The Bahuda Yatra preparations have reached the final stage at the Jagannath Temple in Raikia, Kandhamal. After a seven-day stay at the Gundicha Temple, the deities are ready to return to the Ratnavedi. Raikia BDO Sabyasachi Sahoo will perform the Chhera Pahanra ritual. Chariot pulling is scheduled to commence at 4 PM after all rituals. Yesterday, devotees gathered in large numbers to witness the deities in the Shri Krishna Balaram Besha. https://www.dharitri.com/bahuda-yatra-in-raikia-bdo-for-chhera-pahanra/

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is launching a pilot project to introduce plastic (polymer) notes in India. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary announced in Lok Sabha that 100 crore notes of Rs 10 and Rs 20 denominations, valued at Rs 3,000 crore, will be printed. Five cities—Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, and Shimla—have been selected for field trials to test durability across different climates. Polymer notes are water-resistant and more durable than paper ones. The government clarified there is no plan to replace existing paper currency entirely. https://argusnews.in/national/rbi-to-print-3000-crore-plastic-notes-bhubaneswar-trial

Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurveda is set to enter the insurance market after receiving approval from IRDAI to acquire Magma General Insurance. The deal is valued at ₹4,500 crore, where Patanjali will hold a 73.6% stake and the DS Group will hold 24.5%. The acquisition from Adar Poonawalla's Sanoti Properties was delayed for 16 months due to regulatory processes. This move marks Patanjali's expansion from consumer goods and medicines into the financial services sector. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/patanjali-insurance-policy-magma-general-insurance-acquisition-approved-12211989

The article details the spiritual significance and rewards of witnessing Lord Jagannath's Ratha Yatra as described in scriptures like Skanda Purana and Niladri Mahodaya. It explains that seeing the deities on their chariots, especially during the return journey (Bahuda Yatra), leads to salvation and Vaikuntha. Walking to see the chariots yields the merit of an Ashvamedha Yagna at every step. Additionally, visiting the deities on the Adapa Mandapa is equivalent to a thousand Vajapeya Yagnas, offering liberation from the cycle of rebirth. https://sambad.in/special/life-mantra-the-benefits-of-seeing-the-rath-yatra-12213857

A recent government report presented in Parliament reveals a significant shift in India's education landscape over the last five years. Muslim female students are now outpacing male students in higher education enrollment. Factors such as improved access to institutions, government scholarship schemes, and career aspirations are driving this growth. While overall minority enrollment has increased, the data also shows that religion-specific dropout rates are not separately tracked at the school level. Despite progress, the overall participation of the Muslim community in higher education remains below their population proportion. https://odishasambad.in/muslim-girls-outnumber-boys-in-higher-education-government-data-parliament/

TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) celebrated Ethics Day on the birth anniversary of J.R.D. Tata across all its offices. Senior leadership and employees paid floral tributes to the visionary leader and reaffirmed their commitment to core values such as integrity, excellence, and nation-building. The event highlighted how J.R.D. Tata's vision continues to guide the company in maintaining service excellence and ethical standards. https://prajuktiodisha.com/tpcodl-marks-j-r-d-tatas-birth-anniversary-as-ethics-day

The Supreme Court has ruled that police are authorized to use pellet guns in extraordinary situations to maintain law and order. The court questioned a plea seeking a complete ban on pellet guns, stating they can be used when lathi-charge and tear gas fail to control extreme violence. The bench, comprising CJI Surya Kant and others, directed the Delhi government to provide adequate medical treatment to students injured during the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' protest over the NEET paper leak. The court also ordered the Centre to preserve the ammunition logs of the Rapid Action Force deployed at Jantar Mantar. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/supreme-court-pellet-gun-use-police-guidelines-india-12211647

Cyber Crime Police in Hyderabad have registered a case against Meta India head Arun Srinivas and several social media accounts following complaints about AI-morphed and offensive videos of PM Narendra Modi. Two complainants from Telangana alleged that these edited videos and images on Instagram and Facebook were obscene and misleading, potentially disturbing social harmony and public order. The police filed the case under Sections 66-C and 67 of the IT Act, along with sections of the BNS related to public mischief and forgery. https://argusnews.in/national/pm-modi-ai-morphed-video-meta-case

BJP MP Anurag Thakur has filed a Privilege Motion notice against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for using unparliamentary language in the Lok Sabha. During a debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill, Gandhi allegedly used words like 'idiot' and 'andhbhakt'. The notice seeks action for violating parliamentary rules, which could lead to a warning, an apology, or suspension from the house if the Privileges Committee finds him guilty. Speaker Om Birla has already ordered the removal of these remarks from the official records. https://odishasambad.in/rahul-gandhi-under-fire-anurag-thakur-moves-privilege-notice-over-lok-sabha-speech/

Gold and silver prices have seen a significant decline on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). Silver prices dropped by ₹1,429 per kg, currently trading at ₹2,18,538, which is nearly ₹2 lakh cheaper than its all-time high. Gold prices also fell by ₹979 per 10 grams, now priced at ₹1,42,253, marking a reduction of approximately ₹60,000 from its peak levels. This trend offers a major relief for investors and jewelry buyers. https://argusnews.in/gold/gold-price-over-50000-below-record-high