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…
Author: P Das
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.…
Odisha, primarily known for its minerals, mining and heavy industries, is looking beyond its comfort zone as it eyes the drone industry, India’s new find love that made headlines during ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7 last year. Driven by a mix of defence manufacturing, startup innovation, skilling initiatives, and policy support, the state is steadily positioning itself as one of India’s emerging drone technology hubs. Importantly, what makes the state’s rise significant is that it is not relying on one sector alone; instead, it is building a complete drone ecosystem—from manufacturing and testing to training and real-world deployment. A major…
In a move towards ensuring water sustainability and advancing a circular economy in urban development, the state government recently came up with a policy to reuse at least 50 per cent of used water by 2036, when Odisha will complete 100 years of formation. Notified under the Policy on Reuse of Treated Used Water of Urban Odisha, 2026, the policy aims to provide a comprehensive roadmap to transform used water from waste by-product into a valuable economic resource. Importantly, it addresses the growing seasonal and spatial water stress across urban centres of the state. The policy promotes the use of…
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently inaugurated the ‘Zoho Skill Hub’ at Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla. The Zoho Skill Hub, established in collaboration with Zoho Corporation, aims to equip students and local youths with advanced technological and software skills and will offer hands-on training through modern classrooms and industry-linked exposure, enabling learners to gain real-world experience and improve employability. The inauguration of the skill hub announces the emergence of Odisha as a skill hub. Earlier this year, the state government had announced plans to transform 47 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Centres of Excellence and introduce…
In alignment with Samrudha Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047, government of Odisha recently announced the establishment of the State Institute for Transformative Initiatives (SITI), a think tank for policy research and strategic advisory body, with the chief minister as the head. Modelled in line with Niti Ayog at the national level, SITI replaces the old State Planning Board, which was dissolved in 2024. It will be headed by the Chief Minister as chairman, while a vice-chairman will be appointed to manage its day-to-day functioning. The institution will comprise four expert members, nine ex-officio members and two special invitees to provide…
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…
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…