Bhubaneswar: West Bengal is set to add a striking new landmark to its skyline with the installation of a 60-foot-tall statue of Maa Durga along the Hooghly riverfront at Ramkrishnapur Ghat in Howrah. The project forms part of an ambitious riverfront redevelopment initiative aimed at enhancing tourism, beautifying public spaces and celebrating the state’s rich…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant move aimed at strengthening drug safety and curbing self-medication, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made it mandatory for consumers to obtain a doctor’s prescription before purchasing syrup-based medicines, including commonly used cough syrups. The decision follows an amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, through the Drugs (Fifth…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has emerged as one of the most affordable states in India for hospital treatment, with patients incurring significantly lower out-of-pocket medical expenses compared to the national average, according to findings from the latest National Sample Survey (NSS). The survey, conducted under the 80th round of the National Sample Survey, covered 5,288 households across…
Bhubaneswar: A few weeks of monsoon rain can transform Odisha’s landscape, turning parched fields green and replenishing reservoirs across the state. But an important question is beginning to emerge: what happens when rivers, ponds and groundwater reserves start disappearing even before the monsoon arrives? While Odisha has recently received relief from intense summer heat, concerns…
Bhubaneswar: Raja is much more than a festival. It is a profound cultural tradition that carries a message society still struggles to embrace openly—that menstruation is natural, periods are not a taboo, and the power to create life deserves respect rather than stigma. Long before conversations about menstrual health, gender equality and bodily autonomy entered…
Bhubaneswar: The third edition of the Bhubaneswar Film Festival (BFF) is set to be held from June 25 to 28 at Jayadev Bhawan, bringing together a diverse selection of acclaimed films from various Indian languages as well as international cinema. The festival aims to celebrate the art of filmmaking, promote cultural exchange and provide a…
Bhubaneswar: In a landmark initiative aimed at expanding educational opportunities and promoting social equity, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that the state government will provide free education from kindergarten (KG) to postgraduate (PG) level for students from economically weaker sections. The announcement reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that financial hardship does not…
Bhubaneswar: After days of intense heat and oppressive humidity, the southwest monsoon has finally advanced into parts of northern and coastal Odisha, bringing welcome relief to residents, farmers and livestock across the state. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon has entered several districts, including Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur. Meteorologists noted that…
Bhubaneswar: In a unique blend of cultural celebration and economic empowerment, the Odisha Government’s Mission Shakti Department has launched ‘Pitha on Wheels’, a mobile food initiative aimed at promoting traditional Odia cuisine while creating greater market opportunities for women entrepreneurs during the Raja Festival. The initiative features specially designed vehicles that travel to different locations,…
Return of Bengal’s Royal Mango Heritage: A Celebration of Rare Nawabi Cultivars, Living Traditions and Orchard Culture at India’s First Museum Hotel Bhubaneswar: : The Murshidabad Mango Festival 2026 got off to a spirited start with its curtain-raiser at iLEAD, Kolkata, drawing heritage enthusiasts, food lovers and travellers for a preview of one of Bengal’s most distinctive…