Voluntary action

The Kalinga Art Gallery in Bhubaneswar burst into a vibrant celebration of colour, courage, and creativity as Unmukt Foundation hosted its annual Art Exhibition 2025, themed “Freedom – From the Lens of a Child.”

As weather cleared briefly Sunday, rescue teams reached cut-off areas, airlifting aid to Sankhuwasabha and Dhankuta. Volunteers retrieved bodies as aid agencies coordinated emergency relief and logistical support.

This was the first major disaster to strike since the Trump administration suspended US foreign aid to Afghanistan in January. While Washington released statements of sympathy, it has made no formal pledge of direct financial assistance to quake relief.

He called upon governments to strengthen inclusive policies for tribal empowerment, ensure safe and dignified migration, build resilient urban systems, and invest in disaster preparedness.

The state had proposed expansive eco-tourism development in this area, which spans over 745 square kilometers.

At the heart of the campaign were the fishermen and residents of the Negombo lagoon region – people for whom the wetland is more than land or water; it’s the lifeblood of their daily existence.

Jagadananda, co-founder of the Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD), has been conferred the prestigious Justice A.K. Patnaik National Award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to grassroots democracy and inclusive development.

The crisis is not only ecological but cultural, symbolizing the collapse of protection strategies and the fragility of coexistence in a land where these pachyderms once roamed freely.