May 9, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Assam’s Baksa honey goes global

May 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: In a major boost to India’s agricultural exports and the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, the first-ever export consignment of ODOP honey from Baksa district in Assam was flagged off for the US on Saturday.

The consignment, comprising 20 metric tonnes of honey, was exported through the initiative of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

The shipment was handled by Salt Range Foods Pvt. Ltd., an APEDA-registered exporter from the North Eastern Region, according to an official statement.

Officials said the export marks a significant milestone in integrating farmers and producers from Aspirational Districts into global agricultural value chains while strengthening India’s focus on value-added rural products.

Baksa honey has been identified under the ODOP initiative due to its strong potential for livelihood generation, branding, and export growth.

Known for its natural purity, floral diversity, and high nutritional value, the honey is sourced from eco-friendly and pesticide-free environments in the Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam.

The region has a long-standing tradition of beekeeping among indigenous communities, including the Karbi, Mishing, and Bodo tribes, where honey has historically been used for food, medicine, and cultural practices.

Major honey-producing districts in Assam include Baksa, Kokrajhar, Chirang, Udalguri, and Tamulpur.

According to data from the National Horticulture Board, Assam produced nearly 1,650 metric tonnes of honey during the financial year 2023-24.

Officials said APEDA supported the export initiative by facilitating infrastructure development and providing testing and laboratory equipment at the processing facility to ensure compliance with international food safety and quality standards.

The export initiative is expected to provide a major economic boost to local beekeepers and farmers, with producers likely to receive nearly 43% higher price realisation compared to prevailing local farm gate prices.

The development is also being seen as a significant step towards expanding export opportunities for niche agricultural products from India’s North Eastern Region.

India successfully tests advanced Agni missile with MIRV capability from Odisha coast

May 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: India has successfully conducted the flight-trial of an advanced Agni missile equipped with a Multiple Independently Targeted Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) system from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, marking another major milestone in the country’s strategic defence capability.

According to an official statement, the missile was tested with multiple payloads aimed at different targets spatially distributed across a large geographical area in the Indian Ocean Region.

The trial involved extensive telemetry and tracking support through multiple ground-based and ship-based stations, which monitored the missile’s trajectory from lift-off until the impact of all payloads.

Officials confirmed that the flight data validated the achievement of all mission objectives during the test.

The successful trial demonstrated India’s capability to engage multiple strategic targets using a single missile platform through MIRV technology, significantly enhancing operational flexibility and strategic deterrence capabilities.

The missile system has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with support from industries across the country.

Senior scientists from DRDO and personnel from the Indian Army witnessed the trial.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Army, and industry partners for the successful test.

In a statement, he said the successful flight trial would significantly strengthen India’s defence preparedness amid evolving security challenges and growing threat perceptions.

The latest Agni missile trial further underlines India’s continued focus on strengthening indigenous strategic defence technologies and advanced missile capabilities.

Abhijeet Gupta alleges non-payment of prize money after Odisha Open triumph

May 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Indian chess Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta has alleged that he is yet to receive the Rs 5.5 lakh winner’s prize money months after clinching the Odisha Open chess tournament title earlier this year, triggering concerns over transparency and accountability in Indian chess administration.

The Arjuna Awardee raised the issue publicly through a detailed post on X, where he claimed that despite repeated follow-ups, the tournament organisers failed to release the promised prize money.

Gupta stated that he had won the Odisha Open in January 2026 and was initially assured that the payment would be made within a month. However, according to the veteran Grandmaster, communication from the organisers later stopped completely.

In his statement, Gupta expressed disappointment over the situation and said the issue went beyond one unpaid prize amount.

He further revealed that since the tournament was affiliated with the All India Chess Federation, he also approached the federation’s president and secretary seeking intervention. However, he initially did not receive any response.

Tagging multiple authorities and sports bodies, including the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Gupta urged authorities to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of players’ prize money.

The Grandmaster said sportspersons are accustomed to handling defeats, but winning a tournament and still not receiving rightful earnings was deeply disheartening.

Gupta also highlighted the larger concern facing Indian chess players, stating that if such a situation could happen to an Arjuna Award recipient, the struggles faced by grassroots players could be far more severe.

The issue quickly gained attention within the chess community and across social media platforms, with many users expressing concern over delayed prize disbursements in sports tournaments.

Later, Gupta shared an update stating that the President of the All India Chess Federation, Nitin Narang, had personally contacted him and assured him that necessary action had already been initiated regarding the matter.

While the assurance from the federation president has brought some relief, the controversy has once again put the spotlight on financial transparency, player welfare, and administrative accountability in Indian chess tournaments.

The organisers of the Odisha Open tournament have not yet issued a public response regarding Gupta’s allegations.

Odisha panchayats shine in National Panchayat Awards 2025

May 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has emerged as one of the top-performing states in the National Panchayat Awards 2025, securing five prestigious honours across multiple categories announced by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

The awards recognise excellence in rural governance, sustainable development, sanitation, water management, and social welfare initiatives undertaken by Panchayati Raj institutions across the country, according to an official statement.

Along with Andhra Pradesh, Odisha secured five awards, while Karnataka topped the list with six recognitions. The award distribution ceremony will be held in New Delhi on June 3, 2026.

Among Odisha’s major achievements, Ganjam district secured the second rank in the Best District Panchayat category under the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar–2025 and will receive a financial incentive of Rs 3 crore.

The district’s recognition is being seen as a major boost for Odisha’s rural governance model and decentralised development initiatives.

Several Gram Panchayats from the state earned national recognition under different thematic categories of the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar.

Potalampur Gram Panchayat in Chatrapur block of Ganjam district secured the third rank in the Healthy Panchayat category and will receive Rs 25 lakh.

Padua Gram Panchayat in Champua block of Kendujhar district secured the third rank in the Water-Sufficient Panchayat category with a prize amount of Rs 50 lakh.

Hatibandha Gram Panchayat in Lathikata block of Sundargarh district secured the second rank in the Clean and Green Panchayat category and will receive Rs 37.5 lakh.

Similarly, Mandar Gram Panchayat in Polosara block of Ganjam district secured the second rank in the Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayat category and will receive Rs 37.5 lakh.

The National Panchayat Awards are considered among the country’s most significant recognitions for grassroots governance and rural development.

The awards are linked to the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 and evaluate Panchayats on themes aligned with the localisation of Sustainable Development Goals. These include poverty alleviation, healthcare, sanitation, women-friendly governance, infrastructure, water conservation, child welfare, and social justice.

According to the ministry, the awards are aimed at encouraging Panchayats to adopt innovative governance practices and strengthen rural development at the grassroots level.

Under NPA-2025, a total of 42 Panchayats from across India have been selected for honours. Of these, 34 Gram Panchayats from 17 states and Union Territories were recognised under thematic categories, while eight Panchayats were selected under the overall best-performing categories at district, block, and Gram Panchayat levels.

Odisha plans fast-track cyber courts, women’s courts to speed up justice delivery

May 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is planning to establish five fast-track cyber courts across different regions of the state in a major push to strengthen the justice delivery system and tackle the growing menace of cybercrime.

Speaking on the government’s roadmap for judicial reforms and crime control, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the proposed courts would exclusively deal with cybercrime-related cases to ensure speedy trials and quicker punishment for offenders.

The minister said the law department has already initiated the process and is preparing a detailed proposal, which will soon be placed before the government for approval.

According to him, the dedicated cyber courts are being planned with a focus on ensuring immediate justice for victims of online fraud, cyber harassment, and other digital crimes. He said the government is also examining ways to strengthen expertise in cyber laws and digital evidence handling among presiding officers and prosecuting officials associated with these courts.

Harichandan said the state government wants these courts to function as specialised judicial platforms capable of handling complex cybercrime investigations and trials more efficiently.

He added that the proposed cyber courts could emerge as a landmark step in Odisha’s justice delivery mechanism in the coming years.

The minister also revealed that the government is actively considering the establishment of seven women’s courts in the state to deal with crimes against women in a faster and more focused manner.

He said the proposal is currently under consideration at the highest level and is awaiting approval from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Harichandan added that the Orissa High Court has already given its consent for the initiative.

The minister stressed that faster convictions and strict punishment are essential to creating fear among criminals and reducing crime rates.

He said crimes are likely to increase with population growth and changing demographic patterns, making it necessary for the government to strengthen the justice system and ensure swift legal action against offenders.

Harichandan particularly highlighted the need for tougher and faster responses in cases related to crimes against women. He said people involved in such offences should not receive any concession and must face strict legal consequences.

He further stated that the government’s broader strategy is aimed at both reducing crime and creating fear among those involved in criminal activities through a stronger and faster judicial framework.

The proposed fast-track cyber courts and women’s courts are expected to play a crucial role in improving conviction timelines and strengthening public confidence in the justice delivery system across Odisha.

BJP forms first government in West Bengal as Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as chief minister

May 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Kolkata: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday took oath as the first Chief Minister from the BJP in West Bengal, marking a major political shift in the state after the party’s sweeping victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office to Adhikari during a grand ceremony held at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. Several senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President Nitin Nabin, Union ministers, and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states, attended the event.

The BJP managed to get 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in the state. The TMC was reduced to 80 seats in the election.

Adhikari emerged as the face of the BJP’s campaign in Bengal after defeating TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur, considered one of the party’s strongest bastions. The BJP legislature party formally elected him as its leader on Friday, following which he met the governor and staked a claim to form the government.

The swearing-in ceremony coincided with the birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, according to reports.

Along with Adhikari, newly-elected BJP MLAs Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, and Ashok Kirtaniya were sworn in as cabinet ministers.

Before assuming office, Adhikari described the occasion as a historic moment for the state and said the BJP government would work towards development and stability in West Bengal. In a message welcoming Prime Minister Modi to Kolkata, he said the mandate reflected people’s desire for political change and a new phase of governance.

Adhikari began his political career with the Congress in the mid-1990s before joining the Trinamool Congress shortly after its formation. He later became a prominent figure during the Singur and Nandigram movements and was regarded as one of the influential organisers in Bengal politics. In 2020, he switched to the BJP, a move widely seen as a turning point in the state’s political landscape.

He also belongs to a politically influential family in West Bengal. His father, Sisir Adhikari, served both in Parliament and the state Assembly, while his brother Dibyendu Adhikari joined the BJP in 2024 after leaving the Trinamool Congress.

Centre names new CDS, Naval chief ahead of top military transition

May 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: The Centre has announced a major reshuffle in the top military leadership, appointing retired Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as the new Chief of the Naval Staff.

The appointments come at a crucial time as India continues to focus on military modernisation, jointness among the armed forces, and enhanced preparedness along its western and northern frontiers.

Subramani, a former Vice Chief of the Army Staff and currently serving as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat, will take over as CDS after General Anil Chauhan completes his tenure on May 30, according to an official statement.

The government said the retired officer will also function as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs.

The appointment places an officer with extensive operational experience at the helm of India’s military integration efforts. During a career spanning more than four decades, Subramani served in counter-insurgency operations in Assam, operational deployments in Jammu and Kashmir, and high-altitude formations along sensitive sectors. He also commanded the Indian Army’s 2 Corps, regarded as one of the force’s premier strike formations on the western front.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned into the 8th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles in December 1985. He has also attended the Joint Services Command Staff College in the UK and the National Defence College in New Delhi.

Officials noted that his experience in military intelligence, operational planning, and border management is expected to aid ongoing efforts to strengthen theatre integration and inter-services coordination.

In a parallel move, the government appointed Swaminathan as the next Navy chief. He will succeed Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who is scheduled to retire on May 31.

Currently serving as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, Swaminathan brings decades of operational and strategic experience to the top naval post. Commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987, he is a specialist in communication and electronic warfare.

Over the course of his naval career, he commanded several frontline warships and key maritime platforms, including INS Mysore and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. He also headed the Navy’s operational training structure and later commanded the Western Fleet, often referred to as the Navy’s “Sword Arm”.

The Vice Admiral has also held senior appointments at Naval Headquarters, including Vice Chief of the Naval Staff and Chief of Personnel. Defence officials believe his operational and strategic background will be significant as India expands its maritime footprint in the Indian Ocean Region amid evolving regional security dynamics.

Bhubaneswar civic body gears up for monsoon season

May 9, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) held a monsoon readiness review on Friday, urging all departments to fast-track drain cleaning, repair damaged infrastructure, and halt new road-digging work before the rains arrive.

In a post on X, Mayor Sulochana Das called on officials to speed up drain desilting, mend broken drainage lines, and step up tree-trimming drives to minimize disruptions during heavy rainfall and pre-monsoon storms. She also requested the Fire Services department to pitch in wherever needed.

She also asked officials to address drain wall damage caused by encroaching tree roots and to issue formal notices to residents who have planted trees near drainage channels.

Departments were further instructed to service and keep water pumps on standby in flood-prone zones, and to ensure rapid response teams stay on high alert through the monsoon months. The civic body also called for urgent repair of crumbling drain walls, covering of open drains with slabs, and proper barricading of accident-prone spots – all before the monsoon sets in.

The meeting took place at Ekamra Hall in the BMC headquarters, and was attended by Deputy Mayor Manjulata Kanhar, Commissioner Chanchal Rana, Additional Commissioners Sasmita Sahu and Kailash Chandra Das, along with corporators and representatives from various allied departments.