April 23, 2026 - Page 2 of 2

India’s artisanal cheeses shine at global stage, PM Modi hails milestone win

April 23, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India’s emerging artisanal dairy sector has earned global recognition after securing multiple honours at the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the winners, praising their achievement on the international stage.

Marking a strong debut at the prestigious competition, Indian cheesemakers clinched four medals – 1 Super Gold, 2 Golds, and 1 Silver – highlighting the growing quality and diversity of the country’s niche dairy products, Modi said in a post on X.

“The Super Gold was won by Eleftheria Gulmarg (Brie Style), the Golds were won by Yak Churpi-Soft, Nordic Farm, Leh, Ladakh, and Eleftheria Brunost (Whey Cheese) while the Silver was won by Eleftheria Kaali Miri (Belper Knolle Style)”, Modi said.

Acknowledging the achievement, the prime minister lauded the efforts of cheesemakers such as Mausam Narang and Thenlay Nurboo, noting that such global recognition reflects the rapid evolution of India’s artisanal dairy landscape.

“Such successes strengthen India’s artisanal dairy sector on the world stage,” he noted.

The success is being seen as a significant moment for India’s specialty food sector, positioning local producers on the global gourmet map and opening new avenues for international appreciation of Indian-origin cheeses.

India, Germany deepen defence ties with new agreements in Berlin talks

April 23, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday held wide-ranging bilateral discussions with Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius, focusing on advancing the strategic defence partnership between India and Germany.

The talks covered key security and defence priorities, with particular emphasis on joint development and manufacturing of defence systems, especially in specialised and emerging technologies. Both sides reiterated the importance of strengthening military-to-military engagement as a core element of their strategic partnership, according to an official statement.

During the meeting, the two countries formalised the Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and also exchanged an implementing arrangement to collaborate in UN peacekeeping training. Singh described his visit as a reflection of mutual trust, close cooperation, and the growing depth of ties, noting that defence collaboration has gained notable momentum in recent years.

Referring to broader cooperation frameworks, the Indian minister highlighted the significance of the evolving India-European Union security and defence engagement, with both sides agreeing to utilise it for concrete outcomes – ranging from enhanced operational capabilities to promoting regional stability and reinforcing long-term strategic alignment.

Singh also underscored the role of India and Germany in contributing to global economic stability amid ongoing international uncertainties. On terrorism, he stressed the need for a firm and uncompromising stance against the threat in all its forms.

The German minister welcomed the regularisation of staff-level military dialogues and future joint exercises. India has also invited the German Air Force to participate in the upcoming edition of Ex-Tarang Shakti, scheduled to be held later this year.

Earlier, Singh was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the German Ministry of Defence. He also paid tribute at the Bundeswehr Memorial, honouring German armed forces personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.

India and Germany are marking 25 years of their strategic partnership in 2026, alongside 75 years of diplomatic relations. Beyond defence, bilateral ties span trade, technology, clean energy, education, cultural exchange, and people-to-people engagement, reflecting the wide scope and future potential of the partnership.

Odisha unveils new tourism identity with ‘Think India, Think Odisha’ tagline

April 23, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The government of Odisha has introduced a fresh tourism brand identity, unveiling the tagline “Think India, Think Odisha” as part of efforts to reposition the state on the global travel map.

The announcement coincided with the launch of the OMC Puri Coastal Marathon, a newly introduced international event designed to boost sports-led and experiential tourism in the state. Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Pravati Parida was present at the unveiling.

Officials said the rebranding aligns with Odisha’s broader development roadmap, including its long-term vision for 2036 and the national goal of a developed India by 2047. The initiative reflects the state’s intent to move beyond its image as an underexplored destination and establish itself as a competitive global tourism hub, Parida said, while addressing the event.

In a post on X, the minister also highlighted that Odisha is steadily building a strong tourism ecosystem, supported by focused branding, infrastructure expansion, and curated visitor experiences.

She added that the new tagline is meant to project Odisha as a gateway to experiencing India’s cultural depth, spiritual heritage, and natural diversity.

Ahead of the formal launch, a ceremonial run was held along the Puri coastline, drawing participation from residents and fitness enthusiasts, adding momentum to the event’s tourism-centric narrative.

Centre nods PSS procurement for rabi crops after Odisha push

April 23, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at securing better returns for farmers, the Centre has approved procurement of select pulses and oilseeds under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for the Rabi 2025-26 season, responding to a request from the government of Odisha.

The decision was finalised during a virtual meeting between Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, signalling Centre-state coordination on farm price support.

Approved crops include pulses such as green gram and black gram, along with oilseeds like sunflower, groundnut, and mustard.

Chouhan approved Odisha’s procurement proposal covering multiple crops under MSP operations. The Centre cleared procurement of 34,492 metric tonnes of moong valued at Rs 302.42 crore, along with 1,19,387 metric tonnes of urad worth Rs 931.21 crore. In addition, approval has been granted for 20,219 metric tonnes of groundnut, with an estimated MSP value of Rs 146.85 crore, according to an official statement.

Singh Deo said the state will place special focus on expanding sunflower cultivation in western Odisha, especially in Kalahandi district, with the dual aim of boosting output and ensuring better price realisation for farmers.

The state government will closely monitor procurement operations throughout the 2025-26 season to ensure transparency and timely purchase of produce. The initiative is expected to help farmers secure remunerative prices and reduce market uncertainties.

Senior officials, including Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav and Director of Horticulture Kalunge Gorakh Waman, were present during the meeting along with other departmental officers.

The approval is expected to strengthen procurement systems in Odisha while providing a safety net to farmers during the upcoming Rabi marketing season.

Fuel supply remains stable across Odisha amid global energy concerns

April 23, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: In the backdrop of evolving geopolitical developments impacting global energy markets, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Limited has assured that the supply of LPG, petrol, and diesel across Odisha continues to remain normal and stable.

The state-run oil major stated that the situation is under continuous monitoring to ensure there is no disruption in the availability of essential fuels across the state.

In a move aimed at strengthening consumer support, the corporation has also reinforced its grievance redressal mechanism for Indane LPG users. A comprehensive system has been put in place to facilitate prompt complaint registration and resolution.

For emergencies, particularly gas leakages or safety concerns, consumers can access the 24×7 LPG Emergency Helpline (1906), a dedicated nationwide service. Additionally, general service-related complaints can be registered through the toll-free customer care number (1800-2333-555), which operates between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM, according to an official statement.

The company has also expanded its digital grievance platforms. Consumers can lodge complaints via the official website using their 17-digit LPG ID or registered consumer number. The Indian Oil ONE mobile application further enables users to register and track complaints through a streamlined interface.

To ensure transparency, each complaint is assigned a unique Service Request Number, allowing consumers to monitor the status of their grievances. The corporation has indicated that most issues are addressed within an average timeframe of three days.

Reiterating its commitment to uninterrupted fuel supply and consumer satisfaction, IOC Limited emphasized its focus on efficient service delivery alongside maintaining steady availability of LPG, petrol, and diesel across Odisha.