September 13, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Odisha’s UAE visit secures Rs 2.43 lakh crore investment proposals: CM Majhi

September 13, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the state government is utilising all its capabilities to create a brighter future for the state’s youth by expanding industrialisation and generating employment opportunities within Odisha.

Speaking to media representatives at Bhubaneswar Airport after returning from his UAE visit, Majhi said the government’s core objective is to ensure that the state’s sons and daughters can secure respectable employment in their own homeland after completing their education.

He said the UAE visit has added a new chapter to the government’s industrialisation drive over the past two years and is accelerating efforts to attract capital, create employment and build a prosperous Odisha.

Following the Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave held in Bhubaneswar in January 2025, a dedicated Odisha government team has continued efforts to mobilise investment by visiting Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Gujarat and Singapore, the Chief Minister said.

During the UAE visit from September 8 to 12, Majhi, the industries minister, and senior government officials held extensive discussions on capital investment in Odisha across Abu Dhabi and Dubai on September 9, 10 and 11.

The visit included 52 business meetings, comprising six roundtable meetings and 46 one-to-one meetings, with discussions held with nearly 400 industry leaders and representatives.

A total of eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed and 16 investment intents were generated during the visit, securing investment proposals worth Rs 2,43,162 crore for Odisha. These proposals are expected to create 6,18,725 direct employment opportunities.

Including indirect employment, around nine lakh employment opportunities are expected to be generated, according to the CM.

Majhi said that when these proposals are combined with investment proposals worth over Rs 20 lakh crore secured earlier, Odisha’s total investment proposals have now reached Rs 22.5 lakh crore.

The CM also highlighted discussions held with UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the International Investment Council Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, and IHC Managing Director Syed Basar Shueb.

Building on the partnership between IHC and the Adani Group formed on July 2, 2026, MoUs have been signed for 14 new projects in Odisha, Majhi said. He added that efforts are continuing to establish industries in Rayagada and Sundargarh districts for the two companies’ integrated aluminium project.

During the UAE visit, interactions were also held with successful Odia entrepreneurs and the Odia diaspora in the UAE, which the Chief Minister said would further strengthen bilateral business and cultural ties.

Majhi said the state government is continuing its efforts towards the vision of a prosperous Odisha by 2036 and transforming the state into a USD 500 billion economy over the next ten years.

He said employment opportunities are being created for educated youth and necessary skill training is being provided to make them employment-ready for upcoming factories and offices.

The CM also said the government’s next priority, after achieving initial success in attracting investments, is to implement the investment proposals and MoUs at the earliest and begin production.

He said this would create major employment opportunities in Odisha in the coming days.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik, Chief Whip of the ruling party Saroj Kumar Pradhan and several MLAs and other public representatives were among those who felicitated the CM at the airport.

India retain Junior Asia Cup title, beat China 1-0 in final

September 13, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team retained their continental crown after defeating hosts China 1-0 in a closely fought final of the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 on Sunday, completing a hat-trick of Women’s Junior Asia Cup titles.

Sanika Chandrakant Mane scored the decisive goal in the 17th minute as India held on to secure the title and qualify for the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup.

In recognition of the achievement, Hockey India announced prize money of Rs 3 lakh for each player and Rs 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.

The final began cautiously, with both teams showing signs of nervousness in the opening exchanges. China enjoyed greater possession and looked to put India under pressure, but the defending champions remained composed and disciplined in defence.

Despite China’s territorial advantage, India’s defensive organisation prevented the hosts from creating a clear-cut opportunity, with the first quarter ending goalless.

India then capitalised on their opportunity early in the second quarter. Two minutes into the quarter, Mane showed excellent awareness and intelligent off-the-ball movement to get behind a Chinese defender and position herself five metres from the goal.

She connected with a long slap-push played into the Chinese circle and produced a deft deflection that beat goalkeeper Xu Mengjiao to give India the lead.

China came closest to finding an equaliser after earning the only penalty corner of the match. However, their direct attempt was ruled out after the ball entered the goal above the permitted height of the backboard.

India came close to doubling their advantage two minutes before half-time when captain Khaidem Shileima Chanu got a shot on target, but the Chinese goalkeeper reacted sharply to palm the effort away.

China resumed the second half with renewed intent and came close to scoring seven minutes into the third quarter. A well-worked move saw a Chinese attacker overlap from the baseline before sending a dangerous minus pass into the area in front of goal.

India’s defence, however, read the situation perfectly and intercepted the pass before it could reach its intended target.

The final quarter saw India produce a disciplined defensive display. The defending champions remained compact and alert around their circle, denying China the space needed to create clear scoring opportunities.

India held firm through the closing stages to secure a memorable 1-0 victory and lift the trophy.

India finished the tournament unbeaten. After topping the Elite Pool with three wins and a draw, India defeated South Korea 5-1 in the semi-finals before overcoming China 1-0 in the final to successfully defend their title and become three-time champions.

Odisha launches dual-mode vocational education in agriculture

September 13, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Odisha launched a new initiative to provide school students with hands-on, field-based vocational learning in agriculture and allied sectors through a partnership between the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) and the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).

An inaugural orientation programme was organised at the OUAT Conference Hall in Bhubaneswar to mark the commencement of the Dual Mode Vocational Education initiative in 26 PM SHRI Government Secondary Schools across Odisha. Headmasters, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) scientists and in-charges, SC/ST Education Coordinators and ADEOs (Scheme) from 20 districts participated virtually.

Sangita Behera, State Project Director, OSEPA, and Prof. Susanta Kumar Swain, Dean, Extension Education, OUAT, attended the programme.

Addressing the gathering, Behera highlighted Odisha’s progress in strengthening vocational education and emphasised the importance of providing students with meaningful learning opportunities beyond the conventional classroom.

She said the OSEPA-OUAT partnership would create new avenues for experiential learning, skill development and career exploration in agriculture and allied sectors.

Prof. Swain welcomed the initiative and assured full support from OUAT and its network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras for effective implementation of the programme. He emphasised the importance of connecting school education with practical knowledge and real-world work environments.

OSEPA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OUAT, effective from the current academic year, to facilitate practical and experiential vocational education for school students.

Under the collaboration, 26 Government Secondary Schools have been formally tagged with OUAT, Bhubaneswar, and identified KVKs to implement Dual Mode Vocational Education.

As part of the initiative, students will have opportunities to access OUAT’s laboratories, farms, food-processing facilities, and technical expertise in areas such as agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture, and food processing.

The exposure is expected to help students understand real work environments and apply the skills and knowledge acquired in their schools.

Students of Classes IX and X will receive structured hands-on training and field exposure in vocational job roles related to agriculture and allied sectors.

The programme seeks to bridge the gap between classroom learning and field-based practice while developing National Skills Qualifications Framework-aligned competencies to enhance employability, entrepreneurship and career readiness among students.

Across the 26 participating schools, students will be trained in six vocational job roles – Mango Grower, Solanaceous Crop Cultivator, Paddy Farmer, Animal Health Worker, Dairy Worker and Citrus Fruit Grower.

These job roles have been selected keeping in view the agricultural strengths, local resources and livelihood opportunities of the respective districts.

Tanmaya Kumar Behera, Deputy Director, Vocational Education, OSEPA, outlined the objectives, implementation modalities and expected outcomes of the programme. Sarbani Das, Joint Director, Extension Education, OUAT, addressed the queries of the participating officials and proposed the vote of thanks.