Aradhana Das, hailing from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, has made history by becoming the 2nd runner-up in the prestigious Mrs India Middle East beauty pageant’s 2nd Season Finale, held in Dubai. This achievement marks her as the first Odia woman to secure a podium finish in this exclusive event for Indian married women living in the Middle East.

The Mrs India Middle East pageant, which began in 2023, aims to celebrate the beauty, talent, and cultural identity of Indian married women residing in the Middle East. Participants from across India competed in various rounds, showcasing their elegance, intellect, confidence, and cultural pride in categories like traditional attire, gown, talent, and interviews.

Aradhana, who has been living in Dubai for the past seven years with her husband, Suryakant Behera, and their daughter, Saanvi Behera, also won the Mrs Intellectual award in this year’s competition. Throughout the pageant, she proudly highlighted Odisha’s rich culture, making her win even more significant for her community.

Expressing his pride, Suryakant Behera shared his joy on social media, stating, “Happy to convey that my wife was crowned as 2nd Runners-up in Mrs India Middle East 2024 beauty pageant held in Dubai. Her dedication, commitment, self-confidence, and strong willpower have made this possible. She is the first Odia woman to achieve this accolade. Really proud of you, wife.”

Aradhana, a former banking professional who left her career to focus on her family, shared her happiness, stating that it had always been her dream to participate in such events. With the support of her family, she finally fulfilled her dream and earned the coveted title.

Taking pride in her Odia heritage, Aradhana has expressed her intention to participate in more international events, continuing to showcase the rich culture and traditions of Odisha on a global stage. Her remarkable achievement in the Mrs India Middle East pageant reflects her dedication, talent, and passion for promoting her cultural roots. This significant win for Aradhana Das highlights the strength, confidence, and grace of Indian married women, bringing pride to Odisha and setting an inspiring example for women across the globe.

The Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district is set to receive two melanistic Royal Bengal Tigers from Maharashtra, as part of a translocation initiative aimed at boosting the tiger population and genetic diversity in the region. This move comes as a significant step in enhancing conservation efforts and addressing concerns of inbreeding within the tiger population at STR.

Officials from the Odisha Forest Department have confirmed that the tigers will be brought from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, the largest tiger reserve in Maharashtra. A specialized team, including the STR Director, Assistant Director, veterinary doctors, and a rapid response unit, has already been dispatched to Maharashtra to oversee the selection and translocation process.

The primary objective of this initiative is to increase the tiger population and introduce genetic diversity, which is crucial for the long-term survival of the species in the reserve. Currently, STR is home to 28 tigers, and the introduction of these new tigers will help strengthen the conservation program.

In addition to the two tigers for Similipal, the Odisha government plans to bring three tigers to Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, with a total of five tigers being translocated from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra under this project. The state government had previously reached out to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to consider introducing female tigers to Similipal, which is a critical part of this conservation strategy.

The translocation process will commence once the special team from Odisha identifies the two tigers in Tadoba National Park that are suitable for relocation. This effort is expected to significantly contribute to the preservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger population in Odisha and ensure the health and sustainability of the species in the Similipal region.

A 600-year-old stone engraving, known as ‘Veer Shila’ (hero stone), has been deciphered in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, revealing important historical details about the Ganga dynasty’s reign in the region. The discovery was made by Raj Kumar Rate, a History lecturer at Khariar Autonomous College in Nuapada, during a field survey in 2022. He found the hero stone in Junagarh and two other memorial stones in Hirasagarpada.

Rate collaborated with renowned epigraphist Bishnu Mohan Adhikari from Paralakhemundi to decipher the inscriptions. The ‘Veer Shila,’ which measures five feet high and 1.5 feet wide, features a three-line inscription in proto-Odia, a precursor to the modern Odia script, indicating its connection to the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The inscription refers to a boy named Madana or Mardana, who played a significant role in suppressing a rebellion or agitation. This suggests his association with the Ganga ruler Bhanudeba, a key figure in the dynasty.

The iconography on the stone depicts a heroic figure wielding a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left. Above the hero figure, a crescent moon and a female palm in the Abhayamudra (a gesture of protection and fearlessness) are engraved, symbolizing protection and valor. This imagery, along with the proto-Odia script, dates the ‘Veer Shila’ to sometime between the 12th and 14th centuries CE.

Adhikari, who has previously deciphered 45 inscriptions in Odisha, highlighted the historical significance of the find, noting that it adds to the growing collection of Ganga-era inscriptions in the Kalahandi region. This discovery further emphasizes the Ganga dynasty’s influence in Eastern Odisha, particularly in the Kalahandi Dandapata area. This important find sheds new light on the region’s medieval history and the heroism celebrated during the Eastern Ganga dynasty’s rule in Odisha.