Thunderstorm and Heavy Rain Expected Across 7 Districts Today
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Thunderstorm and Heavy Rain Expected Across 7 Districts Today

Bhubaneswar: Due to the effect of Kalbaishakhi, rain is occurring in various parts of the state. On Monday, there is a possibility of thunderstorms and rain in seven districts. Thunderstorms accompanied by rain may occur in Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Dhenkanal, Yajpur, Balasore, and Bhadrak. The wind speed is expected to be between 40 to 50 km/h, as predicted by the Odisha Water Resources Department. An orange warning has been issued for these districts.

On Monday, thunderstorms and rain with winds of 30 to 40 km/h are expected in the districts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Cuttack, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Puri, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati. On the 15th, heavy rain with thunderstorms is anticipated in Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Boudh, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Balasore, Bhadrak, Yajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam, and Gajapati. Winds are expected to blow at speeds of 40 to 50 km/h. The Water Resources Department has issued an alert for heavy rain in Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, and Balasore.

On the 16th, thunderstorms with rain are likely in most parts of coastal Odisha and southern Odisha. Heavy rain is expected in Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Bhadrak. On the 17th, thunderstorms and rain may continue under the influence of Kalbaishakhi.

Annaprasad Bhandaara Program Held to Foster Community Unity and Sharing
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Annaprasad Bhandaara Program Held to Foster Community Unity and Sharing

 Kotpad As every year, a large-scale Annaprasad Bhandaara program was organized this year as well, where nearly five thousand devotees participated. This program is held to commemorate Pana Sankranti, and this year it was conducted at the Hanuman Temple premises in the daily market area of Kotpad As every year, a large-scale Annaprasad Bhandaara program was organized this year as well, where nearly five thousand devotees participated. This program is held to commemorate Pana Sankranti, and this year it was conducted at the Hanuman Temple premises in the daily market area of Kotapada Padar. The event was marked by the presence of a large number of devotees who came together to participate in the distribution of food.

The event was organized under the leadership of committee chairman Sitanath Bishwal, along with Narendra Swain, Sunil Tripathy, Raji Mahanti, Nagar Adhyaksha Shankar Rao, Ward Member Salma Begum, Twitu Baga, Monoj Sahu, San Bishwal, Gopal Nayak, Aju Nayak, Majhia Bishwal, and Santosh Bishwal, as well as all the members of the Kotapada Sai family. The event was a huge success, with full cooperation from all present, including the people of the Kotapada region, who contributed to making the Annaprasad Bhandaara program a grand success.

As every year, a large-scale Annaprasad Bhandaara program was organized this year as well, where nearly five thousand devotees participated. This program is held to commemorate Pana Sankranti, and this year it was conducted at the Hanuman Temple premises in the daily market area of Kotapada Padar. The event was marked by the presence of a large number of devotees who came together to participate in the distribution of food.

The event was organized under the leadership of committee chairman Sitanath Bishwal, along with Narendra Swain, Sunil Tripathy, Raji Mahanti, Nagar Adhyaksha Shankar Rao, Ward Member Salma Begum, Twitu Baga, Monoj Sahu, San Bishwal, Gopal Nayak, Aju Nayak, Majhia Bishwal, and Santosh Bishwal, as well as all the members of the Kotapada Sai family. The event was a huge success, with full cooperation from all present, including the people of the Kotapada region, who contributed to making the Annaprasad Bhandaara program a grand success.

. The event was marked by the presence of a large number of devotees who came together to participate in the distribution of food.

The event was organized under the leadership of committee chairman Sitanath Bishwal, along with Narendra Swain, Sunil Tripathy, Raji Mahanti, Nagar Adhyaksha Shankar Rao, Ward Member Salma Begum, Twitu Baga, Monoj Sahu, San Bishwal, Gopal Nayak, Aju Nayak, Majhia Bishwal, and Santosh Bishwal, as well as all the members of the Kotapada Sai family. The event was a huge success, with full cooperation from all present, including the people of the Kotapada region, who contributed to making the Annaprasad Bhandaara program a grand success.

As every year, a large-scale Annaprasad Bhandaara program was organized this year as well, where nearly five thousand devotees participated. This program is held to commemorate Pana Sankranti, and this year it was conducted at the Hanuman Temple premises in the daily market area of Kotapada Padar. The event was marked by the presence of a large number of devotees who came together to participate in the distribution of food.

The event was organized under the leadership of committee chairman Sitanath Bishwal, along with Narendra Swain, Sunil Tripathy, Raji Mahanti, Nagar Adhyaksha Shankar Rao, Ward Member Salma Begum, Twitu Baga, Monoj Sahu, San Bishwal, Gopal Nayak, Aju Nayak, Majhia Bishwal, and Santosh Bishwal, as well as all the members of the Kotapada Sai family. The event was a huge success, with full cooperation from all present, including the people of the Kotapada region, who contributed to making the Annaprasad Bhandaara program a grand success.

Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar: Architect of Modern India’s Social and Political Framework
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Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar: Architect of Modern India’s Social and Political Framework

Bhubaneswar: Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a monumental figure in India’s history, played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s independence struggle, especially in the first half of the 20th century. He was a prominent leader in the fight for the liberation of the most oppressed classes in Indian society, particularly the Dalits. Ambedkar’s contributions extended far beyond being a leader in the anti-British struggle; his efforts were deeply rooted in the battle for social justice and equality.

His vision of an inclusive society continues to inspire millions of Dalits, promoting self-respect, dignity, and empowerment. Ambedkar’s work laid the foundation for the upliftment of marginalized communities and provided a roadmap for living a life of dignity and responsibility.

A notable quote by Ambedkar that reflects his commitment to the Constitution is: “No matter how good the Constitution is, it will fail to function if those who administer it are not good.”

Ambedkar was the first Indian to earn a Ph.D. in Economics from abroad in 1917. Upon returning to India, he served as a professor at Elphinstone College. However, he soon left academia due to the discrimination he faced from higher-caste colleagues and chose to practice law. During this time, he initiated a movement for Dalit rights in 1920 and began writing in a weekly newspaper called Marathi, where he fiercely criticized caste discrimination and called for the eradication of social injustice.

Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, into a poor Mahar family in a Marathi household. His early life was marked by hardship as his family was part of the “untouchable” caste, and he faced severe social exclusion. Despite facing such challenges, he excelled academically and was the only Dalit student at Elphinstone High School in Mumbai. He went on to graduate from Elphinstone College and later pursued further studies abroad.

Ambedkar believed that social justice was an essential pillar for political independence and national unity. His commitment to Dalit rights and equality was unwavering. He led the Dalit movement, advocating for the rights of the oppressed and working to integrate them into the mainstream of society.

Ambedkar’s critical role in framing the Indian Constitution and his strong stance against untouchability helped shape modern India’s legal and social framework. After independence, he became India’s first Law Minister and played a pivotal role in drafting the Constitution of India, making sure that it included provisions for the abolition of untouchability and equal rights for all citizens.

In 1956, Ambedkar converted to Buddhism along with two hundred thousand Dalits in Nagpur, marking the start of a modern Buddhist movement in India. He is often regarded as the architect of modern Buddhism in India.

On December 6, 1956, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar passed away, but his legacy continues to be celebrated. His life remains a beacon of social justice, equality, and empowerment, and his work will continue to influence generations of leaders, especially those dedicated to uplifting the marginalized sections of society.

Nabarangpur Hosts ‘Our Taste, Our Food’ Festival to Honor Odia Culinary Traditions
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Nabarangpur Hosts ‘Our Taste, Our Food’ Festival to Honor Odia Culinary Traditions

Nabarangpur:  On the occasion of Odia Paksha, a cultural program titled ‘Ama Ruchi Ama Khadya’ (Our Taste, Our Food) was held at the premises of the District Collector’s office. The event celebrated traditional Odia cuisine, highlighting dishes that are not only healthy but have been part of Odia households for generations and are now fading away from regular kitchens. The initiative aimed to revive and promote these traditional foods.

Additional District Collector (Revenue) Biswajit Barman attended as the chief guest. He emphasized that the program’s main goal is to bring back and popularize long-lost Odia traditional dishes.

On the stage were several dignitaries, including CDEO PVV Ramana Rao, CDVO Radheshyam Laik, DSSO Sudhanshu Patra, DSWO Daupadi Kahar, DIPRO Manoj Kumar Behera, Tehsildar Bailash Tripathy, and DC Harijan, among others.

As part of the event, women self-help groups and individual participants from the district set up 11 stalls for non-vegetarian and 13 stalls for vegetarian traditional foods. These dishes were judged by a panel who visited each stall and scored them based on taste, authenticity, and presentation.

Traditional dishes displayed included chakuli pitha, chandrakanti, mandia jau (ragi gruel), kangu khiri, manda, boiled kandula (a type of lentil), kakara pitha, arisa pitha, handi mansa (slow-cooked mutton), and crab curry, among others.

Winners in the vegetarian category were:

1st Prize: Maa Saraswati SHG from Nandahandi

2nd Prize: Maa Manikeswari SHG from Tentulikhunti

3rd Prize: Smita Nayak

Winners in the non-vegetarian category were:

1st Prize: Hemaraj Dandasena

2nd Prize: Amrita Bhushan

3rd Prize: Parbati Nayak

All participants were awarded certificates by the dignitaries. The District Culture Department and the Social Welfare Department staff played a key role in the successful implementation of the event.

Best Legislator Award Discontinued, Stirring Mixed Reactions
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Best Legislator Award Discontinued, Stirring Mixed Reactions

Bhubaneswar: Each year, based on commitment to the public, disciplined conduct, and quality of speech in the Assembly, three MLAs across three categories were honored with awards. This practice began in 2009 and continued until 2016, during which the then-government recognized best-performing legislators for eight consecutive years. However, since 2017, the Best Legislator Award has been discontinued, and the exact reason remains unclear.

It is being said that due to declining standards of conduct and speech both inside and outside the Assembly, the government might have deemed it inappropriate to continue honoring MLAs.

According to sources, much like how the Central Government honors outstanding Members of Parliament with the Sansad Ratna Award, the then BJD government had decided to honor MLAs in the Assembly who displayed exemplary behavior, effective oration, and commitment to public welfare. The Best Legislator Award process began in 2009, with three honors named after distinguished personalities — Pandit Nilakantha Das, Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das, and Utkalagourab Madhusudan Das.

From 2009 to 2016, a total of 24 legislators were nominated across the three categories. In 2018, 24 MLAs were linked to the award, and on August 5, 2018, an independent event was held in Bhubaneswar, where former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and then Speaker Pradip Amat attended as chief guests and honored the legislators.

Despite being in power since 2017, the BJD government did not revive the award even after a leadership change. As of 2025, the new BJP government has shown no initiative to revive the Best Legislator Award, which has now faded into oblivion due to government indifference.

MLA Ganeshwar Behera has stated that the award, originally launched by the previous government to encourage new legislators, should be restarted. It would help motivate newly elected MLAs to attend Assembly sessions regularly, maintain decorum, and improve their conduct and speeches.

Naveen Patnaik is the Undisputed Leader of BJD: Pratap Deb
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Naveen Patnaik is the Undisputed Leader of BJD: Pratap Deb

Bhubaneswar:  BJD’s undisputed leader Naveen Patnaik has always guided the party in working for the people of Odisha, and the party will continue to do so in the future, said Pratap Keshari Deb, BJD Election Officer. Under his leadership, the party’s organizational restructuring process has already begun and is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

A meeting of district-level election officers was held recently. The selection process of district presidents will be completed soon. Following that, in the fifth phase, the State Council and State Executive Committee will be formed, completing the election of the state party president.

In this organizational election process, members from grassroots to state level — including youth, student, women, and general front organizations — are actively participating. According to Deb, the formation of committees in all panchayats, blocks, and urban ward levels across the state has been completed.

At today’s press conference held at Shankha Bhawan, several leaders including BJD Coordination Committee Chairperson Debi Prasad Mishra, Media Head Pratap Jena, and Election Strategist Sanjay Kumar shed light on the restructuring process. Leader Pranab Prakash Das also addressed the gathering.

Pratap Keshari Deb emphasized that under Naveen Patnaik’s leadership, the party has always worked for the people of Odisha and will continue to uphold that tradition. Out of the six-phase organizational election, the third phase has been completed, and the fourth phase is now underway, covering 33 organizational units.

Tragic Bike Crash: One Dead, Three Battling for Life
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Tragic Bike Crash: One Dead, Three Battling for Life

Dabugaan In a tragic incident today around 3 PM, a bike collided with an electric pole in front of Achitaguda School under Dabugaan Police Station in Nabarangpur district, resulting in the death of one person on the spot and serious injuries to three others. The injured were rescued by locals and admitted to the Umerkote Government Hospital.

The deceased has been identified as Damudhar Bhatra (50) of Dubia village under Dangriguda Panchayat of Jharigaan block. Upon receiving the information, Dabugaan Police reached the spot and began an investigation.

According to reports, Damudhar Bhatra had come with his wife Damae Bhatra (45) on Saturday to attend a marriage ceremony at his in-laws’ village Siunaguda under Dhamanaguda Panchayat. Today, his son-in-law Surya Bhatra came to Siunaguda on a bike and was taking the couple back to Dubia. Around 3 PM, the bike lost balance and collided with Bayachand Bhatra (60), a pedestrian from Siunaguda, in front of Arpitaguda School, then rammed into an electric pole beside the road.

All four were thrown off the bike. Damudhar sustained a severe head injury with heavy bleeding and died on the spot, while his wife Damae, son-in-law Surya, and pedestrian Bayachand were critically injured. The locals immediately rescued them and took them to Umerkote Hospital.

Police have seized the bike involved in the accident and sent the body to Dabugaan Community Health Center. After Damudhar’s son Paduram Bhatra filed a complaint at Dabugaan Police Station, a case was registered, and the body was seized. It will be handed over to the family after a post-mortem examination, expected to take place tomorrow.

Locals have also expressed concern that the electric pole in front of Arpitaguda School, which has already been the cause of multiple accidents, should be immediately removed from the roadside for safety reasons.

NEP Rollout Sparks Confusion Over BSE and CHSE Roles in Odisha
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NEP Rollout Sparks Confusion Over BSE and CHSE Roles in Odisha

Cuttack: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has been implemented in Odisha from the 2025-2026 academic session. From enrollment to examinations, everything will now follow the new NEP guidelines. Although the admission process has already begun, the system for conducting examinations remains uncertain.

There is ambiguity about which board—the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) or the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE)—will conduct the examinations. No guidelines or instructions have been issued so far by the School and Mass Education Department to either of these boards.

As per NEP, secondary education from Class 9 to Class 12 will now be brought under one unified structure. In this situation, clarity is being demanded by educationists on how the examination system will function.

Currently, the annual Class 10 examinations are conducted by BSE. However, even now, no guidelines have been issued regarding how Class 10 and Class 12 annual examinations will be managed under NEP.

From question paper setting to exam management and evaluation, every aspect of the process remains unclear.

Rudra and Kali Return to Temples After Grand Jhamu Yatra in Masanti Meru
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Rudra and Kali Return to Temples After Grand Jhamu Yatra in Masanti Meru

Belguntha: The festival of devotion and faith, Danda Yatra, was celebrated in several villages of Belguntha block. This year, the festival was observed in around 17 villages, with rituals completed in 15 villages today, where Rudra and Kali returned to their respective temples as part of the Masanti Meru ceremony. Devotees who had undertaken mental and physical penance during the festival have also returned to their homes.

Villages like Singhamardana, Palkasandha, Belguntha, Belguntha Khadal Sahi, Koklunda, Ambapua, Tanarada, Ghu.Nuagaon, Banatumba, Jiliba, Balibhaga, Gobara, Dengapadara, Badaborsing, and Dahimundali witnessed Jhamu Yatra celebrations along with Danda rituals.

As per tradition, early in the morning, the Danduas (devotees) returned to their original villages from where the Danda procession had started, accompanied by their deities. The daily rituals of the deities were performed, followed by the Dhuli Danda (dust ritual) at noon.

In the afternoon, after the Pani Danda (water ritual) and Nagar Bhraman (city procession), the deities were ceremonially brought to the Meru Mandap (sacred pavilion). Here, Goddess Kali was bathed, followed by the highly anticipated Jhamu Yatra, where devotees walk over burning embers.

Despite the scorching heat, there was a massive crowd at the Meru Mandaps to witness the Jhamu Yatra. The air was filled with chants of “Haribol,” “Huluhuli,” and “Jaya Rudra Kali,” accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of drums, mahuri (wind instrument), and ghini (cymbals), making the atmosphere vibrant and divine.

After the Jhamu Yatra, there was a unique competition among devotees to collect offered khajuri (palm fruit) and mangoes, which were considered sacred prasad. In the evening, Aalati (lamp offering) was performed, followed by cultural programs late into the night.

Tomorrow, on the occasion of Maha Bishuba Sankranti, the Jhamu Yatra will be held in the remaining two villages of the block — Jalkhai and Indanpur.

To ensure smooth conduct of the Jhamu Yatra, police forces were deployed near the Meru Mandap and cultural stages under the supervision of Belguntha Police Officer Banabihari Pradhan and Gangpur Police Officer Shubhalaxmi Pujari.

Two Incomplete Bridges Cut Off 7 Panchayats, Residents Struggle Daily
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Two Incomplete Bridges Cut Off 7 Panchayats, Residents Struggle Daily

Baliguda,: Although the government is spending money on road construction, many roads remain incomplete and in poor condition.

A prime example of this can be seen in Kotagarh block of Baliguda sub-division, where two bridges between Kutiguda and Subarnagiri remain half-finished. Construction began five years ago, but neither bridge has been completed.

One of the bridges is located near the Subarnagiri Sahi square, and the other lies between Kutiguda and Subarnagiri. Though approach roads were constructed for both, they have since washed away and are now unusable. Iron rods are exposed on the sides of the bridges.

This incomplete road network affects residents from seven panchayats: Pariguda, Sartul, Pakari, Ranipanga, Palinga, and Subarnagiri, making travel extremely difficult. Due to the poor condition of the road, people frequently meet with accidents and injuries.

Despite repeated demands from locals to complete the work, no action has been taken so far, leaving residents in a state of suffering and neglect. These two bridges were originally commissioned by the Baliguda Works Department, with one having an estimated cost of ₹2 crore, and the other around ₹5 crore.

The question now being raised is: Why did the contractor abandon the work midway?

According to Prashanta Kumar Behera, the Junior Engineer of the Works Department, the project was terminated, and the process for re-tendering is underway. He assured that work will restart soon. However, there is still uncertainty regarding when the tender will be finalized and when locals will be able to use the bridges.

There is now a strong demand from locals for the district administration to take immediate action, resume the bridge construction, and complete the work quickly to provide much-needed connectivity and relief to the affected areas.