Women Shine in Traditional Competitions During Baishakhi Festival Celebrations
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Women Shine in Traditional Competitions During Baishakhi Festival Celebrations

Phulbani : On the occasion of the upcoming Kandhamal Baishakhi Festival and Trade Fair, which will be held over 12 days from April 27 to May 8, several fun competitions were organized for women. These included events such as sari race, musical chairs, spoon and potato race, “guess the taste in one minute,” balloon blowing, hulahuli (traditional cheering), and more. A total of 19 women participants were recognized for their excellent performances.

All the outstanding participants will be awarded during the inaugural function scheduled to be held on April 27 at the local Coronation Ground.

The events were coordinated by festival committee members Muskan Suar, Birajini Mahapatra, and Rupambika Tripathy, along with senior journalist and festival coordination committee chairman Sunil Pattnaik, editor Kahnu Charan Satapathy, vice-chairman Sujit Kumar Behera, treasurer Prasanna Swain, chairman Radhamohan Mahapatra, member Dillip Mahapatra, lawyer Ashok Behera, Dinesh Behera, and senior journalist and advisor Dr. Arup Jena, among others.

BJP, BJD, and Congress Assert Readiness for Upcoming Panchayat By-Elections
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BJP, BJD, and Congress Assert Readiness for Upcoming Panchayat By-Elections

Bhubaneswar: The upcoming Panchayat by-election will be the first since the current government came to power. BJP has declared its readiness, stating that they will perform well in both the Panchayat and urban by-elections. BJP MLA Babu Singh said that the party will succeed wherever it contests under its symbol, and even in places where it doesn’t, it will support candidates to ensure victory.

Notably, 1,134 elected posts in various Panchayats across the state are currently vacant. These include 5 Zilla Parishad members and 45 Sarpanchs.

Babu Singh stated, “This is the first by-election since we came to power. BJP is ready and will perform well. We will win even in places without our symbol by supporting local candidates.”

BJD Has No Fear of Elections: Debi Mishra

Senior BJD leader and Chairman of the Coordination Committee, Debi Prasad Mishra, asserted that BJD has no fear of elections; rather, it is the BJP that is afraid. He claimed that this is why elections have not been held in the last 10 months.

Congress Will Regain Strength at Panchayat Level: Nishikant Mishra

Congress youth leader Nishikant Mishra expressed hope that Congress will regain its earlier position, stating confidently that the party will become strong again at the Panchayat level.

The by-elections will be held for 41 Samiti members and 272 Ward members. In addition, new Ward members will be elected in 771 wards. The primary process for these by-elections has already begun.

BEE Mandates Energy-Efficient ACs and Refrigerators: Manufacturers Directed to Comply
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BEE Mandates Energy-Efficient ACs and Refrigerators: Manufacturers Directed to Comply

New Delhi: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has directed electronic companies to manufacture air conditioners (ACs) and refrigerators that are energy-efficient, as these appliances lead to higher electricity consumption, especially during dry periods. BEE emphasizes that the energy consumption of ACs and refrigerators sold in India should match international standards, similar to China and Singapore.

According to the proposals by BEE, ACs currently sold with a 5-star rating will only have a 1-star rating under the new standards. This will represent a significant shift from the previous 2006 standards.

However, companies claim that a change in star ratings will require an investment of around 600 crore rupees in research and development. They argue that the incentives proposed by the government under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme are insufficient to cover the necessary investments for implementing the new regulations. A study conducted in 2023-24 indicated that India’s air conditioners are 46% more energy-efficient than before, which may help meet the global standards set by the Ministry of Power. BEE aims to implement these new regulations by 2027. To meet these goals, manufacturers are already in discussions since January with the government.

In Singapore, the energy efficiency standards for electronic appliances are already set at a high level. For Indian products, BEE aims to improve the energy efficiency of sold products by 52%.

Companies are encouraged to motivate consumers to buy energy-efficient products. This will help in managing the peak demand during the summer months when electricity consumption is expected to reach a peak of 270 gigawatts in June, higher than the 250 megawatts observed last year.

Local Student Triumphs at Young Writers’ Conference, Earns National Recognition
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Local Student Triumphs at Young Writers’ Conference, Earns National Recognition

Nabarangpur: The Young Writer’s Conference was organized by the Department of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture in collaboration with the Odisha Sahitya Academy, at Nabarangpur College. Students from 10 colleges participated in the event, presenting their own written stories, essays, and poems. The participants were awarded certificates and prizes, which encouraged them further. The program was organized under the supervision of District Culture Officer Ghasia Harijan, with cooperation from former members of the Sahitya Academy, Ashok Pattnaik and Bulu Hota.

The chief guest, Tahsildar Kailash Chandra Tripathi, attended the event and distributed the awards. The honorable guests also included Nabarangpur College Principal N. Govinda. The panel of judges consisted of faculty members Dileep Hota, Ghasiram Behera, Manasi Mahapatra, Nirmala Hikka, Harish Chandra Shabar, Priyabrata Sahu, Ashok Pattnaik, Debashish Pattnaik, and Durga Prasad Padhi.

In the poetry category, the first prize went to Archita Tripathi (Nabarangpur College), the second prize to V. Anita Acharya (Vidyarthi College), and the third prize to Priyanka Nayak (Nabarangpur College).

In addition, the independent award went to Sada Bhatara (Model Degree College), and in the essay category, the first prize was awarded to Kartik Ganda (Nabarangpur College), the second prize to Debi P. Bhar Devi (Vidyarthi College), and the third prize to Jyortimay Martha (Smart Gurukul).

In the story category, the first prize went to Prajna Priyadarshini Panda (Nabarangpur College), the second prize to Priyadarshini Mishra (Vidyarthi College), and the third prize to Smruti Akanksha Nayak (Smart Gurukul).

Radio artists Kasturi Rath, Suresh Mishra, and Anand Dash performed Odia and Deshiya music during the event, with Ram Prasad Patra and faculty member Shambhu Prasad Hota also providing significant cooperation.

Kalbaisakhi Winds Tear Off School Roof in Bada Bil-Kiriburu
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Kalbaisakhi Winds Tear Off School Roof in Bada Bil-Kiriburu

Koshagumuda: In the Koshagumuda block of Nabarangpur district, the roof of Sahadev High School, located in the Panduguda Panchayat area, was blown away by Kalbaisakhi winds. Local villagers have complained that the construction quality of the roof was substandard, leading to the damage. According to reports, the school had 86 students in the 9th grade and 82 students in the 10th grade, studying Hindi and Sanskrit. Six teachers were teaching the students at the school.

In the 2023 financial year, the school underwent renovations. The roof of the school building was repaired with funds, but the quality of work was extremely poor, leading to the issue. The roof was constructed with very light material, and rusty iron pipes were used in its construction. Additionally, the roof was not properly secured. As a result, during a mild rain and wind on Friday night, the entire roof was blown away, as reported by the local villagers.

In response, the school head, Tularam Mali, immediately demanded that three new roofs be constructed by the block authorities. The Education Officer, Supriya Nayak, confirmed that the repair work on the two classrooms will be undertaken and that the broken classroom roofs will also be repaired by the department. However, when asked about the quality of the work, the school headmaster, Surendra Nath Baral, claimed to be unaware of the issue, stating that he did not know anything about the poor-quality construction.

Hazardous Electric Pole on Bada Bil-Kiriburu Road Poses Safety Risk to Commuters
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Hazardous Electric Pole on Bada Bil-Kiriburu Road Poses Safety Risk to Commuters

Balaani,: An electric pole on the main road of Bada Bil-Kiriburu is in a dangerous and dilapidated condition. However, the Electricity Department has not shown any attention to its repair or alternative solution despite repeated demands from the local villagers. While the department readily collects electricity dues, it shows no urgency in providing necessary services or addressing the issue. This has caused frustration among the local residents.

The electric pole, located in front of the house of Gouranga Nayak in the Balani Panchayat area, near the main road from Balani Basti to Kiriburu, is leaning dangerously. This presents a significant hazard, as the pole could potentially fall and cause damage to someone or something. With the onset of the summer season, when weather conditions become harsher, this situation is even more concerning. The villagers have demanded that the Electricity Department repair the pole or find a safer solution.

It remains to be seen whether the department will address this hazardous condition before any accident occurs, or if they will wait for an incident to happen.

Ayushman Bharat and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana Launched in Dabugam Block, Enhancing Healthcare Access
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Ayushman Bharat and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana Launched in Dabugam Block, Enhancing Healthcare Access

Nabarangpur :  The Ayushman and Gopabandhu Health Scheme were inaugurated on Friday afternoon at the Ravanaguda and Medana Primary Health Centers under Dabugam Block in Nabarangpur district. On the first day, 25 cards were distributed in Medana and 25 in Ravanaguda. The Chief Guest at the event was Manohar Randhari, the popular MLA of Dabugam, and other dignitaries included L. Rajasekhar Rao, the representative of the Member of Parliament, Jayant Kumar Patra, member of the State Farmers’ Association, Jagadish Bhatra, President of Borigaon Mandal, Ramarao Chowdhury, senior BJP leader J. Kiran Kumar, senior BJD leader Badri Narayan Singh, Pratap Chandra Panda, Nidh Maajhi, Lakshmi Bishoyi, and Jadav Bishoyi.

Additionally, the Ayushman Yojana and Gopabandhu Yojana were also inaugurated. At the event, healthcare workers, Asha workers, senior citizens, social workers, self-help group members, and individuals from various related fields from different parts of the block were present until the end of the ceremony. The public listened with great interest to the speeches of BJP National President JP Nadda, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and other senior BJP leaders and ministers, who addressed the gathering through the LID medium.

Dabugam Block Video Secretary Sharat Majhi and Dabugam Health Officer Subhasish Sahu assisted in coordinating and managing the entire event.

Extra Classes Scheduled After Summer Break to Bridge Learning Gaps
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Extra Classes Scheduled After Summer Break to Bridge Learning Gaps

Kolkata  Even though the summer vacation for schools will begin soon, teachers will hold extra classes to ensure that students’ studies are not disrupted. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously announced that due to the intense heat, summer vacation would begin early this year. The Education Department has announced that the summer break for all government primary and upper-primary schools in the state will begin from April 30.

However, schools in the hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts will be exempt from this break. There, classes will continue as per a specific schedule. The Education Department has clearly mentioned in its announcement that extra classes will be conducted for the benefit of the students. All teachers and non-teaching staff have been directed to take the necessary steps to ensure the extra classes are held.

Despite the summer vacation, teachers will continue to work during the break. Extra classes will be held once schools reopen. The directive mentions that the summer vacation will continue from April 30 until the next announcement.

As the heat intensifies in early April, the temperature has been rising day by day. To shield students from the extreme heat, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced the summer break starting from April 30. She stated, “The heat is unbearable. Therefore, there will be a summer break for primary and secondary schools.” Additionally, the Mahavir Jayanti will be observed on April 10, and the first Vaisakha holiday will be on April 14 and 15. There will also be several Sundays. The break from April 30 will last for 12 to 13 days. Previously, the break was in May, but this time the heat is more intense. Therefore, the decision was made to begin the break earlier. Educators informed that the break will begin on April 30, and once the schools reopen, extra classes will be conducted by teachers. However, it is still unclear how the Education Department will manage this.

India Forecasts Above-Average Monsoon in 2025; Kalbaishakhi Showers Expected in Eastern States
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India Forecasts Above-Average Monsoon in 2025; Kalbaishakhi Showers Expected in Eastern States

Bhubaneswar: This year, the monsoon winds are expected to arrive in the state on time, and the overall rainfall is predicted to be normal. According to forecasts, rainfall during the month of June will remain average. However, a decrease in rainfall is expected from mid-July to mid-August. In October, rainfall is likely to increase. These predictions have been made by senior meteorologist Professor Surendranath Pasupalak.

Based on data from an American weather model, he mentioned that the ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) condition is currently in a neutral state. When in neutral, there is no effect from either La Niña or El Niño. La Niña usually increases rainfall, while El Niño causes a decrease. However, under neutral conditions, weather forecasting becomes more challenging. Since there is no El Niño expected ahead, there is little chance of reduced rainfall, which supports the prediction of a normal monsoon.

There are no signs of extreme heat or excessive rainfall this year. The temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean is expected to remain normal until the end of the monsoon. Professor Dr. Pasupalak has also made a preliminary assessment that the neutral condition will likely continue even after October.

The weather department has also predicted rainfall in the state due to the effect of Kalbaishakhi (pre-monsoon thunderstorms) until April 18. On Sunday, rainfall accompanied by thunder is expected in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, and Keonjhar, with wind speeds ranging from 30 to 40 km/h. Coastal and southern Odisha are also likely to experience rain.

On April 14, thunderstorm with rain and wind speeds of 40 to 50 km/h is expected in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Sundargarh. Heavy rainfall is likely in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. On Saturday, Baripada recorded 40 mm of rainfall between morning and evening. Rain was also reported in Khordha, Nayagarh, Daringbadi, and Angul.

Nanhe Rojedar Program Celebrated in Kotpad: A Tribute to Young Fasters
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Nanhe Rojedar Program Celebrated in Kotpad: A Tribute to Young Fasters

Kotpad: A special program titled “Nanhe Rojedar” was organized by the Muslim community in Kotpad. The primary aim of this event was to recognize and celebrate the dedication of young children under the age of 11 who observed fasting during Eid-ul-Fitr with remarkable discipline.

The event was particularly significant because, while many adults were away and unable to fast on that day, these little children displayed tremendous courage and commitment by observing the fast, which was truly commendable.

The program saw the presence of several dignitaries. The chief guest was local MLA Rupu Bhattarai. Among the honored guests were NAC Chairman Er. Shankar Rao, Akhil Sangh President Mani Prasad Pattnaik, all ward members, Bastar State President Mohammad Shiraj, Wasim Ahmad from the Muslim Sunni community, Koraput District Muslim President M.D. Salim, Vice President Abdul Rehman, local ward member Salma Begum, and key members from the Bharat Media Association.

According to the information provided, more than 100 children under the age of 11 who observed the fast were honored with certificates and commendation letters as a mark of appreciation for their devotion and discipline.