Sambalpur: Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) at Burla has relaxed its controversial dress code following student protests over the mandatory uniform policy. According to a decision taken by the varsity’s Academic Council, wearing the prescribed uniform will no longer be compulsory. Students will instead be allowed to attend classes in decent formal attire of their...

Bhubaneswar/Berhampur: Odisha Sunday joined the nation in recalling the valour of the armed forces in the Kargil war, with Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and others paying tribute to the martyrs. India observed the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas during the day to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan after a three-month-long battle in Kargil,...

Mumbai/Bhubaneswar: Odisha's Jyotirmayee Nayak has emerged as the winner of the 16th season of the popular television singing reality show Indian Idol, bringing laurels to the state after a remarkable 10-month journey in the competition. The 24-year-old singer was declared the champion in the grand finale, while Tanishk Shukla of Jabalpur finished as the first runner-up. The...

Washington: US lawmakers Shri Thanedar and Raja Krishnamoorthi vowed to fight-back anti-India hatred in the US and urged members of the diaspora to get involved in civic life by running for public office. Addressing the 250 anniversary celebrations of US Independence organised by the Indian American Committee, Thanedar, a Democrat, said some people often forget that the...

New Delhi: In yet another step to address students' concerns over paper leaks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday announced the constitution of a high-powered task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms to make the exam system leakproof. The government will implement the suggestions of the task force which will ensure the examination system...

New Delhi: All India Students' Association (AISA) national president Neha Bora, in her victory speech after former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, broadened the agitation against examination irregularities to other ongoing struggles, demanding an end to state repression. Addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar Saturday, Neha extended solidarity with tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh protesting against the...

Glasgow: Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu underlined her status as India's greatest weightlifter of her generation with a record-shattering third successive Commonwealth Games gold, while Rishikanta Singh battled injury to claim a historic silver as the country enjoyed a productive day at the Games Sunday. Mirabai was in a league of her own in the women's 48kg competition,...

Bhubaneswar: A day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Union Cabinet over the NEET paper leak, Opposition parties in Odisha Sunday demanded the removal of state minister Nityananda Gond for alleged errors in the school textbooks for classes 1 to 8. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das threatened to call a statewide bandh if Gond...

Puri: The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath entered its final phase Sunday with the commencement of the sacred Adhara pana ritual, a day after the deities were adorned with the spectacular Suna Besha (golden attire) atop their chariots. Preparations for the ritual began early in the day as servitors fetched water from the traditional well located...

Thuamul Rampur(Kalahandi): A 7-year-old tribal boy with 80% permanent disability has allegedly been deprived of government welfare benefits for years in Odisha's Kalahandi district, raising serious questions over the implementation of social security schemes in remote areas and the accountability of local authorities. The child, Sunil Majhi, a resident of Tangari village under Adri gram panchayat in...