Cross-Party Camaraderie Outside Lok Sabha
In a refreshing departure from the usual political confrontations, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi recently demonstrated that politicians from opposing parties can connect on a personal level without the need for debates or formal mediation. The two-time BJP MP was photographed outside the Lok Sabha sharing a light-hearted moment with BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sulata Deo, Congress MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, and Minister of State for Health Anupriya S Patel.
This rare cross-party gathering, which required no moderator or mute button, highlighted a spirit of unity beyond political affiliations. Aparajita Sarangi posted the cheerful snapshot on social media with the caption: "Beyond Party and Politics. Today—outside the Lok Sabha—saying goodbye when the Parliament closed down for some time. Celebrating Womanhood." Followers enthusiastically responded, dubbing it the "Pic of the Day" and praising the display of camaraderie among women leaders from diverse political backgrounds.
Wedding Procession Navigates Bharat Bandh Protests
During the recent Bharat Bandh, a unique incident unfolded at Jaydev Vihar square in Odisha. A youth dressed in a traditional sherwani and turban emerged from a car and approached protesters, requesting permission for his wedding procession to pass through. The procession included his car and a bus carrying family and friends, all headed to his marriage ceremony in a village within Khurda district.
Initially skeptical, the protesters questioned whether the youth was genuinely attending his own wedding. They asked him to swear on god, to which he immediately replied, "I swear on god that I am going to attend my marriage ceremony." Convinced by his earnest appeal, the protesters then requested his support for their movement before allowing the procession to proceed. Local policemen also assisted in facilitating the safe passage of the wedding party, ensuring the celebration could continue uninterrupted despite the bandh.
Public Outcry Over Bhubaneswar Metro Project Delay
Citizens and political leaders in Odisha are expressing growing frustration over the Bhubaneswar Metro rail project not receiving approval in the Union Budget. In a creative outburst of public discontent, residents have taken to social media to voice their concerns, drawing comparisons with Andhra Pradesh, which recently secured approval for a metro project.
One viral post encapsulated the sentiment, stating it feels like "watching your neighbour get a brand-new train while you're told to 'enjoy the bus'." Political figures, including Cuttack-Barabati MLA Sofia Firdous, have joined the chorus of criticism, labeling the situation "absolutely unacceptable" and calling for urgent action to address the infrastructure gap. The delay has sparked widespread debate about regional development priorities and the need for equitable resource allocation in urban transportation projects.
