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Bhubaneswar, Feb (LocalWire):The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) organised it’s annual state conveners conference here on Friday in which the conveners from different chapters expressed their concerns on the increasing cases of temple thefts all over the state.

Digamber Mohanty of the Bhadrak Chapter said, “The INTACH has brought to light many instances of idol thefts and even registered FIRs in the respective police stations, but to no avail.

There have been as many as 20 cases of idol thefts in the last decade in the Bhadrak district, but not a single recovery has been made yet.”

The State Convener, Amiya Bhusan Tripathy, also the former DGP of Odisha, lamented that there is an absolute lack of awareness and apathy regarding the intrinsic value of these idols which represent the rich cultural heritage of Odisha.

“The prevailing laws intended to prevent idol thefts and burglary are inherently ineffective. A holistic National Heritage Protection Policy and System should be put in place.

There is no true objective database for all the antiques in approximately 22,000 ancient temples in Odisha. More than 95% of the idols in these temples remain legally unregistered as the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities remains incomplete,” he added.

Tripathy blamed the inconsequential and weak legislation like the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, etc for being ineffective in curbing these crimes.

He further said that new amendments are the pressing need of the hour. The State Police should have a separate wing for dealing with such crimes.

According to Anil Dhir, who recently made the report on the Antiquities of the Prachi Valley, more than 300 valuable idols have gone missing. The idols which had been photographed and documented by scholars in the last three decades have now vanished.

Dhir reported that nearly 48 FIRs have been filed in different Police Stations of the Prachi valley in the last decade with only one successful recovery so far.

He suggested that the State Archaeology Department should develop a proper database by photographing and documenting the physical dimensions of the antique idols including their specific identifying features.

Odisha has become a major hub for illegal idol exports as a container shipment is facilitating their exit. The authorities should ensure that a Clearance Certificate is obtained for all idol exports from a competent agency.

Baikuntha Panigrahi, Bhubaneswar Convener, said that the INTACH has undertaken the listing and documentation of monuments in all its chapters and published nearly two dozen reports.

Edited by Meenal Singh

LocalWire

Bhubaneswar, Feb 15(LocalWire):The second edition of open mic, SHABD, is starting on 8th March, 2020 at Biggies Burger, Patia, Bhubaneswar. The event will be organized by WordReel.

WordReel is a non-profit community which provides a platform to individuals willing to express themselves in front of the world.

After organising a quite successful event the previous year, the open mic is back with yet another episode to motivate the youngsters. The platform is to be graced by some of the most eminent personalities of the state along with the performances by local teenagers performing on such a stage for the first time in their life.

The organisers told LocalWire that the interested ones can participate in any of the events such as story-telling, poetry, music and stand-up.

A nominal registration fee of Rs. 100 for both participants and the audience will be charged.

One can register online by clicking here or directly contact the organisers at 7008493676 & 9337741175 .

Edited by Meenal Singh

LocalWire

Bhubaneswar, Jan 29, (LocalWire): Odia Cine Artists Association felicitated veteran actress Namrata Das with the Bhumi Kanya Award for her four-decade-long contribution towards the Odia film industry.

The versatile actress debuted in Ollywood in 1973 with her movie ‘Dharitri.’ Popularly known as Dolly Apa, Das still remains a household name for her outstanding performance as a doting mother and grandmother.

Das is also the recipient of a state award for her versatile acting in the film ‘Lakhmi Pratima.’

The award was granted to the legendary Namrata Das for her lifetime contribution towards the Ollywood at the Association’s annual function amidst a grand event held on 26th January, 2020.

She has also been granted with a cheque of Rs 1 lakh along with a certificate and an Uttariya.

The President of the Association Sidhanta Mohapatra, Secretary Sritam Das, actor Suresh Mishra, Pradyumna Lenka, Maheswata Ray, and others senior actors were also present during the award-giving ceremony.

Edited by Meenal Singh

LocalWire

Bhubaneswar, January 24 (LocalWire): Union tourism minister Prahlad Singh Patel on Friday said that Puri and Konark would be included in the center’s iconic tourism site.

Union Tourism Minister, during his Odisha visit, informed that air connectivity would be made to these two attractive tourist destinations. He also praised the Eco-retreat programme of the state tourism department.

While addressing the media, he informed that Centre would formulate Tourism Policy soon.

It may be noted here that being the most attractive tourist destinations for its religious and architectural importance, the most spiritual pilgrimage Sun Temple in Konark and Jagannath Temple in Puri is not in the 17 iconic tourism sites in the country.

Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged the Centre to include these two heritage treasures in the list.

LocalWire