Odisha’s remote Malkangiri district, once synonymous with Maoist violence and isolation, was officially declared “Naxal-free” on February 4, 2026. The announcement followed the surrender of Sukhram Markam, a key insurgent commander carrying a significant bounty, marking the end of an era in a region that had long been considered one of India’s most entrenched rebel strongholds….
Odisha has set out to reposition itself as a global centre for artificial intelligence, financial technology, and insurance innovation through the Black Swan Summit in Bhubaneswar. The event, bringing together international investors, policymakers, and technology leaders, reflects the state’s ambition to move beyond its traditional industrial base and emerge as a major node in India’s digital…
President Returns to Her Roots President Droupadi Murmu began a six-day visit to Odisha—her home state—on February 2, marking one of her most extensive engagements in the region since assuming office. Spanning key districts including Khurda, Jajpur, Balasore, Puri, and Mayurbhanj, the visit blends personal symbolism with public purpose, reflecting both her deep roots in the…
Odisha has emerged as a major beneficiary of the Union Budget 2026–27, securing an unprecedented ₹10,928 crore allocation for railways—the highest ever for the state. Announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the outlay marks a clear step-up from last year’s ₹10,599 crore and represents a dramatic rise from the pre-2014 annual average of under ₹900 crore….
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…
