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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
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Day: January 1, 2026

PM Modi, President Murmu greet nation on New Year, call for peace and progress

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New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended New Year greetings to citizens across India and abroad, wishing peace, prosperity and renewed commitment to national development as the country entered 2026.

In his posts on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his wishes to the nation and expressed hope that the coming year would bring good health, success and fulfilment.

“Wishing everyone a wonderful 2026! May the year ahead bring good health and prosperity, with success in your efforts and fulfilment in all that you do. Praying for peace and happiness in our society,” the Prime Minister posted.

In another message, he extended “heartfelt greetings” for the New Year and referred to the qualities people should aspire to cultivate, invoking an ancient Subhashitam that highlights knowledge, courage, strength, patience, virtue and compassion. Modi wished that 2026 would inspire citizens with “new hopes, new resolutions and new self-confidence.”

On the eve of the New Year, President Murmu sent her greetings and said the occasion symbolised “renewed energy and positive change” and offered an opportunity for self-reflection and fresh resolve. She called upon people to strengthen their commitment to the nation’s development, social harmony and environmental protection.

“On the joyous occasion of New Year, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to all Indians in the country and abroad,” she said, adding, “May the year 2026 bring peace, happiness and prosperity into our lives and infuse new energy to build a stronger and more prosperous India.”

Both leaders emphasised collective progress, social unity and well-being as key themes for the year ahead.

Rabindra Mandap comes alive as Int’l Odissi Dance Festival concludes

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Bhubaneswar: Rabindra Mandap resonated with rhythm and energy on Tuesday, as the International Odissi Dance Festival concluded with a packed programme of performances in Bhubaneswar. The five-day festival was organised by the Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra (GKCM) Odissi Research Centre under the aegis of the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture.

The concluding day witnessed enthusiastic participation from audiences and featured Odissi exponents from India and abroad, presenting solo, duet, and group performances, turning the festival into a vibrant celebration of the classical dance form, according to a release from GKCM Centre.

The morning session opened with a series of performances by Lingaraj Kala Niketan (group), Ankita Behera, Suhana Mishra, Joyita Pal and Agnisha Basak (duet), Diptis Kumar Satpathy, Radhika Rajesh Kubde, Subhasini Mallick and Suvashree Suchismita Mallick (duet), Indrajit Sarkar, Swarnanki Das, and Debarchana Dance Academy (group). Their presentations were warmly received by Odissi enthusiasts.

In the afternoon session, the stage was taken over by Natasutra Research Public Charitable Trust (group), Ramakanta Sahoo, Preetipragyan Das and Ranjita Priyadarshini Pani (duet), Subhrakanta Pradhan, Swagatika Sahoo, and Dibya Priyadarshini Das (duet), Itishree Mohanty, and Nrutyarchana (group), who showcased a diverse range of choreographies rooted in the Odissi tradition.

The evening segment began with a performance by renowned Odissi dancer Guru Aloka Kanungo. This was followed by solo and duet presentations by Preeti Mohapatra, Vidisha Basumallik, and Rohini Samal (duet), Preetisha Mohapatra, Paulami Chakraborty, Moushmi Madh,u and Pranavi Annadurai (duet), Sagnya Sucharita Nayak, Simantini Mitra-Beura, and Darpani (group). The performances sustained the festive spirit and drew loud appreciation from the audience.

The concluding evening formally commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by eminent cultural personalities, including noted singers Dr. Shyamamani Devi and Guru Gopal Chandra Panda; former Principal Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Manoranjan Panigrahy; eminent Odissi dancer Guru Bichitrananda Swain; Odissi exponent Dr. Jyotsnarani Sahoo; Secretary of the Odisha Sangita Natak Akademi, Dr. Chandrasekhar Hota; and Suchisimita Mantry, Administrative Officer of the Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre.

DRDO conducts successful salvo launch of Pralay missile off Odisha coast

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Chandipur: In a significant milestone for the country’s missile programme, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a salvo launch of two Pralay missiles in rapid succession from a single launcher off the Odisha coast at around 10:30am on Wednesday. The launches were conducted as part of user evaluation trials.

Both missiles performed as planned, precisely following their designated trajectories and meeting all mission objectives. Their flight performance was tracked and validated by sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, while the terminal phase was independently confirmed through telemetry systems installed on a ship positioned near the designated impact area, according to an official statement.

Pralay is an indigenously developed, solid-fuel, quasi-ballistic missile equipped with advanced guidance and navigation systems, enabling high accuracy. The missile is designed to carry different types of warheads and can engage a variety of targets.

The system has been developed by the Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, with contributions from several DRDO laboratories, including the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Advanced Systems Laboratory, Armament Research and Development Establishment, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) and the Integrated Test Range. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, the designated development-cum-production partners, integrated the missile systems for the trials, with support from other Indian industry partners.

The trials were witnessed by senior DRDO scientists, representatives from the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army, as well as officials from the participating industries, including the production partners.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army, defence public sector undertakings and industry partners for the successful back-to-back launches. He said the achievement demonstrates the reliability and operational readiness of the Pralay missile system.

Cabinet approves NH-326 upgrade to boost connectivity in Southern Odisha

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New Delhi: In a bid to boost road connectivity and economic activity in Southern Odisha, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the widening and strengthening of a key stretch of National Highway-326.

The project involves upgrading the highway from 68.600km to 311.700km to a two-lane configuration with paved shoulders under the NH(O) programme, to be executed in Engineering, Procurement and Construction mode.

Financial implications: The total capital cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 1,526.21 crore, which includes a civil construction cost of Rs. 966.79 crore.

Benefits: The upgradation of NH-326 is expected to make travel faster, safer, and more reliable, supporting the overall development of southern Odisha, according to an official statement. The project will particularly benefit the districts of Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput by improving access to markets, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and employment opportunities. Enhanced connectivity is also expected to support local industries and tourism centres, contributing to inclusive regional growth.

Project details: The Mohana–Koraput section of NH-326 currently has sub-standard geometry, including intermediate or narrow two-lane stretches, deficient curves, and steep gradients. These limitations restrict the safe and efficient movement of heavy vehicles, reducing freight throughput to coastal ports and industrial centers. The approved project will upgrade the corridor to a two-lane road with paved shoulders, along with geometric improvements, including curve realignments and gradient corrections. It also includes the removal of accident-prone black spots and strengthening of the pavement, enabling safer and uninterrupted movement of goods and passengers while reducing vehicle operating costs.

The improved corridor will provide better connectivity from Mohana to Koraput and integrate with major economic and logistics routes, including NH-26, NH-59, NH-16, and the Raipur–Visakhapatnam corridor. It will also improve last-mile access to key infrastructure such as Gopalpur Port, Jeypore Airport, and multiple railway stations. The highway serves several important industrial and logistics hubs, including JK Paper, Mega Food Park, NALCO, IMFA, Utkal Alumina, Vedant, and HAL.

Impact and employment generation: The project aims to improve connectivity between the southern and eastern parts of Odisha, strengthening links between Gajapati, Rayagada, and Koraput districts and the rest of the State, as well as neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Improved road infrastructure is expected to facilitate industrial growth, promote tourism, and enhance access to education and healthcare services, particularly in aspirational, tribal, and backward regions.