Kendrapara (Odisha), May 16 – An Olive Ridley turtle tagged with a satellite-based tracking device at Gahirmatha beach in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has travelled nearly 1,000 kilometers in 51 days to reach the coast of Andhra Pradesh, a forest official said on Friday.

Before reaching Andhra Pradesh, the turtle passed through the marine waters of Sri Lanka, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu, the official noted.

"The turtle travelled through the sea territories of Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry before arriving at the Andhra Pradesh coast, covering a distance of approximately 1,000 km in 51 days," the official added.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Prem Shankar Jha stated that the Wildlife Institute of India’s latest satellite tracking initiative detected the tagged turtle now swimming in the coastal waters of Andhra Pradesh.

In a similar case, a turtle tagged in Odisha four years ago recently returned to the coast of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra—about 3,500 km away—to lay eggs.

Olive Ridley turtles are also known to nest in large numbers near the Rushikulya river mouth in Ganjam district and Devi river mouth in Puri district.

According to officials, around 3,000 turtles are tagged with tracking devices every year. However, experts believe that at least one lakh turtles need to be tagged to gain better insights into their breeding biology, migration patterns, developmental rates, and feeding grounds.

Odisha’s forest department began the tagging initiative in 1999, and two tagged turtles were later spotted off the Sri Lankan coast. The project was suspended for some years but resumed in 2021 under the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).

Between 2021 and 2024, approximately 12,000 turtles have been tagged in the nesting grounds near Gahirmatha and the Rushikulya river mouth, officials said.

Puri, 14 July (HS): On Sunday afternoon, the Ratna Bhandar, the treasury of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Odisha's Puri, reopened after 46 years.
 
Members of an Odisha government-appointed 11-person team visited the Jagannath temple on Sunday afternoon to reopen its renowned treasury. Former Orissa High Court judge Biswanath Rath, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) head administrator Arabinda Padhee, ASI Superintendent DB Gadanayak, and a delegate of Puri's titular royal 'Gajapati Maharaja' have all accessed the treasure.

Four temple servants entered the Ratna Bhandar as well: Patjoshi Mohapatra, Bhandar Mekap, Chadhaukarana, and Deulikaran. The 'Agnya' ceremony, in which consent is sought for the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar, was accomplished this morning.

Puri, June 13 (HS): All four gates of the world famous Lord Jagannath temple located on a beach in Odisha were opened on Thursday morning in the presence of administrative officials. On Wednesday, the Odisha Cabinet had passed a proposal to open all the four gates.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said, "Yesterday in the cabinet meeting, we had proposed to open all the four gates of the Jagannath temple. It is worth noting that the Bharatiya Janata Party had promised to open all the gates of the Jagannath temple in its assembly election manifesto."

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the then Biju Janata Dal government had closed entry from all the gates of the Jagannath temple except one. Since then, devotees had to enter from only one gate. There was a demand to open all the gates.

Bhubaneswar, 9 June (HS): Odisha's departing chief minister Naveen Patnaik's close aide and senior BJD politician V K Pandian announced his resignation from active politics on Sunday, following the regional party's defeat in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

In a video statement, the bureaucrat-turned-politician stated, "Now I consciously decide to withdraw myself from active politics. I apologize if I have caused anyone harm along this trip. I apologize if this campaign narrative against me contributed to the Biju Janata Dal's defeat. I apologize to the whole Biju Parivaar, including all the 'karmis', for this.?

Pandian stated that his primary aim in joining politics was to support Patnaik, which is why he did not run in the elections. He stated that he will always put Odisha in the center of his heart and his Guru Naveen Babu in his breath.

Congress candidate Sucharita Mohanty has declined to contest the prestigious Puri Lok Sabha seat in Odisha. In a letter to party general secretary KC Venugopal, Mohanty expressed his inability to continue, effectively returning the party ticket. With Mohanty's withdrawal, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Dr. Sambit Patra is seen to have a clearer path in the upcoming elections.

The deadline for nominations in Puri is May 6, with voting scheduled for May 25. The Congress now faces the challenge of promptly fielding a new candidate.

Mohanty cited insufficient financial resources as the primary reason for stepping back. Despite efforts to raise funds independently, including reaching out to the public, Mohanty struggled to match the campaign capabilities of BJP and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidates.

According to Mohanty, Congress candidates have also been struggling in the concurrent assembly elections. Their campaigns have not been competitive, contrasting sharply with the well-funded BJP and BJD candidates. Recognizing the financial disparity, Mohanty chose to withdraw from the race.

Seven bodies have been recovered so far following a boat capsizing incident in the Mahanadi River near Odisha's Lakhanpur block on Friday. Search operations resumed at 5 am on Saturday with teams deploying five scuba divers and two search cameras to locate the one remaining missing person.

The boat, carrying passengers from Chhattisgarh's Kharseni area, reportedly capsized near Shardha ghat while returning from a sightseeing trip to Patharseni village in Odisha's Bargarh district. One body was recovered on Friday evening, with six more located during Saturday's search efforts.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh each to their dependents.

Bhubaneswar, Odisha: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates visited the Maa Mangala slum in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Wednesday. During his visit, Gates interacted with residents and government officials to learn more about the Jaga Mission, a government initiative aimed at improving living conditions in slums.

Gates engaged in discussions with slum dwellers, inquiring about the basic amenities available to them and their experiences with the Jaga Mission scheme. He also visited the Biju Adarsh Colony, a model colony developed under the program, alongside state government officials.

The Odisha government's Information and Public Relations Department shared photos of Gates' visit on social media, where he was seen interacting with residents and members of women's self-help groups. State Development Commissioner Anu Garg briefed Gates on the Jaga Mission's efforts to provide slum dwellers with essential facilities like land rights, tap water connections, toilets, and electricity. Gates reportedly expressed satisfaction with the program's success in transforming slum areas into model colonies.

Currently on a two-day visit to India, Gates is scheduled to meet with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to discuss various issues. This visit highlights Bill Gates' continued interest in development projects aimed at improving the lives of underprivileged communities around the world.

Lucknow, Feb 15 (IANS) The Lucknow-based CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) will soon start growing flowers offered at much revered Puri’s Jagannath temple.

As per a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two parties, Lucknow-based research institute will help the Odisha temple in growing special flowers such as lotus, Gandhraj and other aromatic plants needed for rituals.

The flowers will be grown in around 13 acres of the temple land.

It will not be the first such holy assignment for the NBRI, which had recently developed 'Namoh', a lotus with 108 petals.

“We have been developing flower clusters near temples like Gorakhnath in Uttar Pradesh, Shirdi temple in Maharashtra, Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi and Meenakshi temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu,” said NBRI director Ajit Kumar Shasany.

“Since devotees are not allowed to offer flowers bought from outside to deities, the offerings for the rituals are grown on the land owned by the temple. At present, the supply of flowers and plants used at the temple is insufficient to meet such a large need, hence NBRI will teach them techniques on how to cultivate aromatic plants and get full bloom in flowering plants,” said Shasany under whose guidance the institute had recently launched Jasmine cultivation at Puri temple land.

He said that the institute will also teach Puri temple staff the techniques for growing specific plants like Marjoram, Davana and others used for rituals.

The temple has given already allotted NBRI a piece of 13 acres of land for the purpose.

“The temple authorities had planted flowers and plants on this land but failed to give the desired result. Now, the task will be achieved with NBRI providing hand holding support to the temple staff,” said the director.

He said that while land and labour will be of the temple, the NBRI will provide good quality genotype plants of Gandhraj, Jasmine and marigold to them.

“We are also developing flower clusters in nearby villages from where temple authorities can also meet their present and future needs. We plan to train gardeners of the temple to make them independent in flower cultivation,” he added.

“Since lotus is also offered as part of the prayer, we will also help them grow ‘Namoh lotus’ at the temple site,” he added.

Guwahati, November 11 (IANS) The Gauhati University will allow female students to take menstrual leaves and also grant relaxation in their attendance to appear for exams, officials said on Saturday.

Recognizing the importance of menstrual health to women's overall health, the institution has relaxed the minimum class attendance requirement for female students by 2 per cent.

This decision, which comes into immediate effect, is in line with guidelines that the Union Ministries of Women and Child Development and Education released earlier this year.

The new policy grants female students a menstrual leave provision, which relaxes the minimum class attendance requirement by 2 per cent so they can take exams at the conclusion of the semester.

Female students must maintain a minimum of 73 per cent attendance in order to be eligible for exams, the official notification mentioned.

A senior official said that the Gauhati University's move is in line with a wider view of menstrual health as a crucial component of general well-being, influencing a range of aspects of life, including mobility, employment, education access, dignity, and freedom.

Through this progressive policy, the university hopes to address and acknowledge the particular difficulties faced by female students throughout their period.

A premier institution in northeast India, Gauhati University was founded in 1948 and is well-known for its programs and academic distinction.

Bhubaneswar, Oct 25 (IANS) The Odisha government will soon set up 100 chess training centres across the state, furthering its mission to turn the state into a sporting hub.

While holding a meeting with Dana Reizniece-Ozola, woman Grandmaster and Deputy Chair of FIDE (International Chess Federation) Management Board and former minister of Latvia, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday assured all the assistance to promote the game in the state.

"We are committed to providing the best opportunities to our youth, and chess is a powerful avenue for their growth. We have established the state-level chess academy - Pro-Chess-Ta, the Chess in Schools project - while more than 100 chess training centres across Odisha have been planned. We look forward to working closely with FIDE to achieve our goals," said Patnaik.

According to a press note issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, Patnaik and Reizniece-Ozola emphasised on the need to popularise chess as a mind-sport for its immense potential to empower the youth intellectually and emotionally.

The meeting highlighted the importance of identifying and supporting young chess prodigies and providing them with the right infrastructure and training to excel on the national and international stages.

On her part, Reizniece-Ozola praised Patnaik and the state government’s relentless efforts in fostering the growth of sports among its youth.

Jharsuguda (Odisha) [India], August 28: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has taken a monumental stride in enhancing healthcare accessibility in Odisha by supporting the establishment of two cutting-edge Diagnostic Centres, in Jharsuguda and Laikera respectively. The centres were inaugurated virtually by Shri Naveen Patnaik, the esteemed Chief Minister of Odisha, in the presence of Ms. Dipali Das, MLA of Jharsuguda, and Ms. Aboli Sunil Naravane, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate of Jharsuguda. Notably, they are the largest medical diagnosis facilities in Western Odisha and will cater to more than 10 districts in the region.

This visionary project was envisaged by the late Shri Naba Kishore Das, the former Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha. The foundation stone for the project was laid by Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik in 2019, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards a healthier and more prosperous Odisha.

With an investment of 40 crore rupees, these centres are set to revolutionize healthcare accessibility in the regions of Jharsuguda and Laikera, catering to the needs of the local communities. The Diagnostic Centres, constructed on 0.74 acres in Jharsuguda and 0.5 acres in Laikera, boast of state-of-the-art infrastructure across a built-up area of 10,000 sq ft and 5,000 sq ft, respectively. These centres will provide a comprehensive range of Radiology and Pathology services, including MRI and CT scanning facilities, contributing to improved healthcare delivery and diagnosis in the region. The Diagnostic Centres will offer services at nominal charges, aligned with the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rates, with operations running round the clock for laboratory services and from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM for radiology services.

Inaugurating the diagnostic centres virtually, Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, said “I am very happy to inaugurate the two diagnostic centres at Laikera and Jharsuguda. A healthy Odisha is a happy Odisha. Quality healthcare is an important indicator of development. In addition to the Government, the cooperation of private sector in healthcare is a welcome pursuit. I thank Vedanta for their endeavour in strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Jharsuguda district. The newly launched diagnostic centres will provide quality healthcare access to the people of the region.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Dipali Das, Member of Legislative Assembly, said, “The people of Jharsuguda and Odisha are fortunate to have a leader who believes in the power of community and collective progress. Odisha is a state where collective progress is above everything else. The Chief Miniter’s visionary leadership has uplifted the healthcare system of the state to newer heights. My Late father under the guidance of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik had a dream to revolutionize the healthcare system of Jharsuguda and this diagnostic centre is a step towards realizing that dream. This diagnostic centre will tend to lakhs of people and make quality healthcare affordable to all. I would also like to thank Vedanta for enabling this transformative venture to take shape.”

Ms. Aboli Sunil Naravane, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate added, “I would like to thank our Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik for gracing the inauguration ceremony of the diagnostic centres at Jharsuguda and Laikera. The entire district will benefit from these diagnostic centres and hence I would like to Vedanta for the facility.”

Speaking at the inaugural event, Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Limited – Aluminium Business, said, “I express my heartfelt gratitude to our Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik Ji for gracing this event and inaugurating the two state-of-the-art diagnostic centres in Jharsuguda and Laikera, which is one of the largest and first-of-its-kind in Western Odisha. I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to Ms. Dipali Das, MLA of Jharsuguda, and Ms. Aboli Sunil Naravane, District Magistrate and Collector of Jharsuguda, for their support and encouragement, which has been instrumental in enabling this significant initiative. The establishment of these Diagnostic Centres is a reflection of Vedanta’s enduring commitment to community welfare. These modern facilities will bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility in the region. We believe that quality healthcare is a fundamental right, and these centres will play a pivotal role in ensuring that that quality healthcare is accessible, affordable, and within arm’s reach of every individual, thereby uplifting the quality of life in the region. This endeavour transcends mere corporate responsibility; it embodies the spirit of our collective commitment to creating a healthier and more prosperous Odisha.”

Vedanta Jharsuguda’s social interventions in the domains of sustainable livelihood, quality education, women empowerment, health, water and sanitation, bio-investment and community infrastructure reach out to 80 villages in Jharsuguda and nearby areas, benefiting over 3 lakh people in a year. It continues to empower more than 4,000 women from over 350 SHGs since 2008, provides doorstep healthcare services to about 43,000 people annually, has given educational support to more than 13,000 students till date..

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 world rankings for aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.

www.vedantaaluminium.com

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], 19: House Of Ekam, a premier Indian home decor brand & ecommerce store, has provided women artisans of rural Odisha empowerment & livelihood by selling more than 25,000 of their sabai grass baskets in India and abroad.

Sabai grass is a perennial grass found in abundance in Odisha and West Bengal. Originally used to make ropes, sabai grass weavers found better use of it by making home décor products like trays, baskets, vases, etc. The grass can be dyed as well, making it ideal for decorative purposes.

House Of Ekam sourced designer sabai grass baskets for wall decoration from women artisans in remote parts of Odisha and launched them in India and all over the world in 2020. In less than 4 years, House Of Ekam has sold more than 25,000 pieces of these sustainable & eco-friendly baskets. The market thus created has not only generated employment for women in rural Odisha, but also bolstered the market for Indian handicrafts.

“Indian handicrafts are sought after all over the world, but were not easily accessible in India. Indian handicrafts were out priced in comparison to machine-made products and majorly exported. During my tenure as category manager for leading home decor brands, I recognised the market for quality Indian handicrafts designed with modern sensibilities. At House of Ekam, we work directly with craftsman in remotest parts of India. With our design curation, sourcing prowess and quality standards, we have sold more than 1,00,000 handicraft products in India and abroad in the last 6 years. We take pride in presenting the best of India to the World, and Sabai grass baskets are a testament to the Indian craftswomanship” says Tanvi Agarwal, Founder of House Of Ekam.

Founded in 2017, House of Ekam is a bootstrapped e-commerce home decor brand. House of Ekam has a wide product portfolio with over 1,000 products spread across 20 categories like wall décor, curtains, bed linen, table linen and lots more on www.houseofekam.com Expanding their footprint, they have launched a website to specially cater to the international demand for their products and also forayed into hand printed apparel for women.

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