Odisha kicked off its 2026 mango season in style as it exported around 7.5 quintals of premium Amrapali mangoes from Dhenkanal to London recently, marking a quiet agricultural revolution in the state. India, the largest producer of mangoes in the world produces over 22 million tonnes annually and accounts for nearly 45% of global production. However, despite this feat, the country remains a relatively small player in the global mango trade. Odisha’s recent export breakthroughs suggest that the state can fill that gap, not by competing on volume with established players, but by creating a premium niche built on quality, unique…
Author: P Das
In a major boost to India’s semiconductor industry, the Odisha government recently inked a deal with Intel and US-based 3DGS. Aimed at bringing advanced substrate manufacturing technology to the country, the project estimated at around $3.3 billion, will set up an advanced packaging glass-core substrate manufacturing facility in the Bhubaneswar-Khurda region of Odisha. The proposed unit will focus on advanced packaging glass-core substrates, high-density interconnect substrates and related semiconductor technologies. For the unversed, substrates are a critical component in semiconductor packaging. It helps with connecting and supporting semiconductor chips used in electronic devices. Industry executives have often described substrate manufacturing…
It’s official. An advanced Atmospheric Space Research Facility (ASRF) will be established in Balasore, Odisha. This was announced by Pratap Charan Sarangi, MP, Balasore, in an interaction with media recently. A defence land worth 19.25 acres of has been officially leased to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), he informed. The decision to establish an ASRF in Balasore marks a defining moment in Odisha’s scientific journey. While the state has long been associated with mineral wealth, industrial growth and strategic defence infrastructure, this new initiative signals a shift towards a knowledge-driven future powered by research, innovation and technological excellence, feel…
As India Meteorological Department predicts a below-normal monsoon and a possible El Niño effect for Odisha— to receive below-normal rainfall during the monsoon season from June-September this year— the state government has proactively shifted from a reactive crisis-response model to an extensive climate-resilience strategy. El Nino is a phenomenon, which is characterised by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, often leading to below-normal monsoon rainfall in India. It results in drought-like conditions, lower crop yields and stress on water resources. For Odisha, where agriculture supports nearly half the population and remains heavily dependent on the monsoon,…
The first BJP government in Odisha, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, will complete two years in office on June 12. As the state gears up to celebrate the second anniversary of its present administration, the moment calls not merely for celebration, but for assessment. Over the past two years, Odisha has steadily positioned itself as one of India’s emerging growth engines by combining industrial expansion, infrastructure creation, digital governance and welfare-driven development. The transformation is visible not merely in announcements, but increasingly in numbers. One of the most visible successes has been the acceleration of infrastructure development. The…
In a bid to regulate marine fishing, the state cabinet of Odisha, presided over by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, cleared a proposal to enact the Odisha Marine Fishing Regulation Bill, 2026. Aimed at establishing a robust, modern and inclusive legal framework for the marine fisheries sector, the new legislation will repeal a 44-year-old law that regulates marine fishing activities in the state. Odisha’s marine sector already holds considerable economic importance. According to the Odisha Economic Survey 2025-26, marine exports grew from ₹3,243 crore in 2019-20 to over ₹4,708 crore in 2024-25. Marine products now contribute nearly 5% of the…
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has pitched for the development of an Orange Economy—a culture-driven economic model, as a key strategy for employment generation and tourism-led growth in the state. Speaking at a special event held recently at the historic Lingaraj Temple to mark the 75th anniversary of the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple, Majhi said Odisha’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage could become a major engine of economic transformation. Majhi said promoting the “Orange Economy” by leveraging culture, pilgrimage and tourism would not only preserve heritage but also create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities across the state.…
In a bid to expand city gas infrastructure across the state amid growing concerns over energy security and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for energy conservation, Odisha government recently announced the Odisha City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy to ensure faster and wider access to piped natural gas (PNG) for households and CNG for vehicles. The move is likely to pave way for piped natural gas (PNG) connections and compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in urban areas through a fast-track approval mechanism. Under the CGD policy, 2026, the state has authorised five city gas distribution entities — GAIL (India) Limited, GAIL…
An Iranian official has informed that a suspected oil spill in the Gulf near Iran’s Kharg Island was likely caused by a tanker dumping wastewater and not a leak from oil facilities. Satellite images showed the oil spill covering dozens of square kilometres of sea near Kharg Island. The tiny island has been under lens since the onset of US-Iran war. So, why is this island crucial for Iran, US and the rest of the world? Let’s find out… What is Kharg Island? A small island in the Persian Gulf, Kharg island is located about 25 km off Iran’s coast. Believed to…
If reports are to go by, Bhubaneswar is all set to get a world class handicraft and handloom hub. Touted as a one-stop destination for traditional crafts and textiles, the upcoming complex aims to showcase Odisha’s rich artisanal heritage while improving market access for local craftsmen and weavers. According to reports, the hub will house important government outlets such as Boyanika, Utkalika and Sambalpuri Bastralaya, ensuring that visitors can explore a wide range of authentic handloom and handicraft products under one roof. Experts have hailed this move as Odisha’s textiles are not merely fabrics; they are stories woven in thread.…