch of road.

Kolkata (West Bengal)

Some places in Kolkata, predominantly populated by Odias, have also observed Rath Yatra with a blend of Bengali culture. The Bengalis are known to be great worshippers of Lord Jagannath. A large percentage of devotees who visit Puri every year to get darshan of Lord Jagannath belongs to West Bengal. They virtually make a beeline to Puri which they call as Jagannath Dham to have a glimpse of Jaga Kalia for his blessings.   

ISKCON:Rath Yatra is not confined to Puri alone. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrates the festival in cosmopolitan cities like London and New York.The credit goes to ISKCON that has popularized the festival in a number of countries to spread Jagannath culture world over. The universal appeal of Rath Yatra has separated it from other religious festivities in India or abroad. The appeal of Jagannath culture is unmatched and it promotes brotherhood worldwide.

Mafia Usurp Dalit Land In Angul Dist, Administration Remains Silent

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Members of Dalit communities in Kuio Jungle under Banarpal block in Angul district in Odisha alleged that mafias have usurped their land in connivance with influential persons who have good rapport with revenue officials. Over 45 people belonging to Dalit families have alleged that most of their landholdings are leased out to influential persons who are rich and powerful and connected with the corridor of power. Mithun Behera, Prashant Behera and Kanhu Charan Behera who organized a rally participated by the affected families to protest against the injustice urged revenue officials in Angul district to take action against the mafia. They said they will resort to agitation if the administration delays action.

There are reports that members of Dalit community in Angul have been facing discrimination on the basis of their caste like other regions of Odisha. We are living in the 21st century but the position of Dalits in our society is no better than what it was during the pre-independence days in our country, social activists working for uplift of Dalits and marginalized communities in Angul district opined. The activists said industrialization has further worsened their situation as people from upper caste try to takeover the  landed property of Dalits by influencing them in various ways. They are punished in Kangaroo courts for negligible offences or banished from the society, they said and added that their only fault is that they belong to a lower caste strata. They are subjected to inhuman treatment and violence on the slightest pretext, the social activists added.

The most recent example of atrocities against Dalits is Dharakote incident in Ganjam district in Odisha. The incident has shocked everybody in the state how two persons from Dalit community were scandalized in public. Media reports said both of them were subjected to inhuman treatment by forcing to drink sewerage water. The media reports also said that one's head was half tonsured and face blemished with black colour. Meanwhile, Convenor of Odisha BJD SC Cell Mahesh Sahu, has written to the Director General of Police to take immediate action against the perpetrators who have committed heinous crime in Dharakote in Ganjam district.

This is a common practice among the upper classes to deny land rights to Dalits in most parts of the country. Dalit communities in Angul district continue to  face hardships due to massive industrialization. A number of open cast coal mines have already eaten up their land and most of them fail to get due compensation in the form of money or employment. Industrialization has thrown a massive challenge to their survival as mafia are eyeing to usurp their land and sell at a exorbitant prices to prospective buyers to make huge profits. 

Satkosia Villagers In Angul District Question Intension Behind Relocation

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Villagers in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary have come down to the streets of district headquarters town in Angul in Odisha to protest against relocation of villages which is allegedly done by the wildlife division in the guise of protection of environment and conservation of biodiversity. Over five hundred men, women and children under the banner of Bhitamati Jana Jiban Surakhsha Committee have recently gheraoed Angul District Collectorate to protest against illegal relocation of villages in Satkosia. They have presented a memorandum containing 9-point charter of demands to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, through additional district magistrate Uday Kumar Mohapatra, urging him to put a halt to relocation of villages in the name of conservation in Satkosia region.

The nine point charter of demands includes protection of their crops and vegetation and houses from attacks by wild animals, utilization of fund deposited with Environmental Development Committee (EDC) for developmental activities in villages, allowing fishing activities for the communities living on the banks of river Mahanadi to earn their living and improvement of mobile network facilities in Satkosia.

Mass protest by villagers of Satkosia under the banner of Bhitamati Jana Jiban Suraksha Committee in front of Angul Collectorate against relocation  

President of Bhitamati Jana Jiban Surakhsha Committee, Bidyadhar Pradhan, Vice President Trinath Sahu and Tikarpada Sarpanch Soumyaranjan Sahu alleged that in the name of Project Tiger, the wildlife division in Angul has been trying to dislodge people from their ancestral homes giving a meager Rs 20 lakh per family as compensation. This sum is not adequate to go to other places and live a decent life with family, the members said.There is no tiger in Satkosia and the wildlife division has failed to convert the sanctuary into a habitat where Royal Bengal Tigers(RBTs) can survive, the Surakhsha Committee members alleged. Earlier, the wildlife division had experimented with RBTs like Mahaveer and Sundari, but failed miserably. The male tiger, Mahaveer, died under suspicious circumstances and tigress Sundari turned ferocious killing cattle in Satkosia wildlife sanctuary. The tigress was eventually sent back to Bandhavgarh sanctuary from where it was brought. The Project Tiger idea in Satkosia virtually came to an end with the exit of tigress Sundari.            

The Satkosia wildlife sanctuary is not only a home to rare species and flora and fauna, but tribal communities also regard this forest region as their exclusive place where they can thrive. The tribal people are deeply attached to the sanctuary, but of late they are disturbed by the threat of relocation. The people of Tikarpada, Karadapada, Ramimunda and Majhipada who are mostly tribals, believe that the lush green forest has merged into their life and it is in their lifeblood.The forest is everything for them. They get firewood, get fish from the largest river of Odisha, Mahanadi, that passes through their region. Shifting to other places leaving behind their ancestral home and hearth will be suicidal for them, the Bhitamati Jana Jiban Suraksha Committee members alleged and gave example of New Raiguda how relocation has become a curse for the villagers.

Worthwhile to mention here that villagers of erstwhile Raiguda situated in the core area of Satkosia wildlife sanctuary were relocated to a place near Nuakheta some years ago, but there are allegations that most of the inhabitants in the new colony set up by the forest department lack basic facilities. People of Satkosia have been protesting for several years to put a halt to the relocation drive undertaken by the wildlife division by simply doling out Rs 20 lakh per family. There are allegations that in most cases innocent tribal people have been forced to toe the line of forest officials and leave for other places to live as nomadic.

Wildlife officials argued that settlements inside core areas in Satkosia will disturb species and their breeding will be hampered. The human settlements inside the area will also encourage animal-man tussle which will not be beneficial for conservation of biodiversity in Satkosia. They said the only solution left is to relocate the villagers with compensation and let the wildlife species have their own natural way to live inside the forest. 

BJP-BJD Rivalry Over Medical College Issue Not To Favour Angul,Talcher People

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

As petty politics over the commencement of Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital has begun, Angul district administration in Odisha has clamped section 163 to discourage rallies or protest march in Talcher region. The prohibitory measure has been imposed on the entire stretch starting from Talcher FCI square to Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital square, banning protest movements or mass dharna from June 17 to July 16, during which period a high level team from National Medical Commission (NMC) is expected to visit Talcher to oversee the feasibility of its commencement.

The administration's move was necessitated after Talcher Medical College Action Committee had decided to stage a mass protest in front of Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital  demanding its early commencement. However, the Action Committee members withdrew their strike after the imposition of section 163.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rudranarayan Pani has alleged that Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is politicizing the issue to send a confusing message to the people over commencement of Pabitra Mohan Pradhan Medical College and Hospital. Pani said BJD did nothing for early commissioning of the medical college during its tenure and added that the medical project was left to rot for years. The Dhenkanal BJP MP told reporters that his party will fulfill the promise given to the local people for early commencement of the medical college in Talcher.

BJD-BJP Rivalry

Both BJD and BJP treats the medical college project as an opportunity to consolidate their electoral prospects in Talcher region which is an industrial hub in Dhenkanal Parliamentary constituency.  The issue has electoral implications as the BJD candidate lost to BJP's Rudra Narayan Pani in fierce fight in 2024 election. Therefore, BJD has no other way than to play with the sentiments of Talcher people by diluting the issue, political observers said. They said BJD was dilly dallying the medical college project for years and virtually kept the people of Talcher guessing about its commencement. The observers said BJD is trying its best to keep the loyalty base of its voters in Talcher region intact. Ever since BJP wrested power from BJD unseating Naveen Patnaik who had ruled Odisha for 24 years, the saffron party has been rebranding all the projects undertaken by the latter. In the case of medical college project in Talcher, BJP is also trying its best to take full credit for it by implementing the project at the earliest.

As local netas fight over the commencement of the medical college, the aspiring students of the region who have qualified for NEET with good all India rank are equally worried over their career prospects. No body knows when the high level delegation of NMC will oversee the infrastructure and other facilities as no exact date has been announced to the effect. Sources said the district administration is also in the dark about the team's visit. However, there is a possibility that team will visit soon, the sources added. As NEET results are already out and a number of talented students from Angul-Talcher region who have successfully cracked this examination aspriring to take admission into medical degree course, the delay in commencement of their medical college in the region has discouraged them. Knowledgeable sources said that NMC's delay in supervision of infrastructural facilities will impact on the admission prospects in the academic year.      

The medical college and hospital has been named after the freedom fighter Pabitra Mohan Pradhan of Talcher. The sooner the medical college is commissioned, the better it will be for the people of Angul-Talcher industrial area who are exposed to air and water pollution. People will not have to make a beeline for hospitals in cities like Cuttack and Bhubaneswar for treatment.

Diarrhoea Outbreaks In Six Odisha Districts, Death Toll Rises To 17, Over 2000 Affected

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

The death toll related to diarrhoea in Jajpur district in Odisha is increasing day by day. Official data said so far seventeen deaths have occurred due to diarrhoea, but unconfirmed reports indicated the toll will be much higher. Reports said over two thousand people have been affected with diarrhoea so far.The Odisha government has placed all 30 districts on high alert following diarrhoea outbreak that started from Jajpur district and has now spread to five other districts of the state.

Odisha Health Secretary  Aswathy S said a high alert has been sounded in all the thirty districts of Odisha following the outbreak of diarrhoea in Jajpur and adjoining districts. The Health Secretary said 300 fresh cases of diarrhoea have been reported in five most affected districts of the state and added that the patients were put under round the clock observation. The state health machinery is in constant touch with the central team. Odisha government said that the situation is not out of control as made out to be by some vested interest groups, but admitted that ten percent of those tested have cholera infection.

Meanwhile, the situation is going to be worse as diarrhoea is spreading to adjoining districts such as Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Keonjhar  and Dhenkanal. The Central Team currently investigating into the reasons for outbreak of diarrhoea in the above mentioned districts has now confirmed that intake of contaminated water is the main cause behind the epidemic. However, Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling had earlier said the cause of outbreak of diarrhoea was not identified, but guessed that it could be either due to contamination of water or eating rotten food or may be something else. Outbreak of diarrhoea started in the second week of this month in Jajpur district and soon catapulted into a major health crisis and is going to grip a major part of Odisha. Some reports even suggested about symptoms of cholera found with the affected persons.

Media reports said Dharmasala, Danagadi, Korei, Binjharpur  and Vyasanagar are most affected with diarrhoea. The local health infrastructure has failed to cope with the health emergency due to shortage of doctors and other health staff.Meanwhile, health teams have started sanitizing water sources such as overhead tanks particularly in rural areas of Jajpur district where the situation has gone from bad to worse. Media reports said more than one lakh water sources have been disinfected and the process is on a war footing. The Jajpur district administration has banned public feasts and shops selling fast food as a precautionary measures to put a break on the spread of diarrhoea. Doctors said those who are affected with cholera must be treated immediately as even slightest negligence can be risky.They said if a patient affected with cholera is not treated immediately, then he or she might die due to dehydration.

Odisha Government Response:

Although Odisha's Mohan Majhi government has come under severe criticism for not taking immediate measues to contain the spread of diarrhoea, the health department, although lately, has geared up activities in the form of awareness campaigns and setting up of detection centres in vulnerable areas for health check ups. Mobile medical teams have fanned out to different parts of Jajpur and other adjoining districts of the state to treat patients and distribute oral rehydration solution sachets. A large group of Acredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers have been roped in for disinfecting water sources. The central health team that visited Jajpur district recently to go into details what led to the spread of diarrhoea has submitted its full report on the matter. However, the team had come under severe criticism for underestimating the severity of the situation when multiple deaths have occurred. Meanwhile, the former chief minister and opposition leader Naveen Patnaik has come down heavily on Mohan Majhi government for not acting immediately to contain the spread of diarrhoea in most parts of the state. Patnaik has urged the government to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to contain the outbreak of diarrhoea and prevent untimely death.

Possible Causes:

There have been allegations that the overhead tanks might have the primary cause of diarrohea infection as they were never cleaned since they were built. Most of the overhead tanks meant for storing potable water were not properly built either. One can see openings in the overhead tanks through which insects can enter inside and contaminate water. Although the government has claimed that nearly one lakh water sources have been cleaned and disinfected in a week in the affected districts, a lot more has to be done to ward off the crisis.

The mango season has also contributed to the outbreak of diarrhoea. During scorching heat, with the mercury rising upto 48 degree Celsius in most parts of Odisha, people in rural areas often prefer to eat ripe mangoes to stay cool. Villagers in most parts of Odisha believe that excessive intake of mango juice during summer season might have its repercussions in monsoon when rain comes. The seasonal change becomes detrimental for most people who suffer from dysentery and diarrhoea. The other reason of contamination of water sources and bodies might be the open defecation which is mostly done in rural regions of Odisha.

With Rath Yatra(Car Festival) round the corner, the outbreak of diarrhoea and cholera in most parts of Odisha has put the government machinery in a tight spot. As this religious festival is widely held in Odisha and attracts large number of devotees who throng roads to pull chariots and have darshan of Lord Jagannath,Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra, transmission level of diarrhoea could acquire epidemic proportions.     

Safety Of Elephants-A Prime Concern In Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Deaths of elephants in Tikarpada and Pampasar forest ranges under Angul Wildlife Division have once again raised serious question on safety of these animals in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary. The elephants are regarded by wildlife experts, environmentalists and nature lovers as important species for maintaining the ecological balance as they act as agents for dispersing seeds and shaping the biodiversity. But, unfortunately these mammals are not safe in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Angul district in Odisha.

Causes Of Death:

One of the primary threats to elephant safety in Satkosia is electrocution. Reports said over fifty  elephants have lost their lives due to electrocution in Odisha that occurred between 2014 and 2025.  One can recall the horrible incident in 2018 at Kamalanga village in Dhenkanal district where seven elephants died after coming in contact with high tension 11 kV electric line. Although Odisha government has spent crores of rupees on revival of elephant corridors in different parts of the state including Satkosia, much headway has not been achieved in this regard to considerably reduce deaths due to electrocution.  

Bamboo forest declining in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary

Scarcity Of Food:

The staple food of elephants is bamboo. Bamboo species are on the decline in Satkosia over the years and one would hardly find a large patch of bamboo forest in the wildlife sanctuary in the present day. The loss of staple food along with habitat degradation have impacted on the decline of pachyderm, wildlife activists said. The activists said shortage of bamboo species have forced the elephants to roam in villages close to forest in search of food. Shortage of mango and jackfruit trees are also attributed to be the other reason for the elephants to look for food in nearby villages. However, no forest official including Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in Angul Wildlife Division, do not agree with the fact that the sanctuary has dwindling reserve of staple food like bamboo for elephants. The officials maintained that they have taken up bamboo plantation in some parts of Satkosia. They, however, said that the deciduous nature of Satkosia forest has also forced the elephants to go elsewhere in search of food occasionally.

Poor Patrolling:

Inadequate patrolling, mostly during night, is one of the causes why so many electrocution deaths occur in Satkosia forest under Angul Wildlife Division in Odisha. The other factor, what the wildlife activists said, is gross violation of accountability among forest officials. There are allegations that the forest officials failed to maintain cohesion with electric department for coordination to minimize electrocution deaths in the sanctuary. Joint patrolling by forest and electrical staff is often irregular and therefore not being able to adequately monitor the movement of elephants in vulnerable zones where high tension overhead electric lines have passed, the social activists said. 

Habitat Restoration:

Forest officials in Angul Wildlife Division maintained that afforestation projects have been taken up in different regions of Satkosia to grow natural forest cover as part of the effort for habitat restoration. But, wildlife activists who are working for conservation of biodiversity in Satkosia said the afforestation projects with plantations are not taken extensively and added that habitat restoration in Satkosia could not be possible with such small scale programmes. They alleged that nothing fruitful has been done to prevent deaths of elephants due to electrocution. The first and foremost task is to prevent electrocution but the department seems to be little concerned over the matter, the activists alleged.

Call To Action:

The Wildlife Division must take long term measures for conservation of natural habitats of elephants in Satkosia by raising bamboo forest and fruit bearing trees like mango and jackfruit. Plantation should not be done for raising trees which are commercially viable. Natural forests with species like bamboo will be beneficial for the jumbos who will not face shortage of food in the future. But, to counter the immediate threat of electrocution, the department must urge the local electric wing to replace the existing overhead wires with insulation passing over elephant corridors for safety of the animals. The wildlife wing must take up awareness drives in villages in Satkosia and in the peripheral regions to educate people about protection of elephants and such an act will become beneficial for nature. As media plays an important role in advocacy, Satkosia Wildlife Division should work closely with those news outlets which are covering environment, wildlife and nature issues for spreading awareness among the people. They can be of great help to boost the awareness campaigns conducted by the Wildlife Division to provide moral support and authenticity. If such measures are implemented with sincerity and right earnest, then electrocution or poaching of elephants will be a thing of the past and Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary. The wildlife officials in Angul forest division should hope for converting Satkosia as a model conservation center for elephants in India by initiating fruitful measures for reducing mortality rate of the animals. The sooner we understand that the existence of elephants are essential for the  ecosystem, the better it will be us and the humanity.

Uniqueness Of Raja Parba (Raja Festival) In Odisha

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

The celebration of three-day Raja Parba (Raja festival) from June (Ashadha) 14 to 16 in Odisha signifies womanhood and rejuvenation of Mother Earth. 'Rajas' in Sanskrit means menstruation. The festival, also known as Raja Sankranti, is unique as it is directly related to womanhood and fertility which are key component of reproduction system in the universe. It is widely believed that Mother Earth awaits eagerly to the onset of monsoon to cool itself from the scorching heat during summer. Raja Parba also heralds the agriculture season in Odisha. It is believed that like a woman, the mother earth also goes through the process of menstruation, and gets cooled down after showers following onset of rainy season. In this way Raja Parba resonates around the theory that it is equivalent to the reproduction system in agriculture like the humans. The three day Raja Sankranti is divided into Pahili Raja(First Raja), Raja Sankranti(Mithuna Sankranti) and Basi Raja(Last Day).

Delicious Poda Pitha (Roasted Cake)

Poda Pitha: Womenfolks in Odisha toil for a week before the beginning of Raja Parba like cleaning household articles and making arrangements for Poda Pitha (Roasted Cake) which is the most delicious item in Raja Festival. Poda Pitha(Roasted Cake) is a traditional dish prepared in Odisha during Raja celebration. In Odia, 'Poda' means burnt and 'Pitha' means cake. The cake is prepared from fermented rice, black gram (Biri in Odia), molasses (Guda) and coconut(Nadia). The ingredients of rice, coconut, jaggery and biri batter are blended into right quantities to be roasted on ovens. Homemakers in Odisha also prepare other delicious items like Manda Pitha, Arisha and Chakuli to be eaten in these three days while indulging in fun and merrymaking. All the cakes have the common ingredient of rice flour. In the past, before the introduction of cooking gas, most households in Odisha were roasting the cake over chullhas (wood-fire ovens). Fire woods in small pieces were used to burn in the chullahs. But, the chullahs are now thing of the past as gas stoves and induction cookers have taken their place. This Poda Pitha is a favourite dish of Lord Jagannath in Puri.

Womenfolks do not do household chores during the three-day celebration and enjoy Swings ('Doli' called in Odia), all through the day and evening. Without Swings, celebration of Raja Parba is meaningless. As the festival is held in honour of womanhood, young girls and women enjoy the three-day rest period like our mother earth which rests before the onset of monsoon. Women and girls in Odisha are forbidden to perform household chores during the celebration of Raja  and therefore they spend their time on Swings clad in new clothes.

In some parts of Odisha, folk dances are staged accompanied by cultural festivities to mark the celebration of Raja Parba. Although Raja Festival is purely dedicated to women and exclusively their own, men also take the opportunity to showcase their mastery over skills in different sporting activities like Kabadi, the game that demands sheer intelligence and power. Kabaddi is a game played between two groups in open fields near mango orchards or open courtyards in villages. This game is played bare foot. Both the teams compete with each other for tagging the opponents by holding their breathe and chanting kabadi..kabadi.

Uniqueness:  Community bonding is the core essence of Raja Parba. Unity in diversity also plays important role during the festival as villagers contribute their might to conduct fairs and cultural activities to mark the celebration to make it a grand success in every respect. Indian society is replete with taboos, but Odisha stands out apart from rest of the country during Raja Parba as it does not consider menstruation as a taboo. This is very rare in India. People of Odisha relate the feminine community to mother earth and acclaim their role in creation in high esteem. The Raja Parba symbolizes deep rooted connection with nature and heritage. It is heartening to note that Odisha is still retaining the rustic mosaic with the celebration of Raja Parba despite the advent of modern day culture and technological advancement. Celebration of womanhood and life cycles of nature is a unique feature of Raja Parba in Odisha and this is not found anywhere in the world.

Chit Fund Scam: One Year Gone, Odisha Govt Fails To Refund Money To Investors

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Nearly 70 lakh investors who were cheated by Chit Fund agencies in Odisha for years, are yet to get justice. No one knows about the outcome of one-man commission headed by Justice Madan Mohan Das, investigating into the ponzi scam since July 2013 during Naveen Patnaik regime in Odisha. The commission's tenure has ended in February 2020. Top leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during their campaign for election in 2024 had promised to book those involved in ponzi scam if they got the mandate to rule Odisha. But, one year has elapsed ever since it was promised and no action has been taken against the fraudsters. The Odisha government headed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is yet to take necessary action against the culprits. Jamakari Milita Manch, the joint front which is spearheading the movement to give justice to victims of Chit Fund, at a meeting in Bhubaneswar recently, has threatened to resort to agitation if the government fails to take immediate action against the fraudsters.   

What Is Chit fund?

This is a savings and borrowing scheme which is being adoped in different parts of Odisha by groups and communities, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas, where people get less access to bank or financial institutions.  But, the trouble began when the market was taken over by people with dubious character who promised doubling and even tripling of deposits attracting huge number of investors and enventually got duped.The Chit Fund agencies like Saradha Group, Artha Tatwa, Seashore, Rose Valley and Green Ray International offered high returns against their deposits in a few months. This ploy used by the Chit Fund companies worked well as they could successfully target the low income group, petty traders and investors who are swayed away by the promise of earning a lot of money. While Saradha Group duped nearly 17 lakh investors by collecting Rs 3,500 cr from Odisha, Seashore Group swindled people with promises of high returns. Chit Fund companies like Rose Valley, Green Ray International and Golden Land duped scores of gullible investors in Odisha by taking away over Rs 3000 crore simply doling out false promises for doubling the invested amount in a short span.

How People Were Cheated?

Studies have indicated that lack of financial education is the main cause responsible why people are cheatd by Chit Fund companies.These studies, which were based on surveys participated by a large number of affected persons, further said the tricks used by the chit fund operators for doubling and tripling of their investments are the driving force behind their concurrence to invest their hard earned money. Involvement of media and political people in Odisha also encouraged the bosses of Chit Fund companies to go on a cheating spree fearlessly. A number of BJD MLAs were involved in ponzi scams during Naveen Patnaik regime in the state. Likewise, owners of some language daily news outlets in Odisha were also involved in promoting the cause of Chit Fund scamsters. As the media was involved, the Chit Fund agencies got the much needed mileage, and at the same time people in rural sector believed that these are legitimate agencies upon whom they can trust.

Refund Strategy:

The then BJD government headed by Naveen Patnaik in Odisha set up a corpus fund of Rs 300 cr in 2013 to refund money to those who had incurred a loss of Rs 10,000 or less. Nearly 95,000 small depositors were identified by the government for refund of their money they have lost to fraudsters. To expedite the process, the government launched a website allowing the affected persons for submission of their claims. But, till date nothing has been done to mitigate the sufferings of people affected by the Chit Fund companies. The present dispensation in Odisha headed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi should take immediate action for digitizing and early disposal of pending applications. It is the responsibility of the government of the day to regulate stricter policies to discourage Chit Fund companies to flourish again in the state. People of Odisha have voted the present government to power to break the unholy nexus between politicians, media and swindlers responsible for the scam. 

Dark Side Of Bikashita Odisha: BTech, MBA Graduates Vie For Home Guard Jobs In Rourkela

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

The shine of the slogan Vikshit Bharat, Bikashita Odisha (meaning: India, Odisha are on the path of progress), coined  by 'double engine' governments in Delhi and in Bhubaneswar, seems to be buried under severe unemployment crisis. The recruitment drive for Home Guards conducted by Rourkela police on June 9 has thoroughly exposed the governments how hollow could be their slogan. If we analyze the latest incident that happened in Rourkela Steel City, then we can realize that the slogan has failed to reflect the real progress of the country and it is a misnomer. Over 9000 candidates, most of them who have done BTech, MBA and MCA, appeared for written and physical tests for 107 vacant posts of Home Guards at Ispat Stadium in Rourkela Steel City, sending shock waves down the spines of parents who have become apprehensive about the future of wards who are equally highly qualified. This is highly distressing how severe unemployment has forced highly educated candidates of Odisha to apply for low skill jobs carrying meager salary. The Home Guards jobs require class V as qualification and carry a salary of Rs 18000 plus per month. The Rourkela incident has severely exposed how the present government in Odisha led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has become helpless which has been always been boasting as the 'double engine' government focusing on creation of more employment opportunities for the youth in the state.

While the government in Delhi headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed 11 years of coming to power, Odisha's Mohan Charan Majhi government completes one year on June 11, 2025. Both the governments are going to celebrate their successful tenure on a huge scale this month. The BJP took over the reigns of power after dislodging Naveen Patnaik who ruled for 24 years. The Central Government in Delhi has been promising that unemployment crisis will be over soon, but has allegedly failed to address creation of skilled private jobs in the country and particularly in Odisha.   

The Mohan Majhi government in Odisha has been harping on the growth of industries in the state, but in reality, there is no clear evidence that jobs are amply available in private sector, let alone in government domain. Critics have pointed out that the state is focusing more on creation of mines that offer limited job opportunities for graduates with technical education. They further said that although the state has institutes like NIT and IMM in Rourkela and Sambalpur that produce skilled workforce, the government agencies have done little to stop the exodus of these technical graduates to metropolitan cities like Bangalore or Hyderabad to find better employment opportunities.

Job Crisis:

Odisha government should try to encourage different private companies to start operations in the state so that BTech and MBA graduates could find matching jobs to their skills. Efforts should be made to initiate vocational training programmes and trainings for graduates to equip themselves to the required skills for being self employed and not depend on Home Guard jobs for a meager salary. The time has come that we must look beyond mining and heavy industries and rope in sectors such as IT, healthcare  and tourism to generate more jobs for skilled graduates of the state. Raising of minimum age limit for government jobs in Odisha from 32 to 42 years recently will, in all probability, become beneficial for older candidates. But, this policy will be helpful to considerably reduce unemployment level in the state provided the skill development programmes are initiated to scale up the talent of the youths. The government must address the skill gap to enhance employability of rural youths.

Mohan Majhi government has assumed office of the Chief Minister with the call to protect of Odia Asmita(Pride of Odisha) which was widely believed to be erased during the 24 year rule of Naveen Patnaik. People of Odisha, particularly the youths, hope a lot from Majhi government who has promised to create more jobs during his rule. The government must empower the youths through skill development programmes which will lessen their dependence on government for Jobs.

Banyan, Sal Species To Neutralize Air Pollution In Angul-Talcher Area In Odisha

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

The time has come, or one can say it is overdue, that a green belt has to be set up around Angul-Talcher region of Odisha, which is one of the most polluted in India. The people of this region are subjected to air, water, sound and land pollution due to heavy industrialization. A green strategy by planting multi-tolerant species like Banyan, Neem, Mango, Sal and other eco-friendly plants will considerably reduce pollutants which cause contamination by floating in the air, environmentalists opined. No one will deny that over a dozen of open cast mines, thermal power plants and ancillary industries have destroyed the ecological balance in Angul-Talcher industrial belt over the years. The pace of industrialization in Angul-Talcher region is increasing day by day and so the pace of environmental pollution goes up matching with this phenomenon. Studies have revealed that the air of the region is filled with heavy metals and radio active elements that are dangerous for human beings. Environmentalists are of the opinion that the need of the hour is to grow as many ecofriendly plants as possible and this process has to be done scientifically. They said the green strategy formula introduced in cities like Bhubaneswar and Rourkela has shown positive response to counter environmental contamination. The multi-tolerant species have shown high degree of absorption capacity to neutralize toxic effects in the air.

Species Suitable For Angul-Talcher:

1.Neem saplings are ideal to be planted in buffer zones for green cover. The buffer zones are between industries and human habitation.

2.Mango trees, apart from giving fruits, provide wider canopy which are suitable for birds to build their nests. This helps to boost biodiversity in the region.

3.Banyan trees and Peepal trees are also suitable for increasing biodiversity which release of oxygen day in and day out.

4.Sal trees are naturally grown in Angul district in Odisha. Theses species are proved to be the best among those which act as pollution repellants. But, unfortunately, Sal forests are denuded due to extensive mining operation in Angul-Talcher and Chhendipada regions in the state.

5. Jamun species are fast-growing as well as fruit bearing and widely acknowledged as for their medicinal value and air purification capabilities.

6. Karanja is also known as high tolerant tree and suitable for industrial areas to contain high pollution impact.

Green Cover Strategy:

The strategy should be carried out to plant saplings in close proximity to opencast coal mines and thermal power plants in Angul-Talcher area. The saplings must be Sal and Banyan for high absorption of pollutants floating in the ambient atmosphere. Mixed species like Mango, Peepal can be opted for colonies and residential areas as well as parks for purifying air quality. Due attention must be given to protect biodiversity by planting species which are known to have wide canopy to be used as nests for birds. However, the strategy to counter contamination effectively rests on proper participation of different stakeholders in the region such as local communities, non-government organizations, academic institutions and the industries.

Sal Forest Dwindling:

Extensive mining operation in Angul-Talcher-Chhendipada region has almost wiped out Sal species which have high tolerance to air pollution. Social activists working in the region have alleged that as many as one lakh Sal trees have been chopped off to make way for open cast coal mines in Chhendipada area. The region will witness over a dozen coal mines denuding large tracts of lush green Sal forest and displacing hundreds of thousands of families from their homestead land. The widely advertised slogan 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One tree in honour of mother) by the government has come in for criticism following widespread felling of Sal trees from reserved forest areas in Chhendipada forest range for handing over the land to mining barons.

Elephant-Man Conflict: Satkosia Villagers' Livelihood At Stake, Angul Wildlife Division Never Cares!

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

The killing of elephants either by electrocution, booby traps or by poachers have always attracted media attention, but damage to livelihood of villagers in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Angul district of Odisha gets little amount of space in the mainstream media in these days. This mindset amply reflects the apathetic attitude of the press towards the villagers of Satkosia who are victims of Elephant-Man conflict. The Wildlife Division is also not left behind either. It has its share in this matter too. Top brasses of Angul Wildlife Division are also allegedly indifferent towards the miseries of people living in 28 villages in Tainsi-Kothabhuin region. Gross ecological mismanagement of Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary has triggered Elephant-Man conflict in the region. Several acres of mango orchards in Kothabhuin grampanchayat under Pampasar forest range in Satkosia Wildlife Division have been devastated by elephants.

Herds of jumbos have destroyed mango orchards and other vegetation in Laimunda, Olaberi, Nuapada, Hinjagola and Baragotha villages in Satkosia. Mohan Pradhan and Dhruba Charan Behera said they have requested Divisional Forerst Officer(DFO), Angul Wildlife Division, for taking measures to drive away the elephants from their villages as they fear for their lives. But, no action has been taken so far by the wildlife division to provide them relief, they alleged. The villagers alleged that night patrolling was rarely done in most parts of Satkosia division. Pradhan and Behera said the elephants have not only ravaged their orchards, but broken down the economic backbone of the villagers who earn good amount by selling mangoes to businessmen from West Bengal , Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other neighbouring states in this season. The traders from the above mentioned places make a beeline to buy fruits grown in natural environs of Satkosia forest. The mangoes fetch good price in metropolitan cities of India for their taste, the villagers of Laimuda said. Aggrieved villagers of Kothabhuin panchayat said elephants have not only ravaged their orchards but also deprived them of their main source of income. We have to live in utter penury again, they added with dejection.    

Why Jumbos Destroy Mango Orchards?

Environmentalists and nature lovers alleged that there is little food left for the world's largest animal and said this trend is going on over decades in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary. They said the wildlife habitat has undergone a substantial ecological change and added that the local forest wing has undermined the importance of bamboo reserves.

Shortage of bamboo in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary, the staple food of elephants, has raised concern among environmentalists   

Bamboo shoots are the most favourite food of the pachyderms, but these are now alien to Satkosia wildlife Division. Several years ago the region was home to lush green bamboo forest, but in the present day a visitor to the wildlife sanctuary rarely finds a patch of bamboo plants in the sanctuary. The forest department is allegedly concentrating more on plantation of teak which is commercially profitable. The second reason is destruction of elephant corridors. The elephants, by nature are migratory, and therefore, they require forests with connected routes to move around for food and mating. The development projects like four-lane drives, dams, canals and high-tension electric towers have snapped the corridors preventing the movement of jumbos from one forest to another. Therefore, the pachyderms have no choice but to force their way to human settlements in search of food, setting the stage for elephant-man tussle in the region.

Jumbo-Man Coexistence Possible?

Recently two elephants were electrocuted in Angul district raising serious doubt over their protection by the wildlife division. While one elephant died in Bantala forest range jurisdiction, the other one was electrocuted at Dangapal village in Chhendipada range. Forest officials said the dead elephant was part of a herd that sneaked into Chhendipada forest from Redhakhol division in Sambalpur district. The elephant received the shock after coming in contact with live electric wire used as fence around a poultry farm in Dangapal village. It is worthwhile to mention that Odisha accounts for nearly twenty percent of country’s jumbo deaths from unnatural causes. Villagers retaliate as wild elephants damage their crops and vegetation in the dead of night. Farmers living in Satkosia have no alternative than to resort to electric fences and traps to protect their produce from marauding elephants. Regional Chief Conservator of Forest(RCCF) Sanjay Kumar Swain who visited the spot along with senior forest officials promised that the culprit responsible for the death of the elephant will be brought to book soon. Meanwhile, media reports said that police have arrested the man responsible for the electrocution of the animal.

Leading Causes Of Jumbo Death:

Electrocution has of late become one of the main reasons responsible for the death of elephants in Satkosia wildlife sanctuary. These are accidental and intentional as well. This is accidental, when peasants living in the proximity of wildlife sanctuary, often surround their farmlands with live electric wire to shoo away wild animals like jumbos and wild boars. The wild animals get electric shock and most often get caught losing their lives.  The intentional theory is known to all as poachers kill elephants and get away with the tusks which are highly priced in international market. Poachers most often use extension of high-tension KV lines passing through the forest to kill tuskers. They lay high voltage electric wires on the routes inside the forest through which the wild elephants pass. Poachers also use country-made rifles to kill the animal. Angul police have recently busted a gunrunning racket in the district. The police have also seized manufacturing units of country-made rifles in several parts of the district. These country-made rifles were reasonably priced and mostly sold to poachers for killing elephants in the district. Poor coordination between forest divisions, shortage of patrolling staff and advanced surveillance equipment have been posing logistical challenges for minimizing poaching of elephants in Angul wildlife division. Therefore, the poachers are taking advantage of this lacuna, social activists working for conservation and protection of environment said.

Lack Of Monitoring:

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) working for protection of environment and preservation of biodiversity alleged that elephant deaths due to electrocution and poisoning in Satkosia wildlife division  can be attributed to failure for adequate monitoring of the ground situation. In a number of occasions forest officials have tried to hide the death of elephants to escape the responsibility. Whenever NGOs and wildlife activists try to expose their misdeeds, they are often met with resistance.

Role Of Media:

The mainstream media's role is often lopsided which fail to discuss about the causes behind elephant-man conflict and how the public can be educated to reduce the menace. Elephants are often seen destroyer of crops and houses by the local communities, but this narrative has become inimical for conservation of the animal. Their existence on the planet earth is essential for the prevalence of a better ecosystem. Grassroots environmental education will help the communities for better understanding of the importance and peaceful coexistence of humans and wildlife.

Call To Action:

It is primary duty of the wildlife staff Angul to ensure participation of villagers in community-based conservation programmes and must be educated that the jumbos are not destroyer of their crops, but they are a part of biodiversity of Satkosia region. The forest, environment and climate change ministry of the Odisha should take measures on a war footing to restore elephant corridors to ensure safe movement of the animals as the first step to mitigate human suffering in the form of Elephant-Man tussle. Restoration of elephant corridors will considerably reduce Elephant-Man conflict as the jumbos move freely between forests to get food. Projects close to reserve forest and sanctuaries in the state must not be given government clearance without environmental impact assessments surveys.

Satkosia is one among the biodiversity zones in Odisha like Similipal in Mayurbhanj and Bhitarkanika in Kendrapada districts. River Mahanadi, the largest in the state, flows through the sanctuary and the deep narrow valley extends its gorge to seven miles down the river. Spread over a sprawling 796 sq km, the Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary, is located in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, bustling with flora and fauna. This sanctuary is a home to rare species of wildlife such as bisons, flying squirrels besides a large number of elephants.

Displacement Throes Echo In Kalinga Nagar,Talcher In Odisha, To Africa

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Former Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik laid the foundation stone of Kalinga Nagar Industrial Area in Jajpur district on May 10, 1992 for setting up of the second steel plant in the state after Rourkela Steel Plant. Over 18 steel, cement and chemical industries have been established in Kalinga Nagar making it the largest industrial hub not only in Odisha but in eastern India. Thirty three years have elapsed since late Biju Patnaik laid the foundation stone of Kalinga Nagar,but the legendary figure would be watching from the heaven that his efforts to make Odisha an industrial leader in the country has come to nought as thousands of villagers are yet to be rehabilitated with due compensation who have sacrificed everthing for the development of Odisha as well as the country. The oustees of Tangarsahi, Arasahi, Kacherigaon and Kudumisahi of different panchayats in Jajpur district are still waiting for 33 years to get  compensation.

The people in Kalinga Nagar are not the sole sufferers of industrialization. In Odisha's Sambalpur district, the displaced person following the construction of Hirakud Dam, the largest clay dam in the world, are yet to get their dues. Likewise, the oustees in Rengali and Talcher coalmines in Angul district of the state, are resorting to agitations to get their compensation, but the government has not taken enough measures to provide them even homestead land, let alone jobs for their sustenance. The double-edged sword of development has forced scores of families to lose their home and hearth. The eastern state of Odisha is gifted with natural and mineral resources, but the tribal and marginalized sections of the society have paid a heavy price for development.

Odisha's displacement throes can be compared with and similar global patterns in countries like US, Germany, France and Africa.The Hirakud Dam was constructed in 1950s in Sambalur district and it submerged over 300 villages displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Hirakud is India's first post-Independent mega dam project and a similar dam project like Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in US can be compared with ours in terms of displacement. Over 15000 families were ousted for the construction of hydel power at Hirakud. The construction of such mega projects are always beneficial to national development, but neither Odisha nor the Central government in India cared little about cultural or social costs. While the American government has provided the oustees some relief in the form of housing, education and employment, in the case of Hirakud, neither Odisha nor Indian governments ever took a decision to provide basic facilities to the displaced persons even after several years of completion of the projects.  

The Rengali reservoir was built in 1980s over river Brahmani in Angul district. Over fifty thousand people were displaced as their houses were submerged due to the construction of the dam. They were yet to be rehabilitated with proper compensation. Similar projects in Ghana and Ethiopia in Africa have trigerred displacement issues ousting a great number of people. Reports said Africa's Akosombo project of 1965 had displaced over 80,000 people. They are yet to get compensation.Twelve tribals were killed in police firing in Kalinga Nagar in Odisha during an agitation in 2006 who demanded compensation in the form of housing and employment. There are numerous instances how climate protesters are suppressed with lathis and guns by vested interest groups in government machinery. The use of police is a common method of silencing protesters who urge the governments to look into their grievances.

The Open Cast coal mine in Talcher area resembles an artificial lake at a place where human habitation was once thriving 

Talcher-Africa Case Comparision:

The Talcher case of displacement in Odisha can be compared with with Nigeria where people suffer from the oil curse. Although coal mines are useful for economic development, a large number of people have been rendered homeless due to open cast mines in Talcher in Angul district since 1970s. They are living in hell like situation with pollution all around and contracting asthma and other respiratory ailments. Cobalt and lithium mining activities in Democratic Republic of Congo has left thousands of people displaced. The displaced person are deprived of basic facilities and due compensation like the people in Talcher who have lost everything for the economic development of their country.

Social Impact Assessment:

In US it is mandatory to prepare Social Impact Assessment(SIA) before acquisition. In Germany and France, there are referendums before acquisition issues crop up. But, in Odisha Gram Sabhas and Palli Sabhas which are village level committees of Panchayats, rarely enjoy the power to nullify the decision taken by the government of the day for setting up a project, be it a dam or any power plant. The powers that be are allegedly little concerned about the oustees' problem.    

What Odisha Should Learn?

The government and other agencies in Odisha always treat displacements as a collateral damage to development or industrialization. But, they should understand that people of Odisha can proudly declare that their state has progressed due to rapid industrialization if the displaced families were given due compensation. The companies must stay away from human rights abuses by denying basic facilities to the families after acquiring their home and hearth and other landed property.  It is meaningless if the displaced families do not take pride declaring that they have contributed to the development of the nation by giving their land to the industries or coalmines. The true progress lies with the satisfaction of those who have contributed their land for such projects.The displaced families will love Odisha as their homeland and will no longer curse the governments that they are responsible for their miseries and privation for not providing them compensation they deserve.

Pollution Responsible For Kidney Disease In Sambalpur, Angul Districts Of Odisha

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

Highly industrial districts like Sambalpur, Angul and Dhenkanal in Odisha have become hotspots for kidney ailments. The Veer Surendra Sai Institute Of Medical Sciences And Research(VIMSAR) in Sambalpur, which is catering to the healthcare facility of Western Odisha along with Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, has come out with a report that the number of patients suffering from kidney disease is on the rise. Such patients from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are also making a beeline to Sambalpur to get treatment at VIMSAR due its proximity with their states. According to VIMSAR, the dialysis of patients suffering from kidney complications, has recorded a three fold increase during 2020–2024. While statistics pointed out that one in twenty adults aged over 40 in Angul district suffered from chronic kidney disease (CKD) in 2024, the groundwater of nearly forty percent of the villages situated close to industrial concerns in Dhenkanal district is contaminated that triggers kidney related diseases. This statistics have been revealed by the public health department (PHD) recently.

The above mentioned districts of Sambalpur, Angul and Dhenkanal are mineral-rich with huge coal deposits and regarded as the power house of India generating electricity and supplying power to a number of states in India. The power behemoth National Thermal Power Corporations(NTPC) situated in Kaniha in Angul district is generating power from coal. The coalmines in Talcher, Kaniha and Chhendipada regions ensure raw material to the thermal power project. In addition to this, these districts houses National Aluminium Company(NALCO), Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) and a number of ancillary industries. The smoke belching chimneys of power plants have contaminated air and water of the region apart from producing high decibel sound inimical for human health. The Directorate of Health Services report of Odisha said that out of 5957 patients registered in the state in 2024, Sambalpur district alone has alone has a share of 1134, the highest in the state, followed by 1077 in Cuttack and 377 in Koraput districts. The report said Gajapati district has recorded 57 kidney patients,  the lowest in Odisha. According to the report of Regional Research Laboratory in Bhubaneswar, the Mahanadi River basin area is known for being associated with kidney ailments with a large number of patients coming from Cuttack district. But, Sambalpur district has surpassed Cuttack recently, the report added.

Environmental Pollution:

The thermal power plants, aluminium smelters, steel factories and coal mines in Angul and Dhenkanal and Sambalpur districts contribute to contamination of air and water following emission of effluents which contain radioactive elements dangerous for human health. The waste materials in the form of heavy metals, fly ash and other chemicals pollute air, water as well as soil. The Odisha State Pollution Control Board report in 2023 said groundwater samples collected from industrial regions like Talcher and Jharsuguda showed the presence of dangerous substances like lead, cadmium and other chemicals.

Ignorance

VIMSAR sources said villagers have little knowledge about the dreaded disease. They come to hospitals very late with most of them already reaching stage four or five. They ignore symptoms like fatigue and swelling and by time they consult doctors, it is too late for treatment. The physicians at VIMSAR emphasized that the priority should be given to awareness programmes mostly in rural regions of Odisha and particularly in Sambalpur-Angul-Dhenkanal belt to bring home the point that early detection can be beneficial and negligence will be fatal.  

Global Trends:

The Central American states have been reporting Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) among sugarcane workers who work in comparatively hot and humid conditions. Exposure to pesticides and heat stress are often the contributory factors for such disease. We can compare this scenario with Odisha in its rural regions where field workers toil under similar climatic conditions. As Odisha’s industrial regions suffers from dumping of effluents and there is little effective management of coal ash and other pollution prevention regimen, the people in Ghana and Nigeria are also exposed to the similar environment where contamination of water in slums is horrible. Countries like France and Germany have the lowest CKD due to early detection. Medical practitioners in France are given incentives for conducting regular kidney function tests at different centres for those who are affected with diabetes and hypertension. Germany has strictest environmental laws where coal plants are required to recycle most part of their fly ash to get a zero liquid discharge certificate by the government.

 Indian Govt's Initiative:

The Central Government's initiative under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme for conduct of health camps and setting up of dialysis units in different regions have shown results. But, shortage of nephrologists, lack of early CKD detection and lack of awareness among people, particularly among rural populace, has put hindrances on the noble initiative, health experts maintained.

Call For Action:

Government must conduct water testing programmes in highly industrial regions in Odisha along with mobile health units for early CKD detection in rural areas where awareness level about the ailment is low. As part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the industries in Angul-Talcher-Dhenkanal and Sambalpur region must provide clean drinking water facilities to the people and conduct nephrology camps at regular intervals for early detection of the disease and subsequent medication. The services of Accredited Social Health Activists(ASHAs) in India, who are female community health workers acting as a bridge between community and public health system, and the school teachers, should be roped in for conducting awareness campaigns in the affected regions giving them proper advise to deal with the disease and early detection of the ailment for possible treatment.

Odisha must learn from France and Germany with the emphasis on early detection of the ailment and stricter pollution control measures. The services of NGOs and other community based institutions in the country should be roped in to tackle such a menace. The NGOs must be encouraged to conduct nephrology camps to effectively control the spread of the disease.

Environmentalists in Angul and Dhenkanal districts are of the opinion that the spread of kidney related complications is not only a health crisis, but an ecological and human rights issue. They maintained that building medical colleges in Odisha will not solve the crisis, rather the government of the day must enforce strictest regulation for banishing environmental pollution. The environmentalists said the kidney crisis in Odisha needs urgent attention and this problem must be nipped in the bud before it poses a greater challenge to the administration and takes the form of a health disaster in a few years.

The patients suffering from kidney diseases should know that Dialysis is not a cure, but the patients will remain alive till a kidney transplant is done. The waste products are removed through Dialysis as the kidneys are no longer able to function properly and dialysis acting as an artificial replacement for lost kidneys.

Why Nobel Laureate Yunus Has Failed To Establish Democracy In Bangladesh?

By SANTOSH MOHANTY

International observers, especially of south Asian countries, believed that Bangladesh will be back in track following the exit of Sheikh Hasina from power and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus heading the interim government as advisor. But, Bangladesh is still in the grip of turmoil and anti-India, anti-Hindu violence has become an everyday happening. The establishment of a liberal government in Bangladesh seems to be a far cry and Yunus has belied all the hopes for materializing the goal. 

Allegations are rife and critics also argue that Yunus is trying to cling to anti-India and anti-Hindu stance and allegedly hobnobbing with pro-Pakistani elements like Jamaat-e-Islami to stay in power. His attitude has become evident after he was on record threatening India with a war and indulging in India bashing whenever the opportunity comes. Ever since Yunus took over as the advisor to the interim government in Bangladesh, the one thing to which he has given topmost attention is his foreign jaunts. He has already visited ten countries in the nine months and it will not be surprising if he embarks on more foreign visits to garner support from Western nations to cling to power.The Awami League leders of Bangladesh have leveled serious charges against Yunus who has been enjoying Western connections and particularly with leaders of US Demoratic party. They are of the opinion that Yunus is consistently pursuing his links with Western leaders to protect him from corruption charges and subsequent investigations by governments in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Army Chief Wakrul Jamal has gone on record expressing his dissatisfaction over the functioning of the caretaker government. The Army Chief has asked the government to conduct general election at the earliest but Yunus is currently busy on foreign trips grossly undermining the pressing issues relating to social, economic and political spheres in the country. The military is believed to be upset over the caretaker government's decision to dole out the Martin Island in Bangladesh to US for serving its interest. The economy is in a shambles with high inflation rate, the growth down from five percent to 3.5 and employment sector in crisis. Observers in Bangladesh see Jamal's displeasure as a bad omen for the country, given its past record of military coups. Critics who have a fair knowledge of Bangladesh affairs maintained that given the ongoing street violence and unrest in country, it will not be surprising if there will be reemergence of the situation that occurred way back in 1970, when the student strike had laid the path to birth of a new nation. Previously Bangladesh was known as east Pakistan.

Given the state of affairs through which Bangladesh going presently and the attitude of interim government headed by Yunus, it will not be surprising if the general elections are postponed till the middle of 2026 and Bagladesh might go for elections in December 2025 as demanded by political parties as well as the military. Bangladesh's Awami League members have alleged that Yunus is shying away from taking action against anti-Hindu and anti-India factions by maintaining silence on Hindu baiting.This has encouraged attacks on Hindu minority in Bangladesh. Their houses were attacked,properties gutted and family member being lynched in public, but the interim government headed by Yunus is doing precious little to save them from the disaster. This is quite unbecoming of a person who is a Nobel laureate, intellectual and a global icon, maintaining silence on anti-India and anti-Hindu violence and hesitate to come forward to condemn the act.

Who Is Muhammad Yunus?

Muhammad Yunus, born in 1940, shot into limelight for his Grameen Bank concept of microcredit through which he introduced poverty alleviation programmes that benefited scrores of people living in Bangladesh in utter poverty. Yunus was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.The ruling Awami League has treated Yunus with suspicion as he harbours political ambitions and once tried to form a political party with military backing a year after he got the Nobel Prize.

The relationship between Yunus and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government was sour after the former's sacking as managing director of Grameen Bank in 2011. Although supporters of Yunus alleged that it was political vendetta, Bangladesh government denied accusation thoroughly. The Sheikh Hasina government even alleged that Yunus had prevailed upon the Western players including US and the World Bank to deny funding for some projects in the country. The government labeled Yunus as someone who is against the development of Bangladesh using his stature as a Nobel laureate. Although Yunus is acclaimed internationally for his microfinance and poverty alleviation programmes, his standing in Bangladesh has always remained fluid. He has been accused of undermining the interest of the country and encouraging foreign elements to play a role in Bangladesh affairs and distancing itself from India, its traditional friend.

Impact On Indo-Bangla Ties:

The Indian government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ties with Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh is always cordial as she has contained the Islamic extremism and cross-border terrorism against India. But, critics alleged that Yunus is following an ambiguous policy and allegedly not tring to contain anti-India and anti-Hindu stance by pro-Pakistani elements in Bangladesh. They argued that it is a known fact that although Yunus has little role in curating policies for Bangladesh, he is globally acclaimed as an intellectual and therefore seems to be in a position to influence the foreign actors. It has always been India's priority to have a good neighbourly relationship with Bangladesh and India would never want the formation of another Pakistan in the eastern sector that will be inimical to its interest. India is already fed up with Pakistan and has been praying the price in the form of terrorism since division in 1947. Whatever be the situation, the allegations that Yunus has a dubious personality, has created diplomatic discomfort for India.

The Indian leaders, especially the ruling clique, seem to be worried about the Nobel laureate's hobnobbing with pro-Pakistani parties in Bangladesh, and not buying the idea of the Yunus defenders that there were not enough inkling that he has an anti-India stance. His defenders argued that as Yunus is not holding public office, influencing state policy on different matters including communal or diplomatic is not tenable and for this reason, he should not be held accountable for which he is remotely concerned.

They argued that Yunus has promoted economic empowerment of many Hindus and minorities benefiting from Grameen Bank ’s microcredit programs for poverty alleviation. How a person can be termed as communal when he has dedicated his entire career for banishing poverty and hunger? they argued. His supporters further argued that Yunus has become an eyesore for his world wide acclaimation, intellectual standing and criticism of governance. India's foremost interest has always been to ensure stability in Bangladesh. Because, India has already acquired a sparring partner, Pakistan,to its misfortune, which is indulging in cross border terrorism by  killing hundreds of innocent people every year. And, it never wants Bangladesh to go in Pak way. The recent incident in Pehelgam in Kashmir was barbaric as Pak trained terrorists killed innocent people in broad daylight on the basis of religion.