Farmers' welfare body meets Ministers,demands ban on use of Endosulphan

Farmers' welfare body meets Ministers,demands ban on use of Endosulphan Dear Sibaand others I enclose the news,published inthe todays pioneer on farmer seekingbanon Endosulphan,for your perusal. Yours SudhirMishra Pioneer/Balangir ============================== BHUBANESWAR | Friday, April 29, 2011 | Email | Print | | Back Farmers' welfare body meets Ministers April 29, 2011 5:57:07 AM SUDHIR MISHRA | Balangir A group of farmers and civil society members of different districts met the Ministera of Agriculture and Health in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday to express concerns over the growing toxicity in the food system and demanded ban on use of hazardous pesticide Endosulfan in the food production system. The exposure to this chemical poses great risk of contamination as has been noticed in numerous instances in the State. 'This chemical is linked to seizures and long-term effects like autism, delayed puberty and birth defects. There have already been reports of women having multiple abortions, sterility and other gynecological disorders," said Siba Prasad Sahu of the Lok Vikas Sangathan. In Raisalpadar gram panchayat under Gaisilat block in Bargarh district, a discussion with farmers revealed that out of a sample of 118 farmers in one village more than 70 per cent have shown symptoms of mild hazards due to the impact of pesticide spray. A group of farmers from Nuapalli village of the same block said that at least 16 varieties of farm-fishes have died out due to the use of pesticides in farmland, said Sahu. India is one of the largest global producers of Endosulfan and the supplier of 70 per cent of the world's Endosulfan with a market value of $300 million (` 1,340 crore). Out of the 9,000 tonne, India shares about 50 per cent of its production and is bought by the country's 75 million farmers making it the world's largest consumer of Endosulfan as well, he said. The major categories of pesticides being used in Odisha without prescribed conditions are organo-chlorine, organophosphate and carbamate, mostly applied on paddy and vegetables. Endosulfan and Monochrotophos are highly used pesticides which are classified under the WHO Class-1a and WHO Class-1b hazardous pesticides, respectively. Even if merely 10 per cent of farming in the country turns organic, there would be a net saving of`25,000 crore on subsidies for farm inputs and the State can save more than `350 crore. In other States like Andhra Pradesh, almost a million farmers in 2.8 million acres of land are engaged in growing crops without pesticides, Lok Vikas Sangathan leaders pointed out. Besides Sahu, the group which met the Ministers comprised Natabar Sarngi, Prasant Mohanty and Pratap Pandey.

Gurjee can ensure Food security,reduce carbon emission;

Minor Millets cultivation to be revived news in the Pioneer,29th December,2009

Dear all This is an old story on mandia published in the Pioneer three years ago about Mandia.I enclose it for your perusal Yours SudhirMishra ====================================================================================== news of mandia published in the pioneer Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:23:21 IST `Mandia falls pray to modern food habits ================================================================================= Sudhir Mishra | Balangir Nutrient-rich food ragi, locally called as mandia, is fast missing from the common men's diet these days. Unfortunately, this crop, rich in protein, minerals and natural vitamins, is vanishing fast from the daily food habit of the people of drought prone areas of Balangir, thanks to the change of food habits, impact of television, modernisation and other social factors associated with it, pushing mandia consumption into oblivion. This 100-day crop, which grows well in moisture stress condition, is largely harvested by poor people of Titilagarh, Muribahal, Tureikel, Bongomunda and Belapda in June and July. Yet its production is not going up. Agricultural office sources reveal that a hectare of land yields only 5.5 to 6 quintals of mandia. This low production of mandia from one hectare of land is because of the traditional method of cultivation and use of traditional seed with less application of appropriate fertilisers in this district, explains an agricultural official. According to official sources, mandia has been cultivated in 3,525 hectare in 2006 which came down to 3,310 hectares in 2007 and again it has gloomily upped to 3,510 hectare in 2008. The consumption of mandia not only keeps the stomach cool in summer but it acts as an ideal natural medicine for diabetes patients. Notwithstanding its rich medical value, one of the major reasons for this crop not receiving much attention is the thrust of producing more paddy and change of food habits among the people. Large scale cultivation of this crop is gradually dwindling owing to its low market price. Some traders are purchasing the item from the village point at prices less than it deserves. Steps should be taken to increase mandia cultivation by enhancing its market value, says Siddheshwar Majhi, a tribal youth of Titiligarh To revive the consumption of mandia along with its medicinal values, it requires a wide scale media hype, views an official. The perception of poor man's food attached with this crop should be removed to encourage the rate of consumption and ultimately the rate of mandia production, he said. ====================================================================================

BJD ‘has’ 26 seats, to form ZP in Balangir

BJD ‘has’ 26 seats, to form ZP in Balangir MONDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2012 23:20 PNS | BALANGIR HITS: 12 User Rating: / 0 PoorBest According to reports from the booth level, out of the six Balangir Zilla Parishad seats, for which elections were held in the last phase of Sunday, the BJD bagged five and Congress only one seat. Out of the total 34 ZP seats, the BJD’s total tally of ZP seats went up to 26 while the BJP got five and the Congress got three seats. Notwithstanding the resignation of the district’s BJD leader AU Singh Deo as the Excise Minister in the wake of the Cuttack hooch tragedy in the midst of the elections, the ruling party registered a convincing victory. Along with AU Singh Deo, his sons Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo (MP), Arkesh Narayan Singh Deo and Manmath Vijaya Singh Deo campaigned to ensure victory for the party. The disappointing performance of the Congress was considered due to its virtual defunct organisation and absence of a strong leadership. By and large, the election was peaceful barring three violent incidents. A ward member contestant of Thapapali was killed. A BJD ZP candidate, Bhaktaram Majhi, was brutally attacked by miscreants in Titilagarh Subdivision while returning. In another incident, two polling officials were attacked by unknown miscreants in the Sadar police station area. ======================================================================================

BJD ZP candidate attacked in Titilagarh; two held TUESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2012 00:54 PNS | MALKANGIRI/RAYAGADA/BALANGIR HITS: 31 User Rating: / 0

BJD ZP candidate attacked in Titilagarh; two held TUESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2012 00:54 PNS | MALKANGIRI/RAYAGADA/BALANGIR HITS: 31 User Rating: / 0 PoorBest On the eve of the panchayat elections on Monday, in a surprise development, a BJD zilla parishad candidate, Bhakta Majhi, was attacked near Khulan on Sunday night. Majhi was contesting in ZP Zone Seven in the Titilagarh sub-division area. While he was returning to his village Batharla, a group of persons attacked him near Khulan, 80 km from here. Majhi, who sustained injuries, was shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital here and is undergoing treatment. A case was registered at the Titilagrah police station, and two persons were arrested in this connection, informed PS IIC CP Kanhar. “It is unfortunate that our candidate was attacked by miscreants, night before the election. This was done to check the BJD’s electoral success in the district. The guilty, whoever they may be, must be brought to book. I will ask for disciplinary actions if any BJD worker is found involved in the incident,” said Balangir MP and district BJD president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo speaking to this correspondent over phone. ===============================================================================

CCIM team visits Balangir Ayurvedic College TUESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2012 00:51 PNS | MALKANGIRI/RAYAGADA/BALANGIR HITS: 30 User Rating: /

CCIM team visits Balangir Ayurvedic College TUESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 2012 00:51 PNS | MALKANGIRI/RAYAGADA/BALANGIR HITS: 30 User Rating: / 0 PoorBest A three-member team from the Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM), New Delhi, which includes Dr DK Katharia, visited the Government Ayurvedic College, Balangir. They went round the different faculties of the college. Every year the Central Council for Indian Medicine sends a team to the college for inspection before commencement of the academic session .At present, the college is running with 12 permanent lecturers and 23 contractual lecturers. It has been demanded since long that there should be an adequate number of permanent faculty/lecturers to run the college properly. The Central Council for Indian Medicine and the State Government should look into this aspect, pointed out a student leader, Himanshu Mishra. ==================================================================================== < Prev Next >

Student hurt in Subarnapur poll violence crossfire SATURDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2012 01:44 PNS | BALANAGIR HITS: 17

Student hurt in Subarnapur poll violence crossfire
SATURDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2012 01:44
PNS | BALANAGIR
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Only a few days after the murder of a ward member contestant Ekadasia Majhi in Bairsar panchayat in Puintala block of Balangir district and with the first phase of the panchayat election set to take place on Saturday, a school student was seriously injured in poll-related violence at village Kamsara in Tarbha block of Subarnapur district, 35 km from here, on Friday morning.
According to reports, Dileshwar Bibhar (15), a Class-X student of Kamsara High School, was returning home after attending his tuitions when he was caught in the midst of a shootout.
“I was returning home after attending tuition class. There was a clash going on there. I was shot at from a small pistol, and I cannot say who shot at me. However, all the involved people are my villagers,” said Dileshwar.
In the area, Mandakini Bibhar and Rita Nag are contesting against each other for panchyat samiti member post. According to reports, there was a clash between the supporters of Mandakini and Rita at the village chowk, in which some people sustained injuries.
Dileshwar, who was brought to the Balangir district hospital, was later shifted to the VS Medial College Hospital at Burla for further treatment, said ADMO (Medical) Dr Dora to this correspondent.
Subarnapur SP Dasarathi Nayak has rushed to the spot of the violence.

Madhuri given rousing reception in Balangir Wednesday, 08 February 2012 22:45 PNS | BALANGIR Hits: 3

Madhuri given rousing reception in Balangir
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 22:45
PNS | BALANGIR
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Madhuri Mehta, the young woman cricketer of Balangir who has been selected as one of the members of the Indian women’s cricket team to play five T-20 matches in West Indies, was given a rousing welcome here on Wednesday.
“I am elated at the overwhelming response and blessings of the people of Balangir. I shall try to achieve more,” Madhuri said in response to the reception.
Asked to comment on what needs to be done for development of women cricket in Balangir, Madhuri underlined the need of a gymnasium first.
“This is the result of hard work of Madhuri and blessings of the people of Balangir. I would like to thank the senior cricketers of Balangir, and especially the District Athletic Association and Nari Bhai,” said Madhuri’s coach Arun Nayak who started coaching women cricketers five years ago. “Opening batting and fielding is the major strength of Madhuri,” Nayak added.
Madhuri, who was accompanied by her parents, Pradeep Mehta and Ahuti Mishra, was given a huge welcome at a meeting at the town hall by different sports associations, District Athletic Association and other organisations.
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Candidate’s murder: Balangir answers bandh call by Cong TUESDAY, 07 FEBRUARY 2012 22:49 PNS | BALANGIR HITS: 3 User Rating: / 0

Candidate’s murder: Balangir answers bandh call by Cong
TUESDAY, 07 FEBRUARY 2012 22:49 PNS | BALANGIR HITS: 3
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A Balangir bandh call given by the Chhatra Congress demanding a high-level inquiry into the murder of Ekadasia Majhi of village Thapapali in Balangir district was answered on Tuesday.

Ekadasia Majhi, who was a candidate for the ward member’s post in Bairsar panchayat, was killed recently. Government offices, schools, banks and civil courts were closed due to the bandh. “We gave this bandh call demanding a high-level inquiry into the killing of Ekadasia Majhi and a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to his family members. The people have fully supported the bandh,” said president of Youth Congress’ Balangir Assembly constituency unit Prem Prakash Mishra.

Members of the student Congress, including its district president B Sumit Prabhakar, along with Asim Pattnaik and Kailash Mishra staged a dharna before the district Collectorate demanding fulfilment of their demands. Later, they submitted a memorandum to the district administration in this regard.

All the four accused mentioned in the FIR relating to the Ekadasia Majhi case have been arrested and forwarded to the court, said local ASP Srikant Mishra. Further investigation is on, Mishra added.