NH widening work stalls Rs 178cr water supply project in Kendrapada
1
2
3
Kendrapada
: A mega
drinking water supply project
worth Rs 178 crore in
Jajpur district
's
Dasarathpur block
is yet to be completed, leaving around 2 lakh villagers across 35 gram panchayats without proper water supply.Launched in 2019, the project was scheduled for completion by Dec 2022.
However, the project has made little headway. The delay is attributed to the ongoing widening of NH-20 and alleged administrative inefficiency.With no piped water, villagers continue to depend on a limited number of tube wells. "Water scarcity is worsening every day. We've pleaded with officials, but no action has been taken yet," said Pramod Mohanty, a Dasarathpur resident. Locals also alleged that the company responsible for the work has deployed a minimal workforce, slowing the project further. "We want the project completed soon," said another resident, Paramanda Mallick. Assistant engineer of rural water supply and sanitation (RWSS), Dasarathpur block, Manoj Kumar Behera, said, "Pipeline installation has been completed in 25 gram panchayats. Road widening has delayed further work due to infrastructure challenges. The project will resume after the road work ends."
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Mother's Day wishes
,
messages
, and
quotes
!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
100+ Happy Father's Day Messages, Greetings, Wishes, Images, and Quotes for 2025
This one's an age-old saying: 'Dad: A son's first hero, a daughter's first love!' Like Mother's Day, Sibling's Day, Grandparents' Day – Father's Day, too, is a special occasion. It's a day set aside for honoring one's father, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. When is Father's Day celebrated? Father's Day falls on the third Sunday in June to honor the role fathers play in the family structure and society. This day recognizes not just fathers, but the father figures in our lives. This year, the date is June 15. Father's Day is an annual observance honoring people's fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. It was first proposed by Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, in 1909. It was originally celebrated at the YMCA on June 19, 1910, by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas. Her father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children there. The Father's Day celebration: Father's Day celebrations typically involve showing appreciation for fathers and father figures through gifts, thoughtful gestures, and spending quality time together. Popular activities include planning family meals, outdoor adventures, or enjoying hobbies together. Additionally, many families choose to personalize their celebrations with handmade gifts, cards, or by doing chores that would normally be done by dad. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Here are some messages, greetings, wishes, and quotes to celebrate your father and remind him how special he is, and how fortunate you are to call him 'dad'! Father's Day special messages Dad, your love and guidance have shaped me into who I am today. Happy Father's Day! To the world's greatest dad, thank you for always being there for me. Happy Father's Day! Your strength and wisdom inspire me every day. Wishing you a wonderful Father's Day! Happy Father's Day to the man who taught me everything I know. Your love means the world to me. Thank you for being my rock and my role model. Happy Father's Day, Dad! Dad, you've always been my hero. Wishing you a day filled with love and joy. Happy Father's Day to the man who made me who I am today. I love you! Your sacrifices and love have given me everything. Happy Father's Day, Dad! To the best dad ever, thank you for your endless support and love. Happy Father's Day! Dad, you are my first and forever hero. Happy Father's Day! Happy Father's Day! Thanks for not selling me to the circus. Dad, you're one in a million. Just like everyone else. Happy Father's Day to the man who always knows how to fix everything—except the Wi-Fi. Thanks for all the dad jokes, even if they make me groan. Happy Father's Day! Happy Father's Day! You're the reason I turned out awesome. Happy Father's Day to the world's greatest dad! Celebrating the man who made me who I am today. To the best dad ever, thank you for your endless support and love. Dad, you're my first and forever hero. Happy Father's Day to the man who taught me everything I know. Happy Father's Day to the best grandfather! Your love and wisdom have been a blessing to our family. Happy First Father's Day! Watching you with our little one has been the greatest joy. Happy Father's Day to the incredible man who has been like a father to me. Your love and support mean the world to me. Happy Father's Day to the wonderful man who has been an incredible stepdad. Your love and support mean everything to me. Even though we're miles apart, you're always in my heart. Happy Father's Day, Dad! Father's Day special greetings Happy Father's Day to the best dad in the world! You're the best, Dad. I love you! Happy Father's Day, Dad! Thank you for everything. Wishing you a wonderful Father's Day! Cheers to the man who's always there for us. Happy Father's Day to my hero! To the world's greatest dad, have a fantastic day! Thank you for being my dad. You're my one and only dad. I love you, Dad! Happy Father's Day. Dad, you've made all my favorite memories. There's no one I'd rather look up to than you. You taught me the true meaning of strength and compassion. Thank you for the laughter, the lessons, and the love. You've given me so much more than I could ever ask for. Dad, you are my hero and my role model. Happy Father's Day to the coolest dad ever! You're not just my father, but one of my closest friends. The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to have a dad like you. Thank you for being there every day with the love and guidance I've needed. Happy Father's Day to the man who always knows how to make me smile. You're the most amazing dad in the world! Happy Father's Day, Dad! Thank you for being my rock. I love you, Dad. Happy Father's Day! You're the best dad I could ever ask for. Father's Day special wishes Happy Father's Day! To the one who always had my back, thank you for everything. Dad, you're my superhero. Thanks for all you do! Happy Father's Day to the best dad in the world! I love you. You've given me everything. Happy Father's Day! Thank you for being the best dad a kid could ask for. Happy Father's Day, Dad! You're my inspiration. I'm so grateful for your love and guidance. You've always been my rock. Happy Father's Day! Dad, you're simply the best. Happy Father's Day to the man who taught me to be my best self. I'll always look up to you, Dad. Happy Father's Day! You're the greatest dad ever. You're my favorite person. Happy Father's Day, Dad. Thanks for being there for me, no matter what. You're my role model and my hero. Happy Father's Day! I love you more than words can say. Happy Father's Day, Dad! You've made my life so much better. Happy Father's Day to the man who always knows how to make me laugh. You're the best dad I could ask for. Happy Father's Day! Thank you for always believing in me. Happy Father's Day, Dad! I'm so proud to be your child. You've taught me so much about life. Thank you for being my everything. Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you! You're the best dad I could ever ask for. Father's Day special quotes 'Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.' – Anne Geddes 'It is a wise father that knows his own child.' – William Shakespeare 'To her, the name of father was another name for love.' – Fanny Fern "My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: he believed in me." – Jim Valvano "The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature." – Antoine François Prévost "A father carries pictures where his money used to be." – Steve Martin "To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter." – Jawaharlal Nehru "A father's tears and fears are unseen, his love is unexpressed, but his care and protection remain as a pillar of strength throughout our lives." – Ama H. Vanniarachchy "The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams, and aspirations he sets not only for himself but for his family." – Reed Markham "Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad." – Chetan Bhagat "The greatest mark of a father is how he treats his children when no one is looking." – Dan Pearce "The power of a dad in a child's life is unmatched." – Justin Ricklefs "No man stands taller than when he stoops to help a child." – Abraham Lincoln 'Fathers just have a way of putting everything together.' – Erika Cosby 'It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.' – Johann Friedrich von Schiller 'My father didn't tell me how to live. He lived, and let me watch him do it.' – Clarence Budington Kelland 'Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, storytellers, and singers of song.' – Pam Brown 'Dads are like chocolate chip cookies — they may have chips or be a little nutty, but they're sweet and make the world better.' – Hillary Lytle 'One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.' – George Herbert 'No music is so pleasant to my ears as that word—father.' – Lydia Maria Child 'I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.' – Sigmund Freud 'My father didn't do anything unusual. He only did what dads are supposed to do—be there.' – Max Lucado 'Fatherhood is the great thing that could ever happen. You can't explain it until it happens—it's like telling someone what water feels like before they've ever swam in it.' – Michael Bublé 'A father's smile has been known to light up a child's entire day.' —Susan Gale 'When my father didn't have my hand, he had my back.' – Linda Poindexter 'A father's love is forever imprinted on his child's heart.' – Jennifer Williamson 'It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.' —Anne Sexton 'There's no shame in fear, my father told me, what matters is how we face it.' – George R.R. Martin 'Dads are the ones who are always there when you need them most — even if they're no longer physically here.' – Oprah Winfrey One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Video: Bengaluru Auto Driver Screams At Woman Over Fare, Demands She Speak Kannada
In recent times, the Kannada language row in Karnataka has sparked significant debate, particularly in Bengaluru, a city known for its multicultural population. While advocates suggest people learn the language, claiming it's a way of respecting the local culture, critics argue that such a demand is exclusionary in a cosmopolitan setting. Now, a video of a heated argument between a woman and a Bengaluru auto rickshaw driver has reignited the language debate online. Taking to Instagram, user Anya S shared a video in which the auto driver is seen speaking in Kannada in a visibly aggressive tone. She said that the argument between the two began after the driver demanded Rs 390 for a ride that, according to her Rapido app, was supposed to cost Rs 296. In the video, Anya repeatedly tells the driver that she will pay what the app says. "Don't scream at me. I'll only pay what the app says," she says. However, as the driver continues to scream at her, she calls over another auto-rickshaw driver, saying, "Aap yahan aao, mujhe darr lag raha hai (Come here, I'm feeling scared)." The driver, on the other hand, becomes aggressive, demanding that she speak Kannada. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anya S (@anyadamnson) In the caption, Anya recounted the entire incident. "This isn't about refusing to learn the local language - of course I want to learn Kannada. But when people behave like this, it makes me question myself. It makes me think, why should I make the effort when they don't know how to treat me with basic respect?" she wrote. "I calmly told him I'd pay what the app showed. Rs 296. That's it. But he began shouting. He stepped in, came close - trying to intimidate me, scare me. He mocked me for speaking Hindi. Told me I had no right to be here if I didn't speak Kannada. But this wasn't about language. This was about entitlement, aggression, and disrespect," Anya continued. She further made it clear that she wasn't against paying extra when deserved. "I'm someone who happily pays extra when I've had a good ride. But not when someone tries to bully or threaten me into it," she wrote. "We're part of this city. We live here, we work here, we contribute to its economy. And that means we deserve fairness, dignity, and safety - no matter what language we speak. If you've ever felt unsafe or second-guessed yourself in moments like this - you are not wrong. You are not alone. And you have every right to say no," she concluded. As the video gained traction online, ride-hailing app Rapido responded, assuring action. "At Rapido, customer safety and dignity are our highest priorities, Anya... the reported captain has been permanently barred from our platform. Additionally, we are working on implementing stronger protocols for our captains to prevent such incidents in the future," the company commented. Bengaluru locals also responded to the clip. One user wrote, "As a proud Kannadiga, I want to apologize for the unacceptable behavior of some individuals who are tarnishing our reputation and that of South India. I recommend exploring alternative transportation options like Yulu electric scooters, buses, and metros. On behalf of all educated Kannadigas, we extend our sincerest you're safe and okay." "Last resort when they get caught is speak in Kannada , these unruly autodrivers don't represent Karnataka and our Kannada . They behave the same with Kannadigas too," commented another.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Explained: The cost of rising imports
Rao Gulab Singh Lodi has harvested roughly 90 quintals of summer moong (green gram) from his 16-acres land in Nanhegaon village of Madhya Pradesh's Narsinghpur district. His major worry: The government's apathy in procuring the pulses crop that's fetching Rs 6,000 or so per quintal in the open market, as against its official minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 8,682. It's not only moong. Lodhi cultivates soyabean during the kharif (monsoon) season, sowing the leguminous oilseed in early-July and harvesting by mid-October, followed by chana (chickpea) and masoor (red lentil) during rabi (winter-spring). After harvesting masoor towards March 10 and chana around March 15-20, he sows summer moong that matures in 60-70 days. In none of these crops is there any systematic government procurement at MSP, comparable to that in rice and wheat. 'It is my misfortune that I cannot grow rice or even wheat (except for self-consumption) here. The black cotton soil in my area is basically suitable for pulses and oilseeds,' says Lodhi. The 65-year-old is a progressive farmer. He plants the best recommended varieties, whether in soyabean ('JS 20-116' and 'JS 2172' bred by the Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya at Jabalpur), moong ('PDM 139' by the Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur), masoor ('IPL 329' by the same institute) or chana ('Pusa Manav' by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi). But Lodhi isn't as lucky as the farmers who take rice and wheat. Soyabean is selling in MP's mandis at Rs 4,100-4,200 per quintal. That's below not only the MSP of Rs 5,328 for the upcoming 2025-26, but even the Rs 4,892 of last year's crop. The low prices notwithstanding, Lodhi is going ahead with planting soyabean: 'Vikalp kya hai (what option do I have)?'. The woes for Indian pulses and oilseeds growers come amid all-time-high imports during 2024-25 (April-March). In the case of pulses, these touched 7.3 million tonnes (mt) and valued at $5.5 billion, surpassing the previous record of 6.6 mt and $4.2 billion for 2016-17. Pulses imports had actually registered a substantial dip after 2017-18, to an average of 2.6 mt worth $1.7 billion during the subsequent five years (Charts 1a and 1b). This came on the back of improved domestic production. India's pulses output, which stood at 19.3 mt in 2013-14 and 17.2 mt in 2014-15 and 16.3 mt in 2015-16 (both drought years), climbed to 27.3 mt in 2021-22 and 26.1 mt in 2022-23. Much of that was courtesy of chana and moong, with scientists breeding short-duration varieties (100-120 days) requiring hardly any irrigation in the former and those amenable to growing across all seasons in the latter. Farmers today plant moong in kharif and rabi as well as spring and summer. However, the relative self-sufficiency or atmanirbharta achieved in pulses was reversed in 2023-24, which was an El Niño-induced drought year. Domestic production dropped to 24.2 mt in 2023-24 and recovered partly to 25.2 mt in 2024-25, as per the Agriculture Ministry's data. Falling output and retail inflation in pulses soaring to double digits by mid-2023 led to a slashing of duties on imports, which peaked during the last fiscal. The 7.3 mt of pulses imports in 2024-25 included 2.2 mt of yellow/white peas (largely from Canada and Russia), 1.6 mt of chana (from Australia), 1.2 mt each of arhar or pigeon-pea (from Mozambique, Tanzania, Myanmar, Sudan and Malawi) and masoor (from Canada, Australia and United States), and 0.8 mt of urad or black gram (from Myanmar and Brazil). As imports surged, the consumer price index (CPI) inflation in pulses eased to 3.8% year-on-year by December 2024 and further to 2.6%, -0.4%, -2.7%, -5.2% and -8.2% in the following five months. The shoe is on the other foot now, with arhar and chana selling at Rs 6,400-6,450 and Rs 5,450-5,500 per quintal respectively in Maharashtra's Latur mandi, below their corresponding MSPs of Rs 7,550 and Rs 5,650. In vegetable oils, the story has been a more uniform one – of increasing import dependence. The last 11 years have seen imports more than double from 7.9 mt to 16.4 mt, a trend that the Narendra Modi government may want to arrest, if not reverse. In value terms, imports almost trebled from $7.2 billion in 2013-14 to $20.8 billion in 2022-23, which was around the time when international prices skyrocketed owing to supply disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine war. While global prices have come off those peaks, the quantum of imports has continued to rise (Charts 2a and 2b). The 16.4 mt of imports during 2024-25 mainly comprised 7.9 mt of palm (primarily from Indonesia and Malaysia), 4.8 mt of soyabean (from Argentina and Brazil) and 3.5 mt of sunflower oil (from Russia, Ukraine and Argentina). On the other hand, India's production of oil from domestically grown oilseeds and secondary sources such as cottonseed, rice bran and maize is estimated at just about 10 mt, translating into an import dependence of well over 60%. CPI inflation in vegetable oils, unlike pulses, has been ruling at double digits since November 2024, with the latest May reading at 17.9%. It explains the Modi government's decision, on May 30, to cut the basic customs duty on crude palm, soyabean and sunflower oil from 20% to 10% and the overall import tariff (after adding an agriculture cess and social welfare surcharge) from 27.5% to 16.5%. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects the lowering of duty to result in a 'further increase' in soyabean oil imports by India. Although its market is dominated by Argentina, 'the reduced tariff can boost the import of US soyabean oil,' a USDA report, dated June 10, has stated. All this would mean imports likely hitting a new high in the current fiscal, even as the USDA has projected a record-breaking global vegetable oil output of 235 mt for 2025-26, led by palm (80.7 mt) and soyabean (70.8 mt). And that may not be good news for farmers like Lodhi. The Soyabean Processors Association of India has expressed concern over the 11-percentage points duty cut, which is expected to 'flood the Indian market with cheaper imported oils'. That will make oilseed cultivation less attractive to farmers, who may sow less area and switch to other more profitable crops in this kharif season, said Davish Jain, chairman of the Indore-based association. Harish Damodaran is National Rural Affairs & Agriculture Editor of The Indian Express. A journalist with over 33 years of experience in agri-business and macroeconomic policy reporting and analysis, he has previously worked with the Press Trust of India (1991-94) and The Hindu Business Line (1994-2014). ... Read More
