News from Bhubaneswar

School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond announced free bus travel and textbooks for all students in Odisha, along with teacher appointments and educational reforms aligned with NEP.

IMD predicts a new low-pressure system over Bay of Bengal after August 27, bringing heavy rains to north and interior Odisha, with orange warnings issued for five districts.

Odisha signs three MoUs with IIT, NIWS, and Light of Buddhism Foundation to boost heritage, spiritual, and adventure tourism, positioning the state globally.

Odisha Assembly's monsoon session, from September 18 to 25, will feature debates on State interests, key bills, and opposition to address issues such as the farmers' plight and women's safety. The opposition has announced its intention to demand accountability from the government and ensure that it responds to all pressing issues concerning public welfare and State interest.

Two persons died in a road accident on Wednesday night when a speeding bullet motorcycle crashed into a streetlight pole on Fire Station Road near Rental Colony in Bhubaneswar, with overspeeding suspected as the cause.

BMC launches an eco-friendly drive to recycle flowers from puja pandals into incense sticks, starting with Ganesh Puja, using dedicated vehicles for collection and a new unit at Palasuni.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi refuted West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's claims of Bengali harassment, stating only illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are targeted, not lawful residents.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi announced the construction of new Odisha Bhawans in Ayodhya, Hyderabad, and Surat to support the Odia diaspora, featuring cultural elements and modern facilities. This initiative marks a cultural and administrative milestone for the State, strengthening Odisha’s presence and services outside its geographical borders.

Veteran BJD leaders, including Pravat Tripathy and Amar Satpathy, held a secretive meeting in Jajpur's Olasuni Gumpha, sparking speculation about a new political front to challenge BJD and BJP dominance in Odisha. The gathering was hosted by Pravat Tripathy and saw the presence of heavyweights like Amar Satpathy, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Prasanna Patasani, Rabi Pani, and Ramachandra Hansda.

Eleven days after a Mahindra Thar hit-and-run killed Rebati Raul and her daughter Reshma in Bhubaneswar, accused driver Somnath Behera remains at large despite police seizing the vehicle and arresting accomplices. Meanwhile, widespread public outrage and the victim's family’s frustration have centred on a key question: Why has Somnath not been arrested?

Six BJD MPs skipped a key ECI meeting in New Delhi, sparking backlash and internal discord allegations, with party leaders citing prior commitments and denying factionalism. The absentee BJD MPs — Sasmit Patra, Manas Mangaraj, Munna Khan, Subhasish Khuntia, Debashish Samantaray, and Niranjan Bishi — did not attend the meeting or the subsequent press conference.

Revenue employees in Odisha continue their 10-day strike for pay revision and benefits, defying government warnings and halting public services statewide.

Odisha Housing Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra announced the state submitted a Bhubaneswar Metro proposal to the Centre, with a technical committee formed for feasibility surveys and funding discussions.

BJD MP Sasmit Patra raised concerns in Parliament about the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail project's status, with Union Minister Kaushal Kishore explaining delays due to policy adherence and state revisions.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi flagged off the first Bhubaneswar-Jharsuguda direct flight under Odisha's B-MAAN scheme, enhancing regional connectivity and economic opportunities with Star Air operating five weekly services.