Blog - The Purbottar

30 Mar

SpaceX Successfully Lofts 119 Payloads in High-Cadence Transporter-16 Rideshare Mission

anuprova EditorNASA

Marking another milestone in the commercialization of low Earth orbit, SpaceX successfully launched its Transporter-16 mission early Monday morning, March 30, 2026, delivering 119 diverse payloads into a Sun-synchronous orbit. The Falcon 9 rocket roared to life at 4:02 a.m. PDT (11:02 UTC) from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, piercing the predawn sky with a brilliant plume of exhaust. This flight, the 21st dedicated mission under SpaceX's SmallSat Rideshare Program, underscores the company's dominance in providing affordable and frequent access to space for a global array of customers. The manifest for Transporter-16 was…

30 Mar

West Bengal Assembly Polls 2026: Third Supplementary Voter List Released Under Intensive Revision

nanika EditorWest Bengal

In a significant update ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) released the third supplementary voter list for West Bengal late Saturday night. This latest publication is part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which aims to ensure a clean and accurate electoral roll for the state. The release marks a continuing effort by the commission to finalize the list of eligible electors. This follows the publication of the partial final voter list on February 28, and two subsequent supplementary lists issued on March 23 and March 28. While the ECI has made…

30 Mar

REDMI 15A 5G launched in India with focus on battery, performance and affordability

Business BureauBusiness

Xiaomi India has launched the REDMI 15A 5G, positioning the device as a reliable, everyday smartphone built for long usage and smooth performance. The new handset is designed to handle daily tasks such as streaming, multitasking and communication without compromising on efficiency. The REDMI 15A 5G comes with a 6300mAh battery, which the company claims can last up to two days on a single charge under heavy usage. It supports 15W charging and 7.5W wired reverse charging. The device features a 6.9-inch display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and brightness of up to 800 nits, along with Wet Touch…

30 Mar

Assam District Completes Second Round of EVM, VVPAT Randomization

riya EditorAssam

In preparation for the upcoming Assam Legislative Assembly Election, the second randomisation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) took place in Tamulpur district at the District Commissioner’s Office Conference Hall. The event was attended by Returning Officers from the 43–Tamulpur (ST) and 44–Goreswar Constituencies, the District Election Officer, contesting candidates or their agents, and the General Observer. The process utilized the EVM Management System 2.0 to allocate EVMs and VVPATs on a polling station basis, ensuring the availability of reserve machines for Poll Day if necessary. Tamulpur district consists of 482 polling stations, with…

30 Mar

Axis Max Life, YES BANK mark 21 years; eye digital-first insurance push

Business BureauBusiness

Axis Max Life Insurance Limited and YES BANK Limited on Sunday celebrated 21 years of their bancassurance partnership, reaffirming a joint focus on digital-first delivery and hyper-personalised protection solutions. Over two decades, the alliance has evolved into a strong distribution ecosystem, leveraging YES BANK’s network of over 1,300 branches to serve around 18.03 lakh policyholders with a cumulative sum assured exceeding ₹1.50 lakh crore. The partnership has integrated new-age technologies to simplify insurance access, offering solutions across child education, retirement planning, wealth creation and term protection. Key innovations include video-based consultations and agile underwriting systems aimed at faster onboarding and…

30 Mar

Government of Meghalaya Grants BNSS 2023 Recognition to Aaranyak Wildlife Genetics Laboratory

riya EditorAssam

In a significant development, the Government of Meghalaya has notified the Wildlife Genetics Laboratory (WGL) of Aaranyak and its Director, with the aim of utilizing their expertise in wildlife genetics and forensic DNA analysis, as required by Section 329 (4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. This marks the first official recognition of a laboratory and an expert in the wildlife sector under the BNSS, signifying a pivotal step towards aiding wildlife crime investigations and control via forensic evidence collection through DNA sampling techniques. The notification follows an order from Meghalaya's Governor on March 24, 2026, and was…

30 Mar

Gaurav Gogoi, Wife Not Pakistani Agents, Says Media Across Border

riya EditorAssam

After depicting Himanta Biswa Sarma as anti-Muslim for evicting suspected illegal encroachers, Afkar Digital, a prominent Pakistani news outlet, aired a special segment addressing the alleged connections of Gaurav Gogoi's wife to Pakistan. The segment, while criticizing the Chief Minister, clarified that neither Gaurav Gogoi nor his wife are Pakistani agents; their visit to Pakistan was solely for NGO-related work, emphasizing that there is no necessity for Pakistan to retain agents like them in India. The report also highlighted that the ongoing eviction drive in Assam has led to the Pakistani media promoting hashtags like "Save Assam Muslim." Furthermore, the…

30 Mar

Morning coffee habit may boost longevity

Sonakshi SarkarHealth

Coffee, one of the world’s most widely consumed beverages, is gaining renewed attention for its potential long-term health benefits. Emerging research indicates that how and when coffee is consumed plays a significant role in the advantages it may offer. Large observational studies suggest that moderate coffee intake, particularly in the morning and with minimal additives, is linked to improved heart health and lower mortality risk. Morning coffee drinkers were found to have a notably reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to those who consumed coffee later in the day, possibly due to better alignment with the body’s natural…

29 Mar

Vipassana Programme Held in Tawang Promotes Mindfulness

riya EditorAssam

On Sunday, an enlightening programme titled “Introduction to Vipassana Meditation – A Path to Inner Peace and Mental Well-being” took place at Kalawangpo Convention Hall in Tawang, attended by public leaders, officials, and community members. Sponsored by MLA Tsering Lhamu and coordinated by Sangey Phuntsok Nguimo, the session featured guidance from resource persons Diganta Kalita and Rishikesh, a trustee of the Assam Vipassana Trust, Guwahati. MLA Tsering Lhamu emphasized the urgent need for mental peace in the modern, fast-paced world, noting the often-overlooked mental well-being amidst societal advancements, which has led to rising stress, anxiety, and depression issues. She also…

29 Mar

‘Junior Circuit’ Debuts in Guwahati with Thrilling Kids’ Obstacle Race

riya EditorAssam

Guwahati hosted its inaugural kids' obstacle race, 'Junior Circuit', at Arya College Playground, attracting over 500 participants, including around 250 children and 300 parents. Organized by Culture Club - preschool and supported by House of Play, the event emphasized participation and physical activity rather than competition, catering to children aged three to 15 years. The 1-kilometre course featured 15 obstacles, promoting parent-child engagement and transforming the race into a communal experience. Nikhil Mozika, founder of Culture Club, highlighted the growing interest in outdoor activities that foster confidence and resilience. The event aimed to combat sedentary lifestyles among children and recognized…