The inaugural programme started with the State anthem, ‘Bande Utkal Janani’. The government has also urged all Odias, including those residing outside the state and country, to join in singing the state anthem.

The three-day event will see over 10,000 people, including linguists, scholars, researchers and students, deliberating on Odia language and literature from ancient period and its relevance in future while providing a glimpse into initiatives being taken to spread the language globally. It includes showcasing an Odia Virtual Academy, plans for increasing pages of Odia in Wikipedia and Odia fonts.

International scholars like Hermann Kulke, Uwe Skoda, Arlo Griffths, Annette Schmiedchen along with several national scholars will participate in the deliberations. Discussion on development of Odia language through the ages will also be held.

The play, depicting the bravery and sacrifices of Buxi Jagabandhu during armed rebellion against the British rule in Odisha in 1857, was staged on the premises of Harekrushna Mahtab State Library in the city. While it was written by Soubhagini Ray, Dhira Mallik directed it.

The artists of Satabdira Kalakar, a prominent cultural club in Bhubaneswar, played different roles in the play. The officials of the library witnessed the play.

The three-day World Odia Language Conference is scheduled to start at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar from February 3.

Speaking on the occasion, noted journalist and columnist Om Prakash emphasized the need for a disciplined approach to achieve success in any endeavor. Known for his emphasis on religious tolerance and the universality of all religions, Vivekananda played a key role in introducing Hindu philosophy to the Western world. Swami Vivekananda’s teachings continue to inspire millions, emphasizing the importance of service to humanity and the pursuit of knowledge, he said.

Quoting Swami Vivekananda, Assistant Professor of Kamala Nehru Women’s College Dr. Madhusmita Das said this day holds great significance as it serves as a means to awaken the enduring energy of the youth and encourage their significant efforts towards the development of the country. She advised the students to follow the proceedings of Swamiji to lead purposeful, meaningful life with moral values.

Assistant Professor of MJMC, IMS Nibedita Das in her opening remarks outlined the importance of National Youth Day, welcomed and introduced the guests. Assistant Professor and Course Coordinator of MJMC Manoranjan Panda moderated the session. Siprarani Tripathy, a student of MJMC Department, proposed the vote of thanks.

The Government of India officially declared January 12 as National Youth Day in 1984, and since 1985, it has been celebrated across the country.

Dairy farmers and officials from all districts participated virtually in the programme at Convention Centre of the Lokaseva Bhavan in the city. It is for the first time that the National Mulk Day was observed in the state.

In a video message, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paid tributes to Dr Verghese Kurien, the Father of White Revolution, in whose honour the National Milk Day is observed on November 26 in the country.

Stating that milk production in the state has increased threefold during the last two decades, the chief minister said the government is providing financial assistance upto Rs one crore for entrepreneurship development in dairy sector under Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana.

He said as dairy farming is related to development of famers and women, the government is putting focus on it. “Under 5T initiatives of the government, an ultramodern dairy plant of five lakh litre per day capacity has been established at Arilo. Around three lakh dairy farmers are benefitted through OMFED,” he added.

Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Ranendra Pratap Swain in his message has said OMFED and private dairies must ensure production and supply of quality milk products to the consumers.

Suresh Kumar Vashishth, principal secretary, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development department said financial assistance of Rs 1.18 lakh is being provided to the farmers to establish small dairy units with two buffalos as a measure of providing livelihood and multiplying their income.

Kishore Chandra Pradhani, president, OMFED; Sudhansu KK Mishra, CGM, NABARD; Gautam Patra, Convenor, SLBC and Ramesh Hazra, Director, AH&VS also spoke on the occasion.

Around 400 participants including dairy farmers, entrepreneurs, OMFED officials, plant managers, OMFED Board members, government officials from F&ARD and other departments were present.

Organised by Institute of Media Studies (IMS), Utkal University in partnership with KIIT and ICCSR, the three-day media mahakumbh being held at KIMS auditorium, was inaugurated by Chattisgarh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan who gave a clarion call to use the digital technology for the welfare of masses and strengthening of democracy.

In his speech, Harichandan highlighted the role of Utkal Kesari Dr Harekrushna   Mahtab in preserving democracy and press freedom.
“During the National Emergency, Dr Mahtab – through his hard hitting columns ‘Gaon Majlish’ – had sent the message across that democracy cannot die and the rights of citizens cannot be threatened,” he said.

Prof Upendra Padhi, Chairman of National Media Conclave and Director of IMS, in his welcome address, highlighted the theme of the conclave and its usage for social good.

Vice Chancellor of Utkal University Prof Sabita Acharya, in her presidential address, said digital technology and media can enable a greater democracy by encouraging larger participation of people.

Prof BP Sanjay of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, in his opening remarks, underscored the technology driven, technology centric world where Digi-Tech has emerged as a disruptor.

Prof Ramon Guillerermo R Tuazon, Secretary General, Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), emphasized on the essence of using Digi-Tech in crucial areas like food security, climate change, agricultural production etc.

Books ‘National Education Policy: Transforming India’ authored by Prof VL Dharurkar and ‘Health Communication’ and ‘Gaon Katha’ penned by Prof Fakir Mohan Nahak were released on the occasion.

Prof. KV Nagaraj, pro-vice chancellor of Assam Central University, was conferred with Life-time achievement award for his outstanding contribution to the field of media education. A lecture in memorabilia of Late Prof Sunil Kant Behera was delivered by Prof Nagaraj.

On the day, two sessions – ‘Digital Technology (Media): Need for a robust hybrid education system’ and ‘Policy and programmes for enhancing gender inclusivity in digital ecosystem’ – where experts from academics and communication shared their thoughts.

On the Day-2 of the conclave two plenary sessions and six parallel paper reading sessions will be held where 130 research papers will be presented.

Like previous years, this year too, the conclave will mark the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister of Odisha Dr Harekrushna Mahtab and remember his contribution to journalism. Beginning November 21, the three-day media-mahakumbh will be held at KIMS Auditorium, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar.

Addressing media persons here on Sunday, conclave chairman and director of IMS Prof. Upendra Padhi said the annual meet, which is known as India’s biggest media and communication extravaganza, will witness the conglomeration of country’s top media luminaries, academics, policy makers, and communication experts who will exchange their ideas and explore a roadmap in the field of media and communication. The three-day conclave is broadly themed around the subject ‘Digital Technology, Media and Democracy’.

While Chattisgarh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harchandan will grace the inaugural day of the conclave as the Chief Guest, Odisha Higher Education Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak will be the Chief Guest for the valedictory day.

Prof Sabita Acharya, Vice Chancellor of Utkal University, Dr SK Nanda, retired IAS, Prof Navaneeta Rath, Chairperson, PG Council, Utkal University, Prof VL Dharurkar, former Vice Chancellor of Tripura University, Dr Nishamani Kar of Bhartiya Bhasha Samiti and Prof KV Nagaraj, former Pro-Vice Chancellor, Assam Central University will preside over different sessions of the conclave.

The conclave will spread across various sessions which includes ‘Digital Technology (Media): Need for a robust hybrid higher education system’, ‘Skilling, upskilling and reskilling in Digital age’, ‘Policy options and programmes for enhancing social and gender inclusivity in digital ecosystem’, ‘Social Media opportunities and perspectives’, ‘Digital media regulation in India and Social Media ethics’, ‘Artificial Intelligence, legality of Digital language’, ‘Gender equity, access and participation in the Digital eco-system’.

The conclave will have a lecture in memorabilia of Late Prof Sunil Kant Behera, who was a pioneer of media education. Prof. KV Nagar will deliver the first memorial lecture. This year, the conclave will honour two legends of journalism and mass communication – Prof. KV Nagaraj and Shri MB Jayaram – with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Around 700 media practitioners and academics from different parts of India and Southeast Asia countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will present papers on various subjects related to media and communication.

The event organized by the members of the Balasore Chapter of the MPC College Alumni 1985-90 (Science stream) comprised fun games, talent show for members, kids and spouses and discussion on the future course of action and planning by the core committee members. Prizes were also distributed to the winners in different games at the venue.

Popularly called “Grand Get Together (GGT)”, yesterday’s event was themed “Sagar Kinare” and was a memorable one as friends from all walks of life descended at the venue from all across India and participated as they always wait for the annual extravaganza to happen and make everyone crazy during the entire day. They also went on a sightseeing near the sea beach which is well-known for it’s as the water recedes up to 5 kilometers during the ebb tide.

Biologists also report many peculiar biodiversity and species at Chandipur-on-sea for its unique geo-marine circumstances. Horseshoe crab and fast moving red crabs are also found here on the beach. The small township near Balasore also has a fishing harbor near the confluence of the Budhabalanga river at Balaramgadi.

Chandipur is also known for its Integrated Test Range (ITR) under the Indian Strategic Forces Command’s control at Abdul Kalam Island, which was earlier known as Wheeler Island. A number of Indian missiles have already been tested and launched from the ITR.

The members of the MPC College Alumni 1985-90 (Science stream) also enjoyed the typical sea food and finished it with the much-awaited “mudhi-mansha” (mutton curry with puffed rice) in the typical Baripada style as a remembrance of the golden college days during 1985-90 on the campus of their alma mater Maharaja Purna Chandra College.

All the members present at the GGT-2023 were also given a beautiful token of love representing the unique culture of Balasore of lacquer idol making by renowned lacquer painter and art culture activist Kesu Das.

Mission Shakti, Women and Child Development Minister Basanti Hembram attended the event as the chief guest and motivated the sportsperson of child care institution. She opined that this extraordinary event is set to place our young talents in the spotlight and that will develop the values of teamwork, discipline, fair play, equality and inclusivity among the children.

ORMAS Chief Executive Officer Punam T. Guha was also present and encouraged the children in her speech. She opined that the enthusiasm and remarkable performance of these young sportspersons will inspire others and will further improve the sports sector of Odisha.

A total of 600 districts-level champions hailing from child care institutions across the state come together at the state-level sports event to compete in grand fashion. These children have found safe and nurturing environments in the state’s 228 child care institution (CCI),which offer care, support and protection to those in need. On the first day, football, long jump, high jump and chess are conducted.

Inaugurating the workshop, the Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, highlighted the State’s commitment to developing clean energy in alignment with Odisha’s new Renewable Energy Policy of 2022. He hoped that the workshop would provide a crucial platform for Odisha to strategize and collaborate with national and international experts, advancing the State’s energy transition agenda.

In his opening remarks at the inaugural session, the Additional Chief Secretary, Energy, GoO, Nikunja Bihari Dhal said that the State Government is making all efforts to develop the energy action plan and energy efficiency action plan towards devising a sustainable & inclusive energy transition plan.

workshop featured different sectoral sessions and in-depth discussions on clean energy, transport, industry & mining, agriculture & fisheries. Experts from various fields and countries shared their expertise on renewable energy during the deliberation sessions. The day-long workshop was designed to facilitate discussions and collaborations aimed at transitioning from conventional to non-conventional energy sources.

Speakers from think tanks, international organizations, academia, and industry highlighted the workshop’s significance in the context of India’s mission to achieve 500 gigawatts of renewable energy installed capacity by 2030. They also praised the efforts of the Government of Odisha in this regard.

In the accomplishment of its objective, the workshop elicited insightful deliberation and peer-to-peer discussions on the draft plans with valuable inputs from sectoral experts and industry leaders to help State departments in the effective rollout of their respective energy transition visions.

Among others, P.K. Pujari, Former Secretary (Power) & Former Chairman, CERC,. Dinesh Jagdale, Joint Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India, Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary, Industries Dept., Govt. of Odisha, Bhupendra Singh Poonia, CMD, IPICOL and other dignitaries participated in the sectoral sessions and contributed their valuable thoughts and suggestions at the workshop.

During the inaugural session, K.K. Mandal, Chief of Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, delivered the welcome address, and MD of GRIDCO, Trilochan Panda, proposed the vote of thanks. Nidhi Sarin, Programme Head,GIZ India, Sambitosh Mohapatra, Partner, PwC, Ms Wendy Jo Werner, Country Head(India),IFC briefed about different aspects on Energy Action Plan and Energy Efficient Action Plan.

At the valedictory session, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy, GoO, Dhal and Mandvi Singh, Programme Director-Energy, iFOREST summed up the proceedings of the workshop while G.B. Swain, Director (F&CA), GRIDCO gave the vote of thanks.

The vans, called “Cyber Safety Awareness Raths’, will travel to schools, colleges and panchayats across the state to spread awareness about cyber safety.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the cybercrime, which has been rising alarmingly in the last few years, has become a major concern across the country. Since awareness and preventive measures are only way to check the crime, this campaign has been launched in the state.

Ministers Tusarkanti Behera and Ashok Panda, Bhubaneswar MLAs Anant Narayan Jena and Sushant Raut, Bhubaneswar mayor Sulochana Das, chief secretary PK Jena, DGP Sunil Kumar Bansal and other senior officials were present.

As part of the campaign, the district administrations will receive the Cyber Safety Awareness Raths and send those to at least two educational institutions every day to conduct awareness programmes. Besides, awareness programmes will be organised at public places in blocks and police station areas. Quiz competitions will also be conducted among students in schools and colleges.