August 7, 2026 - IndiaVerve

22 MoUs signed at Odisha Food Pro 2026 in New Delhi

August 7, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has positioned food processing at the centre of its strategy to build a diversified and future-ready economy, with 22 MoUs signed at Odisha Food Pro 2026 as the state showcased its agricultural and marine resources, industrial infrastructure and investor-friendly policies.

Addressing Odisha Food Pro 2026 in New Delhi, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the state is focusing on building a diversified economy in which food processing plays a central role in industrial transformation.

Majhi highlighted Odisha’s rich agricultural and marine resources, progressive Food Processing Policy and expanding industrial ecosystem, while also underlining the government’s focus on empowering farmers, women and local enterprises.

The CM also invited industry leaders to partner with Odisha in its next phase of growth and assured investors of steadfast government support throughout their investment journey.

He outlined a value-chain approach covering the movement from farm to factory, factory to market and Odisha to the world, with food processing expected to create greater value from the state’s agricultural and marine resources.

Speaking at the same venue, Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain reaffirmed the Odisha government’s commitment to developing a globally competitive and inclusive food processing ecosystem.

Swain highlighted Odisha’s agricultural and marine resources, robust industrial infrastructure, progressive reforms and investor-friendly governance as key elements of the state’s investment proposition.

He said the government is focused on creating value across the entire food processing value chain, from farm to factory and from local enterprises to global markets.

The minister invited industry leaders to participate in Odisha’s growth journey and assured them of seamless government support from investment through commissioning.

He also underlined the sector’s potential to generate employment, empower farmers, strengthen MSMEs and contribute to sustainable industrial growth.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg presented Odisha’s investment proposition through the EDGE framework, representing Economy, Demography, Geography and Ecosystem.

She highlighted the state’s fiscal strength, skilled talent pool, strategic location, abundant natural resources and progressive business ecosystem as important advantages for investors considering food processing opportunities in Odisha.

Garg said these strengths position the state to support the next phase of food processing investments and reaffirmed Odisha’s vision of inclusive and sustainable industrial growth.

She invited industry leaders to partner with the state in developing a future-ready food processing ecosystem that can create value for farmers, generate employment and contribute to shared prosperity.

Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma presented Odisha’s vision for the food processing sector through an interactive presentation supported by investor case studies.

Sharma highlighted the state’s progressive policies, investor-focused incentives, food processing infrastructure and expanding network of food parks, while also outlining its whole-of-government approach towards supporting the sector.

The presentation showcased the factors behind Odisha’s emergence as an investment destination for food processing companies and highlighted the state’s efforts to build a globally competitive food processing ecosystem.

Odisha Food Pro 2026 also focused on opportunities across the farm-to-factory value chain, value-added food products and stronger market linkages.

The event brought industry leaders and government representatives together as Odisha presented its agricultural and marine strengths as the foundation for expanding food processing opportunities.

The signing of 22 MoUs marked a key development at the roadshow, alongside discussions with industry leaders on the future of the sector and the opportunities available across the value chain.

Deputy CM Pravati Parida reviews progress of women-led enterprises

August 7, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida chaired a one-day State-Level Seminar-cum-Review Meeting on strengthening women-led enterprises in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

The meeting, organised by the Mission Shakti Department, was held at Krushi Shiksha Sadan, OUAT.

Speaking on the occasion, Parida said enhancing the quality, competitiveness and sustainability of women-led enterprises is a key priority of the Odisha government.

She said increasing women’s income through improved market access, capacity building and the use of technology would help make them self-reliant.

The deputy CM called on all concerned officials and stakeholders to work in close coordination to achieve the government’s objective of empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening rural livelihoods.

The meeting reviewed the progress of various livelihood programmes being implemented across the state. Detailed discussions were held on field-level experiences, challenges and possible solutions to improve programme implementation.

The deliberations focused on enhancing the effectiveness of livelihood initiatives, promoting the growth of women-led enterprises, and strengthening coordination among stakeholders involved in programme execution.

Mission Shakti Commissioner-cum-Secretary Manasi Nimbhal and Mission Shakti Director Dr Monica Priyadarshini attended the review meeting, along with senior officials of the Mission Shakti Department and Odisha Livelihoods Mission.

District Project Coordinators, District Project Managers, Block Project Coordinators, Block Project Managers, Block Project Assistants, District Project Assistant Cluster Associates, Block Livelihood Coordinators, State Development Coordinators and other officials from all districts also took part.

Bhubaneswar hosts 13th BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting, adopts joint declaration

August 7, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The 13th BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Bhubaneswar with member nations adopting a joint Declaration outlining the group’s shared education roadmap.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi chaired the meeting and reaffirmed India’s commitment to a people-centric and humanity-first approach to BRICS cooperation, according to an official statement.

Joshi said the momentum generated during the meeting would translate into meaningful action. Referring to India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” he said education systems must prepare young people for emerging opportunities while staying rooted in human values.

He added that learners, teachers, researchers and young people should remain central to policymaking and international cooperation.

Calling education the foundation of inclusive growth and shared prosperity, Joshi said the adopted Declaration reflected the collective commitment of BRICS nations to strengthen cooperation across five priority areas.

He also stressed the importance of preserving traditional and indigenous knowledge systems, noting that innovation and heritage complement each other. He said the civilisational traditions of BRICS nations offered a unique opportunity to preserve and study traditional knowledge and pass its value to future generations.

The minister highlighted Odisha’s legacy as an ancient centre of learning and referred to India’s civilisational values of “Atithi Devo Bhava” and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.” He said that while nations differ in their traditions and experiences, their progress remains interconnected.

Ministers, senior officials and delegates from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Indonesia, Iran, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates attended the meeting, held to advance cooperation under the BRICS Education Track.

Five priority areas outlined in the Declaration:

On early childhood care and education, members agreed to promote universal and inclusive access to quality Early Childhood Care and Education, strengthen school readiness, and encourage the use of age-appropriate digital solutions for early learning under the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy goals.

On skill development, the Declaration recognised the role of the BRICS TVET Cooperation Alliance in advancing collaboration, including through its forthcoming Biennial Progress Report and Compendium of Sustainable Skill Initiatives, and it also acknowledged India’s initiative to undertake an International Skill Gap Study, with participation from interested BRICS members voluntarily.

On research and innovation, members agreed to promote joint research, encourage the safe, ethical and human-centred use of Artificial Intelligence in education, strengthen innovation-driven entrepreneurship, and deepen collaboration among higher education institutions, researchers and start-up ecosystems.

On mutual recognition of qualifications, members agreed to convene meetings of the Working Group to carry forward deliberations on a Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Recognition of Qualifications, with a view to facilitating greater academic mobility and cooperation.

On capacity building for academic leadership, the meeting encouraged the continued organisation of the BRICS Rectors’ Forum, faculty and leadership exchanges, scholarship programmes with a focus on STEM, and exploratory work towards a BRICS University Global Ranking and Evaluation System.

The meeting also welcomed India’s initiative on the BRICS Guiding Principles on Strengthening Academic Collaboration on Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and suggested that the BRICS Network University may consider including traditional and indigenous knowledge systems as an additional International Thematic Group.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan sign joint defence pact in Makkah

August 7, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a trilateral defence agreement in Makkah on Friday, under which an attack on any one of the three nations will be treated as an attack on all three.

The signing took place at Al-Safa Palace during the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Summit for Joint Defence, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the meeting, held at the invitation of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Officials said the agreement, titled the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, was built on longstanding historical, religious and strategic ties among the three countries.

It seeks to strengthen collective deterrence and broaden defence cooperation between the signatories.

“The Agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three States shall be regarded as an attack against them all. It further provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three States,” the release added.

The three leaders reviewed bilateral and regional matters during the summit, alongside the formal signing. No further details on the operational scope of the joint defence framework have been made public so far.

The pact is likely to draw attention in New Delhi, given Pakistan’s central role in it and Turkey’s continuing defence and diplomatic backing of Islamabad in recent years. India has previously raised concerns over Ankara’s growing military ties with Pakistan.

Praggnanandhaa clinches maiden title at 2026 Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz

August 7, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa has claimed his first-ever Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz title, pocketing a USD 50,000 prize after a commanding five-day performance that saw him hold the tournament lead from start to finish.

Praggnanandhaa sealed the win with a round remaining, grinding out a draw from a pawn-down endgame against closest challenger GM Javokhir Sindarov in the penultimate round, according to reports.

The Uzbek grandmaster pushed hard throughout the event but could only close the gap to half a point before Praggnanandhaa’s early finish put the title out of reach. The Indian star ultimately closed the tournament with a 1.5-point cushion over Sindarov.

For his outright victory, Praggnanandhaa earns 13 Grand Chess Tour points – one more than he would have collected had the event gone to a playoff. He also achieved a personal milestone, topping the leaderboard in both the rapid and blitz segments individually, a goal he had set for himself going into the event. Across the nine-round blitz portion, he won three games, drew five, and suffered just a single loss.

Sindarov’s late push included a draw against GM Levon Aronian in round 10, followed by a round-11 win over GM Jorden van Foreest after Van Foreest gave up a piece – a mirror of the earlier moment when an opponent’s slip had helped Praggnanandhaa’s cause.

Elsewhere in the standings, GM Vincent Keymer finished second from bottom, narrowly avoiding last place, which went to Sindarov despite his runner-up finish on points.

The Grand Chess Tour moves straight into its next stop, with the 2026 Sinquefield Cup set to begin Monday, August 10, in Saint Louis. It will be the final regular-season event before the Grand Chess Tour Finals, with the top four finishers advancing to that stage – where qualification alone guarantees a minimum USD 50,000 payout, and the winner stands to collect USD 200,000.

CM secures three MoUs to boost investment in various sectors

August 7, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, accompanied by Industries and Skill Development Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, on Friday held a series of investor meetings to strengthen Odisha’s industrial and manufacturing landscape.

The discussions resulted in the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across the chemicals, manufacturing, and food processing sectors.

In the first meeting, the CM and Minister Swain interacted with Sumant Singhal, CEO of Chiripal Poly Films Ltd., to explore investment opportunities in Odisha’s chemicals and manufacturing sector, Invest Odisha said in a post on X.

The meeting concluded with the signing of an MoU, with the company reaffirming its interest in exploring growth opportunities in the state. The engagement was cited as an indication of Odisha’s industry-ready ecosystem and investor-friendly policies.

The leaders subsequently met with Hemant Rupani, CEO and Director of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, to discuss prospects in Odisha’s food processing sector.

This meeting also culminated in an MoU, with the company signalling its intent to explore expansion in the state. The development was noted as reinforcing Odisha’s standing as a preferred destination for food and beverage investments.

In the third meeting, Majhi and Swain met with Shyam Virani and Keyur Virani, Directors of Balaji Wafers, to discuss investment opportunities in the state’s food processing sector.

The interaction ended with the signing of an MoU, marking what was described as a significant step towards strengthening Odisha’s food manufacturing ecosystem and creating new avenues for value-added processing.

Together, the three MoUs were presented as underscoring Odisha’s growing appeal among national investors across diverse manufacturing and food-based industries.

Agni-4 missile successfully test-fired from Chandipur

August 7, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India successfully test-fired its Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) Agni-4 from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, on Thursday.

The launch was carried out under the Strategic Forces Command and validated all operational and technical parameters.

Agni-4 has a strike range of 4,000 km. The missile is capable of carrying conventional, thermobaric, and strategic nuclear payloads.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Strategic Forces Command and DRDO for the launch. In a post on X, he said the mission was executed flawlessly and reaffirmed India’s commitment to defending the nation with advanced technologies.

“I congratulate SFC and DRDO for this textbook mission launch which reaffirmed India’s commitment to defend the Nation with state of the art technologies,” he said.

The test was conducted from Odisha’s Chandipur test range, a key facility for India’s missile development programme. Officials described the launch as a textbook mission that met all set objectives.