Latest news with #Mohapatra
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt directs all depts to install boards on POSH Act
Bhubaneswar: State govt has directed all departments, district administrations and urban local bodies to prominently display boards listing the dos and don'ts under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. "This order needs to be considered as urgent and is part of the state's ongoing commitment to create a safe, inclusive and respectful work environment for women," read the letter issued by additional secretary of women and child development department, Jyotishankar Mohapatra, on Saturday. Mohapatra, while urging immediate compliance from all departments and institutes, further said, "It was observed that in many organisations the implementation of the POSH Act 2013 is not adequate. An important step in this direction is creating awareness among all personnel in workplaces and among students. It is imperative that sensitivity and knowledge about this Act is generated not only among girls and women but also among boys and men. " The draft IEC (information, education and communication) board enclosed with the letter mentioned acceptable and unacceptable behaviours in professional settings. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo It included key reminders such as respecting personal boundaries, speaking up against harassment and filing complaints through proper channels, including the internal complaints committee (ICC) or the central 'She-box' portal ( Offensive behaviour such as unwelcome physical contact, sexually suggestive jokes or messages, showing pornography and threatening job-related retaliation for denial of sexual favours are strictly prohibited. The govt also stressed that all ICCs across establishments must be registered on the 'She-box' portal. Authorities facing technical difficulties have been advised to contact a nodal officer of the department. The letter was issued to all additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, commissioner-cum-secretaries, district magistrates and collectors, municipal commissioners and revenue development commissioners.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
BDA plans to hire medical service provider for wellness centre at Baramunda bus terminal
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: To enhance public health services, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) plans to hire a reputed medical service provider to operate a newly-established wellness centre at the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Bus Terminal (BSABT) in Baramunda. The wellness centre will provide free medical treatment to a wide range of users, including passengers, drivers, conductors and other staff members. The centre, which is part of BDA's broader strategy to improve public amenities, will also offer free medical consultations. However, for further treatment, patients will be referred to appropriate hospitals or clinics. The centre is designed to cater to the immediate medical needs of individuals at the terminal, ensuring that help is readily available in case of emergencies or health concerns. BSABT manager Itikanta Mohapatra said the basic infrastructure for the centre is already in place and the selected healthcare service provider will be responsible for deploying the necessary medical professionals and equipment to ensure it operates efficiently. "The wellness centre will be a 'free of cost' facility for drivers, conductors, porters, commuters, passengers and visitors who require medical help at the BSABT. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The service provider will be selected through a competitive bidding process to ensure transparency in selection," said Mohapatra. He said in addition to medical services, the service provider will also be allowed to operate a retail pharmacy counter at the centre. "This is expected to enhance the convenience for users, who may need to purchase medications or health-related products," Mohapatra said. BDA outlined specific requirements for the operation of the wellness centre. It will be staffed by one doctor working in two shifts, from 9am to 1:30pm and from 3pm to 6pm. Additionally, there will be two teams, each comprising one nurse and one support staff. They will be working in shifts from 7am to 2pm and from 2pm to 9pm, respectively. The centre will also be equipped with essential medical equipment, including two beds, a cardiac monitor, respiratory and feeding equipment, a comprehensive first-aid kit, a stretcher and a wheelchair. Passengers have welcomed the move. "The bus terminal is designed with the highest standards just like an airport. I think this will be the first bus terminal to offer medical services," said Chittaranjan Mohanty, a passenger.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
HC quashes plea of wife against criminal trial in forest officer death case
Cuttack: Orissa high court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against Bidyabharati Panda in the 2021 death case of her husband and then assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Justice Sibo Sankar Mishra, in his judgment on July 3, disposed of Panda's plea challenging the April 19, 2023, order of the SDJM court in Gajapati district's Paralakhemundi, which had taken cognisance of a murder complaint filed by Mohapatra's father and summoned Panda along with two others — family cook Manmath Kumbha and then divisional forest officer (DFO) Sangram Kesari Behera. Mohapatra had sustained 90% burn injuries under mysterious circumstances at his govt quarters in Paralakhemundi on the night of July 11, 2021, and died two days later while undergoing treatment in Cuttack. His father, Abhiram Mohapatra, had alleged foul play and accused the three of murder. Though the crime branch gave a clean chit to all accused, the SDJM court had reopened the case based on a protest petition and additional evidence submitted by the complainant. Panda moved the HC under Section 482 of CrPC seeking quashing of the proceedings. However, the HC said the case involved "competing versions" and "disputed questions of fact" that should be tested during trial. "This court is conscious of the fact that the proceedings are at a nascent stage," Justice Mishra said, adding, "Detailed appreciation of evidence and consideration of the petitioner's defence can only take place during trial. Hence, this court is reluctant to intervene at this stage." The HC clarified that the petitioner is free to approach the trial court with a discharge petition. "If such an application is filed, the trial court shall consider all grounds raised in this petition without being influenced by this court's observations," the order said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Justice Mishra also held that the trial court's order could not be faulted simply because it lacked detailed reasoning. "At the stage of issuing process, the magistrate is mainly concerned with allegations made in the complaint and supporting evidence," he observed. The case will now proceed to trial, where the accused will have the opportunity to present their defence.
Mint
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Mint
Climate change is shrinking India's weather forecast window, says IMD chief
New Delhi: Climate change is making it harder to forecast India's weather with the same lead time, said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general of meteorology at the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In an interview, Mohapatra warned that the growing frequency of localized extreme weather events is reducing the predictability of traditional weather patterns. 'If I could earlier predict heavy rainfall three days in advance, now I may only be able to forecast it one and a half days ahead," he said. 'That's the impact climate change is having on our systems." Mohapatra noted that the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves have risen in India's heat-core zones across north and central India. At the same time, central and peninsular India are witnessing more heavy rainfall events, while lightning and thunderstorms have become more frequent in eastern and northeastern states. These shifts carry widespread consequences. Extreme weather, ranging from cyclones and droughts to hailstorms and floods, not only endangers lives and civic infrastructure but also disrupts food supply chains, pushing up prices of fruits and vegetables and adding to inflationary pressures. Climate risks also weigh heavily on insurers, who must contend with rising claims due to lightning-related deaths and property damage. India's 2024-25 Economic Survey warned that heat and water stress could significantly affect crop yields, threatening the country's food security. According to Mohapatra, 2024 was the warmest year on record. 'If you look at the warmest years in the past 120 years, most of them have occurred in the last two decades," he said. 'This is not just about extreme weather. It can also affect socio-economic conditions." A recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment, a Delhi-based think tank, underlines the rising frequency of such events. In the first nine months of 2024, India recorded extreme weather on 255 out of 274 days—93% of the time. These events caused 3,238 deaths, damaged over 235,000 homes and buildings, destroyed crops across 3.2 million hectares, and killed nearly 9,500 livestock. The ongoing monsoon season has further highlighted the growing toll. In Himachal Pradesh, torrential rains since 20 June triggered cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods. At least 80 people have died in rain-related incidents, 38 are missing, and more than 120 have been injured, according to the State Emergency Operations Centre. Roads, bridges, and public infrastructure have suffered widespread damage. Despite the growing unpredictability, Mohapatra pointed out that the IMD's forecast accuracy has improved significantly over the last decade. 'In the past 10 years, our forecasting accuracy has increased by 40% to 50%, even with climate change in the backdrop," he said. 'That's because we've upgraded our observation systems, modelling, communication, forecasting and early warning capabilities." Mohapatra also noted that severe cyclonic storms over the Arabian Sea have been on the rise since the 1990s—a trend aligned with broader climate models. Meanwhile, western disturbances—crucial for India's winter rainfall—are showing a declining trend. These moisture-laden storms from the Mediterranean region are vital for snowfall and winter rains across north India, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. This precipitation supports rabi crops such as wheat and barley and sustains water reservoirs through snowmelt. 'The declining frequency of western disturbances due to climate change could impact not just water availability but also crop productivity," Mohapatra said.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shefali Jariwala's 'Kaanta Laga' lands in controversy as singer Sona Mohapatra calls it 'a smutty video'
Singer Sona Mohapatra has found herself at the center of a social media storm after posting a critical message on Instagram in the wake of Shefali Jariwala 's death. In her post, Mohapatra expressed displeasure at director duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru's statement "retiring" the 2002 remix of Kaanta Laga , which featured Jariwala. She questioned their authority to make such a declaration and criticised the nature of the music video that made Shefali famous. Sona Questions Remix Ownership According to Sona, the true creators of Kaanta Laga were legendary composer R.D. Burman, lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri, and singer Lata Mangeshkar, who brought the original track to life in the 1972 film Samadhi. She accused Rao and Sapru of using Shefali's death for publicity and dismissed the remix as a "smutty" reinterpretation made without the consent of the original creators. Referring to the 2002 remix video as "a smutty video with a 19-year-old," she acknowledged Jariwala's passing but framed it as a footnote rather than a tribute, writing, 'RIP and all for the 42-year-old lady, but legacy?' Sona Mohapatra's Instagram Story Internet Reacts Strongly to Tone and Timing The internet, especially Reddit users, reacted strongly to Mohapatra's post, with many accusing her of being insensitive and disrespectful. One user commented that the post lacked compassion and questioned why Sona refused to even mention Shefali's name. Others highlighted the inappropriateness of criticising someone who had just passed and could no longer respond to such remarks. Some fans pointed out the irony that Mohapatra had herself been part of similarly stylized remixes, such as Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar, which featured a provocative video starring Deepal Shaw. This led to accusations of hypocrisy from commenters, who noted the similarity in both the style and tone of the videos. Following Jariwala's sudden demise due to cardiac arrest, directors Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru paid tribute to her by announcing that they would never make a sequel to Kaanta Laga. They credited Shefali for owning the identity of the 'Kaanta Laga girl' and stated that the song belonged to her legacy. Their message aimed to honor her contribution to pop culture and expressed that she would remain the face of that iconic moment. Shefali's Rise and Untimely Demise Shefali Jariwala rose to fame with the Kaanta Laga remix, which became a cultural phenomenon in the early 2000s. Despite appearing in only a handful of projects afterward—largely due to her struggle with epilepsy—she remained a recognizable face in Indian pop culture, with appearances on television shows like Bigg Boss and Nach Baliye. She died at the age of 42, reportedly due to cardiac arrest at her Mumbai home. While Mohapatra's intent may have been to spotlight the contributions of original artists, the lack of empathy in her tone and the timing of her remarks have overshadowed that message. The conversation has now shifted from the song's legacy to the ethics of commentary following a public figure's death.
