2, Jul 2026
Malnutrition Still a Challenge in Odisha: Ojan Utsav Intensifies Fight Against Child Undernutrition
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.
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- By Neel Achary
2, Jul 2026
Delhi CM Launches Green Drive Portal Under ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’
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.
2, Jul 2026
Odisha Cabinet Clears ‘Gyanodaya’ Scheme, Completes Vision of Free Education from KG to PG
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.
2, Jul 2026
Odisha Cabinet Clears 12 Key Proposals Across Eight Departments, Signals Push for Education, Infrastructure and Digital Growth
Bhubaneswar, July 2 (UDN): The Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved 12 major proposals spanning eight key departments, underscoring the state government’s focus on strengthening education, infrastructure, water resource management, digital governance, food security and disaster resilience.
The decisions were taken at the 42nd meeting of the State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhavan. The proposals are expected to accelerate development initiatives, improve public service delivery and support sustainable growth across sectors.
Following the meeting, the Chief Minister briefed the media on the Cabinet’s approval of the flagship proposal from the School and Mass Education Department, while Chief Secretary Anu Garg outlined the remaining decisions approved by the Cabinet.
The Cabinet considered and approved proposals from eight departments:
- Higher Education Department – 1 proposal
- Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department – 2 proposals
- Electronics and Information Technology Department – 1 proposal
- Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department – 1 proposal
- Works Department – 2 proposals
- Water Resources Department – 3 proposals
- School and Mass Education Department – 1 proposal
- Revenue and Disaster Management Department – 1 proposal
The approved measures cover a wide range of development priorities, including strengthening the education system, expanding fisheries and livestock infrastructure, enhancing digital services, improving food distribution, upgrading public infrastructure, modernising water resource management and reinforcing disaster preparedness.
Particular emphasis was placed on the proposal from the School and Mass Education Department, which is expected to significantly enhance access to quality education and benefit students across the state.
The Cabinet’s decisions reflect the government’s continued emphasis on coordinated, sector-specific reforms aimed at improving governance and delivering tangible benefits to citizens. With approvals spanning critical social and economic sectors, the 42nd Cabinet meeting marks another step in Odisha’s ongoing efforts to build resilient infrastructure, modernise public services and promote inclusive development.
1, Jul 2026
Cabinet Approves INR 7,145 Crore Kanpur–Kabrai Highway Project
New Delhi, July 1: The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹7,145 crore highway project to construct a new road corridor between Kanpur and Kabrai in Uttar Pradesh.
The proposed highway is aimed at improving regional connectivity, reducing travel time, and easing traffic congestion on existing routes. It is expected to provide a faster and safer travel option for both passengers and freight movement.
Officials said the project will strengthen links between key towns and nearby industrial and economic centres, supporting smoother logistics and better access to markets.
The highway is also expected to boost regional development by improving road infrastructure and facilitating economic activity across connected districts.
The initiative reflects the government’s continued focus on expanding modern road infrastructure to improve mobility and support economic growth.
1, Jul 2026
GAGAN to Strengthen India’s Satellite Navigation Ecosystem: Government
New Delhi, July 1: The government has said that the GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) system will play a key role in strengthening India’s satellite-based navigation ecosystem and enhancing precision navigation services across sectors.
Officials said GAGAN, developed jointly by the Airports Authority of India and ISRO, is designed to improve the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of satellite navigation signals, particularly for aviation applications.
The system is expected to support safer and more efficient air traffic management by providing highly accurate position information, especially during landing and navigation in challenging conditions.
Authorities noted that GAGAN is also expected to have wider applications beyond aviation, including transportation, surveying, agriculture, and disaster management, contributing to the expansion of India’s space-based infrastructure services.
The initiative reflects India’s continued focus on strengthening indigenous navigation capabilities and reducing dependence on foreign satellite-based systems while improving overall technological self-reliance.
1, Jul 2026
Rtn. Vineetha Chinappa Installed as the New President of Rotary Club of Bangalore
Mr. Bhat began by reflecting on the universal human desire to improve lives – our own and those of others. He invoked the concept of creative destruction, not as a cold economic principle, but as a necessary act of renewal for society. “We must destroy old assumptions about money-making,” he urged, “and replace them with value creation.” For him, this was not a capitalist’s creed but a call to reimagine purpose in service.
Drawing parallels between Tata Trust and Rotary, Mr. Bhat offered a compelling comparison. The Tata Trust, he explained, was designed by the visionary Jamshedji Tata to give back to society many times over. Today, 66% of Tata Sons’ shares are owned by the Trust, ensuring that dividends from Tata Group companies flow back into philanthropic initiatives. This structure, he said, was “magical in its design and humbling in its impact.” Rotary, in his view, mirrored this ethos with its disciplined execution, strong governance, and culture of service. Both institutions, he noted, thrive on accountability and the ability to deliver tangible results on the ground.
Yet Mr. Bhat did not shy away from hard truths. He pointed to India’s per capita spend of $228, far below nations like China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. This gap, he argued, is where Rotary can play a vital role – by channelling resources purposefully and creating lasting impact. He reminded the audience that India has “democratised aspiration,” with millennials demanding purposeful corporate action. Young people, he said, are no longer content with token gestures; they want to see governance, culture, and CSR initiatives that truly matter. Rotary, with its sharp focus and credibility, is well-positioned to meet this challenge.
His appeal was clear: Rotary must embrace creative destruction, shed outdated notions, and sharpen its impact. “Purpose is perpetual,” he declared, “and Rotary has the ability to be purposeful, sharper, and impactful in creating governance structures that endure.”
The evening also marked a new chapter for Rotary Bangalore, as Rtn Vineetha Chinappa was installed as the new President alongside the Secretary and a full-fledged Board for the year 2026-27. In her acceptance speech, Vineetha struck a tone of warmth and resolve. “Vision, commitment, and service – Dhanyaavad – gratitude is the essence of Rotary,” she said. For her, gratitude was not about nostalgia but about carrying forward a legacy with responsibility.
Her priorities for the year were clear: environment, lakes, and water conservation. “Restore, conserve, and educate,” she emphasised, “bringing people together for common purpose is the key function of RCB.” She dismissed the idea of chasing numbers, instead pledging to revive long-standing projects with compassion and action. Diversity of causes, she noted, is Rotary’s strength, and she set an ambitious target of Rs 10 crore worth of projects to make the year impactful. Her words carried both humility and determination, promising continuity with innovation.
The installation ceremony was presided over by District Governor Mr. A.K.S. Ravishankar Dakoju, who inducted the new Board for 2026–27. Six new members were also welcomed into the fold, adding fresh energy to the club’s ranks. Immediate Past President Mr. Sukheen Padmanabha and Secretary Kavitha Muthappa signed off their duties with trademark smiles, embodying the spirit of cheerful service that Rotary is known for.
The evening thus became more than a ceremonial transition; it was a dialogue between tradition and transformation. Mr. Bhat’s call for creative destruction resonated with Rotary’s ethos of purposeful service, while Vineetha’s vision for conservation and continuity grounded the club’s mission in practical action. Together, they sketched a roadmap where governance meets gratitude, and where service is not just an act but a philosophy.
As the gathering dispersed, one could sense that Rotary Bangalore stood at a threshold. The new Board carried the weight of legacy and the promise of renewal. With creative destruction as its guiding star and gratitude as its compass, the club seemed poised to sharpen its impact, deepen its purpose, and continue its journey of serving society – many times over.
1, Jul 2026
Cabinet Clears Major Tunnel Project in Delhi
New Delhi, July 1: The Union Cabinet has approved a major infrastructure project worth ₹6,969.67 crore for the construction of a six-lane tunnel that will connect the Dwarka Expressway with Nelson Mandela Marg in Delhi.
The project is aimed at significantly improving urban connectivity, reducing travel time, and easing traffic congestion in key parts of the National Capital Region. Once completed, the tunnel is expected to provide a seamless high-speed corridor linking major arterial routes in Delhi.
Officials said the project will enhance last-mile connectivity to Dwarka Expressway and strengthen the capital’s road infrastructure network by offering an alternative underground route for high-density traffic movement.
The tunnel is also expected to improve traffic flow on surface roads, reduce congestion at major intersections, and contribute to smoother vehicular movement across southwest Delhi.
The government said the project reflects its continued focus on developing modern, high-capacity infrastructure to meet the growing mobility needs of urban India and support long-term economic activity in the region.
1, Jul 2026
Lt Gen Sandeep Jain Assumes Charge as Vice-Chief of the Army Staff
New Delhi, July 1: Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain has assumed charge as the Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, taking over a key leadership position in the Indian Army.
An experienced officer with a long and distinguished service record, Lt Gen Jain has held several important command and staff appointments over the course of his career, contributing to both operational leadership and strategic planning within the force.
As Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, he will assist the Chief of the Army Staff in overseeing critical areas including operational preparedness, force modernisation, training, and overall administrative coordination across the Army.
His appointment comes at a time when the Indian Army continues to focus on enhancing combat readiness, advancing modernisation efforts, and strengthening joint capabilities across the armed forces.
The transition marks an important development in the Army’s senior leadership structure.
1, Jul 2026
FASTag Annual Pass Usage Surges to 19 pc of Toll Traffic
New Delhi | July 2026: The use of FASTag annual passes on Indian highways has increased to 19% of total toll pass traffic, marking a significant rise from around 13% in December 2025, according to data compiled by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The total number of vehicle trips through toll plazas in June reached 44.4 crore, of which 8.4 crore trips were made using annual passes. Overall toll transactions generated approximately ₹7,214 crore during the month.
In comparison, June 2025 recorded 38.6 crore trips, with collections of ₹6,973 crore, reflecting a 15% year-on-year growth in traffic volume and a 3.5% increase in value. Officials noted that the slower growth in toll revenue relative to traffic volume is primarily due to the rising adoption of annual passes.
The FASTag annual pass, launched on August 15 at a price of ₹3,075, allows up to 200 highway trips per year, translating to an effective cost of around ₹15.40 per trip. It is currently available only for private passenger vehicles, which account for about 40% of total toll traffic, though their contribution to revenue stands at roughly 25%.
Officials said the growing use of annual passes has had an estimated 10% impact on toll collections, partly offset by upfront pass revenue, resulting in a net effective revenue reduction of around 7–8% for toll operators.
The data highlights the increasing preference among frequent highway users for prepaid, subscription-based tolling options that offer convenience, cost efficiency, and reduced waiting time at toll plazas. As FASTag adoption continues to deepen, the annual pass system is emerging as a key component of India’s digital tolling ecosystem.
