New Odisha Age

India’s Energy Security Remains Stable Despite Global Market Concerns

Bhubaneswar: Amid growing geopolitical tensions and speculation about disruptions in global energy supplies, India’s energy security remains stable, backed by strong reserves, robust refining capacity, and diversified import sources. Contrary to alarmist narratives circulating in public discourse, data indicates that the country maintains a comfortable buffer to manage temporary shocks in the global oil market….

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Panic vs Reality: Fuel Rumours Test India’s Information Discipline

Bhubaneswar: As geopolitical tensions intensify in West Asia, anxieties about energy security are unsurprising. But the rapid spread of rumours about petrol and diesel shortages across social media illustrates a familiar problem in moments of global uncertainty: panic often travels faster than facts. India’s largest fuel retailer, Indian Oil Corporation, has categorically dismissed the circulating…

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Strait of Hormuz: Why This Narrow Passage Shapes Global Energy Markets

Bhubaneswar: The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically vital energy chokepoints in the world. Connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, this narrow maritime corridor carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies each day. Any disruption — or even credible claims of a temporary closure —…

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East India Company Closes Again, Enters Liquidation in 2025

The East India Company, once among the most powerful trading corporations in history, has shut down once again. Originally founded in 1600, the company played a central role in British colonial expansion in India before being formally dissolved in 1874. More than a century later, in 2010, businessman Sanjiv Mehta revived the historic name as…

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Odisha Reviews PMFME Scheme Progress, Focus on SHG to MSME Transition

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Wednesday emphasised the need for effective implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme during a state-level approval committee meeting convened to review its progress. Presiding over the meeting, Garg directed the MSME department to ensure convergence of PMFME with other government programmes…

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Odisha to Establish Dedicated Chandua Bazaar in Pipili to Revive Applique Craft Economy

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced the establishment of a dedicated Chandua Bazaar in Pipili to rejuvenate the traditional applique craft sector that has faced setbacks following the construction of the NH-316 bypass. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi made the announcement during the presentation of the state budget, stating that the new market complex will…

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A Necessary Warning to Banks on Mis-selling Practices

Bhubaneswar: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s sharp warning to banks against the mis-selling of financial products marks a critical intervention in India’s banking landscape. Her emphasis on prioritising core banking functions—such as lending and strengthening CASA (Current Account Savings Account) deposits—signals growing concern that banks are drifting away from their primary role as financial intermediaries. In…

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PM Modi Highlights AI Push, Young Organ Donor, Farmers in Mann Ki Baat

Bhubaneswar: In the 131st episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s growing leadership in artificial intelligence, citing innovations showcased at the New Delhi Summit, including Amul’s animal healthcare technology and the Gyan Bharatam initiative aimed at preserving India’s ancient knowledge systems. He also referred to the New Delhi Declaration, which has…

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Chamomile Cultivation Boosts Tribal Economy in Odisha

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…

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The End of Cash at Toll Plazas: Efficiency at the Cost of Inclusion?

Bhubaneswar: From 1 April 2026, cash payments at National Highway toll plazas are likely to be discontinued, with all transactions shifting to digital modes such as FASTag and UPI. The move fits neatly into India’s broader push towards a technology-driven, high-efficiency highway network. In principle, it promises speed, transparency, and reduced congestion. In practice, it…

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