Business Bureau

A new study by V-Guard Industries has flagged a major but often overlooked factor behind rising electricity bills—low voltage. The research, validated by a NABL-accredited laboratory, shows that sub-optimal voltage can increase air conditioner power consumption by up to 50%, acting as an “efficiency tax” on households. The study examined multiple 1.5-ton AC units from leading brands and found that when voltage drops to 140V–180V—a common occurrence during peak summers—the compressor’s efficiency declines sharply. This forces the AC to run longer to achieve the same cooling, significantly increasing energy usage. V-Guard Managing Director Mithun K Chittilappilly said many consumers misunderstand…

Sunrise Spices marked Rongali Bihu with a four-day cultural celebration, ‘Kristir Milan Setu – Bridge of Cultural Unity’, bringing Assam’s diverse tribal dance traditions onto a single platform. Held from April 14 to April 17, the initiative highlighted the state’s rich cultural heritage while reinforcing the brand’s deep-rooted connection with Assam. The event featured traditional dance forms including Assamese, Bodo, Karbi, Rabha and Mising, turning the festive week into a vibrant cultural showcase. A total of 56 groups from across the state participated, presenting performances rooted in authenticity and community pride. Each day focused on a different cultural expression, creating…

The Indian government’s approval of a Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool for Indian ships has been hailed as a significant policy move aimed at strengthening the country’s shipping and risk management ecosystem. Reacting to the development, Rishi Mehra, CEO (India) and Head of Strategy, Human Capital, Asia Pacific at Aon, described the decision as a “landmark step” toward enhancing maritime resilience and economic sovereignty. He noted that the initiative would help provide cost stability and build domestic expertise by enabling locally underwritten risk capacity. According to Mehra, this would protect India’s shipping industry from global uncertainties while reinforcing confidence in key…

Manipal Hospital Rangapani has treated a 71-year-old music teacher from Cooch Behar who overcame throat cancer and regained his voice after months of intensive treatment. Mr. Amalesh Choudhury, a respected music school principal, was diagnosed with throat cancer after prolonged throat discomfort. Concerned about losing his voice central to both his profession and identity, he sought treatment at Manipal Hospital under Dr. Sourav Guha, Consultant Radiation Oncology. Choudhury underwent 30 sessions of radiation therapy along with five cycles of chemotherapy. Despite the physical and emotional challenges, hospital officials said his disciplined approach and positive outlook contributed significantly to his recovery.…

Coke Studio Bharat has released its second track of Season 4, Bulleya Ve, drawing inspiration from the timeless Sufi philosophy of Bulleh Shah and his spiritual guide Shah Inayat. Following the success of its opening track Ae Ajnabee, the new release explores themes of ego, separation, and spiritual surrender, presenting a deeply personal journey of self-realisation. Bulleya Ve narrates the emotional arc of Bulleh Shah’s relationship with his murshid, where a moment of arrogance leads to distance and silence, eventually culminating in humility and reunion. The track captures this transformation with a minimalist yet evocative soundscape. The song introduces Ashok…

Miles Bronson Residential School has renewed and expanded its partnership with Smartail to scale AI-led academic assessment across higher grades, marking a key step in Assam’s evolving education landscape. Building on last year’s adoption of Smartail’s DeepGrade platform, the Guwahati-based residential school is now extending AI integration into senior classes. The platform enables automated evaluation of descriptive answers, faster feedback cycles, and data-driven insights for teachers and students, improving efficiency while maintaining consistency in line with CBSE frameworks. Founder and Principal Dr. Nripen Kumar Dutta said the move reflects the institution’s focus on combining academic values with innovation. “AI-driven assessment…

Kalyan Jewellers has strengthened its presence in the Kolkata market with the launch of a new showroom in Baruipur on April 15, 2026. The company said the outlet offers a wide range of jewellery designs across its collections in a modern, world-class setting aimed at enhancing customer experience. The showroom features state-of-the-art facilities and stocks several of the brand’s popular house collections, including Muhurat, Mudhra, Nimah, Glo, Ziah, Anokhi, Apoorva, Antara, Hera, Rang and the recently launched Lila line. Marking the launch, the company has introduced an inaugural offer of up to 50% off on making charges. Customers will also…

ITC Ltd.’s Sunrise Spices has released a special Rongali Bihu musical tribute, reinforcing its deep cultural connect with Assam through a curated music video celebrating the state’s traditions, food, and festive spirit. Known for its regional offerings such as Duck Curry with Ashgourd masala and Til Chicken masala, the brand said it continues to honour Assam’s culinary and cultural identity through meaningful storytelling. Created in collaboration with Baahi, the fusion Bihu track blends traditional rhythms with contemporary elements, capturing the essence of Bohag Bihu through visuals of Goru Bihu, egg fight rituals, and Gamusa weaving. The composition by Assamese musician…

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has highlighted how its digital-first LPG booking system is driving efficient and timely cylinder deliveries across India. The company said that 99.2 per cent of bookings are now made through digital platforms such as IVRS, SMS, WhatsApp, and HP PAY, enabling real-time processing from the moment a request is placed. Between April 1 and 18, HPCL delivered over 230 lakh LPG cylinders nationwide, supported by a strong logistics network and over 1.43 lakh tankers ensuring steady supply. Orders are automatically routed to nearby distributors, with systems aligning inventory and delivery schedules based on demand clusters.…

Renault Group has unveiled its ‘FutuREady India’ strategy, marking a major push to position India at the core of its global growth roadmap. Announced by CEO François Provost, the plan aims to make India one of Renault’s top three global markets by 2030 while strengthening its engineering, manufacturing, and export capabilities. As part of its largest product-led expansion in India, Renault will roll out a seven-model portfolio by 2030, spanning compact cars to SUVs with multi-energy powertrains, including strong hybrids and electric vehicles. The lineup includes the recently unveiled Renault Duster and the Bridger Concept, previewing a new compact SUV.…