Latest news with #Prusty
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Man held for attacking whistleblower over FB posts on illegal sand mining
Bhubaneswar: Pahala police here on Thursday arrested a man who allegedly assaulted a whistleblower after the latter exposed unlawful sand quarrying activities by posting photographs on Facebook. Police identified the accused as Ranjan Prusty (28), a resident of Phulanakhara in Cuttack district. Nihar Ranjan Parida (30), the victim, recently posted photographic evidence of unauthorised sand mining activities in Gobindapur village under Pahala police limits on Facebook. The posts quickly gained traction among local environment activists, community members and mines authorities, much to the chagrin of Prusty whose relative operates the sand mining activities. On April 29, Prusty invited the victim for a discussion. Subsequently, Prusty and his accomplices allegedly abducted him in a vehicle and attacked him near the sand mining location. Parida filed a police complaint the following day. A senior police officer stated, "We take attacks on whistleblowers very seriously. Such intimidation tactics have no place in our community, and we will ensure justice is served. While we have arrested Prusty, others involved in the crime will be arrested soon." Environmental activists condemned the attack. "This incident highlights the risks faced by those brave enough to speak up against environmental crimes," said Tapas Mahakud, an environmentalist. During questioning, Prusty informed police that the victim demanded money for extortion after posting the photos on social media. He claimed that Parida had asked for Rs 5,000 monthly to remain silent about the illegal operations. Police said they are investigating both the assault case and the illegal sand mining activities. "We have informed the department of steel and mines to curb the illegal sand mining activities," the police officer said.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Film on centenarian teacher's life wins best docu award at Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival
1 2 Kendrapada: A documentary on centenarian teacher Nanda Kishore Prusty , ' Nanda Mastraanka Chatasali ' (village school of Nanda sir), has won the best documentary award at the 15th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival . The 90-minute documentary, directed by Pranab Kumar Aich and produced by Abhaya Pati, was chosen for the award from 700 entries. The film portrays the life of Padma Shri awardee Prusty, who taught students for free in Jajpur district's Kantira village for over 70 years. "The film explores the human quest for salvation through service, focusing on Nanda sir's struggle to preserve one of India's last traditional open-air schools, known as chatasali," said Aich. The documentary blends real footage shot over two years with dramatised sequences using local non-actors to depict Prusty's early life. Prusty started teaching in 1946 and was honoured with the Padma Shri on Nov 9, 2021. He died on Dec 7 the same year at 103. The documentary has earned international recognition, premiering at the NETPAC section of the 29th Kolkata International Film Festival and was screened at the 16th Habitat Film Festival, Delhi. Its trailer and poster were also unveiled at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Director Aich, who has received over 50 film festival awards, hopes for a theatrical release in Odisha and for the film to be declared tax-free.
