Business Bureau

In a significant move to boost housing finance in the North-East, the National Housing Bank (NHB) hosted a meeting with MDs and CEOs of Housing Finance Companies, Small Finance Banks (SFBs), and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) on April 17, 2025, in Guwahati. The event, themed "Unlocking Potential: Housing Finance as a Catalyst for North-East Development," aimed to discuss how housing finance can accelerate growth in the region. The meeting, graced by Shri Manoj Ayyappan, Joint Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, and Shri Kuldip Narayan, Joint Secretary (HFA) from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, also featured the…

Motorsport enthusiasts in Guwahati are in for an adrenaline-fueled treat as JK Tyre, in collaboration with Adventure-X Fusion Tribe, gears up to host the Indian Racing Festival on May 20 at IIT Guwahati. The roadshow will feature high-speed stunts, open-wheel race cars, and world-class performances, showcasing JK Tyre’s commitment to making motorsport more accessible across India. Guwahati, considered the gateway to the Northeast, has steadily emerged as a motorsport hotspot. With prior hosting of zonal rounds for the Royal Enfield Continental GT Cup and talent hunts, the city has nurtured racing talent that reflects the region’s growing enthusiasm for speed…

West Bengal’s e-commerce landscape is witnessing robust growth, led by Flipkart’s expansive operations that have empowered over 4.2 lakh sellers and created more than 1 lakh direct and indirect jobs. The platform has seen a 70% rise in seller onboarding and a 150% increase in product listings year-on-year, highlighting the growing digital adoption among MSMEs, artisans, and small businesses. High-performing categories include kids’ clothing, women’s ethnic wear, fashion wearables, and food & nutrition, with major cities like Kolkata, Howrah, Asansol, Durgapur, Kharagpur, and Siliguri contributing to strong sales. The district’s participation in categories like ethnic wear and food products is…

In a significant push to boost financial inclusion and affordable housing in the North East, PNB Housing Finance Ltd. and Aadhar Housing Finance Ltd. have inaugurated their first-ever branch in Guwahati, Assam. This marks a major step towards advancing the government’s ‘Housing for All’ initiative, with a focus on underserved areas in the region. The new branch will offer tailored housing finance solutions, specifically designed to bridge the home finance gap in the North East. Both companies aim to provide accessible loans for aspiring homeowners, in line with the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The expansion is expected to enhance…

At GITEX Africa 2025, Africa’s largest tech and startup show, India underscored the importance of knowledge transfer and technology sharing for driving collective economic growth. With a focus on inclusive and equitable digitalization, the event brought together policy leaders, changemakers, and visionaries from across the globe to discuss collaborative efforts in advancing the digital economy. India’s fast-paced digitalization, exemplified by the country’s open-source Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) systems, has positioned it as a leader in global technological innovation. Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon'ble Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, represented India at the summit, emphasizing India’s strides in AI…

A new peer-reviewed study has reaffirmed that daily consumption of almonds provides significant benefits for cardiometabolic health, supporting heart health, weight management, and gut microbiome. The consensus, reached by 11 leading scientists and physicians, concludes that eating almonds daily, especially 50g per day, can help reduce LDL cholesterol, lower diastolic blood pressure, and promote healthy weight management. The study, published in Current Developments in Nutrition, highlights that almonds are not only heart-healthy but also contribute to metabolic health by improving the gut microbiome. Almonds are rich in fiber, protein, and unsaturated fats, which help reduce body fat and support blood…

Amazon India has broadened its Smartchoice program to include tablets, targeting a category that witnessed 26% year-over-year growth in 2024. The move follows the program’s strong traction in the laptop segment, where 1 in 4 laptops sold this year on the platform was a Smartchoice recommendation. The Smartchoice program simplifies purchasing by offering expert-curated device recommendations tailored to specific use cases such as education, gaming, entertainment, and professional work. Each device must meet performance benchmarks set by an independent technical agency and comes with added benefits like No Cost EMI and bank discounts. Brands featured include Samsung, Lenovo, Asus, Honor,…

TATA AIG General Insurance Company has launched MediCare Select, a next-generation health insurance product aimed at expanding its retail health portfolio and enhancing healthcare accessibility across India. As part of its ambitious strategy, the insurer plans to scale up its hospital network from 11,500 to over 14,000 facilities by FY27. The product launch reflects TATA AIG’s focus on reaching underserved regions, with Tier 2 and 3 cities expected to contribute 35% of its health portfolio by FY27, up from 26%. Key features of MediCare Select include unlimited restorations under ‘Restore Infinity Plus’, lifetime claim coverage under ‘Infinite Advantage’, and OPD…

ITC’s Sunrise Spices has launched a new culinary series titled “Xipa Bisari: A Back to Roots Series” to celebrate Assam’s rich gastronomic heritage. The initiative was unveiled at the Chandmari Bihu Xonmilon pandal in Guwahati on April 16 and was attended by an enthusiastic audience, including Mr. Rahul Das, Chief of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, and renowned Assamese chef Atul Lahkar, who hosts the series. Presented in collaboration with the Cultural Ministry of Assam, the 10-episode series follows Chef Lahkar as he travels through Assam’s villages and markets, uncovering forgotten recipes and traditional cooking techniques. The…

In a bold and flavourful tribute to the spirit of Bihu, ITC’s Bingo! TedheMedhe has launched a unique experiential campaign, Jomonir Adda, right in the heart of Guwahati. The event, which kicked off on April 14 at Latasil Park, invites Bihu revellers to indulge in Assam’s culture through interactive and food-filled experiences. The Jomonir Adda zone features a ‘Build Your Own Bingo’ (BYOB) chaat stall, allowing visitors to whip up their own creations using Bingo! TedheMedhe snacks with a local twist — from bamboo-flavoured toppings to regional herbs and spices. Complementing the food is an interactive content zone celebrating Assamese…