By:- Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North & East. “This World Youth Skills Day, the theme, ‘Skills for a Shared Future,’ reinforces the important role employers play in preparing young people for the future. Beyond creating jobs, businesses have the opportunity to build skills, confidence and real-world experience that help bridge the gap between education and industry. At McDonald’s India – North &…
Faith Overcomes Monsoon Challenges as Char Dham Yatra Draws Record Devotee Rush
July 15: The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand continues to witness a remarkable surge of devotion, with lakhs of pilgrims visiting the revered Himalayan shrines despite challenging monsoon conditions and heavy rainfall in several parts of the state. More than 14 lakh devotees have visited Kedarnath Dham so far this pilgrimage season, reflecting the strong spiritual connection of pilgrims with one of India’s most sacred…
Low-Pressure System Over Bay of Bengal to Bring Heavy Rainfall Across Odisha, IMD Issues Alert
July 15 (UDN): A low-pressure area has formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal near the north Odisha-West Bengal coast, bringing the possibility of widespread rainfall across Odisha in the coming days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather system has developed under the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation that persisted over the region. The IMD has forecast increased rainfall activity across…
Puri in Devotional Fervour: Public Darshan Suspended as Chariots Begin Final Preparations
Puri, July 15 (UDN): The holy city of Puri is filled with devotion and anticipation as preparations for the world-famous Rath Yatra enter their final phase. Ahead of the grand celebration, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has suspended public darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra on Wednesday to allow the completion of important traditional rituals. The three magnificent chariots of the sibling…
Odisha Police Announces Traffic Measures Ahead of Shravan Bol Bam Pilgrimage
July 15 (UDN): Ahead of the holy month of Shravan, the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police has issued a traffic advisory to ensure smooth movement of devotees and commuters during the upcoming Bol Bam pilgrimage season. The Shravan Somvar observance, scheduled from July 30 to August 28, 2026, is expected to witness a significant rise in the movement of devotees every week, especially from Sunday evening to…
Indore Launches Madhya Pradesh’s First International Flight Service to Abu Dhabi
July 15: Madhya Pradesh has taken a major step towards strengthening international connectivity with the launch of its first international flight service from Indore to Abu Dhabi. The new route marks an important milestone for the state’s aviation sector and is expected to open new opportunities for passengers, businesses, and travellers. The direct flight service will provide improved access between Madhya Pradesh and the United…
Khordha Family’s Handmade Floral Art Adds Divine Beauty to Jagannath Rath Yatra
July 15 (UDN): As Puri gears up for the grand Rath Yatra, a quiet yet remarkable tradition of devotion continues in Khordha, where a family has been dedicating its craftsmanship to the annual festival for over two decades. The family of Rajkishore and Birakishore from Bhoi Sahi in Gurujang, Khordha district, has been creating intricate Sola Phula decorations made from the natural shola plant for…
Puri Braces for Rath Yatra 2026 as Heavy Rainfall Triggers Safety Alert
Puri, July 15 (UDN): Puri is witnessing challenging weather conditions ahead of Rath Yatra 2026, with heavy rainfall recorded just a day before the grand festival. The downpour has prompted weather authorities to issue safety guidelines for the lakhs of devotees expected to gather in the city. The Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar reported 143.8 mm of rainfall in Puri during the 24-hour period ending at…
Barpali Railway Station Transformed into Modern Travel Hub with Heritage-Inspired Design
Bargarh, July 15 (UDN): Barpali Railway Station in Odisha’s Bargarh district is set to receive a major boost with its redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The upgraded station will be among the 75 railway stations across the country to be dedicated to the nation on July 17. Developed with an investment of around Rs 22 crore, the redeveloped station has been equipped with…
Odisha Government Issues Health and Safety Guidelines Ahead of Rath Yatra 2026
Puri, July 15 (UDN): With the annual Rath Yatra approaching, the Odisha government has issued comprehensive health and safety advisories for devotees, organisers, and the general public to ensure a safe and smooth festival experience. The Health and Family Welfare Department and the Energy Department have released separate guidelines aimed at preventing health-related issues, ensuring electrical safety, and managing risks during the large-scale gathering of…