SJTA urges withdrawal of heritage bye-laws for Jagannath temple

by Argus News

Bhubaneswar, Feb 7: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Sunday requested the National Monuments Authority (NMA) to withdraw the draft notification on heritage bye-laws for the famed Jagannath temple in Odisha's Puri.

In a letter to the NMA Member Secretary, SJTA Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar requested to immediately withdraw the draft notification to protect the interest of the deity, servitors and the devotees at large.

The move came after the NMA under the Union Ministry of Culture has come up with heritage bye-laws for the Jagannath temple proposing the 100-metre area around the shrine be declared as 'prohibited area' where no construction can be undertaken.

"If National Monuments Authority (NMA) is still of the considered view that any further regulatory framework of any nature is required to protect and further the cause of 'Mula Peetha' of Shree Jagannatha at Puri, then you are invited for a detailed consultation and discussion with members of Shree Jagannath Temple Management Committee (SJTMC) before any such fresh attempt is made," the SJTA chief said.

He further said that the temple and all the properties belong to Shree Jagannath in the land records stand recorded in the name of Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu.

To manage the temple, affairs of servitors and properties of the deity, SJTMC has been constituted as a statutory body under Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955 (Assented to by the President on October 15, 1955), said Kumar.

SJTMC entered into agreement with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on August 22, 1979 for the conservation of the ancient structures.

"This agreement restricts and codifies duties and responsibilities of ASI vis-a-vis Sri Mandir. The bare reading of the agreement indicates that importance of Shree Jagannath temple as one of the 'Dhams' for Hindus all over the world was given due consideration when management committee agreed to involve ASI in certain conservation works of ancient structures," the SJTA chief said.

A large number of inhabitants (Sahis) which are more than a millennium-old also live around the temple. These habitations are of mainly 'sevayat' families, who have been rendering service to the deity since time immemorial.

"As the sevayats are likely to be severely and adversely affected by any intervention of the authorities like this draft notification, they must be consulted before any process to restrict their rights is undertaken by NMA. This is also very important as any adverse impact on sevayats has a direct bearing on continuity of Niti-Kanti (rituals) of Lord Shree Jagannath," read the letter.

Besides, the state government has acquired land and properties for strengthening safety and security of the centuries-old shrine for the project of Shree Jagannath Heritage Corridor (SJHC).

The projects will also provide pilgrims with facilities such as drinking water, toilets, cloak rooms and queue management system.

These properties have been acquired by the state government through negotiations and most of the people have come forward to contribute their lands and properties for the project.

"Any regulation which has the potential to restrict development of facilities and amenities on lands voluntarily contributed by devotees of the Lord will hurt their sentiments," said the letter.
(IANS)

Argus News is hiring!

Seeking highly motivated professionals.

APPLY NOW

Gehlot’s OSD Launches Scathing Attack Against Outgoing Cm For Cong'S Debacle In Rajasthan

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Jaipur, Dec 3: Lokesh Sharma, the OSD to Ashok Gehlot, on Sunday launched a scathing attack against the outgoing Chief Minister by holding him solely responsible for Congress' debacle in the Assembly elections, the results of which were announced on Sunday.

The BJP swept the polls by winning 115 seats in the 199-member Assembly to oust the Congress, which was reduced to just 69 seats.

“I am hurt by the results, but not surprised. Congress could have undoubtedly changed the customs in #Rajasthan, but Ashok Gehlot ji never wanted any change. This is not the defeat of Congress, but of Ashok Gehlot ji.

“The party fought the elections under Gehlot's leadership, giving him a free hand and according to him, he himself was contesting on every seat. Neither his experience, nor magic worked. Congress did not win with the help of his plans, nor did the immense ‘pink' campaign work.

"Despite being a three-time CM, Gehlot brought the party down. Till date, he has only taken from the party, but has never been able to help the Congress retain power in the state,” Sharma said.

And Sharma didn't stop here as he went on to use phrases like “cheating with the high command", "not allowing correct feedback to reach the top", "not allowing anyone to become an alternative", "continuously taking wrong decisions out of narcissism", "being surrounded by immature and selfish people", "ignoring all feedback and surveys", "allotting tickets to his favourite candidates", etc. to target the outgoing Chief Ministers.

“The results which came out today were certain. I myself had told this to the Chief Minister earlier, I had warned him many times, but he did not listen... In fact, he didn't like any person who told the truth,” Sharma said.

It needs to be mentioned here that Sharma wanted to contest the polls from Bikaner, but Gehlot had emphasised that state Education Minister B.D. Kalla should seek renomination from the seat.

Sharma had also asked for a ticket from Bhilwara, but was denied.

"I traveled continuously for six months, met people, organised dialogue programmes with thousands of youth, covered about 127 Assembly constituencies and submitted ground reports to the CM.

"I put all the details on the table so that decisions could be made by taking corrective steps on time... I myself had expressed my desire to contest the elections, first from Bikaner and then on the request of the CM from Bhilwara, the seat where we were losing for 20 years.

"But he was in no mood for an experiment. And for B.D. Kalla ji, I had told six months ago that he would lose the elections by more than 20,000 votes, and that's what happened," said Sharma.

5th T20I: Shreyas Iyer's Fifty Helps India Reach 160/8 Against Australia

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Bengaluru, Dec 3: Shreyas Iyer struck a 37-ball 53 to help India post a modest 160/8 against Australia in the fifth and final T20I of the bilateral series at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium here on Sunday.

While Shreyas Iyer struck five boundaries and two maximums, Jitesh Sharma hammered a 16-ball 24 and Axar Patel blasted a 21-ball 31 studded with two fours and one six as India recovered from an early collapse to post a modest title.

Having already sealed the series 3-1 in the fourth match at Raipur, India made a decent start of 33 before opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was sent back by Jason Behrendorff for 21 in the fourth over.

Fellow opener Ruturaj Gaikwad (10) was out in the next over, caught by Behrendorff off Ben Dwarshuis as India slumped to 33 for two after Australia skipper Matthew Wade won the toss and elected to bowl first in the inconsequential match.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav could manage only five runs while Rinku Singh, the hero of India's victory in the fourth match, failed for once, getting out for six runs, caught by Tim David off Tanveer Sangha.

Shreyas and Jitesh added 42 runs for the fifth wicket while he and Axar Patel raised 46 runs for the sixth wicket partnership as India reached 143/6 in the 19th over.

Brief scores:

India 160/8 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 53, Axar Patel 31, Jitesh Sharma 24; Jason Behrendorff 2-38, Ben Dwarshuis 2-30) against Australia.

(IANS)

Pooja Bhatt Wishes Falaq Naaz On Her B’day: ‘To A Lifetime Of Love, Laughter’

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Mumbai, Dec 3: Filmmaker and actress Pooja Bhatt on Sunday extended birthday wishes ‘Bigg Boss OTT 2’ contestant Falaq Naaz, and said: "To a lifetime of love, laughter, shared tears and much light."

Pooja and Falaz were seen together in ‘Bigg Boss OTT’ season 2. Taking to Instagram, Pooja shared a candid picture with Falaq and Bebika Dhurve.

The picture shows them posing in a natural retreat, with waterfall as the backdrop. Pooja is wearing a black tee shirt and leggings, while Falaq dons a sky blue cartoon print tee shirt and denim shorts.

Along with the photos, Pooja wrote: “We often look out of the same window but rarely see the same view.. and we sometimes find those people who see what we see, feel what we feel & are willing to witness life anew.”

“Happy Birthday @falaqnaazz Here's to a lifetime of love, laughter, shared tears & much light! And thank you #BiggBoss for granting me the gift of friendship amongst the many learnings & rewards you brought to my life! Forever gratetul,” added the ‘Border’ actress.

Meanwhile, on the film front, she was last seen in ‘Chup: Revenge of the artist’.

SJTA urges withdrawal of heritage bye-laws for Jagannath temple

Download Mobile App