X-twitter Facebook Instagram Youtube Linkedin
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.

Day: April 9, 2026

PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda exit as Ayush Shetty leads India in Ningbo

by

New Delhi: Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and Unnati Hooda bowed out of the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 on Thursday, while Ayush Shetty advanced to the men’s singles quarter-finals, keeping India’s hopes alive.

Sindhu, ranked 13th, lost 21-18, 21-8 to China’s Wang Zhi Yi, the world No. 2 and two-time former Asian champion, in a 46-minute match. Sindhu trailed 14-9 early in the first game but narrowed the gap to 18-19 before Wang secured the win. The second game was dominated by the Chinese shuttler, giving her a 4-3 edge in their head-to-head record. Sindhu had survived a three-game opener against Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching.

Hooda, who had upset world No. 11 Supanida Katethong of Thailand in the first round, lost 21-17, 21-9 to Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki, ending her run in the women’s singles, olympics.com reported.

Shetty, the 2025 US Open champion, defeated Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei 21-16, 21-12 in 41 minutes after earlier beating world No. 7 and reigning Asian Games champion Li Shi Feng. Shetty will now face Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, the 2024 gold medallist, in the quarter-finals. With HS Prannoy losing to China’s Weng Hong Yang, Shetty remains India’s only singles contender in the tournament.

India’s doubles campaigns also concluded in Ningbo. In mixed doubles, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto were defeated 21-13, 21-14 by Malaysia’s Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei. In women’s doubles, Priya Konjengbam-Shruti Mishra lost 21-10, 21-13 to Japan’s Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto. Lakhsya Sen exited in the first round, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty and Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand had withdrawn before the tournament.

High voter turnout marks Assam, Kerala, Puducherry Assembly polls

by

New Delhi: Voting for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry concluded on Thursday with strong voter participation, as all three regions recorded higher turnout compared to previous elections.

Puducherry registered the highest voter turnout at over 89 per cent, followed by Assam at around 85 per cent and Kerala at nearly 78 per cent, according to official data. Polling was held for 126 seats in Assam, 140 seats in Kerala and 30 seats in Puducherry.

In Assam, the turnout of over 85 per cent surpassed the 82.04 per cent recorded in the 2021 Assembly elections. The polls, conducted in a single phase across 35 districts and over 31,000 polling stations, witnessed a largely direct contest between the BJP-led NDA, which is seeking a third consecutive term, and the Congress-led opposition.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cast his vote in Jalukbari, while Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi voted in Jorhat and urged people to participate in large numbers. He later said the high turnout reflected a desire for change and called for secure handling of EVMs ahead of counting.

However, the polling day in Assam was not without incidents. Around 30 people were reported injured in poll-related violence, while seven individuals were arrested. Authorities also initiated an inquiry into a viral video allegedly showing voting inside a polling station, with an FIR registered under provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

In Kerala, voting across all 140 constituencies concluded smoothly, with a turnout slightly higher than the previous election. Voters who were in queues at polling stations by the 6 pm deadline were allowed to cast their ballots, as per Election Commission norms.

Puducherry also witnessed brisk polling across its 30 constituencies, with turnout crossing 89 per cent. The contest in the Union Territory is primarily between the ruling NDA alliance and the Congress-led opposition.

Polling was also held for by-elections in parts of Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura, where voter turnout ranged between around 68 per cent and 82 per cent.

Counting of votes for these Assembly elections will be taken up on May 4.

Indian women shine at 2026 Asian Boxing Championships

by

New Delhi: Indian women boxers delivered a stellar performance at the Asian Boxing Championships 2026, claiming four gold medals on Thursday. Minakshi Hooda (48kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Priya (60kg), and Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) were crowned continental champions, helping India emerge as the most successful nation in the women’s division with a total of 10 medals – four golds, two silvers, and four bronze.

On Thursday, Indian pugilists featured in six finals. World champion Minakshi Hooda added the continental crown to her accolades by defeating local favourite Nomundari Enkh-Amgalan 5-0. Preeti Pawar continued her brilliant run in the 54kg category, beating Chinese Taipei’s Huang Hsiao-wen – a three-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist – by a 5-0 score, olympics.com reported.

Priya clinched the 60kg gold with a 3-0 victory over North Korea’s Won Un-gyong, while Arundhati Choudhary secured the 70kg title, defeating Kazakhstan’s Bakyt Seidish 4-1.

World champion Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Alfiya Pathan (80+kg) settled for silver medals after losing to Thailand’s Punrawee Ruenros and Kazakhstan’s Dina Islambekova, respectively. Earlier, Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Olympian Pooja Rani (80kg), and Ankushita Boro (65kg) won bronze medals after semi-final defeats.

The achievement ensures all 10 Indian women competitors at Ulaanbaatar will return home with medals.

In the men’s category, Vishvanath Suresh (50kg) and Sachin Siwach (60kg) will contest Friday’s finals for gold, while Akash (75kg), Lokesh (85kg), Harsh Choudhary (90kg), and Narender Berwal (90+kg) have already secured bronze. India’s medal tally at the continental boxing meet stands at 16, the highest by any nation this year.

Odisha launches self-defence training for 5,000 SHG women

by

Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Thursday launched a self-defence training programme for 5,000 women Self Help Group (SHG) members in its pilot phase at Mission Shakti Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

The programme, implemented by the Mission Shakti Department in partnership with the National Commission for Women (NCW), will cover women across five districts—Khordha, Cuttack, Puri, Keonjhar and Ganjam.

Addressing the event, Parida said the initiative aims to go beyond financial empowerment by ensuring women’s safety and confidence. “Empowering women is not limited to financial independence; it must also ensure their safety, dignity and confidence. This self-defence training programme will equip our SHG women with the strength and skills to move fearlessly, take independent decisions and actively participate in economic activities,” she said.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar highlighted the importance of institutional support in strengthening women’s safety and capacity building. She said such initiatives help women become more self-reliant and confident while contributing to society and the economy.

According to the official release, the training programme is designed to equip SHG women with self-defence skills and awareness on personal safety. It also aims to improve their mobility, enable safer participation in market linkages and strengthen women-led development in the state.

The event was attended by Odisha State Commission for Women Chairperson Shobhna Mohanty, Mission Shakti Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Mansi Nimbhal, Additional Secretary Shailendra Kumar Jena and other officials.

Odisha reviews rural development works, sets higher targets for 2026–27

by

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday reviewed the performance of the Rural Development Department, with Minister Rabi Narayan Naik directing officials to set higher targets and improve efficiency in the coming year.

The review meeting, held at the office of the Chief Engineer in the capital, assessed achievements for 2025–26 and outlined a roadmap for 2026–27. The department reported utilisation of 89.45 per cent of allocated funds during the last financial year.

Odisha ranked eighth in the country in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), while securing the top position nationally in the use of new technologies and materials in road construction, informed Yamini Sarangi, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, while presenting the department’s performance.

Emphasising the need to build on past performance, the minister urged officials to aim higher and work with greater commitment to surpass existing benchmarks. He also directed that tender processes be completed before the monsoon so that projects can begin without delay after the rains.

The meeting reviewed road connectivity in remote areas under ‘Mission Power’, with a focus on identifying unconnected habitations and accelerating work within set timelines. Progress under Mukhyamantri Sadak Yojana and other projects was also assessed, with instructions to ensure equitable development across regions.

The minister stressed that maintenance of existing rural roads is as important as new construction, noting that quality infrastructure strengthens public trust.

Senior officials and division heads attended the meeting and shared updates on ongoing works.

BJD’s Sasmit Patra urges Odisha CM to reconsider metro project

by

Bhubaneswar: BJD national spokesperson Dr. Sasmit Patra on Thursday formally wrote a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging a strategic reconsideration of the Odisha Metro Project.

In a post on X, Patra highlighted that while the Central government has prioritized and funded the Jaipur Metro, Odisha’s proposal remains unaddressed.

Patra called on the state government to submit a revised proposal to the Prime Minister’s Office, advocating a center-state partnership model for funding and execution.

He also accused the BJP government of betraying the people of Odisha by halting the metro project.

Pointing to Odisha’s electoral support for the BJP, Patra noted that the state delivered a historic full-majority government, 20 of 21 Lok Sabha seats, and sent Ashwini Vaishnaw to the Rajya Sabha.

“Despite this unwavering support, Odisha remains ignored. While the Railway Minister announces metro projects for his home state of Rajasthan, Odisha’s aspirations are sidelined. This isn’t just a policy shift; it feels like a profound betrayal of the people’s trust,” he added.

CM Majhi inaugurates Rs 616 crore projects to boost twin city power supply

by

Bhubaneswar: A new chapter was added to Odisha’s power sector on Thursday as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated a series of grid substations and transmission projects aimed at ensuring uninterrupted and quality electricity supply in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

The projects, developed at a cost exceeding Rs 616 crore, include state-of-the-art grid substations at Balianta, Satya Nagar, Nayapalli, and SCB Medical, along with key transmission infrastructure to strengthen the region’s power network. These initiatives are expected to benefit nearly 33 lakh consumers across the Twin Cities, the CM said.

“These projects, which had been stalled for many years due to legal and technical issues, have been successfully completed by our government with firm resolve in just one year,” Majhi said in a post on X.

Following the inauguration, the chief minister visited the Balianta grid substation and reviewed the newly commissioned facilities. He said the projects would significantly improve power reliability, support urban expansion, and strengthen Odisha’s energy ecosystem.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, along with MP Aparajita Sarangi, also attended the inauguration of the 220/132/33 KV Balianta Grid Substation. Addressing the gathering, Singh Deo said the initiative marks a decisive step in reinforcing the state’s power infrastructure and ensuring dependable electricity for both households and industries.

“This collective effort marks a decisive step towards strengthening Odisha’s energy backbone – ensuring that our capital city is equipped to meet the demands of growth, resilience, and innovation. Together, we are powering progress for a brighter tomorrow,” he said.

Rourkela Smart City Limited reviews next phase focusing on sustainability, revenue generation

by

Bhubaneswar: The Executive Committee of Rourkela Smart City Limited (RSCL) has reviewed key priorities for the city’s next phase, focusing on sustainability, revenue generation, and timely completion of projects.

The meeting was chaired by Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, at Kharabela Bhawan.

The agenda was presented by RSCL Chief Executive Officer Deenah Dastangeer. Discussions centred on transitioning from project execution to long-term asset management and financial sustainability.

A key project reviewed was the Integrated Command and Control Centre, developed at a cost of Rs 106 crore. The system has made 594 surveillance cameras operational across 109 locations. It is now moving towards automated e-Challan integration in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre to improve traffic enforcement and governance.

The committee stressed the need for stronger revenue streams through value-based land use and asset monetisation. Completed smart city assets are generating about Rs 4.13 crore annually, which supports operational expenses.

On project delays, the panel decided to descope the remaining work of the auditorium and convention hall project, which is currently 45% complete. The balance work will be carried out at the risk and cost of the executing agency to ensure accountability.

To maintain continuity in ongoing and upcoming projects, including the Udit Nagar Market Complex and multi-level car parking facilities, the committee proposed extending the tenure of the special purpose vehicle along with key officials and consultants.

The meeting reaffirmed RSCL’s focus on building a sustainable, efficient, and citizen-centric urban ecosystem in Rourkela, with emphasis on long-term value creation.

Max Healthcare Institute Ltd to acquire 58.4% stake in Kalinga Hospital

by

Bhubaneswar: Max Healthcare Institute Ltd, one of India’s largest private healthcare providers, has announced that it has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Kalinga Hospital Limited from Hospital Corporation of Orissa Inc.

Under the agreement, the company will acquire a 58.4% stake in Bhubaneswar-based Kalinga Hospital at an equity value of Rs 300 crore, including a control premium.

The transaction will be completed after the fulfilment of conditions outlined in the agreement, Max Healthcare said in a release.

Kalinga Hospital is a 250-bed NABH-accredited facility located at Maitri Vihar in Bhubaneswar. The hospital is spread over around 2.6 lakh sq ft on a nearly 10-acre land parcel in a prime area of the city. It offers multi-disciplinary care across key specialties such as neurology, cardiology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, renal sciences, and oncology. The facility is supported by diagnostic infrastructure, including a 128-slice CT scanner, 1.5T MRI, and a cath lab.

The acquisition will strengthen Max Healthcare’s network and expand its presence in eastern India.

Chairman and Managing Director Abhay Soi said the company is entering the Bhubaneswar market through the acquisition of a well-located and established hospital with strong operational potential. He said such opportunities are rare and added that the move will help expand the company’s footprint and extend quality healthcare services in a fast-growing region.

Bhubaneswar has an established healthcare ecosystem with a mix of public and private hospitals and several medical colleges. The city also serves patients from across Odisha and neighbouring states such as West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.

Indian wrestlers win three more medals at Asian Championships 2026

by

New Delhi: India’s Greco-Roman wrestlers won three more medals on Wednesday at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, taking their overall tally to five.

Nitesh Siwach finished with a silver medal in the 97kg category after losing 1-7 to Iran’s defending champion Mohammadhadi Saravi in the final. He improved on his previous outing, where he had ended with a bronze in the same weight class. Saravi had also stopped his run in the earlier edition.

Prince claimed bronze in the 82kg division with a convincing 10-1 win over Turkmenistan’s Didar Ammanazarov. He had dropped his semi-final bout to Iran’s Mohammadamin Hosseini before entering the bronze medal contest, olympics.com reported.

Sachin Sahrawat also secured bronze in the 67kg category. He fought through the repechage, defeating China’s Ji Leng 9-4, and then edged Uzbekistan’s Abdumalik Aminov 6-5 in the medal bout.

ALSO READ: India greco-roman wrestlers win two medals at Asian Championships 2026

In the women’s freestyle events, Neelam moved into the repechage round in the 50kg category after a quarter-final loss to Japan’s former Olympic champion Yui Susaki.

Hansika Lamba advanced to the bronze medal match in the 55kg division following a semi-final defeat to China’s Yuxuan Li. She will face Kyrgyzstan’s Aruuke Kadyrbek Kyzy.

Neha also entered the bronze medal bout in the 59kg category and will compete against Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu.

Mansi Lather and Kajal exited in the quarter-finals of the 68kg and 76kg categories, respectively.

India has fielded 30 wrestlers at the championships, with 10 athletes each in women’s freestyle, men’s freestyle, and Greco-Roman disciplines. Olympic medallist Aman Sehrawat will begin his campaign on Saturday.