Residents of Kanibanka in Kendrapara district have expressed concern over the discovery of insects and worms in sattu and suji packets supplied by the local Anganwadi centre. Allegations have been made against the Self Help Group for providing substandard food, which has been denied by the Anganwadi worker Puspanjali Pradhan. The Odisha Deputy Chief Minister has promised strict action against those responsible for compromising the health of children with substandard food.
The National Conference has announced that former chief minister Omar Abdullah will be contesting from the Ganderbal constituency in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The constituency has traditionally been a strong hold for the party, with three generations of the Abdullah family being elected there in the past. The announcement came as the party released its second list of candidates, and amidst an alliance with the Congress in the union territory. In other political news, the speaker of the Odisha assembly has called for an all party meet after opposition parties caused a ruckus over reservation issues. Meanwhile, in Kolkata, the rape case involving a doctor has led to protests, with police resorting to using lathi-charges and tear gas to control the situation.
A heated political clash has erupted in Odisha between the state unit of the BJP and the opposition party BJD. This was triggered by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's announcement of a campaign to highlight BJP's unfulfilled promises. Refuting these claims, BJP stated that they are fulfilling all their promises, while BJD maintains that this campaign is simply a way to strengthen their party and encourage its workers.
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.
In Puri, Odisha, a historic Rath Yatra was held where the Trinity- Lord Jagannath and his siblings- were taken out from the 12th century temple to their respective chariots. This event was attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, and other prominent figures. However, the joy and celebration were marred by the unfortunate death of a male devotee and injuries sustained by others during the pulling of the chariots. Despite this, the rituals continued with Mangala Alati and Mailama niti, making for an unforgettable and historic festival.
The Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Pravati Parida, has urged media houses to refrain from spreading misleading news and speculation about the Subhadra Yojana, a scheme still in the draft stage, which promises to provide Rs 50,000 to women within 100 days. With the BJP government recently coming into power in the state, there is a lot of anticipation and eagerness among potential beneficiaries. However, Parida has emphasized the need for responsible reporting and cooperation with the government in accurately informing the public about the details and eligibility criteria for the scheme. She also shared updates on other initiatives such as a tree-planting campaign and preparations for rural tourism.
After a gap of 53 years, the annual Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath is being celebrated in Puri, Odisha for two days. The festival began with great enthusiasm in Gujarat's Jamalpur, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah performed the 'mangla aarti' and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed the 'pahind vidhi'. Tight security measures have been put in place, with the presence of President Droupadi Murmu and lakhs of devotees expected at the festival venue. Additionally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that a similar Rath Yatra will be held in Digha from next year. Stay tuned for real-time updates on the grand event.
The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Manoj Ahuja has been appointed as the new chief secretary of Odisha, replacing Pradeep Kumar Jena. Ahuja's return from a central deputation has been met with speculations, and it has now been confirmed that he will take on the challenging role in the newly-formed BJP government in the state. With his experience and the support of the Prime Minister, Ahuja's appointment is expected to bring about positive changes in the state's agriculture sector and revitalize the sluggish government departments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed BJP workers with chants of "Jai Jagannath" after the party secured a majority in the Odisha assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Modi declared that this will be the first time the land of Lord Jagannath will have a BJP Chief Minister. He also expressed gratitude to the public for voting NDA to a third term in Parliament, as the alliance was set to win 290 seats. The PM also highlighted the party's performance in other states and praised the sacrifices made by BJP workers in Kerala.
After the recent formation of the BJP government in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has been working tirelessly to address the needs of his constituents. He has been meeting with citizens, listening to their grievances, and ensuring that their issues are being dealt with promptly. Not only does CM Majhi work long hours, but he also shows great compassion and empathy towards those who meet with him, such as the specially-abled Arjun Nayak. Even on Sundays, the Chief Minister's temporary office remains filled with people seeking his assistance, demonstrating his commitment to serving the people of Odisha.