India, Maldives Agree To Strengthen Maritime Security In Indian Ocean Region

CM Majhi raised this demand during a Maoist-related review meeting held under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Monday, the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement here.

Along with Majhi, Chief Ministers of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected states attended the meeting held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

Stating that the Odisha Government has raised, three Battalions of ex-servicemen OSSF (Odisha Special Striking Force) to meet the force requirement, Majhi said till the recruited forces are deployed on the ground, there is a pressing need, for effective area domination, to check infiltration from Chhattisgarh, and to augment intelligence-based operations.

“In the current scenario, I request you (Centre) not to withdraw the central forces, till the induction process is complete. Also, may I request you, to send at least 12 companies of CAPF for a period of 2 years, to be deployed in the LWE-affected areas, to prevent infiltration, and eradicate LWE from Odisha, in a time-bound manner,” Majhi said in his speech at the meeting.

Majhi also mentioned that uninterrupted helicopter service is a critical requirement, for the security forces and movement of troops, maintenance of forward posts, and to respond to the exigencies.

“A dedicated helicopter may please be provided to Odisha,” the CMO release quoted Majhi as saying.

CM Majhi also sought real-time technical support of specialised technical agencies of the central government to further improve the operational capabilities of special forces, and overall operational effectiveness to combat the Naxal activities in the State.

In addition to Majhi, Chief Ministers from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh participated in the meeting.

The Chief Minister is scheduled to return Odisha on Tuesday.

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Dipa became a household name after performing the Produnova Vault in the 2016 Rio Olympics but missed a medal by just 0.15 points. She finished fourth behind Simone Biles, Maria Paseka and Giulia Steingrubber in the vault event, becoming the first Indian gymnast to achieve this milestone. 

Dipa made history soon after when she became the first Indian gymnast to win a gold medal in the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in 2018.

"Bahut sochne ke baad, mainne yeh decision liya hain, ki main Gymnastics se retire ho rahi hu. Ye decision mere liye aasan nahi tha, but yahi sahi waqt hai. Gymnastics meri zindagi ka ek bahut bada hissa hain (After thinking it out thoroughly, I've concluded to hang my boots. It was not an easy decision, but it is the right time. Gymnastics was a big part of my life), and I am grateful for every moment — the highs, the lows, and everything in between," Dipa wrote in a social media post.

"I remember five-year-old Dipa, who was told that she could never be a gymnast because of her flat feet. Today, I feel very proud to see my achievements. Representing India on the world stage, winning medals and most special, performing the Produnova Vault in the Rio Olympics have been the most memorable moments of my career. Today, I am very happy to see Dipa because she dared to dream," she added.

Dipa is one of the only five women who have successfully landed the Produnova, which is regarded as one of the most difficult vaults of those currently being performed in women's gymnastics.

Earlier this year, Dipa made history by winning the gold medal at the Asian Senior Championships in Tashkent. She became the first Indian gymnast to achieve the feat.

"My last victory Asian Gymnastics Championship Tashkent, was a turning point, because then I felt that I could push my body further, but sometimes our body tells us that it is time to rest, but the heart is still not even today," the post read.

She thanked her coaches Bishweshwar Nandi and Soma for shaping her career in the sport.

"I would like to thank my coaches Bishweshwar Nandi sir and Soma ma'am, who have guided me for the last 25 years and have been my biggest strength. For the support I have received, I would like to express my gratitude to the Tripura government, Gymnastics Federation of India, Sports Authority of India, GoSports Foundation, and Meraki Sport and Entertainment. And finally, to my family, who has always been with me, through my good and bad days," Dipa wrote.

"I wrote that I am retiring, but my connection with gymnastics will never be lost. I would like to bring this sport back to life by providing safe mentors, coaches, and support to other girls like me.

"Once again, thank you, everyone, for being a part of my journey," Dipa concluded.

The 31-year-old also won the bronze medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal in the Games and the second Indian after Ashish Kumar to win a medal in CWG.

She was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2015 and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2016. She also received the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, in 2017.

(IANS)

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The associations decided after a meeting with Jena at his residence in Golanthara in Ganjam district on Monday.

Speaking to media persons, Jena said, “Discussions were held on different issues in today’s meeting. The government is also concerned about the introduction of a new look, logo and operations of LAccMI bus services. We arrived at a conclusion after meeting with associations of Southern and Western Odisha. I hope that they will call off their proposed strike."

The members of the private bus owners’ associations expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the meeting with the transport minister and called off their proposed strike after getting assurances.

The president of the Sambalpur Bus Owners' Association, Pradeep Kumar Pradhan, said that the minister has ordered for withholding of the permits issued for tier-II bus services under the Location Accessible Multi-modal Initiative (LAccMI) scheme.

Pradhan further said the Minister has assured that the officials of Regional Transport Offices will issue permits for the tier-II LAccMI bus services only after holding discussions with the local bus owners.

Notably, the private bus owners' associations had earlier announced that bus services in 14 districts across the Western and Southern parts of Odisha will remain suspended for 24 hours from 6 p.m. on Monday.

The associations of Southern and Western Odisha have been protesting against the state government’s decision regarding the introduction of bus services from block to district headquarters under tier II of the LAccMI scheme.

As per reports, the private bus owners have no problems with tier-I (block connectivity) or tier-III (Intercity Connectivity) bus services under the flagship LAccMI scheme.

However, the bus owners fear that the introduction of tier-II bus services under the scheme will cause huge losses to them.

It is pertinent here to mention that the flagship LAccMI scheme of the state government aims to provide a seamless and affordable public transport network in rural areas across Odisha.

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