New Odisha Age

MSME Registrations Cross 8 Crore Mark; Credit Support Sees Strong Growth

Bhubaneswar: India’s MSME sector has witnessed robust growth, with over 20 lakh new enterprises registering on the Udyam Portal during February–March, taking the total number of registered units beyond 8 crore. Addressing a briefing, Rajneesh, Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner at the Ministry of MSME, highlighted sustained momentum in credit flow to the sector. Outstanding…

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Mayawati Welcomes Women’s Reservation Law, Calls for Quotas Within Quota

Bhubaneswar: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Wednesday welcomed the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, describing it as a long-awaited and appropriate step toward enhancing women’s representation in legislative bodies. Addressing the media in Lucknow, Mayawati said that despite the delay in implementation, her party supports the provision of 33% reservation for…

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Epic Group to Set Up First India Manufacturing Unit in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Hong Kong-based apparel major Epic Group has chosen Odisha for its first manufacturing facility in India, marking a significant boost to the state’s industrial landscape. The unit will be established at the IDCO Industrial Estate in Khordha and is scheduled to commence operations on April 29. Spread across 40 acres, the project entails an…

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BSE Odisha Extends OTET 2026 Application Deadline to May 9

Bhubaneswar: The Board of Secondary Education Odisha has extended the application deadline for the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET) 2026 by one month. Aspirants can now submit their applications until May 9, 2026. The decision comes after several candidates were unable to complete their applications before the earlier deadline of April 9. Officials expect the…

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Max Healthcare Acquires Majority Stake in Kalinga Hospital, Enters Eastern India Market

Bhubaneswar: Max Healthcare Institute Ltd. has announced the acquisition of a 58.4% stake in Kalinga Hospital for ₹300 crore, marking its strategic entry into eastern India’s healthcare sector. Located in Bhubaneswar, the 250-bed NABH-accredited facility is spread across a 10-acre campus and provides advanced medical services across key specialities including cardiology, neurology, oncology, and orthopaedics….

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Trade Deficit Widens Amid Export Dip, Says RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra

Bhubaneswar: Sanjay Malhotra, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, has said that India’s merchandise exports witnessed a marginal contraction of 0.2% in the first two months of the year on a year-on-year basis, primarily due to weaker demand in key global markets. In contrast, merchandise imports registered a sharp increase of over 22%, largely…

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Odisha’s Bomkai Handloom Faces Crisis Amid Decline in Weavers and Rise of Imitations

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s iconic Bomkai handloom, a centuries-old weaving tradition from Ganjam district, is facing a severe crisis, with artisans warning that the craft could be on the brink of extinction. Once a thriving cottage industry supporting nearly 60 families, Bomkai weaving in parts of the district has now reportedly dwindled to just one surviving family,…

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Odisha Pushes ‘Manodarpan’ Implementation to Strengthen Student Mental Health Support

Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at reducing academic stress and improving student well-being, the Government of Odisha has directed all higher educational institutions to strengthen their psychological support systems. The Department of Higher Education has asked universities and colleges to implement the guidelines of the Manodarpan initiative, in line with the advisory issued by the…

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J.D. Birla Institute Celebrates its 11th Graduation Congregational Ceremony

Bhubaneswar: A sense of pride, achievement and new beginnings marked the 11th Graduation Congregational Ceremony of J.D. Birla Institute (JDBI), Kolkata, held on 14 February 2026 at the Vidya Mandir Auditorium. The ceremony celebrated the academic accomplishments of the Bachelors’ and Masters’ graduates of the 2024–2025 session. University dignitaries, members of the Vidya Mandir Society,…

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1,000 Leaders. 400 Brands. One Blueprint. India’s Retail Decade Starts Now

Kajol, Tamannaah Bhatia, Shankar Mahadevan, and India’s Top Retail CEOs Converged at Great India Retail Summit 2026 Bhubaneswar: India’s retail industry gathered its biggest names under one roof next week at the Great India Retail Summit this week  at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Themed ‘India’s Blueprint for the World’, the event is set…

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