In a move that could boost Odisha’s healthcare sector, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd, one of the prestigious and largest health care units of the country, forayed into Bhubaneswar recently by acquiring 58.4% stake in Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Hospital for ₹300 crore. The recent acquisition, which reflects a changing scenario, is even more important because eastern India has always remained at a structural disadvantage— its patients were often compelled to travel to metros like Chennai or Hyderabad for advanced care. The acquisition, therefore, reflects how in less than three decades, Bhubaneswar has undergone a quiet transformation—from a city with limited medical facilities…
Author: P Das
Indian agricultural sector is likely to face a challenging year ahead amid concerns over weak monsoon, possible El Nino conditions and fertiliser supply risks linked to the West Asia conflict, according to a report by ICRA. The south-west monsoon, responsible for watering most of India’s farmlands, may be just 92% of its 50-year average this year, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, with 96-104% considered normal. What is El Nino El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon where the surface waters of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become unusually warm every two-seven year. In simple words, it’s like the…
Saudi Arabia has warned the United States that its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger wider regional disruption, including potential Houthi action at the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint. Citing officials, Washington Post reported that Saudi Arabia has warned that Iran might retaliate by closing the Bab al-Mandeb—a Red Sea chokepoint crucial for the kingdom’s remaining oil exports in response to the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. So, why Bab al-Mandeb has become a point of contention, let’s find out… What is Bab al-Mandeb Commonly referred to as the ‘Gate of Tears’, the Bab al-Mandab strait,…
As we step into a new year on Pana Sankranti, it’s a moment of reckoning for the people of Odisha. Rooted in tradition, this day is also a reminder to reimagine the state’s future, which is inching closer to celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2036 as a state that was formed linguistically on April 1, 1936. Viksit Odisha, which was envisioned in lines of Viksit Bharat, is no longer about promise; it is about performance under a ticking clock. Here are five high-impact innovations that can realistically steer Odisha towards ‘Viksit Odisha 2036’—grounded in its economic strengths and emerging policy…
In a major milestone in India’s civil nuclear energy programme, the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu achieved first criticality, the moment when a sustained nuclear fission reaction is established. Success came after more than two decades of scientific effort, marking the initiation of a sustained nuclear chain reaction. This PFBR is a 500 MWe (MegaWatt electrical) reactor built by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) at the Kalpakkam Nuclear Complex. The milestone carries substantial global significance. Once fully operational, India will become only the second country in the world after Russia to operate a commercial fast breeder reactor. It…
In a significant move, Iran on Wednesday said it would allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks if attacks against it are halted. The development came after US President Donald Trump agreed to a temporary ceasefire framework just ahead of a self-imposed deadline that had raised fears of a wider regional war. Though it has come as a major relief to the world and India, the West Asia crisis has exposed New Delhi’s vulnerability in the energy sector. India imports nearly 85% of its crude oil and over 50% of natural gas from other countries, out…
In a major culinary push to promote the state through its rich and cultural heritage, government of Odisha has launched an initiative to promote authentic Odia cuisine across the country. The plan, a part of Odisha’s tourism policy, which was recently amended in alignment with the state’s Vision 2036 plan, is a policy move to place tourism as a catalyst for sustainability, cultural pride and global competitiveness. Odisha Tourism has offered incentives such as capital expenditures up to Rs 5 crore and operational expenditure for three years to draw private investors to set up such restaurants. Officials familiar with the…
The Central Government on Sunday informed said that about 6,000 piped gas consumers have surrendered their LPG connections in the last three days, while 2.9 lakh new PNG connections have been activated this month. The news comes as a relief and ease pressure on cylinder stocks amid disruption of energy supplies due to the West Asia conflict. The move follows Centre’s direction to all ministries to assess the potential demand for piped natural gas (PNG) across canteens and pantries at govt departments and offices, and pushes for its expansion. It had also urged govt establishments, residential colonies and canteens to…
Amid escalation of war in West Asia, Union minister of state for petroleum Suresh Gopi informed Parliament on Monday that India’s strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) are 64% full. At current consumption rates, this stock would last about five days, he added. India has “SPR facilities with a total capacity of 5.33 million metric tonnes (MMT) of crude oil at three locations in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, which can act as buffer for short-term supply shocks,” Gopi said. Currently, the reserves hold around 3.37 MMT of crude (24.7 million barrels), he added. India consumes about 5 million barrels of oil per…
It’s official. Bhubaneswar is all set to host the prestigious World Athletics Indoor Championships 2028, in a first not just for Odisha but also the country. The Kalinga Stadium Sports Complex indoor facility, the spotlight for the sporting extravaganza scheduled to be held on March 28, was selected after an inspection by a two-member World Athletics team in January this year. The selection is also a testament to Bhubaneswar becoming the sporting destination for track and field athletics in India. It is noteworthy to add that apart from the 2017 continental event, the Kalinga Stadium hosted the World Athletics Continental…