Durga Puja Weather Watch: Rain May Disrupt Festivities in Odisha; Low-Pressure System Likely Around October 12

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 3 (UDN): Durga Puja celebrations in Odisha could face intermittent rain this year, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicating the possibility of a weather system developing over the Bay of Bengal around mid-October.

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According to the latest weather outlook, an upper-air cyclonic circulation may develop over the north Andaman Sea around October 12. The system could subsequently trigger the formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.

Weather System May Develop Around October 12

The anticipated system may move towards the Bay of Bengal and could gradually intensify into a depression, with a possible movement towards the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast in the following days.

If the system develops as indicated, it could bring widespread rainfall to parts of Odisha during the Durga Puja period, potentially affecting outdoor celebrations and festive activities.

However, meteorological officials have stressed that the forecast remains subject to change, and a clearer picture is expected once the system enters the medium-range forecast window.

Mostly Dry Conditions in the Immediate Future

For the next couple of days, Odisha is expected to experience mostly dry weather.

Thereafter, isolated parts of the state may receive light to moderate rainfall for around three to four days. Weather conditions are likely to be monitored closely as the anticipated system approaches.

Southwest Monsoon Withdrawal Underway

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is continuing its withdrawal from different parts of the country.

The Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre has indicated that the monsoon is likely to begin withdrawing from Odisha next week.

Despite the expected onset of post-monsoon conditions, the potential development over the Bay of Bengal could influence weather across Odisha during the festive season.

Authorities and residents are likely to keep a close watch on subsequent IMD updates as Durga Puja approaches, particularly if the weather system strengthens and moves closer to the Odisha coast.

Odisha Launches ‘Sujal’ Campaign to Promote Water Conservation and Safe Drinking Water

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 3 (UDN): The Odisha government has launched the ‘Sujal’ campaign across the state to raise awareness about water conservation, safe drinking water and the prevention of water-borne diseases.

Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra launched the campaign in Bhubaneswar on Friday. The statewide awareness drive will continue from October 2 to October 16.

Focus on Saving Water

Launched by the Housing and Urban Development Department, the campaign aims to encourage citizens to use water responsibly and make conservation a part of their everyday lives.

Through the initiative, people will be sensitised to the importance of conserving water resources while ensuring that drinking water is stored, handled and consumed safely.

The campaign also seeks to create greater awareness about the link between unsafe drinking water and water-borne diseases.

Citizens Urged to Join the Drive

The government has appealed to people across Odisha to actively participate in the campaign and adopt simple water-saving practices at home and in their communities.

Officials and civic bodies are expected to undertake awareness activities during the campaign period to reinforce the message of responsible water use and public health.

Helplines for Water Supply Complaints

Residents facing problems related to water supply can seek assistance through the department’s toll-free helplines.

For complaints or water supply-related issues, citizens can contact 155359 or 1800-1216-833.

The government has urged citizens to use the helplines when required and support the broader objective of ensuring sustainable water use and access to safe drinking water across Odisha.

The ‘Sujal’ campaign is aimed at turning water conservation from a government initiative into a daily public practice, with community participation at the centre of the drive.

Odisha Launches 44-Day Statewide Campaign to Make Gram Panchayats Child Labour-Free

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 3 (UDN): The Odisha government has launched a 44-day statewide campaign aimed at making Gram Panchayats across the state free from child labour and creating greater public awareness about the importance of education and child protection.

The campaign, titled ‘Shishu Shram Mukta Gram Panchayat’ (Child Labour-Free Gram Panchayat), was launched on Friday on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

CM Calls for Collective Action

Announcing the initiative through a video message, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said child labour remains a social concern that prevents children and adolescents from accessing their fundamental right to education.

He said the government has resolved to work towards making Odisha free from child labour and that the 44-day campaign will be taken to every Gram Panchayat in the state.

According to the Chief Minister, eliminating child labour cannot be achieved by government agencies alone and requires active participation from communities, families and other stakeholders.

Focus on Awareness and Prevention

The campaign will focus on educating people about the adverse impact of child labour and encouraging communities to identify and prevent practices that push children into work.

Officials and local-level stakeholders will work to strengthen awareness about children’s rights and encourage families to ensure that children remain in school rather than entering the workforce.

The initiative is also aimed at promoting a safer environment in which children can continue their education and pursue their aspirations.

CM Links Child Welfare With Prosperous Odisha

Majhi said ensuring the overall development of children is essential to achieving the broader vision of a ‘Samruddha Odisha’ (Prosperous Odisha).

Appealing to citizens to participate in the campaign, he urged communities across the state to work together towards eliminating child labour.

The Chief Minister said the objective is to create an Odisha where every child has the opportunity to dream, receive an education and work towards fulfilling those aspirations.

Statewide Data Remains a Challenge

The scale of child labour in Odisha has historically been significant. The last dedicated statewide survey, conducted in 1997, had identified 2,15,222 child labourers in the state.

However, the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has pointed out that no systematic statewide survey has been carried out since then.

The absence of recent comprehensive data remains a challenge in assessing the current scale and distribution of child labour across Odisha.

The 44-day campaign is therefore expected to place renewed emphasis on grassroots-level awareness, community participation and efforts to protect children from labour while ensuring their access to education.

Kartika Brata Habishyali Scheme: Online Registration Opens October 6 for 2,500 Women

Puri, Oct. 3 (UDN): Women planning to observe the month-long Kartika Brata in Puri can apply for the Odisha government’s Habishyali scheme from October 6, with the district administration making arrangements for accommodation, darshan and Mahaprasad.

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The online registration process will begin at 10 am on October 6 and remain open until all 2,500 available seats are filled.

The Kartika Brata observance will be held from October 26 to November 24 this year.

Applications Only Through Online Portal

Eligible women from all 30 districts of Odisha can apply through the government’s official e-District portal. Since the number of seats is limited, registration will close as soon as the 2,500-seat capacity is reached.

The administration has also decided to give priority to new applicants this year.

Who Can Apply?

The scheme is open to:

Widowed women up to 70 years of age
Married women between 50 and 70 years
Applicants must be physically and mentally fit to observe the Kartika Brata.
Free Stay, Darshan and Mahaprasad

Under the scheme, accommodation for the selected Habishyalis has been arranged at three locations in Puri — Brundabati Niwas, the Municipal Kalyan Mandap and the Railway Tourist Complex.

Beneficiaries will receive free accommodation, along with special arrangements for darshan at Srimandir and free Abadha Mahaprasad during their stay.

Volunteers will assist the beneficiaries with accommodation and help ensure smooth movement during temple darshan.

Administration Steps Up Preparations

The Puri district administration said preparations have been completed through coordination among different government departments.

Puri ADM Sarat Chandra Behera said officials would be deployed at the accommodation centres as well as during the beneficiaries’ temple visits. Volunteers from organisations including St John Ambulance and the Red Cross will also assist the administration.

While special arrangements are being made for the 2,500 registered beneficiaries, the administration is also working on arrangements for darshan for other elderly and local Habishyalis visiting Puri during Kartika Brata.

With the month-long religious observance approaching, authorities are focusing on accommodation, security, crowd management and hassle-free darshan for devotees.

Odisha Woman Sonali Seshadri Fulfils KBC Dream, Wins ₹12.5 Lakh

Mayurbhanj, Oct. 3 (UDN): A long-cherished childhood dream came true for Sonali Seshadri, a young woman from Khunta in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, as she made it to the hot seat of the popular television quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) and walked away with ₹12.5 lakh in prize money.

Sonali, who works as a Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) in the Postal Department, appeared on the show and shared the hot seat with Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

From KBC Registration to the Hot Seat

Sonali had nurtured the dream of appearing on KBC since childhood. She registered for the show in January this year and cleared the selection process in March.

Her journey continued with an audition in Kolkata in June. After successfully clearing the audition, she finally took the coveted hot seat on September 17.

The episode featured a total of 16 questions. Sonali answered 12 questions correctly before choosing to quit the game at the 13th question. Her decision earned her ₹12.5 lakh.

An Unforgettable Meeting With Amitabh Bachchan

Sonali’s experience went beyond the quiz itself. During the approximately three-hour shoot, Amitabh Bachchan interacted with her and asked about her family and background.

Reflecting on the experience, Sonali said that sitting opposite the legendary actor and fulfilling her childhood dream was an unforgettable moment.

She also revealed that although she knew the answer to the 13th question, she chose not to risk her winnings because she was uncertain about proceeding further.

Mother Shares Her Joy

Sonali’s mother, Reena Dalei, accompanied her during the programme and witnessed the memorable experience.

Reena said that travelling by flight had also been one of her long-standing dreams, and she was able to fulfil it because of her daughter. Meeting Amitabh Bachchan, speaking with him and shaking hands with him made the experience particularly special for her.

Sonali’s parents, who work as private tutors, expressed pride in their daughter’s achievement.

For Sonali, the journey from a childhood dream and KBC registration to the iconic hot seat has become a memorable milestone — and a moment of celebration for her family and the people of Mayurbhanj.

Bhubaneswar-Bangkok Flights Resume After Two-Month Hiatus; Dubai, Singapore Routes May Follow

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 3 (UDN): Direct flight connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Bangkok has resumed after a nearly two-month suspension, bringing back an important international travel option for passengers from Odisha.

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The Bangkok-bound service resumed on Friday night, with flight 1065 reportedly departing from Bhubaneswar at around 11:05 pm. The return flight from Bangkok arrived in Bhubaneswar on Saturday morning at around 5:30 am.

Flights to Operate Twice a Week

Initially, the service will operate twice a week.

The flight will depart from Bhubaneswar on Friday night, with the return service scheduled for Saturday morning. The second weekly service will operate on Monday night, with the return flight from Bangkok scheduled for Tuesday morning.

The resumption of the route is expected to benefit passengers from Bhubaneswar and neighbouring districts who rely on international air connectivity for business, tourism, education and other travel needs.

Daytime Operations From October 25

The flight schedule is set to undergo a change from October 25 with the introduction of the winter schedule.

Instead of operating at night, the service will run during the daytime. Under the revised schedule, the flight is expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar at around 11:00 am and depart for Bangkok at approximately 1:35 pm.

The Bhubaneswar-Bangkok route has reportedly attracted a significant number of passengers, making its resumption a notable development for the city’s international air connectivity.

Dubai and Singapore Connectivity on the Radar

With the Bangkok service back in operation, attention is now turning towards expanding Bhubaneswar’s international network.

Efforts are reportedly underway to introduce a direct Bhubaneswar-Dubai flight in the coming days. A Singapore service is also being considered, subject to sufficient passenger demand.

If these routes materialise, passengers from Odisha could gain more direct international travel options, reducing the need to depend on connecting flights through other major Indian airports.

The developments could further strengthen Biju Patnaik International Airport’s position as an international gateway for Odisha and improve connectivity with key overseas destinations.

Goldin Brings Hollywood History to the Auction Block This Fall

Princess Leia’s iconic gown joins memorable pieces from Harry Potter, Rocky, Top Gun, and A Star Is Born

October 3, 2026 – Goldin, an internationally recognized auction house known for rare and record-breaking collectible sales, today opened its Fall Movie Prop & Memorabilia Auction, running through Wednesday, October 28. Celebrating some of film’s most memorable moments, this auction highlights artifacts from stories audiences know and love. 

Diving into a galaxy far, far away, Goldin’s Fall Movie Prop & Memorabilia Auction offers an array of costumes and accessories from the legendary world of Star Wars. Led by a “Princess Leia” gown worn during The Star Wars Holiday Special, this white, floor-length garb praises the heroine and the impact she’s had on fans over the decades. When it comes to loyal supporting characters, Chewbacca’s devotion displays faithfulness even in the most challenging moments. Fans of the thick-coated furry character can bid on a piece of his story with a “Chewbacca” Production-Made Signature Bowcaster Prop found in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015). This signature character prop is one of the only production-made Chewbacca bowcasters to survive and surface from a Star Wars film set and one of the only known bowcasters held in private hands. In addition to heroes within the franchise, Goldin’s auction spotlights the iconic villains who shaped the story. With a First Order “Snowtrooper” Four Piece Ensemble and a 1976-77 Star Wars: A New Hope Original Prototype “Stormtrooper” Helmet, collectors can connect with the unforgettable antagonists who brought conflict and warfare to the Dark Side.

When it comes to fantastical worlds that continue to captivate audiences around the globe, no conversation is complete without the Harry Potter franchise. Fans who wish to wield their own authentic wizarding wands can bid on Emma Watson’s “Hermione Granger” Light Up Effects Wand and Rupert Grint’s “Ron Weasley” Production-Made Broken Wand from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Reflecting the damage sustained during Ron and Harry’s adventures in the second film, Ron’s “broken” wand is bent near the tip, with colorless tape holding the pieces together. Also available from the franchise is the Production-Used Hedwig Prop Cage. Known for housing Harry’s loyal snowy owl, gifted by Rubeus Hagrid, this piece celebrates the little details that shape the franchise’s storytelling.

On the action side of the house, Goldin’s Fall Movie Prop & Memorabilia Auction showcases pieces connected to Rocky Balboa, Top Gun, and Peaky Blinders. Rocky’s stories of victory and determination could not be completed without the opposing characters who faced him in the ring. In this auction, the Philadelphia titan’s opponent, Clubber Lang, is represented with a Mr. T “Clubber Lang” Production-Made Costume from Rocky III. Consisting of a boxing robe and shorts created for the “South Side Slugger” in the third film of the franchise, this production-made piece signifies the challenges Rocky had to overcome to achieve his much-deserved success. Further, fans can take flight by bidding on a Top Gun production-made flight helmet set, complete with an oxygen mask, hose connector, and high-g suit pants, worn by the late Val Kilmer in the hit 1986 film. This performance earned the actor high praise and made the role one of cinema’s most iconic characters to this day. Also not to be missed in this auction is a Cillian Murphy “Tommy Shelby” Screen-Used Peaky Blinders Suit, worn by the infamous protagonist during the show’s 9-year run on Netflix from 2013 – 2022. 

Goldin’s Fall Movie Prop and Memorabilia offers tangible connections to movie soundtracks as well. From the 2018 rendition of A Star Is Born, is the Lady Gaga Screen-Used Piano from the singer’s time on set. Having earned eight Academy Award nominations and winning Best Original Song for “Shallow,” this piano highlights the music that touched fans’ hearts near and far. Also up for grabs is an Eminem Screen-Worn Costume Ensemble from the film 8 Mile. Worn by Eminem during his performance as Jimmy Smith Jr., also known as B-Rabbit, the rapper’s performance helped bring the film critical and commercial success and turned Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” into the first hip-hop song to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song. 

Viewers of the celebrated 1990 film Gremlins can now take home a Gizmo Mogwai Original Production-Used Puppet from the film Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990). With the iconic character returning in the second film to play a pivotal role in controlling the chaos, this prop remains renowned within the franchise decades after the film’s release. For fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Baby Groot’s moments of humor and joy remain a light within the franchise’s high-intensity plot points. Now the character’s electric energy is captured not only on screen but also at auction with a Screen-Used Baby Groot Maquette from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017).  

Fans worldwide continue to celebrate the horror genre, with one of its most memorable villains to this day, Freddy Krueger. Originally introduced in A Nightmare on Elm Street and the Friday the 13th franchises, this auction brings the character back to the public right in time for Halloween with a Freddy vs. Jason (2003) Production-Made “Freddy Krueger” Glove. Items from the Scott Spiegel Collection and Estate include a Scott Spiegel personally owned Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn Production Bible and a 1960s-70s original Don Post Studios, “The Wolfman” Deluxe Mask. 

Goldin’s Fall Movie Prop & Memorabilia Auction is open for regular bidding through Wednesday, October 28, at Goldin.com. Extended bidding begins at 10 PM ET.

Additional ongoing auctions include the 2026 Fall Vintage Elite Auction open until October 10, the 2026 Fall Music Memorabilia Auction open until October 14, and the 2026 Fall Coin Auction open until October 21. Goldin is set to open its 30th Anniversary Pokemon Auction on October 5, and its 2026 Fall Game Used Auction on October 9.