The state of Odisha has renamed its top sports award after former chief minister and father of the current CM, Biju Patnaik, causing controversy among opposition parties who view it as an attempt to politicize sports. This award, given out annually on National Sports Day, will now have three new categories and equal prize money for each recipient. However, opposition leader Arun Kumar Sahoo believes that Biju Patnaik's legacy and contribution to the state should not be reduced to a mere political ploy. In the midst of this development, Bollywood also faces criticism for trying to recreate a legendary film that cannot be replicated.
Odisha's Top Sports Award Renamed After Biju Patnaik Amidst Controversy
The state of Odisha has recently renamed its top sports award, the Odisha State Sports Award, after former chief minister and father of the current CM, Biju Patnaik. This move has sparked controversy among opposition parties who view it as an attempt to politicize sports.
Background
The Odisha State Sports Award was established in 1985 to recognize and honor outstanding sportspersons from the state. The award has three categories:
Each recipient receives a cash prize, a certificate, and a trophy.
Renaming Controversy
The decision to rename the award after Biju Patnaik has been met with criticism from opposition parties. They argue that Biju Patnaik's legacy and contribution to the state should not be reduced to a mere political ploy.
Arun Kumar Sahoo, the leader of the opposition, said, "Biju Patnaik was a great leader and we respect his contribution to the state. But we feel that the sports award should not be named after him. It should be named after a sportsperson who has made significant contributions to the field."
New Categories and Equal Prize Money
Along with the renaming, the state government has also added three new categories to the award:
Each category will have equal prize money, which has been increased from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2.5 lakh.
Bollywood Criticism
Amidst this controversy, Bollywood has also faced criticism for trying to recreate the legendary film, "Lagaan," for a new generation. The original film, released in 2001, is considered a classic and is known for its depiction of the struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
Critics argue that the new film, titled "Maidaan," cannot replicate the magic of the original and that Bollywood should focus on creating new and original content instead of relying on remakes.
FAQs
Q: Why was the decision to rename the Odisha State Sports Award controversial? A: The decision was controversial because some opposition parties viewed it as an attempt to politicize sports and reduce the legacy of Biju Patnaik to a mere political ploy.
Q: What are the new categories added to the award? A: The new categories added are Lifetime Achievement Award, Para Sportsperson Award, and Team Sports Award.
Q: How much is the prize money for each recipient? A: Each recipient will receive a cash prize of Rs. 2.5 lakh.
Q: Has Bollywood's attempt to recreate "Lagaan" been criticized? A: Yes, critics have argued that the new film, "Maidaan," cannot replicate the magic of the original and that Bollywood should focus on creating new and original content instead of relying on remakes.
Q: When was the Odisha State Sports Award established? A: The award was established in 1985.
The results for the 2024 Uttar Pradesh Police Constable recruitment exam have been announced by the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB). Successful candidates are now eligible for the next stages, including document verification and physical standard tests. These steps are part of the Government's efforts to prevent malpractice and ensure the safety and integrity of the examination process. The exam was conducted across 67 centres in the State and included extensive security measures and free bus services for candidates' convenience.
The much-anticipated Maharashtra Assembly Elections for 2024 kicked off on Wednesday, with all 288 constituencies heading to the polls. With a total of 4,140 candidates in the running, the real competition lies between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Mahayuti alliances. The MVA, composed of Shiv Sena (under Uddhav Thackeray), NCP (led by Sharad Pawar), and Congress, is going head to head with Mahayuti, which includes Shiv Sena (under Eknath Shinde), NCP (under Ajit Pawar), and BJP. Mark your calendars for key dates of the election: Gazette Notification on October 22, Last Date for Nominations on October 29, Nomination Scrutiny on October 30, Last Date for Withdrawal of Nominations on November 4, and Voting Day on November 20.
The Congress party is calling for a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation into the alleged 'Adani Mega Scam', as US prosecutors have charged billionaire Gautam Adani and others for paying over $250 million in bribes to Indian officials in exchange for favorable terms for solar power contracts. The Bharatiya Janata Party has responded by targeting the Congress and questioning the timing of the development, as the allegation comes just before the start of Parliament session and the beginning of Donald Trump's presidency. The Congress also called for a new and credible head to be appointed for the Securities and Exchange Board of India, as the US Securities and Exchange Commission's actions have sparked criticism towards the Indian counterpart's handling of the investigation into the Adani Group's potential violations.
With the 7-phase election to elect the 18th Lok Sabha starting in April and results being announced in June, the focus is on political parties crafting their strategies to appeal to the diverse Indian electorate. While BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, has emerged as a dominant force, opposition parties like Congress are strategizing and intensifying their campaign efforts. Amidst seat-sharing disagreements and internal divisions, Rahul Gandhi is taking nationwide yatras to regain lost ground for Congress. Indianexpress.com brings you the latest updates on #Decision2024 to understand the ever-changing political dynamics in India.
With the second phase of voting concluding for Jharkhand Assembly elections, exit polls are split between predicting a win for BJP and INDIA bloc. While News24's Chanakya and Matrize foresee a BJP victory, Axis My India predicts a win for INDIA bloc. This phase is crucial for the electoral fate of Jharkhand Chief Minister and other prominent candidates. C-Voter has also predicted a win for BJP.
The Centre's pollution watchdog has revised the Graded Response Action Plan, mandating the closure of schools in Delhi and NCR districts under Stages 3 and 4. This decision was previously left to the discretion of state governments, but now the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has made it mandatory for Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar. This move comes after the Supreme Court's reprimand of CAQM for delaying the implementation of Stages 3 and 4 and emphasizing the immediate need for school closures across NCR.
As the second phase of the Jharkhand assembly elections reaches its conclusion, multiple exit polls are showing a clear advantage for the BJP-led NDA alliance. While one pollster predicts a victory for the Congress-JMM alliance, others are giving a significant lead to the NDA. The results will be announced on November 23, when the fate of both alliances will be decided.
The stage is set for a fierce political showdown in Maharashtra as all 288 assembly constituencies prepare to cast their votes on November 20, 2024. The two main alliances, BJP-led Mahayuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, have been campaigning aggressively, each promoting their agendas and attacking the other. With exit polls scheduled to be released after voting concludes and results expected on November 23, 2024, all eyes will be on the electoral outcome in one of India's most crucial states.
In a recent hearing, the Supreme Court expressed its confidence in the Central Bureau of Investigation's investigation into the ghastly rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The court emphasized that the CBI must be given sufficient time to uncover the "absolute truth" and "further truth" in the case, and cautioned against any attempts to close the investigation within a specific timeframe. The CBI has also responded to issues raised in previous hearings and has made two additional arrests in connection with the case.
Today marks a critical day for Maharashtra as the state holds assembly elections for 288 seats. With the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance determined to retain power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance hoping for a strong comeback, the competition is intense. Over 4,000 candidates, including rebels from both alliances, are in the fray. Stay tuned for live updates as the voting process unfolds.