Voices

Training for VSSs in collection of forest produce - The Hindu http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/best-tank-games

http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/tribals-are-treated-as-second-class-citizens.html

source:  http://odishasuntimes.com/peoples-tribunal-finds-serious-violations-constitution-laws-scheduled-areas-state/

Indigenous People’s Forum, Odisha (IPFO) LIG 62/K4 Kalinga Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Pin-751019 Contact No:+91 88959 21665,+91 94381 56315,E.Mail:  ipfodisha@gmail. com ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------- Ref…………………                                                                                       Date :   20th December 2013                PRESS RELEASE Dated 20 th  December, 2013 Institute of Engineers, Bhubaneshwar    ...

“Enforce Tribal Self-Rule as enshrined in the Central Panchayat Raj Extension to Schedule areas (PESA) 1996 in the Scheduled areas of Odisha” has been the echo of 500 tribals gathering at people’s tribunal   held at Institute of Engineers , Bhubaneswar on 20 th  December 2013 organised by Indigenous peoples forum, Tribals from the different parts of Odisha deposed before the jury on the issues of tribal land alienation, spreading liquor shops, rampant mining, forceful displacement, non- recognition of the tribal language etc. They urged the government to obey the resolution of their Gram Sabha as defined in PESA 1996. 

Gajapati District of Odisha presented how the adivasis remain illiterate and considered stupid in the eyes of other cultured people. They emphasized that the medium of learning so called language is the problem in our education system for Tribals. They are forced to learn in a foreign language(Odiya). They call it as foreign language because it is same as any foreign language for them. They pleaded before the Juries for having education in their mother tongue.

Presenting Case from Sundargarh (Odisha) with regard to the fact that in the name of privatisation the OCL, Steel and Iron Companies have taken away the resourceful land of Adivasis and established their business. The playground, cemetery, cultivating land, river etc. The adivasis/sufferers went to the police station with their complain where the police refused to accept the complain and file FIR. The Tribal people of the area went to the governor of Odisha and pealed for the same but the governor stopped his action by giving some direction to the authorities who never did anything to get justice. 

  Its is said that tribals were gathering for meeting whenever there was a beating of dram/Nagara in the village. In other words beating dram/Nagara is a calling bell of tribals for meeting.

The people's Tribunal is the first time in Odisha and India as a country on PESA Act 1996.The very purpose of conducting People's Tribunal is to promulgate the rule as per the PESA Act 1096; to study and analyse the problems of governance; to use the proceedings, findings and recommendations of Jury to pressurize the government of Odisha for enactment of PESA rules. The eminent Juries would be: Dr. B.D. Sharma (IAS Retd.) Ex. Chairman, SC/ST Commission, Govt. of India Mr. Dilip Singh Bhuria, Ex. PM, Ex. Chairman, ST Commission, Govt. of India Mr. Somjit Bhai Damor, Seven times MP and Minister, Govt. of India Dr.SK Subramanian (IPS, Retd.) Ex. DGP, Nagaland Prof. Virgius Xaxa, Chairman, High Level Committee on Tribal Issues, constituted by PMO 2013 Mr. Aurobindo Behera(IAS, Retd.), Govt. of Odisha Dr.Marianus Kujur, Director, Tribal Studies, ISI, New Delhi Dr. Bipin Jojo (Professor), TISS, Mumbai Mr. Chito Behera, Expert on OGP Act, Cuttuck, Odisha Mrs. Dayamani Ba...

Thanks to Amritlal Tigga. His complaint to NHRC has resulted in forcing the Department of Mass Education, Govt. of Odisha to enquire into the matter of discrimination against 14 dalit students, who left their school. -    Dhirendra Panda, director of CSFHR Bhubaneswar source:  https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#inbox/142c8d9a8b085806?projector=1

“Our land is blowing away as the dust blows away in the storm"  - Dharti Aba Birsa Munda The movement was led by Jatra Bhagat and Hanuman Oraon. Like all else, it was anti-Zamindhari, anti-missionary, anti-British. The main features of the movement were: 1) Self government 2) Abolition of Raj 3) Perfect equality between man and man 4) No rent payment. PESA Act 1996 is to enable  Gram Sabhas  to self govern their natural resources. So, the idea of self government is not the idea of the then  government of 1996. Much earlier it was being enjoyed by the Tribals (Present Adivasis) the original aboriginal inhabitants of India. Later, the Non-tribals who snatched away tribals' values and freedom came into India. Thus, the Tana Bhagat Movement rose in 1914 led by Jatra Bhagat and Hanuman Oraon. After Passing this PESA Act 1996, the government is still keeping it aloof from the tribals, not allowing the tribals of schedule areas ...

Definition: The term Pancha [1] is used to describe voluntary members forming a group to help each other within the group turn by turn throughout the year. Thus, Pancha means collective group work for a day well known among the tribal peoples of Chotanagpure. The volunteers from various families come together and form a group or Pancha to assist each other in doing manual work throughout the year. There could be many Pancha groups in the society. One person can be the members of more than one Pancha , provided he or she is able to attend all the collective voluntary works of the group. In a Pancha there used to be 10 to 15 members. Though, the most preferable number is 12. There is no particular rule and regulation set off for the Pancha . However, they themselves arrange turns to help each other during the work season. The Pancha consists of executive body where everyone becomes the leader or president of the group turn by turn. Mechanism: Once the volunteer members fr...

It is very good that the Odisha State Government is seeking help from the Central Government. however, it is their duty to be transparent in its utilization because after spending so much money we do not see much change as much it could have been with its utilization in Odisha. Thus, the state continues to remain in the similar conditions for years. Source:  http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/178390/The-New-Indian-Express-Bhubaneswar/29.10.2013#page/1/2

The continuous heavy rain in Odisha has caused much devastation in Odisha. The food has covered the train tracks in Berhanpur and thus, rain has stopped the train service in the region. The 12 districts college and school are closed till 28 th   October 2013 due to the rain and flood. State government of Odisha seeks help from the Central Government for slum aid. Due to the poor Drainage System the rain is leading to flood in Bhubaneswar the capital city of Odisha.   In Jajatsingpur  4 people including children died in wall collapse. The Flood water enters into houses in Nayagarh and so people are becoming homeless hour by hour. In Balesore, the villagers are helping people to cross the roads, as the current of flood increasing in the road. Flood water is entering in Puri cyclone shelter.  Thus, it is becoming more difficult for the people to evacuate in the still safer place. Water borne diseases are caused in flooded area of Burhempure.   Source: h...

Ten people have been killed and 1.5 lakh others have been affected due to flash floods in Odisha. Around 129 villages were flooded due to the continuous rain for four days in Ganjam district of Odisha. The One Day Cricket match between India and Australia which is to be held   on Saturday   in Cuttack is likely to be cancelled. The Government of Odisha said that schools and colleges in all 12 flood affected districts will be closed till   Monday . Train services from Khurda to Vishakhapatnam have been badly hit. According to the special relief commissioner, PK Mohapatra, "Following heavy rain for four days, water level in rivers in south Odisha are above danger level and have entered many villages". The blocks affected in flash flood include Chikiti, Hinjili, Sana Khemundi, Patrapur, Dharakote, Aska, Parlakhemundi, Mohana. Some areas of Gajapati district were also reported to have been affected. He added that the collectors of all coastal districts have been directe...

Fridya, 25 October 2013 |   It continues to rain miserly in Ganjam, Puri, Kurdha, Cuttuck, Gajapati and Balasore. A lot of relief work is being affected by the same. It has caused more floods in some of the areas. The communication is blocked. Roads are damaged. Trains are diverted to different rout. Source: http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/176771/The-New-Indian-Express-Bhubaneswar/25.10.2013#page/1/2 http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/176771/The-New-Indian-Express-Bhubaneswar/25.10.2013#page/3/2

As per the weather report of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Odisha may face another cyclone during the next 24 hours. Gopalpur along with Behrampur, have already received 140 mm rainfall during the last 24 hours. Cuttack has received above 90 mm rain whereas Bhubaneswar has received 80 mm rain during the last 24 hours.  The sources of cyclone warning division, IMD said, they are closely monitoring the situation as Phailin, as the form of a low-pressure system gradually intensifying into a cyclone and then into a very severe cyclone. Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/alert-over-another-cyclone-in-next-24-hrs.html

Due to the non-stop rain in Odisha many more people are homeless and at risk. The water level is rising and more floods. People are loosing their crops, lives and amenities. Some are dying due to the suffocation caused by generators. More houses are collapsing.  Cyclone, Flood Toll Rises to 43 in Odisha http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/176340/The-New-Indian-Express-Bhubaneswar/24.10.2013#page/5/2 http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=813863#.UmkPArqEEXk.blogger

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Now, no more the people sleeping. They are aware about their rights and going for agitation for relief. Take every chance to make India a country were everyone is aware about their rights and demand for it. So that our democratic governing system will improve. http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/c/1823514

Phailin was 99th Cyclone to hit Odisha reported Indian Meteorological Department. From 1891 to 2013 our mother nature has hunted 99 Cyclones in Odisha. Now, it is awaiting one more hit to reach century. Comparing to other coastal states Odisha is struck the maximum. http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/c/1823327

There are  end number of NGOs and other network form which Government can ask help for relief work in  the cyclone Phailin affected area, however the RIs sitting in one place doing assessment instead of moving door to door and complaining that there are no sufficient staff to do the work. It is the shameful act of our governing system. Source:  http://www.dailypioneer.com/ state-editions/bhubaneswar/ ganjam-relief-rehab-works- suffer-from-many-lacunae.html

Cyclone Phailin didn’t affect only the BPL and APL card holder.  Nature does not do any injustice. It hit everyone equally in the Gopalure, of Ganjam district. Why then there is injustice and relief is only for card holder neglecting the other poor victim survivals Source:  http://www.dailypioneer.com/ state-editions/bhubaneswar/ ganjam-relief-rehab-works- suffer-from-many-lacunae.html

  Till today, Around 42% of the people remain without any relief material nor financial assistance contrary to the relief work announcement done by the Government for Mayurbhanj district, Odisha Source:  http://www.dailypioneer.com/ state-editions/bhubaneswar/ 26k-families-in-mayurbhanj- still-cry-for-relief.html

The world bank praises the Government of Odisha for active relief work in pre, during and post Cyclone Phailin, Whereas the real victim survivals and relief aid agencies are angry about the Government of Odisha for not being prepared enough to face the Phailin and delay in relief rehabilitation. Source: http://www.livemint.com/Politics/p3KSUyqTxi1D0SSPm51hyO/Anger-grows-over-aid-delays-among-Cyclone-Phailin-survivors.html & http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/world-bank-praises-india-s-cyclone-phailin-evacuation-efforts-433850

To realize The value of a sister/brother Ask someone Who doesn't have one. To realize The value of ten years: Ask a newly Divorced couple. To realize The value of four years: Ask a graduate. To realize The value of one year: Ask a student who Has failed a final exam. To realize The value of nine months: Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn. To realize The value of one month: Ask a mother Who has given birth to A premature baby. To realize The value of one week: Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize The value of one minute: Ask a person Who has missed the train, bus or plane. To realize The value of one second: Ask a person Who has survived an accident. Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when You can share it with someone special. To realize the value of a friend or family member: LOSE ONE. The origin of this letter is unknown, But it brings good luck to everyone who passes it on. Remember.... Hold on tight to the o...

Odisha state is suffering from "Phailin: a man-made disaster", because the Government is neglecting its duty knowingly and willfully. The disaster of Phailin is nothing we the Government could have taken proper preventive action and active relief and rehabilitation. The Phailin came and went but the disaster remains because of some people in power neglecting to attend the relief work. Thus, Phailin is not a natural disaster, but a man-made disaster. The following will give you the clear ideas about the same. Government is Playing the Blame-Game The Central Government is blaming the Odisha state government for not utilizing the central resources and fund to tackle Phailin. "Prime Minister Manomohan Singh and AICC Chairman Sonia Gandhi were very much vigilant over the situation. However, despite all support from the Centre, the State Government failed to manage and utilise the resources and ended up in a mess." - Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president ...

As the RTI users are being harassed, we should recommend two things to the government: To pass a bill to protect the RTI users.  There should be an Act to protect the life of RTI users. As per Article 21 of our constitution, " Protection of life and personal liberty No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty".  Thus, it assures the protection of each individual's dignity and life. However, it is being violated by the protector themselves. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) should interview the matter and solve it as soon as possible. RTI users narrate tales of harassment

As per the information shared by Indian Meteorological Department on Saturday 19th October, 2013, there would be more shower of rain over south-west of Odisha within 48 hours on around 23rd and 24th October after Phailin cyclone. The government haven't finished the relief and rehabilitation work and another expected disaster over Odisha is announced. If the government really care and want to help the people,it should take up the precocious action together with the relief and rehabilitation work . http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/174631/The-New-Indian-Express-Bhubaneswar/20.10.2013#page/3/2

This is the 6th day after Phailin Cyclone has passed through Odisha, and a lmost a week before the arrival of Phailin the information was spread through out the State by various means. And some of the state government had replied to media saying that they were well prepared.  But the relief work is still slow and pending in some districts like Ka ndhamal.  We should be thanked to God, because it didn't  hit Odisha as much as it was expected, otherwise more of disaster could have been seen with this kind of slow process in our governing system. This is a "Wake up Call" for all citizens to choose a right and clean government in our democratic system.