Odisha

On January 30, 2026, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi unveiled development projects worth Rs 492 crore for Ganjam district during the closing ceremony of the Gopalpur Beach Festival. The announcement underscored the state government’s vision to enhance infrastructure, healthcare, and tourism, while aligning the district with Odisha’s broader industrialization and economic growth agenda. The festival provided a…

World Bank Group President Ajay Banga met Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on January 29, 2026, at Bhubaneswar’s Lok Seva Bhawan to discuss leveraging international finance and expertise to accelerate Odisha’s ambitious development roadmap. The discussions focused on aligning global investment, technical assistance, and policy advisory with the state’s Vision 2036 and 2047 goals, emphasizing…

Odisha’s Cultural Torchbearers Recognised at the National Stage Odisha entered the national spotlight this year as four of its distinguished sons received the Padma Shri in 2026, one of India’s highest civilian honours. The awards celebrate decades of quiet but transformative work in literature, education, handloom craft, and folk performance. Their recognition underscores the growing national appreciation…

Dhenkanal Quarry Explosion: A Sudden Disaster in Rural Odisha A powerful explosion at a dolomite stone quarry near Gopalpur village in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district on the evening of January 3, 2026, turned a routine workday into tragedy. The blast triggered a massive rockslide, killing at least two workers and leaving others trapped beneath debris for…

The images were unsettling and hard to ignore. Eighteen teenage wrestlers from Odisha, travelling to a national-level championship, were forced to spend long hours sitting on the floor of a train corridor—right beside unhygienic toilets. Their journey to and from Supaul, Bihar, for the 69th National School Wrestling Championship between December 7 and 12, 2025, became a…

Parva-2025: Culture as the Gateway to Change Parva-2025 unfolded in Koraput not merely as a celebration, but as a statement of intent. Against the scenic foothills of Sunabeda, the four-day festival once again brought together tribal communities, artists, administrators, and policymakers. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s presence at the concluding day signalled how Odisha is increasingly…

Setting the Stage in Bhubaneswar Odisha is preparing to place itself firmly on India’s artificial intelligence map with the Regional AI Impact Conference in Bhubaneswar. More than a technology event, the gathering reflects a strategic intent: to use AI as a tool of governance rather than merely an engine of private-sector growth. In doing so, the…

Recognition for a Lifetime of Craft A distinguished Pattachitra artisan couple from Odisha—Sudhir Kumar Maharana and Urbashee Maharana—is set to be honoured in New Delhi on December 9, 2025. Sudhir will receive the Shilp Guru Award, one of India’s highest recognitions for master craftspersons, while Urbashee will be conferred the National Award in Handicrafts. Presented by…

Odisha’s Investment Boom Odisha has entered one of the most aggressive phases of industrial expansion in its recent history. Between April 2024 and November 30, 2025, the state approved 324 large and medium industrial projects worth ₹7,06,209 crore, with the potential to generate more than 4.57 lakh jobs. Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain highlighted that this surge,…