Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said around 14.73 lakh beneficiaries are currently covered under the state government’s Jashoda Yojana, with the number expected to increase as more children are referred to the concerned committees. Parida said the government is committed to ensuring the welfare and protection of children and stressed that there is…
Bhubaneswar: At least seven people were killed and 14 others injured in a stampede near the Ashok Dham temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district, according to reports. The incident occurred at Ashok Dham Halt railway station, located a short distance from the temple, amid a heavy rush of devotees. Large numbers of pilgrims had gathered in…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s capital has reported its first COVID-19 case of the year, with a 50-year-old man from the Baramunda area testing positive, according to reports. The patient is currently undergoing treatment in the isolation ward of a hospital. The development comes nearly a month after Odisha reported another COVID-19 case, when a 54-year-old woman from…
Bhubaneswar: Rising prices are beginning to put greater pressure on household budgets in Odisha, with the state’s retail inflation rate climbing to 4.83% in July 2026, according to the latest figures. The increase marks the sharpest rise in retail inflation among Indian states over the past seven months, highlighting renewed price pressures across the state…
Bhubaneswar: YSR Kadapa district is transforming the delivery of school meals through its SMART Kitchen Initiative, combining modern infrastructure, technology, efficient logistics, sustainability and community participation to improve nutrition for children. Implemented under the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes, the initiative has established 38 SMART Kitchens across the district, serving nearly 1 lakh children…
Bhubaneswar: Teenage pregnancy is emerging as an important social and public-health concern in Odisha, drawing attention to the health, education and safety of adolescent girls. The issue extends beyond pregnancy itself. Girls who become mothers during adolescence can face greater health challenges, disruption to their education and fewer opportunities for higher education and employment later…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has directed all hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana (GJAY) to establish 24×7 help desks to assist beneficiaries in accessing healthcare services. The directive is aimed at ensuring that eligible patients receive timely information and support while availing themselves of benefits…
Bhubaneswar: The Department of Sports Management at iLEAD, Kolkata, successfully organised “United Through Sport – Celebrating the Spirit of the Commonwealth Games 2026,” bringing together leaders from diplomacy, sports administration, and inclusive sport for an engaging and thought-provoking interaction with students. The event was graced by Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner for East…
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 Odisha government has decided to designate the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) as the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to strengthen the state’s disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities. The decision was taken during a review meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, where plans were discussed to enhance…