Khordha: The first Khordha Heritage Walks was organised at historic Gada Khordha, bringing together heritage enthusiasts and explorers from across Odisha to highlight the region’s rich historical and cultural legacy. The walk began at Kunjabihari Temple, where participants were introduced to its historical and architectural significance. Senior Khordha intellectual Bimal Kumar Sarangi spoke about Khordha’s important place...

Jajpur: Despite various measures to improve education infrastructure, many schools in Jajpur district continue to lack basic facilities, including classrooms, toilets and drinking water. Azimabad Primary School in Sayedpur panchayat under Binjharpur block is a glaring example and a case in point. The school, established in 1989 through efforts of local residents, was washed away into the...

Bhabanipatana: Heavy rain over the past two days has caused rivers and creeks to swell in Kalahandi district, with flood conditions reported in the Hati and Tel rivers Monday. The district emergency office said 1,494 mm of rain was recorded across the district during the past two days. Floodwaters have submerged hundreds of acres of farmland and...

Sambalpur: Chorus has grown for fulfilment of the long-standing demand of pension for journalists with the Senior Journalists Association holding a zonal conference at the Journalists’ Building under the aegis of Sambalpur District Journalists Association. Journalists from Sambalpur, Baragada, Jharsuguda, Debagada, Subarnapur, Balangir and Boudh attended the conference Sunday seeking pension for retired and soon-to-retire journalists. District...

Puri/Bhubaneswar: A queue-based darshan system is set to be introduced at Srimandir within the next three to four months, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan has said. A high-level meeting was held at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar Monday to discuss the proposed queue-based darshan system for devotees. Speaking after the meeting, Minister Harichandan said the new system is...

Badabil: Two men died in separate incidents after being swept away by rainwater in Badabil area of Kendujhar district with heavy rain lashing the area since Sunday evening. The deceased were identified as Sukumar Munda, 40, of Raika village and Jiten Samanta, 38, of Baruhating area. Sukumar was swept away by a sudden flow of rainwater while...

Joda/Bhadrasahi: Incessant rain triggered a landslide at Barabanka ghat on National Highway 520 in Kendujhar district, blocking one side of the highway and disrupting vehicular movement. A truck travelling along the stretch narrowly escaped impact with the falling earth, according to locals Monday. The landslide is reportedly the first such incident at Barabanka ghat, where road construction...

Bhubaneswar/Paradip: The agencies engaged in the search and rescue operation of 22 sailors from the Panama-flagged ship MV Ocean Winner that sank off the Odisha coast August 22 expanded their area in the Bay of Bengal Monday, but are yet to find them, officials said. The Chinese Embassy in India has contacted the Odisha government following the...

Purna Chandra Jena In India, the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) has, since 2017-18, become the most reliable indicator for states to assess their labour markets. For Odisha — long stereotyped as a mineral-rich but job-scarce economy — the PLFS now reveals a markedly different picture. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for persons aged 15 and above...

The BJP and the Congress seem to believe that they are going to reap rich political dividends through their conflicting positions on the singing of the national song Vande Mataram. Ground reality shows the vast majority of population are concerned about growing inequalities, unemployment, shabby educational infrastructure, corruption in education and recruitment systems, rising prices and a...