New Odisha Age

Honeybee Decline in Odisha Raises Alarm; Experts Call for Sustainable Beekeeping

Bhubaneswar: A recent study by wildlife researchers Rajkishore Swain, Sandesh Behera, and Subhani Rath has highlighted growing threats to honeybee diversity in Odisha due to habitat loss, climate change, and excessive pesticide use. The study notes that honeybees contribute to over 70% of pollination in certain crops and ornamental plants in Bhubaneswar, underlining their critical…

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BJP Sweeps West Bengal with 206 Seats; Leadership Decision Soon

Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured a decisive victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, winning 206 out of 294 seats and comfortably surpassing the majority mark. The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) finished a distant second with 81 seats. Polling was held on April 23 and 29, with results declared on Monday,…

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OMFED Raises Milk Prices by ₹4/Litre Across Odisha; Half-Litre Pack Now ₹29

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (OMFED) has increased milk prices across Odisha by ₹4 per litre, with the revised rates coming into effect from May 5, 2026. Under the new pricing structure: Toned milk now costs ₹54 per litre (earlier ₹50) Premium milk has risen to ₹58 per litre (earlier ₹54) Gold…

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Health Ministry Releases RBSK 2.0 Guidelines with Expanded Child Healthcare Framework

Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released the updated guidelines for Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0, introducing a strengthened and more comprehensive approach to child healthcare. The revised framework expands the existing “4Ds” model—Defects at Birth, Diseases, Deficiencies, and Developmental Delays—while adopting a lifecycle-based strategy that ensures continuous health monitoring and…

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Andaman & Nicobar Sets Guinness Record with Largest Underwater National Flag

Bhubaneswar: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has set a new Guinness World Records milestone by unfurling the world’s largest underwater national flag at Radhanagar Beach. The massive Tricolour, measuring approximately 60 by 40 metres, was deployed beneath the sea in a highly coordinated operation at Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island). The effort involved over 200…

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BJP Leader Backs Heavy Observer Deployment in West Bengal, Calls Polls ‘War-like’

Bhubaneswar: In Kolkata, BJP leader Keya Ghosh welcomed the deployment of additional observers by the Election Commission of India (EC) for vote counting in West Bengal. The EC has deployed 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers in the state to ensure smooth and transparent counting of votes. Reacting to the move, Ghosh described…

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Indian Army Departs for CINBAX-II Exercise with Cambodia

Bhubaneswar: A contingent of the Indian Army has departed to participate in the second edition of the India–Cambodia bilateral military exercise, CINBAX-II 2026. The exercise will be held from May 4 to May 17 at the Techo Sen Phnom Thom Mreas Training Centre (Camp Basil) in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia. Conducted under the framework of…

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Fuel Price Hike Likely; Petrol, Diesel May Rise by ₹4–5 per Litre

Bhubaneswar: Petrol and diesel prices across India are expected to increase by ₹4–5 per litre, a move that could have wide-ranging economic implications. A rise in fuel prices typically leads to higher transportation costs, which in turn affects the pricing of essential goods and services. Experts warn that this could add to inflationary pressures, impacting…

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NISER, TMC to Set Up Odisha’s First Medical Cyclotron Facility for Advanced Cancer Care

Bhubaneswar: The National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), in collaboration with the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), is establishing a state-of-the-art 30 MeV Medical Cyclotron Facility at its Jatni campus in Odisha. The project is being jointly funded by the Department of Atomic Energy and the state government, and forms part of a broader…

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FSSAI Proposes Plastic-Free Packaging Norms for Pan Masala and Gutka

Bhubaneswar: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a major regulatory shift mandating plastic-free packaging for pan masala, gutka, and similar products. Under a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards Packaging Regulations 2018, these products would be allowed to be packed only in eco-friendly materials such as paper, paperboard,…

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