Category: News

Puri, July 9 (UDN): The centuries-old traditions associated with the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath continue to uphold the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Odisha. Among these cherished customs, the preparation of the sacred Ratha Daudi (chariot ropes) remains an integral ritual, symbolising devotion, craftsmanship and continuity of tradition.

The ropes used to pull the three majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are meticulously prepared following age-old practices that have been preserved for generations. The making of these sacred ropes is regarded as more than a technical process; it is a ritual deeply rooted in faith and an essential component of the grand festival.

Officials associated with the Rath Yatra arrangements said every tradition connected with the festival carries its own historical significance, and the preparation of the Ratha Daudi is a vital link in preserving the sanctity and authenticity of the world-renowned chariot festival.

As Puri gears up for Rath Yatra 2026, preparations for every ritual and ceremonial practice are progressing in accordance with established temple traditions, reflecting the enduring legacy of the Jagannath culture that continues to inspire millions of devotees across the globe.

July 9: Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified after a fresh wave of military strikes and counter-attacks raised concerns over further escalation in the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out major strikes on Iranian military targets. In a statement shared through Truth Social, President Trump claimed that the operation was a response to Iran’s attack on three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. He also shared footage of explosions from the strikes.

According to US claims, the military operation targeted several Iranian defence locations, with reports suggesting that around 80 military sites were hit. President Trump also announced during a NATO meeting that the ceasefire arrangement had come to an end, stating that further negotiations would not be effective without concrete action.

Iran has strongly condemned the strikes and responded with counter-attacks. Iran’s Health Ministry reported casualties following the US operations, with deaths and injuries reported across several provinces. Later, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for strikes on military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

The latest developments have heightened tensions in the region, particularly around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global energy transportation.

The international community is closely watching the situation as fears grow over a broader regional conflict. Diplomatic efforts continue as countries call for restraint and measures to prevent further military escalation.

Balasore, July 9 (UDN): Odisha is celebrating a proud musical milestone as singer Jyotirmayee Nayak has secured a place in the Grand Finale of Indian Idol Season 16, emerging as one of the top five contestants in the country’s premier singing reality show.

With her soulful voice, versatility, and consistently impressive performances, Jyotirmayee has captivated judges and audiences alike throughout the season. Her remarkable journey has sparked widespread celebrations across Odisha, with well-wishers, music lovers, and public figures extending their congratulations.

Joining the chorus of appreciation, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated the talented singer for bringing laurels to the state. In a message shared on X, he described Jyotirmayee as Odisha’s “worthy daughter” whose achievement has filled the entire state with pride.

 ଜାତୀୟ ସ୍ତରର ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠିତ ସଙ୍ଗୀତ ମହାମଞ୍ଚ ‘ଇଣ୍ଡିଆନ୍ ଆଇଡଲ୍’ର ଚୂଡ଼ାନ୍ତ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟରେ ପହଞ୍ଚି ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ସୁଯୋଗ୍ୟା କନ୍ୟା ଜ୍ୟୋତିର୍ମୟୀ ନାୟକ ସମଗ୍ର ରାଜ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଗୌରବ ଆଣିଦେଇଛନ୍ତି। ନିଜ ସୁମଧୁର କଣ୍ଠସ୍ୱର ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ସେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ହୃଦୟ ଜିତିପାରିଛନ୍ତି।
ଜ୍ୟୋତିର୍ମୟୀଙ୍କ ସଫଳତା କାମନା କରିବା ସହ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଓ ଆଶୀର୍ବାଦ… pic.twitter.com/ylXVwPBNSM

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) July 8, 2026

“By reaching the grand finale of the prestigious national-level music platform ‘Indian Idol’, Odisha’s worthy daughter, Jyotirmayee Nayak, has brought pride to the entire state. She has won everyone’s hearts with her melodious voice. Wishing Jyotirmayee great success, along with my best wishes and blessings,” the Chief Minister posted.

The message quickly gained attention on social media, with thousands of fans echoing the Chief Minister’s sentiments and expressing confidence in Jyotirmayee’s ability to bring home the coveted title.

As the competition reaches its final stage, Jyotirmayee will compete against fellow finalists Tanishk Shukla, Anshika Chonkar, Suhail, and Manraj Veer Singh in what promises to be an exciting finale. Throughout the season, the contestants have been mentored and evaluated by an eminent judging panel comprising Vishal Dadlani, Shreya Ghoshal, and Badshah, who have frequently praised Jyotirmayee for her vocal finesse and emotional depth.

The much-awaited Grand Finale of Indian Idol Season 16 is expected to be a spectacular musical event, although the official telecast date is yet to be announced. The show continues to air on Sony Entertainment Television and is also available for streaming on SonyLIV.

Adding to the excitement in the lead-up to the finale, the show recently celebrated its Diamond Jubilee special with a nostalgic reunion of the inaugural season’s finalists, Abhijeet Sawant and Amit Sana. Their return to the Indian Idol stage rekindled memories of the show’s early years and highlighted the enduring legacy of one of India’s most popular music reality competitions.

As Odisha rallies behind Jyotirmayee Nayak, expectations are high that the talented singer will continue her inspiring run and add another glorious chapter to the state’s rich musical heritage.

July 9: The global economy has continued to demonstrate resilience despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with businesses, financial markets, and policymakers adapting to a challenging geopolitical environment.

The tensions have created concerns over energy supplies, crude oil prices, inflation risks, and global trade flows. However, strong economic fundamentals in several major economies, supported by consumer demand and continued investment activity, have helped limit the broader impact of the crisis.

Financial markets have remained watchful, with investors closely tracking developments in the region and assessing their potential impact on commodities, currencies, and economic growth. While volatility remains a concern, the global economic system has shown the ability to absorb external shocks.

Experts believe the future outlook will depend on the duration of geopolitical uncertainties, the direction of energy prices, and policy responses from governments and central banks. Despite these challenges, the global economy continues to maintain stability, reflecting improved resilience compared with previous periods of global disruption.

July 9: Intense monsoon rains in Maharashtra’s Raigad district led to a major incident after a boundary wall at an HPCL LPG bottling facility collapsed, causing nearly 3,000 LPG cylinders to be carried away into a nearby river by strong floodwaters.

Authorities have initiated recovery operations and are closely monitoring the situation to ensure public safety. Emergency teams are working to locate and retrieve the displaced cylinders, while precautionary measures are being taken to prevent any possible risks.

The incident comes amid heavy monsoon activity across Maharashtra, which has caused flooding and damage to infrastructure in several areas. Officials have advised residents to remain alert and follow safety guidelines as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

New Delhi, July 9 (UDN): Railway engineers have urged the Central Government and the forthcoming 8th Central Pay Commission to address long-standing concerns over career stagnation, pay disparities and limited promotional opportunities within the Indian Railways.

Representatives of railway engineers’ associations have submitted their demands, highlighting that prolonged delays in career progression and anomalies in the existing pay structure have adversely affected employee morale and professional growth. They argued that despite shouldering critical responsibilities in the planning, execution and maintenance of railway infrastructure, engineers continue to face slower promotions compared to several other organised services.

Among the key demands are the introduction of a more time-bound promotion mechanism, rationalisation of pay scales, removal of pay anomalies arising from previous pay commission recommendations and greater parity with other Central Government engineering services.

The associations have also sought a comprehensive review of the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) framework to ensure that employees who remain in the same grade for extended periods receive adequate financial and career advancement.

Railway engineers expressed hope that the 8th Pay Commission would recommend structural reforms to improve career prospects, enhance job satisfaction and ensure equitable compensation for technical personnel across the Indian Railways.

The government is expected to examine representations from various employee organisations as part of the consultation process before the 8th Pay Commission finalises its recommendations.

Angul, July 9 (UDN): A major search and rescue operation is underway after three trekkers reportedly went missing while trekking on Malyagiri Hill, the highest peak in Odisha, located in Angul district.

According to official sources, the group had ventured into the hilly terrain for a trekking expedition when three members lost contact with the rest of the team. Following information from fellow trekkers and local residents, district authorities, police, forest personnel, and trained rescue teams were immediately mobilised to trace the missing individuals.

Rescue teams are combing the dense forest and rugged hill slopes despite challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions. Officials said every effort is being made to locate the trekkers safely, with search operations continuing on multiple routes leading to the hilltop.

Authorities have appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information and urged trekkers and tourists to exercise caution while venturing into forested and mountainous areas, particularly during the monsoon season when trails become slippery and visibility is reduced.

The identities of the missing trekkers have not yet been officially disclosed. Further details are awaited as the rescue operation continues.

Puri, July 9 (UDN): Security agencies swung into action after a drone was allegedly flown over the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Thursday morning, triggering fresh concerns over the security of the 12th-century shrine just days ahead of the annual Rath Yatra.

 Representational Image

According to officials, the unmanned aerial vehicle was seen hovering over the temple complex for several minutes, including around the sacred Neelachakra, reportedly capturing aerial photographs and videos. The sighting drew the attention of security personnel deployed around the temple, where stringent surveillance measures are in place due to the upcoming festival.

Following a swift search operation, a special security team traced the suspected drone operator near Mangu Math in Mati Mandap Sahi, close to the temple. The individual, identified as Jayakrishna Mondal, a resident of Kolkata, was detained for questioning. The drone was seized and handed over to Singhadwar Police Station along with the operator.

Police have launched an investigation to examine the drone’s stored footage and determine the nature of the images and videos captured during the flight. Authorities are also verifying whether the operator had obtained the mandatory permissions required for drone operations in the area and whether any provisions of aviation or security regulations were violated.

The incident has renewed concerns over the enforcement of the no-fly zone around the Shree Jagannath Temple, particularly as Puri prepares to host lakhs of devotees during Rath Yatra. Security agencies are expected to review existing surveillance and anti-drone measures to prevent similar incidents during the festival.

Further investigation is in progress.

New Delhi, July 8: The Poshan Tracker platform has achieved a major milestone by recording 8.93 crore beneficiaries across the country, strengthening the government’s efforts to improve nutrition monitoring and service delivery.

The digital platform has become an important tool for tracking the progress of nutrition programmes and ensuring better coordination among frontline workers, beneficiaries, and implementing agencies. It enables real-time monitoring of key services provided to children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

Through digital record-keeping and data-driven monitoring, Poshan Tracker has helped improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the delivery of nutrition services. The platform assists frontline workers in maintaining beneficiary records, tracking health indicators, and ensuring timely support reaches those in need.

Officials said the nationwide adoption of the platform reflects the growing role of technology in strengthening public welfare programmes. The data generated through Poshan Tracker also helps authorities assess ground-level requirements and plan more effective interventions.

With its expanding reach, Poshan Tracker continues to support efforts towards improving nutrition outcomes and ensuring wider access to essential services for vulnerable sections of society.

Kendrapara, July 8 (UDN): In a unique blend of tradition and technology, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar is providing engineering support for the construction of the chariot for the upcoming Baladevjew Temple Rath Yatra at Ichapur in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.

Representational Image 

The annual Rath Yatra, scheduled to commence on July 16, will witness the procession of the temple’s towering 67-foot-high, 14-wheeled chariot, ‘Bramahataladhwaja’. The initiative follows last year’s festival, during which four wheels of the chariot were damaged, causing the structure to tilt while being pulled by devotees.

To strengthen safety measures, the temple administration sought technical guidance from experts of the School of Mechanical Sciences, IIT Bhubaneswar. The institute’s engineering team has been monitoring the construction process and advising temple authorities on structural stability, material selection and safe operational practices.

During a recent inspection, IIT experts recommended the use of fresh timber for the construction wherever possible and highlighted the importance of maintaining uniform structural strength across the chariot. Owing to a shortage of quality timber, however, the temple authorities are reusing some components from last year’s chariot after thorough inspection and necessary repairs.

As part of the safety overhaul, 10 new wheels are being built, while four wheels from the previous chariot are being refurbished for reuse. Around 45 traditional carpenters have been engaged in the construction work, which began in early May.

The IIT team also surveyed the nearly 2-kilometre route between the Baladevjew Temple and the Mausima Temple and identified sections of uneven road that could affect the smooth movement of the massive chariot. The experts recommended repairs to the procession route before the festival to minimise operational risks.

Temple authorities said approximately 2,700 cubic feet of sal and other timber has been procured for the construction, although around 4,000 cubic feet is required to build the chariot entirely with new wood. The shortage has necessitated the selective reuse of timber without compromising safety standards.

The collaboration between IIT Bhubaneswar and the temple administration is being seen as an innovative effort to integrate scientific expertise with traditional craftsmanship. Authorities expressed confidence that the engineering intervention will help ensure the safe conduct of one of Kendrapara’s most significant religious festivals while preserving its centuries-old heritage.