Kamala Moharana, a 65-year-old woman from Odisha's Kendrapara district, has once again gained national attention after being felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally. Moharana, who runs a Woman Self-Help Group focused on waste management, first caught Modi's eye in 2016. In his Mann Ki Baat episode last year, Modi praised her SHG's efforts in turning waste into income, and even received a Rakhi from Moharana as a mark of her bond with the PM.
Modi's Recognition of the Waste Management Pioneer: Kamala Moharana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent recognition of Kamala Moharana, a 65-year-old woman from Odisha, has brought her waste management initiatives into the national spotlight.
Moharana first drew Modi's attention in 2016 when her Woman Self-Help Group, known as SHG, was highlighted for its work in transforming waste into income. In his 'Mann Ki Baat' episode last year, Modi lauded her SHG's efforts and even received a Rakhi from Moharana, symbolizing their bond.
Background on Moharana's Initiatives
Moharana's journey in waste management began in 2007 when she observed the rampant garbage disposal practices in her village. Inspired by her experiences in the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' (Clean India Mission), she started collecting and segregating waste from households.
Her SHG, called "Deepa," was formed in 2010 and currently comprises 20 women. Together, they collect and sort waste into recyclable materials such as plastic, paper, glass, and metal. The recyclables are then sold to local recycling plants, generating income for the SHG.
Recognition and Significance
Moharana's efforts have not only improved sanitation in her village but also empowered the women in her community. The SHG provides them with financial stability and has led to a significant reduction in local waste.
Her work has garnered national recognition and awards, including the "Nari Shakti Puraskar" in 2019. Modi's felicitation at an election rally further underscores the importance of her contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Modi's recognition highlights the government's commitment to promoting grassroots waste management initiatives and empowering women at the local level.
The SHG has significantly reduced waste in the village, improved sanitation, and empowered women by providing them with income and skill development opportunities.
Moharana's observations of the poor waste management practices in her village and her participation in the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' inspired her to start the SHG.
The SHG collects and segregates waste from households. Recyclable materials are sold to recycling plants, generating income for the SHG.
Moharana aims to expand the SHG's waste management operations to other villages in the district and to advocate for waste reduction and recycling at the state and national levels.
Shari Franke, the daughter of Ruby Franke who was sentenced to 30 years in jail for child abuse, spoke out in a Utah Senate committee hearing about the abuse she and her siblings endured while growing up on the family's YouTube channel "8 Passengers." Shari described how they were constantly tracked and monitored for content production and forced to participate in uncomfortable events for their mother's channel. She called on lawmakers to address the issue of family vlogging before it becomes a bigger crisis. The abuse came to light when one of Franke's children ran away and was found emaciated and covered in duct tape. Both Franke and her business partner were sentenced to prison for the extreme physical and emotional abuse inflicted on the children for the sake of content.
The concept of human imperfection and the recurrence of problems in life has long been acknowledged, but what is the source of these issues? According to ancient Vedic teachings, all problems stem from the violation of divine laws and can only be resolved by seeking guidance from the omniscient creator Ishwar. However, humans are often unable to receive this guidance due to the pollutants of passion and ego within their hearts. Only by returning to the eternal divine texts of the Vedas and removing these pollutants can humans attain true knowledge and successfully overcome their problems.
A group of knitters at Alston House Care Home in Eastleigh have joined the nationwide effort to raise awareness for Lewy body dementia. Inspired by a resident with the condition, the 'Knit and Natter' club produced a 45-metre section of a giant scarf that will be wrapped around public buildings in Manchester and London. The scarves will then be donated to homeless and refugee groups. The initiative has brought together residents and local knitters, creating a supportive and sociable community.
During his visit to Delhi, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj blessed MP Raghav Chadha and his wife, actress Parineeti Chopra, at their residence. The couple expressed their gratitude and joy at being blessed by the religious saint, and shared their thoughts on social media. Their family received the darshan and blessings of Jagadguru Shankaracharya ji, who also graced them with pearls of wisdom and knowledge. The visit left a lasting impression on the family, who are extremely grateful for the opportunity to seek blessings from the one of the most revered representatives of Sanatan Dharma.
On Thursday, an unanticipated situation arose at a private school in Chennai's Thiruvottiyur area when a gas leak was suspected. Students were quickly evacuated and three girls were taken to the hospital. This incident follows a similar one in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, where nearly 100 students fell ill after a suspected gas leak from a septic tank. Fortunately, no serious symptoms have been reported in either situation. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
The festival of Diwali holds great significance in Hinduism, and in 2024, it will be celebrated on October 31st. As part of the celebrations, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha and seek their blessings for prosperity and happiness. Homes are cleaned and decorated with lights to welcome the goddess of wealth. Here is a guide on how to perform the Lakshmi-Ganesha puja and welcome Goddess Lakshmi on this auspicious day.
Ahoi Ashtami, a Hindu festival observed on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartik, is dedicated to the well-being of children. On this day, mothers fast from dawn till dusk and worship Goddess Ahoi and Goddess Siyahi for the protection and happiness of their sons. Similar to Karwa Chauth, Ahoi Ashtami is a day of strict fasting, with many women abstaining from water. As it falls four days after Karwa Chauth and eight days before Diwali Puja, it is believed to bring prosperity and blessings to the family.
A 19-year-old Walmart worker in Halifax, Nova Scotia was found dead in a large walk-in oven at the superstore's bakery department. The cause and manner of death are still under investigation by the police, who have called in the Occupational Health and Safety agency to assist. Sources have indicated that the teen's death was related to the baking oven, however, the police have not confirmed this information. The store has been closed until further notice and the investigation is expected to take a significant amount of time.
Ahoi Ashtami is a Hindu festival celebrated by mothers to ensure the well-being of their children. It is observed on the eighth day of the month, approximately eight days before Diwali. The tradition dates back to a story where a woman lost her seven sons due to accidentally killing a lion cub. This year, Ahoi Ashtami will fall on October 24 and the puja timings will start at 06:09 PM and end at 07:28 PM.
The South Central Railway officials organized a ‘Rail Chaupal’ programme in Vijayawada, inviting passengers to share their opinions on maintaining cleanliness at railway stations. This community interaction platform was launched by the Railway Board to facilitate direct feedback and address passenger suggestions and grievances. Divisional Railway Manager Narendra A. Patil and other railway officers took part in the programme, where passengers appreciated the initiative and shared suggestions and grievances related to station cleanliness. The railway officers assured that necessary action will be taken to resolve the issues raised by the passengers.