New Odisha Age

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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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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Odisha Makes 21-Day Advance Approval Mandatory for Officials’ Out-of-State Travel

Bhubaneswar, July 28: The Odisha government has issued a new directive mandating prior approval for officials planning to travel outside the state or the country while away from their headquarters. Under the revised guidelines, officials must seek permission at least 21 days in advance before undertaking personal travel outside Odisha or abroad. Exceptions to the…

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Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns as Union Education Minister Amid Paper Leak Row

Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Council of Ministers on July 25, 2026, marking a significant political development amid months of controversy surrounding alleged examination paper leaks and widespread student protests. The paper leak allegations, which initially sparked concern among students and parents, gradually evolved into a nationwide movement demanding greater accountability…

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ANDHRA PRADESH ON COVID-19 ALERT AFTER 2 DEATHS, 8 ACTIVE CASES

Bhubaneswar: The Andhra Pradesh government has issued a statewide COVID-19 alert after two recent deaths and the detection of eight active cases, mainly in YSR Kadapa and Annamayya districts. One patient from Rajampeta in Annamayya district died on July 7, while the second fatality was reported from Kadapa. In response, health authorities have resumed COVID-19…

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BHUBANESWAR MAY INTRODUCE ₹5 FEE FOR PUBLIC TOILETS

Bhubaneswar residents may soon have to pay ₹5 to use BMC-managed public toilets, as the civic body plans to introduce a user fee to improve cleanliness, maintenance and sanitation services. The proposal follows a directive from the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department, asking urban local bodies to levy user charges for the operation and…

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Think Your Child’s Screen Time Is the Only Problem? Think Again

Bhubaneswar: Experts say your smartphone habits could be shaping your child’s behaviour more than you realise. Here’s what every parent should know. A growing body of psychological research suggests that children’s behaviour is influenced not only by the amount of time they spend on screens but also by how often their parents use smartphones in…

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CLOUD KITCHEN BOOM IN BHUBANESWAR AND CUTTACK SPARKS DEBATE OVER RESIDENTIAL SAFETY, REGULATIONS AND URBAN GROWTH

Bhubaneswar: The rapid expansion of cloud kitchens in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack has created new opportunities for food entrepreneurs while also raising concerns over safety, regulation and the commercial use of residential areas. Driven by the growing popularity of app-based food delivery platforms, an increasing number of home-based and commercial cloud kitchens are now operating from…

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Ash-Laden Water from NTPC Ash Pond Enters Villages and Farmland After Breach in Angul

Bhubaneswar: A breach in an ash pond operated by NTPC Limited at Derang in Kaniha led to ash slurry flowing into nearby villages, agricultural fields, and a playground after heavy rainfall on Thursday night. According to reports, a portion of the ash pond embankment gave way under the impact of continuous rain, allowing ash-laden water…

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Cooked Food Banned on Puri’s Bada Danda Ahead of Rath Yatra 2026; Only Dry Food Distribution Allowed

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Rath Yatra 2026, the Housing and Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha has prohibited the distribution of cooked food along Bada Danda, permitting only dry and packaged food items to be served to devotees during the festival. The decision has been taken to maintain strict sanitation, hygiene, and public health standards as…

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