Babita Rath and Chandan Mohanty Emerge Joint Toppers in Odisha Matric Exam

Bhubaneswar: Babita Rath, a Class 10 student of Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Bargarh, and Chandan Mohanty, a Class 10 student of Shishu Mandir, Cuttack, are the joint toppers of the Odisha Matric Exam.   Each scored: 584 out of 600 (97.33 percent).  Both will receive the prestigious Utkalamani Pandit Gopabandhu Das Scholarship for Education, Self-respect, and Sacrifice – 2025.   Scholarship Amount: Rs 1 lakh each.

Deplorable Condition of Borigumma-Ranigada Road Hits Travel to Koraput

Borigumma The condition of the Borigumma-Ranigada road has become deplorable. Patients and locals are facing great difficulties commuting to Koraput via this route. Therefore, the residents of the area have submitted a memorandum to the Koraput District Collector demanding that the road be reconstructed before the onset of the monsoon.

CM Mohan Charan Majhi Leads Tiranga Procession to Honor Heroes of Operation Sindoor

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi participated in the ‘Tiranga Procession’ organized to honor our brave soldiers for the success of “Operation Sindoor” in the fight against terrorism. The massive participation in this procession reflects the deep patriotism of every Indian and the respect we hold for our armed forces. This unity and spirit of nationalism will further strengthen the morale of our soldiers.

Asit Kumar Mahapatra Appointed as New Chairman of ORERA

Bhubaneswar: Asit Kumar Mahapatra has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA). Along with him, Rajendra Mishra and Shyam Sundar Dash have also been inducted as members. This appointment is expected to enhance ORERA’s operational efficiency and strengthen regulatory oversight in real estate matters.

Odisha Govt Launches ‘Constituency-wise Financial Allocation’ Scheme to Boost Rural Roads

Bhubaneswar: The state government has launched a new scheme called ‘Constituency-wise Financial Allocation’ for the construction and improvement of roads in rural areas across all 142 constituencies of the state. This scheme was approved in a state cabinet meeting, with a budget allocation of ₹426 crore for its implementation over three financial years, from 2024–25 to 2026–27.

Odisha Congress Urges Governor to Enforce 27percent OBC/SEBC Quota in Govt Jobs and Education

Bhubaneswar:  A delegation from the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee met with the Hon’ble Governor and urged for the immediate implementation of 27 percent reservation for OBC/SEBC in government institutions and educational establishments. Although OBC/SEBC communities constitute 54percent of Odisha’s population, they currently receive 0 percent (nil) reservation in the education sector and only 11.25 percent in government employment, which is far below the mandated 27 percent…

State Government Prioritizes Development of Religious Sites Across the State

Bhubaneswar: The state government is giving importance to the development of religious sites in the state. Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a comprehensive project worth ₹68 crore for the holistic development of Maa Taratarini Peetha in Ganjam. The project focuses on the improvement of the temple, development of the tourism sector, and enhancing facilities for devotees.

Groom Dies of Electrocution in Nrutang Village, Cuttack District

Mahanga Santosh Sahu of Nrutang village under Mahanga block in Cuttack district lost his only son, Satyamanyu (Litu), in a tragic incident. During a traditional shell game (Kaudi Khela) held as part of his wedding celebrations, he was suddenly electrocuted. He screamed in pain, and family members immediately rushed him to the nearby Mahanga Community Health Center. Unfortunately, the doctor there declared him dead on arrival.

Mundaguda-Sindhiguda Road in Ruin: 2 KM Stretch Disrupting Connectivity Between Districts

Nabarangpur  A mere 2-kilometer stretch of unpaved road has become a major barrier in connecting Nabarangpur and Kalahandi districts. The road from Mundaguda, a border village under Tentulikhunti block, to Sindhiguda remains a mud track. As a result, during the rainy season, local residents face severe difficulties. In cases of medical emergencies, ambulances cannot reach the area, and patients must be carried on cots to the…

RDC Directs Allotment of 10 Decimals of Land to Hirakud Displaced Families

Jharsuguda: For the last seven decades, the problem faced by the divided families of Hirakud displaced people remains unresolved. Although the government has, on various occasions, made announcements and issued directives to provide 10 decimals of homestead land to each displaced family, these have not been implemented effectively. Consequently, displaced individuals have often been compelled to resort to agitation. The fate of those displaced by…

10 Hydroelectric Projects Proposed for Nagavali Basin; Hathi Pathar and Totapalli Dropped

Rayagada: Since 2005, the Central Government has initiated surveys for constructing 90 hydroelectric projects in the Nagavali river basin, located along the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha border. The Nagavali river, which flows through dense forests and hilly terrain, has immense potential for hydroelectric projects at multiple locations. Of these, five proposed sites were in Odisha’s Rayagada district and five in Andhra Pradesh’s part of the basin. However,…

Rang Tuli Artists’ Association Submits Petition for Artist Welfare in Raighar

Raighar: The livelihood of traditional wall-painting (Rang Tuli) artists is under threat. Wall paintings are disappearing, being replaced by printed flex banners on school walls and other public spaces. This change has led to a serious livelihood crisis for many Rang Tuli artist families. Concerned about their survival, the Rang Tuli Artists’ Association of Raighar block in Nabarangpur district submitted a written petition today to the…

District Legal Services Authority Conducts Legal Awareness Camp in Nabarangpur

Nabarangpur: A legal awareness camp was organized by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Nabarangpur at the Panchayat Samiti Conference Hall in Umerkote. The focus of the camp was to raise awareness about the NALSA Toll-Free Helpline Number – 15100, the various types of legal aid provided by the Odisha State Legal Services Authority, and how to apply online for legal assistance through the NALSA…

Car Plunges into Canal in Bastingia, Rescue Operations Underway

Bastingia: On Wednesday, a car lost control and fell into a canal from the Sramudi Bridge under the Sankarakhol Gram Panchayat of Chakapad block. The accident occurred while the vehicle was traveling from Sankarakhol toward Phulbani. The driver reportedly lost control and rammed into the iron barricade near the bridge, causing the car to fall into the canal. Fortunately, no one was reported injured in…

Umerkote Hosts Meeting to Discuss Approval of ‘One Nation – One Election’ Proposal

Umerkote: The Modi Cabinet has approved the proposal for “One Nation – One Election.” In relation to this, a brainstorming session was organized to gather public opinion, dispel doubts, and raise awareness among citizens. The program took place at Hotel SS International in Umerkote. On this occasion, Hon’ble Minister of School and Mass Education, Mr. Nityananda Gond, attended as the Chief Guest. Among the distinguished…

Migration Shifts the Lives of Rayagada’s Youth: Changing Addresses and Dreams

Rayagada: In Rayagada district, the number of migrant laborers is increasing day by day. The current generation of youth, who are working as migrant laborers, now have new addresses — Surat, Andhra Pradesh, Bangalore, Chennai, and Guntur. As a result, these young people have been staying away from their native villages for years, forgetting to return home. Due to a lack of employment under schemes…

Bharatiya Bikash Parishad Sparks Protest in Gania Over Tribal Rights Issues

Gania:  Neglected, oppressed, and deprived of basic amenities and opportunities, the tribal residents of the remote and underdeveloped Badasilinga region continue to suffer in silence. Even after decades, their situation remains unchanged. The area still grapples with critical issues such as drinking water scarcity, poor road conditions, lack of electricity, weak mobile network connectivity, inadequate education and healthcare, and transportation problems. Despite these problems persisting…

Scorching Heat to Persist Till 16th; Thunderstorms Likely in Isolated Areas

Bhubaneswar: Sambalpur was blisteringly hot. The scorching heat made the atmosphere feel like it was burning. Not only Sambalpur, but 16 cities experienced unbearable heat, with temperatures soaring past 40°C. Due to high humidity, Bhubaneswar’s “real feel” temperature reached around 60°C. There is no relief expected from this intense heat until the 16th, according to the weather department’s warning. On Monday night, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati,…