Mumbai: RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced Friday that the monetary policy committee (MPC) meeting had unanimously decided to reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25 per cent from 5.5 per cent earlier to spur growth in the economy. The RBI Governor also said that the Central Bank would inject more liquidity in the economy...

Bhadrak/Chhatrapur: Two young women lost their lives in separate road accidents along the busy National Highway-16 Thursday, triggering public outrage, protests, and renewed calls for stronger road-safety measures. In Bhadrak district, a college student, Shraddhanjali Panda of Bhandaripokhari College, was killed after a sand-laden tractor allegedly hit her bicycle from behind while she was on her way...

Sambalpur: A day after the body of a 15-year-old girl was recovered from a drain in Shantinagar under Ainthapali police limits here, her kin Thursday alleged that she had been murdered. The deceased, identified as Saishraddha Mishra, was the granddaughter of Ashok Kumar Mishra and Surekha Mishra of Shantinagar. Sources said her father Ganga Prasad Mishra had...

Balasore: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 128th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat' was broadcast across polling booths nationwide November 30, with the Basta Assembly constituency once again topping participation in Odisha. According to local organisers, Booth Number-257 in the Basta Assembly constituency achieved hundred per cent participation for the 12th consecutive time in just 17 months. As part...

Keonjhar/Patana: A 29-year-old man in Keonjhar district scaled a high-voltage power transmission tower Thursday in a dramatic attempt to speak with his girlfriend. The incident brought to onlookers’ mind scenes from the 1975 Bollywood blockbluster Sholay. The incident took place near Judia under the Town police limits in Keonjhar district, drawing a large crowd and prompting an...

Cuttack: The Odisha Police has put in place elaborate security arrangements for the India–South Africa T20 International cricket match scheduled at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack December 9. To ensure the safety of players and spectators, over 70 platoons of police force will be deployed as part of the extensive security plan. The deployment will include nine Additional...

Bhubaneswar: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti Thursday said that India has achieved the fastest rollout of 5G services globally, supported by over 1.23 billion telecom subscribers and nearly 99 per cent 4G coverage. He said this while addressing the inaugural session of a two-day workshop on Performance, Quality of Service (QoS) and...

Bhubaneswar: A meeting on preparation, distribution and procurement of millets under Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Shree Anna Abhiyan was held under the chairmanship of the department’s Principal Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee here recently. The state government is committed to promoting grains like millet in the face of climate change, said Padhee. At the meeting, Odisha...

Konark: The fourth evening at the 36th Konark Festival, organised by department of Tourism, in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, unfolded Thursday with captivating classical dance traditions. Set against the backdrop of UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Konark Sun Temple, artistes showcased timeless beauty of Manipuri and Odissi dance, reflecting India’s profound...

Bhubaneswar: A swift police response foiled a late-night robbery attempt near Patia Baradei Temple, resulting in the arrest of four armed suspects and the seizure of weapons and other materials intended for the crime, police said Thursday. The accused have been identified as Budhadeb Barik (20), Lucky Soren (19), Sagar Bisoi (26) and Karunakar Digal (24). According...