August 28, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Khelo India dialogue held at MSCB University in Baripada

August 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Khelo India Dialogue – “Khel Ki Baat PM Modi Ke Sath” was organised at Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University (MSCB University) in Takatpur, Baripada, bringing students together to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message on sports and youth development.

Odisha Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra attended the programme along with Mayurbhanj MP Nabacharan Majhi, MSCB University Vice Chancellor Mahendra Mohanty, and Sports Authority of India officials Dibyaranjan Das and Rashmita Sahu.

The participants joined students in listening to the Prime Minister’s address on strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem and creating more opportunities for young athletes.

Mahapatra highlighted the role of sports in developing discipline, confidence, determination, teamwork and leadership among young people.

He said Odisha’s strong sporting culture and young talent provide significant potential for the state to contribute to India’s sporting growth.

The minister said initiatives such as Khelo India are helping aspiring athletes access opportunities, training and infrastructure while supporting them in pursuing careers at national and international levels.

He also stressed that sports should not be viewed only through medals and victories. Greater participation in sports can help build a healthier and more confident generation while contributing to the broader goal of nation-building and Viksit Bharat.

During his address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted Khelo India’s role in identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talent across the country. He emphasised the need for opportunities, quality training, infrastructure, encouragement and institutional support for young athletes.

The PM also underlined the wider value of sports in developing discipline, perseverance, teamwork and self-belief among young people.

The programme saw enthusiastic participation from students at MSCB University, reflecting the growing interest among Odisha’s youth in sports and opportunities to contribute to India’s sporting journey.

The Khelo India initiative has focused on encouraging grassroots participation and creating opportunities for sporting talent from different regions and backgrounds.

The Baripada programme reinforced the message that investing in youth through sports can help build a healthier, stronger and more confident India.

Industrial production grows 6.7% in July

August 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India’s industrial production grew 6.7% in July 2026, according to the Quick Estimates of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) released on Friday.

The growth was lower than the 7.3% recorded in June 2026. The July IIP stood at 124.8, compared with 117.0 in July 2025.

Among the major sectors, manufacturing grew 7.3% in July. Electricity and Gas Supply recorded 8.7% growth, while Water Supply, Sewerage and Waste Management grew 7.4%. Mining and Quarrying contracted by 0.9%, according to an official statement.

Within the manufacturing sector, 19 of the 23 industry groups at the two-digit level of NIC-2025 recorded positive growth over July 2025.

The top three positive contributors were the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, which grew 22.2%, the manufacture of electrical equipment at 28.3%, and the manufacture of machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified at 12.1%.

The motor vehicle industry recorded significant contributions from auto components, spares and accessories, passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Growth in electrical equipment was supported by electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, including switchgear and circuit breakers, UPS and solid-state drives, and end-face connectors for optical fibres and cables.

In machinery and equipment, construction machinery and equipment, various types of pumps, and steam, vapour, wind and other turbines made significant contributions to growth.

Under the Use-Based Classification, Capital Goods recorded 16.1% growth in July. Intermediate Goods grew 10%, while Infrastructure and Construction Goods increased 6.9%. Primary Goods recorded 4.1% growth.

Consumer durables grew 10.5%, while Consumer non-durables declined 1%.

The July indices stood at 115.9 for Primary Goods, 141.8 for Capital Goods, 130.9 for Intermediate Goods, and 136.2 for Infrastructure and Construction Goods. Consumer durables and Consumer non-durables stood at 129.9 and 113.7, respectively.

Intermediate Goods, Capital Goods and Primary Goods were the top three positive contributors to IIP growth under the Use-Based Classification.

The July Quick Estimates were compiled at a weighted response rate of 88.9%. The June 2026 index has undergone final revision based on updated data received from source agencies. The weighted response rate for the June revision was 93%.

The Quick Estimates of IIP are released on the 28th of every month, or the next working day if the 28th is a holiday. The estimates are subject to revision in subsequent releases as per the IIP revision policy.

The IIP for August 2026 will be released on September 28, 2026.

CTTC Bhubaneswar trains 8,083 engineering students under summer internship 2026

August 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Central Tool Room & Training Centre (CTTC), Bhubaneswar, trained 8,083 engineering students from 22 states and Union Territories during its four-week Summer Internship Training Programme 2026.

The programme was conducted during May and June under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. It also included 26 international students from Sudan and Yemen, according to an official statement.

Students from first year to final year of engineering participated in the programme. The training focused on practical skills and industry-oriented learning to strengthen technical competence and employability.

The programme covered Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Civil and Computer Science disciplines. It also included emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things and Additive Manufacturing.

Training was provided across 39 engineering and emerging technology domains.

Mechanical engineering recorded the highest participation with 3,193 students, followed by Electronics with 2,209 and IT and Software with 1,948 students. Civil engineering had 388 participants, while other emerging domains accounted for 345 students.

Artificial Intelligence recorded the highest participation among individual training areas with 1,748 students. PLC Programming had 1,000 participants, followed by AutoCAD with 991, Python Programming with 413, and Data Analytics with 392.

Students from IITs, NITs, deemed-to-be universities, engineering colleges, and polytechnic institutes also participated in the programme.

CTTC Bhubaneswar has been set up to meet the tooling and training needs of micro, small and medium enterprises.

The centre provides services in auto parts, high-precision components and general engineering. It also designs and manufactures press tools, moulds, dies, gauges, jigs and fixtures.

CTTC offers training in Tool and Die Technology, Product Design, Mechatronics, Advanced Machine Maintenance, CAD/CAM/CAE, CNC machining and programming.

According to the release, CTTC manufactured and supplied 437 types of 54,000 precision components to the Indian Space Research Organisation for the Chandrayaan-3 mission, launched on July 14, 2023.

The centre also manufactured and supplied precision components, including regulators, flow control valves, gyroscopes, temperature sensors and navigation parts, for ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission, launched on September 2, 2023.

CTTC has also contributed to the aerospace and defence sectors by manufacturing high-precision components for original equipment manufacturers, including components for the Light Combat Aircraft programme.

The Summer Internship Training Programme 2026 reinforces CTTC Bhubaneswar’s role in providing industry-oriented technical training and helping engineering students gain practical exposure to emerging technologies.

Subhadra scheme: 5th installment transferred to over 1.03 crore women in Odisha

August 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday launched the disbursement of the fifth installment of the Subhadra scheme at a state-level programme in Lathipada, Nayagarh.

The assistance was directly transferred to the bank accounts of more than 1.03 crore women beneficiaries across Odisha on the occasion of Raksha Purnima.

More than 2.33 lakh eligible women beneficiaries in Nayagarh district received the fifth installment under the scheme.

Addressing the gathering, Majhi said true empowerment means enabling women to become socially and economically self-reliant. He also stressed the importance of giving women greater control over decisions concerning their own lives.

The CM said the Subhadra scheme should not be viewed merely as a programme for distributing financial assistance. He described it as an expression of the state government’s commitment to the self-reliance and dignified lives of women.

According to the government, Odisha has created 27 lakh Lakhpati Didis, surpassing the target set under the initiative and emerging as a leading state in the country.

A survey conducted by IIM Sambalpur and the State Bank of India found that around 80% of Subhadra beneficiaries are using the financial assistance for long-term financial security and starting enterprises.

The state government is also focusing on strengthening women’s entrepreneurship through the Women Entrepreneurship Platform, the CM noted.

The platform will provide women with skill training, mentorship, market linkages and financial assistance to help them establish and expand enterprises.

The Odisha Budget has allocated Rs 1,22,764 crore for women’s development and welfare, according to the government.

Majhi further said women who have benefited from Subhadra are increasingly using the support to pursue their ambitions, establish businesses and inspire others.

He said the confidence and economic progress of women would play a key role in building a developed and prosperous Odisha.

The CM also announced that work on the re-establishment of the Nayagarh Sugar Mill and the circular irrigation project would begin soon with the cooperation of the Central government.

He said these initiatives would support the development of the district and strengthen economic opportunities for the local population.

The fifth Subhadra installment marks another major disbursement under Odisha’s flagship women-focused welfare scheme, with the government linking financial assistance to women’s economic independence and entrepreneurship.

BJD attacks MMDR Amendment Act, warns of financial strain on Odisha

August 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal has stepped up its opposition to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, alleging that the legislation could weaken Odisha’s finances and put several social security programmes under pressure.

Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan, Cuttack Mayor and BJD treasurer Subhash Singh and former MP and party General Secretary Sarmistha Sethi accused the BJP-led government of compromising Odisha’s financial interests through the amendment.

The BJD claimed Odisha could have significantly strengthened its finances if more than Rs 1 lakh crore in pending mining-related tax and levy dues had been recovered in accordance with the Supreme Court’s direction.

Singh alleged that the amendment has effectively taken away the state’s opportunity to recover its rightful revenue at a time when Odisha’s finances are already facing pressure.

He also linked the issue to the future of welfare programmes, claiming that several schemes introduced during Naveen Patnaik’s tenure are facing funding-related difficulties under the present government.

According to Singh, delays have affected pension payments, while schemes such as BSKY have been discontinued and payments under the Harishchandra Yojana have not been made on time.

The BJD also questioned the role of BJP MPs from Odisha during the passage of the legislation. Singh said the party’s 20 Lok Sabha and four Rajya Sabha MPs failed to oppose a measure that, according to the BJD, could adversely affect the state.

He further questioned why the BJP government was showing what he described as undue consideration towards mine owners.

Sethi said the amendment could push Odisha towards greater financial stress and eventually affect welfare initiatives that depend on state resources.

She claimed Odisha had moved from a revenue-deficit position to a revenue-surplus state during Patnaik’s tenure, but argued that the state’s financial indicators have since deteriorated.

The BJD cited state government figures to claim that outstanding liabilities have risen from 13% of GSDP to 14%. It also referred to a revenue-deficit figure in the earlier period, although the figures cited in the party release contain a discrepancy in the year and percentage.

Sethi maintained that the recovery of the pending mining dues would have provided substantial financial support to Odisha. She alleged that the MMDR Amendment Act has now undermined that prospect.

The BJD said the issue would have long-term implications for Odisha and accused the BJP government of putting the interests of future generations at risk.

Nepal-Tibet floods: 290 Indians still uncontactable

August 28, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Rescue operations along the Nepal-Tibet border are facing a fresh challenge as rising water trapped behind massive debris threatens to trigger another flood.

The warning comes as authorities continue efforts to locate 1,468 people who remain missing after flash floods and landslides devastated the Himalayan region.

Among those unaccounted for are 290 Indian nationals, the Ministry of External Affairs said. So far, 84 Indians have been rescued, while efforts are continuing to trace those whose whereabouts remain unknown.

The disaster has claimed at least 392 lives on both sides of the border. Nepal has recorded 389 deaths, while China has reported three deaths in Tibet.

The scale of the destruction has made the search operation difficult. Floodwaters carrying ice, rocks, mud and debris swept through villages and destroyed homes, bridges and roads along a route linking Kathmandu with Lhasa, according to reports.

The region is also a major route for trekkers and pilgrims, including Indians travelling towards Mount Kailash and Mansarovar. Nepal has reported 910 people missing, including at least 517 foreigners. China has reported 558 missing, of whom 260 are foreigners.

Authorities are now closely monitoring lakes created by debris blocking Himalayan rivers.

In Nepal, a lake formed after the Bhotekoshi River was blocked by debris is continuing to rise, raising fears that the water could break through the obstruction.

China has warned of a similar risk. Around three million cubic metres of water could enter a dammed lake over the next three days. Chinese state media has reported a high risk of a breach, with peak flow expected around September 1.

The disaster was triggered by a glacier collapse that sent enormous quantities of rock, ice, mud and debris downstream.

An initial theory suggested that an earthquake may have caused the collapse. The US Geological Survey, however, said the magnitude 4.4 seismic event recorded in the area was generated by the collapse itself and the subsequent debris flow.

Experts have warned that the danger has not passed. Qianggong Zhang of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said another flood could be imminent.

For rescue teams, the priority is now twofold: reaching people who may still be trapped or missing while preparing for a potentially dangerous new surge of water.