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Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
Dhenkanal on path of progress: Swain
Dhenkanal: Dhenkanal district is now on the path of progress as a development roadmap has been put in place for the last one year. Projects worth Rs 50,000 crore will be invested in the district. This was stated by Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain while addressing a gathering during the closing ceremony of 7-day Vikas Mela at Pallishree Mela ground. Swain said a sports complex and Mahima Gadi development projects to attract tourists will be set up in Dhenkanal. Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said the Chief Minister has already announced setting up of a medical college, Rs 120 crore for Baji Rout sports complex and Rs 30,000 crore for solar projects. The government has issued new ration cards for 15,144 people, he said, adding that this year the district has procured 17.25 lakh quintals of paddy, which is surplus. In the Vikas Mela, 40 stalls were erected. The Mela focused on Dokra products, food processing , clothes and indigenous products. The ministers gave away prizes for traditional and indigenous products. Vikas Mela souvenir was released on the occasion. Parjang MLA Bibhuti Bhusan Pradhan, Hindol MLA Simarani Nayak, Kamakshyanagar MLA Satrughan Jena, Municipality chairperson Jayanti Patra and Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay were present.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Time of India
Man held for deceiving widow with marriage promise
Rourkela: Tangarpalli police arrested a 37-year-old man on Thursday night for allegedly maintaining a physical relationship with a widow by promising marriage. The accused, Pritam Swain, was on the run for two months. Police said Swain and the victim had a romantic relationship in 2008 before she married another man in 2011. Following her husband's death in a 2017 accident, Swain allegedly reconnected with the 34-year-old widow and convinced her to relocate to Bhubaneswar with him. The victim, leaving her 11-year-old daughter with her in-laws, moved with Swain. The couple later returned to Rourkela during the Covid-19 pandemic period, where Swain allegedly kept her in a hotel while residing at his own home. "The relationship soured in 2023 when the accused began avoiding the victim's requests for marriage, despite allegedly performing traditional marriage rituals like applying vermilion," said N Tudu, sub-inspector, Tangarpalli police station. The victim filed an FIR in April this year after Swain repeatedly refused to marry her. The accused subsequently went on the run and attempted to secure bail from the Orissa high court, which was rejected following objections from Tangarpalli police. Police arrested Swain from his residence on Thursday after receiving a tip-off about his return. "The accused has been taken into custody, and further investigation is ongoing," Tudu added. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Can deny entry to OCI card holders deemed undesirable: Home Ministry
India has a sovereign right to deny entry to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders deemed undesirable, regardless of a valid visa, the union ministry of home affairs (MHA) has told the Delhi high court. In an affidavit filed on May 21, MHA further stated that OCI card holders, who are foreigners, are under a mandate to not undertake the activities prohibited under the category of VISA or OCI guidelines and cannot claim the fundamental right to free speech, movement and protest, enshrined under article 19 of the Constitution of India. Justifying reasons for rejecting permission is not a matter of right, the affidavit stated. 'OCI cardholder is a foreigner and OCI card is a life long visa issued to such a foreigner. Every country has a sovereign right to refuse entry into its territory to any individual whom it may consider undesirable and informing about the same in as much as entry into any country's territory is not a matter of right, even if the person holds a valid visa,' the affidavit filed on May 21 stated. It added, 'It is germane to mention that OCI card holders or other foreigners visiting in India are supposed to adhere to the laws of the country i.e the activities which are prohibited from them under the category of VISA or OCI guidelines. The citizens of India are guaranteed fundamental right of speech and free movement under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. However foreigners or citizens of other countries are not entitled to such rights. Since OCI card holders are foreigners and citizens of another country, they cannot claim the right to free speech, movement and protest under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution.' The submission came in a plea filed by Washington-based cybersecurity journalist Raphael Satter, challenging Centre's December 4, 2023 decision to revoke his OCI card. Though Satter had also filed a revision petition in January 2024, the same was disposed of in May last year, concluding that there were no grounds to revise the OCI cancellation order. Satter's card was revoked months after Centre's decision of cancelling Sweden-based professor Ashok Swain's OCI card. On July 30, 2023, the Centre had revoked Swain's card but the Delhi high court on March 28, permitted Swain's entry by setting aside the decision. On May 18, Indian-origin professor Nitasha Kaul had revealed about the Centre's decision to revoke her OCI card citing anti national activities. With regards to Satter, MHA in its affidavit justified the move stating that the decision was based on inputs by security agencies which flagged his activities of maliciously creating adverse and biased opinions against Indian institutions in international arena through his journalist activities and he could not be provided with the reports due to its 'confidential nature.' MHA further stated that it had enough inputs to show that Raphel wilfully violated the conditions of the March 4, 2021 notification which bars OCI card holders from undertaking research. 'It has been reported by security agencies that Raphael has been noted for acts of maliciously creating adverse and biased opinions against Indian institutions in the international arena through his journalistic activities and a discreet LOC was opened against him,' the affidavit stated. In its 24-page affidavit, the MHA said that the ministry before initiating the cancellation of OCI proceedings, consulted security agencies, external affairs ministry and also served a show cause notice to him on June 12, 2023 and his response failed to establish that he had not done any journalistic activities or submit his whereabouts or activities during his visit to India. Satter's plea will be next heard on August 25.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Veterans raise welfare concerns
Bhubaneswar: All Odisha Veteran Soldiers Association convened a meeting on Sunday to highlight some of the pressing concerns faced by ex-servicemen, including limited employment opportunities. The association members also raised concerns over recent security threats against veterans, the need for an ex-servicemen corporation, and the long-proposed war martyr memorial in Kalinga Nagar, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. In a statement, the association said that as nations worldwide face military conflicts and citizens celebrate Operation Sindoor with parades and victory assemblies, a concerning disparity in the treatment of soldiers has come to light in Odisha. The association members stated that historical govt resolutions from 1963 guaranteed five acres of 'Jawan Reserved Land' to soldiers serving in war zones. However, this provision was revoked in 2014, with authorities citing land scarcity. "Recent RTI disclosures challenge this justification, revealing that approximately 3,00,000 acres were previously earmarked for veteran allocation in 2012," said Parameswar Swain, chairman of the All Odisha Veteran Soldiers Association. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo The association said reports from Ranpur tehsil in Nayagarh district indicate that jawan lease land has been redistributed to influential individuals and stone quarry operators. Simultaneously, govt land is being allocated to Bangladeshi refugees, whose numbers have increased significantly. According to the association, official records show that three districts—Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, and Gajapati—currently house 74,113 refugees, with Nabarangpur alone witnessing a dramatic rise from 6,355 in 1986 to 46,848 today. "This situation demands immediate attention. We cannot ignore the welfare of those who served our nation while extending benefits to others," said Swain, adding that the govt's current stance raises significant questions about veteran welfare amid shifting demographic priorities.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Time of India
Ahead of Rath Yatra, Puri's Jagannath Temple launches official app: Here's everything you can check
In a landmark blend of spirituality and technology, the Puri district administration has launched the Shree Jagannatha Dham mobile app, ushering in a new era for devotees visiting the sacred 12th-century Jagannath Temple. As religious tourism embraces digital ease, the app is designed to simplify pilgrimages by offering real-time updates, ritual schedules, and navigation tools that help devotees experience the sanctity of Puri with greater clarity and comfort. The app, unveiled by Puri Collector and District Magistrate Siddharth Shankar Swain on Friday, comes just in time for the Rath Yatra preparations. Announcing the launch on X (formerly Twitter), Swain wrote, 'Jai Jagannath. A New App, Shree Jagannatha Dham, has been launched for the facilitation of Devotees. The services include—exact Niti status & timings, tentative waiting time at queues, arrangements for Rath Yatra and all special occasions.' — dm_puri (@dm_puri) by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo About the App Swain explained that the name Jagannatha Dham was a deliberate choice, reflecting the deep-rooted sentiment that Puri is the original and most revered of India's char dhams. In an interview with TOI, he revealed that the app name was chosen because Puri represents the genuine Jagannatha Dham. The app promises to elevate the spiritual experience for pilgrims, particularly during major events like Rath Yatra. It provides details on daily ritual schedules, real-time waiting durations for temple queues, and logistical arrangements for major festivals. Swain assured that the app will not be limited to the festival season—it will function year-round as a comprehensive digital companion for tourists and devotees. Looking ahead, the district administration plans to roll out more features, including a grievance redressal section, GPS-enabled navigation to temples and public facilities, darshan schedules, Mahaprasad availability, and information on donations. The app will also help users discover nearby religious landmarks and suitable accommodation options. Users can also find the directions for their 4-wheeler and 2-wheeler parking places on the app under the tab 'Parking'.
