Sarmistha Kabi

India Dominate Final to Win Record Sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup

Bhubaneswar: India stamped their authority on world youth cricket once again, clinching a record-extending sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title with a thumping 100-run victory over England U19 in the final at the Harare Sports Club on February 6, 2026. In a final that quickly turned one-sided, India produced a batting masterclass to post a…

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NHRC Seeks Report from Odisha Government on 34 Unelectrified Villages in Koraput

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a detailed report from the Odisha government over allegations that 34 villages in Koraput district continue to live without access to electricity, raising serious concerns about basic human rights and dignity. Taking cognisance of a complaint, the Commission noted that the affected villages are located in…

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Publicity Chariot Launched Ahead of 20th Toshali Swadeshi Mela in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: A publicity chariot was flagged off on Thursday to promote the 20th edition of the Toshali Swadeshi Mela, scheduled to be held from February 14 to 26 at Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar. The mela aims to showcase indigenous handlooms, handicrafts and local products under the theme “Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar.” The promotional campaign was inaugurated at…

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Odisha Government Plans to Convert Vacant Buildings into Affordable Rental Housing

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated steps to convert vacant government buildings into affordable rental housing units as part of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0, aiming to address housing needs of the urban poor and migrant workforce. The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department has directed various state departments to identify unused or…

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Odisha to Observe Odia Pakhya from April 1 to 14

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will celebrate Odia Pakhya for the second consecutive year from April 1 to April 14, coinciding with Odisha Day (Utkal Dibas) and the Odia New Year (Pana Sankranti). The fortnight-long observance is aimed at promoting the Odia language, literature, culture, and traditions through a series of community-driven and government-supported activities across…

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Eco-Friendly Jute Enterprise Empowers Rural Women in Odisha’s Puri District

Bhubaneswar: In Bisimatri village of Odisha’s Puri district, a group of nearly 50 rural women has transformed eco-friendly craftsmanship into a sustainable livelihood, building a successful jute-based enterprise that has brought financial independence and social empowerment to their community. The initiative began in 2015, when artisan mentor Amiya Poddar introduced local women—many of whom were…

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Supreme Court Questions Sharp Cut in NEET-PG Cut-Offs Over Medical Standards

Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the decision to drastically reduce NEET-PG qualifying cut-offs after thousands of postgraduate medical seats remained vacant following two rounds of counselling. A Bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe expressed concern over the reduction of the cut-off to the 7th percentile (103 marks) for general category candidates…

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Odisha Emerges as Key State in India’s Push for Rare-Earth Mineral Development

Bhubaneswar: As India accelerates efforts to secure critical mineral supplies, Odisha has emerged as one of the key states in the country’s expanding rare-earth mineral exploration and value-chain development strategy, the government informed Parliament. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and…

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Odisha Proposes English Spelling Changes for 24 Place Names

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has proposed changes to the English spellings of 24 place names across the state, including renaming Khurda as “Khoradha,” to more accurately reflect their original Odia pronunciation and historical forms. Officials said the initiative is aimed at preserving Odisha’s linguistic, cultural, and historical heritage by aligning official English spellings with authentic…

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Bharat Taxi Launched as Driver-Owned Cooperative Service

Bhubaneswar: India has introduced Bharat Taxi, a cooperative taxi service aimed at making urban travel more affordable by eliminating surge pricing and high commission charges. Unlike app-based aggregators, Bharat Taxi is owned and operated by drivers themselves, allowing them to retain a larger share of earnings while offering passengers more stable and transparent fares. Officials…

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