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BHUBANESWAR: Two workers from Odisha have died in the massive explosion that completely brought down the Sigachi Industries Limited's pharmaceutical factory at Pashamylaram industrial area in Sangareddy district of Telangana on Monday. Four more Odia workers have been injured in the blast and are currently undergoing treatment at Pranaam Hospital in Madinaguda and Dhruva Hospital, Telangana. The deceased were identified as Lagnajit Duari of Tigiria in Cuttack and Rajmala Jagamohan of Chatrapur in Ganjam district. The injured are Samir Padhi of Ganjam, Nilambar Bhadra of Nabarangpur, Chandan Kumar Nayak of Bhadrak and Chitasen Batra. Of them, Samir sustained more than 35 per cent burn injuries and is admitted to the ICU. Chitrasen has been unconscious ever since he was rescued. Condition of the remaining two is stable, sources said. Earlier on Tuesday, Telangana Health minister Damodar Rajanarasimha informed that there were around 90 workers in the factory when the incident took place. Officer on special duty in the directorate of Odisha Paribar, Pritish Panda said with rescue operations are still underway at the explosion site, it is not clear if there are more Odia workers who have either been injured or killed in the blast. Many of the bodies have been charred beyond recognition and need DNA identification. "It is believed that many workers from Odisha were employed in the chemical factory. We are yet to ascertain the exact number of the workers from the state because most of them had gone through private contractors. Since Chitrasen is unconscious, his native village is not known yet," he added. Panda along with another officer Chandra Sekhar Hota have been sent to Telangana by the Odisha government to coordinate the rescue operations for Odia workers. The bodies of Lagnajit and Jagamohan have been sent back to their homes and are expected to reach on Wednesday morning, they informed. Taking to X, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the recovery of those injured. "Deeply saddened by the heartbreaking fire incident at a chemical factory in Telangana's Sangareddy district. I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannath for peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families in this hour of grief," he wrote.
BJP member Manas Dutta blamed the previous BJD government and held it responsible for not extending their service agreement which ended in April, 2024. As hundreds of women working as support staff under the Mission Shakti department staged a demonstration outside the Assembly over different issues, the opposition BJD on Monday demanded immediate release of their salaries. While the agitating women were shouting slogans at the Mahatma Gandhi Road leading to the Assembly, the issue was raised in ...Read More >
Mumbai: The birth of three penguin chicks at Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo has sparked an unexpected row not over their care, but their names. BJP functionary Nitin Bankar from the Byculla Assembly constituency has objected to the chicks being given English names, insisting they be named in Marathi instead. The BMC is expected to respond by June 10, after which Bankar will decide his next move. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Bankar said, "When penguins were brought from abroad, we accepted that their names would be in English. But these chicks were born on the soil of M ...Read More >
Berhampur (Odisha), Jun 6 (PTI) Environmental activist Medha Patkar on Saturday appealed to the people of Odisha for protection of Rushikulya river. The government planned to construct a dam in the river Pipalapnaka under Sorada block in the district. While participating in the Save Rushikulya river movement in Ganjam district, she said, "Rivers may be small or big, but they are our mother. We have to protect the rivers from attacks." She attended a meeting were organised by the Rushikulya Banchao Kriyaanusthan Committee (RBKC) and the Centre for Climate Justice, spearheading the agitation a ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Sainik School Bhubaneswar is set to host the prestigious "All India Sainik Schools Inter Group (National Level) Football Tournament-2025" from June 7 to June 15, 2025, at its school campus in the State Capital. The tournament, organized under the aegis of Sainik Schools Society, Ministry of Defence, and Government of Odisha, will feature teams that have emerged victorious in the eight Intra Group competitions. The tournament will be conducted in three categories: Sub Junior Boys (Under 15), Junior Boys (Under 17), and Junior Girls (Under 17). The winners of this tournament will ...Read More >
Ahmedabad, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The MSC IRINA, recognised as the world's largest container ship by TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) capacity, is set to dock at the Adani Group's Vizhinjam International Seaport on Monday and will be berthed till Tuesday. The monumental arrival marks a significant milestone for the seaport, which was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2. The MSC IRINA boasts an impressive capacity of 24,346 TEUs, making it a formidable player in global shipping. With a length of 399.9 metres and a width of 61.3 metres, the vessel is approximate ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly on Tuesday witnessed a noisy scene as Opposition BJD and Congress members held protests inside the House over alleged non-payment of salaries to around 60,000 women supporting staffers under the 'Mission Shakti' scheme. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik accused the BJP government of "conspiring to stop" salaries of the 'Mission Shakti' staff. As soon as the Question Hour began, the BJD and Congress members trooped to the well of the House and demanded immediate release of salaries of around 60,000 women supporting staff working under the 'Mission Shakti' sch ...Read More >
Bhawanipatna: Odisha on Tuesday remembered freedom fighter and tribal icon Rando Majhi on his 169th martyrdom day. Rando headed a movement against the British from 1853 till he was shot dead by the police two years later. Taking to X, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said: "A humble tribute to the great freedom fighter, tribal leader Rando Majhi, on his Sacrifice Day. His dedication and sacrifice for the protection of motherland will always be remembered." Rando, along with his 19 associates, was gunned down by British police while taking rest at Urladani in Kalahandi district on December 10, ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Friday decided to implement two new schemes for the development of biotechnology and to enhance urban infrastructure. The Cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal to float a tender for Chheligada multipurpose medium irrigation project in Gajapati district. These proposals were approved at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. "The two new schemes, named 'Development of Biotechnology' and 'Mukhya Mantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY)', aimed at creating employment and strengthening the State's economy," Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja told ...Read More >
The Odisha government has formed a high-level ministerial committee, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, to ensure the smooth execution of the Rath Yatra in Puri on June 27. The committee will oversee all arrangements for the festival, expected to draw around 1.5 million attendees. Preparations are also underway for the Snan Yatra on June 11.The Odisha government has constituted a high-level ministerial committee to ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannat ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Famous producer Ektaa Kapoor has met Chief Minister Mohan Majhi in Odisha Assembly on Tuesday and thanked him for declaring 'The Sabarmati Report' tax-free in Odisha. She had urged Chief Minister Majhi and the Council of Ministers to watch the film. On November 28 Odisha government declared to remove the entertainment tax from 'The Sabarmati Report', informed Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mukesh Mahaling. The movie is produced by her. Taking to his X handle, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said, "People's government has decided to make the film 'Sabarmati Report' based on ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, June 5 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday urged the people to resolve to end plastic pollution and maintain a healthy, clean environment. "Today, let us pledge to eliminate plastic pollution and create a healthier, cleaner environment for our citizens," Majhi said while addressing the state-level World Environment Day event. He noted that plastic has become an integral part of our lives, especially single-use plastics. Stressing that plastic waste must be ad ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
Berhampur/Bhubaneswar: A state-of-the-art medical college and hospital was inaugurated by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Kandhamal district on Saturday, fulfilling a long-standing demand of locals. The 100-seat medical college and 650-bed hospital, built at a cost of over Rs 600 crore, is located at Tilakpada near Phulbani.Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, CM Majhi emphasised that the facility would provide quality healthcare services to residents of Kandhamal and neighbouring districts like Boudh, Nayagarh and Kalahandi.A govt officer said the medical college hopes to start admissi ...Read More >
Puri: Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday launched the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan with the blessings of Lord Jagannath in Odisha's Puri. Chouhan launched this new scheme by joining a special program at the Puri Sakshi Gopal Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Speaking to the reporters after taking blessings from Lord Jagannath, Chouhan said, "The new scheme of the Centre, the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, is being launched from Jagannath Dham. The aim of the scheme is that our agricultural scientists will go to the villages and, according to the weather, so ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The state cabinet, under the chairmanship of chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Friday approved a comprehensive five-year biotechnology development scheme with an outlay of Rs 1,113.50 crore. The programme will be implemented from 2025-26 to 2029-30.The 'Development of Biotechnology' initiative, comprising 17 sub-schemes, aims to transform Odisha into a knowledge-driven bio-economy by leveraging the state's rich biodiversity and existing research infrastructure."This scheme will create a robust ecosystem for innovation, incubation and investment in the biotechnology sector," a ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
Bhopal: The Gita recitation programme by the Madhya Pradesh government has found a place in the Guinness World Records. "More than 7,200 'acharyas' and 'vatuks' collectively recited the third chapter 'Karma Yoga' on Wednesday, making a record," a statement issued by the government said. The event was parallely organised at Bhopal's Lal Parade Ground and Ujjain to mark the sacred occasion of Gita Jayanti. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the collective recitation of the Gita by thousands of Acharyas in Bhopal and Ujjain has been registered in the 'Guinness Book of World Records'. He con ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Terming the handcuffing of Lagacharla farmer Hirya Nayak, currently lodged in Sangareddy jail, while taking him to hospital for treatment "inhuman", BRS working president KT Rama Rao has urged the Chief Justice of Telangana high court to take the case suo motu and urged governor Jishnu Dev Varma to order a probe into the incident. Addressing a press meet on Thursday, the BRS leader said the farmer, who is suspected to have suffered a heart attack while in jail, was treated inhumanly. ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced a hike in the salary and EPF of junior teachers (schematic) engaged in primary and upper primary schools. These teachers were appointed at the primary and upper primary levels under the Samagra Shiksha programme. They are currently receiving a monthly salary of Rs 11,100. According to the govt's decision, the monthly salary of these teachers has been increased from Rs 11,100 to Rs 16,000.Additionally, their EPF contribution was raised from Rs 1,443 to Rs 1,950. As a result of this decision, the state govt, which was previousl ...Read More >
Pune: Hospitals in Pune have started reporting an increase in dengue cases among children following recent heavy rainfall and intermittent showers. Conditions are now ripe for mosquito breeding, experts said, as they warned citizens to ensure there's no waterlogging or stagnant pools near homes and offices. "Dengue is typically seen first in children as they often play outside," said Dr Sagar Lad, a senior neonatologist and pediatric intensivist at Jehangir Hospital and Sahyadri Hospital, Shastrinagar. Dr Lad said he's seen at least three children admitted for dengue this week, with all of the ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The dark dingy room of the jail in the city haunts Bhubanananda Tripathi even after 49 years and some months. The rattling noise of locks and bars, the unhygienic environs, the food that was bereft of taste and the scary nights came alive as Tripathi gets the news that the government of Odisha declares provision of pension to all those who had spent countless sleepless nights in prison during the Emergency in 1975. Tripathy is one of the 1200 brave souls from Odisha who were among 1.1 lakh arrested during Emergency and endured torture, humiliation and their crime was - demanding ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi along with students from govt schools across the state, attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Pariksha Pe Charcha on Monday. The interactive session aimed to boost students' confidence ahead of the board exams, offering guidance on handling pressure, time management, and other academic concerns. Odia student Priti Biswal was among those who had the opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister. Attending as chief guest in the Pariksha Pe Charcha-2025 programme held at Unit-I Government High School, Majhi asked students to focus on prep ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced an ambitious plan of planting 7.5 crore saplings across the state within a year. Speaking at the state-level celebration of World Environment Day at the OUAT Agriculture Education Hall in city, the CM emphasised the importance of public awareness and collective responsibility in protecting nature and ending plastic pollution. "A healthy environment is essential for a healthy society," he said.Addressing the rising threat of single-use plastic, the CM urged citizens to support a mass movement to eliminate plastic from daily li ...Read More >
BHUBANESWAR: Emphasising the importance of cleaner and greener environment for a healthy society, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced the government's plan of planting 7.5 crore trees across the state within the next one year. Addressing a state-level function held at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) to celebrate World Environment Day, the chief minister said the state has achieved a net increase of approximately 560 sq km in forest and tree cover, which is the fourth-highest among all states. The common people and institutions have planted nearly ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Odisha on June 20 as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's first anniversary celebrations in the state. The visit, which was initially scheduled for June 12, has now been rescheduled, confirmed revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday. Making the official announcement, Pujari underscored the significance of the Prime Minister's presence, describing it as a moment of pride and political importance for Odisha. The event is expected to draw significant attention from both state and national stakeh ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha BJP government has renamed 21 schemes launched by the previous BJD regime, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi told the assembly Thursday. The BJP government took oath June 12 after defeating the 24-year-old Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government in the assembly elections. In a written reply to a query by BJD legislator Tusharkanti Behera, the Chief Minister said the state government has renamed 21 existing schemes and launched seven new ones. According to a statement, the BJP government has rebranded eight schemes that were named after the late Biju Patnaik, father of form ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: In response to the ongoing supply issues with West Bengal, the Odisha government has announced an ambitious plan to cultivate potatoes on 15,023 hectares of land. Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo outlined the initiative during a recent Assembly session, emphasizing the need to boost local production to mitigate the impact of the supply disruption. The Deputy CM highlighted that steps have been taken to increase potato production in key districts such as Cuttack, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Koraput. These districts are known for their favorable conditions for tuber cul ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Outgoing Governor Raghubar Das said Odisha's success in advancing on the path of development while preserving its traditions is truly inspiring. "Odisha has achieved recognition for its rich culture and glorious tradition. The enthusiasm and unparalleled hospitality of the people of Odisha has left a deep impression on my heart. Odisha's success in moving ahead on the path of development while adhering to its tradition is truly inspiring," said Das. He further stated that after spending more than 13 months in Odisha, he is leaving with a deep sense of gratitude and respect for t ...Read More >