Nuakhai Bangalore 2010 Celebrated With Great Flavour

On 26th Sept 2010, “Nuakhaibhet Cultural and Welfare Association” organized the 10th anniversary of “Nuakhaibhet” celebration in National Games Village, Bengaluru. This function is organised in consonance with “Nuakhai”, the harvest festival widely celebrated in KOSAL (western parts of Odisha). Non resident Kosali's residing in Bengaluru, has been organizing this function since last ten years.

Renowned cartoonist Dr. Aswini Kumar Rath from Balangir graced this function as Chief Guest. On this occasion “Nuakhaibhet Cultural and Welfare Association” also felicitated Aswini-Abani, the only cartoonist brother duo of the world. Internationally prize winning cartoons of Aswini-Abani were also exhibited during this occasion.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary year of the celebration a souvenir “Surta” was released

containing articles on the festivals, food, culture and also progress at Bengaluru. Prime Minister

Dr.Manmohan Singh and Smt. Sonia Gandhi expressed their wishes to the community through this magazine.

Chief convenor Mr.Abhimanyu Gadtia gave an overall perspective of “Nuakhai” as a function and

its importance in maintaining the cultural harmony. Sri Gopal Mishra, Sri …. (san barsa agyan) also addressed the gathering.

“Chitrasen Musical Group” from Titlagarh, Odisha, spellbound the audience with their sambalpuri musical performances with instruments like “Nissan”, “Tasa” and “Dhol”. Many local artists also added colours to the function with their folk songs and dances.

Apart from the cultural activities the most popular program was the Western Orissa quiz competition, which generated a lot of curosity amongst the present audience.

Also ladies Musical chair,Children Drawing competition and Nuakhai Talent Hunt was enjoyed by all and one.

Many intellectuals from Bengaluru and outside were present in the function which was attended by more than 500 people.

People also enjoyed the local cuisines of Kosal like Kardi bhendi Khata, Alu putal etc

SAREGAMAPA CONTESTENT SNITI MISHRA DECLARED HER ROOT'S WESTERN ORISSA

VERSATILE SINGER SNITI MISHRA FROM BALANGIR / BOLANGIR TODAY PROUDLY DECLARED ON NATIONAL TELEVISION THAT SHE BELONGS TO BALANGIR DISTRICT OF WESTERN ORISSA...IT MAY BE NOTED THAT THERE WAS A GENERAL PERCEPTION THAT SHE IS FROM BBSR...PUTTING AN END TO ALL THE SPECULATIONS SHE PROUDLY DECLARED HER ROOTS TO THE VIBRANT LAND OF KOSAL (WESTERN ORISSA)

Balangir Rickshawpuller’s son wins singles title in state-level badminton championship

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100921/jsp/orissa/story_12959353.jsp

Balangir, Sept. 20: Fighting against all odds, two young boys made Balangir proud by winning titles in the state open badminton championship in Talcher on Sunday.

Abhimanyu Bagarty (12), son of a rickshawpuller in Balangir, won the singles title in the boys’ mini (under-13) category while Surendra Nepal (14), son of a daily labourer won the men’s singles title in the sub-junior category.

Surendra also won the men’s doubles title with Chandan Mishra in the sub-junior category, while Abhimanyu teamed with Swarup Ranjan Guru to emerge as runners up in the boy’s mini double category.

Two others — Bikrant Jani who emerged as the runner up in the boy’s mini singles category and Arabinda Sahu, who was adjudged the best emerging player of the tournament — also hailed from Balangir.

Abhimanyu said that he used to play badminton in the streets when Susanta Pradhan of the District Badminton Association (DBA) picked him up after noticing his talent.

“I was very young when I developed a passion for games. I used to play badminton with my friends in the streets of our locality. We used bundle of polythene carrybags as shuttle and a flat piece of wood as racket. Susanta dada used to watch me. One day he took me to the DBA office and formally admitted me there,” he said.

Abhimanyu’s father, a rickshawpuller in the town, said that he was exulted at his son’s achievements. “I knew that he was fond of sports. Since I am a poor ricksha puller, it was not possible for me to meet his requirements. But, I also never knew that my son possessed such talent. I hope that he will do even better in the years to come,” he said.

The success story of Surendra Nepal is similar. Son of a daily labourer in an aluminium factory, he never thought that he would play in any state-level tournament. He was picked up by Rajiv Sahu of the DBA who noticed him playing badminton in the streets of the town.

“I never thought that I would play in such a tournament and win title. It is like a dream come true for me,” he said.

“There are many kids in our association who are from very poor families. We try to help them by providing them with playing equipment, tracksuits and shoes. We are very happy that our efforts have paid well as two boys who came from such poor backgrounds have won titles. This is the beginning. We will ensure that they go on to win tournaments at higher levels,” said Suru Matari, secretary of the DBA.

1.5 Lakh People Migrated Out Of Balangir District Of Western Odisha As MGNREGA Fails To Deliver

Courtsey Countercurrents.org

As in earlier years, this time around about 1.5 lakh people migrated out from Balangir district of Odisha to work in brick kilns in and around Hyderabad and Chennai and other places. The data compiled by Migration Information and Resource Centre (MiRC), Aide et Action, a civil society organisation basing on the migration registers maintained in about 66 villages in three blocks (Muribahal, Tureikala and Belpada) in the district suggest that about 1.5 lakh people out of about 13 lakh population in the district migrated out of the state during November-December 2009 and January 2010 as they did not get enough of employment opportunities in the home place. Among the total migrating population, about 30 percent belong to scheduled caste (SCs) and 41 percent are scheduled tribe (STs) population.

People in Balangir district, mostly belonging to the landless category and the small and marginal families, have adopted the option of migrating out as a coping up mechanism to the high degree of food insecurity owing to lack of employment, bad show in agriculture due to continuous droughts, uneven land distribution, loss of forest so on and so forth. This form of migration is therefore mostly due to distressed condition in the villages. The form of migration takes place in a well established system of middlemen (called Sardars or Khatadars) who take advantage of the distress condition of the poor dalit and tribal people in the district and give them some advance money to the tune of 15-25 thousand rupees to work for about seven months in the brick kilns in other states. This advance money comes as a big allurement and also relief to the helpless families who tacitly agree to a semi-bondage condition under their employers. The people go there as brick makers, brick carriers and so on. The brick maker constitutes most part of labour in a brick kiln. The unit of labour as brick maker constitute generally two adult members and a child. Therefore the incidence of child labours in a brick kiln is by sheer design not by default. Both the adult and child labourers have to work about 14-16 hours in a day under very harsh conditions. They are provided with a small weekly allowance of 250-300 rupees which cover their food, clothe and health needs. They rice they eat are basically the chicken fodder. They are provided with the accommodations which are like chicken huts-worse than houses in the slums in a city. due to inadequate food intake, long hours of work, non availability of people medical attention, people and children often fall to various types of diseases. Targets of making 1.5 lakhs to 2 lakhs of brick moulding are set for them which they have to complete in seven months. Since the target is too high, the brick owners use all dirty means to extract maximum output from the labourers. More often than not the poor labourers are treated inhumanly and are harassed to any extent beyond imagination, which include both mental and physical torture. Toward the end of the season (season is from September/October to May/June in Hyderabad and from December/January to June/July in Chennai), if the labourers could not complete the task they are not allowed to go back home and are kept under forced captivity in the brick kilns under the vigilance of the hired goons. The unspoken misery of the people is witnessed in every season forcing some civil society organisations intervene to rescue them from the captivity of the brick owners.

MGNREGA which promises to provide 100 days of guaranteed employment to the rural households has pathetically failed in the district. Out of total of 2.4 lakh Job Card holders in the district only 60,000 households have been covered under MNREGA last financial year (2009-2010) (Data as on 14th April 2010 from www.nrega.nic.in ). This is only 25% coverage of the total. These numbers of families have got an average of 43 days of employment. In comparison to the total capacity of 100 days to 2.4 lakh families, it is only 11 percent utilisation of the full potential. This is as per the official figures. The real figure would be far less which may be exposed through social audits. This shows how abysmally MGNGREA has delivered in the district. Over and above this, the scheme has become meaningless owing to the delayed nature of payment. People in the district complained of receiving payment in two to three months time against the mandated 15 days period.

Apart from the failure of MGNREGA, other social security schemes have also faired very badly in the district as in other parts of the state. The uneven distribution of land has added to the misery of poor.

Rare show of success of MGNREGA:

On very rare occasions, due to the intervention of the civil society organisations, MGNREGA has brought some relief to a miniscule numbers of families. For example, in Tentulimunda village in Belpada block of Bolangir district, about 25 habitually migrant families stayed back as they availed work under the scheme. Similarly about 35 such families opted out to stay back in village and work under MGNREGA in Badbanki village under Tureikala block. Several children who used to migrate with their parents and lose their education also stayed back and continued their study in their respective villages. Some people have also made capital investment from income generated MGNREGA to make capital investment. For example, Ugrasen Gaud in Badbanki village who has completed 100 days of work under MGNREGA in 2009-10 financial year, has got about 15,000 rupees and purchased gold for his daughter’s marriage and got bullocks for his agriculture. Similarly, Ms Kumari Nag has got some gold for herself from the income got under MGNREGA. About 17 families in the Badbanki village have completed 100 days of work quota. It has helped reducing migration in this Panchayat. But these are very rare instances. Two civil society organisations namely Adhikar and Sramik Shakti Sangathan have helped the people getting their entitlements under MGNREGA.

Time is ripe for the state and district administration to put all their efforts to make MGNREGA a success for reducing distressed migration and prevent people from facing all out harassment in other states.

Balangir Bar Council extends support for Kosal State

In a historic decision members of the Bar Association of Balangir district unanimously adopted a resolution Supporting the demand for a separate KOSAL STATE last saturday evening.

In an emergency meeting which was attended by Bar council president Jagannath Acharya, secretary Asit Kumar Sarangi and other members, the Bar association adopted a resolution to this effect and decided to submit a proposal in this regard to the Union Government.

Moreover, it also demanded for establishment of the capital of Kosal State in the centre of western Orissa. In the pre-independence period there was the princely Kosal State which comprised of Sareikela, Kharsuan and other princely States, the members said.

They further said they will intensify the movement in near future and will support all the associations supporting the Kosal cause.

It is to be noted that due to the criminal negligence of Kosal (Western Orissa) region by all the successive Orissa state govt, demand for KOSAL state is gaining momentum like never before. Just few months back Students of Various colleges and university of Western Orissa came out on streets in support of KOSAL STATE

CHOLERA CREATING HAVOC IN KBK AREA: DEATH TOLL 140

Courtsey :- IBNLIVE

The death toll due to cholera in Orissa has risen to 140 following a fresh casualty in worst-hit Rayagada district.

Just last month Orissa's Kalahandi and Rayagada districts were in the limelight when Congress leaderRahul Gandhi and the ruling Biju Janta Dal held parallel rallies there to woo tribal voters. But now when a deadly outbreak of cholera claims nearly 140 lives in the region, the political luminaries who had claimed to be soldiers fighting for the cause of the tribals, have strangely vanished.

Paranga Majhi, a villager, said, “We don't have any source of safe drinking water. So we are forced to use water from dirty rivers and ponds. That's why we are falling ill.”

35 people have died in Rayagada alone. Kalahandi, Balangir, Nuapada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Malkangiri are among the worst affected. The rising death toll has pressed the panic button in the state health department. An emergency team of 50 doctors and paramedics have been rushed in.

Bikas Patnaik, Deputy Director, Health Services, Orissa commented, “We are taking all possible steps to provide clean water immediately where required apart from providing emergency health care."

The government is going one step further to tackle the cholera outbreak. It has announced a cash award of Rs 100 for those who bring cholera patients to government hospitals, a saree or a dhoti and a soap for the patients themselves. But the bigger concern is the lack of adequate medical staff.

According to the population of Orissa, the state should ideally have 12,000 doctors. But now there are only 3000 odd government doctors serving the state. What is more shocking is the fact that more than 1000 sanctioned doctor's posts are lying vacant in the state for past many years. No wonder the health service scenario in the state especially in rural Orissa is quite pathetic.

NUAKHAI JUHAR KOSAL BASI !!!!

Galana kete bacchar hasi kheli kari....

Galana kete phul mahali gacche phuti kari !!!

Hele amar bhab thau sabu dine bhari...

E Nuakhai tihar asu anand ullas dhari....Maa Samlei tumar samku rakhi thau kule dhari !!!

NUAKHAI JUHAR BAD MANKU AAU SAN MANKE NUAKHAI RA BAHUT BAHUT BADHAI !

JAI MAA SAMLESWARI....JAI MAA PATNESWARI...JAI MAA MANIKESWARI.....JAI MAA SURESWARI....JAI MAA GHANTASINI....JAI MAA SEKHARBASINI...JAI MAA LANKESWARI....JAI MAA METAKANI.....JAI MAA KOSHALESWARI !!!!

JAI KOSAL .NUAKHAI JUHAR

BANGALORE NUAKHAIBHET 2010 ON 26TH SEPTEMBER

Balangore Nuakhaibhet is one of the oldest nuakhai being celebrated outside orissa state. It was started in the year 2000 in an informal get-together but took off quite well in the year 2003 as a primary socio-cultural function for the people of Kosal (Western Orissa) residing in Bangalore or Bengaluru ....

Here is the invitation for Nuakhaibhet Bengaluru 2010

WE ARE GLAD TO INVITE YOU ALL TO THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF NUAKHAIBHET 2010 BENGALURU.

NUAKHAIBHET 2010 BENGALURU

DATE: 26TH SEPTEMBER 2010

TIME: 9:00 AM ONWARDS

VENUE: RANGAMANDIRA, NATIONAL GAMES VILLAGE (NGV), KORMANGALA

ALSO LAUNCHED OUR NEW WEBSITE :-

www.nuakhaibhet.info

CHIEF GUEST:-

ASWINI ABANI - The only Cartoonist Brother Duo of the World under the banner 'aswiniabani

www.aswiniabani.com

PANKAJ JAL - The most popular singer of Orissa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHVEsluuDcI SAMBALPURI CULTURAL PROGRAM BY CHITRASEN GROUP, TITLAGARH & MAA SAMLEI GROUP, BENGALURU EAGERLY WAITNG FOR YOUR PRESENCE..... REGARDS NUAKHAIBHET CULTURAL & WELFARE ASSOCIATION BENGALURU, KARNATAKA www.nuakhaibhet.info mail:- nuakhaibhet@gmail.com Also subscribe to our Yahoogroups to get update on Jobs,Festivals,Emergency etc Subscribe to nuakhaibhet Powered by us.groups.yahoo.com

Sniti Mishra of Balangir reaches Top 12 in Saregamapa show on Zee TV

It is indeed a matter of pride for the people of Kosal (Western Orissa) ...Sniti Mishra, a top class singer from Balangir town is grabbing eye-balls through out the world with her power-pack singing in India's one of the oldest singing reality show Sa re ga ma pa on Zee TV ..... She is the first contestant in the program to reach Top 16 ...

A complete profile of Sniti Mishra;-

The 24-year-old Sniti Mishra, who is a MBA (Finance) student at the Institute of Management & Information Science (IMIS), hails from Balangir distict of western orissa. Born on June 1, 1986, Sniti started her schooling from Saraswati Vidya Mandir in Kadampada, Balangir Town.

She later studied at the Govt. Girls High School, Balangir and graduated from Womens college Balangir. She then moved to Bhubaneswar to pursue MBA. She is a second year student of MBA (Finance) at IMIS, Bhubaneswar. She has won several prizes in singing competitions throughout her schooling and college days.

Sniti is trained in Hindustani Classical Music under the guidance of Dr. Raghunath Sahu and Dr. Damodar Hota. Her father Shyamlkrishna Mishra is a businessman, while her mother Sabitanjali Udgata is the Head Mistress at Govt. UP School, Kermeli in Saintala in Balangir district.

See some of the songs performed by Sniti till now:

Audition Video:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1-VYSutq7w

Mega Auditon:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pt3fT49WSs

Top 18 Contest:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DAvqC5Q8Q0

PLEASE SUPPORT HER TO WIN THIS COMPETITION