Bharat Bandh: Normal life hit in B’ngir
Balangir: Normal life was badly affected here on Monday due to the 12-hour Bharat Bandh called by Dalit and tribal organisations to protest against the recent Supreme Court ruling diluting the Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Adivasi Dalit Surakshya Manch activists held blockades at different roads. Buses were seen off the roads and schools, colleges, Government offices, banks and post offices remained closed.
Bharat Bandh peaceful in M’bhanj
Baripda: The Bharat Bandh call evoked a near-total response in the tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj district on Monday. Shops, business establishments, educational institutions, banks and offices were closed and buses and trucks were off the road. Members of the JMM and MASA participating in the bandh opposed the proposed modification of ST/SC Atrocities (Prevention) Act, 1989.
Jajpur Rd senior citizens’ body holds Utkal Divas
Jajpur Road: The Vyasanagar Senior Citizens’ Forum celebrated Utkal Divas at its office premises here on Sunday under the chairmanship of its president Upendranath Beuria. On the occasion forum members and office bearers garlanded the statues of Madhubabu, Gopabandhu Das, Biju Patnaik, Harekrushna Mahtab and others situated in the town. Forum secretary Chandramani Samal, Ghanashyam Sahani, Dr Nikunja Behari Dhal, Prafulla Nayak, Keshab Bal, Sanatan Malik, Nirmal Rout and Narayan Sahoo also paid tributes.
MCl celebrates Utkal Divas, foundation day
Sambalpur: The Mahanadi Coalfields limited (MCl) celebrated the Utkal Divas and its 27th foundation day here on Sunday. MCl CMD Anil Kumar Jha and Prof Rajkishore attended as guests and paid tributes to the great men of Odisha. On the occasion, Jha congratulated all MCl personnel for the record coal production of 143.06 million tonnes in the 2017-18 FY. Among others, MCl (Operations) Director JP Singh, Director (Personnel) lila Nanda Mishra, Chief Vigilance Officer Munawar Khursheed, OP Singh, R Basudevn, Dr Nisha Thakur, Paramjit Kaur, Madhu Mishra, Padmaja Singh and Padmini Basudevan were present.
Maa Narayani Yatra in Phulbani from Apr 18
Phulbani: The 24th Maa Narayani Yatra would be celebrated from April 18 here, informed Yatra committee president Ashok Kumar Pathak at a Press meet recently. He said the Subha Khunti would be brought on April 14 and during the period 25 days various cultural programme would also be held. Maa Narayani and other deities would visit the town every day except Thursday. The Yatra would take place in every two years. Among others, committee secretary Tapan Patra and VP Sidheswar Dash were present.
State-level kickboxing meet from Apr 7
Balangir: The two-day State-level Kickboxing Championship would be held here from April 7, informed Balangir district Kickboxing Association president Pritam Panigrahi at a Press meet held here on Sunday. Panigrahi said about 300 participants from 21district are scheduled to attend. Many Ollywood and Bollywood stars are also scheduled to attend the inaugural function, he added.
Hindalco holds cataract screening, surgery camps
Bhubaneswar: The Hindalco, in association with the VIMSAR recently organised two free cataract screening and surgery camps as part of its CSR initiative. The two camps were organised at the Hirakud Government Hospital and the larapanka School in which 83 people were screened and 40 underwent surgery for cataract treatment. A team of doctors led by VIMSAR Assistant Professor Dr Sharmistha Behera performed the screen tests and referred cataract patients to the VSS Medical College for surgery.
GKEl observes Water Day
Bhubaneswar: The GMR Kamalanga Energy limited (GKEl) observed the World Water Day here recently. On the occasion awareness programmes on this year’s theme “Nature for Water” were organised among employees, workmen and community to sensitise the importance of water and how to save the precious resource. GKEl COO Ramesh R Pai stressed on the importance of the day and advised all employees not to waste water as this is precious for future generation.