Maa Kotrakshi Idol To Be Returned To Darpangarh In Jajpur: Union Minister Pradhan

Home

Odisha

Maa Kotrakshi Idol To Be Returned To Darpangarh In Jajpur: Union Minister Pr...

Maa Kotrakshi Idol To Be Returned To Darpangarh In Jajpur: Union Minister Pradhan

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

The Ashtadhatu Idol of Maa Kotrakshi, which was stolen years ago, will be reinstalled in the temple at Darpangarh in Jajpur district. It has been possible by the efforts of Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Bhubaneswar, Nov 3: The Ashtadhatu Idol of Maa Kotrakshi, which was stolen years ago, will be reinstalled in the temple at Darpangarh in Jajpur district. It has been possible by the efforts of Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed to Union Minister in this regard in response to his letter. The Delhi Customs has been recommended to return the idol to the Maa Kotrakshi Temple in the Jajpur district, Sitharaman told Pradhan.

Notably, Pradhan had written to Sitharaman in this regard on July 14, 2023. In his letter, Pradhan mentioned that an Ashtadhatu idol was detected at Delhi airport last year. Later, it was sent to the Archaeological Survey of India (AsI) for examination. During examination, the ASI knew the idol was of Maa Kotrakshi, the presiding deity of Jajpur. The idol was kept in the Custom Commissioner's office of the New Delhi Air Cargo.

The idol was stolen from Darpangarh on January 11, 2021. A complaint was lodged with the Badachana police the next day. Villagers were very unhappy over the incident.

As police failed to locate and bring back the stolen idol despite locals' continuous agitation and demand, villagers installed another idol of the goddess seven months after the theft.

In the meantime, the information about the seizure of the Maa Kotrakshi idol from Delhi spread. Knowing this, the villagers urged Union Minister Pradhan to bring back the idol and reinstall it in the temple.

Accordingly, the Union Minister wrote to the Union Finance Minister and urged her to direct the Delhi Custom to return the idol to Dharpangarh.

Read More Odisha News

Vigilance Unearths Assets Worth Crores During Raids On Properties Of Panchayat Raj Dept Official

by Hemanta Pande

Odisha Vigilance Unearths Assets Worth Crores During Raids On Properties Of Govt Official

Bhubaneswar, Oct 8 The Odisha vigilance on Tuesday unearthed movable and immovable assets worth crores during simultaneous raids at different locations related to a senior official of the Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water Department, Odisha.

During searches on Sri Ramesh Chandra Jena, Sr Private Secretary (Gr-A) of PR & DW Dept., #Bhubaneswar, 3 bldgs incld 2 Multi Storeyed bldgs in BBSR, 5 Plots (4 in BBSR & 1 in Konark, Puri), 1 Car etc unearthed so far. Sri Jena had rented out his Govt Quarter @ Rs 12,000/- PM. — Odisha Vigilance (@OdishaVigilance) October 8, 2024

The senior official identified as Ramesh Chandra Jena is currently posted as the senior private secretary in the PR & DW department, in Bhubaneswar.

As per the vigilance department sources, Jena and his family have been found possessing immovable assets including two multi-storeyed buildings in the state capital, one building at Nirakarpur in Khordha district, five high-value plots including 4 in upscale areas of Bhubaneswar and one in Kanasa area of Puri district.

The measurement and valuation of the above buildings and Plots are being carried out by the technical wing of the anti-corruption body of the Odisha government.

This apart, the sleuths also unearthed deposits of Rs 5.50 Lakhs, a four-wheeler and three 2-wheelers, cash, gold and household articles worth around Rs.9 Lakhs during the raid.

“Despite being a government employee, Ramesh Chandra Jena flouting the rules has rented out his official quarter (IV-A 46/1) behind market building, Bhubaneswar, to one Bijaya Kumar Jena, Ajaya Kumar Rout and Bijaya Kumar Sahoo since June, 2021. He was receiving rent of Rs.12,000 per month through UPI transaction (Phonepe) from the tenants staying in his official quarters,” said a senior vigilance official.

Jena joined the PR & DW department as senior private secretary about 15 days back. Previously, he worked in the transport department for four years. Jena also worked in various other departments like Planning & Convergence, Parliamentary Affairs, Home Department etc.

Jena joined the government services as Junior Steno in the State Home Department on May 1, 1990.

Earlier, as many as eight teams of vigilance comprising 8 Deputy SPs, three Inspectors, ten Assistant Sub Inspectors, and other supporting staff on Tuesday conducted simultaneous house searches on the properties of Jena in Khordha and Puri districts.

Read More Odisha News

PM Modi Compliments NC For Its Victory In J&K polls

by Hemanta Pande

Srinagar, Oct 8: Rising above party politics, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on Tuesday took the lead in complimenting the NC for its victory in the J&K Legislative Assembly polls.

PM Modi said on his widely followed X-post page immediately after all the results for the 90 Assembly seats were declared by the ECI, “I would like to compliment JKNC for their commendable performance in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.”

PM Modi said he was proud of the BJP's performance in the J&K polls.

“I am proud of the BJP’s performance in Jammu and Kashmir. I thank all those who have voted for our Party and placed their trust in us. I assure the people that we will keep working for the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir. I also appreciate the industrious efforts of our Karyakartas,” PM Modi said in another post.

PM Modi expressed satisfaction at the restoration of complete democracy in J&K after Article 370 was abrogated by the country’s Parliament on August 5, 2019.

“These elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been very special. They were held for the first time after the removal of Articles 370 and 35(A) and witnessed a high turnout, thus showing the people’s belief in democracy. I compliment each and every person of Jammu and Kashmir for this,” the PM said in yet another X post.

Of the 90 seats in J&K, NC has emerged as the single largest party with 42 seats, followed by 29 of the BJP, 6 of Congress, 3 of PDP, 1 of CPI M, 1 of Peoples Conference, 1 of the AAP and 7 independents.

BJP J&K president, Ravinder Raina lost the election in the Nowshera assembly constituency of Rajouri district to Surinder Choudhary of the NC. Raina has now resigned from the party’s J&K president’s post.

Among the prominent winners is former chief minister, Omar Abdullah who won from both Budgam and Gabderbal, the two constituencies Omar fought this election. (IANS)

Read More National News

BJP’s Dharmendra Pradhan Magic Outshines Congress In Haryana

by Hemanta Pande

Chandigarh, Oct 8: Defying all exit poll results, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to secure a historic third term in Haryana, marking a significant achievement in the country’s political landscape.

According to the latest data, the BJP has so far won in 41 seats and is leading in eight seats out of the total 90 constituencies in Haryana, while the Congress has so far secured 31 and is leading in six.

The credit for the BJP’s stunning comeback for the third consecutive term in Haryana largely goes to Union Education Minister and BJP's Haryana election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan.

Dharmendra’s Magic

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a trusted lieutenant of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, played a key role in managing the BJP’s poll strategy in Haryana.

As soon as Pradhan was appointed the election in-charge for Haryana, he set up his camp in Rohtak, Kurukshetra, and Panchkula. He met grassroot workers to gather real-time feedback, informing the leadership and promptly addressing the local issues.

Like 2019, Pradhan tactically strengthened BJP’s poll strategy and encouraging local leaders to reach out people as per party’s manifesto.

Dharmendra’s Poll Strategy

Pradhan's involvement in Haryana elections typically revolves around campaigning, addressing issues like agricultural reforms, development projects, and social welfare schemes, which resonate with the state's electorate. His strategies often aim to consolidate support among various demographic groups, including farmers and youth.

Instead of travelling in helicopter and addressing large gatherings Pradhan travelled across the state by car, organising small meetings to woo the voters.

“Double-Engine” Intact

The BJP’s poll campaigning in Haryana revolved around projecting the state’s “double-engine” government narrative, a slogan that says BJP ruling at the Centre and state will give faster development and corruption-free governance. Pradhan highlighted this slogan and rejuvenated the voters, particularly the young voters in the state.

Backing of Backward Class

Pradhan worked hard to unite the OBC leaders. He rigorously conducted meetings with village heads at early morning and sometimes at late night. He also highlighted Haryana’s move to increase the ceiling for the so-called creamy layer of other backward classes (OBCs) to Rs 8 lakh from Rs 6 lakh.

Odisha Win

Earlier this year, Pradhan orchestrated a historic win for the BJP in Odisha, defeating five-term BJD government. His hands-on approach allowed the leadership to address issues in real-time, adapt tactics, and keep the momentum going on a day-to-day basis.

Maa Kotrakshi Idol To Be Returned To Darpangarh In Jajpur: Union Minister Pradhan

Download Mobile App