Latest news with #PallishreeMela
New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Chopper used by CM Mohan Charan Majhi stranded on Kendrapara college playground for a month
KENDRAPARA: The helicopter used by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is gathering dust on the playground of Kendrapara Autonomous College for the last one month after it developed technical snags due to lightning. During the chief minister's maiden visit to the district on June 9, his helicopter was struck by lightning amid incessant rains. Though Majhi landed safely at the temporary helipad on the college ground, he was forced to return from Kendrapara by road. Since then, the helicopter has been stranded on the college playground, causing major inconvenience to students and locals. Requesting anonymity, a college teacher said for more than a month, the playground is not accessible to anyone. The ground has been barricaded while a police camp and fire service personnel with their vehicle are guarding the helicopter round the clock. All sports and cultural activities of the college have also been stopped since June 9 as the playground is out of bounds for people. Nagendra Das, a local, said, 'We used to walk on the playground every morning. We have abandoned our daily morning walk for the last one month as the ground is no more accessible to us.' Former principal of Kendrapara Autonomous College Nanda Kishor Parida said this is the only ground where the district administration organises major events such as the Pallishree Mela, Independence Day and Republic Day. 'The long occupancy of the chopper on the college ground is troubling everyone. We hope the officials will shift the helicopter to some other place soon,' he said. Contacted, additional district magistrate (ADM) of Kendrapara Rabindra Kumar Behera said the helicopter developed some technical snags due to lightning. Three aviation engineers spent a week to repair it but could not succeed. 'We are guarding the helicopter. The district administration has already informed the state government regarding the stranding of the chopper on the college playground. We hope the helicopter will leave Kendrapara soon after it is repaired,' the ADM added.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
FSSAI tag must for food stalls at Pallishree fair in Puri
1 2 Puri: In the wake of diarrhoea cases reported across several parts of the state, the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) has made FSSAI accreditation mandatory for all food stalls at this year's Pallishree Mela in Puri to ensure hygiene and compliance with food safety norms. Additionally, fire safety arrangements have also been made compulsory for all food vendors, with designated fire extinguishers and precautionary setups in place at each stall. The mela is scheduled to be inaugurated on Thursday at the Puri beach. Organised annually during Rath Yatra, the fair showcases rural entrepreneurship and traditional craftsmanship from across the country. The fair will run till July 7, continuing through the Suna Besha ritual of the deities, an extension of two days from previous years. The mela typically ended before Bahuda Yatra. This year, the fair features 268 stalls, with participants from 21 states. "The food court, a major attraction, will host 20 stalls offering a diverse range of cuisines, including Odia, Maharashtrian, Gujarati, Delhi and Bengali delicacies," said an ORMAS official. "With public health in mind, we've taken unprecedented steps this year," said Bhakti Pattnaik, head of ORMAS, Puri. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Clean Warehouses = Safe Workplaces SearchMore Learn More Undo "FSSAI accreditation is now compulsory, and no food vendors are allowed without it. Vendors are being monitored to ensure strict adherence to safety guidelines. We're also ensuring that standard operating procedures (SOPs) are followed by every stall," said Pattnaik. "Last year's fair saw business worth Rs 12 crore. With a higher expected footfall this year, sales are projected to surpass that figure," added Pattnaik. "The mela has shifted to a new beachfront location, which offers a larger and more open space. We are hopeful the change will attract an even bigger crowd than previous years." Earlier, the mela was held at the Bholanath Vidyapitha ground.
