logo
Nagin dance: Cobra cameo turns Odisha wedding celebration into wildlife crime scene

Nagin dance: Cobra cameo turns Odisha wedding celebration into wildlife crime scene

Time of India03-05-2025
BALASORE: As drums beat and dancers swayed under lights, few expected a twist that would turn a village wedding into a
wildlife crime scene
. On a Wednesday night in Chhedak village under Bansada panchayat of Bhadrak district, a groom's procession turned from festive to alarming when live cobras were brought to the dance floor.
Amid blaring music and cheering guests, two snake charmers and a transgender performer flaunted the venomous reptiles as part of a dramatic
Nagin dance
performance - a nod to India's folk traditions that took a dangerous, unlawful turn.
Videos captured by wedding guests quickly circulated on social media, showing the cobras being held aloft and swayed to the rhythm, as guests clapped and recorded the spectacle with their phones.
While some saw it as rustic entertainment, wildlife experts saw a blatant violation of the law - and a serious safety hazard.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
This game will kill your time! Only 3% can pass Level 8. Can you beat the pirates?
Stormshot
Play Now
Undo
The Indian cobra, revered in mythology and feared in real life, is protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Its capture, possession or use for public display or performance is strictly prohibited. Yet, in this remote corner of the state, age-old practices still slip past modern legal boundaries.
Acting on a tip-off, the Bhadrak wildlife division attempted to intercept the wedding party near Ugratara Muni Chowk in Chandabali. However, by the time they arrived, the wedding party had already moved a considerable distance. The officials seized three live cobras along with their cages.
"The two individuals who brought the snakes are absconding. They were reportedly hired from Bhubaneswar and fled the scene before officials could intervene. Forest officials rescued three cobras," said Soubhagya Kumar Sahu, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Bhadrak.
Beyond the spectacle, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the persistence of illegal wildlife practices disguised as tradition. Conservationists argue that such acts, while once culturally ingrained, are no longer acceptable in a country striving to protect its fragile ecosystems.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Are you eligible for the AT&T settlement? Here's how to claim your share of $7,500
Are you eligible for the AT&T settlement? Here's how to claim your share of $7,500

Time of India

time14 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Are you eligible for the AT&T settlement? Here's how to claim your share of $7,500

Millions of AT&T customers can now file claims in a $177 million legal settlement related to two data breaches and it could provide up to $7,500 in compensation per person. AT&T agreed to a $177 million settlement this year after a pair of data breaches were confirmed in 2024. Claims are open for millions of customers including Pennsylvania and Delaware residents affected by two massive AT&T data breaches in recent years. The first breach, disclosed in March 2024, compromised the personal details of 73 million current and former AT&T customers — including birth dates and Social Security numbers — after the data surfaced on the dark web. The second, revealed in July 2024, saw hackers infiltrate a third-party cloud platform, unlawfully downloading call and text records belonging to 'nearly all' of AT&T's mobile subscribers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist Reveals: The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo ALSO READ: US citizens to receive stimulus check of $2,000 in August? What has Trump said about economic relief How can you claim AT&T settlement Information on the lawsuit was revealed this week, with the telecommunications giant agreeing to pay a total of $177 million to affected users. How do you know whether you are eligible for AT&T settlement or not? Live Events Customers affected by both data breaches are eligible to file a claim in the settlement, according to media reports. Victims of the first data breach confirmed in March 2024, which AT&T said affected 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders, can claim payments that top out at $5,000. On the other hand, victims of the second breach, confirmed in July of last year to have compromised the data of nearly every customer, can claim up to $2,500. Top-level claimants affected in both leaks could potentially receive up to $7,500 for verified claims. ALSO READ: Colorado Buffaloes' golden boy: All about Travis Hunter's supercars, lavish mansions and $6 million football fortune You can check if you're eligible by checking this website for customers who were involved. Click "submit claim" and you will be prompted to include a class member ID, email address, AT&T account number or full name. That will reveal your eligibility, and you will then be required to provide additional documentation to submit a claim. If you did not receive a confirmation code and notice ID, you can contact the Kroll Settlement Administration at 833-890-4930 for more information. How do you file a claim with AT&T settlement? You can file a claim in the AT&T settlement on this website. Click "submit claim" and you will be prompted to include a class member ID, email address, AT&T account number or full name. You will then be required to provide additional documentation to submit a claim. ALSO READ: $5,108 Social Security August payment arriving next week: Are you getting the amount this month? Check exceptions When is the deadline to file a claim in the AT&T settlement? The deadline to file a claim is Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The claim can also be filed online, or be mailed and received or postmarked by the deadline date. What payout amount could you get from the AT&T settlement? You can receive up to $7,500 if you were affected by both incidents. Those impacted by the March 2024 incident can claim up to $5,000 by providing materials for the documented loss cash payment option. The July 2024 breach could net you up to $2,500.

DRI arrestes trader for 13.79 crore walnut import scam in Mumbai
DRI arrestes trader for 13.79 crore walnut import scam in Mumbai

Time of India

time39 minutes ago

  • Time of India

DRI arrestes trader for 13.79 crore walnut import scam in Mumbai

Mumbai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Bhushan Suryakant Sawant, proprietor of M/s Mahant Enterprises, for allegedly diverting duty-free imported inshell walnuts into the domestic market in violation of the Advance Authorization Scheme, causing a revenue loss of over Rs 13.79 crore. Investigations revealed that Mahant Enterprises obtained two Advance Authorization licenses from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on 24 December 2024 to import inshell walnuts duty-free, with the obligation to export processed walnut kernels. However, analysis of e-way bill data indicated that in many cases, the declared movement of goods never occurred, and only paper-based transfers were generated to support fictitious transactions. Several consignments were shown as transported to Leh Cold Storage Pvt. Ltd., Sonipat—an undeclared business location. Searches there found no stock belonging to Mahant Enterprises, despite e-way bills showing dispatches worth ₹9.78 crore. In his statement Sawant admitted that GST registrations in Chandigarh and Delhi were obtained only for namesake, and that the actual beneficial owner of the imports was Manish Kumar Jain, the UAE-based mastermind and owner of supplier Cosmic Intercontinental DMCC. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Desert Order Undo You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Gold Rates Today in Mumbai | Silver Rates Today in Mumbai Sawant coordinated all import documentation, customs clearance, and domestic distribution on Jain's instructions. The DRI alleges Sawant prepared fake e-way bills, arranged for offshore remittances through hawala channels, and diverted 467 MT of inshell walnuts into the local market, completely bypassing export obligations. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !

‘Hostile takeover': DC attorney general files lawsuit against Trump admin; court hearing scheduled for today
‘Hostile takeover': DC attorney general files lawsuit against Trump admin; court hearing scheduled for today

Time of India

time41 minutes ago

  • Time of India

‘Hostile takeover': DC attorney general files lawsuit against Trump admin; court hearing scheduled for today

Washington DC attorney general Brian Schwalb (AP image) The attorney general of Washington DC Brian Schwalb has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump 's administration, accusing it of a 'hostile takeover' of the city's police force. Trump said the move was necessary to fight violent crime. — DCAttorneyGen (@DCAttorneyGen) Earlier this week, Trump placed the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under federal control and deployed 800 National Guard troops to the city's streets. On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi had appointed Drug Enforcement Administration chief Terry Cole as an 'emergency' police commissioner. In the court filing, Schwalb argued that federal law does not allow the federal government to take over the city's police force in this way. He said Trump's administration had 'unlawfully seized operational control' of the MPD by inserting federal officials into the chain of command and issuing policy directives. Schwalb has demanded for a temporary restraining order to block Bondi's appointment and for the court to rule that Trump's executive order exceeds his authority over the District. A hearing is scheduled for 2.00 pm local time (1800 GMT). "By declaring a hostile takeover of MPD, the Administration is abusing its limited, temporary authority under the Home Rule Act, infringing on the District's right to self-governance and putting the safety of DC residents and visitors at risk," Schwalb said in a statement on social media. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo DC Mayor Muriel Bowser also criticized the move, saying there is no law that allows a federal official to control the city's personnel. Washington DC is not a state and operates under a special arrangement that gives Congress broad powers over local matters. The Home Rule Act, in place since the mid-1970s, allows residents to elect a mayor and city council but Congress still has final control over the city's budget. Republican critics have accused the overwhelmingly Democratic city of being crime-ridden, poorly managed and overrun by homelessness. However, police data shows that violent crime dropped significantly between 2023 and 2024, reaching its lowest level in 30 years, according to Mayor Bowser. Trump has said he wants to remove homeless encampments from the city, describing Washington on his Truth Social platform as 'under siege from thugs and killers' with worse crime rates than some of the world's most dangerous countries.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store