Blog of Sudhir Mishra, A Bolangir based Journalist

I am a journalist, working as Balangir correspondent of the English daily "The Pioneer" and “The Industry and Mines Observer”, an English fortnightly magazine published from Bhubneshwar. I was awarded the Trophy for "Excellence in Journalism" by noted Columnist Sri Shivaji Sarkar,in the presence of Editor in Chief -of The Pioneer,Dr Chandan Mitra ,Editor of The Industry and Mines Observer (IMO) Sri Sirish Mohanty on June19,2012.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

A view of Bolangir town in early morning of winter.;photograph taken around 5.30am ;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

The beautiful Dusk.BySudhirMishra/Bolangir;13thDecember2016.

The beautiful moon in the sky;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir13thDecember2016 evening.

Sulia jatra is going to be held on 3rd January next .(3rd January2017)

9^th December2016

Sulia jatra is going to be held on 3^rd January next .(3^rd January2017)

Animal killing would take place this year too;

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Bolangir;

This year Sulia Jatra would be held on 3rd January next(2017) and it would be observed at on first Tuesday Hindu calendar month of Pausha at Khairguda in Kultapda panchyat of Deogan Block of in the district 20km from here.

Every year Sulia Jatra is held on the first Tuesday of Pausa month by the tribal. The worshipping of SuliaBudha at the top of Sulia Dangar( small mountain) has been going on since more than hundred years ago,says secretary of Zilla Adivasi KalyanSangha Sri NiranjanBisi

According to legend, in earlier times,(earlier) the Sulia Puja was observed at the top of mountain. Once the priest forget to bring one of the puja pot. When the priest went to bring the pot, all the deity were in a meeting. Seeing the priest they asked him for the purpose of visiting the place again and when the priest explained, the deity threw the pot and told the priest to worship there where it falls .Since then it is being worshiped here.

Prior to the day of Sulia Jatra, the worshiping of deity is held at the mountain top in dead night around 2/3am in naked body by tribals known as NishiPuja by the tribal priest,who is be accompanied by two others tribals also,Says Bisi further

Every year hundreds of animals’ hen, pigeon, goat ,sheep and buffalo are killed in the Sulia Jatras by the tribals. Other non tribals also offer animals as their “ wishes” were fulfilled due to Sulia Budha blessings

Besides Khairguda,(popularly known as Badkhala,in fiveothers places namely,Kumria, Chantipali of Gudvella block, Mirdhapali in loisingha block ,Kharlikani and Barpudgia on Bolangir block would also be observed,

However the rationalist decries the animal killings at Sulia and they demanded a stop to the killingof animals .Unfortunately the voice of rationalist opposing animal sacrifices remain dormant/inactive in last few years.

We are observing our festivals and following our traditional rituals. Animal killings have been going on in this place inside the forest once in a year since, more than hundred years ago. Why others would interfere in the tribal rights and customs ask Secretary of Zilla AdivasiKalyanSangha sri Niranjan Bisi

A preparatory meeting would be held soon.Bisi says further.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

The rising morning Sun and beautiful clouds in the sky ;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir-11Dec2016

Good morning ;A morning photograph of Bolangir town;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir;

The dusty road ;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

LOWER SUKTEL-AFFECTED HOLD DEMO AT PROJ SITE Sunday, 11 December 2016 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

LOWER SUKTEL-AFFECTED HOLD DEMO AT PROJ SITE

Sunday, 11 December 2016 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

Members of the Budi Anchal Agragami Sangha on Saturday staged a dharna at the Lower Suktel dam site at Pardhiapali village, about 30 km from here, demanding implementation of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 and compensation to the affected people as per the new Act.

The Lower Suktel irrigation project is an old irrigation project and even today compensation is being given as per the old land acquisition act of 1894.

“Today is Human Rights Day. We believe, the Government has robbed us of our human rights, by not providing the benefits. We demand the implementation of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 and compensation to affected people as per the new land acquisition Act,” said president of the Budi Anchal Agragrami Sangha Upendra Sahu.

“Let the Government give us our human rights. We would like to inform the Government that unless it gives compensation as per the new act, the construction work in forthcoming days would be affected,” said Sahu.

The villagers of lower Suktel project area’s 15 affected villages today joined with us, said Sahu further.

Kulmani Meher of Chudapali village presided over the meeting. Other speakers demanded an end to the dalal raj in Lower Suktel office and compensation to the displaced people first, then starting of the dam work.

Members of BudiAnchalAgragamiSangha led byUpendraSahu staged dharan at earthern damsiteof lowerSuktel irrigation Project on10thDec2016

Members ofBudiAnchal Agragami Sangha led by UpendraSahu and others today staged dharna at Earthen dam site of Lower Suktel Irrigation Project today(10thDec,2016 World Human Rights day,) demanding implementation of Land acquisition Act of 2013 in the lower Suktel irrigation project and compensation to affected perople as per the new Land acquisition Act of 2013.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

It is evening and time to return to home.Cow/bullocks are returning to their cowshed at the end ofday.Photograph taken in2011

The road toDungar(small mountain) photograph taken in 2007

The road to KarlaBahaliVillage;Photograph taken in August2012

The mountain and clouds.By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

B’NGIR BJP, CONGRESS WOMEN BURN CM EFFIGY Wednesday, 07 December 2016 | PNS | Balangir | in Bh

B’NGIR BJP, CONGRESS WOMEN BURN CM EFFIGY

Wednesday, 07 December 2016 | PNS | Balangir | in Bhubaneswar

Members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by party Mahila Morcha district president Sagarika Guru on Tuesday staged a protest meeting before district Collector’s office here and burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik protesting against the misbehaviour to women at the venue of the CM’s meeting in Sundargarh district recently.

The BJP activists raised slogans against the Chief Minister.

Earlier in the morning, members of the Mahila Congress led by Renuka Patra staged a dharna before the Collectorate protesting against the disrespect to women at the CM’s Sundargarh meeting and later burnt an effigy of the Chief Minister.

The golden leaf;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

The beautiful sky;bySudhirMishra/Bolangir

Monday, December 5, 2016

The Sun going down in the west---By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

BJP KISHAN MORCHA HOLDS DEMO Tuesday, 06 December 2016 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

BJP KISHAN MORCHA HOLDS DEMO

Tuesday, 06 December 2016 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

Members of the BJP led by president of State BJP Kisan Morcha Sibaji Mohanty and district BJP Krushak Morcha president Rajkumar Panigrahi on Monday staged a demonstration before the district Collectorate here protesting against the alleged anti-farmer policy of the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD Government.

The speakers criticised the anti-farmer policy of the State Government

and demanded remedial measures for improvement of farmers. Later, they submitted a five-point charter of demands to the Governor through the district Collector.

The memorandum included demands of withdrawal of the 20th crop insurance premium announced by the State Government for Kharif 2015 and proper assessment of crop loss in the year.

The paddy procurement policy announced by the Government for Kharif 2016 has reduced six quintals from the farmers card, forcing the farmer’s to go for distress sale, the Morcha alleged.

Besides, they demanded conversion of the 44lakh Kisan credit card to Rupaye card and to provide ATM facility to the farmers that the Government had decided in 2012 - 13. But till today it has not been done even though the Centre has given assistance for it.

Even as parts of Patnagarh sub-division suffered more than 70 per cent crop loss, inadequate crop damage compensation has been announced for them, the Morcha alleged .

Sunday, December 4, 2016

B’NGIR FARMERS PROTEST 12-QNTL-AN-ACRE PADDY CAP Monday, 05 December 2016 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

B’NGIR FARMERS PROTEST 12-QNTL-AN-ACRE PADDY CAP

Monday, 05 December 2016 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

The members of Balangir Zilla Krushak Mahasangha led by its president Sudhir Parischha staged protest before the collectorate here demanding relaxation in the cap of 12 quintals paddy purchased from farmers.

"We are protesting the decision of the Government to procure 12 quintals of paddy from farmers. This year there has been good crop. The restriction of purchase of paddy of 12quintals per acre from farmers should be increased to 18 quintals," said Parischha.

The exploitation of farmers in the name checking Fair Average Quality (FAQ) should be stopped and the quality of paddy should be checked in the mandi itself, he said.

Farmers of the district have not been able to get compensation for their insured crops due to faulty assessment report by the officials. Even though it was decided in the district level procurement committee meeting to open Mandi from November 25, it has not been opened. Reports suggest that it would function from Monday throughout the district, Parischha said.

Meanwhile, villagers of Burdda Panchayat led by Prahllad Sahu staged dharna before collectorate demanding proper compensation to them. Burdda panchayat suffered crop loss in last year drought by 11 per cent last year. They submitted a petition to the district Collector.