Bhubaneswar: Health experts have raised concerns over the practice of placing thin plastic sheets beneath hot breakfast and street food items, warning that the materials may release toxic chemicals when exposed to heat. According to experts, many of these plastic sheets are made from recycled or low-grade materials that can contain harmful substances such as…
Bhubaneswar: The Atal Pension Yojana has completed 11 years of implementation, emerging as one of India’s largest social security initiatives aimed at providing retirement protection to workers in the unorganised sector. Launched to strengthen financial inclusion and pension coverage, the scheme has significantly expanded its reach over the past decade, helping millions of low-income workers…
Bhubaneswar: While mango varieties such as Alphonso and Dussehri dominate national markets and conversations, Odisha continues to nurture a wide range of indigenous mango varieties that have been preserved through generations of traditional cultivation practices. Among the most widely preferred native varieties is Bombai, especially popular across coastal Odisha for its sweetness, aroma, and juicy…
Bhubaneswar: Hari Babu Kambhampati on Wednesday said the National Education Policy 2020 will play a transformative role in shaping the future of Odisha and the country by aligning education with modern skills and global demands. Addressing a national-level workshop in Bhubaneswar, the Governor described education as the cornerstone of long-term development and said the policy…
Bhubaneswar: A recent study by wildlife researchers Rajkishore Swain, Sandesh Behera, and Subhani Rath has highlighted growing threats to honeybee diversity in Odisha due to habitat loss, climate change, and excessive pesticide use. The study notes that honeybees contribute to over 70% of pollination in certain crops and ornamental plants in Bhubaneswar, underlining their critical…
Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released the updated guidelines for Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0, introducing a strengthened and more comprehensive approach to child healthcare. The revised framework expands the existing “4Ds” model—Defects at Birth, Diseases, Deficiencies, and Developmental Delays—while adopting a lifecycle-based strategy that ensures continuous health monitoring and…
Bhubaneswar: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has set a new Guinness World Records milestone by unfurling the world’s largest underwater national flag at Radhanagar Beach. The massive Tricolour, measuring approximately 60 by 40 metres, was deployed beneath the sea in a highly coordinated operation at Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island). The effort involved over 200…
Bhubaneswar: The National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), in collaboration with the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), is establishing a state-of-the-art 30 MeV Medical Cyclotron Facility at its Jatni campus in Odisha. The project is being jointly funded by the Department of Atomic Energy and the state government, and forms part of a broader…
Bhubaneswar: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a major regulatory shift mandating plastic-free packaging for pan masala, gutka, and similar products. Under a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards Packaging Regulations 2018, these products would be allowed to be packed only in eco-friendly materials such as paper, paperboard,…
Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has officially notified the Treated Used Water Policy 2026, marking a major step toward sustainable water management and circular economy practices. The policy sets ambitious targets, including achieving 100% treatment of used water across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) by 2030. It also outlines a phased reuse roadmap, aiming for…