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Ruling out imposition of a second lockdown in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India now has better experience and resources to battle the second wave and the focus should be on micro-containment zones. Thursday (April 8), the Prime Minister held a meeting with all the Chief Ministers to discuss the Covid-19 situation in the country. Prime Minister urged chief ministers to strengthen their efforts for the next 2-3 weeks to check the spread of the virus on a “war-footing”. Clearing the doubts regarding the possibility of lockdown, PM Modi stated that currently there are no provisions to enforce such restrictions in the country. But he emphasized on celebrating a ‘Tika Utsav’ or ‘vaccination festival’ from April 11th till April 14th to inoculate maximum number of eligible beneficiaries. During the interaction, the Prime Minister stated that even though the system is experiencing fatigue due to a year-long process of enforcing restrictions, the country must tighten its measures for the next 2-3 weeks to curb the spread of the virus. He spoke about the importance of establishing ‘micro-containment’ zones in areas with clusters of cases. The Prime Minister said that states have to keep focusing on ‘Test, Track, Treat’, Covid-appropriate behaviour, Covid management to contain the pandemic. Emphasizing on the five-fold strategy of testing, tracing, treatment, COVID-appropriate behaviour and vaccination, the Prime Minister said that implementing these strategies with utmost seriousness and commitment would be effective in curbing the spread of the pandemic.

Amid concerns over rising COVID19 cases, the Odisha School and Mass Education minister clarified that there will be no postponement of Matric and Plus-2 exams in the state.

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi today unveiled the Hindi version of ‘Odisha Itihaas’ written by Utkal Keshari the late Dr Harekrushna Mahtab. While unveiling the book, the PM said that the book has been published in the year when the nation is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed all district Collectors to hand over unused state properties in different districts, blocks and panchayats to ‘Mission Shakti Mahasanghs’ within two months to empower women of the state. The Chief Minister stated that Mission Shakti members can make use of many unused government property like buildings, shops, ponds in panchayats and blocks and various other property in the districts. He said that the women groups can utilize it for social and economic development. The CM further stated that common people will be benefited and mothers of Mission Shakti can utilize these in financial activities, and the latest initiative will be beneficial in strengthening the quiet movement of mothers. Naveen Patnaik said that empowerment of women has always been the priority of the state government and Mission Shakti has become the torchbearer of transformation. Mission Shakti Mahasangh is the apex body of women self help groups (SHGs) in Odisha at the district, block and panchayat levels. The state government has recently set up a separate Mission Shakti Department in Odisha, with the aim to empower women SHGs socially and economically.

Bollywood actress and model Sunny Leone was recently clicked with her sons, Noah and Asher in Bandra area of Mumbai. The trio looked adorable. Sunny also showed her sons how to wave at the camera. Her little boys were snapped in matching outfit with blue colored shorts and sea green striped tops. The actress and her sons posed for the shutterbugs before heading to their car.

Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan was recently spotted by the shutterbugs near his friend’s house in Mumbai. However, this unremarkable visit was actually made special by his ‘Lamborghini’. The actor had recently bought the car. He had also shared a short video on his Instagram announcing the arrival of his new car.

Let us fight the Coronavirus without lockdowns, said Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik while addressing the people of the state on the prevailing COVID19 situation.

The IPL fever is back. The mega cricket tournament Indian Premier League is all set to kick-start on Friday at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. The match will be played behind the closed door and as per guidelines issued.

When the paparazzi spotted Bollywood and Tollywood actress Tamannaah and asked her about Allu Arjun’s birthday, she wished the actor and sent him warm wishes. She also spoke about his upcoming movie ‘Pushpa’ and wished him all the best for his upcoming movie. She also spoke a little about her own upcoming Telugu movie ‘Fun and Frustration’ or ‘F3’ with Director Anil Ravipudi.

Hundreds of students of Utkal University launched a protest on National Highway-16 near the varsity campus in Vani Vihar Square opposing the directive to vacate hostels. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has directed college authorities to ask students to vacate hostel premises in view of rising COVID19 cases.

Soon after Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik exhorted people to take a pledge to strictly wear masks for the next 14 days, the State government issued a directive ordering higher penalties for people not wearing masks.

The famous ‘Chaiti Parba’ of Goddess Maa Tarini began today (April 9) at Ghatgaon Tarini Temple in Keonjhar district with strict adherence to Covid19 protocols. In view of the current COVID19 situation, extensive arrangements have been made by the temple and the district administration.  Devotees will be allowed to have darshan of the Goddess only after rituals like Snana (bath), Majana and Sunabesha (golden attire). As per the fresh guidelines issued by the district administration for the famous festival of the Goddess, devotees will be allowed darshan from April 9 to 12 and again post April 14. The darshan timings during this period has been fixed from 7 AM to 12.30 PM and then again from 3.30 PM to 7 PM daily. All rituals will be performed at the temple with strict adherence to the Covid-19 guidelines. However, devotees will not be allowed to offer ‘Bhoga’ or offerings at the temple. In view of the huge footfall that the temple witnesses during the ‘Chaiti Parba’ and ‘Pana Sankranti’ on April 13 and 14 respectively, the district administration has banned public darshan at the temple. All the shops selling puja materials for offerings will remain closed during the ‘Chaiti Parba’. Similarly, distribution of ‘Pana’ and Prasad has been restricted this year. As per an earlier statement of the administration all rituals and special puja of the Goddess will be telecast on social media. Additionally no other cultural programme would be performed during the festival.

  Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and hail is likely to occur in several parts of Odisha! The regional center of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued alert for thunderstorm and lightning (accompanied by hail) for several parts of Odisha.

In a special drive, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Police Crime Branch arrested two firearm smugglers and busted a gunrunning racket in Cuttack on Friday. Acting on a tip-off, the STF conducted a raid near Sikharghat Bridge under Niali Police limits in Cuttack district on Friday. Eight illegal firearms, including two sophisticated pistols have been seized from their possession.

Amid concerns over rising cases of Covid-19, will CBSE conduct the board exams in offline mode or switch to online mode this year? While one section of students is asking for the examinations to be conducted online, many students are requesting the government to cancel board exams or postpone it.