New Odisha Age

Discipline vs Freedom: Utkal University’s Tightening Grip on Campus Life

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…

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EC Announces Biennial Rajya Sabha Polls for 37 Seats on March 16

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…

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Census Coming Soon: What Will Enumerators Ask About Your Household?

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…

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Lok Sabha Introduces Digital Attendance, ‘No Show, No Pay’ Rule from 2026 Budget Session

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…

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Cuttack Mayor Writes to CM Seeking Renaming of City as ‘Katak’

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,…

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Explosion During Illegal Bomb Assembly Kills Two in Bhubaneswar; NIA Probes Possible Terror Links

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…

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Supreme Court Asks FSSAI to Examine Front-of-Pack Warning Labels on Junk Foods

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…

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Odisha Police to Set Up 20 New Cyber Police Stations to Tackle Online Fraud

Bhubaneswar: In a major push to combat rising cybercrime and financial fraud, Odisha Police will establish 20 new cyber police stations across the state, officials said after a high-level review meeting chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania. The move comes amid a surge in cyber fraud, digital financial crimes, and online…

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Bharat Bandh Today: Key Services May Face Disruptions

Bhubaneswar: A nationwide Bharat Bandh on February 12 could lead to partial disruptions in banking, transport and local services, though essential services are expected to operate normally. Public sector bank unions have announced participation in the strike, which may affect branch-level banking operations, even as branches remain open. Public transport, including buses and taxis, could…

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Crime Against Women in Odisha: Beyond Numbers, Towards Structural Reform

Bhubaneswar: The latest annual report of the Odisha State Commission for Women, revealing 2,064 cases of crimes and grievances against women in 2024–25, is both a statistical snapshot and a moral indictment. That Bhubaneswar alone accounts for 298 cases, followed by Cuttack and Khordha, should compel policymakers and society to confront an uncomfortable truth: urban…

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