Current Affairs - State

Odisha hosted a Capacity Building Programme in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) on April 25, 2025, in Bhubaneswar. The initiative focused on enhancing the state's agricultural exports, particularly its unique Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products like Koraput Coffee, Kandhamal Haldi, and Nayagad Brinjal. Through three dedicated technical sessions, the event addressed key areas such as organic product exports, boosting rice exports, and adding value to GI-certified commodities. This effort aligns with the broader goal of strengthening India's agri-export capabilities and empowering local producers through global market integration.

Kerala is taking a progressive step by planning to implement Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology to efficiently manage its power demands. This innovative system allows electric vehicles (EVs) to act as mobile energy storage units. When not in use, EVs can send stored electricity back to the power grid using bi-directional chargers, helping balance supply during peak demand. The process includes both Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V) charging and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) discharging, making EVs a critical asset in energy management. This initiative demonstrates Kerala’s commitment to integrating clean technology with energy infrastructure for a more sustainable future.

Odisha is home to the Lanjia Saora tribal group, a culturally vibrant and isolated community mainly residing in the forested hills of Gajapati and Rayagada districts. During the mango harvest season, the women of this group celebrate with spirited dances featuring brass pipes, cymbals, and gongs. Their colourful attire includes turbans adorned with crane feathers and accessories like umbrellas, swords, and peacock plumes. As part of the larger Saora tribe, which finds mention in ancient Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the Lanjia Saora maintain distinct cultural practices, including shifting cultivation, ritual art, and unique tattooing traditions.

Odisha is the state where a farmer officially registered the indigenous paddy variety known as Keonjhar Kalachampa, notable for its resilience to diseases, pests, and climate change. Recognized by the government in 2015, the variety has been widely produced and distributed by the Odisha State Seeds Corporation (OSSC) and private players. Its features include non-lodging capacity, high yield, and adaptability to both timely and late sowing. Odisha has also taken significant steps toward preserving its traditional agricultural biodiversity through a dedicated gene bank initiative, ensuring the long-term conservation of native paddy seeds under controlled conditions for up to 50 years.

The breakthrough for India’s longest railway tunnel, measuring 14.57 km, was accomplished in Uttarakhand as part of the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail link project. This major achievement, carried out by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited using the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) named "Shakti," marks a significant milestone not only for India but globally in the field of rail tunnelling. The project is expected to drastically reduce the travel time between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag from seven hours to just two, enhancing connectivity and boosting economic and tourism prospects in the region.