New Odisha Age

YSR Kadapa’s SMART Kitchens Transform School Meal Delivery for Nearly 1 Lakh Children

Bhubaneswar: YSR Kadapa district is transforming the delivery of school meals through its SMART Kitchen Initiative, combining modern infrastructure, technology, efficient logistics, sustainability and community participation to improve nutrition for children. Implemented under the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes, the initiative has established 38 SMART Kitchens across the district, serving nearly 1 lakh children…

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NITI Aayog Holds Stakeholder Consultation on Transforming Vocational Education in Schools

Bhubaneswar: NITI Aayog organised a stakeholder consultation on “Transforming Vocational Education in India: Vocational Education in Schools”, bringing together policymakers, educators, industry representatives and other stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen vocational learning across the school education system. The consultation was chaired by Dr. Joram Aniya, Member, NITI Aayog. Representatives from the Department of School…

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Odisha Mandates 24×7 Help Desks, Cashless Emergency Care Under PM-RAHAT for Empanelled Hospitals

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has directed all hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana (GJAY) to establish 24×7 help desks to assist beneficiaries in accessing healthcare services. The directive is aimed at ensuring that eligible patients receive timely information and support while availing themselves of benefits…

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Kharge Slams Government Over Parliament ‘Washout’, Accuses Centre of Undermining Democracy

Bhubaneswar: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has sharply criticised the government over the disruptions and loss of business during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, accusing the Centre of avoiding accountability and undermining the functioning of the legislature. Speaking on the issue, Kharge alleged that senior members of the government, including the Prime Minister and Home…

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Bajaj Finance’s Financial Literacy Programme Empowers Rural Odisha

Bhubaneswar : Bajaj Finance Limited, one of India’s leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., has taken its financial literacy initiative ‘Arth Sutra Samvad’ to rural Odisha, with programmes organised at the Baliput and Sutan Gram Panchayat offices in Puri district. The initiative is part of Bajaj Finance’s pan-India financial…

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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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‘Vande Mataram’ to Be Played at Red Fort During Independence Day Celebrations for First Time

Bhubaneswar: India’s Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort are set to feature a special addition this year, with “Vande Mataram” scheduled to be played during the national celebrations for the first time. The inclusion of the iconic patriotic song is expected to add a distinctive patriotic touch to the August 15 celebrations at…

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Lok Sabha Passes MSME Development Amendment Bill, 2026 to Strengthen Sector and Tackle Delayed Payments

Bhubaneswar: The Lok Sabha on August 7, 2026, passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, after the legislation was approved by the Rajya Sabha on August 3. The amendment comes as the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, completes two decades. The government said rapid technological changes, the…

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UPI to Remain Free for Citizens; Government Clarifies Future MDR Framework

Bhubaneswar: The Government of India has clarified that UPI payments will remain free for ordinary users, amid growing debate over proposed amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 and the possibility of introducing a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on certain transactions. The government categorically stated that consumers making payments through UPI will not…

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BDS Legal Services Expands Eastern India Presence with New Kolkata Office; Announces Enhanced Legal and IP Support for Startups & MSMEs

Bhubaneswar: BDS Legal Services, a leading Intellectual Property (IP), business compliance and regulatory advisory firm, today strengthened its presence in Eastern India with the formal inauguration of its new office in Kolkata. The company marked the occasion by hosting a press conference at its newly established office in Sector V, Salt Lake, where it unveiled…

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