Blog - The Purbottar

03 Mar

Skywatchers’ Delight as Total Lunar Eclipse Graces the Night; Live Viewing at Guwahati Planetarium

riya EditorGuwahati

A total lunar eclipse is set to occur on Tuesday evening, visible across Northeast India, except for Sikkim. The rest of India will only experience a partial eclipse. The Guwahati Planetarium will host a live viewing for the public and astronomy enthusiasts. According to Indian Standard Time (IST), the eclipse will commence at 3:20 PM and conclude at 6:48 PM, with visibility in Guwahati starting after moonrise at 5:24 PM. This eclipse will be observable in eastern Asia, Australia, the Pacific Ocean, and the Americas. The next lunar eclipse viewable from India will be a partial eclipse on July 6,…

02 Mar

AICC Members To Revisit Assam To Streamline Candidates Selection Process

Paromita EditorAssam

Ahead of finalising the Congress party’s candidates for the Assam Legislative Assembly elections, two MPs and members of the Election Screening Committee constituted by the All-India Congress Committee — Imran Masood and Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka — will once again visit Assam.During their visit, the two members will participate in important meetings across various districts of the state to review organisational matters and preparations for the upcoming elections.According to sources in the Pradesh Congress Committee, MP Imran Masood will leave Guwahati for Hojai on March 3 and hold interactions with district and block-level leaders and workers, prospective candidates, sitting and former…

02 Mar

Key Court Orders in Zubeen Garg Death Case: Bank Account De-frozen, Singapore Files Access Denied

Paromita EditorAssam

The Court of the District and Sessions Judge in Guwahati on Monday issued a series of significant orders in the high-profile case concerning the death of Assam’s cultural icon, Zubeen Garg. In a key development, the court allowed a petition to de-freeze the bank account of one of the accused, Shyamkanu Mahanta. The judge observed that investigators had failed to follow mandatory safeguards while freezing the account and noted non-compliance with Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The prosecution argued that the lapses were merely technical irregularities and urged the court to overlook them. However, the judge…

02 Mar

Just minutes of exercise can cut death risk

Banasree SarkarHealth

Simple lifestyle changes such as sleeping a few minutes longer, adding light exercise, and improving diet may significantly extend lifespan and improve overall health, according to recent long-term research. One large study that tracked around 60,000 people over eight years found that just five extra minutes of sleep combined with two minutes of moderate physical activity—such as brisk walking or climbing stairs—could add up to a year to a person’s life. Researchers also noted that adding half a serving of vegetables per day could deliver similar benefits, particularly for people with the poorest sleep, exercise, and dietary habits. The findings…

02 Mar

SBI General Insurance bets on trust narrative, signs Pankaj Tripathi to drive health insurance push

Business BureauBusiness

SBI General Insurance has strengthened its brand positioning strategy with the appointment of Pankaj Tripathi as Brand Ambassador and the launch of its integrated campaign ‘Chuniye Bharosa, Apno Sa’. The move signals a sharper focus on trust-led communication amid rising demand for comprehensive health coverage. As part of the rollout, the company unveiled a health insurance film featuring Tripathi as a dependable family figure, reinforcing themes of responsibility and everyday care. The film, conceptualised and executed by TBWA Lintas, aligns with the insurer’s emphasis on transparency, technology integration and streamlined claim settlements. Management indicated that rising medical inflation and growing…

02 Mar

Satellite Images Confirm Damage at U.S. Fifth Fleet Base After Attack

anuprova EditorInternational

Newly released high-resolution satellite imagery has provided the first visual confirmation of significant structural damage at the U.S. Fifth Fleet’s headquarters in Bahrain, following a wave of retaliatory missile and drone strikes launched by Iranian-backed forces. The images, captured shortly after the escalation in the Persian Gulf, reveal multiple impact craters near critical infrastructure, including scorched hangars, damaged pier facilities, and what appears to be a partially destroyed administrative block within the heavily fortified naval compound. While the U.S. Department of Defense had initially downplayed the severity of the strike, citing "minimal operational disruption," the aerial evidence suggests a much…

02 Mar

Renault India posts 31% sales growth in February, Duster buzz lifts momentum

Business BureauBusiness

Renault India reported a strong 31% year-on-year rise in wholesale sales in February 2026, selling 3,495 units compared to 2,676 units in the same month last year. The company said it has maintained growth momentum in the first two months of 2026, registering a 32% cumulative increase over the corresponding period of 2025. The automaker outpaced overall industry growth for the second consecutive month, driven by strong demand for the refreshed Kiger and Triber models. The new Triber led the surge with an impressive 57% year-on-year growth in February. Renault said improved brand favourability since Q3 CY2025 has supported its…

02 Mar

TVS Motor sales jump 31% in February 2026; exports hit record 1.58 lakh units

Business BureauBusiness

TVS Motor Company has reported a 31% year-on-year growth in total sales for February 2026, selling 5,29,308 units compared to 4,03,976 units in February 2025. Total two-wheeler sales rose 30% to 5,07,862 units from 3,91,889 units a year ago. Domestic two-wheeler sales grew 32% to 3,65,471 units against 2,76,072 units last February. Motorcycle sales increased 25% to 2,41,282 units, while scooter sales surged 34% to 2,19,895 units. Electric vehicle sales recorded a strong 60% growth, rising to 38,386 units from 24,017 units in February 2025. The company’s international business posted its highest-ever monthly sales at 1,58,268 units, up 27% from…

02 Mar

SMFG India Credit’s Pashu Vikas Day impacts 1.55 lakh rural lives across 16 states

Business BureauBusiness

SMFG India Credit has announced the successful conclusion of the 8th edition of its flagship rural initiative, Pashu Vikas Day (PVD), impacting over 1.55 lakh lives across India. Held on February 14 under the theme ‘Sarvottam Seva: Pashu, Parivar aur Pragati’, the programme focused on strengthening livestock health and supporting sustainable rural livelihoods. Launched in 2014, PVD has grown into one of the country’s largest one-day cattle welfare drives. This year, the initiative covered 16 states through 510 SMFG Gramshakti branches. Around 1.4 lakh cattle received treatment, while healthcare support was extended to more than 14,000 people, benefiting over 30,000…

02 Mar

Godrej Agrovet launches TAKAI insecticide to tackle major crop pests in Bengal

Business BureauBusiness

Godrej Agrovet Limited, one of India’s leading diversified agri-business companies, on Friday launched TAKAI, a new multi-crop insecticide aimed at strengthening pest management and boosting farm productivity in West Bengal. Powered by CyclaprynTM technology developed by ISK Japan, TAKAI provides quick feeding cessation and long-lasting control against key lepidopteran pests, commonly known as caterpillar-type insects. The company has received label approval for use in rice, maize, chickpea and soybean, while approvals for cabbage and chilli are awaited. In West Bengal, often referred to as the “Rice Bowl of India” with nearly 15 million tonnes of annual rice production, pests such…