Koraput District Recognized for Excellence in Shree Anna Abhiyan.
Koraput District has been awarded the Best Performing District under the Shree Anna Abhiyan for its outstanding achievements in the areas of Millets Coverage, Millets Productivity, and Ragi Procurement.
The award was presented to the Collector and District Magistrate of Koraput V Keerti Vasan by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, recognizing the district’s significant contribution to the promotion of millets as a sustainable and nutritious food source.
This recognition highlights the district’s commitment to supporting local farmers, boosting agricultural productivity, and promoting the consumption of traditional crops like Ragi for better food security
V keerti vasan Collector koraput congratulated all the stakeholders and the people of Koraput for their relentless efforts towards achieving this remarkable feat.
Ratan Tata, chairman of one of India’s biggest conglomerates, Tata Sons, died at the age of 86
Ratan Tata, who is also known for his charitable work, served as the chairman of the Tata Group from 1991 to 2012. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the conglomerate founded by his great-grandfather over a century ago.
In 1996, Tata established Tata Teleservices, the telecommunications arm of the group, and in 2004, he led the initial public offering of Tata Consultancy Services, the group’s IT company.
After stepping down as chairman in 2012, Tata retained the honorary title of chairman emeritus for several Tata companies, including Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, and Tata Chemicals.
He continues to oversee the Tata Trusts, which play a crucial role in India’s philanthropic landscape. In recognition of his contributions to the industry, Tata was awarded two of India’s highest civilian honors: the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.Beyond his business achievements, Tata is also known for his support of entrepreneurship. He has invested in more than 30 start-ups across various sectors, cementing his position as a prominent investor in the Indian start-up ecosystem. Ratan Tata’s legacy extends far beyond the Tata Group, as his vision and leadership have shaped the Indian business landscape and inspired a new generation of entrepreneurs.
When Harshita Priyadarshini Mohanty began conserving native seeds, she didn’t know she’d be known as the ‘seed girl.’The Class 8 student from Koraput, Odisha, has built a seed bank that houses over 180 varieties of indigenous paddy and more than 80 types of millet.Inspired by Padma Shri Kamala Pujari, a local agricultural expert, Harshita flagged off her venture of collecting indigenous seeds in 2023.“Kamala ji gave me four varieties of paddy seeds – Koraput Kalajeera (which got GI-tagged in August 2023), Machhakanta, Umuriachudi and Asamchudi.
She said that children must preserve the vanishing Indigenous seeds for future generations,” Harshita told 30 States.Recognising the unique qualities of native seeds – their adaptability to local conditions, climate resilience, and nutritional value – she remains passionate about promoting their use.“Farmers don’t have to spend money to buy seeds every season if they conserve indigenous seeds,” Harshita added.She actively seeks out indigenous seeds from farmers’ fields and local markets across Koraput and carefully stores the seeds in plastic containers and earthen pots, using neem tablets to protect them from pests.
Her seed bank includes a diverse range of rice varieties, such as Kalabati (black rice), Tulsi Bhog (high-fibre rice), and Rogusai, as well as various millet types.She keeps between 100 gm and 250 gm of each seed variety. If there are seeds beyond this, she distributes the surplus among farmers for free. “This year, I have distributed seeds among 50 farmers so far,” said Harshita, who aims to be an agronomist.In addition to her seed-saving endeavours, Harshita has formed a group of young people to promote organic farming in five villages under the Boipariguda block of koraput district at Odisha.
A blood donation camp was organized today by NCC, NSS,and Youth red cross of Vikram Dev University in collaboration with my heart beats for others and District Hospital, jeypore within the university campus, here. A total of 50 units of blood collected.
A team of Nurse, paramedical staffs along with BBO Dr SS Mishra from District Hospital jeypore and other blood bank officials were present during the camp.
The NCC cadets, students and staff of the college took part in the day-long blood donation camp
On the occasion, Prof Dr Devi Prasad mishra OSD of Vikram dev University said that blood donation is a noble cause through which precious lives can be saved as it does not cause any weakness but has many health benefits.
Prof Mishra thanked all the donors and participants for their overwhelming participation and further said that organising such camps in the University is giving an opportunity to every student and staff of the College to participate in the noble cause, and also emphasized more such camps be organized in the University.
ANO NCC Capt. Dr Lakshman patra the organiser of the camp said such camps boost the cadets and students to do social activities through donating blood and also raises care for the humanity & society.
Among other registrar Sri Ranjan Kumar Pradhan, CPGC Dr prasanta Kumar Patra, NSS coordinator Dr Arun Kumar Raj,YRC co-ordinator Dr Rusav Kumar Sahu, Founder MHBFO Mihir karkara and other staffs were present.
NSS Bureau of Vikram dev University organised a One day induction cum orientation program.
The first induction cum orientation program after Vikram Dev college declared as university for the Principals, POs, DPOs and volunteers under Vikram Dev University, Jeypore was successfully organised by NSS Bureau of VDU in the leadership of program coordinator Dr Manoranjan Pradhan.
The program comprises five sessions including three technical sessions on basics of NSS, documentation of activities and managing ZBSA PFMS accounts.
The inaugural session was inaugurated by OSD cum Vice-chancellor Prof Devi Prasad Misra accompanied by Registrar Prof Ranjan Pradhan,CPGC, Prof. Prashant Kumar Patra and Program Coordinator Dr Manoranjan Pradhan.
A total of 30 principals, 53 Program Officers and 43 coordinators with four District Program Officers of Koraput(Sri Susant Kumar Behera), Rayagada(S B Mohanty)Nabarangapur(B B Pradhan )and Malkangiri (Sri Saroj Kumar Mahapatra)districts.
The three technical sessions were delivered by resource persons namely Kishor Chandra Behera,Sushant Behera,Himanshu Baxi and Manasi Mahapatra.
In the inaugural session the Vice Chancellor, Register,CPGC and Program Coordinator addressed the gathering.
The session was hosted by Susmita Nayak and Mousumi Priyanka Tripathi and the program concluded by distributing certificates to all participants.
Padmashri awardee Kamala Pujari passed away due to cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, the hospital officials informed on Saturday.
Initially admitted to the district headquarters hospital at Jeypore in the Koraput district on Tuesday for fever and old-age ailments, Pujari was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital on Thursday as her condition deteriorated.
Acclaimed for her contributions to organic farming and conservation of native paddy varieties, Kamala Pujari was admitted to SCB two days back again due to health-related issues. Hospital sources said she died due to cardiac arrest.
The tribal lady from Koraput is known for her pioneering work in organic agriculture. For this reason, she was awarded the Padma Shri.
Kamala Pujari’s dedication to agriculture and her efforts in preserving indigenous crop varieties have left a lasting legacy. Her passing marks the end of an era for the agricultural community in Odisha.
Pujari brought laurels for the State by winning the ‘Equator Initiative Award’ in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pujari was not keeping well and had earlier undergone treatment at SCB multiple times in the past. She was suffering from kidney-related ailments.
A four-member team was engaged for the treatment of Pujari. Sources said that she had undergone dialysis recently. She was not consuming food and suffered a cardiac arrest early today.
Expressing condolences over Pujari’s demise, Koraput Collector Keerthi Vasan V stated that Pujari’s family members had been informed and necessary arrangements for the funeral would be made according to the family’s wishes and state government directives.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi condoled the demise of Kamala Pujari. He said the state or country cannot forget her contributions in the field of environmental protection. Her selfless act of preserving indigenous varieties of paddy and other grains is commendable.
The Rotaract Club of Jeypore’s leading Rotaract Clubs dedicated to people empowerment and community service for the past 49 years, held its 50th Installation Ceremony on Sunday at Balakrishna Palace.
During the event, outgoing president Rtr Purna Pattnaik handed over the presidency to incoming president Rtr Anand Rao who will lead the club as the 50th Golden jublee president and Rajendra Prasad jain as the secretary.
100 attendees, representing various Rotaract Clubs, and family members of Rotary Club members, participated in the ceremony.
During the event, the outgoing secretary for Rotary Year 2023-24, Rtr Sandip Jand, presented an overview of the club’s activities.
He noted that the Rotaract Club of jeypore conducted various projects in Rotary Year 2023-24, covering community service, professional development, international service, and promoting fellowship and goodwill among people.
In his closing speech, outgoing President Rtr Purna Pattnaik stated,“All those micro-projects which we do as part of the Rotaract Clubs help an individual know more about themselves, grow personally and professionally, and most importantly, make them feel part of the community and its development.
This is all part of creating a responsible human force.”He invited the civil society organisations present at the event for future collaborations.
During the event, key performing members of the Rotaract Club of jeypore who showcased leadership and volunteering spirit were awarded.
Rtr Anjani Agarwal the most senior and founder member cut the cake to mark the 50th year of Rotary Jeypore in the presence of Mahesh Dholakia and Asish Agarwal. While a total of 47 members enrolled in the past year has been increased by two more new members Narayan Nisonko and Sagar Samantray as the new Rotarian.
The Rath Yatra was celebrated with much pomp and grandeur in the historical city of Jeypore in south Odisha which served as the capital of the powerful Suryavanshis who ruled over the greater part of Kalinga for much of their history. During their heydays, the solar kings venerated Lord Jagannath as the prime deity of their kingdom that significantly helped them in building cordiality with the local Odia masses.
Puri, the home of Lord Jagannath has always been one of the most significant pilgrimages of Hindu religion and the culturally recognised seat of the Gajapati or the regional king. Evidently, once upon a time the king of Jeypore occupied a much larger territory than the Gajapati of Puri but could not achieve the same reverence and respect owing to the latter’s cultural significance. Therefore, to claim superiority, one king of Jeypore (either Vishwambhar Dev or Raghunath Krishna Dev) ordered the priests to delay the movement of the chariot for a day.
This was explained by the priests that on the first day the deities are present in the chariot of Puri. However, on the next day they arrive in the chariot of Jeypore to bless the Maharaja and his subjects. In a political sense, the move was to maintain equivalence with the Gajapati’s religious superiority.
In the following years, the festival of Rath Yatra spread not only Jeypore but also in Visakhapatnam and other parts of Andhra. During the reign of Maharaja Sree Vikram Dev III Bahadur KCIE, sandalwood plantation was patronised by the estate and many sandalwood saplings were brought from Mysore.
The estate then distributed the saplings to Nayaks (tribal heads) of Nandapur, Koraput, Jeypore and Lamtaput to plant them across the district. Sources said sandalwood plantations over 10,000 hectares were carried out in the early 50s in the forest ranges of Jeypore, Nandapur and Koraput.
The aim was to meet sandalwood requirements of temples across Jeypore kingdom. On special occasions like Rath Yatra and Dussehra, pieces of sandalwood were also provided to the Jagannath temple in Puri and State’s popular Devi shrines as gifts. In Jeypore itself there was a large chariot made of sandalwood as per the hearsay of the old inhabitants. Nevertheless, Rath Yatra and Dussehra have always been the most popular festivals of southern Odisha and even in 2024 the festival of Lord Jagannath is celebrated with the same zest and enthusiasm like it was in earlier.
The annual Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra will begin in Odisha’s Puri today. This year, due to specific celestial arrangements, the religious event will go on for two days. President Droupadi Murmu is expected to witness the Rath Yatra in Puri, along with millions of devotees from across India
The Odisha government has made elaborate arrangements for smooth and timely conduct of the annual festival. Special security arrangements will be in place for the President’s visit to the festival. While a VIP zone has been planned for the Odisha governor, chief minister, Union ministers and other dignitaries, a buffer zone has been planned for the President, ADG (law and order) Sanjay Kumar told news agency.
Usually a one-day religious event, the Rath Yatra was last held for two days in 1971. During the Yatra, rituals related to the Hindu deities – Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra – take place.
Also known as the Chariot Festival, the Yatra marks the Holy Trinity’s journey to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha Devi’s Temple, and concludes with their return after eight days. Ahead of the Yatra, the chariots have been parked in front of the Lion’s Gate of the Jagannath temple from where they would be taken to Gundicha temple where the Raths will stay for a week.
Indian bowlers, especially Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh kept calm in the end as India snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they finally ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought and won the T20 World Cup for the second time in their history by beating South Africa by 7 runs.
Bumrah had cleaned up Reeza Hendricks in the second over while Arshdeep snapped up Aiden Markram in the 3rd as South Africa were rattled early in the chase of 176, losing 2 quick wickets. Virat Kohli scored 76 as India posted 176/7, the highest ever team total in the history of the T20 World Cup final against South Africa at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown in Barbados on Saturday. Shivam Dube supporeted him in the death, scoring 27 runs.
Earlier, Keshav Maharaj struck twice with wickets of Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant while Kagiso Rabada snapped up Suryakumar Yadav as India lost 3 wickets inside the powerplay. Axar Patel looked to be in good touch, scoring 47 but he also fell courtesy of a brilliant throw from Quinton de Kock.
It means a lot. Very emotional, we’ve been working very hard and something was not clicking. But today we got what the whole nation wanted. More special for me, how my last 6 months were, I haven’t spoken a word. I knew that if I kept working hard I could shine and do what I could do. Getting an opportunity like this makes it more special. We always believed, it was just about executing our plans and staying calm and letting the pressure come to them. Credit to Jassi (Bumrah) and the other bowlers for those last 5 overs. Knew it would not help me if I wasn’t calm, wanted to commit 100% to every ball I’ve bowled. I’ve always enjoyed pressure. Very happy for him (Dravid), he’s been a wonderful man, really enjoyed working with him, to give him a farewell like this is wonderful, have had a very good relationship with him and became friends. Very happy for all the support staff.
