Koraput supplies 1st batch of organic kalajeera rice to Puri temple
2
Koraput: In a proud milestone for tribal heartland, Koraput district administration flagged off the inaugural supply of organic kalajeera rice from Shabar Shreekhetra, Koraput to the Jagannath Temple, Puri, on Thursday.
The initiative, launched on the auspicious occasion of Netrotsav, marks the beginning of the Amrut Anna Yojana, which aims to prepare Mahaprasad using organic rice.
"It's a proud moment for tribal farmers of the district. As it has been decided by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, the rice will be used regularly in "Kotha Bhogo" and Mahaprasad during this year's Rath Yatra and beyond. Also, a dedicated Amrut Anna sales counter will be opened at the temple to offer organic Mahaprasad to devotees," said collector (Koraput) Keerthi Vasan V.
The journey from Koraput to Puri also symbolizes the socio-cultural empowerment of tribal communities, promoting organic agriculture, food safety, and natural resource conservation. The initiative is expected to enhance the economic resilience of small holder farmers while placing Koraput firmly on India's GI map, he added.
For the inaugural journey, 32 quintals of organic kalajeera rice, along with one quintal each of 'moong' and 'biri' (black gram), have been dispatched to Puri.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Wunstorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung
GEERS
Undo
The GI-tagged Koraput kalajeera rice, known for its aroma and fine quality, has been traditionally cultivated by small and marginal tribal farmers. With support from the state govt and Nabard, it received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, opening new markets and boosting demand across India and overseas.
In kharif 2024, over 1,800 farmers across eight blocks of Koraput cultivated kalajeera rice on 1,365 acres. For the first time, 1,900 quintals of paddy were directly procured through independent mandis set up by farmer groups. This year, the cultivation target has been scaled up to 2,000 acres, including indigenous varieties.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Vakri Shani Approaches Rahu: Love Life Turmoil Predicted for These 6 Zodiac Signs
From 13th July to 28th November 2025, Saturn, known as Shani in Vedic astrology, goes retrograde in Pisces, and it's set to shake things up, especially in matters of the heart. Saturn retrograde is a time when the karmic taskmaster forces us to confront what isn't working, especially in our long-term relationships. While everyone will feel the cosmic shift to some degree, certain zodiac signs are likely to experience more turbulence, delays, and emotional growing pains in their love lives than others. To understand the depth of this transit, it's important to look at the nature of both Saturn and Pisces. Saturn is the planet of karma, responsibility, boundaries, and life lessons. When it turns retrograde, it's as if time slows down so we can revisit, revise, and repair areas we've neglected or mismanaged. This includes romantic patterns, emotional boundaries, and how we handle long-term partnerships. Retrograde Saturn strips away illusions and demands maturity. On the other hand, Pisces is a dreamy, emotional, and spiritual sign, connected to unconditional love, illusion, fantasy, and escapism. When Saturn moves retrograde in this deeply emotional water sign, it creates a tension between fantasy and reality, asking us to question whether our love lives are built on truth or illusion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Telidesk Saved My Business Undo Let's take a closer look at the zodiac signs that will experience the greatest turbulence in love during this 138-day period. Gemini For Gemini, Saturn's retrograde hits the area of career, reputation, and long-term goals, but indirectly impacts your emotional security. You may find yourself prioritising work so heavily that your personal life begins to suffer. Your partner may feel neglected, unseen, or emotionally disconnected from you. This period forces you to confront whether your ambition is costing you emotional intimacy. If you're single, you may delay love due to professional focus. Geminis must learn to balance emotional availability with external success to maintain harmony in love. Leo The fiery Leos will experience relationship turbulence as Saturn retrograde impacts intimacy, secrets, and transformation. Saturn's retrograde through this area brings power struggles, trust issues, and emotional blockages to the surface. If you've been keeping secrets from a partner—or vice versa—they're likely to be exposed. This is also a time when old sexual trauma or deep-seated fears around vulnerability may emerge. Leos are known for their pride, but Saturn demands humility and honesty now. True love will only survive if it's rooted in emotional transparency and shared growth. Virgo Virgo gets hit directly, as Saturn retrogrades through the area of committed relationships and marriage. If you're in a partnership, it could be tested like never before. You may feel coldness, detachment, or emotional distance growing between you and your partner. Any cracks in your relationship will become unavoidable during this period. For some Virgos, this will be a time of hard conversations and emotional honesty. For others, it may lead to separation or the realisation that you're settling. Saturn demands that you seek truth and emotional alignment—nothing less. Sagittarius Sagittarians will face an internal storm as Saturn retrograde activates the life areas of emotional roots, family, and home. This placement stirs up unresolved childhood wounds or past family traumas that begin to seep into your current relationships. You may feel emotionally isolated or burdened, even if you're in a committed relationship. If past emotional baggage hasn't been fully processed, it can lead to misunderstandings or emotional withdrawal. Sagittarians are advised to focus on inner healing and address old patterns to break free of karmic loops. Aquarius For Aquarius, with Saturn retrograding through the area of values and self-worth, you're being called to evaluate your sense of value in love relationships. You may begin to see that your current relationship doesn't align with your evolving values. Financial issues may also play a role, with emotional imbalance stemming from who provides more or who feels underappreciated. You might also find yourself questioning your self-worth and whether you're truly being valued by your partner. This period is about strengthening inner confidence and learning not to compromise your core values for emotional convenience. Pisces For Pisces, this transit impacts identity, self-worth, and how you project yourself to the world. With Saturn turning retrograde here, it's not just your relationship that's being challenged—it's your sense of self. You may find yourself questioning your role in your love life, becoming more withdrawn or emotionally distant. There can be a loss of identity in a relationship, or a realisation that you've been people-pleasing or self-sacrificing to keep the peace. This is a time to realign with who you really are and learn how to prioritise self-love before seeking it from another. While these six signs— Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, Pisces, Leo, and Aquarius —will experience the brunt of the turbulence, all zodiac signs will feel Saturn's retrograde energy in some area of their emotional or romantic life. Common themes during this time include emotional withdrawal, delays in commitment, resurfacing exes, karmic reckonings, and the need to mature spiritually. You may also feel stuck or blocked in love, but that stagnation is Saturn's way of encouraging reflection rather than impulsivity. To make the most of this period, slow down and do not rush into new relationships. If you're already in a relationship, use this time to have honest conversations and work on emotional patterns. Avoid texting exes unless your intention is closure or healing. Keep a journal to track recurring emotional loops or triggers. The lessons you learn now will serve as a foundation for stronger, more authentic love once Saturn turns direct on 28th November 2025. Saturn retrograde in Pisces isn't a curse—it's a cosmic opportunity. It may feel like the end of love, but it's often the end of illusion. This is a time to strip away fantasies and get real about what you need in a relationship. If you're willing to face the truth, do the inner work, and stay grounded, this transit can transform not just your love life, but your entire emotional identity. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Defunct state women commission a concern in J'khand: Union min
M inistry of women and child development minister and Koderma MP Annapurna Devi talks to Kritika Tiwary on her agenda and ongoing efforts to uplift women and children nationwide. Excerpts: How many women and child development projects are currently active in Jharkhand? At present, there are over 37,815 anganwadi centres in the state. Of them, more than 16,700 centres have been approved under the Saksham Anganwadi initiative, which includes facilities like clean drinking water with RO systems, LED lights, Poshan Vatika (nutrition gardens), and water harvesting structures. These upgrades aim to provide a healthier environment to children and mothers. How effective is the women and child related schemes in the state? Twenty four districts have active 'One Stop Centres', and approval has been granted for 11 more in large or underserved districts. These centres support women in distress. Women can call the 181 Women Helpline. Upon receiving the call, the team tracks the location and immediately dispatches support. We also have counsellors and legal aid (DLSA) tied up with every centre. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Every district has a dedicated women empowerment hub. Are there specific projects for children in need of protection? Yes, there are over 50 Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in the state that cater to both CNCP (children in need of care and protection) and CCL (children in conflict with law). Separate facilities exist for boys and girls, and we also coordinate with Childline 1098. What financial schemes are provided under the PMMVY in state? Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, the state has provided benefits to approximately 9.3 lakh women. For the first child, mothers receive Rs 5,000, and for the second child (if a girl), they receive Rs 6,000. In the last financial year alone, Rs 421 crore was disbursed directly to beneficiaries. Beneficiaries can now self-register digitally for schemes. Are any new infrastructure projects sanctioned recently? Seven new working women hostels have been sanctioned in Jharkhand. We've also approved Palna-cum-creche facilities at anganwadi centres. Has the Centre assessed Jharkhand's performance? Yes. Performance varies across schemes. States like Haryana (Palna), Tamil Nadu (hostels), and Gujarat (nutrition) are doing well in respective areas. In Jharkhand, despite progress, the absence of a state women's commission for the past 6 years is a concern.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
On paper and ground, the smartness is poles apart
They are anything but smart, and are standing tall without performing any of their intended roles. The 49 'smart poles', that cost 5 lakh each and were installed across the city under the Chennai Smart City Mission five years ago are now defunct, and contribute zilch to public safety. Reason: The firm that took a five-year contract for maintenance did nothing to keep the poles working. Yet, no one has been taken to task and penalised for lapses. These poles are equipped with SOS emergency buttons, CCTV cameras, Wi-Fi, and public announcement systems, and were meant to act as support systems, especially for women and children in distress. But today, they lie unused, ignored, and in many places, broken. Installed in 2021 by Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) in busy public spaces, the poles lost their purpose initially due to lack of awareness among the public and later due to non-maintenance by authorities. A smart pole near the pedestrian complex on Thyagaraya Road is surrounded by vendors, and its SOS button does not work. CCTV cameras are missing, and there is no visible Wi-Fi signal. Another on Venkatanarayana Road is in a similar condition, with its emergency call button broken. 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 Other poles located in areas like Natesan Park, GN Chetty Road, Cathedral Road, and West Mambalam have also conked out, with damaged or missing parts. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The civic body had announced free Wi-Fi access for 30 minutes a day. But when TOI tried connecting to the poles in T Nagar and near Semmozhi Poonga, the network was unavailable. The smart pole project had a five-year maintenance contract, but officials say it wasn't enforced. "We are fining the contractor for the lack of upkeep," said the GCC official. When contacted, GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran said, "The poles are outdated. People have adapted to the 5G network, which can never be compared to public Wi-Fi. GCC is not looking to invest more in renovating the smart pole system, but the CCTVs in disrepair might be replaced." Residents lament that the public was not properly informed about the services available through these smart poles. According to GCC data, 2,594 residents used the services in the first month of its installation. Several poles are located close to police stations. On Marina Beach, the smart pole near the lighthouse is just five minutes away from the D5 police station, while another near Ezhilagam is three minutes from the D6 Anna Square police station. In Thiruvanmiyur, the pole is right next to a police booth. The one outside Ripon Buildings is only a four-minute walk from Periamet police station. With police presence nearby, residents question the need for an SOS button that connects to the same places they can walk to. "For almost a year, I thought these smart poles were water dispensers. There's a bunk shop on Semmozhi Poonga bus stop on Cathedral Road. I've been using this road for many years, and I didn't know the GCC was providing free Wi-Fi through these poles," said P Saritha, a regular commuter. A Virgil, a gender lab expert, said, "The smart poles project has great features, on paper, but in reality, people are not aware of the usage. A community survey should be conducted by GCC to sensitise people before implementing such projects." The smart pole initiative was inaugurated during the AIADMK tenure, said deputy mayor M Mahesh Kumar. "Measures will be taken to ensure that the CCTVs, and Wi-Fi are functional on the smart poles," he added.
