All Day

Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament & Youth Fests

Baleswar Balasore District, Odisha, India, Baleswar

Viksit Bharat Youth Parliament & Youth Fests provide a platform for young people in Balasore to engage in discussions on governance, nation-building, social development, and civic responsibilities. Institutional bodies such as Fakir Mohan University (FM University) facilitate youth leadership summits, regional conventions, debates, and cultural activities that encourage students to participate actively in public life. The programmes focus on developing leadership skills, communication, critical thinking, political and civic awareness, and community participation among young people. Through Youth Parliament sessions and youth festivals, participants get opportunities to express their views on contemporary issues, exchange ideas with peers, and contribute to discussions about the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).

International Wildlife Trafficking Probe

A major wildlife trafficking investigation has drawn attention in Balasore following the reported rescue of five rare baby orangutans from a casuarina plantation in the Bhograi block/Jaleswar Range. The discovery raised serious concerns because orangutans are critically endangered and are naturally found only on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, far from Odisha. Following the rescue, the Special Task Force (STF) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) became involved in a coordinated investigation to determine how the animals reached Balasore and identify those allegedly connected to the suspected international wildlife-smuggling network. The case has highlighted the importance of forest surveillance, wildlife protection, and coordinated enforcement efforts to combat illegal trafficking of endangered species.

Ganesh Puja

Baleswar Balasore District, Odisha, India, Baleswar

Ganesh Puja (Ganeshotsav) is a widely celebrated festival in Baleshwar, bringing communities together for devotional activities, cultural programs, and beautifully decorated pandals. Ahead of the celebrations and immersion ceremonies, local administrative authorities and the Baleshwar Police conducted a high-level peace committee meeting at Gandhi Smruti Bhawan to ensure the festival is celebrated safely and peacefully. The meeting focused on public safety, traffic and crowd management, fire-safety protocols, cleanliness, and coordination with Ganesh Puja committees across the district. Authorities also discussed necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of immersion processions, helping ensure a secure, orderly, and environmentally responsible Ganeshotsav for residents and visitors.

Nuakhai

Baleswar Balasore District, Odisha, India, Baleswar

Nuakhai is a cherished harvest festival celebrated across Odisha, marking the welcoming and offering of the season’s newly harvested rice. In Balasore, the festival brings families and communities together to express gratitude for a successful harvest, seek blessings for prosperity, and celebrate Odisha’s strong agricultural traditions. On this occasion, people prepare traditional delicacies using the new rice, offer Nabanna (newly harvested food) to their deities, and share festive meals with family, friends, and neighbors. Traditional customs, cultural gatherings, music, and community feasts add to the festive atmosphere, making Nuakhai a meaningful celebration of harvest, unity, gratitude, and Odisha’s rural heritage.