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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 10, 2026

Cabinet approves major push in skills, irrigation and tourism

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Bhubaneswar: The Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Friday approved a fresh set of policy moves aimed at expanding skill development capacity, boosting irrigation coverage, and upgrading the State’s tourism framework. The decisions were cleared at a meeting that considered proposals from eight departments and endorsed 11 initiatives.

A major approval came for the second phase of the Odisha Skill Development Project, the State’s flagship effort to equip young people with industry-ready training. The project focuses on vocational learning, apprenticeship linkages, and partnerships with technology-driven sectors. Officials say the expanded programme is expected to reach a wider pool of students and strengthen employability in manufacturing, services, and new-age trades.

In a parallel move, the Cabinet backed the expansion of the Bhubaneswar-based World Skill Centre, the State’s international-standard training facility. Two new satellite campuses will be set up in Berhampur and Sambalpur, extending specialised skill programmes to previously underserved regions. The new hubs are expected to attract talent from southern and western Odisha and reduce concentration of training capacity in the capital.

Irrigation received a substantial push with two major approvals.

The government sanctioned funding of over Rs310 crore for an underground pipeline system linked to the Integrated Anandpur Barrage Project, designed to irrigate around 57,000 hectares of farmland. The scheme replaces traditional canal structures with piped supply, which is considered more water-efficient and less prone to losses and seepage.

A second project, with a budget of over Rs190 crore, will bring assured irrigation to 6,343 hectares in Ganjam district. Officials said the combined approvals reflect the State’s priority to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce dependence on rainfall, particularly in drought-prone blocks, according to Chief Secretary Anu Garg, who revealed all the information on X.

The Cabinet also agreed to amend the Odisha Tourism Policy, 2022, a move expected to fine-tune incentives for investors, streamline approvals and encourage private participation. Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the State, anchored by coastal destinations, heritage circuits and eco-tourism sites.

Taken together, the measures signal a multi-sector push for economic and social outcomes – strengthening youth skilling pathways, supporting farming communities, and improving tourism competitiveness. Further details on project timelines and financial outlays are expected to be issued by the concerned departments.

Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates New Delhi World Book Fair 2026, celebrates reading and military history

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New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday inaugurated the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) 2026, describing it as a grand celebration of India’s vibrant reading culture and a confluence of ideas that reflects the country’s intellectual and civilisational strength.

The inauguration ceremony at Bharat Mandapam was attended by Qatar’s Minister of Culture Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Spain’s Minister of Culture Ernest Urtasun Domènech, senior officials from both countries, and representatives of the National Book Trust (NBT) and the Ministry of Education.

During the event, Pradhan released “The Saga of Kudopali: The Untold Story of 1857” in nine Indian languages and Spanish, honouring the legacy of Veer Surendra Sai and the martyrs of Sambalpur. The book, earlier available in Hindi, English and Odia, is now published in 13 languages. Pradhan said the initiative not only brings lesser-known chapters of India’s freedom struggle to a wider audience but also strengthens India’s tradition of multilingualism and global cultural dialogue, according to an official release.

Calling NDWBF the world’s largest B2C book fair, the Minister said the event goes beyond commerce to nurture a nationwide reading movement. He noted that the theme of this year’s fair, “Indian Military History: Valour and Wisdom @75,” and the participation of countries such as Qatar and Spain add deeper cultural and historical significance.

Spain’s Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun Domènech said his country’s participation during the Spain–India Dual Year 2026 offers a valuable opportunity to introduce Spanish writers to Indian readers, recalling the historic literary link between Juan Ramón Jiménez and Rabindranath Tagore. Qatar’s Culture Minister Abdulrahman Al Thani said his country’s presence reflects the depth of bilateral ties and reinforces the role of culture and knowledge in people-to-people engagement.

Organised by the National Book Trust under the Ministry of Education, with the India Trade Promotion Organisation as co-organiser, NDWBF 2026 will run from January 10 to 18 at Bharat Mandapam. Entry has been made free for the first time. The nine-day fair brings together over 1,000 publishers from more than 35 countries, hosts 600 events with over 1,000 speakers, and is expected to attract over two million visitors.

Emergency landing of small plane near Rourkela leaves six injured, probe ordered

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Bhubaneswar: A nine-seater aircraft operated by IndiaOne Air made a dramatic emergency landing near Rourkela in Odisha on Saturday after the crew issued a Mayday call mid-flight, leaving all six people on board injured but alive, officials said.

The Cessna Grand Caravan EX was operating a UDAN regional service from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela and departed at around 12.27 pm. About eight nautical miles short of the runway, the pilots reported a possible low air pressure issue and executed a controlled forced landing near Jalda in Sundargarh district, around 15–20 km from Rourkela airport.

Captain Naveen Kadanga, co-pilot Tarun Srivastav and four passengers sustained injuries in the belly landing. District authorities rushed to the site soon after receiving the alert and shifted all six to medical facilities in Rourkela. Three passengers are being treated at JP Hospital, while the two pilots and one passenger are under care at Rourkela Government Hospital. Officials said all are stable and under observation.

Aviation and state officials praised the crew’s presence of mind, noting that the controlled landing prevented a far more serious outcome. “The pilots executed a precise forced landing, which helped avert loss of life,” an official said.

The incident has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). As per protocol, the airline will submit a detailed report, and a technical investigation has been ordered to determine the cause. Odisha’s Directorate of Civil Aviation said it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the district administration.

In a post on X, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said he was deeply distressed by the aircraft accident and expressed relief that all those on board are safe though injured. “I have directed officials to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical care without delay, and I am personally monitoring the situation. I pray at the feet of Lord Jagannath for the speedy recovery of everyone affected,” he wrote.


Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said the six injured are stable and appealed to the public not to panic, assuring that steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

IndiaOne Air is expected to issue a separate statement on the emergency landing.

Nihal Sarin lifts Tata Steel Chess Rapid 2026 crown

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Kolkata: Nihal Sarin put in a commanding performance to win the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid 2026 title on Friday, finishing on 6.5/9 with a performance rating of 2839 – half a point clear of the field.

The 21-year-old from Kerala opened the final day by splitting points with R Praggnanandhaa before taking apart Wesley So (USA) in the afternoon round. He sealed the crown by drawing his last game with Viswanathan Anand, the only player who still had a mathematical chance to overtake him.

Anand wrapped up his day with three draws – first against Vidit Gujrathi, then Praggnanandhaa, and finally Sarin – to secure second place.

Arjun Erigaisi completed the podium with 5/9, taking third on tie-break over Wesley So and Hans Niemann (US).

GM Divya Deshmukh delivered a strong surge at the close, collecting 2.5 points from her last three games to reach 4.5/9 and claim third spot with an even 50%. The action now switches to blitz, with nine rounds scheduled on the final day.

Women’s section: Russian GM Kateryna Lagno dominated the women’s rapid competition, finishing unbeaten on 6.5/9 to take first place. World Rapid champion 2025 GM Aleksandra Goryachkina secured second with 5/9. FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 winner GM Divya Deshmukh took third on superior tie-breaks after a 4.5/9 finish – matching four other players, including GM Harika Dronavalli and GM R Vaishali. Harika and Vaishali placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

India uniquely positioned to lead global clean energy shift, UN official tells Bharat Climate Forum

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New Delhi: India is “uniquely positioned” to lead the world’s inevitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, a senior United Nations climate official said on Wednesday, underlining that the global shift is now driven as much by economics and energy security as by environmental urgency.

Addressing the second edition of the Bharat Climate Forum in New Delhi, Selwin Hart, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition, said the transformation of energy systems worldwide was “unstoppable” and rooted in cost, competitiveness, resilience and access. Countries that move early, he said, will shape future industries and supply chains, while those that lag will remain vulnerable to volatility and declining competitiveness.

 “Over the past decade, India has rapidly scaled up renewable energy deployment, driven down costs, and expanded its manufacturing capacity. India is now among the world’s fastest-growing clean energy markets, with solar and wind expanding at record levels,” Hart said.

Citing India’s rapid progress, Hart noted that the country’s installed solar capacity has grown from about 32 megawatts in 2010-11 to nearly 130 gigawatts today — a more than 3,000-fold increase in little over a decade. He also praised India’s leadership through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, which has mobilised nations across the Global South to accelerate solar deployment and build institutional capacity, according to an official release.

Delivering the inaugural address at the Bharat Climate Forum, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan said climate action is not a constraint on India’s development but a strategic opportunity to drive inclusive growth, strengthen energy security and build a future-ready economy. India’s engagement with sustainability is rooted in its civilisational ethos, which has long emphasised harmony between human activity and nature, he noted.

Referring to India’s Panchamrit commitments announced at COP-26, the Vice-President said the goals chart a clear pathway towards a low-carbon future while safeguarding development priorities, including the target of net-zero emissions by 2070. He stressed that a developed India cannot rely on imported technologies alone and must be built on homegrown clean-tech manufacturing, resilient supply chains and a skilled workforce, PIB India reported.

Highlighting India’s growing footprint in renewables, electric mobility, green hydrogen and climate-smart solutions, Radhakrishnan said Indian companies and start-ups are increasingly positioning the country as a global maker of clean technologies. He added that India’s leadership in platforms such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure reflects a model of collaboration without dependence in tackling a shared global challenge.

Among those present on the occasion were Chairman, Bharat Climate Forum and former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Shri N. K. Singh; Convenor, Bharat Climate Forum and former Union Minister, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi; Co-Chair, Bharat Climate Forum, Shri Sumant Sinha; and President, Bharat Climate Forum, Dr. Ashwani Mahajan, along with policymakers, industry leaders, experts, academics and other stakeholders from across the world.

India’s Olympic push: Mandaviya says top-10 finish is non-negotiable

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Ahmedabad: India’s long-term sporting goals received fresh emphasis on Friday as Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya asserted that securing a place among the top 10 nations on the Olympic medals table remains a firm national objective. He stressed that achieving this milestone will require strong collaboration and accountability from National Sports Federations and State Olympic Associations.

“Performance must show consistent improvement in every major international competition, beginning with the Asian Games 2026. The Commonwealth Games 2030 should emerge as a landmark success for India, both as hosts and as a sporting powerhouse,” he said at the Sports Governance Conclave organised by the Union government, in association with the government of Gujarat and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad.

Addressing the gathering, the minister highlighted the government’s clear priorities for India’s sports ecosystem, according to an official statement. He emphasised governance reforms, systematic talent identification from grassroots to elite levels, enhanced competitive exposure, strengthening the coaching network, and increasing private sector involvement in sports infrastructure, academies, and leagues.

Dr. Mandaviya noted that over the past 18 months, the government has built a strong institutional framework reflecting its commitment to reform Indian sports. “Once a decision is taken, the government has demonstrated both political will and clarity of purpose in its implementation,” he said. He was referring to initiatives such as the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA), Khelo Bharat Niti, reforms in ANSF norms, and improvements in coach recruitment systems.

Making the government’s stance unequivocal, he stated that persistent problems in sports federations – including internal politics, corruption, unfair selection trials, injustice to athletes, governance disputes, and financial irregularities – must end.

He stressed that the well-being of athletes and the country’s sporting reputation take top priority, adding that while federations’ independence is respected, they are expected to uphold the same standards of transparency, fairness, and athlete-focused governance.

The minister stressed that the effective implementation of the NSGA depends on federations, which must ensure fair and timely elections, financial transparency, functional athlete and ethics commissions, and strict adherence to governance norms.

Urging a professional and forward-looking approach, Dr. Mandaviya called on each federation to prepare a roadmap for the next 1, 3, 5, and 10 years. He emphasised that sports bodies should be professionally managed, with qualified CEOs, finance and marketing experts, international-level coaches, and specialised operations teams.

He further announced that the Government would soon roll out key policy measures, including transparent and standardised selection trials, the “One Corporate, One Sport” model, and enhanced athlete welfare packages.

Highlighting the substantial public investment in sports science, nutrition, injury management, and high-performance support, Dr. Mandaviya urged federations to match the government’s speed and ambition.

Denmark dismisses US pressure over Greenland

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Copenhagen: Danish MP Rasmus Jarlov made it clear on Friday that Denmark will not hand over Greenland even if the US threatens the European country with nuclear weapons.

In a post on X, he said: “Sovereignty and running the country is completely out of the question.”

Greenland remains open to US investments and military presence, according to him.

In his words: “Every day I wake up to new accusations made by the MAGA camp. Today, Vance blames Europe (ie. Denmark) for not securing a proper missile defence from Greenland. There is no missile defense for Europe, Denmark, or Greenland itself. There is a USA base that protects the USA from missiles from Russia. (Pituffik Space Base). I have been there several times. I repeat: It is a USA base. Not Danish. Indeed, the missile defence has not been developed. The Americans have deployed only 150 people there, and it is not in good condition. But how on earth is that now Denmark’s fault? Greenland remains open for USA investments and military. Denmark has increased ours dramatically in recent years, while the Americans have downgraded theirs dramatically. They are more than welcome to start investing.”

Earlier, Danish defence officials said that troops would be expected to open fire immediately if the US attempted to invade Greenland. The stance is based on a 1952 rule of engagement directing soldiers to repel intruders without waiting for clearance from senior commanders.

Responding to questions from the newspaper Berlingske, the ministry confirmed that the directive “is still in effect.”

India again raises alarm on attacks against minorities in Bangladesh

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New Delhi: India on Friday renewed its concerns over incidents targeting minority groups in Bangladesh, cautioning that dismissing these attacks as the work of outside forces only emboldens those responsible and heightens insecurity among vulnerable communities.

External Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during the weekly media briefing, responding to questions on recent assaults against minorities in Bangladesh and whether New Delhi had communicated with Dhaka in recent days.

“We continue to witness a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities as well as their homes and business establishments by extremists in Bangladesh. Such communal incidents need to be dealt with swiftly and firmly. We have observed a troubling tendency to attribute such incidents to personal rivalries, personal vendettas, political differences, and other extraneous reasons. Such disregard only emboldens the extremists and the perpetrators of such crimes and deepens the sense of fear and insecurity among the minorities,” Jaiswal said in the video, which was shared by the ministry on X.

Two members of the Hindu community have been killed in Bangladesh during the opening week of the year, according to reports.

Separately, Jaiswal said that India has voiced firm opposition to Chinese construction activity in the Shaksgam Valley, an area it maintains lies within its territory, and cautioned against any move aimed at changing the situation there.

Answering media questions, he stressed that India has never accepted the 1963 China–Pakistan “boundary agreement,” under which Islamabad handed the Shaksgam region to Beijing, describing that transfer as unlawful.

The spokesperson said: “Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory. We have never recognised the so-called China–Pakistan ‘Boundary Agreement’ that happened in 1963. We have consistently maintained that the agreement is illegal and invalid. We do not recognize a so-called China-Pakistan economic corridor either, which passes through Indian territory that is under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan. The entire union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inseparable part of India. This has been clearly conveyed to the Pakistani and the Chinese authorities several times. We have consistently protested with the Chinese side against attempts to alter the ground reality in Shakam Valley. We further reserve the right to take necessary measures to safeguard our interests.”

Separately, New Delhi has criticised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for sending a message of support to jailed activist Umar Khalid. Briefing reporters, Jaiswal said Mamdani ought to respect the legal systems of other democracies and concentrate on the duties of his own office.

Mamdani passed along a handwritten note to Umar Khalid’s parents during their meeting last month, expressing support for Khalid in the message.

Commenting on the development, Jaiswal said: “We expect public representatives to be respectful of the independence of the judiciary in other democracies. Expressing personal prejudices does not behove those in office. Instead of such comments, it would be better to focus on the responsibilities entrusted to them.”