

Cyclone Jawad Updates: Cyclonic storm Jawad is 200 km south of Puri in Odisha, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). Puri Administration has geared up to avoid mishaps.
District Magistrate Samarth Verma said, “The evacuation of people from vulnerable areas is ongoing. Teams for restoration of services like power and drinking water supply post-cyclone are ready. Those in cyclone shelters are being provided with hot meals.”
India Meteorological Department (IMD) Bhubaneshwar director HR Biswas on Friday informed that Cyclone Jawad is expected to hit the coastal region of Puri on Sunday.
While speaking to the media, Biswas said, “The Cyclone Jawad was observed moving northwards in the past 1 hour and will continue the same for the next 12 hours. Weakening trend in the intensity of the cyclone and expected to hit the coastal regions of Puri tomorrow and will weaken gradually.”
Biswas further informed that the maximum wind speed is expected to be 75 Km/hr. “Only heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected and no storm warnings in any region. Traffic may be affected due to waterlogging. Evacuations have been done only in the low-lying and vulnerable areas along the coast,” he added.
Ahead of Cyclone Jawad, People at Puri beach in Odisha were asked to vacate the area with their make-shift shops and belongings with police being deployed to expedite the process. Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Kanwar Vishal Singh told ANI that shelter homes have been established in the city. (ANI)
Following cyclone Jawad, Konark Festival and International Sand Art festival have been cancelled in Odisha. Farmers have been requested to safeguard their produce/crops. Warning has also been issued for those living in low-lying areas. They should be shifted to safer places. “Due to gale wind, people should stay in safer places as landslides are likely to occur”, IMD Amaravati Director Stella Samuel noted.
A total of 64 teams has been earmarked by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to handle the situation arising out of the cyclone ‘Jawad’, which is expected to hit the state of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal this weekend on Saturday.
Cyclone Jawad Updates
Bhubaneswar: TP Central Odisha Distribution Ltd. (TPCODL), a Tata Power & Government of Odisha joint-venture, has put a detailed Business Continuity and Disaster Management Plan (BCDMP) in place to deal with the looming cyclonic conditions in coastal districts of Odisha. This has come after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) updated that the depression over south-east Bay of Bengal is likely to form a cyclone, named Jawad, and reach north Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast on December 4.
The plan categorizes disasters on basis of severity and prescribes an action plan, a Disaster Management Structure to systematically receive alerts, examine them, send pre disaster alerts and devise a mechanism to invoke and revoke BCDMP. To check its effectiveness at the time of need, and be in a state of readiness to respond to any contingencies, a mock drill of the plan has also been conducted by TPCODL. To ensure that power supply continues to all emergency services at all time, the company has set up special teams to handle the job. Dedicated quick response teams have been strategically placed across locations in its licensed areas.
For any emergency services consumers can call at the 24×7 call centre toll free number 1912 / 18003457122.
Preventive maintenance of equipment is done at distribution as well as consumer sub-stations. Adequate stock of essential spare parts, tools and equipment including transformers, switchgears, etc. has been ensured to minimize the restoration time towards power interruptions.
As a safety measure, TPCODL requests everyone in the affected areas not to do the following:
Mr. M Shenbagam, CEO, TPCODLsaid, “Our disaster management teams have been working with govt. agencies to mitigate the risks before the cyclone Jawad and reduce its impact on power supply. We are taking necessary precautions to respond swiftly and effectively during such crises and ensure uninterrupted power supply.”
https://orissadiary.com/tp-southern-odisha-distribution-ltd-prepares-for-the-possible-cyclone-jawad/
https://rtdjournal.com/tp-southern-odisha-distribution-ltd-prepares-for-the-possible-cyclone-jawad/
Berhampur, 2nd December 2021: As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a low pressure area is being formed in South Andaman sea which will intensify into depression and is likely to form a cyclone on December 3rd. The system will move northwestwards and reach north Andhra-Pradesh-Odisha coast around December 4th morning. TP Southern Odisha Distribution Ltd. (TPSODL) has a detailed Business Continuity and Disaster Management Plan (BCDMP) in place for dealing with this cyclone.
The BCDMP entails categories of disasters based on the severity along with a corresponding action plan, a Disaster Management Structure to systematically receive alerts, examine them, send pre disaster alerts and devise a mechanism to invoke and revoke BCDMP. A mock drill for checking the response of the plan is also being conducted. TPSODL is always in a state of readiness to respond to any contingencies and is all set to fulfill customers’ requirements for power supply.
Understanding the need of the hour, TPSODL has formed special teams to ensure 24×7 power supply to all emergency services. Dedicated quick response teams have been strategically placed at various locations across the licensed areas. One can call Power System Control Centre (PSCC) at 9437484868 or our 24×7 call centre toll free number 1912 / 18003456797 for any emergency service.
As a safety measure, TPSODL requests everyone in the affected areas not to do the following:
Mr. Arvind Singh, CEO, TPSODL said, “In view of IMD’s prediction about cyclone Jawad, our team at TPSODL has proactively taken all precautionary measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply during such difficult times. We will undertake every possible step to ensure that our customers face minimal electricity issues. We are in touch with the government agencies and disaster management teams to prevent any damage. We appeal to the public in Odisha to adhere to the necessary safety measures in order to avoid any mishaps during this cyclone.”
The company has also carried out all the preventive maintenance of equipment at both distribution as well as consumer sub-stations. Adequate stock of essential spare parts, tools and equipment including transformers, switchgears, etc. has been ensured to minimize the restoration time towards power interruptions. Special teams will be operative for making the power supply to all emergency services.
https://rtdjournal.com/headlines-cyclone-tauktea-is-going-to-reach-gujurat-coast-by-may-18-imd/
Yes, you read that correctly. A man from Mumbai has stated that he intends to sue his parents for giving birth to him without his consent. Raphael Samuel, 27, labels himself on Facebook as an anti-natalist and has posted a video on YouTube describing his decision to sue his parents. Anti-natalists think that procreation is morally evil. In fact, one of the images Samuel shared on Facebook reads, “Procreation is the basis of all evil.” “Stop having children.”
Samuel expresses his stance in a widely seen and shared video aired on the YouTube channel ‘Nihil Anand.’ In the video, he can be seen wearing a fake beard and sunglasses, as he has done in previous posts. “I want everyone in India and around the world to understand that they are born without their consent.” “I want children to understand that they owe nothing to their parents,” he adds in the video.
Watch: Raphael Samuel’s video keeping his stand
“Procreation is the most selfish act on Earth,” Samuel stated in an interview with LatestLY. If you ask anyone why they procreate, they will always say, ‘I wanted.’ It is wrong to bring a child into a suffering planet. The goal of an antinatalist is to persuade people to cease reproducing. Why? Because life is full with adversity.”
Sameul also recounts his mother’s reaction to his belief and decision to sue them in another post:
People on social media have had varying reactions to Samuel’s messages and videos.
“How were you meant to gain permission?” This lawsuit’s premise is absurd. It makes no sense. “He comes across as ignorant,” one Facebook user adds. “I absolutely support you, people should think about it before having a baby, but in reality, they don’t much,” a YouTube commenter says.
What are your thoughts on this?
Most of us have seen the viral Instagram reel saying “There’s something special about the oldest, they were born into that role for a reason, that wasn’t a coincidence, they were supposed to come first, they came into the world to turn yours upside-down, they are the leaders, they are nurtures..” & that’s true. And to celebrate the first-borns we Odias have the festival called “Prathamastami”. It is celebrated with great pomp & show all over Odisha.
Prathamastami falls on the Ashtami Tithi of the Hindu calendar’s Margasira month in the Krishna paksha.
This usually takes place in November or December. Prathamastami was celebrated today in 2021, and firstborns received all of the pampering associated with a birthday.
Prathamastami is a festival that honours firstborn children.
After parents, it is believed that firstborns are the next in line to care for a family. In the event that both parents die, the firstborns take on the family’s responsibilities and look after its welfare. The firstborn are also referred to as podhuan.
Mothers create turmeric leaf-wrapped pitha, also known as Enduri Pitha, on the day of Prathamastami.
Firstborns are given new garments. These new garments, as well as sweets and other delicacies, are given to them by their maternal uncle or Mamu, also known as Ashtami Bandhu.
The youngsters also go to their maternal uncle’s house for a feast of mua, dalma, and pitha, among other things.
According to mythology, Lord Krishna and Balarama visited their maternal uncle Raja Kansa in a similar fashion, dressed in new garments, and were honoured upon their arrival.
During Prathamastami, Lord Lingaraj rides in a palanquin out of his shrine and momentarily stops at the Papanashini tank on his route to Kapila Matha, his maternal uncle’s house.
On this day, his maternal uncle Lord Baruneswar and aunt goddess Banadevi look up to him with tremendous admiration.
Farmers also worship the goddess Soubhagini for blessing them with healthy produce and children. The goddess is also given the first Dhana, or rice, of the season, which has just been harvested.
As a consequence, Prathamastami is also known as Soubhagini Ashtami. Due to an ancient practise of worshipping to Lord Bhairava on this day, it is known as Kala Bhairava Ashtami in many regions.
All Prathamastamis, after all, are incomplete without a range of foods and cuisines. The majority of the offerings presented on Prathamastami are made of rice. Enduri Pitha, an extended pitha formed inside the turmeric leaf, is one of the most well-known offerings.
It is stuffed with jaggery or cottage cheese and shredded coconut.
People like it just as it is, or with matar ki sabzi and chana sabzi.
The scent of the turmeric leaf lingers over the pitha, making it unique and popular with both children and adults. People also consume a lot of sweets and pitha made from fresh sugarcane juice, some with potato filling, and kheer made with the first rice harvested.
Prathamastami is a festival that celebrates the children’s relationship to their maternal side of the family, as well as the duty that firstborns bear for their parents. Getting them new clothes or gifts is simply one component of a routine to show them how special they are, but it is not the only one.
In many families, the second kid is honoured just as much as the first, and why not? It’s like the children’s second birthday. Prathamastami is a joyous day celebrated by children and firstborns in particular. Mothers demonstrate their enduring love for their children by preparing numerous delicacies for them. Families get together, and everyone indulges in a bit more sweet on that particular day.
Wake up early + Take a shower + Go to nearest water bodies + Float toy boats with Diyas = Kartik Purnima
Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the Hindu holy month Kartik, considered one of the most beautiful days in the Hindu calendar, is viewed with great enthusiasm in the Odisha Province.
At dawn, people walks of life observe the ‘Boita Bandana’ tradition with floating toy boats in nearby water. They set up boats full of betel leaves, fruit, coins, diyas, candles, etc. Crackers also exploded to celebrate the event.
However some believe that tradition is designed to worship ancestors and claim their blessings.
In the beautiful Kartik moon, devotees go to the temple and eat only vegetarian food. The last five days of the month are considered the most important and are known as “Panchuka” The last day is celebrated as Kartika Purnima.
Many women, especially widows and old women keep a special brata and eat only once a day for a whole month. And these devotees are called “Habisyali”. Their brata comes to an end on this beautiful day.
The famous Bali Jatra, an annual exhibition on the Mahanadi River in Cuttack, kicks off this day. A long and fair church, literally means A Voyage to Bali. The festival is held in Gadagadia Ghata on the Mahanadi River, marking the day when ancient sailors embarked on their commercial voyage.
Some people do not eat non-veg for whole month. In fact some do not eat foods made using onion and garlic.
The toy boat festival also marks the end of a month-long abstinence from non-vegetarian food for many Odia families. The next day of Kartika Purnima is celebrated as ‘Chada Khai’ people start eating non-vegetarian food from that day.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kartik-purnima-in-odisha-toy-boats-floated-in-water-1952324
In observance of Eid Milad-un-Nabi and Gajalaxmi Puja, the Odisha government has declared that banks and other “banking institutions” in the state would be closed on October 19-20. (i.e. Tuesday and Wednesday). The revenue and disaster management department of the Odisha government issued the statement in an official notification, noting that the aforementioned institutions will be closed for these two days due to statewide festivities.
“On the occasion of ‘Eid-Milad’ and ‘Gajalaxmi Puja,’ banks and other banking institutions in Odisha will remain closed on October 19 (Tuesday) and October 20, 2021 (Wednesday),” said the revenue and disaster management department in a statement.
Odisha celebrates Gajalaxmi Puja as part of a half-century-old custom in the state’s Dhenkanal district. The Laxmi Puja celebrations last 11 days, beginning with Kumara Purnima, and are highlighted by colorful decorations, temporary marketplaces, music, and dance programs, and other events around the state in a spectacular yearly festival attended by people of various religions, castes, and tribes.
Gaja Laxmi Puja festivities in Odisha’s Dhenkanal will begin on October 19, the day of Kumara Purnima, and will go until dawn on October 29. However, due to the current coronavirus illness (Covid-19) scenario, the government has issued directives for subdued festivities.
The yearly celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi commemorates the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. The event takes place in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and begins with the sighting of the moon. The event also commemorates the Prophet’s death anniversary.
According to the Gregorian calendar, Eid Milad celebrations will begin on the evening of October 18 and will continue until the evening of October 19. Along with India, the holiday is observed in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other subcontinental countries.
One of the most significant aspects of Eid Milad-un-Nabi is commemorating Prophet Muhammad’s life, including his teachings, hardships, and character since he is claimed to have forgiven even his enemies. Muslims mark the day by donning new clothing, praying, and sharing presents. The community gathers at a mosque or a dargah to start the day with a morning prayer, followed by a parade.
Goddesses Worshiped In Odisha: In Hinduism, women are worshipped as a Goddess. Specially during Navratri unmarried little girls are worshiped as they considered to be the incarnation of the Goddesses. In India Goddesses are represented as Shakti. Some of the Hindu Goddesses are Maa Durga, Laxmi, Saraswati, Parvati, Mahakali, Radha etc. Here are some lists of some Shakti pithas of Odisha;
Maa Katak Chandi:
Katak Chandi Temple is an ancient temple, situated near the bank of river Mahanadi at Cuttack District. This temple is the main attraction of Cuttack District. Goddess Katak Chandi has four hands: Pasa, Ankusha, Abhaya, Bara. The temple is especially dedicated for Durga Puja and Kali Puja. Dussehra observed for 16 days starting from Ashwina Krishna Ashtami to Ashwina Shukla Ashtami.
Maa Bhagavati:
Banapur Bhagavati is one of the most famous temples of Odiisha situated in Banapur, Khordha district. It is one of the twelve Shakti Pithas mentioned in Odia Mahavarat written by Sarala Das. This famous temple was constructed by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri. Maa Durga is worshiped as Bhagavati in this temple.
Maa Charchika:
The 19th Century old Charchika temple is situated at Banki of Cuttack District in Odisha. The deity an eight armed goddess Chamunda is worshiped as Maa Durga. The eight hands of Chamunda are carrying weapons like Khadga, Katari, Kripan, Trident, Blood cup with one finger dipped in blood. It is believed that this famous Shakti pitha is created by Lord Parashuram.
Kakatpur Mangala:
Kakatpur Mangala is situated at Kakatpur 50 kms away from Puri. This temple is famous for Goddess Mangala. The Maa Mangala temple is also known as Serbia Mangala Mandir. There is a festival of the deity which is observed every year is known as Jhamu Jatra.
Maa Samaleswari:
Maa Samaleswari Temple is a strong attraction of Western Odisha, situated in Sambalpur District. The deity is worshipped as Mahalaxmi, Adishakti, Saraswati in the region. The famous festival of Western Odisha ‘Nuakhai’ is especially observed in the temple. According to history, King Balaram Dev built this temple in the 16th Century.
Ghata Gaon Tarini:
Maa Ghata Gaon Tarini is a very famous pilgrimage of Odisha located at Keonjhar district. Maa tarini is worshiped in the temple. The locals observe Maha Bisuba Sankranti during the Chaitra Purnima with a great joy in the temple. Everyday the Dehury ritual performs like giving birth to the deity and smearing the body Sindoor. Coconuts and Red Hibiscus rosa (Gudhal) flowers are specially offered to the Goddess.
Maa Biraja:
Biraja Temple or Biraja Kshetra is one of the ancient Hindu temples of Odisha located at Jajpur District. The temple was built in 13th century. The two armed Mahisamardini Biraja is worshipped as Maa Durga. According to the legends the Navi of Sati fell here and it became known as Navigaya. During Durga Puja, Goddess Biraja is taken out in chariot by a procession of 9 days, called as Rath Yatra of Maa Biraja.
Jankada Sarala:
This famous temple is situated at Jagatsingpur district of Odisha. Goddess Sarala is known as Vak Devi. The idol of Maa Sarala is of eight armed in Mahisamardini posture. The temple was constructed during the Bhauma Kara in 8th Century. The Odia New year Pana Sankranti, Dussehra and Dol Purnima are especially observed in this temple. Chandan Yatra, a very special occasion of Maa Sarala begins on Akshay Tritiya and observed for 21 days.(Shakti Pithas)
Goddesses Worshiped In Odisha
-By Adyasha Samal
https://odishabytes.com/shakti-peethas-in-odisha-their-significance-for-shaktas/
https://rtdjournal.com/10-underrated-odia-festivals-and-their-importance/
Goddesses Worshiped In Odisha
Odisha Disallowed The Use Of Firecrackers: The Odisha government on Thursday has announced that the sale as well the usage of the firecrackers will be banned especially in the festive month of October. The decision was taken by the Special Relief Commissioner, officer Pradeep Kumar Jena. The decision seeks to stop the infection further spread.
In an order issued by the SRC, Jena said, “With a view to protecting the health of the general public and to curb the infection, the sale and use of the fire crackers shall remain prohibited during this festival season.”
Meanwhile, Jena has revised the night curfew schedule for cities like Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack for 10 days during the month of October. The new timing will commence from Oct 11 to 20. As a means to curb the deadly virus in both the cities, the night curfew will start from 8 PM and will continue till 5 PM in the morning. However, in the other parts of Odisha, the night curfew will continue from 10 PM to 5 AM.
According to the issued orders of the government on August 2021, all the festivals and other functions are to be celebrated following the norms, as said by the Special Relief Commissioner officer. Earlier, the Delhi Control Committee has banned the use of firecrackers in the national capital Delhi till January 1, 2022. The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that it cannot infringe the right to life of innocent people under the disguise of employment while considering a ban on firecrackers.
A bench headed by Justices M R Shah and A S Bopanna on Tuesday said that it is important to strike balance between employment, unemployment, and the right to life of the citizen. It even emphasised that under the guise of employment of the few, it cannot permit others to infringe the right to life of other innocent citizens.