Business Bureau

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) has partnered with Great Learning to launch a 10-week AI in Healthcare program, a move that has drawn strong attention from Kolkata’s growing medical and health-tech community. The online program, designed by JHU faculty, enables healthcare professionals to apply artificial intelligence to preventive care, diagnostics, operations, and decision-making. The course does not require coding knowledge and is aimed at doctors, researchers, pharmaceutical professionals, consultants, and policymakers. Participants receive a Certificate of Completion from Johns Hopkins University along with six Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Industry observers in Kolkata say the city’s hospitals and tech-enabled diagnostic centers are…

Turkish Airlines has expanded its global footprint by launching flights to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, marking a significant boost for travelers from Kolkata who increasingly rely on Istanbul as a key transit hub. With this addition, Cambodia becomes the airline’s 132nd country and the 11th city it serves in Southeast Asia. The new route strengthens commercial ties between Türkiye and Cambodia and expands the carrier’s Far East network to 20 cities. For Kolkata passengers, the development offers improved one-stop access to Cambodia; an emerging tourism and business destination known for its cultural heritage and growing trade links. The…

Turkish Airlines has opened its first-ever European lounge outside Türkiye at Edinburgh Airport, strengthening its global premium service network and offering enhanced travel comfort for passengers from cities like Kolkata who frequently use Istanbul as a major international transit point. The lounge, inaugurated on December 10, spans 673 sq. metres and accommodates 149 guests with facilities such as Turkish pide service, buffet dining, relaxation zones, Wi-Fi, prayer rooms, baby-care rooms and accessible restrooms. The airline, operating flights to more countries than any other carrier, said the move reinforces its commitment to European markets. Chief Operations Officer M. AkifKonar stated that…

With cancer cases rising across North Bengal and the hill districts, Manipal Hospitals Siliguri and Rangapani organised an awareness programme in Darjeeling on Friday under its flagship initiative ‘Anveshana – Medical Education for Media’. The hospital group also announced free teleconsultation for first-time patients and free second opinions for cancer surgeries, aimed at improving access to specialist care in remote hill regions. The session was addressed by Dr Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Chief Operating Officer (East), Manipal Hospitals, and Sanjay Singh Mahapatra, Hospital Director, Manipal Hospitals Siliguri. They highlighted the importance of early cancer detection, emergency care and timely medical intervention.…

Medical experts have stressed the importance of early diagnosis and lifestyle changes as gastrointestinal and orthopaedic problems continue to rise in Contai and nearby areas. Speaking at an awareness session organised by Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria under the Anveshana initiative, doctors said many digestive and bone-related conditions remain untreated until they become serious.Gastroenterologist Dr Goutam Das said diseases such as fatty liver, acid reflux and intestinal infections often develop silently, but early evaluation can prevent long-term complications.Orthopaedic specialist Dr Vikrant Sinha Roy said joint pain and reduced mobility are increasing due to ageing and lifestyle changes, urging people not to ignore…

With neurological and kidney-related illnesses increasing across eastern India, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur organised an awareness programme in Burdwan on Friday under its flagship initiative ‘Anveshana – Medical Education for Media’. Specialists from Manipal Hospitals, Kolkata spoke on changing disease patterns, early diagnosis and recent advances in treatment. The session was addressed by Dr Jayanta Roy, Regional Head (East) – Neurology, and Dr Avinandan Banerjee, Clinical Lead – Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, in the presence of Dr Soumya Sarkar, Consultant Physician from Burdwan.Doctors highlighted that timely medical intervention plays a crucial role in improving outcomes for patients suffering from stroke, dementia…

Vi Business, the enterprise arm of Vodafone Idea, has expanded its advanced metering infrastructure portfolio by introducing Smart Gas Metering solutions for City Gas Distribution companies. The announcement marks a major step in modernising utility services as India sees rapid growth in natural gas consumption. Officials said the solution is based on Narrowband IoT technology, which helps gas operators monitor leakage, theft, and manual billing errors. The move is expected to support CGD companies by reducing unaccounted gas and improving billing efficiency. With demand for natural gas rising, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has projected the CGD industry…

Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla raised serious concerns in the Rajya Sabha over the growing crisis in India’s tea sector, particularly affecting Darjeeling and the North-East. Speaking during Zero Hour, he said more than one million workers depend directly on tea employment and nearly six million people rely on the sector for livelihood, making the matter urgent for the country. He noted that the crisis has been shaped by several issues such as climate change, declining forest cover, labour shortages, production instability and rising imports of low-quality teas. Imports from African countries and Nepal have reportedly increased by 45 percent in…

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) have signed an MoU to strengthen nationwide skill training under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana through IGNOU’s regional network, including Assam. The partnership will initially begin with 21 pilot Skill Centres, later expanding to all 70 IGNOU Regional Centres in the country. Officials said the plan combines vocational skilling with higher education and aligns courses with national qualification standards to help students receive recognised certification. The initiative is expected to benefit students in Guwahati who seek job-ready training alongside regular studies. With the city’s…

IndusInd Bank and Jio-bp have jointly announced a new co-branded credit card designed to provide higher value on fuel spending, lifestyle purchases and UPI payments. The IndusInd Bank Jio-bp Mobility+ Credit Card is powered by the RuPay network and positions itself for digitally active and “on-the-go” consumers. The card promises accelerated fuel rewards across more than 2,050 Jio-bp Mobility Stations, a monthly bonus on specific spending, and UPI-enabled transactions. Customers in Guwahati are expected to benefit particularly from the fuel reward structure as fuel-linked spending remains high among city commuters. The launch includes 400 bonus points on the first fuel…