Burla (Orissa), Nov 7 (ANI): Thousands of farmers in Orissa today hit the roads to protest against the state government's decision to release Hirakud dam water to industries.

Farmers from Sambalpur, Bargah, Bolangir, Jharusuguda and several other villages came down heavily on the government for diverting the dam water from agricultural fields to factories.

Around 10,000 farmers under the banner of the Krushak Surakshya Sangathan gathered at Burla in Sambhalpur district, and marched to the dam site, a prohibited area, to demand a stop to the diversion of water.

"Farmers are going to face problems in this area. If the water is provided to the companies without any consideration, it will only harm us. So, the farmers have united to themselves prevent these troubles," said Lingraj Pradhan, Convener, Western Orissa Krushak Surakshya Sangathan Samittee.

He added that they would continue and increase these protests in near future. Farmers accused the government of favouring big industries.

"We have come here for participating in civil disobedience movement. The problem in that the government is planning to divert the waters of the Hirakud dam to factories, which will adversely affect us. We have a right to get water for irrigation from Hirakud dam and the Hirakud dam is a lifeline for us," said a local head.

Government officials have refused to comment on the issue.

Farmers say that making available Hirakud dam water to industries could lead to the parching of around 50,000 acres of farmland.

The Hirakud dam project is built across the River Mahanadi, about 15 kilometres upstream from Sambhalpur. (ANI)

Labels: Orissa

AA: Bhubaneshwar, Nov.6 (ANI): A thirteen-year-old boy in Orissa has demonstrated how at times an ordinary looking hobby could ensure an everlasting joy in life. Pursuing his hobby to collect coins, he has amassed over 40,000 coins and currency notes!

Debi Prasad Mangaraj is today the proud owner of rare coins belonging to 130 countries. Some of these coins are said to be 800 years old and might not be easily found in any museum.

"I have collected 40,000 coins of 130 countries. I have some rare coins too like the Gold coin from Shivaji's era and some coins from East India Company," said Debi Mangaraj.

A standard eight student Debi Prasad was drawn to coin collection when his beloved grandfather presented him fifteen coins on his sixth birthday. "I used to look at these coins but I did not know the meaning, once I took them to a function where J.B Patnaik was present and he explained me about these coins. From that day onwards I developed interest in coin collection,"
said Debi.

His collection includes coins belonging to Australia, U.K, France, Japan and the U.S to name a few. Major attractions of his collection include coins of the East India Company transacted between 1800 A.D to 1810 A.D, the pennies belonging to late 18th and early 19th centuries, Peso of the mid-nineteenth century.

It also includes pressed coins of both stone and gold and earthen coins with imprints of Lords and animals-stated to over 800 years old.

Debi wishes to become the world's greatest coin collector by possessing all the rare coins and display them all at a museum exclusively meant for coins.

He recently held a coin exhibition at the Orissa Governor's house where the little boy's collection was appreciated.

Governor Murali Dhar Chandrakant Bhandari said: ""I think his name must come in the Guinness book of records as a youngest child who has collected so many coins."

"A museum is a good idea now I don't know whether we can have one single museum for this collection or whether we can have a separate block of coin collection in a good museum. I think that the second option is better because many more will go and see the museum," the Governor added.

Debi's dream of making a museum is likely to be realised soon with Orissa Government willing to help the little coin collector.

"The coin collection of this magnitude is rare and nobody in India has such a big collection. Every year, his collection is increasing and the government is thinking of patronising his coin collection. In fact the government is thinking of allotting land for the construction of the coin gallery," said Chandra Bhanu Patel, Superintendent of State Museum.

"Currently Spain is the only country in the world where there is a museum dedicated to coins," Patel informed. (ANI)

Labels: Orissa