BHUBANESWAR: 'Cathedral of the East'

Bhubaneswar derives its name from the Sanskrit word 'Tribhuvaneswara', meaning Lord Shiva. Bhubaneswar, also known as the 'Cathedral City', on account of the large number of shrines, was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kalinga. Today this bustling centre for commerce and religious activity is Orissa's modern capital Having merged its intriguing past so uniquely with its modern aspirations, it forms an integral link in the Golden Triangle that incorporates the holy city of Puri and Konark, for the tourists that flock to pay their homage to the religious, cultural and natural wonders that abound here. 

The great poet Rabindranath Tagore had once said - 'At all places where the eye rests, and also at places where the eye does not rest, the busy chisel of the artist has worked incessantly. The abode of god has been enveloped by a variety of figures depicting the good and the evil, the great as well as the insignificant, the daily occurrences of human life....' 

Against this multi-hued tapestry of history, and the backdrop of the soaring sandstone spires of old Bhubaneswar, a new capital has taken shape. The modern architectural designs and materials of new Bhubaneswar contrast starkly with the old city. Nevertheless, mindful of its unique status, new Bhubaneswar is a calm, progressive city, linking the old and the new most effectively. 

Temple city of India

The striking features of the city are the numerous temples and shrines that seem to be all around. Bhubaneswar's skyline is dominated by some of the most spectacular engineering and artistic feats of its ancient heritage. The 46 metre high Lingaraj Temple marks the culmination of temple tradition of Bhubaneswar. The imposing spire of the Lingaraj Temple, the quiet beauty of the Vishwa Shanti Stupa and the pink translucence of the Mahavira Jain Temple in nearby Khandagiri, inspire feelings of wonder at their sheer beauty and their cross-- cultural permutations. These three alone offer an excellent insight into the ancient cultural strength of Orissa and are well-worth exploring at greater length. At least four of Bhubaneswar's temples must he on the tourist's agenda, to get a feel of the dynamic artistry and development of their indigenous perfection. 

The temples have after all stood testimony to the area's history, which spans 25 centuries. The Lingaraj, the Parsurameswar, the Mukteswar and the Rajarani temples are unique in themselves, not only in their architectural beauty but also in the wonderful sculptures which enhance their presence. An interesting variation figures in the Vital and Brahmeswar temples.

Other attractions:

Bhubaneswar has three museums, one celebrating Orissan heritage and the others; the handicrafts and the tribal research museum. The Orissa State Museum in the city has a rich collection of sculptures, coins, copper plates, stone inscriptions, lithic and bronze-age tools, rare palm leaf manuscripts and traditional folk and musical instruments. The Handicrafts Museum has a handsome collection of stone sculptures, patta-paintings, brass castings, horn toys and silver filigree.

While the temple and monuments and redolent with the culture of a hoary era, the vibrance of life throbs in the sprawling Nandan Kanan Zoological Park. Endowed with a natural lake, it is known for the rare white tigers and migratory birds which nest here during winter. It has also the country's largest Lion Safari Park and White Tiger safari 

Another attraction is the Atri Hot Sulphur Spring. 42 km from Bhubaneswar, near the famous Hatakeswara Temple. 

IT Developments

Presently, Bhubaneswar offers a great promise to IT industries enthused by several liberalisation policies of local government. Some nationally renowned IT industries have started operating from the city. It is the fastest growing city in the eastern region of India.

Electronics and Software 

This is a priority sector for the state government as it provides great scope for employment. This Industrial Policy provides special incentives for this sector. Bhubaneswar, the state capital is ideal for location of electronics and software industries as no polluting industries are permitted in and around the city. 

An Electronic Hardware Park had been established at Bhubaneswar. Similarly, a software park has also been established at Bhubaneswar with a dedicated Earth Station. Steps would be taken to attract industries from all over the country to these parks. 

The state Electronics Development Corporation (ELCO) is the nodal agency for development of electronic hardware and software industries in the state. A software division under this corporation will be organized not only to attract and guide software industries but also to develop local software houses to get adequate assignments by obtaining bulk orders from bigger parties and parceling it to small units. Orissa Computer Application Centre (OCAC) will be responsible for systems development in government and government agencies, promoting computerization in the Government sector and training of manpower. 

STPI, Bhubaneswar

Ministry of IT, Government of India while framing the policies to boost Software sectors with distinct focus at software exports nation wide identified Bhubaneswar to be one of the spot to set up Software Technology Parks of India.

Bhubaneswar the city known for its monuments and rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka is host to the center of Software Technology Parks of India since 1992. Since then STPI is engaged in promoting the Software Exports from the region and achieved major miles stone in the IT sector for the state. Presently STPI, Bhubaneswar is an unique organization, which offers entire spectrum of services to promote and facilitate the Software Export industries in the state and provides the services through the state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The Bhubaneswar center of STPI has started functioning from 1992 with infrastructural amenities like AS/400 system for core
computing,15 rentable rooms , EPABX etc. Recognizing the need of the HSDC facility ,which is backbone of offshore development , STPI have established Intelsat Business Service(IBS) Earth Station at Bhubaneswar. The Earth Station became operational during July,1997. Since then, there is a significant increase in STP units, thereby contributing to a steep growth in software exports. Presently STPI, Bhubaneswar is providing point-to-point International Private Leased Circuit (IPLC) of multiple of 64 kbps and Global Internet Services(GIS) to software exporters in the state.

As the man power development programme is one of the thrust area and objective , STPI, Bhubaneswar is engaged in providing high end training on AS/400 ,JAVA, C++, Visual Basic, Web Technology, HTML etc round the year. Around 1124 software professionals have been trained under the programme out of which 525 professionals are working abroad and 200 are engaged in big software houses of the country. STPI, Bhubaneswar have made as ambitious plan to meet the quality manpower need of IT industries in coming years. It also takes the seminars like NetOrissa '98 , E-Commerce, Internet and driving force to update in changing IT scenario. 

Objectives

• To establish and manage the infrastructural resources such as datacom, core computer facilities, built-up space, common amenities, etc.
• To provide services like import certification, software valuation, project approvals, etc to the users who undertake software development for export purposes.
• To promote development and export of software and software services through technology assessments, market analysis, market segmentation, marketing support, etc.
• To train professionals and encourage design and development in the field of software technology and software engineering.
• Act as a front-end to the software industry for the government policies and approvals.
• Perform various functions like issuance of import certificate, software valuation, attestation of declaration etc, for the member units as a single point interface.

STPI, Bhubaneswar has been setup with a goal to provide the best of services to its scustomers. Its services includes not only just registering companies within it but it expands to areas like high speed data communication, training, consultancy and providing infrastructure.

Bhubaneswar IT Association (BITA)

The Bhubaneswar IT Association was set up in 1998. The objectives were: To leverage on the strength of a united front in dealing with issues influencing IT business; to promote the market through trade fairs, seminars, product presentations etc.; to deal with government bodies on matters relating to tax; and create a healthy business environment. 

The association, with 45 registered members, is very active in taking up tax-related issues and parleying with the government to keep the interest of the reseller in mind while formulating policies. For instance, it recently took up the issue of entry tax and brought home an amendment in favor of the channel community. It also played an active role in influencing the state government to remove tax on software. To qualify for the association's membership, a reseller has to furnish his sales tax registration number and recommendations by the two existing members.

Major Resellers

Blaze Communication Systems


Shed # 36

Rasungarh Industrial Estate

Bhuaneswar

Baftek Computer Education

L-1, Kalpana Square

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2418956

Berlia Computer & Communication

118, Sahid Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2522892

Blaze Communication Systems Pvt Ltd

36, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2580981

Compuadd

221 Saheed Nagar

Opp Hotel Meghdoot

Micro Complex

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2502712/2522488

Computer Complex

636, Saheed Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Gupta Enterprises

A-102, Saheed Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2521423

Infotech Kalinga

143, Sahid Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2517724

IT Solutions

N4-54, IRC VIII

Nayapalli

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2556886

Lalani International

61, Janpath, Second Floor

Giri Durga Tower

Kharavela Nagar Unit # 3

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2534013

L Com

569, Laxmi Bihar,

Bhuaneswar

Limburg Computer & Communication Pvt Ltd


4711, Laxmivihar

Sainik School Squre

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2582911

Maple Computer & Communication Pvt Ltd

A-44, Janpath

Kharvel Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2535887/2535569

Meltronix Services

Plot No 740, Sahid Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2521029

Micronix

Plot 232, Bomikhal

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2582441/2585174

Microtech Software

114 Saheed Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2518255/2558674

Oriplus Computers Pvt Ltd

B-7, Saheed Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2522418

Orissa Computer Service Pvt Ltd

B-7, Sahid Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2522418

Pradyut Marketing

459, Saheed Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2512960/2502271

Printek Computer & Communication Pvt Ltd

B2, Zanpath Tower

Unit # 2, Ashok Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2531450

Protect Instruments

230, Bapuji Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2530463

Printlink Computer & Commu Pvt Ltd

B-2, Unit-Ii Ashok Nagar

Janpath Tower

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2531450

Siddanth Systems Ltd

628, Sahid Nagar, First Floor

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2505154/2522008

System World

356, Sahid Nagar

Rupali Square

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2522588/2522620

Siddhartha System Limited

256-A, Saheed Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Space Age Technologies

59, Janpath, First Floor

Kharavel Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2535070/2520570

Shivangi Forms Pvt Ltd

A/7, New Industrial Estate

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2580410

Trident Softech Pvt Ltd

Plot # 359, Sahid Nagar

Near Rupali Square

Bhuaneswar

Tech Computers

17/3, 17/4 Janpath

First Floor, Bapuji Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2530919/2433127

Technocad Systems Pvt Ltd

170 Unit # 9 (Flat)

Technocad House

Baya Baba Math Lane

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2414321/2410084

Tirupati Electro Marketing Ltd

15, Bapuji Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2533056/2533301

Tristar Software & Solutions Pvt Ltd

491/2, Bhd Arya Samaj Sahid Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2514216

Unicorn Computer

23, Saheed Nagara

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2502011

Victor Computers Pvt Ltd

B-36, Sahid Nagar

Bhuaneswar

Tel: 2505029/2518501