New Odisha Age

Cuttack Mayor Writes to CM Seeking Renaming of City as ‘Katak’

Bhubaneswar: Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Mayor Subhash Chandra Singh has written to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, seeking the renaming of Cuttack as ‘Katak’, citing it as the city’s original and historically authentic name. In his letter, the Mayor referred to archival records preserved at the Records Department of Ravenshaw College, which, he said,…

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Isha Yoga Center Hosts 33rd Mahashivratri Celebrations, Thousands Gather in Coimbatore

Bhubaneswar: The Isha Yoga Center marked its 33rd annual Mahashivratri celebrations on February 15, drawing thousands of devotees for an all-night spiritual and cultural gathering. The event featured powerful yogic practices such as Pancha Bhuta Kriya, midnight consecrations, and a series of cultural performances. Spiritual leader Sadhguru addressed participants, highlighting the significance of Mahashivratri as…

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India Plans First Underwater Road–Rail Tunnel Under Brahmaputra

Bhubaneswar: India is set to build its first underwater twin-tube road and rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River, linking Assam with Arunachal Pradesh in a landmark infrastructure project valued at ₹18,662 crore. The 34-km integrated corridor will feature a four-lane highway and a railway line, with cross passages every 500 metres to ensure emergency evacuation…

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Odisha to Introduce QR Code–Enabled Land Pattas to Curb Property Fraud

Bhubaneswar: In a major push to enhance transparency and prevent land-related fraud, the Odisha government is set to introduce QR code–enabled land pattas for property transactions, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced. Under the proposed system, the Record of Rights (RoR) will carry a unique QR code that can be scanned to instantly access verified land…

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Aadhaar Grievance Hearing to Begin from February 16

Bhubaneswar: The Electronics and Information Technology Department will start hearing grievances related to Aadhaar services from February 16, officials said. Citizens facing issues related to Aadhaar can register their complaints through the OCAC portal (http://ocac.in). After registration, complaints will be reviewed and addressed by the concerned authorities during the grievance hearing process. The initiative aims…

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Attendance Drops to Near Zero at Odisha Anganwadi After Dalit Woman’s Appointment

Bhubaneswar: An anganwadi centre in Nuagaon village of Kendrapada district has recorded near-zero attendance for three months after villagers boycotted the facility over the appointment of a Dalit helper-cum-cook, officials said. Sarmista Sethi (21), a graduate and the only applicant from the village, was appointed on November 20 with a monthly honorarium of ₹5,000. Following…

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Odisha Targets 100% Rural Piped Water Coverage by March 2027

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed officials to ensure piped drinking water reaches every village in Odisha by March 2027, stressing universal and equitable access, especially in tribal-dominated regions. Calling the initiative a mission-mode priority, the CM said no revenue village should be left out and urged the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water…

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Odisha Police to Set Up 20 New Cyber Police Stations to Tackle Online Fraud

Bhubaneswar: In a major push to combat rising cybercrime and financial fraud, Odisha Police will establish 20 new cyber police stations across the state, officials said after a high-level review meeting chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania. The move comes amid a surge in cyber fraud, digital financial crimes, and online…

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Crime Against Women in Odisha: Beyond Numbers, Towards Structural Reform

Bhubaneswar: The latest annual report of the Odisha State Commission for Women, revealing 2,064 cases of crimes and grievances against women in 2024–25, is both a statistical snapshot and a moral indictment. That Bhubaneswar alone accounts for 298 cases, followed by Cuttack and Khordha, should compel policymakers and society to confront an uncomfortable truth: urban…

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Odisha Approves Salary Hike for AYUSH Doctors Under NHM

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has approved a significant salary hike for contractual AYUSH doctors working under the National Health Mission (NHM), Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Tuesday. Under the revised structure, AYUSH doctors will receive monthly salary increments ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹40,000, depending on their years of service. The move is expected…

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