Bhubaneswar: India is set to build its first underwater twin-tube road and rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River, linking Assam with Arunachal Pradesh in a landmark infrastructure project valued at ₹18,662 crore. The 34-km integrated corridor will feature a four-lane highway and a railway line, with cross passages every 500 metres to ensure emergency evacuation…
Bhubaneswar: An anganwadi centre in Nuagaon village of Kendrapada district has recorded near-zero attendance for three months after villagers boycotted the facility over the appointment of a Dalit helper-cum-cook, officials said. Sarmista Sethi (21), a graduate and the only applicant from the village, was appointed on November 20 with a monthly honorarium of ₹5,000. Following…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has approved a significant salary hike for contractual AYUSH doctors working under the National Health Mission (NHM), Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Tuesday. Under the revised structure, AYUSH doctors will receive monthly salary increments ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹40,000, depending on their years of service. The move is expected…
Bhubaneswar: India stamped their authority on world youth cricket once again, clinching a record-extending sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title with a thumping 100-run victory over England U19 in the final at the Harare Sports Club on February 6, 2026. In a final that quickly turned one-sided, India produced a batting masterclass to post a…
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: 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 Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the decision to drastically reduce NEET-PG qualifying cut-offs after thousands of postgraduate medical seats remained vacant following two rounds of counselling. A Bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe expressed concern over the reduction of the cut-off to the 7th percentile (103 marks) for general category candidates…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards strengthening women’s empowerment, the Union Budget 2026 has proposed the establishment of girls’ hostels in every district across the country, aimed at improving access to education and ensuring safe accommodation for female students. The initiative is intended to address one of the key barriers to girls’ education—lack of secure…
Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has partnered with the Physics Wallah Foundation to provide free competitive exam coaching to 5,000 students every year from Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and PM CARES for Children beneficiaries—children who lost one or both parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The nationwide programme will cover…
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…