Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to strengthen passenger safety, the Odisha government has made it mandatory for all sleeper coach buses operating in the state to be equipped with water tanks and functional sprinkler systems to tackle fire emergencies. The directive was issued by State Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena during a meeting…
Bhubaneswar: A social media post by market commentator Piyush Trades has reignited a wider debate on the investment value of traditional life insurance policies sold in the early 2000s. The post shared details of a Bima Gold policy launched in 2006, highlighting modest returns that have drawn sharp reactions online. According to the post, the…
Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to streamline protocol darshan and reinforce discipline within the sacred temple premises, following a recent controversy linked to protocol arrangements. Under the revised SOP, the entire responsibility for managing protocol guests will rest with the SJTA, aimed at ensuring better…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards clean energy adoption and sustainable rural development, Olab and Kandakela Devabhumi villages in Cuttack district have been inaugurated as Odisha’s first fully solar-powered villages under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Implemented by TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), the project involved the installation of rooftop solar power…
Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar’s popular street festival Patha Utsav is set to return on January 18, 2026, transforming Jagamara New Road into a vibrant, car-free cultural zone from 6.00 am onwards. Organised by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Patha Utsav aims to reclaim public streets as inclusive community spaces, encouraging citizens to come together for culture, creativity…
Bhubaneswar: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Saturday cautioned that India’s historical decline stemmed not from aggression but from a failure to adequately safeguard its security, urging young leaders to remain constantly vigilant to protect the nation’s sovereignty and future. Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue at Bharat Mandapam, Doval addressed over 3,000…
Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to safeguard child rights and ensure continuity in elementary education, the Directorate of Elementary Education (DEE), Odisha, has issued a fresh directive mandating proactive intervention in cases of prolonged student absenteeism. As per an official notification dated January 8, 2026, all District Education Officers (DEOs) and Block Education Officers (BEOs)…
Bhubaneswar: The vibrant annual rural fair, Sisir Saras 2026, officially kicks off in Bhubaneswar, turning the IDCO Exhibition Ground into a bustling hub of culture, commerce, and craftsmanship. Organized by ORMAS under the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, in collaboration with Mission Shakti, the event promises to be a grand celebration of rural entrepreneurship….
Bhubaneswar: In a move that combines social welfare with the promotion of local livelihoods, the Odisha government’s Women and Child Development Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Utkalika, the state’s apex handicraft and handloom marketing corporation, for the supply of marriage gift items under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana. Under the flagship…
Bhubaneswar: In a relief to vehicle owners, the Odisha government has decided to suspend the imposition of fines for pollution norm violations at toll gates until April 1, acknowledging the practical difficulties faced by motorists in obtaining valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates. Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena has directed the State Transport…