15, Apr 2026
Jhamu Yatra at Maa Sarala Temple: Odisha’s Sacred Fire Pilgrimage of Faith, Devotion and Living Heritage
The sacred Jhamu Yatra, one of Odisha’s most spiritually powerful and culturally rich festivals, was observed with deep devotion at the revered Maa Sarala Temple in Jagatsinghpur district. The event drew thousands of devotees, transforming the temple precincts into a vibrant space of faith, ritual, and collective spiritual energy.
Known as the “fire pilgrimage,” Jhamu Yatra is a unique tradition rooted in unwavering devotion to Goddess Sarala. The word “Jhamu” signifies fire or glowing charcoal, while “Yatra” denotes a sacred journey—together symbolising a spiritual path of purification, discipline, and surrender to the divine.
The festival is observed by dedicated devotees known as Jhamu Bhaktas or Ghanta Patuas, who undertake a rigorous month-long spiritual discipline during the Odia month of Chaitra. Their observance includes fasting, meditation, and abstinence, reflecting a life of deep penance and commitment. During this period, they travel across villages, singing devotional songs and spreading the blessings of the Goddess, becoming living symbols of faith and tradition.
A defining feature of the festival is the ceremonial procession of Goddess Sarala. The idol is carried in a beautifully decorated palanquin (bimana) from the temple to the Charaki ground near the Nanda temple. Accompanied by chants, bells, and devotional music, the procession reflects the emotional and spiritual bond between the deity and her devotees.
At the Charaki ground, the most significant moment of the festival unfolds—the fire-walking ritual. Devotees, barefoot and spiritually prepared through months of penance, walk across burning embers as an offering to the Goddess. This act is deeply symbolic, representing purification, courage, and the belief that divine grace protects the faithful from harm.
The ritual is performed in an atmosphere filled with intense devotion, where chants, hymns, and traditional instruments create a powerful spiritual rhythm. For devotees, this is not merely a ritual performance but a transformative experience—an act of surrender that reflects the triumph of faith over fear and devotion over physical endurance.
Jhamu Yatra holds a special place in Odisha’s cultural and religious identity. It represents a living tradition where ancient beliefs continue to thrive in contemporary times, connecting generations through shared faith and collective memory. The festival also reflects the unique syncretism of Odisha’s spiritual landscape, where devotion is expressed through discipline, ritual, and community participation.
Over the years, the festival has grown beyond its rural origins, attracting devotees, cultural observers, and researchers interested in India’s intangible heritage. It stands today as a powerful reminder of how traditional practices continue to shape cultural identity in a rapidly changing world.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the event, local authorities implemented extensive arrangements for crowd control, security, and essential services. These measures helped maintain order and allowed devotees to participate in the rituals with safety and ease.
Jhamu Yatra at Maa Sarala Temple is more than a festival—it is a living expression of Odisha’s spiritual soul. It embodies devotion, resilience, and continuity, preserving a sacred tradition that continues to inspire faith and cultural pride across generations.
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- By Neel Achary
15, Apr 2026
Lok Sabha may expand to 850 seats; women’s reservation push by 2029
New Delhi, Apr 15 (BNP): The Centre has proposed a major expansion of the Lok Sabha, increasing its strength to up to 850 seats as part of efforts to implement 33% reservation for women from the 2029 general elections. The proposal forms part of a constitutional amendment aimed at operationalising the provisions of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
Under the proposal, around 815 seats would be allocated to states and 35 to Union Territories. This would require an amendment to Article 81 of the Constitution to revise the existing cap of 543 Lok Sabha seats.
Linked to Census and Delimitation
Seat allocation is proposed to be based on population data from the latest census, as determined by Parliament. The Centre is also expected to introduce a Delimitation Bill to redraw constituency boundaries in line with the revised seat structure.
Special Session of Parliament
The government is likely to table the constitutional amendment during a special sitting of Parliament scheduled from April 16 to 18. The session will focus on enabling the implementation of women’s reservation, which was passed in 2023 but remained contingent on a fresh census and delimitation exercise.
Faster Implementation Path
Sources indicate that the government may link the rollout of reservation to an earlier census dataset, such as 2011, to fast-track implementation ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Significant Structural Reform
If approved, the proposal would mark one of the most significant structural reforms to India’s parliamentary framework, expanding representation while paving the way for greater participation of women in national politics.
Further details regarding the bill and its implementation timeline are awaited.
15, Apr 2026
Early Season Wheat Procurement Shows Sharp 69 pc Decline: FCI Data
Apr 15 (BNP): Government wheat procurement has declined sharply in the ongoing 2026–27 rabi marketing season, reaching 15.30 lakh tonnes so far, according to data from the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
This marks a drop of over 69% compared to the same period last year.
Wheat procurement in India typically takes place between April and March, with the bulk of purchases carried out in the initial months of the season by the FCI and state agencies.
FCI data shows that total wheat arrivals so far stand at 34.74 lakh tonnes, while procurement operations began on April 1.
The significant year-on-year decline reflects slower procurement activity in the early phase of the current season.
15, Apr 2026
Italy pauses defence ties with Israel, signals policy shift
Rome, Apr 15 (BNP): Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced the suspension of Italy’s defence treaty with Israel, signalling a significant shift in the country’s foreign policy amid escalating tensions in West Asia. The decision coincided with sharp criticism from Donald Trump over Italy’s refusal to support the United States in its military campaign against Iran.
“In view of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel,” Meloni said on Tuesday. The agreement, first approved in 2006, provides for cooperation in military equipment exchange and joint technology research.
The move comes amid growing concern in Italy over recent regional developments, including Israel’s bombing of Lebanon and allegations that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired warning shots near Italian UN peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon. These incidents have contributed to rising public disapproval within Italy.
While Meloni has so far maintained a measured stance on Israel’s military operations in Gaza, domestic pressure has been mounting, with sections of the public opposing continued hostilities and U.S. military actions against Iran. In a related development, Italy last month reportedly denied U.S. aircraft access to its Sigonella airbase in Sicily for stopovers.
Israel sought to downplay the impact of the suspension. Foreign ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein stated that the arrangement was a long-standing memorandum of understanding without substantive operational content and would not affect Israel’s security.
However, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid described the development as indicative of a broader diplomatic challenge, saying the government was struggling to retain the support of traditional allies.
The developments highlight a shifting geopolitical landscape, with Italy reassessing its strategic positioning amid intensifying regional tensions and increasing domestic political pressure.
15, Apr 2026
INR 2.78 Lakh Crore Rail Push to Boost High Speed Connectivity
Apr 15 (BNP): Indian Railways has announced a record capital outlay of ₹2.78 lakh crore, marking a major step toward strengthening the country’s transport infrastructure and improving inter-city connectivity.
A key highlight of this investment is the development of seven new railway corridors, aimed at increasing speed, reducing congestion on busy routes, and enhancing both passenger and freight movement.
Officials said the initiative will focus on modernising rail networks, improving efficiency, and supporting faster, more reliable travel across regions.
The move is also expected to boost economic activity by improving connectivity between major cities and industrial centres, while generating employment opportunities.
With this large-scale investment, Indian Railways aims to deliver a more efficient, modern, and future-ready travel experience for passengers.
15, Apr 2026
Rajiv, Prachenta Crowned Champions at East Zone Pickleball Meet
Apr 15 (BNP): The 4th East Zone Pickleball Championship 2025 wrapped up on a high note, with Rajiv Kumar and Prachenta Verma emerging as champions after impressive performances in their respective categories.
The tournament brought together talented players from across the region, creating an atmosphere filled with energy, competition, and sportsmanship. Matches were closely contested, with players showcasing skill, quick reflexes, and strong determination on the court.
Rajiv Kumar stood out with his consistent and confident gameplay, while Prachenta Verma impressed spectators with her calm approach and strategic play, securing her title with composure.
Organisers highlighted the growing popularity of pickleball in the region, noting that events like this are encouraging more players to take up the sport and compete at higher levels.
The championship not only celebrated top performers but also provided a valuable platform for emerging talent, reflecting the sport’s steady rise and increasing appeal among players and fans alike.
15, Apr 2026
Esha Gogia Is On a Mission to Make Mumbai Fall in Love with Delhi’s Food Again
Esha Gogia is the founder of Pincode Delhi, a fast-growing North Indian food brand redefining how Mumbai experiences Delhi’s iconic flavours.
With a background in finance and a career rooted in the corporate world, Esha’s entrepreneurial journey began with a deeply personal insight — the noticeable absence of truly authentic North Indian food in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru. What started as a craving soon evolved into a clear opportunity.
Driven by this gap, Esha set out to build a brand that would go beyond surface-level replication and instead capture the depth, detailing, and emotional connect of North Indian cuisine. Her approach was hands-on and research-driven — travelling across Delhi and Amritsar, visiting over 30 restaurants, and meticulously curating flavours that define the region’s culinary identity.
In 2023, she launched Pincode Delhi as a modest 15-seater. Within a year, the brand scaled into a 60-seater and quickly built a loyal customer base — validating both the concept and the demand.
For Esha, however, the vision extends far beyond food.
She is focused on building what she calls a “premium comfort experience” where hospitality, familiarity, and emotional resonance are as important as taste. Her goal is to create a brand that people don’t just visit, but feel connected to.
Looking ahead, Esha plans to expand Pincode Delhi into larger, more experiential formats, including premium dining spaces and bar concepts — a relatively untapped opportunity within vegetarian-led brands.
Her philosophy is simple but uncompromising:
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“Authenticity is not optional — it’s the foundation.”
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“I want to build a brand that people don’t just know, but truly love.”
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“If I can bring even a small part of Delhi’s food culture to Mumbai, I’ve done my job.”
15, Apr 2026
MS Dhoni Named Goodwill Ambassador for Cars24’s ‘Crashfree India’ Initiative
New Delhi, Apr 15 (BNP): Former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni has been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for Cars24’s ‘Crashfree India’ campaign, an initiative aimed at promoting safer driving habits across the country.
Through this association, Dhoni will support efforts to raise awareness about road safety and encourage responsible driving practices among motorists. The campaign focuses on reducing road accidents by promoting discipline, caution, and better driving behaviour.
Known for his calm and composed personality on and off the field, Dhoni’s involvement is expected to strengthen the campaign’s message and connect with a wide audience, especially young drivers.
The initiative aims to build a safer road culture in India by combining awareness campaigns with behavioural change efforts, encouraging citizens to adopt safer practices while driving.
15, Apr 2026
Indian Railways Announces Special Trains from Odisha for Summer Rush
Apr 15 (BNP): To manage the surge in passenger demand during the summer holiday season, Indian Railways has announced the operation of several special trains connecting Odisha with major cities across India.
The move is aimed at easing travel pressure on regular services and offering passengers more convenient and comfortable options during peak vacation time.
Officials said the additional trains will help reduce overcrowding and improve connectivity for long-distance travellers, making summer journeys smoother and more accessible.
The increased services are also expected to support tourism, as better rail connectivity will encourage more people to visit popular destinations during the holiday season while boosting travel activity across regions.
15, Apr 2026
CNH Launches Pond Restoration Drive to Promote Water Conservation and Community Wellbeing
Greater Noida, April 15: CNH, a global leader in agriculture and construction equipment, launched its new CSR initiative, ‘Sarovar Sanrakshan’ (pond conservation), at Sunpura, Greater Noida, near its Tractor and Engine manufacturing plant. The project aims to rejuvenate the heritage Bhola Rawal Pond and transform it into an ecologically balanced and vibrant public space that promotes water conservation, biodiversity, and community wellbeing.
The Bhola Rawal Pond Restoration Project will focus on the ecological restoration of the 6.77-hectare water body, including enhancements to aquatic ecosystem functions. The initiative will also improve community health and safety by mitigating environmental hazards such as foul odors and insect breeding. Through the adoption of green infrastructure, including plantation drives, wetland systems, and solar lighting, the project seeks to promote environmental sustainability. It will also support long-term community ownership through a village-led water body management committee.
Commenting on the initiative, Ravi Kundra, Director Manufacturing (Agriculture), CNH India said,
“Sarovar Sarankshan embodies our long-term commitment to responsible growth and sustainable community development in India. Water bodies are critical ecological assets that sustain biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and directly impact public health and livelihoods. Through the restoration of the Bhola Rawal Pond, we are not only revitalizing a historic water resource but also creating a scalable, community-driven model for integrated water management. Our focus is on building ecological balance while empowering local stakeholders to take collective ownership for its sustained preservation.”
Aligned with CNH’s CSR guidelines and broader sustainability commitments, the initiative contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6.6 on protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems and SDG 13 on Climate Action. The program was launched in the presence of members of the CNH Noida Plant leadership team – Sandeep Gupta, Director Sales (Ag), Sanjay Shridhar, Director Supply Chain, Rajender Chaudhry, Director Parts and Service, along with India CSR lead Kavita Sah &project implementation partner, ISAP India Foundation officials, Naveen Jha, Ashish Tiwari and Manish Paithankar.
