Bhubaneswar: The BJP-led Delhi government on Tuesday opened 45 Atal Canteens across the national capital, providing nutritious breakfast and dinner at a nominal cost of ₹5 per meal for daily wage workers, delivery personnel, construction labourers and residents of urban slums. Each meal served at the canteens includes dal, rice, chapati, vegetables and pickle. To…
Bhubaneswar: Nearly 1,000 youth from all 30 districts of Odisha will converge at Kalinga Stadium here for the State Youth Festival 2025, scheduled from December 24 to 26. The three-day festival will feature state-level competitions across seven categories, with winners earning the opportunity to represent Odisha at the National Youth Festival, also known as the…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has unveiled an ambitious plan to develop a large-scale Economic Region covering Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri and Paradip, with the aim of transforming the entire corridor into a network of integrated “growth hubs.” The roadmap was discussed at a high-level meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan on Wednesday under the chairmanship of…
Bhubaneswar: The proposed VB-G Ram G Bill marks a significant departure from the structure of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), particularly in terms of funding responsibility, allocation norms and operational flexibility. The Bill introduces a cost-sharing model, replaces open-ended funding with a normative allocation system, and allows a pause in employment…
Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court’s acceptance of a revised government definition of the Aravalli hills on November 20 has triggered widespread concern among environmental experts and citizen groups, who warn that the move could strip protection from nearly 90 per cent of the ancient hill range. Under the new definition, only landforms rising above 100 metres…
Bhubaneswar: In a major reform aimed at accelerating industrial growth and promoting entrepreneurship, the Odisha government has simplified land-use regulations for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups. Under the new provision, registered MSME and start-up units are now exempt from obtaining Change of Land Use (CLU) permission under the Odisha Land Reforms Act….
Bhubaneswar: The recent Deepam lighting row in Tamil Nadu has once again brought to the surface a long-simmering debate in Indian public life: where does secular governance end and where does the freedom to practise faith begin? The controversy, triggered by the state government’s decision to prevent Hindu devotees from lighting diyas or lamps in…
Bhubaneswar: Cinema has never been a neutral art form. From its earliest days, it has reflected power, politics, pain and patriotism. Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, arrives firmly within this tradition — unapologetic, provocative and deeply polarising. The fierce debate it has ignited says as much about the times we live in as it does…
Bhubaneswar: Director-producer Aditya Dhar’s much-anticipated film Dhurandhar has taken the country by storm since its release, generating enormous buzz across social media, film circles and political commentary alike. With a powerhouse ensemble cast and a politically charged narrative, the film has emerged as one of the most discussed releases of the year. Featuring an impressive…
Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar is once again at an inflection point. The Housing and Urban Development Minister and BDA Chairman, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra’s recent inspection of the Town Planning (TP) Schemes in Bijipur, Paikarapur and Sahajpur—and the ambitious New City project—signals the government’s intent to reshape the capital’s future. But behind the confident site visits and…
