Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards promoting cleaner mobility, the Odisha government has exempted battery-powered electric, methanol-fuelled and ethanol-fuelled transport vehicles operating in the state from permit fees. According to a notification issued by the Commerce and Transport Department, the move aims to encourage the use of environment-friendly vehicles and support the transition towards a…
Bhubaneswar: Kerala has officially been renamed “Keralam” following President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 11 and the Rajya Sabha on August 12 before receiving presidential assent. The legislation amends the First Schedule of the Constitution to replace “Kerala” with…
Bhubaneswar: Amazon India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Textiles, Odisha, to expand e-commerce opportunities for the state’s weavers and artisans. Under the partnership, more than 1.3 lakh weavers and artisans are expected to be onboarded onto Amazon Karigar, providing them with access to a wider national customer base and…
Bhubaneswar, Aug. 6: Odisha’s iconic Kendrapada Rasabali has received a significant boost after being featured in the Union government’s initiative to strengthen India’s Geographical Indication (GI) ecosystem and promote traditional products on the global stage. The Centre has set an ambitious target of achieving 10,000 GI registrations by 2030, aiming to enhance exports, preserve cultural…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s rise as a leading sports destination received global recognition after Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Bhubaneswar’s rugby initiative while addressing the Indian diaspora in Auckland, New Zealand. Referring to the India–New Zealand Rugby Coaching Programme held at Kalinga Stadium in May, the Prime Minister described it as “a great start” towards deeper cooperation…
Bhubaneswar: The Andhra Pradesh government has issued a statewide COVID-19 alert after two recent deaths and the detection of eight active cases, mainly in YSR Kadapa and Annamayya districts. One patient from Rajampeta in Annamayya district died on July 7, while the second fatality was reported from Kadapa. In response, health authorities have resumed COVID-19…
Bhubaneswar: A new light and sound show at the historic Khandagiri-Udayagiri caves is in its final stages of preparation. The show will recreate the legacy of Emperor Kharavela and the spread of Jainism through immersive visual projections on the rock-cut caves and a multi-channel sound system. Tourism Department, ASI and ITDC officials have reviewed the…
Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Rath Yatra 2026, the Housing and Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha has prohibited the distribution of cooked food along Bada Danda, permitting only dry and packaged food items to be served to devotees during the festival. The decision has been taken to maintain strict sanitation, hygiene, and public health standards as…
Bhubaneswar: In a time when grand temples and elaborate Rath Yatra celebrations draw thousands of devotees, a small village in Mayurbhanj district offers a powerful reminder that true devotion transcends grandeur. For the past 38 years, the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra have been worshipped under a simple shelter made of…
Bhubaneswar: Spectacular underwater visuals captured by divers beneath the Mahanadi River near Nandikeswari Path on the Cuttack–Choudwar stretch have revealed massive rocky formations resting quietly on the riverbed. Resembling submerged hills or cliffs, the formations have sparked curiosity about the geological history hidden beneath one of Odisha’s most important rivers. At first glance, the enormous…