CM Mohan Charan Majhi addresses the delegates during the Brics meeting in Puri on Thursday Puri: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday urged Brics nations to move beyond deliberations on natural calamities, and translate discussions into concrete partnerships and actionable outcomes for vulnerable communities worldwide.Inaugurating the Brics Disaster Risk Reduction Group technical meeting, Majhi called…

Berhampur: In a significant step towards climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable farming, the adoption of the solar-based technology in agriculture in Ganjam district is gaining popularity among farmers. The initiatives have helped them reduce dependency on conventional energy sources and is cost effective, farmers said.Subash Chandra Pradhan and Rabi Swain who grow various vegetables on their…

Bhubaneswar: A day after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared the long-awaited coastal highway project in Odisha — first conceived in 2015 — the BJD and BJP on Thursday exchanged accusations, each blaming the other for years of delay.Addressing journalists here, BJD vice-president and former minister Sanjay Kumar Das Burma reminded that Union road…

Mahroof (2nd from right) and Masroor with their parents Bhubaneswar: For most students, securing admission to an IIT is the culmination of years of hard work and determination. But for twin brothers Mahroof and Masroor Ahmed Khan, the journey is more than academic success. It is also about sacrifice, love and staying together.Mahroof and Masroor,…

Sambalpur: A 15-year-old wild female elephant, reportedly pregnant, was found dead near Dera on the Baduapali–Jhankarbahali road under the Baduapali panchayat in the Sadar forest range of Sambalpur district.According to forest officials, the elephant is suspected to have died after coming in contact with a live electric wire while moving out of the Jhankarbahali forest…

Once famous for its cold climate, it has now turned into a hot spot due to forest and environmental degradation Keonjhar: With temperature crossing 40°C in Keonjhar district once known for its cool climes, environmentalists have expressed concern over the massive destruction of its forests. Fifteen years ago, the average temperature in Keonjhar was 35°C…

Bhubaneswar: The BJP on Thursday nominated Debashish Samantaray as its candidate for Rajya Sabha bypoll, necessitated by his resignation from the Upper House as a BJD member, and subsequent switch to the saffron party on May 25.Samantaray’s renomination was on expected lines, with the BJP having earlier adopted a similar approach for former BJD MPs…

Puri: A 50-member team of Brics delegates attending the Disaster Risk Reduction Group’s technical meeting on Thursday explored the architectural splendour of Konark Sun Temple, a Unesco World Heritage site, officials said.On the concluding day of the three-day meeting, the delegates are scheduled to witness demonstrations by Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and Odisha Fire…

Bhubaneswar: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged the state govt to upgrade the Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology (IGIT), Sarang, in Dhenkanal district into a unitary university. In a letter to chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi Pradhan said the upgrade is essential to strengthen technical education in the Dhenkanal-Angul region, which is witnessing rapid…

Keonjhar: Personnel of Keonjhar forest division on Thursday raided the house of Jaimani Mahanta of Nuapada village and seized illegal sal timber worth more than Rs 1.5 lakh in Patna range. There were 60 pieces of sal timber of different sizes that were seized by the forest staff. Investigation is on to ascertain the source…