Creativity is reflection of thought-Biyot Projna Tripathy

By Sanjeev Shekhar

She was perhaps meant for creativity. Despite being a law graduate, she never had the leaning to pursue the career in it. "I don't know, why? But my inner instinct drew towards films and creativity," she says.

The love for cinema fulfills her yearning to remain an artist. Having successfully carved a niche for herself as a professional filmmaker, the national award winner, Biyot Projna Tripathy has punched the celluloid yet again.

A 30-minute documentary, Coffee House, marvelously airs the sentiments of the young and vibrant minds of contemporary youth. A classy depiction of lifestyle in any metro, the film is not bound to any place or time.Shot in the commercial capital of the state, Jamshedpur, Coffee House is an adaptation of a short story by a noted Oriya author, Devdas Chottoray, the scriptwriter of the film Indra Dhanush Chayee that was screened at Cannes Film Festival, a few years ago.

“I believe in reality and try to pick up subjects that is happening and authentic,” says Biyot Projana, who has 23 documentaries and short films up her sleeve. Projna, after completing her law, wanted to pursue the legal profession but soon realized that it was not the right place for her. She preferred to do something of her own and responded to the spontaneous instinct to get into the films.

Coffee House is an English film that revolves around a young man. Secluded, and has no friend, rather girlfriend to be precise. This young man fails to attract the attention of even the waiter, who is busy serving the group of young boys and girls flocking in the cafeterias. It typically brings out the discussion among the young boys about their girl friends and the girls in short skirt sashaying their seductive conduct to charm young boys. Some discussing their sexual escapades with their paramour, while another girl giving excuses to her teacher, who has apparently caught her having an intrinsic relationship with her cousin, thereby leaving the lonely character embarrassed, who ultimately steps out of the cafeteria.This documentary brought accolades from viewers much to the satisfaction of Biyot, who is now planning to step into the feature film arena. Having won the national award for best documentary in 2004 for “Ladakh, the Land of Mystery”, she has prepared several documentaries depicting the tribal lifestyle of Jharkhand and Manipur.

While “Hawaimithai” deals with tribal children of Jharkhand, their dreams and the knowledge of their sorrow and lost identity, Manipur Cocktail deals with the sociological change in the culture that was aired on Doordarshan. Another documentary, “Light in the Wilderness,” depicts the life of tribal women of Jharkhand whereas the documentary, “A Different Civilization”, is the strong depiction of the famous folk dance, Chhau.

Biyot has made promotional films for Doordarshan and several business houses. She candidly says that she loves Jamshedpur and has no plans to go out of this place. “After all, this place has given me so much,” she brims.Owner of the Hand Held Productions, Biyot is offering variety of recipe to the film lovers. Majority of her films has brought out the character so well that it has created a desire among viewers to have something new next time.

Sanjeev Shekhar,

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Dassam Falls in Ranchi reminds of Niagara Falls of Canada

Dassam Falls-pride of nature

By Sanjeev Shekhar

Ranchi-

Dr. Rajeev Khera and his family were here from Patna before shifting to Delhi for three-day sojourn. Dr. Rajeev is highly placed with a global organisation and is presently posted in Delhi. As we sat at the dining table having breakfast, my friend Dr. Rajeev suggested, “Why don’t we go to Dassam Falls? I’ve heard a lot about the place,” he said. His and mine family are friends for nearly four years now, and when I’m in Delhi, I too never miss an opportunity to see him.

Immediately plans were chalked out for Dassam and we headed for the spot, 45 kms from Ranchi on Tata road. As we drove down, my wife asked, “Is that place naxal infested? I hope everything will be fine.” The tremor in her voice was an indication as to how the naxalsim has gripped this beautiful Jharkhand, the land of forests.

I preferred to remain mum. Finally traversing the criss-cross roads through the villages, we reached the entrance of the falls. A big signboard painted in red warns the visitor with a list of dozen of people who died in the deep waters. The 13th place in the signboard has been left blank with a question mark, warning the visitor that if you are not careful enough, your name too will figure here.

“This list includes the name of Abhishek Mishra,” read out Rajeev making it clear about his knowledge that how the Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) student was drowned last year. Before we could debate the point we came across another big signboard cautioning, “blue waters of fall are synonymous with death. There is a tunnel in which a person sucked in would never come back,” the bold letters read.

Are we moving in the right direction? asked Rajeev’s wife with obvious apprehensions in her voice.

“Yes”, I said briefly while crossing few more boards having words of caution about the vulnerability of adventure. A little bit of negligence and you meet your watery grave, the message was by now inscribed in everybody minds.

As we finally reached the site of falls, a mysterious silence welcomed us amidst the noise of the fall that echoed at this isolated place.

We all walked down the rocks a little bit to have the full view of this enchanting fall. I was reminded of my father’s words, who had once said that when some foreign visitors had come here, they had compared the place with the Niagara Falls of Canada. They had declared that this place would bring rich dividends to the state and the place. How right they were, I thought while the droplets of the fall touched my face after hitting the hard rocks beneath mercilessly.

The site of the fall could allure any visitor to feel it closely. My friend was doing the same. He went on clicking the photographs continuously capturing every bit and angle of Dassam, as if he was capturing the movements of some beautiful model on the ramp. The water of Kanchi River falling from the height of 144 feet made a captivating sight.

After sometime, we wanted to have tea. There were few kiosks that sold out chips, cold drinks, biscuits and mineral water. The existence of small shops bore testimony to the fact that the flow of the tourists was less to this place.

“We wanted to purchase some artifacts, associated to this place,” said Rajiv’s wife. I had no explanation to this, as they being outsiders had perceived that tourist spots like this have some market nearby displaying local work of art.

As we returned, we saw there was no police post despite the fact that this forlorn place had so many deaths reported at the site of the fall. The government had made a series of announcements to depute divers and spend crores for making the place secure after repeated deaths at the site on and off. Apparently, things are on paper and far from reality even today.

The entire stretch from Dassam to Taimara road was completely cut off, incase any emergency arose. There was hardly any vehicle visible. It’s advisable to visit the place in groups and preferably two vehicles should accompany each other so that any crisis arise resulting in the breakdown of one vehicle, the other could be of help to bail everybody out.

As we drove down back, Rajeev and his wife were full of praises for Dassam, thereby making it clear how the outsiders loved the beauty of Jharkhand, wherein we have abandoned the place showing scant regard for the same. Thanks to the lack of will power on the part of powers that be who have done precious little for the betterment of the state.

Sanjeev Shekhar,
Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Dish TV dons the Jharkhand villages

Local made DTH-villagers delight

DTH installed on rooftop of the house

By Sanjeev Shekhar
Manoharpur (West Singhbhum)-
While the King Khan of Bollywood, Shaarukh, advertise in his peppy style regarding the dish TV to boost its sale in the market, the concept of the direct to home (DTH) has already reached the far-flung and secluded areas of the state of Jharkhand. Government might have bereft them of drinking water, power and proper civic amenities but the fact of the matter is that the concept of entertainment is well settled in the minds of the reticent villagers, if the number of DTH available on the hutments roof top is any indication.

It may sound ridiculous but entertainment is coming handy to all those who have desired for the same. “One household in a cluster of four is having the ‘disc TV’ (as the villagers call the DTH) and we’re enjoying all the free to air channels,” claims Mukesh Razak of Ghaghra village.

As one drives down the sleepy hamlets on a narrow lane in a criss-cross manner, one can easily locate the small rounded dish either planted on ground or being fixed on the thatched rooftops of the houses. Local companies are doing a brisk business here. “We have Calvin, PHX and Beston dishes here that are available at a very cheap rate ranging between Rs.1800 to Rs.2200. Once the installations are done, we’re watching all free to air channels providing us the series of entertainment,” informs the villagers.

Companies selling their dish in these villages of Ghagra and Barposh have articulately done their marketing on the pretext of their being a national, and for some it being ‘videshi’ (multinational) product. There is absolute clarity of sound and picture, asserts Shyam.

The villagers take pride of owning the ‘disc TV’ and do not fail to mention that even Tata Sky has found place in the house of one Dashrath Purty of the Dhipa village. “Days are not far when few more people will have more Tata Sky (DTH) in their homes, as we all love variety of entertainment,” Amitraj claims.

What the villagers resent is the non-availability of power in the village that hardly gives them time to enjoy any programme to the full. They complained that out of 24 hours, the power is available hardly two to three hours that proves a major hurdle on their way to entertainment.

Sanjeev Shekhar,

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

A woman of substance carving a niche in social service

Courage extra-ordinaire-Bijli Rani Mahato at the medical camp

~A story of determination and self belief that was nurtured by Tata Steel Rural Development Services ~

Hailing from a poor family of Boram village in Patamda, Bijli Rani Mahato has created name and niche for herself in her village. This is an exemplary case of self determination and commitment to society that was with the support from Tata Steel Rural Development Society.

Now a 45 year old woman, Bijli Rani Mahato was burdened with the responsibility of running her poor family of 8 siblings at the age of 18. Being the eldest in the lot, this determined lady had to take up the challenge at an early age of 18. As she had an inclination towards social work since childhood, Tata Steel Rural Development Services (TSRDS) medical team gave her an opportunity to work with them when they started their operations in Patamda in 1984.

Post associating herself with TSRDS, initially she used to attend the mobile medical units at Dimudih, Nowadih, and Jalla clinic. Gradually she started counseling villagers about Family Welfare Programme and motivated the patients for regular checkups. She also counseled young couples having two / three children for adopting permanent as well as temporary methods of Family planning. As per records since 1986 to 2007, she has motivated about 15000 cases with full assistance from Tata Steel’s Corporate Sustainability Services department.

Bijli Rani’s contribution towards Eye Care Services and towards treatment of tuberculosis is also appreciable. She has motivated patients for cataract operations in 165 villages of Patamda block. It is because of her efforts that vision of nearly 200 people has been restored. Bijli voluntarily attached herself with the CARE funded Child Survival Project of Tata Steel Rural Development Services which was implemented in 162 villages of Patamda block (1998- 2003) that brought an improvement in the health status of mother and child.

Bijli Rani has selflessly contributed towards the society. She has not only given her best to her family but has extended her compassion and good work to many families. “It would have been very difficult for me to sustain my family if Tata Steel’s TSRDS would not have come to my help. The life of respect and dignity that I am leading today is all with the help TSRDS. It gives me immense satisfaction when people in my village recognise and acknowledge my work and look up to me for help.”

Shimla-picturesque beauty-Potters Hill

Bonfire and Dancing Platform







Cottages at Potters Hill-equipped with all amenities

Potters Hill-SHIMLA
Seven kilometres from the main city, the cinematic beauty of nature dotted with thick forest including majestic pine trees gives fresh leash of life. The ultimate resort privately managed is one of the heavenly place for picnics, corporate retreat programmes, holidaying for three- to-eight days that unwinds one of all stress and burden. The place is apt for Honey-Mooning couples and also for the family outing during summers. The long trek up and down the hills helps you get rid of your metabollic waste. And once you have hot bath, you feel like having good food couple with two-three pegs that get easily sozzled. Whatever you eat at that time, its simply delicious, the only thing is the dish should be prepared well.

Sanjeev Shekhar,

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Reduce costs-improve quality, steel industry told

By Sanjeev Shekhar

The rate of technology innovation in steel industry has been high, as steel makers are motivated to reduce costs and improve quality. While steel producers continue to undertake research in areas of product development and operational improvements, equipment suppliers have been driving force behind radical process advances, stated the Director (Technical), Steel Authority of India, V.K.Gulhati during his visit to Ranchi recently.

Gulhati was speaking as the chief guest on international technical meet of “Sino-Indian Steel Plant Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers (SIEMS-2008)” at Ispat Bhawan, SAIL. Organised under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Metals, Ranchi Chapter, in association with Centre for Engineering & Technology (CET), SAIL, R&D Centre for Iron & Steel (RDCIS), SAIL and MECON Ltd, the meet was inaugurated to hold interaction between Indian and Chinese equipment manufacturers, suppliers and users at one forum for better understanding of each other's requirement.

In the keynote address the ex-managing director, Durgapur Steel Pant, Dr. S. K. Bhattacharya, expressed his concern and said the steel companies today does not have enough equipment manufacturers, suppliers and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors who can meet the strict deadlines that have been set. Inadequate availability of EPC contractors has been a major constraint over the last few years in this sector, stated Bhattacharya.

He asserted that there has been no major capacity addition in the equipment manufacturing sector in recent years as the steel industry went through a period of hibernation. In Europe and USA capacity addition in steel making mostly took place in sixties and seventies.

“The technology, particularly the design and development capability need to be developed among most of the Indian equipment manufacturers. They have to bridge the gap between drawing and design. Till this is achieved the dependency in the foreign company would continue and would be a major bottleneck for prosperity of the Indian steel industry,” said Bhattacharya.

He suggested that organizations like Centre for Engineering and Technology and Research and Development Centre for Iron and Steel (RDCIS) can extend meaningful support to Indian equipment manufacturers. The Chinese experience in this regard would be quite educative, as China has built a successful infrastructure and support services for equipment design. This meet will help in bring about the possible collaboration for mutual benefit that needs exploration.

“The concept of this meet is very relevant in the present scenario. The epicenter for growth would be Asia. There is lot of optimism amongst Indian steel makers having ambitious plans. Steel majors from across the world has been attracted to India to set up steel plants for the favourable investment climate and anticipated demand,” concluded Bhattacharya.

Sanjeev Shekhar,

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Jharkhand CM decision puts his government in soup

By Sanjeev Shekhar

Koda decision boomerangs in Jamshedpur bust installation matter-
This time, the Jharkhand Chief Minister, Madhu Koda, has apparently put his government in hot soup. The Chief Minister, Madhu Koda, tried his best to keep its coalition partner, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, in good humour and successfully quelled the high-voltage drama in Jamshedpur by rolling the heads of the officials over the installation of the bust of late MP, Sunil Mahato, the NDA has blown the issue to give it a new political tone on the pretext of law and order.

The government order for the removal of the deputy commissioner, East Singhbhum, Dhalbhum Sub-Divisional officer and Officer in-charge of Kadma has only precipitated the crisis further with UPA and NDA crossing swords allowing the public to give a rethink over the doings of their respective representative. The rolling of heads has proved the point crystal clear-Madhu Koda had to bow to the pressure of its ally, JMM.

Revenue Minister Order to free land from Tata lease-
While the Revenue Minister, Dulal Bhuiyan, who is acting less as Minister and more as Jharkhand Mukti Morcha activist has written buff sheet on May 10 asking the Revenue Secretary, R.S.Poddar, to order the East Singhbhum deputy commissioner, Nitin Kulkarni, to free the 10,000 square feet of land from the Tata lease, who in turn has directed the DC to do so. This land, according to the Minister, would have the bust of the late party MP, Sunil Mahato, who was gunned down by the naxals in the month of March last year.

BJP demands Judicial Probe-
Under this backdrop, the Bhartiya Janata Party has demanded a judicial probe into the entire episode and said that the government should constitute the judicial committee with the retired High Court Judge to look into the matter.

The Bhartiya Janata Party legislator from West Singhbhum, Saryu Rai, has written to the Chief Minister, Madhu Koda, demanding that with the constitution of the Inquiry Committee it should also find out “whether Jamshedpur is the steel city or the encroachment city.” He flayed the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for acquiring land illegally and said that as per law the party should have faced the music from the law protectors. But the government has done things otherwise and removed the officials who tried to protect law.

HC order restricts construction in leased land-
The High Court has already issued a directive to the East Singhbhum district administration not to allow construction of any structure at disputed site of Kadma ground in Jamshedpur. The BJP MLA further wrote that if the government frees the land from Tata lease then in that case it should also decide to free 10,000 sq.feet each for Durga Puja celebrated by Utkal Samaj and Ganesh Puja celebrated by the locals there. “The fact is that the government can acquire land in the interest of public and the installation of bust of the late leader did not justify this,” Rai alleged.

The ‘bandh’ call given by the BJP in Jamshedpur to protest the unsavoury incident has evoked positive response as the city witnessed the downing of shutters for the entire day.

CM bowed many times before his partners-
This is not the first time that the Chief Minister, Madhu Koda, has bowed before its coalition partner and transferred the officials. Before this, there were several instances when he bowed in the wake of wishes of his ministerial colleagues and supporting allies. The latest transfer of Jamshedpur DC has proved the point as to how the government is helpless before its partners. It would be wrong to expect that any official would toe the lawful line.

*The Bokaro DC, Sunil Kumar, was shifted because the Congress MP, Chandrashekhar Dubey, did not find him fit. The officer was unwilling to fulfill the desires of the MP. Dubey took a firm stand to change the DC and the CM readily obliged him.

*The former DC of Ranchi, K.K.Sone, was removed as he was not willing to play the music as per the wish of the HRD Minister, Bandhu Tirkey. Hence the latter demanded his removal and the CM did it.

*Similarly, the DC, Palamu, Vinay Kumar Chowbey, was removed as the RJD MLA Videsh Singh wanted had crossed sword with him. The SP, Chatra was removed as the RJD MP, Dhirendra Agarwal, wanted him to go. Agarwal had threatened to resign from his post of the SP was not removed from the post. Later the MP also got the DC, Chatra, Prakash Narayan, removed from the post.

*JMM MLA Suffal Marandi got the DC, Pakur, Puja Singhal Purwar removed. Again in Simdega, the then DC, Sunil Kumar was removed from the post on the pressure of Congress MLA, Neil Tirkey. Agriculture Minister, Nalin Soren, got the secretary, Raj Bala removed. The Congress MLA, Pradeep Balmuchu had created lot of pressure on the Chief Minister to unseat Sukhdev Singh from the post of principal secretary but in vain.

Sanjeev Shekhar,

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR