Business Bureau

Thirteen national shooters from Bhutan have begun a two-week high-performance training camp in Siliguri, West Bengal, under the India–Bhutan cooperation framework. The programme, scheduled from January 7 to 20 at Olympian Jitu Rai’s Shooting Academy, is being seen as a strategic investment in sporting excellence, aimed at improving Bhutan’s competitive standing at the international level. The initiative is funded through the Indo-Bhutan Partnership Programme, reinforcing New Delhi’s Neighbourhood First policy, which extends support across infrastructure, education, health, and sports. The Indian Embassy in Bhutan said the collaboration reflects strong bilateral engagement in youth and sports development. The Bhutan Shooting Federation…

Renault India has announced that the upcoming new Renault Duster SUV has completed over 1 million kilometres of testing across three continents, covering temperatures from –23°C to 55°C. The company said the SUV was tested in a wide range of difficult environments to ensure strength, safety and long-term durability for real-world road conditions. The Duster also proved its capability in high-altitude terrain, including Leh-Ladakh, where it completed a test run at Khardung La at 18,379 feet, one of the world’s highest motorable passes. Renault said the vehicle went through dust tunnel testing, water-wading, steep climbs, city traffic drives and highway…

The second phase of a specialised cancer care training programme for BIMSTEC countries has begun at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre of the Tata Memorial Centre in Visakhapatnam. Organised in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the four-week programme will train 35 cancer care specialists from BIMSTEC member nations, underscoring India’s expanding role in regional healthcare capacity building. The programme was formally inaugurated on January 5 by C. S. R. Ram, Joint Secretary (BIMSTEC & SAARC), MEA. He said cancer experts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are participating, and highlighted the…

Aviva India has announced the launch of Aviva Smart Vitals, a first-of-its-kind individual non-linked, non-participating fixed benefit health plan designed to provide financial protection against critical illnesses while promoting healthy living. The plan offers a base sum insured starting from Rs 10 lakh, with options of Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh. Policyholders can enhance their coverage up to twice the base sum assured through quarterly wellness-linked rewards of 2.5%, 5% or 7.5%, based on average daily steps tracked via Aviva’s Wellness360 App. The plan pays a lump-sum benefit on first diagnosis of any one of 49 listed critical…

The Insurance Awareness Committee (IAC-Life) Chairperson, Kamlesh Rao, has said that the life insurance sector is moving towards a stronger, more customer-focused future, with key reforms already shaping the way ahead. He said that the year 2025 witnessed several important customer-centric steps that will help make life insurance an essential part of social welfare delivery in India. Rao highlighted major developments such as the change in surrender value norms, GST exemption on certain life insurance products, and the launch of the BimaSugam portal. These, he said, will make life insurance more accessible and useful for people across the country. He…

Elmac, the Kolkata born sauces and condiments brand owned by Desai Foods Pvt Ltd, is known for its best quality Kasundi, a sharp mustard favourite that is well recognised and in demand not only in Kolkata but also all over India. The brand’s range also includes popular Chinese sauces such as Green Chilli Sauce, Red Chilli Sauce, and Soya Bean Sauce. With a strong presence across the East, Elmac is stepping up visibility across the North East this festive season with a high impact outdoor campaign. A familiar name in the region for bold flavours, Elmac continues to be a…

Samsung Electronics has unveiled its latest Galaxy Book6 Ultra, Galaxy Book6 Pro and Galaxy Book6 laptops at CES 2026, calling it the most advanced Galaxy Book lineup to date. The new series focuses on AI-powered productivity, high performance and slim design engineering. The laptops are powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, the first client SoCs built on Intel 18A technology, supporting high-speed CPU, GPU and NPU performance. The Galaxy Book6 Ultra also features NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070/5060 Laptop GPUs for enhanced AI image generation, gaming and video editing. Samsung has introduced a redesigned thermal system with optimized vapor…

As winter continues, doctors are reporting a surge in flu and pneumonia cases, with the cold weather making it easier for viruses to spread. Common symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, body aches and shortness of breath are being widely reported, and medical experts warn that timely diagnosis is key to preventing complications. Delhi-based paediatrician Dr. Arun Wadhwa said accurate diagnosis is essential during the winter illness peak. “With winter illnesses on the rise, getting the right diagnosis is key to recovery and avoiding complications. If you’re feeling unwell, don’t ignore it—consult a doctor early to stay safe…

Bangalore, 09 January, 2026: Kolkata’s hospitality sector is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation. As travel becomes more purpose-driven and time-sensitive, visitors to the city are increasingly choosing hotel locations based on connectivity, convenience, and value rather than traditional luxury alone. From corporate travellers and medical visitors to leisure tourists and short-stay guests, booking patterns reveal clear preferences across a few key regions. Industry observations from travel and hospitality aggregators and stay platforms indicate that demand for hotels in Kolkata is most concentrated in locations which have good connectivity to other places in the city . These areas stand out…

Music has quietly become one of the most powerful forces shaping travel choices among young Indians. Airbnb’s new Experience-Led Travel Insights has revealed that Gen Z are increasingly planning trips around live concerts and festivals, turning gigs into gateways for discovering new cities, extending stays, and spending time exploring local neighborhoods well beyond the main event. For this generation, travel decisions are being driven less by calendars and more by culture. Live events and IRL experiences influence where they go, who they travel with and how deeply they engage with the destination. In 2026, music is set to play an…