Surya Dei, a 55-year-old widow from Kalahandi district, has been struggling to receive her widow pension for over two years after her husband's death. Despite visiting the block and panchayat offices multiple times with valid documents, she faces administrative apathy. The Sarpanch claims the application was rejected, while official portals show no record of an online application. Her family survives on the meager earnings of her daughter working as a laborer in Bangalore. Local social security officials have promised an investigation. https://www.dharitri.com/widow-pension-denied-even-after-2-years-of-husbands-death-thuamul-rampur/

Tensions flared in Kumiapali village of Balangir district as tribal residents protested against the Lower Suktel irrigation project. Protesters, armed with traditional weapons, demanded fair compensation and land-for-land resettlement. While administration arrived with 9 platoons of police and bulldozers for eviction, they faced stiff resistance. Despite rising dam water levels surrounding 10 families, the villagers refused to vacate until their demands were met. The administration eventually paused the eviction of 84 remaining families due to the escalation. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/lower-suktel-protest-escalates-over-displacement-and-compensation-dispute-12185505

Chandi Bhandar, a leading silver jewelry brand in Bhubaneswar, has launched the 'Chaka Nayana' collection for men on the occasion of Rath Yatra. The collection features 92.5 sterling silver items like pendants, chains, and rings inspired by Lord Jagannath's divine eyes and temple motifs. They also launched a 'Jai Jagannath' collection for children in collaboration with an animation film. A flat 10% discount is available on the new collection until July 26. https://sambad.in/business/chandi-bhandar-chaka-nayana-silver-jewellery-rath-yatra-collection-12185503

Ahead of the 3-match T20 series starting Thursday, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza claimed that India is not the sole favorite and both teams have an equal chance to win. He highlighted that India is in a transition phase while Zimbabwe has been performing consistently and recently defeated Australia. Raza expects an entertaining and competitive series, with the remaining matches scheduled for July 25 and 26 in Harare. https://www.dharitri.com/captions-big-claim-zimbabwe-has-a-chance-to-win-the-series/

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) have launched a pilot project under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to build modern traffic and parking-cum-commuter shelters on Janpath. These eco-friendly shelters feature fabric canopies with 'Flame Vine creepers' to create natural green covers, reducing heat absorption during summer. Currently, work is underway at Rupali Square and Power House Square to provide comfortable waiting areas for passengers, especially the elderly and pregnant women, while enhancing the city's greenery and walkability. https://odishasambad.in/bmc-bdas-green-initiative-new-traffic-shelters-for-the-convenience-of-commuters-on-public-roads/

The Koraput District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered an insurance company and a private finance firm to pay over 7 lakh rupees in compensation to a customer. Manish Kumar Gupta purchased a pickup van in an auction, but the finance company delayed providing the NOC and transferring ownership. When the vehicle met with an accident, the insurance claim was rejected on technical grounds. The court ruled that the customer should not suffer for administrative delays and ordered compensation including interest, mental agony charges, and litigation costs. https://odishasambad.in/odisha-auction-buyer-wins-rs-7-lakh-after-insurance-claim-rejected-over-ownership-delay/

The Delhi High Court has directed the immediate transfer of social activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike for 24 days over the NEET paper leak issue. His wife, Geeta Angmo, challenged a single-bench order that previously denied the transfer. The central government expressed no objection to the move, and the court emphasized that Wangchuk must follow the medical protocols and advice of the doctors at Medanta. https://sambad.in/india-and-beyond/delhi-hc-orders-sonam-wangchuks-immediate-transfer-to-medanta-directs-continuous-medical-monitoring-12185341

Preparations for the Bahuda Yatra (Return Car Festival) of Lord Jagannath and his siblings have commenced in Puri. Following the arrival of the 'Ajnyamala' from the deities, the traditional 'Dakshina Moda' (southern turn) ritual of the three chariots is being performed. The chariots—Darpadalan, Taladhwaja, and Nandighosa—will be turned and pulled to Saradhabali in front of the Nakachana Gate, where they will remain stationed for the return journey. https://otvkhabar.in/odisha/preparations-begin-for-bahuda-yatra-with-the-ceremonial-south-turning-of-three-chariots-in-puri-12185252

During the Rath Yatra procession (Pahandi Bije), a senior Daitapati offered the traditional 'Tadia' Bhog to Lord Jagannath. This special offering is part of the deep-rooted rituals and traditions observed during the grand festival in Puri. https://otvkhabar.in/videosodisha/society/on-the-day-of-the-procession-jagannath-was-greeted-by-two-senior-leaders-12185383

The Odisha government is modernizing prison security and inmate welfare. Under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg, it was decided to install AI-based CCTV systems, drones, and body-worn cameras in 20 jails. The initiative includes building model prisons in Bhubaneswar, Jajpur, and Bhadrak, alongside focusing on mental health, yoga, and vocational training to transform jails into reformative centers. https://odishasambad.in/odisha-prisons-will-be-modernized-ai-cameras-will-monitor-prisoners/