Page 9 - Odisha

Protecting lives paramount, lapses unacceptable: Rahul on Odisha stampede

Condoling the loss of lives in the stampede near Gundicha Temple in Odisha's Puri, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said protecting lives is paramount and any lapse in this responsibility is unacceptable. He said the tragedy is a serious warning that security arrangements and crowd management for such big events should be taken seriously and must be reviewed. "The stampede during the Rath Yatra in Puri is extremely saddening. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and I hope for the speedy recovery of the injured devotees," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said in a post in Hindi on X. He appealed to the Odisha government to speed up the relief work and urged Congress workers to help in every possible way. "This tragedy is a serious warning - security arrangements and crowd management for such big events should be taken seriously and must be reviewed," Gandhi said. "Protecting lives is paramount, and any lapse in this responsibility is unacceptable," he ..

Over 600 fall ill during Puri Rath Yatra, many admitted to hospitals

Nearly 625 people fell ill and many had to be admitted to hospitals due to sweltering heat and overcrowding during Rath Yatra here on Friday, officials said. According to Puri Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr. Kishore Satapathy, several people reported minor injuries, vomiting, and fainting primarily due to overcrowded conditions. "Most of them were discharged after receiving preliminary treatment at OPDs. There were no casualties," he added. Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the primary cause of illness among devotees was extreme heat and humid conditions. Around 70 people were undergoing treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri, with nine reported to be in critical condition, an official said. Meanwhile, sources claimed that a number of people were injured near Balagandi area where Lord Balabhadra's chariot, Taladhwaja, remained stuck for over an hour. "The prolonged halt led to a dense buildup of crowd, resulting in several

Hammers fall silent: Why Odisha's bell metal craft is melting away

Though the craft is ingrained in Odisha's traditions, the artisans struggle with low wages, lack of policy support, and the vice-like grip of middlemen

NSG, NDRF deployed as devotees gather in Puri for Jagannath Rath Yatra

All rituals related to the Rath Yatra are being conducted as per schedule amid heightened security arrangements, with coordinated efforts from multiple security forces and district authorities

Civil, police administration on high alert as Puri prepares for Rath Yatra

The seaside pilgrim town of Puri is set to celebrate the Rath Yatra festival on Friday, with the administration being ready to smoothly conduct the event. The civil and police administrations are on high alert as lakhs of devotees will witness the annual event under tight security. By the grace of Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath), we are fully prepared to conduct a smooth Rath Yatra on Friday. We are getting complete support and cooperation from the servitors. All arrangements are in place to make the mega event successful, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee told reporters on Thursday. After completion of all rituals, the pulling of chariots of the sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath - will begin at 4 pm. Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad are expected to participate in the event. About one lakh have reached Puri by Thursday evening, police sources said. Some of them had the opportunity to

Puri all set for Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025, Yatra starts tomorrow

The Rath Yatra ceremony is expected to attract a large crowd, making traffic management a key issue

Odisha to launch EV Policy 2.0 to target 50% BEV registrations by 2036

The policy framework was discussed at a meeting held here in presence of Usha Padhee, principal secretary, Commerce & Transport, and Vishal Kumar Dev, principal secretary, Energy

Naveen Patnaik to undergo surgery; party leaders offer prayers at temples

As BJD president and Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik will undergo an operation for cervical arthritis at a private hospital in Mumbai on Sunday, a large number of party leaders and workers gathered at various temples and offered prayers for his successful surgery. A large number of senior BJD leaders and party workers gathered at Lingaraj Temple here, Baba Jhadeswar temple in Balasore district, Shiv temple at Hinjilicut and Budhi Thakurani at Berhampur in Ganjam district this morning and offered prayers for the former chief minister's successful surgery and healthy recovery. The regional party leaders and workers offered 'dipa dana' (earthen lamps) and 'puja' (worship) at Lingaraj temple here. "We all are gathered here to offer mass 'puja' and 'dipa dana' as our beloved leader Naveen Patnaik is undergoing a medical procedure today. We pray before Lord Lingaraj for his healthy recovery," said BJD vice president Debi Prasad Mishra. BJD leader and Bhubaneswar .

Waaree Energies confirms Odisha project on track with no relocation plan

The project in Odisha is being executed as planned and there is no change in its location, Waaree Energies CEO Amit Paithankar said on Saturday. "We want to emphasise that we are not moving away from Odisha. Our commitment to Odisha remains strong," the CEO, who is also the whole-time director, said in an exchange filing. However, he did not disclose details of the project. Paithankar said construction activities are actively ongoing, and contracts for the Odisha facility have been duly awarded and are being executed as planned. Waaree Energies is one of the major players in the solar energy industry focused on PV module manufacturing.

Odisha planning to include yoga in school curriculum, health schemes: CM

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said the state government is taking initiatives to include yoga in the school curriculum and public health programme as this helps create a healthy, self-reliant and efficient India. Addressing a state-level programme on the occasion of International Yoga Day at Kalinga Stadium here, he said yoga is not just a physical exercise but something that keeps the body, mind and soul active. The programme, organised by Odisha's Sports and Youth Affairs Department, was attended by over 10,000 people, including ministers, lawmakers, bureaucrats, students, women and others. In Odisha, we are making yoga available to everyone. We organise awareness campaigns on yoga in schools, colleges, hostels and sporting centres. We can also include yoga in school curriculum and public health programmes, the chief minister said. Majhi said that the awareness programmes on yoga teach people to maintain a healthy life. Though yoga has been practised in In

Cong leaders detained ahead of PM Modi's visit to Odisha, OPCC slams move

Odisha Police detained several Congress workers ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state on Friday. Among those put under preventive detention are Syed Yashir Nawaz, general secretary of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), and four other youth leaders. They are currently being held at the Capital police station here, an official said. In a statement, the OPCC condemned the detention of its leaders. "Modi is coming to Bhubaneswar for the first anniversary celebrations of the BJP state government in Odisha. Why are they afraid of Congress leaders?" asked Yashir. He added that the party will not be intimidated by such actions. "We will intensify our fight against the BJP government in the interest of the people of Odisha, and we are not afraid of arrests," he asserted. After reaching the Biju Patnaik International Airport here in the afternoon, Modi will join a 'Triranga Yatra' and later address a public meeting. Around two lakh people are expected to atten

PM to visit Bihar, Odisha from June 20; will celebrate Yoga Day in Andhra

PM Modi will unveil key infrastructure projects, attend public events, and lead International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam

Red alert issued for Odisha, Jharkhand, Bengal as IMD warns of heavy rains

IMD weather Rain Prediction: Red alert issued for Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bengal, Assam & Meghalaya as IMD forecasts widespread rain, storms, and strong winds from June 18 to 23

Puri temple panel urges ISKCON not to violate Rath Yatra traditions

Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee in Odisha's Puri has written to the ISKCON, urging it to ensure that Lord Jagannath's ceremonial bathing rituals and the Rath Yatra across the world are performed on the specific date sanctioned by scriptures and not to violate traditions. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb of Puri, the chairman of the committee, expressed displeasure over some of the ISKCON temples across the world performing the sacred bathing rituals ('Snana Yatra') and the Rath Yatra on various dates, and alleged that such practices "violate the scriptures and the Hindu calendar". In a letter to Shree Govardhan Das Prabhu, chairman of ISKCON Governing Body Commission, Mayapur, Deb said, I request your good self to ensure that no ISKCON temple or centre anywhere in the world performs the 'Snana Yatra' or 'Ratha Yatra' of Lord Shree Jagannath on a date/tithi not sanctioned by scriptures and traditions." Deb also claimed that the temples of the ISKCON authorities outside Ind

Mohan Charan Majhi's govt puts industry on fast track, jobs trail in Odisha

While speaking to the media on June 10, Majhi reaffirmed his commitment to filling 150,000 vacant government positions over the next five years, in line with the BJP's election manifesto

CRPF officer killed during anti-Naxal operation in Odisha's Sundergarh

A CRPF official was killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast during an anti-Naxal operation in Odisha's Sundergarh district on Saturday, officials said. ASI Satyaban Kumar Singh (34) of 134th CRPF battalion sustained injuries on his left leg in the blast, they said. He was evacuated to a hospital in Rourkela, where he succumbed to his injuries, the officials said. The Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) hailed from Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh. The blast took place around 6 am near the K Balang village of Rourkela when a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and special operations group (SOG) of Odisha Police was carrying out a combing operation in the area.

Rourkela Steel Plant commissions advanced ladle furnace to boost output

The Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) of SAIL on Thursday said it has commissioned a state-of-the-art Ladle Furnace 2D (LF#2D). A ladle furnace is the second unit used to refine molten steel after it is produced in a primary furnace. It was commissioned in Steel Melting Shop-II on Wednesday. This achievement underscores RSP's commitment to technological modernisation, enhanced productivity, and a strong culture of safety, the company said in a statement. The newly operational LF#2D is a critical facility that will significantly boost productivity by ensuring a timely and efficient supply of liquid steel to the new slab caster alongside the existing ones. Alok Verma, Director In-Charge, RSP, with additional charge of Durgapur Steel Plant & IISCO Steel Plant said, Steel is not just what we make it is who we are. RSP is truly proud of everyone's sincere and hardworking efforts. He also congratulated everyone associated with the project for the successful commissioning of LF#2D. The LF#2

Odisha govt suspends IAS officer Dhiman Chakma accused of taking bribe

The Odisha government on Tuesday placed IAS officer Dhiman Chakma under suspension, a day after he was sent to jail for allegedly taking bribe from a businessman, officials said. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered suspension of Shri Dhiman Chakma, Sub Collector, Dharamgarh with immediate effect, an official release said. Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer, was on Sunday caught by sleuths of the vigilance department while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from the businessman at Dharmagarah in Kalahandi district. It is further ordered that during the period of suspension, the headquarters of Shri Chakma is fixed at the GA&PG Department, Government of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, and he shall not leave the said headquarters without prior permission, a notification issued by the General Administration Department said. He was arrested on Monday, and produced before a court, which rejected his bail petition. Chakma was sent to jail at Dharmagarh, but later shifted to a hospital .

Odisha IAS officer caught accepting ₹10 lakh bribe in Kalahandi district

Odisha Vigilance caught IAS officer Dhiman Chakma red-handed accepting ₹10 lakh bribe in Kalahandi; ₹47 lakh unaccounted cash recovered from his official residence

Vedanta Aluminium partners with PwC India for sustainability initiatives

Vedanta Aluminium on Thursday announced the expansion of its partnership with PwC India to scale up sustainability initiatives across its operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Initially centred on biodiversity projects around Vedanta's Jharsuguda smelter, the partnership will now extend across all its operational regions and will also focus on decarbonisation, water positivity, and biodiversity conservation, marking a major step in integrating sustainability throughout the company's value chain, the company said in a statement. "This collaboration with PwC exemplifies our unwavering dedication to driving sustainable growth and championing environmental stewardship. Anchored in robust ESG principles, we are actively working towards carbon neutrality by 2050 and supporting India's net zero vision for 2070," Vedanta Aluminium Chief Executive Officer Rajiv Kumar said. Kumar further noted that "by addressing critical ecological challenges, improving operational efficiencies, and placing