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Puri, Apr 28 (BNP): The centuries-old Chandan Yatra has commenced in Puri, ushering in one of the most spiritually significant summer festivals associated with Lord Jagannath. The celebration blends devotion, tradition, and seasonal symbolism, offering a unique expression of Odisha’s temple culture.

A Ritual of Divine Cooling and Devotion

As temperatures rise, the festival centres on the cooling ritual of sandalwood (chandan) application, symbolising relief and divine care for the deities. Idols from the Shree Jagannatha Temple are ceremonially taken out in processions and placed on decorated boats for a sacred water voyage at the Narendra Pushkarini lake.

The atmosphere during the festival is marked by devotional chants, traditional music, and large gatherings of devotees who witness the rituals with deep reverence.

Two Sacred Phases of the Yatra

Chandan Yatra unfolds in two structured phases, each carrying distinct ritual significance:

• Bahara Chandan Yatra (First 21 Days):
  In this outer phase, deities are brought out of the temple for ceremonial boat rides at Narendra Pushkarini. The lake transforms into a vibrant spiritual space where rituals and devotion merge in a festive setting.
• Bhitara Chandan Yatra (Next 21 Days):
  The inner phase continues within the temple premises, where priests conduct elaborate rituals with precision and devotion, maintaining the sanctity and continuity of tradition.

Deep Cultural and Spiritual Significance

Chandan Yatra is more than a seasonal observance—it reflects the intimate bond between devotees and Lord Jagannath. The use of sandalwood paste, symbolic water journeys, and structured temple rituals together represent purity, cooling comfort, and spiritual balance during the harsh summer months.

Closely linked with the broader Jagannath tradition, the festival is considered an important part of the annual temple calendar and a spiritual precursor to major celebrations like Rath Yatra. It draws pilgrims, devotees, and cultural enthusiasts from across the country.

A Living Expression of Heritage

With its rare combination of ritual, nature, and devotion, Chandan Yatra continues to preserve Odisha’s living temple heritage. The festival stands as a reminder of how ancient traditions adapt seamlessly into contemporary devotion, keeping cultural identity alive through generations.

New Delhi, Apr 28: Lava International Limited, India’s trusted homegrown smartphone brand, partnered with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to digitally empower 20,941 Anganwadi workers across the state, strengthening last-mile service delivery under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) framework.

The event, held at Lok Bhavan, Lucknow in March, 2026, under the theme “Suposhit Uttar Pradesh, Sashakt Bharat,” was attended by the Honourable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath; Ms Baby Rani Maurya, Honourable Minister of Women’s Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition, Uttar Pradesh; Ms Leena Johri, Additional Chief Secretary (WCD); and Ms Sarneet Kaur Broca, Director (WCD). Approximately 1,000 Anganwadi workers were also in attendance.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr Lloyd D’souza, Chief Business Officer – Enterprise Business, Lava International Limited said, “Digital transformation at the grassroots is not just about access to devices, but about building systems that work reliably at scale for those delivering essential services on a day-to-day basis. We are equally delighted and proud to collaborate with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to further their mission of enabling digital transformation through Anganwadi workers. This initiative is a testament of our ability to design and deliver technology solutions tailored for real-world public sector needs, combining hardware, software and on-ground understanding. We remain committed to supporting large-scale, inclusive digital adoption across Bharat.”

As part of the collaboration, Lava provided smartphones of its Storm Play series, purpose-built for field-level use. The devices were customized with Mobile Device Management (MDM) capabilities, a supervisor monitoring application, and state-specific interface integrations, enabling seamless alignment with ICDS and Women & Child Development (WCD) systems.

By placing digital tools directly in the hands of frontline workers, the initiative is enabling a shift from manual processes to real-time, data-driven service delivery. Anganwadi workers can now capture and update maternal and child health data in real time, manage attendance and daily task tracking digitally, monitor and record nutrition distribution for newborns and lactating mothers and feed data into centralized dashboards for faster decision-making.

This transition is enabling better monitoring across the system, reducing dependence on manual records while enabling faster reporting, easy identification of stock availability of food packets for newborns and lactating mothers, and early identification of potential health and nutrition risks.

The initiative supports the Uttar Pradesh government’s broader efforts to strengthen grassroots delivery of welfare programs, while also bridging the digital divide through scalable, technology-led interventions.

This partnership further strengthens Lava’s position as a trusted enabler of public sector digital transformation.

Rishikesh, Apr 28 (BNP): Film actor Suniel Shetty, who recently arrived in Rishikesh, praised the arrangements made for the Char Dham Yatra and appreciated the facilities created for pilgrims.

During his visit, the actor expressed satisfaction over the management, cleanliness, and improved infrastructure put in place for devotees undertaking the sacred pilgrimage. He described the overall experience in Rishikesh as memorable and spiritually uplifting.

Shetty also lauded the efforts of the administration and organisers for ensuring smooth travel, better amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere for the large number of pilgrims expected during the yatra season.

The Char Dham Yatra, one of the country’s most significant religious pilgrimages, draws lakhs of devotees annually to the holy shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath in Uttarakhand.

His remarks come as preparations for this year’s pilgrimage continue on a large scale.

Apr 28 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Sikkim marked a significant push for the state’s development agenda, alongside a strong emphasis on its rich ecological and cultural identity.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of Sikkim’s 50th Year of Statehood celebrations. Known for its serenity and enterprise, the state has seen rapid progress. https://t.co/hFUftLcfk7

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 28, 2026

During his visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a series of development projects collectively valued at around ₹4,000 crore. These initiatives span key sectors including infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, and public services, and are expected to accelerate Sikkim’s economic growth while improving accessibility in the Himalayan region. Officials noted that the projects are designed to strengthen both urban and rural development, with a focus on long-term sustainability in a sensitive ecological zone.

In addition to the development announcements, PM Modi visited the Orchidarium in Gangtok, where he witnessed Sikkim’s extraordinary floral diversity. The Orchidarium, known for its extensive collection of native orchids and rare plant species, showcases the state’s reputation as one of India’s leading biodiversity hotspots. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Sikkim’s efforts in preserving its ecological heritage and promoting sustainable tourism rooted in environmental conservation.

The visit highlighted a dual focus—modern infrastructure development alongside environmental preservation. Sikkim, often recognized for its organic farming practices and green policies, continues to position itself as a model for eco-sensitive development in the northeastern region.

Overall, the Prime Minister’s engagements in Sikkim underscored the Centre’s commitment to enhancing regional development while preserving the natural and cultural wealth of the Himalayas.