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Several parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu continue to reel under floods caused by incessant rainfall over the last few days. While more than 20 persons have died in rain-related mishaps, over a hundred are still missing. Disaster response teams have been engaged in rescue and relief operations.

Every Indian celebrates Diwali in his/her own way. No matter how dark the darkness is, light always finds its way to shine, a ray always emerges to adorn the world with a medley of zillion colours. A pandemic raging for over a year now could not dampen the festive spirit as people celebrated the popular festival with family, friends and kin much pomp and fervour.

With mystery deepening over murder of lady teacher Mamita Meher, the Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha took out a hearse parade in the capital city demanding CBI probe into the matter. The saffron party leaders have sought immediate removal and arrest of minister of state for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra for his alleged involvement in the case.

Train services across the country were severely disrupted on Monday owing to a nationwide 'Rail Roko' protest by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM). Several trains had to be cancelled while many others were partially cancelled due to the protest. The Kisan Morcha backed by several farmer organisations observed a six-hour-long rail roko from 10AM to 4PM demanding removal of Union MoS for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra from his post over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, in which his son Ashish is an accused.

Former skipper of the Indian cricket team Mahendra Singh Dhoni joined India's camp a week ahead of their T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE. Dhoni had recently led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their fourth IPL title. The Captain Cool is back with Team India as a mentor.

Cuttack usually is jam-packed during this time of the year for the pious Durga puja fest, but alike 2020, in 2021 too the city witnessed low-key celebrations on Sasthi Puja, Saptami, Maha Astami, Nabami and similar empty-streets scene is expected on Dussehra as well, courtesy the never-ending pandemic. The millennium city is quite famous for the huge silver backdrops and the magnitude of ornaments used to decorate Goddess Durga. Alas, the idol height this year has been capped at 4-ft, which consequently has reduced the decorative items. Take a look at some of the pandals that are a must-visit.

The festive season is here. Durga Puja and Navratri will be celebrated with much pomp and splendour in different parts of the country. Devotees will be worshipping different forms of Goddess Durga in these next few days. Preparations and celebrations have already begun, albeit with caution and fear of the pandemic.

Heavy rainfall continue to lash several part of Odisha under the influence of the low-pressure area over Northwest and adjoining West central Bay of Bengal which intensified into a deep depression on Monday morning. Heavy rain and thundershowers with one or two very intense spells of rain affected normal life in different parts of the State, including the Twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar since today morning. Puri received the maximum 341 mm rainfall followed by Paradip (210 mm), Bhubaneswar (195 mm), Gopalpur (64 mm), Chandabali (46 mm) and Balasore (24 mm) so far, informed the Met Centre. Here’s a glimpse of the rain battered Odisha:

Badminton was for the first time included as an official sport at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, and Indian para-shuttlers put on a stunning show with some aggressive and tactical strategy of play, right from the word go. India had sent five shuttlers to Paralympics and all five reached at least the semis. Four players - Pramod Bhagat, Krishna Nagar, Suhas Yathiraj and Manoj Sarkar produced historic and magical performances in the para-badminton games to etch their names in record books.

History was created at Tokyo when para shooter Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the Paralympic Games. The 19-year-old girl from Rajasthan bagged gold in women's 10m Air Rifle SH1 with a world record score of 249.6 in the final. Her campaign did not end there. Avani clinched her second medal of the Tokyo Paralympics on Friday (Sept 3), a bronze in women's 50m rifle 3P SH1 event. With this, she has also become the first Indian woman to bag two medals in Paralympics.

Shops, schools and markets have been shut. Some heart-breaking scenes unfolded in Kabul as the Taliban overran the Afghan capital leading to widespread chaos across the city. The Taliban forces have also taken control of the presidential palace after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday night. Nation witnessed the desperation of Afghans at Kabul airport when several people clung to the side of moving limitary planes and at least two persons apparently fell to their deaths from the undercarriage soon after flight took off. The insurgents are now in control of all the districts of Kabul while a night curfew has been imposed in Kabul reportedly to prevent further violence. A Taliban spokesperson has said the war in Afghanistan is over, and a new power structure will soon be clear.

Independence Day is a festival of freedom for the countrymen. Today marks the beginning of the 75th year of India’s Independence and has a special significance as the entire nation is celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. This was made possible by generations of struggle of freedom fighters, some known, and many unknown, who made great sacrifices for the country. Today, people are breathing under fresh skies because of the heroic deeds of the freedom fighters. Here is a sneak peek into the I-Day celebrations across the country.

India's Javelin Man Neeraj Chopra scripted history by winning the country's first Olympic gold medal in athletics on the penultimate day of the Tokyo 2020 Games. With seven medal winners this Olympics, India has recorded its best-ever tally at the quadrennial event. Relive the glorious moments of the country's Olympic stars.

One of the most spectacular rituals of the annual Ratha Jatra, Suna Besha of the sibling deities - also called the Rajadhiraja Besha - is performed a day after the Holy Trinity return to their abode following a 9-day sojourn at the Gundicha. The divine triad of Bada Thakura Balabhadra, Mahaprabhu Jagannath and Devi Subhadra, atop their chariots on Puri Badadanda donned a resplendent attire of gold. Like previous year, the rituals were performed without congregation of devotees due to restrictions imposed in the wake of the current pandemic situation.

Quite similar to the Ratha Jatra festival, the return journey 'Bahuda Jatra' of the Holy Trinity from Gundicha temple to Srimandir in Puri also began almost two hours ahead of the schedule. After the nine-day annual sojourn at the Gundicha ended today, Bada Thakura Balabhadra, Mahaprabhu Jagannath and Devi Subhadra returned to Ratna Bedi on their majestic chariots. On way, the sibling deities were fed with their favourite offering of Poda Pitha.