nanika Editor - The Purbottar

17 Sep

Bagdogra to Enhance Passenger Amenities Under ‘Yatri Seva Abhiyaan’

nanika EditorSiliguri

Bagdogra Airport is set to improve passenger amenities and service standards as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) launches the month-long “Yatri Seva Abhiyaan” from September 17 to October 10. The passenger-centric initiative, also being observed at airports across the country, will focus on cleanliness, passenger assistance and overall convenience, covering areas from the terminal building to the parking zone. AAI officials said the objective is to provide travellers with a smoother experience and maintain improved service standards throughout the year. Bagdogra has witnessed significant growth in passenger and flight traffic, with passenger numbers rising 12.5 per cent to 3.6…

16 Sep

Governor Applauds Tali, Matey Sisters for Mountaineering Achievements

nanika EditorArunachal Pradesh, North East

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) K T Parnaik has congratulated mountaineers January Tali, Kampo Matey and Nyarian Matey for their remarkable achievements in Himalayan mountaineering. January Tali created history by becoming the first Indian woman to summit both Mount Kun, at 7,077 metres, and Mount Nun, at 7,135 metres, in the same climbing season, completing the ascents between July 27 and September 8. The Governor also lauded Tirap-based mountaineers Kampo Matey and Nyarian Matey for successfully scaling the 6,127-metre Mount Shinkun West in Himachal Pradesh. Commending their courage, endurance, technical skills and determination, Parnaik said the achievements were a…

15 Sep

Rajiv Aggarwal Steps Down as Samsung India’s Public Affairs and ESG Head

nanika EditorBusiness

Samsung India’s head of public affairs and ESG, Rajiv Aggarwal, has resigned after nearly four years with the South Korean technology giant, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Aggarwal, 57, is serving his final week at Samsung India after overseeing the company’s engagement with the Indian government and its public policy matters. The reason for his resignation remains unclear. A former Indian bureaucrat, Aggarwal has previously held senior roles at companies including Uber and Meta. He declined to comment on his departure, while Samsung Electronics did not respond to requests for comment. His exit comes at a time…

14 Sep

Info Edge Reshuffles Leadership with New CFO and Independent Director

nanika EditorBusiness

Info Edge (India) Ltd has announced significant changes to its senior leadership and board, appointing Himanshu Agarwal as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Whole-time Director, effective September 17, 2026. The appointment comes as Ambarish Raghuvanshi, who took over as Interim CFO in November 2025, prepares to transition to the role of Finance Advisor and Senior Management Personnel. Raghuvanshi will continue in these positions until October 31, 2026, to support a smooth transition. The company has also appointed Naresh Chand Gupta, former Managing Director of Adobe Systems India, as an Additional Director and Non-Executive Independent Director for a five-year term beginning…

11 Sep

Lenders Set Strict Term Conditions as Vodafone Idea Obtains Mega $3.5 Billion Financing Deal

nanika EditorBusiness

A consortium of Indian lenders led by the State Bank of India (SBI) has agreed to extend approximately $3.5 billion (₹29,000+ crore) in debt financing to Vodafone Idea Ltd. (Vi) to support the cash-strapped telecom operator’s business turnaround. According to sources familiar with the matter, the banking group also includes Union Bank of India Ltd. and the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID). The loss-making operator—India’s third-largest wireless provider by subscribers—intends to utilize the 10-year loan package to upgrade its network infrastructure and improve market competitiveness against top rivals Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. and Bharti Airtel Ltd. The…

10 Sep

Health Officials in Longleng Urge Public Action to Pledge Eyes During 41st NEDF

nanika EditorNagaland

The District Health Society, Longleng, observed the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB & VI) by hosting a sensitization and awareness program at District Hospital, Longleng, on September 7. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Thungchanpeni Patton highlighted eye donation as a noble act that restores sight and urged the community to dispel common misconceptions while encouraging families to honor loved ones' pledges to donate. Ophthalmologist Dr. Thejavituo Kire explained the cornea harvesting process and noted that because there is no artificial substitute for human corneas, donated…

09 Sep

TCS Advances AI-Led Manufacturing with New Pune Lab

nanika EditorBusiness

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has launched an Industrial Autonomy & Engineering Lab at its Sahyadri Park campus in Pune, describing it as India’s first “lights-out” factory lab designed to advance artificial intelligence-led manufacturing. A lights-out factory uses autonomous technologies to operate production processes with minimal human intervention. The new facility features a fully robotic battery pack assembly line and a live, multi-stage production setup that allows manufacturers to prototype, test, validate and scale AI-first production systems while reducing deployment risks. TCS said the lab demonstrates how self-optimising factories can automate workflows by integrating digital twins, robotics, industrial AI, factory control…

08 Sep

S&P Rates Bank of India ‘BBB’, Cites Solid Funding and Government Support

nanika EditorBanking

S&P Global Ratings has assigned Bank of India (BoI) a ‘BBB’ long-term issuer credit rating and an ‘A-2’ short-term rating, citing the bank’s adequate capitalisation, solid funding and healthy liquidity. The ratings agency said the long-term rating is one notch above BoI’s stand-alone credit profile, reflecting the likelihood of extraordinary government support if required. S&P highlighted BoI’s important role as a public sector bank in promoting financial inclusion and noted that majority government ownership and control provide strong links between the bank and the government. The agency said the bank’s solid deposit base, supported by customer confidence in its government…

07 Sep

Blackstone in Talks to Buy Fairfax Stake in IIFL Finance

nanika EditorBusiness

Blackstone Inc. is among the global investment firms reportedly considering the acquisition of Fairfax Financial Holdings’ stake in IIFL Finance Ltd., as Fairfax weighs exiting the Indian non-bank lender to comply with regulatory requirements linked to its proposed acquisition of IDBI Bank. Fairfax, founded by Indian-born Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa, held a 15.2% stake in IIFL Finance as of June 30, with the company valued at around $2.9 billion. According to people familiar with the matter, Blackstone is in discussions with Fairfax and other shareholders, although the plans remain preliminary and could change. The potential transaction comes as India’s financial…

05 Sep

Health Officials Review Nagaland’s TB Elimination Roadmap

nanika EditorNagaland

Nagaland’s State TB Cell under the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare held its quarterly review meeting for the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) on September 3 in Kohima, reviewing progress and strengthening strategies to accelerate tuberculosis elimination in the state. State TB Officer Dr Akum Jamir outlined ongoing NTEP initiatives and the 100 Days Campaign, stressing the importance of continuous screening, early diagnosis and systematic treatment. He noted that tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge, with India accounting for around 28 per cent of the global TB burden, and emphasised the need for stronger implementation at the state…