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Now, BJD seeks reconsideration of salary hike in Odisha
The two major parties are of the opinion that lawmakers salary hike created massive public discontentment
Odisha Will Be The Growth Engine Of India, Says CM At Hyderabad Investors Meet
Rs 67,000 crore investment proposals, 56,000 jobs envisaged: Reports
Telangana Govt Plans Thermal Plant at Naini in Odisha
Principal secretary (energy) Navin Mittal, Singareni chairman Krishna Bhaskar, Singareni officials and others were present at the meeting.
The row erupted on December 9, when four amendment Bills revising the salaries and allowances of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and MLAs were tabled and passed in the Assembly within minutes, without substantive debate.
The discussions covered pharmaceuticals, medical devices, green energy, textiles, food processing, engineering goods, automotive components, capital equipment manufacturing and allied segments, with a focus on exploring fresh investment opportunities as well as expansion of existing operations in Odisha.
Bhatti meets Odishas CM over thermal power generation
IMD Weather update: Delhi has been put on a yellow alert by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) today. The IMD has predicted partly cloudy sky with moderate to shallow fog in the national capital. Very dense fog is likely to prevail in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha, the IMD said.
Under mounting public criticism, Odisha BJP MLAs urge CM to reconsider their salary hike
The proposed hike of over 200% would place Odishas legislators ahead of their counterparts in all other States, a message that reportedly did not go down well with the BJPs central leadership.
Test National Cricket Championship For Deaf Off To Grand Opening In Kolkata
The Indian Deaf Cricket Association: The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), on Thursday, kicked off the 4th edition of the Test National Cricket Championship for Deaf in Kolkata in a grand opening ceremony held at Merlin Rise Pavilion, Kolkata. The nearly week-long Test series will have two semifinal cricket matches played simultaneously at Kolkatas Merlin Rise Cricket Ground and Rajasthan Club Ground from December 18 to 23. The winners of the semifinals will then compete for the champions trophy in the Final Test match from December 21 to 23. While semifinal 1 will be played between Delhi and Bengal, semifinal 2 will have Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir competing for a place in the Final. Winning the toss against host Bengal, Delhi elected to bowl first; while winning their toss against Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir also elected to bowl. The IDCA 4th Test National Cricket Championship for the Deaf is being organised under the patronage of Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla Group, and will run from December 18 to 23, 2025, bringing together some of Indias most talented hearing-impaired cricketers from across the four states. Speaking about the championship, Sumit Jain, President, IDCA, said, The 4th Test National Cricket Championship for the Deaf will be a testing ground for all the players as it will be played in two innings across three days. While the players are used to playing a shorter format of the game, a Test match will not only test their fitness but also their consistency to play well for four innings across three days. With this series, we also aim to celebrate the spirit, resilience, and talent of our hearing-impaired athletes and show our fighting spirit. With the generous support of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, Merlin Rise Group management and our partners, we are continuing to create a strong platform for differently abled cricketers to shine on a national stage, he said. Thanking the support partners, Roma Balwani, CEO, IDCA, added, I am really happy that the 4th Test National Cricket Championship is taking place in Kolkata. Our aim of bringing together talented players who represent the strength of inclusivity in sports would not be possible without our partners' continued support. I am especially grateful to our venue partner, Merlin Rise Pavilion, for providing us with this wonderful location and EIILM - Kolkata for their volunteers and immense support. The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) was founded in 2020 by Sumit Jain, President of IDCA and Vice President & member of DCCI (Differently Abled Cricket Committee, BCCI). Registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, IDCA is committed to developing cricket among deaf athletes in India and providing them with opportunities at state, national, and international levels. Thanking the support partners, Roma Balwani, CEO, IDCA, added, I am really happy that the 4th Test National Cricket Championship is taking place in Kolkata. Our aim of bringing together talented players who represent the strength of inclusivity in sports would not be possible without our partners' continued support. I am especially grateful to our venue partner, Merlin Rise Pavilion, for providing us with this wonderful location and EIILM - Kolkata for their volunteers and immense support. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Mukhopadhyay was also joined by Abhijit Ghosh, Director (HR & CA), and Romon Sebastian Louis, Director (Service Business) - Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd, as guests of honour. Article Source: IANS
Elephant movement disrupts rail traffic in Jharkhand, several trains cancelled
RANCHI: In the wake of frequent movement of wild elephants along forest-fringed sections under the Chakaradharpur Railway Division in Jharkhand, multiple trains have been cancelled on the up and down line. According to officials, herds of jumbos have been frequently spotted near and across tracks on the NaugaonRourkela, ChakradharpurRourkela and RourkelaJharsuguda sections, falling within identified elephant corridor zones. To avoid any potential mishap, these trains will remain cancelled on December 18 and 19, they said. The trains which have been cancelled include Rourkela MEMU, HatiaJharsuguda MEMU, RourkelaJharsuguda MEMU and the BadampaharBangriposi passenger, affecting both onward and return journeys. Railway authorities said that elephant activity in these sections has increased over the past few days, creating operational risks. Due to frequent movement of elephants, trains running during the night get late due to which there is congestion, leading to the delay of long-distance trains during the day time. To avoid congestion during the day time, most of the trains plying during the night have been cancelled, said senior divisional commercial manager Aditya Choudhary. The situation is being monitored closely in coordination with the Forest Department and the Railway Protection Force, he said, adding that services will be restored once it stabilizes. Elephant herd kills four in a day as villagers panic in Jharkhands Ramgarh Choudhary, however, said that long-distance trains on the Howrah-Mumbai route will run at moderate speed with proper track clearance and thorough surveillance by dedicated teams. In addition, pilots have been directed to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) while moving on sections frequented by elephants, he said. Earlier, on October 31 and November 1, the Chakradharpur railway halted 12 long-distance trains on the up and down line for hours to give safe passage to 22 elephants, which were moving in separate herds, between Bisra and D Cabin section on the Jharkhand-Odisha border. Meanwhile, due to thick fog and poor visibility, flight operations at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi have also been hit badly. Keeping safety norms in mind, airport authorities have cancelled several flights, while many others are operating with significant delays. Airport officials said runway visibility dropped below the prescribed limits during the morning hours, disrupting flight movements. Flight services are expected to gradually return to normal once weather conditions improve. The cancelled flights include IndiGo 6E 7674 / 7235 (Kolkata Ranchi Kolkata), IndiGo 6E 7561 / 7562 (Kolkata Ranchi Kolkata) and Air India Express IX 1046 / 1047 (Delhi Ranchi Delhi).
NCST to probe suspected murder of tribal boy on KISS campus
Six departments including Odisha Home Department have been asked by the Commission to furnish report
Odisha BJP MLAs Seek Review of Controversial Salary Hike
The demand by BJP legislators for a reconsideration of the salary hike came in the wake of widespread public outrage and a strong backlash on social media platforms
Prime Accused In Dhauli Gang-Rape Case Arrested After Days Of Chase In Odisha
Search operations have been intensified to trace and apprehend other two accused
SMVDSB felicitates Para Archer Payal Nag
Excelsior Sports Correspondent KATRA, Dec 17: Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), felicitated Para Archer Payal Nag for her commendable performance at the Asian Youth Para Games held in Dubai, UAE, from December 7 to 14. Payal Nag, a dedicated athlete from Odisha, has been training at the SMVD Sports Complex, Katra, for the past three years. She represented India in the Compound U-21 Womens Open category and competed against leading para [] The post SMVDSB felicitates Para Archer Payal Nag appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Odisha: Five Varsity Officials Detained In Student Murder Case
Police on Wednesday detained three additional employees of the university and brought them to the Nandankanan Police Station for interrogation, taking the total number of staff members questioned so far to five.
Coast Guard Holds Oil Spill Response Drill Off Odisha Coast
The exercise simulated emergency scenarios involving accidental oil leakage from ships and other maritime sources, focusing on swift detection, containment, recovery and shoreline protection.
Telangana ranks fifth in patent filings, says report
Telangana was among the States specifically identified as having contributed significantly to the rise in domestic patent filings, alongside Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
CM Mohan Majhi to Lead Odisha Investors Roadshow in Hyderabad on Dec. 19
The roadshow, to be held over two days, will focus on promoting investment opportunities
Third tigress dies within three months at Kolkata's Alipore Zoo, triggering concerns
KOLKATA: A third tigress has died within three months at the city's Alipore Zoological Garden on Wednesday, raising questions about the medical care provided to animals at the facility. According to sources at the zoo, the sub-adult Royal Bengal tigress was suffering from an infection by a haemoprotozoan parasite and admitted to an animal hospital in the city where she died. She would have completed three years in February. The tigress was born at Nandankanan in Odisha and brought to the Alipore Zoo in August 2023. A viscera test will confirm the exact cause of death, sources said. The infection is caused by blood parasites like Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma and Trypanosoma. It is transmitted by ticks or biting flies, leading to fever, anaemia and jaundice. These parasites also affect livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) and companion animals (dogs, cats). The two previous tigress deaths at the zoo occurred within a 24-hour span on September 23-24. One was a 21-year-old white tigress born in Alipore Zoo, while the other -- a 17-year-old -- had been brought from Odisha's Nandankanan Zoo in 2016. Both were reportedly ailing from age-related illnesses and were under veterinary care. The zoo has been dogged by a series of concerns. Earlier this year, reports emerged of discrepancies in animal sourcing, transfer, and record-keeping, with the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) disputing some of the zoo's records. A separate case on the disappearance of more than 300 animals from the zoo is currently being heard in court.
Vedanta Aluminium ramps up Odisha's Lanjigarh refinery capacity to 5 MTPA
Vedanta Aluminium has expanded its Lanjigarh refinery in Odisha to 5 million tonnes per annum. This significant capacity increase elevates India's total alumina refining capacity to nearly 13 MTPA. The nation is now poised to become the third-largest alumina producer globally. The refinery achieved its highest-ever monthly production in November, demonstrating strong growth.
Odisha man taken hostage in Sudan, returns to family
Adarsh Behera, who hails from Kotakana village in Jagatsinghpur district, went to the civil war-torn Sudan in 2022 and worked as a mechanic in a plastic factory
Former AIIMS HOD moves SC seeking cancer to be declared a notifiable disease
NEW DELHI: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court by former Head of the Department of Surgical Disciplines at AIIMS, New Delhi, Dr Anurag Srivastava, seeking directions to the Centre to declare cancer a notifiable disease to ensure uniform and mandatory reporting of cancer cases across India. In the petition, filed through advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, Dr Srivastava urged the Supreme Court to direct the Union Government and State Governments to establish a centralised, real-time digital cancer registry on the lines of the CoWIN portal. The proposed registry would integrate existing datasets, including the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs), Population-Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs), Ayushman BharatPMJAY, State health insurance schemes, mortality records and hospital information systems, with appropriate safeguards for data accuracy, privacy and accountability. The plea also sought directions to the Centre and States to formulate and implement nationwide cancer screening programmes at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs), targeting high-risk and age-based population groups. Further, the petitioner asked the Court to direct the authorities to frame a clear policy on unverified, religious or alternative therapies for cancer treatment, including remedies such as gomutra, and to regulate misinformation to protect public health. The PIL also called for ensuring the availability of affordable, evidence-based cancer treatment including modern medicine as well as evidence-based AYUSH therapies at all tertiary and district-level hospitals. Dr Srivastava also sought directions for the establishment of a dedicated National Cancer Care Fund to support treatment costs, anti-cancer drugs, diagnostic equipment and palliative care, with the aim of reducing the financial burden on poor, underprivileged and vulnerable patients and their families. The petition further urged the Court to direct the Union and State Governments to strengthen death certification and institutionalise death audits for cancer patients to ensure accurate reporting, identify systemic gaps and improve the quality of care. It also sought a time-bound roadmap for expanding PBCRs to ensure adequate representation of all States and rural areas, with particular emphasis on underrepresented States such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha. In his plea, Dr Srivastava stated that despite being one of the leading causes of death in India, cancer remains outside the ambit of mandatory notification. This, he argued, has resulted in fragmented data, weak surveillance and policy paralysis in addressing the growing cancer burden. He highlighted that health is primarily a State subject under Entry 6 of List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution, and that both the Union and State Governments have the power to legislate and notify diseases within their respective domains. However, this concurrent jurisdiction has led to a legal lacuna, with some States having notified cancer as a disease while others have not. The absence of uniformity has led to disparities in reporting, monitoring and early intervention across States. This inconsistency has resulted in a critical policy failure, with patients in many States being diagnosed only at advanced stages, when curative treatment becomes difficult, expensive or impossible, the plea stated. Dr Srivastava further pointed out that the Indian Council of Medical Researchs NCRP currently covers only about 10 per cent of Indias population, with rural coverage as low as 1 per cent. Large States such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha remain significantly underrepresented. He noted that both the NCRP Policy Brief, 2020, and the 139th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare had recommended that cancer be declared a notifiable disease, but these recommendations have yet to be implemented.
Opposition pushback over nuclear, VB-G RAM G Bills; INDIA bloc meeting ahead of Parliament session
NEW DELHI: The Opposition INDIA bloc has mounted a strong pushback as the government moves to push through two controversial Bills in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the SHANTI Bill, aimed at opening the nuclear sector to private players, and the VB-G RAM G Bill to replace the MGNREGA law governing the rural employment scheme. With both Bills listed for passage in the Lok Sabhas List of Business on Wednesday, the INDIA blocs floor leaders are set to meet ahead of the session at the office of the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, to coordinate a united strategy. Opposition leaders have warned that the Bills could have far-reaching consequences, potentially undermining rural livelihoods and handing strategic sectors over to corporate interests. The Congress will also hold a meeting of its MPs in the morning and has issued a whip directing members to remain present in the House until the session concludes on December 19. Opposition parties have demanded that the new VB-G RAM G Bill, which seeks to replace the two-decade-old MGNREGA, be referred to a standing committee. However, the government has shown no inclination to relent. The Opposition has also sought parliamentary scrutiny of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 (SHANTI), which proposes opening up the nuclear power sector to private players. NDA ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is also learnt to have urged the government to refer the VB-G RAM G Bill to a standing committee. In a post on X, Congress MP Manickam Tagore attacked the governments tearing hurry, alleging a deliberate attempt to bypass parliamentary scrutiny. Todays Lok Sabha List of Business exposes the governments real priorities. One Bill to open strategic nuclear energy to corporates like Adani. Another Bill to erase Mahatma Gandhi from the peoples employment guarantee. This is not coincidence. This is design, he wrote. Todays Lok Sabha List of Business exposes the Govts real priorities. One Bill to open strategic nuclear energy to corporates like Adani. Another Bill to erase Mahatma Gandhi from a peoples employment guarantee. This is not coincidence. This is design. Why this pic.twitter.com/Oh0tRhwn2w Manickam Tagore .B . (@manickamtagore) December 17, 2025 Tagore added that the INDIA bloc floor leaders would meet at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges chamber at 10.15 am to coordinate a joint resistance. He accused the government of pushing legislation without standing committee scrutiny, stakeholder consultations, Business Advisory Committee discussions, or adequate time for debate. Parliament is not a notice board. It is the supreme forum of democracy. But ModiShah are running it like the Gujarat Assembly model, bulldoze first, silence later, he said. Calling the removal of Mahatma Gandhis name from the employment guarantee law ideological vandalism and the opening up of strategic sectors economic cronyism, Tagore said both moves would hurt the poor and weaken democratic institutions. The Lok Sabha witnessed noisy scenes on Tuesday after the government introduced the VB-G RAM G Bill, triggering strong protests from the Opposition. Several MPs accused the Centre of dismantling a rights-based welfare scheme and undermining Mahatma Gandhis legacy, demanding that the Bill be sent to a parliamentary panel. 'RAM G Bill will weaken MGNREGA,' says Priyanka, calls Modi govt obsessive over renaming Defending the legislation, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government remained committed to Gandhian principles and had done more for rural development than previous regimes. The Modi government has increased workdays from 100 to 125 days, he said. Leading the Opposition attack, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra warned that the proposed law would dilute the legal guarantee of employment and place a heavier financial burden on states. She alleged that the Bill would give the Centre the power to pre-determine fund allocation, effectively ending the demand-driven nature of the scheme and violating the spirit of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. Other Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress and the DMK, echoed the criticism, objecting to the removal of Gandhis name and the shift from a demand-driven to a supply-driven framework. After staging a walkout, Opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and DMK MP T.R. Baalu, protested at Mahatma Gandhis statue in the Parliament complex, raising slogans such as the country will not tolerate this insult to Mahatma Gandhi.
Gang rape of minor girl in Odisha triggering political controversy
Criminals are becoming fearless while governments incompetence in preventing crime is instilling fear in the general public, said former CM Naveen Patnaik
Singareni To Ink Mega Power Deals In Odisha For 4,900 MW Capacity On December 18
The coal from Naini must be used captively, making this a win-win for Odisha and Singareni: N. Balaram
CMs Delhi Bungalow For Administrative Convenience, Not Personal Comfort: BJP
The BJP said the Odisha government would pay a monthly rent of Rs 3,040 for the bungalow, which would serve not only as the Chief Ministers residence during official visits to the national capital but also function as a temporary secretariat during his stay in Delhi.
Singareni to sign MoU with Odisha on setting up 4,900 MW power plants tomorrow
34 Maoists carrying Rs 84 lakh reward surrender in Chhattisgarh under Poona Margham initiative
RAIPUR: A total of 34 Maoist cadres, carrying a cumulative reward of 84 lakh, surrendered in the insurgency-hit district of Bijapur, around 400 km south of Raipur, on Tuesday, marking another significant instance of cadres laying down arms under the states rehabilitation drive. Seven of those who surrendered are women. The cadres said they had decided to renounce the armed and violent ideology of the banned CPI (Maoist) and return to the mainstream under the Poona Margham: Rehabilitation to Rebirth initiative being implemented in the Bastar division, police said. The thirty-four Maoists who surrendered belonged to the South Sub-Zonal Bureau and included members from the Telangana State Committee, the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee and the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC). As a result of the state government's comprehensive Naxal eradication policy and continuous efforts based on peace, dialogue, and development, the cadres in big numbers have decided to relinquish the violent path and return to the mainstream of society, the statement issued by the Bijapur police said. According to the police, the surrendered cadres included one Divisional Committee Member, four members of a PLGA Company, three Area Committee Members, eight Platoon and Area Committee party members, three Militia Platoon Commanders, five Militia Platoon members, one PLGA member and nine members holding positions such as CNM/Janatana Sarkar president or vice-president, and DAKMS and KAMS president or vice-president. All of them have decided to quit the banned outfit CPI (Maoist). From January 1, 2024 onwards, as many as 824 Maoists have joined the mainstream in Bijapur district, while 1,079 Maoists have been arrested and 220 Maoists have been killed in separate encounters, Bijapur district police chief Jitendra Kumar Yadav said. Official legal procedures are being carried out for the rehabilitation and reintegration of the surrendered cadres into society. The Poona Margham initiative has emerged as a significant step towards lasting peace and positive transformation in the Bastar region, the police said. Under the surrender and rehabilitation policy, each surrendered Maoist receives an initial financial incentive of 50,000. In addition, those willing to undergo skill training or set up a small business are eligible for further financial assistance. They are also provided free housing, healthcare, farmland and other amenities under the policy. Since the BJP came to power in Chhattisgarh in December 2023, over 2,300 Maoists have surrendered across the state, officials said.
Odisha unveils pharmaceutical and medical devices policy to bring Rs 25,000 crore investment by 2030
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the new policy here at the Odisha Pharma Summit-2025 in the presence of Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain and senior government officers.
Scenic Mahendragiri In Odisha Set To Emerge As Confluence Of Nature And Spirituality
Towering over southern Odisha, Mahendragirithe highest peak of the Eastern Ghats in the staterises to an elevation of 1,501 metres (4,925 feet), making it second only to Deomali (5,486 feet). Renowned for its rich biodiversity and deep mythological roots, the mountain is regarded as an important eco-heritage site
Gandhamardan hill: Odisha is leveraging the Gandhamardan hill's rich medicinal herb biodiversity to boost its economy and create jobs. The state plans extensive cultivation to become a leading producer of Ayurvedic and herbal medicines, aiming to blend traditional knowledge with modern innovation for a sustainable economic and ecological model.
Odisha government has announced its holiday list for 2026. This includes all public, regional, and national holidays. State employees can also choose one optional holiday.
Odisha: Minor Allegedly Gang-Raped; Two Arrested
Following the complaint, police acted promptly and apprehended two of the three accused on Monday
Child protection is being treated as a governance priority in Odisha
Congress sacks leader over comments on Kharge and Rahul Gandhi
Congress has expelled Odisha leader Mohammed Moquim. This action follows his letter to Sonia Gandhi. Moquim had called for a major party restructuring. He also stated party president Mallikarjun Kharge is too old. Rahul Gandhi was described as disconnected from colleagues and youth. Moquim suggested Priyanka Gandhi Vadra take a central leadership role. Other leaders were also proposed for promotion.
DC Edit| Fresh Start For BJP With A Young Working Chief
It may be remembered that several of the partys chief ministers, including Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra), Mohan Charan Majhi (Odisha), Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh), Vishnu Deo Sai (Chhattisgarh) and Bhajan Lal Sharma (Rajasthan) were all under 60 when they were chosen for the post. The new young boss will be working with those young veterans
DMET Odisha has revised the NEET PG 2025 Round 2 counselling schedule, with choice filling and locking now open from December 18-20, 2025. All candidates on the state merit list are eligible, including those from Round 1 or who resigned. Seat allotment results are expected on December 22, with reporting from December 23-25 at SCB Medical College, Cuttack.
FIVB To Host Beach Pro Tour in Odisha For Three Years From 2026
Azevedo said Odishas sporting ecosystem, coupled with the extensive infrastructure at KIIT and KISS, made the state an ideal destination for hosting global volleyball events. This initiative is designed to empower women and strengthen volleyball at the grassroots level
Congress expels Odisha ex-MLA Mohammed Moquim for anti-party acitivities
Mr. Moquim has recently written a letter to former Congress President Sonia Gandhi pointing out critical phase the party was passing through and questioned ability of the current leadership in taking party forward
Odisha political clash: BJD workers stage protest before DGP office
BJD leaders and workers are protesting in Bhubaneswar, demanding the arrest of individuals involved in a violent clash in Jajpur district. The incident, which occurred at a BJD leader's farmhouse, left 15 injured, with five seriously hurt. Vehicles were also vandalized. Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik condemned the alleged 'goondaraj' and urged immediate action against the culprits.
Congress expelled former MLA Mohammed Moquim for anti-party activities after he urged Sonia Gandhi to replace party president Mallikarjun Kharge, citing age and a need for young leaders. Moquim's letter highlighted recent electoral defeats and questioned leadership choices, drawing criticism from party officials who suggested he join the BJP.
Survey finds LGBTQIA+ youth face highest discrimination at home and school
A recent survey of over 900 LGBTQ+ individuals by a Kolkata-based organisation, Bridge, which works for the rights of the community across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal, reported that most bullying happens between the ages of 12 and 15 years
Odisha double: Teen shuttle star Unnatis Olympics launchpad
Technology should amplify human judgment, not replace it: CJI Kant
Cuttack (Odisha): Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday said technology should amplify human judgment and not replace it. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said technology should amplify human judgment and not replace it. Addressing a symposium today, Justice Kant said technology was very useful during the COVID pandemic; however, one cannot afford []
News headlines for December 15: Delhi schools are now operating in a hybrid mode due to pollution. Prime Minister Modi embarks on a visit to Jordan. New tourism facilities have opened in Kashmir. The BJP has a new national working president. A mass shooting occurred in Sydney. India leads South Africa in the T20 series. The Odisha Masters badminton tournament has concluded.
Odisha Minister Felicitates Winners of Tata Steel Young Astronomer Talent Search
Congratulating the winners, Patra said the initiative was helping inspire young minds to explore space science and innovation
Queer children face maximum discrimination, bullying at homes, schools: Survey
A recent survey of over 900 LGBTQ+ individuals by a Kolkata-based organisation, 'Bridge', which works for the rights of the community across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal, reported that most bullying happens between the ages of 12 and 15 years
Queer children face maximum discrimination, bullying at homes, schools and neighbourhoods: Survey
GUWAHATI: A recent survey found that LGBTQIA+ children and adolescents face the highest levels of discrimination and bullying in their own homes, schools and neighbourhoods, with activists and stakeholders urging for concerted efforts to address these issues to help them get equal opportunities. A recent survey of over 900 LGBTQ+ individuals by a Kolkata-based organisation, 'Bridge', which works for the rights of the community across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal, reported that most bullying happens between the ages of 12 and 15 years. Many young people are forced to drop out of school, losing out on education, future employment, and income security, Bridge's founder director Prithviraj Nath told PTI . Even after the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2018, the NALSA judgment in 2014, and Transgender Protection Act of 2019, LGBTQ+ people continue to face systematic exclusion in education, health care, workplaces, and public life, he said. Basic human rights still remain out of reach for many and it is extremely important that we bring to light the lived realities and challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, and have dialogues with the larger society towards equal rights and inclusion of the community, Nath added. Rudrani Rajkumari, founder of 'Xomonnoy', an LGBTQIA+ rights organisation and support group, pointed out that the government and all stakeholders must make collective efforts to create a roadmap to reduce discrimination and promote equal rights. We cannot talk about human rights in India and leave out LGBTQIA+ citizens. Every child deserves safety in their home, respect in their school, and dignity in their workplace. Equality is not a favour, it is a constitutional promise, Rajkumari said. Former vice principal of Guwahati's Dispur College, Sunita Agarwalla, claimed that it is one of the pioneer institutions in Assam, having done commendable work for the education of the children from the community. Besides having a gender-neutral toilet, it has reserved seats for such students in both its higher secondary and degree courses, with education being free if such a student needs it and sensitisation programmes are also for all its students regarding the issues of the community, she said. I, as an educator, feel that it is very important to understand that people from the LGBTQIA+ community are also human beings and citizens of our country, so they have to be treated equally by everyone in every aspect, Agarwalla said. Lalit Chandra Bharali College's professor Kunjalata Brahma Bhatiri said that more and more people are voicing their support for equal treatment of people from the community and judgement-free spaces, but a collective and concerted effort from all stratas of society is needed. Sensitisation and orientation to drive in the very understanding of the basic right to live freely and with dignity is required at all levels, she said. More people should talk, discuss, opine and work in attaining dignified living spaces for the queer community, she said. Tezpur University's faculty from the Department of Social Work, Sammy said, Incredible work is being done by multiple stakeholders in the field of queer-inclusive education at secondary, college and university levels in the northeastern region but with every new initiative, we face a wall of structural resistance which is coated in layers of binary understanding of society. Social systems like family, schools, neighbourhoods, state authorities, community institutions, health care services, workplaces and every sector that completes a human being needs gender inclusive approaches and practices as well, she said. We cannot lose our queer students, children, adults and elders to public scorn, confined spaces, hopelessness and suicides, Sammy said. Every department in higher education institutions needs to create safe spaces, accessibility to queer-affirmative support initiatives such as gender-neutral toilets, transport facilities, hostels and common rooms, livelihood opportunities, and speedy redressal mechanism for complaints and quality healthcare services, she said. Former Cotton University professor and Assamese writer Najma Mukherjee said, As an educator and litterateur, I believe in the power of art -- be it literature or the visual arts. Books and movies have definitely contributed to the shaping of public consciousness in understanding queer experiences all around the world. Nath pointed out that stakeholders, during discussions on the issue, have pointed out that there is a need for capacity building for school teachers and B.Ed trainees to equip them with skills to support LGBTQIA+ students. There is also a need to engage more with parents to build understanding and provide supportive environments at home and introduce comics, storybooks, and visual learning tools on gender and sexuality in school libraries, especially in Assamese and other languages, he said. Rajkumari pointed out that stakeholders have urged the government to include mandatory training for teachers and staffers in all educational institutions, in line with the Supreme Court's guidelines on student mental health, and biannual sensitisation for officials in judicial, police, and administrative departments on laws and rights related to LGBTQIA+ people.
Malkangiri Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay reported that peace has been maintained following recent violence centered around a murder. The administration has assessed damages at Rs 3.34 crore and submitted the report to the government. As a precaution, the internet ban has been extended until Monday noon.
BJD alleges Odisha CM availing luxury bungalow in Delhi
It also takes strong exceptions to deployment of one platoon of police at Odisha CMs Delhi bungalow, instead of trusting the Delhi police to do the job
Former CM Naveen Patnaik announces to forgo his hiked salary
Odisha Legislative Assembly recently passed bill by increasing salaries of MLAs and ministers by three folds
Odisha Student, 14, Brings Revolver To Classroom, Threatens Headmaster: Cops
The Odisha Police on Saturday took a 14-year-old boy into custody in Kendrapara, after he threatened his school headmaster inside the classroom by allegedly brandishing a country-made revolver.
Naveen Patnaik Offers To Forgo Salary Hike Amid Public Outrage Over Odisha MLAs Pay Raise
In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Patnaik urged the BJP-led government to utilise the additional amount for the welfare of poor and marginalised people
Discovering Heritage: A visual journey through Odisha crafts museum Kalabhoomi
Sujoy Dhar Nestled in the heart of Bhubaneswars creative corridor, the Odisha Crafts Museum Kalabhoomi captures the essence of the states rich heritage. The museum celebrates the craftsmanship of Odishas artisans by putting on display their breathtaking masterpieces. Built with the authenticity of local materials the exterior uses laterite stone reminiscent of some of Odishas oldest monuments Kalabhoomi immerses visitors in a cultural experience from the moment they arrive. Kalabhoomi is divided into two distinct zones: a display [] The post Discovering Heritage: A visual journey through Odisha crafts museum Kalabhoomi appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Trinamool accuses BJP of enabling violence against Bengali-speaking people in Odishas Malkangiri
Tensions flared in Odishas Malkangiri district between tribal and Bengal-speaking populations, with an armed mob allegedly torching houses in the Bengali-dominant MV-26 village
Niraba brings sabai grass weaving to contemporary furniture design
Boito and This and That fuse Odishas sabai weaving and dhokra with wood and lighting to craft a new design language
Cruel Arrow Attack on Bull Sparks Outrage in Odisha Village
Villagers, activists demand stricter action against rising cases of animal cruelty
Injured Tusker From Jharkhand Triggers Panic In Odisha
Nilgiri Ranger officials confirmed that the animal was mobile and capable of rejoining its herd once stabilised. A veterinary team is expected to assess the injury and initiate treatment.
Report on Malkangiri Violence Submitted to Odisha Chief Minister
Deputy Chief Minister Kank Vardhan Singh Deo and minister Gokulananda Mallik submitted the report to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi after their visit to the affected areas earlier this week.
Odisha Congress leader Mohammed Moquim slams Rahul Gandhis inaccessibility
The former Congress MLA from Barabati-Cuttak questioned the leadership style of president Mallikarjun Kharge
'Age Not On Kharges Side': Odisha Congress Leader Writes To Sonia Gandhi In Fresh Leadership Row
The strongly worded letter called for an open-heart surgery to revive the Congress party in Odisha and at the national level.
Massive Fire At Bar In Bhubaneswar. Thick Black Smoke Seen Atop Building
A massive fire erupted at a bar in Bhubaneswar this morning. Thick plumes of smoke were seen on the top floor of the building that houses the bar, in horrifying visuals from the Satya Vihar area in Odisha's capital this morning.
Odisha CM gives away citizenship certificates to 35 persons from Bangladesh
The CAA-2019 is sacred law which is hope and assurance for persecuted minorities, said Odisha CM Mohan Majhi
Crime against women: Odisha police launch digital platform
Keonjhar police have come up with digital interface to enable women to file complaints from their home
Odisha Man With Severe Spine, Hip Fusion Now Able to Stand and Walk After Complex AIIMS Surgeries
Once unable to stand, Odisha man regains mobility after complex spine and hip procedures
NIRL inks MoU with Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency
Odisha Govt Issues Stern Warning to Land Encroachers: Vacate or Pay Eviction Costs
Reviewing departmental operations, the minister said the state would no longer tolerate unauthorised occupation of public land.
School Teacher Thrashed by Villagers for Allegedly Misbehaving with Girl Students in Odishas Ganjam
Police said an investigation is underway and statements of students, staff and parents were recorded to ascertain the sequence of events
Two Odisha Ministers visit Malkangiri; administration extends internet ban by another 12 hours
Deputy CM Singh Deo and MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallick chaired a meeting with senior officials on the prevailing situation at MV-26 village
Shift Parliament sessions out of polluted Delhi, BJD MP urges government
NEW DELHI: BJD Rajya Sabha member Manas Ranjan Mangaraj on Thursday appealed to the government to relocate Parliament's Winter and Budget sessions out of Delhi until air quality improves, calling the capital's annual pollution crisis a man-made disaster. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Mangaraj, who hails from Odisha, drew parallels between his state's efficient response to natural calamities and the need for similar urgency in addressing Delhi's air pollution. Coming from Odisha, a state that fights cyclones, floods and natural calamities with unmatched discipline, I know what a crisis looks like. But what troubles me is Delhi, he said. The MP highlighted the daily exposure to toxic air faced by members, parliamentary officers, drivers, sanitation workers, and security personnel who keep the House functioning. We cannot ignore their suffering. We cannot pretend this is normal, he said, adding that holding crucial parliamentary sessions during peak pollution months puts lives at risk unnecessarily. Mangaraj suggested several cities with cleaner air and adequate infrastructure as potential alternatives, including Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Goa, and Dehradun. If Odisha can evacuate lakhs of people within hours during a cyclone and save lives with precision, then surely the government of India can relocate two sessions of Parliament to protect the health of its own members and staff, he argued. Emphasising that his proposal was not politically motivated, Mangaraj said, This is not about politics. This is about life and dignity. Parliament must show leadership. Parliament must show that the right to live comes before condemnation. He urged the government to initiate structured consultations without delay to explore the feasibility of rotating Parliament sessions to cities with better air quality during the winter months. Delhi's air quality typically deteriorates sharply between October and January due to a combination of factors, including stubble burning, vehicular emissions, construction dust, and weather conditions that trap pollutants. The winter session, which includes crucial legislative business and the budget session, coincides with the annual peak pollution period.
Odisha: BJD Needs Quick Balancing Within Party to Prevent Steady Collapse
There is a palpable air of angst among many in the party, with rumours that some senior BJD leaders are contemplating a switch-over to either BJP or Congress.
Odishas 4,000-kg explosives loot case: NIA chargesheets 11 for alleged Maoist conspiracy
The National Investigation Agency claimed that the accused were found to have been actively involved in the criminal conspiracy, planning and execution of the loot of around 200 explosive packets, each containing 20 kg of explosives
4,000-kg explosives theft in Odisha: NIA chargesheets 11 for alleged Maoist conspiracy
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged 11 individuals for the theft of approximately 4,000 kg of explosives in Odisha's Rourkela district. Armed Maoists intercepted the vehicle carrying the explosives, abducted the driver, and seized the consignment. The NIA revealed the loot was intended for terror acts against government forces, part of a CPI (Maoist) conspiracy to destabilize the nation.
Odisha's 4,000-kg Explosives Loot Case: NIA Chargesheets 11 for Alleged Maoist Conspiracy
The explosives were being transported from the Itma Explosive Station to the Banko stone quarry on May 27, when a group of 10-?15 armed Maoists intercepted the vehicle, abducted the driver and seized the consignment
Odisha forms high-level committee to address Mahanadi River water dispute
The committee, under chairmanship of State Deputy CM, will examine all relevant aspects related to Mahanadi water and provide necessary policy guidance to the technical and administrative efforts currently underway in Odisha
Coal Remains India's Energy Backbone, House Committee Report Reaffirms 1.5 Bn Tonne Target For 2030
Odisha is expected to produce 494 MT by 2030, followed by Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra by 2030
OTET admit card 2025 released at bseodisha.ac.in: Direct link to download hall tickets here
The Board of Secondary Education, Odisha has released the OTET Admit Card 2025, enabling applicants to access their hall tickets using their registration and mobile numbers. Candidates must verify all details and carry a printed copy to the exam centre. With the OTET determining eligibility for primary and upper-primary teaching posts, the admit card release marks a crucial stage in the recruitment cycle.
Odisha Assembly clears Bill to implement threefold hike in salary, pension for MLAs
Under the revised pay structure, a legislator will draw 3.45 lakh per month against 1.10 lakh in 2007
Odisha man arrested under POCSO Act escapes
Odisha has significantly increased MLA salaries, tripling their monthly earnings to Rs 3.45 lakh, making it one of India's highest. This revision, effective from June 2024, also boosts pay for CM, ministers, and former MLAs, with pensions and allowances seeing substantial hikes. The move received unanimous support, citing increased responsibilities and living costs.
The Malkangiri administration in Odisha saw violent clashes, internet shutdown and prohibitory orders being imposed after a headless body of an Adivasi woman led to violence. Clashes between tribal communities and Bengali settlers led to the destruction of 160 houses. The confrontation happened after a gruesome killing of a 51-year-old tribal woman, whose headless body was recovered from a riverbank last week.
Centre approves road projects worth 44,771 crore for Odisha
The approved projects included widening of the National Highway between Bhubaneswar and Puri, and the 140-km-long Tangi-Puintola-Ichchapuram Road
2 Professors In Andhra Allegedly Sexually Assault Odisha Student, Record Videos
Two assistant professors at a university in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati have been arrested after a student accused them of sexual assault, harassment, and blackmail.
Over 30% students of secondary level in Odisha not able to make transition to higher level: CAG
During 2018-23, 1.50 lakh out of 5.47 lakh children enrolled in classes I to XI, discontinued education before reaching the immediate higher class, the agency finds
Odisha Assembly Approves Threefold Hike in MLA Salaries
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling informed the House that the revised salary would apply retrospectively from June 2024, when the 17th Assembly was constituted
65 tmcft water lost to silt in dams
BENGALURU: Close to 65 tmcft of storage capacity in major reservoirs has been lost to siltation. This means that every year, 65 tmcft of water that could have been stored, is wasted across reservoirs in the Cauvery and Krishna basins. This quantity of water is nearly three times Bengalurus annual water requirement of over 22tmcft. Karnataka has 14 major reservoirs, including KR Sagar, Malaprabha, Bhadra, Harangi, Kabini, Almatti, Tungabhadra, Hemavathy and others. In an unstarred question by Congress MLA Dr Ajay Dharam Singh, Deputy CM and Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar replied that they dont have any programme to remove silt. He said there are no specific guidelines to remove silt from reservoirs, and neither is there a coordination programme between the Central and State governments. Tungabhadra has 31.6 tmcft of silt, Narayanapura has 10.55 tmcft, Almatti 7.5 tmcft and Ghataprabha has 4.9 tmcft. Reservoirs that come under Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam, Visvesvaraya Jal Nigam and others are surveyed by Karnataka Engineering Research Centre. The Central Water Commission had recommended a survey of silt in reservoirs once in five years. In many state reservoirs, survey was done from 2008 to 2019. Over time, as silt starts accumulating, the live storage capacity comes down and water overflows, leading to water loss. Silt accumulation is not uniform, and removing it is not economically viable. Former irrigation secretary and water expert Captain Raja Rao told TNIE that silt accumulation is a natural process which cannot be avoided. Silt accumulation in reservoirs of the Cauvery basin is less compared to Krishna basin reservoirs, because Cauvery reservoirs have forests or many trees nearby. This prevents silt entering dams, whereas near Krishna basin reservoirs, there are few trees. Also, mining is a major issue here, he explained. There is a need to grow more trees, which can prevent silt to a large extent, he added. A senior water resource department official said removing silt is a tedious process, as water has to be pumped out before silt can be removed. To dump the silt, they need acres of land, which is not available in and around dams. For this, they have to place pipes for longer distances, water has to be pumped out through these pipes. It is expensive. The Odisha government tried it in Hirakud reservoir, but failed, he said.
Engineers, Postgraduates Join Odisha Home Guard Amid Job Crunch
A total of 118 candidates participated in the districts first-ever Home Guard passing-out parade after completing 82 days of intensive training
From Rs 1.11 Lakh To Rs 3.45 Lakh: Odisha Approves Big Salary Hike For MLAs
The Odisha Assembly on Tuesday increased the monthly salary of its members more than three times -- from Rs 1.11 lakh to Rs 3.45 lakh, one of the highest in the country.
Charudutta Panigrahi | Will Odisha Pharma Summit 2025 Be a Defining Moment for Eastern India?
With big job targets and investment plans, Odisha seeks to join Indias pharma growth story
