Gromor Fertilizer Reaches Market After 10-Day Wait
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Gromor Fertilizer Reaches Market After 10-Day Wait

Riamal, 21st July 2025: For a long time, Gromor fertilizer was unavailable in Riamal block. Today, with its supply reaching the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS), farmers have expressed happiness. For more than 10 days, farmers were facing shortages and were forced to buy fertilizer from village shops and local markets at inflated prices.

The Agriculture Department has informed farmers to collect fertilizer from PACS outlets at subsidized government rates.

In the industry-deficient Deogarh district, the general population mainly depends on paddy cultivation for their livelihood. There is now a growing demand that the government should provide all necessary facilities and support for paddy farming.

FTA with EFTA from October: Swiss Watches, Chocolates, Diamonds to Get Cheaper
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FTA with EFTA from October: Swiss Watches, Chocolates, Diamonds to Get Cheaper

New Delhi, 21st July 2025: India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will implement their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) starting October 1. This was announced by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Saturday. Both sides had signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) on March 10, 2024.

Under this agreement, India has secured an investment commitment of USD 100 billion over 15 years from EFTA nations — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

As part of the FTA, several luxury goods such as Swiss watches, chocolates, and cut and polished diamonds will enter India at reduced or zero import duties, making these products significantly cheaper than before.

10 Lakh Jobs Expected

The FTA includes a commitment to invest USD 100 billion in India over the next 15 years — USD 50 billion in the first 10 years and an additional USD 50 billion in the following 5 years. This is expected to generate direct employment for over 10 lakh (1 million) people in India. It is being described as India’s best trade deal to date.

Minister Goyal mentioned that it took nearly 16 years to finalize this agreement and that it holds immense significance as it opens the Indian market for various high-quality EFTA products. Among the EFTA countries, Switzerland is India’s largest business partner, while trade volumes with the other three are relatively lower.

Currently, India imposes up to 82.7Percent tariffs on goods imported from EFTA, including over 80% of gold imports. With the new agreement, Indian consumers will now be able to access premium goods like watches, chocolates, biscuits, and high-quality space-related products at lower prices.

Opportunities for Indian Exporters

This agreement also opens up new opportunities for Indian exporters, offering them greater access to European markets. Over 40Percent of Switzerland’s service exports go to the European Union, and with this agreement, Indian companies can use Switzerland as a gateway to access the EU.

It is notable that the bilateral trade between India and EFTA stood at USD 24.4 billion in the 2024–25 financial year.

‘Shaktishree’ Will Empower Girl Students, Says Chief Minister
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‘Shaktishree’ Will Empower Girl Students, Says Chief Minister

Bhubaneswar, 21st July 2025: In a significant move to create a safe environment for female students studying in higher education institutions across the state, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today announced the launch of the ‘Shaktishree’ scheme. The initiative comes in the wake of a tragic incident where a girl student from FM College in Balasore, unable to bear the trauma of harassment, died by self-immolation. The scheme aims to prevent any such recurrence in the future.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of protecting citizens’ individual rights and dignity, especially women’s safety and security. The state government is committed to implementing a structured program in colleges and universities to ensure the safety of female students.

In response to increasing reports of crimes against girl students in educational institutions in recent times, the ‘Shaktishree Empowerment Program’ has been launched. The Chief Minister stated that the program will be implemented in 16 universities and 730 government and government-aided colleges across the state. He shared detailed information on eight major components of the scheme.

As part of the initiative, a permanent Shaktishree Empowerment Centre will be established in each college and university, to be managed by a female student designated as ‘Shaktishree Saathi’ and a faculty member designated as ‘Shaktishree Coordinator’.

Additionally, five prominent women nominated by the district collector will function as ‘Shakti Aapa’, visiting each educational institution once every three months to serve as mentors and advisors for the girl students.

These empowerment centers will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and empowerment of girl students and female staff in colleges and universities. The centers will also organize a six-day training program, dividing students into batches for training sessions.

Training will cover areas such as personal safety, legal rights, and mental health awareness, helping girl students become more informed, confident, and resilient.

Youth Missing After Boat Capsizes in Daik-3 River Near Korukonda
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Youth Missing After Boat Capsizes in Daik-3 River Near Korukonda

Korukonda,21st July 2025: A young man has gone missing after a country boat capsized mid-river near Daik-3 in Nakamamudi Gram Panchayat under Korukonda block of Malkangiri district. The incident occurred around 4 PM yesterday when four people were crossing the river from Daik-3 riverbank to Talapadar village in a small country boat. Due to sudden rainfall and strong winds, the boat lost balance and overturned midstream.

Out of the four passengers, three managed to swim back to safety with the help of local villagers. However, Ramchandra Pangi, one of the occupants, went missing in the water. Despite extensive search efforts by villagers, he could not be located. The incident was reported to the Korukonda fire department.

Since it was already evening by the time the fire department received the alert, the rescue team from Korukonda, led by LFF Basudev Biswal, reached the spot early this morning and began a search operation with the help of local residents. However, after an extended search, the missing person could not be found, and the team had to return, informed Mr. Biswal.

Relief Likely as Petrol and Diesel Prices May Drop Soon
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Relief Likely as Petrol and Diesel Prices May Drop Soon

New Delhi,21st July 2025: After remaining unchanged for a long time, there is now a possibility of a change in petrol and diesel prices. If the price of crude oil per barrel remains around $65 for an extended period in the international market, fuel prices in India may come down, said Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. He expressed hope that fuel prices might reduce in the next two to three months.

The Minister emphasized that everything depends on the overall situation. If a geopolitical crisis arises, the situation may change. Although crude oil is currently priced around $65 per barrel, it can potentially go up to $150. With crude oil prices at the $65 level, oil companies are currently making profits. In such a scenario, the government could reduce petrol and diesel prices to provide much-needed relief to consumers, he stated.

According to information from rating agencies, oil companies are presently making a profit of ₹12–15 per litre on petrol and ₹6.12 on diesel. However, despite this, these companies have not changed fuel prices for over a year. A few months ago, there was an opportunity to reduce prices, but that hope vanished after the Central Government increased the excise duty by ₹2 per litre.

Earlier, oil companies used to revise fuel prices daily. Suddenly, this process was stopped without any official announcement. These companies previously adjusted fuel rates based on the price per barrel of crude oil and the rupee’s exchange rate against the US dollar. Currently, petrol prices in most Indian states are hovering around ₹100 per litre, while diesel prices are above ₹90 per litre.

KISS Earns Place in UN Records for Its Outstanding Initiatives
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KISS Earns Place in UN Records for Its Outstanding Initiatives

Bhubaneswar, 21st July 2025:  Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) is playing a pioneering role in empowering tribal students through science, technology, and evidence-based education. Because of these efforts, KISS has been officially recorded in the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) High-Level Segment.

The record highlights KISS’s significant contribution toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and mentions that KISS has successfully developed a creative educational blueprint. The institute is enabling tribal children to tackle local challenges by using advanced global technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Primary-level students are taught in their mother tongues through multilingual education rooted in UNESCO-awarded language preservation efforts, which has helped increase student interest and participation in education. This approach has been specifically acknowledged in the UN record.

KISS currently educates around 80,000 tribal students from 64 tribal communities, including 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Along with formal education, these students receive training in life skills, skill development, sports excellence, and climate resilience. As a result, the United Nations noted that KISS is creating a notable transformation in the lives of tribal students and empowering them meaningfully.

Expressing his happiness, KISS and KIIT founder Achyuta Samanta stated that the ongoing discussion and recognition of KISS in UN records is a matter of pride and honor for both tribal communities and Odisha. It is worth noting that KISS received ECOSOC special consultative status in 2015, which is still active. Moreover, in 2022, KISS was honored with the UNESCO International Literacy Prize, the highest award conferred by the UN in the field of education.

Retired Govt Employees’ Association Submits Memorandum to District Collector
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Retired Govt Employees’ Association Submits Memorandum to District Collector

Malkangiri, 21st July 2025: The Malkangiri District Retired Government Employees’ Association has submitted two separate memoranda—one with 8 demands addressed to the Prime Minister and another with 9 demands addressed to the Chief Minister, through the District Collector.

Under the leadership of Association President Balaraju Padhi and General Secretary Ashok Kumar Samal, over 80 members of the association marched silently from their office to the District Collector’s office. There, they met Additional District Collector Somanath Pradhan and submitted the memoranda.

The key demands included:

Withdrawal of the amended Chapter IV of the Finance Act 2025

Immediate formation of the 8th Pay Commission for the benefit of retired employees

Revision of the Less Pension Scheme

Implementation of cashless health insurance schemes

Provision of medical facilities for retired government employees at all hospitals across the country

Repeal of four labor codes seen as anti-worker and anti-employee

Withdrawal of the BFRDA Act

Immediate cancellation of the NPS and UPS pension schemes and restoration of the old pension system

Additional demands included:

Immediate payment of the 18-month dearness allowance withheld during the COVID period

Restoration of railway travel concessions for senior citizens and pensioners

Reduction of the commutation period from 12 years to 10 years and 8 months

Present during the submission were former president Duryodhan Patra, former secretary Rabindra Kumar Maharana, Prakash Chandra Pattnaik, Surendra Kumar Mallik, Babaji Charan Swain, Jayadev Charan Raul, Sibaprasad Patra, Janardhan Rao, Dinabandhu Jena, Jagannath Tiadi, Naru Patla, K. Sibashankar Patra, Dhableswar Rao, G. Lakshminarayan, S. Eraswami, Ganga Prasad Khul, Nabakishore Sahu, Rabindra Panigrahi, Kalu Charan Maharana, Purnachandra Sahu, Sitaram Goud, Bichitrananda Raut, among others.

Pride of Jeypore: Local Girl Honored with Gold Medal by President
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Pride of Jeypore: Local Girl Honored with Gold Medal by President

Jeypore, 21st July 2025: A girl from Jeypore has brought pride and glory to both Jeypore and Koraput district by receiving a Gold Medal from the President of India for her academic excellence in post-graduation in English at Ravenshaw University.

Anindita Jahnabi Suar, a resident of Jeypore, secured 71% marks in her 2024 postgraduate English examination at Ravenshaw University and topped the university. For this achievement, she was honored with the President’s Gold Medal.

The students who received gold medals and degrees were administered the oath by Registrar Kahnucharan Mallik and Chairperson of the Postgraduate Council Professor Luna Samanta.

The award was conferred during Ravenshaw University’s 13th Convocation Ceremony, which was held yesterday in the presence of President of India Droupadi Murmu as the chief guest. The event was also attended by Chancellor and Governor Dr. Haribabu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, among other dignitaries.

Jahnabi expressed that the credit for her success goes largely to the support and guidance of her father Rabindra Kumar Suar and mother Sunita Panigrahi.

Key Urban Challenges Discussed in High-Level Meeting at Gunupur
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Key Urban Challenges Discussed in High-Level Meeting at Gunupur

Gunupur, 21st July 2025: A Police Committee Meeting was organized by Gunupur Adarsh Police Station on Wednesday. The meeting, chaired by Police Officer KKB VK Kahanr, included key speakers such as social worker Akshay Dash, Vice President of the Bar Association Ramesh Lima, and Vice Chairperson of the Municipality Shib Prasad Gauda.

The program was attended by intellectuals, political representatives, and senior citizens, who shared their concerns about daily urban issues and suggested solutions.

Major issues discussed included:

Cracking down on reckless bike riders

Auto-rickshaw drivers parking haphazardly on the main roads, causing traffic jams

Unauthorized roadside vendors at Bypass Chhak disrupting vehicular movement

Cattle lying in the middle of roads

Increasing numbers of stray dogs

Need for school buses to return from Haldia Nala area instead of entering the old bus stand

Controlling illegal sand transportation

Creating separate queues near banks for senior citizens to ensure their safety

There were also discussions about:

Strict traffic management, including deployment of police at key locations

Enhancing public awareness

Ensuring health services for senior citizens

Addressing child marriage prevention and health awareness campaigns

Political and community leaders present included BJP leader Y. Ganapati, BJD leader Pinku Panda, Congress leader Tarani Shatpathy, social activist Pinki Mahapatra, and senior citizen Narayan Rath, among others.

This meeting was held after a long gap. Although similar meetings had taken place in the past, there was concern that they did not yield any real solutions. Hence, there was a consensus to ensure prior announcements and organized execution of future meetings.

The meeting concluded with assurances from the police that further steps would be taken for effective urban governance.

Location: Adarsh Police Station, Gunupur
District: Rayagada
Attendees: Police officials, guests, and local residents.

Adarsha Police Station Launches ‘Ama Police Samiti’ to Boost Community Policing
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Adarsha Police Station Launches ‘Ama Police Samiti’ to Boost Community Policing

Gunupur, 21st July 2025: The Adarsha Police Station in Gunupur organized the ‘Ama Police Samiti’ (Our Police Committee) programme. The event was presided over by KKBK Kahang, the Officer-in-Charge of Gunupur Police Station.

Among the dignitaries on the dais were senior social worker Akshaya Dash, Vice President of Gunupur Bar Association Ramesh Lima, and Vice Chairman of Gunupur Municipality Siba Prasad Gouda.

The programme was attended by intellectuals, political leaders, senior citizens, and journalists from Gunupur, who discussed various day-to-day civic issues and their possible solutions.

Key issues highlighted included:

Curbing rash and reckless bikers,

Auto-rickshaw drivers parking indiscriminately, leading to traffic congestion,

Encroachments by street vendors at Bypass Square, obstructing vehicular movement,

Cattle lying in the middle of roads,

Rise in stray dog menace,

Ensuring GIET buses do not enter the old bus stand and instead exit via Haldia Nala,

Measures to stop illegal sand mining and the growing influence of sand mafias,

Providing dedicated lines near banks for senior citizens to enhance safety and convenience.

Participants brought these concerns to the attention of the Gunupur police officials. The Officer-in-Charge assured that action would be taken in accordance with the law.

It was pointed out that although such issues had been raised in the past, no previous officer had engaged in such detailed discussions or made firm commitments. Hence, the public now has hope that their problems may finally be addressed under the leadership of the new officer.

Prominent attendees included:

BJP leader Y. Ganapati,

BJD leader Pinku Panda,

Congress leader Tarani Satpathy,

Social activist Pinky Mahapatra,

Senior citizen Surya Narayan Rath,
along with many others.