Bhubaneswar: Residents of Puri will soon be able to avail a special darshan facility at the revered Jagannath Temple (Srimandir) through a new Aadhaar-based entry system designed to provide a more convenient and streamlined temple visit experience. The initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) and aims to enable…
Bhubaneswar: Raja is much more than a festival. It is a profound cultural tradition that carries a message society still struggles to embrace openly—that menstruation is natural, periods are not a taboo, and the power to create life deserves respect rather than stigma. Long before conversations about menstrual health, gender equality and bodily autonomy entered…
Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards expanding educational access and promoting social equity, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced that the state government will provide free education from kindergarten (KG) to postgraduate (PG) level for students belonging to economically weaker sections of society. The initiative is aimed at ensuring that financial constraints do…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet has approved a series of significant proposals aimed at strengthening urban infrastructure, promoting industrial growth, supporting affordable housing and improving environmental sustainability across the state. One of the key decisions is the construction of a Working Women’s Hostel at the Kalibeti Industrial Estate in Khordha. The project, estimated at Rs 210…
Bhubaneswar: In a unique blend of cultural celebration and economic empowerment, the Odisha Government’s Mission Shakti Department has launched ‘Pitha on Wheels’, a mobile food initiative aimed at promoting traditional Odia cuisine while creating greater market opportunities for women entrepreneurs during the Raja Festival. The initiative features specially designed vehicles that travel to different locations,…
Return of Bengal’s Royal Mango Heritage: A Celebration of Rare Nawabi Cultivars, Living Traditions and Orchard Culture at India’s First Museum Hotel Bhubaneswar: : The Murshidabad Mango Festival 2026 got off to a spirited start with its curtain-raiser at iLEAD, Kolkata, drawing heritage enthusiasts, food lovers and travellers for a preview of one of Bengal’s most distinctive…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha is witnessing a significant rise in obesity and diabetes risk, with the latest findings of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-6 (2023-24) revealing a growing public health challenge across the state. According to the survey, nearly three out of every ten women aged 15-49 years in Odisha are now classified as overweight or…
Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards improving child nutrition and early childhood development, the Odisha government has increased financial support for supplementary nutrition provided to severely underweight children and pre-schoolers under its Anganwadi services. Under the revised provisions, the daily nutrition support for severely underweight children aged 6 months to 6 years has been increased…
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha has recorded a growth rate of 5.3 per cent in its agricultural sector during the 2025–26 financial year, significantly higher than the national average growth rate of 3.1 per cent, reflecting the state’s continued focus on farmer welfare, climate resilience and agricultural modernisation. The state government has attributed the performance to a series…
BHUBANESWAR: Nabarangpur district has recorded the highest prevalence of child marriage in Odisha, highlighting the continued challenge of ending the practice despite sustained government interventions and awareness campaigns. Official data indicate that child marriage prevalence in the district stands at 39.4 per cent. Authorities have been actively working to prevent underage marriages, stopping hundreds of…