Bhubaneswar, Aug. 21 (UDN): For thousands of people who move to Bhubaneswar every year for jobs, education and better opportunities, finding a reasonably priced home has become increasingly difficult. Rising rents, strict landlord conditions and limited options—especially for bachelors—have made affordable housing one of the city’s biggest challenges. Representational Image That could change if the Odisha government moves ahead with a new rental housing initiative…
India Opens Wider Rupee Route for Export Transactions
New Delhi: The Centre has eased rules governing export transactions in Indian rupees, giving exporters greater flexibility to invoice overseas sales and receive payments in the domestic currency. The move is aimed at encouraging wider use of the rupee in international trade. Under the revised Foreign Trade Policy, export contracts, invoices and payments with countries outside the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) can be denominated and…
Odisha Orders Fresh Review of Satkosia Village Relocation
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has ordered a detailed review of the village relocation exercise carried out in the Satkosia Tiger Reserve, setting up a five-member high-level committee to examine the process and address concerns surrounding the rehabilitation of affected families. The panel, headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, will undertake a village-wise assessment of the relocation process, with…
Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar Dies at 80
New Delhi: Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, who was serving a life sentence in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, died at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi on Thursday, August 20. He was 80. Kumar was shifted from Tihar Jail to the hospital after his health deteriorated and was declared brought dead. The hospital has not officially disclosed the cause of death. A three-time Lok Sabha…
Demetrius A. Matthews Announces Release of New Book Code Switch: The Diary of Demetrius A. Matthews
A gripping memoir on identity, survival, and the hidden language of navigating two worlds Miami, FL (Aug 21, 2026) — From the streets of Chicago to the boardrooms of corporate America, entrepreneur, filmmaker, and author Demetrius A. Matthews announces the release of his highly anticipated new book, Code Switch: The Diary of Demetrius A. Matthews — a raw, cinematic, and deeply personal exploration of identity,…
Bhadrak Collector Chairs Preparatory Meeting for Peaceful and Disciplined Celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s Birth Anniversary
Bhadrak , Aug 21 [UDN}:A preparatory meeting was held today under the chairmanship of the Bhadrak District Collector to ensure the peaceful and disciplined celebration of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad in Bhadrak town.During the meeting, various aspects related to the successful organization of the celebration were discussed in detail. The birth anniversary celebrations of Prophet Muhammad will be observed from August 14 to…
Mosaics Fine Art Festival Secures $24,145 Grant from Missouri Arts Council
Funding supports the 31st annual arts celebration in Historic St. Charles. (St. Charles, Mo., Aug. 21, 2024) Mosaics Fine Art Festival has been awarded a $24,145 grant with public support from the Missouri Arts Council (MAC), a state agency that invests in the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of communities across Missouri. This marks the fourth consecutive year the festival has received nearly $25,000 in…
OSDMA Inaugurates ‘Suraksha’ Hostel and Lays Foundation Stone for ‘Sajag’ Hostel
Bhubaneswar, Aug 21 [UDN}:The inauguration and foundation-laying ceremony for disaster management training hostels organized by the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA). I inaugurated the “Suraksha” Hostel and laid the foundation stone for the “Sajag” Hostel.This project marks an important step towards enhancing our capabilities in disaster response and further strengthening the disaster management training process. It will help build greater preparedness, improve the skills…
Odisha Cabinet Approves Five-Year Extension of Yashoda and Ashirbad Schemes for Vulnerable Children
Bhubaneswar, Aug 21 [UDN}:The Odisha Cabinet has decided to continue the ‘Yashoda’ and ‘Ashirbad’ schemes for the next five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31, for the welfare and support of vulnerable and destitute children.Similarly, the Cabinet has approved the extension of the ‘Malati Devi Pre-School Uniform Scheme’ for another five years.Under the scheme, revisions have been made to the unit cost of uniforms, shoes, socks…
Renowned Sambalpuri Dance Guru Ranjit Kumar Nag Receives Prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sambalpuri, Aug 21 [UDN}:Renowned Sambalpuri dance guru Ranjit Kumar Nag has received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the Hon’ble President of India for his outstanding contribution to the promotion and propagation of Sambalpuri folk dance.This is a proud and glorious moment for the Sambalpuri language, culture, and heritage, bringing great recognition to Odisha’s rich folk traditions.