Category Archives: News

Metacarpal Adds Certified Prosthetist to Strengthen North American Expansion

CHICAGO, Ill. (April 2. 2026) – Metacarpal, a leading medical device manufacturer specializing in body-powered upper-limb prosthetics, added Léa Richer, MSOP, CPO, as Product Support Liaison for its North American team. Richer joined the company to support the expansion of Metacarpal’s GEM prosthetic hand in U.S. and Canadian markets while working with clinicians and limb loss communities across the United States.

In her role with Metacarpal, Richer will focus on clinical education and support, helping prosthetists, therapists, and care teams understand where the Metacarpal GEM can fit within care pathways and how to optimize outcomes for appropriate patients. Her path to orthotics and prosthetics represents her third career, inspired partly by her personal experience wearing a scoliosis brace as a teenager. Her academic training in medical anthropology and history gives her insight into how medical devices impact patients’ lives beyond their technical specifications.

 
“Seeing patients’ eyes light up when they realize how much the GEM could improve their day-to-day life is incredibly rewarding,” said Richer. “My role is to ensure that clinicians have the knowledge and confidence they need to recommend this technology to their patients, and that patients understand how it can fit into their specific lifestyle and goals.”

Richer brings extensive clinical experience in orthotics and prosthetics, including three and a half years as a Certified Orthotist Prosthetist at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Illinois. She completed specialized training through NCOPE-certified residencies at VA Portland Health Care System, where she served as Lead Resident nationally and coordinated research examining associations between mental health and prosthetic use. Metacarpal’s U.S. presence continues to grow as more clinics explore the Metacarpal GEM for patients who need a robust, mechanically intuitive option for partial hand difference.

“Léa is instrumental in our North American expansion because she bridges the gap between clinical expertise and patient advocacy,” said Fergal Mackie, founder and CEO of Metacarpal. “Her experience as a Certified Orthotist Prosthetist, combined with her background in medical anthropology and history, makes her passionate about informed decision-making in healthcare for both patients and clinicians. This perspective directly supports our mission to rebuild trust in prosthetics.”

Richer’s appointment coincides with Metacarpal’s recent U.S. launch in January and OrtoPed’s distribution partnership in Canada in February. Her fluency in French and English, along with conversational Spanish skills, will help the company serve diverse patient populations across North America.

For clinicians and clinics interested in learning more, please visit www.metacarpalprosthetics.com. 

Govt Exceeds FY23 Spending by ₹54,067 Crore; Debt Repayment Drives Overshoot

New Delhi: The Union government exceeded its approved expenditure by ₹54,067 crore in the financial year 2022–23, largely due to higher-than-expected debt repayments, according to a report by the Public Accounts Committee.

The report, recently tabled in the Lok Sabha, highlighted concerns over gaps in budget planning and expenditure management. It noted that despite seeking additional funds through supplementary grants during the year, actual spending still surpassed the sanctioned limits.

A significant portion of the excess—over 99%—was attributed to debt servicing under the Department of Economic Affairs in the Finance Ministry. A smaller share of the overspending was linked to capital expenditure by the Ministry of Railways.

As per parliamentary procedures, the excess expenditure will now require formal approval for regularisation. The development has raised questions about the accuracy of budget estimates and the effectiveness of financial controls within key government departments.

The findings underscore the need for more precise fiscal forecasting and tighter monitoring of public spending to ensure better alignment with approved budgets in the future.

India’s First Coal Gasification-Based Ammonium Nitrate Plant Planned in Odisha

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: A major industrial boost is on the horizon for Odisha with the signing of a key agreement for a large-scale ammonium nitrate project in Jharsuguda. The project, to be set up in Lakhanpur, is expected to attract an investment of around ₹25,000 crore.

The agreement was signed between Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited for leasing land required to establish the facility. The signing took place in New Delhi in the presence of Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy.

The project will come up on nearly 350 acres of land under MCL and is being developed as India’s first coal gasification-based ammonium nitrate plant. It will use indigenous technology developed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, marking a significant step toward self-reliance in the chemicals and energy sector.

Once operational, the plant is expected to produce around 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate per day. The project is being implemented by Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited, a joint venture involving BHEL and Coal India Limited. Engineering and development work has been assigned to BHEL and Larsen & Toubro, with groundwork already underway at the site.

Officials indicated that preparatory work, including land development and infrastructure setup, is progressing, with a target to complete the project within 42 months.

The initiative is expected to significantly reduce India’s dependence on imported ammonium nitrate while strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities. It is also likely to generate employment and support industrial growth in the region, positioning Odisha as a key hub for advanced industrial projects.

Odisha Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams Clinch Titles at Khelo India Tribal Games

Bhubaneswar/Raipur: Odisha has achieved a proud sporting milestone as both its men’s and women’s hockey teams emerged champions at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games held in Raipur.

ଛତିଶଗଡ଼ର ରାୟପୁରଠାରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ପ୍ରଥମ ‘ଖେଲୋ ଇଣ୍ଡିଆ ଜନଜାତି କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା’ ରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଉଭୟ ମହିଳା ଓ ପୁରୁଷ ହକି ଦଳ ଚମ୍ପିୟାନ ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ ସମସ୍ତ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ାବିତ୍‌ଙ୍କୁ ଆନ୍ତରିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଜଣାଉଛି। ଏହି ସଫଳତା ଆମ ରାଜ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଗୌରବର ବିଷୟ।

ଆମର ଜନଜାତି କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା ପ୍ରତିଭାଙ୍କ ଏହି ଅସାଧାରଣ ସଫଳତା ଓଡ଼ିଶା… pic.twitter.com/3ZjlyQ64yV

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) April 2, 2026

The double victory highlights the exceptional talent and determination of athletes from the state’s tribal communities, marking a significant moment in Odisha’s sporting journey.

Sports enthusiasts and officials have extended heartfelt congratulations to the players, praising their dedication and outstanding performance on a national stage. The achievement is being seen as a major boost for grassroots sports development, especially among tribal youth.

This success not only brings pride to the state but also signals a promising future for Odisha in Indian hockey. With continued support and recognition, these athletes are expected to scale even greater heights and further strengthen the state’s reputation in the sporting arena.

NHAI Exceeds Target, Completes 5,313 km of National Highways in FY26

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has marked a significant achievement in the fiscal year 2025–26 by completing 5,313 kilometers of national highways, surpassing its annual target by 15%. This milestone highlights India’s continued focus on strengthening road infrastructure to enhance connectivity, support economic growth, and facilitate regional development.

Pic Credit: Pexel

Expanding Connectivity Across the Nation

The newly constructed highways span multiple states, connecting major cities, industrial hubs, and remote areas. This expanded network reduces travel time, eases transportation of goods and passengers, and promotes economic activity in previously underserved regions. By linking key economic zones, these roads are expected to improve trade efficiency and support local businesses.

Boosting Infrastructure Efficiency

The success in highway construction reflects improvements in project planning, execution speed, and adoption of modern construction technologies. Streamlined approvals, effective land acquisition strategies, and advanced construction techniques have contributed to faster completion rates.

Driving Economic Growth

The expanded highway network plays a pivotal role in stimulating commerce, tourism, and industrial activity. Enhanced connectivity lowers logistics costs, strengthens supply chains, and provides businesses with faster access to markets, thereby benefiting both producers and consumers.

Looking Ahead

NHAI is committed to further increasing highway construction in the coming years, with a focus on sustainable, resilient, and technologically advanced infrastructure. Future projects aim to incorporate smart mobility solutions, eco-friendly construction practices, and modern highway management systems to meet the growing demands of a rapidly developing nation.

This achievement underscores NHAI’s central role in shaping India’s transportation infrastructure and advancing the government’s vision of nationwide connectivity and economic progress.

Indian Railways Achieves Record Freight, Passenger Growth in FY26

New Delhi, April 2026: Indian Railways has reported robust growth in both passenger traffic and freight operations for the fiscal year 2025–26, underscoring its role as a vital backbone of the nation’s transport and logistics network.

Passenger Traffic and Revenue Surge
During FY26, Indian Railways carried 741 crore passengers, marking a 3.5% increase from 716 crore in FY25. Passenger revenue also grew significantly, reaching approximately ₹80,000 crore, a 6% rise compared to the previous year. The figures highlight the growing reliance on rail travel across urban and rural India, reflecting both convenience and affordability for commuters.

Freight Operations Set New Records
Freight traffic hit a new milestone of 1,670 million tonnes (MT), up 3.25% from FY25, accompanied by a 4.5% increase in wagons handled, from 2.79 crore to 2.91 crore. This growth underscores Indian Railways’ efficiency and its critical role in delivering cost-effective logistics solutions for bulk commodities.

Key Commodities Driving Growth
Significant growth was recorded in sectors like fertilisers (13.5%) and pig iron & finished steel (13.1%), reflecting rising industrial and agricultural demand. Infrastructure-related commodities, including iron ore (6.7%) and cement (4.7%), also saw strong movement, supporting ongoing construction and development projects nationwide.

Balanced Regional Growth
Several railway zones contributed to this growth, with South Western Railway leading at 14.9%, followed by North Central (12.6%), East Coast (10.4%), and West Central (10.1%). Other zones also recorded positive gains, reflecting widespread regional development and improved freight-handling capabilities across the country.

Freight Revenue Highlights
Freight earnings reached approximately ₹1,77,754 crore, up 1.44% from FY25. Iron ore emerged as the top revenue contributor, followed by cement, pig iron & steel, fertilisers, food grains, and mineral oil, demonstrating the critical importance of railways in supporting industrial supply chains and trade.

Driving Connectivity and Economic Growth
Indian Railways’ achievements in FY26 highlight its dual role: ensuring safe, reliable mobility for millions of passengers and serving as an efficient logistics partner for industries. With consistent operational improvements and capacity expansion, Railways continues to be a key driver of economic growth and national connectivity.

PM Modi Launches India’s First Fully Digital Census 2027 by Completing Self‑Enumeration

New Delhi, Apr 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed his self‑enumeration, marking the official launch of India’s first fully digital Census 2027. This year’s census introduces a modern approach that allows households to submit their information online before the traditional house‑to‑house surveys begin.

The first phase focuses on collecting detailed information about households and living conditions. Citizens across selected states and Union Territories can now use the digital portal to provide their data, while field enumerators will follow up with in-person visits to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Highlighting the importance of public participation, the Prime Minister emphasized that the self-enumeration facility empowers citizens to contribute directly to this historic exercise. He urged all households to take part and complete their details digitally, ensuring efficient data collection.

Census 2027 represents a significant shift from paper-based methods to a digitally driven system. Officials note that this approach will improve accuracy, reduce manual workload, and accelerate the processing of data. This initiative is one of the largest administrative exercises in the world, covering millions of households nationwide.

The digital census is expected to enhance the quality and timeliness of demographic data, supporting better policy-making, planning, and governance in India for years to come.

Odia Samaj Tripura Commemorates Utkal Dibas with Cultural Splendor and a Renewed Commitment to Social Impact

Odia Samaj Tripura marked the 90th Utkal Dibas (Odisha Day) alongside the 16th Foundation Anniversary of the Samaj with remarkable enthusiasm and cultural vibrancy at the Muktadhara Auditorium, Agartala. The grand celebration stood as a testament to the enduring cultural ties between Odisha and Tripura, resonating with the patriotic spirit of “Vande Utkal Janani.”

The event was graced by Swami Amartyananda, Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaleswar as the Chief Guest. In his keynote address, he underscored the significance of spiritual values, ethical living, and collective responsibility as pillars for building a harmonious and resilient society.

Sanjeev Kumar Janjua, Asset Manager of  ONGC Tripura, attended as the Guest of Honour. Acknowledging ONGC’s steadfast support since 2011, the Samaj proposed a forward-looking collaboration to channel CSR initiatives into impactful sectors such as healthcare access, digital education, and sustainable livelihood generation particularly focusing on tea garden communities across Tripura.

The event was also graced by the distinguished Odia personalities serving in Tripura like Sarat Kumar Patra, Director of NIT Agartala, Dr. Hemant Kumar Pratihari, Director of NFSU & FSL and others. Dr. Pratihari announced financial assistance to the meritorious tea garden students as a token of inspiration.

The coveted “Priya Odia–2026” award was conferred to Dr. Sarat Kumar Das for his unwavering dedication and outstanding service, symbolizing humility, inspiration, and a renewed commitment to collective progress.

The audience was enthralled by an exceptional cultural performance by a renowned troupe from the Sanskruti Bharati Dance Academy, deputed by the Government of Odisha as well as the family members and children of Odia Samaj showcased their beautiful performances on richness of Odissi, Sambalpuri, and traditional folk dance forms, evoking deep cultural pride.

In a heartening display of unity, members of the Odia community from various tea garden regions across Tripura participated enthusiastically, presenting vibrant folk performances. 

The annual souvenir “Chakadola” was ceremoniously released by the distinguished guests during the event. The publication encapsulates literary expressions, cultural reflections, and chronicles the inspiring journey of Odia Samaj Tripura over the years.

The President of Odia Samaj Tripura, Bishnu Charan Pati, and the Secretary, Samir Diabagh, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Tripura for their continued affection and “bhalobasha” towards the Odia community. They emphasized that the cultural and emotional bond between Odisha and Tripura continues to strengthen with each passing year.

The event concluded on a warm and celebratory note with traditional Odia cuisine being served to all participants and guests, further enriching the cultural experience and fostering a spirit of togetherness.

Premium Fuel Prices Surge Amid Global Supply Concerns

Weak Budget Planning Leaves Large Funds Unspent in Odisha

A recent report has raised serious concerns over the quality of budget planning by the Odisha government, pointing to a significant gap between projected allocations and actual spending.

According to findings by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the state’s budget estimates have not been realistic, leading to consistent underutilization of allocated funds. While the government has been increasing its annual budget size, it has struggled to spend the funds effectively within the financial year.

Pic Credit: Pexel

For the 2024–25 financial year, the state initially proposed a budget of ₹2,75,613.86 crore. This was later increased with a supplementary allocation of ₹12,155.74 crore, taking the total budget to ₹2,87,769.60 crore. However, actual expenditure stood at ₹2,31,613.37 crore, leaving a substantial ₹56,156.23 crore unspent—about 19.5% of the total budget.

The report highlights that such a large gap reflects weaknesses in financial planning, execution, and monitoring. It also noted that departments failed to surrender unspent funds amounting to ₹2,815.91 crore, further indicating lapses in fiscal discipline.

The audit body emphasized that unrealistic projections and poor expenditure management are key reasons behind this trend. Experts suggest that better planning, timely implementation, and stronger oversight mechanisms are essential to ensure that public funds are utilized efficiently and effectively.