Bhubaneswar: The Odisha govt has issued a stern warning to private and govt schools that were continuing to run classes despite the official declaration of summer vacation from May 3.This comes in the wake of reports from several districts that some schools were still conducting academic activities, flouting the govt’s directive issued in view of the intense heatwave sweeping across the state.The school and mass education department earlier announced summer vacation for all schools from April 22, citing rising temperatures and health concerns for students amidst the intense heatwave situation across the state. However, complaints surfaced that some schools, particularly private ones, were either holding regular classes or conducting extra coaching sessions during school hours.Taking serious note of these violations, the department directed district education officers (DEO) to conduct surprise inspections and submit reports. “Strict action will be taken against any school found violating the summer vacation directive. The safety and well-being of children cannot be compromised,” said Durga Prasad Mohapatra, additional secretary of the department in a letter issued to all district education officers on Wednesday.Parents have also raised concerns over the continued functioning of some schools, stating that prolonged exposure to heat could adversely affect children’s health. The IMD predicted that the heatwave conditions would persist in many parts of the state over the next few days.The department urged all schools to comply with the vacation order and refrain from any academic activity until further notice. The govt has also appealed to parents to report any violations by schools in their locality to the nearest DEO or block education officer.

Jamshedpur: The process to hold census of wild animals for 2025 commenced at the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary(DWS) with orientation and training of the survey officials on Thursday.A total of 120 officials, including officers, forest guards, and trackers of 12 teams will conduct the survey from May 20.TheEco Village Committee(EVC) volunteers will assist the foresters.The 192 sq km area of the forest has been bifurcated with an equal number of teams on either side of the forest for the survey.The divisional forest officer (DFO) of the DWS, Saba Alam, said, “Water hole survey, pug mark count, camera spotting and transact line survey will be done. Tiger Samrat will be included in the species data this year.”A total of 43 natural water holes, 60 artificial ponds, and over 20 hideouts will be surveyed.The natural ponds, of 60×40 area and 15 to 20 ft deep, are a preferred spot of the elephants for quenching thirst and beating the heat.The man-made water bodies are lakes with slopes around the water hole which are mostly 30×30 area size with a depth running 10 feet. The smaller animals opt for the artificial ponds.A total of 20 watch towers and 80 makeshift scaffolding platforms will be used by the survey teams.The teams will be equipped with modern telescopes, thermal imaging scopes, camera traps, binoculars, range finder, GPS trackers.Jamshedpur: The process to hold census of wild animals for 2025 commenced at the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) with orientation and training of the survey officials on Thursday.A total of 120 officials, including officers, forest guards, and trackers of 12 teams will conduct the survey from May 20. The Eco Village Committee (EVC) volunteers will assist the foresters.The 192 sq km area of the forest has been bifurcated with an equal number of teams on either side of the forest for the survey.The divisional forest officer (DFO) of the DWS, Saba Alam, said, “Water hole survey, pug mark count, camera spotting and transact line survey will be done. Tiger Samrat will be included in the species data this year.”A total of 43 natural water holes, 60 artificial ponds, and over 20 hideouts will be surveyed. The natural ponds, of 60×40 area and 15 to 20 ft deep, are a preferred spot of the elephants for quenching thirst and beating the heat.The man-made water bodies are lakes with slopes around the water hole which are mostly 30×30 area size with a depth running 10 feet. The smaller animals opt for the artificial ponds.A total of 20 watch towers and 80 makeshift scaffolding platforms will be used by the survey teams.The teams will be equipped with modern telescopes, thermal imaging scopes, camera traps, binoculars, range finder, GPS trackers.

Kolkata: The family of a 43-year-old woman who died after a uterus removal surgery — hysterectomy — approached Calcutta HC against the compensation of Rs 25 lakh awarded by National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.The family had claimed Rs 97 lakh for death due to medical negligence on April 26, 2010. The case is being heard by Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya. The judge, on April 28, 2025, directed the family to serve a copy of the application to the doctor and the private medical facility. The matter will be listed in the monthly list of June. “The incident was beyond contemplation and using the term shock would be an understatement,” the family’s counsel, Srijib Chakraborty, said.Sima Pal had been undergoing gynaecological issues and, upon consultation with the accused doctor, agreed to undergo surgery. After the surgery, the family was informed that she was stable. But on April 24, 2010, she had a fever and started vomiting. She was given blood but the family said it was contaminated. The doctor refused to discharge her. On April 25, the doctor asked the woman’s husband to shift her to another hospital, where she later died.