Subhadra Scheme Awareness Rally Conducted at Kotpad NAC

Kotpad: An awareness rally for the Subhadra Scheme was held today at Kotpad NAC (Notified Area Council). The event was presided over by Executive Officer Puja Raut and chaired by M. Shankar Rao.

The main objective of the program was to ensure the inclusion of all women under the Subhadra Scheme, launched by the Central and State Governments. The event began with the installation of a sacred Kalash (pot) and a puja ceremony at the NAC office, followed by a rally across Kotpad town.

Among those present were board members, Anganwadi workers, self-help group (SHG) members, and all NAC employees. The participants marched with slogans promoting the Subhadra Scheme.

Notably, Gautami Pattnayak, Prashant Kacchim, Rajesh Chetti, Gopi Majhi, K. Ramesh, and other key employees of the Notified Area Council actively contributed to the event, ensuring its success.

Deomali Becomes a Film Hub as S.S. Rajamouli Begins Shoot with Mahesh Babu & Priyanka Chopra

Koraput: Once known as a Maoist stronghold, Koraput district is now emerging as a major attraction for filmmakers and directors. The upcoming visit of Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu, Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, and renowned South Indian filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli to Deomali confirms this trend.

S.S. Rajamouli is set to shoot a film in both Telugu and Hindi languages in Deomali. The district administration and police have reportedly granted permission for the film shooting, which will take place throughout this month. The movie starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra will not only be shot in Deomali but also in several other locations across the district.

From Maoist Bastion to Film Destination

There was a time when blocks like Baipariguda, Lamtaput, Narayanpatna, Pottangi, Nandapur, and Semiliguda in Koraput district were heavily affected by Maoist activities. However, with time, significant development has taken place in these once-Maoist-occupied regions. Now, common citizens can move freely without fear. The Central Security Forces and State Police have achieved remarkable success in Maoist suppression, paving the way for tourism development in these areas.

Koraput’s Rise as a Film Hub

In recent years, several Telugu, Hindi, and Odia movies have been shot at picturesque locations such as Duduma Waterfall near Machkund, Rani Duduma in Nandapur block, and Deomali Hills in Pottangi block. Among all tourist destinations in the district, Deomali has become the most visited place by both local and out-of-state tourists. This growing popularity has also attracted the attention of filmmakers, making it a new hotspot for film productions.

Caution Alert: Temperature Set to Rise in Coming Days

Bhubaneswar In the next three days, the temperature is expected to rise by 2 to 3 degrees. By 2 PM today, Jharsuguda district has become the hottest place in Odisha. The temperature in Jharsuguda has been recorded at 39°C today. It ranks 6th among the hottest cities in India. In interior Odisha, the temperature is 3 to 5 degrees higher than normal. In coastal Odisha, the temperature has increased by 2 to 3 degrees.

Odisha Police Exam Postponed: New Dates to Be Announced Soon

Bhubaneswar The Odisha Police Group B exam, which was scheduled to be held on March 8 and 9, has been postponed indefinitely due to unavoidable reasons. A press release issued by the OPRB Board has informed that the exam scheduled for March 8 and 9 has been put on hold. Candidates are advised to regularly check the Odisha Police website for updates on the new exam dates.

India Faces Obesity Crisis: 440 Million Could Be Affected by 2050

New Delhi: The concern over obesity in India is growing. By 2050, an estimated 440 million people in India may suffer from obesity, making the country the second most affected nation globally after China. A recent study has warned that if the government does not take preventive measures, nearly 60% of adults and one-third of children in the country could become overweight or obese.

In 1990, there were 929 million obese individuals worldwide, which rose to 2.6 billion in 2021. By 2050, India alone could have 440 million obese individuals, placing it in second position globally after China, while the U.S., Brazil, and Nigeria would be in third, fourth, and fifth place, respectively.

The study suggests that if corrective actions are not taken, 60% of the global adult population and one-third of children could suffer from weight-related issues. Within the next 15 years, the global number of overweight adults is expected to increase to 3.8 billion, while obesity among children and adolescents may rise by 121%.

By 2050, obesity rates are projected to be particularly high in North Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean, where one-third of the youth population is expected to be overweight. More than half of the world’s obese adults will be concentrated in just eight countries: China, India, the U.S., Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia, and Egypt.

The primary causes of rising obesity include poor diet and sedentary lifestyles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also urged people to reduce their consumption of oil in their daily diet as part of efforts to tackle this growing health crisis.

Panchayati Raj Day to Be Celebrated on April 24 Instead of March 5

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to observe Panchayati Raj Day on April 24 instead of March 5. There had been uncertainty regarding the date in recent days, but on Monday evening, the Chief Minister’s Office issued a press statement clarifying the matter. The statement mentioned that the discrepancy between the state and national Panchayati Raj Day has now been resolved.

Previously, March 5, the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, the legendary leader and former Chief Minister of Odisha, was observed as Panchayati Raj Day in the state every year. However, the Odisha government has now stated that while March 5 was traditionally observed as Panchayati Raj Day in Odisha, April 24 is officially recognized as National Panchayati Raj Day.

On April 24, various states across India commemorate Panchayati Raj Day by honoring panchayat representatives and presenting National Gram Sabha Awards and Mahatma Gandhi Awards. Given this, the Odisha government has now aligned its observance of Panchayati Raj Day with the national date.

Meanwhile, the state government has decided to celebrate March 5 with grand ceremonies in honor of Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary, recognizing his contributions to Odisha.

Demand for Semiliguda Subdivision Gains Momentum with Widespread Backing

Semiliguda: The demand to declare Semiliguda as a subdivision is gaining momentum. Considering the increasing population, industrialization, and commercial significance of the town, the Semiliguda Development Council has decided to re-submit this demand to the government. This resolution was taken during a meeting of senior citizens held at the local Press Club premises.

A long-term action plan was discussed in the meeting, and if necessary, a peaceful movement will be organized in the coming days to press for the demand.

Several prominent individuals attended the meeting, including:

Senior citizens: Krishna Singh, Premananda Pusti

Municipality Chairperson: Rajendra Kumar Patra

Community Leaders: Ajay Kumar Sahu, Anand Patwania, Dr. Chittaranjan Mishra, Vinay Chandra Pattnayak, Sheikh Ibrahim, Sunil Agrawal, Manoranjan Behera, Ramanath Singh, Jay Badtaya, Durgaprasad Patra, Pradeep Kumar Tripathi, Amit Agrawal, Ashok Pradhan, M.V. Ramesh, Ananta Senapati, Chintamani Pusti, and many others.

Shri Gundicha Temple Established in Nabarangpur: A New Spiritual Landmark

Nabarangpur: The consecration festival of Shri Gundicha Temple in Nabarangpur town has begun. The festival started on Monday, the 3rd, and will continue for four days. On Thursday, the Saptami Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Phalguna, the foundation of the Chaturdha Murti’s birth pedestal will be consecrated.

The rituals include:

Monday: Jal Yatra and Ankuraropan

Tuesday: Ritual initiation, Ghata Mandala Puja, Agni Sthapana

Wednesday: Surya Puja, Maha Snana, Nyasa of the Deities and Prasad

Thursday (morning): Peetha Pratistha

The temple will also witness the installation of new idols of Shri Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman, along with the Radha-Krishna idols. Additionally, three Neel Chakras, Dashavatar, Dashadikpala, Navagraha, six Dwarapala idols, and 52 other deities will be established in the temple.

The rituals are being led by priests Saroj Tripathi and Shiva Prasad Mishra, assisted by Manas Ranjan Das, Ram Raj Tripathi, Bichitra Satapathy, and Satyanarayan Mishra.

The event is being supported by Nabarangpur Tahsildar Kailash Tripathi, police administration, medical teams, and the Shri Gundicha Temple Management Committee.

Renovation of the Temple

The temple, which was in a dilapidated state, has been renovated primarily due to the generous financial contribution of Jagannath Chaudhary, a businessman from the town. His devotion and dedication to Lord Jagannath inspired him to invest his hard-earned wealth in rebuilding the Shri Gundicha Temple and setting an example of religious commitment.

Previous Events

Notably, before this event, a three-day ‘Runmud’ ceremony was held at Shri Gundicha Temple from January 31 to February 2 last year.

Odisha State Committee Members’ Association to Hold Grand Assembly on the 10th

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Committee Members’ Association will hold a demonstration and grand assembly at Lower PMG on the 10th of this month. The gathering aims to demand permanent membership and authority for committee members in Gram Panchayats, as well as defined powers in Panchayat Committees. Reports indicate that the committee members will present six key demands to the state government during the event.

The Odisha State Committee Members’ Association, expressing their dissatisfaction, has stated that either they should be given appropriate powers or their positions should be abolished altogether. They demand that committee members should not be treated as mere guests in Gram Panchayat meetings but rather be given permanent membership. They are also seeking office facilities in Panchayat offices, 50% participation rights in Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP), joint signature authority in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), and mandatory signatures of committee members on all official certificates.

Additionally, the association is demanding a monthly allowance increase to ₹20,000, a post-retirement pension of ₹10,000, life insurance, and health insurance coverage for both active and retired members. They have urged the state government to address these demands promptly.

Jamnagar’s Hanuman Temple Enters Guinness World Records for Historic Feat

Gujarat There are numerous temples dedicated to Lord Rama and his devoted follower, Shri Hanuman, in India and across the world. One such Hanuman temple in Jamnagar, Gujarat, has earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. The Bala Hanuman Temple in Jamnagar was established in 1963-64 by Prembhikshuji Maharaj. Devotees from India and various other countries visit this temple to offer their prayers.

The reason this temple has been recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records is its continuous chanting of “Ram Naam” (the name of Lord Rama) since its establishment on August 1, 1964. Day and night, the chanting of “Ram Naam” has never ceased. There is no other place in the world where the chanting of Lord Rama’s name has continued uninterrupted for so many years. Because of this continuous recitation, devotees believe the temple has a highly positive and energetic atmosphere.

At Bala Hanuman Temple, various rituals are performed daily. The Mangala Darshan takes place at 6:00 AM, followed by Shringar Darshan at 6:30 AM. The Mangala Aarti is held at 7:00 AM, Rajbhog Darshan at 12:00 PM, Sandhya Aarti at 7:00 PM, and Shayan Darshan at 10:00 PM.