People Living with Diarrhea

KORAPUT: Bade Muduli in her twenties was screaming with pain in thelabor room of the CHC at Dasmantpur block head quarter just beforeNaveen Patnaik , the Chief Minister of Orissa visited the hospitaltoday . She was alone and no one was there to console her as her solehope , her husband, Bade Muduli was admitted in the other ward forthe last one week for suffering from severe diarrhea . The doctorsattending diarrhea patients in the hospital were seen helpless infinding a place which could be safe and healthy for the new bornchild .None of the safety measures needed to be taken for a new bornchild was not available anywhere in the hospital . The entirehospital was packed with patients .Even the smell of bleaching powder sprayed fresh in and outside thehospital had failed to cover the pungent smell generating from theailing patients . Kamlu Khosla of Dasmantpur village has come backagain today seeking treatment . He had received drips from more than40 saline bottles in a week's time before he was discharged yesterday.But back at home the condition got worse forcing his grandson TunaKhosla to bring him back to the hospital today . Similar is thecondition with Sindei Saunta , the ten year old girl from Chandanputi village who had to be brought back to the hospital again after beingtreated in the hospital .Rama Saunta , an elderly person from Kandhabedapadar was sitting underthe tree in the hospital premises along with many other villagersattending the patients suffering from diarrhea . It was not a goodtime for Rama and other people in his village as three persons haddied on Sunday in his village and he had come with another patient ."There is no work, food or good source of drinking water for us inthe village" he said .Naveen Patnaik talked to the patients , doctors and the officials fromthe district administration. He was told by the doctors that 2200people were affected in the 61 villages from 15 GPs in the block outof which 52 patients had died of diarrhea in the last 3 months with32 patients dying in August alone. However in contrary to theofficial figures Taraprasad Bahinipati carrying a list of dead persons claimed that there were 122 deaths in the block and the situation wasworsening every other moment . With more than 80% of the tube wells in the block being defunct people were forced to drink contaminatedwater from the streams . Adding to this lack of work in the villagesthere was acute shortage of food with the people leading to theconsumption of non consumable leafs and bulbs . Without bringing anintegral solution to these factors no single effort will be futile ,he argued . Rabinarayan Nanda , MLA of Jeypore and Jayaram Pangi, MLAof Pottangi also shared their observation .After listening to them and interacting with the patients the CMannounced that compensation will be paid to the families of the dead ,work opportunities will be created under NREGA in every village andefforts would be geared up to fill all the vacancies in the district .He also directed the officials to make sure that medicines reached thepatients and the source of drinking water in the villages getdisinfected with immediate effect .Even though he did not visit any village in Dasamantpur block he hadbeen to Talajhari village near Kasipur block in Rayagada district and urged the people there to drink boiled water and have cooked foodin their meal . Before leaving for the state capital he had expressedhis satisfaction that things were being brought under control in boththe diarrhea affected blocks . Duryadhona Majhi , the health ministeralso had accompanied him .(EOM)

A Happy Climax.

KORAPUT: He promised to offer a new life after serving a sentence of 15 years in the jail on murder charges when the doors of the district jail at Koraput were stretched open for Madkami Kosa and Rupdhar Jani on the eve of Independence Day this year . The two prisoners had been sentenced for life time on murder charges and after serving for 15 years in the jail they were released under pre mature release under 14 years rule , D.N.Panda , the jail superintendent said .

However it would not have been so special if it would not have been the release of Madkami Kosa . It was a tearful farewell for him from the jail . The jail mates including the staff members would miss his active presence as he was a friend to everyone in the jail , Mr.Panda said . Madkami who was a rich tribal farmer from Koya community in Malkangiri district had been jailed with the charges that he had murdered a person during a conflict .

Everyone who had come across him could sense the richness in his feeling for the welfare of the others . He was eager to spare items with the fellow prisoners even from those purchased for him out of his incentive amount from time to time during his tenure in the jail for the last 15 years . He had the possession of at least 40 Acres of patta land at Poteru , his native village near Maniakonda in Malkangiri district . This too was useful for the prisoners . He had sent two jobless youth to his village to work in the field and other avenues in his control after their release from the jail. He had adopted two children earlier when their parents had died and these two youth were two more , he said with a smile .

His heart was filled with pride while dictating the name of his village . He was an illiterate just like many other tribal people in his community when he had reached the jail 15 years back . But thanks to the authorities in the jail , he was able to read newspapers , books and write letters to his family members , he added .

He was happy with his tenure in the jail . “It was no different from my own home and everyone here is a family member” – were his words of praise while he walked out of the jail gate holding the hands of Rupdhar Jani another old prisoner who was also released under the same rule . Rupdhar from Chotpakna village in Jharigaon block of Nowrangpur district had lost his family members one after the other while he was serving the sentence for the last 15 years on the charges of murdering his wife . There was no one left in his village now . He did not know what to do after his release . But thanks to Madkami , he has a new life now . He too joined steps with Madkami marching ahead on the road leading towards Poteru in Malkangiri district . Mr.Panda, the superintendent and all others in the jail had words of praise on the climax .
(EOM)

Response on Switching power to a single person

jag'jit sahu said...
yes, in my mind this is a good descision taken,we know how much our govt. employees r drowned in corruption.When these powers were scattered ,bribery mooted.I think by this step the above nasty giant will be little bit contrilled.jag'jit.
August 16, 2007 8:30 AM
gayatri said...
definately not,if one person is enveted with altimate powers ,then it will be misutilised.gayatri,saints school,koraput.

Letter of Thanks!
thank you friends for your response . Please encourage others to put their views too .
with regards
santakar

Powers in a single hand!

Friends! Good Morning. You might have gone through the latest development in transfering power into the hands of District Collector . Evrything has been placed with one person to decide . Departments like Health, Drugs, Forest and the latest being electricity need his approval for moving ahead . is it a healthy trend? Could we discuss, Please.
With regards
santakar

Independence Day Celebrated

61st independence Day was celebrated today in the district head quarter in the presence of the minister Surya narayan patro . Nothing new . Some speech on the state's development and promise of a new aluminium plant in Koraput region . people had discussion among themselves on the alternative ways to observe the day rather than going in the traditional way . Children had to stand all the way .Do you have some suggestion on how to celebrate with joy rather than with pain .Please pen your thoughts .
with regards
santakar

Freedom Movement in Koraput district

The people of Orissa lost their independence from the sixteenth century, but could not fully express their dissatisfaction against the aliens throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Only when a foreign trading company began to rule through exploitation and oppressed them socio psychologically the people wake up from their slumber and began to raise their first decades of the 19th century. Rising of voices in the forms of resistance, protest, rebellion, dharana, hartals etc. against the authorities were to be treated as freedom struggle of the people.
Orissa has a very high concentration of tribal population in the country. A notable feature of freedom movement in Orissa was the participation of tribal people. Tribals provided the backbone of the resistance movement against British authority in Orissa as well as in other parts of India.
The tribal people of Koraput are by nature freedom loving and do not like the idea of subjugation. Koraput district of Orissa has played a significant role. In the beginning, the people were not very much aware of the objectives of the movement. A drive to enroll primary members to the National Congress was undertaken in 1929 as the first step to popularize the congress movement.
Only after the formation of Orissa as a part separate state in 1936. The freedom struggle gained momentum in Koraput district. More and more people joined the congress and the programmes of the congress reached the interior parts of Koraput district. The congress workers moved to different parts of Koraput to spread the message of khadi and to influence the people to take part in the programmes of the congress. Radhakrushna Biswasray of Koraput was a prominent congress leader at that time. On the advice of Gopabandhu Choudhury, Radhakrushna Biswasray resigned from government service and joined in the national movement. During the salt movement in 1930, many people joined in the movement and courted arrest under his leadership.
Orissa became a separate state in 1936 and Koraput was made a district thereof. Since that time the congress programmes were followed and implemented on an extensive scale because of the strong organizational leadership of Radhakrushna Biswasray. Radhakrushna Biswasray, Radhamohan Sahu and Sadasiva Tripathy played a significant role in Koraput district. Laxman Naik and other tribal leaders have also played significant role to popularize the congress. Laxman Naik was a true patriot and freedom lover. This made him the president of the primary congress committee of his native place Tentuligumma.
Congress committee at Koraput:-
For the first time, Koraput district congress committee started functioning under the presidentship of Radhakrushna Biswasray. Radhakrushna Sahu was the secretary of the district congress committee. There were various committee constituted at Koraput district such as;
I. Nabarangpur congress committee:- The members of the committee were Laxmi chandra Das, Anaji Rao, Mahammed Baji, Harekrushna Majhi and Madhav Pradhan.
II. Kotpad congress committee:- The members of the committee were Biswanath Mahapatra, Kapil Patro, Gopal Pattnail, Damburu Majhi and Sadasiva Tripathy.
III. Umerkote congress committee:- The members of the committee were Rabi Singh Majhi, Balaram Kalar, Sarabu Gauda and Guru Gauda.
IV. Digasalpa congress committee:- The members of the committee were Ananda Behera, Balaram Naik and Santha Dishari.
V. Nandaput congress committee:- The members of the committee were Bhagban Khemundi, Gangadhara Jhola, Madhu Sethi, Keshav Naik and Gopi Krishani.
VI. Dabugaon congress committee:- The members of the committee were Sonu Majhi, Sunadhar Majhi and Raidhar Jani.
VII. Gunupur congress committee:- The members of the committee were Prahallad Panigrahi, Bhagaban Senapati, Biswanath Pattanaik and Surinarayan.
VIII. Jeypore congress committee:- The members of the committee were Radhakrushna Biswasray, Radhamohan Sahu, Nilakanth Patra, Damodar Santa and Krushna Santa.
There are so many congress committee in the district.
Congress training Centre:-
Constructive work palyed an important role in the Gandhian strategy of the Indian National Movement. It was primarily organized around the promotion of Khadi, spinning and village industries, National education, struggle against untouchability and social uplift of the Harijans and Tribals and boycott of foreign cloth and liquor. In December 1937, a training camp was inaugurated at Nuaput near Jeypore by a senior congress leader Gopabandhu Choudhury. Arrangements had been made to impart training to some 350 congress workers belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Various programmes were prepared for the physical and mental development of the workers. Acharya Harihar Das, Godabarish Mishra and Gokulananda Mohanty visited Nuaput, stayed there and supervised the training programmes on the request of Gopabandhuy Chudhury. Laxman Naik also attended the training camp. These trained workers became the chief coordinators between the Orissa congress and the residence of Koraput. By October 1938, the congress had as man y as 50048 persons enrolled as primary members. In entire Orissa, the Koraput district occupied the second position in this matter.
Sir John Sustin Hawak was the first governor of Orissa province. A tour was fixed by Hawak to Koraput district. The tour of Hawak was very much affected the poor tribal people because the British officials forcibly collected money and other useful things from the poor tribals.
Congress raised their voice against this injustice; meetings were organized by the congress to give justice to the tribals.
The Quit India Movement in Orissa developed in vehemence towards the later part of August 1942. This revolution took a very remarkable form in the Koraput district. On 2nd August, 1942, the district Congress Committee met in full session and decided to start a movement in the lines of civil disobedience under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. But the government declared the congress an unlawful organisation and arrested all leaders as a result of which the popular outburst in the district directed towards violence. Due to arrest of congress leaders in the district, several movements were rised. They are Umerkote and Raighar movement, Gunupur movement, Padwa Movement, Nandapur Movement, Nabarangpur Movement, Jeypore firing and Malkangiri movement.
The impact of National Movement stirred the tribals in various parts of Koraput and generated patriotic sentiments in their mind. In the history of India's freedom movement, Laxman Naik occupies a very distinguished place. He was among the few tribal leaders in the country to organise the tribal people for making revolts against the Biritish empire against the various forms of exploitation. On 21st day of August 1942, Laxman Naik took the leadership to heist congress tricolour flag on the Mathili Police Station. During this time, police had started lathi charge among crowd. Laxman Naik was hit by a police on his face and was lying in a small drain in front of Police Station. According to government Report, five persons were killed and 17 injured in the police firing. In this incident the forest guard G. Ramaya was found dead. Laxman Naik was falsely accused of beating the forest guard to death. Laxman Naik was arrested and sentence to Koraput district Jail and thereafter sent to Berhampur Jail from 16.11.1942 to 28.03.1943. Due to lack of proper conduct of the case the punishment was confirmed. Laxman Naik was not worried for this punishment and said "I know Swaraj will definitely come, but I feel sorry that I shall not be able to see Swaraj". On 29th March, 1943 at about 5:30 A.M. Laxman Naik was hanged to death in Berhampur Central Jail. All these serving life sentences were released in 1946. But Laxman Naik sacrificed his life for the freedom of his country. Next to Mathili firing, Papadahandi firing is a mementoes event in the history of National freedom Movement at Koraput district. The unforgettable massacre at Papadahandi by the British Government had a wide ranging repercussion in the freedom of Koraput district. The modern historians have truly compared this Papadahandi massacre with the Jalliawalabagh masscore. The patriotism of Adivasis of the Koraput, the fighting spirit of the congress workers and the fearless leadership of the district leaders will be remembered for ever. Our country achieved independence and tri-colour flag was unfurled on government building on 15th August, 1947.
(Gopinath Pradhan)
COATS, D.N.K Road,Koraput

Here is the Independence

Namaskar&Good Morning. Wishing you a Happy Independence Day. While celebrating ourindependence I have tried to compile the story of Independencestruggle in Koraput district . It was a moment of Glory to learn thatthe inhabitants of this region too had a remarkable contribution tothe freedom movement. This gives additional strength in us. Pleaseread the article . Here it goes:
The tribal people of Koraput are by nature freedom –loving and do not like the idea of subjugation. This was evident from the great intensity of their involvement in the freedom movement even though their sporadic attempts against the British authorities by violent upsurge was crushed by the combined efforts of British and the local chief. Undeterred with the oppression the tribal people had built fresh challenges for the British authorities with continuous rebellion in the region against their interference into the socio-religious and economic life issues of the tribal communities , N.K.Rajguru , Lecturer in DAV College of Koraput and a historian of repute said .

Referring to R.C.S Bell’s Gazzetteer of Koraput district Mr.Rajguru further said that it was only in 1768 that the first entry of British into the hill country of Jeypore had occurred when Vikram Deo , king of Jeypore kingdom had refuted the claim of Viziaram Raju the then Raja of Vizianagaram over Jeypore territory . Vikram Deo had sent his agent Jagannath Patro to Vizianagaram to get support from the British authorities . But Madras government acknowledging the Jagir of Viziaram Raju over Jeypore kingdom had sent a body of troupes to Jeypore to suppress the rising opposition in the region making their first attempt to assert their authority . In 1773 Vikram Deo assembled a strong force in the Rayagada valley and made arrangements for a reinforcement of 2000 Maratha Horses . Even though British troupe under the leadership of Captain Richard Mathews took possession of Rayagada and then captured Jeypore Fort in 1775 , he had acknowledged in his letter to the government regarding the brave fight back from local tribal communities that he had to encounter while passing through the difficult passes of Narayanpatna .

However the real rising of tribal people against the British rule had begun in 1864 with an outbreak of Saora tribe inhabiting the mountain country between Gunupur and Badakimedi . It was occasioned by the improper arrest of the Headman of Puttasingi by an Inspector of Police . Although it had originated as a local affair , it took a serious turn as the entire Saora tribe rose in arms against the Government, he added. Five Saora leaders were hanged at the foot of the Ghats and nine were transported for life while stationing a strong police guard in the Saora hills . This was the first ever hanging by British in the region , he said .

But the tribal people rose back once again in 1942 when the National Movement of India had gained momentum under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi . The local Congress leaders came forward to bring the district into line with the current political movement of India . While the movement initiated by Chakara Bisoyee from Bhanjanagar had roused the Kondhs in Rayagada& Phulbani region from one side of the district , the Women movement led by Jambuvati Devi of Barpali and Harijan Movement by Bihari Ram of Jharsuguda had its impact on the tribal people of koraput district reaching through Kalahandi region from the other side , he said .

The August Revolution of 1942 took a very remarkable form in the district. The District Congress Committee met in full session and decided to start a movement in the lines of Civil Disobedience . The movement took the turn of mob fury against the British Raj . Police stations at Dasamantapur, Laxmipur and Mathili were attacked . A big crowd of about 2000 persons under the leadership of Lakshmana Naiko of Tentuligumma proceeded to Mathili where they had a public meeting at the weekly market place about half a mile from the police station . Lakshmana Naiko exhorted the people to establish people’s Raj and not to co-operate with the British Government . He was arrested and sentenced to death . At least six persons had died on the spot as the police went all out for a lathi charge on the crowd , he added . While this was happening near Malkangiri on the other side of the district at least 19 freedom fighters had died at Papadahandi near Nowrangpur .

The magnitude of the revolution could be ascertained from the gazetteer written by R.C.S. Bell , the first Collector of Koraput , 25 persons had died in firing , 2 persons including a boy of 4 years had died in lathi charge , 50 died inside the jail and 32 persons were to undergo transportation for life in the district during the revolution.
(EOM)