Latest news with #Rourkela
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
NGT notice over ‘illegal' Sundargarh forest land transfer
1 2 Cuttack: National Green Tribunal (NGT), East Zone Bench in Kolkata, on Wednesday issued notices to the state govt, the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEFCC), and the Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) over the alleged illegal transfer of 6.36 acres of forest land to private companies in Sundargarh district. The order came after a petition was filed by three local residents — Pradeep Kumar Das, Ramakanta Biswal, and Patel Lakra — who claimed that IDCO provisionally allotted 'gramya jungle' (village forest land) in Kalokudar to two private companies for establishing steel, iron, and ferro-alloys units. The land falls under a Schedule V area and reportedly has dense forest cover. Scheduled areas have special provisions for the administration and protection of tribal communities. Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy represented the petitioners. The bench, comprising Justice B Amit Sthalekar (Judicial Member) and Dr Arun Kumar Verma (Expert Member), observed that the matter "requires consideration" and directed all respondents to file their counter-affidavits within four weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for Aug 21, 2025. The petitioners alleged that the transfer and construction activity were carried out without the mandatory prior approval of the central govt under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and also violated the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 2023. The petition also mentioned a letter dated Feb 24 written by one of the petitioners to the divisional forest officer (DFO), Rourkela, seeking cancellation of the land allotment. Acting on it, the DFO-cum-wildlife warden issued a direction on Mar 6 asking the companies to stop all construction activities. However, the petitioners claim that work continued in violation of forest laws. Among the state authorities issued notices to file replies within four weeks are the additional chief secretary, forest and environment department, managing director of IDCO, Sundargarh collector, Lathikata tehsildar and divisional forest officer-cum-wildlife warden (Rourkela forest division). The tribunal also issued notices to the two private companies.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Odia community celebrates Raja fest in Hamburg
1 2 3 4 Rourkela: The Odia Association Hamburg and North Germany celebrated Raja Parba, a traditional festival honouring womanhood and the monsoon season, with great enthusiasm in Hamburg on Sunday. The celebration brought together Odia families from Hamburg and neighbouring cities like Pinneberg and Lübeck, transforming a corner of Germany into a slice of Odisha for the day. "Raja is not just a festival. It celebrates femininity, nature, and our deep connection with the land," said Jayashree Sahoo, a member of the Odia Association Hamburg and North Germany. "Celebrating it here in Hamburg brings back memories of our roots and helps the next generation feel proud of their heritage." The event featured traditional elements, including decorated jhulas (swings), where women and children participated in the customary swinging ritual. Attendees, dressed in traditional attire, danced to popular Odia folk songs like 'Banaste Dakila Gaja'. A highlight of the celebration was the authentic Odia cuisine served at the venue. The menu included traditional delicacies such as 'poda pitha', 'kakera Pitha', 'chandrakanti', and kheeri among the sweets, while savoury dishes featured 'chingudi jhola', 'mutton jhola', 'ambula rai', and 'chattu besar'. The traditional pan was also served as part of the celebrations.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
As Indians leave Israel, Odia student decides to stay back
1 2 Rourkela: In the midst of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, compounded by the US' recent bombing of nuclear sites in Iran, an Odia student has taken the decision to stay back in Israel even as other Indians are returning home. Despite the Indian govt's efforts to evacuate its nationals from the conflict zone, Taranga Dehury, a 29-year-old post-doctoral researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has opted to stay back, hoping the situation will stabilise soon. He cited a decrease in the frequency of missile strikes on Israel as a reason for his decision. "I have been hearing the sound of sirens for incoming missiles, drones and rockets. But they are not in our area," Dehury told TOI from Israel. A resident of Maranda village in Angul district, he has been conducting post-doctoral research at the university's Institute of Chemistry since March this year. The Indian Embassy in Israel initiated an evacuation operation on Sunday, but Dehury has chosen not to register for the process. "The places particularly affected, like Tel Aviv, Central and North Israel, are about 60km from my university campus. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Write Better, Work Smarter With This Desktop App Grammarly Install Now Undo The frequency of missile strikes on these places has decreased over the last three days," said Dehury, who remains focused on his studies. "I am expecting the situation to improve soon. Although the operation to evacuate Indians was started by the Indian govt, I decided not to leave," he explained. "If it becomes necessary to leave for safety reasons, I will decide at that time." The recent escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict has significantly disrupted daily life in the region. The Hebrew University, along with other institutions, had temporarily closed doors before reopening last Thursday. But following the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday, Israel's Home Front Command issued new guidelines, restricting activities to essential services and suspending educational activities and gatherings. Like Dehury, Satyaranjan Biswal, another student from Odisha studying at the Hebrew University, has apparently decided to stay back in Israel. But despite repeated attempts, he could not be contacted.
