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…
India’s First National 7s Rugby in Baripada Mayurbhanj district in Odisha will host the inaugural Maharaja 7s National Rugby Tournament (MSCB Cup 2025) on December 13–14 at Baripada Stadium. Organized by Future Star Sports Academy, the event celebrates Maharaja legacies while fostering grassroots talent, education, and sports visibility amid India’s burgeoning rugby landscape. With teams…
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,…
A New Chapter in Odisha’s Clean-Energy Push Odisha’s clearance of a ₹710.27-crore floating solar project proposed by NTPC-SAIL Power Company Ltd (NSPCL) marks a pivotal shift in how the state is planning its energy transition. Approved at the 142nd State-Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) meeting, the project places Sundargarh at the centre of a new…
Odisha’s decision to host the Global Energy Leaders’ Summit (GELS) 2025 in Puri from December 5–7 transforms the coastal pilgrimage town into a showcase for India’s energy transition. The summit aims to demonstrate how states can simultaneously meet rising electricity demand, pursue climate goals, and innovate across technology and policy domains. By convening energy ministers, industry…
Star Power Meets Tradition Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit has been named Odisha’s handloom brand ambassador, with the government reportedly spending ₹1.6 crore on the initiative. Announced during Odisha TEX 2025 and National Handloom Day in Bhubaneswar, the one-year ambassadorship aims to elevate Odisha’s handloom sector—home to over 1.3 lakh weavers—onto national and global fashion stages. The move…
