Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Ayush has announced that Kolkata will host the main national event for the International Day of Yoga 2026 (#IDY2026), with this year’s theme finalised as “Yoga for Healthy Aging.” The announcement was made during the 25-day countdown programme to International Day of Yoga held at Khajuraho Group of Monuments, where thousands…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has launched two major rural development initiatives — the Model Village Mission and the Mahapurusha Adarsha Grama Yojana — aimed at transforming villages through improved infrastructure, better public services, and enhanced livelihood opportunities. The initiatives seek to bridge the rural-urban development gap by ensuring the availability of urban-level amenities and integrated…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified efforts to promote rural and experiential tourism through a large-scale curated homestay initiative aimed at generating local livelihoods and offering tourists authentic cultural immersion experiences across the state. Under the Odisha Homestay Establishment Scheme-2025, the Tourism Department has identified 61 gram panchayats across 19 districts for the development of…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated plans to establish modern Handloom Hubs and Apparel Parks in multiple districts to strengthen the state’s traditional weaving sector through advanced technology, improved infrastructure, and enhanced market access. As part of the initiative, dedicated projects are being developed in Cuttack, Bargarh, and Jajpur districts with the aim of transforming…
Bhubaneswar: India has eased mandatory inspection requirements for tea imports from Nepal following requests from Nepali authorities, offering significant relief to tea exporters and cross-border traders. Under the revised arrangement, trucks carrying Nepali tea meant for India’s domestic market will no longer be routinely stopped at border points for inspection and testing. The Tea Board…
Bhubaneswar: The Securities and Exchange Board of India will soon establish a branch office in Bhubaneswar, with plans to later develop a permanent facility in the city, according to SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey. The announcement is being viewed as a significant step towards strengthening capital market presence and financial sector outreach in Odisha. During…
Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has established dedicated cooling stations at Kalpana Square and Fire Station Square in Bhubaneswar to provide relief to residents amid rising temperatures and ongoing heatwave conditions. The initiative aims to create accessible public comfort spaces where people can temporarily escape extreme heat and reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses. Officials…
BHUBANESWAR: A report by State Bank of India (SBI) has revealed that nearly 66 per cent of Odisha’s informal sector workforce receives wages below the statutory minimum wage, placing the state among the poorest performers in minimum wage compliance. The findings, based on data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)-2025, point to significant interstate…
Bhubaneswar: The Government of India and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have launched a new eight-year strategic partnership framework under the Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) for the period 2026 to 2033. The new strategy is aimed at strengthening India’s rural economy by enhancing rural incomes, improving resilience and expanding sustainable livelihood opportunities…
Bhubaneswar: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are increasingly becoming the foundation for scalable, secure and technology-driven financial services in India, with policymakers and industry stakeholders highlighting their growing role in transforming the fintech ecosystem. Officials noted that platforms such as Unified Lending Interface (ULI) are enabling digital access to multiple data sources,…