Blog - The Purbottar

17 May

Himanta wants Gaurav Gogoi’s named to be dropped from list of MPs chosen for diplomatic outreach

Mohini BarmanAssam

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to drop the state's MP from the list of four parliamentarians nominated by the grand old party for the delegations to be sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan. Without naming Gaurav Gogoi, the Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha who is among the four MPs nominated by the party, the CM maintained that he should not be included in the all-party delegations "in the interest of national security". Sarma has been making allegations against Gogoi over his alleged Pakistan links through his…

17 May

Authorities in Barpeta implement tough measures in response to ASF outbreak

Banasree SarkarAssam

Due to the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Gahia village in the Sarukhetri development block, the sale of pigs and meat was prohibited in Assam's Barpeta district on Friday. To stop the infection from spreading, Diganta Baishya, the District Magistrate (In-charge) of Barpeta, has used Section 16 of the Assam Epidemic Disease Act, 2023, to prohibit the sale of pigs, piglets, pork, and associated goods. In addition, pig transportation is prohibited both inside and outside the district, with the exception of travel over the National Highway. People have been rigorously forbidden from disposing of pig carcasses in open fields,…

17 May

Governor, CM lead Sikkim’s 50th statehood day festivities

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

Sikkim marked 50 years of statehood with a vibrant celebration at Paljor Stadium, commemorating five decades of remarkable progress and envisioning a bright future. The event was graced by Governor Om Prakash Mathur, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and other dignitaries. The day began with a ceremonial parade featuring contingents from the Sikkim Armed Police, Infantry Regiments, and Forest and Home Guards. The Governor and Chief Minister received full honors amid enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. Key highlights included the lighting of butter lamps and offerings to the portrait of revered leader L.D. Kazi, symbolizing respect for Sikkim’s heritage. The…

17 May

TCI reports robust Q4 and FY2025 growth amid digital and green push

Business BureauBusiness

Transport Corporation of India Ltd. (TCI), a leading multimodal logistics provider, announced strong financial results for Q4 and FY2025 ending March 31. The company’s consolidated revenue rose 9.3% year-on-year to ₹11,972 million in Q4, while EBITDA grew 11.3% to ₹1,401 million. Profit after tax (PAT) increased 11.4% to ₹1,151 million, reflecting robust operational performance despite global uncertainties. For the full fiscal year, TCI’s consolidated revenue reached ₹45,385 million, up 11.5%, with PAT rising 17.4% to ₹4,161 million. The company credited growth to rising demand in warehousing, especially from quick commerce and consumer durables, alongside enhanced multimodal solutions for heavy machinery…

17 May

Bangladesh Launches First High-Speed Rail Project with Japan’s Help

Mohini BarmanBangladesh

Bangladesh has signed a major agreement with Japan to build its first high-speed rail line between Dhaka and Chittagong. The bullet train, expected to be operational by 2030, will reduce travel time from 6 hours to just under 2. This $12 billion mega-infrastructure project is being funded through Japanese ODA and involves advanced rail technology transfer. Officials said it will revolutionize domestic travel and logistics. The development has sparked interest in neighboring India and Nepal, where cross-border rail connectivity remains a growing priority. This project could serve as a model for regional rail modernization.

17 May

Germany Approves Four-Day Work Week Trial Across Multiple Sectors

Mohini BarmanGermany

Germany has approved a large-scale trial of the four-day work week, involving more than 60 companies across industries including tech, manufacturing, and services. The six-month pilot begins this June, coordinated by the New Work Institute in Berlin. Employees will retain full pay while working fewer hours, with companies measuring productivity, stress, and work-life balance. Advocates argue it leads to better mental health and efficiency. This trend is drawing attention in countries like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh where work-life balance is becoming an increasingly discussed issue. Some Indian startups have already begun testing shorter work weeks internally.

17 May

Rabha to be taught in 105 schools across Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

A landmark decision by the Assam government has brought joy and pride to the Rabha community as 105 government schools have been officially notified to teach in the Rabha language. This historic announcement marks the first time Rabha, a tribal language spoken widely in Assam, will be introduced as the medium of instruction in public schools. The Education Department of Assam issued the notification on Thursday evening, designating 81 Lower Primary (LP) schools in Goalpara district and 24 in Kokrajhar district to begin teaching in Rabha medium. This move is seen as a significant step toward preserving the Rabha language…

17 May

Oriflame launches Giordani Gold Serum-Infused Bronzing Pearls for radiant glow

Business BureauBusiness

Oriflame’s Giordani Gold Serum Infused Bronzing Pearls in the shade Glowy Rose blend s the artistry of handcrafted pearls with advanced skincare benefits. Designed as a versatile blusher, bronzer, and highlighter, these pearls deliver a radiant, multi-dimensional glow suitable for a variety of skin tones. The standout feature of this product is its serum-infused formula, which incorporates key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and Oriflame’s Youth Reveal Serum. Hyaluronic acid is renowned for its hydrating properties, helping to lock in moisture and maintain skin suppleness, while the Youth Reveal Serum works to enhance skin’s youthful appearance and luminosity. The pearls are…

17 May

Amrita University, SSDMA forge pact to boost disaster resilience in Sikkim’s Himalayan region

Business BureauBusiness

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) to bolster disaster preparedness and community resilience in the environmentally fragile Eastern Himalayas. The MoU, signed by SSDMA Director Shri Prabhakar Rai and Amrita’s Provost Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh, marks a continued collaboration focused on sustainable development, risk reduction, and early warning systems. Under the partnership, Amrita will deploy AI-driven wireless sensor networks, multilingual educational tools, and digital platforms to enhance early disaster alerts, particularly in remote regions. Since 2013, Amrita has been monitoring the landslide-prone Chandmari area in Gangtok, where…

17 May

BHEL reports 3% rise in net profit for Q4FY25

Priyanka RoyBusiness, News

Shares of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) rose 2.45% after the company reported a 3% year-on-year rise in net profit to ₹504 crore. Besides, the board of directors also recommended a dividend of ₹0.50 per share. The company's consolidated revenue for the quarter rose 8.8% year-on-year to ₹8,993 crore for Q4FY25 compared to ₹8,260 crore. The power segment, which accounts for nearly 80% of the revenue, witnessed steady growth. While the industry segment saw a 33% rise in revenue, supporting the overall growth. On the operational front, earnings before interest, tax and depreciation grew 14.2% YoY to ₹831 crore compared…