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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.

Mumbai,July 8: Navneet Education Limited has launched its latest campaign, ‘Jab Baari Ho Tumhaari, Digest Se Karo Taiyaari’, celebrating its flagship product, the Navneet Digest, as a trusted companion for students preparing for examinations. The campaign highlights how the Digest continues to simplify learning and revision by offering structured content, chapter-wise summaries, memory maps, practice exercises, and effective exam preparation tools. 

The new campaign centres on a simple yet relevant insight – every student reaches a stage of focused, independent preparation, often without anyone immediately at hand to guide them through it. Through a light hearted and engaging narrative, Navneet Digest positions itself as that constant companion, helping students cut through distraction and uncertainty with clear, exam-aligned answers exactly when they need direction the most. In doing so, the campaign reinforces the Digest’s longstanding role in supporting generations of students with reliable and easy to understand study material.

Navneet Digest continues to offer chapter-wise explanations, solved examples, practice exercises, revision tools, and exam-oriented guidance designed to help students learn effectively and perform with confidence. Built around the needs of today’s learners, the Digest remains one of the most trusted study companions for school students across India.

Devish Gala, President of the Educational Books division, said,

 “For decades, Navneet Digest has been a trusted study companion for students and has played an important role in helping them prepare with confidence. Through the ‘Jab Baari Ho Tumhaari, Digest Se Karo Taiyaari’ campaign, we wanted to reinforce the importance of focused preparation at every stage of a student’s academic journey. The Digest continues to simplify learning and revision, helping students stay organised, practise effectively, and approach examinations with greater confidence.”

Ravi Sangtani, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at KasperX Marketing, said: 

“The strongest communication doesn’t connect by saying something new, but by saying something true. ‘Jab Baari Ho Tumhari’ is our attempt at exactly that, a tribute to the one crucial moment that belongs entirely to every student, and to Navneet Digest, which has always been their most dependable companion in that moment.”

The Navneet Digest series is available at leading bookstores, local retailers, and online platforms across India, making it easily accessible for students seeking a reliable and effective study companion. 

New Delhi, July 8: The Prime Volleyball League (PVL) has received recognition from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), marking a significant milestone for the league and Indian volleyball.

The recognition by the global governing body is expected to further strengthen the league’s position on the international stage and provide a boost to the growth and development of volleyball in India. The upcoming fifth season of the league is scheduled to begin on November 30.

The new season will bring together top Indian and international players, offering fans an exciting showcase of competitive volleyball. The league has played a key role in providing a professional platform for players and increasing the popularity of the sport across the country.

With the backing of FIVB recognition, PVL aims to further enhance its standards, attract wider global attention, and contribute to the development of volleyball talent in India.

The organisers said preparations for Season 5 are underway, with teams gearing up for another action-packed edition of the tournament.

Koraput, July 8 (UDN): The decades-old border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh has resurfaced after a team of Andhra Pradesh government officials reportedly carried out census-related verification in several villages under the disputed Kotia Gram Panchayat in Koraput district.

 Representational Image

According to local sources, the Andhra Pradesh team, led by Salur Tehsildar Suresh Babu from Parvathipuram Manyam district, visited Upper Sembi, Lower Sembi and Nedibalasa villages. The delegation reportedly included Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Anganwadi workers, education officials and other government functionaries.

During the visit, officials are said to have undertaken door-to-door verification, collecting previously issued census forms and reviewing the status of digitisation of demographic data. Local representatives from the Andhra Pradesh side also reportedly accompanied the team during the exercise.

The reported administrative activity has once again drawn attention to the long-pending territorial dispute over the Kotia cluster of villages, claimed by both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. While Odisha has already completed its census-related work in the region, the latest exercise by Andhra Pradesh has triggered fresh concerns over competing administrative claims.

The development comes barely a month after a visit by an Andhra Pradesh minister to Nedibalasa village for the inauguration of a road project, an event that had also sparked political and administrative debate in both states.

Although the situation remained peaceful, the latest visit has reignited discussions over the recurring administrative interventions by both states in the disputed villages. Residents of the Kotia region have frequently witnessed welfare programmes and official visits from both governments as the boundary issue remains unresolved.

The border dispute over the Kotia villages is currently pending before the Supreme Court, where both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have staked their claims over the territory. Officials said any long-term resolution will depend on the outcome of the legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Odisha district administration is monitoring the situation closely. An official statement on the reported visit was awaited at the time of filing this report.

New Delhi, July 8: As India’s urban population continues to grow and climate-related challenges intensify, Smiling Tree has urged educational institutions to treat green campuses as long-term investments that generate environmental, economic, and social returns. The organisation believes schools, colleges, and universities can play a pivotal role in building climate-resilient communities while reducing their own operational costs.

According to government projections, nearly 40% of India’s population is expected to live in urban areas by 2036, increasing pressure on infrastructure, natural resources, and air quality. Research also shows that well-planned urban green spaces can reduce surrounding temperatures by 2°C to 8°C, helping lower energy consumption for cooling while improving thermal comfort and air quality.

Dr. Mukesh Kwatra, Founder of Smiling Tree, said, 

“Green spaces are not just environmental assets—they are economic assets. Trees help reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, support biodiversity, and create healthier learning environments. Every educational institution should view investment in nature as an investment in its students, its community, and its future.”

He added, 

“Universities have the power to transform climate awareness into climate action. By integrating tree plantations, biodiversity conservation, water harvesting, waste management, and sustainability education into campus life, institutions can become living laboratories for environmental innovation and responsible leadership.”

Through its ‘From Classrooms to Climate Action: Building Green Campuses’ initiative, Smiling Tree is encouraging educational institutions to undertake tree plantation drives, create biodiversity zones, promote waste segregation, reduce single-use plastics, conserve water, and actively involve students in sustainability projects.

Dr. Kwatra emphasized that India’s commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070 requires active participation from educational institutions. “Every green campus becomes a model for sustainable urban development and inspires thousands of young people to adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles,” he said.

Smiling Tree believes that investing in urban green spaces not only contributes to climate resilience but also enhances institutional reputation, supports Environmental, Social and Governance goals, and creates healthier, more productive campuses. The organisation has called on universities across India to make nature an integral part of education, demonstrating that environmental stewardship and economic progress can go hand in hand.