Bhubaneswar: Around 200 Indian nationals stranded in Jeddah were repatriated on a special flight that landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport late on Tuesday. Many of the passengers had travelled to Jeddah during the holy month of Ramadan and were unable to return after flight operations were disrupted amid escalating tensions in West Asia…
Bhubaneswar: In response to the escalating conflict between Iran and the United States in the Middle East, the Odisha government has established a dedicated helpline to assist Odia citizens residing in or travelling through the affected region. The decision was taken following a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, aimed at ensuring…
Bhubaneswar: Indian fuel prices could face upward pressure following reports that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. The narrow maritime corridor connects the Persian Gulf to global markets and handles a significant share of international crude oil shipments. Any disruption in this passage typically constrains…
Bhubaneswar: The decision to tighten security arrangements was announced by the Director General of Police (DGP) following a high-level review meeting at the State Police Headquarters. All district Superintendents of Police have been placed on high alert to ensure law and order during the upcoming festive period. The Cyber Cell has been assigned round-the-clock monitoring…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant step toward inclusive early education, Odisha has launched the ‘Aame Padhibaa Aama Bhasare’ (We Will Learn in Our Own Language) campaign to provide pre-school education in the mother tongue of tribal children aged three to six years. The programme will initially benefit children from the Saura tribal community in Gajapati district….
Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet’s approval of the proposal to rename Kerala as “Keralam” has triggered a broader political and cultural debate, with leaders across states renewing long-pending demands for similar changes. The move, which aligns the state’s official English nomenclature with its Malayalam identity, was initially viewed as an administrative correction. However, it has quickly…
Bhubaneswar: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha has announced that the state government plans to ban the sale of meat and fish near educational and religious institutions, as well as in crowded public spaces. The proposal, he said, is driven by health concerns and an aim to curb violent tendencies among children. The move is…
Bhubaneswar: Tribal women in the remote Kotia region of Odisha have begun cultivating German chamomile, a high-value medicinal crop, to improve their livelihoods and income security. The initiative is being supported by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) and the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), leveraging the region’s favourable climate…
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: A nationwide Bharat Bandh on February 12 could lead to partial disruptions in banking, transport and local services, though essential services are expected to operate normally. Public sector bank unions have announced participation in the strike, which may affect branch-level banking operations, even as branches remain open. Public transport, including buses and taxis, could…