Bhubaneswar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Lucknow on January 24 to attend and address the ‘Uttar Pradesh Day’ celebrations as the chief guest. The event is expected to highlight the state’s cultural heritage, development initiatives, and governance reforms. During the programme, the Home Minister will launch the ‘One District One Cuisine’ scheme, an…
Bhubaneswar: Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura on Sunday marked 54 years of statehood, commemorating their transition from Union Territories to full-fledged states in 1972 under the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act. The day was observed with official messages, cultural programmes and reflections on the region’s journey and challenges. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh called for unity…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced plans for a comprehensive redevelopment of the Mahima Temple at Joranda, the principal seat of Mahima Dharma, aimed at enhancing its spiritual, cultural and tourism significance. As part of the proposed makeover, a new grand temple will be constructed over the existing Shunya Mandir, while preserving the core philosophical…
Bhubaneswar: Assam witnessed a landmark cultural moment with the grand staging of Bagurumba Dwhou 2026, a historic celebration of the Bodo community’s iconic Bagurumba, or butterfly dance. Held at Guwahati’s Sarusajai Stadium, the event brought together more than 10,000 Bodo artistes from all 81 Assembly constituencies across 23 districts, creating one of the largest synchronised…
Bhubaneswar: Breaking with long-standing tradition, the Republic Day 2026 celebrations on Kartavya Path will feature parade galleries named after some of India’s most iconic rivers, paying tribute to their central role in the nation’s civilisation, culture and economy. From the Ganga and Ghaghra in the north to the Godavari and Kaveri in the south, and…
Bhubaneswar: Bihar has marked a historic spiritual and architectural milestone with the installation of the world’s largest Shivling at the Viraat Ramayan Mandir complex in Kesariya, East Champaran. Standing 33 feet tall and weighing an extraordinary 210 tonnes, the monumental Shivling has been carved from a single, continuous block of black granite, setting a new…
Bhubaneswar: In a decisive move to promote linguistic pride and strengthen the use of the state’s official language, the Odisha government has mandated that all official work in government offices be carried out exclusively in Odia. The directive was issued on Wednesday by the General Administration Department, making strict compliance compulsory across all levels of…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to revise and fast-track the ambitious Ekamra Kshetra Amenities and Monuments Revival Action (Ekamra) project by adopting a component-wise execution strategy, following the foreclosure of the original ₹280-crore contract by the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation Limited (OBCC). The move comes after OBCC foreclosed the contract citing prolonged delays…
Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to streamline protocol darshan and reinforce discipline within the sacred temple premises, following a recent controversy linked to protocol arrangements. Under the revised SOP, the entire responsibility for managing protocol guests will rest with the SJTA, aimed at ensuring better…
Bhubaneswar: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Saturday cautioned that India’s historical decline stemmed not from aggression but from a failure to adequately safeguard its security, urging young leaders to remain constantly vigilant to protect the nation’s sovereignty and future. Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue at Bharat Mandapam, Doval addressed over 3,000…