Bhubaneswar: A few weeks of monsoon rain can transform Odisha’s landscape, turning parched fields green and replenishing reservoirs across the state. But an important question is beginning to emerge: what happens when rivers, ponds and groundwater reserves start disappearing even before the monsoon arrives? While Odisha has recently received relief from intense summer heat, concerns…
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 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: The Odisha Government is set to launch a comprehensive skill development initiative for women beneficiaries of the Subhadra scheme, with the aim of enhancing employability, promoting entrepreneurship, and fostering long-term economic independence. Announcing the initiative, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the program will target women aged between 21 and 35 years who are…
Bhubaneswar: India’s agricultural sector has undergone a significant transformation over the past 12 years, with government policies increasingly focused on empowering farmers through higher productivity, improved income security, stronger market access, and enhanced resilience against climate and economic challenges. The shift marks a move beyond traditional welfare measures toward a comprehensive approach aimed at building…
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: In a first for Odisha, researchers will cultivate a range of exotic and colourful coconut varieties sourced from different parts of the world as part of a scientific study aimed at evaluating their suitability for the state’s climatic conditions. The research initiative is being undertaken by the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology and…
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: Fish and seafood prices have witnessed a sharp increase across Odisha as the annual fishing ban imposed during the breeding season continues to restrict marine fishing activities along the state’s coastline. The prohibition, enforced every year from April 15 to June 14, is aimed at protecting fish breeding and ensuring sustainable fish production in…