Tag: Superstition

Keonjhar: Superstition continues to rule the roost in the district as another 15-day-old infant was branded with hot iron to cure his stomach ailment in Talabaruda village under Bansapal block here. Injured, the baby was admitted to district headquarters hospital. The baby’s condition is showing signs of improvement after treatment, hospital sources said. The grandmother […]

Keonjhar: In a fresh incident of hot iron branding, a minor girl was subjected to torture by her family members to cure ‘stomach ailments’ in Keonjhar district. According to reports, the 10-year-old girl of Reba village under Bansapala block in the district was branded with hot iron rod by her family members five days back. The […]

Nayagarh: As a rampant practice, gullible people in Nayagarh are being persuaded by middlemen to feed milk to Indian Cobras for blessings of Lord Shiva. Such has been the extent of craze,  people don’t mind paying anything between Rs 200 and Rs 1000 to appease Lord Shiva through a snake. As news of such practice […]

Keonjhar: Despite rigorous campaigns, brutal killings over superstition and blind beliefs continue unabated in rural parts of Odisha. In one such incident, a youth was allegedly beaten to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft at Pidhapokhari village under Bamebari police limits of Keonjhar district. The deceased identified as Sudam Munda was beaten to death by […]

In a suspected case of witch hunt in Rameyapalli village under Sriramchandrapur Panchayat in Ganjam district, at least one person was killed and two others sustained grievous injuries allegedly after being thrashed by locals on suspicion of practicing witchcraft.

Does faith have a place in a modern, science-driven society? Does science have answers to all the questions that confront man? When does faith degenerate into superstition? And where does one draw the line between the two? And on what basis? All these questions – and many more – gnawed at this columnist’s mind while […]

Bargarh: In yet another instance of blind faith, a family in Bargarh district sought the help of a tantrik to revive a dead woman. As per reports, the family members of one Saptashila Bhoi had rushed her to the hospital suspecting that she was bitten by a venomous snake on Saturday. However, she was declared […]

By Ashutosh Mishra Bhubaneswar: The bizarre spectacle of a black magician trying to revive a dead woman, a victim of snakebite, near the morgue of Padampur sub-divisional headquarters hospital in Bargarh district on Sunday, once again proves that despite the spread of education superstition continues to rule roost in the rural areas of the state. […]

Berhampur: Hours after OTV telecast a report on how snake bite deaths are rising in Odisha because people continue to follow superstitions rather than medical advice; two more deaths corroborate how people continue to fall prey to superstitious practices. One Siva Patra of Buguda area in Ganjam district was bitten by a poisonous snake yesterday. […]

By Ashutosh Mishra Bhubaneswar: The spine chilling murder in a Keonjhar village of a 60-year-old tribal woman and her relative, both suspected to be practising sorcery, serves as a cruel reminder of how superstition continues to grip the minds of people even in 21st century Odisha. While most such incidents are reported from tribal-dominated areas […]

Malkangiri: Superstition prevailed over rational thinking leading to the tragic loss of man’s life in the village of Orelguda under Poteru Police Outpost limits in Malkangiri District. In the shocking incident, a man suspected of practicing black magic was allegedly beaten to death in the village. As per sources, one Deba Banjami of Orelguda village […]

Nuapada: Instances of some women and minor girls showing weird behaviour in a village in Nuapada district have come to the fore raising concern among the public. According to sources, around six to seven girls and women of Sanajohela village under Khariar block of the district have reportedly been showing unusual behaviour like rolling on […]

Nabarangpur: Despite modernisation, superstition continues to prevail in many Odisha villages. The latest incident has been reported from Hatibari village under Majhiguda block in Papadahandi panchayat of Nabarangpur district. Recently, as many as 17 persons of Hatibari were found suffering from chicken pox but instead of going to hospitals, many of them sought treatment from […]

Sundergarh: Tension run high at Ghumuda village under Dharuadihi police limits of Sundergarh district following the death of a four-year-old girl who was missing since yesterday. The minor girl, identified as Poonam Sa, was reportedly playing in front her house yesterday morning when she suddenly went missing. Though her family members searched for her in […]

Berhampur: In a bid to create awareness among residents of Ganjam district and dispel witchcraft and superstitious practices, district collector Vijay Amruta Kulange today announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for anyone who can prove the existence of ghosts. “If anyone can prove existence of ghosts or justify superstitious practices, I will reward that person […]