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…
Bhubaneswar: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) inaugurated its 5th International Conference 2026 in Mauritius on 3 August 2026, in the august presence of the Chief Guest, Dr the Hon Mrs Jyoti Jeetun, Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, Republic of Mauritius, and Guest of Honour, Mr Anurag Srivastava, High Commissioner of India, Port Louis, Mauritius. Organised on the…
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 6: Odisha’s iconic Kendrapada Rasabali has received a significant boost after being featured in the Union government’s initiative to strengthen India’s Geographical Indication (GI) ecosystem and promote traditional products on the global stage. The Centre has set an ambitious target of achieving 10,000 GI registrations by 2030, aiming to enhance exports, preserve cultural…
Bhubaneswar: The spotlight officially shifted from Glasgow to Ahmedabad as India took charge of preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with the ceremonial handover of the Commonwealth flag at the closing ceremony marking the beginning of the country’s journey towards hosting the centenary edition of the Games. Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, Indian Olympic Association President…
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…
Bhubaneswar: The scale of destruction emerging from Venezuela is heartbreaking. Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck less than a minute apart west of the capital, Caracas, causing widespread damage, collapsing buildings and triggering frantic rescue efforts across affected regions. Families have been left searching through rubble for loved ones, while emergency…
Bhubaneswar: Three Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead following a US military strike on the Palau-flagged commercial vessel MT Settebello off the coast of Oman, prompting a strong diplomatic protest from India and renewed concerns over the safety of civilian shipping in the region. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described the…
Bhubaneswar: India has dispatched the second tranche of humanitarian medical assistance to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), reinforcing its commitment to supporting public health efforts across Africa. The latest shipment comprises a 43-tonne consignment of essential medical supplies, including protective gear, diagnostic and monitoring equipment, medicines, and nutritional supplements. The…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to explore new international employment opportunities for its skilled workforce as Romania seeks large-scale recruitment of trained professionals to address its growing labour shortage. The development follows discussions with Manika Jain, who informed the Odisha government that Romania is facing a significant shortage of skilled manpower across multiple sectors and is…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s tourism sector is witnessing remarkable growth, with more than 56 lakh tourists visiting the state between January and May 2026. The surge in arrivals reflects the state’s expanding appeal as it strengthens its position as one of India’s fastest-growing tourism destinations. Leading the growth is the temple town of Puri, which registered a…