Odisha CM Mohan Majhi Chairs State-Level Natural Calamity Committee Meeting

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired the State-Level Natural Calamity Committee meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

Bhubaneswar, July 4: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired the State-Level Natural Calamity Committee meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

The Chief Minister directed that a long-term plan be prepared to contain the flood situation in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area.

He stressed zero casualties in either natural or manmade calamities.

The Chief Minister directed the officers to take appropriate steps to contain the flood situation in all cities, including Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The Special Relief Commissioner and District Collectors were asked to remain alert against the possible flood situations.

The issue of waterlogging in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack was discussed in detail. The Chief Minister stressed containing the flood-like situation in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack following a spell of rain.

It was learned that plans would be made to contain manmade floods in cities at an expense of Rs 200 crore. The Delhi IIT has been entrusted with the job.

The IIT, Delhi will provide technical support and submit a long-term plan to the State government.

Officers were asked to ensure the availability of an adequate quantum of anti-venom serum in hospitals as the cases of snakebites rise in rainy days.

A proposal to increase ODRAF units from 20 to 30 was also discussed. Five Regional Fire Service Hubs will come up at strategic places to contain Bahanaga-like emergencies.

The Chief Minister advised officers to work in coordination with the meteorological department and ensure zero casualties in any form of calamities.

One Dead, Several Others Injured In Near Stampede During Rath Yatra In Puri

by Hemanta Pande

Puri, July 7: In a tragic incident, one person died due to suffocation while several others sustained injuries in a stampede-like situation during the pulling of chariots in Rath Yatra at Puri on Sunday, officials said.

According to sources, several other devotees were injured in the incident while some of them are reportedly critical. They are currently undergoing treatment at the Puri district hospital.

"The chariot of Lord Balabhadra had moved ahead a little when suddenly the crowd increased outside the security cordon. Meanwhile, we saw the elderly deceased fall on the ground in the crowd. We immediately rescued him and brought him to the hospital in the ambulance. We also administered CPR to him in the ambulance on the way to hospital. I gave CPR all along and the doctor also tried hard to save him at the hospital but later pronounced him dead. From a call received on the deceased’s mobile which is with us, we came to know his name and he belonged to Balangir district," said a volunteer working in St John Ambulance.

The administration identified the deceased as Lalit Bagarti from Saintala in Balangir district. Expressing deep grief on the death of a devotee during Rath Yatra, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs four lakh for his family.

A similar stampede-like situation also occurred during the pulling of Nandighosh Rath, the chariot of Lord Jagannath.

Sources also said that due to extremely humid conditions in the holy city and the huge gathering, more than 300 persons were admitted to hospitals after feeling uneasy during the Rath Yatra till evening on Sunday.

Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and Health Secretary Shalini Pandit also visited the hospitals and enquired about the health condition of the injured persons undergoing treatment.

The pulling of chariots was stopped on Sunday evening after they rolled a short distance and will be resumed on Monday. The state government had earlier declared July 8 as a holiday keeping in view the continuing pulling of chariots. (IANS)

Puri Rath Yatra: Chariots Halt Midway, Pulling To Resume Tomorrow

by Hemanta Pande

Puri, July 7: The pulling of three chariots of the Lord Jagannath and his siblings during Rath Yatra in Odisha’s Puri was halted midway on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) here on Sunday evening.

While Taladhwaja was stopped at Marichikote Chhak, Darpadalana was halted near Srikrishna Cinema Hall. Lord Jagannath's chariot Nandighosa halted after moving some distance from Singhadwar.

However, the pulling of three chariots will resume tomorrow. The deities will go to Gundicha temple as part of their nine-day annual sojourn.

Also Read: Puri Rath Yatra: Chariot Pulling Begins

The world-famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Sudarshan began in the holy town of Puri this evening.

The Grand Road, where the three chariots of the Lords are being rolled, has turned into a sea of devotees.

The festival marks the Holy Trinity’s journey to their maternal aunt, Goddess Gundicha, and concludes with their return after eight days. Traditionally a single-day event, this year’s Rath Yatra expands to two days due to special configurations.

President Droupadi Murmu, Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Ex-Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik participated in the annual Rath Yatra festival in the holy city of Puri today.

Read More: Odisha News

2nd T20I: India Level Series With Dominating 100-Run Win Over Zimbabwe

by Hemanta Pande

Harare, July 7: India defeated Zimbabwe in the second T20I of the ongoing five-game series by a huge margin of hundred runs at the Harare Sports Club, here on Sunday.

Abhishek Sharma was the highlight of the game with the left-handed opener scoring his maiden century, the third fastest century by an Indian in T20 internationals for the Men in Blue.

Earlier, the visiting side did not get off to a great start with skipper Shubman Gill getting out in the second over of the game when he gave a catch straight to mid-on.

The rocky start saw Abhishek take his time reaching the fifty-run mark having taken 33 deliveries to get there. From thereon carnage followed as he scored his next fifty in just 13 balls which included three back to back sixes off Wellington Masakadza's over which saw him reach hundred before being dismissed on the very next delivery.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rinku Singh carried on the fire started by Sharma, the duo scored 87 runs in the final six overs and went on to propel India’s score to 234 runs at the end of 20 overs.

Innocent Kaia started the second innings with a boundary but received a great reply by Mukesh Kumar who bowled him out on the third ball of the game.

Brian Bennett started off well and scored 26 runs off just nine deliveries displaying the attacking intent by the Zimbabwe side but met with the same result as Kaia and was bowled out by Kumar who took his second of the day.

Wickets at regular intervals and the ever rising run rate made it extremely difficult for the Zimbabwe side to get any sort of rhythm in the game. They lost three wickets between the 72 and 76-run mark which sealed the game for the Indian side.

Opener Wesley Madhevere was the only bright spot for the team on the day as he scored 43 runs off 39 deliveries before being bowled by Ravi Bishnoi whose excellent bowling saw him being hit for only nine runs in four overs whilst picking two wickets.

Once Madhevere's wicket fell it was only a matter of time before the Indian unit bundled out their opponents with Zimbabwe being bundled out at 134 runs in 18.4 overs.