Government Moves to Crack Down on Illicit Liquor Trade In a significant move, Odisha Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced a total ban on dance bars across the state. This decision comes in the wake of the Chikiti hooch tragedy, which has intensified public outcry over the state’s handling of illegal liquor activities. During a heated…
Dr. Digendranath Swain, a prominent space scientist from Odisha, has been awarded the prestigious Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar for 2024 in Space Science and Technology. President Droupadi Murmu presented the award, which includes a Medallion and Sanad, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Recognition of Excellence in Science In the inaugural edition of the…
In a significant move to support the biodiesel industry, the Odisha government, led by the BJP, has approved an exemption for methanol (methyl alcohol) used in biodiesel production. The decision, made during a state cabinet meeting on August 7 chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, exempts methanol from both import fees and excise duty. This…
Revised Question Pattern and Marking Scheme Announced The Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), Odisha, has announced a significant revision in the question pattern and marking scheme for the upcoming Plus Two examinations. This change, aimed at ensuring uniformity in question patterns and the distribution of marks, was officially communicated through a notification issued on…
Statewide Protests Disrupt Normal Life Odisha witnessed widespread disruptions as the dawn-to-dusk ‘Bharat Bandh,’ called by various Dalit and Adivasi organizations, brought normal life to a standstill on Wednesday. The 12-hour strike, led by the Bhim Army, the National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDAOR), Odisha Adivasi Kalyan Mahasangha, Adivasi Ekta Parishad, and other groups, aimed…
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced nine candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypolls, signaling its intent to secure a majority in the Upper House. The party has long sought dominance in the Rajya Sabha, where it has traditionally relied on support from unaligned parties to push its legislative agenda. The upcoming bypolls are…
Overview of the Awards On India’s 78th Independence Day, 13 distinguished police personnel from Odisha will be honored with President’s Medals. This recognition highlights their exceptional service and dedication. The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that two officers will receive the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM), while 11 others will be awarded…
Law Minister Demands Clarity on Helicopter Expenses A significant political controversy has erupted in Odisha over the extensive use of a helicopter by V K Pandian, a former bureaucrat who served as a close aide to the previous Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Pandian, who stepped away from politics following the BJD’s losses in recent Lok…
Innovative Partnership to Revolutionize Disaster Management IIT-Bhubaneswar has forged a significant partnership with IG Drones to establish the country’s first Advanced Drone Excellence Centre focused on disaster management research and development. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to enhance the capabilities of drone technology to improve disaster response and recovery across…
Enhancing Rainfall Forecast Accuracy IIT-Bhubaneswar has introduced a groundbreaking technology aimed at significantly improving the accuracy of rainfall predictions, particularly during heavy downpours. This new system offers enhanced lead times, which is crucial for timely weather alerts and disaster management. Integration of Weather Models and Deep Learning The innovative approach integrates the Weather Research and…
