August 11, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Union Minister Jitendra Singh unveils integrated science, technology roadmap for Odisha

August 11, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday outlined an integrated science and technology roadmap for Odisha. The plan brings together the Centre’s Rare Earth Corridor proposal, the state’s marine and coastal resources, its biotechnology ecosystem, space capabilities and scientific institutions.

Dr. Singh discussed the roadmap with Odisha’s Cabinet Minister for Science & Technology, Krushna Chandra Patra. During the meeting, the state minister presented several proposals covering marine biotechnology expansion, life sciences infrastructure, coastal and mineral resource utilisation, space applications, rare earth exploration and coastal district participation in national marine initiatives.

The meeting finalised the expansion of the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar. The Odisha government will provide an additional 50 acres of land for the institute, which falls under the Department of Biotechnology.

Dr. Singh said the Eastern Coastal Region could play a larger role in India’s nuclear and marine roadmap. He noted that Odisha was well placed to contribute through coordinated efforts between central institutions and the state government. The approach seeks to connect ocean resources, critical minerals, life sciences, space technology and economic development into a single ecosystem.

A key focus was the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research & Innovation Corridor, known as OMBRIC. It has already partnered with IIT Bhubaneswar, Berhampur University, Fakir Mohan University, NIT Rourkela, IISER Berhampur and the Institute of Life Sciences. The next phase will align this network more closely with Earth Sciences, CSIR and the Department of Biotechnology.

The expanded Institute of Life Sciences campus is expected to strengthen research linked to the Bio-E3 framework, which covers biotechnology for economy, environment and employment. Officials said this held particular importance for Odisha given its coastline and marine biodiversity.

The discussions also covered a proposed Space Research and Manufacturing Centre in Odisha, to be developed in partnership with ISRO under a public-private partnership model.

On rare earths, the Union Budget 2026-27 had announced dedicated Rare Earth Corridors in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. These corridors will focus on mining, processing, research and manufacturing to build a domestic rare earth value chain. Officials noted that Odisha already has an established presence in rare earth processing.

The Deep Ocean Mission and deep-sea fisheries also featured in the talks. Odisha recently launched its Deep Sea Fishing Mission for 2026–2036, aimed at expanding offshore fisheries and strengthening marine economy value chains.

A proposed Science City in Odisha was discussed as a public platform for scientific awareness and youth engagement. Officials also referred to Odisha’s participation in the upcoming Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar campaign, which will involve coastal districts in cleanliness and marine awareness activities.

Both leaders agreed on the need for continued Centre-State coordination to take these initiatives forward.

India sets sights on record medal haul at Asian Games 2026

August 11, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: The Asian Games 2026 will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. Organisers confirmed that 45 countries and regions will compete across 43 sports at the continental event.

India will aim to build on its record-breaking performance at Hangzhou 2023, where the country won 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze.

Four individual Olympic medallists have so far been confirmed in India’s contingent for Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Manu Bhaker, a double Olympic medallist from Paris 2024, will lead India’s shooting challenge. PV Sindhu will spearhead the badminton campaign, while Lovlina Borgohain and Aman Sehrawat are expected to be strong medal contenders in boxing and wrestling, respectively, according to reports.

India’s athletics squad is yet to be announced, but Neeraj Chopra is expected to headline the team. The javelin thrower will be eyeing a hat-trick of Asian Games gold medals.

In cricket, Shreyas Iyer will lead India’s title defence in the men’s T20 competition, with young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also named in the squad. The Indian women’s team, also defending champions, will be captained by Harmanpreet Kaur.

Hockey will carry extra significance this edition, as the men’s and women’s tournaments will double as qualification events for the LA 2028 Olympics. Winners of the Asian Games hockey competitions will earn direct Olympic qualification.

Squash player Anahat Singh will return to the Games after helping India win a women’s team bronze at Hangzhou 2023, where she also claimed a mixed doubles bronze alongside Abhay Singh.

Meanwhile, India’s squad saw a few late changes. Wrestler Deepanshu was suspended for a doping violation and has been replaced by Ronak Dahiya in the Greco-Roman 130kg category.

Shooter Gaurav Kumar Masoori was also dropped after a doping offence, with Akash Bharadwaj named as his replacement. Separately, India’s show jumping squad, comprising Abhishek Chopra, Yashaan Zubin Khambatta, Niharika Singhania and Maryk Sahney, was axed for failing to meet the sports ministry’s selection criteria.

Over 100 ABVP workers detained while marching towards Jharkhand Assembly

August 11, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Ranchi: More than 100 workers of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were detained on Tuesday while marching towards the Jharkhand Assembly, a day after police used lathis, water cannons and tear gas against students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

The ABVP workers began their procession from the Old Vidhan Sabha area and were stopped by police as they attempted to proceed towards the New Vidhan Sabha. The detention came amid continuing protests by students and job aspirants demanding reforms and action over alleged irregularities in examinations conducted for government recruitment.

The latest protest followed Monday’s confrontation between police and JPSC and JSSC aspirants during a march to gherao the Assembly. The protesters had breached multiple barricades while attempting to reach the Assembly, prompting police to use water cannons, tear gas and baton charges.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who had been on hunger strike for nine days, also participated in Monday’s march despite his deteriorating health. Mahto was subsequently admitted to a hospital in Ranchi after his condition worsened. Reports said he had lost around 10.5 kg during his hunger strike.

The protests have been continuing for nearly a fortnight, with students demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. The agitation has also raised questions over the use of a company allegedly blacklisted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) in connection with examination-related work.

The state government has held several rounds of discussions with protesting groups. The government has agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC preliminary examination and backlog examinations from 2023 and 2025, while also proposing other measures to address concerns over recruitment examinations. The protesters, however, have continued to demand a CBI investigation and broader action on the alleged irregularities.

Meanwhile, the political fallout from Monday’s police action has also intensified. BJP leaders have stepped up their criticism of the Hemant Soren-led government, with Jharkhand Assembly Opposition leader and BJP leader Babulal Marandi asking the Congress to withdraw its support to the state government if it was serious about the students’ demands.

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also criticised the police action. “We condemn any violence against peacefully protesting students,” Gandhi said at a press conference in Delhi.

The controversy spilled into the Jharkhand Assembly on Tuesday, where proceedings were disrupted amid protests by BJP legislators over the police action against the students. Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato adjourned the House twice before it was eventually adjourned sine die, a day ahead of the scheduled conclusion. When the House resumed after 2 pm, ruling and opposition legislators entered the well and raised slogans against each other.

The issue also triggered a political confrontation in Parliament on Tuesday. NDA and INDIA bloc MPs staged rival protests at the main entrance of Parliament over the Jharkhand student protests and other issues. NDA MPs targeted Rahul Gandhi, while opposition MPs sought accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged police excesses during student protests.

The continuing agitation has therefore moved beyond the recruitment examination issue, becoming a wider political confrontation over examination transparency, the government’s response to student demands and the use of force during protests.

From Pottangi to public service: Alisha Pangi’s journey to becoming a junior engineer

August 11, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: For Alisha Rani Pangi, a young woman from Pottangi in Koraput district, receiving an appointment as a Junior Engineer in the Odisha government marks the culmination of years of education and determination.

Daughter of Balaram Pangi, Alisha has now begun her professional journey after being appointed as a Junior Engineer in the Housing & Urban Development Department of the Odisha government. She has been posted under the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWS&S) Division in Malkangiri.

Alisha’s appointment also brought a memorable moment at the recent Nijukti Mela, where she had the opportunity to welcome Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi with a flower bouquet. She later received her appointment letter from the CM at the same event.

For Alisha, the two moments marked a significant transition – from aspiring for a professional career to formally entering public service. Her journey from Pottangi to a government engineering post also highlights how young people from rural and tribal areas can pursue professional opportunities through education and perseverance.

The Nijukti Mela provided a wider backdrop to her appointment. According to the information provided by the Odisha government, 1,326 appointment letters were distributed across nine departments at the event. The Housing & Urban Development Department accounted for 364 of these appointments.

For Alisha, joining government service represents not only a new professional chapter but also an opportunity to apply her engineering skills in public service. Her posting under the RWS&S Division, Malkangiri, places her in a role associated with the delivery of public infrastructure and services.

Her story is being presented by the state government as an example of aspiration and opportunity emerging from Odisha’s rural and tribal regions. For young people growing up in places such as Koraput, Malkangiri and Kandhamal, Alisha’s journey carries a simple message: their place of origin need not determine the limits of their aspirations.

From the hills of Pottangi to her new responsibility as a government engineer, Alisha Rani Pangi has entered a new phase of her life—one shaped by education, perseverance and the opportunity to serve the state.

Govt rules out setting up Bulk Drug Park in Odisha

August 11, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: There is no proposal to establish a Bulk Drug Park in Odisha under the Centre’s scheme for promotion of Bulk Drug Parks, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

The clarification was given by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The scheme for Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks was approved by the Union Cabinet on March 20, 2020. It aims to facilitate the establishment of three Bulk Drug Parks in the country and reduce the cost of manufacturing bulk drugs through the creation of world-class common infrastructure facilities.

The scheme is also intended to help create economies of scale in the production of bulk drugs, according to an official statement.

Under the scheme, the Department of Pharmaceuticals received proposals from 13 states. After evaluating the proposals, the government approved those submitted by Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

The three states were selected for establishing Bulk Drug Parks under the scheme.

The government has clarified that there is no proposal to establish a Bulk Drug Park in Odisha under the Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks scheme. There is also no such proposal under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme or any other Central Scheme of the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

Dharmendra Pradhan slams Congress, Rahul Gandhi over ‘lies’ on student protests

August 11, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday accused Congress and Rahul Gandhi of spreading misinformation over student protests and dodging accountability in Parliament.

In a post on X, Pradhan alleged that Congress “is continuously spreading lies regarding students’ interests,” and claimed Rahul Gandhi “lacks facts.” He said the Leader of Opposition, “who habitually lies, neither wants to come to Parliament nor listen to answers,” adding that Congress only wants to “spread their lies and shed crocodile tears.”

He also criticised the party for what he called “baseless, factless false accusations” against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, describing it as evidence of “the political desperation of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress.”

Pradhan claimed the government is willing to hold discussions in Parliament on every issue, but alleged Congress is “obstructing the temple of democracy, Parliament House,” and harming the interests of the country and its youth, since the party’s “intention is not the welfare of the country, but to prioritize their own interests first.”

He added that Congress creates “chaos outside” the House because “they do not have the capacity to listen to answers in the House.”

On the student protests, Pradhan accused Congress of following a “selective” approach to democracy – alleging “violence against youth where they are in government, and lies and commotion where they want to shine politically.”

Citing Jharkhand, he said the “brutality against students” there “has been witnessed by the entire country,” and questioned why Rahul Gandhi, who “holds press conferences on every issue,” has stayed silent.

He further alleged that the youth of the country have “fully understood this duplicitous character of the Congress,” and said “there is no place for dictatorship in democracy,” calling on Gandhi and Congress – which he said “operates on the mindset of the Emergency era” – to take note.

Colombia earthquake: Volunteers join rescue effort as death toll hits 111

August 11, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: At least 111 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia, with volunteers and professional rescuers continuing to search collapsed buildings for survivors.

The earthquake has plunged the country into its first major crisis under newly sworn-in President Abelardo de la Espriella, who declared a national state of emergency and ordered a coordinated rescue and relief operation.

In Cali, western Colombia’s largest city, residents joined firefighters and rescuers in a desperate search for people trapped beneath the rubble. Volunteers used picks, basic tools, buckets and their bare hands to clear collapsed masonry, according to reports.

Andres Felipe Mejia was among those who joined a makeshift rescue team. He said the volunteers were determined to bring trapped people out alive.

According to Mejia, rescuers asked anyone trapped beneath the rubble to whistle if they could hear them. A whistle was heard from inside a collapsed multi-storey building.

Rescuers then managed to pull a man and a baby from the debris, while the man’s wife remained trapped inside, Mejia said.

Volunteers and rescue workers formed human chains to remove bricks and masonry from damaged structures. They repeatedly stopped their work to listen for signs of life beneath the debris.

Mejia said large numbers of people had arrived with food, supplies and other assistance. Many were helping firefighters and residents affected by the earthquake.

The earthquake damaged at least 1,500 buildings across several parts of Colombia. Reports described chaotic scenes in cities across the country’s picturesque coffee region and Pacific areas as residents rushed into the streets.

Hospitals in five Colombian cities were placed on red alert on Monday as authorities prepared to deal with casualties. A nighttime curfew was also declared in Cali, according to local authorities.

At least six local airports suspended operations, Colombia’s civil aeronautics agency said.

The earthquake was felt across Colombia, including in Bogotá. Large crowds rushed out of buildings and gathered in the streets, with some residents fleeing their homes in their pyjamas.

President de la Espriella addressed the nation around 1pm local time on Monday and declared a national state of emergency. He said the government had deployed its available capabilities to protect lives, assist affected communities and deliver aid wherever necessary.

He said rescuing people trapped under rubble was the government’s first priority.

De la Espriella travelled to Quibdo, the capital of coastal Chocó province, where he promised rent subsidies for people who had lost their homes. He later travelled to Cali to oversee the response in western Colombia’s largest city.

The president gave the national death toll as 111. He later provided figures for Valle del Cauca province, where Cali is located, saying 35 people had died there and 700 had been injured.

Some local media outlets reported a national death toll of 132. However, the origin of that figure was unclear.

The earthquake struck just three days after de la Espriella was sworn in as president, immediately placing his new administration under pressure as rescue operations continued.

The disaster also came only weeks after devastating twin earthquakes struck neighbouring Venezuela in June, keeping memories of the regional destruction fresh.

For Colombia, the immediate focus remained on finding survivors. Professional rescuers and ordinary residents continued working side by side, clearing rubble by hand, forming human chains and listening for any sound from people trapped beneath collapsed buildings.