CM Majhi Felicitates ‘Silver Gandhi’ Mohan Mohapatra for Nationwide Awareness Campaign

Bhubaneswar, Oct 8 (UDN): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi felicitated Mohan Mohapatra, popularly known as ‘Silver Gandhi’, at an event held at the BJP state headquarters in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.

Mohapatra, who is associated with the Swachh Bharat Mission, was honoured for his nationwide padayatras aimed at spreading awareness about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives and vision.

Felicitation Held During ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ Exhibition

The felicitation was organised alongside the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ exhibition hosted by the Bharatiya Janata Party to mark 25 years of Narendra Modi’s public service.

The exhibition highlighted what organisers described as key milestones in Modi’s political journey and his contributions to governance and nation-building.

BJP State Co-in-charge Dr Swadesh Singh, Khordha MLA Prashant Jagdev and members of the Swachh Bharat Group associated with Silver Gandhi were present at the programme.

Organisers said the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ initiative represents a collective commitment towards achieving the country’s long-term development goals through the participation of citizens.

Silver Gandhi’s Nationwide Padyatra

Speaking about his campaign, Mohan Mohapatra said his nationwide walk has focused on promoting messages associated with initiatives such as Swachh Bharat, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and Har Ghar Tiranga.

He said he has dedicated his long-distance journey to Prime Minister Modi and described himself as one of his strong supporters.

Congratulating Modi on completing 25 years of public service, Mohapatra said the Prime Minister’s journey—from serving as Gujarat Chief Minister to becoming the country’s Prime Minister—reflected his commitment to public service and nation-building.

He also praised Modi’s leadership and efforts to enhance India’s standing globally.

Odisha Bandh: Over 100 Detained as 32 Police Platoons Deployed in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack

Bhubaneswar, Oct 8 (UDN): More than 100 protesters were detained as the 12-hour Odisha bandh called by the INDIA bloc disrupted normal activities across the state on Thursday, prompting heightened security in the Twin City of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner S Debadatta Singh said 32 platoons of police personnel were deployed across the two cities to maintain law and order during the bandh.

Of the total force, 18 platoons were deployed in Bhubaneswar and 14 in Cuttack, while more than 200 police officers were stationed at key locations to monitor the situation.

Police Step Up Security

The Commissioner said strict action would be taken against anyone involved in violence or unlawful activities during the bandh.

Police personnel were deployed at important junctions and other sensitive locations, with particular focus on ensuring that emergency services and essential public movement were not affected.

Special arrangements were also made to facilitate the movement of patients and people requiring urgent medical assistance.

Security teams were deployed to keep train services and traffic on national highways moving, officials said.

Protesters Take to Streets

Congress and other INDIA bloc workers staged demonstrations and picketing at several locations from the morning.

Shops and commercial establishments were reportedly forced to shut at some places, while protesters also blocked roads and highways. In some areas, tyres were allegedly set ablaze during road blockades.

The bandh also affected bus services across Odisha, leaving passengers stranded at several locations and disrupting regular travel.

Opposition Lists Key Demands

The INDIA bloc has called the statewide bandh over several demands, including opposition to the MMDR Amendment Bill and a demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

With police maintaining a heavy presence across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, authorities said the focus remained on preventing violence while ensuring that emergency and essential services continued during the shutdown.

IndiGo to Launch Daily Direct Bhubaneswar-Pune Flight From October 25

Bhubaneswar, Oct 8 (UDN): Air connectivity between Odisha’s capital and Maharashtra is set to get a boost with IndiGo preparing to launch a new daily non-stop flight between Bhubaneswar and Pune from October 25.

 Representational Image 

The new service will operate from Biju Patnaik International Airport using an Airbus A320 aircraft, providing passengers with an additional direct travel option between the two cities.

Pune to Get Second Direct Flight

The launch of IndiGo’s service will give air travellers two direct flight options between Bhubaneswar and Pune.

The existing direct service on the route is operated by Air India Express, while the new IndiGo flight is expected to offer passengers another choice for travelling between Odisha and Maharashtra.

According to airport sources, the Pune service is currently the key addition in the winter flight schedule. Several domestic routes that were discontinued during the summer schedule are yet to resume.

Bhubaneswar Air Connectivity Expands

The new Pune connection will also expand IndiGo’s network from Bhubaneswar, with the airline set to connect the Odisha capital to 15 destinations.

Bhubaneswar’s overall air connectivity had declined during the summer schedule, with the number of destinations falling from around 30 to 19.

With services to Jharsuguda and Dubai having resumed, the airport now has connectivity to 21 destinations, including one international destination, according to airport sources.

The addition of the daily Pune flight is expected to further strengthen Bhubaneswar’s connectivity with major Indian cities and provide more options for passengers travelling for business, education and other purposes.

Dreame Technology Announces Great Indian Festival 2026 Sale with Its Best-Ever Prices on Smart Home and Personal Care Products

Unmatched offers on select robotic vacuums, wet and dry vacuum cleaners, cordless stick vacuums, and its personal care range on Amazon

NEW DELHI, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the Amazon Great Indian Festival just around the corner, Dreame Technology, a global leader in smart home innovation, is bringing its smart home and personal care range to consumers with exclusive offers on Amazon India. Starting today, the sale will feature attractive deals across Dreame’s portfolio of robotic vacuums, wet and dry vacuum cleaners, cordless stick vacuums and grooming solutions, giving consumers an opportunity to upgrade their everyday routines with smart technology. The products will also be available at the same festive prices on the Dreame India website, Croma and Reliance Retail.

As Indian households gear up for the season, Dreame’s range brings together intelligent automation, advanced cleaning technologies and convenient product experiences designed to make everyday home care simpler. Consumers can avail attractive deals, along with No-cost EMI, additional bank and cashback offers across select products during the sale period.

Manu Sharma, Managing Director, Dreame Technology, India, said, “The festive season is a time to come together, celebrate and make time for what matters most. At Dreame, we believe technology should do more than simplify everyday tasks — it should help people live smartly, giving them greater convenience and more time to focus on the things that matter. Through the Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale, we are making our smart home and personal care solutions more accessible to Indian consumers, enabling them to bring greater intelligence and ease into their everyday routines. As we continue to strengthen our presence in India, our focus remains on delivering thoughtful innovations backed by a seamless ownership experience for our consumers.”

Key offers:

Robotic Vacuum Cleaners

• Dreame X60 Ultra Complete: Was ₹134,999, now ₹129,999
• Dreame L50s Pro Ultra: Was ₹79,999, now ₹69,999
• Dreame L50 Ultra CE: Was ₹64,999, now ₹53,999
• Dreame D30 Ultra: Was ₹52,999, now ₹44,999
• Dreame D20 Ultra: Was ₹46,999, now ₹42,999
• Dreame L50 Plus: Was ₹34,999, now ₹33,999
• Dreame L50: Was ₹27,999, now ₹26,999
• Dreame F10: Was ₹21,999, now ₹17,999
• Dreame L10 Prime: Was ₹45,999, now ₹31,998
• Dreame D10 Plus Gen 2: Was ₹39,999, now ₹22,999

Stick Vacuum Cleaners

• Dreame K10 Pro: Was ₹19,999, now ₹18,999
• Dreame H12 Core: Was ₹24,999, now ₹18,999
• Dreame H12 Dual: Was ₹36,999, now ₹33,999
• Dreame H12 Dual FlexReach: Was ₹44,999, now ₹43,999
• Dreame R20: Was ₹36,999, now ₹24,499
• Dreame R10 Pro: Was ₹25,999, now ₹15,999
• Dreame Mova J10: Was ₹7,999, now ₹5,499
• Dreame Mova J20: Was ₹10,999, now ₹7,999

Grooming Solutions

• Dreame Gleam Hair Dryer (Grey/Rose): Was ₹6,999, now ₹5,499
• Dreame Glory Hair Dryer (White/Rose): Was ₹7,999, now ₹5,499

Prices are valid for a limited period and are subject to product availability.

With its best prices till date, the Amazon Great Indian Festival offers consumers an opportunity to make festive upgrades at more accessible price points.

Customer Support and After-Sales Service

Dreame continues to focus on strengthening the overall ownership experience for consumers in India through its after-sales service network and customer support initiatives. The company currently offers service support across 165+ cities, with pick-up and drop facilities, virtual and on-site installation services, and a dedicated after-sales helpline. The helpline operates from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sundays, providing customers with convenient and reliable support throughout their ownership journey.

About Dreame India:

Dreame Technology started operations in India in late 2023. Our roots delve into the heart of tech, aiming to revolutionize daily life for our global consumers. Currently, the company offers products across three categories, including robotic vacuums, wet and dry vacuums, cordless stick vacuums, and grooming. Within just one year, Dreame has secured the No. 2 position in India’s robot vacuum category. All products are available on the Dreame India website, Amazon India, Croma and select retail outlets.

About Dreame Technology:

Founded in 2017, Dreame Technology (“Dreame” for short) is an international tech firm constantly seeking innovation and delivering new levels of daily life convenience for its global consumers. Pushing tech boundaries lies at the very heart of Dreame. In 2015, the company’s founding team pioneered high-speed digital motors, the building blocks of smart appliances. Subsequently, Dreame continued its journey by developing intelligent algorithms. This combination has granted our products distinctive edges. So far, Dreame has applied for up to 6,004 patents worldwide, 2637 already authorized and 2183 invention patents. Dreame’s smart products aim to save individuals’ time on household chores so they can focus more on pursuing their dream life through our major product lines: robotic vacuums, cordless stick vacuums, wet and dry vacuums, and high-speed hair dryers. Yet, our ambitions soar even higher. Robotic lawn mowers, cordless robotic pool cleaners, and commercial food delivery robots are under development, with more lineups in the pipeline.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/dreame-technology-announces-great-indian-festival-2026-sale-with-its-best-ever-prices-on-smart-home-and-personal-care-products-302902378.html

2026 World Fire Congress Communities of Practice Unite Global Fire Service Leaders Around Shared Solutions for The Future of Fire Safety

Powered by UL Research Institutes, the Communities of Practice offer a sustained mechanism to share knowledge, align on emerging risks, and rapidly translate research across borders

COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Following the biennial gathering of the world’s fire leaders at the World Fire Congress, UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute is powering the ongoing Communities of Practice (CoPs) to advance solutions for the most pressing global fire safety issues. The structured and sustained CoPs will accelerate progress through monthly thematic sessions, shared governance, robust information distribution and direct integration of frontline research.

“The inaugural World Fire Congress and Communities of Practice in 2024 established the foundation for sustained and collaborative knowledge exchange, and ULRI is honored to build on that foundation,” said Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, World Fire Congress founder and chief fire safety strategist for the Fire Safety Research Institute. “Drawing on more than a century of fire research and leadership, ULRI is bringing its scientific rigor into the global conversation, ensuring the dialogue is grounded in evidence over anecdote.”

The World Fire Congress CoPs offer the fire service a mechanism to share knowledge, align on emerging risks and translate research and training into practice across borders. Through ULRI, members gain access to a trusted international network, curated best practices and direct engagement with leading researchers and their work on areas including lithium-ion battery safety, EV fire risk, climate adaptation and evidence-based tactical decision-making. Each CoP will be equipped with the necessary infrastructure to collaborate across nations and will be grounded with an Anchor Organization to bring established expertise and leadership to each Community.

The 2026 – 2028 CoPs, along with their Anchor Organizations, include:

• Climate Driven Large Scale Events: As fire, storm and flood events exceed planned assumptions, resource capacities and tactical doctrine of even the most well-resourced emergency response services, the challenge is no longer suppression, but systemic resilience across every hazard. This Community will focus on cross-border, all-hazard mutual-aid structures; compound cascading risk from wildfire, storm and flood; and pre-positioning, early warning and evacuation strategies that work across contexts.
  
  
  
  Anchor Organizations: Global Fire Management Hub at United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire)

• Emerging Technology and Artificial Intelligence: Emerging technologies, including AI-powered detection, satellite monitoring, and autonomous apparatus or smart PPE, can synthesize vast data streams and give commanders unprecedented situational awareness when seconds matter, but caution is also needed as these powerful tools still require governance and human oversight. This Community will focus on identifying what’s working; governance and human-oversight frameworks for responsible adoption; closing the equity gap; and sharing evidence-based research results.
  
  
  
  Anchor Organization: Dubai Civil Defence

• Data: The Foundation of Evidence Driven Fire Services: Fire service decisions are only as strong as the data behind them. Yet, fire data remains fragmented, inconsistent and rarely shared across jurisdictions or borders, with acute gaps in lower-resource settings. This Community will focus on data governance and interoperability; minimum viable data schema and standards for low-resource settings; and a global fire-intelligence ecosystem that serves every nation.
  
  
  
  Anchor Organizations: UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute and Earth Fire Alliance

• Fire in Low- and Middle-Income Nations (LMICs): Fire is one of the world’s most inequitable killers with 95% of deaths from fire and burn-related injuries happening in low- and middle-income countries. Dense informal settlements, combustible construction, open-flame cooking and under-resourced rescue services compound the toll. This Community will focus on capacity building and technology transfer; community-based fire risk reduction in informal settlements; and genuine partnership that centers LMIC voices and leadership.
  
  
  
  Anchor Organizations: Kindling Safety, Africa Fire Mission, and the World Bank

• Firefighting: Tactics and Training: The fire service is facing mounting complexity in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) and from lithium-ion batteries, high-rise and informal-structure fires, industrial and chemical hazards, and large-scale disaster co-response. Firefighter training and response tactics that are standardized in one nation may be unknown to another, and many tactics may be transferable across borders or may need adaptation for the unique needs of a nation. The focus of this Community will be to compare doctrine and share incident lessons; close the training gap on lithium-ion batteries, WUI and industrial hazards; and advance simulation and technology enhanced training toward shared standards.
  
  
  
  Anchor Organization: UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute

• Firefighter Health and Safety: Firefighters face some of the most serious occupational risks of any profession with occupational cancer being one of the leading causes of line-of-duty death. Globally, the nature of risks and the protections against them remain deeply uneven. This Community will focus on building shared knowledge of the cardiovascular, mental health, cancer and toxic exposure risks; advocate for a universal standard of firefighter health and safety; and share evidence-based results.
  
  
  
  Anchor Organizations: Science Alliance and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)

• Women in the Fire Service: Women remain dramatically underrepresented in fire and civil defense services worldwide. But the barriers are not about capacity as women perform 57% of all volunteer work. The focus of this Community will be on recruitment, retention and leadership pathways; PPE solutions that work for women firefighters; and culture change and policy.
  
  
  
  Anchor Organizations: Women in Fire and Women and Firefighting Australasia (WAFA)

• Fire and Civil Defense in Conflict and Hostile Environments: Fire and rescue personnel in many nations now operate in an environment marked by deliberate attacks, hybrid threats, and prolonged instability. These conditions demand new approaches to responder protection, service continuity, and legal safeguards that extend beyond conventional fire doctrine. This Community will connect agencies working in conflict-affected or hostile environments, strengthen understanding of civil defense protections under international humanitarian law, and support practical strategies for readiness, recovery, and resilience.
  
  
  
  Anchor Organization: International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF)

In addition to Moore-Merrell, CoPs leadership includes Mark Hardingham, CoPs Ambassador. With a career spanning four decades from UK firefighter to Chief Fire Officer to former chair of the UK National Fire Chiefs Council.

Diane Haithcock serves as CoPs Administrator. Haithcock is Director, Program Manager for UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) where she oversees ULSE Technical Committee chairs and project managers across the U.S. and Canada for standards related to life safety products, physical security, building materials, and wildland-urban interface. In collaboration with ULRI’s Fire Safety Research Institute, ULSE supports monthly meetings, research analysis, and reports for CoPs members.

The World Fire Congress is a biennial global forum bringing together fire and emergency service leaders, government representatives, researchers and partners to strengthen international cooperation, share knowledge and support evidence-informed discussion on fire and life safety challenges facing communities worldwide. The inaugural World Fire Congress was held in Washington D.C. in 2024. The National Fire Chiefs Council hosted the second World Fire Congress in London, September 8-9, 2026, with representatives from more than 60 nations attending.

The World Fire Congress is led by an international steering committee, including the host nation, and supported by the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association (Metro Chiefs) as its Secretariat. Metro Chiefs is a section of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). The Secretariat provides continuity between Congresses, supports host nations and helps sustain international collaboration between events.

The next World Fire Congress will be hosted by Dubai Civil Defence in the United Arab Emirates in February 2028.

For more information visit WFCCOP.fsri.org.

About Fire Safety Research Institute

UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute advances fire science and fire safety knowledge to reduce risk, save lives, and protect property. We conduct rigorous research, outreach, and education in collaboration with the fire service, fire safety professionals, policymakers, communities, and an international network of partners. Together, we develop tools, resources, and strategies that improve fire safety outcomes worldwide. To learn more, visit fsri.org. Follow Fire Safety Research Institute on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

About UL Standards & Engagement

UL Standards & Engagement is a nonprofit organization that translates safety science into action through standards development, partnerships, and advocacy. Since 1903, we have developed nearly 1,700 standards and guidance documents for products ranging from fire doors to autonomous vehicles. ULSE enables innovation and grows trust by convening experts and informing policymakers and regulators as we work toward a safer, more secure and sustainable future. Visit ULSE.org for more information.

About UL Research Institutes

UL Research Institutes is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing public safety through scientific discovery. Since 1894, our research has advanced our mission toward a safer, more secure and sustainable future. Focused on global risks from fire mitigation and air quality to safe energy storage and digital privacy, we conduct rigorous independent research, analyze safety data and partner with experts to uncover and act on existing and emerging risks to human safety. Discover more at UL.org.

About the World Fire Congress

The World Fire Congress is a biennial global forum focused on strengthening international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and evidence-informed dialogue on fire and life safety challenges facing communities worldwide. Guided by its founding principles, the Congress brings together fire and emergency service leaders, researchers, and partners to advance collaboration on firefighter health and safety, wildfires, structural fires, emerging technologies, prevention, response, recovery, and resilience.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/2026-world-fire-congress-communities-of-practice-unite-global-fire-service-leaders-around-shared-solutions-for-the-future-of-fire-safety-302901542.html

Babeijoda: Odisha’s Colourful Tribal Village That Turns Into an Open-Air Art Gallery

Mayurbhanj, Oct 8 (UDN): Tucked away in Bisoi block of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, Babeijoda offers a striking blend of tribal heritage, folk art and community-driven cleanliness.

 Representational Image 

At first glance, what catches the eye is the colourful artwork adorning the walls of houses along the village roads. Traditional patterns and vibrant designs transform ordinary mud houses into eye-catching canvases, giving Babeijoda the feel of an open-air art gallery.

Where Village Walls Tell Stories

The artwork is more than decoration for the residents. It reflects a strong connection with local traditions and the natural surroundings.

The community has also embraced cleanliness as a collective responsibility. Dustbins have been placed at several locations, while residents make efforts to keep roads and public spaces free of litter. Household toilets have further helped the village move away from open defecation.

Pata Parba Adds More Colour

Babeijoda becomes particularly vibrant during its annual Pata Parba, a traditional celebration that brings together art, culture and community participation.

Preparations begin weeks ahead of the festival. Women and young girls collect different shades of soil from nearby forests and river areas and process them into natural colours. These locally sourced colours are then used to create intricate designs on the mud walls of their homes.

The festival also showcases traditional dance. Men and women dressed in customary saris and dhotis participate in dance competitions, turning the celebration into an important occasion for preserving and passing on tribal cultural practices.

A Living Cultural Canvas

For Babeijoda’s residents, the painted walls and traditional performances represent much more than visual attractions. They are an expression of identity, heritage and community life.

The village’s distinctive combination of colourful homes, natural artwork, cleanliness and traditional celebrations is increasingly drawing visitors interested in Odisha’s rural and tribal culture.

Babeijoda thus stands out not simply as a picturesque village, but as a living cultural canvas where art and tradition remain part of everyday life.