Blog - The Purbottar

20 May

Sayaji Hotels enters Sikkim with launch of Effotel by Sayaji in Gangtok

Business BureauBusiness

Sayaji Hotels has expanded its presence in the Northeast with the launch of Effotel by Sayaji in Gangtok, marking the hospitality group’s entry into Sikkim’s growing tourism market. The new property, located in Tathangchen near the popular Ridge Park, was officially announced on May 15. Situated at an altitude of around 1,650 metres, Gangtok is known for its views of Mt Kanchenjunga, monasteries, lakes and vibrant tourist activity. The hotel is strategically located close to Ridge Park and MG Marg, giving visitors easy access to key cultural and commercial areas of the city. Effotel by Sayaji features 32 rooms, including…

19 May

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Targets Congress Over 1961 Language Movement as Barak Valley Observes Language Martyrs’ Day

Paromita EditorAssam

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on May 19 launched a sharp attack on the Congress and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru over the 1961 language movement in Assam, alleging that the then Congress-led government had attempted to “fragment” Assam during a politically sensitive period. In a post on X, Dubey claimed that during the 1960s, when the country was facing the threat of Chinese aggression, the Congress government tried to create divisions and tensions between Assamese-speaking and Bengali-speaking communities in Assam. Referring to the police firing on Bengali language protesters in Barak Valley on May 19, 1961, he described the…

19 May

Assam Vigilance Team Arrests Kokrajhar Forest Officer in Bribery Case

Paromita EditorAssam

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, Assam, has arrested a Divisional Forest Officer of Kokrajhar district on charges of accepting a bribe in connection with the release of payment bills. According to an official press release issued on May 19, the arrested officer has been identified as Abinash Basumatary, Divisional Forest Officer of the Parbatjhora Forest Division in Kokrajhar district under the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The vigilance department stated that a complaint was lodged alleging that Basumatary had demanded Rs 9.75 lakh from a complainant for clearing pending bills. Unwilling to pay the full amount, the complainant approached the…

19 May

Assam Crime Branch Summons Randeep Surjewala in Passport Controversy Probe

Paromita EditorAssam

The Assam Crime Branch has summoned Congress MP and senior party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala to appear before investigators in Guwahati on May 23 in connection with an ongoing probe linked to allegations surrounding the passport records and citizenship status of Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The investigation began after Congress leaders, including party spokesperson Pawan Khera, raised allegations regarding alleged irregularities in Riniki Bhuyan Sarma’s passport-related documents. Following the remarks, criminal complaints were lodged against Khera at the Guwahati Crime Branch under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. According to sources, the summons…

19 May

Yamaha strengthens premium bike push with ‘The Call of the Blue’ event in Kolkata

Purbalee DuttaNorth East

The Yamaha Motor India Group organised its ‘The Call of the Blue’ Weekend event in Kolkata on May 17, drawing over 3,000 riders, enthusiasts and fans to ECO Park Gate 4 in Newtown as the company intensified its focus on strengthening brand engagement in India’s premium two-wheeler segment. The event featured a range of rider-focused activities including Gymkhana rides, slow balancing challenges, gaming arenas and safety riding classes. Open to both Yamaha and non-Yamaha users, the initiative aimed to expand community participation while promoting responsible riding practices and showcasing Yamaha’s racing-inspired product portfolio. The company also hosted immersive gaming experiences…

19 May

IIT-Guwahati achieves major boost in green hydrogen production efficiency through new innovation

Paromita EditorGuwahati

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati researchers have developed a new composite coating technology capable of improving the efficiency and durability of solar-driven water splitting systems used for green hydrogen production.Published in the prestigious international journal, Small, the findings of this research have been reported in a paper co-authored by Prof. Uttam Manna and Prof. Mohammad Qureshi, along with Dr Hrisikesh Sarma, and research scholars, Alpana Sahu, Anshika Chaudhary, Sumanta Sarkar, Sourav Mandal and Lingaraj Sahoo from IIT Guwahati.In recent years, green hydrogen has emerged as a significant clean energy source for reducing dependence on fossil fuels.Conventional hydrogen production methods release…

19 May

PepsiCo India Eyes Long-Term Growth with ₹5,700 Crore Investment across Three States

nanika EditorBusiness

Food and beverages giant PepsiCo India has announced a major investment plan of up to ₹5,700 crore by 2030. The massive capital injection will primarily focus on ramping up the manufacturing capacity of its foods business across the country. Speaking on the initiative, PepsiCo’s India and South Asia CEO, Jagrut Kotecha, emphasized that India remains one of the company's top 13 global markets, offering immense potential driven by rising consumer incomes and a stable economic environment. The planned investment will be directed toward three key manufacturing facilities. These include a strategic concentrates plant in Madhya Pradesh and advanced snacks plants…

19 May

Malabar Gold & Diamonds opens first Assam showroom in Guwahati

Business BureauBusiness

Jewellery retailer Malabar Gold & Diamonds today launched its first showroom in Assam at Guwahati, marking a major step in the company’s expansion across East India. With the opening, the brand’s presence in the eastern region has increased to 21 showrooms. Spread across 8,000 square feet, the new outlet has been designed to offer a premium jewellery shopping experience with spacious displays, modern interiors and personalised customer service. The showroom was inaugurated by SonuSood along with O. Asher, Managing Director, India Operations, in the presence of senior company officials, customers and members of the local community. The showroom features a…

19 May

Sikh Marriages to Get Legal Recognition Under Separate Law in Sikkim

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The Central Government has announced that the Anand Marriage Act, which allows Sikh couples to officially register marriages conducted through the traditional Anand Karaj ceremony, will come into force in Sikkim from June 1, 2026.The decision was notified by the Union Law Ministry through an official notification issued on May 14. The move is expected to provide legal recognition to Sikh marriages in the state under a separate framework specifically meant for the Sikh community.Until now, Sikh couples in Sikkim were required to register their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, for legal recognition, despite marriage ceremonies being conducted…

19 May

MLA Raj Kumari Thapa Promotes Maternal Care Facility in Yangang Constituency

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

A new Breastfeeding Corner was inaugurated at Ravangla Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Sikkim’s 15-Rangang Yangang Constituency as part of an initiative aimed at promoting motherhood support and child welfare in the region.The facility was donated by Deputy Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and MLA of 15-Rangang Yangang Constituency, Raj Kumari Thapa. The Breastfeeding Corner has been set up to provide mothers visiting the health centre with a safe, comfortable and dignified space to breastfeed and care for their infants.The facility was inaugurated by a breastfeeding mother in the presence of members of the Zilla Panchayat from Rabong Samdung…