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New Delhi: The Government of India has appointed senior diplomat Vikram Doraiswami as the next Ambassador to China, marking an important diplomatic posting at a time when both countries are working to stabilise and rebuild bilateral relations.

Doraiswami, a 1992-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, is currently serving as the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He is expected to assume his new role in Beijing shortly, according to an announcement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

He will succeed Pradeep Kumar Rawat, who previously held the post.

The appointment comes at a sensitive and significant phase in India–China relations, which have been strained in recent years following the prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Both sides have since engaged in gradual diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring dialogue and improving cooperation.

By assigning a seasoned diplomat with extensive international experience, India signals its intent to maintain steady engagement with China while addressing key strategic and economic concerns through diplomatic channels.

Doraiswami’s earlier postings and experience in key global capitals are expected to play an important role as he takes charge of one of India’s most crucial diplomatic assignments.

The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that he will take up his new assignment shortly.

Bolangir: In a story of courage and composure at sea, an Indian gas carrier has safely returned home from the volatile waters of the Middle East, bringing recognition to its Odia captain, Dheeraj Agrawal.

Captain Agrawal, who hails from Kantabanji in Odisha’s Bolangir district, has earned widespread praise for his steady leadership during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. His efforts ensured the safe navigation of the vessel and the well-being of its crew under extremely challenging circumstances.

The Indian gas carrier Nandadevi, along with another vessel, Shivalik, had been caught in a tense situation in the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz. The region witnessed escalating tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, leading to restrictions on maritime movement and creating uncertainty for ships operating in the area.

Reports indicate that the narrow sea corridor saw intense military activity, including missile strikes and aerial surveillance, making navigation both risky and unpredictable. Despite these conditions, the Nandadevi successfully charted a safe course and reached the Gujarat coast earlier this week, following diplomatic efforts that helped ease restrictions in the region.

The vessel had set sail from a port in the United Arab Emirates nearly two weeks earlier, before becoming entangled in the unfolding crisis. Throughout the ordeal, Captain Agrawal’s calm decision-making and professional expertise played a crucial role in ensuring that the crew remained safe and the vessel stayed on course.

Back home in Kantabanji, his return has been met with pride and celebration. Family members and well-wishers gathered to welcome the achievement, while messages of appreciation have poured in from across the state.

Born to late Ramesh Chhapadia and Santosh Devi, Agrawal completed his schooling in his hometown before pursuing nautical science in Mumbai. Since 2017, he has been actively serving in India’s maritime sector and is currently associated with the Shipping Corporation of India.

His mother expressed immense joy at his safe return, describing it as a moment of pride for the family. There is also growing excitement over the possibility of him being recognised at the national level, with reports suggesting he may meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the near future.

Captain Agrawal’s journey stands as a reminder of the resilience and professionalism of Indian seafarers, who often operate far from the spotlight, navigating not just oceans but also moments of global uncertainty.

Thousands of devotees throng Bargarh shrine as rituals mark the spiritual onset of spring festival

Bargarh: The spiritually significant festival of Basantika Navaratra commenced with great devotion at the revered Maa Samaleswari Temple on Thursday, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Amavasya.

From early morning, a large number of devotees gathered at the temple to offer prayers and seek blessings, marking the beginning of the nine-day festival that celebrates the divine feminine energy in its various forms. The temple परिसर resonated with chants, conch sounds, and devotional hymns, creating an atmosphere of deep spirituality.

On the first day, the presiding deity was adorned as Goddess Shailaputri, the first manifestation of Goddess Durga, symbolising strength and new beginnings. Devotees offered flowers, coconuts, and prayers, while priests conducted elaborate rituals following traditional customs.

A key highlight of the opening day was the lighting of the Akhand Dipa (eternal flame), which will continue to burn throughout the Navaratra period. This sacred ritual signifies uninterrupted devotion and the continuous presence of divine energy.

Rituals and Significance

Basantika Navaratra, observed during the Chaitra month, marks the transition into spring and is considered a time of renewal and spiritual awakening. The festival begins with Kalash Sthapana, invoking the goddess, followed by daily worship of the nine forms of Durga. Devotees often observe fasts, participate in bhajans, and engage in prayers seeking strength, prosperity, and protection.

Each day of the festival carries its own significance, with the goddess worshipped in different forms, reflecting various aspects of power, wisdom, and compassion.

Recent Developments and Arrangements

This year, temple authorities and local administration have made special arrangements to manage the surge in footfall. Crowd management systems, queue arrangements, and safety measures have been strengthened to ensure a smooth and safe darshan experience for devotees.

The festival holds deep cultural and religious importance across western Odisha, where Maa Samaleswari is worshipped as a form of the universal mother. The temple, historically associated with the region’s spiritual identity, continues to attract thousands of श्रद्धालु during major festivals like Navaratra. ()

As Basantika Navaratra progresses, the temple is expected to witness even larger gatherings, with devotees coming together in faith, tradition, and celebration—making it not just a religious observance, but a vibrant expression of community and devotion.

Bhubaneswar, March 19: Odisha is set to launch the first phase of its census exercise from April 16, marking a significant step in updating the state’s demographic data. The process will continue until May 15, covering households across the state through a structured and coordinated effort.

During this phase, trained enumerators and supervisors will visit homes to collect detailed information. Officials have emphasized that the exercise will be carried out systematically to ensure accuracy and comprehensive coverage.

Ahead of the field survey, residents will have the option to participate through a self-enumeration process from April 1 to April 15. Using a dedicated online portal, individuals can submit their own details, making the process more convenient and reducing the workload during the physical enumeration phase.

According to Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, Director of the Census Directorate, the initiative combines technology with on-ground efforts to make the census more efficient and accessible. Speaking at a press briefing, he also highlighted efforts to raise public awareness, noting that internationally acclaimed sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarshan Pattnaik has agreed to serve as the brand ambassador for the campaign.

The census operation will be conducted under a well-defined administrative framework. District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners will serve as Principal Census Officers, while Additional District Collectors will take on the role of District Census Officers. At the grassroots level, tahsildars and executive officers of urban local bodies will function as charge officers, overseeing implementation in their respective areas.

The Revenue and Disaster Management Department has been designated as the nodal department for the exercise. In a notable move, primary school teachers will be deployed as enumerators, while high school teachers will act as supervisors, ensuring both manpower availability and accountability.

Enumerators will collect information by asking household heads a set of 33 questions, covering key socio-economic indicators. Officials believe this data will play a crucial role in shaping future policy decisions and development planning.

Looking ahead, authorities have indicated that the second phase of the census is scheduled for February 2027, which will further build on the data collected during this initial phase.

With preparations in full swing, the state administration is calling on citizens to actively participate—either digitally or in person—to ensure the success of this important exercise.