Official sources said that the state executive assumes significance as the Odisha unit of BJP would be eyeing to make rapid inroads in BJD bastions by implementing the plans finalised at the recently concluded National Executive Meet held at Bhubaneswar.
As the countdown begins, the party has started targeting the BJD-rule in the state with the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram today accusing the BJD of failure in utilizing the central funds allotted to various welfare schemes in the State.
Oram said that the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry had allotted Rs 1,500 crores to Odisha in the last three years. Though Odisha was allocated Rs 421.29 crores towards 12 schemes in the financial year 2014-15, the State government could only utilize half of the sanctioned funds.
“Naveen Patnaik is only blaming the Centre for neglecting the State, but the ground reality is different,” said Oram.
BJD on the other hand has refuted such allegations levelled by the Union Minister.
“As the Centre is delaying the approvals for programmes, the departments are not able to properly utilize the funds,”said BJD spokesperson Suryanarayan Patro.
Amaresh Patri was picked as the Biju Yuva Janta Dal (BYJD), the youth wing of the BJD, replacing Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Das Burma.
The reshuffle axe also fell upon Chandbali MLA Byomkesh Roy who has been dropped from the post of President of the Biju Chhatra Janta Dal (BCJD).
Rana Pratap Patra was appointed as the president of BCJD in place of Roy. The list of new office bearers was announced by party spokesperson and senior leader Surya Narayan Patro at a press conference here today.
As per the fresh reorganisation, Sanjit Mohanty and Sisir Parija have been appointed as the Working President and Secretary General of Biju Yuva Janta Dal (BYJD).
Senior leaders and party MLAs –Pranab Balabantray, Byomkesh Ray, Anubhab Pattnaik and Manas Madkami have been named as advisors of the BYJD.
Developed in house by the department of Systems, both the applications were launched by A K Jha, Chairman & Managing Director of MCL on the occasion of 26th Foundations Day of the company, MCL said in a release.
Appreciating the department of Systems of MCL for developing these applications, Jha said these android-based mobile applications would be beneficial for company's stakeholders.
Mobile Application for Bill Tracking System (BTS) has been developed with an objective to provide a tool to valued vendors/contractors through which they can view the status of bills submitted by them in MCL. This application provides real-time status of the bills which will result in bringing more transparency in the entire activity.
Similarly, the objective of mobile application for CSR is to provide some useful information related to the CSR activities completed/undergoing across several districts of Odisha. The CSR Information application contains head wise, schedule VII wise, area wise and district wise expenditure reports and major activities under CSR. It also contains information about the CSR policy, annual report and budget and expenditure details under CSR of MCL, it said.
The deceased identified as Abhijit Behera was alleged shot at by Bapi and four others over suspected past rivalry.
A special team including special squad of the Commissionerate police managed to nab Bapi from Paradip. A firearm and two rounds of live ammunition have been recovered from his possession.
Earlier, police had arrested three family members including parents of accused Bapi under section 302, 301, 341, 323, 294, 506 and 34 of IPC.
“The prime accused in the firing has been arrested and earlier three persons were arrested in connection with the case. Our investigation in the case is still open,” said Police Commissioner, Y.B.Khurania.
Hours after OTV reported the incident, Odisha Government swung into action and ordered for a probe.
Police Commissioner YB Khurania today informed that,” Commissionerate Police has already started investigation and the matter is being supervised by DCP, Cuttack.”
The incident came close on the heels of a similar harassment of a girl in Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express. The prime accused was arrested after the victim narrated her ordeal on the Social media.
The Government Railway Police nabbed the accused after the victim’s friends twitted about the incident in Rajdhani Express to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
In the lady journalist’s case, the accused is yet to be identified even as the Commissionerate Police swung into action and recorded the statements of both the victim as well as the conductor of the bus here today.
The lady journalist was travelling to Cuttack from Kendrapara when the incident occurred on Wednesday.
Though the victim also tried to report the matter by dialling the police helpline number (100) and special helpline number (1091), her calls went unanswered.
“We are looking into all aspects and appropriate action will be taken in this case,” Khurania added.
The body of Mali was recovered from an isolated place on the outskirts of the village today. Earlier, the Maoists had abducted Mali along with Mandu Pusika on March 19.
Senior police officials rushed to the spot but the exact reason behind the kidnapping and subsequent killing is still unclear.
A senior police official said they could ascertain the reasons behind the murder only after interrogating Mandu Pusika the other villager who was reportedly freed by the ultras.
It is suspected that the youth, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, attempted suicide after killing the lady forester over an alleged love affair.
The deceased has been identified as Banita Diggal. She was posted as forest guard of Sonepur beat and was staying at the government quarters at Dasingbadi in Daringbadi.
The youth, who has been rescued in a critical condition, has been admitted to the hospital.
With the deadline to disburse the Rabi loans ending in March 31, till now the government has been able to provide Rs 3000 crore as it remains doubtful as to how it will be able to pay the balance of Rs 2000 crore within such a short span of time.
Amid such a scenario, Rout said some banks have been asked to give clarification on failing to meet their targets.
“Those who have not been able to extend loans for whatsoever reasons it may be, have been asked to meet their targets. In case of failures, if negligence is detected then strict actions would be initiated against them,” he said.
“The banks have been asked to complete the process on a war footing. I hope we will be able to meet the target,” the minister added.
Also Read: BJP demands Odisha agri minister’s scalp on farmer…
Data shows that a minimum of 29 per cent of crop loans have been extended in Gajapati district followed by 37 per cent in Nuapara district while 39 per cent loans have been disbursed in Jharsuguda district.
On the other hand, crop losses and decline in selling prices of harvests have discouraged farmers to take loans this year.
“When I approached the bank they denied giving me loans. Farming like this is difficult. I have not been able to repay the loans taken earlier due to crop losses. This is very frustrating,” said a farmer from Ichhapur of Nuapara district, Pannalal Poda.
A BJP delegation led by party Vice President Samir Mohanty met the state election commissioner RN Senapati and apprised him of the situation.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Mohanty alleged ruling party of using government machinery during vote counting leading to extensive irregularities in the final results of the five phase three tier civic polls in the state.
“Many of our winning Zilla Parishad candidates have lost their seats after the final counting,” he said.
Earlier, on Sunday, the BJP alleged the ruling party has snatched away 34 Zilla Parishad candidates from them after a party review meeting on panchayat elections.
The Congress too met the SEC with a team led by Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati complaining of forgery in counting which led to loss of winning party’s Zilla Parishad candidates.
Notably, after the conclusion of Panchayat Polls the BJD topped the results claiming 473 Zilla Parishad zones followed by BJP with 297 seats and Congress in the third spot with only 60 seats.
As per sources, the labour official was caught red handed while accepting the bribe from Madhusudan Dora Chamapadeipur village of Lanjigarh block for releasing compensation announced in the name of his brother Sarat Dora who died during a factory mishap on May 21, 2016 at a fish and oil company located in Mumbai.
Speaking to media persons, the complainant said the Mumbai-based company for which his brother worked had released funds to their family in terms of fixed deposits following the death of Sarat in the mishap.
“We had withdrawn some amount of the compensation while the remaining was converted to Fixed Deposit bonds by the company kept in the custody of the Kalahandi district labour official. When we went to Dinabandhu Adhikari and asked for the rest of the ex-gratia amount the district Deputy Labour Commissioner demanded Rs 40,000 bribe to hand over the bonds to us. Despite repeated requests were made the official did not pay any heed to our pleas which was why we sought Vigilance help,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jeypore Vigilance SP Sashibhusan Mishra said investigation is on and search was made at the tainted official's residence D 14/2 in Bhoinagar area of Bhubaneswar and ancestral house at Sabulia under Rambha Police limits in Ganjam.
Deo said that the Act will bring transparency in the sale and purchase of properties. He informed about formation of a Real Estate Appellate Tribunal as per the act that will be headed by a retired Chief Justice, who will be assisted by two experts to adjudicate the disputes.
The minister further informed about formation of Real Estate Regulatory Authority that will be headed by a senior administrative officer of the rank of Additional Secretary in Central Government. The chief of the regulatory authority will be selected by a three member committee constituting of Chief Secretary, Urban Development and Law Department secretary.
Steps have been taken to protect customers from being victim of any real estate fraud, said Deo. He added that registration for sale and purchase of properties has been made mandatory. Sale and purchase without registration will attract jail term and fine. The accused will have to pay fine amounting to 10 percent of the total purchase price of the property and undergo three years jail term. Similarly five percent fine will also be taken from the mediator of the property deal along with a jail term, he added.
Deo further informed that as per the new rule a real estate developer cannot charge more than 10 percent of the project cost from the customer before providing the sale agreement.
Talking to media persons, BJP leader Golakh Mohapatra said his party has warned that if the BJD does not refrain from violence, it will intensify its agitation across the state in the coming days.
"What was the fault of Bulu whom you killed yesterday in Hinjli? You killed him as he did not turn up to vote for you. What was the fault of Salman in Tarabha? You killed him as he pasted a poster of the opposition party. You will kill anyone if you feel that the power is slipping away from your hands. Why did you kill one person in Begunia and torch hundreds of houses of BJP activists? Are you only concerned about the vote and not the plight of the general public? Mohapatra asked.
Claiming that the ruling party killed Salman Rout of Tarabha village with the help of police who are acting as its goons, the BJP leader said how the BJD, which went to the extent of the violence after its seat declined from 600 to 350, will react after its seats come down to 100-150.
Expressing similar views BJP leader and former minister Samir De said the Chief Minister, who is in charge of the Home department, remained silent to the murder of Bulu Pradhan, a BJP activist in his home constituency in Hinjilikatu. Salman was also killed in the similar manner."From Hinjilikatu to Jatni, Khurda, Niali and all other places, BJD has unleashed a reign of terror with the help of some police officers," he pointed out.
The former minister further said his party workers and leaders had gathered here today to warn the BJD to stay away from such violent acts failing which we will give the ruling party a befitting reply in the coming days.
Violence erupted in parts of Jajpur, Khurda, Cuttack and Kendrapara districts after the polls.
A group clash took place out following an altercation between members of two families in Kachara Sahi under Korei police limits in Jajpur district. One person identified as Kalandi Roul died in the violent clash.
Similarly, four persons were injured, one of them critically, after a clash between two groups at Bantala village in Korei block in Jajpur.
In another incident, a group of miscreants went berserk damaging vehicles and ransacking shops in Jaganathpur area of Khurda district. Two platoons of police forces have been deployed to restore peace in the area..
Tensions erupted during re-polling at Pokhari gaan panchayat under Niali block in Cuttack district after locals staged protest demanding immediate arrest of ballot box looters. Re-polling has been suspended in the trouble torn village. Re-poll was necessitated at six booths of the village after some miscreants looted the ballot box during final phase polls on Tuesday.
In Kendrapara, BJP District Secretary Mamata Samal was attacked by unidentified miscreants. Sources said the attack is an outfall of political enmity.
Earlier on Tuesday, during the course of final round of rural polls, incidents of murder, group clash, ballot box loot were reported from different parts of the state.
The commissioner along with Police DG KB Singh and State Intelligence Director took stock of elaborate arrangements here.
Speaking to media persons after the review of arrangements Khurania said security has been intensified in and around areas of the Assembly.
“Inner perimeter, Outer perimeter and sensitive areas where section 144 has been imposed have been barricaded and police personnel have been deployed,” he added.
At least 31 police platoons have been deployed to provide security cover during the ensuing legislative session.
Quick Reaction Team (QAT), Roof Top Security have also been arranged to keep strict vigil on any untoward happenings. Bhubaneswar DCP is in-charge of the security while 5 Assistant SP and 100 other officials have also been engaged.
“We demand that the police should register a case under section 302 of the IPC and immediately arrest those who are involved in the murder of Rout. Besides, we also demand a CBI probe into the murder of Rout and the modus operandi of the ruling BJD which has unleashed a reign of terror in Bhadrak district by assaulting the killing the Congress workers,” senior Congress leader and former Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Jayadev Jena told media persons here.
Notably, Suresh and his friend were returning to Bhadrak from Banta in a motorcycle yesterday when a four-wheeler hit their bike near Ambagadia Chhak on Banta-Bhadrak road. While Rout died on the spot, his friend was seriously injured.
Also Read: Also read: Govt clueless about ghost pensioners in Bhadrak
Following information, police rushed to the spot and admitted Rout’s friend in the district headquarters hospital. The body of Rout was later sent for post mortem.
Tension ran high in the area today after hundreds of supporters of Rout came to street demanding immediate arrest of the killers claiming that the murder of their leader was stage-managed by the BJD.
The BJP team alleged that a chopper, which was engaged in Chief Minister’s official duty, was found used by a BJD MP yesterday for campaigning.
The saffron party also levelled allegation against four bureaucrats of the 'Third Floor' that they were working for the ruling party. The party urged the SEC to exercise its constitutional power.
Alleging the BJD of misusing government exchequer, the use of the helicopter by BJD's star campaigner and MP Anubhav Mohanty for poll campaign is a violation of Model Code of Conduct, alleged the BJP.
Countering the allegations of BJP, violation of Model Code of Conduct allegations was also brought against Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan by the BJD. The ruling party alleged the speech of Pradhan during a poll campaign meet demanding probe against District Collectors and SPs is a violation of the code.
Meeting the SEC, a delegation of the ruling party alleged the BJP of distributing money and other materials in two numberless vehicles coming from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Citing it as a case of gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct the ruling party also reported attack on BJD workers by BJP activists in Banpur and Niali, asking the SEC to take serious action on the issue.
Inaugurating the National Natural Food Festival- 2017 & Naturopathy & Yoga Seminar at Janata Maidan in the city here, he said Yoga is a practice to make a balance of body, mind and soul. It is a precious gift from India to the whole world which handed over to us from our ancient yogis. The world recognizes the benefits of yoga as United Nations declares 21st June as World Yoga Day. “It is a great achievement for us. With regular practice of yoga, one tends to become more sensitive to the kind of food his body asks for,” he noted.
“I am happy that this festival is having a seminar on Yoga Naturopathy with demonstrations and explanations. I am sure people will gain more knowledge on yoga, its benefits and will embrace it as a way of life to stay healthy,” the Governor observed.
He further said since health is wealth and it should be the priority before every individual and rightly it has been the priority sector for the government.
“As a society we are now facing significant health problems. People are seen bearing escalating medical costs on treatment to different illnesses. Research shows that these problems are partly related to diet and attribute the diseases to a network of biological dysfunction. And the food we east is a important factor in that dysfunction in part because our diets lack the necessary balance of nutrients. It is said – eat well to live longer, prevent disease and maintain healthy weight. Studies show that good food choices and right combination of food have a positive impact on health and poor diets have negative long-term effects,” Jamir pointed out.
He also said in many medical systems like traditional Indian Medicines, Ayurvedic Medicine or Naturopathy, food has always been an important way to treat illness and maintain health. “Medical science is rediscovering what our ancient seers and sages suggested many centuries ago that nature has the power to heal the body, mind and spirit. Some physicians are even giving their patients nature prescriptions for everything from obesity and high-blood pressure to diabetes. Natural food and Naturopathy are a dynamic approach which is cost effective, non-invasive intervention to assessing, preventing, and treating complex and chronic diseases using nutrition,” he added .
The Governor urged upon on crating awareness among general public, parents, mothers, children and more importantly youth in making their food choices. It is for schools and their management to educate children on which food to avoid and which one to consume.
Prof BTC Murthy, former Director, National Institute of Naturopathy, Prof Radha Mohan, former State Information Commissioner, Dr Neeraja Reddy, Principal, Gandhi Naturopathic Medical College, Telengana and BK Prusty, State Coordinator spoke on the objectives of the festival.
On the occasion, the Governor released two books on Naturopathy .
The festival, organized by National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune, under the Ministry of AYUSH will continue till February 12.
Speaking on the occasion, Ghadai said, “Tata Steel always seeks to attain the welfare of the people and it is way ahead of other industries in carrying out CSR activities in Kalinganagar.”
Addressing the gathering, Sunil Bhaskaran, Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, said, “Tata Steel is committed to constructing 30 Adarsh Vidyalayas in Odisha. This was the first of those schools to be completed. I am thankful to the government, MLA and the local community for extending their support. I believe, this school will play a vital role in promotion of education in the area.”
Prasanta Mallick, GM, Corporate Services, Tata Steel, Kalinganagar, Manikant Naik, Chief Resident Executive, Tata Steel, Biren Ramesh Bhuta, Chief, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Tata Steel and Lalita Ray, chairman, Danagadi Block were present. Besides, members of the local community, local PRI members, school students, and government functionaries, officials of Tata Steel and media persons attended the function.
Tata Steel has spent about Rs 4.57 crore in the construction including the required furniture for the school. The two-storey school building having 25,000 square feet built-up area has been constructed by Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company (JUSCO), a Tata Steel subsidiary company.
As part of its initiative to make quality education infrastructure available to students in far flung areas of the state, Tata Steel will set up 30 Adarsh Vidyalayas in Odisha among which nine will be in Jajpur district. This initiative of the steel major is part of the grand plan of the state government for setting up such Adarsh Vidyalaya in each Block of the state.
After Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik disembarked, the aircraft was supposed to leave the runway so that the plane of Vice President of India Hamid Ansari could land at the Rourkela airport runway.
As signal was given to Ansari’s plane to come down at the airport, the police personnel remove Patnaik's aircraft out of the runaway by pushing it after the Chief Minister’s flight stood idle on the runway after landing due to some technical difficulties.
Also read: 1500 teams join Biju Patnaik rural hockey meet
Notably, the Vice President and Chief Minister had visited Rourkela to inaugurate and attend the opening ceremony of the Biju Patnaik Rural Hockey Championship.
Shera, whose real name is Gurmeet Singh Jolly, has been considered the most trusted aide of Salman for over 20 years.
Informed sources say he will be personally monitoring the security arrangements of Justin Bieber during his stay in India later this month.
As a sign of his loyalty, Salman chose to use the badge and uniform of Shera's own firm, Tiger Security, in his 2011 film "Bodyguard".
In the past, he has handled the security of international actors like Will Smith, Jackie Chan and Keanu Reaves.
Salman himself might play host to the Grammy Award winning singer, who will arrive in the country on May 8 for his show, organised by White Fox India, on May 10 here
Locals in Medawar Kala, located on the border of Ballia and Ghazipur, 45 km from the district headquarters, say they had been praying for justice to their "daughter" since the diabolical attack of December 16, 2012 came to light.
The paramedic student, who came to be known by an outraged nation as "Nirbhaya" or fearless, would have turned 28 on May 10.
A special puja was performed at the Shiv temple, and sweets were distributed as soon as locals came to know about the apex court order upholding the death sentence to the four convicts.
Lalji Singh, the victim's grandfather, hoped that it will act as deterrent and women will feel more secure now. He appealed for reviewing the punishment to the minor in the case, saying that he is trying "to save himself through a fraud".
Speaking over phone, the victim's mother termed the verdict as a victory of justice. Her father said it was a very big day for the country and all those who were with them "in this fight are very happy".
The Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence awarded to the four convicts in the December 16, 2012 sensational gangrape and murder case, terming it the 'rarest of rare', most brutal, barbaric and diabolical attack .
The case sent a "tsunami of shock" all over, the apex court said, adding that the convicts treated the victim as an object of enjoyment.
A three-judge bench, through a unanimous verdict, upheld the Delhi High Court judgement which had concurred with the trial court decision.
Those who will face the gallows are Mukesh (29), Pawan (22), Vinay Sharma (23) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31).
One of the accused, Ram Singh, had allegedly committed suicide in Delhi's Tihar Jail, while a convicted juvenile was sentenced to three years of punishment in a reform home.
The mercury hovered above 40 degree Celsius in at least 13 places in the state as entire western Odisha and many parts of southern region sizzled in the blistering heat.
Bolangir town in western Odisha recorded 42.7 degree celsius followed by 42.5 degrees at Bhawanipatna, 42 degrees in Malkangiri, 41.9 degrees at Angul, 41.2 degree C at Sambalpur and 41.1 degrees at Hirakud and Talcher, the met office said.
The mercury stood at 41 degree Celsius at Jharsughda, 40.4 degree at both Phulbani and Sonepur and 40 degree Celsius at Keonjhargarh and Sundargarh, it said.
The maximum temperature in both Bhubaneswar and neighbouring Cuttack city stood at 37 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the MeT office predicted rain or thundershower occur at one or two places over coastal Odisha districts and interior districts of Kandhamal, Rayagada and Kalahandi under the impact of a well marked low pressure over the Bay of Bengal.
The heat wave has so far claimed one life in the state. A man died due to sunstroke in Bargarh district of western Odisha, according to the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).
Plans would be framed to make 22 per cent of the gram panchayats poverty free in the next two years, official sources said.
The proposal for the poverty free gram panchayats was made by the panchayat raj department at the State Level Empowered Committee(SLEC) meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary A P Padhi.
The meeting decided to take up 1342 GPs and develop those as model Poverty Free Gram Panchayat (PFGP) by October 2, 2019.
The programme would be part of the Centre's Mission Antodaya for building around 50,000 poverty free GPs across the country by October 2, 2019.
Padhi suggested that the department focus on sustainable income, green environment, quality education, health and hygiene of the GPs which would be selected for the programme.
Secretary to Panchayati Raj department, Deoranjan Singh said the state government would like to adopt a four-pronged approach like enhancing agricultural productivity, skilling of youth, creating opportunities for high order farm and non-farm activities and better targeting of safety net schemes for combating poverty at the panchayat level.
"With this road map, it was decided to have systematic interventions at four levels like the individual level, household level, community level and GP level," Singh said adding the the Mission objectives include strengthening grass root governance, creation of durable and income generating assets, creating good infrastructure and ensuring effective basic service delivery.
Creation of mass awareness on entitlements of the people under various schemes and efficient utilization of funds at the GP level are other objectives of the Mission, Singh said.
The SLEC has been constituted under chairmanship of the chief secretary for implementation of Mission Antadoya.
The secretaries of various departments like finance, electronics and IT, agriculture, ST and SC development, SME and energy are the committee members.
It will meet at least once in every quarter to review the progress and resolve the issues cropping up in the process of implementation, Singh said.
Official sources said the age limit for senior citizens to avail discounted tickets has been revised from 63 years to 60 years for all domestic sectors. Besides encouraging more elderly people to travel, the move is likely to boost the tourism sector also.
“It was only from my daughter that I came to know about the new initiative and now I can increase my number of visits to my daughters with the senior citizen discount to fly,” said Prusty.
Not only Prusty, the new initiative is expected to benefit hundreds of air travellers across the country.
As per the revised rules, any senior citizen in the age group of 60 and above shall be entitled to a 50 per cent discounted ticket in economy class on the basic RBD (reservation booking designators) fare.
Benjamin Simon, advisor Tourism Department, Government of Odisha said the decision of the Air India is welcome as it will certainly boost the tourism potential.
''Air India was earlier a major player in the airline sector in the world. But due to several factors, it paved way for other private airlines. However, the fresh move is part of Air India strategy to review its operations,” said Simon.
Simon further said, at present the senior citizens constitute a major chunk of the air travellers from Odisha as well as other parts of the country owing to ‘availability of time’.
The discounts on air tickets will boost domestic as well as international travel from Odisha as it will prompt senior citizens to visit their children and grandchildren staying in the US, UK, Germany and other parts of the globe.
“At a high level meeting with Air India officials, the State had recommended for Bhubaneswar-Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar-Kolkata and Bhubaneswar-New Delhi connectivity which has also been agreed upon by AI authorities,” Simon added.
As we – I and the rest of the eight-member family – check into a compartment earmarked for ‘ladies’ at the Hatia railway station, I am a little apprehensive. What if the TTE comes and asks us to disembark and get into another non-reserved compartment, I wonder. But the presence of a few men inside reassures me. An adivasi youth asks me to relax, assuring me that my apprehensions are unfounded. And he is right! No TTE bothers to come to the apartment during the journey to Bano (to attend a marriage ceremony) that lasts three and a half hours – nearly an hour and half more than its scheduled traveling time.
A stream of vendors – all of them women – keep entering the compartment at stations with their baskets – some selling neatly sliced pieces of papaya, some slicing and serving fresh water melons, others serving ‘chaarakoli’ or ‘jamukoli’ on cups made of sal leaves…. All the stuff on offer is priced so cheap no one really bothers haggling – something that is such an integral of the Indian marketplace. The best part is everything on sale is organically or naturally grown and fresh and hence infinitely tastier than its counterpart sold in the city. A little inquiry reveals that they are allowed to sell their stuff unhindered by the railway staff for a small price!
It is a world where humans are not the only passengers; goats, chicken and – at times – pigs too travel alongside men and women. There are inanimate objects too: bundles of wood, basketfuls of sundry forest produces and even bicycles hung upside down from the railings of windows (See Picture above). Journey on passenger trains is a leisurely affair, time table be damned. There are times when a train halts for half an hour or more at a station where the scheduled halt lasts just a minute, to give passage to an ‘express’ train that apparently cannot wait. No one travelling on a passenger train appears to be in any particular hurry. They while away their time waiting for the elusive ‘green signal’ on what passes off as a ‘platform’, but is actually no different from the rest of the landscape - except that it is a little more leveled. They munch on peanuts or other stuff on sale on the platform, smoke their bidis or ‘pikas’ without a care in the world (‘No smoking zones’ are an alien concept in these parts) or chat among themselves till it is time to board the train again. Chatting with them while waiting for the train to chug again, I find that someone is going to the weekly haat two stations away to buy or sell his/her stuff, someone is returning home, someone else is visiting a relative nearby.
As the train slows down while approaching a station, I can see people – men, women and children - literally running or furiously cycling their way towards the platform and wonder if they would ‘miss the train’. They don’t. Each one of them manages to get in before the train gathers speed. It is if the train is waiting for them as the one-minute scheduled stop stretches into five, six or seven minutes!
For the vast majority of the people, the passenger train is just about the only mode of local communication. The ‘express’ trains on the route either don’t stop at the stations they want to visit or are too expensive for them to afford. Though the TTEs seldom bother to check, it is gratifying to find that a majority of passengers do buy tickets. They clearly know they cannot afford to sink what is their lifeline!