Yoga Training for Dosinga-Dhamra People

A 7-day long training camp on Yoga and Meditation, particularly for elderly villagers and school children of Dosinga and Dhamra was organised by DPCL from February 16 to 22, 2009. The camp was attended by nearly 200 villagers, including women and members from the local fishing communities. Separate sessions were held for school children wherein about 400 students were trained. The event was supported by Maa Dhamrai Fisherman Association, Dhamra. Two expert Yoga Instructors from Patanjali Seva Kendra, Cuttack - Manoranjan Rath and Rajkishore Behera imparted the training to villagers and gave them basic tips on how to remain healthy and stress free. Literature containing brief description of daily excercises prescribed by Baba Ramdev along with information on naturopathy medicines for various diseases were distributed among the participants.

Sports Promotion : Volleyball Challenge – 2008

An annual tournament for local sports clubs and youth associations, DPCL has started Volleyball Challenge in its project site. 'Volleyball Challenge – 2008', held in September 2008 was the first tournament of this kind held in Dosinga market ground, Dhamra. As many as Seven volley teams – Two from DPCL, One team of the local police personnel and One team each from the periphery villages – Dosinga, Dhamra, Kaithakhola and Kaninali – played the tournament. The final match was played between Dosinga and Kaithakhola teams wherein the Kaithakhola Sports Club emerged as the winner.

Youth Camps for Personality Development

There has been a continuous effort by DPCL for personality development and skill improvement of youths, living in periphery villages of the port project. One such attempt has been the two Youth Camps held so far by DPCL, which got wide response from local youths. As many as 90 youths attended the youth camps held in April and July 2008 respectively. Majority of the participants were from affected families. Teachings on etiquettes, health and hygiene, public behaviour, team work and service to the society, were imparted to the participants. This apart, youths from Dosinga and Dhamra attended a 5-day long Moral Re-armament camp held in Bhubaneswar.

Participation in Dhamrai Festival

The Dhamarai Mahotsav, is the biggest festival in Dhamra region. The festival is celebrated during the Makar Sankranti occasion in the month of January, and is a 10-day affair. DPCL is associated with the Dhamrai Festival Organising Committee in making elaborate arrangements for safety of the people coming to the festival. This year DPCL had opened a First Aid centre at the festival venue. A medical team from the company's health centre at Dosinga was on job along with several volunteers to provide emergency health services to the visitors. A stall was put at the festival to display master plan of the Dhamra port and progress of the work, for knowledge of the local people.

Boita Bandan Festival

The biota bandana festival has a rich history of maritime trade in Orissa. Every year in the month of November, the festival is celebrated in a grand way by the local communities of Dhamra and Chandbali, in Bhadrak district. Decorated boats ferry "sadhavas" (maritime traders) and a symbolic barter of goods take place between the local villagers. The festival is also marked with two-day long colourful celebrations and cultural programmes at both sides. DPCL partnered with the festival organizers of Dhamra and Chandbali with a view to promote the age-old tradition and make it better.

Bali Yatra Festival at Chandbali

Cultural troupes from various parts of Orissa gave performances at a colourful function organised by Chandbali Kala Parishad in association with DPCL at the Bali Yatra festival in November last year. Dance groups from tribal dominated Koraput, Kandhamal and Mayurbhanj districts performed in the programme, which had a big gathering of local villagers.

Celebration of Community Holi with periphery villagers

Community Holi was celebrated with much pomp and show in Dosinga, a panchayat situated next to the port boundary. Officers of DPCL played the festival of colours with local villagers and members of the fishing community.

Encouraging Extra-Curricular Activities

By organising essay and drawing competitions DPCL is encouraging extra-curricular activities among the school children. A drawing competition among students of class-VI and VII was held at Dosinga on the occasion of Children's Day. Nearly 250 students participated in the competition. As many as 10 best drawings were selected for prizes.