Mohini Barman - The Purbottar

14 Aug

IAF Band to perform at Guwahati’s Dighalipukhuri on Independence Day

Mohini BarmanAssam

Guwahati will host a public performance by the No. 7 Air Force Band at the War Memorial, Dighalipukhuri, on August 15 at 5.30 PM, marking the 79th Independence Day. Organised under the Ministry of Defence and Air Headquarters, the programme aims to foster national pride and highlight recent achievements, including the successful completion of Operation Sindoor. The 25-member No. 7 AF Band from Air Force Station, Borjhar, will perform 16 patriotic numbers in a 75-minute set. The presentation will pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of armed forces personnel while reflecting the discipline and musical expertise of the Indian…

13 Aug

Bangladesh Tests Floating Urban Markets to Combat Land Scarcity

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

To cope with rapid urban densification, Bangladesh is piloting floating marketplaces on select canals in Dhaka. These eco-friendly floating platforms, tethered along waterways, feature stalls, benches, and solar lighting. Developed by city authorities and local NGOs, the market hubs are aimed at small-scale vendors who previously pitched tents on overcrowded streets, causing mobility issues. If successful, this could become a novel solution for other flood-prone cities like Venice or Bangkok, and inland metros like Kolkata, as a way to manage urban space creatively and inclusively.

13 Aug

Major U.S. Airlines Pilot Zero-Emission Aircraft on Regional Routes

Mohini BarmanInternational

Two U.S. airlines are partnering with electric aviation startups to pilot zero-emission regional aircraft on short-haul routes in California, aiming for full certification by 2027. These small ePlanes promise silent, emission-free flights between cities like Sacramento and San Francisco. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted test licenses, and the project is backed by clean energy funding as part of the green infrastructure push. Industry analysts predict these aircraft could revolutionize commuter travel by drastically reducing carbon footprints. Airline executives in India and Bangladesh are closely observing the progress. Regional aviation could benefit from similar low-emission technology on short domestic…

12 Aug

Assam announces 10 new co-districts, focus on administrative structure

Mohini BarmanAssam

Assam will have 10 new co-districts, taking the total number of such administrative blocs to 49 in the state, according to the chief minister's office. The newly created co-districts will be Boko-Chhaygaon and Palashbari in Kamrup district, Borsola and Rangapara in Sonitpur, Mariani and Teok in Jorhat, Makum and Digboi in Tinsukia, Dholai in Cachar and Dudhnoi in Goalpara. Out of these, eight will be inaugurated on Tuesday, and two on Wednesday. "With the inauguration of 10 more co-districts in 2nd Phase, Assam Govt takes another step towards enhancing governance at the grassroots," CMO said in a post on X.…

12 Aug

Bangladesh Pilots Floating Solar Farms on Dhaka’s Canals

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Dhaka is implementing a pilot project to install floating solar panel arrays on urban canals—an innovative way to generate clean power while saving land. The floating farms are expected to produce up to 5 MW, with potential scale-up across the region. Urban planners say the project addresses land shortages and idle water surfaces in dense urban centers. If successful, the initiative may expand to cover 200 acres in the capital. Indian urban planners and Bangladeshi diaspora networks are keen to follow these developments, especially in metro areas with similar geography constraints. The project could spark widespread adoption of hybrid water-tech…

12 Aug

Education Reform: Major Push to Reduce Student Debt

Mohini BarmanInternational

In a bold bid to tackle student debt and boost economic opportunity, U.S. President Biden has unveiled a proposal offering free community college education for students from households earning under $80,000 annually. The plan also includes expanded Pell Grants and emergency student financial aid through partnerships with community colleges and nonprofits. The initiative is expected to increase high school graduation incentives and funnel skilled workers into trade sectors. Education advocates in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh are observing closely—engaging in discussions about similar models to reduce dropout rates in rural areas. This push could reshape workforce development and inspire region-wide reforms…

11 Aug

London Hosts Major Event on Sustainable Insurance and Green Finance

Mohini BarmanInternational

The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is gearing up for its presence at London Climate Action Week 2025, focusing on sustainable finance models, insurance underwriting transformation, and climate risk strategies in financial systems. Sessions will showcase how to de-risk climate investments and integrate resilience into financial structures, with global bankers, insurers, and policymakers participating. Finance professionals in South Asia—especially in Bangladesh’s Dhaka and India’s Mumbai—are using this as a roadmap to strengthen their own climate-responsive financial frameworks.

11 Aug

U.S. Stock Buybacks Hit Record High Amid Economic Uncertainty

Mohini BarmanInternational

U.S. companies have ramped up their stock buyback programs to unprecedented levels in 2025, with buybacks already reaching $983.6 billion, potentially surpassing $1 trillion by year-end. Tech giants like Apple and Alphabet lead the charge, pledging buybacks of $100 billion and $70 billion respectively. While these moves are bolstering earnings per share and investor returns, critics warn they may starve the economy of capital needed for long-term growth and innovation. The trend reflects strong corporate earnings but raises fears of overvalued markets and reduced investment. In the South Asian context, corporate governance experts are watching closely—especially in India and Bangladesh—where…

09 Aug

Rice Import Strategy Keeps Prices Stable

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Following a spike in global food prices—the highest in over two years—Bangladesh’s government implemented a rapid import strategy for rice and pulses to protect consumers. Simultaneously, they introduced incentives for farmers, including subsidies on seeds and fertilizer, to boost domestic supply. Prices have remained stable, averting social unrest, according to markets analysts. Economists across South Asia are studying Bangladesh’s approach as a potential blueprint for managing global commodity volatility.

09 Aug

USA Expands Credit for First-Time Homebuyers Amid Housing Crisis

Mohini BarmanInternational

The U.S. government has enacted a $7,500 tax credit for first-time homebuyers earning up to $125,000 annually. Combined with expanded down payment assistance and programs for low-income borrowers, this is one of the largest housing affordability efforts in recent years. Participants must complete homebuyer education and buy homes in designated affordability zones. The Department of Housing and Urban Development expects the move to benefit over 200,000 families in urban and suburban areas. Housing advocates note the model could inspire similar low-cost ownership schemes in growing metropolitan regions of India and South Asia, including Dhaka and Kathmandu.