Kosali drama competition to be held in B’ngir
Balangir: A State-level Kosali drama competition, Naatbadi, organised by the Sushree Institute of Technical Education (SITE) would be held here from February 28 to March 5, informed SITE founder Srikara Mishra. “We used to stage the Kosali drama in our village Sadeipali. To spread Kosali language we would hold it at the Kosal Kala Mandal, Balangir,” said Mishra. The aim of organising Kosali Naatbadi is to popularise the Kosali drama and Kosali language and to foster brotherhood, he added. Souvenir, Chandili would also be released on the occasion. A total of 10 Kosali dramas of Balangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Sambalpur, Padampur, Bargarh would be stage in the festival.
Forester, watcher held taking bribe in B’ngir
Cuttack: Balangir district’s Saintala Range Karamtala Forest Beat Forester Sagarika Seth and Jhimanpali Forest Beat Watcher Rohit Bag were arrested by Vigilance officials on Saturday for accepting bribe of Rs40,000. They had demanded the bribe from Swadhin Pradhan of Dukalghat village not to initiate any forest case against him for cutting trees. Pradhan alleged that he had cut down a Bija tree and a Sal tree from his own land. Seth had taken Rs3,000 from Pradhan and allowed him to cut the trees. When Pradhan requested him accused not to file any case, he demanded the bribe. On Pradhan’s complaint, a trap was laid and both Seth and Bag were caught red-handed.
New BJD block president felicitated in J’pur
Jajpur: large numbers of BJD workers led by MlA Amar Prasad Satpathy felicitated newly-elected party Badachana block president Arabinda Samal at Chandikhol on Sunday. Among others, youth leader Ganeswar Barala, Suryakanta Parida, Kichhina Mohapatra and Sanjaya Swain were present.
Canara Bank opens 164th branch at Khuntakata
Athagarh: The Canara Bank opened its 164th branch at Khuntakata in Athagarh on Sunday. MlA Ranendra Pratap Swain inaugurated the facility in the presence of Athagarh Sub-Collector Harish Nayak. Canara Bank DGM Premananda Dash gave the welcome address and urged for support of the locals to make the branch an ideal one. Bank’s Branch Manager Prakash Chandra Hati gave vote of thanks and sought cooperation from everyone for development of the bank.