Air India flight AI-2489 from Delhi to Bhubaneswar was grounded Tuesday night due to a technical snag, leaving passengers stranded for hours at Delhi's IGI Airport. Union Minister Jual Oram and Dr. Subrat Acharya were among those affected. Passengers, including women and children, waited at Terminal 3 with no confirmed alternate flight.
Liquor shop sealed in Bhubaneswar after two consumers reportedly die
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government Tuesday sealed a liquor shop here following allegations that two persons died after consuming alcohol bought from the outlet, an official said. After receiving allegations from some locals of the Laxmisagar area here, a team of excise officials collected some samples from the liquor shop located near the station bazaar and []
Odisha govt reviews preparations ahead of PM Modis June 20 visit
Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis one-day visit to Bhubaneswar June 20, two high-level meetings were held here Tuesday to review preparedness for the event. Security officials held a meeting at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar, while Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja took stock of the preparedness at the state secretariat Lok []
Odisha Forest Minister urges public to turn crocodile conservation into mass movement
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Ganeshram Singkhuntia, Tuesday appealed to people to make the conservation of crocodiles a mass movement. The state Tuesday celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Crocodile Conservation Project in Odisha here. In a video message, which was played at the event organised on the occasion of International []
Odisha govt deputes four teams to diarrhoea-hit districts
Bhubaneswar: Odisha government Tuesday deputed four state-level teams to diarrhoea-affected districts to oversee field-level activities and support containment efforts, a top health official said. State Health Secretary Aswathi S told reporters that the teams comprise senior officers, experts, and advisers from the Health and Family Welfare Department. The teams will visit Bhubaneswar, Banki, Dhamnagar, Badachana, []
Authorities raid food outlets in three Odisha cities over diarrhoea concerns
Bhubaneswar: Raids were conducted Tuesday at several restaurants in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur and Cuttack to assess the standard of hygiene amid the diarrhoea outbreak in parts of the state, officials said. Diarrhoea was first detected in Jajpur June 9. Over 200 patients are still under treatment in different healthcare facilities in the district, they said. A []
Gopalpur gang-rape case: Odisha minister says culprits will not go scot-free
Bhubaneswar/Berhampur: The gang-rape of a college student at Gopalpur sea beach in Ganjam district has sent shockwaves across Odisha, with the state government vowing strict action against those involved in the crime. Expressing sorrow and shock over the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who also holds the portfolio of Women and Child Development department, []
Heavy rainfall likely in Odisha over next three days
Bhubaneswar: Heavy rainfall is likely in Odisha over the next three days, with the southwest monsoon covering the entire state and a low-pressure area forming nearby, officials said Tuesday. This year, monsoon entered Odisha May 28, 14 days ahead of schedule, they said. In a statement, the IMD said, Southwest monsoon has further advanced and []
BERHAMPUR/BHUBANESWAR: In a shocking incident, a 20-year-old college student was brutally gangraped by three youths at Gopalpur beach in front of her male friend who was allegedly held captive by seven other associates of the prime accused on Sunday evening. The youths took advantage of the isolated area behind the Panthanivas located under Gopalpur police limits to commit the crime. The sexual assault continued for over two hours as the three took turns to rape the girl, a Plus Three student in a Ganjam college. Showing immense courage, the rape survivor went to Gopalpur police station at about 11 pm to lodge a complaint. Police acted swiftly and detained eight accused within hours of the incident which has sent shockwaves in the state. All the suspects are in the age group of 19 to 23 and belong to Hinjili. Sources said, the accused, in a group of 10, were already present when the victim along with her classmate, reached the beach about 6.30 pm and was having a chat. Initial investigation revealed that the victim and her friend noticed the youths, sitting at a distance but had no inkling of what was to unfold. After darkness set in, the youths attacked the girls friend and held him captive. While three of them then took turns to allegedly rape the girl, the other helped them in the heinous act by pinning her down. The victim continued to plead but her ordeal lasted for over two hours. The accused even tried to strangulate her friend when he attempted to raise an alarm, police said. After committing the crime, the accused fled the spot. The victim then went to police and reported the matter following which seven of the suspects were rounded up. Subsequetly, another accused was held. Police said most of the accused are school and college dropouts. Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek M said efforts are underway to round up rest of the suspects. We have formed three teams to nab the remaining two accused. A case has been registered under Section 70(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Detailed investigation is underway, he added. The victim and the eight detained persons have been sent to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for medical examination. The incident has come as shocker as Gopalpur is among the top beach resort towns of the state.
DPRs submitted for comprehensive drainage system in Sambalpur city
SAMBALPUR: In a bid to mitigate the persistent waterlogging woes of people residing in low-lying areas of the city, the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has submitted a series of detailed project reports (DPRs) for a comprehensive drainage system which is awaiting final approval from the Housing and Urban Development department. The proposed drainage project involves preparation of a master plan and DPRs by Bhubaneswar-based Ecometrix Consultants Pvt Ltd at an estimated cost of Rs 2.46 crore. The project aims to provide a long-term solution to the citys recurring flooding and drainage woes, especially in low-lying wards. SMC commissioner Vedbhushan said a total of six DPRs have been forwarded to H&UD department so far. The department has shared its observations, basing on which weve revised the DPRs. The updated reports will be submitted by the end of this week. Once approved, the tendering process will begin. The master plan envisages a robust storm water drainage system to mitigate floods, waterlogging and urban inundation. Key watercourses identified for development include Malti Jore, Harad Jore, Dhobi Jore, Tangara nullah, Mandalia nullah, Power Channel, and all primary, secondary and tertiary drains across the 41 municipal wards of Sambalpur city. As part of its groundwork, the Bhubaneswar-based agency conducted DGPS survey covering 353 sq km across all 41 wards - home to around 3.5 lakh residents. Ward-level feedback meetings were also held to map existing drainage bottlenecks and problems. While the implementation of the master plan will take time, the SMC is ramping up short-term measures to handle waterlogging issues in the current monsoon season. Missing drains are being constructed and narrow ones widened. Major drains have been desilted to ensure uninterrupted water flow. The situation will be better this year, the commissioner added. Currently, localities like Sakhipara, Chandan Nagar, Charbhati, Mandalia, Binakhandi, Balibandha, Govindtola, Hirakud Colony, Housing Board Colony, Modipara and Kumbharpara - all situated in low-lying zones - suffer the most due to outdated and undersized drainage channels. Besides, the localities near Mahanadi river often grapple with flood-like situations caused by backwater from the dam. The new drainage system is expected to resolve these issues that have persisted for over two decades.
OHRC seeks report on ban on SCs from crematoriums in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR : The OHRC has asked the additional chief secretary in the Revenue and Disaster Management department and secretary of ST & SC Development department to submit reports on allegations of SC community people of Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and Khurda being denied use of public crematoriums. A complaint was filed with the OHRC by state coordinator of Bahujan Student & Youth Front Anil Mallick who alleged that there has been systemic exclusion of SC people from accessing public crematoriums and they are forced to cremate the bodies in open fields which is a violation of Article 17 of the Constitution, and the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Citing an incident, he said in Jagatsinghpur district, a crematorium at Jaleswarpada village displays a casteist signboard Mohanty Sahi and SCs are denied access. In 2018, the state government had prohibited the practice of displaying caste signboards at crematoriums. In Cuttacks Dhurusia, they have been threatened of social boycott if they use the community crematorium. The OHRC has sought the reports by August 26.
Southwest monsoon picks up pace in Odisha after 18-day lull
BHUBANESWAR: After a brief lull, southwest monsoon advanced to more parts of Odisha on Monday and conditions are favourable for its further progress over the remaining parts within the next two to three days, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Despite arriving in the state on May 28, almost two weeks ahead of its usual date of June 12, the monsoon had last advanced on May 29 after which it lost pace. It progressed 18 days later on Monday, said the weather experts. The regional met office attributed the progress of monsoon in the state to the cyclonic circulation over north-west Bay of Bengal. Under the influence of the weather system, a few places are likely to experience heavy rainfall in the next four days. Most places are expected to witness light to moderate rainfall or thundershower activity in the next two days, it added. Thunderstorm, lightning, gusty surface wind speeds reaching 30 kmph to 40 kmph along with heavy to very heavy rainfall are likely to occur in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts on Tuesday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall may prevail in Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts on Wednesday. In the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Monday, Banki in Cuttack recorded very heavy showers by receiving 170 mm rains. At least 10 other places received heavy rainfall during this period. Parts of the state also received rains on the day. Chandbali received 44 mm rains between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. The rainfall deficit has come down in the last two days due to the prevailing active phase of the monsoon. The state had received 42 per cent deficit rains between June 1 and 15, but the shortfall reduced to 31 per cent on the day. Meanwhile, due to an increase in the rainfall activity, the day temperature is likely to fall by 2 degree Celsius to 4 deg C in the next 24 hours.
Odisha Dy CM Pravati Parida calls for skill training to rehabilitate gender violence survivors
BHUBANESWAR: Deputy chief minister Pravati Parida on Monday called for skill development of women who have been victims of gender-based violence, to mainstream them in the society. Chairing a state-level workshop on gender-based violence and trauma informed care of survivors here, the deputy chief minister said the state government now has a zero tolerance policy towards gender-based violence. Focus should be on skill development of women victims who have taken shelter in governments One Stop centres or Sakhi centres and other such facilities, to integrate them back into the society and boost their self-confidence, Parida said, urging the police to deal with such cases sensitively and resolve them. Speaking on the occasion, IGP (Crimes against Women and Children) Saini S said there is a need to change the mindset of people. Expressing concern over the rise in such cases, Saini said women mostly face violence from their own family members. Principal secretary of WCD department Shubha Sarma said all the departments of the state government will have to work in tandem to prevent gender-based violence in the state. The violence includes rape, molestation, dowry-related violence, eve-teasing, acid attacks and domestic violence etc. NCRB data of 2022 states that conviction rate in women-related violence cases in Odisha was 9.3 pc, one of the lowest in the country. UNFPA India representative and country director, Bhutan, Andreya M Vajanar and Padma Shri awardee Sunita Krishnan also spoke.
Vedanta plans Rs 1.28L cr mega smelter plant in Dhenkanal
BMC to showcause realtor over water-borne diseases in housing society
SC ruling may lead to reopening of ongoing property disputes: Experts
Cops launch statewide drive to prevent crimes during Rath Yatra in Puri
Kandhamal residents move PM for railway station at Madhapur
Solar lights installed in Ganjam villages to check entry of elephants
Man found murdered with face smashed
Chief secy reviews devpt work in Koraput
Govt identifies land for construction of guesthouse
CM launches website of finance panel
Exposed drinking water pipelines near open drains worry Cuttack residents
Odisha PhD student in Israel fears for safety amid Iran conflict
20-yr-old gang-raped by 10 men at popular beach in Ganjam dist
Patiagarh gears up for annual sojourn of deities
Cuttacks pvt hospitals to face compliance checks
Puri kings younger brother Ranarnab Deb passes away
Odisha clears 8 mega industrial projects with total investment of Rs1.51 lakh crore
Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to Odishas industrialisation, the state government Monday approved eight mega projects worth an investment of over Rs 1.51 lakh crore, which will create over 62,000 job opportunities, officials said. The industrial projects were approved at the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The aluminium, []
6th State Finance Commission meets Odisha CM to seek suggestions
Bhubaneswar: Chairperson of the Sixth State Finance Commission, Dr Arun Kumar Panda, Monday called on Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and sought his suggestions for empowerment of local bodies. The Commission was mandated to recommend transfer of resources from the state government to Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, Zilla Parishads, Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Notified []
Odisha committed to zero-tolerance on gender-based violence: Parida
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards gender-based violence, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said here Monday. Parida was addressing a state-level workshop on gender-based violence and trauma-informed care of survivors organised here by the Odisha State Commission for Women. Gender-based violence undermines the health, dignity, safety and freedom of the victims, []
73,346 youths employed in 369 days: Odisha CM Majhi
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Monday said his government has facilitated employment for 73,346 youths in just 369 days since taking office. Speaking at the Nijukti Mela (employment fair), where appointment letters were distributed to 964 newly recruited youths, mostly junior engineers, Majhi said, Our government is only one year and four days []
Cholera outbreak in Jajpur has reached endemic stage, officials say
Bhubaneswar: A central team, after inspecting diarrhoea and cholera-hit areas in Odishas Jajpur, Monday said that cholera was at an endemic stage in the district. There is no cholera outbreak in the district; it is endemic with just a little surge in cases, Shibani Lahiri, a member of the central team, told reporters here. We []
Congress reminds BJP govt in Odisha of unfulfilled promises on its first anniversary
New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Congress Monday alleged that the BJP has failed to fulfil its poll promises made to the people of Odisha and that its double engine government has looted the state and played with its identity. As the BJP government in Odisha completed its one year June 12, the Opposition party said it had no []
Puri titular kings younger brother passes away
Bhubaneswar: Ranarnaba Deb, younger brother of Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, died at the age of 67, family sources said Monday. Deb, popularly known as Thata Raja (part of the kings team), died of cardiac arrest at a private hospital. He had been suffering from multiple health issues, the family said. Condoling the death of Deb, []
Puri King's brother Ranarnab Deb passes away at 67
Ranarnab Deb, the younger brother of Puri's King Dibyasingha Deb, has died at the age of 67 after a long illness. He passed away at a private hospital in Puri, and his last rites will be conducted with full royal honors.
Gastro spreads to five more districts, minister visits Jajpur
BHUBANESWAR/JAJPUR: With fresh cluster outbreaks reported from five more districts, the diarrhoea and cholera situation in Odisha continued to remain grim for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday. In addition to the severely-affected Jajpur district where 11 samples have tested positive for Vibrio cholerae, hundreds of cases have been reported from Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Bargarh, Puri, Dhenkanal and Kendrapara. Contaminated food and water are suspected to be the primary cause behind the spike in infections, prompting urgent field visits and high-level reviews by both state and central health authorities. While 15 persons have died so far and over 2,000 affected in the clusters, the state government confirmed the death of five persons and 1,771 hospitalisations due to diarrhoea. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said, of them, 1,508 patients have been discharged after recovery, while 258 are currently undergoing treatment. Five diarrhoea-related deaths have been confirmed through clinical investigations, and inquiries are ongoing into five other suspected fatalities, he said. A 14-member central team, divided into two groups, visited the worst-hit Jajpur district while Health minister Mukesh Mahaling undertook a field inspection of affected areas in Anandpur sub-division of Keonjhar, and Badachana, Dharmasala and Jajpur Road in Jajpur district. After the field assessment, the minister said, four teams from different departments are investigating to find out the cause of the outbreak of the disease. The investigation is under progress and they have not come to any conclusion. We are closely monitoring developments and ensuring rapid response teams are in place. The government is working hard to contain the outbreak effectively, Mahaling assured. Emphasising the need for robust preventive steps, the Health minister instructed engineers of the Water Supply department to conduct systematic chlorination and treatment of all drinking water sources, especially tubewells and water storage tanks. Health department field staff have been directed to intensify door-to-door screening of residents, provide ORS, medicines, and refer serious cases to hospitals without delay. Mahaling said health officials are tracking all reported cases. The diarrhoea nodal officer of the district is maintaining a database of the patients. Prophylactic doses of doxycycline are being administered to family members and close contacts to break the chain, he informed. The central health team reviewed the state governments response measures. The team is expected to meet senior government officials on Monday. The situation is under control. No new clusters are being reported from the areas where the outbreaks were recorded initially. Since it is a bacterial infection, it will take at least seven days to subside, said a visiting official.
ULBs asked to step up preventive and response measures to tackle diarrhoea outbreak in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: In wake of the diarrhoea outbreak in multiple districts, the state government on Sunday issued an advisory to all urban local bodies (ULBs) and district-level officials asking them to step up preventive and response measures to effectively deal with the health crisis. Reviewing preparedness of the civic bodies in this connection, principal secretary of the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department Usha Padhee directed immediate inspection and cleaning of all drinking water sources and identification of potential hotspots for early preventive measures. Considering the situation, we need to act swiftly to contain the spread and safeguard communities from the infection, Padhee said while calling for enhanced vigilance and realtime monitoring of the sanitisation measures, especially in the urban pockets vulnerable to water contamination. The civic bodies and district administrations have been asked to maintain close coordination with the Health and Family Welfare department and immediately flag the issue in the event of any cluster outbreak or pattern of mass reporting of diarrhoea. The ULBs have been asked to take up sensitisation drive for the field staff and citizens and encourage community engagement for hygiene practices. Steps to be taken: Civic bodies to inspect cleaning of all drinking water sources Identify potential hotspots for early preventive measures Dist admins to maintain close coordination, flag the issue in the event of cluster outbreak in urban pockets Sensitisation drive to be organised for field staff and citizens
BHUBANESWAR: Amid push for enhanced operational safety of airports following the deadly airplane crash in Ahmedabad, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to form joint teams to conduct survey in the localities that come under the funnel zone of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA). The funnel zone includes areas that align with airport runways and paths flights follow while landing and taking off. The zone is crucial for ensuring flight safety and involves height restrictions on buildings to allow safe navigation. BMC commissioner and Airfield Environment Management Committee (AEMC) chairman Rajesh Prabhakar Patil told this paper that the joint teams will be formed to assess the operational safety of the city airport. The funnel part is an important area where building regulations need to be strictly followed. The survey will be conducted to see if there has been any violation of the norms in the past, Patil said. Apart from officials of the city airport and other line departments, the joint teams will also include the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), he added. There is an ancient temple in the area under ASIs control, where pruning is needed for tall trees. Besides, the airport authorities have also reportedly sought shifting of the coconut farm of OUAT, located in the close vicinity of the airport. Patil said the farm as well as the garbage generated in the nearby settlements and markets attract birds to the area which could pose a significant challenge. Steps are also being taken to address this concern. BPIA director Prasanna Pradhan said the civic body has been informed about the issues as part of the meeting which is held from time to time considering the issues that usually crop up in urban areas.
Odisha to witness increase in rainfall activity in next four days
BHUBANESWAR: The hot and humid weather may give way to a fall in temperature as the state is poised to witness enhanced rainfall activity in the next four days. The rain, which is likely to be widespread, is also expected to reduce the monsoon deficit of 42 per cent in the last 15 days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said many parts of the state will experience rainfall while some will witness heavy downpour during the period. Thunderstorm, lightning with gusty surface wind speeds reaching 30 kmph to 40 kmph and heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in six districts on Monday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall activity is likely to prevail in five districts on Tuesday. Thunderstorm activity may also occur in Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and five other districts in the next 24 hours, said the national weather forecaster. The cyclonic circulation over north-west Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood is expected to enhance the rainfall activity in Odisha. Besides, the weather system will also assist in the advancement of the southwest monsoon into some parts of the state within the next 24 hours, said director of Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, Manorama Mohanty. At least seven districts recorded large deficient rainfall and 16 received deficit showers between June 1 and 15. While five districts received normal rainfall, only two recorded excess showers in the last 15 days.
PM Modi to release state BJP govts Odisha Vision-2036 document on June 20
BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the Odisha Vision-2036 document at the BJP governments first anniversary celebration in the state, on June 20. Informing this to mediapersons on Sunday, Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the vision document has been prepared after extensive deliberations and covers all aspects and sectors including welfare, infrastructure, agriculture and rural empowerment. The vision document reflects the development priorities of our government and will be the road map to achieve the desired goal of a developed state. We will have the privilege to hand over the document to Vikas Purush Modi, who has a clear vision for the overall development of the country, for its release at the function, Harichandan said. Aiming to be an economic powerhouse with a $500 million economy by 2036 when Odisha will complete 100 years of its formation as a separate state and $1.5 trillion economy by 2047 when India will commemorate the 100th year of its Independence, the council of ministers of the Mohan Charan Majhi government had in April last year given its stamp of approval for the Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047 document with a resolve to make a prosperous and developed state and also help in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. The state government recently launched a strategic initiative called 36 for 36 by identifying 36 flagship initiatives which will have a significant impact on key sectors by 2036 to shape the future of the state. In a state-level workshop for consultation with various stakeholders on the vision document last week, the chief minister had said that Odisha is the first state in the country to analyse the proposals submitted by people, through Artificial Intelligence. The document, formulated through a wide-scale participatory process, incorporates inputs from over 3.2 lakh citizens, including more than 50,000 students, making it one of the most inclusive planning exercises in recent years, he had said. Responding to a query, Harichandan said the prime ministers visit to the state on June 20 is still intact and there has been no change.
20 senior IPS officers to helm important security duties during Rath Yatra in Puri
BHUBANESWAR: Around 20 senior IPS officers will be assigned various duties for Rath Yatra in Puri which is scheduled to commence from June 27. Sources said as per the tentative plan, Transport commissioner and ADG Amitabh Thakur will be in charge of temple security, inner cordon, and the chariots of the Trinity. He will be assisted by Crime Branch IG Sarthak Sarangi and Special Task Force (STF) DIG Pinak Mishra. Similarly, ADG (Modernisation) Saumyendra Kumar Priyadarsi will be in charge of outer cordon and crowd management. He will be supported by three to four IPS officers including North Central Range IG Satyabrata Bhoi, Special Armed Police (SAP) IG Awinash Kumar and DIG (Provisioning) Charan Singh Meena. ADG (Communication) Dayal Gangwar will be in charge of traffic and integrated control room and will be assisted by DIG Special Intelligence Wing (SIW) Kanwar Vishal Singh and Crime Branch DIG Battula Gangadhar. Director Intelligence RP Koche will be in charge of the overall intelligence sector and IG (Operations) Deepak Kumar will head the anti-terrorist squads. IG (Training), Biju Patnaik State Police Academy Anup Sahoo will handle the security of the VVIPs. Sources said though Odisha Police has not received any communication so far, it is making arrangements anticipating the visit of either President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah during Rath Yatra. The in-charge of force deployment, their welfare and logistics will be ADG SAP Rajesh Kumar, and ADG Law and Order Sanjay Kumar will lead the security sector. Earlier in the day, DGP YB Khurania chaired a high-level security meeting for Rath Yatra. Sources said after the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives and Centres subsequent Operation Sindoor, Odisha Police is on high alert for the chariot festival. HIT teams will be deployed in Puri to immediately take action if any suspicious movement is noticed. Bada Danda (Grand Road) and the entire Puri town will be under a very close vigil from the upcoming weekend, they added. Police sources said a list of over 10 unforeseen situations including movement of militants has been prepared and separate/special arrangements will be made involving multiple agencies to handle such sensitive situations. The stretch from Uttara on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar to Puri will be covered by AI-enabled CCTV cameras. Efforts are also being made to install CCTV cameras between Puri and Konark, they added. An integrated control room will be set up at the Town police station in Puri from where CCTV coverage will be monitored, police said. Addressing mediapersons, Khurania said a mobile app will be launched for the visitors in which they can check the routes experiencing heavy traffic, and plan their movement accordingly.
Shocked by govts failure in curbing diarrhoea outbreak: Odisha LoP Naveen Patnaik
BHUBANESWAR: With diarrhoea spreading to more and more districts, leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Sunday slammed the government for failing to control the outbreak, which has resulted in loss of lives and caused widespread panic in the state. Expressing his concern over the deteriorating situation, Naveen said the state governments casual approach to the outbreak is shocking and disturbing, especially considering the severity of the situation with multiple districts under its grip. What was rarely seen for years is now disrupting daily life and causing widespread panic in several districts of Odisha including Jajpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Puri, Cuttack, and Keonjhar. As of now, 14 persons have lost their lives to the disease, which has left me deeply saddened, Naveen said in a post on X. The BJD president said, The state governments response to the outbreak raises serious concerns. I urge them to take immediate and decisive action to contain the spread of cholera and protect peoples lives. In response to Naveens allegation, the state government said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had promptly directed district officials and senior Health department officials to take necessary action after receiving reports of diarrhoea outbreak in parts of Jajpur and Keonjhar districts. All health centres in the districts have been put on high alert to ensure that everyone receives proper healthcare. Measures are being taken to disinfect all drinking water sources in Jajpur district as soon as possible, impose restrictions on street food until further notice, and intensify food safety inspections. Neighbouring districts have been advised to remain vigilant to prevent the spread of the disease, said a statement issued by the office of the chief minister. The Health minister is closely monitoring the situation through regular discussions with doctors and officials from various districts. To support the state governments efforts in controlling the outbreak, a team from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has arrived in Odisha, the CMO said.
From Chokli to Germany: Kerala village stands by Anamikas volleyball dream
KANNUR: With the collective support of kind-hearted well-wishers, sports enthusiasts, and local clubs, Anamika Aneesh from Chokli has realised her long-cherished dream of wearing the Indian jersey at the World University Volleyball Championship. What once seemed an uphill battle due to financial hurdles has now turned into a proud moment for the small village in Kannur. Anamika is scheduled to leave for a special training camp in Bhubaneswar on June 16, ahead of the international tournament in Germany. The turning point in her volleyball journey came in 2016, when the Chokli panchayat, through a special decision, appointed volleyball coach K Sivadasan under the District Sports Council. It was during the training camp led by Sivadasan that Anamikas talent was first spotted. I was in Class 6 when I began training. In Class 7, I moved to a hostel to get more practice. It was always my dream to play in the national jersey, said Anamika. After completing her Plus II education at Thalassery Girls School, where she also trained under the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Anamika continued to chase her dreams. She is currently a third-year undergraduate student at Assumption College, Changanassery, and trains under renowned volleyball coach Nawaz Bahab. Representing MG University, Anamika has made her mark at the national level by securing second place in the Junior National Volleyball Championship, the South Zone Inter-University Championship, and the All India Inter-University Championship. Recalling her selection to the national team, Anamika said, After the All India Championship in May, the national volleyball association organised a selection camp. By the end of the month, I was told that I had been selected for the national team. It was a dream-come-true moment. There were many talented players in the camp, and I never thought Id make it. However, the excitement was soon dampened when she was informed about the financial costs she would have to bear to participate in the international tournament -- approximately Rs 2.5 lakh. My father is an auto driver, and my family depends entirely on his income. I was devastated when I learned about the expenses. Thats when kind-hearted people from my village came forward to help. My college also offered financial support, she added. A total of 12 players from universities across India have been selected for the national camp. The camp was initially planned for a month, but since the international tournament in Germany begins on July 16, our practice time may be cut short. We will travel directly to Germany after the camp, said Anamika. Volleyball runs in Anamikas family. Her father, Aneesh, once played for local clubs, while her sister, Ananya, captained the Kerala Police volleyball team. As she prepares to represent India on the world stage, Anamika carries with her not just personal ambition, but the hopes and pride of an entire village that rallied behind her dream.
Maoist informer held in explosives loot case
Non-servitors climbing chariots during Rath Yatra to face arrest: Minister
Anti-drone system to be launched during Rath Yatra in Puri: DGP
From tradition to trade: Pithas rule Raja season
Signal blockers in state prisons still jammed in 2G era
Fishing resumes after 2-month ban along Odisha coast
BMC to use new surgery technique for sterilising stray dogs
Fresh plea by Puri king to Iskcon on Rath Yatra date
Theft accused escapes from police station
Burglars loot gold jewellery worth Rs 11L, Rs 1.5L cash from Sgarh home
Govt issues advisory to ULBs, dist admns to contain outbreaks
Odia films attract large crowds during raja festival
Ganjam dist faces paddy seed deficit
3 killed in lightning strikes in state
Stop diarrhoea drive in Southern Odisha from June 16
Measures being taken to contain diarrhoea outbreak: CMO
4-yr-old hurt in accident dies
Panis Karna Arjuna gets a stage in Canada
6 detained on murder charge in Keonjhar village
Eight held for attacking forest officials in Kjhar
Odisha CM asks health dept to take urgent steps to control spread of diarrhoea
Bhubaneswar: Amidst an outbreak of diarrhoea in some areas of Jajpur and Keonjhar districts, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Sunday directed the health department to take urgent measures to prevent its spread to neighbouring districts. According to a statement from the Chief Ministers Office (CMO), all health facilities in the affected districts have been []
Passenger bus overturns in Khurda, seven injured
Bhubaneswar: At least seven people have been injured after a passenger bus, in which they were travelling, overturned on the National Highway (NH) 16 in Odishas Khurdadistrict Sunday afternoon, police said. The bus was traveling from Bhubaneswar to Aska in Ganjam district with more than 40 passengers when it overturned near Pitapalli, they said. According []
Weather news: Odisha likely to face gusty winds, heavy rain over next five days
Bhubaneswar: Odisha is likely to experience widespread thunderstorm activity and heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next five days as favourable conditions push the southwest monsoon further into the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Sunday. The forecast, valid from June 15 to 19, includes warnings for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds []
Odisha puts ULBs on alert as diarrhoea cases rise across districts
Bhubaneswar:Amid a rising number of diarrhoea cases across multiple districts, Odisha government Sunday issued an alert to all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and directed them to take swift preventive and response measures. The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department released an urgent advisory instructing ULBs and district officials to step up monitoring, sanitise water sources, []
Naveen slams Odisha governments lax response to cholera outbreak
Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik Sunday criticised the BJP-led state government for its lax approach in handling the cholera outbreak. Taking to his official X handle, Patnaik wrote, The state governments light-handedness in the face of cholera spreading in Odisha is shocking and []
Central team arrives to assess diarrhoea spread in three Odisha districts
BHUBANESWAR : Amid a worsening diarrhoea outbreak in at least three districts in the state, a Central team of health experts arrived here on Saturday to support the containment efforts. The outbreak that was first reported in Jajpur district five days back has been traced to the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, raising serious concerns over water safety and food hygiene in the region. Sources said, so far at least 15 people, including 11 from Jajpur, three from Keonjhar and one from Bhadrak have died in separate outbreaks. Three more samples tested positive for Vibrio cholerae, taking the total number of cases to 11. The official death toll, however, has been pegged at five. On the day, the state government confirmed that 1,516 people in Jajpur district alone have been affected in the outbreak with 88 new cases. While 1,306 among them have recovered, 210 are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. The 14-member central team, including four special food quality officials of Food Safety and Quality Authority of India, will visit the affected areas in separate groups on Sunday. One group, led by the regional director of Health and Family Welfare and accompanied by an epidemiologist of Kolkata-based National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections will take stock of the situation in the worst-hit Dharmasala in Jajpur district. Another team comprising a paediatric specialist and a microbiologist from AIIMS Bhubaneswar and FSSAI officer will tour other affected blocks. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said the teams intervention is crucial as the exact source of contamination is yet to be ascertained, though early evidence suggests drinking water contamination.
Wheels of Heritage turn anew: The Maharajor story
NUAPADA: Till two decades back, Maharajors identity on Nuapada map was of a village where migration for employment was a norm. Today, villagers are giving up migration to earn livelihood from their traditional craft - pottery. Albeit, by shifting to contemporary terracotta designs. It took a pandemic, a helping hand from the state government and willingness of the villagers to bring about the shift. The village is home to 85 families and a majority of them are now dedicated towards transforming it into a hub of terracotta craftsmanship. Located in Bhoden block, Maharajor is home to the Kumbhar or the potters community. As demand for traditional pottery declined, many had given up the profession. Migration became a necessity. It was only during the Covid-19 pandemic that many of these families returned home. With the pause came a new opportunity - to revisit and revive their own craft. This is when the Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts department stepped in. We were then conducting awareness camps to make people aware of various training programmes for handicrafts. The potters families that had returned approached us to know about ways to revive their traditional crafts and if any government schemes could help them do so, recalled PR Sahu, assistant director of the department. The department decided to help them revive their craft and also, adapt it for todays market. Training began about two years back. Some of the villagers were provided loans to procure electric potters wheels, reducing physical effort and increasing productivity. The department facilitated regular soil supply and provided hand holding support in marketing their products. The villagers soon started experimenting with new and contemporary products and designs. Training began about two years back. Some of the villagers were provided loans to procure electric potters wheels, reducing physical effort and increasing productivity. The range of items expanded from regular clay utensils to attractive home dcor pieces. With improved designs and better finish, the products started reaching state-level exhibitions like the Toshali Fair in Bhubaneswar, giving artisans access to larger markets. To organise the potters, SHGs were formed and two of them - Maa Jayadurga and Maa Manikeswari - now include around 30 families working regularly on terracotta items. They have been actively selling their produces at fairs in different districts since last one year. Jogeswar Rana, a former migrant worker, is one of the key figures in this journey. Though pottery was our family legacy, we had to leave it behind to earn a living. Until a few years ago, we moulded clay in other states for others benefit. Now, we shape the same clay in our homes with dignity, he said. Rana expressed interest in becoming a master-trainer and was trained further in Bhubaneswar. So far, he has trained over 45 women in the village. Nuapada collector Madhusudan Das, who has led the districts push to reduce labour migration, called Maharajor a promising model. This village has shown how targeted skill development, backed by consistent support, can reduce dependency on migration and restore local livelihoods, he said. Inspired by Maharajors progress, villagers from other parts of Boden, as well as Sinapali and Khariar blocks, have shown interest in learning pottery. Some of them will receive training in the next few months. For now, families in Maharajor are earning steadily, staying closer to home, and finding value in the work that once seemed unviable. The quiet hum of potters wheels has replaced the silence left by migration.
Security to be doubled for Rath Yatra after Operation Sindoor
BHUBANESWAR : Keeping in view the security concerns, the central agencies and Odisha Police have decided to double the security arrangement in Puri for Rath Yatra, the largest religious congregation in the country. The Rath Yatra is to be held on June 27. Usually, there is a two-layer security for the chariot festival, both managed by Odisha Police. However, considering the prevailing sensitive situation, the central and state agencies have decided to ramp up their presence and create four-layer security cover during Rath Yatra instead of two, said sources. While the first three layers will be guarded by Odisha Police, the fourth will be manned by commandos. The third layer of Odisha Police will consist of strategic guards. During previous years, polices main focus was to maintain law and order, VIP security, crowd control and parking arrangements. However, there are two challenges this time - internal and external security threats, said a senior police officer. The internal security threat could be possible attempts to activate any sleeper cell in the state ahead of Rath Yatra and the external security threat is related to infiltration bids by militants either through sea or land routes. Odisha Police is coordinating with various central agencies and collecting ground intelligence. Apart from visible deployment, confidential security arrangements have also been made to immediately handle any emergency situation, said the senior police officer. The security measures have been bolstered significantly on Badadanda (Grand Road). Rapid Action Force (RAP) personnel are usually deployed during the pulling of the chariots of the Trinity, but this time they will be assisted by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Sources said the deployment of police forces and CAPFs will be massively enhanced for the chariot festival. Earlier, about 170 platoons of police force and four companies of CAPF were engaged. However, the number will be increased to at least 200 platoons of police force and eight companies of CAPF this year. Technology including anti-drone equipment will act as force multipliers. All efforts are being made to make certain that the Rath Yatra passes off smoothly, said the police.
Ambulance booking through Odisha Yatri soon
BHUBANESWAR: People in the state can soon book an ambulance through the ride-hailing mobile app Odisha Yatri. The Odisha government is planning to integrate the ambulance services with its homegrown cab aggregator app. The Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) department, in coordination with the State Transport Authority (STA) and Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), is working on modalities to onboard ambulances on the ONDC-based platform to improve access and last-mile healthcare delivery. Odisha Yatri is a direct-to-driver app implemented by the state government. There is no commission or middle-men and the users pay goes 100 per cent to the owner of the vehicle. Officials said the Health department will coordinate with CRUT, the licensed aggregator of the app, to ensure seamless tech-enabled access to ambulances. Once implemented, patients will be able to locate, book, and track ambulances directly through the mobile application, a move aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of emergency transport across the state, said a health official. The initiative comes close on the heels of the governments decision to regulate private ambulance operations. As decided, a campaign-mode registration drive has been launched to bring all private ambulances under a single, standardised platform. At a recent high-level committee chaired by principal secretary of Commerce and Transport department Usha Padhee, it was decided that the technical committee of the STA in coordination with the Health department will soon finalise ambulance hire charges. The Transport and Health departments will jointly conduct awareness-cum-surveillance camps around AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, and Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar to raise public awareness and ensure enforcement. Help desks will also be set up near major hospitals to facilitate ambulance bookings in a prepaid format with predefined and standardised rates, the official added. In order to ensure compliance with safety and quality norms, regional transport officers (RTOs) have been instructed to examine no objection certificates (NOC) issued by Health officials and MVIs to verify adherence to AIS standards before granting or renewing registrations of ambulances. All registered ambulances will also be mandatorily integrated with the vehicle location tracking system (VLTS) to enable GPS-based monitoring and faster emergency response. The tracking devices will be compatible with the central application deployed by the authority, with technical inputs being sourced from STA to ensure interoperability. Ambulance operators who comply with the new regulatory framework will be incentivised through exemptions in statutory taxes and fees. The STA has been asked to issue detailed guidelines.
Encouraging adolescents voice in urban planning, the UDDIPAAN way
BHUBANESWAR: UDDIPAAN, a neighbourhood inclusive public space development initiative, kicked off at OUAT farmgate here on Saturday to showcase how small-scale and low-cost interventions can trigger systemic change by centering adolescents voice in urban planning. The programme, organised by city-based Humara Bachpan Trust (HBT) in collaboration with WRI India and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), has transformed a high-footfall, youth-centric location into an inclusive, safe and vibrant public space. HBT officials said UDDIPAAN, that coincides with Raja festival, reflects a bold vision for a period-positive, gender-sensitive, and adolescent-responsive public realm. The space has been divided into three thoughtfully-curated zones such as wellness zone, play zone and reflection trail. The wellness zone is equipped with nine activity stations to promote mental and physical health, while play zone features floor-mark games, eco-seating, swings, and interactive activity walls. The reflection trail includes a sensory path with shaded nature trails, traditional swings, heritage elements, and a selfie wall. The programme will continue till June 18. A three-day knowledge dissemination exhibition and workshop is also being organised. This is this second tactical urbanism (TU) intervention under the Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA) - II drive and has been built on the success of the first initiative taken up at Rajdhani College frontage earlier, the organisers said.
18 hospitalised after community feast in Odisha's Bargarh, food poisoning suspected
SAMBALPUR: Suspected food poisoning at a community feast left at least 18 persons sick in Kuapali village under Paikmal block of Bargarh district. The feast was organised as part of a post-cremation ritual on Friday and people from neighbouring villages such as Dunguripali, Bhagatpur and Banamal gathered to partake in the community meal. By evening, several participants began to experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. As the numbers grew, 17 people were immediately referred to Padampur sub-divisional hospital for treatment. One more was shifted later, bringing the total number of impacted persons to 18. Meanwhile, a local medical team led by Dr Sudipta Sahu along with community health officer, ANM, ASHA and anganwadi workers rushed to the village and initiated a door-to-door health screening and treatment. On Saturday morning, Bargarh chief district medical officer (CDMO) Dr Kubera Chandra Mahanta, along with senior health officials, visited the village. The team distributed medicines to 161 families and advised residents to drink boiled water, avoid stale food and use halazone tablets to disinfect water. Health workers also collected samples of drinking water and leftover food for laboratory analysis. The samples have been sent to Bhubaneswar for testing to identify the cause of illness. Three patients from the village are currently under observation at the Kuapali anganwadi centre, where a temporary health camp has been set up. Officials stated that the camp will continue for the next eight days. Additional cases were also reported from the neighbouring villages of Dunguripali, Bhagatpur and Banamal, with one patient each showing similar symptoms. Health officials confirmed that the situation is being closely monitored and steps are being taken to contain the outbreak. The district administration has urged residents not to panic and to follow safety protocols advised by the health department.
Conversion fee for leased out GA land reduced to 3%
BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Friday announced reduction in conversion fee for land leased out by the General Administration (GA) department in favour of different persons for residential purposes from 10 per cent to three per cent. As per the notification of the GA department, the order has been issued on the basis of the cabinet approval made in this regard on June 3. Conversion fee will now be assessed at three per cent of benchmark value where the building has been constructed as per the approved building plan without any deviation. Cases where deviation has been made within the permissible limit, and regularised by the competent authority, the conversion fee will also be considered at three per cent. In case the deviation is beyond the permissible limit, conversion shall not be allowed, the notification stated. The applicant is required to file a certificate issued by the competent authority like BDA or BMC regarding building construction without any plan deviation or deviation within the permissible limit or compounding of plan deviation.
Vedanta to plant 1lakh trees in two districts
BHUBANESWAR: Mo Gachha Mo Parivar (My Tree, My Family), a mega plantation drive for environmental sustainability, was launched by the Vedanta Aluminium in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts recently on the occasion of World Environment Day. The campaign of Vedanta Lanjigarh targets plantation of over one lakh fruit-bearing saplings in the two districts which would benefit around 30,000 rural families. Saplings of popular species like mango, guava, jackfruit and moringa have been selected for the plantation. The initiative was kicked off through a community-led plantation at Balabhadrapur village and Vedantas plant premises. More than 600 people including employees, senior leadership, school children, government officials and members of the local community took part. Through Mo Gachha Mo Parivar, we are sowing seeds of hope, unity, and prosperity. We are proud to walk hand-in-hand with the community toward a greener and more resilient tomorrow, said Vedanta Alumina Business CEO Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya. Vedanta officials said the plantation drive is expected to offset approximately 1.5 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions over the lifetime of the trees. It will contribute to enhanced biodiversity and support the regeneration of natural forests.
Call for banning single-use plastic in Odisha's Gupteswar shrine and Koraput
BHUBANESWAR: Voicing serious concern over widespread use of single-use plastic items in Koraput, city-based advocate Sankar Prasad Pani has sought immediate intervention of the state government and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to launch strict enforcement against the unrestricted use of the banned products in the district, especially at Gupteswar, which has been declared a biodiversity heritage site. Pani in his letter to the Koraput administration, Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), state Forest department and MoEFCC pointed out that there has been rampant use of single use plastic across length and breath of the district. On June 3, he found Gupteswar, the famous shrine and a biodiversity heritage site, filled with polythene bags and other single-use plastic products, that have been banned in the state. Since the site is in a pristine environment and declared as one the biodiversity heritage sites in Odisha, it is essential to maintain the sanctity of the area, Pani said. As Kanwar Yatra by devotees of Lord Shiva to the shrine during the holy Shravan month is expected to start from July second week, he demanded that awareness drive be taken up in advance, and enforcement squads mobilised to discourage and prevent use of single-use plastic in the shrine. He also said that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has already directed government to declare the area from Sabari river embankment to temple of Lord Gupteswar a plastic-free zone and impose penalty against the violaters. Koraput being a hilly area and with sizeable tribal population, promoting green alternatives by the government could also create more employment and boost the local economy, he said.
PM to roll out Mahapurush Adarsh Gram Yojana in Odisha on June 20
BHUBANESWAR: The state government is set to roll out the Mahapurush Adarsh Gram Yojana, a new initiative for transforming the native villages of eminent personalities such as freedom fighters, poets, authors and artists into model villages, on June 20 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The prime minister, who will grace the state-level celebration of the first anniversary of Mohan Charan Majhi government, is expected to launch several new welfare initiatives including the model village scheme. He will also oversee distribution of work orders to 50,000 beneficiaries under Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, a housing scheme for the marginalised, people suffering from critical illness, differently-abled persons, widows, single mothers and families affected by house fires, elephant attacks and natural disasters such as floods and cyclones. The state government has set an ambitious target of constructing over five lakh houses under the scheme with an investment of Rs 7,500 crore. Majhi had launched the scheme at Bhawanipatna on March 30 and distributed 60,000 work orders in the first phase. The prime minister is scheduled to arrive in Bhubaneswar at 3 pm on June 20. He will participate in a Tiranga Yatra, to mark the success of Operation Sindoor, from the airport to AG Square. A roadshow of the prime minister has also been planned from AG Square to Janata Maidan where he will attend the first anniversary celebration and address a public meeting, BJP sources said. This will be the sixth visit of the PM to Odisha in the last one year after BJP came to power. This reflects his commitment and continued support to the state under his Purvodaya Mission. He wants to see Odisha become the growth-engine of eastern India, said Panchayati Raj minister Rabi Narayan Naik. Naik said the Mahapurush Adarsh Gram Yojana envisages all-round development of the villages of the illustrious persons to honour their contribution to the state. The villages will be converted into destinations for people to visit and gain inspiration, he said.
Central team to take stock of gastro spread in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: Amid a worsening diarrhoea outbreak in at least three districts in the state, a central team of health experts arrived here on Saturday to support the containment efforts. The outbreak that was first reported in Jajpur district five days back has been traced to the Vibrio cholerae bacterium. So far at least 15 persons, including 11 from Jajpur, three from Keonjhar and one from Bhadrak, have died in separate outbreaks. Three more samples tested positive for Vibrio cholerae, taking the total number of cases to 11. The official death toll, however, has been pegged at five. The state government confirmed that 1,516 people in Jajpur district alone have been affected in the outbreak with 88 new cases. While 1,306 among them have recovered, 210 are undergoing treatment at different hospitals. The 14-member central team, including four special food quality officials of Food Safety and Quality Authority of India (FSSAI), will visit the affected areas in separate groups on Sunday. One group led by regional director of Health and Family Welfare Dr Nilam Somalkar and accompanied by epidemiologist of Kolkata-based National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (NIRBI) Dr Pramit Ghosh will take stock of the situation in the worst-hit Dharmasala in Jajpur district. Another team comprising a paediatric specialist and a microbiologist from AIIMS Bhubaneswar and technical officer (microbiology) of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will tour other affected blocks. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said the teams intervention is crucial as the exact source of contamination is yet to be ascertained, though early evidence suggests that unsafe drinking water might be a key factor. The outbreak was first reported in the Dharmasala block of Jajpur district earlier this week. More than 100 residents from four villages fell ill after attending a community feast. Since then, additional clusters of diarrhoea cases have been reported from Korei, Danagadi and Rasulpur blocks, with all incidents linked to mass gatherings such as marriage and reception feasts, engagement ceremonies, and Ekadasah (11th-day death rituals). Officials said four water bottling plants operating in the district were supplying drinking water to event caterers. The district administration has shut down all four plants, suspecting their involvement in the contamination.
Snehasis Das tops Odisha in NEET-UG, bags all-India rank 60
BHUBANESWAR: Snehasis Das has emerged as the state topper in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test UG (NEET-UG)-2025, results of which were declared by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday. With a percentile of 99.997, Das has secured an all-India rank (AIR) of 60. Rajasthans Mahesh Kumar secured AIR-1 with a percentile of 99.9999547. Kumar was closely followed by Utkarsh Awadhiya of Madhya Pradesh (99.9999095) who bagged the second rank while Krishang Joshi of Maharashtra was ranked AIR-3 with a percentile of 99.9998189. National Capital Territory (NCT) Delhis Avika Aggarwal with a percentile of 99.9996832, who secured AIR-5, was the topper among women candidates. Das is a student of DPS-Kalinga and this was his first attempt at NEET-UG. The 18-year-old is keen on joining the All India Institute of Medical Sciences at New Delhi. I used to give six to seven hours everyday towards self-study and also went through coaching here. The mock test analysis was an important part of my preparations, he said. Keen on pursuing medical science from an early age, Das said he had started his preparations after clearing Class X. Five other students from Odisha have also bagged ranks in different categories. Pabitra Sethi has scored 99.99 percentile to secure a NEET rank of 180. He is among the top-10 in SC category nationally. Similarly, two differently-abled girls Baishali Moharana and Saima Mirza have secured first and fifth ranks respectively in the list of top-5 female candidates in Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category in the country. While Baishali has scored 99.05 percentile with NEET rank of 20,496, Saima got 98.45 percentile and a rank of 33,389. Rajasthans Mahesh Kumar secured AIR-1 with a percentile of 99.9999547. In the same category for males, Raghunath Behera and Durbadala Meher have scored third and fifth ranks respectively. While Beheras percentile is 99.79 with 4,478 rank, Meher scored 7,007 rank with 99.67 percentile. Across the country, 22,09,318 students appeared for the entrance examination, the majority of them women, and 12,36,531 qualified. Those who cleared the examination account for 55.96 per cent of the overall figure of 22,09,318 aspirants who appeared for the exam on May 4. This also marks a significant dip of 79,322 candidates over the figure that qualified for NEET-2024. A total of 7,22,462 women and 5,14,063 men and six transgenders figure among the successful candidates. The exam was conducted in 13 languages in 552 cities in India and 14 cities abroad including Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Muscat and Singapore. Around 59,238 students of Odisha had appeared for the test and 31,673 qualified. This is a slight dip in the number of students qualifying for NEET-UG compared to last year when 32,557 students had qualified.
Widespread monsoon rains in next two to three days
Bhubaneswar: IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Saturday stated that Odisha is likely to receive widespread monsoon rains within the next two to three days. He said a cyclonic circulation expected to form over the Bay of Bengal will create favourable conditions for the southwest monsoon to progress into central and eastern India, increasing rainfall activity []
ICAR-CIFA holds Genome Editing meet
Bhubaneswar: To advance the use of modern biotechnological tools in aquaculture, the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), in partnership with the Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch (AFSIB), held a workshop-cum-brainstorming session on Current Status & Development of a Roadmap on Genome Editing for Aquaculture Species in India here Saturday. The event brought together leading []
Elders must never be seen as burden: World elder abuse awareness day
Bhubaneswar: Elders must not be seen as a burden, said Bharati Chakra, Head of HelpAge India (Odisha), as she called for school-based sensitisation programmes and youth-involved care centres to strengthen intergenerational ties. Her remarks came during the release of HelpAge Indias landmark report, Understanding Intergenerational Dynamics and Perceptions on Ageing, ahead of World Elder Abuse []
Digital arrest scam: CB nabs two more fraudsters
Bhubaneswar: The Crime Branch (CB) has made significant progress in the Rs 1.08-crore digital arrest scam with the arrest of two more fraudsters from Gujarat, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to six, official sources said Saturday. According to CB sources, the investigation team analysed transaction records and other digital evidence. Based []
