Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced that Mission Shakti community support staff across the state will be provided with uniforms, identity cards, and smartphones starting April 1, in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots implementation of women-centric welfare programmes. The initiative will cover around 46,000 Mission Shakti workers, including Community Resource Persons (CRPs), who play…
Bhubaneswar: The Centre has announced targeted support for agarwood cultivation in Assam and other North Eastern states, aiming to diversify farm outputs, enhance productivity, increase farmers’ incomes, and generate new employment opportunities in the region. Making the announcement in her Union Budget speech on Sunday, February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government would…
Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that India aims to utilise 100 per cent of its solid waste in road construction by 2027, marking a major push towards sustainable and environmentally responsible infrastructure development. Speaking about ongoing initiatives, Gadkari said that around 80 lakh tonnes of waste have…
Bhubaneswar: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana, a new initiative aimed at expanding skill development and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (divyangjan). The scheme will focus on targeted training programmes, workplace inclusion, and creation of dignified livelihood opportunities, enabling divyangjan to participate more actively in the workforce. The initiative seeks…
Bhubaneswar: Sports received a significant boost in the Union Budget, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening infrastructure, grassroots development, and domestic manufacturing in the sector. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said India has the potential to emerge as a global hub for high-quality and affordable sports goods….
Bhubaneswar: Tourism development officers in Odisha have been directed to carry out regular inspections of wayside amenity centres and report any deficiencies within two weeks to ensure timely corrective action and quality upkeep. The directive was issued during a recent review meeting in Bhubaneswar, where it was decided that all 68 wayside amenity centres currently…
Bhubaneswar: The Union Budget 2026 has announced a significant expansion of government support for Ayurveda and India’s broader AYUSH ecosystem, signalling a renewed emphasis on traditional medicine systems alongside modern healthcare. As part of the initiative, the Centre has proposed the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda, aimed at scaling up education,…
Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park in Odisha has reported a worrying spate of animal deaths, with eight animals dying within a span of just eight days, raising concerns among wildlife experts and animal welfare advocates. According to zoo authorities, the deaths include five crocodiles, two white peacocks, and one mouse deer. Preliminary assessments suggest that the…
Bhubaneswar: Shatak, a film chronicling the 100-year journey of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), explores the organisation’s origins and evolution since its founding in 1925 by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. Directed by Aashish Mall and subtitled Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Ke 100 Varsh, the film adopts a historical, documentary-style narrative to chart the RSS’s growth into…
Bhubaneswar: The Economic Survey 2025–26, tabled in Parliament on January 29 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has raised serious concerns over rising digital addiction among children and recommended age-based restrictions on access to online platforms. Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V. Anantha Nageswaran described digital platforms as “predatory by design,” arguing that their algorithms and features…