Following is from https://sambadenglish.com/bhubaneswar-ra...ing-index/ , which we give in full as it is about a ranking done by the Indian government.

Quote:Bhubaneswar Ranks 2nd In Ease Of Living Index
ODISHA LATESTTOP
By Sambad English Bureau On Mar 4, 2021

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar has been placed at the second spot in the Ease of Living Index 2020 in ‘Population Less than Million’ category. The final rankings of Ease of Living Index 2020 were today released by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Housing and Urban Affairs.

Bengaluru emerged as the top performer in the Million+ category, followed by Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Coimbatore, Vadodara, Indore, and Greater Mumbai. In the less than Million category, Shimla was ranked the highest in ease of living, followed by Bhubaneswar, Silvassa, Kakinada, Salem, Vellore, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Davangere, and Tiruchirappalli.
...
As many as 111 cities participated in the assessment exercise that was conducted in 2020.

The Ease of Living Index (EoLI) is an assessment tool that evaluates the quality of life and the impact of various initiatives for urban development. It provides a comprehensive understanding of participating cities across India based on quality of life, economic-ability of a city, and its sustainability and resilience. The assessment also incorporates the residents’ view on the services provided by city administration through a Citizen Perception Survey.

The EoLI 2020 strengthens its scope by consolidating the framework with the addition of a Citizen Perception Survey in the index, holding a weightage of 30%. It, therefore, examines the outcomes that lead to existing living conditions through pillars of Quality of Life, Economic Ability, Sustainability, spanning across 13 categories of -Education, Health, Housing and Shelter, WASH and SWM, Mobility, Safety and Security, Recreation, Level of Economic Development, Economic Opportunities, Environment, Green Spaces, and Buildings, Energy Consumption, and City Resilience, that account for 70% of the overall outcome.

The Citizen Perception Survey (CPS) was undertaken to help validate citizens’ experience of their city in terms of service delivery. The assessment was conducted from 16th January 2020 till 20th March 2020. A total of 32.2 lakh citizens from 111 cities participated in the survey. Bhubaneswar had the highest CPS score, followed by Silvassa, Davangere, Kakinada, Bilaspur and Bhagalpur.

The methodology and approach for the revised edition of EoLI and MPI were released by MoHUA in February 2019. Essentially, the EoLI report aims to measure the well-being of Indian citizens in 111 cities, across the pillars of Quality of Life, Economic-ability, and Sustainability, with 49 indicators under 13 categories. The EoLI primarily seeks to accelerate India’s urban development outcomes, including the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The findings from the index can help guide evidence-based policymaking. It also promotes healthy competition among cities, encouraging them to learn from their peers and advance their development trajectory.

Following is an excerpt from https://sambadenglish.com/odisha-moves-t...e-talents/ .

Quote:Odisha Moves To Top 3 In Supply Of Employable Talents

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is among top three states in the country that supply maximum employable talents in 2021.

As per the India Skills Report 2021 prepared by Wheebox in association with CII, AICTE and UNDP, Delhi/NCR, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh are the the top three states with maximum supply of employable talent in 2021.

Earlier in 2015 , the three states had grabbed the top three spots in this category.

However, 31 per cent students in Odisha are not employable, which means skills acquired by them are not adequate for suitable job, the report said.

Following is from https://www.thenewsroom.co.in/10270/ . Since it is by a government official, I am putting the whole article.

ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରକୁ ନୂଆ ପରିଚୟ ଦେବେ ନବୀନ
By Dr. Gopabandhu Dash

ଭାରତରେ ଚଣ୍ଡିଗଡ଼, ଆଉ ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର । ଦୁଇଟି ଭିତରେ ସମାନତା କଣ ରହିଛି ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ କଲେ ଉତ୍ତର ମିଳିବ ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନ୍। ଚଣ୍ଡିଗଡ଼ରେ ଦେଶର ପ୍ରଥମ ପ୍ରସ୍ତର ଉଦ୍ୟାନ ନିର୍ମାଣ କରାଯାଇଥିବା ବେଳେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରରେ ଆମ ରାଜ୍ୟର ପ୍ରଥମ ତଥା ଦେଶର ଦ୍ବିତୀୟ ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନ୍ ନିର୍ମାଣ ଚାଲିଛି । ଚଳିତ ବର୍ଷ ଏହି ପ୍ରସ୍ତର ଉଦ୍ୟାନ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ନବୀନ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକଙ୍କ ଦ୍ଵାରା ଜନସାଧାରଣଙ୍କ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ ଲୋକାର୍ପିତ ହେବା ଯୋଜନା ରହିଛି। ଫଳରେ ଦେଶର ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟନ ମାନଚିତ୍ରରେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରକୁ ମିଳିବ ଆଉ ଏକ ନୂଆ ପରିଚୟ ।

ରାଜ୍ୟର ତୃତୀୟ ମହାନଗର ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର । ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଅନ୍ୟତମ ପୁରାତନ ସହର । ଦକ୍ଷିଣ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଏହି ବାଣିଜ୍ୟିକ ପେଣ୍ଠ ସମେତ ଏହାର ଆଖପାଖ ମାତ୍ର କେଇ କିଲୋମିଟର ମଧ୍ୟରେ ରହିଛି ଗୋପାଳପୁର ଓ ପାତିସୁନାପୁର ବେଳାଭୂମି ଯାହା ଶୀଘ୍ର ବ୍ଲୁ ଫ୍ଲାଗ୍ ବିଚ୍ ପାଲଟିବାକୁ ଯାଉଛି । ଏହା ବିଶେଷ କରି ବିଦେଶୀ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟକଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସାଜିବ ଅନ୍ୟତମ ଆକର୍ଷଣ । ଏଥିସହ ରହିଛି ତାରାତାରିଣୀ- ସିଦ୍ଧ ଭୈରବୀ- ମହୁରୀକାଳୁଆ- ପଞ୍ଚମା ସିଦ୍ଧ ବିନାୟକ ମନ୍ଦିର ଭଳି ପ୍ରସିଦ୍ଧ ପୀଠ, ପୋତାଗଡ଼ ଓ ଜଉଗଡ଼ ଭଳି ଐତିହାସିକ ସ୍ଥଳ, ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର ବିଶ୍ବବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ– ଆଇଜର- ପିଏମ୍ ଇଞ୍ଜିନିୟରିଂ କଲେଜ ଭଳି ଶିକ୍ଷାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ, ତାମ୍ପରା ଭଳି ଜଳକ୍ରୀଡ଼ା କେନ୍ଦ୍ର, ବିରଳ ସାମୁଦ୍ରିକ କଇଁଛଙ୍କ ମିଳନ ଓ ଗଣ ଅଣ୍ଡାଦାନ ସ୍ଥଳ ଗଞ୍ଜାମ ସହର ନିକଟବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ବଙ୍ଗୋପସାଗର ତଟ ଓ ଋଷିକୁଲ୍ୟା ମୁହାଣ ଆଦି ଦର୍ଶନୀୟ ସ୍ଥାନ । ପ୍ରାକୃତିକ ହେଉ କି ଐତିହାସିକ, ସାମୁଦ୍ରିକ ହେଉ କି ପାର୍ବତ୍ୟାଞ୍ଚଳ, କୃତ୍ରିମ ହେଉ ଅଥବା ଆଧ୍ୟାତ୍ମିକ… ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟନର ସମ୍ଭାରରେ ଭରପୁର ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରକୁ ଆଉ ଏକ ଅନନ୍ୟ ପରିଚୟ ପ୍ରଦାନ କରିବାକୁ ଯାଉଛନ୍ତି ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ନବୀନ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକ । ବିଜୁ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକ ପାର୍କ, ରାମଲିଙ୍ଗେଶ୍ୱର ପ୍ରମୋଦ ଉଦ୍ୟାନ, ଆଇଟିଆଇ ଓପନ୍ ଏୟାର ସ୍କ୍ରାପ୍ ମ୍ୟୁଜିୟମ୍ ପରେ ଏବେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରବାସୀ ଶୀଘ୍ର ରାଜ୍ୟର ଏକମାତ୍ର ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନ୍ ପାଇଁ ଗୌରବାନ୍ବିତ ହେବାକୁ ଯାଉଛନ୍ତି । ରେଶମ ସହରର ବାସିନ୍ଦାଙ୍କ ଆଉ ଏକ ସ୍ଵପ୍ନ ପୂରଣ କରିବେ ନବୀନ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକ।

ହଁ, ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରର ବିକାଶ ଉପରେ ସଦା ନଜର ରଖିଥିବା କଥାକୁ ବାସ୍ତବତାରେ ପରିଣତ କରିଛନ୍ତି ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ । ସେ ଜାନିବିଲି ପାନୀୟ ଜଳଯୋଗାଣ ପ୍ରକଳ୍ପ ହେଉ ବା ଭବ୍ୟ ରାମଲିଙ୍ଗେଶ୍ୱର ପାର୍କ ଅଥବା ବିକଶିତ ହେଉଥିବା ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର ଷ୍ଟାଡିୟମ୍ … ଆଉ ଏବେ ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନ୍ । କେବଳ ଆମ ରାଜ୍ୟ ନୁହେଁ, ସାରା ଦେଶରେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରକୁ ପରିଚିତ କରାଇବ ବିଡିଏ ଦ୍ବାରା ନିର୍ମିତ ହେଉଥିବା ଏହି ପ୍ରସ୍ତର ଉଦ୍ୟାନ । ୫ ଏକରରୁ ଅଧିକ ଜାଗାରେ ବ୍ୟାପ୍ତ ପ୍ରସ୍ତର ଉଦ୍ୟାନରେ ରହିବ ଓପନ୍ ଏୟାର ଥିଏଟର (ଖୋଲା ଆକାଶ ମଞ୍ଚ) । ରାଜ୍ୟର ହାତଗଣତି ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଏଭଳି ମଞ୍ଚ ରହିଛି । ୫ଟି ପବନ କଳ, କୃତ୍ରିମ ହ୍ରଦ, ଝରି ଆସୁଥିବା ଜଳସ୍ରୋତ, ଫାଉଣ୍ଟେନ୍ (ଜଳ ଫୁଆରା), ସୁଦୃଶ୍ୟ ଖୋଲା ସ୍ଥାନ, ସର୍ବସାଧାରଣଙ୍କ ବ୍ୟବହାର ଉପଯୋଗୀ ସୁବିଧା ସୁଯୋଗ । ଲୁମିନାର ଜେଟ୍, ଫ୍ଲାଶ୍ ପୁଲ୍ ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ରୋମାଞ୍ଚିତ କରିବ । ଏପଟୁ ପାଣି ଫୁଆରା ସେପଟକୁ ଯିବ ଓ ସେପଟରୁ ଏପଟକୁ ଆସିବ । ମଝିରେ ଆପଣ ପାଥ୍-ୱେ ଦେଇ ଅତିକ୍ରମ କରିବେ । ଆପଣ ଚାଲି ଯାଉଥିବେ, ତଳୁ ପାଣି ଫୁଆରା ଉଠିବ, ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଦକୁ ଓଦା କରିବ, ଝିପଝିପ ବର୍ଷାର ଅନୁଭୂତି ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ଆଣିଦେବ । ୪୦ ଫୁଟ ଚଉଡା, ପ୍ରାୟ ୧ ହଜାର ଫୁଟ ଗୋଲେଇ ସ୍ଥାନର କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଭାଗରେ ପଥରରେ ନିର୍ମିତ ବିଭିନ୍ନ କାରୁକାର୍ଯ୍ୟ, ଐତିହ୍ୟସମ୍ପନ୍ନ ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି, ବୁଦ୍ଧ ମୂର୍ତ୍ତି, ସବୁଜ ଗାଲିଚା, ସିଟିଙ୍ଗ୍ ଗ୍ୟାଲେରୀ ଅନ୍ୟତମ ଆକର୍ଷଣ ହେବ । ମିରର୍ ହାଉସ୍ ( ଭୁଲଭୁଲେୟା) ମଧ୍ୟ ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବିତ ଯୋଜନାରେ ରହିଛି ଯାହା ଆପଣଙ୍କ ରୋମାଞ୍ଚକୁ ଦ୍ବିଗୁଣିତ କରିବ । ଫ୍ରି ସାଇକେଲ୍ ରାଇଡ୍ (ନିଶୁଳ୍କରେ ପ୍ରସ୍ତର ଉଦ୍ୟାନ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ସାଇକେଲରେ ଘୁରି ଆସିପାରିବେ) ସୁବିଧା ମଧ୍ୟ ରହିବ । ପିଲାଙ୍କୁ ଆକର୍ଷଣ କରିବ ଚେସ୍ ଓ ଲୁଡୋ ଭଳି ସଜ୍ଜିତ ଖେଳିବା ସ୍ଥାନ । ଭବ୍ୟ ଓ ଆକର୍ଷଣୀୟ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶନୀ, ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମ, ମହୋତ୍ସବର ଆୟୋଜନ ନିମନ୍ତେ ଏହି ସ୍ଥାନ ହେବ ପ୍ରଥମ ପସନ୍ଦ । ବ୍ୟସ୍ତବହୁଳ ଜୀବନରୁ ଯେତେବେଳେ ଆମେ ବିରତି ନେଇ ପ୍ରକୃତି କୋଳକୁ ଚାଲିଯିବା, ସେତେବେଳେ କିଭଳି ପ୍ରାକୃତିକ ସାଙ୍ଗକୁ କୃତ୍ରିମତାର ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ସମନ୍ବୟରେ ଗଢ଼ି ଉଠିଥିବା ପ୍ରସ୍ତର ଉଦ୍ୟାନ ଆମକୁ ଆନନ୍ଦ ଆଣିଦେବ ତାହା ସହଜରେ କଳ୍ପନା କରିହୁଏ । ପଥର, ପାଣି, ସବୁଜିମା ଭରା ଚତୁଃପାର୍ଶ୍ଵ ଆମକୁ ଆମୋଦପ୍ରମୋଦର ସୁଯୋଗ ଦେବ ବୋଲି ମତବ୍ୟକ୍ତ କରିଛନ୍ତି ଗଞ୍ଜାମ ଜିଲ୍ଲାପାଳ ବିଜୟ ଅମୃତ କୁଲାଙ୍ଗେ ।

ଏହି ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର ସହର ପାଇଁ ବହୁତ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱ ରଖୁଛି । ରେଶମ ସହରବାସୀଙ୍କ ସମେତ ଏହା ଦେଶବିଦେଶର ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟକଙ୍କ ଚିତ୍ତବିନୋଦନ ପାଇଁ ଆକର୍ଷଣର ଏକ ପ୍ରମୁଖ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଭାବେ ସାରା ଦେଶରେ ଖ୍ୟାତି ଲାଭ କରିବ । ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ଦୂରଦୃଷ୍ଟି ଏବଂ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର ସହର ପ୍ରତି ତାଙ୍କର ଭଲ ପାଇବା ଯୋଗୁଁ ଏହା ସମ୍ଭବ ହୋଇପାରିଛି ବୋଲି କହିଛନ୍ତି ବିଇଏମସି କମିଶନର ତଥା ବିଡିଏ ଉପାଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷ ଡକ୍ଟର ସିଦ୍ଧେଶ୍ୱର ବଳିରାମ ବୋନ୍ଦାର ।

ଉଲ୍ଲେଖଯୋଗ୍ୟ ଯେ, ରାଜ୍ୟ ସରକାରଙ୍କ ୫-ଟି ସଚିବ ଭି.କେ.ପାଣ୍ଡିଆନ ଯେକି ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଗଞ୍ଜାମରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଜିଲ୍ଲାପାଳ ଥିଲେ ତାଙ୍କର ଭିଜନାରୀ ପ୍ଲାନିଂର ଏକ ନଜୀର ଅଟେ ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନ୍। ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟନର ବହୁମୁଖୀ ବିକାଶ ଜରିଆରେ ରାଜସ୍ବ ବୃଦ୍ଧି, ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟନ ସ୍ଥଳର ବିକାଶ ଜରିଆରେ ସେହି ସ୍ଥାନକୁ ଭ୍ରମଣକାରୀଙ୍କ ଆଗମନ ବୃଦ୍ଧି, ଉକ୍ତ ସ୍ଥାନର ପାରିପାର୍ଶ୍ବିକ ବିକାଶ ସହ ଅଞ୍ଚଳବାସୀଙ୍କ ଆର୍ଥିକ ପ୍ରଗତି ତ୍ବରାନ୍ବିତ କରାଇବା, ଭିନ୍ନ ଭିନ୍ନ ସ୍ଥାନକୁ ଟୁରିଷ୍ଟ ସ୍ପଟ୍ ରୂପେ ବିକଶିତ କରାଇବା ଫଳରେ ସମଗ୍ର ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ଆଞ୍ଚଳିକ ବୈଷମ୍ୟକୁ ଦୂର କରି ସାମଗ୍ରୀକ ବିକାଶକୁ ବଳ ଦେବା ପରି ସୁଦୂରପ୍ରସାରୀ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ ହାସଲ କରିପାରୁଛି ଆମ ରାଜ୍ୟ। ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଓ ୫ଟି ସଚିବଙ୍କ ଦୂରଦୃଷ୍ଟି ସମ୍ପନ୍ନ ପଦକ୍ଷେପ ଓଡ଼ିଶାକୁ ବିଭିନ୍ନ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ଅଗ୍ରଣୀ ରାଜ୍ୟ ରୂପେ ପ୍ରତିପାଦିତ କରିବାରେ ଲାଗିଛି।

ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରର ଗୋଟିଏ ପଟେ ହଳଦିଆପଦର ବସ୍ ଟର୍ମିନାଲ୍ ଥିବା ବେଳେ ଅପରପାର୍ଶ୍ୱରେ ଗୋପାଳପୁର ଓ ଛତ୍ରପୁରକୁ ଯୋଡୁଥିବା ରାଜପଥ ନିକଟ ଆମ୍ବପୁଆରେ ଗଢ଼ି ଉଠୁଛି ପ୍ରସ୍ତର ଉଦ୍ୟାନ । ପ୍ରାଥମିକ ଭାବେ ୮.୧୩ କୋଟି ବଜେଟ୍ ଥିବା ବେଳେ ଏବେ ବ୍ୟୟ ଅଟକଳ ୧୦ କୋଟି ପାର କରିଲାଣି । ୨୦୧୫ରେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରବାସୀଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଭେଟି ସ୍ୱରୂପ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ନବୀନ ପଟ୍ଟନାୟକ ଏହି ରକ୍ ଗାର୍ଡେନ୍ ପ୍ରକଳ୍ପକୁ ମଞ୍ଜୁରୀ ଦେଇଥିଲେ । କେବଳ ଗଞ୍ଜାମ ନୁହେଁ, ସାରା ରାଜ୍ୟର ପ୍ରସ୍ତର ନିର୍ମିତ କଳାକୃତି ଯେପରି ଏଠାରେ ଭ୍ରମଣକାରୀ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ପାଇବେ ତାହା ଥିଲା ଏକ ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟ । ପଥରକୁ ନିହାଣ ମୁନରେ ଖୋଦେଇ କରି ଶହ ଶହ ପ୍ରାଚୀନ ମନ୍ଦିର, ଶିଳାଲିପି ଗଢ଼ିଥିବା ଓଡ଼ିଆ କାରିଗର ଯେ ଆଧୁନିକ ଯୁଗରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ପଥରକୁ କିଭଳି ଜୀବନ୍ତ ରୂପ ଦେଇପାରେ ତାହାର ଝଲକ ଏଠି ଦେଖିବାକୁ ମିଳିବ । ୨୦୧୬ରେ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ଦ୍ବାରା ହିଁ ଏହାର ଶିଳାନ୍ୟାସ ହୋଇଥିଲା ଏବଂ ଆଉ ମାତ୍ର କିଛି ମାସ ପରେ ଲୋକେ ଏହାର ସୌନ୍ଦର୍ଯ୍ୟକୁ ଭରପୁର ଉପଭୋଗ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଉଦଘାଟନ କରି ଗଞ୍ଜାମ ଜିଲ୍ଲାବାସୀଙ୍କୁ ଉପହାର ଭେଟିଦେବେ ତାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରିୟ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ।

Dr. Gopabandhu Dash
The Author is Officer on Special Duty to Odisha Chief Minister.

Quote:

There is a 36 page supplement titled "A State of Growth - Biotechnology Drives Odisha's agricultural Future" at 
https://www.natureasia.com/en/nindia/pdf...Odisha.pdf  .

Quote:From the editor

Subhra Priyadarshini introduces this special Odisha issue of Nature India.

A state known for its heritage, culture and disaster management, and as an emerging hub of scholarship and research, Odisha is making its mark. This special issue captures the aspirations of and challenges for the eastern Indian state in becoming the next national science hub. Odisha is home to a number of large national institutes and laboratories – the Indian Institute of Technology, the Institute of Life Sciences, the Institute of Minerals and Material Technology, the Regional Medical Research Centre, the National Institute of Science Education and Research, National Rice Research Institute, the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The state government-run Utkal University and the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology in capital Bhubaneswar add to its scholarly might. Private education conglomerates such as the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology University and the L V Prasad Eye Institute are helping produce a sizeable scientific workforce. The entrepreneurship and innovation scene is warming up with a number of technology business incubators setting up shop in the state. A biotechnology cluster is also on the cards. The Odisha special issue takes a close look at this growth of innovation and technology in the state’s science. Odisha’s 460km coastline and a hot, humid agro-climate, have endowed it with rich fisheries and paddy cultivation resources. The state’s scientific legacy in both aquaculture and rice research have benefitted from these. We examine the results of years of rice and fish breeding that Odisha has gifted to the world. The state’s proximity to the Bay of Bengal and high summer temperatures have also brought severe cyclones, floods and heat waves. We investigate how Odisha is setting an example in using science and technology to cope with such extreme weather phenomena. Odisha’s rich culture and history draws international attention. Its many temples, monuments, ancient palm leaf manuscripts, paintings, and excavations are keenly researched by archaeologists, leading to innovative conservation methods to preserve Odisha’s past.

We analyse the traditional and modern methods being deployed by scientists, and focus on another rich historical source – shipwrecks – revealing fascinating stories of historic naval wars off the coast of Odisha. India’s science and technology is well entrenched in metro areas, with institute clusters like those in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, the national capital region of Delhi, and Kolkata. Smaller, second-tier cities like Bhubaneswar are gearing up to the cluster approach, and are poised to contribute to the research and innovation scene. The Odisha special issue is an attempt to shine a light on one such state. In the near future, Nature India’s regional spotlights will chronicle more such emerging hubs of science in the country.

Subhra Priyadarshini
Editor-in-chief

Quote:Features

04 Harnessing biotechnology to tackle the Grand Challenges Odisha’s 2018 biotech policy has been a catalyst for a start-up culture embracing transformative opportunities in everything from smart farming to health interventions. By Namrata Misra and Mrutyunjay Suar.


06 Withstanding weather: A scientific response Intense cyclones, severe heat waves, drought, flood, and storms are part of life in Odisha, but more robust systems and advanced technologies are improving responses. By Sushil Kumar Dash and Sarat Chandra Sahu. 

08 Crop advances feed economic gains Technological breakthroughs in rice production, livestock and fisheries are among success stories in Odisha’s agricultural sector. By Arabinda K Padhee and Trilochan Mohapatra.

10 Advertising Feature:  CREATING A PIPELINE OF TECH ENTREPRENEURS
KIIT-Technology Business Incubator is AT THE EPICENTRE of a group of technology start-ups and entrepreneurs in the eastern and north-eastern regions of India.

12 Peering through layers of time for stories of the past Odisha’s rich history, depicted in monuments, manuscripts and archaeological excavations, is further revealed through shipwrecks off its coast. Anupam Sah and Sila Tripati. 

14 Advertising Feature: REACHING THE UNREACHED
Nurturing the ENTREPRENEURIAL LANDSCAPE in North-eastern and Eastern India.

In 2009, the KIIT Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI) was set up as an initiative of KIIT University and the first TBI in the State of Odisha. Since its inception, KIIT-TBI has been playing a leading role in nurturing the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the north-eastern and eastern parts of India as well as creating partnerships and linkages.

In the last year KIIT-TBI, with the support of the Government of India, has made systematic efforts to promote entrepreneurship in the region and has launched many north-eastern and eastern focused schemes encouraging youth to embrace entrepreneur- ship by providing capacity building and mentoring, and also helping the organizations interested in setting up bioincubators.

BRTC: BIRAC Regional Techno Entrepreneurship Promotion Centre
North-eastern focussed BIRAC Biotechnology Ignition Grant
WING: Women Rise Together
Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneur- ship (TIDE 2.0)
KIIT-TBI Technology Transfer Office (TTO)
The Boeing University Innova- tion Leadership Development Program (BUILD)
The National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)
NIDHI Center of Excellence - Key Objectives

From Nature

17 Land use and land cover change effect on surface temperature over Eastern India Research highlights. Partha Pratim Gogoi, V.Vinoj, D.Swain, G.Roberts, J.Dash & S.Tripathy. 

26 Advertising Feature: Bringing Innovations to the Marketplace 
KIIT Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI)

28 Selections from the scientific literature: Research highlights 

28 Glimpse of planets around a multi-star system 
Mahanadi delta high-risk zone for extreme events 
Geologists revise age of Chilka rocks.

29 Zircon crystals trapped in Odisha granite 
    Probiotic trial to prevent sepsis in infants
30 Blood donors should be screened twice for Hepatitis B 
    Glowing nanoprobe detects mercury in fish 
    Air pollution dividend during lockdown

31 Biofuel from food waste
   A metallic compound for cosmetic therapy
   Shocking bacteria to death

Following is an excerpt from https://www.thehindu.com/society/organic...940243.ece .

Quote:Organic coffee farming is transforming the lives of tribal communities in Odisha’s Koraput district

Satyasundar Barik

A wide variety of spices and fruits grown in the coffee field diversifies the income of tribal farmers
Not too long ago, Surya Chhautia was ready to give up on a 100-acre coffee plantation in Golur village in Odisha’s Koraput district. The plantation had been lying unattended, yielding little.

But today, Chhautia, 39, from the Valmiki community, is leading a campaign to add another 100 acres to the plantation and to turn his fellow villagers into coffee growers. Koraput, situated in the Eastern Ghats at a height of 3,000 feet above sea level, is known as much for its picturesque hills and streams as it is for its organic coffee. Koraput’s cool climes make it ideal for coffee growing.
... 
Coffee plantation indeed appears to be a win-win proposition for the tribal and Dalit communities of Koraput. The shade plantation needed for coffee prevents soil erosion on the sloping terrain and stabilises the micro-climate. A wide variety of spices and fruits grown in the coffee field diversifies the income of tribal farmers in a backward region. The farmers also meet their fuel wood needs from fallen branches of shade trees. And coffee may well be a way out of conflict in this violence-hit area.
...
Mission Shakti works with the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) to create producers’ groups among coffee growers and give working capital of up to ₹1 lakh to each group, and ₹2.04 lakh for institution and capacity building. ORMAS supports the groups while the Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha takes care of training.

See https://www.facebook.com/100313672304518...071488738/ .