New Odisha Age

Odisha Mandates 24×7 Help Desks, Cashless Emergency Care Under PM-RAHAT for Empanelled Hospitals

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has directed all hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana (GJAY) to establish 24×7 help desks to assist beneficiaries in accessing healthcare services. The directive is aimed at ensuring that eligible patients receive timely information and support while availing themselves of benefits…

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Bajaj Finance’s Financial Literacy Programme Empowers Rural Odisha

Bhubaneswar : Bajaj Finance Limited, one of India’s leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., has taken its financial literacy initiative ‘Arth Sutra Samvad’ to rural Odisha, with programmes organised at the Baliput and Sutan Gram Panchayat offices in Puri district. The initiative is part of Bajaj Finance’s pan-India financial…

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Amazon India, Odisha Government Join Hands to Take State’s Handloom Products to Online Markets

Bhubaneswar: Amazon India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Textiles, Odisha, to expand e-commerce opportunities for the state’s weavers and artisans. Under the partnership, more than 1.3 lakh weavers and artisans are expected to be onboarded onto Amazon Karigar, providing them with access to a wider national customer base and…

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Ranbir Kapoor-Yash Starrer ‘Ramayana’ Gets Different Release Dates for India and Overseas

Bhubaneswar: The much-awaited ‘Ramayana’, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi, will have different release dates for Indian and international audiences, producer Namit Malhotra has confirmed. Speaking to NDTV, Malhotra said the film will release in India during Diwali 2026, while its international release has been scheduled for November 6, 2026. “It’s releasing in India…

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Lok Sabha Passes MSME Development Amendment Bill, 2026 to Strengthen Sector and Tackle Delayed Payments

Bhubaneswar: The Lok Sabha on August 7, 2026, passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, after the legislation was approved by the Rajya Sabha on August 3. The amendment comes as the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, completes two decades. The government said rapid technological changes, the…

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UPI to Remain Free for Citizens; Government Clarifies Future MDR Framework

Bhubaneswar: The Government of India has clarified that UPI payments will remain free for ordinary users, amid growing debate over proposed amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 and the possibility of introducing a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on certain transactions. The government categorically stated that consumers making payments through UPI will not…

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INDIA SET TO TEST POLYMER CURRENCY, ₹10 AND ₹20 NOTES MAY ARRIVE FROM 2027

Bhubaneswar: India is preparing to introduce its first polymer (plastic) banknotes, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) planning to roll out ₹10 and ₹20 polymer notes from April 2027, subject to the successful completion of nationwide field trials. For the pilot programme, the government has approved the printing of one billion ₹10 notes and…

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NATIONAL HANDLOOM DAY: INDIA CELEBRATES WEAVERS, TRADITION AND THE SWADESHI SPIRIT

Bhubaneswar: Every year on August 7, India observes National Handloom Day to honour the country’s weavers and artisans, whose skills support rural livelihoods while preserving India’s rich cultural heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged citizens, particularly younger social-media users, to share “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) reels featuring their favourite handloom outfits and products using…

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Kendrapada Rasabali Featured in Centre’s GI Promotion Drive as India Targets 10,000 Registrations by 2030

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 6: Odisha’s iconic Kendrapada Rasabali has received a significant boost after being featured in the Union government’s initiative to strengthen India’s Geographical Indication (GI) ecosystem and promote traditional products on the global stage. The Centre has set an ambitious target of achieving 10,000 GI registrations by 2030, aiming to enhance exports, preserve cultural…

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Odisha Targets Balanced Industrial Growth Through Food Processing Expansion

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has directed that ‘Vande Mataram’ be sung before the National Anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana,’ at all government functions and in government as well as government-aided schools across the state. The directive follows guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on July 9. The School and Mass Education Department has…

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