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Politics & faith: Jagannath project marks BJD’s Odisha push

The changes have taken place under a ₹400 crore project called the ‘Shreemandir Parikrama Project’ launched by the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government

Updated on: Jan 11, 2024, 07:36:38 IST
By , Puri
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In the summer of 2021, Gourahari Pradhan, 65, would stand less than a hundred metres away from the iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri, usually in a state of irritation and annoyance.

The Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri. (File)
The Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri. (File)

Pradhan grew up in the city, and the temple framed his devotion. The world could change around him, but this was his constant; an unfailing, every day walk from his home 1km away to the cobbled stone that announced the periphery of the 12th century temple built during the

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty

Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.

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