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…
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…
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…
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…
Bhubaneswar: In a symbolic gesture of cultural pride and national support, Varanasi will gift traditional Banarasi sarees to the families of Indian cricketers ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. The initiative will be facilitated through the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), highlighting India’s rich handloom heritage while extending moral support…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced that Mission Shakti community support staff across the state will be provided with uniforms, identity cards, and smartphones starting April 1, in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots implementation of women-centric welfare programmes. The initiative will cover around 46,000 Mission Shakti workers, including Community Resource Persons (CRPs), who play…
Bhubaneswar: Once the Nawabi Capital of Bengal and a cradle of power, prosperity and culture, Murshidabad is not merely a place in the map – it is a living inheritance. Its palaces, river ghats, silk looms and age-old rituals continue to echo stories whispered by the Ganga. From 6th to 8th February 2026, this historic place of legacy will…
Bhubaneswar: Shatak, a film chronicling the 100-year journey of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), explores the organisation’s origins and evolution since its founding in 1925 by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. Directed by Aashish Mall and subtitled Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Ke 100 Varsh, the film adopts a historical, documentary-style narrative to chart the RSS’s growth into…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s renowned Pattachitra paintings were showcased on the global stage at the International Institute of Democracy and Election Management Conference (IICDEM-2026) held in New Delhi, marking a proud moment for the state’s rich cultural heritage. The high-profile conference witnessed participation from delegations representing over 70 countries. As part of India’s cultural outreach, exquisite Pattachitra…
Bhubaneswar: Renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a powerful sand art installation at Gopalpur beach using 500 kilograms of discarded plastic bottles, delivering a strong message against single-use plastic. Sharing images of the artwork on social media, Pattnaik wrote, “500 kg of plastic bottles transformed into a powerful message from…
