Tribal Communities Lead Sanitation Drive in Malkangiri
Rabindra Sahu news
Tribal Communities Lead Sanitation Drive in Malkangiri

Malkangiri, 30th July 2025: In a remarkable display of awareness, the tribal residents of Bandaghati under Khairput Block in Malkangiri district have taken the initiative to promote cleanliness in their villages. With the rainy season increasing the risk of various infectious diseases, especially waterborne illnesses, the villagers have launched a voluntary sanitation campaign to protect their communities.

People from nine villages in Bandaghati have joined hands to maintain cleanliness and spread awareness. The campaign has begun in villages like Badapada, Bandhguda, Bandiguda, Chalanguda, Sileiguda, Dantapada, Kirshanipada, and Mudulipada, where residents have collectively taken an oath to keep their villages clean and beautiful to prevent seasonal diseases.

With no government push, the villagers are voluntarily cleaning streets, house fronts, water sources, and areas around borewells. Unlike many other places where cleanliness drives are driven by official programs, the self-initiated efforts of the Bandaghati tribal communities reflect a high level of public awareness and community responsibility.

This initiative is expected to become a source of inspiration for other villages and societies. The tribal communities’ enthusiasm for sanitation and their commitment to maintaining village cleanliness is likely to foster a new mindset and culture of hygiene in rural society.

Non-Functional Rural Court in Nandapur Raises Access to Justice Concerns
Rabindra Sahu news
Non-Functional Rural Court in Nandapur Raises Access to Justice Concerns

Nandapur, 30th July 2025: In the Koraput district’s Nandapur block headquarters, the Rural Court (Gram Nyayalaya)—a subordinate JMFC Civil Judge Court—was established with the objective of bringing justice closer to the people and providing timely legal aid at the block level. This was part of the State Government’s Department of Law’s 2015 initiative, aiming for full implementation by 2025. However, even after ten years, that target remains unfulfilled.

According to reports, the Nandapur Gram Nyayalaya has not become operational primarily due to the lack of a functional toilet. Though the Tehsildar of Nandapur had identified and provided land for a permanent court building, construction is still incomplete.

Meanwhile, as per a proposal submitted by a joint inspection team of District and High Court Judges, the State Government had approved Rs26 lakh for the establishment of a temporary court setup at Sunabeda under the RW Department. Based on that, a portion of the old Nandapur Block Office was renovated to include a court hall, administrative office, and lawyers’ chamb er.

Electrical work has already been completed, according to engineer Asim Minj. However, due to the lack of essential drinking water and toilet facilities from the RW-PH Department, the court remains non-functional. This was confirmed by the local bar association.

This situation raises questions about the implementation of Government Notification No. 7354(24)/XVIII-02/2016, under which 65 rural courts were to be opened across the state by the Odisha High Court.

The hopes of justice for local residents—including the police, excise, and revenue departments—have been dampened due to the inoperability of the court. Intellectuals have urged the District Administration, Law Department, and RW Department to look into the matter seriously.

Passenger Waiting Shelter at Khalua Lies in Disrepair
Rabindra Sahu news
Passenger Waiting Shelter at Khalua Lies in Disrepair

Nandapur, 30th July 2025: The Khalua passenger waiting shelter under Nandapur block, which was constructed earlier for public convenience, is currently in a state of neglect due to lack of maintenance.

Built with lakhs of rupees under the previous government’s “Lakshmi Bus Scheme”, these shelters were meant to benefit travelers at roadsides and junctions. The shelter was equipped with steel benches, iron railings, Lakshmi Bus route charts, bus schedules, and maps of the block and nearby routes.

Even after the current government relaunched services under the Mukhyamantri (Chief Minister’s) Bus Service Scheme, no measures were taken for the upkeep of these previously built shelters.

Today, the shelter is in a dilapidated condition:

The benches are broken and rusted

The premises are filled with trash

Maps and iron railings have been vandalized by miscreants

Similar situations are reported at other shelters in:

Nandapur block headquarters

Bhatabir

Satasamili

Handiput

Balda

Kulabir

Badel

Padua’s Badadebata Temple area

Chatua

According to reports, these waiting shelters lack security, drinking water, and even basic hygiene or cleanliness arrangements by the administration.

Locals are demanding that the state government and local authorities immediately pay attention to the safety and maintenance of these shelters, which provide vital refuge to passengers during rains and scorching heat.

‘Operation Sindoor’ Included in School Curriculum
Rabindra Sahu news
‘Operation Sindoor’ Included in School Curriculum

Bhubaneswar, 30th July 2025: A separate curriculum on ‘Operation Sindoor’ will now be taught in schools.  Students from Class 3 to Class 12 will study this curriculum. The module will be divided into two parts. It will be prepared in 8 to 10 pages. The first part will be for Classes 3 to 8, and the second part for Classes 9 to 12. Students will be educated about India’s defence strategies and diplomatic responses. A dedicated module on Operation Sindoor is being prepared for teaching purposes. This will be a standalone curriculum focusing on India’s military strategies and foreign policy responses. The NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) is preparing this independent curriculum.

New Initiative Expands Health Benefits to Rural Missouri Child Care Educators
Neel Achary business
New Initiative Expands Health Benefits to Rural Missouri Child Care Educators

Child Care Aware of Missouri secures $15,000 to support 51 child care educators with a comprehensive health care plan.

Rural Missouri Child Educators' funding -Child Care Aware of Missouri

(St. Louis, Mo., July 30, 2025) Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO) recently obtained $15,000 in funding to launch a new initiative that will deliver vital health and mental health services to 51 rural child care educators across five Missouri counties. Through this project, led by CCAMO, participating educators will receive memberships to Show Me Child Care Resources and access to comprehensive telehealth and mental health benefits – all at no personal cost.

The 51 child care educators residing in Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Warren, and Washington counties will have access to unlimited health visits with zero copay along with 10 free mental health therapy sessions per year. According to County Health Rankings & Roadmaps by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, between 12% to 18% of rural professionals remain uninsured in these counties. The American Community Survey also reports poverty rates ranging from 8.6% to 19.7%, highlighting the critical need for support in these communities.

Since 2010, CCAMO has served as the exclusive statewide license holder for Show Me Child Care Resources, a web-based portal providing more than 2,000 resources for child care educators and business owners. The organization also provides consulting, training, and technical assistance to child care business owners to help them understand operational activities, leadership development, expense budgeting, and revenue recognition training to improve business viability.

“Child care professionals don’t often receive benefits, yet their well-being is essential to our communities so they can be present in the child care classroom,” said Robin Phillips, CEO of CCAMO. “Show Me Child Care Resources delivers not only peace of mind to child care staff but also convenient 24/7 access to doctors through our telehealth feature.” Phillips added, “our nonprofit is committed to pursuing ongoing funding annually to continue supporting educators’ health and well-being as they care for Missouri’s children.”

Founded in 1999, CCAMO is a statewide nonprofit that focuses on a comprehensive early childhood education experience through impactful programs and partnerships. The organization’s services include workforce development, child care business supports, advocacy and policy work, and its new Child Care Keeps Missouri Working, a regional campaign offering concierge solutions to businesses undergoing employee recruitment and retention challenges due to the overwhelming shortage of quality child care options. For more information, call (314) 535-1458 or visit www.mochildcareaware.org.

After IAS Shuffle, Major OAS Transfers Announced with Immediate Effect
Rabindra Sahu news
After IAS Shuffle, Major OAS Transfers Announced with Immediate Effect

Bhubaneswar,30th July 2025:  Following the recent reshuffle of IAS officers, the Odisha Government has now undertaken a major transfer exercise at the OAS (Odisha Administrative Service) level. All officers who have been transferred have been directed to join their new posts immediately, as per an official notification issued by the General Administration Department.

According to the notification:

  • Shivnarayan Sahu, serving as the Additional Director of Gopabandhu Administrative Academy, has been appointed as its Director (Administration & Training).
  • Sudhakar Sahu, currently the Managing Director of OASCSSC Ltd, has been appointed as Director of the SC & ST Research and Training Institute.
  • Sushama Barik, Secretary of Boyanika, has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the ST & SC Development Department.
  • Saroj Kumar Raut, Additional Secretary in the Commerce and Transport Department, has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell.

Other notable transfers include:

  • Prabhat Mahapatra, currently Executive Officer (EO) of the Balangir Zilla Parishad, has been transferred as the Managing Director of OASCSSC.
  • Ravindra Kumar Sethy, the MD of OFDC, has been posted as Joint Administrator, KBK (Koraput).
  • Babita Rani Dalabehera, Additional Secretary in the General Administration Department, has been appointed as Additional Director at Gopabandhu Administrative Academy.
  • Dharitri Mishra, Additional Secretary of the Cooperation Department, will now serve as Additional Secretary in the Rural Development Department.
  • Sanjay Kumar Pratihari, currently Land Officer at IDCO, has been appointed as Additional Inspector General (IG) in the Directorate of Prisons.
  • Surjyasmita Sahu, presently Administrative Officer at OSIC Ltd., has been appointed as Managing Director of Boyanika.

In a separate notification:

  • Dasharathi Sahu, currently Deputy Collector of Sundargarh, has been transferred as Regional Manager of RIC, Brahmapur.
  • Charles Nayak, Additional EO of the Boudh Zilla Parishad, has been appointed as Sub-Collector of Balasore.
  • Mani Prasad Mishra, OSD in the Mass Education Department, has been appointed as Sub-Collector of Anandapur.
  • Sandhyarani Majhi, Deputy Collector of Jagatsinghpur, will now serve as Additional Sub-Collector of Kendrapara.
  • Reena Kumari Nayak, Deputy Collector in Ganjam, has been appointed as District Collector of Brahmapur.
  • Pallabi Rani Raj, Additional EO of Subarnapur Zilla Parishad, has been appointed as Additional Sub-Collector of Jajpur.

These appointments reflect a significant reshuffle, with emphasis on ensuring swift administrative efficiency and better governance across key regions of Odisha.

Odia Language Overlooked in TGT Recruitment Process Sparks Concern
Rabindra Sahu news
Odia Language Overlooked in TGT Recruitment Process Sparks Concern

Bhubaneswar, 30th July 2025:In the recruitment process for Trained Graduate Teachers (TGT) for high schools, the Odia language has been neglected. The School and Mass Education Department has overlooked the need to appoint dedicated Odia language teachers. Earlier, during the Leave Training Teacher (LTTR) recruitment, for the first time, independent Odia teachers were appointed. However, in the upcoming TGT recruitment process, there is no separate provision for recruiting Odia language teachers.

As a result, language scholars and educationists are questioning the government’s commitment to Odia identity and language pride.

On July 24, the School and Mass Education Department issued instructions to the Director of Secondary Education to initiate the process for filling up TGT vacancies in high schools. The recruitment drive includes subjects like TGT Arts, PCM, CBZ, Hindi, Sanskrit, PET, and Urdu. However, there is no provision for a separate Odia language teacher.

Even in the original notification for LTTR recruitment, no such provision existed. But it was later amended to create independent Odia teacher posts, reserving 25% of the total TGT Arts positions for Odia. The government had claimed to be prioritizing Odia identity by doing so.

However, now, with the TGT recruitment process underway, there is growing concern about how the government could ignore Odia language posts once again.

Experts argue that, like in LTTR recruitment where 25% of TGT Arts posts were reserved for Odia language teachers, the same 33% reservation should be applied here. Otherwise, they demand the creation of a separate, dedicated Odia language teacher post.

Currently, language subjects like Hindi, Sanskrit, and in some regions Urdu, Bengali, Telugu, have their own teacher positions. So, why not Odia? This question is being asked by language advocates and scholars.

They insist that, to make the Odia language popular and sustainable, independent Odia language teachers must be appointed in high schools.

If the government fails to appoint them separately, they should at least reserve 33% of the TGT Arts positions for Odia language teachers.

In high schools, under TGT Arts, there are only three core subjects: Odia, English, and Social Science (History and Geography). All three contribute to a total of 300 marks. Thus, if a separate Odia post is not created, at least one-third (33%) of the TGT Arts posts should be reserved for Odia.

In the LTTR recruitment process, Social Science was split into History and Geography, and 25% of the posts were reserved for Odia.

Therefore, language scholars and Odia language advocates are now demanding that the same or better measures be taken for TGT recruitment: either create dedicated Odia teacher posts, or reserve a significant percentage of Arts positions for Odia, in respect of the classical language status of Odia.

PM Highlights Tribal Women of Mayurbhanj in ‘Mann Ki Baat’; Lauds Keonjhar Kirtan Group
Rabindra Sahu news
PM Highlights Tribal Women of Mayurbhanj in ‘Mann Ki Baat’; Lauds Keonjhar Kirtan Group

Bhubaneswar, 30th July 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 124th edition of his monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’ today, engaged with listeners from India and abroad.

During the episode, he highlighted notable achievements and rich folk traditions of the country, with special mention of Odisha’s Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts.

While emphasizing the Swadeshi movement, local products, and India’s rich handicraft heritage, PM Modi cited the example of tribal women from Mayurbhanj who weave traditional Santhali sarees.

He said that over 650 tribal women from Mayurbhanj have successfully revived this traditional craft. These women now earn thousands of rupees every month.
They haven’t just become skilled weavers—they have also created an independent identity for themselves.

The Prime Minister also mentioned a unique initiative from Keonjhar, where a Kirtan group is raising awareness about forest fires.

He stated, “India’s diversity is beautifully reflected in our folk music and traditions. An important part of this is our bhajans and kirtans. But have you ever heard of forest fire awareness being spread through kirtans? Perhaps not—but such an initiative is happening in Odisha’s Keonjhar district.”

There, a group called Radhakrishna Sankirtan Mandali is chanting not just devotional hymns, but also messages about environmental protection.

Led by Pramila Pradhan, the group has added new lyrics and meanings to traditional songs to highlight jungle and environmental conservation.

They travel from village to village, using songs to explain how forest fires cause immense damage.

The Prime Minister said, “Our traditional folk practices are not just relics of the past—they still have the power to guide society today. This example proves that clearly.”

Rayagada Teachers Protest Against Online Attendance Rule
Rabindra Sahu news
Rayagada Teachers Protest Against Online Attendance Rule

Rayagada, 30th July 2025: The Rayagada District United Teachers’ Forum has strongly opposed the state government’s directive to record teacher and student attendance through online mode, demanding its immediate withdrawal.

In protest, a meeting was held today at Ambabhairavi in Penguda, under the leadership of Forum Convener Shiv Prasad Mahapatra, with participation from teacher leaders of various blocks.

The Forum stated that until the government fulfills teachers’ core demands, it should not impose burdens like mandatory online attendance through the YOU-AS app.

A district-wide protest strategy has been finalized:

  • Block-level protests will be held on Tuesday
  • District-level demonstrations will take place on Thursday
  • The Forum has urged hundreds of teachers to participate.

Their key objections:

The government is enforcing online attendance without providing basic infrastructure in schools such as:

Devices

Wi-Fi services

Data Entry Operators

The Forum stated that such orders are unacceptable and deeply disappointing.

They emphasized that unless basic facilities are ensured across all schools and the Forum’s core demands are addressed, this directive must be suspended immediately.

Green Dropped from School Uniforms, Saffron ID Cards Introduced
Rabindra Sahu news
Green Dropped from School Uniforms, Saffron ID Cards Introduced

Bhubaneswar,30th July 2025: In a significant change, primary school students in Odisha will now have saffron-colored identity cards (ID cards) for the academic year 2025–26, replacing the green ones previously used during the BJD government’s tenure. This new format will apply to all students from Class 1 to Class 8 across primary schools.

Each ID card will include essential student details such as name, class, date of birth, roll number, and contact number, along with the headteacher’s signature — now mandatory. Due to instances of outsiders entering campuses, carrying ID cards will be compulsory, and students must wear them around their necks while attending school.

But the changes don’t stop at just the ID card color. The slogan printed on students’ house uniforms and caps has also been changed. The previous BJD-era slogan “Ame Gadhibu Nua Odisha” (We Will Build a New Odisha) has been replaced with the state government’s new slogan: “Bidyabanta Bidyarthi, Bikashita Odisha” (Educated Students, Developed Odisha).

Uniform Colors and Branding

Although the ID card and slogan have changed, the house uniform color scheme remains the same:

Track pants: Navy blue

T-shirts: Green, Yellow, Red, and Blue

Cap: White, with the new slogan and logo printed on it

These updates apply to all government and government-aided schools, as well as schools under the SC/ST development department. Each student (from Class 1 to 8) will receive materials worth ₹500, which includes:

 Rs 200 – One pair of black shoes and two pairs of white socks

 Rs 125 – One house T-shirt

 Rs 125 – One track pant

 Rs 30 – One branded cap

 Rs 20 – One identity card

The slogan and branding on the T-shirts and caps will reflect the state’s new educational vision.

Focus on Free Distribution

The state government aims to emphasize the free distribution of uniforms, shoes, socks, and accessories. The cost will be covered under programs such as Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI, and the Gangadhar Meher Education Quality Improvement Programme.

Shoes: Black

Socks: White

House System Guidelines

Schools with fewer than 100 students will implement 2-house systems with 2 T-shirt colors

Schools with more than 100 students will use a 4-house system with 4 different T-shirt colors

As the academic session has already begun, the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) has issued urgent directives to all District Education Officers (DEOs) and Block Education Officers (BEOs) to ensure the materials are distributed promptly. However, there are reports of delays and concerns that procurement has not yet been completed in some areas.