Business Bureau

Muthoot Microfin, India’s second-largest NBFC-MFI, has announced its strategic entry into the Northeast with the launch of its first branch in Assam. The company inaugurated its debut branch in Mirza, Guwahati on July 29, marking its presence in 21 states and union territories across India. The newly launched Guwahati branch is strategically positioned to serve both the city’s urban population and surrounding rural communities. With this move, Muthoot Microfin aims to expand access to rural credit, strengthen the local financial ecosystem, and promote inclusive growth in the region. Assam, with its vibrant micro-enterprise culture and strong base of women-led businesses,…

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with the Department of Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Assam, concluded the “JICA–Assam Women’s Leadership & Coaching Empowerment Programme” at the Arjuna Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, Sarusajai, Guwahati, on Tuesday. The week-long workshop (July 23–30) trained around 60 women coaches, athletes, and aspiring leaders from across Assam. Focused on the theme “Building a Kaizen Culture,” the programme aimed to instil leadership, inclusive coaching practices, and continuous improvement (Kaizen) in sports education. The modules—“Seeds of Leadership” and “Seeds of Change”—emphasised athlete-centered, value-driven coaching and leadership skills. In Guwahati’s growing sports ecosystem, this…

ASUS India has named Raj Shamani, India's leading podcaster and entrepreneur, as the official brand ambassador for its ExpertBook Series. This marks the first-ever such collaboration for both Shamani and the business-focused laptop lineup from ASUS. With over 18 million subscribers and 8 billion+ views across platforms, Raj Shamani, host of Figuring Out With Raj Shamani, personifies ambition, resilience, and innovation—values echoed by the ASUS ExpertBook series. “This partnership is personal,” said Shamani. “ASUS ExpertBook is for people building something bigger than themselves.” ASUS Vice President Dinesh Sharma emphasized the synergy, saying, “This alliance is about enabling Indian doers and…

India’s largest skill development platform, IndiaSkills Competition (ISC) 2025, officially kicked off as the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) opened registrations today. The biennial event invites young aspirants from across India to compete in 63 skill categories, setting the stage to represent the nation at WorldSkills 2026—the world’s biggest vocational skills competition. Participants from all 36 states and union territories can register online through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal by September 30, 2025. Eligible Indian nationals aged 16–25 can apply for one skill only, with specific age relaxations for advanced technologies like Cyber Security and Mechatronics.…

Medanta Hospital, in collaboration with the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Guwahati City Branch and IAP Intensive Care Chapter, Assam, organized a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program in Guwahati to raise awareness on paediatric critical care, with a strong focus on respiratory illnesses. The event was spearheaded by Dr Praveen Khilnani and Dr Rajiv Uttam from Medanta, Gurugram, who emphasized the urgency of managing paediatric viral infections that have recently surged nationwide. Dr Khilnani highlighted the ABCDE approach—Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure—as a foundational method in emergency care. He stressed that a mother’s or caregiver’s insight into the child’s…

The Byatikram Real Estate Conclave 2.0, hosted on 25th July 2025 at Hotel Vivanta, Guwahati, brought together key stakeholders to spotlight the dynamic growth of Northeast India's real estate sector. Organized by Byatikram Group in association with The Times of India, and powered by SRMB and NEDFi, the event was supported by SBI, Ambuja Neotia, Sree Balaji Panthaniwas, and IDFC First Bank. The conclave was actively promoted by media partners Mirchi 95, Prag News, Eastern Chronicle, Shiv Media, and Byatikram Digital. The event began with a ceremonial lamp lighting graced by dignitaries including Prof. (Dr.) H.P. Agarwal (Royal Global University);…

Aadhar Housing Finance Ltd. reported a strong start to FY26, with its Assets Under Management (AUM) rising 22% year-on-year to ₹26,524 crore in Q1. Profit after tax (PAT) grew 19% to ₹237 crore, while disbursements surged 32% to ₹1,979 crore, reflecting robust demand in the affordable housing segment. The company’s net worth reached ₹6,616 crore, boosted by ₹1,000 crore raised via IPO. The gross NPA rose slightly to 1.34% from 1.31% last year, while Return on Assets stood at 4.0%. Managing Director & CEO Rishi Anand attributed the performance to “sustained demand in the affordable housing segment” and highlighted the…

The Made-in-India New Nissan Magnite has achieved a significant milestone by securing a 5-star overall passenger safety rating from the Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP). The right-hand drive (RHD) version, manufactured at Nissan’s Chennai facility, scored a perfect 5-star for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 3-star for Child Occupant Protection (COP), making it one of the safest SUVs in India and South Africa. Built on the enhanced CMF-A+ platform, the Magnite features over 40 standard safety elements including six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, traction control, and hydraulic brake assist. Its body structure incorporates 67% high tensile…

Tata AIA Life Insurance has reaffirmed its leadership in financial advisory excellence by registering 50 Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)-qualified advisors in Assam, including 2 MDRTs, 6 Court of the Table (COT), and 1 Top of the Table (TOT) qualifiers. This regional achievement reflects the company’s growing footprint in the Northeast, highlighting the strong demand for quality financial guidance. Nationally, Tata AIA recorded 2,871 MDRT qualifiers, achieving an 11% year-on-year growth and retaining its position as India’s No. 1 life insurer in MDRT rankings for the third consecutive year. Globally, the company climbed to 4th place from 6th. With 1,343…

Mars Petcare India has rolled out a powerful awareness campaign under its PEDIGREE® and WHISKAS® brands urging Indian pet owners to rethink how they feed their furry family members. Titled “Feed Them Like Cats and Dogs,” the campaign addresses a widespread issue—pets in India are often fed human food, leading to nutritional imbalances. Backed by a survey of veterinarians across India, the campaign highlights that 9 in 10 pets lack proper nutrition, with most vets recommending complete and balanced packaged pet food. Key findings revealed that 91% of vets endorse packaged food for precision in calorie and nutrient balance, and…