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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tribals in Kotia soak in festive mood
Koraput: Defying overcast skies and a decades-long territorial dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, Kotia in Koraput district's Pottangi block came alive with devotion and celebration as hundreds of tribals participated in the Rath Yatra Saturday, the second day of the festival. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Perched at an altitude of 1,024 metres above mean sea level and around 60 km from Koraput district headquarters, Kotia's Jagannath Temple established in 2002 by the Jagannath Temple Management Committee (JTMC) of Sabara Srikhetra, Koraput has been hosting the annual chariot festival with fervour. The second day of Rath Yatra marks the key rituals and festivities, drawing large tribal gatherings from across the region. This year's celebration assumed added significance with the participation of five ministers from the state govt, including deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo and revenue minister Suresh Pujari. Other dignitaries included school and mass education minister Nityananda Gond, commerce and transport minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, fisheries and animal resources minister Gokulananda Mallik, Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka, Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi, Pottangi MLA and CLP leader Ramachandra Kadam, along with several MLAs and panchayat representatives. "Kotia is an integral part of Odisha, and the state govt is committed to its development. Irrespective of political affiliations, everyone has come together for Rath Yatra celebrations," said Pujari. Speaking about the govt's plan to address Kotia's issue, Pujari said a draft plan has been prepared after consultations with locals and leaders across the political spectrum. This plan will soon be implemented with concrete steps, Pujari said, while emphasising the govt's broader commitment to developing border areas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Key focus areas include housing for the homeless, hostel construction in model schools, and a proposal for a grand Jagannath temple in Kotia, alongside improvements in tourism, education, and healthcare. Despite cloudy weather, the locals pulled the chariot nearly 300 metres to the Gundicha Temple with traditional pomp, setting off nine days of celebrations. Over the years, the festival has grown in popularity, attracting devotees even from beyond the Kotia panchayat. Collector (Koraput) V. Keerthi Vasan said the festival has evolved into a major tribal festival, with traditional music, dance, and community participation enriching the celebrations. The spirited turnout and vibrant celebration have not only boosted Kotia's cultural prominence but also reaffirmed the state's emotional and administrative bond with the region, he added. As drums echoed across the hills and the decorated chariot rolled on, the Rath Yatra once again underscored Kotia's identity both as a sacred tribal space and a focal point of state's cultural and political landscape. "We are thrilled to witness such massive participation from ministers, MPs, and MLAs. This day means a lot to our village," said Ajay Pangi, a local resident. Another villager, Laichama Gamel, echoed the sentiment, saying, "The involvement of top leaders reflects the govt's commitment to resolving Kotia's long-pending challenges."
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das forms probe team over 'torture' of two Dalits on allegations of cow smuggling
BHUBANESWAR: The torture of two dalit persons over allegations of cow smuggling in Kharigumma village of Ganjam district has raised political heat with Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das forming a five-member committee headed by CLP leader Ramachandra Kadam to conduct an on-the-spot investigation into the incident. Members of the committee include OPCC vice-president Lalatendu Mohapatra, party MLA from Sanakhemundi Ramesh Jena, state general secretary Subarna Nayak and secretary Tuleswar Nayak. The committee has been tasked to visit the village, engage directly with the victims and submit a report immediately to the OPCC president. Meanwhile, a day after Rahul Gandhi's condemnation, AICC general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi demanded strong action against the culprits. In a post on Facebook, Priyanka said the incident that occurred in Odisha, where two dalit youths were subjected to atrocities, is condemnable. Forcing them to eat grass and crawl on their knees is a barbaric act that brings shame to humanity. She said such incidents are on the rise in BJP-ruled states.
Rakyat Post
24-06-2025
- Business
- Rakyat Post
From Courtroom To Cork In Bangsar: The Lawyer Who Traded Briefs For Bordeaux
Subscribe to our FREE Lau Jia-Sen had it all figured out – law degree, CLP certification, four solid years building a legal practice. The 36-year-old from Old Klang Road was living the Malaysian dream: steady paycheck, predictable hours, respectable profession. Then, in April 2024, everything changed. 'If I'd discovered my passion earlier, I would never have studied law,' Lau told TRP, sipping a cup of artisanal coffee at Juno, his gastro wine bar tucked away in a quiet corner of Bangsar. Named after the Roman goddess of protection and marriage (Hera in Greek mythology), the venue seems fitting for someone who's found his true calling. It's the kind of confession that makes parents everywhere clutch their pearls, but for this former lawyer-turned-sommelier, it's pure liberation. The Great Career Plot Twist The transition wasn't exactly overnight. While building his legal career, Lau was moonlighting as a barista – perhaps the universe's way of dropping hints about his true calling. Fast forward to today, and he's running Juno, a spot that's part wine sanctuary, part culinary playground, where natural wines meet European-Asian fusion in the most unpretentious way possible. 'Wine can be intimidating for the uninitiated,' Lau explains, describing his approach to hospitality. We want customers to appreciate what we have without feeling like they need a PhD in viticulture. His 60-70 label collection focuses heavily on natural wines – think free-range chicken, but for grapes. Minimal intervention, no chemicals, just fruit doing what fruit does best in ideal natural environments. More Than Just Grape Expectations The beauty of Juno lies in its refusal to take itself too seriously. Sure, they've got your classic French three to four-course meals and sophisticated wine flights, but they've also paired char kuay teow and nasi lemak with wine because why not? It's this kind of 'let's-see-what-happens' energy that keeps things exciting. The menu reads like a greatest hits of comfort food with a twist – European-Asian fusion pasta, fresh oysters, quality steaks, and hot doughnuts for dessert. Lau's personal favourite is the pepetama pasta, a Japanese take on carbonara that's 'salty, cheesy, savoury, a bit spicy, very Asian.' It's the kind of dish that makes you question why anyone ever thought fusion was a dirty word. Double Life, Double Trouble But wait, there's more. Lau also runs The plan? Merge the two operations at Juno's location – café by day, wine bar by night. It's ambitious, slightly crazy, and exactly the kind of move you'd expect from someone who went from practising law to curating wine lists in the span of a year. 'I knew nothing about wine a year ago,' Lau confesses. I do a lot of reading, ask wine professionals, do tastings, write notes. It's the kind of crash course that would make most people's heads spin, but Lau seems to thrive on the chaos. (Pix: Instagram/@junobangsar) The New Normal These days, Lau wears more hats than a vintage shop – operations manager, front of house, sommelier, cook, HR department, event planner, business development guru, menu curator, and doughnut maker. It's exhausting just reading the list, but he wouldn't have it any other way. I miss the predictability of a lawyer's paycheck, but I relish wearing all sorts of hats now. With several full-time staff members helping out and partners covering when he's away, Juno has become more than just a business – it's a community. Wine O'Clock Wisdom The monthly steak and wine nights (RM88 for grass-fed Angus beef and a glass of wine) perfectly capture Juno's philosophy: wine shouldn't be reserved for special occasions. It should be woven into the fabric of daily life, paired with whatever makes you happy, whether that's a perfectly cooked steak or a late-night bowl of noodles. Open daily except Tuesdays (6 pm-12 am weekdays, until 1 am weekends), Juno operates in that competitive Bangsar landscape where every corner seems to house another trendy spot. However, Lau has found his niche among natural wine enthusiasts and regular customers who appreciate his unpretentious approach to a good life. The Pour Decision When he's not busy revolutionising Bangsar's wine scene, Lau unwinds with pickleball. His current wine obsession? Matassa—meaning 'forest' in Catalan—offers fruity, floral, and mineral notes that create a journey in your mouth, said Lau. Maybe fruit and floral chamomile on the first sip, then towards the end, some sensation in your mouth. That's the beauty of natural wine. It's the kind of passionate description that makes you understand why someone would abandon a stable legal career for the unpredictable world of hospitality. Sometimes, the most important thing is just having the courage to try. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
India Gazette
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Karnataka MLA Raju Kage backs BR Patil's allegations of housing scam, says
Belagavi (Karnataka) [India], June 24 (ANI): The divisions in the Siddaramiah-led Karnataka government are now out in the open. Congress MLA Raju Kage on Tuesday slammed his government as he backed the allegations raised by party leader BR Patil regarding alleged irregularities in allotment of houses. Kage said that it 'wouldn't be surprising' if he resigns within 2 days. 'What BR Patil said is true... The same situation is being created for me too... It wouldn't be surprising if I submit my resignation to the CM in the next two days', Kage told ANI. He claimed that government officials are not working properly and that the administrative system in the state has failed. 'Officials are not working properly in our government. The Chief Minister's special grant has been sanctioned. Rs 25 crore was granted, but even after two years, the work order has not been issued. The administrative system in our state has completely failed. Because of this, I am deeply hurt. Even I am in a situation where I might resign,' he added. BR Patil had earlier levelled serious allegations against the Housing Board, stating that houses under the Rajiv Gandhi housing scheme are allotted only when bribes are paid. According to Patil, he is supposed to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tomorrow (June 25) after the latter invited him for a meeting, possibly to discuss the allegations raised. Patil acknowledged that it was his voice in the audio clip that went viral on social media, where a phone conversation purportedly between Patil and Sarfaraz Khan, the personal assistant (PA) to Karnataka Housing and Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, has brought the Congress government under fire due to allegations of irregularities in the housing allotment. 'The CM called me for a meeting. I will meet him on the evening of June 25. He asked me where I was and whether I was coming to Raichur. He asked me to meet him. He did not ask me anything about the audio. I have owned that it was my voice,' Patil told reporters here. Earlier today, another Congress MLA, Sivaganga Basavaraj, expressed dissatisfaction with the government, claiming that while thousands of crores of projects were inaugurated, the work is not being completed without bribes. He, however, did not agree with CR Patil publicly raising the issue, whereas it should have been done during the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meet. 'Thousands of crores of work have been launched in Davangere. It is not possible to launch the work without money, but everything is fine. Some elders have spoken; they should not have spoken to the media. all this can be discussed in the CLP meet,' the MLA said. Talking about the allegations raised by BR Patil, he added, 'They should not have spoken like that. They should speak during the CLP meeting. I have seen who does not speak at the CLP meeting. They sit quietly in the meeting and speak against the government in the media outside.' (ANI)
ABC News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Lockdowns occurring 'all of the time' at every NT prison, corrections boss tells budget estimates
The Northern Territory corrections commissioner says lockdowns are occurring "all of the time" at every NT prison, as inmate numbers continue to soar. More than 1 per cent of the Northern Territory's population is incarcerated, with Department of Corrections (DOC) figures showing 2,834 people were behind bars as of Thursday. Half of the people in jail are on remand, with the total prison population rising by 600 since the Country Liberal Party (CLP) was elected last August. Due to the rising prisoner numbers and staff shortages, lockdowns have been frequently implemented by the DOC. Responding to a question at budget estimates in NT parliament on Thursday, Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley said he could not provide a specific figure on the number of lockdowns at adult prisons since September. Instead, he said there were "lockdowns across all of the facilities all of the time". "[The number of lockdowns has] been substantial in the last number of months because of the rate of prisoner growth and the stretch that we have experienced," Commissioner Varley said. Commissioner Varley said it was difficult for the DOC to provide specific lockdown data, because they occurred "in a range of scenarios". "From a cell or block or wing being locked down, to entire facilities," he said. "It is relatively rare for a lockdown of an entire facility to occur because of the nature of staff shortages. "What is more likely to occur is that the entire facility is locked down for short periods of time, depending on operational events. "But [it is] more likely that various parts of the prison, various wings and cells are locked down … what we call rolling unlocks, which are staged locks and unlocks throughout the day." During the budget estimates session, the DOC did provide data on lockdowns in youth detention facilities. Acting Deputy Commissioner Sasha Dennis said there were 25 "rotational lockdowns" between July 2024 and the end of March this year. "They are due to operational requirements, such as low staffing or high levels of escorts, including court, medical, and leave of absences — requiring transport of young people outside of the facility," she said. There were 55 youths in detention on Thursday, according to the DOC. The territory's three adult jails and two work camps cannot accommodate the entire prison population. Prisoners who cannot fit into those facilities are being held in police watch houses, where DOC staff have not been present since March. During budget estimates, Corrections Minister Gerard Maley said there were 70 prisoners in police watch houses as of Thursday. Of the 70 prisoners, 51 were being held at Palmerston watch house, 10 at Katherine watch house and nine at the watch house in Alice Springs. Mr Maley said 20 prisoners at the Palmerston watch house had been held there for more than a week, with one prisoner's stint stretching to 14 days as of Thursday. While in a watch house, prisoners do not leave their cell and lights remain on 24 hours a day, Mr Maley confirmed. In February, the NT government passed legislation allowing it to hire private and interstate guards to work in the corrections system. The government subsequently contracted private security firm G4S to manage prisoner transfers in Darwin, in a bid to boost the overall workforce and reduce overtime payments. During budget estimates, Commissioner Varley said the overtime bill "for custodial operations" between July 2024 and the end of March this year reached $19.23 million, for 266,000 extra hours worked. "That's an average of 355 hours per prisoner," he said. "By the time we get to June 30, we'll probably end up with an overtime bill similar to what we did last year."
