Development news of orissa and India

A two day International Conference on Role of Communication Media in Inculcating Scientific Temper & Awareness Communication, by CSIR-NISCAIR, Vigyan Prasar, NCSTC and NCSM concluded here today.

The day conference concluded with the valedictory session having Eminent Scientist and Educator Prof. Yash Pal and Ms. Mallika Sarabhai, Activist & Indian Classical Dancer as key note speaker. Prof. Yashpal in his address focussed on the questions asked by children. He said we must listen to children because it is only children who asks us why and how every phenomenon around us is happening. Children are the real discoverer of question and we have to answer the questions. He said that humans are not a very old species and still we are evolving with time. He was critical about the propagation of superstitions in the society and asked to keep these superstitions away from the society. He told that science communication is only 2-3 decades old and its still evolving. So we should need not to worry but to behave responsibly and scientifically for the future growth of humankind. In his own words "Fortunately human animal is born curious, Work hard to answer the questions, you will become wiser".

Ms. Mallika Sarabhai, in her keynote address emphasised the need to answer the every question of students they ask in the classrooms. Teachers need not to demoralise students and answer their queries. She said we are born seekers and scientific temper is our attitude. She emphasised the need of packaging science in such a way that every student and children should ask questions. She said cooking is science, art is science and so science is art. Science communication is a nation building activity.

During the conference, the role of communication media in disseminating scientific achievements to ordinary man and society in developing countries was discussed. Over 150 participants and speakers including from France, Russia and Japan participated in the conference.

Odisha Chief Minister, Mr. Naveen Patnaik is cutting short his visit to the United Kingdom and rushing back to Bhubaneswar after reports of split in the ruling Biju Janata Dal.

Things came to a head after Parliamentary party leader in Rajya Sabha Pyari Mohan called a meeting at his Bhubaneswar residence last night where 33 MLAs including three ministers were present.

However, Mohapatra on Wednesday ruled out any split within the party. Addressing a press conference at Bhubaneswar, Mohapatra said that Mr. Patnaik continues to be the party leader.

He also said that he has no intention to become the next Chief Minister.

Mr Mohapatra however, said the Odisha Chief Minister is being mis-guided by a group of conspirators comprising ministers, MPs and MLAs. He also claimed that majority of MLAs and party workers are with him.

Malkangiri: Pledging full support for speedy development of Maoist-hit Malkangiri district, the Centre on Monday said that there would be no dearth of funds for implementing various programmes to improve the lot of people in the backward tribal-dominated district.

The Central government will provide adequate funds to ensure speedy development of the district and make it number one, Union rural development minister Jayram Ramesh said during a visit to Malkangiri.

Reviewing the developmental work in the naxal-hit district, Ramesh said the Union government was providing sufficient funds for implementation of various central sponsored programmes.

It was the responsibility of the state government to ensure proper utilisation of the funds pumped in by the Centre.

Besides, the people who are the beneficiaries should also remain ever vigilant, the Union minister said.

Former Malkangiri district collector R Vineel Krishna, who had been abducted by Maoists in February last year, and had since become the private secretary to the Union minister, accompanied Ramesh.

People in large numbers had lined up on road sides to catch a glimpse of Krishna and at places they garlanded him showing their affection towards the former collector.

Malkangiri: Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh on Monday said that political intervention is essential to wipe out Left wing extremism as it cannot be fought by security forces alone.

Political intervention is the need of the hour to eliminate Left wing extremism. Political parties must play a big role to deal with Naxal menace as security forces alone cannot fight the menace, he said at a public meeting here.

Ramesh said that all parties, including Congress, BJD and BJP, should hear the grievances of the people and address them sincerely.

People’s representatives cutting across party lines should be sensitive to community problem. As more and more women are joining Maoist cadre, they should be encouraged to be part of the political process. If these misguided youths get opportunity in politics, they will not join such illegal outfits, the Union minister said.

Pledging full support for development of Naxal-hit Malkangiri district, Ramesh said there should be all out efforts from different quarters to ensure that developmental activities were not affected due to extremism.

The Central government will provide adequate funds to ensure speedy development of Malkangiri district and make it number one in the state. However, political intervention into the vexed issue is a must, he said.

Though the Centre have been giving adequate funds for rural connectivity, only 35 per cent of the money is spent here. If contractors are unwilling to undertake works due to Maoist fear, work should be executed through panchayats, Ramesh said.

Stressing the need for construction of the proposed bridge at Janbai over Gurupriya river in the tribal-dominated district, Ramesh said that the district administration needs to take up the work if the contractors are not available.