Island renamed

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday announced the renaming of Wheeler Island in Bhadrak on the Bay of Bengal coast as Abdul Kalam Island in memory of the late president. The island is located at a strategically important position and has been used as the launching pad for India’s missile defence system. It is considered as the best missile launching site in the world. Kalam had a special relationship with Odisha when he worked at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Balasore. The chief minister said that renaming of the island in the name of the “missile man” would inspire youngsters to work dedicatedly for 
scientific research.  

Award

Bhubaneswar: Nalco has bagged the prestigious Engineering Export Promotion Council’s Star Performer Award, for 
outstanding export performance during 2013-14. A.K. Murthy, general manager (port facilities), received the award on behalf of the company from union minister of state for commerce and industry, Nirmala Sitharaman, in New Delhi on September 3.

Two killed

Berhampur: Two persons were killed in an explosion at an illegal firecrackers manufacturing unit at Nalabanta, a tiny hamlet on the outskirts of Aska in Ganjam district. The deceased were identified as Ashok Pradhan,46 and Pintu Khatua, 25 of the same village. 

Leakage contained

Bhubaneswar: The leakage in the common pipeline of the three oil marketing companies (Indian Oil, BPCL and HPCL) near Paradip, caused by local criminals has been contained. The Indian Oil team, which rushed to the site, identified the leak and cordoned off the area. The matter was reported to local police who are conducting detailed investigations. In another development, the Indian Oil has enhanced the security in the area with round-the-clock patrolling of guards to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, said company sources.

Steel meet

Bhubaneswar: A delegation of the Steel Association of India on Friday met chief minister Naveen Patnaik at the secretariat and sought the state government's support to the steel industries. Association president Sanak Mishra said unless the government came out in its support, it would be difficult to compete with China and Japan. The association demanded cheap raw materials and a competitive tariff for water to be consumed by the industries.

Water bodies

Bhubaneswar: The state government will work towards renovating water bodies in Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur through the civic bodies with an investment of Rs 25.51 crore. The money will be sourced from the civic bodies, Urban Infrastructure Development Fund and loan from the state government.

Raid

Berhampur: The vigilance department conducted raids on the fertiliser godowns of MARKFED situated at Jagannathpur and Jilundi in Ganjam district and some places in Gajapati and Boudh districts on Friday. Acting on a tip-off regarding storage and clandestine transportation of fertiliser the department officials conducted the raid. The officials seized some relevant documents and the inquiry is under progress.

Rally

Sambalpur: Sports lovers, under the banner of the Sambalpur District Athletic Association, on Friday organised a rally, demanding the arrest of the criminals involved in the attack on the house of Odisha Cricket Association secretary Ashirbad Behera in Cuttack on August 28. The rally originated from the Nari Seva Sadan ground and culminated in front of the police superintendent's office.