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Apr 17 (BNP): Uttar Pradesh’s hockey programme has recorded a notable rise in performance, winning 21 medals in recent competitions and highlighting the growing strength of grassroots development in the sport.

The steady improvement reflects better training infrastructure, talent identification, and increased focus on nurturing young players at the state level.

Officials and coaches said the progress demonstrates how structured development programs are helping smaller centres emerge as key contributors to India’s hockey talent pool.

The results are also seen as a positive sign for Indian hockey’s long-term future, as more states invest in grassroots coaching and competitive exposure for young athletes.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 17 (BNP): The Odisha government has announced a fresh round of transfers and appointments of senior officials in the Health and Family Welfare Department, aimed at improving administrative efficiency and strengthening the public health system.

As part of the reshuffle, Director of Public Health Dr. Nilakantha Mishra has been moved to the role of Special Secretary in the department. He will be succeeded by Dr. Pradeep Hota, currently serving as Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer of Sambalpur.

The changes are seen as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance governance, ensure better coordination, and improve delivery of healthcare services across Odisha.

Officials indicated that such leadership adjustments are intended to bring greater focus and efficiency to the implementation of public health programmes.

Chennai, April 17 (BNP): In a notable political development, the wife and daughter of slain forest brigand Veerappan have entered the electoral fray in Tamil Nadu, contesting from different constituencies on tickets of separate regional parties.

Muthulakshmi Veerappan is contesting as a candidate of the Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) from the Krishnagiri Assembly constituency. Her daughter, Vidha Rani Veerappan, is in the race from the Mettur Assembly constituency in Salem district on a Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) ticket led by actor-politician Seeman.

Vidha Rani, a lawyer by profession, had earlier made her electoral debut in the 2024 elections.

The entry of Veerappan’s family members into mainstream politics has drawn considerable attention, given his controversial past. Veerappan, once known as one of India’s most notorious poachers and sandalwood smugglers, was killed in a police encounter in Papparappati village of Dharmapuri district in October 2004.

Both candidates have stated that their participation in politics is aimed at restoring Veerappan’s “pride” and presenting an alternative perspective on his legacy.

Political observers believe their candidature could influence voter dynamics, particularly among sections of the Vanniyar community, a significant group in western Tamil Nadu.

Kurnool, April 16(BNP): In a tragic road accident, eight people from Karnataka lost their lives in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district on Thursday.

The incident occurred near Chilakaladona village under Mantralayam mandal when a Bolero vehicle, carrying devotees en route to the Guru Raghavendra Swamy Temple in Mantralayam, collided with a ready-mix tanker lorry.

According to reports, five persons died on the spot due to the impact of the collision, while three others succumbed to their injuries during treatment.

Around ten passengers were reportedly injured in the accident and were immediately shifted to the Government Hospital in Yemmiganur for medical care.

Police and emergency teams rushed to the spot and initiated rescue operations. An investigation has been launched to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

The incident has cast a pall of gloom among the victims’ families and raised concerns over road safety.

Apr 17 (BNP): Thousands of devotees gathered in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on the occasion of Vaishakh Amavasya on Friday, performing ritual bathing at the sacred Triveni Sangam.

From early morning hours during Brahma Muhurat, pilgrims arrived at the riverbanks to take a holy dip, which is considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition. The atmosphere across the city remained deeply devotional, with chants, prayers, and ritual practices marking the occasion.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

Along with the holy dip, devotees participated in charitable activities, including distribution of food and offerings to the needy. Many also performed prayers seeking peace for their ancestors and well-being for their families.

Vaishakh Amavasya is regarded as an important day in the Hindu calendar. Religious beliefs hold that bathing in sacred rivers and performing charity on this day brings spiritual merit and blessings.

Scriptural references describe the month of Vaishakh as highly sacred, with traditions stating that virtuous acts performed during this period carry amplified spiritual significance.

The Amavasya Tithi began on the evening of April 16 at 8:14 pm, with rituals continuing into the following day.

The event once again highlighted Prayagraj’s importance as a major center of pilgrimage and spiritual observance in India.

New Delhi, Apr 17 (BNP): Harivansh Narayan Singh was re-elected unopposed as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on Friday, marking a continuation of his tenure in the Upper House leadership.

His nomination to the Rajya Sabha came from President Droupadi Murmu after a vacancy arose following the retirement of former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi as a nominated member.

The position of Deputy Chairman had fallen vacant after the completion of Harivansh’s earlier term as a Rajya Sabha member on April 9. Subsequently, Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan scheduled the election for April 17, 2026, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Council of States.

With no other nominations filed, Harivansh was elected unopposed, ensuring continuity in the functioning of the Upper House.

New Delhi, Apr 17 (BNP): Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani has emerged as Asia’s richest individual, surpassing Mukesh Ambani, according to the latest update of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

The change in ranking reflects a fresh surge in Adani’s net worth driven by recent gains in the market value of his listed companies. The Bloomberg index tracks daily fluctuations in billionaire wealth based on movements in global financial markets and asset valuations.

As per the latest estimates, Adani’s wealth has seen a strong upward move in 2026, placing him ahead of Ambani in Asia’s billionaire rankings. The shift underscores the sharp volatility in global wealth standings, where changes in stock prices can quickly alter positions among the world’s richest individuals.

Both industrialists continue to remain among the top global billionaires, with their fortunes closely tied to the performance of their respective conglomerates—Adani Group and Reliance Industries.

Market analysts note that such rankings can change frequently as equity markets fluctuate, especially in sectors linked to infrastructure, energy, and technology.

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index is updated daily based on closing market values in New York and provides a real-time snapshot of global wealth movements.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 17 (BNP): A door-to-door, digital-first census exercise has begun in Bhubaneswar and across Odisha, marking the next phase of preparations for Census 2027 after the completion of the self-enumeration process earlier this month.

The self-enumeration phase, conducted from April 1 to 15, saw participation from over two lakh residents who filled out detailed forms covering 33 questions. Authorities have now deployed more than 3,000 enumerators to carry out door-to-door verification and collect additional information from households that were not covered earlier.

Mayor Sulochana Das said the exercise is aimed at building a comprehensive and accurate database that reflects the city’s social and economic realities. The information gathered will play a crucial role in shaping future development plans and welfare initiatives.

She urged residents to cooperate fully with enumerators and ensure that the details they provide are accurate. According to her, the success of the census depends heavily on public participation, as the data collected will directly influence government policies and planning.

Officials noted that while the digital self-enumeration option received a strong response, a significant number of households are yet to be covered, making the door-to-door campaign essential.

Census 2027 will be India’s 16th national census and the eighth since Independence. It is also the first to introduce a digital self-enumeration feature, reflecting a broader shift towards technology-driven governance.

New Delhi, April 17 (BNP): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has commenced the commissioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units for constituencies going to polls in the first phase on April 23, officials said on Thursday.

The commissioning process began across various constituencies in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase-I) in the presence of candidates, their authorised representatives, and General Observers, ensuring transparency in poll preparations.

According to the ECI, the commissioning will be followed by mock polls, where 1,000 votes will be cast in 5 per cent of randomly selected EVMs. Candidates or their representatives will also be allowed to conduct mock polls themselves.

Ahead of commissioning, EVMs and VVPATs were allocated to polling stations through a two-stage randomisation process using the EVM Management System (EMS). In the first stage, machines were distributed from district warehouses to assembly constituencies, and in the second stage, from constituencies to individual polling stations.

Officials said Tamil Nadu has a total of 75,064 polling stations, while 44,378 polling stations in West Bengal will go to polls in the first phase on April 23.

The first randomisation was carried out by District Election Officers (DEOs) in the presence of representatives of recognised political parties, while the second randomisation was conducted by Returning Officers (ROs) with candidates, their agents, and General Observers present.

Lists of allocated EVMs and VVPATs were shared with political parties and candidates at each stage. The machines have since been securely stored in designated strong rooms under the supervision of stakeholders, the Commission added.

The commissioning exercise is part of preparations for the ongoing General Elections to Legislative Assemblies in several states and accompanying bye-elections scheduled this year.