Trust joltThe controversy over a trust named after political stalwarts Biju Patnaik and Naveen Patnaik in Delhi has left two BJD MLAs red-faced. While the ruling BJP launched a blistering attack on the trust ahead of the recent Rajya Sabha polls, BJD legislators Goutam Buddha Das and Pramila Mallik had categorically dismissed its existence, branding it a fabricated narrative spun by the BJP. Their stance, however, backfired when BJD president Naveen Patnaik himself publicly confirmed the formation of the trust. The revelation forced Das and Mallik into an embarrassing climbdown. Ignorance is blissIn ward 37 (Shaktinagar) under Cuttack Municipal Corporation, a banner has been turning heads, drawing chuckles, and perhaps pricking a few consciences. The message, laced with humour, stems from a real civic concern. Despite the presence of designated dustbins and regular door-to-door garbage collection by CMC, a section of residents has made a habit of dumping waste at a particular spot near an under-construction open gym. Frustration over the recurring nuisance seems to have resulted in the banner which delivers a tongue-in-cheek wish that those responsible for dumping garbage be reborn as pigs. While the banner may evoke laughter at first glance, it also underscores a deeper issue, which is the lack of basic civic sense. The ‘Hormuz’ linkWith the Strait of Hormuz trending faster than neighbourhood gossip, people of Bhubaneswar have done what they do best — found a local version and turned it into comedy material. In what is called a truly smart-city move, residents have discovered that the Bomikhal flyover looks qualified to be called Bhubaneswar’s very own Strait of Hormuz. Same arch, same dramatic vibe, far less geopolitics, and significantly more two-wheelers. Naturally, the internet wasted absolutely no time. Photos of the flyover started popping up everywhere with the glorious caption — “Presenting the Strait of Hormuz of Bhubaneswar.” Global tension outside, local content inside. Grace personifiedChief secretary Anu Garg recently met a group of women officers who had just returned after undergoing specialised training. But the real masterclass happened after the meeting, during the photo session. What made the moment truly memorable was the photograph they clicked together. Garg and the officers were all dressed in stunning handloom sarees, looking graceful and elegant. Their smiles did not just light up the frame, they practically held their own meeting within the photo. It was less an official gathering and more Odia culture casually setting the bar higher. The photo with the lovely smiles went viral in no time with appreciation pouring in for promoting Odia culture.(Contributed by Team TOI)
