New Odisha Age

Jharsuguda Tops Odisha with 89.5% Conviction Rate in 2025

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced that Jharsuguda district recorded the highest conviction rate in the state in 2025 at 89.5 per cent. In contrast, Kendrapada district reported the lowest conviction rate at 3.1 per cent. According to official data shared by the Chief Minister, several other districts — including Angul, Berhampur,…

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Odisha CM Lays Foundation Stone for New Odisha Bhawan in New Delhi

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation stone for a new Odisha Bhawan in the national capital, a project estimated to cost ₹93.27 crore. The upcoming Odisha Bhawan in New Delhi is designed to reflect the state’s rich heritage and cultural identity. The proposed structure will include three basements, six floors, 45…

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ED Conducts Searches at Vigyan Bharati Charitable Trust in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the office of Vigyan Bharati Charitable Trust in Sahid Nagar, Bhubaneswar, reportedly linked to the Hi-Tech Group of Institutions. The raid was carried out by the Kolkata unit of the central agency following allegations of large-scale financial irregularities. Officials are investigating suspected money laundering, financial mismanagement, and…

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Odisha Launches ‘Aame Padhibaa Aama Bhasare’ for Mother-Tongue Learning in Tribal Areas

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step toward inclusive early education, Odisha has launched the ‘Aame Padhibaa Aama Bhasare’ (We Will Learn in Our Own Language) campaign to provide pre-school education in the mother tongue of tribal children aged three to six years. The programme will initially benefit children from the Saura tribal community in Gajapati district….

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Kerala to Keralam: A Renaming That Has Reignited a National Identity Debate

Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet’s approval of the proposal to rename Kerala as “Keralam” has triggered a broader political and cultural debate, with leaders across states renewing long-pending demands for similar changes. The move, which aligns the state’s official English nomenclature with its Malayalam identity, was initially viewed as an administrative correction. However, it has quickly…

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Cabinet Clears Proposal to Rename Kerala as ‘Keralam’

Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to alter the name of the State of “Kerala” to “Keralam”, setting in motion the constitutional process required for a formal name change. Following Cabinet approval, the President of India will refer the proposed legislation — the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 — to the Kerala…

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Bihar Government Proposes Restrictions on Meat and Fish Sales Near Schools and Religious Sites

Bhubaneswar: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha has announced that the state government plans to ban the sale of meat and fish near educational and religious institutions, as well as in crowded public spaces. The proposal, he said, is driven by health concerns and an aim to curb violent tendencies among children. The move is…

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Four New Universities: Odisha’s Bid to Rebalance Higher Education

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s announcement to establish four new universities in Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, and Jharsuguda marks a significant intervention in the state’s higher education landscape. Unveiled during the 2026–27 budget presentation by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the move signals an intent to decentralise academic opportunities and curb the long-standing migration of students to other states….

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The End of Cash at Toll Plazas: Efficiency at the Cost of Inclusion?

Bhubaneswar: From 1 April 2026, cash payments at National Highway toll plazas are likely to be discontinued, with all transactions shifting to digital modes such as FASTag and UPI. The move fits neatly into India’s broader push towards a technology-driven, high-efficiency highway network. In principle, it promises speed, transparency, and reduced congestion. In practice, it…

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Discipline vs Freedom: Utkal University’s Tightening Grip on Campus Life

Bhubaneswar: Universities are meant to be sanctuaries of learning, debate, and intellectual freedom. Yet, they are also institutions that must ensure safety, discipline, and order. Utkal University’s newly announced stringent campus guidelines reflect this delicate balancing act—tilting firmly toward control in the name of security and academic focus. The mandatory carrying of identity cards and…

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