Bhubaneswar: The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically vital energy chokepoints in the world. Connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, this narrow maritime corridor carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies each day. Any disruption — or even credible claims of a temporary closure —…
Bhubaneswar: With an average of 16 people losing their lives daily in road accidents across Odisha, the state government has accelerated the rollout of the Prime Minister’s Road Accident Victims’ Hospitalisation & Assured Treatment Scheme (PM RAHAT). The scheme guarantees free and cashless treatment for road accident victims admitted to a hospital within 24 hours…
Bhubaneswar: The 13th edition of the India–Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR commenced on February 4 at Missamari, Assam, and will continue until February 17, 2026. Exercise KHANJAR is an annual bilateral training event, conducted alternately in India and Kyrgyzstan. The previous edition of the exercise was held in Kyrgyzstan in March 2025. The Indian…
Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fog alert for several states across North, East and Northeast India, warning of dense to very dense fog at isolated places till the morning of December 26. According to the advisory, very dense fog is likely over Assam and Meghalaya, Bihar, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab,…
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: Odisha’s decision to notify 24 new Notified Area Councils (NACs) and initiate the upgradation of five existing NACs into Municipalities marks one of the most consequential administrative restructurings in recent years. At its core, the move reflects the state’s ambition to redraw the map of urban governance—taking civic administration closer to people and extending…
Bhubaneswar: In the complex political landscape of Uttar Pradesh, caste continues to negotiate its place with Hindutva, refusing to be entirely subsumed by the broader ideological tide. The year 2014 — when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved a historic sweep in the Lok Sabha elections — stands as an inflection point in the state’s…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has joined the nationwide ‘Swadeshi Campaign’ launched by the Ministry of Textiles to promote domestic demand for Indian-made handloom, handicraft, and textile products. The campaign, part of the government’s Vocal for Local initiative, aims to strengthen traditional industries, empower artisans, and showcase India’s cultural craftsmanship to younger generations. The state’s renowned Sambalpuri, Bomkai,…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant escalation of trade tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a steep 50% import duty on Indian goods, doubling the existing 25% rate. The move, formalized through an executive order, directly links the tariff hike to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, marking a new flashpoint in Indo-U.S. relations. According…
Kolkata: The Ladies Wing of Gangashahr Nagrik Parishad (GNP) recently organized a food festival competition at iLEAD, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Gangashahr, Bikaner. The event aimed to preserve and document traditional dishes, some of which were on the verge of being forgotten.Rare Dishes on Display with Twenty-two participants prepared a variety of dishes,…