Super cyclone Amphan live updates: Over 1.25 lakh in Odisha, 3.5 lakh in Bengal evacuated to safer places

World famous Rajarani Music Festival kicks off in Bhubaneswar

The world famous Rajarani Music Festival took off on a high note in Odisha's Bhubaneswar on January 18. The three-day event is being held on 11th century Rajarani Temple's premises. The audience was enthralled after listening to the euphonious phrases. The festival celebrates the richness of Indian classical music. The annual event features artistes from across the country. This international music festival is being organised since 2003 by the state tourism department.

Watch: 11-ft long python rescued by Forest Department in Odisha's Brahmapur

An 11-ft long python was rescued by the Forest Department in Odisha's Brahmapur. It was found inside a JCB machine. The python was later released in nearby jungle.

Chilika Lake becomes favourite destination for rare Irrawaddy Dolphins

Chilika Lake has become a favourite destination not only for migratory birds but also for rare Irrawaddy Dolphins. According to Chilika Development Authority (CDA), the lake records its highest ever count with 11.42 lakh migratory birds. During the monitoring of flora and fauna of Chilika Lake on January 15, 2021, dolphin population in Chilika Lake recorded with 156 along with five species of seagrass were reported. The annual bird count of Asia's largest brackish water lagoon was undertaken on January 14. Chilika now has 22 per cent of India's seagrass area. "State Government is focusing on eco-tourism in the state. At present there are around 47 such sites in the state along with Chilika Lake, we are focusing to add more facilities at these sites," Hari Shankar Upadhyay, Principal Chief Conservation of Forests (Wildlife), Odisha said.

Don't need her certificate: Vijayvargiya on Mamata's 'BJP more dangerous than Naxalites' remark

BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya reacted on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statement calling the party "more dangerous than Naxals". He said that BJP doesn't need CM Banerjee's certificate that it is dangerous or not. "People of the country have made Narendra Modi Prime Minister second time so we don't need Mamata Banerjee's certificate,' he said. He added that BJP will only choose those TMC leaders who are not indulged in anti-national activities.

Aditya Birla Group's Vice President joins BJP ahead of Bengal polls

Ranjan Banerjee, senior vice-president of Aditya Birla Group, joined the BJP in Kolkata on January 20. He joined the party in the presence of BJP's national vice president Mukul Roy. Meanwhile, Arindam Bhattacharya, a former Congress MLA who later switched to TMC joined BJP. He joined BJP in the presence of party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya in New Delhi. Speaking to ANI, Ranjan Banerjee said, "I thank BJP for giving me this opportunity to serve the people of the state. We need to bring industries here so that people can get employment." Bengal is going for polls in the mid of 2021.

Mamata Vs who in Nandigram?’: Suvendu Adhikari responds; guarantees BJP win

Days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that she would contest the upcoming state assembly election from Nandigram, now her former aide turned BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has hit back. While Adhikari refused to confirm his candidature from Nandigram, he said that he would guarantee the victory of the candidate the BJP fields in Nandigram. ‘Mamata Banerjee has announced to contest from there, relying on 62,000 votes but I have 2.13 lakh people who chant 'Jai Shri Ram,’ Adhikari said. Meanwhile, in a fresh setback to the Trinamool Congress, Arindam Bhattacharya joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that he wants to join PM Modi’s mission of making an Atmanirbhar Bengal. Watch the full video for all the details.

Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates system to monitor all 8 refineries of Indian Oil

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated first-of-its-kind remote monitoring of gas turbines across all Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. refineries in Hyderabad on December 29. This system will track operations of all 8 refineries operated by IOCL across India. It will enhance the operational reliability, productivity and environment sustainability of refineries at Digboi, Bongaigaon, Paradip, Panipat, Gujarat, Mathura, Barauni and Haldia.