Ortel Broadband - A curse for Internet Users in Bhubaneswar

When Ortel Communications began its operation in Orissa, it made high promises of bringing the broadband revolution to the state. It claimed that its fast Internet services would come as a boon for the net surfers and businesses across the state. However, that claim turned out to be hollow, as thousands of customers across the capital feel betrayed by the company and its management.

Ortel never lived up to the expectations of its customers. Ask any regular Ortel Internet user in Bhubaneswar and you will get the answer. Individuals, Business owners and corporate sectors are completely fed up with the services offered by Ortel Communications. During the past 30 days, Ortel customers are experiencing unprecedented Internet problems. Things have taken an ugly turn, as Ortel authorities have almost given up hope of restoring Internet connectivity in many areas including VSS Nagar.

When our correspondent talked to Mr. Siddharth Mishra, Customer Relationship Manager for Ortel Communications, he gave the real picture. Customer Care executives keep promising that problem would be rectified within a few hours. However, Mr. Mishra told in clear terms that Ortel is going through a tough phase and the problem may remain for another 2/3 days. He also could not assure that Ortel would be able to fix it permanently.

Since the Internet users in Bhubaneswar have few options, Ortel is playing the game of monopoly. It signs hundreds of customers every month, but fails to provide them the service for which they pay a good sum. If we believe Mr. Mishra, currently 1500 - 2000 customers in Bhubaneswar are badly affected by this Internet problem. Some users complain that Ortel stops its services exactly at 10 PM every night and then automatically restore it in the morning. This is really weird.

Ortel claims that they have the latest technology to fix any problem and provide the best possible service to their customers. However, this is far from truth. While Ortel managers make merry and cool their heels in Thailand, common people who indirectly pay for those trips, suffer badly.

The company is planning to launch its cable TV and Internet services in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh. If today it takes pride in becoming a leading profit making company in the state, the whole credit goes to its customers who now feel betrayed and cheated by Ortel. The government must step in to stop this exploitation. Otherwise, Ortel Broadband services will become a curse for the thousands of Internet users in the city.

Orissa eyes a 9 Percent Growth

While demanding increased Central assistance and a special status to the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed confidence that Orissa would achieve a nine percent growth in the 11th five-year plan period. He also emphasized on the fact that Orissa had registered a higher annual growth rate than the national average during the 10th five-year plan period.

The 11th five year plan for Orissa has an outlay of Rs.32,225 crore and targeted 9 per cent growth. He not only more assistance for KBK region under a special category status, but also sought more funds under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP). He requested the Centre to set up Central Institutes like IIT, IIM & IIT in Orissa.

Ankeeta Pani - The latest Heartthrob of Orissa

Ankeeta Pani has become the latest heartthrob of Orissa and is all set to become a youth icon over the next few months. She made the news after getting selected for the next round of Pantaloon-Femina Miss India 2008. The audition was held in Bhubaneswar by Pantaloon on December 1, 2007.

Ankeeta was one of the three girls selected from Orissa audition for the next round. Others selected participants were Rupsa Rani Nayak from Balasore and Prabhjot Kaur from Jamshedpur. However, Ankeeta has impressed everyone with her beauty, height and brain. When this 5' 7" beauty walks on the road, people feel as if their heartbeat stops for a moment. Her smile resembles beautiful red rose petals.

Ankeea is the proud daughter of Dr Uttam Kumar Pani and Charusheela of Baraipali, Sambalpur. She has been a brilliant student throughout her career. If you think Ankeeta is a full-time model, then think again. She is pursuing computer science and engineering at KITS in Bhubaneswar. Astonished? Although she is not averse to try her luck in modelling, education remains her first priority.

The first-ever talent hunt in India gave Ankeeta the platform she wanted. Now what's next? She has been preparing hard for the next round. If selected, she will participate in the Pantaloon-Femina Miss India 2007 contest. If she becomes Miss India by god's grace, it will be a proud moment for the state. There is no dearth of talent in Orissa. Our Oriya girls have all qualities to beat the world, but they hardly get the exposure. Hopefully, Ankeeta's feat will set a good precedent for others.

Photo Source: OTV - Orissa TV

Anu Choudhury - The Star of Orissa

Anu Choudhury is no longer alien to Oriya cine lovers. From "Maa Gojabayani" to "Kathantara", Anu has taken a big leap forward to make his presence felt in Oriya household. She is considered as a dependable actress on the lines of veteran actresses Mahasweta and Aparajita.

Anu was born and brought up in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa. She was inspired by father, who was a television producer by profession. Anu began her career as a child artist and later was spotted by the leading directors of Oriya Film Industry. She made her debut in "Maa Gojabayani" and impressed everyone with her spectacular performance.

There was no looking back after that and Anu acted in movies like "Maa O Mamata", "Mana Rahigala Tumari Thare" and "Gare Sindura Dhare Luha" soon after the success of "Maa Gojabayani". She also had an impressive performance in Sushant Mishra’s award winning movie "Biswaprakash", which was a part of Indian Panorama and was adjudged as the best regional film in Oriya.

Anu's moment of glory came when she was adjudged Best Actress in the Annual Oriya Film Awards for her role in Rajshri Production's maiden Oriya venture "Sasughara Chalijibi". She also acted in V.B. Ramana’s Telugu film "Subha Bela". Later, she went on to win the Best Actress award in the 4th Cine India International Film Festival, Noida for her role in "Kathantar".

Very few people know that Anu Choudhury is a IT Graduate. The beauty with a brain, has successfully established herself not only in Oriya Fim Industry, but also in the heart of Oriya people.

IBM launches SMB Operations in Orissa

The Software giant IBM has launched its Small and Medium Business (SMB) operations in Bhubaneswar. The project is a part of IBM's expansion plans in Tier 2 cities. The new project will help IBM to provide excellent support to SME clients in and around Bhubaneswar.

Currently, most of the IT companies registered with the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) are from SME sector. They include IT majors like Infosys and Satyam. Wipro, MindTree and Genpacts are expected to join the fray, as they have already begun settip up their units in Bhubaneswar.

Bio-diesel Park project launched in Orissa

Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy has flagged off the bio-diesel park in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. The project would consist of a research laboratory and a plantation area. The plantation will have plants like jatropha, karanja and castor that produce oil. The construction work of the park has been given to the Majhighariani Institute of Technology and Science Group.

The group would receive all supports from the state governments and banks operating in the city. A minimum of 100 acre land is required to set up the park. The land has been identified near Deras agricultural farm on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. According to sources, some banks including Andhra Bank, Bank of Baroda, UCO bank and the Orissa State Cooperative Bank have shown key interest in the park project.

Jindal to invest Rs 9,600 Cr in Orissa plant

Jindal Stainless Ltd, India's largest stainless steel manufacturer, has decided to invest Rs 9,600 crore in its Orissa project. The company has already invested Rs 2,250 crore for setting up a greenfield integrated steel plant in Orissa, which has a capacity of 1.6 million tonnes per annum.

JSL also signed an agreement with Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) and Shyam DRI Power Ltd to form a joint venture called Mahanadi Jindal Shyam DRI Company Ltd (MJS DRI). They will mine coal from the Utkal-A and Gopalprasad block west project located in Talcher area of Angul district.

Tension escalates over POSCO Steel Plant

Tension over the proposed POSCO steel plant in Jagatsinghpur district escalated further with small clashes broke out between pro and anti POSCO supporters. At 12 people were injured in the clash. The state government has deployed a large continent of police force and intensified patrols to maintain law and order in the area.

The plant, which is worth USD 12 Billion is said to be India's single largest foreign investment project. However, the project got delayed because of the conflict between two sites supporting and opposing the plant in the area. If there is no reconciliation between both sides in the coming days, we may witness another "Nandigram".