Nine Naxals including two women from Chhattisgarh surrender before Odisha police
BHUBANESWAR: In a significant development ahead of elections, nine members (including two women) of the banned party outfit CPI (Maoist) surrendered before Odisha Police on Wednesday. The members hailed from Chhattisgarh. A Naxal surrendered before Kandhamal Police on Tuesday and nine did the same before Boudh Police a day later. Apart from the state government's effective rehabilitation policy, the continuous anti-Naxal operations has led to the recent surrenders, said ADG (Operations), Dev Datta Singh. Speaking to the reporters, Southern Range IG Jai Narayan Pankaj said that due to the enhanced anti-Naxal operations carried out in the both states, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the red ultras are surrendering fearing for their lives and are reluctant to cross over to Chhattisgarh because of the tight security cordon due to the elections. Sources said most of the Naxals active in Odisha are from Chhattisgarh, some are from Andhra Pradesh and a very few are from within the state. In the last three to four months, at least five camps of Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been set up in the core areas of Kandhamal and Boudh which were once the strongholds of the Naxals. Odisha Police's Special Operations Group along with BSF and CRPF are also regularly carrying out area domination exercises in Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Boudh and this has deterred the Naxals from carrying out any activity, said Pankaj. The surrendered Naxals identified as Yoggi Madvi alias Jyoti (20), Pozze Madvi (22), Bhima Kadti (22) Bhima Banjam (25), Bandi Banjam (30) Arma Raba (30) Malla Madvi (29), Deba Kadti (25) and Ayata Madvi (26) are from Muler village in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, said Boudh SP, Raj Prasad. Yoggi Madvi who had joined CPI (Maoist) in 2019 worked as the personal security guard of divisional committee member Sila alias Nagmani who is an active leader of 8th company of Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division operating in Boudh district. The other seven were also working as party members in CPI (Maoist). Apart from 10 Naxals, six to eight others have so far surrendered this year, said police sources. Sources said apart from anti-Naxal operations, the killing of red ultras in recent months has also left the middle and lower rank cadres dispirited. Two Naxals were neutralised during an exchange of fire with the security forces in Parhel Reserve Forest within Kantamal police limits in Boudh district on April 25. The killing of top Maoist cadre Dasru alias Dudu Mundari was a major set-back for the outlawed CPI (Maoist), said police sources. Dasru was the chief of KKBN division and was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces at Kamberikia forest area within Baliguda police limits on February 3. Sources said Malkangiri, also called as the cut-off Swabhiman Anchal, has not witnessed any Naxal activity in recent years but now the major challenge for the security forces is to check the movement and activities of the red ultras in Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh axis. Security has been tightened ahead of elections as Naxals are using Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Boudh corridor to remain connected with the cadres from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
Homecoming: Neeraj Chopra To Compete In India For First Time In 3 Years
Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will compete at home for the first time in three years after confirming participation in the National Federation Cup to be held in Bhubaneswar.
Over 3 Kg Of Gold Seized In Bhubaneswar Airport, Four Detained
Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials seized 3.77 kg of gold from Bhubaneswar Airport on Wednesday and detained four persons in this connection. As per reports, the four persons came from Dubai. The value of the seized gold is Rs 2 crore 79 lakhs. An investigation has been launched to find the source of [] The post Over 3 Kg Of Gold Seized In Bhubaneswar Airport, Four Detained appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
Police Seized 64 Litres Of Illegl Indian Liquor In Bhubaneswar, Peddler Held
Bhubaneswar: The Nandankanan police seized 64 litres of illegal Indian liquor in about 320 plastic bottles in Nandankanan area and arrested the peddler. The smuggler has been identified as Yudhistir Sahu (42) of Mahajan Sahi, Kalyanpur under Nandankanan police station. Acting on a tip-off, the team of cops conducted a raid in that area and [] The post Police Seized 64 Litres Of Illegl Indian Liquor In Bhubaneswar, Peddler Held appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
Neeraj Chopra confirms participation in first domestic tournament after 3 years
Bhubaneswar: Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has confirmed his participation in the Federation Cup, starting from May 12, which will be his first domestic tournament in three years. Neeraj last competed in the 2021 Federation Cup which was held before the Tokyo Olympics, the javelin thrower made his mark by becoming the first Indian to win []
Neeraj to compete in India for first time in 3 years
Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will compete at home for the first time in three years after confirming participation in the National Federation Cup to be held in Bhubaneswar from May 12 to 15.
Proxy NEET candidate among 3 held in Bhadrak
Three arrested for fake examinee in NEET-UG at Bhadrak. Ankit Raj, Rajesh Kumar Madhukar, Prem Shankar Pandey held. Ankit agreed to Rs 10 lakh deal. Sashwat's biometric data mismatch led to FIR.
BJP has plans to break BJD, after elections: V K Pandian
BHUBANESWAR: BJD leader and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's close aide V K Pandian on Wednesday alleged that the opposition BJP is not fighting elections in Odisha to win polls but to increase its seat number with an intention to break the Biju Janata Dal after elections. This was stated by the bureaucrat turned politician while meeting a group of television channel journalists at Gopalpur in Ganjam district on Wednesday. They (BJP) had a slogan of securing 120 assembly seats in 2014 but failed. I do not know their target for 2019. But, for 2024, they have been fighting elections to win 50/60 seats and aim to break BJD after the elections. This is their poll strategy, Pandian told journalists. Claiming that the BJP was not fighting elections to form government in Odisha, Pandian said: I openly say that this (breaking BJD) is their internal strategy as they have done in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Asserting that the BJP's plan will not succeed, Pandian said many people from the national level are coming for campaigning in the state, but the people of Odisha have no trust on them. Naveen Babu is the trust of the people, he said. BJP cant get 10 percent votes if it names CM face: VK Pandian You have seen in 2014, 2019 and also in 2024, entire army of leaders from across the country come for campaigning. But, the people will not trust them. The people will bless Nabeen babu in a big way, Pandian said replying to a question on the BJP national leaders making queue for campaigning in the state during the twin polls for the Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly. Asked whether he was confident of Patnaik becoming the chief minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time, Padian said: I have a strong conviction that Naveen babu will win the elections with flying colours. Had I not such conviction, I would not have said that Naveen babu will be sworn in as CM on June 9 with blessings of Maha Prabu Jagannath, he said. Pandian said that they (BJP) have no candidates in 60 of the 147 assembly segments in Odisha. They waited for the release of BJD's candidate list so that they could pick up candidates from among the leaders dropped or rejected by the regional party. This is the reality of BJP in Odisha, he said. Pandian also came down heavily on Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi and accused them of attempting to stop the Shree Mandir Parikrama Project (Jagannath temple heritage corridor project). Replying to a question on BJP raising the Odia Asmita (pride) issue during elections, Pandian said, the central government has not given a single rupee for the promotion of Odia language. Though the BJP has 8 MPs in Lok Sabha, all of them remained completely silent while the Centre was providing money for the promotion of other languages and not for Odia language. Only during election time, the union minister (Dharmendra Pradhan) shows his love for Odia language and talks about Asmita, the BJD leader said. BJP's Baijayant Panda accuses CM Naveen of keeping Odisha poor
BJP has plans to break BJD after elections: Pandian
Bhubaneswar: BJD leader and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaiks close aide Kartik Pandian Wednesday alleged that the opposition BJP is not fighting elections in Odisha to win polls but to increase its seat number with an intention to break the Biju Janata Dal after elections. This was stated by the bureaucrat turned politician while meeting a []
BJD Will Clean Sweep Seats in 2024 Elections, Says Karthik Pandian
Bhubaneswar: The star campaigner of the Biju Janta Dal (BJD), Karthik Pandian has said that the party will clean sweep in the first phase of elections. While speaking to the local media, the 5T chairman said that BJD will get good number of votes in the first phase of elections in Odisha on [] The post BJD Will Clean Sweep Seats in 2024 Elections, Says Karthik Pandian appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
Odisha Govt Confirms 3 Sunstroke Deaths, 786 Heat-Related Illness Cases Reported
Bhubaneswar: At least three persons died due to sunstroke while, as many as 786 cases of heat-related illnesses have been reported in Odisha so far, informed Bijay Mohapatra, Director of Health Services. The three people hail from Dhenkanal, Balasore and Mayurbhanj. An investigation is underway to find the cause of the death of 17 persons [] The post Odisha Govt Confirms 3 Sunstroke Deaths, 786 Heat-Related Illness Cases Reported appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
Chhattisgarh CM in Odisha Today, Heres The Itenary
Bhubaneswar: BJPs top leaders like Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Chhattisgarh CM and Assam CM will visit Odisha on May 8 and 9 to campaign for party candidates for upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the State, informed State BJP leader Golak Mohapatra. Chhattisgarh CM will address meetings in Odisha after Chhattisgarh. CM [] The post Chhattisgarh CM in Odisha Today, Heres The Itenary appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
Couple Crushed To Death By Speeding Truck In Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar: A couple died on the spot after a speeding truck mowed them down near Palasuni Square in Bhubaneswar in the wee hours of Wednesday. The couple hailed from Subarnapur. As per reports, the terrible accident occurred when the couple was returning from Puri after Sri Jagannath darshan. They got off the bus and were [] The post Couple Crushed To Death By Speeding Truck In Bhubaneswar appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
DRDO and IIT Bhubaneswar Forge Alliance for Advanced AI Solutions in Surveillance and Beyond
DRDO and IIT Bhubaneswar Forge Alliance for Advanced AI Solutions in Surveillance and Beyond Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will collaborate with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar for artificial intelligence (AI) driven surveillance and other projects, officials said. A meeting was held between DRDO and IIT Bhubaneswar officials here on Tuesday. Binay Das, director general (DG) of Electronics and Communication Systems (ECS) cluster, DRDO, and many senior scientists and officials of both institutions were present in the meeting. During the meeting, nine sanctioned projects of the ECS Cluster of DRDO were handed over to IIT Bhubaneswar while another 7 projects are in process to be sanctioned with Rs 18 crore funding. IIT Bhubaneswar will work on the sanctioned projects, which would be beneficial in electronics warfare, AI-driven surveillance, power systems, radar systems etc, officials said. S R Samantaray, head of the School of Electrical sciences of IIT said the collaboration of IIT Bhubaneswar and DRDO will contribute to the emerging research and development need of defence applications, creating a platform for 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat'. This form of collaboration will enhance the sustainability of defence research programmes and will be part of the eco-system for nation building, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Binay Das advised researchers and faculty members associated with various DRDO-sanctioned projects to work systematically with proper review and risk management systems to complete the projects in time and come up with unique solutions. He said that DRDO is going through a transformation from technology chasers to become technology enablers and trendsetters. ''The goal is now to move beyond attaining self-reliance to setting standards for the Indian armed forces, for others across the globe, to emulate. In this context, this collaboration, and the further opportunity to set up a Centre of Excellence at IIT Bhubaneswar would prove crucial,'' he added.
Awareness campaign on sexual assault held
Bhubaneswar: The state government has undertaken a campaign at hostels to make girls aware about ways to tackle possible sexual assault by relatives during summer vacation, a senior official said. The drive, which started last week and ended Monday, was undertaken in around 5,800 hostels, targeting over 2.5 lakh girls, most of whom left for []
BJP unleashes top guns to breach BJD fort these elections
BHUBANESWAR: Having failed to make a significant headway in the form of electoral gains in Odisha in the last two occasions despite the Modi wave sweeping the country, the BJP is not leaving anything to chance in its efforts to breach the BJD citadel this time. The party has turned its special focus on the Odisha Assembly election besides the Lok Sabha push as is evident from the manner in which the party has lined up all its top guns to take on the ruling BJD which has been in power for a record five terms consecutively, leaving no breathing space for the Opposition. With the bonhomie between the two parties over after the failed alliance talks, the BJP is going all guns blazing on the regional party, not even sparing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Starting from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is holding back to back election rallies in the state, to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party national president JP Nadda - all have turned unsparing in their criticism of Naveen who till recently was one of their most trusted ally. The announcement of June 10 as the date of formation of BJP government by the prime minister and his extending invitation to the people of the state to be part of the oath taking ceremony is seen as a clear strategy to unnerve the BJD. Besides the intensive campaign tour of the prime minister, the party has pressed senior cabinet ministers into the heat of Odisha polls. Apart from Shah and Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have already visited the state and taken part in the party campaign. Rajnath, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Assam Chief Minister Hemant Biswa Sharma, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will be in Odisha on May 8 and 9 to campaign for the party in different constituencies that will go to polls in the states first phase on May 13. According to party insiders, the BJP leadership is all set to deploy its top leaders and vote-catchers across constituencies during all the phases to boost the campaign and invigorate the cadres and organisation to take on the BJD with all their might. The blitzkrieg by the national leaders will not only give power to the local organisation but also sway voters into their fold. It will help intensify the anti-incumbency against the BJD on the ground, they said. The prime ministers visit to Berhampur on Monday was, in fact, notable for two things. This is the second time after Chhattisgarh Assembly election that Modi announced date for government formation in a state during campaigning. He had prophesied government formation in the neighbouring state much to the disbelief of many political pundits who predicted return of the Congress government. The other being - the PM and the national president choosing Berhampur, which comes under Ganjam the home district of Naveen. Modis announcement of BJP government formation from the chief ministers turf is seen as a huge challenge thrown by the saffron party to the BJD. With the PM visiting the state again on May 10 to hold a roadshow in the state capital of Bhubaneswar and address election rally in western Odisha town of Balangir the next day, the intent is clear. Moreover, according to sources, the RSS has also pushed its cadre base in the state to work hard for BJP to motivate and mobilise voters on the ground. During the last two elections the RSS and its affiliates had not been so proactive as they are this time, sources said.
BJP cant get 10 percent votes if it names CM face: VK Pandian
BHUBANESWAR: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that a BJP government will take oath on June 10 during a public meeting at Berhampur, 5T chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian asked the saffron party to first announce its chief minister face. Launching a marathon campaign at several places of Ganjam district, Pandian said, Some people are daydreaming that Naveen Babu will not become the chief minister again. But ask BJP who is the partys chief ministerial candidate, they cannot given a reply. Coming down heavily on the BJP, the 5T chairman said if the party announces its chief ministerial candidate, it will not get even 10 per cent votes. If you have the guts, announce your chief ministerial candidate. The party will not get even 10 per cent of the votes, he said. Launching a veiled attack at Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Pandian said a union minister is trying to be the chief minister for the last 10 years. But his party does not have confidence on him, how will people of the state trust him? he questioned. Pandian said according to BJP leaders,the party will select chief minister on June 6 after results come out on June 4. But will the BJP high command decide the chief minister or people of Odisha, he asked adding, if the saffron party comes to power, the state will go back by 24 years. Earlier, Congress was in power in the state and looked up to the high command for every decision, he said and added, because of this the state had to suffer during the super cyclone. The chief ministers of national parties will be answerable to their central party and not to the people of the state, Pandian said and added that they will be on remote control. But Naveen babu is answerable to you, his remote will be in the hands of 4.5 crore people of Odisha, he added. The 5T chairman urged the people to vote for BJD to strengthen the hands of the chief minister. The chief minister loves you, you should also love him in return, he added.
Election 2024: 16 crorepati candidates in fray from Bhubaneswar
BHUBANESWAR: Around 28 per cent candidates in the electoral race in the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat and three Assembly segments of the city, are crorepatis. An analysis of the affidavits of the candidates who filed their nominations papers for the Bhubaneswar Parliamentary constituency and the Bhubaneswar Central, North and Ekamra - the three key Assembly seats of the capital city shows that 16 of the 57 candidates who have thrown their hat into the electoral ring are crorepatis. Among them, four are from BJD while three each are from BJP and Congress. Besides, three crorepati candidates are contesting as Independent and another three crorepatis are from other parties including BSP and Samrudhha Odisha. As many as four crorepati candidates are contesting in Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat while six crorepati candidates are in fray from Bhubaneswar Central Assembly seat. Bhubaneswar North and Ekamra Assembly segments also have three crorepati candidates each. BJD MLA and partys Bhubaneswar North candidate Susant Kumar Rout is the richest among all the nominees contesting from the three Assembly segments of the city as well as the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat, with a total assets of Rs 21.76 crore. He is also the richest candidate in the North Assembly segment of the city. BJP Central candidate Jagannath Pradhan is the second richest in the list with total assets of around Rs 17.46 crore. Pradhan is also the richest candidate in Bhubaneswar Central Assembly constituency. Similarly, BJPs Ekamra Bhubaneswar candidate Babu Singh is the third richest candidate with a total assets of around Rs 11.85 crore. As per the affidavits, total 17 candidates have filed their nominations for Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat of which four are crorepatis. BJD candidate Manmath Routray who has assets of Rs 10.56 crore is the richest Lok Sabha candidate, while Independent candidate Sudhansu Sekhar Das with total assets of around Rs 4.97 crore is the second richest. Sitting MP and BJPs Lok Sabha nominee Aparajita Sarangi has assets worth Rs 4.36 crore that includes those in the name of her spouse. Congress candidate Yasir Nawaz is also in the list with assets worth over Rs 1 crore. Some of the candidates, however, opined that personal wealth is never a factor in winning elections, though it helps in managing their own election expenses. I am managing the election expenses from my own savings and pension. I am completely against the use of money power for electoral gains, said Independent candidate Sudhansu Sekhar Das who is contesting from Bhubaneswar LS seat. Money power 28 per cent candidates in the electoral race in the Capital region crorepatis Of them, four are from BJD while three each are from BJP and Congress Bbsr North BJD candidate Susant Kumar Rout richest with Rs 21.76 crore assets BJP Central candidate Jagannath Pradhan 2nd richest with total assets of Rs 17.46 crore BJPs Ekamra Bhubaneswar candidate Babu Singh 3rd richest with assets worth Rs 11.85 crore 4 of 17 candidates who filed their nominations for Bbsr LS seat are crorepatis
DRDO hands over nine defence tech projects to IIT-Bhubaneswar
BHUBANESWAR: Nine projects sanctioned from the electronics and communication systems (ECS) cluster of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were handed over to IIT-Bhubaneswar at a collaboration meeting here on Tuesday. Seven more projects are in the process of being sanctioned from ECS with a funding of Rs 18 crore. The IIT-Bhubaneswar will work on these sanctioned projects, which would be beneficial in electronics warfare, AI-driven surveillance, power systems and radar systems. Informing about the projects, head of Electrical Science school of IIT-Bhubaneswar SR Samantaray said the collaboration of IIT-Bhubaneswar and DRDO will contribute to the emerging research and development need of defence applications, creating platform for Atma Nirbhar Bharat. This form of collaboration will enhance the sustainability of defence research programmes and will be part of the ecosystem for nation building. The collaboration between the ECS Cluster of DRDO and IIT-Bhubaneswar is intended towards working for a common cause to fulfil the future needs of the country in the field of defence technology, he said. Speaking on the occasion, director general of ECS Binay K Das said DRDO is going through a transformation from being technology chasers to becoming technology enablers and trendsetters. The goal is now to move beyond attaining self-reliance to setting standards for the Indian Armed Forces, for others across the globe to emulate. In this context, this collaboration, and the further opportunity to set up a Centre of Excellence at IIT-Bhubaneswar would prove crucial, he added. He further advised the researchers and faculty members associated with various DRDO sanctioned projects to work systematically with proper review and risk management systems to complete the projects in time and come up with unique solutions. On the collaboration with DRDO, director of IIT-Bhubaneswar Shreepad Karmalkar said the IITs across the country have moved beyond knowledge generation and dissemination to knowledge application, wealth generation through start-ups, entrepreneurship and producing quality teachers. In such a scenario, collaborations with DRDO for research in the field of defence mechanism and technology will pave a new path towards excellence, he said. Karmalkar emphasised on the role of research scholars in coming up with innovative ideas. DRDO officials informed that they are looking forward to having collaborations with the academia for research and industry for taking the projects forward to the application level. These collaborations with academic institutions aim at developing cutting-edge and next generation technologies to make India at par with the international standards in terms of defence technology.
BJP's Baijayant Panda accuses CM Naveen of keeping Odisha poor
BHUBANESWAR: BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda on Tuesday asked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to explain why Odisha is lagging behind many states even after he ruled the state for nearly 25 years uninterruptedly. Lashing out at the chief minister for keeping the state poor despite abundant resources, Panda said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made India the fifth largest economy within 10 years. The next target of Modi is to make it the third largest economy in the world. The chief minister owes an explanation to the people as to why he failed to lift the state to fifth position in the country even after staying in power for a quarter century. Panda who is contesting from Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat said the Prime Minister has rightly pointed out that massive corruption, bribery and PC culture are the major impediments in the path of progress. A change of government in the state has become inevitable to steer it into the path of rapid economic progress. He said the farmers of the state are the worst-affected in the BJD regime due to its anti-farmers policies. While the BJD has miserably failed to fulfill its promise to provide assured irrigation to at least 35 per cent agricultural land in each block of the state, the farmers continue to sustain huge loss in the absence of cold storages. Touching five points of the BJP manifesto, Panda said his party will keep its promise of constructing 75,000 km new roads, develop industrial corridor linking Sambalpur, Rourkela, Dhamra and Paradip, fill up 65,000 out of 1.5 lakh vacant posts in the first two years. Responding to a query on 5T chairman VK Pandians assertion that BJD CM will take oath on June 9, Panda said, only two people cannot make government by travelling in a helicopter.
On poll highway with Rs 20K in her account, Pramila out to win voters trust
BHUBANESWAR: In Koraput Parliamentary constituency, SUCIs Pramila Pujari is pitted against heavyweights of the three main political parties - who are also the wealthiest - with just Rs 20,625 in her bank account. But, funds will not be a roadblock in her poll battle, she asserts. Pramila will be testing the electoral waters for the first time and she has been campaigning door-to-door in villages across the district either by foot, cycle, motorcycle or public transport, depending on the distance, to cut down on the fuel expenses. My aim is to reach every village under the constituency before the campaigning ends and I have covered most so far, said 25-year-old Pujari, who is also the youngest among the 11 contenders for the Lok Sabha seat. A resident of Nuaguda under Boipariguda block, she cleared her Bachelors degree from Government Womens College at Jeypore last year and had been helping her family with farm work ever since. A student leader of All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO), Pramila has been fighting for tribal students education rights since her Plus Two days. Which is also why, education figures top in her poll agenda, the other being rights of tribals over jungle and zamin and accessibility to remote villages. There are many areas in the districts under the constituency where close to 400 schools have been closed down by the government in the last few years on many grounds including school merger. Neither do schools nor colleges have sufficient teachers, she said. Denial of forest and land rights to tribals and lack of roads to many villages are her other areas of concern. Tribals, she said, have been suffering for ages as they are being denied rights over their forest and land. They are being evicted from the land that they were cultivating and trees are being planted there by the government. Since they have no forest rights, collecting minor forest produce is also difficult. This has been affecting their livelihood for a long time, Pramila added. She has been reaching out to people in villages with these issues with the help of SUCI workers and her Nuaguda supporters. Funds, she said, havent been a roadblock so far. The Rs 20,625 in her account have been collected through public donations for election expenses, she added. Although she would face biggies like sitting MP Saptagiri Ulaka of Congress, Kausalya Hikaka of BJD and Kaliram Majhi of BJP, Pramila believes her connection with people at the grassroots may help her overcome the huge challenge. Big leaders have funds to sponsor big rallies, feasts and gifts. But all of that is temporary. I am one amongst the voters who faces the same issues that they do, she said.
As per affidavit, Achyuta Samanta doesnt have land, house or vehicle
BHUBANESWAR: BJD MP and partys face for Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat Achyuta Samanta has disclosed his assets are valued at Rs 12.44 lakh. Of this, around Rs 10 lakh is the salary Samanta has drawn as the sitting MP from the Lok Sabha constituency. Samanta submitted his nomination on May 2 stating in his affidavit that he holds no land, house, gold, or vehicle. Known for his long-standing acts of philanthropy, Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS, has a share of Rs 1.28 lakh in his ancestral property. Additionally, he holds a life insurance policy worth Rs 1.60 lakh and a bond worth Rs 48,000 in Indian Bank. As per his affidavit, Samanta had no significant movable and immovable property until the 2019 Lok Sabha election, nor has he added any more in the last 5 years. His movable and immovable assets are almost nil making him a candidate with one of the modest financial means among his counterparts in the Lok Sabha elections.
Why everyone is talking about Pandian in Odisha
Pandian has become the prime target of opposition leaders, right from PM Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda to Congresss Rahul Gandhi. Questions are being raised on how a non-Odia may take over the states reins if BJD returns to office. How Odia asmita (self-respect) is in danger in a state formed on the basis of its language.
People will make right choice: Pandian
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Union min challenges Naveen to a debate
Kalahandi LS seat in Odisha sees queen, tribal lady and OBC leader vying for honour
Bhubaneswar: Kalahandi parliamentary constituency in Western Odisha is poised to witness an interesting triangular fight involving a royal bahu, locally called Rani Maa; an energetic tribal woman and a strong grassroots leader hailing from the Other Backward Class (OBC) community. Malavika Devi, the queen of Kalahandi who is locally known as Rani Maa, is contesting on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket. She is pitted against Droupadi Majhi, a tribal woman. The parliamentary constituency has over four lakh tribal voters. Odishas ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has fielded Lambodar Nial, an OBC community leader hailing from Gouda (milkman) community. In the 2019 battle, the BJP nominee Basant Panda had wrested the seat from BJD. He defeated the BJD nominee Puspendra Singhdeo by a margin of 26,814 votes, considered a low one in a vast LS segment with around 15 lakh voters. Basant Panda got 433,073 votes (35.26 per cent) while Puspendra bagged 4, 06, 260 votes (33.08 per cent). Congress candidate Bhakta Charan Das, who is this time contesting assembly polls from Narla seat, had finished third with 3,19,202 votes (25.99 per cent). The BJP dropped Basanta Panda this time and chose to field Malavika Devi, wife of former MP Arka Keshari Deo, with hope that the royal familys long relationship with the party and the local peoples loyalty towards the loyal family, will fetch it good votes. The Congress nominee Droupadi Majhi who served as chairperson of Thuamul Rampur block hopes her strong links with panchayat level workers will enable her to win the seat. I come from a grassroots political background. I was elected as Zilla Parishad member once and twice as chairperson of Thuamul Rampur block. My opponents do not have any links with the people living in villages. Im pretty confident that people will bless me, said Droupadi. Kalahandi, which the ruling BJD claims has seen huge transformation in terms of overall development, is still reporting large-scale migration of farmers and farm workers to other states in search of jobs. Both the BJP and Congress have made this distress migration a major poll issue. The BJD, on the other hand, is showcasing the irrigation network, infrastructure development and expansion of education and healthcare facilities as its contributions to the constituency. Our party has done tremendous work in Kalahandi. This was once called Bhoka-ra Bhugola (a land of hunger). Now, it has turned into a green land with a massive increase in irrigation network. Road infrastructure has developed a lot and an airport at Utkela has become operational, says BJD nominee Lambodar Nial. Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das told this newspaper that his partys woman nominee Droupadi Majhi for Kalahandi LS segment is the carefully chosen face to counter BJPs Malavika Devi. Droupadi can connect better with the people. She is a hard-working woman, who works for the people round the year and not during the election only. She will make a difference. Migration of people is a burning issue here apart from the slow pace of work of Junagarh-Nabarangpur railway line, he said. Scheduled caste and scheduled tribe population together constitute 46 per cent in Kalahandi. Most of the people's occupation is agriculture. Kalahandi LS seat comprises tribal-dominated Kalahandi and Nuapada districts. While Kalahandi district has five assembly constituencies, Nuapada has two. BJP will do even better this time. Kalahandi district is yet to see development in education and health sector as many of its counterparts have seen in recent times. For me, another most important work is the welfare of women farmers, she said. Kalahandi LS seat will go to polls on May 13.
Odisha bans use of drone during visits of PM, other VVIPs
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has restricted the use of drone during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other VVIPs in the state and declared as no drone zone and no flying zone the venue of the function addressed by the VVIPs. The decision was taken as during the previous visit of the VVIP []
AIIMS Bhubaneswar conducts rare scalp tumour operation on Bengal man
Bhubaneswar: A team of doctors of AIIMS Bhubaneswar successfully conducted a rare scalp tumour operation on a 51-year-old man from neighbouring West Bengal, officials said Tuesday. The executive director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Ashutosh Biswas, said the patient had gone to several medical colleges and hospitals for treatment before finally reaching the Department of Plastic Surgery []
Odisha Crime Branch arrests four cyber fraudsters from Gujarat
Bhubaneswar: The Crime Branch of Odisha Police has arrested four cyber fraudsters from Gujarat on the charges of duping a person from Bhubaneswar of Rs 60 lakh through online trading scam, said a crime branch official Tuesday. The accused persons were identified as Fakir Alfazsha Bismillasha (20), Ahmad Khan Sardar Khan Baloch (38), Shaikh Huma []
Dharmendra Pradhan challenges CM Patnaik for open debate
Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Tuesday challenged Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for an open debate on various issues faced by the state despite being a recipient of huge financial aid from the Central government. Speaking at a press meeting in Sambalpur, Pradhan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised a few questions regarding the []
Odisha: BJD candidates wife files nomination against husband as independent nominee in Pipili
Bhubaneswar: In a curious development, sitting Puri MLA and BJD nominee Rudra Pratap Maharathys wife has filed her nomination as an independent candidate from the same seat, though the reason behind the move is not yet known. Maharathys wife Jagruti (32) declined to comment on her candidature from the same constituency, while her MLA husband []
Odisha: Doctors at AIIMS Bhubaneswar save middle-aged man through rare scalp tumour operation
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Caught on Cam! Couple Steals Cash From Garment Shop in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar: A couple wearing masks recently robbed a garment shop at Lewis Road in Bhubaneswar and got away with Rs 10,900 from the cash counter. The entire incident was captured by the CCTV camera at the shop. The man stole the money from the cash counter while the woman kept the salesman engaged in a [] The post Caught on Cam! Couple Steals Cash From Garment Shop in Bhubaneswar appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
Odisha Gets Respite From Heatwave As Mercury Drops Below 40C
Bhubaneswar: Severe heatwave conditions that prevailed across Odisha for 22 consecutive days have subsided from the coastal areas to the suburbs due to thunderstorms and rains across many districts on Tuesday. More than 20 towns have recorded the maximum day temperature below 35C, while the mercury has dropped below 40Cin all districts. According to the [] The post Odisha Gets Respite From Heatwave As Mercury Drops Below 40C appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
BJP will provide pension to journalists if voted to power in Odisha: Dharmendra Pradhan
BHUBANESWAR: Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said the BJP will provide pension to journalists if the party is voted to power in Odisha. We believe in the motto of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vishwas'. In accordance with it, we will make a provision of pension for journalists, Pradhan told reporters at Sambalpur. The journalists' accreditation policy will be modified to expand its purview so that individual scribes, working at the subdivision level, are also included, he said. Certain restrictions on the entry of media persons in various government offices will be lifted, too, Pradhan, the Minister of Education, said. A proper guideline will also be issued so that journalists can report on the performance of the governmenthe said. Simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections will be held in Odisha in four phases, starting May 13.
Odisha Crime Branch Nabs Four Cyber Fraudsters From Gujarat
Ahmedabad: A team from the Cyber Crime Unit, Crime Branch arrested four Cyber Fraudsters from Fatewadi in Ahmedabad. On 04th Nov 2024, the complainant who is from Bhubaneswar, fell prey to a Cyber Crime syndicate that enticed him on the pretext of investment in Online Trading and in that process, within about 20 days, extracted [] The post Odisha Crime Branch Nabs Four Cyber Fraudsters From Gujarat appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
National Team probables announced for FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Jhingan out due to injury
National Team probables announced for FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Jhingan out due to injury Injured central defender Sandesh Jhingan missed out as Indian senior men's team head coach Igor Stimac on Tuesday announced his second list of 15 probables for the Bhubaneswar camp ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary joint qualification round 2 matches against Kuwait and Qatar. The first list of probables was announced on Saturday. Key defender Jhingan, who sustained a right knee injury during India's Asian Cup group match against Syria in January, missed out of the list. The 26 players from the first list will begin training in the Odisha capital on May 10. The 15 players from the second list, comprising players from Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan SG, who contested the ISL Cup final, will join the camp on May 15. A total of 41 players will take part in the national camp. The Blue Tigers will face Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6 before travelling away to take on Qatar on June 11 in their last two matches of Group A. India are currently placed second in the group, with four points from four matches. The top two teams in the group will qualify for Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and book their berth at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. The second list of 15 probables for the Bhubaneswar camp (training from May 15): Goalkeepers: Phurba Tempa Lachenpa, Vishal Kaith Defenders: Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Sahal Abdul Samad Forwards: Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh The first list of 26 probables for the Bhubaneswar camp (training from May 10): Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Defenders: Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, Muhammad Hammad, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh Naorem. Midfielders: Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Imran Khan, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Mohammad Yasir, Nandhakumar Sekar, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Vibin Mohanan. Forwards: David Lalhlansanga, Jithin Madathil Subran, Lalrinzuala, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri.
Igor Stimac Announces Second List Of 15 Probables For Bhubaneswar Camp
The first list of probables was announced on Saturday. The 26 players from the first list will begin training in the Odisha capital on May 10.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Igor Stimac Announces Second List of 15 Probables for Bhubaneswar Camp
A total of 41 players will take part in the national camp.
PM Modi To Hold Roadshow In Bhubaneswar On May 10, Admins Declare No Drone Zone
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a massive roadshow in Bhubaneswar on May 10 as per the party sources. The roadshow will be held from Mastercanteen Square to Vani Vihar at 6 pm on Friday. Not only PM Modi, but top leaders of the BJP are also lined up to hit the [] The post PM Modi To Hold Roadshow In Bhubaneswar On May 10, Admins Declare No Drone Zone appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
Igor Stimac shares second list of 15 probables for Bhubaneswar camp
New Delhi: Indian senior mens team head coach Igor Stimac Tuesday announced his second list of 15 probables for the Bhubaneswar camp ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary joint qualification round 2 matches against Kuwait and Qatar. The first list of probables was announced Saturday. The 26 players from the first list will []
Igor Stimac announces second contingent of 15 probables for Bhubaneswar camp
Igor Stimac announces second contingent of 15 probables for Bhubaneswar camp Indian senior men's team head coach Igor Stimac on Tuesday announced his second list of 15 probables for the Bhubaneswar camp ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary joint qualification round 2 matches against Kuwait and Qatar. The first list of probables was announced on Saturday. The 26 players from the first list will begin training in the Odisha capital on May 10. The 15 players from the second list, comprising players from Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan SG, who contested the ISL Cup final, will join the camp on May 15. A total of 41 players will take part in the national camp. The Blue Tigers will face Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6 before travelling away to take on Qatar on June 11 in their last two matches of Group A. India are currently placed second in the group, with four points from four matches. The top two teams in the group will qualify for Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and book their berth at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. The second list of 15 probables for the Bhubaneswar camp (training from May 15): Goalkeepers: Phurba Tempa Lachenpa, Vishal Kaith Defenders: Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Sahal Abdul Samad Forwards: Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap Singh The first list of 26 probables for the Bhubaneswar camp (training from May 10): Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Defenders: Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, Muhammad Hammad, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh Naorem. Midfielders: Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Imran Khan, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Mohammad Yasir, Nandhakumar Sekar, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Vibin Mohanan. Forwards: David Lalhlansanga, Jithin Madathil Subran, Lalrinzuala, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri.
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Odisha: Nomination process begins for constituencies going to polls June 1
Bhubaneswar: The process for filing nominations for the six Lok Sabha constituencies and 42 Assembly seats in Odisha that would go to the polls June 1 began Tuesday. The process for filing nominations for Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha constituencies along with the 42 Assembly segments that form them would continue []
The Blue Tigers will face Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6 before travelling away to take on Qatar on June 11 in their last two matches of Group A. India are currently placed second in the group, with four points from four matches.
Girl Boarders Of SSD Residential Schools Get Lessons On Good & Bad Touch
Bhubaneswar: Prioritizing the safety of students, especially girls, following their visit to homes in the wake of the summer vacation, the ST&SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department has launched a massive awareness campaign to make the girls know what is a good touch and bad touch. It aims at educating the girls, ultimately [] The post Girl Boarders Of SSD Residential Schools Get Lessons On Good & Bad Touch appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
Notification issued for elections in 6 LS & 42 Assembly seats in Odisha
Bhubaneswar: Six Lok Sabha and 42 Assembly seats will go to polls in Odisha on June 1, the notification of which was issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday. As per the ECI notification the last date of filing of nominations is May 14 while last date for withdrawal of the nominations []
BJDs move to placate dissidents, Samir appointed Dhenkanal LS seat observer
BHUBANESWAR : Even as discontentment over denial of tickets and replacement of candidates has become a grave concern for BJD, the party on Monday appointed two leaders to organisational posts. While sitting MLA from Nimapara, Samir Ranjan Dash has been appointed as an observer for Dhenkanal Parliamentary seat, Arundhati Kumari Devi, wife of Nitesh Ganga Deb, Sambalpur MP of BJP was announced as a general secretary of the party. Dash, a three-time MLA from Nimapara, was denied ticket by the party for the upcoming Assembly election. The party had nominated Dilip Nayak who had quit BJP and joined BJD only on April 4 after he was denied a ticket from the Assembly segment. There was widespread discontentment among a section of BJD in Nimapara following the development prompting Dash to announce he is yet to decide on his next course of action. Supporters of Dash were putting pressure on him to file his nomination as an Independent. Sources said that by appointing Dash as an observer for Dhenkanal Lok Sabha seat, BJD has tried to placate him. However, Dash was unavailable for his comments on the development. Similarly, Arundhati was announced BJDs candidate for the Deogarh Assembly seat and she had also started campaigning. Arundhati had joined BJD recently along with her son and had met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Naveen Niwas. However, there was large-scale resentment within the party over her candidature. Sources said BJD was forced to change her candidature as local leaders were not in a mood to accept her. There was a strong possibility that the resentment of local leaders would have affected the performance of the party in Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat from where its organisational secretary is pitted against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The party had replaced Arundhanti with Romancha Ranjan Biswal who had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Assembly election against Subash Panigrahi of BJP. The saffron party has renominated Panigrahi this time.
BJD moves CEO against BeMC commissioner
BHUBANESWAR: The BJD on Monday moved the chief electoral officer (CEO) against the commissioner of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) Bhabani Prasad Mishra alleging the latter discriminated against the party by removing its display campaign materials like flexes and banners. In a memorandum submitted to the CEO, the BJD alleged that the municipal commissioner has not taken any such action against the BJP. If the pasting of signages and display campaign materials is wrong, how are such materials of BJP still on display? the BJD questioned. The BJD said this type of action has left a negative impact on the party given that polling is just seven days away. Stating this has been done with an ulterior motive to help the Opposition political parties, the memorandum said the BJD is facing a difficult situation for no fault. The party said it is not able to connect with the voters due to such action by the commissioner. The ruling party further urged the CEO to intervene into the matter and take strong action so that such discrimination does not take place.
Odisha: ECI nod to signing of agreements for three NH projects
BHUBANESWAR : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has granted permission to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for signing of contract agreements and commencement of works on 23 road projects in eight states including three national highway (NH) projects of Odisha. Of the three projects, funds for two were sanctioned by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on March 12, 2024. The ministry had allocated Rs 374.17 crore for construction of a 3.5 km-long six-lane flyover at Ainthapali junction and a two-lane road over bridge (limited height subway) on NH-53 (formerly NH-6) in Sambalpur district. In November last year, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had made a written request to Gadkari to sanction the flyover and ROB on NH-53 that connects Jharsuguda, Deogarh and Sambalpur through Bareipali street and Ainthapali. The proposed six-lane flyover will alleviate heavy traffic congestion at Ainthapali chowk. Additionally, the project incorporates the construction of a two-lane road over bridge, previously excluded from the Tileibani-Sambalpur four-laning project on NH-53. The letters of award (LoA) for the two projects were issued before announcement of election dates and commencement of the model code of conduct. Construction of balance work of eight elephant underpasses (EUPs), one vehicular underpass (VUP), and light vehicular underpass (LVUP), one pedestrian underpass (PUP), one foot over bridge (FOB) and a side approach of Jharpokharia flyover in Baharagora-Singhara section of NH-49 has also received approval from the ECI. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has moved the ECI seeking its permission for signing contract agreements with the successful bidders and commencement of works as the MCC is in force. The Commission has no objection from MCC angel for signing of contract agreements and commencement of works for the projects mentioned subject to the condition that no undue publicity shall be done by anyone any where in this regard, said the ECI.
Odisha neglected by Centre: Jairam Ramesh
BHUBANESWAR : Former Union minister and Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Monday hit out at the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for a steady decline in Central funding to Odisha. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his campaign tour in Odisha, Ramesh in a post in X, stated Odisha has suffered gross neglect at the hands of Modi Sarkar as the Centre has reduced Central funding in recent years. Jairam said as per CAG reports, Central transfers as percentage of revenue receipts have been consistently decreasing from 57 per cent in 2017-18 to 38 per cent in 2021-22. Similarly, CAG has noted that the states share of union taxes, as a percentage of revenue receipts of the state, has been continuously declining from 2018-19 to 2021-22. Grants under recommendation of the Fifteenth Finance Commission have also decreased recently. He asked what happened to prime ministers favourite slogan, Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas? Why is the prime minister neglecting the people of Odisha? Jairam said the Sitalapalli rail wagon factory has been in cold storage since it was sanctioned by the UPA government in 2013. He alleged the NDA government did not take up the project and dropped it in 2018. Jairam said when the current Railway Minister, a Rajya Sabha member from Odisha, took office, he promised to take up the project again. An official of East Coast Railway (ECoR) had said the project would be implemented in PPP mode. However, there has been no progress in this much-awaited project till date, he said adding two other projects, Gopalpur-Rayagada and Rairakhole-Gopalpur railway line, have also suffered the same fate.
Odisha Plus II exams: Results of all streams on same date
BHUBANESWAR : Results of all Plus II streams will be published on the same day this year, Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) officials said on Monday. Results of Science and Commerce used to be declared in the first phase and Arts and Vocational Education in the subsequent phase. However, results this time will be published for all streams on the same date, said a senior official from the Council. This apart, the official also ruled out speculations of delay in announcement of the results owing to elections. Efforts are on to publish the results of the Annual Higher Secondary Examination (AHSE) 2024 this month itself, the CHSE official said. He said evaluation of answer-sheets, carried out in two phases, is already over and tabulation will also be completed soon. We hope to announce the results within this month. The date of announcement of the results will be declared soon, he said. CHSE had conducted the Plus II final year exams in two phases between February 16 and March 20. Around 3.84 lakh students including 3.59 lakh regular and 25,000 ex-regular of all streams had appeared the exams at 1,160 different centres. Council officials said like the previous year, provisional certificate and marksheets will be made available for download in DigiLocker and NIC portal for the convenience of the students.
Bhubaneswar: Norwester relief from heat torture, more in the offing
BHUBANESWAR : A norwester hit the state capital, bringing with it rain and relief from the blistering heat and humid conditions, on Monday. Neighbouring regions such as Puri, Nayagarh, Khurda and Ganjam were lashed by a hailstorm. The rain and gusty wind brought down night temperature while humidity dropped, bringing much-needed relief to people. The thunderstorm also uprooted trees and disrupted power supply in various areas of Bhubaneswar. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said wind speed reaching 91 km per hour was recorded for around four minutes from 3.30 pm to 3.34 pm. The Odisha Fire and Emergency Service said trees were uprooted and branches snapped in different areas of the city. Fire personnel were engaged near Raj Bhavan, Khandagiri, Kolathia Phase-II, Unit-VI, OUAT, Raj Mahal Square, BDA market in Chandrasekharpur, Maa Mangala Basti in Lumbini Vihar, near Bhubaneswar Club, Dhauli Road, Jagamara Bada Sahi, Jatni and others to clear the uprooted trees which blocked vehicular movement. TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) took to X, formerly Twitter, and said electricity infrastructure was damaged in various places of the city due to the thunderstorm activity which resulted in power outages in some areas. The distribution company said ground staff were engaged to resolve the issues. The regional met office said hot conditions may gradually abate as thunderstorm, lightning and gusty surface winds are predicted in Odisha till Friday. Light to moderate rainfall and thundershowers are likely at many places in the state during the period. Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts may experience heavy rain and strong wind. Meanwhile, heatwave continued in western districts as 19 places recorded 40 degrees Celsius or more on the day. Balangir was the hottest at 44.5 degrees Celsius and Titlagarh 44 degree C. degreesm day temperature is very likely to fall by 4 degree to 6 degree during the next three to four days, said scientist of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre Umasankar Das.
Respite From Scorching Heat As Rain Lashes Odisha
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has received some relief from the scorching heat after Kalbaisakhi lashed the state. Meanwhile, the regional centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that rain is likely to intensify in the state from today. The Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, has further issued orange and yellow warnings for the rainfall activity [] The post Respite From Scorching Heat As Rain Lashes Odisha appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
99 per cent students clear ICSE in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR : Schools in the state secured a pass percentage of 99 per cent in the ICSE (Class X) and 98.9 per cent in the ISC (Class XII) examinations the results of which were announced by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) on Monday. And girls have outperformed the boys in both the examinations, yet again. According to CISCE reports, 8,739 students appeared for the ICSE of which 52.9 per cent were boys and 47 per cent were girls. While 1,726 students took the ISC examination, 50.5 per cent were boys and 49.4 per cent were girls. In ICSE, the pass percentage of girls was 99.34 pc and it was 98.86 per cent for boys. And in ISC, girls performed slightly better than the boys with 98.95 per cent clearing the examination. Boys secured 98.85 pass percentage. Special category students also performed well in both the examinations. Similarly, 588 SC students took the examination this year and achieved a pass percentage of 98.64 and 955 ST students wrote the test with 98.55 per cent of them clearing it. In the case of 1,404 OBC students, 99.5 per cent of them cleared the ICSE. In case of ISC examination, the pass percentage was 98.98 in case of SC students, 98.55 per cent for ST and 97.73 per cent of OBC students passed the test, informed secretary of CISCE Joseph Emmanuel. The board has also released the schedule for improvement exams for candidates who fail to pass the test. These exams will take place in July. As many as 93 ICSE schools and 33 schools offering ISC took part in the examinations. The CISCE will allow students to request re-checking and re-evaluation. For re-checking, students will be required to submit a fee of Rs 1,000 per paper, while for re-evaluation, they will need to pay Rs 1,500 per paper.
Odisha: Bonhomie gives way to bitterness as BJP, BJD take potshots at each other
Naveen dismisses BJP's claim, plans oath before Modi's date, criticizes opposition, contrasts schemes, and attacks BJP manifesto in Odisha.
Odisha: Molestation whiff in students suicide, Infocity police sat on abetment plaint
BHUBANESWAR : In a shocking case of apathy, parents of a fashion design student who died by suicide after allegedly being molested in the city had to wait for over a fortnight to convince police to register an abetment of suicide case. Infocity Police registered a case of unnatural death on April 19, a day after the incident. This despite the fact that the victim, a 4th year student, had left a suicide note mentioning she was mentally disturbed after being molested at a college party. The girls father who had seen her daughters note in the police station decided to lodge a complaint requesting to register the case as an abetment of suicide. He even sent a complaint through courier as well as by e-mail but the police reportedly claimed they never received it. The girls father said he arrived in the city on May 4 but the police continued to express reluctance to register an abetment of suicide case. The victims family lives in Delhi. On April 18, the girl died by suicide by hanging at her rented accommodation in Kanan Vihar area. Since I was unable to reach Bhubaneswar after being informed about the incident, police asked me to give my consent to shift her body to a hospital which I did by sending an SMS, said the grieving father who works with a private company in New Delhi. However, when he reached Bhubaneswar on the morning of April 19, he was shocked to find his daughters body was still in the same hanging position. Later, police took the body to hospital for postmortem after which the last rites were conducted in the city. However, the complainant continued to seek a detailed investigation after he came to know the fashion design student was possibly molested which led to the tragic incident but to no avail. His mail and courier went unheeded. When I arrived here, the Infocity Police asked me to approach the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to get my case registered. It was only after I went to meet the ACP that a case was registered under section 306 of IPC for abetment of suicide on May 4, he told this paper. Interestingly, the local police even said that investigation into the case will not gain any pace now as they are busy in election related duties, he claimed.
Odisha: Many Independents in poll fray for power, some for a cause
BHUBANESWAR : From a plumber to an anti-mining activist and an astrologer to an IITian, the first phase polls in Odisha has an interesting array of Independents who have thrown their hat into the election ring. A large number of Independents are in the fray for the first phase of twin elections which is scheduled on May 13. There are 37 candidates in fray for the four Lok Sabha constituencies - Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Berhampur and Koraput - and 243 candidates for the 28 Assembly segments. Of these candidates, 11 are Independent contenders for the four parliamentary constituencies and 77 are contesting from various Assembly segments. For many, the elections can be a stepping stone for their political careers but for a few others, its a fight for a cause. Padia Padiami of Chimitapalli village under Orkel block of Malkangiri is an electrician-cum-plumber by profession and he will be contesting as an Independent from Chitrakonda Assembly seat. People of Chimitapalli and villages nearby, which are located close to Balimela, came together in protest against lack of development in their area and decided to project 30-year-old Padia as their candidate in this election. All of them are also chipping in to fund his election expenses. Our main issues are lack of all-weather roads to our villages, and lack of MSP for our paddy, he said. Similarly, 29-year-old Suchitra Majhi of Kashipur is an Independent candidate for Gunupur Assembly seat. Having been resisting bauxite mining at Niyamgiri in Sijimali, Kutumali, Basangmali under Kashipur, she wants to take her anti-mining fight forward through this election. My fight is for safeguarding the interests of tribals for whom Niyamgiri is nothing less than God, said the young leader. She believes that politics can help her take the Niyamgiri mining issue to a bigger stage. From Koraput Assembly seat, 34-year-old medical sweeper Siba Prasad Sagadia will contest without any political representation. Although he works on a daily wage basis, Sagadia has in the past fought for the rights of vendors on the streets and migrant brick kiln workers. If I win, my fight will be for the workers at the grassroots including migrant labourers who are overlooked by their employees, administration and government, said the daily wager of Koraput, who funds his campaigning by seeking donations from locals. Likewise, migration is the poll plank of Dharmananda Gahir of Lakhapadar who is contesting for the Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency. Having pursued a doctorate in mathematics from IIT-Kanpur, Gahir quit his job as assistant professor at Ramjas college in Delhi to fight the polls. Labour migration which continues in Kalahandi and Nuapada pushed him into contesting elections to bring about policy changes, he said. Son of a farmer and an anganwadi worker, he is spending his savings from his decade-old job to fund his campaign. While two of the Independents are retired Army personnel, many others are farmers and former government employees. If they win, they are hopeful of being picked up by the mainstream political parties in the days ahead. However, the election history of the four constituencies and Assembly segments under them havent been in favour of Independents. None of these seats have elected any Independent in 2019, 2014 and 2009 elections as they managed to wrest only 10 per cent or less seats.
BJP daydreaming of coming to power: Odisha CM
BHUBANESWAR : Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that a BJP government will be sworn in on June 10 in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik came out with a stinging rebuttal terming it a daydream of the saffron party for many years. The chief ministers response came after 5T chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian informed him about the BJPs claim of forming government in the state while the two leaders were on their way from Bhawanipatna to address an election meeting at Khariar. The BJP is day dreaming since a long time, he said. Pandian shared the video of the chief ministers reaction on Instagram. While addressing an election meeting at Berhampur, the Prime Minister had asserted that June 4 is the expiry date of the BJD government in the state. The BJP government in Odisha will be sworn in on June 10, he stated. In a direct counter to the announcement of the Prime Minister, the 5T chairman said at the Bhawanipatna meeting that a BJD government will be sworn in for the sixth time in Odisha on June 9. The new government will be sworn in between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm, he added. Pandian said the chief minister has the blessings of Lord Jagannath because of which he is serving the people of the state without any self-interest and will continue to do so. The chief minister will create a history by leading the government for the sixth consecutive time. Odisha will create a new history, he said. Addressing the election meetings at Bhawanipatna and Khariar, the chief minister said the big promises made by the Opposition political parties were all lies. Stating that the leaders of the Opposition parties do not have any commitment for Odisha or Odia people, he said they remember Odisha only during election time. He urged the people to vote for Jodi Sankha- one for MLA and another for MP. The chief minister asked the people whether programmes and schemes launched by the state government like Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, Mamata, Mission Shakti, Srimandir Parikrama Prakalpa, 5T transformation of schools and LAccMI bus service were good. There was a positive response of people to these schemes launched by the government. BJD candidate from Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat Lamobadar Nial and Assembly segment nominees of Kalahandi and Nuapada districts were present with the CM.
Thunderstorm causes temporary disruption
Bhubaneswar: Following torrential rains and thunderstorm activity, fallen trees and broken branches caused obstruction on many roads in and around the Capital city, severely affecting movement of vehicles, Monday afternoon. The Special Relief Commissioners office directed the Fire Service, ODRF and OFDC personnel to clear the blockade immediately. The emergency personnel cleared the roads of []
Orissa HC commutes death sentence of man
Bhubaneswar: Observing that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future, the Orissa High Court Monday commuted the death sentence awarded by a lower court to a man for rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in Cuttack in 2018 to life imprisonment. A division bench of Justices Sangam Kumar Sahoo and []
Modi cut central funding for Odisha, alleges Jairam
Few takers for emergency call boxes on highway
Cop action to ensure free & peaceful polls
ICSE, ISC boards: Over 99% students clear Class X, XII
Norwester forces CMs chopper to return to Jguda
Villagers warn of poll boycott over lack of amenities
Temp plummets as norwesters lash capital city, several districts
Wife to fight against BJDs Pipili assembly candidate as Independent
Rayagada Cong unit chief Bijay Gamang quits
MLA candidates in 12 out of 28 seats have criminal cases
Supporters of Cong and Independent nominees clash in Puri
Man who hurled ink on Pandian files nomination
Rain spellsbring relief to Berhampur
BJD Sends Invite For CM Naveens Oath-Taking After BJPs Expiry Date Post
Bhubaneswar: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the BJP government will take oath in Odisha on June 10, the BJD has launched an innovative campaign on social media. The ruling party has made the invitation letter of BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaiks oath-taking ceremony viral on social media #OdishareHebaBJPSarkar pic.twitter.com/pkNJGRsj9b BJP Odisha (@BJP4Odisha) May [] The post BJD Sends Invite For CM Naveens Oath-Taking After BJPs Expiry Date Post appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
BJD files complaint with EC against BJPs Khurda candidate Prashant Jagdev
Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD in Odisha Monday filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that BJP candidate for the Khurda Assembly seat Prashant Jagdev threatened office-bearers of state-run Mission Shakti. A delegation of BJD leaders, which included Rajya Sabha MPs Sulata Deo and Sasmit Patra, filed the complaint with the chief electoral officer (CEO) []
Respite from Heatwave as Norwester Rain Lashes Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar: Norwester (Kala Baisakhi) rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning brought a brief respite from the scorching heatwave in Odisha. Manorama Mohanty, Regional Meteorological CenterDirectorsaid the weather has changed in thecoastal districts of the state. The IMD had earlier predicted a thunderstorm with Norwester in the afternoon. In the state capital Bhubaneswar, the thundershower lasted [] The post Respite from Heatwave as Norwester Rain Lashes Bhubaneswar appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .
