Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s recent ban on the manufacture and sale of pan masala, gutkha, khaini and other food items containing tobacco or nicotine was projected as a strong public health intervention. However, ground realities suggest that the move has exposed a major loophole, allowing other equally harmful smokeless and traditional tobacco products to flourish unchecked, particularly…
Bhubaneswar: The Budget Session of Parliament began on Monday with an address by President Droupadi Murmu to members of both Houses, setting the tone for the government’s policy priorities and legislative agenda for the months ahead. In keeping with parliamentary tradition, the President’s address laid out the broad policy direction and collective resolve guiding India’s…
Bhubaneswar: In a major relief for commuters, the Odisha government has withdrawn its controversial “No PUCC, No Petrol” directive following strong observations by the Orissa High Court, which questioned both the feasibility and legality of the move. In an affidavit submitted before the court, the state clarified that while petrol pumps may ask motorists to…
Bhubaneswar: In a major milestone for Odisha’s agricultural sector, fresh strawberries grown in Dhenkanal district have been exported to London for the first time, marking a new chapter in the state’s horticulture history. A total of 52 kilograms of fresh strawberries cultivated in Neelakanthapur village under Bhuban block and Ramei Khamar village under Gandia block…
Bhubaneswar: The 11-day Adivasi Mela, one of Odisha’s largest showcases of tribal culture, began in Bhubaneswar on Sunday with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurating the event and urging members of the tribal community to become educated and aware of their constitutional and legal rights. The annual fair highlights the lifestyle, art, craft, cuisine and…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government’s decision to increase expenditure on uniforms, shoes, and sweaters for Anganwadi children under the Malati Devi Prak Vidyalaya Paridhan Yojana reflects a subtle but important shift in early childhood welfare policy—from minimum compliance to quality assurance. At a fiscal level, the hike addresses a long-standing gap between sanctioned costs and market…
Bhubaneswar: The national recognition accorded to Odia sculptor Upendra Nath Giri for the Vishwarupa statue at Lok Bhavan underscores a broader shift in how regional and traditional artists are being acknowledged within India’s public and institutional spaces. Presidential appreciation and felicitation at Rashtrapati Bhavan elevate the achievement beyond personal acclaim, placing it within the narrative…
Bhubaneswar: India has submitted a dual bid to host two prestigious World Athletics events in 2028, signalling a significant step forward in the country’s international sporting ambitions. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has proposed Bhubaneswar as the host city for the World Athletics Indoor Championships and Ahmedabad for the World Athletics U20 Championships. As…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is set to roll out artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled virtual classrooms and a digital assessment system across more than 5,000 secondary and higher secondary schools in the state, marking a major push toward technology-driven education. The initiative, being implemented by the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA), is aimed at bridging learning…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has introduced a new rule mandating the use of Odia for all official work carried out by government departments and public offices across the state. The directive covers official files, notices, circulars, letters, and internal communication at the state, district, and local levels. According to the government, the order applies strictly…
