India Deepens Nuclear Science Cooperation With Global South as ‘Vishwa Bandhu’: Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo at UN

India Deepens Nuclear Science Cooperation With Global South as ‘Vishwa Bandhu’: Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo at UN

United Nations, Oct 24: India is strengthening international cooperation in nuclear science and technology to help developing nations access its benefits, with the country’s role as a “Vishwa Bandhu” or friend to the world reflecting its commitment to South-South cooperation, BJP MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo has said.

Addressed the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on the Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reaffirming 🇮🇳’s commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear science, sustainable development, South-South cooperation, and strong nuclear safety and security frameworks. #SangeetaKumariSinghDeo #IndiaAtUN #UNGA81 #IndiaUNPartnership #UnitedNations

— Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo (@sksingh_deo) October 24, 2026

Leading an Indian parliamentary delegation to the United Nations, Singh Deo highlighted India’s development partnerships and its efforts to share scientific expertise with countries across the Global South while addressing the India-UN Fund Annual Event 2026 at the UN General Assembly.

She said India’s global development cooperation remained a key pillar of its foreign policy, with an emphasis on mutual respect, shared benefits and support for the priorities identified by partner countries.

India’s RCA Chairmanship to Strengthen Scientific Partnerships

Singh Deo highlighted India’s association with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), particularly through the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (RCA).

India assumed the chairmanship of the 22-member RCA in May 2026, reaffirming its commitment to expanding scientific collaboration and strengthening partnerships among member countries.

“India’s chairmanship of RCA is a reaffirmation of our strong commitment to South-South cooperation and to ensuring that the benefits of nuclear science reach every nation that seeks them,” she said.

Addressing representatives from regions including the Pacific, Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America, Singh Deo emphasised that India’s approach to development cooperation was demand-driven and consultative.

She said partner countries were encouraged to determine their own priorities, with cooperation guided by mutual respect, mutual benefit and respect for national sovereignty.

India-UN Fund Supports Development Across the Global South

Singh Deo also underscored the role of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, established in 2017 with an initial Indian commitment of $150 million.

The fund supports development initiatives across the Global South through concessional financing, infrastructure assistance, humanitarian support and capacity-building programmes.

India’s engagement through such initiatives, she said, reflects its broader effort to make development partnerships more inclusive and responsive to the needs of participating countries.

The approach seeks to combine India’s technical capabilities and development experience with the priorities of partner nations.

Cancer Care Training Highlights Neighbourhood-First Policy

As an example of India’s regional cooperation, Singh Deo referred to a specialised cancer-care training programme conducted by Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) under the BIMSTEC cooperation framework.

The programme provided training opportunities for healthcare professionals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar, she said.

Tata Memorial Centre operates under the Department of Atomic Energy, and the initiative demonstrates how India’s scientific and institutional expertise can support capacity-building in neighbouring countries.

The programme also highlights the potential for cooperation in healthcare, where knowledge-sharing and professional training can help strengthen medical capabilities across the region.

Indigenous Nuclear Technology Marks Major Milestones

Singh Deo pointed to India’s domestic nuclear technology capabilities as another area of significant progress.

She referred to the achievement in April 2026 of criticality at the indigenous 500-megawatt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. Criticality marks the point at which a nuclear reactor sustains a controlled chain reaction.

She also highlighted a reported milestone in June, when the reactor demonstrated heat-based hydrogen production, describing it as a first-of-its-kind achievement globally.

These developments, she said, reflect India’s advances in nuclear research and its efforts to expand the applications of nuclear technology.

Nuclear Power Generation and Safety Record Highlighted

Singh Deo also cited the performance of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), which generated 55,190 million units of electricity during the previous year, according to the figures she presented.

The company recorded an overall plant load factor of 80 per cent, she said, while highlighting India’s stated emphasis on operational safety.

Nuclear power and research applications, she added, form an important part of India’s technological progress and its wider engagement with international partners.

Expanding Access to Nuclear Science

India’s message at the UN centred on the idea that scientific progress should contribute to wider development rather than remain concentrated among a limited number of countries.

Through its RCA chairmanship, development partnership programmes and regional training initiatives, India is seeking to expand opportunities for countries to benefit from nuclear science and technology.

Singh Deo’s remarks underscored the country’s ambition to combine its growing technological capabilities with international cooperation, positioning scientific collaboration as an important element of its engagement with the Global South.

Kartik Brata 2026: Traditional Habisa Dalma and Agasti Saga Face Declining Demand

Puri, Oct 24: Traditional foods associated with Odisha’s sacred Kartik month appear to be losing their place in the daily observances of some devotees, with declining demand for Habisa Dalma and Agasti Saga raising concerns about the preservation of the state’s religious culinary heritage.

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Servitors associated with the preparation and sale of food offerings at the Ananta Vasudeva Temple in Puri say changing food preferences and evolving lifestyles have gradually altered the way devotees observe Mahakartika Brata. Dishes once considered essential to the month-long religious practice are now attracting fewer buyers.

Traditional Dietary Practices Gradually Changing

According to Mahasuara servitors, devotees observing the brata followed strict rules about food, clothing and rituals around 15 years ago. Their daily routines were guided by established religious customs, including specific restrictions on what they ate and how they consumed prasad.

Over time, however, some of these practices have become less common. The servitors say the change is particularly visible in the demand for traditional Kartik dishes.

Habisa Dalma, once widely prepared and sold for devotees observing the brata, is now available from far fewer vendors. According to the servitors, only two vendors continue to sell the dish, compared with the larger number who offered it in the past.

Vendors have also begun adapting their preparations to changing preferences among devotees.

Habisa Dalma: A Simple Dish With Religious Significance

Traditionally, Habisa Dalma is prepared without tempering, using ingredients such as moong dal, raw banana, colocasia and elephant apple. Cumin and black pepper powder are added in small quantities for flavour.

The dish forms part of the traditional food practices followed during Mahakartika Brata, when devotees observe religious discipline and consume prescribed foods as part of their spiritual routine.

Traditionally, devotees would eat their prasad only once a day while following various dietary restrictions. Some practices were observed with particular strictness, with servitors recalling that certain devotees would stop eating if they heard a dog barking or noticed what they considered an inauspicious sign during a meal.

Such accounts illustrate the depth of ritual discipline associated with the observance in earlier years.

Agasti Saga Losing Its Place on the Traditional Plate

Agasti Saga, or agasti greens, is another food traditionally associated with Kartik Brata. It is commonly prepared with moong dal and without tempering, in keeping with the simple cooking methods followed during the observance.

The greens are also associated with Sage Agastya and carry a place in traditional beliefs about food and health.

However, servitors say some devotees now consume only two or three leaves of Agasti Saga to fulfil the ritual requirement rather than including it as a regular part of their meal.

Although traditional Ayurvedic accounts attribute health benefits to the plant, specific medicinal claims require scientific evidence and should not be treated as established medical facts.

The reduction in consumption has prompted concern among those involved in preparing traditional offerings, who fear that the dish could gradually disappear from everyday Kartik observances if fewer devotees continue to seek it.

Temple to Serve Habisa Dalma Throughout Kartik

Despite the decline in demand, Habisa Dalma will continue to be available at Ananta Vasudeva Temple during the month, according to Abhijit Garabadu.

He said the dish would be served from Monday, October 26, to cater to devotees observing the brata.

Mahakartika Brata begins on October 26 this year. Devotees will worship Rai Damodara throughout the observance, culminating in Panchuka—the final five days of Kartik month—when special worship of Baga-Baguli is also observed.

The period holds considerable religious importance in Odisha, drawing devotees who follow traditional rituals, dietary restrictions and devotional practices.

Preserving Odisha’s Religious Food Heritage

The changing popularity of Habisa Dalma and Agasti Saga reflects a broader challenge facing traditional food customs: maintaining long-established practices as lifestyles and preferences evolve.

For servitors and vendors, these dishes are more than everyday meals. They are part of the cultural and religious identity of Kartik Brata, connecting food preparation with devotional discipline and inherited customs.

As the observance begins this year, the continued availability of these traditional foods offers devotees an opportunity to maintain those practices. Whether younger generations and changing consumer preferences will sustain demand remains an open question.

The concern among servitors is that, without continued participation by devotees, distinctive foods associated with Mahakartika may gradually lose their place in the rituals they have long accompanied.

Railways Step Up Security Plans to Ensure Safe Diwali and Chhath Travel

New Delhi, Oct 24: The government is strengthening railway security and crowd-management measures ahead of Diwali, Chhath Puja and other major festivals, with a focus on ensuring safe passenger movement at busy stations and along crowded train routes.

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The issue was discussed at the 8th All India Conference of Government Railway Police (GRP) Chiefs, convened by the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The meeting brought together railway security officials and representatives from states and Union Territories to review emerging challenges, share best practices and improve coordination among the RPF, GRP and state police forces.

According to the Ministry of Railways, discussions focused on advance planning, surveillance, passenger-flow management and the coordinated deployment of security personnel during peak travel periods.

Coordinated Crowd Management at Busy Stations

Northern Railway’s Delhi Division presented its arrangements for managing festival crowds through coordination with Delhi Police, GRP and Delhi Metro authorities.

The measures include CCTV surveillance, public announcement systems, barricading, designated holding areas and dedicated control rooms to monitor passenger movement and respond to emerging situations.

Officials stressed that advance preparation and effective coordination are essential to prevent congestion and maintain orderly movement at stations during periods of heavy passenger traffic.

RailMadad Platform to Strengthen Passenger Grievance Redressal

A key development discussed at the conference was the onboarding of GRP personnel onto the RailMadad platform by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).

The integration is intended to improve the handling of passenger complaints, facilitate timely information sharing and strengthen complaint monitoring. It is expected to help railway security personnel respond more efficiently to passenger concerns.

The conference was presided over by RPF Director General Sonali Mishra and attended by Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar, Railway Board members and GRP chiefs from across the country.

Women-Led Security Model Showcased

South Central Railway’s initiative, “Pink Patrol: Eyes in the Sky, SHAKTI on the Ground,” was highlighted as an example of technology-supported railway security.

The model combines drone-assisted surveillance with rapid-response teams operating under the SHAKTI framework. The initiative demonstrates how aerial monitoring and ground-level intervention can work together to strengthen security.

Such approaches are aimed at improving surveillance and enabling quicker responses to incidents, particularly in areas requiring closer monitoring.

Stone-Pelting on Trains Remains a Major Concern

Stone-pelting on trains was another key issue discussed at the meeting. Officials emphasised hotspot-based patrolling, improved surveillance, strict action against offenders and stronger coordination between the RPF and GRP.

The conference also underlined the importance of community awareness and preventive engagement, particularly among young people, to discourage dangerous behaviour that can injure passengers and railway staff.

Project DISHA Focuses on Railway Safety Awareness

Central Railway’s Pune Division presented Project DISHA, or Dedicated Initiative for Safety, Harmony and Awareness, which seeks to engage children living near railway tracks through educational and recreational activities.

The initiative includes safety-awareness sessions and community-based interventions designed to discourage stone-pelting, theft, trespassing and other unsafe activities around railway infrastructure.

Partnerships with non-governmental organisations, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers and local communities are central to the programme. The approach aims to promote responsible behaviour and build awareness of the dangers associated with railway tracks.

Focus on Safer Festival Journeys

With Diwali and Chhath expected to bring heavy passenger traffic, railway authorities are prioritising security planning, surveillance and coordination among agencies responsible for passenger safety.

The conference provided a platform to review existing practices and identify ways to respond more effectively to crowd-related risks and other security challenges.

The overall objective is to ensure that passengers can travel safely during the festive rush through better preparation, faster grievance redressal, stronger field-level coordination and greater public awareness.

Puri Jagannath Temple May Revise Mahaprasad Prices as Ingredient Costs Rise

Puri, Oct 24: The price of Abadha Mahaprasad, the sacred offering served at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, may increase amid rising costs of essential ingredients, including rice, pulses, vegetables and ghee.

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The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has held discussions with the Suara Mahasuara Nijog, the body representing servitors involved in preparing the temple’s Mahaprasad, over a possible revision of prices.

However, SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee has indicated that the administration will seek to keep Mahaprasad affordable for devotees, particularly as Puri prepares for a surge in pilgrims during the holy Kartika month.

Rising Ingredient Costs Put Pressure on Temple Kitchen

The rising prices of essential food items have reportedly increased the cost of preparing Mahaprasad in the temple kitchen, where offerings are prepared daily according to established rituals.

Representatives of the Suara Mahasuara Nijog have expressed concern over the growing financial burden on those involved in the preparation. Apart from increases in the prices of rice, pulses and vegetables, Omfed ghee has reportedly become more expensive following three price hikes in recent months.

The rising input costs have prompted discussions about whether the current prices of Mahaprasad need to be revised to account for the additional expenditure.

No final price revision was confirmed in the information available at the time of reporting.

Administration Seeks to Keep Mahaprasad Affordable

Padhee said the temple administration had consulted the Suara Mahasuara Nijog and was maintaining communication with the organisation to address the issue.

He emphasised that devotees should continue to have access to the sacred offering at affordable prices, adding that the administration was seeking cooperation from the concerned stakeholders.

Mahaprasad holds deep religious significance for devotees visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple. For many pilgrims, partaking in the offering is an essential part of their visit, making any potential price increase a matter of public interest.

The administration is therefore expected to weigh the increased cost of ingredients against the need to ensure that devotees can obtain Mahaprasad without undue financial difficulty.

Kartika Month Adds Urgency to the Issue

The possible revision comes just ahead of Kartika month, a particularly important period in Puri’s religious calendar. Large numbers of devotees, including Habishyalis—women who observe specific religious practices during the month—are expected to visit or stay in the pilgrimage town.

The anticipated increase in the number of pilgrims is likely to place additional attention on the availability and affordability of Mahaprasad.

For devotees observing religious vows, access to the sacred offering is an important part of their spiritual practice. Temple authorities are consequently seeking a balance between managing higher preparation costs and meeting pilgrims’ expectations.

Final Decision Yet to Be Announced

While discussions between the SJTA and the Suara Mahasuara Nijog have taken place, the exact extent and timing of any price increase remain unclear.

The final decision will be closely watched by devotees, particularly those planning visits to Puri during Kartika month.

For now, the temple administration has stressed its intention to keep Mahaprasad accessible, even as rising ingredient prices put pressure on the traditional preparation process.

Kendrapara Gears Up for Grand Gajalakshmi Puja; CCTV, Drones and Heavy Security Planned

Kendrapara, Oct 24: Kendrapara is gearing up for its annual Gajalakshmi Puja, with preparations nearing completion across the town ahead of the seven-day celebration beginning on October 25. Elaborately decorated pandals, illuminated arches and ornate Goddess Lakshmi idols are set to draw devotees, while authorities are strengthening security and crowd-management arrangements.

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The festival will continue until October 31, with Goddess Lakshmi worshipped at 68 puja mandaps across Kendrapara town and hundreds more in the surrounding areas. Silver tableaux, popularly known as Chandi Medha, gold crowns and intricate zari decorations are expected to be among the major attractions this year.

Ornate Pandals and Silver Tableaux to Be Major Attractions

Artisans are putting the finishing touches on idols, including painting and decorative work, while organisers are completing the elaborate entrances and lighting arrangements at puja mandaps.

The Chandi Medha at the Kakata Mangala, Khadianga, Bimbalai and Madhial mandaps is expected to attract particular attention. Gold crowns and decorative tableaux will add to the grandeur of the celebrations.

Idol artisan Upendra Maharana said the work was almost complete and that the idol would be delivered on October 25. He noted that creating an idol required considerable skill, but the ultimate satisfaction came from seeing how devotees received the finished work.

Puja committee members said elaborate arrangements had been made to make this year’s festival memorable. At one mandap, organisers have prepared a gold crown and a silver tableau, while a special musical evening featuring singers from Mumbai is also planned.

The festival holds deep cultural and religious significance in Kendrapara, where devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi as the deity of wealth, prosperity and good fortune.

Melana and Immersion Processions on November 1 and 2

Following the conclusion of the seven-day worship, the melana gatherings and idol immersion processions will take place on November 1 and 2.

The administration has conducted a lottery to determine the sequence in which the tableaux will participate in the processions, helping officials plan movement and crowd control along the designated routes.

Kendrapara MLA Ganeswar Behera said around 80 to 90 per cent of the preparations had been completed. He added that a request had been made for a two-hour extension for the melana and immersion processions.

The processions will be conducted in accordance with religious traditions, with the administration responsible for overseeing arrangements and maintaining order.

CCTV, Drones and Body Cameras for Security

With large gatherings expected throughout the festival, police and district authorities are preparing enhanced security measures to ensure the celebrations pass off peacefully.

CCTV cameras, drones and police personnel equipped with body cameras are expected to be deployed to monitor crowds and procession routes. Heavy police deployment and coordinated crowd-management measures are also planned.

Kendrapara Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kataria said security arrangements used during last year’s festival, including surveillance cameras, drones and body cameras, would be repeated, with a focus on improving safety and monitoring.

The administration is also working to manage traffic and prevent overcrowding during the main celebrations and immersion processions.

Plastic-Free Celebrations and Public Participation

Alongside security, the district administration is encouraging residents and puja committees to make the festival more environmentally responsible.

Kendrapara Collector Raghuram R. Iyer said the municipality had appealed to people to observe a plastic-free puja. The Shrestha Puja Mandap initiative, featuring different categories, is also intended to encourage public participation and promote better festival practices.

Organisers and officials are hopeful that favourable weather and coordinated arrangements will help the celebrations proceed smoothly.

A Festival Rooted in Faith and Community

Gajalakshmi Puja is an important annual event in Kendrapara, bringing together devotees, artisans, local committees and visitors. The elaborate decorations and immersion processions form a central part of the town’s festive identity.

As the final preparations enter their closing stage, the focus is on combining the traditional grandeur of the festival with public safety, responsible celebrations and efficient crowd management.

With the main puja scheduled to begin on October 25 and immersion events planned for November 1 and 2, authorities and organisers are working to ensure that devotees can participate in the celebrations safely.

Odisha on Cyclone Alert: Storm May Approach Coast by October 28, IMD Warns of Extremely Heavy Rainfall

Bhubaneswar, Oct 24: Odisha is bracing for a possible cyclone over the Bay of Bengal, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting intensification of the weather system and its approach towards the southern Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts by the morning of October 28.

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The developing system is expected to bring heavy rainfall to several parts of Odisha, with coastal districts likely to experience worsening weather conditions from October 26. The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall on October 27, followed by the possibility of extremely heavy downpours on October 28 and 29.

However, the precise landfall location and the intensity of the system at the time of landfall have not yet been determined.

System Likely to Intensify into Cyclonic Storm

According to IMD Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen progressively over the coming days.

The system was forecast to develop into a depression on October 24, intensify into a deep depression on October 25 and potentially become a cyclonic storm by October 26.

Wind speeds were forecast to reach 70–80 kmph, with gusts of up to 90 kmph, as the system developed. Wind speeds could increase further as it moves closer to the coast.

The weather system is expected to travel west-northwestwards towards the north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coastal region. Its subsequent movement and intensity will determine the extent of the impact on the coastal districts.

Odisha IMD Director Manorama Mohanty also indicated that the system could intensify into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 26 before approaching the coast over the following two days.

Heavy Rainfall Likely Across Several Districts

The approaching system is expected to trigger widespread rainfall across Odisha, with some districts facing the possibility of exceptionally heavy precipitation.

Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri are among the districts likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated locations potentially experiencing extremely heavy showers.

Other districts forecast to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places include Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur.

The expected spell of intense rainfall could increase the risk of localised waterlogging, flooding in vulnerable areas and disruption to road transport and normal activities. The actual impact will depend on the system’s movement, rainfall distribution and local conditions.

Coastal Areas Face Increasing Weather Risks

With the system expected to move closer to the Odisha coast, coastal districts may experience deteriorating weather conditions from October 26 onwards.

The possibility of stronger winds and intense rainfall makes continued monitoring of the system particularly important for coastal communities, fishermen and people living in low-lying and vulnerable areas.

Residents should follow official weather bulletins and advisories issued by the IMD and local authorities. Fishermen should pay close attention to restrictions or warnings regarding sea conditions and fishing activities.

People in areas prone to flooding should also remain alert to official instructions and be prepared to move to safer locations if directed by the authorities.

Exact Landfall Location Yet to Be Confirmed

Despite the likelihood of further intensification, the IMD has not yet specified the exact point where the system may make landfall or confirmed the wind speed expected at that time.

The forecast indicates that the system may approach the southern Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh coasts around the morning of October 28. Its eventual track, intensity and coastal impact will become clearer as further observations and forecasts become available.

The distinction is important: the system’s approach towards the coast has been forecast, but a precise landfall location has not yet been confirmed.

Odisha Keeps a Close Watch on Developing Situation

The coming days will be crucial in determining the extent of the potential weather threat. Changes in the system’s direction, speed and intensity could influence rainfall patterns and the level of preparedness required across affected districts.

With heavy rainfall expected from October 26 and the possibility of extremely heavy showers later in the week, residents are advised to remain informed through official updates rather than rely on unverified reports or speculation.

The immediate priority is to monitor the evolving forecast, take official warnings seriously and ensure timely preparedness as the Bay of Bengal system moves closer to the Odisha coast.