Category: News

Mumbai, July 2: Indian equity markets ended higher as easing crude oil prices boosted investor sentiment and supported gains across key sectors.

The Sensex surged 579 points, while the Nifty index crossed the 24,175 mark, reflecting strong buying interest in auto, banking, and metal stocks. Market participants attributed the rally to softening global crude prices, which eased concerns over inflation and input costs.

Analysts said that lower oil prices improved overall risk appetite and strengthened expectations of stable macroeconomic conditions. Positive domestic cues, including strong sectoral performance, also contributed to the upward momentum.

Broader markets witnessed healthy participation, with mid-cap and small-cap stocks also trading in positive territory.

Experts noted that sustained trends in global commodity prices and upcoming economic data releases will continue to guide market direction in the coming sessions.

Bhubaneswar, July 2 (UDN): Newly appointed Odisha Congress in-charge Lalji Desai is set to chair his first organisational meeting with party leaders in Bhubaneswar today, marking the beginning of his efforts to strengthen the party’s organisational structure in the state.

The meeting is expected to be attended by senior state Congress leaders, office-bearers, district presidents, legislators, and other key functionaries. Discussions are likely to focus on organisational strengthening, membership expansion, preparations for upcoming political programmes, and strategies to enhance the party’s outreach across Odisha.

Desai is also expected to review the party’s performance, assess district-level organisational activities, and seek feedback from leaders on issues concerning the state’s political landscape. The meeting assumes significance as the Congress seeks to revitalise its base in Odisha and intensify its campaign on public issues.

Party leaders are hopeful that Desai’s maiden visit and interaction with the state leadership will provide fresh momentum to the organisation and help improve coordination among party functionaries.

Further details of the deliberations and decisions taken during the meeting are expected to be shared after the conclusion of the meeting.

New Delhi, July 2: The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) organized a Seafood Skill Olympiad to showcase India’s growing talent and capabilities in value-added seafood processing.

The event highlighted the skills of participants in modern seafood preparation, processing techniques, quality control, and value addition practices aimed at strengthening India’s position in global seafood markets. It also provided a platform to promote innovation, skill development, and industry best practices in the fisheries and seafood export sector.

Officials noted that such initiatives play a crucial role in enhancing employability, improving processing standards, and supporting the growth of India’s seafood export industry. The programme also reflects ongoing efforts to boost competitiveness and encourage higher value addition within the sector.

Overall, the Olympiad is seen as an important step towards building a skilled workforce and strengthening India’s presence in the international seafood trade.

New Delhi, July 2: The Government of India has achieved a significant milestone in the conservation of wild rice genetic resources, marking an important advancement in the country’s efforts to safeguard agricultural biodiversity and strengthen future food security.

Wild rice species are considered a critical reservoir of genetic traits such as resistance to pests and diseases, tolerance to drought and floods, and adaptability to changing climatic conditions. Conserving these genetic resources is essential for developing improved rice varieties that can sustain productivity under environmental stress.

The initiative involves systematic identification, collection, documentation, and long-term preservation of wild rice germplasm across different agro-climatic regions of the country. These genetic materials are being conserved for use in scientific research and crop improvement programmes.

Officials stated that the conserved genetic diversity will play a vital role in supporting plant breeding efforts aimed at developing high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-resistant rice varieties. This is expected to benefit farmers by improving crop stability and reducing losses due to unpredictable weather patterns and biological threats.

The government highlighted that this achievement reflects strengthened coordination between agricultural research institutions, conservation agencies, and scientific bodies engaged in plant genetic resource management. Continuous efforts are being made to expand the national gene pool and ensure its accessibility for future research and development.

Experts noted that preserving wild rice diversity is crucial at a time when climate change poses increasing risks to global food systems. India’s progress in this area is seen as an important contribution to long-term agricultural sustainability and global food security goals.

Heavy Monsoon Rains Disrupt Mumbai; Over 99 Tree Falls and Multiple Power Faults Reported

Mumbai, July 2: Continuous heavy rainfall has severely disrupted normal life across the city, leading to widespread tree falls and power-related incidents.

According to initial reports, more than 99 cases of trees being uprooted or falling were recorded, along with at least 13 incidents of short circuits in various parts of Mumbai. The relentless rain has also affected road movement and local infrastructure, causing delays and safety concerns for residents.

Municipal authorities and emergency response teams are actively working to clear debris, restore electricity, and ensure public safety. Citizens have been urged to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel until weather conditions improve.

New Delhi, July 2: India’s transition towards electric mobility could deliver significant economic and environmental benefits, with estimates suggesting that achieving 20% electric vehicle (EV) penetration by 2030 may help save nearly ₹1 lakh crore in fuel import costs.

According to policy insights, a higher adoption of EVs will substantially reduce the country’s dependence on imported crude oil, thereby strengthening energy security and easing pressure on the import bill. Experts believe that the transport sector, which remains a major consumer of fossil fuels, holds the key to achieving these savings through large-scale electrification.

The Delhi EV policy has emerged as a notable example of successful implementation, demonstrating how targeted incentives, regulatory support, and infrastructure expansion—such as charging stations and consumer subsidies—can accelerate EV adoption in urban areas.

Officials and experts further noted that expanding EV usage will not only reduce import costs but also contribute to improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and long-term environmental sustainability. The shift is also expected to promote innovation and investment in clean mobility technologies across the country.

They emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between the Centre and states to scale up charging infrastructure, support manufacturing, and encourage consumer adoption in order to meet the 2030 target effectively.

Bhubaneswar, July 2: Despite steady improvements in child nutrition indicators over the past few years, malnutrition continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Odisha, particularly in remote tribal and hard-to-reach regions. To strengthen early detection and ensure timely nutritional intervention, the Odisha Government has launched the first phase of Ojan Utsav 2026 under Mission Poshan 2.0, which will be conducted from July 1 to July 25 across the state.

Representational image

Ojan Utsav is a biannual growth monitoring and measurement campaign aimed at assessing the height and weight of children below five years of age. The initiative seeks to identify children affected by Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) at an early stage and connect them with appropriate nutrition and healthcare services.

This year’s campaign places special emphasis on covering children living in remote, tribal and cut-off villages, ensuring that even the most inaccessible communities receive essential growth monitoring. Anganwadi Workers, ICDS Supervisors and frontline health functionaries are conducting the exercise across more than 72,000 Anganwadi Centres in Odisha.

Unlike routine growth monitoring, Ojan Utsav is conducted under the direct supervision of ICDS officials to ensure accurate anthropometric measurements. The height and weight data collected during the campaign are uploaded in real time to the Poshan Abhiyaan digital platform, enabling authorities to monitor children’s nutritional status and initiate timely interventions wherever required.

According to available data, nearly 29.1 per cent of children under five in Odisha are stunted, reflecting chronic undernutrition. Around 12.8 per cent are underweight, while 2.9 per cent suffer from wasting. The burden of Severe Acute Malnutrition remains concentrated in districts such as Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur, where geographical isolation and socio-economic challenges continue to affect child health outcomes.

Tribal communities continue to face disproportionate nutritional challenges. Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), undernutrition remains significantly higher than the state average, highlighting the need for focused interventions in remote habitations.

Experts attribute child malnutrition to a combination of poverty, food insecurity, poor maternal nutrition, inadequate sanitation and drinking water facilities, and difficulties in delivering healthcare services to inaccessible villages. These factors often delay early identification and treatment of vulnerable children.

To address these challenges, the state has strengthened its nutrition strategy through Mission Poshan 2.0, the Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana, AMLAN (Anaemia Mukta Lakshya Abhiyaan) and the expansion of Anganwadi services in underserved areas. Ojan Utsav complements these initiatives by generating accurate growth data that supports evidence-based planning and targeted nutritional interventions.

Officials of the Department of Women and Child Development said the campaign is not merely a data collection exercise but a statewide effort to ensure that every child receives an equal opportunity to grow healthy. They appealed to parents and caregivers to participate actively in the campaign by bringing their children to the nearest Anganwadi Centre for growth assessment.

With the first phase continuing until July 25, the Government aims to strengthen child nutrition surveillance and reaffirm its commitment to building a healthier, malnutrition-free Odisha by ensuring that no child is left behind, irrespective of where they live.

New Delhi, July 2: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has launched the ‘Green Drive Portal’ under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, aimed at encouraging large-scale tree plantation and environmental participation among citizens.

The initiative seeks to strengthen green cover in the national capital by enabling individuals, institutions, and organisations to actively participate in plantation drives and track their contributions through the digital platform.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the campaign is designed to promote environmental awareness while honouring the emotional bond between individuals and their mothers through tree plantation.

The portal will serve as a central platform to register plantation activities, monitor progress, and encourage community participation in building a cleaner and greener Delhi.

The government has urged citizens to take part in the initiative and contribute towards increasing the city’s green cover.

Bhubaneswar, July 2 (UDN): Fulfilling a key promise to make education affordable for every child, the Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved ‘Gyanodaya – Shiksharu Samruddhi’, a flagship scheme that extends free education from Kindergarten (KG) to Postgraduate (PG) level by waiving admission fees for eligible students from the 2026–27 academic session.

The decision was taken at the 42nd Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, marking a major expansion of the state’s education support framework.

While education from KG to Class VIII has already been free in Odisha, the new scheme extends financial assistance to students studying in Classes IX to XII in government and government-aided schools, as well as those pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in regular mode at State Public Universities, government colleges and government-aided colleges. With this, the state completes its vision of providing free education across the entire academic journey—from KG to PG.

The Cabinet approved an outlay of ₹895.57 crore for the first year of implementation and ₹5,467.55 crore over the next five years. The programme is expected to benefit more than 32 lakh students annually, making it one of the largest education support initiatives undertaken by the state.

The scheme aims to remove financial barriers that often prevent students, particularly those from economically weaker and disadvantaged backgrounds, from continuing their education. By eliminating admission fees, the government expects to improve enrolment, enhance retention, reduce dropout rates and encourage more students to pursue higher education.

However, the benefits will be limited to students enrolled in regular courses at government and government-aided institutions. Self-financing courses, unaided institutions, public-private partnership (PPP) institutions and professional or technical programmes have been excluded from the scheme.

With the launch of ‘Gyanodaya – Shiksharu Samruddhi’, the Odisha government has made one of its most significant investments in the education sector, reinforcing its commitment to expanding access to quality education and ensuring that financial hardship does not stand in the way of academic aspirations.