Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said around 14.73 lakh beneficiaries are currently covered under the state government’s Jashoda Yojana, with the number expected to increase as more children are referred to the concerned committees. Parida said the government is committed to ensuring the welfare and protection of children and stressed that there is…
Bhubaneswar: At least seven people were killed and 14 others injured in a stampede near the Ashok Dham temple in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district, according to reports. The incident occurred at Ashok Dham Halt railway station, located a short distance from the temple, amid a heavy rush of devotees. Large numbers of pilgrims had gathered in…
Bhubaneswar: YSR Kadapa district is transforming the delivery of school meals through its SMART Kitchen Initiative, combining modern infrastructure, technology, efficient logistics, sustainability and community participation to improve nutrition for children. Implemented under the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes, the initiative has established 38 SMART Kitchens across the district, serving nearly 1 lakh children…
Bhubaneswar: Teenage pregnancy is emerging as an important social and public-health concern in Odisha, drawing attention to the health, education and safety of adolescent girls. The issue extends beyond pregnancy itself. Girls who become mothers during adolescence can face greater health challenges, disruption to their education and fewer opportunities for higher education and employment later…
Bhubaneswar : Bajaj Finance Limited, one of India’s leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., has taken its financial literacy initiative ‘Arth Sutra Samvad’ to rural Odisha, with programmes organised at the Baliput and Sutan Gram Panchayat offices in Puri district. The initiative is part of Bajaj Finance’s pan-India financial…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday launched the ‘Ghare Ghare Tiranga’ campaign in Bhubaneswar, calling upon people across the state to hoist the national flag at their homes from August 9 to 17 as part of the Independence Day celebrations. Launching the campaign, Majhi described the Tiranga as a symbol of India’s…
Bhubaneswar: India’s Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort are set to feature a special addition this year, with “Vande Mataram” scheduled to be played during the national celebrations for the first time. The inclusion of the iconic patriotic song is expected to add a distinctive patriotic touch to the August 15 celebrations at…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has said that India’s Gen Z has a strong desire to contribute to the country’s development and that the nation must align its future with the aspirations of the younger generation. Addressing the role of young Indians in shaping the country’s future, Majhi said Gen Z possesses the…
Bhubaneswar: The Lok Sabha on August 7, 2026, passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, after the legislation was approved by the Rajya Sabha on August 3. The amendment comes as the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, completes two decades. The government said rapid technological changes, the…
Bhubaneswar: The Government of India has clarified that UPI payments will remain free for ordinary users, amid growing debate over proposed amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 and the possibility of introducing a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on certain transactions. The government categorically stated that consumers making payments through UPI will not…