A relentless deluge and swelling rivers have plunged vast stretches of Odisha into a grave humanitarian crisis, claiming four lives and leaving thousands marooned. As floodwaters continue their inexorable advance, the Baitarani basin remains under severe distress, while a fresh flood threat looms over the Mahanadi. Our correspondent reports that the administration has intensified rescue and relief operations amid an evolving and highly volatile flood situation.

Official sources say nearly three lakh eighty thousand people across 304 Gram Panchayats have been affected. Even as rescue and relief operations continue on a war footing, a fresh challenge looms with a medium flood expected in the Mahanadi from tomorrow following persistent rainfall in its upper catchment. The river is already flowing above the danger level at Boudh.

Meanwhile, the IMD has issued an Orange Warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Koraput districts, raising fears of a further deterioration in the flood situation.

International Tiger Day is being observed across the world today to raise awareness about tiger conservation, protect natural habitats and address the declining numbers of wild tigers.

It was established in November 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia. Leaders from 13 tiger-range countries, including India, adopted the ambitious Tx2 goal to double the global wild tiger population by 2022. In 2010, only about 3,200 wild tigers were estimated to remain globally. According to recent global estimates, approximately 5,711 wild tigers remain worldwide, representing an increase of around 78 per cent.

India has emerged as a global leader in tiger conservation through science-based policies and strong institutional support. The country is now home to nearly 70 per cent of the world’s wild tigers. Technology-driven monitoring, effective governance and community participation have strengthened conservation outcomes. India is also advancing global cooperation to secure the future of tigers and their habitats.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Forest and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav extended their greetings to wildlife enthusiasts on Global Tiger Day and reaffirmed India’s commitment to tiger conservation.

In a social media post, Mr Radhakrishnan said that with the world’s largest wild tiger population, India’s success reflects sustained efforts in habitat conservation, scientific monitoring, anti-poaching measures, and the unwavering dedication of forest personnel, scientists, conservationists, and local communities.

PM Modi said India is home to 70 percent of the world’s tiger population. He applauded forest personnel, scientists and conservationists for their key role in tiger conservation and highlighted India’s commitment to empowering local communities and reducing human-wildlife conflict.

Union Forest and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said the encouraging data reflects the health of Indian forests and the country’s focus on conservation. He said the government remains committed to protecting tigers and their ecosystems while supporting forest-dependent communities whose livelihoods are closely linked to the country’s forests.

International Tiger Day is being observed today, with various programmes scheduled to be organised at the Ranipur Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh. The state has witnessed a significant increase in its tiger population over the past few years. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Anuradha Vemuri said Uttar Pradesh now has four tiger reserves, reflecting the state’s rich biodiversity and its commitment to wildlife conservation.

According to the 2022 tiger census, Uttar Pradesh has a total of 205 tigers. The state’s tiger population has steadily increased from 109 in 2006 to 118 in 2010, 117 in 2014, 173 in 2018 and 205 in 2022. The ‘Bagh Mitra’ initiative is also playing a key role in reducing human-wildlife conflict in the state. The programme was launched in Pilibhit in 2019 and has proved highly effective. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also appreciated the initiative during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme. 

In October 2023, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the ‘Bagh Mitra’ app in Pilibhit. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve Divisional Forest Officer Manish Singh said a WhatsApp group of ‘Bagh Mitras’ has been created in Pilibhit, with 120 local residents from villages surrounding the forest area enrolled in the initiative.

Villagers living within five kilometres of the forest are selected as ‘Bagh Mitras’ and provided training by the Forest Department. Whenever a tiger or any other wild animal is spotted outside the forest, the ‘Bagh Mitras’ immediately inform the department. This enables forest officials and staff to respond promptly, remain on alert and dispatch teams to the location.

India has emerged as the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers, contributing 311,936 maritime professionals to the global shipping industry. According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India now accounts for 12.16 per cent of the global seafaring workforce, ranking behind only the Philippines and ahead of China, the Russian Federation and Indonesia.

The achievement marks one of the most remarkable transformations in the history of India’s maritime sector. In 2015, India contributed only 5.2 per cent of the world’s seafarers and ranked fifth globally, behind China, the Philippines, Indonesia and the Russian Federation. Six years later, in 2021, India’s share had grown modestly to 6 per cent, though it continued to remain in fifth position. The latest BIMCO-ICS report, however, records a decisive breakthrough.

Rajya Sabha has passed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill will further amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The proposed legislation seeks to give Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. These offences are punishable with imprisonment up to three years, a fine, or both.

Replying to a discussion on the Bill, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said, the amendment in the Bill is not merely a legislative change. He said, it reflects the collective commitment to the soul of India, national consciousness, cultural heritage, and the ideals of the freedom struggle.

The Minister said, in 1971, through the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, provisions were made to ensure respect for the National Flag, the Constitution, and the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana. Mr Rai said, the deliberate insult of Vande Mataram will be punishable in the same manner as provided under the existing law. The National Song Vande Mataram was composed in 1875 by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The Minister claimed that in 1935, when Jawaharlal Nehru became the President of the Congress, he limited Vande Mataram to only two stanzas. On the other hand, in 1928, when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was Congress President, he requested Timir Baran Banerjee to prepare a complete and dignified musical version of the song. He said, on 15th August 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had asked Pandit Omkarnath Thakur to render the complete Vande Mataram on All India Radio at 6:30 in the morning, marking the beginning of the first Independence Day.

The Minister said, on 24th January 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad stated in the Constituent Assembly that Vande Mataram, which holds historic importance in India’s freedom struggle, would be accorded the same respect as Jana Gana Mana. Mr Rai said opposing Vande Mataram reflects a policy of appeasement that undermines the nation’s pride.

Earlier, initiating the discussion, BJP MP Dr Radha Mohan Das Agrawal said that for the past 123 years, Vande Mataram song had been disrespected. He stated that inspired by this song, the revolutionaries of the country made sacrifices for the nation. Mr Agrawal alleged that in 1923, during a Congress session, the then President of the Congress had insulted Vande Mataram.

Golla Baburao of YSRCP requested all the Members of this House to uphold and respect the national song. He expressed his gratitude to the Government for introducing this Bill. Mr Baburao said that Vande Mataram is not just a song, but a source of inspiration that motivated countless freedom fighters to sacrifice their lives for the nation. He said, the spirit generated by this song played a significant role in the country’s struggle for independence. Sulata Deo of BJD, Sanjay Singh of AAP, Dr M Thambidurai of AIADMK, among others, participated in the discussion.

After the passing of the Bill, the Upper House took up Special Mentions, where Members raised issues of urgent importance. After that, Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 11 AM tomorrow.

असम में बाढ़ से मरने वालों की आधिकारिक संख्या बढ़कर 75 हो गई है। अकेले शिवसागर जिले से कल सात और मौतें दर्ज की गईं। ऊपरी असम के प्रभावित जिलों में बाढ़ की स्थिति धीरे-धीरे सामान्य हो रही है और अधिकतर क्षेत्रों से बाढ़ का पानी उतर रहा है। बाढ़ से प्रभावित अधिकांश इलाकों में बिजली सहित आवश्यक सेवाएं बहाल कर दी गई हैं।

मुख्यमंत्री डॉ. हिमंता बिस्वा सरमा ने बाढ़ से संबंधित घटनाओं में जान गंवाने वाले लोगों के परिवारों के लिए 4 लाख रुपये की अनुग्रह राशि की घोषणा की है। राहत और पुनर्वास उपायों की एक श्रृंखला में 30 दिनों से अधिक समय से लापता लोगों के परिवारों को उचित प्रक्रियाओं के अधीन 4 लाख रुपये की अनुग्रह राशि देना शामिल है। इसके अलावा, मृतकों के परिवारों को 4 लाख रुपये की अनुग्रह राशि के अतिरिक्त मुख्यमंत्री राहत कोष से 5 लाख रुपये की अतिरिक्त सहायता मिलेगी। एक लाख से अधिक गंभीर रूप से बाढ़ प्रभावित परिवारों को उनकी तत्काल आवश्यक जरूरतों को पूरा करने के लिए 15 हजार रुपये प्रति परिवार प्रदान किए जाएंगे।

अरूणोदय योजना के तहत, बाढ़ प्रभावित जिलों चराइदेव, जोरहाट, गोलाघाट और शिवसागर के लाभार्थियों को अगले महीने की पहली तारीख से योजना के पुनः शुरू होने पर अगस्त के महीने से 2500 रुपये मिलेंगे। घरों, पशुधन, मत्स्य पालन और फसलों को हुए नुकसान का आकलन 3 अगस्त से शुरू होगा, जिसके बाद पात्र लाभार्थियों को मुआवजा दिया जाएगा।

केंद्रीय गृह मंत्री अमित शाह ने असम के मुख्यमंत्री डॉ. हिमंता बिस्वा सरमा से बात की और ऊपरी असम में आई भीषण बाढ़ के मद्देनजर जारी राहत कार्यों की समीक्षा की। सोशल मीडिया पोस्ट में डॉ. सरमा ने बताया कि श्री शाह ने जमीनी स्थिति का जायजा लिया और आश्वासन दिया कि केंद्र सरकार बाढ़ प्रभावित क्षेत्रों में राहत, पुनर्स्थापन और पुनर्निर्माण के लिए सभी आवश्यक सहायता प्रदान करती रहेगी। मुख्यमंत्री ने कहा कि केंद्रीय गृह मंत्री ने दोहराया कि इस कठिन समय में केंद्र सरकार की सभी एजेंसियां और संसाधन असम के लोगों की सहायता के लिए तत्पर हैं।

नालागढ़: नर्सिंग शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में अवस्थी नर्सिंग इंस्टीट्यूट, नालागढ़ ने एक बड़ी उपलब्धि अपने नाम की है। संस्थान द्वारा आयोजित कैंपस प्लेसमेंट ड्राइव में बीएससी नर्सिंग चतुर्थ वर्ष और जीएनएम तृतीय वर्ष की सभी 75 छात्राओं का प्रतिष्ठित मल्टी-स्पेशियलिटी अस्पतालों में चयन हुआ। इस शानदार उपलब्धि के साथ संस्थान ने 100 फीसदी कैंपस प्लेसमेंट का रिकॉर्ड बनाया।

प्लेसमेंट ड्राइव में निम्स हॉस्पिटल (जयपुर), बलवीर सिंह तोमर इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ मेडिकल साइंसेज, रिसर्च एंड हॉस्पिटल तथा डॉ. बीएस तोमर इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ मेडिकल साइंसेज, रिसर्च एंड हॉस्पिटल की भर्ती टीमों ने भाग लिया। चयनित विद्यार्थियों में बीएससी नर्सिंग की 37 और जीएनएम की 38 छात्राएं शामिल हैं।

भर्ती प्रक्रिया के दौरान छात्राओं के नर्सिंग ज्ञान, क्लीनिकल दक्षता, रोगी देखभाल, संचार कौशल और व्यावसायिक व्यवहार का मूल्यांकन किया गया।

संस्थान के चेयरमैन चंद्रशेखर अवस्थी ने कहा कि यह सफलता आधुनिक क्लीनिकल प्रशिक्षण और अनुभवी शिक्षकों के मार्गदर्शन का परिणाम है। वहीं निदेशक ऋषव अवस्थी और रजत अवस्थी ने कहा कि संस्थान स्वास्थ्य क्षेत्र की आवश्यकताओं के अनुरूप गुणवत्तापूर्ण शिक्षा देने के लिए निरंतर कार्य कर रहा है। प्राचार्या शुभा भारद्वाज ने सभी चयनित छात्राओं को उज्ज्वल भविष्य के लिए शुभकामनाएं दीं।

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