Bhubaneswar : An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter Scale struck southwest of the BMD Seismic Centre in Agargaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh, according to preliminary reports. The tremors were felt in parts of Kolkata and other areas of West Bengal, prompting residents to step out of their homes as a precaution. There were no immediate reports…
Bhubaneswar/Ganjam: The iconic Rushikulya rookery is poised to receive designation as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under the Biological Diversity Act, marking a significant milestone in Odisha’s conservation efforts. Located along Odisha’s southern coastline, the Rushikulya river mouth is globally known as one of the most important mass nesting (arribada) sites for the endangered Olive Ridley…
Bhubaneswar: With summer approaching, the Odisha School and Mass Education Department has issued a statewide advisory directing schools to implement precautionary measures to tackle potential heatwave conditions. The advisory outlines several key steps to safeguard students from heat-related illnesses. Schools have been instructed to ensure uninterrupted access to safe drinking water, repair non-functional tube wells,…
Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple has announced special ritual arrangements in view of the Ketu-grasta lunar eclipse scheduled for March 3, coinciding with the auspicious festival of Dola Purnima. According to temple authorities, the eclipse is expected to touch Puri at 3:20:17 PM. In adherence to long-standing temple traditions, the preparation of Mahaprasad and all…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha will roll out the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign on February 28, joining a major public health initiative aimed at preventing cervical cancer among adolescent girls. The programme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeks to expand immunisation coverage and reduce the long-term burden of cervical cancer, one of the most common…
Bhubaneswar: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha has announced that the state government plans to ban the sale of meat and fish near educational and religious institutions, as well as in crowded public spaces. The proposal, he said, is driven by health concerns and an aim to curb violent tendencies among children. The move is…
Bhubaneswar: Tribal women in the remote Kotia region of Odisha have begun cultivating German chamomile, a high-value medicinal crop, to improve their livelihoods and income security. The initiative is being supported by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) and the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), leveraging the region’s favourable climate…
Bhubaneswar: India’s highways have long symbolised speed, connectivity, and economic progress. But they have also represented ecological disruption—fragmented habitats, declining wildlife populations, and vanishing pollinators. Against this backdrop, the National Highways Authority of India’s proposal to create ‘Bee Corridors’ along national highways is a welcome, if overdue, intervention. Pollinators such as bees are not mere…
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to ensure piped drinking water reaches every village in Odisha by March 2027, stressing universal and equitable access, especially in tribal-dominated regions. Calling the initiative a mission-mode priority, the CM said no revenue village should be left out and urged the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday launched 250 new ambulances at Kalinga Stadium, marking the second phase of the state’s emergency medical transport expansion. With an investment of ₹111 crore, the government plans to deploy 428 new ambulances, strengthening rapid response services across the state. Earlier, 150 ambulances were inducted in December…