Papadahandi: On the occasion of the sacred festival of Shivaratri, the famous Neelakantheshwar Temple in Papadahandi witnessed a large gathering of devotees. The rituals began in the early hours, followed by devotees being allowed to have darshan of Lord Shiva. Under the supervision of chief priest Shiva Prasad Tripathi, priests Hari Tripathi and Neelakantheshwar Tripathi performed the worship rituals. Temple management committee chairman and tehsildar…
Balianta Mourns the Loss of Renowned Kaviraj Prabhat Kumar Kar
Balianta: Balianta’s renowned Kaviraj and founder of Dhanvantari Aushadhalaya, Prabhat Kumar Kar, passed away at the age of 76. He succumbed to a heart attack yesterday at around 4:30 PM, as informed by his family members. His untimely demise on the day of Maha Shivaratri has cast a shadow of grief over Balianta. Notably, Prabhat Kumar Kar was a well-known businessman in the Balianta region near…
Grand 1100 Kalash Yatra Marks the Beginning of 51-Kundi Gayatri Mahayajna
Nandapur: The 51-Kundi Gayatri Mahayajna has commenced at Netaji Shishu Udyan in Kumast, Nandapur Block, and will continue for four days. On the first day, water for the yajna was collected in 1,100 Kalash from the banks of the Gangesiuni River in Nandapur. 1,100 women carried the Kalash and paraded around Nandapur town, creating a deeply devotional atmosphere. The Kalash were then installed at the…
Police-Community Bond Strengthened at Public Relations Camp in Kakarapani
Chandahandi: A Police Public Relations Camp was organized by the district police in Kakarapani village, located in the remote Fatik Panchayat of Chandahandi Block. The event was conducted under the supervision of Chandahandi Police Station Officer Prashant Kollaharsha. The Superintendent of Police (SP), Mihir Kumar Panda, attended the camp as the chief guest. Other dignitaries included Umerkote SDPO Shubhendu Kumar Sabar and R.I. Ajay Ekka.…
Artist Gurubaru: A Beacon of Inspiration for the Youth
Umerkote: Artist Gurubaru Gand, who can bring life to his paintings with intricate details, has become an inspiration for the younger generation. Gurubaru (22), a young artist from Chikalapadar Panchayat in Umerkote Block, Nabarangpur District, is the son of Kamala Lochan Gand and Budri Gand. He has two sisters and was the only son in the family. His family had hoped he would pursue a…
Odisha Shines: Four Distinguished Personalities Honored with Padma Awards 2025
Cuttack: In 2025, four distinguished personalities from Odisha will receive the Padma Awards. Their names and respective fields Adwaita Charan Gadnayak: He has been awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to the field of art. He is a renowned sculptor and the Director-General of the National Gallery of Modern Art, India. Some of his notable works include a 28-foot monolithic stone statue of Netaji…
Bali Jatra Festivities Light Up Badaliguda with Grandeur
Badaliguda The month-long Bali Jatra was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Badaliguda. On this occasion, a grand procession started from Bali Thulana and moved towards Bali Padiya, featuring lathi (stick performances), kuruti (martial arts), and palinki (palanquin), accompanied by Shira Dishari (traditional priests). The village head, priests, and distinguished guests participated in the village procession. Among the attendees were village priest Dhanpati Jani, Hindu nationalist leader…
District Legal Services Authority Conducts Awareness Camp for Public Welfare
Nabarangpur: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Nabarangpur, organized a legal awareness camp at Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya, Hinli, Nabarangpur, focusing on Motor Accident Tribunal Claims, Motor Vehicle Laws, Public Utility Services, Functioning of Permanent Lok Adalat, and Road Safety Laws. This program was conducted under the direction of Subrata Mohanty, Chairman of DLSA and District Judge, Nabarangpur. The Secretary of DLSA, Smt. Sai Abhipsa Gochayat,…
Ganga Water Stays Pure Despite 58 Crore Devotees’ Bath, Says Scientist Padma Shri Dr. Alok Kumar Sonkar
Prayagraj: At the Maha Kumbh, more than 58 crore devotees have taken a holy dip so far. Yet, the purity of Ganga water remains unaffected. Padma Shri awardee scientist Dr. Alok Kumar Sonkar has proven this through his laboratory experiments. He stated that Ganga water is not just fit for bathing but is as pure as alkaline water. Many have questioned the purity of Ganga…
New SDPO Assumes Charge in Sunabeda, Focus on Law and Order
Sunabeda: Sumitra Jena assumed office as the new SDPO of Sunabeda on Wednesday. On this occasion, she took over the responsibilities from the former SDPO, Manobrata Shata Tapathi. After assuming charge, Sumitra stated that she would prioritize women’s safety and law enforcement in the sub-division. Additionally, she emphasized a strong focus on crime control and maintaining law and order in the region.
Water Shortage Hits Maize Cultivation, Farmers Struggle to Save Crops
Papdahandi: Farmers are worried due to the lack of water for maize cultivation as river water has dried up. Even after paying for borewells for years, they have not been installed. With the ongoing summer season, the riverbeds have dried up, leaving farmers struggling with irrigation issues. As a result, maize crops are at risk of damage, causing great concern among the farmers. Farmers from…
Ratnakar Pattnayak Takes Charge as New MD of LIC
Bhubaneswar: Ratnakar Pattnayak and Dinesh Pant have been appointed as the new Managing Directors (MDs) of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). This information was released through a notification by the Financial Services Security Bureau. Following interviews of eight candidates, the selection committee recommended the appointment of these two officials to the MD position. Currently, both Pattnayak and Pant serve as Executive Directors at…
Rajataraj Secures Top Spot in Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Exam in Kakatpur Block
Kakatpur: Rajataraj Behera, a Class 5 student from Asijanga Primary School in Kakatpur Block, Puri District, has emerged as the topper in the block in the Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya exam. He scored 611 out of 618 marks, securing the highest score of 562 and achieving the top rank in the block. Rajataraj hails from Asijanga village and is the grandson of late Madhabananda Behera, a…
Government Implements Strict Measures to Strengthen Forest Protection
Nabarangpur: With dense village forests and government-protected forests in various locations of Nandahandi and Tentulikhunti blocks, concerns over forest security have increased. As temperatures rise, the risk of forest fires has also grown. To address this issue, Nandahandi Group Development Officer Sunil Khora, along with forest officials Ritesh Suna, guards Pindhu Swain, Babula Singh, and Feraj Kumar Bhatara, visited villages to raise awareness. They discussed…
Rising Interest in German Chamomile Farming Spurs Economic Growth for Farmers
Koraput: The cultivation of German chamomile flowers is proving to be a milestone for farmers, offering a new source of economic growth. In Kotia, under Patangi block of Koraput district, local women farmers Kanchan Tadingi, Fulmati Gemel, Pal Gemel, Kumbh Gemel, Limbe Gemel, and Shite Tadingi have successfully produced 40 kg of German chamomile flowers. Currently, the flowers are being harvested in their raw form.…
Teachers Face Struggles as Salaries Transferred to District Education Officers’ Accounts
Bhubaneswar: The School and Mass Education Department realized the issue only after teachers struggled due to unpaid salaries. The salary funds have now been sanctioned to the accounts of 30 District Education Officers (DEOs). The Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) has released a total amount of Rs398 crore 32 lakh 82 thousand 3 to the DEOs’ accounts, instructing banks to process the transaction immediately.…
India Storms into Semifinals with Consecutive Victories
Dillhi Once again, Virat Kohli has proven that district-level players can shine on the big stage. On Sunday, during the ICC Champions Trophy match against Pakistan, Kohli not only achieved a much-anticipated century but also broke multiple records, leading India to a spectacular victory. The Indian team dominated Pakistan with a six-wicket win, securing their spot in the semifinals. On the other hand, defending champions…
Millet-Based Liquor Production Approved, Announces Minister
Bhubaneswar: Liquor will now be produced from Millet. Companies interested in producing liquor from Millet will be provided subsidies by the government. The state is also discussing the establishment of quality liquor production units in Odisha. Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that incentives will be given for producing liquor from Mahua and Mandia. A high-level meeting on the new excise policy was held on Friday…
Biju Janata Dal’s Zonal-Level Workshop Kicks Off, Focus on Panchayat Polls
Dhamnagar: With an eye on the upcoming 2027 Panchayat elections, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has initiated zonal-level workshops to further strengthen the party organization and reclaim Panchayat Samiti control. One such workshop was recently held at Govinda Padiyatha in Dalapur Panchayat under Dhamnagar Block. This marked the 10th zonal-level workshop of the BJD, presided over by Block Chairman Ramesh Chandra Mahari. The event featured…
Government Schools to Introduce English Curriculum from Grade 1
Bhubaneswar: The English curriculum will now begin from Grade 1 in the state. In government schools, English and Science are currently introduced from Grade 3, and even then, only oral instruction is provided without written exercises. Moreover, since joint-letter formation is taught from Grade 3 in government schools, the introduction of English and Science happens relatively late compared to private schools. However, in government-recognized private…
New 112 Emergency Response Van Inaugurated at Karanjia Police Station
Karanjia: A new 112 van, provided by the state government, was inaugurated at Karanjia Police Station. The inauguration ceremony took place within the police station premises, with the van being formally inaugurated by the in-charge officer, Sanyukta Mahalik. Through the 112 emergency number, people can contact the police, ambulance, and fire department for immediate assistance. Citizens can also reach out via phone calls, SMS, mobile…
