April 10, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Odia Pakshya: Pipili hosts grand showcase of Odisha’s folk arts

April 10, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: A vibrant celebration of Odisha’s rich folk traditions marked the tenth day of ‘Odia Pakshya’, with a state-level cultural festival titled “Lokakala Paain Dinatiye” organised at Pipili in Puri district on Friday.

Organised by the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, the event brought together over 80 cultural troupes and more than 800 artists from across the state, turning Pipili’s main road into a grand stage for traditional performances.

Artists showcased a wide range of folk dances and cultural forms, including Mogal Tamasha and Laudi from Bhadrak, Nilagiri Chhau from Balasore, Dulduli and Rasarkeli from Bargarh, Danda dance from Boudh, Bajania and Nachania from Bolangir, Gotipua and Paika Akhada from Khordha, Ghumura from Kalahandi, and Ranapa, Bagha Nacha and Sankirtan from different regions. A colourful procession from Jawahar Vidyapitha to Padapadia further highlighted the diversity of Odisha’s folk heritage.

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan attended the programme as chief guest and described ‘Odia Paksha’ as a celebration of Odia identity. He said the festival reflects the cultural richness of the state and emphasised the need to promote Odia language, literature and traditions at national and global levels.

Satyabadi MLA Om Prakash Mishra and Pipili MLA Ashrit Pattanayak, who attended as guests of honour, also highlighted the importance of preserving Odisha’s folk art traditions and the cultural legacy of Lord Jagannath.

Similar celebrations were also held across various districts, where artists were felicitated for their contributions.

Senior officials, including Puri district’s Chief Development Officer Sneha Arugula, Additional Secretary of the Culture Department Smita Mahanti and Deputy Director Suchismita Mantri, were present at the event.

Crackdown on LPG black marketing; over 4,600 cylinders seized in Odisha

April 10, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified action against illegal hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders, even as officials said the overall supply of cooking gas in the state remains normal.

According to an official release, reports of unauthorised stockpiling of LPG cylinders by some individuals prompted the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department to initiate strict enforcement measures across districts.

Teams of supply department officials have been formed to conduct inspections and verify such complaints. These teams are carrying out regular checks and submitting daily reports, while district supply officers are monitoring the enforcement under the supervision of respective district collectors.

As part of the ongoing drive, inspections have been conducted at 2,136 locations across all 30 districts of the state, including gas agencies and other premises. During these checks, a total of 4,691 LPG cylinders have been seized.

Authorities have also initiated legal action, with 360 cases registered in district collectors’ courts under the Essential Commodities Act. Additionally, 31 FIRs have been filed at various police stations.

Five persons have been arrested so far in connection with allegations of black marketing and illegal hoarding of LPG cylinders.

Ayush Shetty enters semi-finals of Badminton Asia Championships 2026

April 10, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India’s Ayush Shetty produced a major upset in Ningbo, China, on Friday, defeating world No. 4 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia to advance to the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia Championships 2026.

With this victory, the 25th-ranked Indian shuttler not only moved into the last four but also assured himself of a historic medal finish at the continental event. He became the first Indian men’s singles player since HS Prannoy in 2018 to secure a medal at the Badminton Asia Championships. India’s last medal at the tournament came in 2023 when Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy won gold in men’s doubles.

Shetty registered a hard-fought 23-21, 21-17 win over Christie in a closely contested quarter-final encounter. The opening game remained tight throughout, with both players exchanging leads before Shetty held his nerve in the tie-break to edge ahead, according to olympics.com.

The second game followed a similar pattern, with the Indian maintaining a slender advantage before sealing the match with composed and aggressive play to close out the contest in straight games.

Earlier in the tournament, Shetty had already made headlines by defeating world No. 7 and Asian Games champion Li Shi Feng, followed by a win over Chi Yu Jen of Chinese Taipei to reach the quarter-finals.

In the semi-finals, he will face either Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand or China’s Weng Hongyang.

Shetty remains the lone Indian contender in the tournament, as PV Sindhu exited in the second round and Lakshya Sen bowed out in the opening round.

MoUs signed to boost aluminium value chain at Jharsuguda Aluminium Park

April 10, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Industries and Skill Development Minister Sampad Swain on Friday expressed delight over the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in Bhubaneswar between Vedanta Aluminium Park (Phase-1), Jharsuguda, and two private firms – Singhal & Power Private Limited and Scottish Chemicals Industries.

The agreements mark a key milestone towards operationalising the upcoming Aluminium Park in Jharsuguda and strengthening Odisha’s industrial ecosystem, the minister said in a post on X.

Under the first MoU, Singhal & Power Private Limited has committed an investment of around Rs 330 crore for manufacturing flat rolled products, foil stock, aluminium foil, and aluminium composite panels. The project is expected to generate employment for around 400 people.

In the second agreement, Scottish Chemicals Industries will invest approximately Rs 80 crore in manufacturing products for conductors and chemical applications, creating about 200 job opportunities.

The partnerships are expected to strengthen Odisha’s aluminium value chain, promote industrial innovation, expand supplier networks, and generate significant employment in the region.

The initiatives also align with the state’s broader vision of building a “Samruddha Odisha” through sustainable industrial growth and investment-driven development.

BEML unveils India’s first indigenous 35-tonne electric dump truck

April 10, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: BEML Ltd has unveiled India’s first indigenous 35-tonne electric dump truck at its Mysuru Complex, marking a major step towards sustainable mining and low-emission industrial solutions.

The vehicle was formally flagged off by BEML CMD Shantanu Roy in the presence of senior company officials, including the director (Mining & Construction), SBU heads, and representatives from Medha.

The newly developed electric dump truck has been designed and engineered in India to support high-efficiency operations in demanding mining environments. With a payload capacity of 35 tonnes and a gross vehicle weight of around 60 tonnes, the equipment is built for heavy-duty, stop-start mining cycles, the company said in a post on X.

Powered by a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, the vehicle delivers an energy efficiency of 85-90%, significantly higher than conventional diesel-powered mining trucks. It also features a regenerative braking system that helps recover energy during downhill operations.

The truck is equipped with an advanced battery thermal management system with liquid cooling, ensuring safe and stable performance of its 300 kWh lithium-ion battery under extreme working conditions.

According to the company, the electric platform can reduce energy costs by up to 60-70% and overall operating costs by 40-60%. Lower maintenance requirements, due to fewer mechanical components, further improve its efficiency and long-term value.

Depending on usage patterns, the system is expected to offer a payback period of one to two years, making it a commercially viable solution alongside its environmental benefits.

The launch reinforces BEML’s focus on clean technology and aligns with India’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions and strengthening ESG-compliant industrial growth.

Odisha sweeps U-14 titles at National School Rugby Championship

April 10, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Odisha delivered a dominant performance at the 69th National School Games Federation of India Rugby Championship 2025-26, clinching both the Under-14 boys’ and girls’ titles at Kalinga Stadium.

In both categories, Bihar finished as runner-up, while Maharashtra secured third place, highlighting a competitive tournament featuring young talent from across the country.

The closing ceremony was attended by the School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond as the chief guest. Praising the participants, he said such platforms help nurture talent while building discipline, resilience, and confidence among youth. He encouraged students to continue striving for excellence in both sports and life.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department, Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, commended the players for their commitment and emphasised the role of sports in holistic development, including teamwork and leadership skills.

Director of Secondary Education Birendra Korkora highlighted the importance of institutional support in strengthening school-level sports culture.
Odisha Rugby Football

Odisha Rugby Football Association President Priyadarshi Mishra noted the role of school sports in shaping personality and thanked stakeholders for successfully organising the championship.

Tournament Observer Arvind Yadav appreciated the high level of competition and Odisha’s efficient hosting, stating that such events help promote rugby at the grassroots level. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Assistant Director (Physical Education) Jyoti Prasad Parida.

Skill training boosts jobs for forest youth in Balangir

April 10, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: A skill development training programme aimed at making unemployed youth from remote and forest-dwelling families in Odisha self-reliant and employable has shown early success in Balangir district.

The initiative is being jointly implemented by the Skill Development and Technical Education Department and the Forest Department (Kendu Leaf Division). Under the programme, 28 youths from the Bandhpadha Forest Division in Balangir have completed their training successfully and have been provided with employment opportunities.

Of them, 19 youths have received appointment letters for electrician posts at the reputed TVS Motors company located in Hosur, Karnataka. The remaining nine have been offered job opportunities with various private organisations in their local areas.

After completing a two-month training course in the Assistant Electrician trade, the trainees were handed over their appointment letters by the Divisional Forest Officer of Balangir.

Families of the selected candidates expressed happiness over the achievement and thanked the government for the initiative.

In the first phase, youths from the kendu leaf worker families were also included among the 28 trainees.

A dedicated training centre was established at Bhutiarbahal in Balangir district on January 12, 2026, to provide skill training to rural youth from forest-dependent areas.

The objective of the initiative is to develop skilled manpower in line with current industry demand. For this, Odisha Skill Development Authority engaged the All India Society for Electronics and Computer Technology as the implementing agency.

The training in the Assistant Electrician trade began on January 28, 2026. After completion of the first batch on March 24, appointment letters were distributed to the trainees.

The programme is being closely monitored by the District Skill Development and Employment Officer, Balangir, and the local Divisional Forest Officer (Kendu Leaf). The initiative is being accelerated to improve the social and economic condition of unemployed rural and forest-area youth through skill development and technical education.

India women wrestlers win two bronze medals at Asian Championships

April 10, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Indian women wrestlers have delivered a strong performance at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships, with Hansika Lamba and Neha securing bronze medals in the 55kg and 59kg categories, respectively.

Also, Meenakshi Goyat stormed into the final of the 53kg category after a dramatic comeback win.

Hansika produced a composed display in her bronze medal bout against Kyrgyzstan’s Aruuke Kadyrbek Kyzy, taking control in the second round with a decisive leg attack that helped her seal a 6-1 victory, according to United World Wrestling.

Neha followed with another impressive outing, defeating Mongolia’s Bolortuya Khurelkhuu 10-4 in the 59kg bronze medal playoff to add to India’s growing medal tally.

Earlier, Goyat produced one of the standout moments of the day as she overturned a 0-2 deficit in the final seconds against South Korea’s Seoyoung Park. A powerful four-point throw helped her clinch a place in the final, where she will face China’s Jin Zhang.

In other results, Harshita (72kg) and Monika (65kg) remained in medal contention and will compete for bronze after semifinal and quarterfinal losses, respectively. Minakshi (57kg) and Mansi (62kg) also stayed in the hunt, advancing to the repechage rounds.

The men’s Greco-Roman contingent had already contributed five medals earlier in the competition, setting a strong overall tone for India’s campaign.

ISRO successfully conducts second Gaganyaan air-drop test

April 10, 2026April 10, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully carried out the second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for the Gaganyaan mission on Friday morning, following the first such test conducted in August 2025.

The test was aimed at validating the parachute system and other recovery mechanisms designed to ensure the safe return and landing of the Crew Module after its re-entry from orbit, according to reports.

During the experiment, the 5.7-tonne Crew Module was lifted using a Chinook helicopter and released from an altitude of around 3 km over the Bay of Bengal near the Sriharikota coast. After being dropped, the module deployed a sequence of drogue and main parachutes, gradually reducing its speed before achieving a controlled splashdown in the sea.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, congratulated ISRO on the successful completion of the second Integrated Air Drop Test for the Gaganyaan mission.

In a post on X, he said: “The second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) was successfully conducted at Satish Dhawan Space Station Sriharikota. This marks an important milestone towards the readiness for the Gaganyaan mission.”

Odisha Cabinet clears 11 proposals across five departments

April 10, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approved 11 proposals across five departments at a meeting held on Friday. Chief Secretary Anu Garg shared the decisions and outlined key policy and infrastructure measures cleared by the government.

The State Cabinet approved amendments to the Odisha Labour Service (Method of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2019. This amendment grants exemption from the departmental examination to Assistant Labour Officers and Rural Labour Inspectors, who were appointed before these rules came into force in 2019.

The Cabinet also approved the Operation and Maintenance Policy for Rural Drinking Water Supply, 2026. The policy aims to strengthen sustainable and reliable drinking water services in rural areas. The state has expanded functional household tap connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission and other initiatives.

To address rising industrial power demand, the Cabinet approved a 2×500 MVA, 400/220/33 kV GIS sub-station at Basudevpur in Keonjhar district. The project includes associated transmission lines. Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited proposed the project at an estimated cost of Rs 1,647 crore. The state will provide 30% equity support of Rs 494.10 crore.

The Joda-Barbil-Palaspanga belt hosts several power-intensive industries. Existing grid sub-stations at Barbil, Joda, and Palaspanga operate at maximum capacity. The new infrastructure will support additional demand.

The Cabinet placed emphasis on the Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme. The project forms part of efforts to strengthen water resource infrastructure.

The Atal Bus Stand scheme, with a projected outlay of Rs 3,400 crore, received Cabinet nod. The scheme seeks to upgrade and expand public transport facilities throughout the state. Bus stands will be developed at district, sub-divisional, and block headquarters. Urban local bodies, tourist centres, and other key locations will also be covered. The scheme aims to enhance connectivity, support economic activity, and promote inclusive development with environmental sustainability.

The Cabinet also reviewed the Hadua Irrigation Project in the Cuttack district. The project targets the integrated development of Narasinghpur, Badamba, and Tigiria blocks. It includes the construction of a reservoir across the Hadua River near Kharod village. The project will provide assured irrigation to 3,641 hectares of cultivable land in drought-prone areas. Construction of the dam is in progress.

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Odisha Employees’ State Insurance Medical Service (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2014. The changes aim to streamline recruitment, ensure fair evaluation, and align procedures with current examination practices and administrative requirements.

The decisions form part of efforts to improve infrastructure and strengthen public service delivery across sectors.