Category: News

Chennai, July 8: Groundwater levels in Chennai have witnessed a significant decline as a weak monsoon has intensified concerns over water availability across the city.

The shortage of rainfall has affected groundwater recharge, putting additional pressure on water resources and increasing concerns among residents and authorities. The decline highlights the need for effective water management, conservation measures and sustainable solutions to address the growing challenge.

Officials and experts have stressed the importance of rainwater harvesting, responsible water usage and long-term planning to improve groundwater sustainability.

With monsoon conditions remaining a key factor, authorities are closely monitoring water levels and exploring measures to ensure adequate supply while protecting the city’s water resources.

New Delhi, July 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the iconic Prambanan Temple highlighted India’s continued efforts to celebrate and preserve the shared cultural and civilisational heritage that connects India with Southeast Asia.

The visit showcased the importance of protecting historic landmarks and strengthening cultural partnerships built on centuries of shared traditions, values and historical links.

Over the years, India has taken several initiatives to promote heritage conservation, cultural cooperation and exchanges with countries around the world. These efforts aim to preserve ancient legacies while creating stronger connections among communities through art, history and tourism.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Prambanan Temple reflects India’s broader focus on cultural diplomacy and its commitment to safeguarding heritage sites that represent the collective history of humanity.

The engagement is expected to further encourage cooperation in heritage preservation and deepen cultural relations between India and partner nations.

Chennai, July 8: Tamil Nadu has achieved a major milestone in renewable energy generation, with solar power production reaching a record 60.4 million units, highlighting the state’s growing contribution to clean energy.

The record output reflects the state’s continued efforts to expand solar power capacity and strengthen its renewable energy infrastructure. The increase in generation comes as Tamil Nadu accelerates its transition towards sustainable energy sources and reduces dependence on conventional power generation.

Officials said the achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives to promote solar energy adoption and improve the efficiency of renewable power systems across the state.

The latest milestone reinforces Tamil Nadu’s position as one of India’s leading states in renewable energy development, with continued focus on increasing clean energy capacity and supporting long-term sustainability goals.

Srinagar, July 8: The annual Amarnath Yatra continues to witness a strong turnout, with more than 1.13 lakh pilgrims visiting the holy cave shrine in the first five days of the pilgrimage.

A fresh batch of devotees left for the Kashmir Valley on Wednesday, joining thousands of others undertaking the sacred journey. Pilgrims are travelling via the Pahalgam and Baltal routes under tight security and with extensive support arrangements in place.

Authorities have deployed security personnel, medical teams and other essential services to ensure the pilgrimage proceeds safely and smoothly. Officials are also keeping a close watch on weather conditions and coordinating with various agencies to assist devotees throughout the yatra.

With a steady influx of pilgrims arriving each day, the Amarnath Yatra is progressing without major disruptions, reflecting the continued enthusiasm of devotees from across the country to take part in one of India’s most revered annual pilgrimages.

Seoul, July 8: South Korea’s biopharmaceutical exports are on track to post a record performance in the first half of the year, driven by strong global demand for high-value medicines and contract manufacturing services.

The country’s biopharmaceutical sector has continued its upward momentum, supported by increased exports of biologic drugs, biosimilars and contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) services. Industry experts attribute the growth to South Korean companies expanding their global footprint and securing new overseas partnerships.

The robust export performance highlights South Korea’s growing position as a key player in the global biopharmaceutical industry, with continued investments in advanced manufacturing capabilities and research helping the sector remain competitive.

Analysts expect exports to maintain their positive trajectory in the coming months, backed by sustained international demand and a healthy pipeline of innovative products.

Jeypore, July 8 (UDN): The Odisha Vigilance Department on Tuesday arrested a senior mining official after allegedly catching him accepting a bribe of ₹2 lakh from a sand leaseholder in Koraput district.

The accused, Satyajit Rout, Deputy Director (Geology)-cum-Deputy Director of Mines, Jeypore, allegedly demanded the money to facilitate the extension of a sand quarry lease and to provide favourable assistance in future spot auctions of sand sources.

According to Vigilance officials, the leaseholder lodged a complaint after being asked to pay the bribe for the official favour. Following verification of the allegation, a trap was laid, and the accused was allegedly caught while accepting the illegal gratification.

Officials recovered the entire ₹2 lakh bribe amount from Rout’s possession, and the tainted cash was seized as evidence.

Subsequently, Vigilance teams carried out simultaneous searches at properties linked to the accused. During a search of his residence in Rayagada, officials recovered an additional ₹2.9 lakh in cash. The total cash seized during the operation now stands at ₹4.9 lakh. Authorities are verifying the source of the recovered money as part of the ongoing investigation.

A case has been registered at the Koraput Vigilance Police Station under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Investigators are continuing searches and examining documents to determine whether the accused was involved in similar instances of corruption.

The Vigilance Department said further details will be disclosed as the investigation progresses.

Hamirpur, July 8 (UDN): While most people look forward to a quiet retirement, 75-year-old Milkhi Ram from Himachal Pradesh has chosen a different path—one driven by an unwavering passion for education. Already the holder of 32 academic degrees and qualifications, the lifelong learner has once again taken an examination, reinforcing the belief that learning has no age limit.

A resident of the Gandar area in Kangra district, Milkhi Ram recently appeared for the Master of Arts (Sanskrit) examination at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) study centre in Hamirpur. The programme is recognised as equivalent to the traditional Acharya degree. As the oldest candidate at the examination centre, his presence drew admiration from fellow students and invigilators alike.

Milkhi Ram’s educational journey spans more than five decades. After joining the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department in 1972, he pursued higher education alongside his professional responsibilities. He completed his bachelor’s degree in 1976 and continued to enrol in academic programmes while balancing work and family life.

By the time he retired as a Grade-I officer in 2010, he had already earned 26 degrees. Since then, his academic accomplishments have continued to grow. His qualifications include B.Ed., LL.B., MBA, M.Phil., a Ph.D. in Hindi, Journalism, and postgraduate degrees in Hindi, Political Science, Sociology, History, English and Economics, among other disciplines.

Speaking about his lifelong pursuit of knowledge, Milkhi Ram said education is the greatest wealth a person can possess and that age should never become a barrier to learning. He encouraged young people to remain committed to their studies and to view education as a continuous process rather than a destination.

He also acknowledged the unwavering support of his wife, Vidya Devi, and other family members, crediting them for helping him pursue his academic ambitions over the years.

Officials at the IGNOU study centre lauded his dedication, describing him as a living example of lifelong learning. They said his remarkable journey demonstrates that determination, discipline and curiosity can inspire people across generations and prove that the pursuit of knowledge never truly ends.

Bhubaneswar, July 7 (UDN): The Odisha government is preparing to introduce a fully cashless land registration system, a move aimed at making property transactions more transparent, efficient and corruption-free. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Tuesday said the new mechanism has been designed to simplify the registration process while reducing the need for citizens to visit government offices.

 Representational Image

Announcing the initiative, the Minister said the government has finalised the framework for implementing the digital system, under which all financial transactions related to land registration will be carried out through cashless modes. The initiative is expected to eliminate cash handling and enhance transparency in property transactions across the state.

Under the proposed system, buyers and sellers will no longer be required to visit sub-registrar offices to submit applications after finalising a land deal. Instead, the registration process will be carried out digitally, with both parties required to appear only at the final stage for identity verification and execution of the sale deed.

Once the registration is completed, the digitally registered sale deed will be made available online, enabling applicants to access the document without waiting for a physical copy. The government believes the digital workflow will significantly reduce processing time and improve service delivery.

Speaking on the initiative, Pujari said the reform is intended to remove the role of middlemen, streamline procedures and make sub-registrar offices free from corrupt practices. He added that the operational modalities for the new system have already been finalised and the government is gearing up to launch the initiative soon.

The proposed cashless registration system forms part of the Odisha government’s broader push towards digital governance and citizen-centric public services. Officials expect the initiative to improve accountability, increase efficiency in land administration and provide a seamless, hassle-free experience for people buying or selling property in the state.

Nuapada, July 7 (UDN): In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing anti-Maoist operations, security forces on Tuesday unearthed a concealed Maoist arms dump deep inside the Patahara Reserve Forest near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border in Nuapada district, recovering a large cache of firearms, explosives, ammunition, and other operational materials believed to have been stockpiled by Maoist cadres.

The recovery was made during a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by the District Voluntary Force (DVF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Barpat Donger forest under the jurisdiction of Boden police station. The operation was launched following credible intelligence developed by the Nuapada District Police regarding the presence of a hidden Maoist cache in the forested region.

The search operation was carried out under the supervision of Nuapada Superintendent of Police Amritpal Singh, who monitored the combing exercise in the difficult hilly terrain. During the operation, security personnel discovered a concealed underground dump containing a substantial quantity of arms, explosives, and equipment allegedly used by members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

According to police, the recovered cache included two country-made firearms, a country-made carbine with a magazine, 29 rounds of 7.62×39 mm AK-series ammunition, 54 rounds of 7.62×51 mm SLR ammunition, two tiffin improvised explosive devices (IEDs), eight gelatin sticks, around 1.5 kg of gunpowder, a detonator, batteries, a solar panel, electrical and codex wires, a multimeter, testing equipment, a wire cutter, Maoist uniforms, haversacks, shoes, medicines, cooking utensils, and Maoist literature.

Investigators suspect the recovered materials formed part of an old Maoist logistics and weapons cache concealed in the reserve forest for future operational use. The seizure is expected to significantly weaken the logistical capabilities of Maoist operatives active along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.

Speaking on the operation, SP Amritpal Singh said security forces have intensified combing and area domination exercises in the region to detect additional hidden dumps and prevent Maoist activities.

Following the recovery, surveillance has been strengthened across the border areas, with security agencies maintaining a high level of vigilance to curb the movement of Maoist cadres and dismantle their support infrastructure.

Police said sustained intelligence-based operations will continue in the region as part of the coordinated strategy to eliminate Left Wing Extremism and ensure peace and security in the border districts.

Jakarta/New Delhi, July 7 (UDN): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid glowing tributes to former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik while addressing the Indonesian Parliament, recalling the legendary leader’s extraordinary contribution to Indonesia’s freedom struggle and describing his courage as a defining chapter in the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

Highlighting the shared history of India and Indonesia, the Prime Minister said Biju Patnaik played a pivotal role during Indonesia’s fight for independence by safely airlifting the country’s then Prime Minister and Vice President to India at a crucial juncture. He noted that India’s unwavering support for Indonesia’s independence, including raising the issue at the United Nations, helped forge an enduring partnership between the two nations.

“India became a strong voice for Indonesia’s independence at the United Nations. Biju Patnaik safely airlifted Indonesia’s then Prime Minister and Vice President to India. This courageous act brought the two nations closer,” Prime Minister Modi said in his address.

The Prime Minister’s remarks underscored Biju Patnaik’s enduring legacy as a statesman whose humanitarian values and fearless actions continue to symbolise the deep historical bond between India and Indonesia. His recognition in the Indonesian Parliament was seen as a tribute not only to the iconic Odia leader but also to the shared democratic values and mutual respect that have shaped bilateral relations over the decades.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi was conferred the Bintang Adipurna, Indonesia’s highest civilian honour, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening ties between the two countries. The award marks the 34th international honour received by the Prime Minister.

Accepting the honour, Modi dedicated the award to the people of India and said it reflected the enduring friendship between the two nations. He described the recognition as a symbol of the centuries-old cultural, historical, and civilisational links that continue to guide the India-Indonesia partnership.

The visit also witnessed the signing of several agreements aimed at expanding cooperation in strategic and technological sectors. The two countries agreed to strengthen collaboration in defence, including missile systems and related technologies, electronic voting machine (EVM) manufacturing, battery systems for defence applications, and port infrastructure development, reflecting a growing strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Prime Minister’s reference to Biju Patnaik’s historic mission was widely viewed as a proud moment for Odisha, reaffirming the former Chief Minister’s lasting contribution to international diplomacy and the strong foundation he helped build for India-Indonesia relations.