Blog - The Purbottar

09 Jan

PM Modi Invites Global Diaspora to Become Brand Ambassadors; New NRI Investment Window Opened

Mohini BarmanNational

On the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (NRI Day), the Ministry of External Affairs today launched the "Chalo India" global digital portal. The initiative encourages members of the Indian diaspora to nominate and sponsor at least one non-Indian friend or colleague to visit India in 2026. Additionally, the Finance Ministry announced a new "Fast-Track Investment Window" for NRIs looking to invest in India's emerging green-tech sectors, aiming to leverage the intellectual and financial capital of the 32-million-strong global community.

09 Jan

To check illegal influx, Bengal needs BJP-led government, says Himanta

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized the need for a BJP-led government across Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal to enhance efforts against illegal infiltration from Bangladesh. Speaking to the media, he highlighted the progress made in Tripura and Assam under the BJP but pointed out that the lack of a BJP administration in West Bengal has obstructed a unified strategy to tackle this issue. Sarma characterized West Bengal as a "weak link" in the border management and security framework of the region, advocating for BJP's rise to power there due to the party's strong support base. He asserted that…

09 Jan

A study performed by Tezpur University finds indicators for early gallbladder cancer identification

Banasree SarkarAssam

Tezpur University (TU) researchers have discovered unique chemical signatures in blood that can distinguish between instances of gallbladder cancer with and without gallstones. This discovery may help with the early detection of one of the most aggressive and frequently missed tumors. The work, headed by research scholar Dr. Cinmoyee Baruah and assistant professor Dr. Pankaj Barah of Tezpur University's Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, was published in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Proteome Research. According to the study, certain blood-based "metabolic signatures" have been found that could be used as biomarkers for gallbladder cancer. As the third most…

09 Jan

Galaxy Book6 offers AI-powered productivity and advanced performance in a sleek new form

Business BureauBusiness

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…

09 Jan

Sikkim scraps offline permits for foreign tourists, online clearance now compulsory

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Sikkim government has officially ended the system of issuing physical permits to foreign nationals visiting protected and restricted areas of the state. From now on, all such visitors will have to obtain clearance only through an online process, making digital approval mandatory for entry into these areas. The decision was communicated through an official notification issued by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sikkim. According to the department, the move has been taken following clear and strict instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The central directive states that Protected Area Permits (PAP) and Restricted Area Permits (RAP)…

09 Jan

Winter flu and pneumonia cases rise: Doctors urge early testing and preventive care

Business BureauBusiness

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…

09 Jan

Hotel Booking Trends in Kolkata highlight a Shift Toward Location-Led Stays

Business BureauBusiness

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…

09 Jan

Textiles Committee and NEHHDC sign MoU on IIPR protection

Sonakshi SarkarNorth East

The Textiles Committee and the North Eastern Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation (NEHHDC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the North Eastern Region Conclave in Guwahati. This MoU aims to protect unique products from the North Eastern states through Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), specifically Geographical Indications (GI) registration, and to foster post-GI initiatives. Key aspects of the MoU include collaborative development to strengthen the textiles, handloom, handicrafts, and khadi sectors, as well as initiatives to enhance the global visibility of Northeastern products. This effort is expected to empower artisans and weavers by safeguarding their traditional knowledge and craftsmanship, while…

08 Jan

Aaranyak–SBIF Promote Beekeeping to Mitigate Human–Elephant Conflict in Assam

SonaliAssam

Leading biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak, with support from the SBI Foundation (SBIF), has introduced community-based solutions to strengthen livelihoods while promoting peaceful coexistence between people and elephants in human–elephant conflict (HEC)-affected areas of Assam. As part of the initiative, Aaranyak distributed 20 bee boxes with live colonies to community members in No. 3 Bholatar, No. 2 Bamunjuli and No. 1 Tankibasti villages in Udalguri district. The programme aims to provide alternative and supplementary livelihood options for families facing repeated crop losses due to frequent elephant movement. In these villages, most households depend on paddy cultivation. However, recurring crop damage caused…

08 Jan

Wage Assurance Prompts Tea Workers to Withdraw Dharna in Alipurduar

editorAlipurduar

Tea workers of five Merico-run estates in Alipurduar withdrew their two-day sit-in late Tuesday night after the company issued a written schedule to clear unpaid wages. The workers had launched a protest near the Dooars Kanya collectorate on Monday evening, demanding formal assurance that their pending dues would be released. Administration officials and Trinamool Congress leaders intervened, pressing Merico to provide a written commitment. Deputy labour commissioner Gopal Biswas confirmed that the company submitted a detailed plan, promising to clear all arrears by January 31. The payment schedule includes the release of one fortnight’s wages on January 9 for workers…