Bhubaneswar: In a significant step to improve public healthcare services and citizen support, the Odisha government has announced the launch of a statewide hearse service along with key initiatives to address gaps in rural healthcare delivery. Under the new system, families will be able to access hearse services by dialing a toll-free number 109, ensuring…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s recent ban on the manufacture and sale of pan masala, gutkha, khaini and other food items containing tobacco or nicotine was projected as a strong public health intervention. However, ground realities suggest that the move has exposed a major loophole, allowing other equally harmful smokeless and traditional tobacco products to flourish unchecked, particularly…
Bhubaneswar: The world-renowned Khandagiri Magha Saptami Mela commenced on Friday amid religious fervour and spiritual enthusiasm at the foothills of the historic Khandagiri caves. The sacred site has come alive with chants, rituals, and the arrival of sadhus and saints, drawing large gatherings of devotees from across Odisha and beyond. With the arrival of ascetics,…
Bhubaneswar: State-owned energy major GAIL India Limited has expanded the reach of clean cooking fuel in Bhubaneswar by commissioning Domestic Piped Natural Gas (DPNG) connections at two major residential societies under the National PNG Drive 2.0 initiative. The first phase of commissioning was carried out at Cosmopolis Residential Society in the Khandagiri area, where piped…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced plans to set up dedicated shelter homes, to be called ‘Sahaya Gruha’, for differently-abled women and girls across the state under the existing SAHAYA scheme. The initiative aims to strengthen protection, care, and rehabilitation services for one of the most vulnerable sections of society. According to official sources, the…
Bhubaneswar: India marked National Girl Child Day on January 24, reaffirming its commitment to promoting the rights, health, education and overall well-being of girls across the country. Observed annually since 2008, the day aims to raise awareness against gender-based discrimination and highlight the need to ensure equal opportunities for girls. Political leaders across party lines…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and child-centric urban environment, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and UNICEF Odisha have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop child-friendly public spaces across the city. Under the initiative, 16 locations in different parts of Bhubaneswar will be transformed into safer, greener, and more…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has set an ambitious target to bring more than 90 per cent of the state’s cultivable land under irrigation by 2036, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Tuesday. The move is aimed at strengthening agriculture, improving farmers’ incomes, and driving long-term economic growth. As part of the plan, the state…
Bhubaneswar: The Union government on Thursday notified 33 questions for the upcoming Houselisting and Housing Census, scheduled to be conducted from April 1 to September 30, 2026. The exercise will form a key preparatory phase of the next national Census and aims to create a comprehensive database on housing conditions, household amenities, and assets across…
Bhubaneswar: New Delhi will witness a blend of military strength and cultural heritage during India’s Republic Day parade on January 26 along Kartavya Path, with the Indian Air Force set to showcase a special seven-aircraft flypast formation named “Sindoor.” According to Air Force Chief A.P. Singh, the formation symbolically recreates the Indian Air Force’s 2025…