Business Bureau

Sarala Development & Microfinance Pvt. Ltd. has continued its efforts to support women micro-entrepreneurs and preserve traditional rural craftsmanship through financial inclusion initiatives in West Bengal. In Darjeeling district, Anita Das, a local artisan engaged in crafting traditional rattan stools, has expanded her livelihood activities with the help of microfinance support provided by the company. Using techniques passed down through generations, Das produces small rattan stools that contribute to her household income while helping sustain indigenous craftsmanship in the region. According to the company, Das received her first microfinance loan of ₹50,000 from Sarala’s Champasari branch in January 2024. The…

Global travel platform Airbnb on Wednesday announced a major expansion of its services and experiences, introducing car rentals, grocery delivery, airport pickups, luggage storage, boutique hotels and exclusive FIFA World Cup 2026 experiences as part of its summer 2026 update. The company said the new features are aimed at making travel more convenient and personalised for users worldwide. Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky said travel should be “meaningful” and help people explore and learn through unique experiences. Among the new additions, Airbnb users can now book grocery delivery in partnership with Instacart across select US cities, airport pickups through…

The BHIM Payments App, developed by NPCI BHIM Services Limited, registered a sharp rise in digital payment transactions in FY26, recording a 301 per cent increase in total transaction volumes compared to FY25, the company said on Thursday. According to the company, monthly transaction volumes on the app increased from 5.93 crore in April 2025 to 21.6 crore in March 2026. The growth momentum continued in April 2026, with transaction volumes touching 22.49 crore and transaction value reaching ₹26,040 crore. In West Bengal, the app witnessed rising adoption in daily payment activities, with 71 per cent of transactions categorised as…

Tata Soulfull has expanded its breakfast portfolio with the launch of its new Ultimate Millet Muesli range, aimed at consumers looking for targeted nutrition solutions linked to weight management, protein intake and gut health. The company on Tuesday announced that the new range includes three variants — Tata Soulfull Ultimate Millet Muesli Slimcare for weight management goals, Ultimate Millet Muesli Hi-Protein for protein goals, and Ultimate Millet Muesli Probiotic for gut health support. The products are built around millets as the core ingredient as the company looks to strengthen its position in India’s growing millet-based foods segment. Alongside the launch,…

The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), on Tuesday convened the first meeting of its Research Advisory Committee (RAC) to strengthen research-driven policymaking in India’s vocational education and training ecosystem. The meeting was chaired by Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE and Chairperson of NCVET. Senior representatives from government bodies, industry, academia, think tanks and research organisations participated in the discussions, including NITI Aayog, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Directorate General of Training (DGT), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), IIM Calcutta, NCAER, TISS, Ashoka University and NIEPA. The committee discussed…

Isuzu Motors India has announced a new leasing solution for its ISUZU D-Max S-CAB, aiming to make commercial vehicle acquisition easier and more cost-effective for businesses and fleet operators across the country. The company said the leasing programme has been introduced in response to the growing demand for flexible mobility solutions in India’s commercial vehicle sector. Under the new model, customers can avail the D-Max S-CAB at an all-inclusive monthly rental starting from Rs 38,999 for a fixed tenure of four years. The leasing package offers zero down payment and covers service, insurance and registration costs, reducing the burden of…

Bajaj General Insurance has launched ‘My Health Care Plan Edge+’ (MHCP EDGE+), a new health indemnity insurance plan offering flexible and customised coverage options with sum insured ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 5 crore. The company said the plan has been designed to address rising healthcare costs and reduce out-of-pocket expenses through a modular structure that allows customers to choose add-ons and riders based on their healthcare requirements and affordability. MHCP EDGE+ offers unlimited reinstatement of the sum insured within a policy year, ensuring continued protection in case of multiple claims. The base plan covers hospitalisation expenses including…

Classic Legends has announced a nine-day nationwide “Legends’ Care Camp” across its authorised Jawa, Yezdi and BSA dealership network from May 23 to May 31, 2026, aimed at strengthening customer service and after-sales support. The company said the service initiative will be organised across multiple cities where customers can avail comprehensive vehicle health check-ups along with special offers on servicing, spare parts, labour charges and genuine accessories. During the camp, trained technicians will conduct a detailed 72-point inspection of motorcycles covering engine performance, brakes, clutch systems, electricals, suspension, tyres, battery condition and overall vehicle health to improve riding performance and…

The Institution of Engineering and Technology has announced the launch of the 10th edition of the IET India Scholarship Award, with the total prize pool doubled from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh. Applications for the nationwide engineering scholarship programme opened on May 19 and will remain open until June 15, 2026. The scholarship is aimed at full-time undergraduate engineering students studying in AICTE and UGC-approved institutions across India. Eligible students from any year and engineering specialisation can apply if they have secured a minimum aggregate of 60 per cent marks or a CGPA of 6.0 with all credits cleared. The…

Coke Studio Bharat has released the third track of its Season 4, titled Kachaudi Gali, a Bhojpuri folk-inspired composition that revisits the human cost of the First Anglo-Burmese War through the perspective of a woman separated from her husband. Set in the narrow lanes of Benaras, the song tells the story of a woman watching her husband being taken away by the British Army from Mirzapur to Rangoon during the war. The track highlights the emotional trauma faced by ordinary families whose stories remained absent from mainstream historical narratives. The song features acclaimed singer Rekha Bhardwaj alongside Utpal Udit and…