The East India Company, once among the most powerful trading corporations in history, has shut down once again. Originally founded in 1600, the company played a central role in British colonial expansion in India before being formally dissolved in 1874. More than a century later, in 2010, businessman Sanjiv Mehta revived the historic name as…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Wednesday emphasised the need for effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme during a state-level approval committee meeting convened to review its progress. Presiding over the meeting, Garg directed the MSME department to ensure convergence of PMFME with other government programmes…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced the establishment of a dedicated Chandua Bazaar in Pipili to rejuvenate the traditional applique craft sector that has faced setbacks following the construction of the NH-316 bypass. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi made the announcement during the presentation of the state budget, stating that the new market complex will…
Bhubaneswar: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s sharp warning to banks against the mis-selling of financial products marks a critical intervention in India’s banking landscape. Her emphasis on prioritising core banking functions—such as lending and strengthening CASA (Current Account Savings Account) deposits—signals growing concern that banks are drifting away from their primary role as financial intermediaries. In…
Bhubaneswar: India is hosting the AI Impact Summit 2026, bringing together over 20 Heads of State, 60 Ministers, and more than 500 global artificial intelligence leaders to shape the future of AI governance, innovation, and global cooperation. The summit is structured around three foundational pillars, referred to as “Sutras” — People, Planet, and Progress, highlighting…
Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday announced that the government will soon launch the ‘Create in India’ mission, calling it an industry-focused, employment-driven and future-oriented initiative. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Vaishnaw said the upcoming mission aims to strengthen domestic innovation, boost industrial growth, and create large-scale job opportunities by promoting…
Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to examine the feasibility of front-of-pack warning labels on foods high in sugar, salt, and fat, calling it a globally accepted public health practice. A bench asked the food regulator to submit a status report within four weeks, signalling that…
Bhubaneswar: The Electronics and Information Technology Department will start hearing grievances related to Aadhaar services from February 16, officials said. Citizens facing issues related to Aadhaar can register their complaints through the OCAC portal (http://ocac.in). After registration, complaints will be reviewed and addressed by the concerned authorities during the grievance hearing process. The initiative aims…
Bhubaneswar: The 20th Toshali Swadeshi Mela will commence on February 14 at Janata Maidan, bringing together artisans and weavers from 20 states to showcase India’s handloom and handicraft heritage, officials said. Organised by the Odisha Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, the fair will feature 905 stalls, including handicrafts, handlooms, MSME products and a dedicated food…
Bhubaneswar: A proposed inter-state economic corridor linking Ranchi, Rourkela and Raipur (RRR) is gaining momentum, with officials highlighting its potential to transform industrial connectivity and trade across Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. The corridor is anchored by two major road infrastructure projects — the under-construction Raipur–Ranchi–Dhanbad Expressway and the proposed 156-km Rourkela–Ranchi highway — designed to…