Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet’s approval of the proposal to rename Kerala as “Keralam” has triggered a broader political and cultural debate, with leaders across states renewing long-pending demands for similar changes. The move, which aligns the state’s official English nomenclature with its Malayalam identity, was initially viewed as an administrative correction. However, it has quickly…
Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to alter the name of the State of “Kerala” to “Keralam”, setting in motion the constitutional process required for a formal name change. Following Cabinet approval, the President of India will refer the proposed legislation — the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 — to the Kerala…
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: Universities are meant to be sanctuaries of learning, debate, and intellectual freedom. Yet, they are also institutions that must ensure safety, discipline, and order. Utkal University’s newly announced stringent campus guidelines reflect this delicate balancing act—tilting firmly toward control in the name of security and academic focus. The mandatory carrying of identity cards and…
Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced biennial elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states, with voting scheduled for March 16. The elections are being held to fill seats of members whose terms will end in April. Maharashtra will see the highest number of vacancies with seven seats, followed by Tamil…
Bhubaneswar: In India’s upcoming national Census, enumerators will collect detailed information on household facilities, family structure, and assets. The data will help the government design welfare schemes, infrastructure plans, and policy frameworks. Key Questions Likely to Be Asked 1. Family Details Name of the head of the household Number of family members 2. Housing Structure…
Bhubaneswar: In a major move to enforce discipline and boost participation in Parliament, the Lok Sabha has introduced a strict digital attendance system for Members of Parliament (MPs) starting with the 2026 Budget Session. Under the new system, MPs must mark their attendance through biometric devices installed at their designated seats, replacing the traditional physical…
Bhubaneswar: Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Mayor Subhash Chandra Singh has written to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, seeking the renaming of Cuttack as ‘Katak’, citing it as the city’s original and historically authentic name. In his letter, the Mayor referred to archival records preserved at the Records Department of Ravenshaw College, which, he said,…
Bhubaneswar: A powerful explosion during the illegal assembly of a crude bomb in Sundarpada area of Bhubaneswar claimed the lives of Shahnawaz Malik (26) and his mother Lizatun Bibi (51), while three others sustained critical injuries, police said. Malik, described as a repeat offender with prior explosives-related charges, was allegedly assembling the device at his…
Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to examine the feasibility of front-of-pack warning labels on foods high in sugar, salt, and fat, calling it a globally accepted public health practice. A bench asked the food regulator to submit a status report within four weeks, signalling that…