Business Bureau

In a major push towards cleaner energy and sustainable infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone for City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects in Alipurduar and Coochbehar districts of West Bengal. The ambitious project, costing over Rs 1000 crore, aims to provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections to more than 2.5 lakh households and over 100 commercial and industrial units. Additionally, it will establish at least 19 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations for vehicular fuel needs. Scheduled for completion by September 30, 2030, the project sources natural gas from tap-off points at Ambari and Ghoksadanga in Coochbehar. By…

A TATA Product, has made history with the launch of ‘Runway’, India’s first-ever fine jewellery collection dedicated to women in aviation. The new line, unveiled in Mumbai, celebrates the courage, elegance, and ambition of female pilots and aviation professionals through 20+ exquisite designs in 9KT and 14KT gold and diamonds. The launch campaign features a commercial pilot, a fighter pilot, and a cabin crew professional—each showcasing how their passion for the skies is captured through wearable art. Notably, the collection includes dynamic pieces with mobile aircraft motifs, merging storytelling with craftsmanship. Actress and licensed pilot Gul Panag graced the preview…

The launch of the Byatikram Education Conclave 4.0 at the NEDFi Convention Centre, Guwahati, marks a significant step toward strengthening the education sector’s economic potential in Northeast India. Organized by Byatikram alongside The Times of India, JIS Group of Institutions, and NERIM Group of Institutions, this two-day event convenes 32 experts, policymakers, and technocrats to address six critical themes shaping regional educational infrastructure and market dynamics. The conclave’s inauguration by Prof. Dr. Sangeeta Tripathi, Director of NERIM Group, signals leadership commitment to enhancing academic-industry linkages. The presence of eminent figures such as Prof. Dr. Mridul Hazarika, P.S. Reddy, Prof. Dr.…

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, through its CSR arm Glenmark Foundation, has enhanced healthcare infrastructure in Sikkim by upgrading Health and Wellness Centres (Sub Health Centres) at Marchak and Tumlabong. The initiative is aimed at strengthening community health and aligns with the government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Kayakalp Programme. As part of its broader vision to “enrich lives for a healthier and happier world,” Glenmark has also been running its flagship “Health on Wheels for Children” program for over eight years. The mobile health unit currently serves over 23,000 people across 16 remote villages and 33 anganwadis, offering free consultations, medicines, health education,…

Oriental Trimex Ltd, a natural stone processor and trader, reported a dramatic turnaround in Q4 FY25, with revenue jumping over fourfold to ₹16.66 crore compared to ₹3.01 crore in the same period last year. The company swung from a ₹6.43 crore loss to a ₹5.97 crore profit in Q4. For the full fiscal year 2024-25, revenue rose 476% to ₹21.02 crore, while the company posted a net profit of ₹8.53 crore against the previous year's ₹6.48 crore loss. The transformation comes as Oriental Trimex secured a 30-year lease for black granite mining in Odisha's Malkangiri District, covering 4.961 hectares. The…

Manash Nath, an agro-entrepreneur and social worker from Morigaon, is spearheading a quiet revolution in Assam’s agricultural sector through innovation and community-driven leadership. As a Board Member of Mohabahu Agro Farmer Producer Company Ltd., Nath has introduced maize silage—a nutrient-rich livestock feed—that has significantly boosted rural farming incomes and livestock health. His work earned him the prestigious State Award for Maize Silage from Assam’s Department of Agriculture. Under Nath’s leadership, Mohabahu Agro FPC has become a key supplier of eco-friendly agricultural inputs including vermicompost, organic seeds, and earthworms. These products are now trusted by tea estates, nurseries, and even government…

To make apprenticeship programmes more attractive for youth, the Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC), chaired by Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary, has proposed a 36% hike in stipends under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS). The revised stipend range will move from ₹5,000–₹9,000 to ₹6,800–₹12,300, with biennial revisions based on CPI, subject to Cabinet approval. Held at VigyanBhawan, the 38th CAC meeting also emphasized inclusivity, proposing reserved training slots for persons with benchmark disabilities and measures to reduce dropout rates. The council backed apprenticeship-embedded education, sectoral expansion using NIC 2008 code, and digital training methods. For…

Riding on India’s clean energy transition and infrastructure growth, thematic mutual funds—especially those focused on energy—are witnessing heightened investor interest. Tata Resources & Energy Fund has seen its assets under management (AUM) soar to ₹1,048 crore as of March 31, 2025, marking a 100% year-on-year growth. Notably, inflows from Guwahati rose by 62% YoY to ₹3.12 crore, reflecting increasing enthusiasm among retail investors in Tier-2 cities for energy-driven investment themes. The city’s growing investor base is aligning portfolios with sectors like electrification, green hydrogen, and industrial upgrades, seeking exposure to India’s energy megatrends. “Energy is at the core of India’s…

Thirteen delegates from India’s North Eastern Region, including officials from State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) and IIT Guwahati, participated in the second technical training under Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) project on disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Japan from May 12–23. The initiative is part of a three-year program (2024–2026) aimed at enhancing DRR and resilience capacities across the Northeast. The training, titled “Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Building Capacities of North Eastern States of India,” focused on flood and landslide management. Participants visited key DRR infrastructure sites in Nagano, Kanagawa, Gunma, and Tochigi Prefectures, and learned about Japanese…

In a move to enhance flexibility and affordability, Vi (Vodafone Idea) has introduced a new ₹299 add-on feature to its Family Postpaid plans, allowing up to eight additional members to be added under one plan. Each secondary user will receive 40GB of high-speed data, with benefits like unlimited calls and 200GB data rollover, significantly expanding value without requiring a plan upgrade. This latest offering supports Vi’s commitment to delivering customized digital solutions tailored to modern Indian households. For example, a Vi Max Family ₹701 plan, which includes one primary and one secondary connection, can now accommodate up to seven more…