Bhubaneswar: In a major relief for commuters, the Odisha government has withdrawn its controversial “No PUCC, No Petrol” directive following strong observations by the Orissa High Court, which questioned both the feasibility and legality of the move. In an affidavit submitted before the court, the state clarified that while petrol pumps may ask motorists to…
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s tableau at the Republic Day Parade 2026 on Kartavya Path offered a vivid portrayal of the state’s transformation, blending its ancient heritage with inclusive growth and modern technological ambition. Presented under the theme “Soil to Silicon: Rooted in Tradition, Rising with Innovation,” the tableau reflected Odisha’s evolving role in India’s journey towards Atmanirbhar…
Bhubaneswar: A new cultural phenomenon known as “bhajan clubbing” is reshaping how India’s Gen Z engages with spirituality, blending ancient devotional traditions with the energy and aesthetics of modern live music. Across major cities, young people are gathering in packed venues to sing, dance and chant to remixed bhajans and kirtans, set against electronic beats,…
Bhubaneswar: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said the recently concluded India-European Union trade agreement could significantly strengthen India’s textile sector and generate millions of new jobs, as the country positions itself to gain a larger share of the European market. Speaking at the India-EU Summit in New Delhi, Goyal noted that the…
Bhubaneswar: The inauguration of India’s first Flat Rolled Products (FRP) aluminium unit at Hindalco’s Aditya Aluminium plant in Lapanga is strategically significant—not just as an industrial milestone, but as a signal of Odisha’s evolving economic model. Traditionally viewed as a mineral-rich but value-exporting state, Odisha has long supplied raw materials while downstream value addition occurred…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government’s decision to increase expenditure on uniforms, shoes, and sweaters for Anganwadi children under the Malati Devi Prak Vidyalaya Paridhan Yojana reflects a subtle but important shift in early childhood welfare policy—from minimum compliance to quality assurance. At a fiscal level, the hike addresses a long-standing gap between sanctioned costs and market…
Bhubaneswar: Apple Inc. is preparing to roll out its digital payments service, Apple Pay, in India by late 2026, ending years of regulatory and operational delays in one of the world’s largest digital payments markets. India remains one of the few major economies where Apple Pay is yet to be officially launched. According to reports,…
Bhubaneswar: India has submitted a dual bid to host two prestigious World Athletics events in 2028, signalling a significant step forward in the country’s international sporting ambitions. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has proposed Bhubaneswar as the host city for the World Athletics Indoor Championships and Ahmedabad for the World Athletics U20 Championships. As…
Bhubaneswar: In a major push toward technology-driven infrastructure management, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun deploying AI-enabled 3D survey vehicles across 23 states to assess and monitor the condition of national highways. The advanced vehicles, equipped with laser scanners and 360-degree high-resolution cameras, are set to survey more than 20,000 kilometres of…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is set to roll out artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled virtual classrooms and a digital assessment system across more than 5,000 secondary and higher secondary schools in the state, marking a major push toward technology-driven education. The initiative, being implemented by the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA), is aimed at bridging learning…