The programme was organised as a part of the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) during the visit of Bach to Mumbai for the IOC session.

During their interaction, the students said how the OVEP had not only enabled them to embrace the core values of the Olympics but had also motivated them to increase their physical activity and participation in sports. They also asked Bach about his Olympic journey and the importance of Olympic values in today’s world.

The children presented an artwork created by them and a report on the ‘Model IOC Session’ to the IOC president. The artwork showcased their understanding of the Olympic values.

Bach, on his part, appreciated the efforts of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the initiatives in sports and youth empowerment and partnership with the IOC on the OVEP and Odisha Ridley Forest Project.

Odisha is implementing the OVEP in partnership with IOC, IOA and Abhinav Bindra Foundation in 250 government schools.

Head coach Sergio Lobera, Captain and Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh, and the home-grown talent Tankadhar Bag were present on this occasion.

The Chief Minister congratulated them on their spectacular performance in the last season and extended his best wishes for the upcoming matches.

The coach and captain thanked the Chief Minister for his support towards football and creating best facilities for the players.

The event, jointly organised by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the Payments Council of India (PCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC), convened on Wednesday in Mumbai.

The Global Fintech Festival 2023 serves as a vital forum for fintech leaders to cultivate partnerships and chart a course for the future of the industry. It is a platform that unites some of the brightest analytical minds in the fintech industry. Over the past three years, the Global Fintech Festival has played a pivotal role in showcasing the multifaceted fintech ecosystem’s transformative potential and its capacity to drive sustainable global progress.

Tusharkanti Behera underlined that India stands among the world’s fastest-growing fintech markets, rivalling the United Kingdom in funding volume. Highlighting Odisha’s participation in the fintech revolution, the Minister expressed the state’s commitment to innovation. Odisha has launched several citizen welfare schemes, leveraging technology for the delivery of public services and financial assistance, he shared.

The state’s financial inclusion has been recognised nationally and internationally for schemes like Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) and the Social Protection Delivery Platform (SPDP), which offer cashless, paperless, and faceless access to social benefits and services.

The Minister outlined Odisha’s efforts to create a conducive environment for fintech startups and businesses, offering incentives, promoting innovation, and attracting major players to the state. This commitment has already yielded promising results, with several fintech startups making a mark nationally.

Today, Odisha has a thriving fintech ecosystem, and a rapidly growing economy and the state’s strong focus on technology and innovation makes it an ideal destination for fintech ventures.

Manoj Kumar Mishra Principal Secretary E & IT, Manas Ranjan Panda, Special Secretary, E & IT also attended the program.

The accused RPF constable, identified as Chetan Kumar, has been arrested.

“Four casualties, including the ASI, have been reported in the firing incident inside the Jaipur Express train (12956). The accused has been arrested. DCP North GRP has been informed,” news agency ANI quoted Railway Protection Force as saying.

The accused, RPF constable opened fired on his colleague and escort duty in-charge, ASI Tika Ram Meena, with his automatic weapon at 5.23 am after an argument over some personal and professional issues in B5 coach of the Jaipur Express train (12956). After killing his senior, the constable went to another bogie and shot dead three passengers, news agency PTI said, quoting officials.

He then jumped out of the train near Dahisar station and caught by police at Mira Road with the help of Government Railway Police and RPF officials, the reports added.

“In an unfortunate incident on 31st July, 2023, in Train No 12956 Jaipur – Mumbai Superfast Express escorting staff constable Chetan Kumar shot at his colleague escort incharge ASI Tika Ram. The constable upon shooting his colleague, initially held passengers at gunpoint. It is regretted that ASI Tika Ram and three passengers were shot at. Constable Chetan Kumar got down near Dahisar and tried to flee after Alarm Chain Pulling. But, was arrested by RPF/Bhayandar along with the weapon,” the Western Railway spokesperson said.

The reason behind the incident was not known yet.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has accepted his resignation and has asked him to officiate as CM until an alternate arrangements are made .

His announcement came minutes after the Supreme Court refused to stay Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari’s direction to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government to take a floor test in the Assembly on Thursday.

Earlier in the day Supreme Court rejected Uddhav government’s plea and refused to stay the floor test in the Maharashtra assembly tomorrow. A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and J B Pardiwala heard arguments on behalf of Shiv Sena, its rebel MLAs led by Eknath Shinde, and the Governor on the plea in the hearing conducted after 5 pm through hybrid mode.

As per ANI reports, as Maha CM resigns, Shiv Sena rebels are going to hold meeting at Goa hotel on next plan .

One of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, Bharat Gogawale, on Wednesday night said they will hold meetings at a five-star hotel in Goa where they are staying for the night and discuss their next steps in the wake of the resignation of Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Meanwhile Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil has urged the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs to not to come tomorrow, instead they should come on the day of oath-taking, ANI reported.

By Nilanchal Naik