Kolkata: New names and symbols for the two factions in Trinamool Congress -- the "original but minority" faction led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, and the "rebel but majority" faction led by expelled party legislator, Ritabrata Banerjee -- are expected to be revealed Friday after the Election Commission of...

Kalahandi: A sharp disparity in police deployment has emerged in Kalahandi district, with 68 sanctioned posts lying vacant, mainly at police stations in remote and tribal-dominated areas, while several urban stations have personnel above their sanctioned strength, according to data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The shortage is particularly acute at stations in Lanjigad,...

Bhubaneswar: Around one crore 'diyas' were lit across Odisha Thursday evening to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and several others participating in the 'Ashirwad Ka Diya' programme at the Mukteswar Temple here. Similar programmes were organised in all 30 districts of the state to mark Modi's birthday. Majhi, Deputy...

New Delhi: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Friday expressed pride over NIT  Rourkela’s indigenous semiconductor chip designs being showcased at SEMICON India 2026. Majhi said the achievement reflected the talent, innovation and research capabilities of Odisha’s institutions and was a matter of immense pride for the people of the state. “Proud to see NIT Rourkela’s indigenous...

Kuanrmunda: Police arrested four persons, including a juvenile, in connection with the rape of two minor girls in the Biramitrapur police station area of Sundaragada district and forwarded them to court, officials said Thursday. Three of the accused, identified as Manji Minz, 18, and Alex Minz, 19, both of Birutola in Rata Khanda, and Bandhana Khalkho, 21,...

Digapahandi: A small idol of Goddess Kali, reportedly made of gold, was found buried in the backyard of a house at Bajapalli village under Basudevpur gram panchayat in Ganjam district early Thursday, following what the family said was a divine dream. The idol, measuring about 4 inches in length, was reportedly found at the residence of B...

Nandapur: A women-led farmers' producer organisation (FPO) in Koraput is turning 13 acres of farmland into a dual-purpose agricultural and solar power project, with 1,735 solar panels expected to generate 1 megawatt of electricity while farming continues on the same land. The project, located in Kulabir village near the Jolaput reservoir in Nandapur block, has brought together...

Kendrapada: Farmers in Kendrapada district have resumed kharif cultivation after prolonged rain and flooding, but are now facing a shortage of fertiliser and attacks by stem borer pests, adding to their woes. The problems have affected cultivation across all blocks of the district. Farmers have alleged that urea is being sold at inflated prices amid shortages, with...

RABINARAYAN JENA, OP Bhubaneswar: The Skill Development and Technical Education department has come under scrutiny over poor utilisation of budgetary funds, with no expenditure reported under 16 schemes involving Rs 740 crore, even as nearly half of the financial year has passed. Finance Adviser-cum-Special Secretary of the department Shashanka Bhushan Mahapatra has expressed displeasure over the performance...

SUCHISMITA SAHU, OP Bhubaneswar: Despite several schemes launched by the central and state governments to provide quality education and equip students with digital learning skills, implementation delays have raised questions over the delivery of these initiatives in Odisha. Both the Centre and state governments have been spending substantial amounts on digital education infrastructure. However, delays at various...