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.