Khati corner

‘Khaja’ thieves

A viral video showing a group of devotees stealing khaja from an unattended container belonging to a poor street vendor after he was detained by police for unauthorized hawking near Puri Jagannath Temple has evoked widespread condemnation. Social media users slammed the crowd as shameless, calling the act a sin, especially given that they had come to Puri in pursuit of spiritual bliss. They also slammed the police for being insensitive and demanded action against the ‘khaja’ thieves.

Mango mania

From the orchards of Dhenkanal and Rayagada to the bustling markets of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the king of fruits is having a royal season. And this year, the story is not confined to Odisha alone. The state’s finest mangoes are preparing for international journeys, finding admirers in London, Germany, Greece and other overseas destinations. For mango growers, it is a moment of pride. As demand for premium Indian mangoes rises globally, Odisha’s farmers are increasingly looking beyond domestic markets. But while some mangoes are flying abroad, others are creating a buzz closer home. Enter Miyazaki, the famed Japanese mango variety often dubbed the world’s costliest mango. A handful of Odisha farmers have taken to cultivating the exotic fruit, turning their orchards into local attractions. Stories of farmers installing CCTV cameras and strengthening security arrangements to protect their prized harvest have only added to the mystique.

Slim & trim

After BJD Rajya Sabha member Debashish Samantaray joined BJP recently, it became a point of discussion on different online platforms. Many people from BJD and BJP spoke about the issue, but BJD Rajya Sabha member Sulata Deo’s statement was different. She said Samantaray’s departure from BJD made the party slim trim. “When a person becomes obese, he/she hits the gym or takes necessary steps to shed weight. Losing weight keeps the person healthy. Similarly, Samantaray’s exit made the party healthy,” quipped Deo. Some BJP members on social media handles said, “Hope the party does not become slimmer, otherwise it may face malnutrition.”

(Contributed by Team TOI)