Bhubaneswar: A fresh debate has now taken centre stage in the political atmosphere in Odisha, as BJD and BJP leaders indulged in an argument about whether a lungi or dhoti is more appropriate after Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for wearing a lungi in a video message. While the BJP supported dhoti as Odisha’s cultural attire, the BJD emphasised the significance of lungi and how it would benefit weavers in Sambalpur if it were promoted. Patnaik, in a video message, wearing a lungi and a tee-shirt, urged people to vote for the ‘conch’ symbol of his pa ..read more

Cuttack: Sophia Firdous, daughter of Congress MLA Muhammad Moquim, is set to contest the upcoming elections from the Barabati constituency. This decision was taken following a marathon meeting at Moquim’s residence on Wednesday, attended by leaders from all walks of life and party workers. Moquim’s political future had been uncertain after he was found guilty in the ORHDC corruption case. Despite being granted bail by the Supreme Court, the refusal to stay the order of the lower court effectively blocked his path to contesting elections. This led to discussions within Moquim’s camp about nomi ..read more

Kandhamal: In an effort to make voters aware and motivated towards exercising their franchise in the 2024 elections, Baliguda sub-collector Rina Pradhan in Kandhamal district adopted a unique event for the purpose. She herself walked down the ramp holding placards to make people aware of their voting rights. The placard mentioned with ‘My Vote, My Pride’ slogan. The Kandhamal district administration organised an awareness drive in Baliguda for voters. The fashion show was organised as a part of the drive during which the sub-collector along with other participants walked the ramp. Intending t ..read more

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today released a comprehensive 60-page “chargesheet” against the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government’s 25-year tenure ahead of the state’s simultaneous general elections. The document, titled “Pachis Barsara Papapedi” (Storehouse of 25 years of BJD sins) with a tag line —‘Kete Dina Au Sahiba, Parivartan Aniba (How long do we tolerate, it’s time to bring a change) was unveiled at a press conference by Union Minister for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav. BJP Odisha election in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tom ..read more

New Delhi: Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor (NSA), participated in the luncheon meeting of BRICS NSAs hosted by the Secretary of the Russian Security Council on Wednesday. During the meeting, Doval called for closer cooperation in the fight against terrorism and urged for substantial actions to prevent transborder planning, funding, and execution of terrorist acts. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Russia stated, “NSA Shri Ajit Doval spoke at the luncheon meeting of BRICS NSAs hosted by the Secretary of the Russian Federation’s Security Council and called for closer cooperation ..read more

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) gave its ‘no objection’ to Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer for the election of Delhi Mayor and Deputy Mayor on 26 April, as far as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is concerned. “I am directed to refer to the proposal, received on April 22, 2024, through c-vigil, and to state that the Commission has no objection, from MCC angle, to the proposal made therein. Department concerned may be informed accordingly,” the EC letter to Delhi Chief Electoral Officer stated. Earlier, the Secretary of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had written to the E ..read more

Bhubaneswar: Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) on Wednesday, signed a Memorandum of Institute (CSIR-NGRI) to foster a long-term collaboration in the field of geophysical Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Geophysical Research investigations to bolster its ongoing projects and activities in critical and strategic minerals. The MoU was signed by Sadashiv Samantaray, Director (Commercial), NALCO & CEO, KABIL and Dr. Prakash Kumar, Director, CSIR-NGRI, in the presence of Sridhar Patra, CMD, NALCO & Chairman, KABIL, at NALCO Corporate Of ..read more

Bhubaneswar: Heatwave conditions continued to prevail in Odisha on Wednesday for nine days in a row as maximum day temperature soared to 40°C and above at 24 places in the State. Similarly, 11 places recorded a maximum day temperature of 42°C or above today, the IMD said. The State Capital-Bhubaneswar and Nuapada were the hottest cities in the State today with the mercury soaring to 43.2°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heatwave alert for Odisha for the next five days. The IMD has issued Orange Warning for many districts of the state till April 28, with the max ..read more

Bhubaneswar: The Indian National Congress Odisha (INC Odisha) changed its candidate to Saka Sujit Kumar for the Digapahandi assembly constituency seat on Wednesday. Informing about the change, the Odisha division of INC made a social media post on its official handle on X, “This is for the information to general public that official candidate of INC from (134) Digapahandi assembly is Saka Sujit Kumar.” Ten days earlier on 14 April, declaring the party’s 3rd list for Odisha, the congress fielded Shreedhar Dev as the candidate for the Digapahandi assembly constituency election. But this evening ..read more

Bhubaneswar: Great news for budget-conscious travelers! Indian Railways along with Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is stepping up to serve passengers, particularly those in unreserved coaches, with a new initiative offering hygienic meals and snacks at affordable prices. This program anticipates the surge in passenger traffic during the summer months. Indian Railways recognizes the challenges faced by those traveling in unreserved compartments (General Class Coaches), who may not always have access to convenient and budget-friendly meal options. The initiative offers ..read more