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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
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Day: August 18, 2026

Two Odisha EMRS students participate in ISRO YUVIKA 2026

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Bhubaneswar: Two students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) in Odisha have brought laurels to the state by successfully participating in ISRO YUVIKA 2026, a national-level programme organised by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The YUVIKA programme aims to nurture scientific curiosity among school students and provide them with first-hand exposure to space science, technology and applications.

It also allows students to interact with scientists, understand India’s space missions and gain insights into the diverse activities of ISRO.

Deba Disari, a Class X student of EMRS Kotpad in Koraput district, participated in the programme held at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

During the programme, Disari gained valuable exposure to India’s space programme and interacted with scientists. He also learned about various aspects of space science and space technology.

Similarly, Shyam Charan Tudu, a student of EMRS Bahalda, successfully participated in and completed the ISRO YUVIKA 2026 programme during the same period.

His participation has brought pride to EMRS Bahalda and EMRS Odisha and serves as an inspiration to fellow students.

The exposure gained through the YUVIKA programme is expected to motivate the two students to pursue higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering and space research.

Their achievement is also expected to inspire other EMRS students across Odisha to explore scientific opportunities, pursue excellence and aspire to participate in prestigious national-level programmes in the future.

YUVIKA, or YUva VIgyani KAryakram, is a programme designed to encourage young students to develop an interest in space science and technology. Through the initiative, students get an opportunity to gain practical exposure to India’s space activities and learn from scientists and experts.

The participation of the two Odisha students in the programme highlights the opportunities available to students from EMRSs to engage with national-level scientific initiatives and gain exposure to India’s growing space programme.

CM Majhi announces Rs 1,000 crore special package for flood-hit areas

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a Rs 1,000 crore special package for flood-affected areas of the state, directing authorities to intensify relief, rescue and restoration operations following heavy rainfall triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.

The Chief Minister announced a 10-point package aimed at providing immediate assistance to affected families, farmers, fishermen, artisans and others who have suffered losses due to the floods.

A major component of the package focuses on farmers whose crops have suffered significant damage. Small and marginal farmers reporting crop losses of 33 per cent or more will receive agricultural input subsidies of Rs 8,500 per hectare for rainfed areas, Rs 17,000 per hectare for irrigated land and Rs 22,500 per hectare for perennial crops.

The state government will also provide special financial assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer for the purchase of paddy and non-paddy seeds. Flood-affected farmers will be given free vegetable minikits, while a 75 per cent subsidy will be provided for post-flood pest and disease management.

The government has also announced plans for the urgent restoration and repair of damaged irrigation projects.

Assistance will be extended to those who have suffered losses of livestock. Fishermen and farmers will also receive support for the restoration of damaged boats, fishing nets and ponds.

Farmers willing to restructure their short-term Kharif agricultural loans will be allowed to convert them into medium-term loans under the announced measures.

The package also covers artisans and weavers affected by the floods. Financial assistance of Rs 5,000 will be provided for damage to equipment and machinery in the handicrafts and handloom sectors. An additional Rs 5,000 will be offered to compensate for losses of raw materials or finished products.

The state government will undertake temporary repairs of damaged roads and other infrastructure, while permanent reconstruction will be taken up after a detailed assessment of the damage.

Relief operations will continue in affected areas until normalcy is restored. The government said cooked and dry food, along with relief rice, would continue to be distributed among affected communities.

Families affected by the floods will also receive financial assistance for purchasing essential clothing and household utensils.

The Chief Minister said restoring normal life in flood-hit areas and ensuring comprehensive assistance to affected people remained the state government’s highest priority. He added that the assistance package could be expanded further, depending on the final assessment of the damage and emerging requirements.

The state government is also strengthening healthcare services in flood-affected areas by organising health camps at relief shelters and other affected locations. Essential medicines, treatment and health check-ups are being made available, while special attention is being given to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children, elderly persons and those who are ill. Measures are also being taken to ensure safe drinking water, sanitation and the prevention of water-borne diseases.

Safe drinking water supply has been given high priority in the flood-hit areas. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, as of 5 pm on August 17, water sources at 1,461 flood-affected tube wells and 89 piped water supply projects had been disinfected. Water quality is being regularly monitored, while 27 water tankers, 69 Sintex tank vehicles and six mobile treatment units have been deployed to maintain supply. In areas facing power disruptions, DG sets are being used to keep piped water supply projects operational, with the situation being continuously monitored through control rooms.

Odisha Police takes collective pledge for a drug-free society across state

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Cuttack: Odisha Police on Tuesday organised a statewide collective pledge-taking programme under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, with personnel at the State Police Headquarters, police stations and district police offices reaffirming their commitment to building a drug-free society.

The pledge was administered across all police stations and district police offices in the state’s 35 police districts. At the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack, senior police officers and personnel took the pledge to protect themselves, their families and society from the harmful effects of narcotic substances.

The participants also resolved to stay away from drug use and spread awareness among family members, friends and the wider community about the dangers associated with substance abuse. They pledged to play an active role in efforts to make Odisha free from drug abuse, according to an officlal release.

The initiative is part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, which focuses on preventing substance abuse and creating greater public awareness about its social and health consequences. Odisha Police said the campaign places particular emphasis on the role of young people in building a drug-free society and carrying the message of prevention to communities across the state.

The police administration reiterated its commitment to contributing towards a healthier, safer and drug-free Odisha through awareness and collective participation.

Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra was among those who participated in the pledge-taking ceremony at the State Police Headquarters.

Other senior officers present included Additional Director General of Police (Modernisation) Soumendra Priyadarshi, Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Prateek Mohanty, IGP (Personnel) Praveen Kumar, IGP (Central Range) Satyajit Nayak, DIG (Provisioning) Charan Singh Meena and DIG (Personnel) Jugal Kishore Banoth.

Senior officers and other personnel at the headquarters joined the collective pledge, which was simultaneously observed across police establishments throughout Odisha.

BWF World Championships: Ayush Shetty stuns world No. 1 Shi Yuqi

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New Delhi: India’s Ayush Shetty pulled off the biggest win of his career on Monday, knocking out world No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China in a thrilling opening-round contest at the BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi.

The 21-year-old, ranked 22nd in the world, held his nerve against the 30-year-old defending world champion to seal a stunning 21-14, 13-21, 21-19 victory on his World Championships debut.

Ayush had gone into the match with a 0-3 head-to-head record against Shi Yuqi, though two of those meetings had been closely contested. Shi Yuqi had edged him 21-19, 21-19 at last year’s Indonesia Masters, and had needed three games and over an hour to get past him in the round of 16 at this year’s Malaysia Open, according to olympics.com.

Their most recent meeting had been far more one-sided, with Shi Yuqi winning 21-8, 21-10 in the Badminton Asia Championships final in Ningbo in April. At the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Monday, however, Ayush showed how much he had grown since that defeat.

The Indian made a strong start, racing to an 8-3 lead and extending it to 13-6 before closing out the opening game 21-14. Shi Yuqi hit back in the second game, with the contest tied at 8-8 before the Chinese shuttler gradually took control, moving five points clear at 15-10 and then winning four straight points to force a decider.

The final game was locked at 3-3 before Ayush pulled away, winning three consecutive points to lead 11-5 at the interval. He held off a late fightback from Shi Yuqi to complete a famous win over the world No. 1.

Elsewhere, PV Sindhu began her women’s singles campaign with a straight-game win over Ireland’s Sophia Noble. The ninth-seeded Indian, a two-time Olympic medallist and five-time World Championships medallist, beat the world No. 141 21-7, 21-11 in 29 minutes. Sindhu, the 2019 world champion, will next face Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang in the round of 32.

Earlier in the day, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand advanced to the women’s doubles second round with a dominant 21-9, 21-13 win over Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez, needing just 33 minutes. The Commonwealth Games medallists will next face USA’s 16th seeds Lauren Lam and Allison Quynh Lee.

Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi also progressed to the women’s doubles round of 32, beating Spain’s Nikol Carulla and Carmen Maria Jimenez 22-20, 21-14 in 46 minutes.

In the men’s doubles, MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan advanced after their Irish opponents Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds retired hurt. The Indian pair, ranked No. 24 in the world, had taken the first game 21-16 and led 6-4 in the second when the Irish duo were forced to withdraw. India’s pair will next meet Republic of Korea’s 15th seeds Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju in the round of 32.

The BWF World Championships is being held in India for the first time since 2009, with the 30th edition running from August 17 to 23. India have won 15 medals at the World Championships, claiming at least one medal at every edition since 2011.

FIH Hockey World Cup: India go down to England

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New Delhi: India’s campaign at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 suffered a setback on Monday as England defeated the men’s team 4-2 in their second Pool D fixture at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

India had begun their campaign on a positive note, having beaten Wales 3-1 in their opening match, according to olympics.com.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Dilpreet Singh found the net for India, helping the side race to a 2-1 lead. England, however, hit back with three goals in the second half to seal the contest.

Nicholas Bandurak was the standout performer for England, scoring twice, in the 14th and 54th minutes. Stuart Rushmere and Henry Croft also got their names on the scoresheet, netting in the 39th and 43rd minutes respectively.

England were awarded their first penalty corner in the 10th minute after a referral, but Manpreet Singh denied them with a fine stick save.

England eventually broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, as a well-executed aerial pass exposed India’s defence and set up a two-on-one situation that Bandurak converted clinically.

India drew level early in the second quarter through a penalty corner, with Harmanpreet unleashing a powerful drag-flick into the top corner. India took the lead in the 24th minute, as Hardik Singh worked the ball to Abhishek, who found Dilpreet perfectly placed for the decisive touch.

India went into the break with the lead, having also enjoyed the better share of attacking chances, registering eight shots on goal compared to England’s three.

England found their rhythm after the interval and drew level in the 39th minute through Rushmere, before Croft put them 3-2 up four minutes later with his first World Cup goal.

India pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing quarter. Jarmanpreet won a penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Harmanpreet’s effort was denied by an alert England goalkeeper. Abhishek also went close in the 50th minute with an effort that travelled across the face of goal.

England eventually put the result beyond doubt in the 55th minute, as Bandurak completed his brace from a penalty corner to make it 4-2.

The result confirmed England’s progression to the next phase, with the side moving to six points from two matches and securing a top-two finish in Pool D.

India, meanwhile, remain second in the group with three points from two games. They will now face Pakistan in a must-win final pool match on Wednesday, with a semi-final berth on the line. Pakistan and Wales are yet to register a win in the tournament so far.

The defeat extended India’s wait for a World Cup win over England to 32 years. India’s only World Cup victory over England came way back in 1994, in the fifth-place playoff in Sydney, where they had won 1-0. Since then, England have won four World Cup meetings between the two sides, in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014, while their most recent encounter in 2023 ended goalless.