A stampede-like situation occurred during the annual Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha on Sunday, leaving several people injured. One person was critically injured during the chariot pulling process. The incident took place after the chariot pulling began following the completion of traditional rituals by the Puri Shankaracharya and the titular king.
The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, commenced on July 7th, 2024, spanning two days due to special celestial arrangements. President Droupadi Murmu graced the occasion, joining lakhs of devotees. The festival, also known as the Gundicha Yatra or Chariot Festival, sees Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, emerge from the temple and travel in elaborately decorated chariots called Raths.
The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, will be a two-day event this year, starting on July 7th. President Droupadi Murmu will be attending the celebrations, marking a special occasion for the state. The festival attracts lakhs of devotees and involves the pulling of chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra. Extensive security measures have been put in place, including AI-based CCTV cameras and a drone system, to ensure a safe and smooth event.
The Odisha government will provide over Rs 21 crore in transport and escort allowance to 35,076 school students in the state for the academic year 2024-25. The allowance, which is given to students who travel more than 1km to attend school, will be disbursed based on attendance and will be directly deposited into the students’ or their parents’ bank accounts.
Odisha has reported 5 deaths and 18 suspected cases of diphtheria, leading to the initiation of a vaccination campaign. The Director of Public Health, Odisha, Nilakantha Mishra, confirmed that the vaccination started on Wednesday. While the total suspected cases have come down to 18, the number of deaths remains at 5. The health department is conducting a house-to-house survey to verify vaccination status in the affected areas.
A curfew has been imposed in Balasore, Odisha, following violent clashes between two groups. The clashes erupted after a group protested against suspected blood from animal sacrifice on the road. The situation escalated into stone-pelting and arson, leading to the imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC and suspension of internet services in sensitive areas. Police have arrested approximately 30 individuals and are maintaining a strong presence to restore order.
BJP MLA Mohan Charan Majhi will be sworn in as Odisha’s Chief Minister today evening. He met outgoing CM Naveen Patnaik and invited him to the ceremony. Majhi, a tribal leader, has pledged to fulfill promises made in the BJP’s manifesto within 100 days. He will be supported by two deputy chief ministers, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders are expected to attend the event.
N Chandrababu Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) will take oath as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, while tribal leader Mohan Charan Majhi will be sworn in as the Odisha CM. PM Modi will grace both events, along with other BJP leaders. Naidu’s ceremony is scheduled for 11.27 a.m. near Medha IT Park in Vijayawada, while Majhi’s will take place at 5 p.m. in Odisha. This will be Naidu’s fourth term as CM, with his party securing a significant victory in the recent state elections. Majhi, a four-time MLA and significant tribal leader, was chosen as the leader of the BJP Legislature Party on Tuesday and will be joined by two deputies.
The BJP’s inaugural swearing-in ceremony for Odisha’s new chief minister has been postponed to June 12th, 2024, due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prior commitments. Preparations for the event at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar are underway, with over 30,000 guests expected to attend. Security arrangements are being finalized in anticipation of VIPs, including CMs and MoS, while the suspense over the new chief minister’s identity persists.
Odisha’s Lok Sabha polling concluded after four phases, with a total voter turnout of 75.68% in phase four, 73.50% in phase five, 74.45% in phase six, and 70.67% in phase seven. The state also witnessed its state assembly election simultaneously, with Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Indian National Congress (INC) vying for power.
