Maoists in Odisha have reportedly adopted a new strategy to evade detection by the police's satellite imaging system for identifying cannabis cultivation. Villagers have been instructed by Maoists to plant only 150 ganja saplings in one area, surrounded by other shrubs and trees, to mislead technology. Police have been conducting crackdowns on cannabis cultivation promoted by Maoists in certain districts.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam revealed two new mammalian species, the Binturong and the small-clawed otter. The Binturong, the largest civet in India, was spotted during a migratory bird count. The small-clawed otter was discovered after a training program. The park now hosts 37 mammalian species, enriching its biodiversity.
Researchers document 100 Ram temples and 50 mutts in Odisha, exploring the historical roots and development of Ramakatha in the region. The book delves into the literary and architectural heritage of Odisha dating back to 3rd century BC and provides a comprehensive account of the Ramakatha tradition through art, architecture, and literature.
Moved by the plight of a distressed woman from Jajpur district, Odisha governor Raghubar Das on Sunday offered her a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh. He also instructed the district administration to facilitate the woman a house under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).On the way to meet PMAY beneficiaries of Khandara gram panchayat under Dasarathapur block in Jajpur district, the woman identified as Sarojini Rout approached the governor, tearfully sharing her dire financial situation.
On the eve of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Indian community in Taiwan celebrated with spiritual fervour. The Indian Association of Taiwan is organizing a live stream of the ceremony to allow remote participation.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has hailed the contributions of the South Asian community, especially the Indian diaspora, to the country's economy despite their struggles following their mass expulsion in 1972. Museveni, who hosted the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala from January 15-20, spoke about the mistakes committed by former military ruler Idi Amin who forced Asians, a majority of them Indians, settled in Uganda to leave the country.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma requests Rahul Gandhi to avoid visiting the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva at Batadrava on January 22, the day of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. Sarma emphasizes that there is no competition between Lord Ram and Sankardeva and the focus should not be unnecessarily diverted to Assam.
In Noida, Uttar Pradesh, two criminals, identified as Anuj and Nitin, sustained injuries during a confrontation with the police on Sunday at Noida Sector 49. These individuals were wanted in connection with the fatal stabbing of Mehndi Hasan in Baraula village on the preceding Saturday. Mehndi Hasan succumbed to his injuries in a nearby hospital, and the police suggested that the attack may have been fueled by an old enmity.
Ramadas H, owner of a plot of land in Harohalli, Gujjegowdanapura village, donates land for the construction of a Ram Mandir. The proposed temple will be built on the same spot where the stone for the Ayodhya temple was mined.
